Paneer Makhani

Paneer Makhani...Paneer in tomato sauce with other spices is a piquant dish which is easy make.Being a big paneer fan this dish rocks!


Ingredients :

200 Grams of Paneer(Fry the paneer cubes in oil)
1 1/2 cups of Tomato Puree
2 green chillis
1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
A little more than 1/2 tablespoon of red chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder
2-3 tablespoon of Butter/Ghee
1/2 teaspoon of Peppercorns/black pepper powder
5-6 cloves
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon of Kasuri Methi(dried fenugreek leaves)
2-3 tablespoon of Malai
Oil ( to fry paneer)
Salt

Heat 2-3 tablespoon of butter in a deep saute pan.Fry the cloves,bay leaf,peppercorns/pepper powder,cardamom powder,green chillies and ginger garlic paste.Stir well and add the tomato puree,salt,red chilli powder,garam masala powder.Mix well,cover the pan and boil it for 6-7 mins.Keep stirring for 5 more mins in medium flame .
Now add the fried paneer cubes and the kasuri methi.cook on medium heat for 7-8 mins.Add malai and serve hot with rice/rotis.

Kadai Bhindi

Kadai Bhindi is an awesome dish that contains most of the spices.The rare combination of bhindi with Bell peppers and green peas might sound a bit strange,but the taste is really enticing.
This dish can also be made only with Bhindi.

Ingredients :

1 cup of chopped Bhindi(okra)
1/2 cup of bell peppers(chopped length wise)
1/2 cup of green peas
A little more than 1/2 cup of Onions chopped length wise
1/2 tomato chopped length wise
1 green chilli
A small piece of ginger
1 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
1/2 tablespoon of turmeric powder
A little more than 1/2 tablespoon of red chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
1/2 teaspoon of coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon of amchur powder
1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
3 tablespoon of oil
Salt


Heat some oil in a kadai.Fry cumin seeds.Add onions,green chilli,ginger and ginger garlic paste.Fry for 2-3 mins.Now add the tomatoes and saute for 2 mins.
Add turmeric powder,red chilli powder,coriander powder,cumin powder,garam masala powder and amchur powder.Mix well and saute.
Add okras,bell peppers,green peas,required salt and mix well.Now cover the kadai and cook till the vegetables turn soft.Serve hot with rotis/rice.

Cold Coffee Delite

Iam not a big fan of coffee.But cold coffee with icecream did sound a little tempting.
I learnt how to make cold coffee from a friend who keeps experimenting different beverages at home.
I tried it with a little variation by adding some icecream to the drink and the outcome was delightful! Cold coffee is indeed an idyllic drink that can be enjoyed on a hot summer evening.
With a bit of Vannila/Chocolate chip Icecream this drink is really scrumptious :-)

Ingredients : (Serves 2)

Instant coffee Powder - 2 Tablespoon
A little more than 1/2 cup of Milk
Powdered Sugar (required amount/as per taste)
Ice Cubes - 3
Vannila Icecream - 2 tablespoon
Chocolate chip Icecream - 1 tablespoon (optional)

Dilute the instant coffee powder in 2-3 tablespoon of hot water.Now using a blender , blend the diluted coffee powder,milk,powdered sugar together on high for 30-40 secs.
Then add the ice cubes and blend again for 10 seconds.You can either blend the icecream along with the ice cubes or the icecream can just be added on the top when you serve the cold coffee.Enjoy your drink ! :-))

Daily Dal

This is a simple dal recipe and really helps when you run short of vegetables.Its very tasty and goes well with rotis and rice too.

