Oats Veg Uttapam

Oats Veg Uttapam

A healthy, whole nutrients packed uttapam using oats. I have added vegetables to it. Hence its perfect for energizing breakfast. It doesn't need any fermentation. You can prepare this healthy breakfast in less than 10 minutes.. Here is the recipe..

Yields       : 25 Uttapam

Preparation Time : 15 minutes + time for Grinding

Ingredients:

Oats                     - 1 cup

Rava                    - 1/4 cup

Besan Flour         - 1/4 cup (Kadalai Maavu)

Carrot                  - 1 (small)

Cabbage              - 1/4 cup (Chopped)

Capsicum            - 1(small)

Butter-milk         - As required (need at least a cup of it)

Grated Coconut   - 2 tbsp (optional)

Salt                      - As required

Gingely Oil         - For Dosai

To powder:

Whole Pepper      - 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds        - 1/2 tsp (Seeragam)

Cashew Nuts        - 4 or 6 (Optional)

Procedure:

• Finely chop carrot, cabbage and capsicum.
• Powder everything under 'To  Powder'.
• Powder oats. Take a bowl. Add powdered oats, rava and besan flour.
• Add enough salt and butter milk. Mix everything to get a dosai batter consistency.
• Add powdered mixture and chopped vegetables to it. Your uttapam batter is ready,
• Heat a dosai pan. Spray some gingely oil to it. Add a ladle of batter to the pan. Expand it like uttapam. Add some more oil.
• When both sides are done, serve it hot with Chutney Of Your Choice.
• I served it with Tomato Garlic Chutney. 

Samba Rava - Wheat Dosa (Samba Rava - Godhumai Dosai)

Samba Rava - Wheat Dosa  (Samba Rava - Godhumai Dosai)

Here is another interesting recipe with Samba Rava.. Samba Rava is  nothing but, broken wheat.. Its available in all the stores.. Instead of doing white rava uppuma, we can do  healthy samba rava uppuma.. I have blogged already about Samba Rava uppuma.. Now similar to Rava - Maida Dosa, we are doing this Samba Rava - Wheat Dosa.. For binding of Samba Rava Wheat flour is used..

Hence its a very healthy Dosa.. Ideal for Diabetic Patients .. Its very tasty too.. This is our breakfast once in two weeks.. Give it a try.. Here goes the recipe..

Ingredients:

Samba Rava                - 1 cup

Whole Wheat Flour    - 1/2 cup

Salt                              - As Needed

Water                           - As Needed

Gingely Oil                 - As Needed

For Seasoning: 

Mustard Seeds               - 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds                 - 1 tsp  (seeragam)

Black Pepper                 - 1 tsp

Chopped Ginger            - Few

Chopped CurryLeaves   - Few

Chopped Coriander        - Few

Oil                                  - As required

Procedure:

1. Dry Roast Samba Rava in a pan. Dry roast it till it leaves nice aroma.
2. Take a bowl.. Add Samba Rava , whole wheat flour.and salt. Add enough water to it to get dosa batter consistency. Let it sit for half n hour.
3. Do the sesoning and add it to the batter.
4.  Spray some Gingelly oil to Dosa pan.. Add batter to the pan.. Expand  it like for Dosa...  It will be difficult to expand dosas so just stick on to small uhtappam size dosas..Spray some Gingelly oil.
5. Once its done on one side, carefully turn to the other side.
6. When both sides are cooked serve it hot.. 
7. I am serving with Moong Dal Sambar ( Pasiparupu Sambar) and Mint-Tomato Chutney

Quick Tips:

1. you can add also onions to the Dosa.
2. This Dosa won't be crispier like Rava - Maida Dosa.. But its indeed healthy..

Ambur Style Chicken Briyani

Ambur Style Chicken Briyani

Hurrah!!! This is our blog's 200th post..  

And one more special thing about this Briyani.. My husband prepared this Briyani and this is the first time he cooks for me..  One day he found this recipe, in my Recipe Note. He desperately wanted to prepare this Briyani all by his own and he went on with the recipe. Me and my kid were waiting eagerly for the Briyani... 

Wow!!! It was very yummy... The Briyani was very perfect.  Just had the pleasure of eating Briyani in an authentic Briyani Restaurant. Thank you Husband!! You owe 200th post of the Blog!!! 

Here is that authentic Briyani recipe..

