TOMATO VATHAKUZHAMBHU RECIPE | THAKKALI VATHAKUZHAMBHU

WITHOUT TAMARIND – NO ONION NO GARLIC RECIPE

Vathakuzhambhu is a my all time favorite recipe and already i have posted my version of vathakuzhambhu with video too. This thakkali kuzhambhu is a unique recipe which is made without tamarind and almost tastes like a chunky tomato thokku. This weekend i made this vathakuzhambhu after a very long time and we all enjoyed with hot rice and poricha kootu.
Also check out my

• Arai puli kuzhambu
• Vendakkai puli mandi

INGREDIENTS:

TOMATO	4-5 NO
SAMBAR POWDER	3 –4 TSP
SALT	AS NEEDED
ASAFOETIDA	1/4 TSP
JAGGERY	1/ TSP
SESAME OIL	2 TBLSP
TOOR DAL	2 TSP
MUSTARD SEEDS	1/4 TSP
FENUGREEK SEEDS(VENDAYAM)	1/4 TSP
DRY RED CHILIES	2 NO
TURMERIC POWDER	1/4 TSP
WATER	2 CUPS
CURRY LEAVES	FEW

METHOD:

• Chop the tomatoes into fine pieces.

• In a pan add  sesame oil and add the mustard seeds, toor dal vendayam(fenugreek seeds) and when the mustard crackles add the red chillies.

• Now add the sambar powder and saute for few seconds.

• Now add the chopped tomatoes and saute well for 3minutes in a medium flame.

• Now add 2 cups of water and add salt, turmeric powder and jaggery.
• Let this mixture boil for 12 to 15 minutes till the raw smell of the sambar powder goes and the kuzhambhu reaches the right consistency.

• Before transferring this to a serving bowl add a tsp of sesame oil and add curry leaves.

• If handled with a dry and clean spoon this can be kept in the refrigerator and consumed for 2 days.

Puli milagai recipe, Side dish for dosa

Puli Milagai a spicy gravy, Green chilies cooked in tamarind gravy a quite popular Tamil brahmin recipe, side dish for dosai.  Generally it is made in our homes for un fermented dosa. We call it as “puliya dosai”. And also it is a best combo for curd rice too. 

I have never tried pulimilagai at home, when my mom was here last week, she loved the chilies which we get here and wanted to make it. So i just took my camera and just clicked the pictures without taking any effort!!. So here goes the recipe of puli milagai made by my mom.

Puli milagai recipe

• Recipe Cusine: Indian
• Prep Time: 10 Minutes
• Cook time: 20 Minutes
• Serves: 4-5
• Author: Jeyashri
• Recipe Category: Lunch | Dinner
• Description: Puli Milagai a spicy gravy, Green chilies cooked in tamarind gravy a quite popular Tamil brahmin recipe, side dish for dosai

     Green chili  25-30
     Tamarind extract  2 cups (from a small lemon sized tamarind)
     Turmeric powder  1/4 tsp
     Jaggery  2 tblsp
    Asafoetida  a pinch
    Sesame oil  2 tblsp
    Salt  as needed
    

Method with step by step pictures :

• Wash and pat dry the chilies and chop them into fine pieces.

• Take extract from a small lemon size of tamarind . I used the 2 tsp of read ymade tamarind paste .

• In a pan add oil and throw in the mustard seeds. When it splutters add the chopped green chilies and saute till it becomes light brown in color.
• Be careful at this stage. Keep your Kitchen windows open and use the electric chimney in the kitchen. Stay slightly away from the gas stove as the chili may splutter. Keep the flame in medium.

• When it is is done, slowly add the tamarind extract and add salt, jaggery ,asafoetida and turmeric powder. The addition of jaggery is to balance the spice.

• Let this mixture boil in a medium flame for 12 to 15 minutes.
• My mom always makes it in a thin consistency, but if you want it little thick just boil it for few more minutes.
• Serve with idli | dosa | curd rice.

Note:

• Add little extra  jaggery  if the chilies are very hot.
• This can be stored in the refrigerator, in a clean ,dry container for a week..

