Maavilakku

Aadi maasam(aashada maasam) is here,so everyone is getting busy with poojas and vrathas.Posting here the most simple method of Maavilakku,which is one of the official deepa(prasadha) made during gowri poojas.The traditional one takes more time and patience,so i got this easy method from my mother and mother-in-law.Hope this will help all busy moms out there :)

Ingredients:

1.Rice Flour(which is readily available in shops)........... 1 cup

2.Powdered Jaggery...........1/2 cup

3.Melted Ghee.............5 spoons

4.Milk.....2 to 5 spoons

Procedure:

1.Bring in all the ingredients except milk.Give a nice mix with hand.

2.Add milk and mix well again.Take a hand full of flour mixture,make a round shape.Put a hole in the middle then adjust the sides to make it look like a 'diya' (aghal vilakku) or simply a 'cup' :)

3.Ur maavilakku is ready.Use only ghee to lit the deepa.

This can be made within 15 minutes,if all the ingredients are ready.Lets celebrate our gowri pooja and varama lakshmi pooja with this authentic prasadha and may God bless all with good health n wealth !!!

Hot Tomato Chutney

As i loved it the most,i got this recipe from one of my neighbour.I started doing an oil-glass painting so cudn't blog much,as before.I completed it a week back and here again with my favourite recipe :)

Ingredients:

1.Roma Tomatoes(bangalore tomatoes)..........5 (large)

2.Garlic cloves..............10 to 15 nos(medium size)

3.Red chillies(dry)..............5 to 7(medium size n its up to u)

4.Oil...................6 to 8 tbsp

5.Salt to taste

6.Mustard seeds..........1 tbsp

Procedure:

1.In a mixer,grind tomatoes(chopped),garlic cloves,red chillies to a paste without water.

2.Heat oil in a kadai,splutter mustard seeds,bring in the grounded paste and salt.

3.Stir it often.Wait till the oil separates out and its done.

4.Can be stored in refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.A  very nice combination for Idli,Dosa n roti!! Thank U!

Note:This hardly takes 15 to 20 mins to prepare.Jeera and curry leaves add more flavour to the recipe but its totally optional.

Bread Toast

Simple bread toast for a hurry-burry morning.As it has vegs n egg,provides u necessary nutrients for the day.Hope this will be useful for all busy moms!!

Ingredients:

Bread toast 1:

1.Bread slices..........2

2.Ghee / butter.......2 tsp

3.Finely chopped veggies like carrot,capsicum,cabbage,onion&cilantro......1/2 cup

4.Tomato ketchup.........2 tbsp

5.Salt & red chilli powder to taste.

6.Cheese slices.....1 (purely optional)

7.Oil........2 tbsp


Procedure:

1.In a pan,heat oil,add in all chopped veggies and fry till they are semi-cooked.

Note:If u wish to have egg here,add an egg(raw) after the veggies r done.Cook well until the egg gets fried fully.Or u can place an omelette finally between the toast.These r just my ideas,or can create ur own too.

2.Once they r done,add chilli powder,tomato ketchup.Give a nice stir and switch off the flame.The Stuffing is ready.

3.Toast bread with ghee/butter.Place a cheese slice on a toast,spread the filling on top and close the sandwich with another toast.

Note:If u don like cheese spread or slice,u can use grated cheese/paneer on top of veg filling.

4.Have this healthy toast with milk/juice.Have a great day :)

Bread toast 2:


Ingredients:

1.Boiled potato........2

2.Chopped onion,carrot & cilantro

3.Red chilli powder,salt to taste

4.Oil............2tsp

5.Tomato ketchup......2 tbsp

6.Bread slices.........4

7.Ghee/butter.........2 tsp

Procedure:

1.Heat oil in a frying pan,add onion and carrot,fry till they r half cooked,then add in mashed potato,red chilli powder and salt.Stir well for 5 mins and switch off.The stuffing is ready.

2.Toast bread slices with ghee/butter.Apply ketchup on one side of each toast.

3.Place stuffing on ketchup side of the toast,close it with other toast.Serve with any hot/cold beverage.

Plantain pepper-chilli fry

A simple side dish for lunch,with sambar,rasam and curd rice.I liked sharmis passions's vazhakai poriyal,i made lilttle modulations that match my taste.Here presenting u my version of platain fry...

Ingredients:

1.Plantain/vazhakkaai.........2

2.Red chilli..........2 to 3

3.Black pepper corns.....1 tsp

4.Grated coconut.........1/2 cup

5.Oil............3 to 4 tbsp

6.Mustard seeds.......1 tsp

7.Channa dhal...........2 tbsp

8.Coriander leaves.........few

9.Salt to taste.

10.Turmeric powder & hing...... a little

Procedure:

1.Fry chilli and black pepper corns with few drops of oil for few seconds.

2.Grind coconut,fried chilli and pepper to a powder state without water.

3.Cut plantain,a lil bigger(like medium squares) than usual,boil them separately in pressure cooker.

Note:Make sure that u dont over cook it(not too mashy).

