Pongal Recipe Andhra Style (Ven Pongal ) ~ How to make Pongal Recipe ~(Step wise pictures) ~ Ghee Pongal Recipe

Pongal Recipe(Khara Pongal) andhra style

Prep Time : 10 minutes ;
Cook Time : 15-20 minutes ;
Serves : 2 - 3

Ingrediants :
Ghee       :  4 - 5 tsp
Jeera/cumin    :   1 tsp
Black pepper : 1 tsp
Curry Leaves : few leaves
Ginger           :  1 tsp (finally chopped)
Garlic            :  4 clove
Black pepper powder : 1 tsp
Salt         : as needed
Green chillies : 2
Rice      : 1 cup
Moong Dal : 1/2 cup
Water    :  4 cups
Cashew nuts : 4 - 7

Method : (step wise pictures)
1. First wash the Rice and Moong Dal set aside ......
2. Chop the ginger and garlic into small pieces and slice the green chillies into 2 pieces now to make Pongal..

3. Keep the pressure cooker & heat on the stove for 2 minutes and add ghee to the vessel .

   

4. Add jeera,it starts to splutter ,then add the garlic pieces, ginger cut into small pieces and Black pepper and fry for 2 - 3 minutes ..
                                                   

                                                     
5. Add the washed  Moong Dal and Rice and fry for another 5 minutes ..

       

6. Add salt and pour water.Now close the pressure cooker lid ...
7. Remove from the stove after 4 - 5 whistles are done .

                    

                                 
8. Serve hot either with sambar or groundnut chutney or coconut chutney.

Pongal recipe (Khara Pongal)andhra style recipe

Note :
1. If you would like to have soft pongal, make sure to soak rice and moong dal atleast 1/2Hr before you start your preparation.

Mushroom Masala ~ How to make Mushroom Masala Curry ~ Mushroom Recipes - Indian style

Mushroom is one of my favorite dish and I prepare a variety of dishes with it. Mushrooms are very low in calories,very high in fiber & contain many important vitamins and minerals. They are good source of minerals and are high in anti-oxidants. Research studies show that consuming white mushroom can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.It also helps to boost our immune system.As mushrooms are loaded with essential nutrients,we include them on a regular basis.

 

Today we will learn how to make Indian Style Mushroom Curry (South indian style,vegetarian recipe) following this easy recipe.

Mushroom Masala Curry  - Indian style

Prep Time : 15 min ;
Cooking Time : 30 min ;
Serves : 2 - 3

Ingredients :

• Mushrooms - 200 grams
• Onion - 1 cup 
• Tomato - 3/4 cup
• Tumeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Green chillies - 1 or 2
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Chilli Powder -1 tbsp (mine is not hot)
• Coriander powder - 2 tbsp 
• Cumin powder - 1 tsp
• Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander leaves for garnishing.

For the seasoning :

Oil - 4 tbsp
Whole Garam masala - 2 cloves, 1 inch cinnamon, 1 bay leaf.
(If you want it very spicy, you can dry roast the spices, powder it and add after heating the oil. In that case. skip the garam masala) I did not powder it but used the whole spices for seasoning.


Preparaion :
Wash and clean the mushrooms well and chop it into pieces.

Method:
1.Heat oil in a pan, add bay leaves, cloves , cinnamon, when it splutters, add finely chopped onions and green chillies.
2. Saute onions till it becomes brown.This step is important. Do not add tomatoes without browning the onions.

3. Add tomatoes and turmeric powder and cook till tomatoes become mushy.Then add ginger garlic paste and saute for a few minutes.

5. Add the chopped mushrooms,chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala and add cup of water and salt as needed.

6. Cover and cook about 10 - 15 minutes.

7. Garnish with coriander leaves .

Masala Mushroom Curry Recipe

• Serve with Hot Rice, Pulao, Chapati, Poori and Naan.

Gulab Jamun ~ Gulab Jamun Recipe ~ How to make Gulab Jamuns

Gulab Jamun is a very popular dessert in India.Thought the recipe sounds very simple, there are a few tricks to be followed to make tasty and soft Gulab Jamuns. Today let us learn how to prepare Gulab Jamuns following this easy gulab jamun recipe.
   

