Simple Food Recipes

Pesto penne pasta with veggies and beans

2012-08-07T23:13:00.001-04:00

Ingredients :
For 1 medium size aluminum tray serving 3 cups of whole wheat dry pasta.

Olive oil
Sun dried tomatoes or small cherry tomatoes
Carrots thinly sliced
Green beans thinly sliced or can of French cut green beans
1/2 cup green peas or Lima beans
1 and 1/2 cup soaked dark red kidney beans
Zucchini 1
Broccoli heads
Red chilli flex
Garlic cloves 4
Cashew nuts/toasted pine nuts
Parmesan cheese
Mozerella cheese
Basil leaves
Dry oregano leaves
onions 1 medium
Fresh parsley
Salt
Black pepper
Green chillies

Steps:
1. Boil soaked dark red kidney beans in pressure cooker, 3 whistles should be enough.

2. Toast pine nuts/ cashews. Grind nuts, basil leaves, olive oil, mozerella cheese together to make green pesto sauce.

3. Blanch carrots, green beans, peas/lime beans, broccoli.

4. Boil penn pasta as per package instructions. Add salt to pasta boiling water.

5. Drain pasta ( you can also use shell pasta/bow tie pasta. These varieties look very pretty and make falourful dish compared to penne)and spread it in aluminum tray.

6. Heat olive oil in a pan and heat it. Add chopped garlic . Once garlic is fragrant add thinly sliced red onion ,cubed zucchini and cook till tender. You can also add sliced green or chillies or broken red chillies at this stage if you want extra heat.

7. Spread above mixture,blanched veggies, boiled beans, sun dried tomatoes( I squeeze out oil if they are oil packed) on top of pasta.

8. Add pesto sauce , salt, pepper, dried oregano leaves, red chilli flex, crumbled mozerella cheese. > Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently

9. Season with cilantro and Parmesan cheese.

This colorful dish is a good starter/ side dish for parties, pot lucks Also first thing that gone from table :)

Hope you have fun making it and eating it... - By Swapna G

Summer Vegetable Ratatouille

2012-07-06T11:43:00.000-04:00

Ingredients
• 2 onion, sliced into thin rings
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium eggplant, sliced into discs
• 2 zucchini, sliced into discs
• 2 medium yellow squash, sliced into discs
• 1/2 cup mushrooms sliced
• 2 green bell peppers, seeded and sliced into rings
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into rings
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• dried oregano
• dried or fresh Thyme
• dried or fresh Basil
• salt and pepper to taste
• small can of tomato paste
• Parmesan cheese

Preparation Steps

1. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoon of the oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft.

2. Preheat oven to 375F

3. Generously coat a baking dish with Olive oil

4. Spread the onion mixture on the baking dish

5. Top it with tomato paste. Stir in Bay leaf, Basil, Thyme,Oregano, black pepper and salt as per your taste.

6. Let it bake for 5 min and stir occasionally.

7. Coat all vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper.

8. Arrange eggplant slices first, red bell pepper, yellow squash, zucchini , mushroom slice concentrically just like you see in movie :)

9. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese.

10. Throw some Italian herbs and black pepper on top to bring more flavor.

11. Drizzle 1 tsp of olive oil with spoon on top

12. Let it bake for 45 min. Sprinkle the fresh parsley on top.

13. Remove the bay leaf and serve on bed of white rice or pasta with Lettuce,carrots salad as side. Serve french bread or garlic bread to make it filling.

Upma (Uppit)

2012-06-10T18:27:00.001-04:00

Ingredients

Semolina 1 Cup

1 Small Onion

1 Small Tomato

2 Green chilli's

little curry leaves

little ginger

1 Tbsp Oil

3 cups water

Salt to taste

Steps to Prepare

1. Place a dry container on stove once little hot, add semolina into the container keep stirring for 5 min or until the color changes to little brown. Once roasted little take it out into bowl and allow it to cool.

2. Cut Onion, tomato, green chilli, ginger into small pieces.

3. Place a container on stove add oil once hot add poppu ingredients, once they splutter add onions, allow them to fry until golden brown. After a little while add curry leaves, ginger, green chilli, tomato keep stirring. Let them cook for a while.

4. Add 3 cups water, salt to taste and allow it to boil for some time.

5. Simmer the stove. add the roasted semolina to the boiling water and keep stirring it lightly. Make sure balls of semolina are not formed which will leave the inside portion of the ball uncooked.

