Aadi Perukku

 

Aadi  Perukku Festival

The traditional Tamil calendar is one long pageant of a colorful mosaic of festivals. These festivals are an expression of the joyous spirit of celebration.

Adiperukku is a Tamil festival celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Adi (july 15-August 15). Adiperukku, otherwise called Pathinettam perukku. 

The newly-married couple goes to their in-laws to celebrate Aadi. They also drown the garland which they wore on the day of their marriage and which they kept safely.  On the very day the couple dresses once again as bride and bridegroom. They receive gifts from both parents to commemorate the first Aadi Paddinettaam Perukku Vizha. They also share a common meal with the family.

 The festival is unique in itself because the wife prays not for herself only but also for the longevity and the well-being of her husband.

Special food is prepared on this day and family and friends get together and pray for uninterrupted supply of water and a good harvest.

Happy Aadi Perukku


Chitrannam - Variety of Mixed Rices (Click Here)

Recipes (Click the link)

Coconut Rice

Lemon  Rice

Puliyodarai

Kadambha Satham

Venn Pongal

Raw Mango Rice/Manga Satham

Spicy Tomato Rice

Arisi Paruppu Satham

Dahi Annam/Curd Rice

Sarkarai Pongal

Vadai

Paruppu Vadai

Mysore Bonda

487:Kerala Style Tomato Rasam/ Tomato Sathuamuthu

Rasam plays a vital role in our south-Indian meal. First part it helps in digesting the food easier and next, the spicy masalas helps to cure sore throat.

Tomato rasam recipe is one of the most popular of the south Indian rasam recipes. This is an easy and tasty way of preparing Rasam. Tomato is a main ingredient in this Rasam.  You don’t need cooked lentils for this rasam.

Preparation Time:      5 Minutes

Cooking Time            10 Minutes

Recipe Category :      Sathuamutu / Rasam

Recipe Cuisine   :      Kerala, South Indian

Serves             :        3-4 People

Ingredients

 Medium size Tomatoes          4 nos.

 Grated Ginger                       1 Tsp.

Green Chilies                         2 no. (Silted)

 Cumin seeds                         ½ Tsp.

Tamarind                              Gooseberry size

Turmeric Powder                     ¼ Tsp.

Black Pepper Powder                ½ Tsp.

Chili Powder                             ½ Tsp.

Asafetida powder                      ¼ Tsp.

Salt                                          to Taste.

Curry Leaves                             few

Coriander leaves                        for decoration.

For Seasoning

 Coconut oil                               1 Tsp.

Mustard seeds                           1 Tsp.

Method:

• Wash and chop the tomatoes.
• Soak the tamarind in a cup of water .Extract the juice and discard the pulp of it. Keep aside.
• Heat the oil in kadai, add mustard seeds and its starts splutter add the chopped tomatoes, curry leaves and sauté it.
• Add Turmeric powder and chili powder and sauté for a minute.
• In mean time crush the green chilies, ginger and cumin seeds.
• Add to the tomato mixture and sauté for a minute. Now add coriander leaves, pepper powder, asafetida powder to the tomato mixture.
• Now add the tamarind juice to the tomato mixture. Add salt and boil for few more minutes.
• Remove from the fire, add more coriander leaves, curry leaves and close the vessel.
• Now tomato rasam is ready to serve
• Serve with hot white rice and dry fry vegetables…. 

Note:

•        Don’t let the rasam to boil for long time. Just the frothy texture is good enough for making a perfect rasam.

Express Tomato Sambhar

Tomato  sambhar is an unique variation to the lentil based traditional Sambhar recipe. This thakkali or tomato Sambhar has the tomato puree seasoned with mustard seeds, chilies and curry leaves and is best paired with steamed rice and idly/dosa.. I am sure you will like it. 

