Puran Poli | Obbattu | Boli

Puran poli/ Obbattu/ Boli is a sweet flat bread prepared by stuffing the dough with chana dal , jaggery mixture and rolling it ,cooking on tawa as we use to prepare stuffed paratha. It is mostly prepared during the festival Ugadi. Here i have used both jaggery and sugar for the sweetness.For the outer layer both maida and wheat flour is used.

Prep Time:1 hr 30 mins(including Soaking time)
Cook Time:30 mins
Prepared 15 polis (Numbers depend on the size of dough and filling we take for each poli)

Note: Outer layer can be prepared with either maida or wheat flour alone.
Ingredients:

For Stuffing:

• 1 cup channa dal/ Kadala paruppu
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 cup powdered jaggery
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp dry ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder /crushed cardomom

For Outer Layer:

• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1 cup All purpose flour/maida 
• 2 tsp oil 
• 2 tsp ghee
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• water as required 

Method:

Dough Preparation:

• In a bowl mix wheat flour, all purpose flour/maida,turmeric powder and salt,add water as required and prepare the dough.
• Now add ghee ,oil and knead the dough,
• The dough should be smooth and soft. cover and keep aside for minimum 1 hr.

Stuffing Preparation:

• Rinse the channa dal  and soak it in water for 1 hr. 
• In a pressure cooker, add water and cook the channa dal for 5 whistles.(Add water till the dal gets immersed,no need to pour more).
• In case if there is excess water ,strain it from the cooked dal and smash the dal with a laddle.
• In a pan take jaggery,sugar,cardomom powder and dry ginger powder and pour 1/4 cup water.
• Boil it till the jaggery melts and filter it,this is done to remove the dirts from sugar and jaggery.
• Heat ghee in a pan,add the mashed dal and jaggery syrup, saute for a few seconds.
• Keep stirring on low flame until the mixture becomes thick and dry.
• switch off the flame and allow it to cool.

Poli Preparation:

• Take some sweet dal mixture and make round balls of your desired size.
• Take a medium or large size ball from the dough.touch some ghee in your finger and press it in the centre of the dough and place a ball of puran mixture.
• Bring the edges together towards the center and join all the edges, pinch them and remove the excess dough.Now make a ball shape by gently rolling between your palms.
• Sprinkle some flour , place the stuffed ball and press it with your fingers to make a circle and then start rolling the dough with the rolling pin. Roll them either thin or thick depending  on your taste and preferences.  
• Apply some ghee on the heated tawa and place the rolled poli.Cook the poli on medium flame. 
• When one side gets cooked, turn over and cook the other side till you see some brown spots.
• Once the other side gets browned, then turn over and apply ghee.
• The poli gets puffed up.Poli is ready to serve.
• Repeat the same with the remaining dough and filling....

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Tomato Rice | Thakkali Sadham

Tomato Rice is a very simple delicious and easy to prepare recipe. It is  prepared by cooking plain rice with the spicy tangy tomato masala.Very quick lunch box recipe and handy for bachelors...

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Serves- 3

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice or any regular rice
• 3 medium size tomatoes, finely chopped 
• 1 medium onion, finely
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste 
• 1 green chilli, slit
• ½ inch cinnamon
• 2 cardamoms
• 3 cloves
• 1 or 2 Bay leaves
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 - 3/4 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp chopped mint and coriander leaves
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1tbsp ghee
• salt as required

Method:

• Rinse and soak the rice in water for 30 minutes.Then drain the rice and keep it aside.
• Heat oil and ghee in the pressure cooker. Add Cinnamon,Cardamom,cloves and bay leaves then add finely chopped onion,ginger garlic paste and saute till the onions turn translucent.
• Add Mint and coriander leaves and saute for a minute.
• Add Tomatoes, green chilli,Turmeric powder,chilli powder,coriander powder,salt and fry till the tomatoes goes soft.
• Add the soaked rice. Stir the rice with the tomato mixture very well. saute for a minute.
• Add 2 cups of water,allow it to boil,check the taste,cover and pressure cook for 1 whistle on medium flame.
• Reduce the flame to low and keep in dum for 5 mins and then switch off the stove.Let it cool till the pressure settles down and then transfer it to a broad vessel and mix it slowly with a fork.

Serve tomato rice with chips,raita or any curries as per your taste..

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Kulfi Ice cream | With & Without Popsicles

Summer here we beat you with our healthy and easy homemade Kulfi.... You can prepare kulfi at home,doesnt require the popsicle you can use your stainless steel glasses available at home.I have done it using both....

