Yellow Dates/ Raw Dates Pickle

Yellow Dates/ Raw Dates Pickle

Condiments like pickles are a staple in my kitchen. Every month I try making some kind of pickle. We like to have it with rice or parathas. Do you also like pickles? I know for many people out there, a meal seems to be incomplete without some kind of pickle. Today's recipe is dates pickle and is not the usual dry dates pickle. It is a unique pickle made with yellow or raw dates.

Fresh yellow Barhi/Barhee is common in the middle east. It is commonly used in Arabic, Chinese and Indian Cuisine. Recently during our visit to Dubai, we were able to taste different kinds of dates. We visited a market where we could taste test and buy different varieties of dates. It was the first time, we tasted raw dates and it was additive. Dates fruit grow in large clusters, like bunches of grapes and is a sight to behold. Yellow dates have an astringent or under-ripe after taste to it. It is not chewy like normal dates. It is firm with a delightful crunch. Fresh yellow Barhi dates is a vegan and gluten-free snack.

I have already posted a couple of dates pickle. Kerala style dates pickle that is often served with biryani is one of my favorites. I have also posted dates and garlic pickles and dates and grape pickles. I like to indulge in these sweet and spicy pickles This yellow dates pickle is towards the spicy side with a subtle underlying sweetness. It is a delightful pickle, bursting with flavor. The season for fresh dates is late summer and they come in two different colors yellow and red. I found this in our local Asian market. If you get hold of fresh dates, give this recipe a try. Spice up your meal with this yummy pickle and let me know how it turned out for you to :) Happy cooking!

Prep time- 15 minutes
Cooking time- 10 minutes
Recipe Type- condiment/pickle
Cuisine- Kerala/South Indian

New to Yellow Raw Dates?

Fresh dates have a unique taste. Fresh dates are consumed in three stages. The yellow or semi-ripe, amber-brown or fully ripe and then dark brown which is slightly wrinkled. The yellow has an astringent taste similar to under-ripe fruit. It has a firm texture with a crunch to it, similar to an apple. It is delicious when semi-ripe with mild sweetness and a crunch which is quite addictive.

Dates are nutritious. Dates are the sweetest fruit and the healthiest source of energy. Yellow dates are high in fiber and rich in antioxidants. It is also a rich source of iron, potassium, vitamins. It is heart-healthy and for bone strength. It has a milder impact on the glycemic index than dried dates but has the same nutritional profile. Fresh yellow barhi dates is a vegan and gluten-free snack.

Where to find fresh dates? You can usually find this in Mediterranean and Asian stores around August and September. Look for the bright yellow large ones that are not bruised. It stays fresh for only a week but can be frozen for longer shelf life

What else can you do with raw dates? Other than making pickle raw dates by itself is a crunchy sweet snack. Add it to salads and fruit salad for an interesting crunch. Try candied dates in place of cherries and raisins. You can also add it to desserts or baked desserts just like an apple or pear. It has thick flesh and will hold shape and texture with rich date flavor.

How to make Yellow Dates/Raw Dates Pickle

Ingredients
 Yellow dates- two bunch(around 25)
Chilly powder-4 tbs
(or according to your spice tolerance)
Fenugreek powder-1  tbs
Mustard seeds- 2 tsp
Asafoetida- 1 tsp
Garlic- 15 pods
Ginger- 1 inch thick piece
Green chilly -2
Salt- to taste
Date syrup- 1 tbs (optional)
(you can use sugar instead)
Gingerly oil- 1/3 cup
Hot water- 1/2 cup
Vinegar- 1/3 cup

Wash the raw dates. Spread on paper towels and remove all the moisture from the dates. Cut the dates into half and get rid of the pits. You can cut into four large pieces or smaller cubes.
Slice ginger into thin slices. Cut garlic into two and chop green chilly. Adding green chilly and ginger is optional. It enhances the flavor of the pickle.
Dry roast mustard seeds. You will hear popping sound. Allow this to cool and make it into a fine powder.
Heat gingerly oil in a pan and add the garlic, ginger and green chilly and fry till it slightly changes color to golden or till there is a nice aroma.
Switch off the flame and when the oil is still hot add the spice powders- chilly powder, asafoetida, fenugreek powder, salt, and sugar and mix well. It will bubble and the spices will get slightly roasted. Put it back to stove on low flame. Add dates slices and mix well. Add hot water and mix well. Simmer for two to three minutes till the oil separates.
Switch off the flame, check salt at this stage and finally add the vinegar. When completely cooled store in airtight jars.

