Bread French Toast

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 6 nos
2. Milk - 3/4 cup
3. Egg - 1 no (lightly beaten)
4. Sugar to taste
5. Black pepper powder or Zimt or vanilla essence - 1 tsp
6. Oil for frying

Direction to cook :

Combine together the milk, egg, sugar & black pepper powder.  Heat the pan, dip the bread slices in the egg mixture.  Drizzle some oil & cook the bread slices till done.

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Simple vegetable sandwich

Quick & simple sandwich which taste delicious & perfect breakfast menu.

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 6 slices 
2. Tomato ketchup
3. Mayonnaise
4. Mint chutney
5. Onion slices
6. Tomato slices
7. Capsicum slices
8. Cucumber slices

Method :

1.   Spread the tomato ketchup, mint chutney in two slices of bread.

2.   Now fill the onion, tomato, capsicum, cucumber slices & mayonnaise between the bread slices & toast it in the sandwich maker till done.

Serve immediately.   

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Toor Dal Chapathi / Roti

My plan was to  make a plain rotis for the dinner yesterday.  But, I had some leftover boiled dal & finally made this delicious dal rotis which taste great with spicy and hot tomato chutney.  Very healthy & protein rich rotis perfect for everyone.

Ingredients :

1. Whole wheat flour - 1 1/2 cup
2. Boiled toor dal - 1/4 cup
3. Chilly powder - 1 1/2 tsp
4. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Dry mango powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Salt to taste

Direction to cook :

1.  Mix all the ingredients together and knead the dough with water.  Keep aside for 1/2 hr.

2.   Divide the dough into equal balls & roll them like disc shape.  Cook them on preheated pan on either side until done.

Serve it with hot tomato chutney.

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Kuzhi Paniyaram

Kuzhi paniyaram is the most popular chettinad food served with hot and spicy chutneys.  I make this dish very rarely as it consumes more oil in the preparation.  Adding more vegetables, greens & lentils makes this dish little nutricious to the kids.  "Best dish for those who wants to gain weight" but it taste simply superb.

Ingredients :

1. Dosa / Idly batter -  2 cups
2. Finely chopped onion - 1 no
3. Green chillies -2 to 3 nos
4. Finely grated carrot - 1 small sized
5. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
6. Coconut pieces - 1 tsp
7. Oil - 1 tsp and for greasing the paniyaram mould
8. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
9. Urad dal - 1 tsp
10. Corrainder leaves - 1tsp
11. Salt to taste

Direction to cook :

1.   Heat a tsp of oil in the pan, add mustard seeds, urad dal & curry leaves.  Add finely chopped onion & green chillies.  Saute till tender.

2.  To the dosa / idly batter, add the above seasonings.  And add the grated carrot, coconut pices, corriander leaves & salt to taste.

3.   Heat the paniyaram mould & grease it with oil.  Pour the batter in the each mould & cook on either side till golden brown in color.

Serve warm with spicy chutney.

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Naan - Pan made

Naan is the India flat bread traditionally cooked in the oven.  But this variation is made directly in the tawa/pan which taste really delicious & soft.  Perfect way to serve this naan is with spicy curry.  Very tasty :)

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 4 cups
2. Salt to taste
3. Sugar - 1 tbsp
4. Milk - 1/2 cup
5. Egg - 1 no
6. Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Oil - 5 tbsp
8. Onion seeds - 1 tsp (optional)
9. Butter for brushing

Direction to cook :

1.   Sift together flour, baking powder, salt & onion seeds.  Make a well in the middle.

2.   In a another bowl, mix and whisk together milk, egg, oil & sugar.  Pour it into the flour mixure & knead the dough softly.  Add water if necessary.  Apply some oil arround the dough.

3.   Cover the dough with damp cloth for half an hour.   Now knead the dough again & cover and leave for one hour.

4.   Divide the dough to equal sized balls and roll them to circles.  Meanwhile heat the pan, now cook the naan on either side till golden brown spots appears randomly.

5.  Before serving brush some melted butter over the naan.

Serve with hot curry.

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Sweet Jaggery balls (using wheat flour)

I m back after a long uninformed break with sweet wheat flour balls, perfect for weekend breakfast.  When it comes to weekend cooking, I will be bit slow in cooking & finally, it will arround 3 when we have our lunch.  So, I prefer to cook something very heavy for the breakfast.   

