Roundup: FF7SL: Cooking for Infants and Toddlers ( 0-3 yrs)

I hope you would have enjoyed the challenge of cooking for infants and toddlers. Thank you all for the wonderful and rare recipes you sent across.

Some Tips, Remedies, Shlokas

• Sireesha of Kidz Delight has an exclusive post on Shlokas for Toddlers
• Sandhya Hariharan of Sandhya's Kitchen says that her son loves Shloka Kids website. This site has animations along with shlokas which helps us to imbibe our values and mantra's easily.
• Spice buds has shared few home remedies with us. Click here to read.

Food for Infants

Saraswathi's Sara's Corner

1.  Recipe: Food for Toddlers (A Recipe Marathon)

     Age Group: 6 months + 

Kamala Bhoopathy's Cook@ease 

1.  Recipe: Vegetable Smoothie
     Age Group: 6 months +
     Key Ingredients: Bottle gourd and other mixed vegetables

Graziana's Erbe in Cucina(Cooking with herbs)

1.  Recipe: Baby Daal
     Age Group: 7 to 9 months
     Key Ingredients: Mung dhal, carrot, potato 

Sireesha's Kids Delight

1.  Recipe: Plum and Banana puree

     Age Group: 6 - 9 months

     Key Ingredients: Banana, Plum

2.  Recipe: Spinanch and Potato Puree

     Age Group: 9 - 12 months

     Key Ingredients: Spinanch, Potato

3.  Recipe: Vegetables (as weaning food)

     Age Group:  6 - 9 months

     Key Ingredients: Vegetables

Geethan's My Tasty Recipe

1.  Recipe: Mixed Vegetable Soup

     Age Group: 6 months +

     Key Ingredients: Mung dhal, Milk, Fresh cream, any available vegetable

Niveditata's Kitchen

1.  Recipe: Malt

     Age Group: 6 months +

     Key Ingredients:Mung dhal, Chana dhal, Rice, Toor dhal, almonds. After 9 months you can add split green mung dhal

Priya's Easy and Tasty Recipes

1.  Recipe: Spinach puree

     Age Group: 7 - 12 months

     Key Ingredients: Spinach, Potato

Shanthi Krishnakumar's Cookbok

1.  Recipe: Ragi Koozh

     Age Group: 3 - 12 months

     Key Ingredients: Ragi

Sandhya Hariharan's Sandhya's Kitchen

1.  Recipe: Healthy Homemade Porridge

     Age Group: 8 months+

     Key Ingredients: Wheat, Rice, Legumes

2.  Recipe: Creamy Oats Porridge

     Age Group: 8 months+

     Key Ingredients: Oats, Milk

Spicebuds

1.  Recipe: Homemade apple sauce

     Age Group: 6 months +

     Key Ingredients: Apples

2.  Recipe: Bunny's Carrot Soup

     Age Group: 8 months +

     Key Ingredients: Carrot

FOOD FOR TODDLERS

Sadhana and Muskaan's A2Z Vegetarian Cuisine

1.  Recipe: Yogurt Quinoa (by Sadhana)

     Age Group: 24 months+

     Key Ingredient: Quinoa, Yogurt

Kamala Bhoopathy's Cook@ease

1.  Recipe: Parupu Sadam (Rice with lentils)

     Age Group: 12 months +
     Key Ingredients: Rice, Lentils

Malini's Khana Khazana with Malini

1.  Recipe: Masoor Dhal

     Age Group: 12 - 18 months

     Key Ingredients: Masoor dhal

2.  Recipe: Creamy Cheesy pasta

     Age Group: 18 months +

     Key Ingredients: Pasta, Cheese

Sireesha's Kidz Delight

1.  Recipe: Carrot Tomato Soup

     Age Group: 10 - 36 months

     Key Ingredients: Carrot, Tomato

2.  Recipe: Potage

     Age Group: 10 - 36 months

     Key Ingredients: Thyme, Potato, Parsnip, Carrot, Leek, Celery, Garlic

3.  Recipe: Tomato Soup

     Age Group: 10 - 36 months

     Key Ingredients: Tomato

Sudha's Malaysian Delicacies

1.  Recipe: Bee Hoon Soup

     Age Group: 36 months

     Key Ingredients: Rice Vermicelli, Seafood

Cool Lassie's Pan Gravy Kadai Curry

1.  Recipe: Savory Pot Pie

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Shredded Boiled Chicken, Green peas, Carrot

2.  Recipe: Chicken Raddicchio, Tiny Bowtie Pasta Soup

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Chicken, Pasta, Raddicchio

3.  Recipe: Salmon Cakes/Patties 

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Salmon, Spinach, Dry cranberries

4.  Recipe: Black eyed peas and vegetable soup 

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Black eyed peas, Carrot, Zucchini

