THAALI IDEAS (NORTH INDIAN MINI THAALI #1)

 A Thaali is a 3 course(and above) Indian meal which features a combination of dishes that are wholesome, mix and match with each other in terms of texture and  flavour, and are balanced. India being a country with a huge food culture and heritage there are a great number of thaalis which can be cooked, either within a single cuisine, or a mixture of cuisines that match well.

This is an attempt by me to bring here as many Thaali ideas as possible for you all to create. We all want an balanced meal which takes very little time to create, and this is just that. The Thaalis in this series will range from simple to complex, and festive to on the go. 

The below Thaali took me under 60 mins to create. All the recipes mentioned here are also available separately. But here I am giving the whole process of how I went about creating it, and also giving the recipes side by side.

Do let me know in the comment section if I should create more Thaalis like this for you to try. This current one is a simple working day thaali, which one can create before leaving for work(can pack this as lunch as well), or once back home, or any day.

Planning goes a long way in creating a wholesome, and delicious meal. Please go though all recipes to check if you have all ingredients mentioned.

 PREP TIME: 30 Mins(previous day)                       COOK TIME: 55 Mins

 TOTAL TIME:85 Mins                                              COURSE:  MAIN/ THAALI

 CUISINE:  NORTH INDIAN                                    SERVINGS: 5

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Elements of this Thaali:

*Korean Carrot Salad, *Cabbage Pulav,  *One Pot Tadke wali Dal,  *Green Apple Raita, *Pickle, and *Chaach(buttermilk)

Pre prep: All Vegetables were cut the previous day ( Julienne or Grate the carrot for salad. Chop the cabbage into strips, wash, drain, chop Onions, Capsicum, tomatoes, and store in fridge.)

Preperation and cooking:

STEP 1 : Wash the rice for the Pulav, add adequate water, and pressure cook. (details in recipe). (15 mins approx to cook)

STEP 2: Wash the dal, drain and rest for 10 minutes.(10 min approx)

STEP 3: Within the 10 minutes of the resting time for Dal, complete the carrot salad.

STEP 4: Start cooking the dal as per recipe.(20 mins from start to end)

STEP 5 : The pressure must have settled in the rice, open cooker and spread out the rice on a plate to cool.

STEP 6: Start cooking the pulav as per recipe.( 15 min approx)

STEP 7: While the cabbage is getting cooked(sauteing) grate the Green apple for Raita and complete the raita.

STEP 8: The cooled rice will now be ready to add to the Cabbage mix. Complete the Pulav 

 RECIPES FOLLOW:

1. Korean Carrot Salad:

Ingredients:

     

     Carrots 3 medium sized, julienned or grated roughly

     Caramelized Onions 1/2 cup ( I used store bought dehydrated onions)

     Salt as required 

     Sugar 1 tsp

     Garlic 4-5 cloves chopped finely

     Pepper powder 1 tsp   

     Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV) 1 tbsp ( add more if you want more acidity)

     Crushed coriander seeds/Dhania 1/2 tbsp

     Olive oil (cooking oil, not extra virgin) 2 tbsp

     Fresh Coriander leaves for garnish

     STEPWISE RECIPE: 

    

     1. In a large bowl, take the julienne/grated carrot. Add all ingredients to it except the olive oil.

2. Now in a small frying pan or tempering pan, take the olive oil and heat it to smoke point(be careful to not start a flame while smoking the oil. If the oil crosses smoke point, it can catch fire). Pour this smoking hot oil over the salad ingredients and give them all a good mix. The salad is ready to serve. We liked it chilled, so I put it in the fridge until ready to serve. 

     

    

NOTES:

1. Olive oil is the recommended for the exact flavours of the salad.

2. While bringing the oil to smoke point, be careful to not start a flame while smoking the oil. If the oil crosses smoke point, it can catch fire).

3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can be substituted with white vinegar. I would suggest adding it as per your taste.

2. Cabbage Pulav:

     Ingredients:

     Rice 1 cup precooked and cooled ( I used regular Sona Masoori)

    Cabbage 1/2 of a medium one. chopped to think strips

    Capsicum 1 medium chopped to strips

    Tomato 1 large chopped 

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Fennel seeds 1/2 tsp

    Shah jeera/ Caraway seeds 1/2 tsp

    Cinnamon 1 inch stick

    Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

    Salt as required

    Red chilli powder(regular) 1 tsp

    Coriander powder 1 tsp

    Fennel Powder 1 tsp

    Garam Masala powder 1/2 tsp

    Oil for sauteing 1 tbsp 

    Fresh coriander leaves chopped for garnish

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Precook 1 cup rice, spread it on a plate to cool and keep aside. In a Kadai heat the oil. Add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds and Shah jeera, Cinnamon stick, and fry until light brown. 

