THATTU VADAI & THOOL MURUKKU

I got these recipes from a cook book. I actually wanted to make small ones like nippet which i had in my school days..But i couldn’t make even sized ones..I am bad in making  shapes..So please don’t look at the shapes ,just at the recipe .But u can try with small round shaped moulds . .It was crispy & tasty..I gave some to my neighbor and the next day she asked the recipe ..She told it was too good and her sons liked it very much.I was very happy because this is the first complement i am getting from one other than my husband..

Ok ,coming to the ingredients required:

• Processed Rice flour  - 2 cups
• Roasted & ground urad dal flour OR Fried gram dal powder/ Pottukadalai powder – 1/4 cup
• Fried gram dal/Pottukadalai – 1/4 cup ( more or less depends on u)
• Warm Cooking oil /Butter – 1.5 tbsp
• Pepper powder OR Red chilly powder – 1 tsp
• Salt & water – as needed.
• Chopped curry leaves – a few
• Oil – for deep frying..

Method:

• Take a wide mouthed bowl and Mix all the items with little water & required salt to make a dough ..
• Take a polythene sheet greased with oil.Make small balls with the dough.
• Pat it to make a round shaped thattu vadai  on the sheet...(Its better to use a round shaped mould for proper size & shape ).
• Heat Oil in a wok and deep fry on both the sides in medium flame till hiss sound ceases...
• Store in an air tight container and enjoy munching !!

Note:

Instead of adding fried gram dal , u can also use 1.5 hour soaked channa dal..
U can also prick the thatti using a fork before frying to ensure proper cooking..I don't do that though..

THOOL MURUKKU

Ingredients:

• Processed Rice flour – 1 cup
• Dry roast & Ground Urad dal powder – 2 tbsp
• Butter / Hot cooking oil – 1 tbsp
• Omam / Ajwain OR Black sesame seeds  – 1 tsp
• Salt & Water – as needed

Method:

• Mix everything in a bowl with required water & salt to make a dough.
• Take the dough in the murukku maker with single star mould in it and press in the hot oil .
• Deep fry on both the sides and store it in an air-tight container.

Note : The color of murukku depends on the roasted urad dal  flour. If u roast urad dal till golden brown , the murukku color may be turn brown. So please roast urad dal in very low flame without changing its color...

TRIED & TASTED

Snake Gourd Kootu
I tried snake gourd kootu from Pavithra’s blog.I started making it regularly..We like it very much..Thanks a lot Pavithra…U can find the recipe here..



