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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Spinach Dhal

This is my friend manjus  recipe i love spinach so felt of trying it 
http://rajendermanju.blogspot.com/2010/04/paalakura-pappuspinach-dhalpaalakeerai.html
it turned out wonderful ,i just did a small change by adding tomatoes to manjus recipe as me to have to contribute a bit from my side 


Ingredients 


Toor dhal (split pigeon pea)- 100 gms 
Spinach- a big bunch (fresh ones please !!!)
Onions- 75 gms
tomatoes -50 gms
Garlic- 5 pods (make thin slices)
Green chilli- 3 nos
Dried red chili- 4 nos
Red chilli powder- 1 1/2 tspn 
Turmeric- a pinch
Asafoetida- a pinch
Mustard, , urad dhal- 1tspn (for tempering)
Oil- 4 tbspns
Salt to taste

Method 
Wash and chop spinach leaves. 
. Cook toor dhal with a pinch of turmeric, asafoetida and few drops of oil in a pressure cooker. Take care not to overcook the dhal. It should be cooked but should retain its shape. 
Now heat oil in a pan
. When the oil gets heated add the mustard seeds and curry leaves
. When they splutter add the garlic slices and dried red chillies.
 Saute until the garlic slices acquire a golden brwon colour. After that add  onions, green chillies and enough salt. 
Saute until the onions turn translucent.
Add chopped tomatoes
 Now add the chilli powder and saute for a few seconds.
 Add the cooked dhal ato the pan and add enough water. 

The dhal should not be watery or too thick. Allow the mixture to boil. and then switch off the stove. 
Now to the piping hot dhal add the chopped spinach leaves and mix well
. The heat of the dhal is enough to cook the spinach. 
Adding spinach at the end really makes a lot of difference.
 It helps in retaining the real flavours of spincah and seals in the nutrients. 


It goes well with chappati a perfect combination




Onion Chapathi


Onion Chapathi

Ingredients
wheat flour -200 gms
onions       - 75 gms
curry leaves - 5 leaves
roasted jeera seeds- 2 tsp
green chillies - 02 nos
oil -
salt - as required

Method
make a soft dough with flour ,salt and water
finely chop the onion,green chillies and curry leaves
squeeze out the water from the onion.
make the dough in to small balls
mix the chopped onions,curry leaves ,green chillies with little amount of salt
roll the dough a bit and keep the onion mixture inside and cover it
dont keep too much mixture inside as it will come out when we roll it.
dust the dough in flour
roll it gently
cook in thava in medium flame
add oil or butter as required
serve hot




Tuesday, April 20, 2010

chettinad chicken curry


varieties of  chicken we cook, nothing can replace  the traditional kuzhambu made . It is compatible with anything we have at home i.e., rice, dosa, idly, roti, chappathi or parotta.If you want the chicken recipe from a grand old lady of chettinad she will be well aware of this recipe only. This is the most favorite chicken item that I cook for all in my home. Moreover this is very easy to prepare also. 
you can feel the aroma of this dish when the gravy boils.




IngredientsChicken-1/2 kg
Small onion-30 or big onion-2
Tomatoes-2 (small size)
Garlic-30 gms
Ginger garlic paste- 2 teaspoons
Chili powder-1 table spoon
Coriander powder-2 to 3 table spoons 
Cardomom-2
Cinnamon-2 small pieces
Clove-2
Birinji leaf-small piece
Star anise-a small piece
Mint leaf-little
Curry leaf little
Fennel seed-1 teaspoon



For MarinationCurd-2 table spoons (if there is no curd a teaspoon of lemon juice can be used)
Turmeric powder-1 teaspoon
Chili powder-2 teaspoons
Salt-2 teaspoons
Ginger garlic paste-1 teaspoon



For grinding (Too much of coconut will spoil the taste and will make the gravy look like kurma)
Cocunut-2 table spoons
Cashewnut-5 (Kas Kas was used traditionally, since it is difficult to grind cashews are substituted)
Fennel seeds-1 teaspoon

Method

Wash the chicken pieces nicely
Marinate with the items given in ‘To marinate’
Let it stay for 1 hour
Finely chop the onion, garlic and tomatoes
Grind the items in “to grind to a smooth paste
Keep the kadai add
 1 table spoon of oil then add the whole masalas
Sauté the onion, garlic, ginger garlic paste and tomatoes one by one nicely
Add the marinated chicken and sauté nicely for 3 minutes
Add the chili and coriander powder
Add 2 to 3 cups of water (if gravy is thick water can be added latter also)
Put the salt needed (Remember 2 teaspoons of salt was added while marinating)
Mix everything well
Allow it to boil
Open the cooker and add the grinded paste
Let the gravy boil for 5 minutes
Now if the gravy is very thick than the consistency you need, water can be added
Check for the salt and hot taste and if any correction has to be made it can be done now
Your chettinad chicken gravy is ready
Garnish with coriander leaves while serving



Thursday, April 15, 2010

Foods to Beat Summer

..Each and every season is a different experience in itself. Some people like the monsoon, some like winter and some like summers. Summer is season that evokes a very mixed feeling among many people. Some people like it because the atmosphere is not soggy like the monsoons, others like the bright day light of the summers. Many also dislike it because the temperatures are rising and it's very difficult to step out of the house/office when the temperature is at its high. But one thing that no one can deny is that people inherently feel very lazy during summers.


In the summer, we often feel drowsy and lethargic from environmental issues such as heat or sun. When we feel extremely sleepy, this often leads to the actual falling asleep at the most inappropriate times. But there is a way to avoid that laziness and that is to tackle it with the right type of food. There is a specific type of food for every season and summer is no different. By eating the right type of food you can keep that lazy sluggish feeling at bay. Here is a list of food that you should have to remain active throughout summers:


  • Chana and Barley : They both have cooling properties and also are very light for the stomach.



  • Dhokla: Being steamed, it is inherently light and since it is made from black chana (black chickpea), it is a good source of energy. This energy will help you keep going throughout the day.



  • Idli and dosa: Made from rice, these dishes are fantastic for your stomach. Although a word of caution; try to avoid the coconut chutney and have it with a light homemade sambhar. It is both light and energy rich and it will keep you ticking throughout the day.



  • Dal/lentil soups: The Mulugwtanii soup is one of the favorite soups of many and if a big bowl of a dal/lentil based soup is combined with a platter of fresh sautéed veggies, it can become a full meal which is very healthy and satisfying.



  • Boiled lentil salads: Lobia (black-eyed beans), black chana (black chickpea) and white mutter salads with a lot of herbs and spices and a dash of tamarind make for an ideal summer delights.



  • Raitas: Raitas are a good and healthy add-on to your regular meal. In summers, one can experiment with cucumber, lauki (bottle goaurd), kachumber (mixed vegetables) raita, mooli (white radish) raitas, brinjal raita etc.



  • Chutney: Mango chutney, pudina-dhania (mint-coriander) chutney, mooli (white radish) chutney, amla (indian gooseberry) chutney etc help in adding that extra zing to your regular meals making them interesting and it is also healthy for the digestion process.



