MENTHIYA KEERAI KOOTU/SOUTH INDIAN METHI DAL

Fenugreek or Methi green are my most favorite greens and i wish they were perennial. That said, even though they can be grown at home perennially, its always good to eat seasonal food, to get the maximum benefits out of them. These slightly bitter greens have loads of benefits to offer and one should make the most of it. 

As said earlier I love these greens, so even in my regular North Indian subji's I use a few sprigs for flavour. On my blog you will find Methi used in different ways like the Aloo Methi Paratha, Methi Wale Baingan and more...

Today I am  posting a simple everyday South Indian recipe which is Menthiya Keerai kootu or Methi dal. This is different from the North Indain version as here ground coconut paste is used for flavouring, which reduces the bitterness of the Methi and ehances its flavour. I prefer using Moongdal for this kootu though Tuvar dal also can be used. Let's get to the recipe right away.

This is a simple recipe that gets done in under 30 minutes. The dal can be pre cooked to make quick dinner after a long day at work. Just this Kootu and some Rice and one is in for a super healthy and satiating meal.

Here is the recipe for Menthiya Keerai Kootu  

    PREP TIME: 10 MINS                               COOK TIME:15 MINS

    TOTAL TIME: 25 MINS                               COURSE: MAIN 

    CUISINE: SOUTH INDIAN                          SERVINGS: 4

    AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

Ingredients:

Methi green/Fenugreek greens 1 bunch

Moong dal 1/2 cup Roasted to light brown

Tomato 1 finely chopped

Grated Coconut 2 tbsp

Cumin 1 tsp

Turmeric powder 1 tsp

Sambar powder 1 tsp

Red chilli powder 1 tsp

Dry red chillies 2 whole

Mustard seeds 1 tsp

Urad dal 2 tsp 

Chana dal 1 tsp

Oil for tempering (I used coconut oil)

Directions:

In a Karahi dry roast the Moong Dal to a light brown colour and pressure cook for 4 whistles. In a pan, take the Methi leaves and add 1 cup water followed by turmeric powder and salt and cook. When the leaves are half done add Sambar powder and red chilli powder and continue to cook. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for another minute. Now add the cooked dal and give it a nice mix. Add grated coconut, mix well, cook for 2 minutes and put off the flame. In a small Tadka Kadai take some oil for tempering. When oil is hot add the mustard seeds, followed by Urad dal, Chana dal , broken dry red chilli, and asafoetida. Pour the tempering in to the Methi dal and the delicious and healthy Menthiya Keerai kootu is ready.

Serving Suggestions: This Methi dal or Menthiya Keerai kootu goes very well with Vathakuzhambu rice, Rasam rice, Paruppu podi. And me, I love them with Rotis too.  

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a Karahi dry roast the Moong Dal to a light brown colour and pressure cook for 4 whistles, with a little turmeric powder. In a pan, take the Methi leaves and add 1 cup water followed by turmeric powder and salt and cook.

2. In a pan, take the Methi leaves and add 1 cup water followed by turmeric powder and salt and cook. When the leaves are half done add Sambar powder and red chilli powder and continue to cook. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for another minute. 

3. Now add the cooked dal and give it a nice mix. Add grated coconut, mix well, cook for 2 minutes and put off the flame.

4.  In a small tadka Kadai take some oil for tempering. When oil is hot add the mustard seeds, followed by Urad dal, Chana dal , broken dry red chilli, and asafoetida. Pour the tempering in to the Methi dal and the delicious and healthy Menthiya Keerai kootu is ready.

NOTES:

1. Dry roasting the Moong dal gives a good flavour, aroma and texture to the Kootu. I always have a roasted batch ready.

2. I have used Coconut oil for enhanced flavour as i used it for all south Indian tempering except Sambar and Rasam. One can use refined oil too.

3. Not over cooking the Methi greens is important, other wise the taste is lost.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

STRAWBERRY AND LEMON LOAF

 Strawberries are in season now and what better way than storing up on all the goodness on what they have to offer by making, jams, desserts or just eating them fresh. But of course who can refuse a good bowl of Strawberry and cream...are you a berry addict like me? then this dessert/bread is certainly for you. If you are not a fan of berries you shall become one after tasting this😀.

This as always is a one bowl recipe and one of the simplest. I have used Whole wheat flour in this recipe, which can be easily swapped with Maida/refined flour if you prefer. A simple dish does not need much of a description I believe, therefore lest get to the recipe directly.

