PROSO MILLET PONGAL/பனிவரகுப் பொங்கல்

Proso millet has enormous health benefits mainly supports neuro health system with its high content of  lecithin. It is loaded with vitamins-

 B complex vitamins, Niacin, folic acid and minerals like calcium, potassium, zinc and iron and essential amino acids. It is Gluten Free and reduces the risk of type2 diabetes. 

Ingredients:

Moong dal 75 g

Proso millet 75 g

Coldpressed Groundnut oil 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds 1 tsp

Pepper 1 tsp

Curry leaves 15-20 pcs

Green chilly one,  slit

Asafoetida one pinch

Water 2.5 cups

Himalayan pink rock salt 3/4 tsp

Desi ghee/cow ghee  1 tbsp

Whole cashews one handful/12-18 pcs

Procedure:

STEP ONE

Dry roast moong dal until golden brown.

Add Proso millet with moong dal and dry roast for a while.

Set aside to cool down.

Wash thoroughly.

Drain the water and set ready.

STEP TWO 

Heat the medium or 3 lit cooker with Groundnut oil on medium flame.

Add cumin seeds, Peppercorns

Let them fry for a while.

Add curry leaves and green chilly, slit.

Saute for a while.

Add Asafoetida 

Transfer the drained millet dal contents. Pour 2.5 cups of water. 

Add rock salt.

Stir a couple of times to combine.

Close the cooker and cook until two whistles on medium heat and let in simmer level until the third whistle.

Set aside to cool down.

Heat the ghee in a tempering pan on medium flame.

Fry whole cashews until golden brown

Transfer the fried cashews to the cooked Pongal contents.

Fold multiple times to mix the ghee contents with cooked millet meal.

Done.

Proso millet Pongal is ready to be served with coconut chutney and sambar of your choice.

Cooking time 

30 minutes

Yield two servings

 

MILK BREAD//WHITE BREAD/SANDWICH BREAD/HOME MADE MILK BREAD

Super soft and tasty bread can be done in our home. The bursting smell, while we bake, is just amazing. 

Homemade bread is healthier than storebought bread. Home-bake bread contains accurately what you want to eat. Store-bought bread contains additives and preservatives. 

If you are a new baker, this is the right recipe for you.

Ingredients we need for making one loaf of bread:

For yeast activation:

Active dry yeast 2 tsp

All-purpose flour 4 tsp

Milk 8-10 tsp

 Other ingredients that we need:

All-purpose flour 2.5 cups

Egg one

Powdered brown sugar 1.5 tbsp

Milk powder 2 tbsp

Powdered Himalayan pink salt  tbsp

Milk 100 ml

Sunflower oil 2 tbsp

Water 25 ml

All-purpose flour for dusting the work surface 3 tbsp

Sunflower Oil to prevent the dryness of the dough 2 tbsp

How to make this super-soft and fluffy bread loaf at home?

It involves four steps.

Step one:

In a dry mixing bowl, add two tsp yeast, four tsp all-purpose flour, 8-10 tsp milk at room temperature and powdered brown sugar. Mix well to combine. Let it stand for 5-0 minutes to activate the yeast.

Whisk one egg and set aside.

In another mixing bowl, add all-purpose flour 2.5 cups, powdered sugar 1.5 tbsp, powdered Himalayan pink salt, Milk powder 2 tbsp. 

Mix to combine.

Set ready.

In yeast activated mixture, add the whisked egg.

Add 2 tbsp Sunflower Oil.

Mix again to be well combined.

Add the dry flour mixture in 3 batches and mix using a spatula.

Add the remaining 100 ml milk and mix using a spatula.

Then using your hand, knead the sticky dough until it becomes non-sticky.

Add water 25 ml and knead to form a nonsticky and soft pliable dough.

knead for another ten minutes to get the elastic texture.

This is the most important step we have to follow to get airy locules spirally inside and crust top of the bread.

Shape into a ball and place the ball in the oil-smeared mixing bowl by place the seam side down.

Apply little oil over the ball around the sides. 

Step Two:

Cover the dough with a damped cloth 

Let it rest for 40 minutes.

Now the dough volume increased double.

Deflate the dough to release the excess air inside the dough.

Dust the work surface with some all-purpose flour 

Place the deflated dough and just spread out the dough into an elongated shape.

Don't give pressure or punch to the dough.

Handle it softly.

Sprinkle little flour on the elongated flat dough and roll it gently.

Seam the edges down and make a fittable dough and place it in a loaf pan.

Step three:

Apply little oil over the dough using a brush.

Cover it with a cloth or towel and wait for ten minutes to second rise up.

In the meanwhile, preheat the oven in convection mode at 180 C.

