Lunch Menu 25 - Jeera Pulav, Potato Fry and Mutter Paneer

A simple, quick and easy recipe to put together. It is so easy to prepare, however, it looks like you have put so much effort.

Click on the below links for recipes:

• Jeera Pulav
• Potato Fry (Will Update soon)
• Mutter Paneer 

Vegetable Biriyani (With Curd Marinade)

I am a huge of Biriyani and make it at least twice a week. I make it in multiple methodology, using different Vegetable as the Main dish etc. You can visit some Biriyani recipes I have posted here.

This is one of the lazy style of me making Biriyani. However, this is so Yummy. Do try this style.

Ingredients

Onion - 1 (Large, sliced)
Tomato - 1 (Small, Chopped)
Mint - 1/2 Cup (Chopped)
Rice - 1 Cup
Vegetables of your choice - 1 Cup (I used Cauliflower, Green Peas, French Beans and Potatoes)
Red Chilly Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 Teaspoon
Turmeric Powder - A generous Pinch
Garam Masala - 1/4 teaspoon
Bay Leaf - 1
Ghee (Clarified Butter) - 1Teaspoon (optional)
Curd/Yoghurt - 1 Cup (Thick)
Water - 1 Cup
Oil - 1 Tablespoon
Salt - To taste

Method

• Wash and Soak rice in 1 cup of Water.
• In a mixing bowl, place the curd and whip it using a Whisk and then all the following ingredients Tomato,Mint, Vegetables, Red Chilly powder, Ginger Garlic Powder, Turmeric Powder, Garam Masala and mix well.
• Keep this aside till your rice soaks. I have sometimes covered it with a cling film and kept in refrigerator overnight and made Biriyani using it the next day and it works fine. 
• In a pan, warm some oil then add Bay Leaf, Onion and Saute it.
• Cook till the Onion becomes translucent and then add the prepared mixture soaked in yoghurt.
• Reduce the flame and cook it for 5-7 minutes. Do stir it in between to avoid it from burning.
• Meanwhile, switch on the rice in the electric Cooker. You can make it in regular vessel also.
• Once the water in the Rice Cooker starts boiling, add the cooked mixture and salt into the rice cooker.
• Give it a stir and put the lid back on and cook it till done.
• Once the rice is done, add Ghee and stir it well and Serve.
• If you are using a vessel, once you have cooked the Onion and yoghurt mixture for 5-7 minutes, add the water.
• Once the water starts boiling, add rice and cover it with a lid and cook till done. 

Kala Channa Pulav with Coconut Milk (Black ChickPeas - Coconut Milk Rice)

I had soaked some Black Chickpeas and made second 2nd Milk, so I decided to use them together. Believe you in me the End result was Yummy. Its So easy and is a One Pot Dish. 

Ingredients

Onion - 1 (Medium, Chopped)

Tomato Puree - Made from 1 Tomato (You can chop and add it too or skip this completely)

Red Chilly powder - 1 Teaspoon

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 teaspoon

Garam Masala - 1/4 Teaspoon

Soaked Black Chickpeas - 1/4=1/2 Cup (Depending on your reference, I used 1/2 Cup)

Green Chilly - 1 Slit

Rice - 1 Cup (Washed and Soaked in 1/2 cup of water for 30 minutes)

Think Coconut Milk - 2 Cups 

Oil - 1 Tablespoon

Salt - To taste 

Ingredients

• Heat some oil in a Pressure cooker, once the OIl is hot add some onions and fry them till they are translucent.
• Then add the Tomato Puree and saute, add the Ginger Garlic paste. 
• Cook till the Tomato is done and then add the Chilly Powder and Garam masala and saute.
• Add the Black chickpeas to this and saute well.
• Allow it to cook for 5 minutes till the masala is cooked well.
• To this add the coconut milk, required Salt and soaked rice and cover it with a lid.
• Cook it for 4 whistles and then switch off the flame and allow it to cool of its won.

