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Mar 31, 2008
Masale Bhaat
Feb 21, 2008
Pulao using MTR pulao masala powder
This pulao can be prepared in microwave using microwave rice cooker or a traditional heavy bottomed kadai, which has a lid or in an electric rice cooker.
(Note: If using the electric cooking range, remove the cooker from there as the place will still be hot. If using microwave rice cooker, transfer the content to the rice cooker and microwave high for 20 minutes. If using electric rice cooker, transfer the content to the rice cooker and cook. If using a traditional heavy bottomed wide pan, close the lid and cook, stirring occationally.)
Feb 15, 2008
Tamarind Rice / Puliodharai / Hulianna
Aug 30, 2007
Cherry Tomato Pulao
My friend Sharmi of Neivedyam is hosting the Jhiva for Ingredients event and she has chosed the staple food of the south, RICE. Last weekend, my dear friend Sowmya gave me a bag full of fresh ripe cherry tomatoes that she grew in her garden. The first thing that came to my mind was to try 'Mahanandhi' Indira's Cherry Tomato:Basmati Pulao, which I've been wanting to try for a long time.
Big thanks goes to Sharmi for hosting the event, Indira for her wonderful recipe and to my friend for the tasty juicy Tomatoes. The main recipe is from Mahanandhi, but I substituted Sprouted Kala Channa in the place of frozen fresh chickpeas. Here is how I prepared.
Ingredients:
Basmathi Rice - 1 Cup
15 to 20 cherry tomatoes - cut into half
1 Big Onion - chopped
3 green chillies - cut lengthwise
1/2 cup Sprouted Kala Channa
Salt
Bay leaf - 3
Oil for seasoning
For Masala, grind coarsely the following:
2 pods Cardamom
2 cloves
1/2 inch Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
Method:
Heat oil in a large saucepan. I used Prestige Kadai Pressure cooker. Fry the Onions until soft. Add the green chillies, masala powder, bay leaf and Sprouted Kala Channa. Fry for a couple of minutes.
Add the cut Cherry Tomatoes and fry until the Tomatoes are tender. Now, add the Basmathi Rice, pour exactly 2 1/2 cups water and brind it to a boil.
Add Salt and the Food Color (optional) and give a stir.
Since I used Kadai Pressure cooker, I turned off the heat after 3 whistles (Please remember to take the cooker away from heat if cooking in electirc cooking range). If you are using a large saucepan, like Indira says, reduce the heat to medium and cook covered for atleast 10 to 15 minutes, until the moisture is absorbed. Do not stir as the basmathi rice will break. Just before serving, sprinkle finely chopped fresh cilantro. This tasted yummy and the best part is, its so easy to prepare.
Very delicious and yet simple. Thanks Indira. This is my kadai pressure cooker that I got from India this time. I recommend this very handy and a convenient Cooker for busy moms.
May 3, 2007
Pongal Gojju
Pongal Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 Cup - (Ravi) Sona Masoori Rice
1/2 Cup - Split Moong Dal (Hesaru Bele)
1 teaspoon - Cumin Seeds
1 teaspoon - Crushed Pepper
Salt as required
Ghee - 2 tablespoons
Curry Leaves
Asafoetida Powder
Cashew Nuts (Optional)
Method:
Wash rice and dal. Add the cumin seeds, pepper and salt. Add just 4 cups water and pressure cook for 5 whistles.
For the seasoning, heat little ghee and fry the cashewnuts. Add the curry leaves and asafoetida powder. Pour the seasoning into the pongal with the remaining ghee and stir well until even distribution.
Gojju Recipe:
Ingredients:
This is my entry to Mixed rice varieties event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food.
Feb 6, 2007
Beetroot Pulao
This is the recipe for my version of Beetroot Pulao. I like this colorful, healthy Beets. The heat for this pulao comes from the MTR Pulao Powder. Green Chillis or any other brand of pulao powder can be substituted in the place of the MTR Pulao Powder.
