HOW TO COOK Dill Leaves in Brown Masoor Dal

Dill Leaves in Brown Masoor Dal

Dill is an unique plant whose seeds and leaves are both used for seasoning in many cuisines. They are a good source of Calcium which in turn helps in reducing bone loss which occurs generally after menopause. They have good source of dietary fiber and good source of many minerals like Iron,Magnesium. They are also called as "Anti Bacterial Spice". Dill leaves are widely used in Indian Cuisine too due to its numerous health benefits. I wish to combine this healthy leaves with one of many favourite protein rich lentils and make a super healthy side dish for our Lauki / Doodhi parathas.

Masoor Dal is always one of the favorites I pick while making a Dal. There are two varieties of Masoor Dal. One is the light orangish variety and the other one is the brown colour Masoor. First one is the polished variety which takes lesser amount of time to cook whereas the latter one is unpolished and have more dietary fiber, good amount of protein and takes a little longer to cook. This time, I combined Dill leaves and Brown Masoor Dal as they both are very healthy and blend well.

Honestly, there is no leftover of  this Dal. All of us enjoyed this dal very much. Its an ultimate accompaniment for chappathis/ rotis or any type of parathas. My Dear bloggers/friends, just try to grab one bunch of Dill leaves and try this Dal once. You will love it and keep substituting Brown Masoor with your favourite Dals every time you make and enjoy...

Ingredients
Brown Masoor Dal - 1.5 Cups
Fresh Dill Leaves - 1 Bunch
Tomato - 1
Green Chillies - 2 Medium
Grated Ginger - 1 tsp
Hing - 1 Dash
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Garlic Pods - 2
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - 1 Pinch
Oil - 1 tbsp
Dry Red chillies - 2
Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Dhana Jeera Powder ( Corainder Cumin Powder ) - 1 tsp
Melted Butter / Ghee - 1 tsp ( OPTIONAL )

Method

1. Soak the Brown Masoor Dal in warm water for 30 minutes. Take out the leaves from the Dill Bunch and chop them nicely and keep ready. Chop the tomato, green chillies, garlic pods and keep them ready.
2. Add the chopped dill leaves, brown masoor dal, green chillies, hing, turmeric powder, garlic pods along with some water in  a separate vessel.
3. Pressure cook them for 5-6 whistles as the Brown Masoor might take longer time to get cooked.
4. After its cooked to your satisfaction, mash the dal and allow the dal to cook directly.
5. Mean time, add all other powders, salt , pinch of sugar and grated ginger and cook them for 4-5 minutes.
6. Do the tempering and pour them over the dal. Just before serving, you can add a tsp of ghee or butter on top of it if its for a gathering or for kids.  

Tips / Variations

1. If you want a pasty dal, you might have to cook for few more whistles. Also, try to soak the brown masoor dal for a longer time.
2. You can substitute Brown Masoor Dal with your favourite dal variety and try..

HOW TO MAKE Thanjavur Kadappa / Thanjavur Kadapa / Hotel Kadapa

In our hometown thanjavur, small hotels on road side used to give a mild yellow colour side dish as a side for Idly, dosas and it tasted very good. We used to fight for those small potatoes hiding in that gravy. That dish was called as Kadappa which was served only in Hotels. This would look like a watery spicy gravy with some small baby potatoes in it. Though I am a big fan of having Idlies with hotel sambar and chutney, I still like to have Idlies with this special Kadappa. Someone who does not like to have Idlies will definitely eat idlies with this special Kadappa dish. Though I make this kadappa dish at home nowadays, still the flavour and exact taste of those road side hotels do not even be compared to mine. Those were so unique.

