Rainbow Sugar Scrub

Rainbow Sugar Scrub is very colorful, smells good and refreshing. It can be easily made with the available ingredients at home. Simple to make and contains no chemicals.

Step 1: Ingredients

1) Granulated Sugar - 1 Cup (Organic)

2) Pure Honey - 1/4 Cup

3) Olive Oil - 1/3 Cup

4) Food Color

5) Essential Oils (optional)

Step 2: Making the Scrub

1) Divide the sugar equally in different containers depending on the number of colors chosen.

2) Similarly, divide honey and olive oil equally among the each bowl with the sugar.

3) Add different colors to each bowl.

4) Add desired essential oil to each bowl. (I added peppermint for blue and green, sweet orange for yellow and orange, lavender for red)

5) Mix everything well in each bowl.

Step 3: Assembling the Sugar Scrub

Take a clean glass container to store the sugar scrub, add colored sugar scrub one on top of the other. Slightly pressing down each layer.

Rainbow Sugar Scrub is ready to be used.

Note :

To use it as a Lip Sugar Scrub, instead of essential oil use little of desired fresh juice.(for example lemon juice, orange juice)

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Chicken Curry in Crock pot (One pot Dish)

Chicken curry is a common delicacy in south India. This curry is made by cooking chicken in onion, tomato and yogurt base using a variety of spices. Chicken curry is served with hot rice or roti /flat bread. This instructable will show how chicken curry is made using crock pot.

Step 1: Ingredients

1) Chicken - 1/2 Kg (I used skinless chicken with bone)

2) Finely Chopped Onion - 1 Large

3) Finely Chopped Tomato - 1 Large

4) Crushed Ginger and Garlic - 3 pods garlic & 1" ginger

5) Yogurt - 1/4 Cup

6) Chopped cilantro - few strands

7) Chili Powder - 1 Tsp

8) Coriander and cumin powder - 1 Tsp

9) Garam Masala - 1 Tsp

10) turmeric - 1/4 Tsp

11) Curry powder - 1 Tsp

12) salt as per taste

13) Oil - 1 Tbsp

14) Cinnamon stick - small piece

15) Cloves - 3 to 4

Step 2: Loading the Crock pot

1) In the Crock pot, add the chicken, finely chopped onions, finely chopped tomato and mix

2) Then add crushed ginger garlic, chili powder, coriander and cumin powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, curry powder, cinnamon stick, cloves, yogurt, cilantro, salt, oil and mix well.

3) The chicken will ooze out water when cooking so water is not needed to be added. (If preferred 3 to 4 Tbsp can be added)

4) Close and cook in the crock pot for 8 hours on low or till the chicken is cooked well and the oil starts to separate.

Chicken Curry is ready to be served with hot rice or flat bread.

Note :

1) Chop the onions and the tomato finely. A food processor can be used to finely chop. (do not make it to a puree)

2) Separate marination is not required for the chicken as it cooks very slowly.

3) If desired, the onions can be sauteed in a separate pan for few minutes before adding into the crock pot.

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Guacamole Whole Wheat Flat Bread (Guacamole Paratha/ Avocado Paratha)

There are many different types of Indian whole wheat flat breads like the Roti, Paratha, chapathi and stuffed parathas. Guacamole Whole Wheat Flat Bread(Guacamole Paratha) is made with the left over guacamole, whole wheat flour and some spices. These paratha are served with spiced yogurt side dish.

Step 1: Ingredients

1) Guacamole - 1/3 Cup (whatever is left)

2) Whole Wheat Flour - approximately 1 Cup

3) Chili Powder - 1/2 Tsp

4) Cumin powder - 1/2 Tsp

5) Salt as per taste

6) Olive Oil - (2- 3) Tsp

7) water (If needed)

Step 2: Guacamole recipe

Ingredients :

1) Avocado - 1 medium

2) Chopped onion - 1/4 Cup

3) Chopped tomato - 1/4 Cup

4) Chopped Garlic - 2 Pods

5) Chopped Chili - 1 Tsp

6) Lemon Juice

7) Salt as per taste

Guacamole Recipe:

1) Remove the avocado flesh into the bowl and mash it well

2) Then add the onions, tomatoes, garlic, chili, lemon juice and salt.

3) Mix well and adjust the taste accordingly. Guacamole is ready now.

Step 3: Making Guacamole Paratha

1) In a bowl, add the guacamole, whole wheat flour, chili powder, cumin powder,oil and salt.

2) Mix it well to form a dough, If needed add water. (the dough will be soft when compared to regular dough so will not require much water. I did not add water)

3) Rest the dough for few minutes (5 -10 min)

4) Roll out each ball of dough into a medium sized paratha.

5) Heat the griddle or tava on medium flame. Place the paratha on the hot griddle and cook on both sides. Add butter or oil to ensure crisp texture.

6) The paratha is done when it turns light brown and few darker spots appear. The paratha can be served with yougurt side dish.

Yougurt Side Dish (Raita)

To yogurt , add Chopped onions , Chopped tomatoes, chopped chili, salt and mix well to make (raita) yogurt side dish.

paratha

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Vada (Indian Savory Fritter)

Vada is a very popular South Indian Savory Fritter. Vada is a very traditional dish and will be made in all the Hindu festivals. It consists of a crispy texture on the outside and a soft texture in the inside. One variety of the vada is made with Skinned Black Gram as a main ingredient and it is called as"Medhu Vada". It is often accompanied as a side dish to a main course or as a tea time snack.

Step 1: Ingredients

1) Skinned Black Gram or Urad Dal - 1/2 Cup

2) Raw Rice - 1/2 Tbsp

3) Onion - Medium Size

4) Green Chili - as per taste

5) Pepper - 1 Tsp

6) Cumin Seed - 1 Tsp

7) Curry Leaves - few strands

8) Water for grinding

9) Oil for frying

Step 2: Grinding the Batter

1) Wash and soak the skinned Black gram along with the rice for 6 hours (minimum)

2) Drain the water completely and add it to the blender.

3) Grind it by adding water little by little (1 -2 tsp at a time)

4) The batter should be very smooth and soft.(looks like whipped butter)

5) When the batter is scooped in a spoon, it should not fall freely.(Thick consistency)

6) When the batter is dropped in water it should float and that is the right consistency.

Note :

* If the vada batter is in thin consistency (more water) then the vada will be too oily.

* If the vada batter is not smooth and soft then the vada will become hard.

* If the oil temperature while frying is very high then the vada will turn brown on the outside and the inside will remain uncooked.

* In order to store the batter for future use, the batter should be stored before adding any other ingredient especially onions and salt.( onion and salt will ooze water changing the batter consistency)

Step 3: Mixing the Batter

Take the vada batter and add Cumin seeds, ground pepper, green chili, curry leaves, chopped onions, salt and mix well.

Step 4: Frying the Vada

1) Add the oil in a pan and heat it to medium to high temperature.

2) Wet your fingers and grab a small portion of the batter, using your thumb make hole in the center and drop it slowly in the oil (Be careful). doughnut press can also be used to make it easier.

3) Fry the Vada till it becomes golden brown on both sides flipping on both sides regularly.

4) Remove the vada and serve it hot. Enjoy !!!

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Homemade Play Dough

Homemade Play Dough is very easy and inexpensive to make at home. Play dough helps to develop motor skills in young children and also acts as a perfect medium to express their imagination and creativity. So lets get started to make it.

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