Araithu Vita Sambhar

Sambhar is very popular in India especially in southern part. Sambhar will come along with most of the food orders in south indian restaurant. Sambhar and chutney get along very well and tastes really really good. Its difficult to locate a person who is not fond of it...Just to try a different recipe of sambhar, we just tried 'Araithu Vitta Sambhar' which came out very well with its spicy flavor

Ingredients
No of persons : 3

1. Toor dal - 1 cup
2. Sambhar powder - 1 tsp
3. Small Onions - 6-8
4. Tomatoes - 1 (chopped)
5. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
6. Asafoetida - a pinch
7. To grind
1. Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
2. Red chillies - 2-3(If you dont want to be soo hot, you can just have 2 chillies since all the powders added will itself add hot and spice to it.
8. Channa dal - 2 tsp
9. Coconut - 2 tsp
10. Oil - 3 tsp
11. Seasoning items
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Urad dal - 1/4 tsp
4. Curry leaves - 6-8
12. Garnish - Coriander leaves
13. Salt - To taste
14. Veggies like beans, carrots, cauliflower can also be added according to your taste buds and wish.

Method

1. Grind Channa dal, Coriander powder, Coconut, Red chillies into a paste
2. Heat oil in a pan and add seasoning items
3. When it splutters, add onions and salt(Small onions are the best fit for sambhar)
4. When it turns brown, add tomatoes and saute for few mts
5. Add the vegetables and stir it well(Vegetables can be cooked in microwave for 2 mts prior to adding it to the mixture)
6. Add the boiled toor dal, sambhar powder and pour tamarind water.
7. Allow it to boil for 10-15 mts till the tamarind taste is extracted
8. Add the grinded paste and mix it well.
9. Remove it from flame after 10 mts
10. Garnish with coriander leaves

Chow Chow kootu

Here is the side dish recipe which is not too hard to prepare. This is one of mom's recipe ....and of course, as you know, it gives you the feel of being home and tasting mom's food..

Ingredients
No of persons : 3

1. Channa dal - 1 cup
2. Chow chow - 1
3. Onion - 1(chopped)
4. Tomato - 1(chopped)
5. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
6. Asafoetida - pinch
7. Coconut - 2 tsp
8. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
9. Curry leaves - 6-8
10. Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup
11. Seasoning items
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Urad dal - 1/4 tsp
3. Curry leaves - 4-6
12. Salt - to taste

Method

1. Boil channa dal and chow chow in a cooker for 3 whistles
2. Grind cumin seeds, coconut, curry leaves and coriander leaves into a fine paste
3. Heat oil in a pan and add seasoning items
4. Add onion and saute till it turns brown.
5. Add chopped tomatoes to the mixture and fry till it is completely smashed
6. Add the boiled chow chow and channa dal mixture.
7. Mix the grinded mixture and boil it for 5-10 mts.
   

Chow Chow is ready to serve with rice

Mushroom Biriyani

Mushroom biriyani will be mouth watering and tasty for the first time eaters especially because of the aroma and the pepper added mushroom..After a while, you will not turn to this recipe as it would be too spicy and masala flavor..So this holds good for 'once in a while' recipe or may be when friends are around.

Ingredients
No of persons - 4

1. Basmati rice - 4 cups(soaked in water for 30 mts)
2. Mushroom - 16 ounces
3. Onion - 2(chopped)
4. Tomato - 1-1/2(chopped)
5. Green Chillies - 4-5
6. Ginger - 1/2 tsp(chopped)
7. Garlic - 1/2 tsp(chopped)
8. Pepper powder - 1 tsp
9. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Turmeric powderr - 1/4 tsp
11. Soy sauce - 1 tsp(optional)
12. Oil - 5 tsp
13. Seasoning items
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Bay leaves - 2-3
4. Cloves, Cardomom - 2-3
14. Garnish -
1. Corianderr leaves,
2. Spring Onions,
3. Mint leaves(optional)
15. Salt - To taste

Method

1. Soak basmati rice in water for about 30 mts Cut mushrooms into large pieces and keep it aside(Or it can be soaked in water to keep it fresh)
2. Grind ginger, garlic, pepper powder, coriander powder, green chillies into a fine paste
3. Heat oil in a pan and add seasoning items
4. Add onions, turmeric powder and saute well with salt.
5. Add the grinded paste and stir it well.
6. When the onion turns golden brown, add tomatoes and fry till it is fully smashed.
7. Add cut mushrooms and cook it for around 15 mts.
8. Add the garnishing items and mix it well.
9. Mix it with rice and boil ricee with 6 cups of water(as the mixture has some water in it, it is better to add less water to rice. Otherwise, basmati rice will be smashed...)

