MASOOR LENTILS CURRY/மைசுர் பயிறு குழம்பு

Ingredients:

For Cooking:

Whole Masoor lentils 100 gm
Water 300 ml
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Castor Oil 4 drops

For Tempering:

Groundnut Oil 2 tbsps
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
Chopped shallots 10 pcs
Garlic chopped 4-5 pcs
Dried red chillies 3 pcs
Curry leaves 15 pcs
Chopped Coriander greens a fistful
Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
Himalayan pink rock salt 1/4 tsp + 1/2 tsp
Chopped Tomatoes one cup
Turmeric 1/4 tsp


Procedure:

Step 1- Cooking Lentils

Rinse the lentils thoroughly.
Place the lentils in a cooker.
Add water, turmeric and castor oil.
Cover and cook on medium heat until 3 whistles.
Set aside to cool down.

Step 2- Tempering

Heat the pan with groundnut oil on medium heat.
Add mustards to crackle.
Once they start to crackling continuously, add shallots, red chillies, garlic and curryleaves.
Saute until the shallots turn translucent.
Add turmeric. Add cumin seeds.
Transfer the chopped tomatoes.
Saute them on medium heat for 2 seconds.
Add 1/2 cup water and 1/4 tsp salt.
Cover and cook until tomatoes cooked mushy.
Now transfer the cooked lentils.
Pour rinsed water.
Add 1/2 tsp rock salt and stir to combine.
Add coriander greens.

Ready to serve.

Cooking time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

GETTI CHUTNEY/கெட்டிச் சட்னி

Ingredients: 

Shredded fresh coconut 1 cup

Fried Gram 1/2 cup

Asafoetida one pinch

Green Chilly 1 pc

Some baby curry leaves and its buds

A fistful coriander greens

Water 1/2 cup

Grated Ginger 1 tsp

Rock salt 1/4 tsp

Procedure:

Add all the ingredients in a mixer jar.

Add water little by little 

Grind to a coarse paste.

Tempering (optional.)

Ready to serve.

MIXED VEGETABLES WHITE KURMA/காய்கறி வெண்குருமா/வெள்ளைக் குருமா

Ingredients :

To grind masala:

Fennel seeds 1/2 Tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/2 Tsp
Coriander coarse powder (Raw) 1 Tsp
Chopped Garlic 3 pcs
Grated Coconut 1 Cup
Fried Gram 1/2 tsp
Water 50 ml

To temper:

Groundnut oil 2 tbsps
Mustard Seeds 1/2 tsp
Cardamom pod 1 pc
Cinnamon 1/2 inch
Cloves 4 pcs
Bellary onion chopped 1 cup
Green Chilly 1 pc
Curry leaves 10 pcs
Fennel Seeds 1/2 tsp
Carrot cubes 1/2 cup
Green Peas 1/2 cup
Boiled and mashed Potatoes 1 cup
Coriander Greens a fistful chopped
Himalayan pink rock salt 1/2 tsp
Rinsed water 2 cups

SOFT AND MOIST CARROT CAKE WITHOUT OVEN

Ingredients:

All purpose flour/Maida/ மைதா 225 Gm
Carrots medium size 3 pcs/கேரட்
Organic Cane Sugar/ நாட்டுச் சர்க்கரை 200Gm
Eggs/முட்டைகள் 4 Pcs
Butter/வெண்ணெய் 75 Gm
Clarified Butter/நெய் 25 Gm
Cinnamon powder/பட்டைத்தூள் 1/2 Tsp
Nutmeg/சாதிக்காய்த் தூள் 1/2 Tsp
Powdered salt/இந்துப்புத் தூள் 1/4 Tsp
Baking powder/பேக்கிங் பவுடர் 1.5 tsp
Cooking Soda/சமையல் சோடா 1/2 Tsp
Raisins/உலர்திராட்சை 25-30 Pcs
White powder salt Tata 500 gm

Procedure:

Wash and wipe the carrots.
Cut the ends.
Peel the carrots
Shred them.
Set aside.

Sift all purpose flour+baking powder and cooking soda four or five times to combine well.
Set ready.

Grind the cane sugar to powder the lumps.
Set ready.

In a dry mixing bowl, add butter and ghee.
Mix well.

Add sugar and mix well.

Now break and pour the egg yolks into a mixer jar.

Blend the yolks until frothy and pale yellow
Using whisk button.

Pour the egg mixture to the bowl immediately.

