Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Hagalkai palya (Karlyachi bhaji)


This version of karela bhaaji makes you crave for it again and again! It might take a little more time to prepare, but yes, the more the cooking time, the better the taste (well this is just my personal belief :p). So, give it a try.

Karela is also known as karla in Marathi and hagalkai in Kannada.

Ingredients:
3-4 karela
3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
3-4 tbsp of tamarind paste
Red chili powder to taste
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp of turmeric powder
1 tsp of mustard seeds
4-5 curry leaves
1 tbsp of jaggery or per your taste
Oil for frying karela

Method:
1. Scrape and discard the outer rough skin of karela and chop into round pieces. Do not discard the seeds, they taste great after frying

2. Heat oil in a wok, and fry the karela chops in batches until golden brown. Blot the fried karela

3. I use just few drops of left over oil for seasoning. So, for seasoning, add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter
4. Add curry leaves and garlic, fry until golden brown
5. Add karela chops, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, tamarind paste and jaggery and mix thorougly. Jaggery and tamarind paste is used just to reduce the bitterness of the karela
6. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Since the karela is already fried and tender, they cook very fast

Serve with roti.








Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Dill curry (shepu/sabasgi)

Dill is known as shepu chi bhaaji in Marathi and sabasgi palya in Kannada.

Preparation:
Soak moong dal for atleast 25 minutes.
Discard hard stems of dill and wash.
                                                        Soaked moong dal:
                                                        
                                                         Dill:
Ingredients:
3 bunches of dill
1/2 cup of soaked split moong dal
4-5 cloves of garlic crushed or chopped
2-3 green chilies chopped
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
3 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder

Method:
1. Chop dill into roughly 1/4 inches long pieces and keep aside
2. Heat oil in a skillet or cooking pan
3. Splutter cumin seeds
4. Add green chilies and garlic. Fry until garlic turns light brown
5. Drain soaked moong dal and add the dal to the skillet and fry for a minute
6. Mix turmeric powder and salt and add dill

7. Mix thoroughly, cover and cook for about 7-8 minutes or until dill and dal are cooked.
Don't forget to stir occasionally since dal tends to stick to the bottom. Sprinkle some water if you think the curry looks dry.
Serve hot with roti or rice.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Avarekai palya (Ghevdyachi bhaaji)


Ingredients:
1. 1/2 lb Avarekai/ghevda
2. 1/2 cup chopped onion
3. 4-5 garlic pods, crushed
4. 1 tsp kare khara (kala masala), you can skip this if you don't have the masala handy
5. Red chilli powder to taste
6. Salt to taste
7. 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
8. 2 tbsp oil for seasoning
9. 1 tsp mustard seeds
10. 1 tsp cumin seeds
11. 4-5 curry leaves

Method:
1. Wash and cut avarekai into 1/2 inch long pieces

2. Heat oil in a skillet or cooking pan
3. Splutter mustard and cumin seeds
4. Add curry leaves and garlic, stir for a minute
5. Add onion and fry until translucent
6. Add avarekai and fry on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. This is the key for a tasty curry.
7. Add kare khara and mix
8. Now add chili powder, turmeric powder and salt and mix well
9. You might sprinkle few drops of water if the curry looks dry. Cover and cook on medium heat until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to avoid charring of the curry.

Serve with roti or rice.

Spicy dal tadka


This recipe is inspired from a restaurant in my home town.
Preparation: Cook toor dal. I usually cook toor dal with 2 and half times of water in a pressure cook for 3 whistles.




Ingredients:
1. 1/2 cup of cooked toor dal (split pigeon peas)
2. 1/4 cup of chopped onion
3. 3 garlic pods, crushed
4. 3-4 curry leaves
5. 1 tsp of cumin seeds
6. 3 tbsp oil (save 2 tbsp for final seasoning)
7. 2 tbsp red chilli powder or per your taste
8. 2 tsp garam masala
9. 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
10. Salt to taste

Method:
1. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan
2. Splutter cumin seeds and add curry leaves
3. Stir for few seconds, add onion and garlic and fry until onion is translucent
4. Add garam masala, salt and turmeric powder and cook for a minute
5. Now add the cooked dal and mix. Add some water if needed. Make sure it is not as runny as sambhar.
6. Cover and boil for 3-4 minutes. Turn off the heat.
7. Meanwhile, in a separate pan heat the remaining oil, turn off the heat as soon as the oil is hot enough.
    Add red chilli powder to the oil, and add this mixture to the dal.