                                 

Gulab Jamun 

   
 Yield : 15 - 20 Jamuns

Ingredients :

For syrup :

• Sugar       -     2 cups
• Water       -     2 1/2 cups
• Cardamom pods - 2 - 3 crushed or peeled 

For the Jamuns :

• Gulab Jamun mix       -    100 gm (available readymade)
• Oil or ghee                -     For frying
• Oil or ghee                -     For greasing

 Method :
 To prepare Sugar Syrup :

1. Bring it to boil and stir until the sugar dissolves completely and syrup becomes slightly sticky. Do not boil too much ..

2 .First prepare the syrup and keep it warm,so that the jamuns are fried and added directly into the warm syrup.

To make Gulab Jamun :

1.Take a mixing bowl,add the ready made mix into the bowl . Now slowly add water and form a soft dough.. 

2. Don't knead the dough for long,then the jamuns may break while frying

3. Let it rest for 10 minutes..Cover it with a damp cloth or zip lock cover.

4. Grease your hands with ghee or oil while doing round jamuns..Divide the dough equally and make round balls without any creases .. This is very important .

5.Heat oil and fry the gulab jamuns in medium heat so that the inside of the gulab jamun will also get cooked well..Keep stirring it gently for even cooking and browning.. Remove with a slotted ladle when it becomes dark brown in color.

6. When the jamuns are golden brown in all the sides,drop them directly into the syrup.. At this point ,syrup should be warm . If the syrup is not warm,heat it again slightly.

7. Let all the Gulab jamuns soak in the syrup for 1 or 2 hours and then serve ... After that ,the jamuns should have absorbed the syrup and look soft and fluffy ... It can be served hot or cold

                      

     If preferred, you can top it with vanilla ice cream ad enjoy ......

Gulab Jamun Recipe

Note :

1. Don't fry the gulab jamuns in high heat as it will get browned quickly but the inside will not be cooked properly..

2. Heat the sugar syrup before dropping the gulab jamuns,if it has become cold ...

                        Meet you all again with another interesting recipe ......

Palak Rice Recipe ~ Indian Spinach Rice ~ Step by Step

              

                   Spinach Rice (Palak Rice) Recipe

 This spinach or palak rice is perfect as a lunch box.You can give it to your kids in their lunch box.
 If you are making this for your kids then reduce the amount of green chillies and make accordingly.
 Palak rice is very healthy rice recipe. As Spinach is very nutritious green.This is the perfect ways to add  some greens in your diet.Let's start making this and you will come to know that how healthy and delicious  this is.

Prep Time : 15 min ;
Cook Time : 30 min ;
Serves : 4

Ingrediants:

• Rice - 1  cup rice washed
• Spinach - 1 large bunch ,washed and chopped
• Onion - 1 small chopped
• tomato - 1 chopped
• Green chillies - 2
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Oil or Ghee - 2 tsp
• Bay leaves - 1
• Cinnamon - 1 stick
• Cloves - 2 - 3
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander leaves
• Salt as needed

To Grind :

• 1/2 cup of grated coconut
• 1 bunch of Coriander leaves
• 1 small onion
• 1 tsp of red chilli powder
• 1 tsp of garam masala

Method :

 1.Heat oil in a pressure cooker,then add bay leaves,cloves and cinnamon sticks and saute for a seconds.

2. Add sliced onions and green chillies and saute until it lightly browns.

3. Then add tomatoes and turmeric powder and saute for 2 - 3 minutes.

4. Add the chopped spinach and mix well.

5. Let it cook for a while. The spinach will let out water so there's no need to add any more at this time.

                               

6. In the meantime,grind the ingredients undder to "grind" with some water to a smooth paste.

                                

7. Add this to the spinach mixture and mix well..

Next,add the rice and some salt and mix again..Then add 2 cups water,close the pressure cooker and cook for 2 whistles or about 15 minutes.The amount of water requried will depend on the type of rice you are using.

Once done,garnich with coriander leaves and serve hot rice with raita or curd ...

Spinach Rice (Palak Rice) Recipe

Andhra Kaaram Chutney ~ Red Chutney ~ Red chili Chutney for Dosa

Andhra Kaaram Chutney (Red Chutney)

Prep Time : 3 - 5 minutes ;

Cook Time : 10 minutes ;

Serves : 2 - 3

Ingrediants :

• Onions  -  1 
• tomatoes - 1
• Red Chilies - 3 -4
• Garlic - 3
• Salt - 1 tsp ( if requried )

For seasoning :

• Oil - 1 - 2 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves  - 1- 2 leaves
• Hing - 1/2 tsp

Method : Step by Step

1. Onions, tomatoes and garlic cut into small pieces and transter into a mixer jar ,then add salt as needed.
                                                   
 
                                                    
2. Then grind everything together to a slightly coarse paste.
                                                   
3. Transfer the chutney to a bowl and set aside.
4. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan for seasoning and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them      splutter.
5. When the seeds stop popping ,add the curry leaves and hing..Stir for a couple of seconds andswitch off the heat. Pour over the chutney and combine well.
6. Refrigerate and use as required.

