Taste of Saras

Spicy Idly Podi

Ingredients
Serving Size:5

1 cup channa dhal
1/2 cup ural dhal
1tbsp coriander seeds
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/2tsp peppercorns
2tsp cumin seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
5 garlic cloves
a pinch of hing powder
1/4tsp methi seeds
15 whole red dried chillies
few pieces of tamarind
1/4 cup white sesame seeds

Preparation Methods:


Roasted all the ingredients in 1tsp of oil separately making sure that they a re golden brown. Don't over roast them. Once the mixture is cooed grind them into powder expect the sesame seeds. Just add to the powdered mixed as whole. We can store this podi for 3-4 months.

Whenever I get free time or just to relax my mind normally I will watch food network esp Rachael's 30 Minutes Meal. I'm a great fan of her as she also like to play with her ingredients just like me.She always like to make her own burger mixing different kinds of meats and she can make burger patties with anything she gets her hands on. I was so engrossed in her burger making skills and want to try it out. One morning out of the blue moon my son mentioned that he wants me to prepare burger at home for breakfast and I was really happy that at last I got a chance to show my talent in making burgers.I'm making a Spicy Chicken burger with French Fries with a different twist..I was keeping my hands across while my hubby had his first bit...show a big smile on his face..I have done it..done it.I was so happy that didn't know that I was jumping with joy..would like to share my happiness with all my fellow bloggers and well wishes...please try out the recipe and drop your comm…

Wheat Rava Upma

Ingredients:
Serving Size: 4

2 cup broken wheat rava
1 large onion chopped finely
2 green chilies minced finely
1tsp mustard seeds
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1tbsp ural dhal
1tbsp channa dhal
1 sprig curry leaves
5 cups warm water
1 cup warm milk
chopped coriander leaves

Preparation Methods:
Coat a non-stick pan with 2tbsp oil. Once heat splutter mustard seeds,cumin seeds,ural dhal,channa dhal and curry leaves followed by the chopped onions and green chilies. Once the onions turn transparent add 5 cups of warm water and 1 cup of warm milk. As the water starts to boil add the wheat rava slowly and stirring at the same time to avoid any lumps. Cover the pan with lid and stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom. Adjust the level of salt and remove from flame. Serve hot with chopped coriander leaves.

Note: My hubby like to eat wheat rava upma with either curd or spicy tomato rasam and mango ginger pickles.

Chicken 65

Ingredients:
Serving Size: 4

1lb chicken breast chopped
4 tbsp chilli powder
1/4tsp turmeric powder
1tsp garam masala
3tbsp lime juice
1tbsp ginger garlic paste
1tbsp curry chicken masala
1tbsp beaten curd
salt and pepper to taste accordingly
chopped coriander leaves.

Preparation Methods:
Marinate the chopped chicken with all the ingredient and refrigerator overnight. Heat a large wok with enough vegetable oil on medium flame. Once heated deep fry the chicken cube until golden brown.Drain on paper towel and serve hot with chopped coriander leaves.

Stir-Fried Vadai Masala

Ingredients:
Serving Size: 4
1 cup thosia batter
2 cup chopped onions
1/2tsp fennel seeds
1 cup chopped coriander leaves
1 large chopped tomatoes
1tsp gram masala
1tbsp chicken curry masala
1tsp chili powder
1tbsp crushed chili flask
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/4tsp cumin seeds
1tbsp roasted peanuts
1tbsp roasted cashew nuts
2tbsp kara mixture- brought from Indian store
2tbsp crushed tomato puree
salt to taste

Preparation Methods:
In a bowl add the thosai batter with half of the chopped onions and coriander leaves,green chilies and fennel seeds. Mix them well and deep fry them until golden brown. Drain on paper towel and chop them up. Keep aside.

Coat a medium non-stick pan splutter mustard ,cumin and chilli flask followed by the remaining chopped onions and tomato. Once the onions and tomato become tender add all the spice powder and saute till the raw smell of the spices are removed.Then add the chopped vadai with roasted peanuts,cashew nuts and mixture. Let the vadai absorb the spic…

Poached Egg Masala

Ingredients:
Serving Size: 4

4 large eggs at room temperature
2tbsp vinegar
1 large chopped onions
1 large chopped tomatoes
1tsp gram masala
1tbsp chicken curry masala
1tsp chili powder
1tbsp crushed chili flask
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/4tsp cumin seeds
chopped coriander leaves
2tbsp crushed tomato puree
salt to taste

Preparation Methods:
In a large saucepan boil 2 cups of water ,salt and add the vinegar on a high flame. Once it starts boil break the eggs one by one slowly into the water. Make sure you don't over-crowd them- give enough space. Cover and let eggs to be cooked. Once they are cooked-allow them to cool off and then chop them up. Keep aside.

