Friday, August 2, 2013

Dhal Palak/Palak Dhal/Spinach with Lentil



Spinach is one such leafy vegetable we include in our diet at least twice in a week.One thing I make very often is dhal palak or spinach sambhar.
Today recipe is my own way of making dhal palak especially for my son.When he was 3 years old he didn't like the texture of the chopped spinach add it to the dhal.So I used to grind the palak and made it once,as we all liked the taste since then started making this way.
Here I used masoor dhal to make dhal spinach,it can be made with moong dhal or toor dhal,here goes the recipe................................


Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Massor dhal1/3cup
Spinach/palak(roughly chopped)2 cups(tightly packed)
Onion(roughly chopped)1
Tomato(roughly chopped)1
Green chilly/pachamilagai3-4
Shallots/chinna vengayam4
Garlic/poondu(finely chopped)3 cloves
Sambhar powder1/2tsp
Salt11/4tsp
Turmeric powder1/4tsp
Oil2tsp

For the Seasoning

IngredientQuantity
Mustard seeds/kadugu 1/2tsp
Urad dhal/ulutham paruppu1/2tsp
Cumin seeds/jeeragam1/2tsp
Red chilly/varamilagai1(broken)

Method

Wash and rinse the dhal for couple of times in water and cook it in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles with enough water.
Heat a pan with a tsp of oil and saute the onion and green chilly with a pinch of salt till transparent.Then add the tomato and cook it mushy,now add the chopped spinach cook it for two minute or till it shrinks.


Let it cool and grind it in a blender to a coarse paste,keep it aside.Heat the pan with the remaining oil and crackle the mustard seeds,then follows the cumin seeds and urad dhal.Then add the red chilly and add the chopped garlic,shallots and turmeric powder.Saute it for a minute.


Now add the ground spinach and give it a mix.At this stage add the cooked dhal and a cup of water. Sprinkle the sambar powder and salt,let it boil for for 3-4 minutes.Put off the fire.


Dhal palak is ready.Serve it with rice and poato fry and pappad.



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

  • Do not boil it for a long time,otherwise the color will change.
  • Shallots can be substituted with half regular onion.

This goes for Vegan Thursday event started by Priya of Priya's Versatile Recipes.





Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Kulambhu Milagai Podi/Kulambhu Spice Powder



Like sambar powder,kulambhu milgai podi/thool is made in bulk and store it in our households.
Kulambhu milagai thool is a blend of aromatic spices along with whole red chilly and coriander seeds.
This powder can be used to make chicken and mutton curry even in masala kulambhu with veggies or legumes.
The curry doesn't need any extra chilly powder,coriander powder even garam masala powder for extra taste and flavor.At the same time the curry tastes divine with this one simple powder and the curry or kulambhu can be made in a jiffy.
Today I sharing you the recipe to make bulk as I got this powder from India,if you want to make it in small quantity scaled down the measurement and grind it in the blender or mixie.Off to the recipe...............................


Ingredients


IngredientQuantity
Red chilly/varamilagai1/2kg
Coriander seeds/dhaniya1kg
Fennel seeds/sombhu100gms
Clove/lavangam25gms
Cinnamon/pattai25gms
Bay leaves10gms
Star anise25gms
Black stone flower/kal paasi25gms
Cardamom/ellakai5no.
Turmeric/verali manjal(optional)25gms



Method

  • Sun dry all the ingredients separately for a day or two.
  • Grind it to a fine powder in blender or mill.
  • Store in an air tight container after cooling.


  • Addition of turmeric is purely optional,here I didn't add it.
  • If you are grinding it in large quantity store it in the freezer to keep it fresh and flavorful.
  • After grinding it in the mill in large quantityspread it on a plastic sheet or news paper and allow it to cool.
  • Store it after it comes to the room temperature.



Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Friday, July 26, 2013

Tomato Rice (from Leftover Rice) for Vegan Thursday


Today I am sharing you a simple rice made from the left over white rice,my mom makes this rice whenever we have lots of leftover rice.
This rice is slightly tangy and bit spicy at the same time very delicious and filling,tastes great with simple fry and chips.
Here I used the leftover rice which I made for lunch,if you want you can use the cooked basmathi rice to make it more flavorful.Lets get into the recipe ................


Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Cooked rice(left over rice)11/2cups
Shallots/chinna vengayam(chopped)15
Garlic/poondu(finely chopped)3 cloves
Tomato(finely chopped)2
Green chilly(finely chopped)2
Red chilly powder/milagai podi1/2tsp
Turmeric powder/manjal podi1/4tsp
Curry leaves/karivepillai1 sprig
Coriander leaves/kothamallias needed
Salt3/4tsp
Oil1tbs

For the tempering

IngredientQuantity
Mustard seeds/kadgu1/2tsp
Urad dhal/ulutham paruppu1tsp
Channa dhal/kadala paruppu2tsp
Cashews(optional)2tsp(broken)
Asafoetida/perungayama pinch




Method

  • Heat the pan with oil and crackle the mustard seeds,then add the urad dhal and channa dhal.