You might also like,
Eenthapazham Achar/Dates Pickle
Sweet and Spicy Dates and Grapes Pickle
Mathuramulla Inji Curry
Garlic Dates Pickle
Tomato Dates Curry
Jathikka Achar/Nutmeg Fruit Pickle

Try it,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Kaithachakka Tenga Aracha Curry/Pineapple Coconut Curry

Kaithachakka Tenga Aracha Curry

Kaithachakka/pineapple tenga aracha curry is a simple curry that can be served with rice. It can also be served as a todu curry for Sadhya. Since Onam festival is next week, I wanted to share this fairly easy to make sadhya recipe.This curry is new to me. When you taste it, you will love the simplicity of this curry, plus it is easy to whip up and exotic in taste. It looks and tastes similar to pineapple pachadi, but it has dominant taste and flavor of coconut. We had this curry a few times during our recent trip to Kerala and it is curry made on special occasion. I believe it is a central Kerala style recipe. This is a mouthwatering delicacy, entirely vegan and full of flavors. It has the tangy sweetness of pineapple and flavor of coconut. I am fan of anything  made with pineapples and if you are like me please check out my other pineapple recipes. I will share the links of the recipes at the end of this post. This is a delicious pineapple curry, try it you will surely love it

Ingredients
Chopped pineapple- 3 cups
Coconut grated- 2 cup
Tamarind water- 1 tbs
Turmeric power- 1/2 tsp
Cumin- 1/2 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp optional
Salt to taste
Green chilly-2
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek powder- a pinch
Dry Red chilly -2
Curry leaves- a few
Coconut oil- 2 tsp

Cooking time-20 minutes
Cuisine- Kerala/South Indian
Recipe type- Curry 
Serves-5

Cut pineapple into small pieces. In a pot add pineapple pieces, turmeric powder,salt and tamarind water. Pour one cup of water and cook pineapple till it is soft  and mushy. Gently mash the cooked pineapple with the back of a spoon. Taste test for the sweetness. If it is too sour add 1/2 tsp of sugar.

Make a fine smooth paste of grated coconut and cumin. Finally grind two green chilly and add this coconut paste to the cooked pineapple. Allow it to simmer on low flame for one minute. Add roasted fenugreek powder mix well and switch off the flame.
Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they splutter add curry leaves and dry red chilly and fry till crispy. Pour this over the curry. It is ready to be served.

If you like this recipe pls check these recipes too

Pineapple Pulisheri
Pineapple Rasam
Pineapple Achar
Mango/Mambazham Pachadi
Vellarikka/Cucumber Pachadi

Try this,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Ragi Semiya Caramel Payasam

Ragi Semiya Caramel Payasam

Today's recipe is a sweet payasam, a dessert with the goodness of finger millet/ragi.It is a healthy treat for your taste buds.When ever its time for a celebration or festival I make semiya payasam because it is the easiest and also my favorite.I never tried ragi semiya before so was excited to try this payasam for Vishu Sadya. As you know malayalee sadhya is not complete without payasam/dessert served towards the end feast.Ragi semiya caramel payasam is enticing and luscious milk and caramel sugar payasam.

Ragi or finger millet is famous for its nutritional value,it is high in iron and calcium and a good source of fiber. My mom and grandmother always made sure to incorporate ragi to our diet on a weekly basis. My favorite was ragi halwa and ragi puttu. But looking into my blog,I realized that I have rarely posted anything with ragi. Finger millet/ragi is very healthy and if you are looking for some healthy options,try incorporating it in your diet.This payasam is different and tasty.Get your ingredients together  and try this recipe,you will surely love it.


Ingredients
Ragi Semiya/Vermicelli- 1 cup
Whole milk-5 cup
Condensed milk- 1/2 tin
Sugar- 1 cup
(adjust according to your taste)
Cashews and raisins- 1/4 cup
Cardamon powder-1/2 tsp
Ghee- 2 tbs

To make caramel add three tbs of sugar in a pan and place on the stove on low medium flame. Allow it to melt. When it starts to melt stir occasionally till all the sugar is melted and it changes color to golden brown. Carefully add 3 tbs of water and allow the syrup to boil. Add one cup of milk and mix the condensed milk. Set this aside.Boil the rest of the milk and set aside.

Heat  ghee in a pan and roast cashew nut till golden brown and raisins till they pop up and keep aside.
In the same ghee roast ragi semiya in low flame for two minutes. Allow this to cool a bit and add warm milk and stir occasionally. Allow the semiya to cook. This will take about 3-4 minutes and then add the rest of the sugar, caramel syrup  and cardamom powder. When it starts thickening to the desired consistency switch off the flame. Garnish with ghee fried cashew nuts and raisins.

Check other payasam recipes  from this blog..
Semiya Payasam
Pal Ada Mambazham Payasam
Elaneer Rose Payasam
Aval Sharkara Payasam
Lychee Cashew nut payasam


Try this,
You will surely love it.

