Pudalangai Kootu / Snake gourd Kootu

       







This kootu is common in every house. This is very yummy and easy Kootu. Check the health benefits of the snake gourd here. http://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/snake-gourd-glory.htm

Ingredients

 Big Pudalangai                                       1no.

Carrot (cut)                                            ¼ cup

Tomato (chopped)                                1no.

Cooked Moong dhal                            ¼  cup

Turmeric powder                                  ¼ tsp.

Salt to taste

GRIND ROUGHLY

Coconut                                                3 tbsp

Jeera                                                     1/4 tsp

Green chilies                                       3 no

Curry leaves                                        1 stem

 SEASONING:

 Coconut oil                                        1 tbsp.

Red chilies                                          2 no

Jeera                                                   1 tsp.

Hing                                                    ¼ tsp.

Method:

• Cook the moong dhal in pressure cooker.  Keep aside.
• Wash and cut the Pudalangai into small pieces. Precook the Pudalangai with carrots in microwave for 3 minutes.
• Take a kadai add the precooked vegetables.  Add a little water and boil it. When vegetables are half cooked add the cooked moong dhal and chopped tomato on it.
• Add turmeric and salt and cook for few more minutes.
• Grind coconut, Jeera, curry leaves and green chilies together roughly. Add to the vegetables and cook for 3 minutes.
• Heat the kadai add oil and fry seasonings. Add to the kootu.
• Garnish with coriander leaves
• Yummy Kootu is ready to be served.

Idiyappam/ String Hoppers/Instant Sevai

Idiyappam / Sevai / Nool Puttu / String Hoppers are a famous south Indian dish which serves as breakfast or dinner . These are so simple and made out of rice flour and water. Very healthy as it is only steamed.This healthy and nutritious Idiyappam in other words is rice noodles which are served with sweet coconut milk & vegetable stew.

Ingredients

Roasted Rice Powder           2 cups.

Salt                                       To Taste

Sugar                                    1 Tsp.

Grated Coconut                     ½ cup

Boiling Water                        1 ¼ - 1 ½ cup  

Coconut Oil                            1 Tsp.

Method:

• Combine salt, sugar, coconut oil and roasted rice flour. Add boiling water gradually and using a wooden spatula mix the dough.
• Add water till the dough comes together and knead well to make soft dough without any lumps. Cover the dough with a wet cloth ( it prevents the dough from drying out).

• Make medium sized balls and keep it aside.
• Take Idiyappam mould and grease inside and fill one portion of dough.
• I use my idli mould & stand to make small Idiyappam. You can use steaming-plates as well for this.
• Sprinkle the grated coconut on these moulds.Press through the mould.

• Put a idli steamer on heat. (You can use pressure cooker for making Idiyappam).
• Pour water, just 1-2 cups would be sufficient for one go. Once the water starts boiling , place the idli stand and steam for 10 minutes in high flame.
• Open the steamer after a while and take out the soft Idiyappam and transfer to the serving plate.
• Enjoy the healthy Idiyappam with vegetable stew.

Note: 

• Rice flour should be “fine and smooth”.
• To Get Authentic taste, use only White Rice flour and fresh coconut.
• Knead the dough very well and make soft ball.
• Use mould with very small holes to have thin noodles.

YAM MASIYAL/ INDIAN STYLE MASHED YAM

India has so many types of yams, ones that we don’t even dream of here. In USA we rarely get good fresh yam. Yesterday I went to QfC to buy a  yam.

The whole yam vs. sweet potato mix-up is both fascinating and frustrating to me. Mostly frustrating. Basically, when shopping in a US grocery store, if it looks like a sweet potato in size and shape, it probably is, even if it is labeled as a yam. I bought this Yam/Sweet potato. Next day I made this Masiyal for lunch.

The word ‘Masiyal’ actually means ‘mashed’. Masiyal is something that is smashed until smooth and velvety, enjoyed with steaming rice.

Preparation    :   5 minutes

Cooking Time     30 Minutes

Cuisine               South Indian

Serves                3-4

Ingredients

Yam Chopped                         1  ½ cups

Moong dhal                            2 Tablespoons

Turmeric Powder                     ¼ Teaspoon

Grated Ginger                         1 Tablespoon

Finely Chopped Green chillies   3nos.

Lime Juice                              2  Tablespoon

Salt                                       To Taste

For Seasoning/Tadka

Coconut Oil                            1 Tablespoon

Mustard Seeds                        ½ Teaspoon

Cumin Seeds                          ½ Teaspoon

Hing/ Asafetida powder            ½ Teaspoon

Curry Leaves                           Few

Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Method:

• Wash and Peel the yam/Sweet Potato. Chop and pressure cook for 1 Whistle. Mashed them well.
• Boil moong dal, mash and keep aside.
• Mix the mashy yam and dal together.
• Heat oil in a pan. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and allow it to splutter, add cumin seeds , Hing and curry leaves. grated ginger and chopped green chillies fry for a minute.
• Add to the yam, dal mash and stir well. Add some lime juice and mix. Allow cooking for a minute  and switch off the flame.
• Serve hot with rice.

