Verkadalai Kuzhi Paniyaram - Peanut Kuzhi Paniyaram

    I've been away for real long this time and here are my excuses :p We are just back from yet another trip to India our second one this year,a very hectic yet memorable trip.We were there for my sister's wedding and we had a real wonderful time.An Indian wedding in May can be one hell of an experience .And that too when you belong to the bride's side with the endless shopping and the scorching sun making you sweat profusely with your silk sarees and heavy jewelry :) And not to forget the beautifully decorated bridal car which somehow manages to get caught In every little traffic jam and red signal along the way to the Church.But thank God we managed to reach there on time,much to our own suprise.Hubby & I were an hour late for our very own wedding :)Luckily we had a wonderful Pastor who waited patiently for us then.Guess thast was a day I'll never forget:)

     After a real long time I got to taste traditional south Indian Christian wedding food,my all time favorite Biryani :p The food served at christian wedding varies from place to place in Tamiln adu.If u go down south to Thirunelveli or Nagercoil the menu consists of usually an elaborate vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf,with just an additional meat gravy.But in Chennai its usually the super yummy Biryani with the softest meat on earth.The menu does include a lot of other dishes but the Biryani simply steals the show :)

  I haven't posted in as long while and my blog looks so neglected.Thanks to all those kind souls who still keep visiting it.My best friend with whom I spend most of the time ,and who incidentally holds all my blog clicks is sick.Well if  you're wondering who it is,its my PC.I'm really stuck without my PC.And posting from my small tab was more difficult than I expected with the autocorrect really messing up each and every word I type. Honestly this tool really thinks that it can read our minds !

 Luckily I had a few posts in my drafts, posting them here to keep my blog going. I have a real lot to catch up with !Coming to the recipe,this a traditional south Indian tiffin with a little twist for those who love peanuts.

Makes about 10
You'll need:
Idli batter - 12 tbsp
Peanut powder. - 2 - 3 tbsp
Oil as needed
Tempering:
Oil - 2 tsp
Onion - 1/2 a medium one finely chopped
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Ginger grated - 1/2 tsp
Green Chilli chopped - 1 tsp
Coriander leaves (chopped)  - 1 tbsp
Curry leaves(chopped) - 1 tbsp
Salt as needed

Method:
-In a pan heat the oil and splutter all the tempering ingredients one after the other.After the onions turn soft add the tempering to the idli batter and mix well.
- Heat a paniyaram pan and fill all the molds with a little oil.Add about 1 tbsp of batter to each mold and let it cook.Drizzle a little  oil on top of each mold.
-Once you feel the underside is cooked, flip the paniyarams over and drizzle some more oil.When they are fully cooked on both sides,remove them from the pan.Repeat the same process for the left over batter.Done!Serve hot with Peanut Chutney!

Thanks for stopping by !Have a nice day!

Sending this to Gayathri's Cook Spot hosted by Cookingwithsapana: Walk Through Memory Lane 2014

Peanut Powder

This simple powder comes in very handy on days when you don't feel like preparing elaborate dishes.Just a spoonful of this powder with plain rice and a dollop of ghee can be real comforting.This definitely deserves a place in the kitchen next to its cousin 'paruppu podi' ;)

You'll need :
Peanuts(skinless) - 1and 1/4 cups
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
Whole red chilli - 6 - 8
Sesame seeds - 2 tsp
Oil - 1 tsp
Salt - as needed

Method :
-In a pan on medium heat, add the peanuts and dry roast them until they are slightly browned.Remove them from the pan.
-Add the sesame seeds and dry roast until they are slightly browned .Remove them from the pan.
-Add a tsp of oil to the pan in low heat,add the whole red chillies and saute them until they puff up and turn crisp.Remove them from the pan.
-To the same pan add the coconut and saute until they are browned.
-To a blender add the whole red chillies and coconut and grind until they are coarsely powdered.Add the sesame seeds to the blender and pulse until they are powdered.Finally add the salt and peanuts and pulse slowly until the peanuts are just coarsely poweder.Be careful to not over grind as the whole mixture could become a paste.
-Transfer the contents to an airtight bottle.Done !

Thanks for stopping by !

Peanut Chutney

A simple creamy chutney that goes very well with idli and dosas.Yet another Quickie post !

You'll need:

Small onions - 5 - 8 (peeled and chopped )

Grated coconut - 2 - 3 tbsp

Peanuts (skinless) - 4 - 5 tbsp

Whole Red Chilli - 2

Oil - 1 - 2 tbsp

Tempering :

Oil - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Curry leaves - a sprig

Hing/Asafoetida - a pinch

Method :

-In a pan dry roast the peanuts.

-Heat a tsp of oil in the pan and when it heats up splutter the red chillies,then add the onions and saute until they just turn soft.Add the grated coconut and just saute for a few seconds.Switch off the stove.

-Transfer the contents of the pan and the peanuts to a blender and grind along with salt to a fine paste.Add water wThhile grinding, depending upon the desired consistency.

-In a pan heat oil and splutter the tempering ingredients.

-Transfer the tempering to the blender and pulse for a second.Done !

Thanks for a stopping by !
Sending this to Gayathri's Cook Spot hosted by Cookingwithsapana: Walk Through Memory Lane 2014