Coat a medium non-stick pan splutter mustard ,cumin and chilli flask followed by the chopped tomatoes and onions. Once the onions and tomato become tender add all the spice powder and saute till the raw smell of the spices are removed. Finally add the chopped eggs and mix well. Adjust the level of salt and remove from falme.Serve ho…

Kozhi Kuttan Chicken Curry in Kerala Style

Ingredients:
Serving Size:4

1lb chopped chicken
2 medium onions chopped
5tbsp tomato puree
2 green chilies slit
1.5tsp turmeric powder
1tbsp curd
2.5 cup grated coconut
4tbsp coconut oil
5 dried chilies
1 small ginger
10 garlic cloves
1/2tsp peppercorn
2 stick cinnamon
5 cloves
3 cardamoms
5tbsp coriander seeds
1/2tsp cumin seeds
chopped coriander leaves


Preparation Methods:
Rub the chopped chicken with turmeric ,salt and curd.Keep aside. Extract 1 cup thick coconut milk using 1 cup water. Add another 3/4 water to the same coconut and extract 3/4 cup thin coconut milk. In a frying pan add 1tbsp coconut oil and roast all the ingredients expect onions,green chilies and tomato puree. Once cooled grind the roasted ingredients into a fine paste...keep aside.
In the same pan add the remaining coconut oil saute the onions till golden brown followed by the grind paste,tomato puree and green chilies. Saute them constantly and then add the chicken and the thin coconut milk.…

Rajma (Kidney Beans Curry)

Actually I tried this dish in my friend Radhika's home in Singapore. That was the first time I ever heard of this dish but her was kinda of a bit sweet and at that time I wasn't very interested in cooking very much. I completely forgotten about it. Recently I was talk with one of my very close friend from India and she mention that she had Rajma chapati for dinner and decided to give this dish a try and it was definitely a success.

Ingredients:
Serving Size:5

2 cups kidney beans soaked overnight in hot water
1 small ginger
10 garlic cloves
3 whole dried chilies
2 large onion chopped
2 tomatoes chopped
1tbsp chili powder
1tsp garammasala
salt to taste
chopped coriander leaves
4 cups water

Preparation Methods:

Grind ginger, dried chili and garlic into a fine paste.Heat oil in pressure cooker..once heated add the chopped onions and fry till golden brown. Add the paste- fry for few minutes then followed by the chopped tomatoes, chili powder and salt. Cook till tomatoes …

Vegetarian Meat Masala
Vegetarian meat products are now more commonly found in all supermarkets and groceries store worldwide which are highly recommended for today's healthy eating trends. they are made from high grade soy protein,one of the highest quality source of vegetable protein. these meat products are cholesterol free and low in calories as well as high in dietary fiber. It also gives the appearance,taste,fiber and texture of real meat.Theses vegetarian meats can be used to replace a variety of meat, seafood and poultry preparations like Thai, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican and Italian cuisines. While shopping in Asian Market I brought to packet of these Vegetarian meat to try out and it came out excellently and deliciously...ideal diet food...

Ingredients:
Serving Size: 4

3 garlic cloves
a small ginger
1tsp fennel seeds
2tbsp chopped coriander leaves
2tbsp olive oil
2tbsp lime juice
1/2tsp salt

Grind the above ingredients with 1tbsp of warm water to fine paste. Keep aside.

1 …

Spicy Laksa Noodles

We recently shifted to Dallas from Owasso. There is Owasso usually I cannot find many ingredients used to prepare certain dish. My hubby was driving along Plano when we spot this Asian Market and decide to take a look. Here's where I got the idea of preparing Laksa Noodles which is my hubby's favorite. This recipe require to use laksa leaves which was not found in the stores so I will be omitting it from my recipes but the taste will be the same which lays in the curry soup...

