Saturday, November 19, 2016

Curry Leaves Chutney - Spicy Rice

Curry Leaves Spicy Rice/Curry leaves Chitranna is a Rice dish and we can have them for breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Curry Leaves Chutney is used here with green mango gratings and mixed with cooked raw rice.
Lets see some benefits of having "Curry Leaves" in our diet.
Curry leaves adds natural flavour to our food. It helps the food to be healthy and tasty because it contain various good properties which is good for our health. They do have many anti oxidant properties. They help to control diarrhea. They are good for indigestion. They are good for diabetes and balancing cholesterol level. They are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, copper and Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B and Vitamin E.
In Ayurvedic medicine, curry leaves are believed to be having medicinal properties. It is considered and used as anti diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and roots are used for body aches.
Curry Leaves Chutney is prepared by Prema Sundareshan is one of our closest friend, who lives in Kalpakam. I should mention her here because she is the one who inspired me to get interest in cooking. She does so many dishes within short time. We were all together in Nigeria and now Mr. Sundaresh and Prema Sundaresh are settled in Kalpakam with their Son Dr. Shrinivasa (who is a scientist) and Bhuvana (Dr. Shrinivasan's wife).
When we visited them in Kalpakam, Premakka prepared this chutney for me. This chutney goes well with curd rice or with hot rice and ghee.
Recipe for Curry Leaves Chutney :
Curry leaves chutney is done in this way. Wash fresh curry leaves and dry it in shade. Let it dry completely. Dry roast them till they turn crispy. Dry roast a tablespoon of Urid dal and channa dal. Dry roast a teaspoon of methi and powder it separately. Take some tamarind and soak in water. Keep a pan on the fire. Add a teaspoon of any cooking oil. Squeeze out the pulp from tamarind and add to the oil in the pan. . Let it boil. Add salt, turmeric powder and ingh. Boil the content for 3 to 4 minutes. Add powdered curry leaves and mix it well. Add powdered dals. Mix it well. Add required chilly powder and keep stirring. Add methi powder at last, mix the content nicely. Take it out from the fire. Let it cool. Store this content in a glass bottle. Better keep in a Refrigerator.
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed : 

Curry Leaves Chutney : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Cooked Rice : 2 Cups
Raw Mango Gratings : 2 Tablespoons
Capsicum : 2
Fresh Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Ground Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Cooking Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Red chilly : 2 (Byadagi variety)
Salt : As required
Ingh : A pinch

Method : 

!. Wash and cook rice and keep it ready.
2. Wash and cut capsicum and keep. Grate coconut.
3. Wash and grate raw mango ( any variety of your choice).
4. Now keep a pan on the and add oil. Heat and put mustard seeds, cut red chilly and urid dal.
5. Let it splutter. Add curry leaves and ingh. Fry for a second.
6. Add cut capsicum and fry till they turn soft.

7. Add grated mango and fry nicely. Add little salt, turmeric powder and mix it well.

8. Add "Curry Leaves Chutney " and mix it nicely. Put off the fire.

 9. Add little salt and grated coconut and mix it well.
10. Now add cooked rice and mix it with capsicum and other ingredients.

11. Add a tablespoon of ghee and mix it nicely.
12.Shift to a serving dish and add fried groundnuts and serve.

Note : 

Preparing Curry Leaves Chutney in small quantity helps to retain the aroma. (Optional). Adding Sesame oil as cooking oil adds to the taste. (Just a teaspoon will do). Adding any variety of raw mango gratings is optional. Adding ghee helps to enhance the taste.
Time : 20 Minutes. + Cooking Rice (20 Minutes).
Serves : 4 to 5 

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Spicy Maida Diamond Cuts

Deepavali ..Deepavali...Festival of lights and loads of yummy food to go with the festival.
Time to share and care, spread happiness around you. That should be the message this Deepavali.
I have prepared some diamond cuts, shank  pole the spicy ones. I do not know why it got this name. Diamond cuts are ok because of its shape. but shank pole, I am still thinking. Anyways these diamond cuts are very easy to prepare and goes well with coffee or tea or juice what ever it is, it is a yummy munch.
I have used Maida, chilly powder, salt, jeera and oil.
Lets see the recipe Now : As I said it is an easy and yummy crunchy snack.

Things Needed :

Maida (All Purpose flour) : 2 Cups
Chilly Powder : 2 Teaspoons
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Salt : As required
Water : Required water
Oil : 1 Cup

Method :

1. Put maida in a big bowl. Add salt, chilly powder, jeera and mix it well.
2. Keep a small pan on the fire and heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and heat for 2 minutes.
3. Put the hot oil on the dry flour and let it cool. Mix it nicely and add little water and prepare the dough.

4. Divide the dough into small portion. Take a small portion and kneed it well.
5. Now roll the small portion dough as thin chapati. Take a knife and prick on the rolled chapati.

6. Cut that like a diamond shape. (big/small). Remove the pieces and put it on a plate/tray.
7. Keep a frying pan on the fire. Heat and put oil to fry. Let it get hot.
8. Put cut diamond cuts in hot oil and fry them on low and medium flame.


9. Fry on both sides till they turn slightly brown and remove them from oil and put them on the kitchen tissue. So that extra oil will be absorbed by the tissue.

10.Repeat the same with remaining dough and prepare crispy diamond cuts.

Note :

Do not add much water, the dough might turn watery, very soft and absorbs more oil. Do not add more hot oil for the flour. Diamond cuts might curdle in oil. (turns powder and spoils the whole oil).
A butter can be added instead of hot oil. (just 1 tablespoon). Adding jeera/ any spice is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : As you serve or use.

Jack fruits Seeds Tikki

Jack fruits are healthy Seasonal fruits. The seeds also contain lots of good vitamins and minerals.  After eating the fruit we throw away th...

About

author
My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
Learn More →