 

Ingredients: (Recipe For 2)

Seeraga Samba Arisi                  - 1 cup  (Briyani Rice)

Chicken                                      - 1/2 kg

Big Onion                                   - 2

Tomato                                       - 2

Ginger-Garlic Paste                    - 1 tbsp

Red Chilli Paste                          - 2 tbsp

Curd                                            - 1/4 cup

Cinnamon Stick                          - 1

Cloves                                         - 2

Green Cardamom                        - 2

Coriander Leaves                        - 2 handsful

Mint Leaves                                 - 2 handsful

Salt                                              - As required

Ghee+Oil                                     - As required

Procedure:

• Boil 3 cups of water in  a sauce pan. When the water boils, add washed Briyani rice. When the water boils again, reduce the flame and switch it off in another 8 minutes. By this way, rice would have cooked only 3/4 th.. When you take out the rice it should be mashable with hands but it should be little chewy when you eat.. Drain the excess water and let the rice cool..

• Chop Big onion lengthwise. Chop finely tomatoes, coriander and mint leaves.
•  Heat Ghee + oil in a pan. Add little curd to it.  Add also cinnamon stick, cloves and green cardamom to it.
• After a second, add half of chopped onions. After the onions are translucent, add Ginger-Garlic paste.
• Saute till raw flavor goes off. Add washed chicken and coriander leaves to the pan. Cover with a lid and cook well. Keep on stirring in between.
• When the chicken is half cooked, add remaining onions and tomatoes.
• Cover with a lid and cook well.
• After 5 minutes, add salt, Red Chilli Paste and remaining curd.
• Cover with a lid and cook well, till the chicken is cooked fully. No need to add water. Chicken will cook in its own water.

• Take a baking pan. Grease it. Place half of the rice. Then Gravy.. and throw coriander, some coriander and mint leaves.
• And then add rest of the rice, gravy and again Coriander, mint leaves.
• Cover the pan. I used baking sheet for it.

• Pre heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Bake it for 15 minutes. Let briyani sit in the switched off oven for 10 more minutes.
• Enjoy your Briyani. Adjust the spice according to your taste. Please follow the same procedure. Or else, you will end up in usual Briyani. Because the taste lies within the procedure which we follow.
• If you don't have oven, simply heat a dosai pan. Place rice,gravy,coriander leaves in layers in a Pan and place it over the dosai pan.. By this, Dum briyani can be done on stove top.

Kadappa

This is the recipe which i learnt from one of my dear friends. This is how she makes this awesome gravy which goes well with Dosai, Chapathi / Roti. One of the simplest and easiest side dish gravies that also stay light on stomach. The recipe follows.. 

Recipe For : 2

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Ingredients:

Moong Dal                   - 1/2 cup (Pasi Parupu)
Big Onion                    - 1
Tomato                         - 1
Chopped Coconut        - 3 tbsp
Green Chili                   - 1
Chopped Ginger           - 1 tsp
Chopped Garlic            - 1 tsp
Whole Garam Masala  - Each 1
Salt                               - As required
Turmeric Powder          - 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves                - few
Oil                                 - 2 tbsp

Procedure:

• Chop finely Big onion, tomato. Slit Green Chili. Grind coconut to a fine paste adding little water.
• Take a cooker. Add washed moong dal, slit green chili, chopped onion, tomato, ginger and garlic to it. Add enough water , turmeric powder and cook everything together. I used to cook in high flame for 5 continuous whistles. 
• Heat oil in a pan. Add Whole Garam Masala such as Cinnamon stick, Cloves , Star Aniseeds and also Curry leaves.
• Saute for a minute and then add cooked dal mixture. Add ground coconut paste and enough salt.
• Mix everything well and switch it off when the gravy starts to boil. Your Kadappa is ready to enjoy with Idli , Dosai , Chapathi / Roti.

Poori Potato Masala

Poori Potato Masala

This is the basic potato masala, which is prepared especially to have along with poori.. Poori and potato masala is a heavenly combination.. You can prepare it in a jiffy..  It goes also well with chapathi..

Just place this masala on dosai and change it as a Masala Dosai.. You can also have it in between toasted breads.. Amazing it will be..

here is the recipe..

