HOMEMADE PESTO

 Pesto is a simple sauce made of fresh Basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, Olive oil, pepper, and salt. Other greens like Spinach or onion greens can also be used. Basil is fragrant and imparts a lot of flavour so is more commonly used. Pinenuts can also be substituted with other nuts like walnut, cashew nut, etc.

I make this Pesto sauce very frequently as I like using it as a dip for finger food, as a spread on toast, and thin it down a bit and use it as a sauce for pasta. This is a simple 5-minute recipe and needs no cooking. Along with the Basil leaves, I have added Onion greens also. This is optional.

The basil leaves I have used here are Italian Basil. The commonly available ones are Italian Basil and Thai Basil. In Tamil, these are called Vibuthi Pachai and are medicinal. 

While you are here also check out my Schezwan sauce recipe which is also a simple 5 minute one.

Here is the recipe for Pesto sauce for you. This does not have a stepwise recipe as it is a simple one.

PREP TIME: 5Mins                                      COOK TIME: 2 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 7 Mins                                COURSE:  SAUCE

CUISINE: WORLD FOOD                        QUANTITY: 100 GM APPROX

AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

Basil leaves 1 cup 

garlic 3 to 5 cloves

Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup shredded

pepper 1tsp

salt as per taste

Cashew nuts 6 nos

Onion greens one handful finely chopped

Olive oil 1/4 cup or more

  Directions:

Put all the ingredients in a blender except the oil and grind to a coarse paste. Now add half the quantity of oil and blend again. A slightly grainy Pesto tastes better than a smooth one. After grinding transfer to a container and top up with the remaining Olive oil and store. Use as required. Add more oil if required. The green and flavourful sauce is ready.

NOTES:

1. Using other cheese like Cheddar will alter the taste a bit and the consistency will differ. Mozarella is not the preferred cheese for this recipe.

2. For that lovely green colour add other greens like blanched Spinach or Onion greens.

3. Be liberal with the olive oil, and use a good quality olive oil for better flavour.

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.

MALPUA WITH GULAB JAMUN MIX AND PANEER

 Malpua is a sweet dish close to my heart and I have taste both the Bengali version and the ones made in the north. I like both of them equally. My hands have been itching to try out this recipe that I thought of and scoured the internet to find if such a one exists. There are a hundred recipes of Malpua with Gulab Jamun mix, but what makes this one different is the use of Paneer(cottage cheese) and Wheat flour. Using Paneer makes the Malpuas soft and fluffy on the inside and wheat flour gives it a little crunch on the exterior.

This is the first time I'm trying out this version and I am happy that it turned out well. Sometimes our hunches do work, and this time the hunch was to use paneer with the mix. The Bengali version of Malpua uses Chenna or paneer along with refined flour though.

The sugar syrup here is a very thin one as it is only to keep the Malpuas moist. I have also made an instant Rabri, the recipe of which I am posting, but I am not uploading the pictures as I couldn't click any, since the Rabri here was made as an afterthought.

I have a Pineapple Rabri recipe here on the blog which you can refer to. This is the authentic way of making Rabri. Whereas what I have made with the Malpua is a shortcut one, which was made as an accompaniment with the Malpua.

While you are on this page please check out my other sweet/dessert recipes like      Apple cake, Carrot Kheer, Unni Appam, Blueberry Cheesecake, Maa Ladoo,          Berry Smoothie Icecream, and more...

Here is the recipe of Malpua from Gulab Jamun Mix-

PREP TIME: 10Mins                                      COOK TIME: 30 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 40Mins                                    COURSE: DESSERT/SWEET

CUISINE:   INDIAN                                        SERVINGS: 4

AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

Gulab Jamun Mix 1 cup

Paneer 100 gm minced

wheat flour 1/2 cup

Sugar 1 tbsp( for batter)

Milk 1 cup (or more if required)

Sugar for syrup 1 cup

Water for sugar syrup 1/2 cup

Elaichi/green cardamom 2 pods

Fennel seeds 2 pinches

Oil for frying

Directions for making the batter:

In a bowl take the Gulab Jamun Mix. Mince the paneer in a blender and add it to the Gulab Jamun mix in the bowl, add the wheat flour followed by the 1 tablespoon sugar. Nicely mix them all together to a dry mixture. Now adding milk little by little whisk to form a pouring consistency batter( like dosa batter or a little thicker). Now add the fennel seeds to the batter and mix. 

