Millets or Siri Dhaanya ( Rich Grains) have taken over especially in south India, because of its fiber-rich and diabetic friendly ingredient.

Coming from a cold climate to a nearly warm climate is a drastic change right? can't believe I am back in India for some time,  Have you noticed something? These days everything from aeons ago is back into fashion!! it may be a dress code,   hairstyle or food.

Nowadays people are becoming more and more health-conscious; paying attention to what they eat and how they eat it. One such food item that has had a great comeback is Millets!!

Millets have a high nutritional value, they are recently gaining popularity because they are particularly good for diabetics, as they have high fiber content and they are gluten-free.  They are very rich in proteins, B Vitamins, Calcium, Iron, potassium, etc.

Millet is one of the digestible and non-allergenic grains available, as it is rich in fiber content it is said to be good for people suffering from Type 2 diabetes, as it has a low glycemic index. It is said that the Magnesium in millet can help reduce the effects of migraines and heart attacks.  Niacin (vitamin B3) in millets can help lower cholesterol.

Millets consumption decreases triglycerides and C-reactive protein.  The best part of these wholesome grains is they have a very high protein content, making it a substantial addition to a vegan and vegetarian diet.  Millets have become an integral part of the diet in India now!

Millets can be used instead of rice, It's just a small thing which you should know how to cook some of them if you are going to use it instead of rice.  Using them in Idlis or Dosas are very easy.  The most loved millet is Kodo millet, works perfectly instead of rice.

I have used this in Millet in many ways this is one of them, a perfect breakfast dish if you are a south Indian, you wouldn't definitely say no!  These  Idlis are so perfect and pillowy soft-serve it with a side dish of your choice.

Kodo Millet Idli (Kodo Millet steamed dumplings) #Varagarasi, #Kodra, #Arka, #Koovaragu
(A South Indian Breakfast which is almost gluten-free, can be made completely gluten-free, pillowy soft steam-cooked Indian dumplings go very well any spicy side wish)
Recipe Author: Jayasri
Recipe Type: Breakfast
Prep time: 12 hours
Cook time: 13 to 15 minutes
Shelf Life: 1 week
Serves: 5

Ingredients:

2 cups kodo millet(varagu/Arka)
1 Cups Rice
1 tbsp Fenugreek seeds
1 cup urad dal
½ cup Poha / avalakki
1 ½ cup water (approximately)
2 tsp salt

Method:

I use different methods to choose which one you would prefer and use it.  Soak all the above ingredients for 4 to 5 hours.

1. Soak separately Kodo millet and fenugreek seed. Soak Rice separately. Soak Urad dal and poha separately. In your wet grinder add fenugreek seeds and Kodo millet together, fenugreek seeds fluff up nicely grind until smooth to this add poha and urad dal, grind it smoothly. Next, add rice grind it until almost smooth. (Remember to wash poha very well and when I soak poha separately it uses all the water, in which I soak so don’t panic add enough water so it becomes soft)
2. Soak Rice, Fenugreek seeds and Kodo millet together, Urad dal and Poha separately. Grind urad dal and poha together add little water now and then until it fluffs up beautifully smooth and silky it usually doubles in size like a cotton ball, when you pick up the batter it shouldn’t stick to your hands. That’s when you know you have ground it perfectly well.  Remove this from the grinder into a large vessel now to this add rice, Kodo millet and fenugreek seeds and grind it smoothly.  Using water little by little.  Add this to the ground Urad dal batter and mix well.
3. Soak Rice and Kodo millet together. Soak Urad dal separately. Fenugreek and poha together.  Drain rice and millet for some time.   Spread it on a cloth for some time still, then roast in a wok in a for few minutes, in a low flame adding little by little (fistful).  It turns white in colour, once done allow it to cool down.  Meanwhile, grind fenugreek and poha together adding little water at a time then add urad dal and grind it into a smooth batter. Once the rice mixture is cool pound it in a mixie to an almost coarse smooth powder.  Mix this mixture into urad dal batter and allow it to ferment.

Using any one of the above three methods, grind and allow the batter to ferment for at least 8 to 10 hours depending on the place you stay. If you are in warm temperature it usually starts fermenting within 6 to 7 hours, so it totally depends on the place you live.

If it is a very cold climate it takes longer to ferment so It’s better to keep it in a warm place like a boiler room or near the heater or you can use electric oven switching on just the light.

Once it is fermented add salt mix well together, apply oil onto the Idli plates, fill it with the batter 3/4^th of the moulds.  If you are using your pressure cooker allow it to steam for 13 to 15 minutes without the whistle. You can cover the whistle with an inverted steel tumbler for at least 7 to 8 minutes then remove it and allow it to cook for another 7 to 6 minutes.

Some Notes to remember:

If you are using the idli cooker it’s the same method the lid opens on its own once the idli is done.  Press it back again bring the stove to low flame leave it for another 2 minutes it pops up back again then it's done.  Switch off the stove.

A little trick to get proper round moulds of the idlis is.  when you keep the plates on top of the other see to it that the holes come underneath the batter mold and the other thing is, do not put the little screw into the stand use it only when you lift the stand after the idlis are done this way it helps in fluffing of the idlis properly.

Serve the Idlis with sambar, chutney or anything of your choice.

Print

Kodo Millet Idli (Kodo Millet steamed dumplings) #Varagarasi, #Kodra, #Arka, #Koovaragu

(A South Indian Breakfast which is almost gluten free, can be made completely gluten free, pillowy soft steam cooked Indian dumplings goes very well any spicy side wish)

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Indian / south Indian

Prep Time 12 minutes minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 35

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 2 cups kodo millet varagu/Arka
• 1 Cups Rice
• 1 tbsp Fenugreek seeds
• 1 cup urad dal
• ½ cup Poha / avalakki
• 1 ½ cup water approximately
• 2 tsp salt

