Sunday 19 July 2015

Snack with Flattened Rice

1) Milk,jaggery with Flattened Rice

Mom's are intelligent and know how to keep their kids fit :) .When I was a kid,my mom used to make yummy and attractive dishes for me (all mom's do that ofcourse).

One among my favorite dishes that I have been eating since childhood is with flattened rice.All the next generations in my family too love this.


We would need Jaggery,milk and flattened rice or Poha or Atukulu .

We just have to mix Flattened rice and jaggery hot milk.It is healthy for kids.If they don't consume milk directly, try this out,they would love to have.

(Kids,here is a tip for you:
Mom gives you milk and you don't like it ?:( .Go to the the kitchen, take this poha and jaggery from your mom's steel box and mix it in this milk.:))

2)  Poha mixture/Poha chudwa

This is everyone's favorite at one or the other stage.And for kids, this is a mouth-watering snack.

All you need is :

  1. Poha/Flattened rice/atukulu
  2. Coriander
  3. Salt
  4. Red chilli powder(optional)
Method :

In a pan, add 1 spoon oil,add flattened rice and fry till light brown, add salt and chilli powder and have it :)

If possible, do add peanuts,curry leaves before adding flattened rice.And at the end garnish with coriander.


P.S:

Image source - https://www.wikipedia.org/

Chocolate Fruit Sandwich

All momma's and Papa's have so many options for their breakfast/lunch/dinner but what about their dear one's ,kids? :( O pity huh,they don't easily love to have what momma feeds .So lets have few simple recipes that kids would love and are eye-catching ;).

These days Bread has become a common breakfast item,in so many forms.It serves as snack item in kids school box in the form of sandwich,for breakfast in form of Bread upma, and for Brunch :D too.
Bread 
It is important to note that, for adults, Brown bread,Multi grain bread are good for health if they have it often and dear kids,you have all the freedom to eat anything you love to :) .

Let us see this simple Chocolate Fruit Sandwich preparation now ,

All you need is :

  1. Bread
  2. Chocolate jam/nutella chocolate spread
  3. Strawberries (cut)
These are the most available things at our home so when momma is out on a busy schedule, kids can also prepare such recipes and satisfy the tummy :D
bread spread


Method :

Take bread slices and spread the nutella or chocolate jam on one side of 2 bread slices.
Take strawberries from the refrigerator and keep them between these two slices.
If there are any other cut fruits at home,there you go kids! Yes, you can eat this with any fruit,not just strawberries but you would love if it has strawberries .

strawberries

P.S :

Image Source : https://www.wikipedia.org/







Thursday 11 June 2015

Moong dal khichdi

I wanted to make something different from regular pulao ,dosa,idli,bonda not using much oil or fat foods.This is when kichdi and moong dal combination clicked and It came out so well and tasty.

we had it with cucumber raitha and masala papad :)

All you need is : 

Moong dal
Tomato
Onion
Raw rice
Salt
Jeera
Cumin
Green chilli
Pepper powder
Ghee
Cashew nuts
Masala powder (optional)
Ginger 


Moon dal kichdi
Moong dal kichdi
Method : 

1. Take equal quantities of rice and moong dal,wash and soak for 30 minutes.Soaking rice in oulao,kichdi,biryani recipes is the best practise.you wil find the difference .check that out :)

2. Take pan or cooker vessel ,add oil/ghee, when hot add seasoning jeera ,mustard,hing ,and now add ginger,onion,green chillies.

3.Add turmeric and mix well,add finely chopped tomato,keep mixing in between till tomato softens.Add Coriander  powder,salt.If you want it spicy combine garam masala too.

4. Now transfer this into pressure cooker or a pan ,add soaked dal and rice.Adjust the salt and let the rice cook.Cover the lid.For cooker,Allow 3-4 whistles.

Moong dal kichdi
Moon dal kichdi



Moong dal kichdi is ready for serving,You can have this with masala papad,spicy curd or plain curd,raitha or mango pickle :) .serve when its hot :) A satisfied meal.


Carrot coconut fry

Carrot is a veggie that always does great favor to us.Its healthy.Intake of carrot juice in the morning,in empty stomach gives glowing skin and is good for health.Yes I tried ,carrot,tomato,cucumber juice .First intake in the morning.(Laziness combined with reason of no Time,I have stopped some of my good habits though :D).anyhow,lets talk about one more simple dish,vartot coconut fry.

