Categories
friedrice Lunch OnePot

Veg Fried Rice

Veg Fried Rice

There are many ways in which rice dishes are prepared. For me this veg fried rice is a easy lunch box preparation whichis filling as well as healthy. Also I prepare it during fridge cleaning days as we can add as many veggies(mostly those small pieces of cabbage, carrots etc). Today it looked very colorful with veggies so I thought of clicking pictures. I even add paneer or mushrooms too when available.

Ingredients required-

  1. Basmati rice – 1 cup
  2. Onion – 1 medium
  3. Carrot- 1
  4. Beans – 5-6
  5. Capsicum-1
  6. Sweet corn – 1/4 cup
  7. Garlic- 8-10 pods
  8. Pepper powder – 3tsp
  9. Soya sauce- 3 tsp
  10. Salt if required
  11. Oil – 3+1tsp
  12. Green chilly – 1

Method of preparation-

  • Chop the onion, carrots, beans, capsicum, green chilly into very small pieces. Also cut the garlic pods. I had chopped ginger and coriander leaves so used that as well.
  • Wash the rice and cook it. Add 1tsp oil while cooking to avoid sticking. Do not overcook it. Strain and cool it completely. Generally I prepare rice the previous night and keep.
  • Now take a pan add oil, you may add more oil if you like. Add ginger, garlic, green chilly and saute well.
  • Next add onion and fry till brown.
  • Then add carrots, beans and corn. Fry them on high flame.
  • Next add corn and capsicum and keep stirring. At this point you can add paneer, baby corn or mushrooms too.
  • Then add pepper powder and soya sauce. You can add little salt but soya sauce contains salt so check before adding.
  • Finally add the cooked rice and mix carefully without breaking the grains.
Categories
chutney konkanirecipe Lunch Side Dish thali

Ambuli/Maavinakayi/Raw mango Chutney

Ambuli / Maavinakayi / Raw mango Chutney

My favorite pass time during summer is collecting the fallen tender mangoes and use them in pickles, chutney, pachodi etc. Since the mango trees bear the fruits once in 2 years we did not get any mangoes last year. So this year when we started getting mangoes we decided to make best use of it. Also I am amazed to see how many dishes can be made using those tender fallen mangoes. This one mango Chutney has been constant at home and it is prepared in 2 ways. On regular days it is made using garlic. And the days when we don’t eat garlic it is made using hing. Sharing both the recipes here. Make sure mango used is sour in taste. Ours is local variety mango(kaat ambo).

Raw mango Chutney with Garlic –

Ingredients required-

  1. Tender Raw mango – 1 small cup(we have very small ones, about 4 mangoes)
  2. Grated coconut- about 5tsp
  3. Green chilly- 2
  4. Garlic pods – about 8-10
  5. Salt to taste

Method of preparation-

  • Cut the mango into tiny pieces. Remove the seed.
  • Add everything listed above into a mixie jar. Do not add water first.
  • Grind them coarsely. If required add little water.

Raw mango Chutney with hing-

Ingredients required-

  1. Tender Raw mango – 1 small cup(we have very small ones, about 4 mangoes)
  2. Grated coconut- about 5tsp
  3. Green chilly- 2
  4. Hing – 1/2tsp(can use compound hing as well)
  5. Salt to taste

Method of preparation-

  • Cut the mango into tiny pieces. Remove the seed.
  • Add everything listed above into a mixie jar. Do not add water first.
  • Grind them coarsely. If required add little water.

Both the ways the taste will vary slightly. But both are unique.

The raw mango / ambuli used in this recipe

Categories
Lunch OnePot pulav Salad

Mint Pulav

Mint/Pudina Pulav

I like to prepare Pulav in Different ways. It amazes me how with each ingredient this rice dish varies in taste and texture. Also there are numerous ways to prepare it. Its a dream to try as many pulav recipes and have a collection of them. This mint pulav is flavourful and my husband says gives him biryani feeling. Well that’s another confusion I have. The similarities and differences between pulav and biryani. So much to learn and explore! For now sharing the recipe of my pudina pulav.

