Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Milagu kulambu

(Milagu kulambu means a gravy made with pepper).

I am sure my regular readers may know my taste for simple recipes. Here is another simple kulambu (curry) without garlic , onion and tomato. So we need not worry much of chopping stuff.
Mostly I prepare this during winter or rainy season. Its good for digestion, cough, cold , sinus problems etc.
Even though I prepare this regularly at home, I referred to this blog for a more clear version.
Here goes a simple recipe for a quick dinner



Ingredients
Tamarind - gooseberry size
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Hing - a pinch
Sesame oil
Salt - to taste
Curry leaves - 1 sprig

To dry roast and grind:

Whole black Pepper - 1 1/2 tbsp
Channa dhal (kadalai paruppu) - 1 1/2 tbsp
Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
Red chillies - 4
cumin - 1 tsp

Method:

Dry roast the items given till the channa dhal turns mild red.
First powder them without water. Then add hing and 1/4 cup water and grind to a fine paste.

Extract juice from tamarind using 2 cups of hot water. Keep aside.

Heat oil in a wok and splutter the mustard seeds.Put curry leaves.
Pour the tamarind juice along with 1 tsp salt , turmeric and bring to a boil. Reduce flame and let the raw smell vanishes. Let it get reduced to 1 1/2 cups.

Now add the ground masala paste and allow it to boil for 2 minutes.

Garnish with fresh curry leaves.

Serving suggestions:

Serve hot with piping hot rice , ghee and pappad.
I prepare pumpkin poriyal , omelet or usili.

Note:
If we are packing this for lunch box, then add 1 tbsp sesame oil to the curry at the end and mix with rice. This will prevent the rice from dryness.
The consistency should be like denser vathak kulambu.
This curry will show a mild bitter taste , but would be of great taste if served with hot rice and ghee.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Lovely Gifts !

We all love gifts . Yeah! its very to exciting to receive a surprise gift. That too in blogosphere we are blessed with so many lovely friends pampering us with cute awards.
First award and very first comments do excite us a lot and no one can deny that:) You should have seen me when I received my very first award from Gita....Each and every award inspires me more and reminds me to be creative. That's the power of appreciation. Isn't it!

Malar of Kitchen Tantra has shared this lovely Cheer reading award with me. Not only in cooking , she has the potential to succeed anything she undergoes. I adore her space because of the unknown medicinal cum historical info she shares there along with excellent food. Her non-veg menus are endless and makes anyone crave. I wonder how she learnt so much recipes and prepares them with such dedication everyday. I am addicted to her Brinjal serwa and Vazhai poo kuruma. Don't miss her round up on Kitchen mishaps event now.



Thanks Malar. I am so glad to get it from a passionate person like you.
You always make me cheerful:)

Kathy of 'Lessons from the Monk I married' , has presented me a Happiness award. She is a writer cum blogger and her lessons on life are very inspiring. Many a times after reading hers I understand the true meaning of simple pleasure in my life. Her recent post on 'The Best Things In Life Are Free' has made me identify the hidden treasures around me:)



I am so proud to get an award from a great person like her. I am in cloud 9 now:)

Now I have to share 10 things that make me happy as per the award rule. OMG!Its very pleasant to recollect what makes us happy and its the true meaning of award here.

Here are they:)

1. Cooking for my husband, who appreciates me for everything I do.
2. Visiting Churches, all religious places and celebrating festivals.
3. Pink color, Watching Rose flowers or any flower.
4. movie night at home with popcorn and coke.
5. Shopping.
6. Gardening , bird watching and country side living.
7. Walking, Basketball.
8. Blogging, blog-hopping, browsing.
9. Collecting inspiring books, cook books, greeting cards, coins, .
10. Visiting Aquarium, Zoo, museums.

Thanks for this gift and opportunity dear! I feel so honored to get this from you. This means a lot to me and your every day lessons inspires me very much. Best wishes!

The next award is from Kitchen Queen of Khatta Meetha theeka. I admire her recipes because of the simple ingredients and easy to follow instructions. I love her Kuzhi appam and Thaval vadai which are in to-do list now:)



Thanks dear! I am very glad to get such an appreciation from a nice person like you.

I think the Beautiful blogger and Cheer reading awards have gone many rounds . So I would like to share the Happiness award (which kathy presented me), with the following friends.

Malar of kitchen Tantra
Kitchen Queen of khatta meetha theeka.
Gita of Gita's kitchen.
Vinolia of Akal's saapadu.
Jaleela of samayal attakasangal
Shama of easy 2 cook recipes.
Devasena of A connoisseur's eye for life's little melodies.
Usha Nandhini of Usha Nandhini's recipes.
Saraswathy Balakrishnan of Taste of Sara's kitchen.


Congrats friends! I am eager to read your happy moments also:)

A small break:

I can't be using internet till Monday (01/25/2009) due to travel .So please excuse me, if I didn't reply . I will try to get back as soon as possible.

Enjoy blogging and take care!
Love,
Viki.

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