All you need is :

Carrot
Coconut
Green chilli
Salt
Cumin
Mustard
Red chilli
Turmeric

Method: 

1. Peel the carrots and Pressure cook for 1-2 whistles,then cut them to small pieces.I find this easy as I like to cut them in small size but if you are very much used to your way,please goahead with that.

2. Take coconut pieces,greenchilli and salt in a grinder and keep aside.

3. In a pan,add one spoon of oil and when oil is hot,add seasoning ingredients jeera,mustard,hing,red chilli,turmeric.(I love vegetables when mixed in pinch if turmeric,they look beautiful).Now add the boiled carrots ,fry for  4 minutes on medium flame and then add grinded coconut paste.Mixx for a minute and turn off the flame.

4. Let the vegetable remain mild and have its original taste so dont over fry or over boil carrot.You can also add grated coconut instead of grinded coconut paste :).


Carrot fry
Carrot fry


Simple,regularly used carrot fry is ready for serving.You can add jeera and coriander powder or add coriander leaves for extra flavor ,but I like the original vegetable taste not to be disturbed,with coconut and simple seasoning :)

Pesarapappu pulusu(Moong dal pulusu)

Moong dal is good for health especially in summer.It cools the body system is what our elders and science says,right!
I made pulusu and brinjal chutney with apparam or papad. :)
All we need is ,

Moong dal
Tamarind  pulp or water
Onion
Vegetables (optional)
Cumin seeds,red mirchi,mustard for seasoning,
Hing
Turmeric
Salt


Pesarapappu Pulusu
Pesarapappu Pulusu


Method :

1. Take moong dal and water in a cup,soak for 30 minutes or directly pressure cook dal and keep aside.
2. Take some water in a pan on medium glame,when its hot ,add onions (and vegetables if you want ).also add pinch of turmeric,salt.
3.when the onions are bit softened ,add tamarind juice to the water mixture,cooked dal,mix all this well.
4. Take a pan with spoon of oil and add cumin seeds,hing,mustard seeds,red chilli,curry leaves,add this seasoning to pulusu.
5. Simple,tasty,healthy Moong dal pulusu is now ready to serve.

Tip : If you prepare with toor dal ,more the pulusu is boiled,more taste it gets as with sambar.But moong da, doesn't need to be boiled much,just need to check if ingredients are boiled well,then can turn off the flame. :)

Pesarapappu Pulusu
Pesarapappu Pulusu

Monday 20 April 2015

Eggless cake without oven

When our taste buds doesn't want to try routine food but looks out for baked foods,unconventional foods?
That was the time I had no cake ingredients at home but prepared this with all that can be replaced ,to make eggless cake.



All I used is :
Maida
Hot chocolate powder
Chocolate syrup 
Dry fruits and dates for topping
Butter for greesed pan
Sugar
Milk
I used pressure cooker to prepare this :)

Cooker cake
Cooker cake



















Method :

  1. Take a dish and add Maida,Baking Powder,Hot chocolate powder(Cocoa actually,but I used Hot Chocolate powder at the moment),Sugar dissolved in butter/ghee and Condensed Milk.
  2. Whisk the batter nicely and remove the lumps,let the batter be so smooth (yummy :D).
  3. Now ,take a greased plate or dish(rub the dish with ghee or butter) used with Pressure Cooker and pour the maida-sugar-milk-chocolate batter.
  4. Do not let the bottom of dish touch the base of cooker(You can put cooker plate in between).
  5. Let the steam come from the cooker, put the flame in medium or low ,and leave for 45 minutes.
  6. Once you turn off the flame, make sure not open the cooker for about 30 mins,let the cake rest inside after flame is turned off.
  7. For the toping, I used nicely sliced seedless dates, cashews,badam AND CHOCOLATE SYRUP :D.
Not just that, You can used Hide n seek biscuits powdered coarsely on the top of cake,kids would love to have chocolate cakes with strong chocolate flavored toppings (Not just kids, My taste buds too would want such flavors).

This is is just a simple recipe ,You can improvise with different ingredients you have,using different flavors. 

I loved this instantly prepared cake with very few ingredients,I hope you too did:)

Thursday 16 April 2015

Potato drumstick curry

Potato curry,fry,drumstick curry, drumstick rasam are all commonly made by South Indian people.For a change we have this drumstick potato curry which is simple ,looks and tastes delicious.I have usually prefer to add butter in such recipes.But here, I add curd.

