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.