Raita is a best companion for this biriyani...Enjoy...

Caulflower Curry

This is a simple and tasty recipe with simple ingredients and serves as a good side dish when we have only cauliflower at home and no other veggies.

Ingredients
No of persons : 3

1. Cauliflower - 1
2. Pepper powder - 1 tsp
3. Chilli powder - 1 tsp
4. Cumin powder - 1 tsp
5. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
6. Salt - 1 tsp(Or to taste)
7. Asafoetida - pinch
8. Oil - 4 tsp
9. Seasonal items
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Curry leaves - 4-6

Method

1. Mix cauliflower with pepper, chilli, turmeric powder, salt, asafoetida and keep it aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add seasonal items
3. When it splutters, add the cauliflower mixture
4. Fry it till the cauliflower is cooked completely.

Serve hot with rice..

Panini without Cheese

Today is the last day of Presidents day looooooong weekend and we have to get things ready for the next week and it is going to be really hectic with laundry, grocery shopping etc....It doesnt matter how many day of leave you have, all the weekend todo's will be checked as 'done' only at the last minute and its also fun to run and plan on the last day no matter how lazy and relaxed you were on the days before...Our day started with simple recipe for breakfast. This recipe without cheese is panini for us since we are not cheeeeeese(in food) loving people but love to say cheeeeeeeeese always.

Ingredients

1. White bread - 8
2. Potato - 1
3. Garlic - 1 tsp
4. Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
5. Masala powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Lime juice - 1 tsp
8. Garnish - Coriander leaves
9. Salt - to taste

Method

1. Boil potatoes in a cooker and mash it completely
2. Mix mashed potatoes with chilli powder, pepper powder, masala powder, lime juice, garlic, salt and coriander leaves
3. Spread the potato mixture on the white bread and cut the bread into 2 halves
4. Grill it in sandwich maker for about 1 min and the tasty panini is ready.

It serves as a good breakfast dish when you are bored of normal Indian style dishes.

Chettinad kaara kuzhambu

This is the weekend after Valentines day and we are fed up with sweets and specials. Before our tooth get used to sweet taste, we want to switch over to some spicy dish. Kaara kuzhambu is a very popular dish in Karaikudi which is in our wishlist since long time. So here is our try and it came out really well...Special treat for this weekend.....

Ingredients

1. Tamarind water- lemon size tamarind soaked in water
2. Garlic - 5-6
3. Egg plant - 4
4. Onion(Medium) - 1
5. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
6. To dry roast grind
1. Tomatoes - 1
2. Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp
3. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
4. Coconut - 1/4 cup
5. Urad dal - 3/4 tsp
6. Channa dal - 3/4 tsp
7. Dry red chilli - 5
7. Salt - to taste
8. Water - 1 1/2 cup
9. Oil -5 tsp
10. Asafoetida - pinch(optional)
11. Seasoning items
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Channa dal - 1/4 tsp
3. Urad dal - 1/4 tsp
4. Curry leaves - 6-8
5. Dry red chilli - 2

Method

1. Grind the items lised in dry roast section
2. Put + on egg plant lengthwise and stuff the egg plant with grinded pasted
3. Heat oil in a pan and add garlic, onions, turmeric powder
4. Add salt and saute the mixture till the onion glazes at you. 
5. Add the stuffed eggplants and wait for the egg plants to shrink and half cooked
6. Now add the remaining grinded paste and tamarind water
7. Add 1 1/2 cups of water and boil the mixture on medium flame until you see the oil floating on top(takes around 20-25 mts). Remove it from the flame when the mixture thickens and in your consistency. 
8. Heat oil in another pan and add seasoning items. When it flutters, remove it from the flame and add it to the tamarind mixture

Cant beat rice/kaarakuzhambu/pappadam combo....enjoy the hot spicy food.

Tip :Jaggery can be added to add taste

Dryfruit basandi

Its valentines day special recipe which we got it from funnfud blog and it really came out very well...we will definitely try this recipe again when our friends are around...