6. Once the mixture reaches the thick consistency let it cook for 2-3 Min's on stove. Add cilantro for garnishing. And so, simple upma is ready to eat. Decorate to server as you wish.

Tips

1. Add more small cut vegetables(carrot, beans, peas, etc..) to make it more delicious.

2. Add ghee on top while serving for rich aroma, dry roasted cashews for more taste.

3. Add less water for thicker consistency and more water for thinner consistency.

Ministrone Soup - Olive Garden Style

2012-03-26T17:11:00.002-04:00

Recipe by Swapna G

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves minced garlic
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cans (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained
2 cans (15 oz) great northern or small white beans, drained
3 cups hot water
1/2 cup small shell pasta
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Spices

2 tablespoons minced parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Vegetables

1 small minced white onion
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen cut Italian green beans
1/2 stalk minced celery

1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup shredded carrot

4 cups fresh baby spinach

Steps for preparation

Step 1: Measure olive oil into a large stock pot and heat on medium.

Step 2: Put the onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini into the pot and saute for about 5 minutes or until the onions become see-through.

Step 3: Add the vegetable broth, drained tomatoes, beans, carrots, hot water and spices to the pot.

Step 4: Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 5: Add the spinach leaves and the pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes.

Step 6: Add salt at the end depending on the taste (make sure you add less initially since water gets evaporated, and canned beans have sodium included already)

So, the soup is done and ready in serving bowl as a main dish with garlic bread and vegetable garden salad dressed with ranch as sides.

Vanilla flavored, chocolate on the bottom, almond cookies

2012-02-15T18:21:00.003-05:00

Cookies made by Swapna.
This is a easy recipe for homemade delicious cookies. While you bake it, your whole home will smell so festive, that you can't resist these beautiful cookies....

Ingredients
Unsalted Butter – 1 stick (1/2 cup, 4 oz) at room temperature
Powdered Sugar – 1/2 cup
Vanilla flavour - 1/2 tsp
All Purpose Flour (Maida) – 1 cup
Baking Powder – 1/4 tsp
Salt – 1/8 tsp
almonds- soaked and sliced to put on cookies.
chocolate chips - to melt

Preparation Steps

Step 1. Preheat oven to 300 F
Step 2. In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar (little at a time) with the softened butter until mixture is light and creamy.

2. Add vanilla flavor and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, add All Purpose Flour with Baking Powder and Salt.

4. Combine Flour mixture (little at a time) with Butter Mixture to form a soft dough. It will be very soft.

5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
6. Knead dough once again and divide into 22 equal portions.
7. Roll each portion into a smooth ball with no cracks. Put a pie of almond in the middle of ball and place on a baking sheet.

7. Bake for 25 minutes.
8. Remove from oven. They will be soft when taken out. Cookies will harden after 5 mins once baked.
9. Melt the chocolate in microwave and apply to the bottom of cookie and refrigerate for 5 mins.
Do not leave cookies in freezer for more than 5 mins, they might get soggy. The chocolate will harden in freezer for 5 mins.
10 . Store in an air tight container at room temperature.

Vegetable Amchur Rice (Quick Tasty Rice)

2012-01-17T20:49:00.000-05:00

Ingredients
Rice 2 Cups (Basmathi/ Normal Sona Masoori)
Carrot 1 Cup Grated
Beans 1 Cup (Thin slices)
Onion1 Small
Green Chilli 2-3
Oil 2 Tbsp
Chilli Powder 1/2 Tbsp
Turmeric Powder 1/4 Tbsp
Amchur Powder 1.5 Tbsp
Salt to taste

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Wash and cook the rice.

Step 2: Wash and cut vegetables, Grated carrot, thinly sliced beans. If you want to add extra vegetables you can add but slice them very thin. Easy to fry.

Step 3: Place container on stove, add oil, once hot add sliced onions. Fry them to golden brown, now add cut green chilli, fry for 1-2 mins.

Step 3: Add all cut vegetables, let them fry for some time. Since vegetables are grated and thinly sliced simple fry should be ok to make them tender. If not you can add some water to cook.

Step 4: Once vegetables are well cooked add salt, turmeric powder, chilli powder mix with vegetables, let it sit for another 5 mins.

Step 5: Add the cooked rice into the above mixture now add Amchur powder to it, mix thoroughly. Add additional salt and Amchur powder if needed based on your taste.

