BADAM HALWA RECIPE | CELEBRATING 3 YEARS OF BLOGGING

  Today my blog turns 3 and i wanted to celebrate the occasion with a sweet. Before going into the recipe, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Raji of Raks Kitchen who motivated me to start my own blog and  cleared even my silly doubts patiently in all times. When i came to Singapore 4  years back the cyber world is totally new to me and I don’t know anything other than checking of emails. Then slowly when I started searching recipes on Google I came across Rak’s Kitchen and started chatting with her. Then we exchanged phone numbers and started sharing even many things apart from food.  Slowly after a year with lot of motivation from her side I  started my own blog and moved into my own domain after 2 years of blogging.
My family is a great support to me and Suresh encourages me a lot in each and every step. During my India Trip few months back , i wanted to design a Visiting card for me and I was very surprised to see the enthusiasm in Suresh and my daughter Varsha in designing the card.  Varsha who loves variety of food and have little interest in cooking and because of her I started trying out more dishes other than Traditional South Indian Dishes. My little one Varun is slowly gaining interest in food but he always say “Baby you are an awesome cook”!!
Most of my cooking are inspired from my Mom who is an awesome cook and cooks for a huge crowd effortlessly. Many times i silently observed her the way she cooks and i have  learnt a lot from her too.
I am happy to have a good circle of friends in the blogging sphere who motivates me a lot in each and every step . I extend my heartfelt thanks to all my readers, friends and followers and all my fellow bloggers who visit my space and  try out my recipes .
So now coming to the recipe, I tried badam halwa from Raks Kitchen and it turned out so well and i loved the texture and the taste very much.
Also check out my

• Easy Godhumai halwa
• Kasi halwa

INGREDIENTS:

BADAM |ALMONDS	1/2 CUP(Heaped)
SUGAR	1/2 CUP(Heaped)
GHEE	1/4 CUP
MILK	1/4 CUP
CONDENSED MILK	3 TBLSP(OPTIONAL)
YELLOW FOOD COLOR or SAFFRON	A PINCH
CARDAMOM POWDER	A PINCH

METHOD:

• Soak the badam in hot water for an hour.
• Take out the skin and grind this into a smooth paste by adding milk to this.

• In a heavy bottomed deep vessel ( i used a non stick one) add the sugar and add 1/2 cup of water. Boil till the sugar dissolves and when it is completely dissolved lower the flame and add the ground almond paste.

• Mix this without any lumps and the condensed milk(if using) , food color and cardamom powder. If using saffron soak it in warm milk for 10 minutes and add. I didn’t use cardamom powder.

• Stir it continuously and slowly start adding ghee to this.
• When you see white colour bubbles on the sides of the pan switch off the flame and transfer it to a greased plate or bowl.
• The entire process will take 3-4  minutes. Keep the flame medium low.

• I added a dash of Everest Milk Masala at the end to enhance the flavor.
• You can store this in the refrigerator for 4 – 5 days. Just warm it up in the Microwave before eating which gives the perfect taste of badam halwa.

Note:

• Adding the right amount of ghee will give a nice texture to the halwa and so add it as per the quantity mentioned.
• Once it cools down it will be thickened, wait for a while to get the perfect texture.

CHICKPEAS SALAD WITH THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING

RECIPE FOR BOTH- a LOW FAT VERSION OF THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING WITHOUT EGGS

Salads are always a super hit at my place. When i soaked channa for making Channa pulao i felt it was little extra and kept a  1/2 cup of soaked chickpeas aside for making salad. Suddenly i thought of making the salad with a dressing and i adopted this Thousand island dressing from Tarla dalal’s cook book. Though we get ready made Thousand island dressing in super markets, most of them contains eggs. So i wanted to try it out at home and it is a low fat version of Salad and diet watchers go ahead to try out the recipe of chickpeas salad with Thousand island dressing.
Also check out my

• Thai cucumber and pineapple salad
• Beetroot salad

INGREDIENTS ( FOR THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING)

YOGURT	1/2 CUP
MUSTARD POWDER	1/2 TSP
SUGAR	1/2 TSP
TOMATO KETCHUP	1 TBLSP
CHOPPED ONION	1 TBLSP
GREEN CHILLI	1/2 NO
CHOPPED CAPSICUM	2 TBLSP
SALT	AS NEEDED

FOR SALAD:

CHICKPEAS|CHANNA(BOILED)	1/2 CUP
POTATO(BOILED)	1/2 NO.
CARROT	1/2 NO.
CABBAGE(SHREDDED)	1/4 CUP
ONION	1/2
PEPPER POWDER	1/2 TSP

FOR THE DRESSING:

• Combine all the ingredients mentioned in the 1st table .
• I used the mortar and pestle to make mustard powder.

• Chop the carrots, onions and combine the boiled chickpeas, boiled chickpeas, cabbage and pepper in a wide bowl.

