Paneer Rice

Sorry folks! I was not able to post anything for almost a month as I was a bit busy with a few other things... Here is a simple recipe of paneer rice which I hope you would love to try.

Ingredients

Fried paneer cubes- 1 pack

curd-3/4 cup

Basmathi rice-2 1/2 cups

turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

chilli powder- 11/2 tsp or acc to taste

coriander powder- 2 tsp

kasoori methi- 1tsp

ginger garlic paste- 1 to 1 1/2 tsp

garam masala- 1/4 tsp

Onions- 2 medium, sliced

coriander leaves- a few chopped finely

mint leaves- a few chopped finely

salt to taste

yellow/orange food color- a pinch(optional)

For seasoning

oil- 2 tbsp

butter - 2 tbsp

bayleaves- a few

cinnamon- 1 stick

cloves- 2

cardomom- 1

star anise-2

saunf-1/4 tsp

Method

Soak the basmathi rice in water for 10 minutes.

In a bowl add curd , chilli powder, turmeric powder, corainder powder, kasoori methi, ginger garlic paste, salt and garam masala powder. whisk well , add the paneer pieces to it and keep aside for 2 hours.

Drain the water from the rice add 2 tsp of oil and microwave it for 2 - 3 minutes.

Heat butter + remaining oil in a pan and add cinnamon, cloves, cardomom, star anise, saunf,bayleaves and sliced onions. Fry for a some time till the onions turn transparent and then add the paneer with the curd. Fry for a couple of minutes in medium flame till the oil seperates and then add the chopped coriander and mint leaves. remove from fire.

Add rice and water in the ricecooker in the ratio of 1: 1 3/4 and add the prepared paneer masala to it. cook till done, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with raita.

note

You can deepfry onions and cashews till golden brown and garnish on top.

Masal Vadai

Ingredients

Channa dal- 1 cup

red chillies- 2-3 or acc to taste

saunf- 1/2 tsp

hing- a pinch

onions- 1 chopped finely

curryleaves- a few,chopped finely

coriander leaves - a few chopped finely

oil for deep frying

salt to taste

Method

Soak channa dal in water for 2 hours. Grind dal along with red chillies, saunf , hing and salt to a very coarse paste.

Add chopped onions,curry leaves and coraiander leaves to the paste and mix well. Make small balls and flatten it with ur palm.

Heat oil and deep fry the vadais. Serve hot with or without coconut chutney.

Note:

You can use yellow split peas instead of chana dal. By using this dal the vadais turn out to be more crispy.

Methi Paratha and Capsicum Carrot Raita

Methi Paratha

Ingredients

Methi leaves- 1 small bunch

wheat flour- 2 cups

cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp

ajwain-1/4 tsp

besan- 2 tbsp

yogurt- 2 tbsp

turmeric powder-little

chilli powder-1/2 tsp

ginger garlic paste-1/2 tsp(optional)

garam masala- a pinch

salt to taste

oil

Method

Clean the leaves well and chop finely. Add all the ingredients except oil and using water knead well to form a dough. keep aside for 1/2 an hour to 1 hour.

Make golf sized balls out of it and roll it into parathas.

Cook until brown spots appear on both sides adding oil to the sides.

Capscicum and carrot raita

Ingredients

capsicum- 1 small chopped very finely

carrot -1 small chopped very finely(or grated)

green chilli- 1 chopped finely

yogurt- 1 cup

oil-1 tsp

turmeric powder- a pinch

mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp

cumin seeds- 1/4 tsp

curry leaves- a few

coriander leaves - a few chopped

salt to taste

Method

Heat oil in a pan add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds,green chilli and curry leaves. Then add the carrot pieces (add it first if u have chopped and add it last if u have grated) , fry for a minute and then add the capsicum pieces. Fry for 1 or 2 minutes , add salt and turmeric powder and remove from fire. Add whipped yogurt when cooled and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with methi paratha.

Uthappam

Ingredients

For Batter

Idli rice- 4 cups

Urad dal(whole)-1 cup

fenugreek seeds- 1 tsp

salt to taste

For Uthappam

Red onions- 2 chopped finely

tomatoes- 1 chopped finely

green chillie-1 chopped finely

ginger- a small piece chopped finely

coriander leaves - a few chopped finely

Method

Wash and soak the rice and and dal+fenugreek seperately for 4 hrs. Grind the dal first into a smooth paste by adding water little by little. Then grind the rice seperately into a fine paste. Mix the dal and the rice paste together , add salt and keep aside for 8 hrs or more, till the batter is fermented well. This is the basic dosa batter.

