GAJAR HALWA/ CARROT HALWA

 Gajar Halwa/ Carrot Halwa is a very popular Indian dessert. Mostly a winter dessert. Though it is made frequently with the regular carrots ( English Carrots), using the Delhi Carrots or Red Carrots as they are called gives the best results.

This is one dessert I love and consider it very sacred, so if you are looking for an easy, one pot or microwave recipe, you are going to be disappointed. As far as Gajar Halwa is concerned I am old school. I cook it in milk( and a whole lot of milk) so that the raw taste of the Carrots is gone and the milk crumbles to a Rabri like texture. The taste of such a Halwa is divine. This is one recipe I have never made with regular carrot except in my dessert recipe- Gajar halwa Barfi where I was shaping  it like fudge( Barfi) and using Khoya to speed up the process. Whereas this recipe of Gajar Halwa is a slow cook process. The slower it cooks the better it tastes. Am I disappointing you? Well, make it like this and you will be hooked to it for life. Remember the best things in life come with a lot of patience.

My belief is that when I wait a whole year for the Red Carrots to appear in the Market and then make the Halwa, then it should be made the authentic way. Which does not involve adding condensed milk or Koya or milk powder but in cooking the carrots in milk( whole cream), to perfection.

I use only whole cream milk to make this dessert. So the taste of the Halwa depends entirely on the quality of milk. A full/whole cream milk Halwa will give you better taste and I can say this because I have tried it will all milk varieties available in the market and what works best is whole/full cream milk.

So after the whole mega write up, taking you to the recipe. While you are here do check out my other carrot based desserts like Carrot Kheer( another speciality from Rajjo's Kitchenn) and Gajar Halwa Barfi.

    PREP TIME:30                                   COOK TIME: 1hr

   TOTAL TIME:1hr.30Mins                     COURSE:  DESSERT

   CUISINE:  INDIAN                               SERVINGS: 6

   AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

    Ingredients:

    Carrots ( Preferably Red ones) 1.5 kilo grated

    Milk whole cream/ full cream 2 litres

    Sugar 300 gm

    Cardamom/ Elaichi powder

    Ghee 4 tbsp

    Cashews a new broken

    Directions:

Wash, peel and grate the carrots and keep aside. In a huge thick bottomed vessel/ kadai/ or urli boil the milk. When it comes to a boil, reduce the flame and put in the grated carrots. Start stirring the mixture. The flame can be increased now but constant stirring is required . This process has to continue until almost all the milk dries up. The texture will look like Rabri stickng to carrot. Once all milk dries up, reduce the flame and add the sugar. Continue to stir again. Once the sugar is added the mixture will liquify, continue to stir until all the moisture is absorbed. The halwa will come together but it will not be gooey. Now add the cardamom powder. Fry the nuts in ghee and pour it over the halwa along with the nuts. The healthy and delicious Gajar Halwa is ready.  Serve warm. Bon Appetite. 

    STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Wash, peel and grate the carrots and keep aside. In a huge thick bottomed vessel/ kadai/ or Urli boil the milk.

2. When it comes to a boil, reduce the flame and put in the grated carrots. Start stirring the mixture. The flame can be increased now but constant stirring is required . This process has to continue until almost all the milk dries up. Showing you the stages of reduction in pictures below that are self explanatory. 

3. Once all milk dries up, reduce the flame and add the sugar. Continue to stir again. Once the sugar is added the mixture will liquefy, continue to stir until all the moisture is absorbed. The Halwa will come together but it will not be gooey. (forgot to click a picture finally to show the final consistency, so have included the one showing the cardamom powder. Please follow that texture for final consistency of Halwa).

4. Now add the cardamom powder. Fry the nuts in ghee and pour it over the Halwa along with the nuts. The healthy and delicious Gajar Halwa is ready.  Serve warm.

    NOTES:

1. While cooking at high heat keep stirring constantly to avoid burning the contents at the bottom of the pan.

2. Actually after sometime of cooking the milk and carrot mixture , it does not overflow from the vessel. That time the stirring can be relaxed a bit, but stir every couple of minutes. If you are following this reduce flame when not stirring.

