Microwave Bhindi Fry/Ladies' Finger/Okra/Bamia/Gumbo-In 5 easy steps with Less Oil-

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies' Finger is one common vegetable we use in South India. Generally in Tamilians house, they make normal Vendaka kari but i just tried one in microwave which is actually very easy and time consuming.When i was working, i have to rush to office,pack off lunch for me and my husband.So i tried this method and now this is our favourite when we cook ladies' finger and this is my husband's favourite also.

This is very ideal for bachelors and working women.

Now let's see how to do this.

I use IFB microwave so you can try this in all owens too(Even in normal owen).

Ingredients:

1.)Ladies' Finger               - As required(Get small ones which will give you good taste)

2.)Salt                               - As required

3.)Sambhar Masala          - As required

4.) Olive Oil                     - Half normal size teaspoon

Serving                        :      Two people

Cooking Time             :      15 Mins

Method:

1.)Clean the ladies' finger well in running water.

2.)Now just chop both the ends of the ladies' finger and cut them into half small pieces as shown.

3.)Now just add half a teaspoon of olive oil and required salt to this and mix well.

4.)I used stuffed veg option in my owen.You can give the suitable one in yours. 

  

5.)Depending upon the crunchiness you want, you can continue cooking it.So in my owen ,first i had
    6 mins with oil and salt alone and now i am going to add the required masala.
 
    Here is used normal Sambhar masala powder(home made).Just one and a half spoon.If you want
    you can add chilli powder also or any masala generally you use for making ladies' finger in gas.

6.)Now it is almost ready and now finally after another 5 mins of cooking, the bhindi fry is ready as
    below.

Now the bhindi fry is ready and you can add grated coconut to this for a superb taste.Because
coconut with ladies' finger gives awesome taste.Try it!!!!!!!!Since i was in a hurry that day, i
could not use coconut.Just sprinkle the fresh grated coconut on this.

Note:

1.)Do not add the coconut and cook as it will become hard.

2.)Some people will add this fry in curd and have.You can try that also.

Bon Appetit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishwarya Balaji

Wheat Bread Banana Pudding with Nuts

Hi friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pudding can usually be a dessert or even a savory dish.

Generally pudding refers to non-vegetarian ingredients like eggs,meat etc but when time runs, now the word pudding denotes various desserts which are made out of many multiple cereals,fruits,and so on. There are baked,steamed and boiled puddings.

I love puddings and this wheat bread banana pudding with nuts is one which i make often because it is very healthy too. Nuts are part of our daily breakfast and it is a booster for your whole day.

Now let's see about the pudding.

Serving                     :   8 People

Cooking Time          :   15 Mins

Refrigerating Time  :   5 Hrs(Depends on the quantity)

Ingredients:

1.)Milk                               -  In a bowl as shown

2.)Badam                           - In a pudding bowl as shown

3.)Walnuts                         - In a pudding bowl as shown

4.)Grapes                           -In a pudding bowl as shown

5.)Ovaltine                        -In a puddig bowl as shown(I used ovaltine for chocolate flavour, you can
                                            also use any other chocolate flavoring which can be used in milk)

6.)Custard Powder           -In a pudding bow; as shown

7.)Strawberry Sauce        - As shown(Here i used Hershey's,You can choose some other brand also)

8.)Wheat Bread               -I used one small packet of wheat bread.(I got one from Hot breads)

9.)Bread crumb               - As shown in the pudding bowl.

10.)Bananas                    - Any banana but only 4 nos.


Note:I am not here to promote any brands. I am just mentioning the product which i use,if you find
        something better,you can try.


Method:

1.)Soak the wheat bread in normal plain room temperature water.

2.)Now the bread will turn soft and squeeze of the excess water in it, Now put them in a jar and grind.

3.)Now grind it into a fine paste where no lumps should be there.

4.)Now add all the ingredients in this mixture;except bread crum and custard.

5.)Now mix the whole ingredients and it will be like the nuts hopping between the bread paste.Now
    add the bread crumb and mix well again.

6.)Mix well and form a good smooth pudding.

7.)Keep this open for 15 mins in room temperature(Do not close with any lid).

8.)Now peal off the bananas and grind them into a smooth paste.No lumps should be there.

