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.

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.

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.

 

THAALI IDEAS (PALAKKAD MINI THAALI)

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 thaali's. 

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.

Before I delve into the recipe I would like to give you a small introduction to Palakkad also called Palghat, which is a city in the state of Kerala. It shares its border with Tamilnadu and has a cuisine of its own. Many people are not aware of the amazing dishes this small district in Kerala has and so I am taking it on me to bring you all a few varieties from this cuisine.

This is a cuisine I was born into. Yes, on my paternal and maternal sides I am a Palakkad Iyer. We are a different breed by ourselves, and our cuisine is very unique.

Palakkad people are mostly vegetarians. The dishes are mostly cooked with coconut and usually tempered in coconut oil.

In the blog, I have recipes of Sukhiyan, Adai, etc, which belong to that cuisine.

Like all cuisines, Palakkad cuisine also has some unique combinations. For example, this dish of Keerai Molagootal, meaning a spinach/palak based dal with spiced coconut gravy, tempered in coconut oil, and the Mathan Puli Pachchadi, which is a pumpkin chutney simmered in a tangy tamarind sauce with a small bit of jaggery is a unique combination. Here the dal is mildly spiced and flavoured and the chutney or pachchadi, as it is called is a sweet and sour one that perfectly balances the mildness of the Molagootal.

Molagootal is a dish that can be made with many varieties of vegetables like- Snake gourd, Ash gourd, or a combination of vegetables like yam, ash gourd and drumsticks etc;

Similarly Puli Pachadi is a dish can can be made with a variety of vegetables like Ladiesfinger, Brinjal, and  Ripe mangoes.

  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:

*Carrot Salad, *White Rice, *Keerai Molagootal(spinach dal),  *Mathan Puli Pachadi, *Lotus stem crisps, and *Poppadum *Curd(not in picture)

Pre prep: All Vegetables were cut the previous day ( Julienne or Grate the carrot for salad. Chop the spinach finely, wash and drain, chop Pumpkin to cubes, and store in fridge.)

Preperation and cooking:

STEP 1: Wash the rice and Tuvar dal and put them in individual vessels and cook in the pressure cooker upto 5 whistles. (alternatively use the method you regularly use to cook rice and dal).

    STEP 2: Start cooking the Palak/spinach as per recipe

    STEP 3: Start cooking the Pumpkin as per recipe

    STEP 4: While the palak and Pumpkin are cooking, grate the carrot and finish the salad.

    STEP 5: Temper both the Molagootal and Mathan Pachadi at the same time.

    STEP 6: Fry the Poppadums incase using.

    RECIPES FOLLOW:

1. Keerai Molagootal:

    Ingredients:

    Spinach/Palak 1 bunch chopped finely

    Tuvar dal/Toor dal 1/2 cup cooked soft in a pressure cooker

    Grated coconut 2 tbsp

    Cumin seeds 1tsp

    Dry red chillies 1 or 2 depending on spice preference

    Peppercorns 4 to 5

    Salt as required 

    Turmeric powder 1 tsp

     For tempering

    Coconut oil ( or refined oil) 2 tsp

    Mustard seeds 1 tsp

    Chana dal 2 tsp

    Urad dal 2 tsp

    Dry red chilli 1 broken to bits

STEPWISE RECIPE:

1. Chop the Palak finely, wash, drain the water and cook the palak with a small amount of water, salt and turmeric powder. Cook the Tuvar dal in a pressure cooker until soft and keep aside.

 

2. Grind the coconut, cumin seeds, peppercorns, and dry red chillies to a fine paste and keep aside.

3. Once the palak is cooked, add the ground coconut paste and allow it to boil for a few minutes( around 2 to 3 minutes will do).

4. Once the rawness of the coconut paste is gone, mash the cooked tuvar dal with the back of a ladle and add it to the palak and coconut mixture. Let it cook on low flame for 4 to 5 minutes. If it is too thick, add some water and dilute. Check for salt and adjust and put off the flame.

5. In a small tadka Kadai take 2 tsp coconut oil or refined oil and heat. Add the mustard seeds and as they splutter add the chana dal and urad dal followed by dry red chillies and fry until light brown. Drop this into the Palak and dal mixture. The simple and healthy Palak Molagootal is ready.

