Gulab Jamun With Milk Powder

Gulab jamun is an all time favorite sweet for anybody and everybody. It is one of the traditional Indian desserts found in all occasions. Here I thought I will make Gulab Jamuns with milk powder and share it with you all.

Here’s the delicious Gulab jamuns with step by step photos…

Paanagam

Paanagam is a special beverage made on auspicious days like Sri Rama Navami and for Amman as nivedhyam. Back in my native place (Nagapattinam – Thanjavur district), paanagam, neermore and rice kanji is made during the “Theru Thiruvizha” (Chariot Festival) which falls during the month of May and also during August (Aadi). This thiruvizha is really fun, there will be lots of folk and traditional dances like the oyil attam, mayil attam, garagattam etc. We need more than two eyes to see everything and enjoy at the same time. Paanagam, Neermore and Rice kanji are all  made in big barrels and distributed by volunteers to all devotees and to people pulling the “Theru”. The “Theru” starts from the main temple early morning and goes around the town (4 mada vidhi’s) and comes back to “Theradi” by late noon. All along the way, paanagam and neermore is given to public to boost energy to pull the Theru [chariot].

I still remember those days as a kid running along with the “Theru” and drinking paanagam and neermor with my brothers and sister. The paangam is a superb instant energy booster that can be had in any other day and also it helps to cool your body during the hot summer days.

Now coming back to paanagam, let’s see how it’s made …

Iniya Chithirai Thirunaal Vaazthukkal

Wish you all a “VERY HAPPY TAMIL NEW YEAR’S DAY” and "HAPPY VISHU TO EVERYBODY".

I thought of sharing a few facts about Tamil New Year with you all…

The “Tamil Puthaandu” or “Chithirai Thirunaal” symbolizes the new and prosperous beginning. The first day of the Tamil Calendar month “Chithirai” falls on the 14^th of April which is celebrated as the New Year. Chithirai marks the beginning of Spring, when the neem trees start blooming and the first batch of mangoes grow. 

On this special day, the tradition goes by making food with six different taste innipu(sweet), pulipu(sour), kasapu(bitter), oovarpu(salty),thuvarpu(astringent), kaarpu(hot). This reminds that life is a mixture of different experiences like sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, surprises and has to be treated equally.

The Tamil Calendar follows the 60 year cycle, and this year is the “Vijaya Varudam”.

 “Iniya Chithirai Thirunaal Vaazhthukkal.”

Thank you all for reading this post and wish you all very great success in all aspects of life.

 See you all with Tamil New Year's day special menu...

Here's the menu, but you can choose any one paruppu payasam and do either paruppu or veppam poo rasam[which ever is available in the place you reside]

Mango Pachadi
Moong Dhal Payasam/Pasi Parrupu Payasam

Rava Kesari
Drumsticks & Brinjal Sambar
Potato Fry
Kathirikkai Murungaikkai Poriyal
Urad Dhal Vadai/Medhu Vadai
Paruppu Rasam
Veppam Poo Rasam/Neem Flower Rasam
Kadalai Paruppu Payasam/Channa Dal Payasam
Arisi Paruppu Payasam
Rice
Appalam
Fruits

Aval Payasam/Rice Flakes Payasam/Poha Payasam - Krishna Jayanthi Special/Gokulashtami Special Payasam

Aval Payasam/Rice Flakes Payasam/Poha Payasam is a very simple payasam made with aval and milk. It is lord Krishna’s favorite and I make it during Krishna Jayanthi and many other occasions. It is especially served in Guruvayur as prashad to everybody. It is our families all time favorite payasam.

Here’s how to make it with step by step photos...