Ingredients :

1 cup of cooked toor dal(Boil the toor dal with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder.It has to be semi watery)
1/2 cup ofchopped onions
1/2 Tomato(chopped)
2-3 garlic pods
1/2 tablespoon of cumin seeds
2 green chillies
2 pieces of ginger
2 Red Chillies(broken)
A pinch of asafoetida powder
2 tablespoon of sesame oil
Salt
Cilantro

Heat 2 tablespoon of sesame oil in a deep pan.Fry cumin seeds and red chillies.Add chopped onions,green chillies,ginger pieces,garlic pods and fry everything together till the onions become soft.
Now add the tomatoes and saute for 2-3 mins till they become tender.
Now add the cooked toor dal,salt and mix well.Cook for 4-5 mins.Remove from flame,add asafoetida powder and garnish with cilantro.Serve hot with rice/rotis.

Lemon Rasam

Lemon rasam...my all time fav !
Its made without tamarind or rasam powder.For those who arent familiar with this type of rasam...here is the recipe.

Ingredients :

1/2 cup of cooked toor dal(Boil the toor dal with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder.The cooked dal has to be watery)
1/2 Tomato(chopped)
1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
2 green chillies
2-3 pieces of ginger
2-3 tablespoon of lemon juice
A pinch of asafoetida powder
2 tablespoon of sesame oil
Salt
Cilantro

Heat 2 tablespoon of sesame oil in a vessel.Fry mustard seeds.When it starts spluttering add cumin seeds,green chillies,ginger pieces and fry them.
Add 1 cup of water,required salt and chopped tomatoes.Stir well,cover the vessel and cook for 3-4 mins.Then add the cooked toor dal.Mix well,cook for 5 mins and remove from the flame.
After some time add the lemon juice,asafoetida powder and mix well.Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice.

Bendakaya Pulusu Koora (Okra Tamarind Dry Curry)

This is my another addition to the dry curry recipes category.
I love Andhra cuisine and learnt this dish from a friend.Its easy to make and taste so good.I normally make it as a dry curry recipe.It can also be made as a gravy.
I used rasam powder in this curry since it has most of the spices.Alternatively Red Chilli powder can also be used.

Ingredients :

2 cups of chopped Okra(Bendakaya or Vendaikai)
2 Tablespoon of Tamarind Extract
A little more than 1/2 tablespoon of Rasam Powder
A pinch of asafoetida powder
2 tablespoon of sesame oil
Salt



Heat 2 tablespoon of sesame oil in a deep saute pan.Add the okra pieces and saute for few mins.
Add tamarind extract,salt and the rasam powder.Mix well,cover the pan and cook till the okras becomes soft,tender and dry.
Then add asafoetida powder and mix well and serve hot with rice/rotis.

Bell Pepper Sambhar(Kudaimilagai Sambhar)

I love the aroma of this sambhar!This sambhar can also be served as a side dish to dosas/idlis.Its simply amazing !
I just added few small onions for the flavour though that is optional.

Ingredients :

1/2 cup of cooked toor dal(Boil the toor dal with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder)
1 Medium size Bell Pepper(Green)-chopped
2-3 small onions (Optional)
1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon of methi seeds
2 tablespoon of sambhar powder
Tamarind of a size of a lemon soaked in warm water
A pinch of asafoetida powder
2 tablespoon of sesame oil
Salt
Cilantro



Heat 2 tablespoon of sesame oil in a vessel.Fry mustard seeds and when it starts spluttering add methi seeds,small onions(which is optional) and chopped bell peppers.Saute them for a minute or two.Add sambhar powder,mix and saute again for 2 more mins.
Add tamarind extract and the required salt.Cover the vessel and boil for 5 mins in medium size.
Now add the cooked dal and mix well.Cover the vessel and boil it for 6-7 mins.
Adjust salt and add a pinch of asafoetida powder.Mix well and garnish with cilantro.
Serve hot with rice.This sambhar goes well with idlis and dosas too !

Beans,Carrot,Peas Porial(Curry)

This is a very simple dry curry recipe.This curry can be made even without coconut.Just 1 teaspoon of coconut oil can be added in the curry instead of grated coconut.

