Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Dabbakaya Pachadi or Citron Chutney

Ingredients:


  • Dabbakaya/Citron- 1 (I used half for preparing the chutney)
  • Water- 1/2 cup
  • Salt- 1 1/2 tsp
  • Jaggery- 3 tbsp or more
  • Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
  • Dry red chilies- 12-15 broken into pieces
  • Mustard seeds- 1 1/2 tbsp
  • Fenugreek seeds- 1 1/4 tbsp (methi)
  • Oil- 1 tbsp


For Tempering:

  • Oil- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp (Jeera)
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp (Hing)


Method:

Please watch the below video for the procedure. I will update the written version in a few days.
Thank you. :)




Monday, December 11, 2017

Tomato Dal - mixed style

Ingredients:
  • Moong dal- 1 1/2 cup (Pesara pappu) (Split green gram without skin)
  • Water- 2 cups
  • Tomatoes- 6-8 medium sized, cut into small pieces
  • Onion- 1 small, chopped
  • Green chilies- 4-6 slit vertically
  • Curry Leaves- 6-8
  • Coriander leaves- a small handful, roughly chopped
  • Salt- 1 tsp or more
  • Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
  • Lemon juice- 1/2 tsp or less


For Tempering:

  • Oil- 2-3 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
  • Dry red chilies- 2 broken into pieces
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp


Method:
  1. Wash and soak the moong dal in 1cup of water for 10 minutes.
  2. Cook till it gets soft and mushy. The dal cooks easily and it will take about 15 minutes in a pan. 
  3. Or you can cook it in a small cooker for 3 whistles.
  4. To this cooked dal add chopped tomatoes, salt, turmeric powder and mix.
  5. Prepare tempering simultaneously, by heating oil in a small pan.
  6. To that oil add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies and asafoetida.
  7. As the mustard splatters add the green chilies, curry leaves and onion. 
  8. Saute for 2 minutes till the onion is translucent.
  9. Now add this tempering to the dal and mix.
  10. Grate ginger and garlic directly into the dal. Make sure the heat is in simmer all times and use a heavy bottom pan or dish. 
  11. Add water to wash off the grater and let it cook for 12 - 15 minutes til you get the desired consistency. 
  12. Add the lemon juice before turning of the heat and mix well. Top with coriander leaves and serve with rice, roti, puri or jowar roti. 
Notes:
  1. You can add crushed ginger garlic for this instead of grating. But use fresh paste for maximum flavor.
  2. Onion can be added directly to the dal and cooked. 

 


Saturday, December 9, 2017

Mint Leaves Chutney

Ingredients:
  • Mint leaves- 1 cup
  • Green chilies- 2-4 broken
  • Tamarind- 1-2 small pieces, washed
  • Salt- to taste
  • Oil- 1 1/2 tbsp

For Tempering:
  • Oil- 2 tbsp
  • Chana dal- 1 1/2 tbsp (Senaga pappu)
  • Urad dal- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp (Jeera)
  • Dry red chilies- 3-4 broken 
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp



Method:
  1. Remove the mint leaves from the stem and add to a dish of water.
  2. Wash the leaves and change the water to remove any dirt or sand.
  3. Heat oil in a pan and add the leaves by squeezing out the water and green chilies. 
  4. Mix and cook for 5-7 minutes till the leaves change color and start to come together.
  5. Meanwhile in a smaller pan heat oil and add chana dal, urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies and asafoetida.
  6. Once the mustard splatters turn off the heat.
  7. Let both the mixes cool down and first grind 70% of the tempering.
  8. To that add tamarind, cooked leaves and salt.
  9. Grind again by adding 2-3 tsp of water if required.
  10. Finally add the remaining tempering and transfer to serving bowl.
  11. Serve with rice, idli, dosa or roti.
  12. Or you can prepare two separate tempering, one for grinding and other to add at the last. In that case, omit adding chana dal in the final tempering.

Tips:
  1. This chutney stays good for 3 days when stored in refrigerator.
  2. For those who like you can add a small piece of jaggery for mild sweetness.



Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Eggless Fruit Cake in Microwave

Let me tell you that is an alcoholic cake, mild of course. Its got about 2 tsp of rum in it and the dry fruits were soaked in rum for around a week. It is egg less and is prepared in the Microwave. This being my first attempt in trying a rum cake (any alcoholic cake) I was wary and added less quantity. You can either increase the liquid portion or remove it completely according to your choice.

In case you want a non-alcoholic version, just soak the chopped nuts in orange juice or apple  juice overnight. Or you can boil the chopped nuts in the juice along with some sugar for five to ten minutes and use it.

Despite adding caramel water, the cake does not get the dark shade of the usual Christmas cakes. It is more lighter in shade and you can add maybe a few drops of red and orange food color to get a darker color. I haven't added any. The cake is a little dense, but not as much as the oven ones.

I googled a bunch of recipes, mixed up a few and got this recipe. Also the cake tastes better a day after baking, so you might want to bake it in advance. I observed that any microwave made cake tastes better the next day.


Ingredients:

  • Maida/All Purpose Flour- 1 cup
  • Baking Soda- 1/2 tsp
  • Baking Powder- 1/4 tsp
  • Oil- 1/6 cup
  • Water- 1/2 cup
  • Spice Powder- 1/4 tsp in total (I added some cinnamon powder and grated a little nutmeg)
  • Sugar- 1/3 cup+ 2 tbsp if required (I used demerara sugar)
  • Vinegar- 3-4 tbsp


Soaked nuts- 2 tbsp

  • I used dried kiwi, dried raspberries, black raisins, yellow raisins, cherries, tutti-frutti, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, melon seeds. 
  • You can add dried pineapple, dried orange as well. 
  • Chop all into rough pieces and add into a glass jar. (Do not use any other, especially not metal.)
  • Pour the rum slowly and mix with wooden spoon or stick. (I used the appe pan stick) 
  • Add two cloves, half of star anise and two half inch pieces of cinnamon sticks.)
  • The liquid should cover the nuts. Place a clean cloth on the opening and close with lid. Stir once every day with wooden spoon for a week. Then stir alternate days. Keep in cool and dry place away from sunlight.
  • If using normal juice, follow same procedure but store in refrigerator. Soaking for a week in orange or apple juice should be enough. 
  • I am not giving measurements because I soaked stuff that can be used for about small cakes since I wanted to experiment with different versions. (egg and eggless)


Method:

For Caramel:

  1. Now this is a pretty tricky thing in case you haven't prepared it before. It took me three fails to get the art of making a decent caramel. The trick here is to add very little water and not to stir. I admit it is tough to control the itch of stirring the bubbling sugar syrup, but it messes up the process (at least in my case).

  2. If you haven't tried caramel making before stick to normal white sugar because it gets difficult to tell when the caramel is ready as the demerara sugar melts. There is very little time for us to save the caramel from burning as it thickens. Be careful and do not burn your fingers.

  3. Now coming to the procedure, take a thick bottom pan and add sugar in the center. Add two tbsp of water and keep the heat on simmer. Let it melt, boil and bubble. DO not stir until the color turns to pale yellow.
  4. From here the caramel burns fast so stir and turn off the heat. The color will still change to honey-brown.
  5. To this add around 1/4 cup of water and stir from a distance.
  6. The caramel will harden, turn on the heat and let it melt. It will take about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat if the pan has no crystals. Let it cool.
  7. When the caramel water is still warm, add oil and mix well. Then add vinegar and stir. Keep it aside. 


For Cake:

  1. Sift maida/APF, baking powder and baking soda. Add the soaked nuts(not liquid) to it and mix well.
  2. Add the liquid to the cooled caramel water + oil solution and mix. 
  3. Now add the wet ingredients to dry and fold gently. The batter has to be thick otherwise the nuts will sink to the bottom when baking. 
  4. Do not over mix. 
  5. Grease a microwave safe bowl/dish and dust it lightly with flour. Tap off the excess flour and pour the batter into it. Tap once to set the top and place in microwave. 
  6. Set the power to 80% and timer to 3 mins. 
  7. Mine was real thick batter and it took exactly 3 mins to bake it.
  8. Check with a toothpick by inserting it into the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. 
  9. Otherwise, put it back in for another 30 seconds. 
  10. Once done, let it sit in the hot oven for a minute. 
  11. Take it out, let it cool completely before inverting it onto a plate. 
  12. I did not add any icing, but it is your choice. 
  13. Let it cool completely in case you want to ice it. 
  14. Here comes the toughest part. Cut into pieces and store in an airtight container and taste the next day.
  15. The flavors will settle and intensify in 24 hours giving a cake a nice nutty taste. 
  16. It will stay god for up to 3 days in a cool and dry place.



Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Eggplant Raita - Vankaya Perugu Pachadi


Ingredients:
  • Eggplant- 2 medium
  • Yogurt- 3/4 to 1 cup
  • Onion- 1 small (if required)
  • Salt- 3/4 tsp
  • Turmeric powder- 1/8 tsp


For Tempering:
  • Oil- 1 tsp
  • Urad dal- 1/2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/4 tsp
  • Dry red chili- 2 pieces
  • Asafoetida- 1/8 tsp
  • Green Chilies- 2 , finely chopped
  • Ginger- 1/2 inch, finely chopped
  • Coriander leaves- a small handful, finely chopped


Method:
  1. Wash, dry and roast the eggplant on stove, just as we do for bharta.
  2. Apply some oil to the eggplants, so the skin comes out easier after roasting.
  3. Keep turning the eggplants, so as to cook on all sides.
  4. When it is charred completely, just press lightly with finger tips, if it feels soft on the inside it is completely cooked. 
  5. Let it cool and remove the burnt skin. 
  6. Place the cooked pieces on a plate and give it a rough chop. 
  7. Meanwhile beat the yogurt to a smooth paste. 
  8. Heat oil in a small pan and add urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies and asafoetida.
  9. As the mustard splatters, add green chilies, chopped ginger, turmeric powder. 
  10. Turn of the heat and let it cool. 
  11. Mix the chopped eggplant to the yogurt, add slat and mix well. Now add the tempering and mix again. Finely add chopped coriander leaves and serve with rice or roti. 


Notes:
  1. Add finely chopped onion to the tempering and saute for a minute if you want to add onion. 
  2. We do not add garlic to this raita as it does not balance the taste. 
  3. Store in the refrigerator if you want to keep the leftover for night, but do not keep for the next day. 
  4. For best taste serve half an hour after preparation.
  5. So you can roast the eggplant, peel the charred skin, chop and keep it ready. Just add to yogurt and finish with tempering half an hour before lunch of dinner. 



Saturday, December 2, 2017

Apple Banana Smothie

Ingredients:
  • Apple- 1
  • Banana- 1
  • Honey- 1-2 tbsp
  • Milk- 1/4 cup or more
  • Vanilla ice cream- for topping (optional)



Method:
  1. Wash the peel the apple. Roughly chop along with banana.
  2. Add to blender along with 1 tbsp of honey some milk and blend.
  3. Add remaining milk and blend again. 
  4. Add another 1/2 tbsp of honey if required and blend again.
  5. Pour into serving glass.
  6. Top with vanilla ice cream or serve plain.
  7. You van just drizzle some honey instead of adding for the second time.

Notes:
  1. Can use caramel sauce as well. 
  2. Chocolate sauce or syrup will also taste good. 
  3. If using cocoa powder, add sugar.






Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Vankaya Pulusu - Eggplant in tamarind water

Ingredients:
  • Eggplant- 2 medium
  • Tamarind- 3-4 pieces
  • Water- 1 cup
  • Onion- 1 small, chopped
  • Green chilies- 2-3 slit and cut
  • Salt- 1 tsp or more
  • Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
  • Jaggery- a small piece
  • Coriander leaves- a small handful roughly chopped
  • Oil- 1 1/2 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds 1/4 tsp
  • Asafoetida- 1/8 tsp
  • Dry red chilies- 2 broken into pieces


Method:
  1. Roast the eggplants on heat and let them cool. The skin of the eggplants will turn black and flaky. Press lightly to see if done. if they feel soft on the inside it means the insides are cooked.
  2. Meanwhile soak the tamarind in half a cup of water.
  3. Peel the charred skin and mash the pulp. 
  4.  Heat oil in a small pan and prepare tempering. 
  5. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies and asafoetida. 
  6. As the mustard splatters, add the green chilies and chopped onion. 
  7. Saute for 2 minutes until the onion is translucent. 
  8. Now add the mashed eggplant to the tamarind water and place it on heat. Kepp it heat in simmer.
  9. Next add salt, turmeric powder, jaggery to it and mix well.
  10. Add water, tempering and mix again.
  11. Let it come to a boil for about 3-5 minutes.
  12. Turnoff the heat and finish with chopped coriander leaves. 
  13. Serve with plain dal and rice. 



