Beef Dry Fry (Pattichu Varathathu)

Ingredients

• 500gm beef (or any red meat)
• 2 small potatoes, diced
• 1 dsp + 1 tsp garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• Salt, as required
• 2 dsp oil (any oil)
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp crushed pepper
• 2 dsp shallots, chopped fine
• 1 dsp ginger, chopped fine
• ½ tsp fennel seeds
• 2 pieces cinnamon
• 4 cloves
• 1 dsp chilli powder
• 1 dsp coriander powder
• 1 dsp vinegar
• Water, as required

Preparation

Grind together, turmeric powder, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, coriander powder, chilli powder, pepper powder and 1 tsp garlic together to a fine paste
Put the washed, cleaned and chopped beef in a pan
Add the ground masala to it, washing out the mixer
Add the finely sliced ginger and salt
Pour the vinegar and blend all of it well with the meat
Add a cup of water and put a steel lid over it. Light the stove and keep on medium flame
Pour water over the lid and let it cook
In a while, all the water would have evaporated off the lid
Open, and add diced potatoes
Add sliced garlic as well
Close and keep for a while in medium flame for the potatoes to cook
In another pan, pour oil and splutter mustard seeds
Add sliced shallots and saute well
Put the meat mixture into it and blend well
Delicious beef fry with potatoes is ready to be relished

by Mrs K M Mathew

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Mango Peera

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw mango, sliced into long pieces
• 1 cup grated coconut
• 4 green chillies, slit
• 1 onion sliced fine
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp mustard
• 2 sprigs curry leaves
• 2 dry chillies
• Salt to taste

Preparation

Splutter mustard seeds in oil
Add dry red chillies and curry leaves
Add onion and green chillies and saute
Add coconut and mangoes and continue cooking for five minutes on low heat
Mix well and take off the flame

by Mrs K. M. Mathew

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Chocolate Burfi

Ingredients (25 Chocolate Burfi)

Making of the Off-white layer:

• Unsweetened Khoya/ Mawa: 150g (around 1.5 Cup)
• Powdered Sugar: 50g (around 1/2 Cup)
• Green Cardamom: 5-6

Making of the Chocolate Layer:

• Unsweetened Khoya/ Mawa: 150g (around 1.5 Cup)
• Powdered Sugar: 50g (around 1/2 Cup)
• Unsweetened Chocolate Powder: 1 Tbsp.

Other:

• Ghee: 1 Tsp.

Instructions

Preparing the tray or plate for setting Burfi and some preliminary preparations:
I have used my baking tray to set the Chocolate Burfi. If not available a steel plate can also be used.
Take Ghee and rub on the surface of the tray and then place a piece of Butter Paper and set it properly.
Grate Khoya in room temperature using a food processor or manual processor and divide it in to two equal parts.
Deseed Green Cardamoms and make a powder of the Cardamom seeds.
Preparing the Off-white layer of the Burfi:
Take one part of grated Khoya in a Pan preferably non-stick one to get rid of sticking Khoya on the surface of the Pan.
Start cooking Khoya in low flame and frequently mix it using a spatula*.
After 2-3 minutes of cooking and vigorous mixing Khoya will start melting and will turn in to a paste which will have a consistency of Halwa.
Add ½ Cup of Sugar Powder and mix properly and then again cook for 2-3 minutes in low flame and add powdered Green cardamom powder to it and again mix it.
Stir continuously until the mixture thicken and leaves the side of the pan.
Pour the Khoya mixture on the previously prepared tray and spread it evenly to form a medium thick layer.
Preparing the Chocolate layer of the Burfi:
Take remaining grated Khoya and cook it as it is like the off-white layer.
After dissolving the sugar add unsweetened Chocolate Powder and mix it vigorously with the Khoya and cook till the mixture have similar consistence as the Off-white layer.
Pour the Chocolate Khoya mixture over the Off-white layer in the baking tray and spread evenly to complete the layer.*
Cool the tray in refrigerator for around 1 hour and then demould it lightly from the tray along with the butter paper.
Remove the butter paper carefully and place it on a Chopping Board or Plate and then using a knife cut it in to medium sized diamonds or squares.
Chocolate Burfi is ready to serve.
Chocolate Burfi can be stored in refrigerator for one week or in room temperature for 1-2 days.