Ingredients :

2 cups of vegetables- chopped green beans,green peas and grated carrot
1/2 tablespoon of mustard seeds
1/2 tablespoon of urad dal
2-3 green chillies
2 small pieces of ginger
A pinch of asafoetida powder
2 tablespoon of sesame oil
2-3 tablespoon of grated coconut
Salt

Heat 2 tablespoon of sesame oil in a deep saute pan.Fry mustard seeds and when it starts spluttering add urad dal,ginger and green chillies and saute.
Then add green beans,green peas,grated carrot,required salt and mix well.Saute for 2 mins.Sprinkle little water, cover the pan and cook till the vegetables become soft and tender.Once the vegetables are cooked,add grated coconut,asafoetida powder,mix well. Saute for 2 more mins and remove from flame.

Tomato Coconut Chutney

I love the color of this tangy chutney! Thanks to tomatoes :-) can make wonders with them:-))



Ingredients :

1 cup of chopped tomato
1/2 cup of grated coconut
4-5 tablespoon of chopped onions
2-3 red chiilies
2 small pieces of ginger
1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
1 teaspoon of urad dal
Cilantro
2-3 tablespoon of oil
Salt



Heat some oil in a pan.Fry red chiilies and then add onions,ginger and saute till the color changes.Add tomatoes and saute for 2 mins.Then add the grated coconut.Fry for another 2 mins.Grind everything together with required amount of water and salt.
Heat the remaining oil in the same pan and fry the mustard seeds,urad dal and add this tadka to the chutney.Garnish the chutney with Cilantro and serve with idlis/dosas.

Vegetable Kofta Curry

Vegetable Kofta curry....I got this recipe from my mom.I love this dish! Its yummy yummy and yummy all the way ! :-)


To make Koftas:

1 Medium Potato(chopped)
1 cup of Mixed Vegetables like Beans,Green Peas and carrots
2 1/2 tablespoon of Besan(gram flour)
1 Green Chilli
1 Tablespoon of Mint Leaves(chopped)
1/2 teaspoon of Garam Masala
Oil for frying
Salt(required amount)

Boil all the vegetables together and mash them.Mix all the other ingredients with the vegetables.Make medium size balls out of this dough(as in the picture above).
Heat oil in a deep frying pan.Once the oil is hot enough to fry,drop the kofta balls and fry till they turn golden brown.

For the Gravy :

A little more than 1/2 cup of chopped Onions
1 tomato(cut into small pieces)
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of red chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
1/2 tablespoon of cumin seeds
2 Green Chillies
2 small pieces of Ginger
1 tablespoon of Mint leaves
Salt
2-3 tablespoon of Oil



Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a saute pan.Fry cumin seeds.Then add onions,ginger,green chillies and saute till the color changes.Add tomatoes and saute.Add turmeric powder,red chilli powder,garam masala powder and salt.Mix well,saute and cook for 2-3 mins.Grind everything together with little water.

Heat the remaining oil in a pan and cook the gravy for 2 mins.Add little water if the gravy looks very thick.Adjust salt.Garnish with Mint Leaves.Now add the Koftas and cook for 2-3 mins.
If the dish is going to be served later add the koftas later in the gravy.Serve hot with Rotis/Naan!

Capsicum Corn Masala

This is a delicious dish for those who love corn.I used frozen corn kernels to make this dish.You can also use fresh corn after boiling them.


Ingredients:

1 Medium size Bell Pepper(chopped)
1/2 cup of corn kernels(if not frozen boik them)
1/2 cup of chopped onions
1/2 tomato(cut into small pieces)
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of red chilli powder
1 teaspoon of coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
1/2 tablespoon of cumin seeds
1/2 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste
Cilantro
2 tablespoon of Oil
Salt

Heat some oil in a pan.Then fry cumin seeds.Add onions, ginger garlic paste. and saute till the color changes.Add tomatoes and saute again.Add turmeric powder,red chilli powder,coriander powder and garam masala powder.Mix well and cook for a while.
Now add capsicum.Mix again,cover the pan and cook for 3-4 mins.Then add the boiled corn,salt. Mix well, cover again and cook for 3-4 mins.Add cilantro and serve hot with rotis.

