PUMPKIN RAITA

 

During sweltering heat, natural foods like curd are much healthier for the body. I had stashed away a kilogram of pumpkin. After using a portion of it for sambar, I utilized the remaining to prepare raita. It turned out to be a simple yet delicious dish, and serves as a perfect accompaniment to rice, pulao, or even rotis

 

 

 

 

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 INGREDIENTS

 

PUMPKIN- 300 GRAMS

WHISKED CURD- 2 CUPS

SALT TO TASTE

CORIANDER FOR GARNISHING

 

FOR SEASONING

COCONUT OIL/ GHEE- 3 TSP

MUSTARD-1/4 TSP

URAD DAL/ BLACK GRAM DAL- 1/4 TSP

CUMIN SEEDS-1/4 TSP 

CURRY LEAVES-1 SPRIG

CHOPPED GREEN CHILLIES- 2

CHILLI POWDER-1/4 TSP

ASAFOETIDA- 1/4 TSP

 

PROCEDURE 

 

1. Peel,wash and chop pumpkin roughly to pieces and boil till it turns mushy.Add salt while boiling.

 

2. Allow it to cool and drain excess water if any. Mash it using a masher and keep it aside.

 

3.Pour the whisked curd over this and mix well.Adjust salt if required.

 

4. Prepare the seasoning and add to it. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves and serve. 

SANDESH / SHONDESH

 

Turned a kitchen accident into a cultural treat!  After my milk accidentally curdled, I learned that this fresh cheese is actually the base for Sandesh, an iconic Bengali delicacy. This soft, cardamom-infused sweet is officially my new favorite way to fix a mistake.In case you are running out of curdled milk,then follow the procedure for curdling cited below

 

 

 

 

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 Ingredients

• Milk: 1 litre (full fat)
• Lemon Juice/Vinegar: 2 tbsp (diluted with water)
• Powdered Sugar: 1/4 cup
• Cardamom Powder: 1/2 tsp
• Garnish: Pistachios & Saffron strands/ Almonds

1. Make Fresh Chenna (Paneer)

• Boil the milk in a heavy-bottomed pan.
• Turn off heat. Add diluted lemon juice slowly.
• Stir until milk curdles completely.
• Strain using a muslin cloth.
• Rinse with cold water to remove sourness.
• Squeeze well. Hang for 30 minutes to drain.

2. Knead to Smoothness

• Place the fresh chenna on a flat plate.
• Rub with your palm for 5–7 minutes.
• Stop when it becomes smooth and non-sticky.
• Mix in powdered sugar and cardamom powder.

3. Cook the Mix (Crucial Step!)

• Transfer the mix to a non-stick pan.
• Cook on low heat for 4–5 minutes only.
• Stir continuously so it does not dry out.
• Remove when it gathers together into a soft dough.
• Add saffron strands soaked in milk mixture to the dough. 

4. Shape & Serve

• Let it cool slightly until warm.
• Divide into equal portions.
• Roll into balls and flatten slightly (or use molds).
• Press a pistachio/ almond or saffron strand into the center.
• Chill for 30 minutes before serving!

PUNDU KULAMBU / GARLIC KULAMBU

 

 

Garlic is one of those magical ingredients that quietly does a lot of good for your body—it’s known to boost immunity, support heart health, and even help with digestion. But what I really love is how it transforms in traditional cooking. In this pundu kulambu, the garlic loses its sharp, pungent bite and turns wonderfully mellow, blending into the gravy with a rich, comforting flavor instead of overpowering it.

 

 

 

 

 INGREDIENTS :

 

GARLIC CLOVES- 15-20 NOS

SHALLOTS- 15-20 NOS

KULAMBU MILAGAI THUL-  4 TSP

SESAME OIL- 1 TBSP

TAMARIND- LEMON SIZE

SALT TO TASTE

TURMERIC POWDER- 1/4 TSP

 JAGGERY- 1/2 TSP

 

 FOR SEASONING:

 

SESAME OIL- 3 TSP

MUSTARD- 1/2 TSP

FENUGREEK SEEDS- 3/4 TSP

CUMIN SEEDS- 3/4 TSP

CURRY LEAVES- 2 SPRIGS 

 

PROCEDURE :

 

1.Soak tamarind in hot water and extract syrup and keep it aside.

 

2. Prepare the seasoning and transfer the same to the vessel in which you are going to store the kulambu.

 

3.In the same pan add remaining oil and saute shallots and garlic cloves together.Add salt,kulambu milagai thul over it and saute for a minute.

 

4. Pour tamarind syrup over it,add turmeric powder,jaggery and boil till the raw smell evades .

 

5. If you feel the consistency of the kulambu is runny, then add the rice flour slurry and heat for a minute.

 

6.Pour the kulambu to the vessel in which you have added the seasoning and mix well. 

 

 

Seppankizhangu Roast / Colocasia Roast

Colocasia is a slimy vegetable, but it cooks quickly. I’ve used it in mor kuzhambu before, though I feel it tastes best when prepared crisp. The last time, I made it as fritters. This time, I preferred it as a palya or curry, so I tried thist method and it turned out really good.

 

 

 INGREDIENTS :

 

COLO CASSIA-  600 GRAMS

GRAM FLOUR- 6 TSP

RICE FLOWER- 3 TSP

CHILLI POWDER- 1 TSP

CORIANDER POWDER-1 1/2 TSP 

FENNEL POWDER-3/4 TSP

PEPPER POWDER- 1/4 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER- 1/4 TSP

SALT TO TASTE

ASAFOETIDA- 1/2 TSP  

CURRY LEAVES- 2 SPRIGS

OIL- 1 TBSP

 

PROCEDURE :

 

1.Wash col cassia thoroughly in running water. Transfer the same the to a pressure cooker and cook for 1 whistle.

