Strawberry & Honey Quickie

Really i couldn't resist the name i gave this ;)....i'm not sure how this will sound and i'm not making this blog a gap to peek into my life...but really... i came across this recipe when i was looking for aphrodisiac foods ;)...

childishly simple n' easy to make....but then again i guess if you are making this with a particular purpose in mind...the simpler the better....eh?...so here we go...

Ingredients

1.Strawberries : 300gms

2. Orange: 1no

3. Honey: 2 tsps

4. Black Peppercorn: a pinch (crushed)

Method

Step 1: Wash the strawberries and gently pat them dry with a paper kitchen towel.

Step 2: Slice the strawberries very thin lengthwise and arrange them flat on a plate in a circular direction, do not overlap them. The resulting pattern would resemble a flower.

Step 3: Cut the orange in half, discard the seeds and squeeze the juice over the sliced strawberries.

Step 4: Drizzle the honey and crush the peppercorns in a pepper mill and very lightly sprinkle this over the sliced berries.

Refrigerate and serve chilled. I had sprinkle a little caster sugar too as the strawberries were a little sour...

Prawns Chili Fry or Prawns Ullarthiyathu

This has to be one of the simplest, easiest n’ tastiest way of eating prawns. But it still doesn’t compare to the best dish of prawns we have ever had. I still remember clearly how we had some prawns chili fry from a shack in the Goan beach during our honey moon….i had never before or since have eaten prawns that tasty…..n’ my mom’s lobster fry, hands down, is the best I have ever had in my life…my father used to buy it just for me (even though it was expensive)….coz I loved it so much….n’ amma used to make it so spicy that I could feel like I’m breathing out n’ taking in fire….:) after eating it…Even my cousins who doesn’t eat as spicy food as us…could never resist my mom’s lobster dish…I don’t know if I will ever be able to make them that well…but for the time being I satisfy myself with this simple prawns preparation. My personal favourite way of eating dish is with some nice hot Sambar n’ white rice. :D

Ingredients:
1. Prawns: 300gms
2. Small Onion (aka Sambar onions): 10-12nos (Sliced)
3. Ginger: ½ tsp (chopped)
4. Garlic: ½ tsp (chopped)
5. Chili Powder: 1tsp (reduce if you don’t want it to be spicy)
6. Turmeric Powder: ½ tsp
7. Coconut : 2tsp (Sliced)
8. Kodam Pulli (Gambogea ): 1-2 pods (soaked in water)
9. Salt: as per taste
10. Oil- 2tbsp (add 3tbsp if you like)
11. Mustard Seeds: 1tsp
12. Curry Leaves: 10-12nos

Method:
Step 1: Wash, clean n’ devein the prawns.

Step 2: Mix the sliced small onions, ginger, garlic, Kodam Pulli along with the water, chili powder, turmeric powder, coconut slices n’ salt with the prawns. Cook this without adding any additional water to this. Prawns cooks really fast, so you can actually make this on high flame, the liquid which oozes out of the prawns will evaporate quickly. (I use a mud vessel that’s commonly used for making fish in Kerala for this. But it’s up to you what dish/pan you want to use to cook these prawns.)

Step 3: To fry the prawns, heat oil, add mustard seeds (wait for it to splutter) n’ add curry leaves n’ once it changes color add the cooked prawns with the thick gravy into this n’ fry it well. Again don’t overcook otherwise the prawns the softer they are the juicier they are. :) Add a pinch or 2 of crushed black pepper before taking it off the fire n’ mix it…adds a wild zing…:D

Bangle Tangle

I managed to complete an idea i have had in my mind since some time....I had started this blog with every intention not to restrict it to cooking n' recipes....I wanted it to reflect my interests in arts n' crafts as well. This is one of the first successful projects of mine...I don't exactly know where I had gotten the idea from...but the last time I had been to Commercial Street in Bangalore, I had bought some bangles I didn't have any intention to wear....n hence didn't spend too much money on it. I wish, I had more with me...but I had gotten only around 6 dozen of what I wanted....I color coordinated it a little with the existing theme I have in my living room...it's kinda really simple...

