Bronx Zoo NewYork

Bronx Zoo


Bronx Zoo in New York has almost 600 species of animals around the world.The special attractions are 
4-D Theatre,Bug Carousel,Butterfly Garden,Children's Zoo,Congo Gorilla Forest,Wild Asia Monorail,Jungle World,Zoo Shuttle.


For the tickets and rates check the link.The entire zoo cannot be covered  in a single day,so plan accordingly.
Address:
2300 South Blvd Bronx, NY 10460
 (718) 220-5100

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Flower Garland

I made this flower garland ,with the flowers in my balcony garden.

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Rangoli 2

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Diwali 2012

Wish you a happy and prosperous diwali to all.
Diwali festival of lights.

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Rangoli 1

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Floating Candles With Flowers

Floating candles with flowers is a nice decoration for entrance or anywhere.

We can light the candles also.In the water adding kumkum gives more attraction,

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Nava Daniya Kolam

Nava Daniya Kolam

Decorate it with some painted diyas

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Modak(Kozhukattai)

Modak is one of the Vinayaka Chaturthi special.
Ingredients:
Outer Covering
Rice Flour-1 cup
Water-1 1/4 cup
Oil-1 tsp
Salt-pinch
Stuffing
Grated Coconut-1/2 cup
Jaggery-1/4 cup
Ghee-1 tsp
Water -little
Salt-pinch
Cardamom-1(powdered)

Method: 
*Heat the pan add jaggery and little bit water to melt,then add grated coconut,ghee,salt,cardamom powder mix well,until water dries.
*Mix everything under the heading (outer covering) in a bowl without any lumps.Pour it in a pan stir continuously in a medium heat until it leave the sides and roll like a ball.
*Once its done keep it covered to avoid drying.Take a small ball of the flour,make it as a  cup,put a teaspoon stuffing,close it.
*Steam these in greased idli vessel for 10 -15 mins.

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ChickPeas (Chana or Kondakadalai) Sundal

Chick Peas Kondakadalai in tamil,is commonly cooked for all neivadiyam.
Here is the sundal recipe,
Ingredients:
Chick Peas-3 Cups
Salt-as needed
Tempering:
Oil-1 2 tsp
Mustard seeds-1 tsp
Chana dal-1 tsp
Urad dal-1 tsp
Green Chilly-2 nos
Red Chilly-2
Onion-1 (medium size)
Curry Leaves-few
Grated Coconut-1 tbsp.

Method:
* Soak chickpeas for 6 hours or whole night.Pressure cook it with enough water and salt for 4-5 whistles or until it becomes soft.
*Heat oil in a pan add mustard seeds,let it splutter.
*Add chana dal,urad dal ,saute until golden brown.
*Saute the chopped onion,greenchilly,red chilly,curry leaves.Add little bit salt also.
*Drain the water and add cooked chick peas mix well.
*Finally add the grated coconut ,mix well.

For this we can use either black or yellow.

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Baked Tilapia Fillet

Ingredients:
Tilapia Fillet-3 
Marinate:
Curd-3 tsp
Ginger Garlic Paste-1 tsp
Garam Masala-1/2 tsp
Chilly Powder-1 tsp
Turmeric Powder-1/4 tsp
Lemon Juice-1/2 tsp
Methi Leaves-1 tsp
Oil-2 tsp
Salt-as needed

Method:
*Mix everything under the heading marinate to  a paste.
*Apply this paste on both sides of the  fillet.Let it for 30 mins.
*Bake the marinated fillet for 20-25 mins at 350'f or 180'c.

Note:
*Brush the top with oil,if necessary.
*Line the baking tray with aluminium foil to avoid the fillet sticking to it.

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Medu Vada

Ingredients:
Urad Dal-1 cup
Rice Flour-1 tbsp
Onion-1 (finely chopped)
Green Chilly-3  nos.
Curry Leaves-few
Coriander Leaves-2 tsp
Pepper Corns-1/2 tsp(optional)
Salt-as needed
Oil-to deep fry

Method:
*Soak urad dal to 30-45 minutes,grind it to a smooth paste by adding water in teaspoons.
*Mix Urad dal paste,rice flour,chopped onion,green chilly,curry leaves,coriander leaves,pepper corns,salt in a bowl.
*Heat oil in a pan,take small ball of the mix,flatten it  in your palm,deep fry it until golden brown.
Serve with coconut chutney or sambhar .
Its one of the best tea time snacks.Even with ketchup also it tastes good.

Note:
* Grind urad dal with little water as possible.
*To make vada ,use the spatula to flatten it.
*Adding rice flour gives crispy taste to the vada,but to much make it harder.