Instructions

• I use different methods choose which one you would prefer and use it. Soak all the above ingredients for 4 to 5 hours.
• Soak separately kodo millet and fenugreek seed. Soak Rice separately. Soak Urad dal and poha separately. In your wet grinder add fenugreek seeds and Kodo millet together, fenugreek seeds fluff up nicely grind until smooth to this add poha and urad dal, grind it smoothly. Next add rice grind it until almost smooth. (Remember to wash poha very well and when I soak poha separately it uses all the water, in which I soak so don’t panic add enough water so it becomes soft)
• Soak Rice, Fenugreek seeds and kodo millet together, Urad dal and Poha separately. Grind urad dal and poha together add little water now and then until it fluffs up beautifully smooth and silky it usually doubles in size like a cotton ball, when you pick up the batter it shouldn’t stick to your hands. That’s when you know you have ground it perfectly well. Remove this from the grinder into a large vessel now to this add rice, kodo millet and fenugreek seeds and grind it smoothly. Using water little by little. Add this to the ground Urad dal batter and mix well.
• Soak Rice and kodo millet together. Soak Urad dal separately. Fenugreek and poha together. Drain rice and millet for some time. Spread it on a cloth for some time still, then roast in a wok in a for few minutes, in a low flame adding little by little (fistful). It turns white in colour, once done allow it to cool down. Meanwhile grind fenugreek and poha together adding little water at a time then add urad dal and grind it into a smooth batter. Once the rice mixture is cool pound it in a mixie to almost coarse smooth powder. Mix this mixture into urad dal batter and allow it to ferment.
• Using any one of the above three methods, grind and allow the batter to ferment for at least 8 to 10 hours depending on the place you stay. If you are in warm temperature it usually starts fermenting within 6 to 7 hours, so it totally depends on the place you live.
• If it is a very cold climate it takes longer to ferment so It’s better to keep it in a warm place like boiler room or near the heater or you can use electric oven switching on just the light.
• Once it is fermented add salt mix well together, apply oil on to the Idli plates, fill it with the batter 3/4th of the moulds. If you are using your pressure cooker allow it to steam for 13 to 15 minutes without the whistle. You can cover the whistle with a inverted steel tumbler for at least 7 to 8 minutes then remove it and allow it cook for another 7 to 6 minutes.
• If you are using the idli cooker it’s the same method the lid opens on its own once the idli is done. Press it back again bring the stove to low flame leave it for another 2 minutes it pops up back again then its done. Switch off the stove.

Notes

A little trick to get proper round moulds of the idlies is. when you keep the plates one top of the other see to it that the wholes come underneath the batter mould and the other thing is do not put the little screw into the stand use it only when you lift the stand after the idlis are done this way it helps in fluffing of the idlies properly.
Serve the Idlis with sambar, chutney or anything of your choice

The post Kodo Millet Idli (Kodo Millet steamed dumplings) #Varagarasi, #Kodra, #Arka, #Koovaragu appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Coconut - wonder ever if it is a nut, fruit or a seed?  It is all the three when using it in a loose definition.  But, today I learnt a new word DRUPE! Did you know ? Botanically speaking a coconut is a fibrous one-seeded drupe, also known as a dry drupe.  Interesting isn't it?

''A drupe is a fruit with a hard stony covering enclosing the seed (like a peach or olive) and comes from the word drupa meaning overripe olive. A coconut and all drupes have three layers:  the exocarp (outer' layer), the mesocarp (fleshy middle layer), and the endocarp (hard, woody layer that surrounds the seed).''

I only know something about coconut that it is a 'Tree of life' in very simple words - A tree which is useful from head to toe and beyond.  Every bit of the coconut tree is used.  We have come to know with loads of facts and figures that the benefit of coconut is very high.  In Ayurveda, it is said that it is good for people with pitta and Vata dosha. People with Kapha dosha can also use but in limits.  I won't go too detail about it, as I am not an Ayurvedic doctor but I have just heard these things from my sister who is an Ayurvedic doctor. Coconut is a  gluten-free product!, These days you get coconut flour which can be used in lots of recipes.  It is alkaline food high in saturated fat and fiber.  It also contains protein and some important minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium.  Due to its high fat content, it is low GI and will decrease the overall GI of any meal when added.

I love coconut rice so much I keep making it often.  Do try out and tell me if you like it.  Here's how I make it.

SIMPLE COCONUT RICE:
Recipe Author: Jayasri
Cuisine Type: Indian
Course: Main
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Food Type: Rice Recipes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
2.5 Cup cooked rice (Sona Masoori)
3 to 4 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tbsp Channa dal
1 ½ tbsp Urad dal
1 sprig curry leaf (12 to 15)
4 to 5 Green chillies
Pinch of Hing
1 fistful of peanuts
2 tbsp Broken Cashewnuts
Salt as required
Few sprigs of coriander leaves

Method:

1. Cook the rice first, I usually use 2 cups of rice to this I use 4.5 to 5 cups of water. This depends on the rice you use, to make this kind of rice specialties I usually cook the rice al dente or cook slightly softer.  But, don’t make it too soft as it will spoil making any kind of rice variety.
2. Once the rice is cooked and then the pressure is released spread it on a plate so the rice grains do not stick with each other.
3. Meanwhile, in a wok add 2 tbsp of Ghee or Coconut Oil add freshly grated coconut and in a low to medium flame fry coconut until it changes to golden brown colour. Once done keep it aside until needed.
4. Next heat oil in a wok, once it’s hot add tsp of mustard seeds, once it splutters add peanuts and fry it, it changes colour now add slit green chillies it turns slightly white in colour.
5. Now add chana dal and urad dal they also change colour add tsp of cumin and curry leaves with a pinch of Hing.
6. Add required amount of salt and the roasted coconut into the wok with chopped coriander leaves and cooked cooled rice, mix all the ingredients until well combined.
7. Close the lid for 5 minutes in a low flame so the rice absorbs all the spices. Switch off the stove and serve it.
8. You don’t need anything to go with it, may be with some poppadums’ probably.

Coconut Masala Rice

Ingredients:
Same ingredients as above plus a masala powder to go with the above said ingredients. Except reduce the green chillies to 2 to 3.

Masala Powder:
1 ½ tbsp Urad dal
4 to 5 Byadgi chillies
½ tsp Pepper corns
1 tsp of white til seeds
3 tbsp of dry copra
1 tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp Oil

Method:

1. In a wok heat oil in a low flame add pepper corns, urad dal, Byadgi chillies and white Til seeds and fry 2 to 3 minutes until they all change colour to this add turmeric and dry copra and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes until the copra changes golden brown.
2. Once done transfer it to a plate to cool down.
3. Once it’s cool grind it to a powder.
4. Make the rice as said above exactly but, add this powder in step 6 with other ingredients mix well until well combined.
5. Serve this with poppadum.

Print

Coconut Rice (two ways)

Most flavourful and aromatic rice

Course Main

Cuisine South Indian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• 2.5 Cup cooked rice Sona Masoori
• 3 to 4 tbsp Oil
• 1 tsp Mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp Channa dal
• 1 ½ tbsp Urad dal
• 1 sprig curry leaf 12 to 15
• 4 to 5 Green chillies
• Pinch of Hing
• 1 fistful of peanuts
• 2 tbsp Broken Cashewnuts
• Salt as required
• Few sprigs of coriander leaves
• Masala for Coconut Masala rice
• Masala Powder:
• 1 ½ tbsp Urad dal
• 4 to 5 Byadgi chillies
• ½ tsp Pepper corns
• 1 tsp of white til seeds
• 3 tbsp of dry copra
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp Oil