Vegetable Biryani

Vegetable Biryani ! I really love the word 'Biryani' for some unknown reason and Veg Biryani is one of my fav rice dishes.Who doesnt love it? :-)
normally do not use biryani masala powder to make this dish.Before learning how to make this dish I always thought that preparing this dish would be a big deal.But this recipe is really simple and doesnt even take 30 mins if you have all the vegetables cut and ready.Thanks to Frozen Mixed vegetables which redeems and buys back time :-))
Iam happy to present this version of Veg Biryani in my blog ! Try this and let me know! Its Biryani time:-)



Ingredients:

2 Cups of Basmati Rice/ordinary Rice (Clean and soak in water for 1/2 an hour)
1 1/2 cups of Mixed Vegetables (Potatoes,Beans,Green peas,Carrot,Cauliflower)
1/2 cup of choped onions
1/2 tomato(cut into small pieces)
1 bay leaf
4-5 cloves
Salt
2 tablespoon of Oil/ghee

Grind the following ingredients together with little water

3 tablespoon of grated coconut
1 cup of Cilantro
2 small pieces of Ginger
2-3 garlic pods
2-3 Green chillis
2 cardamoms



Heat some oil/ghee in a deep frying pan.Then fry the bay leaf,cloves.Add onions and fry till they turn soft.Add the vegetables and the tomatoes.Mix well.
Add the ground masala,salt and mix well.Now add the soaked rice and mix well.Shift the contents to a pressure cooker or a rice cooker and do not over cook. Serve hot with raitha !

Aloo Palak Bhaji (Potato Spinach curry)

When i was browsing the fridge today I saw a pack of fresh baby spinach that smiled at me and said 'I taste good and am healthy too' :-).Then I saw those cute small potatoes and made up my mind to make Aloo Palak Bhaji(Potato Spinach Curry).
Aloo is my husband's fav and I love spinach! So, here is the recipe of this simple yet tasty sidedish !



Ingredients:

2 Cups of Chopped Spinach
6-7 Small potatoes (Peel the skin and chop them)
1/2 cup of chooped onions
1 teaspoon of Cumin Seeds
A small piece of Ginger
1/2 tablespoon of Coriander Powder
2 garlic pods(cut into small)
1 Green chilli
1/2 teaspoon of Garam Masala
1/2 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon of cilantro
2 tablespoon of Oil/ghee
Salt

Heat some oil/ghee in a pan and fry the cumin seeds.Then add the onions,ginger,garlic and green chilli.Saute them for 4-5 mins.Then add the potatoes,salt,coriander Powder and mix well.Add 1 cup of water.Cover the pan and cook for 5 mins till the potatoes are soft.
Then add the chopped spinach.Mix well and saute.Cover the pan and cook for 3-4 mins.Then add garam masala powder.Mix well.Remove the pan from the fire.
Add lemon juice.Mix well and garnish with Cilantro.Serve hot with rotis !

Kathirikai Porial ( Eggplant curry)

Kathirikai poriyal(Eggplant curry) is the side dish that i love to have with Mor Kozhambhu.Here is this simple Eggplant curry recipe.

Ingredients:

1 big Egg Plant(chopped into small pieces)
1/2 tablespoon of coriander powder
1/2 tablespoon of Red chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of Mustard
1/2 tablespoon of Urad Dal
2 tablespoon of Oil
Salt

Heat some oil in a saute pan.Add mustard seeds and once it splutters add the urad dal and fry it.Then add the Chopped Egg plant along with turmeric powder,red chiili powder,coriander powder,salt and mix well.Cover the pan and cook in medium flame for 5-6 mins.Since it is not a deep fried curry type,this eggplant curry or kathirikai porial would be soft.Cook until done.The curry is ready to be served !

