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November 13, 2015

Paneer Korma Recipe ( Mughlai ) - Paneer Recipes

Paneer korma recipe 
Paneer Korma recipe was in my try list for long time.So I tried it last week for Sendhil & Raksha’s Lunch box as a side dish for roti.Actually I was looking for a paneer korma without coconut.But I found this recipe with curd,cashews & coconut masala in Mughlai style.I found it interesting and prepared it by making small changes in the actual recipe to suit our taste buds.It came out really well with a restaurant touch.This gravy also goes well for Pulao & ghee rice.The most important thing in this korma is that curd should be fresh & not sour at all else it will spoil the taste of this gravy.So friends,if you have fresh curd & paneer in hand,go ahead with this recipe.It tastes yum.Soon I will try to share a paneer masala korma with tomato base.Now lets see how to make this Indian Paneer Korma recipe with coconut Happy.
Do check out my North Indian style White Paneer Korma Recipe too !
Paneer Korma

Paneer korma recipe


Paneer korma recipe Paneer korma recipe - How to make yummy paneer kurma recipe with coconut
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Side dish For Roti
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
( 1 cup - 250ml)

  • Paneer - 1 cup ( 100gms cut into small cubes)
  • Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
  • Bayleaf - 1 no
  • Cinnamon – 1 inch
  • Cloves – 2 no
  • Cardamom - 1 no
  • Pepper corns - 1/8 tsp
  • Big onion - 1 no
  • Red chilli powder - 1/2 - 1 tsp ( add 1 tsp for spicy taste)
  • Dhania powder - 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder 1/8 tsp
  • Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Salt and water - as needed
  • Sugar - 1/2 to 1 tsp
  • Kasoori methi - 2 big pinches
To grind
  • Grated coconut -1/4 cup
  • Fresh curd - 1/3 cup ( Should use fresh curd)
  • Cashew nuts - 8 nos
  • Ginger - 1 inch piece
  • Poppy seeds/Khus khus -1 tsp
  • Green chilli – 1 no
METHOD
  • Cut the paneer into small cubes or strips and keep them immersed in hot water till use. Grind all the ingredients given under “ To grind” to a smooth paste. Add water to grind if needed. Set aside.
Paneer kurma
Paneer kurma

  • Heat oil in a pan and saute Cinnamon, cloves, bayleaf, cardamom and pepper corns.Add big onions and saute until transparent.Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, dhania powder, sugar and salt.Mix for few seconds without burning the masala.Now add the ground coconut paste and saute well. Lastly add garam masala powder and mix well.
Paneer kurma
Paneer kurma
  • Add 1 cup of water and boil for few minutes.Check for taste. Add more spice powders if needed. Lastly add the paneer cubes. Crush kasoori methi lightly and add it to the gravy. Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves if  you wish. Enjoy with roti and pulao !
Paneer kurma
Note
  • Make sure you use fresh curd. It should not be sour.Sour curd makes the gravy tangy and tasteless.So please see to it.
  • Add more chilli powder for spicy taste.
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November 11, 2015

Vazhakkai Bajji Recipe | Raw Banana Bajji - How To Make Bajji

Vazhakkai bajji

Hi Friends, Hope you all doing good. I am sure you all had a great Diwali celebration.My Diwali went very well in my new house with my in-laws and family. As I was busy with some personal works, I was not able to make any post here. For Diwali, I made Badam burfi, Doodh peda, Wheat halwa, Thenkuzhal and Ribbon pakoda for my family. Apart from these sweets, I also made Adhirasam, Suzhiyan and Vazhakkai bajji on Diwali day. We love to eat these deep fried stuffs more than sweets and other savories.

Actually I had planned to make this post before Diwali. But I couldn’t do it. So Iam sharing it today. Every year my mom prepares potato bajji, Brinjal/Kathirikai bajji, Onion bajji and my most favorite Valakkai bajji( Raw banana fritters) on Diwali day morning. I guess many of you make bajji and bonda with store bought bajji, bonda mix/powder. But my mom and MIL makes bajji mix on their own. 

