Varuthu aracha Kuzhambu recipe| Varutharacha kuzhambu

வறுத்து அரைச்சகுழம்பு  

Varuthu aracha kuzhambu| Varutharacha kuzhambu as we call, is a sambar like gravy but made using fresh ground spices and traditionally toor dal will not be added, as we add in sambar. Kuzhambu and sambar are different, for kuzhambu generally no cooked dal is added. When my amma visited me in September, she was telling me that my Athai makes a sambar without toor dal and without sambar podi too. I was surprised and asked my mom the recipe for that. Amma couldn't recall the exact way athai makes. I messaged my cousin later and insisted that i want a voice note from Athai for this recipe. Within a week i got the message from my cousin with the recipe of Varuthu aracha kuzhambu in my athai's voice. At this age of 80, i really admire the way they remember everything and able to recall it the moment we ask for that. These traditional heirloom recipes are treasures and i am privileged to document the recipes and pass on to all. If you have any traditional recipes in your family, which you learnt from your mom or grand mom or anybody else, you can share with me, if you wish to.
This recipe is not the Kerala Varuthu aracha sambar. 

Varuthu aracha kuzhambu

  Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 20 Mins |Serves: 4

     Mixed veggies*  1 cup
     Tamarind   a small goose berry sized
     Cooked toor dal  2-3 tblsp (optional)
     Red chili  6
     Coriander seeds  2 tsp
     Rice  1/2 tblsp
     Toor dal  1 tblsp
     Venthayam | methi seeds  1/2 tsp
     Coconut   1/2 cup - 3/4 cup
     Jaggery  a tiny piece( sundakkai size)
     Sesame oil  2 tsp
     Cooking oil  2 tsp
     Asafoetida  2 pinches
    Curry leaves  few
    Turmeric powder   1/2 tsp
    Salt as needed
    Mustard seeds   1/2 tsp 
* I used drumstick, carrot and brinjal. You can use yellow pumpkin, broad beans(avarakkai)and chow chow too.

Method:

• Cut the veggies and keep it aside.
• Soak tamarind in hot water and extract 1 and 1/2 cup of tamarind water.
• If using cooked toor dal, cook that and keep aside.
• In a pan add the veggies.
• Add the tamarind water, salt, asafoetida and turmeric powder.
• Boil this in a low flame till the veggies gets cooked.
• Meanwhile let's roast the ingredients for the kuzhambu.
• In a pan add 2 tsp of cooking oil and add the coriander seeds, toor dal,venthayam,red chili and rice. (i used normal cooking rice)
• Roast till it becomes nice golden brown colour.
• Take out and keep aside.
• Add the coconut to the same pan and roast till it becomes brown. Do not burn it.
• As mentioned by my athai, no traces of white should be visible in the coconut. (vellaiae theiryapadadhu😃)
• Allow this to cool completely and grind this into a fine paste. Use water to grind the mixture.
• Once the veggies are soft, add this ground paste. If needed slightly dilute this and add.
• If adding cooked toor dal add it now. You can skip adding toor dal as the ground masala  itself thickens the kuzhambu.
• I added 2 tblsp of cooked toor dal as i had some after making dal for kids. 
• Mix well and let this boil for 2-4 minutes. Stir well.
• Add water if needed to bring the right consistency.
• Add tiny pinch of jaggery. (As athai said, sundakkai alavukku vellam)
• Switch off the flame.
• In a pan add sesame oi, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• When the mustard seeds splutter, transfer this to the kuzhambu.
• Mix this just before serving.
• Varutharacha kuzhambu is ready to serve.
• We had this with urulai kizhangu kara curry.

     

Method with step by step pictures:

• Cut the veggies and keep it aside.
• Soak tamarind in hot water and extract 1 and 1/2 cup of tamarind water.
• If using cooked toor dal, cook that and keep aside.
• In a pan add the veggies.
• Add the tamarind water, salt, asafoetida and turmeric powder.
• Boil this in a low flame till the veggies gets cooked.

