Monday, April 14, 2008

COCONUT RICE



Ingredients:
Rice ................ 2 cups
Coconut ......... 1/2 cup (grated)
Ginger ........... 1 inch piece
Green chillies ... 1-2
Coriander leaves ... 1/4 cup
Cumin seeds .......... 2 tsp.
Bay leaf .................. 2-3
Cinnamon stick..... 2 pieces
cloves .................... 4-5
dry red chillies ..... 2-3
Asafoetida ............. a pinch
Curry leaves ......... 1 sprig
Salt to taste.
Oil ........................ 2 tbsp.
Method:
1. Boil the rice with salt and drain it.
2. Grind coconut, ginger, green chillies, coriander, cumin seeds adding a little water.
3. In a pan heat oil, add asafoetida, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, dry red chillies and curry leaves.
4.Now add the ground coconut mixture, salt and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
5. Mix this into the cooked rice.

KAALI DAL / DAL MAKHANI



Ingredients:

Black urad dal ..... 1 cup
Rajma .................. handful
Onion ................... 1 chopped
Tomato ................ 1 chopped
Green chillies....... 1-2
Turmeric powder ...1/2 tsp.
Ginger paste............. 1tbsp.
Cream ....................... 2 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Oil

For tempering:
Ghee or butter ......... 2 tbsp.
Crushed garlic............ 5-6 pieces
Garam masala ........... 1 tsp.
Red chilli powder .......1/2 tsp.

Method:

1. Soak the rajma and urad dal, preferably overnight or at least 6-7 hours and boil it.
2. In a pan, take a little oil and fry the onion till golden brown. Add ginger paste, tomato, green chillies and a little water to cook. Let it cool and grind it.
3. Add the boiled dal to the onion paste. Add salt, turmeric powder and about 1 or 1 and half cups water and let it simmer.
4. Now add the cream and mix it well.
5. In a small pan, heat the butter or ghee, add the crushed garlic, saute it and off the gas. While the ghee is still hot add the garam masala and red chilli powder. Mix the tempering to the dal.