Friday, November 24, 2017

Jumbled Salad

Please watch the video until I type the recipe.
Thank you for your patience.






Friday, November 17, 2017

Ridge gourd Chutney - Berakaya Pachadi

Ingredients:

  • Ridge gourd- 4-5 inch piece (Berakaya)
  • Tomato- 1 medium roughly chopped
  • Green chilies- 2 slit and cut into pieces
  • Garlic cloves- 2 peeled
  • Tamarind- 3-4 small pieces, washed
  • Salt- 3/4 to 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
  • Water- 1/8 cup
  • Oil- 1 tbsp


For Tempering:

  • Oil- 1 1/2 tbsp
  • Urad dal- 2 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
  • Dry red chilies- 3-4 broken into pieces
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp


Method:

  1. Wash the ridge gourd and roughly chop it into pieces. The skin need not be peeled.
  2. Add oil to a pan and add these pieces along with tomato pieces, green chilies, garlic, water, salt and turmeric powder.
  3. Cover with lid and let it cook for 5-7 minutes. Once the water evaporates, let it cool.
  4. Simultaneously heat oil in a smaller pan for tempering. Add the urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies and asafoetida.
  5. Turn off the heat as the mustard splatters and let it cool.
  6. Grind 70% of the tempering into a coarse powder along with the tamarind pieces.
  7. Now to that add the cooked ridge gourd and grind into a paste. 
  8. You can either have a coarse paste or a smooth one. I prefer it to be coarse as I like to have a bite of the pieces when I am eating.
  9. Mix the remaining tempering an transfer to serving bowl.
  10. Serve with rice, dosa or roti. 


Thursday, November 16, 2017

Hot Sweetcorn Salad

Ingredients:

  • Sweetcorn- 1 cup kernels, boiled
  • Carrot- 1 small, cut into julienne
  • Onion- 1 small, finely chopped
  • Tomato- 1 small, cut into julienne
  • Green chilies- 1, finely chopped
  • Lemon juice- 1 tsp
  • Salt- 3/4 tsp
  • Black pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
  • Butter- 1 tsp
  • Oil- 1/4 tsp
  • Coriander leaves- a small handful, finely chopped




Method:

  1. Add oil, butter to a non-stick pan and turn on the heat. The reason we add oil is that it prevents the butter from burning. 
  2. Now add the carrot and saute for a minute. As the butter begins to sizzle, add the boiled sweetcorn kernels along with the water it was boiled in.
  3. Add salt and pepper powder. Saute for 2 minutes. 
  4. Turnoff the heat and add the onion, tomato and green chilies.
  5.  Now squeeze half a lemon and mix well.
  6. Top with finely chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.
  7. Or let it cool down, add some mayonnaise or hung curd and serve cold. 



Saturday, November 11, 2017

Banana stem in mustard paste

Ingredients:

  • Banana stem- 1 (7-9 inches)
  • Tamarind- a small handful, soaked in water for half an hour
  • Dry red chilies- 2-3 broken and soaked in hot water for half an hour
  • Yellow Mustard seeds- 1 tbsp, soaked in hot water for half an hour
  • (If using normal ones reduce the quantity to 1 tsp)
  • Moong dal- 1/2 cup, soaked in water for half an hour
  • Salt- 1 1/4 tsp
  • Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
  • Green chilies- 2-3 slit and cut
  • Curry leaves- 5-8
  • Water- as required


For Tempering:

  • Oil- 2 tbsp
  • Urad dal- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp



For detailed procedure of cutting and chopping the banana stem, please watch the above video. It can get tricky for a first timer.

