Aval Payasam - Rice Flakes Payasam Recipe

I make this payasam every friday for pooja. This is the simplest & delicious payasam that can be made in 10-15 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup - 200ml

Thick rice flakes / poha/ Aval - 1/4 cup Powdered jaggery - 1/4 cup ( + 2 tbsp - optional) Milk/coconut milk - 1/4 cup Cardamom seeds - 2 nos (powdered) Ghee - 1 tsp Water - As  reqd (around 2.5 cups) Roasted Cashews - a few For additional flavour roast in a tsp of ghee & add the following Cloves /Krambu- 2 nos Roasted Nutmeg powder/ Jathikkai - A pinch Edible camphor / Pachai karpooram - a pinch

METHOD

Heat a kadai with a tbsp of ghee and roast the cashews.Set aside.. In the same kadai, roast the aval and cardamom together for 3-4 mins. Aval becomes crispy and turns little brown.Allow it to cool. Powder it nicely.. Now take the water in a bowl and add the powdered aval.Mix welll , there should be no lumps.Cover and cook for 5 mins. Stir in between and check the water level.Add more water if needed.It thickens after few minutes. Now add the powdered jaggery and mix well.Allow it to boil for 5-10 mins.  Finally add the roasted cashews. Add the items given under "flavour" if necessary. Switch off the flame and add 1/4 cup of boiled  milk or coconut milk..Serve hot or cold !!

NOTE

U can add coconut milk for richness. But it should be added at the end before switching off the flame. If u feel sweetness is more, add little boiled milk. When u add milk along with jaggery , payasam gives a curdled look.To avoid this, add milk only at the end. If u want, u can replace jaggery with sugar. Here i've powdered the aval. If u wish, u can roast the aval and cook as it is. It will take little more time to cook.

Technorati Tags: Aval payasam,poha payasam,dessert with rice flakes,Avalakki payasam,Easy payasam

A Christmas Giveaway

I am excited to offer my Canadian readers a chance to win a KitchenAid food processor. A well-stocked kitchen of appliances surely should include KitchenAid equipment. I love my KitchenAid stand mixer - it is gorgeous and handy and reliable. My inferior brand of food processor works well, but it is a pain to put together and clean. This KitchenAid food processor is a must have. All you need to do is leave a comment citing your favorite creation using a food processor by the 8th of December for a chance to win. I will choose a random winner and the food processor will be shipped out to you. If you don't have a blog, please do include your email when you comment. Only Canadian addresses are eligible.

Valued at $399.99, this wonderful machine features an external adjustable stainless steel slicing disc, dual shredding disc, a large 13-cup leak-proof work bowl, along with a chef's bowl and mini bowl, an ultra-wide mouth feed tube that adjusts to three different sizes to accommodate foods of varying sizes, including whole potatoes and cucumbers, 17 precise food processing options for speed-controlled slice, shred, chop and puree functions, plus three maximized slice, shred and puree/chop blades, and bonus dough, egg whip and julienne blades and 4-speed functions.

Convenient, sleek, and perfectly suited for all of your cooking preparations. This is my own Christmas wish, though I don't qualify for the giveaway that one of my lucky readers does.

I always enjoy making hummus and a trusty food processor works much better than a blender. You might wish to try this tasty dip:

Hummus with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Goat Cheese and Olives

1 cup of dried chickpeas
5 - 6 sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup of pitted black olives, chopped
a few generous scoops of goat cheese
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt
juice from 2 fresh limes
2 - 3 tablespoons of tahini
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 tablespoons of parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnishing

Soak the chickpeas overnight in enough water to cover. Drain, transfer to a medium saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover and cook until the beans are soft - roughly 1 hour. Drain and set aside.

Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 20 minutes. Drain, reserving the soaking liquid.

In a food processor, combine the cooked chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, garlic, salt, lime juice, tahini, goat cheese, cumin, cayenne, sugar, olive oil, 1/4 cup of the reserved liquid from the sun-dried tomatoes and a bit of parsley or cilantro. Puree until you have a thick paste.

Garnish with the remaining parsley or cilantro.

Serves 4-6.