5.  Recipe: Chickpea, Oatmeal, Oat bran patties

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Chickpea, Oatmeal, Oat bran

6.  Recipe: Oat Fruit N Nut Bar

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Oat, Oat bran, Fruits

Priya's Easy n Tasty Recipes

1.  Recipe: Scrambled Egg Pasta

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Egg, Pasta 

2.  Recipe: Cheesy Oats Paratha 

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Cheese, Oats, Wheat flour

3.  Recipe: Creamy Carrot and Cilantro Soup 

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Carrot, Cilantro

4.  Recipe: Paarsi Dhal

     Age Group: 24 months +

     Key Ingredients: Dhals/Lentils

5.  Recipe: Eggless chocolate and Oats cookies

     Age Group: 36 months 

     Key Ingredients: Oats, Apple sauce, Chocolate, Canola Oil

Renu's Kitchen

1.  Recipe: Badam Sooji ki Kheer/Almond Semolina Milk Pudding

     Age Group: 12 months +

     Key Ingredients: Almonds, Milk, Semolina

2.  Recipe: Hearty Healthy Carrot Tomato Soup

     Age Group: 12 months +

     Key Ingredients: Carrot, Tomato, Broccoli

3.  Recipe: Low fat baked Shakarpara(Sweet dough cookies)

     Age Group: 12 months +

     Key Ingredients: Wheat flour

Vineela Siva

1.  Recipe: Cheese Omlet

     Age Group: 24 months

     Key Ingredients: Cheese, Egg

Food for 7 Stages of Life - Kids Special Event Announcement

Children paint our lives with various (autumn) colors and make our life more meaningful. Moms or Mom to be will definitely second my thought. They know how great it feels to have them and cater each and every small needs of their adorable children. Even those who don't have children would definitely cherish the moments they spend with their niece, nephew or neighbor's kids. 

Cooking for children between 4 and 14 yrs is truly an intriguing experience. So this month's event @ Food for 7 Stages of Life is 'Kids Special'. Cook anything and everything that you would serve your kids, open your inbox, fill in the below requested details and hit the send button. I will be eagerly awaiting to read your recipes and stories. Please leave your terrific comments and questions and I will be glad to reply them back.

 Rules:

• Post a recipe for Kids between now and 5th December 2009 11.59 pm EST.
• You can post any course of a meal. BAKING IS NOT ALLOWED, you can reserve those recipes for the next event ;-)
• You can use any ingredients that would be suitable for Kids. Meat is allowed.
• Provide a link to My Event announcement and Sudeshna’s Cook like a bong (http://bengalicuisine.net) page.
• No worries if you have the recipes in your archives. You can repost or update the post with a link to my event announcement and Sudeshna’s Cook like a bong page. 
• Do not have a blog, you can still participate in this event. All you need to do is send me your recipe in the Word (doc,docx,rtf) format with a picture of your dish.
• Send me your entries with the subject line as ‘Food for 7 stages of Life – Kids (4-14 yrs)’ with the below details to foodfor7stagesoflife(at)gmail(dot)com / foodfor7stagesoflife@gmail.com

Your Name:

Your Blog Name:

Recipe Name:

URL of the recipe:

Key Ingredients:

Picture of your recipe:

It would be nice if you can

• Explain the benefits of the recipe.
• Share home remedies, general tips appropriate for Kids. You can also post any shlokas that you would teach your loved ones.
• Display the logo of the event.

Polls and Giveaways

• A poll will be conducted to choose the recipe of the month. The picture of the recipe will feature in my facebook page with the winner’s name and blog name. (My facebook friend’s list is growing day by day J ). It includes recipes from non-bloggers as well.
  
• 12 of you will enter a mega poll that would be conducted at the end of the series, of which 7 will be the winner of each month and 5 will be randomly picked up. The winner will receive a surprise gift. It will be shipped across the world.
• It is not done yet. Sudeshna came up with a wonderful idea that we should compile the event series into an e-book. So your recipes will feature in this e-book which will be available for free download at the end of this event. The e-book will have a short write up on each author and a special article on the winner of the series. Ofcourse we need your consent to publish your recipe in our e-book.
  

Recipe Ideas

Fusion Pasta

Corn & Peas Sandwich

Spicy Tangy Sweet Corn

Sundal

Banana Dosa

Mixed fruit Raitha

Rice Noodles Kheer

Apple Sauce

Citrus Blast

Boiled egg sandwich
Egg potato sandwich
Pan cake  
Scrambled egg
Egg chowmein 
Egg roll 
Potato in poppy seed paste 
Coconut laddoo 
Rasgulla pudding 
Banana fritter with choco chips 
Semolina pudding

Fusion Cooking: CousCous Upma/Kichadi with Fiery Tomato Ginger Chutney

Blogging has introduced me to different ways of cooking and umpteen new ingredients. One such ingredient is CousCous(read it as kuskus). When I introduce a new ingredient in my life I mean cooking, I always try to cook something Indian with it. Fusion pasta, Apple Sauce, Asaparagus Egg poriyal (pan fry) are some successful outcomes of my fusion cooking. Here is another fusion recipe from my kitchen 'CousCous Upma' which V and I relished. When I was thinking about the accompaniment for this dish, I remembered that Sreevalli is hosting Spicy Fiery Chutney event in her blog. So I decided to prepare the fiery tomato ginger chutney instead of traditional coconut chutney. Ore kallula irundu manga, (it literally means throw 1 stone and get 2 mangoes) and moreover I prefer this chutney over coconut chutney. 

