Recipe Encyclopedia

Samosa Chaat

2009-07-15T19:39:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Samosas - 4
Boiled Peas - 1/2 cup (You can use white peas, chik peas, green peas, yellow peas or black

channa)
Yogurt (Curd) - 1 cup (beaten with little salt and sugar)
Tamarind Chutney - as needed
Green Chutney - as needed
Roasted Cumin Powder - to sprinkle (app. 1/2 tsp)
Red Chilly Powder - to sprinkle (app. 1/4 tsp)
Chaat masala - to sprinkle (app. 1/2 tsp)
Onions - handful (finely chopped)
Tomato - handful (chopped)
Cilantro - 2 tblsp (finely chopped)
Sev and/or Bhoondhi - 1/2 cup

Method
1. The samosas should be crispy for the chaat to taste good. So put the samosas in the oven or fry in hot oil just for a minute if the samosas are not crispy enough.
2. Arrange a couple of samosas in a serving dish and smash it with your hands. You can also cut the samosas into 2-3 pieces with a knife.
3. Put some boiled peas along with the boiled water over the smashed samosas.
4. Top it with some chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, tamarind chutney and green chutney.
5. Pour the beaten yogurt over the top.
6. Sprinkle some red chilly powder, cumin powder and chaat masala over the yogurt.
7. Finally sprinkle sev and/or boondhi on top and serve immediately. Serve this as an appetizer or as an evening snack.

Tips
- You can also add few drops of lemon juice on top.
- The amount of each ingredient can be varied as per individual taste.

- You could use onions pakodas instead of samosas and make pakoda chaat.

Khandvi

2009-07-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Gram Flour (Besan) - 1 cup
Yogurt - 1 cup
Water - 1 cup
Turmeric Powder - 1/8 tsp
Asafoetida - pinch
Ginger paste - blueberry size
Green Chilly paste - 1/4 tsp (optional)
Grated Coconut - 1 tblsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

Dry Red Chilly - 1
Oil - 2 tblsp
Curry Leaves - 1 spring
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - for garnishing (finely chopped)

Method
1. Mix together the gram flour, ginger paste, green chilly paste, turmeric powder, asafoetida and required salt.
2. Add the yogurt and water gradually while stirring continuously to make a smooth paste.
3. Transfer this to a pan and cook the mixture for about 10 minutes stirring continuously.
Note : - There will be lot of splattering during the cooking process.
- You can also cook the mixture in the microwave for 5 minutes stirring after every minute.
4. After the besan mixture is completely cooked and it becomes like a smooth paste, switch off the flame.
5. Using a spatula take some of the mixture and spread it onto a smooth ungreased surface immediately. (It can be the back of a stainless steel plate, baking tray, cookie sheet or just an aluminium foil.)
7. Let it cool for about 5 minutes.
8. In the meantime heat a pan and make a seasoning of mustard seeds, curry leaves and dry red chilly.
9. Sprinkle half of the seasoning over the mixture.
10. Cut into thin strips and roll up each strip into firm roll.
11. Arrange the rolls in a serving dish, garnish with the remaining seasoning, finely chopped cilantro and grated coconut.

Chicken Fry Bhuna Murg, Kerala Roast, Kozhi Varuval

2009-06-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
Whole Chicken - 1 medium sized (cut into 20-25 pieces with bones in)

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tblsp
Chilly Powder - 2 tsp
Paprika - 1 tblsp (This gives a nice colour without increasing the spice)
Pepper Powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - 1 tsp (optional)
Lemon Juice - 2 tblsp
Salt - as needed
Curry Leaves - 2-3 springs (keep the leaves whole or tear it with hands)
Oil - for deep frying

Method
1. Cut the chicken into lemon sized pieces and wash it nicely.
2. Mix the chicken with lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, salt and pepper powder.
3. Let this rest and marinate for atleast half an hour. Overnight marination will be good.
4. In a seperate bowl mix together the chilly powder, paprika, garam masala and turmeric powder.
5. Add some lemon juice/ water with this powder and make a nice paste.
6. Rub this paste nicely over all the chicken pieces. Also mix in the curry leaves with the chicken pieces.
7. In the meantime, heat oil in a kadai for deep frying.
8. Deep fry the chicken pieces in batches until it is completely cooked. It may take 10-12 minutes for each batch.
9. Remove and drain the excess oil in paper towel. Serve with biriyani or any variety rice.

Kheema Matar

2009-06-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

ngredients
Ground Meat (Kheema) - 1 lb (you could use ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, ground lamb or ground pork)
Frozen Green Peas - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1 large, finely chopped
Green Chillies - 3 (minced)
Ginger - 2 " piece (crushed/ minced)
Garllic - 8 cloves (minced)
Tomatoes - 2 large/3 small (pureed)
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Chilly Powder - 1 tsp (or to taste)
Corriander Powder - 2 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1 tsp
Garam Maasala - 1/2 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Whole Garam Masala - (1 Bay Leaf, 1 Cinnamon Stick, 2-3 cloves, 3 cardomoms)
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tblsp
Cilantro - for garnishing (finely chopped)

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and add the whole garam masala(bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom and cloves).
2. Add the finely chopped onions, cover and cook for 18-20 minutes till the onions turns brown in colour.
3. Add ginger, garlic and green chillies and cook for another few minutes.
4. Add the tomatoes and cook for about 10-15 minutes stirring frequently until oil starts seperating from the mixture.
5. Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, corriander powder, cumin powder and pepper powder.
6. Add the ground meat and required salt and mix everything together.
(Add little water if you want little gravy. I prefer this as a dry dish.)
7. Cover with a lid and cook for about 20-25 minutes on low flame till the meat is completely cooked.
8. Finally add the green peas, garam masala and finely chopped cilantro and mix.
9. Cook for another 2 minutes and switch off. Serve as a side for chappatti, naan or pulao.

CHOCOLATE PRETZELS RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:03:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

150 gms Margarine/ Butter
100 gms Icing sugar
1 Egg
225 gms Plain flour
25 gms Cocoa
100 gms Cooking chocolate

How to make chocolate Pretzels:
Soften the butter or margarine in a bowl and mix in the icing sugar, lightly beaten egg and salt.
Sift in flour and cocoa and mix together to make a stiff dough. leave for 30 minutes.
Roll out pieces of dough to the shape of pretzels.
Place on a lightly greased tray and bake for 15-18 minutes in a moderate oven.
Melt cooking chocolate with water over a low heat.
Drop each pretzel into the hot chocolate and quickly remove. dry each pretzel on greaseproof paper.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:03:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Sugar
1 small sized Egg
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup chopped and roasted Walnuts

How to make chocolate chip cookies:
Mix the flour, baking soda and salt evenly in a bowl.
With the mixer running, beat butter, sugar and brown sugar together until creamy.
Add the egg and vanilla essence.
Now add flour.
When flour is fully blended mix the chips and walnuts.
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees.
On a tray place a large ungreased cookie sheet.
Now drop a spoonful of the batter on the sheet 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10 -1 2 minutes

RAISIN CHOCO OAT COOKIE

2009-06-18T16:02:00.004-07:00

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
3/2 cup Sugar
3/2 cup Brown Sugar
3/2 cup Butter
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 big sized Eggs
1 1/2 cups uncooked oats
1/2 cup Currants (Kishmish)
1 cup Dark Chocolate Chips

How to make raisin choco oat cookie:
Before you begin preheat the oven to 175 degrees.
Grease a baking tray.
Mix flour, baking soda, and, salt.
Cream sugar and butter.
Add vanilla essence, and, eggs one by one while mixing .
Add the flour and mix the oats.
Mix well and then add currants and chocolate chips.
Now drop one spoonful of the batter on inch apart on the greased baking tray.
Bake for 12 - 14 minutes or till golden in color.

BUTTER COOKIES RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:02:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

6 cups All purpose flour (maida)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cup white sugar
2 cup butter or margarine
2 egg
6 tablespoons cream
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to make butter cookies:
Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together. Mix well.
Add the butter.
Add egg, cream and vanilla extract thoroughly.
Wrap this dough into a foil and refrigerate for atleast 24 hrs.
Reheat the oven for 400 degrees.
Now roll the dough into a crust which is 1/4 to 1/8 thick.
Now with the help of a cookie cutter, cut the cookies.
Lastly place them on a greased tray and bake them at 400 degrees for 5 - 8 minutes.

SESAME SEED COOKIES RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:02:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Sesame Seeds
4 cups Maida
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Butter
3 Eggs
1 tblsp Cake Seeds (Caraway Seeds)
1/2 cupMilk to mix
Salt a pinch
1/4 tsp Baking Soda

How to make sesame seed cookies:
Sieve flour with salt and baking powder in a bowl.
Add sugar, butter, 2 eggs, cake seeds, blend well.
Add milk little by little and knead to a smooth dough.
roll out on a floured board 1cm thick and cut out with fancy cookie cutters.
Brush with remaining egg (well beaten) and sprinkle heavily with sesame seeds.
Place on a greased baking tray.
Bake in a moderate oven for 10 minutes.
Cool and keep aside. good to be served with tea.

WHISKEY CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:01:00.004-07:00

Ingredients:

4 Eggs
1 cup Oil
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Coffee
1 Shot Glass Whiskey
2 cup Honey
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
3 1/2 cup Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)
1 tsp Baking Soda
3 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt

How to make whiskey cake:
In a mixer beat eggs, oil, sugar, whiskey, honey, and vanilla for three minutes.
Then for 3 minutes at high speed.
Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Slowly add the sifted flour in the mixer for 3 minutes at medium speed.
Grease a 15 x 11 inch square pan.
Pour the mixture in the pan.
Baked the pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or till the tooth pick comes out clean from the center of the cake.

WALNUT PALM CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:01:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla
3 cup sugar
3 cup flour
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 tsp salt
5 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup shortening

How to make walnut palm cake:
In a bowl beat the butter and the shortening very thoroughly till the mixture is creamy.
Then add sugar 1/2 cup at a time and beat till very light.
Now add eggs one at a time beating thoroughly after each addition.
Now add 2 cups flour alternately with milk and vanilla.
Finely add 1 cup flour containing salt and baking powder.
Add in the finely chopped walnuts.
Pour this mixture in a pan which has been lightly greased and flour.
Bake this pan in cold oven on middle shelf and turn on the oven to 350 degrees F.
Let the pan baked for 1 1/4 hour and then take out the pan from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan on wire rack.

SUGARLESS CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:01:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1 tsp cinnamon
2 cup water
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp artificial sweetener
1 cup rolled oats
1 beaten egg
1 cup raisins
1 cup flour

How to make sugarless cake:
In a sauce pan add together raisins, water and cinnamon.
Heat the sauce pan on low heat for fifteen minutes.
Take off from fire and let it cool.
To this mixture add the beaten egg, oats, artificial sweeter, shortening and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon powder and salt.
Add this dry ingredients to the earlier prepare batter and mix well.
Pour this mixture in a baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees F.
When the cake is ready let it cool for 10 â€“ 15 minutes and then serve immediately.

STRAWBERRY CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:00:00.004-07:00

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 vanilla pudding cup
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla extract

How to make strawberry cake:
Start by thawing the frozen strawberries in one cup of powder sugar.
In a separate bowl beat together sugar and butter until creamy.
Add in the eggs one at a time and then finely pour in the vanilla pudding. Add the thawed strawberries.
Stir in the flour and baking powder to the mixture and mix well.
If the batter is thick add in the milk so that the batter gets a little smooth.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C.
Grease and flaw a 9X9 inch pan.
Pour the prepared batter into the 9X9 inch pan and bake for 30-40 minutes till a knife inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
To check if the cake is done or not see that the cake sprints back to the touch.

RAINBOW CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:00:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

1 pkt jelly raspberry
1 pkt jelly lime
1 pkt jelly lemon
1 pkt jelly orange
1 pkt jell s trawberry
2 1/2 cups cold water
5 cup boiling water
1 cup whipped cream

How to make rainbow cake:
Dissolve each packet of jelly-gelatin separately in one cup boiling water.
Now add 1/2 cup cold water to each of them.
Chill raspberry gelatin until very thick.
Smoothly line sides of a 9 inch spring form pan with wax paper.
Cut to extract 3 inches above the pan.
Whip the raspberry gelatin until fluffy.
Now spoon this mixture into the pan.
Chill the pan in the refrigerator until sat but not firm.
Chill, whip and layer the remaining flavors in the pan, letting each layer chill until sat but not firm before adding the next layer.
Chill this pan overnight and loosen around the edges and remove the sides of the pan and paper.
Now take the chipped cream and spread over the top and sides of the cake.
The rainbow cake is ready.

PUMPKIN CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

2 cup Pumpkin (Kadhu)
3 cup Sugar
1 cup Oil
3 Eggs
3 cup Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cloves Powder (Lavang)
1 tsp Cinnamon Powder (Tuj/Dalchini)
1 tsp Nutmeg Powder (Jaiphal)

How to make pumpkin cake recipe:
In a blender, add pumpkin, sugar, oil and eggs.
In a bowl sift flour, salt and baking powder and baking soda.
Now mix the blended pumpkin and egg mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.
Pour the mixture in a wax paper lined 8" pan.
Bake the pan in a preheated oven at 350F for 1 hour and fifiteen minute.
When done take it out with the help of a knife and dust with powdered sugar.