Ingredients:
Basmathi Rice - 1 Cup (Soak in Water for 15 minutes)
Red Onions - 2 (Cut lengthwise)
A handful of Chopped Cabbage
Beetroot - 2 (Scrape the skin and dice the beetroots)
Oil for seasoning
Cumin Seeds - 1 teaspoon
Cloves - 3 to 4
Bay Leaves - 2
Salt
Garam Masala Powder - 2 teaspoons
MTR Pulao Masala Powder - 3/4 teaspoons
Method:
In a Pressure Pan, Heat oil.
Add the Cumin seeds, Bay Leaves, Cloves, then the Onions. fry the onions.
Add the diced Beetroot and the chopped Cabbage.
Add Garam Masala and MTR Pulao Masala Powder and stir.
Add Salt.
Add 2 cups of warm water. When the water comes to a boil add rice and stir well.
This is my entry to Mixed rice varieties event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food.
Feb 2, 2007
Chinese-Style Vegetable Fried Rice
Ingredients:
Rice - 1 Cup ( Cook rice and separate grains)
Mixed Vegetables - Steam cooked - 2 Cups
Broccoli florets
Baby carrots cut lengthwise
Beans chopped 3/4 inch
Other Vegetables:
Red Onions cut lengthwise
Green Bell Pepper cut lengthwise
Spring Onions one bunch
Maggi Tomato Chilli Sauce - 2 tablespoons
Worchestershire Sauce - 1 tablespoon
Soy Sauce - 1 1/2 tablespoons
Oil - 2 tablespoons
Method:
Steam Cook the Mixed Vegetables.
Heat Oil in a large Kadai, Add the Onions and fry for a couple of minutes.
Then, add the Green Bell Pepper. Saute for another 4 to 5 minutes.
Mix in the Steam Cooked Mixed Vegetables. Fry for a couple of minutes.
Add the Tomato Chilli Sauce, Worchestershire Sauce and Salt. Stir.
Add the cooked Rice and Stir Gently.
Add the Soy Sauce and Stir Gently until Even Distribution.
Garnish with Finely chopped Spring Onions.
Serve Warm immediately.
This is my entry to Mixed rice varieties event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food.
Dec 27, 2006
Bisi Bela Bhath
Ingredients:
Rice – 1 Cup (I used Ravi Sona Masoori)
Thoor Dal (Red Gram Dal) – ¾ Cup
Oil – 1 tablespoon
Mustard Seeds – 1 tablespoon
Urud Dal – ½ tablespoon
Tamarind Concentrate – ¾ tablespoon
Turmeric Powder
Salt
Asafoetida
Curry Leaves
Ghee – 1 tablespoon
Gingili Oil (Nallennai) – 2 tablespoons
Peeled Small Onions (Pearl Onions) – 1 Cup (Optional)
Ghee Fried Cashews (Optional)
Roast Separately and Grind Together:
Coriander Seeds (Dhania) – 1 tablespoon
Fenugreek seeds (Mentha) – ½ teaspoon
Urud Dal (Black Gram Dal) – 1 tablespoon
Channa Dal (Bengal Gram Dal) – 2 tablespoons
Cinnamon – 1-inch stick
Cloves – 3
Desiccated Coconut – 2 tablespoons
Red chillis - 3 or as per the heat you want
Method:
Mix Rice and Thoor Dal together and Cook in Pressure Cooker or Cook Rice and Thoor Dal Separately and Mix together, whichever method is Convenient. Keep it aside. When Cooking Together Use a little Extra Water.
Heat Oil in a Large, Deep, Heavy Bottomed Kadai, Tamper Mustard Seeds, then add Urud Dal. When it turns light Brown. Fry the Pearl Onions for two minutes and add 2 Cups of Water and Let it Boil until the Onions are tender. If No Onions are used, directly add 2 Cups of water to the Seasoning.
When it starts to boil, add Tamarind Concentrate, Turmeric Powder, Curry Leaves and Asafoetida and let it Boil for 5 minutes.
Add the Ground Powder and Let the content Boil for a Couple of Minutes.
Now Reduce the Heat and Mix in the Cooked Rice and Dal Mix and Add Salt. Mix gently until even Distribution. Mix in the Gingily oil and Ghee. Garnish with Cashews. Serve Warm with Raitha and/or Chips.
