PARIPPU VADA | LENTIL FRITTERS

PARIPPU VADA | LENTIL FRITTERS | പരിപ്പു വട 

INGREDIENTS : 

1. Thuvara Parippu / Toor Dal /Split pegion pea- 2 cups
2. Shallots-sliced- 1 Cup
3. Ginger-finely chopped- 3 tbsp
4. Green chilies-chopped- 2 to 3 tbsp( or to taste)
5. Curry leaves-chopped- 2 to 3 sprigs
6. Dry Red chilies-chopped- 2 nos
7. Salt- to taste
8. Oil- for deep frying

INSTRUCTIONS : 

• Wash and soak split pegion peas/thuvara parippu in water for about 2 hours.
• Drain well (you will find it difficult to shape the vadas , if there is excess water)
• Grind it to form a coarse paste.
• Transfer this to a mixing bowl.Add shallots,ginger,green chilies,curry leaves,dry red chilies and salt to taste.Mix well.
• Make small balls from this and shape it into patties.Gently flatten the edges ,if desired.
• Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the patties until it turns golden brown, oven a medium heat.

NOTES : 

• You can add a pinch of asafoetida to the mixture ,if desired.

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AVAL VILAYICHATHU | FLATTENED RICE FLAKES FRY

AVAL VILAYICHATHU | AVAL VARATTIYATHU | അവല്‍ വിളയിച്ചത് 

INGREDIENTS : 

1. Jaggery -cut into small pieces- 1 cup ( or to taste)
2. Water- 1/2 cup
3. Aval/Poha/flattened rice flakes- 2 1/2 cup
4. Grated coconut- 1 cup
5. Cardamom powder- 1 tsp
6. Ginger powder /Chukku- 1/4 tsp( optional)
7. Ghee- 1 tsp & more for frying
8. Chana Dal /Kadala parippu- 1 1/2 tbsp
9. Cashew nuts and raisins- 8 to 10 nos

INSTRUCTINS : 

• Heat ghee in a pan and fry chana dal ,cashew nuts and raisins separately until it turns golden brown.Drain and keep aside.
• In a heavy bottomed pan ,add jaggery with 1/2 cup water and cook over low flame until it begins to thicken .(or until you get one thread consistency)
• Now add grated coconut and mix well.Cook for few minutes over low flame until it is thick.
• Add aval and mix well until combined.Switch off the stove.
• Now sprinkle cardamom and ginger powder followed by fried chana dal and cashew nuts.
• Finally drizzle 1 tsp ghee ( if using) and mix everything thoroughly.

NOTE : 

• You can also add a pinch of roasted cumin powder ,if desired.
• Strain the melted jaggery ,to remove impurities,if any.

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Vattayappam | Steamed Rice Cake | വട്ടയപ്പം

Vattayappam | Steamed Rice Cake | വട്ടയപ്പം

“Vattayappam” literally means “Round Cake/Bread”. It is a soft and fluffy ‘steamed rice cake’ often made for Tea. Now a days, Vatteyappam can be found in almost all bakeries. However, I like the homemade version better as it doesn’t have the overpowering taste of Yeast.

INGREDIENTS : 

For Appam Batter

1. Raw Rice (Pachari) – 2 cups (Use any short or long grain rice)
2. Cooked Rice – 3/4 cup approx
3. Yeast – 1.5 to 2 tsp
4. Sugar – 1 tbsp + 3-4 tbsp or as needed
5. Ice cubes – as needed
6. Water – as needed

Remaining Ingredients for Vatteyappam

1. Appam Batter – 2 to 2.5 cups
2. Grated Coconut – 1/2 cup
3. Sugar – 2-3 tbsp
4. Crushed/Powdered Cinnamom (Elakka) – 4 pods
5. Raisins – 10 to 15
6. Salt – to taste
7. Oil – for greasing
8. Water – a few teaspoons

INSTRUCTIONS : 