POUND CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T15:59:00.006-07:00

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1/2 tsp lemon extract
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter milk

How to make pound cake:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl till smoothly blended.
Prepare the tin by oiling it and pour the mixture into it.
Bake the tin at 325 degree F for 60 minutes.
The Pound Cake is ready.
It can be served with fruits or frost as liked.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T15:59:00.005-07:00

Ingredients:

For Cake:
1 tin Pineapple
200gms Maida (Flour)
180 gms Sugar
120 ml refined oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
For Sauce
15 - 20 Fresh Strawberries
4 tblsp Sugar
1/4 tsp Cinnamon Powder
1 tblsp Strawberry Jam

How to make pineapple upside down cake:

Sauce:
Chop the strawberries into tiny pieces.
Heat 1 cup of water and add the chopped strawberries.
Cook till the sugar gets dissolved and strawberries are soft.
Add the cinnamon and stir.
Cook on a low flame for a minute and then add the jam.
Mix gently and cook for another minute and remove from flame.
Cake:
Beat the eggs till fluffy.
Add the sugar and the oil and continue to beat with a hand blender or in a mixer till the mixture is smooth and the sugar has melted completely.
More smooth the batter more soft the cake will be.
Mix the baking powder in the maida and mix the sugar, oil and egg mixture slowly into the maida, taking care that no lumps form.
Upside Down Cake:
Grease a circular cake tin and lay out the pineapple pieces on the bottom of the tin.
Pour the prepared batter gently on the the pieces and bake it in a preheated oven at 180C or till cake is done.
To check if the cake is ready insert a tooth pick in the center of the cake if it comes out clean without any mixture coating, the cake is ready.
Allow the cake to cool in the oven for 15 miutes.
When the cake gets coool , invert the cake on a serving dish with the pineapple sides on the top.
Top it with the strawberry sauce.

PEACH CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T15:59:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

1/2 Tin Condensed Milk
2 cup Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)
1 cup Butter
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Sodium Bicarbonate (Khaane Wala Soda)
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 Tin Peach
200 gms Cream
2 tblsp Jam
4 tblsp Icing Sugar
1 cup Cashewnut (Kaju)

How to make peach cake:
Open the peach tin and separate the liquid and the peaches.
Except for 4 - 5 peaches cut the rest into small pieces.
Cut cashewnut (kaju) in samll pieces.
Mix fine wheat flour (maida) with baking powder.
In a bowl mix butter and condensed milk..
Now little by little add the fine wheat flour (maida) and baking powder mixture.
After it is properly mixed add vanilla essence.
Mix 1/2 cup of hot water in the mixture and whisk nicely.
Now apply a layer of butter to a tin.
Pour the mixture in the tin.
Preheat the oven for 10 minutes.
Now keep the tin with the mixture in the oven for 30 minutes at 400 F.
Prick the cake to see if the cake is ready.
If it is done take it out and let it cool.
Now whisk the fresh cream.
When the cream thickens add icing sugar.
When the cake cools doen pour some of the liquid from the peach tin.
When the cake absorbs all the liquid pour some more to make it a bit soft.
Now cut the cake from the center into 2 halves.
On the lower half apply half the beaten cream.
Sprinkle some cut peach pieces and the cashew nuts.
Now place the other half on the lower section.
Apply jam on the outer section of the whole cake.
Apply rest of the cream on the top of the cake.
And sprinkle rest of the cashewnut (kaju) and peach pieces.

MARBLE CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T15:59:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

120 gms melted Butter
160 gms Sugar
3 Eggs
200 gms Flour (Maida)
1/2 cup milk
60 gms Cocoa Powder
1 tsp vanilla Essence

How to make marble cake:

Mix the flour and the baking powder.
Cream together the butter, essence and sugar.
Add the eggs one at a time and beat till the mixture is smooth and sugar gets blended well.
Now mix flour and milk alternately in the mixture.
Mix well till the batter is smooth. Divide this batter into 2 parts.
In one portion add cocoa powder.
Grease and line a 8 inch baking tin. First pour 1 layer in the tin then the second and continue this process alternatively.
Bake this tin in a preheated oven at 180 - 200C for 15 minutes and then reduce the temperature and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cake gets golden on top.
Cool the cake and invert it on a dish.

HONEY CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T15:58:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

8 oz. flour
4 oz. honey
2 eggs
3 oz. butter
3 oz. sugar
1 tspful baking powder

How to make honey cake:
Cream the butter and sugar, and add the beaten eggs gradually.
Beat in the honey and, lastly add the sieved flour and baking powder.
Put in a prepared shallow cake tin and bake in a moderate oven for about 45 minutes.

FUDGE CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T15:58:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp honey
3 eggs
2 cups self-rising flour
4 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp almond extract
CREAM FILLING
1/4 lb butter
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
juice of 1/2 lemon
FUDGE ICING
1/4 lb butter
1 tbsp honey
3tbsp milk
2cups icing sugar
flaked almonds and chocolate curls, to garnish

How to make fudge cake:
Pre-heat oven to 400(F)
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add honey and eggs, beating well.
Sift flour and baking powder and add to butter mixture alternately with milk and almond extract.
Divide mixture between 3 I inc greased and lined cake pans.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until cooked when tested.
Remove from pans to cake rack and allow to cool.
To make cream filling, beat utter and icing sugar together with lemon juice.
Sandwich cake layers together with cream mixture.
To make fudge icing, combine butter, honey and milk in saucepan.
Gently heat until butter melts, then heat until nearly boiling.
Remove from heat and sift in icing sugar, beating until icing thickens.
Spread icing over top of came and allow to drizzle down the sides.
Cool and decorate with almonds and chocolate curls.

EGGLESS CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

8 oz. plain flour
3 oz. margarine
pinch of salt
4 tspful baking powder
3 oz. sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
about 1/2 cup milk and water

How to make eggless cake:
Mix flour, baking powder and salt.
Mix in the margarine, add the sugar and vanilla and mix to a dropping consistency with the milk and water.
Turn into a greased 7 inch tin and bake in a moderate oven for 3/4 to 1 hour.

DUNDEE CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:40:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

75 gms chopped glace cherries
110 gms currants
50 gms chopped mixed peel
110 gms golden raisins
50 gms ground almonds
225 grms butter
225 gms castor sugar
3 eggs
3 tblsp blanched almonds
Grated rind of one lemon
1 tsp cherry
350 gms plain flour
110 gms raisins

How to make dundee cake:
Grease and line a 18cm cake tin.
In a bowl mix together golden raisins, peel, ground almonds, currants, raisins and cherries.
In a separate bowl beat the butter till soft then add castor sugar and the lemon rind and beat till light and fluffy.
In a separate bowl beat the eggs together and then gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
Mix the flour and the baking powder in a separate container and sift it well and add to the creamed mixture along with the cherry and all the dried fruits mix together earlier.
Pour this mixture into the greased tin, try to create a hollow in the center and cover that center with the almonds.
Bake this cake for 2 1/2 - 3 hours at 325 degrees F or till a skewer pricked into the center of the cake comes out clean.
When done cool the cake in the tin for 15 minutes and then let it cool completely on a wire rack.

CORNFLOUR CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:39:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

4 oz. cornflour
1 oz. flour
2 oz. castor sugar
2 oz. butter
1 tspful baking powder
1 egg
Little milk

How to make cornflour cake:
Cream the butter and sugar, and add the egg beaten with a little milk.
Then add the sieved cornflour, flour and baking powder.
Put into a prepared cake tin and bake in a moderate oven for about 1 hour.

COCONUT CUPCAKES RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:39:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

6 cups Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Sodium Bicarbonate (Khaane Wala Soda)
1 tsp Salt
4 cups Sugar
1 1/2 cup unsalted Butter
6 big sized Eggs
3 tsp Almond Essence
3 tsp Vanilla Essence
2 cups Butter Milk (Mattha / Chhaach)
5 1/2 cups Coconut (Khopra/Narial)

For Icing
900 gms Cream Cheese (Hung Curd)
1 1/2 cup unsalted Butter
2 tsp Vanilla Essence
1 tsp Almond Essence 1Kg 400 gms Icing Sugar, sifted

How to make coconut cupcakes:
First preheat the oven at 160 degrees.
Grease a tin and place pape cases on it.
Mix flour, baking powder, soda and salt.
Beat and cream suagar and butter.
Add eggs one at a time.
Now mix the essences.
Next add the flour alternatively with the buttermilk.
Mix half of the grated coconut.
Fill the paper cases with the mixture.
Bake them for 25 - 30 minutes or till they are golden in color.
For icing beat the cream cheese, butter, sugar and the essence till smooth and creamy.
Place a layer of this icing on the bakes cupcakes and sprinkle some coconut on them.

COCONUT CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:38:00.004-07:00

Ingredients:

6 oz. flour
3 oz. butter
4 oz. castor sugar
a little milk
2 small eggs
3 oz. desiccated coconut
1 small tspful baking powder

How to make coconut cake:
Cream the butter and sugar, and add the beaten eggs gradually.
Then add the flour, baking powder and the coconut and, lastly, a little milk.
Put the mixture into a prepared cake tin and bake in a moderate oven for about 1 1/4 hours.

CHOCOLATE SWISS ROLL RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:38:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 1/2 oz. flour
2 oz. castor sugar
1 tspful baking powder
1 tblspful warm water
1oz. grated sweetened chocolate

How to make chocolate swiss roll:
Grease a swiss roll tin, line with greaseproof paper and then grease the paper well.
Separate the whites from the yolks of the eggs.
Beat the yolks and the sugar together until the mixture is creamy.
Then add the warm water, and immediately after that the chocolate.
Whisk the whites stiffly, and add alternately with the sieved flour and baking powder, folding them in lightly.
Put the mixture in the tin and bake in hot oven for about 12 minutes.
Turn out on to a piece of greaseproof paper well sprinkled with icing sugar, trim the edges and roll it up.
Then put it on a rack to cool.

CHOCOLATE MOCHA CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:38:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup saw milk
2 cup sifted all purpose flour
1/2 cup strong hot coffee
4 cup sugar
1/4 cup coco
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cup brown sugar
2 arms unsweetened chocolate
2 egg yoghurts
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 egg whites
1 cup butter

How to make chocolate mocha cake:
In a bowl beat 1/2 cup butter and add sugar gradually till it gets fluffy.
Add in the melted chocolate and an unbeaten egg yoghurts, 1 tsp vanilla extract and sour milk.
Beat this mixture well.
Add the sifted flour alternately with the hot coffee i.e. once you add the flour then you add the coffee then you again add the flour then coffee continue till the flour and coffee are finished.
Now add the beaten egg whites.
Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 inch pan.
Pour the prepared mixture into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
In a separate bowl beat half cup butter with powdered sugar, salt and coco.
To this mixture add 1/3 cup strong coffee and 1/2 tsp vanilla.
Mix it nicely and spread on the prepared cake and sprinkle some silvered almonds.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:37:00.006-07:00

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. desicated coconut
1/2 cup milk
4 oz. margarine
6 oz. sugar
2 eggs
4 oz. plain flour
1 level tsp cocoa
pinch of salt
1 tspful baking powder

How to make chocolate coconut cake:
Soak the coconut in the milk for 1/2 hour.
Cream fat and sugar, add the lightly beaten eggs and then the coconut and milk.
Stir in the well-sieved dry ingredients, mix well and turn into a greased lined tin 10 inch by 8 inch.
Bake in a moderate oven for 30-40 minutes.
When cold, decorate the top as desired, or cut into fingers.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:37:00.005-07:00

Ingredients:

6 Eggs White
1 Chocolate Cake Mix
21 oz Cherry Pie Mix
For Frosting:
2 Eggs White
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
1/3 cup Water
1 tsp Vanilla Essence

How to make chocolate cherry cake:
In a bowl mix egg whites, chocolate cake mix, cherry pie filling.
Grease 9" X 13" pan and make a layer of flour on it.
Pour the batter into the pan.
In a preheated oven bake the pan for 35 - 40 minutes ot till the toothpick comes out clean.
Take tthe cake out and cool it.
To make the frosting, mix all the frosting ingredients and pour in a double boiler and with a beater, beat for 1 minute.
Then place this boiler on boiling water and again beat for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and beat for 2 minutes on high speed.
Frost the cool cake with this mixture.

CHOCOLATE ANGEL CAKE

2009-06-18T05:37:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Hot Water
1 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
3/4 cup Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)
1/4 tsp Salt
12 Eggs White
1 tsp Cream of Tartar

How to make chocolate angel cake:
In a bowl mix cocoa powder and hot water and keep aside.
Preheat the oven at 350F
In a separate bowl sift together flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and keep aside.
Beat the eggs till foamy and then add cream of tartar.
Beat till the mixture forms peak.
In the egg mixture add the remaining sugar.
Now then gently add half the sifted flour.
When completely mixed add the remaining half of flour.
Now pour some of this mixture in the cocoa powder mixture and stir well.
When done pour this egg cocoa mixture back to the remaining egg flour mixture.
Mix lightly.
In an ungreased dish pour this mixture.
Bake this dish for 50 minutes or till the tooth pick comes out clean. When baked completely let it cool.
Then with the help of a knife invert it on a plate.
Serve it with fresh berries and vanilla ice cream.

CARROT CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:37:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup desiccated coconut
2/3 cup broken and chopped walnuts
1 cup golden raisins
2 1/2 cup grated carrots
3 tsp mixed spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 beaten eggs
2 tsp of orange juice

How to make carrot cake:
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees C.
In a pan mix nicely the all purpose flour, mixed spices, baking soda, brown sugar, desiccated coconut and chopped walnuts.
In a separate pan melt the butter and add the golden raisins, carrots and orange juice. Stir it nicely and pour it on top of the dry ingredients.
Now add the beaten eggs to the mixture and mix it thoroughly.
Prepare a loaf tin by oiling the base and the sides, pour this prepared mixture into the tin and bake the cake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of it comes out clean.

