Birthday Party

My little one - " Akshay " turned 2 last week.We were bit busy with arrangements for the birthday party.
We invited our friends and G's colleagues for the party.
Akshay enjoyed his day playing with colorful baloons and staying together with his dad.We enjoyed the evening with all our friends and their little ones at our place.s
I prepared Shahi Paneer,Aloo Capsicum Brinjal curry,Chana masala ,Jeera Rice,Sambar,Majjiga pulusu,Carrot Halwa,Fruit Salad,Pickle.We got the cake from our near by grocery store.

Sree Rama Navami Prasadam - Vadapappu,Paanakam

Since my childhood ,i have seen Sri ram navami is celebrated big in India.My grandmom used to do puja on this day and offer vadapappu (వడపప్పు) ,paanakam (పానకం) as prasadam.
In India ,summer is on its peak by this time.Paanakam along with vadapappu is a tasty and healthy combo.Prasadam and brand new visari/visana karra is given to relatives and neighbours, who used to visit our home on this auspicious day.Tuning to Sree SitaRamula vari Kalyanam in Radio and enjoying the commentary by Sri Ushasri on akasavani is really unforgettable moments in life.
Now lets share the prasadam recipes which i learnt from my grandmom ...
Vadapappu:
Moong Dal - 2 cups,soaked for 3 hours
Green chillies - 2 no,chopped
Grated Coconut - ½ cup
Grated Carrot - ¼ cup ,optional
Salt to taste
Mix all together in a bowl and serve.


Paanakam:
Jaggery - 2 cups
Water - 5 cups
Black pepper - 2 tspn ,crushed
Cardamom - 6 no,crushed
Dissolve jaggery in water and add pepper pwd,cardamom pwd .Stir well to mix all the ingredients.

Jam Spirtz Cookies

Whole wheat flour - 2 cups
Butter - unsalted - 1 stick
Flax seed meal - ¼ cup
Milk - 3tspn
Salt - a pinch
Granulated sugar - ½ cup
Vanilla essence - ½ tspn
Filling :
Raspberry jam - 3 tspn
Making:
Preheat oven to 400º.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together all the above ingredients except the jam, until they come together to form a stiff dough.Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.Fit the disposable piping bag with star tip and scoop the cokkie batter
into the bag.Make sure to press the batter towards by removing air bubbles.Pipe the dough into a star shape.Place jam in the middle of the cookie with the spoon tip.Bake the Spritz cokies for 6-8 minutes until the bottom is slightly brown.Transfer to wire rack . Store in an airtight container with lined parchment paper.