Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Paneer Bhurji/Scrambled paneer

Today is the day 1 of blogging Marathon#12 and I will be blogging under the theme 7 days of paneer dishes.The recipe is paneer bhurji which is a simple paneer preparation which resembles scrambled egg.It goes very well with rotis and paratha or it can be used as a stuffing for many recipes such as sandwich,kati rolls and panner masala dosa.Now on to the recipe.......
Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Paneer(crumbled)200gms
Onion1no.(medium size)
Tomato2nos.(medium size)
Green chilly2nos.
Ginger&garlic paste11/4tsp
Red chilly powder1/2tsp
Coriander powder3/4tsp
Garam masala powder1/4tsp
Turmeric powder1/8tsp
Cumin seeds/jeeragam1/2tsp
Corianderleaves(chopped) as needed
Saltto taste
Oil1tbs

Method

                                 Heat the pan with oil and crackle the cumin seeds and saute the onion and green chillies till the onion becomes transparent.Add the ginger&garlic paste to it and fry it till the raw smell goes away.Then add the tomato and cook it mushy.
Once the tomato is cooked well and mushy add in all the powders,salt,give a good mix till it blends together.Add 1/4 cup of water and let it cook for one boil.Now add the crumbled paneer and mix it well and keep it in a low flame,cook it for 2 minutes.Finally add the coriander leaves and turn of the stove.
Serve it with rotis.

Enjoy...............

  • If you are using frozen paneer,thaw it and soak in the hotwater for 10 minutes.Then grate it or pulse it in a blender.
  • Veggies such as capsicum can also be added for extra taste.

Check the blogging marathoners participating in Blogging Marathon #12.
Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Friday, January 20, 2012

Kondakadalai Kathirikai Kaara Kuzhambu/Black Channa and Brinjal in Spicy Tangy Gravy

This is a very popular spicy and tangy kuzhambhu with lentils and other spices which popular in our households.Today I made it with brinjal/eggplant and black channa.It goes very well with rice and doesn't need any special side dish,papad is the best combo.This kuzhambu tastes even better the next day and can be stored in the refrigerator for two days.Here is the recipe.....

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
BlackChanna(kondakadalai/soaked/cooked)3/4cup
Onion(chopped)2nos(medium size)
Garlic10-15 cloves
Tomato2nos.(medium size)
Brinjal(small,round)3nos.
Sambhar powder1tsp
Chilly powder1/2tsp
Coriander powder1tsp
Turmeric powder1/2tsp
Coconut paste4tbs
Tamarind paste1tbs diluted with 1 cup of water
Sesame oil2tbs
Saltto taste

For the seasoning

IngredientQuantity
Kuzhambu vadagam11/2tsp
Curry leaves1sprig


Method


                   Keep a pan with oil in a medium flame and fry the vadagam and curry leaves then add the onion,saute it for a minute follows the garlic.Fry it till both onion and garlic get slightly transparent.Add the tomato,salt and cook it soft.
Add the brinjals and fry it for a minute then add all the powders and give it a mix.Now add the tamarind water and allow to cook till the raw smell goes away.
Once it becomes thick add the coconut paste and cook it for 2-3 minutes and finally add the cooked black channa and cook it for one boil.
Spicy and tangy kara kuzhambu is ready.
  • Kuzhambu vadagam can be substituted with a tsp of mustard seeds and1/4tsp of fenugreek seeds.
  • Instead of sambhar powder 1/2tsp of chilly powder and 1/2tsp of coriander powder can be used.But adding sambhar powder gives a nice flavor and taste to the kuzhambu.
  • Adding coconut paste is important,it balances the spicy and sour taste of the spices used.

Linking this to Dish it out -Brinjal and Garlic event hosted by Sangeetha of Spicy Treats.
Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Beans Poriyal

Poriyal is made everyday in most of the South Indian families for lunch to accompany with the main course such as sambhar or kuzhambhu.Poriyal can be made with single or mixed veggies in which a vegetable(s) is cooked along with some dhal and seasoned.To make it even more tasty grated coconut is added. Today's recipe is going be a such simple and healthy beans poriyal.Coming to the recipe I added green peas along with the flat beans to make it healthy and tasty,my kiddo wants green peas in his food.Now on to the recipe......

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Beans1/2lb
Green peas(cooked)1/2cup
Onion1no.(small size)
Green chilly4nos.
Turmeric powder1/8tsp
Coconut(grated)3tbs
Curry leaves 5-6 leaves
Saltto taste
Oil2tsp

For the Seasoning

IngredientQuantity
Mustard seeds1/2tsp
Urad dhal1tsp
Dried red chilly(broken)1no.
Asafoetidaa pinch

Method

                        Wash and chop the beans to 1/2 inch pieces,pulse the coconut with green chillies in a blender without water.Cook the green peas till soft and tender if it is dried and soaked one.
Heat a pan with the oil,crackle the mustard seeds then urad dhal and add the dried chilly,asafoetida.Saute the onions and curry leaves with a pinch of salt.
Once the onion is transparent add the beans and stir it till it changes the color.Now add a cup of water and salt,cook it covered in a slow to medium flame till the beans get soft and tender.
Add the green peas and give it a mix,finally add the coconut.Stir it for a minute and switch off the stove.
Simple beans poriyal ready.

