Kerala Vegetable Biriyani

Kerala Vegetable Biriyani

Kerala style vegetable biriyani.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4 people
Ingredients:

1. Basmati rice- 1.5 cups( see notes)
2. Cardamom-3 nos
3. Cinnamon stick,1.5" piece-2 nos
4. Bay leaf-1 no
5. Cloves- 5 to 6 nos
6. Ginger,chopped- 1 tsp
7. Garlic,chopped-1 tsp
8. Green chilies,cut vertically-2 or 3 nos( or to taste)
9. Onion,sliced- 1 medium( 3/4 cup)
10. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
11. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/2 to 1 tsp( according to taste)
12. Garam masala-1/2 tsp
13. Tomato,chopped- 1 medium( 1/2 cup)
14. Thick coconut milk-1/2 cup
15. Cooked vegetables( beans,carrot,green peas,cauliflower)-1.5 to 2 cups
16. Coriander leaves-to garnish
17. Oil-as required
18. Ghee-as required
19. Salt-to taste

To garnish:

1. Onion,finely sliced- 1 small
2. Cashew nuts-10 to 12 nos
3. Raisins-1 tbsp
4. Oil/Ghee-as required
5. Coriander leaves,chopped-as required
6. Garam masala-1/8 tsp

Instructions:

Heat oil/Ghee in a pan ,add rice and saute for 3 to 4 minutes,pour sufficient amount of water(approximately  3 cups) and add salt to taste.Cook until rice is 3/4th done.Keep aside.

Heat oil/ghee in a pan and fry sliced onion, cashew nuts and raisins (for garnishing)separately until it turns brown and keep aside.

Now heat oil in a pan ,add the whole spices(cardamon,cinnamon,cloves and bay leaves.) and saute till fragrant.

Add ginger ,garlic,green chili and onion , saute till onion turn almost brown.

Reduce heat to low,add turmeric powder,chili powder and garam masala,saute till raw smell leaves.

Add tomato and saute till it is completely cooked ,and masala starts to leave the sides of the pan.

Pour in the coconut milk and add salt to taste.Add the cooked vegetables and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on low flame or until the gravy turns thick.Switch off the stove ,add coriander leaves and mix well.

In a heavy bottomed pan arrange the vegetable masala and cooked rice in layers.Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves , garam masala( 1/8 tsp)  and few drops of ghee(adding ghee is optional) on each layer of rice.Garnish with fried onions,cashew nuts and raisins.Cover the vessel with aluminium foil.

Preheat oven to 200 deg C.Bake this  for about 10 to 12 minutes.(For stove top method,heat a tava/dosa pan and place the biriyani vessel on top of the tava,reduce flame to low and cook for about 20 minutes.)

Serve with onion salad.

NOTES

• If you like more masala for the biriyani ,use 1 and 1/4 cup rice ( like in the pic) or use 1.5 cups rice for a milder version.(I usually get about 3.5 cups cooked rice from 1 cup basmati rice.)

Unakka Chemmeen Peera Pattichathu | Dry prawns with coconut

Unakka Chemmeen Peera


Dried prawns cooked with coconut and fresh spices.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4 people
Ingredients:

1. Dried prawns- 1/2 cup
2. Fish tamarind/Kudampuli/Kokum- 1 or 2 small pieces
3. Grated coconut-3/4 to 1 cup
4. Shallots-3 to 4 nos
5. Green chilies-2 to 3 nos( or to taste)
6. Ginger,chopped-1/2 tsp
7. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
8. Curry leaves- 2 sprigs
9. Coconut oil-as required
10. Salt- to taste

Instructions:

Clean the dried prawns and soak it in water for about 15 minutes.Drain and keep aside.

Soak the fish tamarind in water for about 5 minutes

Coarsely grind together grated coconut,shallots,green chilies,ginger and turmeric powder.

In a manchatti/clay pot combine together dried  prawns,fish tamarind, prepared coconut mixture,curry leaves and salt to taste.Mix well until combined.Add required amount of water( about 3/4 cup ),cover and cook for about 15 minutes.

Uncover and cook until it is almost dry.Drizzle 1//2 tsp coconut oil on top,if desired.

Serve with rice.

Egg and Green Peas Kurma

Egg and green peas kurma




Recipe source : Magic Oven-Lakshmi Nair.
Kerala style egg and green peas curry with coconut milk.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5 people
Ingredients:

1. Hard boiled eggs- 5 nos
2. Onion,finely sliced-2 large
3. Green chilies,cut vertically-4 to 5 nos( or to taste)
4. Coriander powder-1.5 tsp
5. Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
6. Tomato,pureed-2 medium
7. Potato,boiled and diced- 2 small( see notes)
8. Green peas,cooked and drained-1/2 cup( see notes)
9. Thin coconut milk-1.5 cups
10. Thick coconut milk-1/2 cup
11. Curry leaves-2 sprigs
12. Coriander leaves-to garnish
13. Coconut oil-as required
14. Salt-to taste

For Masala paste:

1. Whole black pepper- 1 tsp( see notes)
2. Cinnamon-1" piece
3. Cloves- 3 to 4 nos
4. Cardamom-3 nos
5. Ginger-1" piece
6. Garlic-4 small cloves

Instructions:

Coarsely grind together all the ingredients listed under "for masala paste".Keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan,add onion and green chilies,saute until it turns golden brown.

Add the prepared masala paste and saute until raw smell leaves.

Add coriander powder and turmeric powder,saute for a minute.

Now add pureed tomato and salt to taste.Cook until oil starts to separate.

