Month: December 2019

IVY GOURD ‘N’ MANGO CHUTNEY

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Ivy gourd/ Coccinea/Kovakkai ( Tamil)/Kundra

(Hindi)/Kovakka ( Sinhala),resembles a tiny

cucumber.This tiny wonder,has many health

benefits .A few health pointers on this gourd

*The laxative contents in it aids constipation

*Lowers blood sugar levels

*loaded with vitaminC , A,B1,&B2..

*Aids in proper functioning of kidneys

* Healing properties for wounds

People with low sugar, should not take it often,

as it’s potent to reduce sugar levels will lead to

hypoglycaemia .

So let’s get into the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

100-200 gm ivy gourd

1/2 of a raw mango

5-6 red dry chillies

a small piece of ginger ( optional)

1 tblsp.whole coriander seeds

1 tsp cummin seeds

3 tblsp urad dhal / gram dal

A pinch of asafoetida powder

1 tsp jaggery powder

1-2 tblsp oil

salt to taste.

METHOD

Roughly cut the mango and gourd and saute in

oil for 5 minutes.Transfer the contents into

another bowl.

In the same pan , add the rest of the spices and

roast till the urad dhal changes color .Remove

from fire.

First grind the spices coarsely. Add the mango

gourd ,salt and grind to a paste.

Serve with iddli or dosa.

Try this healthy and tasty chutney and send in

your valuable comments!

Note: You could temper this chutney if you like.

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BOTTLE GOURD BADAM HALWA

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Bottle gourd or ‘Lauki’ (Hindi) ‘Sorakkai'(Tamil)

is vegetable with 96 percent of water .

Consuming it as juice ,helps in weight loss and

removal of acidity in the body. Ayurvedic

medicine considers it to be a nerve tonic , good

for ulcers,constipation , for healthy liver and

many more benefits .The extract of this bottle

gourd plant is used to treat jaundice .

I cook this vegetable often, with dal or stuffed

curry ( recipe uploaded) or salad.

This time I turned it sweet!Yes,bottlegourd

halwa.This vegetable can be grated and made

like the carrot halwa for a variation.

My recipe today is with finely ground gourd.

So…for the recipe now.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups peeled and ground bottlegourd

1/4 cup ground almonds

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cardamon powder

1/4 cup ghee

a pinch of salt

1 tblsp of corn flour mixed in a little water

METHOD

Heat half the ghee, in thick bottomed/non stick

pan.

Add the ground vegetable ,almonds and salt.

Cook for 10 minutes and add sugar.

Keep stirring , till sugar dissolves .

Add corn flour mixture and cook till the

mixture leaves the sides of the pan.

Add the rest of the ghee and cardamom powder

Keep stirring till the mixture, clings onto the

spoon .

Transfer to a greased plate.Smear a little ghee

on top . Press on with watermelon seeds or

cashewnuts.

Cut into pieces after it is cool.

( No coloring was added )

CHOCO-CARAMEL PUDDING

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This dessert was a failure turned success!

As Ken Robinson quotes’If you are not

prepared to be wrong,you’ll never come up

with anything original’.

My idea was choco-caramel molten cake .

My baking time was correct , but I forgot to

take the cake out , and the rest you know .

The syrupy texture settled at the bottom, and

the moist texture added to the flavour.

I used country sugar ( nattu sakarai) unrefined

sugar.

The taste was excellent. You could use

muscovado sugar / soft brown sugar too.

Trust me , all loved the taste . I too loved it very

much .

(The photo shows the unmoulded pieces and one in the cup itself .)

You could serve with cream/ ice cream.

To my original recipe now…..

INGREDIENTS

75 gm butter

3/4 cup sugar

3 eggs +1 yolk

1 tblsp cocoa powder

50 gm all purpose flour

1 tblsp thick curd

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla essence ( optional)

METHOD

Melt the sugar and butter on a double boiler.

Remove from fire ,and add cocoa powder.

After it is slightly cool, add the flour and baking

powder.Add essence.

Beat eggs till frothy and mix in to the batter.

Butter the ramekins and dust with sugar ( for

easy removal)

Pour the batter into the ramekins, and bake in

a hot oven ( 200 degrees) for 12 minutes.

Remove from oven, and unmould if you like.

Do try this and send in your valued comments!

