Achaari Pulao / Indian Pickle Flavored Rice

Achaar(Hindi)/Oorgai (Tamil)/Lonche(Marathi)/Uppinkayi(Kannada) are some of the terms used for Pickle in various Indian languages.
Inevitable and must have as a part of any meal,popular varieties of pickles used are Lemon,Mango,Gooseberry,Carrot,Mixed vegetables etc.Offlate due to various medical reasons,the consumption of pickles has reduced considerably but still people do like it indulge in having pickles with parathas,poori,dal rice etc.
I am not a great fan of any kind of pickle,but this Pickle flavored Pulao was something that created interest in me to try after having read Achari Chana Pulao in one of Tarla Dalal's cook book. I did not have boiled chick peas in store,hence I tweaked the recipe by adding vegetables instead of Chick Peas. The tangy flavor of Mango Pickle was infused in every grain of rice and perfectly cooked vegetables,the aroma was very appetizing and the room was filled in with the "aam ka achaar" smell.

Preparation Time : 20 mins
Cooking Time : 30 mins
Serves : 2-3

Achaari Pulao

Bhindi Masala / Spicy Okra

This recipe is from my mom,who used to serve it with hot fluffy phulka rotis when I would be back from school with a hungry tummy. The aroma of Phulka rotis and this Masala Bhindi would fill the entire home and that would increase my hunger manifold . Quick and simple to make,it tastes really awesome with the various flavors from the spices infused into the Bhindi /Okra when cooked on slow flame.

Preparation Time : 15 mins
Cooking Time : 30 mins
Serves : 3-4

Bhindi Masala / Spicy Okra

Aloo Saunfwale / Fennel flavored Potato

It has been pouring cats and dogs since Saturday here and it continued all the way until Sunday.. so you guessed it right it was a RAINY WEEKEND with no much excitement . The week started with a gloomy and cloudy weather and this calls for a piping hot lunch and some yummy spicy treat to the taste buds.
Potatoes are my very good friends when it comes to sizzle my taste buds on a gloomy dull day.
I made this grilled potato on skewers by soaking them in a marinade of hung curd and home ground spices and paired it with piping hot Dal Khichdi and Raita.
Sending this to MM#17 event hosted by Sizzling Tastebuds.

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Marination Time : 45 mins
Cooking Time : 15 mins

Aloo Saunfwale / Fennel Flavored Potato

Missi Roti

Missi Rotis are an inevitable part of Rajasthani Cuisine.Consumed all round the year except for in winters where Bajra(Pearl Millet) Rotis are prepared.
Missi Rotis are easy to make and the low fat version also tastes good i.e while cooking the rotis,they can be made with or without using oil / ghee . I tried the No Fat version and it tasted no different from the Ghee dipped ones that I had earlier tasted in authentic Rajasthani cuisine restaurants.
Now off to the recipe :)

Preparation Time : 30 mins
Cooking Time : 15 - 20 mins
Makes about 8-10 rotis

Missi Roti

Pudinewalla Masaledar Lobia / Minty Black Eyed Bean Gravy

Lobia (Hindi),Chawli(Marathi),Karamani(Tamil) is widely used in North Indian as well as South Indian cuisine. South Indian cuisine makes use of lobia in Sambar,Erissery,Sundal,Nombu KaaraAdai and any form of kootu.Whilst,North Indian cuisine uses lobia in preparation of dals,gravy which are served as an accompaniment to rotis,naans,rice and any kind of Indian Flat bread.

An absolute co incidence to what I prepared for lunch and the event announcement of MLLA hosted by Sizzling Tastebuds with Legumes as the star ingredient. The very next thought was What best can fit into this theme and here I am linking the recipe to Susan, the creator of this wonderful event and to Lisa who is currently managing MLLA.

Today's recipe is lobia served in a gravy with a flavor of tomatoes,mint and ginger.I paired it with hot Missi Rotis and Curd .You can serve with normal rotis or even with steaming jeera rice,pulao or regular rice.

Preparation Time : 8 hrs
Cooking Time : 25 mins
Serves : 3-4

Pudinewalla Masaledar Lobia

Aam Ras | Aapus Aamras | How to make Aamras at home

Aam (Mango) ; Ras (Juice /Pulp) is the extract of the ripe mango fruit consumed in the western states of India like Maharashtra,Gujarat ,Rajasthan.

Aamras is a very typical and traditional dessert of the Indian Subcontinent and a summer season special.

 Traditionally the pulp would be extracted by softening the ripe mango and squeezing the fruit with hands.But now a days the juice is extracted using blenders to make the process hassle free and mess free.

In Karnataka ,aam ras is known as Seekarne ,Rasayana or Maavina Hannu Sihikarne . In place of milk, some people add coconut milk which makes it vegan friendly. 

I prefer Mango mastani while hubby loves Mango Lassi .So whenever I make ras at home , hubby gets his share of mango lassi while I reserve some to make mango mastani for me 

Alphonso / Aapus variety of the mango is generally used,but any sweet ripe mango can be used. Apart from Aapus,I have tried making aam ras using Raspuri  ,Badami and Mallika varieties which are very popular in  south India. 

Aam ras and Puri is a very favorite combo relished by most people in summer.  If you have spent a few years of your life in Bombay, Gujarat you can feel and experience the unconditional love for Aam ras puri that people have in this season.  

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : Nil
Makes about 2-3 servings.

Ingredients

3-4 Fresh ripe mangoes  (preferably Alphonso / any ripe variety)
Sugar as needed
2-3 strands of saffron
1/4 cup milk or coconut milk (optional)

Before making aamras make sure the mangoes are ripe and  sweet and not tart .Even one tart mango can change the taste of the aamras and hence ruin the total experience. 

Method

• Wash and peel the skin of the mangoes and cut them into cubes.
• Add the mango pieces,saffron,milk and blend into a smooth puree in a blender.
• If you feel the juice needs a little more sweet,add in the sugar and blend again or you can add some powdered sugar as well.
• Traditionally some dried ginger powder is sprinkled over the aam ras just before serving. This helps in easy digestion and also prevents bloating or gas .
• Serve chilled or with hot hot puris or fulkas .

Serving suggestions : 

Almond slivers can be added just before serving.

Freshly powdered cardamom can also be added for extra flavor .

To know how to make soft and tasty fulka ,click this link below

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