While you are here do check out my other bakes like-  Millet Cookies, Easy 2 way Muffins, Upside down Orange Vanilla cake, Oatmeal Cookies, Baked Samosa Pie, Apple Crumble, Pineapple Jam Tart, Blueberry Cheese cake and more...

Here is the recipe for Strawberry Loaf for you-

     PREP TIME: 10                                       COOK TIME: 50Mins

     TOTAL TIME:60 MINS                          COURSE:  DESSERT/BREAD

     CUISINE:  WORLD                               SERVINGS: 1 LOAF

     AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

Ingredients:

Fresh Strawberries 200 gm ( 12 to 15 pcs) chopped into cubes and a few lengthwise

Whole wheat flour 2 cups

Baking Soda 1 tsp

Lemon Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Zest of half a lemon

Egg 1 

Butter 100 gm melted

Milk 1 cup (+ 1/4 cup if required)

Salt a pinch

Lemon Glaze Ingredients:

Sugar 1/4 cup

Lemon juice of 1/2 lemon

Warm water 2 tbsp

Directions for Lemon glaze: Mix together all ingredients until sugar is dissolved and set aside. Do not exceed the water limit mentioned.

Directions for Loaf:

Preheat oven to 180 C for 10 minutes. In a bowl sieve the whole wheat flour along with the baking soda. To this add the sugar and the strawberries chopped to cubes and mix well. In another bowl take the melted butter ,lemon juice, lemon zest and egg and mix well. Add this to the flour and sugar mix, and combine well. Now start adding the milk little by little to make a thick batter. If batter looks very dry add 1/4 cup milk or even less to adjust consistency. Now arrange a loaf tin with parchment/butter paper. Pour the batter into the tin and tap to remove air gaps. Now arrange the reserved strawberries that were cur lengthwise,  on the batter and press gently with your finger. Bake in the oven at 200 C for 50 minutes. Check for doneness by piercing with a toothpick in the center. If undone bake for another 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the cake from oven, prick holes all over it and pour the prepared lemon glaze when hot. Allow to cool completely and then remove from loaf tin. The yummy Strawberry and lemon loaf is ready to serve with tea or as dessert.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Preheat oven to 180 C for 10 minutes. In a bowl sieve the whole wheat flour along with the baking soda. 

2. To this add the sugar and the strawberries chopped to cubes, add a pinch of salt and mix well.

3. In another bowl take the melted butter, egg, add lemon juice and lemon zest and mix well. Add this to the flour and sugar mix, and combine well. 

4. Now start adding the milk little by little to make a thick batter. If batter looks very dry add 1/4 cup milk or even less to adjust consistency. Now arrange a loaf tin with parchment/butter paper. 

5. Pour the batter into the tin and tap to remove air gaps. Now arrange the reserved strawberries that were cur lengthwise,  on the batter and press gently with your finger. Bake in the oven at 200 C for 50 minutes.

6. Check for doneness by piercing with a toothpick in the center. If undone bake for another 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the cake from oven, prick holes all over it and pour the prepared lemon glaze when hot. Allow to cool completely and then remove from loaf tin.

NOTES:

1. I have used Fresh strawberries as they are in season now. Alternately dried ones can be used. If using frozen strawberries use without thawing.

2. Feel free to use refined flour if you prefer.

3. Egg may be swapped with flax egg, but I have not tried it for this recipe, therefore cannot comment now on the texture. When I make it with flax egg I shall update here.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

BAJRA AND ALMOND FLOUR COOKIES (MILLET COOKIES)

I surfed the internet to find the easiest Cookie recipe with Millet's (that are trending currently), using ingredients that are easily available in our pantries, I scored and scored but couldn't find anything that interested me. By now those who are following the blog and my social media handles know that when it comes to baking, I choose the most easiest recipes, which can be mixed in a single bowl and stashed in the oven to bake. Zero mess.  

I love baking but I hate the mess that comes with it, so the trials in my kitchen are always on for a fuss free recipe. Though I did not find an ideal cookie recipe with Millet's that would satisfy the hundreds of queries in my mind(millet's are not the easiest to work with), I went adding ingredients purely on intuition to arrive at this recipe. As promised, its the easiest and egg free.

While you are here do checkout other bakes here on the blog like Blueberry Cheesecake, Apple Crumble, Easy 2 way Muffins, Upside down Orange vanilla cake, Oatmeal cookies, Apple tea cake and more...