For those who don't know much about couscous, this is nothing but the "processed samba goduma rava/ broken wheat rava" that we could easily find in Indian grocery stores. Ok, let me reveal the truth(Source:Wiki). Couscous is a staple food in Morocco, Algeria, Libya and some parts of Africa and they are made from semolina /coarsely ground durum wheat and in some regions, from corsely ground barley or pearl millet. This is why they call it as "Healthy replacement for rice". They are usually served with stew, vegetables, meat and in some places it is prepared as dessert. 

Ok, now enough of chit and chat and let us go to the recipe:
CousCous Upma

Ingredients from my Pantry
CousCous - 1 cup
Water - 1 1/2 cup
Onion/Vengayam - 1/2 (Small, sliced)
Tomato/Thakkali - 1/2 (Small, chopped)
Green Chili/Pachai Milagai - 5 (make a small slit on the top)
Ginger/Inji - 1/2 tsp (finely chopped)
Oil - 1/2 tbsp
Ghee/Nei - 1 tbsp (Optional, if you are not using ghee add another 1/2 tbsp of oil)
Mustard Seeds/Kadugu/ - 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds/Jeeragam/Jeera  - 1/4 tsp
Chana Dhal/Kadala parupu - 1 tsp
Broken Urad dhal/Ulutam parupu - 1 tsp
Hing/Asafoetida - sprinkle / 1/8 tsp
Turmeric Powder - sprinkle / 1/8 tsp
Salt to taste (around 1 tsp)
Curry leaves/Karuvaipilai - 4
Cilantro/Coriander leaves Kothamali - 1 tbsp chopped
Cooking Instructions
In a kadai, heat 1/2 tbsp of oil, 1/2 tbsp of ghee. When it is hot add mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add cumin seeds, chana dhal. Wait for few seconds and allow chana dhal to fry. Now add urad dhal, hing. 
When the dhal starts changing color, add chopped ginger, curry leaves, sliced onions. Saute for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Add green chilies, tumeric powder and saute. Now add chopped tomatoes and saute for another 3 minutes until it becomes mushy. Add water, salt and bring it to boil. To find the right amount of salt, I usually add salt in portions and taste the water. I stop adding when it starts tasting salty(not on the higher side). 
When the water starts boiling, add couscous and keep stirring until the water is completely sucked (similar to upma/kichadi). Add 1/2 tbsp of ghee, chopped coriander leaves and mix. (Trivia: Unlike the traditional rava/semolina it doesn't get coagulated if you don't stir.)
I have added ghee for 2 reasons: Flavor + to nullify the effect of the fiery chutney I had prepared. You can opt to replace it with olive oil or any regular oil of your choice. 
Serve it hot with chuntey of your choice. In the worst case, you can serve it with hot ketchup :)
Tomato Ginger Chutney

Ingredients from my pantry
Tomato - 1 (Large, I mean it)
Ginger - 3 inch (3 inch length x 1 inch width)
Oil - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds/Kadugu - 2 pinch 
Cumin Seeds/Jeera/Jeeragam - 2 pinch
Hing/Asafoetida/Perungayam - sprinkle (just little)
Chili Powder - 1 tsp (Medium Spice) / 1 1/2 tsp (Heavy Spice)
Turmeric Powder - pinch
Salt to taste
Curry leaves - 2
Cooking Instructions

In a blender add diced tomatoes, ginger and grind to a smooth paste. 
In a pan, add oil, when it is hot add mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add cumin seeds, hing, curry leaves. Immediately add the ground paste and let it cook. 

Add turmeric powder and chili powder and cook until some water evaporates and it start getting thicker. This will take 4-5 minutes on a medium flame. Serve it with dosas, upma, idlis. 

Serves 2 when served with another chutney. 

Recipe of the Month: Sandhya Hariharan's Dal Tiranga (Winner of the Food for 7 stages of life - Pregnancy event)

The polling was a huge success where 96 readers voted for their favorite recipe of which 79 votes went for the top 3 recipes. Aruna Manikandan's Murungai Keerai Poriyal stood 3rd with 10 votes, Prasu's Sesame Laddoo stood 2nd with 33 votes and with a slight difference Sandhya Hariharan's Dal Tiranga grabbed the 'Recipe of the Month' title with 36 votes. Congratulations Sandhya! and Congratulations to each one of you for participating in this event. As I said earlier, the winner needs to get a nice reward for putting in so much of hardwork. So my FB page will feature the picture of  her recipe with her name and blog name. It doesn't end here. I wanted you all to know little more about Sandhya, so lets hear from her now. Over to Sandhya.