Potato Masala/ Sadhya Urulakizhangu Masala

Potato Masala/ Sadhya Urulakizhangu Masala

Today's recipe is a spicy potato masala/urulakizhangu masala that I often make as a side dish for chapathi. But this is also an integral part of Kerala Sadhya. This Sunday malayalees around the world will be celebrating Vishu/ Kerala New year. So this is the perfect time to share some Sadhya recipes. Sadhya is a hearty meal, a vegetarian feast with rice and curries ranging from mild and flavorful vegetable and lentils curries to more spicy vegetable curries like this potato masala. Due to this wide range of flavors, one can doubt whether it will be hard to appreciate each dish separately. As an ardent Sadhya lover, let me tell you each curry has its distinctive unique flavor and texture. In Trivandrum area, there is another version of potato curry. It is Vada kootu curry. Small deep-fried lentil balls cooked in potato curry.

Most of the recipes of Kerala Sadhya have been passed down generation after generation, but each region has their specialties. This is a Trivandrum style sadhya potato curry and I learned this recipe from my mom.Urulakizhangu masala is a blend of vegetables, fiery spices and roasted coconut adds great flavor and taste. You can use carrots, peas, cauliflower or mushrooms along with potatoes. Try this recipe, you will surely love it.

Cooking time - 20 minutes
Cuisine: Kerala/South India

Ingredients
Potato-4 medium size
Carrot chopped- 1 cup
Onion sliced- 2 medium
Tomato -2
Ginger garlic paste- 2 tsp
Curry leaves- 2 springs
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder-2 tsp
Coriander powder- 2  1/2 tsp
Garam masala- 1 tsp
Meat masala- 1 tsp
Coconut milk- 1/2 cup
Grated coconut- 3/4 cup
Oil
salt to taste

Steps and tips to make tasty potato masala...
Roasting the coconut is an important step. Roast the coconut in a low flame. Do not rush this process. The high flame will give the coconut a burnt or charred taste. Slow roasting will bring out the real sweet nutty flavor.
To bring in some extra flavor you can roast dry red chilly and curry leaves along with coconut. You can add 4 to 5 dry chilly and avoid adding the chilly powder. Make it into a really fine smooth paste.I used Russet potatoes for this recipe. It is good for curries. When cooked inside becomes soft and creamy. It will soak up the curry sauce. But you can use potatoes of your choice.
Continue reading for full recipe...

How to make Potato Masala

Heat one tsp of oil in a pan. Add coconut and a few curry leaves. Roast till the coconut becomes brown. When it cools down make a smooth thick paste.

Heat oil a heavy bottom pan and saute thinly sliced onion, curry leaves till its golden brown. Saute ginger-garlic paste till the raw flavor disappears. Add chopped tomatoes and saute till tomato becomes soft and mushy.
Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder, pepper powder and salt. Stir for a minute and add chopped potatoes and carrots.
Add coconut milk and 1 cup of water, cover and cook till the potatoes is soft and cooked. Finally add the roasted coconut paste,garam masala, meat masala and mix well. Allow to simmer and the gravy to thicken. Serve with rice or chapathi.

Like this recipe, try other potato recipes from this blog,
Vada Kootu Curry/Potato and Fried Vada Curry
Mangalore Spiced Potatoes
Potato Carrot Stew
Potato and Poori Masala
Potato Bondas (snack)
Potato and Prawns Masala

Like to try Sadhya Recipes Check my 100 Kerala Sadhya Recipes

Happy Cooking!

Try this,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Lychee Cashew Nut Payasam

Lychee Cashew Nut Payasam

Payasam is very popular dessert in Kerala and is made on every special occasions.Payasam is a very satisfying dessert and there are several varieties of payasam. This is a flavorful fruit and nut payasam. It is made with lychee fruit and cashew milk. Lychee is a summer fruit and  is very flavorful, and has a beautiful texture, soft ,translucent and sweet. You can buy cashew milk from the supermarket. I used Silk Creamy Cashew Milk. In addition sago pearls gives this pudding/payasam the desired creamy consistency. You can substitute it with rice or ada.Try this you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Chopped lychee-1 1/2 cup
Cashew Milk- 2 1/2 cup
Condensed milk- 3/4 cup
Cashew nut (to make a paste)- 10-12
Sago pearls/ chowari-1/2 cup
Sugar-3 tbs
Chopped cashew nuts- 8-10
Raisins- a few
Crushed cardamom-3-4
Ghee-2 tsp

First step is to cook the sago. In a heavy bottom pan add 5-6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the sago pearls/chowari and allow it to boil. After a few minutes you can drain the first water and add fresh batch of boiling water (again 5-6 cups) and continue cooking the sago pearls till it is clear and translucent.  Strain and run under cold running water and set aside.
Peel the skin of the lychee and remove the seeds. Add this into a blender and pulse. Strain out the juice of the lychee and set aside.
Soak cashew nut in half cup warm water. Make this into a fine paste. Add this to the cashew milk and mix. Mix condensed milk and bring this mixture to a boil.
To this add the cooked chowari/ sago pearls and the strained lychee juice. Stir and cook in low medium flame for 3-4 minutes.When it starts to thicken add crushed cardamom and sugar( according to your sweet preference ) and mix. After two minutes switch off the flame. Heat ghee in a pan and roast cashew nuts and raisins. When golden brown pour this over the payasam. Serve warm or chilled.