Notes:

• If you are using store bought Coconut Milk, add water and make it really thin.
• I made coconut milk at home. Grate the coconut and add it to boiling water and set aside for 10 minutes. Then pass it through a muslin cloth and squeeze the milk and use. I used 1/2 medium coconut and 3 cups of water. I used 2 cups of coconut milk for this rice.
• Take a tall vessel as the milk may spill.
• It is easier to make in a electric rice cooker. Add the rice and coconut milk in the electric cooker. In a kadai,do the sauté of masala and onion and add it to the Rice coconut mixture in the cooker and cook. 
• My rice usually takes 2.3 cups of water to get cooked so I have used 2 cups of coconut milk and 1/2 cup of water.
• Depending on your ice, adjust the amount of liquid. 
• You can add Mint leaves if your want.

Brown Rice Vegetable Pulav

The moment I hear the recipe name the one thing that comes to my mind is the Brown Rice ad with Chef  Sanjeev Kapoor. So I was always wanting to experiment different cuisines with Brown Rice. So some time last week, I made my first try with BR Veg Pulav and it tasted really good. So I felt motivated and tried with Brown Rice Dal Khichdi which was also yummy. I will share the BR Khichdi recipe sometime next week.

You can add any vegetables, Masalas that you have in your pantry. I have used what was available in my pantry on that. I have mildly spiced, if you want to make spicy, adjust to your preference.

Even though its seems like lot of work, it is not, each step will take a minute to 2 to complete. If your Rice is ready you can prepare this dish in less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Brown Rice - 1 Cup (Washed and Soaked in 2.5 cups of water for 30 minutes )
Onion - 1 (Medium, thinly sliced)
Cauliflower - 1/4 Cup (Broken into small florets)
Green Chilly - 1 (Slit)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 Teaspoon
Paneer or Cottage Cheese - 1/4 Cup (Cut into 1" cubes)
Potatoes - 1 (Large, washed and cut into 1" cubes)
Cinnamon, Cloves, Bay leaves, Aniseed - 1 Each
Green peas - 2 Tablespoon (Boiled)
Red Chilly Powder - 1 Tablespoon
Green Coriander Leaves - 1 Tablespoon (Finely Chopped)
Mint leaves - 2 tablespoon (Washed and roughly chopped)
Salt - To Taste
Oil - As required
Clarified Butter/Ghee - 1 Tablespoon (Optional)

Method

Cooking the Rice:

• In usually soak my Brown Rice in 3 Cups (For a Cup of Brown Rice) for 15 minutes and cook it for 5 whistles in a pressure cooker.
• As I was making Pulav, I reduced the water by 1/2 Cup and increased the soaking time. So for this pulav I soaked 1 Cup of brown Rice in 2.5 Cups of water for 30 minutes and cooked for 5 whistles.
• The above is only an indication and may change depending on your quality of Rice and maturity of rice etc.
• I have used authentic thick brown Rice and not Brown Rice Basmati Rice. You can use any Brown Rice variant that is available/you like.
• So cook the Brown Rice and keep it aside.

Cooking the Veggies:

• Place a tava/Kadhai on stove and add a tablespoon of oil and arrange the Potato cubes.
• leave on one side for 2-3 minutes and then flip it cook.
• If you think it is taking too long to cook, then cover the tava with a lid.
• Once the potatoes are half done, arrange the Paneer and cauliflower also and cook till the Potatoes,cauliflower and Paneer are done and gets a nice colour.

Onions and Spices:

• Meanwhile, place another Kadhai/Wok and add a little more than a Tablespoon of oil.
• Once the Oil is warm, add the Whole Garam masala (Cinnamon, Cloves, Bay leaves, Aniseed) and saute till they are done. This may take couple of seconds.
• To this add the onions and saute till they are done.
• Then add the Mint leaves, Ginger Garlic Paste and Saute for a minute or two.
• Add the Red chilly powder and saute it around and to this add the boiled Green peas and Saute.
• Now add the sauteed veggies also to this (Potatoes, Cauliflower and Paneer) and saute it around a bit.
• Ensure that you maintain the shape of these veggies and don't mash them.

