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May 4, 2017

Instant Karnataka Style Chakli Recipe – Simple Murukku Recipe

Instant Chakli recipe - Karnataka style
Instant chakli recipe / Simple murukku recipe with step by step and video. This Karnataka style easy and simple murukku recipe (Chakli in Kannada) using store bought rice flour and besan flour was in my to do list for long time. Recently I got a pack of bull driven cold pressed (Chekku ennai) sesame oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil from Gramiyum – An online store. Product & packaging was too good and its professional too. If you are looking for original cold pressed oils, you can buy them online from Gramiyum. They also have organic honey, natural nuts at a reasonable price. 

My MIL usually says snacks fried in groundnut oil is more flavorful. So I thought of making this easy, Karnataka style chakli/ murukku by frying in cold pressed groundnut oil ( Kadalai ennai).This instant chakli recipe which I had bookmarked years ago from Savi ruchi blog came to my mind. Its an easy, instant chakli recipe made with easily available ingredients. It came out very well with the awesome flavor of groundnut oil. I have tasted this Chakkuli/Chakri ( My friends tell this way) in my friends place. All my friends here make it during Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Gokulashtami festivals.

 Basically I love this Karnataka style chakli a lot and got the recipe for homemade chakli powder from my friend Priya. I will share that recipe later. This chakli is made with rice flour and besan flour. Its prepared without butter or ghee. Hot oil is used to bring crunchiness. So it doesn’t have a melt in mouth texture just like butter chakli but tastes crispy and crunchy. It tastes the best with full flavor by the next day. We enjoy this chakli with our evening tea/ chai. 

As its summer vacation in India, Kids must be nagging you for some evening snacks. Do try this easy chakli recipe at home for your kids!They will like it. Please excuse me for the non uniform shapes. I am not so good  or patient enough in pressing murukku. But my MIL says everything comes by practice. So this year, I am planning to try more murukku recipes. Hope I can make perfect swirls in future.
Lets see how to make Karnataka style Instant chakli recipe with step by step pictures and VIDEO.

Check out my Butter murukku/chakli, Potato murukku, idli rice murukku, Lemon murukku, Garlic murukku too.


Chakli recipe

Chakli Recipe - Instant Chakli Recipe - Karnataka Chakli Recipe


Instant Chakli Recipe - Karnataka Chakli Recipe How to make Karnataka style Chakli/ Murukku at home
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Snacks
Serves: 15 
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Rice flour - 1 cup
  • Besan flour - 1/4 cup
  • Red chilli powder - 1 tsp ( I used Kashmiri chilli powder)
  • Sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp (I used black. You can use white too)
  • Asafetida/Hing - 1/4 tsp
  • Hot cooking oil - 3 tbsp
  • Water - As needed
  • Salt - As required
  • Cooking oil or Groundnut oil - To deep fry
HOW TO MAKE CHAKLI - METHOD

  • In a wide bowl, sieve the rice flour + besan flour.To the sieved flour, add salt, red chilli powder, sesame seeds and hing.
    Chakli - Instant chakli recipe
  • Heat cooking oil and add it to the flour. Mix with a spoon till oil spreads well in the flour.

  • Add water gradually and make a smooth dough.Make the dough slightly sticky. If the dough is too hard, chakli will break while pressing. Cover the dough with a wet cloth till use. Besan flour in the dough absorbs more water and dough becomes thick over time. So if the chakli breaks while pressing, sprinkle little water to the dough and try again. You will get it right. Sprinkle water whenever needed.
    Easy Chakli recipe - Instant chakli recipe
    Easy Chakli recipe - Instant chakli recipe
  • Take the chakli maker with star mould, fill with the dough. Press it on a butter paper or cotton cloth. Make shapes. Cover it till use else dough will become dry and murukku breaks while frying.
    Easy Chakli recipe - Instant chakli recipe
  • Heat oil in a kadai to deep fry the chakli. When the oil is heated, drop a pinch of dough. If it rises to the top immediately, oil temperature is right.
    Easy Chakli recipe - Instant chakli recipe
  • Drop 2-3 chakli for one batch. Keep the flame medium. Do not touch the chakli for one minute. Let it cook in the hot oil. Then flip it and cook the other side. Keep the flame medium. Cook the chakli till 90% of bubbles cease and becomes golden. Remove in a tissue paper. Repeat the same & fry all the chakli. Store in an air tight box after it cools down completely. Tastes best the next day !
    Easy Chakli recipe - Instant chakli recipe
    Enjoy !