Try this,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Vadukapuli Naranga Curry/Wild Lemon Pickle

Vadukapuli Naranga Curry/Wild Lemon Pickle

Vadukapuli naranga curry/ wild lemon pickle is a traditional recipe in Kerala Sadhya. It is a tangy and spicy lemon curry.You can also serve lemon pickle,but vadukapuli naranga curry gives the authentic Sadhya taste. Wild lemon is larger in size, sour to taste and more juicer than regular lemon.It is usually made a day before Sadhya so that it sits and the flavors develop and will be perfect when it is time to serve.It does not have a long shelf life like regular pickle and is more like a spicy curry,but it can kept in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.Try this spicy condiment,you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Vadakapuli naranga- 2 medium size
Thinly sliced Ginger-2 inch thick piece
Green chilly-3-4
Shallots- 1
Chilly powder- 2 tbs
(or according to your spice tolerance)
Fenugreek powder- 1/2 tsp
Tamarind- small gooseberry sized ball
Jaggery- a small piece
Curry leaves- a few
mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Dry red chilly- 2
Salt to taste
oil

Wash and wipe the lemon with a clean cloth. Gently peel the top yellow part of the lemon (make a super thin peel, the outside is thicker than regular lemon). Cut into small cubes and add salt, chopped green chilly and a pinch of turmeric. Mix and set aside for one hour.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and when it crackles add dry red chilly and curry leaves and stir fry for a few minutes.
Next add chopped shallots and thinly sliced ginger and continue to fry till slightly brown.
Reduced the heat and add chilly powder and fenugreek powder, saute for a few seconds. Now add the chopped lemon. If there is any juice you can add it too. Along with this add thick tamarind paste and salt as needed and mix.Allow it to simmer and the gravy to thicken.  When the oil seperates add some grated jaggery and mix well. Allow it to cool down completely.

Try this
Hope you will all enjoy!

Capsicum Kadumanga

Capsicum Kadumanga

Kadumanga is indispensable in Kerala Sadhya. It is a spicy condiment made with green mangoes. Whenever we get raw mangoes I make a batch of Kadumanga which is a quick and instant mango pickle. Capsicum/bell pepper tastes yummy in pickles and has a unique flavor.This is not excessively spicy and makes a good accompaniment with rice. It can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.Try this you will surely love it.

Cooking time- 25 minutes
Recipe type-Pickle/Preserve
Cuisine- Kerala/Indian


Ingredients
Raw mango chopped- 3cup
Capsicum chopped- 2 cup
Asafoetida- 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek powder- 1/2 tsp
Ginger thinly sliced- 1 tsp (optional)
Garlic- 4-5 cloves
Mustard seeds- 1 tsp+ 1/2 tsp
Green chilly chopped- 4
Chilly powder- 2 1/2 tbs
(Or according to your spice tolerance)
Salt to taste
Gingerly oil- 1/3 cup
Curry leaves-2 springs
Hot water- 1/2 cup
Vinegar- 2 tbs (optional)

Wash and wipe the mangoes dry, remove skin and chop into small pieces. Mix in salt and keep aside for 2-3 hours.This will help to shed liquid from the mango. Do not discard the liquid, you can use to adjust consistency of the gravy.

Heat a pan and dry roast 1/2 of the mustard seeds. When it just begins to splutter switch off the flame and grind this into a coarse mixture and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan and add the rest of the mustard seeds. When it splutters add green chilly,garlic,ginger and curry leaves. Add the chopped capsicum and saute in medium flame for 4-5 minutes or till it becomes soft. Add chilly powder,fenugreek powder and asafoetida. Strain the water from the mangoes and add along with half cup of hot boiling water.Allow the gravy to thicken.

  Switch off the flame and add chopped mangoes, vinegar (optional) and coarsely grounded mustard seeds and mix well. Serve with rice.

Like this pickle recipe,check these pickle recipes too..

