Saturday, November 29, 2008

Recipe Index

We haven't updated this index since Jan 2011, but hope to complete that activity soon! Look for our latest recipes from the archives link! Thanks for your patience!

From the Kitchen...

At last, our Recipe Index Page is ready! It feels like we just started the blog some days back, but we seem to have made quite a few posts already. Now you can directly find the recipe you want, instead of searching through the archives. We will keep updating this list along with our posts.
We'll also be improving on our earlier posts, based on some learnings these last few months. We will look forward to your ideas on recipes to be included, and any other suggestions you may have. Thanks to you all.
And Thanks to Yosee for her sweet illustration!


Palaharam,Breakfast, Tiffin and Snacks
Steamed Dumplings ,Idlis, Kozhukattais , Kali, Koozhu

Upmas, Pongals, Uslis, Sevai

Pancakes, Dosai, Adai, Rotti, Chappati

Fritters, Bajjis, Bondas, Vadais, Cutlet, Munchies

Salads, Sundal, Churmuri, Avalakki


Saadam, Bhaath, Rice & other Cereals and Grains


Kozhambus, Sambhar, Koottus, Gojjus and Gravies

Lentils, Paruppu, Koottu


Gravies with tamarind or curd, Kozhambus , Gojjus

Lentil Gravies, Sambhar
 



Rasams, Flavoursome Watery Soups



Currys
Wet Currys, Kurmas, Saagus, Vegetables


Dry Currys, Poriyals, Podimas, Vegetables



Pickles, Relish



Chutneys, Dips



Podis, Powders



Salads and Pachadis




Sweets and Desserts 

Sweetened Grains



Payasams



Halwas



Burfis, Cakes, Urundais



Deep Fried Sweets


Beverages and Drinks



Home Remedies / Medicines

Friday, November 28, 2008

Pomegranate And Vegetable Rice Pilaf for POM wonderful contest!

Pomegranates are in season and I thought I would make Pomegranate and Vegetable rice Pilaf today. It was way too delicious! It is a perfect comfort food during winter and makes a wonderful one pot meal!
I am sending this recipe to POM Wonderful Contest for a chance to win 5000$ and Foodieblogroll Contest which is giving away cases of pomegranate products to the participants. If you didn't know about these contests, hurry up! View the above links for more details!


Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4

Ingredients:
Cumin seeds-1 tsp
Cloves-3
Cinnamon-1 inch stick
Thinly sliced garlic-1 pod
Thinly sliced ginger-1/2 tsp
Slit green chilli-1
Star Anise(optional)-1
Cashews-5
Pomegranate arils from 1 POM wonderful fresh fruit-1 cup
Thinly sliced Onion-1 cup
Frozen Corn-1/4 cup
Frozen peas-1/4 cup
White Basmathi rice(available in any grocery store)-1 cup uncooked
Salt-to taste
Oil-3 tbsp
Pepper powder-1/4 tsp
Finely chopped cilantro-1 tsp


Method:

Rinse the rice with water 1 or 2 times and soak in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes and cook it in the rice cooker and set aside once it is done.

Heat oil in a wide pan. Add cumin seeds. When they crackle, add cloves, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, star anise, green chilli, cashew and fry for 15 seconds. The spices will start to release their aroma.

Now add onions, some salt and fry till they turn golden brown. Add pomegranate arils, thawed corn and peas. Stir for a couple of minutes.

Add warm cooked rice, salt and pepper to the veggies and mix everything well. Turn off the heat.

Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Serve hot with plain yogurt or your favorite potato chips.

Healthy pomegranate and vegetable rice pilaf is ready!


Pomegranates are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B5. Consuming pomegranate juice reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is also associated with lowering of blood pressure.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Chow Chow - The two in one magic vegetable

CHOW CHOW - THE TWO IN ONE MAGIC VEGETABLE

When we went to the vegetable market with father, he would carefully select all the fresh and tender vegetables. However, we made sure that we picked up at least two or three complimentary Chow Chows, which had thick rough thorny skins, to the great astonishment of the green grocer! Back home, my brother dug up holes and planted them in a row near the fence. In no time, tender shoots came up and crept all over the fence with great speed putting to shame even Jack’s Bean Stalk! Our happiness knew no bounds when the creeper was fully decked up with the tender green shiny bulb like Chow Chows. All of us loved this vegetable more because we had grown them all by ourselves. Mother used this vegetable in sambar, mor kuzhambu, koottu, mendhya kozambu or curry. She even sliced them and made hot bajjis for the evening tea. Whatever dish she prepared out of this vegetable, there would be an additional dish which came out of the peel. Thus, we named our favourite vegetable as the ‘Two-in-one Magic Vegetable!

CHOW CHOW CURRY
INGREDIENTS:
Tender chow chows – 4
Turmeric powder – 1 pinch
Salt – 1 tsp
Asafoetida – 1 pinch
Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp
Split black gram dal (urad dal) – 1 tsp
Dru red chillies – 2
Curry leaves – a few
Cooking oil – 2 tsp
Grated Coconut – 1 tbsp



METHOD:
1. Wash and scrape the peel off the chow chows, and cut them into cubes. Save the peels, and set aside for use in the secind dish.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
3. When it splutters, add asafoetida and the split black gram dal.
4. When the dal turns golden in colour, add broken red chillies.
5. When the chillies turn crisp, add curry leaves and turmeric powder.
6. Add the cut Chow Chow and salt. Stir well.
7. Cover with a lid and cook in slow flame stirring now and then.
8. Chow Chow cooks in its own water.
9. When it is cooked, remove the lid and increase the heat.
10. Keep stirring till the remaining water (if any) evaporates.
11. When the curry is dry, turn off heat and garnish with fresh coconut gratings.



CHOW CHOW PEEL CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS:
Chow Chow peels – From the four Chow chows used for the curry
Cooking oil – 2 tsps
Mustard seeds – ¼ tsps
Split black gram dal (urad dal) – 2 tsps
Red chillies – 5
Asafoetida – 1 pinch
Tamarind – the size of a small marble
Salt – ½ tsp
Fresh coriander leaves – a handful
METHOD:
1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
2. When the mustard splutters, add asafoetida and black gram dal.
3. When the dal turns golden in colour, add the red chillies.
4. Now add the chow chow peels and blend well.
5. Cover with a lid, and decrease the fire.
6. Cook until the peels become tender, and then add the tamarind.
7. Switch off flame and let it cool down.
8. When cool, grind the mixture, with salt and fresh coriander leaves, into a smooth chutney.
A tasty curry and a spicy chutney is now ready from the Two-in-one magic vegetable – Chow Chow.

Note: Other names for Chow Chow are Sema Kattrikai (tamil), Bengaluru Badanekai (Kannada), Choko (aussie), Chayote (US, Europe)