Sandhya Says:

A West - Indian ( Mumbai) upbringing in a South Indian gal .There is diversity in Taste , Language, Culture,Style  and eagerness to learn more anytime. An IT - HR professional , now a SAH Mum running a Tom n Jerry Time with my lil one (Vedant) all the while.

My basic cooking skills has been drilled into me by my Mum .I have never read a cookbook before in my lifetime. Just love to cook what I taste n see . I have been collecting traditional southindian recipes from my Grand- Ma , Ma , MIL ever since I got married and they are my best critic. More variety recipes come from my friends , my passion  & youtube.

My Culinary Guru is Gordon Ramsay. I am so thoroughly inspired by him . "He would always mention in his programs , do it with passion , use fresh produce , present it the way you would love treat your pallete ".

Sandhya had sent in 8 delicious and healthy entry for this event

Meet me @ Sandhya's Kitchen :

My Love & Passion for Cooking grew after meeting this handsome Hunk Hari who would never tire of praising & appreciating everything I cook. No matter how disasterous it could be. By Product of this Passion is Sandhya's Kitchen. 

Sandhya's Kitchen is a very passionate culinary corner where I ponder & experiment Cooking. .Looking forward to make it a onestop location for any kind of Vegetarian Breaks in years to come.

First Blog Anniversary: 'Cook for yourself' Event and Giveaway Annoucement

                                                                    picture source:kidsbirthdays.co.uk

Wonder why am I so jubilant? I am celebrating my first blog anniversary. Yes, I stepped into the blogosphere an year ago on the same day. I attribute my success to my dear husband. But for his motivation and support I wouldn't be writing this post now. I would like to thank all my friends/readers for supporting and encouraging me with your gentle comments. To share my happiness I would like to host 'Cook for yourself' event and to share my gratitude I would like to giveaway a $25 worth gift certificate from 'Fashion Deals for Less' to the winner (US & Canada only) of this event. Fashion deals for less offers a wonderful collection of jewellery and clothes designed by Trupti More. She offers beautiful ornaments to pamper yourself (Fashiondealsforless.com) and mouthwatering recipes to treat your tummy(recipecenterforall.blogspot.com).  

Rules for this event:
1. Post any recipe that you would love to cook for yourself between now and Nov 21st 2009 EST. 
2. Provide a link back to my event announcement. 
3. You can send in your archived entries but please do remember to link it back to this event announcement. 
4. Non bloggers can send your recipes with the picture of the dish in a word/rtf format. 
5. Send me your entries to foodfor7stagesoflife(at)gmail(dot)com  or foodfor7stagesoflife@gmail.com with the below details
   Subject: Cook for yourself
    Your Blog Name:
    Country of Residence:
    Recipe Name:
    URL of the recipe:
    Picture of your recipe:
6. Please feel free to use the logo. 
7. The winner will be chosen by me on a random basis (drawing lots or similar technique). The drawing will be held for U.S and Canada participants only. 
8. Participants from other countries please excuse me for this time. But do send in your delicious entries. Your participation is much appreciated.

Corn & Peas Sandwich(using Wheat bread)

Years ago, on a stormy evening I visited a small restaurant in Chennai (near the Ayyapan temple in Annanagar). That was the first and last time I visited that restaurant. But even today, I remember the taste of the sandwich they served. It was a perfect blend of veggies, mint chutney and some spices on a grilled soft bread (sandwich bread). I wish the restaurant is open and still they serve those yummy sandwiches. Coming back to the present moment, I recently prepared corn and peas sandwich, again on a rainy evening :-) Being health conscious I used wheat bread, corn, peas and mild spices to prepare this delectable dish. We were damn hungry and couldn't wait to click good pictures. Since it was so light to our tummy, I decided to send this to WYF:Light Meal event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food. 
Ingredients from my pantry
(for 3 sandwich)
Onion  - 1/2 (Small, finely chopped)
Frozen Peas - 8 tbsp
Frozen Corn - 8 tbsp
Salt to taste
Amchur Powder - 1/4 tsp
Chat Powder - 1/4 tsp
Pepper Powder - 1/4 tsp (mild spice) - 1/2 (medium spicy) 
Cilantro leaves - 1 tbsp chopped
Wheat bread - 5 slice
Water 
Oil - 1 tsp
Cooking Instructions
In a sauce pan, add corn, peas, salt and water (around 3/4 - 1 cup) and cook on a low flame for 5 minutes or until the veggies are cooked. I have used frozen corn/peas and it normally doesn't take much time to cook. Drain water.(If you are using dried green peas, then you must soak overnight, pressure cook for couple of whistles . I would recommend fresh ones over dried peas.)

Meanwhile, add 1 tsp of oil in a small pan. When it is hot add finely chopped onions and saute until it is golden brown. This will take 3-4 minutes on a medium flame. 

