Mushroom Korma(Kuruma) | Appam Sides

The wave of corona is much stronger this time and looks scary too. How is it at your places, friends? Hope all are doing good and keeping safe. We have confined ourselves at home and hus only moves out when there is an essential purchase needed. Hoping to take care of ourselves as much as possible. Rest is beyond our control if at all we get the virus. My heart goes to all the frontline corona warriors who have been staying away from family and taking care of the sick and seriously ill. Hoping everything will be back in place atleast by the end of this year.

Mushroom kuruma is a simple off white or creamy colored dish, mildly spiced that pairs perfectly with appam or bread. We love mushroom in any form and it tastes delicious too. The grinded coconut, cashews and khus khus gives this dish the richness and creamy texture. The spice is adjusted with the green chillies, you can alter as per tolerance and pepper powder adds a final punch. I have already shared a paneer kuruma which is also a must try. Do give this a try and enjoy !!

Preparation time ~ 10 minutes

Cooking times ~ 15 minutes

Serves ~ 3-4 

Author ~ Julie

Ingredients

button mushrooms 100 gms

onion/ savala 1 medium chopped 

ginger- garlic paste 1 tsp

green chilli / pacha mulaku 3 sliced

whole garam masala cinnamon 1/2 ‘ piece, cardamom 3, cloves 4, bay leaf 2

turmeric powder / manjal podi 1/4 tsp

pepper powder / kurumulaku podi 1/2 tsp

curry leaves 2 sprig

oil 2 tbsp

salt to taste

to grind

coconut grated 1/2 cup

whole cashews 12

khas khus (poppy seeds) 1 tsp

                                             

Method

• Wash and clean the mushrooms, remove from water immediately. Slice the mushrooms and cut in wedges. Soak the cashews and kus kus in water for 20 minutes.
• Grind the coconut, cashews and khus khus to a smooth paste with water and keep aside.

• Heat oil in a pan and add whole garam masala. Add in the sliced onion, green chillies and curry leaves. Saute until lightly brown, add in ginger- garlic paste. Saute until raw smell disappears and add pepper powder. Add in the mushrooms and saute.

                                        

• Saute until lightly cooked and ground paste. Add the turmeric powder and add 1.5 cups water, cook covered for 6-7 mins on medium flame. The gravy thickens nicely and the consistency totally depends on your wish. Garnish with coriander leaves(malli ela), Switch off flame.

                                                    

NOTES

* You can keep this korma white if you don't add turmeric powder. Omit if you wish to give it a white color.

* You can grind the chillies with grated coconut for added spice. But we prefer it low spiced to serve with bread.

RELATED MUSHROOM RECIPES-

* Kadai Mushroom

* Stuffed Mushroom

*Mushroom Theeyal

*Chettinadu Mushroom Masala

*Mushroom Fry

*Mushroom Butter Masala

*Mushroom -Paneer Pulao

*Cream of Mushroom Soup

*Mushroom Thoran

*Mushroom Manchurian

*Mushroom Quiche

                                                                                          

    

Grilled Peanut Butter- Banana(Plantain) Sandwich

Sweet Sandwich ? Definitely not my kind of thing but my kids come up with such crazy ideas and this is born out of them. I was sure am not going to taste this but did make it for them. However after the grilling the cinnamon, ghee and peanut butter wafted out that I could hardly resist my taste buds. Sandwiches to me were always a savory version and I loved it that way. For a change I must admit that this also tastes delicious for a tea time snack, I wouldn't like it for breakfast though.

This sandwich is quite simple to make with minimal ingredients and I have used plantains in this recipe. You can use regular bananas too but here I have to find ways to finish off  plantains and so tried out this sandwich. I have tried many recipes with plantains earlier which are listed below at the end of the post, please check if interested. II have used peanut butter but if you or your kid is allergic to peanuts then try chocolate- almond spread which should work fine too. Am sure you will love it!!

                                                             

Preparation time~ 10 mins

Cooking time ~ 5-7 mins

Author ~ Julie

Serves ~ 6 sandwiches

Ingredients

bread slices 6 

peanut butter 2 tbsp

banana 1 sliced 

unsalted butter 1 tsp + 1 tbsp

brown sugar or white sugar 2 tsp 

cinnamon powder 1/2 tsp

Method

• Heat butter in a pan, add the banana slices. Add in the brown sugar or granulated white sugar and mix well. Wait till the banana slices are carmelized. Finally, add the cinnamon powder and switch off  flame.