Ingredients : 

1. Potato
2. Drumstick
3. Kasuri methi
4. Turmeric
5. Salt
6. Coriander
7. Curd
8. Red chilli powder
9. Hing
10. Cashew nuts


Method : 

Cut potato preferably large cubes. Also cut drumstick.
Boil both til 3/4th done .In a frying pan add oil ,when hot, add hing,cumin seeds,mustard seeds,sabji masala,pinch of turmeric ,red chilli powder and salt.
Now add potato ,drumstick pieces and mix well.As we have added all the spice in the hot frying oil,it Coates neatly to the vegetable.         
Potato Drumstick Curry
Potato Drumstick Curry
                                   
Cover the pan with a lid and let the vegetables properly boil.
Check if both potato and drumstick are soft.Add Kasuri methi and cilantro for nice flavour.
Add one spoon of curd and mix well.You can opt out this if you do not want :) .

Potato Drumstick Curry
Potato Drumstick Curry


You can also add cashew nut paste for more taste and perfection. :) It makes wonders.
That's it.Quick easy spicy potato drumstick curry is ready to serve :).

Saturday 28 March 2015

Simple Kalakhand recipe


I made Kalakhand recipe yesterday and it came out very well.It was my mom's birthday.She is the one who prepares delicious dishes on all our birthdays/any occasions /no occasion.This time mom is with me on her budday and I thought I will not prepare routine payasam(kheer) or gulabjamun,so made this.I used virigina paalu thus just prepared small quantity.Amma loved it :)
This is very simple ,all you need is,

Ingredients
  1. Milk
  2. Milkmaid(Condensed milk)
  3. Sugar
  4. Paneer
  5. Nuts
  6. Ghee 
  7. Lemon


Simple Kalakhand recipe
Simple Kalakhand recipe

Method:
  1. If you do not have paneer,then add some milk in a pan on flame and when its hot add 2-3 drops of lemon juice or start adding some sugar.While stirring continuously,milk curdles ,thus paneer is formed by removing excess of water from this and keep the paneer aside.
  2. Now,pour milk in a pan and add some sugar and milkmaid.Also,add Paneer and keep stirring until you get smooth thickness.Check the ratio of sugar and milkmaid ,since you add milkmaid,needn't add more sugar.
  3. Remove the sweet from flame.
  4. Add ghee on a flat plate and pour the sweet onto plate.Add the nicely thin sliced nuts on the top and cut the sweet into diamond shape pieces.
Enjoy the Simple Kalakhand recipe as it is or once it is cooled.Either way it tastes yummy and transparent . :) 

Friday 30 January 2015

Sabudan Khichdi


Very Light ,simple,dish.Its nutritious ,Sabudan Khichdi.Have it for your snacks at afternoon,Morning breakfast,along with any Milkshake or for Dinner.

Ingredients

Sabudana(Not too small size)
Peanuts
garlic paste
Green chillies
Cumin(Jeera)
Mustard Seeds
Oil
Salt
Dry Coconut powder (Optional)
Hing
Turmeric

Method:


  1. Wash Sabudan with water and Soak Sabudan for minimum 3 hours (6 hours will be good) in JUST enough water,not more than the amount required to just dip.
  2. After soaking for 6 hours ,sabudan is dry and the balls are seperate.
  3. Use any vegetables of your taste,like Potatoes,Carrot,Beans,Peas.I Used Carrot and peas.Cut Green chilli half lengthwise.
  4. Boil Carrot ,peas with pinch of salt.
  5. Heat oil in a pan, add Hing,Cumin,Green chilli,Garlic paste,roasted and crushed peanuts.
  6. Add boiled carrot and peas,fry for a minute.Add turmeric and soaked sabudana,in a medium flame combine the ingredients.
Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudan slowly turns transparent,this is when you can switch off the flame and serve  :)

NOTE : While Sabudan soaking ,if we pour more water,then during cooking sabudan,it sticks.Addition of Peas adds nice look and taste.You can also use Potatoes in place of carrot.



Thursday 29 January 2015

Simple Mango grated pickle

Mango Mukkala PAchadi
Mango Mukkala Pachadi
As mentioned in my earlier post of Menthi Baddalu Pickle Recipe,here is my recipe with Mango once again , Quick mango pickle,Mukkala Pachadi :D;).

