Monthly Archives: January 2022

Gajjar Halwa Carrot Halwa


Gajjar ka halwa is a combination of nuts, milk, sugar, khoya and ghee with grated carrot. It is a light nutritious dessert. The orange carrots would be ideal for their color.  Gajar ka halwa, also known as gajorer halua, gajrela, gajar pak, and carrot halwa is a carrot-based sweet dessert pudding. The dessert is traditionally eaten during all of the festivals in India, mainly on the occasion of Diwali, Holi, Eid al–Fitr and Raksha Bandhan. It is served hot during the winter.  Check out the recipe for Khoya below.

Ingredients

  • ½ kg. Carrots
  • ½ litre (2 cups milk)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp. ghee
  • 1 tsp. Green cardamom powder
  • 2 to 3 tbsp. Khoya
  • Almonds, Pistas & Raisins for garnish

Peel, wash and grate carrots.  Cut the nuts into slivers.  You may blanch the nuts if you wish.  Soak raisins in water.  Boil milk in a kadai, add the grated carrots.  Reduce to medium heat and cook till carrots are tender and milk has evaporated, stirring frequently.  Add the sugar and mix  well, stirring until dissolved and the sugar liquid has evaporated.  Add the ghee and saute for 5 minutes.  Switch off flame and add cardamom powder and mix.  Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with Khoya, almonds, pistas and raisins and serve hot.

To Make Khoya:

Traditional method

  • 1 litre milk
  1. Put milk in a vessel, bring to a boil and reduce to low heat.
  2. Then stir after every 5 minutes until reduced by half.
  3. Thereafter, stir constantly while scraping the dried layer of milk that sticks to the sides, this will ensure the milk does not acquire a ‘burnt’ flavour, until reduced to a thick granular consistency.
  4. Remove to a bowl, cool and refrigerate.
  5. Use withing 48 hours in the refrigerator.
  6. Alternately keep in the freezer and use as when required.

Instant method

  • 250 gms milk powder
  • 250 gms cream
  1. Mix well together and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
  2. Remove, mix well and microwave for another 2 minutes.
  3. Use as required.

Banana Labaneh Sugar Free Pancakes


Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tbsp. Labneh (Yogurt or Greek Yogurt)
  • 1 cup wheat flour (substitute with coconut or almond flour for healthier version)
  • 3 tbsp. flaxseed, ground
  • ½ tsp. salt or to taste
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. vanilla essence (or ½ tsp. cinnamon powder)
  • 1 cup water

Peek and mash bananas, add the eggs and beat lightly, add the flour, flaxseed powder, baking powder, salt and essence.  Mix and add water as much as required.  Batter will be lumpy.  Heat a skillet, smear with ghee  or butter and put ½ cup full of batter for each pancake.  Fry on each side 2 minutes on medium low, as these pancakes tend to brown easily.

Enjoy hot with bluberry jam, honey or maple/pancake syrup.

Turnips with Greens Bhaji


Knol Khol, Kholrabi, Kholrabi greens, Navalkhol, Gunth Gobi, Ganth Gobi, Shalgam as Turnips are called is a great winter vegetable and a dietary staple in Kashmir.  The mature bulbs can become tough and woody, so look for tender bulbs with tender leaves.  Tender turnips can be grated or shredded and added raw into a salad.  Taste has a touch of raddish and can be included into several cuisines.

Ingredients

  • 2 Turnips with greens
  • ½ tsp. cumin seed
  • ¼ tsp. turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp. chilli powder
  •  1 tsp. coriander seeds powder
  • 1 tsp. Dry Mango powder (Amchur)
  • ½ tsp. salt, or to taste
  • 1 to 2 tbsp. Oil

Clean the turnips, discard the yellow and blemished leave and the stems.  Use only tender green leaves.  Soak the leaves in salted water for 10 to 15 minutes to get rid of insects or dirt if any. Chop the leaves. Peel the turnips and chop into cubes.  Alternately you may cut into thin slices or shred into strips.

