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Wednesday, May 7, 2014

CARROT AND ROASTED PEANUT RAITHA

Though I've tried a variety of raitha recipes, something with peanuts was little unusual and that intrigued me. I ended up preparing it the very next day for bisi bela bath and trust me it was simply superb and heavenly for this summer heat. It tastes too good that it could be eaten without any roti or rice preparation. 
A little information about peanuts wouldn't hurt. Despite their name, peanuts are not actually nuts, they are legumes. Peanuts contain mono unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that keep the heart healthyPeanuts are an extremely high source of plant protein. Peanuts contain high concentrations of the antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid and oleic acid, that not only protect the heart but inhibit the growth of free radicals, keeping infection at bay.  Peanuts provide our body with essential vitamins, that also help in regulating metabolism, converting fat and carbohydrates into energy, and facilitating bone and tissue formation. A good source of folate, peanuts reduce the incidence of birth defects, and anemia related conditions. The number of peanuts health benefits match the number of ways it can be consumed.
Here's the recipe to yummy and healthy peanut and carrot raitha. 



INGREDIENTS

Carrot (grated) - 1
Peanuts - a handful
Curd/ Yoghurt - 2 cups
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds/ Jeera- 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves- 4-5
Salt 
Oil - 1 tsp




METHOD

Mix the grated carrots, curd and keep it aside. In a pan, add the peanuts and toss for about 3-4 mins in medium heat without oil. In case you're using roasted peanuts then this step can be skipped. Add the roasted peanuts and required salt to the curd mixture and give it a good mix. In a small pan heat oil and add mustard and cumin. Once they crackle add the curry leaves, switch off the heat. Pour this over the curd mixture. Roasted peanut carrot raitha is ready to be served. Tastes good when chilled.  






Friday, March 7, 2014

YUMMY MASALA CASHEWS


We all love this crunchy nut, don't we? This delicately sweet yet crunchy and delicious cashew nut is packed with energy, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are essential for robust health. Here are a few health benefits of these super nuts : 

  • Cashews have a lower fat content when compared to most other nuts
  • They contain soluble dietary fibre 
  • Contains magnesium and copper that help to strengthen bones and are good for blood flow.
  • Cashews (100 gms) have almost 7 mg of iron while beetroot has only 0.8 mg.
  • Cashews keep our arteries flexible, prevent plaque build up.
  • Promotes bone health and traditionally used to prevent night cramps.
Source
www.whfoods.com
Rujuta Diwekar ( https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=51805188423&story..)



Coming to the recipe. Its a quick evening snack and can be made in a jiffy! I have used chili powder, the same can be prepared using pepper powder too, if you prefer. 



INGREDIENTS

Whole Cashews - 20-30
Chili pwd - 1 tsp
Salt
Ghee for frying

METHOD

Heat ghee in a kadai and when hot drop the cashews. Fry until golden brown in medium flame. Before letting it to cool add the chili pwd and salt and give it a good mix. Let it cool for a few minutes and enjoy your masala cashews with hot tea. 


CHICKEN KORMA




This Chicken Korma recipe is my style and goes very well with idli and dosa. I wanted to try out something different with the marinated chicken I had. Since it was idli for dinner that day I wanted something not very spicy at the same time something that would go very well with idlis. I used the marinated chicken I had to make a korma my style. The ingredients required for marination is also given below. Here's my recipe to a tasty chicken korma/ chicken in a nutty gravy/ vellai (white) korma or however you want to call it. 

INGREDIENTS

Chicken - 250 gms
Onion (chopped) - 2
Tomato (chopped) - 2
Green chili (slit) - 2 [make it 3 if you prefer it spicy]
Ginger & Garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp
Turmeric pwd - a pinch
Coriander pwd - 1 tbsp
Chili pwd - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Cardamom, Clove - 1 each
Cinnamon -  1/2 a stick
Coconut milk - 1/2 cup
Salt to taste 
Coriander leaves for garnish

To marinate 

Turmeric pwd - 1/2 tsp
Chili pwd - 1 tsp
Ginger & Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Salt - 1 tsp

To grind 

Poppy seeds - 1 tsp
Cashews - 6
Add water when grinding to make it a paste. 

