Maangai Paruppu Kuzhumbhu (Tirunelveli Style)

Ingredients

Toor Dhal - 1/2 cup
Moong Dhal - 1/4 cup
Brinjal - 2 (cut to bite size pieces)
Tomato - 1 (cut to bite size pieces)
Small onions -10 Nos.
Garlic pods - 5
Hing (Asafoetida) - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Green chilli - 2
Coconut Flakes - 3 tbsp
Raw Mango - 5 big slices
Tamarind - 1 pod
Coriander leaves - To garnish
Salt - To taste

Seasoning:
Oil - 3 tbsp
Mustard - 1/4 tsp
Urad dhal - 1/4 tsp
Red chilli - 1 (optional)
Onion - 2 tbsp
Curry leaves - 10 Nos.

Method

1. Add the following ingredients to the pressure cooker: Tood dhal, moong dhal, brinjal, tomato, onions, garlic, hing, turmeric, cumin and green chillies.
2. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. 
3. Pressure cook for 15 minutes over a medium - high heat.
4. After the steam is released, mash the contents of the pressure cooker with a potato masher / 'mathu'.
5. Add the mango slices. Add the giant mango seed (if you love mango so much like me).
6. Soak the tamarind in water and add the tamarind extract.
7. Add more water if needed.
8. Add in the coconut flakes.
9. Do the seasoning and add to the cooker.
10. Boil (with lid open) for about 15 minutes till the mango is completely cooked.
11. Garnish with coriander leaves.
12. Serve with white rice / brown rice / dosa / pongal.
13. With 'no tamarind' serve with idlis.

Note

1. Reduce tamarind when more mango slices are added.
2. Tamarind can be completely removed from the list and can be replaced by a whole big mango & 3 tomatoes.

Easter Basket

Easter is right around the corner and now is the perfect time to make these super cute Easter baskets to present to your loved ones.

Easter is not about the eggs or bunnies or chicken or spring . Its all about " Jesus died for my sins ....but HE rose again the third day. HE IS ALIVE!!!" So what is more fun about these baskets is that you can hide a note of hope and faith inside the egg along with the candies,  like "He is risen" , "My Redeemer lives" , etc.

What You'll Need:

Card stock / Scrapbook Paper / Patterned printed A4 sheet -1
Coffee Filter - 1
Cupcake liner - 1
Contrast color paper strip / ribbon -  to make a bow
White School Glue
Easter Grass / Strips of green tissue paper
Plastic Eggs -2
Candies (of choice)
Notes of hope / faith -  Handwritten or printed

How to do:

1. Cut the card stock paper about 10" x 2". Cut another patterned paper about 10" x 1". Glue the patterned paper on top of the other. 
2. Glue the ends together to make the base of the basket.
3. Cut the upper half of the coffee filter and glue it to the inside of the base of the basket.
4. Cut the card stock paper about 10" x 1". Cut another patterned paper about 10" x 1/2". Glue the patterned paper on top of the other. This makes the handle of the basket.
5. Glue the handle to the inside of the coffee filter. (This will be hidden later)
6. Now, glue the cupcake liner to the inside of coffee filter.
7. Make a paper or ribbon bow and glue to the handle.
8. Fill the basket with Easter grass (available in craft stores) or strips of green tissue paper and candy filled eggs with the note of hope.
9. Surprise your loved ones.
10. Have a blessed Easter.