You might also want to try this Holiday Slaw recipe from KitchenAid:

½ large green cabbage, cored
1 small fennel bulb, trimmed
8 large red radishes, trimmed
6 green onions, trimmed
1 green pepper, cored
1 cup (250 mL) dried cranberries
½ cup (125 mL) white wine vinegar
cup (75 mL) each oil and maple syrup
2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
¾ tsp (4 mL) salt

Cut the cabbage into 5 or 6 wedges. Position the adjustable slicing disc in the work bowl and, using the thin setting on high speed, push the wedges through the feeding tube. Transfer to a large bowl. Switch to the coarse side of the reversible shredding disc. Cut the fennel into quarters. Push the fennel and radishes through the feeding tube; add to the large bowl.

Cut the green onion and green pepper into chunks. Use the multi-purpose metal blade to chop finely. Add to the cabbage mixture. Combine the cranberries, vinegar, oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, mustard and salt in a small saucepan set over medium heat; bring to a boil. Pour over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Chill for at least 1 hour or up to 4 days. Makes about 12 cups (3 L).

Ottolenghi's Chickpea Sauté with Greek Yogurt

Good cookbooks provide instruction and inspiration, but some of my favourites have an additional benefit — beautifully crafted photographs that illustrate the wonders and creativity of food. One of the finest collections of mouth-watering food photographs in my library is contained in Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi, a London chef and restauranteur with very inventive styles of cooking and presentation. I especially respect a master chef who pays more than just lip service to vegetarian cooking — the subtitle of the book is "Vibrant Vegetable Recipes", which includes legumes, grains, eggs and dairy. I can highly recommend this cookbook for more than just the pictures.

The following is a minor adaptation of one of Ottolenghi's more colourful and nourishing recipes. I've kicked up the heat a little with some dried red chili flakes, but the real attractions of this dish are the fragrance and sounds of caraway seeds and carrots sizzling in hot oil, the warm anise-like flavour of the seeds permeating the vegetables, and the zesty tang of lemon juice and a large dollop of Greek yogurt on top. By the way, I urge you to buy a whole-fat Greek yogurt (if you are not making your own) and avoid the no-fat varieties — without the milk fat, a Greek yogurt is just flat.

Chickpea Sauté with Greek Yogurt

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes From London's Ottolenghi Published on November 26. 2011 Warm and fragrant caraway-seasoned chickpeas and vegetables combined with the zest and tang of lemon juice and Greek yogurt Print this recipe Chickpeas: 1/2 cup dried chickpeas 1 lb Swiss chard 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 medium carrots, diced 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon dried red chili flakes 1 clove garlic, minced or crushed juice of 1 lemon small handful fresh mint leaves, chopped small handful fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste fresh ground black pepper Yogurt: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste fresh ground black pepper Instructions: Rinse the chickpeas under cold running water and soak 8 hours or overnight under several inches of cold water. Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas, then place in a medium saucepan and cover with several inches of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the chickpeas are tender. Drain and set aside. Prepare the Swiss chard by separating the stems from the leaves. Chop the stems into bite-size pieces and chop the leaves coarsely. Fill a large saucepan with plenty of water, bring to a boil, and blanch the stems for 2 minutes. Add the leaves and cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat and drain. Rinse the chard under cold running water and squeeze dry. Set aside. Heat a large saucepan or wok over medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil, wait a few moments, then swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the carrots and caraway seeds, and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the seeds from sticking. Stir in the dried red chili flakes, and continue to sauté for another 30 seconds. Now stir in the chickpeas and chard, and cook for 5 more minutes to warm the ingredients, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic, lemon juice, mint and cilantro or parsley, and remove from heat. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix the Greek yogurt, olive oil, and salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl. Serve the chickpeas hot or warm on plates with a generous dollop of the yogurt mixture on top. Sprinkle with more black pepper if desired. Makes 4 servings

More ideas from my kitchen that you may enjoy:
Tuscan-Style Pinto Bean Soup with Kale
Vegetarian Mushroom Bourguignon
Sautéed Spinach and Cannellini Beans with Balsamic Vinegar
Roasted Butternut Squash and Herbed Cannellini and Artichokes with Fennel and Parsley Salad

Audio Accompaniment: Radiohead

Paneer Cheese Cubes with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Because one can never have too many paneer dishes on hand … here is another from my vegetarian kitchen. Ovo-lacto-vegetarians are in for a most satisfying meal, especially if this dish is served along with a steaming bed of hot fresh-cooked white rice and some Indian flatbreads. Paneer cheese cubes are cooked in fragrant spices and then gently simmered in a sun-dried tomato sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes are not part of traditional Indian cooking, but I also enjoy fusion-style interpretations. I might add that sun-dried tomatoes feature in many of my dishes that go well with tomatoes.

