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.