Hyderabadi Colocasia/Arbi Roast

How to make Hyderabadi Colocasia/Arbi Roast (Fried & No fry method)

                      

            Colocasia, Arbi, Taro, Seppankizhangu are just a few ways to call this tasty tuber. This is an easy and delicious side with masala coated cubes of Arbi. Although this recipe calls for frying the colocasia, scroll down all the way to see the no-fry method using the same ingredients for a low-calorie version without compromising on flavor. This Nawabi cuisine recipe is from chef Venkatesh Bhatt. I have given his exact recipe as well as my version of the low-calorie, no fry recipe here. You can try both versions or just pick your style & go with it. 

Ingredients:

4 to 6 whole Seppankizhangu/Colocasia

2 slit green chilies

Coriander powder - 1/2 Tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 Tbsp

Chili powder - 3/4 Tsp

Tamarind water - 1/4 Cup

Salt to taste

Cumin seeds/Jeera - 1/2 Tsp

Garam masala powder - 1/2 Tsp

Ghee/Clarified butter - 2 Tsp

Oil - as needed

Chopped Coriander leaves - for garnish

Stovetop Directions:

• Boil colocasia immersed in water for 15 minutes or pressure cook for two whistles. Let cool, peel the skin & make cubes of the desired size.
• Fry the colocasia cubes in hot oil until crisp & forms a golden brown crust. Remove from oil onto an absorbent paper.

• Heat 2 Tbsp of oil on medium heat in another pan, add cumin seeds, green chilies, coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and saute until the raw smells disappear. Now add the tamarind water, let simmer until it is cooked & thickened. Finally, add the fried colocasia give it a toss, drizzle some ghee & let roast (opened) for a few minutes on low heat.

• Remove from heat & garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve with your favorite meal platter & enjoy.

No-Fry Arbi Roast Method -

• For the low-calorie (no fry) version of the recipe - Boil/cook the colocasia until soft, peel & cube into medium pieces. Skip the frying part. Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, chopped onion (optional), coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and saute until the raw smells disappear. Now add the tamarind water, let simmer until it is cooked & thickened. Finally, add the cubed colocasia give it a toss, drizzle some ghee & let roast (opened) for a few minutes on low heat. Remove from heat & garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve with your favorite meal platter & enjoy.

           Sharing this recipe with my fellow bloggers at Valli's CCC# 55: May Week 3. Do check out the other recipes at CCC.

Broken Wheat Tomato Dosa (No Fermentation Required)

How to make Broken Wheat Tomato Dosa

         How many times have you heard whining & complaining from your family members when they hear that they will be served the ever so popular Upma for breakfast/dinner? I was fed up with hearing all the whining (majorly coming from the man of the house) and sang 'Hallelujah' when I came across this recipe to use up the bag of broken wheat that was sadly sitting in my pantry. Thanks to Mrs. Revathi Shanmugam cookbook for this quick no fermentation recipe. 

         I so wanted to deform the broken wheat into an unrecognizable batter before the big baby got home for dinner, but there he was staring into the bowl of soaked broken wheat & making a face which meant that he was even more afraid of the rawa now :)

         This dosa stayed soft for a few hours (with use of oil) and can be packed for kids lunches too. Sharing this easy, healthy & tasty recipe with my friends at SriValli's CCC# 54: Feb -- Week 4.

Soaking time - 1 hour

Fermenting time - None 

Serves - 2 to 4 

godumai rawa/broken wheat - 1 cup

thakkali/tomatoes - 2 no:s

green chilies or dry red chilies - 2 no:s

inji/ginger - 1 inch long

karivepillai/curry leaves - a sprig (optional)

kothamalli/coriander leaves - as per taste

salt to taste

oil as required to make dosa

Method:

• Soak the broken wheat in enough water for about an hour. 
• In a blender/grinder add the ginger, chilies, curry leaves, coriander leaves and tomatoes and grind to a fine puree. If you have room add drained rawa to the puree & grind to a medium fine consistency. (by following this way, we can avoid adding more water for grinding). If you need to grind the wheat rawa separately, only use minimal water as needed so the dosa batter doesn't become too runny. Add salt to taste & transfer batter into a container.

• Heat a tawa/pan on medium high & pour a laddle full of the batter & make a circular dosa as thin as possible. Drizzle a few drops of oil around the edges & cook for a minute & flip it over to cook the other side for a few seconds and enjoy with your favorite side. Enjoy the dosas with Potato Masala, Chutney varieties, Sambhar or Milagai podi.

