Karthigai Special - Appam (Sweet)

Sweet Appams or Appe are quick and easy to prepare and a popular dish for festivals like Navratri and Karthigai Deepam. Here's a jhatpat recipe to try...

SWEET APPAM

Ingredients

Wheat flour - 1 cup

Rice flour - 1/2 cup

Jaggery - 1 cup

Ripe banana - 1 (mashed)

Elaichi powder - 1 tsp

Method

1. Sift together wheat and rice flours. 

2. Dissolve jaggery in plain water, approximately 1 cup, no need to heat. Once it is completely dissolved, strain through a semi-fine sieve so as to remove impurities.

3. Add this to the flours along with the mashed banana. Mix well leaving no lumps. Add sufficient water (only if needed) to make a thick batter of dripping consistency. Add cardamom powder and mix again.

4. Heat oil in a appam pan or a small kadhai. Drop small ladle-fuls of the batter into the appam cups or the kadhai. Fry on a medium flame till golden brown on both sides.

5. Serve warm or store for later. 

Paneer Dosa (with a twist !)

This weekend I started out to make paneer dosas, by preparing a stuffing mixture and then placing it on the dosa, similar to the masala dosa. But then an idea struck me; what if I mix all the stuffing ingredients in the mixer instead of by hand??
So I added the paneer, some greens and spices to a mixer jar and ground it. I had expected a crumbly mixture, but ended up with a smooth paste !!! Now how to spread this on the dosa??
Aha! I found a way out and this is what I did.....

PANEER DOSA (with a twist)

Ingredients :

Dosa batter - 500 gm
Paneer - 100 gm
Coriander leaves(chopped) - 1 cup
Mint leaves (chopped) - 1/2 cup
Salt - a pinch (as dosa batter will already have some)
Garam masala or tawa fry masala - 1 tsp

Method :

1. Defrost the paneer if it's just taken out from the refrigerator or freezer compartment. (I tend to wash and soak it for a while in plain water for about 10 minutes)

2. Crumble it with your hands and keep aside. In a mixer jar, drop in the chopped coriander leaves and mint leaves and grind them. This will create space to add the rest of the items.

3. Now add the paneer, pinch of salt and the masala powder of your choice. Grind again to get a smooth paste. 

4. Mix the dosa batter well, add the paneer mixture to it and mix again using a wire beater so no lumps are left. Check for salt and adjust as required.

5. Warm a dosa tawa on medium heat. Pour a ladle of batter and spread it to form a thin dosa. Use little oil and let brown on both sides. Serve hot.

Using paneer this way added an unexpected softness to the dosa and improved the taste by leaps and bounds. I used a leftover block of paneer which was slightly sour to taste which actually turned out to be an advantage as it matched the sourness in the dosa batter as well, especially when mixed with the masalas and greens.!!

TIP : If you wish to avoid the masala powder, you can use 1 or 2 green chillies or black pepper instead. You can also add about 2 tbsps shredded fresh coconut to make it taste richer. It's all in the experimentation :)

Arbi leaves roti

Colocasia or Arbi leaves are an excellent source of vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, and have rich iron content as well.
The most popular use for arbi patta is the 'Patra' widely prepared in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Konkan areas.
Here is an alternative use of the leaves in an Indian bread.

COLOCASIA LEAVES ROTI

Ingredients :

Chopped Arbi leaves - 1/2 cup
Jeera - 1/2 tsp
Dhaniya powder - 1 tsp
Jeera powder - 1 tsp
Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Haldi - 1/4 tsp
Ragi flour - 1/4 cup
Wheat flour - 1/4 cup
Oil - 1 tbsp + for cooking
Salt to taste

Method :

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add jeera and let crackle.

2. Add the chopped arbi leaves and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add dhaniya-jeera powder, chili powder, salt to taste, haldi and mix well. Cook on a medium flame till the leaves are soft. Sprinkle little water to avoid the masala being burned. Remove and cool.

3. When at room temperature, add ragi and wheat flour to this mixture, along with oil. Mix well and knead into a soft dough using sufficient water.

4. Divide into equal portions and roll out into thick rotis. Cook on a tawa on medium flame using oil till both sides are golden brown.
Serve hot with curd or desired side-dish.

