Ramya's Recipe...

Kovakka thoran / Ivygourd or Tindora stir fry

2012-02-23T16:45:00.001Z

Ivy gourd also known as Tindora/Kovakkai/Thondekkai is a veggie I didn't like much during my younger years. I havent tried any recipe other than this regular thoran/ stir fry or in sambar. This little veggie is rich in beta carotene and its juice is used in many herbal weight loss products. It is also known to regulate sugar metabolism and hence recommended for people with diabetes.

Ingredients:

Kovakka/Tindora/Ivygourd - 250 gms
Oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Chana dal - 1 tbsp (optional)
Shallots - 3 or 4, sliced thin (or half of a small onion chopped)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Green chillies - 3, slit
Salt - as needed
Grated coconut - 2 to 3 tbsp
Jeera/cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - a sprig

Preparation:

1. Wash the kovakka well and cut and remove the ends. Slice it thin and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add chana dal and fry till it turns brown.
3. Add sliced kovakka, shallots or onion, green chillies, turmeric powder and salt. Combine well and heap everything towards the centre of the pan. Cover and cook. You may sprinkle a little water if required.
4. Mix the jeera with grated coconut well. Add it along with curry leaves and fry well till it thoran becomes dry.

Events:

Kerala Kitchen - Feb 2012 hosted by Roshan, a series of event started by Ria and Rose
Show me your HITS @ Spicy Treats

Mutton Masala - My father's recipe

2012-02-19T17:08:00.001Z

My father cooks some of the best non-veg dishes and here is one such awesome recipe. I have been asking him to cooking this for me, but he kept postponing. Finally, he made it this weeked and it was simply delicious.The speciality is that this dish doesnot have much masalas in it, but it is still flavourful and yum.

Ingredients:

For Marination
Mutton: 500 gms
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder - 2 tsp
Curd/youghurt - 3 tbsp
Salt to taste

For grinding
Ginger - 2 inch piece
Garlic - 7-8 cloves
Green chillies - 2 or 3

For masala

Oil - 2 tbsp
Coconut cuts/sliced (thengakothu) - 1/4 cup
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cinnamon stick - 2 inch piece broken to pieces
Green cardamom - 2 or 3
Onion - 2 large, sliced finely
Coriander powder - 1.5 tbsp
Curry leaves - a sprig
Tomato - 2, chopped
Crushed pepper - as required
Chopped coriander leaves - to garnish

Preparation:

1. Wash and clean the mutton and add all the marination ingredients in the bowl. Mix well and marinate for half an hour or more.
2. Cook the mutton till tender. I usually cook it in a pressure cooker without adding water. After the first whistle, lower the heat and cook for 10-15 mins. Switch off and wait till pressure is released. Note that cooking time may vary depending on the tenderness of meat.
3. Grind together ginger, garlic and green chillies to a smooth paste and keep aside.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry the coconut cuts/thengakothu till brown. Drain and keep aside.
5. In the same oil, add cumin seeds followed by cinnamon and cardamom.
6. Add onions and saute till soft. Add coriander powder and saute till you get the aroma. Add the ginger-garlic-chilly paste and curry leaves and saute well.
7. Add tomatoes and saute till mushy. Now add the cooked mutton and the fried coconut cuts.
8. Combine well and simmer for 10-15 mins.
9. Do a taste check and add crushed pepper if required.
10. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

The curry tastes best after a few hours. Best served with rice/ghee rice/roti/appam/porotta/pathiri etc.

Events:

Kerala Kitchen - Feb 2012 hosted by Roshan, a series of event started by Ria and Rose
Hot & Spicy treats hosted by Amy

ABC Series: DESSERTS event roundup

2012-02-17T16:46:00.000Z

Here is the roundup of my DESSERTS event of January 2012. This event received a whopping 146 entries. Thanks to all who sent their awesome recipes.

Here is an award for all you lovely people as a token of appreciation.

Top contributor awards go to

Faseela for sending 17 recipes

Maha for sending 12 recipes

I have categorized the entries as below. Sorry, I couldnt include the pictures this time, as I am so busy with my office commitments this month. I had actually started the roundup draft with pics, but after a few hours I realized that it would take many more hours for me to complete it. So I had to drop the idea this time :-(

I loved hosting this event and this roundup page is now an index to lookup whenever I feel like having a dessert.

