494: Elai Vadam/ How to Make Elai Vadam

Most of the Indian housewife makes large quantities of vadam and dry it properly and store it and use it even for 1 year.  Such traditions are dying a slow death now in a fast-paced world. Now a days, Supermarkets are stocking vadam and Vathals.

Elai Vadam is a delicious papad/ rice cracker that is very traditional to the south Indian homes. A simple recipe using raw rice,jeera  and salt. “Elai” in Tamil means leaf and since the batter of these vadam gets cooked in a banana leaf it gets its name. But these days, Elai Vadam stand is readily available and the Vadam can be made using that.

Taking full advantage of the bright summer sunshine, getting ready for the preparation of vadam making in full swing the last couple of weeks.

Today I am going to share my favorite recipe from my Amma’s kitchen. I love them and prefer eating them when just steamed. Most of the times, my Mom make only the steamed vadam to eat them just like that. 

Have fun in making this vadam and you will also enjoy making as much as I did.

Recipe Cuisine:       South Indian

Recipe Category:     Snacks/ Vadams

Preparation time:    12 hours (including soaking and fermentation time)

Cooking time:         1 hour

Makes:                   30

Ingredients

Raw Rice                 2 cups

Javvarisi/ Sago        2 Tablespoons (Optional)

Cumin seeds           1 Tablespoons

Salt                        To Taste

Green chilies -         2-3 Nos.

Special equipment needed are:

Banana Leaves/ Elai vadam stand

Pressure cooker/idli cooker/any steamer

A plastic sheet/ Cotton cloth ( to dry the vadam )

Method:

• Wash and soak the rice for 4 hours.
• Wash and clean the rice and Grind to a fine paste along with salt and green chili. Add water gradually while grinding.

• Allow  the batter to ferment for overnight.  In the morning, you will get a nice fermented aroma from it. After fermentation, you will notice that there is a small layer of water on top of the batter. Remove this water and set aside.
• Soak the Javvarisi for 2 hours.   Cook the Javvarisi in the hot water. Keep aside.

• Now add the cooked Javvarisi and cumin seeds into the batter. if needed you can add more water to adjust consistency.

• Cut the banana leaves and keep ready.
• Grease the banana leaves with a drop of oil and add a ladle of batter on this. Spread it in a circular motion like a dosa.

• Add water in a idli pan and keep a small cup filled with water inside. Keep a banana leaf on a plate, which should fit into the pan.

• 
  
• Steam this for a minute. The color will change as shown in the picture.

• Take out the stand and remove the plates. When it is warm slowly peel it off, it will come out easily. Repeat the process until you finish all the batter.

• You can eat them fresh as a evening tiffin. I love it.

• To Store:
• Peel the vadam slowly. you can arrange in a clean white cloth/ Plastic sheet for drying. Let it air dry/ sun dry  for a day or two.

• After drying it, you can store it in an airtight box for up to a year. Whenever needed, fry it like the normal papad.

• Heat oil in a deep-frying pan; fry a vadam at a time, they will fluff up and become bigger than they are.
• Fry in enough oil and drain in paper towel. Serve the Elai Vadam as it is or along with your meal.

• You can also roast it in open flame or microwave it.

Notes:

• You can use Idli rice also.
• Consistency of the batter should not be too thin. If it is too thin, it will run out from the leaf.
• Now a days, Elai vadam stands are available. If you are using the stands, slightly grease the plate with little oil spread the batter and steam it.
• The vadam will stick to the plate if they have not steamed enough or if the plates have not been greased well.
• If you are too tired to make all the vadam in one day, you can store the batter in the fridge and use it the next day.
• Thank you Amma for the tips.

Have a look at the other South Indian recipes here

Puiyodharai

Tomato Rice

Killu Vadam

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.

468: Beetroot Sambhar

'Sambhar', is a balanced dish with lentils and vegetables blended along with Indian Spices.  This is the best accompaniment to any South Indian Meal. In Tamil Nadu where sambhar usually has one or two vegetables and the flavors are adjusted a bit according to the vegetable added. Beetroot Sambhar is healthy sambhar recipe where beetroot is used as main vegetable. Make delicious Beetroot Sambhar using this simple recipe from Madappalli. This sambhar can be served with rice, idli, and dosa. 