 Ingredients

  Ripe Tomato (Medium)               6 nos

  Toor Dal –                                  ½ cup

  Turmeric powder –                      ½ tsp

  Sambar powder                          2 tbsp

  Carrot (Medium)                        1 no

Salt to taste

 Seasonings 

 Oil                                               2 tsp

 Mustard seeds                             ¼ tsp

 Cumin seeds                               1/4 tsp

  Hing                                           ¼ tsp

 Green chili (small)                       2 (slit)

  Curry leaves – few   

For Garnishing

Ghee  /Coconut Oil                       3 TSP

Lemon juice                                  1 tbsp

                                 

Preparations:

•   Wash the tomatoes and cut into pieces. Grind it finely in the mixer.
•    Cook the Toor dal with turmeric powder and enough water in the cooker. Let it cook up to 3 – 4 whistles. When it cools down mash it well and keeps it aside.
•   Take a kadai, heat the oil, add the ground tomatoes and mix it well. Let it cook until raw smell is gone.
•   Add the chopped carrot, turmeric powder, sambar powder, salt and 2 cups of water. Let it boil until it becomes tender.
• And add the cooked-mashed Toor dal and mix it well. Let it boil for 5 minutes. If the sambhar is thick you can add some more water.
•     For seasoning:  Take a kadai, heat the oil and add mustard seeds. When it splutters, add curry leaves, green chilies and Hing, mix it well. Pour it into the sambhar.
• Garnish it with Ghee and lemon juice.
•  Serve it hot with rice/Idlis/dosas.

Tomato Sambhar

Brown rice Bisi bele bath

  I already previously posted the BBB in my blog. This time I have used brown rice instead of white rice. And I made some changes in these recipes.  I made this recipe as simplest as one and made it very quickly.  Its very healthy and tasty too.Try this one and give your feedback.

Ingredients:

Brown rice                             1 cup

Toor dhal                               ½ cup

 Frozen Mixed vegetables         1 cup (Carrot, lima beans, and peas)

Potato                                   2 no (peeled and cut medium pieces)

Tomato                                  1 no (chopped finely)

Turmeric Powder                     ¼ tsp.

Green chilies                          4 no
Bisi Bela Bath Powder              2 tbsp.

Tamarind   juice                       2 tbsp.

Melted Ghee                            2 tbsp.

Jaggery powder                        1 tsp.

Salt to taste

For Seasoning:

Ghee                                       1 tsp.

Cahewnuts                               4 no

Curry leaves                              few

Dry coconut                               2  tbsp
Green Bell pepper                     1/2 no

Method:

• Mix all ingredients (expect Jaggery) in a pressure cooker and add enough water and cook it till 3-4 whistles.  Lower the heat and cook for 5 minutes.
• Switch off the stove. Let it cool down. After that, take out the rice from pressure cooker and slightly mash it well. Keep aside.
• Heat the pan with ghee and fry the cashews, curry leaves, dry coconut till brown. Keep aside.
• Transfer the cooked rice into pan, add little ghee/oil and Jaggery (if you want more spicy, you can add  more BBB powder, chili powder) and mix well.  Add little water and cook it till boil.
• Now add all fried seasonings and fried bell pepper in it and mix it well.
• Serve hot with raita.

Note: Add more ghee according to your preference.

Tomato Thokku

Tomato Thokku can be called by various names like Thakkali Thokku, tomato pickle or Thakkali Oorugai.There are so many types of Thokku one can make. Among the long list of different Thokku today i have for you one easy and simple Thokku made from tomato. This spicy, tangy tomato-based thokku which can be used as side dish for steamed rice, idli or dosa and chapatti. It is typically prepared with ripped and juicy tomatoes, very similar to mango Thokku recipe.

Prep time:           5 minutes

Cook time:           25 minutes

Cuisine               South Indian

Course               Pickle

Serve                1 Bottle

Ingredients:

Ripe Tomatoes                     500 gms

Fresh Red Chilies                 2 Tablespoon (Finely Chopped)

Sesame Oil                          ¼ Cup

Turmeric Powder                 1 Teaspoon

Kashmiri Red Chili Powder   1 Tablespoon

Red Chili Powder                 1 Tablespoon

Tamarind                            Small Size          

Roasted Fenugreek             1 Tablespoon

Hing Powder                        1 Teaspoon

Salt                                     3 Teaspoon

For Tempering

Mustard seeds                  1/2 Teaspoon

Cumin seeds                      1/2 Teaspoon

Chana dal                          1 Teaspoon

Urdh dal                           1 Teaspoon

Dried red chilies              3 no.

