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January 6, 2016
Beetroot Poori Recipe – How To Make Beetroot Puri - Poori Varieties
January 4, 2016
How To Cook Basmati Rice For Biryani, Pulao In Pressure Cooker, Open pot, Microwave, Rice cooker
In this post, I have shared how to cook basmati rice in a pressure cooker, open pot, rice cooker and Microwave oven.
Basmati rice can be cooked in a pressure cooker, rice cooker or in a pot(Open or closed). Its cooking method completely depends on the dish we make. For making one pot biryani or pulao recipes, pressure cooker method or closed pot method is the best whereas for Dum biryani, open pot cooking is preferrable. I personally like to cook basmati rice using open pot method as we can have control over the cooking of rice and remove them without breaking. So in this post, I have shared how to cook basmati rice using pressure cooker, rice cooker, microwave and open pot method.
There are many brands of Basmati rice available in the market. But I prefer & buy Kohinoor & India Gate basmati rice. Ok, enough of stories, lets see how to cook basmati rice perfectly with stepwise pictures and its health benefits at the end of this post.
Points to note
- You can use any brand of basmati rice but please read the back of packet for the instructions of cooking and water quantity to get a rough idea. This is the first thing you should do to cook a perfect rice.In this post,i have mentioned the water quantity for India Gate Dubar- Green color packet.
- Basmati rice needs a minimum soaking time for 30 minutes to elongate while cooking. As a first step, try to soak the rice before you start making pulao/biryani. It is enough to soak it for a while you chop the veggies and do the grinding jobs if any.
- You can whole garam masala like 1 cinnamom,2 cloves, 1 cardamom, 1 bayleaf, 1 star anise & 1 black stone flower in the water while cooking.
- Addition of lemon juice gives you the rice white in color. So wash the rice twice and add lemon juice while cooking to get the nice color.
- If the recipe calls for more tomatoes or tomato puree, adjust the quantity of water accordingly.
- In my observation, For 1 cup of basmati rice i.e.250ml
Soaking time | Water quantity |
No soaking | 2 cups |
Less than 30 minutes | 1.75 cups |
1 to 4 hours | 1.5 cups |
More than 6 hours or overnight | 1.25-1.5 cups |
How to cook basmati rice
How to cook basmati rice for making biryani & Pulao
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Cooking basics
Serves: 2 cups
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250ml
|
METHOD
HOW TO COOK SEERAGA SAMBA RICE/SAMBA RICE Wash and add the rice to the cooker along with sauteed spices. No need to soak the rice. Add 1.75 cups of water for 1 cup of water. Pressure cook the rice in low flame for one whistle. Remove the rice after steam is released. Fluff it with a fork. Please check my Ambur biryani recipe & Donne biryani recipe, Kovai Angannan biryani using samba rice. HOW TO COOK BASMATI RICE IN DIFFERENT WAYS
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Health Benefits of basmati rice
January 2, 2016
Kesari Bath Recipe-Karnataka Recipes
Thanks to everyone for your continuous support and encouragement. I wish & I hope 2016 would be much better by God’s grace. I am happy to start this New year post with Karnataka’s most popular Sweet, Kesari bath recipe.
In most of the hotels, kesari bath & khara bath are served together as “Chow Chow bath” for breakfast. I have tasted this kesaribath in brahmin’s coffee bar and many popular restaurants here. My Kannadiga friends make Kesari bath with milk & banana and offer it as prasad for Satya Narayana pooja. I will try to get that recipe from my friends and share it here.
I usually make Rava Kesari following my MIL’s fool proof recipe adding less ghee and more water. Yesterday for our New Year celebration, I tried Kesari bhath (Sooji Ka Halwa in Hindi) in Karnataka style adding more ghee and water. It came out really well and got credits from my family members. I was extremely happy to see the ghee dripping Kesari bath just the way it is served in hotels.
Actually I wanted to serve in a banana leaf but i couldn’t get it. So I clicked it by keeping it in a banana leaf plate.Soon I will make Chow chow bath and post it with a good picture.
Lets see how to make Karnataka Kesari Bath Recipe with step by step pictures.
How to make Karnataka style Kesari bath recipe
Kesari bath recipe
How to make Karnataka style Kesari bath recipe
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Sweet
Serves: 2
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 20 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250ml
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How to make kesaribath - METHOD
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Note
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Enjoy this ghee dripping sweet- Kesari bath with your family !
December 29, 2015
Eggless Custard Powder Cookies Recipe – Whole Wheat Flour Cookies
Check out my Nankhatai/Ghee biscuit recipe !
