Valaipoo kootu ( Plantainflower with lentils )

  I had lot of valaipoo , so I tried this with tuvar dhal. It came well. it tastes different from other kootu.

Requirements :

 Plantain flower – 1 cup

Tuvar dhal -  1 cup

Pearl Onion – 5

Tomato – 1

Coconut oil – 1 tbs

Curry leaves

To grind :

Coconut grated – 2 tbs

Cumin – ½ tsp

Green chilly – 5 – 6

Method :

In a cooker , add plantain flower , tuvar dhal , tomatoand cook for two whistles.

Grind coconut , cumin and green chilly.

Add this to the cooker and allow to boil.

Heat a kadai , add oil followed by mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add  this seasoning and serve.

Tomato onion dip ( Rojapoo chutney )

  This chutney I learnt from my chitte. The name comes because of its colour. This chutney can be stored for about a week.

Requirements :

Onion – 2

Tomato  - 1

Red chilly – 5

Aniseed – ½ tsp

Gingelly oil – 2 tbs

Method :

 Grind onion , tomato , red chilly and aniseed to fine paste.

 Heat oil , add grounded mixture and allow to thicken for few minutes.

This chutney is best combo for idli and dosa.

Valaipoo karakulambu( plantainflower in tamarind sauce )

 Plantainflower is very good for young girls and womens. We must have this atleast once in a week. This kulambu will best go with plain rice , dosa / idli.

Requirements :

Plaintain flower ( chopped ) – 1 cup

Onion – 1

Garlic – 4 cloves

Chilly powder – 1 tbs

Coriander powder – 1 tbs

Coconut paste – 2 tbs

Tamarind paste – 2 tbs

Sesame oil – 1 tbs

Method :

Heat oil add onion and curry leaves.

Add chopped plantainflower and sauté for few minutes.

Add chilly powder and coriander powder.

Add the tamarind paste , a cup of water and salt to taste.

When the plantain flowers are cooked, add coconut paste and allow to boil.

Gravy is ready to serve.

Serve with plain rice , idli , dosa or roti.

Non oven white cookies ( panchu sweet )

 This sweet I read in a cookery book. It is easy to make within thirty minutes. It will be made with the ingredients available in home.

Pakarkai puli masiyal ( bittergourd n tamarind sauce )

Bittergourd is the veggie which kids avoid because of its bitterness. It is good for our health especially to diabetic patients.

Requirements :

Bittergourd – 1 cup ( chopped )

Pearl onion  - a handful

Ginger (shredded ) – 1 “ piece

Tamarind paste – 2 tbs

Sesame oil – 2 tbs

Mustard seeds – ½  tsp

Curry leaves

green  chili - 2 

To grind :

Urad dhal – 1 tbs

Coriander seeds – ½ tsp

Fenugreek seeds – ½ tsp

Cumin – ¼ tsp

Pepper corns – ¼ tsp

Red chili – 5

Sesame seeds – ¼ tsp

Method :

Sprinkle salt and turmeric powder on chopped bittergourd.

Heat a kadai and dry roast the to grind ingredients and grind along with grated coconut (optional ).

Heat oil add mustard seeds , onion , ginger and curry leaves.

Add bittergourd and sauté for few minutes.

Add the tamarind paste , required water and salt.

When cooked add the grounded powder and allow to thicken. Ready to serve.

This will be perfect combo with curd rice / plain rice.

Puliotharai ( tamarind ) rice

Puliotharai was the most common rice which is made for long journeys in olden days. Pulisadham as we call in our kongu region . This is  offered to lord Vishnu in Saturdays. The recipe I am sharing here is one which I tried with many variations.

Requirements :

Rice ( cooked )  - 2 cup

Tamarind paste  - 2 tbsp

Roasted groundnut – 4 tbsp

Sesame oil – 6 tbs

Pearl onion – 6

Garlic – 4 cloves

Curry leaves

Mustard seeds – ½ tsp

To grind :

Red chili -  5

Chana dhal – 1 tbs

Coriander seeds – ½ tbs

Fenugreek seeds – ½ tsp

Cumin – ¼ tsp

Asafotedia – a pinch

Method :

Roast the to grind items in plain kadai   and powder coarsely.

Heat a pan add 2 tbs of oil followed by mustard seeds.

When it splutters, add onion , garlic and curry leaves.

Add groundnut and fry well.

Add a cup of water to tamarind paste and mix well.

Add this mixture to kadai and required salt.

After five minutes add the grounded powder and allow to boil for another five minutes.

Puliotharai paste is ready.

To this mix the rice well along with seasme oil and serve.

Field bean gravy

This gravy is easy to make within few minutes. Fieldbean is rich source of protein and thiamine.

Requirements :

Field bean (soaked ) – 1 cup

Onion – 1

Tomato – 2

Chilly powder – 2 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tsp

Curd – 1cup

Method :

Cook field bean till three whistles in pressure cooker.

Heat oil , add grounded onion and sauté till pink.

Add tomato puree and mix well.

Add chilly powder , coriander powder and required salt.

Add cooked field bean and mix well.

Serve with roti / rice.

Sweet potato cutlet

Requirements:

Sweet potato - 200g

Potato   - 1

Onion - 1 nos

Peas - ½ cup

Chilly powder-1tbsp

Garam masala- ½ tsp

Method:

Heat oil; add chopped onion, mashed potato and sweet potato sauté for few minutes.

Add chilly powder, garam masala, mashed peas and required salt. sauté for few minutes.

Make into desired shapes and spread in bread crumbs then shallow fry.

Serve with tomato sauce and chopped onion.