Paneer Cheese Cubes with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from 1,000 Indian Recipes Cuisine: Indian Published on November 22, 2011 Warm, fragrant and spicy fried golden paneer cheese cubes Print this recipe Ingredients: 12 ounces paneer cheese 6 sun-dried tomatoes 1 medium tomato, diced 3 tablespoons ghee, butter or olive oil 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed 1 medium onion, finely sliced 2 - 3 fresh green chilies or jalapeños, finely chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon cayenne small handful of dried fenugreek leaves sea salt to taste a few tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped 1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted Instructions: Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 20 - 30 minutes. Drain and chop, and set aside. Meanwhile, cut the paneer cheese into 1/2-inch to 1-inch sized cubes. Heat the oil in a large wok or large frying pan over medium heat until hot. Toss in the black mustard seeds and stir until they begin to splutter and pop. Immediately add the cumin seeds and crushed peppercorns, and stir and fry for another minute. Next add the onion and stir and fry until they begin to soften and turn golden, about 5 minutes. Now add the paneer cubes, along with the green chilies or jalapeños, ground coriander, ground cumin, cayenne, fenugreek and salt and cook, stirring and turning the paneer cubes every few minutes until golden, about 5 - 10 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and diced tomato and cook for another 5 - 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve hot. Makes 4 - 6 servings

More paneer cheese dishes from Lisa's Indian Vegetarian Kitchen you may enjoy:
Wild Mushroom and Paneer Pilaf with Urad Dal
Saffron Marinated Paneer Cheese with Fresh Basil, Cashews and Pomegranate Seeds
Chickpeas and Paneer in a Spicy Creamy Cashew Gravy
Mung Beans and Paneer Cheese

On the top of the reading stack: Dakshin by Chandra Padmanabhan

Audio Accompaniment: 50 Words For Snow by Kate Bush

Green Gram Rice Upma - Paasi Payaru Recipe

I made this upma for dinner yesterday. Its a simple one pot meal. It tastes best with sambar.I add equal amount of rice and green gram dal ( Pacha Payaru/Paasi pauaru in Tamil) in this upma. So its very filling and rich in protein. We wanted little mushy. So I added more water.But if u add the quantity of water given below, u'll get the rice grains separate and fluffy. Please use the water according to your choice.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 200ml

Steamed rice or Raw rice - 1/2 cup Green gram / Pacha payaru - 1/2 cup Water - 1- 1.25 cups Salt - As needed To temper Cooking oil - 1 tbsp Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp Urad dal - 1/2 tsp Channa dal - 1/2tsp Green chilly - 2 no (slit into two) Curry leaves - A few Ginger- 1 inch (cut into pieces) Hing / Asafetida - 3-4 generous pinches

METHOD

• Heat a kadai and dry roast the rice till it slightly puffs up.
• In the same kadai add a tsp of oil and roast the green gram until nice aroma arises.It may take 5-8 mins.
• Now heat 1 tbsp of oil and temper the items given above in the same order.
• Then add the roasted rice and dal. Add the required water and salt .Transfer everything into a pressure cooker.
• Add a drop of oil and a pinch of hing .Pressure cook for one whistle.

Delicious upma is ready to serve. I served with AAB sambhar.

Apfelpfannkuchen (Baked German Apple Pancake)

Also known as a "Dutch Baby" in much of the United States, this sweet eggy apple treat speaks directly to my weakness for baked pancakes. Rising like a soufflé and turning a beautiful golden brown color in the oven, the pancake gently falls when removed and quickly fills the kitchen with the tempting aroma of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for warming the flesh and spirit on a cool autumn morning, or even for serving as dessert, the "apfelpfannkuchen" is worth the little time and effort it requires. Weekends deserve a treat such as this.

