Adai/Lentil Dosa

Adai is a very famous South Indian dish which is made out of mix lentils and rice. You can add your choice of green leaves or veggies to make it more healthier and It is usually prepared for breakfast, but I even prefer to eat any time of the day. It is very simple to prepare and does not need much planning as for dosa and the good thing about this adai is, it does not need fermentation and you can prepare in no time. All you have to do just soak the rice and mix lentils for about 2 to 3hours. Then grind it to paste and make adai. Adai is usually little thicker then the dosa. It goes well with avial, coconut chutney or as it is.

Ingredient's.

1cup rice

1/2cup mix lentils(toor dal, urad dal, channa dal)

5 to 6 dry red chillis

10 curry leaves

1/2tsp finely chopped ginger

1/4tsp asafoetida/hing

Salt to taste

Oil for making adai.

Cooking Method.

Soak rice and dal together for 2- 3 hours.

Grind it to smooth paste along with red chilli, curry leaves, ginger, hing and salt. The batter should not be thick nor watery.

Heat a griddle or a non stick tawa and pour a ladle full of batter and spread it in circular motion. Drizzle a tsp of oil around the adai. Let it get cooked. Once cooked remove from tawa.

Serve it hot with coconut chutney, avial or as it is.

Baby Prawn And Vegetable Masala Khichdi.. Pressure Cooker Version.

Baby Prawn And Vegetable Masala Khichdi.. I cook this masala khichdi when ever I feel low and to enlighten my mood this is food I would prefer. This particular dish has no recipe from any where, actually one day I wanted to make pulao but I end up adding all the ingredients what ever I got into my hands and that's how I innovated this masala khichdi and this is a dish which you put everything together in a pressure cooker and give 2 whistle and you have a delicious masala khichdi ready to eat... I have also tried many other ingredients but I always thought the first recipe was the best, so since then I'm stick to this recipe only and believe me it taste real good.

Ingredients.

1/4 cup of baby prawn (pre cooked)

1/2 cup mix vegetables

1/2 cup of rice

3 tbsp toor dal

1 small onion, 2 green chilli, 1 small tomato ( finely chopped)

1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp coriander powder, 1/4 tsp garam masala

1 bay leave, 1 black cardamom, 2 cloves

1 cinnamon stick, 1 green cardamom, 1 star anise

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

Salt and Oil to taste

3 cups of water.

Cooking Method.

In a large mixing bowl add rice, prawns, dal and vegetables, wash them nicely and set aside.

In a pressure cooker, add oil, when oil is hot, add cumin seeds, bay leave, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and cloves, when they splutter, add chopped onion and green chilli, fry to light brown,

Then add tomato, red chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder and garam masala, fry for 1 minute, Add prawn, vegetables, dal, rice and salt. Give a good mix and add water, close the lid and cook for 2 whistle (1 in high flame and 1 in low flame) allow the pressure to go before opening the lid.

Serve hot with little ghee on top.

Bassaru's (Vegetbales Stirfry) Lentil Cabbage And Beans Stirfry..

Lentil Cabbage And Beans Stirfry... As i have mentioned in my last post that i have made this Authentic Bassaru recipe into 2 part so that it is easy for my readers to understand in a better way.. So here come the vegetables recipe of Bassaru... To know Bassaru (Rasam) recipe click here..

Ingredient's.

1 bunch of dill leaves finely chopped

1/2cup toor dal 

2cups roughly chopped cabbage

15 beans roughly chopped

1 lagre onion roughly chopped

2tbsp grated coconut

5 green chilies, 10 dry red chilies

10 curry leaves, 6 garlic cloves

1/2tbsp black peppercorn, 2tbsp chopped coriander leaves

2tbsp oil

Salt as per taste.

Cooking Method.

In a deep kadai or a pan.. add toor dal and 2cup of water boil for 10 minutes.. Then in a same toor dal, add cabbage, beans, dill leaves, onion, salt and 1 more cup of water and boil for another 10 to 15minutes.

In a mean time, dry roast the red chillies, curry leaves, garlic, black peppercorn and green chilies. Put it in a mixer jar along with the coriander leaves and grind to smooth paste, and set it aside.

Now drain the water from a boiled dal and veggies, keep the water aside (you can make a Rasam out of this water. To know the recipe for the rasam click on the above link)..

