Milagu seeragam podi / Pepper Jeera powder

I use this powder for Idly upma, egg omelet and for some rice varieties. I have this handy all the time. Its good to make in small batch, so the freshness and nice aroma is tightly packed with it. My mom used to send it every time i go to India, when i run out of this, thats when i make myself :)

Ingrediets:
Pepper corns  - 1/2 cup
Jeera  - 1/2 cup

Method:

My mom uses equal proportion of the two ingredients. If you like pepper more, then increase the pepper quantity.

There are several methods to make this powder.
Option 1.My mom used to keep it under the sun, until its hot and then make a dry powder in mixer.
Option 2.Since we don't get to see sun most of the time, i just dry roast them together in a pan until it becomes hot and turn off ( stir frequently to avoid getting it burnt ). Let it cool for a while and then make a powder.
Option 3.You can spread them in a microwave safe plate, microwave for 30 to 45 seconds or until it becomes slightly hot( keep an eye to avoid getting it burnt).Let it cool then make a powder.

WaterMelon Juice

Lots of Watermelon in the market and you can beat the summer with this refreshing juice. Very simple, hardly 3 ingredients and you can make it in no time.

Ingredients:

Watermelon - 1 Bowl
Brown sugar - 2 table spoon or to taste
Lemon/Lime - 1/2

Method:

Blend all together. I used the juice extractor that came with my Preethi Mixie, you can use anything that you have.

Serve immediately, if you let it sit for sometime, the water and pulp tend to get separated.

Asparagus poriyal

No one likes Asparagus in my home except me. I prefer Grilled asapragus better. I gave this poriyal a try and it was a good way of including this vegetable into our meal.

Ingredients:

Asparagus -1 small bunch

Thoor dhal - 1.5 table spoon

Grated coconut - 2 table spoon

Mustard 1/2 tsp

Urid dhal - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 2 tsp

Red chilly - 1

Method:

Pressure cook 1.5 table spoon of Thoor dhal and keep it ready. The texture of the dhal should be seen.

Heat oil in a pan, when it is hot add mustard , urid dhal and dry red chilly.

Add the chopped asparagus , sauté for a while keeping it covered. Stir frequently .

When they are 3/4 cooked, add the needed salt, cooked Thoor dhal ( with out water) and the coconut.

Sauté for couple of minuted uncovered and switch off.

Serve with rice as a side dish.

Strawberry Milkshake

We went for the strawberry picking today, as usual we always make it towards the end of the season and we ended up picking the tiny strawberries. Fresh from farm, i made this milkshake the same day and lil one enjoyed it throughly both strawberry picking and the Milkshake!

Ingredients:
strawberry - 5 small
Sugar - 1.5 table spoon or to taste
Milk - 1 cup ( I used 2%)
Ice cubes - few.

Method:

Blend all the ingredients until they are combined well.

Quick and easy Milkshake is ready in no time.