4.Take a big bowl add in the grounded paste,salt,turmeric powder,hing and cooked plantain and mix well.Set this aside for a while,say it for 10 to 15 mins,until it marinates well.

5.Now heat oil in a frying pan,allow mustard seeds to splutter,then add in the channa dhal,curry leaves,and the marinated plantain,fry well for 10 to 15 minutes.

6.Keep stirring to avoid blackening in the bottom.Serve hot with sambar sadham / rasam / curd rice!!

Oats-Mango drink

A healthy yet tasty drink with oats and mango.

Ingredients:

Makes 2 glasses

1.Oats........5 to 6 tbsp

2.Mango fruit(cut)......1 cup

3.Sugar.............2 to 3 tbsp

4.Milk..............1 cup

5.Hot water.........1/2 cup

Procedure:

1.Boil oats with 2 cups of water for 3 to 5 minutes or until it is cooked.

2.Now take a mixer,add in all the ingredients,grind well until it turns to a smooth consistency.If u feel it is too thick,add required milk.

3.Serve chilled or unchilled.

Note:If u want to convert this in to a shake or smoothie,just add one or two scoops of desired icecream before u blend.

Here i've added chocolate ice cream,thats y it looks lil brownish :) Eat healthy,live healthy...Njoyy summer!!

Pudhina Rice / Mint Rice 1

Hi all,its been a very long time since i blogged.Had a long vacation,and now have come with new energy and variety of dishes.

Pudhina rice,a simple yet quick-tasty dish needs very simple ingredients.Here comes the method..

Ingredients:

1.Pudhina / Mint leaves.......2 cups

2.Cilantro........1 cup

3.Red chilli........3 or 4

4.Tamarind......a peanut size

5.Channa dhal........2 tbsp

6.Ground nuts..........25 gms

7.Cashew nuts.......a few.

8.Oil.....2 to4 tsp

9.Ghee.....2 tsp

10.salt to taste.

11.Mustard seeds.........1 tbsp

12.Cooked Rice.......2 to 3 cups

 

Procedure:

1.Firstly,heat 2 tsp of oil in kadai,add red chillies and tamarind,once they r done add the pudhina leaves and cilantro.Roast for 1 min then switch off the flame.

2.Grind the roasted pudhina mix without water.

3.Heat a kadai,splutter mustard seeds,channa dhal,ground nuts & cashews with oil & a tsp of ghee.Add the grounded paste.Stir it well for 2 mins and switch off the flame.

Note:As this is a simple version i avoided peas n other masala items.If u want it a bit rich,then add cinnamon stick-2,cardamom - 2,cloves-3 and a tsp of ginger-garlic paste while seasoning and boiled green peas after adding grounded paste.U also use green chillies instead of red one for strong flavor.Pudhina rice 2 is coming up soon ;-).

4.To this add cooked rice and salt.Mix well until all flavour binds together.

5.Serve it simply with papad or any raita.

Mango Thokku

Mango season has started and its time to celebrate with variety of mango pickles,salads and shakes.

Here given some benefits of mango..

Cures:

• Kidney problems including nephrititis.
• Fever
• Respiratory problems
• Constipation

Health benefits:

• Mangoes contain phenols, this phenolic compound have powerful antioxidant and anticancer abilities.
• Mango is high in iron, pregnant women and people with anemia are advised to eat this fruit regularly.
• Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin.
• It is also valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion.
• Mango is high in antioxidant and low in carbohydrates.
• Mango is a rich source of vitamin A(beta-carotene), E and Selenium which help to protect against heart disease and other ailments

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin A : 6,350 I.U.
• Vitamin B : Thiamine .06 mg.;
• Vitamin C : 41 mg.
• Calcium : 9 mg.
• Phosphorus : 13 mg.
• Protein : .7 gm.
• Calories : 66

Mango Thokku :

Ingredients:

1.Mango(un ripped)..........2

2.Oil..........5 to 8 tbsps

3.Salt needed.

4.Hing.... 2 pinch

5.Turmeric powder........1 tsp

6.Mustard seeds......2 tsps

7.Powdered jaggery........1 tbsp


To grind(for making chilli powder):

1.Dry red chili.........10 to 12

2.Menthya/fenugreek seeds..........3 tsps

Procedure:

1.Wash the mangoes,Grate it and keep it aside.

2.Fry the 'to grind' items with 1/2 tsp of oil till golden.Grind it to a fine powder.

3.Take a deep kadai,heat oil and splutter mustard seeds.Add grated mango,turmeric powder and hing.

4.Stir it nicely until it is cooked well.

5.When oil starts coming out,add the salt and grounded chilli powder,and mix it well until it binds.Some add jaggery powder (a tbsp)for tangy taste.But its totally optional.

6.Switch off when oil gets out.

Note:The thooku will look like halwa in the end.Non-sticky,roll like a ball when u stir.


This tasty thokku should be stored in refrigerator after it cools down.Consume within a week.Store in a clean,dry container(Avoid plastic containers,ceramic or stainless steel is preferred).

Have this ultimately delicious pickle with creamy curd rice,roti or with any of ur choice.Njoy summer with varieties of mango recipes and stay healthy...cheers!!!