THENGA MANGAI PATTANI SUNDAL/BEACH SUNDAL/PEAS SUNDAL

This Sunday recipe is prepared with white peas,mango, coconut as the name suggests.This is very famous in beach especially Marina beach. Invariably those who visit beach never miss to taste this. As this is mango season thought of trying this recipe.The crunchiness of onion,tanginess of mango and the taste of green chilies everything adds to the flavour.

Soak white peas for 8 hrs or overnight

Ingredients

White peas…….1 cup

Raw Mango..5 TBS
Coconut…..3 TBS
Onion……3 TBS
Green chillies….1 to 2

Ginger…..1/2 inch piece

Red chilli powder..1 TSP
Mustard seeds…..1/4Tsp
Urad dhal…..1/2 tsp

Carrot grated…..2 TBS
Coriander leaves chopped….2 tbs

Hing…..1/4 TSP
Curry leaves few.

Preparation

White peas should be cooked but not mushy.

Grind coconut,green chilies and ginger.Just pulse it not a fine paste.

In a kadai put oil.

Add oil to it.

Now add mustard seeds and when it splutters add urad dhal when it turns brown add curry leaves then half of the onions.onion s

Onion should not be soft.It should have crunchiness.

Add cooked peas to it.

Then add grinded mixture to it

Fry well till everything gets mixed .Add lemon juice of 1/2 a lime switch of the stove.

It’s time to add grated mango, carrot and mix well.

While serving serve with mango and chopped coriander leaves.

Very healthy evening snack

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TABLE SETTING

Nowadays hosting parties is part and parcel in our life. We host parties for different purposes.

Table setting that is laying a table or place setting refers to the way to set a table with tableware such as eating utensils and for serving and eating.The arrangement for a single dinner is called a place setting.

The room room should be arranged for receiving and the host should see that the seating arrangement is done properly.

The etiquette to be observed by the

host or the hostess begins from the setting of the table which depends upon many things like the number of people invited, the menu, the way of serving the course.etc.
No.of Persons:

One can manage guests themselves or with the help of 2 or 3 persons.It is best to limit to 8 to 10 couples for a party.If one cannot prepare everything can get few food stuff from outside also..If guests are all going to talk and enjoy themselves a small number would be ideal to make the atmosphere informal and cosy.

A large number would mean that people will form groups and chat away in corners instead of everyone joining in the fun that is going on.
Arrangement:

Setting the table smartly and beautifully is important and quite often opens up a line of conversation and paves the way towards the success of the party.

For a basic table setting one should remember the order of plates and utensils .One can remember the word “FORK”.The order left to right.

• F for fork.
• O for plate (Shape)
• K for knives
• S for spoons.

This setting is appropriate for most occassions.

• The knife is placed to the right of the plate with the sharp edge towards the plate
• .To the right side of the knife is the spoon.
• The water glass goes above the knife.
• Napkins can be placed under the forks or on the plate for an informal setting.

Informal Dinner:

If a salad is to be served the salad fork is placed to the left of the diiner fork.

Desert fork can be brought with the desert

In formal dinner setting:

• White and red wine glasses if necessary along with water glasses are positioned to the left of coffee cup.
• You can serve appetisers and beverages in the living room before sitting down.

Before serving dessert clear the table of dishes and other implements and finger bowls should be brought in for the guests to clean their fingers of stains from curry and grease.Finger bowls should be picked up and kept on the left where originally fork was placed.One should remember that finger bowl is not a hand bowl.One can then wipe off with the napkin.

The wines served to guests in the party generally are white wine, champagne with pudding.Sometimes tea or coffee is also served.

Last but not least one should not forget salt and pepper shakers too.

Image source: shutterstock

KOLAM

India is rich in its culture and heritage.It is also a land of colours.This article of mine is about kolams.KOLAM is a form of drawing drawn as a ritual .It is believed that this practise prevails from ancient times,there is a mention about this during chola period too.

South Indians have this culture of drawing kolams in front of the house that is at the entrance.This practise prevails there in some parts India and also in some Asian countries too.Kolams are regionally known by different names in India,Rangolee in Maharashtra,Aripan in Mithila,Hase and Rangoli in Karnataka,Muggulu in Andhrapradesh and kolam in Tamilnadu.

Preparation:

We SouthIndians that too in a hindu family,it is a daily routine to clean front yard in the mornings and then draw kolams.It is not only a ritual but also health wise it is good.Women bend to sweep then bend for drawing kolams too.Bigger ones are drawn in front of the house and religiously smaller versions are done in pooja rooms.We draw it when it is damp.

Materials used:         

  In olden days mainly rice flour was used to  draw kolams because ants, birds will have their share from it.Nowadays on festival days or mainly  Tuesdays and Fridays some prefer to draw kolams using rice paste especially in their pooja rooms.Rice flour,powdered white stones, chalk powders are used. In addition to this people use turmeric and kumkum in their pooja rooms.Red brick powder is also used as a border.People living in apartments perfer to draw with chalk or color crayons and sometimes vinyl stickers are used instead of drawing regularly.Kolams  come in sheets decorated with stones.

