Kathirikkai Masiyal

Prep Time:10 m      Cook Time:15 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

Brinjal              - 2

Tomato             - 2

Onion                - 1

Garlic                 - 3

Curry Leaves       - 2 sprig

Turmeric Powder - a pinch

Chilli Powder       - 3/4 tsp

Mustard Seeds     - to splutter

Tamarind Paste    - 1/4 tsp

Salt                     - to taste

Oil                      - 2 tsp

Method

• Heat oil in a kadai,splutter mustard seeds,add curry leaves,chopped onion and garlic and saute till they turn slightly brown.Now add chopped brinjal and saute for a while.Add turmeric powder followed by chopped tomatoes,salt and chilli powder.
                 
     
• Mix tamarind paste with little water and add it to the brinjal.Cover this with a lid and cook until the brinjal and tomato gets mushy.Serve with rice.
     

Little Words

• Add coriander powder and other spices if desired but this as such tastes simply yummy.
• Place the chopped brinjal in a bowl of cold water to avoid discolouration.
• Dry red chillies can be used instead of chilli powder.
• An easy simple yet lip smacking dish that goes well with rice.

Pepper Mushroom Gravy

Prep Time:10 m      Cook Time:20 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

Mushroom         - 250 g

Onion                 - 1

Ginger                - a small piece

Garlic                 - 4 cloves

Green Chilli        - 1

Pepper Powder    - 1 tsp

Curd                    - 1/2 cup

Curry Leaves       - 2 sprig

Coriander Leaves - to garnish

Mustard Seeds     - to splutter

Oil                        - 2 tsp

Salt                       - to taste

Method

• Blend roughly chopped onion,ginger,garlic and green chilli into a paste.Set this aside.
     
• Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,add curry leaves,onion paste and fry till the onion paste becomes nice brown in colour and the raw smell goes off.
     
• Now add the chopped mushrooms,salt,pepper powder and little water and cook until the mushrooms are done.
     
• Now switch off the flame and when it slightly cools add the curd and mix it well.Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with chappathi.
                                 
     

Little Words

• The curd may curdle if added to the hot gravy.To avoid curdling add it mixed with water when it slightly cools.
• Mushroom can be substituted with chicken also.

Cucumber/Vellarikkai Kootu

Ingredients

Cucumber       -  1

Mung dal        -  1/4 cup

To Grind
Grated coconut   - 1/4 cup
Red Chilli           - 2
Cumin Seeds      - 1 tsp

To Temper
Oil                 -  2 tsp
Mustard Seeds -  1/4 tsp
Urid Dal          -  1/2 tsp
Channa Dal     -  1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves   -  few

Method

• Peel the skin and cut cucumber into small pieces.Let it cook adding little salt.Meanwhile cook the mung dal separately.Add the coconut paste and give it a mix.
     
• Add the cooked mung dal to this.Heat oil in a small frying pan and temper and add this to the cucumber mung dal kootu and serve.

          

Little Words

• This is an excellent dish which soothes burning sensations in stomach.
• Can be had with plain rice.

Dal Makhani

Ingredients

Black Dal/Urid Dal       -  1/4 cup

Red Kidney Beans        -  1/4 cup

Onion                           -  1

Tomato                         -  1

Coriander Powder         - 2 tsp

Cumin                           -  1/2 tsp

Ginger garlic(crushed)   -  1 tblsp

Butter                           -  2 tsp

Chilli Powder                -  1/2 tsp

Salt                               -  to taste  

METHOD       

• Soak the dals overnight and pressure cook for 8 to 10 whistles.
          
• Add coriander powder,chilli powder,water and let the spices cook.Meanwhile melt butter in a frying pan and splutter cumin seed,add onion, ginger garlic and fry till raw smell goes off.Add tomato and saute till they become mushy.
     
• Add this to the cooked dal and add little more butter and serve hot with rice.
     

Spinach Coconut Curry

Ingredient	Quantity
Spinach	200 g
Grated Coconut	1/4 cup
Green Chilli	1
Onion	1
Mustard Seeds	to splutter
Urid Dal	1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder	a pinch
Curry Leaves	few
Salt	to taste
Oil	2 tsp

Cooking Steps

• Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,add urid dal,curry leaves,onion and saute till onion becomes transparent.Add turmeric powder,salt and spinach.
  

    
• Add coconut green chilli paste to this and cook for five more minutes and serve with plain rice or roti.
    

Little words

• You can add butter for a rich taste.
• While grinding coconut and green chilli a teaspoon of cumin seeds can also be added.
• You would surely love the aroma and taste of this curry.

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Baby Corn Sabji

Ingredient	Quantity
Baby Corn	10
Onion	1
Tomato	1
Tomato Ketchup	1 tsp
Turmeric Powder	1/8 tsp
Chilli Powder	1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds	1/4 tsp
Coriander Leaves	to garnish
Salt	to taste
Oil	2 tsp

Cooking Steps

• Cut the baby corn into lengthwise pieces and into halves and cook in a pressure pan or in microwave.
  

  
• Heat oil in a pan,splutter cumin seeds,add onion and saute till onion turns pale.
  
• Add chopped tomatoes and saute till tomato becomes mushy.Add turmeric powder and chilli powder.
     
• Now add tomato ketchup and salt.Give it a stir and add cooked baby corn into this.Add little water and let the masala blend with the corn.Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.
           
     

Little words

• Serve with plain rice,chappathi,ccurd rice...

Lamb Rogan Josh

Ingredient	Quantity
Lamb	1/2 kg
Onion	2
Ginger	1"piece
Garlic	8
Tomato	1
Cardamom	4 pods
Cinnamon	1"stick
Bay Leaves	2
Paprika	2 tsp
Coriander Powder	2 tsp
Cumin Powder	2 tsp
Salt	to taste
Oil	1 tblsp

Cooking Steps

• Heat oil in a pan,add cardamom,cinnamon,bay leaves,lamb pieces and fry them till the lamb meat changes slightly brown and transfer to a bowl.
  

  
• Now add onions,grated ginger,crushed garlic and fry till raw smell goes off.Add tomatoes and saute till tomato becomes mushy.
     
• Add paprika,coriander powder,cumin powder and mix them well.Then add fried lamb pieces.
     
• Add water and salt and pressure cook for four to six whistles.
     
  
  

Little words

• Serve with naan,rice...
• A teaspoon of Kashmiri chilli powder can be used instead of paprika.(Paprika gives a unique taste according to me)
• This can be made into a dry gravy as well.Consistency depends on individual taste.