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August 19, 2009

Matka Kulfi - Ice Cream Recipes


matka kulficlose up


I still remember the days  i ran behind the Bombay kulfi walahs to buy mouth watering , 1 rupee , cone shaped kulfis.Drooling.I  really crave for those kulfis now Raised Eyebrow…Last month we had been to my native and there i tasted Matka kulfi ,  my hubby’s favourite..After tasting it, i got an idea to try my ownIdea.So I washed those matkas and took home Wink..I tried and Yes,I got the same tasteThumbs-upWhistling..My husband was very happy when i prepared this for himSmile..Generally, Kulfis are prepared using a combination of condensed, evaporated and whole Milk..But i prepared in a very simple way..Here is the recipe,

Ingredients
  • Milk – 500 ml
  • Sugar – 2 –3 tbsp (adjust )
  • Cardamom powder – 3  - 4 pods (powdered )
  • Saffron threads -  few
  • Almonds and pistachios – Few (finely chopped )
Method
  • Take the milk in a Microwave safe wide bowl  .The bowl should accommodate at least two litres of milk to avoid spill over.Please see to it..
  • Microwave high for 10 minutes..Remove the bowl and stir well.If u want u can remove and collect the skin( paal aadai), blend it at the end to a paste and add to the milk ..But I mixed the skin as it is along with the milk..
  • Microwave again till the milk is reduced to half in volume.. (My MW took nearly 25- 30 mins to complete the process....Adjust the timings according to urs..)
  • Then add sugar, saffron threads and cardamom powder, mix it and MW high for 5 mins..Let the sugar dissolve well and boil…
  • Finally add the chopped almonds and pistachios and mix well.
  • Pour into the moulds and freeze it for a minimum of 6 hours..
I got these cute kulfi moulds from my SIL and i poured some mixture into these moulds to serve my kid and of course for meOpen-mouthed.. Eat immdiately after u take out from the freezer because it gets melted very soon ...


kulfi yellow
 
VARIATIONS
  • The above process can be done using stove top method . Take the milk in a wide mouthed kadai and boil the milk till it is reduced to half in volume..
  • Give a constant stir and simmer the flame to avoid the spill over..
  • Then add sugar, cardamom powder and saffron threads..
  • Mix well and boil till sugar dissolves completely..
  • Finally garnish with chopped almonds and pistachios.

2009_08_04



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August 14, 2009

Veg Pizza Recipe Using Instant Pizza Base

I’ve tasted homemade pizza at shalini’s house recently and i liked it very much.She taught me tawa method using readymade pizza base.But I tried in microwav in my own way.It tasted excellent , soft and flavorful.We all loved it.You can try on stovetop too.The mistake I made was, I bought normal low fat amul cheese..I dint buy mozarella cheese.I dint know there are varieties of cheese.So when you want to try this recipe, do use pizza cheese.It will give u the exact taste like Pizza hut.My parents came yesterday & i prepared this for them .They loved it a lot.
VEG PIZZA CLOSE UP

Ingredients :
  • Pizza base – 1 no (medium sized )
  • Tomato ketchup –1- 2 tbsp
  • Tomato – 1 no ( cut into thin slices )
  • Big Onion – 1 no (thin slices )
  • Capsicum – 1/2 no (Small cube cut ) (i cut a little into slices and remaining into cubes )
  • Green chilly – 1/2 no (finely chopped ) (if u get jalapeno,u can use it )
  • Garlic – 5 flakes (finely chopped )
  • Olive oil – 1 tbsp
  • Butter – 1 tbsp
  • Salt & pepper powder – a pinch (optional )
  • Cheese – 1 small block .(Grated)
VEG PIZZA