(Fresh) Methi Chaman Pulao

How to make restaurant style Methi Paneer Pulao

                This is one of chef Venkatesh Bhat's recipe that was aired maybe last year. I was so tempted by this recipe, I tried it within a few days & was amazed that it truly tasted like a fine dining restaurant dish. It is definitely a party/pot lock recipe with its richness & aromatic flavors. If you want to cut down on ghee, you can do so & still enjoy this pulao with all its flavors. But, please do try it out as mentioned in this recipe at least the first time, before you make changes to it in order to enjoy its full flavor. Sharing this with my fellow bloggers at SriValli's CCC# 51: November Week 4. Do share your comments on how your family liked the pulao. 

Ingredients :

A) basmati rice (uncooked) - 1.5 cups
     methi / Fenugreek leaves (leaves only) 1 cup, tightly packed.
     onion 1 medium, sliced

     ghee - 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp

     oil - 2 tbsp

     saffron - 1 big pinch

     milk - 1/2 cup

     ginger-garlic paste - 2 tsp

     Salt to taste

     1 inch, ginger - julienned 

     fried onions - 2 tbsp

B )   To fry/saute in oil

      cloves - 4no:s
      cinnamon 1 whole
      cardamom pods - 4 no:s

      black cardamom - 2 no:s
      bay leaf 1

      black peppercorns - 8 or 10 no:s

      halved green chilies - 2 no:s

C )  For the Marinade: 

      Mix all the ingredients listed below & add the paneer as the final ingredient & fold gently. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.

      fresh curd/yogurt - 1/2 cup

      ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp

      salt for the paneer
      green chilies 3

      turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

      coriander/dhaniya powder - 1 tsp

      chili powder - 1/2 tsp

      dry roasted jeera powder - 1/2 tsp

      garam masala powder -1/2 tsp

      cubed paneer - 1 cup

Stovetop method:

• Wash and cook the rice until it's almost cooked (3/4th done).
• Wash thoroughly and chop the methi leaves (discard the stems). Before adding to the pan, squeeze the chopped methi leaves to remove some of its bitterness, if you desire.
• In a large deep pan heat oil and add whole garam masalas ( listed under ingredient list B), fry until aromatic & lastly add green chilies. Saute for a minute and add sliced onions, let it turn translucent add ginger garlic paste and, julienned ginger. Let saute until the raw smell is gone and then add the chopped methi leaves & saute until the leaves are cooked.
• Now add the marinated paneer ( listed under ingredient list C ) add salt & 2 tbsp of ghee, stir gently & cook for a few minutes until the raw smell of the marinade disappears.
• Pour warm milk into a cup & add the saffron & give it a stir.
• Layer the cooked rice on top of the paneer-methi mixture, drizzle 2 tbsp of ghee & sprinkle the saffron-milk mixture on top of the rice. 
• Cover the pan with a lid. Place the covered pan on top of a tava/griddle & cook on medium heat until rice is completely cooked. Top with fried onions & then turn down the heat to the lowest setting for 'dum' cooking for a few more minutes & turn off the heat when the rice grains are fluffy & separate.

Varutha Arisi Sojji / Roasted Rice Upma

How to make Varutha Arisi Sojji / Roasted Rice Upma

            Most households probably get around to making two or three kinds of upma's - semiya upma, arisi rava upma & wheat rava upma. This was new to me when my MIL made this for dinner the first time. Her story behind this goes like this - during her childhood days, her mom used to make this as a quick and low-cost meal to serve a large family living on a budget. 

            This can be a lunch box recipe (stays fresh) or can be breakfast/dinner. This can be served with Milagai podi, Chutneys/Thuvayals, Sambhar, or Gothsu. This family (MIL) recipe comes from my recipe diary & is being shared with SriValli's CCC#46 July week #4.

Ingredients for 3 servings:

Pacharisi/Raw rice - 1.5 cups

Paasiparuppu/Green gram dal - 1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Grated coconut - 3 tbsp

Crushed black pepper  - 1 tsp

Water - 1 cup (for dal) + as needed to cook your rice

[ I used, 1(rice) : 3(water) ratio ]

For thalippu/tempering:

Oil - 2 tbsp

1/2 Tsp mustard seeds

2 tsp, kadalai paruppu/bengal gram dal

Dry red chilies - 3, broken

1 tsp, jeera/cumin seeds

a pinch of asafoetida powder

a sprig of curry leaves

Stove top method:

• Dry roast the dal & rice separately in a dry kadai/pan, until slightly golden, crisp & aromatic.
• Heat the oil in a large cooker/kadai and add the ingredients listed for tempering one by one & fry for a few seconds, taking care not to burn them.
• Pour the required amount of water for the dal & rice to cook, add salt & let it come to a boil.
• When the water begins to boil, add the roasted rice, and dal. Cover & let cook on medium until rice & dal are cooked soft. (If using pressure cooker, use the weight & let cook for about 10 minutes or 2 whistles)
• Sprinkle crushed pepper powder, add grated coconut, give it a stir and turn off the heat. 
• Serve hot with Kathirikai gothsu or try any of these thuvayals or chutneys.

