Mango and pomogrenate popsicle| Popsicle with an Indian twist

Its raining mangoes on the blog.Yes !! the king of fruits is a guest for few months and I am making the most of it .Apart from mangoes there is nothing so lovable about summer especially in this part of the world.A soaring temperature threatening to cross 48 C ,hot winds accompanied by frequent sand storms is how a summer can be described in words here in a dessert. Popsicles  are the best way to find some relief from the heat + the tested way to make the kids eat fruits.Well ,I don't think there are kids who don't like mangoes.I have given an Indian twist to these Popsicles by adding a little bit of chat masala to pomegranate juice.

Pizza bombs| How to make pizza bomb from scratch

Pizza is relished by every one .But enjoyed thoroughly if it is hot out of the oven .Not everyone enjoys a cold pizza .As the pizza cools down it loose it charm the cheese dries up and the topping too. Hence it becomes difficult to carry it either in lunch boxes or for picnics or get-together.These pizza

bombs are packed with flavours of pizza and create a riot of flavours once you pop it into your mouth.Pizza bombs are made with 50/50 atta(whole wheat flour) and maida(all purpose flour).So indulgence will be guilt free.

Chocofill cookies|Cookies filled with chocolate

Chocofill cookies are soft chewy cookies with bursting chocolate in the centre. In short  it would be a chocolate lovers paradise.Soft ,chewy,buttery cookies with melt in the mouth, smooth ganache are just good enough to hypnotise any one .You just need a glass of chilled milk and a box full of cookies to pamper your self .These  chocofill cookies were so yummy that I couldn't control my self gorging on it.

Whole wheat eggless banana muffins | How to make whole wheat eggless banana muffins from scratch |Breakfast muffins |Healthy muffins

While the kids are lazying around in their  2 week winter break i am posted on a 16 hour duty -Yes!! when the kids are at home you have to be as active as you could be ,just wave your magic wand and produce the food ."Magic wand "!!! yes the kids believe their mother as a fairy who has a magic  wand ,waves it and produces the most tasty food in  the world .

How to make penne pasta in marinara sauce from scratch | penne Pasta in home made marinara sauce | kids friendly

Pasta is a favourite kids meal at home or packed for a lunch box . Though pasta is an Italian dish it has become an integral part of every household irrespective of the country . Pasta is categorised as a processed food .I always prefer pasta made of whole wheat .If cooked in a right way with addition of veggies pasta makes a complete meal .Marinara sauce is  a thick tomato sauce  with Italian seasoning. This pasta tastes good either hot or cold ,I personally prefer cold .For the marinara sauce always pick  tomatoes that are juicy ,fleshy and deep red in colour.I have added capsicum and olives to increase the nutritive value of pasta .You can just avoid it .

How to make meat balls in Indian style | Gola kabab | Mutton(lamb) meat balls | Indian style meat balls

We (my family ) are omnivore by choice .We love our non -vegetarian dishes as much as we enjoy the greens (vegetables ).But a major part of our heart leans towards the non -veg;) yup its in our blood I suppose .It's all in the genes .If a hearty vegetarian meal is served with a non veg side dish then every thing served gets swept up easily and a broad smile hangs on the kids face .Aah!! and that smile makes my effort worthy.

How to make canapes | Indian style canapes

Starting this week with the  "Meatless Monday's" series .Last week was quiet busy with kids relaxing at home due to their school science exhibition going on .So no regular classes and the exhibits were open to parents in the evening .When kids are at home apart from their weekends ,they really get bored .And secondly they need something to much on every second  hour ."Mom, I am hungry what do I eat ".Kids are always demanding,they always need something novel to be fed .

How to make finger millet banana bread |Ragi-banana chocochip bread | Finger millet chocochip bread | Healthy banana bread

Mom ,What's there for breakfast ? This is the most irking question .Deciding the every day menu with 3 different meals is tedious job.With the school running in full swing and summer at its best I prefer a hearty and healthy lunch box which lifts their mood and makes my job (cooking) easier.Schools here in Qatar start as early as 6.30 am,Yes you read it right 6.30 am and the kids have to be ready by 5.30 to catch their school bus .

Cranberry delight| Cranberry mousse layered naked cake - 1 blogoversary | Celebrating 1 year of blogging with cranberry mousse layered naked cake|Sponge cake layered with cranberry whippped cream

THE FOOD FACTORY   turns 1 (year old) this week , to be precise on 18 September. 

A baby ( my blog) that was delivered out of passion , nurtured with proper nutrition(recipes) .. taking tiny steps ...some times stumbling upon,raising again , celebrates its first birthday (blogoversary).

