Republic Day

~ Happy Republic Day ~

On the occasion of India's 60th Republic Day ,

Little Food Junction salutes the Nation ,the Constitution

& the immortal National Heros for their devotion and

sacrifices. Hope peace , love and harmony reigns in all

the parts of the world today n everyday.

Happy Republic Day to all !!!

Todays food art creation is a symbolic representation of the

4 directions of the Indian republic - the saffron colored

carrot halva is a favorite delicacy from West , the rice depicts the

staple food of East , the green sprouts depict the pulse loving

North n the spiral Murukku on top symbolizes the savories from

South , n together they combine to make our national Flag n a

well balanced Indian thali ( food ).

My India , My Pride

Carrot halva ( linked recipe video), salted white rice, sprout salad ,Murukku ( chakli)

Snack time

~ Snake ( Snack) Time ~

During my last visit to a nearby bookshop , I picked

up a wonderful story book- 'Stories from Panchtantra'

for my daughter. Very popular through out India -

Panchtantra is the one of the oldest collection of Indian

fables surviving today ( written in 200 B.C.), each of the

story has a moral that continues to be relevant till this day !!

I got inspiration for this food art while reading out a snake

story to my daughter yesterday ..

Snake in the garden

Baguettes ( hot dog buns ), lettuce , olives, tomato

The tale of Two Snakes

Kiwis , olive, corn

The Sun Festival

~ The Sun Festival ~

The Sun Festival or Makar Sankranti is one

of the most auspicious festivals of India. This harvest

festival marks the entry of the sun to the Northern

Hemisphere and is a symbol of prosperity n growth.

In the evening friends and family get together and

have a bonfire . Gajaks n rewri ( sesame seed cookies ) ,

Popcorns , Sweetened Rice flakes, Jaggery ,Roasted

potatoes are the main delicacies of this festival .

(Also known as Pongal or Lohri in some parts of the country)

Ode to the Sun God

Gram flour chilla (crepe) - small papads ( fryums)

spinach, red bell pepper , whole black pepper

Bonfire on my plate !

A closer look :-

Julienned Carrots n bell pepper , roasted potatoes scooped

n filled with curd / tomato dip, popcorns

A very warm thanks to Sailaja Damodaran of

Sailaja Kitchen

for this wonderful -Beautiful Blogger Award !!

Its surely an encouragement n really drives me

towards more creations .

Wacky Snacky

~ Wacky Snacky ~

Snack time can be fun when snacks are quick , delicious ,

healthy n easy to make. So when little ones crave for some junk

stuff just evoke your creativity by creating fun foods which

looks more like their junk favs but has lots of

healthier additions to it .........

Snack on a Stick

Smiley potatoes( baked McCain Smiles ), beet n tomato dip ,

lettuce n spring onion flowers.

Joyride

Braided rolls , radish slices( for wheels), gherkins, mustard

(for features ) & carrot slice for the steering

The Smiley family

Smiley potato ( baked McCain Smiles ) , carrot, radish,

leeks/ spring onions ,olives, lettuce (for skirts )with garlic

curd dip.

Also I would like to share with you my interview on

Food - India.com ( click on the link to read )

5 min Cake

~ The 5 min magic ~

Who doesn't love choco cakes ???

With a Happy New Year mail, Manvi -a follower from the blog

mailed me a lovely recipe titled - Easiest Ever Choco Cake .

This yummy chocolately five min recipe was perfect and

convincing enough to give an instant try . The cake turned out

wonderful . I hardly got any time for pic , while clicking

the very first shot I could hear my daughter's impatient voice

"Mom pleeeeeeese take the pics next time when u bake ,

I can't wait any longer " n off with this phrase was gone

the M and M on top ........ Thanks for sharing the recipe Manvi

- surely baking was never so easy !!

Cake in a Microwave !!!!!

Easiest Choco Cake ( Microwave )

Mixing is very imp in this cake so mix in well

after putting each ingredient.

Ing- 4 eggs, 1 3/4 cup powdered sugar , 1 cup flavorless

oil/ butter , 3/4 cup cocoa, 1 1/4 cup plain flour , 3/4 tsp baking

powder, pinch of baking soda, a few tbsp milk.

Method- In a big bowl beat 4 eggs till light n frothy, add

1 3/4 cup sugar n mix well. Put in 3/4 cup cocoa mix well ,

add 2tbspmilk ( may be a little more if required) to obtain a

lovely ribbony consistency. Finally add in 1 1/4 cup flour ,

baking powder n baking soda. Mix well, add in fruits/ nuts

of your choice n pour in a greased microwave safe container .

Cover with cling film (plastic wrap) n cook in micro mode

for 5 mins ( 900 W) . Take out from the microwave after

2 mins . Insert a toothpick to test if its done.

Make sure not to overbake or the cake will be dry. 
To give it a quick pretty look I kept a patterned trivet

on top of the cool cake n sifted some powdered sugar .

Welcome 2010

~ Welcome 2010 ~

Little Food Junction wishes you a very

happy n prosperous new year .

When the temperatures are dropping to single digits &

the dense fog /snow has enveloped the entire N. hemisphere

it is surely not a great idea to let the kids party in open.

Healthy n colorful comfort foods will be a lovely bait

to glue little ones to party indoors . These easy to make

finger foods along with steaming soups will surely keep

chill at bay !!! Lol ! Comfort in real sense.......

When the Clock Strikes 12 '

Tomato n beet soup with cream , Fenugreek flavored Savoury

Indian crackers ( mathri / matthi )

Gadgets- number cookie cutters

Celebrating 2010

Numbered sandwiches , corn , tomato, dill, lettuce, cabbage

Gadgets- number cookie cutters

Sandwich Cake

White bread ,mayo , lettuce, carrot , hard boiled egg , beet

Gadgets - round cookie cutters

Blooming Buds