Beetroot Burfi

Ingredients:

Beet Root - 2 1/2 cups, shredded
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Butter - 5 Tbsp
Milk -1/2 cup
Cardamom - 1/8 tsp, powdered
Cashew nuts - 8
Coconut dried - 2 Tbsp
Pinch of salt

Directions:

Heat 4 Tbsp of butter in a large, heavy-bottom skillet. Add the shredded beets with a pinch of salt (as a sweet enhancer) and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring, until soft, and add milk and sugar and stir for another 8-10 minutes, until the milk is mixed well with the beets like the milk has evaporated. Meanwhile In a small skillet dry-fry 2 Tbsp of coconut and sugar, until coconut turns golden brown, also fry the cashew nuts using the remaining butter. Add the cardamom powder to the beets and stir well before switching off the stove. Make small disks of the cooked beet. Garnish with coconut and cashew nuts.

Green Mango Atjar (Green mango in spiced oil)

This is an African method of preserving the green mango. It is almost like an Indian pickle. I got a lot of green mangoes from my friend. So I made few recipes with that. One of them for your taste buds. This is less spicier than the Indian pickle. I found this recipe here. But I made my own curry powder for this recipe.

Ingredients

Green mango - 1 cup, 1" cubed
Olive oil - 1/4 cup
Garlic cloves - 2, chopped
Green chili - 1, minced
White Vinegar - 1 tsp
Salt - 5 Tbsp

For curry powder

Curry leaves - 3, dry roasted
Chili powder - 1 tsp *
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/8 tsp
Black pepper - 1/8 tsp, dry roasted
Fenugreek - 1/8 tsp, dry roasted
Turmeric powder - 1/12 tsp

Directions

Mix salt with water in a ceramic or glass container; stir until salt dissolves to make the brine. Add the cubed mangoes into the brine. Let it be alone for a day in room temperature. Drain well and transfer into an other jar.Boil the vinegar and pour it on the mango and mix well.
Make the curry powder by blending the all the ingredients (for the curry powder). Heat 2 tbsp of oil; add green chili and garlic, sauté till you smell the garlic flavor. Add the blended curry powder and turn off the stove and add the remaining oil, stir for a few seconds. Pour the hot oil mixture on the mango, mix well and store it in refrigerator for atleast for 3 days but 5 days would be great before serving.

Avocado and Pasta soup

The avocado is very popular in vegetarian cuisine, making an excellent substitute for meats in sandwiches and salads because of its high fat content. The fruit is not sweet, but fatty, distinctly yet subtly flavored, and of smooth, almost creamy texture. About 75% of an avocado's calories come from fat, most of which is monounsaturated fat. Avocados also have 60% more potassium than bananas. They are rich in B vitamins, as well as vitamin E and vitamin K. They have the highest fiber content of any fruit - including 75% insoluble and 25% soluble fiber. If you like to Know more about avocado click here.

Ingredients

Avocado - 1 ,peeled,seeded
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Red onion - 1/2 cup,sliced
Soy bean - 1/4 cup,cooked with salt
Pasta(messe penne) - 3/4 cup,cooked with salt
Tomato - 1/4 cup,chopped
Black Pepper - 1 tsp,powder
Oil - 2 tsp
Salt *

Directions

Heat the oil in skillet, add onion and saute until it turns translucent. Add the tomatoes and saute until it becomes tender.Add the pasta,soy bean and pepper and let it cook for 5 - 8 minutes in medium flame. Mash the avocado with lemon juice and mix with the cooked pasta and soy bean mixture, bring to boil and remove from heat. If you like the creamy(thick) soup add 2 tsp of corn flour before adding avocado.

Pumpkin and Spring Onion soup

Pumpkin is a kind of sweeter in taste but they are very low in fat and low calorie vegetable, also they are a rich source of potassium. And they are good anti-oxidants with beta-carotene in them. Pumpkin was sitting in my fridge for more than a week. Before expire, I decided to make a soup with spring onion. Let’s start the recipe.

Spring Onion
This is my first entry for Click event by Jugalbandi.
Ingredients:

Pumpkin - 2 cups, cubed
Spring Onion - 1 cup, chopped
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Black pepper powder - 1 tsp *
Ginger- 1/2 tsp, minced
Coconut milk-2 Tbsp
Salt *

Directions:

Heat the pan mildly and cook the pumpkins until tender (with the lid on). Mash the pumpkins and set aside, heat the oil in a large pan, add cumin seeds when it starts to sizzle add ginger and spring onion. Stir for 3 - 4 minutes, add water (depending on required consistency) and all other ingredients and bring it to boil. Optionally garnish with spring onion, mint and add a dash of ground black pepper.