BANANA CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:36:00.002-07:00

Ingredients:

1 egg
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup meshed banana
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup unsalted butter which is melted
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup milk

How to make banana chocolate cake:
In a large mixing bowl stir together all purpose flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
Take another bowl and mix together melted butter milk egg and meshed bananas.
Now add the banana mixture into the flour mixture until thoroughly blended.
Be careful not to overmix.
Add the chocolate chips. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F to 175 degrees C.
Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake it for 32-35 minutes or until the toothpick inserted into it comes out clean.
When the cake gets baked take out the pan from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
This cake will have some melted chocolate but no crumbs.

ALMOND CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:36:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

Pastry
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 palm butter
4 egg yoghurts
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn starch
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 palm butter
3 eggs
3/4 cup ground almonds
1 cup chopped almonds
1 pinch salt

How to make almond cake:
For the Pasty
In a food processor or in a bowl mix together all the pastry ingredients to form a soft dough.
Place this mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Then take it out and roll it of a size 11 or 12 inches of a pie.
Line a 11 or 12 inch pie or tart pan.
Prick the base and chill for 15-20 minutes.
Preheat the oven at 375 degrees F.
For the Filling
In a pan heat 1/3 of the butter and add the chopped almonds and soughed them over medium flame till brown. Turn off the fire and let the mixture cool. In a separate pan take the remaining melted butter and add the grounded almonds and sugar and now add eggs one at a time beating nicely after each addition till the mixture is light and fluffy. In a separate bowl sift the corn starch with the baking powder and salt and then fold it into the almonds mixture. Pour this mixture into the earlier prepared base and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the batter begins to sat. Now quickly spread the chopped almonds over the top and return the pan to the oven and continue breaking for 20 minutes or until the pastry is brown.

APPLE CAKE RECIPE

2009-06-18T05:35:00.001-07:00

1 cup oil
2 cup sugar
3 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp cloves
1 cup baking soda
4 cups chopped apples

Glaze
2 tblsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

How to make apple cake:
In a bowl mix the oil, eggs and vanilla extract together.
In a separate bowl sift the dry ingredients together and add this mixture to the oil and egg mixture and mix well.
Add in the apples and the nuts.
Pour this mixture in a baking pan and bake for 1.15 minutes at 350 degrees F.
For the glaze mix all the glaze ingredients together and boil the mixture for one minute.
When the cake is baked remove it from the oven and white it is worm pour the glaze on it.
Apple cake is ready.

Spicy Lassi, Spiced Buttermilk, Chaas, Masala More

2009-06-17T16:22:00.001-07:00

Sambharam, spiced and flavoured buttermlk, is a famous Kerala drink which was traditionally served to guests. It is also served as part of the Kerala Sadya. It is a cool and refreshing drink for hot summer days as well as aids digestion.

It has many variations in many parts of India like the masala mor (thalicha mor) from Tamil Nadu, spicy lassi from Punjab, chaas (chaach) from Gujarat and Rajasthan etc.

ngredients
Curd (Yogurt) - 1 cup
Water - 2 cups (to make buttermilk)
(You could also use store bought buttermilk/yogurt)
Green Chillies - 2-3
Ginger - 1" piece
Cilantro - 2-3 stems
Curry Leaves - 5-6 leaves

Method
1. Crush the green chillies, ginger and cilantro using a mortar and pestle or using the pulse mode of the mixie.
2. Beat the curd nicely using a fork and add the water to it.
3. Mix the curd-water mixture nicely using a hand blender or with a spoon.
4. Add the crushed mixture, torn curry leaves and required salt and mix everything together.
5. Serve on a hot summer day as a refreshing drink or have with some plain rice.

Variations
- Make a seasoning of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry and chillies and some curry leaves and add to the sambharam. This adds nice flavour to the sambharam.

Collard Greens Poriyal

2009-06-17T04:02:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
Collard greens – 1 bunch
Onion - 1/4 (chopped)
Green Chilly - 1
Turmeric Powder - a pinch

Nutmeg Powder - a pinch (optional)
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - 1 spring
Oil - 2 tsp
Shredded coconut – 2 tbsps (or 2 tblsp crushed peanuts or 1 egg)

Method
1. Wash the green under cold running water.
2. Take each leaf and cut the thick stem in the middle and bottom of the leaf.
3. After the stem from every leaf has been cut, arrange all the leaves one over the other.
4. Roll it up and chop it finely.
5. Heat oil in a pan and pop the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
6. Add the chopped onions and green chilly and saute for few minutes.
7. Add the chopped leaves, turmeric powder, nutmeg powder and required salt.
8. Let it cook uncovered till the leaves become tender. The water from the leaves should be enough to cook it. Sprinkle few drops of water if needed.
9. Finally add shredded coconut or crushed peanuts or egg.
10. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes.
11. Serve with white rice and some curry.

Cracked Wheat Biriyani

2009-06-15T16:11:00.001-07:00

Ingredients
Cracked Wheat - 2 cups (You could also use rava instead)
Chicken - 1/2 lb (1/4 kg or little lesser)
(Alternatively, you could also use 1 cup of chopped assorted vegetables or 1 cup of shrimp)
Onion - 1 (chopped)
Tomato - 1
Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
Green Chillies - 2
Biriyani Masala - 1 tblsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Fennel Powder - 1 tsp
Chilly Powder - 1 tsp (or as needed)
Mint leaves - handful
Cilantro - handful
Whole Garam Masala - (1 bay leaf, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, 3 cardamon)
Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Water - 3.5 cups (exact measure for craked wheat)
If you are making biriyani with rava, use just 2.5 cups of water.
Ghee/Oil - 2 tblsp
Salt - as needed

Method
1. Marinate the chicken with yogurt, ginger garlic paste, garam masala powder, salt, fennel powder, chilly powder and turmeric powder.
2. Roast the cracked wheat in some ghee/ oil. This step id optional but adds a nice nutty flavour and helps keep the grains seperate without forming lumps.
3. Heat 1 tblsp of oil/ghee in a pan and add the whole garam masala to it.
4. Saute the onions and green chillies till it turns golden brown.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and let it cook till the tomatoes become nice and mushy.
6. Add chopped mint leaves and cilantro (corriander leaves) and saute for a minute.
7. Next add the marinated chicken, cover and let it cook in the marinated liquid until the chicken is completely cooked.
8. Add 3.5 cups of water, required salt and bring it to a boil.
9. Add the cracked wheat to this and bring it to a boil once again.
10. Reduce the flame to the lowest setting, cover with a lid and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. Do not mix in between
11. Fluff up with a fork and keep covered for another 5 minutes.

12. Garnish with chopped cilantro, toasted nuts and raisins and serve with raita.

Tips

- You could also make vegetable cracked wheat biriyani, mushroom craked wheat biriyani or shrimp craked wheat biriyani.

- Instead of cracked wheat, you could use rava to make rava biriyani or grits to make grits biriyani too.

Ginger Chutney

2009-06-11T20:44:00.001-07:00

Ingredients
Ginger - 2" piece
Channa dal (Bengal gram) - 2 tblsp
Urad dal (Black Gram) - 2 tblsp
Coriander seeds - 2 tsp
Cumin seeds (jeera) - 3/4 tsp
Tamarind - big lemon size
Green chillies - 4-5
Dry red chillies - 3-5
Jaggery/Sugar - 1 tblsp
Oil - 3 tblsp
Salt - to taste

Method
1. Heat oil in a pan and fry chana dal, urad dal, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies and green chillies for 3-4 minutes until the dals turn golden brown.
2. Add the ginger pieces and tamarind and fry for another 2-3. (Make sure the flame is in medium to prevent the ingredients from getting burnt.)
3. After the mixture cools, grind it in a mixie with required water, salt and jaggery.
4. Serve with pesarattu, vada, upma etc.

Bhindi Do Pyaza

2009-06-07T14:44:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

Bhindi(Okra, Ladiesfinger) - 1/2 kg (1 lb)
Onions - 3
Tomato - 1
Potato - 1
Chilli powder - 1 tblsp
Corriander powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Dry Mango Powder (Amchur powder) - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
salt - to taste
Cilantro - for garnish

Method

1. Take 1/2 kg bhindi and slit it in between .
2. Fill the mixture of chilli powder, turmeric powder, jeera(cumin) powder, dhania(corriander) powder, salt and amchur(dry mango) powder.
3. Shallow fry the bhindi and keep aside.
4. In a vessel fry onions well then add chopped tomatoes and potatoes and fry well until potatoes cook.
5. Add salt and chilli powder as required and add the fried bhindi to this. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Rutabaga/Turnip Masala

2009-06-07T14:44:00.001-07:00

Rutabagas are similar to turnip with a mild sweet flavour. It tastes almost like potatoes when cooked. The same recipe can be used to make turnip masla, potato masala too.

Ingredients
Rutabaga/Turnip - 1 (chopped into small cubes)
Onion - 1 (finaly chopped)
Tomatoes - 2-3 (finaly chopped or pureed)
Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
Coconut - 1 tblsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
Dry red chillies - 6

Corriander seeds - 1/2 tsp

Whole garam masala - (1 cinnamon, 3-4 cloves, 1 bay leaf, 2-3 cardomon)

Cilnatro - for garnish

Salt - to taste

Fried rutabagaRutabagaFried rutabagaRutabaga Masala
Method
1. Fry the cubed rutabaga/turnip with 1 tblsp of oil until it browns nicely and keep aside.
2. Dry roast the coconut, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dry red chillies, corriander seeds and grind them.
3. Heat 1 tblsp of oil in a pan, spatter some mustard seeds, whole garam masala and curry leaves.
4. Saute the onions till they are nicely browned.
5. Next add the ginger garlic paste followed by the tomatoes. Cover and cook till the tomatoes are nice and soft.
6. Next add the ground masala along with some turmeric and salt. Add the browned rutabaga/turnip with little water as needed.
7. Cover and cook for 7- 10 minutes until a nice masala is ready.

8. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with any roti or rice.

Green Bell Pepper ( Capsicum) Masala

2009-06-07T14:43:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

Capsicum( Green bell pepper) - 2 (cut lengthwise)
Onion -1 (cut lengthwise)
Tomato - 2 ( finely chopped or crushed)
Oil -1 tblsp
Salt - to taste
Chilly powder - 1 tsp
Corrainder powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp

Method

1. In a sauce pan, heat oil. Once it gets heated up, add onions and saute for a while.
2. Next add the capsicum along with tomatoes and fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add all the dry masal powders and mix together.
4. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes mixing occasionally.
5. Garnish with cilantro. This can be served with rice, chappatti or can be used to make sandwitches.

Aloo Methi

2009-06-07T14:43:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

Fenugreek leaves(methi) - 1 cup (fresh or frozen)
Potatoes - 2-3 (washed, peeled and cubed)
Garlic - 1 clove
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilly powder - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 2-3 tblsp

Ghee - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and splatter the cumin seeds.
2. Add the cubed potatoes to this and cook till the potatoes are half done tossing occasionally.
3. Add salt, turmeric and chilly powder and mix everything together.
4. Next add the fenugreek leaves and cook till all the water is absorbed and the
potatoes are nicely cooked.
5. Add a tsp of ghee at the end. Serve hot withany roti.

Tips
- A tomato can also be added along with the potato.

Bhindi Do Pyaza

2009-06-07T14:43:00.001-07:00

Rutabaga/Turnip Masala

2009-06-07T14:42:00.006-07:00

Rutabaga/Turnip Masala

2009-06-07T14:42:00.005-07:00

Green Bell Pepper ( Capsicum) Masala

2009-06-07T14:42:00.003-07:00

Aloo Methi

2009-06-07T14:42:00.001-07:00

Veg. Fry - Type II (Veg. Pakoda Fry)

2009-06-07T14:41:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

Vegetable - 3/4 lb (sliced in an angle/ cut in circles - You can use ladiesfinger, ivygourd, bittergourd, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, potato etc for this type of fry)
Onion - 1/4 (sliced) (For better taste use half a cup of onion pakoda or fried onions)

Garlic - 2 cloves
Cashewnuts - 2 tblsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Amchoor powder - 1 tsp (If you do not have amchoor powder, you can use little tamarind juice/ vineger too.)
Chilly Powder - 1 tsp (or as needed)
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - a pinch
Gram flour/ Rice flour - 4 tblsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 3 tblsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 strand

Ivygourd (Tindoora, Kovakai) FryBhindi FryIvygourd (Tindoora, Kovakai) Fry
Method

1. Mix the cut vegetable with onion slices, cashew pieces, amchoor powder, chilly powder, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, gram flour, garam masala, curry leaves and salt.
2. Add few drops of water to mix if the mixture is too dry.
3. Heat a non stick pan and splutter some mustard seeds.
4. Turn the flame to high and when the oil is smoking hot, add the above mixture to it.
5. Stir fry over high flame for 10 minutes or till the okra is nicely cooked and becomes crunchy.
6. Serve this with rice and dal or with chappatti.

