Bloomin' Design Studio

I went with a scrapbooking style for a New Year photo greeting card this time. Used six different cardstocks, four solid colors and two with prints that coordinated with the photograph.

Used distressing, freehand drawing, coloring, prima paper flowers, rhinestones, eyelets and a whole lot of cutting and glueing. My daughter, Kavya enjoyed the coloring and glueing part of this project.

I finally found some time to create this digital scrapbook page using Adobe Photoshop and Paint. I am still planning on making a non-digital scrapbook version of this page using brown cardstock paper to make a gingerbread house. Shall post some pictures once it is created.

A progressive dinner party is a great way to get together with your neighbors and have a fun time. Homes are usually picked within walking distance so people can walk from one home to the other. We will be visiting three homes in my neighborhood, the first home for appetizers, second for the main course and the third home for desserts. We are participants in the first home and I plan on making two appetizers for this dinner party, Masala Peanuts, a favorite Indian snack and Mysore Bonda.

Masala Peanuts

Traditionally, these masala peanuts are deep fried, but decided to go with a healthier version using an oven, yet not skimping on the taste. This recipe was absolutely effortless, yet crunchy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• Raw Peanuts - 1 cup
• Chickpea flour - 3 tbsps
• Rice flour - 1 tbsp
• Chilly Powder - 1 tsp
• Lime juice - 1 tbsp
• Olive oil - 3 tbps
• Salt - to taste

Method:

• Mix the chickpea flour, rice flour, Chilly powder and salt together in a bowl.
• Wash the peanuts and drain and immediately proceed to next step.
• Stir in the peanuts and slowly add the lime juice and olive oil. The peanuts should get well coated with the mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• On a baking sheet spread the peanut mixture as a single layer.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until the coating is golden brown.
• Let it cool before eating. If you have any leftovers (doubt it!!!), store it in air tight containers.

Here’s a fresh batch straight out of the oven.

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Mysore Bonda

I like this recipe as there is no grinding required and still tastes good. But, there is no getting away from deep frying here.

Ingredients:

• All purpose flour - 1 cup
• Rice flour - 2 tbsps
• Green chilly - 2 finely chopped
• Cilantro - 2 tbsps chopped
• Onion - 1 small finely chopped
• Sour curd - 1 cup enough to make the batter
• Olive oil - for deep frying
• Baking soda - a pinch
• Salt - to taste

Method:

• Mix all the above ingredients using the curd to make the dough to a consistency that is suitable for dropping
• Keep this aside covered for 2-3 hours.
• Heat some oil in a frying pan.
• When the oil is hot enough, drop a spoonful of the batter in the oil and deep fry them until golden brown.
• Serve it hot either plain or with coriander chutney.

This is my first attempt at making a Gingerbread house. Purchased the kit from Micheal’s on the request from my 3 1/2 old year daughter. She was so happy when I finally got around to making it with her. I put together the base of the house and she went all out with the decorations and used up nearly all the candy that came with the kit. The final result is not that bad. So… all you first timers, go ahead and try it as it is a lot of fun. I am planning on making it from scratch the next year.

Diwali/Deepavali is the festival of lights to celebrate Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom. Lord Rama spent 14 long years in exile, where he fought many hard battles with grit, determination and honor. His return home to his kingdom Ayodhya was celebrated by his people in pomp and splendor, a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.

Here is a simple handmade card that has embossing, painting, paper cutouts and drawing with glitter pens.