Wednesday, 13 May 2020

GULAB JAMUNS - (DOs & DONTs)

Hi friends...

Today I'm here with a Simple Sweet, Yet Special among our Favorite list...
Yes... It is None other than GULAB JAMUN....
I made these,Last week, for Mother's Day this year...



Nowadays... U get lots of choices in sweets, like Milk Sweets, Nuts sweets, Bengali Sweets,
 Baklava, Karachi sweets, North Indian, Gujarati,..etc...
But Way back in 80s & 90s, We hardly had access to such sweet shops....
In Lala Mittai kadai & Arya bhavan, We used to get sweets like Jaangri, Badhusha, Boondhi, Laddu, Mysore pak(Not the soft ones, like now....)))

So Gulab Jamuns gave its entry in 80s & every household tried to put their hands in this,
Few succeeded, Many failed Miserably....


My mom is a cooking expert,Cooks so tasty & quick too.
She used to buy litres of Fresh milk, Keep in big vessel,
Keep stirring for hours & make Khoa, All by herself....
Being in a big joint family, She usually makes a lot...
Not only for us, But also distribute among our relatives too....
Still today, No one can beat her Jamuns...







Ok... Now let's come to our  jamuns....
Today,I used MTR Gulab Jamun mix-The best always(according to me...)

METHOD:
Measure the mix in a Cup,
For 1 cup of mix,we need less than 1/4 cup of Milk(not water,as put on the pack)
Now,Slowly add the milk & slightly knead it to a soft Dough.
Dont use Water,Use MILK to make the Dough













(Never press hard with your palms,But use only your Fingers)
Keep aside just for few mins...

Making Sugar Syrup-Jeera

In a broad pan,Take 2 Cups of sugar & 1/2 Cup of water,
Keep on flame,Let the Sugar dissolves completely..
Now add 2Tsp of Milk_ To remove the Dirts in Sugar...
Adding Milk to Jeera,to remove dirts
The impurities will float like bubbles,just discard it using a ladle...Sugar syrup does not need any Consistency,like We take for other sweets...
Just a thin syrup ,will do...
Now Switch of the stove...
Few add Rose essence to the syrup,But i prefer to be natural taste.

Making of Jamuns
Lets now start making the Jamuns...
Take the dough,Roll into Small balls
If you make Big size,The Jamuns will turn out bigger,
As i prefer Small sized Jamuns, I roll small ones only...
The balls should be smooth,that there should not be any cracks on it...
Keep the rolled balls only on Greased plate.

Grease the plate to place the balls

Make even sized Balls





If the balls are not shped properly,Jamuns will crack & break later.

JAMUNS IN JEERA

Always fry the Jamuns in medium hot oil.
Drop only few balls at a time.
Dont put too many in oil, at a same time..It may break.
Either the Jamuns or Syrup(any one) can be hot...
If both are hot,It may break.
So Put hot fried Jamuns in already prepared Syrup..
You can Transfer immersed Jamuns to a container & add next batch of Jamuns.
You can garnish the Jamuns with Sliced Nuts & saffron strands.

Sunday, 3 May 2020

AAPPAM


Hello Friends,
South indian Delicacies are always special to me...
Close to my heart... Especially, Dosa varieties fancy me so much... 
 Appam is a famous Crepes, Mainly in Kerala state... 
In Tamilnadu too,We make tasty ones... 
My Version is a bit thin & crispy too... 
You can relish it with Coconut milk & Sugar - Aunthentic taste...
As we dont have a sweet tooth-
We devour it with spicy Kuruma/Kulambu,Veg Stew or Chutney...
Even a Simple Idly podi goes well with it... 


Try this & let me know your feedback too .... 
Recipe: 
Appam
Raw Rice-1 Cup
Idly Rice-1 Cup
Urad Dhal-1/4 Cup
Methi-2 Tsp
Soak all together-2 Hrs... Grind well. 
You can add Left over Rice-1 Cup & Coconut-1 Cup
Add Salt... Ferment it for 10-12 hrs/Overnight...
Make Aappam... 
You can make as Dosa in Dosa pan or pour in a Kadai & swirl to get a dome shaped authentic Appam...
 After Pouring Appam, I sprinkle 1/4 tsp Sugar & close it to cook.... 
Serve with Coconut Chutney, Kuruma, Kulambu,Coconut Milk or Stew...
EGG AAPPAM:
After pouring the batter, Pour an Egg,Sprinkle Salt & pepper- close and cook....