Kadumanga /Mango pickle
Pineapple Achar
Spicy Mango pickle
Eenthapazham Achar/Dates pickle
Jathikka Achar/Nutmeg fruit pickle

Try this,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Kadachakka Payasam

Kadachakka Payasam

Kadachakka/ breadfruit payasam is a quick dessert . You can make this with coconut milk and jaggery or with sugar.This is my mom's recipe. Here I have used sago pearls along with bread fruit to make this payasam. My mom some times makes it with small rice dumpling called kozhukatta.Give this recipe a try, you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Bread fruit sliced- 3 cup
Sago pearls/ chowari-1/2 cup
Thick coconut milk- 1 1/2 cup
Thin coconut milk- 3/4 cup
Powdered jaggery- 1 cup
(Adjust according to sweetness you prefer)
Water- 3/4 cup
Cardamom crushed- 5-6
Chukku/dry ginger powder- a pinch (optional)
Sliced coconut- 3 tbs
Raisins and cashew nuts- a few
Ghee- 2 tbs

 

To cook the sago boil 5-6 cups of water. Add the chowari and allow it to boil for two to three minutes, drain and add fresh batch of boiling water (again 5-6 cups) and continue cooking till it is clear and translucent.  Strain and run under cold running water and set aside.
 
In a heavy bottom pan bring 3/4 cup of water and jaggery to a boil. Simmer till it is completely dissolved.Strain the impurities and return to the stove and allow to thicken.

Chop bread fruit into thin slice. Heat one tbs of ghee in a pan. Add the sliced bread fruit and saute for two to three minutes or till it changes color to golden. Add the thick coconut milk and cook for two minutes or till it is soft. Pour the jaggery and continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes or till the payasam  thickens. Add cardamom powder, dry ginger powder and thick coconut milk and simmer in low flame for one minute.

Heat one tbs of ghee in a separate pan and fry sliced coconut,cashew nuts and raisins till it turns golden brown. Add this to the payasam and mix.Allow to cool and serve.

 Try this
Hope you will all enjoy!

Chakkakuru Ularthiyathu/Jack fruit Seeds Stir-Fry

Chakkakuru Ularthiyathu/Jack fruit Seeds Stir-Fry

Chakkakuru ularthiyathu is a quick and yummy stir fry made with jack fruit seeds. Jack fruits is a common fruit in south India. It is seasonal fruit and is available this time of the year. Back home in Kerala mom used to save the jack fruit seeds to make curries and stir-fries. It is just like any other vegetable and is used to make oyichu curry or in aviyal or to make upperi.

Yellow edible plump bulbs are the fruit. Jack fruit seeds are nutritious just like the fruit. It is rich in protein, iron, vital minerals, and antioxidants. It is easy to add jack fruit seeds to your diet. Treat it like any other seeds and it is a yummy snack by itself. It can be baked or steamed. Chop them up to make stir-fries. This stir fry is tasty and spicy with the flavor of fennel seeds, curry leaves and coconut oil. It is a perfect side dish for rice

Cooking time 30 minutes
Recipe type- side dish- vegetarian
Cuisine- Kerala- Indian

Ingredients

Chakkakuru/jack fruit seeds- 1 lb

Pearl onions- 10-12

Garlic pod- 2 

Ginger chopped- 1/2 tsp

Sliced coconut- 3 tbs

Dry red chilly- 3-4

Chilly powder- 1/2 tsp (optional)

Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp

Fennel  seeds- 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala- a pinch

Curry leaves- a few

Coconut oil- 1 1/2 tbs
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp

salt to taste

Wash chakka kuru/jack fruit seeds. Peel off the top white skin and scrape the bottom red skin. Cut into 3-4 small pieces. Cook jack fruit seeds along with turmeric, salt and one cup of water. Cover cook for 15 minutes in medium flame till it is soft and tender.
Method number 2 is to the jack fruit seeds. Pour water same level and cook for 20 minutes till the seeds are fork tender (just like potatoes ). Peel off the top white skin and cut into small pieces.

In the mortar pestle crush the dry red chilly, fennel seeds,shallot,garlic and a few curry leaves.

Heat coconut oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it splutters add the sliced coconut and saute till it turns golden brown. Next add the crushed shallot mixture and a few curry leaves  saute till it turns golden brown. Add chilly powder, garam masala and the cooked jack fruit seeds and stir fry in medium high heat for two to three minutes.  Serve as a side dish for rice.

You might also like,
Achinga Payar Chakkakuru mezhukkupuratti
Chakkakuru Muringakka Thoran
Chakka vattal/ Jack fruit chips
Chakka Ada
Chakka Varattiyathu
Chakka Puttu

Try this
Hope you will all enjoy!

