PUTTU - Kerala Breakfast Food

PUTTU RECIPE - South Indian Food Recipe

TIME:

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min

INGREDIENTS:

Rice Flour – 2 cups
Grated Coconut – 1 cup
Ghee - 1/2 tbsp, melted
Water – as required (approx 2/3 cup)
Salt – to taste.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• In a large bowl, place the puttu powder. Add salt to taste to 2/3 cup of water and slowly add about 2 tbsps at a time to the puttu powder and mix it. Do not add all the water at once. It should be a bread crumb consistency and not form a dough. Add melted ghee and mix. Normally 1/2 cup to 2/3 rd cup of water is sufficient to wet 2 cups of puttu powder.
• The right consistency of puttu powder is achieved when you take the prepared flour in your fist and close it to form shape. Leave aside this prepared rice mixture for an hour or two at room temperature. When the mixture sits, water is absorbed. After sitting time of 1 or 2 hours, if you find that the mixture is slightly dry, add a little more water and mix.
• Add 2 cups water to the bottom vessel of the puttu maker and allow to simmer till hot. Wet the puttu mould and lightly grease it. Place the round perforated disc with holes inside the puttu mould such that it fits well at the bottom of the mould. Place 2 tbsps of grated coconut at the bottom of the puttu mould. Carefully and slowly pour about 6 tbsps of the puttu powder from a height followed by another layer of 2 tbsps of grated coconut. Again layer with 6 tbsps of puttu powder and finish off with 2 tbps of grated coconut on the top. Place the lid over the puttu mould annd place the mould over the water vessel.
• Steam on high medium flame for 5-6 mts and 4 mts on low flame. Turn off heat and wait for 2 to 3 mts before removing the puttu from the mould with the help of a wooden ladle or skewer. Hold the puttu mould parallel to the serving plate and with the help of a long ladle gently push the bottom disc such that the puttu slides onto the plate. Serve warm with Kadala curry or banana and pappadam.

NOTES:

• A tsp of cumin seeds can also be added to the puttu mix.
• Addition of ghee yields soft puttu.
• Once the puttu mixture is prepared, leave it aside for a minimum of half an hour to 2 hours.
• Once the puttu is steamed, remove the mould and leave it aside for 3 minutes and then gently push the finished puttu onto a plate.
• Store bought puttu podi/powder can be used right away.
• If using store bought rice flour, you need to roast it on low flame for 5-7 minutess before using it to prepare Puttu.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

PAZHAM PORI | ETHAKKA APPAM | RIPE PLANTAIN FRITTERS

INGREDIENTS:

1. Etahakka /Nendrapazham ( ripe plantains)- 2 nos
2. All purpose flour-1/2 cup
3. Rice flour-1 to 11/2 tbsp (optional)
4. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
5. Cumin seeds- 1 pinch (optional)
6. Salt-one pinch
7. Water -As required
8. Coconut oil- for deep frying

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Peel plantains and cut it  vertically into two.Cut each slice again into two .Keep aside.
• Combine all purpose flour,rice flour,turmeric powder,cumin seeds,salt and water in a mixing bowl to form a thick batter.
• Heat oil in a frying pan.Dip the sliced banana in the batter and deep fry until golden brown.Drain onto a kitchen towel and serve with tea/coffee.

NOTE:

• You can also use rice flour instead of all purpose flour ,if you like it to be really crispy on the outside.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

APPAM / PAALAPPAM

APPAM / PAALAPPAM (അപ്പം) | Kerala's Tasty Snack 

TIME:

• Prep time: 20 min
• Cook time: 45 min

INGREDIENTS:

• Raw rice - 1 1/2 cups (any rice like sona masuri) soak in water for 4-5 hours
• Grated coconut - 3/4 cup
• Cooked rice - 2 tbsps (optional)
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 2 tsps
• Baking soda - 1/4 tsp