• Just before serving combine all the salad and thousand island dressing.
• Mix well. Serve immediately.

Note:

1. Vegetables used in the salad is truly optional. I just added the veggies which i had in my hand.
2. The dressing has to be consumed on the same day. Do not store for more than 5 hours.

BRINJAL GRAVY RECIPE (WITHOUT TAMARIND)

    This brinjal gravy recipe i got from a very good friend of mine which they used to call as “Kathrikkai Puli illa Kuzhambhu”, which means Brinjal gravy without tamarind. For a person like me who hates to extract tamarind juice, this type of gravies are really most welcome. So i asked her the recipe and it sounded very simple and tried the next week and it turned out so well and i enjoyed with hot rice along with Green peas curry.
Also check out my

• Ennai kathrikkai kuzhambu
• Kathrikkai rasavangi

In this recipe the brinjals are cooked in the water which is used to rinse the rice. After a quick wash of uncooked rice take out the second water which is used to wash the rice, which we normally discard.
INGREDIENTS:

BRINJALS(EGGPLANTS)	5-6 NO
WATER FROM WASHED RICE	2 CUPS
OIL	1 TSP
SHALLOTS	4
CORIANDER SEEDS	1 TBLSP
CHANNA DAL	1 TBLSP
RED CHILLY	3-4
COCONUT(GRATED)	4 TBLSP
SALT	TO TASTE
TURMERIC POWDER	A PINCH

METHOD:

• Cut the brinjals into four halves( i used the small one)
• In a pan add oil and roast the coriander seeds, channa dal, red chilly and shallots till the dal turns golden brown.

• Allow this to cool and keep it aside.
• Meanwhile cook the brinjals in the washed rice water, which is otherwise called as arisi mandi.
• Add salt and turmeric powder to this.

• Grind the roasted spices along with coconut into a fine paste, adding little water water to this .

• When the brinjals are half cooked add this ground masala and cook nicely in a medium low flame.
• When the brinjals are completely cooked and the gravy becomes thick switch off the flame.

• Garnish with curry leaves and enjoy with hot rice.

The water which we use gives a nice creamy texture to the gravy and its quite healthy too.

THOOL PAKODA RECIPE | DEEP FRIED ONION FRITTERS

   Thool pakoda recipe| Onion Pakoda,deep fried onion fritters, made using gram flour,rice flour and onions. It is a popular snack in my home town Madurai. My dad used to but this from a shop and we all love this very much. Among all,my grandmother is  a huge fan of these thool pakodas and my athais too.I personally love to have this with curd rice  more than as  a tea time snack.

Check out

• Mixed veg pakoda
• Spring onion pakora 

GREEN PEAS CURRY RECIPE – DRY VERSION

   Few days ago when i saw the Fresh green peas in the nearby Indian Grocery store, i picked up a small packet and though we always frozen peas nothing can equal the taste of this fresh green peas. I wanted to make this  green peas curry which my mom’s friend makes for us when we were kids. This is a wonderful combo for Garlic Rasam and hot rice.
Also try my

• Mochai potato curry
• Yam curry 

INGREDIENTS:

GREEN PEAS	1/2 CUP
SHALLOTS	10 NO
COCONUT	3 TBLSP
CUMIN SEEDS	1/4 TSP
SALT	AS NEEDED
RED CHILLY	2 NO
GARLIC	2 NO
OIL	1 TSP
MUSTARD SEEDS	1/2 TSP
TURMERIC POWDER	A PINCH

METHOD:

• Take out the peas from the shell.
• Take out the skin of shallots and chop them finely.

• Add water in a wide vessel and add the green peas . Add a pinch of turmeric powder and salt to this and cook till the peas gets cooked. This will take approximately 10 minutes.
• Drain the water, once it is cooked and keep it aside.

• In a pan add oil and throw in the mustard seeds. When it splutters add the chopped shallots.

• Grind the coconut, red chilly, cumin seed, and garlic into a fine paste adding very little water.

• When the onions turn golden brown add in the cooked green peas and the ground masala.

• Mix it nicely and cook for 2 minutes to  get the masala infused into the peas and check for salt.
• Garnish with curry leaves.

• This can be served even with rotis too.

Note:

1. Cumin seeds can be replaced with fennel seeds to enhance more flavor.
2. 2-3 shallots can be added while grinding the masala.

MICROWAVE PALKOVA | THIRATIPAL RECIPE

Using condensed milk- ready in 10 minutes – with 3 ingredients Gokulashtami recipes

    When i came to Singapore four years back, my hubby’s friend’s wife sent a box of Thiratipal which tasted awesome and when i called and thanked her and she told me that she made the Thiratipal in Microwave  and she made with condensed milk. Those days i never know that we can search for recipes in Internet and i called her again and noted down the recipe.  After that i tried that once .Later , i totally forgot about the recipe.
Two days back, suddenly i remembered about that recipe and saw in that note book which i have noted the recipe and made it yesterday and since i don’t have Microwave at my place , i went to my friend’s place and made the thiratipal. This got ready in 10 minutes and the taste was too good .
Also check out my

• Stove top thiratipaal
• Badam milk peda recipe

INGREDIENTS:(YIELDS 1 CUP)

CONDENSED MILK	1 CAN(480 ML)
YOGURT	3 TBLSP
GHEE | BUTTER	1/2 TBLSP

METHOD:

• Grease a microwave safe  bowl, (take a bigger one) with ghee or butter.