  • Now add the cashews and asafoetida,fry it till golden.

  • Add the chopped onion,curry leaves and green chilly,saute it with a pinch of salt until translucent.

  • Then add the chopped tomatoes,cook it till mushy.

  • Once the tomatoes cooked well add the spice powders one by one,stir it well.

  • Add 1/4 cup of water and cook it in a medium flame till it becomes dry.

  • Finally add the chopped coriander leaves and put off the fire.

  • To this add the rice and mix it well till everything gets blend well.

  • Simple and delicious rice is ready.

  • Serve it with chips,pappad or some fry.


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

  • Using shallots give a very nice flavor to the rice but if you want to use onion use one large onion for this measurement.
  • Use well ripe tomatoes to get a nice tangy taste and chop the tomatoes finely to get cooked easily.


Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Friday, July 12, 2013

Chettinadu Pepper Chicken Kulambhu



I have already posted the pepper chicken fry which is a dried version but today's recipe is a gravy version goes very well with rice.
The recipe I have given is slightly a spicier version as we prefer to eat this one bit spicy and made it with the chicken drumsticks.The spice level can be altered for the milder version,now on to the recipe.........



 Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Chicken drumsticks6nos.
Onion2 (medium size)
Tomato2(medium size)
Ginger&garlic paste 1tbs
Chilly powder/milagai podi 11/2tsp
Coriander powder/kothamalli podi2tsp
Turmeric powder1/2tsp
Garam masala powder1/4tsp
Saltto taste
Coriander leaves(chopped)2tbs
Curry leaves2 sprigs
Fennel seeds/sombhu2tsp
Black pepper corns/milagu1tbs
Saltto taste
Oil4tbs

For the tempering
IngredientQuantity
Cloves/lavangam4nos.
Cinnamom.pattai1 inch piece
Star anise2nos.
Fennel seeds/sombhu 1/4tsp

To grind
IngredientQuantity
Coconut (grated)4tbs
Fennel seeds/sombhu1/4tsp
Poppy seeds/kasakasa1/2tsp



Method

  • Wash and clean the chicken and marinate with a tsp of ginger& garlic paste,salt,red chilly powder and turmeric powder.Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Dry roast the fennel seeds and black pepper corns in a medium flame till the aroma comes,powder it coarsely.Grind the given ingredients to a fine paste and set it aside.
  • Heat a pan with oil and crackle the fennel seeds follows the cinnamon,cloves and star anise.
  • Saute the onion and curry leaves till transparent and add the ginger&garlic paste,fry it till the raw smell disappears.
  • Then add the tomatoes and cook it till mushy,now add the marinated chicken  and mix it well.
  • Add the coarsely ground powder and coriander powder and mix it well.
  • Add a cup of water and cook it covered in a medium flame for 10 minutes or till the chicken is cooked completely.
  • Now add the coconut paste and cook it till the raw smell goes off. 
  • Garnish with coriander leaves. 
  • Serve it with rice or roti.

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


  • Here I used the chicken drumsticks,it can be made with whole chicken.
  • The spice level can be adjusted according to personal preference.
  • Instead of coconut paste,thick coconut milk can be used.
  • Roast the black pepper and fennel in a low to medium flame to get roasted evenly.

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Friday, June 21, 2013

Spicy Eggplant/Brinjal Fry




Today I am sharing you a spicy eggplant recipe which can be made in a jiffy,perfect with simple rasam and curd rice.
When I was casually talking to my sister over the phone,she was sharing a recipe that she watched on that day in a cookery show in T.V.This fry doesn't need any fancy ingredients and no chopping needed except the eggplants.So next day without any second thought I made this recipe,it came out very tasty and spicy.My husband who doesn't like eggplant also had this spicy fry with no complaints.Use the small tender eggplants to get cooked evenly,lets move on to the recipe..........


Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Small round eggplant/kathirikkai8
Red chilly/varamilagai5-7 nos.
Garlic/poondu 5 cloves(big)
Fennel seeds/sombhu2tsp
Turmeric powder1/2tsp
Salt11/4tsp
Oil2tbs
Curry leaves/karivepillai1sprig
Coriander leaves/kothamallifor garnishing
Cumin seeds/jeeragam1/4tsp

Method
  • Grind the red chilly,garlic,fennel seeds,turmeric powder,salt to a thick fine paste with  water.Keep it aside.
  • Clean and remove the stalk of the eggplant and cut into half lengthwise.Then keep one side intact make four slits.Put the cut eggplants in water to prevent browning.
  • Heat a wide pan with oil and crackle the cumin seeds and toast the curry leaves.Now add the egg plants to it and saute with a pinch of salt.
  • Once the eggplants change the color and half done add the ground paste and fry it till the raw smell goes off.
  • Add a tbs of water and cook it covered in a medium flame till the eggplants get cooked.
  • Now remove the lid and cook it for couple of minutes,turn the eggplants carefully in between couple of times to get evenly roasted.Finally add the coriander leaves and mix it carefully.