RAW PEPPER’N’BROCOLLI SOUP

Calin's Kitchen

Raw pepper is the fresh green pepper before

processing to black pepper .

Lovely, green tiny corns attracted me when,i

went for my vegetables and fruits shopping to

my favourite exotic store.

To my knowledge, these peppers are used in

making pickle or stir fries.

This time, i combined it with broccoli to make

soup.

This pepper is rich in VitaminK,

antioxidants,aids in fat loss and many other

nutrients if you do a specific search.

Broccoli too, has many nutrients you require to

keep you healthy.

Looks lovely and green,but one which keeps

your nose up ,is rich in calcium,aids to detox,

and boosts your immune levels.

So, compulsorily include in your diet.

To the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

1 cup broccoli florets

1 tblsp raw pepper

2-3 roasted garlic

1 roasted onion ( saute in oil till brown)

Lemon juice

Salt to taste

METHOD

Cook all the ingredients except the garlic cloves

and onion.

Once the brocolli is cooked ,drain the liquid

into the soup pot,and blend

all the veggies ,with onion and garlic to a

smooth paste.

Mix in the paste,with the drained stock.

Adjust, the amount of soup you need by adding

water.

Add lemon juice .

Serve hot .

You could add a little cream if you like.

Note:Always add lemon juice after

removing from fire.

GREEN TEA CUPCAKES WITH LEMON CREAM

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There are lot of recipes with matcha tea in

cupcakes and desserts. This time I tried with

the normal green tea . You can use any flavour

you like .Nuts like pistachio, pumpkin seeds can

be added.Can be served with cream / without

cream.

To the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

2 green tea bags dipped in 3/4 cup hot water.

(If using leaves, 1 tsp in hot water and strained)

1+1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar/ brown sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2-3 tblsp yoghurt

1/2 cup olive oil/ vegetable oil/melted butter

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

METHOD

Mix all the dry ingredients ,and wet ingredients

in separate bowls.

Mix in the wet ingredients into the dry .

Mix without any lumps.

Scoop into cup cake liners,and bake in a 180C

moderate oven for 30 minutes or till done.

For the lemon cream

1-2 cup whipped cream / fresh cream

2 tblsp powdered sugar

1 tsp grated rind of lemon

1/4 tsp lemon essence

Whip the cream add the rest of the ingredients

Pipe or smear on cupcakes .

You can try mint cream for a variation.

Do try and post in your comments

BANANA LEAF KOLUKATAI

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Modaks,kolukattai,lavariya,…this is a sweet

dumpling made with rice flour ,and filling

with coconut as key ingredient. Types of lentils

and jaggery are mixed with coconut according

to individuals taste. Healthy and nutritious can

be served for breakfast or as tea time snack.

Today I’m going to share with you various

types of fillings, with the basic recipe for the

outer covering.

INGREDIENTS (For the covering)

2-3 cups rice flour/ idiappam flour/kolukattai

flour

Salt

water

2 tsp ghee

METHOD

Heat some water ( roughly 2 cups).Once it

starts to boil ,add salt ,switch off the flame and

add 1/2 cup normal water.

Pour this water into the rice flour .

Using a wooden spatula mix to a soft dough.

Cover and set aside for 10 minutes.

Mix in the ghee ,and knead for 5 minutes.

Divide portions.

Flatten on pieces of banana leaves ,keep filling

and fold the leaf to cover to dough.

Press lightly .

Steam for 7-10 minutes

Serve.

Now for the fillings

1. Grated coconut,jaggery,nuts,cardamom,salt

powder.

2. Soaked and boiled moong dal ,heated with

ghee,jaggery,cardamom powder and coconut.

3.Soaked and boiled gramdal( kadala

paruppu,channadal) mashed and heated with

ghee,jaggery coconut,cardamom

powder,raisins (if you like)

4.Mixed nuts of your choice,raisins,coconut,

jaggery , a little nutmeg powder, ghee

5. Boiled/steamed nendram semi-ripe

banana,mixed with coconut, jaggery,cardamom

powder.

The same kolukattai can be made with

savoury fillings too.

My previous posts related to this recipe

PANDAN SWEET DUMPLINGS (kolakattai )

Moringa

Do try these fillings , and if you have innovated

anything new ,do post in your comments .