Mango Thurumu Pachadi,that is Mango grated nicely and pickle is made by few while I am using thin cut pieces of Mango :)

All you will need is .

Raw Mango,
Mustard Seeds,
Red Chilli Powder,
Oil,
Salt,
Asafoetida (Hing).

Now this is simple.


Method :



  1. Peel the skin of mango and before doing anything,taste the mango to ensure its NOT sweet.
  2. Cut the mango into thin nice pieces (OR grate if you want thurumu pachadi).
  3. We have to mix powder with these pieces.For the powder,Take Mustard seeds,in a jar and grind them.
  4. Add Aavapodi(Mustard powder) and red chilli powder,salt  to the mango pieces we made ready.
  5. Heat some oil in a pan and add Asafoetida ,some mustard seeds .Let it cool a bit(not fully) and add to our pickle.
That's it.Simple and easy Mango Mukkala Pachadi or Thurumu Pachadi is ready,Looks wow :)

Mango methi pickle (menthi baddalu)

Mango menthi baddalu
Menthi Baddalu
Month of January and Mangoes?
Yes,Big Mangoes from the Fresh Vegetable market in chennai and I was tempted to do Menthi baddalu and Mukkala Pachadi,so it will also serve as a combination pickle with steam dosa and uthappam this weekend :D

These days,I became a fan of Carrot Mukkala Pachadi learnt from my mother-in-law and have been just eating the same for a long time.It is very tasty,Will post the recipe soon :).
So ,its been a while I haven't had any pickle(pachadi) of Mango and made this.

For Mukkala Pachadi ,I have simple method shown here :)


Mango methi pickle or Menthi Baddalu :All you need is...

Raw Mango
Menthulu (Methi seeds)
Aavalu ( Mustard Seeds)
Endu Mirchi (Red chillies)
Salt
Oil
Asafoetida (Hing)


Method:



  1. Peel the skin of mango and before doing anything,taste the mango to ensure its NOT sweet.
  2. Cut the mango in equal sized pieces. and keep aside.
  3. We have to mix powder with these pieces.For the powder,fry Methi seeds,mustard seeds,Red chillies as required in small tablespoon of oil.Put them in a jar an grind to powder.
  4. Finally,Add this powder to the pieces,add some salt.
  5. Heat some oil in a pan and add Asafoetida and some mustard seeds .Let it cool a bit(not fully) and add to our pickle.
NOTE:

  1. Pickle looks dry for some time post preparation,as the methi-mustard-chilli powder should get into the mango very well.So Dont worry looking at the texture .Smell is mildly strong ;) and tastes yummy.
  2. Color of Mango methi pickle is not Red,Its dark(Say brownish red).



Ladyfinger Crisps(Bendi Crisps)

Bendi Crisps
Ladyfinger Crisps

Bendakay or Ladiesfinger or Okra is most of our favourite vegetable.People say ,this is the only vegetable that does no harm to health.

I tried plain Bendi curry,Bendi Fry,Bendi masala from my aunt(mixed in curd) etc.But I recently tried this recipe and believe me, then on,I get this vegetable just to prepare in this way. :).

One more thing,If you want to avoid excess oil and can compromise on crisp texture, you will still get other side of this recipe,-well marinated tasty soft texture.

All you need is ...

Bendi (Okra/Ladiesfinger)

Coriander powder,

Masala powder,
Besan (Senaga pindi/gram flour)
Salt
Red chilli powder,
Turmeric,
Oil.

Method:



  1. Wash Okra with water neatly and dry them on tissue paper.
  2. Cut the Okra length wise .If they are wide, cut into 4 lengthwise pieces,else 2.
  3. Now,take a wide plate and mix these powders, Coriander powder,red chilli,salt,pinch of turmeric,masala(I skipped using masala,instead used curry powder or kura karam),Besan.
  4. Combine the cut pieces of okra in this powder mix and let it sit for 15-mins.
  5. After marinating, take oil in pan and add Okra.

Note :

Have the pieces deep fry for perfect bendi crisps.If you are using less oil ,also,the recipe won't fail nor stick.Result is good in this case tooo.I don't use much oil,still I love the way it comes out :).

Mouthwatering tip:

You can have it just like that,or with rice :D.Bendi Crisps ,yummy.