Notes

*Stirring Khoya vigorously during cooking is very important unless it will get burnt. *If you wish you can sprinkle some chopped dry fruits this time but I avoided it as my daughter does not like dry fruits.

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Sunshine Pudding

Ingredients

For the First Layer:

• 20 apricots
• 3 cups water 
• 1 cup sugar 

For the Second Layer:

• 8 gm China grass 
• 1 ½ cups water 
• 1 tin condensed milk 
• 5 cups milk 
• 5 tbsp sugar 
• 1 tsp vanilla or almond essence 

For the Third Layer:

• 7 gm China grass 
• 1 ½ cups water 
• 3 cups fresh orange juice 
• A little lemon juice 
• Sugar as required

Preparation

Deseed the apricots and cook it with water.
When the apricots are cooked well, add sugar and mix well.
When it thickens to the consistency of sauce, remove the vessel from the flame and allow it to cool to room temperature. Spread it onto a glass dish.
To prepare the second layer, first soak the China grass in water for ten minutes. Then warm the China grass till it melts.
At the same time, mix the milk, condensed milk and sugar in a pan and heat it. Keep stirring continuously.
When the China grass has melted completely into the water, gently pour it into the milk mixture, which is being heated on the stove.
Remove the milk mixture from the flame, add essence and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Next, pour this mixture over the apricot layer and keep it in the refrigerator to set.
For the third layer, soak the China grass and melt it on a low flame.
At the same time, mix together the fresh orange juice, lemon juice and sugar and heat it. When the China grass has melted completely, add it into the orange juice mixture and remove it from the fire.
Place this orange juice mixture in the refrigerator, and when it begins to set, take it out of the refrigerator. Using a large ladle or spoon, evenly spread this mixture on top of the pudding, as the third layer. Leave the pudding to set once again, in the refrigerator.
Garnish with cherries, orange slices and caramelized nuts.

(by Vimala Abraham)

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Pickled Carrots

Ingredients:

• 6-12 carrots - it'll all depend on the size! Mine were teeny so I used 12.
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 1/4 cups vinegar (white and apple cider work well!)
• 1-2 tablespoons salt
• 1 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of sugar
• whatever spices and herbs you like! I used probably a teaspoon of extra herbs/spices all together.
• additional veggies - you can sneak in some garlic, onion or peppers here, too.

Wash the jar, lid and all extras in VERY hot water. You want this as clean as possible since you'll be storing food long term in it.

Once it's washed, set it aside on a clean towel or rack to dry.

Peel and slice your carrots on the diagonal - 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Thinner is better if you want the carrots to be soft!

Slice up anything else you're putting in, too. I'm also adding four serrano peppers because Tyler kept saying "Make it spicy! Make it spicier!!"

Try to fill the jar to right below the bottom of the rim.

Combine the vinegar, water, salt, sugar and herbs and spices (and garlic if you want it!) into a large microwave safe measuring cup.

Heat in the microwave for 3-4 minutes or until the mix is about 190-200 F.

Pour the hot pickling liquid over the carrots.

Let the jar sit open on the counter until it cools down enough to comfortably handle (or reaches room temp) and then close it and pop it in the fridge. The carrots will soften slightly during this time, so let it hang out for a while!

These pickles will stay good for around a month if stored in the fridge, though ours rarely last that long. :D

Enjoy! I'd love to hear about what flavor combinations you guys use.

