Viki 's Kitchen

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Monday, October 23, 2023

Monday, October 16, 2023

Sundal Salad #navaratri

Hello Friends,

Today I am going to show you how to make a different variety of sundal for Navarathri.

Sundal is prepared during Navaratri festival in India.

Navarathri is a 9 day festival followed by Dussera on the 10 th day.

It is a colorful festival with lots of food , devotional music and dance.

My mom used to make different varieties of sundal on those 10 days.

Sundal is a healthy snack made with different dals and grams

Channa and peanut are extremely healthy protein rich snacks with nearly 100 calories per cup after cooking.
Having sundal (salad with lentils) for snack / meal is a great way to stay fit. It is a slimming secret too.

I always try to keep a batch of sundal in my fridge for that tea time cravings:) Though the easiest way is to buy a canned lentil, I prefer the home cooked ones better. Dried nuts are lesser expensive, healthy and delicious. Pressure cooker makes perfectly cooked chickpeas very easily. We can do stove top cooking too, but it will take nearly 2 hours. Sometimes I cook the chickpeas in a big batch and freeze in small portion / containers, so that I can add some protein in any dish I want.

Chickpea - channa, konda kadalai ; groundnut - peanut, nilakadalai, verkadalai.

Now let's go to the recipe.

You can watch this recipe in my youtube channel also. Kindly Subscribe, Like , share and encourage. Your subsription and encouragement will help my channel to grow and hence I can make more useful videos for us all !

Thank you !

The ingredients needed are :

Kabuli channa or

White chick peas - 1 cup

Peanut - 1 cup

Peanut oil - 1 tbsp

salt - to taste

water (to cook) - to immerse and 1 cup standing over.

For salad:

cucumber - 1

onion - 1

tomato - 1

lemon - 1/8 of a fruit

salt - to taste.

Method:

Rinse the groundnut, chickpeas thoroughly and Soak them for 12 hours or over night. They will double in size after soaking. Fast Soaking can be done in hot water for 5 - 6 hours along with some baking soda

Remove the soaked water which is frothy (must). Wash again and add some more water. They should be totally covered with water and add some water to stand 1 inch above. Pressure cook the peas to one whistle, then reduce the flame and cook in low flame for 15 minutes. Release pressure and take out. Add salt, drain the water.

Before serving finely chop the onion, cucumber, tomato, grated carrot, coconut and add to the green gram. Top with finely chopped cilantro.

Sundal salad is ready!

Serving suggestion:

Serve as snack with tea / coffee.

Note:

It would be better to make channa sundal and peanut sundal separately and mix them for the peanut lovers, as some can't take peanuts.

Red channa has more fiber than the white one.

Red chickpeas takes only 6 hours to soak (more the better) and it is easy to sprout too.

Chennai hotel style King fish fry #fishfry

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Crunchy Ulunthu vadai in English #ulunthuvadai

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Spicy beans oily stir-fry

This is a spicy side dish for chapathi. I prepare these kind of curries to accompany chapathi when I try to reduce calorie intake.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

மோதகம் கொழுக்கட்டை Sesame Kolukattai Mothagam .

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Paruppu Urundai kulambu பருப்பு உருண்டை குருமா குழம்பு

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Happy Independence Day ,

Happy Independence day and God bless America !

Since the July 4 th comes during the summer in America, we all have a very nice time with fairs. carnivals and happy events,

Wishing all a happy Independence Day !

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Kashmiri Dum Aloo

Dum aloo is a famous Indian dish available in almost every Indian restaurant. The baby potatoes soaking in that sauce looks so beautiful and I absolutely enjoy preparing this cute curry:) The regular dum aloo has a spicy finish while the Kashmiri version should be on the sweeter side (as per my knowledge). Originally, they deep fry the potatoes and slow cook them in the gravy overnight. But I did a less calories version on my own to get closer to that restaurant taste. Try this and enjoy:)

Click to see this recipe in my YouTube channel : Viki's Kitchen @ VikiXavier.

