Sunday, August 29, 2010

Chutneys With Lentils-4


Andhra cuisine is known for its pickles, chutneys and spicy powders. Especially during some seasons like the hot summer and early rainy season, when it is difficult to buy vegetables, these come in handy. These can be used as dips by making them a little more thinner by adding water. So some more recipes here for you....

My previous posts on this topic are here :

These are Recipes on Chutneys
http://spiceomylife.blogspot.com/search/label/Chutneys

These are Recipes on Lentil Chutneys
http://spiceomylife.blogspot.com/search/label/Lentil%20Chutneys

Chick Pea-split and de husked.

1. Chick Pea Chutney

Chick Pea is also known as Bengal Gram. It is very tasty, nutritious and good for health. But excessive in take will cause indigestion. This chutney will be good with cooked rice or  any fried snacks.  For the recipes given below use split and cleaned (de husked) gram which is known as Chana Dal (चना दल) in Hindi and Senaga Pappu (శనగ పప్పు) in Telugu, which looks as in the picture above.

Ingredients:
Chick Pea   150Gms
Red Chillies dried    3-4
Cumin seeds     1 tsp
Tamarind pulp thick    1 Tbsp
Salt   to taste
Jaggery grated     2 tsp
Oil 1-2 Tbsp
Coriander Greens chopped fine 1 tbsp

For Tempering:
Oil   2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds 1/4th tsp
Mustard seeds   1 tsp
Split and de husked black gram  1 tsp
Cumin seeds  1 tsp
Asafoetida    1/4th tsp
Curry leaves   2 sprigs

Method :

  • Heat oil in a pan and roast the lentil till golden brown in colour and gives off nice smell
  • Cool it.
  • Take lentil, tamarind pulp, jaggery, salt and red chillies and grind to a paste adding water little at a time.
  • The paste should be a little coarse and very thick.
  • To make it more tastier- Heat oil to smoking point,lower the heat, add fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, black gram and fry for two minutes, then add cumin, let them splutter, add  asafoetida and  curry leaves. Add this to the chutney mix well and serve.
  • Garnish with coriander greens. Serve with rice or snacks.

NOTE:
  • Adjust the quantity of chillies according to your preference, as it will be very spicy.
  • Add 2-3 pods of garlic(sliced) to the chutney after frying it in oil along with the tempering or separately. It can also be ground (after frying) along with the ingredients of chutney.

2. Soaked Chick Pea Chutney

Ingredients:
Chick Pea 150Gms
Green Chillies 1-2
Onions (medium) 1
Ginger grated 1 tsp
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Lemon juice 1 Tbsp
Salt to taste
Jaggery grated 2 tsp
Coriander Greens Chopped fine 1 tbsp

For Tempering:
Oil 2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds 1/4th tsp
Mustard seeds 1 tsp
Split and de husked black gram 1 tsp
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Dried Red Chillies 1
Asafoetida 1/4th tsp
Curry leaves 2 sprigs


Method :
  • Wash and soak the lentil in enough (two to three cups) water for 2-3 hours till well soaked. Drain the water and keep aside. 
  • Take lentil, jaggery, salt, lemon juice, ginger and green chillies and grind to a paste adding little water if necessary. Actually since it is soaked, it does not require additional water. 
  • The paste should be a little coarse and very thick. 
  • Chop onions very finely, add to the chutney and mix. Alternately just chop them into very big pieces and add while grinding 
  • Heat oil to a smoking point, lower the heat, add fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds fry for a minute or two. Add cumin, asafoetida, curry leaves and pieces of red chili. After they start spluttering, remove from fire, add to the chutney paste and mix well. 
  • Garnish with finely chopped coriander greens and serve. 


    NOTE:

    • Adjust the quantity of chillies according to your taste if you are using, both green and red chillies. The above quantity will make it very spicy.
    • You can add garlic raw or fried sliced or ground to paste.


      Try these and let me know please......

      Tuesday, August 17, 2010

      Its Raining

      Its raining here cats and dogs..but I think I should add elephants and whales perhaps..:) It rained heavily and just now has stopped near my place but it might still be raining in other parts of the city. Boy I had a tough time getting back home. But I was one of the lucky few who reached home safely when the rain stopped to a manageable drizzle for some time. Most of the low lying areas are inundated and many have knee deep water in their homes. Poor things! I just hope they would be all right. There are so many vehicles stuck in traffic jams. Many places dont have power too.

      Many of the places don't have the power now due to damaged lines or tree falls. Near my place the voltage is fluctuating. So I can't keep the system on for long. Sorry folks will post tomorrow. 

      Bye Take care... Good Night....

      Monday, August 16, 2010

      Independence Day

      Wishing all my brothers and sisters a very Happy Independence Day belatedly on the occasion of Independence Day on 15th August...

      Oh by the way I am sorry friends that I am not able to post at all in this blog and also not much on my other blog. The reason is that this year we are having very good rains, almost continuously. Sometimes for days together. When it rains heavily, there is also wind. There are power failures as well as shut downs to avoid any mishaps due to the forceful winds, uprooting of trees which affect the power lines. Also during that time there will be high fluctuation in the power supply which may damage our computers and other appliances.
      So I dare not switch on my computer for long.

      Any way now that the rains have eased a little bit, I will be posting regularly. Please do bear with me. 
      Keep watching......