Chettinadu Mushroom Masala /Chettinadu Kaalaan Masala

Mushrooms are good source of protein and low in calorie.Also they are rich in vitamins and minerals.Mushrooms are great substitute for meat as it is chewy,juicy.

Coming to the recipe,its a spicy and flavorful curry whereas,mushroom is simmered in freshly ground masala paste.Be it with rice or roti,this curry goes very well.

I made my masala on the thicker side and the gravy was enough for 3 people.If more gravy is need then add another tbs of coconut and some cashews while roasting the spices.Off to the recipe..............

                                        

                                      

             Chettinadu Mushroom Masala/Chettinadu Kaalaan Masala

---

                                                                  

   Basic Information

   Preparation time 10 minutes
   Cooking time 30-35 minutes

   Serves 3(generously)

   

  Ingredients

  

Ingredient	Quantity
Button Mushroom/kaalaan	300 gms(sliced)
Onion(finely chopped)	1 medium size
Tomato(finely chopped)	2 medium size
Green chilly/pachamilagai	2-3 (slit lengthy)
Ginger&garlic paste	2 tsp
Turmeric powder/manjal podi	1/4 tsp
Curry leaves/karivepillai	1-2 sprigs
Coriander leaves	as needed
Salt	1 tsp
Oil	1 tbs +2 tsp

  For the tempering 

Ingredient	Quantity
Black stone flower/kalpaasi	1
Star anise	2 petals
Fennel seeds/sombu	1/2 tsp

  
 Roast and powder

Ingredient	Quantity
Fennel seeds/sombu	1 tsp
Black pepper/milagu	1 tsp
Red chilly/varamilagai	3- 4
Coriander seeds/dhaniya	1 tbs
Cloves/lavangam	2-3
Cinnamon/pattai	1/2 inch
Coconut(grated)	2 tbs

  Method 

• Heat pan with tsp of oil and fry the ingredients given to roast and grind except coconut,until a nice aroma comes out.Finally add the grated coconut and fry it for a minute.Put off the flame,once it becomes cool down grind it to a fine paste.Keep it aside.

• Now in a pan heat the remaining oil and do the tempering with the given ingredients.Add the chopped onion,green chilly and curry leaves.Saute it with a pinch of salt till transparent.Add in the ginger&garlic paste,fry it until raw smell disappears.Add in chopped tomato and cook it until mushy.

• At this stage add in the ground paste,turmeric powder and salt, mix it well.Rinse the blender jar with a cup of water and add it.Let it cook for couple of minutes.Meanwhile heat a pan with a tsp of oil and saute the mushrooms till it is tender.

• Add the sauteed mushrooms to the boiling gravy and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes or desired consistency is reached.Add in the chopped coriander leaves and put off the flame.Add in lemon juice if needed.

• Serve it with roti or rice.

• I used 2 Kashmiri red chilly to get a nice color and 2 regular red chilly for the spice.
• The spices given are  for medium spice level.
• The amount of green chillies can be increased for a spicy level.

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

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80

An InLinkz Link-up

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Lemon Quinoa/Quinoa Lemon Pulihora

Quinoa is a gluten free grain(technically seed) contains 14 grams of protein /100 gms.This seed can be cooked same like rice and its a great substitute.

Now a days,I make most of the rice dishes with quinoa and one such frequently made is lemon quinoa.

Its so simple and tastes excellent when it pairs up with simple potato fry or chips.I also added some fresh green peas which gives a nice crunch and taste.