9.)Now make a custard liquid by adding water and making a smooth paste of custard.(Do not add
    custard directly to the pudding as it will have small small lumps).And mix the whole pudding well.

10.)Now grind this pudding mixture in to a smooth paste and add the banana grinded paste to this.

11.)Now finally the pudding mixture is ready and now you can refrigerate the same for 5 hrs.Do not
      close the bowl while refrigerating and do not disturb it also.

12.)Since my serving is large, it took me 5 hrs for the pudding to set.If you have less quantity you
      will have lesser time for refrigerating.To check whether the pudding is ready insert a knife and
      see and when it is sticky, it need some more time be in the fridge or else the pudding is ready.

13.)Since it has bananas in it, you have to refrigerate the pudding and it would taste good only for
      2 days.

Serve the pudding with any juice of your choice,

Bon Appetit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishwarya Balaji

Veg Fried Rice(Sans/without Ajinomoto and Soya Sauce)with Onion Raita-Non Stick pressure pan made

Hello everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fried Rice is one dish which all people love to eat when prepared.It is actually healthy too because it has no masala and vegetables are also included.

I usually make fried rice in olive oil and Basmati rice only.

So now let's check how to make easy veg fried rice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cooking Time  - 20 Mins

Serving             - 2 people

Ingredients:

1.)Basmati Rice          -   1 cup(For measurements please refer my measurements post)

2.)Beans                      -  One cup(After chopping)

3.)Carrot                      - One cup(After chopping)

4.)Spring Onions         - Half cup(After chopping)

5.)Green Chillies         -As required

6.)Ginger                     - 2 Spoons(Normal big spoon)(Chopped Ones)

7.)Garlic                      - 2 Spoons(Normal big spoon)(Chopped Ones)

8.)Capsicum                - 2 Big ones(Chopped)

9.)Salt                          -As required

10.)Olive Oil               -2 spoons(Normal big spoon)

11.)White pepper        - As required

12.)Sugar                    - Half Spoon(Normal big spoon)

13.)Onion                   - 1 Big one

14.)Fresh Curd           - 2 soup Bowls(Ref Measurements post)

15.)Star Anise            - Half a Teaspoon(Normal small spoon)

16.)Cloves                 - Half a Teaspoon(Normal small spoon)

17.)Nutmeg Mace     - 2 Nos
     (Red)          

Method:

1.)Soak the Basmati rice for 20 mins in normal room temperature water before cooking and keep it
    aside.

2.)Now heat the pressure pan and pour olive oil as said above.

3.)Now put the nutmeg , cloves and star anise as said.

4.)After the three spices turn little brown, put the chopped ginger and garlic pieces and fry them.

5.)Now add the green chillies as per your requirement.

6.)Now add the chopped vegetables and fry them.

7.)Now add salt as per your requirement.

8.)Add white pepper as per your spice flavour but remember you have already added green chillies
    too.

9.)Now add the soaked basmati rice and pour water.

    Water Measurement- For one cup of basmati rice pour, 1 and half cup water.The cup which i have
                                      shown in my measurements post.(Pls refer)

10.)Now close the lid and just give only two whistles and turn off.

11.)Now the fried rice part is ready.

12.)Now heat the pan and just sprinkle olive oil again and saute the chopped capsicums.Add sugar
      as per the said quantity and fry them.

Dont get panic at this stage you have to stir continously as the capsicums will get sticky due to less oil and we have added sugar also. Nothing will happen just fry them continously.

13.)Now add the chopped spring onions to it and fry them along.

Note:Do not add salt in this. We have already added in the whole fried rice itself.

14.)Add this mixture to the main fried rice,squeeze lemon as said in the above quantity.

Raita:

1.)Take fresh curd as said above.

2.)Put the chopped onions in the curd and mix well.

3.)Now add salt as required(it should not be full salt, a pinch or two is only recommended).

4.)Mix well and garnish with coriander.

Now serve hot fried rice with raita.

Note:

1.)If you prefer, you can add chaat masala to the raita.

2.)Do not use sour curd as it well turn out the raita in a very bad taste after an hour itself.

3.)If you soak the rice for 20 mins before cooking, the rice will not be sticky.