Very healthy & heavy  perfect for kids.  Addition of cardamom powder & nuts are totally optional but I would recommend it for ultimate taste.  This dish needs to be served immediately otherwise it will become hard & difficult to eat.

Ingredients :

1. Wheat flour - 1 cup
2. Jaggery - 3/4 to 1 cup (Depending on ur sweet)
3. Water - 1 cup
4. Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Cashew nuts (Roasted) - 1 tbsp
6. Ghee - 1 tbsp

Direction to Cook :

1.   Dry roast the wheat flour till light brown in color.

2.   Melt the jaggery in water over low flame & filter it.  

3.   Bring the dissolved jaggery water to boil & add the roasted wheat flour in the middle of the pan.  Do not stir it.

4.   Over a low flame, allow the wheat flour to cook & finally mix it together till u get the required consistency. 

5.   Add the cardamom powder & roasted nuts.  Switch off the flame.

6.   Apply some ghee in the palm & make little balls.  

Serve immediately.

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Red rice Roti - Very healthy

Most comfort & involves less time to make this simple and delicious red rice roti.  Very healthy & heavy good for kids.  It taste extremly awesome when served with spicy tomato chutney.  Good way to make use of red rice flour apart from making puttu.  My entire family is the great fan for this simple dish.

Ingredients :

1. Red Rice Flour - 1 cup
2. Grated vegetables (Carrot, cucumber) - 1 cup
3. Chopped onion - 1 no
4. Green chillies - 2 nos
5. Coarsely grounded peanut - 1 tbsp
6. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
7. Corriander leaves - 1 tbsp
8. Channa dal - 1 tsp
9. Salt to taste
10. Oil for frying

Direction to cook :

1.   Combine together rice flour, grated vegetables, onion, green chillies, curry leaves, corriander leaves, peanut powder, channa dal & salt to taste.

2.   Knead the dough without using water.

3.   Divide the dough into equal parts & roll them into circle. (I use my palm).

4.   Meanwhile heat the pan, apply oil and cook the roti on either side till done.

Serve with tomato chutney.

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Bombay toast

This is my favourite evening snack, which my amma makes it regularly those days.  Combination of sugar & pepper brings unique flavour to the dish.  Little heavy dish which best fits under kids menu.  This is one among the dish which I feel satisfied all the time I cook.  It taste simply delicious.  This can be served with tomato ketchup if desired.  

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 4 nos
2. Egg - 1 no
3. Milk - 1/4 cup
4. Sugar 
5. Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp (or more)
6. Oil 

Direction to cook :

1.   Combine all the ingredients except bread slices & oil together.  Whisk it till combined.

2.   Meanwhile, heat the pan.  Dip the bread slice (one at a time) in the egg batter & cook them.  Apply oil around the bread slices.  

3.   Cook on either side till golden brown. 

Serve warm.

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Aval Upma

Aval upma is my hubby's favourite breakfast menu.  Very simple to make & taste great.  I like to serve this dish with coconut chutney.   Only during weekends, I like to cook exclusive south indian dishes from day beginning to end.   Every time, I plan to wake little early to make really perfect breakfast varieties.  But I finally end up in the simple & easy dishes... !!! it will be almost the lunch time :)

Ingredients :

1. Aval - 1 cup
2. Onion - 1 no
3. Green chillies - 4 nos
4. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
5. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
6. Urad dal - 1 tsp
7. Dessicated coconut  / freshly grated coconut - 1 tbsp
8. Salt to taste
9. Oil - 1 tbsp 

Direction to cook :

1.   Soak aval in the water for 3 mins.  Drain & keep aside.

2.   Heat oil in the pan, add mustard seeds, urad dal.  Once crackle, add finely chopped onions, green chillies & curry leaves.  Saute till tender.

3.   Add the drained aval & salt to taste.  Cover & cook on low flame till done.

4.   Add the grated / dessicated coconut & stir for 2 more mins.

Serve warm.

