Tofu Paratha

No introduction is necessary for Tofu…We all know its very rich in calcium and protein but tastes not so well like paneer..So we have to compromise in taste to have a healthy food…Instead of adding tofu in gravies or curries i thought making paratha is a better and easy way of consuming it..
Ingredients

1 cup - 200ml

• Atta /Wheat flour –3/4 cup
• Tofu (Soya paneer) – 50 gms (grated)
• Green chilly – 1 no (Finely chopped)
• Red chilly powder – 1/2 tsp (optional)
• Ginger – 1 inch (grated)
• Onion – 1 no (finely chopped or grated)
• Garam masala powder– 1/2 tsp
• Coriander leaves /Curry leaves – few (finely chopped)
• Salt & water – as needed.
• oil – 1 tbsp

Method:

• Take  the wheat flour  in a wide mouthed bowl.Add  all the ingredients given above with required water and salt and make it to a soft dough.(add less water initially.add more if required.)
• Make balls of even size and roll it to make parathas..
• Heat a dosa tawa and cook on both sides..

Serve hot with pickle and raitha!!

American Chop suey & Chinese Veg Noodles Recipe

Yesterday i tried both the dishes with a packet of whole wheat plain noodles..They came out very well and my hubby rated excellent for both..
I have seen american chopsuey in restaurants but never tasted it..When my MIL came here she told about this which she had watched in a cookery show.I was googling  and finally i got Tarla Dalal’s recipe ..I made some changes in the recipe..As i am not aware of the taste, i was waiting for my husband’s comment..He told it tasted like in restaurant .. I was very happy and raised my collar..But when u want to try this, u should not mind about ur diet /calories..

AMERICAN CHOP SUEY

Ingredients

• Noodles – 100gms
• Oil – to deep fry

To Saute:

• Carrot – 1/2 (cut into thin strips of 1 inch length)
• Bell pepper – 1/4 (-do-)
• Big Onion – 1/2 (-do-)
• Ajino motto – A pinch
• Oil – a tbsp

For sauce:

• Vinegar – 2 tsp (i used chilli vinegar,but brown vinegar is given in the actual recipe)
• Sugar – 2 tsp
• Corn flour – 1 tbsp
• Soya sauce –1/2 -  1 tsp
• Tomato ketchup – 4 tsp (adjust as per ur taste)
• Water – 1/2 cup

Method
**Basic noodles preparation:
Add a tsp of oil(prevents sticking)  and salt to a bowl of water..Put the noodles ,boil for 10 mins(Do not overcook) and immediately strain it in a colander by adding cold water (to take off the extra starch ). Let it cool..For this chop suey , Deep  fry in batches till crispy & place it on a absorbing paper ..
 
For Chop suey:

• Place the fried noodles apart..
• Cut the veggies as mentioned above and saute it well(till it gets cooked) with a tbsp of oil in a kadai. Set aside.
• Then Place all the ingredients of the sauce in a vessel, mix well and
  put to boil. Go on cooking and stirring until the sauce is thick.  Add more water if necessary.. Check for the taste,(it should be sweetish)..If u want u can add more ketchup at this point and mix well..

• Heat a kadai with little oil and mix the fried noodles, sautéed veggies and sauce..(pour the required amount of sauce only)(If its more..U can refrigerate and use it for making Manchurian)

Serve Hot and Enjoy!!!

 








VARIATIONS:

In the actual recipe it is given to mix some boiled noodles,veggies ,sauce and then topped with fried noodles..But i just added veggies and sauce to the fried noodles .I dint use boiled noodles here..SO if u wish u can follow this method also:)

CHINESE VEG NOODLES

I usually make Veg Fried Rice but this is the first time i made with noodles..I just used the same method of making fried rice which resulted in a yummy , restaurant like noodles..I was elated,patted myself and told THEARITTA DEE

Ingredients:

• Plain Noodles – 100 gm
• Carrot – 2 nos (Cut into thin strips of 1 inch length)
• Capsicum – 1/2 (-do-)
• Cabbage – 1/2 cup (-do-)
• Onion – 1 no (slice cut)
• Ginger – 1 inch (finely chopped )
• Garlic – 5 flakes (Finely chopped)
• Ajino motto – 1/4 tsp
• Soya sauce – 1/2 tsp
• White pepper powder – 1 tsp (increase as per ur wish)
• Sugar – a pinch
• salt – As needed
• Oil – 3 tbsp
• Spring onions – to decorate..(i dint have..so i used chopped coriander stem)

Method:

• Chop all the veggies as said above and set aside.
• Do the **basic noodles preparation..Once its cool..set apart.

• Heat Oil in a kadai and add the chopped ginger,garlic and onion pieces..
• Saute well and then add the chopped veggies ,salt and sugar so that the color doesn’t change and will be cooked quickly..Saute till they are completely cooked.Saute in a medium flame.
• Then add the Ajino motto, soya sauce, white pepper powder and mix well..