• Spread the peanut butter on one slice and then arrange the caramelized banana pieces(I prepared caramelized bananas in two batches and so cut both in different ways, one sliced & one chopped). Close with another slice of bread.

                                           

• Apply butter or ghee on top of the slice and invert on the pan with the buttered side up. Grill the bread and then cut in two diagonally . Pour chocolate sauce on top (optional) and then serve warm.

                                               

                                               

NOTES

* You can use white granulated sugar instead of brown sugar.

* I have used homemade peanut butter and so its a bit chocolaty peanut butter than the color of  the original peanut butter. You can use store peanut butter or use almond chocolate spread or nutella too.

* I have used ghee instead of butter for grilling. You can use whichever you prefer.

* You can use regular dole or robusta bananas to make this sandwich too instead of plantains.

RECIPES THAT I POSTED USING ETHAKKA(NENDRAN PAZHAM )-

*Ethakka (Nendran Pazham)Cutlet

*Nendran Pazham Bonda

*Ethakka Puffs

*Nendran pazham Puttu

*Pazham Pradhaman

*Ela Ada with pazham filling

* Pazham Pori(Ethakka Appam)

* Ethakka(Nendran Pazham) Kumbilappam

Chakka Podi Idli | Raw Jackfruit Powder Idli (Step by Step Pics)

After posting the chakka podi(raw jackfruit powder), here comes my tried and tested version of the frequently made recipe of idlis using chakka podi. These idlis are made similar to ragi idlis with flour mixed with idli batter. These idlis are very soft but don't puff up very high. Taste wise there is no difference but texture wise its a bit stickier than regular idlis. However, the main advantage of these beauties is that it definitely reduces your carb load thereby keeps a check on your weight and sugar levels per se. Chakka podi aka raw jackfruit powder is available in markets these days and if you don't get a chance to make your own batch then try these idlis with that pack. Please do let me know too how it turned out and enjoy !!

Preparation time ~ 10 mins

Cooking time ~ 15 mins

Author ~ Julie

Serves ~ 8 idlis

Ingredients

chakka podi(raw jackfruit powder) 1/3 cup

idli batter 1/2 cup

salt to taste

Method

• Mix the chakka podi (raw jackfruit powder) with a little water to make a thick paste.
• Then add the idli batter to this and mix well. Add more water if needed to get the right consistency. Check my post of idli-dosa batter here if you don't make your own set of idli batter at home.

                                             

• Leave to ferment overnight or 6 hours. Add salt once fermented and pour in a idli mould. Steam cook for 12 minutes, it takes a little longer than regular idlis.

                                           

• Cool the idli plates slightly and invert or scoop out on plates and serve with sambar or chutney. We served with sambar and pudina chutney.

Check this link for more chutney recipes here. 

NOTES

* Adding salt before fermentation can also be done, but i prefer adding after fermentation.

* Remember to smear a little oil in moulds before pouring the batter.

* Steam cook for 12-13 minutes or tooth pick inserted comes out clean.

* These days you get store brought chakka podi too, you can use that incase you don't plan to make your own flour.

CHECK OUT DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF IDLIS FROM THIS SPACE:

* Quinoa Idlis

* Barley Oats Idlis

* Tricolor Idlis

* Kanchipuram Idlis

* Rava Idli

* Barnyard Millet Idli

* Ragi Idli

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to make Chakka Podi(Raw Jackfruit Powder) ? | Chakka Podi from Scratch (Step by Step Pics)

Raw jackfruit or pacha chakka or kathal is a superfood. Chakka podi(raw jackfruit powder) is a healthy replacer for carbs and also the dried pieces can be used all year throughout. These dried pieces can be used to make upperi(kootan) after soaking for 3-4 hours. If you stay in a place away from Kerala then this is a healthy choice to keep dried jackfruit pieces ready at hand and can be used anytime. As jackfruit(chakka) is a seasonal fruit so this may not be available always in Kerala too so can be dried and be used. Raw jackfruit is way more healthier than the ripe jackfruit. Its good for diabetics to reduce the glycemic load and it also has more soluble fibers thereby reducing the cholesterol. This also prevents colon cancer says research and is a low acid veggie.

