Simple and Best Recipes Collection 1

Majjige Huli

2009-09-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

5 cups buttermilk
1/2 lb. green beans
7-8 green chillies
1 cup fresh coconut, shredded
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
2 tsp oil for seasoning

Method

Cut the beans into longish pieces.
Boil in a little water till done.
Drain and set aside.
Blend together the coconut and green chillies.
Add this paste to the buttermilk and mix well.
Add the beans and salt to taste.
Dilute with some water if needed.
Bring to a boil on a low flame.
Season with mustard, cumin and curry leaves.
Other vegetables like eggplant,cucumber,cayote
etc can also be used for this preparation.

Pitla

2009-09-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

3 tablespoons besan (bengal gram flour)
1/2 tsp hing(asoefetida)
1 medium tomato chopped finely
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
1 sprig curry leaves
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 small onion, chopped finely
1 tsp roasted cumin-coriander powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice/tamarind juice
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste

Method

Fry the besan in a little oil till it turns light brown.
Set aside.
Heat some oil and add the mustard and curry leaves.
When they crackle, add the onions and fry till they turn brown.
Add the cumin-dhania, red chili and turmeric and fry for a minute.
Now add the besan and keep frying for 2 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and the coriander and some water to get
a liquid consistency.
Add salt to taste.
Now add the lime/tamarind juice and heat through
till it boils.
Add hing and serve hot with chapatis or white rice.

Morkhozumbu

2009-09-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

5 cups of buttermilk
4-5 green chillies, slit
1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp turmeric powder
2-3 tablespoons coconut, shredded
Salt to taste
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig of curry leaves
Oil for seasoning
Water for diluting the buttermilk if needed

Method

Add 1/2 tsp of turmeric to the buttermilk and mix well.
Add water if the buttermilk is too thick.
Add salt and heat on a low flame till the buttermilk
reaches room temperature.
Take it from the fire and set aside.
Roast in a little oil, one by one, the coconut,
the remaining turmeric,jeera, coriander and green chillies.
Blend to a smooth paste.
Add this coconut paste to the warm buttermilk,
put it back on the stove and heat for approximately
4-5 minutes.
Season it with mustard seeds and curry leaves.
Delicious when eaten with hot plain rice.
Cannot be re-heated on direct fire.

Pepper Rasam

2009-09-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 small tomato, chopped into small cubes
1 1/2 tsp peppercorns
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
2 tsp thick tamarind juice
1/2 tsp sugar or jaggery water
1 tsp chopped coriander leaves
A pinch of hing(asoefetida)
Salt to taste
2 tsp ghee(clarified butter)
6 cups of water

Method

Powder the peppercorns in a peppermill or coffee
grinder to get a very coarse powder.
Mix together the water, tomato, pepper,salt
sugar(jaggery) and tamarind juice.
Bring it to a boil on a low flame.
Season with mustard, hing, curry leaves and cumin
in ghee.
Garnish with chopped coriander.
Eat when hot with plain rice.

Tandoori Masala Powder

2009-09-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

4 tsp ground coriander
3 tsp ground cummin
4 tsp garlic powder
4 tsp paprika
3 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp mango powder
1 tsp dried mint
3 tsp deep red coloring
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp yellow colouring)

Method

Mix all together and store.
The coriander and cumin powders must be freshly ground.
Use as required.
This will keep for months if stored in an airtight
container.

Garam Masala Powder

2009-09-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

4 cloves
4-5 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
7 peppercorns
1 bayleaf
Ghee(clarified butter)

Method

Roast each of the above till they turn aromatic.
Powder to a fine powder using a coffee grinder and
use as required.
This will keep well for months in a airtight
container.
You can make a larger quantity of this by
using the above ingredients in the same ratio.

Rasam Powder

2009-09-18T10:34:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

1 tbsp toor dal
5-6 dry red chillies
1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp peppercorns
1 tsp dry curry leaves
Ghee(clarified butter) for roasting

Method
Roast each of the above till they turn aromatic.
Powder to a fine powder using a coffee grinder and
use as required.
This will keep well for months in a airtight
container.
You can make a larger quantity of this by
using the above ingredients in the same ratio.

Hot and Sour Tomato Pickle

2009-09-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 lb. green tomatoes(Red ones can be used too)
15-20 red chillies
1 cup chopped ginger
1 cup chopped garlic
2 cups vinegar
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1 tsp fenugreek
1 1/2 cups oil
Salt to taste

Method

Slice the tomaotes, smear turmeric and salt on them
and soak them in 1 cup vinegar.Leave for about 2 hours.
Blend together the garlic, ginger, red chillies and
3/4 of the mustard, with a little vinegar.
Heat the oil and add the remaining mustard.
When the mustard crackles, add the fenugreek.
Fry for 2 minutes and then add the blended mixture
and fry well for over 20 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and the remaining vinegar.
Stir continuously as the mixture comes to a boil.
When the pickle is almost done, the oil begins to float
at the top.
Take it off the heat and let it cool.
Store in a clean bottle.
Will keep for a year.

Mango Shrikand

2009-09-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 16 oz container plain unflavoured yoghurt (or home -made curds)
1/2 cup sugar
8 oz mango pulp
1/2 tsp cardammom powder
1 tsp sliced pistachios
1/2 tbsp mixed dryfruits

Method

Whip together the sugar and yoghurt till smooth and
creamy.
Strain the mixture through a muslin cloth to remove all liquid.
Strain the mango pulp in a similar way to remove most of the liquid.
Mix in the strained mango pulp and the cardamom powder.
Pour into a large container and chill in the
refridgerator for about 3-4 hrs.
Serve in individual dessert bowls topped with pistachios
and dry fruits.
This will serve 2 people.

Kalakand

2009-09-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

10 oz powdered milk
10 oz confectioners white sugar
16 oz ricotta cheese(a small container of the
cheese will do)
2 tsp sliced almonds and chopped cashewnuts

Method

Mix the three together to get a creamy paste.
Put the mixture in a microwaveable dish and
cook on low heat in the microwave for about an hour.
Transfer to a open flat dish and top with sliced
almonds and cashewnuts.
Eat when cooled down to room temperature.
If you use low-fat cheese and milk and cut down on
the sugar, you have a very low-calorie delicious
and nutritious dessert.

Rava Laddoo

2009-09-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups rava(semolina)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup ghee(clarified butter)
4-5 cardamoms , powdered
2 tbsp cashewnuts cut into very small pieces
2 tbsp raisins.

Method
Roast the rava in the 2 tbsp ghee till light golden
in colour.
Mix the sugar,roasted rava and cardamom and powder
fine in a dry grinder.
Heat the remaining ghee,fry the cashewnuts and
raisins.
Add to the rava-sugar mixture.
Shape into tight laddoos(small round balls).
The laddus can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.

Sweet Pongal

2009-09-18T08:40:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

1 cup raw rice
1/2 cup green gram dhal
1 cup milk
2 1/2 cups water
3 cups jaggery powdered
4 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp cashewnuts
2 tbsp raisins
5 cardamoms powdered
2 cloves powdered
1 small piece nutmeg grated or powdered
A pinch of saffron

Method

Roast dry the green gram dhal for a couple of minutes.
Cook the rice and green gram dhal with 2 1/2 cups of
water and 1 cup milk in the microwave and set aside.
Dissolve the jaggery in 3/4 cup water and cook on a low
heat till the jaggery melts.
Strain the jaggery to remove the dirt.
Put the syrup once more on the heat and stir till it
becomes slightly sticky.
Add the cooked rice and dhal.
Heat the 4 tbsp ghee.
Fry the cashewnuts and raisins and add t o the pongal.
Add the powdered cardamoms,cloves nutmeg and saffron.
Mix well.
Serve hot.

Kaju Bharfi

2009-09-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups of cashewnuts soaked in water for 2 hours
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp. ghee
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
silver foil (optional)

Method
Drain and blend the cashews to a fine paste.
Use as little water as possible when blending.
In a heavy saucepan put sugar and paste.
Cook on slow to medium heat.
Cook stirring continuously till a soft lump is formed.
Add ghee and cardamom powder and mix well.
Spread on a clean greased worksurface.
Roll lightly with a rolling pin, to 1/8" thickness.
Apply the silver foil.
Cool, cut into diamond shaped burfis.

Coconut Laddoo

2009-09-18T08:33:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

1 can condensed milk
2 cups of dessicated coconut
1 tablespoon sugar

Method

Mix the condensed milk and the coconut in a bowl.
Add the sugar and stir on a low flame for about 4 minutes.
Set aside till the mixture has slightly cooled down.
Shape into laddoos(small round balls).
Roll each laddoo in a little dessicated coconut.
Store in airtight jars.

Rasmalai

2009-09-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

32 oz ricotta cheese(or an equivalent amt of
freshly made Paneer)
10 oz powdered Confectioner's sugar
2 small packets Half and Half
1 tsp powdered cardamom
1/2 tsp rose water
2 tsp slivered almonds
2 tsp chopped pistachios
6 cups water
3 cups sugar

Method

If you are using the Ricotta cheese,
mix together the confectioner's sugar and cheese.
Spread on a baking dish and bake in a moderate
oven for about 1 1/2 hrs till the cheese turns
light brown and loses all moisture.
Take it out and let it cool.
When cool, shape into small flat balls.
If you are using paneer, mix the paneer and sugar and
shape it into flat balls.
Bring the water and sugar to a boil to
yield sugar syrup.The syrup should not be too
thick.
Insert the balls one by one in the syrup and
warm them up. They should become spongy.
In the meantime, boil the half and half with
the rose water.
Set aside.
Add the cardamom and nuts to the half and half.
Mix well.
Add the cooked balls to the half and half.
Let it stay immersed for about 1 hr.
You can either chill it or serve it at room
temperature.

Home-made Paneer

2009-09-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

5 cups of whole milk
2 tsps vinegar

Method

Boil the milk in a open pan.
When it's boiling, add the vinegar and wait
for the milk to curdle completely.
Take it off the fire and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Pour it onto a cotton/muslin cloth and tie it with a
tight knot.
When all the water is drained from the paneer,shape it into a
large rectangular block,transfer it into another piece
of paper/cloth, wrap it properly and refrigerate it overnight.
Cut into cubes and deep fry in hot oil.
Drain and store in the frezer.

