Quantcast
Channel: THE CHEF and HER KITCHEN
Viewing all 520 articles
Browse latest View live

Bengali style Vegetable Chops | Stuffed Beetroot Cutlets

$
0
0
I make various cutlets and experiment with various ingredients at home but there are hardly any cutlet cutlets recipes in my space.I like to prepare cutlets as this is the easy way that I can incorporate various vegetables,dals and soy products to make a tasty yet healthy snack.
When I saw Deepa's Vegetable Chops recipe,though it is similar to the other cutlets I prepare I liked the addition of peanuts and the stuffing of beetroot-carrot mixture unlike the way I mix the vegetables inside the dough itself.I followed the recipe mostly with very few changes in the recipe.I would say it is a good cutlet for a change with the bite of peanuts in between.I tried the recipe immediately after she posted and this post is sitting in my drafts from almost few months.I am planning to clear all my drafts before the new year and hence this post finds its way finally to my blog.
Bengali Style Vegetable Chops | Stuffed Beetroot Cutlets:
(makes 10-12 chops)

Ingredients:
for Stuffing:
1 big Beetroot,grated
2 Carrots,grated
a fistful of Ground nuts,roasted and peeled
2 tbsp grated fresh Coconut
2-3 tbsp Raisins
3-4 Green chillies,finely chopped
1 tsp grated Ginger
1 tsp roasted Cumin powder
1/4 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Oil

for Outer layer:
2 large boiled Potatoes
1 whole wheat Bread slice
2 Green chillies,finely chopped
1 tbsp chopped Coriander leaves
1 tsp Coriander powder
1 tsp roasted Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Garam masala
Salt to taste

to Coat the Chops:
2 tbsp Corn flour
1/4 cup Water
1/2 cup fresh Bread crumbs

2-3 tbsp Oil,to shallow fry chops
1 tsp Chat masala,to sprinkle over the chops

Method:
to make filling: 
  • Peel the skin of beetroot and carrots and grate them and keep aside.
  • Heat a tbsp of oil in a pan and add finely chopped green chillies and ginger and fry for a minutes.
  • Add grated carrot,beetroot and salt and fry on high flame for 3-4 mins until the water evaporates.
  • Add roasted cumin powder,raisins,grated fresh coconut,roasted and skinned peanuts and mix them thoroughly and let the mixture cool down completely.
to make outer layer:
  • Pressure cook potatoes for 3 whistles until they are soft.Peel the skin and mash them nicely while they are still warm.
  • Dip the bread slice in water and remove it immediately and squeeze out the water thoroughly and add it to the mashed potato.
  • Add chopped green chillies and coriander leaves, cumin powder,coriander powder,garam masala and salt and mix well and knead to a dough of chapati consistency.
to make chops:
  • Mix water to the corn flour and make a thin slurry out of it.
  • Grease your palms and take a big lemon sized ball of potato dough and  flatten it a bit and stuff it with 1tbsp of filling mixture and seal it from all the sides and flatten it to a oval or round shaped patty.
  • Repeat the process until you make all the patties.
  • Dip the patties in a thin corn flour slurry mixture and immediately roll them in a bowl of bread crumbs and turn the patty to coat it with the bread crumbs on all sides evenly.You can refrigerate the patties for half an hour or you can fry them immediately.
  • Heat tawa and add a couple of tsps of oil and place the patties and fry them over medium flame until crisp.Pour some oil over the top of the patties and turn them and fry the other until crisp.You can even deep fry them in a wide pan,but I prefer to use less oil and hence I shallow fry on tawa with less oil.
Serve them hot with green chutney and tomato sauce or Kasundi(mustard sauce).Serve them with evening tea/coffee or as a starter with some aerated drinks/mocktails.
This below picture will give a better view of the stuffing inside the cutlet with few peanuts popping out. I really liked the bite of peanuts in the cutlets.If you keep the cutlets longer the peanuts will become soft,so its better you consume them immediately after you prepare them.

Christmas Cakes Recipes | Top 20 Christmas Recipes 2012

$
0
0
December is a month full of joy and is colorful with the Christmas celebrations all over the world.It is a visual treat at this time of the year to see the various colorful decorations and well lit lights in all the public places, especially the malls.
I have compiled a small list of cakes which might be helpful to bake during this festive season to make the Christmas more merrier.I have also given few eggless options for those who would want to make them and a few decorated perfect party cake recipes which might be helpful in case you are having a Christmas party and also few which are apt for gifting to your loved ones this Christmas.I thought I would share few desserts/pudding recipes which would be helpful if you are having a Christmas party.These are quick and easy dessert recipes which you can make prior to the event.
CAKES With EGGS

     
Christmas Fruit(Plum) Cake    Zebra Cake          Mango Pound Cake
                                                     
           
Vanilla Cupcakes           Chocolate Cupcakes       Chocolate Brownies


 Checkered Cake      Vanilla Cake with Blueberry filling   Cocoa  Brownies

                     
             Pineapple Upside Down Cake     Chocolate Cake with Ganache

 EGGLESS CAKES


Eggless Dates cake          Eggless Marble Cake      Eggless Cocoa Brownies

                          
Eggless Gateau with Strawberry Icing      Eggless Orange Sponge Cake

 EGGLESS DESSERTS | PUDDINGS

                          
                        Eggless Chocolate Custard       Fruit Trifle                

VANILLA PANNACOTTA RECIPE| EGGLESS PUDDINGS

$
0
0
I love puddings especially the silky textured ones where as TH is not at all fond of them.As I am the only one at my house who likes those kind of puddings I always wait for an opportunity to prepare them.If I invite a bunch of friends for lunch or dinner I usually prefer to prepare these puddings as they are not only easy to make but also they can be prepared well ahead of time.
Coming to Vanilla Pannacotta, it is an Italian dessert which is prepared by simmering the cream with milk,sugar and gelatin and is rested for sometime to set to get a soft silky pudding consistency.You can have it just like that or can be served with any berry coulis which pairs really well with the Pannacotta. As I am a Vegetarian I use gelatin with agar-agar or veg gelatin in the recipe.
The process of preparing pannacotta is very similar to the Chinagrass milk sweet which we prepare at home just that half the portion of milk is replaced with cream and for extra soft texture and also we add vanilla essence or bean in the recipe for the flavor.The texture of pannacotta is very soft,creamy and luscious unlike the chinagrass pudding because of the addition of cream in the dessert.One can play with the flavors of Pannacotta by adding various fruit puree or chocolate or nuts to it,I have chosen a very basic Pannacotta with Vanilla bean which really adds flavor and taste to it.Try this simple yet rich pudding for your Christmas party and I am sure you and your guests would be flattered with such a rich and delicious pudding.
Vanilla Bean Pannacotta Recipe:
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
1 cup(250 ml) Fresh full fat Cream(I used Amul)
1 cup(250 ml) Full cream Milk
1/2 cup Sugar
1 Vanilla Bean or 2 tsp Vanilla extract
5gms(2 tsp) Agar-Agar/China grass (or 1 tsp Gelatine)
2-3 tbsp Water

