Kai Pola

Kai Pola

Ingredients

Ripe Bananas (Nendran)                                                           3 (cut into pieces)

Egg                                                                                                        4

Sugar                                                                                                 4 tbsp

Salt                                                                                                   A pinch
Cardamom powder                                                                           1 tsp

Cashewnuts                                                                                      6 to 8

Raisins                                                                                              6 to 8

Ghee                                                                                           As required

Preparation

Cut the bananas into pieces and stir fry it in ghee till it becomes light brown colour.

Beat the eggs in a mixer adding sugar and salt to it.

Fry the cashewnuts and raisins and add it to the egg mixture.

Mix the bananas and cardamom powder to this egg mixture and stir well.

Take a non-stick pan and pour this whole mixture into it. Keep it in a low flame. 

When it is ready, cut it into pieces !!!

It's a Malabar Sweet and it's a healthy food for kids.

Colourful Stir Fry

Colourful Stir Fry

Ingredients

Potato                                                                                                  2 (medium)

Carrot                                                                                                   2 (small)

Red Bell Pepper                                                                                     1/2

Yellow Bell Pepper                                                                                1/2

Green Bell Pepper                                                                                 1/2

Onion                                                                                                  1 (medium)
Garlic                                                                                                     4 to 5

Turmeric powder                                                                                   1/2 tsp

Red chilli powder                                                                                   2 tsp

Cumin powder                                                                                       1 tsp

Garam masala powder                                                                          1/2 tsp

Olive oil                                                                                                 3 tbsp

Salt                                                                                                       To taste

Coriander leaves                                                                                  A handful

Preparation

Wash and cut all the vegetables into pieces.

Take a kadai, add one tbsp oil, add onion (coarsely chopped) crushed garlic and chopped coriander leaves,  saute well.

Add vegetables, saute it for 5 minutes. Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, chilli powder, garam masala powder, salt and stir well.

Close the lid and cook till the vegetables become tender. Add 2 tbsp of oil again. Stir it frequently. Just sprinkle some water. It will be fine even if you did not add water.

Use only Olive oil in this dish because it gives more taste !

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.  Spread this on an omlet and have it !!

Isn't it COLOURFUL ?

Fish Curry

Fish Curry

Ingredients

Fish (Mathi or Sardine)                                                                     1/2 kg

Coconut (grated)                                                                              1 cup

Coriander powder                                                                            3 tbsp

Red chilli powder                                                                          1 1/2 tbsp

Turmeric powder                                                                                1 tsp

Tomato                                                                                               1

Ginger                                                                                              1 piece

Green chillies                                                                               2 (make slits)

Kudampuli (fish tamarind or Gambooge)                                           4 to 5

Shallots (kunjulli)                                                                            A handful

Oil                                                                                                As required

Curry Leaves                                                                                  A sprig

Preparation

 It's a very simple dish !

Clean the fish and marinate it with 1 tsp of vinegar and 1 tbsp of salt and keep it aside. I used to cut off it's head but not tail.

In a frying pan put the grated coconut, saute it well till it turns brown colour.  Add coriander powder and chilli powder, saute it very well, add turmeric powder and allow it to cool.

Take a mixer and grind the coconut mixture into a paste.

Keep kadai on low flame, add the ground masala, 2 cups of water, ginger (thinly cut), green chillies(into slits), tomato (cut into pieces), salt and allow it to boil till the raw smell goes.

Add kudampuli to it and let it boil till we get its sour taste in the gravy. (Approximately 10 to 15 minutes)

Now add the fish to the gravy. Keep it low flame for few minutes because sardine or mathi gets cooked soon. Pour it to a bowl.

Take kadai and heat oil , add shallots (cut into small pieces) and fry till it becomes brown colour .

Add this to the gravy and garnish with curry leaves !!

 

Vegetable Curry II

 Vegetable Curry II

Ingredients

Vegetables                                                                                                1 cup

Onion                                                                                                  1 (medium)

Tomato                                                                                                1 (medium)

Green chillies                                                                                        2 (slit)

Coriander powder                                                                                2 tbsp

Kashmiri Chilli powder                                                                         2 tbsp

Turmeric powder                                                                                 1 tsp

Garam masala powder                                                                        2 tsp

Kasoori methi                                                                                     1tsp

Fennel seeds                                                                                       1tsp

Coconut Milk powder                                                                         1cup

Salt                                                                                                   To taste

Oil                                                                                                    As required

Coriander leaves                                                                            To Garnish

Preparation

Wash and Cut the vegetables into small pieces. ( i have used carrots,beans and cauliflower)

Take a kadai, heat 1 tbsp oil, add green chillies,saute and add onion (cut into medium pieces), saute well till the raw smell goes. Now add all the powders and stir it for 10 minutes. Remove it from the flame and allow it to cool.

Put this onion mixture in a mixer and grind to make a paste.

