Vinayaka Chathruthi Celebration

Happy Vinayaka Chathruthi to all.......

Today is vinayaka chathruthi and it is celebrated all over India .When i was a kid in my mom home, we celebrate this vinayakar chathruthi in a very grand manner. For this we will buy a Vinayakar Idol ,which is made of clay ,along with this we will buy a colourful umbrella , flowers,mavilai ,thooranam (we will tie this in the entrance of the house & in pooja room).We will put beautiful kolams in front of the house ,in pooja room.... Then my mom will make different varities of kozhukatai (modak) which is considered to be Lord Vinayakar's favorite dish , sundal, vada, payasam & keep in front of the vinayakar & will do the poojas. After the pooja finished we will keep small amount of of prasaathams first to crow ,after it eats we will eat . At the third day after pooja we will immerse the idol in well or we can put it in sea. This is our tradition of celebrating Vinayakar chathruthi......Sweet remembrance of my childhood festivals celebrations.Now i celebrated this Vinayakar chathruthi with my husband here in US in a simple way. This time i made this umbrella by myself to the lord Vinayaka with the things at home......

Kozhukattai Recipe:
Ingredients:

1. Rice Flour - 1 cup


2. Shredded coconut - 1 cup


3. Cardamon Powder - 1/4 tsp


4. Grated Jaggery - 1 cup (u can extra if u want)


5. Salt to Taste


6. Sesame Oil - 2 tsp


7. Water

Method:

First boil water in pan with salt to it & allow it to boil well .Now take the rice flour in a bowl & pour the boiling water (do not pour the boiling water fully ,add it little by little) to it & mix well with a spoon or spatula without any lumps till it comes to a soft dough(like chapathi dough) consistency & allow it to cool for 5 mins. Now for the filling ,mix jaggery ,shredded coconut ,cardamon powder in a bowl & keep it ready . After the dough is cooled, smear your hands with a little seasame oil & smoothen the prepared rice flour dough with your hand & make small balls out of this. Press the rice flour ball in ur palm and make a cup like & keep the coconut filling inside this and close it & leave a beak like appearence at the top . U can do any shape u want . Steam this Kozhukattai in the idli plates ( slightly rub the idli plates with some oil ) & pressure cook them .

Sundal Recipe:
Ingredients:

1. Channa /Chickpeas - 1 cup


2. Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp


3. Oil - 1 tbsp


4. Curry Leaves - 5 to 6 nos


5. Dry Red Chillies - 1 or 2 nos


6. Asafoedita - 1/4 tsp


7. Coconut grated - 1/4 cup (Optionsl)


8. Salt to Taste

Method:
Soak chana/chickpeas in water overnight.Pressure cook chana with some salt & enough water to it & cook until soft but not mushy. Drain excess water from cooked chana . Heat oil in a pan, add mustard and allow it to splutter. Then, add dry red chili, curry leaves and asafetida to it. Now add cooked chana/chickpeas to it & mix all well. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. If want u add grated coconut to the above and mix it well. check for the salt & turn off the flame.
Enjoy the Sundal its ready to eat ............

For Payaasam Recipe u can check out in my Desserts label.....

Iam sending this to Purva's FF Event ......