Onion Oothappam

Dont know wat to do for dinner ? And u r lazy enough to do a big meal,here is the simple and elegant dish.Onion Oothappam is nothing but a masala mixed dosa .But this can be used to cover up the sourness of the dosa batter .All family members loves this dish and any side dish can be made for this as of dosa.



Onion Oothappam



Ingredients:
1.Dosa batter                 -   1 cup
2.Onion                          -   1/2
3.Green chillies             -   3 to 4
4.Ginger                        -    1/2 inch
5.Chana dal                   -    1 tsp
6.Urad dal                     -    1 tsp
7.Curry leaves
8.Cilantro



Ingredients to be sauted ...

 Method:
* In a pan, add oil and splutter with mustard seeds,urad dal,chana dal and curry leaves.
* Saute the onions till it is soft ( Dont saute it too much).
* Dump in the chilies and minced ginger.


Giving a toss to the onions...

 * Take the pan , pour the contents into the batter and mix it well.
* Chop the cilantro and add it into the batter.
* Take a tava and pour a cup of  batter and make a small circle.
* Pour oil around the oothappam and cook both sides.
* Serve the crisp oothappam with any chutney.

Note:
we can add a tbsp of rice flour paste to the batter ,to make it even more crisper.
Oothapams

Fish Curry ( Keluthi Meen Kuzhambu)

Fish curry is our all time favourite.My husband went to a Chinese shop and this fresh Cat fish caught his eyes.After a long time we are having this fish curry for lunch.Wow......my mouth is drooling,I cant wait to give the recipe.



Drowling Fish Curry!!!



Ingredients:
1.Cat fish               -  6 to 8 pieces
2.Shallots               -  1 cup
3.Tomatoes            -   2
4.Garlic pods         -   4 to 5
5.Chilli pwdr         -    11/2 tbsp
5(a).Coriander pdr -   2 tbsp
6.Turmeric pwdr    -    1 tsp
7.Tamarind juice    -    1 cup
8.Curry leaves

For Tempering:
1.Cumin seeds     -   1 tsp
2.Mustard seeds  -    1 tsp
3.Methi seeds      -     1 tsp
4.Vadagam           -     1 tbsp

Method:
* Cut and wash the fish as shown.



Washed and cut cat fish.



* Make the shallots into halves and chop the tomatoes and peel the garlic.



* In a pan add oil and temper with mustard seeds,cumin seeds  ,methi seeds,and curry leaves. * Add the Shallots and garlic and saute it untill the shallots loose its texture.
* Dump in the tomatoes into the pan.
* Sprinkle some salt to cook the tomatoes fast.
* Add the turmeric pwdr , chilli pwdr and coriander pwdr .
* Let it loose its raw smell ( Be careful it may turn black at this point).
* Add the tamarind juice into the pan and bring it to a boil.



Boiling curry!!!!!!



* When the curry becomes thick, dump in the fish carefully .
* Let it cook for 2 to 3 mins and turn off the stove.
* In another pan add a tsp of oil and temper with vadagam and pour it into the fish curry.
* This vadagam gives a unique flavor to the curry.
* Serve with steamed rice .

Note:
Make sure that u dont mix the curry after fish is put into it,as it may brake the fish .

Steamed Shark Crumbles (Sura Puttu)

 Sura puttu is a south indian delicacy and served as a side dish in most house holds.Small sharks are used for this recipe.But here in US we get only big ones.Though it doesnt match with the small ones,but fresh sharks are tasty.My mom used to do a lot,but this particular recipe is from my friend Sheena.



Sura Puttu!!!


Ingredients:
1.Shark                        -     1 piece
2.Onion                       -      1/2
3.Green chillies           -      10
4.Garlic                       -       10 pods
5.Red chillies              -        3
7.G&G paste               -        1 tsp (optional)
7(a).Chilli pwdr          -        1 tsp (optional)
8.Curry laves
9.Cilantro


Fresh Shark!!!


Method:
*  Chop onions,green chillies and garlic.