  • Spicy,garlicky eggplant fry is ready.
  • Serve it with rasam or curd rice.




  • Serve it with rasam or curd rice.


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

    • The amount of red chillies given is for slightly spicier side,if you want you can reduce.
    • The garlic cloves,here I used is in bigger size so adjust according to the size.
    • Using a wide pan is easy to turn the eggplants and gets evenly roasted.
    • Care should taken after adding the eggplants,the oil splutter as the eggplants were in water.

    Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

    Monday, June 10, 2013

    Vatha Kulambhu/Vatral Kulambhu



    This post has been lying in my draft since 7 months,finally I posted it today.Usually this kulambhu is made with sun dried berries such as black night shade and turkey berry or veggies which is called as vatral.This kulambhu is a one such authentic recipe tastes very well with piping hot rice along with some kootu and pappads.

    This is my mom's recipe and she always adds little coconut along with the spices while grinding for the kulambhu to get an extra taste and it can be made with out coconut also.

    Today's recipe is with the black night shade(manathathakkali vatral) and doesn't need onion and garlic also,here goes the recipe..............



    Ingredients
    IngredientQuantity
    Tamarind/pulismall lemon size
    Vatral/manathathakkali vathal11/2tbs
    Red chilly/varamilagai2
    Turmeric powder1/2tsp
    Salt11/2tsp
    Oil1tbs
    Curry leaves/karivepillai1sprig
    Mustard seeds/kadugu1/2tsp
    Fenugreek seeds/vendhayam1/8tsp

    To roast and grind
    IngredientQuantity
    Toor dhal/thuvaram paruppu2tsp
    Black pepper/milagu11/2tsp
    Red chilly/varamilagai3
    Cumin seeds/jeeragam1/2tsp
    Coconut(grated)1tbs

    Method 

    • Soak the tamarind in a cup of water and take the extract the juice.

    • Heat 1/2 tsp of oil and roast the given ingredients to a golden color,finally add the coconut and grind it to fine paste along with water after cooling.

    • To the tamarind extract add the ground paste,turmeric powder and salt,mix it well.

    • Heat the oil and splutter the mustard seeds,then add the fenugreek seeds and channa dhal,curry leaves.

    • Fry the vatral,red chillies and add the tamarind mixture,bring it to a boil.

    • Then simmer it for 10 -12 minutes or till it reaches a thick consistency.

    • Serve it with rice,kootu and pappad.


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

    • Instead of manathathakkali vatral,sunda vathal(turkey berry) can be used.
    • The addition of coconut is purely optional.
    • For instant version,sambhar powder can be used instead of the ground masala.


    Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

    Friday, June 7, 2013

    Tomato Masala Kulambhu - Vegan Thursday


    Today I am sharing you all my mom's recipe with the tomatoes which is a tangy and flavorful kulambhu for Vegan Thursday.This kulambhu tastes good with steaming rice and it is slightly thicker one,little different from kurma.I personally prefer this one with the plain basmathi rice,now on to the recipe....................


    Ingredients

    Onion(finely sliced )2(medium size)
    Tomato(chopped)3(large size)
    Garlic/poondu(thinly sliced5 cloves
    Green chilly5
    Chilly powder/milagai podi1tsp
    Coriander powder/dhania podi2 tsp
    Sambar powder1tsp
    Turmeric powder/manjal podi1/8tsp
    Coriander leaves(chopped)as needed
    Salt11/2tsp
    Oil1tbs

    Grind to a fine paste

    Coconut(grated)3tbs
    Fennel seeds/sombu1/2tsp

    For the seasoning



    Cloves/lavangam5
    Cinnamon/pattai1inch piece
    Star anise2 petals
    Bay leaves1
    Fennel seeds/sombu1/4tsp




    Method 
    Grind the given ingredients to grind to a fine paste with water and keep it aside.
    Heat the pan with the oil,crackle the fennel seeds,then add the wholegaram masala.Add the curry leaves then saute the sliced onion,garlic and green chilly till transparent.


    Once the onion becomes transparent add the chopped tomatoes with a pinch of salt,cook it till mushy.

    Now add all the spice powder and fry it for a minute,add 1/2 cup of water.Let it boil till the raw smell disappears.

    Add the ground paste to it and add 1/2 cup of water,cook it till it becomes thick.Finally add the chopped coriander leaves and mix it well.

    Tomato Masala Kulambhu is ready.


    Serve it with white rice.


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

    • The kulambhu should be slightly in the thicker side not to be watery or thin.
    • Use well ripe tomatoes to get a nice color and taste.
    Anyone interested in joining us, please leave your email id in the comment section and we will contact you.




    Do Check my friends recipes who participating in  Vegan Thursday.

    1) Sangee
    2) Manjula
    3) Vardhini 
    4) Viji
    5) Divya
    6) Priya
    Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com