VAZHAKKAI KOLA URUNDAI. (RAWBANANA BALLS) - வாழைக்காய் உருண்டை

VAZHAKKAI KOLA  URUNDAI - வாழைக்காய் உருண்டை

Deep fried balls made out of Raw Banana (Vazhakkai- வாழைக்காய்).

It is like a spicy Vegetarian Meat ball.

I learnt this from a Friend and made small changes to suit my taste.

Here is the Procedure and please note that for one Raw Banana about 15 can be made. (medium size)

Ingredients Needed:-

1.  Raw Banana - 1

2.  Masala Powder 

3.  Salt to Taste 

4.  Turmeric Powder 

5.  Oil to Deep Fry + 2 tsp of oil to fry Masala

6.  Onion finely chopped

7.  Ginger Garlic Paste 1 tsp. (I used 3 pods of garlic and small piece of Ginger and crushed them)

Masala Powder Ingredients :-

1.  Pottukadalai  - 2 Tablespoons

2.  Dry Red Chillies 3 (according to taste)

3.  Sombu / Saunf - 3/4 tsp

4.  Cumin/ Jeera - 1/2 tsp

5.  Few Curry leaves

Dry Roast till nice aroma , cool and powder it.

 



Spicy Raw Banana fried balls

Method:-

1.  Cut Raw Banana in to big pieces and cook in water till its Colour changes .

2.  Drain water, cool it and grate it.

3.  Heat oil in a Kadai fry Onions, Ginger Garlic Paste, Grated Raw Banana, Salt, Turmeric Powder and Masala Powder.

 

Ingredients and Process steps

4.  Mix it. Cool the Mixture knead it slightly and make a Balls.

5.  Deep fry in Oil till Golden Brown.

Serve this as a Snack or with Rice and Rasam..

Note:-
Frying instructions:- Heat Oil when it's hot bring down the flame sim and Deep fry . 

Tomato Juice Rasam

Tomato Rasam (Juice Rasam)

Name itself gives away its nature .... Rasam made just with Tomato Pulp.
It looks vibrant in Colour and tastes very very good.

Tomato Juice Rasam

Ingredients Needed:-
1.  Tomato - fully ripe  - 4 Nos
2. Tamarind - small gooseberry size
3.  Red Chilli Powder  1-1/2 tsp
3.  Salt to taste
4.  Hing
5.  Water - 2 cups + 1/2 cup

Ingredients for Seasoning:-
1.  Ghee - 1 tablespoon
2.  Mustard Seeds
3.  Pepper Jeera Powder - 1 tsp
4.  Curry leaves
5. Coriander Leaves for Garnishing

Method :-
1.  Roughly chop the Tomatoes, boil 2 cups of water add tamarind and Chopped Tomatoes cook till done.
2.  Cool it grind it in a mixer and filter it.
3.  Boil this mixture by adding Salt, Red Chilli Powder and Hing till the raw smell goes.
4.  Now add 1/2 cup water  cook  in slow flame till foamy on top.
5.  Season in Ghee with Mustard Seeds Curry leaves and Pepper Jeera powder pour on top of the Rasam.
6.  Garnish with Coriander Leaves.

Rasam - Full of flavor - Enjoyed as a Soup or with Rice...

Variations:-
1. Crushed Garlic pods can be added before adding Water.
2. Instead of 1/2 cup water use 1/2 cup of dal Water - water in which dal is cooked.
3. Adding pinch of sugar enhances the flavor of Rasam.

Diwali - Follow Up

Continuing the Diwali theme - I appreciate those who tried out, gave your feedback and shared the photos with me. THANKS.....

Below are the likes and click on the photos for the links of these:-

Diwali Legiyam - Chennai



Diwali - Legiyam

Feedback:- This is my first attempt for this and It came out well.

0 - X - 0 

Vanilla Choco Burfi - Coimbatore

Vanilla Choco Burfi

Feedback:- The layers were separated initially and with your suggestions, made corrections and it came out perfect.