(jessyratfink)

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Cheesecake Cupcakes (With Strawberry Topping)

Ingredients

• 2 cups finely crushed graham crackers (from 16 sheets)
• 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 7 Tbsp salted butter, melted
• 4 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Strawberry Sauce, recipes follow

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together crushed graham crackers with 3 Tbsp granulated sugar. Pour in melted butter and stir mixture until evenly coated. Divide graham cracker mixture among 24 paper lined muffin cups, adding about a heaping Tbsp to each. Press mixture into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven 5 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool while preparing filling.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar with 3 Tbsp flour until well blended. Add softened cream cheese to a separate mixing bowl and pour sugar mixture over top. Blend mixture on low speed until smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time and blend on low speed, while scrapping sides and bottom of bowl and mixing just until combined after each addition. Add vanilla, sour cream and heavy cream and mix just until combined. Tap mixing bowl against counter top about 30 times to release some of the air bubbles. Divide mixture among muffin cups filling each cup nearly full. Bake in preheated oven 20 - 23 minutes, centers should still jiggle slightly, don't over bake (if they begin to crack they are starting to become over baked). Remove from oven and allow to cool 1 hour. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and transfer to refrigerator and chill 2 hours. Serve chilled with a spoonful of Strawberry Sauce (note: for best results spoon topping on just before serving). Store in an airtight container in refrigerator or freeze.

For Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh strawberries, rinsed and dried
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp fresh lime or lemon juice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well chopped and mixture is beginning to break down and liquefy (I liked it with some small pieces not completely pureed). Transfer to an airtight container and chill 30 minutes or until ready to serve.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

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Erissery

Ingredients

• Yam 25 g
• Raw banana 1
• Pepper powder 1 tbsp
• Water 1 ½ cup
• Turmeric powder 1 tbsp
• Salt€“ to taste
• Coconut (grated) from one half of a coconut
• Cumin seeds 1 tsp
• Coconut oil 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds ¼ tsp
• Coconut (grated) from one half of a coconut
• Ghee 1 tbsp
• Cumin seeds ½ tsp

Preparation

Chop the yam into small pieces and place it in water.
Slice the skin from the banana and draw four equal slits lengthwise. Now slice each piece diagonally into smaller pieces and place it in water.
Dissolve the pepper powder in water and stir it well. When the powder settles, drain out the liquid.
Once again, add water and strain it through a muslin cloth.
Add the yam, turmeric powder and salt to this water and boil it well.
When the yam is three fourths cooked, add the chopped banana pieces and continue to cook till it is done.
Mix the grated coconut and the cumin seeds and grind well. Add this paste to the cooked vegetables and keep it all to boil.
When it boils well, remove from the flame.
Heat coconut oil in a frying pan, and add the mustard seeds. When it splutters, add grated coconut from one half of a coconut, mashed well by hand without adding water.
Keep stirring well all the time.
When the coconut is well fried, add the ghee and mix well. Next remove a small amount of coconut from the centre and make a small hole.
To this add the cumin seeds. When it splutters, remove from the flame and add the contents to the cooked yam mixture.
Mix well and serve.
Take care to keep the flame at the minimum or lowest possible, when frying the coconut, to prevent it from burning.

(by M. Anantharaman)

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Puliyinji (Tamarind and Ginger Chutney)

Ingredients

• Tamarind – 50 g
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Chilli powder – 1 tbsp
• Asafoetida – 20 g
• Jaggery – 75 g
• Curry leaves – as needed
• Coconut oil – 3 tsp
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Dry red chillies (chopped) – 3
• Curry leaves – a few
• Ginger (Peel the skin and chop very finely) – 75 g
• Green chillies (chopped) – 10 g
• Fenugreek seeds – 1 tsp

Preparation

Soak the tamarind well in two and a half litres of boiled water, squeeze, strain and keep aside.

To this squeezed tamarind, add one litre of water, turmeric powder, chilli powder, asafoetida, jaggery and curry leaves. Boil the mixture well.

When it begins to boil, add one small spoon of coconut oil.

Heat coconut oil in a small pan (similar to an uruli, but not made of iron) and add the mustard seeds.

When they splutter, add the chopped dry red chillies and curry leaves.

When it is well fried, add the finely chopped ginger and the green chillies and fry well.

Fry until the ginger is slightly more than three-fourths cooked, keep stirring it continuously on a low flame.

