Celebrate Thiruvadarai with Kali and Kootu (Tamil Iyers Special) - Reposting with new photos

Thiruvadarai is on 22nd December 2010. It is also called Aarudra Darisanam. Thiruvadarai is Lord Shiva's star which falls on full moon day in the tamil month of Margazhi. Speacial prayers are performed at 9th January night in various Shiva temples all over India.

courtesy - http://www.templenet.com/

Celebrate Thiruvadarai with Kali and Ezhukari Kootu.

Here goes the recipe for Thiruvadarai Kali.

 

Ingredients

Rice Rava - 1 cup

Jaggery - 1 cup

Moong dal - 1/2 cup

Cardamom - 1 tspn (powdered)

Grated coconut - 1 cup

Ghee - 4 tspns

ashews - 6 nos

Water - 3 cups

Preparation Method

Preparation of rice rava Fry 1 cup of normal rice untill it turns light brown. Transfer it to a bowl and cool it. Grind to coarse powder in mixie(Like rava/semolina/sooji)

Fry 1 cup of moong dal till light brown and transfer it to a separate bowl.

Preparation of Thiruvathirai Kali:
In a kadai, add jaggery, add 1 1/2cup water to dissolve. Strain it prior to boiling to remove muddy particles generally present in Jaggery.

Boil moong dal with 1 1/2cup water separately and once ready add it to the jaggery water and boil it. When the desired consistency is achieved add rice rava little by little and keep stirring to avoid formation of lumps.

Add ghee and stir to make kali rich.

Add grated coconut and cardamom powder for taste and flavour.

Make the flame low and close the lid for few mins till rava is well cooked.

Heat ghee and fry the cashews (If you wish add more ghee to get good taste) mix well.

Kali is ready to serve with Ezhukari Kootu.

Here goes recipe for Kootu

Ingredients
Sweet Potato(Large) - 1 no
Potato - 2 nos
Yam (senai Kizhangu) - 1 small piece
Koorkai(Siru Kizhangu) - 6 nos
Arbi (Cheppankizhangu) - 2 nos
Chow Chow(Chayote) - 1no
Avarakai - 50gms
Mochaka - 50gms
Turmeric - a pinch
Grated coconut - 2 cups
Green chilli - 3 nos
Curry leaves - 2 tspns
Coconut oil - 2 tspns
Salt to taste
Preparation Method
Wash all the vegetables and cut them into medium size pieces.
In a Kadai, put all the vegetables with little water, salt and turmeric and cook.
Grind in mixie grated coconut and green chillies.
Once its 3/4th cooked add this mixture and mix well (do not over cook then vegetables will be mashed)
Keep it in medium flame, add little water if required.
Add 2 tspns coconut oil and curry leaves.Kootu is a side dish gravy for the Kali. It is called Ezhukari Kootu because we use 5 rooted vegetables and 2 any other vegetables. If you dont get rooted vegetables you can do with other vegetables also.

Allow it to boil.

From my mom's kitchen Kootu is ready to serve with Kali.

Oats Spinach Hearty Cutlets

Oats Spinach Hearty Cutlets are very tasty and healthy. This can be ready in a jiffy.

Ingredients
Oats - 1 cup(100gms) - I used quaker oats.
Palak Keerai/Spinach - 1/2 bunch (chopped finely)
Potao - 1no(Boiled and grated)
Onion - 1 no (Chopped finely)
Ginger/Garlic - 1 tspn(Chopped finely)
Potukadalai Maav/Chutney dal powder - 2 tspns
Green chilies - 2nos(chopped finely)
Olive Oil - 2-3 tspnS 
Salt
Paneer(Optional)

Preparation Method
Dry roast oats in a kadai till its slight brown and transfer it to a plate.
In a same kadai, add 1 tspn oil, add ginger garlic and saute for few mins.
Add onion, salt, green chilli and saute till its transparent.
Add spinach and cook.
Keep the stove in low flame. Add oats and mix.
Add grated potato and paneer if you are using it and mix well.
Finally add potukadalai maav/besan and mix well to form a dough.
Allow it to cool and make small balls and give whichever shape you desire.
Heat a skillet or tawa, add oil and shallow fry both sides till brown.
You can also deep fry, by coating in bread crums.

