Instant Urad Dal Flour & Rava Medhu Vadas#AlphabetChallenge

These are instant and crispy, but not so spongy  like the freshly ground dal, but  taste delicious . Have these with this Sambar and you will enjoy this.   

The  key to make these light is to beat for at least 15 minutes with a electric hand beater till bubbles are seen and the batter is fluffy.

Makes 12 - 14 depending on the size
Ingredients
1 Cup Urad Dal Flour
4 Tablespoons Heaped Rice Flour
½ Cup Heaped Fine Rava /Semolina
½ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 Green Chilly -finely chopped
6 Curry Leaves - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Coriander leaves
½ Teaspoon Salt 
1½ Cups Water
Oil for deep frying 
Method 

With an electric hand beater whisk the urad dal flour with water( adding a little water at a time) till it forms a light & fluffy dough, for at least 15 minutes. When light, fluffy add rice flour, whisk till a thick & bubbly batter is formed.

Now add the rava/semolina and beat again for 3 minutes (it should be a thick dough like batter). Let it rest for 10 minutes. Then add chopped green chillies, cumin seeds, coriander and curry leaves.

Mix well and again keep it aside.

Let this rest  till oil is getting hot in a kadai.

When the oil is hot make small vadas and fry on medium flame till crisp and golden.

Enjoy!!

We had it with  Sambar for our Sunday lunch, a change from the normal food.  Enjoyed it thoroughly!!

Labels: South Indian, Instant Mixes, Snacks, Breakfast, Main course, Deep Fried, Vegan, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "I"

Alphabet Challenge Please add your Blog Name/ Blog URL/ Recipe Title in the corresponding weeks below Alphabet Challenge-Week I - Apr 23-Final

• Sneha’s Recipe: Instant Urad Dal Flour & Rava Medhu Vadas 
• Blogghetti: Italian Chopped Salad 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Ice Apple Salad 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Ice Cream Wafflewiches 
• Food Lust People Love: Fresh Cherry Ice Cream 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Italian Ice 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Iced Gems 
• A Messy Kitchen: Irish Colcannon Mac and Cheese 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Sun-Dried Tomato & Kale Italian Pasta Salad 
• Culinary Cam: Es Teler (Indonesian Drunk Ice)

Chettinad Mushroom Masala#Alphabet Challenge

Button mushrooms sautéed in spicy Chettinad curry. Happened to taste this dish at a local Indian restaurant, since then wanted to try it out myself. Tried this recipe with my own blend of Chettinad spices and it turned good and it's a superb recipe. Chettinad Masala powders have special ingredients which gives the unique taste to the dish.

Ingredients

To Dry Roast Each Separately
3 Dry Kashmiri Red Chilies
1 Tablespoon Heaped Coriander seeds
¾ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 Teaspoon Poppy seeds
1 Teaspoon Split Roasted Gram / Pottukadalai/Dalia
1 Tablespoon Heaped Grated Dry Coconut or Desiccated Coconut
To Grind along with the above Roasted Ingredients
5 Shallots/Sambar Onion
1" Piece Ginger
5 Cloves Garlic
5 Curry leaves
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Teaspoon Kerala Garam Masala
Other Ingredients
200 Grams Button Mushrooms - chopped
1 Large Tomato - chopped
1 Green Chilly - slit
1 Bay leaf
2 Small Piece Dagdful /Black Stone Flower / Kalpasi
5 Curry leaves
1 Tablespoon Chopped Coriander leaves
½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
3 Tablespoons Oil
125 Ml Water

Method
Clean, chop the mushrooms, cut them into pieces and keep aside. Slice them vertically for a even look.

Dry roast the ingredients separately will each releases an aroma . Let them all cool. Grind all the spices and coconut powder in a spice blender/ mixer and powder them to fine texture. This is your dry masala powder. To this add the small onions, ginger, garlic, curry leaves & turmeric powder to the spice powder and grind to coarse texture. A few pulse in the mixer will be sufficient to chop the onions and ginger garlic. 

Keep this wet masala ready for the preparation.

In a kadai, heat oil and toast the bay leaves, dagdful, green chilly and some curry leaves. Now add the wet masala mixture and fry along for few minutes.

Add the sliced mushrooms and tomatoes at this stage and add half cup of water. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes over low flame.

Mushroom has the tendency to release water when cooked, so the gravy will be watery at this stage. Simmer till it reaches a semi-thick consistency, over low flame for the oil to separate.

Now garnish with chopped coriander and curry leaves and switch off. Serve as a side with rice or roti of you choice, this goes well with idli and dosa too!

My Notes
Poppy seeds & split roasted gram is added to give thickness to the gravy.