Directions to make the sugar syrup:

In a pan/ flat vessel take one cup sugar, add 1/2 cup water, and put it on the flame. Stirring continuously so that the sugar dissolves, allow it to boil for 2 to 3 minutes, and put off the flame. String consistency of the syrup is not required in this recipe. Add 2 cardamom pods while boiling the syrup. 

Directions for making the Malpua:

Next, take oil for frying in a flat Karahi or pan preferably and heat. The flame should be medium-high. The oil should not be too hot, nor warm. When you put a little batter, it should sizzle. Now take a scoop of batter in a ladle and pour it into the hot oil. The batter will spread out by itself, like pancakes. Cook on one side and flip it over and cook on the other until both sides are equally golden brown. Remove from oil and drop in the sugar syrup for 10 seconds. Remove and store in a container. If storing for more than a day, let the Malpuas remain in the sugar syrup itself, so that they stay moist. Enjoy the sweet dish. Bon Appetit.

Directions to make instant Rabri ( optional) No pictures for this.

Ingredients:

Milk 1 cup

Sugar 2 tsp

Milk powder 2 tbsp

Directions for Rabri: Take one cup of milk and boil. When it reduces to half, add 2 tsp sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk powder and stir nicely. Within 2 minutes it will reach the desired consistency. Put off the flame and let it cool completely before plating.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. In a bowl add the Gulab Jamun mix, Paneer, wheat flour, sugar, and mix. Now add milk little by little to make a batter of flowing consistency. Add fennel seeds, mix it in, and keep the batter aside.

2. To prepare the sugar syrup, add 1/2 cup water to 1 cup sugar and put it on the flame to boil. Keep stirring for the sugar to dissolve and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, not more. Put off flame and cool. Add 2 cardamom pods while boiling.

3. In a flat pan/Karahi take oil for deep frying and heat. The flame should be medium-high and the oil should be hot, but not smoking hot. When the batter is poured, it should sizzle.  Now take a scoop full of batter and pour it in the oil. Let it spread by itself. Fry until it turns golden brown on one side and then flip it and fry until golden brown on the other side too.

4. Now put the fried Malpua into the sugar syrup and remove after a few seconds if serving immediately. If storing for a day, let the Malpuas remain in the syrup so that they remain moist.

5. Serve warm with Rabri or just as it is. 

NOTES:

1. If the sugar syrup solidifies after some time, add a tablespoon of water and put it on the flame and keep the flame very low. The syrup will loosen. Put off the flame. You can keep repeating this process until all the Malpuas are fried,  if required.

2. A flat pan or Kadai is the perfect one for frying this sweet as in a curved Kadai the batter may turn to a ball and roundish, instead of a flat pancake-like shape.

3. Before pouring the batter, check if the oil is hot, by dropping some batter gently into the oil. If it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready for frying.

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.

 

LOBIA PULAV

 Lobia or Black-eyed Beans are a great source of plant-based protein. It has an adequate amount of fibre too and hence is a sought after food for weight watchers. All the same, it is a nutritious legume for everyone, whether weight watchers or not. It has many benefits and many dishes from different cuisine are made from it. 

In south India, it is used to make a Sundal/salad and is also used in making Kootu(a dal based gravy dish). In north India, a dal is made using Lobia, which is similar to Rajma. They are used in the famous dish of Kerala-Olan and is used in Mediterranean cuisine in Felafel and Salads. It is also made into flour, which can be added to the wheat flour while making Rotis.

Here I have made a Pulav using these Beans. This recipe is a good lunch box option as it is a meal in itself. It is easy to make and gets done in 30 minutes provided the beans are pre-soaked and cooked. To make this Pulav I have cooked the dal in a tomato-based gravy with spices and added the cooked beans to it.

While you are here please check out my other rice recipes like Masala Rice, Coriander Rice, Coconut Rice, Flavoured Rice, and more...

Here is the recipe of Lobia Pulav for you- 

  PREP TIME: 20 Mins(soak 2 hr)                         COOK TIME: 20Mins

 TOTAL TIME:40Mins                                            COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE:  NORTH INDIAN                                  SERVINGS: 5

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

    Rice 1.5 cup cooked 

    Lobia/Karamani 100 gm (soaked for 2 hrs and cooked)

    Onion1 chopped finely

    Tomatoes 2 chopped finely

    Green chilli 1 chopped

    Cinnamon 1 inch stick

    Badi Elaichi 1 whole

    Shah jeera 1 tsp

    Cumin 1 tsp

    Cloves 5

    Fennel seeds/Saunf 1/2 tsp

   Black peppercorns 1.2 tsp

   Ginger-garlic paste 1/ tsp

   Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

    Salt as required

   Red chilli powder 1 tsp

   Coriander powder 1 tsp

   Fennel powder1/2 tsp

   Biriyani powder 1 tsp(optional)

   Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp

  Coriander leaves finely chopped 1 tbsp

Directions:

Soak the Lobia for 2 hrs and pressure cook for 5 whistles. Cook the rice and cool it by spreading it on a plate and drizzle some oil on it, so that the grains don't stick together. Now take oil in a pan/Kadai and heat it. Add all the whole spices - Cinnamon, Cloves, Black cardamom/Badi elaichi, Fennel seeds, Shah jeera, Peppercorns to it. Fry for 10 seconds and add the green chillies and saute. Now add the ginger- garlic paste followed by chopped onions and saute until onions turn translucent. Now add the tomatoes followed by salt and cook, until the tomatoes turn mushy. Add all the dry spice powders-red chilli powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and saute for 2 minutes, until the masalas are well incorporated. Now add the cooked Lobia followed by a cup of water and cook for 2 minutes. Now add the biriyani powder(skip if you don't have it handy) and stir nicely. Start adding the cooked rice to the Lobia gravy, little by little. Mix nicely, such that the gravy coats the rice well. Sprinkle some Garam masala over it, and add some chopped coriander leaves. The yummy Lobia pulav is ready. Enjoy. Bon Appetite.    

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Soak the Lobia for 2 hrs and pressure cook for 5 whistles. Cook the rice and cool it by spreading it on a plate and drizzle some oil on it, so that the grains don't stick together. 

2. Now take oil in a pan/Kadai and heat it. Add all the whole spices - Cinnamon, Cloves, Black cardamom/Badi elaichi, Fennel seeds, Shah jeera, Peppercorns to it. Fry for 10 seconds and add the green chillies and saute.

3. Now add the ginger- garlic paste followed by turmeric powder and chopped onions and saute until onions turn translucent. Now add the tomatoes followed by salt and cook, until the tomatoes turn mushy. 

4. Add all the dry spice powders-red chilli powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and saute for 2 minutes, until the masalas are well incorporated. Now add the cooked Lobia followed by a cup of water and cook for 2 minutes. 

5. Now add the biriyani powder(skip if you don't have it handy) and stir nicely. Start adding the cooked rice to the Lobia gravy, little by little. Mix nicely, such that the gravy coats the rice well.

6. Sprinkle some Garam masala over it, and add some chopped coriander leaves. The yummy Lobia pulav is ready. Enjoy. Bon Appetite. 

NOTES:

1. I have used the white Lobia here. This dish can be prepared with the Red ones, or even green peas and turns out absolutely delicious.

2. The Lobia should be well cooked but not mushy.

3. I have used Biriyani masala for extra flavouring, the dish tastes good even without it. 

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.

OMAVALLI RASAM/AJWAIN LEAVES RASAM

 Rasam is a popular South Indian dish prepared with tamarind, tomatoes, and Rasam powder. There are many variations of this dish, and each South Indian household has its own recipe for the proportions of the ingredients of the rasam powder. Therefore though Rasam is almost a regular feature in all South Indian households its taste is unique to each. No two Rasam recipes taste the same. Rasam is also a sought after comfort food in South Indian households when one has a Cold(Common Cold) or is a little under the weather because it is made of simple ingredients that are easily digestible and pepper that helps in combating the cold. A good Rasam powder makes for a flavourful Rasam, the recipe for the Rasam Powder has been included here.

Earlier the Rasam was an everyday feature in most South Indian households along with Sambar or Vatha Kozhambu or Moru Kozhambu and a part of the Main course. Some households follow it to this day, but as the eating patterns of people has changed and is now more global the humble Rasam has taken a back seat or is made on a festival day where there is a feast(Elai Sapadu) or sometimes is also being served as a soup in elite gatherings.

The Omavalli/Ajwain leaves are medical and are believed to cure a common cold and boost immunity. These leaves are also used in making Pakodas and are really flavourful. Other than Rasam and pakodas the Ajwain leaves are also used to make a raita. This Omavalli rasam can be relished with hot rice and ghee or can just be sipped as a soup.

I have different varieties of Rasam in my repertoire like Pineapple rasam, Vetrilai Rasam/Betel leaves Rasam, Murungakkai/drumstick Rasam. Please check out the recipes of these Rasams while you are here.

