Instant Papaya Jam

the recipe

Papaya, ripe and diced - 1 cup
Butter / Ghee - 1 tsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Nutmeg - 1 grating

the method

Cut the papaya pieces into small cubes and wash 2-3 times. Blend it into a smooth paste. In a non-stick pan pour the papaya puree and stir continuously till the water completely evaporates and it starts sticking to the pan. At this point add ghee and sugar. When the sugar has melted thoroughly grate the nutmeg just once.

Snake Gourd Koottu / Curry

A regular curry at home...i have inherited this recipe from my mom...i had a snake gourd plant at home few months back....hope to plant them again and photograph the creeper :-)

the recipe

Toor Dal - 1/4 cup
Snake Gourd - 400 - 600 gms
Tomato - 1 or 2
Turmeric - 3/4 tsp
Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp

for the spice and coconut mixture

Coconut - 1/2
Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Garlic - 2 cloves
Green chilly - 2
Onion - 1/2 or 5 shallots

for the tempering

Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds (optional) - 10
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Onion - half an onion
Whole Red Chilly - 2 or 3


the method

Cook the dal partially. Cut the snake gourd into small cubes and add it to the dal. When half done add tomato, chilly powder and turmeric powder. Grind the ingredients for the spice and coconut mixture into a coarse to smooth paste consistency. Add it to the snake gourd and dal. Add salt. Cook till done and turn off heat.

In another pan heat oil, add mustard and let it crackle. Add chopped onion, fenugreek seeds, broken red chilies and curry leaves. When brown add to the snake gourd and dal and mix well. Serve with rice and pappad or a spicy vegetable stir fry.

Ladies Finger Creamy Curry

When I was a kid i have heard that eating ladies finger would increase your acumen for mathematics......after a research on the web it seems to be true....

the recipe

Ladies Finger – 200 gms
Onion – 1
Garlic (optional) – 3 cloves
Chilly powder – ¼ tsp
Pepper powder – ½ tsp
Turmeric – ¼ tsp
Garam Masala - ¼ tsp
Salt – ½ tsp
Oil – 2 tbsp
Milk – ½ cup

the method

Cut the ladies finger into slivers (2 inch long slant pieces). Pour oil in a pan and add chopped onion and garlic. Stir for a minute and add the ladies finger and salt. Stir for two minutes. Add turmeric, chilly powder, pepper powder and garam masala. Cover and cook till ladies finger is soft. Add milk. Bring it to a boil. Serve with rice or chapati.

the recipe contests in Show me Your Curry

Pumpkin and potato saute

the recipe

Pumpkin -200 gms
Potato – 150 gms
Tomato - 1
Onion – 1
Green Chilly – 1
Chilly powder – ½ tsp
Turmeric – ¼ tsp
Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
Oil – 2 tbsp
Salt – ¾ tsp

the method

Add oil to a pan. Add onion and stir till it starts to brown. Add green chilly, turmeric, chilly powder and pepper powder. Add chopped tomatoes. Stir till the tomatoes are soft. Add potato cubes and cook for 7 minutes. Add the pumpkin cubes and salt. Cook till potato and pumpkin is cooked. Serve with rice or chapati.

Soya chunk curry

the recipe

Soya chunks – ½ cup
Onion – 2
Garlic – 5 cloves
Ginger – 2 cm piece
Tomato – 2
Chilly powder – ½ tsp
Pepper powder – 1/4 tsp
Turmeric – ½ tsp
Garam Masala - ½ tsp
Oil – 2 tbsp

the method

Soak the soya chunks in 3 cup salted water for 20 minutes. Squeeze out the water from the chunks and wash it again.

Heat the oil in a pan. Add finely chopped onion. When it starts to brown add finely chopped or pounded garlic and ginger. Stir for two minutes. Add turmeric, chilly powder, pepper powder and garam masala. Stir for a minute and add finely chopped tomatoes. Stir. Add half cup water and ½ tsp salt for the gravy. Bring it to a boil. Add the prepared soya chunks (you may halve it if needed). Let it simmer for 10 minutes and absorb the spices. Serve with chapatti, string hoppers or rice.