Search Chitra's Food Book

Showing posts with label DINNER RECIPES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DINNER RECIPES. Show all posts

February 8, 2019

Quinoa Idli Recipe – Quinoa Idli Dosa Batter Recipe – South Indian Quinoa Recipes

Quinoa idli recipe

This is my second post under Quinoa recipes. I had already shared Instant quinoa idli without rice. Today I have posted how to make Indian style, soft idli and crispy dosa batter with quinoa by fermentation method. As I always say, quinoa is not thinai in Tamil. Quinoa and foxtail millet/ Thinai are completely different. Quinoa should be pronounced as Keen-wah. This millet is widely available in US and abroad. 

In India, you can find it in organic stores in all major metropolitan cities and is available online in Amazon. But It is costly. In this quinoa idli dosa batter recipe, I have used a combination of quinoa, idli rice (Salem rice) and urad dal in the ratio of 2:1:3/4. You can try this recipe without idli rice but idli may be sticky to taste. 

Addition of rice helps to keep the idli non-sticky and gives a proper shape. Even though its my first attempt, I am completely happy with the output. Idli came out very well, soft and spongy with a mild nutty flavor. Idli looks pale white in color like quinoa and not pure white. I tried making dosa too. It was crispy in the sides and soft in the center. You can make thin dosa or thick uthappam adding onion, chilli as you wish. 

One thing you should remember about this batter is , it becomes sour quickly. After fermentation, you should refrigerate the batter till use. Also It is better to finish the batter in 2 days by making idli, dosa, uttapam or paniyaram. This idli tastes slightly sticky when hot. But it tastes perfect when eaten warm. You can serve this idli with any chutney or sambar. I had it with coconut chutney and idli podi. It was yumm ! 

After trying this quinoa idli successfully, I am confident of exploring more quinoa recipes. I will post it whenever I make any. Ok, now lets see how to make quinoa idli dosa batter with rice with step by step pictures.

Check out my other MILLET RECIPES too !

Instant quinoa idli without rice.



quinoa idli batter


Quinoa dosa


Quinoa idli dosa recipe


Quinoa idli dosa recipe

How to make quinoa idli, dosa batter recipe for healthy breakfast and dinner



Cuisine: Indian
Category: Main course
Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 240ml
  • Quinoa - 2 cups
  • Idli rice / Salem rice - 1 cup
  • White, round urad dal - 3/4 cup
  • Salt & water - as needed
HOW TO MAKE QUINOA IDLI
  1. Wash and soak quinoa, idli rice, urad dal together for 7 to 8 hours.
  2. Grind to a smooth paste in mixie or grinder adding required water.
  3. Transfer the batter to a big vessel and ferment it over night.
  4. Next morning batter would have doubled in quantity.
  5. Add salt and mix well with a ladle. Grease idli plate and fill the batter.
  6. Steam in an idli pot for 10 minutes. Check if its cooked well by inserting a wet finger.
  7. Remove the idli plate once its done. Let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Then remove the idli and serve with chutney or sambar.
  8. You can also make thin or thick dosa with this batter. 
QUINOA IDLI DOSA RECIPE - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
  • Wash the quinoa twice or thrice. Along with it add idli rice, urad dal. Wash it well. Soak them together for 7 to 8 hours.
  • quinoa idli
  • Grind the batter in a wet grinder or mixie ( in batches) to a smooth paste adding required water. Do not add salt.
  • quinoa idli
  • Transfer the batter to a vessel. Ferment it over night or minimum 10 hours. The next morning, batter would have doubled in quantity based on the weather. Add salt and mix the batter well with a ladle. Add little water if the batter is too thick.
  • quinoa idli
  • Grease an idli plate with oil. Pour the batter till 3/4th of each hole. Boil water in an idli pot. Place the idli plate when the water comes to a roll boil. Steam it for 10 minutes or till cooked.

  • Check the idli by inserting your wet finger. If it comes out clean idli is cooked else cook for more time. Remove the idli plate from the pot and rest it for 3 minutes.
  • quinoa idli
  • Remove the idli using a spoon and serve it with your desired chutney or sambar.
    You can also make thin or thick dosa by adjusting the consistency of batter. But cook in low flame because this dosa turns brown quickly. quinoa idli
    Enjoy !

Note

  • If you have quinoa flour, you can use it and mix with rice, urad dal batter.
  • This batter stays good upto 3 days under refrigeration. 
  • As I told, this idli tastes slightly sticky when very hot but it becomes perfect when warm. It stays good for few hours. So you can pack for lunch box too.

