Vegetable Kootu

This is one of the common dishes prepared by many of them in Karnataka.Especially in Mysore and Bengaluru.This dish is light, no strong spices and variety of vegetables can be used at one go.I learnt this from my Mother and want to share this recipe.

So, if you have any leftover veggies like Carrot, potato, chayote squash, cluster beans, beans, Yam, turnip..or if you are running out of variety of vegetables, you can even add a handful of groundnuts.

I normally cook this, when i am bored eating dishes made out of lentils.

Allright, let me now tell you how this is prepared..

Ingredients:

Black Gram - 1tsp

Bengal Gram - 1 tsp

Pepper Corn -10

Coriander Seeds- 1tsp

Coconut-1/2 piece

Chilli - 1

oil - 1/4 tsp

salt- 1 tsp

Carrot - 1 or 2(Depending on the size)

Potato - 2 medium ones

Cluster beans/beans - handful

Chayote Squash - 1

Method:

Fry Black Gram, Bengal Gram, Pepper Corn and Coriander Seeds in a pan on a low flame, seperately with a drop of oil (I normally use Olive oil which is good for health).

Fry untill the BG's are lightly brown. Fry Pepper Corn and Coriander Seeds untill it leaves a nice aroma.

Grind the above mixture with grated coconut(1/2 piece), chilli, a little water and keep it aside.

Now, Boil the cut vegetables (medium sized) with a pinch of salt. You can pressure cook (3 whistles) it, which is quicker.

Add the ground masala, salt to the boiled vegetables(Add water if necessary) and bring it to boil untill the Kootu thickens.

Relish with hot rice.

The above preparation is for 2 people.

Let me know, if you liked it.

Eggless Microwave Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

Maida (plain flour)
1 cupMilk
1 1/2 cupsCocoa powder
1 1/2 tspVanilla essence few drops
Sugar 1 cup
Oil 3/4 cup
Baking soda 1 tsp
Raisins 1/4 cup
Chopped nuts a hand full


Method:

Boil milk in a pan, add raisins whilst the milk is boiling and allow the milk to cool down.Blend this mixture in a blender/mixer till the raisins are ground well.Add the oil and blend again till it becomes thick in consistency.Add the sugar and again blend for another few minutes.Transfer this mixture into a bowl.Sieve the maida along with the baking powder and cocoa powder.Add the flour little by little to the blended mixture and gently mix in 1 direction only.Add to this, the chopped nuts dusted in a little flour and the vanilla essence and again mix gently.Grease a large microwavable dish and pour in the batter.Microwave for 10 minutes on high checking once in between.Allow to stand for 2 minutes.Remove the cake and allow to cool.Decorate as you wish. Your delicious eggless cake is ready.

Kobbari Mithayi

Ingredients:
1 cup grated, coconut
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 tbsp. ghee
1 tsp. cardamom powder
1 tbsp. cashew nuts, chopped
Few Raisins

Method:

Heat little ghee in a pan, fry cashews and a few raisins. Set aside.In a heavy based sauce pan, boil sugar and water . Add coconut, ghee and mix well.Stir frequently to avoid sticking or burning at the bottom. Stir over a low heat until the mixture is a thick,pouring consistency. Add cardamom, nuts, gram flour and mix well. After mixture separates from bottom ofthe container, take out the mixture and spread into a greased tray.Cut into diamond shapes and allow it to cool.