Eggless whole wheat custard cookies recipe
Eggless whole wheat custard cookies recipe
Cuisine: International
Category: Cookies
Serves: 12 nos
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
1cup = 250 ml 1tbsp = 15 ml 1tsp = 5 ml
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METHOD
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Note
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Enjoy these crunchy cookies with tea,coffee or milk!!
December 28, 2015
Biryani Spices List, Names, Pictures, Health Benefits
I am planning to compile list of all the biryani recipes under one page for easy and quick reference. But before that I want to make a post on list of spices used in most of the biryani along with pictures and names in different languages like English, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil for people to identify & buy them easily in your place. I have also shared their health benefits so that you can enjoy your biryani without any guilt.
You can find about cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bayleaf, black stone flower, mace, nutmeg, kapok buds and fennel seeds. Nowadays in most of the shops all these ingredients are together sold in small packets as “Biryani masala”. You can use these spices to make Biryani masala powder at home. Ok, lets see the biryani spices list with its names and pictures.
**All these informations are collected from Internet. Please leave your feedback in comments if you feel anything important is missed or mispelt. I will add them. Thanks !
BIRYANI SPICES NAMES IN TAMIL
English | Tamil |
---|---|
Cinnamon | Pattai |
Cloves | Krambu/ Lavangam |
Cardamom | Elakkai |
Mace | Jathipathri / Jathikai thol |
Black stone flower | Kalpasi |
Fennel seeds/ Aniseed | Soambu |
Star anise | Annasi poo |
Bay leaf | Brinji ilai |
Nutmeg | Jathikai |
Dried kapok buds | Marathi mokku |
BIRYANI SPICES NAMES IN HINDI
English | Hindi |
---|---|
Cinnamon | Dalchini |
Cloves | Laung |
Cardamom | Elachi |
Mace | Jaipatri / Javintri |
Black stone flower | Phathar ke phool, Dagad Phool |
Fennel seed/ aniseed | Valaiti Saunf / Aawonf |
Star anise | Anasphal / Badayan / Chakri Phool |
Bayleaf | Tej Patta |
Nutmeg | Jaiphal |
Dried Kapok buds | Shalmali, Semul, Kachra, Kabra, Karer, Kariyal |
BIRYANI SPICES NAMES IN TELUGU
English | Telugu |
---|---|
Cinnamon | Dhalchinachekka |
Cloves | Lavangam |
Cardamom | Elakayi |
Mace | Japathri, Jajikaya Pathri |
Black stone flower | Kallupachi, Rathipachi |
Fennel seeds/Aniseed | Kuppi Soptu/Sompu |
Star anise | Anaspuvu |
Bay leaf | Masala Aku / Biryani Aaku |
Nutmeg | Jajikaya |
Dried Kapok buds | Marathi Mogga, Tella Buruga, Enugadanta, Mumudatu |
BIRYANI SPICES NAMES IN MALAYALAM
English | Malayalam |
---|---|
Cinnamon | Patta / Karugapatta |
Clove | Grambu |
Cardamom | Elaka |
Mace | JathiPoo |
Black stone flower | Celeyam, kalppuvu |
Fennel seeds/ Aniseed | Perum Jeerakam |
Star anise | Takkolam |
Bayleaf | Karuva Ela |
Nutmeg | Jathikka |
Dried kapok buds | Appakuttaka, Parappoola, Parapanni |
BIRYANI SPICES NAMES IN KANNADA
English | Kannada |
---|---|
Cinnamon | Chakke |
Clove | Lavang |
Cardamom | Elakkaya / Elakka |
Mace | Japatri / Jayithree |
Black stone flower | Kallu huva |
Fennel seeds / aniseed | Sompu |
Star anise | Anasi hoova / Pineapple Mogg |
Bayleaf | Biryani Ele / Paththa |
Nutmeg | Jayikai |
Dried kapok buds | Marathi Moggu or Ilavu or Puulaa, Mullilavu |
HEALTH BENEFITS
Fennel seed
- Fennel symbolizes longevity, courage, and strength. In addition to its use as medicinal values, fennel has many health benefiting nutrients, essential compounds, anti-oxidants, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
- It offers protection from cancers, infection, aging and degenerative neurological diseases..
- Furthermore, fennel seeds indeed are the storehouse for many vital vitamins. Vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C as well as many B-complex vitamins like thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and niacin particularly are concentrated in these seeds.