When the ginger is done well, remove the pan from the flame.

Take the three and a half litres of tamarind water that was prepared earlier and kept aside, place it on the flame and allow it to boil.

Keep boiling until it is reduced to a little more than one and a half litres.

To this tamarind, add the prepared ginger and mix well.

Roast the fenugreek seeds and powder it well.

Add this to the ginger, mix well and serve.

(by M. Anantharaman)

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Pachadi

Ingredients

• Coconut (grated) – from one quarter of a coconut (for the coconut milk)
• Coconut (grated) – from one half of a coconut (for the paste)
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Green chillies – 10 g
• Pumpkin, ripe – 15 g
• Pineapple – 25 g
• Banana, ripe  1
• Tomato – 20 g
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Chilli powder– 1 tsp
• Salt – to taste
• Curry leaves – a small bunch
• Jaggery – 25 g
• Curd – l ¼ cup
• Raisins – 10 g

For Seasoning

• Coconut oil – 2 tsp
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Dry red chillies (whole)  1 or 2
• Curry leaves – 2 sprigs

Preparation

Add ¼ litre of water to one quarter of a coconut grated, mash it well together and then squeeze out the coconut milk.
Next, mix the grated coconut (from one half of a coconut), mustard seeds and green chillies together and grind it well into a paste.
Chop the ripe pumpkin into very small pieces, wash and keep aside.
Chop the tomatoes, pineapple and banana into small pieces.
To these pieces, add one litre of water, turmeric powder, chilli powder, salt and curry leaves and cook till done.
When it is cooked well, add the jaggery and continue to heat until it is dry.
To this, add the coconut milk that was prepared earlier, the coconut-chilli paste and curd, and allow it to boil.
When it boils, remove from the flame and add the raisins.
For seasoning, heat the coconut oil and add the mustard seeds. When they splutter, add the dry red chillies and the curry leaves. Saute for a short while and add it to the curry.

(M. Anantharaman)

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Kalan

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup raw banana, diced
• 4 green chillies, slit
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup coconut, grated
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 cups curd, lightly beaten

For the seasoning

• 1 dsp refined vegetable oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds2 pinches of fenugreek seeds
• 3 dry red chillies 
• 2 sprigs of curry leaves

Preparation

In a vessel, cook raw banana with enough water, turmeric powder, chilli powder, green chillies and curry leaves
Grind together coconut and cumin seeds
Once the mix is cooked, add salt
Add to it the ground coconut mix
Once the banana has cooled down, add the beaten curd to it
Simmer and mix well, stirring it in one direction
Once steam emanates from the gravy, take it off the flame
Do not let the kalan boil, as it will curdle then
For the garnish, splutter mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds in oil
Add curry leaves and red chilli flakes to it
Pour the garnish over the prepared kalan

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Beef Clear Soup

Ingredients

• 1 dsp butter
• 2 dsp sliced onion
• ¼ kg beef
• Salt as required
• ½ tsp pepper crushed
• 3 cups boiling water
• 1 shell and white of egg
• 2 slices of bread, cut into small cubes and fried in butter

Preparation

In a pressure cooker, heat the butter
Fry the sliced onion until they turn golden brown in colour
Add the beef to it
Sprinkle some salt
Add crushed pepper
Pour in some water and let it cook
Once cooked thoroughly, strain the soup through a wet cloth
Squeeze out the excess into the cup
Add the shell of the egg
Whisk the egg white and add it to the soup
Keep it to boil, and once it boils over, take off the flame
Remove the scum from the top
Strain it once again
Boil the soup once again
Pass it over to a cup adding a few bread croutons

(Mrs K. M Mathew)

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Kumbilappam / Therali Appam

Ingredients 

• Roasted rice flour - 2 cups
• Grated Jaggery - 1 - 1 ½ cup
• Small banana - 3-4 Nos
• Grated coconut - ½ cup
• Cardamom powder - 2 Teaspoon
• Bay leaves ~ Vayana leaves as required for wrapping
• Coconut leaf sticks as required
• Water if required
• Serving 4-5 people

Directions

1.Wash and clean the bay leaves.
2.Take each bay leaf and fold it to make to a cone shape and pin it with coconut leaf stick and set aside.
3.In a pan add roasted rice flour, grated jaggery and mix well.
4.Then add the smashed bananas, grated coconut and cardamom powder to rice-jaggery mix and combine well without any lumps ( add little water if required, at this stage ).
5.Now fill the prepared mix to each bay leaf mould, steam for about 20-30 minutes or when its done.
6.Allow it to cool and remove the leaf mould before serving.

