RIPE BANANA HALVA

Halva is not liked by children and never bothered to eat that whenever I make it.  They will taste and say yes it is good or bad can post or not that is all.  

Banana halva is easy to make and a lovely side dish for chapati.  I love to eat banana halva and chapati. 

After the Satyanarayana pooja at home, around a dozen bananas were lying in the fruit tray and nobody wants to eat because it is over ripe.  I was thinking of making banana halva since so many days, so got the chance to try my hand on it.

When I started peeling it, I realised that four out of the 12 are very bad.  So I got 8 out of them.

POHA CORN BALLS

Poha corn balls were very tasty and liked by everyone at home as well as my friends.  First time I made it when I had  made Kande Pohe.  The poha soaked was in excess so I had to keep aside a cup of it.  Was wondering what to do with it and tried with corn and bit tuvar dal and was quite successful in making the same.
 

I made it for the second time on 28th November 2014 for my neighbour Anjali & Rahul's  wedding anniversary.

This is a kids friendly recipe as kids will love to eat this.  You can serve this as starter too.   So when you are having Kitty party, next time, you can try your hand on this.

You can prepare the same instantly provided you have corn  in stock in the fridge.  or else you can put some par boiled vegetables like beans,  carrots  etc.

BOONDI LADDU

Boondi laddu is made normally for Diwali, weddings etc.  For the  "Cheeru" means various kinds of Murkuu, laddu etc. are displayed in the mandap for the wedding and given to the Bride grooms family, ofcourse, it is distributed to the relatives of the bride too.

It is a sweet dish liked by everyone.  When my mother in law used to make this dish, I never bothered to see how she is making it and only will go for binding the same into beautiful small balls out it.  But once she was very adamant that I make the same and she will instruct me how to do it.  Though I learnt the technique from her how to make this, I never bothered to repeat the process till I tried the same for my elder brother's 25th Wedding anniversary two years back and uploaded the  boondi laddu  in www.simpleindianrecipes.com.  At that time, I was sharing my recipes with Dahlia, who inspired me to start my own blog.

Coming back to the recipe, it is basically made with bengal gram flour or besan it is known as and very delicious.  My mother in law will make the boondis and put them in the sugar syrup, mix up and keep aside  and she will bind the same next day only.  But I made it after 2 hours and the same came out very well.

In this recipe, there is a slight variation, I have not used rice four.  Today is my silver wedding anniversary (25th), and made it for the party.

watch on you tube
Boondi laddu,  boondi laddu,  boondi laddu     

ORANGE BURFI (WITH MAIDA)

Hello, 



Today is our 25th Wedding Anniversary.  To mark this occasion, thought of posting a sweet dish.  

I have already posted one recipe of Orange burfi made with Mawa and orange pulp.  This is yet another recipe which I made it with Maida.  Though it does not taste like the one which I made with Mawa, you can still enjoy this flavourful dessert for a change.

Now the season of the orange is on, you can enjoy the natural fruit effect in the desserts. Orange is a rich source of vitamin C.    The fruit is low in calories, contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, but is rich in dietary fiber, pectin. Pectin, by its virtue as a bulk laxative, helps to protect the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure time to toxic substances as well as by binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon. Pectin has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing its re-absorption in the colon by binding to bile acids in the colon. 

Oranges also contain very good levels of vitamin A, and other flavonoid antioxidants such as alpha and beta-carotenes, beta-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is essential for vision. Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps the body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

It is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish. 

Orange fruit also contains a very good amount of minerals like potassium and calcium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure through countering sodium actions.

BANANA PEEL PULIYITTA KOOTU

Hi viewers, 

Thanks a lot for viewing my blog.  I am presenting a simple and easy kootu variety with best out of waste product.  Yes, that is the banana peel is normally discarded.  We can make a variety of dishes with this.  One such dish is the kootu I am sharing with you.

It is basically prepared in the tamarind sauce.  But if you have any problem in consuming the tamarind, you can also use amchur powder or kokam in place of it.

VERMICELLI THALIPEETH

Thalipeeth is a dish made by Maharashtrians which is quite healthy, tasty and easy to make too.  It is basically made out of mixture of different flour which is also readily available in the market.  However, if you cannot get it, do not worry.  You can bring the whole grains and powder it in the mixer at home.

I used roasted vermicelli, roasted rava, rice flour, wheat flour etc along with shallots, coriander leaves etc and was liked by my children.  Normally, they do not prefer to eat such stuff but it was piping hot directly from the tava to the plate, they enjoyed it along with sauce.

vermicelli thalipeeth video

MATHAN ERISSERY

Mathan erissery is made with Red pumpkin.  You need fully ripe pumpkin for this as the taste is awesome.  You can also make the same with raw banana and yam or only with one of the vegetables.  

