Mussels Curry

Preparation time : 20 mins

Serves : 2

Ingredients :

Mussels : 250 grms

Coconut milk : 1/4 cup

Green chili : 2 finely chopped

Garlic : 2 cloves finely chopped

Mustard seeds : 1 tsp

Fennel powder / sonf : 1/4 tsp

Turmeric powder : pinch

Onion : 1 finely chopped

Tomato : 1 finely chopped

Cumin powder : 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder : 1/2 tsp

Salt : to taste

Pepper powder : 1/2 tsp

Dried red chili's : 2 optional

Coriander leaves : few springs 

White wine : 1/4 cup (Optional ;) )

Method :

                

Take a pan heat it , add 2 tbsp of oil.

Add chopped green chili, chopped garlic, mustard seeds.

Wait till mustard seeds crackle.

Add fennel powder, turmeric powder and saute them a bit.

Add finely chopped onions and fry them till they are nice golden brown in color.

Add cumin powder, coriander powder, salt , black pepper powder and cook for 2 mins.

Now add chopped tomatoes.

Cook the entire mixture till tomatoes are done.

Add coconut milk(or even you can use cream) and bring it to boil. ( If you are using white wine add it here instead of coconut milk)

Add the mussels , cover and cook for 5 mins.

Garnish it with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Serve it hot and Enjoy your dish :)

Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Prawn fry / Royyala vepudu

This prawn fry can be served as an appetiser or as a side dish.

Prawns and shrimp can be cooked with the shell and head still on, which can both be removed after cooking, or the shell and head can be removed before cooking when still slightly frozen, as it is easier.

If possible try to cook the prawns or shrimp with the shell intact, as this will ensure a stronger and tastier with extra flavor and moisture added from the shell.

Preparation time : 15 mins
Serves : 2

Ingredients :

Prawns : 250 grms
Ginger garlic paste : 1 tbsp
Garam masala : 1 tsp
Pepper powder : 1/2 tsp
Chili powder : 1 tsp
Turmeric powder : 1/8 tsp
Salt : to taste
Green chili : 2
Curry leaves : 10 - 12
Coriander leaves : few for garnishing
Lemon : 1/4

Method :

I used whole shell on prawns that are cooked in their shells for the very best flavor.
If you are using raw prawns then you can fallow these steps to cook them.
To boil prawns or shrimps :
Fill a sauce pan with one litre of water and add a tsp of sea salt.
Bring the water to boil, add the prawns or shrimps.

Reduce the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 3 - 6 min, depending on size of prawns or shrimps.

The prawns or shrimp will be cooked when they float to the top and the flesh has turned white or opaque through out.

Remove them from heat immediately and run them under cold water for a few seconds to stop the cooking process.

Once the prawns or shrimp have cooled they are ready to use.

As i used already cooked prawns i started my cooking process from here.

Take a pan, heat it, add 2 tbsp of oil.

When oil is hot add curry leaves, slit green chili , turmeric powder saute them a bit.

Add cooked prawns and fry them for 5 mins on medium heat.

Now add ginger garlic paste, garam masala, chili powder, pepper powder, and salt.

Saute it for 2 to 3 mins.

Remove it from heat.

Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
You can squeeze some lemon juice on top , before serving.

Enjoy your dish as a starter or as a side dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Pouched egg curry

Preparation time : 20 mins
Serves : 2

Ingredients :

Eggs : 4
Onion : 2
Tomato : 4
Ginger garlic paste : 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
Red chili powder : 1 tbsp
Garam masala powder : 1 tsp
Sugar : 1/2 tsp (optional)
Salt : to taste
Bay leaf : 1

Method :

Take a pan, add a tbsp of oil, heat it.
Add bay leaf and finely chopped onions.
Saute till onions are translucent.
Mix ginger garlic paste, chili powder, garam masala, turmeric and add this into sauteed onions.
Cook for 5 mins.
Add tomatoes ( you can add chopped tomatoes or pureed tomatoes i.e your wish).
Add salt and sugar.
Cook it till tomatoes are cooked.
Add water - one cup or so and bring it to boil.
Reduce the heat.
Now carefully break the eggs into the gravy.
Do this slowly to avoid too much spreading of white.
Add all the eggs like this one after the other.
cook this for 5 mins or till yolks cooked firmly.
Check for taste and adjust it by adding anything you want.
Serve hot with rice or roti :)
Enjoy your dish .........
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Coconut chutney / Kobbari kaaya pulla pachadi

Preparation time : 5 mins
Serves : 2

Ingredients :