Note
  • Besan absorbs all water in the dough. So you may need to add sprinkle more water whenever needed while pressing.
  • Do not reduce the quantity of hot oil else chakli may turn hard.
  • Make sure oil temperature is right else murukku absorbs more oil.

Try this easy, instant chakli for your kids and family’'. They will love it !
easy chakli recipe




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May 2, 2017

Instant Poha Idli Recipe - Aval Idli – Instant Idli Recipe Without Urad dal

Instant poha idli
Instant poha idli with idli rava or upma rava (Semolina, sooji) / aval idli without urad dal is a quick fix, instant recipe for my idli cravings. After a long time, I am sharing an instant Idli recipe in my blog. Being a South Indian, Idli dosa batter is a must in my home. So I grind the idli batter at least once in a week and use it for 3 to 4 days. I used to explore varieties of idli recipes as a result of which you could find 15+ idli varieties in my blog. Myself & Sendhil can manage food without idli dosa for one to two weeks. But Raksha can’t. As she is in Salem, I did not make idli,dosa batter for the past two weeks and managing our breakfast & dinner with upma, instant dosa varieties, paratha recipes etc.

 Yesterday all of a sudden I got the craving to have idli for our dinner. As I had bookmarked this Instant, no fermentation poha idli recipe from Smitha’s blog years ago, I thought of trying it. It came out really well. I relished it with easy tomato thokku. Yes, I made an easy tomato thokku recipe in pressure cooker. It was tasting great for this idli. Recipe posted HERE.

Even though this aval idli came out very soft, I won’t say it tastes equally well to our usual fermented, soft and spongy idli made with rice & urad dal.As this is an instant version, the natural sour taste & flavor from fermented idli batter would be missing in this idli. So I feel only a tangy side dish like tomato thokku or tomato chutney would be the best side dish for this idli. But this is sure a keeper recipe for people who wants to make quick yet healthy steamed food using poha (Flattened rice/Pressed rice in English, Aval in tamil, Avalakki in Kannada). Its ideal for bachelors and working women. Its good for our tummy as well because curd, poha and idli rava are the major ingredients for this idli recipe. 

Cooking soda is not essential for this recipe still I used meagre quantity. If you like this idli recipe, you can make many variations like adding grated vegetables, season it like rava idli.  Do try this easy, quick instant idli recipe if you run short of our usual idli batter. You will like it for sure. I have shared all the possible tips for making this idli perfect. So lets check out how to make super soft, instant poha idli with step by step pictures and a video !

UPDATE : THIS IDLI CAN BE MADE WITH RAVA/SOOJI/SEMOLINA ( COARSE VARIETY) INSTEAD OF IDLI RAVA. BUT ADD ROASTED SOOJI AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. IT SHOULD NOT BE HOT. ADD 1/2 TSP ENO JUST BEFORE MAKING IDLI.


