Stuffed Brinjal- Mom's Masterpiece Recipe

Happy Birthday Amma..My Best Friend...My Pride!! Today's recipe is dedicated to her, to celebrate her special day. This dish is her speciality, I have made this umpteen number of times but have never been able to replicate the same taste as she makes.Whatever I am today is because of her hardwork and dedication. She gave me a handwritten  book of recipes when I was beginning the new phase of my life. That book still gives me the confidence to cook and also gives me a feeling that she is always present beside me :) Love you lots Amma :)

Aviyal

VISHU Greetings from Kitchen Tales!!-  Vishu, signifies the malayali New Year. All malayalis celebrate this day with much fanfare and vigour. The day starts with "Vishukanni" meaning the first thing seen on the day of Vishu. The elders give "Vishukaineetam" to the younger ones and this is followed by a grand sadhya / feast.

Aviyal is the most prominent dish of any malayali sadhya. Its a combination of mixed veggies and coconut paste. Generally a lot of coconut is used to make this dish and it is dry. I have given a healthy twist to this traditional dish by reducing the coconut and adding yoghurt. Hope you all like this version.I learnt this from one of my friend who dwells from the state of Palghat in Kerala.

Gobi (Cauliflower) Kadhi

Kadhi is a dish that is made in various parts of North India. There are many versions of this dish like pakoda kadhi, gujarathi kadhi, rajasthani kadhi etc. This being our family favourite is made quite often at our home. This time I wanted to try something hatke than the normal. So I added added cauliflower instead of pakodas. My entire family and friends loved this version. Hence I decided to blog this one. Hope you all like it :)

Dahi Bhindi

Bhindi/ Lady's Finger is a veggie that is not preferred in my home. But I do incorporate it our diet in some form or the other. I keep trying out various dishes so as to give it a new look every time i serve it. I came across this delicious and easy to make recipe in my food group. It was made by one of my dear friend. What a recipe it was and now this is made at least once a week in my home on popular demand. I have made a few changes to the original recipe. Hope you all like it. Do send me your valuable feedback.

Bhindi/ Lady's finger is rich in dietary fibre, folate, vit k, potassium etc. It helps in weight loss, reduces bad cholesterol, controls blood sugar levels, improves eyesight, good for ladies trying to conceive and also during pregnancy.

Baingan Bharta

Baingan (brinjal) Bharta is one dish that would never turn out perfect whenever I tried it until one day I made it as per my Co Sister's instructions. It turned out perfect and had that authentic taste. My Co sister, a very bubbly girl, always full of life, very enthusiastic. She loves to experiment with food. She has supported me right from the very outset of my blog, encouraged and motivated me always. She is a  blessing indeed. This one for her. I have brought in a small change in the original recipe by adding capsicum along with the brinjal.

Chilli Tofu

Kitchen Tales celebrates Friendship. Every moment spent with one's friend is special, is like a celebration and is always special. We meet,greet and interact with many people on a daily basis. But not all can be called as friends. "A friend is someone who knows you and loves you just the same!!" I am blessed with such a person in my life. My bestie..We have stood strong by each through our happy and sad days. She has been more than a friend ... just like a sister to me . On this special day I dedicate this post to her. A delicious, nutritious and easy to make recipe that I learnt from her. Love you lots and this one for our togetherness.

Tofu is made from soyabean curd. It is naturally gluten free and low in calories. It contains no cholesterol and is packed with proteins, iron and calcium. If tofu is not readily available or if you do not prefer it, you may replace it with store bought or homemade paneer cubes.

Gobi Manchurian...My Mom's Speciality

Its The Glorious 60. Happy Birthday Amma :) The person who brought me into this world...Who introduced me to knives, spoons ladles and kadhais. Whatever I am today is because of her hard work and training. Gobi Manchurian is one of My Amma's Specialities. I feel she makes the World's Most Tasty Gobi Manchurian. So here's a dedication from my side on her Milestone Birthday. Gobi Manchurian..Mommy's Style. In the below you see a hand written book of recipes by her. She gave me this book when i was starting my new life after maarriage. My cherished possession...That's like my guide and support. 