Ingredients:

• Milk - 2 cups
• Cornflour - 2 tsp
• Milk Powder - 2 tsp
• Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
• Sugar - 3 tbsp
• Nuts- 1/2 cup(mixed)

Method:

• Take milk in a pan and boil it.Meanwhile in a bowl add cornflour,sugar,cardamom powder and milk powder with little water,mix it to make a  paste.
• Crush the nuts,I used Pista,Cashews and Almonds.      
• Boil milk in simmer, let it simmer till it shrinks a little.Now add the mixed paste.Keep stirring.
• At one stage it will become creamy add the crushed nuts and boil for 5 mins and switch off and cool down.                               
• Once it cools down completely,pour it into popsicle moulds till 3/4th.
• Close it with a lid and freeze for atleast 7 hrs or overnight.
• If there is no popsicle do not worry pour it in a glass and use spoon or fork or tooth picks as sticks.                                    
• Next day take it out and carefully show the outer surface under running tap water.
• Carefully pull out the Popsicle or from the glass..

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Spicy Sesame Cauliflower

 

         Spicy Sesame Cauliflower - I just came across this recipe in internet and wanted to try,it was really good and made me to post here,with some variations to the original recipe....Goes well as a starter or as side dish for Roti/Rice.. 

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Serves: 3

Ingredients:

For Frying:

• 2 cups Cauliflower
• 1/2 cup All Purpose flour/ Maida
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 tbsp Corn flour
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tbsp Garlic crushed / Chopped
• 1 tsp Pepper powder
• Oil for Shallow fry

For Sauce:

• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp garlic chopped
• 1/4 cup soy sause
• 2tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp Chilli powder
• 1 tbsp corn flour
• 2tbsp water

For Garnishing:

• 1 tsp Sesame seeds
• Coriander leaves
• 1 tsp Pepper powder/ crushed (optional)

Method:

• Cut Cauliflower into medium size and wash it.
• Boil water in a pan and switch off the stove then put the cut cauliflowers and close the lid for 5 mins.
• Drain the water and dry the cauliflower by placing it on a dry cloth to remove excess water.
• In a pan mix maida,corn flour,garlic,baking powder,1 tsp pepper powder ,milk into a fine paste.
• Add the florets and mix so that all the florets are coated well.
• Take oil in a kadai and fry 4 - 5 cauliflowers till light golden brown .
• Repeat the same with the remaining florets.keep it aside.
• Mix 1 tbsp corn flour with 2 tbsp water without any lumps.
• Now in a kadai add 1 tbsp Sesame oil,fry garlic,add soya sauce,vinegar and corn flour paste allow it to boil.

         

• When it becomes a thick sauce add the fried cauliflowers and saute well.
• Garnish with Sesame seeds and coriander leaves.

• Sprinkle Pepper powder (optional) and serve hot....

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Fruit Salad Recipe

Fruit Salad.....Fruits is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet.When variety of fruits available there is no  other better way to enjoy the goodness of it than the delicious fresh fruit salad.For this fruit salad I have chosen Orange,gauva,Apple,Kiwi,Musk melon and water melon..You can use the fruits available in season...


Prep time:10 mins
Serves:2 -3
Ingredients:

• 1 tsp Honey
• 1 tsp Nuts(Optional)
• 1 Orange
• 1 Gauva 
• 1 Apple 
• 2 Kiwis
• 1 cup of Watermelon
• 1 cup of Musk Melon

Method:

• Wash the fruit thoroughly and slice it into bite sized pieces.
• Add everything in a large bowl.
• Add 1 tsp honey and mix the fruits well.Sprinkle nuts if you like.

Serve the fruit salad immediately.

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Lettuce Vegetable Salad

         Salad is prepared by mixing a variety of foods like vegetables, fruits, cheese, cooked meat,grains along with salad dressing that enhances more flavor to the Salad. Here I have prepared salad using vegetables like tomato,cucumber,Lettuce,carrot,capsicum and Onion. Enjoy the crunchy, tangy, spicy , healthy and colourful Salad.....

Prep Time:5 mins
Cook Time:5 mins

    

Ingredients:

• Lettuce - 1 cup 
• Carrot - 2
• Cucumber - 2
• Onion - 1
• Tomato - 1 medium size,Deseeded
• Green chilli - 1 small
• Capsicum - 1

For Salad dressing:

• Lemon juice - 1 tsp
• Olive oil - 1 tsp
• Pepper crushed - 1/2 tsp
• Salt for taste

Method:
Cut the vegetables into small cubes or into thin slices.Cut green chilli into 4 big pieces.
Add in lime juice,Olive oil,Salt and pepper.Mix well with a spoon and fork
.
Fresh Lettuce salad is ready to eat....
 It will last for atleast 2 days when refrigerated.