Here is the recipe for Omavalli/Ajwain leaves Rasam. I have not given a stepwise picture for this recipe as I have included a video with important steps for guidance.

 PREP TIME: 10 Mins                                         COOK TIME: 20 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 30 Mins                                        COURSE:  MAIN / APPETISER

CUISINE: SOUTH INDIAN                                 SERVINGS: 4

                                                                            AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

Omavalli/Ajwain leaves 5 big ones (2 small ones chopped fine)

Tomatoes 2 large

Green chilli 1

Tuvar dal/ Yellow lentils 1/4 cup cooked in a pressure cooker

Rasam powder 3 tsp 

Lemon 1/2

Coriander leaves finely chopped

Asafoetida 1 tsp (split 1/2 while boiling and 1/2 for tempering)

Turmeric powder 1 tsp

Salt as per taste

Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

Roasted Pepper & Cumin powder 1 tsp( dry roast in the ratio 2:1 and grind coarse)

Directions: Grind the Omavalli/Ajwain leaves, tomatoes, and green chilli to a puree. Pour this puree into a 1-liter vessel and add 2 cups water. Put the vessel over the flame and add the Rasam powder, Salt, turmeric powder, and asafoetida and bring it to a boil. Keep boiling until the rawness of the tomatoes and the powders is gone. Now add a few chopped Omavalli leaves and continue to boil for 30 seconds. Add the dal water along with the mashed dal to the boiling puree. Add another 2 cups plain water and continue boiling until the rasam froths up and rises to the brim of the vessel. This should be done on low flame. When the rasam froths and rises, switch off the flame and add the juice of half a lemon. Now in a small tadka Kadai/pan take ghee/oil for tempering and heat. Add mustard seeds, as they crackle, add some Ajwain/Omam seeds, followed by asafoetida, cumin-pepper powder, and a few chopped Omavalli. Fry the tempering for 10 seconds. Put off the flame. Add curry leaves to the tadka/tempering. Now pour this tempering into the rasam, serve hot with rice and ghee or sip as soup.

Directions for making the Omavalli Rasam video here👇

 

NOTES:

1. More Omavalli leaves can be used for an intense flavour.

2. I have also used the seeds while tempering, as it gives a nice aroma and flavouring to the dish.

3. I usually don't use tamarind for variety Rasam recipes like Vetrilai Rasam, Pineapple Rasam, Murungakkai Rasam and Omavalli Rasam, as I feel the acidity of the tamarind will suppress the flavours of these vegetables and herbs. So lime juice is a subtler option for the tanginess. But if one prefers tamarind to lemon, go ahead, but since I have not used tamarind anytime for these recipes, I'm not sure about the taste.

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.

PINEAPPLE RAITA

 Raita is a yogurt-based condiment. It usually contains cooked or raw vegetables/fruits/pulses, mixed with the Yogurt/Dahi and tempered with Mustard and Jeera. The Raita is usually served with Biriyani, Pulav, Parathas, Naans, or can be served as a dip for Kebabs too.

Raitas are a regular feature at my house. Whenever I make Parathas I usually pair it with a Raita instead of plain curd, and it goes without saying that Biriyani is almost always served with raita. I use raitas such as Mint raita as a dip for Kebabs too. I have different Raita varieties like Bhindi/Okra Raita, Mint Raita, Baigan/Eggplant Raita to my repertoire, please check them out while you are here.

This recipe of Pineapple Raita Is a very simple one and takes around 15 minutes to assemble. During the Pineapple season, I make this raita very frequently. It tastes good just by itself too, and I usually pair it with Parathas or Jeera Rice.

Here is this simple recipe for you-

PREP TIME: 10 Mins                             COOK TIME: 5 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 15Mins                            COURSE:  MAIN 

CUISINE: INDIAN                                  SERVINGS: 4

     

          

Ingredients:

Pineapple 100 gm (if buying slices 3 slices)

Curd 400 gm

Sugar 2 tsp (divided)

Salt as per taste

Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp  

Green chillies 2 chopped finely

Oil for tempering

Directions:

Gently smoothen out the curd with a whisk. Be gentle and avoid over whisking. Just 3 whisks will do. Put the Curd in the refrigerator in the meanwhile. Now dice the Pineapple to small cubes and cook them with 1/4 cup water and a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of sugar. The Pineapple pieces should be just cooked, prick a knife/fork, and if it goes without resistance, put off the flame. Cool the cooked Pineapple completely. Remove the curd from the refrigerator, add salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, red chilli powder and fold nicely. Now stir in the cooled Pineapple cubes and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. In a tadka Kadai/pan add 1 tsp oil and heat. Add the chopped green chillies to this and fry for 10 secs. Pour this tempering into the raita. The delicious Pineapple Raita is ready to serve. 