1. Soak the rice for atleast 6 hours or leave it overnight. Wash and drain the rice and keep aside.
2. Dissolve the yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1/2 cup of slightly warm water. Keep it aside for ten minutes until it foams.
3. Next, you need to grind the rice in several batches. Grind around two handfuls of raw rice along with a few tablespoons of cooked rice and very little water. I add 2-3 ice cubes while grinding each batch to prevent the mixie from overheating. Grind until you get a smooth batter.
4. Transfer the batter to large bowl. Continue doing this with the remaining rice.
5. While grinding the last batch, add the yeast solution to the mixie so that it gets incorporated well with the batter.
6. Leave the batter in a warm place for around 6 hours. I usually leave it overnight. Ensure that the bowl is large enough to prevent the batter from overflowing after fermentation.
7. The batter would have risen after fermentation and will look foamy. Stir the batter and keep aside. This batter can be used for making both Palappam and Vatteyappam.
8. Transfer 2 to 2.5 cups of this batter to another bowl for making Vatteyappam. You can use the remaining batter for Palappams or refrigerate it for later use.
9. Grind the grated coconut along with a few teaspoons of water to form a smooth mixture. Add it to the batter.
10. Add sugar as per desired sweetness (2-3 tbsp), powdered cardamom and salt to taste. Mix everything together. The batter should be somewhat thick and not watery. Keep this batter aside for 20-30 minutes so that it becomes foamy (optional).
11. Grease a round steamer plate and pour the batter into it. Steam it for 10 minutes. Open the lid and place the raisins on top. (Be careful not to burn your hands!)
12. Keep it covered and allow it to cook for 5 more minutes or until done. Insert a toothpick/fork to check if it comes out clean.
13. Once the vatayappam is cooked, allow it to cool thoroughly and then transfer it to a plate. Cut it into desired shapes and serve.

NOTES :

• You may need to adjust the amount of cooked rice used for preparing the batter. If you use too much of boiled rice, the appams will become sticky. If the rice used is less, appams won’t be soft. Try using 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cooked rice but not more than that.
• While grinding the rice, try adding very little water. The unfermented batter should be thick as it will rise and thin out after fermentation.
• If the batter appears watery after adding the coconut mixture, you can add a few tablespoons of rice flour to get the desired consistency.
• You can also make these in Idli moulds if you don’t have a steamer.

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Raw Plantain Stir Fry | Vazhakka Mezhukupuratti

Raw Plantain Stir Fry | Vazhakka Mezhukupuratti | വാഴയ്ക്കാ മെഴുക്കുപുരട്ടി

Raw Banana is known as Kaya in Malayalam. Unripe Bananas are used for making different side dishes in Kerala. Raw Plantains (Vazhakka) are mostly used for making Thoran, Mezhkkupuratti, Erisheri and so on. Vazhakka is also cooked with different kinds of Payaru (Beans) such as Achinga Payaru, Cherupayaru, Vanpayaru etc.

INGREDIENTS : 

1. Raw Plantain – 2 big
2. Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
3. Diced Shallots (Kunjulli) – 5 or6 (Alternatively use diced Onions)
4. Minced/Crushed Garlic – 4 cloves
5. Red Chilly Flakes – 1 tsp
6. Red Chilly Powder – 1/2 tsp
7. Black Pepper Powder – 1/4 tsp
8. Curry Leaves – a sprig
9. Coconut Oil – 1 tbsp + 1 tsp
10. Mustard Seeds – 1/4 tsp
11. Salt – to taste

INSTRUCTIONS : 

1. Trim the edges of the plantain and lightly peel the thick outer skin. Dice it into small cubes. Soak it in water for five minutes and then wash it in several changes of water. This will remove the stickiness (kara).
2. Boil the plantain pieces in plenty of water along with 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and salt to taste until soft. It may take 7-8 minutes for the pieces to get cooked. Drain excess water and keep it aside. (You can also cover and cook the plantain with very little water but it may end up mushy. I prefer boiling it in plenty of water and then draining it.)
3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet and splutter mustard seeds. Saute shallots, curry leaves and garlic until the shallots begin to lightly brown.
4. Add the cooked plantain pieces to the skillet. Add 1/2 tsp red chilly powder and 1 tsp red chilly flakes. Add salt only if needed. Mix everything and then spread it out as much as possible.
5. Allow the plantain pieces to lightly brown on the edges, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes. Add 1/4 tsp black pepper powder and toss everything.
6. Finally, drizzle 1 tsp of coconut oil to coat the pieces. Remove from heat and serve with Rice.

NOTES : 

• I prefer making Vazhakka Mezhkkupuratti completely dry but if you like it slightly mushy, just sprinkle a few tea spoons of water and keep it covered while cooking instead of allowing it to brown.