Again heat 1 tbsp oil, add fennel seeds to splutter and add this masala paste to it, saute it till the oil separates.

Add 2 cups of water, vegetables, salt and allow it to boil till the vegetables become tender and cooked.

In a cup of water add 2 tbsp of coconut milk powder and mix well. 

When the gravy is ready, add coconut milk powder mix to it and allow it boil for 5 minutes.

Garnish it with fresh coriander leaves. It's yummy with chapathis and pooris !

Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry

Ingredients

Chicken                                                                                         1/2 kg

Onion                                                                                            1 (big)

Ginger                                                                                           1 piece

Garlic                                                                                            4 to 5

Turmeric powder                                                                          1/2 tsp

Black pepper powder                                                               3 to 4 tsp

Cumin seeds                                                                               1/2 tsp

Milk                                                                                               1 cup

Apple                                                                                             3/4

Kasoori Methi                                                                             1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves                                                                         1 cup

Chicken stock - No worries ! It's just the water which we boil the chicken.

Put apple pieces in a mixer, add milk and make a creamy liquid.

Preparation

Boil the chicken adding salt and turmeric powder till it becomes tender.

Take a kadai, heat oil, add cumin seeds. When it splutters, add onion, ginger and garlic cut into small pieces, saute well. 

When it turns golden brown, add pepper powder blend and saute well.

Add kasoori methi and coriander leaves, stir it for two minutes. Now add the creamy liquid of milk and apple.

Let it boil for 2,3 minutes. Add chicken to it and for gravy add chicken stock to it instead of adding normal water. Allow it to boil for 5 minutes, stirring it frequently. If you need more salt, can add it.

Garnish it with coriander leaves !!!

Everyone should try this...It's a different dish .. Actually have to add apple and grapes to this dish but i din't !

If you wish you can try... It's a Bengali dish :-)

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad

Hiiii All of you !! Today I am posting a simple Fruit Salad !

         Can make it with whatever fruits left in your basket or whatever fruits you like :-)

I have used Apple, Black grapes (seedless), Pomegranate and Papaya.

Ingredients

Fruits                                                                                                       1/2 bowl

Milk                                                                                                      1&1/2 cups

Cream                                                                                                     2 cups

Sugar                                                                                As required (sweetness)

Cashewnuts                                                                                              6 to 8

Raisins                                                                                                      6 to 8

Honey                                                                                                1 tsp (optional)

Preparation

Cut Apple and Papaya into small pieces and put it in a bowl, add Grapes and Pomegranate to it. Add honey and mix well.  It's optional because some of you may not prefer to add it.

Keep the milk in a freezer for at least half an hour and pour it into a blender or mixer and whip. You will get creamy milk.

Add the milk and sugar to the fruits and mix it well. Next add the cream and blend it well. 

At last add cashew nuts and raisins. If you wish you can add more dry fruits and even dates too.

I am sure kids will love to have it. It's so delicious and healthy !!  

Most of the kids hate milk so try it this way... Just apples and bananas...Whatever fruit they love... 

Egg Curry

Egg Curry

Ingredients

Egg                                                                                                       4 to 6

Onion                                                                                              2 (medium)

Green chillies                                                                                         2 (slit)

Tomatoes                                                                                         2 (medium)

Coriander powder                                                                               4 tbsp

Kashmiri Chilli powder                                                                        2 tbsp

Turmeric powder                                                                                1 tsp

Garam masala powder                                                                      3/4 tsp

Fennel seeds                                                                                     1/2 tsp

Coconut milk                                                                                      1 cup

Salt                                                                                                    To taste

Oil                                                                                                  2 and 1/2 tbsp

Water                                                                                              As required

Coriander leaves                                                                              To Garnish

Curry leaves                                                                                       A sprig

Preparation

Boil the eggs and allow it to cool. Cut the onions into slices and tomatoes into small pieces.

Take a kadai heat 2 tbsp oil, add fennel seeds and when it splutters, add onions and saute well till it turns light golden colour.

Add tomatoes,saute it till it is ready, add coriander powder, kashmiri chilli powder (it gives colour and taste to the gravy), turmeric powder and mix it well. We can add 1 tsp of oil and stir fry. Add water as required to make it a gravy. But not too much of water.

Let it boil for 15 minutes on medium flame. Keep stiring often and add salt to it. 

When the oil separates, add the boiled eggs to the gravy. Make 2,3 vertical cuts on 2,3 sides of the the egg before adding it to the gravy.Allow it to boil for 5 minutes on low flame.

Now add coconut milk and let it boil for 5 minutes. Remove it from the stove.

Add curry leaves and garnish with fresh coriander leaves !!

