MIXED VEGETABLE RICE RECIPE / KAAI SADHAM RECIPE

Mixed vegetable rice is a tasty and easy to make lunch box recipe

INGREDIENTS:

Cooked rice - 2 cups
Beans, carrot, potato, peas - 1 cup (cut into cubes)
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

(OR) sambar powder -1 tsp.

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.

Hing

Ghee - 1 tsp.
Garam masala -1/2 tsp.
Oil -2 tsp.
Salt - to taste

METHOD:

Wash and cut the vegetables into cubes. You can add any vegetable of your choice. I used Beans, carrot, fresh peas, potato and capsicum.

In a kadai, heat oil. Add cumin seeds and then chopped vegetables. Now, add turmeric powder, hing, salt and sambar powder. Mix well, sprinkle some water and cover with a lid and cook. When done, open the lid, add garam masala and sauté for 2 minutes. Add coriander leaves. 

Now, add the cooked rice, little salt for the rice, ghee and mix well without breaking the rice. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with any raita of your choice.

Variation: With onion. Sauté onion until translucent before adding vegetables.

Pavakkai vadakkal recipe/ Bittergourd fry recipe

 

INGREDIENTS:

Bittergourd (midhi pavakkai variety) - 1/2 kg.
Salt - as per taste
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Urad dhal - 1 tsp.
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp.

(OR) sambar powder- 1 tsp.
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp.
Oil - 2 tablespoons

METHOD:

Select tender bitter gourd. Wash well and finely chop them. Discard the seeds. 

In a kadai, heat oil, add mustard seeds and urad dhal and when golden brown, add the chopped bittergourd salt and sambar powder OR chilli powder and fry until it is cooked and crisp.

NOTE: To avoid bitterness, you can marinate bittergourd with salt and turmeric powder for 10 minutes, and squeeze the water. But the bitterness is healthy and I do not prefer to marinate and squeeze.

Grapes Sheera Recipe / Sheera Recipe

Sheera, a popular prasadam in Perumal temples is prepared with milk and no added colours. Also known as sooji halwa and kesari, this is a traditional sweet, prepared at home with milk or water, during festivities and for breakfast as well. I was tempted to make it with these grapes (in Australia) which was so tasty. 

INGREDIENTS:

Double roasted rava/sooji - 1 cup

Water - 2 cups

Grapes puree - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Ghee - 1/2 cup
Cashew and raisins - few

Cardamom powder -  1/4 tsp.

Saffron strands - few (optional)

METHOD:

Grind grapes in a mixie. I have used seedless grapes. 

In a kadai, heat a spoon of ghee and fry the cashew and raisins until golden brown, keep aside. 

In the same kadai, fry rawa (sooji) until you feel a nice aroma. 

Add hot water gradually, stir quickly so that no lumps are formed. Add ground grapes, little ghee. Cover with a lid and allow it to get cooked. 

Now add sugar, stir, mix well. Add some more ghee. Initially while adding sugar, the mixture looks like forming lumps. Do not panic. Mix well, stir continuously mashing the lumps, and the sugar melts well. Add remaining ghee.

Add cardamom powder, fried cashews and raisins. Cook until the mixture comes together, forms a mass and separates from the pan.

Serve warm or hot.

Mahalaya Paksha Thaligai - Part 3

Mahalaya Paksha Thaligai - Part 3

Common practice,and tradition 👇👇

Appam Recipe and video link: https://www.shanthisthaligai.com/2009/12/appam-tanjore-style.html?m=1

Mahalaya Paksha Thaligai - Part 2

Mahalaya Paksha Thaligai - Part 2
Common doubts and tradition 👇👇

 

Mahalaya Paksha Thaligai - Part 1

Mahalaya Paksha Thaligai

Appam (Tanjore style) Recipe link:

https://www.shanthisthaligai.com/2009/12/appam-tanjore-style.html?m=1

 

Broken Wheat Kadambam recipe / Dalia Kadambam recipe

Jai Sri Jagannath 😊 

Broken Wheat Kadambam / Dalia Kadambam (Iyengar special Kadambam with a twist) made with samba godhumai kurunai (not godhumai rava). I have been making this for more than 20 years, similar to Iyengar kadambam, with a slight twist, during vrat days when rice and tamarind is not permitted, but have not posted in my blog. Some of my close friends and family members asked me to post it in blog. I promised to post it soon. Hence, posting this Dalia Kadambam.