Mix well.

Add cinnamon, nutmeg and salt

Beat well.

Add maida/flour mixture ln batches and mix well until smooth.


Transfer the shredded carrots.

Bring to combine.

Finally add raisins.

Fold and fold to combine.

Heat the pressure pan with white powder-salt on medium heat for 2 minutes.

Place the stand over the salt

Meanwhile, smear the dry container with some butter or ghee using a brush.

Sprinkle one spoon maida or flour all over the sides and the bottom by rotating the container to coat evenly.

Transfer the cake batter.

Now place the cake batter over the heated salt.

Cover the pressure pan.

Don't place the weight.

Reduce the heat to low level.

Bake the cake for 50 minutes

Open the cooker and check the cake with a tooth pick whether well baked.

Just insert the toothpick into the baked cake.

If it comes out nonsticky, it means cake is ready.

Take out and wait for 2 minutes.

Separate cake with a knife all over the sides of the container.

Transfer the cake to the plate.

Cut into desired size pieces.

Enjoy.

RADISH PACHADI/ RADISH RAITA/முள்ளங்கி தயிர் பச்சடி

Radish is observed as the powerhouse of Potassium, Vitamin C and rich fibre content.

It is also available in the markets during the spring season and summer season. This root-vegetable is coming with a host of health properties.

Radish with curd serves a simple, healthy and good option in our diet routine teaming with the very basic spices. It can be enjoyed with chapati and other Indian flatbreads and with steamed rice.

Since the radish is the negative calorie vegetable and treated as a good addition of any weight loss dietary programme.

There are many options in cooking radish out of which, this dish is very simple but delicious. 

Ingredients we need:

Radish peeled and chopped one bowl

Curd 2 cups or 250 gms

Gratedgarlic 1/2 tsp

Grated Ginger 1/2 tsp

Chopped shallots 10 pcs

Mustard seeds1/2 tsp

Groundnut oil 1 tbsp

Green chilly one slit

Curry leaves 15 pcs

Powdered cumin seeds 3/4 tsp

Coriander green,s a fistful chopped

Asafoetida one pinch

Powdered salt 1/2 tsp+1/2 tsp

Water 10 ml

Procedure:

Heat the pan with groundnut oil on medium heat.

Add mustard seeds

Once they start to crackle, add shallots, green chilly and curry leaves.

Saute until the shallots fried transparent.

add radish cubes and saute for a while.

Add salt 1/2 tsp

Add water and cook until the veggie cooked transparent.

Observe that there should not be water remains.

Now add grated ginger and garlic.

Add cumin powder, asafoetida.

Garnish with a fistful chopped coriander greens.

Set aside to cool down.

Take fresh curd and mix with a half tsp salt.

Transfer the cooled radish cubes and mix gently.

Ready to serve.

BADAM KHEER/ALMOND KHEER/RABADI/பாதாம் பாயசம்

Just greet your dearest friends and lovable relatives with this irresistible Almond Kheer. This is one of the most delicious desserts across all the states of India. For any special occasions like wedding, marriage parties loved ones' Birthday Celebrations, Family get-together or friends meet, Almond kheer is a must and the most loved drink by all. 

Kheer is widely known as Payas/Payesh in Northern states of India whereas it is known as Payasam in Tamilnadu.

The kheer can be served hot/warm or chilled. 

Cooking Time 45 minutes 

Yield:  four servings

Ingredients:

Almonds 100 gm

Boiling water as needed for soaking.

Fresh cow milk 750 ml

Cold milk 50 ml

Cardamom seeds crushed 1/2 tsp

Saffron strands 15-25 pcs {not mandatory}

Sugar 200 gms

Cashew flakes 2 tbsps

Raisins 15-20 pcs

Fresh Cow ghee 2 tbsps

Procedure:

Soak almonds in boiled water for 30 minutes.

Blanch the outer skin and keep ready to grind.

Bring to boil 750 ml of fresh cow milk on medium heat.

Lower the flame and let boil until the milk reduced to 500 ml.

Keep on stirring.

Add saffron strands

Add 200 gm sugar. Once the milk reduced to 500 ml, 

add fried-cashew flakes and raisins in fresh ghee.

Add freshly crushed cardamom seeds 1/2 tsp and stir to infuse the flavour.

Done.

Turn off the heat.

Almond kheer is ready to enjoy.

