Broken wheat upma

Simple broken wheat upma recipe . Relishing diabetic freindly recipes is necessary for us as we age older. As I am baking and creating more sweets for the blog I am also a little worried about how much I eat a day . 

I have not started to diet as yet. My body is very subtle to such things in life I lose and gain every quickly. My  high metabolic rate is the reason for this. If I get excited about something i eat a lot lesser. So here's the recipe for an easy breakfast to get away with the morning hassle...

Read More

Cucumber coconut chutney

As the year I sending I am feeling a little down. The reason I think is we are moving so fast now . Where has the January and June ...go...we had a terrible six months of rain scare . Our area almost flooded . The was no electricity in some parts but Alhamdulillah we were safe to this regards. Now it seems we are going to have it every year. And In between all this scariness my mum says by 2050 Kerala will be underwater  . Climate took its toll on us as the heat was also solid . It was never this hot than last the  few years . Anyways every day passes by and we pray for good health.
I have never skipped chutney for Friday's Biryani. And this is so much a favorite for us. 

I personally love the garlic smell in the chutney and adding one green chilli is really spicy for us but that's what we need with achhar .I have atleast four achhars now. Pappaya,lemon mango and tamarind, on my table . Biryani is not complete without the condiments . Some serve pappadam  raita pickle and chutney . AJ wants all of this infrontt of him if he is having his Biryani.
I prepare this chutney for  my Biryanies

Ingredients

• 1 grated cucumber
• 1/2 grated coconut fresh
• 3 cloves garlic
• 4 curry leaves
• 1 green chilli
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of mustard seeds

Method

• Grind all the above mentioned ingredients to a smooth paste.except for the cucumber and salt.
• Did not add water
• Transfer to bowl.
• Add the cucumber grated into it.
• Add salt now and mix well
• Serve immediately.

Read More

Kabirri Biryani

I have dark mode for this month's post as I am slowing down. My posts are just like a mirror to the rest of the world. It's how I feel the day I post will actually show what kind of mood i am in . The blog I started was sheerly out of enthusiasm and determination to ensure that my experiences with cooking comes as a full proof and also I am able to record all my cooking recipes here. But it wasn't easy and my ups and downs took a toll on me . But the thought of leaving my blog never occurred to me. I check out other blogs and that always kept spirits up .

So I repeat this month , with the same spirit, I decided to create something that we came to love so much. Biryani has always been a chossy thing. With respect to my kids, the boys love it with less masala and my daughter and myself love just to the perfection. Not too much or less. When we were small , as most kids, we would like up the onion masala and the spiciness was very high   but we loved . Mom used to make mostly Chinese fried rice and it was really good with chilli chicken and we oils reserve it for tea too. Back then  Chai and Biryani was a good combo  for us. Thanks to fadwas kitchen for the recipe .

I would say the easiest art of making Biryani is easy if u follow the rules and do a little of prepping up. Normally we prepare the usually Kerala biryany and call it a day.

I don't know what's in the name but I do know  it's a little different . This Biryani is prepared in three different steps. Marination  of meat , prepare the masala and last Prepare the rice . Go ahead and try it out its really yummy.

Ingredients

• 5 cups Biryani rice ( I have used ghee rice )
• 1 kilo beef cubes
• 2.onions sliced
• 3 tomatoes medium
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 6 green chillies
• 2 teaspoon Ginger garlic paste

Masala powders

• 1/2  teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1+1  teaspoon pepper powder
• 1+1 teaspoon Arabic masala
• 3 /4 teaspoon garam masala .
• 3/4 teaspoon corriander powder
• 1/2  teaspoon salt or according to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon beef masala

• 1 + 1 Maggi cubes
• A bunch corriander leaves
• A bunch curry leaves
• 1/2 cup Orange juice
• 1 lime  juice
• 1/2 teaspoon whole pepper corns
• Whole masala( cardamom ,cloves cinnamon stick)
• Oil for frying
• 3 teaspoon ghee
• Orange peels
• Food colour (optional)
• For frying and decor..
• 3 Onions
• 1 carrot sliced finely
• Few curry leaves