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Chicken Korma

Ingredients:

• Chicken – 1 whole, made into pieces after being deboned
• Onions – 2, chopped
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Coriander seeds powder – 1 tsp
• Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
• Ginger – 1 inch piece, chopped
• Garlic – 8, minced
• Curd – 1 cup, fresh
• Garam masala – 1/2 tsp
• Almonds – 5, chopped
• Cashew nuts – 10, chopped
• Lemon juice – a dash
• Coriander leaves – for garnishing
• Water – 2 cups
• Ghee – 3 tbsp
• Salt as per taste

Method:

1. Add the chicken pieces with turmeric and salt in the curd after it is whipped sufficiently. Let the mixture set for about half an hour.
2. Now, heat the ghee and add the onions, garlic and ginger till they turn to a light brown colour.
3. Once that is done, add the red chilli powder and the coriander and allow the mixture to simmer for some more time.
4. To this add the chicken mixture and let it fry for another 5 minutes. You should also add around two cups of water so that the chicken does not stick.
5. Cover the chicken and allow it to cool till tender. You must wait to see that all the water has been absorbed and the dish is dry.
6. Finally, add the garam masala and salt.
7. To garnish, add all the dry fruits and the coriander leaves to the prepared dish.
  Shahi chicken korma is ready

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Chemmeen Varattiyathu

Ingredients

• ¼ kg prawns
• 2 onions, sliced
• 3 green chillies, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
• 3 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• A few sprigs of coriander leaves
• 2 cups tamarind juice
• A few sprigs of curry leaves

Preparation

Take the prawns in a bowl, and add a tsp of chilli powder, a little turmeric powder and salt
Mix well with the prawns and marinate for about 5-10 minutes
Heat oil in a pan. (Vegetable oil or coconut oil)
Fry the marinated prawns, and drain them
Keep aside both the fried prawns and the oil
Now the sauce has to be prepared.
In a pan, pour 2 tbsp oil
Add mustard seeds and let them splutter
Put in fenugreek seeds and wait until they pop
Then add the curry leaves
Add the onions and then the green chillies and saute well in low flame
Add the ginger and garlic paste
Soon enough, add the diced tomato
Once the mix is sauteed well, add two tsp chilli powder, 1tsp coriander powder, and ¼ tsp turmeric powder
Take the oil saved after frying the prawns and pour it into the pan
To this, add the tamarind juice
Add enough salt, and let the curry boil
Once this gravy boils and thickens slightly, add the fried prawns to it
Put in the chopped coriander leaves and mix well
Keep in low flame and let it boil for another 2-3 minutes
Chemmeen varattiyathu is ready to be served
Pair it with hot steaming rice or soft rotis

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Chicken Kabab

Ingredients:

• 250 gms chicken
• 1 tbsp curd
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 1 inch ginger paste
• 1 tsp green chillies paste
• 8 cloves garlic paste
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups ghee
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Dilute the cornflour in 1 cup of water and keep the mixture aside.
2. Clean the chicken in normal running water and cut into medium size chunks.
3. Marinate with salt, black pepper and vinegar for about 15 minutes.
4. Add cornflour mixture, curd, ginger, garlic and green chillies.
5. Mix well and add 1 tbsp ghee.
6. Cover and refrigerate for about 8-10 hours.
7. Melt the remaining ghee in a pan.
8. Slowly add the pieces of chicken on high flame.
9. Fry until chicken pieces turn into golden brown in color.
10. Fry all the pieces of chicken until done.
11. Serve hot with chutney and salad.