Add potato and green peas.Mix well until combined.

Now add thin coconut milk and bring it to a boil.

Add hard boiled eggs and cook for about 5 minutes.Add thick coconut milk and bring it to just under a boil.

Add curry leaves and coriander leaves.Mix well.

Serve with appam,idiappam or chapathi.

NOTES

• I used about 1 and 1/4 cups cooked green peas,and omitted the potatoes.
• The original recipe calls for 1.5 tsp of whole black pepper.Adjust the quantity according to your spice level. 

Chocolate fudge frosting

Chocolate Fudge Frosting


Recipe source : You can find the original recipe here
Easy and delicious ,chocolate fudge frosting.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Makes: 1.5 cups ( approx)
Ingredients:

1. Cocoa powder- 1 cup
2. Sugar-2 cups
3. All purpose flour-1/2 cups
4. Milk- 3 cups
5. Butter,softened- 1/2 cup
6. Vanilla extract- 1 tsp

Instructions:

In a bowl,combine together cocoa,sugar and all purpose flour using a whisk.

Add milk and butter,mix well until combined.

Cook,stirring continuously on a double boiler until it is thick enough to spread.( adjust the consistency according to your requirement ,as frosting turn slightly thick when it cools down)

Add vanilla extract and mix well.(I also added 1 tsp instant coffee powder)

Allow it to cool a bit before using. 

NOTES

• For best results use good quality cocoa powder.
• You can find the recipe for Eggless chocolate cupcakes here

 

One bowl - eggless chocolate cupcake | Vegan chocolate cupcake

One bowl eggless chocolate cupcake


Recipe source : Instructables ,You can find the original recipe here
Quick,easy and super moist ,one bowl chocolate cupcake.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 22 minutes
Makes: 18 cupcakes
Ingredients:

1. All purpose flour- 1 and 1/4 cup
2. Sugar-1 cup
3. Cocoa powder-1/3 cup
4. Baking soda-1 tsp
5. Salt- 1 pinch
6. Warm water-1 cups
7. Vanilla extract-1 tsp
8. Vegetable oil-1/3 cup
9. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar-1 tsp

For Ganache:

1. Chopped dark chocolate- 1/2 cup
2. Thick cream ( use coconut cream for vegan ganache)-1/2 cup
3. Instant coffee powder-1/4 tsp(optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180 Deg C.Line the muffin tin with paper cases.Keep aside.

In a mixing bowl,mix together all purpose flour,sugar,cocoa powder,baking soda and salt until combined.

Add water,vanilla extract,oil and vinegar,mix well using a whisk ,just until combined.

Fill the cupcake cases about 2/3 rd full.

Bake for about 20 to 22 minutes or until  a skewer inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Allow it to cool completely.

To prepare ganache,in a saucepan bring cream to just under a boil. Transfer to a mixing bowl , add chopped chocolate and coffee powder( if using).Mix well until combined.

Dip the top of each cupcake in the ganache.Decorate with chocolate curls or grated chocolate.

NO BAKE LAYERED PINEAPPLE BREAD PUDDING

No bake pineapple bread pudding


Quick, easy and delicious layered pineapple bread pudding with praline.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: - minutes
Serves: 8 to 10 people
Ingredients:

1. Whipping cream- 2 cups
2. Thick cream-2 cups
3. Icing sugar-3 to 4 tbsp
4. White bread- 14 to 16 slices
5. Pineapple,chopped- 2 cups(see notes)

For Praline

1. Sugar-1/3 cup
2. Water-1 to 2 tbsp
3. Chopped nuts- 3/4 cup(i used cashew nuts)

For Sugar syrup

1. Sugar-3/4 cup
2. Water-1 1/4 cup

Instructions:

In a large bowl combine together whipping cream and thick cream.Whip using an electric mixer.

When it starts to thicken add icing sugar and continue to whip until it form soft peaks.

Spread a thin layer of cream on the base of a large pudding dish/ or small individual bowls.

Remove the crusts from the bread  and cut each slice into four.Dip the bread pieces in the sugar syrup and squeeze it well .Place them over the layer of cream.

Spread another layer of cream over the bread layer.Sprinkle praline on top of the cream.

Sprinkle  chopped pineapple and spread another layer of cream .Place few bread pieces over this.

Repeat the layers and finish off with praline and chopped pineapple.

Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

To prepare Praline

In a non stick pan,stir in sugar and water.Heat until sugar dissolves.Cook until the syrup turns pale amber colour. Gently swirl the pan in between,if required.

Add the chopped nuts and stir well.Mix well until combined.Continue to cook until the colour changes to deep amber.

Immediately transfer onto a grease tray ,spreading it as thinly as possible.Allow to cool completely and crush it using a rolling pin.Keep aside.( This can be made 2 or 3 days ahead,store in an airtight container)

To prepare Sugar syrup

Drain the syrup from the canned pineapple and keep aside.

Combine  sugar and water in a saucepan,heat until sugar dissolves.Bring this to a boil.

Let it cool.

Add the syrup from the canned pineapple and mix well.( skip this step if you are using fresh pineapple)

NOTES

• If you are using fresh pineapple ,increase the quantity of sugar syrup.

7 EASY CHRISTMAS DESSERTS AND SWEETS RECIPES

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Easy Christmas desserts and sweets - Click on the below pictures for the recipes

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Easy one bowl brownie

Eggless chocolate cake/Vegan chocolate cake

Eggless carrot cake/Vegan carrot cake

No cook choco rolls

No cook spiced date truffles

Eggless vanilla cake

No cook double layer fudge