KITCHEN CLINIC

Rice flour: Brown rice flour is of great importance in Southeast Asian cuisine. Also edible rice paper can be made from it. Most rice flour is made from white rice, thus is essentially a pure starch, but whole-grain brown rice flour is commercially available. White rice is the name given to milled rice that has had its husk, bran, and germ removed. This is done largely to prevent spoilage and to extend the storage life of the grain. After milling, the rice is polished, resulting in a seed with a bright, white, shiny appearance. The polishing process removes important nutrients. A diet based on unenriched white rice leaves people vulnerable to the neurological disease beriberi, due to a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1). White rice is often enriched with some of the nutrients stripped from it during its processing. Enrichment of white rice with B1, B3, and iron is required by law in the United States. At various times, starting in the 19th century, many have advocated brown rice or wild rice as healthier alternatives. The bran in brown rice contains significant dietary fiber and the germ contains many vitamins and minerals.This is in contrast to the traditional view of brown rice, where it was associated with poverty and famine. Rice flour (also called Mochiko,in Japanese and Pirinç Unu in Turkish) is a form of flour made from finely milled rice. Rice flour may be made from either white rice or brown rice. To make the flour, the husk of rice or paddy is removed and raw rice is obtained. The raw rice is then ground to form rice powder, also known as rice flour. The rice flour is used in making neer dosa, golibaje (Mangalore bajji), and rotti. The flour is mixed with flours of wheat, millet, and other cereals to make manni, a kind of baby food. Sometimes cut dried fruits or dried vegetables are added for flavour and more nutrients. This is commonly used in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi of Karnataka, India. Rice flour is a particularly good substitute for wheat flour, which causes irritation in the digestive systems of those who are gluten-intolerant. Many dishes are made from the use of rice flour, including rice noodles and desserts like Japanese mochi and Filipino cascaron. Omam / Ajwain: Omam (Ajwain) is used to make a special food called the 'omapodi'. It is also mixed in several snacks of north and south India. Omam is used to cure digestive problems in children and adults. Omam is also mentioned in ancient Tamil literatures. It is also traditionally known as a digestive aid and an antiseptic. Ajwain is often confused with lovage seed; even some dictionaries mistakenly state that ajwain comes from the lovage plant. Ajwain is also called 'Owa (ओवा)' in Marathi, "vaamu" or Oma in Telugu, "omam" (ஓமம்) in Tamil, "ajwana" in Kannada, "ajmo" (અજમો) in Gujarati, "jowan" in Bengali, "jwanno" in Nepali, "asamodagam" in Singhalese and "xiang zhu la jiao" (香著辣椒) in Chinese. Fried Gram : India is the world’s largest agricultural country and agro-oriented industry has always been the thrust area of our country. Among several agricultural crops, Bengal Gram occupies a pride of place in millions of homes across the country. Bengal Gram is widely cultivated in several parts of India, Australia and other tropical regions. Bengal Gram adds a special flavour and taste to many Indian foods like dhall, curry, ready mix, snacks etc. Fried Gram is the main product processed out of Bengal Gram as raw material. It is commonly used in several South Indian side dishes for breakfast and snacks. It is also used as a thickening agent. Since Fried Gram has a rich protein content, it is also used in health products and drinks. India, especially Southern States, requires large quantity of fried gram. Though the requirement to a large extent is met by the unorganized cottage sector, there is no guarantee for consistent quality and supply on a regular basis. Moreover, the manufacturing process was highly manual and no proper equipment and processing system was evolved. Obviously the industry was waiting for someone to take the lead. Someone to set the pace and give it a new leash of life.

Have a nice weekend

SUNDAL – A RICE DISH

This is not the usual sundal we make with legumes..This is rice upma which my MIL call it as sundal.It can be made in a jiffy and its healthy too..Less oil is used.I usually make this for dinner.

Ingredients:

• Raw rice – 3/4 cup
• Moong dal – 1/4 cup.(Equal ratio of rice & dal is also good)
• Water – 2.25 cups
• Salt  – as needed.
• Grated coconut – 1/4 cup

To temper:

• Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
• Green chilly – 1-2 nos
• Curry leaves – a sprig
• Asafetida / hing – 1/4 tsp (half during tempering and half should be added raw in the water)
• Ginger – 1 inch (finely chopped )
• Oil – 2 tsp

Method:

• Dry roast the rice till it puffs up slightly.
• Dry roast the moong dal till it turns light golden brown with a nice aroma.Set aside.
• Both the above process takes hardly 5 mins.
• Then in the same hot kadai , add 1 tsp of oil and do the tempering part.
• As i had mentioned earlier, half the quantity of asafetida should be added while tempering along with the dals.
• After tempering , just add the water,salt , roasted rice & moong dal.
• Now add the remaining hing and ginger pieces.
• Add a tsp of oil and close the cooker with the lid. (adding oil in the water makes the rice separate, u all know this)
• Cook for 1 whistle .Cool, open and add the grated coconut before serving!!

Serve with sambhar/ coconut chutney!!!

TRIED & TASTED:

ALOO– PEAS KURMA:

Yesterday i tried this kurma for chappathi from Ashwini’s cuisine.It was yummy and my hubby liked it very much.I was very happy..Thank u soooo much ashwini

Have a nice day!!

SIMPLE KEERAI KADAIYAL & PALAK CHAPPATHI.

SIMPLE KEERAI KADAIYAL:

This is my entry to sowmya’s SWC: Cooking with Greens event.This is a perfect dish that suits the event i think. I make this atleast 3-4 times in a week.Me , basically a health-conscious person always thinking to avoid fatty,oily items and to include something that is rich in protein and iron in our regular diet.We all know greens are very rich in iron .So i am sure in including this in our lunch.My kid, who is a fussy eater  likes this very much.We too like this more than other dishes with keerai like kootu,poriyal and sambhar.I make this simple keerai kadaiyal which is very easy to do at the same time the amount of spinach consumption will be more..So, here comes the ingredients,

 

Ingredients:

• Arai keerai /Mulai keerai  – 2 bunches
• Garlic flakes – 5 –7 nos
• Salt & water – as needed.

Method:

• Remove the leaves and wash it for 2-3 times until all the soil gets removed.
• Boil 1/2 cup of water in a vessel and add the keerai /spinach to it.
• Cook it well and don’t cover the vessel with the lid.(hope u all know this:))After sometime flip it once and cook it.
• Once its done , switch off the flame and let it cool.Don’t drain the excess water.U can use it for grinding.(Always add less water to cook spinach.)
• First,run the garlic flakes with the salt once or twice without water.
• Now add the cooked spinach and grind it to make a smooth paste.

Mix with plain rice by adding ghee!! Try this with ur kids , i am sure they will like it.Garlic flavor is the plus for this kadaiyal.U can refrigerate it and use for 2-3 days!!

Another version in this is, just cook the spinach and grind it with salt.Soak tamarind in water and extract the juice..Add the tamarind juice to the ground spinach and allow it to boil.Do the seasoning with mustard,urad dal and hing..This we call as pulikeerai..I think most of u do this at home!!

PALAK CHAPPATHI

I tried Palak chappathi and Aloo paratha last week for dinner.It was soft and tasty..I got the recipe from my neighbour..I’ll post Aloo paratha soon…Now comes the Palak chappathi,

Ingredients:

• Palak / Pasalai keerai – 2 bunches
• Red chilly powder – 1/2 tsp – 1 tsp(adjust )
• Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp (adjust as per ur need)
• Ginger – 1 inch (finely chopped)
• Salt & water- as needed.
• Curd – 2 tsp
• Oil – 1 tsp

For the dough:

• Wheat flour – 1 cup
• Oil – 1tbsp

Method:

• Chop and wash the palak leaves for 2-3 times and set aside.
• Heat a kadai with 1 tsp oil and add the palak to it.Saute till its half cooked and get reduced in quantity.
• Then grind the palak with little water to a smooth paste.
• Now take the wheat flour in a bowl and add the ground palak, red chilly powder,ginger pieces,garam masala ,curd and salt.Add water only if it is needed because the water in the ground palak  is itself sufficient.If u feel its too watery, add some wheat flour and make a dough.Add some oil and knead it well.
• Then cover and keep it for 30 mins.The dough is of green in color.
• Now make even sized balls and roll it to a thin chappathi.
• Heat a dosa tawa and make chappathis as usual.

Yummy, healthy palak chappathi is ready.U can serve with onion raita and pickle!!

Both the recipes are on their way to our Sowmya’s SWC: Cooking with GREENS,originally started by Lakshmi.

 

KITCHEN CLINIC:

Spinach: The health benefits of spinach are numerous and its ability to help prevent disease is well known. Spinach is at the top of many super food lists. Spinach Nutrition Spinach and other dark leafy greens like kale, collards, Swiss chard, turnip greens and bok choy are loaded with calcium, folic acid, vitamin K and iron. Spinach is also rich in vitamin C, fiber and carotenoids. Add its lutein and bioflavanoids and spinach is a nutritional powerhouse. Why Eat Spinach? Spinach nutrition is amazing. The calcium content in spinach and the other dark leafy greens mentioned above strengthens bones. The A and C vitamins in spinach plus the fiber, folic acid, magnesium and other nutrients help control cancer, especially colon, lung and breast cancers. Folate also lowers the blood levels of something called homocysteine, a protein that damages arteries. So spinach also helps protect against heart disease. The flavonoids in spinach help protect against age related memory loss. Spinach's secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the elderly. Foods rich in lutein are also thought to help prevent cancer. As you can see, the health benefits of spinach are numerous. The vitamins and calcium in spinach, combined with the overall nutritional value of spinach, make this vegetable and its dark leafy green cousins top picks for healthy food choices. Fresh or frozen, add these greens to your food menu as often as you can. Amaranthus tricolor (Tamil: Arai keerai): Tender and mature leaves are cooked and eaten as spinach or prepared to sambar (dhal preparation).  Stems made into chutney or koottu, or added to sambar and boiled can then be consumed.  The leaves contain 5.2% of proteins, fat 0.3%, fibre 6.1%, carbohydrates 3.8% and minerals 2.8%.  In addition, calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin C are present. Amaranthus spinosus (Tamil: Mulaikkerai): Leaves and tender stems are prepared to koottu or as spinach and consumed by the traditional people.  Testing of the leaves and tender stems revealed the presence of 0.5% fat, 3.0% proteins, 8.1% carbohydrates and 1.3% fibres.  In addition, calcium, phosphorus, iron, nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid are present.  This spinach is excellent for people suffering from calcium deficiency.

TRIED & TASTED:

BADAM HALWA:

Last weekend we went to my friend’s newly built house.I wanted to prepare a rich sweet for her.I saw this badam halwa recipe in srivalli’s blog and bookmarked it.It is very easy and its of MW version.I just followed the same method and ingredients.It tasted excellent.Thanks a lot srivalli for such a yummy sweetI transferred the halwa from the MW bowl to a polythene sheet greased with ghee , kept it in a box and carried to my friend’s house. U can find the actual recipe here.

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PIDI KOZHUKATTAI RECIPE - CHITRA POURNAMI RECIPES

I prepared this kozhukatai on Chitra pournami day and offered to God along with raw mango pachadi , panagam and neer mor.I am very happy,i tried this kozhukattai on my own for the first time.So far my aunty(MIL) was there with me and she used to make all these and i was just a listener.Now my in-laws are in my native,so i was in a position to do it..Thank God,i turned out so well..It dint break,,it was very soft as i expected.. 

Ingredients:

• Rice flour – 2 cups
• Powdered jaggery – 1 cup
• Water – 1/2 –3/4 cups (it varies)
• Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp
• Grated coconut –1/4 cup

Method:

• Heat a pan with 1/2 cup of water and add the powdered jaggery to it.
• Let it melt and strain the impurities if any..
• The syrup starts to boil and becomes frothy ..now add the grated coconut,cardamom powder along with rice flour.
• Mix well till it becomes like a chapatti dough.If the water is not sufficient,add little hot water..(keep the hot water ready before this step).First i used 1/2 cup of water to make the syrup,then i added 1/4 cup of hot water.If u feel the water is more,add rice flour..No problem:)
• Now remove from the flame and let it cool.
• Grease the idly maker plates with gingely oil .
• Make oval shaped balls with the dough and just press it with ur fingers.(U can get an idea by looking at the picture)
• Steam it in the idly maker as u make idlies..

Sweet pidi kozhukkatai is ready!!

KITCHEN CLINIC:

Jaggery: Popularly known as the “medicinal sugar”, jaggery has various health benefits to help in overall wellness of a person. Jaggery is a pure, wholesome, unrefined whole sugar which contains the natural goodness of minerals and vitamins. Produced from sugarcanes, jaggery is a healthy alternative to white refined sugar. Given below are some reasons why jaggery should be included in one’s diet. Jaggery has sucrose and glucose but along with that, it also has good amount of minerals and vitamins needed for the healthy functioning of the body. While diabetic people are often advised replacing sugar with jaggery, you need to be careful as the latter may cause sudden spike of blood sugar levels. Jaggery is also known to be a good source of magnesium which in turn helps in relieving fatigue along with relaxation of muscles, nerves and blood vessels. It thus helps in relieving the symptoms of asthma, migraine, tension and soreness in muscles. Jaggery is also a good source of potassium and this along with low amounts of sodium helps to maintain blood pressure and reduces water retention. Not to forget, jaggery is very good for anemic people as it is a good source of iron that helps in increasing hemoglobin level in the body. It is also a very good source of manganese and selenium and thus acts as an antioxidant scavenging free radicals from the body. In addition, jaggery also possesses moderate amounts of calcium, phosphorus and zinc. Jaggery thus helps to maintain optimum health and it also helps in the purification of blood, along with preventing rheumatic afflictions and disorders of bile. Karippatti kaappi, or a palm jaggery coffee doesn’t have any trace of coffee, but has karippatti as main ingredient, with variable ingredients like tulsi leaves, pepper, thippali or Indian long pepper. The preparation is indeed very simple.  karippatti and water are taken in a vessel and heated till boiling. Add the other ingredients. Boil till the karippatti pieces dissolve completely. Drink it warm. A quick fix medicine for common cold, cough etc, it dissolves mucus and clears the throat. Sometimes sugarcane jaggery (jaggery) too is used for same purpose, but is far less effective. Why is it healthy? Jaggery, being a wholesome sugar, without doubt is rich in the vitally important mineral salts: 2.8 grams per 100 grams, that is to say 28 grams per kilogram, while only 300 milligrams per kilogram is found in refined sugar.  Magnesium strengthens the nervous system & potassium is vital to conserve the acid balance in the cells and combats acids and acetone. Jaggery is very rich in iron, which a composite of hemoglobin prevents anemia. Looking at the high nutritional value of jaggery and its numerous health benefits, one should eat this regularly to enhance one’s overall health.

TRIED AND TASTED : CHANNA PULAO

I tried this channa pulao from viki’s kitchen.It was very good.I made it for my husband’s lunch box.I just reduced the  number of red chillies ( i used only 3 nos) , rest the same.U can find the actual recipe here..Thanks viki.. i’ve got a healthy rice recipe  from u:)

CAULIFLOWER GRAVY

I learnt this recipe from my mom..My mom used to make this on sunday .She prepare this gravy for breakfast and we have the same with rice for lunch.We all simply take rest by watching TV shows and chat with each otherThose beautiful days never come back.This life, after marriage is a kind of pleasure.I tried this gravy yesterday for the first time as an accompaniment for idly .My husband liked it very much.Thanks a lot mom…:)

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower florets – 15 nos
• Boiled Peas – 1/2 cup (optional) I added.
• Tomato – 1 –2 nos(chopped)
• Big onion – 1 no(finely chopped)
• Red chilly powder – 1 tsp (adjust)
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Salt and Water – as needed.

To grind:

• Grated Coconut – 1 tbsp
• Ginger – 1.5 inch piece
• Garlic flakes – 7 nos

To season :

• Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds- 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves – a sprig

Coriander leaves – to garnish.

Method:

• Wash and soak the cauliflower florets in hot water with salt and turmeric powder for 10-15 mins .Grind all the items given under “to grind” to make a paste and set aside.
• Heat a wok/pan with oil and do the seasoning part first.
• Then add the chopped onion and saute for a minute.
• Now add the ground coconut paste with water and stir fry till raw smell leaves it.
• Then add the red chilly powder,turmeric powder,chopped tomatoes and mix it well.
• Add the required water, boiled peas and cover cook till cauliflower gets cooked.
• Make the gravy thick if its for chappati and watery for idly/dosa/rice.

Do try this gravy and enjoy ur weekends:)

Serve this gravy with gingely oil on top of it for idly/dosa..

KITCHEN CLINIC:

Cauliflower: Cauliflower is a member of the 'white' family in terms of fruits and vegetables. Included in this group are other natural foods such as bananas, mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Cauliflower contains allicin, which can improve heart health and reduce the risk of strokes, and selenium, a chemical that works well with Vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. Cauliflower can also help to maintain a healthy cholesterol level. Folate is also found in cauliflower, which is a B vitamin that is needed for cell growth and replication. For this reason, it is often recommended that women who are pregnant or may become pregnant eat significant amounts of cauliflower in order to help their unborn children develop properly. Of course, cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber, which helps to improve colon health and can even help prevent cancer. And, most recently, it has been discovered that cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous vegetables, such as brussel sprouts and cabbage, contain indole-3-carbinol, a substance that can affect the metabolism of estrogen in the body, and prevent breast and other female cancers. Cauliflower is one of several cruciferous vegetables. Cauliflower has no fat, is high in vitamin C, and can pass for a low-carb version of mashed potatoes with ease. Health Benefits After citrus fruits, cauliflower is your next best natural source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that appears to help combat cancer. It's also an important warrior in the continuous battle our bodies wage against infection. Cauliflower is also notable for its fiber, folic acid, and potassium contents, proving it's more nutritious than its white appearance would have you believe. Cauliflower may also be a natural cancer fighter. It contains phytochemicals, called indoles, that may stimulate enzymes that block cancer growth. Nutritional Values of Fresh and Cooked Cauliflower Serving Size: 1/2 cup Calories –15 Fat-<1 g Saturated Fat-0 g Cholesterol-0 mg Carbohydrate-3 g Protein-1 g Dietary Fiber -2 g Sodium-9 mg Vitamin C-28 mg Folic Acid-27 micrograms Potassium-88 mg Dr. Shivendra Singh, professor of pharmacology and urology at the University of Pittsburg states, “The contribution of diet to cancer risk and prevention has been a major focus of research in recent years because certain nutrients in vegetables and dietary agents appear to protect the body against diseases such as cancer.” Not only are the natural cancer fighting agents found in cauliflower valuable, to say the least, it seems that cauliflower may play a major role in keeping bones healthy. Research indicates that getting more than 100 mcgs of Vitamin K per day can help lower the risk of hip fractures. A third of that amount exists in 2 cups of cauliflower. Given the amazing health benefits of this often ignored and misunderstood super vegetable, it would seem logical to include a couple servings per week for either breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cauliflower is easy to obtain as it is available year round. It usually is reasonably priced and offers a big bang for the buck. A flexible vegetable, it is delicious and can be prepared and served a variety of ways. Raw of course is always wonderful. Enjoy the delicious florets by the handfuls. Cauliflower can be cut into salads, blended with cabbage into a healthy slaw recipe, or used in soups and stews. For those watching their carbs, mashed cauliflower is a wonderful potato replacement.

Tried and Tasted: Puttu

Last week i tried Puttu using rice flour and i followed the method given by Tina in her blog Kaipunyam.It came out very well.She had given a clear explanation.Thanks  a lot tina.I don’t have puttu maker , so i just steamed it in idly maker with a cloth.I prepared sweet puttu by adding grated coconut, sugar and cardamom powder.We liked it.Here is the picture ,I used  tumbler as a mould for this shape.

PAV BHAJI

I attempted Pavbhaji for the first time yesterday and it was a super hit.It came out very well.I took this recipe from a cooking manual and made some changes according to our tastebuds.

     Ingredients 

• 6 pavs (squarish soft buns )
• Butter to toast.

For Bhaji :

• 2 cups chopped mixed vegetables (beans, carrots, cauliflower, potato, beans )
• 1/2 cup shelled peas

To saute:

• 2 tsp. butter
• 2 onions chopped fine 
• 2 tomatoes chopped fine
• 1 capsicum chopped fine 
• 1 green chilly chopped finely
• 1/2 tsp. each ginger grated, garlic crushed ( G&G paste)
• 2 tsp. pavbhaji masala (i used MDH masala)
• 1/2 – 1  tsp. chilli powder (adjust)
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. sugar  (i added a pinch)
• salt to taste
• 1 cup water (use according to the thickness of the bhaji)
• juice of 1/2 lemon.

To Garnish :

• 1 tbsp. coriander chopped
• 1 onion chopped
• small pieces of lemon 
    

Method  of preparation:
For bhaji:

• Pressure cook mixed vegetables and peas till well done. 
• Mash them coarsely using a ladle after draining the water.
• Heat butter in a pan. Add  crushed ginger-garlic, capsicum, onion, tomatoes. 
• Fry for 2-3 minutes till very soft and mushy. Add pavbhaji masala, chilli powder, turmeric, salt, sugar and cooked vegetables. fry further 2-3 minutes.
• Bring to boil. Simmer till gravy is thick, stirring and mashing pieces with masala, in between. 
• Add lemon juice, stir. 
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

     For Pavs :

• Slit pavs horizontally leaving one edge attached. (To open like a book).
• Apply butter (as desired) and roast open on a tawa till hot and soft with the surface crisp on both sides.