Ingredients

Potatoes - 10 or 12 small

Onion - 1\2  cut into thin slices lengthwise

Moong Dal \ Payatham Paruppu \ Pesara Pappu  - 2 tbsp

Olive Oil - 2 tbsp

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Dry red chilli powder --- 1 tsp

Salt -- To Taste

Jeera - 1 tsp

Cinnamon Sticks \ Pattai - 2 medium

Lavang \ Cloves - 3 or 4

For Grinding

Fresh Coconut - 4 tbsp

Sombu \ Fennel Seeds -- 2 tsp

Garlic Pods - 5 or 6 big

Green chillies - 3 Big

Khus Khus - 2 tsp

Method

1. Wash the Moong Dal and cook it to a smooth paste in a pressure cooker. Add some water to the cooked dal and keep the Dal water ready.
2. Peel the skin of the potatoes and cook them either in microwave or on the stove.
3. Grind the ingredients as mentioned above and make a smooth creamy paste of the grounded mixture.
4. Cut the onions into thin slices. Keep all the masala ingredients ready on the side.
5. On medium heat, add olive oil first. When its heated, add jeera, cloves, cinnamon sticks to the heated oil. When its roasted, add thin slices of onion and turmeric powder to the Olive Oil.
6. Fry them well for a minute till the onion becomes translucent. Add the grounded paste to the kadai and fry them very well till the raw smell of the garlic completely goes off.
7. After that, add the Dal water to the kadai. Mix them well and add required amount of salt to the contents in the kadai.
8. Add a pinch of sugar too to the kadai. Add 1 tsp of red chilli powder to the kadai.
9. Close the lid and let the kadappa gravy comes to a boil. Then, add the cooked potatoes to the kadappa gravy.
10. Close the lid and let the kadappa gets cooked with potatoes for few minutes.
11. Switch off the heat then and let the kadappa settles down for few minutes.
12. Add a tsp of lemon juice to the kadappa and garnish with coriander leaves to the Kadappa.
13. Serve this yummy gravy to any south indian tiffin varieties or roti.

Tips

• As there is a slight difference between this Kadappa and a normal potato kuruma, don't make this Kadappa gravy in a thick or semi solid state. Make it little watery but with a good punch in its taste.
• You can add extra green chillies while preparing  the creamy paste for the gravy.   As we add the Dal water too, the spice level  might get lowered in the gravy. So, its better to add one or two green chillies extra before grinding the paste itself.

HOW TO MAKE Kalyana Gothsu / Gotsu / Gosthu

In many south indian marriages you could definitely taste a very unique side dish called "Kalyana Gothsu" which is generally served with idli,dosa and pongal varieties. My mom made this side dish for idli and it was very good. Just for a change, try to make this dish instead of idli sambar. Process is simpler and faster too...If you like this recipe, all the credits go to my mom.

Ingredients

Brinjal - 2 Medium

Carrot - 1 Small

Onion - 2 Small Size

Potato - 2 Medium

Green Chilli - 1 Big

Tomato - 1

Moong Dhal / Payatham Paruppu / Pesara Pappu - 3/4 Cup

Channa Dhal / Kadalai Paruppu / Senaga Pappu - 2 tbsp

Sambar Powder - 2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Salt - To Taste

Tamarind Juice - 3 tbsp ( Thick Juice)

Kadalai Maavu / Besam Flour - 2 tsp

For tempering

Olive Oil - 2 tsp

Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp

Curry Leaves - 1 stem

Method

1. Soak both the dals together in one vessel for 5 minutes.
2. Wash and cut all the vegetables into small cubes and keep it ready.
3. In a small pressure pan or small pressure cooker, transfer the vegetables, green chilli,soaked dals into it.
4. Add turmeric powder, sambar powder, little salt and add enough water for the contents to get cooked.
5. Close the cooker and allow the contents to get cooked and switch off the cooker after 2 whistles.
6. After its cooled down, open the cooker and slightly mash the veggies and dals.
7. Add the tamarind juice extract into it first.
8. Add 2 tsp of besan flour / kadalai Maavu into a small cup and add little water and make a watery paste.
9. Add this watery besan paste and required amount of salt and water to the pressure cooker.
10. Allow the contents to be on medium flame for few minutes.
11. Meantime, finish the tempering process and pour them over the pressure cooker.
12. Now the Gothsu is totally ready to eat with idli, pongal or dosa varieties.

Tips

Try to add enough water along with tamarind extract and cook. Otherwise, it will look like a thick kootu. If its little watery, it would go well with the south indian tiffin.