Ingredients: (Recipe For 2)

Potato                           - 2

Big Onion                     - 2

Green Chilli                  - 2

Chopped Ginger           - 2 tsp

Chopped Coconut         - 1/4 cup

Cumin Seeds                 - 1 tsp

Salt                                - As required

Turmeric Powder          - 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala Powder  - 1 tsp

Coriander Leaves          - few

Mustard Seeds               - 1 tsp

Urad Dal                        - 1 tsp

Channa Dal                    - 1 tsp

Oil                                 - As required

Procedure:

• Boil  and mash potatoes. Chop big onions lengthwise, Slit Green Chillies. Grind coconut and cumin seeds with little water.
• Heat oil in  pan. Add mustard seeds, urad dal and channa dal.
• When they turn golden brown, add big onion ,ginger and green chilli.
• Add little water, once the onions are translucent.  Wait for some time till the onions are cooked well.. Then add in coconut paste, salt and turmeric powder.
• Add enough water. I usually want the gravy to be thick..so i will add only little water. If you want the gravy to be watery you can add more water.
• When the water boils, reduce the flame and add mashed potato. . Add enough salt..
• Cook till the potato gets mixed up well with masala..Switch off the flame and add Garam Masala powder.
• Garnish with Coriander Leaves and serve!!

Quick Tips:

• You can also add whole Garam Masala in the beginning.
• You can also skip adding coconut.
• If you  wish, you can also add Tomato..

Chow Chow kootu ( chayote kootu)

More than chow chow kootu ,chow chow gravy  name suits this dish well.

This is the best way to make  kids eat chow chow. My kids don't like much the spiceless chow chow kootu which we prepare with Channa dal .😕. Instead they love this way of eating chow chow .

  Just have it with hot steaming rice and crispy pappad..  awesome it will be🙌.

You may also even try it with Idli, dosai or chapathi

Here is the healthy and tasty chow chow kootu / gravy

Recipe for : 2

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 20 to 30 minutes

Ingredients:

 Chow Chow               - one big size ( yielded 1 cup when chopped)

Salt                               - as required

Turmeric powder     - 1/2 tsp

Oil                                - 1 TSP

Mustard Seeds.         - 1/2 TSP

Coriander leaves      - for garnishing

To saute and grind:

Big onion          - 1 (medium size)

Tomato.             - 1. ( Medium size)

Garlic pods       - 2

Dry red chili.    - 4

Coriander seeds- 1 TSP ( Malli or dhaniya)

Cumin seeds.      - 1/2 tsp ( seeragam)

Procedure:

1. Chop big onion , tomato and chow chow.

2  Take oil in a heavy bottomed pan. 

3  .Add dry red chili , coriander seeds, and cumin seeds to it.

4. When they starts spluttering, add chopped onion and garlic to it.

5. Add chopped tomatoes after onion starts changing its colour .

6. Switch off the flame after everything is cooked well.. let it cool down for a while and ground it to a smooth masala.

7. Add chopped chow chow, salt, turmeric powder and enough water( chow chow should be immersed in water) to the same pan.

8. Cook on medium heat till chow chow becomes soft. Add ground masala now and give it a good stir . Cook for five more minutes.

9. Tamper it with mustard seeds and garnish with coriander leaves.

Your dish is all ready..you can enjoy it with plain rice , idli, dosai or with chapathi.

Dindugal Thalapakatti Briyani

Hajj Mubarak!!

On this auspicious day ,today's recipe is the most special recipe, which has been requested by many of our blog members. Its Dindugal Thalapakatti Briyani!!! This is the original recipe which i got from  one of my friends. I tried this recipe as she told and was happy at last that the briyani tasted just as Thalapakatti Briyani. The ingredients and masala which we are using for this recipe are totally unique.. With no more waiting, the recipe follows..

Recipe For : 4

Preparation Time : 1 hour

Ingredients:

Seeraga Samba Rice                - 2 cup
Chicken                                    - 1 kg
Small Onion                             - 15 to 20
Garlic Pods                               - 10 to 15
Salt                                            - As required
Turmeric Powder                      - a pinch
Chili Powder                             - 2 tsp
Yogurt                                       - 1/4 cup
Lemon                                       - 1
Coriander Leaves                      - few
Mint Leaves                              - few
Oil                                             - 3 tbsp
Ghee                                          - 1 tbsp

To Grind:

Chopped Ginger        - 2 tbsp
Green Chili                - 5
Cinnamon Stick         - 1
Cloves                        - 4
Nutmeg                      - 1
Star Aniseed              - 1
Green Cardamom       - 4

