Blogging Vacation

Dear Samayalites,

I am taking a vacation from blogging.I need to update myself professionally.But will be visiting your blogs whenever time permits.

Catch you all later.



pic:courtesy google

Karthigai Deepam 2006

Karthigai Deepam - Festival of Lights is celebrated in TamilNadu on the occurrence of Karthigai Nakshatram/Star in the tamil month of Kiruthigai.Hindus decorate their homes and alters with little oil lamps to celebrate this day, which marks the death of a historic Rakshasan (Demon).The Karthigai Nakshatram is of great importance to Sri Murugan, as it is considered as his birth star. When it falls on a Monday, and occurs during the month of Karthigai, it is considered especially sacred, and devotees undertake fasts and special prayers to seek the Lord’s blessings.
courtesy : http://www.sttemple.com/STT/english/karthigai.asp

More about Karthigai Deepam Festival ...

In tamilnadu,Thiruvannamai- Sri Arunachaleswarar temple is famous for Karthigai deepam.
It is believed that every year during the Tamil month of Karthigai in Kiruthigai Star, exactly at 6.00 p.m. Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees at the time of Karthigai Festival 10th day.
Courtesy : googling

Thiruvannamalai Deepam

So at 6 o' clock people lit their home with lamps to worship the lord himself in the Jyothi form.

Pic : Deepam in my home

Healthy Vegetable Soup

The story of Healthy Vegetable Soup

On a cold night,under the warm blanket ,in the cozy sofa ......... wait wait it is not a scene from a movie .I was wondering what to make for dinner.Then came the idea of soup ; result of watching food network.Recollecting some episodes and with the available ingredients in my fridge and pantry,i started on my version of vegetable soup.What next?.It was a hit.Happy to share it with all of you.

Ingredients

1 cup of all the veggies per head is the ratio i used.You can have your own selection/quantity of vegetables

• shredded cabbage,cubed carrot,celery sticks,chopped onions,tomatoes(missing in pic),cilantro,tiny pasta(any kind,i used little macaroni)
  
• Salt,pepper,turmeric powder
• bay leaves (optional)
  
• green chilis for extra spiciness (optional)
  

• 

• Chicken broth/chicken stock/vegetable stock ( or can use water too.if soup is too watery,dissolve some corn startch in water and add to it) Ratio 1 cup veggie = 2 1/2 cup broth. You can also mix-match water with broth for that 2 1/2 cups.
  
• Beans (any kind)

Method

Heat oil a soup pot/cooker,add onions fry till translucent.Then add in tomatoes and all veggies,peas/beans one by one sautaing each ,for a minute or so.Add SP(salt,pepper).Add in the chicken broth and simmer till the required consistency needed.It may take around 20 mins or more depending on the quantity you make.

hmm ... soup .... noodle soup ah! errrrr! no no no vegetable soup - Just remembered the episode from FRIENDS where Joey auditioned for Soup,but for every take he could only say hmm ........ Noodle Soup where he should actually say hmm ....Soup

Pic : hearty and healthy vegetable soup