Moong Dal /Greeen gram Dal Rasam

Rasam is called in other words as “soup”. Rasam is famous in south India .I learnt rasam from my mother-in-law. She prepares rasam very tasty. Green gram is rich in vitamin A, B, C, E and Minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. It is high source of protein and fiber and lowers the blood cholesterol level.The green gram helps us to cool our body temperature.

Ingredients:

• Tomato -1medium size
• Moong Dal -1/4 cup
• Tamarind- less then 1/4 lemon size
• Peppercorns-6corns
• Garlic-1
• Onion-1/6
• Cilantro-garnishing
• Mustard seed-1/2 tsp
• Red chili-1
• Hing(Asafoetida)-a pinch
• Turmeric-1/4 tsp
• Cumin-1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves-1 sprig
• Rasam powder (any store brought brand)-1/2tsp(optional)
• Castor oil-1/4 tsp
• Oil –needed
• Salt to taste

Method:

1.     Take a kadai ,add moong dal and toss if for few minutes to get nice aroma while cooking

2.     Add tomato, Moong dal, few drops of Castor oil and pressure for 3 whistles.

3.     When pressure goes down, open the cooker and separate Moong dal water.

4.     Then squeeze the tomato and filter the juice alone and set aside.

5.     Crush the peppercorn, cumin and garlic as coarse and keep it ready.

6.     Take onion (chopped), curry leaves, cilantro and red chili (broke to two piece).

7.     Soak the ¼ lemon size tamarind in water for 1 hour.

8.     Then squeeze the tamarind and filter the juice alone and set aside.

9.     Finally mix all the liquid together with right proportion and keep it ready.

10. Take kadai and add 2tsp of oil.

11. When oil is hot, add mustard seed to splutter.

12. Then add onion, curry leaves, cilantro and red chili.

13. Toss it well then add Turmeric powder, crushed mixture .Keep in medium flame to prevent from burning.

14. Add juice mixture, salt, hing, cilantro, rasam powder and bring to boil and off the stove. Your zesty rasam is ready to taste.

Note: Don’t let rasam to boil, keep the entire ingredient aside. You can make rasam in 5-10 min maximum. You crush the peppercorn, cumin and garlic to get fresh tasty rasam .Otherwise dry cumin and peppercorn. Make powder in mixer and store it.

Soya 65

                    Soya chunks is popularly know as Meal Maker. Soya chunks are rich source of Protein.So try this recipe with your daily diet.

Ingredients:

• Soya chunks -200 grams
• Red Chilli Powder -2 tsp (as spicy needed)
• Salt to taste
• Oil -for deep frying

Method:

1. Soak the soya in water or Lukewarm water for 30 mins.
2. Remove it and squeeze excess water from it.
3. Take  a bowl , add salt red chilli powder and mix it well.
4. Marinate  it for about 30 minutes.
5. Heat the oil in a kadai. When oil is hot.
6. Add soya chunks in batches and fry them to reddish brown.(Do not burn it)
7. Remove and place it on the paper towel.
8. Served with sauce as a starter or as a side dish.It goes well with lemon rice and other variety rice.

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Idiyappam

               Idiyappam is one of the favorite Breakfast in South India. Using Idiyappam ,we can make variety of recipes.I am going to post some of the recipes prepared from Idiyappam in future.I have given You two methods how to make the Idiyappam dough.When you look into it you will feel method 2 is easy ,but i prefer method 1.In which the Idiyappam dough will be more softer and to prepare .Try this recipe at home and enjoy.

Ingredients:
Method:1

• Idly rice -2 cups
• Oil-3 tsp 

Method :2

• Rice flour-2 cups 
• Water to need the flour
• Oil- to grease the plates

Preparation of dough :
Method 1:

1. Soak the rice for 5  hours minimum  and grind it to a batter.
2. Take a kadai and pour oil into it and when the oil is medium hot add the batter into it and mix it will turn into dough.
3. After the dough cools down a bit, knead the dough using your hands and keep it ready.

Method :2

1. Boil the water in a wide cooking pan.
2. When the water comes to a boil, add the flour and immediately stir it with a wooden flat spoon or rod.
3. Remove from the stove and let it cool down slightly.
4. After the dough cools down a bit, knead the dough using your hands until it is soft.
5. If the dough is not soft, add little more warm water and combine well.
6. The dough should be really soft, but not too watery.
7. Keep the dough ready.

How to make Idiyappam:

1. Take the  Idiyappam maker and fill it with the dough of your choice from above mentioned 2 methods.
2. Take medium sized ball of dough into the idiyappam maker.
3. Make the  Idiyappam on Idly plates.Grease each of the moulds on the plates for making idiyappam with little oil.
4. Press the  Idiyappam  maker with the dough inside to get noodles shaped  fall on the plate.
5. Repeat this process until you have all the idly plates filled.Now place all the plates on to the idly maker and cove the lid .
6. Cook it for 0 to 15 min.Your favorite Idiyappam is ready.
7. Serve the hot Idiyappams with curries, Coconut milk .

Notes:Press the idiyappam,when the dough is hot.If it cools down it will be harder to press with Idiyappam maker.

Tomato Thokku / Pickle

Ingredients:

• Tomato - 3 Large Size
• Garlic Cloves -2
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Red Chilies - 4 or Chilli powder - 1 tsp( As Spice required)
• Turmeric powder - a pinch
• Salt as required

Preparation:

Bring water to boil. Put the tomatoes,red chilies Garlic in boiling water and simmer it for few minutes , switch off the flame( if chilli powder don't add now).

Remove the skin. After it cools, put it in a blender and puree it.

Method :

1. Heat oil in a kadai , add mustard seeds . When mustard splutters, add tomato puree,turmeric powder and salt required.
2. Cook covered in medium flame, stirring in between, till the mixture oozes out oil.
3. Store it in a bottle or container and refrigerate it. Always use dry spoon to take the thokku.
4. Goes with doas ,idily, rice,chappati etc,.....

Note:
 You use red chillies instead of chilli powder to give more taste.

Use ripe and juicy tomatoes for preparing this thokku.