Malai Kofta

2009-09-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

For the Kofta:

1 1/2 lb. potatoes
2 heaped tablespoons each of crumbled paneer,
khoya and thick malai(You can substitute this with
baked ricotta cheese and heavy cream)
4-5 cashewnuts chopped
1 tablespoon raisins
2-3 finely chopped green chillies
1/4 tsp sugar
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red-chilli powder
1/2 tsp cardammom powder
Salt to Taste
3 tbsp cooking oil/ghee(clarified butter)
Oil for frying the koftas

For the gravy:

2 medium onions,chopped
3 flakes garlic,crushed
1 inch ginger,crushed
3 large tomatoes,pureed
1 tsp red-chilli powder
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
1/2 tsp dhania(corainder) powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp powdered poppy seeds
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp ground peanuts/cashewnuts

Method

Boil the potatoes till tender.
Peel, mash and add salt to taste.
Keep aside.
Mix all the other ingredients for the
kofta into a paste.
Make rounds of the potato dough and place a
little of the prepared mixture in the center
of each round.
Seal the edges and shape into stuffed rounds.
Deep fry each kofta till golden brown.
Drain and keep aside.
Blend together the onions, ginger, garlic and the
poppy seeds and fry in 3 tbsp of oil till brown
and the oil begins to seperate.
Add the pureed tomatoes and the masala powders.
Add the sugar and the ground peanuts.
The gravy will begin to thicken.
You can also add some malai to thicken it some more.
Mix in some water if necessary.
When the gravy comes to a boil, add the koftas.
Heat through and serve.
The koftas should be put in just before eating
the dish or else they will turn soggy.

Bharwa Bhaingan

2009-09-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

8-10 small rounded firm brinjals(Eggplant)
3 medium onions , chopped and roasted
3 tbsp. roasted groundnuts powdered coarsely
3 tbsp. grated fresh coconut, roasted
1 tsp cloves, roasted
2 tsp red chilli powder, roasted
2 tsp dhania-jeera(coriander-cumin seed mixture ), roasted and powdered
1 small bunch coriander leaves, chopped and roasted
salt to taste
2-3 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp each mustard and cumin seeds
1/2 cup curds(plain unflavored yoghurt)

Method
Wash and the clean brinjals. Make 2 slits to form a cross.
Rub them with some curd and salt and set aside.
Mix all the roasted masala in the blender with some curd to
make a smooth filling. Stuff some of this mixture into each
slit of the brinjals.
Heat oil in a heavy or non-stick pan, add the mustard, cumin
seeds wait to splutter, slide in the brinjals slowly.
Any mixture which is remaining can be now added to cover the
vegetable.
Add some water.
Simmer till the vegetable is tender and done.

Bharva Bhindi

2009-09-18T04:57:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 lb Bhendi, washed
1 large onion , sliced finely
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
3 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp lemon juice

For stuffing:

1 1/2 tsp red chili pwd
1 tsp amchoor
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp saunf(fennel)
2 tsp dhania pwd
1 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp turmeric
Salt to taste

Method

Make one slit on each bhendi and set side.
Heat 1 tbsp of the oil and fry the stuffing masala till well
browned. Not more than a minute.
Stuff each bhendi with this masala and keep the remaining
aside.
Heat the remaining oil, add the cumin seeds and when they splutter add the sliced onions.
When the onions start browning, add the remaining masala
and the bhendi pieces.
Sprinkle some water and salt and cook covered on a low
flame for 30 minutes.
Keep turning occassionally.
When the bhendi is done, take off the stovetop and sprinkle
the lemon juice.Mix well.
Serve hot with chapati/rice and dal.

Avial

2009-09-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups of cubed and boiled vegetables like:
beans
carrots
potatoes
drumsticks
raw bananas
cauliflower
Roast in a little oil one by one and blend to
a smooth paste:
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tablespoons of coconut, shredded
4-5 green chillies
3/4 packet buttermilk
A pinch of turmeric
Salt to taste
3 tsp cooking oil for seasoning
1 tablespoon fresh coriander leaves, chopped finely

Method

Add the salt, turmeric and the coconut paste to the
buttermilk.Add the boiled vegetables.
Heat on a low flame till the buttermilk mixture
reaches a thick texture.Keep stirring continously.
Now add the chopped coriander leaves.
Season with mustard, curry leaves, hing , cumin and
red chillies in hot oil.
Heat hot with plain rice.

Aloo Dum

2009-09-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

10 small potatoes
3 medium sized onions
2-3 tbsp shredded coconut
A small piece of ginger
4-5 green chilles
2-3 cardammom pods
1/2 cup yoghurt
1 tsp garam masala powder
1 tbsp poppy seeds
2 1/2 tsp dhania(coriander) powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying the potatoes
2 tbsp cooking oil/ghee(clarified butter)

Method

Boil the potatoes. Peel them and prick the potatoes with a fork.
Fry the potatoes in hot oil till they turn slightly brown.
Drain and set aside.
Heat oil in a shallow pan and fry the onions to light brown.
Grind the coconut, poppy seeds, cardamon, ginger and green chillies to a paste.
Add the paste to the onions. Fry till the oil seperates.
Add chilli powder,cumin powder and dhania powder and
stir for 5 mins.
Add the yoghurt , salt and the fried potatoes.
Add enough water to cover the potatoes and simmer till
the gravy is thick for about 10 minutes.
Now add the garam masala powder and mix well.
Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves.
Eat with chapathi/nan.

Cabbage Upkari

2009-09-14T06:35:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

1 small cabbage, chopped finely
2 medium sized onions, chopped finely
1 tsp urad dal
1 tsp channa dal
5-6 dry red chillies
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
2 tablespoon coconut, shredded
A pinch of hing
Salt to taste
2 tablespoon cooking oil

Method
Heat the oil and add the mustard, red chillies dals and curry leaves.
Fry till the mustard crackles.
Now add the onions and fry till the onions turn translucent
and start turning brown.
Add the cabbage, salt to taste and some water and cover
cooked on a small flame till the cabbage is done.
Add the shredded coconut and the hing and mix well.
Heat through and serve hot with rice and dal.

Puliyogare

2009-09-14T06:32:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups cooked white rice
2 tbsp Puliyogare Mix (See "Pickles and Spice Mixes" section)
Salt to taste
Tamarind juice for taste

Method

Mix the cooked rice with the Puliyogare mix.
Add salt to taste.
You can add extra tamarind juice and mix if you
need the dish to be more sour.
Heat through and serve.

Puliyogare Mix

2009-09-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 cup fresh shredded coconut
4 tsp coriander seeds
2 tsp peppercorns
A pinch of hing(asoefetida)
4 tsps peanuts, shelled and skinned
2 tsp mustard seeds
12 red chillies
4 tsps white sesame seeds
2 sprigs curry leaves
2 tsp urad dal(black gram dal)
1 tsp channa dal( bengal gram dal)
8 tsp oil or ghee
1 1/2 cups thick tamarind juice
1 small piece jaggery or 1 tsp sugar
2 tsp cumin seeds

Method

Roast the coconut and set aside.
Roast the coriander, cumin, 6 red chillies,
1 sprig curry leaves, pepper, asoefetida,
1 tsp mustard, 2 tsp sesame seeds, 1/2 tsp
channa dal,1 tsp urad dal and 2 tsp peanuts
one by one till they turn aromatic.
Powder to a fine powder using a coffee grinder
and set aside.
Mix in the coconut gratings and powder once again.
Set aside.
Heat some oil and add the remaining musatard seeds,
red chillies, urad dal, channa dal, peanuts,
sesame seeds and curry leaves.
When the seeds start crackling, add the tamarind
juice and salt/jaggery. Mix well.
Add salt to taste.
The liquid will start boiling.
Now add the powdered masala and simmer till
you get a sticky masala.
Heat through and cool.
This will keep well for a month in a airtight
container if refrigerated.
Mix this with plain cooked rice to get puliyogare
or tamarind rice.

Bisi Bela Huli Anna

2009-09-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1/2 cup toor dal
1 cups rice
1/2 cup thick tamarind juice
5 tsp Bisi Bhele Huli Anna powder(See "Pickles and Spice
Mixes" section)
2 cups chopped vegetables(carrots, green beans, potatoes,etc)
4 green chillies, chopped
3 tbsp ghee(clarified butter)
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 tsp cashewnuts, chopped
1 sprig curry leaves
1 tsp channa dal
1 tsp urad dal
Salt to taste

Method

Wash the rice and toor dal together and cook under
pressure with the chopped vegetables till completely done.
Add the tamarind juice to the above rice/dal/vegetables
and mix well.
Mix in the bisi bhele huli anna powder.
Set aside.
Heat the ghee and add the mustard, green chillies,
curry leaves, cashewnuts, urad dal and channa dal.
When the seasoning is ready,add it to the
rice mixture and add salt to taste.

Bisi Bela Huli Anna Powder

2009-09-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

6 red chillies
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp methi(fenugreek) seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
3 tsp coriander seeds
4 cloves
2 pieces cinammon
2 tsp urad dal
1 tsp channa dal
1/2 tsp peppercorns
1/2 cup coconut gratings
Oil/ghee(clarified butter) for roasting

Method

Roast all the above ingredients one by one in a little
oil or ghee and powder to a coarse powder
in a coffee grinder.
Store in a airtight container.
Use as required for Bisi Bele Huli Anna(See "Rice
Preparations" section)

Vaangi Baath

2009-09-14T05:48:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 long purple brinjal(eggplant), cut into large pieces
1 1/2 cup raw rice, washed and cooked such that the
grains of rice remain seperate
5 red chillies
6 peppercorns
1/2 tsp turmeric
4 tbsp ghee(clarified butter)
4 cloves
Salt to taste
1 tsp urad dal
1" cinammon
1 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 green chillies
1 tsp channa dal
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp oil for frying the masala
1/2 cup sour buttermilk or 2 tsp lemon juice

Method

Fry in the 1 tsp oil 4 out of 5 red chillies, turmeric,cloves,
cinammon, cumin, coriander and peppercorns.
Powder them using a coffee grinder and set aside.
Heat the ghee in a pan and add the mustard seeds, red chilli,
green chillies, urad dal and channa dal.
When the seasoning is almost done, add the brinjal pieces
and fry till the brinjal is done.
Now add the buttermilk and mix well.
Add the powdered masala and mix.
Add salt to taste.
Bring to a boil and remove.
Mix this with the cooked rice and heat through.

