New Year Bonanza

Tawa Pulav - Mumbai's Street Food

Posted by Lakshman Brahma on 31/12/2016 

Ingredients 

1 ½ cups rice (cooked). I used sona mansuri, but Basmati will be good.

¾ tsp cumin (jeera)

1 big onion chopped or sliced thinly

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 carrot chopped small

1/4 cup green peas (mashed or as it is)

1/2 cup Tomato sauce ( instead use 2tomato chopped small )

1 small capsicum cubed

1/2 cup beans cut

1 tsp red chili powder

1 1/2 tsp pav bhaji masala

Salt to taste

3 tbsp butter / oil

3 to 4 tbsp. water

Coriander leaves for garnishing

How to make the recipe :  Heat butter/oil in a pan, add cumin and sauté till they begin to crackle.  Add onions, fry them till transparent.  Add ginger garlic paste, fry till u get an aroma.  Add tomato sauce and salt. (If using tomato fry till tomatoes are mushy).  Add the vegetables, red chili powder and pav bhaji masala powder, mix well.  Pour 3 to 4 tbsp. Water just enough to cook the vegetables. Cook till the beans and the carrot are cooked. Add the cooked rice and mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve tawa pulao.  Do not add too much water to the masala while cooking. It can make the rice soggy and sticky.

Butter Millk Rasam

BUTTER MILK RASAM
Posted by Vidhya Vaidyanathan on 24/12/2016

• Toor dal 1 Tablespoons.
• Cumin seeds 1 Teaspoons.
• Rice powder 1 Tablespoons.
• Butter milk 2 Cup.
• Oil 1 Tablespoons.
• Sun dried curd chillies 2 Numbers.
• Dry red chillies 2 Numbers.
• Asafoetida 1 Pinch.
• Green chillies(chopped) 2 Numbers.
• Curry leaves 1 Springs.
• Turmeric powder 1/4 Teaspoons.
• Carom seeds 1/4 Teaspoons.
• Coriander leaves 1/4 Bunch.
• Lime juice 1 Tablespoons.
• Mustard seeds 1/2 Teaspoons.
• Salt  To Taste.

How to make the recipe:
1. Take a pan and add toor dal, cumin seeds and dry roast it on slow flame and transfer it into a blender and blend it into a smooth powder. 2. Take the pan and add roasted powder, rice powder, little water, butter milk and boil it. 3. Heat oil in another pan and add mustard seeds, sun dried curd chillies, dry red chillies, asafoetida, green chillies, curry leaves, turmeric powder, carom seeds and saute it and transfer it into a butter milk mixture and add salt and boil it once. 4. Switch off the flame and add coriander leaves, lime juice and mix it once. 5. Now the butter milk rasam is ready to serve with rice.

Green Peas Masala

Green Peas Masala
Posted by Lavanya Sundar on 24/12/2016

1. Green Peas ( If dry soak peas for some hrs, i used fresh peas)
2.Onion
3. shallots
4. Tomatoes
5. Garam Masala
6. Coconut oil
For Masala
Grated coconut
Fennel seeds
Shallots
Grind all these things as paste.
For tempering - Mustards, shallots chopped, curry leaves , coconut oil.

PREPARATION:
In a kadai saute onion, green chillies, tomato in coconut oil add green peas, garam masala then pressure cook for 1 whistle then take it off(sinc i added fresh peas).  Then add coconut masala, bring it boil til you feel the aroma.  Temper it with mustard,shallots,curry leaves and serve hot.

Poricha Kuzhambu

Simple pOrichkuzhambu. 
Posted by Hema Shankar on 25/12/2016

Roasted urad dal, pepper corns, red chillies and made a paste of these with grated coconut, jeera and curry leaves. Boiled the finely cut Palak/ coriander stems , with salt, turmeric powder, a little sambar powder and hing; added this paste and cooked tuvar dal. Added tadka of mustard seeds and urad dal. Normally we don't add coriander leaves to Poricha Kuzhambu, we only add curry leaves. But this accidental mixing of coriander stems gave it a different, nice taste.

Payasa

Carrot, pumpkin and apricot payasa
Posted by Veena Subramanyam on 24/12/2016

Ingredients
Grated carrot 1
Grated white pumpkin 100 gms
Milk 4 cups
Cashewnuts 6
Dried apricot 4 to 5
Condensed milk 5 tbs
Safforn pinch
Ghee2 sp
Raisins 1 sp
Method
Boil carrot Nd pumpkin in little milk till its soft. Cool it a bit. Grind this along with Cashewnuts, apricot and Safforn to a paste. Mix this paste and remaining milk and boil. Add condensed milk and boil to payasam consistency. Fry raisins in ghee and add to the payasa.

Orange Skin Pachadi

Orange Skin Pachadi
Posted by Padma Balasubramanian on 25/12/2016

Cut orange skin to tiny pieces. Soak lemon size tamarind in water. Heat a wok, add some oil, put mustard seeds, when it splutters, add the cut orange skin, turmeric, chilli powder, hing and sauté well. Extract tamarind juice of about 3 glasses and add salt, jaggery and bring it to boil. After it reduces to quarter switch off the gas.

Plain Gravy / Thin Gravy

Today’s 21/12/2016 Recipe : PLAIN / THIN GRAVY RECIPE

This I learnt from my sister some 20 years back while my athimber was working in Alibaug - Thal RCF sidings. Still the taste is on my mouth as well. Sometimes earlier I made this at home for roti / chappathi. Just while at office recalled the recipe had a free time for 15 mins to post this. 