This day(18 Sept) last year I had pressed the "publish" button for Chinese bhel with shivering hands and a lot of anxiety to dive into this vast ocean named 'blogosphere".My blog went live in  this world of Internet .

Tandoori potato wedges| Party special |Baked potato wedges|Kids friendly

Qatar is turning hot ,hotter , hottest with each passing day and no sign of relief from the scorching heat .Friday was pleasant with a little drizzle and cool breeze ,enjoyed the evening at the beach.Saturday we woke up to  an usual  hot summer day !!!.In this scorching summer afternoon the lady of the house too needs some relief from the kitchen .Since it is unbearably hot with high humidity I prefer to spend less of my time in the kitchen .

Do you think is it possible for a mother to stay away from kitchen ?I don't think so .... I know many of you  will agree with me .And now when the kids are back to their routine there must be something  favourite to motivate them for better study hour in the evening .As all the kids are fond of fries or wedges ,mine too are no exception .The Lil one can stay on it with out dinner .But the man of the house is not so fond of potatoes (except these ).So just to please everyone in  the house  a tasty and healthy Tandoori potato wedges .

Tandoori potato wedges  are marinated in the tandoori masala and baked to perfection .These are perfect as starters for parties .Apt for the kids lunch box ...which is a daily drama in the house !!!lol

Just marinate and refrigerate it and bake when you are about to serve .Doesn't that sound so easy ? Yes it does and it is definitely an easy to go recipe.

Do check out the recipe below for an amazingly crisp and utterly delicious Tandoori potato wedges . 

How to make eggless noodles from scratch | Whole wheat noodles | Healthy noodles|Kids friendly

After a 3 month long vacations finally I am back to blogging .Celebrating Eid with family is definitely one of the most joyous moment of life. And now the kids too are back to school.This was the post prior to vacations but couldn't post it due to tight schedule .

Any ways better late than never .When Maggi was banned in India Me too was scared to buy it Though here I prefer Indonesian  instant noodles which are free from MSG ,but still as a mother i was concerned .My mother used to say that during their childhood there were no noodles introduced in India.If ever they wanted some thing different to eat ,then my granny would serve them home made pasta made from chapati dough .And they would happily devour that delicious home made pasta. Granny used to cut in squares like the Dal dhokli ,but I have tried to cut it in the shape of noodles .  

This whole wheat egg less noodles are easy to make and much more easier to slurp ...lol. Adding veggies is optional but definitely adds colour as well nutrition to these noodles.

Over to the recipe.....

Mango shrikhand | Aamarakhand | Hung curd with mango puree | Summer special | mango special | kids friendly

Mango Shrikhand or Amrakhand  is one of the easiest  and healthiest dessert option .Shrikhand is an Indian sweet dish made of strained yogurt. It is one of the main desserts in Gujarati cuisine and Maharashtrian cuisine. Preparation of this dish is very simple but it takes some time to process yogurt properly.

To prepare shrikhand, yogurt is tied in a cotton cloth and left under pressure to drain.The strained yogurt, referred to as "Chakka", and sugar are mixed thoroughly in a deep bowl.Cardamom, saffron, and any other flavors are then added and mixed. It is then left in the refrigerator for the sugar to dissolve. The dish is served chilled.

Strawberry trifle | Sponge cake layered with strawberry whipped cream | party special | kids friendly

Have you been guessing what had been the fate of  sponge cake (click the link  for the recipe ) in the last post???.Here it is.... it found its way to happily be transformed to a humble ,luscious strawberry trifle.

Trifle is an English dessert dish made from thick (or often solidified) custard, diced fruit interwoven with sponge fingers or more delicate sponge cake thin layer and/or fruit juice/syrup (fruit trifle) and almost always topped with whipped cream. The fruit and soft sponge layer (or soaked as otherwise dry savoiardi (ladyfingers)) are suspended in fruit-flavoured jelly. These ingredients are usually arranged to produce three or four layers. (source :wikipedia).

Jelly boats| Party special | Kidsfriendly| Summer special |home made orange jelly set in orange peel cups

                                               Row row row your boat 
                                              gently  down the stream

                                             Merrily  merrily  merrily 

                                                   life is but a dream .............

                                                    

Ahhh ! we all have grown up learning this rhyme .Actually we relive our child hood with our kids 

.When I look up to my kids i feel as if there has been a replay button of my life switched on  .When the kids are back from school in the scorching noon they need eye soothing ,cool and refreshing treats

 to bring back to life.I had seen this video on you tube and has been a long due post .With summer at its peak it was the perfect time to try it .