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Aug 28, 2009

Kuzhambu and Fry

It always feels good when you recollect interesting nostalgic events. This interesting incident happened in my life during 8th standard. It was a weekend. My mom had to visit one of our relatives in the neighbouring town. My dad was working in the morning shift. My mom said she will return by the end of the day. She told me to take care of myself and left. I was reading comics all day long till I realized that I was hungry. When I went to the kitchen to grab something to munch, nothing was there. My mom also had not returned till then. But I desperately needed something to eat. So I had to make whatever possible. This was my starting point in my culinary expedition. I took some rice and potato and cooked in the pressure cooker. That was the first time ever I cooked a dish in my life. I soaked tamarind for kozhumbu and the hardest part was peeling the shallot skin. I hardly finished peeling one shallot and tears came rolling down my cheeks. Then I chopped some brinjals which was very difficult. Somehow I finished cooking brinjal kozhumbu and potato fry. By the time my dad came and I served him food. He finished the food silently and smiled at me. And then he started to watch TV. After sometime, my mom came back with some unexpected guests-my uncle and my aunt. My mom was surprised at first when I told her I cooked food. She was proud of me. When my aunt and uncle started to eat they were LOL. The kozumbu was watery and spicy. My mom told them not to make fun of me. She said that at least I tried to cook. Whenever I think of that incident, I smile. At that time it was hard, and now it's easy for me to cook these dishes.
Now I added black chickpeas and amaranth stems with brinjal.

Ingredients:
Brinjal (small) - 4
Black chickpeas - 1/3 cup
Amaranth stems - 1/4 cup (cut into pieces)
Onion - 1 (medium - thinly sliced)
Garlic - 3 cloves (crushed & chopped)
Tomato - 1 (diced)
Tamarind - lime size
Sambhar powder - 1 tsp
Salt (as required)
Sesame oil
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp (crushed coarsely)
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida powder - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - 10

Method:
Cut the brinjals and drop them into a bowl of water.
Soak the chickpeas overnight and pressure-cook them.
Cut the Amaranth stems about 1 1/2 (one-and-a-half) inch length.
Soak the tamarind in 2 cups of water for 2 hours.
Heat the oil in a pan.
To the oil add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds & asafoetida.
When the mustards crackle, add the garlic and fry.
Add the onion, curry leaves and fry.
Add the tomato and fry.
Add salt.
Now add the brinjals and fry. Then add the amaranth stems.
Add the sambhar powder and saute for a minute.
Now extract the tamarind juice and pour.
Mix well.
Let it boil.
When the gravy comes to half, add the boiled chickpeas .
Let it boil for another 5 minutes.
Serve with hot rice.

Potato fry:

Potatoes - 5 (medium)
Garlic - 4 cloves (finely chopped)
Fennel seeds - 1/4 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Salt
Oil
Sambhar powder - 1 tsp
Curry leaves

Method:
Cut all the potatoes into halves.
Boil them in a pressure cooker.
Peel the skin.
Cut them into any desired shape.
Heat the oil in pan.
To the oil add the mustard, cumin, fennel seeds.
Add the garlic and fry.
Now add the potato pieces and saute.
Add the sambhar powder, salt and mix well.
Finally, add the curry leaves .

This is sent off to Shama's "First Cooked Food Event".

Aug 26, 2009

Bottlegourd/Lauki/Doodhi Kofta Curry


I got the kofta recipe from my friend (long back!). While going through a recipe book, I came across this sauce which I liked it very much and tried it on the koftas.

Ingredients:
Bottlegourd - 1 lb
Gram flour - 4 tbsp (plus for dusting)
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder -1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder - 2 pinch
Salt (as required)
Coriander leaves -1 tsp (chopped)
Oil (for deep frying)

Sauce/gravy:
Onions - 2 (medium-chopped)
Tomato puree - from 3 medium tomatoes
Garlic -2 cloves (crushed & chopped)
Grated coconut - 2 tablespoons
Yogurt - 1 tbsp
Green chillies - 1 (optional)
Cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tsp
Cream - 2 tbsp
Oil (as required)
Salt
Coriander leaves (chopped) - as required

Method:
Peel the skin and remove the seeds from the bottlegourd.
Grate the bottlegourd.
Add salt and let it be for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, squeeze out all the water from the grated bottlegourd.
This water can be used in gravy later.
Now add the chillipowder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, coriander leaves and mix with the grated bottle gourd.
Then add 4 tbsp of gram flour and mix.
Now heat the oil in a frying pan.
If you want you can a little more salt to the above mixture and divide and shape them into balls.
Now dust the koftas with the gram flour.
Slowly drop them in the medium-hot oil and fry them.
Once they are done remove and keep it on a kitchen towel paper.

