How to Make Tomato Soup at Home - Indian Style

Diposting oleh adiba
Senin, 14 Februari 2011
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I am Crazy about Tomato Soup, which my grandmother used to make with loads of vegetables in it. apart from that, when i wrote a story for the first time at my class 7, has Tomato Soup played an important role. to brief the story here, the girl in the story drinks lots of tomato soup and suffers from stomach ache and the girl's sister gets caught in trouble while going out to get medicine. though it sounds funny now, the memories are as bright as the soup color!

Indian Style Tomato Soup

While speaking about the bright red color of the soup, it all comes from a small bit of beetroot. that's a trick i got from Suganya's Tasty Pallette.


Tomato Soup

How to Prepare Tomato Soup at Home
Prep Time: 05 mins 
Cooking Time: 25 mins  
Serves: 2
Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Recipe Type: Soup

Ingredients:

Ripe Red Tomatoes - 4
Beetroot - 1 small piece
Coriander stem - 4
Garlic - 3 cloves
Ginger - 1 inch size
Cinnamon stick - 1 inch in size
Cloves - 2
Pepper - 5
Bay Leaf - 1
Star Anise - 1 small
Corn Flour - 2 spoons
Water - 2 cups

Method:

Cut the tomatoes into 4 parts and transfer them into a vessel that could fit in your pressure cooker. add the spices bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise and pepper to the tomatoes. add ginger and garlic too. add a small bit of beetroot, coriander stems and 1 cup of water. pressure cook all together up to 3- 4 whistles. alternatively you can cook them stove top for over 5-10 mins or also microwave them at very high for about 5-6 mins.
Tomato Soup Ingredients
just add an inch size of cinnamon stick, i had put one big one for the photo to show you all.

Cool them and remove the spices(cinnamon,cloves,star anise and bay leaf) except pepper.

Meanwhile prepare the corn starch by mixing 2 spoons of corn flour with 1/4 cup of water without any lumps.

Grind the tomatoes and filter the soup. boil the soup. add the corn starch to the boiling soup and give a stir. let the soup boil in slow flame for about 2-3 mins. add salt to taste, bit of pepper powder and serve hot!

Serve the Tomato Soup hot with Toasted Bread.

Note:

Before grinding the tomatoes, remove the skin of the tomatoes(its easy). and then grind together. boil the grounded soup, add the corn starch at slow flame and stir well so that no lumps are formed. add a bit of pepper powder and salt to taste. let the soup boil in slow flame for about 2-3 minutes. and serve hot.


Tomato Soup Recipe
Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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Curd Rice ~ Thayir Sadam

Diposting oleh adiba
Rabu, 09 Februari 2011
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My School Lunch boxes used to be filled with Thayir sadam or with Pulicha keerai sadam or with idli, milagaai podi. I like all the three and never complained. Thayir Sadam is my most favourite and i survived on it, when i was newly married, the reason is i dont know to cook other than that. To my Surprise, My Son loves Curd Rice very much like me.

Thayir Sadam

Last month, one day, we had our Lunch at Krishna Sweets owned Rasam Restaurant at Venkata Narayana Road, Tnagar, Chennai. The menu had Kongunadu specials, hubby ordered a Thali and i ordered Tulasi Vadai and Uthukuli Thayir sadam. Thayir sadam was Very Divine to us and i know i will be blogging it here soon after i tasted it.

Thayir Sadam~Curd Rice

Yes this Curd Rice has to be called as Uthukuli Thayir Sadam. Uthukuli is famous for Butter and i used to buy the Uthukuli White Butter for cooking now and then. I love the way its packed in Banana Leaf.

Curd Rice


How to Prepare Uthukuli Thayir Sadam?

* You can also use Normal Cooking butter.

1. Pressure Cook One Cup of Rice. Rice has to be Over cooked, so that it could be easily mashed.
Pressure cook the rice upto 5 whistle count.

2. Mix 2 tbsp's of Uthukuli Butter to the Hot rice and mash the rice with the back of the spoon.
The butter and rice should get mixed up well.

3. Add One and Half cup of Thick Curd to the rice and mix well. add salt to taste too.

4. For Tempering,
heat a tsp of oil in a small pan,
add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds,
1/2 tsp of split urad dal,
1 inch of ginger chopped finely,
1 sprig of curry leaves,
2 Green Chilli's finely chopped.

roast the above and remove from the flame.

