Wednesday, February 15, 2017

How to make Padavalanga Thoran



Padavalanga thoran recipe Kerala style

Recipe for Kerala Padavalanga / Snakeguard thoran
Cooking time:15min, preparation time:5min, Level: Easy, Cuisine: Kerala
Ingredients :

Snakeguard / Padavalanga: 1, medium sized / 2 cups chopped
Coconut oil: 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp
Urad daal: 1/4 tsp
Dry red chilies: 2
Salt

To Coarse Grind: 

Shredded coconut: 1/2 cup
Curry leaves: 1 spring
Shallots / kunjulli: 3, peeled
Garlic: 1 clove
Green chilly: 2
Cumin seeds/ Jeerakam: 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp


Directions for Kerala Dry Padavalanga thoran without daal / Parippu:

1.Wash and scrape the snake guard / Padavalanga. Cut it lengthwise and discard the seeds and soft parts with a spoon. Now cut each into small cubes and keep aside.

2. In the small jar of the mixer, combine all ingredients listed under "to coarse grind" and crush together without water. 

3.  Heat coconut oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. When it splutters add the dry chilies and Urad daal. Stir well until Urad daal changes its color to golden brown. Add the chopped snake guard / Padavalanga and stir-fry for 2 minutes.

4.  Now combine the ground cumin-coconut mixture with the snake gourd / Padavalanga. Give a quick stir and add the salt. Cover and cook till the veggies are done.

5. Serve hot with matta rice, curd, pickle, and pappad.

Enjoy!!!
Lena


Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Rithika's Lego Friends 7th Birthday Party

Homemade lego friends birthday party
We had finalized an  "Ariel " themed birthday party months before. Based on this  I had gone ahead and designed a blue underwater-themed cake and ordered the moulds and related stuffs from Amazon really early. My daughter Changed the Birthday theme from " Ariel" to "Lego friends" three weeks before the birthday. I had no idea how to pull it on time. Luckily I was able to assemble the party one brick at a time. 

Homemade lego friends birthday party

I started the preparations one week before the party. Garland, tassels, and Tissue paper pom-Poms were the first on the list. My husband did the Backdrop - 3D Lego friends logo and the photos.

Lego friends birthday Party invitation by her dad

Chocolate topped Rice Krispie Treats 
Lego friends themed Birthday Cupcake with Lego men Chocolate candy

Lego Moulded Chocolate candies

Rithika's Lego Friends 7th Birthday Party cake 

 Lego birthday party activity: DIY Lego necklace making Kit

How to make DIY Lego necklace activity kit for a birthday party: We bought thin pink blocks from Lego shop along with special elements. Thread and clasp were from my daughter's jewelry making kit. Made a hole on Lego with a hobby drill. Put 10 pieces in each goodie bag for the activity. Kids loved it.

Our Birthday girl 
Another photo of the homemade Lego friend's birthday party cake for my daughter

Lego birthday party goodie bags
Rithika's Lego Friends 7th Birthday Party 


Enjoy,

Lena