The Final touch:

• After tossing all veggies together, add the cooked Brown Rice and toss it around.
• Cover and cook for a minute or two to just allow the veggies and rice to come together.
• Garnish with Green Coriander leaves and pour a tablespoon of rice.
• Enjoy your Yummy and Healthy Brown Rice.

 

Lunch Menu 21 - Rice with Garlic Curry (Poondu Kuzhambhu), Punjabi Bhindi (Ladiesfinger), Sukki Gobi (Cauliflower) and Coriander Mint Chutney 

Hi All, here is one more Lunch Menu from my Kitchen. You can make the Poondu Kuzhambhu a day in advance and can be stored for 2 days in Fridge.

Click on the Below Links for the Recipe:

• Poondu Kuzhambu ( Garlic Gravy)
• Cauliflower Sabzi (Cauliflower Dry)
• Punjabi Bhindi (Ladies Finger Fry)
• Coriander Mint Chutney

Sakkara Pongal - Sweet Pongal

Sakkarai Pongal or sweet pongal is an important dish made and consumed on Pongal. There are so many ways Sweet Pongal is made. This is one of the recipes that has worked very well for me.

I made this using electric Rice cooker as I find using Pressure Cooker messy. Please do read the Notes before you try this recipe.

Ingredients
Raw Rice - 1 Cup
Yellow Moong Dal - 1/2 Cup
Jaggery - 1.5 Cups (Powdered)
Ghee - 4-6 Tablespoon
Cashew nuts, Raisins - As Required.
Water - 4 Cups (See Notes)
Cardamom - 2 Pods (Crushed)

Method

• Wash and soak the rice in 4 Cups of water in the Electric Rice Cooker for 15-20 minutes.
• In a pan, add tablespoon of Ghee and add the cashews and roast it till golden, then add the Raisins and remove it once it fluffs up.
• In the same pan, then add the Moong Dal and roast till on low flame till the raw smell goes.Ensure  that the colour of the Moong Dal does not change.
• Add the Roasted Moong Dal to the soaked Rice and switch on the Rice Cooker.
• Cook till the Rice and Dal is cooked and all mushy.
• In another vessel, add the Jaggery and pour water till it is immersed and boil it.
• Boil till the Jaggery is dissolved in the water. Add the crushed Cardamom pods to this. 
• Using a filter, filter the Jaggery Syrup.
• Add this Jaggery Syrup to the Cooked Rice - Dal Mixture and cook till they all come together.
• This may take about 5-7 Minutes.
• During this time, add Ghee little by Little and cook. 
• Add the Sauteed Cashews and Raisins and serve. 

Notes:

• The amount of water to be added depends on your quality of Rice. Depending on my Rice quality, I needed 4 cups of water.
• I regularly add 2.5 cups of water to cook rice for daily consumption so I added extra 1.5 cups so it gets cooked well. 
• I prefer the Rice cooker method, as I can check on the rice and decide if it needs more water.
• During the cooking process, if you think the Sweet Pongal is getting Tight/Thick add some warm water or Milk.
• Sweet Pongal tends to become tight after sometime , so switch off accordingly.
• You can make it in Pressure cooker too using the same process.
• Pressure cook the Rice - Dal for 4-5 whistles with enough water and fllow the same steps as above. 

Lunch Menu 18: Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu (Stuffed Brinjal Gravy), Beans Paruppu Usli and Rice 

It is been quite long time that I posted a Lunch Menu, This is a simple Lunch Menu.

Click on the links for the recipe:

• Ennai Kathirikkai Kuzhambu (Stuffed Brinjal Gravy)
• Beans Paruppu Usli (Recipe Coming Soon)

Curd Rice 

You may think what is the need for recipe to make  a curd Rice. But believe me Making Curd and Curd Rice has some tips and tricks.