Try this easy, healthy quinoa idli dosa recipe and enjoy !

Quinoa idli

Continue Reading...


January 22, 2019

Avarekalu Dosa Recipe – Avarebele dosa Recipe - Avarekalu Recipes

avarekalu dosa
Recently I went to avarekalu mela 2019 , food festival in V V puram, food street. I tasted avarekalu dosa / avarebele dosa for the first time. In fact, I went to the mela just to taste this dosa recipe. In Karnataka, Avarekai / Avarekalu (Hyacinth beans in English, Mochai in Tamil, Surti papdi lilva in Hindi), a variety of broad beans is available during winter season in local markets. It is used in varieties of breakfast, dinner recipes, traditional sweets and snacks as a healthy addition. Variety of avarekalu recipes like ragi roti, avarekai idli, avarekalu dosa, usli, kodubele, uppittu, masala vada, rice bath, shavige, ragi mudde and much more are served as main dishes in the festival with hitikida bele saru (pressed field beans gravy/ hyacinth beans) as side dish. Avarebele dosa was so good. I loved it very much👍 . 

This dosa recipe and avarekalu akki roti was attracting the crowd in the festival. Avarebele dosa is nothing but our traditional sponge dosa topped with a mix of cooked hitikida avarebele, onions, coriander and dill leaves. Its prepared with an easy, no cook avarekalu masala. I bought a kg of hitikida avarekalu to try this dosa, akki roti, uppittu and saaru at home. 

Recently I posted avarekalu uppittu and avarekalu usli recipe in my blog. In continuation, here is the avarekalu dosa recipe based on the one I tasted in the food festival. For variations, you can sprinkle spicy idli podi / chutney pudi over the dosa and then top it with avarekalu masala. Drizzle lots of oil or ghee for best taste. Ok, Lets see how to make avarekalu dosa with step by step pictures.


Check out my other AVAREKALU RECIPES too !

Also see my other DOSA VAREITIES if interested.

avarebele dosa

Avarekalu dosa - Avarebele dosa recipe


Avarekalu dosa - Avarebele dosa recipe

Avarekalu dosa - Avarebele dosa recipe for breakfast/ dinner.



Cuisine: Karnataka
Category: Breakfast
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250ml
  • Hitikida avarekalu / Pressed hyacinth beans - 1 cup
  • Big onion - 2 (finley chopped)
  • Green chilli - 1 (finely chopped)
  • Coriander leaves - a handful (-do-)
  • Dill leaves / sabsige soppu - a handful (-do-)
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt - as per taste
  • Dosa batter - 2 cups
  • Cooking oil - to drizzle over the dosa
HOW TO MAKE AVAREKALU DOSA
  1. Wash and pressure cook hitikida avarekalu in high flame for one whistle.
  2. Do not over cook. Drain the excess water and take the cooked avarekalu in a plate.
  3. Add cumin seeds, finely chopped onion, green chilli, dill leaves, coriander leaves and salt.
  4. Mix well and set aside. Topping for avarebele dosa is ready.
  5. Heat dosa pan. Pour a ladleful of dosa batter. Spread it slightly.
  6. Keep the flame low. Spread the avarekalu mixture all over the dosa.
  7. Drizzle oil all over the dosa. Flip and cook in low to medium flame till onion turns golden brown.
  8. Remove the dosa and serve with coconut chutney, tomato chutney or hitikidabele saru.
METHOD - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
  • To make hitikida avarekalu, wash and soak whole avarekalu (field beans) in water for 3 to 4 hours. Take one soaked avarekalu and press it between your forefinger and thumb finger. Squeeze it to remove the outer skin.  You will get hitkida avarekalu (squeezed field beans). Repeat and get it done. If you have store bought hitikida avarekalu, you can proceed to next step directly.

  • Wash and take 1 cup of hitkavare in a pressure cooker. Add some water to cover it. Just pressure cook it in high flame for just one whistle. Do not over cook it. Open the cooker after the steam is released. Drain the excess water. Set aside.

  • In a bowl, take the cooked avarekalu, finely chopped onion, green chilli, coriander leaves, dill leaves, salt and cumin seeds. Mix gently. Dosa topping masala is ready.