Instructions

• For the Simple Coconut Rice
• Cook the rice first, I usually use 2 cups of rice to this I use 4.5 to 5 cups of water. This depends on the rice you use, to make this kind of rice specialties I usually cook the rice al dente or cook slightly softer. But, don’t make it too soft as it will spoil making any kind of rice variety.
• Once the rice is cooked and then the pressure is released spread it on a plate so the rice grains do not stick with each other.
• Meanwhile, in a wok add 2 tbsp of Ghee or Coconut Oil add freshly grated coconut and in a low to medium flame fry coconut until it changes to golden brown colour. Once done keep it aside until needed.
• Next heat oil in a wok, once it’s hot add tsp of mustard seeds, once it splutters add peanuts and fry it, it changes colour now add slit green chillies it turns slightly white in colour.
• Now add chana dal and urad dal they also change colour add tsp of cumin and curry leaves with a pinch of Hing.
• Add required amount of salt and the roasted coconut into the wok with chopped coriander leaves and cooked cooled rice, mix all the ingredients until well combined.
• Close the lid for 5 minutes in a low flame so the rice absorbs all the spices. Switch off the stove and serve it.
• You don’t need anything to go with it, may be with some poppadums’ probably.
• For Masala coconut rice:
• Ingredients:
• Same ingredients as above plus a masala powder to go with the above said ingredients. Except reduce the green chillies to 2 to 3.
• In a wok heat oil in a low flame add pepper corns, urad dal, Byadgi chillies and white Til seeds and fry 2 to 3 minutes until they all change colour to this add turmeric and dry copra and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes until the copra changes golden brown.
• Once done transfer it to a plate to cool down.
• Once it’s cool grind it to a powder.

The post Coconut Rice (two ways) appeared first on My Veg Fare.

It is also called Unde Huli! Nucchinunde always brings me a lot of old memories,  my memories are always entwined with my Maternal aunt (my periamma) but not with my grandmother!!   This is something you cannot find in a restaurant it is just purely Homemade.  Sometimes Amma (mom) would make it for our after school snack.

I customorly make it during Neeru thumba habba during Diwali, the first day of Deepavali with sweet kozhukottai which is a tradition I follow from my Ajji!

Wonder why is it called Nuchina unde?

It is very simple in Kannada Nucchu means Broken and  Unde means Ball.  Nucchu (Broken) can be of anything !!.

Why another name Unde Huli then?

This spicy ball is also used in making Majjige Huli (spicy Yogurt gravy) and can also be added in Khuzmbu/sambar.  It is a very delicious dumpling.

when can we eat this? 

You can have it for breakfast /Lunch / Dinner, highly nutritious and protein-packed as well, You can even send it in Lunchboxes what more can you ask for :).

How can we eat this?

You can just eat it without any sides or you can make coconut chutney to go with it, also with any kind of tart plain gojju, I will post the recipe soon. I just love munching on it, without any sides.

Do we have to use the same measurements?

It is very versatile you can change the ingredients your liking, I usually mix all the three dals.  It is usually made with more Tuvar dal and less channa dal, urad dal, and moong dal is not used! But, I love using all of them to make it more nutritious.

What else can we add not add to this recipe?

You can add different greens here I have used Dill and Ponnanganni keerai (Sessile Joyweed).  Dill leaves are the commonly used you can also use mint, fenugreek, coriander and also can use chopped Onions with coriander and curry leaves, Now with all the things I have told you definitely know this is going to be very tasty.
So, it means you can add all these! don't add spinach, amaranth those kind of greens.

Is it healthy?
Off course it is highly nutritious and a completely protein packed food.  Here we are using... Legumes / pulses / Lentils
1. Toor / Tuvar / piegeon pea - split Piegeon peas is a yellow lentil
2. Channa Dal / Bengal gram Dal - split black chickpeas that have skin removed
3. Urad Dal
4. Moong Dal / Yellow gram Dal - split green gram

This recipe is :
#Vegan and Gluten free
# Can be served as a starter
# fasting ( farsan) recipe
# Party or tea time snack
# Pantry staple ingredients

Nuchinunde (Steamed Lentil Dumplings)

Cuisine : Indian
Recipe Author : Jayasri
Recipe Type: Breakfast/ Lunch
Prep Time : Soak time (3 to 4 Hrs) and 30 minutes
Cook Time : 15 minutes
Shelf Time : one-day

Ingredients:
Tuvar Dal 1 Cup
Channa Dal 1/3 cup
Urad Dal 1/4 cup
Moong Dal 1/4 cup
Dill leaves 1/4 bunch ( around 1/2 cup)
OR
Ponnangani Keerai ( around 1/2 cup)
few sprigs of coriander leaf
one sprig of curry leaves
one inch Ginger
6 to 7 Green chillies
salt to taste
Asafoetida / Hing 1/8 tsp
Chopped coconut pieces

Method:

Wash and soak all the Dals. You can soak the dals separately or together for at least 2 to 3 hours.

Once soaked drain all the dals for some 10  to 20 minutes so there is no water left.

Clean all the greens thoroughly with water 3 to 4 times so, there is no impurities left, chop them up finely.   Green chilies and ginger as well.

Grind the Dals in a mixer coarsely with green chilies and ginger and a little coconut.   Grinding Dals properly is very important don't forget they need to grinded COARSELY they should be grinded as we do for Ambode ( Chatambade / channa dal vada)

Check my NOTES FOR MY TIPS

In a large bowl take the coarsely ground dal with the chopped greens, salt and Hing.
Mix them all together with some more chopped coconuts.
Make small oval-shaped balls out of it and steam them in an Idli cooker or place them on Idli moulds and steam in a cooker for 15 minutes without the weight in a medium flame.

Once done take them out serve them with coconut chutney or with a dollop of ghee.

Notes:
Don't forget, to grind the Dals coarsely. I usually take little quantity of the dals grind then first with green chillies, ginger and coconut to a paste, take it out and grind the dals in 2 to 3 parts in little pulses like a quick turn of the knob  2 to 3 times in my Mixie Jar which grinds to a corase consistency that way!
When making for festivals make as said in the recipe above you can omit Onions, garlic and Ponnangani Keerai.
You can just add coriander, curry leaves, and coconut without any other greens
You can also add chopped veggies to make it more inviting for kids!!
You can add onions, garlic, ginger, coriander and curry leaves.

Nuchiunde is made with only Tuvar Dal. But you can always use any dals in different variations.

You can add this in Majjige Huli ( Yogurt gravy) or in Sambhar and call it Unde Huli (Parup Urandai sambar), which is dumpling in Sambhar.

Hope you enjoy making this for the festival...

Print

Nuchinunde ( Undehuli) - Steamed Lentil Dumplings / Vegan and Gluten Free

A very healthy and nutritious, protein packed steamed Lentil dumplings which are spicy and tasty with loads of flavours

Course Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 18

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• Tuvar Dal 1 Cup
• Channa Dal 1/3 cup
• Urad Dal 1/4 cup
• Moon Dal 1/4 cup
• Dill leaves 1/4 bunch around 1/2 cup
• OR
• Ponnangani Keerai around 1/2 cup
• few sprigs of coriander leaves
• one sprig of curry leaves
• one inch Ginger
• 6 to 7 Green chillies
• salt to taste
• Asafoetida / Hing 1/8 tsp
• Chopped coconut pieces

Instructions

• Wash and soak all the Dals. Drain all the dals for some 10 minutes so there is no water, Clean all the greens chop them up, green chillies and ginger as well.
• Grind the Dals in a mixer coarsely with green chillies and ginger and little coconut.
• In a large bowl take the coarsely ground dal with the chopped greens, salt and Hing.
• Mix them all together with some more chopped coconuts.
• Make small oval shaped balls out of it and steam them in a Idli cooker or place them on Idli moulds and steam in a cooker for 15 minutes without the weight in a medium flame.
• Once done take them out serve it with coconut chutney or with a dollop of ghee.

