Tomato Curry/Takkali curry

A simpe tomato curry with coconut perfect to go with flat breads and rice.

Tomato-2 nos(sliced long)
Onion-1 medium(sliced long and thin)
Green chilli-1 no(sliced to round)
Turmeric-1/4 tsp
Red chili powder-1/2 tsp
Coriander powder-1/2 tsp
Grated coconut-1/8 cup+ 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Coconut Oil-2 tsp
Mustard-1 tsp
Curry leaves
Coriander leaves-1 tsp(chopped)

Method of preparation:
1. Heat oil in a pan. Sputter mustards and then add curry leaves.
2. Then add the chopped onion along with green chilies and fry them till it is golden brown and transparent.
3. Add tomatoes and mix well. cook for 2 minutes and then add the powders along with salt.
4. Mix well and cook it till tomatoes are soft.
5. Grind the coconut along with little water to a smooth paste.
6. Mix the coconut paste to the tomato mixture along with water to make a curry.
7. Heat the curry till the coconut mixture boils. Check for salt and add accordingly. Turn off the heat and then add the coriander leaves and mix well.
8. Serve with rice or with flat breads.

Pasta Peas Soup

When life takes you through a roller coaster you have no time to see to your sides, as  you are too busy looking at the ups and downs about to come in front of you....Saying those words I would love to move on with my soup recipe after a break of more than six to seven months.....
This soup is filled with colours, textures and spices and it makes a perfectly filling lunch/dinner.

Carrot- 2(chopped)
Celery- 2 sticks(chopped)
Dried Green peas- 3tbsp(cooked)
Onion-1/2 of small one.(chopped)
Garlic-1 or 2 cloves(chopped fine)
Tomatoes-3 nos(Pureed)
Tomato-1 (Chopped to pieces)
Water- 3 to 31/2cups
Pasta-1/4 cup(cooked)
Oregano- 1 tsp
Olive oil-2 tsp
Chilli flakes-1 tsp
parsley-1tsp(chopped)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Method of preparation:
1. Heat oil in a deep vessel and add the chilli flakes and oregano to it. Add ingredients from carrot through garlic into it and then cook covered for 3 to 4 mins.
2. Add tomato pieces into this along with pinch of salt and pepper. Add the tomato puree along with water into it and boil it till ra taste goes for 5 minutes on medium low heat.
3. Once boiled add pasta and cooked green peas into it and continue cooking for 5 more minutes.
4. Season with salt, pepper and parsley. Turn off the heat.Serve warm.

Notes:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions till al dente. Add little salt while cooking. Drain and set aside.
2. You can use chick pea instead of green peas.
3. I used the dry green peas and thus cooked it till soft before using.
4. Amount of peas and pasta can be increased or decreased.

Spaghetti Stir Fry

Being a mom is very special, but is there any mom out there who doesn't think - hope I was all alone doing it or who doesn't want to spend a day all free not thinking of anything, not thinking that my kid is pulling this or is putting himself here or there or is too quite..I know all moms do that..and everyone would eagerly be looking for some time to be free..Hmm I do and finally I got 2 days a week free from the past month..Initial few days went in my thoughts whether he will adjust there and how is he going to manage without me..I was all sad then..then few days he din't go because of cold and now we both are doing fine..No more tears to mama and baby.:) And all this has happened in 8 days..Yes he is a playschool going kid now and mama planning to maximum utilize that time..;)
Now my hubby comes home for lunch and God I have always felt to tell him that he can have food from office for those 2 days of week...Don't you think its a good idea as I don't want to spend time preparing food..Hmm need to  put that idea on plate sometime soon..

Off to the recipe..This is one I made on one such days...Its easy to put together...

Whole wheat thin Spaghetti -11/2 cups cooked
Carrots-1 big/6 baby cut(I used purple and orange ones, cut lengthwise to thin sticks)
Green beans-10 nos(cut lengthwise)
Cabbage-1/4 cup(Used purple ones, finely cut lengthwise)
Capsicum-1/2 of big one(cut lengthwise)
Onion-1/2 of small one(thinly sliced)
Garlic-1 tsp(minced)
Ginger-1 tsp(minced)
Soya Sauce-1 tsp
Red Chilly Sauce-1 tsp
Tomato Ketchup-1/2 tsp
Vinegar-1/4 tsp
Olive oil-2 tsp
Spring Onion-2 tsp(chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste

Method of preparation:
1. Cook the noodles as in the package. Drain, Wash with cold water and set aside.
2.  Heat oil in a wok.Add the minced ginger and garlic and fry for a second.Then add onions and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Then add veggies,pepper and saute it well. Add the sauces and salt on medium high flame and mix well.
4. Then add the coked noodles and mix well. Do not overdo it or you will end up breaking the noodles.
5. Add the vinegar to this along with spring onion. Mix well on high heat and serve warm.

Tomato Celery Soup with Coconut milk....

Hoping that winter would end any sooner is just a dream and so is my sons cold going to last till the sun shines strong and warm. Every time the suns rays enter the house through the large patio window my heart feels to go outside and hold it as much as possible..A step outside,  chill wind hits your face and  you get to know that sun is there just as an object without a meaning..This is what is happening for the past few days/weeks..Hope things get better soon..
For time being here is a trail that worked pretty well...Being from land of coconuts(ok we have many other things too..:)) I have a big affection/love to these fruits/seeds and love to have them in any form..Adding coconut milk here was a nice try and we enjoyed the new taste...