The recipe I have given will work if you plan to pack Curd rice for lunch or you plan to make it ahead and keep, If it is for immediate consumption you can use as much as curd as required curd and 2-3 Tablespoon of Milk.

Ingredients

Cooked Rice - 1/2 Cup
Curd - 4 Tablespoon
Milk -  1/4 Cup
Oil - 1/4 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 Teaspoon
Cashew-nuts - 6 (Optional)
Pomegranate - 3 Tablespoon
Ginger - 1 Inch (Finely Chopped)
Green Chillies - 1 (Finely Chopped)
Green Coriander - Few Sprigs ( Finely Chopped)
Salt - To taste

Method 

• Add required salt to the Rice and using a ladle mash it well.
• Then add the milk and mix well.  Adjust Milk according to the consistency. 
• To this add the curd and mix well.
• meanwhile heat a tadka pan and heat oil.
• Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds and allow it to splutter and then add cashew nuts and switch off the flame.
• After switching off the flame add Green Chillies and Ginger and give it a stir.
• Add this to the prepared Rice and then add Chopped coriander Leaves, Pomegranate seeds. 

Notes:

• Wash and soak rice for 30 minutes in 1.5 cups of water and cook for 6 whistles . I usually use 2.5 cups of water to cook rice regularly and I cook for 5 whistles. 
• So take extra water and cook as we want the rice to be cooked well. 
• Adding Milk and curd will ensure that the curd rice is not sour when you serve it. 

Lunch Menu 16 - Lemon Rice, Tamarind Rice, Curd Rice and Potato Fry 

I have already spoken so much about how much I like Mixed Rice, so Today's Lunch Menu is combo of Mixed Rice. Usually we make this for Aadi festival.

Click on the below link for the recipes

• Lemon Rice
• Tamarind Rice
• Curd Rice
• Potato Fry 

Tamarind Rice/Puliyogare/Puli Sadam

Yum, Yum and Yum. I am generally a great fan of Mixed rice then standard Rice and Sambar. However everyone in my house likes Rice, Dal or Sambar.

In terms of Mixed rice, I make Lemon Rice and Fried Rice quite often. When it comes to tamarind Rice, I just cant eat it made with Store bought powder or paste as according to me they taste nothing close to home prepared Tamarind Paste.

You can make and store them for about a month  however I am a firm believer of making it fresh and consuming. I usually make the paste in evening and allow it to sit overnight and mix it with rice in the morning and have the rice in afternoon. Keeping the paste overnight ensures that the Dal and peanuts gets the tangy flavour. Mixing the rice and keeping it till afternoon ensures that the flavour is enhanced in rice too.

Ingredients

Cooked Rice - 4 Cups
Channadal/Gram Dal - 1 Tablespoon
Chilly powder - 1/4 Teaspoon
Green Chilly - 2 Nos (Chopped)
Coriander Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Cumin powder - 1 Teaspoon
Curry leaves - few
Fenugreek Seeds - a Pinch
Hing or Asafoetida - a Generous pinch
Mustard seeds- 1/2 teaspoon
Red Chilly - 3 Nos
Tamarind juice - 1 Cup
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon
Roasted Groundnuts - 4 Tablespoon (As per taste, I have added more so you can something between 1 Tablespoon to 4 Tablespoon )
Oil - 3 Tablespoon (Gingelly Oil Preferably)
Salt - To taste

Method

• Heat Oil in a pan and add the Mustard seeds and once they splutter add the Red Chilly and saute for a minute.
• Then add Fenugreek seeds, channa dal, peanuts and cook them.
• Then add curry leaves, Asafoetida,green chilly,turmeric powder and add the Tamarind Juice.
• Then add Chilly powder, Coriander powder and Cumin Powder and mix them.
• Cook the gravy till the Oil oozes out which may take about 10-15 minutes.
• Once the Oil oozes out, stir it again and cook it for again 10-15 minutes and add salt.
• Cool the mixture and mix with Rice and serve with potato Fry.

