Amaryllis

Last month when we returned home from our exceptionally long vacation, I was slightly upset on seeing the plight of my plants. This time especially, it was so bad, that I lost three plants.

This particular plant Amaryllis, (a type of lily) had all its leaves turned yellow. I didn't know whether it would survive. I was at my wits end. I trimmed all the yellow leaves, put some fresh soil and lightly watered it and after 15-20 days, lo behold! fresh green leaves started appearing and one fine day (after a month to be precise), I was quite excited to see a flower stalk coming out of the soil. From this single flower stalk, four buds will emerge and two of them will flower simultaneously followed by the other two in a matter of few days. This spectacular floral display is worth waiting for and a sight for sore eyes ! I was so relieved on seeing it come back to life that I decided to write about it and post those lovely display of floral colours before they disappear from my balcony.

To be frank, this plant is quite hardy, hence it has survived so many years in my balcony. It doesn't require much care but it does need sunlight (not direct) and regular watering, well-drained soil and once a month I add some bio-compost which I get from the nearby nursery. Ofcourse, regular pruning will greatly help in keeping the plant healthy. I grew this from a bulb which my spouse got from his factory some years back.

A single flower stalk 

This flower stalk on opening will reveal four flower buds

As you can see, two of the buds have bloomed and  displayed their spectacular beauty 

Aren't they gorgeous ?

All the four buds have bloomed - a spectacular display of vibrant colour and floral beauty

This picture was from my previous collection wherein two flower stalks of buds had sprung up.

From my earlier collection

This  too is from my earlier collection

To know more about these beauties, you can check the following sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaryllis

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/flowers/growing-and-caring-for-amaryllis/

Coconut-Milk Cookies

At the onset, let me wish you all a Happy Ugadi / Gudi Padva

I am pleased to inform you all that recently I attended yet another cookery demonstration conducted by Nestle promoting their “Maggie” products. In all, four different items were prepared namely : Oats noodles, noodle cutlets, cookies, and noodle bhel-puri. All the items that were made were delicious and lip-smacking. We all were given to taste a small portion of each of the dishes that were prepared. With Ugadi round the corner, I thought it would be a good idea to prepare these delicious cookies and share this easy recipe with you all. It requires no eggs, no raising agent, no milk, no vanilla essence and no cardamom powder and yet tastes wonderful ! Sounds incredible ? Try it and see it for yourself.

I must admit here that I used the electric beater to beat the butter and sugar (it appears the excess beating was unnecessary ) with the result the cookies spread out a little horizontally which should not have happened. In any case the texture and the taste has not altered. It turned out nice and crispy. I intend to try this out again by rectifying this mistake and also by incorporating ragi flour and some dry fruits to make it more nutritious.

Ingredients:

Maida (refined flour)	150 gms
Powdered Sugar	100 gms
Butter (salted)	150 gms
Coconut-Milk powder	100 gms

Method :

1. Grease a baking tray and keep aside. Pre-heat the oven at 180° C.
2. Beat lightly butter and sugar so that no lumps are formed.
3. In the same bowl, add coconut-milk powder and maida and mix well to form a soft dough.
4. Form small balls from this dough and lightly press on the top with a fork and place them on the greased baking tray.
5. Place the baking tray in the pre-heated oven for 20 minutes or till done.
6. Allow it to cool and store them in an air-tight container.

Ingredients

Butter and sugar beaten lightly 

Dough ready

All set to bake

Baking under process

Just out of the oven

Coconut milk cookies ready to be devoured

                           
Preparation time : 10 mins

Baking time : 20 mins

Makes : approx 20 cookies (depending upon the size)

Note:

• Since, I used unsalted butter, I added a pinch of salt to it.
• Beat butter and sugar lightly so that they are mixed well without any lumps.