4.)If you add white pepper,check your chillies quantity as white pepper will immediately increase
    the spice flavour.So balance both of them and cook.

Bon Appetit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishwarya Balaji

My Measurements for all dishes

Hello Friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These are the general measurements which i use in daily cooking for all dishes.

In this,

1.)Normal big spoon           - One at the left side

2.)Small big spoon              - Next to No.1

3.)Pudding Bowl Size         - Next to No.2

4.)1 Cup                              -Next to Pudding bowl

5.)One soup Spoon             - Top left corner

6.)Soup Bowl                     -Next to No.5

7.)1 Tumbler                      -Next to Soup Bowl

8.)1 Coffee tumbler           -Below No.7

These are the general ones and if i put anything other than this, i will specify with pictures.

Bon Appetit!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishwarya Balaji

Crispy Fried Vegetables-kadai

Hello Friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crispy fried vegetables is one of the common favourite dish for everyone. I also love it and it is very simple to cook also.

According to me, i tasted the best fried vegetables in Hotel Mahamudra Mylapore,Chennai. It is my most favourite hotel and it will always be in my wish list. Food served there is excellent.And the most beautiful thing about this hotel is their ambience,less oil, fresh food and healthy food. So you also go and try this hotel.When i went to Goa also, i tried this one,but they make it in a different way.
In goa, fried vegetables are done more saucier.So this menu done is purely my innovation, so you also try it.It is very simple and easy to cook.

Serving:4 people

Cooking Time:15 Mins

Ingredients:

1.)Potato                     - 2 (Normal size)

2.)Carrot                     - 2 (Normal Size)

3.)Beans                      - 10 Nos

4.)Cornflour                - 2 teaspoons(Normal small size spoon)

5.)Bengal gram           - 3 teaspoons(Normal small size spoon)

6.)Rice Flour              - 3 teaspoons(Normal small size spoon)

7.)Salt                         - As required

8.)Green chillies        - As required

9.)Curry leaves          -3 full strings

10.)Sesame                - 3 teaspoons(Normal small size spoon)(White sesame)

11.)Water                  - As required

12.)Oil                      -Required for frying

Note:Chop all the vegetables in julienne cut method.(like matchsticks)

Method:

1.)Chop all the vegetables as mentioned above.

2.)Now add all the above said ingredients in the mentioned quantity.

Chop the green chillies and curry leaves into pieces and then add.

3.)Now mix them well by adding little water as required.No lumps should be formed.

4.)Heat the oil in a kadai and fry them.

Serve them hot with tomato sauce and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Note:  1.)You can also add red chilli flakes for more spicy flavour.

           2.)You can add little soya sauce also.

           3.)You can add capsicum and beetroot also for this menu, if you wish.

Bon appetit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishwarya Balaji

Parmesan Cheese Spagetti with Mushrooms - Pan Made

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spagetti is one of my favourite and i love to eat spagetti. I first tasted spagetti in Paris and Pizza too when i visited my uncle's place.I tasted in Lourdes which is a fantastic place to see and it has a beautiful church and a elegant history behind that.You can read the same in google.And according to me each person should visit Paris which is a heaven to live in.

Spagetti actually originated from Italy but now in India everyone started to make one. My husband also loves but he does not like hard cheese in this but i love it.So this spagetti which i made is with Parmesan Cheese.

Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese category and it can be used in spagetti,soups etc.I have tasted this parmesan cheese in a snack flavour also. And i love Auroville Cheese which is made freshly and hope you know about Auroville.It is a very beautiful place and me and my husband love to go for a drive there whenever we go to Pondicherry.You will get Auroville cheese everywhere but in selected stores only.

Mushrooms are the most protein rich food available and here i have used button mushrooms from Farm fresh. It is very good for people who lack Vitamin D3.Mushrooms have various vitamins like Thiamine,Riboflavin, Niacin,Vitamin C etc.

This is a small introduction about my Post title and hope you have got an idea of my recipe now.

And i want to share a few things about Basil leaves which i am adding in my recipe.

Basil leaves is the most sought ingredient in spagetti. Basil leaves must be added at the last moment as it will give a sour flavour if you cook it for a long time. Basil leaves also have many vitamins and i recently read an article that Basil leaves are potential treaters for Cancer. Nowadays in India itself, people have started growing herbs in their houses like Basil leaves, Rosemary,Dill etc.