Bajra Aloo Roti

Bajra or Pearl Millet (கம்பு {Kambu} in Tamil), is highly popular in Rajasthani cuisine, however its health benefits make it a part of dishes throughout India. It is known to be high in proteins with a good amount of amino acids. It's rich iron content helps formation of hemoglobin in blood thus preventing anaemia.
It is also gluten free; is a rich source of fibre and helps control blood sugar levels, acidity and cardiovascular problems.



In the following recipe, the normal Bajra roti has a taste twist in the form of boiled and mashed potatoes, which also add volume and softness.

BAJRA ALOO ROTI

Ingredients : (Makes 4) 

Bajra (Pearl millet) flour - 1 1/2 cups
Boiled and mashed potatoes - 3/4 cup
Ginger-green chilli paste - 1 tsp
Chopped coriander - 4 tsps
Black Pepper pwd - 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil / ghee for cooking

Method :

1. Combine potatoes and bajra flour in a bowl with oiled hands and gently mix.

2. Add the ginger-green chilli paste, pepper, dhaniya and salt. Mix all ingredients well and knead into a soft dough. Due to the moisture content in potatoes, it is not usually necessary to add water. Keep dough aside for 5 minutes.

3. Meanwhile warm the roti tawa or griddle. Divide the dough into 4-5 equal portions. Roll out into a 1" thick roti(pancake) and cook on using oil/ghee till golden brown on both sides. 
Serve hot with curd, raita or desired accompaniment.

Pudina Paratha

Paratha or Indian flat bread is an excellent accompaniment for Indian side dishes; it tends to make even the simplest dal tastier.
The word "Paratha" is said to be made up of two words : 'Parat' which means layers and 'atta' which means flour. In essence it is a multi-layered flat bread. Paratha comes in various flavours, shapes and fillings, the most popular being Aloo (Potato), Gobi (Cauliflower) and Pudina (Mint).
I share with you few of my favourite time and home-tested paratha recipes.

PUDINA PARATHA  

Ingredients : (Makes 4) 

Whole wheat flour - 2 cups

Crushed (fresh) mint leaves - 1 cup

Salt - 1 tsp

Butter - 3 tbsps

Method :           

1.  Sieve flour and salt together into a bowl.

2. Add water little by little and knead into a stiff dough. Keep covered with a wet muslin cloth for 25-30 minutes

3. Take half the crushed mint leaves and dry roast on a tawa, till all moisture evaporates. Once crisp, crush them with your hand so they resemble Kasuri methi. These will be used to sprinkle on the paratha.

4. Mix the remaining fresh leaves with the covered dough and gently knead again. Divide into 4-5 balls.

5. To prepare the paratha, roll out into a thick chapati and apply butter on the surface. Sprinkle some flour and roll the chapati into a cylinder or fold alternately like a fan. Now roll this horizontally into a spiral ball shape and keep aside for 5 minutes. Repeat the process with the remaining dough.

6. Prepare chapatis again with the spiral rolls (if you want more layers you can repeat the process 3-4 times more) and cook on a hot tawa using butter / ghee / oil. Sprinkle the roasted and crushed pudina leaves while the chapati is still uncooked and press lightly with a flat ladle.

7. Cook on both sides till brown. Serve hot with desired accompaniments.

                

Stuffed Parval curry

Ingredients :
Parval (Pointed Gourd) - 1/4 kg
Tomatoes - 2 (medium)
Ginger - 1/2 inch piece
Green Chillies - 6 (ground to a paste)
Onion - 1 big (ground to a paste along with ginger)
Grated Paneer - 50 gms
Boiled & mashed Potatoes - 1 cup
Cornflour - 2 tbsps
Dhaniya pwd - 1 tsp
Haldi - 1/2 tsp
Curd - 1 cup
Bay leaves - 2
Cinnamon - 1 inch stick
Cardamom - 4
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp

Method :
1. Lightly boil the parval for about 10 mins. Cut in half and chop off the ends. Scoop off the insides

2. Combine paneer, potatoes, salt, green chilli paste and mix well.

3. Stuff the parval with this mix. Make a semi-thick paste using the flour and little bit of water. Dip the parval in this mix and shallow fry till golden brown.

