Spicy tamarind Curry aka "Kara kuzhambu"

Kara Kuzhambu

Ingredients

Small red Onions  handful
Garlic Cloves- 6
Onion -1
Tomatoes-1

Sesame seed oil
Mustard seeds
Pepper Whole-1/4 tsp
Curry leaf
Green Chili-2
Red chili-3

Fenugreek powder-1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Chili powder-1 tsp
Sambar Powder- 2 tsp

To Grind 

Grated Coconut-1/2 cup
Fennel seeds-1/4 tsp

Fresh Tamarind Paste 2 tsp


Method

In a kadai or a small pot add about 2 to 3 table spoons of Sesame oil add the mustard seeds when hot and when it begins to sputter add the red onions and sliced garlic fry for a minute add the curry leaves,pepper,chilies and the sliced onion fry till translucent then add the curry powders followed by some water .Fry it till the raw smell disappears then add the mango pieces enough water and cook for approx 10 minutes now add the chopped tomatoes, the ground coconut paste,tamarind paste and a little water mix well and boil for another 10-12 minutes till the oil separates and comes to the top.
Now you will know the tasty kara kuzhambu is ready to be served with some white rice and papad!!

Optional

Using Sesame oil brings out the flavor!
Serve with a tad bit of Ghee over hot white rice! 

MINCED MEAT AND VEGETABLE STIR FRY

Minced meat and veggie stir fry

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef /chicken 
Carrots-1 diced
Beans - 2 handful chopped

Onions-1
Curry leaves
Green chili-2 optional 
Ginger and Garlic paste-1 tbs
Tomatoes-1 diced
Cilantro leaves

Garam masala -1/2 tsp
Turmeric-1/4 tsp
Fennel powder-1/4 tsp
Any readymade meat masala powder-1 tsp(Eastern)
Add spice according to your taste.

Oil to fry
Salt to taste


Method

In a wok add some oil just enough to fry the onions,green chili,curry leaves,saute for a few minutes then add the ginger and garlic paste fry it till the raw smell disappears.
Add the masala powders and stir in the tomatoes cook till u see the oil separate from the masala .

I usually drain the fat from the meat by cooking it in a pressure pan with some water drain and keep aside.

Now add the meat saute for about 10 minutes then add the cut veggies to the masala and fry till the veggies are crunchy and it all comes together.don't over cook your vegetables.You can add any vegetables of your choice to the lean minced meat.

I like adding potatoes and peas for a change or bell peppers of different kinds to make it colorful.
Cabbage goes well with minced meat as well ...every time I make it,it reminds me of my childhood growing up at my grand mom's home!!

Toss the cilantro generously in the saute and enjoy with some Indian bread!!


Optional

I added some crushed black pepper and cumin in the end to spice it a little more.

Final outcome 

Cluster Beans and Potato fry

Cluster beans and potato fry

Cluster beans is also know as Kotha avarangai in tamil and Gauvar in Hindi.

Ingredients

Cluster beans-2 cups chopped
Potatoes -2 cubed

Onions-1 minced
Mustard seeds few
Cumin seeds few
Curry leaves
Green Chili- 2
Garlic cloves-4
Tomatoes- 1 large diced

Chili powder-1 tsp
Coriander powder-1 tsp
Cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Coconut Oil to saute
Shredded fresh coconut-1/4 cup (optional)


Method

In a frying pan add 2 tsp coconut oil add mustard seeds wait for it to sputter then add the cumin seeds and minced onions fry till translucent.Now add the sliced garlic cloves and the masala powders add some water and fry till the raw smell goes add the diced tomatoes,curry leaves and the chopped beans and potato add a cup of water and cook it till the beans are tender not soft.Finally add a couple pinches of garam masala powder and stir in the shredded coconut.Serve with chappatis  or with some rice.This bean is full of fiber and has a lot of nutrients in it.Enjoy!!