U can make uthappam with this basic dosa batter. But uthappams will taste best when the batter becomes a bit sour , that is after 2 or 3 days. So usually i make uthappams with the left over dosa batter.

Heat tava and spread little oil on it. Pour a ladleful of batter and spread the batter into a thick pancake with the ladle. Add little of the chopped veggies and drizzle a tsp of oil on the sides. When it is cooked on one side, carefully turn over and cook for a couple of minutes.

Serve hot with idli podi or any chutney.

Stir Fried Vegetable Noodles

Ingredients

Asian noodles- 1 pack

olive oil/or any oil of ur choice- 2 tbsps

soy sauce- 1-2 tsp

vinegar- 1 tsp

salt and pepper powder - acc to ur choice

garlic- 2 cloves finely chopped

onion- 1 small chopped into thin slices

carrot - 1 medium julienned

snow peas- 1/2 cup

green pepper-1 small julienned

yellow or red pepper- 1/2 small julienned

zucchini- 1/4 cup julienned

broccoli- 1/4 cup chopped into small florets

Method

Cook the noodles as per the package instructions.

Heat oil in a pan and add chopped garlic and onions. Saute for some time till the onions become transparent and then add the julienned vegetables. Stir fry in high flame for a few minutes. The vegetables should only be half cooked and should remain crisp . Now add the soy sauce, salt, pepper and vinegar. Then finally add the cooked noodles and mix it well . Noodles stir fry is ready to serve.

Ragda Patties

Ingredients

For Patties

Large potatoes-3

Bread slices-2(optional)

salt to taste

coriander leaves- a few chopped finely

turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

oil- a few tsps

For Ragda

Whole yellow peas(soaked overnight)- 1 cup

onion-1 chopped finely

turmeric powder-1/4 tsp

coriander powder- 3/4 tsp

cumin powder- 1/4 tsp

green chilli-3-4

ginger and garlic- 1" pieces

For serving

Ingredients for Date chutney

Dates- 6

Extract form small lime sized tamarind

jaggery-2-3 tsp

chilli powder- 1/2 tsp

cumin powder-1/2 tsp

Ingredients for green chutney

mint leaves- 1/2 cup chopped finely

coriander leaves- 1 cup chopped finely

green chillies-6

lemon juice- 2 tsp

cumin- 1/4 tsp

rock salt-a pinch

Thin sev

finely chopped onion, tomato and corainder leaves- little

Method

Pressure cook the potaotes, peel the skin, mash well and add salt and turmeric powder. Wet the bread slices in water, squeeze it and add to the potatoes. mix everything well and make small patties. Heat little oil in a tawa and shallow fry the patties until golden brown on both sides. patties are ready

Heat oil in a pan/pressure pan and add the finely chopped onions. grind green chilli+ginger+garlic to a coarse paste and saute it along with onions. Add the soaked peas, all the powders and cook till they are soft and mushy. ragda is ready now.

soak the dates in hot water or boil it in water for 2 minutes. Grind the dates to a fine paste and add all the other ingredients in a pan and bring to boil. When the mixture becomes thick ,date chutney is ready

Grind all the ingredients together for the green chutney.

For serving, place one or two patties in a plate, pour a ladleful of ragda on top of it, add little of date and green chutneys, sprinkle sev on top and garnish with chopped onion, tomato and coriander bits.

Black bean salad

I rarely make salads, though I know that they are very healthy. One of my friend had invited us for the thanksgiving dinner last year and this salad was one among the menu. I loved this salad as it was very attractive to see and it tasted great. I have made this thrice after having it in her house. Would really love to share it with u all.

Ingredients

Black bean- 1 cup

cucumber-1 small, chopped finely

onion- 1 small, chopped finely

tomato- 1 small, chopped finely

mango-1 big slice, chopped finely

coriander leaves- a few , chopped finely

green chillies-1 chopped finely

salt to taste

pepper powder- little

Method

Soak the black bean (if using fresh ones) overnight and cook till done (be careful not to overcook it). U can use the canned beans too and its very easy to make this salad with canned beans.

