Kara Kuthiraivali - Ravai Pidi Kozhukatta

 Kara Kuthiraivali - Ravai Pidi Kozhukatta - 

This traditional dish is from Tamil Nadu - Kongunad region. In Andhra it’s known as Kudumulu. In Karnataka it’s known as Kadubu. In Kerala it’s known as Pidi Kozhukattai. This dish is usually made during Ganesh Chaturthi or during occasion… family gathering. Usually made with rice. The rice flour is cooked in hot water with spices and salt. Then once the dough is easy to handle, the Kozhukatta are usually oval shaped and moulded by hand (Pidi) and then steamed. A very healthy comfort steamed dish that can be eaten for breakfast. 

There is a sweet and a savoury version of Kozhukatta. We are making the savoury version. 

Here I have made Kozhukatta not with rice flour but with semolina and barnyard millet mixed in equal portion. 

This can be had for fasting and can be good substitute for rice. This dish can be served with coconut chutney. 

Ingredients 

1/2 cup Semolina / Rava 

1/2 cup Barnyard millet / Sama 

Few Curry leaves 

Few chopped Coriander leaves 

2 to 3 chopped Green Chillies 

1 small piece for Ginger Grated 

1/2 cup Grated Coconut 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Mustard seeds 

1 tsp Chana dal

1 tsp Urid dal 

Pinch of Asafoetida 

2 cups of Water 

2 tbsp Oil 

1 tsp Ghee 

Method 

Take a wok, add 2 tbsp oil, heat the oil. Reduce the flame. Add the chopped chillies, ginger, curry leaves, urid dal and chana dal. Sauté, add the mustard seeds and asafoetida. Sauté for few seconds. Add the water. Add salt, let the water simmer. Add the coconut and stir. After few seconds add the washed semolina and sama millet. Stir as the batter shouldn’t form a lump. Stir and cook until it forms a soft dough.. once cool. Switch off the flame… and cover the wok and wait until the dough is easy to handle. Take a steamer, on the top vessel, brush some ghee or place a banana leave. Apply ghee or oil on your palm. Take small portions and shape the Kozhukatta with the help of the palm. Place the Kozhukatta into the vessel. Steam the Kozhukatta for 10  minutes. Serve them hot with chutney.

Macher Patishapta

 Macher patishapta - 

Patishapta is a sweet pitha usually made during Makar Sankranti in Bengal. 

The patishapta base / crepe is made with rice flour, semolina and all purpose flour. Here taking inspiration from patishapta, I have made Maacher/ fish patishapta. Instead of sweet stuffing, savoury fish stuffing is added into the patishapta base. This dish can be enjoyed for breakfast or snack. 

Fish stuffing 

Ingredients 

250 grams boiled boneless fish mashed 

1 medium size onion sliced 

2 Green Chillies chopped 

1 tsp grated Ginger 

1 tsp grated Garlic 

Few Coriander leaves chopped 

1 Bay leaf

1/4 tsp Cumin seeds 

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder 

1/2 tsp Cumin powder 

1/4 tsp Garam masala powder 

1/4 Chilli powder 

Salt to taste 

1/4 tsp Chaat masala 

1 tsp Tomato Ketchup 

1 tbsp Oil

Method 

Take a pan, add oil, once the oil heats up, add the bay leaf and cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds crackle, add the onion slices, ginger, garlic and green chillies chopped. Saute until the onions are light brown in colour. Add the boiled fish, salt, cumin powder, garam masala powder, chilli powder and turmeric powder. Stir and cook the fish for a minute, add the chaat masala and tomato ketchup. Stir and cook until the fish stuffing has cooked well. Sprinkle coriander leaves. 

For the crepe 

Ingredients 

3/4 cup whole wheat flour 

1/2 cup fine semolina 

1 Egg

Salt to taste 

1/4 tsp Baking powder 

1 tsp oil

Fish stock ( Remaining liquid after the boneless fish has been boiled) and water as per required 

Method 

Take flour, semolina, baking powder and salt. Mix all the above ingredients together. Add the egg and the fish stock,  add water little at a time if required to make a batter. The batter should be of thick flowing consistency. Beat well so that no lumps should remain. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. 

To make Macher Patishapta 

Ingredients 

Fish stuffing 

Batter 

Method 

Take a pan, keep the flame on medium. Once the pan warms up, pour a ladle full of batter, rotate the batter and make a thin crepe, let the crepe cook, once done, remove the crepe on a plate, spread some fish stuffing on the crepe, roll the crepe and enjoy it with salad, Kasundi and tomato ketchup.