3. Good quality full cream milk yields the best result, the Halwa can be made with milk of any consistency though. The results may not be what I have described .

4. Feel free to try this with regular Carrots too. Method being the same.

5. Sometimes people try to over power the subtle carrot flavour by adding huge amounts of ghee. This is not required. Pouring ghee at the right time is very important, such that the flavour is enhanced and a lot of ghee is not poured unnecessarily. Check out my Cakkara Pongal post for the directions on how to pour the ghee.

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.

PATRA/ PATRODE WITH BOK CHOY LEAVES ( ALU WADI)

 Patra or Patrode is a simple and healthy snack from western India. It is also called Alu Wadi in some regions. This dish is popular in karnataka too. Different regions, different names same dish. 

In this healthy snack usually the Arbi or Colacassia leaves are used. Spinach leaves can also be used, but they have to be big and thick. Since that variety is not available all the time I decided to give the dish a twist by using a different leaf altogether.  Bok Choy, or Pok choy  is a type of chinese cabbage.  The leaves are thick and nice so I decided to give the Patra a try with these leaves. It was a huge hit in my house and everyone came back for more. 

Since I was making this the first time, I made only a small quantity and with my folks asking for more have promised to make some again very soon. So, what I'm driving at is that if you are one of those people who loves this dish and wait for the Arbi leaves to arrive in the market, well don't wait. Grab some Pok Choy and try it out. The Pok Choy is closer in taste to Spinach with which Patra are made, if not for Arbi/Colaccssia leaves. 

This is a steamed snack just like the Kothimbir Vadi, it can be fried too of you prefer. I have steamed and pan roasted them.

While you are here check out my other snack recipes like Mirchi Bajji, Semolina Cheese balls, Samosa Pie, Potato Cheddar Bake, Dhania wale Namak Parey and more...

Here is the recipe ot Patra with Bok Choy Leaf-

        PREP TIME: 15MINS                              COOK TIME: 30MINS

       TOTAL TIME: 45 MINS                             CUISINE: INDIAN

        COURSE :SNACK                                   SERVINGS: 5

        AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

Bok choy/ Pok choy 2 heads ( clip leaves carefully, wash and dab dry with towel)

Besan/ Chickpea flour 2 cups

Salt as required

Red chilli powder 1 tsp

Coriander powder 1 tsp

Fennel powder 1 tsp

Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

Sugar 1/2 tsp

Tamarind pulp 2 tsp diluted in 1/2 cup water or make pulp with Gooseberry size tamarind ball.

Green chilli 1 finely chopped

Ginger 1/2 inch piece finely chopped

Sesame seeds a few 

Kopra / desiccated coconut 2 tsp

Oil 3 tsp for tempering

Directions: 

Carefully cut the leaves from the Bok choy, wash them in water and pat dry. Keep aside. Now in a bowl take the besan and add all the masala powders and salt. Mix well with fingers and now start adding the tamarind water little by little to make a thick paste/ batter. If using tamarind paste add paste along with masalas, mix and then use water to make the paste. The batter has to be smooth and thick that it sticks to the leaves and does not slide off. Now take the leaves, bigger ones. Apply the paste to 3 leaves, and arrange 3 of them over lapping the other as shown in the picture. This is the first layer. On this another 3 paste applied leaves have to be arranged. If the leaves are in different sizes, keep bigger ones below and smaller ones on top. Like this for 3 layers. Now start rolling the leaves from left to right, and as you role more of the paste has to be applied each time you roll the leaf. After rolling completely, apply the besan paste all over the rolled leaf. Place this in a greased cooker vessel.  Repeat for remaining leaves. I made two such rolls.  Place the second roll also in the cooker vessel and keep the vessel in the cooker to steam. Steam for 20 to 25 minutes. Put off the cooker and wait 2 minutes. Now open and cool the steams rolls completely. Once cooled cut them into 1/2 inch thick circles and keep aside. Take oil in a Tava or Pan and heat. Add mustard seeds, Jeera, asafoetida, green chillies, sesame seeds and ginger. When the mustard pops arrange the cut circles on the tava and roast on one side. When it turns a golden brown, flip and roast the other side. Sprinkle some Kopra/ desiccated coconut and remove the Parta off the Tava. Enjoy with some green chutney and chai. Bon Appetit!!!