Chopped 1 large Onion

Chopped 2 tomatoes

1/2 cup grated / Dry coconut

4-5 Garlic cloves

Finely chopped ginger ¾ inch

Red chili powder – 1 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tsp

Cumin powder – ½ tsp

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Garam Masala – 1/ tsp

Coriander leaves – finely chopped 1 tsp

Sugar – ½ tsp

Oil – 3 tsp

Salt to taste

Thin Gravy Preparation : Heat 1 tbsp Oil in a pan and add chopped onions and fry until they turn slight golden brown in color. Add garlic and chopped ginger and fry for a couple of minutes. Add grated dry coconut and fry for 5 minutes until it turns brown. Add chopped tomatoes, coriander and cumin powder and fry until the tomatoes get mashed and form a pulpy mixture. Cool the mixture completely and grind to a very smooth paste. Heat 2 tsp Oil in a kadai and add ground paste and fry again for 2-3 mins and add add the powders and mix well. Now add 2 or 3 cups of water and boil for 10 minutes or until oil starts floating on the top. Now if you wish you can add Boiled Potatoes cut into ½ inch size into it and garnish with coriander leaves. This goes perfect with Pulka / Roti for those who are worried of cholesterol level / or totally afraid of health. Since this is only with little spicy, sometimes, this is served with plain rice also in south Indian Thali Meals.

Kitchen Tips # 26

Kitchen Tips # 26

Today 22/12/2016, I have compiled some of the best cooking tips from my known friends and family and presented here. Of course many would have followed their own style of cooking, these tips would sure help you in your Perfect & Talented cooking..

1. To have a perfect aroma and perfect taste of Tea (which ever brand you use)... always simmer the flame afer adding the Tea powder / Tea leaves in the boiling water. Never let it boil in full temperature. Switch off the gas and wait for a minute and filter the decoction.

2. Sometimes, we get new rice, which when cooked in pressure cooker becomes mushy. To get a non-sticky cooked rice, add 1 tsp of cooking oil in the rice and pressure cook. You will get a perfect cooked rice. (In a previous tip I have suggested for lemon juice, hope you remember that)

3. Always wash the Rice used for Pulav / Biryani 2 or 3 times. Allow to soak for atleast 20 to 30 mins, then spread on a plate for 5 minutes and then use for the recipe... you will get a perfect Pulav / Biryani.

4. Try to purchase Tur-dhal which is not shiny, else your cooking time, energy, money all are lost. Get Tur-dhal which is Small and Flat.

5. Many times, we find left over rice during night time. If you want to heat if and re-use, sprinkle some water over the rice and simmer in pressure cooker for 5 to 7 minutes. Rice will turn fresh and soft as a newly cooked rice.

6. To preserve the Nutrients of the vegetables, always try to steam cook the vegetables to be used in the cuisine.

7. Also cooking the vegetable in High flame for brief time will seal the nutirents and also save the fuel.

Will be continued....!!!!

Goosberry Jam

Recipe by Annapoorani Ganesan

Ingredients

Gooseberry 1 kg

Jaggery 1 kg

Elachi powder 1 tsp

Black pepper powder 1\4 tsp

Dry ginger powder 1/2 tsp

Ghee 1 tsp

Method : Put gooseberries in a cooker and steam for 2 whistles.  After cooling deseed and grind into coarse paste.  In a big kadai,add ground paste and equal quantity of jaggery. Cook until it leaves the sides. Add 1tsp full of ghee, ginger powder,elachi powder,black pepper powder and mix well.  Switch off the flame,let it cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.  Shelf life is more than six months.  I used it for one year by keeping it in refrigerator. My last year's jam was emptied yesterday only.  So immediately I made this.  Have a spoon full of this daily in the morning empty stomach to be healthy and forever strong youth.

Carrot Kheer

Today's 23/12/2016 Special Recipe : Carrot Kheer - காரட் கீர் 

There are various methods in making a Carrot Kheer. This one is a simple method without using condensed milk. Try to make this simple method and you will find it easy and tasty too.

Bring to boil 3 nos of carrots in 350ml of milk, chopped in a bowl for 4 - 5 whistles and allow to cool. Once cool, remove carrots, add sugar to into and blend into a fine paste and keep aside. Keep the strained milk aside also (will be useful for making into right consistency). In a vessel, add 500 ml milk and stir continuously in flame until it gets reduced to 300 ml. Now switch of the flame and add the grinded puree to the milk and stir again. Check for sugar level, add strained milk if you need for Kheer consistency. Allow to cool in room temperature and store in fridge for 30 to 45 mins. Serve cool adding your required toppings like Pista, grated Cashewnut of your choice. 

Being Friday, offer as Neivedhyam to your Lord and Serve with pride to your near and dear....!!!!

Gulkand Basundi

Gulkand Basundi 
Recipe by Veena Subramanyam on 23/12/2016

Ingredients
Milk 1 litre
Milkmaid 5 tbs
Gulkand 3 sps
Cashew soaked 8
Elachi powder 1sp
Nutmeg powder pinch
Almonds and apricot for garnishing

Method
Boil milk till its thickened a bit. Grind gulkand and cashew with little milk and add it to the milk. Add milkmaid and let it boil a bit. Add elachi powder and nutmeg powder. Garnish It With Roasted almonds and apricot.

