Lime pickle - mom's recipe

A bowl of yogurt rice with home made lime pickle on the side is enough to take me back to my childhood. My mom always had a bottle of lime pickle in the fridge. I never tried making it myself until recently and it turned out to be just like what my mom used to make. 

Here is the recipe:

Lime pickle 

Ingredients

Lime - 10 medium sized (chop 6 of them and juice the remaining 4)

Turmeric powder - 1 tsp

Red chilli powder - 1/4 cup (change according to taste)

Salt - 1/4 cup (see notes)

Methi powder - 1 tsp (roast and grind into a fine powder)

Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Mustard - 1 tsp

Oil - 2-3 tbsps

Method

1. Cut the limes into medium sized pieces and transfer to a pyrex/glass bowl. Add the salt and turmeric powder. Add the lime juice, stir, cover and set aside on the countertop for 3 days. Stir the lime mixture once every day.

2. On day three you have to season the lime for the pickle.

3. Pour oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. Once they splutter add the asafoetida and switch off the stove. 

4. Wait a couple of minutes until the oil becomes luke warm. Then add the red chilli powder and methi powder. Pour on the lime mixture and stir until completely incorporated. At this stage if the pickle looks dry then heat 1-2 tbsps of oil and add to the pickle. 

5. Cover and set on the countertop for one more day. Transfer the pickle to an air tight jar and store in the refrigerator. You can leave some pickle outside for daily use. Replenish as needed.

The refrigerated pickle will be good for a couple of months.

Notes

1. The salt seems a lot but the tartness of the lime offsets the salt. Will be just right for 6 limes. I used Salt Sense low sodium salt.

2. You can use lemons too, but only the ones with a thin skin. If you use the regular lemons that have a thicker skin they will not soak well and the pickle will be dry and the lemons will be too hard to chew.

Chow chow carrot poriyal

This is a recipe I have recreated from the menu of one of my favorite Indian restaurants (read Udipi Dosa House). Popular for its fresh vegetarian food the menu featured poriyals, kuzhambu, sambar and chutneys that tasted like home cooked food with the right amount of spices. 

Chow chow carrot poriyal

Ingredients

Chow chow - 2

Carrot - 3 medium sized

Onion - 1 medium sized

Fresh grated coconut - 2 tbsps (frozen grated coconut will work too)

Mustard - 1 tsp

Red chillies - 2 or 3 (adjust according to taste)

Curry leaves - a few

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt to taste

Oil - 1 tbsp

Garlic (optional)

Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Method

1. Peel the skin of the chow chow and carrot and cut into small cubes. Chop the onions and set aside.

2. In a pan add the oil and mustard seeds. Once they pop add the red chillies and curry leaves. 
3. Next add the onions and saute until soft. At this stage you can add garlic if using. 

4. Add the chopped chow chow and carrot along with turmeric powder and salt. Do not add water as the veggies will release water.

5. Reduce heat to medium cover the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes stirring a couple of times. If you leave the cover on for too long the veggies will become mushy.

6. Remove the lid and add the grated coconut. Continue to cook until the veggies are done. 

7. Garnish with fresh cilantro just before serving.

Notes

1. Garlic imparts a nice taste to this recipe.

2. Serve with sambar, vathakuzhambu or rasam.

Pal payasam - Slow cooker recipe

Hi foodies 

It's been almost five years I have been away from my blog. A busy life with kids, relocating to a new city, moving to a new house et al has kept me busy all these years. It's been so much fun browsing, collecting and trying out recipes posted by all of you.

My never ending passion for food and cooking is bringing me back to blogging again. From cooking and tasting simple recipes to trying out exotic and complicated ones I have realized that my heart lies where comfort food is. Simple, home made and healthy meals with a few easy to find ingredients is just about enough to make my day. 

This blog will also feature vegetarian weight loss recipes which will be really handy if you are trying to lose weight. Over the last few months I have been taste testing semi-home made recipes which will be easy on your wallet and of course help you lose weight too. It worked for me and it can work for you as well. 

You will not see a new recipe everyday on the blog, but I will keep up my effort in posting something new and interesting as often as I can. A big note of appreciation to my fellow bloggers - sailusfood, onehotstove, talimpu, amadteaparty, aayisrecipes, akshyapatram, saffrontrail, and many more who have been active in the blogging world. I have been following your posts all along. 