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1.Carefully cut the leaves from the Bok choy, wash them in water and pat dry. Keep aside.

2. Now in a bowl take the besan and add all the masala powders and salt. Mix well with fingers and now start adding the tamarind water little by little to make a thick paste/ batter. The batter has to be thick and smooth.

3. Apply the paste to 3 leaves, and arrange 3 of them over lapping the other as shown in the picture. This is the first layer. On this another 3 paste applied leaves have to be arranged. Make 3 such layers.

4. Now start rolling the leaves from left to right, and as you role more of the paste has to be applied each time you roll the leaf. After rolling completely, apply the besan paste all over the rolled leaf. Place this in a greased cooker vessel.  Repeat the process and put both rolls in cooker vessel.

5. Keep the vessel in the cooker to steam. Steam for 20 to 25 minutes. Put off the cooker and wait 2 minutes. Now open and cool the steams rolls completely. Once cooled cut them into 1/2 inch thick circles and keep aside. 

6. Take oil in a Tava or Pan and heat. Add mustard seeds, Jeera, asafoetida, green chillies, sesame seeds and ginger. When the mustard pops arrange the cut circles on the tava and roast on one side. When it turns a golden brown, flip and roast the other side. Sprinkle some Kopra/ desiccated coconut and remove the Parta off the Tava. Enjoy.

NOTES:

1. Select leaves which are fresh and big.

2. At the base of the leaf if the stem is hard, make a V shape cut to remove the hard veins.

3. Ensure the batter is thick like a paste or else it won't stick to the leaf.  Incase the batter turns runny add more besan and adjust spice and continue with the recipe. 

4. While toasting on the Tava take care not to burn them or the taste will change.

SOUTH INDIAN VEGETABLE KURMA

 The South Indian Vegetable Kurma is a very popular dish in most south Indian restaurants. It goes very well with most south Indian dishes like the Sevai aka string hoppers, Parotta, Kothu Parotta( for which it forms part of the kotthu gravy), Poori, Dosa, Kal Dosa Rava Dosa, and more...

Than the ones at a restaurant I like the home version as the masalas can be customized.  I find the restaurant ones very pungent with a strong masala impact which subdues the taste of the vegetables. A good kurma is one where the taste and texture of the vegetables is retained and the mild masalas enhance the taste of the dish.

So here's my version of the South Indian Vegetable Kurma--

PREP TIME: 15 MINS                                 COOK TIME:15 MINS

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS                                COURSE: MAIN 

CUISINE:INDIAN                                         SERVINGS: 4

AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

    Ingredients:

    Chopped Mix vegetables 200 gm ( carrot, cauliflower, potatoes, beans) etc;

    Green peas 50 gm

    Capsicum 1 chopped 

    Onion 1 medium chopped

    Tomatoes 2 large pureed

    Cashewnuts 10

    Coconut 1 tbsp

    Fennel seeds 1 tsp

    Bay leaf/ Tej patha 1 medium

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Green cardamom 2

     Cloves 3 -4

    Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp

    Green chilli 1

     Biryani masala 1 tsp depending on flavour

    Red chilli powder 2 tsp

    Oil for sauteeing 

    Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp optional

Directions:

Steam all the mix vegetables  with salt and turmeric powder, except capsicum, onion and tomatoes.  Take care to not turn them mushy. Now in a pan or Kadai pour oil and heat. Put in the Bay leaf, cumin seeds, green cardamom and cloves and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the onions and ginger garlic paste,and saute for 30 seconds. Add the capsicum and continue to saute for another minute. Now add the tomato puree and all other spice powders like red chilli powder, biryani masala and the salt. Cook the gravy until the oil separates. Now add the steamed vegetables, mix well and cook for a minute. Grind the coconut, fennel seed, cashewnuts and green chillies to a smooth paste adding a little water.  Pour this paste into the cooking gravy. Cook for another2 minutes or until the gravy cones together and put of the stove. Garnish with curry leaves add the garam masala powder now if using,  and enjoy with your choice of tiffin.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Steam all the mix vegetables with some salt and turmeric powder, except capsicum, onion and tomatoes.  Take care to not turn them mushy.