Notes

Notes:
When making for festivals make as said in the recipe above you can omit Ponnangani Keerai.
You can just add coriander, curry leaves and coconut.
You can also add chopped veggies make it more inviting for kids!!
Don't forget, grind the Dals coarsely.
Usually Nuchiunde is made with only Tuvar Dal. But you can always use any dals in different variations.

You can add this in Majji ge Huli ( Yogurt gravy) or in Sambhar and call it Unde Huli, that is dumpling in Sambhar.

The post Nuchinunde ( Undehuli) - Steamed Lentil Dumplings / Vegan and Gluten Free appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Life has been very busy these days, I never relax during holidays it's because  I visit India during our summer vacation.  I would loads of errands to complete during my visit and I usually running around doing things.  The only thing I don't do is cooking and baking.  Most of the time it's my Mum, sisters, or my relatives and friends who do it for me as I visit them.  I miss Britain during summer as I love it there! It's because  for a lot of reasons  like the Sun, Flowers, Greenery, and the best of everything is my Garden.  I  love gardening and growing my own veggies, fruits, herbs, and flowers are my favourite hobby.

I will share you some of my Garden plants in my next post, hubby was telling me that there is a heat wave next two weeks and it's going to be very very hot, hope my plants survive the blazing sun rays.

When it's hot or even warm I love to eat more fruits especially fruits with a lot of water content as its going to keep me hydrated.  My kitchen gets too hot during summer because of the conservatory and I don't like spending too much time standing there!! Nothing wrong right?

Every summer reminds me of Indian summer, I go through my memory lane thinking about what I used to relish during those hot summer months, what my parents used to give me to eat ? what were my food habits ? (monitored by my parents, even today they keep advising me what to eat and what not to eat!) Most Indian food habits are usually blended with Ayurveda an alternative to our regular Medicine.  Even doctors here tend to introduce you to Ayurvedic way of food habits!  Ayurveda is an age old way of treating ailments with herbs, roots, and other natural resources available. Ayurvedic way of treating depends on the doshas (Vata, pitta, Kapha) the three elements which balance in good health and any imbalance leads to diseases!  Most Indian houses adapt to simple home remedies and treat common diseases with minimal ingredients found in our masala

Ayurveda is an age old way of treating ailments with herbs, roots, and other natural resources available. Ayurvedic way of treating depends on the doshas (Vata, pitta, Kapha) the three elements which balance in good health and any imbalance leads to diseases!  Most Indian houses adapt to simple home remedies and treat common diseases with minimal ingredients found in our masala dabbas and these shops (Grandhige Angadi) which sell the roots and seeds used in ayurvedic treatments.

I am used to and still use lot of things from my kitchen pantry as my medicines to deal with common cold, cough, headaches and tend to understand the way my body feels and adapt it in my food habits.  As I wouldn't drink lot of water, my mom always made sure I ate lot of fruits and vegetables which had lot of water content in it,  she always made loads of salads for us to enjoy when we came back from school and still today I enjoy these salads which have minimal ingredients and still tastes awesome.

Watermelon and Tomato salad ( Juicy Tomatoes and sweet Watermelon in a mild spice and sweet dressing)
Cuisine : Indian
Recipe Type : Salad
Prep time : 10 minutes
Cook time : None
Serves : 4
Shelf time : Best served fresh or chill can chill and serve
Recipe Author: Jayasri

Ingredients:

3 Cups of chopped Watermelon
1 to 2 cups of Tomatoes
2 tbsp of Sugar / honey / maple syrup depending on sweetness*
1/2 tsp salt as required*
1 to 2 tsp Black Pepper crushed coarsely as required
1 or 2 tbsp of Mint leaves (optional)

*Check Notes

Method:

Chop Watermelon into cubes using just the red portion of it, try and deseed as much as possible too much into it will give out a lot of juice and makes the fruit crumbled or mushy!
I have used assorted Tomatoes as I get it here, But you can just fresh juicy tomatoes which you can find in Indian markets.
I have used sugar here  with  salt and pepper (check my notes)
Take the fruits in a bowl toss them with the spices listed, serve it fresh or serve it chilled.
You can add mint if desired.

Notes:

You can serve it as an Accompaniment or just as a salad
You can use only sugar or only salt and pepper
It was important to use salt and pepper during summer as watermelon sometimes would cause cold to some people, Black Pepper has heat in it ( In ayurveda black pepper wards of cold) helps in warding off cold.

You can even add Yogurt/ Curds and enjoy it.

Enjoy this really delicious summer salad, It not only keeps you hydrated and makes you feel fresh.

The post watermelon and Tomato salad appeared first on My Veg Fare.

There will not be one south Indian who would say no to Dosas. I am kidding there might be a few who would prefer to eat Idli than Dosa or something else like a toast or probably muesli. I know few people who wouldn't want dosa as their breakfast when they were back home. Now they miss it's so much that even if you talk about it, they feel nostalgic and when they land in India the first thing they want to eat in the airport is Dosa! ( I am talking about my children especially!).

Basically, this is a crepe made out of lentils and Legumes. Dosas in those days were made with planning, it was a planned breakfast. Now #Dosas can be made anytime with or without planning!! as we don't have time for anything these days and tend to go for fast foods, even simple tasks like cooking a meal has become a tedious job. Dosa comes in various forms, these days you can find Dosa made using different ingredients and different methods. However, I don't mind eating it in any way or any form it comes, either fermented or not.

#Dosa or Dosay or Dosai spell it, however, you like, they are just delicious. It is said that #Dosa was originated in Udupi, Karnataka. One of my favourite cuisines in the world. If you are in Karnataka you wouldn't or shouldn't miss eating in an authentic Udupi restaurant for a Kannadiga food.

Whatever it is, there are some basic Dosa which you wouldn't want to miss...Some of them are Masala Dosa, Plain Dosa, Uttapam, Rava Dosa and Set Dosa. You might get the same kind of accompaniments for all the dosas said above. But, set Dosa is the one, which is always served with fantastic saagu, chutney and sometimes aloo gadde palya (potato curry) in some restaurants.

Here are some of the dosas you might want to check out
Mysore Masala Dosa,Ready made Masala dosa mix , Beans Sprouts Dosa, Museli - Bran flakes Dosa, cous-cous Dosa , Paruppu Adai , Snake Gourd Dosa , Whole Green Gram Dosa, Onion Dosa, Rawa Onion Dosa, Puffed Rice/Mandakki Dosa, Carrot Dosa, Vegetable Uttappam with a twist.