Method :
    1. In  a  MW safe bowl, Add 2 tsp of olive oil .Take the sliced onions, capsicum and green chilly & garlic pieces..Mix it well. MW high for 1 minute to saute well.Take care, the color should not change.(My MW is of 700w output.Please adjust the timings according to urs)
    2. Remove and set aside.. Take a MW plate and keep the base on it.
    3. Apply butter on both the sides of pizza base and MW medium high for just 30 seconds..Please dont keep it more because the base will become hard.. (If u want , u can omit this step .just apply the butter on the base.)
    4. Then , apply the tomato ketchup on one side of the base evenly..Apply more if u like..
    5. Take the sautéed onion, capsicum mixture and spread it with tomato slices in ur desired order.. Grate the cheese and spread it all over the pizza..
    6. Then pour 1 tsp of olive oil over the pizza and brush the sides too..
    7. MW high for 2-3 mins and just leave it till the cheese melts..
    8. Remove and sprinkle salt and pepper powder..Serve hot !!
VEG PIZZA AFTER A BITE


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August 5, 2009

Arachuvitta Vatha Kuzhambu Recipe

We had this arachuvitta vatha kuzhambu in a marriage function / Kalyana veedu. It was excellent. We all had 2 ,3 servings. One of my relatives asked the recipe from the cook and told my MIL. She tried at home and it came out well. Last week I made this for my husband’s lunch box along with chow chow kootu..It was a divinely combination. I stocked it and had for 2 days. Day by Day I found the taste got improved and made me thought, I could have made more quantity. So here comes the flavorful , Kalyana veedu style vatha kuzhambu..I’ve given the recipe for two people. You can increase the quantity based on your needs.

Arachuvitta vatha kuzhambu

Ingredients
  • Tamarind – A big gooseberry size or a small lemon size
  • ***Sambar powder – 1 tsp 
  • Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
  • Sundakkai / Dried Turkey berry – 10 nos
  • Garlic – 10 – 12 flakes..
  • Gingely oil – 2 tbsp
  • Jaggery – a small piece
  • Salt & water – as needed.
To Roast & Grind:
  • Sesame oil - 2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds – 1/8 tsp
  • Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp
  • Jeera – 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1/4 tsp
  • Red chillies - 5 nos
  • Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
  • Toor dal / Thuvaram paruppu – 1.5 tsp 
  • Curry leaves - 1 small sprig ( 5 leaves)
  • Grated Coconut – 1 tsp 
To Saute:
  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Small onion- 5 nos (finely chopped)
  • Garlic – 3 flakes (finely chopped)
  • Curry leaves – a sprig (finely chopped)
  • Sesame Oil or cooking oil  – 2 tbsp
Method:
  1. Soak tamarind in water for 15 mins and extract the juice from it using 1 cup of water.
  2. Add sambar powder,turmeric powder and salt to it..Keep aside.
  3. Heat oil in a kadai with 2 tbsp of oil and roast the turkey berries/sundakkai vathal till nice aroma arises. Remove and Set aside.
  4. In the remaining oil roast all the ingredients given under “roast & grind”  in the same order. No need to roast the coconut. (Make sure no ingredient turns black.This will spoil the nice aroma of the gravy). Switch off the flame. Add the coconut, mix well. Cool and grind it to a paste by adding little water.
  5. Now add the roasted turkey berries to the paste and set aside.
  6. Heat the kadai with oil and add mustard seeds, chopped onion, chopped garlic and whole garlic flakes, chopped curry leaves and saute till garlic turns light golden brown with nice aroma. Saute in medium flame.
  7. Then add the tamarind extract and let it boil for sometime. Add the jaggery.
  8. Finally add the ground paste along with turkey berries and allow to boil for sometime. The gravy will become thick and reduce in volume. So add little water. It should neither be too thick nor watery.
  9. Last but not the least, add 2 tsp of gingely oil , mix it and cover for 30 minutes to 1 hour for the taste to infuse well. 
Serve with any kootu and papad!!

Note:
It tasted best the next day. So prepare at least two, three hours in advance before serving if you are using on the same day to enjoy its best taste !! I’ve added the turkey berries at the end because I want it a bit crunchy..If u like, you can add with tamarind extract in the beginning.