NOTES:

1. One can use refined oil if they don't prefer coconut oil. Coconut oil enhances the taste of the dish manifold.

2. The consistency of the dish should be like a dal fry and not too thin or too thick.

3. Add more coconut for the gravy if you prefer, but increase the spiciness by adding more chillies in case you are using more coconut.

4. The palak should not be overcooked and must retain its texture.

   2. MATHAN PULI PACHADI:

 

 

   Mathan/pumpkin   200 gms chopped to cubes

    Tamarind pulp   1/2 cup or make pulp from gooseberry sized bit of   tamarind 

     Asafoetida 1/4 tsp

    Grated coconut 2 tbsp

    Mustard seeds 2 tsp 

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Dry red chillies 2

    Jaggery 1 tsp 

   Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp

    Salt as required

    Red chilli powder 1/4 tsp

    For tempering:

    Coconut oil or refined oil 2 tsp

    Curry leaves a few

    Mustard seeds 1 tsp

    Urad dal 1 tsp

    Dry red chilli broken to bits 1 

In this recipe, we will be tempering first and then making the dish.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Heat Coconut oil/refined oil in a pan for tempering(dish will be made in the same pan so choose appropriately). Now add all the tempering ingredients one by one starting with mustard seeds. Fry for 30 seconds. Add turmeric powder.

2. When the dals in the tempering turn light brown add the cubed pumpkin and saute for a minute or two.

3. Now add the tamarind pulp(should be dilute) and let the pumpkin cook in it. Add required salt while cooking, and 1/4 tsp of red chilli powder. 

4. Grind the coconut, dry red chillies, mustard seeds and cumin seeds to a fine paste by adding little water. Add this paste to the cooked pumpkin and continue to cook for a few minutes, on low flame.

5. Finally, add the jaggery, few more curry leaves and drizzle some coconut oil(optional) stir well to dissolve the jaggery and put off the stove. The sweet and sour Mathan Pachadi is ready to serve.

NOTES:

1. This pachchadi can be made with other vegetables like Lady's finger, Brinjal, Ripe mango etc;

2. Maintaining the balance between the tanginess and sweetness is prime to this dish. so sticking to the quantities given will help.

3. Adding more mustard then required can turn the dish bitter.

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.

 

3. Carrot Salad:

     Ingredients:

     Carrots 2 meduium grated

     Green chillies chopped finely

     Curry leaves a few, chopped finely

     Salt as required

     Lemon juice 2 tsp approx

     Oil for tempering 2 tsp

     Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

     Asafoetida 1/4 tsp

     

    Directions: Take the grated carrots in a bowl. Add salt and lemon juice. Now take oil for tempering and heat it. Add the mustard seeds, once they crackle add, green chillies and curry leaves to the oil followed by asafoetida. drop this tempering into the carrot and mix nicely. Healthy and delicious carrot salad is ready.

     NOTES:

     1. This same recipe can be tried with radish too.

     OVERALL NOTES: 

     1. 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. All vegetables can be chopped and washed and stored the previous day itself.

     3. The Poppadum and other fries are completely optional. While at home we prefer eating that way, but while carrying it for work, I exclude the Poppadums.

    4. The carrot for the salad can also be grated and stored the previous day.

    

METHI WALE BAINGAN

 This is a very regular Sabji and goes amazingly well with both Rotis and Rice. I chanced upon this recipe while browsing the net. I fell in love with the recipe instantly because my favourite greens Methi are used in it. This subji can be made with both fresh methi and Kasuri Methi and gives a wonderful flavour and taste to the dish. From the time I saw this recipe I have made it a couple of times and is a hit with everyone at home. 

I have used the small variety of brinjal as it releases less moisture when roasted, the big globe eggplants have a lot of moisture and are not the right choice for this recipe. The only requirement for this recipe is a small amount of patience while roasting the Brinjals. Alternately one can bake them in the oven. For this method check out my Roasted eggplant 2 ways recipe.

