Evergreendishes

Author: Evergreendishesdev

  • Red Onion chutney / how to make onion chutney

    Red Onion chutney / how to make onion chutney

     


    Indian Bloggers

     Chutneys are an integral part of cooking in most South Indian families. They make good accompaniments with lunch. They are also needed for breakfast  dishes as idli and dosa.  Red onion chutney is delicious and pairs up well with any kind of dosa. 

    (more…)

  • Kandhabhaji/ onion pakoda in steps

    Kandhabhaji/ onion pakoda in steps

    Kandhabhaji, onion pakoda, onion fritters, hattikaye, anything you call it, it makes a delicious snack with a cup of hot tea. It is addictive and loved mostly by many.  (more…)

  • Grilled baby potatoes/ how to grill baby potatoes

    Grilled baby potatoes/ how to grill baby potatoes

    Grilled baby potatoes  with hint of spices makes a good accompaniment with any meal.  They are spicy and make a perfect go with fried rice or any meal. Do give this a try, I am sure you will like it. (more…)

  • Healthy Tomato Soup/ how to make nutritious tomato soup

    Healthy Tomato Soup/ how to make nutritious tomato soup

    Tomato Soup is a winter delicacy enjoyed by most of  us. Here is a healthier version of tomato soup ideal for all.

    Winter brings with it its own charm and beauties. Good weather, whole array of veggies in the market and a lot of holidays. There is no dearth for any veggies, some veggies are at throw away prices. One such is tomato. Try this version of Healthy Tomato Soup, bright colour, tastes good and healthy too.

    I have added other vegetables along with tomato. They are beetroot and carrot. Beetroot and carrots are highly nutritious vegetables. Beetroot imparts a good taste and bright colour to it. Carrot is another veggie which is highly recommended for good eyes and bones. Isn’t this a good way to feed fussy children?

    healthy tomato soup

    Healthy Tomato Soup

    • Preparation time: 10 minutes
    • Cooking time :  20 minutes
    • Serves : 6

    Tomato soup made more healthy and tasty by adding red coloured vegetables to it.

    This soup is vegetarian and gluten-free. If butter or cream is not used, it is vegan also.

     

    Ingredients:

    • 1 kilogram tomato
    • 4 carrots
    • 1 small beet root
    • 4 onions
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • salt to taste
    • 1 teaspoon pepper powder
    • butter for topping (optional)

    Method:

    1. Wash and cut the veggies.
    2. Boil them in a pan until al dente.
    3. Let cool.
    4. Make a puree in the blender. Keep the stock.
    5. Pass it through a sieve.
    6. Put in a pan and boil.  Add stock. Put salt and pepper powder to it.
    7. While serving you may add a dollop of butter.

    Here is the video recipe of making it.

    healthy tomato soup
    Evergreendishesdev

    Healthy Tomato Soup

    A tomato soup which is made more healthy and tasty. Give the best food  to your family.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: international
    Calories: 140
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 kilogram tomato
    • 4 carrot
    • 1 small beetroot
    • 4 onions
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • salt to taste
    • 1 teaspoon pepper powder
    • butter for topping

    Method
     

    1. Wash and cut the vegetables. Put them to boil in a container. 
    2. Let cool. Blend them to a puree. Keep the stock aside.
    3. Pass the puree through a sieve.
    4. Now, put the filtrate to boil in a container. Add stock. Put salt and pepper powder to it.
    5. Serve hot with a dollop of butter. You may avoid butter if you are on a diet. 

    Notes

    Beetroot is rich in anti oxidants and thus  helps against heart disease and stroke. It helps in detoxification. It is low in calories.
    Carrots are rich source of Vitamin a, C and k. It also contains potassium, iron, copper and manganese. It is  good for the eyes and reduces hyper tension. It is also good for the heart.
    Do not remove the skin of carrots as the nutrients are just beneath the skin. Scrub it well and wash under running water.

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    Healthy Tomato Soup
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  • Sankranti Ellu / how to make Sankranti Ellu

    Sankranti Ellu / how to make Sankranti Ellu

    Sankranti Ellu is commonly prepared in South India. It is offered to the Lord and later exchanged with family members and friends.