Brussels Sprouts Fry

2009-06-07T14:41:00.003-07:00

The Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea) is a cool season crop, belonging to the cabbage family, and closely related to cauliflower, broccoli, kale, collards, etc. They resemble miniature cabbages. The edible portion of this crop is the "bud" which grows in the axils of each leaf. Brussels sprouts grow in bunches of 20 to 40 on the stem of a plant. Brussels Sprouts contains high quantities of Vitamin K and Vitamin C.

Brussels Sprouts can be cooked exactly like cabbage. In this recipe I’ve used the sprouts as whole to retain the beauty of the vegetable.

Ingredients

Brussels sprouts - 1 pound
Oil/Butter- 4 tsp
Salt - to taste
Pepper - 1/4 tsp
Garam masala - 1 pinch

Method

1. In a pot of boiling water, cook the sprouts for 2 minutes until they are tender but crisp. Drain the water.
2. In a pan, pour some oil or melt the butter. Add the Brussels sprouts Seasoned with salt, pepper and garam masala and saute until golden brown.
3. This should be done on meium- high heat for about 5 minutes

Brussels Sprouts Fry

2009-06-07T14:41:00.001-07:00

Eggplant Fry (Katharikai Varuval)

2009-06-07T14:40:00.004-07:00

Ingredients
Eggplant - 1
Chilly powder - 1 tblsp
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Garam masala - a pinch (optional)
Salt - as needed
Lemon - 1/2

Method
1. Cut the eggplant into thin circles.
2. Season the eggplant circles with the above seasonings.
3. Shallow fry the eggplant in a griddle.
4. Flip the eggplant when once side browns.
5. When both the sides are browned, remove from griddle and add few drops of lemon juice on top.
6. Serve with rice or roti.

Vegetable Fry - Type I (for Crunchy Green veggies)

2009-06-07T14:40:00.003-07:00

Green vegetables stir fried with crunchy lentils is a wonderful sidedish for rice or roti. Any green vegetables can be used for this recipe as long as it stays crunchy and crispy and doesnt become mushy. Some of the vegetables that I commonly use are broccoli, asparagus, ivyguard (tindoora, kovakai), green breans and snakeguard.

Ingredients
Broccoli - 1 head/ Ivyguard - 1/2 lb / Asparagus - 1 bunch
Channa dal - 1 tblsp
Urad dal - 1 tblsp
Grated Coconut - 1 tblsp (optional)
Chilly powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 2 tblsp
Curry leaves - 5-6

Sesame seeds - 1 tblsp (optional, for garnish)

Ivyguard (Kovakai/ Tindoora) FryIvyguard (Kovakai/ Tindoora) FryBroccoli FryAsparagus FryMethod

1. Chop the required vegetable into desired size. ( If using broccoli, separate into small florets, if using ivyguard chop lengthwise, if using asparagus cut into 2" pieces.)
2. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan, splutter mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves.
3. In the same oil fry channa dal and urad dal with a low flame for 2 minutes until the
dals become crispy. Do not burn them.
4. Fry the grated coconut till it turns brown in colour.
5. Add the vegetable pieces, cover and cook for 2-5 minutes depending on the vegetable being used. (Ivyguard, beans and snakeguard takes about 5 min to cook)
6. Add salt, chilly powder, turmeric powder and asafoetida to it.
7. Toss everything together for another 2 minutes. Do not overcook the veggie. It has
to remain crunchy.

8. Garnish with some tosted sesame seeds and serve with rice and any curry.

Comment

Bok Choy Poriyal

2009-06-07T14:40:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Bok Choy - 1
Onion - 1 ( finely chopped)
Green Chillies - 2 or 3 (minced)
Egg - 1
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Curry leaves - 6
Oil - 1 tblsp

Method
1. Separate the stalks of the bok choy and wash each stalk thorougly. Chop both the stalk and the leaves finely.
2. Heat oil in a pan, splatter some mustard seeds, curry leaves and urad dal.
3. Fry the chopped onions and green chillies for a minute and then add the chopped bok choy.
4. Add salt and let it cook uncovered for about 7-8 minutes until the vegetable wilts. It is a very watery vegetable so releases lot of water.
5. Add the egg at this stage and mix everything together. Keep mixing for another 1 or 2 minutes until the egg is cooked. Serve with rice or roti.

Tips
- Fresh grated coconut or coarsely powdered peanuts can also be used instead of egg.

Turnip Greens Poriyal

2009-06-07T14:39:00.006-07:00

Ingredients

Turnip with turnip greens - 1 bunch
Onion - 1 (diced)
Garlic - 2 clove (crushed)
Green Chilly - 2 (minced)
Coconut - ¼ cup (Grated)
Mustard - ¼ tsp
Split black gram - ¼ tsp
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
Asafoetida - 1 pinch
Curry leaves - 2
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tsp

Method
1. To clean the bunch of turnip with turnip leaves, first cut the turnips and then separate each
leaf. Give a good rinse 2-3 times in cold water.
2. Chop the turnips separately into small dices. Place all the leaves one over the other and finely chop it.
3. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard, split black gram and curry leaves. Fry the onions, green chillies and garlic for 2 minutes.
4. Add the chopped turnip with turmeric, asafoetida and salt and saute for another 2 minutes.
5. Next add the turnip leaves and cook nicely for 7-10 minutes until all the liquid that comes out of the leaves cooks out. Keep tossing often.
6. Add the fresh grated coconut, toss everything together and switch off. You could also make the poriyal with the turnip seperately or the greens seperately.

Spicy Red Cabbage

2009-06-07T14:39:00.005-07:00

Ingredients

Red Cabbage - 1/2 (shredded)
Dry red chillies - 3
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad dal - 2 tblsp
Oil - 1 tblsp
Curry leaves - 5-6

Sesame seeds - for garnish

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan, splatter the mustard seeds, dry red chillies and curry leaves.
2. Add the urad dal and let it cook in low flame for 2 minutes. See that it doesnt get burnt.
3. Add the cabbage and mix everything.
4. Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes. No need for adding water since we need crunchy cabbage.
5. Remove the lid and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes.
6. Garnish with some toasted sesame seeds. Serve with rice or chappatti.

Chilli Paneer/ Tofu

2009-06-07T14:39:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

Batch -1

Panneer/ Tofu - 15 small cubes
Salt -1 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste -1 tbsp
Corn flour -2 tbsp
Water -little to form as a paste
Egg -1
All purpose flour -1tbsp

Batch -2

Oil -for frying
Cumin seeds -1/2 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste -1 tbsp
Green chilli -1 or 2 chopped
Onion -1/2 chopped
Coriander Powder -1 tbsp
Chilli Garlic sauce - 1 tbsp
Colored Peppers - Red or yellow Chopped 1/2 cup
Chilli powder -1/2 tsp
Soy sauce -1 tsp
Cury leaves - 2 strands
Salt -as per taste
Lime juice -2 tsp
Coriander Leaves -chopped for garnishing

Chilli paneer with fried paneerFried paneer/ tofuChilli paneer with fried paneerChilli tofu made without frying the tofu
Method
1.Mix all the ingredients in Batch-1 except paneer.Now add the paneer/tofu to the mixture and toss well to coat the paneer/tofu pieces nicely.
2.Fry the paneer/tofu pieces in oil and keep aside.

(You can skip the above 2 steps if the paneer/tofu is very fresh. Frying enhances the flavour considerably.)
3.Take a pan and heat some oil. Add cumin seeds, GG paste and saute for 1 minute.
4.Add onions and saute a little.
5.Add the remaining ingredients under batch-2 and saute for 3 minutes
6.Now add the fried panneer/tofu to this mixture and saute for 2 mins.
7.Yummy dry chilli panneer/tofu is ready.

Stuffed Capsicum (Stuffed bell pappers)

2009-06-07T14:39:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Capsicum ( Bell Peppers) - 4
Frozen Corn - 1/2 cup (fresh corn can be used too)

Green Peas - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Garlic - 1 clove (minced)
Tomato - 2 (diced)
Chilly powder - 1 tsp
Corriander powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - to taste
Cheese - 1/4 cup

Oil - 1tblsp

Method

1. Wash the capsicum and cut the top off near the stem. Remove and discard the seeds and pith.
2. Heat oil in a pan and spluter some cumin seeds.
3. Saute the onions and garlic slightly till it begins to sweat.
4. Next add the tomatoes along with the chilly powder, corriander powder,
turmeric powder and salt. Cook for 5 minutes.

5. Next add the green peas and corn and mix everything together. Let everything cook for 3 minutes until all the flavours blend.
6. Sprinkle the garam masala and half of the cheese. Toss everything and switch off.
7. Fill each capsicum with the mixture. Add some more cheese on top.
8. Shallow fry the capsicum on a pan with oil till the capsicum becomes tender.
9. Another option is to bake the capsicum in a oven pre heated to 350 for 15 minutes.
10. Serve with chappatti or have it as such as a snack.

Stuffed Capsicum (Stuffed bell pappers)

2009-06-07T14:38:00.003-07:00

Cauliflower Potato Masala (Aloo Gobi)

2009-06-07T14:38:00.001-07:00

Method
1. Heat oil in a non stick pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves. When they splutter, add chopped green chilies and onion and fry them till they turn golden brown.
2.Now add the ginger garlic paste and tomatoes and saute till the raw smell disappears.
3.Next add the cubed potatoes, turmeric, red chili powder,coriander powder, amchoor powder, kasoori methi, garam masala and salt. Cover and cook for about 3 minutes low flame.
4.When the potatoes are half cooked, add the cauliflower since cauliflower cooks very quickly. Cover and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle a few drops of water if needed.
5.Garnish with coriander leaves.

Tips
-Wash and cut cauliflower into small florets and put them in hot salted water to kill the germs.
-Cube the potatoes and soak in cold water to avoid discoloration.

Gobi Manchurian (Cauliflower manchurian)

2009-06-07T14:37:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

Batch-1
Cauliflower -1 Big
All purpose flour-2 tblsp
Corn flour - 2 cups
Chilli powder -2 tblsp
Pepper powder -1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Water- as needed to make a thick batter

Batch-2
Onion - 1(Sliced)
Grlic - 3-4 cloves (finely chopped)
Ginger - 1"(finely chopped)
Colored peppers -(as needed)
Green chilli - 1 or 2
Tomato sauce - 4 tblsp
Chilly sauce - 1 tblsp (optional)
Soy sauce - 3 tsp
Oil -2 tblsp

Method
1.Seperate the florets and put in hot water for 5 minutes.
2.Mix all the other ingredients from batch-1
3.Dip the florets and deep fry in oil and drain excess oil on the paper towel.
4.Take a non stick pan. Pour 2 tbsp oil and saute the onions, ginger and garlic.
5.Add the colored pepper and saute for 2 mins .
6.Add the tomato sauce, chilli sauce and soy sauce and mix a little.
7.Finally add the fried cauliflower florets into the mixture.
8.Mix it and garnish with finely chopped green onions or cilatro.
9.Serve it with fried rice, pulav or chappathi.

Tips
- Instead of deep frying the florets you can fry on the non stick pan with enough oil.But the flowerets will be crispier in deep fry.
- To get the chinese flavour add a pinch of ajinamoto to the gravy.
- Add the fried cauliflower just before serving to maintain its crispiness.

Aviyal (Kerala Aviyal)

2009-06-07T14:37:00.003-07:00

'Aviyal' is a dish that originated in the kerala cuisine. As the name indicates, aviyal is a 'mixture' of vegetables cooked with coconut and curd is added at the end. Aviyal has its own variations in different parts of kerala and tamil nadu. The recipe given below is the authentic recipe that is made in kerala and southern tip of Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari. It is usually had with rice and is one of the main sidedishes for any traditional special occasions.

Ingredients
Brinjal - 1/4 cup (cut into 2" pieces)
Raw banana/ Yam - 1/4 cup (cut into 2" pieces)
Green beans - 4 (cut into 2" pieces)
Carrot - 1 (cut into 2" pieces)
Drumstick -1 (cut into 3" pieces)

Tomato - 1 (chopped)
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Small Onion - 1 ( finely chopped)
Curry leaves - 5
Coconut oil - 1 tblsp
Salt - to taste

To grind

Coconut - 1/4 cup (grated)
Green chilly - 3
Tamarind - blueberry size/ Sour Curd - 1/4 cup
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Method
1. Cover and cook all the vegetables for 5 minutes with turmeric, salt and 1/2 cup water in a
kadai.
2. In the meantime grind coconut, green chilly, cumin seeds and tamarind/curd.
3. When the veggies are half cooked add the ground mixture to it and mix everything well.
4. Continue to cook on low flame till the veggies become tender. Sprinkle few drops of water and mix everything occasionally to avoid the veggies from sticking to the bottom of the kadai.
5. In the mean time, heat coconut oil in a small pan. Splutter mustard seeds, onion and curry
leaves and add it to the veggies.
6. Switch off and mix everything together. This can be served with rice or adai.

Tips
- Instead of tamarind/ curd, the juice of a lemon can be added at the end. This give another kind of flavour and bright colour to the dish.

- Adding raw mango to give the tang instead of tamarind/curd is another variation of aviyal.

Paruppu Usili (Lentil Crumbled)

2009-06-07T14:37:00.001-07:00

This is a simple authentic South Indian side dish that can be served with Rice, any curry and papad. Paruppu stands for lentil (dal) and usili stands for crumbled. Here a vegetable is cooked with crumbled lentil and the result is a delicious dish. The best part about the dish is that even picky eaters start enjoying vegetables. Different vegetables can be incorporated in the recipe like french beans(Beans paruppu usili), cluster beans, cabbage (cabbage paruppu usili), broccoli (broccoli paruppu usili), radish (mullangi paruppu usili), asparagus (asparagus paruppu usili), carrot (carrot paruppu usili), beetroot (beetroot paruppu usili), banana flower (vazhapoo paruppu usili) etc.