That's all tasty veggie tangy simple quick Amchur rice is read to eat.

Tomato Chutney/ Pachadi

2012-01-06T22:01:00.000-05:00

Ingredients

Tomato's 3 Nos
Turmeric Powder 1/2 Tbsp
Chilli Powder 1 1/2 Tbsp (more if you want more spicy since it is chutney)
Methi Powder 1/4 Tbsp (FenuGreek Powder)
Oil 4 Tbsp
Salt to Taste

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Wash Tomato's and cut into small pieces.

Step 2: Place pan on stove top add oil, once hot add the cut Tomato pieces in the pan. Allow them to cook simmering the stove for a long time until Tomato's are cooked half way to smooth paste. (All the water or juices released from the Tomato's should evaporate while cooking. This is a very important step.) Do not close the lid of the pan keep it open so that water/ juices extracted will evaporate. Cook time may be around 15-20 min.

Step 3: Add salt to taste, turmeric powder and chilli powder, mix well. Allow it to further cook for next 10 min. By this time you should see oil separating from the mixture/ the mixture getting sticky to the pan. This is good indication that the water content in tomato's evaporated and tomato's are well cooked for the chutney.

Step 4: Add methi powder mix well and let it further cook for 2-3 Min's. Then take out the mixture in a serving bowl. At the same time place another small pan on stove top add 1 Tbsp of oil, once hot add 1 Tbsp of mustard let them splutter, add a pinch of methi powder again in the oil, take if off the stove.

Step 5: Mix the oil mustard mixture with the tomato mixture in a bowl and mix well.Taste and add salt if needed.

Cool the hot red tomato chutney is ready to eat with rice or roti (bread).

Tip: If you like garlic, cut garlic in to small pieces fry in oil and add to the tomato chutney mix well. Enjoy the Tomato chutney with Garlic taste also.

Taro Root Fry/ Chamadhumpa Fry/ Arbi Fry

2012-01-04T19:46:00.000-05:00

Ingredients
Taro Root 4-5 Pcs
Oil 3-4 Tbsp
Turmeric 1/4 Tbsp
Coriander Powder 1 Tbsp
Salt to Taste
Chilly Powder to Taste

Serves 2-3 People

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Wash Taro root thoroughly under running water to get rid of any mud stick to it.

Step 2: Pressure cook the Taro root with the skin for 2-3 vissels. Take off boiled Taro root from pressure cooker when there is no more steam. Put them in a container with cold water. Let them cool down for 5 min.

Step 3: Once they are slightly cool peel off the skin with the fingers. No need to use any peeler. Cut them into medium size pieces. Do not cut into small pieces now.

Step 4: Place a pan on stove top add oil, once hot, add the boiled cut Taro root pieces in the pan. Stir or mix until all the pieces are coated with the oil. Keep stirring every 5 Min's until all the sides of the pieces are fried to a dark/brown color.

Step 5: Before they are fully fried cut the pieces in to small eatable size, add salt to taste, turmeric powder, Chilly powder to taste, Coriander powder(Dhaniya powder) stir until the pieces are coated with the spices. Excessive stirring may make the pieces break off.

That's all once you feel the pieces are fried and look little crunchy the curry is ready. Let it settle for 5 min off the stove so that they may turn more crunchy. Enjoy the dry/ Crunchy Taro root Fry with rice or roti or as a side dish.

Mango Pie

2011-12-17T18:30:00.000-05:00

Mango Pie - from Swapna G

Ingredients

Mango pulp - 1 Can Laxmi brand Keasar Mango pulp is great

Heavy cream - half pt
Unflavoured Gelatine - 2 packets
Sugar - 1 cup
Cream cheese - 1(8 ounce)
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
Warm water - 1/4 cup
Graham cracker crust - 2

Steps to do
1. Boil heavy cream in a pan.

2. Mix the Gelatine in warm water and allow the Gelatine to get dissolved completely.

3. Blend the heavy cream and Gelatine together.

4. Add cream cheese and sugar into it and blend again.

5. Pour the mango pulp turn by turn into the blender and beat it, until the whole can of mango pulp is finished.

6. Add vanilla essence into the beaten pulp and beat again for a minute.

7. Pour the entire pulp into the graham cracker crust and refrigerate for almost 7 hours to set completely.

From one pie crust, u will be able to get 8 slices

Bean Casserole

2011-12-01T13:07:00.001-05:00

A recipe from my friend Swapna. Thanks for contributing to this blog.

