Chili Idly

  

   
       I did not know any such dish existed until I had it at a South Indian restaurant. It tasted so good that we ignored the fact that it was made out of leftover idly (leftover food not from home but in a restaurant!!!).Over the years we tried making it a couple of times. Since we do not eat very spicy or oily food, I can call this as a healthy version of chili idly:-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Leftover idlies: 5-7 Cut into large squares.
Capsicum: 1 chopped into cubes
Onion: 1 chopped into cubes
Ginger garlic paste: 1 tsp
Chili sauce: 1 tsp (use more if you want it spicy)
Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
Tomato sauce: 1 tbsp
Fresh coriander: 1/2 tbsp chopped
Oil: 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan. Add Ginger garlic paste and chopped onion. Fry till it onion is half cooked (for about a min).
2. Add Capsicum and fry for a couple of mins on high flame.
3. Add Soy sauce, Tomato sauce, chili sauce and salt and mix well.
4 Add Idly pieces and mix well. Add Coriander and let it cook for a couple of mins on high flame. Serve hot with Tomato ketchup.

Simple Vanilla Cake with Choco Chips

 
     I bought a convection microwave oven in November during Diwali celebrations. I had been toying with the idea of switching over to a convection microwave for about two years. I researched online, asked people for feedback, and visited electronic stores several times but was hesitant to purchase it. Most people who owned it suggested not to buy it since they had not used the oven mode even once and it simply served as a microwave. My sis in law who bakes amazing cakes gave me a good review about convection microwave. So finally I bought it and I must say it was a good decision. 
        This was my first cake. It is a simple recipe shared by a friend and improvised by my sis in law. It turned out well. I did not have a egg beater and had to buy one before starting this cake. So one can imagine how much baking I have done in my entire life:-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:

Eggs: 3

Sugar: 1 cup

Fresh Cream(Amul): 1/2 cup

Maida/ Flour: 2 cups

Baking powder: 1 tsp

Choco chips: Bournville Dark chocolate chopped up

Vanilla Essence: 1 tsp

Almonds: 6-7 chopped

Method:

1. Sift together Flour/Maida and baking soda and set aside

2. Beat together eggs for about 2 mins.Add sugar and mix till it dissolves. Add Fresh cream and beat till the mixture is fluffy.Add vanilla essence.

3. Slowly add Flour from step 1 to egg mixture. Mix it lightly.

4. Dust choco chips and almond pieces with flour so that they don't sink while baking.

5. Apply butter to the baking try and dust with flour.

6. Pre heat oven at 180 Celsius.

7. Bake for about 30 mins. (My pan is tall and black hence it takes almost 45 mins). Insert a knife into the cake. If it comes out clean then the cake is baked.

Tomato Rice with Soya nuggets

     

        
        Yay! New Year, New post. Since my resolution has ended with 2013 I am discontinuing numbering of my recipes. Also I will be discontinuing 'Final Outcome' since from now on I will be posting only the recipes which turned out good. About 10 recipes which will follow were prepared in 2013 but never made it to this space due to lack of time. This year I want to dedicate more time towards this blog. It will contain a lot more chatter, a lot more thoughts and may be a peek into my everyday life.
        This recipe is from a TV show which was shared by a friend. I made this for the 1st time sometime in November. It was so loved that I have made it several times since then.
Source: tomato rice

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Cooked Rice: 3 cups (I used brown rice)
Tomatoes: 2 chopped

Soya nuggets: Soaked in Boiling water with salt for 10-15 mins

Garlic cloves: 4-5 finely chopped

Onion: 1 chopped

Matar/Peas: 1 cup

Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp

Pavbhaji masala: 3-4 tsp

Amchur powder: 1 tsp

Red chili powder: 1 tsp

Coriander leaves for garnish.

Salt to taste

Oil: 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin and garlic and saute till fragrant. Add onion and cook till onion is soft.

2. Add Tomato and Matar/peas. Add a little water. Cook till they are done.

3. Add Pavbhaji masala, amchur powder, red chili powder, soya nuggets and salt. Mix well.

4. Add cooked rice and about 2 tbsp of water and mix well.Cover and cook till water evaporates. Serve garnished with fresh coriander leaves.

