Avial

Avial is very popular kerala dish. Its a medley of vegetables combined in a coconut mixture.Its a sure accompaniment in any vegetarian feast. You can add numerous vegetables in this dish. Think of adding different colours. Slice them thin and cook and add a coconut mixture along with a tinch of sourness from either raw mango or curd or tamarind.

A mix of vegetables - like yam, raw banana,carrot,beans,potato,brinjal,drumstick etc- sliced thin about 3 cups
green chilli - 2 or 3
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
coconut - about 1 cup
cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
curry leaves - 1 or 2 sprigs
curd - 2 tbsp
coconut oil - 1 or 2 tbsp
salt to taste

Thinly slice all the vegetables. Add turmeric powder,curry leaves, salt and some water , may be half cup or so and cook the vegetables in low medium flame.
When its almost cooked, grind coconut and cumin to a coarse paste and add.
Do not keep mixing too much after the vegetables are cooked. And do not add too much water also for cooking them. Add half cup and cook for around 8 - 10 minutes and check them. Depending on what vegetables you use it may need a little more or less. Adding too much water will make it mushy..
Once its done, add 1 tbsp curd and gently mix. Switch off and add coconut oil on top and keep covered for 10 to 15 minutes. Then stir gently and serve.
Some home make it with little gravy with it. Typically avial is a dry dish.

Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala is a very tasty north indian dish which is a favourite to many.

Ingredients

Paneer - 1 package of about 350 gms
onion - 2 medium size
tomato - 2 or 3
ginger garlic paste - 1tsp

whole garam masala - 1 or 2 pieces of each
turmeric powder - a pinch
chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
kashmiri chilli powder - 2tsp[optional]
coriander powder - 2tsp
kasoori methi leaves - 2 tsp dried
heavy cream - 1/4 cup
oil
salt for taste

Method

In a pan add a little oil, add whole garam masala, saute onion.
To the blender add sauted onion, chopped tomato and ginger garlic paste and grind them till smooth.
In the same pan add a tsp or two of oil and add the ground mixture along with turmeric, chilli and coriander powders,salt  and cook it down until oil oozes out.
It will splutter first, so keep covering and mixing in between.  It would be easy if you do this in a wide non stick pan.

It will take around 8 to 10 minutes. But do not skip this part. This really changes the texture and taste.

Now add about 2 cups of water and stir add more water if you prefer little more thinner consistency.
Now take the kasoori methi leaves and just grind it in your palms and add.
Now add the cubed pieces of panner and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Add heavy cream, mix and switch it off.

Done. Enjoy with naan or chapathi or fried rice or any of your favourite combination.

Birthday Cake

I made this cake for my son's 4th birthday; upon his request for a McQueen shaped cake.
This is made with two 13*9 cakes vanilla cake and whipped cream frosting. One I split and kept for the base and another one cut into a car shape. Just basic colors red for the full car and some blue and yellow for the features.For black I got a prepared small tube black frosting, as i was not able to find black food color.

Rava Ladoo

Rava Ladoo is a quick and easy sweet item to make. The below quantity makes around 30 nos.

Ingredients:

Rava - 2 cups
sugar - 2 cups
coconut grated - 1/4 cup
milk - 1/4 cup
cashews and raisins - a few
cardomom powder - 1/4 tsp
Ghee - 2 tbsp

In a pan add ghee and fry the cashews and raisins. Take them out and keep it aside.
To the same ghee add the rava and fry until it just starts to turn slightly brown.
Take it out into a large bowl. Add sugar,coconut grated and mix it.
Slowly add luke warm milk and mix it well. You may use a little more or less of the milk
[Those who like dry type of ladoo stop adding milk just when it is wet enough and rava mixture hold together. Otherwise add a couple of spoons more.]
Close it and leave it for 2 or 3 minutes.
Now add the fried cashews and raisins and cardamom powder.
Mix and make ladoos. Leave it for half an hour to just set.
Enjoy!