  • Boiled potato chat: add lots of herbs, spices, tomato and onions and what you get is a light healthy evening snack to indulge yourself!



  • Bhelpuri: One of the few extremely popular street food which is almost available everywhere. It is very tangy and if the customary fried sev is avoided and the fried papadi is substituted with baked papdi, it can be very healthy.



  • Paneer and veggies salad: It can be very healthy and it can hike your energy levels without the drowsy feeling. You can experiment with pineapple to enhance the taste.



  • Fermented foods: Food like curd, tofu, khameeri roti, etc can also increase your energy level and can be nutritious at the same time.



  • Sprouts: Though not always welcomed by most people but even if eaten once a week, it can be a amazing source of natural vital energy plus it can also be an anti-aging solution.


  • Foods to avoid:

    As there are foods that can keep you ticking throughout the day, there are also some foods that can increase your lethargy. So try avoiding the following food.
    • All proteins and carbohydrate combination like rajma (kidney beans) rice, kadhi chawal, chicken and nan, rice and curd.
    • All maida (white flour) based foods like white bread, pasta, noodles, macroni, nan, kulcha, pizza, burgers etc.
    • All Sooji (semolina) products like sooji rusk.
    • All corn based products like tortilla chips.
    • Sugar syrup based products like sweet aerated drinks, preserved juices etc.
    • Heavy fried food (as it heats the body and generates gas in the stomach)
    Instead of three heavy meals, look for small 4-5 meals with fresh fruit salad and sprouts kind of food. Take adequate water or nimbu paani (lemonade). Cutting down abruptly on fried and junk food will keep the digestive system healthy and happy. Reducing the intake of meat products and Caffeine based product will be very health friendly. Following some of these tips not only will keep lethargy at bay it will also make summers more bearable!



    Indian sweets



    Puffed Rice Ladoos



    Ingredients:
    Puffed Rice 4 cups
    Jaggery 1/2 cup
    Green Cardamom 3 nos
    Method:
    gently crush the cardamom.
    Grate or pound the jaggery into small pieces.
    Heat a deep vessel on medium flame, add jaggery, cardamom and 1/4 cup of water.
    When jaggery turns to thick consistency much like honey, remove from heat and add the puffed rice
    . Stir quickly and thoroughly to stick all the rice to the jaggery syrup.
    While it is still warm, take handful of rice mixture and make ladoo out of it with both the hands.
     Repeat the same with the remaining rice mixture.

    Gulab Jamnun




    ingredients:
    Khoya (unsweetened) – 2 cups
    Maida – ½ cup
    Cooking soda – a pinch
    Sugar – 2 cups
    Oil for deep frying
    Cardamom  – 3 nos
    Rose essence – few drops
    lemon    - 01 noa
    Method:
    Mix khoya, maida and cooking soda. Sprinkle water little by little and make a soft dough.
    Make a small size balls.Heat oil in a kadai. Keep the flame to minimum.
    When the oil is hot enough, add five to six balls and fry till it become golden brown. Remove it. Fry all the balls like this.Put the sugar in a vessel and add two cups of water and bring to boil. Allow to boil for five to seven minutes. 
    add cardamon (crushed)
    half the lemon and allow it to boil for 5 min
    Remove from stove.
    Add rose essence .
    Add the fried balls to the syrup. Allow to soak for atleast one hour.

    Thengai Mittai(coconut Burfi)



    Ingredients:
    Coconut – 1 cup
    Cardamon powder - 1/2 tsp
    condensed milk -200 ml
    Ghee – As Required


    Method
    1.Fry Coconut,  in Ghee till it becomes light brown in color.
    2 then add the condensed milk and mix it gently make sure the both binds each other 
    3 add cardamon power
    4.The Coconut and milk should not be so thick or so runny. Take it off from the stove in the intermediate state. Otherwise it’ll stick with the pan.
    Spread Ghee in a plate.
    5.Spread the mix in the Ghee coated plate.

    Besan Ladoo




    Ingredients:

    Gram flour (Besan)- 2 cups
    Sugar- 1 cup
    Cashew nuts - 15
    Dry grapes - 15
    Cardamom -4
    Water -2 to 3 cup
    Ghee - 4 spoons
    Oil - to fry
    Method:

    1.Batter preparation: Mix Besan flour in 1 or 2 cups Water without any lumps. The batter should be little watery and not so thick.
    2.For frying: Heat 2 spoons of Ghee in a pan. Add Cashew nuts, Dry grapes, Cardamom , fry till Cashew nut turns into light brown color.
    3.Sugar syrup preparation: Heat Sugar and a cup of water in a vessel. Allow to boil till Sugar is completely dissolved in water and the syrup sticks in between the fingers.
    4.Making boondi: Heat Oil in pan on medium flame. Pour the batter over the perforated ladle(ladle with small round holes) and rub it with another ladle which makes the batter to fall through the ladle holes evenly. Do not over cook this. It should not be crispy. Drain this from oil and put it into the sugar syrup. Repeat the same for the whole batter. Now Boondi is ready.
    5.Making ladoo: Mix well the sugar syrup, boondi, 2 spoons of Ghee. Finally add the fried items(Cashew nuts, Dry grapes, ) and make balls in warm stag

    Mango Kozhukattai


    Ingredients 
    rice flour               - 250 gms
    ripped mangoes -03 nos
    ghee                       -04tsp
    sugar                      - 150gms
    cardamon pwd  -1tsp


    Method


    make a fine puree of the mango with sugar 
    make a soft dough of the rice flour,ghee, cardamon pwd and pureed mango
    steam the kozhukattai in a greased pan (idly cooker )
    if u can make mango shaped kozhukattai  try it 






    Channa Dhal Payasam



    Ingredients:


    1/2 cup Split Bengal Gram (Chana Dal)
    1 cup grated Coconut
    4 tblsp Clarified Butter (Ghee)
    1 cup Jaggery
    5 crushed Cardamoms
    2 tblsp chopped Coconut
    5 Cashewnut (Kaju)
    5 raisins

    How to make channa dal payasam:

    Wash and soak the dhal.
    Melt a part of the ghee in a pan , add the coconut pieces and fry till golden brown over a medium flame drain, remove and keep aside.
    In the same ghee add the cashew nuts ,raisins  over a low flame fry till golden brown and keep aside.
    Extract coconut milk by soaking the grated coconut in about half a cup of hot water for 10 minutes and then pass the mixture through a strainer.
    Boil the dhal in a pan with just sufficient water to cook the gram.
    When the gram is cooked add the jaggery and the coconut milk.
    Cook till the mixture is thick stirring once in a while so that it does not get burnt.(make sure the mixture does not become very thick, it should be of pouring consistency).
    Add the remaining ghee and the cardamoms. mix thoroughly.
    Serve garnished with the fried coconut pieces  cashew nuts and raisins.

