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April 2, 2020

40 Upma Varieties / Different Types Of Upma Recipes

UPMA VARIETIES

During this lockdown period, when I was thinking to post a collection of some easy breakfast/ dinner recipes, Upma varieties came to my mind. Guys, Please don't hit me for posting this collection😁. According to me, Upma recipe is an under rated dish😉. If properly made, it is one of the easiest and tastiest Indian tiffin recipes that can be prepared instantly with minimal ingredients. I think many of you agree with me. Upma recipes doesn't need any side dish too. But some people prefer coconut chutney, sugar, jaggery, pickle or sev to go with it. Check out my coconut chutney varieties for side dish ideas.

In this post, I have shared 40 upma varieties which includes rava upma varieties like basic rava upma, with video, bansi rava upma in Karnataka style, healthy wheat rava upma and Chiroti rava uppittu in hotel style, kichadi, kharabath recipes, Semiya upma recipe with video, Semiya biryani, rice sevai, poha upma/ aval upma varieties in South Indian and North Indian style, Sabudana/Sago upma in South Indian and North Indian style, Rice upma recipes, Puli upma/ tamarind upma, idli upma recipes, millet upma varieties etc.

Apart from this, I have also shared homemade rava upma mix and Poha upma mix recipe too. I am sure bachelors and working women will find it helpful to make a quick breakfast, dinner recipe.
I still have a big list of upma recipes to try. I will update this list once I post them in my blog.

Ok friends, lets see the collection of 40 upma varieties below. Please click on the image or the title to view each recipe. Do try and share your feedback with me.

Please check the video recipes for Rava upma and Semiya upma below.

Semiya / Vermicelli upma


Karnataka style chow chow bath


Rava upma recipe


RAVA UPMA VARIETIES





















POHA UPMA / AVAL UPMA VARIETIES



















SEMIYA UPMA / VERMICELLI UPMA VARIETIES












SAGO / SABUDANA/ JAVVARISI UPMA VARIETIES





RICE UPMA VARIETIES










 Pori upma







MILLET UPMA VARIETIES






IDLI UPMA VARIETIES














Choose and try your favorite in this upma recipes collection and share your feedback with me.
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March 30, 2020

Chocolate Quesadilla Recipe – Chocolate Tortilla Recipe

chocolate quesadilla recipe
I started making chocolate quesadilla at home after tasting chocodilla at Taco bell restaurant. Chocolate quesadilla is nothing but chocolate filled tortilla. Earlier I used to make Nutella quesadilla but this tortilla stuffed with dark chocolate shavings or choco chips tastes the best. Its so easy to make and I am sure your kids and family would love it. Its so easy to make it if you have readymade or store bought tortilla sheets in hand. Friends, do try this chocolate quesadilla and share your feedback with me. Lets see how to make chocolate quesadilla at home with step by step pictures.

Check out my Vegetable quesadilla recipe too !

chocolate quesadilla recipe

Chocolate quesadilla recipe / Chocolate tortilla recipe


Chocolate quesadilla recipe / Chocolate tortilla recipe

Chocolate quesadilla recipe with grated dark chocolate or choco chips.



Cuisine: Indian
Category: Sweet
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 20 Minutes



INGREDIENTS

  • Tortilla sheets - 4
  • Grated dark chocolate bar - 1 cup ( Use cooking chocolate bar) Or choco chips – 3/4 cup (adjust)
  • Butter - to grease the tortilla
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE QUESADILLA
  1. Take the dark chocolate bar and grate in a plate. Set aside.
  2. Take the tortilla sheet and put in a butter greased dosa tawa.
  3. Cook one side of tortilla sheet and flip it. Spread the grated chocolate in one half of cooked side of the sheet.
  4. Fold the other side of the sheet to cover the chocolate and cook in dosa tawa greased with butter.
  5. Cook the tortilla sheets till golden brown spots appear in the sheet and chocolate melts.
  6. Remove and grease with butter. Serve hot !
METHOD - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
  • Take the cooking chocolate bar and grate it. Keep aside. Instead of chocolate bar, you can use small sized chocolate chips too.
  • chocolate quesadilla recipe
  • Grease the dosa tawa with butter and put a tortilla sheet. Cook one side and flip it. Spread the chocolate gratings in one half of the cooked side or spread the choco chips in one half of the sheet.
  • chocolate quesadilla recipe
  • Fold the sheet and cook both the sides by flipping and pressing the sheet until the chocolate melts.
  • chocolate quesadilla recipe
  • Grease with butter and remove the chocolate quesadilla. Cut into two triangles using a scissors or knife and serve hot ! Enjoy topping with chocolate sauce if you like.