Cardamom
- Cardamom is one of the most effective remedies against halitosis. Simply chewing on the seeds eliminates bad odors. Cardamom is even used in some chewing gums because of its effectiveness, billed as a surefire cure to the most offensive breath.It can also be used to help soothe a sore throat and relieve hoarseness of voice.
- The volatile oil in cardamom has been proven to soothe the stomach and intestines, making cardamom an ideal solution for a host of digestive problems, such as constipation, dysentery, and indigestion.
- Cardamom can be used aromatically to increase or encourage appetite, and also assists in soothing gas and heartburn. Generally, cardamom relieves most upset stomachs. To use Cardamom for digestive problems, consume seeds alone, serve ground seed with food, or serve as a tea.
- South Asians use cardamom’s relieving properties to help with the discomfort of passing gall and kidney stones. Cardamom, combined with banana leaf and alma juice, can act as a diuretic, soothing a variety of kidney, bladder, and urinary problems like nephritis, burning or painful urination, and frequent urges to urinate. The relief from uncomfortable symptoms provided through cardamom should not be considered a cure to underlying diseases and disorders.
- Cardamom oils can be added to baths as a form of aromatherapy that fights depression and reduces stress. Ground Cardamom seeds can be made into a tea for similar benefits.
- Cardamom helps to fight cancers like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. Early research suggests that consuming cardamom regularly may help with preventing these forms of cancer.
Source : http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-cardamom.html
Star Anise
- Medicinal Value :Star Anise fruit is anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic and a diurectic. Hence widely used in flatulence or gas like conditions.
- Culinery and Other Values:Star Anise is a major ingredient in Chinese Dishes for flavoring meat, veggies, curries, confectionaries and for pickling purposes. The oil of Star Anise is used to flavor bakery products, soft drinks and liquors. Also used in perfumery.
- Good source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, zinc etc. also rich in vitamin C, A, riboflavin, folic acid etc.
- Used as drug in Eastern countries due to its stimulant, carminative, astringent and aphrodisiac properties.
- Mace is used in savoury dishes.
Cinnamon
- Cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols (3, 4, 5).
- cinnamon can be used as a natural food preservative
- Cinnamon Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties.It helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage.
- Cinnamon May Cut the Risk of Heart Disease.In people with type 2 diabetes, 1 gram of cinnamon per day has beneficial effects on blood markers.It reduces levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while HDL cholesterol remains stable.
- Cinnamon May Be Protective Against Cancer.Cinnamon Helps Fight Bacterial and Fungal Infections.
Cloves
- Temporarily treat a toothache.
- Relieve upper respiratory infections.
- Treat scrapes and bruises.
- Improve digestion
- Enhance sexual health.
- Reduce inflammation.
Black stone flower
Dagad phool/black stone flower are commonly found in any markets or with spice smiths and it has uses in many dishes in hyderabadi.Similar to those of sweet pepper, it has quite mild aromatic flavor. It is not only used for aromas in soup preparations but also used as soup thickeners.Stone flowers have medical properties to cure HIV virus. Stone flowers are the biological indicators of air pollution.
It is a good pain reliever and also promotes early healing of wounds due to its bitter taste.
It helps treating the skin related problem due to its cold potency. It helps in reducing any kind of inflammation in body.
Source : http://www.etradeasia.com/
Nutmeg
- Provides relief from insomnia
- Helps to lower blood pressure
- Helps to eliminate bad breath
- Helps to dissolve kidney stone
- Boost health of bones of body
- Helps in elimination of toxins from body
- Beneficial in maintaining optimal brain health
- Helps to reduce inflammation and pain due to wounds,arthritis
- Induces secretion of gastric & intestinal juices to ease digestion.
Source : https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/nutmeg.html
Bayleaf
- Bay leaves have been found to be effective in treating type 2 diabetes as they cause reduction in blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Bay leaves are good for promoting digestion and can treat digestive disorders such as heartburn and flatulence.
- The powerful phytonutrients in bay leaf provide protection against cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
- Bay leaves are effective in fighting the symptoms of cold, flu and infections.
Kapok Buds
Kapok Buds or Marathi Moggu, best described as a type of caper, are the dried buds of the Kapok tree or the Silk Cotton tree. It is called moggu in Kannada and mogga in Telugu which literally means a bud. Moggu is a spice used in some of Karnataka's cherished dishes such as Bisi Bele Bath, Saagu, Kannadiga style kootus to name a few. It is not eaten raw but is always roasted and ground with other spices before going into a dish.Marathi Moggu is a term which is a misnomer, as this spice is native to Karnataka. However that has not come in the way of its adorning several Andhra style dishes as a specialty spice. This spice is widely used in preparing curry powders and also finds a place in Chettinad cuisine.