Method:
  • Slightly grease the molds with oil or immerse them in cold water and keep the molds ready which you would like to serve the pudding in.
  • If you are using china grass sheets, cut them into tiny pieces and soak them in 1/3 cup water for half an hour.If you are using gelatine or agar agar powder just mix the powder in 2 tbsp HOT water.
  • In a thick pot add milk and cream together and bring the mixture to a boil on low flame.
  • Add sugar to it and also scraped Vanilla pod to the mixture and mix well until the sugar dissolves.
  • Cut the scraped vanilla pod into 2-3 pieces and throw it in the pot.
  • Meanwhile if you are using china grass,remove the extra water and keep enough water(2-3 tbsp) and boil the china grass mixture by mixing it continuously until the china grass melts and blends into the water.
  • Remove the vanilla cream mixture and strain the mixture into a bowl and discard the vanilla beans.
  • Add the strained melted china grass(agar-agar or gelatine) mixture and mix well immediately.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared molds and let them come to a room temperature.
  • Cover it with cling wrap and keep it refrigerated for a minimum of 5-6 hrs or you can even keep it overnight.
Serve them cold or you can even unmold the pudding and serve it with any berry coulis like strawberry/raspberry/blueberry coulis or even Pomegranate sauce or chocolate sauce.
To prepare berry coulis, you need to blend a cup of berries(any berry like strawberry/raspberry/blueberry/blackberry) to a smooth puree and strain to remove the seeds from them.Add 1 tbsp of Sugar(the sugar quantity depends on the sweetness of berries) and 1/2 tsp lemon juice and simmer for 2-3 minutes and keep the mixture warm.
 
Notes:
  1. It is a basic thumb rule to use 5gms of China grass for half liter of milk and hence I used the same measurements even for Pannacotta and I got really soft,silky and smooth dessert. 
  2. You can increase the amount of cream by another half cup( 1 and 1/2 cups in total) and reduce the milk to 1/2 cup in the recipe.I always prefer 1:1 portion as I feel that itself is rich enough for us.You can replace the milk with the cream totally in the recipe if you wish.
  3. Do not add melted china grass mixture to the cream mixture when it is boiling,this might curdle the mixture.It is always advised to add it only after it is removed from the stove.Always strain the china grass mixture as they contain small particles of undissolved china grass in it.
  4. I strongly recommend the vanilla bean instead of vanilla essence in the recipe as it gives an amazing flavor to the pudding.I love the look of vanilla bean specs in the pudding.
  5. As I did not have any berries in hand when I prepared this pudding I could not serve with coulis.Hence I served with a kiwi syrup(ready made) and sprinkled some pomegranate kernels to add color.
  6. If you do not have berries in hand you can even dilute berry fruit jams(like strawberry/raspberry/blueberry) with 2-3 tbsp of water and simmer it for a minute or two and use it as coulis to serve with pannacotta.
Check out the silky soft and smooth texture Pannacotta.I would say that this a heaven in a cup kind of dessert.You will not stop yourself until you finish that bowl and even crave for more.This is a perfect dessert for any partyor for a romantic dinner,so try it and enjoy!!

Check out other Eggless Puddings recipes here and alsomy collection of Christmas Cakes recipes here.

Tutti Frutti Cookies | Eggless Fruit Cookies | Christmas Cookies

$
0
0
When I started jotting down this cookie recipe, I realized that this is the first cookie recipe in my blog.It does not mean that I do not make cookies at home but to be honest I rarely bake cookies as we both are not very fond of cookies.Moreover the amount of butter that goes in them keeps me from making it quite often.I usually bake Benne biscuit and Khara biscuit which I just love to make when I have those sudden cravings for the typical Iyengar bakery goodies.
I like Tutti frutti  and I love to eat them just like that or any other bakery goodies like cupcakes, dilkush and dilpasand.My dad always used to buy a pack of tutti frutti and candied cherries for me along with the other baked goodies during my childhood and I used to snack.on them happily.
I recently bought a pack of tutti frutti to prepare Christmas fruit cake and I had some left over tutti frutti which tempted me to bake these cookies. I have used my basic eggless cookie recipe and added tutti frutti for preparing these colorful cookies.They are slightly chewy and perfectly crisp just like the way we want,we are not fond of powdered texture cookies.This is also a perfect recipe to bake for Christmas to gift your family and friends.I am sure everyone would love these colorful cookies especially the kids.
Tutti Frutti Cookies | Eggless Candied Fruit Cookies:
(makes 24 cookies)

Ingredients:
1 cup All purpose flour
1/2 cup(minus 2 tbsp) Unsalted Butter*
1/2 cup(minus 2 tbsp) Sugar**
1/3 heaped cup Tutti Frutti(candied fruit)
1/2 tsp Vanilla Essence
a pinch of Salt

Method:
  • Keep the butter outside until it comes down to room temperature and becomes soft.
  • Powder the sugar in a mixer.
  • Sieve the all purpose flour and keep it ready.
  • Take butter in a big bowl and add powdered sugar to it and beat well with a electric mixer for 3-4 mins until you get a soft and creamy mixture.
  • Add vanilla essence and beat again.
  • Sprinkle all purpose flour in batches and add tutti frutti and mix it to get a soft dough consistency.It will be slightly sticky.If your dough is very crumbly you can add 1-2 tbsp milk to mix the dough.If the dough is very sticky sprinkle some flour to mix the dough.
  • Divide the dough into 2 portions and make each portion into a 2" cylinder log and wrap it in butter paper. Follow the same process for the other portion.If the dough is very sticky sprinkle some flour to roll it into a log.
  • Freeze the packed dough for 40-45 mins or you can refrigerate the dough for 3 hrs.
  • Preheat the oven at 160 deg C(320 F) for 12-15 mins.
  • Remove the dough from freezer and remove the log from the butter paper and cut the log into 1/2" roundels using a sharp knife.If the dough crumbles while cutting into slices,slightly press the dough back to hold the shape of roundel.You can even roll the dough into 1/4" thickness and cut them into your desired shapes using cookie cutter.
  • Place a butter paper or cookie sheet on the baking tray and arrange these cookies leaving 2" gap in between them.
  • Bake them at 160 deg C for 10-12 mins until the edges turn slightly brown.Keep a close eye after 8 mins and remove them once you see the brown patches.If you like them more crispier bake for a minute more.
  • The cookies will be very soft to touch when you remove from oven,but it is ok they would be crisp once they cool down.
  • Leave them in the baking tray for 5 mins and arrange them on the cooling rack to let them cool completely.
  • Once they are cooled down store them in air tight container.You can store them up to 4-5 days.
Serve them as a snack with a glass of milk or dunk them in your tea/coffee and enjoy.

*If you are using unsalted butter add salt in the recipe.I added salted butter hence I skipped the salt in the recipe.
**The cookies are sweet enough for us,if you like them really sweeter then make the sugar quantity in the dough to 1/2 cup.I find it too sweet if I add 1/2 cup sugar in the recipe hence I always reduce 2 tbsp sugar which is perfect for us.
Notes:
  1. This is a basic eggless cookie which is very versatile and you can add various roasted nuts and dry fruits or chocolate chips instead of tutti frutti in the recipe.
  2. You can even add 1 tsp fresh orange zest in the dough to get flavorful orange cookies.
  3. If you do not get tutti frutti you can even add chopped candied cherries in the recipe.
  4. While mixing the dough if your dough is very crumbly you can add 1-2 tbsp milk to mix the dough.If the dough is very sticky sprinkle some flour to mix the dough.
  5. The cookies are sweet enough for us,if you like them really sweeter then make the sugar quantity in the dough to 1/2 cup.I find it too sweet if I add 1/2cup sugar in the recipe hence I always reduce 2 tbsp sugar which is perfect for us.
Look at the texture inside,they were perfectly crisp on the outside and slightly soft and chewy in the center.Those beautiful specs of tutti frutti is just adorable in these cookies.