• Meanwhile let's roast the ingredients for the kuzhambu.
• In a pan add 2 tsp of cooking oil and add the coriander seeds, toor dal,venthayam,red chili and rice. (i used normal cooking rice)
• Roast till it becomes nice golden brown colour.
• Take out and keep aside.

• Add the coconut to the same pan and roast till it becomes brown. Do not burn it.
• As mentioned by my athai, no traces of white should be visible in the coconut. (vellaiae theiryapadadhu😃)

• Allow this to cool completely and grind this into a fine paste. Use water to grind the mixture.

• Once the veggies are soft, add this ground paste. If needed slightly dilute this and add.
• If adding cooked toor dal add it now. You can skip adding toor dal as the ground masala  itself thickens the kuzhambu.
• I added 2 tblsp of cooked toor dal as i had some after making dal for kids. 

• Mix well and let this boil for 2-4 minutes. Stir well.
• Add water if needed to bring the right consistency.
• Add tiny pinch of jaggery. (As athai said, sundakkai alavukku vellam)
• Switch off the flame.
• In a pan add sesame oil, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• When the mustard seeds splutter, transfer this to the kuzhambu.

• Mix this just before serving.
• Varutharacha kuzhambu is ready to serve.
• We had this with urulai kizhangu kara curry.

Notes:

1. Rice and toor dal brings the thickness to the gravy, but do not add more than the quantity mentioned.
2. You can add small onions if you want, but traditionally onions are not added in this varuthu aracha sambar.

     

Sweet potato cutlet recipe

Sweet potato cutlet | sakkara valli kizhangu cutlet recipe with video and step by step pictures. Cutlets are always loved by everyone at my place. Though i make it rarely,but whenever i make, i make Potato cutlet only. Last year, when i posted sweet potato chaat itself, i planned to post the sweet potato cutlet recipe. Finally i tried sweet potato cutlet today and i loved it very much. The sweetness of the potato with the flavor of the spices added, complimented the cutlet so well. I am sure this is a perfect tea time snack for a rainy day evening, along with a cup of hot ginger tea.
     Generally sweet potato cutlet is made during fasting days. But i didn't make it as a no onion no garlic version.

Custard Powder banana pancake, Eggless pancake recipes

Custard powder pancake with banana puree, these soft fluffy eggless pancakes was my breakfast yesterday morning. I got the idea of  Custard powder pancake, i got after seeing this Instagram post. She used pumpkin puree in that and i replaced that with banana puree. It turned out so soft and tasted so yum. We have 2 pancake fans at our home, the moment i say pancake, the eyes will wide open with happiness, one is Varsha and another one is my helper. Somehow me, Suresh and Varun are not a great fan of pancakes but we still eat whenever we make it at home. This Custard powder pancakes were so flavourful and me being a big fan of fruit custard loved the pancakes. I used the measurements of my Eggless Whole wheat pancake recipe.

Stuffed Idli recipe,Stuffed idli bites

Stuffed idli recipe | Idli bites| Idli sandwich, is a simple tiffin or starter made with idli batter and potato stuffing. I have already given the recipe of stuffed idli in my second cook book, Kutties kitchen.  I wanted to post the recipe in Jeyashri's kitchen too and tried this morning. After i finished making this, i had this thought of smearing the idlis with molaga podi. Then came the idea of cutting them into mini bite sized pieces and make it a more attractive starter. I tasted so yum and was totally addictive too. I have few other stuffing in my mind, which i will share in Jeyashri's kitchen Instagram. Follow us on Instagram to get the updates. Also check out my similar recipe

• Bread masala dosa rolls
• Mini podi idli.

Turmeric milk recipe

Turmeric milk recipe,Turmeric milk with video, made with fresh turmeric,ginger, pepper and palm jaggery. Generally when we have dry cough or sore throat, amma used to give hot milk with manjal podi and milagu in the night before going to sleep. Generally doctors say milk or milk products thickens the phlegm, but when turmeric and pepper is added it is will not do any harm. The naturopathy doctor whom i visited few months back, suggested me to add 2 pinches of turmeric and pepper powder to the water i drink everyday. It reduces inflammation in the body and acts as an anti oxidant. I have started taking the water in that way and i am used to that now. Try this turmeric milk for the rainy season and say good bye to your cough. I used fresh turmeric in this recipe. You can use turmeric powder too.