Malai Koftha

MALAI KOFTA 

Recipe by Lakshmi Vasanth on 22/12/2016

Ingredients
For koftas:Outer covering: Boiled potatoes – 4 nos , Paneer – 1 cup, Bread slices – 3 nos,salt to taste, Green Chillies – 4 nos , Chhat Masala – ½ tsp , Coriander leaves – ½ cup
Filling: Cashew – 10/15 nos, Badam – 10/15 nos, Kismis – ½ cup
Gravy:2 nos onions,2 nos tomatoes,4 to 5 cashewnuts,Ginger – 1 tblsp, Garlic -4/5 pods
Other Ingredients – Red Chilli pd – 1 tsp, Dhania pd – 1 tsp, Garam Masala – 1 tsp, Kasuri Methi – 2 tsp, Cream – 1/2 cup, Jeera – ½ tsp , Small elaichi – 4 nos, Cinnamon – 4/5 pcs, Big elaichi – 1 no, Butter – 2tblsp, oil Sugar – 2 tblsp , coriander leaves
Method:Koftas: . Mash the boiled potatoes to this add the paneer . Next mix it along with other ingredients mentioned above in outer covering to get a smooth dough. If necessary add cornflour. .
For the filling finely chop all the dry fruits and keep aside .
Cut the bread in small pcs and grind it in the belnder to make bread crumbs. Keep aside in a plate.
Now take lemon size ball of potato mixture make a hole and fill the filling made and seal it well. Now roll this ball in the breadcrumbs made and tightly roll in your hands so that they are well coated without cracks.
Fry these balls/ Koftas in hot oil till golden brown. Keep aside these balls.

Method for gravy: Keep a pan with water in it and now add the roughly chop the onions and tomato into big chunks, Ginger, Garlic, Cashews, till they are well cooked.
Cool and blend in a mixer with Red chilli pd, Dhania pd, Small cardamom to a smooth paste. Keep aside.
Heat the butter and oil in a kadhai add jeera, cinnamon, big Elaichi and sauté and add the paste of onion tomato and to this add salt, sugar and cook on a medium flame till oil seperates .Add kasuri methi , garam masala, sauté on a medium flame for another 2 to 3 minutes, . Add water to get the right consistency …bring to boil…now add the cream and mix well…keep the fire low after this ….Add some more sugar as the gravy is slightly on a sweet version ……after tasting ….mix well and cook on a medium flame for another 2 minutes. Your Malai Kofta Gravy is ready.

While serving pour the gravy in a less height bowl ( so that the koftas are seen when kept over the gravy) and place the koftas over the gravy and garnish with fresh cream , Grated paneer and coriander leaves. Note : You can also slit the koftas and then place in gravy…!!

Karnini Herbal Powder

KARNINI HERBAL POWDER
(Only cure for women with PCOD/PCOS)

1. No side Effects
2. Contain high amount of Lecithin which is good for nervous system.
3. High in Phosphorous, an important constituent of Nucleic Acids.
4. Helps women in combat gallstones, reduces asthma for kids.
5. Reduces High blood pressure & Cholesterol levels
6. Optimizes Body fertility level
7. Keeps Reproductive Hormones in Check.
8. Reduces Type-II Diabetes Mellitus.
9. Phytonutrient Lignans acts against breast cancer& reduces risk of heart ailments.
10. Magnesium in millets reduce frequency of Migrane attacks.

Try our pure home made KARNINI herbal Powder, and stay FREE from your ailments. 
Try it... you will feel the real difference...
1. Can be taken as Porridge with salt and buttermilk
2. Can be taken with Jaggery as round balls
3. Can be made as dosa with Urud dal
4. Can be made as Pulka / Roti

Lavana Herbal Bath Powder

LAVANA HERBAL BATH POWDER

தினமும் குளிக்கும் போது, தேவையான அளவு எடுத்து உடல் முழுவதும் தேய்த்து குளித்து வந்தால் உடல் முழுவதும் நறுமணம் வீசும். இவ்வாறு தொடர்ந்து குளித்து வர சொறி, சிரங்கு, தேமல், படர்தாமரை, கரும்புள்ளி, வேர்க்குரு, கண்களில் கருவளையம், முகப்பரு, கருந்திட்டு முதலியவை மாறும்.  மேலும் உடலில் உண்டாகும் நாற்றமும் நீங்கும். மேனி அழகுபெறும். இது பெண்களுக்கும், குழந்தைகளுக்கும் பயன்படுத்த உகந்த வாசனை குளியல் பொடியாகும்.

Kaara Kuzhambu

As requested Recipe for KAARA KUZHAMBU....!!!

Today's Recipe ; Traditional Kaara kuzhambu - காரக்குழம்பு

Soak 1 lemon sized tamarind and keep aside. Chop 1 inch large size Bhendi, Onion and Brinjal and keep ready.

In a kadai, add gingelly / groundnut oil (Please note a typical kaara kuzambu would be tasty only with oil from Hand driven machine @ sekku) and saute the vegetables. Once cooked add turmeric powder, chilly powder and Dhaniya powder and mix well. Now add required salt and agian stir well. Now pour the tamarind pulp and let it boil in covered mode for 3 to 5 mins. Add little asafoetida and curry leaves and stir well. Once oil starts to ooze out, remove and add 2 tsp of oil on the top and serve hot with plain rice. The best combi would be Avarakkai finely chopped curry, Poricha Appalam or Paruppu usili of Kotharavangai or Beans.

Enjoy your Kaara kuzhambu, with the traditional touch....!!!!