Mangalorean Buns with Veg Sagu

 May times we have visited Mangalore and every time we enjoyed this meal during breakfast. My friend’s MIL makes one of the best Mangalorean Buns. This dish is very popular in Mangalore and is available in most of the restaurants for breakfast. 

Here is the recipe - 

Mangalore Buns

 Ingredients

2 cups Whole Wheat flour  Flour

2 medium sized Ripe banana

2 tbsp Jaggery powder or Sugar 

½ tsp Cumin powder

1/4 tsp Baking soda

Salt to taste

2 tbsp Curd

1 tsp ghee

oil for deep frying

Method

Take a mixing bowl, mash the bananas, now add sugar, salt,  baking soda, cumin powder and curd . Mix the ingredients well into a smooth paste. Add the flour and knead the flour into a dough, add little more flour if required. The dough is slightly sticky. While kneading you can apply some ghee and knead. Keep the dough covered in a bowl overnight. Knead the dough the next morning. The dough is a bit sticky, so dust some flour and take medium sized balls from the dough and roll into round pooris. Fry each poori into medium hot oil till they are puffed and golden. Serve the buns as snacks or enjoy for breakfast with veg sagu or with coconut chutney or Sambar. 

Veg Sagu Recipe - 

Wet Paste 

Ingredients 

1 small Onion chopped 

1 small Tomato chopped 

2 Green Chillies 

Few Coriander stems cut into pieces 

1 small piece of Ginger 

2 tbsp grated Coconut or desiccated Coconut 

4 to 5 Cashew nuts

Salt to taste 

1 tsp Jagger 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

1/2 tsp Cumin powder 

1/2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 

1/4 tsp Chilli powder 

Method 

Grind all the above ingredients into a fine paste with water. 

Veg Sagu 

Ingredients 

1 medium bowl around 250 grams of vegetables cut into small pieces - Carrot, French Beans, Cauliflower, Capsicum, Green Peas and Potato

2 Green Chillies 

Few Curry leaves 

Few Coriander leaves chopped 

1/2 tsp Chana dal

1/2 tsp Urid dal 

1/2 tsp Mustard seeds 

1 Dried Red Chilli cut into pieces 

Few Cashew nuts  

Wet Paste 

2 tbsp Oil 

Take a pressure cooker, add oil, once the oil heats up, add the dried chilli, chana dal and Urid dal. Once the dals are half fried, add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Saute until the mustard seeds crackle. Add the vegetables, cashews and green chillies. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add the wet paste and continue to cook until the oil releases from the paste. Add 3/4 cup of water. Stir, cover the pressure cooker and give 2 to 3 whistles. Once the air pressure releases, check the gravy, as per choice, we can reduce the gravy. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with poori, buns, Paratha etc. 

Oats - Barnyard Millet and Semolina Vermicelli Idlis with Carrot

Oats, Barnyard millet and Semolina Vermicelli with Carrots… 

Quick breakfast or snack,  easy to make and healthy too. Serve them with sambar or any chutney of your choice. Flatten rice can be also added. 

Measuring cup measurement 

Coconut Chutney 

Ingredients 

1/2 cup Grated Coconut 

2 Green Chillies 

Few Curry leaves 

4 tbsp Curd

Salt to taste 

Method 

Grind all the ingredients together, if need add little water and make fine paste. 

For the Idli

Ingredients 

1 cup Oats

1/2 cup Barnyard millet

1/2 cup Semolina Vermicelli 

1 small grated Carrot 

Few Curry leaves 

2 tbsp grated Coconut 

2 tbsp Curd 

Salt to taste 

1 tsp Eno 

1 tbsp Coconut oil

Method 

Take a grinder jar, add the oats and Barnyard millet, wash, add 2 cup water, let it soak for 10 minutes. Add salt, grated coconut and curd. Grind the ingredients in a grinder. Pour the batter in a bowl, keep it aside for 10 minutes. Add the vermicelli. Continue to soak for 15 minutes more. Take a idli steamer. Grease the mould with coconut oil. Add the eno in the batter. Gently stir the batter. Pour the batter into the idli mould. Add little grated carrot and a curry leave on the batter. Steam the idlis for 20 minutes. Check the idlis inserting a stick. If the stick comes out smooth, then the idlis are done. Once done remove the idli moulds and let it cool a bit, before scooping out the idlis from the mould. Serve the idlis with coconut chutney. 

