Kitchen Express

VERMICELLI BIRDS NEST

2012-01-26T19:24:00.001+04:00

Birds Nest

Ingredients:

Potato - 250 gms
Onion - 1 medium chopped finely
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1/2 tsp
Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp
Amchur Powder - 1/2 tsp (dry mango powder)
White Pepper Powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Chaat Masala - 3/4 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp

Peas - a few, boiled

Vermicelli - broken into small pieces
Oil for frying

Batter:
All Purpose Flour - 3 tbsp
Corn Flour - 1.5 tbsp
Water
Salt

Preparation:
Boil the potatoes and mash them till no lumps are there.

Place the vermicelli on a plate.

Mix the ingredients for the batter without lumps. Make sure the consistency is slightly thick and not thin.

In a pan, add a 1/2 tsp oil and to this saute onion and ginger garlic paste. Saute till raw smell goes and add to the mashed potato. To this add all the powders and salt and mix nicely. Make small balls out of the lump. Dip each ball in the batter making sure all the sides are coated with the batter. Then roll them with vermicelli. The more uneven the coating the better will be the look of the birds nest :). Place them on a plate and likewise complete the rest of the potato balls.

I felt the balls were kind off very soft so placed then in fridge for about 20 mins or so. Once the balls have been set make small hole imprint on top lightly and in a pan, deep fry the balls till the vermicelli turns light burned color. Place them on to tissue to remove the excess oil. Place the peas on top to represent the eggs of the birds and serve warm with ketchup :). You can also fry them as whole and place peas in between the potato balls before rolling them to a ball.

I would like to this over for the event Tea Time Snack

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

BANANA BREAD (Cafe Style)

2012-01-11T12:37:00.000+04:00

Banana Bread (the best bread ever baked!)

When it was time for blog hop wednesday, i was paired with Priya. I was awestruck with the recipes and especially the baking section which was my fav!. Seeing the cafe style bread made me no hesitant to try it out immediately. I had no confidence at first that it will turn out as good as she had made. But out of my surprise it came out well and the best part everyone was happily relishing on the bread slices asking for more. Doesnt that make you even more happier!!!.. Thanks a ton Priya for sharing and I m so glad i tried it out :) :)

Ingredients:
All Purpose Flour (sifted) - 1 3/4 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Baking Soda - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Eggs - 2
Ripe Bananas - 3 large
Oil - 1/2 cup
Buttermilk - 1/3 cup
Walnuts - 1/2 cup chopped
Chocolate Chips - 1/2 cup

Preparation:

Grease a loaf pan with butter and keep aside.

Sift the flour with baking soda. Then beat the eggs first till pale. Then add in the sugar and bananas and beat till smooth. If you need bananas to be chunky you can roughly crush before hand and add to the wet mix. Then add in buttermilk and salt. Whisk nicely and add in all the dry ingredients little by little.

Bake at 190C/375F for 1 hour and 5 mins. I bet the hosue will be smelling awesome right now :) :)...

Relish on warm or cold slice :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

TRADITONAL X'MAS CAKE

2011-12-22T18:13:00.000+04:00

X'mas special Kerala Plum Cake

About 1.5kg
Ingredients:

All Purpose Flour : 300gm
Powdered Sugar - 300gm
Butter - 300gm
Egg - 300gm (approx 5 large eggs)
Baking Powder - 1 tsp
Orange Juice - 1/2 cup
Caramalized Sugar - 6 tbsp
Lime Juice - 1 tsp
Orange skin - 2 tsp*
Vanilla Essence - 1 tsp
Cardamom - 2
Nutmeg Powder - 1/2 tsp
Clove - 2
Cinnamon - 2 sticks
Cashew nuts - a ahndful roughly chopped
Tutti frutti - 1/2 cup
Cherries in syrup - 1/2 cup
Dates - 10 nos
Rum - 2-3 tbsp*

For the Caramalized Sugar:
Sugar - 1/3 cup
Boiled water - 1/3 cup

In a thick bottom pan, add in the sugar and melt it over low-med flame. After some time you will see the sugar startes melting and changing its color to light brown. Gradually it will turn dark brown and almost blackish color. Switch off the flame and pour in the hot boiling water. Keep aside to cool. (While pouring hot water be very careful as it will splatter)

Preparation:

Soak the cherries, dates, tutti frutti and raisins in rum for atleast a week. I had soaked themmore than 2 weeks. When needed, drain them and keep them aside.

Sieve the all purpose flour and baking powder.

Seperate the egg whites and egg yolks. Beat till egg is fluffy. Same way beat egg yolks till light in color.

Powder the spices together and keep aside.

In a bowl, add in the powdered sugar and butter and beat till creamy. Add in the egg yolks and mix once again.

Now add the egg whites and whisk nicely.

Then add in the flour little by little and start whisking. Add in the caramilized sugar, lime juice, essence, orange skin, nuts and the masala powder and whisk nicely till all are properly mixed.

Now in a plate add in the fruits and dates and rub in flour lightly. his helps the fruits to be in the flour. Otherwise if its wet it will go below while baking.

Add this to the batter and mix. if you want you cna save few for garnish too.

Transfer the batter to a pan and into the pre-heated oven at 180C/350F for about 50 mins. Since the quantity was more my oven took more time. Some may take hardly 30-40 mins. Check the cake with toothpick test.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Notes :
Youc an use freshly grated skin of an orange and then powder them or even dried orange skin. I used fresh powdered skin.
For the orange juice, you can freshly squeezed one and also add a bit more than the said quantity if the batter is too thick.
If you dont have rum, you can use brandy or even wine too.

CUSTARD BISCUITS/YO-YO BISCUITS

2011-12-19T16:44:00.002+04:00

CUSTARD BISCUITS / YO - YO BISCUITS

I have seen this recipe in many blogs long back. The name yo-yo itself is what made me attracted to trying out these biscuits. As the name sounds they look also yo-yo and easy to prepare :)..
Ingredients:
All Purpose Flour - 1.5 cups
Custard Powder - 1/2 cup
Butter - 220 gms
Icing Sugar - 1/2 cup

Preparation:

(Sorry about the lighting part)

Sieve the flour and custard powder.

Whisk butter and sugar nicely. Add in batches the flour and mix till you get a soft dough. Make small balls from it and press lightly with a fork to form a cookie mark. Bake in a pre-heated oven @ 190C for 10 mins. Cool and store in an air-tight container.

Thats my little one eating one of the yo-yo biscuits joyfully ;)

I would like to send this over to JATW conducted by my dear friend Kavi :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

AVAL UNDA (Flatten Rice Balls)

2011-12-13T19:08:00.002+04:00

Aval Unda

I had no idea how to make this or even heard of it. Recently during the Harvest festival in church, my father told me that he bought thse. I asked him what was added in it and he said he thoguht the ingredients where so and so. Thats when i decided i should give a hand on this recipe and see how it will be :). I was surprised the outcome was awesome and definitely tasty!

Ingredients :

Aval (Brown flat beaten Rice) - 1 cup
Coconut grated - 1 cup
Sesame Seeds - 1/2 cup
Jaggery - 1 cup
Water - 1/4 cup
Cashew Nuts - 1/4 cup chopped roughly

Preparation:
Place pan over stove and once hot add in the flat rice and fry for 2-3 mins over low flame till the rice flakes are crispy. Make sure they dont change color. Remove the rice flakes. Then add in the sesame seeds and roast till nice aroma comes. It took me nealry 3- 4 mins. Remove from flame to cool.

Powder the rice flakes in a grinder. Optionally you can keep as it is or even half grind too. I preferred the grinded version.

Now in another pan. add in jaggery and 1/4 cup water and melt the jaggery. Once melted completely sieve for any impurities. Then to this add coconut and nuts. Mix properly. Mix in the sesame seeds and grinded aval powder and mix nicely. Once slightly cooled start making small balls with them and keep to cool completely. You can store them in an air - tight container for days :).

I would like to send this over for the event conducted by Julie :)

I would like to send this also over to Jingle all the way , a event conducted by kavi :)..

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

POTATO KIBBEH

2011-12-11T15:38:00.000+04:00

Potato Kibbeh

Potato kibbeh is basically a middle eastern dish with potato and carmellized onions sometimes stuffed with meat (chicken, lamb). I would prefer to make this dish veg and then serve with non-veg to go with it. I surely would make this several times as its very healthy and filling too.

Recipe Source : Discover Lebanon

Ingredients:
Potato - 1 large boiled and mashed ( roughly about 1 cup)
Wheat Bulgar - 1/2 cup
Garlic Powder - 2 tsp
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil - 2 -3 tbsp

Walnuts - 1 large handful
Onion - 1 medium chopped finely

Preparation:

Roast the walnuts in 180C pre-heated oven for about 55-7 mins till nuts turn slightly brown in color.
Roast the onions in 1 tsp of oil in a pan till lightly brown color.
Wash the bulgar and blend it in a processor.
Mix the mash potato, blended bulgar, garlic, salt and pepper.
Divide the mix into two parts. Place one part into the baking dish. Layer the onions and walnuts on top. Then layer with the second potato mix. Cut over the top into squares roughly and pour the olive oil so that it sweeps between the cuts.

Bake in pre-heated oven at 10C for 40 mins. You will see it will turn lightly brown in color.

Serve warm as it is or you can have with tuna (which i had and it tasted superb) or with cooked chicken mince.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Notes :
You can add variations like cashew nuts, raisins or even cooked meat instead of walnut areas.

BANANA FRITTERS (Pazham Pori)

2011-12-01T18:28:00.000+04:00

Banana Fritters/Ettakka appam/ Pazham pori

Ingredients:
Ripe Plantains (Ethakka) - 3 numbers
Maida - 5 tbsp
Rice Flour - 2 tbsp
Cardamom Powder - 1/4 tsp
Jeera Powder - a large pinch
Turmeric Powder - a pinch
Sugar - 1 tsp *
Salt - a pinch
Water just enough for making the batter
Oil/Ghee for frying

Preparation:
Mix the flours, powders, sugar and salt. Add water little by little till you get a thick flowing batter. Make sure the batter is not very thick or very thin. When you dip the spoon and take out, the batter should flow slowly from the spoon.

Remove skin and cut the plaintains into half. Then cut each half vertically into 3. If you want thick ones you can cut into 2. I prefer the thinner version.

If you are not into calorie counting feel free to use ghee for frying to enhance the flavour. I used oil. Pour in oil in a pan and once hot, add in the dipped plantains(banana) and fry till both sides are light browni n color. Serve warm with tea/coffee.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Notes:
Add in sugar quantity in accordance tot he sweetness of the plantains. If its nicely ripe and sweet and in very less sugar.

BANANA CHOCOLATE BREAD MUFFINS

2011-11-30T16:38:00.001+04:00

Banana Chocolate Bread Muffins

Ingredients:
Flour - 1 .5 cup
Banana - 3 nos ( Ripe)
Eggs - 2 nos
Brown Sugar - 1 cup
Curd - 1 cup
Salt - a pinch
Vegetable Oil - 3/4 cup
Baking Soda - 1 tsp
Milk Chocolate chips - 1/2 cup
Roasted Walnuts and Cashew Nuts - few crushed

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 180C/350F.

Sift the flour with baking soda twice and keep aside.

Seperate the egg whites and yolks. Beat the egg whites till fluffy. Mix in the yolks and sugar and beat till sugar is dissolved. Then add in the bananas cut and beat till bananas get mushy. i made sure no banana lumps are there. Then add in rest of the wet ingredients (curd,oil) and salt whick nicely. Add in the egg whites and whisk slowly. Then add in the nuts, chocolte chips and sifted flour little by little and fold in gently. In a muffin pan, place the muffin papers. With a icecream scoop add in 2 scoops of the batter into each. Garnish with nuts or walnuts. Bake for about 25-30 mins or till toothpick inserted come out clean.
Wait to cool down a wire rack itself.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

EGG CHEESE PARATHA

2011-11-28T20:23:00.002+04:00

Egg Cheese Paratha - STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Ingredients :

The Stuffing :
Egg - 2 nos:
Cheddar cheese grated - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1 large chopped finely
Green Chilli - 2 - 3 nos chopped finely
Coriander Leaves - a handful chopped
Salt
Oil

For the Dough:
Wheat Flour - 1 cup
Warm Water - 1/2 cup (almost)
Salt

Preparation:
Prepare the dough by adding sufficient water and salt and knead till you get a soft dough. The dough shouldnt be sticky or too dry. Cover with damp cloth and keep aside.

Prepare a scrambled egg. First beat egg nicely with salt. The add in the onions and chilli and beat again. In a pan, add a bit oil and move the pan round to make oil coated over the whole pan. Then pour the egg mix over and once half fried start scrambling the mix witha spatula. Once the mix is done add in the cheese grated and the coriander leaves. Mix and keep the mix to cool down.

Now take ball sized dough (larger than a golf ball) and flatten them and roll them out round. Not very thin. Apply half tsp of oil one one half and then place a spoonful of mix on one half of the dough. Cover it with the other half of the dough into half and Apply oil on top of half covered dough. Again fold into half to form a triangle as shown in pic 2 & 3. Then dust the dough with flour and roll the dough lightly to a bigger triangle and thinner.

In a heated pan, put the triangle stuffed dough and wait till one side has lightly brown spots. Turn over and apply oil to the brown spotted side and vice-versa. Turn over again and cook for 30 seconds or so and serve. Serve with boondi raitha.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Eggless Vanilla Sponge cake-STEP BY STEP PICS

2011-11-21T15:52:00.005+04:00

Eggless Vanilla Sponge Cake - Step by Step Intructions

I refer to many books on ccoking that i can get my hands on. I love baking everythig that I can and thats when i came across nita mehtas recipe cookbook on eggless ones. This is one of the basic ones and superly easy and yummy too. If you ask me whether I will make this again. Yes! a thousand times more.

Ingredients:
All purpose Flour - 1.5 cups
Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp
Baking Powder - 1.25 tsp
Castor Sugar - 3/4 cup
Curd - 1 cup (Use thick curd)
Oil - 1/2 cup
Vanilla Essence - 1.5 tsp
Milk - for brushing the top of bread

Preparation:
In a bowl beat sugar and curd till sugar gets dissoved. Then to this add baking powder and baking soda and whisk gently.Add in cooking oil and essence and whisk again.

My kitchen has less lighting effect. Thats why the pics looks dark :(

Leave the mixture aside for 5-10 mins. You will see bubbles lightly forming on top. Then add in the flour slowly at a time and whisk till you get a thick creamy batter. Pour to a cake pan either placed with baking paper or greased with oil all over. I used a loaf one.

Baked cake as soon as it is out of oven.

Pre-heat the oven initally to 200C and when you are ready to put in the batter adjust the thermo to 180C and put int the cake pan. Bake for 30 - 40 mins till the toothpick test come out clean.

After 25 mins take out the pan and brush the top with milk and put in back into oven till cake is done.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Notes :
-The original recipe asks for 1 cup of sugar. I reduced the sugar as we all are having less sweet tooth ;)
-You can use any vegetable oil and i used canola one.

