Bottle Gourd Sabzi

This is one of the easiest side dish one can make.As the Bottle Gourd (sorakkai)cooks very quickly the making time is also less.This goes very well with Phulka,Jeera Rice,Ghee Rice or Pulao.

INGREDIENTS:

Onion------------------------------------------ 2 Medium size
Tomato---------------------------------------- 2
Chilly Powder---------------------------------- 1Tsp
Turmeric Powder------------------------------- 1/2 Tsp
Coriander Powder----------------------------- 1 Tsp(Dhaniya Powder)
Garam Masala--------------------------------- 1 Tsp
Salt as required
Peeled and diced Bottle Gourd----------------- 2 1/2 to 3 cups
Chopped Coriander for garnishing
Oil--------------------------------------------- 1Tbsp

METHOD:

Dice the Onion and Tomato.See to it all the vegetables are cut to same size.Add oil in a non stick vessel or a Kadai and add the onion and saute' for a minute.Then add turmeric powder and mix well .Now add the diced Tomatoes,chilly powder and salt.Turn it well and cook till the onion becomes transparent.Now add the diced Bottle Gourd and add 1 1/2 cups of water.Stir well and close it and cook in low flame till all the vegetables are cooked well.Now add the Dhaniya powder and Garam Masala and mix well.Cook for  2 minutes and garnish with Coriander leaves and serve.

Mild Side Dish

 I make this for a change from the regular spicy side dishes.It is very simple to make and is very filling too.

INGREDIENTS:

For Grinding:
Tomato------------------------------------------1  medium size
Black Pepper------------------------------------1/2 Tsp
Cumin seeds-------------------------------------1 tsp
Ginger-------------------------------------------2" piece
Green Chilly-------------------------------------3

METHOD:

I was really bored of making Sambar,Rasam and curry(Poriyal) daily.So for a change I thought of making Chappati.For the side dish I made this. Without having vegetables, the meal will not be filling and  so I used Karamani to compensate it.I didn't soak this overnight.I just washed and added enough water to it in a pressure cooked it and switched off the stove after a whistle.



This Side dish can be made with Mixed vegetables,Karamani(Black eyed beans),Rajma(Red kidney beans),or just with potatoes too.The masala is the same for all.We can even make mixed vegetable rice using this masala.Instead of Karamani or Rajma we can add 1 cup of rice and  1 cup of mixed vegetables(Carrot,Beans,and Cauliflower,Green Peas and cook this in thick bottomed pan without pressure cooker too.Or else Saute' everything in a kadai and add it in the pressure and cook.But cooking in a thick bottom vessel is much tastier.While cooking it in a open vessel take care and turn it occasionally to avoid catching in the bottom.Initially close the vessel and cook.See to it that the rice does not become mushy.This Pulao is very tasty and different too.



Karamani-------------------------------------------1 cup
Onion chopped-------------------------------------2  medium size
Oil--------------------------------------------------1 Tbsp
Coriander for garnishing
Salt as required.

Add oil in a thick bottomed or non stick vessel and add the onion and saute for a minute.Add the Karamani and stir well.Add salt and close it and cook for a minute in a low flame.Now add the ground masala and add enough water.Mix well.Close and cook till all the items are cooked well.Today I added one medium sized potato(Peeled and diced).Add the coriander and serve.

Spicy Dhal

This is not the usual Dhal,as this a bit spicy.Some have a opinion that Dhal is very bland and people who like spice in their dishes can try this one an I am sure they will like it.

This quantity is for 4 persons.

INGREDIENTS:

Toor Dhal---------------------------------------------1/4 cup

Channa Dhal------------------------------------------ 1/4 cup

Green gram------------------------------------------- 1/4 cup

Black gram-------------------------------------------- 1/4 cup

Finely chopped Tomato------------------------------ 2

Grated onion------------------------------------------- 1

Turmeric Powder------------------------------------- 1/4 Tsp

Ghee--------------------------------------------------- 1 Tbsp

Salt as required

Finely chopped Coriander leaves for garnishing.