 

Oats Uttapam

 

Oats Uttapam - A quick, tasty and instant snack / breakfast that is also very healthy….. 

its easy to make and I am sure children will love it.. Serve this with chutney of your choice. 

Here is how I make it at home …

 

For the Veg Masala Spread - 

Ingredients 

4 tbsp chopped Onion 

4 tbsp chopped Tomato 

1 chopped Green Chilli 

2 tbsp chopped Coriander 

Few chopped Curry leaves 

2 tbsp Grated Coconut 

1 tsp Sambar powder 

Salt to taste 

Method- 

Mix all the above ingredients together and keep it aside 

For the Batter- 

Ingredients 

3/4 cup Oats 

1/4 cup Semolina 

2 tbsp Curd 

Salt to taste 

Method 

Take a blender jar, add the above ingredients and add 1/2 cup water, mix and keep it for 10 minutes, now add little water at a time and blend all the ingredients together, the batter should be thick dropping consistency. Let the batter rest for another 15 minutes. 

To make the Uttapam- 

Ingredients 

Batter

Veg Masala spread 

Ghee 

Method 

Take a skillet, once the skillet is hot, reduce the flame to medium low, pour a big ladle spoon of batter on the skillet, spread the batter a bit, spread the veg masala spread over the batter. Drizzle little ghee. Cover the uttapam and let it cook for a minute, open the cover and check, turn the uttapam and let it cook for another minute. Serve the uttapam with Chutney of your choice.

Savoury French Toast with Spinach… Corn and Cheese…

A perfect breakfast or snack with a cup of tea… in monsoon… best for lunch box too… a jhat - pat recipe with easily available ingredients in our pantry.. 

Ingredients 

4 Eggs 

1 small Onion chopped 

2 to 3 Garlic Cloves 

1 small piece of Ginger 

2 to 3 Green Chillies or more as per taste 

Few Coriander Stems 

2 to 3 Spinach Leaves chopped 

1/2 cup Corn

6 White / Brown Breads 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Pepper powder 

2 cubes of Cheese

2 to 3 tbsp Butter 

1/2 cup Oil 

Method 

Take a pan, brush the pan with butter, add the spinach leaves, sauté the leaves for a minute or 2 until the water from the spinach evaporates. Boil the corns and drain the water out. Grind the corns into a coarse paste. Remove the corn paste into a bowl, cut the cheese cubes into small pieces, mix the cut cheese pieces into the corn paste. 

Take a grinder / blender / chopper, add the onion, garlic, ginger, green chillies, coriander stems and spinach. Make a coarse paste, add the eggs and blend. Add salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together. Remove the eggs batter in a flat bowl. 

Savoury French Toast with Spinach… Corn and Cheese… 

A perfect breakfast or snack with a cup of tea… in monsoon… best for lunch box too… a jhat - pat recipe with easily available ingredients in our pantry.. 

Ingredients 

4 Eggs 

1 small Onion chopped 

2 to 3 Garlic Cloves 

1 small piece of Ginger 

2 to 3 Green Chillies or more as per taste 

Few Coriander Stems 

2 to 3 Spinach Leaves chopped 

1/2 cup Corn

6 White / Brown Breads 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Pepper powder 

2 cubes of Cheese

2 to 3 tbsp Butter 

1/2 cup Oil 

Method 

Take a pan, brush the pan with butter, add the spinach leaves, sauté the leaves for a minute or 2 until the water from the spinach evaporates. Boil the corns and drain the water out. Grind the corns into a coarse paste. Remove the corn paste into a bowl, cut the cheese cubes into small pieces, mix the cut cheese pieces into the corn paste. 

Take a grinder / blender / chopper, add the onion, garlic, ginger, green chillies, coriander stems and spinach. Make a coarse paste, add the eggs and blend. Add salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together.  Remove the eggs batter in a flat bowl. 

Take a pan, add the butter and oil, heat the oil moderately, take a bread piece, dip the bread paste into the egg batter and coat the bread well. Place the bread piece into the oil, keep the flame medium to low. Spread the corn - cheese spread over the bread piece. Now take another bread piece. Dip and coat the bread piece well in the egg batter. Place the bread piece over the corn paste. Now shallow fry the bread on both the sides until golden brown in colour. Once done, remove the French toast on a paper towel. Repeat the same process with the remaining ingredients. Cut the French toast into half. Serve the French toast with sauce of your choice.

Rava - Oats Pongal

 Venn Pongal also known as Khara Pongal is an easy and healthy South Indian savoury dish made with dal and rice…  served for breakfast with sambar and coconut chutney. 