Apfelpfannkuchen (Baked German Apple Pancake)

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on November 19, 2011 A soft, sweet baked soufflé-like baked apple pancake with the inviting homey aromas of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg — wonderful for breakfast or for dessert Print this recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder pinch of sea salt 4 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons melted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 large apple, cored and cut into thin slices 1/4 cup brown sugar Instructions: In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix in the eggs until combined. Stir in the milk, followed by the melted butter, vanilla and nutmeg. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes to an hour. Preheat an oven to 425°. On the stove, melt the butter in a large 10-inch cast-iron or oven-safe skillet over low heat, and use a brush to coat the sides of the pan. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup of brown sugar with the cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle the mixture over the bottom of the skillet and then line the pan with slices of apple. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar over the apples. Turn up the heat to medium-high and let the pan sit for a few minutes until the brown sugar starts to bubble. Remove the pan from heat, and gently pour the batter over the apples. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375° and bake for 10 more minutes or until the pancake is a deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the pancake comes out clean. Remove from heat and slide a rubber spatula around the edges to loosen the pancake from the sides. Serve hot or warm. Leftover pancake can be wrapped in aluminum foil and refrigerated for up to 2 days, then reheated at 300° for 15 - 20 minutes. Makes one 10-inch pancake

Other baked breakfast delights from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Baked Blueberry & Peach Pancakes
Baked Cherry-Stuffed French Toast with Cherry-Orange Sauce
Baked Strawberry Pancakes
Baked Strawberry Ricotta French Toast

On the top of the reading stack: cookbooks

Audio Accompaniment: Trentemoller vs. Massive attack

Tangy Red Lentil Dal with Goda Masala

For this recipe I made up a fresh batch of goda masala, a spice blend that is new to me. Garam masala will work well if you don't feel like making this blend, but I do recommend trying goda masala as it adds an extra kick and a uniquely deep and earthy flavor and aroma to the dish. The recipe for the spice blend can be cut in half, or you can make up a big batch and share with your friends. This easy-to-digest, tart and tangy dal curry (or "amti" as this kind of dish is called in Maharashtra) is adapted from "Sukham Ayu" by Jigyasa Giri and Pratibha Jain.

I served this with a healthy carrot and turnip kinpira as well as a good helping of plain "cavena nuda". Literally meaning "naked oat", cavena nuda is a high-fibre, high-protein and gluten-free Canadian oat whose bran remains on the kernel after hulling, and that stores for years without spoiling or growing rancid. Cavena nuda cooks like rice into soft and chewy grains with a nutty flavor. Look for it at your local health food store, or order online for a delicious and healthy grain accompaniment to your meals.

I'm sending this off to this month's edition of No Croutons Required. The theme this month is to choose a random vegetarian soup recipe. Dom is pitching in this month for the roundup.

Tangy Red Lentil Dal with Goda Masala (Amti)

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Sukham Ayu: Cooking at Home With Ayurvedic Insights Cuisine: Indian Published on November 16, 2011 An easy-to-digest and easy-to-prepare tart, tangy and spicy red lentil curry Print this recipe Ingredients: 2/3 cup red lentils 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp 1 tablespoon grated jaggery or brown sugar 2 teaspoons goda masala or garam masala 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 3 to 4 fresh green chilies, seeded and finely chopped dash of cayenne sea salt to taste For the tempering: 2 teaspoons ghee or oil 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds 1-inch piece ginger, grated or minced 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon asafetida handful of dried curry leaves Garnish: 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut fresh coriander or parsley leaves Instructions: Wash the lentils well and soak in a pot for 1/2 to 1 hour in 1 1/2 cups of water. Add the turmeric, bring to a boil and cover and gently simmer until the lentils are tender and start to break apart, roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally and set aside when done. In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee or oil over medium heat. When hot, toss in the mustard seeds until they turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Reduce the heat slightly, add the fenugreek seeds, stir until they brown a few shades and then stir and fry the ginger for a minute of so. Stir in the asafetida and curry leaves and then toss in the tamarind, hot chilies, sugar, goda masala or garam masala, chili powder, cayenne, lentils and salt along with 2/3 to 1 cup of water. Cover and simmer for 5 to10 minutes, stirring often, until your reach your desired consistency. Garnish with coconut and fresh parsley or coriander. Makes 4 servings

