Traditional pongal

PONGAL

             Hi folks.. After a long gap I'm writing this post..when I was thinking what to write today an idea struck me.. Since pongal festival is around I gonna give guidelines to keep a traditional pongal with mud pot.. Few might wonder what is pongal..Actually pongal is a dish and harvest festival celebrated by Tamilians.. In city celebrating pongal might not put you in festival mode since you guys make pongal in cooker and serve it in plate and the day will be like a normal day.. why not try making traditional pongal.. You might need to spend for few stuffs but I bet your idea of making a traditional pongal ll make your family members cheer up and bring them to a festival mode.. k lets see what all you need

pongalo pongal

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

• Mud pot or any metal pot (based on your convenience)
• Bundle of woods
• Three big stones 
• Banana leaves (to serve)
• Raw rice (as per required)
• turmeric plant -1
• unrefined cane sugar
• banana

PROCEDURE:

I just gonna tell how to make a simple ven pongal and how to serve it to your family during thai pongal festival.. 

• First if you have enough place outdoor then place those three stones like stove to support your pot.. if there is no outdoor place find a suitable place in terrace and spread mud(it ll prevent your terrace from getting heat) and then place your stones.
• Take raw rice and wash it with water.Pour that water (which you used to wash the rice) into the pot till an inch below the rim of your pot.
• The raw rice must be soaked in water.
• Keep woods between those stones in all three sides and lit them. Keep your pot on the stones.
• until the water in the pot boils and overflows keep adding woods to fire.
• when the pongal overflows say "pongalo pongal" and take few grains of rice and put in the pot and pray to your god.
• Use your ladle to take away the dust and foams and pour it away.
• Then reduce the volume of water to half the vessel. Don't throw the water. save it in a vessel for later use.
• Add all the rice into the pot and stir it after a while.
• Now reduce the fire. Don't add woods. If the fire is high then rice will stick to the bottom of the pot.
• If you feel that the water in the pot is not enough to boil the rice then add some hot water which you have taken from the pot earlier.
• when the rice is about to fully cooked remove all the burning woods. The rice ll get cooked by the burnt and hot coals remaining between the stones. you should not allow too much fire in the stove in this stage.
• well now its time to serve to god

Take a turmeric plant and tie it around the pot.

offering pongal to God

Offer it to god and Serve the pongal with banana and nattu sakakarai (natural unrefined cane sugar) in banana leaves.

       Let every drop of pongal add sweetness to your life.I wish you all a happy pongal.

chana masala

CHANA MASALA

today i have another side dish recipe for poori or chapatti.it is a tasty plus healthy recipe.

Ingredients:

chana-1 cup
chopped onions- 2 - 3
chopped tomatoes- 2 - 3(large size)
ginger garlic paste- 1 tsp
green chilli-1

spice powder:

turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
chilli powder- 1 tsp
coriander powder- 2 tsp
chana masala powder- 1 tsp (ready made available in markets)

for seasoning

oil- 2 tsp
salt to taste
cumin seeds-1 tsp
coriander leaves to garnish

preparation:

1. soak the chana(sundal) for at-least 8 to 9 hours.
2. pressure cooker the chanas by adding necessary amount of water and salt to it.
3. after the chanas are boiled,drain the remaining water and take it in a bowl for later use.
4. take a frying pan and add oil.After oil is heated add onion, green chilli and tomatoes and saute for few minutes
5. grind them well after it cools.
6. again take a pan or kadai and add oil.after the oil is heated add cumin seeds and leave it to pop.
7. then add the grinded mixture of tomato,onion and chilli to it.
8. also add ginger garlic paste and saute for few minutes till the raw flavor goes off.
9. now add spice powders such as turmeric powder,chilli powder,coriander powder,chana masala powder.
10. add boiled chana and the drained water taken in a bowl before. leave this mixture for few more minutes till chana is fully cooked and till aroma spread your kitchen.
11. after chana masala is ready garnish it with green coriander leaves.
12. serve it hot with poori or chapati.

