Muttai/Egg Kootu

Before writing the recipe, i have to tell you about my dear friend S, who i known for about 3 years.We speak to each other almost everyday over the phone and our main topic will either kids or food.If i don't get to speak her a day, the day will a dull one, i must say.She is a fantastic cook and i get my inspiration from her.We don't meet that often, may be once or twice in a month.But whenever i meet her, i make sure she cooks her authentic south indian dishes for me..:D.This recipe is from her, actually from her mom's maid back in india.My son was licking the plate even after he finished eating...:)

Ingredients

Egg - 4 (hard boiled,halved)
Onion - 1 (chopped fine)
Tomato - 1 - 2 (medium sized, chopped fine)
Ginger Garlic paste - 2tsp
Red chilli powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Tumeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder - 3 tsp
Green chillies - 3 (chopped fine)
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 3 tsp
Curry leaves, coriander leaves - as needed
Salt

Method

In a heavy bottomed pan, heat oil and fry mustard seeds,urad dal,fenugreek seeds and curry leaves.Now add chopped onion and green chillies.Fry till they are almost golden brown.Then add tomato and saute till ii is almost well cooked.Now add ginger garlic paste and 3 tsp of coriander powder and fry till raw smell completely gone.In the mean time mix red chilli powder and turmeric powder in 1 tbsp of water.After masala is almost cooked , add this red chilli-tumeric paste and cook till raw smell is gone and everything comes together.Finally add hard boiled egg and mix carefully.Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.Serve hot with roti or rice.

Vendaikkai Puzhicurry/Fried Okra in Coconut-tamarind based curry

Hey all,
I'm back after long time and hoping to blog regularly from here onwards. Finally got some ideas to keep my toddler girl busy while i am experimenting over the kitchen.It took almost 1 year for me and rest of the family to adjust to her routine..:D.Everything revolves around her, her nap time, her play time, her tantrums etc.Anyways got idea of few things she like to make her super busy , if i need some time for cooking.

Vendaikkai Puzhi curry is a favourite dish of my dear S.His mom makes this every week with different vegetables.This dish is made with fried vendaikkai/okra and coconut-tamarind gravy.You can subsitute okra with drumsticks,brinjals,cucumber,or all veggies together.


Ingredient

Vendaikkai/okra - 10 no.s (cut into half)
Coconut - 1/2 cup (shredded)
Jeera - 1/2 tsp
Garlic - 1 small pod
Whole red chillies - 8-10 no.s
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Tamarind - 1 lemon size ( soak it in 1 1/2cups of water and extract the juice)
Salt - as needed
Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/24tsp
Curry leaves - a few

For frying Okra

Okra - as mentioned above
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt - 2 pinches
Red chilli powder - 1/4tsp
Turmeric powder - 2 pinches

Method

Grind coconut,garlic,jeera,red chillies and turmeric powder into a fine paste.In pan heat 2 tbsp of oil and fry vendaikkai/okra.Add salt,turmeric and red chilli powder and fry till they are somewhat crispy.In another pan, heat tamarind extract with grinded coconut paste and salt.*At this point, add little water if you want).Let this boil till raw smell goes and gravy thickens.Now add fried okra into this and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.Finally for tadka, heat 1 tbsp of oil, fry mustard seeds,fenugreek seeds,curry leaves and pour this into the gravy.Serve it hot with rice.




Vendaikkai Puzhi Curry



Rice served with Cucumber/Vellarikkai Puzhi Curry and Vazhakkai Thoran