In the month of margazhi women  draw bigger ones some even prefer to use color  powders too.Each person will try to showcase their talents.Some people   keep pumpkin flower or shoeflower in it.The next month of Margazhi is Thai in tamil month .First day  is known as Pongal.Second day we celebrate siru veetu pongal those who keep the flowers  will celebrate this  Pongal.

Kinds of kolams:

There are different patterns for drawing kolams.Patterns which run around dots,then we have geometrical figures,we have objects drawn like ship, pots, lamps etc. Flowers,animals and birds too are drawn.Some draw simple patterns, or just draw straight lines,sikku kolam and even free hand drawing is done.

Women calculate the dots that vary from one and another.The number of dots may be even or odd and sometimes increases or decreases according to the pattern.Even if a small dot is missed the entire kolam goes wrong.

Rangoli on the other hand have different colors in it. Flowers have brighter shades leaves have green tinch like wise according to the design colors are used.Gods and Goddesses are drawn in this method.

We keep lamps in kolams for festivals like Diwali and Karthigai.

In Kerala athapoo that is kolams with flowers are done for Onam.

Also another belief  is that when we draw kolams in front of the house it is for inviting Goddess Lakshmi.It is a fantastic ritual.Im also proud to say that I can perform such a wonderful task. This  habit is passed from one generation to another.

Your viewsplease.

Image source: Google

Indian Jewellery(Bridal jewellery)

Indians especially south indian women are famous for wearing jewels from ancient time. The five epics in tamil literature itself proves this.Silapathikaram linked with anklets,Manimekalai to the bells in ottiyanam,kundalakesi to big earings, Valaiyapathi refers to bangles.

From head to toe we indians wear jewellery,some are very imporatant.

Nethichuti:

This is kept in the forehead.In the North they call it maang tikka.  A must for bridal make up.Nowadays close relatives of the bride and groom also wear this.It is kept as a single piece or with suryan and chandran on either side of the centre piece.

Nose stud:

Nosestud a small piece of jewellery connected to a short thin piece of metal that passes through the side of the nose.Nose rings are also worn.

Kai Vangi:

This is for the upper arm  that is above the elbow.

Bangles:

We wear in our hands.A function known as valaikappu is meant to bless a pregnant women,celebrate her fertility and ensure a safe child birth.It is believed that the bangles sound induces the childs senses.so people who attend the function wears bangles for  the pregnant woman.

Bracelete:

Worn around the wrist.Worn by both men and women.

Rings:

Rings  are worn in our fingers.These are given for different occassions.It may be for a pre-engagement, engagement or on the Big day  that is wedding.Wedding rings are a symbol of everlasting love between the two people.

Earings:

This includes anything from studs,hangings or jumkis according to the attire.For bridal dressing we wear with mattal that is a chain from ear to hair.

Necklaces:

Anything which we wear round the neck.chokers close to neck,then chains at different length.Traditional chain includes kasumalai,mallimottu, step chain, chain with lockets and many more.

Ottiyanam:

This is the belly chain.

Anklets:

BraceletWorn around ankle.This is  worn for centuries by girls and women in India.It is made of silver, gold and beads.Some use as a fashion jewellery.

Toe ring:

Also known as minchi,metti or bee-chee ya in hindi.It is worn in the second toe in both legs.Mostly worn on the day of wedding.It is a symbol of the married state by a hindu women.

Picture courtesy:Google images.

Expressing good wishes or greetings

In our daily life we use different expressions.It can be also a salutation when one person meets another person or it can be a message which includes mobile friendly words too.

A day can be divided into three parts.First expression is “Good Morning”.It is a polite greeting you say to someone in the early hours of the day.We  also use this when we see a person for the first time in the morning.This wish itself can make a person cheerful.

“Good afternoon” is used between noon and 5p.m.

“Good night” is used at the end of the day or leave taking or even for going to bed.This can  be a desire  to sleep well .The words hey,hi is used instead of hello.Especially hey for a person whom you have already met.

When we use greetings  and expressions it will make us more polite and courteous.These mean a lot for  many people.Expressions like How are you? ,How was the day? Feel Better and many more will give us a sense of satisfaction.Especially when we receive from persons close to our heart who are far away, will make us feel that they are close.And this feeling itself is a wonderful experience.At times of distress it makes us feel cozy and naturally we feel better .

Greetings and expressions can change our moods and attitude.Sometimes it has a sentimental value like when we use  the expression” Best of luck”.

Next time when we we use greetings or expressions think that it will be of the support to the person who receives the message. Don’t hesitate or forget to greet or wish people.

 

 

Snacks in 70’s

In those days after school before going home we go to the vendor near the gate.He sells like Thean Mittai,Kamar Kattu,Javvu Mittai,Sooda Mittai and other items like Borums[ilanthapalazham],Kodukapuli,Gooseberries soaked in saltwater.These were our childhood snacks. In addition to it,there was an ice-factory opposite to our school. We get Kuchi Ice from there.Even today when we think of it it is mouthwatering.Some were nutrious too,children of today really miss such goodies.Hope in future these kind of items have a comeback for the next generation.