Check out my collection of Christmas Cakes recipes here.

Strawberry Milkshake Recipe | Milkshake Recipes

$
0
0
 
Strawberries are in season and I just love those berries,in fact all berries.When ever I get a pack of them I finish it off eating them as they are before I even think of using them in any recipe.I had saved a box of strawberries this time to use them particularly in recipes and here goes my Strawberry milkshake recipe.
This recipe is no different from any other milk shake recipe and is a very basic one but this is a favorite among every one.One can make it rich by adding ice cream to it.I do not add ice cream to my milkshake on regular basis but I do add when I am in a good mood and not bother about the calories.
Strawberry Milkshake Recipe:
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
8-10 Strawberries
2-3 tbsp Sugar *
2 cups cold Milk *
2 scoops of Vanilla ice cream or Strawberry Ice cream (optional)
few(2-3) Ice Cubes(optional)

Method:
  • Wash the strawberries and remove the green leaves and chop them roughly into pieces.
  • In a mixer/blender add strawberries,ice cubes,sugar and 1 cup of milk and blend into a smooth puree.Check the sweetness and if needed add extra sugar.
  • Add remaining milk and vanilla/strawberry ice cream and run again to the desired consistency.Add more milk if you need a thin milkshake and also adjust the sugar accordingly.
  • Strain the milkshake in a strainer to separate the seeds.
Serve the chilled strawberry milk shake immediately.
Notes:
  1. Sugar should be adjusted according to the sweetness of strawberries and to your desired sweetness.
  2. Milk also is to be adjusted according to your desired thickness.
  3. Addition of ice cream is entirely optional,it adds a nice creamy touch to milkshake.
  4. You can even add milk powder to thicken the milkshake.

Check out my other Strawberry recipes here.

Hotel Style COCONUT CHUTNEY | SIDE DISH FOR IDLI/DOSA

$
0
0
Coconut chutney is the most common and popular side dish for the south Indian breakfast items like Idli,Dosa and many other items.Though it is the most simple recipe,I thought of sharing my recipe for coconut chutney which tastes almost similar to the chutney we get in hotels.Most of us usually use ginger in the coconut chutney and I usually experiment with various additions like coriander,mint and curry leaves and sometimes few combinations of them in the coconut chutney.Even the color and flavor of coconut chutney depends on the ingredients used,I sometimes like to keep it just white and some times green and also you can even make a white chutney with green specs.If you alter the green chillies with red chillies,it will turn to red color chutney.Coconut chutney is really versatile and can be played with lot of ingredients.
Coming to today's post,I mentioned Hotel Style Coconut chutney because the outcome of this chutney tastes almost similar to the chutney which we get in hotels and the key ingredient here is the addition of few garlic pods in the recipe.The addition of few pods of garlic would add a nice flavor to the chutney.I have mentioned few more options in the notes and go through it before you make it.

Hotel Style Coconut Chutney | Kobbari PacchadiRecipe:

Ingredients:
1 cup grated fresh Coconut
1/4 cup Fried gram/Dalia/Roasted gram
2 medium Garlic cloves(pods)
3-4 Green Chillies(adjust according to your spice level)
1/2 tsp Tamarind pulp
Salt to taste

to temper:
2 tsp Ghee/Oil
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Urad dal
a sprig of Curry leaves
a small pinch of Asafoetida

Method:
  • Slightly warm the green chillies in an empty pan and also add fresh grated coconut and warm it for a minute.You do not need to fry the coconut or chillies completely.This process of warming up the coconut will make the chutney stay fresh for long even if it is kept outside.However this step is optional and you can skip warming the coconut and green chillies.
  • Grind grated coconut with fried gram,garlic pods,green chillies,tamarind pulp and salt to a coarse powder.
  • Add enough water and grind it to a thick and smooth(but slightly coarsely if you like)chutney.The consistency is completely left to your choice,we like it thick and slightly coarse.
  • Remove the chutney from the jar and collect it into a clean bowl.
  • Heat ghee/oil in a small tempering pan and crackle mustard seeds and add urad dal and fry until they turn slightly red.
  • Add curry leaves and asafoetida and give a swirl immediately and pour the tempering on to the chutney and cover it immediately with the lid.You can mix the tempering immediately or mix it just before serving it,but close the lid immediately to retain the fragrance of the tempering.
Serve it with Idli/Dosa/Pongal/Paniyaram.

Notes:
  1. As I mentioned in the method the process of warming up the coconut will make the chutney stay fresh for long even if it is kept outside,but it is optional.
  2. We like the chutney to be very thick and slightly coarse instead of a very smooth chutney.So prepare the chutney according to your requirements.
  3. The amount of green chillies depends on the spice level of individual preferences,so adjust it according to your requirements.
  4. Add less amount of tamarind in the chutney otherwise it makes the chutney quite tangy and spoils the taste.
  5. Do not add more cloves of garlic,it should give a hint of flavor of the chutney but should not over power the flavor.If you are using a big garlic pod,use just one.
  6. Tempering with ghee definitely adds nice flavor and taste to the chutney and is highly recommended by me.
Variations:
  1. You can add 1/2" ginger along with garlic pods while grinding.But I like the flavor of garlic alone in this chutney to get the typical hotel style chutney.
  2. You can replace green chillis with red chillies and also add a 1/2 small onion (or 4-5 shallots) while grinding the chutney which gives a red color hotel style chutney.

Fresh Green Chickpeas Paneer Gravy | Chholia Paneer Curry

$
0
0
During winters,the Vegetable markets would be flooded with various fresh vegetables and few seasonal ingredients.I usually love to cook with the seasonal ingredients as they are not only tasty they definitely add variety to your regular cooking.Now it is the season for fresh chickpeas,fresh green peas,avarekai(hyacinth beans),methi,sarson,red carrots and many other varieties.The only drawback with all these is they are time consuming to clean and shell them but its really worth for the taste and freshness of those items.
I had bought a kilo of fresh chickpeas recently which I had used in various curries,sabzis,pulaos and even stir fries.Today's recipe is a Chhlia Paneer gravy which I adapted from one of the Nita Mehta's books.The recipe is quite similar to a Matar paneer gravy just that matar is replaced with the fresh chickpeas,the only twist in the recipe is the addition of Tandoori masala at the end which definitely takes the gravy to a different taste level.Now on to the recipe.
Hare Chana Paneer Curry | Fresh Green Garbanzo-Paneer Gravy Recipe:
(Serves 2)
Recipe Source: Nita Mehta