Ingredients
No of persons - 2

1. Whole milk - 4 cups(Or 1/4 gallon)
2. Condensed milk - 100 g(1 cup)
3. Sugar - 1 cup(Or to taste)
4. Dry fruit powder - 1/2 cup(Pista, almond, Cashews)
5. Saffron - 1/2 tsp
6. Milk to dissolve saffron - 1 tsp
7. Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
8. Garnish - Pista, Cashew (chopped)

Method

1. Pour milk in a large pan and bring it to boil
2. Stir the milk continously so that it would not stick to the sides of the pan
3. When the milk starts boiling, add the condensed milk slowly and stir it well.
4. Add sugar and dry fruits powder and stir the mixture well.
5. Heat it medium flame for about 30-40 mts with stirring now and then.
6. In the meantime, heat 1 tsp of milk in microwave and dissolve saffrons.
7. Add the saffron to the boiling milk and stir the mixture well to spread the saffron yellow color.
8. Now add some cardamom powder,boil it for 2-3 mts and remove it from the flame.
9. Add some chopped nuts for garnishing.
10. Keep it to cool for sometime and then refrigerate..

Yummy basandi is ready to serve

Hot and Sour Soup

Those who are looking for a new taste of soup other than tomato, Hot and sour remains top in the list. And many of us love having this soup for its flavor and aroma. When you take a road trip in a snowy winter, just dream of having this soup on your travel. Woww...how do you feel...Feeling itself is sooo good..Isnt it.?..Lets try it out

Ingredients
No of persons - 2

1. Water - 4 cups
2. Soy sauce - 1 1/2 tsp
3. Chilli sauce - 2 tsp
4. Vinegar - 2 tsp
5. Sugar - 1 tsp
6. Salt - To taste
7. Vegetables -
1. Beans - 1/2 cup(cut into small pieces)
2. Carrots - 1/2 cup(chopped/grated)
3. Corn - 1/2 cup
4. Capsicum - 1/2 cup(chopped)
8. Ginger - 1/4 cup
9. Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Tomato sauce - 1/2 tsp
11. Corn flour - 1 1/2 tsp
12. Garnish - Spring onions

Method

1. Mix Soy sauce, chilli sauce, vinegar, ginger, pepper powder, sugar and salt in a bowl and bring the mixture to boil
2. Add all the vegetables, tomato sauce and heat it in medium flame for 5-10 mts
3. Mix corn flour with 1 cup of water and add the corn flour to the heating mixture
4. When the soup thickens after few mts, remove it from the flame serve hot.

Tip : Be cautious while adding salt and soy sauce. Adding a pinch more could spoil the taste. Instead it can be added very less

Spinach and Corn Pulav

Though weekends are meant for new taste and flavor, this weekend is a bit different since the weather is freezing and windy. No more weekend outings till spring comes. With the available ingredients, we could only make spinach and corn Rice this weekend. Thought the dish doesnt suit for this weather, we prefer spinach always because of its nutritious value and it will be in our menu atleast once a week.

Ingredients
No of persons - 3

1. Basmati rice - 3 cups
2. Spinach - 1 bag
3. Corn - 2
4. Green chillies - 3
5. Onion - 1(finely chopped)
6. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
7. Garam/Biriyani masala powder - 1 tsp
8. Lemon juice - 1 tsp
9. Oil - 3 tsp
10. Seasoning items
1. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Bay leaf - 2-3
3. Curry leaves - 3-4
11. Garnish - Coriander leaves
12. Salt - to taste
    

Method

1. Boil basmati rice with salt in a rice cooker(1:2 rice:water ratio). We prefer to add salt along with the rice instead of the adding it in the frying mixture since salt mix evenly with the rice.
2. In the meantime, grind spinach in a blender and keep it aside
3. Boil corn in a microwave for 5 mts.
4. Heat oil in a pan and add the seasoning items
5. When it splutters, add green chillies and chopped onions
6. Add turmeric powder and masala powder when the onion is completely fried and turns golden brown
7. Add the spinach paste and stir the mixture well
8. Saute the mixture for few mts(till spinach is completely cooked, usually it takes around 10 mts)
9. Add the boiled corn and make sure it is mixed thoroughly with the spinach
10. Saute the mixture for few mts again, add it to the boiled rice and mix it thoroughly with the rice.
11. Garnish with coriander leaves

Kadamba Chutney

Whenever we decide to make a recipe with bell pepper, we remember the 'capsicum bajji' which we get in our native city. Those bajjis are delicious and very popular. Never ever miss to taste the capsicum bajji when you are in India

Winter is in full swing and its a windy weekend...We couldnt even step out for a while since the weather is in negative F. Cold weather calls for some spicy food...Here goes a spicy chutney with red bell pepper and Japanese egg plant

Ingredients
No of persons - 4

1. Japanese egg plant - 1
2. Red bell pepper - 1
3. Onion - 2
4. Tomatoes - 2
5. Mint - 1/4 bunch
6. Coriander leaves - 1/4 bunch
7. Tamarind - 1/4 cup
8. Asafoetida - a pinch
9. Oil - 3 tsp
   