    Saturday, March 27, 2010

    Soup & Salad Recipes

    CARROT AND LENTIL SOUP

    INGREDIENTS :-
    Carrots – 4 large
     Red lentils – 200 gms
     Onion – 1
     Garlic- 2 cloves
     Vegetable stock – 1.5 litre
     Sesame oil – 1 tbsp
     Celery sticks - 2
     Salt – to taste
     Freshly ground Black Pepper – to taste
     Fresh Coriander, chopped – 2 tbsp
    METHOD :-
     Peel onion and chop roughly. Crush, peel and chop garlic.
     Heat oil in a large saucepan and sauté onion and garlic over
      a medium heat for 5 minutes or until soft.
     Pour in stock and bring to the boil.
    Trim celery and cut up roughly.
     Scrub carrots, trim ends and cut up roughly. Wash lentils.
    Add carrots, celery and lentils to stock.
     Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until carrots are
    cooked.
     Puree soup in a blender 
     Season to taste with salt and pepper.



     SPINACH AND VEGETABLE SOUP

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Onion – 1
     Oil – 2 tbsp
     Stock – 1 litre
     Sweet Potato – 1 medium
     Spinach – 1 bunch
     Broccoli – 1 head (optional)
     Carrot – 1
     Tomatoes – 2
     Garlic – 2 cloves
    METHOD :-
     Peel onion and chop finely. Peel garlic and chop finely.
     Heat oil in a large saucepan and sauté onion and garlic for 5
    minutes until clear but not colored.
     Add  stock and bring to boil.
     Peel sweet potato. Cut into chunks and add to stock
    mixture. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until sweet
    potato is cooked.
     Wash and trim spinach. Wash broccoli and cut into small
    florets.
     Scrub carrot and cut into thin slices. Cut chicken into bitesized
    pieces.
     Cut tomatoes into small cubes. When sweet potato is
    cooked, mash coarsely in the liquid with a potato masher.
     Bring to the boil and add spinach, broccoli, carrot . Cook for 5 minutes or until
    vegetables are cooked.
     Serve topped with chopped tomatoes.

    GREEN GOODDESS AND GARLIC SOUP

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Spinach – 1 bunch
     Cabbage leaves – 4
     Iceberg lettuce – ½(optional)
     Garlic – 6 cloves
     Vegetable Stock – 1.5 litre
     Parsley – 6 sprigs
     Bay leaf – 1
     Thyme – 1 sprig
     Brown rice – 100g
    METHOD :-
     Wash spinach and trim stalks if necessary. Cut thick
    core from cabbage and discard.
     Roughly chop cabbage and lettuce. Peel and crush
    garlic.
     Put the stock in a large saucepan.
     Add vegetables, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and brown
    rice.
     Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked.
     Blend or process..

    ROASTED TOMATO, CARROT AND
    PEPPER SOUP

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Tomatoes - 2 kg
     Carrots- 2
     Red peppers – 2
     Onions - 2
     Garlic – 4 cloves
     Finely chopped chili – 1 tsp
     Vegetable stock – 500 ml
     Cabbage leaf – 1 small
     Oil – 1 tsp

    METHOD :-
     Cut a cross in the stem end of tomatoes. Place in an
    ovenproof dish.
     Peel onions and cut into quarters. Place in dish with
    tomatoes.
     Wash unpeeled garlic. Add to dish.
     Cut peppers in half. Remove seeds and place cut-side down
    in dish.
     Bake vegetables at 200ûC/ Gas 6 for 40 minutes.
     Remove from oven and peel off tomato skins. Squeeze
    garlic from skins.
     Put tomatoes, garlic, roasted vegetables and chili in the
    bowl of a food processor or blender and process until
    smooth.
     Pour into a saucepan. Add a little stock to processor or
    blender and process to remove vegetable residue.
     Pour into saucepan with the rest of the stock. Bring to the boil.
     Roll cabbage leaf up tightly and shred very finely.
     Serve soup garnished with cabbage shreds and drizzle a little oil.

    MILAGU RASAM
    Preparation Time : 30 minutes
    Serves : 4
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Black Pepper - 1/2 tsp
     Cumin Seeds -1 tsp
     Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
     Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
     Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
     Dried Red Chilies - 2
     Curry Leaves - 4-6
     Garlic, crushed - 2 cloves
     Tomato Juice - 1 1/4 cups
     Lemon Juice - of 2 lemons OR tamarind juice
     Oil – 2 tbsp
     Water - 1/2 cup
     Salt - to taste
     Fresh Coriander, chopped - to garnish
    METHOD :-
     Heat the oil in a pan and fry the first 8 ingredients until the chilies are nearly black and the
    garlic is golden brown.
     Lower the heat and pour in the tomato juice, lemon juice and water.
     Bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes.
     Season to taste with salt.
     Pour into heated bowls, garnish with the chopped coriander if you like, and serve.

    SPICY CAULIFLOWER SOUP

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Cauliflower, chopped - 1 small
     Potato, diced - 1 large
     Onion, chopped - 1
     Oil - 1 tbsp
     Garlic, crushed - 1 clove
     Fresh Ginger, grated - 1 tbsp
     Turmeric Powder - 2 tsp
     Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
     Black Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
     Coriander Powder - 2 tsp
     Vegetable stock - 4 cups
     Low Fat Yoghurt - 1 ¼ cups
     Salt & Black Pepper - to taste
     Fresh Coriander - to garnish
    METHOD :-
     Put the potato, cauliflower and onion into a large heavy pan
    with the oil and 3 tbsp water.
     Heat until hot and bubbling, then stir well, cover the pan
    and turn the heat down.
     Continue cooking the mixture for about 10 minutes.
     Add the garlic, ginger and spices.
     Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring
    occasionally.
     Pour in the stock and season well. Bring to the boil, then
    cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
     Puree in a food processor and return to the pan.
     Stir in the yoghurt, adjust the seasoning, and serve, garnished with coriander or parsley.

    SWEET POTATO AND SPINACH SOUP

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Sweet potatoes – 2
     Spinach – 1 bunch
     Onion – 1
     Garlic – 2 cloves
      vegetable stock – 900 ml
     Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
     Celery sticks - 2
    METHOD :-
     Peel onion and chop roughly. Crush, peel and chop garlic.
     Heat oil in a large saucepan and sauté onion and garlic for 5 minutes or until soft.
     Trim celery and chop. Add to pan and sauté for 2 minutes.
     Add stock and bring to boil.
     Peel sweet potatoes and cut into pieces.
     Add to stock mixture.
     Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Wash spinach.
     Puree soup in a blender or food processor with spinach.

    YOGHURT AND CHILI SOUP
    Preparation Time : 35 minutes
    Serves : 4
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Natural low fat yogurt, beaten -2 cups
     Gram Flour - 4 tbsp
     Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp
     Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
     Salt -to taste
     Fresh Green Chilies, finely chopped -2
     Vegetable Oil - 2 tbsp
     Dried Red Chilies, whole -4
     Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
     Curry Leaves - 3-4
     Garlic, crushed - 3 cloves
     Fresh Ginger, crushed - 2" piece
     Fresh Coriander, chopped - to garnish
    METHOD :-
     Mix the yogurt, gram flour, chili powder, turmeric powder
    and salt in a bowl. Press the mixture through a strainer into
    a pan.
     Add the green chilies and simmer for 10 minutes without
    boiling, stirring occasionally.
     Heat the oil a heavy pan and fry the remaining spices,
    crushed garlic and fresh ginger until the dried chilies turn
    black.
     Pour the oil and the spices over the yogurt soup, cover the
    pan and leave to rest for 5 minutes off the heat.
     Mix well and gently reheat for a further 5 minutes.
     Ladle into warmed soup bowls and serve hot, garnished with the coriander leaves.