PUDDINGS

Pudim (East Indian christmas pudding) by Shireen

Singapore coconut milk pudding by simply.food

Trifle pudding by Julie

Chocolate bread pudding with vanilla custard by Resh

Bengali style rice pudding with date palm jaggery by Chandrani

Almond oats bread pudding by Sangee Vijay

Milk pudding with praline topping, Biscuit pudding, Grape pudding and Thai mango pudding by Faseela

CAKES

Orange flavoured whole wheat fruit and nut cake by Sensible Veg

Coconut cake by Sravani

Nutella chocolate cake by Anjali

Carrot cake by Rathai

Chocolate cake by Poonam

Chocolate beet cake by Akheela

Tres Leche cake by Fajeeda

Sponge cake with butter frosting by Rasi

Yorkshire Parkin cake by Archana

Nutty chocolate molten lava cake by Anzz

Black forest cake by Amina

Strawberry cake by Maha

Chocolate n Vanilla cake by Vidhya Viju Govind

Lemon yoghurt cake by Asmita

Chocolate mocha cake with whipped cream frosting by Pratibha Sreejith

Semolina carrot cake by Surbhi

Tiramisu by Zareena

Banana Walnut bread by Sumee
Eggless sponge cake and Eggless cocoa chocolate cake by Kokila
Orange cake with chocolate topping , Chocolate cake and Strawberry layered cake by Faseela

CHEESECAKES, BROWNIES, MUFFINS, CUPCAKES AND COOKIES

Mocha brownies by Hasna
Cheesecake brownies by Rathai
Walnut brownie by JayM
Raspberry cheesecake by Deve Rose
Blueberry cheesecake by Pusiva
Blackcurrant cheesecake by Simran
Almond oats cookies by Nupur
Chocolate cookies by Sravs
Carrot cupcakes by Anisha Ranjit
Red velvet cupcakes by Sadaf
Chocolate walnut brownies and Butterscotch cupcakes by Pumpkin farm
No bake nutella covered cornflakes cookies and Zucchini and chocolate muffins by Priya

PIES AND TARTS

Banoffee pie by Vidhya Viju Govind

Banofee pie in a glass by Ayeesha

Pie-lets by with blueberry filling by Pumpkin farm

Chilli spiced chocolate cherry tartlets by Sukanya

Chocolate strawberry banoffee pie by Archana

Apple custard tart by Sudha

Mexican chocolate cream pie by MySpicyKitchen
Fruit frangipane tart and Raspberry crostata by Rathai

ICE CREAMS

Eggless strawberry ice cream by La@FoodSlice

Vegan chocolate ice cream by Kurryleaves

Fig ice cream by Pumpkin farm

Fried ice cream by Faseela

KHEER/PAYASAM

Kheer-e-Bajra by Anjali Bapna Shukla
Badam kheer by Ramya kumar
Chana and moong payasam by Sravs
Semiya payasam by Julie
Aval payasam by Sobha Shyam
Brown rice carrot kheer by Nupur
Lauki ki kheer by Kaveri
Badam kheer by Sangee Vijay
Paal payasam by Prathibha
Saffron Sago Badami kheer by Roshan
Orange kheer and Paneer kheer by Preeti
Paalada Payasam and Wheat ada paayasam by Faseela
Carrot kheer, Lauki ka kheer , Poha kheer and Vermicelli kheer by Maha

INDIAN SWEETS

Rasgulla by Santosh Bangar
Gul papdi by Amarendra
Till ke laddo by Maayeka
Kalkandu pongal by Hema
Corn rabdi by Varsha
Mango coconut laddoo by Manju
Chocolate kalakand by Vimitha
Doodhiya Gazar halwa by Anjali Bapna Shukla
Pathir pheni by Priya
Fig with tomato halwa by Jaleela
Chocolate badam burfi by Ramya kumar
Pineapple peach kesari bath by Sangee Vijay
Shahi rabri by Nalini
Til ke laddoo by Anisha Ranjit
Doodh Puli pithe by Indrani
Rasgulla/Rasmalai by Siri
Orange sooji halwa by Preeti
Gajar ka halwa from my blog
Patishapta and Banana Halwa by Chandrani
Bread pongal, Oats pongal and Oats Kesari by My Kitchen Flavours
Double ka meetha, Sweet pongal, Lauki halwa , Tricolour suji halwa and Bread jamuns by Maha

and some more...

Marie biscuit chocolate logs by Kaveri
Nuts 'bout you by Simran
Carrot cream by Shree
Biko and Banana Nestle Dessert by Jaleela
Honeyed almonds and cashewnuts by My Kitchen Flavours
Marshmallow pops by Quick Picks
Mini cake bites by Amy
Strawberry parfait by Sensible Veg
Cheesy sweet rolls by Santosh Bangar
Strawberry Yoghurt by Princy Vinoth
Banana fritters by simply.food
Choco-strawberry jam bars by Teena Mary
Mango delight and Sweet banana fritters by Maha
Fruit salad with chocolate custard and Chocolate canapes by MySpicyKitchen
Fruits and ice cream blast , Nutella Cocoa Sandwich and Tiranga fruit and ice cream dessert by Preeti
Dark chocolate pannacotta , Chocolate cake pops and Nuts, chocolate and peanut butter fudge by Priya
Apple crumble , Swiss roll , Blueberry parfait and Chocolate meringues by Pumpkin farm
Fruit puffs , Milk chocolate fudge , Cake rolls , Cake jam roll , Kubboos dumplings, Easy chocolate fudge and Nutro biscuit chocolate log by Faseela