In a deep kadai, add oil, when the oil is hot, add grated coconut and grounded paste and fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Then add the boiled veggie's and season with salt (if required) and mix them gently and cook for another 1minute..The authentic Bassaru (Vegetable Stirfry) is ready to serve.

Serve hot with Rice and Ragi Ball along with Rasam..

Bassaru Authentic Karanataka Dish..(Lentil Cabbage Dill Leaves and Beans Rasam)

Bassaru (Rasam).. This is an Authentic Karnataka dish usually made with a variety of lentils Green leaves and Veggies. Bassaru means rasam, made of water which is used for a cooking the lentils, leaves and vegetables. You can cook this rasma with many kinds of lentils and leaves.. I have used toor dal, Cabbage, beans with dill Leaves, as you all know i love cabbage and i think this is the best combination of all and they tastes great. The dish sounds a bit difficult for the beginner but it is easy when you get to use of preparing it and the taste makes it worth the job done. This can be served with hot Rice or Ragi Balls..

 

Actually this Curry is combo of boiled and stirfry vegetables with Rasam while eating... But i have made this as a two recipes, so that it is very easy for my readers to understand in a better way... I'm a huge fan of this Rasam and it makes it even more tastier because i'm cooking this Rasam in UK.:) Every body has there own way of preparing this Rasam, I have learnt like this from my mom and i like this way better...

 

 

Ingredient's
For Rasam
1 bunch of dill leaves finely chopped
1/2cup toor dal
2cups roughly chopped cabbage
15 beans roughly chopped
1 lagre onion roughly chopped
2tbsp grated coconut
2 medium tomato
5 green chilies, 10 dry red chilies
10 curry leaves, 6 garlic cloves
1/2tbsp black peppercorn, 2tbsp chopped coriander leaves
2tbsp tamarind paste
3cup water
Salt as per taste.

 

 

For Tempering
8 to 10 curry leaves
1/4tsp mustard seeds
2 dry red chilies
2tbsp oil.

 

 

Cooking Method
In a deep kadai or a pan.. add toor dal and 2cup of water boil for 10 minutes.. Then in a same toor dal, add cabbage, beans, dill leaves, onion, salt and 1 more cup of water and boil for another 10 to 15minutes.
In a mean time, dry roast the red chillies, curry leaves, garlic, black peppercorn and green chilies. Put it in a mixer jar along with the coriander leaves and grind to smooth paste, and set it aside.
Again dry roast the tomato and grated coconut, till you get the slightly burning smell.. and grind it to smooth paste and set it aside.
Now drain the water from a boiled dal and veggies, keep the veggies aside (i will tell what to do with this boiled veggies in my next post).. Then add the grounded masala paste and tamrind paste to the boiled water and season with salt..
In a small pan add all the tempering ingredients, when they start spluttering, add it to the Rasam and simmer the rasam on a high flame for 5 to 7 minutes..
The authentic Bassaru (Rasam) is ready to serve.
Serve hot with Rice and Ragi Ball..

Raw Mango And Drumstick Dal !!!

Ingredient's

2 drumsticks, cleaned, scraped and chopped into 2-2.5 inch pieces

1 raw mango (cut into medium pieces)

1 cup toordal

1 medium onion, 1 green chili, 1 medium tomato chopped

1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp coriander powder

1tbsp tamarind pulp

2cup of water 

Salt to taste

For tempring

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

a pinch of hing-asafoetida

1 sprig of curry leaves

Cooking Method

In a pressure cooker, add all the above ingredient's, except drumsticks and raw mango. Cook for 3 whistle (1 in high flame 2 in low flame) Then allow pressure to go and open the lid and smash the dal little bit. In a mean time, take a tarka pan and prepare for tempering. Then add tempering it into the cooked dal with drumsticks and raw mango, close the pressure cooker lid and cook for another 1 whistle in a high flame.

Serve hot with Plain Rice..

Palak Dal Fry.. (Spinach With Lentil Curry)

Palak dal fry very healthy and easy dish. Few days back i got lot of spinach from market and wanted to finish every thing with in 2 or 3days and i had no option what to cook except few dishes from spinach. Then i though lets make palak dal with little bit of twist and it was tasty but different from palak dal. Usually i cook thick palak dal, but this time i added little more water to make it watery and it was going very well with plain rice and papad...

