471: Kariveppallai Kuzhambhu/Tangy Curry Leaves Kuzhambhu

The scientific name of the curry plant is Murraya Koenigii Spreng and it belongs to the Rutaceae family. The plant is native to India and is usually found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Curry Leaves

Curry Leaves Health benefits:

In Ayurvedic medicine, curry leaves are believed to have several medicinal properties such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant. The roots are used for treating body aches and the bark is used for snake bite relief. 
Health benefits are:

Stops Diarrhea                                     Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Gastrointestinal Protection                    Good for Eyesight

Anti-Diabetic Properties                        Fights Cancer

Protects the Liver                                 Good for Hair Growth

very soothing effect for cold and sinus

Curry leaves are usually used to give a distinct aroma and flavor to Indian dishes, especially South Indian food. Curry leaves are usually used for flavoring curries, rasam, vegetable dishes, pickles, buttermilk, and chutneys. They are usually fried in clarified butter or vegetable oil and before adding the main ingredients. It can give a unique flavor and aroma to any dish.

I prepared Kariveppallai Kuzhambhu for the lunch last weekend. It came out very well as usual. I just wanted to share this recipe. This is a very popular recipe in South Indian community.

 Prep Time : 10 mins

 Cook Time : 20 mins 
 Serves: 3-4 People
 Recipe Category: Kuzhambhu
 Recipe Cuisine:  South Indian
 Author:Sadhana Padmanabhan

Ingredients

Tamarind Extract              1 cup

Turmeric Powder               ¼ teaspoon

Salt                                 To taste

Black pepper powder          a Pinch

Fry and Grind
  Sesame oil                      1 teaspoon

Black gram dhal                 1 tablespoon

Chenna dhal                      1 tablespoon

Fresh coconut                    1 teaspoon

Red chilies                         4 no.

Fresh ginger                      1 teaspoon

Fresh curry leaves          -   ¾ cup  
(washed, rinsed and dried)
To Temper 

Sesame oil                        4 Tablespoon

Mustard seeds                   1 teaspoon

Red chilies                         2  no.
Curry Leaves                      Few  

Asafetida                           ¼ teaspoon                               

 

Method 

• Heat  oil  in a pan and dry roast the black gram dhal, Chenna dhal ,ginger, red chilies and coconut until golden brown . Keep aside.
• In the same oil saute the curry leaves till it shrinks little.
• Grind them with fried ingredients to a smooth paste with little water.
• Dissolve this paste with tamarind extract. Add some more water, turmeric powder and salt. Mix it well.
•  Heat the oil in a pan, temper the temper ingredients,  and add curry leaves water and boil . Simmer the stove heat.
•  Let it boil for 15 to 20 minutes till it gets thickened.  
• Before switch off the stove heat, add 2 pinches of pepper powder, and mix it well.
• Serve hot with steamed white rice and  Gingerly oil.

Note:

• Always use fresh curry leaves for this kuzhambhu.
• Tastes great if a dash of ghee is drizzled over when we mix it up with the rice

• 
  

470: Fast and Simple Diabetes Menus- 31 Recipes

Even if you are pre-diabetic or borderline diabetic, or diabetes is part of your family, it is important to follow a diabetic diet to prevent diabetes. This title includes 31 mouthwatering recipes to simplify your meal planning for diabetes control!

Please see the Link:

http://sadhanakitchen.blogspot.com/search/label/Diabetic%20Food

Re Think Your Drink:

469: Aval Curd Bath/Curd Aval/ Dahi Poha

Planning to switch to a healthier version for lunch today. This simple and quick to prepare Aval curd Bath recipe is the one you can smoothly opt for. With all the ingredients at an easy access in the kitchen, this is a sure shot recipe to lay your hands on.  Try this Aval curd Bath is packed with the best nutrients more than one can ask for. Less oil, healthy and tastier! Imagine an all-in-one lunch recipe just a few steps away. Even your little one is sure to shout yummy!. I used to make this Aval Curd Bath on Ekadasi days.

Ingredients

Aval/ Flattened Rice / Poha        1 cup.

Thick Plain Curd                        1 ½ cup

Thick  Warm Milk                       ½ cup

Green chilies                             2 no. (Finely Chopped)

Grated fresh Ginger                   1 Tbsp.