Paruppu Satham (Dhal-Rice)

Today's (27/11/2016) Recipe : பருப்பு சாதம் 

Typical Coimbatore "PARUPPU-SAATHAM"

This recipe is almost a regular food in Coimbatore district, which is easy to prepare and good for digestion also. You can add vegetables if you wish, but the real taste of the rice would totally differ. As such, making of this Paruppu Saatham is typical and can have with any Pickles, along with Aajyam. Try this get me feed back please.

பாசி பருப்பு - 1 கப் அரிசி - 2 கப் வெங்காயம் - 2 தக்காளி - 2 வர மிளகாய் - 4 சீரகம் - 1 டீஸ்பூன் கடுகு - 1/2 டீஸ்பூன் உளுத்தம் பருப்பு - 1/2 டீஸ்பூன் பெருங்காயத் தூள் - 1/2 டீஸ்பூன் குழம்பு மிளகாய் தூள் - 1 டீஸ்பூன் மஞ்சள் தூள் - 1/2 டீஸ்பூன் கொத்தமல்லி - 1/2 கப் (நறுக்கியது) தண்ணீர் - 4 கப் உப்பு - தேவையான அளவு எண்ணெய் - தேவையான அளவு

Preparation method : முதலில் அரிசி மற்றும் பாசிப்பருப்பை தண்ணீரில் போட்டு அரை மணிநேரம் ஊற வைத்துக் கொள்ளவும். பின் வெங்காயம் மற்றும் தக்காளியை நறுக்கி கொள்ளவும். பிறகு ஒரு குக்கரை அடுப்பில் வைத்து சூடானதும், அதில் எண்ணெயை ஊற்றி காய்ந்ததும், கடுகு, உளுத்தம் பருப்பு, பெருங்காயத் தூள், சீரகம், வர மிளகாய் சேர்த்து தாளிக்கவும். பின்பு அதில் நறுக்கிய வெங்காயம் மற்றும் தக்காளியை போட்டு வதக்கவும். நன்கு வதங்கியதும், அதில் தண்ணீரை விட்டு, மஞ்சள் தூள், குழம்பு மிளகாய் தூள் மற்றும் உப்பு சேர்த்து கொதிக்கவிடவும். தண்ணீர் நன்கு கொதித்ததும், அதில் ஊற வைத்த அரிசி மற்றும் பருப்பை கழுவி குக்கரில் போட்டு, உப்பை சரி பார்த்து மூடி போட்டு, 3 or 4 விசில் வந்ததும் இறக்கி விடவும். பின் அதன் மேல் கொத்தமல்லியைத் தூவி பரிமாறலாம். இப்போது அருமையான பருப்பு சாதம் ரெடி!!! இதனை நெய் விட்டு, ஊறுகாயுடன் தொட்டு சாப்பிட்டால் மிகவும் சுவையாக இருக்கும்.

Swaminatha sharma.

Malabar Sambar

Today's 30/11/2016 Recipe : Malabar Sambar மலபார் சாம்பார்

This type of sambar is made in most place of Malabar @ Kerala. This differs from our typical Tambrahm sambar, due to the added flavours of roasted Coconut in it. Means, this is a traditional wayof making sambar in Malabar region of Kerala where coconut is fried with other spices and ground to a paste and added to the sambar. They call as Varuthu-Aracha Sambhar. Also this forms a part of their Sadhya too.

To Grind : Red-chilly 5 to 7, 2 TSP Kadala Paruppu, Dhaniya-1tsp, Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup, Methi seeds - 1 tsp.

Other ingredients : Mustard seeds, curry leaves, Coconut Oil 3 tsp, Methi seeds dry fried and powdered 1/2 tsp, Tur Dal 1 cup boiled, Bringal, Pusanikaai or Parangikaai, or Chow Chow. Tamarind paste, salt as required, water as required.

Fry all the ingredients given in "To-Grind" except coconut. Allow to cool and grind along with coconut and keep ready.

In a kadai, add coconut oil, splutter mustard seed, curry leaves, and chopped vegetables and saute till aroma arises. Add tamarind water, turmeric powder, and powdered methi. Bring to boil, once 1/2 cooked, add boiled tur dal and the grinded paste, adjust water to consistency, stir well and cover with lid for 5 mins and let the vegetables be cooked well. Once cooked remove from stove and serve hot with Rice. Your yummy, traditional authentic Malabar Sambar is ready...!!.. Serve with ulunthu appalam.

This recipe is given to grandma by krishnamma maami of trivandram some 70 years back.. Recalled this from my mom and posting here.. Thank you.. Please do try and get us the feed back.

Kunukku (Snacks)

Today's 30/11/2016 Recipe : Traditional Kunukku - குணுக்கு

This is a time pass / evening snacks, made with the available ingredients at home. In those days, once brunch is over by morning session, maamis used to soak the ingredients ready and make this at evening so that we tambrahms used to have a snacks item with Coffee / tea. This can be served hot with Coconut chutney or plain to visitiors. The taste and aroma varies from hand to hand, but to have a perfect Kunuku, one has to add a good quality of rice and dhal, so that it gives the perfect taste. This is No-Onion and No-Garlic recipe. Try to have at home and let us know the feed back. Swaminatha Sharma

குணுக்கு : அரிசி ஒரு கப், கடலை பருப்பு 3 / 4 கப், துவரம் பருப்பு 1 tsp, உளுத்தம் பருப்பு 1 tsp, உப்பு, கொஞ்சம வற்றல் மிளகாய், பொரிக்க எண்ணெய்

செய்முறை : எல்லாவற்றையும் ஒன்றாக நனைக்கவும்.. ஒரு 2 மணி ஊரினதும் மிக்சி இல் கொஞ்சம் 'நர நர' வென அரைக்கவும். மாவில் மட்டாக தண்ணீர் விடவும். வாணலி இல் எண்ணெய் வைத்து கை இல் மாவை எடுத்து கிள்ளி கிள்ளி போடவும். பொன்னிறமாக எடுக்கவும். சுவையான 'குணுக்கு' ரெடி.