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Kerala Olan - Onam Sadya Recipe

Kerala Olan (ഓലന്‍) - Onam Sadya Recipe

INGREDIENTS : 

1. Black-eyed beans (vanpayar) – ½ cup
2. Ash gourd (kumbalanga) – 2.5-3 cups, cut into cubes
3. Green chilli – 3-4, slit lengthwise
4. Water – 3.5 cups
5. Thick coconut milk – ¾ -1 cup
6. Salt
7. Curry leaves
8. Coconut oil

INSTRUCTIONS : 

• Pressure cook the beans (vanpayar) with 1.5 cups water (refer notes). Strain the stock and keep aside the cooked beans. The beans should not be over cooked and it should retain its shape.
• Cook together ash gourd, green chilli, salt and 2 cups water, till ash gourd becomes tender. Again, ash gourd also should not be overcooked and it should retain its shape.
• Add the cooked beans to the ash gourd and mix well. Add coconut milk and curry leaves. Cook on low flame for 5-7 mins. Remove from the fire and drizzle some coconut oil.
• The curry has a thick consistency.

NOTES : 

• I didnt soak the beans before cooking.
• I pressure cooked it directly. 
• After the first whistle reduced the flame to low-medium and cooked for 6-7 whistles. 
• Kept closed till pressure drops. 
• I didnt add the stock of cooked beans to the curry.
•  However in some recipes, they add it to the curry and it gives a reddish tint to Olan. 
• The curry tends to thicken as it rests. 

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VARUTHARACHA MUTTON CURRY

VARUTHARACHA MUTTON CURRY

INGREDIENTS : 

1. Mutton-500 gms 
2. Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp 
3. Bay leaf- 1 no 
4. Cardamom pods- 2 nos 
5. Cloves- 2 nos 
6. Cinnamon-2" piece 
7. Ginger ( chopped finely)- 1" piece 
8. Garlic (chopped finely)- 5 to 6 cloves 
9. Onion ( sliced )- 2 medium 
10. Shallots ( sliced)- 1 cup 
11. Green Chilies (cut vertically)- 2 to 4 ( see note) 
12. Curry leaves- 1 sprig 
13. Coriander powder- 1 tbsp 
14. Red chili powder-1/2 to 1 tsp( see note) 
15. Garam Masala powder-1/2 tsp 
16. Fennel powder-1/2 tsp 
17. Tomato ( sliced)- 1 small 
18. Oil 
19. Water 
20. Salt to taste 

To dry roast and grind :

1. Grated coconut-1/2 cup 
2. Black pepper corns-1 tsp 

For tempering : 

1. Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp 
2. Coconut ( sliced)-3 tbsp 
3. Curryleaves- 1 sprig 

INSTRUCTIONS : 

• Place the mutton pieces in a pressure cooker along with 1/2 tsp turmeric powder,salt to taste and 1/4 cup water.Cook until mutton is just done.Separate the mutton pieces from the stock and keep aside. 
• Meanwhile add grated coconut in a pan and dry roast it until it turns brown.( Be sure not to burn it).Switch off the stove and add black peppercorns .Grind this to a smooth paste without adding water.Keep aside. 
• Heat oil in a pan add bay leaves,cardamom,cloves and cinnamon.Saute for a few seconds.Now add ginger,garlic, onion,shallots , green chilies and salt to taste.Saute for about 10 to 15 minutes on a medium flame, until it turns golden brown. 
• Reduce the flame to low and add coriander powder,red chili powder,garam masala and fennel powder along with 2 tbsp water.Saute for about 5 minutes or until oil separates. 
• Now add the cooked mutton pieces and mix well until combined.Add the coconut paste ,tomato and sufficient quantity of stock.Adjust the salt level at this point.Cover and cook over a medium flame for about 10 to 12 minutes or until gravy is thick enough. 
• Now for tempering,heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Add shallots ,coconut slices and curry leaves .Saute until it turns golden brown.Pour this over the curry. 

NOTE : 

• I used 5 green chilies and did not use red chili powder.You can adjust the spice level according to your taste.

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Arikkadukka | Stuffed Mussels

Malabar Arikkadukka | Stuffed Mussels | (അരിക്കടുക്ക )

Arikkadukka or Stuffed Mussels is a famous and much loved snack among Malabar specialties. It is rich in flavor and aroma and has a unique distinctive taste. Fresh mussels must be used for best results.

