Sunday, April 28, 2013

Snake Guard Puttu / Pudalangai Puttu



Benevolence seeks not a return. What does the world give back to the clouds? - Thirukkural



Snake guard is high in fiber it relieves constipation. Snake guard helps stimulates the production of body fluids, relieving dryness. It creates cooling effect in the body. Snake guard is considered useful in treating type 2 diabetes.
I got this recipe from my mom, snake guard puttu or pudalangai puttu is best accompaniment for kara kuzhambu and rice.
Ingredients:

  • Snake guard chopped – 1cup
  • Onion chopped – ½ cup
  • Ginger chopped – 1tsp
  • Garlic chopped – 1 tsp
  • Green chilies chopped – 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
  • Fried gram /pottu kadalai – ½ cup
  • Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
  • Oil – 3 tsp
  • Salt to taste
Procedure:

  1. First boil snake guard in hot water and when it is cooked squeeze extra water from snake guard.
  2. Then heat oil in a pan, add fennel seeds and then chopped onion and fry until it is translucent,
  3. Next add chopped ginger, garlic and green chilies. Fry it until the raw smell goes away.
  4. Then add boiled snake guard, turmeric powder, salt and stir it well.
  5. Take ½ cup of fried gram in a mixer grinder and grind it to a powder.
  6. Finally add powdered fried gram to the snake guard and mix it well. Cook under low flame until the vegetable is dry.
Note: Instead of fried gram can also use channa dhal.


Sending this to WTML event conducted by Gayathrikumar, hosted by Sowmya of Nivedhanam
 

Friday, April 19, 2013

Murukku



The friendship of the wise waxes like a new moon; but that of fools wanes like the full moon. - Thirukkural
Murukku


Murukku is a deep fried snack prepared using rice flour and other ingredients. My mom usually makes murukku and thatai during deepavali. She is a expert in Murukku making, I got this recipe from her. And to my surprise, for the first time itself I prepared a perfect Murukku, thank you mom…

Ingredients:

  • Rice flour – 5 cups
  • Urad dhal – 1 cup
  • Fried gram – 1 cup
  • Boiled rice – 1cup
  • Butter – 5 tsp
  • Hing – 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
  • Sesame seeds – 2 tsp
  • Chili powder – 1tsp (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Water – As needed
Procedure:

  1. First dry roast urad dhal and boiled rice separately for 10 minutes. Then grind it in a mixer grinder with fried gram. Grind it to a smooth powder.
  2. Take rice flour in a separate bowl; add grounded dhal mixture, butter and then cumin seeds, sesame seeds, chili powder, hing and salt to taste. Mix it thoroughly.
  3. Next add water little by little and make dough. Keep it covered. (Prepare the dough in batches that is first take 2 cups of flour and mix it with water and then after finishing it proceed the same with the remaining dough.)
  4. Heat oil in a pan and using a murukku maker press dough into the hot oil directly or press it on a plastic sheet and then fry it in the hot oil.
  5. Wait for the bubbles to settle down and when color turned to golden brown, remove it from the hot oil and drain it on the tissue paper.
Notes: Chili powder is optional, instead of chili powder can also add coarsely ground pepper.



Sending this to WTML event conducted by Gayathrikumar, hosted by Sowmya of Nivedhanam
 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Coconut cookies




Let the thoughts be always great and progressive. It will not be a loss, even if the success eludes.- Thirukkural


This is my 50th post. I am happy to be a very minute part of this food blogosphere. Learning is something that is never ending for every one…I am happy to learn more and more from fellow bloggers.
Coconut cookies or thenga biscuit is one of my favorite cookies, freshly grated coconut or dessicated coconut can be added to make these cookies.

Ingredients:

  • Butter or Margarine - 1/2 cup / 1 stick
  • APF or maida -  1 and 1/4 cup
  • Coconut grated – ½ cup
  • Yogurt - 2 tsp
  • Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Sugar - 4 tsp
  • Salt-  a pinch
  • Cardamom powder – ½ tsp
Procedure: 


  1. First sieve APF with baking powder, sieve it twice.
  2. Then cream the butter, add yogurt sugar, salt and coconut. Whisk it well.
  3. Add sieved APF and knead it to form  dough like consistency.
  4. Preheat oven at 350degrees.
  5. Take small portion of dough and shape them without cracks.
  6. Place them in a baking tray and bake it for approx 20 minutes. (check it after 5 min interval).
  7. Finally bake it until the base of the cookies turn light brown.  
Note: Instead of cardamom powder you can also add vanilla essence or rose essence. 



Sending this to WTML event conducted by Gayathrikumar, hosted by Sowmya of Nivedhanam