Chopped onion,gren chillies,garlic,red chillies,curry leaves and cilantro


* Pressure cook the shark for 1 whistle with little turmeric pwdr and salt.Shred the shark as shown.



Steamed shark in crumbles


* In a pan add oil and splutter with mustard seeds,red chillies and curry leaves.
* Saute onion,till they becomes transparent.
* Dump in the garlic and green chillies. let it cook for a while.
* Add G&G paste and mix it well.
* I love to add chilli pwdr to spice up my dish.
* Adjust salt to taste.
* Now add the shredded shark into the pan.



Adding shark to the tempering.

 
* Give it a toss and garnish with cilantro.
* serve with rice.



Ready to serve....



Note:
Green chillies and red chillies can be reduced to ur spice level.More garlic pods will enhance the flavor.

Cabbage Carrot Fry ( Poriyal)

Thought of cooking cabbage today.I wanted to add color to the dish. When I was checking my fridge,saw carrots sitting there.Added that to the cabbage and  here comes the dish.Its full of nutrients.



Cabbage Carrot Fry!!!



Ingredients:
1.Cabbage                -    1/2
2.Carrots                  -     2
3.Onion                     -    1/2
4.Green chillies         -     4
5.Coconut (shredded) -    1 tbsp(optional)
6.Mustard seeds          -     1 tsp
7.Urad dal                   -     1 tsp
8.Curry leaves
9.Cilantro

Method:
* Chop  onion,green chillies,carrots and cabbage finely.
* Take a pan ,pour oil and splutter with mustard seeds,urad dal and curry leaves.
* Saute the onions,green chillies well and dump in the chopped cabbage and carrot.
* Sprinkle some salt to the cabbage.
* When the cabbage and carrot are cooked,sprinkle the shredded coconut to the mixture.
* Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice .



Yellow and Orange mix...







 

Chick Pea Brinjal Curry (Kadalai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu)

This is an authentic south indian dish.I got this recipe from my Anni.She has master's in this dish (ha ha ha).It tastes like ,our granny's one pot dish.We can add all starchy vegetables,like green  plantain,yam,potato,along with brinjal.I have used potato yam with brinjal and chick peas.



Chick Pea Brinjal Curry!!!!




Ingredients:
1.Chick peas            -   1 cup
2.Brinjal                  -    3
3.Potato                   -    1
4.Yam                      -     1
5.Onion                    -     1
6.Tomato                  -     1
7.Chilli pwdr           -      1 tbsp
8.Turmeric pwdr      -      1 tsp
9.Tamarind juice      -      1/2 cup
10.Coconut paste      -       1/2 cup
11.Curry leaves
12.Cilantro

Method:
* Pressure cook the chick pea and keep it aside.
* Chop the onions,tomato,yam,potato.
* Slit the brinjal into 4 pieces.
* Take a pan pour some oil and splutter with mustard seeds,cumin seeds,methi seeds,curry leaves.
* Add all the ingredients from 2 thru 8 into the pan and bring it to a boil.



Boiling in pan......


* Cover it and cook until all the vegetables are cooked properly.
* Add the boiled chick pea into the pan and mix it well.
* Pour  tamarind juice and mix it well.Let it blend into the gravy nicely.
*  Adjust salt to taste and add the coconut paste.
* Give it a stir and turn off the stove.
* Garnish with cilantro.



All Vegetables in a blend.......


We can have this dish with steamed rice.It is very healthy as it has mixed veges and chick peas.
It just tastes like the dishes,where we wud have had in our grandma's house during vacation.
Note:
We can also add ginger to this dish,which will enhance the flavor.
Quick & Healthy Indian Chickpea Stew

Potato masala for Chapathi / Poori Masala

Potato masala is the best combitation for chapathi or poori.Its a famous south indian gravy,which has mashed potato sauteed in onion,green chilli mixture.