Here is the simple recipe of the Bajra Almond Flour Cookies for you-

      PREP TIME: 15(+ 30 min resting)        COOK TIME: 15 Mins

     TOTAL TIME:60 MINS                          COURSE:  DESSERT

     CUISINE:  WORLD                               SERVINGS: 12 PIECES

     AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

    Ingredients:

    Bajra flour(Pearl Millet flour) 1.5 cups

    Almond flour 1/4 cup

    Baking powder 1/2 tsp

    Baking soda 1/4 tsp

    Desiccated Coconut 1/4 cup

    Brown sugar 1/2 cup

    Butter 100 gm softened

    Salt 2 pinches

    Black Currants a hand ful

    Vanilla essence 1/2 tsp

    Directions:

    In a bowl add softened butter(keep out of the refrigerator for 1 hr). To this add Brown         sugar and combine until smooth and creamy. In another bowl sieve the Bajra flour(Pearl Millet), baking soda and baking powder. To this add the Almond flour,Vanilla essence, desiccated coconut, salt and the Black Currants and mix well. Add this flour mix to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Use your hand to combine them well to form a soft dough. Check picture for consistency. You will not need any form of liquid, just the said amount of butter will do. Now keep the kneaded dough in the refrigerator for 30 mins. Pre heat the oven at 180 C for 10 minutes. While the oven is on preheat, get the cookie dough out of the fridge and divide them into balls. Flatten them on your palms and place them on the baking tray lined with parchment or butter paper. Space them a little apart. I got 12 cookies from this dough, so baked 6 in one round and another 6 in the other. Bake at 180 C for 15 mins. Oven temperature are different for different ovens so keep a check from 12 mins. Remove the cookies carefully from the baking tray to a plate. The cookies will be soft when just out of the oven. Don't worry they will turn crunchy on cooling completely. Enjoy the cookies with your favorite beverage. Cheers !!!

    STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1.  In a bowl add softened butter(keep out of the refrigerator for 1 hr). To this add Brown         sugar and combine until smooth and creamy. 

2. In another bowl sieve the Bajra flour(Pearl Millet), baking soda and baking powder. To this add the Almond flour,Vanilla essence, desiccated coconut, salt and the Black Currants and mix well.

3. Add this flour mix, little by little to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Use your hand to combine them well to form a soft dough. Check picture for consistency. You will not need any form of liquid, just the said amount of butter will do.

4. Now keep the kneaded dough in the refrigerator for 30 mins. Preheat the oven at 180 C for 10 minutes. While the oven is on preheat, get the cookie dough out of the fridge and divide them into balls. Flatten them on your palms and place them on the baking tray lined with parchment or butter paper(picture not taken). Space them a little apart. I got 12 cookies from this dough, so baked 6 in one round and another 6 in the other. Bake at 180 C for 15 mins. 

NOTES:

1. Since I made this recipe completely on intuition cannot say now if brown sugar can be substituted with white sugar or jaggery. When I try this again with white sugar or jaggery I shall update the recipe here.

2. I have used store bough Almond flour, however almond meal/flour can be made at home by blanching almonds, removing the skin, drying them and then powdering them. 

3. Oven temperature are different for different ovens so keep a check from 12 mins. 

4. The cookies will be soft when just out of the oven. Don't worry they will turn crunchy on cooling completely.

5. Also at this point i'm not sure if any other millet flour can be used for this recipe. I shall soon try it out and update here.

    

 If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes on your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchen has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.

KADAI PANEER (GRAVY)

Kadai Paneer is a dish I like and make very frequently at home. I have this weekly one day is Paneer day compulsorily policy. Here on my blog I have another Kadai Paneer recipe which is a Semi dry version of this recipe. Though the Masala is same, the way I made it is slightly different. The Semi dry Kadai Paneer recipe is good to go with Rotis, and other flat breads and is a good lunch box recipe as it doesn't have much in the name of gravy and so is not messy at all, to carry in a box.

This gravy version is a great option to go with rice dishes like Matar Pulav, Jeera Rice, Biriyani etc. This version is what you will find at Dhabas in the North India. Considering Dhaba meals are supposed to be reasonably priced, do you think they would use Cashewnuts and cream etc, to thicken their gravy? Well, they use a very everyday ingredient that is found in Indian Kitchens and is gaining popularity the world over for its high protein quotient (and we have been using it since ages, that's India for us, a treasure house of recipes and food culture). Any guesses as to what that ingredient is? Besan. Yes, the humble chickpea flour. To find out how to use it, read the recipe and try it out and you will agree that it tastes delicious.

While you are here try out my other Paneer recipes likes Palak Paneer, Mava Paneer Curry, Paneer Khurchan, Malpua with Gulab Jamun mix and Paneer, and more...