Mangai Sadham / Mango Rice

How to make Mango Rice/Mangai Sadham

            Manga sadham/Mango rice is one of the lip smacking rice of the south. This recipe brings back nostalgic childhood memories. Sneaking up to the terrace when the adults are busy taking an afternoon nap - find the biggest green mango that you can reach - pluck - take a bite - wait for it & make a sour face literally. On other occasions, it would be sliced and sprinkled with salt & paprika for a sour & spicy treat.

            The sourness of the rice will depend on how sour your mango is.  Serving this with Karivepillai thayir pachadi a.k.a Curry leaves raitha. The two flavors play well together.If you are a skeptic about the combo, try it before you dismiss the idea. 

Ingredients for 4 servings

1 large unripe/green mango
1 cup uncooked rice, cooked but not mushy
2 tbsp sesame oil
1/2 Tsp, chili powder
2 dry red chilies, broken
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
a pinch of asafoetida powder
a sprig of curry leaves
1/4 Tsp turmeric powder
1/4 Tsp roasted & powdered fenugreek seeds (optional)
Salt to taste

Stove top method:

•  Fluff the cooked rice gently, mix in a tbsp of sesame oil & spread the rice on a plate and let it cool. 
• Grate the mango, peeled or unpeeled.Heat remaining oil in a pan and when it's hot, add mustard seeds and fry for 30 seconds.Add curry leaves, dry red chilies and asafoetida powder cook for a minute. Add turmeric powder, fenugreek powder (if using),  grated mango, salt, and cook for a few minutes on medium heat, until the raw smell of the chili powder is gone.
• Turn off the heat, add the cooled rice and mix gently. Check seasoning & serve with papad & curry leaves raitha.

Cabbage Masala Poriyal

How to make Cabbage Masala Poriyal

              Continuing with last week's theme (cabbage), here is another spicy accompaniment for your Indian platter; be it with roti or rice. The speciality of this dish is in the ground masala with peppercorns, red chillies, coconut, cumin & coriander. You can substitute the channa dal with toor dal, if you like. Also, the same recipe can be used to make a dry curry or a kootu/wet curry according to your needs. I have tried both varieties & they are both excellent. You can check out other recipes that use cabbage as a main ingredient here. Sharing this delicious recipe with my fellow bloggers at CCC # 43 April Week 1. 

Ingredients for 4 servings -

finely cut cabbage - 3 cups

chopped onion - 1 no:

boiled kadalai paruppu/channa dal -1/2 cup

tamarind paste - 1/4 tsp

salt to taste

cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

jaggery - 1 tsp (optional)

oil - 2 tbsp

curry leaves - a sprig

Grind together -

dry red chillies - 2 no:s

fresh/frozen grated coconut - 3 tbps

coriander seeds - 2 tsp

cumin seeds - 1 tsp

black pepper - 1/2 tsp

water - just enough to grind

Stove top method -

• Cook cabbage separately  in just enough water or steam till soft.
• Heat oil in a frying pan, add cumin seeds, curry leaves, onion & fry till golden.
• Now add the ground paste & cook until the raw smell disappears.
• Add salt, jaggery, tamarind paste, boiled channa dal and cooked cabbage. 
• Sprinkle water, is needed & let simmer for a few minutes. 
• Serve with roti or rice.

Notes:

• You can make this recipe as a curry/porial or as a kootu/gravy. For kootu, cook the cabbage & dal very soft & increase the quantity of water.

Cabbage Capsicum Rice

How to make Cabbage Capsicum Rice

            Here is a really no fuss, quick lunch box recipe, I had noted down from a tv show.  The flavor & color of the rice will vary slightly based on the kind/color of cabbage & capsicum used in the recipe. Check out my pictures below for an idea. It really doesn't need an accompaniment, but its totally upto you, what you serve it with. Sending this quick recipe to my fellow bloggers at CCC # 42: March Week 4.