5. Add the Tempering to the Curd Rice and mix well.
also add 1 tsp of chopped corriander leaves,
2 tbsp's of finely chopped Carrot
 and mix well.

6. Serve the Curd Rice with Pickle or Mor Milagaai.

Note: Prepare the Curd Rice ahead and chill them for atleast 20 minutes before serving.


If you are Curd Rice Lover, do give it a try. I highly recommend this for Kids. also this Curd rice will be a great treat for your Guests.

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Vegetable Sabji

Diposting oleh adiba
Senin, 07 Februari 2011
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Vegetable sabzi can be prepared in dry and in gravy form. i am sharing both recipes with you here. Initially i bought sabzi masala, that is available in the market and used it, later, i stopped buying the sabzi masala and added chilly powder, corriander powder, garam masala and kauri methi to my sabzi. it gave the same taste as the sabzi masala available in the market. but i am desperate in knowing what all go into sabzi masala. If you know, please share with me.

Mixed Vegetable Sabzi


Dry Vegetable Sabzi Recipe

Mixed Vegetable SabziPrep Time: 05 mins 
Cooking Time: 20 mins  
Serves: 2
Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Recipe Type: Sidedish

Ingredients:

Carrot- 1
Tomato - 1
Green Peas - 1/4 cup
Beans - 10
Beetroot - 1/2
Cauliflower - 4 small florets
Chilli Powder / Sambhar Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - a pinch
Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp
Kasuri Methi /Dry Methi Leaves - 2 tsp's
Oil - 1 tsp
Cumin - 1/4 tsp

Method:

Chop the vegetables into small pieces.

Heat oil in a pan, add cumin and let it get roasted.

Add finely chopped tomatoes to the pan, Let the tomatoes shrink and mash them on the pan with the slotted spoon. add turmeric powder, chilli powder, garam masala and salt to taste. mix the masala well with the tomatoes.

Add the chopped vegetables to the pan, mix the veggies well with the tomatoes and the masala. add kasuri methi and give a mix.

Sprinkle 2 tsp's of water over the pan and close the pan with its lid. let the vegetable's simmer in slow flame for about 5 -10 minutes till the vegetables get half-way cooked. as i do not like over cooking the vegetables, i removed the sabzi, when the vegetables are half-cooked.

Vegetable Sabzi for Chapathi

Serve the sabzi with Chapathi's.

                                                         Vegetable sabzi  (Gravy)


North Indian Vegetable Sabzi

Ingredients:

Mixed Vegetables - 2 cup's chopped(carrot,beans, green peas, potato and cauliflower)
Onion - 1
Tomato - 1
Ginger garlic paste- 1 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder - 1 or 2 tsp's
Corriander powder - 2 tsp's
Garam masala - 1/4 tsp
Kasuri methi - 1/2 tsp
Chopped corriander leaves - 2 tsp's

Method:

In a wide bottomed pressure cooker, add oil and heat it. add cumin and let it roast.

Add finely chopped onions, bit of salt and saute till they turn translucent. then add ginger garlic paste and saute it till the raw smell leaves.

Add tomatoes and saute till they turn soft. now add salt, chilly powder, corriander powder, garam masala
and mix well with the onion and tomatoes.

Then add in the chopped vegetables and mix well. add a cup of water and kasuri methi and give a mix. check for salt and add as per your taste. then add the chopped corriander leaves and close the pressure cooker with its lid. let the sabzi pressure cook for up to 2 whistles exactly. switch off the flame and let the steam escape. Now transfer the sabzi to a serving bowl.

Serve with Chapathi or Roti. I enjoyed it with phulkha and peas pulao.


Mixed vegetable sabzi




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Sweet Corn Gravy

Diposting oleh adiba
Selasa, 25 Januari 2011
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Thanks for all your wishes over my Eye. Injured Eye is Very Much better now, the blood clot is going off now. Thanks All Again.

This Sweet Corn Gravy Dish is prepared from the inspiration drawn from Nags and Sharmilee's Sweet Corn in Rich Onion Sauce. I worked out the recipe in gravy form, and the outcome was Just Perfect and Tasty.

Sweet Corns in Indian Gravy

Recipe for Sweet Corn Gravy:

Pressure Cook 1/2 Cup of Shredded Corns for upto 5 whistles. or Microwave at High for about  4-5 mins.

