Mutton Kuzhumbhu (Tirunelveli Style)

Ingredients

Mutton (Goat) - 1/2 lb or 1/4 kg
Potato - 1(big)
Small Onions OR (Equivalent big onion) - 1 handful (chopped)
Tomato - 1
Salt - To taste + to pressure cook mutton
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tbsp
Red Chilli Powder (optional) - 1/4 tbsp
Water - To cook mutton + for kuzhumbhu
Coriander leaves - To Garnish
For Roasting & Grinding:
Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
Red Chillies - 4
Ginger - 2 inch piece (finely chopped)
Cumin (Jeera) - 1/2 tbsp
Fennel (Perunjeeragam) - 1/2 tbsp
Whole Pepper - 1/2 tbsp
Coriander Powder - 3/4 tbsp
Coconut gratings - 1/4 cup
Seasoning:
Gingelly Oil (Sesame Oil) - 2 tbsp
Mustard (Kadugu) - 1/4 tbsp
Urad dhal - 1/4 tbsp
Chopped Onion - 2 tbsp
Curry leaves - 10 Nos.

Method

1. Cut the mutton into bite- sized pieces and wash them thoroughly. It is good to include some bone pieces and fat along with the mutton pieces to enhance the taste of the kuzhumbhu.
2. Cook the mutton pieces along with salt, turmeric powder and water(just enough to cover the pieces) in a pressure cooker. The cooking time will be less for young goat and more for aged goat or lamb.(I normally cook mutton for 15 - 20 min in a medium heat, after the first whistle)
3. In a frying pan, dry roast the ingredients under "For Roasting & Grinding"  over medium heat until a nice aroma is got. Grind them along with little water to a fine paste.
4. Now, open the pressure cooker and add the grind masala to the cooked mutton.
5. Grind the onions and add to the cooker.
6. Grind the tomato and add to the cooker.
7. Peel the skin of potato, cut them into big pieces and add them to cooker.
8. Add red chilli powder and salt, if necessary.
9. Add required water. DO NOT close the cooker.
10. Do the seasoning and add to the cooker.
11. Boil and simmer to the required consistency.
12. Garnish with coriander leaves.
13. Serve with white rice / idly / dosa / aapam / poori / chappathi / parotta / paratha or biryani. 

Blue & White Birthday Bath Fun

My husband's birthday was about to come and I was busy planning some surprises for him. At the same time, I wanted my 3 yr old to be entertained, surprised and to have loads of fun.

I decided to go for a "blue & white" birthday party. A part of the plan is to surprise him when he goes for a shower after his gym time. My little one loves to play with water any time...and.....

 Here it is....the magic of blue water...everything in blue or white or blue & white combo...

Here starts the fun arrangements of surprise & entertainment:

Since it was a "blue & white" party, I bought a blue notepad (had 150 sheets) from the dollar store. On one sheet, I wrote 'open for a birthday surprise' and attached to the door.

I took 13 notepad sheets and cut them into triangular shapes in the lower half, to give them the banner shape. I attached them above the bath tub with some cello-tape, so that it can be seen once the door is opened.

I bought a pack of 20 balloons along with an air pump for $1 from a dollar store and used all the blue balloons wherever possible.

I made a crown for the 'birthday boy' out of the balloons and hung it on the tap.

On the top of the flush tank, I arranged a few air fresheners and decorated with some balloons. I got the glade air freshener for about $2 from soap.com and $1 glass bowl from dollar store and $1 blue scented crystals from dollar store.

I collected all the blue and white toys from my kids toys' room and spread them in the bathtub.

Look at the 'blue & white' bath sponge, white soap and a blue egg. Inside the egg, I kept a small surprise for my kid. I bought some water toys and kept them as gift for the b'day boy .....(but, actually for my kid)

This is another b'day gift.....yeah...that too for my kid to enjoy. But dad gets the credit of opening the pack and operating it.

This is the most fun and exciting part. A few drops of blue food coloring does this magic. Open the tap to fill the bath tub. Meanwhile add a few drops of blue food coloring to the water. Look at the water turning into a deep blue sea....

It is totally safe to use food coloring in water for bath. It does not cause any skin irritations or harm. I have tried with various other food colors.

Oh! What a joy for my little one....to play with dad ...with his new toys... balloon fight......in blue water.


I am totally satisfied to see the surprised face of my beloved husband and the happiness, fun and excitement of my kid. I am proud that my thoughts and actions brought smiles on the two cute faces.

Total Decoration Cost:

20 balloons + air pump - $1
Blue Notepad (150 sheets) - $1
Glade air freshener - $2
Glass bowl - $1
Blue scented crystals - $1
Bath sponge - $1
Blue toys - $0 (available at home)
B'day gifts - optional
Blue food color - less than $1

The total cost will come around very less than $10. An economic and fun way to surprise your loved ones on  special days and occasions.

Onion Raita (Pachadi)

Ingredients

Big onion - 1 (chopped or sliced lengthwise)
Green chillies (chopped) - 2
Curry leaves (chopped) - 10 Nos.
Coriander leaves (chopped) - 5 stems
Carrot (grated) - 2 tbsp (optional)
Tomato (finely chopped) - 1 (optional)
Thick Curd - As needed
Salt - To taste

Method

1. In a bowl, add all the ingredients.
2. Mix them thoroughly & check for salt.
3. Serve as a side for biryani / variety rice.
4. This also goes well with parotta and chappathi.

Mint Rice

Preparing a healthy meal for the whole family with ingredients fresh from the garden.....What a joy !!!

Ingredients

Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Water - 2 cups
Mint - 1 bunch
Ginger - 2 inch piece
Garlic - 2 large pods
Green chillies - 3
Onion (chopped) - 1 handful
Carrot (chopped) - 1/2 handful (optional)
Beans (chopped) - 1/2 handful (optional)
Peas - 1/2 handful (optional)
Paneer cubes - 10 Nos. (optional)
Garam masala - 1/2 tbsp
Salt - To Taste
Oil - 2 tbsp

Method

1. Wash the basmati rice and soak it for 30 min.
2. Separate the mint leaves from the stems & wash them under cold water.
3. In a mixie / blender, grind the mint leaves, ginger, garlic & green chillies to a coarse paste adding little water.
4. In a wide bottom pan, add oil.
5. When hot, add the chopped onions.
6. When they turn transparent, add the chopped vegetables and fry for 3 min.
7. Now add the grind mixture and fry for about 3 min till the raw smell of mint goes off.
8. Now, add the paneer cubes and the garam masala & fry for another 1 min.
9. Add the soaked rice with necessary salt & 2 cups of water.
10. Give a good mix and check for salt.
11. Cover cook in a medium heat until all the water is absorbed by the rice.
12. Give a gentle mix and reduce to a low heat.
13. Cover the pan & let this sit for another 10 min.
14. Turn off the heat and give one last gentle mix.
15. Serve with raita or any fries.