Method for sauce/gravy:
Grind the coconut, green chillies and yogurt into a paste.
Heat the oil in a pan.
To the oil add the onions and fry.
Add the garlic and fry.
Then add the tomato puree and mix well.
Now add the salt, chilli powder, coriander powder and cumin powder.
Mix well. Now add the bottlegourd water and little water and mix.
When it starts to boil, add the ground paste and mix.
Add the cream and stir.
Now add the fried koftas and cover and cook for 3 minutes.
(OR) Add the koftas in the gravy while serving and garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve with chapathis, rice or naans.

This is sent off to Viki's "Side dish for Chapathi" event.

Aug 25, 2009

Pizza Omelette


WARNING! This dish is for those who like eggs in any form.
Ingredients:
Eggs - 4
Pizza sauce as required
Mozzarella cheese grated as required
Onion - 1/4 diced
Tomato - 1/2
Capsicum - 1/2

Method:
Cut the tomato into half and scoop out the seeds .
Cut the capsicum in any desired size.
Beat the eggs with a fork.
Whites and yolks should be mixed well.
Pour this mixture on a hot tawa.
Cook on both sides.
Remove and keep it in a oven-proof plate.
Pre-heat the oven.
Meanwhile, spread the pizza sauce on the omelette.
Sprinkle the grated cheese.
Add the onions, tomatoes & capsicum pieces on the top of cheese.
Now place this in the oven till the cheese melts.
Enjoy the pizza omelette.
Note: If you want you can add salt in the egg mixture. You can also sprinkle little olive oil on the top of the veggies.
This is sent off to Divya Vikram's "Show me your Omelette" event.

Aug 24, 2009

Paneer Masala



Paneer masala is a very simple dish. It is very easy to cook and the results are yummy! Whenever I am lazy I cook this dish.

Ingredients:
Paneer - 200 gms (cut into cubes)
Onion - 2 (medium-grated)
Tomato puree - from 2 medium tomatoes
Cream - 2 tablespoons
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 2 pinch
Garam masala - 2 pinch
Salt as required
Oil
Corainder leaves (chopped) - 2 teaspoon
Method:
Heat the oil in a pan.
Add the grated onions and fry.
After the onions change colour, add the tomato puree & salt and fry.
Add chilli powder & turmeric powder and mix for a minute.
Add little water and let it boil.
At this stage, add the paneer cubes & cream and let it cook for 2 minutes.
Add the garam masala and coriander leaves . Mix.
Serve with any kind of rotis.

This is sent off to Viki's 'Side Dish For Chapathi' Event.

Aug 22, 2009

Dal Fry


Ingredients:
Arhar dal/Toor dal - 1/4 cup
Moong dal (yellow) -1/4 cup
Masoor dal - 1/4 cup
Channa dal - 1/4 cup
Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 2 pinch
Salt as required
Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida - 2 pinch
Garam masala - 2 pinch
Ghee - 1.5 tsp

Seasoning/Tadka:
Green chillies - 2 (half slit)
Whole red chilli - 2
Curry leaves - as required
Garlic - 1 tsp (grated)
Ginger -1 tsp (grated)
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Coriander leaves - 2 tsp (chopped)
Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
Ghee - 1 tsp

Method:
Mix all the dals, wash and soak them for 20 - 25 minutes.
Pressure cook the dals.
Meanwhile in a pan, melt the ghee.
To the ghee, add onions and fry till they become translucent.
Add the asafoetida, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt, cumin powder and saute.
Add the cooked dal and little water ,garam masala and mix well.
Bring it to boil without burning.
Keep it aside.
Take a small pan and add the ghee.
To the ghee add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
When the mustard seeds crackle, add the ginger and garlic and fry.
Then add the green chillies and red chillies and fry.
Then add the curry leaves.
Add this to the dal mixture.
While serving add the lemon juice and coriander leaves.
Serve with rice or roti.