Method:

  1. Soak the required ingredients before starting the cutting. They will be ready by the time the banana stem is cooked. 
  2. Remove the outer covering of the banana stem and cut it into round disks. Then chop into tiny pieces and add to water. Wash once and boil in water for 15-25 minutes. 
  3. Add 1 tsp salt while boiling. 
  4. Now heat a pan and add oil to it. 
  5. Add urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida. As the mustard splatters add, green chilies and curry leaves. 
  6. Next add the moong dal and pour in 1/4 cup of water.
  7. Cover with lid and let it cook in simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  8. Then add the boiled banana stem and mix. Do not cover with lid. Let it cook for another 3-5 minutes.
  9. Meanwhile squeeze the tamarind and keep the water ready. 
  10. Pour in that water, add slat, turmeric powder and mix well. 
  11. Now start to crush the soaked mustard seeds. If using a mixer, just add the soaked red chilies also to it and blend to a rough paste. 
  12. If using mortar & pestle crush separately. The soaked red chilies can be roughly chopped and added as well. 
  13. Immediately after crushing the mustard seeds add 1/4 tsp of oil to it and mix well. This is to prevent it form turning bitter. 
  14. Now add this to the curry and cook for 2-3 minutes in simmer.
  15. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
  16. Serve with rice or roti. 





Friday, November 10, 2017

Menthi Majiga - Tempered Buttermilk

Ingredients:

  • Buttermilk- 2 cups
  • Salt- 1 1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric- 1/4 tsp
  • Green chilies- 2, chopped
  • Coriander leaves- a small handful, chopped
  • Curry leaves- 6-8, chopped
  • Ginger- 1/2 inch crushed (optional)


For Tempering:

  • Oil- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp (Jeera)
  • Fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp (Methi)
  • Dry red chilies- 2 broken
  • Carom seeds- 1/2 tsp (Ajwain)
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp


Method: 


  1. Take two cups of buttermilk. Or prepare it using 1 cup thick yogurt and adding 1 cup water to it. shake well. 
  2. To the buttermilk, add salt.
  3. Heat oil in a small pan for tempering. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dry red chilies and asafoetida. As the mustard seeds splatter, add carom seeds (Ajwain), chopped green chilies, chopped coriander leaves, crushed ginger. 
  4. Turn off the heat after 30 seconds and add turmeric powder.
  5. Add this tempering to the buttermilk and mix well. 
  6. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and serve. 
  7. It can be served as a summer cooling drink by refrigerating it. 
  8. Or serve it with rice like we south indians do. 




Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Wood apple Chutney- Velaga Pandu

Ingredients:
  • Wood apple- 1 ripe (Velaga Pandu) 
  • Dry red chilies- 15-18 broken into pieces
  •  Mustard seeds- 1 tbsp
  • Fenugreek seeds- 1 tbsp (Methi seeds)
  • Salt- 1 1/2 tsp
  • Jaggery- 1 tbsp
  • Oil- 1 1/2 tbsp


For Tempering:

  • Oil- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp (Jeera)
  • Dry red chilies- 1 broken 
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp (Hing)



Method:

  1. Break open the wood apple carefully using a pestle. Do not hurt your fingers and make sure kids are no where around. 
  2. Check the insides to see if the pulp is good. It will be slightly brown in color. 
  3. If there is a whitish covering discard it. It is overripe and has moss growing on it.
  4. Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp into another bowl. 
  5. Heat oil in a small pan and roast the mustard seeds, methi seeds and dry red chilies for 2 minutes or less. 
  6. Let it cool down and grind into fine powder. 
  7. Now add the pulp into the jar and grind once. 
  8. Mix and add salt, jaggery.
  9. Grind again once and mix well. 
  10. Do not add water even when it gets tough to grind. the salt and jaggery will release enough moisture to help in grinding. 
  11. Grind till you get a paste with tiny bits of seeds remaining. 
  12. Prepare tempering by heating oil and add mustard, cumin seeds and dry red chilies to it. As the mustard splatters add asafeotida and turn off the heat. 
  13. Mix it nicely into the chutney and transfer to an air tight box. 
  14. Serve with rice, dosa, roti or parantha.
  15. It will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. 
  16. Remember not to add water. 