Notes:

• The important component of the Tamarind rice is cooking of Rice. So I am sharing how I make Rice for Tamarind Rice.
• I usually use Boiled Rice to make Tamarind Rice as it has a better flavour and gives a good texture.
• For regular use I use 1:2.5 Ratio of Rice:water and soak them for 15 minutes before cooking them.
• While making Tamarind I use 1:2, Rice and water and soak my Rice for 30 minutes.
• Once the Rice is cooked, I take a Broad plate and add the Cooked Rice in it and allow it to cool down completely.
• The Broader the plate the better the texture of rice.
• To spread the rice you can use a fork if you are a beginner so you wont make the Rice all mushy.
• Once the Rice is completely cooled down, add the cooled Down Tamarind paste and mix carefully not to break the Rice.
• It is also important that you taste the rice and acordigly add Tamarind paste and salt if required. 

Rice Tikki (With Leftover Rice)

I a not a huge fan of leftovers. I usually cook food fresh each time and eat. However, this recipe is an exception. When I feel like making this recipe I put some extra rice, leave it overnight and make Tikkis the next day. It is crispy and quite easy to make.

Ingredients
Cooked Rice - 1 Cup
Besan or Rice Flour or Maida - 2-3 Tablespoon
Green Chillies - 2-3 (Finely Chopped)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander Leaves - 2 tablespoon (Finely Chopped)
Garam masala - A generous Pinch (Optional)
Amchur Powder - a generous pinch (Optional)
Peanuts/ Groundnuts - 2 Tablespoon (Optional, coarsely broken)
Salt and Oil.

Method

• In a mixer, pulse the rice slightly for few seconds.
• Remove this in a mixing bowl and add ingredients except Oil and mix well. 
• Adjust Besan/Maida/Rice Flour little by little till you get a Tikki Dough consistency.
• Grease your hand with some oil and shape the mixture into Tikkis of your desired shape.
• Heat a pan with 2 Tablespoon of oil and arrange these prepared tikkis on them.
• Allow it to get cooked on one side which will take about a minute or 2.
• Then flip it into the other side and cook well.
• Serve with Mint Chutney.

Note:

• This recipe is so versatile that you can add or leave any ingredient. You can add finely chopped vegetable like carrot, Beans , Peas etc. 
• You can also deep fry them if you want.
• As they are made of Rice they will be quite crispy.
• As far as binding agent, I personally prepare Besan. 

Yellow Moong Dal Khichdi

Khichdi is a famous dish in may parts of India. However I got introduced to it only post my wedding. It is very similar to our South Indian Pongal, however it is much lighter.
My hubby says that Khichdi is usually served at his place when someone is sick as it is easy to digest.

It is very easy to prepare and they are many variations to this. Today I have shared the Basic Moong Dal Khichdi. To this you can add simple Tadka, Vegetables etc

Ingredients

Rice - 1 Cup
Split Yellow Moong Dal - 1/2 Cup
Hing/Asafoetida - A generous Pinch
Ghee - 1/2 Teaspoon (Add more as per your wish,usually they add lots of ghee)
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Green Chilly - 1 (Slit)
Salt - To Taste

Method

• Wash The rice and Yellow moong dal and soak it in 5 cups of water for 30 minutes
• Then cook them in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles or till it is done well.
• Allow the pressure to settle on its own.
• Meanwhile warm Ghee and once it is warm add Cumin seeds and allow them to splutter.
• Switch off the flame, add asafoetida, Green chillies and saute for the minute.
• Add the tadka to the cooked rice-Dal mixture, add salt and mix it well.
• If you want you can add some more warm Ghee. 

Vellai Poosani Mor Kootu - White Pumpkin in Buttermilk Gravy 

I don't know why, but we don't buy so much of White Pumpkin as the Yellow Pumpkin? So I decided to buy it and make this Yummy dish. The recipe is from my mom. It was such a easy dish to prepare.

