SOOJI HALWA

A simple sweet which do not need any introduction. A very popular prasad for any festival in many homes is sooji halwa.....popularly known as ravva kesari. No much preparation or no much ingredients or no much effort is needed. Use ghee liberally and this one trick makes your dish turn awesome. Never go wrong from now on.

INGREDIENTS

• Ravva/ sooji                1 cup
• Water                          2+1/4 cups
• Sugar                          1 cup
• Ghee                           1/4 cup+ 2 Tsp.
• Cardamom powder     1 tsp.
• Nuts                            2-3 Tsp

PROCEDURE

Heat 2 Tsp of ghee in the pan and fry the nuts and set aside.

In the same ghee Add the ravva and fry on a slow flame.

A nice aroma and a golden brown color are the indications that the ravva is fried.

Now add the water. 

You can also add saffron or a little bit of food color at this point.

Cook till the ravva absorbs all the water. 

Add the sugar. Use less or more sugar to suite your taste.

Cook till the halwa starts to thicken.

Add the ghee, little by little, keep stirring.

The whole procedure must be done on a medium flame.

Now decrease the flame and keep a lid on the halwa.

Cook for 3-4 minutes and now you see the ghee oozing out.

Add the fried nuts and cardamom powder.

Transfer into a platter.

Let it cool a bit before serving.

Can be served with any appetizer or with any breakfast.

VANKAYA ULLIKARAM

Vankaya ullikaram kura is a simple recipe which don't need much preparation. The masala can be used as a stuffing in the baby brinjals or can be fried alone with the brinjal pieces. The old fashion of making brinjal curry demands more oil and the pieces are slow cooked with lid on till the brinjal pieces mashes up. So I preferred the italian brinjal which has more water content( Traditionally white brinjal-tella vankaya- is used). You can use what ever variety suites your taste. 

INGREDIENTS

• Brinjal pieces                1/2 KG
• Onion pieces                 1 large cup
• Dry red chilies               6-7
• Salt                                to taste
• Turmeric                       1/2 tsp.
• Oil                                1/2 cup
• Jeera                             2 Tsp.

PROCEDURE

Grind the onions, dry red chilies, jeera to a corse paste. Don't mash up all the onions. Small chunks makes the curry taster.

Heat oil, add the brinjal pieces, salt and turmeric.

Cover and cook till the curry is half done.

Now add the onion paste. 

Cook for five more minutes.

Now remove the lid and cook till oil oozes out of the curry.

Enjoy with rice and ghee.

ANDHRA BHOJANAM

The high heat waves are taking their way all though India. Its a cool time for kids and hard time for moms. This is the time when relatives and guests start calling, for either coming to your place or asking you to visit  their place. If you are near a tourist place its for sure your summer season flys away in no time. Your house will be colorful with relatives and kids. You will need to start thinking what to cook for the breakfast, what to prepare for the lunch and what are the recipes for dinner. Here is a sample lunch menu that is seen in most of the andhra homes in the summer. A simple, quick to prepare meal for any number of guests. Vankaya kura,  mamaidikaya pappu, rasam/mukkala pulusu, bajjilu, paravannam, majjiga........ what else one need for panchendriyalu.

Vankaya kura and mamidikaya pappu are like the twins. These two are prepared very frequently all through the summer. For the recipes click vankaya kura, mamidikaya pappu

 Although its summer, these deep-fried bajjilu are a must for satisfying kids and of course everyone. For mouth melting bajjilu recipe click here

Ksheerannam, the traditional Andhra rice sweet is a must for all festivals in my home.....in every traditional andhra home. For the procedure of making this simple sweet click here

Mukkala pulusu or rasam is mostly preferred as sambar is heavy on a summer afternoon. For the detailed recipe of pulusu/dappalam click here

After having a wonderful meal a glassful of buttermilk will satisfy your pallets. Masala buttermilk is not only tasty, it helps in quick digestion. Take a look at the procedure


You will be wondering that I forgot the main pickle.....summer hero recipe.....adenandi...... aavakaya.... Yes I forgot to add it to the meal. For the recipe click here.