Soya Keema Curry

Have you ever been feeling like missing your favorite mutton curry during auspicious or vratham days?? Then this is the one for you. Enjoy this minced soya instead of minced mutton, and you will enjoy the taste of this curry. This goes well with idly, dosa, poori, chappathi, appam and even rice.

Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 40 min
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• Soya chunks - 1 cup
• Onion - 1 big sized - finely chopped
• Tomato - 2 medium sized - finely chopped
• Masala Powder (Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, star anise powder) - 1 pinch
• Oil - 2 tbsp

To grind:

• Coconut - 2 tbsp
• Kuruma Podi - 1 tbsp
• Chili powder - 2 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Cashew nuts - 5 to 6
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp

Procedure:

1. Take 3 cups of water in a pan and bring it to boil. Add soya chunks and a tbsp of salt. Keep in low flame for 10 min allowing the soya to get cooked and become soft. Salt helps in stopping the overflow of boiling water while the chunks gets cooked.
2. In meanwhile, blend the ingredients given in "to grind" into a  smooth paste using a mixer by adding water.
3. When soya gets doubled in size it becomes soft. Now drain out the water and rinse with cold water. Squeeze the soya to remove excess water. Put these prepared soya into a blender or food processor and mince them. Keema is ready and will like mutton keema, right?? ;-)
4. Heat a medium sized pan with oil, when its hot add the masala powder. Then add chopped onion and saute for 3 min. Onion will start turning golden brown. At this point add our prepared keema. Saute in medium flame for 5 min.
5. Then add tomatoes and the prepared paste in step 2. Add 2 cup of water and allow the curry to boil for 5 min in low-medium flame. 

Yummy soya curry is ready to serve with your breakfast or dinner.

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Mutton Keema Curry

Mutton keema curry or kothukari kulambu is a very tempting dish for the sunday morning with hot puff pooris.... :-) This dish is prepared from minced goat meat. It is a very easy dish and also tasty combo. Vegetarians who miss this yummy mutton curry or people who miss them on auspicious day can try my soya keema curry which is equally yummy. The flavor and aroma of the spices makes even the kids to love and eat.

Preparation Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• Kothukari / Mutton Keema - 1/4 kg
• Small Onion / Shallots - 10
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
• Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
• Chili Powder - 2 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
• Cumin Powder - 1/2 tbsp
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste

To grind: (Masala Paste)

• Coconut - 3 tbsp
• Kuruma Podi - 1 tbsp
• Green chili - 2

Procedure:

1. Heat a pressure pan with cooking oil. Add spices cardamom cinnamon cloves bayleaf star anise as powder or as pieces. Then add chopped onion and saute for few minutes. Add salt, turmeric powder and chili powder and mix well. Then add ginger garlic paste while sauteing.
   
2. After sauteing add mutton keema. Saute for 2 min. Keema will start turning white. 
   
3. Meanwhile grind the masala paste into a smooth paste by adding water. Put the masala paste to the pressure pan. 
   
4. To this add coriander powder, cumin powder and 1 cup of water. Close the lid of pressure pan and cook for 1 whistle and reduced flame for 10 min. Then switch off the stove and allow it to cool naturally.
   

Serve with hot poori.

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Egg / Muttai Aappam

Ingredients:

• Idly arisi - 2 cup
• Pacharisi - 2 cup
• Urad dhal - 1/2 cup
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tablespoon
• Salt to taste
• Oil
• Egg 

Preparation:

1. Soak idly arisi, pacharisi, urad dhal with fenugreek seeds separately for 3 hrs
2. Grind them to a dosa batter consistency.
3. Add salt and Allow the batter to rest for 10-12 hrs

Procedure:

1. In a mixing bowl break and pour one egg. Add little salt. Beat until it becomes frothy.
   
2. Heat the aappam pan and coat with oil. Pour a scoop of batter in the pan and rotate in a circular motion.
   
3. Pour the beaten egg and again rotate slowly in circular motion so that a layer of egg gets on to the aappam. Close the lid and allow it to cook for 1 min in medium flame.
   