Tomato Dates Curry/Thakkali Enthapazham Curry

Tomato Dates Curry/Thakkali Enthapazham Curry

This is a sweet and sour curry made with tomato and dates. It can be served as a chutney or as a thodu curry for sadhya. It can be served along with pickles and pachadi. It is quick and can be made in a jiffy. Try this you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Tomato- 3 medium

Dates -8-10 seedless
Ginger- 2 tsp chopped
Onion- 1 small
Tamarind- small ball
Jaggery- 2 tsp (powdered)
Curry leaves- a few
Turmeric powder- a pinch
Chilly powder-11/2 tsp
Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek powder- 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder- 1/8 tsp
Oil
Mustard seeds- 1/3 tsp
salt to taste
 

Soak  dates for one hour. When it gets soft remove seeds and mash  with hands to into a pulp. Soak tamarind and also extract its pulp.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it splutters and add chopped onion,ginger curry leaves. Saute till it turns golden brown.

Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till it is soft. Next goes in turmeric powder,chilly powder, fenugreek powder, pepper powder,cumin powder, salt. Saute this for a minute and cover and cook for three minutes. Now add the dates pulp  and tamarind pulp. Cook for another three minutes and allow it to reduce and thicken. Finally add powdered jaggery and mix till well blended.

Try it,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Elaneer Rose Payasam/ Rose Tender Coconut Payasam

Elaneer Rose Payasam/ Rose Tender Coconut Payasam

 Elaneer payasam is made with young tender coconut water. Elaneer is refreshing and sweet in its own. Tender coconut meat will be soft and jelly like and can be scooped with a spoon. This payasam is made extra flavorful with the addition of rose petals. You can use tulasi leaves instead of rose  petals.Sago pearls is also added and helps thickening up puddings Try this, you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Tender coconut meat - 1 cup
Tender coconut water- 1 1/2 cup
Milk- 1 1/2 cup
Condensed milk- 1/2 tin
Sago pearls/ chowari-1/2 cup
Sugar- 2 tbs
Rose petals - course paste- 1 tbs
Rose water- a few drops
Chopped cashew nuts- 8-10
Crushed cardamom- 2-3

First step is to cook the sago. In a heavy bottom pan add 5-6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the chowari and allow it to boil for two to three minutes, drain and add fresh batch of boiling water (again 5-6 cups) and continue cooking till it is clear and translucent.  Strain and run under cold running water and set aside.

Boil milk in a sauce pan. Make a paste of rose petals. I used the paste of two red rose.

Make a paste of tender coconut meat . Add this paste, cooked chowari, elaneer/ coconut water and  rose petal paste into a heavy bottom pan and mix. Cook this in medium flame for 2-3 minutes. Add milk, chopped cashew nuts and stir occasionally. When it starts to thicken add condensed milk, crushed cardamom and sugar and mix. After two minutes switch off the flame.

You might also like,
Karikku Payasam/Tender coconut Payasam
Pazha Pradhaman
Palpayasam
Neipayasam
Pal Ada Mambazham Payasam
Chakka Pradhaman/Jack fruit Payasam



Try this,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Padavalanga Chena Kootu/ Snake gourd Yam Curry

Padavalanga Chena Kootu/ Snake gourd Yam Curry

Padavalanga Chena Kootu/ Snake gourd Yam Curry is delicious and healthy combo of vegetables and chickpeas. Kootu curry is an integral part in Kerala Sadhya and is relished along with aviyal and erisseri .Kootu curry has a wonderful aroma of roasted coconut.You can use any combination of vegetables and lentils to make kootu curry. Earlier I posted a combination of plantains and yam. Try this, you will surely love it.


Ingredients
Chena/elephant yam- 2 cups
Padavalanga chopped- 2 cups
Chickpeas- 1/2 cup
Whole Black Pepper- 1 tsp
Dry red chilly- 4
Grated coconut- 3/4 cup
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Cumin- 1/3 tsp
Ghee- 1 tsp
Jaggery - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
 
For seasoning-
Shredded coconut- 1/3 cup
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Whole Pepper - a few
Dry red chilly -2
Curry leaves- 2 springs

Soak chickpeas for about 4 hours and then pressure cook it and keep aside. Add water to the same level as chick peas in the pressure cooker and cook till three to four whistles.

Cut yam and padavalanga/snake gourd into cubes and cook them along with salt and turmeric and sliced green chilly. Add a little bit of oil to prevent sticking. You will need around a cup of water to cook the vegetables. Add the cooked chick peas and mix.

Heat one tsp of oil in a pan and roast dry red chilly, whole pepper and cumin. Add this with 3/4 cup of grated coconut and make it into a fine paste. Add this to the cooked vegetables along with one tsp of powdered jaggery.Mix well.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When the splutter add dry red chilly, pepper corns and curry leaves and fry for a minute. Add shredded coconut 1/3 cup and roast till brown. Add this to the cooked vegetable and mix. Serve with rice.

Try this,
Hope you will all enjoy!