Heat a vessel and add oil, when hot add the cumin seed, when they crackle add turmeric and the turnips with the chopped greens.  Add ¼ cup water and cook 10 minutes, stirring once or twice in between.  When the vegetable is cooked, add the chilli, coriander and amchur powder and salt.  Mix and cook further 5 minutes.  Take off flame and serve hot with rotis.

Banana flower Bhaji / Kel Phoolache Bhaji / Banana Blossom Stir fry


Banana blossom, Banana flower or banana heart, is the end of the stem holding the bunch of bananas. It is tropical vegetable used in Asian cooking and is available worldwide in Asian and Indian grocery stores year round. Banana flowers are high in vitamins A and C and have modest amounts of calcium and iron.  They are a good source of fibre. Banana flowers are commonly used as vegetables for cooking in countries such as Laos, India, Thailand, China, Burma, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam,

Ingredients

  • 1 Banana Blossom, cleaned and chopped
  • 2 tbsp. oil
  • 1 tsp. mustard seeds
  • 1 tbsp. urad dal (split black gram)
  • 1 tbsp. chana dal (split Bengal gram)
  • 2 medium onions
  • 3 top 4 garlic, chopped
  • 2 green chilies, chopped
  • 3 to 4 Kokum petals (Mangosteen)
  • 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
  • 1.5 tsp. salt or to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh grated coconut
  • ¼ cup fresh coriander
  • ½ cup butter milk

Preparing the banana blossom for cooking and a bit tedious and lengthy process, but totally worth it. Before cleaning the blossom, apply oil to your palms and fingers to avoid them becoming sticky and black from the sap.  Also makes it easier to wash-off.

First cut-off the tip and the stem so removal of the leaves (bracts) becomes easier. Remove the deep crimson outer bracts from banana blossoms.  Beneath each bract is a row of fronds/florets, remove and set aside. These are the male flowers that did not grow into bananas. Thus continue till you reach the inner petals, or bracts, which are the edible parts. Clean the florets by looking for the Calyx (the small petal in the front) and the Pistil (the long stem with a head like a matchstick).  Remove these as they don’t cook.  Discard the crimson bracts and the pistil and calyx.  You may reserve two to three clean and deep colored bracts to serve the bhaji and use them as decorative plates to enhance presentation.

Then take a bowl of water and add ½ cup butter milk and mix.  Chop the heart and florets finely and immediately immerse in the diluted butter milk till required to prevent oxidation and discoloration.

To cook, boil water in a vessel and add the chopped vegetable and cook 10 minutes, adding 1 tsp. Salt.  Strain in a sieve or colander and keep aside. Chop the onion, garlic and green chillies.  Heat oil in a vessel, when hot add the mustard seeds, when they crackle, add the urad dal and the chana dal.  Saute till light brown.  Then add the curry leaves and kokum, garlic and green chillies.  Fry 30 seconds and add the onions and fry till translucent.  Add ½ tsp. salt and ½ tsp. turmeric powder and mix well.  Add the boiled banana blossom, ½ cup water, mix.  Cover and cook 5 to 7 minutes.  Stir at intervals.  Then add the fresh coconut and cook 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup coriander leaves chopped, reserve some for garnish.  Mix well, take off flame and serve hot with chapatis, neer dosa, panpole or with rice as an accompaniment.  Tastes great with any Indian bread.

Sambar Udupi Sambar


Vegetable Sambar

Udupi Sambar

Sambar is such a versatile dish, it can be paired with so many south Indian breakfasts, snacks or main meals.  This recipe turns out so delicious, you will never want to try another recipe.

