Mung Beans Kuruma

Mung beans are high in nutritional value and can be used in a number of dishes.This mung beans kuruma is a good accompaniment for rice,rotis,idli,dosa..

Prep Time:15 m     Cook Time:25 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

Mung Beans      - 1/4 cup

Onion                - 1

Tomato              - 2

Garlic                - 3 cloves

Mustard Seeds    - to splutter

Cumin Seeds       - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Chilli Powder      - 1/2 tsp

Castor Oil            - 1/2 tsp

Oil                       - 2 tsp

 

To Grind

Coconut       - 3 tblsp

Clove           - 3

Cinnamon     - 1"piece

Khus Khus    - 1/4 tsp

Aniseed        - 3/4 tsp

Method

• Soak mung beans for atleast two hours.Add castor oil,turmeric powder and garlic.Pressure cook this for three whistles and set aside.
     
• Grind the ingredients to grind into a paste and add this to the cooked mung beans.Add chilli powder,required water,salt and bring it to boil.
                            
     
• Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,cumin seeds,add onion,little salt and saute for a while.Then add chopped tomatoes and saute.Now add this to mung beans,give it a mix and switch off the flame.Serve with rice,chappathi...
                   
                       
  

Little Words

• Instead of red chilli powder kuzhambu milaga podi can be used.
• A mild dish taht goes very well with rice,chappathi,dosai..

Paneer Bhurji

A quick recipe that can be used as a stuffing for rolls or as a side dish,paneer bhurji that resembles scrambled eggs in appearance.

Prep Time:10 m     Cook Time:15 m

Serves:2

Ingredients

Paneer                    - 150 g

Onion                     - 1

Tomato                   - 2

Turmeric Powder    - a pinch

Red Chilli Powder  - 1/2 tsp

Cumin Powder       - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala        - 1/4 tsp

Kasoori Methi        - 1/2 tsp

Coriander Leaves   - to garnish

Salt                        - aas required

Oil                          - 2 tsp

Method

• Heat oil in a pan,add chopped onions,little salt and saute till onion becomes translucent.Add chopped tomatoes and all spice powders.Add little water and cook for few minutes.
                           
     
• Crush kasoori methi and add to this.Now add required salt,give it a mix and then add crumbled paneer and mix them all together.Finally garnish with coriander leaves and transfer to serving bowl.
                            
     

Little Words

• Paneer recipes are everyone's favourite and this dish can be prepared so quickly.

Mixed Veg Uthappam

Bored of usual dosai?Add little veggies to the batter to make interesting and yummy veg uthappam.They are sure to satisfy the taste buds.

Prep Time:10 m     Cook Time:15 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

Dosa Batter           - 2 cup

Mixed Veggies       - 1 cup(finely chopped carrot,beans,cauliflower)

Onion                   - 1

Turmeric Powder  - 1/4 tsp

Red Chilli Powder -1/2 tsp

Curry Leaves         - a sprig

Mustard Seeds       - to splutter

Salt                       - to taste

Oil                        - 2 tsp

Method

• Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,add curry leaves,onion and little salt.Saute until onion becomes translucent.Now add finely chopped veggies,turmeric powder,chilli powder and little more salt.Saute this until the veggies are almost cooked.
                                
  
• Add this mixture to the dosa batter and mix well.Meanwhile heat a dosa tawa.Pour a ladle of the batter and drizzle oil on the sides.Cover with a lid and cook on medium flame.Flip the other side and serve with coconut chutney.
                          
                         
  

Little Words

• Add the cauliflower florets to a bowl of hot water before chopping.
• Adding turmeric powder imparts a nice colour to the uthappam.
• After pouring the batter on the tawa spread gently or just give a gentle tap with the back of the ladle.

Bread Pakoda

Bread pakodas  made with bread and gramflour make a crunchy munchy teatime snack.It is a great way to use leftover bread as well.An easy snack that could be made in a jiffy.

Prep Time:5 m       Cook time:15 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

Bread                  - 3

Gram Flour         - 1/4 cup

Rice Flour           - 1 tblsp

Onion                 - 1

Asafoetida          - a pinch

Chilli Powder      - 3/4 tsp

Bicarb of soda     - a pinch

Cumin Powder     - 1/2 tsp

Coriander Leaves - 1/4 cup

Curd                    - 2 tblsp

Salt                      - as needed

Oil                       - to deep fry

Method

• Crumble bread nicely and add other ingredients except oil.Mix them all well.Sprinkle water if necessary.
                              
                               
  
• Meanwhile heat oil in a kadai to deep fry.Once the oil is hot,take a small portion of the pakoda mix and pinch off into oil and fry on a medium flame until golden brown in colour.
                               
  

Little Words

• Add green chillies if desired.Onions can be sliced instead of fine chopping.

Gobi Paratha

Stuffed parathas are a boon when nothing comes into my mind  about side dishes.And this gobi paratha is really so yummy which goes well with some curd and onions.

Prep Time:20 m     Cook Time:15 m

Makes:6

Ingredients

Wheat Flour       - 1 cup

Cauliflower         - 1 cup(grated)

Chilli Powder      - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder -1/4 tsp

Cumin Powder    - 1/2 tsp

Salt                    - as required

Ghee/Oil            - to grease

Method

• Add little salt and water to the flour and knead into a soft dough and set aside.Meanwhile add the cauliflower florets to salted boiling water for five minutes and drain.Grate this using a fine grater.
     
• Squeeze out the excess water from the cauliflower and add the spice powders,salt and mix them well.
     
• Now divide the dough into six portions.Take one portion and roll it slightly.Place the stuffing inside which is almost of the same size as the dough.Cover it nicely and pinch off any excess dough.Now roll this stuffed paratha gently by dusting generous amounts of flour as the cauliflower is watery since blanched in water.Place this on a hot tawa.Turn the other side and then apply ghee or oil.Cook both sides and serve with spiced curd.
                                  
                               
                          
                               
                               
  

Little Words

• Add little ghee to the flour while kneading if desired.
• Dust in flour so that even if the cauliflower is leaving out water it won't stick to the rolling pin.
• Ideal for lunch boxes and easy to pack while travelling.
• Add chilli powder and cumin powder to the curd.