Tomato Thokku / Thakkali Thokku / தக்காளி தொக்கு

Ingredients

Tomatoes       : 1 kg
Sesame oil      : 1/4 cup
Mustard seeds  : 1 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek Seeds  : 1 tsp
Asafoetida            : 1/2 tsp 

Red chilli powder : 2 tbsps
Curry leaves
Turmeric powder  ; 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Method

Wash &  Puree the tomatoes and keep aside.

Heat oil in a  heavy bottomed pan, add the mustard seeds. 

When they pop, add the fenugreek seeds .

Now add the tomato puree,Cuury leaves and mix well.

Add the red chilly powder,turmeric powder,salt,asafoetida and mix well and let it boil.

Cook on medium flame and stir occasionally until the tomato thokku becomes thicker. 

Remove from flame and let it cool .

Store it in an air tight container.

Semiya Biryani Recipe / Vermicelli Biryani

Ingredients

Semiya               : 1 cup
Chopped onion   : 14 + 1 tbsp
Chopped Tomato   : 2 tbsps  
Carrot                     : 1
Beans                      : 5 nos 
Potato                      : 1
Green peas              : 1/4 cup 
Green chilly            : 1
Red chilly powder   : 1 tsp
Garam masala powder   : 1 tsp
Turmeric powder           : 1/4 tsp
Homemade Ginger - Garlic Paste     : 1 tsp ( Recipe here)
Cinnamon                      : 1 stick
Cardamom                     : 2
Cloves                            : 3
Coriander leaves + Mint leaves  : 1/4 cup
Ghee                               : 1 tbsp
Oil                                   : 1 1/2 tbsp
Salt

Method

Cook the vermicelli in water adding little and salt. Drain and run
under cold water and keep aside.

Chop the carrot,peeled potato,green peas,  beans and microwave it for 2 minutes with little salt.

Heat oil and ghee in a pan, add cinnamon,cardamom,cloves and green chilly and fry.

Add the chopped onion and fry for few minutes in medium flame. 

Add Ginger - Garlic Paste  , and fry.

Add chopped tomato,Red chilly powder,turmeric powder,coriander and mint leaves and salt and fry well on low flame.

Add the vegetables, mix and fry for few minutes.

Finally add the cooked semiya,Garam masal powder to this and mix well till semiya well coated with all masala mixture.

Garnish with mint and coriander leaves .

Serve hot and Enjoy...:) 

Chana Masala in Coriander Paste / Sauce / Chole Dhania Masala with step by step pictures

Ingredients

Channa              :  1 cup ( Soaked overnight & cooked with little salt)
Chopped onion  : 1/2 cup
Green chillies     : 3 + 1 
Cinnamon stick   : 1
Cardamom           ; 2
Cloves                  : 3 
Fennel                  : 1/4 tsp
Salt
Oil 

To grind

Coriander leaves  : 1 bunch
Coconut               :  2 tbsps
Cashewnuts          : 6 - 8
Green chillies       : 3 
Ginger                   ; 1/2 inch piece
Garlic                    : 4 
Fennel                   ; 1/2 tsp 
Lemon juice          : 1 tsp

Method

                     Grind the items under ‘To grind’ table to a smooth paste using little water.

                                                        Heat pan with 1 1/2 tbsps oil

                    Add fennel seeds,cinnamon stick,cardamom,cloves,green chilly and fry

                                              


                                                Add Onion and fry  till transparent

                                                       
                                                               add the ground paste

                                                              And mix well.

                                                            Add required  water ,

                                                               Cooked chana

                                                                  required salt

                                      mix everything well and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on medium flame.

                                                Remove from flame and serve hot with poori..

Caramel Payasam

"My first post of 2015 .. Wishing You All a Very Happy New year. Let us Welcome and Celebrate the New Year with this Caramel Payasam.."  

Ingredients

Milk                               : 1 ltr
Sugar                              : 3/4 cup to 1 cup
Washed & strained Rice  : 2 tbsps

Method 

Heat a pressure cooker , add about 2 tbsps of sugar .
Let the sugar melt and caramelize. ( do not stir) 
Once the sugar melts,reduce the flame, add 1/2 cup milk,strained rice ,close the cooker with lid and let it cook on medium flame for 1 whistle.
Let it cool.
Open ,add the remaining sugar,milk and mix.
Cook again on low flame for 10 minutes.
Serve Hot and Enjoy..
Happy 2015...

                                            Note 

I prefer the flavor of milk to shine in this payasam.