Magic Spice Powder

 We use a lot of different spices in Indian cooking. Each region has its own special spices. We use different spices for different dishes. Sambar powder, rasam powder, kootu powder, garam masala etc.

This spice powder is so versatile, you can use it enhance the flavor of different dishes. Just dry roast the ingredients, cool, powder and save.

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut

1/2 cup coriander seeds

1 Tablespoon fennel seeds

2 Tablespoons cumin seeds

1/4 Cup dried red chili

2 Tablespoons dry coconut

handful curry leaves

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

                                                             

1 Tablespoon turmeric

2 Tablespoons amchur (dried mango powder)

1 Tablespoon garam masala

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

1/4 cup kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

2 Tablespoons salt

                                                         

Method:

1. Dry roast the first 8 ingredients separately on low flame. Allow to cool completely.

                                                          

2. Blend the roasted ingredients, except sesame seeds to a  coarse powder. Set aside in a large bowl. Allow to cool completely.

                                                           

3. Mix the remaining 6 ingredients and roasted sesame seeds with the powdered spices in an airtight container.

                                    

                                                                  

4. You can add the spice powder to your favorite vegetable dishes, like potato, okra, beans, karela etc. Since the spices are already roasted, you can add it towards the end of cooking.

                                                   

Rawa Idly

 Idly is one of my go to comfort food. Growing up in a Tamil household, we had idly for breakfast every day. There are so many different types of idly one can make. Rawa idly is an instant idly you can make anytime you run out of options. You don't have to ferment the batter. All you need is roasted cream of wheat (rawa), and sour yogurt. This recipe makes 20 idlies 

Ingredients:

2 cups (heaped) coarse Rawa, roasted

2 cups thick sour plain yogurt (curd), beaten

6-8 green chili, chopped

2 Tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro and curry leaves

Salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

For Seasoning:

1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds 

1/2 teaspoon urad dal

1 teaspoon Bengal gram (channa dal)

10 curry leaves, chopped

1 1/2 Tablespoons broken cashews, roasted

                                                     

Method:

1. Mix beaten yogurt, roasted rawa, and salt in a large bowl, without any lumps. 

                                                                              

2. Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a small pan for tempering. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, channa dal, curry leaves and chopped green chili. When the mustard seeds pop, add asafetida, and pour the mixture to the batter. 

                                          

3. Add chopped cilantro and mix the batter. Leave covered for 15 minutes.

                                                                  

4. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda just before pouring the batter on the idly molds.

5. Pour 1/4 cup of batter to each idly mold. Steam cook for 10 minutes. 

                                                   

6. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

                                                        

Pesarettu (Mung Bean Crêpe)

Pesarettu (Mung bean crepe) is filled with proteins. It is a popular dish of Andhra, usually served with upma or onion stuffed in between.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole mung beans

1/8 cup raw rice

1 Tablespoon toor dal

4-5 green chili

1 inch ginger

Wash and soak all the ingredients for 6 hours.

                                                          

Drain water and grind the soaked ingredients to a smooth batter. Add salt and stir well. The batter will be light and airy.

                                                           

Prepare Pesarettu:

1. Heat skillet on medium heat. Spread 1/2 cup of the batter on the skillet. Drizzle 1 teaspoon oil around the edge. Cover crepe and cook for 2 minutes on low medium heat.  The color will change.

                                    

2. Gently flip the Pesarettu and cook for 2 minutes.

                                                             

2. Remove from pan. Repeat process for the remaining batter.

                                                      

Variation 1

1. Dice 1 onion and 3-4 green chili.

2. Sauté onion and chili and keep aside.

3. Spoon onion on one side of cooked Pesarettu. Fold the other side on top and serve with onion chutney.

Variation 2

Place a Tablespoon rava (semolina) upma on one side of the cooked Pesarettu and fold other side on top and serve with coconut chutney.