***OUR SAMBAR POWDER:

  • Coriander seeds – 1/4 kg ( 1.25 cup)
  • Red chilly(long ones) – 1/4 kg (1.25 cup)
  • Fenugreek seeds – 50 gms ( 1/4 cup)
  • Toor dal – 50 gms (1/4 cup)
  • Channa dal – 50 gms (1/4 cup)
  • Pepper corns – 50 gms (1/4 cup)
  • Jeera – 2 tbsp
  • Turmeric powder – 50 gms (1/4 cup)
We usually grind this in flour mill and use it for 3-4 months …We use this powder for Sambar , vathakuzhambu , pitlai , poricha kuzhambu ,Kootu , poriyal and paruppu rasam.This powder plays the major role in our day-to-day cooking..We don’t use red chilly powder at all. This is an all rounder podi for us.

For this kuzhambu , u can use  any brand sambar powder or replace with 1 tsp of coriander powder and 1/2 tsp of red chillI powder.

Bye.Catch u all in my next post.
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August 2, 2009

Ragi Vermicelli - Sweet & Savory Versions

I had this ragi vermicelli upma for the first time at my mom’s place when I was pregnant. We generally prepare semiya/vermicelli made from maida/Wheat. But this one is a healthy replacement..Taste wise no compromise too. When I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy, my doctor advised me to eat less rice. So my mom used to make this ragi semiya upma for breakfast. Its very easy to make and weight watchers should include this in their diet. Its a tummy filling dish..The sweet version is for kids..I am sure they will like it..:) Friends, do try this ragi semiya upma and share your feedback with me.
RAGI VRMICELLI -BOTH1

Ingredients

 FOR SWEET VERSION:
  • Ragi vermicelli – 1 packet (I used ANIL brand)
  • Sugar – 2 - 4 tsp (adjust)
  • Cardamom – 2 pods (Powdered)
  • Grated coconut – 1 tbsp
HOW TO MAKE RAGI SWEET SEMIYA:
  1. Soak ragi vermicelli in plain water for 3 mins with little salt. Don’t soak more than 5 mins because it will become gooey.
  2. Drain the water completely and steam cook the vermicelli using idli plates..
  3. Cook for 5-7 mins. Remove and let it cool.
  4. Then take cooled vermicelli in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. 
  5. Mix it well..and serve !!
RAGI VERMICELLI - SWEET

Ingredients FOR SPICY VERSION:
  • Ragi vermicelli – 1 packet
  • Big onion -  1 no (finely chopped)
  • Green chilly – 1-2 nos (slit cut)
  • Curry leaves – a sprig
  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1 tsp
  • Channa dal – 1 tsp
  • Oil – 1 tsp
  • Lime juice – a few drops
  • Salt – as required
HOW TO MAKE RAGI SEMIYA UPMA:
  • Follow the steps  1-3 given in the sweet version.
  • Heat a kadai with a tsp of oil and add the mustard seeds. Once it starts to pop,add the urad dal, chnna dal, big onion , green chilly and curry leaves.
  • Saute it well..Then add the steamed vermicelli and toss it well. Adjust the salt. Sprinkle little water if needed. Cover cook in low flame for 5 minutes. Switch off. 
  • Remove from the flame and add the lemon juice. Mix well and serve hot !!
RAGI VERMICELLI - SPICE


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July 30, 2009

Energy Rasam - Moong Dal Rasam

I took this recipe from Aval Vikatan magazine under “Paati vaithiyam” section.We (Me & My MIL )call this rasam as ‘Energy Rasam’ .We have this rasam whenever we suffer from fever,cold,mouth and stomach ulcers.U can also have this rasam after recovering from jeopardizing diseases like small pox,chikunguniyaa,typhoid etc.This regains the lost strength to our body..It helps to improve the loss of appetite .The moong dal used here has got the tendency to cure stomach and mouth ulcers and the ginger induces hunger..Jeera/Cumin seeds is good for digestion..Overall it makes our body to work efficientlyThumbs-up

Very easy to prepare and tastes like Ven Pongal (Kaara pongal) when  mixed with plain rice and ghee..