Add corn, peas and saute for 2-3 minutes. 
It is ok if the veggies are little moist. It will help the spices to blend well. Now add pepper powder, amchur powder, chat powder and mix it well. Add little more salt if necessary Keep stirring so that it doesn't stick to the pan. 
Turn off the gas and let it cool for a while. Turn the spatula upside down and mash the peas and corn. You can also use potato masher if you have one. This will help the masala to stick to the bread. 
Add finely chopped cilantro leaves and mix it.  

Divide the masala in to equal parts. Take 2 slices of bread. Add the masala on one bread, spread it and close it with the other slice. Repeat the same for other slices. 
Place them carefully on a sandwich maker and cook until the light goes off (Please refer to the cooking instructions of your sandwich maker). Medium toasted sandwich will take 3-4 minutes approximately. 
(Using Sandwich maker)

Alternatively, you can toast the bread on a tawa, stuff it with the masala as in the previous step and serve. 
(Conventional Tawa toasting)

F.A.Q:
What value addition can I make to this recipe?
Spread some ghee or butter on the bread as soon as you remove from the tawa/sandwich maker. I personally love to toast my bread with ghee. 
Add finely chopped green chili for extra spice while sauteing onions. 
Use white bread instead of a wheat bread it definitely adds to the taste. 
How do I make it interesting for Kids?
Trim off the bread crusts (the sides of the bread) before putting them on a tawa or sandwich maker. Kids might love to eat without the crusts. 
Add some grated cheese or cheese slice while preparing the stuffing. 
Some serving suggestions?
Serve it with tomato ketchup or mint chutney. I am sure it will make it a lip smacking palette.
Events
This recipe made a secret wish to me that it would love to participate in the 'Cooking for kids-wheat' event hosted by Sireesha of Kidzdelight and Sharmi of Neivedyam.I hope they like this recipe.

Mixed Fruit Raitha

Mixed fruit raitha is one dish you will always find in my get together menu. It is relished by everyone irrespective of ages, especially kiddos love it. Kids are usually finicky about eating spicy food, so I normally serve roti/paratha with this raitha. Trust me in no time their plate will be empty. This makes their Mommy's happy and relieved.  This is one good reason why I prepare this whenever we have guests at home. Let us now see how to make this easy-peasy mixed fruit raitha.

Ingredients from my pantry

• Onion (chopped) - 3 tbsp
• Tomatoes (chopped) - 3 tbsp
• Green Chillies (cut in to halves) - 2 nos
• Apple(peeled,chored, chopped) - 1/2
• Grapes (cut in to halves) - 12 nos
• Pomegranate - 1/4
• Thick Curd or Yogurt - 3/4 - 1 cup (as desired)
• Water - 1 tbsp
• Few sprigs of Cilantro/Coriander leaves (chopped)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

• Add the above ingredients in a bowl and mix it well. Ensure that you don't crush the fruits. Garnish it with cilantro leaves.

Serving Suggestions

• Can add 5 tsp of Mango juice (Maaza/Slice).
• Add more water if you like it watery.
• You can use any vegetables or fruits in any combination. I have also made raitha with carrot(shredded),pineapple, raw mango, cucumber, jalepenos etc.
• Serve it with Biriyani, Pulao, Rotis, Parathas
• Raitha tastes extremely good when we use apple. Ensure that you peel off the skin.
• Remove green chilies before serving it to kids.

Reposting my recipes for Kids Delight event @ Srivalli's Spice your life blog

Srivalli is hosting Kids Delight event on the occasion of  her first blog anniversary. Happy Anniversary Srivalli. I have couple of recipes in my blog which I think will be apt for kids. These are few dishes which I usually prepare when kiddos visit us. They like it so much that their mom's pick up the recipes from me :-)

1. Pasta fusion

2. Mixed Fruit Raitha

3. Home made Apple Sauce

Awards from Aruna Manikandan and Deepti

KREATIV BLOGGER
I am glad to receive the Kreativ Blogger award from Aruna of En Samayal Kuripugal. Thanks Aruna :-)

Here are some of the rules of this award.

• You must thank the person who has given you the award.
• Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
• Link to the person who has nominated you for the award.
• Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
• Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.
• Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
• Leave a comment in the nominated blogs to let them know they have been nominated.

7 Interesting things about me:

1. I dance when it rains
2. Beautiful eyes
3. I am a scary cat. I can't stay alone at home.
4. Get terribly bored when V is not around. 
5. Long long ago, I hesitated to try different cuisines. (Now I freak out though)
6. Check my mails in blackberry as soon as I wake up in the morning. 
7. Can never miss a cup of tea or coffee in the morning. 

This award is bestowed upon:

1. Bindiya of 'In Love with food'
2. Mangala Bhat of Recipes 24 x 7
3. Saraswathy of 'Taste of Sara's Kitchen'
4. Prasu of Prasu's Kitchen
5. Vineela of VineelaSiva
6. Deepti of Dips Kitchen
7. Renu of Renu's Kitchen 

THIS BLOGGER IS MY BEST FRIEND

Thanks Deepti and Shanti ji for this token of appreciation :-)

The Rules:

1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share the ABCs of you.