Masala rice recipe, Easy lunch box recipes

Masala rice | Vegetable pulao, is a simple and easy lunch box recipe. I made this for Sunday lunch and shared in Jeyashri's kitchen Instagram and mentioned that i will share the recipe of masala rice. Yesterday i made the masala rice  and made a video of it too. This is nothing but a simple Vegetable pulao recipe, with the addition of more Indian spices. It's very handy and a quick recipe and an easy one pot meal recipe. I have just given my style of making this and you can make your own variations to suit your taste buds.
Check out my

• Beetroot pulao
• Palak pulao

Keerai Vepudu recipe | Spinach stir fry

Keerai Vepudu | Keerai poriyal | Keerai thuvattal, is a dry curry made with spinach. Vepudu is basically Andhra style curry. I learnt this keerai vepudu from Chef. Venkatesh bhat's show few months back. I have tried this few times at home and recently made this during last weekend and shared in Jeyashri's kitchen Instagram too. I generally make keerai kootu and poriyal is a rare thing i make using round spinach. Generally keerai poriyal will be made using Murunga keerai | drumstick leaves. Both my kids will never fuss for keerai kootu and in fact they love to have spinach. But they won't prefer keerai in the form of poriyal. This keerai vepudu, they liked it, but since i made Sambar sadam along with that, they skipped eating the vepudu this time.

Margherita Pizza recipe, Pizza Margherita

Pizza Margherita | Margherita pizza is a classic cheesy pizza uses mainly cheese and tomatoes for topping. Generally we add veggies like capsicum ,sweet corn, baby corn, olives for pizza topping. I have posted Tandoori paneer pizza (with video)too which is again a classic pizza with Paneer toppings. This morning i planned to make pizza for kids when they are back from school. I asked them about the topping options and Varsha suggested Margherita pizza and Varun too agreed to that. Approval form both the kids for a dish is a bliss. Moms with 2 kids will vouch for this. Treat your family with this easy Margarita pizza recipe this weekend.

Sweet corn masala recipe, side dish for chapathi

Sweet corn masala, an onion tomato based gravy pairs well with roti and pulaos. I have tried a sweet corn masala gravy once for Aval vikatan supplement. This method is almost similar to my Paneer butter masala recipe. Yesterday i saw a pack of sweet corn lying in my refrigerator,generally i pressure cook that with salt and have it as is. But suddenly i thought i will make a masala gravy with that, to pair with roti. It turned out well and it was creamy and yum.

My kids who are fond of Sweet corn, loved this sweet corn masala. I made some kulchas for the kids and we both had with rotis.

Sweet corn masala recipe

  Preparation Time : 15 mins | Cooking Time : 10 Mins |Serves: 4

   Sweet corn kernels  1 cup
   Onion   3
   Tomato  2
   Capsicum  3 tblsp
   Garlic  5-6 cloves
   Yogurt   1 tblsp
   Oil  3 tblsp
   Red chili powder  1 tsp
   Cumin powder  1/2 tsp
   Coriander powder  1/2 tsp
   Garam masala   1 tsp
   Kasoori methi  2 pinches
   Cashew nuts  7-9
   Milk  1/3 cup
   Salt  as needed  
Method:

• If using fresh sweet corn, pressure cook this by adding little salt and take out the kernels one by one.
• Chop one onion into small cubes and the capsicum also into small cubes.
• Chop another onion finely.
• The remaining one onion chop roughly as we will grind this onion.
• Chop the tomato into two and grind this in a mixie.
• Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 10 minutes. 
• Drain the water and grind this into a smooth paste using the milk. Mix the remaining milk to this and keep this aside.
• In a pan add 1 tblsp of oil and add the cubed onions and capsicum.
• Saute this by adding little salt to this. 
• Let the capsicum be crunchy and ensure it should not become soft.
• Keep this aside.
• In the same pan add little oil and add the roughly chopped onions and the garlic.
• Cook this till it turns slightly golden brown colour.
• Keep this aside.
• Cool completely and grind into a fine paste. Add little water while grinding.
• In a pan add 1 tblsp of oil and add the finely chopped onions.
• Cook till it becomes translucent.
• Add the onion paste to this. Cook for a minute.
• Add the ground tomato puree to this.
• Add the red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt and garam masala.
• Add the yogurt to this. 
• Cook this in a medium low flame for 10 minutes, till the raw smell disappears.
• The gravy will splutter as it shrinks, so keep it covered to avoid mess around the kitchen hob.
• Add the sweet corn now, and add 1/2 cup of water.
• Let this cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the cashew milk mixture now and simmer the flame.
• Add the sauted capsicum and onions.
• Crush the kasoori methi and add to this gravy.
• Mix well.
• Switch off the flame.
• Sweet corn masala is ready to serve.
• Serve with chapati, pulao, naan or even plain basmati rice too.

   
     
     

Method with step wise pictures:

• If using fresh sweet corn, pressure cook this by adding little salt and take out the kernels one by one.
• Chop one onion into small cubes and the capsicum also into small cubes.
• Chop another onion finely.
• The remaining one onion chop roughly as we will grind this onion.
• Chop the tomato into two and grind this in a mixie.

• Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 10 minutes. 
• Drain the water and grind this into a smooth paste using the milk. Mix the remaining milk to this and keep this aside.

• In a pan add 1 tblsp of oil and add the cubed onions and capsicum.
• Saute this by adding little salt to this. 
• Let the capsicum be crunchy and ensure it should not become soft.
• Keep this aside.

• In the same pan add 1 tblsp oil and add the roughly chopped onions and the garlic.
• Cook this till it turns slightly golden brown colour.
• Keep this aside.
• Cool completely and grind into a fine paste. Add little water while grinding.

• In a pan add 1 tblsp of oil and add the finely chopped onions.

• Cook till it becomes translucent.
• Add the onion paste to this. Cook for a minute.

• Add the ground tomato puree to this.
• Add the red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt and garam masala.

• Add the yogurt to this. 
• Cook this in a medium low flame for 10 minutes, till the raw smell disappears.

• The gravy will splutter as it shrinks, so keep it covered to avoid mess around the kitchen hob.
• Add the sweet corn now, and add 1/2 cup of water.

• Let this cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the cashew milk mixture now and simmer the flame.
• Add the sauted capsicum and onions.

• Crush the kasoori methi and add to this gravy.
• Mix well.

• Switch off the flame.
• Sweet corn masala is ready to serve.
• Serve with chapati, pulao, naan or even plain basmati rice too.

Notes:

1. You can add one green chili while adding the ground onion paste.
2. Few paneer cubes can be added too.
3. Instead of cashew milk paste, you can add fresh cream in the last too.
4. This  creamy Sweet corn masala is a perfect one for potluck parties too.

         

Tomato gotsu recipe| Thakkali kichidi |side dish for idli dosa

Thakkali kichidi | tomato gotsu, a simple side dish for idli| dosa, recipe with video. I recently heard about this recipe of Thakkali kichidi from my friend, during our morning walk. She was telling that her daughter loves this a lot and she make s this very often. I wanted to try this at home and made this today and served with dosa. It was tasty and quite different from our usual chutneys. She calls it as thakkali kichidi, you can name it as tomato gotsu, or tomato chutney.. Give your own name, but trust me, the gravy tasted so yummy with dosa. I am sure it will be tasty with idli, pongal and even chapathi poori too.
Later i had some left over gotsu with curd rice and it tasted very well. A simple side dish using tomato, goes well with everything. Try this simple recipe at home and let me know how it turns out.
Check out the complete collection of Side dish for idli |dosa from jeyashri's kitchen