Monday, April 8, 2013

Paanakam

Paanakam is an authentic drink which offers to god as a prasadham for Rama navami,ancestors poja and even in local temples poojas.
As Rama Navami(Lord Rama's birthday) is nearing I thought of sharing this traditional drink which  made as prasadham for that day.
Also offered as  prasadham in temples especially in summer days as it is a body coolant and thirst quencher.
This drink is a very simple one which doesn't need any fancy ingredients and the flavor of cardamom and ginger with the hint of lemon makes it so refreshing.Now on to the recipe......................

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Jaggery1/2cup
Water21/4-21/2cups
Ginger(crushed)1 inch piece
Cardamom powder1/2tsp
Lemon juice2tbs



Method 

  • Dissolve the jaggery in 21/2 cups of water and add the crushed ginger,leave it for 10 minutes.
  • After the jaggery completely dissolved in the water pass it through a strainer to remove the impurities and the ginger.
  • To this add cardamom powder and lemon juice,let it sit for10 minute.
  • Serve it.

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


  • For extra flavor a small rice grain size of edible camphor can be added.
  • Originally dry ginger(sukku)is added instead of fresh ginger.
  • The amout of water and lemon juice can be decreased and increased according to personal preference. 
  • To serve it chilled add some ice cubes.
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Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Malai Kofta

Party food won't be complete without a curry and some flat breads so I make some curry goes very well with bread and rice.
As kids love paneer,my preference would be with that but whenever we need a change from paneer butter masala my go is rich creamy malai kofta.
Malai kofta is a rich creamy curry in which kofta(dumpling with cheese and potato) is made and added to a creamy rich gravy.
Originally the the koftas are deep fried in the oil but today I fried the koftas in paniyaram pan(ableskiver pan).Frying koftas in this method is little time consuming as it needs to cooked in a low flame.If you are in a hurry then it can be deep fried and added,I tried both the versions and couldn't make out the difference once it gets soaked in the gravy.
The recipe I am sharing is a low calorie version and didn't add any fresh cream,instead used the milk but if you want to make it even more rich you can add the fresh cream.
The recipe I adapted so many sources and tweaked according to my taste,now on to the recipe......................................
Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Potato(cooked,mashed)3/4cup
Paneer/cottage cheese(grated)3/4cup
Green chilly (chopped)1no.
Coriander leaves(finely chopped)2tbs
Red chilly powder 1/4tsp
Garam masala powder1/4tsp
Roasted cumin powder1/8tsp
Cashews(chopped)2tsp
Salt3/4tsp
Oilas needed to fry

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Onion(chopped)1no.(medium size)
Tomato3nos.(medium size)
Ginger&garlic paste2tsp
Red chilly powder3/4tsp
Coriander powder 1tsp
Garam Masala powder1/4tsp
Cashews5nos.
Milk11/2-2cups
Coriander leaves2tbs
Tomato ketchup2tsp
Saltto taste
Oil3tbs
Butter1tbs


Method

In a bowl take all the ingredients given for kofta except oil and mix it well.Take a small lemon size and smooth it,make a ball,keep it aside.

Heat the paniyaram pan and add few drops of oil to each hole and add the balls and fry it in a low flame.Turn the balls with the help of a spoon to all the sides to cook evenly.Once all the sides get browned take out from the pan and keep it aside.

Heat a pan with a tbs of oil,saute the onion and tomato with a pinch of salt till it becomes soft.Let the mixture gets cool down,after cooling grind it to a smooth paste.Then grind the cashews along with little milk to a fine paste.Heat a pan with the remaining oil and butter,add the ginger&garlic paste,fry it for a minute.Then add the ground paste and saute it for 2-3 minutes.


Now add the chilly powder,coriander powder and salt to it and cook it for a minute.At this point add the cashew paste and milk,let it boil till the raw smell goes off.