4. Tag 4 people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5. Let the 4 tagged people know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6. Do not tag the same person repeatedly but try to tag different people, so that there is a big network of bloggers doing this tag.

The Tag:

1. A – Available/Single? Married
2. B – Best friend? V
3. C – Cake or Pie? Cake
4. D – Drink of choice? Lime Mint cooler
5. E – Essential item you use every day? Eye pencil liner, Baby lotion
6. F – Favorite color? Blue
7. G – Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy bears
8. H – Hometown? Metropolitan City along the sea shore
9. I – Indulgence? Pastries and Icecreams
10. J – January or February? Neither
11. K – Kids & their names? Oops....
12. L – Life is incomplete without? V
13. M – Marriage date? Ten days before the spring starts. 
14. N – Number of siblings? One lovely sis
15. O – Oranges or Apples? O R A N G E
16. P – Phobias/Fears? Phobias
17. Q – Quote for today? Life is all about making up your mind
18. R – Reason to smile? Smile a lot it costs nothing...
19. S – Season? Spring & Fall
20. T – Tag 4 People? EC, Lata ji, Priya, Padma
21. U – Unknown fact about me? How will I know it
22. V – Vegetable you don't like? Don't remember
23. W – Worst habit? Biting nails
24. X – X-rays you've had? :-)
25. Y – Your favorite food? Anything made by my MOM
26. Z – Zodiac sign? Cancer

I would like to send this to 


1. EC of Easy Crafts
2. Lata ji of Falvors and Tastes
3. Padma of Padma's Recipes
4. Priya of Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes

Roundup: Food for 7 stages of life - Pregnancy

I just can't believe that I am writing the roundup for my first blog event. Thanks to each one of you for making this event a grand success. Couple of months ago when I first thought about this theme I was not sure how it will be appreciated by my other blogger friends and my readers. I thought it was a silly theme but my inner conscious forced me to rethink about it. Then I came up with a draft of this theme and shared it with Sudeshna of Cook like a Bong. She not only encouraged me but also agreed to co-host this event. Thanks a ton Sudeshna :-) I was much more elated when my blogger friends/readers got back to me saying that this is a useful theme and they would love to participate. 

Let us now read about the recipes for the very first stage - 'Pregnancy (Zero hour)' (Shakespeare did not talk about this though). This is the first event in the series of 7 events. Hope you enjoy reading the roundup and thanks to all the bloggers who made an excellent effort to share their wonderful recipes with all of us.


(Nutrition facts are based on the key ingredients only; Source: nutritiondata.com, whfoods.com)

1. Sesame Laddoo by Prasu

        Key Ingredients: Sesame Seeds, Jaggery

        Good Source of: Copper, Zinc, Calcium, Manganese, Iron

          Prasu Says: This Ladoo would be given at the time of Pregnancy as well as During Mensturation especially for ladies to get energy because it helps in Ovulation

2. Steamed Tofu With Vegetables by Sudha 

        Key Ingredients: Tofu, Asparagus, Chicken

        Good Source of: Proteins,Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Manganese and Selenium

          Sudha talks about pregnancy in her post. Click here to read

3. Garlic Vegetable Soup by Rupali
        Key Ingredients: Garlic, Corn, Peas, Carrot
        Good Source of: Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K

4. Gingered Carrot Soup by Pari Vasisht
        Key Ingredients: Ginger, Carrot

        Good Source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin K

5. Jeera rasam / Sattumudhu by Shanthi Krishnakumar
        Key Ingredients: Cumin, Tamarind

        Good Source of: Iron, Manganese

         Shanthi Says: This dish is good for Morning sickness

6. Vegan Fruit & Nut Cake by Sadhana

        Key Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, Apricots, Dates, Raisins

        Good Source of: Manganese, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Iron

7. Keerai Masayal by Sandhya Hariharan
        Key Ingredients: Spinach, Toor dhal (Lentils)

        Good Source of: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Manganese, Folate, Magnesium, Iron, Molybdenum

8. Dal Tiranga by Sandhya Hariharan   
        Key Ingredients: Masoor dhal, Chana dhal, Moong dhal

        Good Source of: Molybdenum, folate, dietary fiber

9. Methi Thepla by Sandhya Hariharan
        Key Ingredients: Fenugreek Leaves (Methi), Wheat flour

        Good Source of: Manganese, Dietary Fiber,

10. Badam Kheer by Sandhya Hariharan
        Key Ingredients: Almonds, Milk

        Good Source of: Vitamin E, Manganese, Iodine, Calcium, Vitamin D
11. Kala Chana Chat by Sandhya Hariharan
        Key Ingredients: Chickpea, Potatoes

        Good Source of: Molybdenum, folate, dietary fiber, Manganese, Protein, Carbohydrates