  • Heat a dosa pan. Sprinkle some water to check the heat of pan. Lower the flame. Wipe the dosa pan with a cloth. Pour a ladleful of batter, spread it slightly.
  • avarebele dosa
  • Let the flame be low to medium. You can see bubbles forming all over the dosa. When the dosa is 3/4 th cooked, spread few tsp of avarekalu masala over the dosa.

  • Pour few tsp of oil all over the dosa and sides. Press the masala with the dosa flipper for the topping to stud in the dosa. Now flip the dosa carefully. Keep the flame medium high. Pour some oil in the corners if you like. Let the bottom of dosa becomes golden brown. Do not cook in high flame. Masala may get burnt.
  • avarebele dosa
  • Now remove the dosa in a plate. Serve it hot with chutney or sambar/ saaru. You will love it. For variations, you can drizzle some ghee or keep a small block of butter for kids while serving.
  • avarebele dosa
  • In some shops, they sprinkle spicy chutney podi over the dosa and then they top it with masala. You can try that way too. You can use idli podi or peanut podi for that. Tastes awesome !
    Enjoy !

Note

  • Pressing avarekalu is the only time consuming job here else you can make this masala quickly as this is a no cook recipe.
  • You can use the same masala and make avarekalu stuffed idli too.
  • Adjust the quantity of green chilli as per your need.
  • I made it less spicy. As mentioned above, you can sprinkle some idli podi or chutney podi before topping with masala.
  • Drizzle some ghee along with oil for better taste.

Try this healthy avarekalu dosa at home and enjoy !
avarekai dosa


Continue Reading...


January 12, 2019

Avarekalu Uppittu Recipe – Karnataka Style Avarekalu Upma

Avarekalu uppittu
Avarekalu uppittu is the Kannada name for rava upma prepared with hyacinth beans (Field beans / hyacinth beans in English, Mochai in Tamil ). Its a healthy breakfast and dinner recipe of Karnataka. Avarekalu, a kind of bean is available all over Karnataka during winter season from December to February. We call it as mocha kottai in Tamil. As it is healthy and a good source of protein, people try to consume more avarekalu by adding them in upma / uppittu, akki roti, sambar/ saaru , palya/ poriyal etc.

 Every year during this time, I try varieties of avarekalu recipes learning from my school moms friends. Recently I went to the most popular avarekalu mela (food festival) in VV puram. It was so good to see varieties of sweets, snacks, breakfast, dinner and lunch recipes with avarekalu. After eating there, I was tempted to try some of them at home. 

As a first step, I tried this easy and quick avarekalu uppittu recipe prepared with rava / semolina, field beans and onion. It came out so soft and yummy just like the hotel ones. I must thank my friends Tara and Megha for sharing some important points like roasting rava in oil, rava water ratio and tips to make the best avarekalu uppittu. I am very happy with the results. This recipe will be helpful for beginners too. I used coarse Bombay rava. For healthy option, you can use bansi rava or rice rawa (akki tari) too. Ok, lets see how to make avarekalu uppittu recipe with step by step pictures.

Check out my other interesting avarekalu recipes too !

Avarekalu uppittu recipe

Avarekalu uppittu / Avarekalu rava upma recipe


Avarekalu uppittu / Avarekalu rava upma recipe

Learn how to make Karnataka special avarekalu uppittu recipe with stepwise pictures.



Cuisine: Karnataka
Category: Breakfast
Serves: Serves 2 -3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Bombay rava / Coarse semolina - 1 cup
  • Cooked Avarekalu / Hyacinth beans - 1/2 cup
  • Big onion - 1
  • Green chilli - 2 ( use 4 for spicy uppittu)
  • Ginger - 1 inch piece (Finely chopped)
  • Curry leaves - Few
  • Coriander leaves - to garnish
  • Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
  • Ghee - 1 tbsp
  • Salt - as needed
  • Water - 3.5 cups
  • Lemon juice - few drops (optional)
To Temper
  • Cooking oil - 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp for roasting rava
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Chana dal - 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Cashew nuts - few
HOW TO MAKE AVAREKALU UPPITTU
  1. Wash and pressure cook avarekalu in high flame for two whistles adding required water.
  2. Drain the excess water and keep the cooked avarekalu ready.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a kadai. Roast the rava in medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes patiently.
  4. Transfer to a plate. Again heat the kadai with 2 tbsp oil.
  5. Splutter mustard, urad, chana dal and cumin seeds. Add cashews and roast till slightly golden.
  6. Add finely chopped onion, green chilli, ginger and curry leaves. Saute till transparent.
  7. Then add the cooked avarekalu without any water. Mix well.
  8. Lastly add the roasted rava and mix well. Add the required salt, mix it. Switch off the flame.
  9. In a bowl, take the required water and boil till it roll boils.
  10. Add this water carefully to the rava mixture. Mix gently without making any lumps.
  11. After the rava is mixed well with water, switch on the flame. Add grated coconut, coriander leaves and mix well.
  12. Cover cook in low flame till its done. Lastly add 1 tbsp ghee and switch off the flame.
  13. Mix and serve hot with coconut chutney. Enjoy !