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Paniyaram maavu

Ingredients:

1. Idly arisi - 2 cup
2. Pacharisi - 2 cup
3. Urad dhal - 3/4 cup
4. Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tablespoon
5. Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Soak idly arisi, pacharisi, urad dhal with fenugreek seeds separately for 3 hrs
2. Grind them into idly batter consistency and add salt
3. Allow it to rest for 10-12 hrs

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Bulls Eye Aappam

Ingredients:

• Idly arisi - 2 cup
• Pacharisi - 2 cup
• Urad dhal - 1/2 cup
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tablespoon
• Salt to taste
• Oil
• Egg

Preparation:

1. Soak idly arisi, pacharisi, urad dhal with fenugreek seeds separately for 3 hrs.
2. Grind them to a dosa batter consistency.
3. Add salt and Allow the batter to rest for 10-12 hrs

Procedure:

1. Heat the aappam pan and coat with oil
2. Pour a scoop of batter in the pan and rotate in a circular motion
3. Break an egg and pour it over the aappam
4. Sprinkle little Salt and pepper
5. Now close the lid and allow it to cook in medium flame
6. Egg aappam tastes great with any type of spicy curry

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Masala Pagarkai / Bitter gourd / Karela

Bitter gourd / Karela / Pavakkai is a low calorie vegetable with numerous health benefits particularly, it lowers blood glucose level, also helps in digestion. The bitterness of these karela makes kids and even adults turn away from it. Here is a flavorful recipe that makes people who hate bitterness to ask for an extra serving. ;-) You can even make your naughty kids love bitter gourd.

Preparation Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 30 min

Serves : 2

Ingredients:

1. Bitter Gourd / Karela / Pavakkai - 4 or 5 medium sized - sliced
2. Onion - 1 medium sized - finely chopped
3. Tomato - 2 big sized - finely chopped
4. Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
5. Sugar - 1 pinch
6. Oil - 2 tbsp
7. Salt to taste

Dry Masala:

1. Coconut - 3 tbsp
2. Red chili - 3 (As per your taste of spicy)
3. Sombu / Fennel Seeds - 1 tbsp

Procedure:

1. Wash bitter gourd and cut them into slices (circle shaped pieces). Heat a shallow frying pan with oil. When it is hot arrange the sliced bitter gourd in the oil and allow it to fry. When it turns golden brown on one side, turn to other side and fry. 
   
2. Once all the bitter gourd slices turns golden brown, sprinkle salt, sugar and turmeric powder. Mix them well. Now add the chopped onion and saute until it becomes soft and golden brown. Then add chopped tomato and saute for another 2-3 min. 
   
3. Meanwhile in a blender, put all the ingredients given in dry masala section and grind them into a coarse mixture. Add the dry coarse masala powder to bittergourd. Give a good stir until all are mixed well. Serve.
   

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Muttai Kolambu / Egg Curry

Muttai Kolambu or Egg curry is a popular dish. Usually in egg kolambu, Hard boiled eggs are cut into halves or slits are made in them and added  to the kolambu. As a variation eggs can be poured directly into the boiling kolambu. This will add more flavor to the egg.

Preparation Time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 25 min

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• Egg - 3
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Small onion - 7
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Chilli powder - 1 teaspoon
• Coriander powder - 1 tablespoon
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tablespoon
• Tomato - 1 medium sized
• Salt to taste

Masala Paste:

• Coconut - 1/4 cup
• Kuruma podi - 1 tablespoon

Procedure:

1. Using small onion for the curry adds extra taste and flavor. Add coconut and kuruma podi in a mixie, Grind them into smooth paste by adding water.
   
2. In a kadai heat oil and add chopped onion.Saute onion until it becomes soft. Adding salt while sauteing makes the onion to get cooked faster.
   
   
3. Then add turmeric powder and chili powder. Add tomato and sauté until it becomes mushy. Sprinkle little water if its too dry.
   
   
4. Add the mixie paste and give a good stir. Then add coriander and cumin powder, salt to taste and a cup of water. 
   
5. Bring it to boil. Now reduce the flame and pour the eggs into the kolambu.
   
   
6. Close the lid and leave it in simmer flame until the eggs are cooked. It would take around 5 - 10 min. Then slowly turn the eggs to the other side and again cook for 3 min.
   
   

Yummy Egg curry can be served for rice.

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Bread Masala

Bread is a very common food that we usually roast, toast or make sandwiches. This bread masala adds a spicy flavor to bread and makes it more tempting to eat.

Note:

• Bread slices can also be fried for making these bread masala. Those who worry about extra calories can just roast them in a pan ;-)
• While mixing the bread with the masala, do them slowly without losing the shape of bread pieces.

Try this and do post your comments :-)

Preparation Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• Bread - 5 or 6 slices
• Onion - 1 medium sized - cut lengthwise
• Tomato - 1 big sized - finely chopped
• Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp
• Turmeric powder -1 pinch
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1 pinch
• Salt to taste
• Oil or butter - 1 tbsp
• Cilantro - for garnishing

Procedure:

1. Roast bread slices in a pan. You can add oil or butter while roasting the bread. After roasting the bread slices, allow it to cool and cut them into small square shaped pieces. 
   
2. Now heat a large pan and add a tbsp of oil. As the oil is hot, add cardamom cinnamon clove powder. If you do not have powder, it can be added in pieces. As the spices are roasted nice flavor comes out. Add onion and saute until it becomes translucent.
   