Instant poha idli

Poha Idli - Instant Poha Idli Recipe - Easy Aval Idli


Poha Idli - Instant Poha Idli Recipe - Easy Aval Idli How to make instant idli recipe using poha & idli rava
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Breakfast
Serves: 15 to 20nos
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 35 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Thin Poha/ Paper Aval - 1 cup (Thin Pressed rice/ Flattened rice)
  • Idli Rava / Idli Sooji OR Roasted semolina/sooji - 1.5 cups
  • Sour Curd - 1 cup 
  • Water - 1.5 to 1.75 cups in total
  • Salt - as needed
  • Baking soda - 1/4 tsp . Add 1/2 tsp ENO if using semolina
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POHA IDLI - METHOD

  • Wash the poha once or twice in water. Drain it. It will be soft. Now add 1 cup of curd to it. Mix well and soak for 10 minutes.
    poha idli recipe - Instant idli recipe
  • Mash the poha after soaking. Add 1.5 cups of idli rava or roasted semolina (upma rava) and mix well. Idli rava absorbs all the water content. So add 1 cup water, mix well and let the mixture soak for 10 minutes. ( Update : You can also use roasted upma rava/sooji at room temperature instead of idli rava.)
    poha idli recipe - Instant idli recipe
    poha idli recipe - Instant idli recipe
  • After soaking, mix well and add 1/2 to 3/4 cup water. Mix well to bring thick idli batter consistency. Add water carefully, make thick, pourable batter. Thin batter makes flat, sticky idli. Add salt & baking soda, mix well. Make idli immediately. (Update: If using semolina, add 1/2 tsp ENO or 1/4 tsp baking soda. )
    poha idli recipe - Instant idli recipe
  • Grease idli plates with oil. Pour the batter. Roll boil water in an idli pot. Keep the idli plates only after the water starts to roll boil. Close & steam it for 12 to 15 minutes. You will get nice cooked smell of idli. It looks slightly flat after steaming. Don’t worry.
    poha idli recipe - Instant idli recipe
    poha idli recipe - Instant idli recipe
  • Remove the idli plate and rest it for 5 minutes. Unmold it with a small flat ladle or spoon.This idli may be sticky, very soft & breaks when removed hot. So remove it after the idli becomes warm to get the perfect shape.It stays soft for few hours.
    poha idli recipe - Instant idli recipe
  • Enjoy with some tangy side dishes. I personally liked with tangy tomato thokkku & tomato chutney more than coconut chutney or sambar. Choice is yours !
  • Note : If you make the batter in the morning, you can use the leftover batter for making idli in dinner. You can refrigerate the leftover batter or keep it outside which helps for fermentation.

Note
  • Most important point to note is idli batter consistency. It should not be thin. No problem even if its too thick. You can add little more water anytime, mix and make idli. So add water carefully while mixing.
  • Cooking soda is not essential if you leave the batter for 30 minutes to 1 hour resting time.
  • Unmold the idli only after 5 minutes of steaming. Idli may break when you unmold it immediately. Give a resting time of 5 minutes.
  • If you are using thick poha, grind to a coarse powder in a mixie. Then wash and soak it. I hope it works.
  • ENO can be used in place of soda but use only 1/8 tsp if making with idli rava. If you use upma rava, you should add 1/2 tsp of ENO or 1/4 tsp of cooking soda. 

Enjoy this instant poha idli with tangy side dish like tomato thokku or tomato chutney ! You will love it for sure !
Aval idli recipe
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April 30, 2017

Vazhaithandu Kuzhambu Recipe – Banana Stem Gravy–Valaithandu Recipes

Vazhaithandu kuzhambu
I try to include vazhaithandu recipes in my cooking at least once in a month as it has lots of health benefits. Whenever I go to Salem, my FIL buys me banana stem and banana flower because finding these vegetables in my place is very rare. Mostly I make Vazhaithandu juice ( Salt version) Or valaithandu thayir pachadi and sometimes poriyal or thogayal. I haven’t tried any gravies/ kulambu or kootu with it. So this time, I wanted to try some kuzhambu with banana stem. I got the recipe from HERE. I made some changes and tried it. It tasted good when mixed with plain rice adding ghee. Banana stem is a bland vegetable. It doesn’t absorb any flavor or taste within it. So in this gravy, the masala gives the taste more than the vegetable. Original recipe called for using black chana along with banana stem. But I had used only vazhaithandu as I wanted to consume more quantity of this vegetable.If you are looking for some different vazhaithandu recipe, try this one. You may like it Happy. Lets see how to make banana stem gravy for rice with step by step pictures !
Vazhaithandu kuzhambu