 

2.When the col cassia is steamed,allow it to cool and peel the skin.Cut it into thick roundels and keep it aside.

 

3.In a bowl or plate take the two flours along with all the spice powders,salt and mix well.

 

4.Sprinkle the mixed spices mixture over the roundels and coat well.If the powder doesn't coat,sprinkle little water and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.

 

5.Mean while heat oil in a pan and half the curry leaves.Now gently drop the roundels in it and keep flipping it so that it cooks uniformly.

 

6.You can also reduce the heat to sim and keep it covered .This method enables faster cooking and makes the veggies crispier.

 

7.Now add the remaining curry leaves and cook in sim for a minute and switch off.

VEGETABLE KURMA

 

 

I have prepared vegetable kurma umpteen times at home, yet I was surprised that I hadn’t posted it on my blog so far. Hence, today I decided to share it.

There are many variations of this kurma, wherein coriander powder and poppy seeds are included. But I don’t stock poppy seeds, as I don’t use them much in my cooking; hence, I make this kurma without them. That said, the masala paste I have elucidated here is truly flavorsome, and I always adhere to this recipe.

I can bet this kurma is absolutely on par with the ones prepared in hotels and restaurants. You can pair it with chapati, puri, parotta, idiyappam, idli, or dosa.

 INGREDIENTS TO GRIND 

 

COCONUT - 1/2 CUP

FENNEL SEEDS- 3/4 TSP

CASHEW NUTS- 7 NOS

GREEN CHILLIES- 2 NOS

 

OTHER INGREDIENTS :

 

CARROT CHOPPED- 1/2 CUP

BEANS CHOPPED- 1/2 CUP

POTATO CHOPPED- 1/2 CUP

FRESH GREEN PEAS- 1 CUP

ONIONS- 2

TOMATO-3 

CHILLI POWDER- 1/2 TSP

GARAM MASALA POWDER- 1/2 TSP

TURMERIC POWDER-1/4 TSP

SALT TO TASTE

BAY LEAF- 1

CARDAMOM-2 

CINNAMON- 2

CLOVES-3 

STONE FLOWER- 1 SMALL

OIL- 1 TBSP

GINGER GARLIC PASTE- 1 TSP

 

PROCEDURE :

 

1.Grind fennel seeds,cashew nuts,coconut and green chillies to fine paste  using little water and keep it aside.

 

2.Transfer all the chopped veggies --carrot,beans,potato and green peas to a pressure cooker,with little salt and water and cook for 1 whistle.

 

3.After steaming drain the excess and and retain the same to adjust the consistency of kurma.

 

4.In a pan heat oil and  add cloves,bay leaf,cinnamon sticks,cardamom,stone flower.Add chopped onions over this.

 

5.Add salt and saute till the onions turn translucent.Now add the ginger garlic paste saute till the raw smell evades.

 

6.Add the chopped tomatoes and saute till mushy.Add turmeric powder,chilli powder and fry till it blends well.

 

7.Over this transfer the steamed veggies,coconut paste and simmer in mild heat for a couple of minutes.At last add garam masala powder and simmer for a couple of seconds and switch off.

 

AKKARA ADISAL

 

I wish you all a very happy Pongal and Makara Sankranthi.

I usually prepare Sakkara Pongal during the festival, but this time I decided to try Akkara Adisal (also known as Akara Vadisal), a traditional sweet dish similar to sweet pongal, yet distinct in its own way. Unlike regular sweet pongal, Akkara Adisal has a rich, creamy texture as it is cooked in milk. Its consistency lies somewhere between payasam and sweet pongal, and generous amounts of ghee are used to enhance its flavour and aroma.

By the grace of God, I celebrated Pongal with great enthusiasm. The day began with drawing a large kolam at the entrance of my house, followed by the preparation of kara pongal for breakfast. This was succeeded by sweet pongal, offered in devotion to God, praying for happiness, health, and prosperity throughout the year.

 INGREDIENTS :

 

RICE- 1 CUP

MOONG DAL- 3 TSP

JAGGERY- 3 1/2 CUPS

MILK- 6 CUPS

WATER- 2 CUPS

CARDAMOM POWDER

GHEE- 1 1/2 CUPS 

A PINCH OF SALT

CASHEW NUTS --12-15 

 

PROCEDURE :

 

1. In a pan heat 2 teaspoon of ghee in a pan and roast moong dal,then add the raw rice,keep roasting,till nice aroma emanates.

 

2.In the same pan add ghee and roast cashew nuts and keep it aside. 

 

3.In the same pan heat 1 cup of water and 3 cups of milk and cook in sim,till the water and milk is absorbed completely.

 

4.Now transfer the contents to a pressure cooker,remaining water and milk and cook for 4-5 whistles.

 

5. You can add extra milk,to adjust the consistency.Mash the cooked contents,to bring it to mushy consistency.

 

6.In a pan dissolve jaggery to prepare the syrup.You can filter the syrup,if it has any impurities.I used superior quality jaggery,hence I didn't filter the same.

 

7.Pour the syrup to the pressure cooker and mix the contents in very mild heat.Add the ghee slowly and keep stirring.Add pinch of salt,cardamom powder and roasted cashewnuts and mix well

 

8. Yummy Akara Adisal is ready to relish.