Ingredients
Chana dal(Kadalai paruppu) -1/4 cup soaked.
Red chillies-4 in nos.
Hing-1/4 spoon
Green Beans-11/2 cup chopped
Curry leaves-1 string
Mustard Seeds-1/4 spoon
Oil -2 tspn
Fennel seeds-1/4 spoon (optional)
Salt to taste

Broccoli UsiliVazhapoo (Banana flower) UsiliFrench beans UsiliBroccoli UsiliCabbage Paruppu UsiliMullangi (Radish) Usili
Method

1. Heat the kadai with little oil and temper the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
2. Add the chopped vegetable with little salt and sauté and let it cook covered on low heat.
3. Meantime grind the soaked chana dal, chilli and hing together with out water.
4. In a different pan add the remaining oil and fry this chana paste until it crumbles up. Alternatively, you can also pinch a small portion in the idli stand and steam it for 12-15 minutes. Then crumble it up when it cools down.
5. Add this fried mixture to the partially cooked vegetable and fry them both together for next 5 minutes.
6. Yummy osili ready.

Tips

- Make sure not to overcook the veggies.
- You can also use toor dal instaed of channa dal or a combination of both.

Paruppu Usili (Lentil Crumbled)

2009-06-07T14:36:00.004-07:00

This is a simple authentic South Indian side dish that can be served with Rice, any curry and papad. Paruppu stands for lentil (dal) and usili stands for crumbled. Here a vegetable is cooked with crumbled lentil and the result is a delicious dish. The best part about the dish is that even picky eaters start enjoying vegetables. Different vegetables can be incorporated in the recipe like french beans(Beans paruppu usili), cluster beans, cabbage (cabbage paruppu usili), broccoli (broccoli paruppu usili), radish (mullangi paruppu usili), asparagus (asparagus paruppu usili), carrot (carrot paruppu usili), beetroot (beetroot paruppu usili), banana flower (vazhapoo paruppu usili) etc.

Ingredients
Chana dal(Kadalai paruppu) -1/4 cup soaked.
Red chillies-4 in nos.
Hing-1/4 spoon
Green Beans-11/2 cup chopped
Curry leaves-1 string
Mustard Seeds-1/4 spoon
Oil -2 tspn
Fennel seeds-1/4 spoon (optional)
Salt to taste

Vazhapoo (Banana flower) UsiliVazhapoo (Banana flower) UsiliFrench beans UsiliBroccoli UsiliCabbage Paruppu UsiliMullangi (Radish) Usili
Method

1. Heat the kadai with little oil and temper the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
2. Add the chopped vegetable with little salt and sauté and let it cook covered on low heat.
3. Meantime grind the soaked chana dal, chilli and hing together with out water.
4. In a different pan add the remaining oil and fry this chana paste until it crumbles up. Alternatively, you can also pinch a small portion in the idli stand and steam it for 12-15 minutes. Then crumble it up when it cools down.
5. Add this fried mixture to the partially cooked vegetable and fry them both together for next 5 minutes.
6. Yummy osili ready.

Tips

- Make sure not to overcook the veggies.
- You can also use toor dal instaed of channa dal or a combination of both.

Pachadi

2009-06-07T14:36:00.003-07:00

Pachadi is a common dish in tamilnadu and kerala which is very similar to north indian raita except that the vegetable is cooked and coconut is added to it. In andra, pachadis are different compared to the ones made in tamil nadu and kerala.

You can make pachadis with different vegetables by boiling it with coconut-cumin-chilly paste, tempering it with mustard seeds and curry leaves and finally adding curd. Pachadi can be had with rice and any dal. The recipe can be used with any vegetables. The common pachadis that I have tried are cucumber pachadi, yellowsquash pachadi, zucchini pachadi, bottleguard pachadi, raw mango pachadi, bittergourd pachadi, pineapple pachadi, pumpkin pachadi, ashgourd pachadi, beetroot pachadi, radish pachadi etc.

Ingredients
Vegetable (chopped into small pieces/grated) - 2 cups (Cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, bottlegaurd, mango, pineapple, bittergourd etc)
Coconut - 1/4 cup (grated)
Green chilly - 2-3
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - 5
Oil - 1 tblsp
Curd (Yogurt) - 1 cup (beaten)
Salt - to taste
Cilantro(Corriander leaves) - for garnish (finely chopped)

Yellow Squash PachadiCucumber (Velarikai) Pachadi

Method
1. Cover and cook the vegetable pieces for 5-7 minutes with little water and salt in a kadai.
2. In the meantime grind coconut, green chilly and cumin seeds.
3. When the vegetable is nicely cooked, add the groud paste to it and let it cook for another few minutes.
4. In the mean time, heat oil in a small pan. Splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add it to the cooked vegetable and mix well.
5. Switch off and let it cool.
6. When it is not hot anymore, add the curd and mix well. Check for salt, garnish with corriander leaves and serve with rice and dal.

Tips

- In some pachadis like pineapple pachadi, you can add a pinch of turmeric powder for a nice yellow colour.

Pachadi

2009-06-07T14:36:00.001-07:00

Pachadi

2009-06-07T14:35:00.004-07:00

Pachadi is a common dish in tamilnadu and kerala which is very similar to north indian raita except that the vegetable is cooked and coconut is added to it. In andra, pachadis are different compared to the ones made in tamil nadu and kerala.

You can make pachadis with different vegetables by boiling it with coconut-cumin-chilly paste, tempering it with mustard seeds and curry leaves and finally adding curd. Pachadi can be had with rice and any dal. The recipe can be used with any vegetables. The common pachadis that I have tried are cucumber pachadi, yellowsquash pachadi, zucchini pachadi, bottleguard pachadi, raw mango pachadi, bittergourd pachadi, pineapple pachadi, pumpkin pachadi, ashgourd pachadi, beetroot pachadi, radish pachadi etc.

Ingredients
Vegetable (chopped into small pieces/grated) - 2 cups (Cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, bottlegaurd, mango, pineapple, bittergourd etc)
Coconut - 1/4 cup (grated)
Green chilly - 2-3
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - 5
Oil - 1 tblsp
Curd (Yogurt) - 1 cup (beaten)
Salt - to taste
Cilantro(Corriander leaves) - for garnish (finely chopped)

Yellow Squash PachadiYellow Squash PachadiCucumber (Velarikai) Pachadi

Method
1. Cover and cook the vegetable pieces for 5-7 minutes with little water and salt in a kadai.
2. In the meantime grind coconut, green chilly and cumin seeds.
3. When the vegetable is nicely cooked, add the groud paste to it and let it cook for another few minutes.
4. In the mean time, heat oil in a small pan. Splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add it to the cooked vegetable and mix well.
5. Switch off and let it cool.
6. When it is not hot anymore, add the curd and mix well. Check for salt, garnish with corriander leaves and serve with rice and dal.

Tips

- In some pachadis like pineapple pachadi, you can add a pinch of turmeric powder for a nice yellow colour.

Asparagus Broccolli Stir Fry

2009-06-07T14:35:00.003-07:00

This quick stir fry recipe makes an instant salad that can be had as a healthy dinner for those who are on diet. It can also be had as a side dish with any roti varities, burger or with rice. The same recipe can be used for different vegetables like beans, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus etc.

Ingredients
Asparagus - 1 lb
Broccolli florets - 1/2 cup
Pepper - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Shallot Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Oil - 2 tblsp

Lemon Juice - from 1 lemon (2 tblsp)

Method
1. Break the woody ends from the bottom of the asparagus and discard. Next cut it into 1 inch pieces.
2. In a small bowl, combine papper, garam masala, salt, ginger garlic paste and little oil.
3. Add the broccolli florets and asparagus pieces to this bowl and toss well to coat the masala very well on the veggies.
4. In a large skillet, heat the oil. Add the chopped onion and fry for 2 minutes.
5. Next add the veggies and stir-fry for 5 minutes on medium-high flame. Switch off when the veggies are still crunchy.

6. Add the lemon juice and toss. Serve as a salad or as a sidedish.

Tips

- The same recipe can be done with asparagus alone or broccoli alone. Other vegetables that can be used are beans, zucchini, cauliflower etc.

Bhindi Do Pyaza

2009-06-07T14:35:00.001-07:00

Rutabaga/Turnip Masala

2009-06-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

Rutabagas are similar to turnip with a mild sweet flavour. It tastes almost like potatoes when cooked. The same recipe can be used to make turnip masla, potato masala too.

Ingredients
Rutabaga/Turnip - 1 (chopped into small cubes)
Onion - 1 (finaly chopped)
Tomatoes - 2-3 (finaly chopped or pureed)
Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
Coconut - 1 tblsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
Dry red chillies - 6

Corriander seeds - 1/2 tsp

Whole garam masala - (1 cinnamon, 3-4 cloves, 1 bay leaf, 2-3 cardomon)

Cilnatro - for garnish

Salt - to taste

RutabagaRutabagaFried rutabagaRutabaga Masala
Method
1. Fry the cubed rutabaga/turnip with 1 tblsp of oil until it browns nicely and keep aside.
2. Dry roast the coconut, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dry red chillies, corriander seeds and grind them.
3. Heat 1 tblsp of oil in a pan, spatter some mustard seeds, whole garam masala and curry leaves.
4. Saute the onions till they are nicely browned.
5. Next add the ginger garlic paste followed by the tomatoes. Cover and cook till the tomatoes are nice and soft.
6. Next add the ground masala along with some turmeric and salt. Add the browned rutabaga/turnip with little water as needed.
7. Cover and cook for 7- 10 minutes until a nice masala is ready.

8. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with any roti or rice.

Green Bell Pepper ( Capsicum) Masala

2009-06-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Dal Makhani

2009-06-07T14:31:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

Whole Black Urad Dal - 1/2 cup
Rajma (Kidney Beans) - 3 tblsp
Chopped Onions - 1/2 cup
Tomato Puree - 1/2 cup
Garlic Paste - 1 tblsp
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Red Chilly Powder - 1 tblsp
Cumin Powder - 1 tsp
Corriander Powder - 2 tsp
Fresh Cream - 3 tblsp
Salt - to taste

Method
1. Soak the urad dal & rajma overnight in water.
2. Pressure cook dal & rajma until it turns soft.
3. Mash it lightly with the back of the spoon and keep aside.
4. In a pan heat oil/butter, add garlic paste and fry until it turns pink.
5. Add cummin seeds and when they splutter add chopped onions.
6. Fry until onions turn pink. Then add tomato puree and fry until oil separates.
7. Add red chilli powder, cummin powder, coriander powder, salt and fry well.
8. Now add the cooked dal and rajma.
9. Once it starts to boil, add fresh cream and let it cook on low heat for 10 minutes.
10. Serve hot with naan/roti.

Methi Matar Malai

2009-06-07T14:31:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

Green Peas - 1 cup
Fenugreek leaves (Methi) - 1 bunch
Cream - 1/2 cup
Tomato - 1 (pureed)
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
Milk - if needed for gravy
Butter - 1 tblsp
Salt - to taste

To grind
Onion - 1
Green Chilly - 1
Cashew nuts/ Almonds - 1 tblsp
Poppy seeds(khus khus) - 1 tblsp (optional)
Curd - 1 tblsp
Ginger - 1/2 " piece
Cinnamon - 1/2 " stick
Cloves - 3
Cardomon - 1

Method

1. Roast all the ingredients under "to grind" except curd. Make a paste of it with

the curd and keep aside.
2. Remove the methi leaves, discard the stem. Soak it in hot water for 5 minutes and

drain it well.
3. Heat butter in a pan, add the cumin seeds.
4. Add the chilly powder, turmeric powder, ground paste and the tomato puree and let

it cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. Add the green peas (matar), fenugreek leaves(methi) and malai (cream).
6. Add milk as needed to get the desired gravy consistency.
7. Boil for 5 minutes until the gravy thickens and the ingredients are cooked.
8. Garnish with some fresh cream and serve with any roti varieties.

Healthy Tip

- A low fat version of the same recipe can be made by using fat free half and half or evaporated milk instead of cream.

Zucchini Curry

2009-06-07T14:31:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Zucchini - 2
Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Tomato - 2 (finely chopped or pureed)
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tblsp

Green Chillies - 2 (finely chopped)
Corriander-cumin powder - 1 tsp

Chilly powder - 1 tsp (or as needed)

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cilantro - for garnish

Salt - as needed

Oil - 2 tblsp

Method

1. Chop the zucchini into big chunks and shallow fry them. Keep it aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, splutter the mustard and cumin seeds.
3. Saute the onions with the green chillies for 10 minutes until they turn nice golden brown.
4. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute.
5. Add the tomato pieces/puree and let the mixture cook for atleast 10 minutes until the masala gives out oil.
6. Add all the dry masala powders-chilly, corriander-cumin, turmeric powder, garam masala and salt.
7. Add required water and the zucchini pieces. Bring it to a boil and check for seasoning.
8. Add finely chopped cilantro and serve hot with any roti varieties or rice.

Tips

- You can also make a paste of 3 tblsp of grated and fried coconut and add to the gravy. This gives nice thickness and taste to the curry.

- You can also substitute zucchini with other vegetables like ivygourd (tindoora, kovakai) or any dried beans (lima beans, kidney beans, butter beans etc).