CHANA MASALA/CHICKPEA MASALA/CHOLE MASALA/சுண்டல் மசாலா/கடலக்கறி

Cooking Time excluding soaking time: 25 minutes

Yield: four servings

Ingredients:

Chana Lentils 250 gms

Water as needed to soak lentils

Rock salt 3/4 tsp (1/4 tsp+1/2  tsp)

Tomatoes 6 pcs

Grated Garlic 1 tsp

Grated Ginger 1 tsp

Red Chilly Powder 1/2 tsp+1/2 tsp

Cinnamon 1/2 inch

Karam masala powder 1 tbsp

Fennel seeds 1 tsp+1/2 tsp

Groundnut oil 4 tbsps

Mustard seeds 1/2tsp

Finely chopped Bellary onion one cup or bowl

Green chilly 1-2 as per your choice.

Curry leaves 10-15 pcs

Turmeric 1/2 tsp

Coriander greens a fistful

Only one black cardamom

Procedure:

Soak black whole chana lentils in water for 4-5  hours

Pressure cook the drained lentils by adding water and1/4 tsp salt until two whistles.

Set aside to cool down.

Boil the tomatoes with 200 ml water until the skin shrunken.

Take out and set aside to cool down.

In a mixer jar, add garlic and shredded ginger, red chilly powder, fennel seeds,

cinnamon 1/2 inch, karam masala powder

cooked chana 1 tbsp and 50  ml water.

Cover grind to a smooth paste.

Heat the heavy bottomed vessel or pressure pan with groundnut oil.

Add mustard seeds to pop up.

Add one bowl of Bellary onion, curry leaves and green chilly.

Saute until the onion turns transparent. 

Now add the ground paste.

Let paste fried on medium heat.

Add tomato puree got from boiled tomatoes.

Allow boiling for 5 minutes.

Add black cardamom.

After 3 minutes, take out the black cardamom. 

The gravy turns much concentrated.

Add salt if needed.

Add cooked chana lentils and stir well to combine.

Finally, add coriander greens.

Done!

Chana masala is ready to serve.

MORINGA GREENS THOKKU/DRUMSTICK LEAVES THOKKU/முருங்கைக் கீரை தொக்கு

Thokku calls for a somewhat specific method to work out with herbs like moringa or murungai keerai, curry leaves Coriander greens or methi or fenugreek leaves in generous addition of Sesame oil and Tamarind to restore the considerable shelf life. Lesser the water added, more the shelf life is. We add tamarind, jaggery powder, salt and a generous amount of sesame oil to increase its shelflife. If it is mixed with hot steamed rice, have it with any tiffin like chappathi, Puri, Idlies and Dosas, We will get addicted to its divine taste.

In other words, the six tastes blend in perfect proportion in much more concentrated gravy or dry gravy.

Let's make this yummy thokku using the Moringa greens or murungai greens which are well known for its richness of iron and other important nutrients..

Ingredients we need:

Murungai greens one bunch

Jaggery powder 2 tsps

Coco rinds or Kudampuli or tamarind 3 pcs

Himalayan rock salt 1/2 tsp

Water 50 ml

Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

Dry roasted fenugreek powder 3/4 tsp

Grated garlic 1 tsp

Turmeric 1/2 tsp

Red chilly flakes 1/2 tsp

Sesame oil 4 tbsps

Groundnut oil 1 tbsp

Asafoetida 2 pinches

Dried red chillies 3-4 pcs

Procedure:

Pluck the murungai leaves along with its tender stems.

Place them in a mixer jar up to 3/4 th level'

Add red chillies, kudam puli, Jaggery powder, Himalayan rock salt and 5o ml water.

Grind at high speed to a coarse paste.

Now heat the heavy bottomed vessel with one tbsp groundnut oil.

Add mustard seeds to crackle.

Once they start to crackle, add Grated garlic, Turmeric and red chilly flakes and saute on low flame.

Turn off the heat and add greens paste.

Saute on medium heat for one or two minutes until the greens changed its colour.

Add asafoetida and fenugreek powder.

Mix to combine.

Add sesame oil 2 tbsps little by little on keeping the flame on a low level.

Mix to combine.

Add another two tbsps of Sesame oil at the final stage and mix to combine well.

Murungai greens thokku is ready to be consumed.

Thokku means pounded herb or vegetable with specific spices sauteed in sesame oil.

