Red and Green Pesto Sauces for Pasta

Basil pesto is one of the best Italian sauce among all other sauces, commonly used to spice up Pasta  or veggies like boiled potatoes,beans etc.It is very versatile sauce you can use on sandwiches or on pizzas etc..Pesto is basically a blend of basil leaves,garlic,pine or walnuts, olive oil and cheese.You can prepare so many kinds of pesto's.Pesto can be prepared with herbs like Basil,coriander,mint,leafy veggies like spinach,rocket,kale even roasted red bell pepper and sun dried tomatoes to name a few... here is my way..enjoy.

Ingredients: For Basil/ Green Pesto

Basil leaves-2 small bunch
Garlic -3-4 cloves
Pinenuts-Handful
Olive oil-1/4cup
Cheddar cheese-1Tbsp(optional)
Red chilliflakes-1/2tsp or to taste(optional)
Pepper powder-1/2tsp
Salt to taste
Lemon juice-1 or 2tsp

Method:
1.Wash  the basil leaves,Toast the pine nuts lightly on a skillet on a low flame.
2.Put everything in a blender  or a food processor and blend into a fine paste,
if needed add little more olive oil. Serve with any type of pasta and roasted
veggies.

For Sun dried Tomato Pesto/ Red Pesto
Sun dried tomatoes in oil-1 cup
Garlic-3-4cloves
Pinenuts-Handful
Olive oil-1/4cup
Red chilli flakes-1/2tsp or to taste(Optional)
Cheddar cheese-1Tbsp(optional)
Pepper powder-1/2tsp
Salt to taste
Lemon juice-1 or 2tsp

Method:
1.Toast the pinenuts lightly on a skillet on a low flame.
2.Put everything in a blender and blend into a smooth paste,if needed add little more olive oil and blend.don't use water.You can also use the oil of sun dried tomatoes.

Note:
1.I have used Cheddar cheese instead of  Parmesan cheese because Parmesan is not vegetarian.I don't use it in my cooking.
2.Above pesto sauces can be used with any type of pasta shapes like penne,fusilli,spaghetti and fettuccine etc
3.Pesto can be used for sandwiches,spice up veggies,and on pizza.
4.Pesto can be prepared in bulk and in advance and can be freezes for up to 2 months easily. 
5.Storing Pesto:Fill the moulds of ice cube trays with freshly prepared pesto and keep in the freezer for 2 hours, then after 2 hours remove from the freezer,separate the pesto cubes from the tray then store the cubes in the ziplock bag.write a date on the bag for your reference.

Mixed Vegetable Palya/Mishra Tarakari Palya

This Tarakari Palya is a very favourite dish among our family and friends.In our house we prepare this for all occasions including festivals.The speciality of this dish is the aroma of vegetables cooked with minimal spices.you can use any seasonal fresh vegetables along with choice of beans like field beans/vaal beans(avarekalu),Black eye beans(alasande) and Chickpeas to name a few.

Ingredients:
Carrots-2
Potatoes-2
Pigeon peas(Togarikayi)-1cup(I have used frozen)
Brinjal-3
Beans -15-20
Knolkhol-1
Bottleguard-1/2 (chopped)
Curryleaves-1 sprig
Onion-1
Tomatoes-2
Freshly grated coconut-1/2cup
Sarina Pudi/Sambhar pudi-1Tbsp or to taste
Mustard-1tsp
Oil-1Tbsp
Coriander for Garnish
Salt to taste

Method:

1.Wash and chop all the vegetables to bite size pieces,finely chop the onion and tomatoes and keep aside.
2.In a Pressure cooker heat oil, add mustard seeds when it began to splutter, add onion and curryleaves fry until onions become translucent then add tomatoes,cook until it softens.
3.Now add all the chopped vegetables,sarinapudi,grated coconut and salt to taste.
4.Add 1/2cup of water, close the lid and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles.
5.Garnish with coriander
6.Serve hot with Chappatis,poori  and other breads,it goes well with Akki rotti or as a side dish for dosa,idli and rice.

Note:
1.You can use as many varieties of veggies you like ridgegourd, snakegourd or any kinds of beans as you like.
2.If you don't want to use beans then use  1/2cup of soaked channadal,add it when tempering after mustard splutters.
3.If you want gravy, grind one onion,fresh coconut, one tomato and sarina pudi into smooth paste and add to the tempered veggies will makes a excellent vegetable gravy.

Red Beans Quesadilla

Preparation Time:10 minutes| Cooking Time:5 minutes |Makes:4 or 6 Wedges

Category:Snack |Cuisine :Mexican 

Ingredients:

Red kidney beans-200g (1/2Can)if using home boiled beans means 1/2cup

Spring onions-2 sticks,finely chopped

Fresh Coriander-2tbsp

Cheddarcheese-1/2cup,grated

Red chilli flakes-1/2 tsp(if preparing for small kids,use black pepper powder instead)

Oregano (dried herb)-1/2tsp
Garlic clove-2
Salt to taste

Flour tortilla's-4

Method:

!.Toast all the tortilla's lightly on a tava and keep aside.
2.In a bowl  add red beans mash it roughly and add all the other ingredients mix well and keep it aside.
3.Heat a tava place the tortilla and evenly spread the handful of mixture on the tortilla and cover the another tortilla on top and press gently,make sure that the flame is low because tortilla's will burn quickly.
4.Cook on both sides until cheese melts,cut them diagonally into 4 or 6 triangular wedges.Serve warm with sour cream or any dip of your choice.