    CARROT AND ORANGE SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Carrots – 450 gms
     Oranges – 2 large
     Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
     Lemon juice – 2tbsp
     Granulated Sugar – a pinch, optional
     Pistachio nuts, hopped – 2 tbsp
     Salt and Black Pepper – to taste
    METHOD :-
     Peel the carrots and grate them into a large bowl.
     Peel the oranges with a sharp knife and cut into segments,
    catching the juice in a small bowl.
     Mix together the olive oil, lemon juice and orange juice.
     Season with a little salt and pepper to taste, and sugar if you
    like.

    CORONATION CHICKEN
    INGREDIENTS :-
     New Potatoes – 450 g
     Spring Onions, chopped – 3 sticks
     Eggs, hard-boiled and halved – 6
     Frilly Lettuce Leaves – a few
     Cucumber, cut into thin strips – ¼
     Radishes, sliced – 6 large
     Salad cress – optional, a few
     For the Coronation Dressing:
     Olive Oil – 2 tbsp
     Onion, chopped – 1 small
     Mild Curry Powder – 1 tbsp
     Tomato puree – 2 tsp
     Lemon juice – 2 tbsp
     Salt and Pepper – to taste
     Mayonnaise – 1 ¼ cups
     Natural yogurt – 2/3 cup
    METHOD :-
     Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain them,
    transfer to a large bowl.
     Stir in the spring onions and the salt and pepper, and leave
    to cool thoroughly.
     Meanwhile, make the coronation dressing.
     Heat the oil in a small pan. Fry the onion for 3 minutes,
    until soft.
     Stir in the curry powder and fry for a further 1 minute.
     Remove from heat and mix in all other dressing ingredients.
     Stir the dressing into the potatoes, add the eggs. Then chill.
     Line a serving platter with lettuce leaves and pile the salad in the centre.
     Scatter over the cucumber and radishes with the cress,
    .
    CURRIED SWEET POTATOES, BANANA
    AND BROCCOLI SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Sweet Potatoes – 1 medium
     Bananas – 2
     Broccoli – 1 head
     Spring Onions – 4
     Curry Powder – 2 tsp
     Olive Oil – 125 ml
     Lemon Juice – 125 ml
    METHOD :-
     Peel sweet potatoes and cut into pieces.
     Boil or steam for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain
    and cool.
     Cut into cubes. Place in a large bowl.
     Wash broccoli and cut into florets. Blanch in boiling
    water for about 3 minutes.
     Drain and refresh under cold water and drain again.
    Add to the bowl.
     Cut spring onions into diagonal slices.
     Peel bananas and cut into diagonal slices. Toss in
    lemon juice.
     Add spring onions and bananas to bowl.
     Mix curry powder and oil together.
     Gently mix through vegetable and banana mixture.

    PEPPERY BEAN SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Boiled Kidney Beans – 400 g
     Boiled Black Eyed Beans – 400 g
     Boiled Chickpeas – 400 g
     Red Bell Pepper – ¼
     Green Bell Pepper – ¼
     Radishes – 6
     Spring onion, chopped – 1 tbsp
     FOR THE DRESSING:
     Ground Cumin – 1 tsp
     Tomato Ketchup – 1 tbsp
     Olive Oil – 2 tbsp
     Vinegar – 1 tbsp
     Garlic, crushed – 1 clove
     Hot Pepper Sauce – ½ tsp
    METHOD :-
     Tip the red kidney beans, black-eyed beans and chickpeas in a large bowl.
     Core, deseed and chop the peppers.
     Trim the radishes and slice thinly. Add the peppers, radishes and spring onions to the bowl.
     Make the dressing. Mix together the cumin, tomato ketchup, oil, vinegar and garlic in a small
    bowl.
     Add a little salt and hot pepper sauce to taste and stir again thoroughly.
     Pour the dressing over the salad and mix.
     Cover the salad and chill for at least 1 hour before serving, garnished with the sliced spring
    onions.

    SPICY BABY-VEGETABLES SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Baby potatoes, halved – 10
     Baby carrots – 15
     FOR THE DRESSING :-
     Lemon juice – 3 tbsp
     Oil – 1 ½ tsp
     Baby courgettes (zucchini) – 10
     Button Mushrooms – 1 ½ cups
     Fresh Green Chilies, finely sliced – 2
     Fresh Coriander leaves, chopped – 1tsp
     Salt – to taste
    METHOD :-
     Boil the potatoes, carrots and courgettes in water until tender.
     Drain them and place in a serving dish with the mushrooms.
     Make the dressing in a separate bowl.
     Mix together the lemon juice, oil, fresh coriander, salt and chilies.
     Toss the vegetables in the dressing and serve immediately.

    SPICY POTATO SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Potatoes – 900 gms
     Red Bell Peppers – 2
     Celery Sticks – 2
     Spring onions – 3
     Fresh Green Chili – 1
     Garlic, crushed – 1 clove
     Fresh Basil, finely chopped – 2 tsp
     Fresh Parsley, finely chopped – 1 tbsp
     Single Cream – 2 tbsp
     Mayonnaise – 3 tbsp
     Mild Mustard – 1 tsp
     Granulated Sugar – 1 ½ tsp
     Salt – to taste
    METHOD :-
     Peel the potatoes. Boil in salted water for 10-12 minutes,
    until tender. Drain and cool, then cut into cubes and place
    in a large mixing bowl.
     Halve the peppers, cut away and discard the core and seeds
    and cut the flesh into small pieces.
     Finely chop the celery, spring onions and slice the chili
    very thinly discarding the seeds.
     Add the vegetables to the potatoes together with the garlic
    and the herbs.
     Mix the cream, mayonnaise, mustard and sugar in a small bowl, stirring until the mixture is
    well combined
     Pour the dressing over the salad and stir gently to coat evenly.

    SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Spinach Leaves – 20, small
     Baby Corn Cobs – 10
     Mushroom, boiled – 3 cups
     Tomatoes – 2 medium
     Onion rings – 8 -10
     Salt and Black Pepper – to taste
     Fresh Coriander sprigs and lime slices -
    to garnish, if wished
    METHOD :-
     Cook the baby corn cobs for only about 3 minutes.
     Halve the baby corn cobs and slice the mushrooms and
    tomatoes.
     Arrange all the salad ingredients in a bowl.
     Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh
    coriander and lemon slices, if wished.