Step Four:

Remove the cloth and place the loaf with dough on the lower rack of the oven.

Let it bake for 35 minutes at 180 C.

Switch off the oven let the loaf stand on the lower rack for 2 minutes.

Remove from the oven.

Let it cool down for more than 30 minutes or one hour.

Cut into desired size slices.

Enjoy!

IVY GOURD GREENS/TENDORA GREENS SABZI/MASOOR DAL WITH TINDORA GREENS/கோவைக்கீரை கூட்டு

Whole Masoor dal with Tindora Greens is the unbeatable combo for hot steamed rice/Chapatis/Pooris nourishes and nurture your health with folic acid, iron, high profile protein and other antioxidants.

For more quantity of iron, eat masoor dal with greens. here we present the low-calorie version of dal greens kootu with bursting flavours and tastes with a dash of Desi Ghee.

How to make?

Ingredients:

Ivy gourd greens fresh and young leaves one big bowl.

Masoor dal (Whole) 1/4 cup

Turmeric 1/2 tsp

Castor Oil 3-4 drops

Water 2 cups

Groundnut oil 2 tbsp

Shallots 10 pcs chopped

Curry leaves 15-20 pcs

Green Chilly one or two (optional) halved

Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp

Himalayan pink rock salt 1/2 tsp

Water again 2 cups

Procedure

Pluck the leaves and chop them.

Wash thoroughly with water.

collect them in a bowl and set aside.

Pressure cook the whole masoor dal (thoroughly washed)

adding 2 cups of water, turmeric and castor oil until 3-4 whistles.

Set aside to cool down.

Heat the heavy bottomed vessel or cooker with groundnut oil on medium heat.

Add mustard seeds to crackle.

Once the mustard seeds start crackling, add shallots, green chillies and curry leaves.

Saute until the shallots turn transparent.

Add cumin seeds to fry.

Mash the cooked whole dal and set ready.

Add the chopped tindora greens.

Saute until the volume of the greens reduced without losing its lovely green colour.

Now transfer the mashed dal along with 2 cups of water.

Add salt.

Stir occasionally to infuse the flavours.

Allow cooking until the greens cooked soft.

Ready to serve.

We can serve with hot steamed rice or chapatis.

Tastes best with full of nutrition.

Serves four

Cooking Time 30 minutes

Refer to the video tutorial for the visual procedure.

KODO MILLET CRISPY DOSAS AND MILLET MASAL DOSAS/வரகு முறுகல் தோசை

 

Kodo millet has a considerable amount of Lecithin that is strengthening the nervous system. It is rich in vitamin B components, that are niacin, B6 and folic acid and minerals such as Iron, Potassium, magnesium, zinc and Calcium. It is high in fiber, rich in amino acids, naturally gluten-free, non-allergic and easily-digestible. It is an ideal substitute for rice, wheat. Good for cholesterol, diabetes and weight loss.

Traditionally speaking, Kodo millet improve appetite, nourish prana and blood deficiencies, improve insulin response, regularise the speed of digestion, helps in absorption of nutrients and fills you up feeling comfort and light. It detoxifies and cleanses the whole digestive system. 

All the ancient old millets are becoming trendy again. They are highly recommended as a great source of iron and dietary fibers.

Here is the breakfast or dinner recipe that might be your tasty and healthy option of replacing rice and wheat.

Kodo Millet Crispy Dosa /Masal Dosa

How to make

Ingredients:

Kodo millet 1.5 cups

Urad dal 0.5 cup

Chana dal 0.25 cup

Fenugreek seeds 3/4 tsp

Beaten rice/poha/Getty aval 2 tsp

Water as needed for soaking

Rock salt 1/2 tsp 

Potato masal one bowl

Groundnut oil/ghee 25 ml

Procedure:

Soak Kodo millet, urad dal and fenugreek seeds. Chana Dal, poha/beaten rice in water separately.

Let them soaked in water for three hours. 

Rinse them thoroughly.

Grind the urad dal and fenugreek seeds with 50 ml water until smooth and fluffy batter.

Transfer the batter to a large vessel.

Transfer the drained Kodo millet, Beaten rice or Poha, chana dal with 100 ml water to the same mixer jar.

Grind to a little bit thin and smooth batter.

Add Rock salt and grind again to combine well.

Transfer the batter to the vessel containing urad dal batter.

Stir well to combine the batter,

Cover and set aside for 7 hours to ferment well.

Mix well before making dosas.

Heat the dosa tawa on a medium flame for one second

Take a ladleful of batter and pour in the centre of the tawa.

Spread the batter in a circular motion to form a thinner dosa.

Once air holes appear on the surface.

Drizzle one or two tsps of groundnut oil or ghee as per your choice.

Level the surface of dosa.

