Category: News and Updates

I have been out of town for the last couple of weeks.  So I thought this would be a good time to write about some basic tips in cooking and how to create your own recipes. I know many of you have been already doing that.

Regarding the making of gravies:  Most gravies are tomato-based. Sometime I like to add yogurt, cream and/or cashews as it gives a different texture to the gravy.Good Examples of how altering gravies can make a new dish are Shahi Paneer, Kadhai Paneer, Butter Paneer Masala or Malai Kofta.  

Sometimes I add cornstarch to thicken the gravy. You can use these gravies with your choice of vegetables and paneer can be substituted with fried or stir-fried firm tofu (tofu comes in different texture soft, silky, firm and extra firm make sure you are using firm).

You can also give the gravy a new texture by adding or reducing water to change its thickness.

Sometime I will add a little bit of besan (gram flour) to the gravy. This is mostly the case when I am making potato or chole (chick peas) dish with gravy. Besan adds thickness to the gravy and it adds a nice aroma, texture and flavor to the dish.

I hope that you will find these tips helpful.  Happy Cooking!

I am really glad to see so many people voting in the last month’s contest. Congratulations to all the participants and winners. For this month, I wanted to do something different from previous contests. Because Valentine’s Day is coming soon (Feb 14th), I want to do something revolving around a romantic theme.

Rather than creating a dessert or other recipe, for this month I just want to hear your valentine’s story – what did you do for your husband, wife, girl/boyfriend, or other loved one? If you cooked something, please describe the menu that you prepared. Did you surprise your loved one? The more details, the better!

The winners will be selected randomly from all the comments.

Update: Thank you for sharing your touching valentine stories. The comments are now closed. Two random winners will be selected soon. Stay tuned.

Below is my checklist:

• You will not have email me anything this time. You can simply leave a comment on this page (at the bottom of the page).
• You must leave a valid email address so that I can contact you after the contest is over. Don’t worry, your email address will not be public (only I will be able to see it).
• The deadline is Februrary 20th.
• The winner will be featured on the homepage and a link to their website (if available).

1st Prize: $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com
2nd Prize: $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com

**Anyone can join this contest**

To start off the New Year, this month’s contest is something everyone can easily partake in. As important as it is to make healthy, heart warming, tasty dishes, it’s also important have a great presentation whether it be simple and elegant or exotic. We do “eat with our eyes first”! So this month I’ve decided to do something a little different: instead of creating a new recipe I’d like to you to create a beautiful and creative presentation.

The only rule is that you need to use any one of my recipes and send me a photo of a creative display/presentation. You will be judged on your creativity.

Below is my checklist:

• Send the name of the recipe along with photo to contest@manjulaskitchen.com.
• You must send an original picture(s) of the recipe – do not simply grab a photo from the web. Otherwise your recipe will not be considered for entry.
• The deadline is January 23rd.
• The winner will be featured on the homepage with the new recipe and a link to their website (if available).

1st Prize: $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com
2nd Prize: $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com

**Anyone can join this contest**

Thank you all for your comments regarding this contest. I am very pleased to see the interest that my viewers have over the entries and the winners. The website is my way of sharing my joy of cooking, just as the contest is my viewer’s way of sharing their own creative ideas. I take great pride in reading all the entries and it is always a difficult challenge to select the winners.

The recipes on my website are strictly eggless and vegetarian. There was an oversight on my part on the contest rules. The December contest rules did not specify that the recipes needed to be “eggless”. Therefore, all the entries that met the specified rules were included in my decision making process for the winner. In future I will be looking for eggless recipes.

I hope that my website is a source of inspiration for all, and that you will use it as a stepping stone to experimenting and creating your own recipes. The contest is then a great way to share your creations with the rest of us. So I really look forward to seeing more unique entries. Thank you for always supporting my passion for healthy, vegetarian cooking.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year! It doesn’t feel like it has been four years since I began posting on YOUTUBE and three years for my website. I am having a great time making these video recipes.

I would like to thank all of you who have become such an important part of my life. My viewers provide so much inspiration for me through their comments and regular emails. I enjoy that interaction very much, as my husband Alex says, “That puts a smile on your face”.