10. Seasoning items :
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Urad dal - 1/4 tsp
   
3. Red chillies - 3-4(for mild spice)
4. Curry leaves 6-8
11. Garnish - Coriander leaves
12. Salt - To taste
    

Nutrition :

Bell pepper(capsicum) is a good source of Vitamin C. Red bell pepper has 3 times of vitamin c by weight than citrus fruits and green pepper has 2 times of Vitamin C. Also its good for heart patients

Method :

1. Cut Japanese egg plant and put in water to keep it fresh.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, urad dal, red chillies
3. When it splutters, add the onion and fry till it turns golden brown.
4. Add pepper, egg plant and boil it till the mixture is completely cooked.
5. Add Tomatoes and heat the mixture in the medium flame till tomato is smashed.
6. Add Tamarind, salt and stir the mixture well
7. Add mint and coriander leaves and saute for 10 mts
8. Put in a blender and grind the mixture well

This chutney goes well with dosa

Carrot Rice

This is a easy to prepare and healthy recipe which we got it from Maheshwari blog.

Ingredients
No of persons - 2

1. Carrot - 3/4 cup(grated)
2. Rice - 2 cup(raw or basmati)
   
3. Green chillies - 2
4. Red chillies - 3
5. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Oil - 3 tsp
   
8. Seasoning items :
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Urad dal - 1/4 tsp
3. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
4. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Curry leaves - 8-10
9. Salt - As needed

Nutrition :
Dietary fiber and rich in minerals

Method :

1. Boil rice(with salt) in a cooker and set it aside
2. Grind Red chillies, coriander powder and pepper powder into a fine paste.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard, cumin seeds, urad dal
4. Add curry leaves, green chillies and fry it well
5. Add carrots to the mixture and saute till the carrots are fully cooked
6. Add turmeric powder, grinded paste and stir it well.
7. Mix it with boiled rice and its ready to serve:)

Tomato Pachadi

This is one among the delicious tomato recipe we have ever found. It goes good with Chappathi, rice, naan etc.

Ingredients
No of persons - 2

1. Tomato - 3(chopped)
2. Onion - 1-1/2(No of tomatoes > no of onions)
3. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
4. Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
5. Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Coconut - 1/4 cup
7. Garlic - 2-3
8. Oil - 3 tsp
9. Seasoning items :
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Urad dal - 1/4 tsp
4. Curry leaves - 7-8
10. Salt - to taste

Nutrition :
Tomatoes are believed to benefit the heart.

Method :

1. Grind -Garlic, Curry leaves, Cumin powder, Coconut and salt into a fine paste
2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard, cumin seed, urad dal and some curry leaves
3. When it splutters, add the chopped onions
4. Add turmeric and chilli powder to the mixture when the onion color changes to golden brown
5. Add the grinded paste, strir it well and saute for few mets
6. Add tomatoes and fry till all the tomatoes are smashed well
7. Boil the mixture for 5-10 mts and this delicious dish is ready to serve with rice and any roti.

Egg Curry

Ingredients
No of persons : 2

1. Egg - 4
   
2. Onion - 2(chopped)
   
3. Tomato - 2
   
4. Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
   
5. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
   
6. Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
   
7. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
   
8. Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
   
9. Masala powder - 1/2 tsp
   
10. Lime juice - 4-5 drops
    
11. Coconut milk - 2 tsp
    
12. Oil - 3 tsp
13. Seasoning items :
1. Cumin seeds -- 1/4 tsp
   
14. Salt - to taste
    
15. Garnish - Coriander leaves

Nutrition :
Egg white consists primarily of water (87%) and protein (13%) and contains no cholesterol and little, if any, fat.

Method

1. Boil eggs in a cooker, remove the shell and keep it aside.
2. Grind Tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, pepper powder, chilli powder, coriander powder into a fine paste
3. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds
4. Add the chopped onions, turmeric powder and salt and saute till the onion turns brownish
5. Add the grinded mixture,masala powder and saute for few mts
6. Add lime to the mixture and stir it well.
7. After a while, add coconut milk and boil it in medium flame for 3-4 mts
8. Cut egg into halves and add to the frying mixture
9. Garnish with coriander leaves

Easy to prepare and goes perfect with naaan, chappathi. Egg loving people would love and enjoy this recipe for sure.