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups fresh green Chickpeas,shelled
3/4 cup Paneer cubes,cut into 1" pieces
2 tsp Coriander powder
3/4 tsp Red Chili powder
3/4 tsp Garam masala
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tsp Tandoori Masala
1/4 tsp Amchur(dried mango) powder
2 tbsp chopped Coriander
2 Black Cardamom
2 Cloves
1" stick Cinnamon
Salt to taste
3-4 tbsp Oil

to grind:
2 large Tomatoes
2 Onions,roughly chopped
1" Ginger
4-5 Garlic pods
Method:
  • Grind Onion,tomatoes,ginger and garlic to a fine paste.
  • Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry or shallow fry the paneer cubes to a nice golden brown color and drain them and drop them in a warm water until its usage.
  • In a small pressure cooker pour the remaining oil and add black cardamom,cloves and cinnamon.
  • Add the ground onion-tomato paste and fry until the mixture for 3-4 mins.
  • Add red chili powder,amchur powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder,garam masala and salt and fry over medium flame until the mixture leaves the oil.It takes roughly 6-7 mins.
  • Add shelled and washed  fresh green chickpeas and fry again for 4-5 mins.If the mixture becomes dry in between add a couple of tbsp of  water while frying,otherwise the masalas get burnt.
  • Add 2 cups of water and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
  • Once the pressure drops add the fried paneer cubes (squeeze slightly before adding) and tandoori masala and let it cook on low flame for 3-4 mins.
  • Add chopped coriander and mix well.
Serve it hot with roti/chapati/Naan/Pulao.
Notes:
  1. You can replace fresh green chickpeas with fresh peas in the recipe and follow the same process for a tasty fresh matar paneer.
  2. One can even replace the paneer with potatoes in the recipe.Both tastes nice in the recipe.

Maagaya Perugu Pacchadi | Side dish for Idli/Dosa

$
0
0
I have posted many Andhra Mango pickle varieties this year and we have finished almost few of them to give room to our new pickle supplies which we will be receiving soon from my MIL.I have mentioned earlier many times that my MIL is an expert in making pickles and this year she promised me to get my favorite North Indian Vegetable Achar with the fresh winter vegetables and few other pickles.
Coming to today's post,this Maagaya perugu pacchadi is prepared using Maagaya pickle(Sun dried Mango Pickle),this recipe is a breeze to prepare if we havemaagaya pickle in hand.This pairs nicely with Idli/Dosa or even with rice and many other breakfast varieties.A chutney cannot be simpler than this.If you have Maagaya pickle,do try this chutney for Idli/Dosa for a variation.
Maagaya Perugu Pacchadi | Magaya Chutney Recipe:

Ingredients:
1-2 Green chillies*
1/4 cup fresh Curd 
1 small Onion,finely chopped

to temper:
1 tsp Ghee/Oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
a sprig of Curry leaves

Method:
  • Grind magaya pickle with curd and green chillies to a smooth chutney.You can mix the pickle in the curd and mash it but I like a smooth chutney.
  • Mix in the finely chopped onion in the chutney and mxi well.
  • In a small pan heat oil and crackle mustard seeds and add curry leaves and fry well and add this tempering to the chutney.
Serve it with Idli/Dosa/Paniyaram and even plain steamed Rice.
Notes:
  1. Check the taste of maagaya pickle as it turns sour after a long time.If it is sour then add green chillies according to your spice level.If the magaya is spicy you don't need to add green chillies.
  2. You can store this in refrigerator for 2 days,if the onions are not mixed you can even store it for a week and add onions when required.
  3. You can even skip the onions and just mix maagaya with curd if you still want a quicker chutney.


A quick RECAP of 2012 - THE CHEF and HER KITCHEN

$
0
0
As we bid adieu to 2012, let's welcome the new year with a hope that it would bring a more joyful and prosperous year ahead.This is the last post for the year 2012 in this blog and hence I wanted to do a quick recap to refresh my memory with the memorable posts of the year.
When I thought of doing the recap I was initially confused with regards to the criteria I should consider in choosing the posts. I finally decided to base it on two options - reader's choice and also my choice. Reader's choice refers to the posts that received the most hits in that particular month .

Joyful JANUARY:

Readers Choice:

My Choice: 

Reason - I would choosed Eggless Chocolate Custard as I started my year 2012 with this post.

Fabulous FEBRUARY:

Readers Choice:

My Choice:
                                
CRANEBERRY PULIYOGRE              ZEBRA CAKE               

Reason -I would have preferred in between Cranberry Puliyogre& Zebra Cake as I had prepared them during my visit to London and posted it here.

Marvelous MARCH :

Readers Choice: 

My Choice:  

Reason -I would have undoubtedly chosen Boorelu for the month of March as it is one of my most favorite traditional sweets.

Awesome APRIL:

Readers Choice: 

My Choice: 

Reason -For the month of April I would have preferred Tender Coconut Pudding as you know I have a soft corner for eggless puddings.

Mighty MAY:

Readers Choice: 

My Choice:  

Reason - For me,the month of May can be actually labelled as the month of PICKLES as I had posted various Andhra Mango Pickles in this month.However all the pickles are my favorite,but this particular Avakaya pickle will really steal my heart.A special thanks to my MIL for the pickle series to happen in my blog.

Juicy JUNE:

Readers Choice:  
My Choice:  

Reason - After chosing a raw mango pickle recipe for the month of May it would not be fair if I would not choose anything with the King of fruits-Mango which apparently is my favorite fruit.Hence I would have preferred Mango pound cakefor the month of June.

Jolly JULY:

Readers Choice: 

My Choice:  
                             
MANGO FUDGE                  KARIDA KADUBU            
 
Reason -For the month of July I would have chosen Mango Fudge and Karida kadubu for the same reasons,mango fudge- being prepared by my favorite fruit and Karida Kadubu -as it is again one of my most favorite traditional sweets.

Adorable AUGUST:

Readers Choice and My Choice : 

Reason -I lost  the battle with my readers for the month of August.Marie Biscuit Pudding was definitely the winner for me as well as I already mentioned above that Eggless puddings always win for me.

Sweet SEPTEMBER:

Readers Choice: 
 

My Choice:
                          
 ALOO CHANA CHAT              MOIST CHOCOLATE CUP CAKES                                                               
Reason -This month gave me an opportunity to do my first guest post - Aloo Chana Chaat and I also adore my Moist Chocolate Cupcakes post for no reason(Do you think I need a reason to like Chocolate cupcake post??..No right??..)

Overdose OCTOBER:

Readers Choice:
                      
                    INSTANT OATS IDLI                                   KARJIKAI                         

Both the posts got almost same love from the reader.So can't do injustice to the other one by choosing just one of them.
My Choice:  

Reason - While the reader's choice is the healthier Oats Idli for the month of October,my ideal choice would be Halu Holige(Paal Poli)for 2 reasons.reason no-1 its a traditional sweet and my favorite too(I know you are bored of my same reasoning) and reason no-2 ,its a sweet prepared by my MOM for me during my visit to Bangalore(I hope its justified now..)

Nostalgic NOVEMBER:

Readers Choice: 

My Choice: 

Reason -My absolute favorite post for the month of November - Shahi Tukra as I was dreaming to post this from such a long time and finally it happened and it also turned out to be one of those good posts which I can boast- in terms of photography.