Green peas masala

2012-02-11T07:55:00.002Z

Ingredients:

Dried green peas - 1 cup
Potato - 1, peeled and cubed (optional)
Oil - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Onion - 1, chopped fine
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Red chilly powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tsp
Tomato - 1 large, chopped
Garam masala - 1/2 to 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves chopped to garnish

Preparation:

1. Soak the dried green peas overnight or for 8 hrs. Cook it along with the cubed potatoes. The peas should be cooked well, but not mushy. A pressure cooker can be used, but make sure you dont overcook the peas.
2. In a pan, heat oil and add the cumin seeds. Add onions and fry till it starts turning brown. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute. Add chilly and corainder powders. Now add the chopped tomatoes. Saute till tomatoes turn mushy.Add the cooked peas and potatoes along with the water used for cooking.Add enough salt and combine well and add garam masala. Simmer for a few minutes.
3. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with roti/parotta/appam etc.

Events:

Kerala Kitchen - Feb 2012 hosted by Roshan, a series of event started by Ria and Rose
Show me your HITS @ Spicy Treats

Palak Paneer

2012-02-06T14:31:00.003Z

Palak Paneer is a creamy and delicious north indian dish with a lovely green colour. Paneer(cottage cheese) is cooked in a spinach based gravy and is mildly spiced. Taste great with roti, naan and paratha.

Ingredients:

1. Paneer - 200 gms
2. Palak/Spinach - 3 big bunches
Oil - 2 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Green chillies - 2 or 3
3. Tomato - 2 big
Water to blanch the tomatoes
4. Oil - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Onion - 1 large, finely chopped
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 to 1 tsp
Kasoori methi - 1/4 tsp (crush it with your palms)
Fresh cream - 3 tbsp

Getting ready:

1. Cut the paneer to small cubes. If you are using store bought paneer, place the cubes in hot water for 5-10 mins and then drain. This helps to make the paneer soft. It is optional to fry the paneer in a little ghee for a few minutes.
2. Discard the stems of the palak and wash the leaves well. Roughly chop them. Heat about 2 tsp of oil in a pan. Add chopped spinach and sugar. Adding sugar helps to get a lovely dark green colour. Saute till spinach wilts and becomes dark green in colour. Let the spinach cool a little and grind it along with green chillies to a smooth puree.
3. Boil water in a pan and add the tomatoes and boil till the skin loosens. Place the tomatoes in cold water and remove the skin. Grind the tomatoes to a smooth pulp.

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Fry the onions till light brown and then add the ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute. Add coriander powder and combine well.
2. Add the tomato pulp, mix well and let it boil. Add the spinach puree and paneer cubes and combine well and bring to boil. Add garam masala and kasoori methi and cook for few more minutes. The gravy becomes thick. Add fresh cream and serve.

Sending this to Show me your HITS

Banana chips - Kerala special

2012-02-05T07:40:00.001Z

Ingredients:

Raw plantain / Nendrapazham - 2
Turmeric powder - 1 tbsp
Salt
Coconut oil for deep frying

Preparation:

1. Add turmeric powder and salt to a bowl of water. Peel the plantain and slice it very thin with a slicer or knife and keep it in the turmeric-salt water for sometime.
2. Heat oil in wok and when it is real hot, add the sliced plantain. Stir once so that they dont stick to each other. Fry the chips on a high flame, till they are crisp and golden.
3. Drain to kitchen tissue. Let it cool and then store in airtight container.

Sending this to Kerala Kitchen - Feb 2012 hosted by Roshan, a series of event started by Ria and Rose

Also to Anyone can cook: Series 41 and Just 4 fun

Schezwan Egg fried rice

2012-02-02T14:02:00.002Z

Another recipe to use up leftover rice. Easy and quick chinese meal at home..

Ingredients:

Cooked rice - 2 to 3 cups
Finely chopped Garlic - 1 to 2 tsp
Onion - 1 small, chopped fine
Chopped mixed veggies - I used carrots, capsicum, beans
Spring onions chopped - 2 tbsp
Schezwan stir fry sauce - 3 or 4 tbsp (I used ching's secret)
Eggs - 1 or 2
Oil - 1 to 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a wok and add garlic. When you start getting the aroma, add chopped onions and veggies and fry it till veggies are cooked and crisp. Add spring onions and fry for a minute. Add the schezwan sauce and enough salt and combine well.
2. In another pan, scramble the eggs with a little salt. Add the scrambled eggs to the wok along with rice and toss well on high fire for a few minutes.