Banana stem gravy / Vazhaithandu Kuzhambu


Banana stem gravy / Vazhaithandu Kuzhambu How to make vazhaithandu kuzhambu/ Banana stem gravy for rice
Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Side dish for rice
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
To grind
  • Methi seeds/ fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 2 tsp
  • Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
  • Grated coconut - 1/3 cup
  • Red chilli - 3 nos
  • Water - as needed to grind
  • Tamarind - Gooseberry size ( soak in water)
To Temper
  • Cooking oil or coconut oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves - Few
  • Hing/asafetida - a pinch
METHOD

  • Soak tamarind in little water. Grind all the ingredients given under “To grind” adding tamarind to a smooth paste.  Set aside.
    Vazhaithandu kuzhambu
  • Wash and chop raw banana stem into small pieces. Keep them immersed in water or buttermilk till use to avoid discoloration.  In a pressure cooker base, heat oil and splutter mustard seeds, urad dal, cumin seeds, hing and curry leaves.
    Vazhaithandu kuzhambu
  • Add the ground paste, 1/4 cup water and saute for a minute. Add 1 tsp sambar powder. Mix well. Squeeze the banana stem and add it to the cooker. Add 1 cup of water, required salt and mix well.
    Vazhaithandu kuzhambu
    Vazhaithandu kuzhambu
  • Pressure cook in low flame for 2 whistles. Open the cooker after the steam is released. Mix well and check for taste. Add more salt if needed and more water if the gravy is too thick. Mix well and serve with plain rice adding ghee. Tastes the best when mixed with rice & ghee. Ghee helps to enhance the flavor of this gravy.Do add it !
    Vazhaithandu kuzhambu
  • Enjoy !
Note

  • Sambar powder is not mentioned in the original recipe.But I used it.
  • Adjust the consistency of the gravy as you like. I made it semi thick.
  • This gravy thickens as it cools down. So add more water whenever needed.

Try this healthy vazhaithandu gravy for a change. You may love it !
Banana stem gravy
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April 27, 2017

Punjabi Restaurant Style Dum Aloo Recipe

Dum aloo recipe - Restaurant style
Dum Aloo or Aloo dum is a potato based gravy which is very popular in Kashmir. I browed few recipes and found deep fried small potato /Baby potato is used in this dish. Authentic Kashmiri dum aloo is prepared without onion and tomato. Curd & Kashmiri red chilli are the most important ingredients for the base of gravy apart from spice powders. So the recipe I have shared here is not the authentic one.

 Recently I tasted Dum aloo for the first time in my friend Megha’s house birthday party. I loved its taste and got the recipe from her. Based on her recipe, I browsed and found this Punjabi style dum aloo in Spice up the curry. After going through rave reviews from the readers comments, I tried this recipe confidently. Yes, it came out finger licking good with a nice flavor. It tastes similar to restaurant style gravies. 

In this method, baby potato is sautéed in less oil instead of deep frying to reduce the calories. Still it tasted great. Sendhil liked it very much. Raksha has gone to Salem ( to my in-laws house) for vacation. I must prepare this for her as soon as she comes to Bangalore. I am sure she will love it. Try this for your kids birthday parties. They will like it for sure. Lets see how to make Dum aloo at home with step by step pictures and a video !


