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

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

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.