METHOD - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
  • Wash and pressure cook avarekalu in high flame for 2 whistles. Do not over cook it. Remove and drain the excess water. Set aside. Chop onion, green chilli, ginger, coriander leaves and keep it ready.

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a kadai. Roast rava in medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes without changing its color. Transfer to a plate.
  • avarekalu uppittu
  • Heat 2 tbsp oil in the same kadai. Splutter mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, cashews and cumin seeds. Saute onion, green chilli, curry leaves. Saute till onion becomes transparent.
  • avarekalu uppittu
  • Now add the cooked avarekalu and saute for a minute. Add the required salt and roasted rava. Mix well.
  • avarekalu uppittu
  • Boil 3.5 cups water in a bowl and add the water to the rava carefully. It splashes. Keep the flame low and mix without any lumps. Rava absorbs all the water and becomes thick.  ( My friends suggested me to make this upma mushy and soft . So we are adding more water. If you want it fluffy and separate, add 2.5 cups of water).
  • avarekalu uppittu
  • Now add the finely chopped coriander leaves, grated coconut and mix well. Cover and cook in low to medium flame for 5 minutes. Open the lid and mix well once in the middle.
  • Switch off the flame and add 1 tbsp ghee at the end. If you like, you can add few drops of lemon juice too. It looks mushy when hot. But it becomes fluffy and separate as it cools down. 
  • avarekalu uppittu
    Enjoy hot serving with coconut chutney !

Note

  • You can skip onion and make it for no onion no garlic version.
  • Adjust the quantity of green chillies based on your taste.
  • You can use bansi rava instead of Bombay rava. Some people also make it with chiroti rava / fine rava.
  • Addition of coriander leaves and grated coconut gives a nice flavor and taste to upma. You can add it in the water instead of adding at the end.

Try this yummy, healthy avarekalu uppittu and enjoy !
Avarekalu uppittu recipe

Continue Reading...


December 14, 2018

Plain Rava Idli Recipe – Instant Suji Idli With Eno, Curd


 Recently I started making Instant plain rava idli (suji ki idli) without any seasoning for the sake of Raksha. This instant suji idli is a simple and quick version of our usual rava idli (semolina idli). It takes very less preparation time. All you have to do is to just mix a cup of Bombay rava, curd, ENO fruit salt, salt and water.  You can also use chiroti rava / fine rava. Make idli batter and steam for 10 minutes. Your instant breakfast or dinner would be ready in no time. This recipe of plain rava idli is ideal for bachelors and working women to make your food quickly on a tiring day. You can use roasted or unroasted rava. Both gives great results. This idli stays soft for few hours. So you can even pack it for your lunch box if you like.

 A mixed vegetable kurma or tomato chutney would be a great side dish for this rava idli recipe and makes it a wholesome, tummy filling breakfast or dinner. Most of my readers have asked me to post rava idli without curd and ENO. But I am not sure how it works. As this idli is an instant version without fermentation curd, ENO or cooking soda is necessary to make it soft and spongy. Even in hotels, cooking soda is used to make it fluffy and spongy. If you want to make rava idli without curd, you should increase the quantity of ENO. Similarly if you want to skip cooking soda or ENO, you must add more curd to retain the softness.

Ok friends, lets check out how to make instant, plain rava idli recipe with curd and Eno. Do watch the video and refer the step by step pictures for better understanding. Don't forget to try this instant, plain rava idli recipe and share your feedback with me.

Check out my other instant idli recipes too !





Instant plain rava idli recipe - Suji idli with Eno, curd


Instant plain rava idli recipe - Suji idli with Eno, curd

Instant plain rava idli with eno and curd. Its an easy, quick breakfast recipe.