 

Ingredients:
1.Potatoes                 -   2 (big)
2.Onion                     -   1
3.Green chillies        -    4
3(a).Garlic                -    2 to 3 pods
3(b).Ginger               -    1 inch
4.Mustard seeds        -    1 tsp
5.Cumin seeds           -    1 tsp
6.Red Chillies           -    3
7.Curry leaves           -     few
8.Cilntro                    -    few
9.Turmeric pwdr        -    a pinch
10.Salt                        -    to taste



Mashed potato,chopped onion,chillies,ginger,garlic,curry leaves...

Method:
* Pressure cook the potato for 3 whistles.
* Chop the onion,green chillies,ginger and garlic.
* In a pan add oil and splutter with mustard seeds,cumin seeds ,red chillies and curry leaves.
* Saute onions,green chillies till its transparent.
* Sprinkle salt to the onions,to make it cook fast.

* Mash the cooked potato (make sure that the potato is not too soft,let it be chunks).
 *Add potatoes to the pan and cook for 2 mins.
* Add 1/2 cup water to the mixture and bring it to a boil.Adjust salt to taste.
* Cover and cook in low flame for 2o minutes.When the oil oozes out ,turn it off.
* Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with chapathi.


Potato Curry

Pudina Chutney ( Pudina thuvayal)

Mint or Pudina is full of nutrients and iron.Mint in any form is accepted in my world and mint in any form is not accepted in my husband's world.........Wat a couple !!!!! But still I enjoy this ,thinking he is missing some thing in his life. I will buy this mint in a particular shop,where u get fresh big bunch of mint for less than a dollar.Iron for less .... ha ha ha ...



Pudina Chutney!!!


Ingredients:

1.Mint                        -     a bunch
2.Green chillies         -     4
3.Garlic                     -     3 pods
4.Ginger                     -    1 inch
5.Urad dal                  -    1 tsp
6.Tamarind                 -   1 seed size.
7.Coconut                   -    3 pieces

Method:

* In a pan add 1 tbsp of oil and fry the urad dal and keep it aside .
* Now add all the ingredents ,except coconut ,into the pan and fry.
* Make sure that the mint is not fried too much,as it may  become bitter.
* Grind all the ingredients ,including coconut into the blender as shown,


Ready to be grinded ..



* Add water, little by little into the blender and make into a fine paste.
* Take a pan and add a tsp of oil,splutter with some mustard seeds,urad dal and curry leaves.
* Transfer the grinded mixture into the pan and saute till it gets darker.
* Turn off the stove and serve with chapathis,idlis or just have it mixed with rice.........Wow......it has a mesmerizing aroma.......




 Mint Chutney

Chicken Tandoori

Chicken Tandoori,is a famous Indian dish,where chicken is marinated with other spices overnight and baked in a oven.Basically,whole chicken is coated with masalas and baked as a whole in Tandoor.Here, I have taken chicken legs for this dish. 


Chicken Tandoori!!!


Ingredients:
1.Chicken legs                      -   8 pieces
2.Chicken Tadoori masala    -  1 tbsp
3.G&G paste                        -   1 tbsp
4.Chilli pwdr                       -    1 tbsp
5.Lemon                               -    1/2
4(a).Rice flour                     -    2 tbsp
4(b).Corn flour                    -    2 tbsp
6.Yogurt                               -    1/4 cup
7.Salt                                    -    to taste
8.Red color                           -   1 tsp
9.Oil                                      -   2 tbsp
Method:
* Wash the chicken legs and make slits into it, as shown.
* Wipe of  the water from the chicken completely ,using a tissue paper


Slit chicken after wiping off water in a tissue...


* In a mixing bowl,add all the ingredients and squeeze the lemon .Make it into a fine paste .
* Dip the chickens one by one and rub the masalas well into the chicken,so that the masalas are evenly spread into it.