Serving Suggestions: With Parathas, Roti, Jeera rice, Masala rice or just by itself😀.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Dice the Pineapple and whisk the curd and put it in the refrigerator until required.

2. Cook the Pineapple pieces in 1/4 cup water, add a pinch of salt and 1 tsp sugar to it. Cook until just done and cool them completely.

3. Now get the curd out and add salt, followed by red chilli powder. In a small pan/Kadai heat some oil. Add the finely chopped green chillies and fry for 10 seconds. Pour this tempering into the Raita and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

NOTES:

1. Over whisking the curd will make runny, so just smoothen out the curd with a ladle or whisk.

2. Adding sugar to the pineapple while cooking is optional, if the Pineapple is sweet, adding sugar can be avoided. I strongly recommend adding sugar to the curd though. The quantity of sugar in curd can be increased or decreased as per taste.

3. The green chilli tempering really elevates the raita to a different level, so try not skipping that 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.

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.

PESARATTU/MLA PESARATTU/MOONG DAL CHILA

This recipe of soaked Moong beans and rice is one of my favourites as it is healthy and tasty at the same time. Simple recipe, just soak grind with ginger and spices and spread on the Tava like a Dosa/Adai and serve with Allam(ginger)chutney or any chutney. Yes, it is that simple. No fermentation.

What makes it special is the way it is served, and that's why in Hyderabad(AP) it is called MLA Pesarattu. Here the Pesarattu is stuffed with Rava Upma and served with Allum Chutney(Ginger Chutney). This whole recipe and serving have a very special place in my heart as it brings back memories of childhood because this is how we have always had the Pesarattu whether at home or from a Tiffin centre. This tiffin centre concept is also very specific to AP. Every locality has quite a few such centres that dole out the best breakfast dishes. They open up for business at about 7 am in the morning and finish by 10 am. These centres are mostly take away places. At night they open up at about 7 Pm to serve simple homemade Subjis and Rotis.   

Here I have given the recipe of Pesarattu and the chutney in detail. The Rava Upma is the usual one that we all make at home so have given only a brief explanation. Let's get to the recipe, but while you are here please have a look at my other breakfast/tiffin recipes like Kuthiraivali/Barnyard Millet Pongal, Adai, Rava Dosa, Moru Aval/Dahi Pohe and more...

Here is the recipe of Pesarettu, Upma and Allum(Ginger)Chutney. This is really a mega post. This is a post of 3 recipes, which can be made separately also as individual dishes.

PREP TIME: 20 Mins+Soak                               COOK TIME: 40Mins

TOTAL TIME: 60 Mins                                        COURSE:  BREAKFAST 

CUISINE: SOUTH INDIAN                                 SERVINGS: 5

                                                                            AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients for Pesarettu :

Green Whole Moong 400gm(soaked 4 hrs)

Raw Rice 100g or 1/2 cup(soaked 4 hrs)

Green chillies 2 or 3 as per taste

Jeera 2 tsp

Ginger 1 inch piece

Directions to make Pesarettu batter:

Soak the Moong beans and the raw rice together for 4 hours. Drain all the water, put them in a blender, along with 1-inch piece ginger, green chillies and Jeera and grind to a smooth batter using water as required. The batter should be of Dosa/Pancake consistency.

 

How to make Pesarettu:

Heat a girdle/tava and grease with little oil. Now pour 2 medium-sized ladles of batter in the centre of the Tava and spread it like a Dosa. It shouldn't be as thin as a Dosa nor as thick as a Pancake. Cook on one side until crisp.

Onion filling for Pesarettu:

Ingredients:

Onions 2 large finely chopped

Green chillies 2 finely chopped

Jeera/Cumin 1 tsp

Directions for Onion filling:

In a pan pour 1 tbsp oil and heat. Add the cumin and as they splutter add the green chillies and chopped onions and saute. Saute until the onions turn translucent. Keep aside.  