Basically I love tea shop Vazhakkai bajji a lot. Eating hot Vazhakkai bajji with a sip of steaming hot tea on a rainy day is a pure bliss! Try and experience it without worrying about the calories. Lets see how to make this easy, yummy South Indian style Vazhakkai bajji recipe.


Check out my Onion bajji , Chilli bajji & Stuffed chilli bajji recipes.

Vazhakkai Bajji Recipe

Vazhakkai bajji/Raw banana fritters


Vazhakkai bajji/Raw banana fritters How to make Vazhakkai bajji / Raw banana fritters !
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Snacks
Serves: 10 
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250 ml
  • Besan flour/Kadalai maavu - 1 cup
  • Rice flour - 1/3 cup
  • Red chilli powder - 2 tsp
  • Red food color – 2 pinches (optional)
  • Hing/Asafetida - 1/4 tsp
  • Ajwain OR Cumin seeds/Jeera - 1 tsp
  • Salt - as needed
  • Cooking soda / baking soda - 2 big pinch
  • Water - 1 cup + 2 tbsp ( adjust)
  • Cooking oil - to deep fry
HOW TO MAKE RAW BANANA BAJJI - METHOD
  • In a wide bowl , mix all the flours, powders, Ajwain or cumin seeds, salt, baking soda and add water to make a slightly watery batter( like dosa batter). If you make it too watery, bajji will have tails. At the same time, thick batter yields hard bajjis. The batter should be slightly thick and flow like a ribbon. It should coat the raw banana pieces well. Adjust water and flour accordingly.
Raw banana bajji
  • Wash and cut the raw banana into two horizontally. Peel the skin and discard it. Slice the raw banana thinly and arrange in a plate. Dip the raw banana in bajji batter.
Vazhakkai bajji

  • Heat oil in a kadai and check with a drop of batter to find the correct heating point. i.e. If you put a drop of batter , the batter will rise immediately and floats on top. As soon as you get this heating point, simmer the flame and drop the raw banana slices coated well with batter.
Vazhakkai bajji
  • Deep fry till the color changes golden brown and the bubbles ceases. Flip it and again cook for a minute. Drain & remove in a tissue paper. Enjoy with tea/coffee!
Vazhakkai bajji
Vazhakkai bajji
Note
  • Addition of food color gives a nice color to bajji as u see in stalls.
  • My mom & mil adds cumin seeds but i used ajwain for an enhanced flavour. Use any as per ur wish.
  • Please don’t skip adding soda. It gives a  puffy, soft bajji. Make sure you don’t add too much because bajji will be very oily and it is unhealthy too..
  • Adjust the consistency of batter. Batter should not be too thin or too thick. If your batter has become too thin, add besan & rice flour in 3:1 ratio and adjust the batter. If it is too thick add more water. Always add the extra water using a tbsp & check it.

Enjoy puffy, hot Vazhakkai bajji as an evening snack with your family !
Raw banana bajji



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November 5, 2015

Pulippu Murukku Recipe / Pulani - Sour Murukku (Lemon Murukku)

Pulippu murukku
Pulippu murukku / Sour murukku – This recipe may sound new to many of you. It’s a traditional murukku recipe made among Telugu people. Its called as Pulani/Pullani Murukku( Meaning Sour) in Telugu.I learnt this recipe from my friend Shalini. Her mom & periamma are experts in making varieties of murukku recipes.Onion murukku & Lemon murukku are some of their unique preparations.When we were in college,I used to go to Shalini’s house for group studies. Her mom used to serve this murukku as evening snacks for us.I love this murukku a lot.Its mild tangy taste and spiciness makes anyone fall for it.This murukku can be made in two ways. One method is by grinding rice soaked in curd/Thayir & other one by adding lemon juice.My friend taught me an easy method using store bought rice flour,Green chillies & lemon juice.It came out crunchy with tangy and spicy taste. We all loved it.Friends,if you are looking for an easy,unique murukku variety,do try this recipe for Diwali.You will love it like usHappy.
Check out my butter murukku recipe , Onion murukku recipes too !