Serve with roti or rice.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Coconut chutney


This chutney is nutritious, healthy as well as delicious! Goes well with idli, dosa, paserattu, crepes.

Ingredients:
1 cup of shredded fresh coconut. I usually use the frozen coconut.
1/4 cup of plain yogurt/curds
3-4 stems of fresh cilantro
2-3 green chili, stemmed
salt to taste
1 and half tbsp of oil for seasoning
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1 tsp of mustard seeds
3-4 curry leaves
1 tsp of hing/asafoetida powder

Method:
1. Grind coconut along with cilantro, chili, yogurt and salt to a smooth paste. You may add a little bit of water while grinding
2. Heat oil in a small pan
3. Splutter cumin and mustard seeds
4. Add curry leaves and asafoetida powder and turn off the flame
5. Add the above seasoning to the coconut paste and mix well

Serve with idli or dosa or any crepes.

Mashed potatoes

This was the only recipe that came to mind after having my oral surgery. It came out real yummy!

Ingredients:
2 medium sized potatoes
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup of warm milk
salt to taste
2 tsp black pepper powder

Method:
1. Cut the potatoes in halves and boil in water for 20-25 minutes or until very tender
2. Peel the potatoes and mash them to soft paste with a fork
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Peanut powder chutney


I use this chutney pretty much with anything, like idli, dosa, paserattu, etc.

Ingredients:
1 cup roasted peanut powder
1 and a half tbsp of plain yogurt
1 tbsp oil for seasoning
red chili powder per your taste
salt to taste
1 tsp of Hing (Asafoetida powder)
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1 tsp of mustard seeds
3-4 curry leaves

Method:
1. In a bowl, mix together peanut powder, red chili powder, salt, yogurt and keep aside
2. Heat a small pan with oil
3. Splutter mustard and cumin seeds
4. Add curry leaves and asafoetida powder and turn off the flame
5. Add the above seasoning to the peanut mixture and mix
You may add a little bit of water for consistency

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Pesarattu (green gram crepes) - brunch


A nice little coincidence happened the other day. Just as I was worrying that I don't have any good ideas for a scrumptious healthy meal, my friend called me just to tell me about this new recipe she tried!
Aha! This dish has become a new hit in my family.

Preparation: Soak 1 cup of whole moog dal (green gram) with 1/4 cup of white rice for at least 5 hours. It is a good idea to soak it overnight to have it handy for brunch the next day.

Ingredients:
soaked moog dal and rice
1 small onion coarsely sliced
2-3 green chili, stemmed
1/2 inch of ginger
3-4 stems of fresh cilantro
salt to taste
oil for baking

Method:
1. Drain the soaked ingredients
2. Grind all the ingredients except oil with water to a smooth batter. I usually prefer a dosa-like consistency. But don't make it too runny
3. Heat a tawa or pancake griddle, and pour a laddleful of the batter and spread evenly into a thin crepe
4. Cover with a lid and cook. Flip over the crepe dribble little oil and cook the other side uncovered

Serve with chutney of your choice. I used some leftover coconut chutney and fresh Peanut chutney.


Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Dalia upma(cracked wheat)- one pot wonder

I make this dish for lunch box. Just like sambhar, you can add a lots of veggies to make it more nutritious, not to mention it is naturally high in fibers.

Ingredients:
1 cup of dalia/cracked wheat
1/4 cup of diced onion
2 chili, chopped
1 cup of diced vegetables like carrot, peas, green beans, etc.
1 tbsp of peanuts
1/2 tbsp of urad dal (split and polished black gram)
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1 tsp of mustard seeds
3-4 curry leaves
1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
2-3 tbsp of oil for seasoning
salt to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and splutter mustard and cumin seeds. You may also use a regular pan
2. Add curry leaves, onion and chili. Saute until onion is translucent
3. Add peanuts and urad dal and saute for few seconds
4. Add dalia, turmeric powder and salt. Saute for a minute
5. Now add the veggies with 3 cups of water
6. Cover and pressure cook for 2 whistles. If using a regular pan, cook covered until soft

Serve with pickle and ghee.