METHOD

Marinate the chicken pieces in the above marinade mixture for 30 mins.
In a cooker pan add little oil and add cardamom, cinnamon and clove. Immediately add the chopped onion and slit green chilies. After 2 mins add the ginger garlic paste and saute for about 5 mins. Now add the chopped tomatoes, chicken and all the masalas. Give it a good mix. Add very little water and close the cooker lid. Cook for 4 whistles and switch off. When the pressure releases add the prepared cashew paste. Keep it on medium flame and let it boil. Now add coconut milk, give it a stir and finish it off with chopped coriander leaves. It's a tasty chicken kurma made in a South Indian style- a good side dish for appam(hoppers), idiyappam(string hoppers), idli and dosa. 




Thursday, January 9, 2014

IDIYAPPAM - BIRYANI STYLE


This is similar to the Egg Idiyappam recipe posted earlier but this one is without eggs for vegetarians. It can be had with cucumber or onion raitha or even without that as it tastes good even without any side dish or gravy. Excellent dish and quite easy to prepare. This has been one of our favourite dishes at home and we prepare this frequently. If you're using the store bought ready-made idiyappam then steam it or heat it in the microwave and then use.





INGREDIENTS 


Idiyappam (torn to small bits) - 3 cups
Onion (finely chopped) - 2
Tomatoes (finely chopped) - 2
Mint leaves (chopped) - ¼ cup
Turmeric pwd - ¼ tsp
Chili powder - 1 tbsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Coriander (finely chopped) - little for garnishing
Salt

METHOD


Heat oil in a kadai and add the chopped onions. Cook till translucent. Add ginger garlic paste, little salt and sauté till the raw smell of the ginger and garlic paste goes. Add chopped mint leaves, tomatoes, turmeric pwd, chili pwd and salt. Cook till the tomatoes get mushy. Add the garam masala or biryani masala (I use garam masala).Once it gets mushy (this might take about 15 mins in medium heat) add the tiny pieces of Idiyappam and stir well. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot.





Thursday, December 19, 2013

EASY RASAM

This rasam can be made in no time and tastes really good. Try this out when you crave for a good rasam but have only five minutes to spare. It will also be of help for starters as its very simple to make and you cannot go wrong. This also comes in handy when you're unable to prepare fresh spice powders. In fact this recipe was born as a result of power cut. I usually grind whole black pepper, cumin, coriander and garlic (coarsely) every time I prepare rasam which gives it a nice aroma and taste. Since I don't use any ready made powders for rasam or sambhar I came up with this idea. Nevertheless this also tastes good.




 INGREDIENTS

Tomato (chopped) - 1 small size
Tamarind juice* - 1 cup
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Black pepper powder - 1 tsp 
Cumin powder/Jeera powder - 1/2 tsp 
Sambhar powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Salt
Coriander leaves for garnish

For tempering

Ghee - 1 tsp 
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds/ jeera - 1/4 tsp
Garlic pods - 4
Curry leaves - 5
Karuvadagam* - a tiny piece

METHOD

In a bowl or vessel, add the chopped tomatoes, tamarind juice and all the masala powders. Add about 11/2 cups of water or according to your taste and add the required amount of salt. Keep this aside. Heat a kadai and add ghee, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, garlic pods, curry leaves and the karuvadagam in the same order. Once the seeds crackle and the garlic turns light brown pour the tamarind juice mixture to this and let it boil. Switch off the heat after the first boil. Let it set and transfer it to a vessel. Garnish it with coriander leaves. Simple rasam is ready to serve hot.


STEP BY STEP PICTURE


Add all the masala powders to the chopped tomato and tamarind juice. Add required salt and water.



 Crackle mustard, cumin, garlic pods, curry leaves and karuvadagam in a tsp of ghee and pour the above mixture. Let it boil.




Transfer it to a vessel and garnish with coriander leaves. 







NOTE
*Tamarind juice to be made with a small ball of tamarind in hot water
*Karuvadagam is a combination of small onion, garlic, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, cumin seeds and  split black gram. Combined and sun dried for days in a particular way and stored. This is used for  tempering.
 Adding karuvadagam is optional.