Butter                                       1 Tsp.

Curry leaves                               few

Asafetida/ Hing                          a pinch

Oil                                            ½ Tsp.

Mustard seeds                           ½ Tsp.

Chopped coriander leaves           for decoration.

Method:

• Wash the Poha in water till they soften. Drain and keep it aside for a few minutes.
• In a bowl, combine the Poha, milk, ginger ,yogurt,butter and salt. Mix well.
• Add enough curd and check the consistency. Do not make it run thin
• Heat oil in a pan for seasoning.
• Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
• Add the chopped green chilies, , curry leaves, and Hing and fry for a few seconds.
• Pour this to over the Poha mixture and mix until well combined.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve immediately with Pickle.

 Tip: 

• Green Grapes and pomegranate can also be added to bring in more taste to this irresistible dish

              

  

Dahi Poha

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

467: Paneer Recipes

Paneer (pronounced [pəniːr]) is a fresh cheese common in South Asia, especially in Indian, Pakistani, Afghani, and Bangladeshi cuisines. It's a special favorite with North Indians, and in eastern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, it is generally referred to as chhena.Moist and soft crumbly in texture, it is used to make delicacies such as Sandesh, Mutter paneer and Rasgulla. It is a rich source of milk protein. 

Here is my 20 best paneer recipes that will bring back warm memories and tickle your taste buds. Please see the Link

http://sadhanakitchen.blogspot.com/search/label/Paneer

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

465 : Paneer and Vegetable JalFrezi

Paneer Vegetable JalFrezi

Created during the time of the Moghuls, ‘JalFrezi’ is a spicy North-Indian curry.  This Paneer JalFrezi is one of the easiest paneer dishes to make. Soft paneer with crunchy vegetables ,make it a mouthwatering side dish for chapatti as well a filling for wraps.

It’s as delicious as it’s colorful – a simple dish that gets ready in a jiffy.

Ingredients

Paneer                        1 cup (Cut into cubes)

Vegetables                   2 cups (Here I used carrot, tri color capsicums)

Ginger Paste                1 Tbsp.

Tomatoes                    3 no.

Red chili Powder           1 1/2 Tsp.

Garam Masala powder   1 tsp.

Vinegar                       1 Tsp.

Sugar                          1 Tsp.

Salt                             As required

To Temper

 Oil                               3 Tsp.

Cumin seed                  ½ Tsp.

Fennel seed/Sombhu     ½ Tsp.

Method:

•   Wash all vegetables and cut into cubes. Keep aside.
• Chop the paneer into cubes. Take a bowl of hot water and immerse the Paneer cubes till use.
• Meanwhile make puree of the tomatoes in a blender. No need to blanch the tomatoes.
• Heat the oil in a kadai; add cumin seed and fennel seeds and ginger paste, fry for a minute
• Add all the sliced veggies. Stir well. Cover and cook the veggies on a low flame, till they are almost tender.
• Keep on stirring in between. No need to add any water while cooking the vegetables. Cook the vegetables covered, for about 10 to 12 mins on a low heat.
• Now add the tomato puree, red chili powder, and Garam masala powder in it. Mix well and cook for 7 minutes or till they completely cooked. 
• Season with salt, sugar and vinegar. Lastly add the paneer. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes.

• Garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve Hot with Pulka or paratha.

Enjoy and Happy cooking!! :)

Paneer Vegetable JalFrezi

My other JalFrezi 

Vegetable JalFrezi

464 : Pav Bhaji Masala Dosa

Food is what binds people and communities. Every region in India has a delicacy that is native to their area and therefore special. However, sometimes that delicacy is adapted by people across the country to be devoured in their local flavor by adding ingredients according to their convenience, availability and preference. Pav Bhaji Masala Dosa is a classic example.

Pav Bhaji Masala Dosa is a famous street food of Mumbai. Pav-Bhaji Dosa of Annand Dosa in Vile Parle is very famous one. Their Dosa is lavishly smeared with butter .Ever since I make this regularly. I don’t have the heart to be lavish with butter…somehow the low Cal stuff suits the health better. Basically, if you have left over Pav bhaji  and left over idli-dosa batter then you can make this dosa recipe and you will get to taste Pav bhaji as well as dosa. If you have not tasted this dosa before, please do not bother just believe me and try the recipe immediately. I am sure you will be very happy with the unique taste of it and enjoy it like I do.