12. Strawberry Treat - Shake and CheeseCake by Sandhya Hariharan       Key Ingredients: Strawberry, Milk, Honey, Cheese

        Good Source of: Vitamin C, Protein, Calcium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Iron, Iodine

13. Mumbai's Original Pav Bhaji by Sandhya Hariharan
        Key Ingredients: Cauliflower, Green peas, All purpose flour (bread)

        Good Source of: Vitamin C, Vitamin K

14. Healthy Salad by Sandhya Hariharan
        Key Ingredients: Lettuce, Cumber, Onions, Carrots

        Good Source of: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Chromium

15. Ragi Drumstick Leaves Roti by Lavi
         Key Ingredients: Finger Millet flour / Ragi, Drumstick Leaves

         Good Source of: Iron, Carbohydrates, Proteins

16. Lobia Curry [Black-eyed Beans Curry] by Renu

        Key Ingredients: Black eyed peas

        Good Source of: Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorous

17. Tamarind Quinoa by Sadhana

        Key Ingredients: Quinoa

        Good Source of: Manganese, Phosphorous and Magnesium

18. Tomato Soup by Sadhana
        Key Ingredients: Tomato

        Good Source of: Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium and Manganese.

19. Onion Raitha by Sadhana
      Key Ingredients: Onion

      Good Source of: Vitamin C, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin B6, Folate, Potassium and Manganese

20. Sweet Potato Curry by Sadhana
        Key Ingredients: Sweet Potato

        Good Source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese
21. Date Nut Milk Shake by Sadhana       
        Key Ingredients: Dates, Milk

        Good Source of: Calcium, Iodine, Potassium

22. Snake gourd curry by Satya

        Key Ingredients: Snake gourd

        Good Source of: Calcium, Potassium, Iron and Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C.

23. Murungai keerai \ Drumstick leaves Poriyal by Aruna Manikandan

        Key Ingredients: Drumstick leaves

        Good Source of: Beta carotene, Calcium and Iron

24. Mung Bean Salad by Deepti Srivastava

        Key Ingredients: Mung bean
        Good Source of: Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Copper and Manganese

25. Rajma Paratha by EC
        Key Ingredients: Rajma, Wheat flour

        Good Source of: Iron, Potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, phosphorus and copper

26. Tomato Herb Soup by Lata Raja

        Key Ingredients: Tomato, Chayote , Mint

        Good Source of: Vitamin C, Vitamin B6,Copper ,Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium and Manganese, Protein, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Folate, Riboflavin

27. Chocolate-Muesli Bar by Pari Vasisht

        Key Ingredients: Muesli

        Good Source of: Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Manganese

28. Triple duet by Lata Raja

        Key Ingredients: Mango, Apple, Grapes, Pomegranate

        Good Source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Dietary Fiber

29. Multigrain Zucchini Rotis by Priyasuresh

        Key Ingredients: Zucchini, Ragi flour, Soya flour, Wheat flour

        Good Source of: Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper and Manganese

          Priyasuresh shares her experience during pregnanchy and how she learned to cook healthy version of many Indian dishes. Click here to read more...

30. Lauki N Black-eyes Peas by Priyasuresh
        Key Ingredients: Black eyed pea, Bottlegourd

        Good Source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Riboflavin, Zinc, Thiamin, Iron, Magnesium and Manganese

31. Nuts & Dryfruits Nectarine Salad by Priyasuresh
        Key Ingredients: Nectarine, Almonds, Dates

        Good Source of: Vitamin C, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Niacin, Potassium, Vitamin E

32. Chocolate, Strawberry & Banana Milkshake by Priyasuresh
        Key Ingredients: Strawberry, Banana

        Good Source of: Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin B6

33. Soya Beans Curry by Sunanda Dey
        Key Ingredients: Soya beans

        Good Source of: Proteins, Essential fatty acids, Calcium, Magnesium, Lecithin, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Fiber, Folic acid and Iron

34. Lal Math Bhaaji by Pari Vasisht

        Key Ingredients: Amaranth Leaves

        Good Source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, and Manganese.

35. Pappu Upma and Allam Pachadi - Moong Dal Upma And Ginger Chutney by Kalva

        Key Ingredients: Moong dhal, Ginger, Rice rava

        Good Source of: Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Folate, Copper and Manganese, Vitamin A

36. Garlic/Poondu Puli Kuzhambu by Padma (Exclusively for nursing moms)

        Key Ingredients: Garlic
        Good Source of: Calcium, Phosphorus and Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 ,Manganese

          Padma says Garlic is very good for the lactating mother. It is good for both the mother and the baby as it is good for digestion and relieves acidity and also for the mother as elders say that it helps in producing more breast milk. Having garlic in any form is good during the third trimester as well as post delivery. 