Mor Kozhambhu

Mor Kozhambhu....is a very simple South Indian dish made with Buttermilk(Mor).Vegetables like Okra/Egg plant/White Pumpkin can be added in Mor Kozhambhu.I made this dish with fried okra.
Okra Mor Kozhambhu,rice with Kathirikai poriyal(Egg Plant curry) has always been my fav meal combo! For those who are not very familiar with this dish, here is the recipe !


Ingredients:

5-6 Okras (cut them into small pieces)
2 1/2 cups of Buttermilk
1/2 tablespoon of coriander powder
1 1/2 tablespoon of grated coconut
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of Mustard
2-3 Red Chillies
1 tablespoon of curry leaves
A pinch ofAsafoetida(hing) powder
Oil
Salt

Soak 1 tablespoon of Rice + 1 tablespoon of toor dal + 1 green chilli + 1 tablespoon of Cumin Seeds in water for 1 hour.Grind the soaked ingredients along with coriander powder and grated coconut with little water to form a paste.Add turmeric powder and the required salt to the butter milk.

Heat some oil in a saute pan.Fry the chopped okras for 2-3 mins.Keep it aside.Now, start boiling the buttermilk in slow fire.Add the ground paste, mix well and then add the fried okras.Stir well and cover the vessel.Meanwhile,in the same saute pan heat some oil and prepare tadka by frying mustard seeds,red chillies and curry leaves.Add tadka and a pinch of asafoetida powder to the boiling kozhambhu.Mix well and stir for few more mins.Adjust the salt.
Remove from fire and garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice !

Rajma Curry

Rajma/Kidney Beans....are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber.Kidney beans are rich in iron and can increase your energy level by helping to consistently replenish our iron stores.
This is a Rajma dry curry recipe.You can also follow the same recipe for Rajma Masala just by adding water.

Ingredients:

2 cups of Rajma (Kidney Beans)-(Soak Rajma overnight and boil in a pressure cooker and drain the water)
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tablespoon of coriander powder
1/2 tablespoon of Jeera powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
Tomato Puree ( Blach one medium size tomato in hot water and grind it)
Salt

Heat some oil in a saute pan. Add the tomato puree.Add Salt,turmeric powder,red chilli powder,coriander powder,jeera powder,garam masala powder and mix well.Cover the saute pan and cook in medium flame for 5 mins.
Add the boiled Rajma, mix well and saute.Sprinkle little water if necessary.Cover the saute pan and cook for 8-10 mins.The curry has to be dry.Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rotis.

Gobi Mutter Masala (Cauliflower Peas Masala)

Gobi Mutter Masala has always been my favourite dish since childhood.I use to eat more rotis just for this sidedish.
I got this lip smacking recipe from my mom and wanted to share it with you all....So, here is the recipe -try it and let me know !

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups of Cauliflower Florets(If not frozen ,clean them,cut the cauliflowers into small florets and boil them together)
1 cup of Green Peas
3 - 4 tablespoons of oil
4-5 Cloves
Tomato Puree ( Blach one medium size tomato in hot water and grind it)
Salt
2-3 tablespoon of Cilantro/coriander leaves

Masala Paste(Grind the following)

1 cup of Chopped Onions
3-4 Garlic pods
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tablespoon of coriander powder
1/2 tablespoon of Jeera powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
2 green chillies
A small piece of ginger
7-8 cashwenuts

Heat some oil in a saute pan and fry the cloves.Then add the Masala paste,saute and cook till the oil seperates from the masala.
Add the boiled cauliflowrer,green peas and salt to the masala,mix well and saute.Add little water if necessary.Cover the saute pan and cook in medium flame for 7-8 mins.Now add the tomato puree and mix well.Cover the saute pan again and cook for 3-4 mins.
Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot with Rotis and enjoy !

