Showing posts with label Dal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dal. Show all posts

Menthe Pathrode | Methi Pathrode





I never knew gardening could be so much fun. My heart swells with pride every time a seed I sowed, breaks the mud barrier and rises up to face the earth. Those two little green leaves soaking in the sunlight, fill me with hope and love. Some of the easiest things to grow have never worked with me - tomatoes & chillies. For some reason these just refuse to bear fruit in my garden no matter what I do or how much nutrition I give them :( But there are some others which ask for nothing and just give give and give. Spinach is one of them and the other is Fenugreek or Methi or Menthe. I had my own fresh bunch of methi leaves, so I decided to make something special.









I love Pathrode. Traditionally, pathrode is made by rubbing a paste of rice, lentils, coconut and spices onto 
Colocasia leaves/ Kesavina ele, rolling and steaming them. Colocasia leaves are a little difficult to find in Bangalore, they are more common along the Konkan coast of India. In their absence, Methi makes for a good substitute. Here instead of rubbing the leaves with the spice paste, the leaves are chopped and added to the paste and steamed wrapped in banana leaves. If you cannot get banana leaf, do not worry, you can just just steam them in greased bowls.


Clockwise L-R: Ground rice, Spice paste, Steamed pathrode, Pathrode to be steamed


Once they are cooked and cooled, crumble them and stir fry with a tempering of mustard and curry leaves. And don't forget to garnish with desiccated fresh coconut.






Menthe Pathrode | Methi Pathrode



Methi PathrodeA traditional Mangalore snack made by steaming rice and fenugreek/methi leaves together with a spice paste

Recipe Type:  Snacks / Appetizer
Cuisine:          South Indian / Mangalorean
Prep Time:     8 Hours (Includes soaking of rice)
Cook time:     90 minutes
Yield:              3-4 Servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup White Rice
1/2 cup Red Rice
2 cups chopped or 1 bunch Methi
2-3 Tbsp Coriander seeds
1 tsp Tamarind paste
3-4 dry Red Chillies (I used 3 red chillies and added 1/2 tsp of chilli powder)
1/2 tsp Jaggery (You can use sugar instead)
1/2 Tbsp Urad dal
2-3 cloves Garlic
4 Tbsp dessicated Coconut
2-3 Tbsp Water
3 tsp Oil
8-10 Curry leaves
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
Salt

Method:


  • Soak rice overnight.
  • Drain out all the water and grind it. It should not be fine, it should remain coarse. It will attain a sticky consistency.
  • Dry roast the urad dal and coriander seeds until they are slightly brown.
  • Add 1 tsp of oil and fry the red chillies until they are crisp.
  • Allow them to cool and then grind into a powder along with the coriander seeds and urad dal.
  • Add the coconut, jaggery, garlic and tamarind and grind into a paste along with 1-2 tbsp of water.
  • Add this masala to the rice and mix well. Preferably just mix in the mixer.
  • Add salt.
  • Add the chopped methi leaves and mix well.
  • You now need to steam this.
  • If using a cooker or an idli steamer, allow it to heat up and produce steam before placing the pathrode in it.
  • It is better to steam it wrapped in banana leaves, but if you don't have it steam in bowls. Grease the bowls before you spoon in the pathrode.
  • Steam on medium flame for 18-20 mins until it is cooked. Depending on the size of the parcels or the bowl, you may need more or less time. If using banana leaf, the change in colour is a good indication that it is cooked.
  • Allow it to cool and then crumble it using your fingers.
  • Heat the remaining oil in a pan. Add the mustard seeds once the oil is hot.
  • After they splutter, add the curry leaves and pour this tempering into the crumbled pathrode.
  • Add dessicated fresh coconut and mix well.
  • Serve hot as a snack/ appetizer.
Read more ...

Kadle Bele Payasa | Chana Dal Payasam


Guysss !!! "100" H-U-N-D-R-E-D... This is my 100th post on OneTeaspoonOfLife...

How to make Kadale Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

My first milestone in my blogging journey. Ever since I reached the nervous 90's, I started thinking about what my 100th post should be. I asked for suggestions from family, but I was more confused than ever. I wanted it to be something sweet, something influenced by my roots and most of all, something I love.

Kadle Bele Payasa has been a favourite since childhood. And to top it, this was a part of the naivedyam (offering) to Lord Ganesha for Ganesh Chaturthi. I made it long back, but held on, on posting it, so I could make it my 100th. So blessed by Lord Ganesha, comes my 100th recipe on this blog for the simple, delicate and delicious Kadle Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam.