Notes:

• The dal is optional, feel free to omit if you would like just plain Yam/Sweet Potato taste
• You can substitute with either tovar dal or masoor dal. 

Pineapple Kesari/Pineapple Sheera/Pineapple Kesari Bath

A popular dessert recipe made in South India on auspicious occasions and festivals. This mouthwatering Sweet Dish is cooked with Pineapple, Rava, Sugar, Ghee, saffron and nuts. You will love this delicious melt in mouth Kesari/Sheera with mild pineapple flavor. Here is how to make best pineapple Kesari at home!

Ingredients

Coarse Rava/Semolina           1 Cup 

Chopped Pineapple                 ¾ Cup

Desi Ghee                              ¾-1 Cup

Sugar                                     1 ½ cup – 2 Cups

Boiling Water                         2 ½ cup – 3 Cups

Saffron                                  ¼ Teaspoon

Crushed Cardamom Powder     1 Teaspoon

Warm Milk                               3 Tablespoon

Raisins                                      1 Tablespoon

Cashew nuts                              1 Tablespoon

Kesari Preparation Method:

• Wash the Pineapple and remove the skin and chop it into cubes. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and mix well. Keep aside.
• Add a saffron into the warm milk and mix it well and keep aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons ghee in a thick pan. Add cashews and raisins. Fry till golden. Keep aside.
• In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of ghee, add the Rava and roast it. until the raw smell disappears, you get the nice aroma and Rava turns golden brown. 

• Transfer the roasted Rava to a plate.
• In a mean time boil the water, add the sugar and melt it.

• By this time, Heat pineapple cubes with a little water. The mixture would also begin to boil..
• Pour the sugar syrup to the roasted Rava. Stir quickly and briskly so that lumps are not formed. Add the saffron milk and mix well.

• Simmer on a low flame and add the pineapple and mix well. Allow the Rava to absorb the water.

• Add the ghee and stir well. Takes about 4 to 5 minutes on a low flame. Keep on stirring, so the Rava does not get browned.

• Turn off the heat and add fried raisins and cashews and cardamom powder. Mix it well.

•  Enjoy the Hot pineapple kesaribath.

Notes:

• To get the good tasty Kesari, always use the ripe pineapple.
• Use good desi ghee to make Kesari.
• Pineapple Kesari stays 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat you can microwave or gently reheat on stove top with two teaspoons ghee.
• You can use Tinned Pineapple. Using tinned pineapple
  slices, no need to boil them in water. Just add them directly.
• You can grind the pineapple add to the boiling water.

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Spicy Whole Brown Lentils / Whole Masoor Masala Dhal

Beans and Pulses are naturally low in fat, high in fiber and rich in protein. Lentils are one of the best sources for iron, protein, folic acid and zinc.

Brown lentils are simply whole red lentils. But it will take to cook longer time.

Brown Lentils

Cuisine:          North Indian

Prep Time:      10 Mins  

Cook Time:     25 Mins 

Serves:           4

Ingredients

 Whole Brown Lentils    1 cup, washed                              

Water                          2 – 2 ½ cups

Grated Ginger              1 Tablespoon

Chopped Tomatoes       1 Cup

Beaten curd                 2 Tablespoons

Chopped Coriander       2 Tablespoons for decoration

Salt                             To Taste

Masala Powders:

Turmeric Powder           1 Teaspoon

Red Chili Powder           1/2 Teaspoon

Coriander Powder          1 Teaspoon

Chole Masala Powder      ½ Teaspoon

Amchur/Mango Powder  ½ Teaspoon

Hing  Powder                 ¼ Teaspoon

For Seasoning:

Ghee                            2 Tablespoon

Cumin Seeds                ½ Teaspoon

Method

• Wash and soak the dhal for 10 minutes. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. Keep aside.
• Heat the pan, add oil/Ghee add cumin seeds , let it splutter.,
• Then add the chopped tomatoes, grated ginger .
• Add all masala powders expect Chenna masala powder, mix well and sauté for a minute .
• Cook until tomato gets mashed and oil floats on top, add cooked dal.
• Add enough water to cover the dal and bring it to boil.  Add salt and beaten curd .
• Cook it in  low flame (depending on how mushy you would like your dal to be, but make sure your Masoor holds shape and does not become beaten).
• Bring it to a boil, now add Chenna  masala and simmer for 5 minutes in slow flame.  Off flame and let the dal sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
• Now dhal is ready to serve. Garnish the dhal with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with steamed rice or roti/paratha along with achar, papad or a simple stir fry.