2. Now in a pan or Kadai pour oil and heat. Put in the Bay leaf, cumin seeds, green cardamom and cloves and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the onions and ginger garlic paste, and saute for 30 seconds. Add the capsicum and continue to saute for another minute

3. Now add the tomato puree and all other spice powders like red chilli powder, biryani masala and the salt. Cook the gravy until the oil separates.

4. Now add the steamed vegetables, mix well and cook for a minute. Grind the coconut, fennel seed, cashewnuts and green chillies to a smooth paste adding  a little water. 

5. Pour this paste into the cooking gravy. Cook for another2 minutes or until the gravy cones together and put of the stove. Garnish with curry leaves add the garam masala powder now if using,  and enjoy with your choice of tiffin

NOTES:

1. The vegetables used can be customized to your liking. That said vegetables with a lit of water content like gourds, brinjal etc are not preferred much.

2. For a thicker gravy add more cashew and coconut. For a thinner one reduce the cashew and coconut or use the quantity given and then thin down with water 

3. I use biryani masala for the kurma as it gives a very nice flavoring to the kurma. One can use garam masala too but the authentic taste does not come in.

4. I use homemade Biryani masala. For recipe of Biryani masala click here. Feel free to use store bought one too.

If you tried this recipe and liked it, please let us know in the comment box. I would love to hear from you. If you would like to receive our future posts on your mail, please leave your mail Id so that we can post it to you.

BAJRA AND RAGI CHEELA

 A healthy breakfast is a beautiful start to the day. What better than millets to keep you satiated for longer, and lighter on the tummy too. Millets are in fashion now, but have been in our land for ages. Our ancestors used them extensively and then they kind of vanished from the scene owing to "ready to eat meals" revolution and the "instant meal" idea. After a long time they ( Millets ) are getting their due. As this generation falls prey to lifestyle diseases, the millets came to the rescue and they started trending all over again.

So, here is my take on the regular Besan Cheela, where I have added Bajra and Ragi flour to the besan. This breakfast dish keeps one satiated and is tasty too. It gets done with minimum oil and can be served with pickle, or a green chutney. Homemade butter goes well too. A glass of buttermilk to go with and a lovely breakfast platter is ready.

While you are here please check out my other breakfast recipes like Kuthiraivali Pongal aka Barnyard millet Pongal, Dahi Pohe, Rava Dosa and more....

Since this is a simple and mix everything together recipe I have not given stepwise pictures or instructions. Yes its that easy 😄.

PREP TIME: 15 MINS                                COOK TIME:15 MINS

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS                              COURSE:BREAKFAST

CUISINE:INDIAN                                         SERVINGS: 4

AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

Ingredients:

Besan  1.5 cups

Ragi flour/ finger millet flour 1 cup

Bajra flour/ pearl millet flour 1 cup

Salt as per taste

Curd 3 tbsp

Green chillies 2 or 3 finely chopped

Ginger 1 inch finely chopped

Ajwain/ carrom seeds 1 tsp

Fresh coriander a few sprigs finely chopped

Onion 1 finely chopped

Red chilli powder 1 tsp or as per taste

Coriander powder 1 tsp

Fennel powder 1 tsp

Water for making the batter

Oil for cooking the cheela

Directions:

In a large bowl put in all the 3 flours. Add salt and all dry masalas like- Ajwain, red chilli powder, coriander powder, andfennel powder. Now add the chopped onions, green chillies, ginger, fresh coriander and mix thoroughly. Now add the curd and stir again. Now adding water little by little making a batter. The consistency should be like the Dosa batter, not too thick and not too thin. Let it rest for 10 minutes minimum. Now heat a girdle/ tava and  smear little oil. Pour the batter and don't spread it with a ladle, instead let it spread by itself( just like a pan cake). Drizzle little oil and cook on one side, flip and cook on the other and remove. Repeat for all the batter and serve with your choice of chutney or sauce.