Healthy and Tasty Oats Spinach Hearty Cutlets is ready to serve. You can serve with Ketchup or chutney.

Notes -
Serves - 2 persons
Makes - 8 nos

Kothamalli/Cilantro Pulao

I have been wanting to try this recipe when my Mother in law told me long time back when she was here, although that version is different, but my hubby don't like this one. When was just visiting other bloggers space for leaving a comment. Came across this recipe from Ramya's blog but I have made few changes. Prepared yesterday for lunch, evening kept a little for him to taste, and he liked:-)

This rice is also popular in Saravana Bhavan Restuarant on thursdays here in Singapore for lunch. Heard its very tasty.

Ingredients
Basmati Rice - 1 1/2 cups
Patani/Green Peas - 1/2 cup(I used frozen peas)
Garlic - 2 cloves(chopped)
Onion - 1 no (chopped)
Sombu/Saunf- 1/4 tspn
Jeeragam/Cumin seeds - 1/2 tspn
Ghee and Oil - 2 tspns(If you are health conscious can avoid ghee)
Salt

For Masala(Grinding)
Kothamalli/Cilantro - 1 cup(chopped or leaves)
Green Chilli - 4 nos(According to your taste)
Inji/Ginger - 1" piece
Grated Coconut - 2 tspns or a small piece
Garlic - 4 cloves
Pattai/Cinamon - a small piece
Elakka/Cardamom - 1 no
Star Anise - 1 small piece

Preparation Method
Wash and soak Basmati rice for 1/2 n hour in water.
Heat oil and ghee in a pressure cooker. Add the fennel seeds and cumin seeds wait till it crackles.
Add the finely chopped onions and garlic. Saute till its brown.
Add the ground paste and saute till the raw smell goes off in low flame.
Add the basmathi rice and saute for few minutes. Add 2 + little cups of water, salt and allow it to boil.
Add green peas at this time. Mix well. check on salt.
You can do dum(click here) and cook or close the lid and pressure cook for 1 or 2 whistles
Serve with Plain curds/yogurt or raita.

Apple Milk Dessert

Apple Milk Dessert is easy and quick dessert. I saw this recipe in one of the TV channel, I have modified slightly. My son is not eating apples because its crunchy. So tried this and he loved it and I managed to make him eat apple:-)

Serves - 2 persons
Ingredients
Grated Apple - 1/2 no
Milk - 1 cup
Water - 1/4 cup
Corn flour - 1/2 tspn
Low fat Condensed Milk -4 tspns(Can use sugar too about 4 tspns or Kova)
Cardamom powder - a pinch
Saffron - few strands
Badam for garnish


Preparation Method
In a kadai/wok, add water, cardamom powder allow it to boil. Add grated apple and cook(here you can also add 1 tspn of sugar and cook) till all water is abosorbed.
Transfer it to a bowl.
In the same kadai, add milk and boil.
Mix cornflour in milk or water with lumps, add the cornflour paste, saffron(kesari) and condensed milk. Mix well.
Let it boil in medium flame for few minutes until it becomes slightly thick.
Then add cooked apple and stir. After a minute off the stove.

Garnish with chopped Almond/Badam. Allow it to cool and chill for 1-2 hours before serving.

Apple Milk Dessert is ready to Enjoy.

This is going to Sugarless Sweets here in this blog started by Nivedita.

Food Palette White by Akeela

Celebrate Sweets - Sugarless Event Announcement !!!

This month am hosting Celebrate Sweets started by Nivedita. I would like to thank Nivedita for giving me an opportunity to host this month.


The theme is Sweets but Sugarless still you can use any subsitute of sugar like JAGGERY, CONDENSED MILK, HONEY, KOVA/MAWA, KALKAND or anything please specify.

Logo

Rules for the event

1. Any number of fresh entries can be sent. Archived entries to be reposted, else will not be accepted. You can prepare any sweet using any of the above except Sugar and post from now to 7th Jan 2011.

2. Eggs are not allowed.

3. Use of logo is appreciated.
4. The entry should be linked back to this event announcement and Nivedita's event announcement page.


5. Format of entry
- Name
- Recipe name
- Recipe link
- Pic resized to 300 pix


6. Roundup will be posted in Jan 2011.


7. Non bloggers can also participate, by sending entries by email to simplysara07@gmail.com with or without photograph.


Do checkout my events page for other blog event information.


