Best of 2008 and more..

First of all ..my thanks to all the regular readers and occassional visitors who take the time to read and pass on their wonderful comments. Its very encouraging and keeps me motivated to try more... Then to all the people who have participated in the events I have hosted here.. and make it interesting.. with their contributions..
And last but not the least by any means.. thanks to all my blogging friends.. who with their creative ideas and enthusiasm... encourage everyone to try something different.. Happy blogging.. and hope all of us continue with lots of yummy blog posts into 2009 and further ..

Wish you all a very happy, healthy and yummy 2009..

Now for a recap of the year 2008...

This year at All Thingz Yummy.. summarized in numbers -

Recipes/Posts:
Number of posts this year - 106 (mostly recipes, some general posts like this one)

Visits/Visitors:
Number of unique visits this year - 21191
Number of first time visits this year - 18050
Number of returning visits this year - 3141

Events:
Number of events hosted - 2 + 1 (ongoing)
Number of event entries in the A.T.Y events - 101 entries in 2 events
Number of events A.T.Y has participated in - 30 (Check out the Events page)

These numbers are humbling.. and motivating..Thanks again everyone..

Visitors' Favorites

Spicy Macaroni and Vegetables
Double Layer Cake
Gongura Mutton
Tofu Pad Thai
Sorghum/Jowar Murukulu
Whole Wheat Vegan Banana Nut Bread
Hyderabadi Mirchi Ka Salan
Vegetable n Cranberry Chutney
Moong Dal Laddu
Hyderabadi Kheema

Best Recipes by Month
January - Sorghum/Jowar Murukulu
February - Soy Tikki
March - Cabbage Radish Paratha
April - Spicy Macaroni and Vegetables
May - Spicy Mutton Curry
June - Multicolor Bell peppers in Rice
July - Fresh Fruit Layer Cake
August - Spinach Pepper Chicken
September - Yummy Healthy Wraps
October - Whole wheat rotini with vegetables
November - Eggless Cranberry Orange Choco Chip Bread
December - Spiced POM Berry Cake

Best recipe prepared from other blogs
Mango Bread

Best Meal of the year
Whole wheat rotini with vegetables

Things I have learnt/discovered...
-Flax meal is an awesome egg substitute
-Cranberries taste yummy when baked
-Tofu is our new family favorite..It can taste very yummy when spiced well. I am use it a lot now and am always stocking it in the fridge.
-Whole Wheat Blend Pasta varieties are as good as the regular ones taste-wise and even better nutrition-wise

New blogs discovered...
Tons of them.... Hard to list them all .. but each and every blog has something exciting to offer..and looking forward to finding more in 2009..

Cooking resolutions for the Year 2009!
Cook healthy..and Eat healthy.. and live happy.. :)

This post goes to Srivalli's Best of 2008 event.

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Quick Eggless Sweet Rolls

These are delicious somewhat sweet tasting rolls that can be made without waiting for the dough to rise for a long time.


Ingredients:
4 Cups All purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup warm water
1 Tbsp Quick rise yeast
1 stick (4 oz) butter (melted)

Process:
Dissolve yeast in warm water, set aside for a few minutes. Measure all dry ingredients into a bowl. Stir gently until mixed. Add the yeast mixture and mix well. The dough is very very sticky.Transfer it into a large greased bowl and turn it a few times till its somewhat stuck together like a ball. Cover with a kitchen towel and keep the bowl in a warm place. Let the dough rise until double. About 45 mins - 1 hr. Prepare the pan you'll be using to bake these. A shallow pan or baking sheet would work. Grease the surface and divide the dough into equal sized balls and place them on the baking pan. About 24 approximately. Brush lightly with some butter if you'd like. And let it sit again for about 30-45 mins until the dough rises again and doubles in size. Preheat the oven to 425F degrees and bake for 11 minutes.

These delicious rolls taste great with butter/jam or just by themselves with nothing on the side. Perfect to serve for the holiday dinners. I will post variations of this as I try them. Enjoy !

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Spicy Tofu Veggie Quiche - Sunday Snacks - Hot n Spicy

First of all, let me say this - It was so yummy tasting, the picture hardly does any justice to it.. I would do somethings differently next time to make it pretty looking..


