Vazhaikai / Plaintain Podimas

 

Ingredients:
Vazhaikai / Plaintain - 2
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Green chilles - 2-3 chopped
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Assafetida - 1/4 tsp
Ginger - 1 tsp chopped
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Lemon Juice - 1 tsp
Grated coconut - 1 tsp
Curry leaves
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tsp

Method:
Cut plaintain into halves and cook till tender with enough water.  You can also presure cook it for 3 -4 whistles. Let it cool, peel the skin and grate it. 
Heat oil in a pan splutter mustard seeds.  Add urad dal and fry till golden brown.
Now add the green chillies, curry leaves, ginger and asafetida.  Add the grated plaintain, turmeric powder, salt and gently mix.  Make sure not to mush the plaintain while mixing.
Cook for 2 minutes. Add the coconut and lemon juice and mix well.

Microwave Cooking - Mixed Fruit Kesari

Ingredients:

Rava / Sooji - 1 cup
Mixed Fruits - 1 1/2 cups cut into small pieces
I used Apple, Pear, Banana, Pineapple and Mango
Skim Milk - 2 cups
Sugar - 3/4 to 1 cup
Ghee - 4 TBSP
Cardamom - 1/2 tsp
Pinch of saffron
Nuts and raisins for garnishing


Method:

1. In a microwave safe bowl mix together rava and 2TBSP ghee.  Roast on high power for 1 minute.
2. Remove and mix it well and cook for another 1 minute.  Transfer it to a plate.
3. In the same bowl, place all the cut fruits and cook for 1 minute.  Mix well and add the sugar and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Now add the milk, saffron and cardamom powder and mix well.  Cook on high for 3 minutes.
5. Add the roasted rava and the remaing 2 TBSP of ghee and mix throughly and cook for 2 - 3 minutes.
6. Garnish with roasted nuts and raisins.

Notes:  I used turbinado / Raw sugar.  If the kesari is too stiff, add more milk and ghee.

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Awards

I got my first tag award from Meena  couple of week ago.  Thank You!  Now as a rule, I need to pass it on  to seven bloggers.  So the award goes to:

Gulmohar

Siddhi

Nithu Bala

Lavanya

Padhu

Sowmya

Krishnaveni

The second rule for this award is to post one or more of my favorite pictures.  I took this picture on a beautiful summer evening when nature put on her best show while the sun was setting.  This is our back yard.

Thank You to each and every one for visiting my blog!

MULTIGRAIN - Apple ~ Cinnamon Pancake

Ingredients:
Trader Joe's Multigrain Baking & Pancake Mix - 2 cups
(you can use any pancake mix)
Milk - 1 cup
Grated Apple - 1/2 cup
Ground Flax seed Meal - 1 TBSP
Corn starch - 1 tsp
Cinnamon Powder - 1 tsp
Nutmeg - 1/4 tsp
Pure vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp (Optional)

Method:
Combine all the ingredients until smooth.  If the batter is too thick, add more milk.  Heat a non-stick pan or a griddle and pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake in the center of the pan. Slightly shake the pan to spread the batter.  Cook till the edges are brown.  Flip it over and cook till its done.  Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup.
I also used some chocolate chips in this pancake.

This goes to Priya's Pancake Event and to Suma's JHIVA - Breakfast event created by Indira.