To Grind into Paste:

Big Onion - 1
Garlic - 2 cloves
Ginger - 2 inch size

Mix the Following with the Grounded paste,

1/4 tsp of Turmeric powder,
2 tsp's of Chilli Powder,
1/2 tsp of  Cumin
1 sprig of Curry leaves

Heat a tbsp of Oil in a Pan, add the grounded paste mixed up and saute them, till the raw smell of onion leaves. add the boiled/cooked corns and mix it up with masala's. add salt to taste,& little water and mix it up. Let them Boil.

After it has boiled for 4-5 mins, remove the gravy from heat. add 1/4 cup of milk to the gravy and mix it up.

Serve it with Roti's. I enjoyed with Biryani. The mild gravy worked well with the heavy biryani.

Sweet Corn Gravy

Suggestions:

* Add Boiled and Cooled Milk to the Gravy towards end.
* If you wish, you can also add Coconut Milk or Fresh Cream in the place of Milk.

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Instant Breakfast

Diposting oleh adiba
Kamis, 20 Januari 2011
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Two days back i got injured on  my right eye and now every minute i realize the importance of it. or i can also say, iam realising the importance of being healthy without any illness. The injury is not severe and it did not affect any nerves. Thank God! Iam having a light pain and my eyes are feeling heavy. It all happened because of a funny fight, with my kid. Bringing up the kids will be the finest art to learn. isnt it?

Instant Breakfast

Apart from that, i always look for Instant Breafast. Its impossible for me to prepare Appam with some curry or Idiyappam with Kuruma or Poori Masala on weekdays. i usually go with idli/dosa with some chutney, bread omlet or some porridge.

Hubby got packs of aloo powder/flakes. and i could'nt use it other way than using it for cutlets/patties.
I also cooked aloo kofta biryani with it. if you are a fan of Home Cook's Recipe's in Facebook, you can check its profile picture..

Potato Cutlets

Ingredients for Potato Cutlets / Aloo Patties: (makes 5)


Aloo Flakes - 2 cups or Boiled Potaoes - 2 (mashed)
Wheat Germ - 1/4 cup (optional)
Wheat Bread - 2 slices
Green Chilli - 1
Corriander Leaves - 2 tsp(chopped)
Salt to taste
Oil - 1/4 cup

Method:

Mix all the ingredients except Bread slices and Oil. Soak the bread slices in water and squeeze them. add the squeezed bread slices to all other ingredients mixed. mix them all together. sprinkle little water to get them all together. Shape them into Patties shape/ round shape.

Heat Oil in a Pan. and fry the aloo patties in medium flame, till they turn brown in colour. transfer the fried patties over a tissue.

Instant Tiffin for Kids

How i assembled them?

Cut the Bread slices into round shape. spread some mayyonise over it and place vegetables and place aloo cutlet and them cover it with another round shaped bread.

* YOU can add grated carrot and boiled peas to the cutlet.
* Even adding little greens will be a good choice to the cutlet.
* Place cheese when assembling for kids.
* Baking the patties will also be a Good choice.

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Gajar Ka Halwa

Diposting oleh adiba
Senin, 10 Januari 2011
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Kajar ka halwa

One of our Friend Anitha used to tell about Delhi Carrot and the halwa she makes with it. When i found some Delhi Carrots from street vendors in Tnagar, i could'nt stop me buying 1/2 kg. i repeatedly questioned the selling lady, whether this is carrot or radish. only after her confirmation i bought it. those carrots were in the colour of pinkish red. they are so lengthy too. i reserved the carrots for the weekend dessert.

Delhi Carrot

Unfortunately, i did'nt have ghee on hand, but thats for good. This halwa came out beautifully and tasted Great without Ghee. if you dont believe me, do try it without ghee and find out. Even i did'nt add milk to this halwa. indeed it tasted Good. enough of me raving about my own creation.

Delhi Carrot Grated

This is such a simple recipe with just three ingredients. 1/2 Kg of carrots could make only for two / three servings of carrot halwa.

Ingredients:
(Recipe for two dessert lovers)

Delhi Carrots                                                                                          1/2 kg.
line
Sugar                                                                                                      1/4 cup
line
Roasted Cashews                                                                                          5
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Delhi Carrot Halwa

Method:

Grate the Carrots finely.

Heat a Skillet or Pan, roast the cashews and keep aside.

In the same pan, add the grated carrots and roast them for a minute.

Add 1/4 cup of sugar to the pan and give a stir.  the sugar melts and the carrot has to be cooked in it.

