Paruppu Rasam

Paruppu Rasam
************
One of our comfort foods...Rasam!!! This rasam has a nice twist and was a delicacy in my pattima house and it is best had with dry chicken or muton gravy...

Ingredients
**********
toor dhal - 3/4 cup
small onions- 10
garlic - 5 cloves
curry leaves - few
green chilli - 1
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
Asafoetida - 1 pinch
Tomatoes - 2
Tamarind water - 1/2 cup
mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Pepper- 1 tsp
Cumin - 1 tsp



In cooker, take all the above ingredients toor dhal to asafoetida with water.

Cook for 4-5 whistles.

Open cooker.Add crushed tomato -2 and 1/2 cup tamarind water.Let it boil.

Heat oil in a pan.Add mustard seeds,curry leaves,onions,ground mixture
 of(Pepper,cumin ,3 flakes garlic),2 red chillies and saute it.

Add to dhal mixture and garnish with coriander leaves.

Palak (Spinach) Chicken

A great way to make the kids to eat Spinach!!!

Ingredients:

Spinach leaves - 1 bunch

Ginger and garlic paste- 1 tbsp

Bayleaves - 2

Black peppercorns - 1/4 tsp

Onion- 1 finely chopped

Green chilli -1
Tomatoes - 4 
2 tsp curry powder*
Salt - to taste
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Yogurt - 3 tbsp
Chicken - 1/2 kg (Preferably Boneless)

Method:

Cook the spinach without water in a covered pan for five minutes on low heat. Grind it in mixie along with the green chilli and set aside.

Heat oil.Add bayleaves,peppercorns and fry for 2 minutes.Now add the onions and fry till onions turn light brown.Add the chopped tomatoes and ginger and garlic paste.saute for five more minutes.Add curry powder,salt,chilli powder and cook.

Add spinach puree and some water.Add yogurt 1 tbsp at a time and simmer for 5 mins.

Now add chicken and cook till it is done.Serve with naan or chapathi.

*Ps: 

1.Add less spice if cooking for kids.They will love this healthy gravy.

2.Curry powder - to make 1/2 cup of curry powder - 1/2 cup coriander seeds,4 tbsp cumin seeds, 2 tbsp fennel seeds, 1 tsp fenugreek seeds, 4 red chillies, curry leaves