Cream of Tomato Soup

Cream of tomato soup is perfect when served during winter....

Recipe Video...

Ingredients:

5 Ripe Tomatoes 

3 medium Onions

1 Large potato

2 Tbsp Butter

1 Tbsp All Purpose Flour/Maida

2 Cups Milk

2 Tbsp Fresh Cream

4 Pods Garlic

2 Chilies

2 Tsp Sugar

Salt as per taste

Water as needed.

orange food color and stock cube is optional can add if you wish.

Method:

• Wash all the veggies chop roughly.
• Add all the veggies to a pressure cooker and add 4 cups water salt place cover and cook until 4 whistles.
• strain the veggies and add to a blender grind to a smooth paste strain once more add the extracted stock mix well and reserve.
• Heat a pot on medium flame add butter and allow to melt add the flour fry the flour until it changes into light brown in color add milk slowly and keep stirring until a sauce is formed add the tomato mixture to the sauce bring to a boil.
• Add salt , sugar add white pepper powder if needed stir and bring to a boil.
• Add cream and stir once it boils remove from flame garnish with cream and serve with crusty bread...Enjoy...:)

Cauliflower 65 / Gobi 65 (Gobi Kabab)

Cauliflower 65 or gobi kabab is a perfect side dish with dal and rice.

Do watch video recipe...

Ingredients:

1 Medium Size Cauliflower

1/2 Cup Yogurt

2 1/2 Tsp Chilly Powder

1 Tbsp Garam Masala or Tandoori Chicken Masala

1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder

1 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste

1 Pinch Chinese Salt/Ajinomoto/MSG(Optional)

Few Drops Orange Food Color(Optional)

5 Tbsp Maida/All Purpose Flour

3 Tbsp Corn Flour

Salt as per taste

Oil for frying

 Please Click Here to see how to clean cauliflower...

Method:

• In a mixing bowl add yogurt, chilly powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, salt, maida, ajinomoto, food color and corn flour mix well.
• Add the cauliflower florets and mix well the masala should coat the vegetable well.
• Heat oil in a wok on medium flame drop the cauliflower one by one in hot oil fry till light golden in color drain excess oil on tissue paper and serve hot with steamed rice and dal or serve as a starter...Enjoy...:) 

Tomato Pappu/ Tomato Dal/Thakkali Kadayal

I love moms thakkali kadayal its one of the most simplest recipes. few years back when she was not at home i tried to simplify the recipe and gave it my twist now every one at home loves my recipe it takes me literally 10 minutes to prepare this dal if we have cooked dal and all ingredients chopped and ready to go...

Do watch Video Recipe...

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Cooked Pigeon Peas 

2 Large Tomatoes(finely chopped)

1 Large Onion(finely chopped)

5 Pods Garlic(finely chopped)

3 Green Chilies(finely chopped)

1 Tsp Chilly Powder

1 Tbsp Coriander Powder

1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder

1/4 Tsp Asafoetida

1/4 Mustard Seeds

1/4 Tsp Cumin

1/4 Tsp Black Gram dal

3 Dried Red Chilly

2 Sprigs Curry Leaves

Salt as per taste

Oil 

Method:

• Add tomato,onion, chilly, garlic, cooked dal, chilly powder, tumeric powder and coriander powder 1/2 water or cooked dal water to a pot that fits inside your pressure cooker or add all the  ingredients to a pressure pan and cook till 4 whistles.
• Once the tomato mixture has cooked place it on medium flame smash the dal using a wooden or steel masher bring to a boil add salt as per taste reduce a bit remove from flame set aside.
• Heat 3 Tbsp oil in a wok add mustard seeds allow to splutter add cumin and black gram fry a bit break the red chilly and fry a bit add curry leaves and asafoetida fry a bit temper the dal with the aromatic ingredients...Serve hot with rice or roti...Enjoy...:) 

Chicken Masala Dosa

This is the first time ever trying this recipe it turned out super awesome. the chicken topping can be prepared a head of time and refrigerated if you do not wish to add chicken can switch it up with mixed veggies or fish...

Video Recipe..

