Thattai

Ingredients:

• Rice-4 cups
• Urad dal-1 cup
• Butter
• Bengal gram- 1/2 cup
• Garlic-2 cloves minced
• Red chillies(crushed) -2 tsp
• Chilli powder-1 1/2 tsp
• Salt
• Sesame seeds-1/2 tsp
• Asafoetida
• Oil

Preparation:

• Wash,clean and dry the rice well.
• Fry the urad dal in a pan .
• Powder both the rice and urad dal.
• Soak the gram in water for 1 hr.
• Make a dough out of rice flour, urad dal flour, soaked gram, asafoetida powder, crushed chillies, minced garlic,chilli powder, sesame seeds, salt and butter with very little water.
• Take small amount of dough and press it flat and round.
• Fry them in hot oil .
• Store it in air-tight container.

Ash gourd (white pumpkin) Kootu

Ingredients:

• Ash gourd - 1/2 kg
• Chana dal -1 tbsp
• Coconut grated - 1tbsp
• Mustard -1 tsp
• Curry leaves-4-5
• Red chillies-3
• Urad dal-1 tsp
• Oil
• Salt

Preparation:

• Cut the ash gourd into small cubes.
• Cook it in microwave for 3 mins with a little water.
• In a pan,heat a little oil and season mustard, urad dal,chana dal,red chillies, and curry leaves and add the cooked ash gourd.
• Saute and add salt .
• Add coconut on it and turn off the heat.
• Serve with rice

Technorati Profile

Kovakkai (ivy gourd) poriyal

Ingredients:

• Kovakkai (ivy gourd) - 1/4 kg
• Onion - 1
• Peanuts - 10
• Chana dal - 1 tsp
• Mustard - 1 tsp
• Urad dal - 1 tsp
• Red chilli - 2
• Oil
• Salt
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp

Preparation:

• Cut each Kovakkai into 4 pieces lengthwise.
• Cook it in microwave for 6-8 mins without water.
• In a pan,heat oil and season mustard, urad dal, chana dal, peanuts and red chillies.
• Once they are seasoned add the chopped onion to it and saute until it turns transparent.
• Add the cut Kovakkai and saute.
• Add the chilli powder,salt ,coriander powder and turmeric powder into it and keep sauteing it.
• Turn off the heat when it turns golden brown.
• Serve with rice.

Milagu / Pepper Curry

Ingredients:

• Lamb leg steaks- 1/4 Kg cut into small pieces.
• Pepper powder(freshly ground) - 1 1/4 tsp
• Ginger paste-1 tsp
• Chilli powder-1 tsp
• Onion-1 chopped
• Tomato-1 diced
• Garam masala -1/2 tsp
• Fennel seeds-1/4 tsp
• Cloves-3
• Oil
• Water
• Salt

Preparation:

• Cook the lamb pieces in a pressure cooker.(3 whistles)
• Heat oil in a deep pan and saute onion,fennel seeds and cloves in it.
• Once it turns golden brown,add ginger paste,pepper powder,chilli powder,garam masala powder to it and saute for 1 min.
• Add the diced tomato to it and saute again.
• Now add salt and also the cooked lamb in to it.
• Add a little water from the pressure cooker (used for cooking the meat) to this and turn the heat to medium.
• Allow it to cook until it forms a thick mixture.
• Take care not to break the pieces.
• Serve with rice.

Oinion Theeyal

Ingredients

• Onions-1 chopped
• Tamarind paste -1 1/2 tbsp
• Grated coconut 1/2 cup
• Red chillies -8
• Coriander seeds 1 1/2 tbsp
• Cumin seeds -1/2 tsp
• Mustard seeds -1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves -5
• Black peppercorns -1 tsp
• Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
• Sugar -1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida
• Water
• Oil
• Salt

Preparation :

• Heat oil in a small pan and saute coconut till it is light brown.
• Add the 6 red chillies, coriander seeds, pepper ,cumin seeds and fry.
• Add the turmeric powder to the above.
• Turn of the heat and cool it and grind it.
• Heat oil in a deep pan and add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and the remaining red chillies. When it starts to splutter, add asafoetida and onions.
• Saute for 5 minutes .
• Now add the ground powder to the above and saute.
• Add water, tamarind extract, salt and sugar to it and keep it on medium heat (the theeyal should not be too watery).
• Serve hot with rice.

Valaikai puttu / Raw banana puttu

Ingredients:

• Raw Banana-1
• Coconut grated-2 tsp
• Oil
• Salt
• Red chillies-2
• Mustard-1/2tsp
• Cumin Seeds-1/2 tsp
• Split urad dal -1/2 tsp
• Curry Leaves-5
• Water

Preparation:

• Cut the Banana into two halves .
• Take water in a microwave bowl and drop the banana pieces in it and cook for 4 minutes.
• Now allow it to cool and just slit the banana peel open and remove it.
• Now grate the cooked banana .
• In a fry pan ,heat oil and add mustard,split Urad Dal,curry leaves and once it starts spluttering add the red chillies and fry it.
• Now turn the heat to low and add the grated banana and salt to it and just mix it.(since the banana is already cooked,do not keep it on heat for a long time).
• Turn off the heat.
• Sprinkle grated coconut on the top to finish it.
• Serve with rice as a side dish.