Thiruvadhirai Kootu

Thiruvadhirai Kootu

Thiruvadhirai Kootu also called as Ezhukari Kootu or Thalagam is made on the day of  "Arurudhra Darshan" as prasadam and offered to Lord Shiva. This kootu is made out of vegetables, thuvar dal and spiced with a special grounded powder. This tangy, spicy kootu is a good combination with the Thiruvadhirai Kali on the festival day. Its a general tradition to include 7 types of vegetables into this Kootu but you can add as many vegetable variety as you like and make this Kootu more healthier and richer. I added more than seven variety while making this dish and offered to Lord Shiva.

Ingredients

Oil - 1 tbsp

Tamarind - A small Lemon Size

Thuvar Dal / Thuvaram Paruppu / Kandhi Pappu - 3/4 cup

Turmeric Powder - 3 tsp

Hing/Asafoetida - 1 Dash

Curry Leaves - 1 stem

Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

Urad Dal / Minna Pappu / Ulutham Paruppu - 1 tsp

Salt - To taste

Powdered Jaggery - 2 tsp

Coconut Flakes - 1/2 cup

Vegetables

Beans - 12 cut into finger size

White Pumpkin - 12-15 pieces ( Cut into medium square )

Butternut Squash - 10 - 12 pieces ( Cut into medium square)

Brinjal - 3

Potato - 2 Medium ( Cut into Medium Squares )

Carrot - 1 Big ( Cut into finger size)

Raw Plantain - 1 ( Cut into Medium Square )

Mochai / Lilva - 1 Handful

Chow Chow / Chayote - 1 ( Cut into Medium Square )

Sweet Potato - 1 ( Cut into Medium Square )

Green Zucchini - 1 ( Cut into Medium Square )

For the Spice Powder

Coriander Seeds - 2 tbsp

Channa Dal / Kadalai Paruppu - 1 tbsp

Fenugreek Seeds / Vendhayam - 1 tsp

Dry Red Chillies - 7 to 8 ( Depends on your taste )

Method

• Soak tamarind in water and extract its juice and keep it ready.
• Cook the thuvar Dal in a pressure cooker to a fine paste and keep it ready.
• Wash all the vegetables and cut them into desired shapes and steam cook them in a big nonstick kadai. (Add very little water and cover the lid of the kadai while steam cooking the vegetables )
• Dry roast the ingredients for making the grounded powder and make a fine powder and keep it ready.
• After the vegetables get steam cooked to a desired level, add the tamarind juice, turmeric powder, jaggery powder, mashed thuvar dal, required amount of salt and mix them well.
• Cook them with the lid open for couple of minutes.
• Finally add the grounded powder and fresh coconut flakes and mix them well. Allow them to cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• In a tempering pan, add oil and finish the tempering process. Pour them over the kadai and switch off the flame.
• Cover the lid and let the kootu settles down for few minutes.
• Now its ready for Neivedhyam.

Vankaya Ulli Karam / Brinjals in Spicy Onion Gravy / Brinjal Masala

Vankaya Ulli Karam is my mother-in-laws recipe and we all liked the dish very much. So I decided to share her recipe with my blog friends. This brinjal dish is an excellent choice for parties along with a side of Jeera Rice / Pulav. Even with rotis or plain rice, this tastes much better. The major factor which decides the taste of the dish is the age and size of the brinjals and its freshness..If  you have very fresh small brinjals, don't keep them in the fridge and postpone the preparation.Try to make the Vankaya Ulli Karam as fresh as possible.

Ingredients

Fresh small brinjals - 12 to 15.

Onion - 1 Big

Turmeric Powder - 2 tsp

Salt - To Taste

Sugar - 1/2 tsp

For Tempering

Oil - 3 tbsp

Hing / Asafoetida - 1 Dash

Mustard Seeds - 3 tsp

Jeera / Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp

Curry Leaves - 2 stems

For the Paste

Dry Red Chillies - 8

Groundnuts - 1 handful

Coriander Seeds - 2 tbsp

Urad Dal / Ulutham paruppu / Mina Pappu - 1 tbsp

Channa Dal / Kadalai paruppu / Senaga pappu - 2 tbsp

Methi seeds / Vendhayam / Fenugreek Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Jeera / Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp

Black pepper - 1 tsp

Dry Coconut Powder - 3/4th of tbsp

White Sesame Seeds - 2 tbsp

Tamarind - 1 pinch

Onion - 1 Big one shredded

Ingredients for the Gravy

Method

• Wash the Brinjals and make 4 or 6 slits from its bottom without breaking the brinjal in the middle. Let it looks like an umbrella with different slits and a handle at its top.
• Cut the brinjals in a similar way and put them in a bowl of water. Cut the onion into pieces and keep it ready for the gravy.
• Meantime, with few drops of oil, fry all the ingredients required for the gravy except onion pieces till you get a nice aroma. Then, transfer them to a mixer grinder. In the same pan, fry the cut onions and add them to the mixer grinder. Grind everything together to a fine smooth paste with little bit of water. Keep the gravy paste ready.
• Meantime, in the vessel add oil for tempering. Add Hing, mustard seeds, jeera and curry leaves first.
• Then, add the cut brinjals into the kadai / vessel. Add 2 tsp of turmeric powder and cook them with little water and salt. Cover the vessel and let the brinjals cook inside.
• When the brinjals get cooked three fourth, add the gravy paste from the mixer grinder into the vessel.
• Wash the mixer grinder with some water and pour all the gravy water into the vessel.
• Add required amount of salt and 1/2 tsp of sugar and mix the brinjals with the Gravy carefully making sure that the brinjals don't get mashed too much. Try to keep the brinjals in full shape inside the gravy.
• Let everything cook completely and the oil would ooze out of the dish slowly which indicates that the vankaya ulli karam is done perfectly.

Tips

Fry the spices till you get a nice aroma before grinding them for the gravy. This makes the gravy tastier.

Avoid making this dish with green brinjals or long fatty big brinjals. Try to make with small violet brinjals only to enjoy the heavenly taste of the masala.

Milagu Kuzhambu / Black Pepper Kuzhambu / Pathiya Kuzhambu

Milagu Kuzhambu / Black Pepper Kuzhambu / Pathiya Kuzhambu

Milagu Kuzhambu / Black Pepper Gravy is a spicy gravy made by boiling the tamarind extract with lots of freshly ground spices in it. Its generally eaten with hot rice and ghee. An excellent choice during rainy days and its given to ladies after delivery as  Pathiya Kuzhambu. Its ideal to make this Kuzhambu after festivals as we would have eaten lots of high calorie food during festivals. You can either prepare this without any additions or can add little small onions or garlic pods or some sliced brinjals into the Pepper Gravy. I made it with small onions this time and the aroma and flavour is unique. Addition of Gingelly Oil ( Nalla Yennai ) to this Kuzhambu definitely enhances its taste.

 

Ingredients
Tamarind Extract - 5 to 6 Cups
Small Onion - Between 12 and 15 peeled.
Salt - To Taste
Jaggery - 1 small pinch
Oil - 1 tbsp
Gingelly Oil / Nalla Yennai -  2 tbsp
Hing / Asafoetida - 1 Dash
Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

For Grinding

Coriander Seeds - 2 tbsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
Jeera / Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Channa Dal  / Kadalai Paruppu - 2 tsp
Urad Dal / Ulutham Paruppu - 3 tsp
Black Peppercorns - 3 tbsp
Dry Red Chillies - 5 Big ones

Procedure  

• Soak the tamarind in warm water for half an hour and extract its juice completely. Prepare an extract of around 5-6 cups and keep it ready.
• In the kadai, dry roast all the ingredients mentioned under Grinding till you get a nice aroma. Then make a spicy grounded powder and keep it ready.
• In the same kadai / cooking pan, add oil first. When its heated, add Hing / Asafoetida and mustard seeds. When it starts sputtering, add small onions, curry leaves  in succession. Fry them for 2-3 minutes.
• Finally add the tamarind extract and the grounded powder, salt, jaggery into the cooking pan. Mix them well and allow them to reduce in quantity.
• When the quantity gets reduced to nearing half, add the Gingelly oil and allow them to cook for another 3-4 minutes.
• Switch off the flame and serve this with hot white rice and little ghee. After its cooled completely, it can be stored in a container and it would stay for at least 10 days. 

Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala, a rich creamy gravy dish is a very popular North Indian Side dish. Fresh Paneer cubes inside the rich, creamy tomato gravy makes the dish more exotic and the wonderful flavours of the Indian spices add more flavour to the dish.  I tasted the same "Paneer Butter Masala" in various places like "Sagar.." hotels in Bangalore, in trains, in many good restaurants in South India and in various restaurants in New Delhi, etc., Every version of this dish has its own taste and preparation style. I am sharing my version with all of you, though many of you would be preparing and enjoying this dish in your own way.  As its my daughter's favourite, I make this often for her.

Ingredients

Fresh Paneer Cubes - 2 Cups

Onion - 1 Big

Tomato - 2 Medium

Green Chillies - 1 Medium

Cashew Nuts - 1 Handful ( Optional ) ( You can substitute this with Almonds )

Turmeric Powder  - 1 tsp

Dry Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp

Garam Masala Powder  - 3 tsp

Coriander Powder - 2 tsp

Sugar - A pinch

Salt - To Taste

Ginger Garlic Paste -  1 tbsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

Butter or Ghee - 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds ( Jeera ) - 1 tsp

Fresh Cream - 2 tsp ( Optional )

Coriander Leaves - To Garnish

Method

• In a big non-stick vessel \pan, shallow fry the Paneer cubes with 1 tsp of oil and keep them aside.
• Cut the onions, tomato and green chili and fry them on the same vessel with little bit of oil and make a smooth paste of those using a mixer grinder by adding a handful of Cashew nuts to this mixture. If you don't like to use cashews, substitute this with a handful of almonds and make a fine, smooth grounded paste.
• In the same vessel, add butter or ghee and the remaining oil. When it gets heated up, add the cumin seeds first.
• Then, add the Ginger Garlic paste into the oil and fry them on a low flame till the raw smell completely vanishes.
• After its done, add the grounded paste into the non-stick vessel. Add all the powders as mentioned above along with Salt and a pinch of sugar.
• Mix everything well and let them cook on a medium flame for sometime. When the oil gets separated from the mixture, its an indication that the tomato gravy is almost done.
• Add the fried paneer cubes into the gravy now and close the lid. Let it cook for a minute.
• Switch off the flame and finally add the fresh cream to the Paneer Butter masala and mix it well.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and add few drops of fresh cream on the top just before serving.
• It goes well with roti, chappathi or with any variety of  rice pulav.

Tips \ Variations

If you fry the tomatoes and onion before grinding, the preparation time for making the gravy is lesser.

You can always substitute Cashews with Almonds and also the fresh cream at the end is totally optional. Add fresh cream only if its made for a party or for a larger crowd. Fresh cream adds richness, sweetness to the side dish.

You can increase or decrease the spice powder levels according to your taste buds.

Egg Masala / Muttai Masala

Egg is a powerhouse of disease fighting nutrients, has high amount of protein along with good fat, iron, vitamins and minerals.  Egg Yolks are one of the greatest source of riboflavin, B12 and choline which helps in brain development and protect us from age related memory loss. Combination of eggs with some good fat is an excellent breakfast for kids. Though I am not an eggetarian, I make different varieties using eggs for my kids. Out of that, this dish "Egg Masala" was introduced by my mother-in--law and loved by my family...This dish would help mostly during travel time.

Ingredients

Boiled Eggs -- 7 or 8

Onion - 2 Medium

Tomato - 1 Big or 2 Small

Green Chilli - 2 Medium

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Red chilli powder - 2 tsp

Garam Masala Powder - 3 tsp

( This powder is homemade, made by my mother-in-law using fresh spices like Cinnamon, Cloves, Other masala spices. You can use the regular garam masala powder you use at home otherwise).

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

Salt - To Taste

Jaggery - 1 small piece.

Coriander Leaves - To Garnish

Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp

Curry Leaves - 1 Stem

Thick Tamarind Juice - Half a cup

Oil - 2 tbsp

Hing \ Asafoetida - 1 Dash

Method

• Hard boil the eggs and peel the outer skin and keep them ready. Cut the onions, tomato, green chilli and keep them ready too.
• In a kadai or any non-stick vessel, add the oil. When it gets heated up, add the Hing, mustard seeds, jeera, curry leaves.
• After tempering is done, add the Ginger Garlic Paste first and fry them till the raw smell completely goes off.
• Add the cut onions, green chilli into the kadai \ vessel and fry them till the onions get golden brown. Add the tomato pieces along with the other powders and cook them well.
• Cover the lid on a low flame for few minutes so that the powders get well mixed and would be forming a semi gravy.
• Add the tamarind extract now along with salt and a piece of jaggery.
• Cook them well for few minutes. Then, add the boiled eggs into the gravy and allow them to cook inside the gravy for few minutes with the lid open.
• Finally when the gravy is set, garnish the dish with coriander leaves and serve them with hot rice or rotis.

