Storytime # 5 : Who is my favorite devotee?

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One day Devarishi Narada, the wandering sage went up to Lord Vishnu and asked him who his favorite devotee was. Now as we all know, Narada is a great Vishnu bhakt. So strong is his devotion that he punctuates every sentence with the famous words, “Narayana, Narayana”. Narayana is one of the many names of Vishnu, as we all know.

Narada was sure that there was no one comparable with him when it came to devotion to Vishnu. So when Narada questioned Him, Vishnu replied thus,” There is a good farmer on earth to whom I am dearer than his very life, I choose him.”

Narada was shocked to hear this. His pride was broken and the words stung him. But he quickly regained his composure and said, “If that is so, I would like to test him.”

“By all means”, said Vishnu smiling kindly.

Narada arrived at the doorstep of the farmer’s hut. It was afternoon and the farmer had just come home. He stopped at the door, took the Lord’s name and went in. After eating and refreshing himself the farmer went back to the fields. He returned at dusk and again remembered the Lord before entering the house. Next morning the farmer prayed to the Lord before leaving for work.

Narada was keenly counting. He observed that the farmer took the Lord’s name only three times during the day – before going to the fields in the morning, before eating food in the afternoon and after returning from his field at dusk. So why did Vishnu call him his favorite devotee?

He was puzzled. On returning to the Heavens Narada asked Vishnu. Vishnu was expecting this.

He said, “Narada, before I answer you, I have some work that only you can do.” He handed him a bowl filled to the brim with oil and asked him to walk around the earth once without dropping any oil. “Not a single drop must fall, Narada”, Vishnu reminded him.

Source: Bolokids

Narada went away to do as he was bid. Understandably he took a long time to finish the task.

“So how many times did you remember me while walking around the earth, “asked Vishnu, when Narada got back him “Not once,” replied Narada, with some hesitation. “I was so engrossed in doing the work you assigned to me, that I completely forgot to take your name.”

“Narada, the farmer’s work is also given by me to him. He has many responsibilities, and he fulfills them all but still remembers me.” Vishnu said.

Narada was ashamed, “That is true,” he said, with his head down.

Vishnu explained, “Those who remember me while doing their duties are dearer to me than those who set aside all work and chant my name day and night.”

- A story by Sujata C

Source: Bolokids

Read other stories here....

Honeydew Agua Fresca with a break....

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I am so happy to let you know guys that this is my 100th post with a whopping 36,000 hits...Yohoo!.. I can't believe myself.. Is it really 100?... Yes it is my dearies and its all because of all your love and support towards me and my little blog..:D Thank U !!!

Lets celebrate this moment of joy with a drink.. Shall we?.. By now, you all must have known the fact that my favorite fruit is 'Honeydew'.



So, when Sig announced her MBP: Mixed Drinks, originally by Coffee, I started my usual search for a drink that would quench my desire of making a drink out of my favorite fruit. My quest ended here. Though, She is on her break right now - we all miss u dear . Hope to see you back soon...:D



Adapted from here.

Ingredients:

2 cups honeydew melon pieces
Sugar - as desired
Lemon Juice
2 cups of Water (or more if desired!)
Fresh Mint ( I used very little, as I am not a big fan of minty flavor).

How to make:

1. Peel off the skin of Honeydew melon, remove the seeds and cut into small pieces.
2. Blend them in a food processor into a fine puree.
3. Now, Add in other ingredients and Stir the contents well.
4. Strain it with a fine mesh strainer and Serve chilled with ice cubes.



Cmeon guys, its almost Spring, its time to celebrate with such lovely drinks...:DD



With great pleasure, I would also like to forward this drink to Meeta's Monthly Mingle: Spring Fruit Sensations, this time hosted by Abby of 'Eat the right stuff'.

Last but not the least, due to some prior commitments in life, I will not be able to blog regularly for couple of weeks (..did I say weeks.. well, it may be or may not!).

....I will be back soon with some yummy recipes .. till then take care and cya!


*Its Springtime...Yohooo!*

- Siri

CLICK - 'Love is in the Air'

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Note: click the images for an enlarged view.

Click 1:

*Love is in the Air*

'So wrapped in each other
can hear no other sound
These eyes see only you
sweetest love I've ever found

I think of you each day
my mind is set on you
You bring the best in me
with the sweet things you do..'

- Anonymous



Click 2:



Click 3:



Folks, I am in a kind of dilemma, which one to send for CLICK..first, second or the third?.. Hmmmm, if u were given a choice to make, which one would u choose as 'THE BEST!'.....Let me know..

EDIT: The second pic is my entry to J&B's CLICK:METAL event..:D

Camera Details:

Model: Canon PowerShot A530
Aperture : f/2.6
Focal length : 5.8mm
Mode: Macro

- Siri

Four Foods on Friday # 21

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Valerie of 'Fun, Crafts and Recipes' gives out Four yummy, fun-filled questions every Friday and answering them and checking what others wrote about them is always quite exciting and interesting. This is my first time and am eagerly look forward to other FFOFs too!.. Just visit her blog for more details about FFOF.

Coming to this week questions...

#1. What's your favorite fruit and how do you like to eat it?

I almost like all kinds of fruits ( except Pineapple, which gives out an itchy feeling in my throat..!).. but, I am a great fan of *Honeydew* and would love to eat fresh - seeds removed, cut into small pieces and refrigerated for couple of minutes..yummy! :D

#2. What is the one spice in your kitchen you use more than any other?