Ingredients
    •    1 cup chopped onion (1 large) 
    •    3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (1 medium)  
    •    1 small can diced tomatoes and green peppers,  
    •    Jalapeno peppers 2
    •    Onion flex ( you can omit these. I do not like its taste)
    •    Garlic powder or Papa John's Garlic Pizza spice
    •    Red chili flex (again I used leftover from Papa John's pizza ;) 
    •    2 Teaspoons ground cumin (if you want to make it more spicy. Adjust the amount as per your need) 
    •    2 cloves garlic, minced  
    •    1 Can black beans or red kidney beans soaked over night and drained now.
    •    Soy chunks or soy balls (if you are meat person, put ground chicken ) 
    •    5 Roties/ Pita bread/ Naan or if you want to go fancy get store bought corn or flour tortilla. I used leftover Pita bread from my day before's Mediterranean dinner. 
    •    8 ounces reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (2 cups)  
    •    1 medium Tomato, chopped 
    •    2 cups shredded Lettuce  
    •    1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt (make sure yogurt is not watery but tough like sour cream)  

Directions
1. Take 10-15 soy balls in a bowl, pour water till 3/4 level and boil in microwave for 5 mins. After they soften, squeeze out all the water from them. Chop them fine like onion. You can put them in food processor to make course pieces.

2. In a large skillet combine onion, green pepper, undrained tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and garlic and soy pieces. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in beans.

3. Spread one-third of the bean mixture over the bottom of bowl(You can use fancy baking dish too ). Cover with Pita bread/ Tortillas/ Rotis, cover it up with 1 cup of the cheese. Add another one-third of the bean mixture; again cover with Tortillas and remaining bean mixture.

4. Bake, covered, in a 350 degrees F oven for 35 minutes. Keep checking in between. Sprinkle with another layer of cheese. Let stand 10 minutes.

5. Cut it like a cake and serve with cake knife (again save it from last birthday cake;)
Sprinkle some chili flex if you are one of those who do not feel full until your tongue is burnt.
Top with chopped shredded lettuce, cilantro and serve with yogurt dollop.

Serves
Makes 4 main-dish servings.

Tip: Serve with Grilled Jalapeno peppers on side.

I am thinking of making it more desi next time. I would recommend adding hot sauce to the bean mixture. If you have some Tomato salsa at home which is waiting to be finished , that can be added to bean mixture. Also some salt to bean mixture would not hurt. Before you add salt to bean mixture, find out how salty is your cheese.
Also instead of buying canned black beans, you can soak some red kidney beans at home and use them instead of canned black beans.

Enjoy...

Eggless Cake

2011-06-21T12:10:00.000-04:00

Ingredients

1 cup Maida(All purpose flour)
1/2 cup Sugar
1 Tbsp Baking powder
1/4 Tbsp Soda Powder
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Fresh Dates pieces
1/2 cup Almond pieces
1/2 cup Cashew pieces
1/2 cup Curd
1/2 cup Oil
1/2 Tbsp Vanilla Essence(Based of the flavour you want)

Preparation Steps:

1.Apply butter to the cake bowl.

2.Apply little maida in the cake bowl evenly.

3.Mix all the above ingredients (keep aside few cashew and badam for decoration) and pour them in the cake bowl.

4.After spreading the cake batter evenly decorate with remaining cashew and badam.

5.Bake at 350 Degrees for 30 minutes.

6. Optional - You can spread your choise of icing if you need on the cake and decorate it however you need.

Chayote Curry

2011-05-16T13:28:00.000-04:00

Ingredients
Chayote 2 Nos
Cooking Oil 2 Tbsp
Dhaniya Powder 1Tbsp
Jeera Powder 1/2 Tbsp
Red Chilli Powder 1 Tbsp
Turmeric Powder 1/4 Tbsp
Salt to Taste
Basan powder 1 Tbsp (optional)

Popu Ingredients

1/4 Tbsp Mustard

1/4 Tbsp Jeera
1/2 Tbsp Urad Dal

1/2 Tbsp Channa Dal (Senaga Pappu)

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Wash and peel the skin of the chayote. Cut into small pieces.