Tips \ Variations

You can fry the Hard boiled Eggs before adding them into the gravy. This enhances the taste of the Egg masala.

Try to make a perfect , semi solid gravy first and then add the eggs. Don't add the eggs in the beginning stage itself.

According to your taste buds, you can increase or decrease the chilli powder, garam masala powders as well.

Mamidikaya Pappu \ Mango Dal \ Maangai Paruppu

Mango, an Indian Native fruit is widely used in Indian cuisine. Ripe Mangoes can be eaten as it is and also be used in the preparation of  Desserts, Shakes, etc. whereas Raw Mangoes are widely used in regular cooking. Dishes made out of these raw mangoes always have an unbeatable flavour and they are mouth watering. In Andhra cuisine, a Dal based dish called "Mamidikaya Pappu" is very famous which is made with the combination of Lentils and raw mangoes.  Whenever we get fresh mangoes in our  market, I try to make this tangy, spicy pappu at home definitely. With these raw mangoes, I do make "Mangai Sambar", "Mangai Mor Kuzhambu" sometime..I will share these recipes too in the following week.  I am sure you will love all the Raw Mango recipes.

Ingredients

Raw Mango - 1 Medium ( Sour )

Toor Dal \ Kandhi pappu  - Half a cup

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Salt - To Taste

Green chillies -- 2 Medium

Red chilli powder -- 1 tsp

For Tempering

Oil - 1 tbsp

Hing \ Asafoetida -- 1 Dash

Mustard Seeds -- 2 tsp

Cumin Seeds \ Jeera -- 1 tsp

Urad Dal \ Ulutham Paruppu \ Minna Pappu - 1 tsp

Channa Dal \ Kadalai Paruppu \ Senaga Pappu - 1 tsp

Curry Leaves -- 5 or 6

Dry Red Chillies -- 2

Garlic Cloves --- 1 or 2 crushed.

Method

• Wash and peel the skin off the raw mango. Cut the mango into different medium pieces and keep them ready.
• In a pressure cooker, cook the raw mango along with the toor dal, turmeric powder, green chillies and some water in a vessel inside. Cook them for 4 whistles and switch the flame off.
• When the cooker gets cooled completely, take out the vessel and mash the dal and the cooked mango but leave some pieces of the mango as it is.
• Add required amount of salt and red chilli powder to the Pappu and allow them to cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Finish the tempering process separately and pour them over the cooked mango dal\ pappu.
• Mix them well and its ready to eat with hot white rice with a side of papads.

Tips

If the raw mango is not sour or has ripen a little bit, don't try to make this dish with that mango as the pappu's taste will not be as expected.

Don't add more toor dal while making this Mamidikaya pappu as the dal might inject more blandness to the dish.

Variations

If you don't like to use garlic in the tempering, you can omit Garlic and do the tempering process with the rest of the ingredients.

Methi Kadhi / Methi Kadi / Methi in Buttermilk gravy

Methi Kadhi / Methi Kadi / Methi in Buttermilk gravy

Kadhi / Kadi is a lightly sour gravy made using thick curd or thick buttermilk and its an excellent choice for jeera rice, methi parathas or any types of pulav or parathas. In South India, the gravy made using curd or buttermilk is called as "Mor Kuzhambu" whereas in north india, they name the gravy as "Kadhi / Kadi". Preparation of both the versions is totally different and each version have their unique taste. Whenever I have leftover curd in large quantities, I always make this kadhi either plain or with methi leaves or pakodis. This version is made using our fresh home grown methi leaves. My Husband loves to have a side of Kadhi every night with his rotis and parathas. As its summer, I often include this item in our meal along with our regular subzis.