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Drain the rice and grind it along with grated coconut and cooked rice in a mixer grinder. Add water little by little while grinding. You can add upto 3/4 cup of water. The ground batter need not be too smooth. When you run the batter between your fingers, it can feel a little coarse but not too coarse. Even if the batter is super smooth, its fine.
• In a stainless steel vessel, add 1/4 cup of the ground batter and 3/4 cup of water. Place it over very low flame and go on stirring constantly. It will begin to thicken, continue stirring vigourosly till it appears like a transparent thick mixture. Turn off heat and bring to room temperature.
• Add the cooled cooked batter to the remaining ground appam batter and mix well such that there are no lumps. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water, if necessary. This batter should not be too runny like rava dosa batter not thick like a masala dosa batter. It should be a slightly thick pouring consistency.
• Place lid and ferment this batter overnight. It will almost double in size on fermentation.
• At the time of preparation, add salt, sugar and baking soda. Mix well but do not over beat the batter.
• Heat the non-stick appam pan on medium flame for 2 mts. There is no need to add oil while preparing appams. Add 2 to 3 drops and use a tissue to grease the pan all over. Lower flame, pour a ladle full of batter or a little more than 1/4 cup of batter in the center of the pan.
• Lift the pan (off the flame of the stove) and twirl the batter in a clock wise direction so that the batter spreads out in a circular shape. Do not twirl more than twice. There will be more batter in the center than the sides, which is fine. Place back the pan on stove, cover with lid and cook on low flame. Check after two mts and if it is done, remove from pan, otherwise continue to cook with lid for a little while longer. It should cook within 2 1/2 mts to 3 mts.
• The edges will be crisp and will slowly leave the sides of the pan. Use a flat spatula to lift the appam off the pan and place on serving plate. You can cook for a while longer for browner edges but I prefer pure white appams.
• Prepare appams with the rest of the batter. There is no need to add oil for preparing appams in a non stick pan.
• Serve warm appams with vegetable or chicken stew, egg roast or sweetened coconut milk.

NOTES:

• Left over fermented batter can be refrigerated upto 2 days and not beyond that as it has coconut.
• If using toddy, add 1 cup toddy instead of water.
• If using active dry yeast instead of cooked appam batter, add 1 tsp yeast to 1/4 cup of luke warm water and 2 tsps sugar. Leave aside for 15 mts and the yeast will dissolve, froth and double in size. Add this to the ground appam batter and mix well. Place lid and let it ferment overnight in a warm place. Next add morning, add salt to the fermented batter, mix and prepare appams.
• There is no need to flip the appam to cook the other side.
• Left over batter that has been refrigerated and used on the second day can be sligthly diluted with very little water.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

POROTTA | South Indian Porotta

POROTTA | South Indian Porotta (Paratha)

TIME :

• Prep time: 60 min
• Cook time: 30 min

INGREDIENTS:

• Maida - 4 cups (plain flour or all purpose flour)
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Oil - 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup, approx
• Water - as required

INSTRUCTIONS:

• In a bowl, add maida, salt and sugar and mix well. Slowly add water and make a soft dough. Add a tbsp of oil and mix into the dough. Cover the dough with a lid and allow to rest for at least 2 to 3 hours.
• Grease your work surface and your hands with oil and pinch dough to make smooth round tennis sized balls. Place the balls on the greased work surface and grease the balls with oil.
• Take each ball and roll it like a thick roti (approx 4"-5") in diameter using a rolling pin and place the rolled out rotis on the greased work surface. Place them each next to each other. Grease the thick rotis well. Allow to rest for 10 mts.
• Take a rolled out thick roti and spread it out thin using a rolling pin or using your palms and fingers to stretch out into a thin sheet. The key is to spread it out super thin and as large as you can. Keep smearing oil as your spread the sheet. The shape is really not important. Even if there are a couple of tears, it is completely fine.
• Now using the fingers, slowly lift up one end of the sheet and make pleats moving towards the other end.
• Once its pleated hold one end of the long strip and roll it towards the other end to create a rosette and tuck the end under the rosette. Prepare with the rest of other thick rotis and keep the rosettes greased at all times. Allow to rest for 10 mts.
• On the greased work surface, place each rosette and roll into a thick parotta, smearing oil as your roll out. Ensure the parottas are well greased.
• Heat a tawa on high flame. Once the tawa heats up, place the thick parotta on the tawa and cook on both sides till golden brown on medium high flame. Drizzle oil as your roast them on the hot tawa.
• Prepare parottas with rest of the rosettes in a similar fashion. Now take each parotta, place on the work surface and using both your hands, crush them together similar to clapping action. This helps to open up the layers of the parotta.
• Repeat this action with all the roasted parottas. Serve parotta with vegetable salna or chicken salna.