Step 2: Place container on stove, add 2 Tbsp cooking oil, once hot add poppu ingredients. Once they splutter add Curry leaves, and cut chayote pieces, stir and close lid, keep for some time.

Step 3: After 5 Min remove the lid add salt and turmeric powder, stir, close lid and keep it for another 5 mins.

Step 4: Once Chayote is well cooked, add dhaniya powder, jeera powder and chilli powder, stir and let it cook for another 2-3 mins without closing the lid. if needed you can add 1 Tbsp of besan powder, stir and cook for another 1-2 mins. Now the curry is ready to eat with rice or roti.

Home Made God Mandap.

2011-04-14T12:33:00.001-04:00

God's Mandap.

Steps for Constructing Mandap:

While making the mandap I did not take any photos, so I do not have much of the photos.

On request on have noted some steps below, if any help or doubt please post comments so that I can reply for the same. Thanks.

1. Get the required materials -

Aluminum wall beeding, Nuts & bolts, Hard card board, Golden paper, silver paper, bells, thermocol balls, thermocal rectangular cut pieces, Golden glitter powder, golden craft thread, golden color border's(from dollar store), glue, golden glitter glue.

You can find the below Aluminum wall beeding in Home Depot store.

2. Cut the aluminum wall beeding to construct and rectangular box frame of the desired size you wish to make the mandap.I made of the rectangular box frame of 36W X 28H X 15D (inches). Join the frame using nuts & bolt. From the base about the height of 9 inches (for some space for drawers) make the base for placing the Gods by joining the beedings

3. Cut the card board with the desired design you want for the mandap for the 4sides of the mandap and the gopuram. And also cut the cardboard for making the drawers. Glue the golden paper for the outside of the mandap and silver paper for the inside of the mandap.

4. Glue the finished cardboard to the frame to make the mandap and its gopuram.
5. Glue the thermocol balls & thermocal rectangular cut pieces with the golden glitter glue and spray some golder glitter powder on it to give it nice finish. With the golden paper make the cones to keep them on the thermocol balls. Place the balls on required places as shown in the mandap photo.

6. Use the golden border to place it on the four sides of the gopuram as required.
7. Make the holes on three sides( front, and 2 sides) of the base gopuram each at certain fixed distance. Pull the golden thread within that and place a bell within it before pulling it into next hole.
8. Use the golden thread to make the handles for the drawers. Place the drawers within the base of the mandap, may be use some round marbles below the drawers to give it the smooth flow.
9. Decorate the mandap as desired.
10. You can make a hole withing the gopuram to fix light fixture.

Peanut chutney (Palli Chutney)

2011-04-13T11:11:00.000-04:00

Ingredients:
1 cup peanuts
1 small onion
3 red chillis
2 green chillis
salt to taste.

Preparation Method
Step 1: Place a container on the stove, add peanuts, dry roast them. While roasting add red chillis towards the end and roast both together.

Step 2: Keep them aside and allow them to cool. Once cool if required you can peel off the peanuts skin by rubbing them with the hands.

Step 3: In the same container add little oil, once hot add cut onions and fry them for sometime, add green chillis and fry them with onions.Keep them aside and allow them to cool.

Step 4: Put rosted peanuts, red chillis, fried onions, green chillis, salt in a grinder and grind them to a fine paste.Add water to get required consistency.

And this delicious peanut chutney is ready to serve with idli or dosa.

Carrot-Beans Curry

2011-04-07T10:29:00.001-04:00

Ingredients
Carrot 2 Nos
Beans 1/4 Kg / 15-20 Nos
Grated Coconut (Optional)
Dhaniya powder
Chilli Powder
Few Curry leaves
Coriender leaves
Salt to taste
Oil 1 Tbsp
Water 1 Cup

Popu Ingredients

1/4 Tbsp Mustard

1/4 Tbsp Jeera

1/2 Tbsp Urad Dal

1/2 Tbsp Channa Dal (Senaga Pappu)

Preparation Method

Step 1: Peel carror skin, wash cut in the small cubes as shown below. Wash and cut beans also in to small pieces.

Step 2: Add 1 cup water in a container with the little salt, cut carrot and beans, place the container on stove wit lid closed. Let it boil for 5 min. Filter out the water once carrot and beans are boiled.

Step 3: Place a container on stove add oil, once hot add the popu ingredients. Allow it to splutter. Add Curry leaves. Add the boiled carrot and beans. Add salt mix and let it fry for 5 min with lid closed.

