Broccoli soup

One goodpoint about broccoli is that it is rich in folic acid and it is very good for pregnant women.And this veggie doesn't have a taste of its own. So when we make a soup out of it along with potato and milk , its taste gets enriched. And potato is not only a thickening agent but it also acts as a stomach filler .So, Im sure that even the children who hate broccoli would love this soup.
 
Ingredients :
1. Broccoli - 1
2. Diced Potato - 1
3. Onion - 1/2
4. Milk - 1/2 cup
(American measuring cup used(1 cup= 250 ml))
5. Butter - 2 Tbsp
6. Salt - As required
7.Pepper - As required

Method :

1. Cut the broccoli into small florets and wash it well.
2. Take a pan and put butter.
3. Add onion and saute for a while and then add potato.

                           

4. Then add broccoli to it and add water until the veggies are immerse.

5. Pressure cook them for 2 whistles. Strain the water from it.

6. After cooling,grind them in a blender/mixie along with milk.

7. Now pour this into a pan along with the strained water from step 5 and add salt and pepper  and serve when it is hot.

How FULL is your BUCKET

"HOW FULL IS YOUR BUCKET" is a "New york times #1 best seller"  and an eye opener.

About the Author :

The author  Tom rath  has written  other books like "strengths finder" and "Strength based leadership" which are all new york times' and wall street journals' long running best sellers too. And the author Donald O.Clifton Ph.d was cited as the"Father of Strengths Psychology".

I saw this book in the Grand glaize library, twin oaks. I was rushing out of the library as it was already 8 in  the evening and I haven't cooked the dinner too. I just grabbed few story books for my kid and thought of leaving. But as soon as I saw the front cover of this book, something inside said I should just take it. I did without even looking inside. But only when I started reading it, I realized it is not only  worth reading but needs to be revised often.

Here we go for a quick tour inside the book.

Theory of dipper and bucket : 

Each of us has an invisible(emotional) bucket and dipper. When our bucket is full, we feel more positive and optimistic. But when our bucket is empty, we feel awful. That is why we feel irritated when someone dips from our bucket.
  But we have a choice every moment to fill or dip from others bucket which will have a long lasting impact on our relationships, productivity, health and happiness. And when we dip from others by doing or saying something that decreases positive energy of others, we diminish ourselves at the same time.

The book starts with a short story about the aftermaths of a korean war to illustrate how negativity is a slow poison. And the author goes beyond that saying "Positivity is more powerful than negativity and it has a stronger impact".

He illustrates so many short stories on the way to show how positive bucket filling can make wonderful changes to our lives.

Magic ratio :They have taped the speech of many couples and predicted whether they will be together or not .And they verified it after several years to be true.This prediction was based on a  magic ratio.

In the conversation for a moment, if the ratio is  5 postitve interactions for 1 negative interaction then the marriage is supposed to be a successful one.

The story about Tom, who suffers from a life killing disease , is the story of  an overflowing bucket which is worth a read. On reading this story again and again, our buckets will be filled for sure.

And one more thing the author points out clearly is that same kind of bucket filling too doesn't work. But individualized bucket filling can change a person's life forever.

Five strategies for a successful life :

1. Prevent bucket dipping,
2. Shine a light on what is right,
3. Make best friends,
4. Give unexpectedly,
5. Reverse the golden rule.

Following are the jist of guide lines given in the book to practice the strategies in real life.  

• Try and push the pause button in your head when you try to dip from others ' bucket.
• Every time when you fill a bucket ,you are setting something in motion.
• Any longlasting relationship needs regular bucket filling.
• Increasing positive emotions could lengthen lifespan by 10 years.
• Even a small thing like knowing the names of people whom we regularly see and calling them by the name they prefer to be called will have a major impact on people.

Conclusion :

Avery nice book and worth a read !!!

Capsicum Sambar

I thought of trying sambar with different veggies this week.Had been craving for drumstick sambar since we dont get fresh drumsticks here.Thought of finding an alternate for it and here comes the capsicum sambar. Only people who cook really know howmuch taste a veggie can add to a sambar unlike the kormas that we make.Capsicum is a very wonderful veggie with all the taste and vitamin C in it.Got bored of eating it all in chinese cuisine and why dont we try it in our own traditional way.And nowadays every market in india too has capsicum piled up.When I made this sambar(u wont believe)the whole house was filled with this nice aroma.And those who open to just grab a look into it can never leave without tasting it.It was awesome .... :)...How long will you make the boring sambar with brinjal and potato...go ahead and make a difference ...:)

Ingredients :

1.Capsicum - 1
2.Toor dhal - 1/2 cup
3.Small onion - 6-7
4.Red chilli - 2
5.Garlic - 2 cloves
6.Curry leaves - 1 sprig
7.Coriander Leaves - 1 sprig
8.Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
9.Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
10.Sambar powder - 2 or 3 tsp
11.Salt and oil - As required
12.Tomato               -       1

Method :

1. Boil toordhal and keep it separate.
2.Take a pan and pour oil into it.Add Mustad seeds.When it sputters add ural dhal, onion ,curry leaves and capsicum.

3.After frying for 2 minutes,add the water alone from boiled dhal. Then add turmeric powder,chilli powder, sambar powder along with tomato and salt.
4.Leave them to cook for 5- 7 minutes.

5.Then add the boiled dhal to it.
6.Add the tamarind extract and let it to boil for another 7-10 minutes.

7.Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice.