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June 8, 2014

HOW TO CHOOSE, CLEAN AND STORE MUSHROOM

 Mushrooms 
This is a very basic post on “"How to choose, buy and clean mushrooms before cooking “. Though most of you know this, I wanted to share this post for beginners who use mushrooms for the first time .Mushrooms have many health benefits.They are a good source of proteins, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and anti-oxidants. They are low in calories but high in fiber. It helps to reduce high cholesterol levels, improves immune system, aids weight loss and relief for diabetes too. But all these benefits are applicable only for edible mushrooms. Some mushrooms are poisonous which may lead to coma and several ill effects. Hence we should be careful while choosing and buying mushrooms. It is always better to buy mushrooms from well known brands and well sealed. It should be fresh and white in color. Read on to see the tips to choose and buy good quality mushrooms and how to clean them before cooking. Hope it would be useful.

Do check out this link to know about the different varieties of mushrooms.

How to buy mushrooms

HOW TO CHOOSE MUSHROOM
I have shared some tips for choosing a good quality mushrooms if you are a first time buyer.I got these tips from here and here
  • Look for firm, white mushrooms without any discoloration or bruises.
  • Choose the mushrooms that are free from spots and decay.The whiter the fresher it would be.
  • Button mushrooms have white caps but other mushroom varieties come in varying shades of brown and cream.
  • Choose the ones with with short,clean-cut stems and caps that are either closed around the stems or slightly open ( as shown in the above picture), and with pink or light-tan gills.
  • On the underside of the mushroom, the gills(black part) should be tight.Gills will spread open as mushrooms age.So buy closed ones.
HOW TO STORE MUSHROOM
  • For storage, refrigerate your mushrooms in a paper bag to make them last longer.Keep them covered. 
  • Use within a few days of purchasing.(1-2 days)
  How to clean mushrooms
HOW TO CLEAN MUSHROOMS
Though the cleaning process seems longer, it can be done in minutes. I referred sharmis passions and some more websites for this topic.
Mushroom outer layer peel

Mushroom gills

 

How to clean mushroom


How to clean mushrooms How to clean mushrooms before cooking
Cuisine: Indian
Category: How to
Serves: --
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: --
Total time: 10 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Edible Mushrooms - 1 packet
  • Tissue paper
  • Water
METHOD



    • Take a mushroom and wipe it with a clean towel or tissue to remove the mud and dirt.
    How to clean mushrooms
     
    • Then remove the stem part which u can in the middle.When u look into the mushroom,u can c black hair like thing which are called Gills. If u wish, u can remove it using a knife. But this step is optional.
    How to clean mushrooms
     
    • Then peel the outer layer completely till u see the white cap.Mushroom will look white and clean.
    How to clean mushrooms
    • Now wash it under the running water and make sure all the dirt is washed off.Then cut into small pieces and use it as desired.
                     How to clean mushrooms







Button mushroom


Mushrooms are ready for cooking !
Mushrooms after cleaning

Do check out my MUSHROOM BIRYANI recipe if interested !

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June 6, 2014

Peanut Rice Recipe / Verkadalai Sadam - Groundnut Rice Recipe

Peanut-rice-recipe
Last week when I was thinking about easy Indian lunch box recipes, I reminded about this peanut rice recipe (Groundnut rice, Verkadalai sadam in Tamil). As Sendhil loves peanuts, I tried this rice without any hesitation. I referred some websites for this verkadalai sadam recipe and came up with my own combination. Its a quick fix recipe for bachelors and working women to make it easily in busy mornings. Even kids would love to take this rice for their lunch box. Just a papad or vadam is enough to have a box full of this peanut rice. If you have roasted & de skinned peanuts ready in hand, this rice can be prepared very easily and quickly. It comes out flavourful and tasty too. Sendhil liked it very much. It can be made with leftover rice too. Friends, if you are looking for some easy lunch box ideas,do include this recipe.
To get a nice color for this rice, I used Byadgi chilli which is very famous here in Karnataka. It gives a bright red color to the dishes. So I use these chillies for my chutneys, kurma and bisibelebath. If you use normal red chillies, the color of this rice will vary but taste would be the same.
Ok, Lets see how to prepare this peanut rice with step by step photos.
I clicked this picture in a hurry while Sendhil was rushing to his office.So please bear with the clicks.

Lunch box ideas

Peanut rice recipe


Peanut rice recipe Easy peanut rice recipe for lunch box
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Lunch
Serves: Serves 2
Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml

  • Rice - 1/2 cup
  • Cooking oil - 1.5 tbsp
  • Peanuts - 1/4 cup
  • Sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1 tsp
  • Pepper corns - 1/4 tsp
  • Byadgi Red chillies – 4 nos  ( use 2-3 chillies for other varieties)
  • Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
To temper
  • Sesame oil or ghee - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Cashew nuts – few
  • Peanuts – 1 tbsp
  • Big onion – 1 no  (optional)
  • Curry leaves - few
METHOD

  • Pressure cook the rice adding enough water and a drop of sesame oil. Rice should be grainy and separate.Spread in a plate and allow it to cool down.
  • Dry roast peanuts and remove the skin. Reserve a tbsp of peanuts. Keep it ready
Peanut rice
  • In a kadai, heat oil and roast sesame seeds,chillies,coconut,pepper corns & urad dal. Roast till golden brown. Roast coconut till it becomes dry.
Peanut rice 1
  • Then let it cool.Grind everything coarsely. To this add roasted peanuts, salt and run the mixie twice or thrice. It will become a coarse powder.
peanut rice 2
  • Heat ghee or sesame oil in a kadai and do the tempering adding reserved peanuts & cashews.Saute onions & set aside.
  • Add the ground powder,tempered ingredients to the cooked rice.Mix well.Add sesame oil or ghee while mixing.Check for salt.
Peanut rice 3
Serve with papad !


Note

  • U can prepare this rice using leftover rice too.
  • Roast the coconut well else the mixture will become a paste while u grind.U can also use dry coconut/Koppari instead of fresh coconut.
  • Do not run the mixie continuously for long time.Open every now and then,scrape the sides and grind.
  • Add sesame oil or ghee while mixing.It gives a nice flavour.
  • U can omit onions and make it as no onion no garlic recipe too.It tastes good.

I had this rice with over roasted papad.It was yummy !
peanut-rice


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June 5, 2014

ONE MINUTE EGGLESS CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE RECIPE IN MICROWAVE

Eggless chocolate mug cake
I never thought one minute eggless chocolate mug cake in microwave comes out super spongy and soft. It can be made instantly within no time.Its really a one minute magic or wonder I would say. I tried this for the first time from this spaceI did some changes in the actual recipe based on the ingredients I had in hand & gave it to Raksha as an evening snack as she loves to have muffins and cakes more than deep fried snacks. When I made this cake in one minute, she was very much surprised and happy to see a cake inside a mug which was new to her. She enjoyed it saying “Mumma its very soft & chocolatey”. I immediately made another batch for myself and Sendhil. We too loved it a lot.

To make this picture interesting, I prepared this cake in our personalised mug printed with our photographs . How is it ??. We took this snap last year during our kodaikanal trip. Do try this cake for your kids and you can make them do it by themselves. Its so easy that anyone can bake it. I hope u can try in pressure cooker too. What are you waiting for?? Rush into your kitchen and make this one minute wonder. Please check out the full video recipe below for easier understanding :)

One minute microwave mug cake - Video

One minute microwave mug cake

Eggless chocolate cake in microwave


Eggless chocolate cake in microwave Eggless one minute chocolate mug cake in microwave - Very easy n super tasty cake!!
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Baking
Serves: 1
Prep time: 2 Minutes
Cook time: 1 Minutes
Total time: 3 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Maida/All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
  • Sugar – 2 tbsp  OR sugar –2-3 tsp + Nutella / jam/Peanut butter – 1 tbsp
  • Cooking oil - 1 tbsp ( i used refined oil)
  • Milk – 2.5 tbsp
  • Cocoa powder – 1.5 tsp ( i used weikfield)
  • Baking powder – 1/4 tsp
  • Salt - a pinch
  • Vanilla essence- few drops
  • Choco chips - few
HOW TO MAKE EGGLESS CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE - METHOD

    In a mug,take all the dry ingredients. Mix well. Then add oil, milk & essence. Mix thoroughly without lumps & sugar should dissolve completely. Check for taste and add more sugar if needed.

    one minute microwave cake

    Microwave in 800w power for 1 minute. Cake will raise to the top and it may deflate. Check with a tooth pick .If it comes out clean,ur cake is ready. Else keep it for another 10-20 seconds. Mine took 1 minute 20 seconds.
    After taking out, stud in few choco chips & enjoy !!.

    one minute microwave cake1


Note

  • Adjust sugar as per the taste of cocoa powder else it may taste slightly bitter.
  • As it is an instant cake, serve immediately when warm.
  • As given in the original recipe, you can add a tbsp of nutella,peanut butter or jam. In that case, reduce the sugar to 1.5 tsp and adjust the chocolate powder to 1 tsp.
  • I used canola oil. U can replace with olive oil or any cooking oil.
  • Make sure you mix the batter well without lumps.

One minute microwave chocolate mug cake

One minute eggless chocolate mug cake is ready to enjoy with super soft texture and taste !

 One minute microwave chocolate mug cake

Do check out
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June 3, 2014

THICK COCONUT CHUTNEY/GETTI CHUTNEY RECIPE–HOTEL STYLE

Getti chutney
2 idli-getti chutney is a famous combo in Tamil nadu hotels. Be it a big restaurant or a small road side hotel, this chutney would be kept in parcels. More than hotels, our tamil movie comedians made this a special combo. Remember Gowndamani, Senthil (All in all azhagu raja comedy) & Vivek comedy scene in a movie where he says”2 idli, getti chutney parcel “ ( I forgot the name of the movie ). 

So whenever I think of getti chutney, these scenes flash in my mind. Not just for idli, they serve this chutney with set dosa, vadabajji & bonda too. As Iam a big fan of this parcel chutney, I wanted to try myself for long time. Even here in Bangalore, they keep this chutney for parcel idli & dosa. I love it a lot. But here, they add little coriander leaves because its color would be green.

Ever since I wanted to make this chutney, I have been trying in different combinations and finally I am settled with this recipe. Initially I used to make it with coconut & fried gram dal (pottukadalai). But I felt some flavour was missing in that. Then I tried adding few garlic cloves & Yes, I got the same taste Thumbs up

Do prepare this chutney at least 30 minutes before serving for all the flavours to blend well. So friends, do try this getti thengai chutney for idli. சில பல இட்லிகள் உள்ளே போகும் , Iam sure. Moreover, this chutney tastes good for puliodharai & lemon rice too !!

Getti thengai chutney

I attempted to take a picture of parcel idli with chutney, is it looking realistic??

Getti chutney

Getti chutney/Thick coconut chutney


Getti chutney/Thick coconut chutney Hotel style getti chutney for parcel - Thick coconut chutney for idli & set dosa
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Chutney
Serves: Serves 2
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 10 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
  • Fried gram dal / pottukadalai - 2 tbsp
  • Green chillies – 3 - 4 nos ( Use 2 for less spice)
  • Garlic cloves - 5 nos ( small cloves)
  • Salt - as needed
  • Water - very little
METHOD

  • Take the grated coconut, pottukadalai, chillies & garlic cloves, salt in a mixie jar. First grind them coarsely to a thick paste without adding water. Grind it to the maximum.
  • Now add very little water(few tbsp) and grind it to make a thick paste by wiping the sides of mixie jar. 
Tadaaaa, hotel style getti chutney is ready. Enjoy with hot idli !!
 


Note

Color of this chutney may vary slightly based on the number of green chillies & the quantity of fried gram dal you use.
Add more fried gram dal if you like its flavour.
For variations, add few coriander leaves and a pinch of turmeric to get nice green color.
U can also try adding one small onion for the above quantity. It also adds a flavour to this chutney.
Make sure you add less water while grinding else the consistency may vary. 
Adjust the number of chillies as per your taste buds. 
If you want in pure white color, add little milk instead of water.
Prepare this chutney at least 30 minutes in advance to enjoy the actual flavour. 