Kashmiri Dum aloo

Aloo - potato.

Dum / dham / tham - Anything (biryani, vegetables, non veg) closed tightly and cooked in its own vapor in low heat for hours to get a much flavorful and juicy food.

Dum aloo served.

Baby potatoes getting par boiled.

Ingredients:

Baby potato - 15 (1 lb)
bay leaf - 2
oil / butter - 2 tbsp
Tomato puree - 1/2 cup
ginger powder - 1/2 tsp
garlic - 3 cloves
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Plain Indian yogurt (thick) - 1/2 cup
dry methi leaves - 1 tbsp

To dry roast:

Cardamom - 3
cloves- 4
cinnamon - 1 inch
nutmeg - a tiny shaving
shahi jeera - 1/4 tsp
cumin - 1/2 tsp
fennel - 1 tbsp
dry red chilly - 6
coriander seed - 2 tbsp

For gravy:

cashew(soaked) - 10
almond(soaked) - 5
raisin - 10
dates - 2
mint leaf - 1 sprig
cilantro - 2 sprig
milk - 1 cup

Method:

Soak the nuts, dry fruits in warm milk for 4 hours or overnight (in water).

Choose very small potatoes or buy a baby potato pack.Wash the potatoes.
Put them in boiling water and cook for just 5 minutes (1/2 boil).
Put in cold water and gently peel the skin using a knife.
Then make a few holes all over the potatoes using a fork.

Dry roast the items given. Grind them together with those mentioned above.

Heat 2 tbsp butter / oil in a wok and shallow fry the potatoes till they get a mild red color outside. Keep aside.

In the remaining oil (we won't get much left out, but it will be enough) add the bay leaves, crushed garlic and fry for a few seconds. Then add the tomato puree and fry for a minute. Immediately add the ground masala and bring to a boil. Then add the turmeric, beaten yogurt, salt and mix well. Put the baby potatoes and reduce the flame. If needed add some milk. Slow cook it for 30 minutes and switch off.
Sprinkle some crushed methi leaves.

Dum aloo is ready!

Serving suggestion:

Serve as side dish with paratha, chapathi, jeera pulav or plain rice.

Happy Republic Day dear India

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

பரோட்டா கடை சிக்கன் ரோஸ்ட் Border Parotta stall style Kerala Chicken Roast

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

பொங்கல் மளிகை பொருள்கள் லிஸ்ட் , இனிய நினைவுகள் Pongal groceries list, h...

Pongal Groceries

Advance pongal wishes to all ! I thought of sharing a list of groceries generally Tamil people use during Pongal. Hope this is useful for you all !

Enjoy well !

Monday, January 9, 2023

சுலபமா ஹோட்டல் சுவையில் சென்னா மசாலா Instantpot Channa masala

Thursday, January 5, 2023

சுலபமான சேமியா ஜவ்வரிசி பால் பாயசம் (குக்கரில்) Semiya Javvarisi Payasa...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

South Tamilnadu's Chickpea tamarind curry தென் தமிழ்நாட்டு கொண்டைக்கடலை புளிக்குழம்பு

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

திருநெல்வேலி மிளகு கோழி கிரேவி Tirunelveli Pepper chicken gravy

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Happy New Year 🌷🌷🌷🎂🎂🎂❤️❤️

Hi friends,

Wishing all a happy and prosperous New Year,

May God bless us all with happiness, health, wealth, wisdom, prosperity, good mind, a safe and honest world, success, love of the family and friends and peace 🌷💕😍

Lots of love and cheers,

Viki Xavier

Our Christmas tree, nativity scene, Christmas village 2022

Hi friends,

Merry Christmas. Here is the video of the Christmas decorations we made this year.

Hope you all like my videos and will extend your support by subscribing to our channel.

