Spinach and Sweet corn soup

Today my hubby wanted  to have something hot  and little bit spicy to beat this chilly winter noon and my son is also unwell so i wanted to prepare something which both of them can have. so when i opened my fridge and i got these 2 vegies. For the first time i tried this combo in my soup and it was a really good. I had prepared only 6 bowls of this soup and everybody wanted to have more.I really felt very bad especially for my son.So next time when i prepare this make sure to make  double the quantity . 

My daughter's exams are  going on so her friend was here for combined studies.I offered her the soup and you know what did she say"its much  more better then that of packet soup".  She really made my day.So thought of sharing this simple,yummy and quick soup with you.It hardly take 15 mins to prepare.

Ingredients:-
Sweet corn(frozen)-1 cup
spinach-2 cups( chopped)
spring onion-1/2 cup chopped
garlic-1 big pod(chopped finely)
ginger-1inch piece( chopped)
pepper-2tsp(crushed)
maida-2tsp
butter-3tsp
milk-2cups
Method:-

• Boil sweet corn for 5mins or cook till tender.
• In the mean time chop both the vegetables, garlic and ginger and keep aside.
• Take a deep sauce pan and add 1tsp of butter.
• Saute white part of the spring onion along with giner and garlic.
• Now add spinach and crushed pepper. Saute for  about 2mins.
• Add Maida and 2tsp of butter and fry again for a min.
• Now slowly add  in milk and bring it to boil.
• Take half of the boiled  sweet corn and blend it in a blender just for a second.
• Now add the same along with the remaining sweet corn to the sauce and bring it to boil .
• Once it is done switch of the fire and serve hot.
• you can have it with garlic toast.

Brinjal podi or bajo(vaigana podi in konkani,baigan baja in bengali)

Podi or bajo is a fried dish which is usually served at tea time as a snack .In mangalore every other corner of the street you will get one shop who sells different kinds of fried podi's.We konkani GSB's want something in the evening along with our tea.So we prepare different types vegetable  podi's or bajo's in the evening.

                 

Ingredients:-

Brinjal(egg plant or vaigan)-1 Big(cut into triangle pieces)

chik pea flour(besan)-1cup
chilly powder-1tsp
asafoetida -1/2tsp
turmeric powder- a pinch(optional)
soda-bi-carbonate-a pinch(optional)
salt to taste
oil for frying.


Method:

• Mix all the ingredients.Add little water to make thick batter(should be dropping consistency ).
• Now heat a oil in a deep frying pan .
• Dip the brijal slices in the batter and deep fry till light brown in color or till crisp.Serve hot with spicy tomato sauce or with mint chutney.

bottle gourd halwa(duddi,lauki,garduddey halwo

As we all know bottle gourd has many properties that are valued in traditional healing.Bottle gourd is low in fat. cholesterol yet high in dietary  fibre. It contains 96% water ,rich in iron and very good source of vitamin as it contains vitamin B and C. It is low in sodium  and potassium making suitable for hypertensive patients.It is excellent for light ,low -cal diets,as well as for children and for people with digestive problems, diabetes and convalescents.

       Its high water content makes it very cooling.Bottle gourd is very valuable in treating urinary disorders.It serves as an  alkaline  mixture for treating burning sensation in urinary passage due to high acidity of urine and this vegetable is very much recommended for jaundice patients.

     

Ingredients:

Bottle gourd-1(about a kg)(grated)

sugar-1cup

jaggery-1/2 (grated)

ghee(clarified butter)-1 cup

cardamom-5 pods(powdered)

cashew nut fried in ghee for garnishing 

Method :-

• Take a deep pan and start cooking bottle gourd till all the water dries up (normally water is squeezed from the gourd to make the process faster but i prefer this way because of the health benefit )
• Now add sugar and  jaggery ,stir till both sugar and jaggery  dissolves .
• Now add ghee and continue frying till its dry and leaves the sides of the pan.
• Now add cardamom powder and mix it nicely and switch off the gas.
• Garnish with fried cashew nuts.