Ingredients for Upma:

Rava/Sooji(Semolina) 1 cup  ( 1 cup =200 gm)

Water 2 cups

Salt as per taste

Ginger small piece finely chopped

Green chillies 2 finely chopped

Curry leaves a few

Oil for tempering

Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

Urad dal 1 tsp

Chana dal 1 tsp

Ghee 1 tbsp

Directions to make Upma:

In a Kadai take 2 tbsp oil and heat. Put the mustard seeds and as they crackle, add the Urad dal, Chana dal and fry until light golden brown. Now add the ginger, green chillies and curry leaves and fry for 30 seconds. Now pour 3 cups water into the tempering( reduce flame before adding water, as the oil will splutter) add required salt and bring to a boil. When the water starts boiling, add the Rava/Suji a little at a time to the water and keep stirring simultaneously. The Rava will absorb all the water and the Upma will thicken in consistency. Put off the flame and add 1 tbsp ghee over it. The Upma is ready.

Ingredients for Allum(ginger chutney)

Ginger 100 gms chopped ( tender ones preferably)

Fried gram dal/chutney chana 1 tbsp

Dry red chillies 3

Tamarind a little small than gooseberry size

Cumin seeds 1 tsp

Jaggery 2 tsp

Oil for tempering

Mustard seeds 1 tsp

Curry leaves a few

Asafoetida 1/2 tsp

Salt as per taste 

Directions for making Allum Chutney:

In a Mixer jar put all ingredients except jaggery, oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, salt and asafoetida, and grind them without adding any water, to a coarse paste. Now add about 1/4 cup( or less) water and grind it to a smooth paste. Add the jaggery and give it a final spin in the mixer. The chutney should not be runny. I added tamarind paste almost atvtye end, as I forgot it before. Temprring is optional. The yummy and spicy Allum Chutney is ready.

Assembling the MLA Pesarettu:

Once the batter is spread on the Tava, drizzle a little oil and let it cook on one side until crisp. The upper side will get cooked from the heat from below. Check for any rawness in the batter, if still raw on top, wait a few seconds and then spread the Onion filling on the Pesarett. Top this up with a scoop or two of Upma on one half of the Pesarett and cover/close with the other half(like exactly how it is done in Masala Dosa). The Pesarettu is ready. Serve it hot with Allum(ginger) chutney and enjoy this delicious and healthy dish. The video for assembling the MLA Pesarettu is here👇.

NOTES:

1. Pictures of Upma have not been inserted. You can make a plain Rava Upma or add little onion and make onion Rava Upma. Adding vegetables to the Upma will make the dish very heavy.

2. All these dishes can be made as individual recipes too.

3. The chillies in the Allum Chutney can be reduced as per requirement. The jaggery can also be increased if required.

4. The Pesarettu can be served just with the chutney, minus the Upma.

5. Idli powder/gunpowder also goes well with this dish.

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.

POTATO CHEDDAR BAKE

This is a very simple recipe and a great finger food/ starter option at get-togethers. Most of the prep can be done ahead and the baking can be done half an hour before serving. This dish can also be a tea time snack and the kids will love it. To make it healthy I have used roasted oats to coat the potatoes instead of cornflour. The baking can be easily replaced by the grilling method( on a girdle /tava).

 The cheddar cheese used in this recipe gives it a sharp taste and a crisp texture, the coriander and oregano give it a herby flavour.   The Cheddar cheese can be easily replaced by Parmesan Cheese, and it also tastes just as good.  I usually don't use a baking/parchment paper for this recipe and directly bake it on the baking tray, but this time I thought why not put it on a baking sheet, which turned put to be a wrong choice as I had to wait for 10 minutes to remove the potatoes from the sheet, so please don't repeat the same. Just grease the baking tray and follow the recipe without the baking sheet.

While you are here please have a look at my other snack recipes like Semolina Cheese Balls, Kothimbir Vadi, Moong dal Kachoris, Baked Wheatflour Papdis, and more...

Here is the recipe for Potato Cheddar Bake for you-

      PREP TIME: 20 Mins                                          COOK TIME: 20 Mins

     TOTAL TIME:40Mins                                           COURSE:  DESSERT

     CUISINE:  WORLD FOOD                                  SERVINGS: 6

     AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

Potatoes small size( baby potatoes can also be used) 5 

Cheddar cheese/Parmesan Cheese 200 gm grated

Oats (instant) roasted 1 cup

Salt as required

Red chilli powder 1.5 tsp

Oregano 2 tsp(divided)

Black pepper powder 1/2 tsp

Peri-Peri powder 1/2 tsp(use more if you prefer)