Note

  • Adjust the quantity of chocolate as per your taste.
  • You can spread Nutella instead of grated chocolate but taste differs.
  • You can also try adding grated diary milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate but I am not sure about its taste and texture.
  • Do not over cook tortilla sheets. It may become chewy.
Try this easy, yummy chocolate quesadilla for you and your kids. Enjoy !
Chocolate tortilla recipe

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March 23, 2020

Instant Pot Bascis - How To Use Instant Pot Buttons, Cooking Times Chart/list


In this post, I have discussed how to use Instant pot buttons / Preset Programs also known as IP cooking modes and Instant pot cooking time chart/ table or cheat sheet for beginners. Hope the chart/list would be useful for beginners to get some idea.  Please adjust the quantity of water and cooking time for Indian dishes based on your Instant pot model, quantity and usage. Do check out my first post on Instant pot.  

In my Instant pot, there are 10 preset modes /smart programmable options. I have shared how to use each mode for people who are getting started with Instant pot. Please check this link to view my instant pot model. 

  1. Saute

  2. Pressure cook ( In some IPs, its mentioned as Manual button)

  3. Slow cook

  4. Steam

  5. Yogurt

  6. Rice

  7. Porridge

  8. Soup / broth

  9. Bean chili

  10. Multigrain.

Smart Programs / Instant Pot Buttons



  1. Sauté Button
  • Don’t use the lid on sauté mode.
  • Press the “Sauté” button.
  • You can choose to sauté in Normal, More or Less temperatures.
  • Press sauté (also works as an adjust button) several times to toggle between the   temperature levels.
  • Use Normal sauté for Pan searing.
  • Use Less sauté for Simmering & thickening sauce.
  • Use More sauté for stir-frying & browning.
  • Press +/- keys to adjust the sauté time.
  • You can sauté for a maximum of 30 mins.
  • When you press the saute, the display changes to “ON” after ten seconds and starts heating up.
  • Then it shows “Hot”, and you can start adding the ingredients.








  1. Pressure Cook Button (Manual)
  • Use this smart program for Manual Programming.
  • Lock the lid in pressure cook mode, or it will prompt you to lock the Lid.
  • Turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
  • Now press the “Pressure Cook” button.
  • You can pressure cook in Normal, More or Less temperature settings.
  • Use the “Pressure Level” button to cook in “High” or “Low” pressure your recipe calls for.
  • Use +/- keys and set the pressure cook time.
  • Instant Pot will show “ON” to indicate the cooker is heating up and developing pressure.
  • Once pressurized, the timer will start a count-down.
  • When cooking is done, the instant pot will beep and goes to “Keep Warm” mode.
  • Do a quick release or natural release based on the food type.  
  • Natural Release: Leave the steam release handle in “Sealing” position. The cooker will depressurize naturally over time and the float valve pops down. May take 10-40 mins based on the quantity of food.
  • Quick Release : Turn the steam release handle from “Sealing” to “Venting” position. For precaution don’t stay close while doing a quick release.
  1. Slow cook Button
  • Use this smart program for All-day-cooking.
  • Lock the Lid and remember to keep the steam release handle in “Venting” position since it is going to cook all day long.
  • Press the “Slow Cook” button.
  • You cannot use +/- keys in this mode.
  • Press the slow cook button several times to choose Normal (Medium cooking time 6 hrs), More(Fastest cooking time 4 hrs) or Less(More cooking time 8 hrs).
  • When cooking is complete, the instant pot will beep and goes to “Keep Warm” mode.
  1. Steam Button
  • Steaming creates more pressure than pressure cooking.
  • Always use a trivet or steamer basket to elevate the food and fill the bottom of the pot with water. 
  • Lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
  • Press the “Steam” button.
  • Choose between Normal, More or Less temperature settings based on the food type.
  • Always do a Quick release to prevent overcooking and preserve the nutrients.
  1. Yogurt Button
  • Use this smart program to make fresh home-made yogurt.
  • Pour milk into the Instant Pot.
  • Press the “Yogurt” button several times until it shows “boil”.
  • Instant Pot beeps when boiling is done.
  • Let the milk cool down for 15-20 mins.
  • Add some yogurt (with live cultures) into the cooled down milk.
  • Whisk well.
  • Lock the Lid, no need to keep the steam release handle.
  • Press the “yogurt” button until it shows 8 hrs.
  1. Rice Button
  • It is an Automated cooking program to cook rice.
  • Lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
  • Press the “Rice” button.
  • You can choose between Normal(12 mins), More(15 mins) or Less(8 mins) setting based on the type of rice.
  • Instant pot displays “Auto” while heating up and then the timer starts a count-down. 
  • Wait for Natural Release to get fluffy rice, or you can also opt  to do Quick Release after 10 mins of Natural Release.
  1. Porridge Button
  • Use this smart program to prepare oatmeal, porridge, kheer etc.
  • Lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to “Sealing” position.
  • Press the “Porridge” button.
  • You can cook in Normal, More or Less heat based on the grain you use for porridge.
  • Always do Natural Release when cooking food that expands.
  1.  Soup/Broth Button
  • Use this smart program to make vegetable soup and broth.
  • Always do Natural Release.
  1. Bean/Chilli Button
  • Use this smart program to cook beans or legumes.
  • Choose temperature setting based on the type of bean and texture (soaked/dry).
  • Ensure the food is completely immersed in water.
  • Always do Natural Release.
  1. Multigrain Button
  • Use this smart program to cook tough grains or mixture of grains and beans.
  • Choose temperature setting based on the type and texture.
  • Always do Natural Release.