INGREDIENTS:

Broken wheat - 1 cup
Tur dhal - 1/2 cup
Raw mango chopped - 1/2 cup
Mixed vegetables - 3 cups (Ash gourd, Beans, Carrot, Pumpkin, Potato)
Tomato - 1
Green chilly - 1
Sambar powder - 1tsp.
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp.

Ghee - 1 tablespoon
Gingelly oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste

To fry in oil and powder:
Oil - 1 tsp.
Coriander seeds - 3 tablespoons
Bengal gram - 2 tsp.
Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Urad dhal - 2 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 2 (or more as needed)
Pepper - 1/2 tsp.
Hing

To temper:
Ghee - 1 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 2
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Curry leaves - a sprig

METHOD:

Dry roast broken wheat until it changes colour to white. Wash and drain water. Add turmeric powder, salt.

Peel and roughly chop mango. Add to broken wheat. 

Pressure cook broken wheat and tur dhal with turmeric in separate containers, mash well and keep aside. Water ratio 3:1

Cut vegetables and tomato into medium-sized pieces.

In a pan, heat a teaspoon of oil and add the items given in the list "To fry in oil and powder" until golden brown. When cool, powder coarsely in a mixie. Keep aside.

 

In the same pan, heat the remaining oil, temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves, dry chilly, green chilly, hing and add tomato. Saute a bit and add all the vegetables, a pinch of turmeric powder and stir fry for 3 minutes. Add little salt, sambar powder, sprinkle little water and cover with a lid.

When done, add cooked broken wheat and mashed dhal, ground powder, little salt and mix well without any lumps. 

Add enough water to get the desired consistency and cook for 3-4 more minutes stirring frequently. Temper with the ingredients (given in the list "to temper"). Finally add a spoon of raw gingelly oil and ghee. Mix.

Offer to Perumal.

Serve hot with any vadaam or poricha appalam.

VARIATION: 

1. With or without tamarind

2. Can be made as one pot dish. But tastes perfect when made as said above.

Palakkotai mangai aviyal recipe / Chakka kuru manga aviyal recipe

INGREDIENTS:

Jackfruit seeds (Chakka kuru) -  1 cup

Raw mango peeled and chopped - 1 cup

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp. 

Grated coconut - 1/2 cup

Green chillies - 2 or 3

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp.

Thick curd - 1/4 cup

Salt - as per taste

Coconut oil - 2 tablespoons

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

METHOD:

Cut jackfruit seeds lengthwise.

Peel and chop raw mango.

Grind coconut, jeera, green chillies to a medium coarse paste.

In a pan, cook jackfruit seeds with salt, turmeric powder and little water. When cooked, add chopped raw mangoes. When done, add the ground coconut paste. Cook until the raw smell diffuses. In a pan, heat 1/2 tsp. coconut oil, and curry leaves. Add to the mixture. Switch off the heat. Add thick curd, coconut oil and mix well. Serve with rice.

BROKEN WHEAT PONGAL RECIPE / DALIA PONGAL RECIPE / LAPSI PONGAL RECIPE

Broken wheat pongal is a healthy and easy South Indian breakfast dish prepared with samba variety  wheat.  It is known as Dalia in Hindi. I make this during vrat days. This dish is bachelor friendly and a healthy substitute for rice as well.
NOTE:  Vegans can avoid ghee and use any plant based oil.

