Broken wheat(Dalia) Prawn Pulao

The first dalia / Broken Wheat recipe i shared is Broken Wheat Upma with vegetables.Here is another recipe Broken Wheat/ Dalia / Cracked wheat Prawn pulao for all health conscious  people out there who doesn't want to eat rice.. Dalia is an excellent source of fiber, low in fat & cooked with prawns is more delicious ..

Serves 3 
Ingredients :

• 100 gm prawns.
• 1/4 cup or 30 gm green peas.
• 1 cup / 100 gm dalia.
• 1 tbsp ghee.
• 1/8 cup oil. 
• 100 gm/ 1 thinly sliced onion.
•  6 green chilies.
• 1 minced onion.
• 1/4 tsp ginger paste.
• Pinch of hing /Asafoetida.
• 1 tsp garlic paste.
• 2 chopped tomato
• 1  or 2 tsp red chilli powder (according to your taste)
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder.
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder.
• 1/2 tsp jeera / cumin powder.
• 3 & 1/2 cups water.
• Handful of chopped coriander & mint leaves.
• Pinch of sugar.
• Salt to taste.
• 1 Pandan leaf 

Whole garam masala : 1'' Cinnamon, 3 cloves, 1 green cardamom, 1 black cardamom,1 star anise, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds / saunf ..

• Wash the broken wheat 3-4 times & place it in a colander to drain the water & keep aside.
• Marinate the prawns adding a pinch each  of red chilly powder, turmeric powder & 1/4 tsp salt & keep aside.

•  Heat a nonstick pan add 1 tbsp ghee & add the drained dalia/ broken wheat..
•  Roast  for 5 min on medium flame,Keep stirring, take off heat & keep aside.

• In the pressure cooker pan add 1/8 cup oil add the thinly sliced onion & fry till golden brown remove from the oil & keep aside ( This is to garnish )

• In the same pan add the whole garam masala saute for a sec add minced green chilies, ginger, garlic,hing /Asafoetida & saute for 2 min.. 

• Add the minced onion fry till transparent,Next add the coriander,jeera,chilli & turmeric powder,Pandan leaf  & saute for a sec...

• Add the chopped tomatoes, coriander mint leaves & cook till the tomatoes are cooked & mashed well..

• Next add 3 & 1/2 cup water & salt to taste & let it boil...Now add the dalia / broken wheat, prawns & green peas.

• Cover the cooker & cook to 2 whistles..Once the pressure is down open the lid add a pinch of sugar mix well,if it's not dry cook on slow fire  till dry...

• Serve hot with  Tangy spicy tomato pickle or any other pickle 😋

Ash Gourd & Beetroot Ice Cream & milkshake

I'm always on the lookout for easy desserts using halwa or barfi leftovers for a makeover  that are tasty & different....Whenever i make  Ash Gourd & Beetroot Halwa it never remains , but this time i prepared extra & stored 2 cups in the fridge to try doing a  makeover with it ..Here is a ice cream using ash gourd halwa & milkshake....
 

The measurement for ice cream & milkshake  are approximate.. It's hard to mess these up so you can use your own measurements as you go...Take a look at how easy it is to add halwa & mix with ice cream or milkshake..Though these recipes are rich in calories serve the ice cream in small scoops Control is the key 😁 Doesn't it look like a strawberry ice cream...Try it....It's yummy😋

 Check out my recipe  : Pineapple Panna Cotta & Sheera ( Parfait ) using Pineapple Halwa leftovers ..

For the ice cream:

To make the ice cream just add 2 scoops of Ash Gourd & Beetroot Halwa in a bowl & 3 scoops of soft ice cream ( keep the ice cream out for a while to soften it) mix well &  transfer to a container & store in the freezer till it's set that's it... Ash Gourd ice cream is ready...ice cream lovers  will love it ...

For the milkshake:

Ash Gourd & Beetroot Halwa milk shake is super tasty, energetic,delicious 😋

For the milkshake : In a blender combine 2 scoop  Ash Gourd & Beetroot Halwa ,1 scoop vanilla ice cream & cold milk ( add milk according to your desired consistency ) It should be thick, blend well in a blender ..Pour in a glass top it with Ash Gourd & Beetroot Halwa ice cream..

Or top it with vanilla ice cream & garnish with Ash Gourd & Beetroot Halwa .... 

  

The shake is so thick & yummy..Serve chilled 😋

Ash Gourd & Beetroot Halwa

Today's recipe is Ash Gourd ( pumpkin ) halwa with a twist...Ash Gourd halwa is known as Kashi halwa a Mangalorean recipe simple & easy recipe from my bookshelf.... tastes awesome & it just melts in your mouth 😋.
The taste of Ash Gourd is very mild like a cucumber no taste of its own, so it easy to incorporate in curries,halwa & pies...If you're looking to lose weight then have Ash Gourd juice early in the morning on empty stomach it works...
The twist to Ash Gourd halwa is I've added beetroot, generally saffron or food color is added to ash gourd halwa since both were not handy at home, I've added beetroot & Adding beetroot gave a lovely color rather than the usual saffron color & it was amazing!!! 