Delightful DECEMBER:

Readers Choice:

My Choice:  

                          
      TUTTI FRUTTI COOKIES           VANILLA PANNACOTTA 

Reason -I have chosen Tutti Frutti Cookies as this is the first cookie post in my blog and is special for me and also the Vanilla Pannacotta which is one of my favorite posts of the year which I just loved clicking,eating and sharing.

You can also check the Recap of YEAR - 2011 here.

Before I finish this last post of the year, let me WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR WELL IN ADVANCE!!



SEMIYA KESARI RECIPE | HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

$
0
0
I wish all my readers and friends a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!Let us begin another New year with new hopes,new aspirations and new spirits.
I am posting a simple sweet recipe for the sweet beginning of another year.Semiya Kesari is a very simple recipe and is prepared in a similar way like how we do Rava Kesari with few changes in the measurements.It is a nice variation to the regular Rava kesari and is very quick to make.
Semiya Kesari | Vermicelli Kesari Recipe:
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:
1 cup Semiya/Vermicelli
1 1/2 cups Water
1/2 cup Sugar
few strands of Saffron
1 tsp warm Milk,to soak saffron
6-8 Cashew nuts,broken
2-3 tbsp Raisins
2 tbsp Ghee

Method:
  • Soak saffron in warm milk.
  • Heat ghee in a kadai/pan and add broken cashew nuts and fry them until they turn slightly brown,remove them and keep aside.
  • In the same pan add raisins and fry until they bulge,remove and keep them aside.
  • In the remaining ghee add semiya and roast until you get slight golden in color.
  • Meanwhile boil water in a separate pan and keep it ready.
  • Add the boiling water to the roasted semiya and cook until done.
  • Add sugar to it and mix well,at this point it leaves the syrupy solution,boil until all the syrupy solution gets mixed with the semiya and cooked well.
  • Add the soaked saffron and fried dry fruits and mix well.
Serve it hot/warm or at room temperature.

Notes:
  1. You can use a pinch of kesar color to it,I do not prefer food colors hence I did not add and relied on the saffron for the color.
  2. Add a pinch of cardamom powder at the end if you wish,it adds a nice flavor.
  3. You can even first make the sugar syrup solution by boiling the water and sugar together and then add the roasted vermicelli to it.You can make it either ways.
Before I finish my post,let me WISH YOU ALL AFABULOUS NEW YEAR once again!! Have fun folks.

Broccoli Stir Fry | Broccoli Recipes

$
0
0
Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables which I do not miss if I go out for shopping.I like to use it in various recipes like Pasta,Salads or a simple stir fry like this and also in many Indian recipes. Broccoli stir fry goes very well with anything - pasta,rice or chapati or one can eat it as it is. 
Broccoli when sauteed with garlic and a bit of pepper and chili in olive oil makes the stir fry really tasty.The only thing one should keep in mind while doing these kind of stir fries is to blanch the vegetables in a right manner so that it will not loose its crunch in the process.
Broccoli Stir fry Recipe:
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
1 medium Broccoli head,cut into florets
1 medium Onion,finely chopped
5-6 medium Garlic pods,finely sliced
3-4 Dry Red chillies
1/4 tsp Pepper powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp Olive oil

Method:
  • Cut Broccoli into florets and blanch them in hot water for 2 mins.Broccoli should be crisp and firm to touch and should not become soft.
  • Cut red chillies into small pieces using kitchen scissors.
  • Heat olive oil in a pan and add finely sliced garlic and fry until they turn slightly brown.
  • Add chopped red chillies and finely chopped onion and fry well until they turn slight brown.
  • Add broccoli florets and stir fry on high flame for 2 minutes.Make sure that the broccoli would not loose its color and crunchiness through the whole process.
  • Add salt and pepper powder and give a quick stir and switch off the flame.
Serve it as a side dish with Pasta/Soup/Salad/Roti/Rice/Couscous.You can serve it with anything or it can be eaten just as it is.
Notes:
  1. You can even skip onion in the recipe.
  2. You can add red chili powder instead of red chillies in the recipe.
  3. Nuts like walnuts,pine nuts can be added for extra crunch.

Pudina Peas Curry | Fresh Peas Masala Gravy

$
0
0
Fresh Peas are abundantly available in the markets these days and I am preparing lots of recipes using fresh peas like dry curries,tikkis,as a stuffing in parathas and various gravies.
I have tasted this Pudina Peas Gravy for the first time at my aunt's place long back during one of my visits to Bangalore and it was definitely a winner recipe for me.I still remember the taste of the curry which was really refreshing and a very delicious gravy.This is a typical south Indian gravy which is really delicious and is well balanced with the sweet fresh peas spiced up in the aromatic mint gravy.It is also a perfect recipe to make on any day as the recipe does not call for any onions and garlic.There are no masalas added in the recipe too,But I do add a few cloves and cinnamon in the tempering which is optional.In Kannada this Pudina Peas gravy  is called 'Hasi Batani Kaalu Gojju' where 'Hasi Batani Kaalu' stands for 'Fresh Peas' and 'Gojju' is typically a South Indian style 'Gravy'.
If you get hold of fresh peas,I would strongly recommend you to try this at least once as this is one of my favorite graviesand also use only fresh green peas for this,do not use frozen or dried variety for this.I would suggest you to try this Pudina Peas gravy with triangular folded chapatis like the south Indian way (where oil is applied in the inner layers and folded and rolled to a triangular chapati) instead of rotis as they pair up extremely well with the chapatis.
Pudina Peas Curry | Hasi Batani Kaalu Curry Recipe:
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh shelled Green Peas
1 cup loosely packed fresh Mint leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed  fresh Coriander leaves
1/4 cup grated fresh Coconut
7-8 Green chillies(adjust the quantity)
1 tbsp Fried gram
juice of 1/2 Lemon
1/2" Cinnamon(optional)
2-3 Cloves(optional)
a sprig of Curry leaves
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
2 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

Method:
  • Microwave the fresh green peas for 3-4 mins with a pinch of sugar.This will make sure the peas retain their green color through out the cooking process.Drain and keep them aside.
  • Heat a tsp of oil in a pan and add green chillies and saute until you see some blisters forming on them.
  • Grind mint leaves with coriander leaves,grated coconut,fried gram and fried green chillies to a smooth paste.Open the jar and keep otherwise you will loose the green color if it is closed for long.
  • Heat the remaining oil in the kadai and crackle mustard seeds and add cinnamon and cloves and let them splutter.
  • Add curry leaves and boiled and drained fresh green peas and fry for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add ground mint masala and fry the masala for 5-6 mins until the oil leaves the edges and the raw smell disappears.
  • Add 1 cup of water and salt to it and mix well and let it simmer for another 5 mins.You can cover it with lid slightly so that the gravy does not splutter outside.Do not cover the kadai/pan completely with the lid otherwise you will loose the lovely green color of the gravy.
  • Switch off the flame and add lemon juice to it and mix well.
Serve it hot with triangular Chapati/Parotta/Rotis or even Jeera rice.
 Notes:
  1. The addition of cinnamon and cloves is optional,in general we do not add it but its your wish to add it or not.
  2. You can add a small piece of ginger while grinding the mint paste.