INGREDIENTS:

• Broken wheat - 1/2 cup 
• Moong dal - 1/2 cup 
• Black pepper - 1/8 tsp. 
• Cumin seeds - 1/8 tsp. 
• Grated ginger - 1 tsp 
• Asafoetida 
• Water - 2 cups
• Salt - to taste 
• Curry leaves 

To temper:

• Oil - 1 tablespoon 
• Ghee - 1 tablespoon 
• Pepper-jeera powder - 2 tsp

 

METHOD:

• Heat a pan and dry roast broken wheat until it becomes white.
• Dry roast moong dal until hot.
• Wash both dal and broken wheat, drain and keep aside.
• Take a vessel, add water and all ingredients, mix well and pressure cook for 4-5 whistles.
• When the pressure is released, take out the vessel, add pepper-jeera powder to the pongal. Heat oil and ghee and pour on top of it. Mix well. Serve hot with any chutney of your choice.

KURUKKU KALAN RECIPE / KATTI KALAN RECIPE

Being born and brought up in Coimbatore and owing to its proximity to Kerala, I have tasted many Kerala dishes. During Onam and other festivals, I have cooked many traditional Kerala recipes. Sadhya/ Sadya in Kerala, is a traditional feast served on banana leaf, similar to Tamil Nadu's 'Vazhai ilai sappadu'. Click here for Onam sadhya recipes. Coming to Kalan, no Onasadhya is complete without a Kalan. The difference between Kalan and Kurukku kalan is, Kalan will be like a gravy, and a pouring consistency, whereas Kurukku kalan is stirred for a long time until the gravy thickens. Kalan/Kurukku kalan/Katti Kalan is made with vegetables like Chena (yam), Kaya (raw banana), Kumbalanga (Ash gourd) and thick yoghurt. Kurukku kalan stays fresh for a fortnight.

INGREDIENTS:

Chopped ashgourd - 1 ½ cup
Chopped raw banana - 1 ½ cup

(Yam and raw banana makes a good combo. I used ashgourd and raw banana).
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - a pinch
Pepper Powder - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Thick sour curds - 3 cups

To grind to a paste:
Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup
Green Chillies - 2
Jeera - 1/4 tsp

To temper:

Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard Seeds – 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves - a sprig

Dry red chillies - 1

METHOD:

Peel the skin and cut the vegetables into medium sized pieces. Grind coconut, green chillies and jeera to a thick, smooth paste. Whisk curd without water until smooth.

Cook vegetables with chilli powder and turmeric using very little water. When half cooked, add salt and beaten curd and stir until the curd reduces and the kalan thickens to a semi solid state. ###

Now add the ground coconut paste. Mix well and cook in low flame until thick. Now add pepper powder, mix well and cook for a few seconds.

Temper with given ingredients, mix well and serve with steamed rice.

(### NOTE: Generally, it is prepared upto this stage and stored for future use. This stays good for more than a fortnight). 

CHAKKA CURRY / JACKFRUIT CURRY / CHAKKA CURRY RECIPE

Chakka curry is a traditional Kerala dish made with semi-ripe jackfruit. 

INGREDIENTS:

Semi-ripe jackfruit sulai (bulb) - 15
Cowpeas - 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Chilli powder - 1/8 tsp.
Salt - to taste
Urad dhal - 2 tsp.
Dry red chilli - 2 or 3
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Grated coconut - 1/2 cup

To temper:
Coconut oil - 2 tsp.
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Curry leaves - a sprig

METHOD:

NOTE: Jackfruit for chakka curry should be firm and semi-ripe. The semi-ripe chulais have sour and sweet taste which gives the flavour to the curry.

Soak cowpeas for an hour. Pressure cook with little salt until soft. Drain water completely and keep aside.

Heat coconut oil in a kadai and roast urad dhal and chilli until golden brown. Grind along with cumin seeds and grated coconut to a smooth paste.

Take out the seeds from jackfruit, clean well and chop to pieces. Cook in little water along with salt, turmeric powder and chilli powder. When 3/4th done, add cooked cow peas, and allow it to cook for 5 minutes. Now add the ground paste, add little water to get the desired consistency, mix well and cook for 2 or 3 minutes in low flame. 

