Author: redchillies

Simple Vanilla Cake

Simple Vanilla Cake

A simple vanilla cake followed by great dinner at friend’s place that is how we pretty much celebrated Father’s Day last Sunday. Speaking of Vanilla cake, it reminds me that I have not baked for a long time. If my memory serves me right it 

Sweet Corn Vegetable Soup

Sweet Corn Vegetable Soup

Sweet corn soup is one of our favorite soups to order at an Indian restaurant. Thick and creamy with a healthy dose of vegetables it is a great way to start a meal. It is an Indian Chinese soup recipe which can be easily made 

Seasoned Broken Wheat with Yogurt

Seasoned Broken Wheat with Yogurt

What could be more refreshing than  seasoned yogurt rice? Growing up in the South of India, where yogurt rice (or curd rice) is a staple, our meals feel incomplete without a small bowl of it.

I’ve experimented extensively with broken wheat, making kheer, sweet pongal and spicy pongal—all with great results. This broken wheat with yogurt is an extension of those experiments and, thankfully, has a delightful outcome. It’s very easy to prepare, cooling for the body, and highly nutritious. Yogurt is mixed into the already cooked broken wheat and then aptly seasoned with traditional tadka ingredients. Taste-wise, I found no difference compared to regular yogurt rice; however, you might notice a slight difference in texture.

Adapted from: Blend With Spices

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup broken wheat/dalia
  • 2 cups of yogurt ( I used low fat)
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds/jeera
  • 1 tsp urad daal
  • 2-3 green chillies(slit and chopped)
  • 2-3 dried red chillies (cut into bits)
  • 5-10 curry leaves
  • hing a pinch
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tsp oil

Method

  • Boil two cups of water, add salt and add the cracked wheat to it. This does not take a long time to cook, partially cover with lid, stirring so that it does not stick to the bottom and then turn off the flame. Drain any remaining water and set aside.
  • After it has cooled completely transfer it to a plate.
  • Meanwhile beat the yogurt well in a bowl making sure there are no lumps. Add little milk or water if required, to get to the correct consistency.
  • Add this yogurt, chopped green chillies to the boiled dalia and mix well.
  • Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and let it splutter. Add urad daal and mix until it turns light brown.
  • Add the curry leaves, broken red chillies,hing and fry briefly. Switch off the heat and let it cool down.
  • Add this to the yogurt dalia and mix well. Let this seasoning marinade well with yogurt for about an hour before serving.

Rice Vermicelli Upma/ Akki Shavige Uppittu Recipe

Rice Vermicelli Upma/ Akki Shavige Uppittu Recipe

Semiya is Indian vermicelli and is usually available in the Indian grocery stores. Different things likes upma, kheer, pulao, dosa can be made using these rice noodles. This is a favorite and in our house this upma has transformed from a breakfast/tiffin/evening snack dish to 

Sabudana Khichidi/ Sago Upma

Sabudana Khichidi/ Sago Upma

Sabudana also known as Tapioca or sago is used for making khichdi, vada, kheer and sun dried vodi. This khichidi is an awesome combination of sweet, salty, spicy and tangy topped with peanuts which give it a light nutty crunch. Sabudana khichidi can be eaten 

Capsicum Spinach Dal

Capsicum Spinach Dal

Warm and comforting a simple Daal makes any meal filling and satisfying. Today I am sharing this recipe which is made using split moong daal.

I find this recipe especially useful for my 7 year old who is fussy about eating certain vegetables. So I sneak in those vegetables while cooking the daal and proceed to making daal the regular way. The dal goes right in without him noticing or making a fuss about it. This time I added capsicum and spinach; I do not miss an opportunity to sneak in some greens and making it healthier.

Now you can add any vegetables of choice like carrots, beans, potatoes, peas and make it your way. This is a simple no frill daal recipe which does not have onion or garlic. Pair this with some vegetables/sabji and it makes a complete meal.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup split moong daal
  • 1 cup packed spinach (cleaned and chopped)
  • 1 /2 cup chopped capsicum/bell pepper (add more if you prefer)
  • 1/2 tsp grated ginger
  • ½ tsp jeera/cumin seeds
  • Pinch of turmeric
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 5-6 curry leaves
  • 1 big ripe tomato (chopped)
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 3-4 tsp oil

Method:

  • In several changes of water, clean the moong daal and remove any dirt.
  •  To this add the chopped spinach, ginger, capsicum; jeera seeds, turmeric, water and pressure cook until it is soft.
  • Take a heavy bottom pan, heat oil then add mustard seeds, curry leaves.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes, little salt and mix well. The salt in the tomatoes makes it cooks very fast.
  • Add chilli powder and stir well. Add the cooked daal, along with the water and cook until it comes to boil. Let it simmer for another 5-8 minutes (stirring in between) and then cover with lid and switch off the gas.
  • Goes well with rice or even with Rotis/chapathis when it is thick.

 

Spicy Pan Fried Eggplant/Brinjal

Spicy Pan Fried Eggplant/Brinjal

Remember the spicy dosa/ Uppu huli dosa a popular South Kanara dish that I had posted earlier?  The one in which the batter does not require fermentation and the dosas can be made instantly? With the batter you can makes the dosas (of course) but