Procedure:

• Thalapakatti briyani is prepared only with Seeraga samba rice. Boil 3 cups of water in  a sauce pan. When the water boils, add washed seeraga samba rice. When the water boils again, reduce the flame and switch it off in another 8 minutes. By this way, rice would have cooked only 3/4 th.. When you take out the rice it should be mashable with hands but it should be little chewy when you eat.. Drain the excess water and let the rice cool..
• Peel small onions and crush it using a mixer-grinder. Peel garlic pods and crush it also separately. Grind everything under 'To Grind'.
• Heat oil +ghee in a heavy bottomed pan. Add ground masala directly to it.
• Saute for 2 minutes and then add crushed garlic  and crushed small onion.
• Saute for some time so that raw flavor goes off and after that add washed chicken.
• Add enough salt, turmeric powder and Chili powder to it. Cover the pan with a lid and cook in medium flame. You can see water oozing out of chicken. Let the chicken cook in its own water. 
• After the chicken has been cooked completely add yogurt and lemon juice. Mix everything well. Now gravy for briyani is ready.
• Take a baking pan. Grease it. Place half of the rice. Then Gravy.. and throw some coriander and mint leaves.
• And then add rest of the rice, gravy and again Coriander, mint leaves.
• Cover the pan. I used baking sheet for it.
• Pre heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Bake it for 15 minutes. Let briyani sit in the switched off oven for 10 more minutes.
• Mix everything well and enjoy your Briyani with raita.Adjust the spice according to your taste.
• If you don't have oven, simply heat a dosai pan. Place rice,gravy,coriander leaves in layers in a Pan and place it over the dosai pan.. By this, Dum briyani can be done on stove top.

Mughalai Vegetable Briyani (With Step-Wise Pictures)

Mughalai Vegetable Briyani

There is a popular saying about Briyani.. "If there is such a thing as food of god, it is undoubtedly Briyani'.. Its true, right?? I love to try various types of Briyani... This Mughal Briyani  taste is very different from that of our usual one pot briyani.. Here rice  and  the gravy are cooked separatley..  Then both are cooked together in low heat (Dum).. I made use of oven for it..

Its a very rich n aromatic briyani perfect for a heavy weekend lunch.. Then for what are you waiting for?? here is the recipe!!

Ingredients: (Recipe For 4)

For Rice:

Basmati Rice          - 2 cups

Lemon Juice           - 1 tbsp

Oil                          - 1 tsp

Water                     - 6 cups

Salt                         - As required

Vegetables To Boil:

Carrot                   - 2 (medium size)

French Beans       - 8-10

Peas                      - 1/4 cup

Cauliflower          - 1/4 cup

To Grind(1):

Coconut                - 1 tbsp

Cashew Nuts        - 4-6

Poppy Seeds         - 1/2 tbsp

To Grind(2):

Tomato                 - 2

Others:

Oil                                   - 2 tbsp

Ghee                                - 1 tbsp

Whole Garam Masala     - Everything 2

Big onion                        - 2

Ginger-Garlic Paste        - 1 tbsp

Yoghurt                           - 1/2 cup

Salt                                  - As needed

Chilli Powder                  - 1.5 tbsp

Cumin powder                - 2 tsp

Coriander Powder           - 2 tsp

Garam Masala Powder   - 2 tsp
Coriander Leaves           - 2 handful
Mint Leaves                    - 2 handful

Procedure:

• Boil 6 cups of water in  a sauce pan. When the water boils, add washed Basmathi rice. When the water boils again, reduce the flame and switch it off in another 8 minutes. By this way, rice would have cooked only 3/4 th.. When you take out the rice it should be mashable with hands but it should be little chewy when you eat.. Drain the excess water and let the rice cool..

• Boil all the vegetables with less water. Grind both under ' To Grind' separately. Grate big onions.
• Wash and chop coriander and mint leaves.
• Heat oil +Ghee in a pan. Add whole Garam Masala to it. After a minute, add grated onions.. Once it gets browned, add Ginger - Garlic paste.. Add tomato puree after a minute.
• When the raw flavor of tomato goes off, add in coconut paste. 
• Saute it for about a minute and then add all boiled vegetables..
• After some time, add yogurt and all powders.
• Add half cup of water and simmer the gravy.. Switch it off when the gravy gets thickened.

