MANGO RICE

The weather is great nowadays.The warm weather ,especially after such an horrendous winter is so welcoming that it puts everyone in a good mood.My one and a half yr old son is so happy to be out more frequently, play on the lawn and go crazy picking up leaves and sticks :).My husband taking up new home improvement projects every weekend and as for me, busy in kitchen trying out new dishes.Last week it was Mint puris, this week its Mango rice.Its got the right tang and tastes delicious. It's best when prepared using ghee.This is my first try and certainly not the last.

INGREDIENTS

Rice - 3 cups,cooked
Raw Mango- 1 cup, grated (dont squeeze the juice from it)
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Peppercorn - 3-4,whole
Chana dal - 2 tsp
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Green chillies - 3 nos,slit
Ginger - 2 tsp,finely chopped
Peanuts or Cashews - 2 tbsp, roasted
Asafoetida - a pinch
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Cilantro - a small bunch, chopped
Salt to taste

METHOD

Heat some ghee in a large pan.Ones hot add mustard seeds.Ones it starts to pop add urad  dal,chana dal, peppercorn,ginger,green chillies,and curry leaves.Stir it until the dals turn lightly brown.Then add turmeric and asafoetida.Stir for a couple of seconds then add grated mango.Stir well.Now add the cooked rice and season it with salt.Add the roasted nuts in the end.Combine it all well.Garnish with coriander leaves.Serve warm.

ENJOY!!!

MINT PURI's

Nothing's more refreshing to me than a smell of mint.I dont do much cooking with it though other than make chutney or use it in the masala to make pulao.I buy it thinking this time am gonna try something different with it but end up making the same old thing.I tend to get bored making the same thing again.This time i made up my mind to explore other options and chose to try out mint puri's.This one turned out excellent. No one can hate this unless ofcourse you hate puris or mint. I could smell the mint while frying the puris.Simply irresistable.

Try it you'll never regret it.

INGREDIENTS

Wheat flour(atta) - 2 cups

Mint leaves - 2 cups or more

Oil - 1 tsp
Water - approx. 1 cup
Salt - 1 tsp
Oil for frying

METHOD

First coarsely grind the mint leaves adding very little or no water.Keep aside.In a mixing bowl combine flour,salt and oil.Mix well.Then add the mint leaves.Mix well.Slowly add water and mix until it forms a stiff dough.Knead for a couple of mins.Let it rest for atleast half an hr before making puris.Make small balls of it and flatten it out.Dont make it very thin , it wont puff up.Heat the oil and fry the puris gently pressing with a flat spoon in a circular motion.When puffed up turn over.Lightly brown on both sides.Drain excess oil on a paper towel.Serve hot with peas or potato curry.

ENJOY!!!

MOGHYA RAMDAI ( CUCUMBER CURRY)

Moghya Ramdai is the konkani term for 'cucumber curry'.A very mild tasting dish made of simple ingredients like small cucumber(yellow variety),potato ,drumsticks and some cashews.When I eat this dish it reminds me of the saying - "Simple Things in Life are Indeed the Best".Try it and am sure you all will agree with me.

INGREDIENTS

Small cucumber - 1 whole ,deseeded,peeled and diced(best to use the small yellow variety)
Potato - 2 medium size,peeled and diced
Drumsticks - fresh or frozen, cut to the length of a finger,8-10 nos
Cashew pieces - 1/4 cup
Coconut milk - 1 whole can
Salt to taste

For Seasoning:-

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Red chillies - 3-4 nos
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Asafoetida  - a pinch

METHOD

Transfer the chopped veggies(cucumber,potato, drumsticks)and cashew pieces into a vessel and pour some water, just enough it.Add some salt.Cook it until its just done.Add the coconut milk and let it simmer for 10 minutes uncovered.Now prepare the seasoning by heating a small pan.Add a tsp of oil.Ones hot add the mustard seeds.When it starts to pop add red chillies,curry leaves and asafoetida.Pour this over the cooked veggies.Stir.Serve warm with rice or dosaas.

ENJOY!!!

Vegetable Stew

The weekend turned out excellent.India finally won the world cup :). A match which could have gone either ways until the very end.A sheer determination from Dhoni and his team finally made us world champs. Kudos to the Indian Cricket Team!!!
Do any of you experience any difficulty with your kid to eat his/her vegetables?If yes then this dish might be the answer to your problem.A very versatile dish, Vegetable stew is made with lots of  vegetables and some mild spices thats cooked in a coconut milk gravy.This might be something that your kids will relish.Great to eat with any kind of bread and rice.

INGREDIENTS

Potato - 2 medium size, peeled and diced
Beetroot - 1 medium size , peeled and diced(optional)
Carrot - 2 nos , peeled and diced
Cauliflower florets - 2 cups
Green peas, frozen - 1/2 cup
Coconut milk - 1 can
Cinnamon stick - 2" piece
Sugar - 1 tsp
Salt to taste

other veggies to use - beans,sweet corn etc

To Roast and Grind:-

Onion - 1 medium size,diced
Tomato - 1 medium size, diced
Ginger - 1 tbsp, chopped

For Seasoning -

Oil - 1 tsp
mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Green chillies - 2-3 nos, slit
curry leaves - a sprig

METHOD

Cook all the vegetables along with cinnamon stick with some salt and water until its soft.In the meantime heat a pan with a tsp of oil.Add the ginger.Stir for a minute.Then add the onions and some salt.Cook it until its soft and brown.Now add the tomatoes.Cook it until its raw flavor disappears.Transfer it all into a blender and grind it to a smooth paste.Add this, the coconut milk and a tsp of sugar into the veggie mixture.Check the salt.Simmer it for 10-15 mins.For the seasoning,heat some oil in a small pan.Add the mustard seeds.When it starts to pop add cumin seeds,curry leaves and the green chillies.Stir for a min and then add it to the stew.Serve warm with Aappam,chapathi or rice.

ENJOY!!!