Source: Wikipedia -Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup from Peranakan culture also know as the Baba and Nyonya- a common merger of Chinese and Malays living in south East Asia esp Singapore and Malaysia. Indeed another popular taste bud of the local Singaporeans.There is two different types of noodle soup dishes: Curry Laska and Assam Lakas. Curry Laska is prepared with coconut milk whereas Assam Laksa is noodles served with sour fish soup with tamarind as the main ingredient.Normally …

Steamed Chicken Parcel
Well yesterday I was browsing tru my friend's Dan's blog..her grilled chicken was so tempting and I wanted to try them out...it was so simple without many spice. My hubby came up with this item of making steamed chicken in parcel which nothing but steaming the chicken pieces fold in aluminum foil. Instead of prepare Dan's Grilled Chicken I end up doing this dish..At first I was not sure how it will taste but it was so deciduous and perfectly cooked... Enjoy preparing this dish and shared it with your loved ones pals...


Ingredients
Serving Size:4

6 chicken drumsticks
salt and pepper to taste- accord lying to your taste
2tbsp chilli powder
4tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup beaten curd

Preparation Methods:
Wash the chicken well and split across the chicken. Then in a large bowl add 2tsp taste(i used only this amt for the recipe) and 4tbsp grounder pepper powder,chilli powder. lime juice and the curd. Whisk well and add the chicken drumstick. Mix well and cover and refrig…

Grilled Eggplants Masala With Onions

IngredientsServing Size:4

Marinate for Eggplants:
15 small purple eggplants
1 packet of McCormick Original Buffalo Seasoning mix
1tbsp of ginger garlic paste
1tbsp of chillie powder
1tbsp of gram masala
1tbsp chicken curry powder1tsp onion powder1tbsp crushed chili flask¼tsp cinnamon powder1tbsp curd1tbsp ghee½ tsp turmeric powder
4tbsp of lemon juice
1tsp of grounded pepper
2tbsp of olive oil
Salt to taste
Wash the eggplants well and slit them even without cut off the stem. The steam should be in tact. In a large bowl add all the marinate ingredient and whisk well. Add the eggplants and mix well and refrigerate overnight.
1/4 cup chopped red onions1/4 cup shallots halved1/4 cup pearl onions halved2 green chillies quartered
1tsp mustard seeds1tbsp ural dhal
1/2tsp cumin seeds2tbsp crushed tomatoes
3 curry leavessalt to taste


Preparation Methods:

Arrange the marinated eggplant on a non-stick tray and grill for 30 minutes at 350°C. Remove and keep aside.Heat a large no…

Chicken Kurma

I have being think lately that I have being preparing chicken curry with different ingredients with a twist here and there only.. never anything special or different like Red Chicken or Green Chicken Curry so today I have decide to prepare Chicken Kurma instead normal boring Chicken Curry.

Ingredients
Serving Size: 4

For the Kurma Paste
1 cup of freshly grated coconut or use 5tbsp of coconut powder
6pcs dried chillies
6tsp of coriander seeds crushed
1/4 cup coriander powder
1/2 tsp of cumin seeds
1tbsp of ginger garlic paste
Small piece of cinnamon stick
2pcs cloves
2pcs cardamon pods
1/2 cup of chopped shallots
1/2tsp of poppy seeds
1/4tsp of fennel seeds
1 green chillie
2tbsp of pottu kadaial
5 pcs of peppercorns
Few piece of mint leaves

Fry all the kurma ingredient in oil and once cooked grind into coarsely paste,keep a side

1 lb chicken chopped
1tbsp chilli powder
1tbsp gram masala
1/2tsp turmeric powder
1tsp salt

Marinate the chopped chicken with the above said ingredients and refrigerate ov…

Chinese Veg Fried Rice

Source of facts:Wikipeda
Rice is a staple food for large part of the world's human populations and it provides more than one fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by human.There are many varieties of rice. The long grain rice tend to remain intact after cooking whereas the medium grain rices becomes more sticky and there mostly used for sweet dishes.

Some type of rice details:


Basmati Rice:-a variety of long grain rice notable for it's fragrance and delicate flavor...mostly used in Indian cooking.




Jasmine Rice:-normally known as Thai fragrant rice which has a nutty aroma and a subtle and pandan like flavor which is originally from Thailand. Less sticky and will cling when cooked.



Beaten Rice:-is a dehushed rice which is flattered into flat light dry flask which will swell when liquids are added whether hot or cold which is very popular in India and Bangladesh.






There are more types like black rice,forbidden rice which is purple when raw and dark purple when c…