The whole idea behind making this podi(powder) is that this powder has a neutral taste and can be added to any of the Indian meals like upma, rotis, parathas, idlis or dosas without noticing or tasting any much taste difference. This has more soluble fibers and the calories are much less compared to the grains. This podi is made by using the mature raw jackfruits or else may not taste good. This dry preserve has very low glycemic index compared to that of rice and wheat. We get the raw jackfruit powder these days in supermarkets too but when in season you get so much fresh jackfruit that we can sun dry and use.  Bookmark this up and save for your future.

So last year onwards, I started sun drying the raw jackfruit and this way the dried jackfruit pieces can be stored a year long outside at room temperature. I still have my last year's batch still fresh in air tight containers. There is no particular recipe to preserve the jackfruit. The procedure is quite simple but we need good sunlight for the initial 3 days else the pieces may get fungus. So be careful with that part rest everything is taken care of quick and easy. Do give this a try if you would love to preserve jackfruits this way, its a keeper :)

Preparation time ~ 1 hour

Cooking time ~ 10 minutes

Sun dry ~ 3 -4 days

Author ~ Julie

Ingredients

raw jackfruit 1 whole cleaned 

Method

• Clean the raw jackfruit by cutting it open, clean the sap using a chakiri or cheratta (coconut shell). Then cut small portions of the jackfruit, cut and remove the center portion to which the bulbs are attached bulbs alone. Remove the seed in each and then chop the bulbs small.

• In a steamer, add enough water and place the plate. Add the chopped jackfruit in the plate and steam cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly wilted. 
• Remove the wilted jackfruit from stove and then spread on clean cloth. Spread evenly and keep under the sun till its completely dry. It may take 4-5 days to get super crisp pieces, keep it spread evenly on the cloth even during night time under the fan in especially the initial 2 days of sun drying. The pieces may turn sticky with the moisture and go bad. 
• Store in air tight containers and powder as much as and when required or a small batch to store as needed.
• The powder may not stay good for long but the dried chopped pieces can be stored over a year.

• You can even make chakka kootan(chakka upperi) or chakka vevichathu using these dry ones. Soak this dry jackfruit for about 30 minutes and use.

                                                    

NOTES

*Check out my chakka podi idli recipe shared.

* Also remember to powder the dried jackfruit pieces in small batches so that the freshness remains.

* Use mature raw jackfruit for this process and not ripe ones. Ripe ones may not dry up properly. 

* I just warmed up the dry pieces again once in the whole year to just extend the shelf life. Take care to place in a dry plate when sun drying again else the product may go bad.

Please check out the below links of few basic recipes, if interested-

* Extracting ghee from Unsalted butter stick

* Homemade Bread Crumbs

* Homemade Ginger-Garlic Paste

* How to make Idli-Dosa batter in a mixer

* Making homemade yogurt

* Making your own spice powders at home

* Homemade Ada for payasam

* Homemade paneer

* Making mascarpone cheese at home

* Kerala Chammanthi Podi

* Homemade Tahini

* Chocolate Almond Spread

* Homemade Rasam Powder

* Homemade Sambar Powder

* Homemade Rice Powder

* Chukku Kappi

* Homemade Gram Masala

* Homemade Puff Pastry

* Homemade Mawa

* Making Mulagu Kondattam

OR Check out this page here for more basic recipes.

Ragi Paalappam (With and Without Yeast) | Finger Millet Appam ~ 2 Methods

How many of you love paalappams?? Paalappams is a family favorite here and I make it once a week for breakfast. I rarely use yeast to make appams and use coconut water instead or make kallu out of it and use. I mostly make ragi paalappam with coconut water but I have shared both methods of making this appams incase you use yeast to make appams. Am not very fond of using yeast for all inds of appams. I generally store the coconut water from 1 or 2 coconuts in fridge and I keep out the water at room temperature on the day of grinding the batter. I have already posted the recipe of kallappam which is a popular post too in my space, please check if interested to make soft appams without yeast.  