Ingredients for about 3 servings -

Basmati rice - 1 cup, soaked for 20 mins
Water - 1.5 cups

Cabbage - 250 gms, shredded

Capsicum/bell pepper - 1, cut into strips

Onion - 1, sliced

Ginger-Garlic paste - 1 Tbsp

Krambu/Cloves - a few

Elakkai/Cardamom - 2 no:s

Pattai/Cinnamon - 1 whole

Green chillies - 3 no:s, slit

Oil - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

fried cashews (optional) - about 6 no:s

Stove top method-

• Heat a kadai with oil, add the cloves, cinnamon, cardamom; saute for a minute on medium low & add green chillies, onions - saute until golden brown, add ginger-garlic paste & saute on low, preferably covered (so it doesn't splatter) until the raw smell disappears.
• Add the capsicum & cabbage on high heat, saute for about a minute. Add the drained rice, 1.5 cups of water & salt. Stir, cover and cook for about 10 minutes on medium low heat. When the rice is cooked soft, top it with fried cashews & serve with any raitha, curry, papad or just plain.

Kathrikai Podi Kari (Stir fried eggplant with lentils & spices)

How to make Kathrikai Podi Kari

                    This no onion-no garlic recipe is from my recipe diary, duly noted down from a tv show years ago. You can skip the microwave cooking & do it completely in your skillet. I find that the microwave cooking cuts down on the amount of oil used, & yet providing the same results for a dry curry. The coarseness of the ground spices can be your preference. I prefer the crunchiness of the lentils in a bite; some of you may like it better with finely ground spices. However you choose to make it, the spices definitely make it special. Sharing this recipe with my fellow bloggers at CCC# 38: November -- Week 2.

Ingredients:

Kathrikai/Eggplant - 250 gms, sliced

Salt - to taste

Oil - 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Ingredients for frying & powdering:

Perungayam/Asafoetida - a big pinch

Ulutham paruppu/Urad dal - 1/2 tbsp

Kadalai paruppu/Channa dal - 1/2 tbsp

Dry red chillies - 2 no:s

Grated coconut - 3 tbsp

Microwave + Stove top method:

• Slice the brinjals & let them sit in a container with water, until you are ready to cook them.
• Arrange the sliced eggplants on a wide plate, sprinkle salt & turmeric powder on them; cover with a wet paper towel/cloth & microwave on high for about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the cloth, take another plate of the same size - holding it tight on top of the hot plate; flip it quickly so the eggplants are transferred to the new plate, sprinkle a little more salt & turmeric powder on top, cover with a wet cloth/paper towel & microwave again for 5 minutes.

• Meanwhile, heat a pan on (low-medium heat) with a little oil, add the ingredients listed for frying in the same order & roast them in oil until aromatic & crisp. Let cool, powder & set aside.
• Heat the pan with the remaining oil, add the semi-cooked brinjal slices from the microwave, add required salt, turmeric powder, the ground powder & stir fry until well roasted.

• Serve warm with a meal platter. Goes well with Sambhar rice, Rasam rice.

Kalyana Maangai Oorugai / Instant Mango Pickle

How to make Kalyana Maangai Oorugai / Instant Mango Pickle

                    This was the first pickle I learnt how to make - its that simple. If you have ever tasted this pickle (probably at a south indian wedding feast); it's just too hard to resist making this spicy instant pickle (unless raw mangoes are out of season). They are so easy to make, yet so satisfying with curd rice. The shelf life is about a week in the refrigerator, so plan accordingly, unless you are willing to share it ;o) Sharing this quick & delicious pickle from my recipe book with my friends at CCC# 34: July - Week 4.

Ingredients:

1 Raw (Sour/Unripe) Mango - Chopped very fine

Red Chilli powder - 3/4th to 1 Tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/8 Tsp

Salt to taste

Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 Tsp

For Tadka/Tempering:

Sesame Oil - 3 Tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp

1 or 2 dry red Chillies, broken

Asafoetida powder- 1/4 Tsp

Stove Top Method:

• Wash the Mango - slice, julienne & chop as finely as possible and transfer to a bowl. 

•  Dry roast the Fenugreek seeds until aromatic & golden (do not burn). Pound them with mortar and a pestle and set aside. 
• To the finely chopped Mango, add the pounded Fenugreek powder, red Chilli powder, Salt & Turmeric powder.

• Heat a mini kadai/wok with Sesame oil on low-medium heat - add the Mustard seeds. When they splutter, add broken red chilli and Asafoetida powder. Turn the heat off, once the chilli is fried and pour the Oil onto the bowl with the Mango and spices. 
• Toss or mix in with a clean, dry spoon. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Serve with Curd/Yogurt rice or with your favorite meal.