Notes:

1. One can try the same with other millet flours too.

2. Millet flours don't absorb a lot of water, therefore while adding be careful and it’s best to add a little at a time.

 If you tried this recipe and liked it, please let us know in the comment box. I would love to hear from you. If you would like to receive our future posts on your mail, please leave your mail Id so that we can post it to you.

THENGAI MOLAGAPODI( COCONUT GUN POWDER)

 Molagapodi or south Indian Gun Powder as it is referred to is an everyday accompaniment in every southindian household. It also goes by the name Idli Podi or Dosai Molagapodi.

In my house we make this powder every other week. In this recipe I am adding coconut to the gun powder/ molagapodi and this gives a very nice flavour and texture to the powder.

Usually making Thengai Molagapodi is a ritual for me after the Navarathri celebrations, as a lot of coconuts get accumulated at home, owing to visits to friends and family for accepting the Vethalai Paaku or Haldi Kumkum. So many coconuts cannot be consumed at a time, but ofcourse grating them and storing in the freezer is an option, but I prefer making the Thengai Molagapodi instead as then I don't have to make a chutney everyday 😃.

The procedure of making it is very simple. Therefore I am giving the stepwise recipe directly.

While you are here please check out my other Podi and sauce  recipes like Rasam Powder, Sambar Powder, Karuvepilai Podi/ Curry leaves powder, Homemade Schezwan Sauce, Homemade Pesto and more...

Here is the recipe  

  PREP TIME: 15 MINS                                COOK TIME:15 MINS

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS                              COURSE:ACCOMPANIMENT 

CUISINE:INDIAN                                         QUANTITY: 500 gms Approx

AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

Ingredients:

Coconut 3 whole grated

Urad dal 2 cups 

Chana dal 1/2 cup

Salt as required

Asafoetida 1 tsp

Dry red chillies whole 150 gm

Oil 1 tbsp for frying the dals

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a Kadai/ pan heat oil. Put the Urad dal and Chana dal and start roasting on low flame . Add Asafoetida 5 mins into the roasting process.

2. Roast the dals until they turn light brown in colour. Keep the flame low while roasting and keep stirring so that the dals fry evenly. Transfer to a plate and cool.

3. Now put the dry red chillies after removing the stems and roast on low fire for a minute. Put of flame let them stand in the hot kadai for few minutes. Cool completely. 

4. Now put the grated coconut in the kadai and start roasting it. If you prefer do it in batches. The coconut should not burn or else the taste of the  powder will be ruined. Keep roasting until it turns light brown. Transfer to a plate and cool completely. Once cooled pick out any big pieces of coconut gratings you may find.

5. Now in your dry grinding jar put the dals and the chillies and grind to a fine powder. Do it in batches if you prefer. As you keep grinding keep transferring the ground powder to a big bowl. Now add the required salt and the grated coconut and start mixing with a spatula/ spoon. If you find the powder is a little coarse for you preference after mixing in the coconut, then just blitz it once again. The spicy and yummy Thengai Molagapodi is ready. Serve with Idli, Dosa, Kuzhi Paniyaaram, Rava Dosa, Adai and more. 

NOTES:

1. Patience while roasting the dals and the coconut will yield best results.

2. Salt and spice can be adjusted as required. The spice can be a little more as the sweetness of the coconut subdues the spice.

3. Choose coconuts that are mature and will have a thick inside. The tender ones which are light brown will not have the texture required for this recipe and you will also have to roast it for long as the moisture content will be high.

 If you tried this recipe and liked it, please let us know in the comment box. I would love to hear from you. If you would like to receive our future posts on your mail, please leave your mail Id so that we can post it to you.

EASY 2 WAY MUFFINS( BLUEBERRY- CHOCOCHIP)

 These Muffins are so easy to bake, the prep is easy too. By now you all know that when I choose to bake, it has to be something that is super easy and fuss free.

So here I am giving you a cup cake dough base which you can customize with your favorite add ins and toppings. These are good for breakfast or as a snack for kids snack box . The muffins can be stored in the refrigerator for upto a week and can be warmed in the oven before serving. 

In this recipe I have topped them with my homemade Paneer Grapes conserve for the blueberry muffin and creamcheese-chocolate topping for the chocochip muffins. There are no pictures to them as the topping came as an after thought. However, I will share the procedure for the cream cheese icing without pictures. As for the conserve, a separate post for it will follow soon.