Ingredient's
Toor Dal 1/2 cup, Palak (4 Cups) 3 bunches
2 onion, 1 tomato, 2 green chillies, finely chopped
1/2tsp turmeric, 1/2tsp red chilly powder
1/2tsp coriander powder, 1tsp ginger garlic paste
1/2tsp cumin seeds, 1/2tsp mustard seeds
10 curry leafs
Oil and Salt to taste

Cooking Method
Wash and cut palak to a very fine consistency. and keep it aside separately. In a pressure cooker add dal, palak, tomato, ginger garlic paste, all masala powder, salt and with 2 cup of water. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 4 whistle in a medium flame.
In the mean time you prepare tarka. In a deep fry pan, add oil, When the oil is hot add cumin, mustard seeds and curry leafs, when they splutter, add onion and green chilies fry to golden brown and keep it aside to cool it down. When the dal is cooked open the lid and add the prepared tarka to it and simmer dal for another 4 to 5 minutes. Palak dal fry is ready to serve.
Serve hot with plain rice and papad..

Toor Dal Fry (Split Pigeon Pea Fry)

Toor Dal Fry, you could probably make dal fry using a combination of dals as well. But i like only toor dal because it gives you a very unique taste, once you start eating this dal fry you never feel like stoping. When ever i cook dal fry i always end up cooking for 4 to 5 person though we are only 2 at home.

I think i should give some credit to my hubby as well, for giving me his secret recipe.. In oct 2011 i was not feeling well and i did not even feeling like eating anything for whole day. I wanted to eat something spicy but doctor had told me not to eat oily and spicy. My hubby made a deal with me in the afternoon saying that if you eat this plain khichdi or fruits, i will cook some special dinner for you ok. After hearing that i was excited and i ate fruits. Then for dinner he cooked food, but what? Dal fry, Rice, Roti, Potato and fenugreek seeds sabji. First i told him this is what you said special, i dont want to eat now. Then he told me you just eat one bite, and i did that. OMG!!! i never thought the food was so so so tasty, i finished the entire plate... From that day i started loving toor dal fry :)

Ingredient's

1/2cup toor dal
1 onion, 2green chillies, 1 tomato(finely chopped)
5 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
1tbsp ghee, 1tbsp oil
1/2tsp turmeric
1/2tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
2cup of water
2tbsp chopped fresh coriander leafs.

Cooking Method
In a pressure cooker add dal, turmeric, salt and 2cup of water and cook for 4 whistle (1 in high flame 3 in low flame) and keep it aside. In a deep frying pan add ghee and oil, when the oil is hot, add cumin and chopped garlic and fry to golden brown, add onion and green chillies, fry for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add chopped tomato and fry for another 2 to 3minutes. Now add cooked dal and let it simmer for 4 to 5minutes in a low flame. Garnish with coriander leafs. Serve hot with Rice or Roti. You can add more ghee before serving (optional)

I am sending this recipe to Sudha from Wit,wok & wisdom. Love for lentils event.

Panchmel Dal, Panchratna Dal (Mixed lentil curry)

The Panchratna Dal is also known as Panchmel Dal and is a part of the rich Rajasthani Cuisine. It is a protein packed meal as it contains the goodness and nutritive qualities of 5 different lentils. I have changed this recipe a little and the results were a delicious, aromatic dal, which has become my favourite dal ... I got this recipe from a tv show called Health mange more in FoodFood channel.. This channel has become my all time favourite now, when ever i have nothing to do i watch this channel and get some unique and delicious recipes and try to cook in my way... I have many recipe yet to try. I'm waiting for the right time to cook. :) 

Ingredients

1/3 cup chana dal, 1/3 cup toor dal
1/3 cup moong dal, 1 tbsp urad dal, 1 tbsp whole moong
1 onion, 2 tomatos, 2 green chillies (Chopped finely)
3tsp chilli powder, 1/4tsp turmeric powder, 1tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala
3 garlic cloves
10 curry leafs
1 tsp cumin seeds
a pinch of asafoetida
2 tsp dried mango powder
3 tbsp ghee
Salt to taste

Cooking Method
Clean and wash the dals and add 4 cups of water. Pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles or till the dals are cooked. In a bowl, combine the chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala with 3 tablespoons of water and mix well. Keep aside. Heat the ghee in a pan and add the cloves, curry leafs, cumin seeds, green chillies and asafoetida. When the cumin seeds crackle, add the onion and tomatos, fry till the tomatos are soft. Then add the prepared masala paste and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cooked dal, amchur, and salt and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. Adjust the consistency of the dal before serving and if required, add some water.