Ingredients :

Mussels- 20 Ponni  rice grains - 1cup Coconut , grated – one half Shallots, chopped - 2 Fennel seeds, powdered – ½ tsp Cumin seeds (nalla jeeragam), powdered  – ½ tsp Cinnamon, powdered – one pinch each Cloves, powdered – one pinch Cardamom, powdered - one pinch Salt- to taste Refined wheat flour (maida) – 1 tbsp Chilli powder – 1 tbsp Salt – to taste Oil – to fry Instructions : Clean the outer shell of the mussels well and split it open partially with a knife. It should not split open too wide. Wash away the dirt and clean it well. Soak the Ponni rice grains in hot water for three to four hours. Wash the rice grains well and drain it. Mix the grated coconut, shallots, powdered fennel seeds, powdered cumin seeds, powdered cinnamon, powdered cloves, powdered cardamom and salt. Grind it all well into a thick paste and keep aside. Next, take this mixture, little by little and fill it neatly inside the mussels. When all the mussels have been filled, place them on the rack of a steamer and steam it well till cooked. When the shell of the mussels turns red, it means the mussels have been cooked. Remove the vessel from the flame and when it cools, remove the shell of the mussels. Mix together the refined wheat flour (maida), chili powder and salt and make a thick batter.  Dip the cooked mussels into this batter and deep fry in hot oil.  Drain the oil and serve hot.   TRY THIS RECIPE AND SHARE YOUR COMMENTS..

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Beetroot Halwa | ബീറ്റ്റൂട്ട് ഹല്വ

Beetroot Halwa | ബീറ്റ്റൂട്ട് ഹല്വ |  Highly Nutritious Halwa

Beetroots, one of the most nutritious vegetables, are used in this delicious dessert. Its rich colour adds to its visual appeal as well.

INGREDIENTS :

1. Beetroot (grated) – 1 kg
2. Milk – 1 ltr
3. Sugar - 300 g
4. Ghee – 100 g
5. Cardamom (powdered) – a pinch
6. Dry fruits – 2 tbsp

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Squeeze the water out completely from the grated beetroots.
2. Mix the beetroots and milk in a heavy bottomed pan. Place this pan on a slow flame and keep stirring continuously.
3. When it has dried up well, add the sugar and continue to stir.
4. Add the ghee at regular intervals, a little at a time.
5. When it has dried well, add the powdered cardamom and remove from the fire.
6. Garnish with dry fruits. It can be served cold or hot.

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Chilly Fish | Tasty Kerala Fish Curry

Chilly Fish | Tasty Kerala Fish Curry

Feel like having something Chinese for dinner on Sunday? Too lazy to go out? Don’t worry! Brush up your culinary skills, take out this recipe and try it out. Result – assured!

INGREDIENTS:

1. Fish (pomfret) - 1 kg

2. Chilly powder - 1 tsp
    Salt - 1 tsp
    Soya sauce  - 1 tbsp

3. Oil  - Enough to fry the fish

For The Sauce:

4. Garlic, ground with the peel - 10 pods
5. Onions (chopped) - 1 cup
6. Ginger (chopped) - 1 tsp
7. Dried red chillies (crushed) - 7
8. Flour  - 1 tsp
9. Tomato sauce - ½ cup
    Fish stock (made with the fish bones) - 1 cup

11. Capsicum (chopped) -  ½ cup
      Celery (chopped)  - ¼ cup

12. Black pepper powder  -1 tsp
     Salt - to taste
     Sugar  - 1 tsp

To Garnish:

• Cooked noodles or grated potatoes deep fried.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Clean the fish pieces and marinate with the 2nd set of items. Keep aside for an hour.
• Heat the frying pan with oil and fry the fish pieces till they turn light brown and keep aside.
• Retain half of the oil in the pan and use it to sauté the garlic which is then kept aside.
• The same oil is then used for sautéing the onions along with the ginger.
• When the onions turn golden brown, add the dried red chillies, garlic and the flour.
• Now its time for the tomato sauce and fish stock to be added in.
• Take out a spoon each of capsicum and celery which we need a little later and add the remaining to the pan and allow to cook.
• Add your black pepper powder, salt and sugar and allow the sauce to cook well.
• Pour the rich warm sauce over the fish and garnish with the noodles or potatoes, celery and capsicum.

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Grape Wine | Home Made Sweet Wine

Grape Wine | Munthiri Wine |  Home Made Sweet Wine

This is, by far, the most popular, home made sweet wine, made with succulent, black grapes.The deeper the color of the grapes, the more intense is the color of the wine. This wine is mostly made for Christmas and tastes best when chilled and served with plum cake.