0 - X - 0

Ribbon Pakoda - USA

Ribbon Pakoda

Feedback:- Followed the blog recipe and it came out nicely.

0 - X - 0

7cup Burfi - Bangalore

7 Cup Burfi

Feedback:- Followed the blog recipe and It came out well but very soft.

0 - X - 0

 

Badam Burfi - Chennai

Badam Burfi

Feedback:- Followed the blog recipe and It came out nicely but I need to try again to get nicely shaped cuts. 

0 - X - 0

Badam Burfi - Bangalore

Badam Burfi

Feedback:- This came out very well and shall get a great photo next time.

0 - X - 0

Dry fruit Halwa - Coimbatore

Dry Fruit Halwa

Feedback:-  This recipe is new to me and Simply awesome !  Liked by all.

0 - X - 0

Mysorepak - USA

Mysorepak

Feedback:- Followed the blog recipe.

0 - X - 0

Rawa Ladoo - Singapore

Rawa Ladoo

Feedback:- Got the Measure and Method right.

0 - X - 0

 

Thenkuzhal - Singapore

Thenkuzhal

Feedback:- Got the nice colour and texture...Sharing this with you.

0 - X - 0

Omapodi - Bangalore

Omapodi

Feedback:- Instead of Omum water - grinded Green Chilli and Omum and took its extract.
 

INJI SORASAM (GINGER LEMON DRINK) - இஞ்சி சாறு ரசம்

INJI SORASAM  (GINGER LEMON DRINK)

Hope everyone had a Grand Diwali....

 

இஞ்சி சாறு ரசம்

My Mom used to make this frequently.
This is a hot ginger drink nicely flavored with lemon juice. 

Comfort drink that helps digestion. 

After an eating binge during Diwali (rich food, sweets, snacks etc) some may feel heaviness. 

To subside the heaviness take this drink. (விருந்துக்கு பின் மருந்து)

Notes on the Ingredients:-

Ginger:- Energy circulation and increases metabolic rate.
Coriander Seeds:- Flavorful, contains dietary fibre and iron.

Cumin Seeds:- Stimulates digestive juices. 

Lemon:- Vitamin C, maintains immune system.

Honey:- Wide array of vitamins and nutrients

Ingredients Needed:

1.  Ginger big piece (skin removed and chopped roughly) 2 tablespoons

2.  Coriander Seeds 2 tablespoons

3.  Cumin Seeds 1 tablespoon 

4.  Water - 2 cups

Preparation

Grind the above ingredients in Mixer adding water and filter the juice. 

Repeat the process at least 2 times to extract the core flavor of all the ingredients.

This can get you roughly 2 glasses of juice.

5.  Sugar 1-1/2 tablespoon

6.  Lime juice according to taste

7.  Honey 1-1/2 tsp

Method:- 

 1.  Heat a thick bottom vessel and add Sugar and sauté for a minute then add Ginger Juice.

 2.  Mix well and allow it to boil.

 3.  Switch off the stove add lime juice and honey mix well.

 

This is best enjoyed when hot...

Get relieved ......

Note:-
If you want this prepared for a different portion, then the measure is like this - same portion ofCoriander seeds and Ginger + half portion of cumin seeds.

Diwali wishes

Diwali Wishes to All !!

 

 

 Click on the Photo to go the link

Diwali Sweets

 

Diwali Snacks

BADAM BURFI (ALMOND BURFI)

Badam Burfi (Almond Burfi) 

Badam is considered an elite ingredient in Indian cuisine. 

For any important occasion a dish with Badam is a must.

Let's go for a simple recipe that never fails and can give good result even for a first timer......

