Tuesday, July 26, 2011

CAULIFLOWER UMMAN.

Cauliflower is every one's fav veggie. These days even kids specially my daughter prefer having her fav chinese type ''Gobi manchurian'' or the sabzi with lots of masala's the most. Its OK up to a level but not always.

This umman is something different from all those masala type. Its the best com bi with dosa and idlies. I offen make this when I find very less quantity of cauliflower in fridge. One thing I like in this is the crunchiness of the veggie because its half cooked and it tastes superb when its mixed up with Indian spices with a tangy touch. Its quick and easy to make within no time. You can also replace cauliflower with ladysfinger (Bindi). Its tastes great too :)



INGREDIENTS.


Few Cauliflower Florets.


7 to 8 Dried Red chilli.


Pinch of Hing.


1 tbsp Tamarind Extract.


1 tsp Mustard seeds.


1/2 tsp Jeera.


1/2 tsp Turmeric pd.


Few curry leaves.


Water as per needed.


Salt to taste.


Oil.


METHOD.


Fry red chillies with a tsp of oil till u get a nice aroma of fried chilli. Grind them with tamarind extract adding water into a fine chilli paste. Meanwhile wash and clean the cauliflower florets. Sprinkle with salt and keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pan. Add the florets and fry under medium heat for about 5 to 6 min. Makesure its not cooked thoroughly. Half cooked florets tastes too good :) Transfer them on a plate once its done.

On a same pan add extra oil. Season with mustard seeds, jeera and curry leaves. Add turmeric pd and chilli paste with adequate amount of water and bring them to boil. Adjust salt according to taste. Sprinkle with hing and atlast add the fried cauliflower florets. Drizzle with a spoon of coconut oil and serve hot with dosa.





Enjoy!!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

JAGGERY JUICE

Jaggery juice is very comforting and a very unique healthy drink. At the time of temple festivals, we can c people distributing this as a refreshment. Jaggery have a good amount of minerals, iron and is considered as energy food both for adults and for kids. It also helps in giving relief from constipation, maintain blood pressure , reduces water retention in the body so controls weight of the body, helps in preventing breathing problems and asthma and many more. It is said that giving ragi porridge mixed with jaggery syrup are very healthy for infants. Infact we have them still at home. I just love them.

Now coming back with recipe, I make jaggery syrup and store in fridge so that at the time of sudden, I could just mix up with water and relish. Let me share u recipe now. There is no approximate measurement for this. I bet u too will enjoy a lot.



INGREDIENTS.


Jaggery.


Water.


Grated dry Ginger or Powdered Cardamons.


( Adding water should be half of the jaggery quantity)


METHOD.


Add jaggery with limited amount of water and bring them to boil. Its just enough till all the jaggery melts and dissolves. Now add grated dry ginger or cardamom pd and stir. Strain them and store it in a well cleaned container.

Use it pouring enough water and serve chill.



Enjoy !!

Monday, July 4, 2011

RAAGI APPO ( raagi paniyaram)

Raagi are the most nutritious food and one of the easy one to digest. Its rich in calcium, protein and also have a good amount iron and many more health benefits. It is known as one of the popular food among diabetic patients. Its is said that having ragi with buttermilk removes heat from the body. Yes it is true. Now coming back with the recipe -'' Ragi appo's'' a healthy treat for a sweet lovers :) We usually prepare ragi porridge, ragi idly plus dosa, ragi puttu which are all comfort tummy full foodies. My motherinlaw and I wanted to try some different dish which looks unique, easy and filling. Thus ended up finally with this lip smacking delight.

In this recipe I have used instant raagi powder which is indeed when mix with warm water makes somwhat sticky, so in order to look it firm I added milk and wheat flour. I would like to mention that quantity of water which I have mentioned is approximate. According to consistency, add more or less :) Hey guys, one more tip is you can add fried coconut small piece into the batter. Just will just double its taste :)



INGREDIENTS.


1 Cup Raagi powder.


1/2 Cup Coconut.


1 Cup Jaggery( more or less)


1 Ripe Banana.


3 Powdered Cardamons.


1/2 Cup Wheat flour.


1/2 Cup warm water or plus.


1/4 Cup of milk.


Pinch of cardamom powder.


Ghee.



METHOD.
Bold

First drop in ragi into bowl. Mix warm water and stir well. Leave it for about half an hour just to get off its raw flavour.

Meanwhile grind coconut, jaggery and banana with milk for about 2 min in a blender. Then pour it into ragi mixture and stir. Then drop in wheat flour and atlast sprinkle them with cardamom pd & a teaspoon of ghee. If the consistency is too thick then add water as needed. Let the batter be sit for about 2 hours.


Smear the paniyaram griddle with oil.. Pour a spoonful of batter and fry till they turn into golden brown colour. Cook it on low heat till it gets cooked and turns crispy. Slowly turn them over and cook on other side as well.




Enjoy!!