Method

• Now let's begin and fry fry the onions and let it become  golden brown and keep aside .
• Next fry curry leaves and carrots.Just fry for few seconds and keep aside .
• Marinate beef with masala powders(1  tablespoon pepper powder, 1 tablespoon Arabic masala ,1/2 teaspoon whole peppers, whole garam masala and one cube Maggi stock .) for one hour .
• Meanwhile heat oil in pan and fry the onions and saute till translucent .
• Add Ginger garlice paste and green chillies paste .Saute for two minutes .
• Add masala powders (Add 1 teaspoon turmeric powder,1 teaspoon Pepper powder, Arabic masala 1 tablespoon ,3/4 teaspoon Corriander powder,  one Chicken cube ,)and saute for a minute on low flame .
• Add the tomatoes chopped.
• Once they turn mushy add the tomato puree.
• Mix well. Then add the lime and 1/2 orange juice. Reserve 1/2 for rice later.
• Add the marinated beef and mix well .
• Cook the beef till done .
• When beef is getting done.
• Wash the rice and drain aside .
• Take a heavy bottom vessel . Then fry one  onions and add whole garam  masalas.
• Add boiled water and rice . Add the orange peel and salt . Cook the rice till 3/4 done .
• Dum cooking
• While still on low flame let's dum cook the Biryani now.
• Take out half of the rice .
• Add the fried onions, nuts (cashews and raisins) corriander and mint leaves.
• Sprinkle arabic masala and one teaspoon ghee .
• Add the beef masala and then the rest of the   rice on top . Finally add the rest of the onions nuts and leaves . Dum cook for 15 minutes.
• Serve with raita ,pickle papapdm and chutney.

Read More

Banana walnut cake

Banana Walnut Cake is a super easy one layer ultra moist cake loaded with nutty and banana flavors and and you can frost with rich cream cheese .
Whether its a cake, bread, cupcakes, or muffins, I just love baking with bananas, there is a  nice smell and the whole house smells of a nice spicy bake. The flavours of cardamom and cinnamon sticks out well.  Most of the time, I wait for the bananas  to go ripe so I can jump on it to bake something out of it !

As a kid we had some bakes like this but never got to get any form out so mum always bakes fresh out of fruits and nuts very often .mainly we would have  brownies or cookies made with nuts. It wasn’t until I tasted a slice of banana bread made with walnuts that I was truly overwhelmed . It all turned the epitome of comfort food .

The cake itself is moist and flat as I baked in a 8" pan but sturdy enough to handle it. If you want to frost you can go ahead with  cream cheese frosting. What's an easy way to fixing the overripe bananas , and is ridiculously easy.
I didn't use any equipments other than my hand whisker. So go ahead and try out super easy cake...

Ingredients

• 1 cup All Purpose Flour / Maida
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon  Baking Soda
• 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon Powder
• 50 grams Butter
• 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Ripe Banana( I used ripe plantain)
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 cup Walnuts

Method

• Preheat oven to 180 degree C.
• Grease a pan  with little oil.
• Next step is to take soft butter, sugar in a bowl and mix well with hand 
• Now add in the banana and egg and mash well 
• Whisk gently.
• Whisk in the dry ingredients.
• Next add in the dry ingredients .
• Followed by milk , walnuts 
• Fold in gently and incorporating well.
• Next fill into the pan and top extra walnuts for the extra crunch.
• Next step is to bake for 25 mins.
• Remove and serve warm with ice cream.

Read More

Uznu bonda

Uznu bonda is crispy fried and a light snack . Usually bondas are usually tiffin snacks and they have and  lot of variations like potato and vegetable mixtures are added to it. But this plain bondas with light spices that turned out fluffy , light , and super delicious with your choice if chutney and ketchup as my kids love it.

Uznu is made with uznu parrpe only. Only get them and add a few ingredients and it's easy to fry which is the next step. Slow cooking is the key to perfect bondas .addition of rice flour or Urad dal powder gives the bondas a crispy flavor.

Uznu ( Urad ) dal bondas are had along with coconut chutney or sambars for breakfasts .
It's very healthy and light and have it with hot masala tea as we have it .  I am sure you will live it .
Ingredients

• Urad dal - 1 cup
• Onion - 1 chopped finely
• Green Chilli - 2 chopped finely
• Ginger - 1 tsp chopped finely
• Curry leaves a handful
• Coriander leaves - 2 tblsp chopped finely
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• Oil for deep frying

Method

• Soak urad dal for 4 hours. Drain and  grind till it becomes really  fluffy. Dont add too much water Just sprinkle little water at a time and grind till urad dal is almost fluffy and light.
• Now take it in a bowl. Add all ingredients and mix well.
• Heat oil for deep frying. Now take a spoonful of batter in oil and fry till golden  crispy in colour.
• Drain and serve with chutney

Read More

Red sauce penne pasta

Red sauce penne pasta recipe or pasta in red sauce recipe or even you can call it tomato based pasta recipe which  basically is pasta recipe prepared in blended tomato sauce with penne pasta, oregano herbs, chilli flakes and corriander leaves. pasta recipes all usually served as a snack and also as  meal for dinner, but we have it mostly for dinners..