Ingredients Needed:-

1.  Badam - that is soaked in hot water and its skin peeled and cooled.

2.  Milk as much as needed to grind the Badam to paste.

3.  Sugar  - equal measure (for a cup of badam paste  - a cup of sugar)

4.  Ghee for one cup of paste 2 tablespoon 

5.  Food Colour (optional)

6.  Few strands of Saffron

Method :-

1.  Grind Badam into paste adding required Milk (paste should be of chutney consistency) thick paste.

2.  Measure the paste, add Sugar as indicated above.

3.  Mix these in a heavy bottom kadai adding Ghee, half in measure only, now.

4.  Cook till the mix melts and as bubbles form (as in pic), switch off the stove.

5.  Mix nicely for about 5 mins, till it is thick and creamy. At this stage add food colour and Saffron.

6.  Add 1/2 tablespoon of ghee and stir continuously.

7.  Mixture will leave the sides and will become very thick and now goes the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of ghee.

Switch off the stove and keep stirring for few more minutes.

8.  Pour this mixture in a greased plate, spread it nicely, evenly and flatten it.

9.  When it is still warm, with a greased knife, cut into desired shapes.

10. When it has cooled down take out the pieces store it in a airtight container.

Mouth melting Badam Burfi  is ready to Enjoy...with your near and dear......

MINI THATTAI (மினி தட்டை)

This snack item usually prepared normal or big sized. This time we shall go for a mini version, like a party snack.
This is a savory dish to serve with tea / coffee. Kids would enjoy this if this is packed in their lunch.

Mini Thattai (மினி தட்டை)

Ingredients Needed:-

1.   Rice Flour (Kozhukkattai Mavu can be used) or else store bought rice flour. 1cup

2.   Urad Dal Flour (Varutha Ulundu Mavu) 2 tsp

      (Roast urad dal in kadai without any oil till golden brown, powder and sieve it)

3.   Dry Red Chillies - 4nos

4.   Grated Coconut 1-1/2 tablespoons

5.   Hing / Perungayam

6.   Ellu (Seasame seeds) 1-1/2 tsp

7.   Salt to taste

8.   Ghee - 3 Tsps. (Thick or Coarse)

9.   Curry leaves - few - optional.

10. Water to knead 



Thattai - Steps

Method:-

1.   Sieve Rice flour and fry till hot. Measure - 1 cup.

2.   In a broad vessel Mix Rice flour, Urad Dal Flour, Ellu/Sesame seeds and Ghee.

3.   Grind coconut, Redchillies, Hing, Salt, Curry leaves - Use minimum water and make into thick paste (like chutney)

4.   Add this paste to the Rice Flour Mixture and mix well.

5.   Sprinkle little water and make dough .

6.   Spread a white cloth (preferable to check the colour) soaked in water and squeeze dry it nicely.

7.   Leave the left portion of the Cloth free and use only its right side

8.   Make small balls of gooseberry size from the kneaded dough and Place the balls, leaving gap in between them on the cloth.

9.   Flip the left side of cloth over the rice balls.

10. Take any flatten base cup to press these rice balls so that they become flat and thin.

11. Let the thattai dry for some time .

12. Heat oil in a kadai fry these Thattai's few at a time till golden and crisp.

Thattai - In Oil

Thattai is a Any time snack, full of flavour and cannot be stopped with just one !

Note:

If using Refrigerated Flour wait until it is brought to room temperature.

Sieving is a must to get the Thattai in its Crispness.

Allow the Thattai to dry for sometime in the cloth. If its still wet and you fry, it will puff like puris and will not be crispy.

7 CUP BURFI

7 Cup Burfi

7 portions of Ingredients make this Burfi.
Easy to make.



Burfi

Ingredients Needed:

1. Gram Flour (Besan - Kadalai Maavu) 1 cup.
2. Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup
3. Powdered Cashew - 1 cup 
4. Ghee - 1 cup 
5. Milk - 1 cup 
6. Sugar - 2 1/2 cups

Method:

1. Heat 1tsp ghee in a heavy base pan and roast gram flour for 4 minutes in slow flame.

2. Mix all the remaining ingredients.

3. Bring it to a boil and Cook in moderate fire.

4. When it leaves the sides, switch off and add cardamon powder.
5. Mix well and pour on a greased plate. 

6. When it is still warm cut into pieces.

Enjoy the Burfi !!

Note:
1. If you cook for more time the burfi will become powder.
2. If your cook for lesser time you wont reach burfi consistent.
For safer side, when it starts to leave to the sides, switch off the stove and briskly stir for 5 minutes.