So start preparing your favourite sweets and mail me at simplysara07@gmail.com subject Celebrate Sweets with name of sugar substitute.

Hope you enjoy the participation @ Sara's Corner. If you have any questions, pls mail me or leave a comment.

To start Checkout my sugarless recipes here.
Haalbai
Kai Obattu/Thenga Poli
Appam

Looking forward for your support and participation in the event.

Cheers,
Saraswathi

Banana Appams for Karthigai

Appam is my family favourite sweet. This time for Karthigai, I prepared with bananas and its tasted great. Then next day sent to my hubby's office for his colleagues and it was a great hit. It has an amazing flavour. My son loves the mini version too.

Ingredients
Raw Rice/Idli rice - 1 cup
Vellam/Jaggery - 1 cup (If you like more sweet can add little extra)
Ripe Banana - 1 no(If you dont have riped one can used normal one too)
Cardamom Powder - a pinch
Oil as required

Preparation Method
Wash and soak rice in water for 3-4 hours.
Grind rice for 1-2 rounds in mixie, then add jaggery, banana and grind to smooth paste.
Transfer it to a bowl and leave it for 5-7 hours.(I left it overnight)
Add cardamom powder and mix well.
Heat a non stick Appam Chetti or Kuzhipaniyaram Chetti, with 1 tspn oil each.
Pour batter to 3/4th of the chetti. Reduce flame to medium low otherwise it becomes black.
Cook and turn the overside and cook till its dark brown.

I used Tikka sticks. You can also use fork to turn them.

Super soft Banana Appam is ready to serve.

Notes - If you want, can make mini appams by just pouring half the Kuzhi. It will be loved by Kids.

This recipe is going off to Aipi's -Veggie/Fruit a Month - Ripe Banana Event started by Priya.

Only Greens Event Announcement and Giveaway!!!

Hi Friends,


I am in immense pleasure to announce this months event - "ONLY GREENS" started by Pari Vasisht of Foodelicious, who has a wonderful blog with loads of recipes. I would like to thank her for giving me an opportunity to host this month.

This Event comes with 2 giveaways
1. The first giveaway is $60 gift certificate by CSN.
2. The second giveaway is by http://www.tarladalal.com/ and for this month the winner gets Know your green leafy vegetables cookbook.
Few information about Greens from wiki.


As you all know, there are wide variety of Green leafy vegetable around the world and have lot of health benefits.


Leafy vegetables are typically low in calories, low in fat, high in protein per calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in iron and calcium, and very high in phytochemicals such as vitamin C, carotenoids, lutein and folic acid as well as Vitamin K.


Now coming to the Event.


Logo

Rules for the event
1. Any number of fresh entries can be sent but only 2 enties from the archive will be accepted. Archived entries to be reposted, else will not be accepted. You can cook any course of meal from starter to dessert using Greens, BROCOLLI, LADY'S FINGER ARE ALSO INCLUDED by 31st Dec 2010.
2. Only vegetarian entries (eggs not allowed) will be accepted.
3. Use of logo is compulsory/mandatory.
4. The entry should be linked back to this event announcement and Pari's event announcement page.
5. The winner of the book will be chosen by me using random.org.
6. The CSN winner will be chosen by Pari Vasisht from the comments, name and links lefts in her event announcement page.
7. Format of entry
    - Name
    - Blog Name
    - Blog URL
    - Recipe name
    - Recipe link
    - Pic resized to 300 pix
    - Country
7. Roundup will be posted in 1st week of Jan 2011 unless any emergency situation.
8. Guest Host cannot win the giveaway.
9. Non bloggers can also participate, by sending entries by email to simplysara07@gmail.com with or without photograph.
10. Disclaimer - CSN giveaway is only for US/Canada/UK and Germany entries and 2nd giveaway is for entries from India.

Do checkout my events page for other blog event information.


So start cooking your choice of Greens and send by mail to simplysara07@gmail.com with subject Only Greens.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries.

Hope to receive your support and participation in the event.


Cheers,
Saraswathi

Pasta in Tomato Sauce /Tomato Pasta

I just love Italian Veg food, posting my first Italian Pasta recipe in my blog. Pastas are very tasty, rich and so filling. Last time I tried in Fettuchini, but this time my son liked the smaller one.

