RAW MANGO CHUTNEY

 Raw Mango Chutney is a sweet,  tangy and spicy Indian side dish, that tastes amazingly delicious with plain hot dal-rice /phulkas or parathas. Tangy raw mangoes grounded with perfectly Methi/ Fenugreek Seeds,  some Dry Red Chillis and an extra dash of hing ...... that aroma, that lingering taste ….aah......totally irresistible 😋😋 Here Kashmiri Red Chillies are added only for that fiery red colour. There are so many ways… I make raw mango chutney. I had earlier shared one super easy version of it and today it’s another  version on my blog. The tangy and spicy, raw mango chutney always represents comfort food for me with lots of nostalgic memories associated with it. The days when I am lazy to cook anything just this chutney and I can survive happily on it for all 3 meals. 

I want to make use of the mango season to the fullest and when I listed down the ‘To Try’ recipes this year, I bookmarked this recipe from an old cookbook and finally here is the recipe of the tongue smacking chutney.

When you try the recipe, I am sure you will definitely love to join team raw mango chutney ...🙃🙃 I suggest to use sour mango for making the chutney.  If you want to make a full green coloured chutney, replace red chilli with green chilli. It stays good for 8-10 days under refrigeration, if you want to simplify your work in the kitchen, grind it once in bulk quantity and use it whenever needed.

So are you ready to jot down this tasty Raw Mango Chutney ..... here you go. Raw Mango Chutney Recipe with step by step photos and a Short YouTube video. Also, if you Like my video, please share it and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my channel. 

📌📌 Watch the video recipe here 👇👇

https://youtube.com/shorts/1wI2l1zvGq0?feature=share

INGREDIENTS :

1 big Raw Mango / कच्ची कैरी 

2 tablespoon Dry Coconut

1/2" Ginger

6-7 Garlic Cloves 

8-10 Red Chillies ( based on your preferance )

2-3 Kashmiri Red Chilli ( optional, I added only for the colour )

1 tablespoon Oil

1/2 tablespoon Methi seeds / Fenugreek seeds

1 tablespoon Cumin Seeds 

1 tablespoon Mustard seeds

A pinch Hing / Asafoetida 

1 Sprig Curry Leaves

1 tablespoon Jaggery 

Salt to taste

METHOD :

STEP 1 - Wash, peel and dice raw mango roughly . Keep aside.

STEP 2 - Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and methi seeds 

and let them crackle.

STEP 3 - Add red chillies, coconut and curry leaves and roast on low medium flame for 2-3 minutes.

STEP 4 -  Finally, add a pinch of hing, mix well and roast for 30 seconds.

STEP 5 - Turn off the heat & let it cool completely.

STEP 6 -  Transfer the fried masala, ginger, garlic,  chopped raw mangoes and salt to a mixer/blender. 

STEP 7 - Blend for 30 seconds and then add jaggery and again blend to make a coarse paste. Do not make a fine paste. 

STEP 8 - Taste and if required add some more salt/chilli powder if you want.

STEP 9 - Spicy, sweet and tangy Raw Mango Chutney is ready to relish. 

Enjoy with hot dal- rice / paratha / chapati / phulka etc. Stays good for 8-10 days in the fridge. Store in an air tight container .

NOTES : * Always use Raw and firm mango only. Don't use ripe mango, as it changes the taste of the  Mango Chutney.

* Adjust the quantity of raw mango based on the tanginess of the mango and your preference.

* Also adjust the quantity of jaggery according to your taste.

* For a full green coloured chutney, use green chilli instead of red chilli.

* Don’t skip the big pinch of hing while sauteing masala. This is what enhances the taste.

* Don’t grind the chutney too smooth and also don’t add too much water while grinding.

* Adjust chilli as per spiciness preferred for this Raw Mango Chutney Recipe.

* This chutney stays good for 10 days under refrigeration but use a dry spoon every time.

