Beetroot Coconut Rice / Pulihora - South Indian style

 

            This is a very popular South Indian style rice dish. Any leftover cooked rice can be converted into this delicious one-pot wonder by just adding grated beetroot, fresh grated coconut and other basic condiments to it. Very simple and easy to prepare, it is a great comfort food. 

           

            This dish is not only wholesome, colorful and soothing to your tummy, but it also tastes yummy with any pickle of your choice, papad or chips. It can be relished for breakfast, lunch / brunch or any time of the day. You can also pack it as a lunch box meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this amazingly healthy dish. 

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 cup grated beetroot
• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 2 dry red chilies
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. urad dal 
• 1 tbsp. chana dal
• 1 tbsp. roasted peanuts
• 1 tbsp. sunflower seeds (opt)
• 1 tbsp. pumpkin seeds (opt)
• 1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
• 1 pinch of pepper powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

             Heat oil and temper with red chilies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, urad dal, chana dal and asafoetida. Sauté for a minute.

            Now add the coconut and stir fry till it turns light brown in color.

  

            Then add the grated beetroot and sauté for 2 minutes.

          Add the cooked rice, salt and pepper powder. Mix everything well and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Switch off the flame.

            Add the roasted peanuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Give it a mix. 

           Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve for breakfast, lunch / brunch or anytime of the day along with papad, chips or any pickle of your choice. 

Heat oil and temper with red chilies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, urad dal, chana dal & asafoetida. Sauté for a minute.

              Now add the coconut & stir fry till it turns light brown in color.

                     Then add the grated beetroot & sauté for 2 minutes.

Add the cooked rice, salt & pepper powder. Mix everything well sauté for 1-2 minutes. Switch off the flame.

   

Add the roasted peanuts, sunflower seeds & pumpkin seeds. Give it a mix. 

                    Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve for breakfast, lunch / brunch or anytime of the day along with papad, chips or any pickle of your choice. 

Pacha Manga Chamanthi (Raw Mango & Coconut Chutney - Kerala style)

 

            Pacha Manga Chamanthi is a very flavorful Kerala style Raw mango chutney. Pacha Manga refers to raw mango and chamanthi means chutney. It is made using raw mango, fresh coconut, shallots, ginger, dry red chilies, curry leaves and coconut oil. You can relish with steamed rice or any South Indian breakfast. 

          This chutney is very popular in Kerala cuisine and is served as a part of a Sadya meal. It is also served in Chatti Choru (Full meal served in a clay pot) and Pothi Choru (Meal wrapped in a banana leaf). So do give it a try and you will not be disappointed. Do check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this amazing regional recipe.

          This chutney is very easy to prepare. It is actually a no cooking recipe. However, I sautéed a little bit in coconut oil for longer shelf life. The only thing that has to be kept in mind is the chutney has to be blended without water into a coarse paste. Then a tsp. of coconut oil to the end product completes the picture.  

           Traditionally Pacha Manga Chamanthi is served with Kerala red rice called Matta rice. However, it also pairs well with any variety of steamed rice for a soul satisfying meal. So to sum up this is a mind blowing chutney that is both spicy and tangy.  

• 1 small size raw mango, chopped
• 2 tsp. coconut oil  
• 4-5 dry red chilies 
• 8-10 shallots (sambar onions)
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. salt or to taste
• 1 tbsp. red chili powder or to taste
• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut              

             Heat 1 tsp. coconut oil in a pan. Sauté the shallots, dry red chilies, green chilies, raw mango and ginger for 4-5 minutes. 

             Now add the grated coconut and salt. Sauté for a minute and keep aside to cool down.

             Then transfer all the ingredients into a mixer jar and blend it into a slightly coarse paste without adding any water. Add the remaining coconut oil and mix well. 

            And your spicy and tangy Pacha Manga Chamanthi is ready to be enjoyed with steamed rice, idli, dosa or parotta. 

Heat 1 tsp. coconut oil in a pan. Sauté the shallots, dry red chilies, green chilies, raw mango & ginger for 4-5 minutes. 