Grated Coconut : 1/2 cup
Sesame seeds : 2 tbsp (or to taste)
Green chili : 2 to 3
Lemon juice (or) Tamarind pulp : 2 tbsp ( or to taste)
Turmeric powder : pinch
Salt : to taste

For seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/8 tsp
Cumin seeds : 1/8 tsp
Urad dal : 1/8 tsp
Whole Red chili : 2
Curry leaves : one spring
Hing / Asafotida : pinch

Method :

Take a blender, add grated coconut, sesame seeds, cut green chili  and grind them.
Now add lemon juice or tamarind juice, turmeric powder, salt and grind it once again.
Take it into a bowl.
Now take a pan, heat it , add a tsp of oil.
When oil is hot , add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, whole red chili, curry leaves and hing.
Saute them a bit till seeds starts to crackle.
Add this seasoning into the bowl of coconut mixture.
Mix it good before serving.
Enjoy chutney with rice or tiffins :)
Thank you , do post your comments !!!

Black peas curry / kala chana curry

There are two main kinds of chick peas : Desi and kabuli.
Desi , which has small darker seeds and a rough coat. Kabuli , which has lighter coloured, larger seeds and smoother coat.
The Desi is also known as Bengal gram or kala chana. Desi chick peas have a markedly higher fibre content than kabuli chana and hence a very low glycemic index which may make them suitable for people with blood sugar problems. The desi type is used to make chana dal, which is a split chickpea with the skin removed.

Preparation time : 20 mins + 12 hours
Serves : 2 to 3

Ingredients :

Balck chick peas (or) kala chana : one cup
Mustard seeds : 1/4 tsp
split red chili : 2
Onion : 1
Tomato : 2
Ginger garlic paste : 1 tsp
Coconut pieces/ diced coconut : 2 tbsp
Salt : to taste
Whole garam masala : 2 each (or) garam masala powder : 1/2 tbsp
whole red chili's : 1 or 2
Grated coconut : 1/3 cup
Coriander seeds : 1 tsp

Method :

Soak black chana for 8 to 10 hours (or) over night.
Cook them with some salt and water.
Keep them aside.
Take a pan, add 1 tsp of oil and heat it.
Add grated coconut,coriander seeds, whole red chili and fry it till its color changes to golden brown.
(If you are using garam masala powder then add it and fry it a bit, i personally don't like whole spices coming when i am eating so i added garam masala powder here)
Take it off the flame, let it cool down, Make a fine paste from this. Keep it aside.

Now Take a pan, add 2 tsp of oil.
When oil is hot add mustard seeds, split red chili.
(If you are using whole spices then add them now)
When mustard seeds crackle add diced coconut , saute a bit , add ginger garlic paste.
Add chopped onions, when they are translucent, add chopped tomato.
Add some curry leaves and stir gently.
Add cooked black chana , salt and some water.
Now add the coconut paste that we prepared earlier.
Cover and ook the entire mixture good for 5 mins.
Garnish it with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Your dish is ready to serve :)
Enjoy it with rice / roti / puttu .
Thank you , do post your comments !!!

Chicken stew Kerala style

Preparation time : 30 mins
Serves : 4

Ingredients :

Baby chicken : 1 (or) Chicken : 750 grms
Onion : 1 or 2 depending on size
Carrot : 1 Small
Potato : 1 Big
Coconut milk : one can (400ml)
Green chili : 4 (or) to taste
Ginger : 3 " piece
Garlic cloves : 3
Cloves : 6
Cardamom : 3
Cinnamon stick : 3"
Bay leaves : 2
Salt : to taste
Crushed pepper cons : 1/2 tbsp
Curry leaves : one spring
Coriander leaves : few springs

Method :

Wash chicken with salt and turmeric powder. Keep it aside.
Cut onion, carrot, potato into cubes.
Take a pressure cooker . Add 2 tbsp of oil.
Put cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaves.
Stir it once.
Add chopped garlic and sliced ginger.
Saute them a bit.
Add onion, potato, carrot and slit green chili's one by one.
Stir them a bit.
Now add washed chicken , and stir again.
Take 1/4 cup of coconut milk , mix it with 1/4 cup of water and add it.
Add salt to taste.
Close the lid, and cook for one whistle.
Wait till pressure goes, take the lid off, transfer the contents to a pan.
Stir them a bit.
Add curry leaves, crushed pepper, and coriander leaves.
Mix them good.
Keep the flame in very low and add remaining thick coconut milk. and a tsp of oil.
Cook for 2 mins.
Turn of the heat.
Garnish it with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Your chicken stew is now ready to serve.
Enjoy your stew with Aapam or with white rice.
Thank you, do post your comments .

