Are you new to kitchen? - Part I

Might be useful to you so sharing my experience with you.

When you want to boil milk, pour little water in the vessel before you pour the milk. Once milk is cooked and used it will be easy to wash the vessel without much diificulty.

When you use tea strainer to filter the tea water, wash the filter net after use so you can avoid the stain in net.

While cooking vegetables add the salt in final stage to preserve certain nutrients.

To make curd:-
a. Boil the milk without water or little water and leave till it is bit warm (it should not be too hot or cold).
b. Add half a teaspoon of curd and leave it for few hours.
c. Your curd will be ready.

When you chop the onions don't leave it in open air because it will attracts germs/bacteria from air.

When you grind batter for idli/dosa keep little fresh batter refrigerated so you can add this when the batter is more fermented.

When you cut vegetables and keep for next day better store in airtight container so the essential nutrients are preserved.

While you want to cook vegetables take required amount of water and boil. Add chopped vegetables when water starts boiling.

Chopped plantain or plantain stem has to be put in water mixed with little curd or butter milk to avoid browning/color changing.

You can add few drops of sesame oil in hand before cutting plantain so, it won't be sticky.

Will share more.....

Strawberry Milkshake

Strawberry milkshake - Preparation time 5 to 10 mins
Research and articles say strawberry is rich source of Vitamin C, potassium, follic acid, high level of anti oxidant, reduce the risk of heart diseases, cancer and contains other minerals also. Before using strawberry wash well and consume fresh to gain full nutrition value. The medium size deep red colour will be sweet.

Ingredients:-
Ripe strawberry - 5 or 6 (small size)
Milk - 100 ml
Sugar - 3 or 4 tbsp (according to your taste level)
Vanilla/strawberry ice-cream - 1 scoop (optional)

Preparation method :-
Add sugar, strawberry & milk in mixer and blend.
Serve strawberry milkshake chilled with scoop of ice-cream.

Chiku Milkshake

Chiku Milkshake preparation time 10 mins.
During summer you will get chiku. It will be tasty to take as a fruit but you can try making this milkshake with ice cubes. Don't add water to blend because it will bring down the taste. The milkshake will be filling when one is hungry. Can be served half an hour before food.

 Ingredients:-
Chiku/Sappota - 3
Milk - 100 ml
Sugar - 3 to 4 tbsp (according to your taste)
Vanilla ice-cream - 1 scoop (optional)

Preparation method:-
Cut chiku into half. Remove the seed and scoop off the flesh using a spoon.
Add sugar, chiku flesh & milk and blend in a mixer/blender. (If it is too concentrated you can dilute using water).
Serve chiku milkshake chilled and with vanilla ice-cream. You love the taste.

Muskmelon Juice (Kerini pazham juice)

Muskmelon juice - preparation time 10 mins
This fruit will be available during summer in large quantity. As this fruit will become watery when sugar is added no need to add water.

Ingredients:-
Musk melon - one
Sugar - 3 to 4 tbsp
Water (if required)

Preparation methods:-
Cut muskmelon to half. remove the seeds inside along with the tissues.
Using a spoon, scoop of the flesh portion of the fruit and throw the skin part.
Add musk melon, sugar and blend to juice. If took thick you can add little water.
Serve this chill really people will love.

You can serve in cups by scooping the flesh or cut into small cubes and mix sugar. No need of blender.
So you have two methods to attract people towards this fruit.

Pomegranate & Moosambi crush

Pomegranate & Moosambi crush - Preparation time 10 mins
Health Tips :- Pomegranate is good for heart. Pomegranate and moosambi are rich source of vitamin C.It is best to consume as pods but sometime it will be difficult to take as pods so you can make the below juice and serve.

Ingredients:-
Pomegranate - 2 cup

Moosambi peeled - 1 cup

Sugar - to your taste (2 0r 3 tbsp)
Salt - pinch

Preparation method :-
In a mixer/blender add pomegranate, moosambi, sugar, salt and blend to smooth paste.
Filter the juice using a strainer.
Serve chilled. You love the tangy taste. (If you like, you can crush 2 or 3 mint leaves and add the juice).

You can also decorate with few moosambi (sathukudi) flesh over the juices. This will be slightly crunchy while taking the juice. 

Banana Milkshake

Banana milkshake - Preparation time 5 mins
Some people (like me) don't like banana. You can try the below milkshake and serve them. They might like this variation of banana. To make it more attractive while serving place a cherry over the banana milkshake.

Ingredients:-
Banana - 3
Milk - 100 or 150 ml
Sugar - 2 to 3 tbspn (according to your taste)

Preparation method:-
Peel the outer skin and cut the banana into pieces.
Add sugar, banana pieces, milk and blend in a mixer. If consistency is thick you can add little water.
Serve banana milkshake with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream (ice-cream is optional).
Banana milkshake will be yummy during hot summer.