Mutton dry fry

Mutton dry fry

Ingredients

Mutton 2 lbs
Onions-2  sliced
Ginger and Garlic paste- 2 tbs
Vinegar -1 tbs
Ginger 1"-minced
Red chili-2 de seeded(optional)
Curry leaves
Coconut Oil to fry
Sliced Coconut cut into pieces-1/2 cup
Green Chili-2 garnish

Masala Powders
Fenugreek powder-1/2 tsp
Chili powder-2 tsp
Turmeric -1/2 tsp
Coriander powder- 1 tsp
Cumin powder-1 tsp
Pepper powder- 2 tsp
Garam masala -1 tsp


In a wok add 2- 3 tablespoons of oil add 1 onion sliced ,ginger and garlic paste,red chili and fry till it turns brown and add the masala powders fry it till the raw smell goes.Add salt.

Add the mutton  pieces to it and enough water cook it in the pressure cooker for 15 minutes.When cooked wait for the water to evaporate completely .Add the vinegar.

In a small pan add 1 tbs coconut oil and fry the other onion with the minced ginger,coconut sliced and curry leaves. Add it to the simmering  pot of meat.

Finally garnish with some chopped cilantro leaves!!

Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Ingredients
Mild and spicy Italian sausage - 2 lbs
Ground chicken/Turkey - 2 lbs (optional)
Chopped kale - 2 cups
Yukon gold Potatoes - 5 peeled and sliced 
Chicken stock - 4 - 5 cups
Heavy Whipping cream - 1 cup


Other Ingredients

Red Onion - 1 minced
Garlic - 4 cloves minced

Crushed Red Chili flakes - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp 
Olive oil - 2 tbs



Original Olive Garden recipe use sausage in their recipe I like to substitute with ground  turkey or Chicken 
I also like to use milk instead of whipping cream to make it a healthy version of the soup.You can also substitute kale with mustard leaves or even spinach.I also added a handful of sliced portabella mushroom!




Method in 4 easy steps

• Take a pot pour olive oil add minced garlic, crushed pepper flakes and onions fry till translucent.
• Add the Italian sausage or ground chicken or turkey and brown till it is cooked takes about 10 minutes, add sliced potatoes, chicken stock, salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring it to boil slow cook till potatoes are tender, add chopped kale cook for a few more minutes (approx 10 minutes.) 
• Finally add the whipping cream, heat thoroughly and serve with some warm Italian bread and butter and a side of salad.

Vegetable Kurma

Vegetable kurma

Ingredients

(Vegetables)

Carrots- 4 diced
Peas -1/2 cup
Beans- 1cup cut into 1/2 "
Potato- 3 diced
Turnips- 1 diced

Cinnamon stick-1
Cardamon -1
Cloves-2
Star anise-1

Onions 1 Chopped
Ginger 2" Minced
Garlic cloves-6 Minced
Chili-2 slit
Curry leaves few sprigs
Fennel powder- 2 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder-1 tbs
Pepper powder-1/2 tsp
Juice of 1 Lime
Cilantro leaves-1/2 bunch
Oil
Salt to taste

To Grind

Poppy Seed -1 tsp
Shredded Coconut-1/2 cup
Almonds- 5
Green Chili- 2

Adding 1/2 can coconut milk in the end  will give more gravy and make the curry look creamy.


Method

• Chop the vegetable,grind the coconut and other ingredients into a paste.

In a 4 quart pan add some oil add the whole spices wait for it to sputter then add the chopped onions,Green chili, minced ginger and garlic and curry leaves.Fry for a few minutes .

Add the masala powders and 1/4 cup water fry till the raw smell from the masala's disappear.

Add your cut up vegetables and 2 cups of water,salt to taste and simmer for about 10 minutes till your vegetable cook half way through, now add the ground paste and cook in low flame till u see the oil separate and the kurma thickens.

In the end add the juice of 1 lime and stir.

Turn the stove off garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.