Tandoori Aloo Recipe | Indian Party Appetizers

$
0
0
Baby potatoes frequently appear in my pantry and I have blogged various recipes using them like Baby Potato Biriyani, Pudina Aloo, Aloo Palak, Dum Aloo, Chutney waale Dum Aloo, Baby Potato roast and Jeera Aloo. Baby potatoes make the dish look pretty and hence I replace them where ever I can use them instead of the usual potatoes.
Tandoori Aloo is made with the par boiled baby potatoes marinated in a spicy aromatic yogurt mixture and is grilled in oven until they are crisp.It can be served as a finger food or as an appetizer in parties.I sometime even stuff them in frankie rolls,they taste delicious too.
You can marinate them for long for up to 15 hrs or even upto a day,the more they marinate the better the flavor and taste of Tandoori Aloo.
Tandoori Aloo Recipe:
(Serves 3-4)

Ingredients:
20-22 Baby potatoes
1 1/3 cup Fresh Hung Curd(made with 2 cups fresh Curds)
1 1/2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
2 tbsp Roasted Chana powder (Besan)
1 tbsp Tandoori masala*(ready made)
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/4 tsp Garam masala
1 tsp roasted Cumin powder
1 tsp Kasuri Methi
1 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Chili powder(gives good color and less spice)
a pinch of green and black Cardamom powder
1 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
2 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

Oil,to bash over potatoes while grilling
1 tsp Chat masala,to sprinkle

Method:
  • Wash the baby potatoes and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles.Cool them.
  • Peel the potato skins and prick the potatoes with fork to make tiny holes in it.This will help in absorbing better flavors while it is marinating.
  • Pour the thick curd in a muslin cloth and place it in a strainer and place it on a vessel to trap the water from it.Keep it refrigerated until its usage,it takes 1-2hrs to get thick hung curd.
  • Add ginger garlic paste,turmeric powder,roasted cumin powder,red chili powder,tandoori masala,roasted chana powder,kasuri methi(crush it in your hands before adding),tomato ketchup,garam masala,cardamom powder,salt and oil whisk well until you get a uniform mixture.
  • Add boiled,peeled and pricked potatoes and mix well.
  • Marinate the potatoes in the yogurt mixture overnight or up to a day.The more you soak the more it will absorb flavors.
  • Preheat the oven at 180 degrees(350 F) for 10 minutes.
  • Spread a microwave foil over the baking sheet and grease it well with oil and carefully place the potatoes giving some space in between each other.
  • Bash or sprinkle some more oil over the potatoes and bake it in preheated oven for 15-20 mins.Keep an eye over the potatoes after 10 minutes.After 10 mins turn them over and bash the potatoes with extra oil and bake them again until they turn golden brown in color.
Sprinkle chat masala over the potatoes and serve them hot.

Serving suggestion:You can serve them over a bed of thinly sliced onions,capsicum,tomatoes with generous squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle chat masala over the top of potatoes.You can serve them as they are or prick them with toothpicks and serve as an appetizer in parties.

*Tandoori masala is easily available in the shops which gives a nice flavor to potatoes.If you do not get it,you can still make these potatoes.Increase the quantity of Garam masala to 1 tsp and also add 1 tsp Coriander powder,1 tsp Red chili powder(spicy variety) and 1 tsp Chat masala to the yogurt mixture and mix well and follow the same recipe.
Notes:
  1. Do not pressure cook the potatoes for long,they should be parboiled as they are baked again in the oven.
  2. Marinating the potatoes for long will make the potatoes tasty,the more they soak the better they taste.
  3. If you want you can add a pinch of red food color to the yogurt mixture.I do not add food colors in my cooking and hence I avoided it.That is the reason I add Kashmiri chili powder and tomato ketchup which gives a better color to potatoes.

Pulagam Pacchadi Recipe - Sankranti Recipe

$
0
0
Every region has their own specials and this Pulagam-Pacchadi is a combination which is quite popular in Rayalaseema region of Andhra.This can be prepared during Sankranti. Pulagam is a dry khichdi which is made up of rice and split green lentils unlike the regular Khichdi/pongal which is a soft version and made up of rice and yellow moong dal.

Pulagam is usually served with thick and coarse ground nut chutney in the Rayalaseema region and is a quite common meal in all house holds.Split green gram adds extra nutrition to the rice and also make it more tasty.You can give this dry khichdi a try for a change instead of pongal.
Pulagam Recipe | Rice and split Green gram dry Khichdi:
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
1 cup Rice(sona masuri or equivalent)
1 cup split Green gram(split moong dal with skin)
3 cups Water(slightly less than 3 cups)
6-8 Cashew nuts,broken
3-4 Green chillies,slit
1/2" Ginger,finely chopped
8-10 Curry leaves
8-10 black Pepper corns,slightly crushed
1 tsp Cumin seeds
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Ghee
1 tbsp Oil

Method:
  • Wash and soak rice and green gram for at least half an hour.
  • Heat oil and ghee in a cooker and crackle cumin seeds.
  • Add broken cashew nuts,pepper corns,chopped ginger and green chillies and fry for a minute or two.
  • Add curry leaves and fry and add soaked and drained split moong dal and rice and fry for a couple of minutes.
  • Add water and salt and let it come to a boil.close it with lid and pressure cook for 3 whistles.Wait until the pressure drops.
Serve it with Palli pacchadi/Groundnut chutney.
Notes:
  1. You can replace split green gram with yellow moong dal,but split green gram makes it taste different and is highly recommended to prepare pulagam.
  2. The amount of water added makes the rice soft and moist but still with separate rice granules.You can add 1/4 cup water if you like it soft or reduce 1/4 cup water to make it bit more dry.

Palli (Verusenaga) Pacchadi | Groundnut Pacchadi:

Try this version of Palli (Verusenaga/groundnut) chutney with pulagam.It pairs nicely even with plain steamed rice or Idli/dosa.
Palli Pacchadi | Groundnut Pacchadi  Recipe:
 
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Groundnuts
a small Onion,sliced
1-2 Garlic pods(optional)
2-3 Red chillies
1 tsp Tamarind pulp
Salt to taste
1 tsp Oil

to temper:
1 tbsp Oil
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
5-6 Curry leaves

Method:
  • Dry roast groundnuts and cool them.Peel the skins off and keep them aside.
  • In a pan heat 1 tsp oil and add red chillies and fry and remove them and keep aside.Add sliced onions and garlic pods and fry until they turn pink.Let the mixture cool.
  • Grind the roasted groundnuts with fried onion-garlic and red chillies,tamarind,salt to a thick and slight coarse paste.Do not grind it smooth.Add required water while grinding.
  • In the same pan heat 1 tbsp oil and crackle mustard seeds and curry leaves and add this tempering to the groundnut chutney and mix well.
Serve it with Pulagam/plain steamed Rice.You can even serve it with Idli/Dosa,in that case grind the chutney to a smooth paste.
Notes:
  1. You can even roast ground nuts in a tsp of oil.In that case you do not need to peel their skins.
  2. Red chillies can be replaced with green chillies for different flavor.
  3. Garlic pods can be avoided in the recipe if you wish.
  4. Grind it to a coarse and thick chutney,it goes nicely with pulagam and even plain steamed rice.