The recipe I have chosen today is pal payasam/rice pudding. I made this in my slow cooker and it turned out excellent. With a few ingredients and very little effort you can make this simple dessert ahead of time. The slow cooker does all the work for you. This recipe is adapted from the cookbook - 'The Indian slow cooker' by Anupy Singla. I have made a few changes to the original recipe. A detailed post on how to use a slow cooker will follow soon.  

The ingredients mentioned below are for a 3 1/2 quart slow cooker. Double the ingredients if using a 5 quart slow cooker. Infact, you can simply use a 5 quart slow cooker for the same ingredients too.

Pal payasam - slow cooker recipe 

(makes about 6 cups) 

Ingredients 

Basmati rice - 3 tbps (soak for atleast 30 minutes) 

Whole milk - 6 cups 

Sugar - 1/4 cup (Use less or more according to taste. For me the payasam was just right, not too sweet). 

Elaichi powder - 1/4 tsp 

Ghee - 1 tsp 

Chopped cashews - 1 tbsp 

Raisins - a few

Saffron - a few strands (soak in warm milk for a few minutes) 

Method 

1. Put the rice, sugar, cardamom and milk in the slow cooker. You can either add the raisins now or garnish at the end. 

2. The cooking time is 3 hours. Cook on low for the first hour and cook on high for the remaining 2 hours. Feel free to change the setting to low if you see the payasam bubbling away. Every slow cooker works different. (see notes) 

3. Stir the payasam every hour. (see notes) 

4. Once done set aside. Add the ghee to the pan and saute the raisins, chopped almonds and cashews and add to the payasam. 

5. Garnish with the soaked saffron milk. 

Serving tip: Spoon the payasam into small bowls and garnish with rasins, almonds, cashews and saffron. If making ahead, cover each bowl with a plastic wrap and refrigerate. This payasam can be served chilled or warm. 

Notes: 

1. The amount of rice in this recipe seems less, but once cooked it will be just right. 

2. I always use the slow cooker when I am at home and I can adjust the settings if required. On the contrary, slow cookers are meant to be used overnight (if making oatmeal for breakfast) or when you are away and want to get back to a home cooked meal. But if too little liquid is used for cooking it can dry out the food or if too much is used it might spill over. I personally recommend not leaving your home when using the slow cooker. I follow this rule for all the appliances in the house, mostly as a safety issue. 

3. Also peeking into the slow cooker is not allowed while cooking. It increases the cooking time. But with Indian cooking, it's good to stir the contents a couple of times, not too often though.

Vegetarian Website Award

Vegetarian

Updated RCI list for 2009

RCI event list for 2009

January - Chettinad Vegetarian Cuisine - Srimathi from Few Minute Wonders

February - Haryana Cuisine from Easy Crafts

March - Lucknow Cuisine - Vanamala from My Kitchen World

April - Pondicherry Cuisine - Lavanya from Home Cooks Recipes

May - Jain Cuisine - PJ from Seduce your Tastebuds

June - Indo Chinese Vegetarian Cusinine - Mythreyee from Paajaka

All other months in 2009 still available.

RCI event confusion?

Hi all

Today I was going through a few blogs and I came across a post on RCI at asan khana. The blogger was referring to a RCI Punjab roundup on a blog called Cooking Station. RCI Punjab was hosted by Richa of As Dear As Salt way back in June 2007.

I am not aware of this parallel RCI event going on. I am not in anyway connected with this. I am not sure who initiated this event either.

So, is there a plagiarism going on with blog events too? I thought it was only the photos that were being taken!

RCI list for 2009

Hi all

Here is the list for 2009.

RCI event list for 2009

January - Chettinad Vegetarian Cuisine - Mythreyee from Paajaka

February - Haryana Cuisine from Easy Crafts

March - Lucknow Cuisine - Vanamala from My Kitchen World

April - Pondicherry Cuisine - Lavanya from Home Cooks Recipes

All other months in 2009 still available.

Do let me know if you would like to host any month in 2009.

