Pancake Uttapam

So, when you are in a hurry and need to pack something quick for lunch, or you are dying hungry in the evening and want something light and fluffy, try this quick dish

Ingredients:
1. pancake mix - 2 cups
2. Onion - 1 medium finely chopped
3. Ginger - finely chopped, to taste
4. Green chillis - finely chopped, 2 nos
5. Fresh corriander - finely chopped
6. Salt to taste

Method de Preparation:
1. Add water to the pancake mix till it is dosa mix consistency. You may want to keep it a little thicker. Add the chopped onions, ginger, green chillis, corriander and salt to the batter and mix well.
2. You may choose to add a pinch of turmeric, red chilli powder and jeera powder. But this is totally optional

3. Heat a pan. If you use a non stick, no oil is required. Check the temperature of the pan by sprinkling a few droplets of water on the surface. If it sizzles, then it is ready
4. Pour one ladle-full of the batter. Since we are making uttappam style, there is no need to even it out. Cover the pan and let it cook in steam.
5. After 2 mins, turn and let the other side cook as well.

6. When both sides are done, serve on a platter! Thatz it. Well, in our case, you'll put it into your lunch box.
Can be enjoyed with pickle, chutney or simply curd/yogurt!


Bon App!

S inspired Kichidi

Last evening, I spent sometime with a good friend at her cozy home. We were talking about food and cuisines. She suggested a quick kichidi with black lentils (used in my previous recipe). This morning, I was tempted the make the same, but wanted to change the lentils (just for variety's sake). I had some split green lentils and voila, my tasty kichidi is ready!

Ingredients
1. Split green lentils - 1 cup
2. Rice - 1 cup
3. Onions - 1 nos
4. Green chilli - 3 nos
5. Ginger - to taste
6. Jeera - 1 tsp
7. Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
8. Garam Masala (optional) - 1 tsp
9. Pepper (optional) - 1 small tsp
10. Oil - 1 tsp
11. Salt to taste

Method de Preparation
1. Wash the split green lentils and rice separately and side aside
2. Chop onions, green chilli, ginger
3. Heat some oil in a pressure cooker. Splutter jeera and pepper. Add the chopped onions, green chillis and ginger and fry till the onions are transparent.
4. Add turmeric powder and garam masala
5. Add the washed lentils and rice and toss. Once the rice looks slightly transparent add water to this mix.
6. Pressure cook for 2 whistles
Et voila, it is ready to enjoy.

I used split green lentils as I did not soak whole green lentils before cooking. Split ones are easier to cook (in just two whistles in pressure cooker). Also, I wanted to style this like Pongal (another famous south indian dish). I also added some long beans to the mix and pressure cooked the whole thing. I like the mix of veggies and dhal. If you add carrots, make sure to balance the spice as carrots tend to be a little sweet.

Bon App!

Idly Ravai kozhakattai

This is my MIL's recipe. She made it one evening as a surprise for my husband. We all loved the taste. The best part is that these balls can be eaten as a snack or main course with any chutney, idli molakai (chilli) powder or even just plain curd!
Ingredients:
1. Idli Ravai - 1 cup
2. Mustard seeds
3. Curry leaves
4. Ginger(optional)
5. Urad dhal
6. Asafoetida powder
7. Salt to taste
8. Pepper seeds (optional)
9. Cashew (optional)

Method de preparation
1. Heat oil in a pan and add the asafoetida powder
2. Splutter the mustard seeds in the oil.
3. Add urad dhal, curry leaves and grated ginger
4. Add 1 cup water (the same measure as that of idli ravai) and let the soup boil with some salt
5. Add the idli rava slowly and keep turning the mix as you add the idli ravai. It should come to a consistency where you can make small balls (not too watery, not too dry either)
6. Once the mix cools a little, make small balls of the mix
7. Steam the balls (like you would do idli)

Bon App!

Karacha Maavu Dosai

This is a south indian dish spruced up by my MIL.
Ingredients:
1. Arisi Maavu: Ravai: Maida - 1: 1.5: 0.75
2. Green chillis
3. Salt to taste
4. Jeera
5. Ginger small pieces or grated
6. Oil to cook

Recipe:
1. Mix all the three flour (arisi, ravai and maida) to a thin batter consistency
2. Add finely chopped green chillis, jeera, ginger shavings and salt to taste
3. Leave aside for about 15 mins
4. Heat a tava on stove
5. Pour a ladle full of batter, let it take its own form
6. Add some oil to get some crispiness
7. Let it cook for sometime on one side, turn it over and let it cook again
8. Remove and serve hot with either coconut chutney/green chutney

The advantage of this type of snack is that there is no prior set up required. All the three types of flour used in this dish are usually available at home...what a recipe for some unexpected guests too!