 Ingredients
White Pumpkin - 250 Grams (Peeled, diced into 1 inch square)
Curd - 1 Cup
Turmeric - A pinch
Salt to Taste
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil - 1/2 Teasoon (I used Coconut Oil)

To make a Paste:
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Green Chillies - 3-4
Coconut - 1/4-1/2 Cup (Depending on your taste, I added 1/2 Cup)
Rice - 1 Teaspoon (Soak it in water for 10-15 minutes prior to grinding)

Method:

• Grind the soaked rice and then add other ingredients given under 'To make a paste' and grind into a smooth paste.
• Mix this paste with the Curd and keep it. 
• Add very little water and cook the ash gourd. Add turmeric also.
• Cook till the Ash gourd is done.
• Once it is done, reduce the flame to low and add the Yoghurt- paste mixture and cook till the raw flavour of the paste is gone.
• It may take 5-8 minutes.
• In a tadka pan, add little oil, splutter the Mustard seeds and add it to the prepared curry. 

Lunch Menu 14 - Paruupu Urundai Kuzhambhu, Keerai Poriyal, Mango Pacchadi,Kuzhipaniyaam,Rasam,Vellam Pal Kozhukattai 

Click on the Links below for the Recipe:

• Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambhu (Recipe coming soon)
  
• Rasam
• Mango Pacchadi
• Keerai Poriyal (Recipe coming soon)
• Kuzhipaniyaram
• Paal Kozhukattai (With Jaggery) 

Paneer Biriyani 

I am huge fan of Paneer, so I wanted to make a Biriyani using Paneer. This recipe is the outcome of that thought.

Ingredients
Onion - 1 Big (Sliced)
Bay Leaf- 1
Black Cinnamon - 1
Green Peas - 1/2 Cup (Optional)
Rice - 1 Cup (I have used Basmati Rice)
Water - 2 Cups (Depending on how much water your rice takes to cook)

For the Marinade:
Thick Curd - 2 Tablespoon
Paneer - 250 grams
Red Chilly powder - 1 Tablespoon
Corinader Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon
Garam masala - 1/2 Teaspoon
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 Teaspoon
Salt - As per taste

Method

• In a mixing bowl add all the ingredients given under "for the marinade" and oat the Paneer well and leave it for 15-30 minutes.
• Wash and soak the rice in 2 Cups(or as appropriate to your rice)  of water for 30 minutes. 
• In a pan, warm some oil and add bay leaf,black cinnamon and add the sliced Onion.
• Cook till the onion is done, reduce the flame and to this add the prepared Paneer with the marinade and cook till.
• Cook till the Paneer is roasted slightly and the raw flavour of the marinade masala is gone. 
• To this add the water in hich you have soaked the rice and ad the required amount of salt and let it boil.
• Once the water starts boiling, add the soaked Rice and Green peas (if using) and stir once and cover it with the lid.
• Cook till the Rice is done, stirring intermittently.
• Serve Hot with Onion Raita. 

Bisibelabath - Karnataka Recipe

Bisibelabath is a famous recipe from Karnataka. It tastes yum with Papad and Potato Fry.

Ingredients

Bisibelabath masala - 1 Cup (Refer to the recipe here)
Rice - 2 Cups
Toor Dal - 1 Cup
Water - 8 Cups
Ghee - 3-4 Tablespoons
Peas - 1/2 Cup
Onion shllots - 1 Cup
Cashewnuts - 0 Pieces
Mustard - 1/2 Teaspoon
Tamarind - Lime Size soaked in 1 Cup of Warm water.
Oil and Salt.