RCI event list for 2008

Hi all

It's been a very long time since I updated or posted new recipes on the blog. Life on the homefront has kept me busy with the entry of a new member into my family. Of course, I have been visiting all my favorite blogs and saving interesting recipes for use later :)

Many thanks to all the food bloggers who have been hosting the RCI event and keeping the spirit alive. I have been keeping track of the events month after month. You will surely see updates and posts on my blog in the near future. Until then here is the updated RCI Event list for 2008. If you have any queries or questions or would like to host the event in any month do mail me at veggiecuisine@gmail.com

RCI Event list for 2008
March - Bengali Cuisine - Sandeepa from Bong Mom's Cookbook - Current month
April - Rajasthani Cuisine - Paddukotti from Spicy Andhra
May - North East Indian Cuisine - Bhagys from Crazy Curry

June - Andhra Festival Foods - Vani from Batasari
July - Goan Cuisine - Reena from Spices of Kerala
August 2008 - - Authentic Hyderabadi Cuisine - Mona Afzal from Zaiqa
September 2008 - Konkan Cuisine - Deepa from Recipes and More

October 2008 - Assamese cuisine - Priya from Food and Laughter
November 2008 - Parsi cuisine from The Cooker
December 2008 - Awadhi Cuisine - Siri from Siri's Corner

Meet you all soon!

Zucchini chutney

Zucchini is a versatile veggie that can be easily used in Indian cooking. I make sambar, kootu and curry with zucchini. This time I wanted to try making chutney and the result was amazing. You can eat this chutney with dosa, adai or idli or with a bowl of hot rice and ghee. Yum! This is my contribution to Nupur's A-Z of vegetables.

Ingredients
2 medium zucchini
4 or 5 red chillies (adjust according to taste)
1 small green chilli (for flavor)
1/2 tsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp of urad dal (split black lentils)
2 cloves of garlic (sliced thin) (optional)
1/2 tsp jeera
A pinch of asafoetida
Salt to taste
Oil as needed

For seasoning
Oil
1/2 tsp of mustard
A few curry leaves
1 red chilli - broken

Method
1. Wash the zucchini, peel the skin and cut into cubes.
2. In a pan roast the red chillies and urad dal without oil. Set aside.
3. Next add oil in the same pan and fry the zucchini till tender.
4. Add the garlic and sauté for a few seconds.
5. Then add the tamarind paste and asafoetida and mix well.
6. Transfer the roasted red chillies, urad dal, raw jeera and zucchini veggie mix to a blender.
7. Add very little water and blend to a paste and add salt to taste.
8. Season with mustard, curry leaves and red chillies.

Fusilli with tri color bell peppers

I came across this recipe in Williams Sonoma's Pasta Cookbook. It looked so colorful that I had to try it out. While the original recipe is for a pasta salad I used the ingredients and came up with a warm pasta dish.

Ingredients
1/2 pound long Fusilli
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper

1 yellow bell pepper
(use any color you want)
1 tsp of garlic paste
1 tsp of drained capers
1 cup of cubed fresh mozzarella cheese
Red pepper flakes to taste
1/2 tsp of pepper powder
Salt to taste
Olive oil as needed

Method
1. Slice the bell peppers into long strips (you can also cut them into rings), brush with olive oil and add salt and pepper and roast (at 350 degrees) in the oven until done. Set aside.
2. Cook the pasta until al dente. Follow the instructions on the package.
3. Pour olive oil in a pan, add the red pepper flakes and garlic paste and sauté.
4. Add the oven roasted bell peppers and mix well.
5. Transfer the cooked pasta and add salt if required.
6. Remove from flame and add cubed mozzarella pieces.
7. Serve hot.

Aloo Pudine ka Saag

I harvested fresh mint from my kitchen garden and tried out this recipe for the RCI Punjab Cuisine event hosted by Richa from 'As Dear As Salt'. I was a bit skeptical when I started making this curry because I felt it might taste very different. But once I made the paste and started sautéing it the whole house was filled with the aroma of fresh mint and it was so good. The curry also tastes yummy. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients
For the gravy
A medium sized bunch of fresh mint (you can reduce the quantity if you find the flavor too strong. I used a handful of leaves because the home grown mint had a very strong flavor)
1/2 cup of crushed tomatoes
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 green chilli
1 big onion

Other ingredients
2 medium sized potatoes
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp amchur powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
A pinch of turmeric powder
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
1 piece of cinnamon
Oil as needed
Salt to taste

Method
1. Make the paste for the gravy and set aside.
2. Either boil the potatoes or simple shallow fry them in oil. I cut the potatoes into cubes and baked them.
3. Pour oil in a pan and add the bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon.
4. Next add the masala paste.
5. Add coriander powder, red chilli powder, amchur and turmeric powder. Mix well and cook till the raw smell disappears. Add water if the gravy becomes thick.
6. Then add the potatoes and salt and bring to a boil.

Goes well with roti or pulao.

