Author: The HomeChef

A food enthusiast. Focus on cooking inspired through Indian cuisine and contemporary style.
Mains

Murungai Keerai Kolambu (Drumstick leaves with Dal curry)

The HomeChef

I miss eating so many native vegetables of India and Murungai keerai (drumstick leaves) is one of them. I was so happy to get hold of fresh drumstick leaves here in Melbourne. This keerai kozhambu is one of my favourite curry to have with steamed rice.

It is super healthy and rich in nutrition. If you are low on Iron, this is usually the recommended vegetable. It is rich in protein, vitamins and calcium.
Please find the recipe below:

Murungai Keerai Kolambu

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  1. Drumstick leaves – 1 cup
  2. Moong dal – 1/4 cup
  3. Toor dal – 1/4 cup ( you can also choose 1/2 cup toor dal and skip the moong dal)
  4. Shallots – 5 or Onion -1
  5. Tomato – 1
  6. Curry leaves – little
  7. Channa dal – 1tsp
  8. Turmeric powder – 1 tsp, Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
  9. Oil and salt as needed

Ingredients to grind into powder

Channa dal – 2 tbsp and Coconut – 2 tbsp

Please watch video for the method:

Mains

Pumpkin Erissery- Curry with pumpkin and dal

The HomeChef

Vishu is fast approaching. It is one of the key festivals of Kerala in India celebrated as the new year. Vishu always brings to my mind the Vishu kani, kaineetam and most definitely the sadya(feast). Erissery is one of the main dishes which is made for the sadya.

A delicious Pumpkin with toor dal curry along with the roasted coconut is a gravy not to be missed. This is a simple an easy method to try at home and can be enjoyed with steamed rice.

Ingredients:
1. Yellow Pumpkin – 1 cup
2. Toor dal – 1/4 cup
3.Chilli powder – 1-2 tsp
4.Curry leaves- few
5. Oil (Coconut oil preferred) -3 tbsp

To grind into a paste:
1. Fresh grated coconut – 1/2 cup. I used dry coconut – 4 tbsp with 1/2 cup coconut milk as a substitute.
2. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

For tempering:
1. Grated coconut- 1/2 cup
2.Mustard seeds- 1.5 tsp
3. Curry leaves – few
4. Dry red chillies – 2-3
5. Oil (coconut oil preferred) – 2 tbsp

Please watch video for method.

Mains

Egg Kothu Parotta

The HomeChef

A light in the main street with people always in front of that shop. What could they be eating I used to wonder when I was a kid. I hear the chopping against the pan loud and clear. Then I knew it is the famous “Kothu Parotta”. A mouth watering dish!

For this recipe the key ingredient is paratha/parotta. I have used frozen parotta and followed pack instructions. You can get it from any Indian/Srilankan grocery shop. The other ingredients are very commonly found.

Please find the video recipe below:

Mains

Stuffed Mushrooms with pan fried Asparagus

The HomeChef

It is a great feeling to create a healthy dish. This recipe does just that.

Asparagus has been on my list to cook for a long time. It is known for its health benefits and nutritional value including being high in fiber and rich in vitamins like A,B,C and E.  It is generally served up as a side to a main dish.

The combination of Stuffed mushrooms with Asparagus turned out to be a wonderful light meal. Easy and simple to cook. Hope you like it too.

Please find the video recipe below:

 

 

 

 

Starters

Peaches,Blueberries and Banana Smoothie with Granola

The HomeChef

A heathy breakfast is just what your body needs to enjoy another beautiful day. It can be just as simple as putting together the fruits you have and serve it up with your imagination.

This smoothie did not involve any thought process. Just blend, top it and enjoy!

Things you need:

For Smoothie:

  1. Peaches – 1 or 2
  2. Blueberries – few
  3. Banana – 1/2
  4. Yogurt – 3 big spoonful
  5. Milk – 1/2 cup

For Topping:

  1. Cut orange -1
  2. Edible flowers – 3 (Optional)
  3. Granola of your choice – 1/2 cup

Please watch the video below for the method:

 

Desserts

Pista Kulfi – frozen dessert

The HomeChef

Kulfi is a very popular Indian frozen dessert made out of milk, cream and nuts. It is  similar to an ice cream but the texture of the kulfi is much denser compared to a smooth ice cream. The taste is absolutely delicious.