More lentil dishes you are sure to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Madras Red Lentil Soup
Greek Lentil Soup - Fakes
Chickpea and Lentil Salad with Zucchini and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Urad Dal and Chana Dal with Fresh Fenugreek and Tomatoes

On the top of the reading stack: The Trial of Gilles de Rais by Georges Bataille

Audio Accompaniment: Trentemoller

Pidi Karunai Kizhangu Chops / Yam Fry Recipe

I love chops made with vazhakkai and senaikizhangu ( Elephant yam ).Recently I bought small sized black colored pidi karunai kizhangu from my native.I heard its a good remedy for piles. We usually make vatral kulambu by adding this kizhangu. This time i tried chops by searching the recipe.I got from a discussion forum hub. It was very nice and aromatic with the perfect blend of spices. The original recipe was named as "Karunai kizhangu kola urundai" and it was told to deep fry. But I followed the same recipe and made in dosa tawa instead of deep frying. I would say this recipe is apt for making with elephant yam and raw banana. My doter loved it very much.We enjoyed with sambhar  and curd rice !!

INGREDIENTS

Pidi karunai - 4 nos TO GRIND: Pottukadalai/ Fried gram dal/ Dalia - 3 tbsp Tamarind paste - 1/2 tbsp Turmeric powder - A pinch Cloves - 2 nos Cinnamon - 1 inch piece Fennel seeds/ Soambu - 1 tsp Garlic cloves - 4 nos Red chillies - 5 - 7 nos Shredded coconut - 1 tbsp Ginger - 1 small piece Salt & water - As needed. Lime juice - Optional Coriander leaves - To  garnish.

METHOD

1. Wash & soak the kizhangu in abundant water for sometime to remove all the mud.
   
2. Pressure cook in high flame for 1 whistle.It should be half done.(Skin should be hard to touch)
   
3. Now grind all the items given above adding required salt & water to make a smooth paste.
   
4. Remove the skin of the kizhangu and chop it round.
   
5. Now mix the paste ans marinate for sometime. The  kizhangu should be fully coated with the paste.
   
6. Now heat the dosa tawa and sprinkle some oil. Cover Cook the marinated pieces for sometime.Keep the flame low for even cooking. flip the pieces to cook the other side and do the same.
   
7. I Wanted a brown layer to be formed so i kept for a longer time.
   
8. Finally garnish with coriander leaves and add lime juice if necessary.
   
9. Karunai kizhangu Chops is ready !!

NOTE

• If u want to try kolas , just cook the kizhangu well till it mashes.Mash it with ur hands and add the paste.Mix well. Add finely chopped onions and coriander leaves . Make small balls and deep fry them in batches.
  
• If u wish to try the same with senai / elephant yam , add little more tamarind paste by avoid the irritation in tongue.Add less tamarind paste to make the same with raw banana.

Technorati Tags: KARUNAI KILANZHU CHOPS,KARUNAI KIZHANGU VARUVAL,kArunai Kizhangu poriyal,Pidi karunai fry,pidi karunai dry curry,pidi karunai poriyal.

Red Lentil and Toasted Walnut Tapenade with Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Recently I was treated to a lovely package of California Walnuts that included a handy little cutting board, a nut cracker, a cute oven mitt and a useful jar. The presentation was most impressive. I was invited to enter a holiday contest using the walnuts and decided upon this appetizer that can be most pleasingly served with chopped vegetables such as carrots, celery, green and red pepper or any other veggie you fancy. This tapenade - or pate if you prefer - also goes well with crackers and seedy flatbreads. We all know we enjoy snacking more at holiday time and this recipe is guilt-free as it is packed full of nutrients and not in the least bit decadent, though you might think so because you won't be able to stop nibbling on it. Tangy, with a bit of kick, the flavours compliment each other for one fine dip or spread. This recipe makes a fair amount so if you are looking for something to bring to a holiday gathering (vegans can enjoy it too) do consider offering up this tapenade.