Try this  tasty healthy dish and you really like this and for your queries leave your comments . I will be glad to help if you have any doubt about this recipe.

chicken fried rice

Chinese fried rice

This Chinese dish is easy, tasty and healthy too.Awhole some meal by itself. Whenever i am tired or in a hurry i just prepare this dish.My kids love this dish.YOU can have it without any side dish too.

Ingredients:-

chicken mince:-1 cup

carrot-1 finely chopped

spring onion-3-4 springs chopped

capsicum-1chopped

soya sauce-1tsp

basmathi rice-2 cups(short grain )

Pepper powder-1tsp

Egg-2nos

ajjinomotto(mono sodium- glutamate)  -a pinch(optional)

oil-2tbsp

salt to taste.

Method:-

chopped veg for fried rice

• Boil 2lts of water in a sauce pan to prepare rice.
• when it come to boil drop rice and salt ,cook till done.Rice should not be over cooked.So keep on checking the rice.
• Now drain the water and allow the rice to cool.
• Now keep ready all the  vegetables chopped. 
• Make  the scrambled eggs ready for the rice.
• Heat the oil in a wok or take a big sized pan.Now drop white part of the onions chopped and fry for few seconds.
• Add chicken mince and  salt to taste.stir until its cooked.
• Now add carrots and capsicum along with ajjinomotto if you are using.Now give it a quick stir.
• Add soy sauce, and pepper powder.Do not add too much salt as we have already added some salt to the rice and soy sauce too contains salt.so just a pinch of salt is more than enough.
• Now add cooked rice and again give it a quick stir.
• At last add scrambled eggs and chopped green part of the spring onion.Mix it well and serve hot with soy sauce,chilly vinegar.

chicken fried rice

Note:- The rice grains will not  be sticky if you use little lime juice while cooking the rice.

crispy babycorn fingers

Ingredients:-
babycorn- 6-8
chilly powder-1tsp
soya sauce-1/2tsp
maida-1tbsp
cornflour-1tbsp
wheat flour-1tbsp
ginger-garlic Paste-2tsp
soda-bi-carbonate-a pinch(optional)
salt to taste

Method:-

• cut the baby corn into two pieces as shown in the photo.
• Now mix all the ingredients  add little water along with baby corns and  so that the it mixes  nicely coated with the corn.
• Now heat oil in a deep frying pan and drop one by one.
• Fry till golden brown.
• Serve hot with tomato chilly sauce.

chicken cutlets

Ingredients:-

1. chicken mince-1/2 kg
2. onion-1big(chopped finely) 
3. ginger-1inch piece
4. garlic-10 cloves
5. soy sauce-1tsp
6. spring onion-1spring(chopped)
7. pepper powder-1tsp
8. green chilly-1 chopped
9. garam masala-1
10. salt to taste.

For the coating:-

egg-2 

maida-2tbsp

cornflour-1tbsp

wheat semolina(rava)-2tsp

Method:-

• Add all the ingredients in a food processor and mix it nicely.
• Now take it out in a bowl and start making round shaped cutlets with oiled hands and refrigerate for 1/2 hour
• Mix maida,cornflour and wheat semolina(rava)together and keep for coating the cutlets.
• After 1/2 hour take cutlets out of the fridge and dip it in the beaten eggs and then coat it with maida mixture.
• Heat oil in a  frying pan and  fry cutlets to a golden brown.Serve hot with tomato chilly sauce.

 

Appo(Kuli paniyaram,paddu in kannada,gundu ponglu in telugu,phad in marathi)..Onion appo

Paddu or appo is a specialty of Karnataka. It is also famous in tamil nadu but in different name,they call it Paniyaram and for onion paddu they call kuli Paniyaram.The same dosa batter is used for making this delicious "appo"(as we call it in konkani).Normally my mom used to make plain appo but after marriage i came to Belgaum .Here kannadiga's call it paddu and marati's call it phad.My neighbor used to give me onion stuffed paddu and it is like south indian uttappa.So today i wanted to share this recipe with you all.