Bisi Bele Bath.... (Pressure Cooker Version)

This is one of the easiest and simplest way to cook BBB and it taste awesome... It has been a long time i ate BBB, it was there in my mind to cook at home from a long time but was not having right idea to cook. Then i asked my sister how to cook this BBB. She told me one very easy way to cook. It is in pressure cooker, and i laugh at her. She told me it is true and it will taste delicious. I will tell you the recipe you can also trying cooking in this version then tell me or laugh at me ok... Today morning i thought why not cook BBB for brunch and it is true you can cook BBB in pressure cooker too, and it taste delicious :)

Ingredient's
1/2 cup rice, 1/2 cup toordal
3 cup of chopped vegetable. ( cabbage, capsicum, beans, green peas, cauliflower)
1 onion, 1 tomato, 3 green chilies (finely chopped)
1tsp red chilly powder, 1tsp coriander powder, 1/2tbp turmeric
3tbsp bisibele bath masala powder, 1tbsp sambar powder
1tsp ginger garlic paste


Tempering
2tbsp penuts, 1tbsp cashew
4 dry red chilly, 5 garlic cloves, 10 curry leafs, 1tsp mustard
Salt and Oil to taste.

Cooking Method
Wash dal and rice and put it in the pressure cooker with 5 cup of water and salt. Allow 4 whistle (1 in high flame 3 in low flame) after the pressure is gone from the cooker then add all the vegetable, onion, tomato, green chilly, ginger garlic paste, and all the masala powder. mix it gently and again cook for 3 whistle (1 in high flame 2 in low flame) In the mean time take a frying pan, add oil and fry cashew and penuts, and set it aside. After the pressure is gone from the cooker open the lid and add the fried cashew and peanuts, Then prepare for the tempering, in the same frying pan add oil, mustard, curry leafs, red chillis and garlic cloves, when they start turning golden brown remove from the heat and add in to the BBB and mix it well.
Bisi bele bath is ready to Serve. 
Serve hot with Ghee and Mixture. 

Palak Dal (Spinach Leafs)

Spinach is thought to be native to Southwest Asia and unknown to the Greeks and Romans. First cultivated by the Persians, it is now cultivated throughout the world, with the exception of the tropics. Although grown in China for centuries. Spinach leafs known for high Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and its Vitamin Content. Definitely a good choice to add to your menu. and it is very good for health... and it is again a easy to cook dish..

Ingredient's

2 bunch of palak 

1cup toor dal 

1 small onion 

2 tomato 

2 green chilly 

1tbs turmeric 

Salt.

For tempering

1/2tbs cumin/jeera 

1/2tbs mustard seeds.

Cooking Method

Cut the onion,chilly,tomato in to small picese 

Take a pressure cooker and add chopped palak,dal,cut vegetable,turmeric,salt and 2cup of water and boil it for 20minutes in a medium flam 

In a small frying pan add 2tbs oil and add cinnamon and mustard seeds saute till it become's brown 

After the dal is boiled, add the tempering in to dal and cover the lid and cook it for 5minutes.

Sambar (South Indian Dish)

This Sambar recipe is one of the most loved dishes in South Indian cuisine. Sambar is a spicy and aromatic preparation which has for years been liked by many people in India.
Sambar is preferred by many and is taken mostly with idli, dosas and rice. Sambar is prepared using many different spices and vegetables. It accompanies most every meal. In South India, there are variations to this sambar recipe, but this is the one I use..

Ingredient's
1cup Toor dal
1 carrot, 2 redish, 1 brinjal (Cut in to medium pieces)
1 onion, 2 green chilly (chopped)
1 tomato (chopped)
2tbs red chilly powder, 1/2tbs turmeric, 1/2tbs coriander powder
1&1/2tbs Samber powder
1/2tbs garlic paste
2tbs Tamarind juice
3tbs vegetable oil
Salt as per taste

For tempering
1/2tbs musturd seeds
few curry leafs
5 dry red chilly

Cooking Method
Pressure cooker dal for 15 minutes seprately
Boil vegetable with salt seprately
Heat up the deep frying pan, add oil, musturd, curry leafs and red chilly, when they splutter, add onion, green chilly, saute to lite brown
Add red chilly powder, turmeric, coriander powder, garlic paste and tomato, fry for 40 sec
Add boiled vegetable, dal, tamarind juice, salt, and 3cup of water
When it starts boilling add sambar powder and cook for 10minutes.