Dec 20, 2006
Cabbage Peas Biryani
Ingredients:
Basmathi Rice – 1 Cup – Soak in Water
Cabbage – Chopped – 2 Cups
Peas – Fresh / Frozen – ¾ Cup
Onion – 1 Medium Size – Chopped
Oil – 1 tablespoon
Mustard Seeds – 1 teaspoon
Asafoetida
Turmeric Powder
Dhania Powder – 2 teaspoons
Cumin Powder – 1 teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder – 1 teaspoon
Fresh Thick Curds – ¼ Cup - Beaten
Curry Leaves (optional)
Cashews or Sliced Almonds – handful
Ghee – 1 tablespoon
Salt
Method:
Heat oil in a large heavy bottomed Kadai / pressure Pan. Tamper the mustard seeds, add asafoetida and sauté the chopped onions.
Add the turmeric powder, dhania powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder and fry for a minute.
Add the chopped cabbage and peas and fry for a couple of minutes, until the content heats up.
Add one and half cups of warm water. When the water comes to a boil add rice and stir well.
Pressure cook in low heat for 10 minutes.
If using a heavy kadai, cook for 20 minutes with lid.
If using a rice cooker, transfer the contents to the rice cooker and cook until done.
Add the curry leaves and salt and stir.
Drain water and add the basmathi rice and stir. Fry for a minute. Add the curds and stir.
Mix in ghee and ghee fried cashews or sliced almonds. Serve warm with your favorite raitha.
If you want a low fat cabbage peas biryani, omit the ghee and ghee fried cashews or almonds.
Dec 3, 2006
Mixed Vegetable Rice / Palyadha Anna
Ingredients:
Cooked Rice – 2 ½ Cups (Grains Separated)
Onion – 1 Medium – Chopped (optional)
Oil – 2-tablespoon
Turmeric powder
Roast each ingredient separately:
Urud Dal – 2 tablespoons
Channa Dal – 2 tablespoons
Dhania – 1 tablespoon
Dry grind together with:
Red Chillis
¼ inch Cinnamon Stick
2 Pods Cardamom
See another recipe with Palyadha Anna Podi: Capsicum Rice.
This is my entry to Mixed rice varieties event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food.
Dec 1, 2006
Quick Mango Rice / Maanga Saadam
Raw Mango – 1 (Peel Skin and Grate)
2 Cups Cooked Rice (Grains Separated)
Oil - 1 tbsp (Preferably Gingily Oil)
Asafoetida
Mustard Seeds – 1 teaspoon
Red chillis – 2 (Both cut into half)
Green chillis - 2 (Chop)
Curry Leaves
Turmeric Powder (optional)
Method:
Heat Oil in a Kadai, add Mustard Seeds, when it sputters add, Red Chillis, Green Chillis, Curry Leaves, Asafoetida, Grated Raw Mango and Salt. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes. Now, Mix the Cooked rice gently. Serve Warm.
Recipe Contributed and Photographed by my sister B.
Nov 17, 2006
Green Peas Pulao
Ingredients:
1 cup Basmathi rice
Green Peas soaked in water the previous day – 1 cup heaped (Frozen peas is fine too)
Onion – 1 medium sized chopped
Salt
Ghee/Oil – 2 tablespoons
Cloves – 3
Cinnamon – ½ inch
Sonf – ½ teaspoon
Bay leaf – 1
Green chilli 2 small vertically slit.
Garlic – 3 pods sliced
Method:
Soak rice in water.
Heat Ghee/Oil in a Pressure Cooker (mine is heavy kadai pressure cooker from prestige), add Sonf, Cloves, Cinnamon, Bay Leaf, Garlic, Green Chillis and Onion. Sauté until the Onion turns translucent. Add the Peas, then Salt and stir. Allow the content to heat up. Drain the water and add the Basmathi rice to the heated content. Give a stir and allow it to get heated. Add 1 cup water and cook closed. Cook in high for 1 whistle and take the cooker away from the Cooking range, if it is electric cooking range. Open the lid after 15 to 20 minutes. Note: Do not open even if the indicator shows its ready to open). Warm Peas Pulao is ready. Garnish with Coriander leaves.