This is one such recipe where I have not added wheat flour and stuck to just refined flour. Usually I do only wheat flour or mix of wheat and refined flour.

While you are here please try out my other super easy cake recipes like Blueberry cheese cake, Upsidedown Orange Vanilla cake, Apple tea cake, Nutella fudge brownies, and more...

        PREP TIME: 15MINS                                        COOK TIME: 20MINS

       TOTAL TIME: 35 MINS                                       CUISINE: INDIAN

        COURSE : DESSERT                                      SERVINGS: 12 nos

        AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

Here is the recipe for the Muffins--

Ingredients :

Plain flour 2.5 cups

Sugar 1 cup

Baking powder 3 tsp

Baking soda 1 tsp

Salt 2 pinches

Buttermilk 1cup 

Oil  ( any unflavored oil) 4 tbsp

Butter melted 50 gm ( if using salted skip the salt)

Vanilla essence 1 tsp 

Eggs 2 ( refer notes)

Blueberries 125 gms

Chocochips 50 gm

Directions: 

In a bowl put in all the dry ingredients, that is flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk. 

In another bowl put in all the wet ingredients, that is the buttermilk, oil, butter, eggs and the vanilla essence and whisk. Preheat oven to 180 C.

Now slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients little by little. Combine nicely with a spatula no beater required. Now divide the dough into 2 equal halves. Add Blueberries to one half. Mix it in with very light hands. To another half add chocochip, stir it in light. Scoop the dough into muffin tins lined with muffin liners. Bake at 200 C for 20 minutes. Insert a skewer to check for doneness. Transfer the muffins into a tray to cool. Enjoy these homemade muffins with your favourite beverage.

For Cream cheese icing : in a bowl add 75 gm of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of icing sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, and beat until smooth using an electric beater. The mixture to be smooth and thick and not thin or watery. Use this to top the muffin and enjoy. ( This step is optional and there are no pictures to this step)

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a bowl put in all the dry ingredients, that is flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk. 

2. In another bowl put in all the wet ingredients, that is the buttermilk, oil, butter, eggs and the vanilla essence and whisk. Preheat oven to 180 C.

3. Now slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients little by little. Combine nicely with a spatula no beater required. Now divide the dough into 2 equal halves.

4. Add Blueberries to one half. Mix it in with very light hands. To another half add chocochip, stir it in light. Scoop the dough into muffin tins lined with muffin liners. Bake at 200 C for 20 minutes. Insert a skewer to check for doneness. Transfer the muffins into a tray to cool.

5. To top the Blueberry muffins use a fruit conserve, preferably berryish and for the chocochip muffins any chocolate icing will do. To follow my style procedure for cream cheese chocolate icing is given above. This step is totally options. The muffins taste just as great even without the toppings.

NOTES:

1. I usually use Olive oil for baking, coconut oil or even refined oil work well.

2. While baking the eggs should always be at room temperature. It's also recommended to have all ingredients at room temperature.

3. Unless a recipe demands chilled butter, always use melted butter for baking.

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.

 

 

VEGETABLE OATS KICHDI

 This Oats and vegetable kichdi is very simple to make and is a one pot recipe.  It can be customized to your preference be it spice or the vegetables added. In all it is a healthy, delicious and simple meal for the days you want a simple yet yummy meal.

I usually make this for dinner on the days our lunch is heavy or make it as a quick meal after a shopping trip as it gets ready in a jiffy.

I use Moong dal mostly but this time I have used half of Moong dal and half of Tuvar dal and it turned out yummy. But since I used Tuvar dal I had to pre cook the dal in a vessel for 10 mi utes and then transfer to cooker along with all other ingredients. If you want a fully one pot recipe, then use only Moong dal.

While you are here visit my other recipes like Barnyard millet Pongal, Cauliflower fried rice, Coriander Rice, Adai,  Bhindi Raita and more...