TANDOORI ALOO RECIPE

   Potatoes are always find place in all parties and this tandoori aloo recipe is a wonderful starter for a party and can be had as an accompaniment to rice| puloas too. I saw this recipe of tandoori aloo in Laskhmi's place and i bookmarked this and waiting to try this. Last week i got cute baby potatoes from the market and tried this yesterday morning . Tandoori aloo turned out so crisp and yum.
I tried this recipe both in oven and stove top and i was pretty happy with both the results.. Couldn’t take step wise pictures as i was in a hurry and it was a weekday morning. But will update soon with stepwise pictures.
Lakshmi made the tandoori masala by herself and  me being a lazy person didn’t do this and used store bought tandoori masala.
This recipe can be made with normal big potatoes too .

INGREDIENTS:

BABY POTATOES	25 NO
GINGER GARLIC PASTE	1/2 TSP
YOGURT	2 TBLSP
TANDOORI MASALA POWDER	1 TSP
RED CHILLI POWDER	1/2 TSP
SALT	1/4 TSP
OIL	1 TSP
CORINADER LEAVES	FEW

METHOD:

• Par boil the potatoes and when done peel off the skin.
• In a bowl mix the yogurt , tandoori masala powder,ginger garlic paste, redchilli powder and salt.
• Pour this over the parboiled potatoes and marinate for 8-10 hours, preferably overnight.
• This is very important so that the masala will get into potatoes.
• Grease your baking tray or line in the tray with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C.
• Turn the potatoes and bake for another 5 minutes.

ATERNATIVELY you can make this on stove top too .

• In a non stick pan add a tsp of oil and throw in the marinated potatoes.
• Cook for 5 minutes in medium flame and carefully turn over this without mashing the potatoes.
• Cook till you find golden spots on all sides.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves if you want.
• Enjoy as a starter with Dip of your choice.

MINESTRONE SOUP RECIPE | VEGETABLE MINESTRONE SOUP RECIPE

   Whenever we go to Pizza hut here, we order this minestrone soup and i was searching for a perfect and easy recipe for vegetarian version of minestrone soup. I bookmarked the recipe from here. This minestrone soup tasted awesome and was quite filling too.

INGREDIENTS:(SERVES 3-4 )

ONION	1 NO.
TOMATO	2 NO
TOMATO PASTE | TOMATO SAUCE	2 TSP
GARLIC	1 NO
CARROT| CORN|BABY CORN	1/2 CUP(FINELY CHOPPED)
PASTA	A FISTFUL
CHICK PEAS	A FISTFUL(SOAKED OVERNIGHT)
ITALIAN SEASONING	1 TSP
SALT AND SUGAR	TO TASTE
PEPPER POWDER	1/4 TSP
CHILLI FLAKES	1/2 TSP
OLIVE OIL	1 TSP

METHOD:

• Soak the chick peas for 6 to 8 hours and pressure cook them for 3 whistles.

• Chop the onions, tomatoes and the veggies finely.
• You can use any veggies of your choice.
• Finely chop the garlic too.

• In a pan add oil and  throw in the minced garlic, italian seasoning and pepper.
• Add onions and saute for few minutes till it becomes translucent.

• Now add the chopped tomatoes. and saute for few minutes.
• Saute till the tomatoes turn soft.

• Add the chopped veggies,pasta , cooked chickpeas and add 2 cups of water.

• Add the tomato paste to this and mix well.
• Cook in medium flame for 10 to 12 minutes.

• Soup is ready to serve now.
• This soup was very filling .

Note:

• Chick peas can be replaced with red kidney beans or black beans.
• Any variety of pasta can be used.

ONION TOMATO GRAVY RECIPE | BACHELOR RECIPES

 Onion tomato gravy is a simple side dish for chapathi|dosai,perfect for picnics. I can say this is a bachelor friendly recipe.Mom usually makes this for long journeys and this can be mixed with rice too. We usually call this as thakkali vengayam. I usually make this onion tomato gravy whenever i run out of any veggies and no mood to make any elaborate side dish for idli or dosa or roti. This pairs well with masala paratha and Masala poori. 