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November 4, 2015

Gulab Jamun Recipe With Khoya - Diwali Sweets Recipes

gulab jamun recipe
Diwali celebration would not be fulfilled without Gulab Jamun for Indians. Not just for Diwali, we make this delicious sweet recipe for celebrations like New year, Birthday, anniversary to make it more special. It’s one of the most popular dessert recipes that tastes the best with Vanilla ice cream. Even beginners who are new in making sweets never fail to try jamun at least with store bought gulab jamun mix like MTR, Aachi, Gits during Diwali. 

Long back,I had tried gulab jamun with homemade khova and posted here too. Then due to my laziness, I started making jamun using instant mix every year. But this year for Diwali, I was determined to try gulab jamun with khoya or milk powder. I used store bought khoya here. To make this sweet, I watched many youtube video recipes like Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat , Vahchef , Sanjeev kapoor & went through many recipes for the ratio of ingredients and tips to make perfect jamun. I came across few recipes with khoya and paneer too.

As its my first attempt with store bought khoya, I chose the gulab jamun recipe with khoya alone and tried it. After so many trial & errors, I made a perfect gulab jamun following Chitra Viswanathan Mam’s recipe with slight changes. I was very happy to see my golden colored, soft and juicy gulab jamun. I made them like mini jamuns in very small size to suit my serving bowls. It did double in size & well soaked too. I have given the recipe for lesser quantity. 

If you are attempting jamun with khoya for the first time, go ahead with this recipe. Once you get it perfect you can double this recipe and make in large quantity. Beginners, do follow the tips I have shared in this post. I am sure you will get the same results like me. Lets see how to make Gulab jamun using store bought khoya !

Gulab jamun recipe with khoya

Gulab jamun recipe with khoya


Gulab jamun recipe with khoya How to make gulab jamun with store bought khoya
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Sweet
Serves: 12 nos
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 200ml
  • Store bought sugarless khoya - 1/2 cup Grated ( I used Milky mist brand)
  • All purpose flour / Maida - 3 levelled tbsp
  • Cooking soda - A pinch (approx. half of 1/8th tsp)
  • Salt - a pinch
  • Water - as needed
  • Cooking oil - to deep fry jamun
For sugar syrup
  • Sugar -1 cup
  • Water - 1.5 cups
  • Cardamom powder - 1/8 tsp
  • Saffron threads - few ( Optional)
  • Note : Double the recipe for more quantity
METHOD
  • Take the khoya from the refrigerate and bring it to room temperature.If the khoya is too moist n soft to handle,crumble it well using your hands. If its dry and slightly hard,grate it using a grater. Measure 1/2 cup of khoya and knead it well for 2-3 minutes using the heel of your palm. Make it smooth and soft without any grains.
Gulab jamun recipe
Gulab jamun recipe

  • After kneading add the maida,a small pinch of salt & cooking soda. Mix well to make a crumbly mixture. Add water very little by little and make a smooth,non-sticky dough. If the khoya is too moist, you don’t need to add water. So add water only if needed. Its not necessary that the dough should be completely crack free. No issues if there are mild cracks. Keep the dough covered for 5-10 minutes.
Gulab jamun recipe
Gulab jamun recipe

  • In the mean time, make the sugar syrup. Take the sugar & water in a bowl, mix well. Melt the sugar and boil it for 5 minutes in medium flame.Syrup should reach sticky consistency.i.e If you take the syrup in your finger, it should coat well with a glossy look and sticky to touch. No need of half thread or single thread consistency.
  • Add cardamom powder and few saffron threads if using. Switch off the flame and let the syrup become warm. As we have added more water, the syrup won’t become thick. If you wish, you can add 2 tsp of lemon juice to avoid crystallization of sugar syrup. But I din’t add it.
Gulab jamun recipe