Monday, December 16, 2013

TOMATO AND SPROUT SALAD

I was looking to make a salad and the only ingredient I had was tomato and luckily found some sprouted green gram too! So the chef in me said why not put them together with a dash of olive oil and a pinch of pepper and salt. Here's the recipe to my tomato and sprout salad with a twist ;)




INGREDIENTS

To make a small bowl of salad for one person

Tomato - 1 (cut into 1 inch pieces)
Sprouted green gram - a handful
Rusk - 2
Olive oil - 1 tbsp
Lemon juice - 2 drops
Salt and Pepper as per taste
Chopped coriander leaves for garnish if you prefer



METHOD

Add the chopped tomato pieces and sprouted green gram to a bowl. The twist in this salad recipe is adding sweet rusk. Yes, rusk!! Break the rusk into 2 inch pieces. I've used sweet rusk here but it can be tried with any kind of rusk. Flavoured rusk may change the taste of the salad so refrain from using that unless you like it. Add the rusk pieces to the tomatoes and sprouts along with a tbsp of olive oil. Give it a good mix. Add 2 drops of lemon juice and the required salt and pepper. I've used white pepper for this salad. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. The crunchiness of sprouted green gram and the sweetness of rusk mixed in the juice of tomato and olive oil makes it tasty. Try this simple and healthy salad and you're sure to love it.








Thursday, September 12, 2013

PEAS AND POTATO SALAD


INGREDIENTS

Boiled Potatoes - 2 (cut into small cubes)
Boiled peas - 1/2 cup
Mayonnaise - 3 tbsp
Fresh cream- 1 tbsp
Salt and Pepper as per taste
Chopped Coriander leaves (optional)

METHOD

In a bowl, add the potatoes, peas and mayonnaise. Give it a good mix. Add the fresh cream and required salt and pepper. Adjust the mayonnaise and cream quantity as per your requirement. Finish with chopped coriander leaves. It can also be served cold.






Note
*Add salt while boiling potatoes and peas
*I've used white pepper for this salad

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

MACARONI - MY WAY

This is how I prepare macaroni and trust me this is simply yummy. I always add garlic for the flavour if you don't prefer garlic then it can be made without it.







 INGREDIENTS


Boiled macaroni - 1 cup
Milk- 1 cup
Onions - 1 tbsp (sliced)
Garlic- 2 pods (mashed)
Flour-1 tbsp
Fresh cream- 1tbsp
Cheese (grated)- 1/2 cup
Olive oil- 1tbsp
Salt and pepper as per taste

METHOD


Mix the flour in cold milk and keep aside. It is necessary that the milk be cold to avoid lumps.
Sauté the sliced onions and garlic in olive oil till golden brown. 
Add the boiled macaroni to it, followed by the milk and flour mixture.
Add the fresh cream.
Add required salt and pepper. Mix for a minute or two and finish it off with grated cheese.
Use your favourite herb to season it.



Note
*add some salt while boiling the macaroni
*fresh or dry parsley can be used as seasoning

2 MINUTE EGG-LESS MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE

As the title suggests, it's an egg-less cake made in 2 mins!! When ever I'm tempted to have a nice, moist chocolate cake, this recipe comes in handy. It can be made in no time and tastes yummy. This recipe gives about 2-3 pieces just enough to satisfy your temptation without making you feel guilty of having a whole cake. This recipe is also of great help when you want to make a quick dessert at home.



INGREDIENTS

All purpose flour- 4 tbsp
Cocoa pwd- 1 tbsp
Nutella- 1 tsp
Melted butter- 2 tbsp

METHOD


To a microwave safe bowl/dish add all purpose flour, cocoa pwd, nutella and melted butter. Mix well and keep on high temperature for about 2 minutes (or a minute, depending upon your oven temperature) and Voila! The moist chocolate cake is ready!







MASALA DOSA

Masala Dosa-  a thin crisp dosa, filled with mildly spiced potato bhaji. This is a famous recipe in India and a popular South Indian dish which traces it's origin to Udupi cuisine. It is easy to prepare and quite addictive too. If you are a dosa lover, I'm sure this is worth a try. 

I've given the recipe only for the potato bhaji here. 





Ingredients

For the Potato bhaji  (for about 4 dosas)

Potatoes - 3
Onion (thinly sliced) - 1 
Green Chilies (slit) - 2 
Split Bengal gram Kadali paruppu- 1 tsp
Mustard- 1/2 tsp
Turmeric pwd- 1/2 tsp
Chopped coriander leaves for garnish 
Salt as per your taste


Method

Boil the potatoes with some salt. Cool and peel the skin and mash half the quantity and chop the rest into small pieces. In a pan, heat oil and crackle mustard seeds followed by split bengal gram / kadali paruppu and slit green chilies. Sauté till fragrant and add the onions, turmeric pwd and salt. Sauté for about 4-5 mins in low heat and once its cooked add the potatoes. Stir well until well combined. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.