Set Dosa is one of the popular Breakfast dishes in Karnataka which you can find almost every hotel or darshinis, like Pongal, Idli, Masala Dosa, Uppuma etc. As far as I remember in those days when I was a little girl we used to eat 4 dosas in a set dosa plate, they used to be of palm size served with chutney and saagu ( a slightly spicy curry or korma with mixed vegetables or sometimes  with potato Saagu). Gradually set dosas changed to only three as most diners couldn't consume 4! either they used to share or just ask for half set dosa! Slowly they started serving 3 but I feel now dosas are an inch bigger than before. Now in my hometown if you go to any restaurant it is served only 3 a plate.

Masala Dosa is the ultimate version of Dosas nothing can beat it. But set dosa is like a full meal these crepes or pancakes are spongy and slightly thick these are also called sponge dosas it is less greasy too! comparably. It is cooked only on one side and should be served in a set of 3.

Here is how it is made, I have used Red rice to make it so you can see it is red in colour! You can substitute the same proportion for white rice and use the same method.

Set Dosa/ A Crepe or pancake with thousand holes

Recipe Author: Jayasri
Recipe Type: Breakfast/ Indian
Cuisine : Indian
Prep time : 6hrs soaking time & 8hrs Fermenting time
Cook time : 10 to 12 minutes
Serves : Depending on how much batter you use.

Ingredients:

Red Rice / White Rice:  3 and 1/2 Cups
Black Urad dal / Uddina Bele: 3/4th Cup
Poha / Beaten Rice: 1 Cup
1 tbsp of Fenugreek seeds
1 fist full of Moong dal or Channa dal

Method:

Wash and soak Rice, Fenugreek seeds and Moong dal/Channa dal in a vessel
wash and soak Urad dal separately
Wash and soak Beaten rice separately.
They should be soaked for at least 6 hours. After 6 to 7 hours grind them into a very fine paste. I usually grind Poha/Beaten rice with rice so it grinds very well and then I grind Urad dal separately.
Once everything is finely ground to a fine paste. Mix all the batter and leave it to ferment for at least 8 hours or overnight, depending on where you live.
Once it is fermented take the batter as required for how much you would like to use and add some water to make into a pouring consistency like pancake.
You can add salt to the whole batter or add it to the quantity you are using.
Heat the tawa/ Pan / girddle season it with oil use a cut onion or a brush to do so.
Spread the batter in a circular motion to make set dosa,do not try to spread it thinly it should be thicker close it with a lid. Once cooked you will see loads of holes in them, then sprinkle oil and leave it for another minute then take it out and serve it with any accompaniment you have chosen with it.

Notes:
Sometimes when we make the batter in winter because of the cold weather it takes 15 hours to ferment! So, totally depends on the temperature just like your bread where yeast needs a warm temperature . But, the dosa batter needs warmer temperature than this.

Print

Set Dosa / A Crepe with a thousand holes!!

Delicious Soft and spongy Pancakes / crepes served with chutney and saagu, A south Indian delicacy

Course Indian Breakfast

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 12 hours hours

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 12 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• Red Rice / White Rice: 3 and 1/2 Cups
• Black Urad dal / Uddina Bele: 3/4th Cup
• Poha / Beaten Rice: 1 Cup
• 1 tbsp of Fenugreek seeds
• 1 fist full of Moong dal or Channa dal

Instructions

• Wash and soak Rice, Fenugreek seeds and Moong dal/Channa dal in a vessel
• wash and soak Urad dal separately
• Wash and soak Beaten rice separately.
• They should be soaked for at least 6 hours. After 6 to 7 hours grind them into a very fine paste. I usually grind Poha/Beaten rice with rice so it grinds very well and then I grind Urad dal separately.
• Once everything is finely ground to a fine paste. Mix all the batter and leave it to ferment for at least 8 hours or overnight, depending on where you live.
• Once it is fermented take the batter as required for how much you would like to use and add some water to make into a pouring consistency like pancake.
• You can add salt to the whole batter or add it to the quantity you are using.
• Heat the tawa/ Pan / girddle season it with oil use a cut onion or a brush to do so.
• Spread the batter in a circular motion to make set dosa, do not try to spread it thinly it should be thicker close it with a lid. Once cooked you will see loads of holes in them, then sprinkle oil and leave it for another minute then take it out and serve it with any accompaniment you have chosen with it.

Notes

Sometimes when we make the batter in winter because of the cold weather it takes 15 hours to ferment! So, totally depends on the temperature just like your bread where yeast needs a warm temperature . But, the dosa batter needs warmer temperature than this.

The post Set Dosa / A Crepe with a thousand holes!! appeared first on My Veg Fare.

My neighbour Manu Aunty back home is the most wonderful lady I have ever come across, we get acquainted when I was 15 yrs Old!  I still remember it as if it was yesterday.   Our acquaintance turned into a strong bond.  I used to go with her to all her family functions!, I became one of her family members.  It was all such fun when we were young we used to enjoy so much going around with her to all the family trips and every family functions.  She is basically a Jain and I learnt a lot of cooking from her she was born and brought up from Mysore, but her parents were north Karnataka, you could see the touch of Dharwad, Belgaum, style in her cooking.  I learnt quite a lot of dishes from her and her relatives.  Remember the Maavinhannina Seekarne (Mango Milk Shake) I have posted long back, was one such dish I saw her family serve it with obattu(poli).  She makes obattu in a different way will post her recipe someday soon.

The Best are her Avarekaalu usli in the season with rice flour flat bread is simply awesome,  It will be so tasty.  I can keep writing about her cooking the whole day.  She is such a sweet lady I have never seen her with a sad face ever, she always has this beautiful smile feels like you are home.  She never sends anybody without serving them with some of her home-made delicacies.

Last time when I visited Bangalore, I always visit her as soon as possible, as she lives next door I jump to her house from our balcony!!, that's what I always do and my mum hates it, she thinks someday I might fall from there, but it's a quick way :).  So, when I went and knocked her door, she opened the door for me and we started chatting, we went straight to the kitchen as she was making morning breakfast and this is what she was making!!, I suddenly thought I want to capture it, I told her I will be back in a minute and jumped back into my house took my camera and came running back.  I had no props or anything but enjoyed taking photos of the process of favourite Rotti.., you can see step wise photos, hope you enjoy making and devouring it.

If you are familiar with making Ubbu Rotti/ Rice flour flat bread or Jowar Rotti this is one you can make easily as it is similar to that, You don't need anything special to serve this with as it is spicy already just with yoghurt it tastes really delicious.

Kaarad Rotti (Spicy Rice Flour Flat Bread)

Recipe Author: Jayasri
Recipe Source: Manu Aunty
Recipe Type : Breakfast/Indian
Prep time : 10 minutes
Cook time : 10 minutes
Serves : 3

Ingredients:
2 Cups Rice Flour
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Fresh Coconut
1 and 1/2 to 2 tsp Chilli powder
1 tsp Salt or as required
2 to 3 tbsp Finely chopped Coriander
1 Sprig curry leaves finely chopped
3/4 to 1 Cup of very warm water

Method:
In a bowl take Rice flour and all the other Ingredients except water, mix well now start adding water little by little for making a small ball. Don't make a ball with all the flour at once, It's better to make little by little.