Cuisine: Indian
Category: Breakfast
Serves: 10
Prep time:5M5 Minutes
Cook time:10M10 Minutes
Total time:15M15 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250ml
  • Bombay Rava / Semolina / Suji - 1 cup
  • Curd - 1 cup
  • Water - 1/2 cup
  • Eno fruit salt / baking soda - 1/3 tsp / 1/8 tsp
  • Salt - as needed
HOW TO MAKE PLAIN RAVA IDLI
  1. Heat a kadai and dry roast the Bombay rava(Semolina/ Suji) for few minutes without changing the color.
  2. Let it cool down completely. Roasting is completely optional. 
  3. Add curd, water and salt. Make smooth batter without lumps.
  4. Lastly add fresh Eno fruit salt and mix well. It will bubble and make the batter light and frothy.
  5. Add some water and adjust the consistency of batter if its too thick.
  6. Take an oil greased idli mould. Fill the batter till 3/4 th of the mould.
  7. Boil water in an idli pot.  Keep the idli plate and steam for 10 minutes till rava idli is cooked well.
  8. Remove the idli and serve hot with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, sambar or kurma.
METHOD - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
  • To make instant, plain rava idli you can either dry roast the rava/suji for 5 minutes in medium flame without changing the color OR you can skip roasting and make idli directly. Both works well.

  • If you roast the rava, allow it cool down completely. Do not add curd if the rava is hot. If you are using unroasted rava, you can add curd immediately.

  • In this recipe, I roasted the rava and used it. Add curd, salt and 1/2 cup of water to the rava. Mix without lumps. No need to rest the batter.

  • Add ENO fruit salt and mix well. If the Eno is active, it should bubble up as soon as you add it to the rava, curd mixture. Mix gently till the batter is light.

  • Check the consistency of batter and add some water (say 1/4 cup) to make it slightly thick and pourable. Grease idli plate with little oil. Pour the batter till 3/4th of the mould.

  • Boil water in an idli pot. Place the idli plate and steam for 10 to 15 minutes till idli is cooked well. Remove the idli plate and rest for 2 minutes. Then remove the idli with a spoon. Serve hot with coconut chutney or tomato chutney, Sambar or kurma as you like. Enjoy !

Note

  • You can use baking soda / cooking soda instead of Eno fruit salt.
  • If you want to skip curd, add 1 tsp of Eno instead of 1/2 tsp.
  • Do not make the batter too thick or too thin. It should be semi thick and pourable.
  • The size of this idli increases after cooking. So fill the mould till 3/4th or 1/2 as per the size you need.

Try this easy, instant plain rava idli recipe. You will love it. I served it with boiled tomato chutney and coconut chutney.

Continue Reading...


November 30, 2018

Soft Dosa Recipe - How To Make Soft Dosa For Lunch Box And Travel

Soft dosa for lunch box and travel

I always pack dosa varieties for Raksha’s lunch box and travel as it is her most favorite food. Usually I add poha / pressed rice or leftover cooked rice to make soft dosa that stays good for long time. Recently I came across this soft dosa batter recipe using raw rice (pacharisi in Tamil) and urad dal in Mallika Badrinath’s cook book. This recipe is without poha/aval, sabudana/javvarisi/sago or curd. 

Though it looks similar to set dosa, ingredients of this soft dosa recipe is different from sponge dosa and set dosa. Its a very simple dosa recipe without using idli rice. You can also call it as raw rice dosa or pacharisi dosai. It can be prepared during Navratri and other fasting days to offer God.  You can grind the batter in mixie or grinder as you wish. 

When I was young, my mom used to pack dosa and podi for school and college lunch box. She doesn’t even smear idli podi over the dosa to keep it soft. My mom just adds a tsp of sesame oil over the dosa. Still dosa stays soft and good till lunch time. When I tried this recipe, I reminded my mom’s dosa. Friends, if you want to pack this dosa for travel or lunch box, just follow the tips I have shared in this post. I am sure it will stay soft for hours. 

For variations, you can make it small in size, top this dosa with finely chopped onion, mixed vegetables or even add cheese if making for kids. If you like you can stuff it with potato masala as well. Ok, lets see how to make soft dosa batter at home with step by step pictures.

Don't forget to check out my

Poha dosa / aval dosa

Puffed rice dosa

Sponge dosa without urad dal

soft dosa recipe

Soft dosa recipe for lunch box and travel - Soft dosa batter recipe


Soft dosa recipe for lunch box and travel - Soft dosa batter recipe

How to make soft dosa batter recipe at home. This dosa is prepared with raw rice and urad dal. It stays soft for hours. You can pack it for lunch box and travel.