• Finally add the noodles gently by stirring and fry till noodles become steaming hot..I used a fork like ladle so that the noodles don’t break..

 
Serve Hot with tomato sauce/ketchup…

Hope u will try both the dishes and let me know:)
Catch u all by next week…TAKE CARE,BYE

Bread Upma - Easy Bread Recipes

I Usually make this bread upma during weekends in evening and sometimes in the weekdays for my daughter as evening snack..We  like this very much..

Ingredients

• Bread – 5 slices (Milk or whole wheat )
• Big onion – 1 no (slice cut)
• Green chilly – 1 no (finely chopped)
• Ginger & garlic paste – 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves – a sprig
• Tomato – 1 no (finely chopped)
• Red chilly powder – 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder – a pinch

To Temper:

• Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Urad dal – 1 tsp
• Channa dal – 1 tsp
• Coriander leaves – to garnish
• Salt, oil & water – as required.
• Lime juice – Few drops (if u omit tomato, u can add lime juice b4 serving)

Method

• Cut the onion, green chilly , tomato and set aside.
• Cut the bread slices into 4 small squares .Keep aside.
• Heat a pan with oil and add the tempering items and fry.
• Then add the onion slices, green chilly, ginger& garlic paste,curry leaves and saute till onion turns transparent.Add tomato pieces and cook till it turns mushy.

• Add the red chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric powder . Sprinkle little water to make a wet paste..
• Mix well and finally add the bread pieces .Toss it well.Make sure the bread pieces do not get crumbled & masala coated the bread very well..If needed sprinkle little water at this stage.. Please do not more water because bread will be soggy…

                  

• Switch off the fire and add the lemon juice if desired.
• Garnish with coriander leaves..

Serve hot!!

Bye, catch u all in my next post :)

Technorati Tags: Bread seeyali,Bread upma,Bread recipes,Tiffin varieties with bread,Easy bread upma

Veppam Poo Rasam - Neem Flower Rasam Recipe

I learnt this from my MIL .We make this at least once in a month…Slightly bitter in taste but a very healthy & aromatic dish .

Ingredients:

• Dried Neem flower /Veppam poo – 2-3  tsp
• Tamarind – Big gooseberry size
• Red chilly – 3-4 nos (pinched into two)
• Turmeric powder – a pinch
• Jaggery / sugar – 1/4 tsp
• Oil – 1 tbsp
• Salt & water – as needed

To Temper:

• Cooking oil / ghee - 2 tsp
• Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
• Toor dal  – 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves – a sprig

Method:

• Dry roast neem flower in a kadai till brown and nice aroma arises .
  Cool down.Crush it with ur hands and powder it.Set aside.
• Soak tamarind in water and extract the juice from it.
• Heat a kadai with oil and add the tempering items one by one..Add the pinched red chillies and curry leaves.Fry..
• Then add the tamarind juice , a pinch of turmeric powder and salt.
• Add the jaggery/sugar.Let it boil for sometime .
• Remove from fire.Then add the roasted and powdered neem flower..Mix it well.

Serve with hot plain rice!!

Bye , catch u all in the next post

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Peas Butter Masala - Peas Masala Recipe

I tried this gravy from Mrs. Mallika Badrinath’s 100 Vegetarian Gravies book. It was tasting great with roti.



Ingredients:

• Dried Peas (Soak for 8 hrs )  - 1 cup (Fresh green peas is also good)

To grind:

• Tomato – 5 nos
• Big onion- 3 -4 nos

To saute:

• Cinnamon – 1 inch stick
• Cloves – 2 nos
• Cardamom seeds – 1 no
• Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp
• Coriander powder – 2-3 tsp
• Red chilly powder – 2 tsp (increase if u want more)
• Tomato sauce – 1 tsp (its not given in the actual recipe but i added it. It gives a restaurant kinda flavor. its ur choice of using it )
• Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Jeera/cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp
• Butter OR cooking oil – 2tbsp
• Salt & water – as needed.
• Sugar  - a pinch
• Coriander leaves – to garnish
• Fresh cream – little to add before serving

Method:

• Heat a kadai with little oil and roast the cumin and fenugreek seeds till light golden brown and powder it.Keep aside.
• Grind tomatoes  and onion to make a smooth paste.
• Heat a kadai with butter and add the spices to it.Then add the ground tomato,onion paste.Saute till the ghee floats on top..saute in low flame.
• Then add the ginger garlic paste ,coriander powder,red chilly powder and little sugar, tomato sauce diluted in little water..Fry for sometime till nice aroma wafts..
• Finally add the soaked peas and transfer everything into a cooker..
• Once the peas gets cooked, add the powdered cumin,fenugreek seeds.Mix it well .Garnish with coriander leaves..
• Add the fresh cream just before serving!!