Add all the chopped veggies to the black bean and toss it up with salt and pepper. squeeze lemon juice and serve.

U can increase or decrease the amount of veggies as per ur taste. U can use any variety of beans to make this salad and add veggies such as carrots ,coconut,peas , boiled peanuts etc according to ur taste.

Ulli Theeyal

'Ulli' means onion in malayalam and 'Theeyal' means burnt food. The coconut should be fried well until brown in this dish. Theeyal is almost similar to Tamilnadu's kaara kuzhambu. We don't fry the coconut for kaara kuzhambu and we add vegetables like brinjal and drumsticks to it.
This is my contribution to the RCI: Kerala hosted by Jyothsna of Currybazaar and JFI:Onions hosted by Radhika of Radhi's Kitchen.

Ingredients

pearl onions- 30 -35 peeled and sliced
coconut- 1/2 cup
tomato- 1 small
coriander seeds- 2 tsp
cumin seeds- 1 tsp
chilli powder- 1 to 1 1/2 tsp or acc to taste
turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
tamarind- lemon sized
oil-2 tbsp
salt to taste
For seasoning
mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
split bengal gram- 1/4 tsp
curry leaves- a few
red chilli -1
methi seeds- slightly less than 1/4 tsp

Method

Soak the tamarind in water and extract the juice out of it.
Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan and add coriander seeds, cumin, 10 - 15 onions and coconut one by one and fry for a couple of minutes.
When cooled add this along with turmeric powder, chilli powder , tomato and grind to a fine paste.
Heat the remaining oil in a pan and add the seasonings one by one.Then add the rest of the sliced pearl/sambar onions and fry till it turns transparent.
Now add the ground paste and the tamarind juice. Add 1 cup of water to it and when it boils simmer the flame and close partly with a lid. Keep on flame for 15 to 20 minutes till the gravy thickens and oil seperates.
Serve hot with rice.

Note
U can add coriander powder and cumin powder too instead of seeds.
U can add brinjals and bittergourd instead of onions.
Check Anita's Ulli theeyal too.

Plum/fruit cake

Wish You all a very happy and prosperous NEW YEAR!!!!!

Back in India , during Christmas we used to receive plum cakes as gifts from our friends.Thought I would give it a try this year... Its the first time Iam baking this cake.... I followed the recipes of RP, and Mishmash and the cake turned out really great. Mishmash's recipe was classic and was very useful. Its completely their recipe and just for my own records I have blogged it.

Ingredients

All purpose flour- 1 cup

sugar- 1 cup

butter- 1 stick

dried fruits-(dates, raisins, dried cherries,plums,pears, prunes and apricots)- 1 cup

dried nuts-(almonds, cashews and walnuts) 1/2 cup

eggs-3

baking powder-1 tsp

baking soda-1/2 tsp

salt-1/4 tsp

vanilla extract -1 tsp

candied lemon and orange peels- 1tbsp

spice powder(cinnamon, nutmeg,clove and dry ginger)- 1 tsp(I used the ready made one)

Rum or Brandy- 1/2 cup or grape juice- 1/4 cup and orange juice- 1/4 cup
For caramelising

sugar-1/4 cup

water - 1tbsp + 1/2 cup

Method

Chop the dried fruits and soak them inRum /Brandy or grape and orange juice for a few hours.

Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp water in a sauce pan and allow it to boil. Do not stir it and after a few minutes ,the sugar syrup changes to a cherry wood coloured caramel.Remove the pan from fire immediately ,keep under sink and add 1/4 cup of water to it. Be very careful as the caramel is very hot and it may splash. Let it cool completely. Add the vanilla essence to it.

Powder the sugar, chop the nuts and bring the eggs and butter to room temperature.

Sift the flour, baking powder,baking soda and salt. Add the spice powder to it and mix well.

Seperate the egg whites and yolks. Beat the whites until soft peaks are formed. keep aside .

Beat the powdered sugar and butter in a mixing bowl till light and fluffy.Now add the egg yolks to it one by one and beat well until the mixture is creamy.

Add the sifted flour and the caramel to it and mix well. Add the beaten egg whites and fold them in gently .

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the cake pans with parchment paper and butter and dust them.