                    Add the grated coconut, 

               salt & red chili powder. Sauté for a minute & keep aside to cool.

Transfer all the ingredients into a mixer jar & blend it into a slightly coarse paste without adding any water. Add the remaining coconut oil and mix well. 

And your spicy & tangy Pacha Manga Chamanthi is ready to be enjoyed with steamed rice, idli, dosa or parotta. 

Echore Bhapa (Raw Jackfruit Curry - Bong style)

 

            Check out this irresistible Bong delicacy of Kathal / Raw Jackfruit slow cooked to perfection in a yummy sesame seeds-coconut gravy. This dish is a total amalgamation of the pungency from the freshly ground mustard seeds and a hint of sweetness from the coconut. You can substitute sesame seeds with poppy seeds if you desire. I had to opt for the former, as the latter is unavailable at my place of residence.

          This ridiculously simple and easy to cook dish is a very good option for a nice weekend comfort meal. Drizzle some extra mustard oil if you wish and enjoy it with hot steamed rice. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this classic treat.

          I always opt for this simple recipe whenever I need something quick as raw jackfruit, being my favorite, cooked in this way turns out just amazing.

         All that you need to do, is to blend a few ingredients to make a paste, then mix them all together with the raw jackfruit and slow cook it and the dish is ready. 

          This is an absolutely quick fix weekend lunch for your entire family. In fact, it is also a great party recipe when you have guests around.

• 1 small raw jackfruit, cubed
• 2-3 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp. coconut
• 3 green chilies
• salt to paste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp. dry roasted cumin powder
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. + 1tsp. mustard oil
• 2 tbsp. + 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 cup water

          Grind the sesame seeds, 2 green chilies and coconut with some water into a smooth paste. 

          Mix it along with 1 tbsp. mustard oil, salt, turmeric powder, cumin powder and 2 tbsp. coriander leaves. 

          Grease a pan with 1 tsp. oil and transfer the cubed raw jackfruit. Add the ground paste, 3/4 cup water, 1 tsp. mustard oil and 2 green chilies.

          Mix well and cook, covered on a low flame till the gravy thickens and the raw jackfruit turns tender. 

          Garnish with the remaining coriander leaves and enjoy with hot steamed rice. You may also have with roti or paratha.

Grind the sesame seeds, 2 green chilies & coconut with some water into a smooth paste. Mix it along with 1 tbsp. mustard oil, salt, turmeric powder, cumin powder & 2 tbsp. coriander leaves. 

     Grease a pan with 1 tsp. oil & transfer the cubed raw jackfruit.

                 Add the ground paste, 

                  3/4 cup water, 1 tsp. mustard oil & 2 green chilies.

Mix well & cook, covered on a low flame till the gravy thickens & the raw jackfruit turns tender. Garnish with the remaining coriander leaves.

       Enjoy with hot steamed rice. You may also have with roti or paratha.

Raw Jackfruit (Idichakka) Thoran - Kerala style

 

            Raw Jackfruit Thoran is a simple, easy and a traditional Kerala recipe that is cooked with lots of fresh coconut and other spices. It is a quick recipe, mildly spiced and don't forget to cook it in coconut oil for an authentic touch. It is tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, urad dal and red chili for a distinct flavor. This happens to be one of the items in the Onam Sadya meal, and is relished as a side dish. 

            This nutritious dish is very popular in Kerala where it is called Idichakka Thoran. There are obviously many version to this yummy preparation. Each family have their own traditional recipe.  

          Thoran in general can also be made with veggies like carrot, cabbage, beetroot, raw banana, okra, etc. It is cooked dry and is packed with flavor. You can also relish as a side dish with curd-rice, sambar rice or chapatti. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional delicacy.

           Raw Jackfruit or Kathal is a common and a favorite summer vegetable. It is cooked in various ways. It is a veggie in the unripe form and is known as a vegetarian's Non-Veg. dish as the texture resembles that of mutton. Raw Jackfruit as a vegetable, is high on proteins and low in calories. It also boosts our immunity and is a great meat substitute for the vegetarians. 