Monday, May 30, 2011

Spicy anda curry (Egg curry)


I can never go wrong with this recipe that I learnt from my mother-in-law.
Every time, it turns out more and more delicious.

Ingredients:
4 hard boiled eggs
1 small onion, coarsely sliced
3-4 garlic cloves, coarsely sliced
3-4 stems of fresh cilantro
1 tbsp of grated dry coconut
1 tbsp of sesame seeds
3-4 whole black pepper
3-4 cloves
2 bay leaves
red chili powder to taste
salt to taste
oil for shallow frying and seasoning

Method:
1. Heat a shallow pan and roast sesame seeds and coconut, until coconut turns light brown. Keep the roasted mixture aside
2. In the same pan, roast onion and garlic, until they turn light brown

3. While the roasted mixture is cooling off, poke the eggs with a fork and shallow fry them in a skillet
4. Grind all the roasted ingredients, first sesame seeds and coconut, then onion and garlic with cilantro and little bit of water to a smooth paste
5. Heat a skillet with oil for seasoning. You can use the same oil used for frying eggs. Splutter cloves and pepper, then add bay leaves
6. Add the paste to oil and suate for 4-5 minutes until the raw smell of onion is gone
7. Now add 2 and half cups of water, chili powder and salt and bring it to a boil or two. You might add more water if you want a thinner gravy
8. Add the eggs, cover and cook for 5 mins on a medium flame

Serve hot with roti or rice.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Hot & tangy jhunka/pitla (Quick & easy)



A very simplistic and easy to make recipe. I usually make this when I am running out of groceries :p

Ingredients:
1 cup of besan (chickpeas flour)
4 tbsp oil for seasoning
soak lemon sized tamarind in 1 and 1/2 cup of water for at least 15 mins.
1 medium sized onion, sliced lengthwise
3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
3-4 curry leaves
2 tbsp red chili powder, or according to taste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste


Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard and cumin seeds
2. Add curry leaves, garlic and onion and fry until onion is translucent
3. Squeeze the soaked tamarind pulp and throw away the pulp.Use all the water used for soaking to make the tamarind paste/juice.
4. Add red chili powder to the oil and stir to prevent it from burning
5. Add the tamarind juice, turmeric powder and salt to the seasoning
6. When the mixture comes to a boil, turn the flame to low and add besan slowly, stirring continuously with other hand. Stir thoroughly until the besan is mixed without any dry remains
7. Cover the pan and cook on low flame, stirring occasionally for 7-8 minutes

Serve hot with rotis.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Hot & spicy baked tofu



Tried this appetizer last night with few alterations. Doesn't it look yummy?

Ingredients:
1 pack(16 oz.) of extra firm tofu
1/2 cup of medium hot buffalo wings sauce
2 tbsp of soy sauce
2 tbsp ground red chili sauce
1 tbsp of Shan's tandoori chicken masala (optional)
1 tbsp of tomato ketchup

Method:
1. Drain the tofu by pressing it wrapped in a paper towel
2. Cut tofu into medium sized cubes
3. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients except tofu
If you think any of the flavor is too much to handle, add a little water to even it out.
4. Now add the tofu cubes to the sauce and gently mix it without breaking the tofu
5. Cover and keep it aside anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours
6. Preheat oven at 375 F for 15 minutes
7. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil and arrange the marinated tofu cubes in a single layer
8. Bake it for about 15 mins and turn the cubes to bake the other side for another 15 minutes
Note: You can bake it for some more time if you want the cubes to be crispier

Serve it hot as an appetizer.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Matkichi rassa bhaaji (Moth beans sprout curry)

http://www.cookingwithsiri.com/2015/03/event-announcement-my-legume-love.html


My Legume Love Affair


Legume love interests: 
http://foodandspice.blogspot.com/p/mlla.html
http://thewellseasonedcook.blogspot.com/




There are few dishes that go against the convention of healthy food isn't tasty.
This is one of them.