I have just interconnected the bangles with a thick thread, winding the thread twice around each corner. I had got some small round mirrors from india as well (wasn't sure what i wanted with them when i got them) used a quick fix to stick the mirrors on the thread passing within the circle of the bangle and it's ready. It's hung on a wall key hook I had found at a fair in Bhopal...if you have done something similar or if this inspires you to do something do let me know, would love to see it!...:)

Rajma - Red Kidney Bean - Indian Curry

This is one dish i can make n' make it well even in my sleep. I have made this a countless number of times as my husband loves it. Infact i made this for him even before we got married n' i'm sure one of the major reason for us being married today is my rajma curry....;)

So here we go.....
Ingredients

Rajma: 1 1/2cups (soaked overnight or at least for 6-7hrs)
Water: 6-7 cups (at least)
Onion: 2 nos (medium)- (finely Chopped)
Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 1/2tsp (preferably fresh) (if u are using ready made i guess 1 tsp will do)
Tomato- 1-2nos (Chopped)- puree it if you like... might taste better...
Cream/ Curd: 1 tbsp (optional)
Salt- as per taste
Oil: 3-4tbsp (the recipe book i had consulted 4yrs ago said some 6tbsp)
Coriander/Cilantro Leaves & Green Chili: for garnishing

MASALA POWDER

Chili Powder: 3/4tsp

Turmeric Powder: 1/4tsp

Coriander Powder: 2 tsp

Garam Masala: 1tsp

Amchoor: 1/4tsp (optional) but adding it brings a great flavour
FRESH GARAM MASALA
Black Pepper Corns: 4-5nos
Cardamom: 2nos
Bay Leaf: a small piece
Cinnamon: 1 small piece
Cumin Seeds: 1/2 tsp

Method

Step 1: Pressure cook the soaked rajma for 30mins on low fire. I cook it with salt as i think it tastes better this way.

Step 2: Grind fresh garam masala (preferably by hand in a mortar and pestle). Add oil into a hot wok and add this ground garam masala once the oil is hot.

Step 3: Add chopped onion and the ginger garlic paste. Fry it well so that the raw taste won't remain.

Step 4: Add all the masala powder to this. Add a little water from the water in the cooked rajma. If you are cooking the rajma and making this gravy at the same time then this won't be possible, if so then add just a little plain water. Cook it till oil separates.

Step 5: Add chopped/ puree tomatoes. Fry it till its really soft and squash the pieces if any with a spoon.

Step 6: If you are adding cream or curd...add it now. The color of the gravy will turn a light brown at this point. Stir it for a min or so n' it will turn back into the dark brown color.

Step 7: I add some cooked rajma to this gravy at this point n' mash it up together to get a thick paste. Ok...this step can be avoided too...but somehow i like doing this. ;)

Step 8: Add only the beans to the gravy and cook for a while, stirring to get the flavour on the rajma. Add the extra water from the cooker and leave it covered for 10mins of so. Add enough water to form a thick gravy (keeping in mind that it will thicken once it cools).

This is ready to serve with some garnish. It tastes really good with Indian Chapatti and plain rice and i almost always serve it with an easy cucumber salad. My husband is does not eat most of the veggies everyone likes (if cooked), but if given as a salad (those that can be used for a salad) he will finish the whole thing without any problems. ;) I also use the same ingredients and follow the same steps to make Lobia (Black Eyed Peas- Indian Curry).

Guacamole- The Chunky Avocado Dip

I'm ashamed to say that i would have never tried this amazing Spanish dip, had it not been for my Brazilian friend in office. She had made some at home and got some for us to office. She had got some tortilla chips too....n' i loved it.

Avocados are also called butter fruit back home....something i refused to eat (like most things!) till i reached Bangalore. There i had a pregnant colleague and she used to have Avocado Milkshakes everyday. All the health talks of the good cholesterol in it n' all convinced me to try it too...n' i fell in love. Oh i can have it any day anytime...i convinced Robin to try it and he disliked the creamy feel n' taste...;)

Well now you know my reservations about trying the guacamole recipe at home....anyways...i went ahead with my plan last night. I served this with some spicy grilled chicken. So here we go...

Ingredients

Avocado : 1no (ripe)

Onion: 1/2 (finely chopped)

Green Chili: 1no (chopped)- avoid this if you don't want it even lightly spicy

Cilantro Leaves: 1tbsp (finely chopped)

Mint Leaves: 3-4nos (finely chopped) - (the authentic recipe does not ask you to add this...adding this brings a freshness i love... so this is completely optional.)

Lime/Lemon Juice: 1 1/2 tsp

Salt: as per taste

Method

Step 1: Cut the avocado in half n' then cut both the pieces into 2 again. This will help you remove the seed and to peel the skin.