Aaharians Meet at Chennai on 25/12/2016 @ Panagal Park by 1030 hours

Kalkandu Rice

Today's 01/12/2016 Recipe : 

Kalkandu Rice - கல்கண்டு சாதம்

Kalkandu Bath or Kalkandu Rice is a sweet recipe, which is normally made as Neivedhyam for goddess Lalithadevi. Ambal is so fond of sweet, and this kalkandu saatham as neivedhyam would defenitely please ambal and shower on your her choicest blessings. In today's recipe, let us learn how Kalkandu satham is made. Its so simple to make and good for taste also.

Ingredients : Raw Rice - 250 gms, Kalkandu - 450 gms, Milk 1 ltr, Elachi powder 1/2 tsp, Kunkumapoo - little, Cashewnuts 10 to 15 nos, Kismiss @ Dried Grapes 10 to 15 nos, Ghee 4 tsp

அரிசியுடன் பால் சேர்த்து குக்கரில் வைத்து, ஐந்து விசில் வந்ததும் இறக்கவும். நன்றாகக் குழைந்து இருக்க வேண்டும். அடுப்பில் உருளி வைத்து கல்கண்டு போடவும். கொஞ்சம் தண்ணீர் விடவும். அது கரைந்ததும், மசித்த சாதத்தை அதில் போட்டு மசிக்கவும். சூட்டில் அவை நன்கு கலந்து விடும். முந்திரி, திராட்சையை நெய்யில் வறுத்து போடவும் . ஏலப்பொடி போடவும். குங்குமப்பூ வை ஒரு சிறிய கரண்டி பாலில் கரைத்துக்கொண்டு , கொதித்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும் கல்கண்டு சாதத்தில் போட்டுக் கலக்கவும். நன்றாக கெட்டியானதும் இறக்கவும். ரொம்ப தித்திப்பான சாதம் இது. Sometimes, லலிதா சஹஸ்ரநாமம் பூஜை செய்யும் போது en wife செய்வா இது. பாலும் கல்கண்டும் சேர்ந்த இந்தப் பொங்கலுக்கு உளுந்து வடை வித்தியாசமான காம்பினேஷன்.

Panneer Mattar Masala

Today's 04/12/2016 Recipe - Panner Mattar Masala

Chef's Style - பனீர் மட்டர் மசாலா

Ingredients : Panner 200 gms, Grean Peas - 1 handful, Onion 3 nos finely chopped, Tomato 4 nos finely copped or grinded to Puree, Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 or 2 tsp, Chilly powder 1 tsp, Dhania Powder 1 tsp, Home made Garam Masala 1 tsp, Butter - 50 gms, Fresh Cream for top up 2 tsp. salt, water as required and Kasuri Methi 1tsp.

Preparation Method : Chop to 1/2 cubes Panner and keep aside. Grind Onion and Tomato to puree separately and keep aside. In a kadai add butter and saute grinded onion, once raw smell goes, add GG paste, and tomato puree one by one and saute well, until in forms meshy and until raw smell goes. Now add all the powders one by one and stir well. Now time to add Mattar (Grean Peas). Stir well and keep closed with a lid for 2 mins. Remove lid and add salt & Panner and stir again. Add water to your consistency and keep lid closed for 2 or 3 mins. Now finally add kasuri methi (Dried Methi Leaves) and stir well. Switch off gas and garnish with 2 tsp of Fresh cream and serve hot with Roti / Pulka / naan, etc. Your yummy chef's style Panner Mattar Masala is ready.

Hotel Rava Kichadi

Today's 12/12/2016 Recipe

Hotel RAVA KICHADI - ஹோட்டல் ரவா கிச்சடி

Normally at home, people would hate when we make Rava Kichadhi. But this typical Hotel type kichadi has spicy flavour due to Garlic and Ginger presence, and all kids would love to have this Kichadi as it is. This was revealed by one of the master cook in Kumbakonam during our visit to a mess enroute swamimalai. Please do try at home and get us feedback.

வறுத்த ரவை 2 கப், வெங்காயம் 2 (பொடியாய் நறுக்கவும்), தக்காளி 1 (தேவையானால்), பூண்டு 4 - 5 பற்கள், இஞ்சி 1 சின்ன துண்டு, பச்சை மிளகாய் 6 -8, புளி பேஸ்ட் 3 - 4 ஸ்பூன்ஸ் அல்லது 2 கப் புளி ஜலம், கேரட், உருளை, பீன்ஸ், பச்சை பட்டாணி, கத்தரி என நறுக்கிய காய்கள் மொத்தம் 1 - 1 1/2 கப்.

தாளிக்க: கடுகு 1tsp, உளுந்து 1tsp, கடலை பருப்பு 1tsp, மஞ்சள் பொடி 1/2 tsp, கறிவேப்பிலை 1 கைப்பிடி, எண்ணை 3-4 tsp, நெய் 2-3 tsp.