Serve hot...

Sending this to Anyone can cook: Series 40

Also to my own event ABC Series: EGG recipes

ABC Series: EGG recipes

2012-02-01T12:39:00.000Z

Hello everyone,

This is the 5th event in the ABC Series. I am overwhelmed by the 146 entries I have received for the DESSERTS event of Jan 2012. Thanks everyone for participating and make this an awesome event. Please allow a few days time for me to post the roundup.

Coming to the theme of this month - EGG recipes. Eggs are packed with a number of nutrients. One egg has 13 essential vitamins and minerals in varying amounts, high-quality protein, unsaturated fats and antioxidants. There are numerous ways to include eggs in our daily diet. So, lets be creative and find new ways to include egg in our meal.

Rules for the event:

1. Link any EGG recipe before 29-Feb-2012. Egg must be one of the main ingredient in the recipe. Eggs used just as an agent in baking do not qualify for the event. The recipes must be posted on your blog between Feb 1 - Feb 29, 2012.
2. Please link back to this announcement page and use the logo above. The use of logo is mandatory as it helps spread the word about the event. To participate, all you need to do is to link the recipe using the inlinkz tool. The link tool doesnt support images, so I would be doing a roundup in the first week of March.
3. You may send any number of entries. The more, the merrier ! Archived entries are most welcome. Please re-post it with a link to this announcement page and use the logo.
4. If you have any issues in linking, please post a comment or send a mail to events.ramyasrecipe@gmail.com. Non-bloggers can send the recipes to this email id.

Here are some of the recipes from my blog.

Carrot and Egg sandwich

Mushrooms and Egg on toast

Egg Kothu Porotta

Potato Egg rice

Greenpeas with scrambled egg

Easy egg roast

Egg kurma

Egg curry

Marble cake / Choco vanilla cake

2012-01-30T15:00:00.000Z

Marble cake is one of the most popular cakes sold in Kerala bakeries. The choco and vanilla layers fascinated me from childhood days. Having this cake is like a double treat, you can enjoy both the flavours in a single bite.

Ingredients:

All Purpose flour / Maida - 2 cups
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Butter - 100 gms, softened
Powdered sugar - 1+1/4 cups
Eggs - 2 (at room temperature)
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
Milk - 1 cup (luke warm)
Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp

Preparation:

1. Sift together maida and baking powder in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, combine butter and sugar. Add eggs and whisk well. Add the vanilla essence and milk and whisk together. Add the flour and whisk well till all ingredients are combined well and you get a smooth batter without any lumps.
3. Preheat oven to 180C and grease a cake tin.
4. Pour half of the cake mix in the tin. Add the cocoa powder to the other half in the bowl,and combine well. Pour this cocoa mix on top of the vanilla layer in the cake tin . Using a knife or toothpick, swirl the batter to create a marbling effect.
5. Bake for 30-40 mins. Check if cake is done by inserting a skewer in the middle. Let the cake cool completely.

Linking with my own event ABC Series:DESSERTS that ends tomorrow.

Events:

The Kerala Kitchen - Jan 2012 hosted by Kaveri, an event series started by Ria and Rose.
Cooking concepts - Chocolate Fest by Sravani
Chocolate lover @Daily Cuppa
Valentine's day event @ Teenz Yummy delights
Chocolate Mela @ Cooking 4 all seasons
Valentine's special @ Anzz cafe
Tea time snack event @ Torview

Chettinad Chicken roast

2012-01-29T05:23:00.001Z

Spicy and finger licking good chicken roast that leaves you craving for more. The aroma of freshly ground masalas is the speciality of this dish.

Ingredients:

Chicken - 1 kg, cut to medium pieces

For marination
Chilly powder - 1.5 tablespoon
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Salt as needed

For masala
Oil - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Fennel seeds - 2 tsp
Onion - 1 large, chopped
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Tomatoes - 2, chopped

For tempering/seasoning
Oil - 1 tbsp
Dry red chillies - 2 or 3
Curry leaves - a sprig
Onion - 1 small, sliced very thin
Coarsely crushed pepper - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp (Use freshly made garam masala. Check here for the recipe)

Preparation:

1. Wash and drain the chicken. Combine all the marination ingredients in a bowl and add the chicken pieces and marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
2. In a pan, heat oil and add fennel and cumin seeds. Add onions and saute till soft. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a few minutes. Add tomatoes and saute till oil starts oozing. Add the marinated chicken and cover and cook till chicken is done. As this is a dry preparation, no need to add water as chicken gets cooked in its own juice.
3. In another pan, heat oil and add red chillies, followed by curry leaves and onion. Fry till onion turns brown. Add crushed pepper and garam masala and saute till you get a nice aroma. Add this mix to the cooked chicken and combine well.