IDLI DOSA BATTER

 Idli & Dosa are two of the healthiest and most popular , most delicious and healthiest South Indian breakfast foods that appeal to everyone .  I love both of them a lot. So today we are going to learn my fail-proof method for perfectly fermented batter to make crisp dosas and fluffy idlis every time. It's very popular in South India. Though they originated in South India, idlis and dosas have gained nation-wide recognition now. There’s probably no place in India where you will not find these popular South Indian breakfast foods. It can be prepared once and used differently every morning for soft idli, uttapam, bun dosa, sponge dosa and even a plain / masala dosa with any choice of condiments. Let’s start at the beginning. Idli / Dosa batter has two main ingredients – rice and black gram (urad dal or ulutham parippu). When you go to the Indian grocery store, you will find “Idli Rice” which is highly recommended for idli/dosa batter. It is a kind of fat, short-grained, parboiled rice. In India, it may also be called doppi rice. Dehusked black gram, either whole or split, are to be used. Make sure the urad dal is not too old. Add a few fenugreek seeds (methi or vendayam) to aid in the fermentation process which helps to make soft idlis and it also helps in giving the dosa a nice brown color. Another helpful ingredient is a handful of cooked rice or , murmura (aval or poha). The most important ingredient is time. 

I have been meaning to share this post for so long, like really long. Few weeks back, I shared the entire process of making Idli Dosa batter on my Instagram and YouTube and it received an overwhelming response. I got so many requests to write a blog post about it and well here I am. Sorry for the delay but better late than never I guess?

I can’t tell you the number of times I failed. I would follow the recipe to the “T” but my batter won’t ferment. I learnt this from my house owner aunty who used to make world's best best idli sambar.

Because I failed so much, I learnt a lot too. Isn’t that’s how it always is? You always learn from your failures. I have tried a lot. I have done 1:2, 1:1, 1:3 (dal to rice) but the one that works the best for me is 1:4 ! So, for every 1 cup of dal, I use 4 cups of rice. This ratio works for both idli and dosa. After grinding smooth,  I usually mix the batter using my hands for good 2 minutes. Trust me, it makes a difference. Mixing with hands helps in the fermentation process so don’t skip this step. You simply cannot rush the fermentation process; overnight is usually better (anywhere between 8-14 hours), but if it is extremely hot and humid where you live, the batter may be ready in as little as 6 hours. Once the batter is risen (it will also smell fermented), add salt and mix gently to combine. Make idlis and dosas with this batter.

One more frequently asked questions is that why not soak the dal and rice together?

I mean it will be just more convenient right? Well the reason is that rice and dal have different texture. You want the dal to have a fluffy texture which is important for idlis. And you can’t achieve that if you soak and grind the dal together with the rice. For this reason, it needs to be grind separately. However, if you are only going to make dosa, then you may soak and grind them together.

Okay guys, I hope that was much helpful. I have tried to cover everything I could think of. O let's see how to make perfect Idli -Dosa Batter at home.

📌📌 Watch the video recipe here 👇👇

https://youtube.com/shorts/wbFt1aaOAr0?feature=share

INGREDIENTS:

4 Cup Idli Rice

1 Cup Urad Dal

1 Cup Thick Poha ( see notes )

 1 teaspoon Methi/ Fenugreek Seeds ( see notes )

Water (for soaking and grinding)

Salt as per taste ( mix while making idli/ dosa )

METHOD :

STEP 1 - Firstly, in a large bowl take 4 cup idli rice and add 1 teaspoon methi, in another bowl 1 cup urad dal.

STEP 2 - Wash the rice, dal and fenugreek seeds in tap water a few times. 

 STEP 3 -  Soak them in a generous amount of water in a large bowl for at least 4-6 hours. ( see notes )

STEP 4 - When you are ready to grind the batter, wash and soak the aval/poha in water for 10 minutes, just enough to soften it. ( see notes )

STEP 5 - Drain off the water from dal, rice and transfer to the mixer grinder and grind it. Grind dal, rice and poha seperately.

STEP 6 - Add water as required and grind for 30 seconds.