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Spicy Chicken curry without Coconut

This chicken curry is a spicy and very easy recipe to prepare. Generally I use coconut for most of my non veg recipes but this time i prepared without coconut which was so delicious and flavorful. Its a simple chicken curry goes very well with plain rice or any ariety rice or any Indian flat bread....

Prep Time:15 mins
Cook Time : 20 - 25 mins (Depends on Chicken )
Serves : 3 - 4
Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken
• 1 Large size onion finely chopped
• 1 Green chilli slit
• 2 medium size tomatoes finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic grated or paste
• Chopped coriander leaves.
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp Curry powder or garam masala powder 
• 1 cup warm water
• salt as needed

For Seasoning:

• 2 tbsp Oil
• 1 Bay leaf
• 3 Cloves
• 2 Cinnamon stick
• 1 Cardamom(Optional)

For Grinding:

• 1/2 - 1 tsp Black pepper (Adjust according to your taste)
• 1 tsp Jeera/ Cumin seeds
• 1 tsp Fennel seeds
• 5 - 6 Cashews

Method:

• Wash chicken thoroughly and keep it aside.
• Cut the vegetables and keep it ready.
• Grind all the ingredients below " For Grinding" into fine powder.
• Heat oil in a pan, add all the items for seasoning and fry for a min.
• Add onions,ginger garlic paste and fry evenly till golden and till the raw smell goes off.
• Add the chopped tomatoes,green chilli, turmeric,Chilli powder,coriander powder and salt. 
• Mix well and cook until the tomatoes goes mushy/soft.
• Add chicken, Curry powder /garam masala and fry for 5 mins in medium low flame.
• Initially pour 1 cup of water to cook the chicken,if required we can add more in the last. Cover and cook on a medium flame till it is cooked soft. 
• Now add the ground powder and check & adjust the salt.If required add 1/4 cup of water and cook in low flame for 5 mins.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and switch off the heat.
• Serve hot with rice, chapathi,rotis or variety rice..

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Homemade Fresh Cream

Fresh cream can be easily prepared at home and can be added to any curry or sauce to make it a little thicker and creamy.It can be added as an ingredient in different desserts. Homemade fresh cream is prepared from fresh milk, by whisking the collected Paal Aedu / malai.


Prep Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:

• Malai/ Paal Aedu - 1 cup

Method:

• Take the malai whisk well using a hand whisk or in electric mixer for few mins until its creamy without any lumps.Fresh cream is ready for use. Store it in refrigerator for a week to 10 days.

• If you want to prepare instantly just take few spoons of malai and beat it using a fork,instant fresh cream is ready.                                         

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Arisi Paruppu Sadam | Dal Rice

 Arisi Paruppu Sadam / Dal Rice is a South Indian toor dal variety rice.  Its very tasty and can be prepared quickly within 30 mins. This Dal rice along with pickle,potato fry or appalam makes perfect lunch/dinner. Kids love it....

 

Prep Time:10 mins
Cook time:10 mins
Serves: 3
 Ingredients:

• Rice -3/4 cup (Regular or Basmati)
• Toor dal- 1/4 cup
• Onion -1 medium size,finely chopped
• Green chilli -2 slit
• Garlic -4 cloves finely chopped
• Tomato -2 medium size,finely chopped
• Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
• Sambar powder -2 tsp
• Water - 2 to 2.5 cups  
• Salt as needed
• Coriander leaves  

For seasoning 

• Oil + Ghee -3 tsp
• Mustard seeds -1 tsp
• Cumin seeds/jeera - 1 tsp
• Hing - a pinch
• Red Chilli - 2 broken into  half
• Curry leaves - few

Method:

• Wash and soak rice and dal for 15 - 20 minutes or till you cut the vegetables and prepare the masala. Drain the water and keep it aside. 
• Heat oil, add the items under seasoning,fry onion, garlic and green chilli.
• Saute until onions turn transparent. Then add tomatoes, turmeric powder and sambar powder.
• Fry until tomatoes get soft,add soaked rice and dal, 2 and 1/2 cups of water and needed salt.
• Check the taste.
• Pressure cook rice for 1 whistle, and let it be in low flame for 5 mins. once the pressure subsides, open the cooker add a tsp of ghee and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves,mix the rice .
• Serve hot with any fried veggies or any curries....

Note:
I added 2.5 cups of water to prepare it soft,if you dont want soft you can reduce 1/2 cup of water.
Vegetables like carrot ,beans, potato, soya chunks can also be added.

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