SavithaRaj's Spice Land

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Horse gram Rasam

Wishing All My Blogger Friends A Very Happy New Year !

Horse gram is a much neglected gram /lentil with a lot of medicinal value.The rich fiber content and the body heat generating property of horse gram helps in reducing the body fat in a fast mode.Let's see a recipe of Rasam with Horse gram, this is a very good remedy for colds coughs and running nose.

Ingredients

Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Curry Leaf - 1 sprig
Garlic peeled and chopped - 4 pearls
Tomato chopped - 1
Water - 5-6 cups
Black pepper - tbsp
Coriander powder - 2-3 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Horse gram - 2 cups
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Tamarind - 1/2 Lemon size
salt as per taste
Cilantro optional

Recipe

1)Soak the horse gram overnight in water and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
2)Heat oil in a deep bottomed vessel,add mustard seeds,fenugreek seeds,cumin seeds.Once they splutter add asafoetida powder,curry leaves and garlic.
3)To this add tomato and cook for about 4-5 minutes in medium flame till the oil oozes out.
4)Then pour in water and add the coriander,Cumin and Black pepper powders.
5)Add horse gram,turmeric powder and tamarind paste.Allow to boil nicely for 10-12 minutes.
6)As soon as the rasam starts to boil,immediately switch off and add salt.Garnish with finely chopped cilantro.

Tips

1)When you pressure cook the horse gram,save the left over water from the cooked horse gram and use it to make rasam.
2)Goes well with plain rice.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Amla/Gooseberry/Nellikai Chutney

Although about one inch in diameter,the Amla fruit has the same anti-scorbutic value as two oranges.Amla contains the highest amount of Vitamin C in natural form.It is used in Ayurveda as a heart tonic,aphrodisiac, antipyretic,anti-diabetic,cerebral and gastrointestinal toner.It raises the total protein level and helps maintaining body weight due to its richness in nutrients.Let's see a simple yet tasty chutney of Amla.

Ingredients

Amla(Deseed and cut into small pieces) - 2 cups
Urud Dal - 2 tbsp
Salt as per taste
Red chilli(dry) - 2
Asofetida - 2 pinches
Curry leaves chopped - 3 sprigs
Oil - 1 tbsp

Recipe

1)Heat oil in a pan and add the urud dal,once they splutter add red chillis.
2)Mix in the chopped amla and cook for about 5-6 minutes.Sprinkle water if necessary.
3)Then add the curry leaves,asofetida and salt.Mix well for 2-3 minutes and switch of the stove.Allow to cool.
4)Blend nicely and serve a simple yet delicious chutney.
5)Goes well with rice,chapati,dosa.

Tips

1)Can also use the frozen Amla for this recipe.
2)Microwaving the amla for 4-5 minutes adding very little water will help cutting down some time.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Green Tomato Chutney

Green tomatoes have long been a staple of the cuisine of the Southern Untied States,they were even immortalized in Fannie Flagg's humorous book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe and the movie it inspired. But with a little imagination, green tomatoes can be adapted to all kinds of recipes,think spicy Indian chutneys or exotic Mexican salsas.Here I am going to share a simple recipe of Tomato chutney.

Ingredients

Raw Tomato chopped - 4
Tamarind - 1/2 lemon size
Green chilli - 3-4
Onion chopped - 1/2
Salt as per taste
Roasted peanuts - 1/2 cup
Oil - 1 tbsp

Recipe

1)Dry roast the peanuts in a pan and keep aside.
2)Heat oil in a pan,add in the tomatoes,onion and green chilli.Fry them nicely in medium heat till they are nicely cooked.
3)Once they are done,switch the off the stove and allow it to cool.
4)Then blend the peanuts,salt,tamarind with the cooked tomato and onion into a coarse paste.
5)Serve with rice,chapathi,dosa or make a quick sandwich with this yummy chutney.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Tomato Soup

Our modern word "soup" derives from the Old French word sope and soupe.Food historians tell us the history of soup is probably as old as the history of cooking among which tomato soup is considered as one of the best comfort foods.Here is the reipe of a very simple,creamy and yummy tomato soup,a sure hit with all friends and family.