Method

• Cook 2 cups of Rice and 1 cup of Thoor Dal in 8 cups of water for 3-4 Whistles.
• The rice must not be separate as Pulav nor overlooked like Pongal.
• Boil the Tamarind juice till the raw flavour goes off
• Then add the rice-Dal mixture to it.
• Add the Bisibelabath powder,salt and mix
• Keep some powder, rice mixture and tamarind juice as back up so that if anything needs to be added it would help.
• In a pan, fry onions and add it to the mixture.
• Then fry peas ad add it to the mixture.
• Then splutter mustard seeds, cashew-nuts and add it to the Mixture.
• Add some Ghee and serve with Potato Fry. 

Lunch Menu - White Rice, Kollu Rasam, Moong Dal fry, Poondu Kuzhambhu,Channa Brinjal Kootu, Cauliflower Fry and Curd

Click on the below links for the Recipe

• Moong Dal Fry
  
• Kollu Rasam (Recipe Coming Soon)
• Poondu Kuzhambhu
• Capsicum Masala
• Katthirikkai Kondakadalai (Brinjal White Channa)
• Gobi Fry
• Curd

Lunch Menu 9 - Vegetable Biriyani, Onion Raita and Chilly Paneer (Chilly Paneer in under 10 minutes)

For this week lunch Menu, I have made a North Indian Rice dish and Indo Chinese Chilly Paneer.

Click on the Links below for the Recipes

• Vegetable Biriyani (I have added spring onions, Baby Corns)
• Spring Onion Raita 
• Chilly paneer in 10 Minutes on stove top 

Sunday Brunch - Jeera Pulao, Dal Tadka and Vegetable Cutlet

I have been missing the blogging pace for quite some time as work and preparations for Holidays was keeping me busy.

As a come back recipe I thought I will give a Brunch menu.

This week, I am making a Jeera Pulav, Dal Tadka and Vegetable Cutlet.

Click here for the Recipes:

Dal Tadka   

Jeera Pulav

 Vegetable Cutlet 

Pal Kozhukattai/Paal Kozhukattai with Jaggery

In my post on Vella Kondakadalai Sundal, I had mentioned about the Paal Kozhukattai with Jaggery. This is more tasty and Yummy than the Pal Kozhukattai.

ingredients

Processed Rice Flour - 1 Cup (I used Store bought)
Milk - 1/2 Cup
Coconut Milk - 1/2 Cup (Thick Milk)+2 cup (Thin Milk)
Water - 1 Cup + to mke the Jaggery Syrup
Ghee - a Teaspoon
Jaggery - 1/2-3/4 Cup (As per your taste and colour of your Jaggery)
Cardamom Powder - as required
Salt - a pinch

Method:

In a pan, add the 1/2 cup of milk,1 cup of water and a teaspoon of Ghee and allow it to become warm.Once it is warm add the Processed Rice flour and mix it well.

Cook it till the mixture comes to a dough consistency.

Now remove the mixture from the stove and knead it well. Smear some oil on your hands if required.

Cover with a wet muslin cloth so the dough does not dry up and crack.

Using this dough, make small balls. The smaller the better.

While making these balls, ensure that you take a little quantity at a time and rest of the dough is covered with the wet towel.

In a vessel, add the thin coconut milk and let it to boil in a low flame. Then add the balls to the coconut milk. Cook for about 5 minutes. Stir to ensure that they don't get stuck to the bottom of the vessel.

Add the cardamom powder,jaggery Syrup* and cook for 4-5 minutes.

After switching off the stove,add the Thick Coconut milk and mix well and serve. 

Tips

*Jaggery Syrup

•  Break the Jaggery into small pieces. Place the broken Jaggery Pieces on a Pan and add just enough water so the Jaggery is immersed. I needed about 1 Cup of water.
• Now turn on the stove and stir and cook till the jaggery is all melted. Filter this using a Muslin cloth or small eye filter. 
• I wanted to make Payasam consistency, so this measurements were fine. If you want it thick, reduce the Thin Coconut Milk by 1/2 or 3/4 cup. Replace that 1/2 or 3/4 cup with the Jaggery syrup that you have made.