Sankranti Recipes | Pongal Recipes 2013

$
0
0
"Sankranti" or "Pongal"  is an important festival in South India and even in Maharashtra - important also because it is the first festival of the year!. Its marks the completion of the harvesting season. It is typically celeberated for three days with the first day being called as,"Bhogi", second day, "Sankranti" and the thrid day as "Kanuma". Each region in India that celebrates this festival in a similar manner. Pongal is the key preparation during this festival and this is made with freshly harvested rice.  Apart from that we also prepare various other items as highlighted below. You can go through the list and chose your menu for the festival .

Pongal Varieties with Accompaniments:
Rice Varieties:
Snacks Varieties:
Sweets:

Ladies Finger Curry | Bendakaya Kura | Okra Sabzi

$
0
0
Today I am sharing a very simple Ladies finger curry( Bendakaya Kura) which is typically Andhra style and it goes well with plain steamed rice.You can check another version of Bhindi Curry here which is equally delicious and pairs nicely with roti/chapati.
Ladies Finger Curry | Andhra style Bendakaya Kura Recipe:
(Serves 2-3)

Ingredients:
250 gms Ladies finger/Okra(Bendakaya)
1 big Onion,roughly chopped
2 small Tomatoes,finely chopped
1 tbsp Curd (optional)
2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
3/4 tsp Red chili powder
a sprig of Curry leaves
2 tsp Chana dal
1 tsp Urad dal
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
Salt to taste

Method:
  • Wash and wipe ladies fingers and pat them dry.Try to remove all the moisture from the ladies fingers,this will reduce the sliminess of the curry.
  • Trim the edges and cut them into thin roundels.
  • Heat oil in a kadai and crackle mustard seeds and add urad dal and chana dal and fry for a minute.
  • Add curry leaves,chopped onions and fry until they turn pink.
  • Add chopped ladies finger and fry for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add chopped tomatoes and curd and fry well.The addition of curds reduces the sliminess of okra.
  • You can cook this on open flame for another 7-8 minutes,this process will also retain the green color of ladies finger after getting cooked. (or) You can cover the kadai with lid and add water over it and steam cook the curry for 10-12 minutes.In this process we might loose the green color of okra.
  • Add red chili powder,coriander,salt and cumin powder and fry again for 2 minutes.
Serve it hot with Rice/Roti/Chapati.

 Notes:
  1. You can even add garam masala in the recipe if you like.
  2. You can add 2-3 roughly chopped garlic pods in the recipe while sauteing onions.

PALAK PANEER PARATHA Recipe

$
0
0
We have parathas atleast once a week, as both of us are very fond of it .Stuffed parathas with home made North Indian style Mirch Achaar or Mango Achaar,cut onions and a bowl of dahi serves as a perfect meal for us.When it comes to filling, I usually experiment with various vegetables,lentils and greens-the filling options are actually endless.Though I prepare them often, they would not make it to the blog as I mostly prepare them for dinner.When I prepared this paratha last week for dinner, I made some extra portions so that I can have the same for lunch and also can post it in my blog.
Paneer paratha is quite common among many households and this paratha is bit different from the usual parathas,as the dough is mixed with spinach puree and the filling used here is very similar to the regular paneer paratha.
 
Rolling a perfect paratha needs some practice,it took me time to understand the technique to get the perfect paratha.Many follow the standard process of rolling paratha - like rolling the dough to a small chapati and then stuff it and seal the edges and roll again.I would not say it is a wrong method but according to me if the filling is spread all over the paratha upto the edges and also if a perfect pocket is formed(if the paratha puffs up) then I would say it is a perfect paratha.I have tried to explain the process of making paratha in detail with the step wise procedure which gives a perfect paratha with uniformly spread filling and also have perfect pocket.
Palak Paneer Paratha Recipe:
(makes 6 parathas)

Ingredients:
for dough:
1 1/2 cups Wheat flour
2 cups Spinach
1/2" Ginger
2-3 Green chillies
Salt to taste
2 tsp Oil
Water,to mix

for filling:
1 cup grated fresh Paneer
2-3 Green chillies,finely chopped
1 tsp grated Ginger
2 tbsp chopped Coriander
1 tsp Amchur(dried mango) powder
1 tsp roasted Cumin powder
Salt to taste

Wheat flour,for rolling
Ghee and Oil,to roast parathas

Method:
to make dough: 
  • Bring water to a boil in a big vessel and add salt to it.
  • Add spinach,green chillies and blanch the greens for 2 minutes.Strain the spinach and run cold water over it.Cool it completely.
  • Grind spinach with green chillies,ginger to a fine paste.
  • Add the ground spinach mixture to the wheat flour and add required salt and 1 tsp oil and mix well.
  • Add little water(if needed) and knead it into a smooth and soft dough.The dough should be slightly softer than the regular chapati dough for parathas as it will not only make easy to stuff the filling it will help in easy and even rolling of parathas.
  • Apply oil on top of the dough and cover it and keep it aside for at least half an hour.
to make filling:
  • Grate the paneer and put it in to the bowl.
  • Add finely chopped green chillies,grated ginger,chopped coriander and mix well.
  • Add amchur powder,salt and cumin powder and mix well and keep it ready.
to make paratha:
  • Pinch the dough and take a big size lemon sized dough and place the dough in your left hand palm.
  • Dip your right hand fingers in the flour and try to make a cup shape(which can hold 3-4 tbsp filling) out of the dough by moving your fingers pressing with the thumb in the center.Take care that the edges should be slightly thinner and in the center it should be thick.
  • Fill the cup with 3-4 tbsp filling and seal the two sides of the dough(it would look like Karanji now) and gently press the corners to get a big round ball out of it.See the pictures for better idea.
  • If you stuff the filling in the dough in this way you will get evenly filled paratha and it also forms like pocket.If you find all the above process bit difficult,you can easily roll a 3" circle out of the dough and place the filling in the center and pleat the dough and seal it by gathering the dough around the edges.
  • Slightly flatten the dough(stuffed with filling) with hands and dip it in the wheat flour and gently roll it to a 6" disc of 1/2" thickness.You should not apply more pressure while rolling,so roll it gently.
  • Flip it on to a hot tawa and fry it until you see bubbles.
  • Turn it and apply oil/ghee and fry and then turn and apply oil/ghee on the other side.
  • Fry the parathas on both sides until you get crisp brown patches on both sides.
Serve them piping hot with Aam ka Achar/Mirch ka Achaar,curd/masala dahi and sliced onions.

Notes:
  1. You can skip spinach puree while making dough and make it plain for Paneer Paratha.
  2. You can even mix various greens along with palak like methi,dill along with palak while making puree for the dough in the recipe
  3. Aloo can also be stuffed instead of paneer in the dough to make Palak Aloo Paratha,it tastes nice too.
This picture is to show you how the filling is evenly distributed till the edges and also have a perfect pocket.