Pudina(Mint) Lime Juice

Pudina(Mint) Lime Juice.....Most of us love lemon juice . When combined with Pudina this green drink not only taste good but its so refreshing !
Back in India during summer I use to drink this juice daily. After moving to the United States , during summer i always make and keep a pitcher of this juice in the fridge.
Iam sure many would have had this juice.But for those who havent- here is this simple recipe.Enjoy !

Ingredients : ( Serves 3 people)

1 cup of mint leaves (remove the stem and clean)
2 1/2 glasses of Lime Juice
Sugar ( according to your taste)
A pinch of salt
A pinch of pepper
5-6 Ice cubes

Combine all the above ingredients and blend them until smooth.Adjust sugar.Filter the juice and serve chill.

Rajasthani Dal

Rajasthani dal...a friend of mine gave me this recipe.Its a simple recipe that is made with moong dal and chana dal.Amchur powder gives this dal a special flavour.So todays lunch was Rajasthani Dal,Rice with Aloo fry.

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Moong Dal
1/4 cup of Chana Dal
1/2 cup of Chopped Onions
2 Red Chillies
1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric Powder
1/2 tablespoon of Red Chilli Powder
2 teaspoon of Amchur (Dry Mango Powder)
2-3 tablespoon of Oil
1/2 tablespoon of Cumin seeds
A small piece of ginger
2-3 tablespoon of Cilantro/coriander leaves
Salt


Clean and Soak the Moong Dal and Chana dal in 2 cups of water for 30 mins.Use a pressure cooker to boil dals along with turmeric powder,salt(as per taste) and ginger.Once they are done mash the dal and keep it aside.
In a vessel heat some Oil , add cumin seeds and fry them.Then add the chooped onions , red chillies and fry them till till the onion turns a little brown. Now, add the mashed dal.Mix well.
Add red chilli powder.Mix well and stir for some time.Then add Amchur powder and mix well .Stir for 2-3 mins and remove it from heat.Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot with Rice/Rotis/Rajasthani Baati.

Aloo Bonda - Sunday Special

Sunday Special ! Saturdays and Sundays are 2 days i love to be lazy.But,today i wanted to make something special for my husband who loves Potatoes.When i told him in the morning that i will make Aloo Bondas for him for brunch he was excited and was impatiently waiting for garam garam Aloo Bondas.
Since we did not have any breakfast, i thought i will also make onion-tomato uthappam and coconut chutney for brunch.
This interesting menu pulled me back to my kitchen(with all laziness gone), i made our special brunch with a lot of ebullience.The outcome was a Superhit !
This sunday was indeed special :-)

Ingredients:

1 Big Potato - Boiled and Mashed well
1/2 Tablespoon red chilli powder
1/2 cup of Chopped Onions
Salt (Little since the batter would also contain salt)
2 Green Chillies
1/2 Teaspoon of Turmeric Powder
3-4 Tablespoon of chopped Cilantro(Coriander Leaves)
Oil for Frying
1/2 Tablespoon of Cumin seeds

For the Batter

1 cup of Besan
3 Tablespoon of rice flour
Pinch of Baking Powder(Optional)
1/2 Tablespoon of Red Chilli Powder
Salt
Water(to make the batter)


Make the batter and keep it aside.
In a small tawa heat a tablespoon of Oil and add cumin seeds and fry them.
Mix the Mashed potato,Chooped Onions,Red Chilli Powder,Turmeric Powder,Salt,Green Chillies,Cilantro and the fried Cumin seeds together. Make balls(which would look like a medium size lemon) out of this mixture.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan.Once the oil is hot enough to fry ,dip the ball in the batter(take it out once the ball is covered with the batter) and fry them till the bonda turns brown.
Serve them hot with Chutney of your choice and enjoy !

Green Peas Pulav

For a simple lunch/dinner i would always vote for Green peas pulav...with lime/mango pickle and raitha.Frozen Green peas is something that is always available in my freezer and without any doubt it comes handy when my fridge is almost empty.
I usually think that grinding masala paste is so boring..but i end up doing it for a simple pulav or any side dish.Masala does add an alluring taste.Try this recipe and let me know !

