POTATO/ALOO METHI

INGREDIENTS:

Potatoes------------------ 5 medium

Methi leaves------------- 2 big or 5 small bunches

Cumin seeds -------------1 tsp

Mustard seeds -----------1 tsp

Minced garlic ------------1 tbsp

Coriander powder -------2 tsp

Turmeric----------------- 1/4 tsp

Green chillies------------- 4

Salt ------------------------as required

oil -------------------------2 tbsp



DIRECTIONS:


1.Peel & cube raw potatoes.

2.Place them in ice cold water for 15 mins.

3.This way the potatoes donot turn up too soft on cooking.

4.Potatoes can be either boiled over stove top or microwaved for 3-4 mins.

5.Boiling in microwave reduces time.

6.Heat oil in a pan.

7.Add mustard,cumin seeds, minced garlic, chopped green chillies, turmeric & finally methi leaves .

8.Cook in till 1/2 of it is done.

9.Add diced potatoes & salt, continue to cook.

10.Just before removing, add coriander powder.

RIDGE GOURD/BEERAKAYA PACHADI

INGREDIENTS:


Beerakaya /Ridge gourd----------- 1 big one

Green chillies----------------------- 4-6 depends on their spice level

Tamarind ---------------------------1/2 tsp

Peanuts----------------------------- 1tbp

Sesame seeds-----------------------2 tsp

Oil -----------------------------------3 tbp

Mustard Seeds ---------------------1/2 tbp

Cumin Seeds----------------------- 1/2 tbp

Asafoetida --------------------------a pinch

Chana Dal-------------------------- 2 tbp

Urad Dal ----------------------------1 tbp

Red chillies------------------------- 2

Turmeric---------------------------- 1/2 tsp

garlic --------------------------------2 pods

DIRECTIONS:

1.The ridge gourd outer skin should not be completely peeled off.

2.The skin adds taste to it.so just peel the rough part as shown in the first picture.

3.Heat 1tbp of oil in an iron skillet on medium-high heat and add cumin,mustard ,curry leaves and red chillies.Fry till nice brown and set aside.

4.Add remaining oil 6to the pan and Add peanuts, sesame seeds, hing, green chillies, channa dal, urad dal and garlic.

5.Fry them until they are nice brown,cool and transfer to mixer.Make a coarse powder .

6.To the same pan now add sliced ridgegourd and fry for few minutes until cooked.Turn off and wait for 10 minutes to cool.

8.Take them in blender/mixer along with the coarse ground powder,tamarind paste, salt and make a smooth paste.Make it coarse.

10..Add the above tempering to coarse paste and garnish with coriander.
Serve with rice/chapatis.

TOMATO EGG CURRY

INGREDIENTS:

Eggs-----------------------6

Tomatoes-----------------3

Onions--------------------1 big one

Fennel seeds pwd--------1/4 tsp

Cumin,mustard----------1/4 tsp of each seeds

Chilli powder-------------1/4 tsp

Garam masala------------1/2 tsp

coriander powder---------1 tsp

Oil-------------------------5 tbp

Ginger-garlic pst---------1 tbp

Salt------------------------to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1.Boil the eggs in boiling water for 8-10 mins.

2.Once boiled place them under running cold water to easily remove the shell.

3.Make 2-3 slits with a knife or prick with a fork and keep aside.

4.Heat oil in a pan and add cumin-mustard seeds,fennel seeds,onions.

5.Once the onions are cooked add ginger-garlic paste and then chopped tomatoes and cook till they turn soft and mushy.

6.Pour 1/2 to 3/4th cup of water and add coriander powder,garam masala,chilli

powder,turmeric,salt and mix well.

7.Drop the eggs in boiling gravy and let it cook covered for 10 mins.

8.Turn off when required consistency is obtained and garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

PLAIN WHEAT RAVA UPMA

SERVES:2 PEOPLE

INGREDIENTS:

Wheat Ravva -----------------1/2 cup of standard measuring cup

Water --- ---------------------1-/2 cups of standard measuring cup

Green Chilies ------------------4

Groundnuts--------------------1 tbp
Cumin seeds--------------------1 tsp
Urad dal------------------------1 tsp
Channa dal----------------------2 tsp
Carrot---------------------------1/8 cup cut to very small size(optional)
Mustard seeds------------------1/2 tsp

Onions-------------------------1/2 big one

Salt ---------------------------- totaste
Oil------------------------------4 tsp

DIRECTIONS:

1.Roast rava in 1 tsp of oil for few mins and turn off .

2.Chop green chilies,onions and carrots.

3.Heat oil in a deep pan and add mustard seeds,cumin seeds,urad dal,channa dal and groundnuts.

4.Fry till they turn light brown.

5.Now add chopped Onions and fry till they too turn golden brown.

6.Now add green chilies and carrots.Fry for few mins and add 3 cups of measured water , enough salt.

7.Now taste the water whether salt is enough or not and add accordingly.

8.Let the water boil vigorously then add rava slowly to the water with one hand and stirring it with the ladle in other hand.

9.Stir continuously so that no lumps are formed and ravva comes together.

10.Turn the heat to medium low and keep it covered for 2 minutes and turn off .

11.Tastes good with an chutney/ podi/boondhi.