• Take a baking pan. Grease it. Place half of the rice. Then Gravy.. and throw coriander, some coriander and mint leaves.
• And then add rest of the rice, gravy and again Coriander, mint leaves.
• Cover the pan. I used baking sheet for it.

• Pre heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Bake it for 15 minutes. Let briyani sit in the switched off oven for 10 more minutes.

• If you wish fry onions, cashews and add it to the Briyani. Mix everything and serve it hot with Raita..
• If you don't have oven, simply heat a dosai pan. Place rice,gravy,coriander leaves in layers in a Pan and place it over the dosai pan.. By this, Dum briyani can be done on stove top.

Mushroom Dum Briyani

Another tasty Briyani with Mushroom.. Here Rice and Mushroom gravy are cooked separately and then both are cooked together in low heat (Dum).  The best way to impress your vegetarian guests..

I have used Shimeji Mushroom for this recipe. You can use Button Mushroom or any other Mushroom.
Here is the recipe..

Recipe For : 2

Preparation Time : 1 hr

Ingredients: 

For Rice:

Basmati Rice          - 1 cup

Lemon Juice           - 1 tbsp

Oil                          - 1 tsp

Water                     - 3 cups

Salt                         - As required

To Grind(1):

Coconut                - 1 tbsp

Cashew Nuts        - 4-6

Poppy Seeds         - 1/2 tbsp

To Grind(2):

Tomato                 - 1

Others:

Mushroom                      - 250 gm

Oil                                   - 2 tbsp

Ghee                               - 1 tbsp

Whole Garam Masala     - Everything 2

Big onion                         - 1 (Big size)

Ginger-Garlic Paste        - 1 tbsp

Yoghurt                           - 1/4 cup

Salt                                  - As needed

Chilli Powder                   - 1 tsp

Cumin powder                 - 1 tsp

Coriander Powder           -1 tsp

Garam Masala Powder   - 1 tsp
Coriander Leaves            - 2 handsful
Mint Leaves                     - 2 handsful

Procedure:

• Boil 3 cups of water in  a sauce pan. When the water boils, add washed Basmati rice. When the water boils again, reduce the flame and switch it off in another 8 minutes. By this way, rice would have cooked only 3/4 th.. When you take out the rice it should be mashable with hands but it should be little chewy when you eat.. Drain the excess water and let the rice cool..

• . Grind both under ' To Grind' separately. Grate big onions. Chop Mushroom into little bigger pieces.
• Wash and chop coriander and mint leaves.
• Heat oil +Ghee in a pan. Add whole Garam Masala to it. After a minute, add grated onions.. Once it gets browned, add Ginger - Garlic paste.. Add tomato puree after a minute.
• When the raw flavor of tomato goes off, add in coconut paste. 
• Saute it for about a minute and then add chopped mushrooms.
• After some time, add yogurt and all powders.
• Add 1/4th cup of water and simmer the gravy.. Switch it off when the gravy gets thickened.

• Take a baking pan. Grease it. Place half of the rice. Then Gravy.. and throw coriander, some coriander and mint leaves.
• And then add rest of the rice, gravy and again Coriander, mint leaves.
• Cover the pan. I used baking sheet for it.

• Pre heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Bake it for 15 minutes. Let briyani sit in the switched off oven for 10 more minutes.
• If you wish fry onions, cashews and add it to the Briyani. Mix everything and serve it hot with Raita..
• If you don't have oven, simply heat a dosai pan. Place rice,gravy,coriander leaves in layers in a Pan and place it over the dosai pan.. By this, Dum briyani can be done on stove top.
• Enjoy your Briyani!!!

100 Breakfast Recipes

Yes BusyAtIndianKitchen now has 100 exciting Breakfast Recipes.. 24 Dosai recipes, 17 Chapathi/Paratha/Roti recipes, 10 Idli recipes, 8 Paniyaram recipes, 9 Idiyappam/ Noodles recipes, 6 Uppuma recipes , Bread recipes, Dhokla, aapam, Pasta, Poha, Fried noodles, Baugette and much more. 

I have put a great effort in collating all the Breakfast recipes under a single roof for your convenience. Bookmark this link for wonderful Breakfast ideas. Just click each picture to get the recipe.  Happy Cooking!!!