This is basically prepared in a coconut sauce which is very very tasty and goes well with rice, chapati etc.

A speciality of Kerala and must for the feast.

mathan erissery you tube

CHURAKKA PULIYITTA KOOTU ( TAMARIND BASED LAUKI CURRY)

Lauki, dudhi  bottlegourd it is known as has got lot of health benefits.  A glass of juice in the empty stomach helps for weight reduction, keeps the cholesterol level under control,  treats in urinary tract infection, reduces inflammation in liver, replenishes water loss as it contains lots of water, keeps heart healthy, treat sleep disorders, helps in digestion, keeps cool the stomach, etc. etc.

As lauki contains almost 96% of water, it is perfect for juice extraction. It is readily available in the market and is affordable too! Moreover, extracting the juice from lauki is not at all difficult. Lauki juice is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B, sodium, iron and potassium. It has low fat and cholesterol level. As a result, this anti-oxidant drink is quite popular among health conscious individuals.

Now coming back to the recipe, the puliyitta kootu means, the lauki is cooked in tamarind sauce along with black boiled chana and chana dal.  we can also use tuvar dal instead of chana dal or only can be done with tuvar dal.  Since tamarind does not suits us, I have replaced the same with amchur powder.  This delicious dish goes well with rice, roti etc.  consistency of the gravy can be decided according to your requirement.

churakka puliyitta kootu you tube

IDLI CHOLEY CHAAT

Chaat recipes are Mumbai's street food and is loved by all.  the Pani puri, dahi puri, ragada pattice etc. etc. the list goes on.  

What about making one at home with left over items.  Seems interesting right.  Yes, it is interesting and yummy too. 

I had some idlis and left over choley in my fridge.  If I serve the same items second time, no one is going to eat it.  Hence I decided to make it a twist and made them to eat which was a hit and was asked for the second serve but unfortunately could not as both the items got over.

Yes, I am talking about idli choley chaat which was a hit in my home and demanded to make it again next day.  The fried idli mixed with choley, onion and tomatoes with the chutneys vow! experience yourself.

idli choley chaat

GINGER CHUTNEY, INJI THOGAYAL

Today I am sharing a chutney or thogayal it is called out of ginger.  It can be served with steamed rice, ghee or gingelly oil or with dal rice, molagootal rice, curd rice or with dosa too.

Ginger helps in curing various diseases.  One among them is indigestion.  Ginger is a herb. The rhizome (underground stem) is used as a spice and also as a medicine. It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil.  powdered form is called sunth powder or chukku podi.

Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of stomach ailments,  including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic,  gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite.

Other uses include pain relief from arthritis or muscle soreness, menstrual pain, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis. Ginger is also sometimes used for chest pain, low back pain, and stomach pain.

In foods and beverages, ginger is used as a flavoring agent.

In manufacturing, ginger is used as for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

It is also used to make various ayurvedic medicines.  In diwali lehyam, ginger is a main ingredient.

ginger chutney, inji thogayal

ORANGE BURFI, SANTRA BURFI

The season of  orange has started and all seasonal fruits are liked by my children and they do not miss them.  Nagpur orange is famous in Maharashtra as well as the Nagpur Orange Burfi.  

I tasted it when one of my friend came from Nagpur and brought this for us.  I was  quite happy to get the box of burfis and without even offering  anyone, started eating it. 

Ever since I tasted that burfi, it was in my mind to try but could not do so for no reason.  This year my husband brought the big fully ripe oranges, I thought, I am not going to miss the chance of making the burfi this time.

I made the burfi in two ways one with mawa and one with maida.  But the most liked one was with mawa hence I am posting the same first and shall post the recipe with maida in due course.

Now the season has started, I preferred  to try the same with the fresh oranges only and not with ready made juice or emulsion.  The result was yummy.

RICE STUFFED CAPSICUM

rice stuffed capsicum is similar to the rice spinach skillet but without the spinach.  This dish is also can be prepared with left over rice.  The capsicum stuffed with rice and egg with spices and topped with cheese yummy when it is served hot.

I made this dish when I prepared the rice spinach skillet and the video was shot  but could not show the end product due to the time it consumed to bake.

RICE SPINACH SKILLET

Rice spinach skillet I made is with the left over rice.  Since we were bored of eating the regular lime rice, curd rice, coconut rice etc. etc. the list is endless of rice varieties, I told my daughter to do something with it.