Padma shared few slokams that could be recited during pregnancy

a. This is the slokams that mom had in her book and also published in my friends devotional blog. ThiruKarukavur is the abode of Goddess Garbharakshambika and Lord Mullai Vana Nathar . Garba means "Pregnancy" and Raksha means "To Protect" and Ambigai is one of the names of Goddess Parvathi.A remarkable feast about the temple which distinguishes this temple from the other shrines is that the Goddess Garbakashambika not only protects the unborn child, but also bless people whose marriages are being delayed and who long for a child . The Slokas to be recited to the Goddess Garbharakshambigai : For Marriage and Women to Have child : 

   Aum devendhiraani namosthubyam  Dhevendhira piriya baamini 

   Vivaaha baakyam aarokyam Puthra Laabam sadhehime Padhim dhehi   sudham dhehi. 

   Soubaakyam dhehime subhe Soumaangalyam subam Gnayanam. 

   Dhehime Garbarakshake Kaathyaayini mahaamaaye. 

   Maha yoginya dhisvari Nandhagoba seedham dhevam. 

   Padhim Megurudhe Namah 

b. For Safe Pregnancy and Delivery of baby: 

   Hey sangara Shamarahara PramadhaadhiNaadhari Mannaadha shaamba sasisuda 

   HarithiriSulin sambo sugaprasava kiruthbavame dhayaalo 

   Hey MaadhaviVanesa Paalayamaam Namasthe 

 This slokam can be recited by anyone to get the blessings of Goddess Garbarakshambigai : Aum Garbarakshambigaayai cha vidhmahe Mangala dhevadhaayai cha dheemahee Dhanno devi prachodhayaath

37. Churma Ladoo (Whole Wheat & Jaggery Balls) by Muskaan Shan

        Key Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, jaggery

        Good Source of: Manganese, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Iron

38. Dates Milk Shake by Aruna Manikandan

        Key Ingredients: Dates, Milk

        Good Source of: Calcium, Iodine, Potassium

39. Beetroot Soup by Aruna Manikandan

        Key Ingredients: Beetroot

        Good Source of: Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Folate and Manganese.

40. Whole Wheat Sweet Appam by Sadhana

        Key Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, jaggery

        Good Source of: Manganese, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Iron

41. Sweet Mixed Nuts Balls by Sadhana

        Key Ingredients: Peanuts, Cashew, Almonds

        Good Source of: Niacin, Manganese, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper , Vitamin E

42. Murungaikeerai Thuvattal by Kayal

        Key Ingredients: Drumstick leaves

        Good Source of: Beta carotene, Calcium and Iron

43. Palak Tofu Soup from Radhika Vasanth

        Key Ingredients: Spinach, Tofu
        Good Source of: Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese

44. Black eyed peas and Radish Gojju by Radhika Vasanth

        Key Ingredients: Black eyed peas , Radish
        Good Source of: Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Folate

45. Fish Fry by Radhika Vasanth

        Key Ingredients: King fish

        Good Source of: Protein, Niacin, Vitamin B12, Selenium

46. Beetroot Egg Poriyal / Stir Fry by Radhika Vasanth

        Key Ingredients: Beetroot, Eggs

        Good Source of: Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Folate, Manganese, Protein, Riboflavin and Selenium

47. Spring Onion Egg Poriyal / Stir Fry by Radhika Vasanth

        Key Ingredients: Spring Onion, Eggs

        Good Source of: Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Manganese, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, Protein, Riboflavin and Selenium

48. Fish Curry by Radhika Vasanth

        Key Ingredients: King fish

        Good Source of: Protein, Niacin, Vitamin B12, Selenium

49. Chicken Liver Pepper Fry by Radhika Vasanth

         Key Ingredients: Chicken Liver, Shallots

         Good Source of: Proteins, Vitamins A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Copper, Zinc, Manganese

         Radhika Says: Chicken or Mutton liver is rich in nutrients and it helps fe thetal growth, prevents anemia and birth defects. But at the same time it shouldn't be consumed in huge portions as it rich in Vitamin A and it could cause some birth defects.  

50. Spinach Dal Fry by Sushma Mallya

       Key Ingredients: Spinach, Lentils (Dhal)

       Good Source of: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Manganese, Folate, Magnesium, Iron, MolybdenumVitamin B6, Vitamin C, Potassium

One recipe per blog has been chosen for polling. Please vote for your favorite recipe. 


More information about the poll and giveaways.
Polls and Giveaways

• A poll will be conducted to choose the recipe of the month. The picture of the recipe will feature in my facebook page with the winner’s name and blog name. (My facebook friend’s list is growing day by day J ). It includes recipes from non-bloggers as well.
  
• 12 of you will enter a mega poll that would be conducted at the end of the series, of which 7 will be the winner of each month and 5 will be randomly picked up. The winner will receive a surprise gift. It will be shipped across the world.
• It is not done yet. Sudeshna came up with a wonderful idea that we should compile the event series into an e-book. So your recipes will feature in this e-book which will be available for free download at the end of this event. The e-book will have a short write up on each author and a special article on the winner of the series. Ofcourse we need your consent to publish your recipe in our e-book.