  • Beginners,please do this testing step.Heat a kadai with oil and take a small ball from the dough. Make it round and crack free. Check the temperature of oil by dropping a pinch of dough. If it rise to the top slowly, oil temperature is correct. Stir the oil twice and drop the small ball which we kept for testing. Flame should be low to medium. Check whether the balls are not dissolved in oil and crack free. It should be doubled in size and cook properly. The color of jamun should change slowly. If the flame is high,jamun will become brown quickly but it won’t be cooked inside.So open the jamun and see whether its properly cooked inside. Please do this testing to make a perfect jamun.
  • The balls will dissolve in oil if cooking soda is more.In that case,add little more maida and make the dough by sprinkling few drops of water.If there are cracks in the ball after cooking, sprinkle a tsp of water and mix well to make the dough moist. If the ball comes out properly, make the remaining balls using the dough and proceed cooking. Switch off the flame till you make the remaining balls.
Gulab jamun recipe
  • Make small crack free balls by rolling the dough between your hands. Grease your hands with ghee if needed. Make sure the balls should be crack free & smooth. This is more important to get crack free,smooth gulab jamun.If there are more cracks in the balls, slightly dip one edge of the ball in milk or water and make the balls smooth.
  • Now heat the oil in medium flame and check the temperature.Stir the oil and drop the balls one by one. Do not mix it for few seconds. Then mix the oil using the ladle without touching the jamun. Stirring the oil helps to cook the jamun evenly with nice color. Make sure the flame is medium low. Color of jamun should change gradually. If the flame is high, it will brown quickly and inner portion won’t cook well. Gulab jamun will almost double in size after cooking.
  • Please watch Vahchef’s gulab jamun video if you wish to see the cooking process in detail. Remove the jamun after it becomes golden brown to a tissue paper. Drain the excess oil and immediately transfer the jamun to the warm sugar syrup. Let it soak in the syrup for 1-2 hours.
Gulab jamun recipe
Gulab jamun recipe
Enjoy ! It stays good without refrigeration for 2 days if its properly handled. Use a clean spoon every time to take the jamun. Do not use your hands. Refrigerating the jamun may make it slightly harder and chewy.
Note
  • Gulab jamun will dissolve in oil if you add more cooking soda.
  • If the moisture content is more in khoya,u don’t have to add water for making the dough. The wetness of khoya is enough to make the smooth dough.
  • Gulab jamun will become flat if the moist in khoya is more. In that case you should add little more maida.
  • Adding more maida make the jamun hard.So add the mentioned quantity.
  • Do not make the dough too sticky or watery. In that case, grease your hands with ghee and make crack free ball. Do the oil test and proceed.
  • Cook the jamun slowly and patiently else it won’t cook inside properly.
  • If the sugar syrup is too hot, jamun won’t absorb the syrup. So add the hot jamun to the warm syrup.Allow it to soak for minimum 1 hour.Do not refrigerate the jamun.Use a clean spoon to handle every time.
  • You can also use boiled,cooled milk to make the dough instead of water.

Gulab Jamun Recipe
Make yummy,juicy Gulab jamun for this Diwali and have a great celebration !
Gulab Jamun Recipe with khoya

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November 3, 2015

Magizhampoo Murukku / Mullu Murukku Recipe - Diwali Snacks Recipes

Magizhampoo murukku
I came to know about Magizhampoo murukku/Magizhampoo thenkuzhal after marriage from my MIL. She makes it every year during Diwali. Last year I gave a try on my own. But its color became very dark as I added more sugar & Coconut milk. This year I referred this recipe and gave a try.It came out very well and crunchy.The addition of moong dal flour, sugar candy( Kalkandu) and coconut milk is the highlight of magizhampoo murukku. Some people who don’t like sweet taste in murukku avoid using sugar. It tastes good in either ways. But I love the mild sweetness in this mullu murukku more than plain salted ones. So its purely our choice. Lets see how to make magizhampoo murukku in detail !
magizhampoo murukku recipe