           This humble vegetable has not much found its way to the dinner table. However, one can make a variety of yummy dishes like appetizers, salad, bharta stir fries and also in a curry form. The seeds too are palatable and tastes very yummy after it is cooked. 

Ingredients - 

• 1 small size tender raw jackfruit, peeled & cut into small pieces
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. coconut oil
• 1 cup water

To grind  - 

• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut
• 3 green chilies
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 4-5 shallots
• 3 dry red chilies
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Tempering - 

• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 dry red chili
• 1 tsp. urad dal
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 8-10 shallots, chopped
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Pressure cook the jackfruit pieces in 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder and 1 tsp. oil for 3-4 whistles. When cool, drain the water and mash them coarsely. Set aside. 

          In a mixer jar, add the coconut, shallots, curry leaves, green chilies, dry red chilies and 1/4 tsp. salt. Grind into a coarse paste and set aside. 

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and sauté the mashed jackfruit for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

          Heat remaining oil and temper with mustard seeds and dry red chili.  After the seeds crackle, add the urad dal and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Then add the chopped shallots and sauté till light brown. 

          Now add the coarsely ground coconut paste and sauté for 2-3 minutes. 

         Then add the sautéed jackfruit and salt to taste. Mix everything well and continue to stir fry for 4-5 minutes on a low to medium flame.

          When done, garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with steamed rice and sambar or as a side dish with parotta. 

In a mixer jar, add the coconut, shallots, curry leaves, green chilies, dry red chilies and 1/4 tsp. salt. 

                  Grind into a coarse paste and set aside. 

Pressure cook the jackfruit pieces in 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder & 1 tsp. oil for 3-4 whistles. 

               When cool, drain the water & mash them coarsely. Set aside. 

Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan & sauté the mashed jackfruit for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

Heat remaining oil & temper with mustard seeds and dry red chili. After the seeds crackle, add the urad dal & curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

                   Then add the chopped shallots & sauté till light brown. 

      Now add the coarsely ground coconut paste & sauté for 2-3 minutes. 

Then add the sautéed jackfruit & salt to taste. Mix everything well & continue to stir fry for 4-5 minutes on a low to medium flame.

                        When done, garnish with coriander leaves. 

Serve with steamed rice and sambar or as a side dish with parotta. 

Thenga Chamanthi (Coconut Chutney - Kerala style)

 

          Thenga Chamanthi is a very flavorful Kerala style coconut chutney. Thenga refers to coconut and chamanthi means chutney. It is made using fresh coconut, shallots, ginger, dry red chilies, curry leaves, tamarind, salt and coconut oil. 

          This chutney is very popular in Kerala cuisine and is served as a part of a Sadya meal. It is also served in Chatti Choru (Full meal served in a clay pot) and Pothi Choru (Meal wrapped in a banana leaf). So do give it a try and you will not be disappointed. 

          This chutney is very easy to prepare as there is no cooking required. The only thing that has to be kept in mind is the chutney has to be blended without any water so that the chances of getting spoilt is minimum. Instead, coconut oil is used for some moisture content. 

           Traditionally Thenga Chamanthi is served with Kerala red rice called Matta rice. However, it also pairs well with any variety of steamed rice for a soul satisfying meal. So to sum up this is a mind blowing chutney that is both spicy and tangy. Do check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this awesome chutney.

• 1 cup fresh grated coconut
• 3-4 dry red chilies 
• 4-5 shallots (sambar onions)
• 1" ginger
• 1/2 tsp. Kashmiri chili powder
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. coconut oil

          Transfer all the ingredients into a mixer jar and blend it into a slightly coarse paste. 

          And your spicy and tangy Thenga Chamanthi is ready. 

         Drizzle a tsp. of coconut oil if preferred and enjoy with steamed rice for a comforting meal.

                Keep ready all the ingredients needed for this chutney.

Transfer them into a mixer jar & blend it into a slightly coarse paste. 

                  And your spicy and tangy Thenga Chamanthi is ready.

                     Enjoy with steamed rice for a comforting meal.