NOTES:

• At every stage, the shaped out dough - tennis sized balls/rolled out thick rotis/thin sheets/rosettes/rolled out parottas should be well greased at all times.
• Allow to rest for at least 10 mts at each stage of the parotta making process.
• Crushing the hot off the stove roasted parotta is essential step that is not to be missed.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

ELA ADA | STEAMED RICE FLOUR PARCEL | ഇല അട

ELA  ADA ( ഇല അട ) | STEAMED RICE FLOUR PARCEL

INGREDIENTS:

1. Rice flour- 1 cup
2. Boiling water- as required
3. Salt- 1 pinch
4. Banana leaves/Parchment paper- cut into rectangles 

For filling

1. Grated jaggery-1/4 to 1/2 cup
2. Water-2 tbsp 
3. Grated coconut-3/4 cup
4. Cumin powder-1 pinch (optional)
5. Cardamom powder-1 pinch

INSTRUCTIONS :

• Melt jaggery with 2 tbsp water over medium low heat.Switch off the stove and add grated coconut,cumin  powder and cardamom powder .Mix well and keep aside.
• In a large mixing bowl ,add rice flour and salt.Pour boiling water and mix well using a wooden spatula.Allow this to cool slightly and knead well to form a soft dough.
• Take a lemon sized portion of the prepared dough and place it onto a piece of  banana leaf and flatten it using your finger tips to form a thin and even layer of dough on it.(If the dough is sticking to your fingers ,dip your finger tips in water once in between)  
• Place a tablespoon of the prepared filling onto one half of the prepared layer and fold over the other half and press the sides gently to seal the edges.Repeat the process with the rest of the dough.
• Place this in a steamer and steam for about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Allow it to cool slightly before serving.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

UZHUNNU VADA | ഉഴുന്നുവട

UZHUNNU VADA | ഉഴുന്നു വട |  Kerala's Tasty Snack

INGREDIENTS

1. Urud dal/Uzhunnu- 1cup
2. Ginger chopped-1" piece
3. Green chilies chopped-2 to 3 nos
4. Shallots/chumanulli chopped-6 to 8 nos
5. Black pepper corns-8 to 10 nos
6. Curry leaves chopped - 1 sprig
7. Salt to taste
8. Oil -to deep fry
9. Water

INSTRUCTIONS

• Wash and soak urud dal for 3 to 4 hours.
• Drain this and grind it to a smooth paste adding a few tablespoons of water if required.
• Add ginger,green chilies,shallots,pepper corns,curry leaves and salt to taste to the ground paste and mix well using a spatula.
• Keep aside for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Heat oil in a wok.Just add a pinch of the dough into hot oil,if this rises to the top immediately then the oil is hot enough to prepare the vadas.
• Wet your palm with cold water and take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a ball.Slightly flatten it and make a hole in the center using your finger.Slip this into hot oil(over medium flame).cook until it turns golden brown.
• Serve with coconut chutney

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

KULUKKI SARBATH | SPICED SHAKEN LIMEADE WITH BASIL SEEDS AND PINEAPPLE | HEALTHY SUMMER DRINK

KULUKKI SARBATH | SPICED SHAKEN LIMEADE WITH BASIL SEEDS AND PINEAPPLE | HEALTHY SUMMER DRINK

Spiced -shaken limeade with basil seeds and pineapple.Perfect for a hot summer day.

INGREDIENTS:

1. Basil seeds/Sabja seeds /Kasha Kasha- 2 tsp
2. Lime juice - from 2 limes
3. Ginger ,finely chopped- 1 tsp
4. Green chilies ,sliced- 1/4 tsp
5. Pineapple,finely chopped- 2 tbsp( optional)
6. Cold water- 2 cups ( and more for soaking basil seeds)
7. Sugar / Honey / Sugar syrup- to taste
8. Ice cubes- as required

INSTRUCTIONS:

Soak basil seeds in water for about 10 minutes.Drain and keep aside.

In a shaker /glass jar add soaked basil seeds,lime juice,ginger,green chilies,pineapple,water and sugar/honey/sugar syrup to taste .Shake well for about 15 to 20 seconds.Add ice cubes and serve immediately.