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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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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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Fluffy muffins with chocolate chips topping

Anytime I bake muffins, it will turn out to be the best.  When I was searching for the vegetables for preparing my breakfast, I saw the tiny little chocolate chips hidding behind the shelf.  Muffins with a cup of tea is my favourite breakfast & evening snack.  I dont want to mix the chocolate chips in the muffin batter rather I used it as my topping for this fluffy & spongy muffins yesterday.  It's lovely  :)

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour -2 cups
2. Baking powder - 1 tsp
3. Salt -1/2 tsp
4. Butter (unsalted) - 1/2 cup Melted & cooled
5. Eggs - 2 large
6. Milk - 1 cup
7. Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
8. Sugar - 2/3 cup
9. Chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet) - 1 cup

Direction to bake :

#   Preheat the oven to 400 F & grease your muffin pan.

#   Sieve together the flour, baking powder & salt. 

#   In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk & vanilla extract.

#   Using the rubber spatula, fold the wet ingredients along with the melted butter into the dry ingredients.

#   Pour the batter into the muffin pan, filling each cup 2/3 rd full. 

#   Bake for 25 mins or until muffins turns golden brown.  Sprinkle the semi melted chocolate chips on the top & allow it to cool.

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Enjoy with tea. 

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Bread pizza

Simplier & easier version to make & eat.  Tomato with little italian seasoning & cheese make this snack perfect for evenings. 

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 3 nos
2. 2 medium sized tomatoes
3. Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp
4. Black pepper powder - 1 tsp
5. Garlic (finely minced) - 1/2 tsp
6. Oil - 1 tsp
7. Onion (shredded) - 1 no
8. Capsicum (shredded) - 1/2 no
9. Oregano
   
10. Pizza seasoning (optional)
    
11. Shredded cheese
    

Directions to cook :

£   Heat oil in the pan, add garlic & finely chopped tomatoes.  Cover & cook for 5 mins.

£   Once tomatoes are nicely cooked, add tomato ketchup, pepper & salt to taste.  Allow the sauce tocool.

£   Spread the tomato sauce over the bread slices & sprinkle the shredded onion, capsicum, oregano, pizza seasoning & finely the cheese.

£   Bake the bread slices at 200 C for 10 mins.

Serve immediately.

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Semiya upma with scrambled egg

Most of our sunday food menu begins with this delicious yet simple semiya upma with the touch of scrambled egg for additional flavour.  Combination of cinnamon, cloves & mint leaves will bring unique taste to this dish.  It simply taste yummy :)

Ingredients :

1. Vermicelli semiya - 1 cup
2. Oil - 1 tsp
3. Cinnamon stick - 1 no
4. Cloves - 2 nos
5. Mint leaves - 1 tbsp
6. Green chillies - 3 nos
7. Onion - 1 no
8. Water - 1 1/4 cup
9. Ghee - 1 tsp
10. Salt to taste
11. Egg - 1 no
12. Black pepper to taste

Direction to cook :

#   Heat ghee in the pan & roast the semiya.  Keep aside.

#   Heat oil in the another pan, add cinnamon stick, cloves, mint leaves, green chillies & lengthwise sliced onions.  Saute for 4 mins.

#   Add water & salt to taste.  Bring it to boil.

#   At this stage add the roasted semiya.  Cover and cook till done.

#   Meanwhile break the egg in the another pan.  Add salt & scramble when it is half cooked.  Finally add the pepper powder. 

#   When the semiya is cooked, add the scrambled egg & mix throughly.  Switch off the flame immediately.

Serve warm.

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Ven Pongal

When it comes to south indian beakfast menus, most of us like to have venpongal with chutney and sambar.  Ven pongal are made in different manner and this is best & easiest way.  At this time, I remember my early days of marriage, we wake up very early in the morning to see the sun rise in the marina beach  and have ven pongal with spicy chutneys arround.  Those days are memorable.

Ingredients :

1. Basmati rice (or raw rice) - 1 cup
2. Moong dal - 1/4 cup
3. Ghee - 1 tbsp
4. Oil - 1 tbsp
5. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
6. Ginger - 1 inch piece
7. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
8. Black pepper corns - 1 tsp
9. A pinch of hing
10. Roasted cashew nuts - 1 tbsp
11. Salt to taste
12. Water - 3 cup

Directions to cook :

£   Heat oil in the pressure cooker, add cumin seeds, black pepper, curry leaves & a pinch of hing.

£   Meanwhile soak the rice and moong dal in water for 1/2 hr.

£   Add the soaked rice and dal.  Fry for 2 mins.

£   Add salt to taste & water.  Pressure cook them till done.

£   Finally, add the ghee & serve warm.