Here goes the recipe for Kadai Paneer gravy style-

    PREP TIME: 15                                                   COOK TIME:15 MINS

    TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS                                         COURSE: MAIN 

    CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                                   SERVINGS: 5

     AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

    Ingredients:

    Paneer 200 gm cubed

    Onion 1 large cut into petals

    Onion 1 medium size chopped finely

    Capsicum 1 medium cut to large cubes

    Green chillies 2 slit lengthwise

    Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp

    Garlic 3 to 4 cloves (big ones)

    Tomatoes  2 large pureed

    Tomato 1 medium diced

    Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

    Salt as required

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Besan/ Chick pea flour 1.5 tbsp roasted on low flame until aromatic

    Methi seeds/ Fenugreek seeds 2 pinches

    Garam Masala Powder 1/2 tsp

    To be ground:

    Coriander seeds 1 tbsp

    Cloves 2

    Jeera/ Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Dry red chilli 2 regular and 1 Kashmiri  dry red chilli (optional)

    Directions:

Take a Kadai and heat it, add the Besan and saute on low flame until it turns aromatic and light brown in colour. Keep stirring so that the Besan does not burn. Once aromatic, transfer to a plate. Now in the same kadai take 1 tbsp oil and drop in the Onion petals and saute for 1 minute. Now add the cubed capsicum and continue to saute over high flame for another 1 minute. Take care to stir constantly and the onion and capsicum should not overcook or turn limp. Transfer to a plate. Now in the same kadai take some more oil and add cumin seeds. Once they start crackling add the slit green chillies and saute for 30 secs. Now add the finely chopped onions and crushed garlic and continue to saute until the onion starts turning brown. In the meanwhile roast and grind the spices mentioned under "to be ground" and set aside. Grind them coarse and not very fine. Now add this powder to the sauteed onions, add turmeric powder, and if the mixture looks dry add another teaspoon of oil and saute the masalas in oil. Now add the roasted Besan and saute until the mixture starts appearing crumbly, but dry. To this add the tomato puree and mix nicely. Smoothen out all the lumps from the Besan. Add salt, followed by 1 to 1.5 cups water, drop in the diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Check for taste and add red chilli powder if required and adjust salt if required. Now add the cubed Paneer pieces , and the previously sauteed onion and capsicum and stir nicely. Add the fenugreek/Methi seeds. Cook until the gravy thickens. If you are particular about adding cream add now(this step is optional). Add garam masala powder and put off the flame. The yummy Kadai Paneer gravy style is ready. Enjoy with your favourite rice or Flat bread. Bon Appetit.

     STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Take a Kadai and heat it, add the Besan and saute on low flame until it turns aromatic and light brown in colour. Keep stirring so that the Besan does not burn. Once aromatic, transfer to a plate.

2. Now in the same kadai take 1 tbsp oil and drop in the Onion petals and saute for 1 minute. Now add the cubed capsicum and continue to saute over high flame for another 1 minute. Take care to stir constantly and the onion and capsicum should not overcook or turn limp. Transfer to a plate. 

3. Now in the same kadai take some more oil and add cumin seeds. Once they start crackling add the slit green chillies and saute for 30 secs. Now add the finely chopped onions and crushed garlic and continue to saute until the onion starts turning brown.

4. In the meanwhile roast and grind the spices mentioned under "to be ground" and set aside. Grind them coarse and not very fine. Now add this powder to the sauteed onions, add turmeric powder, and if the mixture looks dry add another teaspoon of oil and saute the Masalas in oil. 

5. Now add the roasted Besan and saute until the mixture starts appearing crumbly, but dry. To this add the tomato puree and mix nicely. Smoothen out all the lumps from the Besan. Add salt, followed by 1 to 1.5 cups water, drop in the diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Check for taste and add red chilli powder if required and adjust salt if required. 

6. Now add the cubed Paneer pieces , and the previously sauteed onion and capsicum and stir nicely. Add the Methi seeds and cook until the gravy thickens. If you are particular about adding cream add now(this step is optional). Add Garam Masala powder and put off the flame. Garnish with coriander leaves. The yummy Kadai Paneer gravy style is ready.

    NOTES:

1. Roast the Besan very carefully. Any burnt taste or flavour will change the taste of the dish. I always have a bottle of roasted Besan in my kitchen it helps to thicken gravies in a jiffy.

2. The roast and ground powder can be made ahead and stored in a bottle. This called the Kadai Masala because of which the dish gets its name.

3. I have not used cream in this dish. If you prefer adding cream, do go ahead and do so. I have specifically mentioned when to do so. 

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes in your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchen has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.