Spinach Dal

In Tamilnadu , we cook toordal with turmeric powder,do the normal seasoning and have it with ghee and rice. ..just plain dal without any veggies and we call this ' parupu saadham'. I have had paruppu only like this in my house. But after marriage, I came to know that dal can be cooked with veggies like spinach ,methi, mangoes etc.. thru my telugu friends. I found that interesting and different and started cooking toordal with veggies. Loved Indira's mango dal too. This is a simple ,yet tasty recipe of spinach dal which is one among my favourites. Its my entry to JFI event :toordal ,hosted by Linda of 'out of the garden'.

Ingredients

Toor dal- 1 cup

spinach- a small bunch

bell pepper- 1 medium chopped into cubes

onion- 1 medium chopped finely

tomato- 1 medium chopped finely

green chillies- 3 slitted

brinjal- 1 medium chopped into cubes

turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp

tamarind water- little

salt to taste

seasoning

Oil- 1 tbsp

mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp

split urad dal- 1/4 tsp

jeera- 1/4 tsp

curry leaves- a few

red chilli-1

Asafoetida- a pinch

Method

Wash the spinach well and chop it ..

Heat oil in a pressure pan/cooker and add the seasoning ingredients one by one. Then add the onions and green chillies and fry for a minute. When the onions turn transparent add the tomatoes , fry for some time and then add the chopped bell pepper ,brinjal pieces and spinach.

Fry for some time and then add toor dal and turmeric powder. Add 2 cups of water and pressure cook this for 15 minutes.

Add salt and little tamarind juice to dal , boil it for a couple of minutes and serve hot with rice.

Diwali Treats- Cashew kathli

WISH U ALL A VERY HAPPY DIWALI!!!!!

This year for diwali, I made murukkus and cashew kathli. U can find the recipe of murukku here. This cashew kathli recipe is very easy to make and believe it, it is made without ghee. U can just make this within half an hour and u will surely love it. Love to share it with u all. This will go in as my entry for JFS:Diwali event hosted by Vee of Past,Present and Me

Ingredients

cashews- 500 gms

sugar- 250 gms

water-1/2 cup

silver warq(optional)

Method

Dry roast the cashews slightly for one minute in a pan. The cashews should not change in colour. When you touch the cashews after frying ,it should just be warm. Grind it immediately to a fine powder in a blender.(If we grind the cashews without frying slightly, it will not become a fine powder. ) Heat water and sugar in a non stick pan till one string consistency. It may take 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the flame and add the cashew powder to the sugar syrup. Stir it till it becomes thick and almost in a dough consistency. If u take out a pich of dough and roll it with ur fingers , it should not be sticky like the halwa. Remove from fire and allow it to cool for a minute. When it is slightly warm knead it like a chappathi dough.

Roll out into a big square , 1/4" thick in a greased platform. Apply silver warq and cut into diamonds.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are quick and easy to prepare, taste great and they make a good meal too. Here is how I make them...

Ingredients

Flour Tortillas-2
Canned Jalapenos-3 t0 4 pieces
canned cherry peppers-3 to 4 pieces
green bell pepper-1/4 chopped finely
white onion-1/4 cup chopped finely
button mush rooms- a few chopped
cheddar/monterey jack cheese- acc to ur taste
olive oil-3 tsp

Method

Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and saute the onions, bell pepper and mushrooms for 2 minutes and keep aside.
Heat 1 tsp of oil in tawa/pan and place a flour tortilla. Place the mushroom mixture,cherry pepper slices and Jalapeno slices in the middle of the tortilla leaving 1 inch space all through the sides.
Add cheese and place the other tortilla on top. press the sides and turn over. Add oil to the sides. place some weight on top of it till the cheese melts and the tortillas are slightly toasted.
Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream or salsa.

note

U can add any number of fillings like lettuce,tomatoes,cucumbers and black beans as per ur wish. No need to saute the onions and bell peppers if u are not adding mushrooms.