Notes:

• Use the Mango along with the skin.
• Take care not to burn the fenugreek seeds, as they will turn very bitter, if  burnt.
• Refrigerate, store in a glass container, tightly covered and use within a week's time.

Masala Lemon Rice

How to make Masala Lemon Rice

              I usually make lemon rice, with green chillies & ginger (see recipe - Lemon-Lime Rice) which needs no grinding of ingredients. Once in a while, I like to make this masala lemon rice which has ground fenugreek seeds & red chillies in it for a different flavor. This lemon rice reminds me of the kovil prasadam aka temple offering, back home. So give this recipe a try and evoke nostalgic feelings of your temple visits. Sharing this recipe with my fellow bloggers at CCC# 33: June-Week 3.

          That makes me ponder - we hardly realize that the present moment is special, in that moment (during the actual experience). We yearn for it only after we lose it or go far away from the experience. And, when that happens, even a daily/ordinary happening becomes close to our heart and we long for that experience again. I'm beginning to understand the importance of all the spiritual quotes I've read about being fully present in the moment. 

                                                     

  Live in the present. - Dalai Lama

Wherever you are, be all there.  - Jim Elliot

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. - Eckhart Tolle

The present moment is the only moment that's available to us, and it is the door to all available moments. - Thich Nhat Hanh

Tangy Beetroot Salad / Beetroot Elumichai Salad

How to make tangy beetroot salad

            Nothing beats the beets to help detox your system. Raw beets tend to give off an earthy aroma. That's why the beets in this salad are semi/flash cooked to make it more appetizing. Add to that, some raw mango, lemon juice, coconut & peanuts; and you got yourself a wonderfully delicious & nutritious side. I found this quick & easy salad recipe in my Isha recipe book. Sending this scrumptious recipe over to CCC# 32: May--Week 2. Give this beetroot salad a try today!

Ingredients for 2 servings:

1 medium sized Beetroot -peeled & grated
1 tsp, Lemon juice
1 tbsp, fresh grated Coconut
2 tbsp, green Mango - grated
1 tbsp, Peanuts (soaked overnight or dry roasted)
½ tsp, Pepper powder
Salt to taste

For the seasoning:

1 tsp, oil
½ tsp, Mustard
½ tsp, Split, husked black gram/Urad dal
¼ tsp, Chickpea/Bengal gram dal
A few shredded curry leaves

Mangai Pachadi / Raw Mango Sweet & Sour Chutney

How to make Mangai/Raw Mango Pachadi

                Chithirai thiru naal/Tamizh Puthaandu or commonly known as Tamil new year's day comes every April. The feast on this day, will invariably include neem flowers, in at least one of the dishes; either veppam poo(neem flower) pachadi, veppam poo rasam or at the very least hidden in the mango pachadi. Adding a small amount of neem flowers to the mango pachadi is the best way to mask its bitterness in the sweet,sour & spicy mango pachadi.

              If you have never tasted or are reluctant to try neem flowers - let me guarantee that using a smaller quantity & frying them in ghee does help a lot with the bitterness. You can also skip those miniature bitter flowers and enjoy your mango (sour & spicy, with a hint of sweetness) pachadi this new years day.

               Your end product might vary in texture, based on the size of the mango chunks and the consistency (as seen in my pictures too).

             இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!!

Ingredients:

1 raw/green mango(about 3 cups) - chopped or shaved without skin

1/4 tbsp, jaggery

1/4 tsp, turmeric powder

salt to taste

1/2 tbsp, dried neem flower (cleaned for impurities) - can add more or skip completely

1 tbsp, ghee

Grind to a fine paste:

2 tbsp, grated coconut

2 green chillies

(sprinkle some water for grinding)

For tempering:

1 tbsp, oil

a pinch of asafoetida

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

a few curry leaves

1 broken, dry red chilli

Neer Dose/Neer Dosa (No fermentation required)

How to make Neer Dose / Neer Dosa (No Fermentation Required)

       Neer Dose, in Tulu (a language spoken in the southwestern part of  the Indian state of Karnataka) literally means a crepe made with water. The name refers to the consistency of the batter here. This is probably the lightest, softest, whitest, thinnest, lace like dosa you will ever come across. It stays super soft & moist for hours, which makes it an excellent food to pack for your kids. The dosa's are as white as snow, delicately flavored with coconut milk & salt. Once you get the hang of it, you will make these dosa's over & over again; but please take note of the bold, underlined words in the steps below, to get the best Neer Dose. When made right, the Neer Dose should feel like a wet lace in your hands; but beware - since the Neer Dosa, is so light, you are sure to eat more than your usual share of dosa's ;o) Enjoy your softest Neer Dose's with a side of Kothambari Palye Gojju/Sweet & Sour Coriander Chutney, another Konkani dish.