Step 2: Cut the peeled avocado into smaller pieces (cubes). Mash it using a fork. Add chopped onion, cilantro, green chili, mint, lemon juice and salt and mash some more.

This is ready, cover (to prevent oxidation from the air reaching it) and refrigerate before serving.

The measurements given here is enough for 2 people but if you are cooking for more people, please increase the measurements accordingly. My friend had added chopped tomato as well. I didn't use it this time, but i read that if you are using it then you should add this to the mixture only while serving it or just before. Robin ate it as well and he didn't guess the main ingredient n' i refused to tell him now that he liked it a lot. ;) The grilled chicken recipe is borrowed and you can find it here in my friend's blog. http://mykitchenantics.blogspot.com/

Coconut Pudding with Mangoes and Lychees

I made this pudding a while back, one of the main reasons for even searching for something like this was i had some ripe mangoes and fresh lychees with me. I also realised that i have some coconut milk left over from the chicken stew i made recently..and knowing Robin doesn't like coconut flavour so much i still had to try this one...;)

Ingredients

Coconut Milk: 400ml

Milk: 410ml

Caster Sugar: 5 tbsp

Hot Water: 2 tbsp

Gelatine: 3 tsp

Lime: 1 no.

Orange: 1 no.

Ripe Mangoes: 2 nos

Lychees: 10 nos

Apricots: 5-6 nos- sliced (optional)

Caster Sugar: 2 tsp

Method

Step 1: Heat Coconut Milk , Milk and Sugar (5 tbsp) in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occassionaly for 5mins, until the sugar dissolves.

Step 2: Add the hot water to the Gelatine, stirring continuously until it dissolves.

Step 3: Add the above to a Coconut Milk mixture and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into a container. Cover and place it in the fridge for 6hrs to set.

Step 4: You need to do the following steps roughly 10-15mins before serving. Use a zester to remove the rind from the lime (thin strips). Juice the Lime and Orange into a medium bowl.

Step 5: Add sliced mangoes, apricots, lychees, lime rind and sugar (2 tsp) to the citrus juice and combine. Set it aside for 5mins for the flavours to develop.

Step 6: Scoop the coconut pudding into bowls and serve immediately with the fruits.

Pasta with No Sauce

Trust me i could not come up with a better name. I have been having a really busy week and plus i'm on some diet plan i'm not following.

I swear the more i think about being on a diet, the more i want to eat. I'm constantly thinking about food...it's driving me nuts. Plus i can never sit through a movie without eating something...Robin hates it....he on the other hand doesn't eat or drink anything while watching a movie or TV....how boring is that?

Anyway, before going home for lunch, i was already hungry like crazy. We had Cheru Payarthoran (Moong Dal) at home. I personally love having it with pickle n' Kanji. But my man isn't too keen on this...n' he likes eating it with Chapatti. I also like it now, considering it has less fat packed in this option.

I wasn't sure what i wanted to eat, but i was in no mood for what was ready at home. I have never used tomato sauce in my pasta n' have always made white sauce at home. But truth be told it doesn't come out the way i dream my pasta to be. The exotic sauces n' cheese that all the recipes online require wasn't there with me either. I quickly stopped at a shop on the way n' got an Italian Tomato Sauce meant for Pasta....which i didn't add! ;) I wasn't even sure of what i'm making till i finished making it...;)...anyways here we go...
Ingredients

Pasta: 250gms
Butter: 2tbsp ;)
Onion: Chopped into small pieces
Garlic: 3-4nos (crushed)
Mushroom: 200gms (sliced)
Maggi Chicken Stock cube- 1
Hot water: 1/2 ltr
Corn flour: 1-2 tsp (diluted)
Eggs- 2 nos (scrambled)
Oregano: a pinch for garnishing
Chili Flakes: for garnishing
Fresh Peppercorn crushed- a pinch or 2
Salt - to taste ( i used salted butter n' the chicken stock already had some)

Method

Step 1: Cook pasta in hot water till tender and set it aside. (i add salt n' oil in this stage, i have read this is not the authentic way to do it...but this works for me)

Step 2: In a hot pan add butter, crushed garlic and onion. Once the onion has softened add sliced mushrooms and cook till lightly tender.

Step 3: Add the chicken stock cube to the boiled water to make the stock.

Step 4: Add the chicken stock and corn flour to the mushrooms. (if you find the level of gravy to be more than decent it's ok. Once it thickens slightly, add oregano and pepper powder.