Sweet potato doughnut

I went to a friend's house for a get-together and found this recipe interesting.I took the preparation details from her and tried it in my own style with some additions.My family liked it a lot.Hope you like it too.

Ingredients:

• All purpose flour-2 1/2 cups


• Sweet potato (cooked and mashed)-1 cup


• Egg-1


• Baking soda-1 tsp


• Salt-1/4 tsp


• Sugar-1 tbsp


• Sour cream-1 tbsp


• Milk-1 tbsp


• Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp

For the syrup:

• Maple syrup -2 tsp


• Sugar-1 tbsp


• Milk-3 tbsp

Preparation:

• Mix the sweet potato,all purpose flour,sugar,egg,salt,baking powder,sour cream ,milk and Cinnamon in a bowl.Make sure not to form lumps in the dough.


• Knead it until soft.


• Roll the dough on a clean sheet with some flour sprinkled.


• Make sure not to roll it thin.


• Cut them in the round shape and make a whole in the center(just like a regular doughnut)


• Fry them in hot oil.


• Make a syrup with sugar,milk,maple syrup and dip the doughnuts in the syrup and serve.

Chicken Sukha

Ingredients:

• Chicken - 1/2 kg
• Onion-2
• Dried Red chilli -4
• Ginger paste- 1 tsp
• Garlic paste- 1 tsp
• Coconut grated-1/4 cup
• Turmeric powder -1/2 tsp
• Garam masala-1 tsp
• Cloves-3
• Bay leaves-2
• Curd-1/2 cup
• Cardamom-2
• Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
• Coriander seeds 1/2 tsp
• Peppercorns -1/2 tsp
• Salt
• Oil

Preparation:

• Marinate the chicken pieces with little salt and turmeric for 30 mins.
• Chop the onions.Fry it till golden brown in a pan with oil.
• Add cumin seeds,cloves,red chillies,coriander seeds,cardamom,peppercorns to it and saute.
• Also add garlic and ginger paste to it.
• Add turmeric powder to it and take off the heat.
• Grind the above along with grated coconut into a thick paste.
• In a deep fry pan,take a teaspoon of coconut oil and bay leaves and heat it.
• Now add the ground paste to it and add the curd in it.
• Take the marinated chicken and slowly drop it into the pan.
• Allow it to cook with the ground paste in the pan.
• The heat should be set on medium so that the spices gets mixed with the chicken.
• Cook until the paste becomes dry and gets coated on the chicken.
• Optional:sprinkle some lime juice on it and garnish with coriander leaves and onion.
• Serve hot.

Aloo chat

Ingredients:

• Potato-3
• Garlic paste 1/4 tsp
• Green chilli paste -1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp
• Amchoor powder-1/2 tsp
• Chat masala-1/2 tsp
• Lemon juice-3/4 tsp
• Cumin powder-3/4 tsp
• Oil
• Salt

Preparation:

• Cut potato into cubes and boil until cooked but make sure it doesn't get overcooked.
• Take oil in a pan ,heat it ,add cumin seeds to it and add green chilli paste , garlic paste
• Saute for 2 mins.
• Now add Cumin powder and saute.
• Add the boiled potatoes,chat masala, amchoor powder and lemon juice to it and mix them well for 3 mins.
• Add salt and take it off the heat.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.
• Optional: substitute lemon juice with curd or tamarind chutney .

Rajma Curry

Ingredients

• Rajma 1 cup
• Onion Chopped 2
• Tomatoes 3
• Garam Masala 1 tsp
• Coriander powder 1/2 tsp
• Chilli powder 1 1/2 tsp
• Cloves 2-3
• Giner garlic paste - 1tsp
• Green Chillies 3-sliced vertically
• Few Curry Leaves
• Oil
• Salt

Preparation

• Cook Rajma in a pressure cooker.
• In a pan,heat oil and add the green chillies ,cloves and curry leaves.
• Add oinion and saute until the oinion turns golden brown.
• Add garlic ginger paste to it and heat for 1 min.
• Add diced tomatoes to it and saute until it leaves oil.
• Now,add the coriander powder, garam masala ,chilli powder and salt to it.
• Drain the Rajma and mix it in the pan.
• Pour 1/2 cup water to the pan and allow it to boil.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.

Ulundu kali

This is very good for health as it cools the body and is good for people with back pain.
This recipe mainly depends on the ratio in which we use the ingredients..So I have mentioned the quantity in parts.

