Kozhukattai/Modak

I would like to wish my readers a belated Ganesh Chathurthi (Lord Ganesha's Birthday). Kozhukattai or Modak is probably the most symbolic item for this occasion and I would like to share this recipe with you.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup of  Idiyappam (Rice) Flour
2 3/4  cup of water
2 tsp of Gingelly oil
A pinch of Salt

Filling:

1/2 cup of grated Jaggery
1/2 cup of roasted peanuts
1 tsp Cardamom Powder

Preparation:

1. Grind the jaggery, peanuts and cardamom together in to a coarse mixture. The filling is ready.

2. Boil water and add oil to it. Add the flour to boiling water and mix well stirring continuously.
3. Add salt, mix well and cook with a covered lid for 2 minutes.
4. Remove from the stove and knead well into a soft dough.

5. Divide the dough into small balls and roll each ball to size of puris.
6. Add filling to the puri and seal the edges. You can make any shape.

7. Repeat the procedure for rest of the modaks. Put these modaks in a steamer/cooker (do not put weight/whistle) and steam for 10-15 minutes. 

Urad dhal thogayal/chutney

    In this recipe, I have made a Thogayal which can be used as a side for idly as well as rice. Thogayal is a type of chutney which is slightly thicker in consistency.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of urad dhal

1 tsp of chopped ginger

2-3 coconut pieces

4 red dried chillies

gooseberry sized tamarind
pinch of asafoetida

1 tsp of oil

salt as required 

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in the pan and add urad dhal and red chillies. Saute in medium flame, till it turns golden brown.Transfer to a plate and allow them to cool. 

2.Grind the coconut, urad dhal, red chillies, tamarind, salt and ginger with very little water in to a little coarse paste and thick consistency.

3.Urad dhal chutney/thogayal is ready. Serve with rice and little ghee/ sesame oil.

Indo-Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice

I hope you all had a wonderful summer. The school season has started and with my kids back to school, I have started to become more active with my blog. In the coming weeks, I will focus on some nutritious choices which can also be served for school lunches. This fried rice recipe is a great choice for my kids as it provides lots of veggies.

Serves up to 2 people
Preparation time:30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup of cooked rice
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 tbsp of chopped ginger
1 carrot
4 stems of beans
1/4 cup of shredded cabbage
1/2 of red bell pepper/capsicum
1/2 tsp of ground black pepper
1-2 tsp of red chilly sauce(Siracha Brand)
1 tbsp of vinegar
1 tsp of dark soy sauce
olive oil
salt as required

Preparation:

1. Chop the carrot, cabbage, red bell pepper and cut the beans in to tiny pieces.Cook the rice with 2 cups of water. Allow the rice to cool.
2. Add 1 tsp of olive oil to the pan, add ginger and garlic. Saute for a minute. 

3.Then add the veggies(carrot, beans, red pepper and cabbage) and saute for 3 minutes. Add black pepper and salt to the veggies and saute well for a minute.

 4.Now add the red chilly sauce, vinegar and soy sauce to the rice. Make sure the crunchiness of the vegetable remains.

5. Add rice and saute gently. Switch off the flame and close the lid. Let it steam for 10 minutes. Serve it with yoghurt or chips. Other options could be with vegetable manchurian.