Step 5: Add the cooked pasta to this. The extra gravy will be required as we are not using any other paste. Add some more salt if required.

This is ready to serve, sprinkle some chili powder and grated cheese before serving. I used scrambled eggs instead of cheese (hehe) for lunch. The left over for dinner i served it with some cherry tomatoes and fried Beef Salami. This dish came out so much better than i expected. I guess it just goes on to prove pasta is something you can do anything with...;)

Healthy Maggie Noodles & Chili Mushroom with a Dash of Honey

Yup, i have the nerve to call this Maggie Noodle dish a healthy recipe. ;)... I never use their taste maker and avoid using ajinomoto in my cooking....Also, i just love chinese food or should i say 'the indian version' of the chinese food...:)

Anyways, i do use chinese noodles once in a while or even rice noodles and follow the same recipe. But this time i decided to use this favoured brand. Just before we left india Nestle had launched a Shahi Puloa flavoured Maggie and i used to just love it....i can't find it anywhere in Bahrain. Anyways getting back....i like to make this recipe without beef or chicken strips but i guess one can add it if you want. So here we go...

VEG NOODLES

Ingredients

Noodles : 2 or 3 packets
Water: more than the instructions given
Oil: 1 1/2 tsp
Salt: 1 tsp

Spring Onion: 1 stem
Red Capsicum: 1 (cut long)
Green Capsicum: 1 (cut long)
Onion: 1 (juliened)
Garlic: 2-3nos (chopped)Green Chili- 2nos
Oyster Sauce- 1tsp
Soya Sauce- 1tsp
Schezwan Sauce- 1/2tsp (optional)
Oil
Salt
(Adding Carrots, Beans and Sprouts is optional)

Method
Step 1: Boil water, as soon as it’s boiled, add oil and salt and to this. Add the dry noodles. Turn off the fire and check the noodles to see if its cooked. As soon as its soft strain it and keep it aside. (this will ensure that we don't end up with lumps!)

Step 2: Heat the oil and add the chopped garlic and the spring onion. This is will change the aroma of the oil and will smell really nice.

Step 3: Add the onion and green chili to this.

Step 4: As soon as the onion is cooked, add the red and green capsicum to this (any other veggies or meat pieces if you are using can be added at this stage). You might need to change the proportion of oil according to the amount of extras used.

Step 5: Add all the sauces to this. Ensure it’s not cooked till the veggies soften too much. It's best if it’s still a little crunchy. Add more salt if required, keeping in mind that the noodles already has salt.

Step 6: Add the cooked noodles to this, toss it to mix it well.

Even though it has enough sauces i don't like eating it without any curry ;)...so here's my simple and easy Chili Mushroom...

I have always disliked adding batter (as is a practice in some chinese dishes) to the mushroom before using them and i never do it....

CHILI MUSHROOM

Ingredients
Mushrooms- 2pkts (250 gms each)- chopped
Ginger- 1/2 inch piece (finely chopped)
Garlic- 3nos (finely chopped)
Dry Red Chili- 3-4nos (chopped)
Onion- 1 (chopped)
Soya Sauce- 1 tsp
Oyster Sauce- 1 tsp
Schezwan Sauce- 1/2 tsp
Tomato Ketchup- 1 1/2 tsp (adding this will give good color and helps if the dish has turned out to be too spicy)
Fresh Black Pepper- Ground- 1/2 tsp
Salt- as per taste
Oil or Butter- 1tbsp
Honey- 1 tbsp

Method
Step 1: Heat oil/butter in a wok and add chopped garlic ginger and red chili.

Step 2: Add chopped onion. Fry till lightly brown.

Step 3: Add all the sauces and salt except the tomato ketchup.

Step 4: Add chopped mushrooms. Let it cook a while as the moisture from the mushroom will create a light gravy while it cooks.

Step 5: Let the mushrooms soften and keep tasting to check how spicy it is before adding the pepper powder. Add as required.

Step 6: Add the tomato ketchup to this. By now it should have a thick gravy. Drizzle the honey on top and its ready.

At the end of all this last night i was feeling so good...i mixed up some fresh apricots, fresh cherries, Cream and Chocolate cake and made something...yet to decide what i should call it...;)

Egg Masala (Dry)

I'm not sure what the actual name of this recipe is, but my mom and a lot of people in Kerala has been making this since ages. We call it "ulli motta" at home ;)....but i guess it's safe to call it Egg Masala (Dry). I have had many varieties of this, with Puttu, Appam, Idiappam n' Kerala Parotta, which will mostly be with gravy.... but the one i make at home is my favourite. The big plus factor is its easy to make and RJ likes it a lot too...So here we go...