Ingredients:

• Black gram- 4 parts (split with skin)
• Oil - 2tbsp
• Coconut milk- 3 parts
• Rice -2 part
• Jaggery or sugar -4 parts

Prepartion:

• Soak the black gram (with skin) and rice for 1 hour.
• Drain and grind them .
• Take coconut milk to a deep pan and add sugar/jaggery to it and boil for 5 mins.
• Now add the ground paste slowly to the pan so that lumps do not form.
• Once the mix is cooked add oil and mix it until the Kali doesn't stick to the pan.
• Make small balls out of it and serve.
• Optional:You could also add cardamom to it .

Vegetable kuruma

Ingredients:

• Peas
• Carrot
• Potato
• Onion-chopped-1
• Chilli powder
• Coriander powder
• Garam masala
• Cloves
• Turmeric
• Salt
• Oil
• Mustard
• Red chillies-2
• Curry leaves
• Water-1 1/2 cup

For the mix: Grind the ingredients listed below

• Coconut-1/4 cup
• Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Black Pepper - 1/4 tsp
• Kasakasa - 1 tsp
• Sombu(Fennel) - 1tsp
• Garlic - 1 clove
• Ginger - equivalent to garlic

Preparation:

• In a deep pan,heat oil and season,mustard,curry leaves,cloves and red chillies.
• Add onion and saute until golden brown.
• Add tomato and saute for few mins.
• Now add chilli powder,coriander powder,garam masala ,turmeric powder and mix.
• Add the ground mixture to the pan and saute for 2 mins until the oil starts to separate
• Now add all these to a cooker and add a cup and a half , of water.
• Add the cut vegetables and salt to it and cook for 5 mins.
• Serve hot with rotis, dosa, Idli.

Inji Pachadi

Ingredients:

• Ginger -1 medium size
• Red chillies-3-4
• Coriander seeds 1tsp
• Tamarind Paste 1 tsp
• Cococnut (grated)- 2 tsp
• Salt
• Mustard
• Curry leaves
• Cumin seeds
• Oil-1 tsp

Preparation:

• Cut Ginger into small pieces and roast it in little oil.
• Add red chillies,coriander seeds and grated coconut to it and saute.
• Turn off the heat.
• Grind them in the mixer and add tamarind paste and little water to it to form into a paste.
• Now heat little oil in a pan and season with mustard ,cumins seeds and curry leaves.
• Add the ground paste to it and saute for 2 mins and add salt.
• Serve with rice and dosa.
• This is ver good for digestion .

Sodhi kulambu

This is another favourite of mine and a popular recipe from Tirunelveli.This is also very good for health as it cools the body and increases digestion.

Ingredients:

• Coconut milk - 400 ml
• Coconut grated-2 tbsp
• Moong dal - 100 gm
• Coconut oil- 1/2 tsp
• Ginger paste - 2 tsp
• Carrot
• Potato
• Salt
• Drumstick
• Lemon juice-1tsp
• Green chillies-2-3 cut lenghtwise
• Cumin Powder-1/2 tsp

Preparation:

• Heat the pan and saute chillies in coconut oil .
• Add ginger paste to it.
• Dilute half of the coconut milk with 1 cup of water and add it to the pan on medium heat.
• Cook the moong dal and add to the pan.
• Add all the vegetables(cut into pieces),cumin powder and grated coconut to the pan and let it cook for 5 minutes ,until the vegetables are boiled.
• Bring the heat to low and add the other half of coconut milk(concentrated) and stir .
• Turn off the heat and add salt and lemon juice.
• Serve with rice and inji pachadi (excellent combination with sodhi)

Kootanchoru

This recipe might seem like sambhar rice,but has a different taste.It is a special from Tirunelveli and my favourite as I'm also from Tirunelveli.

Ingredients:

• Toor dal-100 gms
• Rice-2 cups
• Salt
• Turmeric
• Asafoetida
• Tamarind-small lemon size
• Coconut 1/4 cup (grated)
• Cumin seeds-1 tsp
• Red chillies 10
• Red onion 6
• Raw Mango-sliced
• Peas
• Spinach
• Carrot
• Beans
• Brinjal (egg plant)
• Potatoes
• Drumstick - 1 cut
• Plantain(vazhaikkai) -1
• Water(the usual amount you use to cook rice+1 cup for the vegetables)

Preparation:

• Add grated coconut,cumin seeds,red chillies,red onions to the mixer and make it into a paste.
• Soak tamarind in water and make a paste out of it.
• Now add rice,toor dal,vegetables(cut),turmeric powder,salt,asafoetida,water and the coconut paste into the cooker and add the tamarind paste to it.
• Close the lid and cook for 10 mins
• The rice should not be separate in kootanchoru.
• Serve it with vadagam and pickles.