Cuisine: Indian
Category: Breakfast Recipes
Serves: 15 
Prep time: 14 Hours
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 14Hours 5 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
! cup - 240ml
  • Dosa rice / Raw rice - 3 cups ( I used dosa rice)
  • White, round urad dal - 1 cup
  • Methi seeds / fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt & Water - as needed
  • Sesame oil / Gingely oil - to drizzle
HOW TO MAKE SOFT DOSA BATTER
  1. Wash and soak raw rice, urad dal and fenugreek seeds in a bowl for 3 to 4 hours.
  2. Grind to a smooth batter in a mixie or grinder. Transfer to a bowl.
  3. Let it ferment overnight. Batter will rise. The next morning, add salt and mix well.
  4. Adjust batter consistency adding water. Make small, thick dosa. 
  5. Drizzle oil over the dosa and cook one side.
  6. Flip it and cook the other side. Sprinkle few drops of water over the dosa to make it soft. Remove and keep it in a plate.
  7. Make the second dosa in the same way and stack it. Cover with a plate.
  8. Pack in a lunch box or for travel after dosa becomes warm.
  9. Serve with idli podi or any chutney.
METHOD - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
  • Wash and soak raw rice/ Pacharisi, Urad dal, Fenugreek seeds together for 4 hours. Grind to a smooth batter using grinder or mixie in batches. (Use ice cold water for grinding if using mixie). No need to add salt. Collect the batter in a bowl.
  • soft dosa batter recipe
  • Let it ferment over night or for 12 hours (timings vary during winter season). Batter will rise. The next morning, add the required salt, mix well. If the batter is too thick, add little water to bring dosa batter consistency.
  • soft dosa batter recipe
  • Heat a dosa pan and sprinkle some water. It should sound ssshh. Then lower the flame completely and wipe the dosa pan with a cloth. Now pour a ladleful of batter. Spread it slightly and make thick or medium thick dosa as you like.

  • Now increase the flame to medium. Bubbles will appear all over the dosa. Then drizzle a tsp of oil around the dosa and cook for a minute.

  • Flip the dosa and cook the other side. Before removing the dosa from the pan, sprinkle few drops of water all over the dosa. It helps to keep the dosa for long time.
  • soft dosa batter recipe
  • Remove the dosa from the pan and keep it on a plate or banana leaf. Make the other dosa in the same way. Stack all the dosa one over the other if you are packing for travel or lunch box. Cover with a plate to prevent drying.
  • Enjoy eating hot immediately OR You can pack the dosa and idli podi/chutney in separate boxes. You can also smear idli podi mixed with oil all over the dosa and pack in a box. I tried making crispy, thin dosa too. It came out well.
  • soft dosa batter recipe
    Enjoy !

Note

  • Methi seeds is optional. But I used it for nice flavor.
  • You can soak rice and dal separately. Grind them separately and mix both the batter.
  • Cooking soda is not needed.
  • If you are consuming the dosa immediately, you don’t have to sprinkle water over the dosa while cooking.

Try this super soft dosa recipe and enjoy with your favorite chutney or idli podi !
I served it with pottukadalai chutney.

how to make soft dosa for lunch box and travel


Continue Reading...


October 22, 2018

Sabudana Khichdi Recipe - Non-sticky Sabudana Kichdi

How to make non sticky sabudana khichdi

Making a perfect sabudana khichdi at home must be a challenging task for many ladies. Me too not an exception. Soaking and cooking sabudana (Sago in English, Javvarisi in Tamil, Sabakki in Kannada) soft and non-sticky is a bit tricky. 

As Sendhil is a big fan of sabudana recipes, I try to make it once in 10 days.  After so many trail and error, I started to soak sabudana perfectly without becoming mushy by adding the right amount of water. 

Earlier I used to cook it for more than 20 minutes to make it completely transparent and soft. But it becomes lumpy and sticky. When it becomes sticky, we cannot trouble shoot it easily. Sabudana turns soft, transparent and cooks quickly if its soaked properly. Cooking for longer time is also one of the reasons for sticky sabudana. So based on my observations, I have shared few tips and tricks for soaking, testing and cooking sabudana perfectly.

 If you follow the steps carefully, anyone can make perfect, non-sticky sabudana khichdi at home. Ok, over to the recipe with stepwise pictures.