Step 4: Add chilli powder, dhania powder and grated coconut, mix well and let it fry for 2 mins. Once ready add coriender leaves and serve hot with rice or roti.

Kacchi Dabeli

2011-02-28T20:51:00.000-05:00

A Snack item prepared by Swapna. This is a very tasty snack with a mixed taste of sweet, sour hot.

Ingredients

9-10 Pav/ Buns.
2 medium Potato (Boiled)
1/2 Cup Pomegranates seeds.
1 Onion sliced in to small pieces.
1/2 Cup roasted Peanuts.
1/2 Cup Sav
1 Tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala
1/2 Tbsp Chat Masala
1 Tbsp Dabeli Masala
Green/ Mint Chutney
Tamarind Chutney

Preparations

Step 1: Prepare dabeli masala by mixing, mashed potato, pav bhaji masala, chat masala, channa masala, salt to taste. Mix all thoroughly to make a thick paste.

Step 2: Cut bun into half slice keeping one end intact, apply green chutney, Tamarind chutney on the top and bottom side of the bun, add dabeli masala, onions, sev, pomegranate seeds, roasted peanuts. Stuff all this in a proper quantity so that nothing much falls out of the bun.

Step 3: Heat pan for sometime, apply some butter or ghee on both sides of the bun and heat it on both side by pressing it against the pan.

Once baked on both the sides your Kacchi Dabeli is ready to eat!!!!

Wheat Dosa (Godhum Pindi Dosa)(Quick Dosa)

2011-02-28T20:26:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 Cup Wheat flour
3 Tbsp Rice flour
1/2 cup Butter milk(Thick Consistency)
2 Green chilli's cut into small pieces
1 onion sliced into small pieces.

salt and red chili powder for taste

Preparation:

Step 1: Add and mix all the above ingredients in a container.

Step 2: Keep adding water in small quantities to the above mixture until you get a thick consistence as normal dosa batter. Keep aside batter for 10-15 minutes.

Step 3:Heat the dosa pan for sometime and then spread the batter on it slowly. Little slow then the normal dosa. If needed you can spread onions on the batter and press them slowly so that they get stuck to the dosa batter.

Step 4 : Once the bottom side is cooked properly turn it to other side if required for little time and when done remove it.

yummy yummy colourful dosa is ready...

Pudhina(Mint) Pachadi

2011-02-27T00:03:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:
Mint-2 small bunches
1 Tbsp oil.
1 Tbsp lemon juice.
1/2 Tbsp mustard seeds
1/2 Tbsp urad dal
1/4 Tbsp methi seeds.
2 dry red chilli's.
salt to taste

Preparation:

1.Pour oil in a container ,once hot add mustard, urad, methi ,allow it to splutter.

2.Switch off stove and then add red chilli's to above mixture and allow then to fry for few minutes.

3.Keep it aside and let the above mixture cool for some time.

4.In the same container add pudhina(mint) leaves and fry them for sometime and then allow it to cool.

5.Grind the step 3 mixture and then add mint leaves ,salt and then grind it again to a thick consistency.

6.Take out the mixture in a bowl and add lemon juice and mix it thoroughly and let it settle for sometime. So you are all set for a very tasty chutney.

Garden Stuffed Paratha

2011-02-20T15:21:00.001-05:00

This is a very healthy, highly nutrient, very tasty paratha, which my friend Swapna made for us at dinner. I liked it very much so got some photos/recipe during preparation and blogged it to share with all.

Ingredients

For Dough
1 Small bunch Spinach
2 Cups of Wheat flour
1/2 Tbsp Ajwain
1 Tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
Water to prepare dough
Salt to Taste

For Stuffing
1 Cup Grated Beetroot
1 Cup Grated Carrot
2 Boiled Potato (Mashed to paste)
1 Cup Soaked Green Moong Dal
(Mashed to slight paste)
1/2 Cup Soaked/ Frozen Green peas
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1/2 Tbsp Garam Masala
Little Coriander Leaves
Salt to Taste

Preparation of Dough
Step 1: Wash Spinach thoroughly and boil in little amount of water for 5minutes. Once cold grind it to a fine paste.

Step 2: Take the required amount of wheat flour and mix it with the Spinach paste, then add little salt, Ajwain, Ginger-Garlic Paste and again mix all to prepare a thick dough. Keep it aside for some time.