NOTES 

• Adjust the quantity of green chilies according to your taste.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

KADACHAKKA THEEYAL

KADACHAKKA THEEYAL RECIPE

Ingredients :

1. Kadachakka /Breadfruit diced-1 1/2 cup
2. Potato diced- 1 small
3. Shallots sliced vertically-10 to 12 nos
4. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
5. Tomato-1 big
6. Curry leaves- 1 sprig
7. Garam masala- 1/2 tsp(optional)
8. Mustard seeds
9. Salt to taste
10. oil
11. Water

To roast and grind :

1. Coconut grated- 1 cup
2. Red chilies- 5 nos
3. Garlic- 2 cloves
4. Coriander seeds-1 tbsp
5. Shallots-4 nos
6. fenugreek seeds-1/4 tsp
7. fennel seeds- 1/4 tsp
8. Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
9. Cloves- 2 nos
10. Cinnamon stick - 1 1/2 " piece
11. Chili powder-1/2 to 1 tsp
12. oil- 1 tsp(optional)

Instructions :

• Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
• Add curry leaves and shallots and potato.Saute for a minute.
• Add kadachakka/breadfruit , tomato , turmeric powder,salt and water.Cook till tender.
• Meanwhile,heat 1 tsp oil in a pan and roast ingredients 1 to 9 (of  ingredients to roast and grind),stirring continuously.
• Roast till coconut turns golden brown.Now add chili powder and roast for a minute.Switch off the stove.
• Allow it to cool  and grind this to form a smooth paste without adding water.
• Add the coconut paste to cooked kadachakka/breadfruit and adjust salt to taste.Add garam masala(optional).Cook till the gravy thickens. 

Serve with rice

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

Kerala Vegetable Biriyani

KERALA STYLE VEGETABLE BIRIYANI

 INGREDIENTS: 

1. Basmati rice- 1.5 cups( see notes)
2. Cardamom-3 nos
3. Cinnamon stick,1.5" piece-2 nos
4. Bay leaf-1 no
5. Cloves- 5 to 6 nos
6. Ginger,chopped- 1 tsp
7. Garlic,chopped-1 tsp
8. Green chilies,cut vertically-2 or 3 nos( or to taste)
9. Onion,sliced- 1 medium( 3/4 cup)
10. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
11. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/2 to 1 tsp( according to taste)
12. Garam masala-1/2 tsp
13. Tomato,chopped- 1 medium( 1/2 cup)
14. Thick coconut milk-1/2 cup
15. Cooked vegetables( beans,carrot,green peas,cauliflower)-1.5 to 2 cups
16. Coriander leaves-to garnish
17. Oil-as required
18. Ghee-as required
19. Salt-to taste

TO GARNISH: 

1. Onion,finely sliced- 1 small
2. Cashew nuts-10 to 12 nos
3. Raisins-1 tbsp
4. Oil/Ghee-as required
5. Coriander leaves,chopped-as required
6. Garam masala-1/8 tsp

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Heat oil/Ghee in a pan ,add rice and saute for 3 to 4 minutes,pour sufficient amount of water(approximately  3 cups) and add salt to taste.Cook until rice is 3/4th done.Keep aside.

Heat oil/ghee in a pan and fry sliced onion, cashew nuts and raisins (for garnishing)separately until it turns brown and keep aside.

Now heat oil in a pan ,add the whole spices(cardamon,cinnamon,cloves and bay leaves.) and saute till fragrant.

Add ginger ,garlic,green chili and onion , saute till onion turn almost brown.

Reduce heat to low,add turmeric powder,chili powder and garam masala,saute till raw smell leaves.

Add tomato and saute till it is completely cooked ,and masala starts to leave the sides of the pan.

Pour in the coconut milk and add salt to taste.Add the cooked vegetables and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on low flame or until the gravy turns thick.Switch off the stove ,add coriander leaves and mix well.

In a heavy bottomed pan arrange the vegetable masala and cooked rice in layers.Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves , garam masala( 1/8 tsp)  and few drops of ghee(adding ghee is optional) on each layer of rice.Garnish with fried onions,cashew nuts and raisins.Cover the vessel with aluminium foil.

Preheat oven to 200 deg C.Bake this  for about 10 to 12 minutes.(For stove top method,heat a tava/dosa pan and place the biriyani vessel on top of the tava,reduce flame to low and cook for about 20 minutes.)

Serve with onion salad.

NOTES:

• If you like more masala for the biriyani ,use 1 and 1/4 cup rice ( like in the pic) or use 1.5 cups rice for a milder version.(I usually get about 3.5 cups cooked rice from 1 cup basmati rice.)