Let it cooked until the golden spots appear. 

There is no need to flip the dosa.

Roll the crispy dosa and take out.

To make masal dosa,

Pour and spread the batter.

Once air holes appear, drizzle oil or ghee one or two tsp.

Place the Potato masal in the centre and spread into a form of a thick and even disc.

Once dosa turns golden and crispy, cover the ends 

Serve hot or warm with Garlic chutney and Coconut chutney.

MORINGA GREENS THOKKU/DRUMSTICK LEAVES THOKKU/முருங்கைக் கீரை தொக்கு

Thokku calls for a somewhat specific method to work out with herbs like moringa or murungai keerai, curry leaves Coriander greens or methi or fenugreek leaves in generous addition of Sesame oil and Tamarind to restore the considerable shelf life. Lesser the water added, more the shelf life is. We add tamarind, jaggery powder, salt and a generous amount of sesame oil to increase its shelflife. If it is mixed with hot steamed rice, have it with any tiffin like chappathi, Puri, Idlies and Dosas, We will get addicted to its divine taste.

In other words, the six tastes blend in perfect proportion in much more concentrated gravy or dry gravy.

Let's make this yummy thokku using the Moringa greens or murungai greens which are well known for its richness of iron and other important nutrients..

Ingredients we need:

Murungai greens one bunch

Jaggery powder 2 tsps

Coco rinds or Kudampuli or tamarind 3 pcs

Himalayan rock salt 1/2 tsp

Water 50 ml

Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

Dry roasted fenugreek powder 3/4 tsp

Grated garlic 1 tsp

Turmeric 1/2 tsp

Red chilly flakes 1/2 tsp

Sesame oil 4 tbsps

Groundnut oil 1 tbsp

Asafoetida 2 pinches

Dried red chillies 3-4 pcs

Procedure:

Pluck the murungai leaves along with its tender stems.

Place them in a mixer jar up to 3/4 th level'

Add red chillies, kudam puli, Jaggery powder, Himalayan rock salt and 5o ml water.

Grind at high speed to a coarse paste.

Now heat the heavy bottomed vessel with one tbsp groundnut oil.

Add mustard seeds to crackle.

Once they start to crackle, add Grated garlic, Turmeric and red chilly flakes and saute on low flame.

Turn off the heat and add greens paste.

Saute on medium heat for one or two minutes until the greens changed its colour.

Add asafoetida and fenugreek powder.

Mix to combine.

Add sesame oil 2 tbsps little by little on keeping the flame on a low level.

Mix to combine.

Add another two tbsps of Sesame oil at the final stage and mix to combine well.

Murungai greens thokku is ready to be consumed.

Thokku means pounded herb or vegetable with specific spices sauteed in sesame oil.

FOXTAIL MILLET PONGAL

Foxtail millet is rich in iron and minerals and dietary fibre.  It is totally pest-free. It lends a yummy taste in Upma, Kichadi, meal and Pongal. It is a very healthy alternative to rice and wheat. Diabetic-friendly food. Low glycemic food; We can make so many healthy twists using this wonderful millet. foxtail millet Pongal is easy to make.

Do follow the steps below:

Ingredients, we need:

Foxtail millet 150 gms
Moong dal 50 gms
Water 250 ml
Cashews 10 pcs chopped
Groundnut oil 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Pepper 1 tsp
Ghee 1 tsp
Green chilly  slit
Curry leaves 20 pcs
Rock salt 3/4 tsp

Procedure:

Wash the foxtail millet +Moong dal with water twice.
Drain the water. Add 250 ml water.
Heat 3 lit cooker with groundnut oil on medium flame.
Add cumin seeds and pepper 
Once they start to fry add green chilly, curry leaves.
Transfer the millet-dal contents 
Add rock salt/salt
Allow boiling. 
Check the salt taste. add if needed.
Close the cooker and place the whistle.
Allow 2 whistles and simmer it for 2 minutes.
Set aside to cool down. (15 minutes)
Heat the tempering pan with one tbsp ghee.
Add cashews and fry until golden brown.
Transfer the cooked millet Pongal and fold gently.
Pongal is ready to serve hot/warm.
Pongal tastes yummy and it goes very well with coconut chutney and sambar.
We like to have solo with one tsp ghee.

Happy and comfort cooking!

CABBAGE STUFFED IDLIES

This is an interesting and delicious twist in making normal idlis. 