Thai Green mango salad

Generally we don't have lot of recipes for green mango. This salad is mixture of different flavors. Green mango lovers will eat it in any form but will love this salad. It tastes very good. I found this recipe from here. I made slight variations in the original recipe. The wild mango originated in the foothills of the Himalayas of India and Burma. Mangoes contain enzyme similar to papain in papayas, a soothing digestive aid. It has lot of enzymes which helps to stimulating metabolism and cleansing the intestinal tract. This is low in protein and high in fiber. If you would like to know more about mango click here.This is my entry for IAVW-Thai event hosted by Priya and Vaishali.

Ingredients:

Green Mango - 1 cup, grated
Spring onion - 1/2cup, chopped
Bean sprouts - 1 cup
Cilantro - 4 tbsp, chopped
Grated coconut- 4 tbsp, dry fried
Pea nuts/Cashew nuts - 4 tbsp/per taste

For Dressing:

Soy sauce - 2 tbsp
Fresh lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Brown sugar - 2 tbsp *
Chili flakes - 1/2 tbsp *

Directions:

In a large bowl place the grated green mango and add all the ingredients except 2 tbsp of coconut powder and 2 tbsp of the nut of your choice. Toss well and garnish with remaining coconut powder and the nuts. If you like the crunchy nuts in the salad, add them before serving.

Guacamole

Ingredients

Avocado -2 ripe, seeded and peeled
Onion - 1/4 cup, chopped
Cilantro - 2 Tbsp, chopped
Tomato - 1/4 cup, seeded and chopped
Lemon / lime juice - 1 tbsp
Garlic cloves - 1, chopped
Cayenne or Serrano chilies/- 1, minced
Kosher salt *

Directions:

Guacamole is one of the most easiest and healthiest dips. Just in a medium bowl mash the avocado with 1 tsp of lemon juice (do not make it like a paste). Add all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Let at sit for an hour in room temperature and its ready to serve.

Chickpea and Greenpea soup

The name “chickpea” is derived from the Latin cicer. The botanical name of the chickpea plant is Cicer Arietinum. Garbanzo, the name more commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries, is thought to come from the Greek chickpeas are good source of folate and protein. It is high in dietary fiber and low in fat. Chickpeas are rich in magnesium, iron and phosphorous.

The chickpea was cultivated on the lands bordering Mesopotamia and the eastern Mediterranean. From there it spread to India and some parts of East Asia. In 2008 India is the most chickpea cultivating country. If you like to know more about chickpea click here.

This is my entry to My Legume Love Affair monthly event hosted by Glamah and Susan.

Ingredients:

Chickpea - 1 cup cooked
Green pea - 1/2 cup, cooked
Garlic cloves - 2, crushed
Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Milk - 1 cup
Rice flour - 1 tbsp (make a paste using water or milk)
Parmesan cheese - 2 tbsp
Green chili - 2 ,crushed
Salt *
Oil - 1 tsp
Cilantro or basil for garnish

Directions:

Pressure cook the chickpeas and green peas with 1/4 tsp of salt. Heat oil in a skillet; add cumin seeds and garlic and sauté till the garlic turns golden brown. Add the green chilies and coriander powder, stir for few seconds then add the cooked chickpeas, green peas, milk and flour paste. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes and add the Parmesan cheese, check the salt. Cook until for the soup to get the desired consistency. Stir in between to prevent burning, garnish with cilantro or basil. We are ready to serve.

Beet Root Gravy / Kulambu

In all fairness I like the sweet root vegetables (Carrot, Beet root) but I don't like to use in kulambu or chutney, at least have not found out a way until now. But I tried to make a spicy kulambu using beet root with a slight variation of Thakaalai (Tomato) kulambu. Some goodness of beetroot is that it contains very less fat, low in calories and is a great source of fiber, vitamin c, magnesium and iron. Beet root contains the natural red (disliked by most) coloring agent BETAINE. It is used for cancer treatments. Let's hit the recipe.

Ingredients:

For seasoning :
Mustard seeds - 1/8 tsp
Fennel seeds - 1/4 tsp
Cilantro or mint

For Paste:

Beet root - 1 cup, peeled and cubed
Split Bengal Gram - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick - 1/4'
Cloves - 2
Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
Grated coconut - 2 Tbsp
Oil - 2 tsp
Red chili - 2 *
Tamarind Paste - 1 tsp
Salt *

Directions:

Cook the beets on stove top until it becomes soft. Heat a tsp of oil and roast all the ingredients except beets. Let it cool and blend all the ingredients along with the beets, add water to get the desired consistency. In a small pan heat the remaining oil and add mustard and fennel seeds. When starts to sizzle add the paste and let it boil for a minute. Serve with idly, dosa or with rice.