Add the tomato ketch up and give it a boil.Finally add the garam masala powder and coriander leaves,mix it well.Put off the flame.Add the koftas to it.

Serve it with Naaan or Pulao.

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

  • The milk should be in room temperature and I used the low fat milk which can be substituted with whole milk.
  • If you are using cream add it in the end and mix the gravy then add the koftas.In such case reduce the amount of milk to 1 cup and use 1/2 cup of cream.
  • Addition tomato ketchup is optional but it gives a nice color and taste to the gravy.
  • When you are deep frying the koftas,if it separates in the oil add couple of tbs of all purpose flour to the mixture.
  • Add the koftas before 10 minutes of serving,heat the gravy and add the koftas to it.I added only 3 koftas just for the picture sake and added the rest before serving.
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Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Strawberry Lassi


Milk shake or lassi is all time favorite for kids so I always make it for any kids party or casual get together.Especially in summer days kids play a lot in the outside and drink lots of ready made juice.Those juices are loaded with sugar,to avoid I make some healthy milkshake or lassi with some fresh fruits.This lassi is filling thirst quencher for summer which I make it even for casual get togethers also if the food is light and simple.This is a very simple and easy to make yet delicious,colorful lassi,all you need is some strawberry and fresh thick yogurt.Now on to the recipe....................................

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Strawberry8nos.(hulled)
Fresh thick yogurt11/4cups
Milk(chilled)1/4cup
Ice cubes5-6 cubes
Sugar(optional) 2tsp



Method

  1. Blend the strawberry and sugar to a very fine paste then add the yogurt,ice cubes and blend it well.
  2. Pour it in the glass and serve it.

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

  • The yogurt should not be sour it is fresh to get a nice taste.
  • To make it more rich add a scoop of strawberry ice cream while blending.
  • I usually don't add ice if I make it in advance,keep it in the refrigerator.
Check out my fellow bloggers participating in Blogging Marathon#27.

 
Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Coconut Rice


Coconut rice is a flavorful rice which is made especially for the baby shower and Chitra pournami day(the full moon day in the month of April).
In our tradition for baby shower we make 5 or 7 types of variety rice along with chutney and pappad, one among is coconut rice.
I have already posted the  Variety Rice Thali in Blogging marathon which we make it for Chitra Pournami day and even for the baby shower also same type of rice varities with little more sides and sweets.Here is the recipe.........................

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Rice3/4cup
Coconut(grated)1cup
Green chilly(finely chopped)2nos.
Red chilly(broken) 1no.
Coconut pieces(finley chopped) 1tsp(optional)
Cashews1tbs
Roasted peanuts1tbs
Curry leaves1 sprigs
Ginger(grated)1/2tsp
Saltto taste
Oil1tbs

For the tempering  



IngredientQuantity
Mustard seeds1/2tspp
Urad dhal1tsp
Channa dhal1tsp
Asafoetida a pinch



Method 

  • Cook the rice in a rice cooker or pressure cooker and separate the grains,keep it aside.
  • Keep a pan on the stove top and once it becomes hot add the oil and do the tempering with the ingredients given.
  • Then toast the curry leaves,peanuts and cashews. Now add the chopped coconut pieces ginger,green chilly,red chilly,fry it for a minute.
  • Then add the grated coconut and salt,saute it till nice aroma comes out without changing the color.Put off the stove.
  • Add the cooked rice and mix it well to get blend everything.
  • Coconut rice is ready.Serve it with papad,chips and potato fry.


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

  • Raw rice or basmathi rice can be used for this preparation.
  • Use of coconut oil gives a very nice flavor and taste to this rice.
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Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Orange Mocktail


Today's recipe is a easy to make welcome drink which is ideal for kids party to avoid the aerated drinks.This is a colorful,refreshing drink perfect for summer parties and a perfect thirst quencher too.
The recipe I adapted from Sangeetha's blog and these days this has become my son's favorite.I made this mocktail with the fresh orange juice and it tastes good.Now to the recipe....................