Ingredients:
1 Puff Pastry Sheet(or an unbaked pie crust)
1 Onion (medium sized, sliced finely)
1 Firm Tofu packet
1 Cup Mixed vegetables
1 tsp garam masala (optional)
Green chillies paste (adjust as per taste)
Salt as needed
Process:
Saute the onions and mixed veggies. Blend tofu with salt, chilli paste,garam masala together, if its too hard to move add some liquid. (Milk or water) If it is too smooth some kind of thickening agent can be added (like corn flour). I just added very little water and thats it. Grease an 8X8 pan.Adjust the pastry sheet in the pan to form as per the shape of the pan you are using. Pour the tofu and veggies mixture into the pan with the pastry sheet in it. And put some veggies on the top. I mixed up all the tofu and veggies and put it in there. But, after trying that, the next time, I think I would save some veggies aside for the top layer so it looks prettier :) Bake as per instructions on the pastry sheet packet. Serve hot. My 3 yr old enjoyed it quite a bit with some ketchup on the side.

Enjoy !

This goes to my Sunday Snacks - Hot n Spicy event that I am hosting this month..

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Spiced POM & Berry Cake

Ever since I have been experimenting with different fruit based breads/cakes, I wanted to use the healthiest fruits and make something.. Here is one attempt. Turned out pretty decent. I was happy about giving it to my son.. with all the high antioxidants these delicious fruits provide..


Ingredients:
2.25 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 cup blueberries(fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup pomegranate arils
1 cup milk (I used 2% reduced fat)
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Process:
Preheat oven to 375F. Mix everything except the fruits. Then fold in the blueberries and chopped cranberries.In the bottom of the greased pan, scatter the pomegranate arils. And pour the batter over them and bake for about 45-60 minutes or how ever long it takes for a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Wait until cooled before removing from pan. The cake turned out pretty well. The pom seeds inthe arils give and unexpected twist .. if you dont like them you can skip them.

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Event : Sunday Snacks Hot n Spicy - Update

Couple of weeks ago, I announced the theme for this month's edition of Sunday Snacks.. with a due date as usual to be the last sunday of December. I will be on vacation next week, and then busy trying to get back to the normal routine again.. I am sure many of my blogging friends are doing the same :) So, for everyone's convenience.. I am extending this edition of Sunday Snacks into January.Send in all the Hot n Spicy Sunday Snacks.. you want.. !!

Thanks ! Looking forward to seeing awesome entries...

PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES OF SUBMISSION below...

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"Sunday Snacks - Hot n Spicy"



The theme for December and January. The first thing that comes to mind..when you think this time of the year is..the WINTER.. And ideal foods during the cold weather would be all things that trigger warmth and coziness.. (atleast for me :) something hot or something with a spicy kick.. So, following the mood for cozy warm things, this month's theme would be "Hot n Spicy".

Information for entry:Send the entries in an email to : allthingzyummy(at)gmail(dot)com. Please be sure to copy and paste the email subject (that helps me organize them better).

Email Subject: Sunday Snacks - Hot n Spicy

The following details must be in your email.
Your Name:
Recipe Name:
Recipe Link:

Bloggers - Please don't send any pictures. I'll get them from your blog if I need them. Non-Bloggers can send in pictures.

Due Date: Last sunday of the January. (Jan 25th)

Ingredient Restrictions:
All non-meat stuff is acceptable. Like all other recipes on All Thingz Yummy, please restrict the meats to : Chicken, Shrimp, Lamb/Goat & Fish.

Linking to the announcement:
Each recipe being submitted, must have a link to the specific event announcement.
Linking with logo is encouraged and preferable, but not compulsory.

Multiple Entries/Posting from Archives:
Anything from archives is ok. Reposting is not necessary as long as its properly updated with the event link. Multiple entries ok. Please send all submissions in one email. In case of multiple entries, reposting them is not necessary but please do link each and every individual posts/entries to this announcement so that its easier to link back. Thanks !