    Makar Sankranti is one of the important festivals celebrated in India. It is called  by different names in different parts of the country. Pongal and Lohri are the other names. It marks the transition of the sun into the sign of Makara. It marks the beginning of Uttarayana kal, a pious period  for the next six months. It usually occurs on January 14th or 15th every year. It is also  one of the periods which marks longer days and harvesting period for the farmers.

    In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra  Ellu (a mixture of white sesame with sugar or jaggery) is offered  to Lord and later in the evening to elder members to seek their blessings. Sankranti  Ellu is usually made at home though it is available in the market also. It is also known as Ellu Bella.

    The white sesame seeds is mixed with  ground nuts, desiccated coconut and castor sugar. Ellu Bella theendu, olle olle maatadu, meaning take sweet, talk sweet is the saying that often goes with it.

    Back to our childhood days, we cherished taking this mixture the next day, in cute box and exchanging with all classmates as ” Take Sweet, Talk Sweet, Be Sweet”. Some good memories as I write this post.

    Here is the Sakkarai Pongal recipe prepared on this day. If you like using quinoa, try making quinoa pongal, as I have made it. It is healthier and tasty too.

    sankranti ellu

     SANKRANTI  ELLU

    INGREDIENTS:

    • 1 cup white sesame seeds
    • 1 cup ground nut seeds
    • 1 cup split dalia
    • 11/2 cup dessicated coconut
    • 2 cup castor sugar

    METHOD:

    • Grate the coconut. I remove the black part at first and then grate the white only.
    • Dry roast sesame seeds, ground nut, and dessicated coconut lightly. They should not get burnt or dark.
    • Remove the skin of groundnuts.
    • Put split dalia in the pan for a second and remove it.
    • Mix all ingredients together.
    • Sankranti Ellu is ready to serve.

    Take a tip:

    • Use shiny sesame seeds.
    • Instead of castor sugar and shredded coconut , small bits of jaggery and coconut pieces may be added.
    Evergreendishesdev

    Ellu for Makar sankranti

    5 from 4 votes
    Ellu is exchanged during Makar Sankranti in South India. It signifies better bonding and mark of respect between indivduals.
    Print Recipe
    Servings: 10
    Cuisine: Indian
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup sesame
    • 1 1/2 cup dessicated coconut
    • 1 cup groundnut
    • 1 cup split dalia
    • 2 cup castor sugar

    Method
     

    1. Grate the dry coconut. I remove the black part and grate only the white part.
    2. Dry roast white sesame, groundnut  and dessicated coconut on low flame.
    3. Peel the skin of groundnut and keep it aside.
    4. Put split dalia  for a few seconds in the pan and roast.
    5. Mix all ingredients together.

    Notes

    • Bits of jaggery may also be used instead of sugar.
    • Use the shiny variety of sesame. It tastes better.
     

    HAPPY MAKAR SANKRANTI TO ONE AND ALL

     

    About the event :

    This is an old post which I have redone with better pictures. Sending it to Foodies_Redoing Old Post _143.

    Pin it for later:

    sankranti ellu

    If you make this, take a picture and tag me on Instagram @foodiejayashree with the #evergreendishes

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  • Pomegranate Mousse method of vegetarian mousse

    Pomegranate Mousse method of vegetarian mousse

    Pomegranate is another fruit that we bring regularly. I use it regularly to garnish my salads (fruit or vegetable) or in curds rice. Anywhere, it imparts more taste to the food. Of late, I am extracting juice and using it in a couple of desserts. It tastes awesome. Presenting to you “pomegranate mousse”.

    Benefits of pomegranate are many. It is  one of the healthiest foods. It consists of fibre, proteins, Vitamin C, Vitamin K , folate and potassium. Pomegranate consists of punicalagine and punicic acid, two unique substances which are found only in this fruit.

    The arils (seeds) are sweet and  eaten likewise. The juice is also healthy as it has many  medicinal uses.

    Regular intake of this fruit is found to help prevent prostrate and breast cancer. It helps to reduce the blood pressure and may also reduce the risk of heart diseases.  It has anti inflammatory properties. It may help in improving the memory.

    One can eat pomegranate arils as a snack. Apart from that, do give a try to this recipe.