Now its time to add the chopped nuts and the soaked dry fruits to the cake mixture. Fold them gently into the cake batter. Spoon them into the greased cake pans and bake them for 50 minutes to 1 hour. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean.

Cool completely before storing it.

Rava Kesari

Ingredients

Rava/sooji- 1 cup

Sugar- 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups

water- 1 1/2 cups

milk- 1/2 cup

ghee- 4 tbsp

cashews- a few

Raisins- a few

cardomom powder-1/4 tsp

kesari colour/orange food colour-a pinch

Method

Heat 3 tbsp of ghee in a pan and fry the rava for a few minutes till a nice aroma comes out. keep aside.

Boil the water and milk with the food colour and add rava to it slowly by stirring continuously , so that no lumps are formed.

Add sugar and mix well. By this time the rava would have been almost cooked and so reduce the flame and keep stirring in between.

In another pan heat 1 tbsp of ghee and add cashews and raisins. Fry till golden brown and pour over rava mixture. Sprinkle cardamom powder and mix well.

Kesari is ready to serve.

note

I used the fine semolina variety. If u are using the regular sooji, then add 3 cups of milk+water.

Vazhaipoo kuzhambu (Banana flower/blossom curry)

This is a simple and easy to prepare kuzhambu prepared with banana blossom ,which is a very healthy vegetable and has lots of medicinal properties too. This is my MIL's recipe and I love to share this with you all.

Ingredients

Vazhaipoo(banana flower/blossom)-1

onions- 2 medium sized

green chilli -1 slitted

coconut milk- 3/4 cup( If using canned coconut milk just use 4 tbsp)

chilli powder- 1 tsp or acc to taste

coriander powder- 1 tsp

jeera powder- 2 tsp

oil- 4-5 tsp

salt to taste

Method

Wash the whole blossom in water and start peeling the outer purple layers and the flowers inside them.

Keep on peeling the layers. The color of the purple cover will change to a pale hue and the flowers will become more tender as you reach the inner part.

Collect these tender flowers and keep peeling the layers till whole blossom becomes small enough to hold in ur palm.

Slit the blossom vertically into two.

Soak the blossom and the flowers in yogurt water to pervent it from turning brown.

Heat oil in a pressure cooker/pan and fry the chopped onions and green chilli. When the onions turn transparent add chilli,coriander and jeera powders. Fry for a minute and add the coconut milk and 1/2 cup of water to it.

When the coconut milk boils add the banana blossom along with the tender flowers. Check salt and pressure cook for one whistle.

Serve hot with rice.

Note

Cleaning the flower takes time and will make ur nails dirty. Apply yogurt or cooking oil or wear gloves in ur hands and clean them.

The peeled flowers before the tender stage can be used to make poriyal.

You can make mushroom and cauliflower kuzhambu too by follwing the same method.

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.

Badam Halwa

Hi all, Iam back with badam Halwa. I got this recipe from my friend Abitha. Its a lovely recipe and adding MTR mix gives a very rich taste. Try it folks!!! and Iam sure u will love it. This is my entry for RCI Tamil festivals:Diwali , started by Lakshmik and hosted by Viji of VCuisine

Ingredients

Almond paste- 2 1/2 cups( If u are using fresh almonds soak overnight , peel the skin and grind to a paste. If using readymade sliced almonds , just grind with little water to form a paste.The paste can be very fine or a bit coarse like rava consistency ,according to ur taste.)

Milk- 2 1/2 cups

MTR badam feast- 1 1/4 cup

sugar- 3 to 4 tbsp or according to ur taste.

ghee- 1/4 cup or acc to ur taste.

Method

Heat ghee in a non stick pan and fry the ground almond paste in a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes.

Mix the MTR powder with milk. Add this and sugar to the almond paste. keep stirring for 20 to 25 minutes till the halwa comes together as a single mass, without sticking to the pan.

This can be refrigerated upto 3 weeks. Have fun making this for diwali.

Blogging Break!!!

As Iam having problems with my computer,Iam not able to post recipes... will see u all in a couple of days.....

Rava Idly with coconut and coriander chutney

Rava Idly is a famous breakfast in the southern part of Karnataka. Do you know that Rava idlies were first invented at MTR? During World War II, rice was in short supply. MTR experimented with wheat and thus was born the enormously popular "Rava Idli."Source:MTR Foods

I have been making Rava idlies with MTR instant mix for a long time... they come out very well.