Sambhar (Sambhar Varieties)

2009-06-07T14:30:00.006-07:00

Sambhar is a south indian dish made with lentils (usually toor dal) and vegetables and served with rice, idlis or dosa optionally topped with a spoon of ghee.

The variations in sambhar depends on the vegetable/combination of vegetables used. The common types of sambhar that are made are onion sambhar, murungakkai (drumstick) sambhar, mulangi (radish) samhar, manga (raw mango) sambhar, vendakka (ladies finger) sambhar, Potato Sambhar, Masoor Dal Sambhar, Pasi paruppu (Green gram dal) sambhar etc.

Ingredients

Pigeon Peas (Toor dal) - 3/4 cup (You can also use masoor dal or green gram dal or a combination of dals)
Vegetables (any choice of a single/mixed vegetables) - 1 cup
(The choice of vegetables can include brinjal, potato, radish, drumstick, spinach, shallot onions, tomato, raw mango, carrot, zucchini, yellowsquash, lima beans, pumpkin, yam, taroroot, okra, knolkhol etc)
Shallot Onions - 8- 10 (or 1 onion chopped)
Green Chilly - 1 or 2
Tomatoes - 1
Tamarind Juice - 1 1/2 tblsp
Sambhar powder (store bought or home made) - 1 tblsp (you can increase to your taste)
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 5-7 seeds
Dry red Chillies - 2
Curry leaves - 2 strands
Cilantro - for garnish

Method
1. Boil the toor dal with the tomato, 2.5 cups of water and optionally 2 cloves of garlic. You can cook it using the pressure cooke for 3 whistles. Alternatively cook it in a normal vessel till it is a bit overcooked and is almost mashed up.
2. After the pressure is released, mash the dal using the back of a spoon or with hand .
3. Heat oil in a deep vessel and splutter the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dry red chillies, curry leaves and asafoetida.
4. Saute the onions and green chillies.
5. Add the veggies to this and cook it till the veggies are soft with enough water.
(Alternatively you can cook the vegetables using a microwave and add it. You can also cook the vaggies along with the dal in the cooker itself. If you have a double decker pressure cooker container, you can cook the dal in one and the veggies in the other.)
6. After the veggies are cooked, add the tamarind juice, salt, sambhar powder and the

mashed dal.
7. Add enough water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the flame and simmer for 20 minutes for the flavours to blend. A nice aroma of sambhar will be filled throughout the house.
8. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and switch off.
9. Serve with rice, idli and dosa varieties. You can add a tsp of ghee on the sambhar while serving to enhance the flavour.

Click to see Udipi Sambhar Recipe

Tips
- You can add little coconut milk while cooking the sambhar for a nice taste.
- You can try making sambhar with masoor dal, green gram dal too.
- You can also skip the tamarind and add 2-3 additional tomatoes to make sambhar. Usually this is done for making idli sambhar.
- You can add a spoonful of sugar or jaggery to the sambhar too.

Aanam (Coconut Curry, Verum Curry)

2009-06-07T14:30:00.005-07:00

Ingredients
Coconut- 3 tblsp
Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric pwd - 1/2 tsp
Shallots - 3 or 4
Green chilly - 2
Curry leaves - 1 stem
Tamarind water - little (1/4 cup)

Water - 1 1/2 cup (or as needed)

For seasoning

Oil - 2tsp
Musturd -1/2tsp
Red chilly - 2cnt
Curry leaves - 1stem
Shallot - 1 cnt (finely chopped)

Method
1.Grind the first 3 ingredients (coconut, chilly powder and turmeric powder) very well to form a smooth paste.
2. Atlast put the shallots, curryleaves and green chillies and grind slightly.

3. Remove the ground mixture in a vessel and add the tamarid water and water to it. This is the aanam mix.
4. In a pan put oil and temper the seasoning ingredients. The shallot should turn dark brown.
5.Then add the aanam mix to this and heat it but don't boil it.

6. Serve with rice, aviyal and fish fry.

Tips

- You can also add a few fenugreek seeds while tempering for an added flavour.

- Some people do not add turmeric powder in which case the gravy will be orange in colour.

Coconut Theeyal

2009-06-07T14:30:00.003-07:00

Ingredients
Coconut (grated) - 1 big
Small onion - 10 nos
green chillies - 2
garlic (optional) - 4
curry leaf - 2 strings
musturd seeds - 1tsp
tamarind paste - 3 tblsp

Method
1. Fry the grated coconut in a pan till it becomes golden brown. keep it aside to cool
2. On another pan pour 3tblsp of oil and put the mustard seeds.
3. Put the small onions.
4. Meantime grind the roasted coconut into fine paste without adding water.
5. Put that paste with the sauteed onion.
6. Pour water and make it boil. Simmer the flame and add tamarind paste.
7. Let it cook till oil floats on top.

Tips
Instead of onions u can add drumstick, prawn, brinjal, okra, zucchini, lotus root or any veggies.

Shahi Paneer (Almond/ Cashew paneer)

2009-06-07T14:30:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Paneer (cubed) – 2 cups (homemade/store bought fresh/fried)
Cashew/ Almond – 1 cup
Onion – 1 (finely copped)
Ginger garlic green chilly paste - 2 tblsp
Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Garam Masala – 1 tsp
Pepper powder (preferably white pepper) - 2 tsp (or to taste)
Black Cumin seeds (Shahi Jeera) - 1 tsp
Yogurt - 1 cup
Milk- 1 cup
Salt – to taste
Sugar - a pinch
Oil – 2 tblsp
Cilantro – for garnish

Method

1. Soak the almonds/cashews in milk for 10-15 min and grind it in a blender to form a smooth paste.
2. Heat oil in a pan, splutter cumin seeds and fry the onions until they start to sweat.
3. Add ginger-garlic-green chilly paste and cook till the raw smell vanishes.
4. Add the yogurt along with cumin powder, corriander powder and garam masala to this and cook for a minute.
5. Next add the cashew and milk paste. Add water as needed and bring it to a boil. (Add more water than needed as the gravy thickens considerably.)
6. Add salt, sugar and pepper powder to the gravy and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes for the cashew/almond to be cooked nicely.
7. Add the paneer cubes to the gravy and cook for another 5 minutes.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro or with tosted cashews/almonds and serve with pulav/naan.

Tips

- Chicken/ Fish can be used instead of paneer for the non veg version of the gravy.
- You can also use tomatoes and chilly powder instead of yogurt and pepper. The colour of the gravy will change to orange red in that case.

Punjabi Kadhi

2009-06-07T14:29:00.005-07:00

Ingredients

For pakoras

Besan(gram flour) - 1 cup
Onions -2(chopped)
Potato - 1(chopped)
chili powder - 1 tsp .
salt - to taste

For kadhi
Yoghurt - 1 cup
Besan(Gram flour) - 2 tbsp
Turmeric - 1 tsp
Methi dana(fenugreek seeds) - 1 tsp
Whole red chillies - 2 pieces
Salt - to taste

PakorasPakorasPakora Kadhi
Method

1. Mix all pakora ingredients along with little water and make small pakoras of those and deep fry. Keep aside.
2. In a bowl mix yoghurt, besan, turmeric and salt and mix well. Make sure there are no lumps left behind. Add 3-4 cups of water to retain the consistency
3. Heat oil in a kadhai and add methi dana(fenugreek seeds), red chillies and fry well. Now add the yoghurt mixture and bring it to a oil. Stir occasionally during the process.
4. Once the kadhi starts to boil add the pakoras and bring it to a boil stirring in the process ensuring the pakoras don't break.
5. Serve punjabi kadhi with fried/roasted papad, punjabi pickle and steamed or jeera rice

Mor Kulambu

2009-06-07T14:29:00.003-07:00

Buttermilk curry (mor kulambu) is a traditional savory dish made in southern part of india. It is usually served with rice and some spicy side dish. It goes very well with fish fry. The different variations of mor kulambu are plain mor kulambu (made without any vegetables) or mor kulambu with veggies. The veggies that are traditionally used are okra, pumpkin and cucumber. Other veggies like squash varieties(zuccini, yellow, acorn, butternut), cabbage or cauliflower can also be used instead.
The following is the recipe of okra mor curry. It is a very quick and simple recipe and is delicious with rice for a hot summer day.

Ingredients
Batch I
Rice - 1 tsp
Toor dal - 2tsp
ginger - very small pc
G.chilli - 4 cnt (as per ur taste)
Cilantro - 2 strands
Cumin seeds -1/2 tsp
coconut - 2 tsp (grated)
Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Batch II
Curd - 1 cup
Lime juice - as per need if curd is not sour enough.
musturd seeds - 1tsp
curry leave - 1 strand
Dry red chilli - 2 cnt
Tomato - 1/4 (optional)
okra - 6 to 8 cnt

Oil - for tempering

Salt - to taste

Method
1. Grind the ingredients from batch I very well.
2. Now add the curd and grind it for about a min.
3. In a pan put oil for seasoning, put mustard seeds, curryleaves and dry red Chilly.
4. Then add tomato if needed.
5. Now add okra and fry it 3 min and add water and let it cook.
6. Once the okra is cooked add the curd mixture, add required salt and allow is to get warm.
7. Take the pan off the stove before boiling to prevent the curd from curdling.
8. It's yummy with rice, fried and spicy veggies.

Malai Kofta

2009-06-07T14:29:00.001-07:00

Malai Kofta is a vegetarian delicasy that goes very well with naan and pulav. It is a vegetarian version of meatballs. In this small balls made out of grated vegetables(koftas) are fried/baked and dipped in a creamy rich sauce. It is an all time favorite in any indian restaurant. The non veg version of the same can be made by substituting the vegetable balls with meat balls which can be called meatball malai kofta.

Ingredients
To make Kofta
Potatos- 2 (Boiled and Mashed)
Vegetables (Carrots, Beans, Cauliflower, green peas, sweet corn etc) - 1 1/2 cup (Cooked)
Grated paneer/ cheese - 1 cup
Bread slice - 1 (Soaked in water )
Bread crumbs - 1/2 packet or as needed
Chilli Powder -1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp or as needed
Oil -for frying
Green Chilli - 1 (Cut into small pieces)

For Gravy
Onions - 2 or 3 (pureed)
Tomatoes - 4 or 5 (pureed)
Ginger Garlic green chilly paste - 2 tblsp

Cashews - 4-5 (powdered)
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Corriander, Cumin powder - 2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp

Butter - 1 tbsp
Thick Cream - 3/4 cup
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - for garnish

Preparation Steps
1.Cook Potatoes in cooker, grate or mash it and keep aside.
2.Grate/ Shred the veggies, boil it, drain the excess water and keep aside.

(Squeeze the veggies nicely to get rid of any water. This is very important otherwise the balls will break while frying. A simpler way is to microwave the veggies without water for 7-8 minutes)
3.Blend the onions and tomatoes seperately and keep aside
4.Soak one bread slice in 1/4 cup of water, squeeze it and shred it.
5.Grind Ginger garlic along with green chilli for both gravy and koftas

malai kofta garnished with heavy creamkofta ballsmalai kofta garnished with cheddar cheesemalai kofta garnished with heavy cream
Method

To make Kofta
1.Take a mixing bowl and mix the boiled and grated potatoes, veggies, bread slice and paneer. (Squeeze the veggies nicely to get rid of any water. This is very important otherwise the balls will break while frying.)
2.Add chilli powder, garam masala, salt and green chillies.
3.Add some bread crumbs to the mixture if it is moist. Koftas will break off while frying if it is moist.

(Tip :- Add some cooked rice while making balls. This will make solid balls and prevent them from braking easily.)
4.Make kofta balls and roll over the bread crumbs. You can even make koftas in oval shape.
5.Fry the balls in oil and put in paper towel.

To make Gravy
1.Heat butter/oil in a pan and saute the blended onions for a while until light brown
2.Add ginger-garlic-green chilly paste and saute it.
3.Add tomato puree and saute until everything is blended and oil oozes out of the gravy.
4.Now add chilli powder, corriander powder, garam masala, salt and saute . .
5.Add water as needed. (Add little corn flour mixed in hot water to the gravy if you want a thicker gravy).
6.Taste and check whether the gravy has enough salt and little sweetish. (Add little sugar if you want it little more sweeter)
7.Next add butter, heavy cream and cashew powder to the gravy. Stir for 3-5 minutes and switch off.
8.Arrange the kofta balls in a flat pan and pour the gravy over it just before serving.
9.Garnish with fresh heavy cream, cheddar cheese or coriander leaves.

Tips
- You can substitute minced meat instead of the veggies to make meatball kofta.
- You can saute the onions and tomatoes before pureeing it too.

Pakoda Kulambu( Dumpling Curry)

2009-06-07T14:28:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

For Pakoda
(Ready made pakodas from shops can be used )
Chick Pea Flour -1 Cup
Onions -1(Cut small lengthwise)
Chilli powder -1 tsp
Pepper Powder - 1tsp
Salt -1 tsp
Water - as needed
Corn flour - 1/2 tsp.