Ingredients:
100 Grams Chicken Mince
1 Large Onion
5 to 6 Fresh Chilies
1 Tbsp Chicken masala or Garam masala
1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 Cup Cooked Peas
1 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
4 Eggs
2 Tbsp Fresh Cream
3 Tbsp Ghee
Grated Cheese (Optional)
Salt as per taste
Oil

Click Here for Dosa and Idly Batter Recipe

Method:

• In a mixer jar add onion and chilies grind to a coarse paste.
• Heat ghee in a wok on medium flame add the minced onion ginger and garlic paste fry till oil separates add garam masala and turmeric fry a bit add chicken mince fry a bit.
• Add peas and salt fry a bit add splash of water cover and cook till done.
• Add fresh cream stir well allow the moisture to reduce a bit.

• Prepare a dosa crack open a egg spread the egg over the dosa flip it add few drops of oil and cook flip it back.
• Spread the chicken mixture grate on some cheese cover and allow the cheese to melt a bit once done serve hot with mint chutney or yogurt...Enjoy...:)

Tips:
If your preparing minced chicken at home use equal portions of chicken breast and boneless thigh.
wash and pat the chicken dry cut into cubes and add to a mixer jar pulse twice or grind to make chicken mince.
If you do not wish to add cream in this recipe switch it up with ground coconut paste or cashew paste
prepare the topping a head of time place it in air tight container and refrigerate till use. 

Milo Agar Agar

This is a classic and simple recipe these days I'm totally into milo...milo agar agar totally made my day such a awesome way to celebrate new year...

Video Recipe...

Ingredients:

2+2 Cups Whole Milk/Full Fat Milk

1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 Cup Milo

1 Cup Chocolate Chips

10 Grams = 2 teaspoons Agar Agar/China Grass  

1/4 Tsp Vanilla 

Method:

• Soak the agar agar in hot water as per package directions.
• Divide the agar agar in two separate heavy bottom pots. divide equal amount of condensed milk to the divided potions.
• Add 2 cups milk to each divided portion stir well.
• Place one portion on low flame constantly keep stirring until agar agar melts add chocolate chips and milo keep stirring until well combined.
• Allow to cool a bit pour into moulds or a deep dish in which your going to set agar agar and serve place in fridge and allow to set.
• Place the second portion of milk mixture on medium flame keep stirring add few drops of vanilla and stir well until agar agar melts.
• Allow to cool a bit and pour it over the chocolate layer to set and place it in fridge to set. 
• Once set cut into cubes and serve chilled with caramel or chocolate sauce...Enjoy...:)

White Chocolate Fondue

Very easy and simple to prepare you can prepare this fondue ahead of time and refrigerate while serving microwave for 10 minutes and serve hot..with apple wedges or potato chips... 

Recipe Video...

Ingredients:

1 Cup White Chocolate Chips

1½ Tbsp Unsalted Butter/Margarine/Dalda

3 Tbsp Condensed Milk

¼ Cup Milk

2 to 3 Tbsp Fresh Cream (Optional)

Method:

• In a Microwave safe bowl add the white chocolate chips cream and butter place in microwave for 30 seconds.
• Remove bowl from microwave stir the chocolate mixture well.
• Add condensed milk and milk stir well place in microwave for 30 seconds keep stirring and mixing the mixture till it forms smooth consistency it took me 2 minutes to melt the chocolate in 30 second intervals.
• Serve Hot with apple wedges peppery potato chips and strawberries…Enjoy…:)

Caramel Fondue /Caramel Sauce

Simple and easy recipe to put together and is very economical kids of all ages will love this awesome treat for winter its hot sweet and gooey...yumminess in a bowl..

Recipe Video...

Ingredients:
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tbsp Salted Butter
3 Tbsp Condensed Milk(Optional)
1/2 Cup Cream
1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp Water
2 Tbsp Milk

Method:

• Heat a pan on medium flame add sugar and water stir and melt the sugar make sure the sugar doesn't burn.
• Once its up to boiling consistency add butter and stir a bit.
• Add Cream and using a balloon whisk whisk the sauce if its to thick add water and milk stir well bring to light brown consistency serve hot with chips or fruits of your choice...Enjoy...:)

Kothamalli Mutton Sukka/Thanjavur Mutton Varuval

Years back when we had been to tanjore in tamilnadu good friends of my dads had invited us for lunch we simply enjoyed the mutton fry they served us I've given few tweaks to the recipe and it tasted so yumm along with rice and rasam.all in all its comforting winter recipe... 

