Vepambu Rasam(Neem flower Rasam)

Piping hot Rasam mixed with Rice makes a very comforting and satisfying meal during Winter and Rainy Season. When I am sick, this is the only thing on earth I would want to have.

Neem flower rasam can be made quickly with very few ingredients you usually have on hand.

Ingredients:
Tamarind-Small lime size
Rasam Powder-1/2 tsp
Salt
Hing-1/4 tsp

Seasoning:
Ghee-1 tsp
Dry neem flower-1 tsp
Jeera-1/2 tsp
Red chillies-2
Garlic pods(optional)-2
Curry leaves-a few

Method:
Mix Tamarind with 2 cups of water in a vessel. No need to extract the juice from tamarind. Add salt, hing, rasam powder and boil until the raw smell  is gone(12-15 minutes).
Add 1 more cup of water and boil for another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Do the seasoning and add it to the Rasam.

Note: Fry neem flower till it turns dark brown.
If you don't have neem flower, substitute it with 1 tsp of  pepper-cumin powder(1/2 tsp each) to make Pepper-Cumin Rasam.

Measurements are approximate. You can master the skill of making Sambar/Rasam only with experience.

Pineapple Kesari

I can't remember how many times I have made kesari at home. Everytime, when my hsuband has the sweet craving (that craving is there almost daily) and there isn't anything near to sweet to munch on, he will ask me to make kesari. Then the quantity I make will be very less. that is just one serving for two. When the whole of my neigborhood must be getting ready to hit the bed, I will be busy in the kitchen making kesari. When you are making in small quantities, its very easy, much easier than making upma, since no chopping involved here. On one such night, when I set out to make kesari, the pineapple on my kitchen caught my attention. I have heard of pineapple kesari a lot but never tried it. Decided it was pineapple kesari that day. Chopped the pineapple into bite sized pieces and used a cup of it for the kesari. I have heard many people cribbing at the thought of cutting a pineapple. I have never found it difficult. The remaining pineapple was used for making jam. I followed my usual way of making kesari with the addition of the pineapple chunks in it. I just increased the water and sugar quantity to make up for the addition of the pineapple.

You need


Roasted rava/semolina - 1 cup

Sugar -2 1/4 cups ( increase 1/4 cup more depending on the sweetness of pineapple)

Water - 2 1/2 cups

Yellow food color -a pinch. ( Can use turmeric powder too)

Ghee - 1/2- 1 cup

Cardamom powder - 1 tspn



I usually roast rava as soon as I buy them from store. If not roasted, dry roast rava till light pink. You get roasted rava too from the stores.

Heat a kadai, add measured water with a pinch of food color. When water starts boiling, add the pienapple pieces. After a minute or so, add rava and mix well. Let the rava cook and by then the water will be fully absorbed. Add sugar. The sugar will melt and the mixture will turn runny. Mix well and take care to break the lumps if any. Slowly add ghee at intervals. The kesari will take a glossy sheen and will leave the sides of the pan. It tastes beest when served cold. You can press it down on a greased plate and cut into desired shape while warm.  Loved the hint of pineapple in the kesari.

Note: If you don't want to bite into the pineapple pieces, you can give a run in the food processor or mixer and then add for a smooth texture. You can add roasted cashews too.


I am sending this to Sanghi's FIL event which features Fruits for the current month

Beetroot Halwa - Beet Root Fondant

BEET ROOT HALWA

I felt as if I was on cloud 9 when I reached Sydney, after a lot of Aussie visa confusion, anxiety and delay , just in time to receive the new bud which was about to bloom in our family tree. We had of course raced out the baby, but just by two nights, and before we could say “BINGO!” she arrived smoothly, plunging all of us in a flood of great relief and bliss.
I wanted to prepare a quick and simple sweet to celebrate, and here comes my first dish from my Sydney kitchen – BEET ROOT HALWA. INGREDIENTS:
Beet root (moderate size) – 4
Sugar - 4 tbsps
Ghee – 2tbsps
Evaporated milk- ½ cup
(One cup of whole milk can be boiled and reduced to ½ cup.)
Cardamom powder – 1 pinch
Cashew nuts – 4 (finely chopped)
METHOD:
1. Wash and remove the top and tail portion of beet roots and pressure cook them whole.
2. Allow to cool and then peel off the skin, which comes out easily.
3. Grate the beetroot and keep aside.
4. Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a thick bottomed pan, add the cooked and grated beet root, and fry till it gives out a pleasant aroma.
5. Add the evaporated milk and cook till the vegetable and milk blend and become thicker.
6. Add sugar and cook till all the sugar syrup is absorbed.
7. Add the remaining ghee and cook till the halwa leaves the sides of the pan.
8. Mix in the cardamom powder and decorate with the chopped nuts.

Enjoy halwa hot or cold, with a slice of your favourite ice cream if you like.