Ingredients

Thick Sour / Lightly Sour Curd - 2 Cups

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds / Jeera - 1 tsp

Curry Leaves - 3 or 4

Dry Red Chillies - 2

Fresh Methi leaves - 1 cup washed and chopped.

Salt - To Taste

Sugar - 1 tsp

Green Chillies - 1 medium finely chopped.

Besan Flour - 1 tbsp

Oil - 4 tsp

Water - As Required.

Procedure

• Wash and chop the fenugreek / methi leaves and keep it ready. In a bowl, add the besan flour and thick sour curd and beat them well.
• In a vessel, add oil first. When its heated, add mustard seeds, jeera, dry red chillies, curry leaves in succession. When the tempering is done, add the chopped green chillies and methi leaves, turmeric powder, Hing and fry the leaves on a low flame for 2 minutes.
• Add little water to the vessel and cover the lid so that the methi leaves get cooked inside with the steam thoroughly.
• When its done, add the beaten curd into the vessel along with salt and sugar. Add water if the desired consistency is not achieved. I generally make this kadhi not too thick or watery. I prefer the middle consistency, so add water according to the consistency you prefer.
• Allow the Kadhi to boil for 4-5 minutes and switch off the flame.
• Healthy methi kadhi is now ready to be enjoyed in your meal. Serve this in small bowls as a side during the meal time.

Dondakaya Masala / Kovakkai Masala / Tindora Masala

Dondakaya Masala / Kovakkai Masala / Tindora Masala

Kovakai / Dondakaya / Tindora / Ivy Gourd vegetable is widely used in Indian Cuisine. We prefer to make a simple fry using this vegetable as its a good accompaniment in any meal. But I tried to give a twist with an idea given by my friend and made a gravy " Kovakai Masala". It goes well with both chappathis/ rotis and rice. My dear blogger friends, try this masala once during parties or during the get-together in our regular party menu and I am sure you will elated with the appreciations.!!!

Ingredients

Kovakkai / Dondakaya - 15 to 20 fresh.

Salt - To Taste

Sugar - 1 Pinch

Turmeric Powder - 2 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

For Tempering

Hing / Asafoetida - 1 Dash

Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

Urad Dal / Ulutham Paruppu - 2 tsp

Curry Leaves - 1 stick

For the Gravy Paste

Cashew Nuts - 6 or 7 full

Khus Khus - 2 tsp

Dry Red Chillies - 5 or 6

Coconut flakes - 2 tsp

Ellu / Sesame Seeds - 2 tsp

Groundnuts / Peanuts - Around 10 full

Method

1. Wash the Ivy Gourd thoroughly and slit them lengthwise and keep them ready.
2. In a frying pan / kadai, dry roast all the ingredients for making the gravy paste. Transfer them into a mixer grinder and grind them into a thick gravy paste.
3. In the same pan, add oil first. When its heated, finish the tempering process by adding all the ingredients.
4. Then, add the cut Tindora into the kadai and fry them for 2 minutes.
5. Add the turmeric powder and a pinch of sugar and sprinkle some water for the vegetable to get cooked. Cover the pan with a lid and allow the vegetable to get cooked three fourth and not fully.
6. When its done to that level, add required amount of salt and the grounded paste. Pour some water to the pan if its too thick and not in gravy consistency.
7. Mix the contents completely and allow them to cook for 5-6 minutes. Stir the masala in the middle to make sure that its not turning black at the bottom.
8. Cook for few more minutes and switch off the flame after you get the desired gravy consistency. Raw smell of the paste should be off completely and you would notice the oil getting visible on top of the gravy which indicates the completion point.
9. Switch off the flame and transfer the Ivy Gourd Masala into a serving bowl.
10. Enjoy this yummy Masala with your favourite rotis/ chappathis or white rice.

Tips / Variations

1. You can add some red chili powder if the gravy spiciness is not enough.
2. Don't overcook the vegetable in the beginning stage itself. 

Beetroot MorKootu \ Beetroot in Coconut Yogurt Gravy

Beetroot, a deep red rooted vegetable can be eaten either in cooked form or raw, shredded in salads. This mild sweetish vegetable is an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients. Juice of this vegetable helps in lowering the blood pressure and its useful for preventing cardiovascular problems.  Beetroot curry is the most common version made out of this vegetable. My mom used to make "Beetroot Morkootu" at home during my childhood. The gravy is made out of fresh coconut, green chillies, ginger, thick fresh yogurt and cumin seeds. Mild sweeter beetroots in the spicy, yogurt gravy is really delicious as it has varieties of taste inside.