* Pour little oil over the marinated chicken.
* Marinate the chicken in fridge overnight.
* Arrange the chicken in a baking tray covered with aluminium foil.
* Pre heat the oven 400 degrees for 10 mins and place the tray with chicken into the oven
* For every 10 mins take the chicken out turn around and coat it with oil and place the chicken again in the oven as shown,

* In the last 10 mins ,turn the mode to broil in the oven,bcoz this will make chicken ,slightly crisp.
* Approximately, it wud have taken 30 to 40 mins.
* Check the chicken in between, whether it is cooked well.

* Garnish with cilantro and serve with ranch and ketch up.

Note:
If u think ur chk is too hot, just wipe off the masalas after marinating overnight and bake it in the oven.

Sending this entree to Akila's kitchens Event round up " Dish name starts with C"

Easy Chicken Tandoori

Ghee Rice with Coconut Stew

Ghee rice is boiled in coconut stew and garnished with cashews.Its a vegetarian delight ,can be served as an alternative for Biriyani.I got this recipe from my friend.We can have with any spicy gravies,like chicken,mutton or mushroom.Its a one pot dish and no hassles in washing the dishes.



See the texture......



Ingredients:
1.Basmati rice               -   2 cups
2.Onion                         -   1
3.Green chillies            -   6 to 8
4.Garlic                        -   5 to 6 pods
5.Ghee                          -   1/4 cup
6.Cilantro
7.Whole garam masalas
8.Coconut milk             -  3 cups

Method:
* Soak the basmati rice for 15 mins.
* Saute the onions and slit the green chillies.
* In a pressure cooker,add a tbsp of ghee and fry the basmti rice till it is light yellow and keep it aside.
* In the same cooker,add oil , ghee and fry the whole garam masalas ( fennel seeds,cinnamon ,cloves,bay leaves)
* Saute the green chillies and onion well.
* Add  garlic and saute till it gets soften.
* Add 3 cups of  coconut milk and 1 cup of water, bring it to a boil.
* Adjust salt to taste and add the fried basmati rice to water.
* Cook for 1 whistle and keep in dhum for 15 mins in low flame.
* Once the rice is cooked,immediately transfer it to another container immediately.
* This will prevent the rice from sticking together.



Beautiful ghee rice....




* Garnish with cilantro and fried cashews.
* Serve it hot with chicken or mutton gravy or mushroom gravy for veg lovers.
Note:
For 2 cups of rice,i have used 4 cups of water ( 3 cups of coconut and 1 cup of water).
Green chillies can be added more or less ,according to ur taste buds.
Pulao Rice

Microwace Rice Kheer

Rice Kheer is my favourite and wud love to have it, at hotels.Its a mixture of rice,milk and sugar.Its easy but have to be very careful,as it may turn u down any time.I got this recipe from my fellow blogger.She has done it differently.I am sending this dish to Srivalli's "Microwave Cooking for sweets",hosted by Priya.



Rice Kheer!!!


Ingredients:
1.Basmati rice          -  less than 1/4 cup
2.Milk                       -  6 cups
3.Sugar                      -  1/2 cup
4.Coconut milk          -   1/4 cup
5.Cardamon pwdr      -   a pinch
6.Cashews                  -  1 tbsp

Method:
* Soak the basmati rice in water for 5 mins
* In pulse mode,just brake the basmati rice .Make sure it is not broken too much.
* Boil milk in a microwave for 3 mins,
* Add the basmati rice in to the milk .
* Boil it for 8 mins,mixing it for every 2 mins or until the rice is cooked.
* Add sugar to the kheer ,mix it well and place again in microwave for 2 more mins.
* Pour the coconut milk and garish with cardamon pwdr at the end.
* Take one more microwave safe bowl, heat ghee for a minute and fry cashews it it.
* Pour it into the rice kheer.



Rice kheer with Cashew dressing!!!

 Note:
 If the rice kheer is too thick,just add hot milk to it.Sugar can be added more or less ,depending on ur taste buds.
Alternatively, we can just add the rice into the milk without breaking it ,but i like it slightly broken.Microave timings are just a guideline,as it may vary from one to another.Cook till it has a payasam consistancy.

Indian Pudding