You need to add rice flour liberally on to the surface and keep beating it around like you do in Jolada rotti turning it around so that it doesn't stick to the surface.

If you are unable to keep making it to round as big as she has made, it takes time to practice so, you can use rolling pin and make it to a round, don't forget to add rice flour liberally on to the surface now and then otherwise it will get stuck.  I would say start with little round balls and spread it more than your palm size to start with.

She has made a perfect round as you can see. slide it on to a plate and on to the tawa.

Once you have put it on the tawa, sprinkle water on top of it, so it gets wet all round, which helps in cooking.

Keep a wet cloth and press it around lightly this helps in making the rotti  fluff a little bit.

Add some oil on both sides of the rotti, and cook well on both the sides until you see little red spots.

Once it is done serve it with yoghurt which is really perfect for the summer weather.  I enjoyed it with some pickle.  She had more chilli powder so, it was very spicy and yoghurt was a good combo.  I went home and made the same breakfast but used less chilli powder so I served it with yoghurt and chutney powder mixed in it.

Print

Kaarad Rotti (Spicy Rice flour Indian flat Bread) #Gluten Free #NationalVegetarianweek #Vegan

Enjoy this spicy Rice rotti, for a delicious breakfast

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 3

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• 2 Cups Rice Flour
• 1/3 to 1/2 Cup Fresh Coconut
• 1 and 1/2 to 2 tsp Chilli powder
• 1 tsp Salt or as required
• 2 to 3 tbsp Finely chopped Coriander
• 1 Sprig curry leaves finely chopped
• 3/4 to 1 Cup of very warm water

Instructions

• Method:
• In a bowl take Rice flour and all the other Ingredients except water, mix well now start adding water little by little for making a small ball. Don't make a ball with all the flour at once, It's better to make little by little.
• You need to add rice flour liberally on to the surface and keep beating it around like you do in Jolada rotti turning it around so that it doesn't stick to the surface.
• If you are unable to keep making it to round as big as she has made, it takes time to practice so, you can use rolling pin and make it to a round, don't forget to add rice flour liberally on to the surface now and then otherwise it will get stuck. I would say start with little round balls and spread it more than your palm size to start with.
• She has made a perfect round as you can see. slide it on to a plate and on to the tawa.
• Once you have put it on the tawa, sprinkle water on top of it, so it gets wet all round, which helps in cooking.
• Keep a wet cloth and press it around lightly this helps in making the rotti fluff a little bit.
• Add some oil on both sides of the rotti, and cook well on both the sides until you see little red spots.
• Once it is done serve it with yoghurt which is really perfect for the summer weather. I enjoyed it with some pickle. She had more chilli powder so, it was very spicy and yoghurt was a good combo. I went home and made the same breakfast but used less chilli powder so I served it with yoghurt and chutney powder mixed in it.

The post Kaarad Rotti (Spicy Rice flour Indian flat Bread) #Gluten Free #NationalVegetarianweek #Vegan appeared first on My Veg Fare.

It’s already 2^nd of December yeah! That’s right, days just fly off like I said yesterday.  I can’t write something like my mother used to bake bread or how I loved my sandwiches in my Lunch Box.  Very rarely I used to take bread sandwich, actually I can’t even rememberJ.  The only thing I can remember of Bread is 2 things one is Jam / sugar sandwiched bread toasts and just bread toasts with my milk / coffee when I used to fall sick.  The Milk breads which we used to get in Bangalore were really tasty.  Have you ever tried my Milk bread you should give it a go.

When my kids started going to school, I used to give them sandwiches sometimes, they always loved it with Butter and Jam (Toast with butter and Sandwich with Jam)!  As they used to take Indian food in their lunch Box which they loved.   But they were all bygone days, soon as they started refusing to take Indian food in their lunch box.  The most they were ready to take was Indian flat breads (Chapatis /parathas).  They said they wanted something to hold in their hand and eat as they had no proper place to sit and eat or they would say they had no time to have a relaxed lunch break, well as they grow up they start giving me  reasons as they want their way.  In the beginning, I was worried then started looking for healthy breads to make sandwiches and started exploring new ingredients to sandwich between them.  Not just that until they finished their schooling every week I used to bake my own bread at least twice, they loved home baked breads as well.

This filling has always been one of our favourite, Each and every time when I send this bread toast I get texts from my hubby and children after their lunch break that it was awesome.  A filling which hearty healthy and a wholesome either as your breakfast or for your lunch box.

Avocado and Spring Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Author: Jayasri
Recipe type: Breakfast / Lunch Box
Cuisine: International

Ingredients:
2 Avocado
1 Bunch Spring Onion
1 medium sized red onion/ Bombay onions
1 Large Green Capsicum
1 or 2 Green chillies finely chopped (optional)
½ tbsp. of Chilli flakes
1 and ½ tsp salt (as required)
1 or 2 tbsp of Lemon Juice
Any herbs of your choice
(Coriander leaves, parsley, chives, Basil anything you like)

Method:
Remove the skin from the Avocadoes and chop them into pieces, wash spring onions and chop into fine pieces, the same goes to capsicum and onions chop it finely as well.  Chop green chilies if using or use chili flakes and required salt, squeeze a tbsp of lemon juice.

Mash them a little bit mix them all together, just they all combine well together to this add finely chopped herb of your choice (I used coriander leaves). Combine them all well together and keep it aside for few minutes.

Take Bread of your choice butter it put the filling and some cheese on it and grill the sandwich for a wonderful aromatic Grilled sandwich.

You can make it VEGAN by not using Cheese.

Print

Avocado and Spring Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A wholesome hearty and healthy meal in itself for a good start of the day or for a filling and tasty Lunch Box

Course Breakfast / Lunch Box

Cuisine International

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 2 Avocado
• 1 Bunch Spring Onion
• 1 medium sized red onion/ Bombay onions
• 1 Large Green Capsicum
• 1 or 2 Green chillies finely chopped optional
• ½ tbsp. of Chilli flakes
• 1 and ½ tsp salt as required
• 1 or 2 tbsp of Lemon Juice
• Any herbs of your choice
• Coriander leaves, parsley, chives, Basil anything you like

Instructions

• Remove the skin from the Avocadoes and chop them into pieces, wash spring onions and chop into fine pieces, the same goes to capsicum and onions chop it finely as well. Chop green chilies if using or use chili flakes required amount of salt and squeeze tbsp. of lemon juice.
• Mash them a little bit mix them all together, just they all combine well together to this add finely chopped herb of your choice (I used coriander leaves). Combine them all well together and keep it aside for few minutes.
• Take Bread of your choice butter it put the filling and some cheese on it and grill the sandwich for a wonderful aromatic Grilled sandwich.