I would like to send this over to the event Bake with your heart. yet another superb event coducted by Khushi. Thank u dear for conducting events like these for cookholics like us :D.
I would like to send this over for the event Christmas Delicacy conducted by Julie.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

2011-11-16T08:06:00.001+04:00

Pineapple Upside Down Cake (quick and simple recipe)

I love this cake and i would highly recommend everyone to make this whenever you feel like making some special cake as it is very easy and sure to be finger licking ;)

Ingredients:

Pineapple Rings* - 7 (See notes)
Softened Butter - 3 tbsp
Brwon Sugar - 3/4 cup (packed)
Cherries in Syrup

For the Cake batter

All purpose Flour - 1.5 cup
White Sugar - 1/2 cup
Softened Butter - 4 tbsp
Eggs - 2 nos
Baking Powder - 1.5 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Milk - 1/2 cup
Vanilla Extract - 1tsp
Pineapple Syrup from tin - 3 tbsp

Preparation:

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F

For the caramilization:
Rub in some extra butter all over the round 9" pan first. Then mix in the softened butter and brown sugar nicely. Pour into the pan evenly. Take the Pineapple rings from syrup (tinned ones) and press lightly to take out the soaked syrup in the rings. Place them evenly round and centre onto the sugar-butter mix and press lightly. Then place cherries in the centre of the rings and press lightly. Placing cherries is purely optional but i highly recommened it, as the cake will have a classy effect :).

For the cake:
Seperate the egg yolks and whites. Then beat the whites till fluffy. In a bowl beat the egg yolks and white sugar till pale and light. Then add in the butter. Whisk slowly and nicely. Then add in the salt, milk and vanilla extract and whisk again till all are dissolved properly. Then add in the flour little by little and whisk slowly. Add in the baking powder and the pineapple syrup from the tin. Whisk again. Finally add in the egg whites and whisk slowly till you get a smooth batter.

Pour this cake batter over the pineapple rings-sugar set pan. Tap the pan slightly. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 40 mins till you get a clean inserted toothpick. Wait to cool down for 15-20 mins. Run a knife slowly on the sides to lossen the cake and then place a plate on top of the pan and turn over the pan tot he plate. You are gonna get an expression of wowww when you see the top layer now!. enjoy having a slice of warm cake.. yyyyuuuummmmmmmmm!!

Notes:
- Amount of pineapple rings depends on the size of your pan. anywhere from 5-7 nos will be used mostly.
-Use tinned pineapple rings. If you want to use the real one, clean and cut the pineapple slices thin and evenly.
- In case you are not using the tinned version, for the tinned pineapple syrup you can use pineapple juice.
- Skimmed or low fat version of milk works fine here. I used low fat one.

I would like to send this over for the event Christmas Delicacy conducted by Julie. I m so glad she reminded me to send over this recipe for a wonderful super event! Thanks Julie.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

CREAMY SERRADURA (SAWDUST PUDDING)

2011-11-12T18:40:00.002+04:00

Creamy Serradura - A Portugese Macanese Sweet Dish (Sawdust Pudding)

This is one of the easiest sweet dish you can prepare. The original recipe uses more complicated way of using gelatin and egg whites. You can chill this after making too and then serve. It can be stored 1-2 days too :)

Ingredients:
(for an average 1 glass)
Whipped Cream - 125ml
Condensed Milk - 2 tbsp
Marie Biscuits - 5-6 nos
Cashew Nuts - 2-3 tbsp (optional)
Preparation:
In a bowl whip the cream and when it reaches just before the peak stage add in the condensed milk and whip till peaks are formed. Keep in fridge for an hour to chill.

Powder the biscuits and nuts coarsely in a chopper or by using the ziplock rolling pin method (you put in biscuits and nuts into a ziplock bag and close it. Then with a rolling pin start rolling them outside the bag to get powdered form).

How to arrange them:

In a glass, spoon in the whipped cream into the glass (you can use a piping bag if needed). Then carefully add in a spoonful of biscuits-nuts mixture making sure the corners are covered. Then again add in the whipped cream and then the bscuit mix. Repeat this process till you reach the top of the glass.

Optionally you can even decorate with chocolate shavings on top. I didnt have any chcoclate kept :(. Ya i gobble down any chcoclate kept at home.. a very sweeeeet person I m ;)

Recipe Courtesy : food channel

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Notes :
The amount of cream and biscuits all depend on the size of glass and layers you want to create.
For a twist you can vanilla essence too.
Cashew Nuts is purely optional and I have added in this coz i love the extra crunchiness.

I would like to send this over to the event Christmas Delicacy . I am glad i couls send this recipe to a wonderful event.

HALLOWEEN WITCH HATS

2011-11-10T08:45:00.001+04:00

Halloween Witch Hats

A very easy recipe with no bake and perfect for halloween. Kids gonna love it for sure :)

Ingredients :
Mini Icecream Cones - 6 nos
Condensed Milk - 4 tbsp
Milk Chocolate chips - 1 cup
Oreo Biscuits - 6 nos
M&M chocolate - for decoration

Preparation:
Melt the choco chips using double boiler or in a microwave. Mix in condensed milk. Now working quickly, dip the biscuits first. Then dip the cones and place them on top of the cones to form a hat. Decorate with M&M's Then allow to set for few minutes and ready to serve :)

inspired by : taste.com.au

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

EGGLESS SOFT AND CHEWY CASHEW COOKIES

2011-11-04T16:20:00.001+04:00

Eggless Cashew Cookies

Ingredients:
Cashew Coarsely grounded - 1/2 cup (take whole cashew in accordance to that before grounding)
All Purpose Flour - 1 cup
Cardamom Powder - a large pinch
Softened Butter - 1/3 cup
Castor Sugar - 3/4 cup (adjust the sweetness accordng to your needs)
Baking Powder - 1/4 tsp
Milk - 2-3 tbsp

Preparation:

Pre-heat the oven at 180C/ 375F. Place the measured whole nuts on the baking tray and bake for 10 mins till nuts are roasted. They will turn lightly brown in color. Keep it cool and ground coarsely.

Sieve the baking powder and flour.

In a bowl add in the butter and sugar. Beat till soft. Then add in the grounded nuts,cardamom, mixed flour and start to bind. If the binding gets hard and tough, add in tbsp of milk and see if you need more for binding to make a dough. Add only tbsp by tbsp if required. Bind to a dough and then keep it in fridge to set for 20 mins.

In a baking tray with a parchment paper, make small balls and flatten them slightly and place them on the tray with a 1 inch gap between each. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes or till side turn slightly brown in color. Wait for the cookies to cool completely to thicken and enjoy with a cup of hot tea :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

2011-11-02T18:49:00.000+04:00

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

Softened Butter - 150 grams
Castor Sugar - 130 grams
Brown Sugar - 160 grams
Peanut Butter - 100 grams
All Purpose Flour - 300 grams
Baking Powder - 3 grams
Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp ( optional)
Egg - 1/2 or alteranatively for veg - 2 tbsp milk

Preparation:
Sieve the flour and baking powder.

In a bowl add in the butter and castor sugar. Beat till sugar almost dissolves and butter becomes fluffy. Then to this add brown sugar and beat again. Then add in the peanut butter and egg/milk and beat again till soft. Add in vailla extract and mix. Then add in the mixed flour and make a dough. Keep in fridge to set for 20-25 mins. Then make small balls from the dough, flatten them slightly and place it on baking tray placed with parchment paper. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 20 - 25 mins. Cool the biscuits. Best for kids to have as evening snacks or for tiffins.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

FRUIT KABAB

2011-11-01T11:59:00.001+04:00

Fruit Kabab

This is one of the easiest of easiest dish to get it prepared for kids parties and your kid will love helping you with these. A very innovative way to get your kid to eat his/her fruits too ;)

Ingredients :
Different fruits - cut into cubes (I used sweet melon, grapes, mango, pineapple, pomegrenate for decoration)
Bamboo Sticks

Preparation:
All you have to do is insert the cubed fruits in order of your choice to the bamboo sticks and serve chilled :)

Isnt it very easy? :D

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

RAGADA PATTIES - CHAAT MELA

2011-10-31T12:52:00.000+04:00

Ragada Patties

Ingredients:

For the Aloo Tikkis/Patties :
Potato- 3 numbers boiled and mashed
Wheat bread - 2 slices crumbled ( you can use white bread)
Cumin Powder - 1 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Chaat masala - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Amchoor powder (Dry Mango Powder) - 1/2 tsp
Salt
Oil - 3-4 tbsp for shallow frying

For Ragada/Choley (Chick pea curry) :
Chickpea / Chana - 1 cup ( soaked overnight and boiled)
Ginger -garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp
Onions - 2 med chopped finely
Tomato - 1 medium chopped
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Amchoor Powder - 1 tsp
Coriander leaves - 2 tsp
Salt
Oil - 3 tbsp

Preparation :

For Aloo Tikkis (potato cutlets) :
Mash potato nicely and add in all the ingredients and m ix properly. Then make small flat balls and shallow fry till golden brown in color and keep aside.

For Ragada:
Add in oil. Whe hot add in ginger garlic paste and saute. Then add int he onions and cook till onions turn transparent and then add in all the powders and cook till masala starts to leave the sides. Then add in the tomatoes and cook till tomatoes turn mushy. Then add in the drained cooked chickpeas, salt and little water. Cook on low flame till water is almost dried up. Garnish with coriander leaves.

How to serve Ragada Patties:

Yoghurt - 1/4 cup
Tamarind Chutney - 1/4 cup
Green Chutney - 1/4 cup
Onion - 1 chopped finely (optional)
Chaat masala - just for sprinkling

In a bowl/plate, place 2 patties, then pour on top yoghurt and and chutney's on top. Sprinkle liberal amount of onion and chaat masala. Best served as evening snack with a cup of masala chai :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

GREEN CHUTNEY FOR SANDWHICHES, CHAAT & DATES-TAMARIND CHUTNEY FOR CHAAT

2011-10-30T17:36:00.000+04:00

Green Chutney

Ingredients:
For green chutney:
Coriander Leaves - 1 cup
Mint Leaves - 1 cup
Ginger - 2 tsp chopped
Green Chillies - 3-4
Tamarind - half of lime size (seeds removed)
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Salt

Preparation :
Blend all the ingredients add little water till smaooth and store in a air-tight container. It can be stored for 2 weeks if kept in refrigerator.

Tamarind Chutney:

Ingredients:
Tamarind - 1/2 cup (pitted)
Dates paste - 1/2 cup or 1 cup pitted dates
Jaggery - 1 cup
Roasted cumin Powder - 1 tsp
Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
Rock Salt
Water - 3 cups

Preparation:

Melt the jaggery with little water and sieve for any impurities. Together with sieved jaggery syrup, add in the all the ingredients and cook till the chutney thickens. You will knwo the chutnies are ready when the chutney coats over a dipped spoon. Let it cool down completely and then run the whole mix in a blender. Store in an air tight container for later use.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

HOT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE (MOLTEN LAVA CAKE)

2011-10-25T14:02:00.001+04:00

MOLTEN LAVA CAKE ( makes roughly around 8 cakes depending on the ramekins you have)

Ingredients:

Dark Chocolate chips - 125 grams
Egg - 4 nos
Sofetened Butter - 4 tbsp
All purpose Flour - 60 gms
Castor Sugar - 1 cup
Vanilla Essence - 1 tsp ( optional)

Preparation:

Double boil the the choco chips and butter together till the chips melt.

Seperate the egg white and yolk. In one bowl add the yolks and the sugar and beat till creamy and pale in color. Add in the melted choco - butter and vanilla essence and whisk again. Then add in the flour and mix properly.

In another bowl add the egg whites and beat till stiff peaks are formed. Then add this to the flour-choco mix and with a spatula mix.

Rub the ramekins or small bowls with butter all over and dust it with flour. Then pour equal amounts into all 8 ramekins. make sure you pour in half only.

Bake in a pre-heated oven @ 180 C for 12-15 mins depending upon your oven settings. You will know its done when the outer top layer of the cake batter thickens and middle is soft and goovy. Take out and keep it to cool down completely. Run a knife on the sides of the cake slowly and invert to a plate. Powder the top with icing sugar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream (optional). When you cut on the side you wll the fluid inside oozing out slowly. Its not always you get oozing fluid. Sometimes it will be semi cooked and bit thick to flow. Some people prefers in the second way. Still the taste is divine.
Otherwise you can serve in the ramekins /bowl itself as shown in the pic below.
You are gonna be in bliss!!! ;) i bet people will adore you and you will be floating with compliments from them. Self experience speaks :)))

Cheers,
Neetz;)

APPLE BURFI (Diwali Special)

2011-10-24T22:31:00.000+04:00

Apple Burfi

Ingredients :
Red Apple - 4 nos grated with skin
Apple juice - 1 cup
Mawa/Khoya - 1 cup grated
Sugar - 3 tbsp
Lemon Juice - 1/2 lemon
Ghee - 1 tbsp

Almonds, Pistas, Nuts - 8 nos each chopped

In a small rectangular tray, rub ghee all over and spread the chopped nuts evenly and keep aside.

In a pan/kadai, add in 1 tbsp ghee and when the ghee gets hot add in the grated apple (no water should be added). Cook till the apple gets dry. To the cooked apple add in the sugar and apple juice and cook till the mixture gets thick. Then add in the mawa/khoya and cook again till the mawa gets cooked. You will know the mawa gets cooked once it startes to leave the sides of the pan. Transfer this to the nuts greased pan and press and cool for some time. I kept it in fridge overnight and then cut into squares. Flip and serve.

Recipe Courtesy : Food based channel

Cheers,
Neetz;)

WHEAT SANDWHICH BREAD LOAF

2011-10-16T17:41:00.002+04:00

Wheat bread

I have been planning to make wheat bread for a healthier diet and finally i managed to make today and i was so glad when i sliced the bread it was so much looking perfect and the taste was awesome!!!

Ingredients:

Wheat Flour - 2.5 heaped cups
All purpose Flour - 1 cup ( you can use whole wheat instead)
Warm Water - 1.5 cup
Oil - 4 tbsp
Sugar - 1/3 cup ( i used half white and half brown sugar)
Dry Yeast - 1.5 tsp
Salt - 1.5 tsp

Preparation :

Add in a bowl the suagr, warm water and yeast and keep it in warm place for 10 mins till the mixture turn frothy on top. By 10 mins your can smell the yeast in the whole kitchen. Add the salt and oil to the mix.

In the a big bowl mix both the flours nicely and then add the yeast water and knead to a dough. its gonna be a messy job with your hands. If the dough is too sticky use oil on your hands and knead for 10 mins or more till you get the dough like an elastic (This is very important for the bread to come out nicely). Rub oil all over the dough and keep this dough covered with a cling film in a bowl and keep it in warm place for 1 hour till the dough doubles in size. fter 1 hour, on a well foured surfce, gently punch down the dough to release the air trapped inside and gently knead again for a min. Shape the dough like a loaf and keep it in bread pan and covered for another 45 mins to double in size.

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F . Brush milk on top of the bread and then spray water inside the heated oven to create a moisture and put in the bread pan. Bake for 30 mins. By now the whole house will be smelling with awesome smell of baked bread. I felt i was in bakery store ;).

The pic shows as soon ,after the baking was done

Then roughly cover with aluminum foil and bake further for 10 mins and allow the bread to cool on rack itself. To know if the bread is done, tap at the bottom and it will sound hollow.

Let the bread cool down completely before slicing it and enjoy!