Other Controls / Buttons

  1. Cancel:

  • Press the Cancel button any time to stop a smart program.
  1. Delay Start:

  • Use this to postpone cooking up to 24 hours.
  • Select any smart program (except sauté) and then press the “Delay Start” button.
  • Use +/- button to adjust the hours & minutes before cooking will begin.
  1. Keep Warm:

  • It goes on by default for all smart programs except sauté, sous vide and yogurt.
  1. Sound On/Off:

  • Press and hold - key for 5 secs or until the display shows “S off”.
  • Press and hold + key for 5 secs or until the display shows “S on”
  1. Temperature unit F or C:

  • Press and hold + and - keys together for 5 secs to toggle between F and C.
Instant Pot Cooking Time Chart

Here is the basic times chart for Instant Pot Cooking, however it may vary based on your instant pot model. Please do some experiment with your instant pot to come up with the exact cooking time based on size, texture & quantity of food you prefer to cook.


Rice / Grains (cook on HIGH pressure)
Rice/Grains
Rice : Water Ratio
Cooking Time (mins)
Release Mode
Rice - Sona Masoori
1:2.5 (adjust)
4 - 5 mins
NR
Rice - Basmati
1:1.25 (adjust)
4 - 5 mins
NR
Brown Rice
1:1.5 (adjust)
20 - 22 mins
NR
Rice Congee
1:4
16 - 20 mins
NR
Millets
1:2
10 - 12 mins
NR
oats
1:2
3 - 4 mins
QR


Vegetables (Cook on HIGH pressure, +2 mins if using steamer basket or Pot-in-Pot)
Vegetables
size
Cooking Time (mins)
Release Mode
Cabbage
shredded
3 mins
QR
Carrot
whole / sliced
3 - 4 mins
QR
Green Beans
whole / sliced
3 - 4 mins
QR
Beets
sliced
4 mins
QR
Corn
whole
5 mins
QR
Corn
kernels
2 mins
QR
Cauliflower
florets
2 - 3 mins
QR
Broccoli
florets
1 - 2 mins
QR
Potato
whole
8 mins
QR
Potato
cubed
4 - 5 mins
QR
Sweet Potato
cubed
2 - 4 mins
QR
Eggplant
cubed
3 - 4 mins
QR
Okra
Thick cut
3 mins
QR
Raw Banana
cubed
3 - 4 mins
QR
Pumpkin
cubed
2 - 3 mins
QR
Chayote
cubed
3 - 4 mins
QR
Mixed Vegetables
any
3 - 4 mins
QR


Lentils & Beans (immersed in water, cook on HIGH pressure)
Lentils & Beans
Dry / Soaked
Cooking Time (mins)
Release Mode
Toor Dal/Split pigeon pea
Dry
8-10 mins
NR
Masoor Dal
Dry
8 - 10 mins
NR
Moong Dal / Green gram
Dry
8 mins
NR
Chana Dal
Dry
8 mins
NR
Black Gram / Urad Dal
Soaked
20 mins
NR
Red Kidney Beans
Soaked
25 - 30 mins
NR
Black Eyed Peas
Soaked
15 - 20 mins
NR
Black Beans
Soaked
25 mins
NR
Chickpeas
Soaked
25 - 30 mins
NR
Lima Beans
Soaked
15 - 20 mins
NR
Peas
Soaked
15 mins
NR