ஒரு ஆழமான வாணலியில் ்எண்ணை மற்றும் நெய் விடவும். தாளிக்க கொடுத்துள்ள பொருட்களை தாளிக்கவும். பூண்டு, பச்சைமிளகாய் போடவும். வெங்காயம் போடவும். நன்கு வதக்கவும், இப்ப எல்லா காய்கறிகளையும் போடவும். நன்கு கிளறவும், உப்பு போட்டு ஒரு 2 நிமிடம் மூடி வைக்கவும். கொஞ்சம் வெந்து இருக்கும். இப்ப புளி பேஸ்ட் போட்டு நன்கு கிளறவும். மீண்டும் 2 நிமிடம் மூடி வைக்கவும்.

திறந்து, 2 டம்பளர் தண்ணீர் விடவும், தண்ணீர் நன்கு கொதிக்கும் வரை காத்திருக்கவும். நன்கு கொதித்ததும், அடுப்பை சின்ன தாக்கி விட்டு, ரவையை கொட்டி கிளறவும். நன்கு வெந்ததும் இறக்கவும். நல்ல சுவையான 'ரவா கிச்சடி' தயார். தொட்டுக்கொள்ள ஒன்றுமே வேண்டாம், தயிர் போறும்.

Coconut chutney would be another best combination.

Nellikkai (Amla) Rasam

Today's 12/12/2016 Recipe :

NELLIKKAI RASAM - பெரிய நெல்லிக்காய் ரசம்

நெல்லிக்காய் முற்றலாக இருக்க வேண்டும். இதை அதன் மேலே இருக்கும் கோடுகளின் மீது கீறி பெயர்த்தால் கீற்று கீற்றாக நெல்லிக்காய் வந்து விடும். இதனோடு பச்சை மிளகாய், மிளகு, சீரகம், புளி, பெருங்காயம் சேர்த்து அரைத்துக் கொள்ளவும். கரகரப்பாக அரைத்தால் போதும் இதை ஆறு கப் தண்ணீரோடு சேர்த்து கொதிக்க விடவும். சிறிது எண்ணெயில் கடுகு, வெந்தயம் சேர்த்து வறுத்துப் பொடித்துக் கொள்ளவும். ரசம் கொதித்து வரும் போது இந்த பொடியை சேர்த்து கறிவேப்பிலை, கொத்தமல்லி சேர்த்து இறக்கவும். (All according to your taste)

Take 2 or 3 amlas, and cut on the lines and remove the seed. Add required greenchillies, pepper, jeera, tamarind and asafoetida and coarsely grind in mixer. Add 6 cups of water and bring to boil. In a kadai, add 1 tsp of oil, saute mustard seed and methi and powder it. Add this powder to the boiling Rasam and garnish with curry leaves and celery. Your Amla rasam is ready.

நெல்லிக்காயில் வைட்டமின் C மற்றும் வைட்டமின் B காம்ளக்ஸ், பாஸ்பரஸ், ஊட்டச்சத்துக்கள் அதிகம் உள்ளது. வயிற்றுப்போக்கு, நீரிழிவு போன்றவற்றைக் குறைக்கும். பித்தத்தை குறைக்கும். கண் பார்வையை தெளிவாக்கும். இரத்தத்தை தூய்மையாக்கும், மூலம், மலச்சிக்கல், வாய்வு, இருமல், சளி, வாந்தி மஞ்சள் காமாலை மற்றும் தோல் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நோய்களை குறைக்கும்.

Nellikkai is rich in Vit C, B-Complex, Phosporus and nutritiens. Having this rasam reduces Dysentry, water related diseases, Piththam. Increases eye sight and cleans the blood. Moolam, Kabha, Cough, Cold, Vomitings and even Manjal Kamalai are also reduced.

Paruppu Thengai Koodu - Significance

In all our functions and rituals right from birth, valaikaapu, seemantham, brahmopadesam, Nitchayathartham, marriage, etc. etc.. We use to have a pair of Conical / metalic or Cardboard type "PARUPPU THENGAI KOODU". 

1. Now what does this mean? and 

2. Why such a conical shape of Koodu is made of?, 

3. What is the real significance?

Hear goes the answer.

In vedic periods, during marriages, when groom's family were received, they serve food in leaves foled in conical type, first to have food after their long journey to the bride's village.  Also in those era, Shiva and Parvathi were the only deities known to many layman.  But after Vedic period, due to the known factors of the mantras and its invoking presiding deities, people used to worship lot of other God / goddess of their choice.  

But since time immemorial, Both Shiva and Parvathi were the only God and Goddess they are invoked in Cone.  But now the question arises why only in Cone and why Paruppu thengai... right ?

As I mentioned earlier, food were served earlier in leaves, turned into cone (As you can even see in today's shops where pakoda or other food stuffs are given in paper cones... even popcorns are served in cones) and served to the family.  This cone was were very easy to them to store food items. Hence it became a practise.  Also to astrologically signify, A food stuff kept under a cone, lasts for longer period, then kept in open area, as it is scientifically prooved that the conical shape has the power to absorb all the positive energy in it and pass on to the food stuffs covered in the cone.  

Since, in olden days, The Pulses (Parupu) and Thengai (Coconut) and Jaggery (vellam) are the main ingredients used in cooking (Pulses maybe of any time, which includes any millets also) were kept in the cone and offerred to the groom's family so that the couples who get married would eat those stuffs from cone, would stay hale and healthy for ever without any diseases, with the blessings of Shiva and Parvathi.....who are invoked in the cone with mantras chanted before marriage.