Temper the given ingredients and pour over the curry. Mix well. 

Serve as a side dish for Onam Sadhya. 

PULINKARI / MATHANGA PULINKARI / PULINCURRY / PULINKARI RECIPE

Pulinkari means a curry with tamarind. Mathanga Pulinkari is a Kerala style curry in which diced pumpkin is cooked in tamarind sauce alongwith some ground spices. The temperings in coconut oil gives additional flavour to the curry. This is one of the must have dishes in Onasadya (Onam feast) of Kerala.This is a simple to make pulincurry. There are many variations to this recipe. I have also mentioned the variations at the end of this post. 

INGREDIENTS:

Yellow pumpkin - 2 cups
Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp.
Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp.
Green chilli -1
Tamarind paste - 1 tablespoon OR tamarind extract from key lime sized tamarind.
Hing - a generous pinch
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Dry red chilli - 1
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 tsp. (preferably coconut oil)

To temper:
Coconut oil - 2 tsp.
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs

METHOD:

Cut pumpkin into medium sized cubes. Need not peel the skin.

In a kadai, roast the coconut in low heat until golden brown and grind alongwith cumin seeds and red chilli to a smooth paste.

Cook pumpkin pieces in water alongwith salt, green chilli and turmeric powder. When half done, add tamarind extract ,hing and chilli powder and cook until raw smell diffuses. Now add the ground paste and cook for a few minutes in medium flame. Temper with the given ingredients. Serve with rice.

NOTE: Roasted coconut gives the flavour. If health conscious, just add grated coconut.

Variations:
1. Sauteed shallots are added.
2. Coriander seeds, methi seeds, tur dhal, urad dhal are roasted in oil and ground with coconut to a powder. This is called podi podicha pulinkari. These ingredients can also be ground to a paste.
3. Cooked tur dhal is added.

BROCCOLI PARATHA RECIPE / PREETHI ZODIAC REVIEW

Recently I received a request from Preethi Kitchen appliances to review their product Preethi Zodiac Food Processor. I received the product from them and after using it for quite sometime, I am sharing my experiences and personally feel that Preethi Zodiac Food Processor is a good companion in kitchen. 

Preethi Kitchen appliances,the iconic brand, have recently launched their food processor appliance named PREETHI ZODIAC MIXER GRINDER.

Mixie/grinder has become inevitable in any Indian household. So, what’s the difference between mixie/blender and a food processor? Mixies/blenders are used for making purees, smoothies, grinding etc., whereas food processors excel at grating, shredding, chopping, kneading, mincing, pureeing, grinding, herbs chopping and so on.

The Master Chef Jar is very attractive. The atta kneader attachment kneads even stiff dough within a minute as the product has a heavy duty motor. As it is kneading in high speed, the rotis also turn out to be soft. The dough is just like traditionally kneaded dough. With the right attachment, it chops, shreds, grates and slices paneer, cheese, vegetables and fruits quickly and easily. I was surprised to see everything done in just few seconds, you can say it as a record time. The wide mouth design of the master chef jar enables to hold more quantity and makes cleaning process also very easy. An added feature is the citrus juicer. It fits in the master chef jar.

Note: Blend in batches if you have to do in large quantities.

High speed juice extractor: This extracts juice from fruits and vegetables with ease. You can make preservative free juice at home. Now, with this facility, you can say a big NO to storebought juices, which have preservatives. Coconut milk extract is done in minutes. Centrifugal Juicer ensures instant juicing with more juice extraction

Wet/dry/chutney jars: It grinds really fast and smooth. I ground half kg. soaked millets and rice in less than 2 minutes, similarly the powders.

Build: Very sturdy. So no jerk / vibration. 

I can say it as a multitasker and a stylish addition to home. It is easy to use, assemble and clean. I would recommend Preethi Zodiac as an essential home appliance and a must in any kitchen which makes kitchen work simpler.

