Manga Paruppu (Mango Dal)

Image courtesy of [domdeen] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This is one of my dishes-in-law :D

Well, I had no idea about it before marriage and my mil taught it to me and its a favorite in my husband's family. :)

I love mangoes....be it cut into vertical pieces and dipped in a nice mixture of salt and chilli powder or the juicy ripe ones  - Alphonso, Imam Pasand, Rumania, and the most commonly available one at Chennai - the Banganapalli.

No matter what super dooper expressions Katrina gives in the commercial, the bottled mango drinks can never even get close to the real fruit!

Well, I guess I would have gone a small percent of success in my attempts to make mangoes appear in pretty cloud bubbles around your head and may be get you drooling :)

This recipe is not done using ripe mangoes. Its done using raw mangoes. :)

Ingredients:

Raw Mango - 1 big , peeled and cut into small pieces
Moong Dal - 1 cup boiled
Green Chillies - 3
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - a little
Salt to taste

For Tempering
Mustard Seeds -  1 tsp
Urad Dal - 2 tsp
Asafoedita powder - a pinch or two
Curry Leaves - 5 to 6

Method
Boil the mangoes in enough water till its well cooked.
Boil the moong dal separately in a pressure cooker if available.
Add the dal,turmeric and green chillies to the boiled mangoes.Add salt to taste.
Temper the mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves and asafoedita in a little oil (just a couple of tsp should do) and add to the mixture.
Bring it to a boil and switch off.

Its an extremely aromatic and simple recipe that I have always found delicious. I must accept, I dont make it as perfectly as my mil but I guess am moving towards that.

It can be had with rice.

Ladies Finger Thayir Pachadi(Bhindi Raita)

Ingredients:

Ladies Finger - 5
Curd - 1 cup
Salt to taste

For tempering:

Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Urad Dal - 1 tsp
Red Chilly - 1

Method:

1. Vertically cut the ladies finger into long pieces.
2. Add 1 or 2 tsp oil and coat the pieces with the same.
3. Place in a microwave safe thick bottomed dish and microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Take care not to burn the vegetable. Once done, it will reach a crisp and roasted state.
5. Add the curd.
6. Heat a tsp oil in a small kadai. Add mustard seeds and when they crackle add the red chilly (split into two) and the urad dal.
7. Roast well and add to the curd - ladies finger mixture.
8. Add salt to taste.

Its a really yummy raita that has a lovely flavor from the ladies finger. Btw this is purely my own experiment and did not get it from any book, website, mom or mil :)
If one does not have a microwave, deep frying the ladies finger should be fine. I have not actually tried that method.

Baby Potato Mint Fry

Ingredients :

Baby Potatoes - 3/4 kg boiled and peeled
Fresh Mint Leaves - 2 cups washed
Onions - 3 medium finely chopped
Oil - 3 tbsp
Salt to taste
Chilli powder to taste

For tempering:

Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Urad Dal - 2 tsp
Curry Leaves - 4 to 5

Method

1. Heat the oil in a kadai.
2. When its hot enough add the mustard seeds. When they crackle add the urad dal and the curry leaves and roast till golden brown.
3. Add the finely chopped onions and roast till they are translucent.
4. Roughly chop the mint leaves with scissors and add to the mixture.
5. In some time they would get nicely cooked and shrink.
6. Add salt and chillipowder as per taste.
7. Add the baby potatoes and blend well in the mixture.
8. Leave it on a low heat for some time till the potatoes get roasted well.
9. Serve hot.

We had this with rice and sambar. This would go well with pulao as well.

Strawberry Veg Salad

Ingredients:

Tomatoes - 1 medium sized
Cucumber - 1/2
Carrot - 1/2
Onions - 1
Strawberry - 6 to 8

For the Dressing:

Honey - 1 tablespoon
Juice from half a lemon
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method

Nothing much here :) Mix the ingredients for the dressing. Chop the vegetables into small pieces. Chop the strawberries as well. Add the dressing and toss together. The strawberries add a unique flavor and its a very crunchy yummy salad.

Variation: I have tried this adding pears or apples/grapes instead of strawberries. We can add dry fruits also.

I took a pic when I used the apple and the grape. The best that I liked was the strawberry one.

Capsicum Tomato Onion Oothappam

This a variation from the usual dosa we make at home.

Ingredients

Capsicum - 1
Tomatoes - 3
Onions - 3
Green Chillies - 2
Corriander - a small bunch
Dosa Batter

Method

Chop the capsicum, tomatoes and the onions.
Add finely chopped green chillies and the corriander.
Place the tawa on the stove and when its hot enough, pour enough dosa batter and make a thick dosa.
Sprinkle the vegetable mix on top.
When it is cooked to an extent flip it over.
Leave it on till the vegetables get slightly crispy.
Serve with chutney of your choice.

Kovakkai capsicum masala

Ingredients :
Kovakkai - 2 cups
Capsicum - 1 cup
Onion - 1 medium size
Salt - as required
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 5 tsp

Grind together :
Tomato -1
Ginger - half inch piece
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Corriander seeds - 2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp

Method :

1. Heat the oil in a kadai. Add some cumin seeds.
2. When they splutter add the chopped onion.
3. Roast till they turn translucent.
4. Add the kovakkai and the capsicum and sauté for a couple of minutes
5. Sprinkle some water and close with a lid and cook on a low flame till the vegetables are cooked.
6. In parallel grind the ingredients to be ground in a mixer or blender.
7. Add a tsp of oil to the ground mixture and microwave on high for 8 to 10 mins. Stir once or twice in between
8. Now add this mix to the vegetables and blend and stir everything together.
9. Add salt to taste.
10. Garnish with coriander leaves .

Pasta n' Peas in White sauce

Ingredients:

Pasta - 250 g

Butter - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 5 pods , peeled and chopped
Maida - 2 tbsp
Milk - 4 cups
Salt - to taste
Mixed Italian Herbs - 1 tbsp
Green Peas - 1 cup boiled or microwaved(Can use fresh or frozen)

Method:

Boil the pasta as per instructions on packet and strain and keep aside.

Melt the butter in a skillet or non stick pan

Add the garlic and roast till it turns slightly brown

Add the maida and saute

Add the milk slowly and keep stirring.Ensure that there are no lumps

Add the mixed herbs and salt to taste

When the sauce thickens add the peas and pasta and toss well so that the sauce is evenly coated all over.

Add milk if required to alter thickness of sauce as per individual taste.