GONGURA PACHADI

INGREDIENTS

Gongura / sorrel leaves  – 2 cups packed

Chana dal – 1 tbsp

Urad dal – 1 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Garlic cloves – 12 peeled and mashed

Broken red chilles – 6 pieces

Curry leaves  – few

Asafoetida – 1 tsp

Onions – 2 medium size sliced

Turmeric – 1/4 tsp

Tamarind paste – 2 tbsp

Red chilli powder – 3  1/2 tbsp

Coriander powder – 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Oil – 1/2  cup

METHOD

Chop gongura leaves and thoroughly wash them . Pat them dry and keep aside .

Heat oil in a pan on medium flame. Add the chana dal , urad dal and when it starts     changing colour add cumin seeds and the mustard seeds and fry for 10 to 15 seconds .

Add the mashed garlic ,red chilles, curry leaves and asafoetida and fry for 1 minute. Add sliced onions and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on medium flame. After that add gongura leaves and cook on low flame . Add all other ingredients one by one and mix well.

Cook on low flame till oil seperates. Adjust seasoning .

SUGGESTIONS – Serve gongura pachadi with finely chopped raw onions.Goes well with rice, idly and dosa.

BRINJAL ONION PACHADI

INGREDIENTS

Brinjal medium size – 4 ( cut into cubes )

Green chilles – 6 cut into pieces

Oil – 2 tsp for frying

Turmeric – 1/4 tsp

Onions medium size – 2 finely chopped

Coriander – 3 tbsp finely chopped

Garlic peeled and cut into pieces – 7 cloves

Tamarind paste – 2 tsp

Salt to taste

TALIMPU

Chana dal – 1 tsp

Urad dal – 1tsp

Cumin seeds -1 tsp

Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp

Broken red chilli pieces – 3

Curry leaves – few

Asafoetida powder – 1/2 tsp

Oil – 1 1/2 tsp

METHOD

Take a kadai and fry brinjal pieces , green chilli pieces and turmeric in 2 tsp of oil till light brown. Keep it aside and cool it .

Grind rest of the ingrdients with brinjal ,and green chilli pieces to a coarse paste.

Take another pan and put oil , add rest of the ingredients one by one and fry for 1 or 2 minutes. Then add it to the coarse paste and mix well.

Adjust seasoning . Serve with hot rice and a dollop of ghee . 

EASY CHICKEN FRIED RICE

INGREDIENTS

Basmathi rice – 1 cup

Cloves – 2

cinnamon – 1/2 inch piece

Cardamon – 3

Water – 2 cups

Chicken boneless – 1/2 kg washed ,cut into 1 inch cubes

Cumin seeds -1/2 tsp

Curry leaves -few

Medium sized onions -2 finely chopped

Green chilles – 4 sliced

turmeric  -1/2 tsp

Red chilles powder – 1 tbsp

Pulav masala or garam masala – 1/2 tbsp

Salt to taste

Finely chopped coriander – 1tbsp

Oil – 2 tbsp

METHOD

     Wash rice and cook with lavang ,cinnamon, cardamon along with 2 cups of water. When rice is cooked spread it in a large tray to cool, and keep it aside.

 Heat oil in a large kadai and add cumin seeds and curry leaves and  fry for a second. After this add chopped onions , green chilles , turmeric and salt and  fry till onions turn light brown colour.

     Add red chilli powder , pulav masala or garam masala and fry for 1 to 2 minutes then add washed chicken and mix well . Cover and cook until the chicken is cooked .

  Make sure the chicken is cooked properly. Add water if necessary . Add boiled rice to the chicken masala and mix well .Uncover the pan, increase the heat to high and mix well. Adjust seasoning .

Remove from heat and add finely chopped coriander . Serve with raitha .

Suggestions – Same procedure can be used to cook kheema pulao.

PAPER DOSA

INGREDIENTS

Raw rice – 1/2 cup

Urad dal – 3/4 cup ( split black lentils

Fenugreek seeds – 1/2 tsp

Rice flour – 1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Oil or ghee for greasing and cooking

METHOD

Wash and soak the raw rice ,urad dal and mustard seeds for about 4 to 6 hours. Drain , add rice flour and salt and grind to a smooth paste , using enough water to get a batter of coating consistency.

Heat a non – stick tava and grease it lightly with ghee or oil.  When hot , pour a ladleful of the batter and spread it using circular motions to make a paper thin dosa.

Cook on one side, adding a little oil or ghee along the edges while cooking . When crisp, make a roll and serve hot.

suggestions – Dosas should fry on medium – high heat till golden brown.Serve with chutney .

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