Features:
750W Motor - Superior performance, 5 year motor warranty; 2 year product guarantee.
3 in 1 Insta-Fresh Juicer - centrifugal juicing, blending and extraction
2.1 Ltr. Master Chef Jar - atta kneading, citrus juicer, grating, slicing, chopping
1 wet grinding jar, 1 dry grinding jar, 1 chutney jar
Lifelong Free Service.

Occupies more storage space but worth it. There could have been one coconut scraper attachment and vegetable dicer attachment too. For more details visit http://www.preethi.in/

Disclaimer: This review is done on request from Preethi Kitchen appliances. This review is my personal experience. Use your own discretion before buying the product. 

HOW I MADE BROCCOLI PARATHA IN LESS THAN 10 minutes with Preethi Zodiac Food Processor?  

I grated paneer in 10 seconds, broccoli in 15 seconds, sliced carrots in 5 seconds, shredded red cabbage in 5 seconds. I smeared oil on the inner surface of the mixer and blades. Added the flour and salt. Switched to 1st speed, added water little by little until the flour came together. Did not add water after that.  Pulsed 4 to 5 times to finish the kneading and switched off. This was done in a minute. You get a non-sticky dough and soft rotis like the traditionally made ones. All this work was done by Preethi Zodiac Food Processor in less than 3 minutes.

NOW TO THE RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS:

Whole wheat atta - 2 cups
Salt - to taste 

Ghee - for spreading 

Butter - for topping

FOR STUFFING:
Paneer - 100 gms
Broccoli - 1/2 kg.
Potato - 2 (medium sized)
Chilli powder- 1/4 tsp.
Garam masala - 1 tsp.

Green chillies - 2
Coriander leaves - few
Omam(Ajwain) - 1/2 tsp.
Salt - to taste 

METHOD:
(I have pressed the dough to show how soft and non-sticky it is)

Knead atta with salt and little water to a medium soft dough. Keep aside. 

Wash paneer well, grate it, and squeeze out the water completely using your hand. Wash broccoli and grate it. Boil potatoes, peel the skin and mash it well without any lumps. Grind coriander leaves and green chillies coarsely without adding water. Mix all ingredients alongwith ajwain(omam), chilli powder, garam masala and salt. Your stuffing is ready now.

Take medium -sized balls from the dough, shape it to a cup and fill it with stuffing and close it from the sides. OR you can also roll the dough to small puris, fill the stuffing in the centre and close it from the sides.

Dust the balls with wheat flour, and roll it out gently.

Heat a tawa, place the rolled paratha, allow to cook on one side, and when the colour changes, flip it to the other side. Spread some ghee on each side, flip and cook till done.

Serve hot with curd topped with chaat masala, roasted jeera powder and chilli powder OR tomato sauce OR tomato ketchup OR pickle OR any side dish of your choice.

DOUBLE BEANS KARA KUZHAMBU / KARA KUZHAMBU RECIPE / FRESH DOUBLE BEANS KARA KUZHAMBU RECIPE

Kara kuzhambu is an aromatic, spicy and tasty kuzhambu. There are many variations, but this is an easy to make kara kuzhambu. Though it is made with shallots and garlic, mine is a No onion No garlic version. Those who use onion and garlic in their food can use it. Another version of vegetable kara kuzhambu can be seen here. 

INGREDIENTS:

Fresh double beans - 1 cup
Tamarind - amla sized
Coriander powder- 2 tsp.
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp.
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tsp.

To fry and grind :
Oil - 1 tsp.
Fennel seeds (Saunf) - 1/2 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 2
Black pepper - 1/8 tsp.
Poppy seeds - 1/4 tsp. (dry roast first)
Fenugreek seeds - 1/8 tsp.
Tomato - 1
Sambar powder - 1 tsp.
Scraped coconut - 1/4 cup

To temper:
Gingelly oil - 1 tsp.
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
Hing - a generous pinch

METHOD:

Cook fresh double beans with little salt and water until soft.