Peas Pulao

2009-09-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

6 cups of cooked white basmati rice
1 1/2 cups of frozen green peas, thawed
1 small onion sliced
1 tsp jeera(cumin) seeds
3 garlic flakes, crushed finely
1 small piece of ginger, crushed finely
1-2 cloves
1 small piece cinnamon, broken into pieces
2-3 cardamoms
2 tablespoon ghee(clarified butter)
Salt to taste
2 tsps coriander leaves , chopped finely
1 tablespoon cashewnuts, chopped

Method

Heat the ghee in a non stick pan and add the
ginger-garlic paste.
When it browns, add the cardamoms, cinammon,
jeera, cloves and onions.
Fry till the onions turn transparent.
Now add the peas, cashewnuts and the coriander
leaves and mix well.
Cook on low heat till the peas are cooked.
Mix in the cooked rice and heat through.
Eat when hot with a vegetable or meat side dish.

Vegetable Pulao

2009-09-14T05:42:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

3 cups of rice, boiled
A bunch of coriander leaves.
3-4 green chillies.
2 tsp of coconut, shredded
3 medium onions,sliced fine.
1/2 an onion, chopped.
A few sticks of cinammon, a few
cardommom seeds, a few cloves.
1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder.
salt to taste.
2 flakes garlic.
1 inch piece ginger.
Ghee or melted butter for frying.
1 cup of cauliflower flowerets.
Some mixed frozen vegetables like beans,
carrots and green peas.
3 tsbp ghee(clarified butter)

Method

Grind together the 1/2 onion, coconut, garlic, ginger
and coriander in the blender, to make a smooth paste.
Keep aside.
Fry the onions in a the ghee or melted butter.
Also add the cloves, cinnamon and cardommom.
When onions are browned properly, add the red chilli powder
and fry for 30-45 seconds.
Now add all the vegetables,including the cauliflower and
sprinkle some water on it.
Keep covered and cook on a low flame till the vegetables are cooked.
This might take approximately 15-20 minutes.
Keep sprinkling water periodically to speeden up the process,
but do not add excess water as it will ruin the pulao.
When the vegetables are done, transfer the vegeables to a
big mixing dish, add all the boiled rice, salt to taste
and the blended masala.
Mix thoroughly and then heat it either in a microwave or on
low heat on the cooking range.It is heated again to let
the salt spread across the dish.
Serve with Raita.

Gobi Manchurian

2009-09-14T05:35:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
1 small Cauliflower, cut into flowerets
2 tbsp garlic paste
2 tbsp ginger paste
2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp green chilli paste
1/2 bunch coriander leaves, chopped finely
A pinch of saffron (or red coloring), dissolved in milk
2-3 green onions (scallions), chopped finely (If you cannot
find green onions, you can substitute with white,
ordinary onions)
1 1/2 teaspoon of garlic, chopped
2 tsp soya sauce
1 1/2 tablespoon of cornflour , dissolved in water
1 tablespoon chapati atta(wheat flour)
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup of cornflour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying the cauliflower
2 tablespoon oil for sauce

Method

In a large bowl,combine the chapati atta , rice flour,
1/2 cup cornflour,baking powder, salt, soy sauce,
1 tablespoon garlic/ginger paste, 1 tsp chilli powder,
turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon green chilli paste.
Mix well with water, till you get the consistency of
thin batter.
Dip the cauliflower flowerets in this batter and
deep fry in oil, drain and set aside.
In a open pan, add some oil and when it smokes
add the remaining garlic and ginger paste.
The minute it starts turning brown, add the chopped
onions and fry only till they start becoming
translucent.
Now add the chopped garlic and green chilli paste
and fry for a minute.
Add the soy souce and stir for a minute.
Bring down the heat and then add the cornflour-water
paste and the red coloring.
The mixture will start to thicken......keep on stirring
on low heat and when the mixture turns thick enough,
add the chopped corainder leaves and stir for 20 seconds.
The leaves should not lose thier color.
Take this mixture from the heat and pour it onto the
fried caulilower.
If you desire, you can add the cauliflower when the
mixture is in the pan itself in the last stage.
But this will turn the cauliflower soggy..
It all depends on how you like to eat the
Cauliflower manchurian...soft or crispy...

Mango Pachadi

2009-09-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 large raw mango
1/2 cup coconut gratings, fresh
8 gren chillies, minced
A pinch of hing (asoefetida) dissolved in 2-3 tsp water
4 tsps salad oil
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
Salt to taste
For seasoning:
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
1-2 tsp oil for seasoning

Method

Grate the mango and set aside.
Crush together the coconut, green chillies and
salt.
Make the dressing by combining the green chillies,
salt, red chilli powder, salad oil and coconut.
Mix the dressing with the grated mango.
Season with mustard and curry leaves.

Puli Inji

2009-09-14T05:29:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

2" piece of ginger
2 large balls of tamarind
12 cloves of garlic
3 red chillies
3 green chillies
1/2 tsp methi (fenugreek) seeds, roasted finely
1 tsp mustard seeds, for seasoning
1 tsp cumin seeds
A small piece of jaggery
Salt to taste

Method

Roast the cumin seeds lightly and powder to a fine paste
with the red chillies and half the fenugreek and garlic.
Chop the ginger, green chillies and remaining garlic.
Soak the tamarind in some hot water and extract the juice.
Put in the chopped ingredients and continue boiling.
In a pan, heat 3 tsp oil and add the mustard seeds and the
remaining fenugreek seeds.
When the mustard crackles, add the ground masala and fry
till the masala turns color.
Put in the chopped ingredients, jaggery, salt to taste and tamarind juice.
Bring to a boil and boil till the juice is thick.
Bottle when cool.
Should keep for about a week.

Hot Mango Chutney

2009-09-14T05:22:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

3 large sweet mangoes, slightly ripened
1 tsp lemon rind, minced finely
1 tsp lemon juice
10 green chillies
1/2" piece ginger, minced finely
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp saunf (fennel) seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1/4 tsp methi (fenugreek) seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
A pinch of hing (asoefetida)
Salt to taste
6 tsp cooking oil

Method

Peel the mango and cut it into small chunks.
Heat about 2 tsp oil in a pan and fry the chunks
till they turn mushy.
Drain, mash well and set aside.
Roast the methi, saunf, cumin and coriander
seeds and crush coarsely using a mortar and pestle.
This is how powders are traditionally made.
But if you are of the impatient kind, go ahead
and use the coffee grinder but make sure
that the powder is a little coarse.
Set aside.
Heat the remaining oil and add the hing and mustard.
When the mustard crackles, add the ginger and
green chillies and fry for about 1-2 minutes.
Add the mango, powdered masala, salt to
taste, lime rinds and lime juice.
Bring to a boil on a low flame.
Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
Store in an airtight container.
If boiled and cooled well, since no water is used in
making this dish, it should keep well for more than a
week.
Store it in airtight containers in the fridge.

Sweet Mango Chutney

2009-09-14T05:19:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

3 large mangoes, peeled and cut into chunks
(Use slightly ripened ones)
2 tsp sugar or jaggery
1 tsp lime juice
5 large dates, pitted
1 tsp cumin seeds, roasted
1/2 tsp coriander seeds, roasted
Salt to taste
2 tsp cooking oil

Method

Peel the mango and cut it into small chunks.
Heat about 2 tsp oil in a pan and fry the chunks
till they turn mushy.
Drain, mash well and set aside to cool.
Blend together the rest of the ingredients with
the mango without adding any water, to a smooth
paste.
Adjust salt if needed.
Remove from blender and store in an
airtight container.
This chutney keeps well for over a week
when properly stored in the fridge.

Bhindi Gojju

2009-09-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
1 lb bhendi (okra), cut into thin rounds.
3 cups of buttermilk(or diluted yoghurt)
1 tsp mustard seeds
69
A small piece of ginger, crushed finely(optional)
3-4 green chillies chopped finely
1 sprig curry leaves
A pinch of hing
Salt to taste

Method
Apply salt to the bhendi and deep fry in hot oil till dark brown and set aside.
Heat 2 tsp oil and add the mustard seeds, ginger, green chilles, curry leaves and the hing.
Fry till the mustard starts crackling.
Add the fried bhendi and stir for 2 minutes.
Take it from the fire.
Add the buttermilk and salt to taste(remember that the okra is already salted).Mix well.
Add some water if the gojju is too thick.
Eat with plain rice and dal.

Bittergourd Gojju

2009-09-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
2 medium sized bittergourds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
1 onion, minced
3-4 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp dhania powder
2 tsp sambhar powder
2 tsp shredded coconut
1 tsp methi(fenugreek) seeds, roasted and powdered
2 tsps white sesame seeds, roasted and powdered
2 tablespoon jagggery melted or 2 tsp sugar
Juice of a small ball of tamarind
A pinch of hing
Salt to taste

Method
Scrape the skin of the gourds till smooth and wash them.
Cut lengthwise and remove the seeds.
Cut them into large half-rounds.
Smear salt on them and place a heavy weight on them.
This method is used to reduce the bitterness of the vegetable.
Set aside for 1/2 hr.
Fry in 3 tsp oil till well browned.
Drain and set aside.
Heat about 3 tsp oil and add the mustard and curry leaves.
When the mustard crackles, add the minced onion and garlic.
Fry till done.
Now add all the raw dry powders and fry for 2 minutes.
Now add the shrdded coconut and keep frying for 2 more minutes.
Add the fenugreek and sesame powders and mix well.
Add the fried gourd, jaggery and tamarind.
Add salt to taste and enough water to cover the vegetable.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
Cook till the gavy thickens and you get a gojju consistency.
Remove from heat and add the hing.
Mix well and serve like a chutney with plain rice/dosa/chapati.

