Kovakkai (Ivy gourd) poriyal

I  rarely cook this tiny little kovakkai poriyal.  SP & I like to have this with sambar rice & rasam sadham.  I make it very simple with just few ingredients yet it taste delicious.  Addition of tomato is optional & this time I just added 1/2 smashed tomato at the end.  It taste simply awesome !!

Ingredients :

1. Kovakkai (Ivy gourd) - 300 gms
2. Oil - 1 tbsp
3. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
4. Urad dal - 1 tsp
5. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
6. Vadagam - 1 tsp
7. Onion - 1 no
8. Tomato - 1/2 no (optional)
9. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Chilly powder - 1 tsp
11. Corriander powder - 1 tsp
12. Salt to taste

Direction to cook :

1.   Cut the kovakkai & keep aside.

2.   Heat oil in the pan, temper the mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves & vadagam.

3.   Add the finely chopped onion & saute till golden brown in color. 

4.   Add turmeric powder, salt, chilly powder & kovakkai.  Cover & cook till tender.

5.   Finally, smash the tomato & add it to the poriyal.  Cook for further 4 more mins. 

Serve with rice.

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Instant Bread bonda

Simple, quick & easy snack preapared in just 15 mins.  Perfect snack to host the surprise guest & hungry kids.  Taste of ginger will adds more taste to this snack.  Give this snack a try & u will just love this :)

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 5 nos
2. Rava (semolina) - 1/4 cup
3. Onion - 1  no
4. Green chillies - 3 no
5. Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
6. Curry leaves - 1 tsp
7. Shredded ginger - 1/2 tsp
8. Salt to taste
9. Oil for frying

Direction to cook :

1.   Remove the edges of bread & grind them coarsely.

2.   Mix finely chopped onion, green chillies, chilly powder, curry leaves, shredded ginger, rava & salt to the grounded bread.

3.   Make small balls (if necessary add water) & deep fry them in the oil on medium flame till golden color & crispy.

Serve warm with tomato ketchup.

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Chicken 65

Amma is my best cook & this dish is one among her best.  We dont like to accompany this dish with any other main course.  Guess !! fried rice would be the better combination to serve.  I enjoy having this little warm with onion slices & lemon aside.

Ingredients :

1. Chicken - 500 gms
2. Cornflour - 1/2 tbsp
3. Gram flour - 1 tbsp
4. Ginger paste - 1/4 tsp
5. Salt to taste
6. Egg - 1 no
7. Rice flour - 1 tsp
8. Chicken 65 powder - 25 gms (or chilly powder - 2 tsp)
9. Oil for deep frying

Direction to cook :

1.   Clean & cut the chicken. Combine all the ingredients together & mix it with chicken pieces.

2.   Marinate the chicken for atleast one hour. 

3.   Heat the oil in the frying pan & deep fry the chicken till golden brown on either side.

Serve immediately.

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Layered Parathas

Parathas with some spicy curries are most popular street food in chennai.  I make this layered parathas occasionally.  For getting more layers, parathas should never stay dry.  It should be coated with oil after rolling & while frying.  Serving with hot & spicy curries makes it yum !!! 

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour (Maida) - 2 cups
2. Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
3. Oil
4. Salt to taste
5. Water to make dough

Direction to cook :

1.  Combine flour, baking powder, salt, water & 1 tbsp of oil.  Make a dough.  Pour 1 more tbsp of oil over the dough & cover it with wet cloth for one hour in warm place.

2.  Divide the dough into equal sized balls & roll into a round shape like a flat bread. Make the frills as shown below :

3.   Then roll the entire stack from one end to other, lengthwise.  Flatten between the palms of your hands, grease with some oil, then dip in some raw flour and roll it out again. Finish the paratha by rolling it into desired shape.

4.   Heat a pan, then cook the parathas till crispy & golden brown in either side.  Sprinkle oil when flipping it over which helps in puffing up.

Serve with hot & spicy curries.

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Twisted pastry stick

 Recently, I bought puff pastry sheet to make pineapple pastry for this valentine day special.  But, we spent our whole day outside & finally I decided to make this twisted pastry roll with little creative idea & turned out to be the best side dish for my soup next day.  Perfect munching snack for evening time as well. 

Ingredients :

1. Puff pastry sheet
2. Salt to taste
3. Dry oregano
4. Chilly powder - 1/4 tsp

Direction to bake :

1.   Cut the pastry sheet into equal rectangle size.  Roll them like a soup stick & twist them holding both the ends.

2.   Arrange them on the baking sheet & sprinkle some salt, chilly powder & finally the oregano over the twisted pastry rolls.

3.  Bake them as per the instructions given ( I baked it at 200 C for 15 mins).

Serve immediately.

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Adai

Very healthy & nutricious dish made by soaking & grinding the lentils of all varieties.  Perfect for kids.  I like to serve with this hot & spicy tomato chutney.  It taste sinful !!!

Ingredients :

1. Channa dal - 1 cup
2. Toor dal - 1/2 cup
3. Urad dal - 1/2 cup
4. Idli rice - 1 cup
5. Raw rice - 1/2 cup
6. Red chillies - 6 nos
7. A pinch of hinch
8. Finely chopped onions - 1/4 cup
9. Curry leaves - handful
10. Green chillies - 2 nos
11. Corriander leaves - 1 tbsp
12. Salt to taste

Direction to cook :

1.   Soak together the channa dal, toor dal, urad dal, idli rice, raw rice & red chillies overnight.  Grind them coarsely.