Here I have used semolina and oats instead of rice. 

Rava - Oats  Pongal 

Ingredients 

1/2 cup Moong Dal

3/4 cup Oats 

3/4 cup Rava 

1 small piece of Ginger grated 

Few Curry leaves 

2 to 3 Green Chillies chopped 

2 Red Dried Chillies 

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds 

1/2 tsp Pepper Cashew nuts

Handful of broken Cashews 

Salt to taste 

3 tbsp Ghee

2 cups Water

Method 

Take a pressure cooker, add the Moong Dal and dry roast the Dal until a roasted aroma release, don’t over roast the dal, add water and wash the 2 to 3 times, add water and boil the Dal, the dal should remain whole but cooked…switch of the flame and keep the dal aside.  Take another pot, add 1 1/2 tbsp ghee, add cumin seeds, let it crackle, add the cashew nuts, fry until light brown in colour. Add the whole red chillies, pepper corns, curry leaves, ginger and  green chillies, sauté for a minute, add the semolina and oats, stir all ingredients together for a minute. Add salt, continue to fry all the ingredients until light brown in colour. Add 2 cups water gradually and stir all the ingredients on low flame until the water has reduced. Add the dal and continue to stir, add the remaining ghee and stir, once done switch of the flame. Serve the Pongal hot with coconut chutney. 

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Mushrooms and Prawns Stuffed Long Buns

When we do anything with love, it happy us…. 

Even though I am unable to bake frequently … but when ever I bake, this gives me immense happiness… 

Had some mushrooms in the fridge.. hence used them in this recipe… but any type of stuffing can be used. 

Here is my recipe - 

For the Stuffing  

Ingredients 

1 packet of mushrooms sliced 

Few Prawns cleaned and chopped 

1 Onion sliced 

4 to 5 Garlic cloves finely chopped 

1 or 2 Green Chillies finely chopped 

1 pack of Knorr  Sweet Corn Veg Soup 

1/2 tsp Chilli flakes 

Salt to taste 

2 tsp Butter 

1 tbsp Olive Oil 

1/2 cup Milk 

Method 

Take 1/2 cup of Milk, empty the packet of the soup, stir and keep it aside. Take a pot, add 1 1/2 tsp butter, as the butter melts, add olive oil, add the chopped garlic, green chilli and sliced onion. Stir fry until translucent. Add the mushrooms, stir and cook for a minute, add chopped prawns, stir for few minutes, add the chilli flakes and salt. Pour the milk. Lower the flame and stir continuously until all the ingredients binds together. Add the remaining 1/2 tsp butter and stir. Switch off the flame and keep it aside.. 

For the Bread Dough 

Take 3 portions of Wheat Flour and one portion of All purpose flour, add a tsp of  sugar, salt to taste and mix all the ingredients together, add a tbsp of instant yeast, mix again, add Luke warm water little at a time and mix it together. Knead the dough well for 10 minutes… the dough should be soft and bit sticky, add a tsp of  oil and knead it again. Apply oil on the dough, cover the bowl and keep it aside and let it proof until it becomes double in size. Once double in size, punch the dough and knead the for few more minutes, if the dough is very sticky add little flour. Divide the dough into 6 portions. 

To Make the Stuffed Bread Roll

Stuffing 

Bread dough 

2 tbsp Olive oil

1 Egg beaten 

Method 

Take a portion of the dough, add 1/2 tsp oil, knead the dough for few seconds, press the dough with the help of the palm and spread the dough into a disc. Place some stuffing on the dough, fold in the dough to close the stuffing and make a bun. Place the rolls on a greased tray, or if you have a bun moulds, place the dough in the mould. Cover the bread buns with a cloth for 30 minutes, brush the roll with egg. Give some slits on the bread. Bake the bread roll in a pre heated oven for 20 minutes at 180 / 190 degrees celsius, once done, remove and cool the stuffed long buns, once cool completely enjoy.. 

Apple and Beetroot Spread

 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 kg Apples peeled and cut into pieces 

2 Oranges cut and seeds removed

1 Beetroot peeled and cut into small star shape

Some Mint leaves

1/2 tsp Grated Ginger 

Sugar equal quantity as the pulp got from the apples

1/2 tsp Salt

1 Stick Cinnamon 

1 Star Anise

Method 

Boil the Beetroot stars with a tbsp sugar and little water for 5 minutes, discard the juice and keep the Beetroot stars aside. 