Pinapple Gojju

2009-09-14T05:09:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

For masala:

2 tablespoons coconut
5-6 green chillies
4-5 red chillies
1/2 tsp methi seeds
1 tsp jeera
2 tsp coriander seeds
1 small bunch coriander leaves
1/2 tsp saunf
1 clove
2-3 peppercorns
1/2 can of chopped pineapple
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 sprig curry leaves
A pinch of hing (asoefetida)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder(optional)

Method
Fry all the masala ingredients in a little oil, drain and
blend into a smooth paste.Set aside.
Open a small can of cubed pineapple and drain the juice from the fruit.
Heat 4 tsp oil and add the mustard seeds.
When they crackle add crushed curry leaves and hing.
Immediately add turmeric and fry for half a minute.
Now add the fruit pieces and fry for 5 minutes.
Add the red chilli powder and fry.
Now add the ground paste and a little water.
Add salt to taste and take it from the fire when the mixture comes to a boil

Moolangi Chutney

2009-09-14T04:39:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of grated white radish
5-6 tbsp scraped fresh coconut
3 green chillies
1 tsp dalia (Hurugadle)
5-6 garlic flakes, crushed
3-4 peppercorns
1 small piece ginger
1 tsp tamarind juice
Salt to taste
1 tbsp cooking oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves

Method

Blend together the coconut, tamarind, peppercorns,
dalia, green chillies and the ginger.
When it's almost smooth in texture, add the garlic,
salt to taste and the grated radish.
Run the blender for about 3-4 secs.
The radish and garlic should be about a qarter
mashed up.
Remove from the blender and season with
mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Coriander Chutney

2009-09-14T04:36:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 bunch coriander leaves
2-3 tbsp coconut
2 green chillies
2-3 dry red chillies, roasted
A small piece ginger
2-3 garlic flakes
1 small onion
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Salt to taste

Method

Blend all the above to a smooth paste
adding a little water.
Can be refrigerated for about 1-2 days.

Coconut Chutney

2009-09-14T04:30:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups of fresh coconut, shredded
10 dry red chillies
1 sprig curry leaves
A large pinch of hing (asoefetida)
1/2 tsp methi(fenugreek) seeds
2 tsp udad dhal
2 tsp channa dhal
1 small tomato
Salt to taste

Method

Heat some oil and add the dhals, curry leaves, hing, methi and red chillies.
Fry till done.
Add this to the coconut and tomato and blend into a smooth paste.
Add salt to taste.
Goes well with dosas, idli and plain rice.

Mint Chutney

2009-09-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 bunch mint leaves, washed and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small piece ginger, sliced
4-5 green chillies, chopped
1 tsp coconut(optional), shredded
66
2-3 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin seeds or powder
1 tsp urad dhal
1 tsp channa dal
Salt to taste

Method

Fry all these in a little oil, one by one.
Blend to a smooth paste using a little water.

Tomato Chutney

2009-09-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 medium tomatoes, choppped
1/2 tsp hing(asoefetida)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp methi(fenugreek) seeds
1 tablespoon coconut, shredded
3 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp dhania (coriander) powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 very small ball of tamarind , de-seeded
1 small onion, minced finely
2 clovettes of garlic, minced finely
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons oil for frying

Method

Heat 1/2 the amount of oil and add the methi.
Fry for a minute and then add the tomatoes.
Fry till the tomatoes turn soft.
Blend this into a smooth paste, along with the tamarind and the coconut.
Set aside.
Heat the rest of the oil and add the chopped garlic and onion.
Fry till the onion turns translucent and the garlic browns.
Now add the spices(red chilli, turmeric and dhania) and fry for half a minute.
Add the blended paste, salt and hing and heat through.
Goes very well with plain rice or chapati.

Simla mirch sabzi

2009-09-14T03:30:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

green peppers
oil
onions
ginger
garlic
coriander powder
turmeric
chili powder
tomatoes
garam masala

Method
cut big pieces of peppers. In oil fry onions, add ginger and garlic. Add coriander powder, turmeric, garam masala, chili
powder and then add tomatoes. Then add peppers ,cover and cook.

Haaq

2009-09-14T03:27:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

spinach
crushed fennel seeds (sounf)
ginger
heeng
dried red chilies
green chilies

Method

Dry roast the ginger and fennel seeds and remove. In oil sprinkle heeng and add red chilies and then green chilies. Add
fennel seeds and ginger and fry. Add spinach and cook covered.

Dum Alu

2009-09-14T03:22:00.001-07:00

Ingredients
potatoes
coriander seeds
cumin seeds
cloves
peppercorns
cardamom pods
oil
water
clili powder
kelonji (onion seeds)
coriander leaves
green chili
pinch of nutmeg powder
pinch of mace powder
cinnamon

Method
Boil and fry potatoes till golden brown. Grind coriander seeds and cumin seeds and set aside. Then grind cloves,
peppercorns and cardamom seeds and set aside. Fry everything in oil and then add water and potatoes till tender, then add
the other things.

Badusha

2009-09-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups bisquick
sour cream
2 cups sugar
1 cup water

Preparation

Make one thread consistency syrup with sugar and water.
Make a dough with bisquick and sour cream. Roll it into balls and flatten slightly. Score a circle on the patty
with a knife or small cap.
Deep fry in crisco or oil on low fire till a med brown.
Dip in syrup by pushing it deep down, remove and set aside. Can place a walnut or pecan in the center
immediately after dipping.

Venn pongal

2009-09-14T03:12:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups rice 3/4 cup mung dal,
dry roasted to a golden brown cracked black peppercorns
1 1/2 tspns lightly crushed cumin, turmeric,
salt to taste. A good bunch curry leaves
a little chopped ginger
5-6 tbspns ghee/melted butter turned brown
bunch cashews

Preparation

Wash rice and roasted dal. Add water to one inch above level of rice. Add turmeric and let it simmer. Add a
little more water if not semi- solid. When done remove from heat.
Warm ghee and roast cashews until a golden, remove carefully and set aside. Throw in cumin seeds, cracked
pepper, curry leaves into the ghee and in a minute or two pour int onto the pongal with the cashews. Add the
ginger. Mix well.

Erucheri

2009-09-14T03:08:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 plaintanos
1 1/2 cups fresh coconut
crushed black pepper
turmeric, salt to taste.
mustard, 1 red chilli, urad dal, curry leaves, oil for seasoning

Preparation

Peel plaintanos and cut into small pieces after slitting lengthwise into quarters.
Cook with water well above level of veggies, salt turmeric and pepper added on low heat until plantanos get
really done. Takes about 25 mins or so. Grind half the fresh coconut and add to cooked plaintanos.
In a separate pan season with mustard, urad dal, curry leaves and fry remaining grated coconut until a reddish
brown. Pour this onto the plaintainos and ericheri is ready.

Pitlai

2009-09-14T01:40:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 med bitter gourds ("karela")
3/4 can chickpeas
1/2 cup cooked toovar dal
3 green chillies slit
1 1/2 tspn tamarind paste
3-4 red dry chillies
2 tspns urad dal
1 1/2 tspn coriander seeds
1/2 cup grated coconut
few peppercorns
a little jaggery or sugar
turmeric, salt to taste
mustard seeds, curry leaves, oil for seasoning

Preparation

Slit bitter gourd into four quarters and cut 1/2 inch thick pieces across.
In a little oil, saute cut bitter gourd and green chillies. Add 2 cups water, tamarind, turmeric and salt. Let simmer
until bitter gourd are tender. Add chickpeas and jaggery/sugar.
While bitter gourd are cooking, in another pan sprinkle a little oil and fry coriander seeds, urad dal, red chillies
and peppercorns until well roasted. Add coconut, stir a min or two and then grind in a blender. Add a little
tomato paste if handy for color.
Blend in cocunut paste into the bitter gourd-tamarind mixture. Add the dal. Mix well and reheat a till it begins to
simmer. Take off stove.
Pour seasoning on top.

Katirikka Rasavangi

2009-09-14T01:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

One Bhima eggplant(Brinjal)
1/2 tbsp tamarind paste
1 1/2 tspn coriander seeds
1 tspn chana dal
3-4 dried red chillies
4 tbsp coconut (dry will do but fresh is better)
1/2 cup cooked toovar dal (with turmeric)
1/2 tspn mustard seeds
a pinch asafoetida
curry leaves
A little oil for roasting and seasoning
salt to taste

Preparation

Cube eggplant. In about a cup of water dissolve the tamcon paste. Set on stove, add eggplant to tamarind
water, a little turmeric, salt and let cook until eggplant is done but has not lost its shape.
In a pan with very little oil roast red chillies, coriander seeds, chana dal and asafoetida. When you can get the
aroma of roasted coriander or the red chillies have turned a dark, dark red remove from heat and let cool.
Throw into blender with coconut, add 3 tbsp water and grind slowly into paste. Add a little water if blade gets
stuck. Remove from jar and wash it out with water and save this.
Mash cooked dal with a spoon until blended and add to cooked eggplant. Now add the coconut paste and its
water. Keep on low heat till it starts to simmer a little. Take off heat.
Season with spluttering mustard seeds and curry leaves.
Variations: You can throw in a handful of chick peas from a can into this, thin it out somewhat and have it as
katirikka sambar. Alternately, you can make the cooked dal with half toor and half chana dal, in which case you
should not cook until mashed. Remove a trifle before it gets fully done.

Gotsu

2009-09-14T01:34:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

One small to medium eggplant
1/2 tbsp tamarind paste or extract from a tamarind size marble, soaked
one large onion, chopped (if using little ones in a bag, about five)
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
6 hot green chilles, slit and cut into pieces
curry leaves
1 tspn mustard
1/2 tspn turmeric
garlic (optional)
salt to taste
3-4 tbspn oil

Preparation

Chop the eggplant into very tiny pieces. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, when popping add curry leaves, chillies,
onions and fry till onions become transcluscent. Add tomatoes and eggplant and fry for another five minutes. If
using tamarind paste add a cup and half of water, or pour equal quantity of extract from fresh pulp. Throw in the
turmeric, salt and garlic. Let it simmer for a while until eggplant becomes really soft and is barely able to retain
its shape. Remove from heat.
Tomato-Onion Gotsu More tomatoes can be substituted instead of the eggplant for a tomato- onion gotsu. Add
more chillies if necessary.