Tomatoes-4 nos
All purpose Flour/ Maida-1 tbsp
Onion-2 tbsp(chopped)
Celery-2 stalks
Coconut milk-1/4 cup
Garlic-1 clove(chopped)
Butter-1 tbsp
Salt and pepper to taste
Chili flakes for added heat.

Method of Preparation:
1. Microwave tomatoes for 5 minutes.
2. Grind to smooth liquid.
3. Heat butter, add garlic and onions and fry till raw smell goes.
4. Add APF and heat for a minute. Then add celery, tomatoes, water about 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups and cook along with pepper and salt. Continue it for some time till celery becomes soft and till the raw taste of tomato goes.
Notes: Use water according to the thickness of soup you need.Not less than 1 cup.
5. Add coconut milk to this and simmer on low flame for 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and serve with bread or crackers.

Kappa Masala/Tapioca Masala

As in any part of world, Kerala too has a diverse character when it comes to food and culture. Since here we are speaking about food the south and north of Kerala have a wide difference there.... Now that I belong to this part I totally love the food there and love to cook it..When Nags started the Kerala Kitchen group in fb,  I was interested to learn new recipes and so joined there. The very first one being Tapioca masala by Edible Garden.
Tapioca is accepted whole heartily in my family and the recipe was a bit different from my normal ones...We totally enjoyed having a twist to our normal dish..

Tapioca-3 cups(cubed)
Turmeric-1/4 tsp
Dry red chilies-3 nos
Garlic-2 to 3 nos
coconut Oil-1 tbsp
Mustard seeds-1 tsp
Split urad dal-1/2 tsp
Curry leaves- few
Salt to taste

Method of Preparation:
1. Peel tapioca and then roughly cube them to small pieces. Add them to a vessel along with a pinch of turmeric powder and wash thoroughly.
2. Add them to a vessel/ pressure cooker with required amount of water and cook till it is done. If cooking in cooker you will have to get 1 or 2 whistle with heat on medium.Once done drain the water and set aside.
3. Coarsely crush garlic and dry red chilies using a motar and pestle or a mixer.
4. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, when they pop add split urad dal along with curry leaves. Let dal turn golden.
5. Add the ground garlic mixture to this along with turmeric powder and salt.Mix for a second and then add the cooked tapioca and mix well till spices coat.See that the heat is on low or you will burn the spices.
6. Turn off the heat and serve.

 Notes:
1. Change the amount of garlic and chilies according to your taste.
2. If cooking tapioca with turmeric powder then do not add turmeric while mixing it with other ingredients.

Quinoa Tabbouli/Tabbouleh

Feb has been a rough month for me until now(later part is yet to come)...There has been no time to do anything..was buried in work and health related issues..The first thing I abandon at these time is this little space..and it is evident when you see only 2 recipes for this whole month. Now I cant redo it but to remove the guilt feel I have finally drafted a recipe and here it is...

Lightly tangy with loads of herbs and crisp and juicy veggies makes this a perfect,  filling and healthy salad that you want to make  for your snack, lunch or dinner...Do try this simple quick preparation...

Quinoa-1 cup
Cucumber-1/2 cup
Carrots-2 medium
Onion-1 small
Pomgranate arils-1/2 cup
Flat leaf parsley-1/4 cup
Coriander leaves-1/8 cup
Mint leaves-1/8 cup
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Olive oil-1/8 cup
Lemon Juice-1/8 cup

Method of Preparation:
1. Cook quinoa with required water for 15 mins or until you see a thread like stuff from them. Then drain the remaining water and keep aside to cool. Or you can cook quinoa(the above given amount) with just 2 cups of water,  till the water is completely evaporated and quinoa is cooked..
2. Finely dice cucumber,onion and carrots. Extract arils from pomegranates. Mince herbs.
3. Mix all ingredients together except oil and lemon juice.
4. In a bowl whisk lemon juice,salt,pepper and olive oil together and pour over the quinoa mixture.
5. Mix well and serve immediately

Notes:

1. You can add green peppers, tomatoes,nuts to this.

2. Quinoa can be replaced with bulgur/bulgar or couscous.

Carrot Orange Soup

Soup is perfect choice for these cold windy days...Here is a lovely combination of carrots and orange to warm up..

Baby carrots-3 cups
Orange-1 medium sized
Yogurt-2 tsp(beaten)
Bay leaves-2 nos
Cloves-4 nos
Garlic-1 no
Ginger-11/2 tsp(minced)
Onion-3 tbsp(small pieces)
Butter-1 tsp
Red Chili flakes-1/4 tsp
Salt & pepper to taste

Method of preparation:
1. Pressure cook carrots with  water, bay leaves and cloves for one whistle.Let cool
2. Grind to soft texture and then add the water used to cook carrots about 1 cup and set aside.
3. Heat the butter and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Fry till the raw smell goes. See that you don't brown the garlic.
4. Add the carrot puree along with salt and chili flakes and cook till it starts to boil.
5. Reduce heat and add the freshly squeezed orange juice and mix well. Just heat it for a minute or two.
6. Add pepper powder and turn off the heat. stir the yogurt into it and mix well.
7. Garnish with coriander leaves and a dollop of yogurt.Serve with bread.

Notes:
1. Do not boil after adding orange juice.I used oranges that were sweet and tart.
2. Use yogurt that is not much tart else add less or you will have a very tangy soup.
3. You can cook carrots in any way till it is tender.
4. Use vegetable stock if you have instead of water.
5. While grinding the carrots grind it coarsely so that you have few pieces to bite.