4. Heat oil in a pan. Add dhaniya pwd, chilli pwd (if needed), cardamom, bay leaves and cloves. Add the onion-ginger paste. Fry for a bit till raw smell leaves the gravy.

5. Add curds, garam masala and simmer on low heat. Add water to adjust consistency if required.

6. Now drop in the fried parval pieces one by one and simmer for 5-7 minutes more. Serve hot.

Naarthanga Kuzhambu

Narthangai, also known as Bitter Orange or Seville Orange is commonly used in South Indian cooking especially for preparing pickles and pachadi (South Indian equivalent of Raita)

NAARTHANGAI/BITTER ORANGE KUZHAMBU

Ingredients :

Naarthanga or country lemon - 2 (medium)
Green chillies - 5 to 6
Tamarind - lemon size (juice extracted)
Salt and hing (asafoetida) to taste
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Methi seeds powder- 1/4 tsp
Jaggery - a small piece
Oil - 3 tbsps

 


Method :

1. Cut naarthanga into small cubes. Cut green chillies into 1/2 inch long pieces

2. Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan, add mustard seeds. Once they crackle, add the cut chillies and saute for a bit

3. Add hing, haldi, followed by the cut narthanga pieces. Again saute for about 2 minutes.

4. Pour in the tamarind extract and salt. Let simmer till the consistency is slightly but not too thick.

5. Once done, add little jaggery to taste. Please note:If it is desired to have a sweeter kuzhambu like a pachadi, more jaggery can be added.

6. Heat a seasoning ladle for about 2 minutes and turn off the heat. Very lightly fry the methi powder, for just about a minute and add to the kuzhambu. Let simmer for a few minutes more, then remove from fire.
Serve as desired with rice. Goes best with curd rice !!!!

Ragi adai

Ragi or finger millet is extremely rich in iron and calcium, but low on fat and calories. In many rural areas, ragi porridge, made with ragi flour, buttermilk and salt is consumed as breakfast which provides immense and instant energy for the day !!! Ragi is a source of heat energy, hence adding buttermilk equalizes this effect.
Ragi adai is a perfect dish for the health conscious, but that said, does not compromise on taste either!!!

RAGI ADAI

Ingredients :
Urad dal - 1/4 cup
Moong dal - 1/4 cup
Chana dal - 1/4 cup
Ragi flour - 1/4 cup
Rice flour - 1/4 cup
Curry leaves
Salt - to taste
Green chillies - 2

Method :
1. Soak the lentils together for about 3 hours.

2. Grind to a coarse paste, along with curry leaves and green chillies.

3. Add ragi and rice flour, salt and grind a little more, but not finely.

4. Add water to adjust consistency. Prepare crispy adais, just like dosas, but slightly thicker. Serve hot with curd, pickle or chutney.

TIP : You can add your desired variations to this, such as fresh chopped methi (fenugreek) leaves, drumstick leaves, etc.

Parval gravy

Parval/Parwal or Pointed gourd makes for an interesting accompaniment for several dishes and goes well with other vegetables such as potato, etc.
It's a rich source of Vitamin A & C, plus carbohydrates.
This is a gravy dish that my mother made at home and was perfect as a side-dish for chapatis.

PARVAL GRAVY

Ingredients :

Parval - 500 gms
Tomato - 1
Small onions - 2
Curds - 1/2 cup
Mawa - 100 gms
Red chillies - 2
Haldi - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Chilli pwd - 1 tsp
Ginger - 1" piece
Ghee - 2 tsps
Salt to taste
Water - 1 cup

Method :

1. Wash, peel and slice parval lengthwise.

2. Grind onions and ginger to a paste. Puree tomato.

3. Heat oil and/or ghee in a pan, Add the onion-ginger paste, whole red chillies and cook till light brown.

4. Add parval, curds and fry for a while

5. Add tomato puree, chilli powder, salt and haldi. Cook till parval becomes tender.

6. Add boiling water, top with mawa and garam masala. Transfer this mix to a pressure cooker and cook with whistle on, just till full pressure is built up, but the whistle does not go off. Reduce flame and leave for 4-5 mins, then remove.

7. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.

Okkaarai / Ukkarai

A well-known sweet dish down south, especially prepared for Diwali in several places. It's quite easy to prepare and tastes absolutely marvelous.