Goodbye 2013...

        About 10 years ago during a management training program we were asked :"what would be the one thing you would like to do during your lifetime".
"Gain as much knowledge as possible" I answered.
Since then I got married, changed cities, changed jobs, started a family but my answer to that question will still be the same. I like to learn new things and love new experiences.

        I began cooking in 2006. Initial years were about basic everyday cooking and getting the ingredients right. The next couple of years I was busy with my new job and later a baby.  In December 2012 I was a little confident that I could dedicate some time at trying something new. That is when I came up with this resolution of 200 recipes in 365 days.  This resolution was in part a chance to learn new recipes and in part a fun experience. Although I could try just 100 recipes during the year, it has been the most fun resolution. During the year not only did I learn recipes from different cuisines but also learnt  a few tricks:-). Most loved recipes in my family are: Carrot dosa, Avial, Mango Ice cream, Majjige huli and buttermilk spinach pasta.
Although the year has ended I will continue to cook new recipes and also continue blogging.

Looking back....
Moving ahead: Ta started school mid year. 
Purchases: I bought a new convection microwave in November and already baked 5 cakes:-)
                  Both 'N' and me switched over to smart phones.
Gain: Weight (after all it was a cooking resolution:-))
 Setbacks: Had a few minor accidents and a few set backs.
Goodbye 2013 you have been nice to me.

87. Akki Roti

Final Outcome: Good

        It was on my list from the beginning of this resolution, and here I am making it in the month of December. By now it is very clear that I will not be achieving my target of 200 recipes. So in this last month of 2013 I will try to reach as close to target as I can.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Rice Flour: 2 cups
Onion: 2 medium chopped
Curry leaves: 8-10 torn by hand
Coriander leaves: 1 tbsp chopped
Oil : 1 tsp for dough and a little for cooking
Salt as per taste

Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients (rice flour, onion, curry leaves, coriander leaves, a little oil and salt) with water. Make a very soft dough. It should be kind of watery and easy to spread.
2. On a tava spread a little oil. Make a ball about twice the size of a ping pong ball. Spread it with palm and fingers. Dip your palm into water frequently while spreading. Spread it as thin as possible.
3. Place the tava on medium heat and cook covered. The akki roti should not turn brown. Turn once one side is done and cook covered the other side.
4. Serve hot with tomato pickle. Once it cools down it turns chewy. Hence consume while its hot.

86. Dill Brinjal Curry (Dill Egg plant Curry)

Source:http://www.quickindiancooking.com/2013/10/07/big-dill/
Final Outcome: Simple and tasty!

        I loved this recipe as soon as I read it. All the ingredients were at home. Hence I quickly tried this simple curry. This post has the worst photo anyone can click. My excuse is that I was very hungry and my toddler was very cranky that day. Trust me, do not go by the picture.... try this recipe.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Dill (shepu): 1 big bunch cleaned and chopped
Brinjal/ Egg plants: 4-5 Sliced length wise
Garlic: 3-4 cloves chopped
Mustard seeds:1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida: a pinch
Red Chili powder: 1 tsp
Salt
Oil: 1tbsp

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan.Add Mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to splutter add cumin seeds, asafoetida and garlic.
2. Add Brinjals, turmeric powder and chili powder. Add a splash of water. Cover and cook till they are almost done.
3. Add dill to the soft brinjals. Add salt and cook till dill is cooked and Brinjals are wrinkled. 
Serve hot.

85. Rot (Atta cake)

Final Outcome: Tasty healthy snack

        Another recipe out of my mom's book. In this picture the cake looks overcooked however it was not. This recipe does not need an oven. A thick bottomed pan will work fine. I used a non stick thick bottom pan.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Atta/Whole wheat flour: 1 cup
Jaggery: 1/2 cup (crushed)
Rava: 1 tbsp
Cooking Soda: 1/2 tsp
Salt: a pinch

Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients except soda together.
2. Add a little water (about 1/2 cup) and mix well. It should not be watery.
3. Add soda and mix
4. Apply ghee to a thick bottomed pan. Pour the above mixture into the pan. Keep covered on medium head for about 12 to 15 mins.
5. Take off heat and cut into squares. Serve with Ghee.
Can be stored for a day