Gobi Manchurian

Ingredients
No of persons - 3

1. Cauliflower - 1
2. Corn flour - 2 tsp
3. Oil - 3 tsp
4. Seasoning items
1. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
2. Sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp
5. Ginger - 1/2 tsp(chopped)
6. Garlic - 3(chopped)
7. Onion - 1 (chopped)
8. Green chillies - 2(chopped)
9. Green pepper - 1/4 cup
10. Chilli sauce - 1tsp
11. Manchurian sauce - 1tsp
12. Soya sauce - 1tsp
13. Vinegar - 1 tsp
14. Spring onions - 1
15. Coriander leaves as needed
16. Salt as needed
17. Water as needed
18. Batter mix - Corn flour - 2 tsp, Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp, Salt - 1/2 tsp, Water - as needed

Nutrition :
Cauliflower is very nutritious, very low in fat, high in dietary fiber, folate, water and Vitamin C. Cauliflower is same species as broccolis, cabbage, collard greens. There are many varieties and colors of Cauliflower available in Market now. The more popular are
Orange cauliflower - Contains 25 times of Vitamin A.
Green cauliflower
Purple cauliflower - Purple color is caused by antioxidant anthocyanin(found in cabbage and red wines).


Method

1. Mix cornflour, chilli powder, salt and water and stir it well till it forms a thick batter
2. Cut cauliflower into florets, dip the florets in the batter and deep fry in oil
3. Put the deep fried florets in the paper and keep it aside till the oil is fully drained.
4. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, sesame seeds
5. Add chopped ginger, garlic and saute for few mts
6. Add chopped onions, turmeric powder and salt
7. After the onion turns brownish, add green pepper and spring onions
8. Add pepper powder, chilli sauce, soya sauce, gobi manchurian sauce and vinegar and str the mixture well.
9. Mix corn flour and water and make it as a batter. Add this batter to the mixture and saute till it becomes thick
10. Add the friend cauliflower and heat for few mts.
11. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients
No of persons - 3

1. Basmati rice - 3 cup
2. Onions - 1(chopped)
3. Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
4. Vegetables
1. Green beans - 1 cup
2. Carrots - 1 cup
3. Green peas - 1 cup
4. Lettuce - 2 cup
5. Green pepper - 1/2
6. Turmeric powder
7. Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Chilli sauce - 1 tsp
9. Soya sauce - 1 tsp
10. Vinegar - 1tsp
11. Salt - as needed
12. Coriander leaves - as needed.

Method

1. Boil rice in a cooker and keep it aside in a tray.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions.
3. Add ginger garlic paste and turmeric powder.
4. Add salt and saute for few mts(till onion turns brownish)
5. Add beans, carrots, green peas, lettuce and mix it well
6. Add spring onions, green pepper and saute for few mts(till the green pepper is fully cooked)
7. Add pepper powder, soya sauce, chilli sauce and vinegar and still it well
8. Add the cooked rice to the mixture and stir well till it is fully mixed.
9. Garnish with coriander leaves

Palak(Spinach) Dal

This is a very healthy recipe as palak and dal have lot of nutritious facts.

While we were searching for Palak recipes, we came across this recipe in syvum.com. Though we dont prefer recipes with palak and dal together, this recipe adds spices and masala and will be remembered for delicious taste...Here we go....

Ingredients
No of persons - 3

1. Spinach - 500g
2. Toor dal - 1 cup
3. Onion - 1 (Chopped)
4. Tomatoes - 1 (Chopped)
5. Ginger - 1/4 tsp
6. Garlic - 1/2 tsp
7. Green chillies - 2
8. Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Salt - as needed.
11. Seasoning items
    
1. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Curry leaves - 6-8
12. Garnish - Coriander leaves
13. Oil - 2 tsp

Nutrition :
Palak is rich source of iron and it is a must for those who are anemic and it also has high calcium content

Method

1. Soak Toor dal in water for about 1 hr
2. Grind 1/2 onion, ginger, garlic, green chillies into a fine paste
3. Add chilli powder and turmeric powder to the grinded mixture and mix it well
4. Heat oil in a pan and add seasoning items(mustard/cumin seeds/curry leaves)
5. Add the grinded mixture and saute for few mts
6. Add salt to taste
7. Add chopped onion and chopped tomatoes and fry till the mixture is fully cooked or tomatoes are completely smashed
8. Add the soaked dal and cook for 5 mts (till the dal becomes tender).
9. Add palak to the mixture and boil the mixture in medium flame for about 10 mts

Or you can also boil the mixture in cooker for 2 whistles. For those who dont like palak and dal since it is not spicy, this recipe is a best bet...