paneer butter masala

PANEER BUTTER MASALA

      one of my most favorite dish is panner butter masala.it is basically a north Indian dish.it is a spicy dish and it also has a mild creaminess.the rich color and awesome aroma of paneer butter masala tempts me to eat more and more.whenever i go to any north Indian restaurant i ll just order butter naan and paneer butter masala without any second thought.
      if suddenly relatives visited you and if you want to show your culinary skills to them in short time prefer to make paneer butter masala. it takes only little time to prepare and the taste will stick to their tongues or if you are a newly married, your in-laws will surely praise you to core if you serve them panner butter masala with naan.
     paneer is rich in cholesterol and calories(72 calories in 100 gram)so people with diabetes, hypertension,obesity,etc must avoid paneer in their diet.if you are a skinny person and if you want to put on some weight eat paneer.
      okay now let me let the necessary ingredients and steps to make paneer butter masala.

ingredients:

• Paneer-100 grm
• Butter-3 - 5 tsp
• tomato- 3 large size
• onion-2 - 3
• cream-4 - 5 tsp
• ginger and garlic paste-2 tsp
• chopped chilly- 2-3
• cumin seeds-1 tsp
• cashew nut-6 - 8
• chilli powder- 1/4 tsp
• garam masala- 1/4 tsp
• turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
• coriander powder- 1 tsp
• green coriander-2 tsp(for garnishing)

Preparation:

1. cut the paneer to small pieces.
2. grind the cashew nuts to smooth paste
3. grind the tomatoes,onions to smooth paste.
4. heat the pan and add butter.when butter melts add cumin seeds to it
5. heat the pan and add oil then add cumin seed and leave it to pop.
6. then add chopped chillies and ginger garlic paste and saute for few minutes till the raw flavor goes off.
7. add the grind tomatoes and onions and saute it for few minutes
8. add spicy powders like turmeric powder,chilli powder,coriander powder,garam masala and mix it for few minutes.
9. add cream,cashew paste and a little amount of water and keep the flame in sim
10. add paneer and leave it to cook for 5 minutes.
11. then garnish the dish with green coriander leaves
12. serve it hot.

try this recipe and leave your feedback below in the comment box.

aloo matar masala

PEAS AND POTATOES CURRY/ ALOO MATAR MASALA

           Today I have a tasty and healthy side dish recipe for chapatti, roti, paratha and naan. It is green peas potato masala (aloo matar masala).peas are very healthy and we must include it in our diet. Peas are rich in fibre, copper, iron, vitamin B1, B6, B2 and protein contents. It also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, stomach cancer and it promotes blood circulation.

            Instead of making the regular masala for dinner. Try this green peas potato masala. Let’s see the ingredients needed and the procedure to make it.

 

Ingredients needed:

1. Finely chopped onions- 1 cup
2. Tomato puree- 1 cup
3. Ginger and garlic paste
4. Soaked Green peas-1/2 cup
5. Boiled potatoes-4
6. Salt needed.

Spice powder:

1. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
2. Chilli powder-1 tsp
3. Coriander powder- 2 tsp
4. Garam masala powder- 1 tsp

For the seasoning:

1. Cooking oil- 2 tsp.
2. Cumin seeds/jeera- 1 tsp
3. coriander leaves for garnishing.

Preparation:

• First boil the potatoes in the pressure cooker. Then peel of the skin and chop it to small pieces.
• Cook peas in a little amount of water.
• In a pan,heat the oil and the cumin seeds to it when hot. They will sizzle and soon turn slightly brown.
• Add onions and saute the onions till they turn light brown color. 
• Add ginger and garlic paste and saute for another minute until its raw flavor goes off.
• Add tomato puree and spice powders(coriander powder,turmeric powder,chilli powder,garam powder) and saute for a minute.
• Then add the boiled potatoes and peas, mix them well with the masalas.
• Add half cup of water and add salt to taste. 
• Once aloo matar is ready,garnish with the coriander leaves ans serve.