Tip : To cook the beets, microwave for 2 minutes without adding water

Kale Poriyal

Ingredients:

Kale - 1 bunch, chopped
Moong dal - 1 cup, sprout/soaked over night
Onion - 1/4 cup, chopped
Green chili - 2 *
Grated coconut - 2 Tbsp
Oil -1 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/8 tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Split Bengal gram - 1/2 tsp
Salt *
Lemon - 1/2 tsp

Directions:

Cook the kale on stove top on medium heat covered with lid. Cook till the kale become soft. Stir it
every few minutes, so that to prevent from it burning and for evenness. In the mean time cook the moong dal in stove top or microwave. Once the kale is done transfer it to a bowl.

In the same pan add the remaining oil, once the oil is hot enough add the mustard seeds, Urad dal, split Bengal gram. Add the onion and green chili when the dals turn light golden brown. Sauté until the onions become translucent, add the grated coconut and moong dal and sauté till the coconut turns light golden brown.To this add the kale and stir well for 2 minutes. Switch off the stove and optionally add the lemon juice and mix well.

Pan fried Bitter Gourd and Moong Dal

I like the deep fried bitter gourd, but in an attempt to try and avoid oil, I pan fried the bitter gourd this time. Generally most vegetables do not go well with bitter gourd, so I tried moong dal with it, which tasted real good. MH tried with his eyes closed and could not realize what it was. So those who are scared of bitter taste can try this one.

Ingredients:

Bitter gourd (. 2 cm thick) - 1 cup,Sliced
Moong dal sprout / soaked - 1/2 cup
Oil - 2 tbsp
Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Tamarind pulp (concentrated) - 1/4 tsp (Extract - 2 tbsp)
Salt *

Directions:

Add 1/2 tsp of salt to the sliced and washed bitter gourd. Mix well and let it soak for 30 min (wash twice after the soaking). In the meantime heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot add the moong dal, pinch of salt and pan-fry until (becomes soft) cooked and transfer it to a bowl. Then heat the remaining oil in the pan and add the twice washed bitter gourd, pan-fry till the sides turn golden brown (by turning it upside down in between), add cooked moong dal and all other remaining ingredients, check salt. Meanwhile, mix the tamarind pulp into two tbsp of water set aside. At the end add it to the bitter gourd and pan-fry till all the tamarind water is dried.

Mangai Pachadi / Green Mango Instant Pickle

Most of us like to eat the raw green mango with chili powder and salt. My mom used to make mango pickle at home. She would make them when I’m not at home because I would eat like food even before done. Mangai pachadi is easy to make except shredding part. We can eat alone or with rice or as an instant pickle. This is one of the easiest dishes to make, so let’s start it.

Ingredients:

Green mango - 1 cup,shredded
Oil - 1 Tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/8 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Split Bengal gram - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 10
Cilantro
Chili powder - 1/2 tsp *
Turmeric powder - 1/10 tsp
Salt *

Directions:

After shredding, squeeze the excess water from the mango as much as you can and pat dry with kitchen towel for 15 min to remove the excess water. In the meantime heat the oil in a small pan. Then add the mustard seeds and once the mustard seeds start to splatter switch off the stove and then add all the ingredients except turmeric powder, chili powder and salt. Transfer the mango into a bowl. After the Urad and Bengal gram turns golden brown then add the chili powder, turmeric powder and salt. Pour this to the bowl and mix well.

Paavakka Puli Kulambu(Bitter Gourd Tamarind Curry)

I love bitter gourd and sundaikai (turkey berry) kulambu. This is my mom’s recipe. This is one of my favorite recipes. Bitter gourd has excellent medicinal values. It is very low in calorie and more in nutrients. It is specifically used for diabetes to lower the blood sugar level. Bitter gourd leaves juice used for piles treatment. Good source of calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. Hence I make sure I use this great vegetable at least twice in a month.