I have been trying out ragi(finger millet) recipes to reduce the glycemic load or to reduce the carbs intake. The tried tested and succesful recipes using ragi are listed below at the end of this post.  Except the color there is no obvious change in taste or texture of ragi appams. They have been a delicious breakfast item here and so we have reduced making the rice paalappam or traditional paalappam on select occasions only. Do give these appams a try if you haven't tried appams with ragi.

Also, try these out too- Traditional paalappam, Wholewheat appams, Kallappam. 

Preparation time ~ 20 minutes

Cooking time ~20 minutes

Author ~ Julie

Ingredients

METHOD 1

ragi flour 1/3 cup

*appam batter 2/3 cup

granulated sugar 1 tsp

salt to taste

METHOD 2

ragi flour 1/2 cup

rice flour 1 tbsp

grated coconut 1/3 cup

instant yeast 1/4 tsp

granulated sugar 1 tsp

salt to taste

Method 1

Take ragi flour in a bowl and add little water to make a lump free thick paste. To this add 2/3 cup appam batter. Mix well and ferment overnight or 5-6 hours. 

To the fermented batter, add salt and mix well. Heat the appachatti and pour ladleful of batter in the center. Swirl the pan holding the handles to make thin laces around. Cover and cook on low flame for another minute. Remove lid and give another 30 secs to cook and transfer to a casserole or plate.

Serves 8-10 appams

                      

Method 2

Add 1/3 cup ragi flour to a bowl, add 2-3 tbsp water to make a thick paste. 

Mix 3 tbsp coconut water with a tsp of sugar and keep aside at room temperature for 5-6 hours.(Omit this step if using yeast). If using yeast add 1/4 tsp yeast for this measure of ragi flour when grinding.

Grind 1/3 cup grated coconut in a mixer jar with fermented 3 tbsp coconut water  or yeast (whichever you are using) to a smooth paste.

In another pan, mix 1 tbsp of rice flour to 3 tbsp of water. Place the pan on heat and cook the mix until the mixture thickens slightly, may take 3 minutes. Switch off flame and cool. This is called 'pav kachiyathu' in Kerala (You can grind 1 tbsp of cooked rice with grated coconut instead of pav kachiyathu too but I feel adding cooked rice over ferments the batter so I prefer pav kachiyathu inn summers. In winters, you can add cooked rice too).

Mix the ground coconut, ragi mix and thickened cooked rice porridge(pav kachiyathu). Combine well and leave to ferment 6 hours or overnight.

                            

To the fermented batter, add salt mix well without deflating the air much. Heat an appachatti and pour ladleful of batter in the center. Swirl the pan holding the handles to make thin laces around. Cover and cook on low flame for another minute. Remove lid and give another 30 secs to cook and transfer to a casserole or plate. Repeat this step till you finish making all appams.

Serves ~ 4 -5 appams.

                                                        

NOTES

* If you want the measure of appam batter for this measure of ragi flour in method 1 then use rice 1/3 cup and grated coconut 1/3 cup. OR follow this link here to add appam batter or use store brought appam batter too.

* If you wish to try using whole ragi then use 1/3 cup for this measure of ragi flour (1/2 cup).

* I don't generally use yeast for making the traditional appams or ragi appams. I just preserve the coconut water in refrigerator until use. On the day of grinding the batter, keep the coconut water outside at room temperature for around 5-6 hours before grinding. When keeping out, add a tsp or 2 tsp of sugar and leave to ferment. Then pour this coconut water and grind the batter(the coconut water may not taste fermented at this point but once you grind and keep for another 8 hours it will ferment nicely). Summers this works perfectly but in winters you may need to give more time to ferment using this method.

Check out more ragi (finger millet/ panjipullu) recipes-
Ragi Peechappam
Ragi Ela Ada
Ragi Idiyappam
Ragi Poori
Ragi Dosa(Instant)
Multi Grain Laddus

Kerala Style Kaada Roast | Quail Roast(Step by Step Pics) ~ Easter Special !

Wishing all a Happy Easter !!

Hope you all are having a good Easter. We are on vacations and are at home. Kids finished their exams last week and they completed a whole year of online classes and exams in the last acdemic year. Hope kids get to see the next academic session at school, they miss their friends and the school time. 