Ingredients
Any desired Pasta - 2 cups(I have used Conchiglie Rigate)
Prego Italian Pasta Sauce - 1-2 cups(According to your taste)
Green peas - 2 tspns
Red chilli flakes - 1 tspn
Parmesan Cheese and Mozeralla cheese - 1-2 tablespoon(As per your taste)
Oregano (Optional)
Parsley or chopped coriander - 1 tspn
Olive oil - 1 tspn

Preparation Method
In a vessel boil water, add 1 tspn oil and a pinch of salt. Once its boiling add pasta and allow it to cook for 3 to 5 mins. Keep checking it should not be over cooked.
In a sauce pan/kadai, add olive oil, pasta sauce and let it cook for few minutes.
Add green peas and mix well.
Add cooked pasta and mix.
Add chilli flakes, salt and mix well. Cook till all blends well.

Garnish with Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese and chopped parsley or coriander.

Pasta in Tomato Sauce is ready to serve. Enjoy hot.

Rava Idli (Semolina Steamed Cake)

Idli is very popular tiffin/breakfast in South India. Rava/Semolina/Sooji Idli (Semolina steamed cake) is very famous in South India. Its very tasty. Its one of the favourite tiffin/breakfast in my house. My mom usually makes it in Bangalore, but she uses cooking soda in it.

Ingredients
Rava/Semolina/Sooji - 1 1/2 cup
Curds/Plain Yogurt - 1 cup + extra if required
Eno - 1/2 tspn
Salt


Tempering/Seasoning
Oil - 1 tspn
Mustard - 1/4 tspn
Urad Dal/Channa Dal - 1/2 tspn
Asafotida/Hing - a pinch
Curry leaves - 1 tspn(chopped)


Garnishing Choice (Optional)
Grated Carrot
Chopped coriander
Cashews - few
Sliced Tomato - few(Optional)

Preparation Method
Heat kadai/wok, add oil, mustard wait till it splutters, then add dals and hing saute till brown. Add curry leaves and saute.
Add rava and roast till brown.
Transfer it in a bowl and allow it to cool.
Add curds, salt and mix slowly in one direction without forming lumps. It should be thick batter. If required can add just little water.
Finally add eno salt, mix and leave it for 10 minutes.


Grease Idli plates with little oil. You can garnish now.
Pour the batter slowly in the idli plate.


Steam it for 12-15mins.

Soft and fluffy Rava Idli is ready to enjoy.


You can serve with Coconut Chutney or Potato Sagu.

AWED Brazil - Event Roundup!!!

After my Bali trip have been down with cold and cough, my son too is not well hence the roundup got delyaed. So going straight to the roundup of AWED Brazil event. I thank Divya for giving me an opportunity for hosting the event.

I have received 17 amazing recipes. Checkout the recipes. Thank you friends for your entries.

Sweet Potato Soup by Jayasri

Acaraje by Preethi

Acaraje by Sweatha

Acaraje by Denise

Brazilian style black bean and smoked tofu stew by Sala

Feijoada - Brazilian Black Beans Stew by Priya

Brazilian Orange Rice by Harini Jaya

Brazilian Black Bean Stew with Portobello Mushrooms by Janet

Savory Orange Rice by Janet

Curau De Milho - Brazilian Corn Pudding by Priya

Beijinhos De Coco-Brazilain Coconut Kiss by Priya

Brigadeiro by Nandini

Brigadeiro by Sweatha

Limonada Suica by Nandini

Vaca Preta by Nandini

Pamonha by Sweatha

Thank you friends for the delicious entries.

Do checkout my blog on Events & Roundups and post your events here.

Hope to see you in the next event.

Cheers,

Saraswathi

Babycorn Capsicum Curry

Pic courtesy - My friend Rekha

Ingredients
Babycorn - 6 nos
Capsicum - 1no
Onion - 1no
Tomato - 1no
Ginger - 1 tspn
Garlic - 1/2 tspn
Garam Masala powder - 1/2 tspn
Red Chill powder - 1/2 tspn(As per your taste)
Jeera/Cumin powder - 1/4 tspn
Dhaniya/Coriander powder - 1/2 tspn/
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Olive oil - 1 tspn
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tspn
Jeera/Cumin seed - a pinch
Salt to taste

Preparation Method

Cut all the vegetables into medium big pieces.
Slice babycorn into thin slices.
Heat a kadai/wok, add oil, mustard, wait till it splutters. Add jeera and saute till its splutters.
Add onion and a pinch of salt. Saute till transparant.
Add ginger garlic paste or chopped.
Add tomatoes and saute till soft.
Add capsicum and babycorn and saute till soft.
Add turmeric, salt and masala powders. Mix well and cook till raw smell goes and blends well.
Saute in low flame.