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Bittergourd(pavakkai)Chips

Ingredients:
Bittergourd-1
Lemon Juice-1/2 tsp
Chilly Powder-1 tsp
Turmeric Powder-a pinch
Salt-as needed
Oil-to deep fry

 Method:
* Thinly slice the bittergourd.
*In a plate add turmeric powder,salt,lemon juice ,sliced bitter gourd,mix well,let it for an hour.
*Heat oil in a pan,deep fry the bittergourd slices.
*Add salt,chilly powder according to your taste.

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Lemon Rice

Ingredients:
Cooked Basmati Rice-1 cup
Lemon-1
Mustard Seed-1 tsp
Chana dal-1 tsp
Urad dal-1 tsp
Cashewnuts-5-7
Peanut-1 tbsp
Cumin-1 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves-few
Oil-1 tbsp
Salt-as needed

Method:
*Soak basmati rice for 30 minutes,cook it for 3 whistles.Spread it on a plate,cool it down.
*Squeeze the lemon juice.
*Heat oil in a pan add  mustard seeds let it splutter.
*Add cashewnuts,peanut,chana dal,urad dal saute until golden brown.
*Add cumin seeds,let it splutter.
*Add turmeric powder,curry leaves,coriander leaves.
*Finally add the lemon juice and switch off .
*Mix this,salt to the cooled rice.
Serve with any pickle or pappad.

Note:
*Grated carrots and green peas can also added to it.
*Cumin seeds give nice crunchy taste.

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Kuzhi Paniyaram

Its usual with the idli batter,first its idli,then dosa,then oothappam or kuzhi paniyaram.
Ingredients:
Idli Batter-3 cup
Onion-2(medium size)
Green Chilly-4-5 nos.
Mustard Seeds-1 tsp
Urad Dal-1 1/2 tsp
Chana Dal-1 1/2 tsp
Currry Leaves-few
Coriander Leaves-few
Oil-3 tbsp
Salt-as needed

Method:
*Heat oil in a pan add mustard seeds let it splutter.Add chana dal,urad dal saute until golden brown.
*Add chopped onion,green chilly,curry leaves,coriander leaves,salt.Saute well.
*Mix the sauteed things to the batter,mix well.
*Heat the paniyaram pan,add oil.Once the pan is heated pour the batter.one side cooked flip it off.
Serve it with coconut chutney.
Note:
*If you want add grated carrots also.
*Batter is like oothappam consistency,not too thick or thin.

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DrumstickLeaf Stir Fry (Poriyal)

Drumstick leaves are rich in iron content,good for health.
Ingredients:
Drumstick leaves-2 cup
Shallots-10-15 nos.
Red Chilly-3-4 nos.
Toor dal-2 tbsp
Salt-as needed
Water-1/4 cup
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Oil-1 tbsp
Grated coconut-2 tbsp

Method:
*Remove the leaf from stick and wash it
*Heat oil in pan ,add mustard seeds.Let it splutter.
*Add the cut shallots,red chilly ,saute it well.
*Add water,toordal,salt.Let it boil.
*When the water boils,add drumstick leaves saute until water dries.
*Once water dries add grated coconut mix well.
Serve with rice.
Note:
*Shallots give nice taste,can substitute with big onion also.

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Honeydew Melon Juice

*Roughly chopped honeydew 1 cup,ice cold water,sugar as per taste.
*Blend everything in a blender,strain it in a strainer.
*Serve with ice cubes.

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Bushkill Falls-PA(USA)

Bushkill Falls known as the 'Niagara of Pennsylvania.It consists of series of 8 waterfalls ,the  tallest is over 100 feet.It is located in Northeast Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains in the USA.We reach the falls top to bottom by wooden trails.

The entrance fees to the falls is 

• Adults: $11 / day
• Seniors (Ages 62 and older): $10 / day
• Children (Ages 4 through 10): $6 / day
• Children (Ages 3 and younger): Free / day

At the entrance there is an array of stuffed animals,it looks like real,

Based on the difficulties and length of the paths , marked as red,blue,yellow,green,one can choose of their choice.Strollers are difficult to taken in.

There are lot of wooden bridges and benches to enjoy the different views of the falls.

Some other attractions are,

Miniature Golf

Paddle Boat

Fishing Area

Children Play Area

There are few places for food ,but its better to have your own. Barbeque (BBQ)places also there.

They rent spaces for private gatherings.All together it is good place for family fun,hiking,boating,fishing etc.

Address:

Rte 209 Bushkill Falls, Bushkill, PA 18324

For more information check the link.

From New Jersey it will took around 2 hours to reach the falls.

Near by places are ,

Sri Saradambal Temple

SRI SHARADA TEMPLE : 

327, Cays Rd, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 - USA

Guru Temple

Arshavidya

Saylorsburg PA 18353, Pennsylvania

These three places can be visited in one day if plan accordingly.All together it is good for one day trip from NewJersey.

