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KHI Quarterly V2 Q3

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What To Cook For Varamahalakshmi Pooja - Ravae Idly - Steamed Semolina Dumplings.

RAVAE IDLY

Ravae idly / steamed semolina dumpling, a signature dish born in the hygienic kitchen of the renowned MTR is a favourite of all South Indian homes. MTR's Instant Rava Idli Mix is a hit among the novices and the experienced home cooks alike. This healthy and delicious idly is also prepared from scratch in many homes.

Rice Idlies are prepared and offered to the Goddess on Varamahalakshmi pooja day along with the other customary dishes. Ragi idly, Semiya idly, Kaancheepuram idly and Ravae idly will also suit the purpose.

INGREDIENTS

Ravae ( Semolina ) - 2 cups ( 250 gms )

Curds - 2 cups
Cooking oil - 2 tbsps
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Cooking Soda - 2 pinches
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Split black gram dal - 1/4 tsp
Bengal gram dal - 1/4 tsp

Cashew nuts - 30

Chopped green chillies - 1 tbsp
Chopped fresh ginger - 1 tbp
Chopped curry leaves - 1 tbsp
Chopped coriander leaves - 1 tbsp

Grated carrots - 4 tbsps

METHOD

1. Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan and add mustard seeds.
2. When the mustard seeds splutter add black gram dal and bengal gram dal.

3. When the dal becomes golden yellow in colour add curry leaves and half of the cashew nuts and roast till golden in colour.

4. Add Ravae, decrease flame and roast till it gives out a pleasant aroma.

5. Switch off flame , set it aside in a bowl and let it cool.

6. Mix in chopped green chillies, chopped ginger, chopped coriander and salt to the curd and blend with the roasted and cooled ravae.

7. Let the ravae soak in the curd for about fifteen minutes.

8. In the mean time grease the idly plates using ghee.

9. Roast the remaining cashew nuts in ghee.

10. Line the greased plates with roasted cashew nuts and grated carrots.

11. Add little water to the now hardened ravae and curd mixture, and loosen the batter.

12. Mix in the cooking soda and pour one ladle of batter in each of the carrot and cashew lined depression of the idly plates. The batter should not sit like a lump but should be just loose enough to fill in the idly plates.
13. Steam in a pressure cooker without the weight for ten minutes.

14. Decrease flame and steam for five more minutes.

15. Switch off flame and scoop out the delicious ravae idlies after fifteen minutes.

Offer the soft and spongy Ravae Idlies to Varamahalakshmi and savour the flavoursome prasaadam.

Choclate Lava Cake

I and Anush love chocolate and cakes of course. I wanted to try this chocolate lava cake for a long time. So today is the day, I had lot of time as Shoj was not coming home for lunch and I planned to prepare small meal for Anush with a cake dessert. So I made this lava cake with semi sweet chocolate and dark chocolate in between which was perfect and Anush loved it so much and he could not wait until it was done. Today he ate cake for his lunch. :-)

Ingredients:
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1 stick/ 1/4 lb + 1tsp Butter
1/4 lb Semi Sweet Chocolate chips
4 Chocolate 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 1/2 tbsp All Purpose Flour

Method:
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1. Preheat oven to 350F or if using a toaster oven need not preheat it.

2. In a microwave safe bowl add butter and semi sweet chocolate chips and microwave it for about 20 secs, remove and stir it, again microwave it for 20 secs and stir it until the chocolate melts.

4. Make sure the chocolate butter is not too hot to add to the eggs, else it will cook the eggs. Add it slowly and keep whisking while adding.

5. Grease the ramekins with butter and pour the batter about 2/3 in each ramekin.

6. Insert one piece in middle of each of the ramekins and bake it for about 20-25 mins. when a tooth pick is inserted the middle will be wet that is ok and it's because of the chocolate.