Ingredients:

2 tablespoon Ghee/oil
1 1/2 cups of Basmati rice (clean and soak rice in water)
1 cup of green peas ( if not frozen cook the green peas till its tender )
Pinch of cardomom powder
1/2 cup of chopped onion
1 tablespoon of grated coconut
5-6 Cloves
1 Bay Leaf

For the Masala Paste : (Grind together with little water)

1/2 cup of chopped onions
2-3 Garlic pods
2 green chillies
A small piece of ginger
3 tablespoon of grated coconut

Heat oil in a skillet,fry the cloves,bay leaf and then the chopped onions.Fry for 2-3 minutes,add green peas and mix.Now add the masala paste and fry for 3-4 mins.
Add grated coconut,salt and mix.
Drain water and add the rice.Mix well and cook it in a pressure cooker/rice cooker.Serve hot with pickle/raitha.

Rawa Naral Strawberry Laddoo

Iam not a big fan of sweets and so is my husband:-)
I had stocked up semolina for some reason(may be for rava upma)...saw the packs and thought..why not try making some sweet for a change?
I have never tried making anything other than payasam/kheer.So,i made this sweet and it came out pretty well(atleast in my terms) :-).
This is a common sweet in the Laddoo family.
I have just added strawberries and the outcome was delightful.

Ingredients:

3-4 tablespoon of Ghee
2 cups of Semolina(rawa)
8 Cashewnuts broken into small pieces pieces
1 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon cardomom powder
1/2 cup of grated coconut
3-4 strawberries(cut them into into small pieces)

Heat ghee in a skillet,fry the semolina on low heat and once it starts changing to golden colour add grated coconut,cardamom powder and cashewnuts.Mix well and fry for 2-3 more mins.
Now to make sugar syrup,cook sugar with half cup of water and stir till sugar dissolves.Increase heat and bring the syrup to a boil.Now add the syrup to the semolina mixture. Then,add the strawberry pieces and mix well.Remove it from fire and cover with a lid.
After 15 mins stir the mixture and allow it to cool.Divide mixture and shape them into laddoos.

Dal palak curry

Dal and Palak..healthy all the way ! I love spinach and this dish always stimulates my appetite.
This is a very simple and a tasty dish that goes well with rice as well as roti.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup toor dal
1 cup spinach - chopped
1/2 cup onion chopped into small pieces
2 pods of garlic
Small piece of Ginger
1 Green Chilli-cut into small pieces
1/2 tablespoon Turmeric Powder
1 tablespoon Oil/ghee
1 pinch of Garam Masala Powder
1/2 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
salt

Clean the toor dal,add the chopped onions,garlic pods,ginger pieces,green chilli and cook everything together in a pressure cooker along with turmeric powder with 1 1/2 cups of water(dal should not be too watery).
Sprinkle little water on the chopped spinach and microwave it for 1 min or alternatively boil spinach in a vessel for 2-3 mins.Do not over cook.Remove the pressure cooker from fire after 3-4 whistles.In a small skillet,heat some oil/ghee and add cumin seeds.Then add the cooked toor dal mix and then the spinach.Mix everything together.
Add garam masala powder,mix and saute for 2-3 mins. Serve with roti/rice.

Bell Pepper/Capsicum Pulav

Bell pepper! Who doesnt love this vegetable ?! They are high in vitamin C and also supply vitamin A, potassium and some B group vitamins.This rice dish is real yummy ! Try it and I bet you will love it !