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Beetroot Stir fry -Beetroot Poriyal

Ingredients:

Beetroot-1 (medium size)
Onion-1(medium size)
Green Chillies-3 nos.
Curry Leaves-few.
Grated Coconut-2 tsp(optional)
Oil-1 tsp
Salt-as needed
Tempering:
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Urad dhal-1/2 tsp
Chana dhal-1/2 tsp

Method:
*Peel the skin and wash beetroot.Then Shred it.
*Finely chop the onion and green chilly.
*Heat oil in a pan,add the tempering ingredients,let it splutter.
*Add onion,greenchillies,curryleaves saute it until the onions become transparent.
*Add salt to it.
*Add the shredded beetroot saute it until the raw smell goes.
*Finally add grated coconut ,stir it .
Your yummy beetroot poriyal is ready.

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Kolam no. 3

This is a 4-4 parallel dot sikku kolam,we can expand as big as we want,

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Watermelon Lemonade

Ingredients:
Watermelon-1 cup(roughly chopped)
Lemon Juice-1 tbsp
Sugar-3 tsp
Ice Cold Water-1/4 cup
Salt-1 small pinch(optional)

Method:
*Blend all the ingredients in a blender,strain it in a strainer.

Serve with ice cubes.

Note:
Adjust  the ingredients as per your taste.

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Spinach(Palak) Adai

Adai is source of protein ,good for health.If we add spinach to the adai,then it becomes more healthier.
Ingredients:
Parboiled rice or idli rice-2 cups
Toor dhal-3/4 cup
Tomato-2
red chilly-4 nos
Spinach-1 cup
Onion-1 medium size
Cumin-1 tsp(optional)
Hing(Asafoetida)-1/4 tsp
Salt-as needed
Oil-to make adai.

Method:
*Wash and soak ,rice and dhal for 3-4 hours.
*Grind tomato and red chilly first,then add rice and dhal grind it to a coarse paste.Finally add the spinach,grind it for few mins.
*Add chopped onion,cumin,hing,salt mix well.If needed add water also.
*Make thick adai or like dosa immediately.No need to ferment the batter.
Serve with coconut chutney.
Note:
* You can add grated carrots.
*Pour the batter first outer circle then towards the inner circle in dosa pan for making adai in dosa form.

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Pineapple Kesari

Ingredients:
Sooji rava - 3/4 cup
Water - 2 1/4 cup 1:3 ratio
Sugar - 3/4 cup even 1/2 cup is enough if u want less sugar
Ghee - 4 tsp
Oil - 2 tsp
Tutti Frutti-1 tbsp
Pineapple Pieces-1/2 cup

Salt -small pinch
cashew and raisn as per need
yellow food color a pinch


Method:
* Put a tsp of ghee in a pan, fry cashew and raisin till golden brown.
* Pour water in a vessel add food color let it boil.
* After frying the cashew, then add rava and fry until golden brown in the same pan.
* When the water boils pour it in rava, mix well no lumps are formed.
*Add the pineapple pieces,cook until it becomes soft.
* Add sugar and salt to it.
* At this time add oil and ghee mix it well.Oil is added to it then only it is not hard.*After some time it seperates from the pan or the ghee oozes out its the right consistency.

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Varieties Of Uttapam (or )Oothappam

Oothappam is also like thick dosa(rice pancake).I use same idli  batter for making Oothappam.The batter may be little sour for this when compared to idli.Check the link for how to make idli batter.
1.Plain Oothappam
*Heat the dosa pan.Pour the batter in the centre,drizzle oil.When one side is done,turn it and cook.

Serve with any coconut chutney or sambhar as your choice.

2.Onion Oothappam
* Chop the onions finely.
* Heat the dosa pan.Pour the batter in the centre,sprinkle the chopped onion all over the oothappam,gently press it with spatula,drizzle oil.When one side is done,turn it and cook.

Serve it hot with coconut chutney.

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Potato Masala

Potato Masala goes well with poori and dosa.
Ingredients:
Potato-3-4 (medium size)
Onion-2(big)
Green Chilly-4-5 nos.
Turmeric Powder-1 tsp
Cashew nuts-10-15(optional)
Green Peas-1/2 cup(optional)
Oil-2 tsp
Mustard Seeds-1 tsp
Chana dal-1 tsp
Urad dal-1 tsp
Curry Leaves-few

Method:
*Pressure cook the potatoes for 3-4 whistles.Peel the skin and mash it.
*Slice the onion into thin pieces,slit  the green chillies.
*Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds.Let it splutter.
*Add chana dal,urad dal,cashewnuts ,saute it until golden brown.
*Add sliced onions and green chillies ,saute it well.
*Add turmeric powder ,saute until raw smell goes.
* Add green peas and mashed potatoes mix well.
Serve with poori.