Ingredients:
 
Idli batter  three cups
Cabbage pieces two cups
Mustard seeds one spoon
Shallotsfive chopped
Curry leaves five nos
Peanut oil one spoon
Green chilly one
Cilantro leaves finely chopped
Salt to taste
Water required half a cup
Shredded coconut one tablespoon

Procedure:

Chop the cabbage into fine pieces.
Heat the pan with oil over a medium flame.
Add mustard seeds to splutter.
Once it starts to crackle, add shallots, green chilly and curry leaves.
Saute for a while until the shallots turn transparent.
Add cabbage and salt.
Sprinkle water.
Close the pan with the lid and allow to cook for five minutes over a low flame.
Add shredded coconut and cilantro chops.
Mix well in low flame and set aside.

Now heat the idli steamer with three cups of water. Bring to boil.
Pour one tablespoon of idli batter into each greased idli moulds.
Add one spoon of the cooked cabbage fry or porial over the batter.
Now pour another tablespoon of idli batter over the cabbage evenly.
Close the steamer and allow to cook for ten minutes over a medium flame.
Remove from the flame and allow to cool for two seconds.
Demould the idlis from the idli mould using a spoon. 

Now the cabbage stuffed idlis are ready to have with coconut chutney.


The softness of idlis with the nice aroma of cabbage stuffed in them makes the idlis as delicious delight.

BEETROOT CURRY KUZHAMBU

Beetroots are packed with powerful antioxidants and rich in fibre, low in fat, high vitamin source. There are a lot of variations of recipes using beetroots in Kongu region. One of them is the beetroot curry kuzhambu.

Beetroot curry kuzhambu is one of the comfort gravy that goes very well as an ideal accompaniment with chapatis, pooris, idlies, Dosas, parathas, paniyarams, oothappams. 

How to make this amazing beet curry kuzhambu?

Ingredients:

Beetroot medium size one

Bellary onion pieces half     cup

Curry leaves 10 nos

Shredded coconut one cup

Fried gram one tablespoon

Mustard seeds one spoon

Star anise two nos

Cloves four

Ginger gratings one spoon

Garlic gratings one spoon

Coriander powder one tablespoon

Cumin powder one spoon

Pepper powder one spoon

Fennel seeds roasted and powdered one spoon

Salt to taste

Tomato one medium size

Coriander leaves (Optional)

Sesame oil one tablespoon

Turmeric powder on spoon

Green chilly one

Red chilly powder one spoon

Karam masal powder one spoon

Procedure:

Wash the beetroot and peel off the outer skin and chop them into cubes.

Blend the coconut gratings, coriander powder, cumin seeds powder, fennel seeds powder, fried gram into a fine paste using required water.

Heat the heavy bottomed pan with sesame oil over a medium flame.

Add mustard seeds to pop up.

Add star anise, cloves.

Reduce the flame.

Add onion, ginger garlic gratings, turmeric, green chilly, Curry leaves, red chilly powder, karam masal powder 

and saute well.

Once the onion turns golden brown and shrunken, add tomato.

Saute for a few minutes. 

Then add masal paste and let the masal paste be fried for a few seconds.

Add beetroot cubes and adjust the consistency with required ( three cups of water)

Add salt.

Allow boiling until the beetroot cubes turn soft and well cooked.

Check the salt.

Add coriander leaves and switch off the flame.

An attractive red coloured, aromatic curry kuzambu is ready to enjoy!

This side dish makes the every main dish as an amazing delicacy! 

Do try out!

INDIAN BROAD BEANS SAMBAR

Indian Broad beans sambar goes well with hot steamed rice. Topping up of one spoon of fresh cow ghee enhances its taste!

Ingredients:

Broad beans 50 gms
Mysore dal/Toor dal 75 gms
Sesame oil one tablespoon
Mustard seeds one spoon
Shallots 10 nos or Bellary onion half chopped
Curry leaves 10 nos
Asafoetida one pinch
Turmeric one spoon
Castor oil four drops
Sambar powder one tablespoon
Coriander leaves chopped half cup(optional)
Salt to taste
Tamarind one gooseberry size
Tomato medium size one


Procedure:

Soak the tamarind in two cups of water.
Wash the Indian broad beans and remove the fibre from the both sides.
Chop the veggie into three parts.
Cook the Mysore dal with four cups of water, one spoon of turmeric and four drops of castor oil.
You may pressure cook the Toor dal with three whistles and simmer the flame for few minutes. and Switch off the flame.
Take the extract of tamarind.
Now heat the heavy bottomed vessel with oil over a medium flame.
Add mustard seeds to crackle.
Once it starts to crackle, add onion, curry leaves, asafoetida, half a spoon of turmeric and sambar powder in a low flame.
Add the beans and saute for few seconds.
Pour the tamarind extract and tomato dices.
Add salt required.
Allow boiling for five minutes.
Transfer the cooked dal content with water to the vessel.
Check the salt.
Add coriander leaves (optional).

Now the Indian Broad Beans Sambar is ready to have with hot steamed rice.
Enjoy!

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