Kadle Bele Payasa is a South Indian Kheer or pudding made using Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram) and Rice. The dal and rice are cooked in coconut milk along with cardamom and jaggery.

How to make Kadale Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

The base of this payasa or kheer is the Chana Dal. The dal needs to be soaked for at least 2-3 hours to make cooking it easier. I pressure cooked it, but you can easily cook it in a deep saucepan. Usually, dal is cooked until it disintegrates and is mushy, but not in this case. The dal should be just cooked. It should still retain its shape and should still have a slight bite to it.

The other major ingredient here is the rice. And just like the chana dal, it needs to be just cooked. The rice grains should not be mushy. They should still have a bite to them.

Coconut is the soul of South India and also of this Kadle Bele Payasa. The Kadle Bele Payasa gets its creaminess from coconut. You can add coconut milk or finely ground coconut flesh. I sometimes add coconut milk and sometimes the ground coconut. The difference is not in taste, but in texture. Coconut milk gives it smooth creaminess while the ground coconut gives the payasa a coarse texture.

How to make Kadale Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

Jaggery is unrefined cane sugar. If you don't have access to jaggery, you can add palm sugar or brown sugar or any unrefined sugar. If you are using jaggery, I suggest using the darkest variety you get. Dark jaggery has the least amount of additives it in and has a richer taste.
No Indian sweet is complete without ground Cardamom. Just the fragrance of cardamom reminds me of dessert.

Dry fruits are totally optional for this Kadle Bele Payasa, but I don't know any dish where the addition of dry fruits has ruined it. Add them just chopped or fry them in ghee like I did. If you are vegan or want to make a vegan dessert, skip the ghee and just lightly toast the dry fruits. I added cashew nuts and raisins, you can add almonds as well.

If you are making this for Naivedyam or as an offering to god, refrain from tasting it. Follow the recipe and you should be good. Hold off on the jaggery if you are concerned it being too sweet while offering it in Naivedyam. You can heat a little water and dissolve jaggery in it and mix it to the payasa while eating.

How to make Kadale Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

If you liked this, you may also like:
  • Modak - Modaks are traditional steamed Indian dumpling made from rice flour, coconut and jaggery. Served as an offering to Lord Ganesha in West and South India. 
  • Coconut Laddoo - Instant Fudge balls made with coconut and condensed milk.
  • Mavinahannu Seekarne - Maavina Hannu Seekarne or Aamras is a simple traditional dessert made with mango pulp and milk and flavored with cardamom.



Kadle bele payasa | Chana dal payasam

How to make Kadale Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com
Kadle Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam is a South Indian kheer or pudding made with rice, lentils and fresh coconut.

Recipe Type:  Dessert
Cuisine:          South Indian
Prep Time:     2 Hours (Includes lentil soaking time)
Cook time:     60 minutes
Yield:              2-3 Servings

Ingredients:


0.5 cup Kadle bele / Chana dal
2-3 Tbsp Cooked rice
0.5 cup desiccated fresh Coconut or 1 cup Coconut Milk
0.5 cup Jaggery (grated or shaved)
1 tsp or 4 pods of Cardamom
8-10 Cashew nuts(Split) (Optional)
8-10 Kismis / Raisins(Optional)
1 Tbsp Ghee (Optional)
Water as required

Method:


Soak the kadle bele for 2-3 hours.
Pressure cook it with water until done. It should be cooked but not mushy. I cooked it in 2 cups of water for around 10 mins/ 2-3 whistles.
Pour the kadle bele along with 1 cup of the water it was cooked in, into a kadhai. Keep the flame low.
Add the cooked rice to it.
If using coconut milk, just pour it to the kadhai with the kadle bele and rice. If using fresh cococut, grind it with water until it is is fine and then add this to the kadhai.
Add the grated jaggery and cardamom and cook for 5-10 mins until the jaggery melts and mixes evenly. I suggest adding it by the spoonful until the sweetness is right for you. Add water as required. The consistency is usually on the thicker side.
In another small pan, heat the ghee and lightly fry the cashew nuts and raisins until the cashews are light brown and add this to the payasa. If you are vegan, toast the cashews lightly instead of frying in the ghee and add to the payasa.
How to make Kadale Bele Payasa or Chana Dal Payasam at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


Read more ...

Sautekayi Kosambri | Cucumber Koshambari

Kosambri is a south Indian salad that is a must for any festival or function in Karnataka. I think our ancestors intended for us to eat healthy by mandating a salad amidst all that festival fanfare. It is usually The recipe posted below is of the version I have grown up eating . It was my favorite in the entire habbada oota (festival food) and if there were any leftovers, the whole family knew who could be counted on to finish it :D.  These days you get various types of kosambri. There is one with grated carrot that tastes nice and the latest I have seen is with American sweet corn. It is either made with split moong dal or split chana dal. Personally I have always preferred moong dal. So the recipe below is for cucumber and moong dal kosambri....