UKKARAI (ஒக்காரை)

Ukkarai / Okkarai (ஒக்காரை) is a Traditional South Indian Sweet belonging to Madurai and Thirunelveli regions that is made during Deepavali .
Jaggery, Coconut are used in this Protein rich dish. 

During Deepavali its rainy season in South India and this sweet can give warmth and energy in that wet and chill weather.

ஒக்காரை

Ingredients Needed:-

1.  Channa Dal (Kadalaiparuppu) 3/4 cup

2.  Moong Dal (Paasi Paruppu/Payatham Paruppu ) 1/4 cup

3.  Jaggery 1 cup

4.  Water 1/4 cup

5.  Grated Coconut 1/2cup

6.  Cashew Nuts 12 nos (Broken into small pieces)

7.  Ghee 1/2 cup + 2 tsp

8.  Elaichi Powder 1/4 tsp

Method:-

1.  Dry Roast the Dal for a while and soak in water for 1 hour. (Small amount of Ghee can be used for this.) 

2.  Grind into coarse paste.

3.  Heat Ghee 1/4 cup + one tablespoon and fry the dal paste.
Keep the stove in medium flame, otherwise the dal mixture will get burnt, till it resembles like bread crumbs.(by this time dal would have been cooked well.) To get this consistency, add the ghee little by little.

4.  In another vessel put jaggery and water stir and cook till jaggery melts, strain this syrup .

5.  Again boil the jaggery syrup till thickens. For testing keep water in a cup and pour the jaggery syrup, it should not dissolve or dissipate. It should settle at the bottom nicely. (Check photo)

6.  To test whether it's done correctly in small plate put dal mixuture on that pour few drops of syrup and mix the dal and syrup. If they merge nicely, its good. If you see little water in that mixture after adding syrup, then the syrup needs a few more minutes of boil.

7. Now in dal mixture pour jaggery syrup little by little and mix well.
At this stage add remaining ghee.

8. In pan heat 2 tsp of Ghee to fry Cashew nut till golden, then add grated coconut and fry till light brown.

9. Add this Cashew Coconut mixture and elaichi powder to the cooked ukkarai and mix well.

Try this dish for the Upcoming Deepavali..

Will You ?

DRY FRUITS HALWA

Dry fruit halwa is a traditional, rich and nutrient dense halwa with Cashew, Badam(almonds), Figs, Walnuts, Raisins, Macademia, Dates and Pistachios. Flavored with Elaichi (cardamom) and Saffron.

Strength of the ingredients

Raisin is rich in sugar content. It is also a good source of iron thus useful for anaemic people. 

Cashew nuts provide protein and fiber. It is also rich in mono-unsaturated fat that is helpful in preventing heart problems. Moreover, it  contains  potassium, B vitamins and traces of  magnesium, phosphorous, selenium and copper.

Almonds are good source of Iron, copper, phosphorus and vitamin B1 which help in the creation of new blood cells, hemoglobin and help in proper functioning of vital organs of the body. Walnuts are the only nuts that have omega-3 fatty acids in high amounts and Omega -3 fatty acids are helpful in lowering triglycerides.

Pistachios have a yummy taste and flavor and are prized for its addition in delicacies like pista ice-cream, halwa or burfis etc. Pistachios contain a wide variety of nutrients called carotenoids which is beneficial to eye health. They contain fiber, which helps people feel fuller for longer periods of time. 

Ingredients:-

1.  Mixed Dry fruits (as in picture ) chopped  2 1/2 cups

2.  Corn Flour 1 cup

3.  Sugar 2 1/2 cups

4.  Ghee 1 cup

5.  Water 5 cups total  ( mix 1 cup Corn Flour in 31/2 cups water, remaining water to make sugar syrup)

6.  Yellow Food Colour

7.  Lime /Lemon Juice 1/2 tsp

Flavoring:-

1. Elaichi / cardamom  Powder

2. Saffron 

Preparation Method:-

1.  Dissolve sugar in heavy bottom kadai with 1 1/2 cups water, make a syrup. When the sugar syrup start to boil add lime/lemon juice and boil the syrup for few mins. (no need for string consistency)

2.  Mix corn flour in water without any lumps and pour on sugar syrup.

Stirring continuously will make it thick and give a glossy look, at this point add 1 tablespoon of ghee, Yellow food colour, Chopped Dry fruits. Keep on stirring continuously adding ghee in frequent intervals.