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Vegetable n Cranberry Chutney

This unconventional looking chutney is really quick to make and tastes delicious. Its kind of healthy too :)


Ingredients:
2 Cups Fresh Cranberries(chopped)
1 Cup Cabbage (Chopped)
1/2 Cup Bottle Gourd Peel
1/2 cup Sesame Seeds (roasted, powdered)
1/2 cup Peanuts (roasted, powdered)
4 green chillies (or as per taste)
salt as per taste

For tempering:
2 tsp Urad Dal
4-5 Dried Red chillies
7-10 Curry leaves
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp oil

Process:
In a large wide pan add 2 tsp oil,add green chillies, cabbage, cranberries and the bottle gourd peel to it. Stir for about 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Transfer mixture to the food processor/blender/grinder. Add the powders and grind it into a smooth paste. Add salt as needed. Prepare the basic south indian tempering by adding some red chillies, urad dal,Curry leaves, mustard seeds, cumin seeds to 1 tsp of hot oil and remove when the seeds are spluttering. Dump this over the chutney mix well and serve..Its an awesome side dish that can be made very quickly....Tastes great with Idli/Dosa/Rice.. or any fried snacks..

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Easy Green Beans Stir Fry

This is one of those curries that you can make so quickly, the guests who just "dropped by".. wont even notice you made it :))


Ingredients:
1 Pack French style cut green beans (I use the frozen one.)
1 cup Green Peas (frozen)
2 Tbsp Ginger+Garlic paste
1 Tbsp Coriander powder
2 Tbsp Oil (less if using olive oil)
2 Tbsp Dried coconut powder (Optional)
Salt as per taste
Chilli powder as per taste

1 Tbsp Urad Dal, 1 tsp Cumin seeds,1 tsp Mustard seeds,1/2 tsp turmeric for tempering

Process:
If using frozen veggies, wash them under running water in a colander. While the water drains, heat the oil in a wide pan. When ready, add in the urad dal first, then turmeric, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, add the ginger garlic paste and stir.
Now add the green beans. On medium high heat setting, mix the beans well with the spice mixture.. and cover with lid for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and stir well, the beans would look a little cooked with change in color. Increase the heat setting to high, and while stirring every couple of minutes, cook for another 5 minutes. Add in the green peas, salt and chilli powder. Cook for another 5 minutes while stirring to avoid burning. Sprinkle coriander powder, if using the coconut powder, sprinkle that too and mix well and turn off the heat, the oil should separate on the sides and the beans should look a little fried.

Yummy beans stir fry is ready to serve. Serve with rice or chapathi.

TIP: Its easy to make this curry in large quantities, so it frequently is on my menu for parties...and its always gone, so people seem to like it very much too. For parties, after I am done with this curry, in a separate pan I add 1 Tbsp oil and fry some curry leaves, cashew nuts and peanuts and use this for garnish. Looks pretty inviting. I'll try to post a picture next time I make it for a party :)

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Announcing Sunday Snacks - Hot n Spicy and Roundup of Sunday Snacks - Fix It

The next theme is "Sunday Snacks - Hot n Spicy" The event due date has been extended to Jan 25th 2009. More details have been posted on this link here

Here are the awesome recipes that came in for this month's Sunday Snacks - Fix It event. (with zero to hardly any cooking) Thanks for your enthusiastic participation.. !!