• Open the condensed milk and pour it fully into the bowl and add the yogurt.

• Keep it in Microwave high for10 minutes and stir in between(every 40 seconds)

• After 10- 12 minutes this will come to a good thriatipal consistency.

• Even it is slightly loose don’t bother, it will get thick when cooled down.
• Mine got done in 12 minutes. the timing differs from each microwave.

Note:

1. I have seen in a blog that you can add a tblsp of cocoa powder in the beginning and make a chocolate flavored thriatipal.
2. You can garnish with chopped pistachios or badams .
3. A pinch of saffron can be added to enhance the flavor.

Vella seedai, Vella cheedai recipe, Gokulashtami recipes

  

 Recipe updated with video

Vella Cheedai| Vella Seedai recipe is a very popular sweet made during Gokulashtami/Krishna
Jayanthi in Tamil Nadu, Deep-fried sweet balls made of jaggery and rice flour.. For a long time, I found making Vella Cheedai quite tricky as I failed many a times while trying to make them. Either the vella cheedais would become hard or completely dissolve when immersed in oil. Last Saturday, all of a sudden, I thought of giving this vella cheedai a try once again. It started off well and just when I started adding the cheedais in oil, the whole thing turned into a disaster. No marks for guessing that the cheedais got completely dissolved in oil. Though I felt a little bad, I did not give up and made a fresh batch after taking a few tips from my friend’s mother. I was overjoyed on getting perfect vella seedais and now I can happily say that I can make vella cheedais with ease. I have updated the recipe with Video. I have also posted a salted version of these cheedais.  Check out my uppu seedai recipe.  Check out my full collection of Janmashtami | krishnajayanthi recipes

Aloo matar masala recipe, Side dish for chapati

Aloo matar masala recipe

Aloo matar masala in pressure cooker,  a popular combo of potatoes and green peas cooked in onion tomato based gravy, pairs well with chapati, poori and also for biryanis. Last week when we went to a nearby Indian Restaurant for dinner, we decided not to order for any paneer dish and finally ended up in ordering Aloo mutter gravy. While we were enjoying the aloo matar masala, my husband asked me, whether i have this recipe of aloo matar in Jeyashri's kitchen. I immediately tried the recipe the following week and sharing the recipe with you all now. This recipe i learnt my cousin Kirthika, from whom i learnt the recipe of Pav bhaji ,needless to say, she is an expert in cooking. I still can’t forget the taste of the aloo mutter which she cooked for me when was pregnant with my second baby.

Check out my other popular recipes, which pairs with chapati.

• Green peas masala
• Veg kheema masala
• Aloo gobi mutter dry

Aloo matar masala recipe

• Recipe Cusine: Indian
• Prep Time: 10 Minutes
• Cook time: 20 Minutes
• Serves: 3-4
• Author: Jeyashri
• Recipe Category: Lunch | Dinner
• Description: Aloo matar masala,in pressure cooker, a popular combo of potatoes and green peas cooked in onion tomato based gravy, pairs well with chapati, poori and also for biryanis

     Potato 2
    Green peas  1/2 cup
    Onion  1
    Tomato  2 
    Green chili  1
    Oil  1 tblsp
    Coriander powder  1 tsp
    Cumin powder   1 tsp
    Red chili powder  1- 1.5 tsp
    Garam masala  3/4 tsp
    Salt   as needed
    

Method with step by step pictures :

• Chop the onions and tomatoes. Peel the skin of the potato and cut into cubes.
• Puree the tomato. 
• In a pressure cooker, add oil and add the chopped onions and slit green chili.
• Saute till they turns pink.
• Add the pureed tomatoes and saute till they turn mushy.

• Keep the flame in medium.
• When done add the coriander powder, red chilly  powder, cumin powder and garam masala.
• Mix well and cook for few minutes. 

• Saute for a while and add the cubed potatoes and green peas.
• Add 1 to 1 and 1/2 cup of water and add salt.

• Close the lid of the pressure cook and cook till 3 whistles.

• Garnish with coriander and serve hot with chapathi | jeera rice.

• Aloo matar masala | aloo mutter masala is ready to serve. 

Note:

• Ginger garlic paste can be added. If adding add, after the onions are cooked. 
• You can use fresh green peas instead of frozen peas. 
• Aloo matar masala makes a perfect side dish for chapati and poori.