Quick Mango and Coconut Milk Cup Cakes

mango and coconut milk cup cakes

Ingredients

Mango Pulp- 1/2 cup
All Purpose Flour- 2 cups
Sugar-3/4 cup
Baking powder- 2 tsp
Oil -1/2 cup
Coconut Milk- 1/2 cup
Shredded coconut -1 tbs
Pinch of Salt


Whisk the oil,sugar and pulp into a creamy paste
Mix the flour,salt and baking powder in another bowl.
Add some coconut milk and the flour alternate it till the flour is used up.
Just whisk it until it all comes together.

Preheat oven to 350 F,line the muffin pan and spoon the batter into it ,bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cutlets

Meat Cutlets

Main Ingredients

Mince meat- 2 lb
Potatoes- 4 large

 Ingredients

Onions- 2 minced  fine
Ginger-2" minced
Garlic -10 cloves minced
Green Chili-3 minced


Chili powder-2 tsp
Turmeric-1/2 tsp
Fennel seed powder- 2 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Pepper powder- 1 tsp
Salt to taste

Cilantro-1 bunch
Mint-1/2 bunch(optional)
Juice of 1 whole Lime

Bread crumbs- 2 cups(approx)
White of eggs or whole egg -3
Oil to fry

Method

Boil the meat in a pressure cooker for 20 minutes,I like to drain the excess water ,fat and cook on stove top till dry and very little moisture is left in the pan.

Cook the potatoes,peel,mash and keep it aside.

I mince the onions,ginger,garlic and chili in a chopper or food processor.

In a small frying pan fry the above minced ingredients till transparent add the masala's and fry till the raw smell disappears.

Now add the minced meat to it,now add the cilantro and mint leaves to it and fry till all the moisture is gone add salt,make sure it is well mixed.Turn the stove off.

When this meat mixture cooled to room temperature add the lime juice and the mashed potatoes mix it together ,make sure the spice and salt levels are okay then make small rounds flatten them, dip in beaten eggs and bread crumbs then shallow fry till crisp and crunchy on the outside.

Mango Loaf Cake -No Dairy,No Eggs!!

Mango Loaf Cake - Can be made vegan by substituting honey for maple syrup.

Ingredients

All purpose flour- 2 cups
Sugar-3/4th cup
Honey or Maple Syrup - 2 tbs
Baking powder- 2 tsp
Olive oil-1/2 cup
Mango pulp -1/2 cup
Coconut milk-1/2 cup or more

Easy Method

Whisk the oil,sugar and pulp into a creamy paste.
Add the baking powder ,followed by the all purpose flour alternating with the coconut milk.
Whisk till it all comes together into a smooth creamy batter don't over beat it spoon into a loaf pan.
Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes or till a stick comes out clean.
Moist and yummy to the crumb!!

OPTIONAL

Use some cranberries and slivered almonds instead of mango pulp.
Use Vanilla essence and make it a plain cake.
Use some chocolate chip. 

Bok Choy and Lentils infused with Garlic

Bok Choy and lentils infused with Garlic

Ingredients

Baby Bok Choy - 5
Toor Dhall -1 cup (Cooked)
Onion- 1
Garlic cloves- 4
Tomatoes-1
Salt
Oil
Mustard seeds
Cumin seeds
Curry leaves
Red chili- 2 de-seeded
Turmeric powder- pinch
Chili powder-1/2 tsp

• Chop the baby bok choy.
• Cook the toor dhall with enough water and turmeric powder.
• Dice the onions,tomatoes and slice the garlic cloves. 

Method

In a frying pan add about 2-3 tsp oil,when hot add the mustard seeds followed by the cumin seeds and slices garlic cloves.Fry for a minute then add diced onions fry till they turn transparent .To this add the masala powders and red chili,curry leaves and salt to taste.Fry a minute more then add diced tomatoes and chopped bok choy stir fry for 3-4 minutes.Then add the cooked toor dhall mix it well and check for salt let it come to a boil.Turn off the heat .