Magizhampoo murukku / Mullu murukku recipe


Magizhampoo murukku / Mullu murukku recipe How to make the traditional magizhampoo murukku adding coconut milk & sugar candy
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Snacks
Serves: 15 nos
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 30 Minutes
Total time: 40 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

1 cup = 200ml

  • Store bought rice flour - 1 cup ( Homemade flour works the best)
  • Roasted moong dal flour - 1/4 cup
  • Softened butter - 1 tbsp ( at room temp)
  • Black sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt - 2 big pinches
  • Sugar candy/Kalkandu or sugar - 1 tbsp
  • Coconut milk - 2 tbsp
  • Water - as needed
METHOD
  • Dry roast the moong dal till it tunrs golden with nice smell.Roast it patiently in medium flame to avoid burning.Grind it to a smooth,fine powder.Sieve it and measure 1/4 cup of powder.Keep aside.
magizhampoo murukku
  • Grind 2 tbsp of grated coconut adding 3 tbsp of water.Take the thin extract.Do not add very thick milk.Mix sugar or powdered sugar candy.Dissolve it well.Warm the coconut milk and keep aside.
magizhampoo murukku
  • In a wide bowl,take the rice flour,moong dal flour,sesame seeds,butter,salt and coconut milk +sugar mixture. Mix well and make a crumbly mixture.
magizhampoo murukku
  • Add water little by little and make a soft,smooth dough.No problem if the dough is slightly sticky.Take the star murukku mould and fill the dough.Squeeze it in the back of ladle as shown in the picture.
magizhampoo murukku
magizhampoo murukku
  • Heat oil in a kadai and check the oil temperature by dropping a pinch of batter.If it rises immediately,oil temperature is right.Now drop the murukku into the oil and cook in low to medium flame by flipping it whenever needed.Cook both the sides till all the bubbles cease.Remove in a tissue paper and allow it to cool down.Store in an air tight box and enjoy for months !
magizhampoo murukku
Note
  • Adding more coconut milk makes the murukku hard.So do not use more than mentioned quantity.Use thin coconut milk. you can also use store bought coconut milk powder to make the milk but do not make it more thick.Use thin milk only.
  • Adding more sugar changes the color of murukku.So do not add more.This murukku is supposed to be mildly sweet.So no need to add more sugar.Replace kalkandu/candy with sugar if you don’t have it.
  • If you don’t like sweet taste,u can omit sugar & use coconut milk alone
  • Always cook this murukku in low to medium flame to get a nice,well cooked uniform colored murukku.
Enjoy this crunchy,mildly sweet,coconut milk flavored murukku for this Diwali!
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October 31, 2015

Kasi Halwa Recipe - Vella Poosanikai Halwa - Easy Diwali Sweets Recipe

Kasi halwa 
Kasi Halwa (Vellai Poosanikai Halwa in Tamil,Ash Gourd Halwa /Winter Melon Halwa in English, Boodida Gummaikaya Halwa in Telugu, Kumbalanga Halwa in Malayalam, Kushmandha halwa, காசி அல்வா /  பூசணிக்காய் அல்வா / Kalyana Poosani Halwa ) is one of the most popular sweet recipes which is served in Brahmin weddings. I had tasted this only once and that too years ago in a marriage. So all I remember is its yellow color ( some make in red color), glossy & ghee dripping texture
Recently I watched this halwa preparation in Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat in Vijay TV. The way he explained fascinated me to prepare Kashi halwa at home during this Diwali. But I slightly tweaked his recipe & method of cooking.I made this halwa for my guest yesterday. It came out very well.According to me Kasi halwa aka Vellai poosanikai halwa is purely a beginners sweet. You don’t need any expertise to make this. 
The beauty of this ash gourd halwa is it requires less ghee and cooking time is also less when compared with Tirunelveli Godhumai halwa & Thiruvarur Ashoka halwa. So anyone can make it easily without fear. But I felt the pre preparatory works like slicing the skin, removing the seeds, chopping the inner part, grating & squeezing the water Huuuuhhh!!, took more time than preparation
Once you finish this tiresome job, your halwa will be ready in the next 15 minutes. But all this pain will vanish as soon as you see & taste this ghee dripping halwa. I clicked the pictures by removing the hot halwa directly to banana leaf. So you could find the ghee oozing out of the halwa. Ok,enough of boring stories,lets see how to make this easy, yummy Kasi Halwa recipe in detail ! Bookmark this easy sweet recipe for this Diwali 2015 and enjoy with your Kith and Kin ! 
Kasi halwa