High in omega-3 acid (especially essential for vegetarians) and antioxidants, the fat in walnuts is polyunsaturated and contains no cholesterol nor trans fat. Walnuts are also a good source of magnesium, folic acid, omega-6, thiamine, niacin, B6, iron, zinc and fibre. A daily dose of walnuts is just plain good for you and the possibilities are endless. Excellent just on their own, or make up an appetizer, incorporate them into a main dish (I'm thinking nut loaf - yum), consider dressing up your grain dishes or presenting an awe-inspiring dessert.

Red Lentil and Toasted Walnut Tapenade with Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on November 14, 2011 An incredibly flavor-packed and healthy dip or spread for fresh vegetables, crackers or flatbreads Print this recipe Ingredients: 2/3 cup red lentils, rinsed juice of 1 lemon or lime 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt 2 fresh green chilies a few crushed dried red chilies 1 teaspoon smoked paprika dash cayenne 6 - 8 sun-dried tomatoes 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives 1 cup walnut pieces 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 small onion, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary + extra for garnish Instructions: Begin by cooking the lentils. In a medium pot, bring the lentils to a boil in two cups of water. Cover and simmer until the lentils are soft and tender. Drain off any excess liquid. While the lentils are cooking, soak the sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes, Drain, reserving some of the soaking liquid in case the mixture is too dry. Combine the cooked lentils, lemon or lime juice, salt, chilies, paprika, cayenne, sun-dried tomatoes and olives in a food processor and pulse. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and dry roast the walnuts and cumin seeds until lightly toasted. Make sure to stir frequently. Add the walnuts and cumin seeds to the food processor.  Now add the olive oil over medium heat and when hot add the onion and stir, stirring and fry until the onion begins to soften.  Stir in the rosemary and stir and fry for another minute or two.  Add the cooked onion mixture to the food processor. If it is too dry, add a bit of the reserved sun-dried tomato soaking liquid. Process the mixture until smooth and garnish with a few sprigs of rosemary. Can be served warm or cold or at room temperature. Makes 3 cups

More holiday appetizers you may enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Olive Tapenade
Marinated Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus with Olives
Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Hummus with Goat Cheese

Greek-Style Rice and Split Pea Pilaf with Artichokes

Light and fragrant with a slightly sweet and salty Mediterranean tang, this quick and simple rice and split pea pilaf dressed with artichokes, juicy kalamata olives and creamy feta cheese makes a wonderful lunch or side dish. Both the rice and split peas can be cooked a day or more in advance, and should be cool before making the pilaf — use 1 cup dried rice and 2/3 cup dried green split peas to make the right amount of cooked ingredients.

Greek-Style Rice and Split Pea Pilaf with Artichokes

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Greek Published on November 10, 2011 Light and fragrant with a slightly sweet and salty Mediterranean tang, this quick and simple rice and split pea pilaf dressed with artichokes, juicy kalamata olives and creamy feta cheese makes a wonderful lunch or side dish Print this recipe Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced or crushed 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional) 1 sprig fresh thyme (optional) 3 cups cold cooked rice (1 cup dried) juice of 2 lemons 2 cups cooked green split peas (2/3 cup dried) 14 oz (410 mL) can artichoke hearts packed in water or brine, drained and quartered 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped (2 teaspoons dried) 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste fresh ground black pepper to taste 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved 1 cup Feta cheese, crumbled Instructions: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. When hot, toss in the olive oil, wait a few moments, then swirl to coat the pan. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté for 1 minute. Add the green pepper and jalapeño and sprig of thyme if using, and continue to sauté for another minute. Pour in the rice and lemon juice. Stir to break up clumps of rice. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and stir in the green split peas, artichoke hearts and oregano. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the pilaf is heated through. Stir in the grape tomatoes, salt and pepper, and let rest on the heat for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and discard the thyme sprig. To serve, stir in the olives and ladle the pilaf onto a serving plate or individual plates, and garnish with Feta cheese. Serve warm. Makes 6 servings

Other ideas from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen you may enjoy:
Greek Macaroni and Cheese
Greek Tomato Rice
Quinoa Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Vazhaithandu Juice / Banana Stem Juice Recipe - Sweet And Salt Version

I really got bored of making thogayal, pachadi and poriyal with vazhaithandu.My husband hates to eat vazhaithandu just becoz it takes so much time to chew n eat ;). I heard drinking vazhaithandu juice in empty stomach is one of the healthiest way to include in our diet. Its a hassle free job too.Last month when i went to my native ,we tasted this juice in Salem, Lakshmi hotel. We loved it.It was mild in sweet and they served it chilled. We couldn't find out its the juice of vazhaithandu .I wanted to try the same at home.I tried sweet and salt versions. Both were excellent. I dint serve it cold, I made at room temperature.Finally its your choice  !!