Here is the Vegetable Oats Kichdi recipe for you-

        PREP TIME: 10 MINS                                        COOK TIME: 15 MINS

       TOTAL TIME: 25 MINS                                       CUISINE: INDIAN

        COURSE : MAIN                                                  SERVINGS: 5

        AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

    Ingredients:

    Instant Oats 2 cups

    Moong dal 1/4 cup

    Tuvar dal 1/4 cup

    Onion 1 small finely chopped 

    Spring onion 3 sprigs finely chopped with greens

    Capsicum 1 small

    Carrot 1/2 finely chopped 

    Baby corn 3 to 4 finely chopped

    Tomatoes 2 finely chopped 

    Palak/ Spinach few leaves finely chopped 

    Salt as required 

    Turmeric powder  1/2 tsp

    Red chilli powder ( regular) 1 tsp

    Kashmiri Red chilli powder 1 tsp

    Coriander powder 1.5 to 2 tsp

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Fennel powder 1 tsp

    Ghee 1 tbsp for topping

    Oil for sauteeing 1 tbsp

Directions:

Wash the dals and cook in open pan for 10 mins in 2 cups water. Set aside. Now in a cooker take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Add cumin seeds and as they splutter add the chopped onions, followed by spring onions and sauteed for a minute. Now add the capsicum and saute for another30 seconds. Now add all other vegetables and tomatoes and mix well. Add the partially cooked dals along with the water and the Oats and mix all of them nicely. Now add 4.5 cups water, followed by salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powders, coriander powder, fennel powder and stir nicely. Close the cooker and cook for 5 to 6 whistles. Switch off the flame and allow the pressure to settle. Now open cooker, adjust consistency of the kichdi if required by adding some hot water, check and adjust salt or spices if required. Drizzle 1 tbsp ghee on top and enjoy this healthy and delicious meal.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Wash the dals and cook in open pan for 10 mins in 2 cups water. Set aside

2. Now in a cooker take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Add cumin seeds and as they splutter add the chopped onions, followed by spring onions and sauteed for a minute. 

3. Now add the capsicum and saute for another30 seconds. Now add all other vegetables and tomatoes and mix well. Add the partially cooked dals along with the water and the Oats and mix all of them nicely.

4. Now add 4.5 cups water, followed by salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powders, coriander powder, fennel powder and stir nicely. Close the cooker and cook for 5 to 6 whistles. Switch off the flame and allow the pressure to settle.

5. Now open cooker, adjust consistency of the kichdi if required by adding some hot water, check and adjust salt or spices if required. Drizzle 1 tbsp ghee on top and enjoy this healthy and delicious meal.

NOTES:

1. Any vegetables of your choice can be added.

2. This kichdi can be prepared by using just Moong dal or only Tuvar . If using only Moong dal the dal can be put along with the oats directly into the cooker.

3. If using only Tuvar dal precook dal for 10 minutes before adding it with other ingredients.

4. The ghee enhances the taste of the kichdi, so try not to skip this step.

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.

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SOYA CHUNK BIRIYANI

This Biriyani recipe is the first biriyani recipe on my blog. This dish I had actually posted as a casual post on my social media handles and a lot of people asked for the recipe. Then it was festival time with Navarathri and Diwali round the corner and I was a little tied up blogging the sweets and savory recipes. So, finally got down to making this Soya chunks biriyani and blogging it now. 

Earlier like most households I had the practice of making biryani twice a month. This was because there was this amazing biryani paste by #itc called the #kitchensofindia. This paste was so good and the biryani made from it was as flavourful as the ones we get in any of the ITC hotels, obviously because it was specially designed by the chefs there. Then suddenly it stopped coming to the markets. It no longer is marketed, but they have their chicken biriyani paste though. Since I am a vegetarian I don't buy that. So from the time I stopped getting the paste I was in search of a similar masala, which would come close to it. In the process, I have tried many brands and was not happy with them. Then I decided to give making my own Biriyani masala a try. After a few attempts, I have succeeded in making one that works for me. Though I don't claim that it is the best, it was what I was looking for in terms of flavour. So this recipe is a from the scratch recipe, where I am sharing with you the Biriyani Masala recipe too. 

While you are here please check out my other Rice recipes like  Coconut rice, Lemon rice, Tomato rice, Schezwan fried rice, Coriander rice, and more...

