A simple meal meme

 

Shaheen

had tagged me for a meme on 'Simple meals' to help out her sis-in-law.Well a simple meal is what I too was looking for..... after all the nonvegetarian food and the heavy desserts I wanted my intestines to have something more soothing...This simple meal is for you shaheen.A simple Mathan Erissery,Cabbage varavu,Moru varuthittathu,and some vaddiyalu(sago fritters)/pappadam.I would still be tempted to have one

Avoli Fry

or Ayila fry or any other fish fry....a Malayali's weakness always!!My husband keeps pulling my leg,'keralawali pathi ko chodengey 'magar' machli ko nahi!!(A kerala girl will be willing to foresake her husband but not fish)!!...Yes we are indeed very much obsessed with fish like many of our coastal counterparts...So here is the simple combo meal:

Mathan Erissery:
If you cant get Mathan/Pumpkin you may substitute it with most of the vegetables available.The recipe remains the same,taste varies with the vegetable.If you cant get fresh coconut,substitute with dessicated coconut/coconut milk or even cashews.I have in fact added a little cashew and fresh coconut here for a new twist.

Pumpkin/Mathan-100g( cut into small pieces)
Dal-1 cup
Red chilli powder-1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4tsp
Water 3cups
Salt -as required
Grated coconut - 4tbsp
Cashew-50g(Optional,not added traditionally)
Cumin seeds -1/4 tsp
Ghee -1tbsp
Coconut oil-1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds 1/4tsp
Curry leaves-1 sprig
Dry Red chilli-2


Method:
Cut the Pumpkin.Remove the fibrous matter inside with a spoon and cut into smaller pieces.Add 3 cups of water to the pumpkin pieces and dal along with chillipowder(some add pepper powder, instead) and turmeric powder and pressure cook till the dal becomes soft(5 minutes).Grind half the grated coconut,cashew(if adding) and cumin seeds together into a medium fine paste and add to the cooked dal.Cook for another 3 minutes.
Saute the remaining coconut in a low flame till brown in colour.Keep it aside.
Season mustard seeds,curry leaves, dry red chilli in ghee and coconut oil(optional).Add the seasoning to the cooked dal along with the roasted cococnut shavings. Mix well. Serve hot with steamed rice!

Cabbage Varavu:

Cabbage-chopped thin-2 cups
Ginger-1 tsp(grated)
Green chillies-5
Turmeric-1/4 tsp
Onion-1 large
Green peas-50g
Blackgram-1/2 tsp(optional)
Cumin seed-1/4 tsp(optional)
Mustard-1/2 tsp
Oil-for cooking
dry red chillies-2(cut into pieces)
curry leaves-1 sprig
Grated coconut-2tbsp(Optional)
Salt-as required

Method:

Mix together cabbage,onion,green chillies,turmeric powder and salt well with the hand.Now heat oil in a wok.Splutter mustard,cumin,blackgram,curry leaves,dry red chillies.Add the cabbage onion mixture and green peas.Mix well with the seasoning and allow it to cook for 3-5 minutes with the lid closed.You may sprinkle a little water,if required, for cooking.Add grated coconut and saute for a couple of minutes.Serve hot as a side dish with rice.(If fresh coconut is not available,u can avoid it,cabbage will still taste good).

Moru Varuthittathu:

For a sour combination with the dal,I made some quick moru varuthittathu as well.Just beat the curd.Prepare a seasoning of chopped onion(1/2 an onion),a pinch of turmeric,a tsp of grated ginger,1/2 tspmustard,one sprig of curry leaves,(if u dont have curry leaves,add parsley)2dry red chillies.Add this seasoning to the beaten curd and your moru varuthittathu is ready.

Fry some sago fritters or papad,your simple meal is ready!!


There are plenty of other simple recipes in my collection which could be of use to shaheen's s-i-l like payar&pachakkaya mezhukkupuratti,injithair,ghee rice,khichdi,etc...

What a soothing feeling to have a simple rice and dal menu!!

Here is another simple recipe added to the collection:
 












Boiled Egg Bhurjhi:
A simple egg bhurjhi which goes well with chappathis and parathas....could be a good bachelor recipe too... straight to the recipe:

Ingredients:

Eggs-3-boiled and cut into pieces.
chillipowder-1/2tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Pepper powder-1/2 tsp
Green chilli-2-chopped thin
Onion-1 large-chopped thin
Mustard-1/2 tsp
Curry leaves-1 sprig
Coriander leaves-3 sprigs
Salt-as required
Oil-as required

Method:

Cut the boiled eggs into small pieces.Heat oil in a small wok.Add mustard and curry leaves.Once they have spluttered add onion.Saute till it becomes golden brown.Add the spice powders and the chopped eggs.Add salt as required.Saute for 3-4 minutes.Finally garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with chappathis.