Preparation:
Soak matki (see image below) overnight. Drain the water in the morning, cover and keep at room temperature for 5-6 hours to get sprouts.


Ingredients:
2 cups sprouted matki/moth beans
1 cup finely diced onion
3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 and half tbsp of red chili powder or per your taste
1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
4-5 curry leaves
2 tsp goda masala
3 tbsp oil for seasoning
salt to taste
chopped cilantro leaves for garnishing

Method:
1. Microwave sprouts along with little salt, turmeric powder, little red chili powder and 3 cups of water for 5 minutes or until they are half tender
2. Heat oil in a skillet
3. Splutter cumin and mustard seeds
4. Add curry leaves, garlic and onion. Fry till onion is translucent
5. Add the remaining red chili powder to the seasoning and stir. I prefer to add chili powder to the oil to get a nice red gravy
6. Immediately add the microwaved sprout mixture
7. Add goda masala
8. Add salt if necessary
9. Add a of cup water. I usually prefer a thin gravy, but not too runny. Cover and boil for 8-10 minutes.
Even though the sprouts are cooked in the microwave, allowing it to boil for a while gives you a good blend.
10. Garnish with cilantro

Serve with roti or rice. This curry goes well with brown rice too.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Soy chunk curry

This is one of my fav curry, since it is easier to make and has a high amount of protein in it.

Ingredients:
1 cup of soy chunks soaked for at least 20 mins
1/2 cup of diced onions
1/2 cup of diced red tomatoes
3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
4-5 curry leaves
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp red chili powder, or according to your need
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste
oil for seasoning
chopped cilantro leaves for garnishing

Method:
1. Drain the water from soy chunks
2. Heat oil in a pan and splutter cumin and mustard seeds
3. Add curry leaves, garlic and onion. Fry until onion is translucent
4. Add tomatoes and fry until they are tender
5. Add chili powder, salt and turmeric powder and stir
6. Now add the soy chunks and mix thoroughly
You may add little bit of water if you need a liquid gravy
7. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
8. Garnish with cilantro

Serve with rice or roti.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Green 'brown' rice- Lunch box idea


This recipe contains good amount of fibers and nutritional value. Nonetheless, it is easy to make!

Ingredients:
1 cup of brown rice
1 big green pepper, diced
12-15 florets of broccoli
1/4 cup of diced onion
2-3 green Thai pepper, chopped (or according to your need)
salt to taste
olive oil for seasoning

Preparation: Cook rice with 3 cups of water

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan
2. Add onion chops and fry until they are translucent
3. Add the Thai peppers and fry for a minute
4. Add bell pepper, broccoli and cook until they are half cooked. I don't prefer my veggies to be completely cooked, just to retain some amount of fibers in them
5. Add salt and mix
6. Now add the cooked brown rice and gently mix together. Cover the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes


Varan phal/Bele kadabu- one pot wonder

Varanphal with spinach

This dish is one of my favorite one pot wonders. It is simple and easy to make but has a lot of room for adding your own veggies to make it more nutritious!

Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour (atta)
1/2 cup of cooked toor dal
3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
4-5 curry leaves
2 leaves of tamarind soaked in water to make a paste (optional)
2 tbsp red chilli powder or according to your need
1 tsp of mustard seeds
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1/2 tsp of turmeric powder
salt to taste
oil for seasoning

If you have more time and to make it more nutritious, add the below
1 cup of chopped fresh spinach
7-8 florets of cauliflower
1/2 cup of frozen French cut beans
(You can add almost anything)