Also check out my Raita recipes to serve with the biryani- Mint raita, Baigan Raita, Pineapple raita and more...

Here is the recipe for Soya chunk Biriyani-

 PREP TIME: 10                                          COOK TIME: 30Mins

 TOTAL TIME:40Mins                                  COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: INDIAN                                       SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

    Ingredients for Biriyani masala:

    Coriander seeds 3 tbsp

    Cloves 1 tbsp

    Tej patha 8 small or 4 big ones

    Jeera 1 tbsp

    Shahjeera 3 tbsp

    Javithri/Mace 1 tbsp

    Elaichi 10 to 12

    Badi Elaichi/ Black cardamom 3

    Cinnamon 2 whole swirled sticks 

    Dry red chillies regular 3

    Kashmiri red chillies(dry) 3

    Black pepper 1/2 tbsp

   Directions to make Biryani Masala powder:

Dry roast all the ingredients together in a Kadai over a low flame until they turn aromatic. Keep stirring, so that they get evenly warmed. Cool them and grind them toa powder. Store in a container. This yields around 100 to 125 gms of powder.

    Ingredients for the Soya chunks Biryani:

    Basmati Rice 1 cup (soaked for 15 mins and pre cooked ( I used     pot in pot method)

    Soya chunks 100 gm soaked in hot water for 15 mins and rinsed thoroughly 2 to 3 times

    Onions 2 - 1 sliced lengthwise and another chopped finely

    Tomato 1 large

    Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp

    Biryani masala 3 tsp or 1 tbsp

    Red chilli powder 1 to 1.5 tsp

    Curd 3/4 cup

    Bay leaves 2 small or 1 big

    Cinnamon stick 2 sticks 1inch pieces

    Cloves 4 to 5

    Black Cardamom 2

    Green cardamom 3

    Fennel seeds 1/2 tsp

   Oil for sauteeing

   Ghee 1 tbsp

Directions:

In a Pan or Kadai take the ghee and heat it. On high heat fry the sliced onions in the ghee, until they turn brown. Remove the nicely browned onions to another plate and set aside. In the same Kadai add oil and put all the whole masalas and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the soya chunks after squeezing out all water and saute for a minute. Puree the onion and tomatoes in a blender, and add the puree to the sauteed Soya chunks. Stir nicely and add salt, red chilli powder and biryani masala and cook the chunks for a minute. Now add the curd and cook for 2 minutes. The oil will start separating, at this stage add 1/2 cup water and stir nicely. Now start adding the cooked rice little by little and stir well to evenly mix the gravy into the rice. Now top with the fried browned onions, pour a tablespoon of oil or ghee over it and cover the Kadai or pan and cook on low flame for 5 minutes, for flavours to infuse. Enjoy the aroma wafting through the house. The soya chunk biryani is ready to serve.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Prepare Biryani Masala as directed. (Can be made ahead). You can use the store-bought masala. Assemble all ingredients.

2. Soak the Soya chunks in hot water for 15 mins and rinse thoroughly in cold water 2 to 3 times.

3. In a Pan or Kadai take the ghee and heat it. On high heat fry the sliced onions in the ghee, until they turn brown. Remove the nicely browned onions to another plate and set aside. 

4. In the same Kadai add oil and put all the whole masalas and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the soya chunks after squeezing out all water and saute for a minute. 

5. Puree the onion and tomatoes in a blender, and add the puree to the sauteed Soya chunks. Stir nicely and add ginger- garlic paste, salt, red chilli powder and biryani masala and cook the chunks for a minute.

6. Now add the curd and cook for 2 minutes. The oil will start separating, at this stage add 1/2 cup water and stir nicely. 

7. Now start adding the cooked rice little by little and stir well to evenly mix the gravy into the rice. Now top with the fried browned onions, pour a tablespoon of oil or ghee over it and cover the Kadai or pan and cook on low flame for 5 minutes. 

NOTES:

1. If one does not want to prepare the Biryani masala, it can be easily swapped with store bought one, the taste will be a little different though.

2. Sliced and browned onions impart a nice taste and flavour to the dish, so I add them in all Biryani Varieties. The stage of adding them differs.

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.