For Kulambu

Batch -1
Onion - 1
Garlic Cloves - 3
Curry leaves - 4 leaves
Red chilly - 3
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Batch-2
Tomato - 2 (diced or crushed)
Tamrind juice - ¼ cup
Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp
Chilly powder - 1 tsp
Corrainder powder- 1 tblsp
Curry leaves - 4
Green chilly - 1
Mustard - ¼ tsp
Oil - 2 tblsp
Fenugreek Seeds - ¼ tsp
Asafoetida powder - ¼ tsp
Salt - to taste
Cilantro/Corriander leaves - for garnish

PakodasPakodasPakoda Kulambu

Method
1. Mix all the ingredients for onion pakoda and add water little by little like bajji consistency.
2. Deep fry the pakodas and put on paper towel.
3. Take a skillet and heat some oil in it. Now fry all the ingredients from batch-1 in Kolumbu.
4. Once the aroma starts coming, remove it from fire and let it cool. After it cools, grind everything together with some water to form a
very fine paste and keep aside.
5. Now take a clay pot or deep vessel, heat some oil, splutter mustard, fenugreek seeds and curry leaves.
6. Now add the tamarind juice,Chilly powder, corriander powder, turmeric powder, tomatoes, salt, asafoetida powder along with the
ground masala and bring it to a boil .
7. When the kolambu is thicker add the Fried Pakodas ,stir it and switch off.
8. Garnish with fresh curry leaves, cilantro and split green chilly and serve hot.

Tips
-Add the Fried Pokodas just 5 minutes before serving not to make soggy.

Vendakkai Pulikulambu

2009-06-07T14:28:00.003-07:00

Ingredients
Okra -1/2 pound cubed
Small onion - handful Sliced
Tomato -1 chopped
Tamarind water- ½ cup
Kuzhambu milagai powder (or sambar powder)-1 1/2 tsp
Garlic Sliced-3-4 pods
Curry leaves-1 string
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Methi seeds- ¼ tsp
Oil-2 tbsp
Turmeric-couple pinches
Salt to taste

Method
1. Warm the kadai with oil and add thalippu (thaduka) with mustard seeds, methi seeds and curry leaves.
2. Add the sliced onion, okra and garlic, sauté it.
3. Add the chopped tomato and sauté it with salt, turmeric and kulambu powder.
4. Add the tamarind water.
5. Let it cook for 10- 15 mins.on medium heat until oil separates.
6. Serve it with steamed rice and appalam.

Tips
- Same recipe can be followed just with pearl onions or with just garlic and peppercorns or with any vathal or with drumstick or with drumstick and brinjal together.
- Can be cooked with couple tablespoons of ground coconut paste also (another variation).

Vegetable Manchurian

2009-06-07T14:28:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Vegetables - 2 cups ( combination of choice of vegetables like cabbage, capsicum, carrot, beans, celery, cauliflower, peas etc finely minced)
Ajinamoto - 1 tsp
Corn flour - 1 tblsp
Boiled potato/rice - 1/ 1cup
Egg - 1
Ginger - 1/2"(minced)
Garlic - 4-5 clove(minced)
Onion - 1(minced)
Chilly sauce - 1 tblsp
Tomato sauce - 2 tblsp
Soya sauce - 3 tblsp
Sesame oil - 2 tblsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste

Vegetable manchurian with fried riceFried vegetable ballsVegetable ManchurianVegetable manchurian with fried rice

Method

1. Chop/ mince the vegetables very finely and boil it. Squeeze out any extra moisture from the vegetables.
2. Add grated boiled potato or cooked rice to this along with corn flour, pinch of ajinomoto, pepper powder, egg and salt.
3. Mix everything together together, make small balls out of it and deep fry the balls. If the balls are moist it will fall apart. Just add little corn flour or bread crumbs to absorb the excess moisture.
4. Keep the fried balls seperately.
5. Heat 2 tblsp of sesame oil in a pan. Add minced onion, ginger and garlic to this and saute for 2 minutes.
6. Add tomato sauce, chilli sauce and soya sauce to this.
7. Add a pinch of ajinomoto, pepper and required salt.
8. For more gravy add vegtable stock/ water as needed.
9. Bring the gravy to a boil.
10. Add the fried balls just before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve with noodles or fried rice.

Pattani Kurma (Green Peas Kurma)

2009-06-07T14:27:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

Dried green peas -1 cup (soaked for 5 hours)
Cinnamon- 1 inch
Cloves-3-4
Onion- 1 chopped
Tomato- 1 chopped
Ginger and garlic paste- 11/2 tblsp

Chili powder - 1 tblsp(or to taste)
Coriander powder -1 tblsp
Fennel seeds (sombu)-1/2 tblsp (powdered)
Coconut milk -1/2 cup (optional)
Potato -1 peeled and cubed.
Oil for Cooking
Turmeric-1/4 tsp
Cilantro –1 handful Chopped

Method

1. Pressure cook the soaked green peas and cook it for 10 min on high
2. Heat the kadai add oil to it.
3. Add the cinnamon stick and the cloves, sauté it with onion until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Add tomato together with GG paste, chili powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder.
5. Add the cubed potato and sauté it and cover it with a lid along with little water.
6. When the potato is ¾ cooked add the cooked peas and let it boil for few minutes.
7. Add the sombu powder
8. Add coconut milk and let it cook on low flame for couple minutes
9. Serve it with Chapatti or Rice.

Tips

It tastes different than the frozen peas.

Cauliflower Curry

2009-06-07T14:27:00.003-07:00

Ingredients
Cauliflower - 1 (seperated into florets)

Green Peas - 1 cup (optional)
Onion - 2 (sliced lengthwise)
Green Chilly - 2
Tomato - 2-3 (finely chopped or pureed)
Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Corriander Powder - 1 tblsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4
Chilly Powder - 1 tsp
Whole garam masala - (1 cinnamon, 2-3 cloves, 1 star anise, 3 cardomon, fennel seeds)
Coconut milk - 1 cup
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tblsp
Curry leaves - 5
Cilantro - for garnish

Method
1. Separate the cauliflower into florets and soak in boiling salted water for 5 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan, splutter some cumin seeds, whole garam masala and curry leaves.
3. Fry the onions and green chilly till it turns golden brown. Saute the ginger garlic paste for another minute.
4. Add the tomato puree and cook it for few minutes. Add the dry masala powders i.e chilly powder, corriander powder, turmeric powder and salt.
5. Add the coconut milk to this along with required water.
6. Add the cauliflower florets and green peas. Let the gravy simmer till the oil separates.
7. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Sprouts Curry

2009-06-07T14:27:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Green gram dal sprouts - 1 cup
Onion - 1
Garlic - 2 cloves
Tomato - 2
Chilly powder - 2 tsp
Corriander powder - 2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Coconut milk - 1/4 cup
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 tblsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - 6-7
Cilantro - for garnish

Method
1. Heat oil in a pan, splatter the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
2. Add the onions and garlic and saute it till the onions sweat.
3. Add the sprouts and fry it for 2 minutes.
4. Make a puree of the tomato and add it at this stage along with chilly powder,
corriander powder, turmeric powder and salt.
5. Let this cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomato paste and the masala is
nicely cooked. Sprinkle few drops of water to avoid the masala from sticking to the
vessel.
6. Add the coconut milk and required water and let it simmer for 5- 10 minutes.
7. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or roti.

Tips
- Health conscious people can skip the coconut milk.
- Small onions taste better than big onions.

Methi Lauki Dal (Fenugreek bottlegaurd dal)

2009-06-07T14:26:00.004-07:00

2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ingredients

Fenugreek Leaves (Methi) - 1 bunch
Bottlegaurd (Lauki) - 1 cup (cubed)
Toor dal - 2 cups
Onion - 1 (chopped)
Tomato - 1 (chopped)
Garlic - 1 clove
Green Chilly - 1 (minced)
Tamarind paste - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil/Ghee - 1 tblsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 5-6
Dry red chillies - 2-3

Method

1. In a pressure cooker, take toor dal, methi leaves, lauki(bottlegaurd) pieces, onion,
tomato, garlic, green chilly, tamarind paste, salt and turmeric powder.
2. Add a glass of water and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles.
3. Once it is cooked, mash the dal using the back of the spoon.
4. Take another pan, heat some oil/ ghee and splutter the mustard seeds, cumin seeds,
dry red chillies and curry leaves.
5. Add this to the cooked and mashed dal. Serve hot with rice or roti.

Tips

- This recipe yeilds a thick dal. If you want a gravy consistency add little more
water.

Biriyani Brinjal

2009-06-07T14:26:00.003-07:00

Ingredients
Brinjal - 5
Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Green chilly - 1 (minced)

Sesame seeds - 1/2 cup
Peanuts - 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup (You can add this as per your taste. Generally Sounth indians use more of coconut and less of peanuts whereas north indians use more peanuts than coconut)

Coconut - 1 cup

Whole garam masala(cinnamon stick - 1, cloves -3-4 , Cardomon -3, bay leaf - 1)
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Corriander powder - 1 tblsp
Chilly powder - 1/2 tblsp
Oil - 2 tblsp
Tamarind juice - 1/2 cup (pulp -2-3 tblsp)

Method
1. Dry roast the peanuts, sesame seeds and grated coconut separately until it all turns brown and gives out a nice aroma. After it cools, grind it into a course powder and keep aside.
2. Make deep slits in the brinjal but dont cut through. Fry this in oil and keep aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add some whole garam masala and cumin seeds. Fry onions, green chilly and ginger garlic paste.
4. Add the ground coarse powder along with dry masalas like chilly powder and corriander powder. Add few drops of water to prevent the masala from getting burnt.
5. After the masala is nicely cooked, add the tamarind juice and cook for 10- 15 minutes until the oil oozes out.
6. Next add the fried brinjals to the gravy and simmer for few minutes. This gravy goes very well with biriyani and even with roti and plain rice.

Variations

- The other vegetables that can be used instead of brinjal in the same gravy are green chillies, zucchini, cherry tomato etc.

Rasam

2009-06-07T14:26:00.001-07:00

Rasam is a south indian curry/soup usually had with rice. It is made with tamarind, tomatoes, pepper, cumin, garlic, lentils etc. It is called saaru or chaaru in telugu and kannada. In the traditional 3 course south indian meal, it is usually had as a second course with sambhar being the first course and curd being the grand finale.

There are many different types of rasam based on the ingredients used. But the basic recipe remains the same, the recipe that is given below. The additional ingredient is added to the basic rasam to enhance and change its flavour. Some of the variations of rasam that I am familiar with are :- Poodu (garlic) Rasam, Pineapple rasam, Milagu (Pepper) rasam/ Milagu Saaru, Neem leaf rasam, Ginger rasam, Lemon Rasam - sourness comes from lemon juice instead of tamarind juice, Paruppu Rasam/ Pappu Saaru - made with lentils, Chettinadu Kozhi (Chicken) Saaru/ Rasam - made with chicken broth/stock instead of water, Tomato Rasam/ Saaru - with tomato puree as main ingredient, Mysore Rasam - a fragrant soup made with fried grams/dals, Jeerige saaru - made with cumin, Coconut Rasam, Carrot Rasam - Boiled and Crused carrot is added to the rasam, Beetroot Rasam - Boiled and crushed beetroot is added to the rasam etc.

Ingredients
Tamrind - lemon sized
Tomato - 2 (finely chopped or crushed)
Garlic - 3-4 cloves
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Water - 3 cups
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tblsp
Dry red chilly - 1
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 7 leaves
Asafoetida powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves (cilantro) – handful (chopped)

Rasam Powder ingredients
Black Pepper - 2 tblsp
Corriander Seeds - 2 tsp
Toor Dal - 3 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp
Red Chilly - 2

Method
1. Dry roast and grind everything under ‘rasam powder ingredients’ very coarsely. This is the Rasam powder.
2. Soak the tamarind in warm water for 5 minutes to get tamarind juice.
3. Heat little oil in a pan, add the garlic and tomatoes. Let the tomatoes cook for while, until they become soft and juicy.
4. Now add tamarind juice, rasam powder, turmeric, salt, cilantro and water.
5.Bring it to a boil then reduce the flame and let it simmer for another 10- 15 minutes.
6. In the meanwhile, heat oil in pan, add dry red chilly, mustard seeds, cumin seeds , curry leaves and asafoetida powder.
7. Once it splutters add it to the rasam. Garnish with some fresh chopped cilantro. Tasty rasam is ready to serve. Plain rice with rasam and paapad is an excellent combination.

Channa Masala

2009-06-07T14:25:00.006-07:00

Ingredients
chik peas(channa) - 2 cups
onions - 2 small/ 1 large (finely chopped/ pureed)
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tblsp
Tomatoes - 2 medium (pureed)
cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Whole Garam Masala - (bay leaf - 1, cinnamon sticks – 2, Cloves - 2)
chilly powder - 1 tblsp (or to taste)
coriander powder – 1 tsp
Cumin powder – 1 tsp

Kasoori Methi - 1 tsp (optional)
Amchur Powder(dry mango powder) – 1 tsp
turmeric - 1/4 tsp
salt - to taste
Oil - 2Tblsp
cilantro - for garnish

Method
1. Soak the chik peas for 5-6 hours or overnight. Drain the soaking water.
2. Pressure cook the chik peas until they are tender (app. 2 cooker whistles). Overcooking will make it mushy.
3. Heat oil in a vessel over medium heat. Temper cumin seeds, bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon.
4. Saute onions, stirring frequently, until they are translucent.
5. Add ginger- garlic paste, and saute until the raw smell vanishes.
6. Add the tomato puree, chilly powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, kasoori methi, amchur powder, turmeric powder and salt and saute until a thick paste is formed.
7. Now add the chik peas along with the water in which it was cooked and let it simmer for 7 minutes. (Water can be added as per the requirement).
8. Garnish with cilantro and finely chopped onions. Serve with chappattis or bread.

