Sharmis Passions

Chettinad Masala Kuzhambu (Masala Gravy)

2012-01-29T21:36:00.000-08:00

Over the past weeks, life has changed so much. I am sure when I turn back over the years, I would be happy for the decision I've made. Yes as a fulltime mother, I am enjoying life!! :) And to be true, I am more busy at home or I should say mittu is bc keeping me bc ;) Even when the opportunities are more, when it comes to my lil one, she overrules everything and her happiness is more precious than anything else...... as to any mother :)

And as a add on, sharmis passions and sharmi clicks will keep me occupied and the word boredom will be slashed out......fingers crossed :0

Now onto todays recipe : I've been wanting to post this masala kuzhambu recipe since long but something or the other took priorities everytime amma makes this. Last time when amma made , I clicked with stepwise too.

Radish Masala Gravy - Ingredients

Radish - 3 sliced
Red Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves - 1 tsp chopped (optional)
Salt - for taste
Oil - 2 tsp

For grinding:

Coconut - 1/4 cup
Fennel seeds - 1/4 tsp
Big Onion - 1 chopped roughly
Tomato - 1 chopped roughly

To Temper:

Bay leaf - a small piece
Cinnamon - 1/4 inch piece
Fennel seeds - 1/4 tsp
Small Onions - a handful
Garlic - 4 to 5 pearls
Curry leaves - few

Method:

1. Heat 1/2 tsp of oil, add onion and tomato saute until nicely mushed up and raw smell tomatoes leaves. Then add this with coconut, fennel seeds and grind it.

2. The grinding should be to a fine paste, set aside. Heat remaining oil, add bayleaf, fennel seeds,cinnamon once it crackles add onion, garlic and curry leaves and saute for a minute until slightly browned.

3. Then add the sliced radish and saute for 2 mins. Then add chilli, coriander powder and saute for a minute. Add 1/2 cup water and required salt.

4. Allow it to boil for 2mins, then add the grinded paste and allow it to boil until oil separates (this may take around 10mins). Garnish with coriander leaves and switch off.

Masala kuzhambu is chettinad special and my favourite. I love it with rice and even dosas.

My Notes:

You can add in any vegetable of you choice. Drumstick and brinjal will be apt for this curry.
No need to roast coconut, but amma says roasting also gives a nice flavour.
The consistency should be semi thick, but you can make it runny as per your preference.

Cadbury Silk India - Orange Peel

2012-01-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

After the success of the soft and creamy Cadbury Dairy Milk SILK, they bring to us this premium chocolate with a fresh new twist.

Introducing the new Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk- Orange Peel. The classic delicious smooth and creamy SILK is now available with a Kiss of Orange. It just makes us melt even before it reaches our mouth ;)

The sweetness of a premium chocolate with the fruity punch of orange - life does not get much better.

At Cadbury India they focus on creating moments of pleasure with every tasty bite, no matter the reason or the season. Throughout the day.At work or play. All year round..Check out the new Tv commercial here

How we liked it : Trust me I am not a big fan of choco orange combination but silk orange peel changed my opinion as the orange flavour is mild giving it a unique taste, the crunch in every bite with the addition of nuts is just awesome. Do try it and am sure you will love it too.

Thanks to Cadbury for sending me the sample, we enjoyed having it!

Disclaimer: This is an unpaid review and my review totally depends on my taste and preferences.

Chocolatey Biscuit Milkshake

2012-01-26T03:09:00.000-08:00

Mittu used to lick the cream and keep back the biscuits alone... I've seen this with many kids. One fine day I tried this milkshake with all the leftover biscuits without cream and it tasted awesome, she too enjoyed it. So thought of making it as a post. I had some leftover icing I made for my cake pops the same day so used it up for this milkshake :)

Biscuit Milkshake Recipe

Ingredients:

Chilled Milk - 2 cups
Bourbon Biscuit(with cream) - 1
Bourbon Biscuit(without cream) - 1
Chocolate sauce / syrup - 2 tsp
Sugar - a pinch (only if needed)

Method:

Add the biscuits without cream to milk and blend using the whip option in mixie. Then add the cream biscuit and blend again until its smooth and creamy.
Add the chocolate sauce, sugar and mix well.
Pour into individual serving glasses and add any topping of your choice.

My Notes:

You can use any chocolate cream biscuit of your choice.
You can even skip chocolate sauce and add one more cream biscuit.
I just piped the left over butter icing as a topping, you can use whipped cream as topping too.

Dahi Puri Recipe

2012-01-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

Dahi Puri is my all time favourite chat. Whenever we go for chats, its either Pav Bhaji or Dahi Puri, its my staple order in chat shops :) I have used all my color ramkeins for this post, now you know how crazy I am when it comes to ramekins ;)

Here is my version of homemade dahi puri for you all....Enjoy your fav chat at home.

Dahi Puri Recipe - Ingredients

Makes 1 plate

Puri - 6 puris
Curd - 1/2 cup
Sev - a handful
Boiled Green Gram Dhal - 1/4 cup (You can use sprouted too)
Boiled potatoes - 1/4 cup
Green Chutney - 2 tbsp
Dates Chutney - 2 tbsp
Onion - 1 medium sized chopped
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp chopped finely
Chat masala powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Red Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - as required
Sugar - 1/2 tsp

Method:

Mash the potatoes, add cumin powder, turmeric and mix well. Keep aside. Mix curd with sugar, salt and a pinch of red chilli powder. Keep aside.
Arrange 6 puris in a plate. Crack a hole carefully in the center of each puri. Add mashed potatoes, green gram dhal, onion, green chutney and dates chutney in each puri.
Then pour 1/2 cup of curd over the puris. Sprinkle red chilli powder, chat masala powder on top, then add the sev. Serve with coriander leaves garnished.

You can make the puris and chutneys the before day . Once that is ready all others can be done a while before assembling. Enjoy this easy and yummy chat at home.

My Notes:

Use thick chilled curd, adding sugar to curd is optional.

If you make the chutneys ready then assembling and serving dahi puri is easy.

You can either sprout green gram or pressure cook and use it if needed instantly which is what I did.

I take the short route of buying the dates chutney ready made these days ;) It is called bhel puri chutneys and stays well for long when refrigerated. I use even for sandiwiches - its tangy, sweet, spicy with all the flavours bursting out....hmmm yummmy!

Fish Fry (Meen Varuval) | Indian Fish Recipes

2012-01-22T19:58:00.000-08:00

As I had mentioned in my early posts, mittu loves fish fry and its the only nonveg item she eats. Hubby is totally opposite as he doesnt like fish, but eats once in a while.

Fish Fry Recipe - Ingredients

Fish - 5 to 6 pieces (I used Vanjiram variety)
Red chilli powder - 2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Lime juice - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - to toast / deep fry

Method:

1. Clean fish and wash it twice to thrice. Set aside.

2. In a wide mixing bowl, add red chilli, turmeric,coriander powder, lime juice and required salt. Sprinkle little water to make it to a paste consistency.

3. Then add the fish to it and mix well. Coat the masala on all sides of the fish and marinate for atleast 30mins. Set aside.

4. Heat oil in a pan or dosa tawa and toast the fish until the fish turns dark brown color. You can alternatively deep fry too.

My Notes :

You can serve fish with raw onions. I love it with tomato sauce :)
Squeeze lime while serving if you like the tanginess.
You can even add ginger garlic paste as a add on to the marinade.
We like fish fries toasted in tawa than the deep fry.