In later stages, due to advancement in cooking, techniques and practises, slowly instead of pulses, jaggery and coconut, they are cooked and stuffed inside, then came Manoharam, Boondhi, etc etc (Bhoondi is made of Kadalai paruppu only).

Hope you have got the real significance of PARUPPU THENGAI KOODU

International Brahmins Cuisine Day (IBCD)

Let us all celebrate International Brahmins Cuisine Day (IBCD) on 1st November every year.

1. Change your Profile with this Picture
2. Share to all your groups and your brahmin friends
3. Make traditional Cuisines of your part, and have at home
4. Avoid rajasic foods, onion & garlic on this entire day
5. Take a wow not to eat Hotel foods on this day.

Venira Herbal Hair Oil

Aaharam has launched its another product

VENIRA HERBAL HAIR OIL 

on 16th october-2016 @ Chennai

Rs. 60/- per 100ml 

Rs. 110/- per 200 ml

Rs. 280/- per 500 ml

Annual Day Celebrations

Invitation for Annual Day Celebrations 

Kurukku Kalan

Our Admin Prema Kannan in Kerala Traditional Recipe Kurukku Kalan

Porul Vilanga Urundai

Porul Vilanga Urundai

Kitchen Tips

Samayalarai Santhegangal Part # 7

Kitchen Tips

Samayalarai Santhegangal Part # 6

Kitchen Tips

Samayalarai Santhegangal Part # 5

Kitchen Tips

Samayalarai Santhaegangal Part # 4

Kitchen Tips

Samayalarai Santhaegangal Part # 3

Chief Guests

CHIEF GUESTS OF THE PROGRAM

Home Made Herbal Tea

Venira Liquid Soap

VENIRA - Herbal Shampoo

Sprouted Methi Pickle

Sprouted Methi Pickle!

Posted by Subha Raghunath on 29/02/2016

Dry Methi seeds-1/2 cup or sprouted Methi seeds-2cups

Tamarind- lemon sized

Gingelly oil/nallennai-1/2 cup

Mustard seeds-1 tsp

Water-3/4th to one cup

Curry leaves-1 sprig

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

LG powder-1/2 tsp

Salt- as required

Red chilli powder- tbsp

Jaggery- 2 tbsp

Method :-  Sprout dry methi seeds. Half cup of dry methi seeds will yield approx two cups of sprouted methi. Heat oil in a pan. Add M. seeds and add sprouted methi seeds. Stir quickly. Add curry leaves. Take tamarind extract adding water and allow it to cook in low heat. Stir occasionally. When the content is boiling, add haldi,LG powder. After twenty mins, you will notice, content reduced, oil absorbed and oil starts leaving the sides. Sprouted methi should have cooked well and raw tamarind smell should have gone. Add red chilly,salt and jaggery. This thokku will be in gojju consistency. Allow it to cool and store it. Can be used in rice/idly/dosa. Use in moderation!  Diabetic friendly!

Vegetable Puffs

Vegetable puff recipe

Posted by Menaka Chandrasekar on 28/02/2016

Ingredients For stuffing 

1 cup Mixed vegetables chopped finely (i used carrots, onion, tomato, potatoes, mushroom, peas, capsicum )

2 green chillies chopped finely

1tbsp ginger garlic paste

7-8 Curry leaves

1 tbspn red Chilli powder 

1/2 tbspn sambhar powder or garam masala 

1/2 tspn turmeric powder

1/2 tspn coriander powder

About 1tspn Mustard, jeera for sauté 

Salt to taste.

Method : In a pan, heat some oil and sauté mustard and jeera until they crackle and then add in onion, curry leaves and green chillies.  Sauté till slightly browned and add in.  Ginger garlic paste and fry till raw smell goes away. Next add in veggies one by one and sauté everything till well cooked. Add in all spice powders and salt and stir well for 5 mins. Keep aside  For puff base I used a ready made puff pastry sheet( 1 sheet is about 12 inches square and yields 4 puffs). Preheat oven to 220 deg celcius.

Meanwhile prepare a baking tray lined with aluminium foil and grease with oil slightly. Thaw and prepare the pastry sheets as per the instructions given in the cover. Cut the big pastry sheet into smaller squares and place 2 tbspn stuffing in each square and fold over in a triangle or fold in half (rectangular). Press down the edges with a fork. Place the puffs on the baking tray and coat the top with ghee slightly.  Bake for 20-25 mins on 220deg celcius until the puff has become flaky and browned well.  Serve with chilli ketchup and piping hot tea

Chakli

Simple Chakli.

Posted by Annapoorani Ganesan on 28/02/2016

Besan 1 cup, rice flour 2 cups, chilli powder, daniya poder, salt, hing, jeera and biutter.  Mix all ingredients and bind like roti dough by adding water.  Make chakli with the help of Murukku kozal through single star blade.  Deep fry until get goden brown colour.  Serve with hot tea or coffee.

Kitchen Tips # 21

Kitchen Tips # 21

Posted by Swaminatha Sharma on 28/02/2016

1. ஒரு டேபிள் ஸ்பூன் தனியா மிளகு 6 இரண்டையும் வறுத்து பொடியாக்கி புளிகாய்சலை சாதத்துடன் கிளறும்போது சேர்த்து கலந்து பிசைந்தால் புளியோதரை சூப்பராக இருக்கும். Add 1tsp of Pepper and Dhaniya dry roasted and powdered in Puli-kaaichal, which gives good aroma and taste.