Keep stirring in between for 8 - 10 minutes, till the water content is fully absorbed and the halwa comes together to the centre of the pan without sticking to the sides of the pan. Add roasted cashews and serve warm.


Gajar ka Halwa

Note: Use Delhi carrots for this vibrant colour. i did not use any food colour for this halwa. nor i did'nt do any photoshop works, to show this halwa bright!

Low fat Gajar ka halwa

Serve the Halwa warm with a scoop of ice-cream.

* You can reduce sugar and add sweetened Khoa towards the end to make it rich.
* You can add Ghee, to make the halwa Fat-rich.
* You can add cashews, pista's at the end to make the halwa cholestrol-rich.

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Chocolate Temptations Cookies

Diposting oleh adiba
Rabu, 05 Januari 2011
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Wishing You All Very Very Happy New Year! Last decade had more for me, College, Marriage, Kid and learning at different stops of Life. One big thing i learnt in last decade is Cooking. When i got married in 2004, i knew to make Maggi Noodles, Bread Upma, Pizza's with store bought Pizza Base. In the last 6 years, Cooking turned to be a big Passion for me. as a result you are reading this Food Blog:)

Home made Cookies

Okay, what's my New Year Resolution? Its not just for this Year, as i think, it will be in long term, for the next decade atleast. One is to feed the Family Healthier way. Second, I should Think several times before taking important decisions. Third, to enjoy every bit of Life.  in simple, iam trying to correct the mistakes of last decade.

If you ask me what happened to my last Year's Resolution, Yes i was able to follow it for 6 months atleast.
Last Year's Resolutions were, not to expect other hands for help.( it purposely meant, that i should do all my house-held work without maid). I survived without domestic help for 6 months. later i was pushed to have a helper, as hubby went abroad, and i needed someone to looks after the kid, when i had to look after outside work.

Double Chocolate Cookie

Next was to reduce maida, oil in cooking.  and i have reduced the oil consumption from 1 and half litre a month to 1 litre. but could'nt reduce maida, as iam experimenting on baking mode, maida/APF becomes  must for the experiments.

Coming to the Chocolate Temptations Cookies, I tried it out, from my Cakes and Bakes Book. I just followed the recipe. It turned out fabulous and vanished in just two days. My Son and I loved it!

Ingredients: (yields 24 - 30 cookies)

Butter - 1/2 cup

Semi-sweet Chocolate / Dark Chocolate - 225 gms

Chocolate Chips - 50 gms

Strong Coffee Powder - 1 tsp

Eggs - 2

Demarara Sugar - 3/4 cup

All Purpose flour / Maida  - 1 and 1/3 cup

Baking Powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt - a pinch

Almond extract - 2 tsp

Hazelnut, Brazil nuts, walnuts- 2/3 cup (optional)


To Decorate the Cookies:

40 gms of dark chocolate

Icing Sugar - 2 tbsp

Butter - 1/2 tsp

Milk - 1 tbsp


Method:

1. Pre-Heat the oven to 180C. Line a Tray with Butter Paper and Grease it with butter.

2. If you have Double Boiler, Melt the 225gms of chocolate, Butter  along with Coffee.
               (or)
Boil 2 cup's of water in a bowl and simmer it.  find another fitting bowl, that could sit over the boiling water bowl and place it over the boiling water bowl. add 225gms of dark chocolate, 1/2 cup butter and Coffee to the bowl and melt them together.

3. Beat 2 eggs in a bowl until fluffy. whisk in sugar gradually till the  mix, turns thicker. Remove the chocolate melted, and add to the egg-sugar whisked. Mix them all together, till they are mixed well and becomes Thicker.

4. Sift the Floour, Baking powder, salt  into a bowl. add the melted chocolate-egg mix to the flour and give a mix with spatula or wooden spoon. add chocolate chips, almond extract and nuts and give a mix to get the cookie dough.

5. Spoon in the cookie dough over the greased butter paper and bake in the pre-heated oven for 15-17 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire-wrack once its baked.

Chocolate Cookies

To Decorate the Cookies:

With the help of double boiler or in double boiling method(refer step 2), melt the chocolate, butter and icing sugar together. once the chocolate gets melted and mix turns thick, add milk to make the mix thinner.
Pour the mix to a Piping bag and pipe lines over the cookies.

* I used Milk cover instead of Piping Bag.
* I did a foolishness of using Demarara Sugar instead of Icing sugar and it did'nt melt and struck in between while piping chocolate lines.


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