Note:
1.You can use any variety of boiled beans and seasoning of your choice .
2.You can prepare this with chappatis too.
3.Good for kids lunch box.
4.Don't overload the stuffing on tortilla's makes it soggy,don't put more
than a Tbsp.
5.If you are cheese lover you can add more cheese if you wish.
6.Look for more Mexican Recipes and Veggie Quesadilla
7.It can be cooked in the oven too,In a preheated oven at 180'c,place the sandwiched tortilla's on a baking sheet and bake for 2-3minutes until cheese melts.

Methi Malai Paneer

Methi or Fenugreek is a flavourful leafy veg which goes well with any veggies.
Methi Malai Paneer is a popular Punjabi dish which is very common in restaurants menu's but I love dhabha style which is more richer,rustic and full of flavours a with desi ghee or butter...yumm.This is my take on this classic dish.

Ingredients:

Methi/Fenugreek leaves-1 small bunch

Paneer-200gms

Fresh cream-4 Tbsp

Jeera/ Cumin seeds-1/2tsp

Turmeric-pinch

Oil/Butter-1Tbsp( I have used oil)+ extra oil for frying paneer

Salt to taste

Sugar-2tsp

Garam masala-1/2tsp

For Grinding:

Onion-1 medium

Green chillies-3-4(according to your taste)

Jeera-1tsp

Garlic-4 cloves

Ginger-1"piece

Cashewnuts powder-1Tbsp

Method:

1.Take quarter cup of cashew nuts and grind them into a fine powder,store it in air tight container.You can use this for thickening gravies.I am using only 1Tbsp of powder for this recipe.

2. Grind all the ingredients into fine paste adding little water at a time.

3.Clean methi by removing only the leaves and discard the stalk,Wash the methi leaves in water,drain and chop them roughly.

4.Heat tsp of  Oil in a pan,add jeera,when it begans to splutter,add turmeric and  chopped methi leaves fry until the rawness of the methi vanishes.

5.Meanwhile cut paneer into bite size pieces  and fry them  lightly with little oil  and keep it aside.

6.Add grinded paste to fried methi fry for 2-3minutes then add 1/2cup of water,salt to taste and sugar close the lid and cook for 5minutes.

7.Now add paneer pieces and garam masala, let it cook for 2 more minutes.

8.Reduce the flame and add cream simmer for minute and take out of the flame.

9.Methi Malai Paneer is ready to serve.you can serve hot with any kind of Indian breads.

Note:
1.For healthier option you can use milk instead of fresh cream.
2.If you are not a fan of paneer and for healthier option you can 
add fried potatoes or mushroom.
3.If you don't have fresh methi,instead use kasuri methi.
4. Basically It is a mild curry,if you are spice lover you can add more chillies for 
grinding or chillipowder while frying methi.
5.Don't over cook,this will hardens the paneer.

Green Apple Chitranna

The winter is in full swing with unbearable cold,one good thing we can look forward in winter is winter crops.Among number of  winter crops apples top the list with its amazing nutritious properties as a saying eating apple a day keeps the doctor away.We have tasted apples in desserts,pudding and pastries but not much in savoury dishes apart from chutneys.Here is my take on popular rice dish chitranna which got a little twist with the addition of grated sour apple instead of lemon or lime juice.This gives a rice new fresh taste  and easy way to add the fruit to your daily intake.Hope you like it. 

Ingredients:

2-Green Apples sour variety(grated)

2cups-Cooked rice

2 tbsp-vegetable or sunflower oil+ oil extra oil for mixing
1/2 tsp- cumin seeds
1/2 tsp- mustard seeds
1/2 tsp- turmeric
4- green chillies finely chopped
12 to 15 fresh curry leavesA
1 tbsp- channa dal/bengal gram
1tbsp-urad dal/blackgram
1/4 cup- roasted peanuts
1/4cup-fresh coconut,grated
1 salt to taste
Fresh coriander chopped

Method:
1.Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat,add mustard and cumin and allow them to splutter
2.Now add both dals,make sure to keep an eye on the flame other wise it will burn the tempering,after the dals become lightly brown add green chillies,red chillies,curry leaves and turmeric and salt, saute for 1 minute,mix well
3.And grated apple with little water(1Tbsp),cook for 3-4 minutes and take out of the flame and keep aside to cool for 5 -10 minutes.

For mixing:
Take a wide bowl and add all the rice,break the lumps very gently with wooden spatula(clean hand is better),now add the cooled tempering,chopped coriander,and 1 or 2tbsp of oil,roasted peanuts,grated fresh coconut on top of the rice.mix gently with wooden spatula ,making sure not to break the rice.If you find salt is less you can add and mix it along with other ingredients.
Before serving garnish with fresh coriander,fresh grated coconut and fried peanuts and enjoy with pickles and curd rice.

Note:
1.If the apple is not sour you can use lemon or lime juice while mixing the rice.
2.You can store the leftover gojju in fridge for 2-3days in refrigirator.

Tomato Dosa/Dose

Ingredients:
Rice-2cups
Tomatoes-2-3(roughly chopped
Fresh coconut-1Tbsp
Green chillies-2
Cumin/jeera-1tsp
Oil for preparing dosa as required
Salt to taste 

Method:
1.Wash and soak rice for -4hours,Grind rice along with coconut,tomatoes,green chillies and jeera into fine paste adding little water.
2.Add water to make it thin as buttermilk consistency.
3.Add salt to taste.mix well, no need to ferment.Prepare dosa's like neer dosa.
4.Heat tawa,take a ladle full of batter and spinkle evenly,sprinkle little oil over dosa.
5.No need to cook both sides of dosa.Fold twice and serve with coconut chutney or any vegetable side dish.