Method:
1. Knead the atta with water into a chapati/roti dough and keep it aside.
2. Heat 2-3 tbsp of oil in a deep pan (or kadai)
3. Splutter mustard and cumin seeds
4. Add garlic and curry leaves and fry until garlic turns brownish in color
5. If using veggies which is optional, add them now and fry for 2-3 minutes
6. Add red chilli powder and make sure it doesn't burn by adding the cooked dal immediately to the pan
7. Fry for a minute on low flame
8. Now add turmeric powder, salt and tamarind paste
9. Add around 4-5 cups of water, cover and cook until the veggies are half done
The gravy should not be thick, it should be runny but still you should feel the presence of dal
10. Meanwhile, make medium sized balls out of the dough
11. Take one ball and roll it into a circle like roti. Don't make it too thin, because we are going to cut it into diamond shapes
12. Using a knife, first make 1/2 inch wide vertical cuts from end to end. Next make 1/2 inch wide horizontal intersecting cuts from end to end. This gives you diamond shapes
13. Add the shapes to the boiling gravy
Remember, keep the gravy on a low heat until you are done with shaping and adding all the dough, so that the dough added earlier wont get overcooked
14. Now repeat steps 12 and 13 for the remaining dough
Keep stirring gently as the dough might stick to the bottom of pan
15. Cover and cook until the dough is soft enough and doesn't carry a raw taste
16. Garnish with chopped cilantro

Serve with ghee and udid papad.


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Bharli vangi/Tumb badnikayi (stuffed eggplant curry)


This is a fusion of North Karnataka and Maharashtra stuffed eggplant recipes.
Ingredients:
1. 8 Indian eggplants washed, but don't chop off the stems
2. 1/2 cup of roasted peanut powder
3. 1/2 cup of roasted karellu/gurellu powder (Niger seeds). If you don't have it, just use more peanut powder for now. See the image below
4. 3-4 leaves of tamarind soaked in water to get a paste
5. 1/2 tbsp of Goda masala (optional, it adds the sweet and spicy taste). You can also use kare khara
6. 2 tbsp Red chilli powder or depending upon you desired level of hotness
7. Salt to taste
8. 2 tbsp oil for seasoning
9. 1 tsp cumin seeds
10. 4-5 curry leaves
11. 3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
12. Fresh cilantro for garnishing

Method:
1. In a bowl, mix the peanut and karellu powder, salt, chili powder and just little water to make a thick paste for stuffing. Make sure the paste is not too runny to stuff.

2. Give two intersecting slits to the eggplants from the end opposite of the stem , towards the stem. Stop just above the stem. Make sure you don't cut the eggplant to slices, so that you have good pocket to stuff the paste
3. Now fill each eggplant with the paste we made in step# 1
4. Heat a pan with oil, and splutter cumin seeds
5. Add curry leaves and garlic paste, fry until garlic turns brownish
6. Now add the stuffed eggplants, fry for a minute
7. Stir them so the other side of the eggplants are cooked too
8. Now add tamarind paste and goda masala and stir
9. Add around a 1/2 cup of water. After a boil, taste the gravy and add salt and chili powder accordingly
10. Cover and cook the eggplants stirring occasionally, until the eggplants are soft enough.
    Make sure you don't mash the eggplants while stirring.
11. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro

Serve with roti or rice.



Friday, May 13, 2011

Akki rotti (rice flour bread)

Growing up in southern India, I came across many unique recipes. One of them is akki rotti.
Akki rotti with coconut chutney makes a yummy brunch!

Ingredients:
1. 2 cups of rice flour, and some for dusting
2. 1/4 cup of roasted peanut powder
3. 3-4 green chillies, finely chopped
4. 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion
5. 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh cilantro
6. Salt to taste
7. Oil for smearing

Method:
1. Heat 2-3 cups of water
2. In a mixing bowl add all the ingredients
3. Use the hot water to make a soft dough. Note: amount of water is according to your need
4. Make small balls out of the dough
5. Keep tawa/griddle on a medium flame
6. Use a parchment/cookie sheet or thick plain plastic paper for rolling the rotis
7. Smear the cookie sheet with some oil and with wet palms flatten the ball on the sheet to a flat roti
8. Dribble some oil on the griddle
9. Put the rolled dough on the griddle slowly removing from the cookie sheet
10. Cook it on a high flame for about 2-3 minutes or until the side is baked
11. Now cook the reverse side of the roti until it is baked well
12. Remove the roti and store it wrapped in a cheese cloth in a airtight container

Serve with chutney of your taste. I usually make coconut chutney to go with it.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Dahi bhaat (curd rice)

Well, after the BBQ in the afternoon, we were too full to have any good appetite for the dinner.
So my friend suggested we make curd rice which has a soothing effect on the stomach.