Sautekayi Kosambri | Cucumber Koshambari


A traditional South Indian salad consisting of lentils and cucumber

Recipe Type:  Salad
Cuisine:          South Indian
Prep Time:     2 Hours (includes lentil soaking time)
Cook time:     10 minutes
Yield:              3-4 servings

Ingredients:

½ cup Moong dal
1 Cucumber
1-2 Green Chillies
A handful Coriander
1 Tbsp desiccated fresh Coconut
2 tsp Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
5-6 Curry leaves
1 Tbsp Lime juice
Salt

Method:

  • Soak the moong dal in water for about 2-3 hours
  • Drain the water and keep the moong dal aside
  • Chop the cucumber finely and add to the moong dal
  • Add lime juice and salt as per taste
  • Heat oil in a small pan and add mustard seeds to it
  • After the mustard seeds splutter, add curry leaves and slit green chillies and pour this tempering on the kosambri
  • Add the desiccated coconut and finely chopped coriander leaves and mix well
Read more ...

Heerekai Tove | Toorai Dal | Ridgegourd and Lentils curry


Heerekai Tove is a dal or lentil curry made with pieces of cooked ridgegourd or heerekai (Toorai).

Tove Dal Lentil Curry Heerekai Toorai Tori Luffa Ridgegourd

Heerekai is this super healthy vegetable with a slight sweet taste. Don't be fooled by its hostile looks, it is sweet inside. Usually the ridges are discarded as they are sharp and do not cook. You can peel it entirely to remove the outer green layer, but don't throw that out, you can use it to make this fiber filled Heerekai Sippe Chutney along with some fresh coconut.

After a hectic week of spicy sambars and plain rice, one craves for simple plain home cooked food. Comfort food is needed to detoxify our system. That's the state my parents arrived in after a hectic trip to a few temple towns. They did not want any spice and nothing fancy, just simple food. What can get simpler than dal rice? I had one ridgegourd in my fridge and decided to add it to the dal to make a simple but healthier dal. 

Tove Dal Lentil Curry Heerekai Toorai Tori Luffa Ridgegourd

If you want your family to eat vegetables but hide them in the food, this Heerekai Dal is fantastic for that purpose. Just chop the heerekai real fine and no one will even know that the Dal has vegetables. It will be our little secret.. *shush*

I am a big fan of any type of Dal. I'm always up to eat Dal with anything. Rice or Roti or Naan or Bread. If you plan on eating this Heerekai Dal with Rice, add enough water to get a looser consistency. And if you love your Dal-Roti, then keep it thick.

If you liked this, you may also like:

Heerekai Tove / Toorai Dal / Ridgegourd and Lentils curry

Tove Dal Lentil Curry Heerekai Toorai Tori Luffa Ridgegourd
Dal made with ridgegourd /toorai / heerekai and split pigeon pea lentils 

Recipe Type:  Main Course
Cuisine:          South Indian
Prep Time:     10 minutes
Cook time:     60 minutes (Including cooking dal)
Yield:              2

Ingredients:

1 Ridge gourd
1 Tomato
2-3 Cloves Garlic
2-3 Green Chillies
1/2 cup uncooked Toor Dal
1 tsp Cumin seeds
A handful of Curry Leaves
1 tsp Turmeric Powder/Haldi
A handful of fresh coriander leaves
2 tsp Oil
Salt to taste
Water

Method:

Pressure cook the dal with water until done.
Lightly peel the ridge gourd. Just remove the spikes, you need not remove the entire peel.
Chop the ridge gourd into bite sized pieces. Finely chop the tomato.
Add the ridge gourd, tomato, slit green chillies and crushed garlic to a pan. Add enough water to cover the veggies and cook until the ridge gourd is done
Add the cooked dal to the vegetables
Add turmeric powder and salt. Add more water to get thinner consistency.
Cook for 3-5 mins
Heat oil in a small pan and add the cumin seeds.
Once they slightly brown, add the curry leaves to the oil and pour this tempering to the dal.
Enjoy hot with rice or roti
Read more ...

Adai | Bele dose | Mixed Dal Dosa | Lentil Crepes


How to make adai or bele dosa or lentil crepes or dal dosa at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

I'd heard the name adai but never tasted it. So when a local Tamil eatery chain in Bangalore started serving these, I went and ordered for one adai avial. It was sooo heavy, I could not even finish the one adai they served me. I thought I'd never like these until my sister's mother in law fed me her version of adai. Light and fluffy and flavoured with cumin seeds and ginger, I loved it. This is a quicker fix than the regular dosa and a variance to the regular breakfast. Full of proteins and low in calories.