Note:
*Add turmeric powder in the oil itself,otherwise raw smell never goes.
*If you use fresh or frozen peas add directly.Dried peas means cook already and then add.

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Coriander Coconut Chutney

Ingredients:
Coriander Leaves-1/4 cupCoconut-1/2 cup(grated)
Roasted Bengal gram(fried channa,pottukadalai)-1/2 cup
Green chilli-3 nos.
Garlic pods-3
Ginger-1/2 inch piece
Salt and Water as needed
Tempering:
Oil-1 tsp
Mustard Seeds-1 tsp
Chana dal-1/2 tsp
Urad dal-1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves-few

Method:
*Clean and wash fresh coriander leaves.*Grate or cut the coconut into pieces.
*Put  coriander leaves,coconut,roasted bengal gram,green chilli,garlic pods,ginger,salt and water in a mixie jar.
*Grind it into a coarse paste.
*Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds let it splutter,add channa dal,urad dal saute it until golden brown,add curry leaves let it splutter.
*Add it to the grinded mixture.Add water and salt to your required consistency.

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Mango Lassi

Ingredients:
Mango pulp-1/2 cup
Curd-1/4 cup
Ice Cold Water-1/4 cup
Sugar-3 tsp
Lemon Juice-1/2 tsp
Ice Cubes-few









Method:
* Blend all the ingredients except ice cubes in a blender.
*Serve with ice cubes.
Note:
*Adjust sugar and water according to your taste and consistency.

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Mango Milk Shake

Its almost end of mango season,so one more mango recipe.
Ingredients:
Mango pulp-1/ cup
Chilled Milk-1 cup
Sugar-3 tsp

Method:
*Blend all the ingredients in a blender and serve with ice cubes.
Note:
*Adjust sugar and milk according to your taste and consistency.
*Don't  use hot milk,boil and cooled it before blending.

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Baked Chicken Wings

As i stated already chicken  lollipops are made with first half of the chicken wings,because it is easy to bring the shape of the lollipop.The second half is little difficult to bring the shape so i baked it.For this recipe  i use 8 chicken wings (second half only),the measurements are enough for this.
Ingredients:
Chicken Wings-8 (second half only)
Ginger Garlic Paste-3/4 tsp
Garam Masala-1/2 tsp
Chilly Powder-3/4 tsp
Pepper powder-1/2 tsp
Lemon Juice-1/2 tsp
Salt -as needed
Oil-2 tsp

Method:
* Clean the chicken wings ,drain it.
*In a bowl add  everything ,except 1 tsp oil.
*Add the chicken wings mix well.Let it marinate for 4-6 hours,even whole night is also good.
*Preheat the oven to 350'F.In a baking tray line it with aluminum foil ,brush it with oil arrange chicken wings.
*Brush the chicken wings with oil,bake it for 20 to 30 minutes.

Serve it with ketchup,or green chutney.

Note:
* It taste medium spicy ,for more spicy add more chilly powder.
*Use both the parts of the chicken wings also.
*Baking tray is lined with aluminum foil to avoid  mess and cleaning also easy.

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Types Of Dosas

Paper Roast:
Method:
*Mix water to idli batter ,pouring consistency.
*Heat the dosa pan.
*Take the batter in a laddle ,pour it in the center ,rotate it till the edge using back side of the laddle.
*Drizzle with oil,when one side become golden brown,turn it to other side.

Once it is done,roll it and serve with chutney,sambhar anything you wish.
To make the batter check this link.


Podi Dosa:
* Heat the dosa pan,pour the batter rotate it  till the edge,sprinkle  idli podi on it,drizzle oil.Once its done,turn other side.

Serve it hot with any chutney.

Egg Dosa
*Heat the pan,pour the batter ,break one egg and spread it on the batter.When one side is done flip it to other side.

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Chocolate Cup

Serving cups and bowls are very important in presenting a dish,especially for kids.Here is my chocolate cup to serve fruits and ice cream.Kids will love it and easy to make.

Method:
* Melt the cooking chocolate by double boiler technique.
* Pour it in a paper cup,slightly rotate it to cover the sides of the paper cup.
* Keep it in the fridge for 10 minutes,then remove the paper cup by tearing it.Chocolate cup is ready to serve.

Chocolate Cup with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Chocolate Cup with Vanilla Ice cream

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Homemade Bread Crumbs

We need bread crumbs to make cutlets,chicken lollipop etc,here is a easy way to make bread crumbs.

* Microwave the bread slices for 2 minutes or heat it in a tawa until crisp.

*Powder it in a mixier to coarse.

*Home made bread  crumbs are ready.

Note:
*Store it in a container in fridge or freezer for more shelf life.
*It is one of the best way to reuse the old bread.Heat the bread ,grind and store it for the later use.We can add any cheese or herbal  seasoning for flavor also.

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