BANANA STEM-VAAZHATHANDU SOUP

Hello Friends
Howz life in this Lockdown period....???
Life has taken us in a Roller Coaster ride,Which none of us expected....
But instead of complaining,Lets Take life in a positive way,....
This is a great opportunity to have a Good Family time...

Homemakers are busy trying out lots of recipes for the family...

I make few items ,which are loved by my Family...
This soup is such an item...


Banana stem is too good for health, Rich in fibre, Helps in weight loss...
It eases Constipation, Excellent for digestion, Bowel movement & clearing the intestines...
It is known to prevent the formation of Kidney stones.
Also rich in Potassium & Vitamin B6....which is required to increase the haemoglobin count

Few of us, Dont like Vaazhathandu- Banana stem- Its mainly because of the way,We make...
In our South Indian Homes, We make this stem with Cooked Dhal as poriyal...
I'm sure,Even your kids will have ,if u give them as Soup...

This Soup is a Recipe shared by  Chef Venkatesh bhat in a TV show,
Which I simplified according to us...

Just simple ingredients only, U can put ur hands & try....
Its Easy,Healthy dish too....



VAZHATHANDU- BANANA STEM SOUP

Ingredients
Banana stem-1
Jeera-1 Tsp
G.Chillies-3
Turmeric-1/2Tsp
Pepper-1Tsp
Salt-To taste

Butter-2Tsp
Onion-1/2
Garlic-4
Fresh Cream/Milk-1/2Cup
Sugar-1/2Tsp
Coriander Leaves-2Tsp




Method:
In a Pressure Cooker,
Boil thandu with jeera, Salt,G.Chilly, Turmeric,Pepper...
Cook for 3 Whistles..

Strain,Cool & Grind it...

In a Pan, Take Butter...
Add Chopped Onions
Chopped Garlic, and Fry till brown..
Add Ground Paste with the  Boiled stock... Bring to boil..
Add Fresh cream, Salt,
Pepper,
Sugar....


Garnish with Coriander leaves & serve hot...

Sunday, 19 April 2020

PROVISIONAL LIST

Many of us have a confusion,What to buy ,When we visit a Departmental Stores,
Finally,We bring many Unwanted stuffs,Forgetting essential ones..
To avoid that,I have given a list,Which I follow,...
You can edit,Omit or Add your stuffs.. Just for an idea..
Hope it is useful to you all.



PROVISIONAL LIST

Idly rice
Raw Rice
Basmati Rice
Urad dhal
Tuar dhal
Chana dhal
Moong Dhal
Wheat
Rawa,
Maida,
Kadala mavu,
Arisi mavu

Noodles
Cup O Noodles
Ragi Sevai,
Vermicilli

Manjal,Milaga,Dhania
Garam masala powders
Puliyogare Powder
Idly Podi
Pickle
Salt
Crystal salt
Vellam
Oil
Ghee



Mosquito Liquid
Rin powder,
Rin Soap
Pril soap
Pril liquid
Harpic
Floor cleaner

Coffee ,Instant powder
Tea
Badam milk
Boost
Sugar

Toothpaste
Face Talc
Body Spray
Soap
Brush
Face Wash
Shampoo
Coconut Oil
Razor
Shaving cream

Mustard
Urad dhal
Jeera
Pepper
Sombu
Hing

Cloves
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Bay leaf
Sweet Saunf

Tomato Sauce, Nutella,
Hersheys choc sauce, Sandwich spread
Butter
Mayonnaise
Cheese
Paneer
Tofu

White channa,
Brown channa,
Rajma,
Karamani
Pataani
Kollu
Soya chunks,
Green gram,

Biscuits
Snacks
Chocolates
Soup packs
Ready Gravy packs
Juices
Tang- Rasna.

CREAM OF PALAK SOUP





















Hello Friends,
Howz life going on...?
How many of you here,really like Greens....?
To be honest,I hardly prefer South Indian Saapaadu,
I like Tiffin varieties & more of North Indian Food..
That too Keerai Masiyal/Kulambu-I dont like it at all....
Same with my Daughter too....
So I make different dishes to eat Greens...
Green Rice.Soup,Palak paneer,Bonda,Adai like that....

Today Lets see Cream of Palak Soup....

Ingredients:
Palak Leaves- Bunch
Green Chillies-2
Butter- Tsp
Bay Leaves-2
Garlic-6
Onion-1
Salt
Pepper Powder

First, We need to Blanch the Palak Leaves...

Once done, We can proceed to the making of the Yummy Soup...


