Kollu Sprouts Rasam

 

This is another variation of the Kollu Rasam. The preparation is easier too. :-)

You can make this rasam with or without sprouting Kollu.
But since sprouts are beneficial to health, why not the sprout them? :-)

If you need more motivation to sprout the grain, here you go:
Sprouts are rich in essential nutrients, an excellent Source of enzymes, high in protein and easy to digest, and since they are high in fiber and low in calories, they aid in weight loss too.

Now making Kollu sprouts is very simple.
Soak 1/4 cup of Kollu in little water overnight. Next Morning drain the water and transfer the Kollu to any bowl (or hot pack). Cover the bowl and keep it in a relatively dark place. Leave it for a day or two. Make sure to check on it once a day - just give it a gentle stir and sprinkle few drops of water if it is too dry. The sprouts will germinate and bring in all the goodness of sprouts along with it. Enjoy the sprouts and stay healthy.

Procedure:

• Pressure cook the sprouted Kollu with 2 cups of water, 1 tsp of Turmeric powder, a pinch of salt, 2 tsp of oil  for 3 whistles
• Drain the water and set it aside
• Fine grind the Sprouted Kollu and set that aside too.
• In a mortar and pestel, coarsely crush 2 garlic pods, 2 pearl onions and set it aside
• Blanche (ie Immerse the tomato in hot water for few seconds) 1 large Tomato and dice it into fine cubes. Blanching is only to lessen the cooking time. You may skip blanching. If you prefer you can even microwave the tomato.. but I read microwaving changes the molecular structure of the vegetables and hence not recommended.. well... I shall leave it upto you on the destiny of your tomato. :-)
• Soak 1 inch of tamarind in little water for 15 mins, extract the tamarind juice from the pulp by squeezing it and set it aside.
• In a hot pan add 2 tsp of oil
• Temper the oil with 1 tsp of mustard seeds, 1 tsp of hing, 1/2 tsp of methi seeds, 1 spring of curry leaves, 2 red chillies,  coarsely crushed onion-garlic
• Add 1 tbsp of any Rasam powder you prefer (you can also coarsely grind 1/2 tsp of whole pepper, 1 tsp of cumin seeds, 1 red chilly, 1 garlic pod and use it in place of rasam powder)
• Saute the contents for few seconds
• Add the Kollu paste and  saute till the raw smell goes away
• Add the diced (and blanched) Tomatoes
•  Saute till the tomatoes are well done
• Add the Tamarind juice, along with the Kollu water
• Add 1 cup of water (or less if you want a thicker rasam)
• Taste test the rasam for salt and adjust accordingly
• Simmer the stove and let the Rasam cook for another 10 mins or until froths collect on the sides
• Add some chopped cilantro leaves, cover the pan and turn off the stove
• Serve hot with Rice or as is like a soup

Healthy Cereal Snack

A Healthy Cereal Mix , Sweet and Savory..

Misha Aunty  is sharing her delicious cereal snack secrets. :-)

 Misha Aunty making the cereal snack

 I am thrilled to introduce you all to Misha Aunty, a wonderful person. Did I tell you that she makes dishes/sweets that taste out of the world?! Oh She is an expert in cooking.. Today she shared this great recipe with me. Thanks Aunty!!



















  








Recipe:

• In a big oven safe bowl mix the cereals of your choice. Recommended cereals: Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Chex Mix, Rice Krispies.. unsweetened ones preferably but anything is fine, really. :-)
• I added Puffed rice instead of Rice Krispies.
• The ratio is such that the puffed rice makes half the portion
• Today I added about 2 lbs of puffed rice, about 1/2 lb of cherrios, Corn Flakes, Chex Mix each.
• Drizzle 3 tsp of (Extra Light) Olive oil onto the cereals and mix them well
• In a coffee grinder, powder about 2 tbsp of Sugar, 1 tbsp Salt, 1 tsp of Citric Acid (powder) to a fine powder (Pls use your discretion to adjust the salt/sugar quantities..)
• Add the powdered mix to the cereals and stir well. Since the cereal is coated with oil, this salt-sweet-sour powder will stick to the cereals and will taste divine
• Dry roast 1 cup of Dhalia (Pottu Kadalai) and add to the mix
• Dry roast 1 cup of broken Cashews (salted or unsalted) and add to the mix
• Dry roast 1 cup of shaved/whole almonds and add to the mix
• Dry roast 1 cup of raw peanuts and add to the mix
• In little olive oil, roast 2 springs of curry leaves till they turn crispy. Add just the leaves to the mix.
• Crumble the leaves while mixing the contents thoroughly
• In the same oil, roast 1 cup of Golden Raisins and add the raisins to the mix
• Warm little Olive oil in the pan and add 3 tsp of Red Chilly Powder, 3 tsp of Turmeric powder
• Stir the spice mix on low flame for few seconds
• When the raw smell vanishes, pour the spiced oil onto the cereal bowl
• Give the contents a hearty stir
• Taste test the snack and adjust sugar/salt accordingly (preferred to add powdered sugar)
• Now preheat the Oven to 200 Degrees
• Place the bowl inside and Bake it for 1 hr
• Open the Oven every 15 mins to give the bowl a good stir
• When done it must be very crispy. 
• Make sure to store the snack in an air tight container
• It stays fresh for long and makes a tasty healthy snack when you crave for that sweety-salty-savory taste.

Carrot Poriyal

• Scrape the outer skin of 4 long carrots slighlty to remove the dead skin
• Dice them to the size that you like
• Heat 1tbsp of oil in a pan
• Temper with 1tsp of mustard seeds, 1tsp of urid dhal, 1tsp of channa dhal, 1/4tsp of cumin seeds, few curry leaves, a pinch of hing
• Add finely chopped onions (half medium size onion)
• Fry until onions turn translucent
• Add salt per taste and 0.5tsp of turmeric powder
• Saute for another couple of minutes
• Add the diced carrots
• Saute for 10 mins or until carrot gets tender
• Add 1tsp of red chilly powder
• Saute for another 7 mins or until done
• Optional: Add 1tbsp of grated coconut, stir and cover the pan, then simmer the stove for 2 minutes
• Serve with hot rice and Rasam or curd

Cauliflower Pepper Side

Oil + mustard seeds+sombu+curry leaves+onions+ginger-garlic paste+salt+turmeric+cauliflower+1 tsp masala+1/2 tsp red chilly pdr+1/2tsp coriander pdr+tomato+pepper

Launching Blog: Home Sweet Home

Finally, here it is.. the new blog! A blog on Organizing the Kitchen, Interior Decorations and more..

In response to some of my dear visitors/friends online & offline, I am launching a dedicated blog on keeping the kitchen organized and more.

Stay tuned for more tips on interior designing, decorations, cleaning tips, etc..

 Visit The New Blog..