Sunday, November 5, 2017

Raw Tomato Spring Onion Chutney

Ingredients:
  • Tomatoes- 6 (I used yellowish orange ones)
  • Spring onion- 3 medium sized
  • Green chilies- 3-5  broken into two
  • Garlic cloves- 3-4, peeled and roughly chopped
  • Corainder leaves- a small handful, washed
  • Oil- 2 tbsp
  • Salt- 1 tbsp


For Tempering:
  • Oil- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp
  • Dry red chilies- 1 broken (if required)



Method:
  1. Roughly chop the tomatoes and spring onions. 
  2. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan and add the chopped tomatoes, spring onion, green chilies, garlic cloves, coriander leaves and salt. 
  3. Let it cook till the tomatoes are soft, by stirring occasionally. It will take about 20-30 minutes.
  4. Once the mixture is thick turn off the heat and let it cool. 
  5. Grind to either a coarse paste or smooth paste, depending on your taste. 
  6. Prepare tempering by heating oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida and dry red chilies.
  7. As the mustard splatters turn off the heat.
  8. Add to the ground chutney and mix well.
  9. Take into serving dish and serve with rice, roti, idli, dosa, vada. 
  10. Store the remaining in an airtight box and keep in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to 3 days. 
Tips:
  1. Add a half a spoon of sugar while cooking for mild sweetness.
  2. Add a tiny piece of tamarind for more tangy flavor.





Friday, November 3, 2017

Masala Dosa


Ingredients:

For Dosa Batter:

Please watch the video for detailed instructions.
  • Urad dal- 1 cup, soaked for 5-6 hours
  • Rice- 1 cup, soaked for 5-6 hours 
    • (Both can be soaked together the previous night)
  • Salt- 1 1/2 tsp


For Masala Dosa:



Method:
  1. Grind the soaked urad dal and rice with 1 cup oi water in a wet-grinder for about 10 minutes. 
  2. Check in between to see if the batter is smooth enough for your taste. 
  3. Once done, add salt and mix well. 
  4. Add water to make the batter runny while preparing the dosa. 
  5. Store in refrigerator for future use. 
  6. We need not let it sit for fermenting because it is prepared in wet-grinder but for those who like, they can leave it outside for an hour and then store in refrigerator. 
  7. Take the batter, dilute it by adding water. Mix well.
  8. Heat a tawa or pan and spread the batter on the hot tawa. Keep the heat on medium.  
  9. Then add drops on oil on the outer edges of the spread. 
  10. Cook for 1 minute or so and as the outer edge starts to separate form the pan, gently use a spatula to lift the dosa. 
  11. Either flip it over and cook for a minute or take off the heat onto a plate.
  12. That depends on how you like your dosa.
  13. Now add some water to a small amount of ginger chutney to dilute it.
  14. Spread the chutney on the less cooked side of the dosa. 
  15. Place a small quantity of the Potato curry in the center and fold the dosa from all sides. 
  16. Serve with ginger chutney, Sambar, peanut chutney.


Thursday, November 2, 2017

Ginger Chutney - Hotel Style

Ingredients:
  • Ginger- 25 gms
  • Tamarind- 25 gms
  • Dry red chilies- 10-12 broken into pieces
  • Garlic cloves- 3-5 big, peeled
  • Salt- 1 tbsp
  • Jaggery- 4-5 pieces
Soak the tamarind and dry red chilies in hot water separately for 30 minutes. Do not throw away that water.

For Tempering:
  • Oil- 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp (Jeera)
  • Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp


Method:
  1. Wash, peel and roughly cut the ginger.
  2. Once you have the soaked and softened tamarind and red chilies, you can start the preparation which is very easy.
  3. Add the ginger, tamarind and dry red chilies to a mixer jar. Pour some of the tamarind water and grind once. 
  4. To this add garlic and salt. Pour little more water and grind again. 
  5. Now add jaggery pour more water (of tamarind or red chilies) and grind to a smooth paste. 
  6. Add remaining water if you like the chutney runny. 
  7. Now heat oil in a small pan for tempering.
  8. Add mustard seeds , cumin seeds and asafoetida. As the mustard splatters turn off the heat and add to the chutney. Mix well and serve.
  9. This chutney tastes great with idli, dosa, roti, minapa roti or garelu

Notes:
  1. The water used to soak the red chilies can be added to curries and so can be the remaining tamarind water. 
  2. This chutney can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.