But I wanted to try it without the mix and then followed this method.. it turned out even more softer than the instant mix . So needless to saythat from then on I am making rava idlies without the instant mix. You can find the recipe of Rava idly in most of the blogs .... here is my way of doing it. This is my entry to the "Regional Cuisines of India" aka RCI event is started by LakshmiK from "Veggie cuisine" and hosted by dear Asha of Foodies hope.

Ingredients

Rava- 2 cups

curd- 2 cups

cooking soda- 1/4 tsp

oil- 3 tbsp

ghee- 2 tsp

salt to taste

seasoning

mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp

urad dal - 1/2 tsp

chana dal- 1 tsp

cashews broken-2 tsp

ginger- a small piece chopped finely

green chillies- 3 chopped finely

curry leaves- a few

coriander leaves- a few chopped finely

Method

Heat oil + ghee in a pan and add the seasonings one by one. Then add the Rawa to it and fry for sometime till u get a nice aroma in a medium heat. (Be careful and dont burn it)

Transfer the rava to a bowl and let it cool . Beat the curd well and then add it to the rava.

Set aside for 2 to 3 hrs.

Add the cooking soda to the rava mixture and mix well. Add little water or milk if it is too thick.

Grease the idly plates and pour the batter in them. cook them on medium heat for 10 - 12 minutes.

serve hot with chutney or sambar or saagu.

Note:

U can add carrots and peas to make vegetable rava idlies. Check out Supriya's rava idli here

Coconut and coriander chutney

Ingredients

coconut grated-3/4 cup

coriander leaves- a handful(3 tbsp roughly) finely chopped

ginger- a small piece

roasted gram dal- 2 tsp

green chillies- 4 or acc to taste

salt to taste

mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp

urad dal - 1/4 tsp

curry leaves- a few

red chilli -1

oil -2 tsp

Method

Grind coconut, coriander leaves, ginger,roasted gram,green chillies and salt to a fine paste adding water. Transfer the ground paste to a bowl.

Heat oil in a kadai and add the seasoning ingredients one by one.pour over the ground chutney and mix well.

Serve with hot idlies.

I Thank Kribha of 'veetu samayal' for giving me the inspirational blogger award, Sandeepa of Bongmom's cookbook for giving me the Thoughtful blogger award,

and Richa of 'As dear as salt' for giving me the schmooze award. Got these awards almost a month back and wanted to thank them from then on, but somehow kept missing them ...and now finally ,have done it. Thanks guys.. feel proud and happy on getting these awards.

Kothu Chappathi

Just happenned to see this in vijay tv last week... tried it and and it came out very well. So I thought I could share it with u all too... This is my entry to WBB #15 'leftovers' hosted by Nanditha of Saffron trail.

Ingredients

left over or fresh Chappathis- 4 cut into squares

onion-1 chopped lengthwise

tomatoes -1 medium sized chopped finely

tomato sauce- 1 tsp

capsicum - 1 small chopped into squares or lengthwise

green chillies- 1 slited

ginger- 1 " piece- crushed

garlic- 3 flakes - crushed

saunf- 1/4 tsp

mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp

curry leaves- a few

turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp

chilli powder- 1/2 tsp or acc to taste

oil- 2 tbsp

salt to taste

coriander leaves- a few chopped finely

Method

Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard and saunf seeds.When they sizzle add the chopped onions , curry leaves and green chilli. Saute for some time and when the onions turn transparent add the crushed ginger,garlic and chopped tomatoes. Fry till the tomatoes are mushy and then add the chopped capsicum pieces and tomato sauce.Then add turmericpowder,chilli powder and salt. Keep in a slow flame for a few minutes or till the oil comes on top and then finally add the chopped chappathi pieces. mix well and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Serve hot just like that or with raitha.

U can try this with parottas too to make kothu parotta.

Thattai and Appam- Krishnajayanthi treats

Today is 'Krishna Jayanthi', the birth day of lord Krishna.Happy Janmashtami/Krishna jayanthi to all of u.Read more abt krishna jayanthi here.

When I saw thattais and appam in shyamala's and Latha narasimhan's blog I decided to try it out for Krishna Jayanthi.Both turned out very well. Thanks shyamala and Latha.