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March 20, 2020

Salem Tomato Kurma Recipe – Salem Thakkali Kuruma

Salem tomato kurma
Today’s recipe is enga ooru Salem special tomato kurma. It tastes similar to the road side hotel kurma in Tamil nadu. I was a regular buyer of street foods / Kai endhi bhavan foods in and around 1st and 2nd Agraharam, Salem town. Recently I came to know about Salem special thakkali sambar and Thakkali kurma for idli, dosa in YouTube channels.

I found this type of tomato kurma is popular in Ammapet area. I must try during my next visit to Salem. By seeing the title in Gowri’s Samayalarai YouTube channel, I got tempted and tried it immediately. I made this as side dish for idiyappam and dosa. It came out so well and flavorful. The highlight of this kurma is the watery consistency.

 It smells and tastes like kurma but its texture is more like kuzhambu/ gravy. So you can call this as tomato kuruma kulambu in Tamil. I also came across Salem thakkali sambar in another channel. I am planning to try that as well to see the difference. Ok friends, lets see how to make Salem special tomato kurma recipe with step by step pictures and video.

I have already shared a tomato kurma recipe for idli dosa. Do check it !

Salem tomato kurma video

SAlem thakkali kurma

Salem Tomato Kurma Recipe


Kheer / Payasam

Salem special tomato kurma recipe for idli, dosa, idiyappam



Cuisine: Indian
Category: Side dish for idli
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes



INGREDIENTS
To saute in oil ( 1 cup = 240ml)
  • Cooking Oil - 1 tbsp
  • Tomato - 4
  • Small onions or big onion - 4 or half
  • Garlic cloves - 5
  • Ginger - 1/2 inch
  • Green chilly - 1
  • Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Fennel seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Poppy seeds / Khus khus - 1 tsp (optional, I din't use)
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Cloves - 2
  • Grated Coconut - 1 tbsp
  • Roasted gram dal / pottukadalai - 1 tbsp
  • Red chili powder - 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder - 1.5 tsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Salt & water – as needed
To Temper
  • Cooking oil – 1 tbsp
  • Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Bay leaf - 1
  • Curry leaves - Few
  • Big onion - 1 ( finely chopped)
  • Coriander leaves - To garnish
HOW TO MAKE SALEM TOMATO KURMA
  1. Wash and chop tomato, onion and set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a kadai and saute all the ingredients given under “ To saute in oil”.
  3. Let it cool down. Grind the masala adding required water. Set aside.
  4. Heat oil in a kadai. Temper fennel seeds, bay leaf and curry leaves. Saute onion till transparent.
  5. Add the ground masala and saute for a minute till thick. Add 1 to 1.5 cups of water and mix well.
  6. Check for salt and boil the kurma till you get nice smell. Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves.
  7. Serve this tomato kurma with idli, dosa, idiyappam !
METHOD - STEP BY STEP PICTURES
  • Wash and chop tomato, onion and set aside. Peel garlic and ginger. Grate coconut.

  • To grind masala, heat oil in a kadai. Saute fennel seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon, cloves, chopped onion, ginger, garlic. Add tomato and saute till mushy. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and mix well. Lastly add grated coconut, roasted gram dal and mix quickly. Switch off the flame.
  • Salem tomato kurma
  • Once its cool, grind the masala to a smooth paste adding required water. Set aside.
  • Salem tomato kurma
  • Heat oil in a kadai. Temper fennel seeds, bay leaf and curry leaves. Add finely chopped onion and saute till transparent.
  • Salem tomato kurma
  • Add the ground masala and saute for few minutes. Add 1 to 1.5 cups of water based on the consistency you like. Add required salt and mix well.
  • Salem tomato kurma
  • Boil for few minutes till the gravy leaves a nice smell. Switch off the flame and garnish the kurma with finely chopped coriander leaves.

  • Enjoy !

Note

  • Adjust the quantity of chilli powder as per your taste.
  • For variations, you can grind the masala ingredients without sauting in oil. But the flavor and taste of kurma slightly varies.

Friends, Salem special tomato kurma is ready to relish. I enjoyed with Idiyappam and dosa !
salem tomato kurma for idli dosa

salem tomato kurma for idli dosa
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