  

Method:

• 1 kg Ash gourd / Pumpkin ( peel,deseed & measure the pumpkin )...Grate the pumpkin remove the  excess water or you can continue cooking in it until dry... 

• In a heavy bottomed kadai or pan add the grated ash gourd & 45 to 50 gm grated beetroot & continue cooking in it's own juice...Without adding any water

• Cook on medium flame till the water evaporates..

• Add 1/4 cup ghee , 1 cup sugar , pinch of salt 

• In a tadka pan add ghee & a handful of raisins fry till bloats & add to the halwa & mix well.
• Cook till ghee oozes out.

 

• Serve hot or cold it's delicious & can store in fridge up to 1 week ..Can mix with ice cream or make milkshake 😋👌yummy!!!: Ash Gourd & Beetroot Ice Cream & Milkshake

Breadfruit & Prawn Curry (Kerala Style )

Hi....Here i'm sharing is my cousin Sandhya's grandma style breadfruit prawn curry very aromatic & finger-licking dish...Let me tell you Breadfruit / jeegujje  is a very exotic vegetable grown in coastal parts of Karnataka & Kerala & has a awesome taste & cooking with meat & prawns is delicious ..
We are having protein & vegetables together in a curry.
This recipe can be cooked with drumsticks or Malabar cucumber instead of breadfruit & serve it with plain rice it's delicious 😋

Ingredients : 

• 100 gm  Breadfruit ( for the image click on breadfruit)
• 100 gm prawns.
• 2/3 cup / 100 gm grated coconut.
• 3 shallots / sambar onions.
• 4 garlic cloves.
• 5 dry red chilies.
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds.
• 1 green chilly.
• 1/4 tsp jeera /cumin seeds.
• Few curry leaves.
• 1 tsp+2 tbsp coconut oil.
• 1/4 '' ginger.
• 1/2 tsp pepper corns.
• 1/4 tsp garam masala.
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder.
• 1 large tomato.
• 1 small size onion minced.
• Salt to taste.

Crushed masala - 10 shallots / sambar onions, 6 cloves garlic,1/4'' grated ginger, 1 green chilly crush & keep aside.

Seasoning - 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 2 whole red chilies & curry leaves.

Method:

Cut of the skin of the  Breadfruit  & cut  the core at the center then chop them in chunks wash & keep them immersed in water to avoid discoloration..

Wash the prawns & marinate in 1/4 tsp chilly powder, pinch of salt & 1/4 tsp turmeric powder mix & keep aside.

Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan add the grated coconut, sliced shallots, garlic & roast them when it's light brown... (keep stirring so that it browns evenly)

•  Add the coriander seeds & few curry leaves saute for 3-4 mins.
• When the coconut is brown add the green chilly,ginger,jeera & pepper corns & keep stirring...

• Till the coconut is dark brown 👆 off the flame add the whole red chilies & keep stirring till the masala cools..
• Grind the masala with turmeric powder, garam masala & tomato to a fine paste.
• Remove the masala & rinse the grinder jar with 1/2 cup water & reserve it.

• In another pan add 2 tbsp coconut oil add in the crushed ingredients & saute for 2-3 min, let the raw smell go..
• Add in the minced onions...

• When the onions are brown add the ground masala saute for a sec..

• Add 1 cup water &the 1/2 cup reserved masala water breadfruit pieces, prawns & 1 tsp salt, cover &  cook on medium flame till the vegetable is tender  & the gravy is thick.

• Meanwhile take a kadai add 1 tsp oil when hot add the mustard seeds when it stops crackling add the curry leaves & the red chilies saute for a sec & pour over the breadfruit prawn gravy & let it simmer for 5 mins...There the breadfruit prawn curry is ready...
• Serve hot with plain rice 😋

Do try & write to me at meenaraghublog1@gmail.com 

Baked Brinjal With Chicken

A classic combination of Brinjal /Aubergine/ Eggplant, Chicken & Cheese 😋This recipe is a simple desi style version of the classic Greek dish moussaka & similar to lasagna not only does this looks good, but it tastes gr8 & looks fancy too😁 Made with minced chicken in tomato sauce layered with brinjal & smothered with cheesy egg sauce sprinkled with yellow & red capsicum & then it goes into the oven...Have it with crusty bread ...I hope you'll enjoy it!!!!😋

Serves 4 persons.
Ingredients :

• 200 gm boneless chicken.
• 700 gm brinjal / Aubergine ( large size)
• 200 gm tomatoes 
• 100 gm onions finely minced.
• oil to shallow fry the brinjal slices.
• 2 tbsp oil.
• 6 cloves crushed garlic.
• 4 green chilies minced.
• 2 eggs.
• 1/2 cup milk.
• Cheese or mozzarella cheese ... 
• Few finely chopped coriander leaves.
• 2 & 1/2 tbsp pepper powder or as required,
• Salt to taste.
• 1 tbsp maida.
• 1/2+1/4 Turmeric powder
• 1/2 cup red & yellow capsicum chopped.
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder.