Simla mirchi chi peeth perun bhaaji (Green bell peppers curry)

I guess I made it just in time. This is my entry for RCI - Maharashtrian Cuisine - hosted by Nupur from One Hot Stove. Green bell peppers sauteed in a mixture of besan and spices lend a delicious twist to this Maharastrian curry.

Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1/2 cup besan (chickpea flour) - increase the quantity of besan if you like
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp peanut powder (optional)
1/2 tsp dhania powder
A pinch of asafoetida
1 tsp mustard seeds
Salt to taste
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Oil as needed

Method
1. Wash and chop the bell peppers into square pieces.

2. Pour oil in a pan and season with mustard and asafoetida.
3. Add the bell peppers and turmeric powder sauté until half cooked on medium flame.
4. Make a dry mixture of besan, red chilli powder, dhania powder, peanut powder and salt and add to the bell peppers.
5. Continue cooking on a medium flame until the bell peppers turn golden brown.
6. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Snake gourd curry with green onions and channa dal

I am back with an entry for Nupur's A-Z of vegetables event - for 'S'. This is a delicious curry made with fresh snake gourd. I used green onions to give it a rich color and a light hint of onion in the background. The addition of channa dal makes it a nutritious side dish. This curry goes well with roti or plain rice.

Snake gourd curry

Ingredients
1 cup of chopped snake gourd pieces (I used a medium sized snake gourd)
1 bunch of spring onions - finely chopped
1/2 cup of channa dal - soaked in water for 2 hours
1 tsp of mustard seeds
1 tsp of jeera
1 tsp of red chilli powder
1 tsp of dhania powder
A pinch of turmeric powder
3 or 4 pods of garlic - crushed
Salt to taste
A few curry leaves
Cilantro for garnish

Method
1. Pour oil in a pan and add the mustard. Once it splutters add the jeera, curry leaves and garlic.
2. Next add the green onions and saute until tender.
3. Drain the channa dal from the water and add to the onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
4. Next add the snake gourd pieces, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, dhania powder and salt and mix well.
5. Add 1/2 cup of water, cover and cook till the snake gourd pieces become tender.
6. Remove the lid and cook till the water evaporates.
7. Garnish with cilantro.

Sweet nothings!

I am back again with a post finally. The last few weeks have been really hectic. Here is my contribution to Coffee's MBP - Something Sweet - for May 2007. Infact, I have not one but a few tried and tested recipes here.

Maple Pecan Cake - This is the best cake I have had in a long time. The best part is that it has maple syrup and no butter at all except for very little vegetable oil. This is truly a big hit. Thanks to Shammi of Food in the main and Taste Goblet for the recipe. Click here and here to view the recipe for maple pecan cake.

Orange Loaf Cake - an amazing cake from my My Rasoi. This cake tastes just like a regular pound cake but does not need one pound of butter. Plus it has a orange taste going on in the background and is simply delicious.

Pecan~Chocolate Chip~Banana~Bread from Baking Bites (formerly Baking Sheet). Click here for the recipe. This bread is fresh and tasty with crunchy pecans and gooey chocolate chips. This bread is a must try along with a steaming cup of coffee.

Eggless Orange Sponge Cake - an easy to make cake from Menu Today. Click here for the recipe.

Banana Payasam from Soumya's blog - The Home Spices. This is a simple yet delicious dessert that will be ready in minutes.

Palak Paneer

This is a recipe I tried out from Seema's blog - Recipe Junction. I must say that this is the most delicious palak paneer I ever had. I may never go back to my earlier method of making a spinach puree for palak paneer. This is my contribution to Nupur's 'P' of Indian vegetables. Thanks Seema for this wonderful and delicious recipe.

Ingredients

1 box of frozen chopped spinach
1 big onion - chopped
1 big tomato - chopped
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
3 or 4 green chillies
1 cup paneer - cubed and sautéed until brown
1 tsp red chilli powder (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 cup half and half

Method

1. Thaw the spinach in the microwave. Pour oil in a pan and sauté until soft. If you are using frozen spinach it's important you use the chopped variety.
2. Fry the onions and tomatoes till tender.
3. Add the red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, paprika, green chillies and ginger garlic paste and sauté until well blended.
4. Cool and make a paste of this sautéed mixture.
5. Add oil in a pan and cook this paste till the raw smell disappears.
6. Transfer the reserved spinach, add salt and half and half and let it boil.
7. You can add water if you feel the gravy is thick.
8. Add the paneer pieces and mix well.
9. Serve with roti or pulao.