This is sent off to Viki's "Side dish for chapathi event".

My friend Priya has shared these awards. Thanks Priya!






I am sharing these awards with Parita, Viki, Malar,Ann, Poornima, Priyameena, Varunavi, Divya Vikram, Sanghi, Priti , Sathya sankar.

Aug 19, 2009

(Coriander) Omelette



This is a regular omeltte.
I added 3/4 cup of chopped coriander leaves. This goes to 'Show Me Your Omelette!' event hosted by Divya Vikram.

Aug 16, 2009

Vegetable Kurma


Ingredients:
Vegetables - 1 cup (carrot, beans, green peas, potato)
Onion -1 (thinly sliced)
Garlic -1 tsp (grated)
Ginger - 1 tsp (grated)
Tomato -1 (chopped)
Green chillies - 2 (sliced)
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cinnamon - 1
Cloves - 2
Salt
Oil
Coriander leaves - 2 tsp

Method:
Cut the vegetables in desired shape except green peas.
Heat the oil and add the cumin seeds, cloves and cinnamon.
When the cloves start to dance add the onion and fry .
Add the garlic and ginger and fry.
Add the green chillies and tomato pieces and fry.
Add salt.
Add the vegetables and saute.
Now add the red chilli powder and coriander powder. Fry for 1 minute.
Add 1 cup of water to boil the vegetables.
Meanwhile grind the grated coconut with required water in blender.
When the vegetables are boiled add the ground coconut.
Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add coriander leaves and remove from fire.
Serve with chapathi.

Variation:
1.Soak 2 tablespoons of cashewnuts in hot water for 20 minutes. Grind them with coconut and add to boiled vegetables.
2. Powder 1 to 1.5 table spoon of chutney dal (fried channa dal or pottukadalai) and add it with the coconut in kurma. Stir for about every 3 minutes to avoid the lumps and sticking to the bottom
This recipe is sent off to Viki's "Side-dish for chapathi" event.

These are the awards given by Priyameena, Shubha, Saraswathi Iyer and Parita. Thanks so much Friends!







Blogger friends who tagged me- Priyameena, Parita and Saraswathi Iyer.

1.What is your current obsession?
Shopping.
2.What are you wearing today?
Salwar Kameez.
3.What is for dinner?
Chapathi and kadhai chicken.
4.What's the last thing you bought?
Vegetables.
5.What are you listening right now?
Vehicles' noise.
6.What do you think about the persons who tagged you?
Sweet persons and wonderful cooks.
7.List 5 places you wanted to visit in your lifetime?
Mauritius, Germany, Switzerland, Dubai and Russia.
8.What are your must-haves pieces in summer?
Drinking water, cotton wear, a/c,.......
9.Which language do you want to learn?
Spanish and Mandarin.
10.What is your favorite colour?
Red (before marriage), blue and pink (Now).
11.What is your favorite piece of clothing in your closet?
Pink churidar.
12. What is your dream job?
Entrepreneur.
13.What is your favorite magazine?
Vikatan.
14.If you had $100, what would you spend it on?
Kitchen gadgets.
15.what do you consider a fashion faux pas?
Inappropriate clothes.
16.Who are your style icons?
None.
17.Describe your personal style?
Simple.
18.What are your favorite movies ?
Long list...I will write 2 films -Santosh Subramaniam, Athadu.
19.Coffee or Tea?
COFFEE.
20.What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Burst into tears and start to whine to my husband and mom, pray to god and hear music. :D
21.Which other blogs you love visiting?
All blogs whenever time allows.
22.Favorite dessert /sweet?
Soan papdi, Badhusha and swiss roll.
23.Your favourite kitchen tool?
Good quality knife, my different sizes of grater and Philips Mixer.
24.What is your signature dish?
Mysore pak.
25.Who inspired you to start blog?
My Husband.
26.Reason for you to blog?
Want to share my recipes with others.
27.One vegetable you have not tasted yet?
Bread fruit (?).
28.What do you think is the 'big plus' which keeps you unique from others?
Driving car in India & USA (in our family).