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Orange juice1cup
Sprite1/2cup
Sugar(optional)1tsp
Ice cubesas needed



Method 
  • Wash the oranges and cut in to halves,squeeze it in a juicer and to get the juice.
  • To this juice add the sprite and sugar,mix it well.
  • Pour it in a glass and serve it with ice as needed.

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

  • I didn't filter the juice if you want you can filter the juice.
  • Adding sugar is purely optional.
  • I used 3 large size navel oranges to get a cup of juice.
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Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Macaroni and Vegetable Cutlet



For the day 2 of blogging Marathon I chose the theme Birthday party and for the next few days I will be focusing towards the birthday theme.
As kids always like to have some finger food with the ketchup thought the cutlet would be apt for the starter.To make it more healthier I shallow fried the cutlets instead of deep frying.Now off to the recipe........................

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Macaroni(elbow shape)1/3cup
Potato2 nos.(medium size)
Mixed veggies(carrot,beans,peas and corn)1/2cup(finely chopped)
Paneer/cottage cheese 1/2cup(grated)
Chilly powder 1tsp
Garam masala powder1/2tsp
Coriander leaves(chopped)2tbs
Salt1tsp
Oilas needed for frying
All purpose flour/maida2tbs
Bread crumbs3/4-1cup(approximately)



Method

  • Cook the macaroni in the boiling water till gets soft,drain the excess water and let it cool.Pressure cook the potatoes for 2 whistles and mash it,set it aside.
  • Cook the finely chopped veggies with a pinch of salt and sprinkle some water,microwave it for 3-4 minutes.Drain if any excess water is left.
  • Now in a mixing bowl add the mashed potatoes,cooked macaroni,mixed veggies,salt,red chilly powder,garam masala powder,finely chopped coriander leaves.Mix everything well till it gets blend thoroughly.
  • Now take a small lemon sized of the above mixture and make it to a smooth ball and flatten it to a disc.Continue for the rest and keep it.
  • Now to the all purpose flour add 1/4 cup of water and a pinch of salt,mix it to a thin batter.Heat the pan with a tbs of oil.
  • Take a flattened disc,dip it in the thin batter and then dust it with the bread crumbs.
  • Drop it in the pan 4-5 discs at a time and fry it both sides till golden.Drain it on a paper towel.
  • Serve it ketchup.

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

  • It can be deep fried also in the oil and if the cutlets spread in the oil add 2tbs of all purpose flour to the mixture.
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Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Monday, April 1, 2013

Semiya/Vermicelli Payasam

Blogging Marathon#27 has started from today and this marathon is going to be a very special which is a 30 days marathon.
For this month Valli has chosen a 30 days marathon with 4 different themes for each week and this week,s theme is Occasion.
Under this theme we need to showcase the recipes which is prepared during occasions such as wedding,birthday,anniversary.
Today I am sharing a simple and delicious payasam with vermicelli popular in occasions.None of the South Indian occasion meal won't be complete without the payasam and vadai.
Coming to the recipe I wanted to make the payasam along with the colored sago which is usually served in the wedding menu.So I started hunting colored sago in Indian grocery unfortunately it is not available here.But for my surprise I got the colored vermicelli instead of sago,made this evergreen payasam served in the weddings.Now off to the recipe.........................

Ingredients 

IngredientQuantity
Vermicelli/semiya1cup
Sugar3/4cup
Milk2cups
Cashews 3tbs
Cardamom powder/ellaki podi 1/4tsp
Ghee1tbs
Condensed milk1/4cup(optional)




Method


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

  • Addition of condensed milk is purely optional but it gives a richness to the payasam,if you are not adding increase the sugar quantity to 1 cup.
  • The amount of milk can de adjusted according to the consistency.
  • Raisins can also be added and for extra flavor rose or vanilla extract can be added.

Check out my fellow bloggers participating in Blogging Marathon#27.
Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com