Curry leaves                    1 sprig

Sesame Oil                      1 tablespoon   

 Instructions            

• Wash fresh red chillies thoroughly and pat them dry. Keep them under sunlight for 15 minutes for drying. Take them out and remove all the stalks from the red chillies.
•  Cut the ripe red chilies into small pieces and make them into a coarse paste with 1 teaspoon cumin seeds. Keep aside.
• Wash the tomatoes and chop the tomatoes.  Keep aside.
• Take the tamarind into a grinder jar, grind into a fine paste. Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan, add crushed fresh red chillies, tomatoes and salt, and sauté it, cover and cook it in low flame.
• Now add the tamarind paste in it and sauté it for 5 minutes.
• Let it cool down completely without lid.
• Now add the coarsely ground red chilly paste in it. Mix it well.
• Transfer into mixie jar and allow it to cool. Later blend it coarsely.
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, curry leaves and sauté it.
• Add coarse paste and mix nicely.
• Now Tomato Thokku is ready to serve.
• Keep the Thokku in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator.
• Thokku can be stored for months.
• Please try at your home and share your experience with me.

  

451: Udupi Tomato Rasam/ Udupi Tomato Sathuamuthu

Udupi is a small town in Southern India, which is known for its culinary skills.  In Udupi, lunch is incomplete without the favorite rasam .Udupi Rasam powder is very much different from the usual one we make. The recipe is simple and you can make this really in no time.

Ingredients

Finely chopped Big Tomato         1 no.

Udupi Rasam Powder

Medium chopped Tomato            1 no.

Tamarind                                   Small ball

Turmeric powder                        ½ Tsp.

Udipi Rasam Powder                    2 Tbsp. (See the Link)

Asafetida powder                        1 Tsp

Curry leaves                               Few

Grated Ginger                             1 Tsp.

Jaggery Powder                           1 Tbsp.

Water                                         2 cups

Salt                                            To Taste

Coriander Leaves                         For Garnish   

For  Seasoning

Butter                                         1 Tbs

Mustard Seeds                             1 Tsp

Jeera                                           1 Tsp

                              

Method:

• Soak Tamarind ball in 1/2 cup warm water and extract the juice.
• In a pan add the tamarind water, salt, turmeric powder, chopped tomatoes, Grated Ginger and curry leaves.
•  Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 7 -8 minutes or till the raw smell of tamarind disappears.
• Now add the 1 ½ cup of water and rasam powder. and continue to cook on medium high for another 6-7 minutes.
• Now add Jaggery powder & medium chopped tomatoes, and adjust salt if needed.
• Switch off the flame and add fresh coriander stalks. While the rasam is simmering, prepare the tempering.
• Heat oil or ghee in a small pan, add mustard seeds and jeera.
• Once the mustard starts jumping switch off the heat and mix it to the boiled rasam.
• Place lid and allow resting for a few minutes before serving with warm rice.

Tip:

• You may dry roast the grated coconut  and use it for garnishing. It will give the masala, a nice aroma

Udupi Tomato Rasam

You may like other Udupi Recipes:

Udupi Sambhar                                             

               

Nellikkai ( Gooseberry ) Rasam / Dwadashi Sathuamuthu

Amlas are a classic Indian wonderberry, but is little known outside of Southeast Asia. It is exceptionally tart, astringent, and refreshing. The most common amla recipes include juice, pickle, and as a flavor enhancer in curries and rice-based dishes. Today Dwadashi day, , I decided to try making Sathuamuthu using amla and I was blown away by its taste. 

Prep Time:               10 Minutes

Cooking Time      :    20 Minutes

Recipe Category  :     Rasam, Soup

Cuisine               :    South Indian 

To Serve             :     3-4 People

Ingredients

Frozen Gooseberry /Fresh Amlas  :    6 nos.

Tomatoes(optional)   :                      1 no.

Green Chillies           :                      1 no.

Turmeric powder       :                      ¼ Teaspoon

Mint leaves (optional)                        1 Tablespoon

Asafetida Powder                               1 Teaspoon

Lemon Juice                                      1 Tablespoon

Salt                          :                       To Taste

Coriander Leaves  

         

For the Spice Paste:

Black Pepper          :        1 Tablespoon

Cumin Seeds                   1 Teaspoon

Coriander Seeds              1 Teaspoon

Ginger                            1 inch Slice

Curry Leaves                    Few

For Seasoning:

Ghee     :                        1 Tablespoon

Black Pepper :                 ½ Teaspoon

Cumin Seeds      :            ½ Teaspoon

Broken Red Chillies     :     4 Nos.