Aug 14, 2009

Seedai

HAPPY KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI!
15/08/09
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Uppu seedai
Ingredients:
Rice flour - 1 cup
Urad dal flour - 1 tbsp
Sesame seed (white) - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Butter - 1 tbsp
Coconut gratings - 2 tsp
Salt as required
Asafoetida -1 pinch
Oil for deep frying


Method:
Dry roast the rice flour in medium-low flame for 3 to 5 minutes. Let it cool.
Sift the flour.
Add the urad dal powder, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, asafoetida powder, salt, grated coconut and mix well.
Now add the butter and mix well again.
Then sprinkle water little by little till you get a pliable dough.
Make small balls and keep it in a white cloth.
Let the balls dry for 20 to 30 minutes.
Heat the oil in a wide pan.
Deep fry the balls in medium-low flame.

Note:
1. Make sure there are no rocks or dust in any ingredient except oil.
2. Dry roast the urad dal till the colour turns slightly red. Cool and powder them.
3. Rice Flour - home made.
4. Those who try this recipe must be careful while preparing (specially if there is dust in ANY ingredient) or else they will cause havoc in the kitchen like mini crackers.



This is sent off to Purva's Festive Food event (click on the picture for details) and Divya's CFK-evening snack event.

Aug 6, 2009

My Own Thali

A customary lunch at parent's.

The menu:
கீà®°ை துவட்டல்
வாà®´ை தண்டு பொà®±ியல்
வெண்டக்காய் வதக்கல்
(Parboiled )Boiled rice - centre
தயிà®°்
பூண்டு ரசம்
à®®ுà®°ுà®™்கைக்காய் சாà®®்பாà®°்
வடு à®®ாà®™்கா ஊறுகாய் - Right side in the little plastic cup

How to make வாà®´ை தண்டு பொà®±ியல் (plantain stem saute'd):
Vazhaithandu (cut into pieces) - 250 gms
Moong dal - 1/4 cup
Red chilli powder - 1/4 teaspoon
Grated coconut - 2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder - 2 pinch
Mustard seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
Channa dal - 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
Urad dal - 1/4 teaspoon
Curry leaves - 6 leaves
salt to taste
Oil
Method:
Drop the vazhaithandu pieces in buttermilk.
Boil the moong dal and let it stay crisp.
Heat the oil in a pan.
To the oil add mustard seeds, urad dal, cumin seeds, channa dal .
When the mustard seeds crackle, add the plantain stem pieces (by filtering from buttermilk) in the pan and saute for 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and stir.
Add little water and cook.
At the final stage add the curry leaves, grated coconut and boiled moong dal. Mix well.
Remove from fire.



How to make கீà®°ை துவட்டல் (Amaranth leaves) :
Cut the washed Amaranth leaves into pieces.
Heat the oil in pan.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of mustard seeds, Jeera, channa dal and urad dal.
When the mustard seeds crackle add pieces of 1 onion and fry.
Add crushed 4 garlic cloves and fry.
Add 2 to 3 dry red chillies and saute.
Now add the amaranth leaves and saute till it is cooked.
Finally add the salt and again saute for 2 minutes.
Remove from fire.

How to make வெண்டக்காய் வதக்கல் (Stir fried okra):
You need about 400 gms Okra. Cut them into 1 inch to 1.5 inch pieces .
Heat the oil and add the mustard seeds.
Add the thinly sliced 2 onions and fry.
Add the crushed 4 garlic cloves and fry.
Add the Okra pieces and fry.
Cover with a lid and saute every 2 minutes.
When the okra is half cooked add the 1/2 chilli powder, 1/4 coriander powder and 2 pinch turmeric powder.
Saute.
Add required salt.
Again cover and cook.
Finally add the cut pieces of 1 tomato and fry for 2 minutes.
Remove from fire.
Note:
After washing okra in water, wipe it with paper towel before cutting.
I will write sambar and rasam recipe later.