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

CHEERA MUTTA THORAN ( RED SPINACH EGG THORAN)

2011-10-10T16:12:00.002+04:00

Cheera Mutta Thoran

My fav fav fav of all time is this red spinach thoran!! i love the combo with rice and can eat unlimited. When mixed with egg it makes even more tastier and more healthier and high in proteins :) I m sure kids will never say NO to this :).
Ingredients:
Cheera - 1 bunch
Egg - 2 nos
Onion - 1 medium chopped
Garlic powder - 1 tsp
Paprika Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Coconut grated - 1/2 cup
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Salt

Preparation:

Clean and chop the spincah finely. I even added the stems too.

Beat the egg with little salt and paprika powder and keep aside.

In a pan, add oil and add mustard seeds. Once the seeds start to splutter, then add in the onions. Saute for 2 mins and then add in garlic powder. Once onions turn light pink in color, add in the powders. Saute for another a min or so and then add in the chopped spinach. Cook for about 3-4 mins on medium flame. Then add in the coconut grated and cook further for 5 mins. Add in salt. Then pour over the beaten egg mix and saute till egg gets cooked. Serve warm with rice.

I would like to send this over for the event Kerala Event. I m glad Khushi is conducting this event. This will let us explore our range of culinary ideas :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

STUFFED MUSHROOM SNACK

2011-10-06T14:09:00.000+04:00

Stuffed Mushroom Snack

Ingredients :

Large Mushrooms : - 6 nos

For the filling:
Onion - 1 no chopped
Garlic - 1 large chopped
Black Olives - 10 nos desseded and chopped
Parsley - few chopped
Grated Cheese - 2 tbsp
Butter - 2 tbsp
Salt
Olive Oil

For covering the filling :
Breadcrumbs - 4 tbsp
Grated Cheese - 2 tbsp
Butter - 1 tbsp
Oregano - 1/2 tbsp

Preparation:
Clean the mushrooms and then in a pan with sufficient water boil them for about 5 mins or till done.

Then carefully with a knife remove the stem from the base if the head ( without tearing the head) and keep aside. The chop finely the stem.

In a pan, add butter and saute onion and garlic. Once onions turn light pink color, add in the salt, parsley, cheese and olives. Cook for 1 min on low flame and switch off.

In a bowl. mix the breadcrumbs, butter and cheese.

Marinate the olives with olive oil inside out. Then stuff the olive filling first and then the breadcrumb mix on top and press lightly. Repeat this for all the rest of the mushrooms.

For Baking/ Grilling:

Put in a baking tray with parchment paper placed on top and then at 180C bake till the top layer of the stuffing ( breadcrumb mix) becomes light brown in color or you can grill for sometime till brown color appears.

For frying:

In a pan add a little butter (1 tbsp) and then fry the mushroom with the stuffed part facing down first and then reversing. It will take only few mins for this to be done.

I am sending this over for the event Sunday Special conducted by Roshan.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Note :
For healthier verison you can substitue olive oil for butter.
I used cheddar cheese rather than processed cheese.

PINEAPPLE JAM

2011-10-04T09:22:00.000+04:00

Pineapple Jam

I have never ever in my life made a jam on my own. I ahve seen several times when my mom used to make. I decided i will see what the reuslt is after trying to make pineapple jam. You wont believe it!. the home-made jam is ten times better than the market bought one. and even more smoother :)..

Ingredients :

Pineapple - 1 chopped (deseeded and skin removed)
Sugar - 1/2 cup (adjust sweetness according to the pineapple's taste)
Cinnamon Powder - a pinch
Nutmeg Powder - a pinch

Preparation:

Clean pineapple well. Then once chopped, put into blender and blend roughly like 2-3 pulses. I kept few pieces inside as i love having fresh fruit pieces inside the jam. Then add in the puree and sugar in a pan and heat. Keep stirring still you get a thick consistency of a jam. Cool properly and store in a sterlized bottle. (To sterliize, clean bottle properly with hot water and dry out and no water should remain inside the bottle)

How to test if the jam is done:
Keep a plate in a freezer for a min or so. Pour a big drop of jam onto the cold plate and with your finger mark a line between the jam. You will the jam wrinkles in between. Alternatively you can slant the plate and see if the jam runs down. If it doesnt run down that means its done.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

NANKATHAI (EGGLESS VERSION)

2011-09-29T21:33:00.001+04:00

Nankathai (Eggless version)

I always loved this when i was a kid itself. I used to get in bakery shops and i used to just eat non -stop...sigh :( gone are those the days where I can eat like that..
Yes, forget about the waistline part and make a enjoy a few of these ;) .. quick and easy way to prepare when you really need to get something to eat sweet in a jiffy :)

Ingredients:
All purpose Flour - 1.5 cup
Wheat Flour - 1/2 cup
Ghee - approx 1 cup
Sugar powdered - 1/2 cup
Cashew, Almonds, Pista - 1/3 cup roughly chopped (optional)
Baking Soda - 1/4 tsp

Preparation:
Put in all the flours, soda, sugar and the nuts mix. roughly mix with hand. Then slowly add in little by little ghee and keep mixing till you get a dough (a smaooth dough like a chappati dough). If the mix looks like crumbling add in a bit more spoonful of ghee.

In a pre-heated pan at 180C, place parchment paper on the baking tray. Make small balls of the dough and flatten them lightly and then place them on the tray. Bake for 8 - 9 mins approx and let it cool down completely to be stored in air-tight container.

I m sending this over for the event My Diwali My Way .

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Note:
You can substitute the wheat flour to all purpose flour.
Wait the biscuits to cool down a bit to have a bite otherwise it might crumble.

CHOCOLATE ICECREAM (It doesnt get easier than this)!!!

2011-09-28T17:26:00.000+04:00

A very simple Chocolate Icecream

I had little leftover whipped cream after the black forest cake day :). I had kept in freezer thinking i did use in some or other way. After 3 days i checked to see how the whipping cream looked and when i tasted i was quite surprised that i tasted exactly like ice cream!!!... then it struck how to use the remaining and this is how i made it :)

Ingredients :

Sweetened Whipped cream - 1 cup
Semi- sweet chocolate chips - 1/4 cup
(you can use also cooking milk chocolate)

For people who have to make from scratch:
Whipping cream - (approx) 1/4-1/2 cup ( quantity should be in such way to get 1 cup whipped cream)
Vanilla Essence - 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 cup (adjust accoridng to your sweetness. Reduce if you are using milk chocoalte)

Prepapration:

Melt the chocolate chips in double boiler. Leave it to cool completely. Then whip the whipping cream and whick the cream and melted chocolate together nicely and refrigerate. I didnt have to whisk again and again. I just waited it to be freezed a little and me and my little one was having our full hands on it :)..
I had garnished the icecream with chocolate shavings and whipped cream mix.

I was too excited to take the pics I didnt actually wait for the icecream to be frozen thick :(.. thats why the sort of melted version is shown in the pics.. sorry about that.. Nevertheless it was tasting awesome!

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

SESAME COOKIES

2011-09-26T09:51:00.000+04:00

Sesame Cookies

Cookies is all time favourite of mine! There were tons of times were i wished i had a body that doesnt put on weight on sweets ;). i know its not gonna happen as easily as it is said :(. Sad. Nevertheless, but it doesnt stop me from cooking them. I made these yesterday and sure enough as expected all were muching on it and finished in a jiffy!.

Ingredients :

All Purpose Flour - 1 cup
Sesame Seeds - 1/2 cup
Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp
Sugar powdered - 1/2 cup
Butter - 1/2 cup
Egg - 1 no
Vanilla Extract - 1/2 tsp
Salt - a pinch

Preparation:

Dry roast in a pan the sesame seeds till nice aroma comes. Dont over roast them as they will taste bitter. I kept testing their doneness by eating a few in between.

Whisk egg nicely and then add in the vanilla extract and sugar and whisk till smooth texture is formed.

In a bowl mix properly the flour, baking soda, salt. Add this flour slowly to the egg mix and knead to get a dough. To this mix in the sesame seeds. If you want you can keep a few remaining to extra coat them like i did. If you feel the dough is too dry try adding in a liitle butter.

Pre-heat the oven to 190C. In a greased pan or pan placed with parchment paper, make small balls of the dough, roll them in sesame seeds (if you like) and flatten them and place them on the pan. Make sure you give them enough space to spread while baking. Repeat till the dough finishes. Bake them at 190C for 10 mins. Wait for the biscuits to cool down. Voila! your yummy biscuits are ready to have :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

WHOLE WHEAT COOKIES

2011-09-21T14:38:00.000+04:00

Whole Wheat Cookies

I am crazy about biscuits n cookies. There is no greater pleasure than baking at your own home and that too in a healthy way. The biscuits were finished in a jiffy and i have to make second batch for myself ;). Great for kids tiffin and evening snack :)

Ingredients:
Wheat Flour - 3/4 cup
Oats - 1/2 cup
Brown Sugar - 1/4 cup
Sugar - 1/4 cup
Butter - 1/4 cup
Egg - 1
Cinnamon powder - a big pinch
Salt - a pinch
Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
Vanilla Essence - 1/4 tsp
Semi-sweet chocolate chips + Walnuts + Cashew grounded - 1/4 cup

Preparation:

Melt the butter in a microwave. Then to this add in the sugar and mix properly. Beat the egg and blend in the egg, vailla essence and the powders. Then slowly add in the flour and oatmeal and start mixing till you get a soft dough. Add in the chip-walnut -nut mix and mix again.

Pre-heat the oven to 350F/ 180C. In a baking tray, palce a parchment paper or aluminium foil. Take a small ball of dough and flatten it on tray. Make sure when u place dough, to leave a space of atleast 1 inch as they get bigger while getting baked. Bake for 20 mins or till you see light brown color below the biscuits.

Pre-heat the oven to In a baking tray, put in parchment paper or aluminium foil. take a small ball of the dough and place them on the tray and flatten slightly. Place more balls like this and make sure you give them a space of atleast 1 inch in between each dough as they tend to get biggger while baking.

Bake for 12-15 mins until done. Another way to check is that the biscuits turn light brown in color on the sides and below.

Cool for a min and have your biscuits warm. Its tastes divine with melted choco chips in between!

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

BLACK FOREST CAKE

2011-09-18T16:33:00.000+04:00

Black Forest cake

This name itself makes you slurp in mind right ;) ? Even though its quite messy, time consuming, end result when you have it, you forget all that you have hard worked. Black forest cake is an english name for a german dessert "Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte". Traditionally liquor is added for that special added flavour. I havent used this time as the cake was made on the occassion of my little ones birthday. Maybe next time when I make i have to see how it turns out. So here goes the recipe

Ingredients :

For the Cake:
All Purpose Flour - 3/4 cup
Egg - 7 nos
Sugar - 1 1/2 cup
Butter - approx 150 gm
Cocoa powder - 3/4 cup
Vanilla Essence - 1 1/2 tsp
Baking Powder - 1.5 tsp

For the cream:
Whipping Cream - 300 ml
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Vanilla Essence - 1/2 tsp

For decoration :
Preserved Cherries - 1 cup
Milk Chocolate - 200 - 300 gm

Boil the cherries in one 1/3 cup water for 3 mins and keep aside. Once cool remove the cherries and keep aside. Preserve the water for later use.

Sieve the all purpose flour, baking powder and cocoa powder so that no lumps are formed. In a bowl beat in the the sugar and butter till soft. Add in the vanilla essence and further beat in the mix. I used an electric beater for this. Then add in the egg one by one and beat till froth appears. Add the sieved flour little by little to thsi froth mix and blend nicely. You will get a thick batter.

Pre-heat the oven at 176C and butter or oil spray the cake pan. Transfer the cake batter to a cake pan and keep it into pre-heated oven. I used a spring form pan. Bake for 30 - 4 0 mins. Testing of the cake is done when you insert the tooth pick in the middle of the cake and it comes out clean.

Keep the cake to cool down completely before taking out of the pan.

Meanwhile, In a bowl, beat the whipping cream. When it starts getting thicker, add in the sugar and vailla essence and beat till the whipping cream forms soft peaks.

Take the cooled cake base and cut throught the middle for 2 layer cake. The bigger cake you make, more layers can be cut. Depends on how you want your cake to be. sprinkle the cherry preserved water ontp the cut side of both the cake. Keep for 30 ins till the cake get damped in them.

Then take the lower base. With a blunt knife, spread the whipped cream on top and arrange the cherries on top the cream. Then take the other cut halved cake base and place on top (with cut side on top the placed cherries). Now add the whipped cream all over the cake top to bottom and on sides.

Now for the fun part! Add the grated milk chocolate all over the cake. If you have pipe for decorating cake you can design the cake according to your wish. Twhnadd int he remaining cherries on top the design.

If possible, do chill the cake before serveing. It will taste simply awesome!

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Note:

Plz make sure you dont keep the temperature of the oven on high as cake wont bake in the centre.

SOYA VEG CUTLETS

2011-09-14T17:40:00.003+04:00

Soya Veg Cutlet

Yes! I am huge fan of soya. I try to implement soya recipes atleast once in a week of our daily diet. Its said to be very nutritious and also high in protein. I found that this cutlet is one way to get my kiddo to eat more. After all if kids eat good food, moms are even more happier. What more you want :)...

Soya Chunks - 2 cup heap
Potato - 2 large (boiled)
Veggies - mix ( beans, carrot, peas, corn)
Onion - 2 medium chopped finely
Green chilly - 2-3 nos chopped finely
Ginger - 2 tbsp chopped finely
Garlic - 2 tbsp chopped finely
Chilli Powder - 1tsp (heaped) (adjust according to your spice level)
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - 1 tsp (heaped)
Coriander Leaves - 4 tbsp finely chopped
Lemon Juice - 1 lemon
Black Pepper - 2 tsp
Salt

Breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup or as required
Rava - A big pinch for that extra crispiness (optional)
Egg - 1
Water - 2 tbsp
Oil - for shallow frying

Preparation :

Boil the Soya chunks in water and cover with for about 10 mins. Once cooled take the soya chunks in batches and press in between hand to remove all the water. Mince the chunks in a chopper or mixie.

Cook the carrot, corn and beans with salt in little water till evaoprates. Pressure cook peas till cooked.

Boil potato in a pressure cooker for 1 whistle or boil in a pan with water till cooked. Remove the skin and smash with back of the spoon or smasher till no lumps are formed.

In a pan, add about 2 tbsp of oil. Add in onions, ginger, garlic and green chilly. Saute till they turn light brown in color. Then add in the chilly powder and turmeric and saute for a min. Then add in the soya mince and cooked veggies and cook for about 5-10 mins. Take from flame. Now add the coriander leaves, salt, pepper, lemon juice and garam masala. Now add this mix to the potato. Mix well.

Beat the egg and 2 tbsp of water to it. Place breadcrumbs and rava on to a plate.

Now make small flat balls and dip in beaten egg and then into the breadcrumbs+rava mixture. The cutlets should be well coated with breadcrumbs. Then shallow or deep fry them in oil. Serve with sauce or as side dish for rotis :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Note :
I was out of beans so didnt add them.
If you are not health conscious deep fry the cutlets. It will be more tastier.