Dum aloo recipe

Dum aloo recipe - Restaurant style Dum aloo recipe


Dum aloo recipe - Restaurant style dum aloo recipe How to make restaurant style Punjabi dum aloo recipe at home
Cuisine: North Indian
Category: Side dish for roti
Serves: 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Baby potato - 12 nos
  • Salt and water - as needed
  • Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
  • Red chilli powder - 1 tsp ( Kashmiri chilli powder) 
  • Dhania powder - 2 tsp
  • Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
  • Crushed Kasoori methi - 1.5 tsp
  • Fresh curd – 1to 2 tbsp
  • Fresh cream - 1 tbsp ( I used Amul fresh cream)
To grind
  • Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Cloves - 2 nos
  • Cardamom - 2 nos ( small)
  • Fennel seeds - 1/4 tsp (optional)
  • Green chilli - 1 no
  • Big onion - 1 no
  • Tomato - 2 nos
  • Cashew nuts or almonds – 6 to 10 nos
  • Ginger&Garlic paste – 1/2 to 1 tsp
  • Coriander leaves – to garnish ( I din’t use it)
HOW TO MAKE DUM ALOO


  • Wash and pressure cook baby potato in a cooker adding 2 cups of water. Cook for 2-3 whistles in low flame. It takes 15 minutes. In the mean time, lets prepare the masala for gravy.
    Dum aloo recipe
  • Heat 1 tbsp cooking oil in a kadai. Saute cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, fennel seeds and green chilli for a minute. Add chopped onions and saute till transparent. Add ginger, garlic paste and saute for a minute.

  • Add chopped tomato, salt and saute till tomato turns pulpy. Add cashews, mix once and switch off the flame. Let the mixture cool down. Grind to a smooth paste adding enough water. Set aside.
    Dum aloo recipe
  • Take the pressure cooked potato. Drain the excess water and peel the potato skin. Keep in a plate. Prick all over the potato with a fork. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a kadai. Shallow fry the potato till it turns golden in color and looks roasted. Remove in a plate.
    Dum aloo recipe
    Dum aloo recipe
  • In the remaining oil, splutter cumin seeds. Add ground tomato paste and saute for a minute. Add red chilli powder, dhania powder, sugar, garam masala powder and curd. Saute for a minute. Gravy will become thick and leaves the sides of pan. Add 1/2 to 1 cup water, mix well and check for taste. Add salt if needed.
    Dum aloo recipe
  • Cover cook and boil till oil floats on top. Open the lid, mix the gravy and add 1/2 cup more water if needed. Now add the baby potato and mix well. Add fresh cream, crushed kasoori methi and mix well. Boil for a minute. Add water to adjust consistency. Garnish with coriander leaves. This gravy thickens when it cools down. So add more water whenever needed. Boil and serve hot with roti !
    Dum aloo recipe
    Dum aloo recipe
Enjoy !

Note
  • Add more red chilli powder if you want spicy gravy.
  • Originally baby potato should be deep fried in oil. But I shallow fried it to reduce the calorie. 
  • You can use butter instead of cooking oil.
  • Adding fresh cream is optional. Skip if you don’t have it. But adding cream makes the gravy rich. 
  • This gravy tastes the best if you give a standing time of 1 to 2 hours after preparation. So if you are making for birthday parties, make it in advance and reheat it adding some water.
Dum aloo recipe - Restaurant style alu dum curry
Try this yummy, creamy dum aloo recipe at home & enjoy with chapathi/Naan/Kulcha !
How to make dum aloo at home
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April 24, 2017

Instant Mango Pickle Recipe – Andhra, Kerala, Tamil nadu Style Raw Mango Pickle With Video