1-BLANCHING:
Wash & Cut the stem of the Palak,Take leaves alone...
Add it with Green Chillies to boiling Water, for 3 Mins..
Immedietly,Transfer the leaves into Chilled water,...
Blend it in a mixie with G.Chillies..



Next,Make White Sauce...
2-WHITE SAUCE
Butter-2Tsp
Maida-2Tsp
Milk-1Cup


White Sauce

 In a pan,Take butter,Before it becomes ghee.
Add the maida,Fry it well till Aroma arises...
Turn off the stove,Now slowly add the milk,
Keep stirring constantly without lumps...
Switch on the stove,Slowly bring to boil,
Keep stirring to get a Thick White Sauce...
This Sauce is going to be the Thickening agent..
This only gives the Rich Taste to the Soup.


Palak Soup

3-Making the Soup
In a pan,Add  2 Tsp Butter,Bay Leaf,Finely chopped Garlic,Fry well..
Add Onions fry till Pink...
Now add the Palak Puree....
Bring to boil,Add 2 Tbsp White Sauce...
Add required Salt & Pepper Powder..


ROSE MILK (Homemade Syrup)



ROSE MILK

Summer is HOOTTTTTT....
Need to quench your thirst with Chill, Hygerinic, Healthy Drink...???
Lets make Homemade Rose Milk today..

Way back in 80s,Before the blooming of the bottled beverages,
My mom learnt many Varieties of Juices & We never miss it in every season,
from Grape,..Pineapple..Lemon..Mango.. Rose milk..
Everything will be stocked for next few months..
She ll make use of the surplus seasonal fruit...
I too try a few myself..
Happy to inform that
Last year ,In a Fun Fest conducted in my daughter's school,
We displayed a Stall with my Homemade Bubbles Soaps,Creams &
My Mom's Homemade Squashes....
Which is a Hit...;-)
Few Glimpse of our Stall in Chettinad School,Karur...





 Rosemilk is very easy recipe,but attracts the kids...
Can be freezed in refrigerator & make as Popsicle too...
Remember the Paal ice-Kuchi ice of those days.....
Yummmmm..... Slurppp...

Ingredients:
Sugar-1/2 Kg
Water-1/4 Ltr
Rose essence-2 Tsp
Rasberry colour-1/4 Tsp
Citric acid-1/4 Tsp

In a broad pan,Take sugar & Water... Boil till the sugar dissolves..
Add the Citric Acid.. Switch off the stove...

Cool it completely,Now Add the Rose Essence & Colour...

The Rose Syrup is ready in no time..
You can store it for months together.


ROSEMILK
Add 1/4 glass of syrup to 3/4 glass of Chilled milk & Serve Chilled..
You can make it with regular milk & then chill it too...

Citric acid is a preservative,You can even omit it,If you are storing in fridge...

 

SWEET CORN VEG SOUP with White Sauce

Hi Pals,
For any Season,Is it not comfortable food to have Soups..??
A soup a day Keeps us run the day.. 
More than Appetizer, It can be called as Fillers, As it is a bit heavy.
This Soup is made with WHITE SAUCE BASE..
Why don’t you people try this at home….????
Okies..  Let me get into the recipe…






SWEET CORN VEG SOUP

Carrots-1
Beans-10
Cabbage-1/4
G.Peas-1/2 cup
Sweet Corn-1/2 cup
Spring Onions-Tsp 
Fresh Cream-Tsp
Salt
Pepper powder
Water-1 Litre

WHITE SAUCE:

Butter-2 Tbsp
Maida-2 Tsp
Milk-1 cup



VEG STOCK:

 In a broad Pan, Take the Water, Boil it,...
Add the Veggies, Salt & cook it, without  closing the vessel..
Filter the Veg stock & keep aside.
Keep some Veggies to add later to the soup..

WHITE SAUCE:

In a pan, Take butter,before it becomes Ghee,
Add the maida, Fry it well…
Off the stove… Now slowly add the milk & stir constantly without lumps…
On the stove & stir well to get White sauce..
This is the base for the soup…





Now Add the Veg stock to the White sauce,
Add Salt & Pepper… Boil till Hot…

Add some boiled veggies to the soup..

Add the Boiled corn(Can Crush it  in a MIxie & add) or Add Canned Sweet Corns...
Garnish with Some Fresh cream Spring onions & Serve hot..
You can Use Fresh boiled fresh Corn Kernels or even Canned ones…

Boiled Chicken can be added for NON-VEG version....  
Soon,I'll post more soups with WHITE SAUCE BASE in it...  

Give a try & tell me How you people liked it..   :-)