BROCOLLI ALMOND SOUP

2011-09-13T09:06:00.001+04:00

Brocolli Almond Soup

This recipe is high in protein and its tastes mcuh better than eating it boiled. Brocolli is somethign which most people dont prefer to have. This way to dont lose any nutrients of it as taken as whole. Since this is my favourite, i often make this at home which at times goes as breakfast too. Try it and you will see what I am trying to say :)

Ingredients :

Brocolli with stem - A medium
Almonds slivered - a handful
Milk - 1 cup ( use low fat or skimmed for healthier version)
Celery - 1 tsp chopped
Garlic - 1 tsp chopped ( optional)
Onion - 2 tbsp chopped
Cornflour - 1 tsp
Salt
Pepper
Butter/oil

Preparation :
Clean the brocolli nicely and remove the stem and florets seperately. Cut the stem into medium pieces and in 2 cups of water boil them till almost done. Dont overcook them. Then add in the florets, celery, onion and garlic and cook for about 10 mins on low flame. Once cooled blend the mixture to a puree.

Meanwhile in a pan add a little butter (oil) and saute almonds. Keep a few back for garnishing. Add in the the blended mixture and bring to a boil.

Mix cornflour in 1 tbsp milk. Add rest of the milk to the boiling mixture and bring again to boil. Simmer the flame and add in the cornflour mix. Add salt and pepper. Stir and cook for another 5 mins or so till the soup thickens. Serve hot and garnish with the slivered almonds kept aside.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

LAUKI METHI CHANA CURRY

2011-09-12T17:33:00.001+04:00

Lauki Methi Chana Curry

I opened the fridge to see what to cook today. All i could find was lauki (bottle gourd). Lauki is said to be very nutritious in health and what if that is made with chickpeas. More healthier. Chana curry is my all time favourite and i thoguht why not try it with lauki. It turned out as yummy as simple chana (kadala in malayalam) curry.

Ingredients:
Chick pea - 2 big handful
Lauki - 1/2 chopped (skin and seeds removed)
Onion - 1 medium chopped
Ginger-garlic paste - 1.5 tsp
Tomato - 1 small chopped
Kasuri Methi - 2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Chilli powder - 1.25 tsp
Coriander powder - 1.25 tsp
Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt

Preparation:
Soak chickpeas in water overnight and boil till cooked or add in a pinch of baking soda and pressure cook till cooked. When chickpeas are 3/4 th done add in the chopped bottle gourd and pressure cook again when both chickpea and bottle gourd are done.

In a pan, add oil, add in cumin seeds and when they splutter add in the onions. Saute till onions turn soft and then add in the ginger galric paste and saute till raw smells goes. then add in the tomato and saute till the tomatoes gets mushy. Then add in the powders one by one and saute on low flame till the aroma of the powders are relased. Make sure you dont burn the powders. Add in the 'lauki-chana' with the water and add salt and kasuri methi. Then cover and cook on low flame till you you get a thick curry consistency.

For roast version you can cook with lid open till water gets evaporated.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

A SIMPLE EGGLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE- Baking for beginners

2011-09-07T09:19:00.003+04:00

Eggless Chocolate Cake

Its my hubby's bday and i was on the spree of baking. I have never ever baked a cake in my life!. Ya i know thats really sad :(. But then i stated off making this simple cake and initially i had trouble with knowing the temperature of the oven, i got the cake all torned and burned! But then i m not a person who will accept defeat so fast. So i baked again and Voila!! I got a beautiful cake which my hubby did appreciate a lot. As i thought baking is actually not so hard and after all, its fun :)

Ingredients:

All purpose Flour/Maida - 1.5 cup
Unsweetened cocoa powder - 3 tbsp
Baking Soda - 1 tbsp
Brown Sugar - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Salt - a big pinch
Vegetable Oil/Butter - 5 tbsp
Vinegar - 1 tbsp
Vanilla Essence - 1 tsp
Water - 1/2 cup
Milk - 1/2 cup ( i used low fat)

For the Frosting:
Cooking Chocolate - 200 gm
Butter - 100gm

Preparation:

Sieve Flour, cocoa powder, baking soda for about 2-3 times to evenly mix the powders. Then add in the oil, vinegar, salt, sugar, vanilla extract, milk and water. Whisk nicely the mix till you get a smooth thick batter.

Meanwhile preheat the oven to approx 180C. Grease the cke tin with butter or oil and pour in the cake batter. bake the cake for 20-30 mins till you get a tooth pick clean when inserted into the middle of the cake. Aloow the cake to cool completely.

Preparing the Frosting:

Melt the butter in a microwave or through double boiler (Keep a pan on top of another pan filled with water). Then add in the cooking chocolate and melt. Keep aside the mixture to cool down till you get a thick texture. Take saptula and spread the choclate texture over the cake.

yuummmmmmmmmm... I didnt have any cream with me to decorate so with my little kiddo i decorated the cake with m&m's :).... how better can it get!

I m sending this recipe over for the event Food palette series finale rainbow colours hosted by http://torviewtoronto.blogspot.com/.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

cake recipe courtesy : hersheys.com ( with small changes from my side)

Finally I Baked!!! Dates-Walnut Whole Wheat Bread (Totally healthy!)

2011-09-04T10:16:00.000+04:00

Dates-Walnut Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients :

Whole Wheat Flour - 3.25 cups
Dates - 12 nos (pitted)
Walnuts - A big handful (cruhsed)
Brown Sugar - 2 tbsps
Salt - a big pinch
Olive Oil - 2 tbsps
Soya Milk - 1/4 cup ( you can use whole milk or low fat milk too)
Yeast - 1.5 tsp
Water- 1/2 + 1/2 cup

Preparation:
Take the seeds of the ripe dates and soak in 1/2 cup hot water (approx) for 1 hour. I actually didnt measure the water. Just soak the water just above the dates.

Meanwhile in 1/2 cup warm water add in the yeast and keep it to ferment till a frothy mixture is formed for about 10-15 mins depending on the environment. I kept in warm oven undisturbed.

Once the dates is dissolved, press nicely with hand ( like u would take the pulp of tamarind) to make a thick paste.

Take the flour, brown sugar, olive oil,salt, dates syrup, yeast mix, milk and start kneading. It will take around 5-7 mins. Knead till you get a nice smooth dough. Make sure the dough should not be too wet. In case you need to wet the dough use more milk or flour if its too wet. Adjust accordingly to your need. Dab with oil all over the dough (not too much) and cover with wet cloth and keep it for 1 hour. I kept in warm oven. After 1 hour see if the dough have risen double its size. If not keep for some more time.

Once doubled, add in the granulated walnuts and start kneading again for few mins. Save few for garnishing. Brush some oil on to the loaf pan. Now shape the dough like a bread loaf form and transfer to loaf pan. Make 3 slanting slits on top on the dough and sprinkle with walnuts. Cover the pan with cling wrap or plastic wrap and keep for another hour for the dough to rise. After 1 hour you will the dough has risen again double to the size of the initial stage. It might even have risen over the loaf pan. Now you might be tempted to touch the dough.but No!!!.. Its will be soft as cotton :)..

The left pic shows when i kneaded the dough and shaped into loaf. The above pic shows after 1 hour when the dough doubled in size. The right pic shows the bread soon after it was baked from oven.

Pre-heat the oven to 200C and keep the bread pan inside and bake for first 20 mins. Then after that cover loosely with aluminium foil and bake another 15-20 mins.

To test if bread is done, tap on the bottom of the bread to see if its sound hollow. Go on..Tap and have fun :).

Leave on the rack itself to cool.

I had warm fresh bread and that experience was awesome!!.. I felt like the bread was just melting in the mouth! yuuummmmmmm...

Serve with hummus, jam or butter or anythign u would love to have with.

I seriously couldnt believe my baking went on perfect for a first timer that too a healthy one!!.. I simply loved and even my family memebers. So will you! try it!

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

TOMATO CHUTNEY (for Idlis n Dosas)

2011-04-19T17:47:00.001+04:00

Tomato Chutney

Its weekend and you are lazy to make some sanbhar for the dosa or idli? Why not try this chutney which can be made in a jiffy and kids will love it too and a great combo with cocnut chutney :)

Ingredients :

Tomato - 2 medium sliced
Onion - 1 med sliced
Dry red Chilli - 3-4 nos (quantity according to the spice needed)
(Roasted Chana Dal (Pottukadalai) - 1/2 tbsp (optional)
Salt to taste

Preparation:
Add a tbsp of oil to a pan and add in the red chillies, onions and tomatoes and saute till it becomes soft. Dont turn the onions brown. Once cooled, grind the to a paste. Add the roasted dal, salt and grind. Serve with dosas or idlis. If you want to temper them you can do it by adding mustard, urad dal and curry leaves.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

COZY COFFEE

2011-04-12T15:29:00.001+04:00

COZY COFFEE

NO NO! Dont think its some very unique or something hi-fi recipe of a coffee.. Its a very simple yet the most tastiest way when you feel like having that special coffee with few biscuits or namkeen.

Ingredients:
Instant Nescafe or Bru granulated coffee - 3/4 tsp ( depends on how strong you want your coffee)
Sugar - 1.5 tsp
Whole Milk - 1 Cup

Preparation:
Boil the milk in a pan. Meanwhile add the granulated coffee powder to your cup and a 3-4 drops of warm milk to it and with a teaspoon start grinding the coffee powder in the milk in the cup. Make when u add milk its not too much. Just enough to wet the coffee powder. Keep grinding till you get a frothy paste. Now add sugar to this and keep grinding again faster. Soon you will get a frothy liquidified mix. When the milk boils, add milk in a thin stream from a height to the cup. NEVER ADD THE FROTHY MIX TO MILK AND BOIL AGAIN. The perfection will come the more you practise. Enjoy your cup with snacks.

Note:
-Preferable granulated coffee powder to be used
-Sugar and coffee powder add according to your taste
-Instead of wholemilk, lowfat or mix of water and milk can be added.
-Make sure you add milk to the mix not vice versa.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

VEGGIE TUNA PASTA

2011-04-10T12:44:00.001+04:00

Veegie Tuna Pasta

OMG! I looked back to my blog and was quite shocked how long its been since i have posted a new recipe..Sigh! ya ya i know.. cant blame always on my lazy part. Last week I got few mails and chats, asking why there are no new recipes. I then relaized I have been very lazy girl and there are many who actually really want to see a recipe. So then i decided i will now onwards i will definitely keep posting recipes :).. You wont believe even my toddler picked and had on her own and was eating it. One way to fool the kids to have the heathier way of good food is to make this! ;)

Ingredients :

Pasta - 1 packet ( a medium one)
Salt
Water
Olive Oil - 1 tsp
Cabbage - 1/4 chopped finely
Capsicum - 1/2 chopped finely
Carrot - 1 chopped finely
Beans - 15 nos chopped finely

For the Tuna :
Tuna (tin) - 2 nos
Onions - 1 large finely chopped
Tomato - 2 medium finely chopped
Green chilli - 1-2 finely chopped
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Black Pepper grounded - 1 tsp
Olive Oil - 1 -2 tsp
Water - 1/4 cup
Salt

Preparation. In a pan add water (add enough water to make all the pasta sunk and running while boiling) and bring to a boil. To it add salt and oil and then pasta. When pasta is cooked drain and keep aside.

I bought tin tuna in water and salt. So drain the water and keep the tuna aside.

In another pan, add a tsp of oil. Once hot, add in onions, ginger garlic paste and saute till onions turn light brown in color. then add in the green chillis and tomatoes and sute till tomatoes are mushy. Then add in tuna and saute till tuna is almost fried. then add a bit of 1/4 water and then add in beans and carrot and cover and cook till they are slightly tender. Then add in the cabbage and capsicum and cook for about a minute. We want that crunchiness in the veggies so dont over cook. Add salt and pepper. Dont add too much salt as tin tuna itself has salt in it.

Next step, we have to mix paste into this mix or vice-versa. Mix and serve warm with ketchup. You can garnish with coriander leaves too :)..

Ladies, if you re so lazy you can omit the veggie and simply make the TUNA PASTA too in the same method :)...

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

DAL PALAK

2010-12-21T13:11:00.001+04:00

DAL PALAK

Dal and Palak are very protein rich food and aids in good digestion. This is very good for people who wants to have something light for dinner with rotis. Mixed with rice and a bit ghee serves excellent nutrious food for the toddlers too.

Ingredients :
Moong Dal - 1/4 cup
Toovar Dal - 1 cup
Palak - 1 bunch chopped
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Onion - 1 medium chopped
Garlic - 2 cloves chopped
Tomato - 1 medium chopped
Green Chilli - 1-2 nos chopped
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli Powder - a pinch
Red chilli flakes - 1/4 tsp
Salt

Preparation:

Wash and cook dal in pressure cooker for 2 whistles or till cooked. Leave ot to cool down. Then in a pan add in a tbsp of oil and add cumin seeds. Once seeds start to splutter, add in the onions and garlic and saute till onions are slightly transparent. Then add in the green chilli, and the powders (turmeric and chilli). Saute for about 5-6 seconds on low flame and add in the tomatoes. Saute till tomaotes turn mushy and add in the palak. Cook on low flame till palak turns soft. Then add in the dal including the water and cook for about 5-7 mins. Add salt, red chilli flakes and serve hot with rotis or chapathis....

Cheers.
Neetz ;)

Note :
For LASOONI DAL PALAK - add in 3 large garlic cloves and the proceure follows the same.
You can also pressure cook palak with dal. But i prefer this way so that palak is not over cooked.

IDLI FRY ( too simple to resist making ;) )

2010-12-19T00:44:00.000+04:00

IDLI FRY

Hi all. I m back again with yet a super duper easy recipe for all of u especially a tea time snacks for the kids.
This Idli fry can be mainly be used when u have leftovers and really dont know what to do with the leftover idlis...

Ingredients:
Idli - 5-6 nos
Oil - sufficient enough for shallow frying
Salt & Pepper

Preparation:

Heat oil in a non-sticky pan (using these pans will make very less use of oil). Meanwhile cut the round idlis in vertical 4-5 strips depending ont eh size of thickness you need. Once the oil is hot, add in the strip idlis and fry on all sides till very light brown in color. Dont over fry then as they will become hard. Pick them over a tissue to absorb any extra oil and sprinkle salt and pepper over them and mix.. Serve hot with ketchup or any sauce and with tea.. yummmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyy and simple isnt it???

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Notes:
You can add in a pinch of chilli powder or chat masala or any thing that u like. Its upto your tastebuds ;)

RAGI ELA ADA ( MILLET ADA IN BANANA LEAF)

2010-11-28T16:38:00.000+04:00

RAGI ELA ADA

These evening snacks or breakfast is very healthy and mostly kids favourites. The sweet stuffings on the inside makes it even more tastier. Like in Kerala, we dont get to pluck banana leafs here. We have to pay to get them in bunch of 6 or 7. So I dont make these frequently as I dont have any clue what to do with the excess banana leaves.

Today I was no mood to cook, though i had to do for the dinner. My little one is so irritated today that for each and everything she keeps crying. One way or other I got her to sleep. So, while I was surfing through my cookery pics I noticed I havent uploaded this for a long while. So here goes the recipe..

Ingredients :

Ragi Flour - 1 cup
Rice Flour - 1/4 cup
Water
Salt

For the Filling:
Ripe Plantain : - 1 nos chopped in cubes
Coconut grated - 1/2 cup
Poha/Beaten Rice - 1/2 cup
Cardamom Powder - 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 1-2 tbsp (as per ur taste)

For Wrapping - banana leaf

Prepapration:

Wash and cut about more than 1/4 of the total leaf and keep aside

Mix all the ingredients for the filling and keep aside.