Kaaram Chutney (Red Chutney) in Andhra style

•      Serve with Idly,Dosa,Pongal and Hot Bajjis ....... etc.
•      Refrigerate and use as required.   

Baby potato spicy gravy Recipe (Dum Aloo recipe)

Baby Potato spicy gravy Recipe

Prep Time : 10 min  ;
Cook Time : 20 - 25 min  ;
Serves : 2 - 3.

Ingrediants :

• Potatoes - 6 - 8
• Onions - small 1 chopped
• Tomatoes - 1 cup chopped
• Green chillies - 1 or 2
• Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cloves - 2 
• Cinnamon - 1 inch
• Bay leaves - 1 leaf
• Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
• Red chili powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1tsp
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 2 -3 tsp
• Coriander / Cilantro leaves - for garnish
• Oil - 2 -3 tsp
• Water - if required (1/2 cup)

Method :

1. Boil & peel the potatoes. Prink them all over with a fork.
2. Heat oil in a pan ,add Bay leaves, Cloves , Cinnamon  and add Cumin seeds and saute for 1 - 2 minutes. .
3. Then add Chopped Onions, green chillies and salt and saute till they get a golden brown colour.
4. Then add chopped tomatoes and turmeric powder and stir for 4 or 5minutes.
5. Then add ginger garlic paste and add ½ cup of water and cook them for 2 or 3 minutes. .
6. Add red chili powder ,coriander powder and cumin powder and allow to cook for 1 or 2 minutes.
7. Then add boiled baby potatoes to the mixture and mix until all the potatoes are coated properly in the gravy.Then add a little bit of water (½ cup),and mix itand cover. Let it cook for a 10 minutes in low heat.
8. Then add a pinch of garam masala powder and cover it for one more minute.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped green coriander leaves and serve with hot chapati, paratha,puri, pulav,rice etc .........

Pudina Chutney (Mint Chutney) ~ How to make Pudina Chutney in South Indian Style

Pudina (Mint leaves) helps to estimate toxins from the body,blood cleanser,acts as coolant to skin irritation and combat bad breath.Always choose fresh green mint leaves.This chutney can be prepared within 15 mins.

                          Pudina chutney (mint chutney) is a very flavo chutney recipe made with mint leaves.Two types of mint chutney are 1. With coconut and 2.Without coconut . I like without coconut . This chutney is without coconut with onion and tomato.Please check below for step by step  and pictures for preparing Pudina chutney (Mint chutney).

                                     

                                                       Pudina chutney (mint chutney) 

Preparation Time : 5-6 min ; Cooking Time : 10min ; Serves : 2

Ingredients :

• Mint Leaves (pudina) - 1 1/2 cup
• Small onion - chopped finely
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Tamarind - 1/2 tsp
• Tomato -1 small sized chopped
• Urad dal - 1tsp
• Chana dal - 1 tsp
• Red chillies - 1-2
• Oil - 2 tsp
• Salt - to taste

For Tempering :

• Oil - 2 tsp
• Mustard seeds 
• Hing
• Curry leaves - 1-2 leaves

Method : Step by Step

• In a pan heat oil , add urad dal and chana dal and roast till golden brown then add red chillies and roast for a minute.then add onions and fry till browned .Then add tomato and turmeric powder .Stir till raw smell of tomato .

   

       

• Then add mint leaves (pudina leaves) in the frying pan and mix for a minute then add tamarind and mix for a minute and turn off heat .keep aside for 5 min and transfer into a mixer .

   

       

•  Grind to a semi paste and add little water and salt .

                                                        

•  Heat oil in a small pan for tempering, add mustard seeds,cumin seeds and add curry leaves let it splutter. Then transfer into the chutney .

                     

                                                      

                               

• Serve with hot idlis or any type of dosa or hot rice or urad dal vada .

Pudina Chutney(Mint Chutney) 

Tips :

•  Don't grind it too smooth,just grind it semi paste.
•  Don't add much water.
•  Don't fry mint leaves(pudina)more than a minute.