17 Roti / Paratha / Chapathi Recipes:

24 Dosai / Adai / Uthapam Recipes

10 Idli Recipes

8 Paniyaram Recipes

9 Idiyappam and Noodles Recipes

6 Uppuma Recipes

4 Bread Toast Recipes

Sakkarai Pongal (Sweet Pongal)

Venpongal

Whole Fibre And Protein Poori

Mushroom And Vegetable Baugette Roll

Indian Style Tomato Pasta

Indian Style Soya Chunks Keema Pasta

Ramzan Special Nonbu Kanji

Tofu Mee Goreng (Tofu Fried Noodles)

Keppai Koozh (Ragi Porridge)

Aapam

Karuppatti Aapam

Sooji Dhokla (Rava Dhokla)

Kaaman Dhokla

Masala Poha

Puli Aval(Tamarind Poha)

Puttu:

For Breakfast recipes with Egg and Chicken please click here.

Oats - Godhumai Maavu Uthapam (Oats- Wheat flour Uthapam)

Another healthy Breakfast, which is fully packed with nutrients. This uthapam is prepared with Oats and Whole wheat flour. Vegetables are also added to make it much more healthy. And one more good news is that, it doesn't require any Fermentation. Here goes the easy and healthy recipe..

Yields : 5 Uthapam

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Whole Wheat Flour            - 1 cup
Oats                                     - 1/2 cup
Yogurt                                 - 1/4 cup
Big Onion                            - 1 (small)
Carrot                                   - 1 (small)
Chopped Cabbage                - a handful
Capsicum                              - 1/2
Salt                                        - As required
Gingelly Oil                          - As required
Coriander Leaves                  - few

Procedure:

• Chop finely Big onion,Carrot, Cabbage, Capsicum and coriander leaves. Powder oats.
• Take a bowl, Add whole wheat flour, powdered oats , yogurt and chopped vegetables to it.
• Add water in small instances and start preparing the batter. The batter should be of  uthapam  batter consistency. Add water accordingly. Add also enough salt. Let the batter sit aside for 15 minutes.
• Heat a dosai pan. Spray little oil to it. Add batter to the pan and expand it. Apply oil to it. Once the uthapam is done on both sides remove from the pan and serve it hot. I always prefer adding Gingely Oil for Dosai and Uthapam.
• Enjoy it with sambar and Chutney Of Your Choice.

Kuska Briyani (Plain Briyani)

How many Briyani Lovers there?? Today's recipe is Kuska Briyani or Plain Briyani which is prepared with very basic ingredients that are usually available at home and yet has awesomeness with it and you can prepare it instantly. With no more wait, the recipe follows..

Recipe For : 2

Preparation Time : 40 minutes

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice              - 1.5 cups
Big onion                    - 2 (medium size)
Tomato                        - 2 (medium size)
Salt                              - As required
Turmeric Powder        - 1/4 tsp
Chili Powder               - 2 tsp
Coriander Powder       - 2 tsp
Yogurt                         - 1/4 cup
Whole Garam Masala - Each 1
Coriander Leaves        - few
Mint Leaves                - few
Oil                               - 2 tbsp

To Grind:

Whole Garam Masala  - Each 1
Chopped Ginger           - 2 tsp
Chopped Garlic            - 2 tsp
Green Chili                   - 2
Coriander Leaves          - a handful

Procedure:

Boil 3 cups of water in  a sauce pan. When the water boils, add washed Basmati rice. When the water boils again, reduce the flame and switch it off in another 8 minutes. By this way, rice would have cooked only 3/4 th.. When you take out the rice it should be mashable with hands but it should be little chewy when you eat.. Drain the excess water and let the rice cool. Sprinkle lemon juice over the rice and keep it aside.

Chop Big onion lengthwise. Chop tomatoes, coriander leaves and mint leaves finely. Grind everything under ' To Grind' to a fine paste.

Heat oil in a pan. When its hot, add whole garam masala. Whole Garam Masala includes Bay leaf, Star aniseeds, Cardamom, Cloves and Cinnamon sticks. 

After a minute, add chopped onions to it.

After the onions turn translucent, add chopped tomatoes. Add also salt and turmeric powder.

When both onions and tomatoes are cooked together well, add ground masala, chili powder and coriander powder.

Mix everything well and add yogurt .Add also 1/2  cup of hot water to the gravy. When everything boils together switch off the flame. Your Briyani gravy is ready now.