Apart from being aromatic and flavorful, the Methi greens are also good for health as they are rich in iron and high in fibre. In this recipe, I have used Kasuri Methi as it gives a more intense aroma and flavour compared to fresh ones. The fresh methi is also a little bitter, so refer to notes on how much fresh Methi to use.

While you are here please check out my other curry and subji recipes like Brinjal Pepper masala, Gutti Vankaya Kura, Mava Paneer Curry, Mirch ka Salan, Dum Aloo Ajwaini, and more...

Here is the recipe of Methi Wale Baigan for you-

  PREP TIME: 30                                          COOK TIME: 10Mins

 TOTAL TIME:40Mins                                  COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                         SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

      Ingredients:

    Eggplants/Brinjal ( small variety )10 nos cut into slices of                 medium thickness

   Onion 1 large cut finely

   Green chillies 2 finely chopped

   Tomatoes 1 large or 2 medium chopped finely

   Ginger garlic paste 1tsp

   Kasuri Methi(dry Methi leaves) 2 tbsp (can go up to 3tbsp)

   Mustard seeds 1tsp

   Cumin seeds 1tsp

   Salt as required

   Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

   Red chilli powder 1 to 1.5 tsp

   Coriander powder 2 tsp

   Fennel powder 1 tsp

   Garam Masala powder (optional) 1/2 tsp

   Oil for roasting the brinjal and for sauteeing

Directions:

Wash the Brinjals and slice them into circles of medium thickness. Wipe away the moisture with an absorbent towel and set aside. Heat a nonstick pan, add 2 tsp oil and arrange the Brinjal slices in it. Roast on now side until it becomes a nice brown, then flip and roast the other side. (To bake it check out my Roasted Brinjal 2 ways recipe). Repeat this process for all brinjal slices and set aside.

Now in the same pan add 1tbsp oil for sauteeing and heat it. Add mustard seeds and when they crackle put the cumin seeds in. Add the turmeric powder followed by the chopped onions and green chillies. Fry until the onions turn a nice brown. Now add the chopped tomatoes and stir for a minute. Now add the salt, chilli powder, coriander powder and the fennel powder and saute nicely until the tomatoes are cooked and the mixture is semi-dry. The rawness of masalas should have gone. Now add the Kasuri methi and saute for another minute for the flavour to infuse. Now add the roasted Brinjals into the pan and toss nicely, such that the masala is well mixed with the brinjal, close and cook for a minute. Top up with 1 tsp Kasuri Methi and garam masala powder. Serve hot.

Serving Suggestions: With Rotis, Parathas or with Dal Chawal, Rajma Chawal etc.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Wash the Brinjals and slice them into circles of medium thickness. Wipe away the moisture with an absorbent towel and set aside. Heat a nonstick pan, add 2 tsp oil and arrange the Brinjal slices in it. Roast on now side until it becomes a nice brown, then flip and roast the other side.

2. Now in the same pan add 1tbsp oil for sauteeing and heat it. Add mustard seeds and when they crackle put the cumin seeds in. Add the turmeric powder followed by the ginger garlic paste and chopped onions, and green chillies. Fry until the onions turn a nice brown. 

3. Now add the chopped tomatoes and stir for a minute. Now add the salt, chilli powder, coriander powder and the fennel powder and saute nicely until the tomatoes are cooked and the mixture is semi-dry.

4. Now add the Kasuri methi and saute for another minute for the flavour to infuse. Now add the roasted Brinjals into the pan and toss nicely, such that the masala is well mixed with the brinjal. Close and cook for a minute. Put off flame, top up with 1 tsp Kasuri Methi and garam masala powder. Serve hot.

NOTES:

1. If using fresh Methi leaves for this dish, use only half a bunch, as a big quantity can turn the dish bitter. 

2. The big eggplants are not best suited for this dish as they release more moisture and that can make the brinjals soggy. 

3. Since we did not add any salt or masalas to the Baigans while pan-roasting them, be liberal with the masala you add to the onion-tomato mixture.

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.

 

 

MIRCH KA SALAN

This recipe is one of the most flavourful dish from the Hyderabadi  cuisine. This dish is made from a particular type of Chilli called Banana Peppers or Bajji Milagai. You will find a mention of this in my Mirapakaya Bajji or Mirchi Bajji post. Like I have said in that post, there is also a Jaipuri style of making this dish, but today I am sharing the recipe of the Hydrrabadi style.