2. ரவா உப்புமா செய்யும்போது பாதி தண்ணீரும்,பாதி தேங்காய் பால் அல்லது பசும்பால் சேர்த்து செய்தால் உப்புமா மிகவும் சுவையாக இருக்கும். Upma will be tasty and awesome if we add 1/2 water and 1/2 Coconut milk or Milk to it.

3. மெதுவடை செய்யும்போது உளுந்தை சரியாக 1/2 மணிநேரம் ஊறவைத்தால் போதும்.முக்கால் பாகம் ஊறியும்,கால் பாகம் ஊறாமலும் இருப்பது தான் சரியானபதம். The exact time of soaking for Urud-dal vada would be for 30 mins where half is good soaked and half will be half soaked.

4. பாகற்காயை எப்படி செய்தாலும் கசக்கும்.அதற்க்கு காயை அறிந்து முதலில் உப்பு போட்டு பிசைந்து 10 நிமிடம் ஊறிய பிறகு,புளித்தண்ணீரில் 10நிமிடம் ஊறவைத்து கழுவி சமைத்தால் கசப்பு ஒரளவு குறையும். To remove the Kasappu from Bittergourd, just cut to pieces, add salt and keep aside for 10 mins. Then soak in Tamarind Water for 10 mins, will reduce the maxikum bitterness from it.

5. தேங்காய் தண்ணீரை வீணாக்காமல் ரசத்தில் சேர்த்தால் ரசம் மிகவும் ருசியாக இருக்கும். Adding Coconut water to Rasam will enhance the taste of the rasam.

Garlic Kuzhambu

Poondu(Garlic) Kuzhambhu Recipe

Posted by Shankar MrsGowri on 28/02/2016

4 pal poondu oru thundu inji 1 tsp jeera oora vechikongha... For 15 mins.  In a kadai pour 1 tbsp gingly oil... Add mustard hing red chillies(2) curry leaves... Then fry onions... When they are translucent ... Add one finely chopped tomato...then add garlic cloves(min 20) ... Fry well.... Then add sambhar podi... Fry till raw smell goes .... Then grind and the soaked garlic ginger jeera mix... Fry till oil oozes out.... Add salt and pour 1/2 cup tamarind water and 1/2 cup water.... Boil until the oil oozes out.... Garnish with fresh curry leaves... Serve with hot rice...

Vegetable Kichadi @ Bengali Kichadi

VEGETABLE KICHADI/BENGALI KICHADI

Posted by Sowjanya Suraj on 27/02/2016

INGREDIENTS

RICE 1 CUP

MOONGDAL(yellow or pink variety) 1/2 cup

potato,beans,peanut,carrot,capsicum finely chopped 1/2 cup

GHEE 4 TBSP

ONION 2 (FINELY CHOP

CINNAMON STICK

ANA FLOWER

CORIANDER LEAVES

curry leaf

turmeric powder

ginger,garlic,green chilli 1tbsp

METHOD :  In a kadai, add ghee.When it becomes hot , add ginger,garlic,green chilli,clove,cinnamon stick,turmeric powder.Fry nicely.  Add chopped onions,and fry well.Then add cut vegetables and then rice and moongdal. Fry for 2 mins.  Transfer to a big vessel.Add 4-5 cups of water.And cook in pressure cooker for 8-10 whistles.  After cooker can be opened add salt and some more ghe.Mix well.  Serve hot with any raitha.

Manchow Soup

MANCHOW SOUP

Posted by Lakshmi Vasanth on 22/02/2016

Ingredients:cabbage, carrots, onions , capsicum (finely chopped) –all each 2 tbsp,Corn Flour - 3 tsp, Salt, Sugar – only 1 tsp 

Vinegar - 1 tsp, White Pepper - 1/2 tsp, Soya Sauce - 1 tsp

Aginomotto - 1/2 tsp, Spring Onions , Coriander stems 2 tsp finely chopped Garlic 10 pods - ginger 1 inch - green chillies 3 ( all finely chopped ), Tamarind Pulp - 2 tsp, Black Salt – 1/2 tsp

Method : Heat oil in a pan add the garlic, chilli, ginger and sauté then add all the vegetables and fry for 1-2 minutes.Now add ajinomoto and fry for more 2 mins and then add 3 cups of water.To this add salt, sugar only 1 tsp, soya sauce, pepper pd, tamarind juice and bring to boil, Once the mixture is boiling add corn starch gradually and stir constantly until it thickens. Now add vinegar, spring onions leaves and coriander stems and bring to boil for 2 mins Serve hot with fried noodlles

Milagu Kuzhambu

Milagu Kuzhambu Recipe

Posted by Gayathri Babu on 27/02/2016

1 cup toor dhal, 10 to 20 pepper, chilly, hing , should be fried in oil and after switching off the flame 2 table spoon of coconut which is to be grinded coarsely.  Pls note that this should not be finely grinded.  Soak 1 lemon size of tamarind n squeeze the juice from it

In iron kadai pour gingelly oil and temper mustard seeds, hing, kadalai paruppu, chilly and curry leaves. Then add tamarind extract and after little boiling, the grinded paste should be added

Ellam sernthu nalla kothichu ennai piriyanum. That's all, But kilarindu irukkanum, else Adi pidikkum