Pulikacchal

2009-09-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Soaked tamarind about the size of a large lemon
1 1/2 tbspn jaggery
2 tbspns sesame seeds roasted dry
6-8 green chillies, slit into two (add more for spice)
2 inch ginger cut into thin strips
1 tspn mustard seeds
1 tspn chana dal
3-4 tbspns oil, preferably sesame
good pinch asafoetida
pinch turmeric
curry leaves

Preparation

Squeeze out the pulp from the tamarind. You can add a little fresh water each time to extract the pulp. When
you have a about a small bowl full, set aside.
Warm oil, season with mustard seeds first. When they start to pop throw in red chillies, chana dal, asafoetida
and curry leaves. When dal turns red, add the green chillies and fry. Throw in the ginger, add tamarind extract
carefully, a pinch turmeric, salt to taste and jaggery. Simmer on low heat till raw smell disappears and the sauce
has reduced to one-third or thickened yet spoonable.
Crush the roasted sesame seeds with a rolling pin on paper or in a spice mill rather coarsely. Add this at the end
to the pulikacchal Mix well so there are no lumps.

Ras Malai

2009-09-14T01:26:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Ricotta Cheese 2 lb.
Half and Half 2 qts.
Sugar 2 cups
Cardamon pods 5
Bay leaf 1
Vanilla 1 tsp.
Rose Water To taste (opt.)

Preparation
Mix 1.5 cups of sugar with the Ricotta cheese and bake it in a 400o F oven for about 1hr and 15 minutes in a
flat dish covered with aluminum foil. The cheese should have hard- ened and turned a pale brown.
Thicken the Half and Half by simmering over low heat for a long time. This is best done in a microwave; if a
microwave is not available, do it over low heat and stir frequently. Thicken until the volume drops to around half
of the origi- nal volume.
Add the remaining 0.5 cup sugar, cardamon pods, bay leaf, vanilla and rose water (and any other flavouring that
you may want) to the Half and Half. Heat for a few minutes.
After the cheese has been baked, cut it into 1 inch squares and add to the hot thickened half and half. Cool for
a few hours in the fridge.

Lemon Pickle

2009-09-14T01:19:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Lemons 6
Salt 5 tsp.
Chili powder 5 tsp.
Turmeric pinch
Hing 1 tsp.
Methi 1 tsp.
Oil 5 tbsp.

Preparation

Cut lemons into small pieces and remove the seeds. Add salt and keep for about 12 hours.
Add chili powder, turmeric, and methi.
Heat oil, mustard seeds, and asafoetida. Spread this mixture over the lemons.
Mix thoroughly.

More Kozhambhu

2009-09-14T01:15:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Yogurt 32 oz.
Coriander seeds 2 tsp.
Cumin seeds 2 tsp.
Red Chili powder 1 tsp.
Chana Daal 1 tsp.
Rice or rice powder 1 tsp.
Coconut (grated) 2 tsp.
Salt 2 tsp.
Mustard 1 tsp.
Turmeric pinch
Red Chili 1

Preparation

Fry Coriander seeds, Cumin seeds, Chana Daal, Red Chili in a little oil.
Grind the mixture with the coconut and add to the beaten yogurt. Add turmeric and bring to a boil.
Stir in rice powder, and heat on low until consistent texture is achieved.
Heat oil and mustard seeds and add to the mixture.

Vegetable Kurma

2009-09-14T01:11:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 cups Vegetables
2 Onions cut length-wise
2 Green chilies cut length-wise
1 tsp Coriander powder
1 1/4 tsp Salt
one pinch Turmeric powder
1/2" Cinnamon stick
2 Cloves
2 Cardamom
2 tblsp Coconut powder
1 tsp Khus-Khus (poppy seeds)
1/4 tsp (3 cloves) Garlic
1/4 tsp powder (or 1/2" fresh) Ginger

Method:

Put a reasonable sized vessel on the range and heat oil. Add cinnamon,
cloves and cardamom and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add onions and green
chilies and fry till onions turn brown. Add garlic + ginger paste and
fry for a minute or so. Add vegetables and fry for about 3 minutes.
Add Water (about a cup or two). Let the vegetables + turmeric powder
cook.
If you are using canned or frozen vegetables skip the above step.
Add coconut paste, khus-khus, salt and wait until cooked.

(Note: Cook on low heat.)

Dahi Vada (Savory Balls In Yogurt)

2009-09-14T01:08:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1/2 c Urad dal
1/2 Moong dal
1 c Yogurt
Spice to taste (cumin and paprika)
Oil for frying
1/4 c Milk

Method:

Clean dal, wash and soak in water for 4 hours. Blend in blender at
medium speed using the minimum amount of water required to keep paste
moving freely. Add salt and start heating oil.
Drop spoonfuls of batter in the hot oil using a large tablespoon. Fry
until golden brown. Drop in water. Let it soak till ready to serve.
Beat yogurt with milk. Add spice according to taste. Squeeze out water
from the vada and add yogurt. Serve.

Bonda with mashed potato

2009-09-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 medium Onion
2 cups Potato buds
1 1/2 cup Peas and carrots
2 big ones Green chilies
1 teaspoon Lemon juice
1 cup Gram flour
1/2 tsp Mustard seed
pinch Turmeric
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/4" piece Ginger
1 small bunch Coriander leaves
2 tsp Salt
Oil

Method:

The filling is prepared as follows:
-----------------------------------
Mix potato buds and 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of hot water.
Finely chop ginger, chilies, coriander leaves, and onion. Heat oil
(about 5 Tbsp) and add mustard seeds. Add chopped ingredients and fry
until onions are brown. Add carrots, peas, turmeric and 1 tsp of salt
and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Add potato (now mashed) and
fry for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and let cool.

The batter is prepared as follows:
----------------------------------
Combine gram flour, 3 Tbsp of oil, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, the
baking powder and mix thoroughly
After the batter is prepared, make small balls out of the filling and
roll them in the batter. Next fry it in hot oil. You will get about
20-30 small bondas.

Sambar powder

2009-09-14T00:59:00.000-07:00

Whole red peppers - 1/4 kg
Coriander seeds - 1/4 kg
Toor Dal - 200 g
Gram dal - 200 g
whole black peppers - 25 g
asafoetida - a pinch Dry the above ingredients and grind into a nice powder.

Rasam Powder

2009-09-14T00:56:00.000-07:00

Whole black peppers - 1
Toor Dal - 1/2
Cumin seeds - 1/2
coriander seeds - 1/2
Slightly heat without adding oil in a fry pan and grind the above ingredients into a
nice powder.

Vegetable Cutlet

2009-09-14T00:51:00.000-07:00

Vegetables-Potato,Beans, Carrots,green peas,Beet Root(if preferred)
Steam the vegetables in a pressure cooker or a food steamer and mash them into
a tight paste. Add grated onions, salt, red chilli powder, garam masala powder and
ground cinnamon(a pinch).Knead the mixture tightly.
Take some rice flour and add water to make it into a slightly watery juice.Make
the vegetable mixture into evenly sized balls and roll over the rice flour and then
cover it with rawa.Deep fry the balls until they turn golden brown.
Side dish : Tomato ketchup

Curd Vadai

2009-09-14T00:49:00.000-07:00

Grind some grated coconut and green chillies into a thick paste.Add this to thick
curd and keep it aside.
Rinse the required amount of urud dal(black gram) for about 1 1/2 hours.Grind into
a thick paste. Add salt, coconut pieces, black whole peppers, and asafoetida.Take
a small piece of plantain leaf or plastic sheet of paper and tap the flour on the
sheet into a round flat shape Make a small hole in the middle so that it gets fried
uniformly.Drop this carefuly into boiling oil and fry till it turns golden brown.
Put the vadai immediately in a vessel of water and after about 2 minutes add it to
the curd mixtue.Add fresh coriander leaves, boondi.Splatter with mustard and
asafoetida.

Paruppu podi

2009-09-14T00:44:00.000-07:00

gram dal - 1
toor dal or Pottu kadalai - 1
whole red peppers - 5
Roast the above without oil, add salt and asafoetida and grind into a very fine
powder.

Coriander-tomato chutney

2009-09-14T00:41:00.000-07:00

Fresh coriander leaves(cilantro/parsley) - 1 cup
Tomato - 1 large
Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
green chillies - 2
tamarind - a pinch
Salt - to taste
Wash fresh coriander leaves and pick the leaves from the stem.Cut the tomato
into medium sized pieces.Add the other ingredients and grind it in the blender into
a thick paste.
Heat 3 spoons oil in a fry pan, add mustard seeds.When it splatters, add urud
dal.Add the ground paste and fry till the raw smell dissappears.

Ginger Pickle

2009-09-14T00:32:00.001-07:00

Grate ginger finely.Take oil and add mustard seeds.When it splatters, add
fenugreek seed powder an asafoetida.Add grated ginger and fry well till the
moisture is gone and it becomes a non-sticky paste.

Lime pickle

2009-09-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

Fresh lime(large size, thin skin, ripe) - 6
Cut into medium pieces.(Preseve the juice while cutting).Add salt- 4 spoons,red
chilli powder - 4 spoons, asafoetida - 1/2 spoon and mix well.
Next day add 1/4 cup of sesame oil and leave it aside.
Next day, add mustard seeds to 4 spoons of oil and when it splatters add
fenugreek seeds and asafoetida.Add this to the poickle and mix.Store in
refrigerator.

VenPongal

2009-09-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

Mix rice and moong dal in the ratio 1:1.Add 3 times water and steam until it is
overcooked.Cut green chillies and ginger into fine pieces.Take some ghee in a fry
pan and add whole black peppers, and cumun seeds.When the peppers burst add
chillie and ginger pieces and a pinch of turmeric powder.Add some cashewnuts and
remove the pan when the cashews are roasted and begin to smell.Add this to
cooked dal-rice.Add salt, curry leaves and mix well.Add some ghee while serving.

7-cup sweet

2009-09-14T00:20:00.000-07:00

Milk - 1 cup
gram flour - 1 cup
Sugar - 3 cups
Grated coconut - 1 cup
Ghee - 1 cup
Mix well and heat in a fry pan until it becomes soft.