Mix all the flour with water and salt to make dough. Now take a small ball size from the dough and spread onto the banana leaf as shown in the pic (the pic shows for the ada made with rice flour) Dip fingers in water and spread the dough if its sticky.

Add in the filling ingredients of about a 2 tbsp or so and fold the leaf in half. Make like these more and steam them in idli steamer or any steaming utensil for about 15 mins. When warm, unfold and serve.

The above pic is made with rice flour and details are given below. In here, the filling comprises of just coconut, cardamom powder and sugar.

Note:
You can do this same with the Rice flour. For that you have to add boiling water to the dough and mix and the rest procedure is the same as for the ragi ela ada.

Fillings can be changed according to your needs and taste. Jaggery is very common filling in this. Since it was out of stock, I didnt add.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

BROWN BREAD HALWA

2010-11-24T13:54:00.000+04:00

Brown Bread Halwa

Its been quite a long time since I have posted recipe. I m not lazy to cook, but very lazy to type. I hate myself for that sometimes.. Finally I decided its high time I put my hands to work on this :)... This bread halwa is on the healthier side than normal bread and trust me its tasty!! You can use your leftover bread. Now you know what to do when you wonder what to do with leftover brown bread :) :)...

Ingredients :

Brown Bread - 7 slices
Milk - 2.5 cups (I used the low fat version)
Sugar - 1 cup or as needed as per taste
Ghee or Clarified Butter - 2 tbsp
Nuts and Pista Slivers - few

Preparation :

In a pan, fry nuts in ghee, add keep aside

Remove the Four borders and cut the bread into cubes(not necessary it need to cut into exact cubes). In the same pan, fry the bread in ghee till slightly roasted. Once cooled, powder the bread into crumbs.

Start boiling the milk and add in the bread crumbs and sugar. Keep stirring and once milk boils, you will start to see that the mixture starting to thicken. Add in more ghee if needed for smoothness. Add in water or milk if you need in more loose consistency. I ddi add a bit more milk as the mixture will thicken more when cooled down. So basically it all depends on your personal choice of consistency.

Add in the nuts and pista slivers. Garnish with pista slivers and serve warm or cold.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Plz help!!! can someone suggest me a good brand???

2010-11-13T00:38:00.000+04:00

I want to buy an oven with grill mainly for baking cakes, cookies and grilling items... which is a good brand that i should opt for? Guys plz do help as you all are too good in this field and i really dont know how to choose one... :).... Your answers will be of great help :)

luv
neetz ;)

SOYA CHUNKS FRY

2010-11-02T17:36:00.000+04:00

Hi All!!!

Missed u all like hell :(.. i was on vacation for almost 45 days and just came back yesterday. Boy am i glad that i m back :).. now i can blog again and be on track with all u people out here.... so how was ur all blogging.. hope everyone was having fun... so many recipes and i really dont know from where i should begin to look from each one of urs :).. i m so happy to see my friends are and have progressed a lot :)...

This is a simple easy to do dish and especially when u r out of stock of veggies in ur fridge :).. A protein rich food and very healthy one!!

Ingredients :
Soya Chunks - 15-20 pieces
Onions - 1-2 nos sliced
Garlic - 4-5 cloves big sliced
Green Chilli - 2-3 nos chopped
Curry Leaves - 2 spring
Chicken powder - 1 tsp or more as per your taste ( i used eastern chicken powder)
Salt - as needed

Preparation:
Soak soya chunks in hot boiled water and cover and keep for 20-30 mins. Then drain the soya chunks and squeeze all the water out from the chunks . Cut the soya chunks inot small pieces and keep aside.

In a pan add oil, once hot add in the onions, garlic, curry leaves and green chilli. Saute till onions are slight brown in color and then add in the powder and saute for 1 min. Then add in the soya chunks and mix properly and saute till the whole mix gets light brown in color.Add salt accordingly and serve with rotis.

Cheers,
Neetz;)

Note:
For veggie people, u can use curry powders instead of chicken one.
Chunks need not be cut into small pieces if not desired.

INJI PULLI (INJI CURRY) - ONAM SPECIAL

2010-08-22T18:00:00.001+04:00

Inji Pulli

Onam is one harvest festival which defines love and prosperity through out the malyalam year and brings in lots of happiness and unity. Its usually a 10 day festival and for each day there is each recipes and celeberations done. Unfortunately, these days people get too busy and basically all are in nuclear family, no one really have time for all these traditions. Yest, we all malayalees make sure we cleberate the main day 'Thiruvonam' we dishes. It usally comprises of 11 -13 dishes from banana fries to achars to varies colorful dishes to kheer/payasam. They say its a 9 course meal!!!..yes its something that eacha nd everyone of you should try it out :)....Since tomorrow is Onam and its my little princesses first onam I m plannign to make a 'Sadya'. Yes first time in my life i m doing this. I know its a late to post all the recipes in one. But will try my best to do so. One of the dish is Inji pulli which is surely a lipsmacking sweet and sour dish :)

Ingredients (all are in approx) :

Part 1
Coconut Oil - 1/3 cup

Red Chilli - 2 nos
Ginger - 1 whole piece chopped finely
Green Chilli - 4 nos chopped finely
Curry leaves - 1 spring chopped finely

Part 2
Water - 2 cups
Tamarind - 1 lemon size ball
Jaggery/Gud/Sharkkara - 3/4 piece (in strip)
Chilli Powder - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Fenugreek Powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt

Preparation:
Ina pan add in part 2 ingredients and boil. Then simmer on low flame and cook till it reduces to half.
The jaggery will melt in the hot water. For the tamarind, if you have paste use it or else soak the tamarind in water for 15 mins and then squeeze the water out and use the water.

Meanwhile, in another pan add in the coconut oil and once hot, add in the mustard seeds. Once the seeds splutters then add in the red chilli and finely chopped, ginger, green chilli and curry leaves. Saute till ginger is light brown in color. Add these(including oil) to the tamarind water and cook for about 5 mins on low flame.
Cook till you need the desired thickens and cserve :)..
You can store this for a week in refrigerator as the oil acts the preservative.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

P.S - The color usually is almost black in color. The Jaggery which we get here is little different the one we get in India. SO the difference of color :).

BANANA CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE AND AWARD

2010-08-16T21:27:00.000+04:00

BANANA CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE

Its been quite few weeks since i have posted somethign new. Laziness is the key factor. Ohhh i really wish i was not lazy like this.. :(.... Yesterday was my b'day and yes, i did celeberate in a moderate way. I loved my glass set gift which i got from my best friend Roshu.. I always wanted those type of glasses and she read my mind!! :)..."U r a sweety Roshu"... Now I can show off my recipes in those glasses :)...

This recipe i made long back and i had the pic in my drafts. So this is not the glass which she gave me.....he he he... Easy recipe and really quick one when you have guest visits.

Ingredients :

Banana (Robust) - 1 no
Chocolate Icecream - 2 scoops
Milk - 1 cup (adjust the quantity as per the consistency you need) - this measurement is approx
Ice (optional)
Chocolate syrup (optional)
Chocolate Icecream - 1 small scoop

Preparation:
In a blender add in the banana, chocolate icecream, milk and ice and vroom vroom vroom!!.. serve in a tall glass and decorate the side of the glass with chocolate syrup. Add in small scoop of chocolate icecream on top and serve chill..

I recieved this award from Nivedita and I am really honoured. Thanks so much Nivedita. She is one bloggy friend who never gives up. She fights the toughest and really is one winner.. You will find various and exciting recipes in her blog. Do visit her blog :)...

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

FROSTED DATE BALLS

2010-08-05T14:24:00.001+04:00

Frosted Date Balls

I am back again with a easy recipe which can be sweet at the same time lovely for a snack or anything.Just name it!!!... Its very easy to make and you can make it ina jiffy.This is a middle east sweet and usually people have this more during ramadan season during their fast breaking. Here dates is the most consumed during the fasting period and have them first when they break their fast... I would like to dedicate this sweet to my best friend Roshu. Since ramadan is around the corner, i actually thought of her while making this :)

Preparation:
Dates - 200 gms -seeds remove and made into paste (I had the paste packet with me)
Nuts and Almonds - approx 8 each (depends upon how much balls you get)
Butter - 1 tbsp
Dessicated Coconut - half handful for rolling the mix

Preparation:

If you have a packet of dates as paste then thats the best to use as it is time saving too.. Otherwise remove the seeds of the dates and then make them into paste ina grinder.

In a pan add butter, roast nuts and almonds and remove. In the same pan with butter, add in the date paste and saute for 15seconds - 30 seconds till butter is mixed properly with dates. Then remove and keep aside to cool. Meanwhile keep the dessicated coconut ready or grind the the grated coconut.

Make small balls of the date paste and then flatten them with hands. In between place one almond and cashew nut and cover and roll again to a ball. Roll it in coconut powder and serve!!!!

I m dedicating this recipe to all muslim blogger friends, especially to Ayeesha, Suhaina and Fajeeda :)

I would like to send this over to

Umm Mymoonah for Iftar Moments

Akilas kitchen for Celeberating Independence Day

Pari for Kids Delight

Sarasa Corner for MM Party Treats

YAM FRY (CHENA MEZHUKAPERRUTI)

2010-08-04T11:38:00.000+04:00

YAM FRY

I guess I am on simple recipe freak week..he he he... Cant help it posting all the simple recipes especially for you guys who really want to make easy and tasty food in a jiffy :). Yam is very healthy and this actually does not use much of oil too.So here goes...

Ingredients :
Yam - 1 medium ( cleaned, skinned and cut into small cubes)
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1.5 tsp
Salt

For frying:
Curry Leaves - 2 twigs
Onions - 1 big sliced
Garlic - 4 big cloves sliced

Preparation:

In a pan add in a bit water and put in all the ingredients (except the ones under frying). Boil the yam till soft and not mashed or overdone.In case water gets dried off, add in a little more water till you get the yam done and dried without water.

Then in a pan, add in bit oil (as we had oil already in the mix before), add in the curry leaves. After 10 seconds add int he onions, garlic and yam. Over low flame, saute and fry till you get a slight brown color for the yam. Serve with hot rice or roti :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

AWARD TIME ONCE AGAIN

2010-08-03T11:45:00.002+04:00

So many awards from Jay!!!!! Ohh i was so happy when i saw these awards passed on to me... U r really a sweetheart ..She is as awesome as her blog shows...

Jay, if you were here I would have hugged you till you you went out of breath ;)... thanx so much dearie!!

I would like to share these awards with all my friends and plz feel free to collect it form here and post onto your walls :)... plz plz do it :) Coz if i start mentioning, then i have to mention all of you and this page will not be sufficinet for it :)... love u all for all the support u r giving me :)

This is a certificate provided by Nivedita for participating in her event " Celeberate With Sweets"

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

COCONUT LADDU TO CELEBRATE MY 100TH POST

2010-08-02T08:17:00.002+04:00

Coconut Laddu

I made this last week. You wont believe it, to make this ladoo it wont even take hardly full 15 mins!!!!... wow!! isnt that easy... especially when you have guests over for lunch or dinner uninvited ;)....

I have been a little slow in the race of blogging.. Its going to be one year and i have reached only the 100th post :(.. But then thinking on the positive side, i did post 100 recipes!!! wow!!! i cant believe i really know 100 recipes...he he he... i still remember those first days of cooking..Though i knew how to cook a bit, i always was bad at trying new ones as i never got the idea how the flavour blends..now i wont tell i m an expert. But still will tell i know a little of it. Thanks to all my bloggy friends for being my support and inspiring me with your comments. I know few of my friends do try and tell me how it went. Friends, if you try and if the outcome is bad or good, plz do post on the commentary. I would love to see it (esp if it successful) and also others will know how it turned out :)...

Once again THANKS to all shwwwwwweeetttt bloggers for being with me all the way through :).. Plz continue with your support throughout :)

Plz bear with me for the pics..I simply couldnt resist myself uploading all of them ;)..

Now enough of my BLAH BLAH ;).. coming to the recipe...

Ingredients:

Coconut grated - 2.5 cups + 1 cup for covering
Condensed Milk - 1 tin (390 gms)
Cardamom Powder - 2 liberal Pinch
Vanilla Essence - 1 drop (optional)

Prepapration:
Ina a pan add in the 2.5 cups of coconut and for 1-2 min roast over low flame. Dont let the coconut to turn brown. Its just for the raw taste to go. Add in the condensed milk, cardamom powder and mix till the mixture starts coming off the side of the pan. Add in the essence and switch off flame for the mix to cool down. When the mix is warm, roll small balls and roll the laddu in the 1 cup of grated coconut and garnish with rasins. Enjoy cold or warm :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Note:
You can powder the 1 cup coconut used for rolling for more definite look. (My grinder is out of order and couldnt do in that way :( )

i would like to send this over for few events

http://akilaskitchen.blogspot.com/2010/07/event-celebrating-independence-day-2010.html for CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY

http://tasteofpearlcity.blogspot.com/ for IFTAR MOMENTS

I would like to send this to Festive Food - rakhi

KIDS DELIGHT

REPOST FOR PINWHEEL BISCUITS AND MARIES BROWN WOOD FOR FEW EVENTS

2010-07-31T15:27:00.001+04:00

PINWHEEL BISCUITS

http://neetzkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/03/pinwheel-biscuits.html

MARIES BROWN WOOD

http://neetzkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/03/maries-brown-wood.html

I would like send these entries to
Pari of Foodlecious for Kids Delight Event

Sri of Srishkitchen for the Sweets and Savoury for Diwali

torviewtoronto for the Cold Dessert Event

Cheers,

Neetz ;)

MY FOODY STORAGE FOR SHOW ME YOUR REFRIGERATOR EVENT

2010-07-31T15:01:00.001+04:00

I would like to send this pic over for the event conducted by Divya of Dil Se.

