Monday, March 13, 2017

Corn Rava /Corn Meal Kozhukattai

Today, we celebrate a festival, Karadayan Nombu. Traditionally we make kozhukattais with rice rava on this occasion. Both sweet and savory versions are made.  I wanted to make a cornmeal version of the rice kozhukattai today, which I had made a few times before. I used Quaker's white and yellow cornmeal. The kozhukattais turned out to be yummy. These steamed delicacies are great for any occasion. Here is a simple recipe for the savory version.








Ingredients
(makes 14 - 16, for 1 cup measurement)

Corn meal - 1 cup, (white/ yellow)
Corn - 1/4 cup, frozen
Thattapayar (moth beans or adzuki beans) - 2 tbsp
Salt - 3/4 tsp
Coconut - 2 tbsp
Water - 2 cups, hot


Seasoning

Oil - 3 tbsp
Mustard- 3/4 tsp
Split urad dhal-3/4 tsp
Chana dhal - 3/4 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/4tsp
Curry leaves -1 sprig, torn
Green chillies - 1 or 2, chopped (optional)


Method

Soak the beans for 4-5 hrs, cook, and keep aside.



Heat oil in a pan and when it is hot enough add the seasonings and fry till golden. Add the corn and saute for a min. Then add the cornmeal and saute till nice aroma arises, maybe 3-5 min. Then add the cooked beans, coconut, salt, and hot water.


With white cornmeal


With yellow cornmeal

Continue to stir and cook till the cornmeal absorbs all the water, and comes easily as a mass without sticking.



Cool a little bit. When it is bearable warm, take handfuls and shape into balls or in oblong shape.




Steam for 10- 12 min.


Transfer to a bowl and the steamed kozhakattais are ready to be served.





Serve hot with chutney, sambhar, pickle, or butter.


Tips

Any bean can be used. If it is smaller in size, shaping the kozhakattai is easy.
Adjust salt and green chillies according to taste.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Cranberry Jam



Cranberries are considered a superfood, as they are very rich in phytonutrients. Last fall, we enjoyed lots of cranberries. Some people are fine to eat cranberries as such, some with a little salt to balance the tartness. But, for me, I like it cooked into various sweet or savory form. The tartness is too much for me to eat it raw. I have made this jam a couple of times and its one of my favorite cranberry recipes. This year, I and my friend Ms. S, had loads of fun making this and enjoying this jam. We both made this jam 4 years back. We had a great time back then and now. Cooking together for sure makes not only yummy food but sweet memories too. Every minute of it, quite enjoyable. So, coming back to the recipes below is the recipe of ruby-colored jam made with tart rubies. This is made with very simple ingredients that are available every day in our home and can be made in about 30 min. :-).




Ingredients


Cranberries - 5 cups
Sugar - 1 and 1/2 cups
Apple juice - 3 and 1/2 cups
Apple - 1 cup, shredded

Method

Take the washed cranberries in a blender and just run it a couple of times, just to macerate a little. In a heavy bottom pan, stir the mixture of cranberries and 2 cups of apple juice on a medium flame. 



In about 10 mins, it will start to thicken and now add the shredded apple, remaining apple juice, and sugar. Simmer for another 15 - 20 min, stirring now and then to prevent scorching. 




For the above measurements, by 25 -30 min, the jam would be in a nice consistency and switch off the flame. 



Let it cool, transfer to jars and store in the refrigerator.



Enjoy your toast. 



 Makes about 2 cups.

Tips

You can use the whole cranberry, but the jam will be chunky. You can halve and use too, totally personal preference.

The jam may look a little thin, but it will thicken on cooling.

It stays good for 3 months in the refrigerator.

This can be made with frozen cranberries too.