Catch you all soon in my next post !
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December 24, 2015
Pina Colada–Virgin Pina Colada Recipe
Virgin Pina Colada Recipe
How to make pina colada recipe without alcohol
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Cocktail
Serves: Serves 2
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 200 ml
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METHOD
|
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Easy,yummy Pina colada – Enjoy this cocktail at home !!
December 22, 2015
Eggless Plum Cake Recipe In Pressure Cooker | Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe
Its my long time wish to try Christmas special Fruit cake / Plum cake recipe using pressure cooker. Last year I got few request to share some eggless cake recipe in cooker. So keeping that in mind, I tried this eggless fruit cake in pressure cooker using my plum cake convection oven recipe (dry fruits cake). I tried it twice by making some changes. It came out really well, soft n spongy equal to my convection oven & microwave methods.
Friends, if you wish to make this Christmas special plum cake at home without oven, try this pressure cooker method. You can make a lovely cake and treat your family members. I wanted to post this recipe with video for beginners. So I have shared my eggless plum cake in pressure cooker video link below. Hope you will find it useful. Soon I will share a post on how to make cookies using cooker which was also requested by many. Now lets check how to make eggless plum cake recipe in pressure cooker with stepwise pictures.
P.S.The color of cake in the pictures are different as I used demerara sugar & refined sugar in equal quantity. In the first picture, both sugars are used whereas in the second picture, only demerara sugar is used.
Do refer my Microwave 3 minutes Eggless plum cake recipe & my fruit cake recipe using convection oven. HERE is my Full Christmas Recipes Collection.
Pros and Cons of pressure cooker cake
- Pressure cooker do a great job in baking a cake. So anyone can bake a cake without worrying about convection oven. I am sure you can bake crispy cookies as well.
- The softness & the flavor of cake would be almost equal to the oven cake. No compensation.
- Baking is done fastly in a cooker than oven based on the flame.
- You can either use the powdered salt/sand or in empty cooker for baking the cake. As I don’t want to heat my cooker empty,i used salt here.You can use the same salt for repeated baking. No need to change it everytime.
- Actually water is not suggested to use inside pressure cooker by baking experts. But I have baked a cake adding water & got good results HERE. If you buy a readymade pressure cooker cake mix,water is sugessted for baking. So i am not sure about this point.
- You should be very careful with the baking time when you use pressure cooker because it varies as per the cooker metal,size & the flame. If you use indolium cooker,heat may vary.I used steel cooker here.So you should stay nearby and keep checking every 10 minutes else cake will burn very quickly.Baking is done fastly in cooker than oven.You can easily identify the correct baking with the smell of cake.It wafts through your house nicely.
- DO NOT use your cooker for baking the cake very often because cooker will lose its shine and life. DO NOT use gasket. It may burn due to over heat.
- The most important thing which I felt bad is the stain marks of cooker. The color of cooker changes to dark brown after heating for 30-40 minutes continuously. So you have to wash it atleast for 10 minutes to remove its stains.
Eggless Plum cake in pressure cooker
How to make Eggless Plum cake in pressure cooker with stepwise pictures & a video!!
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Cakes
Serves: 10 pieces
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 30 Minutes
Total time: 50 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 240ml , 1 tsp = 5 ml , 1 tbsp = 15ml
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HOW TO MAKE PLUM CAKE IN COOKER - METHOD
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Note
1. Cake batter should be thick and spoonable as shown in the video.
2. Baking time varies as per the flame. So its better to keep it low to medium if you are a beginner. Please keep an eye after 20 minutes else cake may burn at the bottom and sides.
3.The color of cake depends on the sugar you use. If you use brown sugar or demerara sugar, the color of cake will be dark brown whereas if you use normal crystal sugar,color of the cake will be light brown.In the above recipe, I used demerara & refined sugar in equal quantity.
4. Mashed potato, butter and yogurt gives the softness to the cake. So do not skip any ingredient.
5. Adding orange peel/zest is optional but it gives a nice flavor. So add it along with yogurt.
6. Most important point : You should remove the cake only after it cools down completely else it may break into pieces. This cake needs a standing time of 1-2 hours for all the taste to blend well.
I hope you can follow the same in a idli pot instead of cooker but I have not tried it though.
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Try this eggless plum cake recipe using pressure cooker and enjoy this Christmas festival!!
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