Ingredients:

1. Parboiled rice-3cup
2. urad dal(uddid dal) -1cup
3. beaten rice(avallaki)-1/4 cup
4. fenugreek(methi) seeds-1/4tsp
5. salt to taste.

• Soak rice,urad dal,beaten rice and fenugreek seeds for about 6 hours.
• Now after 6hours of soaking grind to a smooth paste(much like dosa batter).
• Add salt(2tsp) and keep the batter in a warm place to ferment for about 8-10 hours or preferably overnight.
• Next day to prepare appo take  "appya kayli" paddu tava,keep it over the fire and start filling the small round shaped well.
• Pour some oil before adding batter to get that crispy appo.now cover and cook till 1min or till done
• now turn the paddus using sharp knife or with the spoon to fry on the other side(now nonstick paddu tava is also available with its accessories).Again put some oil and fry for another 1/2min or till done.
• serve hot with chutney.                                           

 

For the onion paddu or appo:

onion-2 (finely chopped )

green chillies-2 (finely chopped)

coriander leaves-(finely chopped)

Method:

Mix chopped onion,green chillies and coriander leaves and put little inside hole.now drop a spoon full of the batter.

Onion paddu @jo's

onion paddu @ jo's

Note:-when frying appo/paddu make sure the flame is low otherwise paddu will be raw and under cooked  from inside and will burn from outside.so always check your gas flame.

pumkin upkari(G S B konkani's style)

Upkari can be prepared with any of the vegetables.Its a dry dish almost all konkani's (GSB) prefer upkari daily as  a side dish for lunch or dinner.It is less spicy and  a simple dish.

 Ingredients:

pumpkin -1small(cut into cubes)

mustard-1tsp

asafoetida- a pinch

dry red chilly-2

coconut-2tbsp(grated)

coconut oil-2tsp

salt to taste

Method:

Add some coconut oil in a kadai(deep frying pan),drop some mustard when its  starts spluttering add red chillies cut into pieces along with asafoetida.Now add pumpkin pieces,salt and water to cook the vegetable.cover and cook till 

                 

oats fruit n nut in papaya basket..a complete breakfast

If you think oat meal is boring then i bet if you taste this then you too add oats to your daily diet.Oats may help lower cholesterol  and reduce  the risk of heart disease,type 2 diabetes,it also helps to reduce your weight, blood pressure.It contains vitamins,minerals and antioxidants and is a good source of protein,complex carbohydrates and iron.

       This recipe is not only tasty but healthy too specially with this fruit and nut combination.

  Ingredients:      

Papaya-1 medium( cut in to half)

oat meal-2cups

Milk-2cups(cold)

sugar or honey to taste(optional)

chikoo (sapodilla)- 2 (sliced ) 

dates-10(sliced)

banana-1(chopped finely)

almonds-10(sliced)

cashew nut-5(crushed)                                           

Method:-

• scoop out the papaya, make cubes. Try to scoop out the pulp and make a bowl shape out of papaya.From 1papaya you will get 2bowls.

 

• cook oat meal with 2cups of water.
• now add cold milk and stir.oats should not b too watery or thick.
• Now mix in papaya cubes,pulp,chikoo slices and all the other ingredients.Mix it nicely .
• At last pour some honey and serve.

choco carrot halwa...its different !!

Ingredients:
carrots-1kg(grated)
Full cream milk-1/2liter
sugar-3/4 cup
chocolate horlicks -2 heaped tbsp(any drinking chocolate will do)
ghee-1/2cup
cardamom powder-a pinch
nutmeg powder- a pinch
nuts for garnishing
Method:

• Pressure cook carrots and milk for 20mins.
• After some time open the cooker.
• now start cooking again on a high heat till the mixture is almost dry.
• add sugar and continue stirring all the time.
• when the sugar is fully dissolved ,add ghee and choco powder, stir till the ghee leaves the side of the vessel.
• switch off the fire .
• add cardamom and nutmeg powder.
• garnish with almonds,cashew and melon seeds.

chicken varuval (dry dish)... a spicy kerala cuisine

ingredients:

chicken-1kg

onion-4 sliced

tomato-4 chopped

curry leaves-10no

tamarind paste-2tsp

dry red chillies -2

turmeric powder-1tsp

chilly powder-1tsp

pepper powder1/2tsp

coriander leaves for garnishing.