                                                              

                                                            

                                   Lemon Quinoa/Quinoa Lemon Pulihora

---

                                                                  

   Basic Information

   Preparation time 10 minutes
   Cooking time 25 minutes

   Serves 2(generously)

   

  Ingredients

  

Ingredient	Quantity
Quinoa	3/4 cup
Fresh green peas/pachai pattani	2-3 tbs
Curry leaves/karivepillai	a sprig
Coriander leaves	as needed
Lemon juice	1 tbs
Green chilly(finely chopped)	3-4
Grated coconut(optional)	1 tsp(for garnish)
Turmeric powder/manjal podi	1/4 tsp
Salt	to taste
Oil	1 tbs

  For the tempering

Ingredient	Quantity
Mustard seeds/kadugu	1 tsp
Urad dhal/uluthamparuppu	1.5 tsp
Channa dhal/kadalaparuppu	2 tsp
Roasted peanuts	2 tbs
Red chilly/varamilagai(broken)	2
Asafoetida/perungayam	a pinch

  

  Method 

• Wash and rinse the quinoa couple of times in water and keep it aside.
• Now heat 1.5 cups of water in a sauce pan with a pinch of salt and a tsp of oil.Once the water boiled add in the washed quinoa and cook it in a medium flame,till the sprout strings are visible.Keep it on the flame till the moisture evaporates.Fluff it with a fork and set it aside.

•  Meanwhile in a pan take the oil  and do the tempering with mustard seeds,channa dhal and urad dhal.Add in the red chilly,green chilly and curry leaves.Add the roasted peanuts and asafoetida,fry it for a 30 seconds.

• Add in the green peas and saute it for a minute.Add in,turmeric powder and salt,mix it for a minute.

• At this stage add in the cooked quinoa and mix it well.Let it be on the flame for a minute,put off the flame.Add in the lemon juice and coriander leaves,mix it well.

• Serve it with potato fry .

• Wash and rinse the quinoa for at least couple of times in water to prevent bitter taste.
• Cook with 1.5 cups of water for 1 cup of quinoa.If needed add the hot water and cook the quinoa and the amount of water depends on the quality of the grain.

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

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80

An InLinkz Link-up

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Soya Chunks Vellai Kurma /Meal Maker Vellai Kurma

Vellai Kurma is a popular Chettinadu delicacy made with mixed vegetable,potato or chicken and mutton.Its a rich creamy white colored kurma relished with chappathi and parottos,even with rice.

As green chillies are used to spice up the kurma and the color is pale,hence the name Vellai Kurma.Vellai means White in Tamil.

This kurma is truly an easy to cook dish and can be made in minimum time.Its a great substitute for non veg lovers as the soya chunks resembles and tastes meat.Also I added some fresh green peas along with soya chunks as my kids love it.Let's move on to the recipe......................

                                                 

                                                            
                                                                                                     Soya Chunks Vellai Kurma

---

                                                                  

   Basic Information

   Preparation time 15 minutes
   Cooking time 30 minutes

   Serves 4(generously)

   

  Ingredients

  

Ingredient	Quantity
Soya Chunks/meal maker	3/4 - 1 cup
Green peas/pachai pattani	1/2 cup
Onion(thinly sliced)	1 medium size
Tomato(finely chopped)	1 medium size
Green chilly/pachamilagai	2(slit lengthy)
Coriander powder/dhaniya podi	1 tsp
Curry leaves/karivepillai	1 -2 sprigs
Garam masala powder	1/2 tsp
Lemon juice	2 tsp
Salt	1 tsp
Oil	2 tbs
Coriander leaves(chopped)	2 tbs

  For the tempering

Ingredient	Quantity
Clove/lavangam	4-5
Cinnamon/pattai	2 inch piece
Bay leaf	1
Star anise	2 petals
Green cardamom/ellakai	1
Black stone flower/kalpaasi	a small piece

  
 Fry and grind it to fine paste

Ingredient	Quantity
Coconut(grated)	6 tbs
Green chilly/pachamilagai	7-8
Ginger/inji	1 inch
Garlic/poondu	4-5 cloves
Fennel seeds/sombu	1.5 tsp
Poppy seeds/kasakasa	1/2 tsp
Cashews/mundiri	5-6(whole)
Roasted gram dhal/pottukadalai	1 tsp

  

  Method 

• Boil the soya chunks in the water with a pinch of salt. Once it cooked completely it will double in size.Put off the flame and rinse it in the cold water and completely squeeze the water.Keep it aside.