Tamarind pickle (Pulikkachal)

2009-09-13T22:41:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

coriander seeds (Dhaniya),
fenugreek seeds,
sesame seeds - each 1 spoon
asafoetida - 1/4 spoon

Method
Slightly roast the above without oil and grind into fine powder. Pour 3 spoons of oil
in a fry pan and add some gram dal and whole red peppers and fry slightly.
Add tamarind juice to this and bring it to boil.Add salt and heat with constant
stirring until the mixture becomes thick. Now add the ground powder and stir
constantly with heating until it becomes a non-sticky paste.Store in refrigerator.

Aviyal

2009-09-13T22:33:00.001-07:00

Ingredients
Vegetables - Plantain,
potatoes,
brinjal,
carrots,
beans,
drumstick,
green peas

Method
Cut the vegetables into long pieces and steam in pressure cooker.
Grind grated coconut and green hot chillies and salt.Add this to thick curd.Add
cooked vegetables, mix well and heat for sometime. When cooked, add curry
leaves and 1/2 spoon coconut oil.

Poricha Koottu

2009-09-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

toor dal, coriander seeds, urud dal, whole black peppers, cumin seeds - each 1 teaspoon
1 whole red pepper, grated coconut (fry last)

Method

Fry the above ingredients in little ghee, grind and keep it aside.
Vegetables - Snake gourd, cabbage, beetroot
Cut any of the vegetables into small pieces, add moong dal and steam it in pressure
cooker.Add the ground mixture to this and heat for a little while to mix
uniformly.Add splattered mustard seeds.Add curry leaves.

Vella Appam (PK John)

2009-09-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups of white rice
Half a coconut
1 table spoon of yeast
Sugar
Salt
2 table spoon of partially ground, cooked rice

Method

Soak the washed rice for 3 to 4 hours.Wash and drain. Grind the soaked rice in a blender with just enough water so
that the ground material will be thick. In the early stages of grinding take out about two table spoon of the partially
ground rice and keep it apart for cooking and later mixing.(This will be called KURUKKU).
Mix separately 1 teaspoonful of yeast , quarter cup of luke warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar and allow the
mixture to rise. Grind the coconut to a milky emulsion. Mix your ground rice, 'Kurukku'(cook the partially ground
rice saved earlier like a thick porridge) the yeast mixture and ground coconut
Allow the mixture to ferment for about 6 hours. Add sugar and salt as your taste dictates.You can add a little
coconut milk to adjust the consistency.(You can add one beaten up egg at this stage if you fear appams sticking
to the pan.- Alternately you can wrap a half fried egg in cloth and use it to rub the frying area of your pan.)
Now put the mixture in a warm oven for 2 hours just before you make the Appams
After it rises DO NOT STIR.

Use a cast iron pan and use the same technique that one uses for pancakes.

Erissery (Maya Nair)

2009-09-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Green bananas or plantains (nenthrakkay) - cubed
turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
chili powder - 1 teaspoon
cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
mustard seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
urad dal - 1/4 teaspoon
coconut, grated - 1/2 cup (may substitute des. coconut)
coconut for garnish - 1 tablespoon
black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
curry leaves - a few
salt to taste
oil - 1 teaspoon

Method
Soak the cut plantains in warm water mixed with half teaspoon turmeric for ten minutes. Drain and cook the
plantains with the remaining turmeric and salt. Grind the coconut well with cumin and add to the cooked plantains.
Let it simmer. Meanwhile, heat the oil and pop the mustard seeds. Add the urad dal and the coconut reserved for
garnish and stir till browned. Add this mixture to the erisherry and mix in the curry leaves.

Paruppu Thogaiyal

2009-09-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

toor dal - 1
gram dal - 1
whole red peppers ,asafoetida
Fry the above ingredients in alittle ghee, add salt and grated
coconut and grind.

Milagu Kuzhambu

2009-09-12T10:27:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

coriander seeds - 2 spoons(fry first)
toor dal - 2 spoons
whole black peppers - 2 spoons
whole red peppers - 3-4
asafoetida and curry leaves -little

Method

Fry the above ingredients in a little amount of oil and grind
it.Mix this paste with tamarind juice, add water and heat
until the raw smell is gone.
Side dish - This can be mixed with rice and served along with
paruppu thogaiyal, or as a side dish to curd rice.

Avial (Mixed Vegetables With Sauce)

2009-09-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Serves 4

Required ingredients:
Cubed White Squash (pumpkin) -- 1 cup
Chopped French Beans, Cauliflower,
Drumstick*, Bell Pepper, Potato -- 3 cups
(mixed together)
Green Chilies -- 4 (medium sized)
Plain Yoghurt -- 2 cups
Grated Fresh Coconut -- 1 cup
Curry Leaves -- 10
Coriander Leaves -- 4 tsp.
Mustard -- 1/8 tsp.
Turmeric -- 1/8 tsp.
Cooking oil -- 1/2 cup
Dried Red Chilies -- 2
Sugar -- 1 tsp.
Cumin -- 1 tsp.
Split Black Gram -- 1/8 tsp.
Asafoetida -- a pinch or two
Salt to taste

In a deep pot boil the mixed vegetables in a cup
of water until tender. Keep aside. (If there is any
water left in the pot, do not discard it).

In a blender, blend yogurt, sugar, cumin, grated
coconut, turmeric, salt, coriander leaves, a cup of
water until well mixed. Pour this mixture into the
pot containing the vegetables and keep it on
medium heat. Add the green chilies sliced
lengthwise and simmer the contents for ten
minutes. (Remember to stir frequently, as yogurt
tends to stick to the bottom of the pot). Remove
from heat and keep aside.

In a wide skillet heat oil on medium. When oil is
hot add dry red peppers and fry for one minute.
Then add mustard seeds, black gram and curry
leaves. When the mustard seeds pop, add
asafoetida. Immediately add the vegetables and
sauce from the pot. Cook for a minute or two.
Remove from heat.

Goes well with plain white rice, pita, paratha, puri.

*If drumstick is not available, you can add some
other vegetable. Eggplant, however, is
not advised because it becomes bitter when
boiled in water.

Apple, Banana & Carrot Halwa (ABC Halwa)

2009-09-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 cup chopped apple (without skin)
1 cup chopped banana
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup milk or 1/2 cup milk powder
1 cup coconut
3/4 cup ghee
2 cups sugar

Method
Grind carrot & milk.
Mix all the ingredients together except ghee.
Keep on stirring till the apple & banana pieces are cooked & the halwa
becomes one mass.
Then add ghee, cardamom powder.
Remove from the stove top & decorate with nuts of your choice.

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4

Required ingredients:
Rice -- 3 cups
Tamarind Extract -- 5 tbsp.
Split Bengal Gram -- 2 tbsp.
Peanuts -- 0.5 cup
Mustard Seeds -- 0.5 tsp.
Dried Red Chile -- 5
Green Chile -- 4
Black Pepper Corns -- 8
Turmeric Powder -- 0.5 tsp.
Oil -- 0.5 cup
Water -- 5 cups
Coriander Leaves -- 1 bunch
Curry Leaves -- 20
Sesame Seeds -- 1 tbsp. (powdered)
Asafoetida -- 0.5 tsp.
Salt to taste

In a large bowl, add water and rice and cook until
well done. Remove from heat and in a wide, large
bowl spread out the rice. Add turmeric, half of the
curry leaves and three tablespoons of oil to the
rice and mix thoroughly. Keep it aside.
Meanwhile in a skillet, heat remaining oil on low
heat. To this add black mustard seeds, split
bengal gram, red chile, pepper corns and peanuts.
When the bengal gram turns light brown, add
coriander leaves,remaining curry leaves,
asafoetida, sliced green chiles and tamarind
extract. Stir well. Remove from heat. Now add
salt and sesame seed powder to the skillet and
add it all to the bowl containing rice. Mix
thoroughly. Serve with Verusanagapappu
Pacchadi or plain yoghurt.

Note: You can adjust the amount of tamarind
extract according to your taste.

Kesar Pista Kulfi

2009-09-12T10:09:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Take two cans of evaporated milk.
One can of condensed milk
One 16 Oz wipped cream
1\4 cup pista
1 pinch safron

Method
1.Take a pot and mix evaporated milk, condensed milk and wipped
cream with the hand grinder (mixer grinder)
2.Now mix pis ta and saforn in it
3.Put into a air sealed container and put in the freezer for 4 hours.

Note: It will taste authentic with falooda.

Vegetable Cutlet

2009-09-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 medium size carrot
1 medium size potato
1 medium size beet root (optional)
4-5 Beans
Peas (optional)
To Grind
garlic 1 small piece
Fennel seeds 2-3
Green chili 2-3
Coriander leaves little bit
One medium sizes onion finely cut & keep.
To dip
2-3 tablespoon of Maida & add little bit of water and mix them well (it
should be pouring like idli flour)
Powder
Take 3-4 slices of bread & powder them. (you can use either breads
crumbs)

Method

1.Finely cut all the above said vegetables.
2.Wash & Pressure-cook with little bit of water, turmeric powder &
salt.
3.Smash them & keep it aside (if there is any excess waterin the cooked
vegetables just drain).
4.Heat one tablespoon of oil.
5.Fry onions till it turns into brown & add the grounded paste. Just fry
for few seconds.
6.Then add the smashed vegetables & fry till it gets thickened. Wait to
cool.
7.Then make them into small balls and dip it in the above said Maida
consistency & immediately smear them in the above said powder and
spread them in the plate or paper to dry.
8.Once everything over just do deep-fry or roast both the sides of them
by adding little bit of oil till it turns into brown in the wok or thava.

Servings: 12-15 (depends upon the balls you are making)
Side Dish: Ketchup, Chilly chutney

Bread Besan Bajji

2009-09-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

4 Slices of bread
1 cup of channa dal
1 spoon chilli powder
1/4 spoon corriander powder
salt to taste.
Oil for frying.

Method

1.If you prefer onions you can put 1/2 onion cut into small pieces.
2.Make the paste of channa dal by adding some water and mix salt,
chilli, corriander powder and some corriander leaves for taste.
3.Cut the bread into four pieces and dip them in channa dal paste and
deep fry them in the oil till golden brown.
4.Serve them with some hot sauce or ketchep.