Tofu Burji /Scrambled Tofu

Tofu, made from soybean curds, is naturally gluten-free and low calorie, contains no cholesterol and is an excellent source of protein, iron, and calcium. It is available in different varieties super firm,soft and silken. It helps in reducing LDL cholesterol, good for diabetic patients, helps in weight loss and regular consumption reduces risk of osteoporosis.

Tofu Burji is nothing but scrambled tofu. It is a complete meal in itself. You can also use this as a filling for sandwiches and rolls. An excellent idea for kids tiffin boxes.

No Onion No Garlic Pav Bhaji

Mumbaiche Speciality Pav bhaji... A dish that is almost everybody's favourite. Cannot imagine a pav bhaji without onion and garlic right? I felt the same when I read the recipe for the first time. I felt the strong urge to try it...and trust me it did not disappoint at all. It tasted as delish as the original one and was an excellent accompaniment with hot phulkas. 

The original recipe is adapted from Veg recipes of India. I have made a few alterations to the original version. Hope you all like it.

Lauki Ki Subzi

Lauki, Ghiya or Bottle gourd is not a preffered vegetable especially down south. I used to give boiled and mashed lauki to my kids when they small but never made it a part of my daily diet. Once I happened to eat this simple,quick and easy to make delicious Lauki Ki Subzi made by my sister like friend.She is a wonderful cook and I relish eating whatever she cooks...the one with magical hands and lots of love in her heart.Blessed to have her in my life :) This one for you Snehal. 

Lauki is one wonder veggie... It helps in weight loss, helps treat constipation, improves digestion, replenishes loss of water in the body, cools the body and keeps heart healthy.  I have made a few modifications to the original recipe. Hope you all will like it :)

Veggie Kurma

Kurma/ Korma is one of the best accompaniments for chappathis, rotis, rice , idiyappam. appams or pooris. Every state has a different version of kurma/korma. My Dear friend, Chitra Kamath, whom we fondly call Chitrakka, an expert cook and who has always been motivating and encouraging us right from the onset of our blog, came up with this interesting recipe of veggie kurma. Easy to make and lighter than the normal ones. This one is mildly spiced and the coconut content is also lesser than normal. Packed with vitamins and minerals. A recipe worth a try. This one for you Chitrakka :) 

 

Dodda Mensinkai (Bell Pepper) Palya

Dodda Mensinkai/ Capsicum/ Bell Peppers often called as an english vegetable  is a native of America. These peppers come in red,yellow,orange and green. Green is the most widely used and the cheapest one amongst all.It is rich in Vitamin C. Increases metabolism,thus helping in weight loss. Acts as an an antioxidant. Capsicum is used in various dishes like curries, soups, chutneys, jams, pickles. The recipe below  is inherited from my Mom. A simple, easy and delicious dry curry.

Gobi Keema Masala

The word "Keema" originally stands for "minced meat". Here it is used for minced gobi (cauliflower). This mildly spiced,delicious recipe was introduced to me by my friends Priya and Shobana Rao. It was an instant hit at our home. Kids just loved it. Since then it has been a regular dish, especially for our dinners as an accompaniment with rotis. It goes well with plain jeera rice as well. The addition of mutter/peas adds to its nutritional value and taste. I added half a spoon of lemon juice which is not there in the original recipe, just to give it a tangy flavour. 

Cauliflower is rich in vitamin B1, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin K. It serves as a good source of protein, phosphorous and potassium. It acts as an antioxidant and also said to help in detoxification. Peas is considered to be the powerhouse of nutrients and very low in calories. It is a good source of protein and fiber.

Jhatpat Mushroom Mutter

Mushrooms has always been a favourite in my family. Mushrooms come in different varieties and colours. Commonly used ones are the white button mushrooms.They increase the vitamin D levels in our diet, help enhance weight loss and improve out immune system. Below you can find a delicious mushroom subzi that can be made in a jiffy. 

Pacha Kaya (Raw Banana) Thoran

Cochin being my hometown, Kerala local delicacies are a part of our diet. We enjoy the spicy and tangy coconut based recipes. One of our favourite among them is Thoran.  Thoran is a malayalam word for a dry curry made using any vegetable and grated coconut. Red chillies /green chillies, onions, garlic and jeera are used to give an extra flavour to the dish. I tasted the below dish in a Kerala joint here. Since then wanted to give it a try. We loved the flavours..Do try and give me the feedback.