I saw few entries where everyone have their fridge neat and tidyingly kept... I thought compare to that mine is worser and for a change i will send a messy fridge ;)...i know atleast the bottle kept areas are neat..he he he :)

Cheers,

Neetz ;)

PAVAKKA MEZUKEPERRUTI (BITTERGOURD FRY)

2010-07-30T13:52:00.000+04:00

Bittergourd Fry

Another simple dish and quickly made when you have to make tiffin lunch at mornings :)... This is little different compared to normal fry as you have to microwavefirst. For those are not in favour of bitttergourd, for this you can use the white bittergourd than the green one as white is less sour than the green :)

Ingredients:
Bittergourd - 2 nos medium sliced finely
Onions - 1 big sliced
Garlic - 5 nos sliced
Green Chilli - 3 nos sliced
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt

Preparation:

First in a microwave bowl add in the sliced bittergourd, salt and green chilli. Mix these by hand in the bowl and on high, microwave for 5 mins. Once cooled, in a pan add in oil. Once hot add in the curry leaves and and put in the bittergourd and saute for 2 mins on low flame. Then add in the onions, garlic and turmeric powder. Saute on low flame till you get your desired fry version. Enjoy with dal and rice :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

ALOO - GOBI FRY (A very Simple method)

2010-07-29T17:02:00.000+04:00

Potato- Cauliflower Fry

This is one of the easiest way to make a sabzi especially when you are in one of those lazy moods to cook :)

Ingredients :

Potato - 1 med chopped in cubes
Cauliflower - Flowerets of 1 half of a small head
Jeera - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Pepper Powder - 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Flakes - 1/4 tsp
Salt

Preparation:
In a pan add oil and once hot add in jeera. Once jeera starts to splutter add in the potatoes and cover and cook till potatoes are half done. Sprinkle water if needed to cook. Once potatoes are half done put in the cauliflower, turmeric powder and pepper powder and salt and saute nicely. Cover and cook over low flame till both cauliflower and potatoes are done. Once done add in the chilli flakes and saute and serve with Chappati/ roti :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Sabudana Tikkiya n Sabudana Kheer - Repost for CWS - SAGO SEEDS and IFTAR MOMENTS

2010-07-28T08:22:00.003+04:00

These recipes goes for the event conducted by Niloufer and event announced at Priya easy n tasty recipeat http://kitchensamraj.blogspot.com/2010/07/cooking-with-seeds-sago-event.html :) and also to Iftar Moments Hijri 1431 conducted by Umm Mymoonah

SABUDANA TIKKIYA

SABUDANA KHEER

CWS -Sago Seeds event

Iftar Moments Hijri

Cheers,

Neetz ;)

TUNA PUTTU (STEAMED RICE CAKE WITH TUNA)

2010-07-27T22:53:00.003+04:00

Tuna Puttu

Puttu is one of the main dishes of Kerala especially for breakfast. Its very tasty and a filling food and the best combo for this usually are with kadala curry (chana) or with banana and sugar. I somehow never used to like much when i was a kid. but now i simply crave for it now and then :)... This recipe is same as the usual puttu made, except that i added an extra layer of tuna masala.

Ingredients:

For the Tuna :
Canned Tuna in water - 1 tin
Onions- 1 medium chopped finely
Garlic - 1 clove chopped finely (opt)
Ginger - one small piece chopped finely (opt)
Green Chilli - 2 nos chopped finely
Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp
Tumeric Powder - less than 1/4 tsp
Salt if needed

For Puttu:
Chemba Puttu Podi - 1 cup
Coconut grated - little
Salt
Water

Preparation:

For the tuna masala :

Heat little oil in a pan and add in the onions, ginger garlic and green chilli. Saute till onions turn slightly brown in color. Add in the podwers. Saute till raw smell of the powders go and then add in the tuna. Saute till tuna gets fried on low flame and keep aside.

For the Puttu :
Mix in the chemba puttu podi, salt and water. Mix in such a way that you get soft lumps of the mix, at the same if you knock with your finger it falls down. Thats how you will know the mix is proper. If the lumps are too hard you will get a hard output.

In a' puttu kutti' or you can even use coconut shell, put in coocnut grated first then a bit of puttu mix and then tuna. Then again add puttu mix, then tuna and puttu mix and last on top coconut grated. You can do the mixing however you wish. Steam over a pressure cooker till you see steam coming out of puttu kutti's holes. Poke out with a putti kutti stick and VOILA, your tuma puttu is ready :)

Have as it is or with kadala curry or banana :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

TIP :
You can use white outtu podi instead of chemba puttu podi.
You can arrange the fillings in whichever way you like it.
I havent used the optional items for the above mix. You can add in for more flavour and taste.

AWARD TIME

2010-07-27T08:19:00.003+04:00

Award Time!!

I am pleased to say after a long time I m recieveing another awards from one of my new bloggy friend Akheela. I m so happy that she remebered while sharing this award and this shows how much i m being appreciated :).... Thanks so much Akheela.. U r such a shweety pie :).. I stumbled upon her blog through another blogger and she is got an awesome blog and that too with so much varieites.. I love checking her blog and i m sure you all will like. Do drop in when you get time :)

I have the very same from Chetana also.. Her blog is is full of wonder recipes and you should really drop in to see the varieties.. :). Her recipes do make me inspired alll through the way :)

To accept the award thank the person who awarded it to you, share 7 things about yourself and list 15 friends you like to pass this lovely award.

About Myself :

1. A food lover for different dishes
2. Travelling
3. Surf the net
4. Craft
5. Spent time with my little one
6. Friends
7. Privacy

I would love to share this award with :)

1.Kairali Sisters
2. Open Book
3.Umm Mymoonah
4.Priti
5. Aipi
6. Sarah
7. Nandini
8. Shanthi
9. Satya
10. Priya
11. Deepa
12. Shama
13. Suja
14. Nitha
15. Roshu

The above list is no order. Plz do pass on to other loved bloggers :).. Happy blogging all :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

MUTHIRA THORAN ( HORSEGRAM WITH FRIED COCONUT)

2010-07-22T12:06:00.001+04:00

Muthira Thoran

One of another protein rich food pulses and obviously healthy :). This is very common in Kerala and some even have it with rice porridge. In Hindi its said " kulthi" and in Tamil " Kollu". Its very good for diabetic people too.

Ingredients:
Horsegram : 1 cup
Small Onions - 7-8 nos
Coconut 1/2 cup
Red Chilli Flakes - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Green Chilli - 2 nos
Salt

Preparation:
Clean and soak horsegram in water for 1 hour. Then pressure cook for 5-6 whistles till horsegram are done.

In a pan. add a bit oil and saute onions and garlic till light brown in color. Then add in the coconut and fry a bit till color changes on low flame. Add in the curry leaves and powders and saute for 15 seconds. Add in the cooked horsegram with salt, chilli flakes and cover and cook for 2-5 mins on low flame. Serve warm with rice :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

BEETROOT HALWA - Repost for CELEBRATE WITH SWEETS

2010-07-15T22:34:00.000+04:00

Beetroot Halwa

Ingredients:
Beetroot - 2 cups (peeled and grated)
Milk - 2 cups
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Ghee - 2tbsp
Cardamom Powder - 1/4 tsp
Almond Slivers - few

Preparaton:

Add in ghee in a pan. Once ghee becomes hot add in the grated beetroot and saute till beetroot becomes soft and cooked. Then add in the milk and cook on low flame till all the milk is evaporated. For me it took almost 20-25 mins. Just keep stirring now and then. Once milk has been evaporated add in the powdered cardamom and sugar and saute for about 5 mins. Adding sugar will cause the mix to be a bit watery. keep stirring for 5 mins. then switch of flame and garnish with almond slivers. Serve warm :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Im reposting this recipe for CELEBRATE WITH SWEETS conducted by Niveditas kitchen

OATS HALWA - Repost for CELEBRATE WITH SWEETS

2010-07-15T22:26:00.000+04:00

Oats Halwa

Ingredients :

Quaker Oats - 1 cup
Ghee - 1 tbsp + for greasing
Milk - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Nuts - around 10 pieces
Almond Slivers- for garnishing
Preparation:
Mix the sugar in milk and mix till the sugar gets diluted and keep aside. Then in a grinder grind the oats in a coarse form and keep aside. Then grind the nuts in coarse form and keep aside.

In a pan, add ghee and when hot, roast the powdered oats till brown in color. In between add in the powdered nuts. Once oats is brown in color add in the milk and saute till the mix starts leaving the sides. Grease a glass plate with ghee and transfer the halwa to the plate and spread evenly. Once cooled cut into desired shape and garnish with almond slivers.

Im reposting this recipe for the event "CELEBRATE WITH SWEETS" conducted by Niveditas kitchen

PAVAKKA ACHAR (BITTERGOURD PICKLE)

2010-07-14T23:11:00.000+04:00

Bitter Gourd Pickle

I used to hate bittergourd..my hubby being a bittergourd lover, i was forced to make several times as he loved it..but now i m glad i forced myself to make it coz now i too am in love with bittergourds now :).... this is one way i found that i could make myself eat more of it without the sour taste and i promise you its even tastier than what u think :)..

Ingredients:
Bittergourd : 3 medium cut into small pieces
Lime - 1 medium
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt
Garlic - 12 cloves sliced
Ginger - one 1/2" sliced
Mustard seeds - 1.5 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 3-4 twigs
Chilli Powder - 1.5 tbsp
Asofetida powder - 1 tbsp
Vinegar - 2 cap
Water- 4 tbsp
Sugar - 2 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1/2 cup
Preparation:

Marinate bittergourd pices with lime, turmeric powder and salt overnight or atleast of 4-5 hours in fridge. once done, squeeze the bittergourds so that all the water comes out and keep aside.

Mix water, salt and sugar in a bowl and keep aside.

Heat a pan, add oil. Once oil is hot fry the garlic and ginger togther and remove. then in same oil fry the squeezed bittergourds in batches and remove. Dont make it too black in color.

In another pan, add bit oil and add in the mustard and fenugreek seeds. Once it starts spluteering add in the curry leaves and saute for 2-3 sec. Add in the chilli and asofetida powder and saute for 3-4 sec. Add in the water solution and let it boil. then add in the fried ginger, garlic and bittergourd pieces and mix well. Allow it to cook for about 2 mins. Add little more water if u need to mix properly the masalas. Pour in vinegar. measure the 2 caps of the vinegar bottle and pour. switch of flame and its ready to use :).. Serve with hot steaming rice and payar :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

MOONG DAL DOSA

2010-07-13T11:57:00.001+04:00

Moong Dal Dosa

From the e-book of Manjula, found this very easy and simple dosa recipe. Everyone at my home loved it. And people who wants to watch their weight, can have this dosa when u crave for it instead of the rice variety :)..

Ingredients:
Yellow Moong Dal - 1 cup (soaked overnight or atleast for min of 4 hours)
Ginger - 1/4 piece
Green Chilli - 2 nos
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Salt

Preparation:
Grind the moong dal with ginger and green chilli. Grind with very little amount of water. Batter should not be very loose. Remove the batter to a container and add in cumin seeds and salt. Mix thoroughly. Haet oil in dosa pan, spread the batter round with the back of a spoon. Once brown in color,turnover dosa for the same to be done on other side. If needed add in a bit of oil on both sides.Serve hot with sambar or chutney.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

MANGO LASSI/SMOOTHIE

2010-07-08T12:44:00.001+04:00

Mango Lassi/Smoothie

Yummy yummm...right :)..The thoguht of it makes you droollllllllllll... ;)

Lassi is an indian smoothie mainly made by adding sugar and curd/yoghurt. Here i have used riped mangoes. Alternatively you can use mango pulp which comes in can.

Ingredients:
Ripe Mango : 2 nos
Milk - 1/2 cup
Curd/Yoghurt - 1 cup
Suagr
Cardamom Powder - 2 liberal pinch
Pista slivers - for garnishing

Preparation:
Except pista slivers, blend all the ingredients to a smooth paste. Serve chilled garnished with pista slivers. Enjoy the hot summer :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

AVOCADO MILKSHAKE/JUICE

2010-07-07T20:15:00.001+04:00

Avocado Milkshake/Juice

The fruit avocado is known to be very healthy and it is very good for heart :).... eating Avacado as it is might not be very tasty..not for me anyways..he he he..to get kids eat this to make them drink like this :) This was told to me by dearest friend and my best friend Roshu :).. The juice is so sweet as she is :)... @ roshu - the credit still goes to me for making this one..he he he :D

Ingredients :
Ripe Avacado - 2 nos peeled and cut into cubes
Cold Milk
Sugar - as per taste
Cardamom Powder - 2 liberal Pinch

Preparation:
In a blender, add in the avacado, 1.5 cup milk, sugar, cardamom powder. Blend to a smooth juice.. Add in milk if the mix is too thick. I actually did not take the measurement of the milk. Add milk according to the consistency you need. Serve chilled in a glass and garnish with cardamom powder.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

EGG TIKKA MASALA

2010-07-05T21:13:00.000+04:00

Egg Tikka Masala

Today while i was watching TV, i came across this recipe.. usually we make egg curry and this one was different and i thought i did give it a try... seriously it was good :)... this one is good for a change and ur hubby is goona love it ;).... experience speaks ;)

Ingredients:
Egg - 2 boiled and sliced into 4 (each)
Onions -2 sliced
Ginger - 1/2 piece chopped finely
Garlic - 4-5 cloves chopped finely
Coconut slivers - 1/3 cup
Chilli Powder - 3/4 tbsp or less as per your taste
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Pepper Powder - 1/4 tsp
Chicken Powder - 1/4 tsp
Water - 2 tbsp
Coriander Leaves - 1 handful chopped
Salt
Oil

Preparation:
In a pan, add 2 tbsp oil and once hot, add in the onions and saute for 1 min. Then add in the ginger and garlic and saute till the raw smell goes. Almost 5 - 7mins. Its not needed for the onions to turn brown. Then add in the coconut slivers and saute for 2 mins and then add in all the powders and salt. Saute till oil starts leaving the sides. Add water and then mix in the sliced egg and mix. If you want u can smash the egg pieces so that the yolk mixes well with the masla or just mix in such a way that the yolk doesnt come out. Switch of flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with phulka :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

CHICKEN CUTLET - Am back with a bang ;)

2010-07-01T14:54:00.000+04:00

Hey Everyone!!!!

MISSED U ALL!!! Seriously missed u all dearies :).... i shifted to new flat and it took about a week to get settled.. then my little princess was keeping me so busy that i really didnt get time literally to open internet :(...

Today being the 1st of July i thought i will post my recipe at any cost and it was really alone here w/o all ur comments and suggestions... i missed seeing everyones innovating recipes and all the events :)... i never thoguht i will be missing my blog and bloggy friends too :)..

Meanwhile i ahve seen few more new bloggy friends to my list and to them..thanks a ton for being a part of my blog :)... hopefully will post more n more recipes and be part of u all :)...

Chicken Cutlet

Ingredients:

Chicken minced - 500 gm
Vinegar - 1 tsp
Water - 1/4cup or less
Potato boiled - 250 gm
Onion chopped finely - 2 medium
Green Chilli - 4-5 nos chopped finely (adjust according to ur taste)
Ginger - 1/2 piece chopped finely
Pepper powder - 1/2 tbsp or as per the spice you want
Curry leaves chopped - 1 strings
Turmeric powder - one big pinch (opt) - for this one i didnt add
Salt

For the coating:
Egg - 1 beaten
Bread crumbs
Water - 2 tbsp

Preparation:
Wash the meat minced and in a pan add water, salt and vinegar together with minced chicken. Add little water as the water from chicken will also come out.

Mash the boiled potato before hand. In another pan, add oil and saute onions, green chilli, ginger till onions turn soft and bit brown. Add in the curry leaves and boiled minced chicken. Saute till meat is completely dried. (Although water has been evaporated before, there will be water in the minced chicken). Once cooled down mix in with the mashed potato and make into desired shaped that you need for the cutlet.

Keep oil in the shallow pan for frying to be heated. Meanwhile add 2 tbsp of water to beaten egg. dip the cutlet in the egg and then in the bread crumbs. Fry till light brown color is formed on both sides. Serve with rice, chappati,bread, ketchup or anything that you want :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Note:
You can add coriander leaves instead of curry leaves or both.
You can add in any other meat like mutton or beef instead of chicken and make it in the same way.
Vegetable cutlet can also be made. Except that boiled potato quantity should be more than the other veggies added.
Kids fav!!!

LAUKI-ALOO CURRY(Bottle Gourd- Potato) (Best with Roti/Chappati)

2010-06-04T16:24:00.002+04:00

Lauki-potato Curry and a break!!