Vaangi Baath (Brinjal Rice)

2009-09-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Brinjal - 300 gms
Onions - 2-3 medium sized
Coriander powder, Chilli powder, Salt to taste
Rice - 1 cup
Water - 2 1/2 cups
Cooking oil - 2 tbsps
Finely chopped coriander leaves

Method

1.Cut the brinjal & onions to not very fine pieces. If u cut the brinjals
too fine, they will get mashed up and will lose their taste.
2.Saute the onions till they get transparent. Then, add the brinjals also.
3.Add the spice powders and saute the curry for 4-5 minutes.
4.Cook the rice in the quantity of water mentioned above. Do not
overcook.
5.Allow it to cool and then mix it with the curry just prepared above
taking care to see that u do not mash them up.
6.Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
7.Serve hot.

Tikha Baigan Masala

2009-09-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1/2 kg brinjal (small size)
3-4 onions (cut in big pieces)
2 tbsp of grated coconut (dried)
1 whole garlic
ginger
2 tbsp chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste
small lump of tamrind
1 tbsp garam masala powder
1 tsp jeera

Method

1.Take all the ingredients grind it at once in mixer, do not add water.
2.Add 2 tbsp of oil in pan and heat it, put the mixture in the pan.
3.Fry the mixture properly. Take of the pan from stove and let it cool.
4.Take the brinjal slit it in 4, fill the mixture in the brinjal.
5.Pour 2 - 3 tbsp of oil in kadai, heat it and then put the stuffed brinjal,
cook it.
6.Add little water to the brinjal. Put small piece of jaggery to taste if
required.
7.Let it cook for 15-20 minutes.

Your tikha brinjal masala is ready

Tur Dal Kofta

2009-09-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups tur dal
6-7 green chilles, chopped
3tb.spoon cumin seeds
1 pinch asafotida
Salt to taste
3tb.spoon finely chopped corriander leaves
3-4tb spoon grated coconut

Method

1.Soak tur dal over night. Then wash it thoroughly.
2.Grind it coarsly.
3.Then add chopped chillies, corrinder leaves, grated coconut, cumin
seeds, asafotida & salt mix it thoroughly.
4.Then make small koftas (balls) with the mixture pressure cook for 15
min.
5.Serve hot with rice dishes.

Pineapple Gojju

2009-09-12T07:45:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

1 canned (small) crushed pineapple
1 table sp sesame seeds
1 table sp urad dhal
1 table sp channa dhal
3 red chillies
2 green chillies
1 tsp chick peas
1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
1/2 tsp tamarind paste
a small piece of jagerry OR 1 table sp brown sugar
1/2 cup grated coconut
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
4-5 table sp's Oil for frying
1 tsp mustard seeds

Method

1.Dry fry sesame seeds, urad dhal, channa dhal, red chillies and
asafoetida till they all turn roast(frying time 5-6 mins)
2.Grind the fried ingredients with green chillies, chick peas, tamarind
paste, jaggery (or brown sugar) and grated coconut to a smooth paste
(add little water while grinding).
3.In the meantime, keep oil in a kadai and let it heat for a minute. Then
put mustard seeds and turmeric powder and allow mustard seeds to
pop.
4.Then put the canned crushed pineapple to it and fry the pineapple for
about 15 mins approximately.
5.Later on, add the ground paste to the fried pineapple and fry further 10
mins.
6.Add salt according to taste
7.Remove kadai from the heat.
8.This goes well as a side dish with chapatis or rice & rasam and can be
eaten hot or cold.

Cabbage Kofta Curry

2009-09-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

For Koftas
1/2 medium size Cabbage Shredded
2 tbsp Besan or all Purpose flour
Oil for frying

For Gravy
1 medium sized onion
a Piece of ginger
1 Cardamon
1 cinanamon stick small
1 clove
1 spoon jeera
1 spoon dania
2 medium sizes Tomatoes

Method

1.Take the shredded Cabbage in a bowl, add flour & make small round
balls with the same.
2.Deep fry the balls in the hot oil & keep aside
3.In a seperate pan heat 1 tsp of oil & add bay leaves & the paste, salt
according to taste & little bit of sugar.
4.Let the paste cook till the oil seperates.
5.Can add little water if the paste is too thick.
6.Switch off the flame add the Kofta's & Cover till Serving.
7.Before serving garnish with fresh coriader leaves.

Mysore Pak (South Indian Dish)

2009-09-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
Besan (chick-pea flour) 1 cup
Sugar 1 1/2 cups
Ghee 2 cups
Water 1 3/4 cups

Procedure
1.Dissolve the sugar in the water and heat it.
2.Keep stirring till you get a thread consistency.
3.You can check for this by feeling the syrup between your fore-finger
and thumb. (If the syrup has reached the required consistency, then
you will able to pull it out like a thread).
4.Remove all the lumps in the chick-pea flour and add it to the syrup, 1
table spoon at a time.
5.Reduce the heat and add 2 teaspoons of ghee.
6.Stir, till the flour and ghee has completely blended with the syrup.
7.Repeat procedure 2 till you finish all of the besan.
8.Continue to stir and keep adding ghee 1tsp. at a time till the mixture
changes color and texture. At one point, you will observe that the
mixture is not able to absorb any more ghee. Also, the whole mixture
becomes porous and starts leaving the edges of the vessel.
9.At this point, transfer the mixture into a greased plate and with a
spatula press the mixture down till the excess ghee surfaces. Do not
remove the excess ghee.
10.Allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Then, cut it into desired shape and wait
for another 10 minutes. Carefully remove each piece and arrange on
the serving tray.

Cooking time: 45 minutes.
Yield: 40 medium sized pieces.

Mix Veg Curry

2009-09-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 cup mixed vegetables sliced, boiled
(use carrot, cauliflower, beans, peas, potato, etc.)
1 tomato sliced
1/2 coconut grated
1/2 tsp. ginger grated
1/2 tsp. garlic crushed
3 green chillies
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. each cumin, mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
salt to taste
1 tsp.lemon juice
2 cloves
1" piece cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter

Method

1.Drain the boiled vegetables, keep stock aside.
2.Blend together, coconut, chillies, sesame seeds, cinnamon, cloves in mixie.
3.Heat butter, add seeds, allow to splutter.
4.Add ginger, garlic and paste.
5.Stir fry for 3-4 minutes.
6.Add vegetables except tomatoes.
7.Add 1/2 cup stock. Cover, simmer for 5 minutes.
8.Add salt, chilli powder,tomatoes and cook till gravy is thick.
9.Serve hot with parathas or chappatis.

Making time: 20 minutes.
Makes: 2 servings

Palak Paneer

2009-09-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Spinach - 500 gms
Onions - 5 medium sized
Garlic - 2-3 flakes
Cooking oil - 6-7 tbsps
Cummin seeds - 1 tbsp
Paneer - 150-200 gms
Salt to taste
Garam Masala, Geera Powder, Chilli Powder

Method

1.Cook the spinach in water.
2.Drain the water and then make puree of the spinach leaves.
3.Cut 4 of the onions finely and saute them till transparent.
4.Grind the other onion and the garlic flakes to a fine paste.
5.Add this paste to the sauted onions. Also add the puree and the spice
powders. Add some water if necessary.
6.Let boil for a minute or two.
7.Cut the paneer to cubes of desired size (preferably not too small). Fry
this in oil till golden brown,
8.Add this paneer to the prepared palak.
9.Serve hot with rice or rotis.

Simple Potato Cake

2009-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

3 large potatoes
1 capsicum
1/2 cup grated cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1red chilli crushed
2 tsp butter
1 tbsp. plain flour

Method
1.The potatoes will turn out best if boiled and refrigerated overnight before using.
2.Do not peel potatoes. Slice into thin rounds or grate coarsely.
3.Deseed capsicum and slice into thin rounds
4.Heat a thick nonstick pan about 5" diameter.
5.Meanwhile mix cheese, milk, crumbs, flour and chilli.
6.If mixture feels thin, add some more bread crumbs.
7.Add salt to taste. Apply 1 tsp. on bottom of pan.
8.Arrange potatoes to cover the pan. Top with capsicum.
9.Pour the mixture all over evenly. Level to cover all the potatoes.
10.Sprinkle fresh ground pepper, salt and simmer on low till bottom is golden brown.
11.Flip over very carefully with a wide sharp spatula, and roast the other side.
12.Let in the remaining butter around the edges to seep down.
13.Let other side become golden brown too.
14.Flip on serving plate and make sections with a knife.
15.Serve hot and crisp.

Variation: Bake the same if desired, instead if roasting.
Making time: 40 minutes

Baked Bread Rolls

2009-09-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

6 slices soft bread fresh
1 tbsp. butter softened
2 flakes garlic crushed
1/2 tsp. crushed red chilli
salt to taste
1 tbsp. grated cheese

Method

1.Roll the bread flat with the help of a rolling pin.
2.Mix the salt, chilli, garlic in the butter.
3.Apply on all slices generously.
4.Roll one slice tightly from end to end.
5.Brush all over with a bit of butter.
6.Coat the roll with grated cheese by rolling in it.
7.Repeat for all slices. Cover rolls with a moist cloth.
8.Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
9.Bake in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes or till golden brown and crisp.
10.Serve hot with ketchup.

Note: If you have trouble keep the rolls in place when raw, secure them with toothpicks before placing in the fridge.
Remove toothpicks
before baking.

Making time: 10 minutes (excluding chilling and baking time)
Makes: 6 rolls

Spicy Roti

2009-09-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups wheat flour
1/2 cups gram flour
1 1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp oil
salt to taste
1/2 turmeric powder
2-3 pinches asafaetida
1/2 tsp each cummin / oregano seeds
finely chopped coriander
1 tbsp water

METHOD

Knead a slightly stiff dough, adding all above ingredients, cover with wet cloth. Break off bits and make small potato
sized balls. Roll to 3-4

mm thickness. Roast on griddle (tawa) as for phulka. Or after brown spots appear place direct on gas flame and puff,
with help of tongs.

Phulka also may be done similarly if puffing with cloth, feels difficult. Apply ghee or butter and serve hot with
sweetened mango preserve

(chunda) or curds or jam.

Naan

2009-09-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

3 cups self-raising flour (maida)
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup curds fresh
salt to taste
1/2 tsp baking soda (soda - bicarb)
warm milk for kneading.