Ingredients

Boiled Eggs: 2nos

Onion: 2nos (juliened)

Chili Powder: 1/4th tsp

Turmeric Powder: 1/4 th tsp

Chicken Masala: 1 tbsp

Pepper Powder: 1/2 tsp (you need to add this to get the right color, but if it sounds too spicy reduce the amout here and avoid the chili powder)

Salt : as per taste

Curry Leaves

Mustard Seeds

Oil- 2 tbsp (reduce the amount if its too much or if you are using a non stick wok)

Method

Step 1: In a wok ( i use my iron wok for this) heat oil and add the mustard seeds and curry leaves. Once it splutters, add the onion and fry it (it should look light brown n' glazed).

Step 2: Add chili powder, turmeric powder, chicken masala and salt. Let the masala cook till the raw taste is gone.

Step 3: Add the pepper powder and salt at this stage. The curry will darken!

Step 4: Slice the boilded eggs into two and add it to the Masala. Let it stay on the fire for a minute or so and keep the eggs covered with this the masala.

I don't like having just Dal and Chapati, so i love to make this whenever i make Dal. Since i cook for just 2, the measurements here might seem a little less for you. If it does, just proportionately increase the measurements.

Betty Crocker...is a blessing

I had never baked a cake... ever...and i remember how i used to sit with my grandmother while she prepares everything for the cake and i used to sit there waiting to get the bowl to lick the last bit...;)....i loved it....and i would say oh it smells so good and she will immediately scold me saying i shouldn't make any comments while its being made and doing so will get bad results...Well irrespective of hers always turning out to be the best, she used to scold me every time i said that...;)....i think grand parents are the best, i have found such unconditional love in them. Maybe my relationship with my grandparents is what makes me feel at home with older people.

Now i'm digressing again, the point is i made my first cake last month and i took the easy way out...i used a Betty Crocker mix...it came out so well..so soft...i got half of it to the office... my friends at work enjoyed it almost as much as my husband did… ;) and some told me that their Mix doesn't turn out to be this nice....made me feel so proficient! (Could’ve been beginner’s luck!!)

I decided to get a little adventurous the next time around and tried the Chocolate Swirl Cake. This turned out to have a step or 2 more than the Dark Chocolate Cake Mix, but comes out as nice. The best part is the kitchen smells divine afterwards and it is all ready in 45mins (including a hands on time of 15mins.) ;)

That reminds me to thank my Moulinex Hand Mixer. It's so easy to use and clean. This has to be my best impulse buy to date. So if you are like me hesitating to start your baking…this is the way to go…try it…I have seen these mix even in Bangalore, but hadn’t tried it there coz I didn’t have an oven feature on my microwave. But now there is no stopping me. ;)

Urulaikizhangu Ulathiyathu/ Aloo Sabji (Kerala Style)

I have always liked potatoes and this is one of my favourite ways of eating it. I know this is an extremely simple recipe and might make some wonder why i even bothered to post it here. But then again this is meant for those who haven't tried it yet.



Urulaikizhangu Olathiyathu/ Aloo Sabji (Kerala Style)

Ingredients
Potato- 3 nos (medium size)- Sliced like french fries only not as long.
Garlic- 2 nos (crushed)
Chili Powder- 1 tsp ( less if you don't like spicy food)
Turmeric Powder- 1/4th tsp
Salt- to taste
Water- 3/4 cup ( as little as possible)
Oil- 2- 3 tsp
Curry Leaves
Mustard Seeds

Method
Step 1: In a pan boil Potato, crushed garlic, chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt. Please ensure that the water level is covering just 3/4th of the potato.

Step 2: Toss this once or twice while cooking it (time required won't be more than 10- 15mins.) The water needs to dry out completely. Setting it aside to cool down after is very important as the potato will not be able to retain its shape otherwise.

Step 3: In a deep wok, do a tadka of oil, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add the above potato and let is cook until slightly fried.


It's really easy to make and tastes great when served with plain rice and kachiya mooru/ yellow mooru. Kachiya Mooru is very similar to the northindian Kadi. Yet another easy dish.