Click here for Sia's version of Peas Pulao.
This is my entry to Mixed rice varieties event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food.
Nov 15, 2006
Kashmiri Pulao
This is my Amma’s most Beautiful, Colorful and Tasty Creation. I love this Sweetie, Fruity and Nutty Pulao. Because it is colorful and has the fruits and nuts and since we use Saffron, we named it Kashmiri Pulao. The recipe for the Pulao is very simple but a little time consuming, since we have to gather all the ingredients. Once everything is assembled, it’s just mixing the ingredients with the rice. Very Simple and definitely worth the try. Here is the recipe.
Ingredients:
Rice:
Sona Masoori Rice or Basmathi rice – 1 cup (I use Ravi sona masoori rice. For this pulao any kind of rice is okay except the sticky rice. Basmathi rice would taste even better)
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Sugar – 2 teaspoons
Saffron – ¾ teaspoon
Fresh fruits:
Apple – 1 – chopped
Pomegranate – ½ cup seeds – washed (Wash the seeds because the juice will stain the rice and other ingredients)
Nuts/Dry fruits:
Sliced Almonds – 2 tablespoons
Broken Cashews – 3 tablespoons
Raisins – 3 tablespoons
Vegetables:
Carrots – ¾ cup chopped
Green Peas – ¾ cup chopped
Yellow corn – ½ cup
Others:
Tutti Frutti
Cardamom – 4 to 5 pods
Ghee – 2 tablespoons
Sugar - 2 teaspoons
Method:
1. Cook rice with Saffron, Sugar and Salt and separate grains. Keep it aside in a large mixing bowl.
2. Boil water and add the vegetables. Cook until the vegetables are tender. Drain water and keep it aside.
3. Ghee fry the Dry fruits. Keep it aside.
4. To the rice, add the Cooked vegetables, Fresh Fruits, Ghee roasted Dry Fruits, Crushed Cardamom, Ghee, Sugar and Tutti Frutti. Mix gently until all the ingredients are distributed evenly.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
This is my entry to Mixed rice varieties event hosted by EC of Simple Indian Food.
This is also my entry to "Recipes for the rest of us" event hosted by Ramki of One page cookbooks.
Nov 4, 2006
Lemon Rice
Lemon Rice is a traditional recipe of South India. This is known as Nimbehannu Chitra Anna in Kannada, (Nimbehannu – Lemon) and Yezhumichhampazha sadam in Tamil (Yezhumichhampazham – Lemon).
Ingredients:
Rice – 1 cup
Lemon – 2 or Concentrate Lemon juice – 3 table spoon
Oil – 1 tablespoon
Mustard seeds – 2 teaspoon
Urud Dal – 2 table spoon
Turmeric powder
Curry leaves
Asafoetida powder
Green chillis – 3
Salt
Ghee fried Cashews for garnishing.
Method:
Cook Rice, Separate Grains and keep it aside.
Assemble all the ingredients in front of you
Heat oil in a large kadai. Add the Mustard seeds, when it starts to sputter, add the Urud Dal. When the Dal turns light brown. Add the Green chillis, Asafoetida, Curry leaves and Turmeric Powder and turn off the heat completely. Immediately, add lemon juice (readymade or from fresh lemon) and add the salt. Stir well. Now mix the rice gently in the seasoning until the rice content turns yellow. (Taste the rice, and adjust the lemon and salt according to your taste.) Mix well for equal distribution of the seasoning and garnish with Cashews. Serve warm. Many ingredients, but takes very less time to prepare.
Nov 2, 2006
Tomato Rice
Ingredients
Rice – 1 cup
Tomatoes – 6 – (Red ripe juicy tomatoes – Chopped)
Onion – 1 medium (Chopped)
Mint leaves – handful
Curry leaves – 1 strand
Oil - 1 tablespoon
Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon
Urud Dal – 1 tablespoon
Green Chillis – 2 (if its too hot)
Asafoetida
Turmeric Powder
Salt
Method:
Cook rice, separate grains and keep it aside.