Ukkaarai or Okkaarai is a traditional sweet that is associated with Diwali in most homes in Tamil Nadu.
It's a simple fare prepared with Bengal gram and jaggery, with cardamom enhancing its richness.

OKKAARAI / UKKARAI

Ingredients :

Chana dal - 1 cup
Jaggery - 1.5 cups
Ghee - 2 tbsps
Cardamom (elaichi) pwd - 1/2 tsp
Chopped cashews for garnishing

Method :

1. Heat a kadhai, dry roast chana dal in it just till you start getting an aroma. Remove from fire. and soak in enough water for 1/2 hour.

2. Drain water and wrap the dal in a muslin cloth. Steam cook for about 15-20 mins in a cooker. Remove from fire and cool

3. Grind the steam-cooked dal in a mixer just to break it down into morsels. Do not grind too finely.

4. Melt jaggery in a thick-bottomed panusing just 1/4 cup water. Boil till a pearl consistency, i.e, if you place a drop of the syrup in a bowl of water, you should be able to roll the syrup into a ball, it should not dissolve or be stretchy.

5. Add the broken dal to the jaggery syrup aong with elaichi powder and broken cashewnuts. Stir well and serve as desired.
Tastes best when served slightly warm.

Mysore Rasam

A delicious rasam variant popular in Karnataka, as is obvious from the name. What differentiates it from the staple rasam of Tamil Nadu is the typical use of coriander seed, red chillies and just the right touch of pepper, asafoetida and chana dal. If made with little less arahar dal, this can be served as a soup as well.

MYSORE RASAM

Ingredients :

Red chillies - 2 medium
Jeera - 1 tsp
Dhaniya seeds - 2 tsps
Tamarind (Imli) - 1 lemon size ball
Chana dal (Bengal gram) - 1 tsp
Arahar dal (split red gram) - 1/4 cup
Pepper corns - 3/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Hing (asafoetida powder) - 1/4 tsp
Curry and coriander leaves

Method :

1. Lightly fry all ingredients except tamarind, arahar dal, salt and the leaves in a pan, for about 2-3 minutes, just to make them moisture-free.

2. Let cool and dry grind a mixer.

3. Cook arahar dal separately in a cooker.

4. Soak tamarind in warm water for about 5 minutes. Now squeeze out as much extract as possible adding more water after each extraction.

5. Pour this extract in a vessel, add salt to taste, hing and curry leaves. Let boil till raw smell leaves the imli extract.

6. Add the cooked arahar dal followed by the ground powder.

7. Adjust taste by adding more water so the rasam tastes spicy enough, add salt if required.

8. Garnish with coriander leaves and season with mustard seeds fried in 1/2 tsp ghee.

Apple Pudding

Let's start on a sweet note........

Who doesn't like an apple pudding (well maybe some don't, but let's not go there!!!) The combination of apples cooked in brown sugar with a dash of cinnamon is simply sinful. Add to that, soft custard and yumm...Without much ado, let's delve into the recipe!!

APPLE - CUSTARD PUDDING

Ingredients :

Apples - 3
Brown Sugar - 1/2 cup

Milk Burfi/Cake

 This is a simple and mouth-watering burfi that my mother has been preparing for every Diwali till date. Here how it is made :

MILK BURFI

Ingredients :

Besan (gram/chickpea flour) - 1 cup
Milk powder - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 2.5 cups
Ghee (Clarified Butter) - 1.5 cups
Water - 1 cup

Method :

1. Heat ghee lightly in a pan. Remove from fire.

2. Now add the gram flour (besan) and stir well ensuring no lumps are formed. Let cool.

3. When cool, add the milk powder and stir well. Keep aside

4. Now let's prepare the sugar syrup. Add the sugar to 1 cup water and boil. The consistency should be such that a pearl can be formed when a drop is spilled on a flat surface. In other words, the syrup should not be in a fluid state when dropped on to a flat surface.

5. Once you reach this consistency, reduce the flame and add the flour mix. Stir well till the mixture starts to thicken. Remove from fire.

6. Pour into a greased tray and let cool, not too much but just about hard which makes it easier to cut. 
Cut into desired shapes and serve.