Semiya Payasam/ Vermicelli Kheer

I have always favoured this payasam over the others. My husband who was dead set against it until i started making them at home now literally licks his bowl clean. ;)

SEMIYA PAYASAM

Ingredients
Vermicelli- 1 Cup
Milk- 2 cups (first portion)
Water- 1 cup
Sugar- 1/2 a cup
Milk- 1 cup (warm- 2nd portion)
Cardamom- 4-5nos (crushed)
Ghee- 2 tsp
Cashew Nuts- 10-15nos (cut into small pieces)
Raisins- 10nos

Method
Step 1: Add ghee into a hot pan. Lightly fry the cashew nuts and the raisins. Set them aside.

Step 2: Fry the vermicelli until light golden brown in the ghee left.

Step 3: Add the 1st portion of milk and water to this and stir occasionally and let it boil for 10-15 mins until it thickens well. (the vermicelli needs to be cooked just right for the dish to turn out right). In the mean time add the sugar.

Step 4: Add the warm milk (2nd portion) and the powdered cardamom. Leave it to boil a while. Thicken it to the desired consistency. Keeping in mind that this will thicken further once it cools down. Keep it aside to cool.

Step 5: Add cashew and raisins just before serving instead of adding them during or immediately after step 4. This will retain their crispness. (my husband doesn’t like cashews or raisins in his so this step helps me get some in mine and none in his.) Best when served cold.

Appam and Chicken Stew

Anyone born and brought up in Kerala knows how important an appam n' stew meal is. For some reason appam and stew was always made at home when we have an occasion or when we have some special guests for breakfast. Truth be told the most awesome appam i had wasn't made at home.

We have a family near our place who are famous in Kottayam for their appams. There used to be a long line of cars on the roads waiting to pick up their order from this small house, esp during Easter, Christmas and New Year. This family of 5 doles out the sweetest appam i have ever had, with edges around it looking like white lace made of frosty snow! Whenever we order appam from there, i used to get sent to pick it up and as usual Papachan (the man there) would give me one to eat while i wait. Eat it without any curry and it would still taste divine! Anyway the point is, somehow all this gave me the impression that appam and stew is an extremely difficult dish to prepare and thats the reason why its gets prepared so rarely at home.

So when we invited some friends over for Easter i decided to make it. My mom was against the idea of making something the first time when we are having guests over. I can understand what she means but, i just had to make it this time. It came out so well.....i decided to serve it while making them...hot from the pan...and 4guyz ate 33appams, i'm not exaggerating! I was exhausted by the end of it. After that i haven't made appams yet. Its kinda difficult. But the chicken stew is a great dish that's so easy to make and can be served with Bread too.

APPAM

Ingredients
Fine rice powder (Iddiappa podi)- 2cups
Cooked Rice- 3/4th cup
Coconut (Ground)- 3/4th cup
Sugar- 2tbsp
Yeast- 1/2 tsp
Salt- to taste
Water

Method
Step 1: Grind coconut well in a mixer grinder with just a little water.

Step 2: Add cooked rice to the above and grind well.

Step 3: Add rice powder (with a little water to soak), yeast, salt and sugar to the above and grind the entire mixture until smooth.

* The time required for the mixture to rise is 2hrs- after which the mixture is ready to make appam. (Keep it somewhere or on something hot)
** If to be made later the mixture needs to be stored in the fridge after the above procedure.

Step 4: Use an appam wok to make the ones with the lace or use a normal flat wok for flat round ones like a thick pancake.

CHICKEN STEW

Ingredients
Chicken *- ½ kg (medium pieces)
Small Onion- 10nos (crushed or julienned)
Big Onion- 2 big or 3 medium (cubes)
Ginger- 1 inch piece (sliced)
Green Chili- 4-5nos
Potato- 1 (cubes)
Vinegar- ½ tsp
Coconut Milk- 1cup
Milk- 1 cup
Maida- 1 tbsp
Cloves- 2-3 nos
Peppercorns- 5-6 nos (crushed)
Salt- to taste
Mustard Seeds
Curry Leaves
(Vegs like carrot, green peas etc are optional)

Method
Step 1: Cook the chicken pieces, small onions, big onions, ginger, green chili, potato, salt and vinegar in a pressure cooker till one whistle.

Step 2: Mix milk & coconut milk in a separate bowl. Add maida to this and mix well. Add cloves and peppercorns into the milk mixture.

Step 3: Prepare a tadka (oil, mustard seeds & curry leaves)

Step 4: Open the pressure cooker lid (once its safe) n’ light the burner again. Add this milk mixture to the cooker n’ cook on really low fire. Stir well. Once the curry thickens to your preference, add the tadka and the stew is ready.