Coriander leaves finely chopped

Method: Wash and peel the p[otatoes and slice them as shown in the picture. Heat water ina kettle/saucepan and pour the boiling water over the sliced potatoes and cover it and leave it for half an hour. After half an hour drain the water. Prick a fork into the potato, it should pierce with a little resistance. The potatoes should not overcook. Now dry roast the Oats in a pan until crisp ( approx 3 to 4 mins on low heat). Cool it. Put it ina grinder and powder it fine. To the oats powder add salt, red chilli powder and oregano and set aside. To the grated cheese add the pepper powder, salt and Peri Peri powder and mix nicely. Grease a baking tray( don't use a baking sheet as seen in the picture, read intro) with oil, spread a thin sheet of cheese mixture on the tray. Now take a slice of the potato, cover it with the oats powder nicely, such that both sides are coated well and arrange on the baking tray on top of the cheese layer. Repeat for half the amount of potato slices, and keep arranging them on the baking tray next to each other. Now sprinkle the cheese mixture over the potatoes, sprinkle oregano powder, top with some finely chopped coriander and put the tray in the oven. Bake at 200C for 20 minutes. The cheese should have melted and formed a crunchy layer over the potatoes. The cheese and crunchy Potato Cheddar Bake is ready to serve. Enjoy. Bon Appetit.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Peel and slice potatoes. Grate the cheese. Roast and powder the oats.

2. Pour boiling water over the sliced potatoes and let it stand covered for half an hour. Drain the water and prick a potato slice with a fork to check doneness. It fork should pierce it with little resistance. The potato should not be overcooked or mushy.

3. Now powder the roasted oats and add salt, chilli powder and oregano to it and set aside.

4. Take the grated cheese and add pepper powder, Peri-Peri powder(or red chilli powder) and a pinch of salt and mix well.

5. Now grease a baking tray with oil and spread the cheese mixture as a thin film on it. Now roll each potato slice in the roasted and spiced oats powder, such that both sides are well coated and arrange on the baking tray over the cheese mixture. This has to be done in two batches, as potatoes should not be overlapped for more than two layers.

6. Repeat for all potato slices and arrange them next to one another in the tray. Cover with more cheese mixture, sprinkle oregano powder over it, garnish with finely chopped coriander and pop it in the oven. Bake at 200 C for 20 minutes.

The Cheese should have melted and formed a crisp crust over the potatoes. The cheesy and delicious potato cheddar bake is ready.

NOTES:

1. As said in the introduction don't use a baking paper as it takes time to remove the potatoes off the tray.

2. Parmesan cheese can also be used instead of Cheddar or a half and half mix of both can be done.

3. If Peri-Peri powder is not available use regular red chilli powder or Cumin pepper powder that we use for Rasam 😉.

4. The preparation of this dish can be done ahead, like blanching the potatoes, making the oat powder mix, making the cheese mixture etc and the baking can be done closer to serving time.

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.

 

 

DRUMSTICK RASAM/MURUNGAKKAI RASAM

 Rasam is a popular South Indian dish prepared with tamarind, tomatoes, and Rasam powder. There are many variations of this dish, and each South Indian household has its own recipe for the proportions of the ingredients of the rasam powder. Therefore though Rasam is almost a regular feature in all South Indian households its taste is unique to each. No two Rasam recipes taste the same. Rasam is also a sought after comfort food in South Indian households when one has a Cold(Common Cold) or is a little under the weather because it is made of simple ingredients that are easily digestible and pepper that helps in combating the cold. 

Earlier the Rasam was an everyday feature in most South Indian households along with Sambar or Vatha Kozhambu or Moru Kozhambu and a part of the Main course. Some households follow it to this day, but as the eating patterns of people has changed and is now more global the humble Rasam has taken a back seat or is made on a festival day where there is a feast(Elai Sapadu) or sometimes is also being served as a soup in elite gatherings.

Drumstick Rasam is a very flavourful Rasam, as Drumsticks by themselves have a wonderful fragrance and flavour. 

Moringa is the latest buzz word everywhere. What with Moringa leaves powder trending the healthy list. Well, the Moringa tree and dishes cooked from its fruit, flowers and leaves have been in India for ages. We have used its fruit, the drumstick in Subjis, Sambar, dal, etc; the leaves too are very aromatic and used as an add-in in Dosas, chilas, and more. The flowers too when added while making ghee, give the ghee a nice flavour and make it aromatic. My grandmother always added a few flowers just before putting off the flame while making ghee and would remove the flowers later, while bottling the ghee. My mother makes a pickle of it too, which is just as wonderful.

