Zucchini Chutney

This tastes awesome.The freshness of this chutney will make you lick your hands.
It goes well with dosa or idli.If no tamarind is available add lime juice at last.

Zucchini-1 big
green chillies-2 -3
onion- 1 small chopped
garlic- 2
coconut- 1tbsp
curry leaves
coriander leaves- 1tbsp
ginger - small piece
tamarind - small piece
urad dal- 1 tsp
salt
oil- 1tsp

Zucchini Chutney

Method:

Chop zucchini into small pieces.
Heat oil in  a pan, add mustard seeds, chopped ginger,garlic,green chillies,tamarind and onions.
Saute until onions are soft.Now add zucchini,coconut,curry leaves and saute for 4 minutes.
Just before removing from heat add coriander leaves and salt.
Cool it and then grind into a paste.
Serve with dosa or idli. 

Podalangkai Kootu (padavalangka/snakegourd)

If you are in a hurry you can use cooked toor dal or moong dal.Do not over cook it .This dish tastes good in both dal form and semi gravy form.

Snake Gourd kootu

Snake gourd- 1 cup

onions- 1 small chopped

channa dal- 1/4 cup

mustard seeds-1/4 tsp

oil- 1tsp

asafoetida/hing-1/8 tsp

turmeric pwd- 1.4 tsp

To Grind:

coconut- 1/4 cup

green chillies- 1-2

jeera-1/2 tsp

garlic- 3 cloves.

curry leaves

Method:

Pressure cook channa dal .It must not be mushy.

Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds, asafoetida.

Add onions, snake gourd,turmeric pwd and the ground coconut mixture.

Add water-3/4 cup and salt.Bring it to boil and reduce heat.

Cover and cook on low heat until done.The dish  must be semi gravy not dry.

Serve hot with rice.

Podalangkai Kootu

Quinoa Idli

Quinoa is an alternative to rice or couscous. (pronounced as kinwa).It has a mild,fluffy and nutty flavor.Most boxed Quinoa sold in stores are processed to remove the saponins.If not removed just rinse it and soak it for few hours.It is a high protein breakfast food.These are idlis similar to rava idli.So simple to make. It takes around 20 minutes only...

Quinoa Idli

Quinoa- 1/2 cup
rava-1 cup
green chilli- 1 chopped
ginger- 1/4 tsp grated
coriander leaves- 1 tbsp
curry leaves- 1tbsp
grated carrot- 1tbsp(optional)
baking soda-1/2 tsp
buttermilk- 1 1/2 cups(3/4 cup curd+3/4 water)
salt-1/2 tsp
urad dal- 1tsp
channa dal- 1tsp
jeera- 1/2 tsp

Method:
Dry roast rava and quinoa in a pan for 5-6 minutes. Transfer it into a mixing bowl.
Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds,jeera, urad dal, channa dal, green chilli,curry leaves, coriander leaves and carrots.
Add this seasoning into the bowl.Add baking soda,salt and buttermilk.
Mix it well.Grease the idli plates with little oil and pour a laddle of the batter into them.
Steam these for 18-20 minutes.
Serve hot with chutney and sambhar.

Qunioa idli

Vathal Kuzhambhu

This is a traditional curry of Tamilnadu.This is basically done with Sundaikai ( dry turkey berries) or vathals(combination of some dry herbs).You can add lady's finger or brinjal .Can make prepare this dish without any veggie also.

Vathal Kuzhambu

Tamarind pulp- 1cup

onion-1 medium diced
tomato-1 medium diced
brinjal 3 sliced lengthwise(optional)
garlic- 5 cloves.
water-1 cup
curry leaves
gingely oil- 4-5 tbsp
red chilli pwd-1tsp
coriander pwd- 1tbsp
jeera pwd- 1/2 tsp
pepper pwd- 1/2 tsp
ajwain - 1/4 tsp
methi seeds-1/4 tsp
hing- 1/4 tsp
mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
salt

Method:
Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan and add brinjals and suate them.Stir fry them until they are done. Keep it aside.
Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds, methi seeds, ajwain,hing and curry leaves.
Add onions and garlic .Saute well for few minutes.
Add tomatoes and all the powders.Fry until tomatoes are mushy.
Add tamarind pulp,water and salt.
Let it boil. now reduce the heat and cook covered for 40-45 minutes until all the oil floats on top.
The kuzhambu must be thick not like sambhar

Vathal kuzhambu

Oats Uppma

This is similar to Aval (poha ) uppma but more filling.Perfect for a morning breakfast.
But care should be taken while preparing this otherwise you end up making oats payasam.ha ha ha!!
you can peanuts or cashews if you like.

Oats Uppma

Oats-1 cup
water-1/2 cup
onion-1 small finely chopped
ginger - 1/4 tsp grated
green chilli-1chopped
mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
jeera- 1/4 tsp
curry leaves
coriander leaves- 1tsp
oil- 1tsp
salt

Method:
Heat  oil in a pan,add mustard seeds,jeera,curry leaves, ginger and green chilli.
Add onions and saute for few minutes.Add little salt.
Now add the oats and fry them for 2-3 minutes.
Do not let them burn.
Now sprinkle the water and mix them well.Cook for 1 minute.
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot .

breakfast