Take the Apple pieces and Oranges… blend them into a pulp. Strain the pulp through a strainer. Take a pot, add the pulp, salt, sugar, cinnamon and star anise.. let the ingredients simmer and cook until it reduces. Stir occasionally. To check, take a small plate, pour few drops of the spread. The spread shouldn’t be runny. Once done, switch of the flame.. add the grated ginger, Beetroot stars and mint leaves.. stir.. while warm, pour the spread in a glass jar. Let it cool, then close the lid, this stay good in the fridge for about 8 months.. 

Discarded Sourdough Starter Whole Wheat Bread

We can create great dishes out of the discarded sourdough starter. So keep them and use them, instead of throwing them. 

Tried this Discarded Starter whole wheat bread.. it’s tasty.... do try them..

Those who want to start the sourdough starter, here is a link below-
Sourdough Yeast Starter

Ingredients 

2 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

2 cups of Sourdough Discarded Starter 

1 tsp Pink Salt

2 tsp Honey 

1/2 cup Lukewarm Water

1 tbsp Oil

Method 

Take a mixing bowl, add the whole wheat flour and the discarded starter. Knead the ingredients together for 2 minutes. Add the honey, salt and lukewarm water. Continue to knead until all the ingredients comes together and forms a dough. Apply oil and cover the bowl and leave the dough to rise. It will take 2 to 4 hours.  Sprinkle some dry whole wheat flour and knead the dough by stretching and pushing for a minute. Roll and shape up the dough.  Sprinkle some flour into the basket the dough will be proofing. Put the dough and cover the basket with a cloth. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes to an hour. Meanwhile start the oven at 250 celsius and preheat for 15 minutes. Take a baking tray, put a parchment paper on the baking tray. Gently turn the dough on the paper from the basket. Take a new blade and score the bread as per the desire. Take a small bowl of water and keep it on the lower rack of the oven. Keep the baking tray in the middle rack, bake at 225 degrees celsius for 5 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 200 degrees celsius and bake for 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to further 175 degrees celsius and bake for 20 minutes. Switch off the oven, the bread stay for 5 minutes in the oven, keep the oven door slightly open. After 5 minutes open the oven and remove the baking tray. Keep the bread on a cooling rack until it cools down. After it cools down than you can slice it. 

Mangalore Buns

I love Mangalore Buns.. especially whenever I have visited Mangalore, I have had them at my Friend’s in-laws place..
It is a popular breakfast and tea time snack in Udupi-Mangalore region. They are sweet, fluffy puris made using banana. The dough is left overnight to ferment.Its normally, served with a spicy coconut chutney and sambar... I have used Whole wheat flour..
 Ingredients
2 cups Whole Wheat flour / All Purpose Flour
2 medium sized Ripe banana
2 tbsp Sugar
½ tsp Cumin powder
1/4 tsp Baking soda
Salt to taste
2 tbsp Curd
1 tsp ghee
oil for deep frying

Method
Take a mixing bowl, mash the bananas, now add sugar, salt,  cumin powder and curd . Mix the ingredients well into a smooth paste. Add the flour and knead the flour into a dough, add little more flour if required. The dough is slightly sticky. While kneading you can apply some ghee and knead. Keep the dough covered in a bowl overnight. Knead the dough the next morning. The dough is a bit sticky, so dust some flour and take medium sized balls from the dough and roll into round pooris. Fry each poori into medium hot oil till they are puffed and golden. Serve the buns as snacks with coconut chutney.

Healthy Whole Wheat Bread Loaf

Basic Healthy Bread can be made with ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen. One key ingredient Whole wheat flour is always there in your kitchen pantry. Yeast can be made at home too if time permits, or else dry yeast is easily available in shops. It’s more healthy when you bake a bread at home. Do try this recipe and enjoy this bread with jam or Chutney.

Ingredients

4 cups + 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 cup Oats

1 tsp + 1 tsp Mix Seeds (Sunflower, Watermelon, Flaxseed, Sesame, Pumpkin Seeds)

