Yummy Beans Poriyal(Curry)

 

This recipe is yet another curry/subji dish.It is a unique combination of french beans with tomatoes and moong dhall.It brings out wonderful flavors in them.This curry is very simple to make.It is tasty and really healthy too...You can give this a try when you are bored doing the same old recipe and want a new twist to your curry:)..


INGREDIENTS:
1) Finely chopped green beans - 2 cups
2) Tomatoes - 2 small ones
3) Moong dhall - 4 tblsp
4) Green chillies - 1 to 2
5) For tempering:
Oil - 1 1/2 tblsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Hing - little
Red chilly - 1 to 2
Udad dhall - 1 tsp
6) Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
7) Coriander cumin powder - 1 tblsp
8) Salt to taste
9) Curry leaves - few

Soak moong dhall in a small bowl for 15 minutes in water.Keep aside

Take a big frying pan and heat oil.Once the oil is heated,add the tempering ingredients one by none and saute till they are nice golden brown.Then,add the chopped tomatoes and fry till oil starts to separate.Now,add chopped beans to the same and mix well till the beans are coated with the cooked tomatoes.Now,drain the soaked dhall and add to the pan,mix well.Next,add some curry leaves and green chillies.Time to add the spices and salt.Mix all well.Add enough water,cook the curry with closed lid till the beans and moong dhall are tender and water is fully absorbed.Switch off the stove and transfer it to a serving bowl.

Tasty beans curry is ready!!! Serve it with hot steaming ghee rice or rotis.

Simple Easy Coriander Rice

 

Some days I have urge to make just simple recipes.One such recipe is this variety rice.The known fact is,this fresh herb,coriander leaves are rich in nutrition and not only that,it adds great flavor to all dishes.The other day,I found fresh dark green coriander leaves in the store and immediately thought of this recipe.So,I made yummy warm comforting coriander rice in just minutes!!! Which is a great bargain for weekday box lunches and quick dinners...

INGREDIENTS:
1) Rice - 1 1/2 cups

2)To grind into paste:
1) Coriander leaves bunches - 2
2) Green chillies - 2 to 3
3) Ginger - 1 small piece
4) Coconut grated - 2 tblsp
5) Curry leaves - few
6) Tamarind extract/pulp - 1 tblsp

3)For tempering:
1)Oil - 1 1/2 tblsp
2)Mustard seeds - 1tsp
3)Hing - little
4)Red chillies - 1 to 2
5)Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
6)Udad dhall - 1tsp
7)Channa dhall - 1tsp

4)Salt to taste

Wash and drain rice.Keep aside.

In a blender,grind the ingredients mentioned above into a paste.Keep aside

In a pressure pan,heat oil and saute the tempering ingredients one by one.Add the ground paste and saute for a minute or two till the raw smell goes.Next,add rice and fry for a minute,then add the required amount of water(I used 3 1/4th cups of water).Finally,add salt and close the lid,allow the required amount of whistles(I allowed 3 whistles).Switch off the stove and allow the pressure to release.Carefully mix and fluff the rice with a flat spoon.That's it,it is done!!!

Hot Coriander rice is ready!! Serve it with raitha or plain yogurt...

Bruschetta - My Style

 

I am sharing yet another starter,bruschetta,an Italian appetizer,which is my all time favorite!!! It is basically a slice of toasted hard bread,topped with olive oil,garlic,salt and pepper.Well,many add different toppings and mozzarella cheese to make it more interesting.It is really simple to make.Here is my version of this starter!!!

INGREDIENTS:
1) Any kind of hard bread(I used artisan bread with jalapenos) - 1 small loaf
2) Marinara sauce(store bought) - 3/4th cup
3) Olive oil - 2tblsp
4) Black olives finely chopped -1/2 cup
5) Mozzarella cheese grated - 1 cup
6) Salt to taste
7) Pepper powder to taste

Cut the bread loaf into 3/4th to 1 inch slices.Keep aside.

Take the marinara sauce,drain a bit of liquid from it and keep aside.

Pre-heat the oven to broil.

Take a baking sheet,spray some non stick cooking spray.Then,arrange the bread slices in a row,over the baking sheet.Take a spoon and start spooning each slice with marinara sauce.Next,place the chopped olives over the sauce.Sprinkle olive oil,salt and pepper powder over each slice.Finally,top them with generous amount of cheese.

Place the sheet in the oven and broil till the cheese begins to bubble and turns golden brown in color.

Hot yummy bruschetta is ready!!! Enjoy..

Egg Chatpata

 

Well,I am sharing a new dish made out of egg,its been a while I tried egg recipes.Egg,as we all know is one of the best sources of protein,but at the same time,high in cholesterol too.I wanted to strike a balance between taste and health..I was wanting to try something new,not the same gravy or burji or omelet :))..So,came this egg chatpata!!!It is similar to chilly paneer..It was a hit in my house:))..You can try it as a starter for your next party,all will love it!!!

INGREDIENTS:
1) Hard boiled eggs - 6 to 8
For the coating:
2) Chic pea flour(besan) - 2 1/2tblsp
3) Coriander cumin powder - 1tsp
4) Egg masala powder(can use garam masala too) - 1tsp
5) Red chilly powder - 1tsp
6) Salt - to taste
7) Saffron color(optional)- a pinch
8) Oil - 2tblsp
For the sauce:
9) Oil - 1tblsp
10)Curry leaves - few
11)Green chillies - to taste
12)Cumin seeds - 1/2tsp
13)Hing - a pinch
14)Onions thinly sliced - 1/2cup
15)Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
16)Soy sauce - 1tsp
17)ketchup - 1tsp
18)hot sauce(optional) - few dashes
19)Pepper powder - to taste
For garnish
20)fresh coriander leaves
21)Lemon juice - few dashes

Remove the egg shells and cut the eggs in to half.Take out the yolk(if you wish to keep it,you can,I removed it for the health reasons and at our house we are not a big fan of egg yolks:0)Chop the eggs into big chunks.Keep aside.

Take a mixing bowl,add all the ingredients required to coat the egg pieces.Mix it into a thick batter,by adding just enough water.Add the egg pieces to it.See to that the batter is just coated over the eggs.Set aside.

Take a big pan,heat oil and shallow fry the eggs gently(do not fry too long the eggs become rubbery)Take out the eggs and drain it on a kitchen towel.Keep aside.

In the same pan,add oil if needed.Keep the stove on medium high.Next,add cumin seeds and then onions.Fry till translucent.Add curry leaves,ginger garlic paste,green chillies,hing,saute for a minute.Next,add the three sauces and saute carefully(it will splatter)till the sauce becomes thick,dry and is absorbed by the onions.Now,time to add the eggs,do not saute the egg too long,just allow the sauces to coat the eggs.Adjust salt and add pepper powder.Switch off the stove.

Transfer to a serving bowl.Garnish with coriander leaves and lemon juice.

Hot yummy egg chatpata is ready!!! Enjoy...

Note:You can substitute potatoes for eggs.Par boil the potatoes and follow the same procedure.I have tasted similar kind of starter in Chennai...