Turmeric. Yes, thats one spice which I use almost in all of my dishes.. except desserts..:D

#3. Pudding. Instant, stovetop or premade?

Hmmmm, an instant one when I am too lazy.. My alltime favorite is 'Banana Pudding'.

#4. Share a recipe using potatoes.

Taters are my favorite vegetables and would love to make 'Potato Rosti' anytime.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

Potatoes
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder
Shredded Swiss Cheese

How to make:

1. Parboil potatoes. Peel them and grate.
2. Season the mixture with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a non-stick flat pan. Add tater mixture and press to a form cake. Cover with a pan and Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until crisp.
4. Flip the cake very carefully using a large spatula. Cook for 8 more minutes.
5. Now, sprinkle shredded cheese over it and let it cook for 2 minutes.
6. Serve warm.

Enjoi!!!

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Couple of weeks back, my dear friend, Dhivya of DK's Culinary Bazaar gave me 'Nice Matters Award'.



"Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.”


Thanks Dhivi, for bestowing me with this award.

I want to pass this on to everybody who regularly visit my blog and patiently comment on almost every post of mine..:D Thanks guys..
But, as a special mention, I want to pass this on to Srivalli, Seena, and Sirisha. These are those ppl who are truly nice at heart and were there with me always right from the day I started blogging! ..:D

Thats it for now folks.. take care and Chao!

- Siri

Mama's Vegetable Biryani and Aloo Kurma

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*Vegetable Biryani, Aloo Kurma, Tofu Kurma*

"She is an innovator, an experimenter, a missionary in bringing the gospel of good, healthy cooking to the home table.."..

*She* is none other than my dearest Mom, who is an awesome cook, ..for her cooking is not a grueling task..She does that with such ease that amazes me everytime and mind you, all of her dishes turn out delectable and yummy .
She, as a cook has a great fan following - me, my dad, all my uncles n aunts, her office colleagues, my dad's office colleagues, my friends.. Phew, the list goes on and on and on...

One day, (...when I was missing my mom terribly,) I got reminded of her "Vegetable Biryani and Kurma" so badly, that I actually asked her to send me her recipe and also a photograph if possible....:DD

...U all know 'How sweet mothers are..!".. She made these and sent them the following day.. So, here I am presenting my mom's Vegetable Biryani and Aloo Kurma (drumroll please....)and this is my way to keep safe her recipe on my blog for ever. Love U Mom.. U Rock!

I still have to try this out in my kitchen, which I am planning to do this weekend.. (*fingers crossed*)...:)



Vegetable Biryani
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Ingredients:

Basmati Rice 2 cups
Chopped Onion 1/2 cup
Mint leaves - few
Chopped Carrot, Beans, Green Peas 1 cup
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp
Biryani Masala - 1 tbsp
Oil - 4/5 tbsp
Water - 3.5 cups

*Vegetable Biryani*

Preparation:

1. In a flat bottomed pressure pan, heat oil, add Onion, mint leaves, Ginger Garlic paste and fry these for 2 mins.
2. Now, add in biryani masala, vegetables; Cook these for 2 mins.
3. Season with salt, add rice and cook for a minute.
4. Finally add the water and cook until 3 whistles.
5. Serve hot with any spicy kurma and raita.

Now, coming to Kurma, my mum prepares a standard gravy for almost all Kurmas and adds in choice of vegetables like Potato (or) Brinjal (or) Cauliflower (or) Tofu.. etc etc.

Here is the recipe for the Gravy and then halved to make Aloo Kurma and Tofu Kurma as in the photograph!..:DD

Ingredients:

Fresh Coconut - 1 cup
Roasted Sesame seeds (Telugu: Nuvvulu) - 2 tbsp
Onions - 3 tbsp ( or 2 medium ones)
Peanuts - 1 tbsp
Roasted Yellow Bengal Gram (Telugu: Putnala Pappu) - 1 tbsp
Tamarind taste - 1 spoon
Oil - 2 tbsp
Garam Masala - 1 tbsp
Ginger Garlic paste - 3/4 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Red Chilli powder - 1 tbsp
Turmeric - 1/2 tbsp
Yogurt - 1 tbsp (optional)

Preparation:

1. Take a tbsp of oil in a pan, on a low flame add in sesame seeds, 3/4 of onions, peanuts, yellow bengal gram, ginger garlic paste and fry these for a 2 mins.
2. Then add tamarind water and finally coconut. cook for a minute.
3. Grind these to a fine paste and keep aside.
4. In a wok, take left over onion, add in the ground masala and cook for couple of minutes. When the oil starts to separate, season with salt, turmeric, red chilli powder and garam masala.
5. Finally, add some yogurt and stir well.
6. You can in your choice of vegetable in Step 4.
7. Goes well with any biryani, naan or roti.

*Aloo (Potato) Kurma*


*Tofu Kurma*

Off this Aloo kurma goes to Sia's "Ode to Potato" event and also to Dhivi's "The Potato Fe(a)st" (Thanks to Dhivi for accepting my late entry way after deadline!...cho chweet of u!).

Hope you all enjoied my mom ka khaana as much as I did (.....cherished!.. Miss u Mom!)...:DD

[UPDATED 8/12/2010] - I am sending this as an entry to Alka's LYRO:Potato event. 

- Siri