A special thanks to Sateesh, my web developer. He has done an amazing job creating and maintaining the website. My husband Alex, has been the most important part of my video making. He is the stage manager, videographer, director and editor, all-in-one. He is also my biggest critic but to his credit he does taste-test all my creations, good or bad!

We’ve had a wonderful journey so far and I am really looking forward to the New Year and all its possibilities. The viewer contest will be expanded to include some topics that you have requested. These include ways to help busy families in their meal planning, such as lunch box suggestions, kid-friendly recipes, picnic menus and quick meals.

So there’s plenty to look forward to in 2011 and I hope that I can continue to bring you joy and excitement in your cooking experience.

I decided for this month to choose the top 2 winners rather than the voting. We’ll continue next month again with voting. The winners are below:

The first place winner is Ayeesha Riaz (the sponge looks great!) and the 2nd place goes to Sangeetha Jagan for a healthy treat.

I would like to very much thank the other participants this month:

• Gayathri Kumar
• Sameena Prathap
• Priya Mahadevan
• sanyukta gour
• Bhavya Murthy
• Pradnya Honrao
• Ramya Vijay
• Sarika Disawal
• Sreedevi C.D.
• Kanchan Gandhi
• Sadhana
• Vidyalakshmi

As the holiday season is going into full swing this month, I thought another dessert would be a good idea. For this month, the recipe can be any warm dessert that includes at least two of the follow nuts: walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios. One of these however must be used as a main ingredient in the dessert. Happy holidays and good luck!

You can visit my desserts page for ideas.

Below is my checklist:

• Ingredients should be listed with measurements.
• Method must be explained clearly, so it’s easy to follow.
• Be Creative!
• Search the web for ideas. There are many resources available.
• Please send me a detailed recipe to contest@manjulaskitchen.com.
• You must also send original picture(s) of the recipe – do not simply grab a photo from the web. Otherwise your recipe will not be considered for entry.
• The deadline is December 19th.
• The winner will be featured on the homepage with the new recipe and a link to their website (if available).

1st Prize: $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com
2nd Prize: $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com

**Anyone can join this contest**

I really enjoyed the entries this month for the cookies. I wish I could select all of them, but I’ve chosen the following as the top five entries.  Thank you everyone for participating. The contest is now closed.

The first place winner is Nithu Bala (Bourbon Biscuits) and the 2nd place goes to Priya Ramakrishnan (Coconut Kiss Macaroons).

For this month, I thought it would be festive to make holiday eggless cookies. You may make any kind of cookie as long as no eggs are in the recipe. I look forward to see your creations!

Check out my recipe for whole wheat almond eggless cookies as an example.

Below is my checklist:

• Ingredients should be listed with measurements.
• Method must be explained clearly, so it’s easy to follow.
• Be Creative!
• Search the web for ideas. There are many resources available.
• Please send me a detailed recipe to contest@manjulaskitchen.com.
• You must also send original picture(s) of the recipe – do not simply grab a photo from the web. Otherwise your recipe will not be considered for entry.
• The deadline is November 21st.
• The winner will be featured on the homepage with the new recipe and a link to their website (if available).

1st Prize: $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com
2nd Prize: $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com

**Anyone can join this contest**

Diwali is often referred to as the “Festival of Lights” and this year it will be celebrated on Friday November 5th, 2010. It is a Hindu holiday that is celebrated with great enthusiasm, throughout the world. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil. Most people believe Diwali to be a celebration of the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom, Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and after defeating the demon king, Ravan. Jains celebrate Diwali as the time of attainment of moksha by Lord Mahavir.

My best childhood memories of Diwali are lighting the oil lamps (diyas) and putting string lights around the house. We lighted fireworks with our neighbors and the grownups played cards into the night. I remember helping my mother in the kitchen, cooking delicious food for several days. Shopping for new clothes and buying something new for the kitchen was a definite tradition.

Diwali celebration is actually a 3-day event beginning with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi called “Dhanteras”. The following day is considered pre-Diwali and the final day is the actual celebration of Diwali. My family will be getting together to have dinner and play cards each of the 3 nights, as part of the festivities.

I would like to share with you the menu I have made for this Diwali for my family and maybe this can give you some ideas too.

Menu for Wednesday November 3rd, 2010.