2.   Add the remaining ingredients & combine well.

3.   Heat a heavy dosa griddle, smear oil and spread one ladle full of this batter to a thick circular shape.  Pour oil on the sides and in the center, cover and cook over low heat. Turn over and pour the oil and let it cook till it is crisp all around and golden brown in color.

Serve hot with the chutney of your choice.

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Vegetable pizza from scratch

Yesterday, was bit slow & totally bored.  Felt like having something hot & crunchy.  My last packet of yeast was leaving for almost one month & finally I used it yesterday by making this spicy yet simple vegetable pizza for my late evening snack.  Finally that was my dinner too.  Also made some garlic bread with a cup of cola.  Finally, it was a wonderful ending yesterday.  Next time I am planning to add the leftover chicken curry to make little non-vegetarian.  Yeah!!!! it tasted awesome :)

Ingredients :

For pizza dough :

1. All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cup
2. Yeast - 1 tsp
3. Luke warm water - 1/2 cup
4. Salt - 1/2 tsp
5. Sugar - 1 tsp
6. Oil - 1 tbsp plus 2 tbsp

For tomato sauce :

1. Riped tomatoes - 4 nos
2. Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp
3. Oil - 1 tsp (preferably olive oil)
4. Minced garlic - 1/2 tsp
5. Dried basil - 1 tsp
6. Dried oregano - 1 tsp
7. Shredded capsicum - 1 tbsp (optional)
8. Pepper powder to taste
9. Salt to taste

For toppings :

1. Onion (sliced lengthwise) - 1 cup
2. Olives - 1/2 cup
3. Lengthwise sliced capsicum - 1/2 cup
4. Jalapeno pepper ( I used finely chopped green chillies)
5. Mozarella cheese (Be generous)

Directions to bake :

For pizza dough :

1.   Dissolve the yeast in the luke warm water.  Set aside for 10 mins.

2.   Meanwhile combine the flour, salt, 1 tbsp oil & sugar.  Once the yeast dissolved completely combine it with the flour & make the dough (little sticky & add water if necessary)

3.   Coat the dough with the 2 tbsp of oil & cover it with the wet cloth.  Set aside for atleast 2 hrs in the warm place.  After 1 hr, knead the dough & allow it to rest for the balance hr.

For tomato sauce :

4.   Heat oil in the pan, add the minced garlic & capsicum. 

5.   Add the finely chopped tomatoes & ketchup.  Cover & cook till done.

6.   Add the salt & other ingredients.  Keep aside.

Baking the pizza :

7.   Preheat the oven at 220 C. 

8.   Spread the pizza dough using ur palm in the prepared baking pan.  Spread the tomato sauce throughout the dough leaving 1 inch space arround the corners

9.   Spread the onions, capsicum, jalapeno, olives & finally with cheese.

10.  Bake it for 20 mins or untill golden brown on top.

Serve warm.

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Nutty chocolate toffee

Quick & easy snack little richer with nuts & chocolate.  My son enjoyed having this throughout.  Prefect for kids !!
.

Ingredients :

1. Graham cracker
2. Butter - 3/4 cup
3. Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
4. Salt - 1/4 tsp
5. Chocolate chips - 1 1/2 cup
6. 1 cup nuts (powdered) ( I used almonds & hazelnuts)

Directions to bake :

#   Preaheat the oven to 375 degree. Line the baking pan with parchment paper.

#   Line the tray with the graham crackers.

#   Melt the butter in the sauce pan on medium flame, then add brown sugar.  Combine well & cook for 1 mins.  Pour over the graham crackers & spread evenly.  Bake for 10 mins or until golden brown on top.

#   Spread the chocolate chips on the top & return to the oven for a minute or until the chocolate melts.

#   Remove the pan from oven & evenly spread the melted chocolate.  Sprinkle the nuts (powdered) over the chocolate & allow it cool for 30  mins.  Cut them.

Have fun :)

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Bread Uthappam

Quick & simple breakfast perfect for kids.  Little spicy & heavy yet nutritious menu taste great with tomato ketchup.  This recipe I adopted from neha which made my busy mornings little pressure free.

Ingredients :

1. Semolina - 1/2 cup
2. Curd -1/2 cup
3. Onion - 1 no
4. Grated carrot -1/4 cup
5. Grated capsicum - 1/4 cup
6. Oil or butter -
7. A pinch of hing
8. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
9. Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Water - 1/4 cup
11. Salt to taste
12. Bread slices - 4 nos

Direction to cook :

#   Mix semolina, yoghurt, chopped onions, grated carrot, capsicum, cumin seeds, red chilly powder, hing & salt to taste.  Add water & make a smooth batter.

#   Heat the pan on medium flame, apply oil.  Spread the semolina batter over the bread on one side & cook them on the hot pan.

#   Turn the bread slice & cook for further 2 min or until done. 

Serve warm.

Note :

Spread the semolina batter only one side of the bread. 

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