Thanks,

Viki Xavier

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Christmas fruitcake in Indian Bakery style

Hi friends,

Every year I prepare some fruitcake / plum cake during Christmas. This year I have created a video for my fruitcake / plum cake recipe. Hope you all find it useful.

Blog links: This is the fruit cake I prepare every year during Christmas. The link to my old post is for 2 kg fruit cake is here . The link for a 1 kg plum cake is here. I am reposting my recipe for fruitcake here.

I.For caramelizing

sugar-1/2 cup
water - 2tbsp + 1 cup
Add sugar and 2 tbsp water keep in stove at low to medium heat. When the s
ugar starts to turn brown , stir slowly .The sugar will start to change color from light brown to dark. In between , keep in microwave the water for 2 min and warm it. When the sugar starts to turn brown , pour slowly the warm water. Be cautious, as it may splutter (wear a hand gloves always for this step).

Ingredients
dry ingredients:
All purpose flour (maida)- 2 1/2 cup
baking powder - 2 tsp
baking soda - 3/4 tsp
Nuts and fruits:
dried fruits-(dates, raisins, tooti frooti)- 2 cup
dried nuts-(almonds, cashews and walnuts) - 1 cup
grape juice - 1/4 cup + orange juice- 1 cup + apple juice - 1/4 cup
(or) orange juice - 1 1/2 cup
wet ingredients: (others)
sugar - 1 1/2 cup
butter- 2 sticks (16 tbsp butter = 1 cup oil)
(use butter for perfect flavor)
egg - 6
salt - 1 tsp
vanilla extract -2 tsp
To powder:
lemon and orange peels - 2 tbsp
(I use peels of a large naval orange)
All spice powder (see below for recipe)- 2 tsp

Preparation:

Take half of the amount of dry fruits. (reserve the rest for direct baking later). Except raisin chop others.

Soak 1 cup of dry fruits in grape + apple + orange juice for a few hours.
( I puree apple , grapes at home and use store bought orange juice).
Without any other juices, orange juice will also do the same job.
I soaked it in orange juice for 3 days inside fridge.
Bring the butter, egg and everything to room temperature by keeping them out of fridge for few hours - overnight.
Dry roast the almond, cashew and other nuts. Then chop them into small pieces.

Before baking:
Preheat the oven at 350 F.
Grease a 9 x 13 x 2 inch cake pan ( 1/4 sheet cake pan) generously with butter.
Sprinkle 2 tbsp all purpose flour and spread it all over by shaking.

Method:
Wet ingredients:
In a blender (Indian mixie) add orange peel and crush it. To it add butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla essence, salt and beat again till fluffy.
Pour this to a large mixing bowl along with caramelized sugar.
Dry ingredients:
Sift together all purpose flour, baking soda , baking powder. I sift this over a large newspaper and will sift twice to ensure a fluffy cake. Sifting is a MUST.
Add this dry ingredients to wet ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix well with a large spoon. (or electric mixer).
Add the soaked fruits along with juice. it was soaking.
Take 2 tbsp of AP flour and mix it with the broken nuts and remaining unsoaked dry fruits.
Pour the cake batter to the cake pan .
Now spread the flour coated nuts and nuts over the cake batter . Shake gently and let the nuts sink a little. Don't stir them.
Bake in middle of the rack for 40 to 50 minutes in 350 deg F. If not cooked increase 10 min each time. The cake will be done in 45 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean.

Take out and cool for at least 10 - 20 minutes before transferring to cooling racks.
Cool the cake completely over cooling rack for 4 - 5 hours and slice as per need.
Store in airtight containers.
The cake tastes more delicious after 1 day - 3 days.

Note:
Makes one large 9 x 13 cake. or four 6 inch round cakes.
The above recipe gives 2 kg ( approx 4.5 lb ) of fruit cake ( little more than that , depending upon the nuts and fruits we add).
Always use a good quality aluminum baking pan (eg Wilton cake pans) for evenly baking.
If using glass bakeware (eg Pyrex) , bake at 325 F . Don't exceed the recommended temperature.
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Using some kitchen appliances will make cake baking an easy job. Here are some of my tips for using various mixers for making fruit cake.

