Pavakka Fry | Bitter Gourd Fry

Bitter Gourd Fry

Kerala style Bitter Gourd fry.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:

1. Pavakka / Bitter Gourd ,sliced (1/4" thick )- 2 Cups( 2 medium)
2. Rice powder - 1/2 cup
3. Kashmiri chili powder - 1 to 1.5 tsp(or according to taste)
4. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Black pepper powder - 1/8 to 1/4 tsp( or according to taste)
6. Asafoetida /Kayam podi - 1/8 tsp
7. Salt - to taste
8. Water - as required
9. Oil - For deep frying

Instructions:

Slice bitter gourd into 1/4" thick pieces.In a mixing bowl combine together rice powder,kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder,black pepper powder ,asafoetida and salt to taste.Mix well until combined. 

Add sufficient quantity of water and mix well to form a smooth,medium thick batter .( like dosa batter).

Dip the bitter gourd slices in the prepared batter .(If the batter turns thick ,add few tsp of water and mix well.If it turns too thin to coat the slices,add few tsp of rice powder to adjust the consistency .)

Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the bitter gourd slices in batches.After about 40 to 50 seconds gently stir so that the pieces don't stick to each other.Fry until it turns brown and crispy.Transfer onto a clean kitchen towel.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of Kashmiri chili powder according to your taste.

Karimeen Masala Roast | Kerala style Pearl Spot Roast

Karimeen Masala Roast

Kerala style fried Pearl spot with spicy onion masala.
Recipe source: Magic Oven,Lakshmi Nair
Prep Time: 20 minutes+ 30 minutes marination
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4
Ingredients:

1. Karimeen /Pear Spot- 3 medium( or 4 small sized)
2. Ginger ,finely chopped - 1 tbsp
3. Onion,finely chopped - 1 medium
4. Shallots,sliced - 1/4 cup
5. Green chilies,chopped - 2 to 3( or according to taste)
6. Curry leaves - 3 to 4 sprigs
7. Water - 1/2 cup
8. Salt - to taste
9. Coconut oil - as required

For Masala paste:

1. Dry red chilies - 20 to 25( or according to taste ,see notes)
2. Shallots /chumannulli - 8
3. Garlic- 10 small cloves
4. Whole black pepper - 1/2 tsp
5. Vinegar - 1 tbsp
6. Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
7. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp

Instructions:

Soak dry red chilies in water for about 15 minutes .In a blender combine together soaked( drained) red chilies and the rest of the ingredients listed under ' For masala paste'.Grind to form a smooth paste.Add salt to taste and mix well. 

Make deep slits on the cleaned fish.Take half of the prepared masala paste and rub it well on to the fish.Keep aside for atleast 30 minutes.

Next to prepare onion masala- heat oil in a pan,add ginger and saute for few seconds or until raw smell leaves.Now add onion,shallots,green chilies and few curry leaves.

Saute until onion turns golden brown.Next add the remaining masala paste and cook,until oil starts to separate.Stir well in between to avoid burning.

Add water and salt to taste.Mix well and cook until the gravy turns thick and spreadable.

Next heat oil in a pan and add 2 sprigs curry leaves.Shallow fry the marinated fish until it turns brown on both the sides,turning once in between.Transfer the fried fish onto a serving plate and spread an even layer of the prepared onion masala on both sides of the fish..(Cover and keep aside for atleast 15 minutes before serving for the flavors to mingle.)Serve with rice or chapathi.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of dry red chilies according to your taste.If you want it less spicy, remove the seeds before preparing the masala or you can use dry Kashmiri red chilies instead of  dry red chilies. 
  

7 Easy Diwali Sweets Recipes- 2014

---

7 Easy sweets recipes for Diwali - Click on the below pictures for the recipes

---

Rava Laddu

Kaju Katli

Carrot Halwa / Gajar Halwa

Kerala Boli /Poli

Milk Peda /Paal Peda

Oat and Date Laddu

Besan Laddu

Milk Peda | Paal Peda | Easy Diwali Sweets Recipes

Milk Peda

Milk Peda using milk powder and condensed milk-quick and easy diwali sweets recipe.
Recipe source:Jeyashri's Kitchen,you can find the original recipe here.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 to 10 minutes
Makes: 30 to 35 pedas
Ingredients:

1. Milk Powder- 2 Cups
2. Condensed Milk - 1 Can ( 400 gms)
3. Saffron - 1 Pinch
4. Ghee / butter - 2.5 Tbsp

Instructions:

In a pan combine together milk powder,condensed milk,saffron and ghee.Mix well until combined,to form a thick paste.( Add 1 tbsp milk,if it is too thick.)

Cook over medium-low flame for 8 to 10 minutes or until it starts to leave the sides of the pan,and form a soft ball.Transfer to a large bowl and allow it to cool slightly.

Take 1.5 to 2 tbsp of the mixture and roll it into a  ball.Use the bottom of a patterned glass to stamp a design on the peda,if desired.Brush the bottom of the glass with ghee or butter to avoid sticking.

Place the peda on the bottom of the glass and gently press to flatten it .Carefully transfer it onto a serving tray.Repeat with the remaining peda mixture.

OR ,Transfer the mixture onto a greased surface and roll it to a thickness of 3/4".

Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for upto a week.

NOTES

• Do not over cook the peda mixture,if you do so it may turn hard / chewy.