Multi Grain Dosa

 Multi Grain Dosa

Ingredients

Boiled Rice                                                                                   1 cup

Urad Dal                                                                                      3 tbsp

Green Gram                                                                                2 tbsp

Moong Dal                                                                                   1 tbsp

Chana Dal                                                                                   2 tbsp

Chickpeas                                                                                   2 tbsp

Black Peppercorns                                                                     1 tsp

Cumin seeds                                                                               1 tsp

Onion                                                                                          1 (big)

Red chillies (dry)                                                                             4

Green Chillies                                                                                  2

Curry Leaves                                                                               A sprig

Salt                                                                                             To taste

Oil                                                                                           As required

Green gram(green) - cherupayaru, Moong Dal(yellow) - cheruparuppu, chana Dal - kadala paruppu, Chickpeas(brown or white) - chundakkadala.

Preparation

Soak all the grains,cumin seeds and peppercorns overnight. Wash it and put it in a mixer. Add onions(cut into medium pieces), red chillies, green chillies, curry leaves and salt and grind it coarsely. 

Pour it into a bowl , add water as required to make a dosa batter.. Dont make it too watery. 

Heat the tawa and spoon in large tablespoon of the batter and make thin dosas. Drizzle ghee over it and your dosas are ready to have with Coconut chammanthi ! 

For Chammanthi - Grind 3 tbsp of Grated coconut with 2 Shallots, 2 Green chillies and curry leaves. Add 1 or 2 tsp of coconut oil and mix well.

Guys ! It's a healthy Dosa !!!!!

Broccoli Fried Balls

Broccoli Fried Balls

Ingredients

Broccoli                                                                                1 (cut into pieces)

Onion                                                                                    1 ( big )

Green Chillies                                                                             3

Gram Flour                                                                            1 tbsp

Garam masala powder                                                           2 tsp

Salt                                                                                         To taste

Oil                                                                                       As required

Coriander Leaves                                                                 A Bunch

Preparation

Cut the Broccoli into medium pieces and put in hot water for 10 minutes and drain it.

Put it in a mixer, add onionc(cut into pieces), green chillies, garam masala powder, salt, coriander leaves and grind it without adding water.

Keep a thick bottomed kadai, heat oil.

Now transfer the ground mixture to a bowl, add the gram flour and mix it well, make small balls, deep fry and your Broccoli balls are ready !!!  Use tissues or paper towels to drain the excess oil from fried foods.

Isn't it sooooooo easy ? I tried in my own way..

Guess many of us doesn't know what to do with this vegetable..  
 
                                                             Its a very healthy food and high in Vitamin C 

It contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties.

You can have it with Tomato ketchup or Mayonnaise.

Just try it !!!!

Paneer Pulao

 

Paneer Pulao

Ingredients

Basmati Rice                                                                                           2 cups  Paneer                                                                                                    250gms

Carrot                                                                                                     1/4 cup

Beans                                                                                                     1/4 cup

Capsicum                                                                                               1/4 cup

Onion                                                                                                 2 (medium)

Green Chillies                                                                                    3 (slits or paste)

Cinnamon                                                                                         1 small piece

Cloves                                                                                                       2

Fennel seeds                                                                                         1/4 tsp

Oil                                                                                                          2 tbsp

Butter                                                                                                     2 tbsp

Coriander Leaves                                                                              To Garnish

Preparation

Wash, drain and cook the Basmati rice adding salt , 1tsp ghee(optional). Allow it to cool.

Cut the vegetables into shapes of your choice but not too large :-P and onions into thin slices.

Cut the Paneer into cubes or ready made paneer cubes, fry it till it turns light brown colour and put in a bowl of warm water for 10 - 15 minutes. This keeps paneer softer and tasty ! Keep a piece of paneer to be grated and added to the rice when it is ready.

Take a kadai , heat oil and butter, add fennel seeds,cinnamon & cloves. When it splutters, add onion, saute well till it becomes golden brown (add a pinch of salt). 

Add the green chillies (slit or paste)saute it, add the vegetables, salt and mix it well and close the kadai with a lid. Keep stiring often till the vegetables become tender.

Now add all these mixture to the rice and blend well, add the paneer pieces, grated paneer and stir evenly.

Garnish with fresh Coriander leaves !

A simple beetroot dish with this Pulao prepared by my Mom

                                                    Beetroot              - 1 cup (cut into small pieces)

                                                    Ginger                  - 1 piece (cut into small pieces)

                                                    Garlic                   - 3 to 4   (cut into small pieces)

                                                    Mustard seeds      - 1/4 tsp

                                                    Tamarind              - size of a gooseberry

                                                    Jaggery                - 1 & 1/2 tsp (grated)

                                                     Salt                      - To taste

                                                     Oil                       - 4tsp

Take a kadai, heat oil, add the beetroot pieces, saute well till it becomes tender and keep it aside.

Keep the kadai on medium flame, add mustard seeds. When it splutters, add ginger and garlic, fry it.

Add the tamarind juice,grated jaggery and allow it boil for 2-3 minutes. Now add the sauteed beetroot and blend well. Garnish with curry leaves.