Coming back to today's recipe, Kada(quail) are small birds and the meat is very less compared to that of chicken. These are dressed up whole and are used as a whole as its very small and not cut in pieces. The cavity is cleaned and all internal organs are removed. The meat is darker in color compared to chicken and is a juicy one. Kaada meat has many health benefits like incresing hemoglobin, improving metabolism and helps in healing asthma, gastritis and tuberculosis. The kaada eggs are also equally nutritious though they are 1/3 rd the size of a chicken egg. The eggs have 3 times the nutrition that a chicken egg has and has 13% protein compared to 11% in chicken eggs. I already have posted kada egg roast and egg chutney balls made with kaada(quail) eggs, do check that too if interested.

Kaada meat tastes almost similar to chicken, its a juicy meat but not very fleshy unlike chicken. The bones of the meat is tender and can be eaten too. The meat has very less fat compare to that of chicken.

The kaada is slightly fried in oil with first marination and then cooked in onion tomato mix. The first frying gives a firmness to the meat and gives an added flavor. One kaada may just serve as an appetizer for an adult and so plan the number of kaada as per that for use. H doesn't like the kaada meat compared to chicken but all others do like it. The masala adds an added cover to the meat and tastes delicious with some appam / idiyappam. Check it out!!

Preparation time ~ 20 minutes

Cooking time ~ 30 mins

Author ~ Julie

Serves ~ 5 kada roast

Ingredients

for marination

kada/ quail 5

turmeric powder/ manjal podi 1/2 tsp

kashmiri chilli powder / mulagu podi 3tsp

pepper powder / kurumulaku podi 1/2 tsp

lemon juice / naranga neeru 1/2 or 2 tsp

salt as needed 

for roast

coconut sliced / thenga kothu 2 tbsp

fennel seeds / perinjeerakam 1/2 tsp

onion/ savala 4 medium sized 

tomato / thakkali 2 big sliced

green chilli / pachamulagu 1or 2 

ginger- garlic paste 1 tbsp

turmeric powder / manjal podi  1/4 tsp

kashmiri chily powder /mulagu podi 1 tsp

coriander powder/ malli podi 1 tsp

garam masala 1 tsp

water 1/2 cup

curry leaves 2-3 sprig

salt to taste

sugar a pinch

coriander leaves / malli ela 1 tbsp

coconut oil 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp

Method

FOR MARINATION

Wash and clean the kada meat (quail) thoroughly inside out. The inside is hollow after removing all the organs, rinse under running water. Drain all water, make gashes over the meat so that the masala seeps in and keep aside. Make a paste with the ingredients listed under marination and then apply on the kada(quail) inside out as much a s possible. Keep aside covered in fridge overnight or atleast 30 mins.

                                           

FOR ROAST

• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add the marinated kada and lightly fry flippig all sides(may take 3 minutes each side on medium flame). Remove on a plate and keep aside. 

• To the same oil,add the perinjeerakam(fennel seeds), to this add coconut slices and fry till light brown. Wait till its light browned, add the sliced onions, green chillies and saute. Sprinkle a little salt to speed up and then fry the onions till lightly browned.Add in curry leaves.

                                             

• To this add ginger- garlic paste and saute till raw smell disappears. Then add the spice powders on low flame and saute. Add in the chopped tomatoes. Finally add the fried kada, combine with the masala. Add in half cup water to cook and adjust salt. 

                  

• Cook covered on medium flame till its cooked or 10 minutes. Mix everthing well in between and flip the masala well, add more water if needed. Toss in a pinch of sugar to balance flavors.
• Dry up all the water content and roast on high flame for two minutes.
• Add in chopped coriander leaves, serve warm.

NOTES

* Adding a pinch of sugar is optional, it just balances the flavors. Omit if you don't like.

* I have used kashmiri chilli powder for roast. But you can always add the hot chilli powder or a mix of both. Alter as per tolerance.

* Lightly fry the kada to secure the outer cover and spices. This is an optional step but definitely adds a distinct flavor if done.

Please check out few more roast recipes, if interested-
* Kada Mutta Roast
* Chicken Sukka
* Egg Pepper Roast
* Special Chicken Ularthiyathu
* Beef Ularthiyathu
* Chemmeen(Prawns) roast
* Kanava (Squid) Roast
* Clams(kakkairachi)  Roast
* Chicken kerala style roast

* Meen Roast