Great Smoky Mountains - Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains , Tennessee - It is a mountain range spreading along the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina.It is a perfect vacation spot all year round on the montains.

The Smoky Mountains have arts & crafts, hiking, biking, tubing, horseback riding, live music, and two annual festivals. Whichever season you choose, there's always a good adventure to be found. After a day of fun, find a great place to eat followed by a stay in a cabin, hotel, bed & breakfast, or at a campsite.

Stay at Gatlinburg- Gateway to the Smokies.

Pictures from a short visit to smoky mountains with friends

SKY LIFT

SKY RIDE

Fall Colors seen from Sky Ride

HAPPY DIWALI

DIWALI - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

HAPPY DIWALI FELLOW BLOGGERS,READERS and FRIENDS.HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WOULD HAVE HAD A BLAST.




MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH YOUR WISHES,GOOD HEALTH AND WEALTH

Hotel Rasam

Hotel Rasam :- I learnt this recipe from my friend Anu.This rasam is made without Garlic.It tastes similar to the rasam we get from hotel.So i named it Hotel Rasam.

Ingrediants(measures for 4)

Rasam Powder

• Chana Dhal(kadalai parupu) - 1 tb spoon
• Kothamali seeds/Corriander seeds - 1/2 tb spoon
• Black pepper corns - 1 t spoon
• Cumin Seeds/Jeera Seeds - 1 1/2 t spoon
• Dry Red Chilli - 2 big
• Methi/Vendhayam - 1 pinch

Ingrediants to make rasam powder.Only for display,not exact measures

Heat a kadai and dry roast(until channa dhal,corr.seeds turn into brown color) all the above ingrediants.

Dry roasted ingrediants ready to be powdered

Cool it for a while.Grind to a fine powder in a blender or coffee grinder.

• Tamarind- lemon size,soak in 4 cups of water
• Tomato- 1/2 medium chopped
• Corriander/kothamali leaves - chopped ,as required
  
• Powders- turmeric 1/4 t spoon,hing/Kayam 4 shakes
• Salt-as required
• Seasoning-mustard,curry leaves

Method

Heat oil in a kadai,add the seasonings,when it splutters,add tomatoes fry until they are mushy.Add the rasam powder and fry for 3 mins.Nice aroma arises at this stage.Now add the tamarind water.Add the powders,salt.Allow to boil for 6 to 7 mins.Add corriander leaves.When you see bubbles starting to arise.Switch off the stove.Rasam is ready.Serve with rice or as a soup particulary when it is raining outside.

Hotel Rasam

Tips

• You can make the rasam powder in a bluk,store it in a air tight container or in freezer as use it as needed.
• It goes well with veggie side dishes.
  

Columbus Day Weekend Trip

Columbus Day Weekend Trip :-We made a trip to Asheville,North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Parkway :- Experience America's Favorite Drive!.The Falls colors were at their peak.It was so good.Good Memories.We rode along the Blue Ridge Parkway.It is an uphill drive to the mountains.Perfect to see fall colors.

Blue Ridge Parkway-Fall Colors on near by Mountains

There are many mountains along the BlueRidge Parkway.We decided to go to GrandFather Mountain.It is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range and a globally recognized nature preserve.

Swinging Bridge in GrandFather Mountain

Biltmore Estate :- It is the America's largest privately owned house.This house was in many movies.Read more .

Biltmore house,Asheville,North Carolina

If you happen to visit/pass thru North Carolina,these places must be in TO-SEE list.It is worth the time and money.

Bachelor's Dish- Shrimp/Prawn Thokku

Bachelor's Dish- Shrimp/Prawn Thokku :- This shrimp dish is very easy to prepare.So i have listed it under Bachelor Dish.I make this dish whenever there is time contraint.

Ingrediants

• Shrimp/Prawn-1/2 pound (i normally buy the de-veined,fully cleaned, cooked shrimp from American stores.How to clean shrimp?)
• Onion-1 large finely chopped
• Tomato-1 large finely chopped
• Ginger+Garlic paste- 1/2 tsp
• Powders-turmeric 1/4 tsp,red chilli powder 1/2 tbsp,corriander powder 1 tbsp,garam masala 1/2 tsp
• Seasoning-fennel(sombu/sauf) 1/2 tsp,curry leaves 1 stripe,Green Chilis-4 chopped
  
• Salt-as required
• Oil-5 tbsp
• Corriander leaves-6 stripes finely chopped
• Lime Juice-2 tbsp

Method

Marinate the (cleaned and washed) shrimp with little turmeric powder,salt,black pepper,lime juice.Do not allow to marinate for more than 15 minutes becoz the acidity of lime with literally start cooking the shrimp.So after that if you cook it,it tends to become rubbery.

Heat 4tbsp of oil in a kadai,add the seasonings,when they splutter add the onions,saute well for 4 mins or till they turn color.Add the tomatoes and saute well till they are mashed well.Add the ginger+garlic paste followed by the powders.Saute untill all are cooked well.It takes around 5 mins.Salt it.Add the shrimp and mix it well with the gravy.Once the shrimp are curled,it indicates they are cooked.Reduce heat and after 4 mins turn off heat.If you cook for long time,they become rubbery.Garnish with corriander leaves,finally add lime juice and serve.

Enjoy it with plain rice/chapati/paratha

Pics:Shrimp Thokku