    Reference site: www.authoritynutrition.com

    pomegranate mousse
    pomegranate mousse

    POMEGRANATE MOUSSE

    Ingredients:

    • 4 pomegranate
    • 200 ml fresh cream
    •  1-2 tablespoon sugar
    • 2 teaspoon agar agar
    • 1 tablespoon warm water

    Method :

    • Peel the skin of the pomegranate and remove the arils.
    • Keep aside a bowl of it.
    • Put the  remaining arils  in the juicer. Pass it through a sieve.
    • Add sugar to the juice.
    • Take the cream and blend both together.
    • Take warm water in a bowl and mix agar agar to it.
    • Stir it into pomegranate and cream mix.
    • Pour into bowls and set for four hours.
    • Top it with arils and serve.

     

    pomegranate mousse
    pomegranate mousse
    pomegranate mousse
    pomegranate mousse
    pomegranate mousse
    Evergreendishesdev

    Pomegranate mousse

    The tangy and sweet taste of pomegranate incorporated in a bowl.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 4 hours
    Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: international
    Calories: 160
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 pomegranates juice yielded 250ml
    • 2 tablespoon sugar
    • 200 ml frsh cream
    • 2 teaspoon agar agar
    • 1 tablespoon warm water

    Method
     

    1. Peel the skin and remove the arils.
    2. Keep a few aside.
    3. Blend them and pass through a sieve to get the juice. Mix sugar to it.
    4. Take the cream and blend both together.
    5. Mix agar agar in warm water.
    6. Stir it into pomegranate and cream mixture.
    7. Pour it into bowls and allow to set for four hours.
    8. Top it with arils and serve.

    Notes

    Readymade juice can be used.  Only a few arils for topping will be required.
    Cook time refers to the setting time here

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  • Kempu Chitranna Recipe | South Canara Cuisine

    Kempu Chitranna Recipe | South Canara Cuisine

    Kempu Chitranna is a traditional rice dish from Karnataka. It is popular in the South Canara region and often part of the festive platter.

    Today, marks the beginning of 2017, another new year. Wishing all my readers a very happy and prosperous new year. May this year  be an awesome one for all of us. On this ocassion presenting a rice dish from South Kanara. This is another variety of rice dish which eases my cooking.  It is  full of flavours and easy to make. This is   “Kempu Chitranna” which means Red Rice.

    kempu chitranna
    Kempu chitranna
    Kempu chitranna

    And here are a few more dishes from South Kanara region:

     Why should you prepare it ?

    • It is ideal for festive days as it is a no onion garlic recipe.
    • It is ideal to prepare when you are bored of the usual pulav.
    • It is a good way to know about the traditional dishes.
    • It is ideal for brunch or light dinner.

     

    Kempu Chitranna

    • Preparation time: 10 minutes
    • Cooking time: 20 minutes
    • Serves : 4 persons
    • Cuisine : South Kanara
    • Course: Main meal

     

    Ingredients :

    • 1 cup rice  [measurement: 1 cup = 250ml]
    • 1/2 grated coconut
    • 2 tsp mustard seeds
    • 5-6  dry red chillies
    • 3 tablespoon oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • a pinch of asafoetida
    • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon bengal gram
    • 1 teaspoon urad dal
    • a few curry leaves
    • 6- 8 cashew broken into pieces
    • salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoon ground nuts

    Method :

    • Cook the rice  in a pressure cooker and keep it aside.
    • Once the pressure is released, put the rice in a wide plate and allow to cool.
    • Grind coconut, mustard seeds and red chillies together to a smooth paste.
    • Take oil in a pan.
    • Make the seasoning. Add mustard seeds, as it crackles, put in asafoetida, turmeric powder, bengal gram and urad dal. Once it turns slight brown in colour, add ground nuts, let cook for a minute, then throw in the curry leaves and cashew pieces to it.
    • Now, add the ground paste and saute it for sometime.
    • You should get a good aroma.
    • Keep it aside.
    • Put the rice and salt.
    • Mix well. Kempu chitranna is ready to serve.

    Take a tip :

    • This rice dish is ideal to serve for lunch or dinner. Accompany it with a few papad and fryums.
    • Coconut oil can be used in the seasoning, it gives a good taste.

    About the event :

    This is an old post which I have updated with better pictures. I have also modified the text a bit. Sending this to Foodies-Redoing Old Post 84.