    SWEET POTATO AND CARROT SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Sweet Potato – 1 medium
     Carrots, cut into diagonal slices – 2
     Tomatoes – 3 medium
     FOR THE DRESSING:
     Honey – 1 tbsp
     Natural Yogurt – 6 tbsp
     FOR THE GARNISH :
     Sultanas – 1 tbsp
     Walnuts – 1 tbsp
     Onion, cut into rings – 1 small
     Iceberg Lettuce Leaves – 8-10
     Chickpeas, boiled – ½ cup
     Black Pepper, coarsely ground – 1 tsp
     Salt – ½ tsp
    METHOD :-
     Peel and dice the sweet potato. Cook in boiling water until
    soft but not mushy, remove from the heat, cover the pan
    and set aside.
     Cook the carrots in a pan of boiling water for just a few
    minutes, making sure that they remain crunchy. Add the
    carrots to the sweet potatoes.
     Drain the water from the sweet potatoes and carrots and
    mix them together in a bowl.
     Slice the tops off the tomatoes, then scoop out and discard
    the seeds. Roughly chop the flesh.
     Line a glass bowl with the lettuce leaves.
     Add the carrots, chickpeas and tomatoes to the potatoes and carrots. Mix lightly, and then
    spoon the mixture into the lettuce-lined bowl.
     Mix together all the dressing ingredients and beat using a fork.
     Garnish the salad with the walnuts, sultanas and onion rings. Pour the dressing over the salad
    or serve it in a separate bowl.

    YOGURT SALAD

    INGREDIENTS :-
     Natural Yogurt – 1 ½ cups
     Honey – 2 tsp
     Carrots, thickly sliced – 2 medium
     Spring Onions, roughly chopped – 2
     Cabbage, finely shredded – 115 gms
     Sultanas – 1/3 cup
     Cashew nuts, optional – ½ cup
     White Grapes, halved – 16
     Salt – ½ tsp
     Fresh Mint, chopped – 1 tsp
    METHOD :-
    Using a fork, beat the yogurt in a bowl with the honey.
     Take a separate bowl, which will be suitable for serving the
    salad.
     Mix together the carrots, spring onions, cabbage, sultanas,
    cashew nuts (if you are using them), grapes, salt and
    chopped mint.
     Pour the sweetened yogurt mixture over the salad.
    Mix well and serve.



    Wednesday, February 24, 2010

    Pickles, Chutneys & Raitas





    AMLA MURABBA
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Fresh big firm amlas – 1kg
     Sugar – 1 ¼ kg
     Citric acid – 4 gms
     Alum, for each usage – 4 gms


    METHOD :-
     Wash and prick amlas all over with a fork.
     Dissolve alum in 2 litres water.
     Soak amlas in this water for 24 hours.
     Wash again with alum water.
     Put amlas in boiling water and boil for 2 minutes.
     Remove keep aside.
     Prepare sugar syrup with ¾ litre water.
     Syrup should be just stick enough when touch between
    finger and thumb.
     Put amlas in syrup for 24 hours.
     Remove amlas from syrup.
     Boil the syrup to original consistency.
     Add citric acid and strain.
     Put amlas back in syrup. Keep aide for 24 hours.
     Repeat this process. Remove amla, boil syrup, add amla for 4 days.
     By now amla will stop oozing water, and making liquid thinner.
     Preserve cooled murabba in a clean tight jar.
     Shelf life: 3 months


    BITTER GOURD PICKLE
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Bitter gourd (small variety) – ½ kg
     Aniseed – 2 tbsp
     Red chili powder – 2 tbsp
     Asafoetida – 1 tbsp
     Salt to taste
     Dried mango powder (amchoor) – 2
    tbsp
     Turmeric powder – 1 tbsp
     Citric acid – ¼ tsp
     Garam masala – ¼ tsp
     Coarsely crushed coriander seeds – 1
    tbsp
     Coarsely crushed mustard seeds – 2
    tbsp
     Oil – 250 gms
    METHOD :-
     Peel and apply turmeric and salt to bitter gourds. Keep aside for 1/2 hour.
     Put them in boiling water with the citric acid. Boil for 5-7
    minutes.
     Remove from water and wipe dry. Heat half the oil, add
    asafoetida, sauf, coriander seeds. Remove from fire.
     Add all the masalas and mix well.
     Cool and fill in the gourds. Tie them up securely with
    string.
     Arrange them in a glass or pickle jar. Heat remaining oil a
    little. Add a few pinches citric acid and 1/3 tsp salt. Pour
    over the gourds.
     Allow to tenderize for 3-4 days more. Remove string before serving.


    BOMBAY DUCK PICKLE
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Boil (Bombay Duck), soaked in water
    for 5 minutes – 6 to 8 pieces
     Vegetable oil – 4 tbsp
     Fresh red chilies, chopped – 2
     Granulated sugar – 1 tbsp
     Cherry tomatoes, halved – 450 gm
     Deep fried onion – 115 gm
     Red onion rings – to garnish (optional)
    METHOD :-
     Pat the fish dry with kitchen paper.
     Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the fish pieces for about 30-45 seconds on both sides until
    crisp. Be careful not to burn them or they will taste bitter. When cool, break into small pieces.
     Cook the remaining ingredients until the tomatoes become pulpy and the onions are blended
    into a sauce.
     Fold in the Bombay Duck and mix well.
     Leave to cool, then garnish and serve or ladle into a hot sterilized jar, cover and leave to cool.
    TIPS & VARIATIONS :-
     As an alternative to boiling, try using skinned Mackerel fillets, but don’t fry them. You
    will only need 2 tbsp vegetable oil to make the sauce.


    CRUSHED LEMON PICKLE
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Lemons ripe and juicy - 6
     Sugar – 1 cup
     Salt - 1 tbsp
     Fenugreek seeds – ½ tsp
     Fennel seeds – ½ tsp
     Nigella seeds (kalonji) – ½ tsp
     Salt - 1 tbsp
     Turmeric powder – ½ tbsp
     Mustard seeds crushed coarsely – ½
    tbsp
     Chili powder red - 2 tbsp
     Asafoetida - ½ tsp
     Oil – ½ tbsp
    METHOD :-
     Wash lemons and wipe dry.
     Quarter lemons, deseed them carefully.
     Run them in a blender with sugar.
     The lemons should turn to coarse crumb like bits.
     Heat oil in a small pan, add seeds, allow to splutter, cool.
     Add all other ingredients, including salt and lemons, mix well.
     Sun this mixture for 4 days till matured.
     Shelf life: 2 months


    FRESH COCONUT WITH CHILI ONION


    INGREDIENTS :-
     Fresh coconut (grated) – 200 gm
     Fresh green chilies (seeded and
    chopped) – 4
     Fresh coriander (chopped) – 1 tbsp
     Fresh coriander to garnish – 3 sprigs
     Chopped fresh mint – 2 tbsp
     Salt – ½ tsp
     Castor (superfine) sugar – ½ tsp
     Coconut milk – 2 tbsp (optional)
     Oil – 2 tbsp
     Nigella seeds – 1 tsp
     Onion (very finely chopped) – 1 small
    METHOD :-
     Place the coconut, chilies, coriander and mint in a food
    processor. Add 2 tbsp of the limejuice, then process until
    thoroughly chopped.
     Scrape the mixture into a bowl and add more limejuice to
    taste. Add salt and sugar to taste.
     If the mixture is dry, stir in 1 – 2 tbsp coconut milk.
     Heat the oil in a small pan and fry the nigella seeds until
    they begin to pop, then reduce heat and add the onion.
     Fry, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, until the onion is
    soft.
     Stir the onion mixture into the coconut mixture and leave to
    cool.
     Garnish with coriander before serving.