This dessert is so popular that they are sold in ice cream carts or cycles in several Indian streets. They are traditionally served in matka (small earthern pots) or in the well known sticks. In this recipe I made them in small plastic containers. Please feel free to even choose ice cube trays or ice cream moulds.

This is a simple recipe and a great heart stealer in your dessert menu. Enjoy!

Please find the video recipe below:

 

Desserts

Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel sauce

The HomeChef

Bread pudding was kind of a forgotten dish till I got rekindled with memories when browsing on ways to use dinner rolls.

I had bread pudding for the first time when I was a kid. My mom made it for us and that too without an oven. I am surprised to look back on all the baking my mom did the hard way and it turned out to be our favorites.

Coming back to this recipe. Its a great way to make use of breads which remains unused or just to indulge in a very heart warming dessert which is simple and easy to make. The things needed to make this recipe are mostly at home. I also tried a basic homemade salted caramel sauce which went fantastically well with the pudding.You can try any topping sauce of your choice or just enjoy it the way it is. It is delicious and so tasty.

The video only covers the bread pudding. I have listed the steps for the sauce separately in the bottom if you like to try.

Bread Pudding video recipe:

 

Salted Caramel Sauce

Things you need:

  1. Granulated sugar – 1 cup
  2. Water – 1/4 cup
  3. Salted butter – 6tbsp
  4. Heavy cream – 1/2 cup
  5. Salt – a pinch or two

Method:

  1. Combine sugar and water and melt it over low heat till it turns golden brown.
  2. Add butter and allow to melt.
  3. Remove from heat and combine the cream.
  4. Add salt and allow to cool.
  5. Tasty salted caramel sauce is ready.
  6. Enjoy!
Mains, Side dish

Egg Kurma- curry with coconut

The HomeChef

Egg kurma is a popular Indian curry dish with a coconut base. In this dish I have used boiled eggs which will taste amazing in the thick curry. Adding coconut to the curry always adds the rich flavour and also gives a denser consistency to the gravy which I love.

It goes well with rice or any Indian bread. Hope you like it!

Things you need:

  1. Eggs boiled – 4 nos
  2. Onions – 3 medium
  3. Tomatoes – 2 small
  4.  To grind:
    1. Dry red chillies – 3
    2. Coriander seeds – 1.5 tbsp
    3. Fennel seeds- 1 tsp
    4. Cardamom – 3
    5. Coconut fresh – 1/2 cup or dry coconut – 3 tbsp
  5. Ginger garlic paste- 2 tbsp
  6. Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
  7. Curry leaves – few
  8. Cardamom – 3
  9. Cinnamon stick – 1 crushed
  10. Fennel seeds- 1 tsp
  11. Salt to taste
  12.  Oil – 1/4 cup – 1/2 cup as required
  13. Coriander leaves – to garnish

Please watch the video below for the method:

 

Desserts

Carrot Halwa

The HomeChef

Carrot halwa is one of my favourite Indian desserts. It is simple and easy to make. The inherent bright orange colour is so eye candy and tastes awesome too. It is also known as Gajar ka Halwa and gets into most Indian restaurant menus due to its popularity.

Carrots are one of the few vegetables that can be made into desserts. The halwa can be had just on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Enjoy the mouth watering carrot halwa video recipe below:

Starters

Corn on the Cob

The HomeChef

Corn on the cob is a healthy and nutritious snack or starter. When I was a kid we used to visit the beaches where the corn will be sold by roasting over fire and coated with spices. Always delicious and yummy.

This is a similar version made at home. I have made the corn two ways in the video recipe: one way is by boiling in water and then roasting, the other way is directly roasting over the fire and coating with spices. Hope you enjoy it!