    It was first 10/1/2017 and edited on31/8/2022

    kempu chitranna
    Evergreendishesdev

    Kempu Chitranna

    A flavourful food which can be prepared during festivities and celebrations.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Calories: 200
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup rice
    • 1/2 fresh coconut
    • 2 teaspoon mustard
    • 6-8 dry red chilly
    • 3 tablespoon oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon bengal gram
    • 1 teaspoon urad dal
    • 6-8 cashew broken into pieces
    • a few curry leaves
    • 1 tablespoon groundnuts
    • salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoon groundnuts

    Method
     

    1. Cook the rice in a pressure cooker and keep it to cool. The grains should be seperate.
      cooked rice
    2. Grind mustard seeds, red chilly and coconut to a paste.
      ground paste
    3. Take a pan and oil to it. Add mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
      mustard seeds to it
    4.  Then, put bengal gram, urad dal, asafoetida and turmeric powder to it.
    5. Once it turns golden, add groundnut to it. Allow it to cook for a minute. The rawness of the nuts should not be there.Then add cashew pieces and curry leaves.
      ground nuts, cashew pieces and curry leaves
    6. Now, add the paste to it
      paste goes into it
    7. Saute the paste for five minutes. You get a good aroma when it is done. Switch off the stove.
      saute the paste
    8. Put rice and thoroughly mix it. Kempu Chitranna or red rice is ready to serve.
      Kempu chitranna

    Notes

    • Add little water while making the paste.
    • You can see coconut pieces in the picture, the copra came out of the shell and thus I cut and used it.
    • The water used in cooking the rice differs from each kind of raw rice used. Thus, I do not mention it.
    • 1 cup =250 ml is the measurement cup used

    HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017  

    a ceramic plate served with kempu chitranna
    kempu chitranna                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      If you ever make Kempu Chitranna  in your kitchen, take a picture and tag @foodiejayashree on Instagram or @evergreendishes on Facebook. Subscribe to get all updates in your inbox and an e-book for free!

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Zebra Cake How to make zebra cake

    Zebra Cake How to make zebra cake

    December is the month of holidays and celebrations. I love everything about this month, splendid weather, good food and many holidays. It’s been sometime I have put any cake recipe on the blog. On the occasion of Christmas, I present to you a splendid “Zebra Cake”. It is soft, supple and delicious.

    Zebra Cake has  stripped layer like zebra, thus the name. They are  of  vanilla and chocolate.

     

     

     

    Ingredients:

    • All purpose flour 1 1/2 cup

    • Baking powder 1/2 teaspoon

    • Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon

    • Castor sugar 1 cup

    • Yoghurt (curd) 1/2 cup

    • Oil 1/2 cup

    • Milk 1/2 cup

    • Vanilla essence 1/2 teaspoon

    • Cocoa powder 2  teaspoon

    • Dry fruits 2 tablespoon

    • Tuty fruity 1 tablespoon

    Method :

    1. Take flour, sugar, baking powder and soda  and sieve them together.

    2. Put them in a bowl. Add curd, oil and milk, slowly mix them together to form a smooth batter. No lumps should be formed.

    3. Divide the batter into parts.

    4. To one part, add vanilla essence and dry fruits.

    5. Pre-heat the micro wave.

    6. Grease the tin and pour the batter.

    7. Microwave it for two minutes.

    8. Add cocoa powder to the other part that you had kept aside.

    9. Pour this batter over the half set cake and bake further for three to four minutes.

    10. The fork pricked should come out clean and you get a good aroma also.

    11. Once done, keep it in the micro wave for ten minutes.

    12. Later, remove it and cut into required shapes.

    Evergreendishesdev

    Zebra Cake

    A delicious cake with the goodness of both chocolate and vailla.
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Course: Dessert
    Calories: 280
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup castor sugar
    • 1/2 cup yoghurt
    • 1/2 cup oil
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 2 tablespoon dry fruits
    • 1 tablespoon tuti fruity
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
    • 2 teaspoon cocoa powder

    Method
     

    1. Take dry ingredients and sieve them together.
      dry ingredients
    2. Add yoghurt.
      yoghurt
    3. Add oil
      oil
    4. Add milk, mix them to a smooth batter. Divide it into parts.
      milk
    5. Take one part and put vanilla essence and dry fruits to it. In the meanwhile, pre-heat the microwave.
    6. Grease the tin with a little ghee or oil and put the  vanilla batter into it.
    7. Bake it for two minutes.
    8. To the other part, sieve the cocoa powder and mix with it. 
    9. Pour it over the half baked cake.
    10. Again bake it for four to five minutes. To check if it is done, insert a knife and see, it should come out clean. Keep it on the rack for sometime
    11. Later, slowly remove from sides and tilt it to a wide plate.
    12. Cut it to desired shape and serve.