Curry Leaves       :            Few    

Method:

• Wash and Cut the Nellikkai into wedges. Discard the seeds.
• Wash the Tomato and  Chop tomato into fine pieces, place in blender with 1 cup water. Tomato juice is ready, keep it aside.

• Take a Blender , add nellikai,1 inch sliced ginger, green chili & Mint leaves. Grind them to a fine paste without adding any water.

• Coarsely grind pepper, cumin, coriander and Keep aside.

• Take a Sauce Pan add Asafetida powder, curry leaves, ground Nellikai paste, tomato juice, water & turmeric. Mix well and bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 8 to 10 minutes.

• Add grounded spice powder and continue to cook on medium high for another 7 -8 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel, add a generous pinch of Hing. Once the Hing is fried, add mustard seeds and as they splutter add black pepper, cumin seed , red chillies and curry leaves.

• Pour the tempering to the simmering Rasam, remove from fire.
• Add the Lemon juice  and mix well.
• Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with a bowl of steamed rice or enjoy as a light and healthy soup.

Note:

• Here I used frozen Gooseberries. ( In USA , we don’t get fresh Amlas). You can use fresh Nellikkai.
• Dwadashi days, I won’t use Mint and Tomatoes.

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.

Masala Kichadi/ Masala Bath

After a long and tiring day, what could rescue you but a bowl of Kichadi. Kichadi is the perfect comfort food for Indians. Easy to make a One Pot Meal. Breakfast, brunch or dinner, Kichadi is the epitome of convenience. Kichadi is usually made with combination of grains and dals , cooked till soft and mushy, just thicker than porridge.

Masala Kichadi/ Masala Bath is sumptuous meal of rice with vegetables and an appetizing dry masala powder made of simple spices. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve it with a  raita or plain curd.

Preparation Time :  10 Minutes

Cooking Time        :  20 Minutes

Soaking Time       :   30 Minutes

Servings               :   4 Nos.

 Ingredients:

Raw Rice                1 Cup

Tovar Dal                1 Tablespoon

Moong Dal              1 Tablespoon   

Tomatoes                2 Nos.

Green Chilies           2 Nos.

Grated Ginger          1 Tablespoon

Turmeric Powder      ½ Teaspoon

Salt                         To Taste

For Dry Masala Powder

Cinnamon sticks         2 nos.

Fennel Seeds              1 Tablespoon

Cloves                        5 nos.          

Green Cardamoms       7 nos.

Chutney Dal                1 Tablespoon

Red Chillies                 2 -3 nos.

Dhania Powder            ½ Teaspoon

Cumin Powder             ¼ Teaspoon

Garam Masala Powder     ½ Teaspoon

Tempering

Oil/ Butter /Ghee              1 Tablespoon

Mustard Seeds                  1 Teaspoon

For Garnishing

Chopped Coriander Leaves

Method:

Wash and soak the rice with dals for 30 minutes. Chop the tomatoes and Green chillies and keep aside.

For Dry Masala Powder:

• Heat a pan on medium heat. Dry roast the cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, red chillies, chutney dal, fennel seeds for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Take the spices out, add Garam masala powder, cumin powder and dhania powder in it. Transfer to blender pot. Blend it into course powder. Keep aside.

For Masala Bhat

• Heat a oil in Pressure cooker, add Mustard seeds and curry leaves, let them splutter.

• Now add the chopped tomatoes, Grated ginger and Green chillies and fry for a minute.
• Drain the rice and dals add into the tomato mix and sauté for minute.
• Add two cups of hot water, Turmeric powder and  Ground Dry masala Powder and salt . Mix it well. Pressure cooker for 5 whistles . Turn off the heat

• Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.  Mix well the Kichadi.
• While serving garnish with dollop of ghee, coriander leaves.
• Serve with Pickle, Curd and Pappad

Note:

• As khichdi cools will become little thick.
• Re heat the Kichadi and eat.
• Add vegetables of your choice like  cauliflower,  tindora or brinjal into kichadi

Enjoy Cooking!.