1/2 tsp Chia Seeds

1/4 tsp Salt

1/2 cup Lukewarm Water

1 tbsp Dry Active Yeast

2 tsp Honey

1 cup of Water

2 tbsp Oil

1 tbsp Milk + 1/2 tsp Honey 

Method 

Take the honey and mix it with the lukewarm water, mix the yeast little at a time into the lukewarm water. Leave the yeast to rise. Mix all the dry ingredients together, except for 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 1 tsp of mix seeds. Add the yeast water, mix the ingredients well, add a cup of water, mix and knead the ingredients into a dough. At this point the dough is a bit sticky. Add a tbsp of oil and knead it. Cover the bowl and leave it aside for 2 hours. After 2 hours, open the lid. Add the remaining flour little at a time and knead the dough. Take the dough on to a flat surface. Add oil, knead and roll the dough into a long cylindrical shape. Place the cylindrical dough into the greased bread loaf mould. Cover and let it proof for an hour. Meanwhile preheat the oven at 190 degrees. Brush Milk + Honey on the bread and sprinkle some mix seeds on the bread. Bake the bread at 190’ degrees celsius for approximately 25 - 30 minutes. Every oven temperature differs, so please adjust the time accordingly. Once done, remove the bread. Let the bread cool down for 10 minutes, remove the bread and let it cool on a cooling rack. Slice the bread once completely cool. 

Instant Vegetable Idli with Oats and Semolina

This is a very quick and healthy breakfast or snacks recipe that can be served for the children in their lunch boxes too. 

Ingredients 

3/4 cup Rice Flour 

1 cup Fine Semolina 

1 cup Oats

Half medium size Carrot Grated 

Half medium size Beet root Grated 

1/2 cup Curd 

Salt to taste 

1 tsp Eno 

1 cup or more Water

Method 

Take a bowl, add rice flour, oats, semolina, salt, grated vegetables and curd. Mix all the ingredients, gradually add water and mix the ingredients until it’s a thick dropping consistency. Keep the batter for 15 minutes, add the eno and mix it gently once more. Pour in the batter in the  greased idli mould. Steam the idlis for 20 minutes until they are cooked. Remove the idli mould from the steamer and wait for 5 minutes till the idlis have cooled a bit. Remove the idlis from the mould and serve the healthy idlis with a chutney of your choice. 

Bread Upma

This dish is ideal for breakfast or evening snacks. Upma is a common dish made in South India and Maharashtra. There are many ingredients that can be used to make Upma like Semolina, Vermicelli, Broken Wheat etc. Bread is another ingredient that can also be used to make Upma. If you have leftover bread pieces, you can use them. 

Ingredients 

5 to 6 pieces of Bread cut into small square pieces 

1 small Onion chopped 

1/4 of the Green Capsicum chopped 

1/4 of the Carrot chopped 

1/2 Tomato chopped 

Handful of Green Peas - I didn’t have 

1 Green Chilli chopped 

1 small piece of Ginger grated (optional) - I didn’t use

Few Coriander Leaves chopped 

Few Curry Leaves 

Juice of 1/2 Lime 

Handful of Peanuts or broken Cashews - I didn’t use 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Sugar 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

1/2 tsp Red Chilli powder 

Pinch of Asafoetida 

1/2 tsp Mustard seeds

1 tbsp Fresh Coconut grated or Desiccated Coconut 

1 tbsp Oil

Method 

Take oil in a Kadai. Let it heat. Add the mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilli and asafoetida. Sauté it for few seconds. If you are adding peanuts or broken cashews, then add it now and sauté it for another few seconds. Add the chopped vegetables and ginger. Continue to sauté the vegetables for a minute. Add the Salt, Sugar, Turmeric powder and Chilli powder. Stir and add 1/4 cup of water. Let it simmer for few seconds. Add the bread pieces and gently stir all the ingredients together. Switch off the flame. Drizzle the lime juice and stir it once. Garnish the dish with coriander leaves and coconut. Serve the dish immediately. 

Badam Milk Mix Cupcake

Bangalore has many shops that serves delicious hot Badam Milk... you also get Badam milk powder that you can purchase and mix a spoon of the powder with hot milk. I got a packet of the Badam milk powder this time while I was in Bangalore. Preferably it’s better to make the powder at home. Since no one in my house wanted to drink Badam milk, I used the powder to make these cupcakes. 

Ingredients 

2 cups All Purpose Flour 

1/2 cup Badam Milk Mix Powder

1/3 cup Powder Sugar 

1/4 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Powder 

1 tsp Soda Bicarbonate 

3 tbsp melted Ghee 

1/2 cup Curd beaten 

1 1/2 cup Warm Milk 

2 tbsp chopped Almonds 

Few Saffron strands

Method 

Add all purpose flour, Badam Mix powder, Baking powder, Soda bicarbonate and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix all the ingredients together. Take another bowl, add 1 cup milk, curd,  ghee and sugar. Stir and whisk well until the sugar dissolves well with the milk.  Now gradually add the flour and whisk. Add the remaining milk and continue to whisk until the batter forms a thick dropping consistency. Pre heat the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Take cupcake liners and arrange it into the cup cake cavity mould or use aluminium cups. Fill up the liners with the batter. Fill upto 3/4 of the quantity of the liner. Sprinkle the chopped almonds and few saffron strands on the top. Bake the cupcakes for 20 - 25 minutes at 180 degree celsius. Insert a tooth pick and check if the cupcakes are done after 20 minutes. Once done then remove the cupcakes and place them on a cooling rack and cool it. Enjoy the cupcakes for breakfast or tea.