The red sauce pasta recipe which is tomato based recipe,. pasta recipes are staple food of traditional italian and continental cuisine and is prepared with very few ingredients and fresh herbs and loads of cheeses and  out of all red sauce pasta is indeed a most popular one to sought out for. . similarly, i have already shared the white sauce pasta recipe which is of more creamy and cheesy pasta recipe on this blog

My kids love pastas but it has to be loaded with cheese and red sauce pasta recipe is my favourite  recipe. I personally am big fan of pasta as sometimes we love to to go bland on our foods as we always have iddlies and sambar . however, just for a change i prepare these pasta recipes once in two weeks . There are not much innovative recipes to this recipe and   I am still  googling to find out more .

And now some important tips and suggestions for a perfect tomato pasta recipe. firstly, i always use ripe tomatoes that are really red and juicy as  for tomato sauce for pastas, they need to be thick. . secondly, you can use store bought tomato puree for sauce too, that will make your work easier. Finally i have used penne pasta to tomato pasta recipe, however even macaroni, spaghetti noodles and may varieties can be used with the same sauce. You can your choices of veggies as I had these in handy at the moment.now off to the recipe

INGREDIENTS

FOR RED SAUCE:

• 3 to tomatoes, red and ripped
• 1 cup capsicums ( red , yellow, green )
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables ( peas , cabbage , olives , mushrooms)
• 2 tsp  oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2  medium sized onion, finely chopped
• ¼ tsp chili flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder
• ½ teaapoon oregano
• salt to taste
• Few corriander leaves
• ¼ tsp pepper, crushed
• 3 tbsp cheddar cheese / any cheese, grated

For boiling pasta

• 1 cup pasta ( I used penne but you can have your choices too )
• 5 cups water or as required to boil
• salt to taste

Method

• firstly, cook ripe tomatoes  for 5 minutesin boiling water .
• Now after 4 minutes cool and peel skin and blend to thick puree.
• Next in a large vessel add enough  water to cook penne pasta with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon oil .
• Soften the pasta for 10 to 12 minutes 
• finally, drain the pasta and keep aside.
• in a large kadai heat  oil and saute bay leaf and garlic till they turn aromatic.
• also saute onions till they change colour.
• Add the vegetables mentioned above .
• also add corriander leaves, chili flakes,garam masala , mixed herbs, pepper, salt and mix well.
• Next add pureed tomatoes and cook and saute for 5 more minutes 
• .
• cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• and add in boiled pasta
• By mixing gently pasta should be coated well with the purred tomatoe mix . 
• spread the grated cheese on top and cover and cook till the cheese has melted.
• finally, serve red sauce pasta You can choose any cheese of your choice.

Read More

Theduka recipe

Theduka is a authentic long forgotten recipe of Kerala. My mum used to make with quite often when we kids and we used to much like as we didn't getavny food to eat the whole day . Some times she would drizzle some sugar syrup on it to make its sweet savoury snack . Why is it  called theduka ...no idea But it is very relaxing snack. We have it after lunch just to snack on it as my husband loves to have mixture after lunch ...I feel it's an awkward desire to have something like that. He always brings a lot of savoury snacks to munch on after lunch which I think is totally unhealthy too. 

Theduka recipe is very easy and munchy recipe . It is usually made for occasions like marriages and seasons like Diwali. A sit is a must store recipe , something I don't want it let go I am posting this recipe ...There are many forgotten indian snacks ,many of which is so funny to recognize or even spell the word accurately. When our grannies get together it is that possible time I get to catch up on some recipes of theirs . There are two oldies who are so stubborn to share their precious recipes with me . As they say it will be adulterated with new ingredients and the new generation will spoil the whole food. I smile at such talks. We have a couple of old ladies at home grandmas aunties and few distant relatives who join for tea once in a while. They share teenage thoughts and school days of yester years and how they brought their snacks to husband's home to as a token of love  for the in laws to keep. This snack is distributed amongst all the possible friends and relatives and many nearby neighbors . So we have that tradtion  still going on . I never give up such gatherings a sit is that tinkle of time that I personally get some really good ones from these people. Theduka as this is an awkward name for a simple recipe with very few ingredients , is a much loved snack for kids and especially we are munchers like me ,who love to to munch on everything that I can get my hands on.um makes a lot of these and carry it along  while visiting grandpa ...he would put on his false teeth and munch along . Faiz loves this very much and I would pack it along with some fruits and vegetables and he would always love to share it with friends so I pack a little more for his tiffin's to school. Now off to the recipe..

Ingredients

• 1 cup Maida
• 2 tablespoon Ghee
• Salt to taste

Method 

• Combine all the ingredients and set aside to rest .
• Divide the dough into small balls .
• Flatten the dough really thin .
• Cut into strips and slit in slants .
• Creating  diamond shaped pieces
• Fry the pieces to only light brown colour.
• Sprinkle some sugar syrup which is optional.

Read More