Ingredients

Tomatoes chopped - 3
Sugar - 1 Tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Basil leaves - 2 springs
Butter - 2 tbsp
Red color - 1 pinch (optional)
Garlic chopped - 4 cloves
Green capsicum deseeded and chopped - 1/2
Leeks/Celery/Carrot - 1 small piece
Onion chopped - 1/2
Pepper powder as per taste
salt as per taste
Boiled chana (Chickpea) - 1/2 cup
Boiled pasta - 1/2 cup
All purpose flour - 1 tbsp

Milk - 3 tbsp

All purpose flour - 1 tbsp
Cream - 1/4 cup

Recipe

1)Heat butter in a deep bottomed pan.Add the cumin seeds and once they splutter add the chopped garlic and onions.
2)Fry nicely and add leeks/celery/carrot,capsicum,chopped tomatoes,salt,basil leaves and pepper powder.Stir and cook for about 7-8 minutes.
3)Once done switch off the stove,allow the paste to cool and then blend to a fine paste.Add water if necessary.
4)Pour the paste back to the pan and boil nicely.

5)Mix in salt,sugar,Red food color,pasta and boiled chana (chickpea) and stir
occasionally.

6)Mix all purpose flour in milk without any lumps and pour it into the pan.Allow the soup to cook for 4-5 more minutes and then switch off the flame add in cream and mix thoroughly.
5)The yummy hot tomato soup is ready to serve.

Tips

1)To increase the depth of flavor in this soup be sure to saute the onions and garlic nicely.
2)Use plum tomatoes and fresh herbs.
3)The sugar is added to soften the acidity of the tomatoes and deeper the flavor.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Crazy Coconut Lemonade

Coconut lemonade is a tropical drink. It is very easy to make and you can serve it as a special drink to your guest.Most of the people will enjoy this drink. Here is the recipe to make this delicious coconut lemonade.

Ingredients

Sugar - 3-4 tbsp or as required
Mint leaves - 5-6
Coconut milk - 2 tbsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Lime juice - 1 tbsp
Coconut/plain water - 1 cup

Few ice cubes

Recipe

1)Blend all the ingredients very nicely to a smooth mixture.Strain the juice.Place the juice in the refrigerator until chilled.
2)When ready to serve pour over ice, slices of lemon and lime, and coconut flakes. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Coconut Cocadas

Cocadas are sweet coconut cookies - a South American variation on a coconut macaroon. Cocadas are typically molded into a dome shape, and vary from bite size to quite large.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients
1)Sweetened coconut flakes - 3 1/2 cups
2)Corn starch - 2 1/2 tbsp
3)Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients
1)Condensed milk - 3 1/4 cup
2)Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
3)Almond extract - 1/2 tsp

Recipe

1)Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2)Mix in all the dry ingredients initially,then mix the wet ingredients to it nicely with a laddle.
3)In a tray spread some flour or keep parchement paper and place the mix in small scoops.
3)Bake for about 15-20 minutes.
4)Serve your yummy cocadas with icecream,fruit or dip cocadas into melted chocolate to coat the bottoms of the cookies, then return them to the baking sheet. Chill until chocolate is set or as a delicious dessert by itself.

Tips

1)Leave about 1/2 inch gaps between each scoops while placing in the tray before baking.
2)Once done take the Cocadas from the tray and leave it in another tray for 5 minutes to harden.
3)Do not substitute condensed milk for sugar,it will melt while baking.
4)Please keep a watch after 15 minutes to see if the Cocadas are done.
5)Almond extract is optional,but it gives a nice extra punch to the Cocadas.
6)You can use a spoon or spatula to scoop the mix,just dip in water lightly before doing this.It will not stick to the spoon.
7)Store Cocadas in air tight containers.

Going to send this to the event

Any One Can Cook :New Weekly Event hosted by Taste of Pearl City.

FB- For beginners

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Awards

This is my second award and am so happy to receive this.Thank you very much Akila,this is indeed a very big boost for my novice journey in cooking.Thank you very much.