Ingredients:

Beetroot                                         1 cup (Chopped like cubes)

Tamarind                                       1 gooseberry sized

Green chilies, halved vertically-        2 no.

Curry leaves-                                  2 sprigs

Salt-                                              To taste

Asafetida Powder                            ¼ Tsp.

Red Chili powder-                            1/2 tsp or adjust according to your taste

Sambhar Powder                             2 Tbsp.

Coriander leaves (chopped)               1 Tbsp.

To pressure cook dal:

Tovar Dhal/Sambhar Lentil                ½ cup

Water                                              1 cup

Turmeric powder-                             1/4 tsp

Tomato -                                          1 medium sized

Coconut Oil                                       1 Tsp.

For tempering:

Coconut oil                                        1 tbsp.

Black mustard seeds                          ½ Tsp.

Fenugreek seeds                                1/8 Tsp.

Asafetida Powder                                ½ Tsp.   

Method:

• Pressure cooks the dal with water till it sinks, turmeric powder, 1 tsp of oil and tomatoes for 3 whistles. Let the pressure releases, mash well and keep aside.
• Soak a small ball of tamarind in warm water and squeeze to extract the juice. Discard pulp and seeds.
• Mix sambar powder, chili powder and asafetida powder (Hing) in it and set aside.
• In a kadai, add cooked dal , chopped Beetroots, and green chilies.  Cook in low flame till the veggies get cooked fully.
• Now add the tamarind and sambhar powder mixture and allow to boil for 5 minutes in a medium flame.
• If the sambar is too thick, add more water and bring to boil and if it's too watery, boil until the right consistency is reached.
• Heat the oil for tempering in a small pan. Add the mustard and when they pop, add the rest of the ingredients.
• Pour the seasoning to sambar and add chopped coriander leaves and close with lid.
• Serve piping hot with rice and ghee and vegetables.
• This recipe serves 6.

Beetroot Sambhar

466: Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambhu/Spicy Brinjal Curry

Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambhu/ Brinjal Curry

 In my house , Brinjal is our all-time favorite vegetable.  Whenever I get small Brinjals from the Indian Grocery store, I used to prepare this kuzhambhu. Baby Brinjals are fried and cooked in Tomato gravy. This is an easiest method of making Ennai Kathirikkai.  If you love Brinjal, i would say u must try this Kuzhambhu, so Please give it a try and let me know how it turned out to you.

 Ingredients:

Indian Baby Brinjals

Kutti Kathirikkai/ Baby Brinjals            10 nos.

Tomatoes                                            4 nos.

Tamarind Extract                                  2 Tbsp.                                        

Grated Coconut                                     5 Tbsp.

Red chili Powder                                    3 Tbsp.

Coriander Powder                                  3 Tbsp.

Turmeric Powder                                    ½ Tsp.

Fennel powder                                        ½ Tsp.

Salt                                                       To Taste.

Gingely Oil                                             For frying the Brinjals

For Seasoning:

Gingelly oil                                            1 Tbsp.

Mustard seeds                                       1 Tsp.

Curry leaves                                          few

Fenugreek seeds                                   ¼ Tsp.

Asafetida powder                                   ½ Tsp.

Method:

• Wash and chop the tomatoes. 
• Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan, add the chopped tomatoes and grated coconut and sauté for 5 minutes in a medium flame. 
• Add the chili powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and turmeric powder and mix it well and sauté for 2 minutes in low flame. When it cooled down, grind it a mixer and keep aside.
• Wash Brinjals put an X mark on back side of each Brinjal and check for any worms. Also do not remove the whole stem on the top of Brinjal, just cut little bit.
• Heat the oil in a deep  pan, fry the Brinjals till crispy. Keep aside.
• In a deep pan heat Gingely oil, when hot add all season with items given in the list for seasonings and fry for a minute.
• Now add the grinded masalas, Tamarind extract and salt. Bring to boil till the raw smell goes well.
• Now add the fried Brinjal and add little Gingely oil and cook for 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat when gravy thickens and oil oozes on the sides of pan.
• Finally garnish with fresh coriander leaves, and serve with hot rice. 
• It will stay 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Note:

• Use only  baby Brinjals. Here I used Indian  baby brinjals
• Sesame oil/Gingely Oil  is must for this recipe, because it gives nice flavor and aroma.