Soak tamarind in a cup of water and extract pulp.

In a kadai, heat a spoon of oil and fry the items given in 'to grind', in the given order, and grind to a paste. Keep aside.

In the same kadai, add a spoon of gingelly oil and temper with the given ingredients. Add turmeric, chilli and coriander powders give a quick saute without burning and add the tamarind extract and salt. Allow it to boil until the raw smell diffuses. Now add the cooked double beans and ground paste. Mix well, add water to get the desired consistency and allow it to boil until thick. Switch off the stove, add a spoon of gingelly oil to the kuzhambu and mix well. Double beans kara kuzhambu is ready. Tastes best when mixed with hot rice and a dollop of ghee. It can also be served with idli and dosa.   

NOTE: If you do not like saunf taste, garam masala can be used.

MIXED VEGETABLE SABJI / MIXED VEGETABLE BHAJI / MIXED VEGETABLE SABJI RECIPE / MIXED VEGETABLE BHAJI RECIPE

There are so many variations in making mixed vegetable sabji /bhaji. This is a simple home style North Indian dry curry. There is no hard and fast rules for the vegetable varieties. Any veggies which suits your taste, and availability can be used.  This is a no onion no garlic dry curry. Onions can also be aded.

INGREDIENTS:

Mixed vegetables - 3 cups
(I used cauliflower, capsicum and shelled peas)
Tomato -1
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Bay leaves - 1
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp.
Grated ginger- 1/4 tsp
Green chilly - 1 (finely chopped)
Kashmiri chilli powder - 1/4 tsp.
Black pepper powder- 1/4 tsp.
Dhania powder - 1 tablespoon
Garam masala - 1 tsp.
Amchur - 1/2 tsp.
Hing - a pinch
Oil - 1 tablespoon
Salt - to taste
Chopped coriander leaves - 1 tablespoon

METHOD:

Cut cauliflower into florets, wash well and soak in water along with salt for 15 minutes. After de-worming wash the florets again. Half boil the florets along-with salt. Drain and keep aside. Chop tomatoes roughly and dice capsicum.

Heat oil in a wok, temper with cumin seeds, bay leaves, hing and turmeric powder. Add finely chopped green chilli, grated ginger, capsicum and tomatoes. Saute on high flame for a couple of minutes. Add shelled peas, half boiled cauliflower, chilli powder, dhania powder, salt. Sprinkle water and cook covered in medium heat until done. Take off the lid and add black pepper powder, garam masala and amchur powder. Mix gently and saute for a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat. Add finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with phulkas, pooris, rotis and theplas. Can also be had as a side dish for south-indian meals.

MATAR KARANJI / SPICY MATAR KARANJI / MATAR GUJIYA / SPICY MATAR GUJIYA

Karanji / Gujiya is a traditional sweet made during festivals. Spicy mutter karanji is a crispy and spicy snack stuffed with fresh peas and a variant of the conventional sweet Karanji.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE DOUGH:
Maida - 1 cup
Semolina - 1 tsp.
Cornflour - 1 tablespoon
Ajwain - 1/2 tsp.
Salt - 1/4 tsp.

Melted warm butter / ghee - 1 tablespoon
Water - approx. 1/3 cup or as required

FOR FILLING:
Fresh shelled green peas - 2 cups
Ginger grated - 1 tsp.
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp.
Coriander powder - 1 tsp.
Chilli powder - 2 tsp.
Garam masala - 1 tsp.
Green chillies - 2
Juice from one key lime
Salt - to taste

Oil - to deep fry

METHOD:

In a wide mixing bowl, add the ingredients for dough except water and ghee. Melt ghee and pour warm ghee in the flour and mix well. It will become like bread crumb texture. Now add water little by little and knead the dough. Dough should be stiff. I used 1/3 cup of water. Once the dough is semi-soft, cover it with a damp muslin cloth and set it aside for at least half an hour.