Recipe Video...

1 Kilo Mutton( I did ask my butcher to add some chops and few spares like liver and kidneys it added to the taste)

1 Medium Onion

2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste

2 to 3 Pieces Fresh Coconut

7 Green Chillies 

Fist Full Coriander

1 Tbsp Chilly Powder

1 Tbsp Mutton Masala or Garam Masala

1/2 Tsp Coriander Powder

1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder

1/2 Tsp Pepper Corns +Pepper Powder

1/2 Tsp Cumin

1 Stock Cube Optional

2 Tbsp Oil and Ghee

Salt as per taste

Lime juice for garnish

Method:

• In a pressure cooker add a tbsp oil place it on medium flame add washed and drained meat to the cooker along with chilly powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, chicken stock cube and ginger garlic paste fry a bit till moisture releases from the meat.
• Add luke warm water to the meat give it a good stir and cover place whistle and cook until 4 whistles.
• Make sure the meat has cooked if there is moisture in meat reduce the moisture on low flame.
• In a mixer jar add coriander coconut onion pepper corns cumin green chilly add water and grind to a smooth paste.
• Heat a wok with oil and ghee temper the oil with 2 sprigs curry leaves add the prepared masala paste fry a bit  once the oil separates from masala add cooked meat and salt fry till the masala combines well sprinkle on some pepper powder and fry till desired consistency garnish with finely chopped coriander lime juice serve hot with hot rice and rasam...enjoy...:) 

Kohlrabi/Nool Kol Chops Masala

This is an excellent side dish best served along with rice dal and rasam if you do not like kohlrabi you can use brinjal or potato using the same masala paste even meats like chicken and mutton can be added...:)

Recipe Video...

Ingredients:

250 Grams Kohlrabi/Nool Kol (peeled and sliced)

1 Large Onion

1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder 

3 Inch Pieces Fresh Coconut

5 to 6 Green Chilies

1/2 Inch Ginger

5 + 6 Pods Garlic

1/4 Tsp Pepper Corns

1/4 Tsp Fennel Seeds

3 Cloves

1 Inch Stick Cinnamon

3 Pods Cardamom

1/4 Tsp Coriander Powder

1 Tbsp Oil

2 Tbsp Ghee

Salt as per taste

Coriander and lime juice for garnish

Prep Up:

• In a mixer jar add 1/2 of an onion, coconut, whole spices coriander powder, chilly, ginger and garlic grind to a paste.
• Chop the other half of onion.

Method:

• Heat a wok on medium flame add oil and ghee.
• Add the masala paste and turmeric powder and fry till oil separates.
• Add the other half of onion and fry a bit add the kohlrabi salt and fry add water cover and allow to cook.
• Once the vegetable has 3/4 cooked remove the lid and stir fry till well done till moisture evaporates.
• Garnish with coriander and lime juice serve hot with rice...Enjoy...:)

Mountain Spinach Curry/Keerai Kuzhambu/Palak Dal

Spinach Curry is a classic recipe in India we prepare this curry in many different ways this recipe is just a basic version,,,

Just pluck the tender spinach from the steams and place it in a polythene bag and refrigerate before preparing recipe make sure to wash at least thrice till the water runs clear.

Recipe Video...

Ingredients:

1 Bundle Mountain Spinach

Fist Full Coriander Leaves

2 Cups Cooked Pigeon Peas 

2 Medium Tomatoes

1 Large Onion

6 to 8 Pods Garlic

7 Green Chilly

1 Tbsp Tamarind pulp or 1/3 Cup Tamarind water

1 Tbsp Chilly Powder

1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder

1 Tbsp Coriander Powder

1/4 Tsp Mustard seeds

1/4 Tsp Cumin seeds

1/4 Tsp Split Black Gram

3 Dried Red Chilies

Oil 

Salt as per taste

Prep Up:

• Wash the spinach thoroughly drain the excess water finely chop the spinach.
• Chop the garlic, chilly,onion and tomato
• Wash and finely chop coriander leaves
• Take a lime size tamarind add hot water and extract tamarind pulp/water.