To Grind:

Coriander seeds--------------------------------------- 2 Tsp

Jeera(Cumin)------------------------------------------ 1Tsp

Cinammon--------------------------------------------- 1" piece

Cloves-------------------------------------------------- 5

Black Pepper------------------------------------------- 6

Red chilly---------------------------------------------- 2

Chopped Ginger--------------------------------------- 1 Tsp

Method:

Soak the Black gram in water for 2 hours.Put all the dhals together in a vessels and add enough water and pressure cook it.Mash this a little and keep. Grind all the masala to fine paste by adding water.

Heat the ghee in a kadai and ad the grated onion.When it becomes glossy add the masala paste and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes,turmeric powder and salt fry this for 2 more minutes.Once the ghee starts separating add the cooked and mashed dhal and mix well by adding 1/2 cup water. Add more water if you want the dhal to thinner.Cook for 5 minutes and switch off the flame..Garnish with coriander leaves.This is spicy and can be served with Phulka Rotis.

Vegetable rice and Mutter Paneer

This is actually vegetable fried rice without spring onions.It is as tasty as that.

Ingredients


Basmathi Rice--------------------------------------------2 Cups
Beans finely chopped-------------------------------------1 Cup
Carrot finely chopped-------------------------------------1 Cup
Capsicum finely chopped---------------------------------1/2 cup
Onion finely chopped-------------------------------------1 Cup
Soy Sauce------------------------------------------------1 tsp
Chilly Sauce----------------------------------------------1 Tsp or if you want it hot you can add up to 2 Tsp
Oil-------------------------------------------------------2 Tbsp

Cook the rice with 4 cups water with half teaspoon of salt and keep.

Keep the flame in high and add oil in a Kadai.Once it is very hot add the onions and fry till it turns transparent.Then add the vegetables and add the required amount of salt and fry them till they are cooked.As the vegetables are finely chopped it will cook very soon.So keep an eye on it or else it will get burnt.Then add the soy sauce and chilly sauce and fry for 2 minutes. Lower the flame and the add the rice little by little and mix well.The Rice is now ready to serve.

For the Side dish

Ingredients

Paneer-------------------------------------------------------------200 gms cubed
Mutter-------------------------------------------------------------100 Gms
Tomato puree------------------------------------------------------100 gms
Grated onion-------------------------------------------------------1 Cup
Tomatoes-----------------------------------------------------------2 grind it in a mixie
Turmeric Powder---------------------------------------------------1 Tsp
Chilly Powder-------------------------------------------------------1 Tsp
Salt------------------------------------------------------------------1 Tsp
Garam Masala-------------------------------------------------------1 Tsp
Magic Masala(Cloves. Cinnamon,Cardamom)powder each a liberal pinch
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Oil-------------------------------------------------------------------1 Tbsp

Add oil in a non stick pan or Kadai and once it is hot add the grated onions  and stir.Add the Turmeric powder and mix well.Now add salt and chilly powder and cook for 3 minutes.Cook the Peas(Mutter) with a pinch of salt and keep.Fry the paneer in a Tawa with very little oil.Turn the pieces so that both the sides are evenly fried. Add the ground tomatoes to the onion and cook for 5 minutes.Then add the peas and Mix well.Cover and cook in low flame for 5 more minutes.Add the Paneer and cover and cook for two more minutes.Then add the tomato puree and add all the Masala and  mix well.Turn off the flame and garnish it with finely chopped coriander leaves.

Vegetable Kurma

This is a very tasty side which goes well with Aappam,Idiyappam( Plain Sevai),Chappati,Poori etc.

For grinding

Coconut(Grated)-----------------------------------2 cups
Green Chilly------------------------------------------5
Fennel seeds(Saunf)-----------------------------------2 tsp
Melon seeds------------------------------------------2 tbsp
Cashew-----------------------------------------------6

Grind it to smooth paste and keep.

Vegetables(cut into small pieces)
Beans carrot and potato-----------------1 cup each
Onion(chopped)-------------------------1 1/2 cups
Magic masala(Powdered Cloves,cinnamon,and Cardamom) a pinch each
Garam masala---------------------------------1 tsp

Add1 tbsp of oil and add the onions and saute it.Once it becomes transparent add the other vegetables and add enough water and salt and cook well in a low flame.Once it is done add the ground masala and mix well.Now add the masala powders and boil till it becomes thick.The yummy vegetable kurma is ready.