Mathuramulla Nelikka Curry/Gooseberry Curry

Mathuramulla Nelikka Curry/Gooseberry Curry

Nellika curry is a spicy condiments that can be served for sadhya. It does not have a long shelf life like regular pickle and is more like a spicy curry.Usually mango, ginger and lemon pickle/curry are the chief thodu curry for sadhya. Here gooseberry is also prepred in similiar patten and you can try this for a change. Nelikka or goose berry pickle is one of my favorite and this curry is tart, spicy and mildly sweet. Try this,you will surely love it.

 Ingredients
Gooseberry/nelikka- 15 large sized ones
Thinly sliced Ginger-2 tbs
Green chilly-2-3
Shallots- 2
Chilly powder- 1 1/2 tbs
Fenugreek powder- 1/2 tsp
Tamarind- small gooseberry sized ball
Jaggery- a small piece
Curry leaves- a few
mustard seeds- a few
Dry red chilly- 2
Salt to taste
oil for frying.

Steam gooseberry for about four to five minutes till it becomes soft.Cut the goose berry into small pieces and discard the seed.
Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and when it crackles add dry red chilly and curry leaves and stir fry for a few minutes.
Next add chopped shallots and green chilly and continue to fry till slightly brown.
Reduced the heat and add chilly powder and fenugreek powder, saute for a few seconds. Now add the goose berry, salt and tamarind water. Allow it to simmer and the gravy to thicken. Add grated jaggery and simmer till the gravy thickens and oil to separates.

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Hope you will all enjoy!

Achinga Payar Chakkakuru Mezhukkupuratti/Yard Beans Jack fruit Seeds Stir Fry

Achinga Payar Chakkakuru Mezhukkupuratti

Achinga payar or yard beans is a very common vegetable grown in Kerala and it is a healthy and delicious vegetable. It tastes best in stir fries and I have already posted one recipe with yard beans and raw plantain. This is another combo with chakka kuru/jack fruit seeds. Jack fruits are seasonal fruit but seeds can be preserved for few more months. It can be used in curries and stir fry. Try this yummy combo,you will surely love it.

Ingredients

Achinga payar- cut into  one inch piece- a small bunch

(approximately 2cups)

Chakkakuru/jack fruit seeds- 15 nos

Shallots- 8-10

Crushed red chilly- 1/2 tsp

Red chilly powder- 1/2 tsp

Pepper powder- a pinch (optional)

Turmeric- 1/4 tsp

Garlic- 2 cloves

Curry leaves- a few

Coconut oil- 1 1/2 tbs
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp

salt to taste

Wash chakka kuru/jack fruit seeds. You can cook it in a pressure cooker. Cook with one cup water and salt in medium flame for 6-8 minutes ( one whistle). When it cools down,gently peel off the top white skin and the bottom red skin. Cut into small pieces.

Cook achinga payar/yard beans, cooked jack fruit seeds along with turmeric powder, pepper powder salt and a few drops of coconut oil.Add about 1/4 cup of water and cook till the vegetables are soft.

 In a mixer crush garlic,shallots,curry leaves into a course mixture and keep aside.

Heat coconut oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it splutters add the crushed shallot mixture few curry leaves and crushed red chilly and saute till it turns golden brown. Add chilly powder and saute for another minute.

Add in the cooked vegetables and stir fry in medium high heat for two to three minutes.  Finally drizzle few drops of fresh coconut oil. Serve as a side dish for rice.

You might also like,
Achinga Payar Kaya Mezhukkupuratti
Chakkakuru Ularthiyathu
Chakkakuru Muringakka Thoran
Achinga Payar Chemmeen Theeyal
Koorka Mezhukkupuratti (Chinese Potato)

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Hope you will all enjoy!

Ulli Puli/Sweet and Tangy Onion Curry

Ulli Puli/Sweet and Tangy Onion Curry

Ullipuli/ulli curry is a tangy and spicy onion sauce with a touch of sweetness. The tangy taste is from puli/tamarind and the natural sweetness of pearl onions which is lightly enhanced by adding a little of jaggery, which is optional.It is a common sadhya recipe and is served as a thodu curry along with pickles like ginger, mango and lemon .It is very popular in central Kerala. The first time I tasted ullipuli was after my marriage. I first thought that it was inji/ginger curry as they looked very similar,but it tasted delicious. Give this recipe a try,you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Pearl onions/shallots thinly sliced- 3 cup
Sliced coconut pieces- 1/2 cup
Tamarind- lemon sized ball
Green chilly- 3
Ginger chopped- 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder- 1 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida- a pinch
Jaggery powdered- 2 tsp (optional)
Curry leaves- a few
Dry red chilly-2
Coconut oil- 2 tbs

Soak tamarind in half a cup of water and squeeze out the pulp. Cut shallots into thin slices and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds. When they splutter add curry leaves and dry red chilly and fry. Add sliced and chopped coconut and fry till it changes color and there is a nice aroma. Next add diced shallots,green chilly, ginger and salt. Continue sauteing in medium flame for about 8-10 minutes  till the onions change shade to brown and crispy.
Add chilly powder,turmeric powder and asafoetida and saute for a few seconds. Add tamarind pulp and adjust consistency. Allow this to cook in low medium flame till oil separates. Finally add jaggery and mix well. Once cool you can preserve this in fridge for over a week. Serve this with rice.