Ingredients
  • Moong dal – 1/2 cup
  • Tomato  - 2 nos
  • Ginger – 1 inch size (finely chopped)
  • Jeera / Cumin seeds – 1 –2 tsp
  • Lemon – Half
  • Pepper Powder– 1 tsp (optional)
  • Salt and water - Required
To temper
  • Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
  • Jeera – 1/2 tsp
  • Asafetida/Hing – 1/4 tsp
  • Curry leaves – a sprig
  • Ghee – 1 tsp
Coriander leaves – to garnish
Method:
  • Heat a kadai and dry roast 2 tsp of jeera and grind it to a fine powder.
  • Pressure cook moong dal along with finely chopped ginger,tomatoes and salt for 1-2 whistles and mash it with a ladle.Add the jeera powder.
  • Now heat a kadai with 1 tsp of ghee and season with mustard and cumin seeds.Add 1/4 tsp of hing,curry leaves.
  • Add this seasoning to the dal mixture and let it boil for sometime.
  • Remove from fire and add the lemon juice(fire off!!).
  • Mix it well and garnish with coriander leaves.

NOTE:If u want it to have spicy,u can add black pepper powder ..But we don’t need it ...I dint have coriander leaves to garnish..
IMG_0202


YUMMY ,HEALTHY ENERGY RASAM IS READY TO SERVE HOT WITH PLAIN RICE AND A DOLLOP OF GHEE. 
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July 23, 2009

Idli Tikka - Colorful Mini Idli - Kids Lunch Box Recipes

Idly tikka 1


Yet anotherr unique , interesting dish from my friend Shalini….She just told me the recipe and i named it.. Wink Its a yummy kids friendly recipe…We liked it sooooo muchLove Struck.

Ingredients
  • Mini idlies – 30 nos
  • **Green chutney – 1 /2 cup
  • **Idly milagai podi – 3 – 4 tsp
  • Capsicum – 1/2 no (cube cut )
  • Big onion – 1
  • Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Tooth pick – 10 sticks
**Green chutney:
  • Coriander leaves – 1 handful
  • Big onion – 1 /2 no (less is also ok)
  • Green chilly – 1 – 2 no (adjust )
  • Salt  - as needed
Green chutney for tikka

Method
  1. Steam 30 idlies in mini idly plate..Set aside.
  2. Heat a kadai with oil.Add the capsicum and big onion ..Saute well.. Keep it apart..
  3. Heat the kadai with 1 tsp of oil /ghee and add 10 idlies to it..Sprinkle idly milagai podi over it and toss well..Make sure the idlies dont break.(I just shake the kadai to and fro) Transfer it to a plate..RED colored idly is ready!!
  4. Prepare green chutney with all the ingredients mentioned above and make it to a smooth thick paste..
  5. Take another 10 plain idlies and dip it into the chutney.It will turn into GREEN colored idlies..!!
  6. Take the last 10 white idlies..and arrange everything  with capsicum and onion in between tooth picks as desired..
idlies
Quick and yummy idly tikka is ready ;)
Idly tikka


Try and  let me know :)
See u all in my next post Wave
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July 20, 2009

Rice Upma / Arisi Upm With Adayar Anandha Bhavan Style Sambar

I learnt this upma from my MIL and sambar from my friend Krithiga. This sambar serves as an excellent combo for this upma. I usually make this sambar for idli/Dosa. But this time I tried for this upma. It was a divinely combination. It can be prepared within 15 mins. :)
Normally we all make coconut chutney/Tomato /Coriander chutney for upma. But I usually make different sambar. My hubby likes to have upma with sambar more than chutney. Also the juicy sambar when mixed with upma gives a heavenly taste, Slurpp!. Even I too love sambar for upma nowadays. 