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Stuffed mussels

Ingredients

• 8-10 mussels, washed and scraped clean

For the Stuffing

• A bowl of parboiled rice soaked in hot water for 3-4 hours and drained
• 1 cup scraped coconut
• 1 tbsp chopped shallots
• 1 tsp fennel seeds powdered
• 1 tsp jeera powdered

To make the marinade

• 2 tbsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• Salt as required

Preparation

Mix all the ingredients for making the stuffing. Grind to a smooth thick paste for a dough-like consistency and keep aside
With a knife, carefully open each mussel halfway taking care not to separate the sides. Drain the water inside
Stuff the mussels with the prepared rice paste neatly
Put them in a traditional steamer, and steam cook for about 45 minutes
After some time, take off the lid and check if they are cooked
Once done, take them out, pass over to a plate and keep aside for a while to cool off
Once the mussels have cooled, remove the shell carefully
The flesh inside the mussels would stick to the steamed rice dough. Take off the shell without cutting through the stuffing
Mix in a little water to the ingredients listed to make the marinade and make a paste
Roll each mussel in this masala in such a way that the paste covers it from all sides
Marinate the mussels in the ground masala for 15-30 minutes
Heat a pan
Pour enough oil to fry the mussels (vegetable oil or coconut oil)
When the oil is hot, drop the marinated mussels one after the other in it
Cook with the lid partially closed so that there isn't much spluttering
Take care to fry them in medium flame
Drain them and pass over to a paper towel
There is your Kallumakkaya nirachathu or stuffed mussels

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Egg Kebab

Ingredients

200gm boneless mutton
200gm onion, sliced
70gm split Bengal gram, cooked
3 eggs boiled and cut into four parts each
4-5 green chillies
½ tsp ginger crushed
½ tsp garlic crushed
2 sprigs of curry leaves
1 tbsp coriander leaves, shredded
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp coriander powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
¼ tsp garam masala
100gm rusk powdered
1 egg

Preparation

In a pressure cooker, put in the meat, chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt and water
Cook this for about 20 minutes or until you hear the whistle
Make sure the water dries away completely
Blend the meat to a smooth mix in a blender
Grind the split Bengal gram in a blender with a little water
Now, in a pan, pour 2 tbsp oil
Add the onion, green chillies, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, coriander leaves and salt
Saute them well
Add the ground mutton and garam masala
Add the ground Bengal gram paste
Let this mix cool
Make medium-sized balls out of the mix
Flatten them out in your palm
Place a piece of egg inside and cover up
Make oval sized kebabs
Beat an egg in a vessel
Dip the kebabs in the beaten egg and roll over rusk powder
Deep fry the kebabs
Crunchy and delicious egg kebabs are ready to serve

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Fish Pathiri

Ingredients

To make dough for Pathiri

• 250 gm Ponni rice immersed in hot water for 3-4 hours, drained and kept aside
• 1 cup coconut
• 1tbsp shallots chopped
• ½ tsp fennel seeds powdered
• ½ tsp jeera powder
• Salt as required

For the fish fry

• 250gm fish
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• A little turmeric powder 
• Salt as required
• Oil for frying

For the coconut paste

• 1 cup coconut
• A little turmeric powder 
• 2 pods of cardamom
• 1 inch piece cinnamon
• 2 pods of clove
• Water as required

For the masala

• 250gm onion
• 1 tomato
• 4-5 slit green chillies
• 1 ½ tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp coriander powder 
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped

Preparation

Soak the rice in an open pan of hot water for 3-4 hours. Wash and drain
Add the next 5 ingredients to the rice
Grind the coconut with all the listed ingredients. Dilute the coconut paste with 100 ml of water.
Marinate the fish for 15 minutes in a paste of turmeric and chilli powders and salt. Heat oil in a frying pan and deep-fry the fillets