Method :

For the moussaka use the large size brinjal/Aubergine/ eggplant  - 700 gm, peel the Brinjal/ Aubergine..Cut the brinjal/Aubergine  in thick round slices.Place the slices in salted water for 15min & then place them in colander to drain the water..Pat with a kitchen paper to remove the moisture.

Mix 1 tbsp pepper powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder  1/2 tsp salt & keep aside.. Sprinkle  the pepper salt, turmeric powder on the brinjal slices & keep aside 👆

Add 3 tblsp oil in a non-stick pan & fry 👆 all Eggplant/ Brinjal slices on both sides for 3-4 min till done adding more oil if necessary  & keep aside.

Meanwhile wash the  boneless chicken & cook the chicken in 1/4 tsp crushed pepper, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder & 1/2 tsp salt till done & dry.Allow it to cool then mince it in a chopper & keep aside

Blanch the tomatoes peel & puree it & keep aside.

Heat a kadai add 2 tbsp oil, minced green chilies & minced garlic & saute for 2 min.Add the finely minced onions fry them till it's transparent.. 

Add the minced chicken 1 tbsp crushed pepper or as required, 1/2 tsp garam masala powder & saute for 2min add the tomato puree & cook till dry...

When its completely dry there's no moisture add a handful of chopped coriander leaves..

Keep stirring till dry & keep aside. Next make the egg sauce beat the eggs well till frothy ...Mix the milk & maida well till no lumps are there, add to the beaten egg add the 1/4 cup grated cheese or more if you like & a pinch of garam masala powder mix well & keep aside.
Grease a baking dish & preheat the oven 200 C..Gas oven

Arrange a layer of half of  eggplant slices in a greased baking dish  cover the eggplant with half of chicken mixture..

Spread  a layer of  grated cheese or mozzarella cheese & top it with chopped capsicum next another layer of  Eggplant/ Brinjal slices & spread with the remaining chicken mixture & cover the top with the remaining Brinjal slices.. 

Finish it by pouring the egg sauce over the entire top & sprinkle the chopped capsicum & more cheese if you like,place in a hot oven..
By the time the dish is ready meanwhile you can clean up the kitchen you will have many dirty dishes once the dish is baked it will take 30-45 min or till cheese will be melted  let it rest for a few min before diving into it..
I promise you will love it.. Happy baking 😋

Pineapple panna cotta & sheera parfait

When you have yummy delicious Pineapple halwa/ sheera remaining in your fridge what would you do...Usually warm the sheera/halwa in the microwave & have it 😋..... I wanted to do a sheera parfait something different mixing the remaining halwa / sheera & the pineapple pieces...what should i do as a base????After several minutes of thinking & an hr of doing crochet (lace) i decided to try pineapple panna cotta...I always wanted to try  panna cotta,went through a various panna cotta recipes & settled on a  Pineapple panna cotta & sheera (Glass dessert ) 😊

The recipe i came up is quite easy & delicious & the sheera balances the light & the creamy panna cotta..Both melt in your mouth @ about the same rate, so the flavors blend together nicely...you can prepare the panna cotta  up a day a head..let's prepare the panna cotta..

Serves:3

Ingredients :

• 1/2 cup cream.
• 1/2 cup condensed milk.
• 1&1/2 tsp gelatin.
• 1 cup pineapple cut into small pieces..
• 1& 1/2 cup pineapple sheera/ halwa.

• Dissolve gelatin in 1/8 cup warm water
• Combine the cream & condensed milk & let it simmer  over medium heat keep stirring when it's about to boil  add gelatin & stir till the gelatin dissolves, remove from the flame let it cool down.Add the diced pineapple (keep a few for garnishing) & mix well.
• Now take 3 short glass add 2-3 tbsp or more of the panna cotta into each glass( reserve 1/3 cup for garnishing ) & chill all the panna cotta in fridge to set( it might take 3-4 hrs.

• Once the panna cotta is set top it with leftover pineapple sheera & top it with 2 tbsp of the reserved panna cotta & garnish with few chopped pineapple pieces & chill it...

• Serve chilled 😋

Radish & Carrot Stuffed Paratha

The simple trick of stuffing vegetables in a parathas is really gr8 & is my all time favorite 😊 Nowadays most of the restaurants serve different types of stuffed parathas for snacks & sometimes there will be paratha festival i go crazy seeing them, i can't taste all of them but i love reading what different veggies the use, even though the preparation of these parathas is very simple & common you will never get the same taste in two different varieties. 

 You can have them for breakfast, lunch,snack or dinner...Have it with garlic pickle or Tomato Pickle ,or curd or tomato sauce or with lots of butter😋 it's yum!!! I often make different type of parathas be it savoury or sweet i hope to share them all...

Those who don't like radish/mooli especially the kids then the best way is hiding them in a paratha can include any veggies i have mixed radish with carrot & both are edible root vegetable...Try them it's very healthy.