This is my entry to the festival food event - Janmashtami/Srijayanthi hosted by Latha Narasimhan of 'Yum' blog and to the WYF -Snacks event hosted by Hima of snackorama.

Thattai

Ingredients

Rice flour- 4 cups

roasted dal powder or gram flour- 1/2 cup

butter- 4 tbsp

sesame seeds- 2 tsp

cumin seeds - 1 tsp

chilli powder- 2 1/2 tsp or acc to taste

salt - 1 1/2 tsp or to taste

channa dal- 1/2 cup soaked in water for 30 mins

curry leaves- a few chopped

Asafoetida- less than 1/4 tsp

oil for deep frying

Method

Powder the roasted gram and sieve it finely. Drain the channa dal well and add to the dal powder. Mix all the ingredients except oil together and add water to form a thick dough.

Make small balls out of it , place it in a greased plastic sheet and flatten it with ur fingers .

I I kept the balls in a greased plastic sheet , placed another small sheet on top of it and then placed a flat bottomed steel bowl on top of it and pressed it firmly. Then slightly flattened it out with fingers and it turned out perfect. You can cut open the ziploc bag and sandwich in between those too. However u make it, make thin discs.

Peel the prepared thattais carefully from the plastic sheet, drop it gently in hot oil and deep fry until golden brown on both sides. Keep the oil in an uniform medium flame and deep fry all the prepared thattais the same way .Store in an airtight container.

Appam

Ingredients

Raw rice- 1 cup

Jaggery- 3/4 cup

dry coconut(copra)- a few pieces

ghee- 2 tbsp

cardomom powder- 1/2 tsp

Method

Soak raw rice in water for 2 to 4 hrs. Drain it well and grind it in a mixie adding very little water.

When it becomes a fine paste add the jaggery to it and grind .

chop the dry coconut into small bits and fry it in ghee till golden brown.

Add the coconut bits and cardomom powder to rice and jaggery batter. The consistency of the batter should be like the dosa batter.

Heat the kuzhi paniyaram pan and add little ghee to all the potions of the pan. Add the batter to each portion of the pan . Turn over and cook till the appams are golden brown on both sides.

Orissa cuisine

Luchi and Ghuguni

Iam a bit late for the RCI oriyan cuisine and Asha had already announced the RCI for karnataka too. Thought that Aug 30 was the last date... anyhow doesn't want to miss this and hope Swapna accepts the late entry.I have never been to Orissa nor had an oriyan friend ...so before the announcement of RCI Orissa, I knew nothing about their cuisine. Googled and read abt their cuisine here and here. I have always thought 'Rasagullas' to be a bengali sweet , but was surprised to learn that they were originated from orissa. Their curries too are different from the usual spicy indian curries.

I wanted to try out a sweet from their cuisine ,as oriyans are very fond of sweets but as I have posted lots of sweets I thought I would try Luchi and Ghuguni.

Luchis are nothing but pooris made with maida. Ghuguni is a simple dish made with peas and potatoes. This is my contribution to RCI Orissa hosted by Swapna and started by Lakshmik.

Luchi

Ingredients

Maida- 2 cups

oil/ghee- 2 tsp

salt to taste and water for the dough

oil for deep frying

Method

Mix all the ingredients and knead to a soft dough. Set aside for 1/2 an hour . Make small balls as u do for puris ,roll out and deep fry it in hot oil.

Ghuguni

Ingredients

Green peas(dried)- 1/2 cup

Potato- 1 medium

onion- 1

tomato-1

oil- 5 tsp

cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp

salt to taste

cinnamon- 1 piece

cloves- 3

ginger garlic paste- 1 tsp

chiili powder-1 tsp

coriander powder- 1 1/2 tsp

cumin powder, turmeric powder, garam masala- 1/4 tsp each

coriander leaves- a few chopped finely

Method

Soak the peas overnight and pressure cook it. Boil the potatoes and cube it.

Grind onion and tomato with all the powders and ginger garlic paste.

Heat oil in a pan and add cumin, cinnamon and cloves. Then add the ground paste and some water. Let it boil for some time till the raw smell disappears.

Add the cookes peas and potato and keep in medium flame for 5 to 10 mins . Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve hot with puffed up luchis.