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.

PODI IDLIES

For this Tiffin, fresh idlis should be prepared to get soft podi idlis. Fresh Idli podi should be prepared. Fresh cow ghee is needed. These three fresh ingredients transform the idlis into a delectable treat for your loved ones. Tossing the idli pieces with ghee and idli podi makes it spicy and delicious and ensures that it maintains softness and moisture for more than five hours. It is a perfect picnic packing.

Important note: Never heat the ghee or sesame oil to make this Tiffin. the rich taste of ghee and its nutrients destroyed while heating. Sesame oil should be consumed raw to attain its nutritional value. The fresh hot steamed idlis are tossed with fresh ghee and fresh idli podi.


Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 3 minutes
Servings: two
     

Ingredients:

Fresh Idlies 8 nos
Fresh Idli Podi 3 tablespoons
Ghee Three tablespoons

Procedure:

Cut each idli into six pieces using a knife dipped in water.
Collect them in a broad bowl.

Sprinkle the Idli podi over the idli pieces.
Pour the fresh cow ghee over the idli pieces.

Waggle the bowl so as to mix podi and ghee with idli pieces evenly.
You can substitute sesame oil instead of ghee.

Serve hot! 
This can be served during monsoon as evening tiffin.
Kids will love to eat!
It can be packed for picnics, lunch of kids.

PASIPAIYIRU KANJI

This kanji or porridge is traditionally common for breakfast in Tamilnadu. This is very nutritious and especially for kids and adult parents as a simple and easily digestible meal. This very comfort meal suits to every being without age bar.


How to make this simple and yummy kanji/porridge?

Ingredients:

Rice one cup
Green gram half a cup
Cumin seeds one spoon
water as required
Salt to taste
Pepper powder one spoon
Ginger gratings optional
Asafoetida half a pinch
Bellary onion finely grated

Procedure:

Soak the rice and whole green lentil in water for one hour.
Wash the rice and green gram thrice and transfer them in a pressure cooker.
Add salt, cumin seeds, pepper powder, asafoetida and water three cups of water.
Switch one the flame and pressure for one whistle and simmer the flame and wait for another whistle about to start.
Switch off the flame and set aside to release the pressure.
Remove the weight and mash the cooked ingredients using a ladle.
Add two cups of boiling water and stir again to form the porridge consistency.
Check the salt and serve warm.
Add onion gratings and green chillies (optional)
You can have it with cow milk also.

Mix with half a cup of milk and you may feed this nutritious and healthy porridge to your toddlers.