Saturday, March 14, 2009

Idli


I have seen quite a few people buy the readymade dosa or idli batter. But I guess I dont like the taste. There is nothing as good as compared to home made stuff. And Idli is something very very easy to prepare. You just need to plan a day ahead thats all it takes. Rest is easy.

Idli
Ingredients
1 Cup Udid Daal
2 Cup Idli Rawa
Salt to taste
Oil

Method
  • Soak Udid Daal and Idli Rawa for atleast 8 hours.
  • Strain the water from the Udid Daal and grind it in the mixie to fine paste.
  • Strain water from the idli rawa and grind it to fine paste too.
  • Mix rawa paste and udid daal paste well and keep aside for atleast 8 hours
  • In the morning, mix in salt really well
  • Heat the water in a cooker - without lid
  • Grease the idli pan and add the idli mixture in there.
  • When the water in the cooker starts to boil put the idli stand into the cooker and cook for around 10-12 minutes on high flame with lid closed but no whistle.
  • Open the cooker and let the idlis cool down a little. Separate idlis from the pan and serve with chutney/sambar

Notes
Here since everything is AC and we maintain low temperature, I did keep the mixture on top of hot water container at night. That works perfectly well.
Dont forget to remove the cooker lid immeidately after idli is done so that the vapour doesnt cool down inside the idli making it moist

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Tofu Burger


I was very inclined to prepare the burger at home but didnt want to try any meat burger. So thought of preparing paneer one. But then the indian grocerry store was little far from my place so thought to try it on tofu. The burger turned out quite well and the mildness of tofu vanished in the spcies and other things that I added.

Tofu Burger
Ingredients
4 Burger Buns
100g Tofu
2 Onions
1 Tomato
1 Fresh Red Chilli
4 Cheese Slices
1/2 Cup Lettuce
Ranch Dressing
Salt and Pepper
Oil

Method
  • Cut the Tofu into cubes
  • Heat oil and keep the flame on low.
  • Add tofu pieces and cook till light brown in colour.
  • Add onion slices, red chilli into it and cook till onions are slight brown in colour
  • Add salt and pepper and stir well. Divide the mixture into 4 portions
  • On each bun keep the cheese slice and add the portion of the cooked tofu mixture.
  • Spread the lettuce, tomato Slice, couple of drops of tomato ketchup and one circle of the ranch dressing.
  • Close with the upper portion of the bun and serve.

Notes
I cooked tofu on very light heat which helped me keep it soft. The Spicy Chilli, ranch dressing helped in supressing the mildness of Tofu.

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Masala Daal


This Spicy daal was something I just experimented out when I was in pune. It turned out great. Actually mom dad loved it and then when I came here even ajoy liked it :) So thought of posting the recipe

Masala Daal
Ingredients
3 Cup Tur Daal
1 Onion
1 Tomato
6-7 Garlic cloves
1/4 Spoon Mustard
1/4 Spoon Jeera
1 Spoon Red Chilli Powder
1/4 Spoon Turmeric Powder
1/2 Spoon Jeera Powder
1/2 Spoon Corriander Powder
1/4 Spoon Garam Masala
Corriander Leaves for Garnishing
Butter cubes
Salt to taste
Ghee

Method
  • Cook tur daal with 1 cup water in the cooker.
  • Heat the oil and let the mustard and jeera splutter in it
  • Add finely chopped onions, garlic pieces and fry till onions turn translucent.
  • Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, jeera powder, corriander powder and garam masala and mix well.
  • Add tomato and cook till tomato is completely done.
  • Add in cooked tur daal, salt and mix well. Cook for couple of minutes with constant stirring
  • Add enough water for getting desired consistency to the daal and bring it to the boil.
  • Garnish with corriander leaves.
  • While serving serve with little butter cubes on top.

Notes
While cooking daal I dont mix too much of water, that way the cooked daal when added to masala completely soaks the taste and aroma.

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