Okra Tamarind Curry|Vendakkai Puli Kuzhambu|வெண்டைக்காய் புளி குழம்பு

Okra Tamarind Curry is a popular South Indian dish which tastes delicious with rice. In this okra is cooked in tamarind coconut sauce. Okra is a good source of fiber which can help ease digestion and tamarind is also used as a medicine for digestive problems. So this curry is a perfect digestive aid.

Ingredients

• Okra/Vendakkai - 250g
• Onion - 1, medium sized
• Tomato - 1, big sized
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Chilli powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
• Garam masala - 1 tsp(optional)
• Tamarind paste - 1 tbsp/ water extracted from 1 lemon sized tamarind
• Grated coconut - 3 tbsp
• Roasted gram - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - Few
• Salt - To taste
• Coriander leaves - To garnish
• Oil - 1 tbsp+1 tbsp

Method

1. Wipe and cut the okra into small pieces and fry them in a pan with 1 tbsp of oil and little salt for 10 minutes in medium flame.
2. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start to splutter add curry leaves and fry for few seconds.
3. Add chopped onions and saute well until soft.
4. Then add chopped tomatoes and cook till it become soft.
5. Add the fried okra and mix well.
6. Next add the tamarind water. If you are using tamarind paste, dissolve the paste in 1/2 cup of water and add to the dish.
7. Meanwhile, grind the grated coconut and roasted gram together into a smooth paste.
8. Add all the spice powders to the paste and run the mixie for few seconds till it gets mixed well.
9. Now add this paste to the curry and cook well till done.
10. Adjust salt to taste and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with rice.

Continue Reading >>

Instant Rava Dosa

Rava dosa is a popular South Indian breakfast recipe and can be made in different ways. This recipe is easier to make and perfect for a quicker breakfast. You can also make onion rava dosa by sprinkling onions before pouring the batter.

Ingredients

• Rava/Semolina - 1 cup
• Rice flour - 1 cup
• Maida/All purpose flour - 1/2 cup
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Whole black pepper - 1 tsp
• Grated ginger - 1/2 tsp
• Green chillies - 1, chopped
• Salt - To taste
• Oil/Ghee

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and add water to make a very thin dosa batter.
2. Heat the tawa and grease with oil.
3. Pour the batter start filling around the corner of the tawa. Then fill the inside portions.
4. Drizzle some oil/ghee around the dosa.
5. Cook till you see the dosa turning crispy and golden brown.
6. Do not flip the dosa. Fold it and serve immediately with any chutney.

Tip

- Add water little by little so that it avoids forming lumps.

- The tawa should be very hot while pouring the batter.

- Mix the batter well before making every dosa.

Continue Reading >>

Onion Tomato Omelette

Onion Tomato Omelette is an easy breakfast dish which can also be served as an evening snack. This recipe yields 2 omelettes. Egg consumption consistently leads to increased levels of HDL which reduces the risk of many diseases.

Ingredients

• Eggs - 2
• Onion - 2 tbsp, finely chopped
• Tomato - 2 tbsp, finely chopped
• Red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric powder - A pinch
• Garam masala - A pinch
• Salt - 1/8 tsp
• Butter - 2 tsp

Method

1. Beat the eggs until frothy.
2. Mix all the other ingredients except butter and whisk together.
3. Heat the tawa and grease with butter.
4. Pour half of the egg mixture and spread it evenly.
5. Cover and cook in low-medium heat on both sides.
6. Repeat the same for the remaining mixture.
7. Serve hot for breakfast with toasted breads.

Continue Reading >>

Spinach Wheat Dosa|Keerai Godhuma Dosai|கீரை கோதுமை தோசை

Spinach Wheat dosa is an instant and quick South Indian breakfast recipe. This dish is very healthy, nutritious and diabetic friendly. Wheat is extremely beneficial for a healthy living, so try to have wheat regularly in your diet.

Ingredients

• Wheat flour - 1 cup
• Rice flour - 1/4 cup
• Spinach - 1 cup, finely chopped
• Chopped onion - 1/4 cup
• Salt - To taste
• Oil - For cooking

Method

1. Mix wheat flour and rice flour together in a bowl adding water little by little to get a batter having pouring consistency. There should not be any lumps and the batter should not be thick.
2. Add the chopped spinach and onion. Mix well and adjust salt to taste.
3. Heat the tawa and grease with oil. 
4. Pour a ladle of batter to it and spread it in a circular motion. Drizzle some oil around it and cook in low-medium flame.
5. Flip on the other side and cook till it is golden brown.
6. Serve hot with tomato sabji or any chutney.

Tips

- You can also use idli dosa batter instead of rice flour.
- For the dosa to be more tasty, leave the batter aside for 30 minutes before making dosas.
- To get the maximum benefit out of wheat products, it's advisable to choose whole-wheat flour rather than refined varieties.

Continue Reading >>

Sweet Potato Kara Kuzhambu|Sweet Potato Tamarind Gravy

Sweet Potato Kara kuzhambu is a popular South Indian dish and can be made with various vegetables. Sweet potatoes are fat-free and can be used as a healthier alternative to white potatoes. They are excellent sources of Potassium, Vitamin A and C. The high amount of dietary fiber, the low calorie content and the high amount of water all together make sweet potatoes a great food if you are trying to lose weight.

Ingredients

• Sweet potato - 1
• Onion - 1, medium sized
• Sambar powder - 1 tbsp
• Jaggery - 1 tsp
• Tamarind - Lime sized ball, soak in warm water and extract the water
• Rice flour - 1 tsp
• Salt - To taste

     For the seasoning

• Sesame oil - 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Red Chillies - 2
• Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
• Channa dal - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - Few
• Asafoetida/Hing/ - 1/4 tsp

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
2. Once the mustard seeds start to splutter, add fenugreek seeds, channa dal, red chillies, hing and curry leaves.
3. Add sambar powder and stir till it changes its color.
4. Add chopped onion and fry till it turns transparent.
5. Add chopped sweet potatoes and tamarind water. Cook till the sweet potatoes are fully cooked.
6. Mix rice flour with water and make a smooth paste.
7. Add this paste to the gravy and stir continuously till the gravy thickens.
8. Add jaggery and mix well.
9. Turn off the stove and serve hot with rice.

Continue Reading >>