Brown Lentils Masala

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Raw Green Tomatoes Chutney

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I am a Big fan of Green tomato chutney. This chutney is easy and simple chutney made with fresh green tomato, coriander leaves and spiced with green chilies. Tomato Chutney,  which serves as a nice combination with rice and  any tiffin items.

Cuisine:          South Indian  Prep Time:    5 Mins           Cook Time:   3 Mins      

Ingredients:

Green Tomatoes            4 no.

Green Chillies                2- 3 nos.

Grated Ginger               1 Tablespoon

Chopped Coriander        ½ cup

Grated coconut              1 Tablespoon.

Coconut Oil                   1 Tablespoon

Cumin seeds                 ¼ Teaspoon

Red chilies                    1 no. 

Hing Powder                 ½ Teaspoon

Salt                             To Taste.

To Seasoning:

 Coconut Oil                 1 Teaspoon

Mustard seeds               1/2 Teaspoon

Method:

• Wash and  cut the tomatoes.

• Heat the Pan add coconut oil and put cumin seeds , hing powder and red chilies,fry them until they are roasted .
• Now add the chopped tomatoes and fry for a minute , add the salt and mix well. Now  cover it and cook until it turns pulpy. It takes 4-5 mins. Cool the mixture slightly.

• Take blunder/Mixie , put green chillies, ginger, and coriander leave . Grind for a second.

• Add cooled tomato mixture and grind it to a coarse paste. I usually do it in whipper mode to get slight coarse and pulpy Chutney.
• Serve with Rice, Dosa , and tiffin items.

Notes:

•       You can store it in refrigerator for 2 days in an air tight container.
•       Add or reduce green chili to your taste.
•        If you find the Chutney very tangy, add a pinch of sugar or Lemon juice while grinding the chutney.

Green Chili Pickle/Hari Mirch Ka Achar

Green Chili Pickle or Hari Mirch Ka Achar is a delicious North Indian style pickle recipe where fresh green chillies are pickled with mustard seeds and lemon juice.

I avoid store bought pickles as they have a high sodium content, so I prefers to make my own pickles and stock different varieties of seasonal and yearly pickles and chutneys.

Making this green chilly pickle is very easy. Use less hot or medium hot green chilies to make the pickle. It pairs really well with Paratha, Thepla, Rice and Roti

Preparation Time       :    15 Minutes

Course                 :    Pickles

Cuisine                 :    North Indian

Serve                  :    Change the number into scale.

Ingredients:

 Long Medium Hot Green Chili              250 gms

Mustard Seeds                                     5 Tablespoon

Coarsely Crushed Fenugreek Seeds     ½ Tablespoon

Coarsely Crushed Fennel Seeds            1 Teaspoon

Asafetida/Hing                                    ¼ Teaspoon

Turmeric Powder                                  ¼ Teaspoon

Salt                                                      ¼ cup

Lemon Juice                                          5 Tablespoon

Mustard Oil                                           5 Tablespoon

Method:

• Wash and wipe dry the green chilies very well. There should be no trace of moisture in them.  wipe them using a cotton cloth.
• Make a slit in the center of each chili using a knife.
• Grind mustard seeds in a blender to make a coarse powder.
• In a small bowl add coarsely grounded mustard, crushed fennel, crushed fenugreek, Hing and salt. Mix well.
• In a clean glass jar, add the green chilies, and mixed all powders and mix well.
• Cover the jar with its lid tightly and keep in the sun for 2 to 3 days.
• After 2 to 3 days, add lemon juice to the pickle.
• Heat 1/2 cup mustard oil in a pan till it starts to fume. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• Pour the oil in the jar so that the pickle is covered with oil.Keep the jar in sunlight for 3-4 days.
• The pickle is now ready to use.
• This pickle can be stored for 3-4 months in a cool and dry place.
• Keep the jar in sunlight every 30 days and keep shaking the pickle after every 30 days.
• Serve with your Curd Rice, Pulao, Chapatti and Paratha.
• Hari Mirch Ka Achar Recipe is surely going to tickle your taste buds. 

Tips for the Pickle:

• Pickles are made with great care, as they are supposed to last a year at least ,so before making any pickles, please remember this below tips.
•        Always ensure best ingredients are chosen, Jars & bottles are washed and sun dried.
•      Always use Crystal salt (called as kalluppu – கல் உப்பு in Tamil)  not table salt. Table salt contains iodine, a chemical that can darken pickles.

•       Only dry spoon has to be used while taking the pickle out from jar.