STEP 7 - Grind to really smooth and fluffy batter.

STEP 8 - Transfer all the three batters to a large bowl.

STEP 9 - Mix using hands for good 2 minutes. Mixing with hands helps in the fermentation process so don’t skip this step. 

STEP 10 - Cover and allow to ferment the batter for atleast  8-12 hours/ overnight.

STEP 11 - The batter has risened up, indicating the batter is well fermented. 

STEP 12 - Mix it gently in one direction.

STEP 13 - For making idli/dosa, take the required amount of batter into a small bowl.

STEP 14 - Add salt as required and mix well with a light hands.

STEP 15 - You can prepare a crispy thin dosa or prepare super soft idli by steaming the idli for 15-20 minutes. ( see notes)

 STEP 16 - Idli dosa batter is ready and you can refrigerate the rest of the batter for up to a week.

Serve idlis and dosas hot along with sambar, coconut chutney, tomato chutney, chutney podi, etc.

NOTES - * Using idli rice makes idli and dosa very soft. so recommend using idli rice itself and not sona masuri rice.

*  If you are unable to grind the batter that day, you can refrigerate the rice and dal and use the next day.

* You can use cooked rice or rice flakes (called aval/poha)  (do not use both).

* If you are looking for an alternative for poha, then you can use murmura.

* Adding fenugreek seeds (methi or vendayam) to aid in the fermentation process which helps to make soft idlis and it also helps in giving the dosa a nice brown color.

* Skip this step if you are using cooked rice. You only need either of these ingredients, not all.

* If the blender motor becomes hot while grinding, turn it off and wait for some time before starting it again.

* Additionally, add salt just before preparing dosa or idli as it helps to keep the batter fresh.

* Refrigerate the batter if not using immediately to prevent further fermentation and souring of the batter.

* For Making Idli - Fill the steamer vessel with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Lightly grease the idli molds with a few drops of oil. Pour the batter to fill the molds. Slightly under-fill the molds so that the idlis have room to rise. Place the molds in the steamer vessel, cover with the lid, and cook for 15-20 minutes.

* For Making Dosa - Pour a ladle-full (around ¼ cup) of batter in the center of the dosa pan. Starting at the center, quickly make concentric circles of increasing diameter with the rounded cup of the ladle. This will form the dosa shape. Pour a few drops of ghee or oil on the dosa and around the edges. Cook for a couple of minutes till the bottom is golden brown, then flip with a wide spatula and cook the other side for a few seconds. If you have spread the batter thin enough, you may not even need to flip the dosa. Remove the dosa to a plate and serve immediately or keep it warm while you finish making more dosas.

* Idli dosa batter recipe can also be used to prepare uttapam, paniyaram or punugulu.

INSTANT STUFFED BREAD RASMALAI

 Want to try a different version of making Rasmalai at home? Bread Rasmalai is one recipe that is made by using Bread instead of Chenna. If you are still wondering how Rasmalai can be made using Bread, keep on reading. 

Bread Rasmalai is a quick & shortcut to the regular Rasmalai and can be made often for special occassions. It is a yummy milky sweet made by condensing milk with sugar and then dunkingn. 

Rasmalai is a popular Indian dessert/ mithai which is made from Chenna or Paneer. Soaked in rabri and then served chilled with lots of pistachios on top. 

Bread Rasmalai tastes yummy and can be made instantly. Bread rasmalai recipe is made with simple white bread. If you have been thinking that Rasmalai can only be prepared by the experts, you are wrong. The good old bread can actually be the main ingredient here for you. So next time when you have some leftover bread slices go for it. This recipe will surprise you with its deliciousness and you can try it at home without any difficulty. The recipe of Bread Rasmalai actually came to my mind on one fine day when my nephew called me and said that he is visiting me on lunch on his way. And I am a bit confused that what should I prepare as a dessert. I thought why not try something with  little twist by making bread the main ingredient.This is just a cheat version of the famous rasmalai sweet. It is a tasty Indian sweet but not exactly the same as a traditional one. But believe me, I was very happy when my nephew liked the dessert a lot and he didn't even realise that it's instant version of rasmalai. Even my hubby was too surprised and delighted after tasting this. This is now my family's favourite dessert.