Clams and Egg Sandwich

This sandwich can be eaten for breakfast or snacks. I added clams to my sandwich and here is how I made it... I have used home made mayonnaise, but you can use the store bought ones too. 

Ingredients 

1/4 cup  cleaned Clams

2 small Onions sliced 

1 tsp Garlic minced 

1/4 cup Cabbage sliced 

1 tomato cubes

1/2 tsp Pepper

Salt to taste 

1 tbsp Butter

1/2 cup Mayonnaise 

2 Egg whites

Sliced Breads 

Method 

Take a pan, add butter and let it melt. Add the onions and garlic. Sauté it till light brown in colour. Add the clams, salt and pepper. Continue and stir fry it for 2 minutes. Now add the beaten egg whites and stir it on low heat for 2 minutes. Switch of the flames. Add cabbage and tomato. Mix it. Take 2 slices of bread. You can toast the bread or use it as it is. Apply the mayonnaise. Add the stuffing and add some more mayonnaise on top. Cover it up with another slice of bread. Enjoy it...

Homemade Mayonnaise 

Ingredients 

2 remaining Egg yolks

1/4 cup Olive oil

2 tbsp Vinegar

Salt to taste 

1/4 tsp Pepper powder

Method 

Blend all the ingredients together till it thickens up.

Savoury Mini Cake Loaf

This is a healthy vegetarian dish which can be served as snacks.

Here I have used Amaranth Flour and Semolina for the base along with vegetables. I have used chickpea leaves as it's available in the market in this season but we can use spinach leaves instead of chickpea leaves. 

Amaranth Flour contains high source of Protein, Calcium and Fiber. It is ideal for gluten intolerent. It has high levels of the amino acid lysine which help your body to properly absorb calcium from the digestive tract. Here I have used Amaranth flour from Original Indian Table which I had received it as a prize in  a contest. 

Ingredients

1 cup Amaranth Flour

1 cup Fine Semolina

1 small Onion chopped

1 medium size Carrot chopped 

1 medium size Capsicum chopped 

1/2 cup Chickpea Leaves or Spinach chopped 

2 Fresh Green / Red Chillies chopped

1 tsp Garlic chopped

1/2 tsp Ginger chopped

2 1/2 tbsp Walnut chopped

Salt to taste

1 tsp Sugar 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Soda Bicarbonate

1/4 cup Melted Ghee

500 ml Butter Milk

Method

Mix together amaranth flour, semolina, salt, turmeric powder, sugar and baking powder. Mix it. Add the ghee. Now add the butter milk little at a time into the flour and whisk it. Whisk it properly so that no lumps remain and it forms into a thick batter. Add all the vegetables. Mix the batter well. Add the soda bicarbonate and mix it again. Here I have taken 3 mini loaf tin and greased it with ghee. Pour the batter into the pan until 3/4 of the pan is filled. Sprinkle the chopped walnut on top.

Bake it in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. After 45 minutes, insert a tooth pick and check. If it comes out clean then it’s done. Remove it from the oven and let it cool a bit. Remove it from the tin, cool it further before slicing. Enjoy it with a cup of tea. 

Vegetable Gateau

The vegetable gateau is layered with vegetables, savoury custard and cheese which after baking becomes soft, fluffy and creamy in texture. 

This dish can be served for breakfast or dinner with bread...

It is made with vegetables, cheese, egg and sour cream. 

For the Sautéed Vegetables 

Ingredients 

2 small size Potatoes cut into cubes 

4 tsp of Garlic finely minced 

1 Carrot cut into cubes

1 medium size Egg plant cut into small cubes

1 medium Broccoli cut into small florets  

1 medium bunch of Spinach chopped 

1/2 cup of Green peas 

1 of each colour ( yellow, red and green ) medium size Capsicum cut into cubes 

Salt to taste 

1 tsp Pepper powder

2 cubes / 2 tbsp of Butter

Method

Take a pan, add a cube of butter, let it melt, add 2 tsp of garlic, sauté it for few seconds. Add the 1/2 of the onion chopped, potato, carrot, broccoli, egg plant and green peas. Stir and sauté it for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of water, stir and cover the pan with a lid. Let it cook for 5 minute on low flame. After 5 minuets, open the lid. Season the vegetables with salt and 1/2 tsp pepper powder and stir it. Add the capsicum and stir it again. Remove it in a bowl and keep it aside. 