Heat oil in a kadai and add mustard seeds, when it sputters, add the urud dal, When the urud dal turns slightly brown, add the green chillis. Add the onion and sauté until it turns translucent. Add the tomatoes and sauté until the tomatoes are cooked and blends with the onion. Now add the turmeric powder, asafoetida and Salt. Stir well. Add the mint leaves and curry leaves and salt and stir well. Reduce the heat completely and add the rice and mix gently until the white rice grain is not seen. Serve hot with chips/raitha.
Oct 26, 2006
Sprouted Moong in Vegetable Pulao
I try to add sprouted moong in my diet atleast twice a week. I make a variety of dishes with the moong sprouts of which ‘Sprouted moong in Vegetable Pulao’ is one such recipe.
Ingredients:
1 cup basmathi rice ( soak in water for 10 minutes)
Onion – 1 medium – finely chopped
Carrot, Beans and Potato all chopped finely – 1 cup
sprouted Moong– 1 cup
Jeera – 1 teaspoon
Sonf – 1 teaspoon
Cinnamon – ½ inch
Cloves – 3
Bay leaf - 1
Garlic – 3 flakes (optional)
Green chillies – 2 vertically cut
Little oil
1 teaspoon ghee
Salt
Coriander leaves for garnishing.
Method:
Heat oil in a pressure pan.
Pressure cook in low heat for 10 minutes.
If using a heavy kadai, cook for 20 minutes with lid.
If using a rice cooker, transfer the contents to the rice cooker and cook until done.
Oct 11, 2006
Capsicum Rice
The recipe for this all-purpose palyadha anna podi is,
Measurements:
3 table spoon - urud dal
3 table spoon - channa dal
2 red chillie (add more if the red chillie is not so hot)
½ inch cinnamon
1 table spoon - dhania (optional)
Roast the dals separately and grind it with red chillie and cinnamon.
Ingredients:
Rice ( Sona Masoori rice) – 1 cup (you can also use basmathi rice)
Capsicum –3 medium sizes – thinly sliced
Oil – 2-table spoon
1 teaspoon – mustard seeds
1 teaspoon – urud dal
Turmeric powder
Asafoetida powder
2 pods cardamom
Salt – as required
Ghee and coriander leaves (cilantro)
Method:
Cook rice and allow it to cool. Separate grains.
Heat little oil and add mustard seeds, when it sputters, add urud dal. When it starts turning light brown add the capsicum. Sauté in medium heat and when its done add turmeric, salt, asafoetida powder and Cardamom. Stir and now add 2 to 3 spoons of the ground powder. Mix well and now add the cooked rice. Stir very gently and when its ¾ mixed, add 2-table spoon ghee and then mix again until even distribution. Garnish with cilantro and/or ghee roasted cashews.
Serve with Raitha and/or Chips.
Note:
You can garnish with Ghee fried Cashews as well.
While Sautéing the Capsicum, add 1/2 teaspoon Tamarind Concentrate for a different taste.
You can make combination rice such as onion and capsicum, onion and potato or with as many types of vegetables as you want. Its all up to your taste.
This powder goes well with vegetables like Onion, Potato, Tomato, and Capsicum.
Carrot and peas can be cooked separately and add to the rice to make it more colorful.
Oct 9, 2006
Vegetable Biryani
Ingredients:
Mixed diced vegetables ( peas., carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, beans etc.) – 2 cups
Onion medium size – 1 – thinly sliced.
Jeera – 1 tea spoon
Oil and salt.
Masala spices:
Cloves – 2/3
Bay leaf – 1
Cinnamon – ½ inch
For the masala, grind the following:
Garlic – 5 flakes
Green chillies – 2 (if its too hot)
Fry the above in little oil separately and Grind together with
Cardamom – 2 pods
Fresh coconut 2 tbsp or ½ cup coconut milk
Corriander leaves – handful
Method
Heat oil in a Pressure pan, add jeera and then masala spices.
Serve hot with any Raitha and /or chips.
Note:
1.You can add sliced almonds to make it more tasty.
2. You can add mint leaves instead of coriander leaves.