Wednesday 21 January 2015

Fruit Salad

Right from my childhood,Fruit Salad is been one of my favorite dish.Custard Salad,wow,looks great,tastes heaven and healthier ;)  

Custard Fruit Salad
Custard Fruit Salad
Did you notice any difference for the Fruit salad prepared at home and that ordered outside.Yes its the milk consistency,the thickness :)

All we need is ,

Custard powder
Milk
Sugar
Fruits.


Method:

  1. Mix Custard powder in some water and keep aside
  2. Boil milk in a sauce pan and while it is is boiled, add custard powder mixed in water.
  3. Keep mixing this  milk as it slowly thickens.
  4. Now add required amount of sugar and mix properly.When required thickness is reached,switch off the flame and add fruits.My choice of fruits are Apple,Pear,Orange,Banana,Papaya :).

Refrigerate and enjoy the Custard fruit salad once cooled. 

Note: 

  1. Powder shouldn't be mixed in milk directly to avoid lumps formation.
  2. Don't make it very thick as it thickens a bit after refrigerating .
  3. You can add any fruits of your choice but ,I must tell you,not to avoid banana as it gives a very good flavor for the fruit salad.You can have pomegranate seeds as topping .
  4. You can also prepare the mixture and add cut fruits just before eating.
  5. Cut all the fruits in the same shape :)
  6. Simple Custard Fruit Salad that is tasty,and that can be prepared in 15 minutes .

I enjoyed Custard Fruit Salad.Did you? 

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Potato Onion Curry

Knowing Potato is not a healthy food :( I will still say,It is my FAVORITE.

Whenever I am in no mood, I prepare potato fry and have it .I am that kind of a potato freak.

Here is a simple yummy potato onion fry, different from our regular plain fry.

We need,

Potato Onion Curry
Potato Onion Curry
Potatos,
Onion,
Chilli powder,
Salt,
Turmeric,
Coriander (Optional)



  1. Cut the potatoes(not too small) and onions,keep aside.
  2. Pour some oil in a frying pan, add cumin,mustard seeds,pinch of turmeric and add in the potato cubes.If you are the one who loves fried items,then fry the potato in this step directly.Else, you need healthier recipe, then add half boiled potatoes .
  3. After adding the Potato cubes,Cover the pan with lid,let the veggie soften a bit and now add salt and onion .Let them fry when you will have to add red chilli powder.Mix and fry for some time.
  4. Garnish with coriander for a nice flavor.
Unlike fry with more of oil, this is bit boiled with addition of good flavor of onion and coriander :).

I loved Potato Onion Curry :)

Moms Food!

I was so anxious to visit Amma as its been 4 months I haven't visited my home.Day finally has come when me and my hubby started to Hyderabad.5 days have passed so quickly.Mom made some of my favorite dishes and the rest are exception as they are his favorite :).Back to Chennai today,is a gloomy day,now I recollect how badly I missed home.

All the past 3 weeks I was preparing recipes of my mom,unknowingly.I was probably missing my mom and her food so badly that all the dishes I prepared recently tasted just like amma's food.

And Today's Recipe is,
Pudina Fried rice and Oats Upma for breakfast
Potato onion Curry,Methi buttermilk (majjiga) for Lunch.

For Potato onion curry recipe ,I have posted in here.
Pudina Pulao
Simple Pudina Pulao

You want to have something tasty in less time,then this is the option.All you need is,

Fresh Pudina leaves
Rice
Green Chilli
Onion
Coriander Leaves (Optional)
Cashews.

Method:


1.Cut onion pieces,green chillies, Remove pudina leaves aside.

2. Grind Pudina,Coriander,Green Chillis along with sufficient salt in a grinder and put aside.
3.Take a pan, heat a tablespoon of oil and fry the onion till golden brown,pour the pudina paste in this and let it boil covered(you get nice aroma).
4.Add the cooked rice and fry for 2-3 minutes.
5.Garnish with cashews and pudina.

Note :

I added coriander to make it more tasty :).You can eliminate if you want.Also, while after adding onion ,you can add tomatoes /garlic paste if you want.I want to have a mild taste so didn't add that.

Combination :

I have it plainly.But Jeera curd goes very well with this .Just powder jeera and mix with thick curd.Or you can just try onion raitha/cucumber raitha.Pudina rice is ready.