Serve hot with rice, appam, parotta, roti etc...

Sending this over to Hot & Spicy treats

Potato Egg rice

2012-01-21T09:22:00.001Z

The complete makeover of some leftover rice...Potatoes and eggs make it a yummy meal perfect for lunchbox too...

Ingredients:

Cooked rice - 2 cups
Potato - 1, peeled and cubed
Oil - 1 to 2 tbsp
Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder - 3/4 tsp
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Egg - 1 or 2
Coriander leaves chopped for garnishing

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add jeera. Add the potatoes and chilly and turmeric powders, salt and garam masala. Fry it well. Sprinkle a little water and cover and cook till potatoes are done(they should retain the shape).
2. Beat the eggs and add it to the cooked potatoes and scramble well.
3. Now add cooked rice and coriander leaves and combine everything well and toss it for a few minutes.

Serve with plain yoghurt or raitha.

Events

Lets cook with leftovers

The Kerala Kitchen - Jan 2012 hosted by Kaveri, an event series started by Ria and Rose.

Let's Cook: Rice by Radhika

Also to Potato Mania hosted by Siri

Potato Thoran

2012-01-18T13:31:00.000Z

Sometimes when I don't have any veggies in stock for a thoran (kerala style stir fry with coconut), I make this one. Potatoes are almost always available in any kitchen and this is a quick one when you need a side dish for rice. You may use black pepper or green chillies.

Ingredients:

Potatoes - 2 large, peeled and cubed

Oil - 1 to 2 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Shallots - 3 or 4, peeled and sliced thin

Curry leaves - a sprig

To crush coarsely

Shredded Coconut - 1/4 cup

Jeera/cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Whole black peppercorns - 1 tsp (adjust to suit your taste)

Garlic - 1 or 2 cloves

Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Steam cook the potato cubes till 3/4th done(or boil it).

2. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add shallots and curry leaves and fry till shallots turn brown.

3. Crush together the ingredients given above. You may give it a pulse in a mixer/food processor. Add this mix and the potato cubes and combine well and fry well till all the ingredients are combined well.

This B&W pic for Susan's BWW.

This recipe goes to the below events.

The Kerala Kitchen - Jan 2012 hosted by Kaveri, an event series started by Ria and Rose.

Anyone can cook: Series 38

Also to Potato Mania hosted by Siri

Carrot halwa/Gajar ka halwa and a reason to celebrate !

2012-01-14T07:19:00.000Z

I have two reasons to celebrate today :-) This is my 150th post and I just noticed that I now have more than 100 friends following my little space. Thank you all, for inspiring and encouraging me to make this possible. Here's a sweet treat for you...

Wishing you all a Happy Pongal / Makara Sankranti.

Ingredients:

Carrots - 500 gms, peeled and grated(or shredded)

Hot Milk - 1.5 cups

Sugar - 1/2 cup + more if you like

Cardamoms - 5 (powdered or crushed)

Ghee - 2 tbsp or more

Cashewnuts and Raisins - as much as you like :-)

Preparation:

1. Heat ghee in a big pan and fry the cashewnuts and raisins till done. Drain to a small bowl. Keep aside.

2. In the same ghee, add the carrots and fry for sometime. When the colour of the carrots change, add the hot milk and stir well. After it boils, lower the flame and cook for few minutes. Add sugar and combine well. Cook till the carrot is done and the milk is almost absorbed.

3. Garnish with the fried cashewnuts and raisins.

Enjoy as it is or with Vanilla icecream...

Im linking it with ABC Series:DESSERTS happening at my blog this month.

Also to Yummy Dessert hosted by Pranati.

Also sending to Anyone can cook: Series 38

Yam fries for BWW

2012-01-11T13:47:00.000Z

This pic is for Susan's B&W Wednesday.

Check the recipe HERE

Pepper Chicken with gravy

2012-01-09T13:59:00.002Z

I have already posted a Pepper chicken recipe which is a dry preparation and can be used as a starter. Today's version has a thick gravy and is best paired with some fried rice, pulav, roti or naan. Check the other recipe HERE

Ingredients:

For marination

Chicken - 1 kg, cut to small pieces

Whole Pepper corns - 1 tbsp

Green chillies - 3 or 4

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Salt - to taste

Onion - 2 large, sliced thin

Freshly ground ginger garlic paste - 1 to 2 tbsp

Tomato - 1, pureed

Bellpepper/Capsicum - 1, seeded and diced

Soy sauce - 1 tbsp

Corn flour - 1 tsp mixed in 1/4 cup water

Pepper powder - as needed to adjust the spice level

Oil - 2 + 1 tbsp

Preparation:

1.Grind together pepper corns and green chillies. Marinate the chicken with this ground mix, turmeric powder and salt for half an hour.