Ingredients:

1 cup of Basmati rice , Clean it and soak it in water.
1/2 Bell Pepper(Capsicum) chopped length wise
1/2 tomato chooped length wise
1/2 cup of onion (cut it length wise)
2 pods of garlic
Small piece of Ginger
2 Green Chillies
1/2 tablespoon Turmeric Powder
3 tablespoon Oil/ghee
1 tablespoon Red Chilli Powder
1 pinch of Garam Masala Powder
5-6 Mint Leaves
1/2 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
4-5 Cashwenuts broken into small pieces

In a small skillet, heat some oil.Fry Cumin seeds.Add onions,ginger pieces,green chillies and garlic.Fry till the onions turn transparent.Then add tomatoes.Fry till it becomes tender.
Add Turmeric Powder,Red Chilli powder and mix everything.Add Capsicum now,mix again and saute for 4-5 mins.Then add a pinch of garam masala powder.Mix it.
Add cashewnuts,mint leaves and Saute.Now add the soaked rice (after draining the water).Mix everything together.Cook it in rice cooker with 1 1/2 cups of water.Serve this rice with plain yogurt/raitha/Chips.

Mixed Vegetables Sambhar Bhath

Hmmm.... Mixed Vegetables Sambhar Bhath ! Yes! Thats what i named this dish. It just took me 20 mins to make this rice dish .
Sometimes,it feels so good to spend less time in the kitchen !

Ingredients:

1 cup of Mixed Vegetables like ( Potatoes,Beans,Green peas,Carrots,Capsicum )
5-6 Small Onions chopped into pieces
1 1/2 cup of Rice
1/2 cup of Toor Dal
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2-3 tablespoon Oil/ghee
1/2 tablespoon of Turmeric Powder
2 tablespoon of Sambhar Powder
Salt

Heat some oil in a pressure cooker.Add mustard seeds and then the cumin seeds.Add small onions.Fry till it turns transparent.
Now add the vegetables,fry it for a minute or two.Then add turmeric powder and sambhar powder.Mix everything together. Saute it for 2 mins.
Now add the rice and toor dal.Add Salt.Mix them.Add 4-5 cups of water.Cover the pressure cooker and remove it from the fire after 5-6 whistles.Serve hot with Papad/Chips !

Urad dal Coconut Chutney

I love this chutney ! Its just a little diffrent from the normal coconut chutney that we make.
Fried Urad dal gives a nice flavour to this chutney. Try this and let me know !

Ingredients:

2-3 Tablespoon of Urad Dal
3-4 Red Chillies
1 cup of grated cocounut
2-3 Gralic Pods( Optional )
Tamarind - size of a small amla
1-2 tablespoon Oil
Hing/Asafoetida Powder
Salt

Heat some oil in a small saute pan.Add Urad dal , fry it and then add the red chillies.
Once the color changes add garlic pods and grated coconut.Fry everything together for a minute or two.Remove it from fire.
Now add the tamarind to the fried contents.Add some cold water(depends on how watery you want the chutney to be) to it and keep it aside.After 2-3 mins grind everything together along with the required salt and some hing/Asafoetida powder.
You can also add mustard seeds and curry leaves as tadka for the chutney.Enjoy this chutney with Idlis,Dosas,Rava Idlis,Rava Dosas and Pongal !

Tindora curry (Kovaikai/Tondli curry)

I wanted to make a simple side dish that would go well with rotis,so thought why not Tondli curry.
I often make this curry as a side dish for rasam/sambhar rice..It tastes really good and its so easy to make.
I did not add mustard/urad dal to this curry.Made it just with 1 and half tablespoon of oil !

Ingredients:

200 gms of Tondli- Slice them vertically
1/2 tablespoon Turmeric Powder
1-2 tablespoon Oil
1 tablespoon Coriander powder
1 tablespoon Red chilli powder
Salt

In a small saute pan, heat some oil and add the sliced tondlis.Fry for a minute.Then sprinkle little water and cover it.
After 2-3 mins add turmeric powder,coriander powder and the red chilli powder.mix them properly, saute/fry for a min or two and cover it.
Keep checking whether the tondlis are cooked.Once they are cooked add salt and mix well.Fry it for sometime.The curry is ready ! Serve it with rotis/rice .