Tutti Frutti

      Tutti Frutti is made from raw papaya. Its also called as candied papaya. It can be made easily at home.

Ingredients:

Raw papaya (500 gms approx)

Sugar - 2 cups (300 gms)

Water - 3 cups

Food colour (your choice)

Vanilla essence- 1/4 tsp

Method:

Peel the raw papaya and chop it into small pieces. Don't use the centre part (rind).

Boil these pieces in water for around 10 minutes till they are 3/4 done. Then strain them and keep aside.

Now heat sugar and three cups water on medium heat till the sugar dissolves. Now add the papaya pieces to it. 

Let it cook well till the water reduces and sugar form syrup and the papaya pieces are coated with syrup well.

Once the syrup reduces (takes around 20 mins), add vanilla essence and mix well. Switch off the flame.

Divide them into three parts. I have used red and yellow colour. Other part I have left as it is.

Mix well the colours and keep it aside overnight.

Next day dry them under sun for 5 to 6 hrs. If there is no sunlight you can dehydrate them in the oven for around 30 to 40 minutes at 80°c. Adjust the timings accordingly.

Store them in an air tight container and use them in all the desserts.

Enjoy Cooking!!

Palak Pakoda

   Quick snack which can be made in five mins.

Ingredients:

Spinach - 1 bowl

Gram flour - 1 cup

Rice flour -  1/4 cup

Salt to taste

Chilli powder

Oil for frying

Method:

Take chopped spinach in a bowl. Add gram flour, rice flour, salt and chilli powder and mix well.

Heat oil in a pan. Once oil is hot add two tsp of hot oil to the bowl and mix well.

Now just add little water to make a thick paste.

Take little amount of palak mix and start dropping in the oil on a medium flame.

Let it fry well. Once it's golden in colour, remove from oil and serve hot.

Enjoy Cooking!!

Instant Mango Pickle

          You can make it any time with just one mango too. Leave it for 30 mins and it's ready..

Ingredients:

Raw Mango - 1

Chilli powder - 3 tsp

Salt to taste

Mustard - 2 tsp

Fenugreek - 1 1/2tsp

Turmeric - 1 tsp

For tempering:

Oil - 2 tbsp

Mustard - 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp

Method:

Wash and wipe the mango properly. Chop it into small pieces.

Now add chilli powder, salt and turmeric and mix well.

Dry roast fenugreek and mustard and powder them.

Add this powder to mango. Mix everything well.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and asafoetida. Once it cools add it to the pickle and mix well. Close the lid and allow it to rest for 30 mins to 1 hr.

Crunchy fresh mango pickle is ready.  Make it anytime fresh. 

Adjust chilli powder according to your taste.

Enjoy Cooking !!!

Neer Dosa

      The famous delicacy of coastal Karnataka region. Neer Dosa which literally refers to water dosa since the batter of this dosa is of pouring consistency.

Ingredients:

Rice - 1 cup

Grated fresh coconut - 1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Oil 

Method:

Soak rice in water for three to four hours.  Then grind it finely along with fresh grated coconut and salt. 

Then to this batter add around two cups of water so that it is of pouring consistency.

Now heat a tava on low to medium heat. Take some batter and pour it on the tava. Add a tsp of oil. Close the lid and allow it to cook.

After two minutes the sides start to release. Slowly remove the dosa from the pan and place it on an inverted bowl. The dosa should not be folded when hot and also no need to roast it on both sides.

Serve hot with some chutney or any sagu.

Enjoy Cooking!!!

Paneer Peas Pulao

      Quick and easy to make rice recipe with very mild flavours. Best to have on a lazy day brunch. It tastes great with some Dal Tadka.

Ingredients:

Green peas - 1 cup

Paneer - 100 gms

Onion - 1 medium 

Basmati Rice - 2 cups

Butter - 1 tsp

Oil - 1 tsp

Star anise - 1

Mace (japatre) - 1

Cardamom - 1

Clove - 2

Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds -1/2 tsp

Garam masala - 1/2 tsp

Salt to taste

Method:

Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20 mins.

Chop the paneer into small cubes. Also cut  the onion.

Heat oil and butter together in a pan. Add the paneer cubes and fry till they are golden. Remove them and keep aside.

Now in the same pan add cumin seeds, cardamom, clove, star anise and mace. Fry for a minute.

Now add onion and fry till they are translucent. Add basmati rice and mix well. Also add garam masala and salt. 

Add twice the water and lemon juice and allow it to cook on medium to high flame for 10 minutes till the rice is cooked 3/4th.

Once the water is almost reduced, add peas and paneer cubes. Turn the flame to low and cook for 5 more minutes with lid closed.

Switch off the flame and keep the lid closed for few more minutes. Basmati rice cooks well in the steam.

Serve hot with dal.

Enjoy Cooking!!

Veg Pizza (no yeast)

       This is a pizza without yeast in making the base.

Ingredients:

Pizza Base:

All-purpose flour - 1 cup

Baking powder - 1 tsp

Baking soda - 1/2 tsp

Salt to taste

Curd - 1/2 cup

Oil - 1/4 cup

Milk - 1/4 cup

Pizza Sauce

Tomatoes - 2

Onion - 1

Garlic - 3 cloves

Italian seasoning - 1/2 tsp

Salt to taste

Chilli powder - 1 tsp

Butter - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 1 tsp

Tomato ketchup - 1 tsp

Pizza Toppings:

Capsicum - 1/2 

Onion - 1 small

Paneer - 50 gms

Mozarella cheese

Italian seasoning - 1/2 tsp

Method:

Take the flour in a bowl. Add baking powder, baking soda, curd,oil, milk and salt. Mix well to form a dough. If required add little water. Cover it with a damp cloth and keep aside.

Now in a grinder, make a puree of tomatoes, onion and garlic.

Heat a pan and add butter and oil. Add chilli powder and tomato puree to it. Mix well and cook till the oil separates. 

Now add Italian seasoning, ketchup and salt and mix. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more and switch off the flame.

Chop the paneer and vegetables and keep aside. You can choose any vegetables of your choice.

Now take the dough and spread it while dusting with extra flour.

Make some pricks with a fork. Spread the sauce over it and add vegetables. Grate some cheese over it.

Cook on low flame with a lid covered till everything is done.. It might take around 15 mins approximately.

If you are making in oven, preheat the oven to 180°c and then bake the pizza for around 15 to 20 mins. Keep checking inbetween.

Serve hot with some seasoning and chilli flakes on top.

Enjoy Cooking!!!