Cherupayar Thoran/ Moong Daal Thoran / Green Gram Stir fry

Cherupayar Thoran / Moong Daal Thoran is a delicious dry dish rich in protein often served with rice or kanji.

INGREDIENTS:

• Moong Daal / Cherupayar - 1 cup
• Grated coconut - 3/4 cup
• Cumin seeds- pinch
• Garlic pods - 2 nos 
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp 
• Chilly powder - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Red Chilly -2 nos
• Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp 
• Curry leaves - A few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Cook moong daal/ cherupayar in a pressure cooker with turmeric powder and water for 3 -4 whistle. 
• Crush coconut, cumin seed, chilly powder and garlic. 
• Add the coconut mix and salt to the cooked daal and mix well. 
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds and red chilli and let it splutter.
• Add cooked daal and curry leaves, mix well.
• Saute for a minute and remove from fire.

Recommended Combination: Cherupayar Thoran / Moong Daal Thoran can be served hot with Rice, Morucurry and Achar / kanji  .

Cauliflower Bajji

Cauliflower Bajji is a simple dish prepared by dipping the Cauliflower in the batter and deep frying it


INGREDIENTS:

• Cauliflower Florets - 20 nos
• All purpose Flour(Maida mavu) - ½ cup
• Pepper powder -¼ tsp
• Turmeric powder -¼ tsp
• Egg -2 nos
• Water -4 Tbsp (required to make thick batter)
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Beat the egg and keep aside.
• Mix Egg, Water,Salt,Turmeric Powder,Pepper powder and Flour to make thick batter.
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Dip each florets in the batter.
• Put slowly it into the hot oil.
• Fry the bajjis until it turns golden colour.

Recommended Combination: Serve hot with Tea

Mathanga Puli Curry / Pumpkin Curry

Matha Puli Curry / Pumpkin Curry is a very simple curry which can be a quick side dish for rice.

INGREDIENTS:

• Diced Pumpkin / Mathanga - 1 cup
• Water - 1 cup
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp
• Chilly powder - 1½ Tbsp
• Corriander Powder -2 tbsp
• Asefodia Powder-pinch
• Fenugreek Powder - a pinch
• Tamarind - A gooseberry sized ball
• Coconut Oil - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - ½ tsp
• Red Chilly-2 nos
• Curry leaves - few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Soak tamarind in ¼ cup of warm water and take the extract from it.
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds and Red chilly and allow to splutter.
• Add chilly powder, corriander powder and Saute till raw smell goes.
• Add Pumpkin / Mathanga piece with Turmeric powder and little water, let it cook.
• When Pumpkin is cooked, add Tamarind juice and allow to boil.
• Add Asefodia Powder and mix well.
• Remove from the fire and add curry leaves.
• Sprinkle fenugreek powder and mix well.

Recommended Combination: Mathanga Pulincurry can be served hot with Rice and Curd.

Vanpayar Mezhukkupuratti / Red Beans Stir Fry

Vanpayar Mezhukkupuratti / Red Beans Stir Fry is rich in protien and tasty side dish for rice.

INGREDIENTS:

• Red Beans / Van payar - 1 cup 
• Turmeric Powder -  ¼ tsp
• Sliced Pearl Onion - 3 nos
• Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp 
• Mustard seeds - ½ tsp
• Red Chilly-2 nos
• Curry leaves - A few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Cook Beans / Vanpayar in a Pressure cooker with Turmeric Powder , Salt and  2 cups of Water for 3-4 whistle. 
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds and Red chilly and allow to splutter.
• Add Pearl Onion and fry it.
• Add Beans / vanpayar and Curry leaves and fry for 2 - 3 mins.

Recommended Combination:Vanpayar Mezhukkupuratti / Red Beans Stir Fry can be served hot with rice.

Chammandi

Chammandi can be prepared easily and can serve as a tasty side dish for several breakfast and lunch items including Dosa, Idly, Rice etc.