    Notes

    • I have used the microwave + convection mode for baking.
    • Sieving of dry ingredients is essential.
    • Even the cocoa powder has to be sieved.
    • Standing time is important while baking.
     

     

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  • Spicy chipotle chili corn soup

    Spicy chipotle chili corn soup

    I love this month, the climate is pleasant and as the year comes to an end, it’s time for some celebrations and parties. Winter calls for hot soups and crispy fries. Continuing with my Mexican Cuisine, today I present to you  Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup. It’s delicious and guilt free. Believe me, I tried to do with less cream and it tastes equally good.

     

    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup
    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup
    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup
    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup
    I have used SPRIG chipotle adobado sauce. It is awesome in taste, with an earthy and smoky feel ! One can in use it in a wide range of dishes.  You can find this chipotle adobado sauce here
    sprig chipotle adobado
    sprig chipotle adobado

     

    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup
    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup

    Do check out my other Mexican dish. You can pair both of these together for dinner.  Spanish Rice is here.

    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup

    Ingredients :

    • 1 onion
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 1/2 cup corn kernels
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 1 tsp Sprig Chipotle Adobado Sauce
    • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
    • 1/4 tsp pepper powder
    • 1 red bell pepper
    • 2 tbsp fresh cream
    • 4 cups stock
    • salt to taste

    Method:

    1. Roast the pepper and keep it aside to cool.
    2. When it is cool, blend it with cream and keep aside.
    3. Take olive oil in a pan. Add onions and saute for 3 to 4 minutes
    4. Add garlic, chilli flakes and chipotle adobado sauce to it.Now, add the corn kernels to it. Saute for two minutes.
    5. Add pepper powder, salt  and stock . Let boil. Put the bell pepper to it  and give a stir.
    6. Remove from fire and let cool.
    7. Blend to a puree.
    8. Pass the puree through a sieve.
    9. Put the filtrate in a pan and boil.
    10. Delicious soup is ready to serve.
    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup
    Evergreendishesdev

    Spicy Chipotle Chili Corn Soup

    A delicious and flavourful soup, apt for the season with a hint of of chilli flakes and adobado sauce.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Calories: 150
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 onion cut into pieces
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic chopped
    • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
    • 1 tsp sprig chipotle adobado sauce
    • 1 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
    • 1/2 tsp pepper powder
    • salt to taste
    • 4 cup stock
    • 1 red bell pepper
    • 1 tbsp fresh cream

    Method
     

    1. Roast the bell pepper and allow it to cool
    2. Blend it to a sauce along with cream and keep it aside.
    3. Take olive oil in a pan. Add onions and saute it for two to three minutes.
    4. Add the garlic pieces, chilli flaes, chipotle adobado sauce to it. Now, add the corn kernels, saute it and allow to cook for two minutes.
    5. Put pepper powder, salt and stock to it. Let it boil for sometime. Add the bell pepper sauce to it, give a stir and turn off the gas.
    6. Allow to cool.
    7. Blend it to a puree.
    8. Pass it through a sieve.
    9. Put the filtrate in a pan and boil.
    10. Delicious soup is ready to serve.

    Notes

    • More cream ( one more cup)  can be added to it. I have avoided using excess fat.
    • If the red bell pepper is not available, use the green one.
    • I have used frozen corn, hence, they cook quickly.
     

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  • Spanish rice with chipotle adobado

    Spanish rice with chipotle adobado

    Spanish rice is a flavourful rice which can be easily prepared with a few ingredients. It is awesome and  has a unique flavour. The hint of chipotle adobado sauce gives a earthy and distinct flavor to it. This is a new dimension to my cooking and I am absolutely loving it.

    Spanish rice is ideal for the lunch box. It can be made quickly. It is tasty and different. (more…)