 So when you have guests coming over and we don’t have enough time to make paneer, try this recipe since it doesn’t require that many ingredients. Easy to make and tastes yummy. Only I would suggest you keep it in the fridge for a couple of hours. Take it out before serving it to your guests and cool down your taste buds after a fiery meal. It is also a tasty fusion dessert for potluck/ dinner parties / Diwali get together

You might like the taste of authentic Bengali cuisine- Rasmalai but trust me as I say that the bread version is quite easy to prepare, leaving you with the same essence as before.

 So, try it out the way you love and treat yourself with its heavenly taste. 

📌📌 Watch the video recipe here 👇👇

https://youtube.com/shorts/DeTmg3dRTgM?feature=share

INGREDIENTS :

FOR Instant RABDI -

500 ml Milk

1/4 Cup Sugar ( according to your taste )

1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder

15-20 Saffron Strands

2 tbsp Custard Powder

Few drops Rose Water

Few drops of Yellow Food Colour 

FOR ASSEMBLING - 

6-8 White Bread slices

1 tbsp Powdered Sugar

1/2 Cup Milk Powder

1/4 Cup Milk 

1 tbsp sliced Almonds and Pistachios

METHOD :

For Making Instant RABDI -

STEP 2 - Take 1/4 cup room temperature milk and mix custard powder in it and keep aside.

STEP 3 - Put the remaining milk in a heavy bottom saucepan and keep it on stove on medium - high flame.

STEP 4 - Meanwhile take 2 tbsp of warm milk and soak the few strands of saffron. Mix it well and keep aside.

STEP 1 - Let the milk come to rolling boil. Once it starts boiling keep the flame to low and cook the milk till it starts thickening.

STEP 5 - Add cardamom powder, sugar, saffron milk to milk and give it a nice mix.

STEP 6 - Let the milk cook until sugar dissolves completely.

STEP 7 - Add custard powder mixture and mix it well to avoid lumps.

STEP 8 - Keep continuous stirring for 4-5 minutes which helps to avoid lumps or sticking to the bottom. 

STEP - Add few drops of rose water, yellow food colour and mix it. ( I missed the step of adding yellow colour ).

STEP 9 - Keep cooking until the mixture is slightly thick consistency. 

STEP 10 - Once done, let it transfer to another bowl and cool it completely. Put in a fridge and use chilled.

For Assembling Instant Rasmalai -

STEP 1 - In a small mixing bowl, add milk powder sugar and milk.

Do not add milk in one go, add in small batches. Mix it well to get a nice smooth and creamy consistency mixture.

STEP 2 - Take bread slices and remove the sides with sharp knife. ( see notes )

STEP 3 - Now take a slice of bread and generously apply the milk powder mixture on it. Spread it evenly.

STEP 4 - Sprinkle some pistachios and almonds slices. 

STEP 5 - Cover it with another slice of bread and press it gently.

STEP 6 - Likewise, assemble the rest of the bread slices. 

STEP 7 - Now cut each bread sandwich into four triangles.

STEP 8 -  Arrange the stuffed bread triangles on a serving plate.

STEP 9 - Pour over  generous amount of the chilled milk/ rabdi.

STEP 10 - Garnish with pista and almonds slices and sliver warq.

STEP 11 - Put them in refrigerator for about 1-2 hour and then serve chilled.

Our bread Rasmalai is ready to eat. Serve chilled and enjoy.

NOTES : * Do not throw the sides of breads. Make bread crumbs and use in other recipes.

* You can use wheat, oats, or any bread of your choice but I would recommend maida bread as it gives the best taste and texture.

* Adjust the flame as desired to suit your convenience. Do not use high flame because milk may overflow from the pan. 

* Rasmalai stays good in the fridge for 2 days.