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, South Indian, Mushroom, Vegetarian, Sabzi, Side Dish, Indian
Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "C" 

• Sneha’s Recipe: Chettinad Mushroom Masala
• Food Lust People Love: Chicken Chorizo Traybake
• Blogghetti: Captain Crunch French Toast
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Chickpea Chaat Salad
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Hot Chocolate Cookies
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Cider Glazed Chicken Wings
• Magical Ingredients: Cheesy Corn Dip
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Chia Seed Protein Bites
• A Messy Kitchen: Cappuccino Mousse
• Culinary Cam: Lemon Lavender Blackberry Cake
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Cheesy Cheddar Taco-Seasoned Corn Chip Dip

Quick Potato Instant Sambar - Without Dal#AlphabetChallenge

Sambar is one of the staple dish in a South Indian house. of all time. It pairs well with dosa, idly and even rice. I have posted few recipes on my blog. You can check all of them below. This Quick Potato Instant Sambar made without Dal is an easy recipe to try when you don't have that much time on hand or other vegetables.

Ingredients 3 - 4 Baby Potato – cut into halves
1 Small Onion – cut into four parts
1 Medium Tomato – – roughly chopped
2 Green Chillies – slit and de seeded
1½ + 1½ Homemade Instant Sambar powder
1 Teaspoon Heaped Tamarind - soaked in warm water
1 Teaspoon Jaggery or Sugar
1 Teaspoon Level Salt or to taste
A Sprig Curry Leaves
1 Tablespoon Chopped Coriander leaves
1 Tablespoon Oil
For The Tadka/Tempering

2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
2 Whole Dried Red Chillies
A Pinch Asafoetida
A Sprig Curry leaves

Method 

Heat a pot with a tablespoon oil, add in potato, tomato, onions, green chillies, 1½  tablespoon Homemade Instant Sambar powder, mix well. Add 600 Ml  water and bring it to a rolling boil, cover, reduce the flame to low and let it simmer it for 20 to 30 mins till the potato is cooked. When the potato is cooked add the remaining  1½  tablespoon Homemade Instant Sambar powder, tamarind pulp, salt and jaggery and add water to adjust the sambar consistency.  Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes so that the flavors can marry. 

If at this stage you feel the sambar is watery, just mash one piece of potato, this will thicken the gravy when it slightly cools. 

For  The Tadka/Tempering

Heat oil  in a tadka pan, add in mustard and cumin seeds when they crackle add, whole red chilly , the asafoetida and mix well, add the curry leaves and take off flame.  Wait for a minute then add just ½  teaspoon Kashmiri red chilly powder , to give a nice color to the sambar. 

Pour this over the sambar and cover with a lid so that flavors can blend.  After 5 minutes, mix it lightly, add in coriander leaves. 

Serve with rice or idli or dosa.

Labels: Sambar, Instant Sambar Masala Powder, South Indian, Potato, Vegan, Gluten free, Vegetarian, Main course, Breakfast, Brunch, Idli, Dosa, Alphabet Challenge

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Asian Quinoa Salad
Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Butternut Squash Taco Ravioli with Queso Fresco
Food Lust People Love: Cointreau Glazed Orange Quick Bread
Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Palatable Pastime: Quebecoise Pommes Persillade
Culinary Cam: Quesabirria Tacos
Magical Ingredients: Queso Paratha
Sneha’s Recipe: Quick Potato Instant Sambar - Without Dal
A Messy Kitchen: Quinoa Crunch Bars
Mayuri’s Jikoni: Quinoa Paniyaram
Blogghetti: Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Whole Wheat Quinoa Bread 

Masoor Dal Nayab#Alphabet Challenge

This is a delicious main course dish made with brown lentils which we in India call it Sabut/Akkha Masoor. This is one of the easiest dals to cook, a healthy side for rice or rotis.

Ingredients

250 Grams Whole Masoor Dal - soaked for at least 2 hours
1/2 Cup Tamarind Pulp
2 Tablespoons Homemade Sambar Masala
2 Tablespoons Jaggery
1 Teaspoon Chilly powder
¼ Cup Oil
1 Teaspoon Salt
Dry Roast
1 Tablespoon Sesame seeds
½ Teaspoon Fenugreek seeds
1 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
½ Teaspoon Black Peppercorns

Method 

Boil the dal in cooker with 2 cups water for 2 whistles.

In a pan add the tamarind pulp, sambar masala and jaggery and cook till it forms a thick paste.

Heat oil in a large pan/kadai add the masala and little water chilly powder, the cooked  thick paste,  boiled dal and let it cook on medium low flame till oil surfaces. Serve garnished with coriander leaves. 

• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Fresh Mint 
• Blogghetti: Easy Mini Mango Tarts 
• Food Lust People Love: Fresh Mint Sauce
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Makhana Trail Mix 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Mango Strawberry Mocktail 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Masoor Dal Nayab 
• Palatable Pastime: Mediterranean Orzo Salad 
• A Messy Kitchen: Mojito Mint Fruit Salad
• Magical Ingredients: Moringa Makhana Paratha
• Culinary Cam: Mushrooms in My Cookies? Yep. Candy Cap Cookies. 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Overnight Muesli
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Pork Chops in Creamy Mushroom Sauce 

French Beans Fry - Andhra Style#Alphabet Challenge

This is a tasty, which is every easy and delicious to make, is a delicious Andhra Style french beans cooked in mildly spiced masala called Pappula Podi. Healthy, hearty and flavorful Andhra style beans fry goes well with rice and sambar or with rotis. You can add a bit of fresh coconut as a final garnish.

Ingredients
250 Grams French Beans
Salt To Taste
1 Tablespoon Oil
2 Tablespoons Pappula Podi Masala
1 Tablespoon Fresh Coconut - grated
For The Pappula Podi Masala
2 Dry Red Chillies
¼ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 Tablespoon Dry coconut - grated
1 Tablespoon Split Roasted Gram /Phutane/Chutney Channa
2 Cloves Garlic
A pinch of Salt
For The Tempering
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
A Sprig Curry Leaves
2 Dry Red Chilies - de-seed and cut into two
2 Cloves Garlic - crushed (I used garlic)
OR
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida

Method
To Make Pappula Podi Masala

Dry roast dry red chilies and cumin seeds for a minute. Add grated dry coconut and roast for half a minute. 

Cool and grind to a fine powder along with garlic, split roasted gram (phutane/chutney channa) and salt. 

Wash, stringed and chop the French beans into small pieces. Then boil it with salt, turmeric and water enough to cook the beans till done, ( make sure that there is at-least 3 tablespoons stock in the beans). 

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them splutter, add curry leaves, crushed garlic clove and dry chillies and sauté for few seconds. Add the french beans, salt, pappula podi masala and mix well, then add the stock and place lid let it simmer for about 3 minutes. Turn off heat, add fresh grated coconut. Serve with rice and any curry of your choice. We had with simple dal and steamed rice and enjoyed this spicy French Bean fry.

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Vegetarian, Healthy, Andhra Pradesh, Indian, Sabzi, Side Dish

• Sneha’s Recipe: French Beans Fry - Andhra Style 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Chicken Fajita Bowl 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Fruity Baked Oatmeal 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Turkish Fig Pudding 
• Blogghetti: Homemade Fajita Seasoning 
• Palatable Pastime: Fake Fatty Pastrami 
• Food Lust People Love: Baked Chicken and Feta Meatballs 
• Magical Ingredients: Fava Fennel Paratha 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Butternut Squash Soup with French Herbes

Beetroot Mezhukkupuratti#Alphabet Challenge

In Kerala vegetables are prepared two ways one is with grated coconut which is called Thoran and the other without coconut is called Mezhukkupuratti or stir fry.
In this recipe the beetroot is peeled, then cut into into strips or cubed, then cooked with onion, green chillies. This is a simple and delicious sabzi, do try this!

Ingredients
3 - 4 Medium Beetroot - peeled & cut into strips
1 Medium Onion - chopped finely
2 Green chillies - slit
A Sprig Curry leaves
Salt to taste
For The Tadka
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
A Sprig Curry leaves
3 Shallots/Sambar Onions- sliced
2 Tablespoons Oil

Method

In a pan add the beetroot, green chillies, onion with a cup of water. Place this on high flame and bring this to a boil. Cover with a lid and reduce the flame to low. Cook till the beetroot is done.

In a another pan heat oil when the oil is hot then add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the curry leaves and shallots, fry till the shallots starts to changes color. Now add the cooked beetroot, give it good mix, Cover & cook on low flame for 7-10 minutes, stirring in between. After 10 minutes switch of the flame. Serve hot... enjoy!!

My Notes
You can use pepper powder instead of green chilly.

Labels: Beetroot, Kerala, Alphabet Challenge, Sabzi, Vegetarian, Side Dish, Vegan, Gluten free

Palatable Pastime: Blueberry Biscuits 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Bisque of Lobster 

Blogghetti: 20 Minute Bean and Beef Tostadas 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Bagel Chips from Leftover Bagels 

Sneha’s Recipe: Beetroot Mezhukkupuratti 

Food Lust People Love:: Spicy Braised Ginger Pork Belly 

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Spicy Barbecue Seasoned Rice Chex Mix 

Culinary Cam: Börek with a California Twist 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Beetroot Tomato Soup 

Magical Ingredients Beet Fennel Paratha 

Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Brooklyn Blackout Cake 

Sizzling Tastebuds: Barley Karamani Adai (Barley Cowpea Savoury Pancake)

Keto Chilled Cucumber & Avocado Soup#SundayFunday

This Keto chilled soup is very refreshing with fresh cucumber and creamy avocados.