    GOR (SWEET) KERI
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Raw firm mangoes (preferably
    Rajapuri mangoes) – 3 kg
     Crushed mustard seeds - 1 cup
     Crushed fenugreek – ½ cup
     Crushed dhana kari – ½ cup
     Turmeric powder – 1 ½ tbsp
     Salt as per taste
     Pinch of asafoetida
     Jaggery, crushed – 1 kg
     Sugar - 1 kg
     Red chili powder (as per taste) – ¼ cup
     Mustard oil – 1 ½ cup
    METHOD :-
     Peel the mangoes and chop in to medium size chunks.
     Wash the chunks. Place it in a jar.
     Add 2 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp turmeric powder.
     Shake the jar so the pieces are evenly coated.
     Keep aside.
     Shake jar in a pendulum motion every 7-8 hours, for a day.
     Empty the mangoes into non-iron colander and allow the
    water to drain for 15-20 minutes.
     Dry the chunks and let it dry on towel for 4-5 hours.
     Heat 1 cup mustard oil very well till smoky.
     Add crushed coriander, and crushed fenugreek.
     Remove from fire, and let it cool slightly.
     Then add mustard, asafoetida and salt.
     Let the oil cool completely. Then add turmeric and red chili powder.
     Mix it well. Add sugar and jaggery.
     Mix it well with hand, to make a smooth paste. Then add mango chunks.
     Keep it in a container for 2-3 days, till sugar dissolves completely, stirring occasionally.
     Put the pickle in an air-tight container and press down lightly.
     Put more oil, if required, as oil should float on the pickle.
     The main jar should always have a layer of oil floating on top.
     Shelf-life: For a year


    GREEN CHILI PICKLE
    Serves : Makes 2 ½ cup
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Crushed yellow mustard seeds – 4 tbsp
     Freshly ground cumin seeds – 4 tbsp
     Garlic cloves, crushed – 50 gm
     Small garlic cloves peeled but left
    whole – 20 gm
     Ground turmeric – ¼ cup
     White vinegar – 2/3 cup
     Granulated sugar – 1/3 cup
     Salt – 2 tsp
     Mustard oil – 2/3 cup
     Small fresh green chilies, halved – 450
    gm
    METHOD :-
     Mix the mustard and cumin seeds, the turmeric, crushed garlic, vinegar, salt and sugar together
    in a sterilized glass bowl.
     Cover with a cloth and leave to rest for 24 hours. This
    enables the spices to infuse and the sugar and salt to melt.
     Heat the mustard oil in a frying pan and gently fry the spice
    mixture for about 5 minutes (keep a window open while
    cooking with mustard oil as it is pungent and the smoke
    may irritate the eyes).
     Add the garlic cloves and fry for a further 5 minutes.
     Add the chilies and cook gently until tender but still green
    in color. This will take about 30 minutes on low heat.
     Cool thoroughly, then pour into sterilized bottles, ensuring the oil is evenly distributed if you
    are using more than one bottle.
     Leave to rest for a week before serving.


    HOT LIME PICKLE
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Limes – 25 large
     Salt – 1 cup
     Fenugreek powder – ½ cup
     Mustard powder – ½ cup
     Chili powder – 2/3 cup
     Ground turmeric – 2 tbsp
     Mustard oil – 2 ½ cups
     Asafetida – 1 tsp
     Yellow mustard seeds, crushed – 2 tbsp
    METHOD :-
     Cut each lime into 8 pieces and remove the seeds if you like.
     Put the limes in a large sterilized jar or glass bowl. Add the salt and toss with the limes.
     Cover and leave in a warm place for 1-2 weeks until they become soft and dull brown in color.
     Mix together the fenugreek, mustard powder, chili powder and turmeric and add it to the limes.
     Cover and leave to rest in a warm place for a further 2-3 days.
     Heat the mustard oil in a frying pan and fry the asafetida and mustard seeds.
     When the oil reaches smoking point, pour it over the limes.
     Mix well, cover with a clean cloth and leave in a warm place for about 1 week before serving.


    METHIA KERI
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Raw firm mangoes, chopped in chunks
    - 1 kg
     Red chana (red gram) – 100 gms
     Crushed mustard seeds – 200 gms
     Fenugreek seeds - 200 gms
     Salt as per taste (approx 150 gms)
     Turmeric powder - 2tbsp
     Red chili (as per taste) – ¼ cup
     Mustard oil - 2 cup
    METHOD :-
     Place mango chunks in a jar.
     Put some salt and 1/2 of turmeric in it.
     Shake the jar so the pieces are evenly coated. Keep aside.
     Shake jar in a pendulum motion every 7-8 hours, for 2 days.
     On the second day, soak fenugreek seeds and red gram
    separately; keep it overnight.
     On third day, drain water from fenugreek seeds and red
    gram.
     Empty the mangoes into non-iron colander and allow the water to drain for 15-20 minutes,
    keep the drain water.
     Pat dry the mango chunks, and dry in sun for 4-5 hours on a towel.
     Put fenugreek seeds and red gram in the drained sour water from mangoes for 2 hours.
     Drain fenugreek seeds and red gram and dry them completely with the towel.
     Mix all the ingredients except mango chunks.
     Heat oil very well till smoky. Let it cool.
     In half the oil, add the mixed ingredients and then add mango chunks.
     Mix it well, so all chunks are coated with the masala.
     Transfer to a clean jar and press down lightly.
     Pour remaining oil on top, oil should cover the pickle.
     Allow to marinate for 10 days before using.
     Take out in small quantities for use in a small glass jar.
     The main jar should always have a layer of oil floating on top. Add more oil (after heating and
    then cooling it) if required.
     Shelf-life: More than a year


    PICKLED MIXED VEGETABLE
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Cauliflower – 200 gms
     Cluster beans – 50 gms
     French beans – 50 gms
     Gherkins – 50 gms
     Carrots – 50 gms
     Ginger – 10 gms
     Fresh turmeric – 10 gms
     Fresh firm green chilies - 15
     Spicy vinegar - 1
     Sugar – 1 tbsp
     Wet brine for soaking
    METHOD :-
     Wash, wipe, and slice cauliflower, carrots, gherkins into desired pieces.
     Leave cluster beans , chilies whole, separated.
     Slice ginger, turmeric into thin slivers.
     Do not make pieces too small or they will get mushy on
    pickling.
     Soak them in wet brine for 10-12 hours or overnight.
     Drain and wash thoroughly under cold running water.
     Drain completely, dab with kitchen cloth if necessary.
     Pack tight layers, vegetable by vegetable into sterile jar,
    without leaving spaces.
     Dissolve sugar into vinegar while still hot.
     Pour vinegar to cover them.