• Meanwhile heat a pan with 2 tsp of oil and fry green chilly,fennel and poppy seeds.Then add the grated coconut,cashews and pottukadalai,fry it for a minute without changing the color.Put off the flame and after cooling grind it to a smooth,fine paste along with water and keep it aside.

• Now in a pan heat the rest of the oil and do the tempering with the given ingredients.Add the sliced onion,green chilly and curry leaves.Saute it with a pinch of salt till transparent.Now add the green peas and saute it for couple of minutes.Add in the chopped tomato and cook it until mushy.

• Now add the ground paste and fry it well for 2 minutes without changing the color.Add the salt and coriander powder to it.Rinse the blender jar with a  cup of water and cook it in a medium flame for 5 minutes.

• At this stage add in the cooked soya chunks and let it cook for 5 minutes in a slow flame.Finally sprinkle the coriander leaves.Put off the flame and add the lemon juice and mix it well.

• Serve it with roti or rice.

• The color of the kurma needs to be in the lighter shade so don't use too much tomato.
• A tsp of ghee can be used along with oil for an extra rich flavor and taste.
• The amount of green chillies give is for a medium spice level,can be adjusted as per preference.

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

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80

An InLinkz Link-up

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Soya Kheema Paratha / Soya Chunks Stuffed Paratha

Another way to sneak the soya chunks aka meal maker is,making a stuffing or filling for paratha(flat bread ) or sandwich.

I always use some veggies like cauliflower or broccoli along with the soya chunks to make the filling.This way vegetable can also be included in the diet.

If you are using soy granules then no need to pulse it,you can use it according to the package instructions.But here I used the regular soya chunks and mince it and used.

                                                                    

                                                           
                         Soya Kheema Paratha/Soya chunks Stuffed Paratha

---

                                                                  

   Basic Information

   Preparation time 20 minutes
   Cooking time 30-35 minutes

   Makes 10

   

  Ingredients

   For the stuffing/filling

Ingredient	Quantity
Soya Chunks	1 cup
Cauliflower(grated)	1 -1.5 cups
Ginger/inji(grated)	1/2 tsp
Green chilly/pachamilagai	1(finely chopped)
Turmeric powder	1/4 tsp
Red chilly powder	1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder	1/8 tsp
Coriander powder	1/2 tsp
Amchur powder	1/4 tsp
Salt	1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds/jeeragam	1/2 tsp
Butter/Vennai or oil	for brushing the parathas
Oil	2 tsp

  For the Dough

Ingredient	Quantity
Wheat flour/gothumai maavu	2 cups
Salt	1/2 tsp
Water	to knead
Oil	1 tbs
All purpose flour/maida	for dusting

  Method 

• Take all the ingredients except water given for the dough in a bowl and mix it well.Slowly sprinkle water and knead it to a soft dough and let it rest for an hour.

• Cook the soya chunks in boiling water with a pinch of salt.Once its cookes put off the flame and rinse the soya chunks in the cold water for couple of times.Squeeze all the water and pulse it in a blender to bit fine paste.

• Now in a pan heat a tsp of oil and crackle the cumin seeds.Add the green chilly and grated gingersaute it for a minute.Then goes in the grated cauliflower and ground soya chunks,spice powders,salt and corinader leaves..Cook it for couple of minutes and stir in between.Put off the flame.The stuffing is ready.

• Now roll the dough on a floured surface to a small disc,keep the stuffing and pull the edges to the center,press and seal it well.

• Roll it gently to slightly thicker parathas.Heat a griddle and once the griddle becomes hot enough,carefully transfer the rolled parthas to the griddle.Cook it for a minute and flip it to the other side and drizzle some oil or butter and cook it till both the sides become nice golden spots.Transfer it to a plate and continue it for the rest of the parathas

• Serve it with warm with raitha and pickle.

                                                                                         

• While kneading the dough sprinkle little water at a time and knead it.
• Fesh methi leaves/fenugreek leaves can also be added along with cauliflower.
• If you feel the stuffing is not dry,add a fistful of thin poha/riceflakes and mix it well.