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

Egg Roast | Mutta Roast

EGG ROAST | MUTTA ROAST RECIPE

 Ingredients

1. Hard boiled eggs- 2 nos
2. Onion sliced finely- 1 big
3. Ginger chopped- 1 tsp
4. Garlic chopped- 1 tsp
5. Kashmiri Chili powder- 1-11/2 tsp
6. Coriander powder- 1 1/2 tsp
7. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
8. Meat masala/Egg masala- 1tsp ( or use 1/2 tspgaram masala)
9. Tomato chopped finely- 1 small
10. Curry leaves- 1 sprig
11. Mustard seeds
12. Water
13. Oil
14. Salt to taste

Instructions

• Remove the shells of the hard boiled eggs  and cut each egg into half if desired
• Heat oil in a pan ,add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
• Add curry leaves,ginger and garlic and sliced onion ,saute till onion turns golden brown.
• Add tomatoes and salt to taste.
• Add chili powder,coriander powder,turmeric powder and meat masala and saute till tomato is completely cooked.
• Add 3 to 4 tbsp of water.
• Add the sliced egg ,and cover the egg pieces with the gravy carefully.
• Cover and cook for a minutes on low flame.
• Add Chopped coriander and serve.

This curry goes well with appam, idiappam or chapathi.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

KARIMEEN CURRY

Kerala Karimeen Curry Recipe

 Ingredients 

1. Karimeen/pearl spot - 2 nos
2. Fenugreek seeds-1/4 tsp
3. Curry leaves- 1 sprig or more
4. Ginger-chopped- 1" piece
5. Garlic-chopped- 2 large cloves
6. Green chilies-sliced-2 nos( or to taste)
7. Shallots sliced- 10 nos
8. Onion -sliced- 2 medium sized
9. Kashmiri chili powder-2 to 3 tsp(or to taste)
10. Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
11. Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
12. Black pepper powder-1/2 tsp
13. Water-1/8 cup + more as required
14. Tomato- sliced- 1 large
15. Kokum/fish tamarind/kudampuli-2 small pieces
16. Thin coconut milk-1 cups
17. Thick coconut milk-1/2 cup
18. Salt to taste

For marination

1. Kashmiri chili powder- 1 tsp
2. Black pepper powder-1/2 tsp
3. Coriander powder- 1 tsp
4. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
5. Water -as required
6. Salt to taste

Instructions

• Marinate fish with the ingredients listed under 'for marination'.Keep aside for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the fish until 3/4 th done,turning once in between.Transfer it onto a kitchen towel.
• In the same pan ( add more oil if required) add fenugreek seeds,saute for a few seconds.Add curry leaves,ginger and garlic ,saute till raw smell leaves.
• Now add green chilies ,shallots and onion,Saute till onion turns golden brown.
• Next add kashmiri chili powder,coriander powder,turmeric powder,black pepper powder and 1/8 cup water.Cook for about 2 minutes ,stirring well in between.
• Add tomato and cook until it turns mushy.( you can transfer this masala to clay pot/manchatti or continue cooking in the same pan)
• Next add thin coconut milk,about 1/4 cup water ,salt and kokum pieces.Bring it to a boil and add the fish pieces.
• Cook for for about 4 to 5 minutes.Add thick coconut milk,gently swirl the pan and bring it to just under a boil. Add more curry leaves ,if desired.

Serve with rice.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More

SUKHIYAN (സുഖിയന്‍) | MUNG BEAN FRITTERS

SUKHIYAN  | MUNG BEAN FRITTERS RECIPE

Ingredients

1. Green gram / cherupayar / mung beans -cooked- 1 cup
2. Jaggery-grated-1/2 cup
3. Water-2 to 3 tbsp
4. Grated coconut- 1/2 cup
5. Cardamom powder- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
6. Ginger powder- 1 pinch
7. Cumin powder- 1 pinch ( optional)
8. Oil-For deep frying

 For batter

1. All purpose flour-1/4 cup
2. Rice powder- 1/4 cup
3. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp (optional)
4. Water -as required
5. Salt- 1 pinch

Instructions

• In a heavy bottomed pan, add jaggery and 2 tbsp water.Cook until it is thick, over medium low flame.
• Now add grated coconut,mix well and cook for a minute on low flame.
• Next add cooked green gram and saute for about 5 minutes or until it is almost dry.Switch off the stove.
• Add cardamom,ginger and cumin powder and mix thoroughly .Allow it to cool slightly.Roll this into lemon sized balls.
• Combine all the ingredients listed under "for batter" to form a thick batter.
• Heat oil in a pan.Dip each balls into the batter to coat it evenly and deep fry until golden brown.

NOTE

Do not over cook mung bean.

You can roll the filling into slightly larger balls ,if desired.

Try this Recipe and leave comments................

Read More