    PUNJABI KERI KA ACHAAR
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Mango pieces (cut and deseeded) – 1
    kg
     Nigella seeds (kalonji) – ½ tbsp
     Aniseeds, crushed – ½ tbsp
     Fenugreek seeds, crushed – ½ tbsp
     Salt – ½ cup
     Chili powder red – 2/3 cup
     Turmeric powder – 2 tbsp
     Mustard oil – 2 ½ cup
    METHOD :-
     Take mango pieces in large wide bowl or jar.
     Pour all ingredients over them, except oil.
     Mix very well with clean dry hands of wooden spatula.
     Keep in sun for 4 days.
     Stir once, check for taste.
     Heat oil very well till smoky.
     Cool to almost room temperature
     Add to pickle and mix well.
     Pour into clean, dry pickle jars.
     Press down firmly with back of the spoon.
     There should be enough oil to form a layer over surface of pickle.
     Tie with a thin muslin, before placing lid.
     Allow to mature for 10-12 days before using.
     Store carefully as shown above to keep pickle from going bad.




    SPICY MANGO PICKLE
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Medium raw firm mangoes-chopped in
    chunks – 3
     Crushed mustard seeds - 1 tbsp
     Crushed fenugreek seeds - ½ tbsp
     Aniseed - 1/4 tbsp
     Red chili powder - ½ cup
     Salt - ½ cup
     Turmeric powder - 1/5 cup
     Oil (any refined oil) – 1 cup
     Glass, china or earthen pickle jar
    METHOD :-
     Place chunks in jar. Sprinkle rock salt & ½ the turmeric.
     Shake the jar so the pieces are evenly coated. Keep aside
    shake jar in a pendulum motion every 10-12 hours, for 2
    days.
     On the third day empty the contents into a non-iron colander
    and allow the water to drain for 15-20 minutes.
     Spread out on an old kitchen towel for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Do
    not use white cloth, since turmeric will stain the fabric or
    use disposable.
     In a large plastic or glass bowl, mix all the dry ingredients
    left.
     Add the mangoes; add half the oil, mix very well with clean dry hands or a spatula.
     Transfer to a clean jar and press down lightly. Pour remaining oil on top.
     Allow to marinate for 10 days before using. Take out in small quantities for use in a small glass
    jar. The main jar should always have a layer of oil floating on top.
     Press down the pieces and masala firmly. This pickle will not go bad for over a year even at
    room temperature.


    SUN-COOKED MANGO KATKI
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Mangoes very raw and firm – 2
     Sugar – 1 cup
     Salt – 2tbsp
     Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
     Cloves - 5
     Cinnamon - 1" stick
     Cardamoms - 3
     Chili powder (optional) - 1 tbsp
     Saffron – ¼ tsp
    METHOD :-
     Peel and chop mangoes into very fine pieces.
     Place in a jar (earthen, glass, or china). Sprinkle salt and turmeric. Shake the jar to coat
    mangoes evenly. After 2 hours add sugar. Shake again.
     Keep aside for 24 hours. Shake again and transfer to a wide bowl. Cover with a thin mesh or
    muslin.
     Place in the sun. If the sun is very hot (summer of India averaging 38-40 degree Celsius), then
    3-4 days will suffice. But if the intensity is lower then the number of days will vary between 4-
    8 days.
     The pickle is done when all the sugar has melted to a sticky thin syrup.
     Remember to take the bowl inside every evening. To stir and place outside every morning.
     When done, add the chili powder. Crush the other spices coarsely and add to pickle. Be careful
    not to touch a wet spoon to the pickle.
     If taken care, the pickle is kept for a year without refrigeration.


    APRICOT CHUTNEY
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Dried apricots (finely diced) – 3 cups
     Garam masala – 1 tsp
     Soft light brown sugar – 1 ¼ cups
     Malt vinegar – 2 cups
     Grated ginger – 1 tsp
     Salt – 1 tsp
     Golden raisins – ½ cup
     Water – 2 cups
    METHOD :-
     Put all the ingredients into a medium pan and mix
    thoroughly with a spoon on high flame.
     Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-35
    minutes, stirring occasionally.
     When the chutney has thickened to a fairly stiff consistency,
    spoon it into 2-3 clean jars and leave to cool. This chutney
    should be stored in the refrigerator.
     It takes around 20 minutes to prepare.


    DATE CHUTNEY
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Dates – 100 gm
     Tamarind – 25 gm
     Chili powder – 20 gm
     Jaggery – 25 gm
     Salt to taste
    METHOD :-
     Soak all the ingredients for 1-2 hours.
     Grind all the above mixture in a blender into a fine paste.
     Strain it with a strainer.
     Add water as per the consistency desired.
     This chutney adds taste to cocktail snacks.


    FRESH TOMATO ONION CHUTNEY


    INGREDIENTS :-
     Tomatoes – 8
     Chopped onion – 1 medium
     Brown sugar – 3 tbsp
     Garam masala – 1 tsp
     Ground ginger – 1 tsp
     Malt vinegar – ¾ cup
     Salt – 1 tsp
     Honey – 1 tbsp
     Yoghurt, sliced green chili and fresh
    mint leaves to garnish
    METHOD :-
     Wash the tomatoes and cut them into quarters.
     Place them with the onion in a heavy pan.
     Add the sugar, garam masala, ginger, honey, vinegar and
    salt. Half cover the pan with a lid and cook over low heat
    for 20 minutes.
     Mash the tomatoes with a fork to break them up, then
    continue to cook on a slightly higher heat until the chutney
    thickens.
     Spoon the chutney into a bowl and leave to cool, then cover
    and place in a refrigerator until needed.
     Serve chilled garnished with yoghurt, sliced chili and mint
    leaves.
     This chutney can be kept for about 2 weeks in a covered jar in the refrigerator.


    FRIED SESAME SEED CHUTNEY
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Sesame seeds – ¾ cup
     Salt – 1 tsp
     Water – 2/3 cup
     Fresh green chili (seeded and diced) –
    2
     Fresh coriander (chopped) – 4 tbsp
     Fresh mint (chopped) – 1 tbsp
     Tamarind paste – 1 tbsp
     Granulated sugar – 2 tbsp
     Oil – 1 tsp
     Onion seeds – ¼ tsp
     Curry leaves – 4
     Onion rings, sliced chilies, and fresh
    coriander leaves to garnish
    METHOD :-
     Dry roast the sesame seeds and leave to cool.
     Grind them into a grainy powder.
     Transfer the sesame powder into a bowl. Add salt, water,
    diced chilies, coriander, mint, tamarind paste and sugar and
    use a fork to mix everything together.
     Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary; the mixture
    should have a sweet and sour flavor.
     Heat the oil in a heavy pan and fry the onion seeds and
    curry leaves.
     Tip the sesame seed paste into the pan and stir fry for about 45 seconds.
     Transfer the chutney to a serving dish and leave to cool.
     Garnish with onion rings, sliced green and red chilies and fresh coriander leaves and serve with
    your chosen curry.