Ingredients

  • 100 gms. Tur dal (Toovar) Split pigeon peas
  • 5 to 6 lady fingers
  • 1 brinjal
  • 1 potato
  • 1 drumstick
  • 8 small peeled onions (keep whole) or 2 medium onion cut into thick slices
  • 2 medium tomatoes
  • 6 red chillies (missed this in the video)
  • 1 tbsp. coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp. fenugreek seeds
  • A pinch asafoetida
  • 6 green chillies
  • 1 lime sized ball tamarind paste
  • 1 tsp. turmeric powder
  • 2 big onions finely sliced
  • Few curry leaves
  • ½ tsp. mustard seeds
  • ½ tsp. cumin seeds
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 to 3 tbsp. coconut oil

Method

Wash dal and soak in water for 1 hour. 

Roast and powder coriander seeds, red chillies, fenugreek seeds and asafoetida.  Cover tamarind with two cups of water for 5 minutes and squeeze out the pulp. 

Cook the dal in the water it was soaked, adding ½ tsp. turmeric and salt till soft.  Remove from fire, add warm water and pulse in a mixer to a paste.

Clean the vegetables and cut into small pieces.  You may use vegetables of your choice.

Heat 2 tbsp. oil and fry the sliced onions till soft.  Add tomatoes, turmeric and salt and cook till tomatoes turn soft.  Add all the vegetables except the lady fingers.  Mix well and add the powdered masala and cook till vegetables are almost done, then add the lady fingers.  When vegetables turn tender, add the dal mixture, mix and put in the chopped green chillies and bring to a boil.  Add tamarind pulp. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.  Meanwhile heat a pan add the remaining oil and put in curry leaves and mustard and cumin seeds.  When the seeds stop popping transfer immediately to the sambar and serve hot with plain boiled rice, idlis, vadas and dosas. The consistency of the sambar can be adjusted to your choice.

Check out the other Udupi specialities to enjoy with Sambar:-

Idli Sambar:  https://youtu.be/sjFC6Eo-FQ0

Sada Dosa :  https://youtu.be/LxuaPUfsMRU

Uttapam    : https://youtu.be/5NRoejIuUbc

Medu Vada : https://youtu.be/EOA_pY3m4gI

Instant Quinoa Idlis : https://youtu.be/MLVGUfpBRLE

Sweet Potato Khichidi – Ratalayache Kees


Sweet Potato Khichidi – Ratalyache Kees

Promotes gut health, say the health experts!  A dish so full of nutrients yet so simple and easy to make, apart from eating boiled sweet potatoes!

Fasting food!  Upvas recipe. Delicious sweet potatoes, rich in nutrients and fibre and antioxidants that promote the growth of good gut bacteria and contribute to a healthy gut.  Ashadi Ekadashi Special.  This flavourful dish is a combination of spicy, sweet, tart and can be cooked in a jiffy!

Ingredients

  • 2 large or 4 medium Sweet Potatoes
  • 2 green chillies, chopped
  • ½ tsp. cumin seeds
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 2 tbsp. roasted peanut powder
  • 2 tbsp. chopped coriander leaves
  • 2 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
  • 1 tbsp. lemon, or to taste
  • 2 tbsp. ghee
  • 1 tsp. sugar (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Wash and scrub potatoes well.  Not necessary to peel.  Grate and transfer to a bowl of water to prevent oxidation.  Heat a pan and add the ghee.  Reduce flame and add the cumin seeds, when they crackle add curry leaves and green chilli and saute a few seconds.  Add the drained sweet potatoes and mix.  Cover and cook 7-10 minutes on low, stirring occasionally.  Add the peanut powder, salt, sugar and lemon juice and fresh coconut and mix well.  Switch off and let rest 5 minutes, before removing to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot.  Enjoy with yogurt and pickle.  An excellent breakfast or snack! Great as an accompaniment to any main meal.  If you have observed, no water is added to the dish and hence the sweet potatoes are likely to stick to the pan. Using a non-stick pan helps.  Nonetheless, the slightly browned part of the Kees that has stuck to the bottom of the pan tastes the best!

Instant Quinoa Idlis


Quinoa Idli – No fermentation required!