Kasi Halwa Recipe


Kasi Halwa Recipe Kasi Halwa / Poosanikai Halwa - Easy Diwali Sweets
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Sweet
Serves: Serves 2-3
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 35 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Grated Ash gourd / Vellai poosanikai - 2 cups
  • Sugar - 3/4 to 1 cup
  • Ghee - 2 tbsp (  4 to 5 tbsp for more ghee)
  • Cardamom - 2 nos
  • Edible camphor - a pinch (optional)
  • Cashew nuts – few
  • Saffron threads – few
METHOD
  • Wash and remove a big piece of ash gourd from the whole vegetable. Remove the middle soft portion along with seeds. Then peel the skin and discard it. Grate the ash gourd and keep in a plate. 
Kasi halwa recipe

Kasi halwa recipe

  • Take a muslin cloth or thin cloth and squeeze the grated ash gourd well using your hands. Collect the water in a bowl. We should use in the next step. Measure the squeezed ash gourd and take equal amount of sugar.
Kasi halwa recipe

Kasi halwa recipe

  • Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a kadai and roast the nuts. Take in a plate. Put the squeezed ash gourd and saute it for 3-4 minutes in medium flame. Now add the reserved ash gourd water and cook it in low flame by covering the kadai with a lid. Add 1/2 – 1 cup more water if needed. The vegetable should cook well else you will get raw smell in the halwa. So cook it properly. You can do this process in cooker too.
Kasi halwa recipe

Kasi halwa recipe

Kasi halwa recipe
  • After the veggie is cooked well and all the water is absorbed, add sugar. Mix well and add few saffron threads, a pinch of yellow food color optionally. Mix well.
Kasi halwa recipe
  • The mixture will become goey. As you mix, it will thicken and start to leave the sides of the pan.When it starts to become thick and leave the sides of kadai, add the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee, edible camphor (optional) and cardamom powder. Stir well and remove in a bowl. Initially the halwa looks goey as shown in the above pictures but it thickens as it cools down. Over cooking make the halwa hard and chewy. 
  • Enjoy eating hot and serve it warm as per your choice.
  • Alternatively, you can add more ghee at regular intervals and stir till halwa absorbs the ghee. Then keep mixing till the ghee is started to release in the sides and halwa thickens. Switch off the flame and remove the halwa. It tastes more rich. 
Kasi halwa recipe

Note
  • You can add 4-5 tbsp of ghee to the maximum, keep mixing and wait for the halwa to ooze out all the ghee. It will be even more rich. But this method consumes very little ghee. The ghee you find in the pictures is the one I added before removing from the flame. I felt 2 tbsp itself is more for this halwa.
  • You can replace yellow food color with red food color or more saffron threads to bring the natural color.
  • 1:1 is the ratio of grated ash gourd and sugar. For more sweetness, you can use 1:1.25 cups.
  • Do not add more edible camphor. Its smell may become dominant in the sweet.


Ash gourd halwa

Enjoy this easy,yummy Kasi halwa for Diwali & other special occasions !
Kasi halwa recipe



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