Instant raw mango pickle - Andhra, Kerala, Tamilnadu
In this post, I have shared how to make instant raw mango pickle recipe in 3 different ways from 3 different states. Yes, Its Andhra style mamidikaya menthi pachadi, Kerala style Nadan mango achar and Tamil nadu style mangai oorugai. Instant raw Mango pickle is a must to do recipe during mango season.It is our family favorite. I have already posted 2 recipes for instant mango pickle which is my mom’s version. This time just for a change, I wanted to try 3 different styles of making South Indian mango pickle from various cuisines. I followed my mil’s method for Tamil nadu style, referred Sailu’s food for Andhra style & Mia kitchen for Kerala style recipe. All the 3 came out very well & finger licking good. Yesterday I relished a plateful of curd rice with these 3 pickles. Preparation time, cooking time & Ingredients of this pickle are almost the same. But the method of making has slight variations.Each recipe has its own touch and style. Tamil nadu style raw mango pickle needs less ingredients when compared with Andhra & Kerala. It can be consumed immediately too. Of course I tasted Andhra & Kerala mango pickles immediately after making. Even though they tasted good, I felt they need a setting time of at least one day to know its best taste & flavor. If you have one big raw mango in hand, you can prepare all these 3 pickle varieties in the next 10 minutes.Its that easy ! Soon I must try Karnataka & North Indian( Punjabi) style pickles too.Ok, lets see how to make Andhra, Kerala & Tamilnadu style Instant mango pickle/ raw mango pickle with step by step photos and a video !
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April 20, 2017

Milagu Podi For Idli – Pepper Idli Milagai Podi Recipe

milagu podi for idli
I learnt this Milagu podi for Idli from my MIL. Last time when I went to Salem, she kept this pepper idli podi as side dish for for idli, dosa. Basically Sendhil loves pepper flavored recipes a lot. So my MIL had prepared this pepper podi specially for her son. We loved it very much and I noted down the recipe immediately.  As we all know pepper has amazing health benefits. South Indians include pepper in their food by making rasam, milagu kuzhambu & ven pongal.

 Apart from these recipes, I feel this pepper idli podi is a great way to include pepper in our regular diet. The quantity of pepper consumption is more in this podi.  It should be served by mixing with ghee or sesame oil. It tastes the best with hot idli & dosa. Do try this pepper idli podi for a change and reap the health benefits of pepper. Lets see how to make spicy pepper powder for idli and dosa with step by step pictures !
Check out my ellu podi/ Sesame seeds powder for idli, dosa. Its also an interesting & unique recipe .

Pepper idli podi - Milagu podi for idli,dosa


Pepper idli podi - Milagu podi for idli,dosa Pepper idli podi - Milagu podi for idli,dosa
Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Side dish for idli dosa
Serves: 1/2 cup
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Black pepper - 1 tbsp
  • White urad dal - 1 tbsp
  • Chana dal - 1 tbsp
  • Red chilli - 1 no
  • Hing/ Asafetida - 2 pinches or garlic cloves - 2 nos
  • Salt - as needed
  • Cooking oil  or sesame oil – 2 tsp
HOW TO MAKE PEPPER IDLI PODI - METHOD

  • Heat 1 tsp oil in a kadai and roast urad dal till golden. Remove in a plate. In the same oil, roast chana dal till golden. Add to the plate.

  • Add 1 tsp of oil to the kadai and add pepper corns & red chilli. Saute till pepper starts to crackle. Keep the flame medium and saute till most of the pepper corns crackle. Lastly add the hing, mix well and switch off the flame. Crackling helps to reduce the spiciness of pepper. So do it patiently without burning.

  • Add this to the dal plate. Let everything cool down. Add the required salt and grind to a fine powder. If adding garlic, chop it finely and add it while grinding.

  • Transfer the powder to an air tight box. Stays good for 2 weeks. After that the flavor of pepper gets reduced.
    Enjoy !
Note

  • I have shared the recipe for small quantity. Try this one if you are making for first time. If you like the taste, increase the quantity proportionately.
  • Do not add more red chilli. The flavor of pepper should be dominant in this recipe.
  • This podi tastes great when mixed with ghee. But we have it with sesame oil to reduce the calories.
  • This podi is suitable for idli, dosa, wheat flour dosa and ragi dosa. It doesn’t taste good with rice.


Enjoy this yummy idli podi with idli & dosa adding ghee or sesame oil !

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