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 !

Gobi Mutter Curry with Coconut (Cauliflower Green Peas Sabzi with coconut)

Since my last two previous posts were of breakfast/snack varieties I thought I should post some hot curry recipe..Well, when I say 'hot' its not one of those really spicy curry types....this dish is at its best when its served 'hot' :-). Cauliflower and Green Peas with some coconut..a fantastic recipe that I stole from my mom's kitchen :-))

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 Cups of Cauliflower florets
1/2 Cup of Frozen Green Peas
1/2 cup of chopped Onions
1/2 cup of chopped Tomatoes
3-4 tablespoon of grated coconut
1 green chilli (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon of ginger garlic paste (optional)
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 teaspoon of coriander powder
1 teaspoon of red chilli powder
1 teaspoon of garam masala powder
3 tablespoon of oil
Salt

Boil some water and soak the cauliflower florets and the green peas.


Now heat some oil in a saute pan.Now add the chopped onions,ginger garlic paste and fry onions till they start changing color.Add the greated coconut and mix well.Now add the chopped tomatoes,turmeric powder,coriander powder,red chilli powder,garam masala powder and salt.Mix well and cover the pan and cook in medium heat for 7-8 mins.Now add the cauliflower florets and the green peas.Mix well.Add 1/2 cup of water to the curry.You can add the same water that was used to soak the veggies.


Cover the pan.Stir in between and cook for 8-10 mins. Serve hot with rice/roti !

Poha (Aval upma)

Poha !!Its definitely the king of Indian Breakfast ! Atleast I feel that way about Poha.May be not just breakfast...it does it duty and can also satisfy someone as a snack anytime of the day.

Ingredients :

2 cups of beaten Rice
1/2 cup of chopped onions
1 medium size potato (Peel the skin ,chop it into small pieces and boil them in microwave).Do not over cook.
3-4 tablespoon of Oil
1/2 tablespoon of Mustard seeds
2-3 tablespoon of Peanuts
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
Lemon Juice - As per taste
1 teaspoon of Sugar (Optional)
1 tablespoon of chopped green chillies
Cilantro
Salt


Wash the beaten rice 2 times and drain the water completely.

Heat some oil/ghee in a pan.
Fry the mustard seeds and then the peanuts.
Add turmeric powder, then the onions,green chillies and fry them till the onions turn transparent.
Now add the potato pieces,salt and fry for 3 mins in medium flame.Now add the beaten rice(poha), sugar(which is optional) and mix well.
Cook for 2-3 mins.Garnish with cilantro.
Add lemon juice before serving the Poha !

Cracked Wheat (laapsi) Vegetable Upma

Hi ! Its been almost 5 months since I posted a recipe on my blog.Now, Iam back with a healthy and a tasty recipe that can be had for breakfast or as a snack or even a meal ! I learnt this wonderful recipe from my mom during my India trip in Dec 2007.When prepared with lots of veggies am sure kids will also love it.I can eat this upma just with a tablespoon of Sugar/some yogurt.It can also be served with a pickle of your choice/even some chutney !

Ingredients :

1 and 1/2 cups of Cracked Wheat (Laapsi)
3 Cups of water
1/2 cup of chopped onions
1 teaspoon of grated ginger
1/2 Cup of chopped carrots
1/2 Cup of chopped green beans
1/4 Cup of Green Peas(I have used frozen)
2-3 Red Chillies
1/2 tablespoon of Mustard seeds
1/2 tablespoon of Chana Dal
2-3 tablespoon of Sesame oil
A pinch of Asafoetida Powder
salt

Heat some oil in a deep saute pan.Fry Mustard seeds.Once they start spluttering fry the Chana dal and the red chillies.
Now add the chopped onions and grated ginger.Fry onions till they start changing color.
Then add the vegetables and salt.Mix well and saute for 2-3 mins.Now add the broken wheat,Asafoetida powder and mix well for 3-4 mins.


Shift the contents to the rice cooker,add 3 Cups of water and cook.
Alternatively it can also be cooked in the pressure cooker.
Serve hot with a chutney of your choice and enjoy this healthy meal !