Appetizers: Cheese fondue with Broccoli, Cauliflower, stir fry Potatoes and some bread cubes. I prefer Tuscan or French bread.

Main Course: Matter Paneer, Aloo Gobhi, Chole (chana masala), Spinach Raita, Cumin Rice, and an Indian bread, which I have not decided yet.

Dessert: Boondi ladoo. I will serve just the Sweet Boondis in decorative cupcake liners and drizzle the top with chocolate syrup. My grandkids love it.

Menu for Thursday November 4th

Appetizers: Papdi served with Chole Chat and Salad.

Main Meal: Cabbage Kofta, Sukha Aloo, Vegetable Korma, Yogurt, Rice and Naan.

Dessert: Apple crumb Pie.

Menu for Diwali Day, Friday November 5th

We will have an early dinner and serve appetizers and dessert while playing cards, hopefully late into the night. We are fortunate that this year Diwali falls on a Friday and we can spend time freely with our family.

Main Course: Spicy Squash, Potato Curry with Yogurt Gravy, Butter Paneer Masala, Dahi Vada, Dal Puri (I have not posted this recipe yet, but these are whole wheat puris with urad dal filling). This is very typical, traditional holiday bread in north India.

Appetizers: Besan Paare, Crispy Spinach Pakoras, Masala Peanuts, and Muthia.

Dessert: Gajar Ka Halwa, Baklava Rolls, and Kalakand.

It was great to see so many recipe entries this month. Once again, I had a tough time selecting the top five. Thank you everyone for participating. I’ve chosen the following as the top five entries. The contest is over now!

The first place winner is Sireesha Darbha (Appalu – Rice Flour Delicacy) and the 2nd place goes to Priya (Caramel-Pineapple Phirni).

I really enjoyed all the great recipe submissions last month. Thank you to all who participated. I will be keeping the same format this month where I will choose the top five and let you vote for the winner. The rules for October are the following:

• You may create any dessert with rice as the main ingredient

In general I will only consider recipes that I feel are complete in regards to ingredients, measurement, and instruction. From there I am looking for creativity and a recipe that my viewers would enjoy to prepare on their own.

Be sure to check out Manjula’s dessert recipes for inspiration. Good Luck!

Below is my checklist:

• Ingredients should be listed with measurements.
• Method must be explained clearly, so it’s easy to follow.
• Be Creative!
• Search the web for ideas. There are many resources available.
• Please send me a detailed recipe to contest@manjulaskitchen.com.
• You must also send original picture(s) of the recipe – do not simply grab a photo from the web. Otherwise your recipe will not be considered for entry.
• The deadline is October 23rd.
• The winner will be featured on the homepage with the new recipe and a link to their website (if available).

1st Prize: $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com
2nd Prize: $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com

**Anyone can join this contest**

My nephew is getting married and the whole family is really excited. The bride-to-be is a daughter of my very close friend, which only doubles the excitement. We will all be going to North Carolina for the wedding, arriving two days prior to the big day.

Traditionally Indian weddings have many ceremonies involving different family members. It is not just about the bride and groom getting married but also the joining of the two families. These ceremonies start before the actual wedding day. As always, it will be a lot of fun. My grand-daughter is really excited and looking forward to wearing her Indian outfits and performing a solo dance at the wedding reception.

I am busy cooking for the Godbharai ceremony, where the groom’s family welcomes the bride and her family. I am making three different sweets Gujia, Mohanthal, and Gulab Jamuns and will be taking them with me.

Following the Godbharai is the Sangeet ceremony which consists of music and dancing, late into the night. The families of the bride and groom tie a sacred thread with seven knots on the couples’ wrists. Each of the knots has a unique significant meaning. The bride and groom will open each others wrist ties just after they are married. These are just a few of the ceremonies as the list can go on and on. All of these events are a lot of fun for everyone!

I am looking forward for this trip. I will keep in touch.

This month really had some unique recipes. Although they were all good, I could only select the best. Thank you everyone for participating. I’ve chosen the following as the top five entries. The contest is now completed.

The first place winner is Satyasree Nivas (Delightful Bread Swirls) and the 2nd place goes to Harshitha Sanmathi (Potato Masala Quiche Pastry).