Notes

You can use this to sandwich around 1 pound of bread

The post Avocado and Spring Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Hi everybody, how are you all doing? I am doing very well, a wee bit busy though.  Well, it’s not my mistake for sure, I do try to sit in front of my computer but whenever I look out of my window, my Garden beckons me with longing to fold me in her bare blanket pleading me to print and paint beautiful spring colours.  Summer is definitely around the corner for sure, fingers crossed, I have bought loads of seeds and my little greenhouse is ready.

I didn't pay some  hi-fi price to buy it, hope it can withstand all the weather changes we go through. Last time I had hard time ripening my Tomatoes.  As the weather keeps changing it’s very difficult to maintain the temperature the plants need.  I am  not planning to grow too many vegetables this year, looking after them is a big problem with all kind of creatures crawling and flying around giving me a hard time in getting rid of them.

I have a lot of perrineal and Hardy plants coming back every year to adorn my garden, I have also planted a few flowering plants and love to see them bloom.  It’s this time of the year I get all up my bulbs coming up with beautiful coloured flowers, Daffodils, Tulips, tuberose and many more.

With all the greenery around, and the hot sun drying me out of any hydration in my body craved for something fresh, and juicy,  that was when I started thinking of salads, Fresh vegetables and fruits. Once you put your little grey cells to work, as Poirot says they always come up with different ideas.

Right at that time my daughter calls me to ask, if I did remember what she wanted to eat when she comes back to visit me, I knew what she wanted and said I would keep it ready by the time she is home. when I am in the Garden I keep losing track of  time, so when she called me I had no idea what time it was, she said she has already boarded her train and  is coming home. I got a bit tensed up, she will be home in 1 ½ to 2 hrs time before I could make Burger Buns and the Burgers to go with it, that was when I remembered a 40 minute Hamburger Bun topic in one of the FB groups I follow.  Immediately browsed through my phone and found the recipe from Taste of Home.  I decided on giving that a try.

My recipe is an inspiration and minimally adapted from Taste of Home but with my own little modifications, I mean tweaks, First of all I did not  use egg as suggested so I made it eggless, then didn’t want to use so much Yeast so cut it down and Oil which was wee bit more to my liking.  With all these elements in my mind I came out with this recipe, and believe it or not it was so soft and the house smelled like heaven, kids gave a thumbs sign saying the Buns were very soft.

Recipe source:  Inspired by Taste of Home
Prep time: 5 min (measuring ingredients)
Starter + kneading time: 15 minutes
Rest time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 8 to 13 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp – Yeast
2 tbsp – Sugar
2 tbsp – Potato Starch
1 tsp – Salt
3 tbsp – Oil (I used extra virgin Olive Oil)
1 Slice of Bread (¼ cup of Bread crumbled)
325 -350 ml warm water (around 1 ¼ cup )
350-375 grams or 3 ½ cup of Bread Flour (I used Hovis white Bread flour)

Print

40 minutes Vegan Burger Buns

40 minute Hamburger Buns very soft and delicious to savour with anything and it is vegan!

Course Breakfast /Brunch /Meal/Dinner

Cuisine International

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 9 or 12

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• INGREDIENTS:
• 1 tbsp – Yeast
• 2 tbsp – Sugar
• 2 tbsp – Potato Starch
• 1 tsp – Salt
• 3 tbsp – Oil I used extra virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Slice of Bread ¼ cup of Bread crumbled
• 325 -350 ml warm water around 1 ¼ cup
• 350-375 grams or 3 ½ cup of Bread Flour I used Hovis white Bread flour

Instructions

• Method:
• In a large bowl take yeast and sugar and pour 2 to 3 tbsp of warm water and let it rest for 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl using a ¼ cup of warm water dissolve potato starch, salt and bread. Let it get mashed up well.
• Meanwhile, you would have noticed bubbles forming up in your yeast mixture, to this add the above potato starch mixture and mix well.
• To this now add flour and warm water, to form a soft dough, you might feel it a bit sticky not to worry everything will be fineJ.
• Turn this dough onto your kitchen counter dust your hands with flour and start kneading until very smooth and elastic at least 7 to 8 minutes. DO NOT LET IT RISE very important.
• Divide this into pieces as per you like either 12 or less I made around 9 pieces perfect for my burger.
• Shape each piece into a ball, place them on a flour dusted Baking sheet giving them 3 to 4-inch space between them.
• Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Brush it with milk.
• Bake at 425°, I baked it around Gas Mark 6 as I have a Gas oven and it gets pretty hot, 10 to 13 minutes depending on your oven temperature until golden brown. Once done place it on a wire rack, give 5 to 6 minutes, remove it from the sheet and transfer it on to a wire rack directly to cool completely, this ensures no soggy bottom.

Notes

You can small 12 or 9 Bigger Buns, you can add instead of Butter if you wish, if you don't get potato starch not to worry add 2 to 3 tbsp of cooked potato or cooked Rice just to make it soft. Even try using cornstarch or Tofu you have varied choices to substitute but don't omit the Bread slice

Method:
In a large bowl take yeast and sugar and pour 2 to 3 tbsp of warm water and let it rest for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl using a ¼ cup of warm water dissolve potato starch, salt and bread. Let it get mashed up well.
Meanwhile, you would have noticed bubbles forming up in your yeast mixture, to this add the above potato starch mixture and mix well.
To this now add flour and warm water, to form a soft dough, you might feel it a bit sticky not to worry everything will be fineJ.
Turn this dough onto your kitchen counter dust your hands with flour and start kneading until very smooth and elastic at least 7 to 8 minutes. DO NOT LET IT RISE very important.
Divide this into pieces as per you like either 12 or less I made around 9 pieces perfect for my burger.
Shape each piece into a ball, place them on a flour dusted Baking sheet giving them 3 to 4-inch space between them.
Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Brush it with milk.
Bake at 425°, I baked it around Gas Mark 6 as I have a Gas oven and it gets pretty hot, 10 to 13 minutes depending on your oven temperature until golden brown.  Once done place it on a wire rack, give 5 to 6 minutes, remove it from the sheet and transfer it on to a wire rack directly to cool completely, this ensures no soggy bottom.

The post 40 minutes Vegan Burger Buns appeared first on My Veg Fare.

I am no good with words so I can’t come up with amazing analogies as said by MFK above, instead, I only have one word to describe my feeling whilst baking bread, that it’s Awesome!

I love baking cakes, but baking bread just gives you a different feeling, the hard work of kneading, stretching and pulling (not to mention, waiting!)All for that moment when it comes to life as it rises in the oven and the whole house smells of freshly baked bread, ah…  This Bread I first posted here when I baked it by hand check the link here

This post has been in my draft from August, This recipe is requested by ones of my readers. This reader wanted to know if I could bake this bread in my Bread machine. Koolash, first of all I would like to apologise for posting this very late, I tried making this bread before I left to India, using whole meal flour but, forgot to measure the Ingredients.  After I came back from India, I noticed that I have lost one of my Bread machine blades, so I had to wait for two weeks till it arrived, so after overcoming all the setbacks I was ready to bake; not once, not twice but three times! I’ve had to bake this bread thrice believe it or not!