Ingredients :

Grapes (black) – 2 kgs Sugar – 2 kgs Water (boiled and cooled) – 6 ltr Yeast – 2 tsp Wheat grains – 250 g Egg white – from one egg Preparation : Wash the grapes well. Squeeze or crush the grapes by hand, and add the sugar, water, yeast, wheat and egg white to it. Store it in a ceramic jar. Stir the contents of the jar well, on alternate days only. Drain the clear liquid from the top on the twenty second day. Then store it again in a ceramic jar for one more week. If your wine needs more colour, caramelize sugar and add it to the wine.

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KERALA STYLE VEGETABLE STEW

KERALA STYLE VEGETABLE STEW | വെജിറ്റബിള്‍ സ്റ്റൂ 

TIME:

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1. Cardamom-3 nos
2. Cloves-3 nos
3. Cinnamon stick-1 " piece
4. Whole black pepper-8 to 10 nos
5. Ginger,finely chopped- 1.5 tsp
6. Garlic,finely chopped-1.5 tsp
7. Green chilies,cut vertically-2 to 3 nos( or according to taste)
8. Onion ,sliced-1 large
9. Curry leaves-2 sprigs
10. Carrot,cubed- 1 medium
11. French beans,cut into 1" pieces-5 to 6 nos
12. Green peas,frozen or fresh-1/2 cup( see notes)
13. Potato,cubed- 1 medium
14. Thin coconut milk-1.5 cups
15. Thick coconut milk-1/2 to 3/4 cup
16. Oil / Ghee-as required
17. Salt-to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat oil in a pan ,add cardamom,cloves,cinnamon and whole black pepper.Saute until fragrant.

Add ginger,garlic,green chilies,onion and curry leaves.Saute until onion turns translucent.

Add carrot,beans,green peas and potato.

Add  thin coconut milk.Add salt to taste and mix well.Cover and cook until done.

Remove the lid , add thick coconut milk and cook for few more minutes.Heat oil/ghee in a pan,add curry leaves and saute for few seconds.Add this to the vegetable stew and stir gently.

Serve with palappam / idiappam /roti..

NOTES:

•  If you want a thicker gravy,add 1 or  2 tbsp of cashew nut paste along with thick coconut milk.To prepare cashew nut paste soak 6 to 8 cashew nuts in warm water  for about 10 minutes and grind to form a smooth paste.
• Adjust the quantity of green chilies according to your taste.
• If you are using dried green peas,soak it in water for about  8 hours.Drain and cook using a pressure cooker until 3/4 th done and then add it to the sauteed onions,along with the rest of the vegetables.

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NADAN NJANDU ROAST / KERALA STYLE SPICY CRAB ROAST

NADAN NJANDU ROAST / KERALA STYLE SPICY CRAB ROAST

INGREDIENTS:

1. Crab-cleaned- 250 gms
2. Onion-sliced- 1 cup( 2 small)
3. Green chilies-cut vertically- 1 no( or to taste)
4. Curry leaves- 2 sprigs
5. Tomato-chopped- 1/2 cup(1 medium)
6. Thick coconut milk- 1/4 cup
7. Water- as required
8. Salt- to taste
9. Oil- as required

FOR MASALA PASTE:

1. Ginger- 1/2 " piece
2. Garlic- 2 cloves
3. Shallots- 4 to 5 nos
4. Kashmiri chili powder- 3/4 to 1 tbsp(See notes)
5. Coriander powder- 1.5 tsp
6. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
7. Black pepper powder- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp( see notes)
8. Garam masala powder- 1/2 tsp
9. Water- as required

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Grind together all the ingredients listed under 'For masala paste' to form a thick paste.Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan and add onion,green chilies and curry leaves.Saute until it turns golden brown ,on a medium low flame.
• Add the masala paste and cook over a medium low flame,stirring continuously, for 4 to 5 minutes or until oil separates.
• Add finely chopped tomato and cook until it turns soft and oil separates.Add salt to taste.
• Add crab , 1/2 cup water ( or more if required) and mix well.Cover and cook until it is done.Uncover and cook until gravy turns thick.
• Add coconut milk and mix well.Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the gravy coats the crab pieces.
• Add more curry leaves ,if desired.

Serve with rice or chapathi.

NOTES:

• For best results use homemade garam masala.

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