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

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80

An InLinkz Link-up

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Soya Chunks Urundai Kulambhu / Soya Chunks Meatball Curry

Starting this week with Soya Chunks Quinoa and Mushrooms as key ingredients in Protein Rich Dishes.

Soya Chunks or meal maker is a meat like vegetarian protein made using defatted soy flour and its called as Textured Vegetable Protein.

Soy protein contains all the essential amino acids like animal protein,so its a complete protein.

As my kids love the meat like texture,I often make mild version of pulao or biriyani for their lunch box.

Coming to the recipe I mince the soya chunks and added to the lentil mixture and made the curry/kulambhu in a South Indian way.The recipe is almost similar to the authentic Paruppu Urundai Kulambu.

Also its a nice way to sneak the protein and feed the kids who doesn't like the taste of the soya chunks.Check out my list ofrecipes made with soya chunks.

                                                

                                     

                                           Soya Chunks Urundai Kulambhu 

---

                                                                  

   Basic Information

   Preparation time 20 minutes

   Soaking time 2 hours
   Cooking time 40-45 minutes

   Serves 4

   

  Ingredients

 For the soya chunks meat ball

  

Ingredient	Quantity
Soya chunks	3/4 cup
Toor dhal/thuvaram paruppu	1/4 cup
Channa Dhal/kadala paruppu	1/4 cup
Red chilly/varamilagai	2-3
Ginger/inji	1/2 inch
Garlic/poondu	2 cloves
Coriander leaves	1 tbs(chopped)
Curry leaves/karivepillai	2 sprigs(chopped)
Asafoetida/perungayam	a pinch
Salt	1/2 tsp

 For the gravy

Ingredient	Quantity
Onion(finely chopped)	1 cup
Tomato(pureed)	3 medium size
Garlic/poondu	3-4(finely chopped)
Red chilly powder/milagai podi	1- 1.5 tsp
Coriander powder/dhaniya podi	1 tbs
Garam masala powder	1/4 tsp(optional)
Turmeric powder/manjal podi	1/4 tsp
Tamarind/puli	a big gooseberry size
Curry leaves/karivepillai	1 sprig
Salt	1 tsp

  Grind to a fine paste

Ingredient	Quantity
Coconut(grated)	4-5 tbs
Fennel seeds/sombu	2 tbs
Cashews/mundiri	2
Poppy seeds/kasakasaa	1/2 tsp

  Method 

• Soak the dhals together for couple of hours.Grind the given ingredients to a fine paste and keep it aside.Soak the tamarind in water and extract it.

• Boil the soya chunks in the water with a pinch of salt. Once it cooked completely it will double in size.Put off the flame and rinse it in the cold water and completely squeeze the water.Let it sit for 5 minutes.Now take the cooked soya chunks in a blender jar and pulse it to bit coarse paste without adding any water.Remove it and keep it aside.

• Now drain the water completely in the dhal and keep it ready for grinding.Now in the same belnder jar,take the red chilly,garlic,ginger and salt.Pulse it for a minute.Now add the soaked dhal and grind it to a coarse paste.Do not add any water.

• Take the ground dhal,soya chunks,chopped onion,curry leaves,coriander leaves,turmeric powder and asfoetida in a bowl.Mix it well and make small lemon size balls out of the mixture.Take the balls in a idly plate and steam it for 5 minutes.

• Meanwhile heat a pan with oil and crackle the fennel seeds,add in the chopped onion and garlic.Fry it till transparent,add in the pureed tomato and fry it till the oil separates.

• At this stage add in the spice powders and mix it well.Add in the tamarind water and let it boil for 3-4 minutes.Add in the ground paste and a cup of water.

• Let it boil for 5 minutes or till the raw smell goes off.Now add the steamed balls and cook it covered in a low flame for 5-6 minutes.Sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves and put off the flame.

• Serve it with rice along with some poriyal.

• Squeeze the water completely in the soya chunks and grind it,otherwise it will be too watery.
• The amount of green chillies and red chilly powder can be adjusted as per personal preference.
• This curry needs to be slightly on the spicier side to mix it with rice.

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

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80

An InLinkz Link-up

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com