This is one dish which has the taste of both ofthe north and south cuisine mixed :) :)... doubtful right..he he he...i tried as an experiement and all my folks just loved it..even my neighbour friend.. And it best suits with chappati... lauki is one veggie which most of us dont favour much :).... but this curry will make you say.." yes lauki " !!! :D

I will be shifting to a new flat within this week and it will a time once i get my internet back and running... so hoping to see soon with another dish and to all my bloggy friends... i m really not getting time to visit often and pass on my thoughts to each one of ur wonderful world of tastes..plz dont feel sad on that..i will soon try to be on the loop with u all :)

Ingredients:

Lauki - 1/2 of a medium chopped into small cubes

Potato - 1 medium chopped into small cubes

Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt

For Tempering:
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Curry Leaves - 2 twigs
Red Chilli - 1 or 2 no
Garam Masala - 1 tsp
Oil

Preparation:

In a pressure cooker, add in water with the powders and salt and put in the lauki and potato. Pressure cook till it is cooked. I cooked for 3-4 whistles.Once cooled, open and smash the mix with spoon nicely.

In a pan, Add in oil. Once hot, add in mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once it starts spluttering, add in the curry leaves and red chilli. Saute for 10 seconds and add in the smashed curry into this. Add in the garam masala powder and cook for 2-3 mins over low flame and serve warm with roti/chappati :)..

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

GAJAR KA HALWA (Sweet made with carrot)

2010-05-26T20:54:00.001+04:00

Gajar Halwa

It was our dearest friend Anila's wedding anniversary and me and Roshana (my other dear friend :) ) was thinking what we will give her as surprise. Since she and her hubby enjoyed sweets, we decided to make this and we decorated with nuts and extra chocolates on sides. U can say she was in for a real surprise and the expression she had on her face was worth all the efforts we did and very much rewarding :)...

Ingredients :

Carrots : approx 1 kg grated

Milk : 1.5 litre

Sugar: 1 cup or as per taste

Cashew and raisins : few

Elaichi Powder : a liberal pinch

Ghee :2 tbsp

Preparation:

Add ghee in a pan and once hot, roast the nuts and raisins and remove and keep aside. In the same pan add in the grated carrot and saute till carrot gets cooked. Remove and keep aside. Then add milk and bring to boil. Add in the carrot and sugar and cook till carrot absorbs the milk and starts almost leaving the sides. Add in the elaichi powder and garnish with nuts and raisins. Serve warm and enjoy :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Note:
- Once carrot and sugar has been added, cook over low flame..it might take time but its worth it.
- Using whole milk will give more tastier halwa.

I would like to send this over to Niveditas kitchen for the event "CELEBRATE WITH SWEETS" conducted by her

VANPAYAR-CHENA ERISERRY (Red Chouri - Yam curry)

2010-05-14T12:37:00.000+04:00

Vanpayar- Chena Eriserry

Yummy yummy curry to have hot steaming rice.. Simple to prepare and especially when you are out of other veggies :D

Ingredients:
Vanpayar - 1 cup (red chouri)
Chena - 1/4 piece cut into small cubes (yam)
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt

For grinidng:
Coconut grated - 1/2 cup
Cumin seeds - 1 1/2 tsp
Green Chilli - 1-2 nos

For Tempering:
Onion - 1 medium chopped finely
Red Chilli - 2 nos
Curry leaves - 3 twigs
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Coconut Oil - 2 tsp

Preparation:
In a pressure cooker addin the vanpayar, turmeric and salt and pressure cook till vapayar gets half cooked. Approx of 3 whistles. Then once cooled add in yam and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles more. Check if yam and vanpayar is cooked. If not pressure cook till cooked.

Meanwhile grind with very little water all the ingredients listed under grinding.

Once presure cooking is over add in the grinded ingredients and cook on low flame till it boils. Switch off flame.. Add in water if the consistency is too thick.

In a pan, add in coconut oil, once hot put in the mustard seeds. Once the seeds start spluttering, add in the onions and red chilli. saute till onions beocme slightly brown in color.Add int he curry leaves and saute for 1 min. temper on the cooked curry and serve warm with rice and ghee on top :)..yummyyyy...

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

PAZHAM NIRACHATHU (Plantains with sweet filling)- VEG & NON-VEG

2010-05-12T09:27:00.002+04:00

Pazham Nirachathu

This snack is very famous and is mostly made in malabar areas of kerala. This is equally favourite of kids and adults :)... try it and you will know it :)

Ingredients :
Plantais (Ettakka) - 2 nos medium

For Non veg version:
Egg - 1 no
Coconut - 3 tbsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Cardamom Powder - a pinch
Cashew nuts and raisins - few
Ghee - 1 tbsp

For Veg version:
Coconut - 3-4 tbsp
Sugar- 2 tbsp
Cashew nuts and raisins - few
Cardamom Powder - a pinch
Ghee - 1 tbsp

To Cover the filling:
Maida - 3 tbsp
Rice Flour - 3 tbsp
Sugar- 1 tbsp (or as per your taste)
A pinch of salt
Water to make batter
a pinch of cardamom powder (opt)

Mix all the ingredients from maida to cardamom powder and keep aside.

Preparation:
The bananas should not be very ripe as it will be difficult to hold the filling. A little above medium ripe will do. Deep slit the bananas leaving the edges intact.

Meanwhile we will prepare the filling. For the non-veg verison, beat the egg with sugar nicely.In a pan add ghee and add in the beaten egg and keep stirring with spoon to form scrambled egg. Saute till egg gets cooked and then add in the coconut, cardamom powder, nuts and raisns. Fry for about 2-3 mins till all get fried as shown in pic.

For the veg version, mix with hand coconut and sugar nicely. In a pan add ghee and then add in all the ingredients and saute for about 2-3 mins and leave the mix to cool down.

Once the filling is ready, fill the mix into the slit of the bananas. Dont over stuff. Then on top the slit, apply the maida mix over it so the filling dont come out. Then in a pan, heat oil/ghee, fry the bananas on all four sides. Serve warm :)...

Notes :
You can use normal oil for ghee if you are very health conscious.
While slitting bananas, make sure it opens only one side of the bananas.Not the other end.
Sugar quantity variation can be changed according to individuals needs.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

BEETROOT HALWA (Sweet made with Beetroot)

2010-05-06T14:35:00.000+04:00

Beetroot Halwa

I had few bettrots remaining in my fridge...i wasthinking what will i make with it as no one in my home (other than me) is found of beetroot.... So i thought one easy way was to make halwa which is very healthy and i was sure will be eaten by all ;)...

Ingredients:
Beetroot - 2 cups (peeled and grated)
Milk - 2 cups
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Ghee - 2tbsp
Cardamom Powder - 1/4 tsp
Almond Slivers - few

Preparaton:
Add in ghee in a pan. Once ghee becomes hot add in the grated beetroot and saute till beetroot becomes soft and cooked. Then add in the milk and cook on low flame till all the milk is evaporated. For me it took almost 20-25 mins. Just keep stirring now and then. Once milk has been evaporated add in the powdered cardamom and sugar and saute for about 5 mins. Adding sugar will cause the mix to be a bit watery. keep stirring for 5 mins. then switch of flame and garnish with almond slivers. Serve warm :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

FISH BIRIYANI

2010-05-04T14:07:00.000+04:00

Fish Biriyani

This is always a big hit and favourite of all people in my house :).. One of another famous chef Sanjeev Kapoors recipe and sure gonna be liked by all if you cook this :)....This was one of another easter special lunch for us. Do try and you will know the difference in cooking the Sanjeev Kapoors way :)

Ingredients:
King Fish - 700gm

For Marination :
Chilli Powder - 1tbsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Pepper Powder - 1 tbsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Lime - 1/2 no
Salt

For the Gravy :

Onions : 4-5 nos big sliced
green chilli - 2-3 nos chopped
ginger galric paste - 1 tbsp
Tomato - 1 big cut into four
Mint leaves - 1/2 cup
Coriander leaves - 1/2 cup
Garam masala - 2 tsp
Salt

Rice - 3 cups
Bay leaf - 2 nos
Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
Cardamom - 2 nos
Water

For final Garnishing:
Garam Masala - 2 tsp
Nuts - 6-7 pieces roasted in ghee
Raisins - 9-10 nos roasted in ghee
Safrron a pinch (soaked in warm water)
Coriander Leaves - 1/2 cup
Mint Leaves - 1/2 cup

Wash and Soak the rice in water for 1 hour.

Meanwhile marinate the fish and keepa side for 30 mins and fry in 1/2 cup oil. In the same oil add in the onions and green chilli and saute for 2 mins. Then add in the ginger garlic paste and saute till onions turn slight brown in color. Then add in the sliced tomato, coriander and mint leaves, garam masala and salt.Saute for 3-5 mins. Add in the fish pieces and cook for a minute and then add in 1/2 cup water and cook till gravy thickens and keep aside.

Once the rice is soaked for desired time, drain and roast for 5 mins in ghee in a pan. then add in water, salt, bayleaf, cinnamon and cardamom and cook till rice is done. Then in a big round vessel, rub ghee on the bottom of vessel and sides and add one layer of rice and then in another layer fish and masala. In bettwen add in safrron water here and there. Then add another layer of rice, then fish, then again rice.Again sprinkle saffron water. On top, sprinkle roasted nuts and raisins, and coriander leaves and mint leaves. Finally sprinkle the garam masala and cover tightly and cook over low flame for 15-20 mins.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

PUDINA RICE

2010-05-02T12:23:00.000+04:00

Pudina Rice

The first time i had this rice was from my dearest friend, Anila. I still remember the taste. It was so yummy and i was back of her asking how this was made. When i made for the first time it didnt turn out so good. Then the second time i went with a plate to her home and asked how is it?? eagerly waiting to hear her thoughts on it.. Then she said "hmmm this is good and perfect" :).... I was like Yes i did it right this time :)..he he he.... this rice is actually famous betwenn we neighbour friends :).....

Ingredients:
Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Onion - 1
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tsp
Green Chilli - 2-3 nos
Pudina leaves - 1 bunch
Potato - 1/2 cut into cubes
Carrot- 1/4 cut into strips of 1/2"
Beans - 5-6 nos cut into 1/2"
Tomato - 1/2 chopped
Garam Masala - 1 tsp
Salt

Preparation:
Wash and soak the rice. Meanwhile puree the onion and green chilli together and keep aside. In a wok add in oil of about 4 tbsp and add in the pureed onion and green chilli mix. Saute for 3 mins and add in the ginger garlic paste. Saute till the mix gets almost brown in color.

Pick Pudina leaves and wash and puree them. Once the onion mix turns slight brown in color add in the veggies and saute for about2-3 mins. Then add in salt and pudina puree. Cover and cook on low flmae for about 5-7 mins. Then add in the garam masla and again cook for about 2 mins. Then add in the soaked rice and add in water and a bit of oil. Adding oil is optional at this stage. this is done to avoid the sticking of rice together. If you have a rice cooker move the whole rice mix to it and add in sufficient water and cook till done. Alternatively you can also cook in the wok itself. Cover and cook till done with sufficient water. Serve warm with curd salad and pappad.

Notes:
Do not add more water as the rice might get smashed.
Check salt once rice has been added.
When cooking in a wok make sure you add about 2 tbsp of oil extra during the input of rice.
Cook over low-med flame for better and tastier results :).

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

VERMICELLI KESARI

2010-04-28T23:09:00.002+04:00

Vermicelli Kesari

Vermicelli is my favourite and i literally eat it made it in any form. Once amde i gave a few to my dalring neighbour friends and they were eating very nicely and saying tasty tasty :)... the smile ont heir face made me glad that it came out well and they are enjoying it :)... A very good sweet to have once you had your lunch :)...

Ingredients :
Vermicelli - 1 cup
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Water - 2 cups
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Cashew - 4-5 nos roughly chopped
Raisins - 6 nos
Orange or Kesar color - a pinch
Cardamom powder - one liberal pinch

Preparation:
Heat ghee in a pan and fry the cashew and keep aside. Then add in raisins and keep aside. In the same pan with the same ghee, add the vermicelli and roast it till vermecelli becomes light brown in color. Keep aside. Then add water and bring to a boil and add the roasted vermicelli and cook till all the water is absorbed and vermicelli is cooked. Cook on medium flmae. Thena dd int he sugar, cardamom and color and cook for another 10-12 mins. Garnish with nuts and raisins and serve warm :)

I would like to send this to priyaeasyntastyrecipes for the cooking with seeds event..

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Award Time!!!

2010-04-26T23:00:00.001+04:00

THANKS A TON Jyothi from http://panchpakwan.blogspot.com/ for sharing it with me. U r such a sweetheart and this really means a lot to me dear :).... thanks once again and u really rock :)....

I would like to share these awards with all my bloggy friends..everyone is too good and i really cant pick each one of them as everyone is best in their own way..plz plz be free to collect these awards and post on to ur space.... i would be happy to see this in all of ur space..plz plz do take it from here :)

VEGGIE BONDA

2010-04-26T14:33:00.000+04:00

Veggie Bonda

Ingredients:
Dosa Batter - 4 cups
Rice Flour - 2 tbsp
Carrot - approx 1 grated
Onion - 1 medium sliced
Curry leaves - 3 twig leaves
Beans - 5-6 nos chopped
Cabbage - 1/4 grated
Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp
Salt

Preparation:

Mix the dosa batter and rice flour together with salt.Mix in all the veggies to the batter and keep aside. In a wok heat oil and add a spoonful of veggie batter and fry till light brown in color. Serve hot :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

KOZHUKATTA- Repost for mothers day event and Cooking with seeds:)

2010-04-25T14:12:00.001+04:00

Kozhukatta

I still remember those school days where i used to run back home from school ,expecting my mom to make something or other for snack special :)... This sweet dumpling was one of the commonest which she used to make and my fav too.. Its been quiet a long time i made these.. last day i was craving for these and i couldnt stop myself from making this :).. so here goes the recipe to all :)

Ingredients:
Rice Flour - 2 cups
Salt
Hot Water

For Filling:
Coconut - 1 cup
Jaggery - 3/4 cup
Cardamom powder - almost 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp (you can roughly powder if you want)

Preparation:
I had the jaggery in cubes, so i grated them. Then with hand mix all the ingredients nicely for the filling and keep aside.