* you can follow the instructions above to make fish or mutton stew too. For fish, i guess one should avoid using the pressure cooker mentioned in step 1.

Beef Chili Dry- (Beef Olarthiyathu)

I grew up eating this for every other meal….really I could combine this with anything. This also happens to be the only non veg I really like. I don’t like chicken, pork, fish or mutton. So it was very important I quickly learn how to make a decent dry chili beef. Let me specify that this will be the Kerala style with coconut pieces (which my husband picks out from his share n’ dutifully gives it to me). He doesn’t like coconut in his food n’ I love it… my dishes normally tend to be a little spicy. So you can adjust the level of spice according to your taste.

Ingredients:

Beef- 1/2 kg (cut into small pieces)
Chili Powder- 1 tbsp
Coriander Powder- 1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder- 1/2 tsp
Ginger- 1 inch piece (crushed)
Garlic- 6-7nos (crushed)
Small Onion- 10nos (crushed) - (Sambar Onions or Kerala Onions)
Coconut Pieces- as per taste (optional)
Cinnamon- Small piece
Cloves- 2-3nos
Peppercorns- 5-6nos
Oil- 1-2 tbsp
Onion- 1/2 (finely sliced) - (big normal indian red onion)
Green Chili- 1-2 (finely sliced) - (can be avoided if you don't like spicy food)
Curry Leaves
Salt to taste

Method:

Step 1: Sauté the cinnamon, cloves and crushed peppercorns, add crushed onion, ginger n’ garlic pieces; Add all the powder, salt & coconut pieces once the onion is fried. Stir till the powder looses its raw taste.

Step 2: Add the above to the beef pieces and marinate for 10mins.

Step 3: Cook the beef in a pressure cooker on low fire for 10 more mins after the 1st whistle. No need to add water the marinated meat will have enough water content. (this can be stored for later as it is n’ the tadka can be done just before a meal)

Step 4: Do a tadka (little oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, onion and green chili) in a wok/deep pan and add the cooked beef, cook it for 5-10mins n’ its ready.

Sambar

I was never much of a sambar person until i started making it....like spinach i never liked drumsticks either. We have 3 drumstick trees at home and i think that was my reason for not liking them much. Can you imagine a dislike for home grown veggies....gosh i was a lost case. Anyways the fact that drumsticks help make our boobs bigger was an info i got very late. That could be an important reason why i warmed up to this veggie. ;)

I don't think i do any magic with my sambar...but turns out so well every time.

Ingredients:

1. Toor Dal : 1/2 cup (i'm not sure about the 'toor/tur/tuvar dal' spelling)
2. Potato: 1no (cut into big pieces)
3. Tomato: 1no (cut into big pieces)
4. Black Pulli (tamarind): size of a small coin- (put it in water)
5. Sambar powder: 1 tbsp (mix it in little water to make a paste)
6. Turmeric powder: 1/2tsp
7. Drumstick- 1-2 nos (cut into medium pieces)
8. Water
9. Salt to Taste
10.Onion- 2nos (cut into big pieces)
11. Green chili- 2nos (split in half)
12. Garlic- 2pods (crushed)
13. Oil: 1 1/2 tbsp (or less)
14. Mustard- 1/2tsp
15. Small Onions or Sambar Onions (sliced)
16. Dried Chili- 2-3nos (cut in the middle)
17. Curry leaves- as per liking

**Vegetable like drumstick or okra (vendakka), carrot are optional....(adding drumstick gives a great taste, apart from the blessing mentioned above!)

Method:

Step 1: Pressure cook- Tur dal, potato, green chili, garlic, other vegetables (if any), onion, turmeric powder and salt. Pour 4cups of water (or a little more than the level of the veggies) to pressure cook this. Take this off the fire after the first whistle. Leave it to cool.

Step 2: Open the lid of the cooker (once its safe). Light the gas again and add sambar powder paste, tamarind water (squeeze the pulli in the water) and tomato (can be added during step 1 too) . Let it boil without the lid...Stir occasionally

Step 3: In a pan do a tadka of oil, mustard seeds, small onions slices (optional), dried chili and curry leaves. Pour this tadka into the sambar and allow it to boil a while to avoid a layer of oil on top....

Spinach Cutlets- i didn't think so either!