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Crispy rava dosa

Most of the time, the last few scoops of dosa batter will be leftover.  By adding few other ingredients to that makes the best & crispy rava dosa.  Taste yum with spicy chutneys and sambar.

Ingredients :

1. Dosa batter - 1/2 cup
2. Rava - 1/2 cup
3. All purpose flour - 1/4 cup
4. Onion - 1 no (finely chopped)
5. Green chillies - 4 to 5 nos (finely chopped)
6. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
7. Cumin seeds -1 tsp
8. Black pepper - 1 tsp
9. 1 Grated carrot
10. Salt to taste
11. Water

Directions to cook :

Mix all the ingredients together.  The final batter should be little thin than normal dosa batter.  Heat the pan, pour 1 big scoop of batter & rotate it.  Pour some oil arround the edges.  Cook till either sides are brown and crispy.

Serve with chutney & sambar.

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Bread Masala

Quick and simple snack perfect for evening time.  This is one among the two dishes I cook before marriage.  And this is my hubby's  favourite snack too.

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices - 3 nos
2. Onion - 1 no
3. Tomato - 1 nos
4. Chilly powder - 1 tsp
5. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
6. Salt to taste
7. Oil - 1 tbsp

Directions to cook :

#   Toast the bread slices & keep aside.

#   Heat oil in the pan, add finely chopped onions.  Saute till golden brown.

#   Add finely chopped tomatoes, chilly powder, turmeric powder & salt to taste.  Saute for 5 mins.

#   Cut the toasted bread slices to small pieces.  Add them to the above masala.  Toss them till well combined.  Switch off the flame.

Serve warm.

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Rava upma

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Ingredients :

1. Rava (sooji) - 1 cup
2. Oil - 1 tbsp
3. Ghee - 1 tbsp
   
4. Cinnamon stick - 1 no
5. Cloves - 3 nos
6. Onion - 1 no
7. Tomato - 1/2 no
8. Green chillies - 3 nos
9. Mint leaves - 1/4 cup
10. Carrot (sliced lengthwise) - 1 tbsp
11. Hot water - 2 cups
12. Salt to taste

Directions to cook :

#   Roast the rava in 1/2 tbsp of ghee.  Keep aside.

#   Heat oil in the kadai, add cinnamon stick, cloves, green chillies, mint leaves & onion.  Saute it for 5 mins on medium flame.

#   Add the chopped tomato, carrot & saute it for 3 mins.

#   Add the roasted rava, hot water & salt to taste.

#   Once cooked, add ghee.  Switch off the flame.



Serve warm with chutney.

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Rice upma

Ingredients :

1. Broken rice - 1 cup
2. Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
3. Mint leaves - 1 tbsp
4. Green chillies - 3 nos
5. Cinnamon stick - 1 no
6. Onion - 1 no (sliced lengthwise)
7. Tomato - 1/2 no
8. Water - 2 cups
9. Oil - 1 tbsp
10. Salt to taste

Directions to cook :

#   Grind the raw rice in the blender. (Do not grind it to powder, just split the rice)

#   Heat oil in the pan, add fennel seeds & cinnamon stick.  Add the sliced onions & saute till golden brown.

#   Add the tomato, green chillies & mint leaves.  Saute it for 2 mins.

#   Add the broken rice, salt & water.  Cover and cook till done.



Serve with coconut chutney.

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Idly

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Idlies are staple south Indian food eaten with sambar, chutneys & milagai podi (spicy powder). Different proportions are used in different places. I would say, only trial and error will end up in soft idlies. Intially, I never prefer making this often. After couple of times, I finally find out the right proportion for this soft & fluffy idlies.

Ingredients :

1. Idli rice - 2 cups
2. Urad dal - 1 cup
3. Cooked rice - 2 tbsp
4. Salt to taste
5. Cool water while grinding

Directions to grind :

£ Soak the idli rice & urad dal seperately. Preferably over night or atleast 4 hrs.

£ Grind the idli rice along with cooked rice. Keep aside. Grind this little coarsely.

£ Now, grind the soaked urad dal & mix it with the rice mixture. Add the salt & mix throughly with the hand (which helps in fermentation).

£ Ferment the idly batter for 10 hrs (preferably overnight).

£ Grease the idly pan with oil or ghee. Pour the scoop of idly batter into each hole & pressure cook them until done (it takes 5 to 10 mins).

Serve them warm with chutneys.

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