For the masala mix:

1. cloves-8-10
2. cardamom-4
3. coriander seeds-2tbsp
4. cinnamon-3 small pieces
5. cumin-2tsp
6. fennel seeds- 2tsp
7. dry coconut-3tbsp(grated)
8. dry red chillies-5(kashmiri red chilles)
9. giner-1inch piece
10. garlic-1 big pod

Method;

• Marinate the chicken with lemon,turmeric, pepper,red chilly powder and salt to taste for at least 1 hour.
• Prepare masala mix by grinding all the ingredients from 1-10 to a fine paste without adding water.
• Fry onions till light brown .Take half of  the fried onion for garnishing.

• Now add  some curry leaves,whole red chillies and chopped tomatoes and marinated chicken
• cover it with a lid and cook for about 15mins

• Now add the masala mix and tamarind paste .cook till masala is dry and oil comes on top
• Garnish with coriander and fried onions. 

Sannas( a goan dish)

Goan sannas are my all time  favorite.In Manglore normally Bunts or shettys and chirstians  used to eat this. They prepare this with toddy(sooru).In goa they serve  sannas with sorpotel or any other goan dishes like vindaloo or chicken xacuti.With both the dishes it tastes yum.The sannas  which u get in goa are sweet when compared to mangalore sannas .I use little less sugar for my sannas.

                         



Ingredients;

1. Boiled rice(ookda tandul or cutsambar in konkani,kuchallkki in kannada , parboiled rice, dosa idli rice)-2 cups
2. white rice(surai in konkani,belthigey akki in kannada )-1/2 cup
3. Active dry yeast-1 heaped spoon
4. surar-1tsp (for making yeast solution)
5. sugar -2tsp(for the batter)
6. coconut milk-1cup

Method:

• Soak both the rice for about 12hours or overnight.
• Next morning grind to smooth paste.Normally for idli batter we grind rice little coarse but for sannas the batter should be like dosa batter but thinner than that.
• Now add coconut milk, sugar2tsp and salt .Mix it well till sugar dissolves.
• Now take 1tbsp warm water for making yeast solution.Add a tsp salt and active dry yeast and mix it nicely till yeast dissoleves completley.
• Keep it for 10mins or till you see the froth over the yeast solution that means its mixed and fermented.we use sugar because it helps yeast to dissolve faster.
• Now mix the solution properly and add this to the batter,give it a nice stir .
• keep the batter in a warm place to femenant.Normally it takes about 2hours to ferment.But in winter season it will take little longer so keep till the batter rise to top.
• Always use bigger vessele because the batter rises 3times .
• After 2hours keep the idli steamer filled with water over the fire.
• Grease the gindals (gindals means idli moulds in konkani) or any small size bowls also will do.

• 

   here i have used different  size bowls

  Fill the idli cups half full so when it steams it rises  and  becomes nice fluffy.Always remember not to stir the batter once its fermented.So take batter from the top and start filling the gindals without disturbing the rest of the idli batter.Carry this procedure very gently.
• Now steam this for  about 15minutes .Open the lid and take out the idli bowls and let it cool before taking it out.If it is hot then sannas  will break up easily.
• serve hot  with any curries.



           

papayya chicken!!

My husband loves to cook as much as i do and this is one of his recipes that my family loves!! (there are never any leftovers!)

Hearty and flavorful, chili is my go-to recipe when the weather turns cooler. Serve with a side of rice and you have a comforting dish. Plus, it makes the house smell amazing while it simmers. You'll notice a trend with this pepper fry... they're fast, easy and very tasty!