3.  Now the mixture will become thick and start leaving the sides. (almost it takes 20 mins)

4. The mixture will turn with your ladle without sticking to the bottom, this is the stage to add elaichi powder, saffron and mix well (very brisk mixing needed)

5. Pour this mixture on a greased plate and allow to set for atleast 1 hour.

6. When it gets cool cut into desired shape and serve.

Rich ingredients and wholesome preparation make this sweet an all rounder - Balanced, Nutritious and an Enjoyable delicacy.

KUNUKKU

Kunukku is a South Indian Snack prepared in Tanjore region.

Perfect tea time snack and some families have this as a custom to prepare this during Navarathiri.

Ingredients Needed:-

1.  Channa Dal (Kadalai Paruppu)  1/2 cup

2.  Toor Dal (Thuvaram Paruppu)   1/2 cup

3.  Urad Dal (Ulutham Paruppu)   1/4 cup

4.  Rice (Raw Rice) 1/4 cup

5.  Dry Red Chilli  8 Nos. (according to ur taste  

6.  Green Chillies Chopped 2 nos

7.  Salt to taste

8.  Hing/ Perungayam little

9.  Coriander and Curry Leaves

10. Grated Coconut 2 Tablespoons

11. Oil for Frying 

Method :-

1.  Soak Dal and Rice Together for 2 Hours.

2.  Grind it Along with Red Chillies, Salt and Hing/ Perungayam.

3.  Grind to coarse  thick Paste. add chopped / Grated Coconut, Coriander and             Curry leaves, Chopped Green chillies.

4.  Mix well... Heat Oil in a Kadai, Drop small balls in Oil.

5.  Fry till Golden Brown .

Variation: -

* Finely Chopped Onions can be added to the Mix.

Perfect Protein Rich Snack ready.

Arisi Paruppu Sadam ( Dal Rice )

This is one Meal Dish with Rice and Dal flavored with South Indian Spices.

Ingredients Needed:-

1.  Rice 1 Cup

2.  Toor Dal 1/4 Cup

3.  Small Onions ( Shallots)  15 Nos (cut into slices)

4.  Garlic Pods 8 Nos

5.  Curry leaves

6.  Salt to Taste

7. Green chilli 1No

8.  Tomato 1 Medium Size cut into cubes

9.  Water 2 1/2 Cups

10. Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp

Ingredients for Tempering :-

1.  Mustard Seeds. 1/2 Tsp

2.  Jeera ( Cumin Seeds) 1/4 Tsp

3.  Dry Red Chilli 2 Nos. ( broken into pieces)

4.  Oil 2 tablespoons

Preparation Method:-

1.  Wash Rice and Dal and Soak in water for 15 to 20 Mins.

2.  Heat oil in a Pressure cooker  season with Mustard Seeds, Jeera, Green and Red chillies and

Curry leaves.

3.  Now goes the Cut onions, Garlic and fry till Onion becomes soft .

4.  Add the Cubed tomatoes and  immediately pour 2 1/2 cups water.

5.  Add Salt, Turmeric powder to the water and bring it to boil.

6.  Now add the Soaked Rice and Dal mix thoroughly  and bring it to boil.

7.  Pressure cook till 3 whistles and sim the gas for 5 mins.

Serve this Rice with Melted Ghee on top .

Curds and Pickle goes well with this rice. 

Quick, easy and wholesome meal to prepare for those living alone.

This is a Kongu style preparation that I picked up from a Tirupur friend. 

Minor variations with Garam masala, Moong dal instead of Toor dal may also be tried out.