Other names: Karela (Hindi), kaakarakaaya (Telugu)



Ingredients:

Bitter gourd sliced – 2 medium
Coconut oil/Butter – 1 Tbsp
Turmeric powder – 1/8 tsp
Tamarind pulp (concentrated) – ½ tbsp
Sugar – 1½ tsp
Salt *

For Paste:

Rice – 1 ½ Tbsp
Coriander seeds – 2 tbsp
Black Pepper corns- ½ tsp
Dried Red chili – 2 *
Garlic – 4
Curry leaves – 2 strings
Grated Coconut fresh/frozen – 4 Tbsp

Directions:

Heat the coconut oil/butter in heavy bottom pan. Pan fry the sliced bitter gourd by flipping the sides until both sides turn golden brown. Mean while make the tamarind water by adding 1 ½ cup water into the tamarind pulp. Once the bitter gourd is done add the tamarind water, salt, turmeric powder and sugar. Cover the pan and let it cook until the bitter gourd is 90% cooked (not mushy but soft enough so that you can cut the slice with your finger). Mean while roast ingredients (mentioned as “for paste”) and blend it to make a fine paste with water as less as possible so not making it into a syrup.

Once the bitter gourd is cooked completely add the paste and let it cook for 2 min in high heat. If the kulambu is too thick add some water and let it boil for a minute. It can be served with rice or idly.

Cashew nut and Yu Choy stalk Moor Kulambu

This recipe is small variation of normal moor kulambu. I just added cashew nuts instead of rice/rice flour / toor and split Bengal gram/ split roasted gram (pottu kadalai/Daliya). Cashew nut gives you rich and a bit creamy texture to moor kulambu.
Traditionally soaked toor dal and split Bengal grams are used to make moor kulambu. For instant recipe we can use rice flour or split roasted gram. We can use okra, winter squash, and ash gourd, Ivy gourd (Kovakaai).
Let start the recipe….

Ingredients:

Cooked Yu Choy stalk (1.5”) – 2 cups (Cook with a pinch of salt on stove top till tender)
Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp
Oil – 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds – 1/8 tsp
Curry leaves – 6
Yogurt - 4 tbsp
Coriander leaves for garnish
Turmeric powder – 1/10 tsp
Salt *

For Paste:

Cashew nuts - 5
Grated Coconut – 3 tbsp
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Coriander seeds – 1/8 tsp
Ginger – ¼ tsp
Green chili – 2 *

Directions:

Soak the cashew nuts for 15 to 30 min in hot water. Mix turmeric and yogurt and set aside. Blend the above ingredients mentioned “for paste” into a fine paste. Temper mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves then add the Yu Choy stalks and sauté for a min then add the ground paste, let it cook for 4 min in a medium heat, check the salt. Turn the stove, add the yogurt/butter milk and mix well. Let it be there on stove for a minute then transfer it in to a bowl.

Tip: If you have left over coconut chutney you can make instant moor kulambu with it. Just add a ½ tsp of cumin powder ginger paste. Make the paste and follow the above direction.

Yu Choy and Potato Stir fry

Ingredients:

Yu Choy leaves (chopped) -1 bunch (Cut the stalks and set them aside for another recipe)
Potato - medium size 1,Sliced
Oil – 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Split Bengal gram - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2tsp
Garlic minced-1 tbsp
Red chili powder-1/2 tsp *
Salt *

Directions:

Heat the oil in a medium pan. Once the oil is hot, add mustard seed, let the mustard seeds splutter and add Urad dal, split Bengal gram and the minced garlic. Add the sliced potatoes, salt, chili powder after Urad dal and Bengal gram turns golden brown. Cover the pan and let it cook for 5 min in medium heat, by stirring the potatoes a couple of times in between.

In the meantime heat 1 tsp of oil in another medium pan then add chopped Yu Choy leaves, salt and cook till it becomes tender without adding water to it. Cook it in medium heat else the water in the greens will dry out soon. When it becomes soft (cooked enough) remove from the stove top and squeeze the water and add (you can leave the water but the curry will be a little mushy) it to the potatoes after checking the potatoes are cooked if not let the potatoes cook for couple of minutes, mix them well and let it be on stove for few more minutes.

Beet Green Poriyal

Ingredients:

Beet leaves-25 count,Chopped
Oil-1 tbsp
Mustard seeds-¼ tsp
Onion chopped-¼ cup
Green chili-2 *
Curry leaves-12 (Optional)
Cilantro-2 tbsp,Chopped
Salt *
Grated Coconut - 2 Tbsp
(Fresh or Dried)

Direction:

Heat oil in a medium pan. Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and urad dal. After the mustard seeds splutter add chopped onion and green chili. Once the onions starts soften add the shredded coconut and sauté for a min. Then add beet greens, salt and cook till it becomes tender. Cook it in medium heat else the water in the greens will dry out soon. When beet green is fully cooked (soft enough) remove from the stove top and add cilantro. Serve with rice.