Meanwhile, cook peas in water alongwith salt. Drain the water completely and mash cooked peas slightly. Add all other ingredients given for filling and mix well. Filling is ready. Keep aside. (If using onions, chopped onions can also be added ).

Now divide the dough into small equal portions and shape into balls. Take a ball, slightly dust with flour and using a rolling pin roll out each ball into a circle, put a small portion of the filling in middle, fold to make a semi circle and press the edges to seal it well. You can also make a thin solution of flour and water and apply it with a finger tip all over the edge to seal it. Cut the edge of Gujiya to give a shape by pressing with a fork or gujiya cutting spoon. I used the spoon to get curved edges. You can also use a somasi / karanji mould.

Heat oil in a kadai, slide the karanjis gently and fry them in batches on medium heat until they are golden brown and crispy.

Drain on a kitchen tissue. Serve hot with green chutney and sweet chutney or ketchup.

NOTE: Cover the dough with a damp muslin cloth to prevent it from drying.
Do not over fill the stuffing.
Seal the karanjis well, else the stuffing will spread in oil and you will end up in a mess.

OATS ADAI

INGREDIENTS:

Tur dhal, Moong dhal, Gram dhal - 1/4 cup each

Oats - 1/2 cup

Thick poha - 1/2 cup

Green chillies - 2 or 3

Dry red chillies - 2 or 3

Chopped curry leaves - few

Salt - to taste

METHOD:

Dry roast aval & oats until you get an aroma. Coarsely powder  in a mixie. Soak  dhals and chillies for 2 hours. Using very little water, grind dhals to a coarse consistency. Add powdered oats and aval, and grind again to a medium thick batter. Add water if necessary. Add chopped curry leaves and mix it well. 

Heat a tawa, pour a ladle of batter, spread the batter, drizzle oil on sides and cook until both sides are crisp and golden brown. Serve hot with avial, avakkai and dosai milagai podi.

SIRUKEERAI MOR KOOTU / MOR KOOTU / AMARANTH IN YOGHURT SAUCE

Mor kootu is a healthy, yoghurt based side dish served as an accompaniment in a South Indian thali. 

INGREDIENTS:

Sirukeerai (tropical amaranth) - 1 bunch
Thick curd - 1 cup
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 2 

Green chilly - 1

Soaked raw rice - 1/4 tsp.

Hing - 1/4 tsp.

Grated coconut - 4 tablespoons
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Sugar - a pinch

Salt - to taste

To temper:
Coconut oil - 1 tsp.
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp.
Curry leaves - a sprig

METHOD:

Whisk thick curd (do not add water), keep aside. Grind red & green chillies, soaked rice, cumin seeds and coconut to a fine paste.

Wash amaranth well, take out the leaves and chop finely. Cook alongwith turmeric, hing, sugar and salt, mash well. Add the ground paste, and allow it to boil until raw smell diffuses. Now add, whisked curd, mix well, cook for half a minute and switch off the stove. Temper with the given ingredients. Flavourful sirukeerai morkoottu is ready. Best with south indian thali. Can also be mixed with rice. Goes well as a side dish for adai, dosai, chappati and poori.

VARIATION: (click here for plantain stem mor koottu). 

NOTE: Any vegetable, spinach varieties can be substituted for sirukeerai. 

KADAI VEGETABLE / MIXED VEGETABLE KADAI CURRY / PUNJABI KADAI VEGETABLE

Kadai Vegetable is a combination mixed vegetables cooked with freshly ground spices which gives a nice aroma to the recipe. This is a perfect side dish for roti, naan and pulao. 

Recently, my sister made this 👆👆(Pic courtesy : My sister) and got appreciations from the family. As I do not eat onions, I just clicked the picture. 