My other Version of Ennai Kathrikkai kuzhambhu is here:

Ennai KathirikkaiKuzhambhu

459: Kovaikkai Pirattal (Tindora Fry)

Coccinia grandis, the ivy gourd, also known as baby watermelon, little gourd or gentleman's toes is a tropical vine. Coccinia grandis' native range extends from Africa to Asia including India. This medicine fruits have been used to treat leprosy, fever, asthma, bronchitis and jaundice. Some countries in Asia like Thailand prepare traditional tonic like drinks for medicinal purposes.

Tindora can be cooked as a subzi all by itself or mixed with other vegetables like potato.

This Tindora Fry recipe  is very famous from Chettinadu Cuisine. You can serve with rice or chapatti

Inngredients :

Tindora -                                        500 Gms / 1 pound

Potato -                                           2no

Red, green, Orange Bell peppers        1 no each

Tomato                                            1 no

Jeera –                                             ½ tsp

 Salt                                                 to taste

Oil                                                    for frying

Grinding ingredients:

 Fresh Grated Coconuts                     6 tbsp.

 Red Chilies -                                    10 no

 Poppy Seeds                         -          2 tsp

 Aniseed (Fennel)                              1 tbsp.

Turmeric Powder                               ½ tsp.

Chutney dhal (Pottu kadalai)                1 tsp.

Curry leaves -                                    few  

Method:

• Grind all grinding ingredients to make a coarse paste without adding water. Keep aside
•  Peel the potatoes, and slice thinly.
• Cut all bell peppers, Tindora into thin lengthy pieces. Cut tomatoes into pieces.
• Microwave the potatoes and Tindora for 4 to 5 minutes.
•  Heat the oil and add green curry leaves and jeera.
• Add potatoes, Tindora, bell peppers into it.   Shallow Fry the vegetables at the medium flame. Cover it and cook it for few minutes.
• Remove the lid , add tomato and salt.  Mix it well.
• Now add ground  paste. Turn over the mixture well. Fry for few minutes in very low flame.
• Fry till the good smell come out.
• Tindora Pirattal can be served as accompaniment to rice, Chapatti.

455 : Karamani Kuzhambhu/ Black Eye Beans Gravy

Karamani is a legume that can be used to make lot of recipes like Kuzhambhu, Sundals, side dish for chapatti . Karamani Kuzhambhu/Black Eye Beans Gravy   is a traditional south Indian dish; it tastes great with white rice and ghee. If you are looking for easy and healthy kuzhambhu recipe, then do try this dish.

Ingredients:

Karamani / Black Eye Beans     1 cup soaked

Tomato                                   2 No.

Tamarind                                small Lemon size

Red chili Powder                    - ½ Tsp.

Sambhar Powder                      2 Tbsp.

Turmeric Powder                      ¼ Tsp.

Asafetida Powder                      ½ Tsp.

Sugar                                       1 Tsp.

Salt                                         To Taste

Coconut oil                               1 Tbsp.

Coriander Leaves                      for decoration    

 

To Grind

Coconut                                   ½ cup

Fennel Seed                             1 Tbsp.

Method:

• Soak Karamani overnight, rinse 3-4 times in water and pressure cook with enough water, salt for 3 whistles
• Turn off the heat and let the steam go all by itself. Open the cooker and keep it with the cooking liquid.
• Soak tamarind in 1 cup water for 10-15 minutes and extra juice. Keep aside.
• Chop the tomatoes and keep aside.
• Grind together all the ingredients listed under 'To Grind' use little water if required. Keep aside.