Paneer

Preparation time : 2hour approx

Ingredients :

Whole Milk : 4 cups
vinegar (or) lemon juice : 3 to 4 tbsp

Method :

Take a pan and add milk.

When it started to boiling (bubbles should come) add vinegar or lemon juice till you can see clear water.

Once milk is curdled take it off the stove immediately.
Strain the water , take the paneer and keep it in a sieve.
(The water from paneer is called as whey and you can use it , no need to throw it away)

Place a plate on that paneer and then add some weight on top, to get all the water out from paneer.
(or you can keep it in cloth and add weight on top...)

After all water came out from paneer, take it into a blender.

Blend it into a smooth paste.

Take that paneer paste in a box.

Keep this box in freezer for one hour, take it out and make marks , i.e, as cubes, keep it back in freezer for one more hour.
Take it out , take the cubes out.

You can use these paneer cubes in your cooking ...
Enjoy your delicious home made paneer :)
Thank you , do post your comments !!!

Atukulu upma / Masala atukulu / Masala poha

Preparation time : 20 mins

Serves : 2

Ingredients :

Rice flakes / flattened rice / Atukulu / poha : 2 cups

Onion : 1

Potato : 1

Tomato : 1

Green chili : 2

Mustard seeds : 1/4 tsp

Jeera / cumin seeds : 1/4 tsp

Curry leaves : few

Peanuts : 1 tbsp (optional)

Turmeric powder : 1/8 tsp

Salt : to taste

Garam masala : 1/4 tsp (optional)

Method :

Wash poha / atukulu very well. Sprinkle some water, cover it and let it rest for 15 mins.

Keep it aside and mean while do this preparation.

Take a pan heat it .

Add a tsp of oil, when oil is hot, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.

When they started to splutter add curry leaves, green chili, peanuts and turmeric powder.

Saute them till they are done.

Add chopped onion and fry till it is translucent.

Add chopped potato and some salt.

Cover and cook till potatoes are well cooked.

Add tomatoes and let them cook for some time.

If you are using garam masala add it now.

Add Atukulu, mix it good, and check for taste.

Atukula upma is ready to serve.

Serve it hot and enjoy your dish :)

Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Vegetable Fajita

Fajita is a term found in both traditional Mexican cuisine and in Tex-Mex cuisine, commonly referring to any grilled meat served as a taco on a flour or corn tortilla. In restaurants, the meat is often cooked with onions and bell peppers. Popular condiments are shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese and tomato.  

I personally like Mexican cuisine a lot... and here is the recipe for fajita....

Preparation time : 20 mins
Serves : 2 / makes : 4

Ingredients :

Tortilla wraps : 4
Onion : 1 big
Carrot : 1
Capsicum / bell pepper : 1
Cooked Mushrooms : 1 cup (optional)
Cheese : 50 grms
Boiled Black beans (or) Rajma : one cup
Salsa : 4 tbsp
Guacamole : 4bsp
Sour cream : 4 tbsp

Method :

Cut all vegetables length wise, and stir fry each of them separately in a pan for few minutes.
Add salt and seasoning / chili flakes to them , take them out onto a plate.
Grate the cheese and keep it aside.

Take a tortilla wrap, heat it on tawa or in micro wave.
Take wrap, apply salsa, guacamole and sour cream on it.

Now add stir fried vegetables, beans, and cheese at center.
(If you like you can add olives and jalapeno's also)

Now close it from top and bottom and then roll it from sides to make a wrap.
Roast it on tawa or you can even grill it, or you can simply have it like that.

Cut them at center with an angle.

Serve them hot....
Enjoy your Fajita :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Semiya kheer / Semya paayasam

Preparation time : 20 mins
Serves : 2

Ingredients :

Vermicelli / semiya : 1/4 cup
Milk : 2 cups
(vermicelli : milk : sugar = 1 : 8 : 2)
Sugar : 1/2 cup approx (depending on sweetness you want 1/4 cup to1/2 cup)
Cashew nuts : 5
Kiss miss (or) Raisins : 10
Almonds : 5
Pistachio : 5
Cardamom powder : 1 tsp
Ghee : 2tsp
Kesar (or) kumkum puvvu : few strands (optional)

Method :

Take a pan , add ghee, once it is melted, add nuts and raisins.
Roast them till they are golden brown and raisins puff up.
Add semiya and roast it a bit.
(i personally like paayasam with non roasted semiya, it depends on your taste, if you don't want to roast  then don't roast it )
Add milk.
Let it boil and cook the whole mixture until semiya is cooked.
Add sugar, cardamom powder and kesar.
Cook it once.