Ingredients 

FOR UPMA
  • Raw rice – 1 cup
  • Toor dal – 1.5 tbsp
To temper:
  • Mustard  seeds – 1 tsp
  • Urad dal – 2 tsp
  • Channa dal -  1 tsp
  • Green chilly – 2 nos (Slit cut)
  • Curry leaves – a sprig
  • Ginger – 1 inch ( chopped finely)
  • Hing /Asafetida – 1/2 tsp
  • Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Water – 2.25 cups
Method
  • Soak rice and dal together for 1 hr. Run in the mixie only once (use inch/Juice option)..It should be just broken into two..Set aside..
  • Heat oil in a cooker base and add the tempering items in the same order.Add only half of the hing during tempering..
  • Then add the water.Mix well by adding a tsp of oil.Now add the remaining 1/4 tsp of hing and add the rice and dal mixture.Stir it well till the water gets absorbed by the rice,dal mixture..Now close the lid and cook for 1 whistle in low flame.
  • Remove and serve hot with sambar/Chutney!!



AAB SAMBAR RECIPE
Ingredients:
  • Toor dal- 1/4 cup 
  • Tomato – 2 nos (finely chopped)
  • Small onion – 10 nos (Peeled ) (U can use big onion too )
  • Adayar Ananda Bhavan Sambar powder – 1.5-2 tsp (if u dont have this sambar powder,u can use MTR,SAKTHI sambar powders ..)
  • Red chilly powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Jaggery - a small piece
  • Turmeric powder – a pinch
  • Hing /Asafetida – 2 pinches.
  • Salt & water – as  needed
To dry roast& grind:
  • Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
  • Chana dal - 1.5 tbsp
  • Methi seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Hing - 1/4 tsp
  • Red chillies - 2 nos
To temper :
  • Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1 /2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves – a sprig
  • Oil – 1 tsp
Ghee – 1 tbsp
Coriander leaves – to garnish
 Method:
  1. Take a pressure cooker and add the items given under “ingredients”..with salt & water.Soak for 15 mins(this helps the toor dal to cook well N mash).Cook for 2 whistles in low flame..Open and mash it well.
  2.  Ruoast all the ingredients in a drop of oil & grind it to a fine powder. Add this powder, jaggery after opening the cooker and let it boil well.Temper it and garnish with coriander leaves..
  3. Finally add a tbsp of ghee and mix well or u can temper with ghee.  This gives an added flavor to this sambar !!This is the most important step .Plz dont forget..

Note:
U  can add any veggies of ur choice to make it healthy..
For upma..Instead of soaking rice and dal for  1 hr,u can directly run it in the mixie once and repeat the same procedure.


TRIED & TASTED:

CARROT POLI FROM EC’S BLOG:

I should thank EC for posting this yummy sweet just for me. I was elated !!
I tried this on sunday evening. I made some small changes in her recipe. I added grated coconut and instead of grinding the boiled carrots ..I grated them.
It tasted excellent and i’ve decided to make it for my guests. 
Here is the recipe which I followed.This is for my future reference too. 
For stuffing:
  • Boiled and grated carrot – 2 nos (medium sized)
  • Grated coconut – 1/4 cup
  • Sugar – 10 tsp (adjust )
  • Cardamom – 2 nos powdered
  • Ghee – 1 tsp
For dough:
  • Maida – 3/4 cup
  • Cooking soda – a pinch
  • Salt – a pinch
  • Oil – 1 tbsp
  • Kesari color – a pinch
  • Water – as needed.
Method:
  1. Knead the dough by mixing all the ingredients and set aside for 30 mins.
  2. In a kadai take the grated coconut along with sugar. Let it mix well and sugar melt. Then add the boiled, grated coconut, ghee, cardamom powder. Stir it well till it forms a ball and becomes non sticky.
  3. Remove and set aside. Knead the dough again till it becomes soft.
  4. Now make the balls of even size and roll it a little.
  5. Place the stuffing in the middle and cover it by pulling all the sides of the dough. Make a ball and pat it to a thin chappathi on a greased polythene sheet..
  6. Heat a dosa tawa and cook the poli on both the sides by pouring little oil around it..
Yummy carrot poli is ready to eat.. 


