Garam Masala Powder

Making garam masala powder at home is not a lengthy process anymore.., this recipe is passed from my mom :-) ,very few ingredients ,easy to prepare and  goes very well with non-veg and vegetarian dishes.Can be store upto 1 -2 months in  air tight container.

Ingredients:

Coriander seeds 1/cup

Shai jeera/kala jeera, cardamon,cinnamon,cloves mixed - 1cup

garlic pods - 4 (optional)

Directions 

1. Fry coriander seeds till you can smell the aroma (do not burn them) and leave it in a bowl to cool down.

2. Fry garam \masala ingredients (entire house will get fragrance from these ingredients ) for 2mins on low heat 

3. Cool both ingredients  and grind together( garlic pods can be added while grinding, if you like the taste of garlic.)

Please leave your comments and sugesstions

Simple Rasam Powder

Preparing things at home not only saves you money but it adds benefits to your health.
Used to buy store bought rasam powder but, never turned back after trying this. My mother-in-law passed this recipe to me :-), very few ingredients.This recipe make a big batch which can be store up to 2-3 months (based on your use) in a air tight container.
Can also be used to make rasam for babies(it aids digestion for little tummies :-) , Just don't use too much)


Ingredients;

Toordal - 1 cup
Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/2 cup
Pepper corns - 1/4 cup ( adjust to your spice level)
Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp

Directions:-

Fry all ingredients separately and let them cool completely and grind together to fine powder.
Store it in air tight container.

Try and let me know your comments

Easy Onion Uttapam with left over Idly batter

The rainy season is perfect for the spicy food that will make you mouth-watering :-) and it is more yummy when you don't have to spend an hour in the kitchen chopping,grinding and frying.
Used leftover idli batter to make uttappam which goes well with any pickle,chutney or sambar.

For kids add some color full veggies(carrot,beans,corn) and make into fun shapes and they love.

Ingredients:

Idli batter
Onions - 1 cup
Green chilies - 4(go with your spice level)
Ginger - 1 inch chopped(optional)
Coriander leaves - 1/2 cup roughly chopped
Curry leaves - 1 stem roughly chopped
Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/2 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Oil
Water


Directions:

1. Mix above ingredients except Oil, if batter is too thick add 1/4 cup of water
2. Spread oil on griddle , pour batter and spread in round shapes(spread slowly , it will form lumps if you spread too fast like dosa)
3. Cover it with lid for 1 minute
4. Open the lid spread oil on uttapam ,flip and gently press with spatula. 

Serve hot with any pickle, sambar or chutney

NOTE : - Instead of onion and chilies ,add finely chopped veggies for kids and make into fun shapes

Please leave your comments and suggestions

Easy one pot vegetable pasta for kids

It is very hard to make kids to eat vegetables,most kids refuse to eat when they are  served separately. I used finely chopped vegetables and cooked the pasta in  milk,this dish is fully packed with calcium,carbohydrates and nutrition's also, very alluring to kids :-). This dish can also be enjoyed by everyone. if you like a bit of heat add red chili flakes before serving.

Ingredients:

Elbow pasta - 1 cup
Mixed vegetable - 1 cup (finely chopped carrots,beans,broccoli and corn)
Onion - 2 tbsp finely chopped
Milk - 21/2 cups
Garlic - 1/2 tsp minced or grated
Butter/oil - 1tbsp
Cheese (optional)
Italian herb mix - 1/2 tsp (optional)
salt
Pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Add butter/oil in a pan ,add garlic onece the oil is hot and fry for 1min
2. Add onions and fry until translucent.
3. Add chopped veggies and herb fry for 2 mins.
4. Add milk and bring it to boil
5. Add pasta and cook until l pasta is well done.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste

Note - You can add cheese if your kids like it and

Try and let me know your comments and suggestion

Quick and Delicious Mixed Pulses Pulao

After a long weekdays I usually try to cook some simple and delicious one pot meal on weekends that entire family can enjoy including my 5 year old (she love variations:-)).
This is Simple Mixed Beans/Pulses pulao  doesn't consume much time and yet very delicious and healthy.

Ingredients

Mixed Pulses (Rajma,Black eyed peas,Channa,green moongdal,soy beans etc; soaked Overnight)
Tomato - Big 1/2 chopped
Onion - 1 thinly sliced
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Coriander - 1 cup
Mint leaves - 1 cup
Green chilies (use can uses based on your spice level) - 2
Garam masala Powder - 1/2 tbsp
Cloves - 5-6
Cinnamon stick - 2
Mace - 1
Kala Jeera - 1/4
Cardamon - 3-4
Oil/Ghee - 2-3 tbsp
Water - 6 cups
Rice ( I used Basmati soaked about 30mins) - 2 1/2 cups


Directions

1. Heat Oil in Pan ( I used electric cooker bowl, can useany non stick kadai if you want to cook on stove).
2. Add biryani masala Ingredients fry them for few seconds.
3. Add Onions stir well, add ginger garlic paste. fry for few mins add tomatoes fry till tomatoes oozes it juices.
4. Add garammasala powder,salt,coriander ,Mint leaves and fry till tomatoes are mushy.
5. Add mixed pulses and stir
6. Add rice stir well and add water.
Finally place the bowl in rice cooker and cook.

Delicious Mixed Pulses pulao is ready. serve hot with any raita.

try and let me know your comments