Preparation of Garden Stuffing
Step 1: Mix all the ingredients mentioned above for the stuffing and keep it aside for some time, during this time all the ingredients mix with each other to give a nice taste and flavor.

Preparation of the Paratha
Step 1: Take sufficient quantity of the dough to make a lemon size balls.
Step 2: Press the dough balls to make it round and flat, like chapati.

Step 3: Add the sufficient amount of Garden Stuffing on the flattened dough, and fold the dough to cover the Garden Stuffing from all sides.

Step 4: Press the dough again to flatten it to the extent that the inside stuffing should not come out more.

Step 5: Heat a flat pan on medium flame, add the above paratha on the pan, add some ghee/ oil on it. Let the paratha fry for some time on the both sides.

And so the Paratha with all the garden vegetables stuffing so ready to eat.

Thank you Swapna for preparing this dish for us at dinner. While writing this blog I was very much eager to prepare it my self and eat with you all again. Will try for sure.

Veg Cutlet

2011-02-06T00:25:00.001-05:00

This recipe I got it from my friend Swapna. She prepared this when we went to their home. It was really nice and tasty. So took some photos & recipe and blogged to share with you.

Ingredients
1 Beet root (Grated)
2 Carrots (Grated)
2 Potatoes boiled & Smashed
1 Cup Green Peas (Boiled)
1 Onion (Cut into small pieces)
1 Cup Sooji/ Bread Powder
1 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
Salt to taste
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
2 Tbsp Oil

Preparation
1. Grate Beet root, Carrot. Boil and smash potato. Cut onion in to very small pieces.

2. In a container add some oil, once hot add onions, let them fry for some time. Now lower the flame and add ginger garlic paste and saute it until the raw smell of the ginger garlic goes.
3. Add grated Beet root, carrot, smashed potato in the container keep mixing until the raw smell of the vegetables goes off. Also add green peas after some time.

4. Add Salt to taste, chili powder and lemon juice mix it let it sit for some time.
5. Once the above mixture is ready take it out in a plate let it cool for some time and also take sooji/ bread powder in the side.

6. Make small balls of the cutlet mixture and flatten it on the sooji/ bread powder so that the mixture is covered with the sooji/ bread powder. This give the crispness to the cutlet.

7. Place flat container on the stove add some oil, once hot place some cutlets on the container. Add some oil surrounding the cutlet, Or you can deep fry them also.

8. Keep rotating cutlets on both sides so that it is fried properly and has crispness.
9. Take out from the container place it on a ready to eat container server it with Sauce, and wow its ready to eat.

Bitter Melon Fry (Karela)(Kakarkaya Vepudu)

2011-01-18T17:39:00.001-05:00

This is very simple dish and tasty one.
Ingredients
Bitter Melon 1lb/0.5 Kg
Oil 1 Tbsp
Chili Powder 1/2 Tbsp
Salt to Taste
Sugar 2 pinch

Preparation
Step 1: Wash Bitter melon thoroughly, wipe with a cloth and cut Bitter melon in to very small pieces.

Step 2: In a container put all the cut pieces of Bitter melon, add 1 Tbsp of salt mix salt and Bitter melon pieces allow it to sit for 10 min. Since Bitter melon contains lot of water we need to remove the water content from the Bitter melon to make a good fry of it. This will also avoid adding more oil for the curry to fry nicely.

Step 3: After 10 min press and take out the water from the Bitter melon and keep it aside. Do not worry the cut pieces will not spoil in shape and size.

Step 4: Take container add oil, once hot add the Bitter melon pieces into it. Add some salt to remove extra moisture from it. Do not close the lid.

Step 6: Keep frying until the Bitter melon pieces fry to bit dark in color. Add Turmeric powder, Chili Powder and stir and allow it sit for 5 min. Add 2 pinch of sugar to avoid little bitterness of the Bitter melon.
And so wow the fry is ready. Looks yummy.

Cauliflower Curry (Gobi)(Simple)

2010-12-21T12:22:00.001-05:00

Another simple and tasty curry.
Ingredients
Cauliflower - 1 Pc(Small)
2 Tbsp Oil
1/4 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1/2 Tbsp Dhaniya powder (optional)
Little grated ginger (optional)
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Popu Ingredients

1/4 Tbsp Mustard

1/4 Tbsp Jeera

1/2 Tbsp Urad Dal

1/2 Tbsp Channa Dal (Senaga Pappu)

Steps to do
Step 1: Pluck out the florets of cauliflower with your fingers and wash them thoroughly with hot water.
Step 2: Place a container on stove and add 2 cups water and little salt, add the cauliflower florets, boil them for 5 Min's with lid closed.
Step 3: Once cauliflower florets are tender filter them from water and keep aside.

