iCookiPost

Kanchipuram is a temple city in the state of Tamil Nadu and it is very famous for hand woven silk sarees.This idli is a speciality of kanchipuram and it is  unique in taste.This recipe is adapted from Sanjeev kapoor’s Cookbook “DAKSHIN DELIGHTS”.According to him,Steamed foods are healthy and retain nutrients,flavor,color and can be prepared without oil,butter or salt.This spicy iddli goes well with sambhar or coconut chutney.

Ingredients

1. Idli Rice – 1 cup
2. Split Black gram dal (Urad dal) – 1/2 cup
3. Split Bengal gram dal(Chana dal) – 2 tsp
4. Fenugreek seeds (uluva) – 3/4 tsp
5. Black pepper corns – 20
6. Turmeric Powder –1 tsp
7. Asafoetida powder – a pinch
8. Yogurt – 1 cup
9. Ghee –1/2 cup
10. Salt –to taste
11. Banana leaves(tender) – a few

Preparation

1. Soak rice and split black gram separately for 4 hours.Drain and grind to a smooth paste with sufficient water to make a thick batter.
2. Add turmeric powder,pepper corns,split bengal gram dal,asafoetida,yogurt,ghee and salt.
3. Mix well and let it stand overnight to ferment.
4. Whip the batter and adjust the consistency.The batter should be fairly thick.
5. Heat sufficient water in a iddli steamer.line the idli moulds with the banana leaves and pour the batter into them.
6. Place them in a steamer and steam for about 15 minutes or till done.
7. Serve with sambhar and coconut chutney

Bean Curd or Tofu is prepared by coagulating soy milk and pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks.It resembles Indian paneer in taste and looks.This chilly bean curd is spicy and yummy to serve with fried rice.

Ingredients

1. Bean Curd(firm) – 6 cubes
2. Onion(chopped) –
3. Garlic (chopped) – 2
4. Chilly Sauce – 1 tbsp
5. Tamarind Pulp – 2 tbsp
6. Sugar –1tbsp
7. Tomato(chopped) –3
8. Spring onion –1 tsp
9. Oil
10. Salt
11. Water –1/4 cup

For the Chilly Paste

1. Dry Red Chilly – 4
2. Garlic cloves – 5
3. Shallots –
4. water –1/2 cup

Preparation

1. Mix tamarind pulp and water.Strain liquid and keep aside.
2. Place ingredients for chilly paste in a blender and grind it.
3. Cut bean curd into cubes and pat dry.
4. Heat oil for frying and deep fry bean curd until golden brown.
5. In the same pan leave about 3 tbsp of oil and reheat.Add chilly paste and fry until fragrant and oil separates.
6. Add chopped onions and garlic and saute. Add tamarind pulp to it and cook on low flame for 10 minutes.
7. Finally add fried bean curd,chilly sauce,chopped tomatoes,spring onion,salt and sugar.cook until bean curd has absorbed all the flavors.
8. Serve with fried rice

Paneer(cottage Cheese) is Nutritious and it is rich in proteins and calcium.Paneer  bhurji is prepared with crumbled cottage cheese in a onion-tomato sauce.It is delicious and  goes well with paratha.

Ingredients

1. Paneer(crumbled) – 500 gms
2. Onion – 2
3. Tomato(chopped) – 1
4. Green Chilly – 2
5. Ginger-garlic paste –2 tsp
6. Red Chilly powder – 1tsp
7. Turmeric powder –1/2 tsp
8. Cumin Powder – 1tsp
9. Vegetable masala powder –1tsp
10. Tomato Paste –1/4 cup
11. Cream –1tbsp
12. Sugar -1tsp
13. Coriander leaves
14. Capsicum (red) – to garnish

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a pan.Saute chopped onions,chopped tomato,ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chilly.
2. Add crumbled paneer and stir.Add red chilly powder,turmeric powder,cumin powder,veg.masala and salt.Mix well.
3. Add water and tomato paste to it.Mix well.cover and cook paneer in sauce to absorb flavors.
4. Gradually add cream,sugar and coriander leaves.
5. Allow flavors to infuse for at least 15 minutes before serving.
6. Garnish with diced red  capsicum.
7. Serve with rice or roti.

This Entry goes to “ Letz Relishh –  Paneer “ hosted by Jay