2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan and saute the onions till they start browning. Add ginger garlic paste and tomato puree and combine well. Add the marinated chicken and mix well. Cover and cook till chicken is done. Add water if you need more gravy.

3. In another pan, heat 1 tbsp of oil and saute the bell pepper and soy sauce for 2-3 minutes. Add this to the cooked chicken and combine well. Add the corn flour mix and bring to boil. Check and add more pepper powder if required.

Curry tastes best after a few hours. Best enjoyed on cold winter days :-)

Sending this over to Hot & Spicy treats

ABC Series: DESSERTS

2012-01-06T13:10:00.002Z

The theme for ABC Series this month is DESSERTS. A dessert is the last course of a meal and is usually sweet food. Desserts can be ice creams, puddings, cakes, mousse, pies, tarts, pastries, cheesecake, Indian sweets, payasam etc. All of us love to have some dessert at the end of a special meal. So, this month lets celebrate with desserts !

The previous events on my blog can be found HERE

Rules for the event:

1. Send any DESSERT recipe before 31-Jan-2012.The recipes must be posted on your blog between Jan 1 - Jan 31, 2012.
2. Please link back to this announcement page and use the logo above. The use of logo is mandatory as it helps spread the word about the event. To participate, all you need to do is to link the recipe using the inlinkz tool. The link tool doesnt support images, so I would be doing a roundup in the first week of Feb.
3. Archived entries are most welcome. Please re-post it with a link to this announcement page and use the logo
4. If you have any issues in linking, please post a comment or send a mail to events.ramyasrecipe@gmail.com. Non-bloggers can send the recipes to this email id.

ABC Series: CAKES for CHRISTMAS event roundup

2012-01-04T15:46:00.000Z

Hope all of you had lots and lots of cake during the Christmas-New year time. I am so happy to receive many entries for the CAKES event. Thanks to each and everyone for their awesome entries. This time I got to know many more blogger friends through this event. Here is an award for all of you, please accept it and I would be really happy to see it on your blog.

Poornima, Sobha Shyam and Prathibha gets a special one - Top contributor Award for sending 3 recipes each.

So, lets move on to the Roundup.

The first entry was Dates cake with buttercream frosting from Chitra of Chitranna. This also happens to her son's 3rd birthday cake. Belated Happy birthday, Shridhar.

Amina has sent her Soft Sponge Cake. Her blog also features her crafts and creative skills.

Poornima who participated in my blog event for the first time, surprised me with 3 yummy cakes Eggless custard powder snack cake

Strawberry chocolate mousse cake

Fruit and Nut cake

Eggless Brownie from MyIndiaRecipes. This also happens to be the 200th post on the blog. Congrats and keep posting yummy recipes !

Teena has sent this beautiful Plum upside cake

Eggless fruit cake from Resh of Daily Cuppa. Fruit cakes are my favourite.

Chocolate cake - Egg and dairy free from Reva. Love the raspberries on it.

Rathai's Fruit cake perfect for the festive mood.

Vidhya has sent Chocolate rum raisin cake, I just love the combination of raisins and rum.

Sobha has sent this unique Stuffed Banana Muffins, Eggless oats banana muffins and Eggless carrot cake. Thanks dear, for supporting me from the beginning.

Chocolate lava cake recipe oozing chocolate from Malaysian Delicacies

Christmas Rum cake from Richa Priyanka for the festive season.

Prathibha has sent Christmas Fruit cake, the traditional kerala plum cake

A three tier cake that also happens to be her daughter's 2nd birthday cake

and some Chocolate Chip cupcakes

Amy has sent these cute Rainbow cupcakes and Vanilla cupcakes

Sandhya's awesome Chocolate cake with nutella biscoff

Hyma's cute Eggless choco brownie cupcakes

The previous events on my blog can be found HERE

Vegetable pulav

2012-01-04T04:54:00.000Z

A yummy and healthy pulav loaded with veggies. A one pot meal perfect for lunchbox.