Sending this to Kerala Kitchen @ COOK-EZEE

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Naranga Achar/Lemon Pickle

Naranga Achar/Lemon Pickle

Do you love pickles? Condiments and pickles are surprisingly easy to make and are a must-have in my kitchen. Zesty and hot lemon pickle adds a punch to any meal. It goes well with steamed rice, curd rice or Rotis.This recipe is for those who love pickles and who have nostalgic feelings about homemade spicy, tangy and intensely lemony pickle. Most Indians will agree that pickles are an inevitable part of our lunch.

This pickle is made by stuffing the spices into whole lemons, the way it is made by my grandmother and aunts. There is a great nostalgic feeling to this kind of lemon pickle. Grandmother used to make big jars of a stuffed whole lemon pickle when lemon trees in the backyard were harvested. She used to take out her huge ceramic pickle jars called bharanis to fill up with homemade pickles. If this pickle is made in the right way has a shelf life for about a year. The more it matures the better it tastes.

Pickles are an integral part of Kerala Sadhya. Lemon pickle is one of the main pickles served along with ginger and mango pickle. I have already posted an easy to make lemon pickle / vadukapuli naranga curry with wild lemon.

For this recipe, you can use any kind of lemons of your choice. Small lemons are the best. I also find Meyer lemons taste delicious in pickles. They do not have the acidity and tartness and when fried the lemon skin is more tender than regular lemons. The frying is an essential part of this recipe making the process. It enhances the flavor and there is intense lemon fragrance and adds depth to the complex flavors of this pickle. The other flavors come from fenugreek seeds, hing, gingerly oil, garlic, and ginger. Vinegar adds the tang to this zesty pickle. Try this yummy pickle, you will surely love it.

Tips to make lemon pickle
It is important to fry the lemons. If you want it low calorie, you can also stuff the whole lemons with the masala and fill the jar till the top with the masala. This will take longer time to mature, but you can get almost the same results.
If you wish to avoid this frying process, you can steam it till the skin becomes soft or just cut lemons and sprinkle salt and keep in air tight container for one or two days before making pickle, but the shelf life of this pickle will be less.
Try frying whole lemons. Do not cut into smaller pieces for frying, because the lemons will start oozing out water.
I have used a mix of regular chilly and Kashmiri chilly which is less spicy and gives a good color to the pickle. Dry roasting the fenugreek powder and hing will enhance the flavor of the pickle.

 

Stuffed lemon pickle recipe

 Cooking time- 10 minutes
Recipe type- pickle
Cuisine- Kerala/ Indian

Ingredients
Lemon -10( medium sized)
Salt- as needed
Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp
Chilly powder-1/2 cup
( add according to your spice tolerance)
Fenugreek powder- 1 tbs
Asafoetida- 1 tsp
Garlic pods 8-10
Ginger- 1 inch thick

Sesame oil- 1/2 cup
Vinegar-1/3 cup

Wash lemons and wipe them completely dry. Heat half of the oil in a deep pan and when it is hot carefully slide in the whole lemons and gently fry them till skin becomes soft and tender. It will also changes and shades to slight golden brown.Drain the lemons from the oil and keep aside. let it cool down completely. Do not discard the oil

Step 2: Heat the rest half of the oil in a pan. Add chopped garlic and  ginger and saute till the raw flavor disappears. Switch off the flame and add the dry ingredients- chilly powder, turmeric powder, salt, fenugreek powder and asafoetida and mix well. Put this back in low flame and stir for just a few seconds. Allow this to cool a bit.

Step 3:Take half of the masala and mix with vinegar and the oil that you used to fry lemons. Mix this and keep aside.
Use the rest of the pickle masala to stuff the lemons.Take each lemon and slit open. Do not cut it all the way through.With a spoon take little of the masala and stuff into the lemon. Repeat the same process with all the lemons. Now pour over the top of the lemons the reserved vinegar spice mixture. Allow this to cool down completely before transferring into dry air tight containers. You can start using the pickle after 10 or 15 days.

You might also like,
Vadukapuli naranga curry
Yellow dates/ Raw dates pickle
Eenthapazham Achar/ Dates pickle
Kadumanga/ Mango pickle
Lemon rice
Lemon Chicken

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Hope you will all enjoy