How to make adai or bele dosa or lentil crepes or dal dosa at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

How to make adai or bele dosa or lentil crepes or dal dosa at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

How to make adai or bele dosa or lentil crepes or dal dosa at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com




Adai | Bele dose | Mixed Dal Dosa | Lentil crepes


How to make adai or bele dosa or lentil crepes or dal dosa at www.oneteaspoonoflife.comDosa / Crepe made from mixed lentil or mixed dal batter. 

Recipe Type:  Breakfast
Cuisine:          South Indian
Prep Time:     8 Hours (Includes lentil soaking time)
Cook time:     30 minutes
Yield:              15-20

Ingredients:


1 cup Moong Dal
¼ cup Toor Dal
¼ cup Rice
¼ cup Chana Dal
¼ cup Urad Dal
2-3 Green Chillies
8-10 Curry Leaves
½” piece Ginger
1 tsp Cumin Seeds / Jeera
1-2 Tbsp Curd / Yoghurt
A handful of Coriander Leaves
Salt
Water
Oil for frying

Method:


Soak all the dals and for 8-9 hours
Grind into a fine paste along with salt, green chilies, curd,  coriander leaves and a little water
Grate the ginger into the batter
Add curry leaves and jeera into the batter
Add more water if needed. The consistency should be like regular dosa batter.
Heat a tava and grease it
Pour a spoonful of batter and spread it like a regular dosa
Spoon 1 tsp of oil on it and allow it to cook on one side.
After it browns slightly on one side, flip it and allow it to cook on the other side
Serve it hot with chutney or avial
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Dal Makhani

Friday nights call for something special. With the heavy rains, eating out was out of question. Who's ready to battle Bangalore traffic when it rains? So it was time to make something easy and special at home. So here comes Dal Makhani. Although the name suggests makhan aka butter, it really does not have too much. Infact, I made it without any butter. You can add a spoonful at the end.




Ingredients:

Whole black urad dal - 1/2 cup
Red kidney beans / Rajma - 2 tbsp
Tomato - 2 medium
Onion - 1 medium or 2 small
Ginger - 1" piece
Garlic - 1-2
Coriander powder / Dhania powder - 3-4 tsp
Cumin powder / Jeera powder - 1-2 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder - 2 tsp
Cumin seeds / Jeera - 1 tsp
Oil - 3 tsp
Salt
Water

Method:

Soak the urad dal and the rajma for around 6-8 hours.
Pressure cook them in water until soft. Urad dal cooks very soon, around 3-4 whistles or 10 mins. Rajma, however, takes much longer. It took me around 45 mins on low
flame after 1 whistle to cook rajma.
Also, while cooking rajma, do not use the water that it was soaked in. Use fresh water.
Puree the onion along with the ginger and garlic
Puree the tomato
Heat oil in a kadhai and add the cumin seeds
Once they brown, add the onion paste and cook for 2-3 mins
Add the tomato puree and all the spices and cook on low flame for 10-12 mins. Add 1-2 tbsp water if it starts burning.
Add the urad dal and rajma.
Add salt and water.Adjust water according to the desired consistency.
Cook for another 5-7 mins.
Serve hot with rice or roti
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Microwave roasted moong dal

Saturday evening, I felt like eating moong dal along with tea. Too lazy to go out and buy a haldiram's packet, I thought of making it at home. I googled and found many microwave  roasted recipes. I tried this one. It does not turn out as light as the haldiram's one and it is a little crunchier rather than crispier. Still it is worth a try as it is much healthier than the deep fried version.



Ingredients:

Moong dal - 1/2 cup
Oil - 1 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt

Method:

Soak the moong dal in water for about 30 mins
Drain out the water and pat the moong dal dry
Place in a microwaveable plate and microwave on high for 2 mins
Allow it to cool a little and using a fork separate out the moong dal into individual grains
Microwave again for 1 min
Add the oil, salt and chilli powder and mix using your hands. Ensure the oil coats evenly.
Microwave on high for 1 min.
Remove from microwave oven and use a fork to mix the dal
Microwave again for 1 min.
Cool it and store in airtight container. If it does not crisp up, place it again in the microwave for 1-2 mins.
Read more ...

Spinach Dal | Palak Dal

Howdy!! How did the weekend treat you? Are you in mood for some piping hot Palak Dal and Rice?