Makes 12 Idlis

Quinoa is rich in protein, dietry fibre, B vitamins and dietary minerals in amounts greater than in many grains.  Cooked quinoa provides energy and is a rich source of manganese and phosphorus and a moderate source of dietary fiber, folate, and the dietary minerals iron, zinc and magnesium.  Quinoa is gluten-free with a high concentration of protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup White quinoa
  • 1 Cup Oats
  • 2 green chillies
  • 1 tsp. cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp. mustard seeds
  • ¼ cup green peas
  • 4 tbsp. grated carrot
  • ¼ cup who cashewnuts
  • 1 tsp. salt, or to taste
  • 2 tbsp. oil
  • 1 ½ cup Water, approx.

Powder the quinoa and oats in a grinder and add to a bowl.  Mix with 1 cup water.  Then add additional water a little at a time, as required to make a thick smooth batter or dropping consistency.  Batter should not be too watery. Add, salt, chillies and cumin seeds.  Mix.  Then add carrots, peas (preferably frozen peas as they cook faster).  Temper the mustard seed in the oil and add to the batter.  Add cashewnuts and mix well and keep aside.  Keep the steamer with some water to heat.  Grease the idli molds.  When the water starts boiling, fill the idli molds with approx. ¼ cup of batter in each mold.  Place the idli stand in the steamer, place the lid and steam for 15 to 20 minutes.  Pierce a toothpick, if it comes out clean the idlis are done.  Serve with coconut chutney.

Choris Chilly fry Goa Sausage chilli fry Choris Pao


Goan Sausage (Choris) Chilli Fry

The deicious and tantalizing Goa sausages and the famous Choris Pao, a universal favorite, prepared from a simple sausage chilli fry.  The sausages have all the spices required, all that is needed is some onion and potato (if you wish) to prepare this dish.  The taste and flavor of the cooked sausage chilli fry is directly related to the quality of sausages.  So do take care to source the best ones you can find!

Ingredients

  • 20 small beads Goan Sausages (or 10 large ones)
  • 3 to 4 medium onions, as required
  • 1 medium potato (optional)

Remove the string and remove the casing of the sausages.  Some even like to keep the thread and casing and simple cut the sausages strands into 2” pcs.  In this case wash the outer casing of the sausages before using.

Clean and slice the onions roughly into thick slices/pieces.  Peel, wash and chop potato into cubes.  Add the sausages, onions and potato to a vessel.  Barely cover with water and keep on flame and bring to a boil.  Stir at intervals.  Cook till water has almost dried, just a little should remain for gravy.  Serve hot with pao or pulao.

Choris Pulao Goa Sausage Pulao


Chorisan are synonymous with Goa!

The Goa sausages famous all over the world, cooked and added to rice for a spicy, tangy, delicious pulao.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Basmati rice
  • 30 small beads goa sausages (chorisan)
  • 3 medium onions
  • 6 cloves
  • 6 cardamoms
  • ½ tsp. whole peppercorns
  • 2”  sticks cinnamon
  • 2 stock cubes, any flavour (I used chicken)
  • ½ tsp. salt or to taste
  • 2 tbsp. Oil

Wash and soak the rice, till required.  Cut the thread of the sausage beads and slit the casing to remove completely.  Keep the sausage meat aside.  Clean and slice the onions.  Heat oil in a vessel and add the onions, fry till translucent.  Add the sausage meat and 1 cup water and cook 15 to 20 minutes till all the water is absorbed and sausages are tender.   Take a larges vessel to cook the pulao.  Add 4 cups water, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and the stock cubes.  Add ½ tsp. salt to taste.  When the water starts boiling and the stock cubes are dissolved, add the soaked drained rice.  Mix well and cover.  When it begins boiling, reduce to low flame and cook till water is half absorbed.  Then add the cooked sausages and mix well gently.  Cover and continue cooking on low till all the moisture is absorbed and rice is cooked.  Serve hot.  Delicious!  A family favorite!!

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