Ingredients:

Basmati / Biriyani Rice - 2 cups, washed and drained

Onion - 1, finely chopped

Tomato - 1, chopped

Chopped mixed vegetables - about1.5 to 2 cups

(I used beans, carrot, capsicum, green peas, potatoes, cauliflower and babycorns)

Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp

Ghee or oil - 2 tbsp

Green chillies - 2 or 3, grind to a paste

Salt to taste

Whole spices

Cinnamon - 2 inch piece

Green cardamom - 2

Cloves - 4

Star anise - 1/2 of a flower

Bay leaves - 2

To garnish

Cashewnuts and raisins roasted in ghee

Coriander leaves chopped

Preparation:

1. Heat ghee/oil in a pan and add the whole spices and fry for a minute. Then add ginger garlic paste and ground green chillies and saute. Add onions and mixed veggies and tomato and saute for 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the rice and combine everything well. Meanwhile boil 4 cups of water in another pan/kettle. Pour the boiling water and enough salt and cook covered till rice and veggies are cooked and all the water is evaporated.

3. Garnish with coriander leaves and Cashewnuts and raisins roasted in ghee.

Enjoy with raitha, papad and pickle.

This image is for Susan's B&W Wednesday.

The healthy pulav goes to the following events

Cook with spices: Cardamom

Royal feast - Biriyani

Let's Cook: Rice

Kerala Kitchen - Jan 2012 hosted by Kaveri

Simple tea cake for the New Year

2012-01-01T10:51:00.000Z

This recipe is a simple one with minimal ingredients. I am in Bangalore now and I do not have a conventional oven to bake. So I decided to try baking in my microwave oven. This is my first attempt baking in convection mode and so I chose a simple recipe. And the result: A Soft and Spongy cake. I couldnt find any difference in the texture of the cake baked in convection mode, it was just perfect like the ones baked in a conventional oven.

Ingredients:

All Purpose flour/Maida – 2 cups
Baking powder – 2 tsp
Salt – ¼ tsp (omit if using salted butter)

Sugar – 1 cup
Softened Butter – ½ cup (100 g)
Eggs – 3 at room temperature
Vanilla essence – 1.5 tsp
Milk – 1 cup at room temperature

Preparation:

1. Sift together flour,baking powder and salt to a bowl.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together till fluffy.Add the eggs one by one and whisk well. Add the vanilla essence and combine well.
3. Add half of the milk and half of the flour and whisk well. Add the remaining half of milk and flour. Whisk till the ingredients are combined well and the batter is smooth without any lumps.
4. Grease a cake tin with some butter and pour the batter.
5. Set the oven to convection mode. Preheat the oven to 180C. My oven took 7-8 mins to pre-heat. After the oven beeps, place the cake tin and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Insert a skewer or toothpick at the centre of the cake to check if it is done.

Good bye 2011, Welcome 2012

2011-12-31T06:08:00.002Z

Everyone is eagerly waiting for the new year, a new beginning, a few resolutions...2011 was a really special year to me, the year I decided to take a break from my IT job of 7 years, the year I could spend more time with my little girl and my husband and yes, the year I started this little blog of mine... I must admit that I felt really bored being a full time mom, I needed a hobby for time pass and that's how I decided to experiment with spices and flavours. This blog was initially just a place to save my recipes, but as the number of hits and followers increased, it encouraged me to post more recipes and visit the other blogger friend's recipes. I also enjoyed participating in the various events of this blogger world.

So, here are the Top 5 recipes of the year 2011. Looking forward to cook and post new recipes in the coming year.

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012.

VEG NOODLES AND CHILLY CHICKEN

PAAL PIDI

OVEN ROASTED CHICKEN

PANEER BURJI SANDWICH

DOUBLE KA MEETHA

I also hosted a few events on this blog. Checkout the roundups here

Fusion Food: Pasta Event Roundup

A for Apple - September 2011

B for Banana - October 2011

Ongoing event: Cakes for Christmas

Pav Bhaji - enjoy at home

2011-12-30T12:24:00.002Z

What's your favourite street food? Mine is Pav bhaji, anytime...I've been planning to make it at home for a long time now. Finally, I made it today and it was so yum...

Ingredients:

Potato - 1 large, cubed
Cauliflower - 3 to 4 florets
Carrot - 1/2 of a medium sized, cubed
Green peas - 1/4 cup
Capsicum/Bell Pepper - 1/2 of a medium sized, seeded and chopped fine
Green chilly - 1 or 2, chopped fine
Tomato - 2, chopped fine or minced
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Pav Bhaji masala - 2 tbsp(I used MDH brand)
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Pav bread - 6 to 8
Butter as needed

To serve

Onion - 1, finely chopped
Coriander leaves chopped
Lemon wedges

Preparation:

1. Cook potato, cauliflower, carrot and green peas together in a pressure cooker adding just enough water to cook. Mash it using a potato masher and keep aside.
2. In a pan, heat oil and saute capsicum for a few minutes. Add ginger garlic paste and mix well. Add the tomatoes and saute till oil starts appearing. Mash it a little.
3. Add the cooked and mashed veggies, pav bhaji masala, salt and enough water to the pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for few minutes.
4. In a flat tawa, add butter. Slit the pav bread into 2, and toast both sides well.