Enjoy..................

  • If fresh or frozen peas is used then it needs to be sauteed along with the beans.
  • Adding coconut is purely optional but it gives a nice taste.
  • Instead of green peas cooked channa dhal or moong dhal can be used.

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Monday, January 16, 2012

Sakkara Pongal/Sweet Pongal

                                                   Wish you all Happy Pongal

Hope everyone had a great and fun filled Pongal celebration.Usually for Pongal celebration we make both sakkara pongal and milk pongal along with pongal kottu.This year I made only sakkara pongal since I have severe sinus infection and cough,could't make rest of the dishes.There are lots of versions of sakkara pongal with different cooking methods such as open pot,pressure cooker method.Today I made it in pressure cooker which is very easy to make and now on to the recipe....

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Raw rice/Pacharisi3/4cup
Mong Dhal11/2 tbs
Jaggery(paghu vellam)11/4cup
Sugar2tbs
Ghee1/2cup
Cardamom powder1/2tsp
Cashews(broken)2tbs
Raisins(optional)1tbs

Method

                             Wash the rice for 2-3 times and soak it for 10 minutes and drained.
Heat the pressure pan and dry roast the moong dhal to a golden color or till nice aroma comes out.Now add the rice,fry it for a minute and cook it with 23/4 cups of water for 3 whistles in a medium flame.
Meanwhile melt the jaggery with 3/4 cup water and strain it with a strainer to remove the scum particles.Fry the cashews in a tsp of ghee to a golden color.Once the rice and dhal is ready,mash it with a ladle slightly, add the jaggery syrup to it and turn on the stove.
Mix it well,now add the sugar and let it cook in a medium flame for 2 minutes.Add half of the ghee and bring it to a boil and stir in to prevent burning.
Finally add the fried cashews,cardamom powder and the remaining ghee,mix it well.Cook it for a minute then turn off the stove.
Delicious Sakkara pongal is ready.

Enjoy........................


  • Milk(1/2 cup) can also be added along with water(reduce the amount of water accordingly).
  • Pongal becomes thick upon cooling,turn off the stove when it is in a slightly running consistency.
  • If the pongal becomes thick add 1/2 cup of hot milk with a tsp of sugar and mix it well.

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Friday, January 13, 2012

Vangi Bhath/Brinjal/Eggplant Rice

Again another simple,flavorful rice preparation for lunch box which goes very well with simple raitha and papads.I learned this recipe from one of my neighbour friend's MIL who is a base of Karnataka,cooks excellent and innovative recipes.We used to share so many traditional recipes with each other those days.

Vangi bhath is a rice preparation,in which brinjals/eggplant are sauteed with  the spices along with the ground masala powder and mixed with the rice.The freshly ground masala powder is the key ingredient for this rice which gives the excellent flavor and taste.Here goes the recipe for the simple and delicious,flavorful rice.........

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Basmathi rice11/2cups
Onion(finely chopped)1no.(medium size)
Small round brinjal/eggplant8-10nos.
Mustard seeds1tsp
Urad dhal1tsp
Channa dhal11/2tsp
Peanuts(optional)2tbs
Dried red chilly2nos.(broken)
Peanuts(optional)2tbs
Curry leaves1 sprig
Coriander leaves(chopped)2tbs
Coconut(grated)2tbs
Saltto taste
Oil1tbs

To dry roast and grind

IngredientQuantity
Red chillies3-4nos.
Coriander seeds11/2 tbs
Channa dhal1tsp
Urad dhal1tsp
Cinnamon(pattai)1 inch piece
Clove(lavangam)2nos.
Dry coconut1tbs



Method

                            Wash the rice and cook it in an electric rice cooker along with a pinch of salt and a tsp of oil.Once the rice is cooked separate the grains and let it cool down completely.
Meanwhile dry roast the ingredients given and finally add the dry coconut and turn off the stove.After cooling  grind it to a fine coarse powder and keep aside.
Heat a pan with oil in a medium flame and splutter the mustard seeds followed by urad dhal,channa dhal and peanuts.Add the finely chopped onions,curry leaves and a pinch of salt,saute to transparent.
Once the onion is done add the eggplant,salt and turmeric powder,give it a good mix.Cook it covered till the brinjal gets tender and cooked.Now add in the ground powder,grated coconut and mix it well.
Finally add the coriander leaves and turn off the stove.Add the cooked rice to it and mix it till everything gets blend well.Vangi bhath is ready.
Serve it with raitha and papad or chips.
Enjoy........

  • Adding onion and coconut is optional and it can be substituted with1or 2 brinjals.
  • This powder can be stored in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
  • The curry can be made in the previous day and stored in the refrigerator.
  • The original vangi bhath powder recipe has a small piece of marati moggu,since I don't get that spice here,didn't use it.

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com