For the masala

Heat 2 tbsp oil or ghee in a pan
Put in chopped onion, green chillies, curry leaves, 1 tsp each of ginger paste and garlic paste, and coriander leaves
Saute until the onions are soft and lightly brown
Add the diced tomato to it
Keeping the flame low, saute the mix until the ingredients blend well together
Add 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp chilli powder, ¼ tsp turmeric powder and salt
Add ½ cup water and let it boil
Once after it boils, add the coconut paste to it
Wait till the gravy thickens
Now, add the fried fish to the gravy
Pour over a little of the oil saved after frying the fish into the gravy

To assemble the pathiri

Take the dough for making pathiri that was kept aside
Smear a little oil on your palms
Pinch out a sizeable round ball from the dough and roll with your palm
Smear some oil on a piece of plantain leaf
Place the slightly flattened dough on the leaf
With your palm flatten it out to a circular shape
Make one more pathiri the same way
Now, take the masala and smear a little of it over the first pathiri. Place a fish piece and then smear a little more of the masala on top
On the second pathiri, smear some masala at the centre
Place it gently over the first pathiri
Seal their edges together and make sure it's closed tight
Shape it up once again by patting the sides gently
Repeat the process to make another one of the stuffed pathiri
Steam them in a traditional steamer for about 45 minutes
Once cooked, transfer them to a plate
Fish Pathiri is all set to be relished

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Spicy cheese Roll

Ingredients 

1. 1 -potato boiled
2. 2 -egg
3. 4 -green chilies
4. 6 -bread slice
5. 1 -cup flour
6. 1- teaspoon black pepper
7. 1 -teaspoon cumin seeds
8. 1/2- teaspoon crushed red chili
9. 1/2-teaspoon salt
10. 2- teaspoon cheddar cheese 2- teaspoon mozzarella cheese
11. 2- teaspoon mint leaves to fry oil.

Preparation 

Mash the boiled potato well.Now in a bowl put together 4 chopped green chilies,1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cumin seed,1/2 tsp crushed red chili, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp cheddar cheese, 2 tsp mozzarella cheese and 2 tsp mint leaves mix well.Flatten the bread slice using rolling pin. fill the mixture in bread slice and fold like a Swiss roll. Dip in 2 beaten egg,roll in 1 cup flour and fry in hot oil.Delicious and crispy cheese rolls are ready to serve.

(Megha P)

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Chettinadu Fish Curry / Chettinadu Meen Kozhambu

Ingredients:

• Fish Fillets – 400 gms, cleaned, washed (preferably Vanjaram/Seer Fish)
• Fenugreek Seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Green Chillies – 4 to 5, slit
• Tomatoes – 300 gms, chopped
• Sambar Onions (Shallots) – 200 gms, finely sliced
• Ginger Garlic Paste – 2 tblsp
• Mustard Seeds – 2 tsp
• Curry Leaves – handful
• Red Chilli Powder – 2 tsp
• Castor Oil – 2 tblsp
• Tamarind Extract – 3/4 to 1 cup
• Salt as per taste
• For the masala:
• Coriander Seeds – 1 1/4 tblsp
• Dry Red Chillies – 8 to 10, round ones
• Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
• Saunf – 1 tsp
• Black Peppercorns – 1/2 tsp
• Curry Leaves – few
• Gingelly Oil – 2 tblsp

Method:

1. Heat gingelly oil in a pan over medium flame.
2. Fry all the masala ingredients separately for 45 to 60 seconds and remove.
3. Allow it to cool and grind to a coarse paste with a little water.
4. Heat castor oil in a pan over medium flame.
5. Fry the fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds for 30 to 45 seconds.
6. Add the curry leaves, onions, green chillies and tomatoes.
7. Saute well for 2 to 3 minutes.
8. Add the ginger garlic paste and ground masala.
9. Simmer for a minute and pour enough water.
10. Add salt, tamarind extract and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
11. Add the red chilli powder and stir well.
12. Add the fish pieces and cook for 5 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.
13. Ensure the fish pieces do not break.
14. Remove from flame.
15. Serve hot with rice, idli or dosa.

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