Ingredients:

Dosa Batter                                    1 cup (See the link)

Left over Pav BhajiMixture               1 cup ( see the link)

Ghee mixed with oil                        2 Tbsp.

Chopped Coriander                         2 Tbsp.

Method:

• Make the tawa ready for making dosa, keep the stove on medium flame and pour a ladle full of batter in the middle of the pan and spread in a circular motion to form a 9 " dosa. Sprinkle some oil on the sides and on the top and cover it with the lid.

• Add the Pav Bhaji in the center of the dosa. Spread the Pav bhaji evenly on the dosa. Sprinkle a little water over the dosa so that it does not stick to the pan. Sprinkle  few coriander leaves over the dosa.

• Now fold the dosa and serve it hot.

 Note:

• Serve the Pav bhaji dosa hot or else it will become soggy if you keep it for long.

463: Brown Rice Bisi BeLe Bath- Version 2

Bisi BeLe Bath is a signature dish from Karnataka.  Few years back I already posted Bisi Bele Bath recipe in this blog. Today I am going to post the Brown Rice Bisi Bele Bath here. This is a wholesome one pot meal. It has protein from the lentils, carbohydrates from the brown rice, vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. It will grace the taste buds to the last spoonful.

Ingredients

Bisi Bela Bath Powder

Cooked Brown Rice              2 cups.

Tovar Dal/ Spit Pigeon Pea   1/4 cup

Chenna dal                         ¼ cup

Water                                 1 cup - 1 12/ cup

Coconut milk                       ¼ cup (optional)

Bisi Bele Bath Powder       2-3 Tbsps.

Mixed Vegetables                 2 cups

Big Potato                           1 no. (chopped)

Tomatoes                            2  no.  
Turmeric Powder                  ¼ Tsp.
Tamarind                            Lemon size (Soaked in water)

Sugar or Jaggery powder      1 Tsp. 

Salt                                    as per Taste

Coriander leaves                  For decoration

Seasoning

Coconut oil   / Ghee             1 Tbsp.

Mustard & jeera                   1 Tbsp.

Red chilies                          5 no.

Hing                                   1Tsp

Broken Cashew nuts            1 Tbsp. (Optional)

Curry leaves                        few

Method:

• Chop all the vegetables. Heat a pan with one-tablespoon oil. To that add tomatoes, all chopped vegetables sauté them for 5 mins. Switch off heat & allow it to cool. (Sautéing the veggies enhances the taste).
• Soak the Tamarind in hot water and extract the juice and keep aside.
• Now pressure-cook Toor dal & Chenna dal for 2 whistles. Open the pressure cooker; add sautéed vegetables, turmeric powder, Bisi Bele bath powder, tamarind water, , sugar and salt. Mix them well & taste it for the flavors.
• Now slowly mix the cooked rice to the gravy. If necessary add another 1cups water & bring it boil. Keep stirring in between; else the mixture will stick to the bottom. Allow it cook on low heat for 10mins.   Boil well so that rice absorbs spices well. Switch off heat.  

For the Tempering:

•  Heat ghee/oil in a small kadai. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds  jeera & Hing powder. After they crackle, add small cashew pieces  Sauté on low flame till they are slight brown. Switch off and add curry leaves.
• Pour the tempering over the piping hot Bisi Bele Bath. Decorate with coriander leaves , cover immediately to preserve the aroma.
• Bisi bele bath is ready to serve .Serve it hot drizzled with ghee, chips and  Veg Raita on the sides.

 Notes:

• In this recipe I used frozen vegetables , green beans, and Potatoes. You can add any vegetables to this recipe and make Bisi Bela Anna.
• In Ekadasi days, you can replace rice with Poha/ Broken Wheat/ Oats/ Millets. 

Bisi Bela Bath 

My other Bisi Bela Bath Recipes:

                                                                                                                    Quinoa Bisi Bela Bath

Bisi Bela Bath  

                                         

Brown Rice Bisi Bela Bath 1

         

462: Moghalai Style Palak Paneer

              Palak paneer is one of the most loved north Indian dishes by many.  I have already posted the regular Palak Paneer check the link here. Palak Paneer. The Mughlai version has a slight twist to it. This is very quick and easy recipe and it tastes awesome. If you like Moghalai gravies, then try this one. Very easy to prepare and tastes delicious and goes well with roti or chapatti or even with pulao.