Usually, people think that this is a very spicy dish, but it is not so at all. Once the  chillies are deseeded the right way and lightly sauteed in oil, one can enjoy just the flavour of the chillies in the dish. 

While you are here please check out my other curry recipes like Dum Aloo Ajwaini, Palak Paneer, Matar Paneer, Mixed Vegetable Curry, Mava Paneer Curry, Rajma, Choley and more...

Here is the recipe of the flavour max dish Mirch Ka Salan.

 PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 15 MINS

 TOTAL TIME:30Mins                                  COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                         SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

    Ingredients:

    Banana Peppers orBajji Milagai 10 nos

    Onion 1 large minced or ground roughly

    Raw peanuts 1handful 

    Cashewnuts 4 -5( optional)

    Coriander Seeds 1 heaped tbsp

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Dry red chillies 2 ( reduce for less spice)

    Till/ white sesame

    Tamarind pulp 2 tsp ( or less) 

    Garam masala 1/2 tsp

    Mustard seeds 1 tsp

    Curry leaves a few

    Oil for sauteeing 

Directions:

Heat 2 tsp oil in a big Karahi or pan ( big enough to hold 10 big chillies). Add the peanuts and roast them for 20 seconds, now add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies, cashewnuts( if using) and sesame seeds and continue to toast until they all turn light brown and crisp. Set aside to cool. Now pour 2 tbsp oil and put in few chillies at a time and saute them until they get a light brown tint. Repeat for all chillies and set aside. Now put all the roasted masalas in the blender jar and grind it to a fine paste using little water. To the oil remaining after sauteeing the chillies( add more oil if required), put in the mustard seeds, and as they crackle add the curry leaves and onion and turmeric powder. Fry it nicely until it starts turning brown. Now add the ground paste and fry it in oil nicely. Keep stirring or the paste will stick to the pan bottom. Once the raw smell of the peanuts is gone add 1.5cups water and required salt and stir. Now add the sauteed chillies and cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the gravy comes to the desired consistency. Finally add the tamarind pulp and garam masala and put off the flame. The flavourful Mirch ka Salan Curry is ready.

Deseed and slit chillies as shown...

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Heat 2 tsp oil in a big Karahi or pan ( big enough to hold 10 big chillies). Add the peanuts and roast them for 20 seconds, now add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies, cashewnuts( if using) and sesame seeds and continue to toast until they all turn light brown and crisp. Set aside to cool.

2. Now pour 2 tbsp oil and put in few chillies at a time and saute them until they get a light brown tint. Repeat for all chillies and set aside.

3. Now put all the roasted masalas in the blender jar and grind it to a fine paste using little water. To the oil remaining after sauteeing the chillies( add more oil if required), put in the mustard seeds, and as they crackle add the curry leaves, ground onion paste and turmeric powder. Fry it nicely until it starts turning brown.

4. Now Add the ground paste and fry it in oil nicely. Keep stirring or the paste will stick to the pan bottom.

 Once the raw smell of the peanuts is gone add 1.5cups water and required salt and red chilli powder and stir. Now add the sauteed chillies and cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the gravy comes to the desired consistency. 

5. Finally add the tamarind pulp and garam masala and put off the flame. The flavourful Mirch ka Salan Curry is ready.

NOTES:

1. Deseeding the chillies is very critical to this dish. They have to be removed  properly.

2. Frying the chillies is also an important step. It helps in taljng away the hotness of the chilli.

3. Once these two steps are done, this recipe is a breeze.

4. If you like you can add 2 teaspoons of desiccated coconut while roasting the masalas. It gives a nice taste and flavour to the dish.

5. While frying/sauteeing the chillies a lot of moisture escapes and the oil splitters out a little..that's why we are using very little oil to sautee them. Once you put the chillies in, you can cover it a bit, leaving some space for steam to escape. This way there is little mess.

6. I usually prefer sauteeing my chillies ahead if I'm making the curry for dinner, as by then the gas stove can be cleaned once and for all.

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