Let's go the menu now.

Serving             - 2 People

Cooking Time  -30 mins

Ingredients:

1.)Spagetti                  - Any Italian brand you like and according to the number of people.

2.)Salt                         -As required.

3.)Butter                     - As required

4.)Button Mushrooms- 1 packet

5.)Rosemary               - 2 pinches

6.)Oregano                  - 1 pinch

7.)Parsley                    - 1 pinch

8.)Chives                     - 2 pinches

9.)Basil leaves             -2 pinches

10.)Chilli Flakes          -According to your spice requirement

11.)Italian Seasoning   - 1 Pinch

12.)Dill                         -1 pinch

13.)Mixed Herbs          - 1 pinch

14.)Pasta seasoning      - 1 pinch

15.)Tulsi                       - 2 leaves

16.)Olive oil                 - 2 teaspoons(normal big spoon)

17.)Water                      -As required

Method:

1.) Take a Pan and add water and allow the water to boil.

2.)Now take the spagetti as required.I cooked to serve two people.I used Grani Italiani,Seliezione
    black packet.You can use any spagetti of your choice.

3.)Now add two drops of ghee in the boiling water so that the spagetti comes out non-sticky and very
    smoothly.

4.)Now after the water starts to boil, immerse the spagetti one by one.Do not break them or crush.
    Just immerse the stick and when it starts to boil further, it will get whirled and immersed by itself.

                                     

5.)When the spagetti gets immersed fully, do not lift it with a single spoon or any cutlery for that

    matter. Take two normal spoons and take as you pick up something and do not break any of the 

    sticks at this stage. 

6.)Meanwhile, you can make the mushrooms ready. The spagetti will take some 12-15 mins to cook,       until you can start cooking the mushrooms.

7.)Wash the mushrooms in clean running water.You can show mushrooms in the running water 

     because you will have small small black dots in the mushrooms which will go away easily when 

     you show in the running water.Because when you try to take it in hands without water, the outer 

     skins of mushrooms will come out. So try this way.

8.)And finally wash the mushrooms in salt water and drain them off. Please do not put lot of salt as 

    it will catch in the mushrooms. So just add some salt and wash them immediately.Do not soak and

    keep them.

9.)Now after cleaning cut the mushrooms into two pieces.

10.)Now heat a kadai and add half a teaspoon of butter(normal big spoon).

11.)After the butter melts, saute the mushrooms, and fry till it becomes soft and turns little golden

      brown.

12.)Generally when i use mushrooms in spagetti, i do not add salt to mushrooms seperately.So just

       saute the mushrooms and leave.

13.)Now the mushrooms are ready.And let's see the spagetti now. 

14.)Spagetti will immerse fully by itself when it is fully cooked and you can check with a knife

      to confirm whether it has been cooked or not. If you are able to cut a stick, then it is cooked or

      allow it to boil for some more time.

15.)After the spagetti is cooked, drain it and take off the excess water in it.

16.)Now heat the kadai again and pour a spoon of olive oil.(You can add olive oil at the end for 

      dressing also).

17.)After the olive oil is hot, saute the spagetti and put the mushrooms also.

18.)Now add all the spices mentioned above(from 5 to 15 in the ingredients list) in the said quantity

      and mix them well with the spagetti and mushrooms.

19.)Now add the required salt for the whole recipe.(Some add bits of salt everywhere in the recipe but

      i add only at the last which i feel is safe).

20.)I have chosen PARMESAN CHEESE here which is actually a hard cheese as i mentioned before.

      So you can grate this cheese and top it on the spagetti.

21.)So grate this cheese and make a topping on your spagetti.But i love this cheese to be melted but 

       the only problem is this cheese when melted becomes very hard if you do not eat immediately.

       And it will be little bit salty too.So if you want you grate it or eat like me but mostly this cheese

       will only be grated but what to do taste differs from each person.

22.)If you melt it please eat it immediately, as the cheese will turn harder the next second.

23.)Top the cheese on the spagetti and enjoy your meal with sauce of your choice. 

Bon appetit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ishwarya Balaji