    MANGO CHUTNEY
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Malt vinegar – 4 tbsp
     Crushed dried chilies – ½ tsp
     Cloves – 6
     Peppercorns – 6
     Roasted cumin seeds – 1 tsp
     Onion seeds – ½ tsp
     Salt to taste
     Granulated sugar – ¾ cup
     Green (unripe) mangoes, peeled and
    cubed – 450 gm
     Ginger (thinly sliced) – 2 inch piece
     Crushed garlic – 2 cloves
     Thin peel of orange or lemon – 1
    (optional)
    METHOD :-
     Pour the vinegar into a pan and add the chilies, cloves, peppercorns, cumin and onion seeds,
    salt and sugar.
     Place over a low heat and simmer until the spices infuse the
    vinegar – about 15 minutes.
     Add the mango, ginger, garlic and peel (if using). Simmer
    until the mango is mushy and most of the vinegar has
    evaporated.
     When cool, pour into sterilized bottles.
     Cover and leave for a few days (7-10) before serving.




    SPICY TOMATO CHUTNEY
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Vegetable oil – 6 tbsp
     Cinnamon stick – 2 inch pieces
     Cloves – 4
     Freshly roasted cumin seeds – 1 tsp
     Nigella seeds – 1 tsp
     Bay leaves – 4
     Mustard seeds (crushed) – 1 tsp
     Chopped tomatoes – 800 gm
     Garlic (crushed) – 4 cloves
     Ginger – 2 inch piece
     Chili powder – 1 tsp
     Ground turmeric powder – 1 tsp
     Brown sugar – 4 tbsp
    METHOD :-
     Pour the oil into a frying pan and place over a medium heat.
     When the oil is hot , fry the cinnamon, cloves, cumin and nigella seeds, bay leaves and mustard
    seeds for about 5 minutes.
     Crush the garlic cloves and add them to the spice mixture. Fry until golden. Meanwhile wash
    and chop the tomatoes finely.
     Add the ginger, chili powder, turmeric, sugar. Add ¼ cup water. Simmer until reduced, add the
    tomatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes.
     Cool and serve.


    TOK
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Pineapple – 800 gm
     Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
     Black mustard seeds – ½ tsp
     Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
     Onion seeds – ½ tsp
     Grated fresh ginger – 2 tsp
     Dried chilies, crushed – 1 tsp
     Seedless raisins – 1/3 cup
     Granulated sugar – ½ cup
     Salt – 1 ½ tsp
    METHOD :-
     Peel and chop the pineapple finely (you should have approx. 500 gm). Reserve the juice
    obtained while peeling and chopping.
     Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat and
    immediately add the mustard seeds. As soon as they pop,
    add the cumin seeds, then the onion seeds.
     Add the ginger and chilies and stir fry the spices briskly for
    30 seconds until they release their flavors.
     Add the pineapple, raisins, sugar and salt.
     Add 300 ml of the juice (made up with cold water if
    necessary) and stir into the pineapple mixture.
     Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and
    cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes.


    BANANA GRAPE RAITA
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Yoghurt – 1 ½ cups
     Seedless grapes – 75 gm
     Shelled walnut – ½ cup
     Bananas (firm) – 2
     Granulated sugar – 1 tsp
     Freshly ground cumin seeds – 1 tsp
     Freshly roasted cumin seeds, chili
    powder or paprika to garnish
     Salt to taste
    METHOD :-
     Place the yoghurt in a chilled bowl and add the grapes and walnuts.
     Slice the bananas directly into the bowl and fold in gently
    before the bananas turn brown.
     Add the sugar, salt and ground cumin and gently mix
    together.
     Chill, and just before serving, sprinkle on the cumin seeds,
    chili powder or paprika.
    TIPS & VARIATIONS :-
     Instead of grapes try kiwi fruit, peaches or nectarines. Almonds or hazelnuts can be used
    instead of or as well as the walnuts.


    CUCUMBER RAITA
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Yoghurt – 2 cups
     Grated cucumber – 250 gm
     Salt to taste
     Crushed mustard seeds – 1 tsp
     Sugar – 2 tsp
     Coriander leaves to garnish
    METHOD :-
     Whisk the yoghurt.
     Mix all the ingredients properly.
     Chill the raita.
     Serve garnished with coriander leaves.


    MIXED FRUIT RAITA


    INGREDIENTS :-
     Yoghurt – 2 cups
     Chopped banana – 1
     Apple (peeled and chopped) – 1 large
     Pomegranate seeds – 1 ½ tbsp
     Salt – 1 tsp
     Sugar – 1 tsp
     Roasted cumin seed powder – 2 tsp
     Chili powder – a pinch
    METHOD :-
     Whisk the yoghurt.
     Add all the ingredients except chili powder.
     Reserve 1 tsp cumin powder for garnishing.
     Chill the raita.
     Just before serving garnish with chili powder and cumin powder.




    SPINACH DATE RAITA
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Yoghurt – 2 cups
     Spinach (finely chopped) – 2 tbsp
     Dates (deseeded and cubed) – 1 tbsp
     Salt – 1 tsp
     Sugar – 2 tsp
     Roasted cumin powder – 2 tsp
     Bananas (chopped) – ½ tbsp
    METHOD :-
     Whisk the yoghurt.
     Mix salt and sugar properly.
     Add the washed and finely chopped spinach leaves.
     Add the cubed dates and bananas.
     Add 1 tsp cumin powder and mix well.
     Chill the raita.
     Just before serving, garnish with 1 tsp of cumin powder.




    SWEET SOUR RAITA


    INGREDIENTS :-
     Yoghurt – 2 cups
     Salt – 1 tsp
     Granulated sugar – 1 tsp
     Clear honey – 2 tbsp
     Roughly chopped fresh coriander – 2
    tbsp
     Mint sauce – 1 ½ tsp
     Green chili, seeded and finely chopped
    – 1
     Diced onion – 1 medium
     Water – ¼ cup
    METHOD :-
     Pour the yoghurt into a bowl and whisk it well. Add the salt,
    sugar, honey and mint sauce.
     Taste to check the sweetness and add more honey if desired.
     Reserve a little chopped coriander for garnishing and add
    the rest to the yoghurt mixture with the chili, onion and
    water.
     Whisk once again and pour into a serving bowl.
     Garnish with the reserved coriander and place in the
    refrigerator ready to serve.




    TOMATO ONION RAITA
    INGREDIENTS :-
     Tomato (finely chopped) – 1 large
     Onion (finely chopped) – 1 large
     Yoghurt – 2 cups
     Salt – 1 tsp
     Chili powder – ½ tsp
     Roasted cumin seed powder – ½ tsp
     Coriander leaves to garnish
     Sugar – 1 tsp
    METHOD :-
     Whisk the yoghurt.
     Add all the ingredients and mix well.
     Chill the raita.
     Just before serving take it out of the refrigerator.
     Serve garnished with coriander leaves.