ADAI DOSA RECIPE | KARA ADAI | MIXED LENTIL DOSA

$
0
0
Adai's origin is from Tamilnadu where it is usually paired with the vegetable, 'Avial'.The batter for Adai is ground thicker and coarser than the regular dosa batter and it does not require any fermentation.The Adais are prepared slightly thicker than the regular dosa and they consume lots of oil as the batter is ground coarse. This version that I have made is more of a dosa and is thin and crisp. Adai is usually spicy as the batter has it all - so no need for any accompaniment. I though prefer to have it with a bit of jaggery and ghee.
Adai Dosa Recipe | Mixed Lentil Recipe :
(yields 18-20 adai)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Raw rice(regular rice variety like sona masuri,ponni etc)
1/2 cup Idli rice
1/3 cup Toor dal
1/3 cup Chana dal
1/4 cup Moong dal
1/4 cup Urad dal
1/3 cup grated fresh Coconut
10-12 Curry leaves
4-5 Red chillies
3-4 Byadige Red chillies
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1/8 tsp Asafoetida
Salt to taste

to add to the batter:
1/4 cup chopped Coriander
2 tbsp chopped Curry leaves
Oil to roast adais

Method:
  • Soak rice for 4-5 hrs or over night.Soak chana dal,moong dal and toor dal in a separate container for 4-5 hrs or over night.Soak urad dal in another container for the same time (4-5 hrs).
  • Dry roast cumin seeds and red chillies(both the varieties regular and byadige) slightly until warm and let them cool.This process is just to make them crisp for better grinding.
  • Grind urad dal to a smooth and frothy paste by adding some water.Remove this mixture and keep aside.
  • Now grind soaked rice with the remaining dals,coconut,curry leaves,red chillies,cumin seeds and asafoetida to a smooth batter.I ground to a smooth batter as I wanted to prepare like dosa,you can even grind to a coarse batter.
  • Mix the urad dal batter with the ground batter and add enough salt to it and mix well.You can prepare adai dosa immediately with this batter if you want,I kept it aside for 3-4 hrs for little fermentation.
  • I am sure everyone knows how to make simple dosa,still I explain the process of making it for people who are not familiar with it.
  • Mix batter well and add chopped coriander and curry leaves to the batter and mix again.Pour a big ladle of batter onto a medium hot pan and spread it in the circular motion to form a uniform shaped dosa.You can spread the batter thick or thin according to your wish.
  • Pour 1-2 tsp oil approx over it and cover it with a lid.(No need to add more oil if using Non stick pan,you can completely replace oil with ghee for better taste if you are not calorie conscious).
  • Let itinitially cook on low flame for 1-2 mins and remove the lid and increase the flame later and cook for a couple of mins until you see brown/red patches.You can turn it and roast the other side if you want.(Do not try to remove the dosa in between while it is roasting.We should remove it only when you are sure that the dosa is perfectly roasted.)
  • Serve it directly and do not drop them in hot boxes.It should be served on to the plate immediately to enjoy the flavor and crispiness of the dosa.
  • Reduce the flame for half a minute and then start preparing the next dosa.Do not pour the batter on high flame.
Serve it with spicy chutney or Avial.I served it with spicy coconut chutney and jaggery.
Notes:
  1. The addition of idly rice gives crispiness to adai,if you don't have it replace it with regular rice.
  2. Ideally the batter should be ground to a coarse mixture and is made thick which we are not really fond of,hence I made it into a very slight coarse dosa kind batter.It is left to your choice, either way it tastes good and left to you.
  3. You can start preparing them immediately but I prefer to leave it aside for few hours to let it ferment.Again it is my personal preference.
  4. You can add finely chopped onions/shallots to the adai batter just before making adai.If you add the onions you cannot spread like dosa,it will be slightly thicker and you need to roast on both sides.
  5. The addition of more oil to adai makes it crispier.
Variations:
  • You can add tender drumstick leaves or grated carrots or chopped spring onion greens to the batter.Each gives a different flavor and taste to adai.
  • You can even add ginger while grinding which gives a nice flavor to adai.
     

    Vankaya Kothimeera Karam | Brinjal Recipes

    $
    0
    0
    I have posted various Stuffed Brinjal recipes in my blog and all were a huge hit among my readers. I just love Brinjals and I somehow can't stop myself buying those tiny purple brinjals when I see them.My first preference would be either Bagara Baingan or any stuffed variety of brinjal like Vankaya Kobbari Karam,Vanakaya Ullipaya Karam,Gutti Vankaya(will post it some time later) or Vankaya Kothimeera Karam.
    Today I am posting another famous Andhra recipe with Brinjals,one can either stuff them with the aromatic coriander stuffing or it can be prepared like a curry by cutting the brinjals into pieces.This is a very simple yet delicious and aromatic curry as it is loaded with lots of coriander.It pairs well with rice and even roti/chapati.If you have not tried this before do give a try,I am sure you will definitely like this.
     
    Vankaya Kothimeera Karam | Aromatic Brinjal Coriander Curry Recipe:
    (Serves 2)

    Ingredients:
    250 gms small Brinjals
    2 cups loosely packed Coriander leaves
    2 tbsp freshly grated Coconut
    5-6 Green chillies
    1/2" Ginger
    1 tsp Cumin seeds
    1 tsp Tamarind pulp
    a sprig of Curry leaves
    1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
    2 tbsp Oil
    Salt to taste

    Method:
    • Cut each brinjal into 4 pieces and if you are using big brinjals cut them into 1" or 2" pieces.Drop them in a salted water for 10 mins,this way it will remove the bitterness if any in the brinjals.
    • Grind coriander leaves with grated coconut,cumin seeds,green chillies,salt and tamarind pulp to a smooth paste.
    • You can follow any of the two methods which I mention below to make these stuffed eggplants.
    • option-1: Heat oil in a small cooker and crackle mustard seeds and add curry leaves and add brinjal pieces and fry for 2 mins and add a generous pinch of salt on the eggplants.Add ground coriander paste and give a stir and fry for 2-3 mins and cover it with lid and pressure cook for 1 whistle on medium-high flame.Let the pressure drops off on its own.Open the cooker and check if any water is residing,if there is any water content switch on the stove and cook for 2 minutes on high flame with the lid open until water evaporates.
    • option-2:Heat oil in a wide kadai and crackle mustard seeds and add curry leaves and add brinjal pieces and fry for 2 minutes.Add a generous pinch of salt on the eggplants and give a stir  and add ground coriander paste and fry for 3-4 mins.Cover it with a deep lid and pour water and in the lid and let the eggplants cook with the steam produced in this manner over low flame.It takes roughly 12-15 mins.Keep checking in between and also stir once in a while.If the water evaporates in the lid add some more water to it,otherwise the eggplants will get burnt.
    Serve them hot with hot rice,ghee and papad.You can serve it as a side dish for rasam,sambar and dal rice.It also pairs well with Roti/Chapati.

    Notes:
    1. You can stuff the same mixture in baby eggplants and follow the same process.
    2. Adjust the spiciness according to your requirements. 
    3. You can even add a tbsp of fried gram while grinding the masala.
     

      Babycorn Capsicum Stir Fry | Babycorn Capcium Dry Curry | Babycorn Recipes

      $
      0
      0
      Babycorn is my most favorite vegetable.I know I have mentioned that for many vegetables but Babycorn stands the top position in my favorite vegetable list and I do not get bored of it even if I eat the same for a week,such is my love for those baby corns.I like them more because of their slight sweet and crunchy texture. I like to use babycorns in stir fries,pastas,salad,soups,pulavs,curry
      Viewing all 520 articles
      Browse latest View live