2. To this add the chopped capsicum and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add turmeric powder, and saute for another 2 minutes. Now add the tomatoes and continue to saute, until they become a little tender.

3. Now drop in the Cabbage strips, and saute for 2 minutes. Add salt, Red chilli powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and stir fry well. The cabbage will release water, keep sauteing until it becomes almost dry and the cabbage is well cooked, but firm and crunchy. 

4. Now add the garam masala, cook for a minute, and finally add the cooked rice. Give everything a nice stir so that the rice is well coated with vegetables and spices. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot .

NOTES:

1. Instead of the regular cabbage one can also use Purple or Red cabbage.

2. Other vegetables or soya chunks can also be added.

3. One Pot Tadke wali Dal:

    Ingredients:

    Moong dal 1/2 cup  washed and soaked for 15 minutes

    Tomato 1 chopped

    Mustard seeds 1 tsp

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

    Curry leaves a few

    Green chilli 1 chopped

    Ginger -garlic paste 1/2 tsp

    Salt as required

    Oil for sauteing

    Ghee 1 tsp

    Lemon juice 1 tsp (optional)

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Rinse and soak the Moong Dal for 15 minutes. Now in a small cooker heat some oil. To this add the mustard and cumin seeds. When the seeds crackle add the turmeric powder, followed by curry leaves, chopped tomatoes and green chilli. Saute this well until the tomatoes start turning a little tender. Add the ginger -garlic paste and fry for 10 seconds.

2. Now drain water from the dal and add the Moong dal to the cooker. Mix everything together nicely, and add 1.5 cups water. Close the cooker and allow 5 to 6 whistles to come. Put off the flame and wait for the pressure to release. Now open the cooker. The water must have been absorbed and dal cooked. The mixture may appear dry.

3. Add 1 cup water and stir everything well. Switch on the flame, add salt and stir again. cook for 1 minute. Switch off the flame, if using lemon juice(optional), add now, pour the ghee and its ready to serve.

NOTES:

1. This recipe can be followed with Tuvar dal(pigeon pea), Chana dal(Bengal gram) or the mix of all three grams together. The cook time will vary.

2. To make this dal in a pan instead of cooker. To pre cooked dal add all the above tempering ingredients and saute tomatoes in the tempering, and pour it into the dal.

4. Green Apple Raita:

     Ingredients:

     Green Apple 1 grated with peel

     Yogurt/Curd 300 gm

     Salt as required

     Roasted cumin powder 1 tsp

     Sugar 1 tsp

     Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp (optional)

Directions: In a bowl smoothen out the curd with a ladle gently. Do not whisk, only fold.

Grate the apple with the peel, and drop into the curd, add salt, sugar and roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder(if using), and mix everything very well. put it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

   NOTE: 

1. Use only Green apples as they give the right tartness and texture. The taste may change with regular eating apples. Green apples are the cooking variety.

2. I have not added red chilli powder here. But it can be added.

3. Fresh and finely chopped coriander leaves can also be added.

4. Use more apples for a stronger flavour/taste.

5. Mango Pickle- Was courtesy my mother who runs Paru's Pickles.

6. Chaach/Buttermilk(this quantity is for 1 glass)- Take 1 tbsp curd and whisk,pour 3/4 cup warer, add salt and cumin powder, top with chopped coriander, if you prefer. 

OVERALL NOTES:

 

1. Planning goes a long way in creating a wholesome, and delicious meal. Please go though all recipes to check if you have all ingredients mentioned.

2. A small tip- sometimes when in a hurry, instead of resting the dal for 10 minutes, a use it immediately after wash, but give it a slightly onger cook time in the cooker (may be 3 whistles more). Helps in saving time.

3. Most of the time I don't store chopped onions in the fridge, I chop them right then. If chopping ahead, I store them in a Tupperware  box so that the smell does not permeate all through the fridge.

If you tried creating this Thaali and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear how it went for you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and i'll respond as soon as I can.

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