Ingredients:

Paneer Cubes                       1 cup

Fresh Spinach (Palak)           1 Bunch

Fresh Cream Or Milk             ½ cup

Ginger Paste                        1 Tsp.     

Green chilies                        2 no.

Tomatoes (Chopped)            2 no.

Gram Masala Powder            ½ Tsp.

Red chili Powder                   1 Tsp.

Coriander powder                 ½ Tsp.

Cinnamon stick                     1’

Cardamom                            2 no.

Cloves                                  2 no.

Cumin seed                          ¼ Tsp.

Coriander leaves                    

Salt                                    as per taste

Oil                                      2 Tsp.

To Be Ground Into A Smooth Paste (using A Little Water)

Cashew nuts                        8 no.

Poppy Seeds (KhusKhus)      1 tbsp.

Almonds                              8 no.

Method

• Soak the cashews, almonds and poppy seeds in hot water for 30 mins.  Peel the almond skin and grind altogether fine paste. Keep this aside.
• Wash the Palak under running tap water. Blanch the spinach leaves in hot water for 3 mins now immediately place them on chilled ice water. This process will help the leaves to retain its green color. Grind spinach with green chilies to make a smooth puree. Keep aside.

• Heat a deep pan with oil; add cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and cumin, when they begin to splutter Add ginger paste and sauté for a min.
• Now add tomatoes, fry till they turn mushy.
• Now add the grounded white paste. Sauté for 2 to 3 mins add milk Or cream. Simmer for another 3 to 4 mins. It's time to add red chili powder, turmeric, coriander seed powder and garam masala powder. Sauté for a minute.
• Pour the Palak puree and simmer for another 7 to 8 mins.
• Adjust salt. Bring it to a boil, Keep stirring in between.
• Add the Paneer cubes mix lightly and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.  Garnish with cream and coriander leave
• Serve hot with parathas.

Notes:

• Take care not to add too much water or too much milk as it will make your gravy thin. Thicker gravy tastes better.
• If you want to low fat Palak paneer use skimmed milk instead of cream.

461: Bisi Bele Bath Masala Powder

Indian food is very tasty and delicious.  The secret is always in the spices.  The great thing is that if you make a batch of a masala like this, you can just keep it on hand and make incredibly tasty dishes very easily. There are several pre-made powder sold in stores but nothing matches freshly homemade powder.

Ingredients:

Chana dal / Slit Bengal gram                    3 Tbsp.

Urdh Dal/ Split Black Gram                       2 Tbsp.

Coriander Seeds / Dhania                         4 Tbsp.

Fenugreek Seeds                                     1 Tsp.

Cumin Seed                                            1 Tsp.

Mustard Seeds                                        1 Tsp.

Poppy Seed / Khus Khus                          1 Tsp.

Fennel Seed                                            1   Tsp.

Cardamom/ elaichi -                                1 no.

Cinnamon / dalchini -                               1 inch 2 piece

Cloves / lavang -                                     3 to 4

Marathi moggu / kapok buds -                  5 to 6

Mace / javitri -                                         little

Dried Red Chilli Byadgi                    -        15 no.

Dried Red Chilli guntur (spicy variety)        10 no.

Oil - to fry spices                                     2 Tsp.

Method:

• Heat a heavy bottom pan; add 2 tsp of refined oil.
• Add black gram, Bengal gram, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, kapok buds and mace and stir fry for 5 minutes in medium flame.
• Add Guntur and Byadagi Chilies and stir fry for 8 minutes in low flame.
• Switch off the flame and transfer the dry roasted ingredients to the plate and mix it well and allow them to cool.
• Transfer it to a mixer jar and grind them together to fine powder. Now Bisi Bele bath powder is ready. Store it in air tight container.

Note:

• Ensure no spices are burnt; in that case the taste will be bitter.
• Usually bisi bele bath is spicy. But if you can’t take much spice reduce the chilies.

 

Bisi Bela Bath Powder