The first time I made it I added the ingredients, exact measurements and all, but I forgot all about it and left to do some shopping… when I came back bread was ready and good, but I wasn’t happy as I did not see the progress which I always like to watch through the little window. So I baked it again, this time on standby to watch it bake, which wasn’t the best idea since I got scared as I watched it rise in the bread machine, so thinking it might go over the top and worrying it might ruin my machine, I simply switched off the machine and took the bread out, it still had 10 minutes left in the timer so baked it in my Gas oven for the remaining 10 minutes. Surprisingly, it turned out very well; I even gave it to my friends. The bread was huge.

For the third and last time, I made my bread machine work extra hard. This time I altered the recipe a bit. The bread reached the top of the tin this time too but instead of taking it out I waited on it and all was well, the bread came out beautifully, so here I am finally posting this recipe for you! I took a quick photo of this and offered it to my friend, who a few days back had a little baby boy so, I took this bread too, along with some other goodies I had made, and they just loved it!

So, let’s get to the recipe and see how I made this bread using my bread machine.  I don’t have a hi-fi bread machine, and I usually just use it till the dough cycle, since usually I don’t have to worry about my bread rising.

Please note that I have made slight changes to the original recipe.

 INGREDIENTS:

• 575grm White Bread Flour
• 150grms Sugar*
• 75ml Oil
• 2 ½ tsp Yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 50grm Milk powder
• 125ml Milk
• 125ml + 3 tbsp Warm water

METHOD:

Follow the Instructions according to the Manual of your Bread machine; basically all bread machines have the same method.

• First add all the liquids as it is important for the yeast not to touch the liquids.
• Then mix all the dry Ingredients thoroughly except the yeast, add the mixed dry ingredients to the tin on top of the liquids.
• Add the yeast and set your Bread machine to “normal bread mode” or similar and switch it on.

My machine says it takes around 3 ½ hours for the whole process.

Once it is done, take the tin out of the machine. After about 5 minutes remove the bread and place onto a cooling rack (if it’s a bit stuck give it a little nudge it comes out clean)

NOTES:

Baking in a Bread machine is very easy, no kneading ( Kneading is what I love, methodically stretching & pulling just like an Aerobic dance with music), which of course you miss! However, an important thing you should definitely note is; Please do read your bread machine instruction manual.

The first time I used my bread machine I was a bit scared, now I know how it works. If you know how your bread machine works, after its dough process, that is, after its second kneading you can take the dough out by pressing the “switching off/on” button, for just a brief second as it allows such things. So that if you want, you can remove the blades and put the dough back into the tin, spread it out and allow it to continue its process.

Before the machine starts its baking process, it doesn’t mind if you open the lid every now & then, however, once it starts baking please do not open the lid as the bread might collapse (of course I haven’t tried, but that’s what the manual says!)

About this Bread:

• This is a sweet bread so it comes out really dark in colour, but if you do not want it too dark you can reduce sugar content.
• Please note that if you are baking by hand in your gas/electric oven cover it with a kitchen foil or it will look like it is burnt.
• Even though it has so much sugar in it, it doesn’t taste very sweet, I have added some Tutti-frutti and sometimes dried fruits in them as well
• Because of the sugar and milk powder the dough will be bit sticky than the usual bread doughs

Hope all the information I have given is sufficient to make this beautiful bread, if you need any more clarification please contact me I will try to solve it ASAP.  Bake and Enjoy with a hot Cuppa / Chai  / Milk Or just munch on it and also tell me how much you liked it.

One more Image of this lovely Bread

The post Sweet Bread/Special Bread/Milk Bread from Bangalore Iyengar's Bakery Using Bread Machine appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Hi everybody, it's been a long time I said hello to you all, we are already in December, I have missed you all from almost 2 to 3 months , hoping to be more active in this part of the world, I know I have become dormant but not with cooking or baking they are still doing well, it's just that I haven't shared anything with you  at all, I love to thank you my new followers on face book and Google+, I have to say this you are all my inspiration to come back soon and start to share my creations...Well you must be wondering why I am here today, Last year I had a wonderful time with my few blogger friends who was headed by Champa the lady who blogs at the Versatile Kitchen, like every year she does Bake-a-thon, that is baking the whole month of December, and I have enjoyed participating so here is an other year of Bake-a-thon enjoy the bakes you will see three times a week..
Here I go with my first Bake-a-thon..., these are as always for my Monday morning for their Lunch boxes, easy peasy pack them in kitchen foil and they love it.
I got this idea from Gino D' Acampo's, so I have been making different types of these, Long back I had made a Maffuletta bread which my kids loved, I had this in mind and Gino's pizza recipe turned it into these kind of Sandwiches.

VEGETARIANA PIZZA SANDWICH

Recipe : inspired by Gino D' Acampo
Serves: 4 to 6
This makes 2 Pizza bases

INGREDIENTS
200 grms of Strong Whole meal bread flour and extra for dusting
7 grms (2tsp) fast action dried yeast
1/2 tsp salt
3/4th Cup of warm water nearly
of warm water
2tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp Italian Herbs

FOR THE TOPPING
1 Green Capsicum/Pepper
1 Red Capsicum/ Pepper
1 Large Onion
1/4 cup chopped Kalamata Black Olives
6 to 7 Jalapenos (I used one in Jars)
1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
100 grm Passata
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4tsp Red Chillies
Mozzarella cheese as much as you need 🙂

METHOD
Prepare the dough first, In a large bowl take warm water add yeast then add salt, Oil, Italian Herbs and flour toss them all together then pour water first 1/2 a cup mix well then start adding water until you make a dough then turn the dough onto a well floured surface and start kneading with your hand until it is smooth and elastic.
Next make your filling, First of all pour 1 tbsp of oil and heat it in a frying pan over a bit high flame, fry the Onions and  Capsicums for a few minutes switch off the stove add Jalapenos and Kalamata Olives chopped add salt , Pepper powder & chillies mix well and keep it aside to cool

Place this dough in an oiled bowl then brush the top also with oil and leave it in a warm place with a covered clingfilm for 30 to 40 minutes depending on the temperature.

Preheat the oven to Gas mark 5**/ 180 degrees
As I baked this in a 12" round cake tin I lined the cake tin with Parchment paper
Once the dough is rested and would have swollen up, take it on to the floured surface and divide it into 2 parts.

With the help of your hands push each one out from the centre and make 2 round disc, place one of the disc into the prepared tin to this apply Passata then spread the filling evenly then spread the grated cheese on it, now slowly place the other disc on top of it, and tuck them completely into the other one nicely then brush the top with milk. Bake it in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean or the bread is browned nicely on top.

Take it out on to cooling rack for few minutes, take it on to a board cut them into how many wedges you want and serve them or like me I packed them in their lunch boxes.

NOTES:  I could have used capsicum & onions just like that with other ingredients, but sauteed them as capsicum tends to give out water and the bread becomes gooey and soft, which my kids don't like so fried them both used them in the filling.
Hope you make it love it and enjoy it...
take care
c you soon....

The post Vegetariana Pizza Sandwich appeared first on My Veg Fare.