My version of 'Kadai vegetable' 👇👇. Here's the recipe of 'Veg Kadai' sans onion and garlic. No onion no garlic? 😮 So what? Do try it 😊

INGREDIENTS:

Cubed mixed vegetables - 2 cups
(Cauliflower, french beans, carrot, capsicum, fresh green peas)
Paneer (cubed) - 1/2 cup
Tomatoes  - 2

Green chilli - 2 

Ginger - 1" piece

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp.
Coriander powder - 1 tablespoon
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp.
Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp.
Punjabi garam masala - 1 tsp.
Crushed kasuri methi - 1/2 tsp.
Salt - to taste
Oil - 3 tablespoons
Butter - 1 tablespoon
Finely chopped coriander leaves - 2 tablespoons

Kadai masala:

Coriander seeds - 1 tablespoon

Dried red chillies - 2
Cloves - 2

Cardamom - 1

METHOD:

Cut capsicum and tomato into cubes, separate cauliflower into florets, cut beans and carrrot to finger long pieces. Cube paneer and immerse in hot water until use.

Dry roast and coarsely powder the items given in 'Kadai masala'. Grind ginger and green chillies coarsely without adding water. 

Heat  a teaspoon of oil in a kadai, sauté capsicum with a pinch of salt in high flame for 2 minutes, remove from pan and keep aside. (If you use onions, you can add 1 sliced onion alongwith capsicum).

Heat butter and oil in the same kadai, and add ginger-green chilli paste, and sauté until raw smell diffuses, add veggies and saute in medium heat. Add salt, turmeric, coriander, cumin and red chilli powder. Cook covered until half done. Sprinkle little water if necessary. Add cubed tomatoes and 'kadai masala', mix well and cook covered until done. Now add already sauteed capsicum, cubed paneer, punjabi garam masala, mix well. Cover the pan and cook for 2 more minutes. Add kasuri methi, chopped coriander leaves, mix and serve hot with any Indian flat bread or pulao. 

NOTE: You can add more of any spices to suit your tastebuds.  

PAZHAM PRADHAMAN / NENDRAM PAZHAM PRADHAMAN / BANANA PAYASAM

Vishu sadya or Onam sadya in Kerala, is incomplete without pradhaman and payasam. This classic pazham pradhaman / kheer is made with ripe bananas,coconut milk and jaggery.

Do read the Konnapoo (which blossoms during Vishu) story here from my devotional blog

Other Kerala special payasams:
Parippu Pradhaman 
Palada pradhaman 
Chakka pradhaman 
Nei payasam
Semiya paal payasam 
Chadachadayam /Sadasadayam
Pal payasam

INGREDIENTS:

Good, ripe nendrampazham (Ethappazham) - 2
Crushed jaggery - 3/4 to 1 cup
Coconut milk thick 1st extract - 1 cup
Coconut milk 2nd extract - 1 and 1/2 cups
Ghee - 4 tablespoons
Cardamom powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Dry ginger powder - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
Ghee fried coconut bits - 3 tablespoons
Ghee fried cashewnuts - 10

METHOD:

Cut nendrampazham into finger long pieces and steam cook until mushy. When cool, peel the skin, remove the seeds and small veins, and grind in a mixie to a smooth pulp. Do not add water.  

Dissolve jaggery in water, strain for impurities and keep ready.

Heat a spoon of ghee in a uruli or thick bottomed kadai, fry coconut pieces until brown, and cashews until golden brown, drain and keep aside. In the same uruli, melt remaining ghee and add the banana pulp and stir continuously (stir continuously as the bananas will stick to the bottom) for about 3 minutes in medium heat. Now add jaggery syrup little by little, simultaneously stirring well without any lumps. Add dry ginger powder and cook in medium heat until the mixture thickens like a mass.

Now add the 2nd extract coconut milk and cook on medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Switch off the flame and add thick 1st extract coconut milk. Mix well. Add cardamom powder, ghee fried coconut bits and cashewnuts and mix well.

Pazham pradhaman / Nendrapazham Pradhaman is ready to be served. 

NOTE: Coconut milk extracts can be used more or less to get the desired consistency.