Ingredients required-

  1. Mint leaves- 1 cup
  2. Green chilly- 2
  3. Ginger- small piece
  4. Garlic- 8-10 pods
  5. Oil – 3tsp
  6. Ghee – 2tsp
  7. Onion – 1big
  8. Baby corn – 2-3
  9. Green peas- 1/4 cup
  10. Turmeric powder- 1/4tsp
  11. Garam masala – 3tsp
  12. Chilly powder – about 3tsp
  13. Salt to taste
  14. Coriander leaves
  15. Basmati rice – 1cup

Method of preparation-

  • Firstly separate mint leaves from the stalk and clean them.
  • Add them to mixie along with green chilly, ginger and garlic. You can add roasted whole spices at this stage and reduce or skip garam masala.
  • Grind it to a fine paste
  • Take a pressure cooker and add oil and ghee
  • Add roughly chopped onion and fry for 2min.
  • Now add the baby corn and green peas. You can also add diced potatoes, capsicum and other veggies of choice. I decided to keep it simple.
  • Saute the vegetables for a min. And then add the masala paste and mix well.
  • Now add washed basmati rice. I haven’t soaked it.
  • Then add salt, chilly powder (you can vary it based on tolerance), garam masala and turmeric powder. Give a good mix so that rice is coated with masalas.
  • Add water such that everything is just immersed. Adding more water may make it mushy.
  • Now cover the lid and cook for 1 whistle.
  • Allow the pressure to settle naturally and open the lid.
  • Add coriander leaves and mix well.
  • Keep aside for 10min and then enjoy it along with cucumber raita.

I have paired it with cucumber raita and roasted potatoes.

Categories
konkanirecipe Lunch Side Dish thali

Ghar dudde Saung

Ghar dudde(bottle gourd) Saung

Bottle gourd is in season. We usually prepare halwa, payasam or a simple stir fry(upkari) using it. I was discussing with mom for some spicy curry ideas using this vegetable. She suggested this recipe. I usually do not like one dish to other but I this one tasted like alambe phanna upkari. So if you see people selling this super summer veggie on the road side, do buy and try different recipes or you can even prepare juice.

Ingredients required-

  1. Coriander seeds – 1tsp
  2. Grated coconut- a little more than 1/4th
  3. Tamarind- gooseberry sized
  4. Red chilly- 5-6
  5. Bottle gourd (ghar dudde) – 1 big cup
  6. Oil – 2tsp
  7. Garlic cloves – 10-12
  8. Onion – 1
  9. Salt to taste

Method of preparation-

  • Clean and peel the skin of bottle gourd. Also remove the skin. Cut it into tiny pieces
  • Roast the coriander seeds and red chilly with 1/2tsp oil
  • After cooling grind the coriander seeds, red chilly, tamarind and grated coconut into a fine masala paste
  • Take a pan and add the oil. Add the crushed garlic after removing skin.
  • Fry it till golden. Then add onion and fry well.
  • Once onion is fried add bottle gourd. Mix it well and add very little water. Cover and cook it for about 10min or till bottle gourd is cooked. Don’t cook it till mushy.
  • Now add the masala and salt to taste. You can also add the water from cleaning mixie.
  • Mix well and cook for about 10min.
Categories
Breakfast pulav

Vermecili Pulav

Vermecili Pulav

One of the quick breakfast dish which I make often. I use roasted vermecili which saves the roasting time. If you are using non roasted vermecili, please add 2tsp oil or ghee and roast it on medium flame for about 5min and keep aside. This can be packed in lunch box as well. Only precaution to be taken is while adding water to avoid it from becoming sticky.

Ingredients required-

  1. Oil- 3tsp
  2. Ginger- small piece
  3. Garlic-8-10 pods
  4. Onion- 1big
  5. Vegetables (beans, carrots, baby corn, capsicum, green peas etc) – 1 cup
  6. Vermecili 1.5 cup
  7. Water
  8. Salt to taste
  9. Turmeric powder- 1/2tsp
  10. Chilly powder- about 2tsp
  11. Garam masala – 2 tsp
  12. Coriander leaves
  13. Green chilly- 2

Method of preparation-

  • Firstly chop onion and other vegetables such as beans, carrots, baby corn, Cauliflower, capsicum. You can add as per availability. Make sure to chop them into tiny pieces.
  • Now take a pan and add finely chopped ginger and garlic
  • Fry them for a while and then add onion.
  • Once it turns golden, add chopped green chilly.
  • Next add the veggies and add 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook for 3-4min.
  • Open and add the vermecili and mix well. Add the salt, chilly powder, turmeric powder and garam masala.
  • Mix well and add water just to immerse everything. Don’t add more water.
  • Cover and cook for 5min. Open and mix well
  • Add coriander leaves. Keep it aside for sometime and then serve to avoid vermecili from breaking.