It was her idea of making the rice spinach skillet dish.  Since she wanted to put on some weight, now a days,  opting for such foods which will increase her weight.  she is very fond of egg and cheese and decided to make something out of it.  This is not only tasty but healthy too.

The onion, spinach, egg and the cheese which is very tempting to try your hand on this dish.

 watch you tube:   rice spinach skillet

ONION UTTAPPAM

Onion uttappam is a tasty breakfast with spicy sambar or chutney.  But my children prefer to eat the same with tomato sauce.  Sauce is part of their dish for almost everything.  The onion, green chilli, dosa milagai podi and the coriander leaves makes this uttappam delicious and DIL MANGE MORE.

You can make this with the left over idli/dosa batter too.   Normally, everyone use the big onions.  If it is made with the Madras onion, the taste is far better than the normal onion which we use.  My father use to make the onion uttappam with shallots ie. madras onion or chinna vengayam or kunjulli.

 Actually this is pending since last year and I totally forgotten about it.  I was checking the recipes in my computer as I wanted to delete the unwanted ones, I came across this and decided to post it today.  There are many recipes pending like this. shall post one by one.

Let us look at the recipe now:

INSTANT FLAXSEED DOSA

I have already posted pumpkin  flaxseed gun powder, flaxseed idli, flaxseed khajur ladoo. The flaxseed powder is substituted for egg in preparation of cake. 

Here I have come up with instant flaxseed dosa which is very easy to make with no hassles provided you have rice flour at home.  The wheat flour will always be there so no tension.  It is a no urid dal recipe so those who are allergic to urid dal can enjoy this dish along with sambar, chutney or milagai podi.

It is very easy, tasty and healthy breakfast.

CAPSICUM CARROT PULAO

carrot capsium pulao is very easy to make and delicious with any kind of raita and papad.  rice varieties are many, you can twist and turn to make anything with the rice.  even the left over rice can be used.

You get Vitamin A and a host of other powerful health benefits including beautiful skin, cancer prevention, and anti-aging.  It is used in salads or as it is eaten  by everyone.  I remember, when we went to Mahabaleshwar, fresh carrots were available and we just could not resist ourselves.  We bought and ate just like that it was yummy.  who will not like the fresh vegetables?

coming back to the pulao, it is very easy to make.

FLAXSEED IDLI

Idli is normally made in every house hold specially South Indian.  But now a days, every one  and every part of the world, this has become famous.  There are various kinds of idlis we can make one among them is flaxseed idli. Link to the varieties of idlis:   chinese idli, kanjeevarm idli, curry patta idli,    jowar idli,      curry patta idli fry.   Idli fry


 Two flaxseed variety:  flaxseed gun powder,  flaxsed khajur ladoo

  Since the idlis are steam cooked, it is quite good for health.   

SHEV PAV

Shev pav is made with the normal Laadi pav we get for pav bhaji.  spicy potato masala is filled in the pav, generous amount of shev with sweet chutney and chopped coriander leaves.  It is yummy as a snack or breakfast whatever.  The aim is to fill your stomach with tasty, sumptuous item.

Hungry kyaa?  make this and enjoy.

shev pav

BREAD CHIVDA

Bread chivda is very easy to make with bread, poha, sev etc.  A tasty and simple snack item to be served with a cup of tea/coffee.

It is similar to the preparation of poha chivda with the addition of  crispy bread in it.


Watch you tube: bread chivda


Let us look at the recipe now:

Bread chivda

PREPARATION OF URID DAL FLOUR FOR CHAKLI, MURUKKU

Making urid dal flour for murukku or chakli is an important part.  If the dal is over roasted, you will get a burnt taste while you make the chakli.  If it is under roasted, then the chakli will not have that perfect taste.

Especially when you are making KAI MURUKKU,  the perfection of making dal flour is important.



Making urid dal flour for MURUKKU:

dry roast the dal till slightly brown and the aroma comes out.  cool and powder it in mixer. sift thoroughly and ensure that no granules in it.  If there is granules in it, while making the murukku or chakli, it is likely to burst.

I had a very bad experience of bursting the murukku and the mark is still on my hand.

Hope you will find this post helpful  in making the urid dal flour for chakli/murkku.

THENKUZHAL

Thenkuzhal is a murukku variety prepared for diwali and krishna jayanti.  It is made out of rice flour and urid dal flour.  We can also make them with dalia powder (pottukadala podi or chutneydal powder).

