LETZ COOK/CRAFT/MAKE

This year my garden is abundant with tomatoes. Every week I have been harvesting about 1kg of tomatoes and are out of recipes to use them in. My mom suggested that I make this thokku that can be used with idli, dosa, chappathi or to make instant tomato rice. This recipe uses a little extra oil than normally needed, as it helps in preserving the thokku for a long time. This is my first entry to injimanga's Green Blog Project . Thakali thokku (tomato mix) Ingredients: Tomato - 1.5 kg (approximately 8 tomatoes) Mustard seeds - 1 tbsp Curry leaves - 2 sprigs Vinegar - 2 tbsp Oil (preferably gingelly) - 1/2 cup Powder ingredients: Chilli powder - 2 tbsp Turmeric powder - 1 tsp Fenugreek (methi) powder - 1tsp Salt - as needed Method: Blend tomatoes to a fine puree. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed or non-stick vessel. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Wait till the mustard seeds start to splutter and then add the tomato puree and all the powder ingredients. Let this simmer for about 1 hr. ...

Saturday I had to go to my company picnic which was a beach party. Had lots of fun playing beach volleyball and came home tired. Wanted to have something cold and decided to make a milkshake. I had mangoes, banana and apple at home but wanted to try something new. Long time ago a friend of mine had introduced me to Dates milkshake and I loved it. Hence I decided to it and have it chilled. It was very refreshing. Dates Milkshake Ingredients: Dates (pitted and chopped) – ¾ cup Milk – 2 cups Sugar – as needed Cream – 2 tbsp Method: Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan. Add chopped dates and let it come to boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 10min. Switch off the heat and let it cool. Grind the milk mixture in a blender, adding sugar (as needed) and cream. Chill and serve. Variations: Finely chopped nuts can be added just before serving along with a dollop of fresh cream.