As I was busy in frequent travel to my native place for some personal works, I was not able to make any new post in my blog in the past week. Sorry, hope I can concentrate from this week.  I will try to start the Diwali recipes from my next post.

How to make non sticky sabudana khichdi at home

Sabudana Khichdi Recipe


Sabudana Khichdi Recipe

How to make non-sticky sabudana khichdi recipe at home with stepwise pictures. 



Cuisine: North Indian
Category: Fasting recipes
Serves:  4
Prep time: 6 Hours
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 6H 20Minutes



INGREDIENTS

1 cup = 250ml
  • Sabudana / White big sago – 2 cups
  • Water – 1.5 to 2 cups to soak
  • Potato – 2 nos ( small , skin peeled & chopped)
  • Roasted and crushed peanuts - 1/2 cup
  • Green chilli – 2 nos (finely chopped)
  • Ginger - 1 tsp (finely chopped)
  • Coriander leaves - a handful ( to garnish)
  • Curry leaves - Few
  • Lemon juice - Few drops
  • Salt - as needed
  • Sugar - 1/2 tsp
To Temper
  • Ghee - 2 tbsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

HOW TO MAKE SABUDANA KHICHDI

  1. Wash the sabudana twice. Drain the water completely.
  2. Add water and soak for minimum 6 hours. 
  3. Press to check it mushy. Drain the water completely.
  4. Heat ghee in a kadai. Temper cumin seeds, curry leaves.
  5. Add chopped potato, salt and saute till it becomes soft.
  6. Add chopped green chilli, ginger and saute well.
  7. Then add soaked sabudana, mix gently in low flame.
  8. Cover the kadai with a lid and cook for 2 minutes.
  9. Toss once and then cook for another 2 minutes,
  10. Repeat until sabudana becomes transparent and soft.
  11. Do not stir more and keep cooking for longer time.
  12. Lastly add the crushed peanuts, lemon juice and coriander leaves. Mix well. Switch off the flame. Serve hot !

SABUDANA KHICHDI RECIPE - STEP BY STEP PICTURES

  • Wash the white, big sabudana/ sago twice or thrice to remove the whitish starch. Drain the water completely without a single drop of it. Add 1.75 to 2 cups of water( I used 2 cups) and make sure the water level is just 1/2 inch above sabudana. No need to cover the bowl. Soak the sabudana for minimum 6 hours to overnight. (Sabudana absorbs all the water within 2 hours and starts to double in size).
  • How to make non sticky sabudana khichdi
  • After 6 hours, sabudana becomes big in size and almost double in quantity.  It looks separate and fluffy without any water. To check if its soaked well, take one sabudana and press it. If it becomes mushy, sabudana is soaked well. If you feel slightly hard to press, add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup more water and soak for some more time by covering the bowl with a lid.
  • How to make non sticky sabudana khichdi
  • Dry roast the peanuts and crush it coarsely in a mixie. Set aside. Wash and peel the skin of potato. Chop into small cubes. Finely chop green chillies, ginger, coriander leaves and keep it aside.

  • Heat ghee in a good non-stick pan. Splutter cumin seeds, green chilli, ginger and curry leaves. Add potato pieces and required salt. Saute well till potato becomes soft and 3/4th cooked.   
  • How to make non sticky sabudana khichdi
    • Add soaked sabudana, sugar and saute well till it starts to become transparent. Lower the flame completely. Cover the kadai with a lid and cook for 2 minutes without adding water. Open the lid and toss it gently. Again cover cook for 2 minutes and toss it. Repeat the same till sabudana becomes soft and transparent without much white part.
    • How to make non sticky sabudana khichdi
    • It takes around 10 to 12 minutes to cook perfect. ( TIP : When you feel sabudana starts to become lumpy and sticking at the bottom, it indicates sabudana is over cooked. So switch off the flame immediately). Lastly add the crushed peanuts, chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice. Mix well and switch off the flame.
    • How to make non sticky sabudana khichdi
      Enjoy !

    Note

    • For variations, you can add crushed peanuts in the soaked sabudana before cooking. It also helps to make non-sticky khichdi.
    • You can also add ginger chilli paste instead of adding as pieces.
    • If you do not want to use potato, you can skip it too.
    • If you are not making as vrat/ fasting recipe, you can add onions too.

    Try this easy, yummy, non-sticky sabudana khichdi for fasting days food. You will feel full and energetic !

    Continue Reading...