     Serve hot with bhaji, a piece of lemon and chopped onion.
KITCHEN CLINIC:

Buns: A bun is a small, usually sweet bread. Commonly they are hand-sized or smaller, domed in shape with a flat bottom. It can also mean a savory bread roll similar to a bap or barmcake. Basic buns are usually made using flour, sugar, eggs, yeast and butter. "Bun" can also refer to a kind of filled dumpling, such as Chinese baozi. In West Yorkshire and certain parts of Northern England, cupcakes are referred to as buns. As yeast is used in preparing buns, i wish to mention some facts about yeast.Do read it !! yeast: Yeasts are eukaryotic microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with about 1,500 species currently described; they dominate fungal diversity in the oceans. Most reproduce asexually by budding, although a few do so by binary fission. Yeasts are unicellular, although some species with yeast forms may become multicellular through the formation of a string of connected budding cells known as pseudohyphae, or false hyphae as seen in most molds. Yeast size can vary greatly depending on the species, typically measuring 3–4 µm in diameter, although some yeasts can reach over 40 µm. The yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used in baking and fermenting alcoholic beverages for thousands of years. It is also extremely important as a model organism in modern cell biology research, and is the most thoroughly researched eukaryotic microorganism. Researchers have used it to gather information into the biology of the eukaryotic cell and ultimately human biology. Other species of yeast, such as Candida albicans, are opportunistic pathogens and can cause infection in humans. Yeasts have recently been used to generate electricity in microbial fuel cells, and produce ethanol for the biofuel industry. uses: The useful physiological properties of yeast have led to their use in the field of biotechnology. Fermentation of sugars by yeast is the oldest and largest application of this technology. Many types of yeasts are used for making many foods: Baker's yeast in bread production, brewer's yeast in beer fermentation, yeast in wine fermentation and for xylitol production. Yeasts are also one of the most widely used model organisms for genetics and cell biology. Nutritional supplements Yeast is used in nutritional supplements popular with vegans and the health conscious, where it is often referred to as "nutritional yeast". It is a deactivated yeast, usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is an excellent source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins, whose functions are related to metabolism as well as other minerals and cofactors required for growth. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium. Some brands of nutritional yeast, though not all, are fortified with vitamin B12, which is produced separately from bacteria. Nutritional yeast, though it has a similar appearance to brewer's yeast, is very different and has a very different taste. Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy, creamy flavor which makes it popular as an ingredient in cheese substitutes. It is often used by vegans in place of Parmesan cheese. Another popular use is as a topping for popcorn. It can also be used in mashed and fried potatoes, as well as putting it into scrambled eggs. It comes in the form of flakes, or as a yellow powder similar in texture to cornmeal, and can be found in the bulk aisle of most natural food stores. In Australia it is sometimes sold as "savory yeast flakes". Though "nutritional yeast" usually refers to commercial products, inadequately fed prisoners have used "home-grown" yeast to prevent vitamin deficiency.

TOMATO GRAVY

I always search for different sambhar/chutneys/korma for tiffin.Being a native of Tamil nadu, most of us make idly/dosa at least 4-5 days in a week.I dont like to repeat the same side dishes.So whenever i browse , meet my friends ,neighbors , i surely ask them for side dish they make for idly/dosa/chapatti.

Last week my school friend called me and we talked more than one hour discussing our past, present etc:) I asked her about the side dishes.She told me the recipe for this gravy and i tried for dosa.Of course it tastes well with chapatti too by making it little thick. Very simple and delicious..I made it very little , please adjust all the ingredients according to ur requirement.

Ingredients:

• Tomato – 2 nos (chopped )
• Big onion – 1 no (finely chopped)
• Salt & water – as  needed
• Coriander leaves – to garnish

To grind:

• Coconut –  forefinger size piece.
• Ginger - 1` inch size
• Green chilly – 1-2 nos(i added one)
• Fennel seeds/Soambu/Perunjeeragam – 1/4 tsp

To season:

• Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Urad dal – 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves – few

Method:

• Chop and cook the tomatoes.
• Grind all the items given under “to grind “ along with cooked tomatoes using required water.Make it a paste.Set aside.
• Now heat the kadai with a tsp of oil and season all the items given above.Add the chopped onions and saute till transparent.
• Now add the ground tomato masala to it and boil till raw smell leaves it. May take 5 mins.Add water if u make it for idly/dosa.If for chapatti, add less water so that gravy should be thick.
• Finally garnish with coriander leaves and serve!!

Try and let me know!!

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