Spiced Croutons By Anu Sriram @ Chandrabhaga
Kadai Paneer By DK @ DK's Culinary Bazaar
Easy Breezy Pasta Salad By N33ma @ Recipeswap
Crispy Vegan Breakfast Bars using Almond Butter By Madhuram @ Eggless Cooking
Cream Corns By Priya @ Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
Microwave Mozzarella Bread Pockets By Priya @ Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
Tofu Onion Omelette By Priya @ Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
Avocado Mayo Dip By Priya @ Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
Wheat Bread Puttu By Priya @ Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes
10 No Cook Soups By Ramki @ Ramki Cooks
Cup Corn by Vidhas @ Appetizing Recipes
Pasta and Mushroom in white sauce by Vidhas @ Appetizing Recipes
Tomato Soup by Vidhas @ Appetizing Recipes
Vegetable Sevai & Tomato Sevai by Vidhas @ Appetizing Recipes
Spicy Cranberry Chutney By Cham @ Spice Club
Corn Chat By Uma @ Essence of Andhra
Green Apple Snack By Uma @ Essence of Andhra
Roasted Chana (Dalia) Chat By Uma @ Essence of Andhra
Coconut Pudding By Uma @ Essence of Andhra
Moong Dal Laddus By Uma @ Essence of Andhra
Wheat Laddu By Uma @ Essence of Andhra
Mixed Flour Ladoos By EC @ Simple Indian Food
Bombay Bhel By Vaishali @ Holy Cow
Healthy Fruit cake By Sita Kiran @ For Spicy Lovers
Corn Salad By Medhaa from Cook With Love
Bread Pizza By Vidya @ Delectable Vegetarian Recipes
Microwave Chiwda By Vidya @ Delectable Vegetarian Recipes
Idli Upma By Vidya @ Delectable Vegetarian Recipes
Aval/Poha Laddu By Divya @ Dil Se



Thats it !! If I have missed any of your recipes, please let me know.
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Previous Editions of Sunday Snacks

Sunday Snacks - Fry It
Sunday Snacks - Bake It

This event series was initiated by Hima of SnackORama and I have been doing it from a while after she left to India and wanted someone to continue this.. Its a fun event.. right from thinking up the event, to posting the roundup, you never know how many delicious yummy surprises you get.. ! If you are interested in hosting this wonderful event, do let me know..

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Easy Chickpea Gravy/ Chole Masala / Chana Masala

This is one recipe that I still do use a packaged masala for. Its so good, I have not spent any time trying to make my own yet.. I'll probably do it sometime .. but until my current packet is completely used, I am using this .. :)



Ingredients:
2 Cups Chick Peas (Kabuli Chana/Chole)
4 Tomatoes (Juicier ones better)
1 medium onion (chopped)
4 Cloves
2 Cardamom
1 tsp Turmeric
1 Tbsp Oil
2-3 Tbsp Badshah Punjabi Chole Masala (I strongly suggest you get this brand masala for this curry)
salt as per taste
chilli powder as per taste

Process:
If using raw dried chick peas, soak them the night before you want to make the curry.
Then the next day, the chole needs to be cooked. One of my Punjabi friends told me that adding a tsp of Amchur powder (dry mango powder) into the pressure cooker when cooking the chole would create a nice brownish color and add to the flavor. Pressure cook them until you hear 3-4 whistle sounds. Turn off and let it cool.

Meanwhile in a wide pan, add some oil, add cloves and cardomom, add chopped onion, and saute, when the onion is light brownish, add the chopped tomato. You may also puree the tomato based on what you like and then add the puree to the pan. Saute well. Add salt and chole masala powder and stir well. Cover with lid for a few minutes .

Now, open the pressure cooker, drain most of the water and mash a few chole. (about 1/5th of your total proportion) And add all of this to the pan with the cooking tomato. Cook until desired consistency is reached. Adjust salt, chilli powder and masala powder as per taste and turn off the heat.

Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve with Puri/Chapathi/Rice. Enjoy !

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Eggless Cranberry Orange Choco Chip Bread

Cranberry with its tart, sour taste.. is a great fruit to use in a quick bread.


Ingredients:
2 1/4 Cup All purpose flour
3/4 cup Sugar
1 Cup Fresh Cranberries(chopped)
3 Tbsp Flaxseed Meal (instead of 1 egg. You dont need 3 but, since its healthy, I use it generously)
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 tsp salt
4 Tbsp Oil
1 cup Orange Juice
1 Tbsp Orange Zest
1/4 cup chocolate chips (I use Semi sweet chocolate chips)
Process:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease the pan. I used a 9 X 5 inch one. Combine all dry ingredients except flax. Add cranberries and mix well. Add flax, oil , orange juice together and mix it well. Pour the liquid into flour and stir until blended. Add chocolate chips and mix again. Put the batter into the prepared pan and bake until done. About 50-70 minutes until the toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out all clean. When done, let it cool in pan for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack. Let it cool completely.

Perfect for a vegan thanksgiving.. Enjoy !!

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