Ingredients:
1 cup of white rice
2 chopped green chillies
1 and half cup of curds or plain yogurt
1/2 cup of milk
1/4 cup of ghee or melted butter
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
2 tablespoon moong dal (split pigeon peas)
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
3-4 curry leaves
Salt to taste
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro leaves

Method:
1. Cook the rice with 2 and half cups of water
2. For seasoning, heat ghee in a pan
3. Add mustard and cumin seeds and cook until the seeds splutter
4. Add green chillies, curry leaves, ginger paste and moong dal and cook for 2 minutes
5. In a working bowl, add the cooked rice and loosen it with your fingers
6. Add the seasoning, yogurt, milk and salt and mix well
7. Garnish with cilantro

Serve with pickles, roasted udid papads


BBQ day, coleslaw salad

Had a wonderful BBQ at my place with our close friends.
Being a vegetarian, I 'Googled' for salad that goes with the BBQ party. And as you might have guessed, coleslaw it is. After a good BBQ outside in a slight colder but a pleasant afternoon, something sparked us to dance in our apartment. It was more of a jumping than dancing. It was fun and wild until our neighbor who lives below rang our door bell. You can guess the rest of it. None the less it was a fun filled day!

Well getting back to business.

Ingredients:
2 cups of finely shredded green cabbage
1 cup of minced red onion
1 cup of grated carrot
2 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 tablespoon buttermilk
1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon of ground pepper
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients in a salad bowl
2. Refrigerate it for couple of hours before use

Ain't that simple? Well I have to admit that I didn't have the time to refrigerate the salad, but it still was yummy!


Friday, April 8, 2011

Methi rice (Fenugreek rice)

One of my good friends gave me this recipe. I make this dish very often for my husband's lunch box.
Sometimes I use spinach instead of methi.

Ingredients:
2 bunches of Fenugreek leaves
1 cup of  basmati rice
1 small onion chopped
1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
3 whole dried cloves
5 whole black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 and 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
2 tablespoon oil for seasoning
Salt to taste
2 and 1/2 cups of water

Preparation:
Pick the green leaves of fenugreek along with tender stems, wash and drain the water



Method:
1. Wash rice with water and drain
2. Add oil to a pan
3. Once the oil gets heated, add cloves, pepper and bay leaf
4. Cook for a minute until the ingredients change their color
5. Now add chopped onions and cook for about a minute
6. Add ginger-garlic paste, and cook until the onion turn pink, also make sure that ginger garlic paste doesn't get burnt
8. Add fenugreek leaves, garam masala and stir
9. Add rice and stir 
10. Now add water and salt
11. Cook the rice on medium flame without covering, until the water is evaporated
12. Now cover the pan and cook until the rice is soft enough to eat
Serve with raita or plain yogurt.

Variation: You can use chopped spinach instead of methi leaves






Thursday, April 7, 2011

Methichi bhaaji (fenugreek curry)

This is one of my favorite curries. I love the light bitter taste of it.
The recipe below serves 3
Ingredients:
1/2 cup split moong dal (pigeon peas) soaked in water for 15 mins
3 bunches of Fenugreek
2-3 cloves of garlic crushed or chopped
2 Thai chillies chopped
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder

Method:
1. Pick the green leaves of fenugreek, wash and drain the water

2. Heat oil in a pan
3. Add cumin seeds and stir it intermittently until the seeds turn light brown
4. Add chopped chillies and garlic to the pan and stir intermittently so that the mixture doesn't stick to the pan
5. Once the garlic turns to light brown color, add soaked and drained moong dal and cook for about 2 mins
6. Now add salt and turmeric powder and stir
7. Add the fenugreek leaves and mix well
8. Cover the pan and cook until the moong dal is softened
Serve the curry with rice or roti.

Variation: You may use toor dal instead of moong dal. Toor dal are little harder, so soak them for about 30 mins.