Pavakka Kichadi | Bitter gourd in coconut and yogurt sauce

Pavakka Kichadi

Pavakka Kichadi- Kerala Vishu / Onam sadhya special recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:

1. Pavakka /bitter gourd,sliced- 1 medium sized
2. Green chili,sliced-2-3
3. Grated coconut-1/2 cup
4. Cumin seeds-1/8 tsp ( optional)
5. Mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
6. Yogurt-3/4 to 1 cup
7. Water- as required
8. Salt- to taste
9. Oil- as required

For tempering:

1. Mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
2. Shallots / Chumannulli,sliced-2 to 3
3. Dry red chilies- 1 or 2
4. Curry leaves-1 sprig

Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan ,add pavakka/bitter-gourd and green chilies , fry until it turns golden brown and slightly crisp.Drain and keep aside.

Grind together grated coconut , cumin seeds( if using) and just enough water to form a smooth paste.Crush the mustard seeds and add it to the coconut paste.Keep aside.

In a mixing bowl,combine together fried bitter-gourd and green chilies,coconut paste and yogurt.Add salt to taste and mix well.

For tempering,heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Add shallots,dry red chilies and curry leaves,saute until shallots turn golden brown.Add this to the curry and mix well.

Best Ever Banana Bread Recipe

Best Ever Banana Bread Recipe

Recipe adapted from : Taste of home,you can find the original recipe here.
Moist and delicious Banana bread,packed with banana flavor.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 70 minutes
Yields: 1 loaf
Ingredients:

1. All purpose flour- 1 and 3/4 cups
2. Sugar-1 to 1.5 cup( see notes)
3. Baking soda- 1 tsp
4. Cinnamon powder- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp( optional)
5. Nutmeg powder- 1 pinch( optional)
6. Salt-1/4 tsp
7. Ripe bananas ,mashed- 2 medium( 1 cup)
8. Eggs-2 
9. Canola oil-1/2 cup
10. Butter milk-1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp
11. Vanilla extract-1 tsp
12. Walnuts,chopped-1 cup(optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180 deg c.Line a 9" x 5" loaf pan with parchment paper.

In a mixing bowl mix together,all purpose flour,sugar,baking soda,cinnamon powder,nutmeg powder and salt,using a fork/whisk.keep aside.

In another bowl,add mashed bananas,eggs,canola oil,buttermilk and vanilla extract.

Add this to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.( Do not over mix).Fold in the chopped walnuts,if using.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the cake comes out clean.( I halved the recipe and it was done in 40 minutes.)

Cool on wire rack.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.If you like it less sweet ,use just 1 cup sugar.You can use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar,if desired.
• I halved the recipe  and used 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/8 cup regular sugar and it was just perfect.
• Cinnamon powder and nutmeg powder gives a nice flavor to the bread.
• I used just 2 tbsp chopped walnuts,adjust the quantity according to your taste.

MAMBAZHA PULISSERY

Mambazha Pulissery

Ingredients

1. Small ripe mango-(nattu manga)-(peeled) 2 to 3 nos
2. Green chilies-cut vertically- 2 to 3 nos
3. Red chili powder- 1/4 tsp
4. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
5. Salt- to taste
6. Water- 3/4 cup( or as required)
7. Yogurt- 1.5 cups

To grind together

1. Grated coconut- 1/2 cup
2. Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
3. Water- as required

For tempering

1. Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
2. Fenugreek seeds- 1/4 tsp
3. Curryleaves- 2 sprigs
4. Dry red chilies- 2 to 3 nos
5. Coconut oil- as requied

Directions

• Whip yogurt and salt to taste in a mixing bowl and set aside.
• Grind together coconut and cumin seeds  to form a thick ,smooth paste ,adding sufficient quantity of water.Keep aside.
• In a pan combine together mango,green chilies,red chili powder,turmeric powder and water.Cover and cook until it turns soft.Add the prepared coconut paste and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on a medium low flame.Bring it to just under a boil.
• Switch off the stove and slowly add yogurt ,stirring well as you do so.Add more salt,if required.
• Heat oil in pan and add mustard seeds,let it splutter.Add fenugreek seeds and saute for few seconds.Add curry leaves and dry red chilies and saute for few more seconds.Add this to the prepared curry and mix well.

Serve with rice.

VANILLA CUPCAKES AND HOMEMADE SPRINKLES

Homemade Sprinkles

Recipe Source:Chocolate-Covered Katie

Ingredients

1. Powdered Sugar-1/2 Cup
2. Cornflour- 1 1/2 tsp
3. Vanilla Extract-1/2 tsp
4. Water-2 to 3 tsp( or as required)

For color variations use Beetroot juice/Turmeric powder/cocoa powder as required.You can also use natural food colors.

Method

• Sift together  sugar and cornflour. Add vanilla extract. Mix well.
• Add water one teaspoon at a time.
• For pink color add few drops of  beetroot juice to this.For red ,add 2 tsp beetroot juice .Use a pinch to 1/8 tsp of turmeric powder for yellow .For chocolate sprinkles add 1 tbsp cocoa powder to the sugar cornflour mixture ,before adding the vanilla and water.
• Mix well to form a smooth and thick paste.
• Transfer this thick paste to  a piping bag with very small round tip.
• On a baking tray lined with parchment paper pipe out long thin lines.
• Allow this to dry for 24 Hrs.After it is completely dry,break it into small pieces using your fingers or a knife.Store in am airtight container.

Perfect vanilla Cupcakes

Makes 15- 16 cupcakes

Recipe source Glorious Treats

Ingredients

1. Cake flour-1 1/4 cups( see note)
2. Baking Powder- 1 1/4 tsp
3. Baking Soda- 1/2 tsp
4. Salt- 1/2 tsp
5. Eggs- 2 nos
6. Sugar-3/4 cup
7. Vanilla extract- 1 1/2 tsp
8. Vegetable oil- 1/2 cup
9. Butter milk- 1/2 cup

Method

• Preheat oven to 180 Deg C and line a muffin tin with paper cases.
• In a mixing bowl ,whisk together,cake flour,baking soda,baking powder and salt.Keep aside.
• In another mixing bowl,add eggs and beat for about 10 seconds using a whisk.
• Now add sugar and whisk for 30 seconds.
• Add Vanilla extract and vegetable oil and mix until combined.
• Now fold in the flour mixture into this in three batches alternating with the buttermilk.Mix well until combined.
• Fill the prepared muffin cups about 2/3 rd full.
• Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for about 12 to 14 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the cupcake comes out clean.
• Allow it to cool completely,and frost as desired.( I used whipped cream frosting and homemade sprinkles)

Note: For preparing 1 cup cake flour,use 1 cup minus 2 tbsp of all purpose flour and 2 tbsp of cornflour.Sift this together at least 3 to 4 times.