Nov 1, 2016

479: Coconut Mint Chutney


Chutney plays a very multiple role in Indian cuisine. This Mint chutney is cooling and excellent for digestion. It served with Dosa, Idli , Indian fritters and snacks.

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
Serves:                        3-4 People
 Recipe Category:    Chutneys
 Recipe Cuisine:       South Indian


Ingredients:
Grated Fresh Coconut                  ¼ cup
Chopped Mint leaves                    ¼ cup
Green chilies                               3 no.
Grated Ginger                             1 Tablespoon
Chutney dhal                              1 Tablespoon
Lemon juice                                1 Tablespoon
Salt                                            As required

Procedure
  • Add all ingredients to a blender/ food processor .
  • Grind it to fine paste. Add water if required. The chutney should not be runny but it should not be firm too. It is a kind of dip.
  • Transfer to a storage container or serving dish
 Note:
  • Do not store this chutney in refrigerator. Consume the chutney within 3-4 hours.
  • Add lime not only for taste but also for coconut to retain its color.
 See My Other Chutneys





Oct 21, 2016

478:Nippattu/ Rice Cracker


Prep Time :               10 mins
Soaking Time:         30 mins
Cook Time :               10 mins 
 Serves:                        3-4 People
 Recipe Category:    Snacks & Savories
 Recipe Cuisine:       South Indian  

Nippattu is a traditional crunchy snack of Karnataka. Nippattu are rice crisps made from rice flour, all-purpose flour, butter, peanuts, roasted gram and spices which is irresistible in taste. It is a crispy and spicy snack which is prepared for festivals. It is easy to make recipe with simple ingredients. You can prepare this couple of days in advance too. It stays fresh for up to 10 days. So here's Nippattu for all those nutty flavor lovers! 

 Ingredients
Rice flour                              1 cup
All Purpose Flour                   ¼ cup
Asafetida powder                  ¼ Teaspoon
Ghee -                                  2 Teaspoon
 Salt                                      To taste
  Oil                                       for Deep frying
Grind Coarsely
Fried gram dal/pottu kadalai      1/4 cup
Peanuts                                   ¼ cup
Grind Paste
 Dry Coconut grated                 1/2 Cup
 Curry Leaves                          few
Byadagi Red Chilies -               5 -10 ( based on your spice level)
 For Soak and Drain
Moong Dal                            1 Tablespoon.
Chenna Dal                          1 Tablespoon

Method: 
  • Soak the moong dhal and Channa dhal in water for 30 mins. Drain it and keep aside.
  • Grind Peanuts and Roasted Split Gram coarsely.   Keep aside.
  • Grind dry coconut, red chilies and curry leaves to a fine paste.  Keep aside.
  • Mix together all the ingredients (except Oil for frying) along with the ground mixture using Water to make firm dough.
  • Divide the dough to small lemon sized balls.
  • Now, heat the oil for deep frying in a kadai or pan on medium flame.
  • Cut some plastic sheets into square shaped pieces. Spread some Oil over this. Take a small ball of the dough and flatten them to make a circular shape on the plastic sheet.
  • Heat Oil in a pan and deep fry these discs till crisp. Repeat the same procedure with rest of the dough.
  • Drain them on kitchen napkins to remove excess oil.
  • Let it cool to room temperature and store it in air-tight containers.  


Note:
  • Always use freshly ground rice flour(flour mill or home made) instead of the one available in grocery stores for good and crispy Nippattu..Rice flour quality is the key factor for the taste and texture. If the rice flour is very finely ground(like what we get in grocery stores) it will result in hard Nippattu ,if it is mill ground with a slight coarse texture they yield good crackers.
  • use spicing as per tolerance.
  • If the Nippattu are becoming soft , they are not properly cooked .






Check out other Rice Cracker Recipes in my blog here:

Thattai                                                               Puzhungal Arsi Thattai  

                                   



Oct 1, 2016

477: Sabudana Kichadi / Tapioca Pearl Uppuma





Sabudana is a carbohydrate rich, low fat, low protein supplement that can be used for preparing snacks, kheer etc. Sabudana khichdi is usually made during fasting days like Navratri, Ekadashi and any fasting days. I ate them for my lunch as was lazy to make anything else. Same day I made Sago vada they are my favorite. I will post the Sago Vada recipe for it soon. It is quick and easy to prepare.

Prep Time :               5 mins
Soaking Time :        4-5 hours
 Cook Time :              10 mins 
 Serves:                        3-4 People
 Recipe Category:    Tiffen
 Recipe Cuisine:       North Indian

Ingredients:

Sabudana/ Sago     1 cup
Tapioca Pearl
Big Potato              2 no. (Boiled and chopped)
Green chilies          2 no (Finely chopped)       
Fresh Ginger         1 Tablespoon.
Fresh Coconut       2 Tablespoon.
Curry leaves           few
Turmeric Powder     1/8 Teaspoon.
Fresh Lemon Juice   1 Tablespoon
Salt                        as Per Taste

Seasoning

Oil                           1 Tablespoon 
Mustard seed           ¼ Teaspoon         
Cumin Seed             ¼ Teaspoon. 
Asafetida powder       a pinch.

Method:

  • Wash the Sabudana in running water and soak Sabudana overnight or for 4-5 hours.
  • Next day, Wash the Sabudana pearls in a colander under running water until you feel that all starch is rinsed and washed off. Sabudana should be soft you should be able to mash them with your finger.
  • Take a pan add oil. Once oil is hot sauté cumin seed, mustard seed, asafetida, sugar, curry leaves, Peanuts, ginger and turmeric powder. Sauté for 20 secs
  • Now add the chopped Potato. Stir and cook over medium flame for 2 minutes.
  • Add the Sabudana. Keep stirring else they might stick to the bottom. Once the Sabudana changes color and is translucent it's cooked. Do not over Cook.
  • Finally garnish with curry leaves, coconut, drizzle with some lemon juice .
  • Serve hot and enjoy! 

Tips:

  • You can avoid Hing, Turmeric Powder and curry leaves on Fasting days.
  • Soaking time depends on quality and size of the Sabudana. Here I used small and transparent variety.
  • Do not add too much water to soak Sabudana. If you have added more water while soaking, Sabudana will become sticky while cooking. Add enough water up to just 1 ½ inches above the Sabudana. 

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