Take a baking pan. Grease it. Place half of the rice. Then Gravy.. and throw some coriander and mint leaves.

And then add rest of the rice, gravy and again Coriander, mint leaves.

Cover the pan. I used baking sheet for it.

Pre heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Bake it for 15 minutes. Let briyani sit in the switched off oven for 10 more minutes.

If you wish fry onions, cashews and add it to the Briyani. Mix everything and serve it hot with Raita.. Adding fried onions really give nice taste to this  Kuska Briyani.

If you don't have oven, simply heat a dosai pan. Place rice,gravy,coriander leaves in layers in a Pan and place it over the dosai pan.. By this, Dum briyani can be done on stove top.

Enjoy your Kuska Briyani with Raita..

Pirandai Chutney

Pirandai is a wonderful medicine with lot of health benefits. It treats Indigestion and its a best worming medicine.  I have given the recipe for preparing a tasty chutney with Pirandai. I assure everyone will love this chutney for sure. It tastes so good with Chapathi, Roti or Dosai. A must given food to toddlers.. The recipe Follows..

Recipe For :2

Preparation Time : 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Pirandai             - 200 gm
Grated Coconut - 1/4 cup
Urad Dal            - 2 tsp
Dry Red Chili    - 3
Garlic Pods        - 2
Tamarind           - 1 tsp
Salt                    - As required

For Seasoning:

Mustard Seeds  - 1/4 tsp
Urad Dal           - 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves    - few

Procedure:

• Wash pirandai. Chop it into two. Take out inner flesh and seeds from it. After that chop it into little pieces. Only this is little time consuming process in the whole preparation. Always select pirandai which is young and tender. This is how pirandai looks like

• Heat oil in a pan. Add urad dal and dry red chilies to it.
• When they turn golden brown add garlic pods to it.
• Saute for a minute and after that add chopped pirandai.
• Cover with a lid and cook well pirandai. You can see it changes it color. It will turn little pale. It will take about 7 to 10 minutes for the pirandai to get cooked completely.
• After pirandai has been cooked, switch off the flame and add tamarind. let it cool.
• After it has cooled down completely, grind it along with coconut adding little salt and water.
• Heat some more oil in the same pan. Add mustard seeds and urad dal to it.
• When they splutter add curry leaves and add it to chutney.
• Enjoy your chutney with Chapathi/Roti or Dosai. 

Vegetable Dum Briyani

I won't  prepare Veg Briyani often because of my husband. He would say, Briyani by default refers Chicken Briyani and nothing else.

 My friend's mom once shared this Vegetable Dum Briyani with us. My husband himself finished the whole Briyani. He also insisted me to get the recipe from her. Got such wonderful and detailed recipe from her, the next day itself.

Such a good veg recipe, which has mesmerized even  a Non-Vegetarian lover.. Such extra ordinary Briyani recipe follows..

Recipe For : 2

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice                 - 1 cup

Carrot                            - 1 (Medium Size)

Potato                            - 1 (Medium Size)

Fresh Peas                     - a handful

Butter Beans                 - a handful

Big Onion                     - 2

Tomato                         - 2

Green Chili                   - 2

Ginger-Garlic Paste      - 1 tbsp

Salt                                - As required

Turmeric Powder          - a pinch

Yogurt                           - 1/4 cup

Chili Powder                 - 1 tsp

Lemon                           - 1/2

Corinader Leaves          - few

Mint Leaves                  - few

Whole Garam Masala   - Each 2

Oil                                 - 2 tbsp

Procedure:

• Boil 3 cups of water in  a sauce pan. When the water boils, add washed Basmati rice. When the water boils again, reduce the flame and switch it off in another 8 minutes. By this way, rice would have cooked only 3/4 th.. When you take out the rice it should be mashable with hands but it should be little chewy when you eat.. Drain the excess water and let the rice cool. Sprinkle lemon juice over the rice and keep it aside.
• Chop carrot, Potato into little bigger pieces. Boil all the vegetables. You can also add vegetables like Cauliflower and French Beans. Chop Big Onion lengthwise. Chop tomatoes, Coriander leaves and Mint leaves finely. Slit Green Chili.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add whole Garam masala to it. Whole Garam Masala includes Bay leaf, Star aniseeds, Cardamom, Cloves and Cinnamon Sticks.
• After a minute add chopped onions and green chili to it. Saute till onions turn translucent and after that add Ginger- Garlic paste.
• Saute till raw flavor goes off  and after that add chopped tomatoes to it.
• After both onions and tomatoes are cooked completely add boiled vegetables.
• Add needed salt, Turmeric powder and chili powder. Cook for 2 minutes and then add Yogurt.
• Add also 1/2 cup of  hot water and mix the gravy well. Switch off the gravy in another 5 minutes.
• Take a baking pan. Grease it. Place half of the rice. Then Gravy.. and throw coriander, some coriander and mint leaves.
• And then add rest of the rice, gravy and again Coriander, mint leaves.
• Cover the pan. I used baking sheet for it.
• Pre heat the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Bake it for 15 minutes. Let briyani sit in the switched off oven for 10 more minutes.
• If you wish fry onions, cashews and add it to the Briyani. Mix everything and serve it hot with Raita..
• If you don't have oven, simply heat a dosai pan. Place rice,gravy,coriander leaves in layers in a Pan and place it over the dosai pan.. By this, Dum briyani can be done on stove top.
• Enjoy your Dum Briyani with Raita..

Idli Podi

When ever i want to treat myself a toothsome and yet easy breakfast , its always Variety Dosais. Within a few minutes i can enjoy my treat. This is the best thing about having variety dosais for breakfast. 

Out of those dosais, my favourite is Podi Dosai. Corasely ground Idli podi is sprinkled over Uthapam style Dosai. Have you ever tried adding Idli podi to Onion uthapam??? You will surely love its taste. 

Here is such fascinating Idli podi recipe..

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Ingredients:

Urad Dal                        - 1/2 cup (Ulundam Parupu)
Channa Dal                    - 1/4 cup (Kadalai Parupu)
Dry Red Chili                - 20 (Milagai Vathal)
White Sesame Seeds      - 1 tsp (Vellai Ellu)
Asafoetida                      - 1/4 tsp (Perungayam)
Grated Coconut              - 1 tbsp
Salt                                 - As required
Oil                                   - 2 tsp

Procedure:

• Roast everything except coconut in oil.
• Roast separately coconut in oil.  Wait till both cools off.
• Take a blender. Grind Dry red chili and salt for a while and then grind  coarsely remaining other things. Grinding podi coarsely gives nice texture to podi. Your Idli podi is ready!!

Vazhaithandu Chutney

Plantain stem is rich in potassium and hence it helps to improve immunity. It has Astringent quality which helps in blood clotting. It regulates pressure, controls diabetes and detoxifies body. It is one of the main foods to add to our diet.

Today's recipe is for those people, who are looking for alternative for Vazhaithandu kootu. This chutney will be very much spicy  and everyone will love it for sure. One of the best ways to include healthier vazhaithandu in a tastier way. Here you go!!

Recipe For :2

Preparation Time : 30 minutes

Ingredients:

 Chopped Vazhaithandu    - Around a cup (Plantain Stem)
Urad Dal                           - 2 tsp
Garlic Pods                       - 2
Dry Red Chili                   - 2
Salt                                    - As required
Tamarind                           - 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds                   - 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal                            - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves                     - few
Oil                                      - 1 tbsp

Procedure:

• First comes cleaning procedure of vazhaithandu. Its quite easy. First chop vazhaithandu into thick round slices and while chopping it, you will see fibers in between the slices. Remove it using your fingers in circular motion.  Now place chopped and fiber removed plantain slices in a bowl of butter milk. Butter milk is used to prevent plantain from changing its color. You can also replace butter milk with little lemon juice added water.
• Chop finely plantain slices and again add it to butter milk or lemon juice added water.
• Now take few barbecue skewers. Wash and tie it at one end. Use this to remove some more fibers from chopped plantain stem. Just rotate in circular motion with the skewer bundle in the bowl. Fibers will stick to the bundle. Remove it. Repeat the above step for some more time, till all the fibers are removed. 
• Heat oil in a pan.  Add urad dal, dry red chili and garlic pods to it.
• After the dal turns golden brown, add chopped plantain stem. Saute for 7 to 10 minutes till plantain stem is cooked well. Add enough salt, tamarind and switch off the flame.
• After everything is cooled down, grind it adding little water.
• Heat a tsp of oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves to it. When they splutter add it to chutney. Enjoy with Idli, Dosai or Chapathi of your choice.