சிவப்பு அவல் வெல்லப் பொங்கல்/RED BEATEN RICE SWEET PONGAL/RED POHA SWEET PONGAL

Red Poha/Red Beaten Rice/Red flattened Rice/சிவப்பு அவல் is one of the healthiest options, packed with iron and vitamin B and other important minerals that are needed to our body health.

It is more trending now across India. Red Poha/Aval is made from red rice. The red colour of the rice is due to the presence of pigment, Anthocyanin which is also a flavonoid. The bran layer remains intact in Red Poha/Aval/Red Beaten Rice, while processing. This bran contains rich fibres, Vitamin B and minerals such as calcium, manganese, zinc, iron,  magnesium and other antioxidants that help in fighting free radicals thereby preventing cancer.

Red Beaten Rice Jaggery Pongal/Sivappu Aval Vella Pongal/Red Poha sweet Pongal can be easily made in quick-fix mode.

Ingredients:

Red Poha/Red Beaten Rice/Red Flattened Rice/Red Poha/Sivappu Aval 200 g

Water 3.5 cups

Organic Jaggery 250 gm

Fresh Desi Ghee/Cow ghee/Clarified Butter 4 tbsp+1 tsp

Raisins 10 pcs

Whole Cashews 15 pcs

A mustard size Edible Camphor

Freshly crushed Cardamom seeds 1/2 tsp

Procedure:

Dry roast the red Poha/Beaten rice/Aval on medium heat for 2 minutes.

Bring 3.5 cups water to a rolling boil with one tsp ghee.

Once water gets boiled, add dry roasted Poha/Aval/Red beaten rice and stir to combine.

Let the red Poha/Beaten rice/Aval cooked soft and entire water utilized for cooking.

Now add roughly crushed jaggery and stir to melt and dissolve.

Once jaggery blended with aval/Poha, add fried cashews, raisins. Add 2 tbsp ghee again.

Add crushed cardamom seeds and a mustard sized edible camphor.

Mix well to combine on low heat for 5 seconds.

Turn off the heat.

Ready to serve/offer/enjoy

Cooking Time 10 minutes

Yield: 4 servings.

PONGAL 2020 WISHES TO ALL

Happy and Prosperous Pongal to all Viewers!

GOBI 65/CAULIFLOWER CHILLY 65/காலி பிளவர் சில்லி 65

The most loved Cauliflower Chilly 65 which is served as a starter or appetizer in restaurants in Tamilnadu can be made deliciously at our homes too.

We cannot stop eating the cauliflower chilly with one piece. It is truly an addictive and enticing snack with a hot coffee or tea.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Servings 4 persons.

How to make?

First step:

Ingredients:

Cauliflower 500 gm
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp

Procedure:

Separate the florets from cauliflower stalk.
Wash several times.
Heat four cups of water on medium heat with turmeric and salt.
Let them half cooked in boiled water for 2 minutes.
Drain the florets and set aside to cool down.

Second step:

half cooked florets.
Salt 1/2 tsp
Red chilly powder 1 tsp
Garlic ginger paste 2 tbsp
Raw rice flour 1 tbsp
Corn flour 1 tbsp
All-purpose flour 1.5 tsp
Karam masala powder 1/2 tsp
Half a lemon
Ghee 1/2 tsp
Fresh curd 1 tbsp

Procedure:

In a dry mixing bowl, transfer the drained half-cooked florets. add salt, Red chilly powder,
Ginger garlic paste, Raw rice flour, Cornflour, All-purpose flour.
Mix to coat well.
Add Karam masala powder.
Squeeze the lemon.
Mix to combine.
Add ghee and curd and mix well to combine.
Set aside for 2-5 minutes.

Third Step:

Ingredients:

Groundnut oil 500 ml
A few onion rings
Lemon wedge 1 pc

Procedure:

Heat the groundnut oil on medium heat until the oil reaches deep-fry temperature.
Once the oil is hot enough to deep-fry, reduce the flame to low.
Drop the florets one by one into the hot oil carefully.
Let them deep-fried for 2 minutes on low heat.
Now increase the flame to high to get crispy and golden brown cauliflower fries.
Take them out and drain the excess oil by holding the slotted spoon above the oil.
Place them on oil absorbent paper towels.
Repeat the process for the remaining batches.
Serve hot with onion rings and a lemon wedge.

The homemade cauliflower chilly 65/Gobi 65 is an easy-to-make snack and the right choice of evening time snack with hot tea or coffee in winter evenings or the rainy days.

It can be served as the best combination of any meal!
Check out!