To Make Kuzhambhu:

• Heat the coconut oil in a  kadai, Add in tomatoes, salt and sugar. Mix well and cook till they turn mushy.
• Add in all spice powders and mix well. Now add a coconut paste mix well.
• Add tamarind juice, and bring it to good boil.  Add cooked Karamani with water and Bring this to boil, simmer it for 15 to 20 mins till oil separates.
•  Serve hot with steamed rice and Pappad.

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                                             

               

437: Aloo Simla Mirch Masala/Potato Capsicum Masala

 Potato capsicum masala is a very simple recipe and quite easy to make. In this recipe potatoes and capsicum are sauted together with the spices like chili powder, Curry powder & Snafu powder. It tastes best when it is hot and can be served with naan, roties and rice.

Ingredients

 Big Potatoes                             4 no.

 Big Capsicum                            1 no.

Tomato                                      1 no.

Curry Powder                              1 tsp.

Chili Powder                                 1 tsp.

Snafu powder                               1/4 tsp.

Turmeric Powder                           ¼ tsp.

Salt                                               to taste

For Seasoning

 Oil                                                1 tbsp.

Cumin seeds                                   ½ tsp.

Asafetida                                        a pinch.

Method

• Boil potatoes in a pressure cooker. Cut into medium size cubes. Remove skins and keep aside.
• Chop the capsicum and tomatoes and keep aside.
• Heat oil in cast iron, add all seasonings, when cumin seed crackles add the chopped capsicum and fry for few minute.
• Now add potatoes, masalas and salt. Mix well and cook till potatoes becomes tender and all the moisture evaporates. Stir in between.
• After five minutes add tomatoes and cook until tomatoes becomes tender and mixed well with capsicum and potatoes.
• Serve with Rice and Chapatti.

Note:

• This can be used to prepare chapatti Roll. Take a chapatti  put 2 tbsp of this masala and roll it  and serve.
• This is very good as Lunch box  & Travel menu..

432: Jeera Sathuamuthu/ Cummin Rasam

Cumin seed is known as Jeera in Hindi and Seeragam(seer+Agam) in Tamil. Agam means human body; Seer means making it healthy .That’s why cumin seed is used in most of the Indian dishes on a daily basis. Cumin seed is very good for digestion and stomach ache. And also it boosts metabolism, , improves memories, removes cold,and cures indigestion. It also helps removing Vata dosha from the body

According to Ayurveda jeera exhibits the following medicinal properties.

((Shubhrajeeram katu graahi paachanam deepanam laghu

Garbhashayashuddhikaram ruksham balyam sugandhikam

Tiktham vamikshayaadhmanam vaatam kushtam visham jwaram

http://www.ayurhelp.com

Here is a refreshing rasam for all, try out something new.

Ingredients

Tamarind                                 Lemon size

Chopped tomatoes                     1 no.

Grated ginger                             1 tbsp.

Curry leaves                                few

Turmeric Powder                         ¼ tsp.

Asafetida powder                         ½ tsp.

Chopped coriander leaves             for decoration.

Salt                                             to taste

For Sathuamuthu/Rasam Powder

Cumin Seeds                                  1 tbsp.

Curry leaves                                    few

Red chilies                                       2 no.

Tovar dhal                                       1 tsp.

For Tempering

                               

Ghee                                            1 tsp

Crushed pepper & cumin seed         1 tsp.

Hing                                              a pinch

Method:

• Soak tamarind in 1 cup of hot water, squeeze out the juice and discard the pulp. Keep aside. 
• Using a blender make a coarse powder of Cumin seeds, curry leaves, red chilies and toor dal and keep it aside. 
• In a sauce pan / eeya sombhu add tamarind pulp,chopped tomato, salt, grated ginger, turmeric powder, asafetida and blended jeera rasam powder bring it to boil until the raw smell of tamarind disappears.
• Add 1/2-3/4 cup of water, when it begins to boil, switch of the stove.
• Temper will all seasonings in ghee. Garnish with fresh coriander, leaves.
• Rasam can be served with rice or as a soup.

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