Ingredients

Beetroot - 2 Medium

Oil -- 1 tbsp

Hing \ Asafoetida -- 1 Dash

Mustard Seeds -- 2 tsp

Urad Dal \ Mina Pappu \ Ulutham Paruppu - 1 tsp

Dry Red Chilli --- 1

Curry Leaves -- 1 stem

Fresh Shredded coconut -- Half cup

Green chillies -- 2

Cumin Seeds -- 1 tsp

Ginger - 1 tsp shredded

Fresh curd --- Half a cup

Salt - To Taste

Method

• Peel the skin off the Beetroot and cut them into small cubes or in any desired shape. Cook them in a vessel with little water.
• Grind a fine smooth paste of  fresh coconut flakes, green chillies, cumin seeds, ginger in a mixer grinder. Add little curd to the grinder while grinding. Keep the grounded paste ready on the side.
• After the beetroot is completely cooked, add the grounded paste from the grinder to the vessel and mix them well.
• Add required amount of salt to the vessel and allow them to cook for few minutes.
• Add the remaining fresh curd into the kootu now. Mix them well again.
• In a separate tadka \ tempering pan, add little oil followed by Mustard seeds, urad dal, red chilli, curry leaves and pour them over the Kootu. Now the Beetroot MorKootu is ready to be eaten.
• Its good to eat with Dal Rice, Vathakuzhambu rice or any tangy rice.

Mamidikaya Pappu \ Mango Dal \ Maangai Paruppu

Mango, an Indian Native fruit is widely used in Indian cuisine. Ripe Mangoes can be eaten as it is and also be used in the preparation of  Desserts, Shakes, etc. whereas Raw Mangoes are widely used in regular cooking. Dishes made out of these raw mangoes always have an unbeatable flavour and they are mouth watering. In Andhra cuisine, a Dal based dish called "Mamidikaya Pappu" is very famous which is made with the combination of Lentils and raw mangoes.  Whenever we get fresh mangoes in our  market, I try to make this tangy, spicy pappu at home definitely. With these raw mangoes, I do make "Mangai Sambar", "Mangai Mor Kuzhambu" sometime..I will share these recipes too in the following week.  I am sure you will love all the Raw Mango recipes.

Ingredients

Raw Mango - 1 Medium ( Sour )

Toor Dal \ Kandhi pappu  - Half a cup

Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp

Salt - To Taste

Green chillies -- 2 Medium

Red chilli powder -- 1 tsp

For Tempering

Oil - 1 tbsp

Hing \ Asafoetida -- 1 Dash

Mustard Seeds -- 2 tsp

Cumin Seeds \ Jeera -- 1 tsp

Urad Dal \ Ulutham Paruppu \ Minna Pappu - 1 tsp

Channa Dal \ Kadalai Paruppu \ Senaga Pappu - 1 tsp

Curry Leaves -- 5 or 6

Dry Red Chillies -- 2

Garlic Cloves --- 1 or 2 crushed.

Method

• Wash and peel the skin off the raw mango. Cut the mango into different medium pieces and keep them ready.
• In a pressure cooker, cook the raw mango along with the toor dal, turmeric powder, green chillies and some water in a vessel inside. Cook them for 4 whistles and switch the flame off.
• When the cooker gets cooled completely, take out the vessel and mash the dal and the cooked mango but leave some pieces of the mango as it is.
• Add required amount of salt and red chilli powder to the Pappu and allow them to cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Finish the tempering process separately and pour them over the cooked mango dal\ pappu.
• Mix them well and its ready to eat with hot white rice with a side of papads.

Tips

If the raw mango is not sour or has ripen a little bit, don't try to make this dish with that mango as the pappu's taste will not be as expected.

Don't add more toor dal while making this Mamidikaya pappu as the dal might inject more blandness to the dish.

Variations

If you don't like to use garlic in the tempering, you can omit Garlic and do the tempering process with the rest of the ingredients.