Batata Pohu ( Spicy rice flakes with potatoes)

Its been very long since my last post. I became pregnant and was feeling quiet tired and fatigued so could not cook for long in the kitchen . I was experiencing morning sickness as well and so cooking was a torture for me as the smell of curries and any cooked food would make me nauseated. But after whole 4 months , I am back to my original self ( still pregnant with a growing bump though). This dish is a very simple one and I cooked it quiet often during my 1st trimester. Its normally eaten either for breakfast or as an accompaniment with tea in the evening. It should be served straight from wok . I got this recipe from MIL . My mom also made this but I like my MIL recipe. Thanks to her.

Ingredients

1 medium potato boiled and sliced into small bite sized pieces (I don't like peeling them for nutritional reasons)

1 1/2 cup poha / rice flakes

1 tsp oil

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp urad dal

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1 medium sized onion sliced

3 medium hot green chillies

few curry leaves

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp salt

handful of fresh coriander leaves to garnish

Method

Wash the rice flakes thrice and set aside for 5 mins. This will make the poha soft. Meanwhile heat a wok and add oil . When the oil is hot add mustard seeds , cumin seeds , urad dal, green chillies , curry leaves and onion. Saute the onions till they soften and to accelerate this process you can add salt with onions . This will make the onions cook faster. Now add turmeric and potato pieces. Stir it well and add the rice flakes / poha. Mix well and stir for a minute or two. Put of the heat and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot.

Vegan Celery Red Pepper Risotto

Ingredients
1 cup arborio rice
1 litre vegetable stock (I used just 1 stock cube)
1/2 onion finely chopped
2 large pods garlic finely chopped
1/2 red pepper finely chopped
1 celery stick finely chopped
1/4 cup soya milk
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp soya margarine / spread
a pinch of salt
a pinch of black pepper powder
few saffron strand to garnish (optional)

Method
Heat oil and melt butter together in a saucepan . Add onion and garlic . Saute till it starts turning brown . Now add celery and red pepper and stir for a minute or 2. Add rice and stir for a minute more . Now start adding stock little by little and keep stirring till the stock is absorbed and then again add more stock and stir . Repeat till all the stock is added . Add milk , salt and black pepper . Cover and simmer for 5 - 10 mins or till the rice is tender . Occasionally give a stir. The whole process of cooking risotto would take about 30 mins. Ladddle hot steaming risotto in a bowl and garnish with saffron strands.

Vegetable Biryani

This is quiet a nutritious dish. This is very commonly served during parties, potlucks and wedding in India. You can add variety of veggies and make it more colorful and appetizing . This can be prepared very quickly and without any effort. This recipe was given to me by my ex colleague Sudha Baliga. She is a great cook. Thanks to her for this wonderful recipe.

Ingredients

5 -6 garlic pods chopped finely
1 medium sized cinnamon stick (equal to length of your index finger) powdered
3 -4 cloves powdered
2 cardamom powdered
3 onions chopped
1 tbsp red chilli powder
pinch of turmeric
thumb sized ginger piece finely chopped
1 cup of mixed veggies chopped (I used tomatoes, beans, carrots, peas, sweetcorn)
1 1/2 cup rice preferable basmati rice
pinch of sugar (optional)
1 tsp salt
3 cups water (for every one part of rice 2 parts of water should be added)
2 tbsp oil

Method

the spices can be powdered together or the whole spices with whole garlic pods and whole ginger can be ground in a blender. The latter saves time and effort. Heat oil in a pan and add the powdered spices and garlic and ginger and saute it for 1/2 a minute or you can add the ground spices with garlic and ginger and then saute it till you get the fragrance or aroma of the spices. Add the chopped onions and saute it till reddish brown . Now add washed rice and saute it for a minute or 2 and then add chopped veggies , roast them for a minute or wo . Now add chilli powder , turmeric, salt , sugar and water. Cook for 15 - 20 mins or till the rice is completely cooked and tender. At this point you can add more water if required. This is ready to be served with raita .