Serve with hot chapathis or puris. You can also wrap with chapathis.

Vegetable Dum Biryani

Muslims are famous for Biryani and Hyderabad Biryani is also very popular in India. I have always wanted to try Biryani with vegetables since I am a Brahmin and was afraid of the taste. I prepared 10days back and it was so spicy and tasty.
 Ingredients
Basmati Rice - 2 cups
Onion - 2 nos
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tspn
Carrot - 1/2 no(chopped)
Beans - 10 nos(Chopped to 1.5")
Green Peas - a handfull
Potato - 1no(optional)
Whole masalas - 2nos each(Elakka/Cardamom, Clove/Krambu, Pattai/Cinnamon, star anise small piece)
Red chilli powder - 1 tspn
Garam Masala powder - 1/2 tspn
Thick curd/Plain Yogurt - 1 cup
Oil - 3 tspns
Ghee - 2 tspns
Salt
Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing.
 Preparation Method
In a thick bottom pan or Pressure cooker, add oil and ghee, add whole masalas and saute for a minute.
Add thinly sliced onions, ginger garlic paste and a pinch of salt. Saute till onions turn slightly brown.
Add chopped tomato and saute till soft.
Add all vegetables and saute.
Add red chili powder and garam masala powder.
Add curds and mix well.
Add rice, 3 cups of water and salt.
Let it boil well and close it with a thick plate so no vapour goes out. All the flavour is inside. This is Dum.(See Notes)


Check it out after 10mins and mix well. Do this until no water left.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.


Vegetable Dum Biryani is ready to serve. Enjoy with onion raitha.


Notes - Dum-  If you wish you can also make a dough using maida and water and seal here.

Mini Jangiri

Since Long time this is pending in my drafts, me and my dad tried this when my parents were here. It was pretty good for the first time and really liked a lot. The taste was good so I thought of posting it.

I didnt take the photos well...:-) Will update again when I make it.

Ingredients
Whole Urad Dal - 1 cup

Sugar Syrup
Sugar - 1 cup
Water - 1/4 cup(just little)
Orange Food colour - a pinch

Preparation Method
Soak Urad Dal for 1-2 hrs and grind to smooth paste without adding much water.
Now prepare sugar syrup, heat a vessel with sugar, water and food colour. Let it boil for 5-10 minutes. Off the stove.
Heat oil in a kadai.
Fill the batter in a ziplock bag and cut very little at the edge.
I directly started pressing to draw 3-4 lines without giving any design and so could not get proper shape. Start doing in low flame and cook the Jangiri well and its crispy. Slowly remove them in tikka stick.
Remove and transfer it in sugar syrup, leave for 2-3 minutes and remove it.

Mini Jangiri is ready to serve.

Enjoy this Deepavali. 

Veg. Bread Spring Roll

Veg. Bread Spring Roll is prepared with bread and vegetables. Kids will love it. Its a good starter and snack.

Ingredients
Bread slice - 4nos
Oil - Deep frying

Stuffing
Cabbage - 1cup(Grated)
Carrot - 1 cup (Grated)
Onion - (optional)
Garam Masala - 1/2 tspn
Red Chilli powder - a pinch
Turmeric - a pinch
Oil - 1/2 tspn
Salt

Preparation Method
In a pan, put oil cabbage, carrot, garam masala, red chilli powder, turmeric and salt. Cook til its half done. Dont cook fully. Off the stove.

Take a bread piece, cut off the edges and stuff a tspn of the veggie and roll it. Seal the edges with water or maida paste. Coat them in maida paste.

Heat oil in a kadai/wok and deep fry these till brown.

Veg. Bread Spring Roll is ready to serve. Serve it with Tomato Ketchup or as it is.

If you have not sent in your entries to AWED Brazil event do send it today as it ends on 31st Oct.