METHOD

Sieve together dry ingredients into a large rimmed plate. Add butter curds, oil and crumble with fingers. When does is
like course crumbs, add

milk a little at a time, till a soft pliable dough is formed. Cover with wet muslin cloth. Cover with another plate and keep
aside for 5 - 6 hours.

Knead dough lightly. Break of piece, the size of a medium potato and roll into a thick triangle, using dry dough if
required.

Place on a pre-warmed griddle (tawa). Apply water on the top part with hands Invert naan and stick to griddle. Invert
griddle and roast over
the gas flame direct (or nothing like toasting over bar-b-que coals). Serve hot with a blob of butter on it.

Tandoori Roti (without Tandoor)

2009-09-12T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

2 cups slightly coarse wheat flour
1/4 cups maida
2 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp curd
salt to taste.

Knead slightly stiff dough cover and keep for 2 hours.
Take naan sized dough and make a ball.
Roll to a thickish roti (4-5 mm thick).
Heat griddle (tawa) place on tawa and dry one side.
Wet upper side with water and invert.

Invert griddle and roast over gas flame (or if available a barb- que coalfire). It will fall off when done.

Serve hot with desired vegetables.

Bhel

2009-09-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups puffed rice
1 onion
1 tomato
1 small boiled p eeled potato
1/2 tbsp coriander leaves
1/2 cup fine sev
1/4 cup parboiled moong sprouts -- optional
1 tsp roasted peanuts -- optional
1 tsp hot green chutney
1 1/2 tsp tamarind chutney
salt to taste
1/4 lime juice
10-12 puries (used for bhel or panipuri optional) crushed

Method
Just before serving. In a large mixing bowl, add puffed rice, and all ingredients except 1/4 the coriander and sev. Mix
well. Sprinkle a few

drops water if too dry. Adjust taste and salt. Spoon into individual bowls. Sprinkle some sev and coriander to garnish.
Serve immediately.

Making time: 15 minutes (excl chutney making time)
makes: 3 servings
Shelf life: best fresh.

Poha

2009-09-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 cup beaten rice (poha)
1/4 cup crushed groundnuts
1/4 cup grated or scraped coconut
1/4 cup coriander leaves
1 stalk curryleaves chopped
1/4 tsp sugar
salt to taste
5-6 green chillies
1 tsp lime juice
1 1/2 tbsp oil
2 onions chopped
1 small potato chopped
1/2 tsp each cumin & mustard seeds.

Wash poha till clean. Drain water sprinkle a handful of clear water and keep aside.

After 15 minutes loosen the poha gently, and break lumps with fingers. In a heavy saucepan, heat oil, add seeds and
then potatoes. Stir for
2-3 minutes. Add onion, chillies and curry leaves. Stir and fry onions till tender. Take off fire.

Add poha and all other ingredients. Save some coconut and coriander leaves for garnishing. Mix very well. Adjust salt
and lime as per taste.

Return to low flame till hot. Stir gently every now and then. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with coriander and
coconut. Serve hot with
freshly brewed coffee.

Making time: 15 mins (excluding soaking time)
Serves: 3
Shelflife: best fresh

Vegetable Pie

2009-09-12T05:03:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 cups plain flour (maida)
100 gms. chilled butter
1/2 tsp. salt
chilled water
For Filling
2 cups Chopped vegetables of choice (eg. potatoes, peas, beans, carrot, spinach, cauliflower etc, All or any)
2 onions
1 tomato
2 green chillies
1/2" piece ginger
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
1/2 tsp. curry masala (or garam masala)
1 tbsp. cream
1 tsp. corn flour
salt to taste

Method:

Sieve together flour and salt.
Add chilled butter. Mix with fork till mixture is crumbly.
Sprinkle chilled water over it.
Quickly, with light hand mix the dough into a lump.
Do not over knead.
Chill dough for 15 mins. in a plastic bag.
Roll dough into 4" thick round.
Place over a greased pie plate.
Prick with a fork all over.
Bake in a pre-heated oven for 12 mins., or till light brown. Keep aside.

Filling
Grate tomato, onion, ginger.
Finely chop green chillies.
Chope and boil other vegetables.
Heat oil in a skillet, add the grated vegetables and chillies.
Cook for 4-5 mins. Stirring occasionally.
Add all other ingredients except cream.
Cook till the water evaporates and curry is thick.
Sprinkle a little cornflour over the crust.
Pour and spread the filling in the shell.
Pour cream all over.
Bake for 8-10 mins. in pre-heated oven.
Slice and serve warm.

Pav Bhaji

2009-09-12T01:40:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

8 pavs (squarish soft buns about 4" x 5" size)
butter to shallow fry.

For Bhaji
1 capsicum chopped fine
2 onions chopped fine
2 tomatoes chopped fine
2 1/2 cups chopped mixed vegetables (beans, carrots, cauliflower, potota, beans, bottle gourds, etc.) 1/2 cup shelled
peas
2 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. pavbhaji masala
1 1/2 tsp. chilli powder
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp. sugar
salt to taste
1 cup water (in which vegetables were boiled)
1/2 tsp. each ginger grated, garlic crushed
juice of 1/2 lemon.

To Garnish
1 tbsp. coriander chopped
1 onion chopped
small pieces of lemon

Method:

Pressure cook mixed vegetables and peas till well done.
Mash them coarsely after draining.
Heat butter in a pan.
Add ginger-garlice, capsicum, onion, tomatoes.
Fry for 2-3 minutes till very soft.
Add pavbhaji masala , chilli powder, turmeric, salt, sugar and fry further 2-3 minutes.
Bring to boil.
Simmer till gravy is thick, stirring and mashing pieces with masala, in between.
Add lemon juice, stir.
Garnish with chopped coriander and a block of butter.

For Pavs
Slit pavs horizontally leaving one edge attached. (To open like a book).
Apply butter (as desired) and roast open on a griddle till hot and soft with the surface crisp on both sides.
Serve hot with bhaji, a piece of lemon and chopped onion.

Making time : 30 mins. (excl. pressure cooking time)
Serve : 4 (2 pavs each)

Channa Bhatura

2009-09-12T01:25:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

For Channa
1 cup kabuli channa soaked overnight
1 large tomato
2 large onions
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped coriander
1 tsp. ginger grated
1 tsp. garlic crushed
1 lemon (juice extracted)
2 tbsp. oil, 1 tbsp. ghee
1 tsp. tea leaves (tied into a pouch in a
small piece of clean muslin cloth)
4 green chillies slit
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. cumin seeds

Dry masalas :-
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1/2 tsp. each cinnamon - clove powder,
turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. each garam masala, pepperpowder
salt to taste

For Bhatura
2 cups plain flour (maida) 2 tbsp. curds
2 tbsp. butter or oil
1/2 tsp. soda bicarb
salt to taste
Milk to knead dough
oil to deep fry

Method:

Sieve together flour, salt and soda.
Add and mix in curds and oil.
Add enough milk to knead into a soft pliable dough.
Cover with a wet cloth.
Keep aside for 5-6 hours. Make sure the cloth does not dry up, or wet again.
Knead dough again. Take fistful of dough. Roll into 1/4" thick 5" diameter round. Fry in hot oil.
Turning only once. Till very light golden in colour. Repeat for all. Serve hot with hot channa and
slices of onions and lemon.

Method for Channa

Put the soaked, washed channa in a cooker with enough water, teapouch and bay leaves.
Pressure cook till done. (approx. 6-7 whistles).
Cool about 5 tbsp. channa for grinding.
In a mixie, blend together 1/2 tomato, 1 onion, cooled channa and 1/2 tbsp. coriander. Keep aside.
Chop remaining tomatoes and onions fine.
Heat oil in a large skillet.
Add cumin seeds to splutter.
Add ginger-garlic and fry for a minute.
Add chopped tomatoes, onion and fry till tender.
Add channa-paste, fry further 3-4 minutes.
Add all dry masala except cinnamon-clove powder.
Stir and fry till oil separates. Add drained channa and 2 cup water which was drained from channa.
Stir and bring to boil.
Simmer for 7-8 minutes till gravy thickens.
Take in serving dish.
Heat ghee in a small sauce pan.
Add the chillies and cinnamon-clove powder.
Add chopped coriander and pour hot over the channa.
Squeeze lemon over channa.
Stir in seasoning gently.

Making time :- 30 mins (excluding pressure cooking)
Serves - 5

Chutney spread

2009-09-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup grated coconut 4 red chillies or 1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 long bean tamarind
2 flakes garlic
1 tbsp. groundnuts
salt to taste
Grind all ingredients together to form a firm chutney. Use very little water.

Masala Dosa

2009-09-12T01:02:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1 cup plain rice.
1 cup parboiled rice.
1/4 cup white udad dal.
1/2 tsp. methi (fenugreek) seeds
1 /2 tsp soda bi carbonate
1/2 cup curds the batter.
10-12 tsps. ghee or oil as preferred
water for grinding

Method:

Wash the rices and dal together.
Add plenty of water and methi seeds.
Allow to soak for 7-8 hours or overnight.
Rewash the rice by draining the water 2-3 times.
Grind to a paste. Rawa -like grains should be felt in
Add soda bicarb and salt and mix well.
Keep aside in a warm place for 8-10 hours. Beat the curds well.
Add to the batter, add more water if required.
The consistency of the batter should be
enough to thickly coat on a spoon when dipped.
Heat the iron griddle or non-stick tawa well.
Pour a spoonful of batter in the centre, spread
with the back of the spoon to a thin round.
Pour a tsp. of ghee or oil over it.
Spread chutney spread over dosa.
Place a tbsp. masala in the centre.
Fold into triangle to cover masala.
Remove with spatula when crisp.
Serve hot with chutney and/or sambar.

For masala:
Ingredients:

2 large onions in vertical slices
2 large potatoes boiled and peedled
4-5 green chillies
1 tbsp. chopped coriander
8-10 cashews halved
1/2 tsp. each udad dal, cumin & mustard seeds
2 tbsp. oil
1/4 tsp. turmeric
salt to taste
Chop potatoes coarsely. Chop green chillies.
Heat oil, add cashews and brown lightly.
Add dal, seeds and splutter.
Add chillies and onions. Fry till tender.
Add turmeric, salt, potatoes, coriander.
Mix well