I enjoyed idli with this chutney & sambar. It tasted yummy !!
 Idli sambar chutney

Check out my other chutney recipes with coconut

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June 2, 2014

ENNAI KATHIRIKAI PORIYAL/STUFFED BRINJAL CURRY RECIPE–BRINJAL RECIPES


Ennai kathirikai poriyal
Being an ardent fan of brinjal,i love to & keep trying varieties of brinjal recipes.Be it sambar,poriyal,gravy or rice, i love brinjals in any form.But Sendhil is just opposite to me.He runs miles away when i cook brinjals Sad smile. Now Raksha also joined him Thinking smile.So whenever i plan to make recipes with brinjal,i have to cook a separate menu for them.This morning, i prepared sambar & beetroot poriyal for their lunch box and made this stuffed brinjal fry especially for me Winking smile.Ennai kathirikkai curry is a very famous recipe in Tamil nadu.People  usually mix this with rice,ghee OR it is taken as a side dish for sambar & Rasam.As i had already posted ennai kathirikai kuzhambu in my blog,i wanted to  have this post too.I took this recipe from Aval vikatan supplementary issue”30 kalyana samayal” .As all the recipes were given by famous marriage caterers,i wanted to give them a try.I found this one very interesting and tried it today.This particular recipe was given by Tiruvannamalai famous marriage caterer “ Sekar master”. I followed his recipe to T and it came out very well. I just loved it a lot.It has mild masala flavour.So i have given some variations in the end of the post to make a spicier version.Do try this ennai kathirikkai poriyal/varuval for ur lunch.U’ll love it like me.Soon i will share Andhra style stuffed brinjal fry Smile..

Ennai kathirikai poriyal

Ennai kathirikai poriyal/Stuffed brinjal curry


Ennai kathirikai poriyal/Stuffed brinjal curry Yummy brinjal curry stuffed with masala and cooked in oil !
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Sweet
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Purple Brinjal - 5 nos(small sized)
  • Cooking oil - 2-3 tbsp ( i used 3 tbsp)
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tssp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Big onion - 1 no
  • Tomato - 2 nos
  • Garlic paste – 1/2 tsp (grind 6 cloves)
  • Red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Salt - as needed
For masala
  • Chana dal - 1 tbsp
  • Jeera/cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Pepper corns - 1/2 tsp
  • Dhania - 2 tsp
  • Red chillies - 3 nos
  • Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Cloves - 1 no (optional)
  • Roasted peanuts - 1 tsp (optional)
METHOD

  • Grind all the ingredients given under “For masala” to a smooth,thick paste adding little water.Set aside.
Ennai kathirikai poriyal 1
  • Chop onions,tomatoes.Grind garlic to make a paste.No problem if it is coarse.
  • Wash and slit the brinjals on top of it without removing the stalk.Cut till half the way.
Ennai kathirikai poriyal 2

  • Keep immersed in water.Stuff the ground masala as much as possible.Keep the remaining as such.We are going to use that in next step.
Ennai kathirikai poriyal 3

  • In a kadai,heat oil and splutter mustard seeds,urad dal,curry leaves.Saute onions and garlic paste for a minute.Then add tomatoes and saute till mushy.Add salt,turmeric powder and red chilli powder.Saute till masala smells nicely.Add the remaining stuffing masala if there is any.
Ennai kathirikai poriyal 4

  • Now add the stuffed brinjal and saute for a minute.Keep the flame medium.Make sure the brinjal is well covered with oil.Simmer the flame and cover the kadai for 2 minutes.
Ennai kathirikai poriyal 5

  • Open the kadai,toss the brinjals and again cover cook it till brinjals are tender and cooked.Keep tossing every now and then else masala would burn.It takes maximum 10 minutes to cook.Cook till dry and all the water evaporates and oil oozes out.Nice smell wafts around ur house.
Delicious ennai kathirkai poriyal is ready to serve.Enjoy !


Note

  • To make this poriyal more spicy,add more red chillies.ie use 5 nos
  • Adding cloves and peanuts are optional.It was not mentioned in the original recipe.So its ur choice of using it.
  • Instead of tomatoes,u can use 1 tsp of tamarind paste.
  • U can use a tbsp of grated coconut while grinding masala paste.
  • Make sure u grind the masala paste very thick else u can’t stuff it properly.

Ennai kathirikai curry

Enjoy with rice and sambar Smile Tastes delish !!
South indian lunch menu

Do check out my other brinjal recipes

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