For kitchenaid mixer:
Using a whisk attachment beat the egg to fluffy (1 min - 2 min). (whites first then add yellow).
Melt the butter . Add butter and sugar together for 1 minute in speed 2.

Remove the whisk attachment and fix the flat beater.

Add all the wet ingredients and beat for 30 seconds at speed 2.

Then add dry ingredients and beat at speed 6 for 1 minute.
DO NOT over-beat the cake mixture.

For Indian mixie:
Beat the eggs together.
Then add all the wet ingredients.
Pour this to a mixing bowl.
Using a spatula or hand held electric mixer, blend together for 1 minute.

For Hand mixer (electric):
Cream sugar and butter together for 1 minute in low speed.
Then goes the wet ingredients for 1 minute in medium speed.
Add dry ingredients gradually and whisk at lowest speed till they get folded.
Then increase speed and mix for 1 minute.
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This is the all spice powder I use in my fruit cakes, pumpkin cake, ginger bread cookies etc. I think this flavor is fresh and better than the much expensive store bought varieties.

All spice powder:
cinnamon - 2 long rolls
cardamom - 1 tbsp seeds only
cloves - 1 tbsp
nutmeg - 1/4 of one
mace - 1
cumin - 1 tbsp
black pepper - 1 tbsp
dry ginger powder - 1/2 cup

Dry roast everything except ginger powder. Finely powder them all together and mix with ginger powder. (While powdering , I add ginger powder). Keep in a zip lock pouch or air tight container and keep in freezer for an year.

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving day!

image courtesy: link

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Thanksgiving sale !

I am sure most of us in USA look forward to this wonderful season of the year, 'the Thanksgiving and shopping'. Even though Thanksgiving should be associated with cooking and dining mostly, most of the stores has made it into a shopping holiday by announcing great sales. We too love this time of the year very much, as this is the time of the year, the weather starts to cool down and air is crisp. We can wear pretty boots and flaunt some winter coats. With the start of the 'Thanksgiving week', everyone begins to feel the magic of Christmas time. Malls start to get filled with cheerful faces, kids thrilled to get gifts and see the Santa, everyone making a list for the upcoming Christmas. Here in my surroundings we all start to set up the Christmas village.

If you are looking for the best deals in town, check this website. Here are some of the items we bought during this sale and eying on:) Also , I will be updating the better deals which I find useful imo.

First the scented candles sold in walmart is our best choice. We grabbed a lot of these this year, as we love this for our house and for gifting too. These 22oz size (big) yankee candles are in sale for $10. Definitely a good choice. Click to get the link.

Art sets in walmart: I am sure the artist in your family will love this art set gift from walmart.

Family pajamas in kohls.: We can get kohls cash rewards $15 for every $50 spent during this week.

These comfy PJs come at great discount this week. Stock them up for your loving family for Christmas.

We bought this triply cuisinart cookware set this year. They are very heavy and of nice quality. Instead of triply one can buy the regular cookware too from cuisinart.

11 pc cookware set is at good discount this year

The 12pc triply cuisinart cookware set we bought.

Two years ago, we got this much useful kitchen appliance 'Ninja foodie 6 in 1 smart XL indoor grill' .

I find this extremely useful in our lifestyle. Kohls sells this item at a steep discount and you can get $45 as rewards too. If you can add this with rakuten app, then we can get more discount.

Macys has these great deals in handbags, shoes and sweaters. It's the best choice for buying the Christmas outfits for the entire family.

Calvinklein bags are at 50% off.

Holiday shiny sweaters are popular among women during this time.

Anyways Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate, so cook a lot of your family favorites and pick up a bunch of flowers for yourselves or your wife 💕 Eat well, stay healthy and enjoy !