Kadala Parupu (Chana Dal) Kootu

Vegetable Kootu is as easy as making any dry curry. I already have posted a Vegetable kootu recipe in my blog and this one is slightly different in terms of the Lentil/dal that i have used in this and i have also used red chillies in this one instead of green chillies.Since i have used Chana Dal in this kootu am going to call this one "Kadala Parupu Kootu". cabbage can also be added.

Ingredients :

1 Cup of chopped Chayote Squash (Chow-Chow/Bangalore Kathrikai) (peel the skin and then chop them)
1/2 cup of Chopped carrots
1/2 cup of Geen Peas
3-4 tablespoons of grated coconut
2-3 Red Chillies
1 teaspoon of Cumin Seeds
A little more than 1/4 cup of Chana Dal
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of Mustard seeds
1/2 tablespoon of urad dal
2-3 tablespoon of Sesame oil
A Pinch oif Asafoetida Powder
2-3 tablespoon of cilantro
salt

Boil the chopped vegetables along with the chana dal and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker.Once they are done mix well.Do not mash the dal/vegetables.
Grind the grated coconut,red chillies ,cumin seeds with 4-5 tablespoon of water.

Heat some oil in a vessel.Fry Mustard seeds.Once they start spluttering fry the Urad dal.
Now add the boiled vegetables.Mix well.After 2-3 mins add the ground paste.Mix well.
Cover the vessel and cook for 5 mins in medium heat.Add asafoetida powder, mix well.
Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice/roti.

Okra Curry

I picked up a bag full of fresh okras during my visit to the Indian store and couldnt wait to make this yummy curry that i learnt from my mom in law.I normally make okra curry just with some red chilli powder.This is a little different version and it needs some grinding....A valuable point i learnt from my mom in law is to never cover the pan/vessel while making okra curry, since covering the vessel would increase its stickiness. Okra curry, Keerai masial with rice was my lunch the other day and i simply loved it !

Ingredients :

3 cups of chopped okras (chopped)
2-3 tablespoons of grated coconut
2-3 Red Chillies
1 teaspoon of chana dal
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/2 tablespoon of Mustard seeds
1/2 tablespoon of urad dal
2-3 tablespoon of Sesame oil
A Pinch oif Asafoetida Powder
salt

Dry roast the grated coconut,red chillies and the chana dal.Dry grind them.

Heat some oil in a deep saute pan.Fry Mustard seeds.Once they start spluttering fry the Urad dal.
Now add the chopped Okras and turmeric powder.Mix well.After 2-3 mins add the ground powder.Mix well.
Cook the okra without covering the pan.Saute in between and add the asafoetida powder before you remove the pan from heat.
Serve hot with rice/roti !

Keerai (Spinach) Masial

Something healthy and yet delicious..thats Spinach Masial fondly called as "Keerai Masial" in Tamil.It can be had as a side dish or can also be had with rice directly just like rasam/sambhar....If you are bored of cooking,if you are hungry....and if you have some frozen spinach,frozen coconut..thats about it...you can prepare this dish in less than 15 mins !

Ingredients:

2 cups of Frozen Spinach (If not frozen,clean the fresh spinach,chop them into small pieces and boil them)
3-4 tablespoon of Grated Coconut
3-4 red chillies
1/2 tablespoon of Cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon of urad dal
2 tablespoon of oil
Pinch of Asafoetida powder
Salt

Microwave the frozen Spinach and keep it aside

Grind the coconut,redchillies,cumin seeds,asafoetida powder with 4-5 tablespoons of water.
Now heat some oil in a vessel.Add the mustard seeds and when they start spluterring add the urad dal and fry them.
Now add the spinach,salt and the ground paste.Mix well.
Cover the vessel and Cook in medium heat for 2-3 mins.Serve hot with rice !

Egg Biryani

I was just wondering the other day..."Why havent I posted a single Recipe made of Egg?".....Instead of searching for an answer I wanted to post one of the egg dishes that i relisha lot...thats my favourite Egg Biryani recipe to start with ! Iam an Eggeterian and I honestly enjoy eating Eggs:-)) During my childhood days I have only had eggs twice or thrice..that too only boiled eggs. The best part during my hostel life in Bangalore,India use to be the 'Egg biryani' and couple of other Egg recipes that my roommate use to make.I even remember buying some eggs and requesting my roommate to make Egg Biryani for me and use to eat it like i have been starving.Iam really not sure how the authentic egg biryani would taste like...coz' the egg biryani i make doesnt require any grinding of masala etc.Its a rather simple recipe that can be made in 30 mins.So, for all the Egg lovers.....here is one such recipe that will make you to ask for more!

Ingredients :

2 cups of Basmati Rice
2 Large eggs
2 Boiled eggs ( cut them into pieces-length wise )
1/2 cup of chopped onions
1 cup of chopped tomatoes
2 Green Chillies
1/2 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
3-4 tablespoon of Oil/ghee
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 tablespoon of Red Chilli Powder
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
4-5 Cloves
2-3 Bay leaves
A pinch of Cardamon Powder
Salt

Wash the Basmati Rice , drain the water and cook the rice after sometime.

Heat some oil/ghee in a pan.
Fry the Cloves,Bay leaves.
Add the onions,green chillies,ginger garlic paste and fry them till the onions turn transparent.
Now add the chopped tomatoes,turmeric powder,red chilli powder and the garam Masala Powder.Mix well and cook for 10 mins.
Add Salt,Cardamon Powder and Mix well.
Now Break the eggs and add the contents.This process needs lots of stirring.Its almost like making Egg Bhurji..actually it is :-).


After 10-12 mins once the mix is dry enough to be mixed with therice remove the pan from heat.
Now add the cooked basmati rice to the curry.Mix well.Then add the boiled egg pieces and mix well without breaking them.Serve hot with chips/papad or a hot curry of your choice !