Step 4: Place a container on stove add oil, once hot add popu ingredients, once they splutter, bring the stove to minimum, now add grated ginger(optional), saute it for 1 min, then add turmeric powder, red chili powder, dhaniya powder(optional), salt to taste. Mix them. Don;t allow it to burn.

Step 5: Add cauliflower florets in the above mixture, mix them slowly and nicely until mixture applies to all the florets. Keep it on stove for another 5 Min's.

Garnish with coriander leaves and hey your testy, simple cauliflower curry is ready.

Cabbage Curry (Simple)

2010-12-21T11:56:00.001-05:00

This is a very simple version of curry which tastes really good.
Ingredients
Cabbage - 1 Pc (Small)
2 Tbsp Oil
1/4 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
4-5 Curry Leaves
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Popu Ingredients

1/4 Tbsp Mustard

1/4 Tbsp Jeera

1/2 Tbsp Urad Dal

1/2 Tbsp Channa Dal (Senaga Pappu)

Steps to do

Step 1: Cut Cabbage length wise making a thin slices and wash thoroughly.

Step 2: Place a container on stove add 2 cups water, add cabbage and boil it for 5 min keeping the lid closed.

Step 3: Once the cabbage is tender enough filter the water and keep the cabbage aside.

Step 4: In a container add oil, once hot add popu ingredients, once they splutter add curry leaves and cabbage.

Step 5:Now add salt to taste, turmeric powder and chili powder. Stir all ingredients and let it sit for 5 min.

Wow no more steps, add coriander leaves for garnishing and your testy and simple curry is ready.

Methi Dal (Fenugreek) Menthi Akku Paapu

2010-12-13T16:12:00.001-05:00

Simple, nutritious, tasty dal !!
Ingredients
Methi Leaves(1 bunch)
1 Cup Toor Dal (Kandhi pappu)
3-4 Green Chilli's slit length wise
4-5 Curry Leaves
2 Tbsp Tamarind Juice
1/4 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
Pinch of Hing (Asafoetida Powder)
Salt to Taste
Optional
1 Onion, 1 Tomato
(I usually don't use onions for many of my recipes, it is sometimes good not to use onions, but it is always nice to have as an ingredient)
Popu Ingredients
1/4 Tbsp Mustard
1/4 Tbsp Cumin Seeds(Jeera)
1/2 Tbsp Urad Dal
1/2 Tbsp Channa Dal(Kandhi pappu)

Preparation Method
Step 1: Pluck out the leaves only, wash thoroughly. Wash thoroughly toor dal also. Place Toor dal and Methi leaves in a container and cook them in a pressure cooker.
Step 2: Place a container on stove add oil, once oil is hot add the popu ingredients, once they splutter, add curry leaves, green chillies, hing powder. let them fry for 2 min.
Step 3: Add cooked dal and methi leaves into the above mixture. Add Tamarind juice, turmeric powder, salt to taste. Let it sit on stove for 5 min. Add coriander leaves and garnish.

Its done. So simple and tasty. The taste and smell of the methi leaves is awesome. Nothing more to add to this dal to make it much tastier.

Spicy Curd Rice (Dhadhoojinam)

2010-12-10T12:51:00.000-05:00

Lets make the normal curd rice look and taste little spicy.
Ingredients
1 Cup Rice
2 Cups of Curd
4-5 Curry Leaves
1-2 Green Chili
1/2 Tbsp Oil
Salt to taste
Small piece of Ginger
Popu Ingredients
1/4 Tbsp Musterd
1/2 Tbsp Channa Dal(Kandhi pappu)

Preparation Method

Step 1: Cook rice with extra water to make the rice bit watery.

Step 2: In a small container add oil, once hot add popu ingredients once they splutter add cut green chilis, ginger and curry leaves.

Step 3: Mix the above mixture with the cooked rice and add salt to taste. Let it cool down for 5 min.

Step 4: Now add curd to the rice and mix well. Add salt for your taste.

Spicy curd rice is ready!!