Yummy kurma is ready!!


Catch u all with my next post……Bye

Technorati Tags: peas masala,peas butter masala,side dish for roti,side dish for naan,gravy for naan,peas recipes

Bread Sandwich Recipe

I prepared this sandwich a few weeks ago back but posted some other recipes.My husband likes this very much and its a kids friendly healthy,filling snack .This recipe gives the taste of sandwich in bakery..Try and let me know !

Ingredients:

• Bread slices– 10 nos (Use white ones not the whole wheat flour ones)
• Grated Carrot – 2 nos
• Grated onions – 1 no
• Grated potato – 1 no
• Boiled peas – 1/4 cup
• Green chilly – 1 no (finely chopped)
• Ginger, Garlic – crushed few pieces (If u want, add paste instead of crushed pieces)
• Curry leaves ,mint leaves , coriander leaves– a few (chopped)
• Red chilly powder – 1/2 tsp (adjust)
• Garam masala powder – 1/2 - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – a pinch
• Coriander leaves – to garnish
• Lemon juice – few drops. ( if u dont want to use this u can replace with 1 tomato which is finely chopped.I used lime juice)
• Salt & oil – as needed.
• Ghee – to toast the bread.

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan and add the grated onion, ginger and garlic , green chilly pieces.
• Fry for a minute and add the mint ,coriander and curry leaves.Saute for sometime.
• Now add the grated carrot, potato , red chilly powder , turmeric and garam masala powder..Mix it well .
• Finally add the boiled peas .
• Add the salt , sprinkle some water and cover cook till carrot & potato gets cooked.This may take around 5 mins.Stir in between.
• After its done, check for salt & spice and add more if its required.
• Switch off the flame and add lime juice/chopped coriander leaves.
• SANDWICH MASALA IS READY!!

Toast the bread slices with ghee on the dosa tawa .If u have a toast maker , that’s fine.I don’t have one..If desired the sandwich can then be toasted using sandwich maker.
Take two toasted bread slices and place the sandwich masala in one and close it with the other.
Again put it on the tawa , press it well and serve hot with ketchup or mint chutney..
YUMMY sandwich is ready to enjoy with tea/coffee!! 

Tomato Gotsu Recipe - Onion Tomato Gosthu Recipe

(Pictures Updated)
I learnt this sambar for idli from my MIL. We call this as “Thakkali gosthu/Tomato gotsu”. Many of you would have heard about Chidambaram Brinjal gosthu. This one is made with onion and tomato, prepared in Thanjavur/Tanjore style.Usually gotsu is served as a side dish for Pongal. But we make this gotsu very often in our kitchen mainly as a side dish for Idli. Its a very easy to make one pot sambar recipe.Ideal recipe for bachelors and working women to make it for breakfast. Its watery texture is the highlight for this sambar. Do try it once. You will love its simplicity.Lets see how to make this easy and quick sambar for idli dosa.
Check out my Chidambaram Brinjal gotsu too.

Tomato Gosthu Recipe

Thanjavur style Thakkali Gosthu

Cuisine: South Indian

Category: Sambar

Serves: Serves 2

Prep time: 5 Minutes

Cook time: 15 Minutes

Total time: 20 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

Tomato – 2 nos (Finely chopped) Big onion – 1 no (Finely chopped) Moong dal – 1 tbsp Green chilly – 2-3 nos (Slit cut) I used 1 green chilli, 1 red chilli Curry leaves – a sprig Idly/Dosa batter – 1 tbsp Salt & water – as needed. To temper Mustard – 1 /2 tsp Urad dal – 1 tsp Jeera/Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp

METHOD

Heat a pressure cooker with oil and splutter mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves. Add finely chopped onion and slitted green chillies. Saute until transparent. Then add tomato pieces and saute till it becomes mushy. Now add the tomato and saute well.Its not necessary it should turn mushy.(While eating this gosthu,u’ll have pieces of tomato ) Add moong dal,salt and required water.Pressure cook in low flame for one whistle. Open the cooker and add a tbsp of idli/dosa batter and mix it well.As it is watery onion,tomato,dal,chilly will be separate.So adding this batter gives a thickness & togetherness to this gosthu. If u want,u can replace idly batter with besan flour. But that gives a different taste. Actually in Tanjore, the same gosthu is also made with finely chopped brinjals. Instead of tomato, they add tamarind pulp.But we make this gosthu mostly with tomato and very rarely with brinjal becoz my husband doesn’t like brinjal.So if u like brinjal, u can follow the same method and make brinjal gosthu.It tastes excellent. I have made a post for this HERE.Please check it for variation.

Enjoy this easy, one pot gostu with hot idli ! I love it with dosa too
(OLD PIC)

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