In the same pan, add the remaining butter and melt it. Add the remaining garlic and onions, sauté it till the onions are light pink in colour. Add the spinach and stir it for a minute. Sprinkle salt and remaining pepper powder. Stir and cook it till the water from the spinach evaporates. Remove and keep it in a bowl. 

P. S. You can also  add cauliflower, mushrooms, French beans too... 

For the Savoury Custard

Ingredients 

1 packet of Sour Cream

4 Egg Whites

4 Egg yolks

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Black Pepper powder

Method 

Beat the egg whites till stiff. Separately beat the cream cheese till fluffy. Add salt, pepper and egg yolks. Beat it well. Fold in the egg white and that goes with the vegetables for baking. 

To Assemble 

Ingredients 

Savoury Custard 

Sautéed Vegetables 

1 cup Cheddar cheese grated

Method 

Take a greased baking pan,  pour in 3 to 4 ladles of the custard and spread it. Now add 1/2 of the sautéed mix vegetables and spread it. Pour 2 to 3 ladles of custard over the vegetables and spread it. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese on the vegetables. Bake it in a preheated oven for 10 minutes at 180 degree celsius. Remove the baking pan from the oven. Add the sautéed spinach and spread it. Pour 2 ladles of the custard over the spinach. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese. Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degree celsius. Remove the baking pan from the oven. Now add the remaining vegetables and spread it. Pour the remaining custard over the vegetables. Sprinkle the remaining cheese. Now bake it for 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degree celsius. Serve and enjoy this dish with garlic bread...

Neer Dosa

Neer dosa literally meaning water dosa in Tulu. This dosa is prepared from rice. Neer dosa is a delicacy from Tulu Nadu region and a part of Mangalorean cuisine. This can be had for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is served with Chutney or any gravy dish. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup Raw Idli Rice 

1/2 cup Fresh or Desiccated Coconut

Salt to taste

Method

Soak the rice at least for 2 hours. Grind the rice along with coconut and 1 cup water into a smooth batter. Do not add excess water while grinding. 

Transfer the batter from the grinder into a bowl. Now add 2 cups of water and salt into the batter. The batter should be watery. Add more water if required. Take a skillet or pan. Spread some water over the pan, the water should sizzle and then pour a ladle full of batter over the hot pan. Rotate the pan and spread the batter. Cover the dosa with a lid and allow to cook on medium flame. Fold the dosa into a triangular shape. Serve the Neer dosa with chutney or any curry or fried dish. 

Pişi / Hamur Kizartmas

It's a fried Turkish bread or dough and it's normally eaten for breakfast or snacks. The bread dough is stuffed with a stuffing and is then fried in oil. Normally the dough is stuffed with chopped parsley and feta cheese. I have substituted it with spinach and cottage cheese. There are no spices add to the stuffing, but if you wish you can add some chillies or pepper powder to make it spicy.

For the Stuffing

Ingredients

2 cups Spinach chopped

1 cup Cottage Cheese crumbled

3 Garlic Cloves minced

Salt to taste

1 tbsp Oil

Method

Heat the oil in a pan. Add the garlic and sauté it for a minute. Add the spinach and salt, stir well till the water dries up. Add the cottage cheese and stir again for another 2 minutes, remove it from the flame and keep it aside.

For the Pişi

Ingredients

2 cups of All Pourpose Flour

7 grams of Instant Yeast

1 tsp Sugar

Salt to taste

2 tbsp Curd

Stuffing

1 1/2 cup of Lukewarm Water

1 1/2 tbsp Oil for the Dough

Oil for frying

Method

Add the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and mix it. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the yeast, sugar and half cup of lukewarm water, mix well and keep it aside till it rises. Add the beaten curd and a tbsp of oil. Begin to mix the flour, keep adding little water at a time to form a soft dough. Apply oil on the dough. Cover it and keep it aside to rise. Knead the dough for 2 minutes. Divide the dough into medium lime size portions. Roll out each portion into a disc, place a tbsp of the stuffing on one half of the disc and fold the other half over the stuffing. Seal the edges. Heat the oil in a wok. Fry the Pişis until golden brown from all the sides on a low flame. Serve it hot with a cup of tea.