You can use the home made rice flour or store bought one.  Sometimes, the store bought ones are not proper hence I prefer to make the rice flour at home.  It is a very easy and tasty muruku variety can be served with  tea or coffee.

video thenkuzhal

PINEAPPLE RAITA

Normally, some people do not like to eat pineapple because after eating, it irriates the throat for some.  My daughter does not like it for this reason.  Pineapples are consumed fresh, cooked, juiced, and preserved, and are found in a wide array of  cuisines.    Pineapples are loaded with vitamin A and C, fiber, potassium, phosphorous and calcium. Pineapples are a great source of bromelain which help prevent sinusitis. Pineapples are also effective in curing sore throat, gout and swellings.

Pineapple raita is very tasty can be served with paratha, rice varieties.  I always prefer to have just raita as I am fond of it.

It is very easy to make, a quick raita provided u have the ingredients at home.

 

Pineapple raita

CURRY LEAVES DHOKLA

Curry leaves have got many medicinal properties and it is used every day in our kitchen for making various dishes and is part of Indian curries.  Curry leaves dhokla is made with the curry leaves idli batter.  A very tasty, easy snack or breakfast to fill your stomach which can be served with chutney.  I have already posted curry patta idli,  curry patta idli fry, curry patta rice,  curry leaves kuzhambu, curry leaves kuzhambu rice,  curry patta gun powder  etc.

I am sure you will like this simple and easy snack.

Curry leaves dhokla

PALAK VADA

Palak vada or spinach vada or keerai vada is made with the urid dal batter and the palak nicely chopped and added to it.  If you want, can add bits of coconut, chopped green chillies, curry leaves etc.  You will need medu vada batter for this.

You can serve it with chutney, sambar, rasam  and sauce too.  Normally palak and curd goes well hence you can serve it as dahi vada too with sweet and green chutney.  Add some chopped onions, becomes masala vada.

Any kind of vada you serve hot with chutney, sambar, rasam etc. is welcomed in our house.  Another method of making it is that you can mix the spinach with dal vada  (parippu vada) mix.

Palak vada

RIDGE GOURD ADAI

I have made adai varieties like the normal adai,  banana adai (dosa),  karela adai.  Now here i am presenting the ridge gourd adai.

Adai is made out of rice, lentils, quite filling stuff for breakfast along with some spicy sambar or chutney.  Usually, it is served with jaggery and white butter by my mom to all of us but I prefer to eat with spicy sambar or chutney.

As I explained in the karela adai, this adai preparation is also very simple and easy to make.

You tube: ridge gourd adai

KARELA ADAI

When I say karela adai, you must be thinking what is this? did not get any other items to make?  That was the expression of my husband when I served him this.  Though he made that expression, he was happy to eat that along with spicy chutney (though he does not eat much spicy food).

Karela or bitter gourd is having many medicinal values hence atleast once in a week must include in our diet.  The juice is given in empty stomach for diabetic people.  I love all the karela variety dishes so it is a must dish in a week for me.

Coming back to making adai, it is a simple preparation with the adai mavu (adai batter - rice and lentil mix).

karela adai: you tube

karela adai, bitter gourd adai

CURRY PATTA IDLI FRY

Curry patta idli fry is very easy to make.  You can make the curry patta gun powder and store it as it stays for a long time.  Then you need only idli.  Left over idli also can be used. Can be served as a snack item along with a cup of tea or coffee.  

Curry patta idli fry is made with normal idlis  or with the curry patta idli and the curry patta gun powder.

CURRY PATTA IDLI

Curry patta idli is very healthy, tasty and easy to make recipe.  You can serve this for breakfast and the fried idli as evening snacks too.

I wanted to make this recipe since long and did not get the time to do.  When my friend recently gave me a lot of curry leaves, I decided to try this.  I tried it with only one cup idli batter as I was not sure whether my family members will go for it or not.

When I made the same and served to my husband, he was quite happy with it.  When sampling was done in office with my colleagues, they too liked it.  Hence I am sure you will also definitely like this.

CURRY PATTA GUN POWDER

Curry leaves have got many medicinal values.  Hence it is always better to eat them along with the food and think before throwing it out in the dustbin.  I tried curry leaves idli, dhokla and the gun powder recently and was awesome.  

My friend was saying that she loved the curry patta  gun powder than the normal gun pwoder (milagai podi ) we make. 

It is a good source of vitamin A, calcium and folic acid.  few importance of curry leaves is given  below the recipe and am sure after reading that you will definitely not throw the curry leaves from the food.

My way of incorporating the same in the food is I always grind it wherever it is possible.  I have already posted curry leaves kuzhambu recipe and the curry leaves kuzhambu rice.  Here is another version of rice with the  curry patta gun powder.  

One of my friend gave me a lot of curry leaves which she grows in their farm hence I thought of trying all these recipes and was successful.  I am sharing with you all the recipe because it is not only awesome but has several health benefits.

curry leaves gun powder