There are many different types of Rasam Like the Pepper Rasam, Tomato Rasam, Lemon Rasam, Garlic Rasam, Neem Flower (Vepampoo) Rasam, Drumstick Rasam, Pineapple Rasam and the Vetrilai(Betel leaf) Rasam. I have already posted the recipe of pineapple Rasam and slowly over a period of time plan to cover all the Rasam varieties mentioned here. I have also given the recipe to a perfect Rasam Powder here. It yields an aromatic and flavourful Rasam.

Here is the recipe of Drumstick/Murungakkai Rasam for you-

PREP TIME: 10 Mins                                         COOK TIME: 20 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 30 Mins                                        COURSE:  MAIN / APPETISER

CUISINE: SOUTH INDIAN                                 SERVINGS: 4

                                                                            AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

Drumsticks 3 big fleshy ones chopped to 3-inch pieces (refer note 1)

Tomatoes 2  large (note 3)

Tuvar dal/ Yellow lentils 1/4 cup cooked in a pressure cooker

Rasam powder 3 tsp 

Lemon 1

Coriander leaves finely chopped

Asafoetida 1 tsp (split 1/2 while boiling and 1/2 for tempering)

Turmeric powder 1 tsp

Salt as per taste

Roasted Pepper & Cumin powder 1 tsp( dry roast in the ratio 2:1 and grind coarse)

Directions:

Put the dal in a vessel and cook it in the pressure cooker. I used pot in pot method, you can use whichever is convenient. The dal should have cooked well. Now cut the Drumsticks, put them in a vessel and boil. Cook until the flesh inside turns tender(approx 10 minutes). Reserve the water in which the drumsticks cooked. Cool the cooked drumsticks and scrape out the fleshy part with a spoon(refer picture). Don't discard the seeds unless they are very hard. Keep aside. Now grind 2 tomatoes to a puree and pour it in a 1-litre vessel. Add 2 cups water, followed by 3 tsp Rasam Powder, adequate salt, turmeric powder and asafoetida and bring to a boil. Continue to boil until the rawness of the powders is gone. Now mash the cooked dal nicely and pour it into the boiling mixture along with any water the dal may have retained. Cook for two minutes and now its time to add the water reserved after cooking the drumsticks. After pouring the drumstick broth if you find the Rasam(soupy), dilute by adding 1 to 1.5 cups of hot water and continue to boil the Rasam for another 2 minutes, now add the drumstick scrappings(seeds and all) and continue to boil until the Rasam froths up and rises in the vessel and comes to the brim. Switch off the flame and squeeze a lemon into it. Now take 2 tsp ghee in a small tempering Kadai and heat. Add mustard seeds, as they crackle add the Asafoetida powder, roasted pepper-cumin powder and put off the stove. Now add the curry leaves to the ghee, and pour the tempering into the Rasam. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. The healthy, flavourful and fragrant Drumstick rasam is ready. Enjoy and Bon Appetit.

Serving suggestions: Just as a soup, with hot rice and ghee, with Oats porridge(try this it tastes yummy). 

Sometimes I also pour it on my chapatis while hot.😉

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Cook the dal and keep ready. Cut the Drumsticks into 3-inch pieces and cook them in water with a little salt. Cool them scrape out the flesh with a spoon and reserve the water in which they cooked.

2. Pour the puree of 2 tomatoes into a 1-litre vessel and add 2 cups water, followed by 3 tsp Rasam powder, adequate salt, turmeric powder, asafoetida and bring to a boil.

3. Now add the cooked and mashed dal along with the water to the boiling mixture and continue to cook until the rawness of the powders is gone(approx. 5minutes).

4. Now add the Drumstick broth(water in which the drumsticks cooked) to the mixture and if the consistency is too dense add 1 to 1.5 cups of hot water and bring to a boil.

5. Now add the drumstick scrapings to the boiling rasam and continue to boil until the rasam froths up and rises to the brim. Put off the flame and squeeze a lemon into it, or add 3 tsp lemon juice to it.

6. In a tempering Kadai heat 2 tsp of ghee. when it heats up, put the mustard seeds into it, as they crackle add the asafoetida and the roasted cumin-pepper powder. Put off the flame and then add the curry leaves. Drop this tempering into the Rasam and serve hot with hot rice and ghee or follow any of the serving suggestions given above. 

 

NOTES:

1. Picking the Drumsticks well is critical, pick thick but tender ones. After cooking the seeds also can be used, don't discard them as they have the most flavour.

2. I have used the Country variety of tomatoes(Naatu Thakkali) instead of the Hybrid ones as they give the rasam some tang when not using tamarind.

3. If you serve Rasam with something unusual do let us, know..we love learning and trying new combinations.

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.