Karuppu Ulundhu Sundal

How to make Karuppu Ulundhu Sundal / Whole Black Lentil Snack

         When Navarathri comes around, the first things that cross my mind are Golu, Paatu, Pattu, Sundal & a goody bag of auspicious stuff, along with a one rupee coin :o)  Every house we visit will serve a bowl of warm Sundal. Although delicious, the kids could only eat so many bowls of Sundal. So we would take home the remaining Prasadham to share with our families.

                Navarathri brings along its own share of sweet memories from childhood. It is probably the only time of the year when kids are invited with respect/importance; by grown ups, who normally wouldn't have anything to say to you; except "Where's your Amma"? or "Where's your Patti"? I would come home from school; eager to dress up in pattu pavaadai's & wear some real jewelry (finally!!) and go to almost every house on our street to see their seven or nine step arrangements of beautiful dolls & idols; that are strategically organized in to groups & categories.  Kids, mostly girls would be asked to sing songs in praise of the gods & goddesses. The funny part is, when a girl is singing, there would be so much activity going on around her; It almost feels like no one is paying attention to her song. So much for the respect, I thought we were getting...LOL!!

                 This was probably my first Sundal recipe that was written down in my recipe diary, when I only knew, how to eat :)

Uppu Elumichai Oorugai / Pickled Lemon

How to make Uppu Elumichai Oorugai / Pickled Lemon

         At first sight, this may not seem like a pickle at all. The ingredients are lemon, ginger, green chillies and salt. That's it!! No preservatives, oil or chilli powder are required. As you can guess, most of the heat comes from the green chillies. Salt and the citric acid from the lemons are the only (natural) preservatives here. This pickle makes an excellent side for sambhar rice, curd rice, as a treatment for morning sickness or just cos' you want to suck on something sour. 

         This one pot - one shot, home style recipe comes from my MIL - to - my recipe diary - to - you. This pickle can stay good, for months together under refrigeration and will taste great. The longer the ingredients swim in its own juices, the better they will taste. That's when, the heat of the chillies get on to the lemon, the sourness from the lemon juice gets into the chillies, and the ginger absorbs some of the sourness from the lemons. Scroll down to see a picture of the pickle, after three weeks of storage. Anybody can make this pickle - No special skills or expertise  needed; so go ahead and try this hassle free method of preserving a few lemons this time. Who know this could give you the confidence to make other complicated pickles too ;o)

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of bite sized chunks of  fresh lemon (about 3 to 4 lemons)

1 cup chopped, Mango ginger or Ginger

2 Tbsp salt, preferably rock salt

7 to 10 slit or chopped green chilies (about 1/4 cup)
a few fresh green peppercorns (optional)

Uthappam Batter

How to make the Uthappam Batter

          Not many of us are aware that the Uthappam batter is different from the Dosa batter. We tend to make Uthappam's with our ordinary Idli/Dosa batter. And that's not bad either, until you try the real Uthappam. A few years ago, I was blissfully ignorant of the same! Then I gave this recipe a try from a Mallika Badrinath's cookbook. My better half - the connoisseur of my kitchen, gave it a double thumbs up saying that it tasted just like it would, in a good south indian restaurant. It has since become a regular for our weeknight dinners. There are no limits to how many varieties of Uthappam can be made, just by switching the toppings. The picture below doesn't do justice to the Uthappam, You should try it for yourself to really know how good it is. Try Thakkali kai thuvayal, Tomato Coconut Sambhar & Thengai-Pottukadalai Chutney to accompany your uthappams. Sharing this spongy recipe with my friends at CCChallenge.

Ingredients for 8 to 10 servings:

Raw rice - 2 Cups

Par boiled rice/Idli rice - 2 Cups

Black gram dal/Urad dal - 1/2 Cup

Red gram dal/Toor Dal - 1/4 Cup

Fenugreek seeds/Vendhayam/Methi seeds - 1 Tsp

Salt to taste

Oil as needed

2 to 3 Onions - finely chopped

4 to 6 Green chillies - finely sliced

Coriander leaves - finely chopped (Optional)