  This dish is very simple, easy to make and zero oil has been used.Those who are in diet its worth trying as it contains healthy ingredients like curd , pepper and lots n lots of curry leaves.

Ingredients;

chicken-1/2 kg

pepper-2 tbsp(you can adjust according to your taste)

green chilly-3

3 whole dry red chillies

curd-1 cup

curry leaves-2 springs

turmeric- 1/2tsp

salt to taste

Method;

• 1st crush the pepper in a mixer to a coarse powder. but personally i prefer pounding by hand.I use this for crushing  pepper, garlic, ginger  and for all types of  whole spices.This was my grand mom's gift to me. 

• Now marinate the chicken with all the above ingredients  and rest this for at least 2 hours in a refrigerator.
• Now take a kadai or deep pan and put the marinated chicken  and start cooking 1st on high flame for 10 mins and then lower the flame and keep on stirring till its completely dry.If  you want little more fresh pepper then just sprinkle some fresh crushed pepper before serving. 

Note:For better taste and texture you can marinate the chicken overnight .

Crispy Egg pakoda....

This snack is quite famous in Mumbai streets.You can prepare this for your parties  or just have it like your evening snack.Goes well with sweet and sour mint chutney or with tomato chilly sauce.I prepared this for my son's birthday party and it was a hit.It goes well for your cocktail parties....Easy,quick and tasty too.

Ingredients:

1. Egg-5(hard boiled)
2. Besan(chikpea flour)-1/4 kg
3. green chilly- 2-3
4. coriander-2tsp(coarsely ground)
5. cumin(jeera)- 1tsp
6. chilly powder-1/2tsp
7. coriander leaves-2tsp(chopped)
8. soda-bi-carbonate - a small pinch
9. salt to taste
10. oil for deep frying.

Method:

• Hard boil the eggs and keep it aside to cool.
• In the meantime mix all the ingredients from no 2-9 in a deep bowl adding little water to make a smooth paste.Paste should be thick.
• After that cut the each egg into 4 halves.
• Heat the oil into kadai or deep frying pan 
• Now dip the eggs in a besan mixture and drop it in a hot oil.

Note:If you want that nice crispy pakoda then 1st fry the pakoda for a few mins or till the outside batter is  properly cooked.Take the pakoda out of the oil.Finish frying all the pakoda the same way.Then immediately re-fry the pakoda in the  that same oil till crisp.

Matki(moth beans)Sambar

ingredients :

1. sprouted matki-2cups
2. onion-2 chopped
3. tomato-2 chopped
4. potato-2 cubed

ingredients for the sambar masala:

1. red chillies-10
2. coriander seeds-2tsp
3. jeera(cumin)-1tsp
4. sesame seed(black)-1/2tsp
5. asafoetida(hing)- a small pinch
6. coconut-2tbsp(grated)
7. tamarind-marble sized ball

ingredients for the seasoning;

mustard-1/2tsp

curry leaves-8-10

coconut oil-2tsp

coriander leaves for garnishig

method for sprouting;Soak matki beans over night and next day   you can use 1 clean cloth .Put all this sprouts in a cloth,tie it and keep it in a dark place for sprouting.But i use different method here.Here i have used rice strainer.Just put the beans and cover it up with a plate and place some heavy thing over the plate.The same night sprout is ready to use.But here i have kept for 24 hours becoz of winter season.Normally sprout will appear in 6-8 hours.

Mehod for making sambar masala:

• dry roast all the ingredients from 1-7 and grind this to a fine paste.

Method for preparing the main dish:

• pressure cook  all the ingredients from 1-4 for 30mins.
• Once the matki is done.oper the pressure cooker lid and transfer the cooked matki along with all the vegetable to a deep sauce pan.
• Add salt and bring to a boil
• Now add masala paste and boil further.
• Switch off the gas
• Now take a small pan and put some coconut oil or any other oil of your choice.heat the oil,add some mustard when it splutters add curry leaves and switch off the fire.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.