To serve, take the bhaji in a bowl and top it with chopped onions and coriander leaves. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice and enjoy with the buttered pav !!!

Off this goes to Snacks Mela

Also to Sinful delights

Also to New year, new dish..

Street foods event

Vanpayar thoran

2011-12-29T13:39:00.001Z

Ingredients:

Vanpayar (Red lobia) - 1 cup
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Green chillies - 2
Salt to taste

Dry red chillies - 2
Shallots - 3 to 4, sliced
Garlic - 2 or 3 cloves, crushed
Curry leaves - a sprig
Grated coconut - 1/4 to 1/2 cup
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Jeera/cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1 to 2 tbsp

Preparation:

1. Soak vanpayar for a few hours. I usually soak it overnight. Cook it with turmeric powder, green chillies, salt and enough water. Do not overcook as it becomes mushy. If there is excess water, keep it on high flame till water is evaporated.
2. In a pan, heat oil and splutter mustard seeds. Add dry chillies, shallots, crushed garlic and curry leaves and saute for a minute. Meanwhile mix the grated coconut and jeera with your fingers. Add this to the pan and combine well. Now add the cooked vanpayar and stir fry for sometime till the ingredients are combined well and becomes dry.

Babycorn and Bellpepper Pizza (Microwave Grill mode)

2011-12-21T11:08:00.001Z

Ingredients:

Readymade Pizza base (medium size) - 1

Babycorn - 4 or 5, cut to strips
Bellpepper/Capsicum - 1, seeded and cut to strips
Onion - 1, peeled and sliced
Tomato - 1 small, seeded and sliced
Soy sauce - 1 tbsp
Crushed Pepper - 3/4 tsp or more
Olive oil - 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Pizza sauce(or tomato ketchup) - 3-4 tbsp + more
Pizza cheese grated - 3/4 cup
Italian seasoning - as needed

Preparation:

1. Heat a pan and add oil followed by onions, tomato, bellpepper and babycorns. Add soy sauce and crushed pepper and saute for 3-4 mins. Add enough salt. Note that soy sauce has a little salt in it, so add just a little more.
2. Place the pizza base on an oven tray. Spread the pizza sauce evenly. Take 1/3rd of the cheese and spread it on top of the sauce. Now add the sauteed veggies and spread evenly.
3. Add pizza sauce on the topping if you like. Spread rest of the cheese and sprinkle the italian seasoning.
4. Place the tray in the microwave. Use the grill mode and the pizza gets done in 7-8 mins. You can see that the cheese has melted and the pizza is ready to serve.

Sending this to Snacks Mela

Dish it Out- Cheese and Tomatoes hosted by Anamika. Dish it Out is the brainchild of Vardhini

Sinful delights by Vardhini

Lets Cook for Christmas - Red and Green

ABC Series: Cakes for Christmas event

2011-12-12T14:15:00.002Z

Hello friends,

After about 2 months break, Im back to my blog...I was so very busy with travel, my brothers wedding etc. and now Im kind of settled and I hope that I can keep my blog alive again.

It is festive season and a time to indulge and enjoy. It is also time to announce my ABC Series event. The alphabet for the event is C and I didnt have to think twice. C for CAKES and C for CHRISTMAS :-)

So friends, turn on your ovens and keep baking yummy cakes and send your recipes to my event

Rules for the event:

1. Send any cake or cupcake recipe before 31-Dec-2011.
2. Please link back to this announcement page and use the logo above. To participate, all you need to do is to drop a comment with the recipe URL.
3. Archived entries are most welcome. Please update it with a link to this announcement page and use the logo in the post.
4. If you have any issues in posting a comment, send a mail to events.ramyasrecipe@gmail.com. Non-bloggers can send the recipes to this email id.

Banana Pancake

2011-10-20T13:34:00.003+01:00

Sorry friends, this post has no photo as my camera battery is on strike :-( Will try to update a picture next time I make this.

This recipe is from Vatsala's Show and Tell for Blog Hop Wednesday. I have made Plantain Pancake before, but this recipe is a different one.

Ingredients:

Whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1 tsp
Ripe Banana - 1
Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp
Milk - 4-5 tsp
Salt - a pinch
Butter / Ghee - as needed

The original recipe has cinnamon powder which I didnt add.

Preparation:

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Puree the banana and add to the bowl along with vanilla extract and milk to form a smooth batter. Keep aside for 5-10 mins.
2. Heat a non-stick pan and pour a ladle full of batter and make a pancake. Cook on low flame and when one side is cooked, add a little butter or ghee and flip to the other side. When both sides are cooked well, remove from pan.

Serve with honey.

Off to Blog Hop Wednesday - 7