Serve it hot or cold.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Smily face cookies

These are fun to prepare and tastes good, and more interesting thing is you will get a different smile on each smiley face :) 

                

Preparation time : 2 hours approx

Makes : 30 approx

Ingredients :

Unsalted butter at room temperature : 1 cup

Sugar : 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup ( i felt 1/2 cup little less)

Vanilla extract : 1 tsp

Salt : 1/4 tsp

All purpose flour / maida : 2 3/4 cups

Unsweetened cocoa powder :  2 1/2 tbsp

Method :

Take a bowl, add butter, sugar and cream them together until well blended and fluffy.

Add vanilla extract and salt, mix it once.

Now slowly incorporate the flour into this mixture (with an electric whisk in low speed)

The dough will be loose and crumbly.

Turn dough out onto a floured work surface. 

Lightly kneed the dough just until texture is evenly distributed..

Divide dough into 1/3 and 2/3 portions.

Chocolate dough : Sprinkle cocoa powder over the 1/3 portion. Knead until cocoa has been fully incorporated. ( We use this dough for making smile and eyes )

Remaining 2/3 portion of the dough will be used for making face.

Now, make eyes and smile with chocolate dough.

For eyes, take some chocolate dough (say 40 %) and roll into 2 thin strips.

For smile , take some chocolate dough (say 60 %) and roll it to 2 inch wide piece.

For face you need : Take the white dough, divide it into 1/3 and 2/3

Roll 2/3 dough into a rectangle shape ( same length as smile)

Take that 1/3 dough divide it into half,with first half make 3 thin strips and roll the second half to 2 inch wide.

Now assembling face : 

Place white rectangle shape thing on work surface.

On top of it place chocolate smile that we rolled, placing it at the edge of the long end.

Add that rolled white one (that we made from 2nd half of white 1/3 dough)

Now place chocolate eyes dough ( 2 thin strips) on filling the every space with a strip of white dough 

( w c w c w , place strips in this order on top)

Finally, roll up the entire layer and shape the dough into long log.

Wrap the dough tightly with a cling film and chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking.

(Cookie dough can be stored in fridge for few days or in the freezer for months)

Preheat oven to 350 F or 175 C. 

Slice cookie dough into 1/4 inch thickness and then lay them on a cookie sheet or baking tray.

Bake for 12 to 15 mins or until the edges are slightly brown. 

Cool cookies on a rack.

Store them in a tight container.

I prepared these by seeing a video from you tube and here is the link for it and you too can check it for a detailed understanding of this recipe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dksRSsfYo34
She adopted it from this blog http://khern.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/smiley-face-ice-box-cookies/

Enjoy your cookies :)

Thank you, do post your comments !!!

Fruit & Nut Cake

Preparation time : 2 hours approx.
Serves : 8

Ingredients :

Dried Cranberry  : 1/3 cup
Apricots : 1/3 cup
Raisins : 1/3 cup
( 1 cup of fruit and 1 cup of nuts all together )
Cashew nuts : 1/4 cup
Almonds : 1/4 cup
Pistachio : 1/4 cup
Walnut : 1/4 cup
Water : 2 cups
All purpose flour / maida : 1 3/4 cup
Sugar : 1 cup
Baking soda : 1 tsp
Salt : 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon powder : 1/2 tsp
Nutmeg powder : 1/2 tsp
Candied orange peel : few (optional )
Vanilla extract : 1tsp
Butter : 1/2 cup / 8 tbsp / 125grms

Method :

Preheat oven to 180 degrees centigrade.
Chop your fruits and nuts into small pieces.

Take your dried fruits into a sauce pan, add 2 cups of water.
Cover and cook on medium heat for 10 mins.

Take a bowl, add maida (or) all purpose flour in it.
Add sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder.
Mix all dry ingredients good, keep it aside.
By this time your fruit will be cooked, take it into a bowl.
Add butter into this , and allow butter to melt.
Let this mixture to cool down for 15 mins or so.
After it cooled down a bit, add vanilla extract, mix it once.
Slowly fold in dry ingredients that we kept aside.
Now incorporate or fold in nuts and candied orange peel.
Pour the mixture into a greased bunt pan or any other non stick pan.
(Make sure you greased your pan properly)

Bake it in oven for 30 - 40 mins until inserted toothpick comes out clean from the centre.
Allow cake to cool in the pan for 30 mins and flip out on to a cooling rack to further cool.
This is a fruit and nut cake, they tend to be a little dense because of heaviness of fruits and nuts, they are not as spongy like regular cakes.
Serve it warm or cold.
You can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top.
Enjoy your cake :)
Thank you , do post your comments !!!