           Aloo matar is a great lunch, brunch or dinner dish and is perfect with freshly made puris,naan,chapati,parathas and fried Indian breads.

aval kozhukattai

AVAL KOZHUKATTAI

When the clock strikes 4 all the homemakers will be thinking what snacks to do for tea time. I have a snack recipe which is not only tasty but also healthy and it is easy too.

 The toughest job for a mom is to feed her children. kids hesitate to eat. Mainly if it is rice not even a spoon of food will go inside their stomach willingly. We have to entertain them with stories or threaten them, only then it will go into their stomach that too only half. So to balance their nutrients make them healthy snack like aval kozhukattai.

Aval (also known as poha) is flattened rice. It is rich in carbohydrates. Below is the recipe for aval kolukattai.

Ingredients:

• Aval / Poha - 1 cup
• Onions - 1 chopped finely
• Green Chilli - 2 chopped finely
• Carrot - 1 chopped finely
• Water - 1.5 cup
• Coconut - 3 tbsp grated (optional)
• Salt to taste

For Seasoning:

• Oil -  2 tsp
• Mustard Seeds / Kaduku - 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds / Jeerakam - 1 tsp
• Urad dal / Ulundu paruppu -1 tsp
• Dry Red Chilli -1  broken into small pieces
• Asafoetida / Kaya podi / Hing - 1/4 tsp
• Curry leaves a sprig

Method:

1.Heat a pan over medium heat. Add in poha and start roasting it for few minutes till it is toasted and nice aroma comes from it. Then powder it coarsely.

2. Now heat oil in the kadai. Add all the seasoning ingredients and let it sizzle for a min.

3. Add in onions, carrots, green chilli and saute for couple of minutes.

4. Add in water and salt and bring everything to a good boil.

5. Add in the powdered poha and mix well. keep stirring till it starts leaving the sides of pan and comes together as a mass. You can add some coconut at this stage.

6. Remove it to plate and allow it to a cool a bit.

7. Once it is cooled a bit, shape into balls or ovals.

8. Heat a steamer pot or idly cooker. Place the balls on greased idly plates and steam for 8 to 10 minutes.

9. Once it is done, remove it to a plate. let it cool for couple of minutes and serve.

serve it with chutney or sambar. kids returning from school will love to have this snack.

Rasamalai

Recipe for Rasmalai

When a festival is about to come, the kids will be wondering what sweet my mama will do for this festival...So all lovable ammas, try my recipe for rasmalai to delight your chutties . rasmalai is a famous Indian dessert.I bet,once you eat this rasmalai you can never forget the taste of it and the person who made it for you....

INGREDIENTS:

⦁    Rasgullas - 12 to 15

⦁    Milk - 3 cups

⦁    Condensed milk - 3 tbsp

⦁    Ghee - 1 tsp

⦁    Sugar - 1/2 cup

⦁    Chopped Nuts(pista,cashews and badam) 

⦁    Saffron - 3 to 4 strands

⦁    Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)

STEPS:

1.    Take heavy bottomed pan,grease it with little ghee and add condensed milk + milk..

2.    Boil in medium high heat, with stirring.

3.    Simmer it and allow to boil, till the milk reduces half of its content.

4.    Add sugar and stir well.

5.    Add crushed saffron (don't add too much because it might spoil the flavor)and cardamom pwdr.

6.    Turn off flame , once the milk attains creamy consistency with rich flavor.

7.    Add Rasgullas and allow it to absorb the syrup for few minutes.

8.    Turn off heat.

9.    Allow to cool.

10.  Garnish with sliced pista,cashews and badam.

11.  Allow at least 30mins sitting and refrigerating time before serving to taste best.

12.  Healthy and rich Indian dessert  Rasmalai  is ready to relish..:)

      Just 12 steps to make a yummy rasmalai...try it and delight your taste buds...celebrate this festival by sharing this sweet with your neighbors and relatives and win their hearts...

ENJOY THE JOY OF COOKING....