SWEET JUICE

INGREDIENTS

Plantain stem /Vazhaithandu - 1 /2 no (medium size) Boiled Milk - 1/2 cup (adjust) Sugar - 2 tbsp Water- If necessary

METHOD

Remove the outer layer of vazhaithandu till core ( At this point u dont have layers to remove). Cut into rings while removing the fibre simultaneously that comes between the rings . Chop into small pieces .Grind with sugar and milk.Add more milk & sugar if necessary. Strain in a double cloth filter.Pour in a serving glass. Serve it chilled or at room temperature !!

SALT VERSION

INGREDIENTS

Vazhaithandu - 1/2 no (medium size) Sour curd - 2tbsp Salt & water - As needed Pepper powder - 2 pinches (optional) Coriander leaves - To garnish

METHOD

Repeat steps 1 and 2 given in the above version and cut the stem into pieces and immerse in buttermilk to avoid color change. Grind the pieces along with curd and salt. Add more water , whisk and strain in a double cloth filter. Pour in a serving glass and  garnish with little coriander leaves serve chill!!

NOTE

1. Drinking vazhathandu juice alone doesnot help u to shed ur weight. U have to carry on the other things like diet .excercise etc.
2. U can prepare the juice in another way .Grind the Banana stem with salt , pepper powder and lime juice. Filter and enjoy !! Hope this method sounds easier.

Technorati Tags: Banana stem,plantain stem juice,Vazhathandu juice,Banana stem benefits,plantain stem benefits.

Saag Paneer (Palak Paneer)

A reader recently emailed me looking for a good version of saag paneer, the classic spiced spinach and paneer dish from North India. As popular as this dish is, I couldn't believe that I didn't have a recipe for it on my blog. Inspired by the absence, I consulted my treasured copy of Lord Krishna's Cuisine by Yamuna Devi where we find that although this dish is usually made with spinach, sometimes it is made with various mixed greens such as combinations of spinach and mustard leaves, collard greens, fenugreek leaves or beet greens. The possibilities are endless.

My dinner companions were certainly delighted with the adaptation I came up with from the book. I served it with some basmati rice, but any Indian flatbread and soup would also go just perfectly alongside this dish.

Also a reminder that you have until the end of this month to submit your favorite Indian dish for a chance to win a copy of Raghavan Iyer's 660 Curries.

Saag Paneer (Chopped Spinach with Paneer Cheese)

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking Cuisine: Indian Published on November 8, 2011 The classic North Indian dish of spiced creamy spinach and fried paneer cheese Print this recipe Ingredients: 3 - 4 hot green or red chillies, chopped 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and chopped 4 tablespoons yogurt, yogurt whey or water 1 tablespoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 6 tablespoons ghee or oil 14 oz. paneer cheese, cut into cubes 2 pounds fresh spinach, rinsed, trimmed and chopped 2/3 teaspoon garam masala 1 teaspoon of sea salt 3 generous tablespoons of cream cheese (or cream) Instructions: In a blender or food processor, blend together the chilies, ginger, yogurt (or whey or water), coriander, turmeric, cumin, paprika and cayenne until you have a smooth purée. Set aside. Heat the ghee or oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. When hot, add the paneer cubes and gently fry, turning often, until the cubes are nicely browned on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the same pan add the spice mixture, stir and add the spinach. Cover and simmer over medium low heat for about 8 minutes. Stir, cover again and cook for another 8 minutes. Stir in the garam masala, salt, fried paneer and cream cheese (or cream). Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, stir and serve. Makes 5 - 6 servings

More paneer cheese recipes you may enjoy:
Curried Red Kidney Beans with Paneer Cheese
Mung Bean Paneer
Macaroni and Paneer Cheese

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Audio Accompaniment: Bavarian Fruit Bread by Hope Sandoval