How to make palak dhal recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

The first time I had this Spinach or Palak Dal was when I was around 8 years old. My friend's mom, my next door neighbor made it. As we played in the kitchen, she cooked it right in front of us showing us how it is made. The moment she added the ginger-garlic and fried and the aroma wafted over to where we were playing, our mouths started watering and we did not leave the kitchen until the entire dal was made. I did not even go home for lunch that day, I ate at my friend's place.

Being from Mumbai, my friend's family was used to eating spicy and hot food. To my near bland palate, it was like an explosion in my mouth and I ate the dal while my eyes watered. But I loved every spoonful of it. I loved it so much, I ran back home and asked my mom to learn how to make Palak Dal.

How to make palak dhal recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

I've since, learnt how to make it and it is regular occurrence in my house. While I have grown up, my palate is still not accustomed to extremely hot food, so I never add as much green chilli or ginger my friend's mom added, I only add enough to tantalize my tongue. If you are fond of hot food, feel free to add in more or if you prefer your food to be lighter in taste, you can remove the seeds of the chilli before grinding it into a paste.

For added flavor, you can add half a cup of dill leaves or suva sabzi to this dal as well. I add it at times if I have it and it gives this Palak Dal a different dimension. Highly recommended addition, I say!

I personally love dal with roti or naan as much as I love my dal rice. If you plan on eating this with roti, reduce the amount of water you add, to get a thicker consistency. To eat with rice, a thinner consistency is preferred. 

I cook this dal entirely in the pressure cooker, partly because it is quicker and partly because I am lazy to wash many dishes. If you do not have a pressure cooker, you can use a kadhai or a sauce pan with a lid to make this Palak Dal. You will find that this does not alter the taste or texture of the Palak Dal, however, it does take longer to cook the dal. And that means you have to wait longer to eat this awesome curry!!!

How to make palak dhal recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

If you liked this, you may also like:


Spinach Dal | Palak Dal


How to make palak dhal recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.comSpinach Dal or Palak Dal is a spiced dal made from pigeon pea lentils (toor dal) and spinach. 

Recipe Type:  Main
Cuisine:            North Indian
Prep Time:     20 minutes
Cook time:     40 minutes
Yield:                Serves 3-4

Ingredients:


5-6 cups chopped Spinach (Palak)
1 cup Pigeon Pea Lentils (Toor Dal)
1 Onion
2 Tomato
3-4 pods Garlic
1" piece Ginger
1-2 Green Chilli
1 tsp Garam Masala
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
3 tsp Oil
Salt to taste
Water

Method:


Boil the toor dal with 2.5 cups of water in a pressure cooker. Remove the dal and clean the pressure cooker for re-use.
Wash and chop the palak leaves.
Chop the onion and tomato and keep aside.
Grind the ginger, garlic, and the green chillies into a paste.
Heat oil in the pressure cooker, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Now add the cumin seeds and let them brown slightly.
Add the chopped onions.
Fry the onions until translucent.
Add the ginger-garlic-chilli paste and fry until fragrant.
Add the tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add garam masala and mix well.
Add chopped palak and stir for 1-2 minutes.
Add the boiled dal, turmeric powder, salt and 1 cup of water.
Close the pressure cooker and cook for 1-2 whistles or around 5 minutes after the pressure builds up.
If you want it to be thinner in consistency, then add more water.
Serve hot with rice.

Note:


If not using a pressure cooker, you can just use a regular deep sauce pan with a tight lid. There will be no difference in taste or texture, however, it will take longer to cook the Spinach Dal.


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Lauki soup / Bottle gourd soup / Sorekai soup

Lauki or Gheeya or Bottle gourd is a low calorie vegetable and a good ingredient for soup. I learnt this recipe from my sister who seems to love it and apparently this aids in digestion. I was tired of the same old tomato soup and the instant soups are worse, they all taste so synthetic, so I decided to try this out. It is one of the easiest soups to make and full of fibre too...



Ingredients:

Bottle gourd - 1/2
Tomato - 1
Moong dal - 1/4 cup
Ginger - 1/2" piece (Optional)
Pepper
Salt

Method:

Peel and core the bottle gourd.
Cut it into 1 inch cubes
Pressure cook the bottle gourd along with the tomato and dal until soft and the dal is done. Around 4-5 whistles or 10-15 mins in the pressure cooker
Let it cool
Blend the cooked bottle gourd, tomato, dal and ginger in a blender.
Transfer the soup to a kadhai or sauce pan and heat. Add salt and freshly ground pepper.

This soup served 2 people in medium sized bowls.
Read more ...