Serves 2
Ingredients
1 Cucumber - peeled, seeded and diced
1 Avocado
½ Cup Plain Whole Milk Yogurt - mine is homemade
1 Tablespoon Cup Fresh Parsley / Coriander Leaves
1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill
1 Scallion - green only - chopped
1 Lime - zest and juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Method 

Add the cucumber, avocado, yogurt, parsley, dill, and green onion to the blender. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend the mixture until it is smooth.

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Info : Per Serving - Total Carbs - 12
Labels: Keto, Cold Soup, Cucumber, Avocado, Healthy, Vegetarian, Sunday Funday, Yogurt, Gluten free

• Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Crockpot Mexican Butternut Squash Soup from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Fresh Fig Salad from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Golden Moon Milk from Culinary Cam
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Sambar from Cook with Renu
• Keto Chilled Cucumber & Avocado Soup from Sneha's Recipe
• Smashed Potatoes from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Warm Root Vegetable Salad with Pomegranate Molasses Dressing from Food Lust People Love

Stuffed Potato Masala Idli With Pumpkin Sambar#SundayFunday

Stuffed Potato Masala Idli is so soft and make a perfect filling brunch. These are filled healthy are more healthier than the normal idlis with delicious pumpkin sambar, and, I am sure all idli fans would love to have this. Check here how to grind idli batter.  

Ingredients
3 Medium Potatoes - boiled, peeled and mashed
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
1 Teaspoon Split Urad Dal
1 Medium Onion - finely chopped
1 Medium Tomato - finely chopped
2 Green chillies - finely chopped
⅓ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
2 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - finely chopped
Salt To Taste
Homemade Idli Batter - As needed
For The Pumpkin Sambar
½ Cup Tuvar Dal
2 Cups Water
½ Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
For The Pumpkin Sambar
1 Medium Lauki - can use Red Pumpkin - cut into cubes
1 Onion - sliced
2 Green chillies
2 Teaspoons Homemade Sambhar Powder or to taste
Salt to taste
1 Teaspoon Jaggery
2 Teaspoons Tamarind Paste or to taste
Water as needed
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
¼  Teaspoon Asafoetida
A sprig Curry Leaves - a sprig

2 Dried Red Chillies 

Method

For The Potato Masala

Heat a kadai with oil, add the mustard seeds and spilt urad dal, when the dal changes color. Add in the finely chopped onions, green chillies, fry till onion turns transparent.
Add the tomatoes and potatoes fry for a minute in medium flame. Add turmeric and salt to taste. Cover and cook on low flame for 2 -3 minutes. Sprinkle water if its too dry and mash them lightly so that all the flavors blend well. Add coriander leaves. Switch off the flame and let it cool.

Once cooled make small balls and lightly flatten it to fill in the idli, keep aside.
Let's Make The Pumpkin Sambar

Wash and soak the dal for at least an hour.
Take dal, water and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker. Cover and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Turn off the cooker and let the cooker cool completely. Open and mash the dal well add the pumpkin and take one more whistle on high flame. Let the cooker cool completely. 

Heat oil in a pot/kadai. Add in mustard seeds when they crackle add in curry leaves, dried red chillies and asafoetida. Sauté for a minute. Reserve some for pouring on top. Add in onions, Sauté this for a minute or till translucent. Add in the sambar powder and mix well. Add in cooked dal and pumpkin, tamarind pulp and water to make  the sambar. Mix well. Add in salt to taste and jaggery. Mix well, bring this to boil, let it simmer on low flame for 5 to 8 minutes stirring in between. Switch off the flame. Pumpkin Sambar is ready to serve.

To Make The Stuffed Idli

Grease the idli plate and then pour a half ladle of batter and spread evenly. 

Now place the ball of the potato ball in the center and again pour the idly batter to cover it.
Steam the idli for 12 - 15 minutes. 

Cool and with a knife or spoons remove the idli's from the mold. 

Serve hot with Pumpkin Sambar, Enjoy!! 

Labels: Sambar, Sambar powder, Pumpkin, Idli, Stuffed, Potato, Main course, Brunch, Homemade, Vegan, Gluten free, Healthy, South Indian, Sunday Funday

Sunday FunDay - 23 April 2023 - Spring Brunch   

• Baked Garlic Cheese Grits from Palatable Pastime
• Breakfast Tarts from Mayuri's Jikoni
• Lobster Bruschetta from Food Lust People Love
• Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Stuffed Potato Masala Idli with Pumpkin Sambar from Sneha's Recipe
• Torijas with Honey Orange Syrup from A Day in the Life on the Farm