Onion tomato Gravy

Recipe Cuisine: Indian|  Recipe Category: Lunch | Dinner
Prep Time: 15 mins   |  Cook time:20 mins |  serves: 3-4 | Author: Jeyashri 
Onion tomato gravy is a simple side dish for chapathi|dosai,perfect for picnics. Simple Bachelor recipe

    Onion  3
    Tomato  2
    Sambar powder 1 and 1/2 tsp
    Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
    Salt  as needed
    Oil  2 tblsp
    Mustard seeds  1/4 tsp
    Sugar | Jaggery  1/2 tsp
    Curry leaves  few
    Asafoetida  a pinch
    Water  1/4 cup to 1/2 cup

Method

• Thinly slice the onions and chop the tomatoes.
• In a pan add oil and throw in the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• When the mustard crackles add the sliced onions.
• When it turns pink add the chopped tomatoes.
• Add the sambar powder,turmeric powder, salt and asafoetida.
• Add water to this and close this with a lid.
• Keep the flame in medium.
• Stir in between and let it be in medium flame till the tomato turns mushy.
• Add jaggery| sugar and mix well.
• Serve hot with Roti, idli or dosa.

Method

• Thinly slice the onions and chop the tomatoes.

• In a pan add oil and throw in the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• When the mustard crackles add the sliced onions.

• When it turns pink add the chopped tomatoes.

• Add the sambar powder,turmeric powder, salt and asafoetida.

• Add water to this and close this with a lid.
• Keep the flame in medium.
• Stir in between and let it be in medium flame till the tomato turns mushy.
• Add jaggery| sugar and mix well.

• Serve hot with Roti, idli or dosa.

Note:

• You can add 1/4 tsp of freshly ground black pepper and you can reduce the quantity of sambar powder.
• If you are packing for any picnic or trips, once it is done, just allow it to cool completely and store it in a clean dry bottle or plastic box.
• You can cook this for more time till it becomes completely dry and this will stay little more longer than the gravy one.
• Always use clean dry spoon to take the onion tomato gravy.

Ulundu vadai recipe, Medhu vadai recipe

  “Ulundu Vadai or Medhu Vadai, a popular, crispy, South Indian snack | breakfast accompaniment made using Urad dal. I usually make Medhu vadai during festivals or when I have guests at home, hence, never really got an opportunity to patiently click pictures. I am used to making Medhu Vadais for a long time now and I can confidently make them in large quantities as well. Since my mom is here with me for a week, I decided to make ulundu vadais and she sweetly waited for me to finish clicking the pictures, after which we both enjoyed the Vadais with piping hot filter coffee. A perfect combo for a rainy weather, you bet!

• Sambar vadai
• Thayir vadai
• Rasa vadai

CAULIFLOWER KHEEMA RECIPE |GOBI KA KHEEMA| SIDE DISH FOR ROTI

       Last week i have 2 packets of cauliflower which was passed to me by my friend , who was leaving for a holiday and I washed them and grated and planned to make Gobi paratha for kids lunch box the next day morning. But when my little one who is a very picky eater wanted to have chapati and side dish. As the next day is  the first day of the school after the holidays i don’t want to disappoint him and was searching for a recipe with the grated cauliflower and came across an interesting recipe here. This turned out super yum and both the kids loved this.
Also check out my

• Veg kheema masala
• Paneer bhurji

Serves 2-3

GRATED CAULIFLOWER	2 CUPS
GREEN PEAS	1/4 CUP( FROZEN)
ONION	1
TOMATO PUREE or TOMATO	3 TBLSP or 1 tomato
GINGER GARLIC PASTE	1/2 TSP
RED CHILLI POWDER	1/2 TSP
CORIANDER POWDER	1/2 TSP
CUMIN SEED POWDER	1/4 TSP
OIL	1-2 TBLSP
GARAM MASALA	1/4 TSP

METHOD:

• In a pan add little oil and saute the grated cauliflower till it becomes slight golden brown.

• Keep it aside. Chop the onions finely.
• In a pan, add oil and add the chopped onions.
• When it becomes pink in color add the ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes and the onions become golden brown . Keep the flame medium.

• Add the tomato puree ( if using tomatoes just blanch them and make a puree)  and mix well.
• Add the frozen peas.
• I usually keep the peas outside for 5 minutes to bring it down to room temperature.

• Add the red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin seed powder and garam masala.
• Now add cauliflower and mix well.

• Cook for 5-6 minutes.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.