For the outer covering, boil water and once boiled, pour over the rice flour (add salt to it before) and keep mixing with a spoon till you get a rough made dough. Keep it to cool down. Then with hand mix the flour to a dough and then make medium balls like as you would make for a chappathi. Now flatten with the tip of your fingers so that roundball is now like a circle. Place a spoonful of filling inside and cover the dough. Repaet the process for the whole. In case if the dough is too sticky. dip ypur hands in cold water and spread the balls. Steam cook in pressure cooker till done (of course w/o the weight). Roughly about 15-20 mins will be needed. Have hot with a cup of tea..its will divine :)

This entry I am sending it to for mothers day event conducted by Panch Pakwan

I would aso like to send this entry for the cooking with seeds event conducted by priyaeasyntastyrecipes

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

BLACK EYE BEAN SALAD

2010-04-25T12:47:00.000+04:00

Black Eye Bean Salad

One of the easiest way to have an healthy salad and guys whoever trying to lose weight..this is one way of having and healthy dinner :)

Ingredients :

Black Eye bean - 1/2 cup boiled
Onion - 1 medium chopped
Tomato - 1 medium chopped
Cucumber - 1 nos skin removed and chopped
Green Chilli - 2 nos chopped
Vinegar/lime juice - 1 tbsp
Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt
Pepper powder (both white aand black)

Preparation :
Mix in all the ingredients, chill and serve. I promise you you will be ahving the yummiest salad of all :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

KOTHU CHAPPATI

2010-04-20T15:29:00.001+04:00

Kothu Chapathi

It is very common to throw away the leftovers as most of them says its not good for health. But rotis that are made, can be used in many ways when it comes to leftover part.. This is one way of making the dish and you will love it!!! :)

Leftover Chapathi - approx of 6-7 nos
Onion - 2 med nos sliced
Green Chilli - 2 nos
Capsicum - 1 no cut into strips
Potato - 1 med cut into cubes
Ginger paste - 1/2 tsp
Garlic Paste - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Fennel Seeds - 1 tsp
Papprika Powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Tomato Sauce - 1 tsp
Chilli Sauce - 1/2 tsp (opt)..(if you use this sauce then dont use green chilli)
Salt
Oil
Coriander leaves for garnishing

Roll the left over chappati 2-3 nos each and cut into strips and keep aside. In a pan add oil and once heated add in the mustard seeds. Once the seeds start popping add in the fennel seeds, onions and ginger garlic paste and saute. Once transparent add in the green chilli and tomato and cook till tomatoes are mashed. Then add in the capsicum pieces and the powders and saute for about a min or 2 on low flame. Then add in the sauces and mix well till all the veggies are covered with sauce. Saute over low flame. Add in the stripped rotis and mix well again. cook for a min or two and garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with raita.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

KOZHI NIRACHATHU w/o OVEN (Stuffed Chicken) Easter Special-2

2010-04-16T16:03:00.151+04:00

Stuffed Chicken

Quite a long time!!! ya ya i know :(... everyday i think i need to blog but keep pending for each other day due to busy schedule. Easter has been over and the special dishes i have nbot uploaded other than Vattayappam. So here goes another special dish which i made for dinner :)...

i would like to say special thanks to shabs from shabs cuisine... seeing her pics i couldnt help trying it and it was super hit at my home :)

Ingredients :

Chicken : 1.2 kg

For marination:

Chilli Powder - 3 tbsp
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Lime Juice - 1 lime
Salt and water

Using sufficient water make a paste of all the ingredients under marination.

For Stuffing:
Egg - 1no
Onion - 2 large nos sliced
Ginger Paste - 1 tsp
Garlic Paste - 1 tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 twig leaves
Green Chilli - 3 nos chopped
Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Cashew Nuts - 6 nos
Raisins - 7 nos
Salt to taste
Oil

Marinate the chicken and keep it overnight.

Preparation for the stuffing:

Boil the egg and keep aside. In a pan, add oil and saute cashew till light brown and remove. Then add in raisins in the same pan and roast and keep aside with cashew. Now add in the onion and saute for about a min and then add in the ginger garlic and green chilli, salt and saute till onion becomes brown in color. Then add in all the powders under stuffing listed and saute till the raw smell goes. Add in the egg and nuts and raisin and saute for a min. nce cooled down add this stuffing inside the marinated chicken and then witha neddle and thread stich the flesh in between the legs as we need to fry the chicken and dont eed oil to go inside. Then tie the legs with thread or twine and also the wings (hands).

Now for the Gray Part :

Ingedients :

Onions - 2 large nos sliced

Tomatoes - 2 large nos chopped

Curry Leaves - 3 twig leaves

Fennel Seeds - 1 tbsp powdered (perinjeerakam)

Green Chilli - 4 nos chopped

Ginger Paste - 1/2 tsp

Garlic Paste - 1/2 tsp

Paprika Powder - 2 tsp

Coriander Powder - 2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala - 1 tsp

Water - 1/2 cup

Preparation :

Heat oil in a pan and add in the oiions for a min and then add in the curry leaves, green chilli and ginger and gralic paste and saute till oions are almot borwn in color and then addin the tomatoes and saute till tomatoes turn mushy. Add in the powders and spices and saute till raw smell goes. Add in the water to make a thick gravy and leep aside.

Add in about 1/2 cup oil and put in the marinated chicken and on medium flame and cook till all side of chicken is light brown color. Then on low flame cook. Keep turning sides till the chicken gets properly fried. keep turning the chicken in between in rotation. It make take about aprrox of half an hour.
Remove to a plate and add in the gravy and granish. Serve Hot :)...

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

VATTAYAPPAM (Easter Special -1) - Steamed Rice cake

2010-04-05T00:41:00.000+04:00

Vattayapam - Steamed Rice Cake

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS :)

Finally Easter!!! yahoooooo... this is my little princesses first easter and I wanted to make it as special as it could be :).... i made 3 special dishes on this day and this is one of them :).. We took pics where she was cutting the appam (of course we were there to help ;) )... Every Easter we do somethign special..but all days this easter was most special to me with my child :).....

This is one special appam where you can make it easily within no time (except for the fermentation part though). Can be a savoury for the children and I bet they will be asking for u more :)

Ingredients :

Raw Rice - 1 cup
Coconut - 3/4 cup
Cooked Rice - 2 Tbsp
Yeast - 1 tsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp + 1/2cup
Water - 1/3 cup
Nuts - 6 nos roasted in ghee
Raisins - few nos roasted in ghee

Preparation
Soak the rice overnight or for 6-8 hours. Grind the rice to paste in a mixie with minimum amount of water just to make the mixie run. Then remove about 2 tbsp of the coarsely grounded rice mix and keep aside.
Keep the yeast soaked with sugar (2 tbsp) in 1/3 cup of warm water for about 10-15 mins till a dome like foam is formed.
Add in the coconut grated and cooked rice to the mixie and grind to a smooth paste. In a pan add in the 2 tbsp coarsely grounded rice mix and 1/3 cup water. Cook till soft and the mix is like a smooth dough (water will be evaporated). Add this to the grounded mix of rice and coconut and grind again. Add in the yeast mix and again vroom vrrom :). The batter will be like sort of idli batter and remove and keep in a big container as the batter will rise. Keep it in a warm place about for 6 hours. Then add in the 1/ cup sugar mix and keep for about 2 hours more aside.

In a pressure cooker add water to steam cook in a round pan (pan that comes with pressure cooker). Rub ghee to the pan and keep aside. Add the nuts and raisins that has been roasted in ghee into the batter, mix and pour the batter into the pan. Cover with a aluminium foil. Make sure the pan is not kept low enough as water might get in. Steam cook for about 20-25min. To check if its done put a knife through and if the knife comes out neatly then its done :).

P.S : in case you want the nuts and raisns over the top decorate after 10 mins of steam cook over the batter and then resume with the steam cook :).

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

CABBAGE PAKODA

2010-04-01T00:02:00.000+04:00

Cabbage Pakoda

First of all SORRY guys for not being blogging around.. I m really getting tied up and nowadays coz of my busy schedule with my 6 month old princess and i keep post ponding to type new tried out recipes for each day and it has gone far :(... a little bit of social life in the loop, now i really dont get time to sit and type sometimes :(... hey none the less i will be coming back as much as i can and definitely will be keeping in contact with u all :)... plz friends..dont be upset when you dont see any comments from my side... i am checking everyones recipe and really admire how you all can really come with such beautiful recipes and idea :).... great going bloggers!!!!
There is nothing like having a good warm pakodas with hot cup of tea or coffee? isnt it?..yummmmm...The thought itself makes like "ohh how i wish i had some now"..these cabbage pakodas are very easy to make and whenever you have a left over of cabbage thinking what to do this is one easiest of all ways to use it and even to share with your friendly neighbours with a little gossip around ;)..he he he :D...

Ingredients :

Cabbage - 2 cups chopped
Besan powder - 4-5 tbsp
Rice Powder - 1.5 tbsp
Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
Amchoor powder - 1/4 tsp (dry mango powder - opt)
White Pepper - one liberal pinch
Onion - 1 med chopped
Ginger - 1" chopped
Salt

Preparation :

Mix in all the powders and then add in the onion and ginger and mix with very little water. Then add in cabbage and mix properly. Add water only if you think that the powders need to get wet more to hold on to cabbage. Heat oil in a kadai and fry the batter mix of cabbage.. Strain to a tissue to absorb oil when done. Serve hot :).. Hai an easy :) :) ???

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

SIMPLE KOORKA MEZYUKEPERRUTTI(Chinese Potato stir fry)

2010-03-31T23:16:00.001+04:00

Koorka Upperi (Chinese Potato)

A very simple dish and easiest and yumiiest to prepare on very short notice :)...especially if its a frozen one :)

Ingredients:

Koorka (Frozen) - 400gms (half boiled with turmeric powder and salt)

Onion - 1 large sliced

Curry Leaves - 2 strings

Chilli Powder - 1.5 tsp

Pepper Powder - 1 tbsp

Green Chilli - 1- 2 nos slit (opt)

Salt

Oil

Preparation :

Heat about 2 tbsp of oil in a non stick kadai and mix in all the ingredients one by one and saute till fried and crispy on low flame. How easier can this get right? : ) :) ...It goes super duper yummy with rice and moru curry :)..A great combo...

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

PINWHEEL BISCUITS (no baking required)

2010-03-24T12:34:00.002+04:00

Pinwheel Biscuits

This recipe I had seen on TV for kids special and believe me its awesome and i added a few additions to this to make it even more tastier :)... (They actually showed only with butter and sugar).
This will be a hit on kiddie parties trust me :)

Ingredients :

Marie Biscuits - 1 packet

Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp

Coffee Powder - 1/4 tsp

Milk - 1/2 - 3/4 cup

Powdered Sugar - 5 tbsp

Butter - 4 tbsp
Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp
Coarsely grounded nuts - 15 nos

Preparation:

Grind the marie biscuits and sieve to get a pure powdered. If crumps are there then you will have difficult to roll out the biscuits. Once the biscuits are powdered, mix in the cocoa powder and 2 tbsp of powdered sugar. Warm milk and add in the coffe powder. Mix in slowly to make a hard dough. You can add in more milk if you need to make dough. Once dough is done, roll them out to a thick round like that you would do to amke a roti.

Beat the butter, sugar, coconut and nuts nicely. Once dough is rolled out spread the butter mix in the middle evenly leaving the corners. now roll the dough from the longer side slowly and cover up the ends. If any cracks form try to cover it up. Then cover with a aluminium foil and refrigerate for 2 hours. while serving cut into round to view a beautiful pinwheel design :)

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Arachivitta Sambhar and Idli

2010-03-23T16:07:00.001+04:00

Arachivitta Sambhar and Idli

I am being a bit too lazy nowdays in coming up with new new recipes and updating on blog. Too busy these days that sometimes end of the day I feel like i will do tomorrow.. sigh..it goes on like that then finally i think its not fair when many can do it i tooc an :D.... i am crazy about this tamilian sambar. they have this unique taste i always thought how to make it when one of my tamilian friend said to me how to make it..its easy and believe me you will keep slurping again and again once you have tasted it :)...idli is the best combination i could think of and luckily i had the batter ready with me.As the anme says, this sambar comprises of spices thats grounded which makes this special and finger licking taste.

SAMBHAR

Ingredients:
Toor Dal - 1 cup
Moong Dal - 1/4 cup
Shallots - 15-18 nos
Tamarind - lime size soaked in warm water
Tomato - 1 med (1/2+1/2)
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt

Pressure the dal with salt and turmeric for about 4-5 whistles and once cooled down mash them and keep aside.

To grind:
Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
Channa dal - 1 tsp
Raw Rice - 1 tsp
Jeera/Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Fenugrrek seeds - 1/4 tsp
Dry red Chilli - 3 nos
Grated coconut - 1 tbsp

Grind the above ingredients with 3-4 shallots and half of tomato to a paste.

For Tadka:
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
Dry red chilli - 4 nos
Curry leaves - 2 strings
oil

In a pan, heat oil and add mustard and urad dal..once spluttered add in rest of the ingredients. Then add in the remaning shallots and saute till shallots are semicooked and then add in the half of chopped tomato and grinded paste and saute till raw smell of the masala goes. Once sauted well add in the dal and mix. Cook for about 2-3 minutes and add in the tamarind water. add an extra 1 cup water and cook for about 2 minutes. garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with idli.

IDLI
Raw rice - 2 cups
Urad dal - 3/4 cup
Salt

Soak rice and urad dal overnight and wash properly and then grind them to a paste. The batter should be thick enough to cover a spoon once dipped and taken out. Keep in a warm place for fermenting. I usually keep for overnight till the batter turns slightly sour. Once fermented, add salt and mix. Then pour batter (about approx of 3 tbsp) into idli platter (rub oil into the platter before pouring the batter)and steam cook in pressure cooker for about 15-20 mins. cool, and with knife or spoon carefully remove the idli from side.

Cheers,
Neetz ;)

Chilli Soya Bean and an Award from Rekha :)

2010-03-22T12:41:00.002+04:00

CHILLIE SOYA BEAN

I was planning to make something veggie today... All of my veggies in fridge was over and I was not having any clue what will I make for side dish to have with chappati in evening. When I opened my kitchen cupboard i saw Soya chunks. Suddenly i remembered seeing this in Veena chechis blog about this chunks..So i decided to make and have a try and if succeeded to share with everyone. Thankfully it was super hit in my home and here it is ......

Ingredients:

Soya Bean - around 2 cups
Red Chilly - 2 nos
Onions - 2 nos medium ( chopped in cubes)
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 1/2 tbsp
Capsicum - 1 med (shopped in cubes)
Green Chillie - 2 nos chopped round
Soya Sauce - 2 tbsp
Tomato sauce - 2 1/2 tbsp
Chilli Sauce - 2 tsp
Corn Flour - 1 tbsp dissolved in approx 1 cup water
Salt if needed to taste
Spring Onion for garnishing

Preparation :
Soak the soya chunks in hot water for 30 mins and drain well.. then clean soak for 2 -3 times in repititions and press the soya chunks to remove the stinky smell and as well as its odd taste.

Then heat oil in a pan, add thered chilli, onions, capsicum, green chillie and the ginger garlic paste.. Saute till the onion becomes transparent and the ginger garlic paste's raw smell goes.... Add the soya chunks and saute for around 7 minutes..Add in all the sauces and saute for about one minute in medium flame. Then add in the corn flour mix and saute all the ingredients properly. If more of gravy is needed add in water and close the lid and cook for 10 mins in low flame. By the time its done you will get a good thick gravy.(Check salt if needed). Sprinkle some spring onion on top if and serve hot (I didnt have those with me so couldnt add those).

P.S : You can alter the quantity of sauces according to your flavours :)

Cheers
Neetz ;)

Award

Another award recieved!!!.. its a very happy moment when we get award from bloggers telling they really appreciate u :)... i m so thankful to Rekha Shoban for remebering me in passing this award :)...

I hope as the award i will always be able to upload more recipes with more sunshine in it ;)

I would like to share this award with,
Cool Lassie, Shama, Tina, Hari, Balakrishnan, Reshmi, Pavithra,Swathi, Gita, Daisy Blue, Sangi, Chitchat, Jagruti, Anu, Krishnaveni, Rachana, Vineetha, Nandini,

To the award winners,

1.Put the logo within your post
2.Pass on to atleast 12 bloggers
3. Link the nominees within ur post
4. Let the nominees know they have recieved the award
5. Share the love and link to the person form whom you have recieved the award :)