Tips
- A Tblsp of lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of chaat masala can be added at the end to enhance the flavour.
- Store bought channa masala can be added instead of the dry ingrediants which will be equally flavourful.

- Add a tea bag along with the chikpeas while pressure cooking it. This will give a nice dark colour to the channa masala.

Red Kidney Beans Curry (Rajma)

2009-06-07T14:25:00.005-07:00

Ingredients

Red Kidney beans (Rajma) - 1 cup
Onion - 1(finely minced)
Tomato - 2 (crushed or pureed)
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp
Green chili - 1
Turmeric - ¼ tsp
Chilly powder - ½ tsp
Coriander /dhania powder - 1 tsp
Channa masala/ Garam Masala - ¼ tsp
Salt - to taste
Ghee - ¼ tsp
Oil - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - ¼ tsp
Coriander leaves - for garnishing

Method

1.Soak the kidney beans for atleast 5-6 hours or overnight.
2.Wash the beans and cook them with water and salt until the beans become tender. If pressure
cooker is used the beans should be done in 1-2 whistles. If left longer, the beans will become
mushy.
3.Heat oil in a pan and splutter cumin seeds. Next fry the chopped onions and green chilies until
the onions become translucent.
4.Next add the ginger-garlic paste and fry till the raw smell vanishes.
5.Add the crushed tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes are nicely cooked.
6.Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder, channa masala/ chicken masala powder and
saute for a minute.
7.Now add the cooked kidney beans along with the cooked water.
8.Let the gravy simmer for 10 minutes until everything blends together.
9.Garnish with coriander leaves and add the ghee on top. This goes very well with jeera rice, white rice and roti varieties.

Lima Beans Curry

2009-06-07T14:25:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

Baby Lima beans - 1 cup
Onion - 1(finely minced)
Tomato - 2 (crushed or pureed)
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp
Green chili - 1
Turmeric - ¼ tsp
Chilly powder - ½ tsp
Coriander /dhania powder - 1 tsp
Channa masala/ Chicken Masala - ¼ tsp
Salt - to taste
Ghee - ¼ tsp
Oil - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - ¼ tsp
Coriander leaves - for garnishing

Method

1.Soak lima beans for atleast 5-6 hours or overnight. Baby lima beans tastes better than big ones.
2.Wash the beans and cook them with water and salt until the beans become tender. If pressure cooker is used the beans should be done in 1-2 whistles. If left longer, the beans will become mushy.
3.Heat oil in a pan and splutter cumin seeds. Next fry the chopped onions and green chilies until the onions become translucent.
4.Next add the ginger-garlic paste and fry till the raw smell vanishes.
5.Add the crushed tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes till everything blends and forms a nice masala.
6.Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder, channa masala/ chicken masala powder and saute for a minute.
7.Now add the cooked lima beans along with the water in which the beans was cooked.
8.Let the gravy simmer for 5-10 minutes until everything blends together.
9.Garnish with coriander leaves and add the ghee on top.

Tips

- To add a south indian touch to the gravy, fry some grated coconut, grind it into a fine paste with some water and add along with tomatoes.

Mustard Greens Dal

2009-06-07T14:25:00.001-07:00

Green gram dal is a very mild dal which goes well with pretty much any vegatables or greens. This dal is used a lot in kerala food and hence in kanyakumari food which happens to be my native. Ofcourse any other dal can be used but the taste varies. This dal is my favorite and it goes well with plain rice or chappatti. The following recipe can be used with any other greens to get Spinach Dal, Collard Greens Dal, Turnip greens Dal, Methi dal, Radish greens dal, swiss chard dal, kale dal, methi dal (vendaya keerai) etc. I've tried with most of the greens and it all tastes good.

Ingredients
Mustard greens - 1 bunch (finely chopped)
Green gram (Moong) Dal - 1 cup
Onion - 1(finely diced)
Garlic - 2 cloves (finely minced)
Tomato - 1/2 (finely diced)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida powder - 1/4 tsp
Mustard - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp

Dry red chilly - 2
Curry leaves - 5 leaves
Salt - to taste
Oil - 4 tsp
Grated coconut - 2 tblsp

Method
1.Heat oil in a deep sauce pan and splutter mustard, dry red chillies and curry leaves.
2.Fry the onions and garlic until they begin to sweat.
3.Now add the green gram(moong) dal,chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, asafoetida powder, little salt and water.Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
4.In the meantime grind the grated coconut and cumin seeds to form a coarse paste and keep aside.
5.When the dal is half cooked, add the chopped mustard greens and cook for another 15 minutes or until the leaf becomes tender. Add more water as needed.
6.At this stage add the coconut paste, mix everything together and switch off.

Tips
- Adding coconut paste is optional as the curry tastes yummy even without the coconut. It just gives a south indian touch to the curry.

Yellow Squash Curry

2009-06-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

'Yellow Squash' is a vegetable which I first saw after coming to the US. i was very much attracted by its beautiful colour. This can be has raw in raitas or salad. This recipe is an indian touch given to the veggie and beleive me it works excellent. The same recipe can be used to make many other curries by substituting different veggies for yellow squash e.g with Zucchini to get Zucchini Curry and Bottleguard to get bottleguard curry. This goes very well with rice and roti.

Ingredients

Yellow Squash - 1 (cubed)
Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
Green chilly - 1 (minced)
Tomato -1 (chopped)
Ginger garlic paste- 1tsp
Chilly powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/4tsp
Coconut milk - 1/4 cup
Salt - to taste
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves -5 leaves
Cilantro - for garnish
Oil - 2 tblsp

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan, splutter mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves.
2. Add chopped onion and green chilly and saute nicely, followed by ginger garlic paste.
3. Add chopped tomatoes and sate till everything forms a gravy.
4. Now add the yellow squash and fry along with turmeric powder,chilly powder, corriander powder, chicken masala and salt. Cover and cook till the squash is cooked adding little water as needed.
5. Add coconut milk and let the gravy simmer for few minutes.
6. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Idli Podi (Kaaram Podi)

2009-06-06T21:41:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

Chana Dal - 1 cup
Urad dal - 3/4 cup

Dry red chilly - 5-10(as per your spice level)
Corriander seeds - 1tblsp
Oil - 1 tblsp (optional)
Asafoetida - a pinch
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 1-2 strands
Fenugreek seeds - 5-8 seeds
Salt - as needed

Optional Ingredients

Tamarind - marble size
Garlic Cloves - 2 cloves
Sesame seeds - 1 tsp
Peppercorns - 1/2 tsp

Method
1.Toast the ingredients in 1 tblsp of oil in a very low flame for 10-15 minutes until each ingredient is nicely rosted. Keep stirring constantly to prevent it from getting burnt.
Note :- Add the ingredients in the floowing order while roasting - Chana Dal, Urad dal, corriander seeds, all the other ingredients. This will prevent the lighter ingredients from getting burnt before the chana dall gets roasted.
2. Roasting on stove top needs a little patience. Alternatively, you can spread out the ingredients on a cookie sheet and roast it in the oven preheated to 150 degrees for 20 minutes.
3. After every ingredient becomes golden brown and is completely cooked, remove it and let it cool for some time.
4. After it cools, add required salt and powder it nicely using a blender.
5. Serve idli powder by mixing with a spoon of sugar or mixing with coconut/sesame oil. It can be had with idlis, rice and used to make podi dosai too.

Jalebi

2009-06-06T21:41:00.001-07:00

Ingredients (Makes approx 25 jalebis)
For Batter
All Purpose Flour - 1/2 cup
Gram Flour (Besan) - 1 tsp
Yeast - 1/2 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Cardomom Powder - 1/4 tsp
Warm Water - 1/3 cup (or as required)
Oil - to make dough

For Syrup
Sugar - 1 cup
Water - 1/2 cup
Cardomom Powder - 1/4 tsp
Saffron - 1/4 tsp
Lemon Juice (optional) - 1/2 tsp (I add it since I like them to be with a little sour taste)

Method
To make the batter
1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water, mix well and let it stay for 10 mins.
2. Mix all the remaining ingredients to the yeast mixture and knead well with hand enough to make a ball and ensuring no lumps are left behind.
3. Keep this aside to ferment in a warm place (I place it in the oven) for around 2 hours.

To make the syrup
1. Boil everything together on medium heat.
2. Keep stiring continuously so that sugar dissolves well and doesn't settle at the bottom.

To make jalebis
1. Heat oil in a frying pan. Fill the batter in a ketchup bottle. (You can also use piping bag with a nozzle)
2. Squeeze the batter out of the ketchup bottle in the hot oil in a shape of a jalebi.
3. Fry the Jalebis until golden-brown on both sides.
4. Transfer immediately into the warm syrup and let them soak for around a minute to a minute and half.

Tips
- I prefer Jalebis thin and crispy, they can alternatively be made thick. Jalebis should preferably be served hot.
- If you like your jalebis to be orange in color, you can add orange yellow color to the batter.

Pazham Pori

2009-06-06T21:40:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

Banana - 2
All Purpose flour(Maida) - 1 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1/4 cup (or as needed)

Salt - a pinch

Yellow Food Colour/ Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Water - to make batter (you could use milk instead to make it more rich)

Optional Ingredients

Grated Coconut - 1/4 cup

Method
1.Mix maida, coconut (if needed), salt, sugar and yellow food colour with enough water to form a paste. It should be in the consistency of bonda mix.
2. Cut banana into small slices.
3. In the meantime, heat oil in a kadai for deep frying.

4. Dip the pieces in the thick batter mix and deep fry it in oil.
4. Enjoy as a sweet snack.

Mixture (South Indian Mixture)

2009-06-06T21:40:00.003-07:00

Mixture is a spicy Indian Snack which has different variations in different states. It has different names like chivda, bombay mix, Gujarathi mix, chanachur, Punjabi mix, bhujia or even just as 'mixture'. As the name indicates, it is a spicy mixture of different ingredients like sev, fried curry leaves, boondi, fried onions, fried garlic, fried poha (flaked rice), chikpeas, dalia etc. There is no fixed recipe and different ingredients can be assembled and flavoured based on individual taste. The recipe given below is that of a South Indian 'mixture' but feel free to add or change the ingredients based on the availability and individual taste.

Ingredients
Omapodi (Sev) - 2 cups
Boondi - 2 cups
Banana Chips - 1/4 cup
Roasted Peanuts - 2 tblsp
Dalia (Pottukadalai) - 2 tblsp
Curry Leaves - 2 strands
Garlic - 1 whole
Chilly Powder - 1 tsp

Optional
Aval(roasted) - 1/2 cup
Roasted Green Peas - 2 tblsp
Roasted Cashews - 2-3 tblsp
Raisins - 2 tblsp

Method
1. In a big mixing bowl, add the bhoondhi, omapodi (sev), banana chips, roasted peanuts and dalia.
2. Heat oil in a small pan and fry the curry leaves. Remove it out and add it to the mixing bowl.
3. Crush the garlic cloves using a mortar and pastle and fry it in the same oil.
4. Add this fried garlic also to the mixing bowl.
5. Add some chilly powder and toss everything together.
6. You can store this in airtight box for more than a month. Serve with evening tea or as a sidedish for rasam rice or curd rice.

Boondhi

2009-06-06T21:40:00.001-07:00

Boondhi is an Indian Snack made with tiny little gram flour batter droplets fried in hot oil. There are 2 types of boondhi - kaara boondhi (spicy boondi) and sweet boondhi. Boondhi can be had as a stand alone snack or can be used for making other sweets, chaats and snacks.

Ingredients
Besan (Chikpea flour/Gram Flour/Kadala Maavu) - 1 cups
Water - to make a thin batter (app. 3/4 cup)
Turmeric Powder/ Yellow food colour - a pinch
Asafoetida - a pinch
Oil - for deep frying

For Spicy Boondi
Salt - as needed
Chilly Powder - as needed

For sweet Boondi
Water - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup

Method
1. Mix the besan, asafoetida and turmeric powder together.
2. Add water slowly while mixing continuously to avoid forming lumps.
3. Mix in enough water so that the final batter will be a thiner and smooth than bajji batter. The batter should be of the consistency to coat the back of a spoon evenly.
4. In the meantime heat oil in a kadai for deep frying.
5. Hold a perforated spoon (spoon with small round holes usually used for draining oil) few inches above the hot oil.
6. Using another spoon, pour some batter over the perforated spoon.
7. Spread the batter so that batter passes through the perforations and falls as batter drops into the hot oil. Gently tap the spoon to help the droplets to fall.
8. One sppon of batter would make enough boondis to cover the entire surface of the hot oil in the kadai. Do not put more than that and over crowd.
9. Once the vigorous bubbling of the oil stops, thats an indication that the boondis are done.
10. Remove them from the hot oil using another perforated spoon and put them on a paper towel to drain the excess oil.
11. Store in airtight container for more than a month.
This is the basic bhoondhi that can be used for chaats, for making bhoondhi raita and sweet bhoondhi.

For Spicy boondi

- Just add a tsp of chilly powder and enough salt to the boondi batter. This type of bhoondhis can be had as an evening snack or to make spicy mixture.

For sweet boondi
- Make a sugar syrup by boiling 1 cup of water with 1/2 cup of sugar and soak the bhoondhis for few minutes till all the syrup is absorbed by the boondis and it becomes soft. Drain any excess syrup if present.
- This type of boondi can be had as a festival sweet, used as a topping for payasam (especially semiya payasam/kheer) or used to make bhoondhi ladoos.