3. To the sauteed onion add ginger garlic paste. Saute until the raw smell leaves. Then mix them with turmeric powder and chili powder. keep in medium flame and add the tomato.
    
4. Saute them until it gets mushy. Sprinkle water if it gets too dry. Then add the remaining spices (Coriander powder, cumin powder and garam masala) and mix well. When its completely cooked add the roasted bread slices and stir them slowly, otherwise the slices will shrink. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.
   

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Easy Broccoli Cutlet

Experimenting in kitchen is always a fun and appreciation is always a boost to do more and more different tempting dishes. I prepared this broccoli cutlet when my friends came home for an evening. All loved this cutlet and 1 year old prani kutty even loved eating this cutlet :-) wow...!! I am so happy to see my friends and kids enjoying my preparation....!! A very simple and a quick recipe..!! Made everyone to eat more and more...!! Healthy one too...!!

Preparation Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 15 min

Serves: 10 - 15 cutlets

 
Ingredients:

1. Broccoli - 1 crown (12 florets) - finely chopped
2. Onion - 1 big sized - finely chopped
3. Garlic - 3 or 4 pieces - chopped
4. Oil - 1 tbsp
5. Cheese - 1/4 cup
6. Bread crumps - 1/4 cup
7. Salt to taste

Procedure:

1. Heat a pan with oil, add garlic and sauté it. Garlic gives lot of flavor when sauté  in oil.
   
   
2. Add onion to the pan, sauté until it becomes translucent. To this add broccoli & salt for taste. Cook them until broccoli becomes tender. 
   
3. Remove from heat and add cheese and mix it up with the broccoli. So that cheese is equally spread around the broccoli and onion. Allow it to cool a little, segregate the mixture into small balls. Balls, need not be too tight, make it easy, cheese helps in making broccoli & onion stick to each other. Smaller the balls,  more tempting to eat :-)
   
4. Take bread crumbs in a plate, roll the broccoli ball over the bread crumb and make It flat like a cutlet pressing with fingers.  Just use little energy while pressing. 
   
5. The purpose the bread crumbs is just to give a little crunchy feel, make sure too much crumbs are not covering the broccoli. Lets roast them in a pan, Heat the pan (No oil required) to a medium level. Keep the flame mild.
   
   
6. When heat is medium, place the flattened broccoli cutlet in the pan, just add couple drops of oil over the cutlet. (Oil can also be avoided, if you are worried about the extra calories :-) ) Turn the cutlet, until it is evenly cooked on both the sides. The bread crumbs turn a little brownish. Remove the items from the pan and Hot Broccoli Cutlets are ready to serve.
   

Simple, Quick, Tasty & Healthy Broccoli Cutlets are ready.

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Stuffed Baked Potato

Do you like potatoes?? I know this question would sound funny as its hard to find any one who do not like potatoes. Here is a great treat to the potato lover....!! Especially kids...!! These stuffed potatoes would definitely be a great appetizer or snack that you love to eat...!! A very tasty way to fill your tummy..!! :-)

Preparation Time: 15 min

Baking Time: 25 min + 10 min

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• Potato - 4
• Olive oil - 2 tbsp
• Pepper - 1 tsp
• Chili paste - 1 tsp
• Parmesan cheese - 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Stuffing:

• Onion - 1 scoop
• Tomato - 1 scoop
• Cilantro - 2 tbsp
• Lemon Juice - 1 tsp
• Sour Cream - 1/2 tbsp
• Pepper - 1 pinch
• Salt to taste

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 deg F for 10 min. Meanwhile, Clean the potatoes and tap them dry using a kitchen tissue. Coat them with olive oil, salt and pepper. 
   
2. Arrange the coated potatoes in a baking tray and pierce them with a fork on all side for uniform baking. Place them inside the heated oven. Bake them for 25 min.
   
3. After baking check with a fork or knife. It should be soft. Allow it to cool for 10 min and cut the potatoes into two halves, either horizontal or vertical. I cut them in horizontal style. Using a spoon, scoop inside of the potato leaving a small thick wall and transfer to a bowl.
   
4. Mash the scooped potato. Add chili paste and salt. Mix them well and set aside.
   
5. Meanwhile, mix the ingredients given in "Stuffing" section except sour cream. Mix them well and allow it to rest to 5 min. Then add sour cream and give a stir. 
   
6. In the potato shell, first add the mashed potato and give a light press. Then add the prepared stuffing. Arrange them on baking tray. 
   
7. Top each stuffed potatoes with Parmesan cheese. Again bake them for 8 min and broil for 2 min. Keep an eye on your potatoes while in Broil.
   

Yummy baked potatoes..!! :-)

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