Bye for now :)
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July 15, 2009

Appam Recipe Using Idli Dosa Batter & Onion Chutney | Appam Recipe With A Side Dish



(Recipe updated with new pictures and a video)
I learnt this recipe from my friend Shalini.She told me two methods of making aapam.I found this one as the easiest method .I tried this for breakfast yesterday and it was a super duper hitApplause.This appam recipe is without yeast and it is made with our usual idli, dosa batter.So if you have idli batter ready in hand,you can make this appam in the next 15 minutes.It is very easy and tastes divine with sweet coconut milk and onion chutney as side dish. Generally we make Vegetable stew as the side dish for appam.But my friend told me to try this onion chutney. It was a nice side dish for appam.This onion chutney tastes good for idli,dosa too. I have updated this easy appam recipe with a video. Please watch it below. 


Check out my other appam recipes



aappam-2 copy

onion chutney

Appam recipe with side dish


Appam recipe with side dish How to make appam recipe using idli,dosa batter easily - an easy side dish recipe is also given
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Breakfast
Serves: 10 nos
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes


INGREDIENTS 
1 cup - 250ml
  • Idli batter  - 4 cups (I took the batter for making 10 appams.)
  • Grated coconut – 1 cup OR thick coconut milk - 1/2 to 3/4 cup ( Based on thickness of batter)
  • Salt – as needed
  • Sugar – 1/4 tsp
  • Cooking soda – 2 pinches ( 1/8 tsp)
INGREDIENTS FOR ONION CHUTNEY –EASY SIDE DISH FOR APPAM
  • Big Onion – 2 nos
  • Red chilly –  3-4 nos
  • Urad dal – 2 tsp
  • Asafetida /Hing – a pinch
  • Curry leaves – a sprig ( 10 leaves)
  • Tamarind – marble size
  • Oil – 2 tsp
  • Salt & water – as needed
METHOD

    • Take the fermented, fresh idli/dosa batter in a bowl and add salt ( If there is no salt in batter), sugar and cooking soda. Grind the coconut with 1/2 cup of warm water and take the first milk.Transfer half of the first milk into a separate bowl.U can use it as side dish by adding sugar and cardamom powder.
    idli,dosa aapam tile
    • Add the remaining half of the milk  into the batter.Again grind the coconut with 1/4 -1/2 cup of water and extract the second milk from it.Add this milk to the batter completely.  In total, it needs 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup milk.(Coconut milk should be added such that the batter should not become too watery.It should be little loose like our dosa batter) .Mix the batter well and leave it for 10 mins.
    • Now take a kadai / appam pan ( non-stick) .Pour a ladleful of batter in the center of the kadai.Lift the kadai and tilt it in circular motion so that the corners will be thin and thick in the center.Pour a tsp of oil around the appam and cover it with a lid.Simmer the flame. Cook on one side only.Once it gets cooked remove and serve hot!!
    idli, dosa aapam tile1
    Serve hot with coconut milk and onion chutney!!

    Enjoy !

    ONION CHUTNEY

    Usually we all make vegetable stew for aapam..But this chutney also goes very well..Try this and let me know:)
    • Heat a kadai with 2 tsp of oil and roast the urad dal ,red chilly with hing.Set aside.
    • In the same kadai add the sliced onions and saute well.Before switching off the flame just add the curry leaves and toss for a second.Then switch off the flame and cool down.
    aapam onion chutney tile
    • Now grind the  sautéed onion & curry leaves along with roasted items ,tamarind,salt & water …
    Flavourful Onion - curry leaves chutney is ready to go with Aapam..

Note
    1.If bubbles does not form in the dosa, add little more cooking soda. 
    2. If the bottom of the dosa sticks to the pan and doesn’t come out well,it shows coconut milk added is more than the required measure.So add little more idli batter ( Say 1/2 cup) and try it.

aappam plate


aappam milk

See u all in the next post Happy
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