Method:

• Add the chopped tomato,chilly,garlic,chilly powder, turmeric powder,coriander and onion to a pot which fits inside the pressure cooker steam cook till 3 whistles.
• Transfer the cooked tomato a heavy bottom pot add the chopped spinach and coriander cover and cook the spinach a bit.
• Once the spinach has cooked add cooked dal tamarind water and salt as per taste add a splash of water if needed bring to a boil.
• Using a masher mash the spinach this way the taste will enhance.
• Place a fry pan with 2 tbsp oil add mustard seeds once it splutters add cumin seeds black gram red chilly and asafoetida fry a bit and temper the curry.
• Serve this curry with hot rice or ragi muddle potato fry and chips this is typical southindian lunch do try the recipe and post your comments...Enjoy...:) 

Sambar Potato/Sambar Uralai Roast

Who doesn't like roasted potatoes I for sure love them as a side dish along with any south indian meal mom normally prepares her version of roasted potatoes i just wanted to spruce up a bit  this recipe is a original no copy all experimented by me and of course it turned out spicy and yumm...

Recipe Video...

Ingredients:

3 Large Potatoes(peeled,washed and cubed)

1 Tbsp Chilly Powder

1 Tbsp Sambar Powderplease click here for recipe...

1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder 

3 Sprigs Curry Leaves

Salt as per taste

3 Tbsp Oil 

Lime juice for garnish(optional)

Method:

1. Heat oil in a wok temper with curry leaves add potato turmeric, chilly powder and salt fry a bit.
2. Add a splash of water cover and cook on low flame till the vegetable has cook and the moisture has evaporated.
3. Sprinkle on sambar powder and fry till nice and golden once done serve hot with sambar rice or rasam sadam...Enjoy...:)

Radish Kurma/Mullangi Uralai Kadalai Paruppu Kurma

We prepare radish kurma in different variations this is one of the best recipes mom prepares i totally love this recipe its excellent recipe served during winter.

Recipe Video...

Ingredients:

250 Grams Radish(peeled and cut into coins)
2 Large Potato Cubed
1 Large Onion Chopped
1 Large Tomato Chopped
2 Sprigs Curry Leaves
Fist Full of Coriander
1/4 Cup Fresh Coconut
1 1/2  Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1 Inch Cinnamon, 2 Cardamom Pods,4 Cloves, 2 Bay leaf
2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 Cup Split Chick Pea/Channa Dal
3 Tbsp Oil
2 Tbsp Ghee
Salt as per taste
Lime juice for garnish

Prep Up:

• Wash the split chick pea twice or till the water is clear add to a pressure cooker with a pinch of turmeric powder and few drops of oil add 2 cups water and pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles it should be aldente.   
• In a mixer jar add coriander and coconut with a splash of water and grind to a smooth paste.

Method:

• Heat a wok with oil and ghee add the whole spices and allow to splutter a bit add ginger and garlic paste fry till raw flavor has gone.
• Add onion curry leaves and fry till transparent add tomato and fry start adding dry powdered spices chilly powder turmeric and coriander powder fry till raw flavor has gone.
• Add the radish and potato stir fry a bit add water and salt as per taste and cook till half done.
• Add the cooked dal stir a bit cover and cook till well done.
• Add the coconut paste stir the gravy add water if needed and cook further till the raw flavor from coconut has gone garnish with lime juice and coriander serve hot with hot rice...Enjoy...:)

Mysore Bonda

This Crunchy winter snack tops the favorite list of  every bangalorean we love to prepare mysore bonda during winter these soft snowy centered crunchy butter balls are so tasty when served with coconut chutney or a dal soup..this is truly soul food.

Video Recipe

Ingredients:

2 Cups Split Black Gram Dal/Urad Dal

1 Inch Ginger

1 Tbsp Pepper corns

1/4 Fresh Coconut

Salt as per taste

Oil for frying

Prep Up:

• Wash a soak urad dal for 2 hours or till it doubles in size.
• Crush the pepper corns.
• Peel and chop coconut into tiny pieces
• Peel and grind ginger.

Method:

• Drain water from the soaked dal add to a mixer jar and grind to a smooth paste do not add much water to grind the dal.
• Once the dal is ground add to a mixing bowl along with ginger pepper and coconut add salt and mix well.
• Heat oil in a wok on medium flame wet your hand take a portion of  batter and drop in oil fry till golden brown drain oil and serve hot with coconut chutney or dal soup...Enjoy...:)