I didn’t think I would ever make this….but what the hell….life is full of surprises…
Due to some health reasons I have been advised to take in a lot of iron and instead of taking iron tablets I decided to eat healthy. That led me to Spinach. I have never eaten or liked spinach…I don’t know why and I always associated a bitter taste to it. Again I don’t know why. I think it was aplenty at home n’ every other day during the rains, one could be assured of finding a ‘cheera thoran’ (Spinach & Coconut dry dish) on the table.

Anyways, I didn’t want to make that and wanted to try Spinach Cutlets instead. Was pleasantly surprised with the results! I followed the basic meat cutlet recipe. Here goes

Ingredients:

Spinach: 250gms (cleaned and finely chopped)
Onion: 2nos (finely chopped)
Potato: 1no (boiled, peeled and mashed)
Egg: 1no. (separate the yolk)
Ginger: ½ inch piece (grated)
Chili: 2nos (finely chopped)
Bread Crumbs: (as required)
Semolina: 1-2 tsp (Optional) - (mix with bread crumbs)
Oil: 2-3 tbsp (for shallow frying)
Salt: to taste
Garam Masala: 1 tsp
Chili Powder: ½ tsp
Meat Masala: ½ tsp (not required while making meat cutlets)
Black Pepper: 2-3nos ground (Optional) - (avoid this if you don’t like spicy food)

Method:

Step 1: Heat a wok adding little oil and add the ginger, chili and onion to it.

Step 2: Once the onion is golden, add garam masala, chili powder, meat masala and salt. Stir it till the masala is cooked and looses its raw taste.

Step 3: Add the beaten egg yolk to this at this stage. Stir until the egg is cooked.

Step 4: Add the chopped spinach to the above mixture and cook till tender. 3-4mins should be enough. Ensure there is no moisture retained in the mixture. Add the ground pepper at this stage. Keep it aside to cool down.

Step 5: Add mashed potato to this mixture and shape it into cutlets. You can refrigerate the cutlets for 20-30mins for the shape to set or use it right away.

Step 6: Coat the cutlets with beaten egg white and bread crumbs.

Step 7: Heat a non-stick pan, adding oil for frying and place 4-5 cutlets and shallow fry on both sides till brown. Serve hot.

Masala Coke

A friend of ours served this at a party. I have never ordered this at restaurants or juice bars and maybe never would have. But having had this once, I can say we love it esp during summer...:)

Things You Need

Coke (Cold)

Mint Leaves - 2 or 3nos

Chaat Masala- half a tsp

Lime Juice- 2 or 3 tsps

Salt or Black Salt (as per taste)

Pepper Powder- half a tsp (optional)


What To Do

Step1 : Mix all ingredients together except the soda and mint leaves in a tall glass.

Step2 : To this, add the Coke little by little, stir continuously with a spoon allowing the soda froth up.

Step3 : Repeat until the glass is full. Gently crush the mint leaves and add to this. Serve immediately.

The thing is these measurements aren't like a hard and fast rule, this works for me and you can try your own version of this...cola is commonly used but i have tried it with 'Sprite' and taste good as well.

True Nature

I'm truly not sure of my reason for having created another blog...i was just trying out the options available and came across this one. Now that i have created it the idea of turning this section into sharing the creative side of me is lodged in my mind.

My mom and most of my aunts do not work in an organisation, i'm specifying that coz they end up doing all the work around the home. So can't say they don't work. That being said there role as mothers n' home makers have been revolving around making tasty meals for all of us. We are a really close family and need no reason to end up in each others homes.

I have clear memories of my dad n' me most of my uncles and nieces and nephews being extra fussy about what we will eat and what we won't and things like that. Its only now that i have family of my own that i realise how difficult a job this is. I must confess i have changed now and try not to be too fussy. Each time my husband say 'i don't like that or this' or something similar i keep telling myself that i should not fall into this trap n' make only things that he likes. But truth be told i have fallen prey to this and now i feel like its too late to change (already!!!). I mean i hate it when he doesn't praise the food that i have made....yeah i know its completely childish. Anyways, I have kind of grown to like the food that he likes. Like everyone else, we both love tasty food and though our choice of dishes is limited, i have learned to cook them well. That being said i must confess i'm not a great cook, neither can i say i'm passionate about cooking (for obvious reasons).

There are a lot of recipes that my family favours which i believe we won't even try out as its time consuming n' the like. But i want to make a note of them out here n' try it as and when i have the time and maybe some of you out there would like it too...hopefully I will have more to contribute than just recipes.