INGREDIENTS:

• Grated coconut - 1 ½ cup
• Red chilly - 4 nos
• Tamarind - 1 gooseberry ball size
• Pearl Onion - 2 nos
• Curry leaves - A few
• Salt - to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Roast Red Chillies in a pan(with out oil) till it becomes crisp.
• Grind all the ingredients together without using water.

Recommended Combination: Chammandi can be served with Rice / Dosa / Idli.

Aval Upma / Rice Flakes Upma

Aval / Rice Flakes can be used to prepare variety of snack items.
One amoungst them is Upma.

INGREDIENTS:

• Aval / Rice Flakes - 3 cups
• Grated Cocount - 3/4 cup
• Green Chillies - 3-4 nos
• Sliced Pearl Onion -5 nos
• Channa Daal - 2 tbsp
• Urad Daal - 2 tbsp
• Cashew nut -20 nos
• Coconut Oil - 3 tbsp
• Red Chillies- 2 nos
• Curry leaves - A few
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Peanut / Groundnut -20 nos
• Salt - to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Heat oil in the pan .
• Add mustard seeds, red chillies and wait for them to sputter. 
• Fry channa daal, urad daal, peanut and cashew nut, curry leaves and keep aside.
• Add green chilies and pearl onion and saute till translucent. 
• Wash the aval / rice flakes and drain the water from it.
• Add aval / rice flakes, salt, water and mix well. 
• Add grated coconut and mix well.
• Stir for 2 minutes and cook the aval.
• Turn off the stove and fried seasoning into it and mix well.

Recommended Combination: Aval Upma can be served hot with Tea or Coffee.

Cherupayar Mezhukkupuratti / Moong Daal Stir Fry /Green Gram Stir fry

Cherupayar Mezhukkupuratti / Moong Daal Stir Fry is rich in protien and a very tasty dish, served together with rice.

INGREDIENTS:

• Cherupayar / Moong Daal - 1 cup 
• Turmeric Powder -  ¼ tsp
• Sliced Pearl Onion - 3 nos
• Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp 
• Mustard seeds - ½ tsp
• Red Chilly-2 nos
• Curry leaves - A few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Cook Moong Daal / Cherupayar in a Pressure cooker with  Turmeric Powder , Salt Water for 2 -3 whistle. 
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds and Red chilly and allow to splutter.
• Add Pearl Onion and fry it.
• Add Daal / Cherupayar  and Curry leaves and fry it.

Recommended Combination: served hot with Rice.

Pavakka Kichadi / Bittergourd Kichadi

Pavakka Kichadi / Bittergourd Kichadi (also called Pachadi) is a side dish served with rice.
Kichadi is prepared using fried vegetable mixed with curd or yogurt.

INGREDIENTS:

• Finely chopped Pavakka / Bitter Gourd - ½ cup 
• Curd - 1 cup 
• Roundly cut Green Chilly -4 nos 
• Curry leaves 
• Salt to taste
• Coconut Oil - for frying 

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Fry the Pavakka / Bittergourd, Green Chilly and Curry leaves till it is brown and crisp. 
• Add Fried items into curd. 
• Add salt and mix it well.

Recommended Combination: Pavakka Kichadi / Bittergourd Kichadi can be served with rice.

Chemmeen Thengapaal Curry / Shrimp Curry in Coconut milk

Chemmeen Thengapaal Curry / Shrimp Curry in Coconut Milk is a delicious curry for shrimp lovers.
It can be prepared to accompany Rice, Appam or Chappathi as a rich gravy curry.

INGREDIENTS:

• Cheemeen / Shrimp - 1 lb / 500g
• Finely sliced Onion - 1 no
• Green chillies(slit) - 3 nos
• Sliced Tomato -1 no
• Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Ginger paste - 1 tsp
• Chilly powder - 2 tsp
• Corriander powder - 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
• Pepper Powder - ½ tsp
• Garam masala - 1 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds - pinch
• Thin coconut milk - ½ cup
• Thick coconut milk - ½ cup
• Kudampuli - 2 pieces
• Mustard seeds - ½ tsp
• Coconut oil - 2 tbsp
• Curry leaves - few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Mix 1 tsp Chilly Powder, 1 tsp Coriander powder, 1 tsp Turmeric Powder , ½ tsp Garam Masala, Pepper Powder and Salt.
• Marinate the Shrimp / Chemmeen with Masala mix and keep it in the fridge for an hour.
• Heat Oil in a pan.
• Add Mustrard seeds and allow to Splutter.
• Add Onion and Green Chilly and saute well till the Onion turns transparent.
• Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.
• Add the remaining Chilli powder, corrainder powder, gram masala powder and saute till the raw smell goes.
• Add sliced Tomato and staute well till the tomatoes are mashed.
• Add the marinated Shrimp / Chemmeen to the pan.
• Add the thin coconut milk along with kudampuli and salt and mix well
• Cover the Pan and allow to cook the shrimp in medium heat.
• When Shrimp is cooked, add thick coconut milk and cook for another 2 mins.
• Remove from the fire and add curry leaves.
• Sprinkle fenugreek powder and mix well.

Recommended Combination: Chemmen Thengapaal Curry can be served hot with Rice / Appam / Chappathi

Manga Thayiru / Mango with Curd

Manga Thyairu / Mango in Curd is a variety side dish served together with rice. An easy and simple recipe to prepare.

INGREDIENTS:

• Raw Mango - ½ mango
• Finely chopped Onion - ½ cup
• Green Chilly(roundly cut) - 2 nos
• Corriander Powder - ½ tbsp
• Chilly Powder - 1 tbsp
• Fenugreek Powder - a pinch
• Curd - 1 cup
• Curry leaves - few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Peel the Skin of the Mango and chop it nicely.
• Mix all the ingredients together with curd.

Recommended Combination: Manga Thayir can be served with Rice.

Pavakka Theeyal / Bittergourd Theeyal

Theeyal is a delicious dish in Kerala. It has a rich distinct taste which makes it a distinct curry.
This recipe uses Pavakka or Bittergourd as the main ingredient.

INGREDIENTS:

• Sliced shallots(Pearl Onion) - 15 nos
• Slit Green Chilly- 4 nos
• BitterGourd / Pavakka- 1 Medium Size
• Grated Coconut- ½ cup
• Red Chilly Powder - 1½ tsp
• Coriander Powder- 1½ tsp
• Turmeric Powder-¼ tsp
• Fenugreek Powder- a pinch
• Tamarind - A gooseberry sized ball
• Water - 1/2 cup
• Curry Leaves - a few
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 2 tsp

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan add Grated coconut and saute till brown.
• Add chilly powder and coriander powder and stir for a few minutes.
• Remove from fire and allow to cool.
• Grind it to a fine paste.
• Soak tamarind in ¼ cup of warm water and take the extract from it.
• Cut Bittergourd / Pavakka into small pieces.
• Heat remaining oil in a pan.
• Add sliced onions, Green Chilly and saute, till they turn golden brown colour.
• Add Pavakka and saute for another 3 minutes.
• Add turmeric Powder,salt and water,allow to cook.
• Add tamarind juice and allow to boil.
• Add coconut paste and let it to boil till the gravy thickens and oil seperates.
• Remove from the fire and add curry leaves.
• Sprinkle fenugreek powder and mix well.

Recommended Combination: Pavakka / Bittergourd Theeyal can be served hot with Rice.

Vanpayar Thoran / Red Beans Thoran

Vanpayar Thoran / Red Bean Thoran is a delicious dry dish rich in protein often served with rice or kanji.

INGREDIENTS:

• Red Beans/ Van payar - 1 cup 
• Grated coconut - 3/4 cup 
• Cumin seeds- pinch
• Garlic pods - 2 nos 
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp 
• Chilly powder - 1 tsp 
• Pepper Powder - ½ tsp
• Coconut Oil - 1 tbsp 
• Curry leaves - A few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Cook Beans / Vanpayar in a Pressure cooker with Turmeric Powder and Water for 3 -4 whistle. 
• Crush Coconut, Cumin seed, Chilly Powder, Pepper Powder and Garlic. 
• Add the Coconut Mix to the cooked Beans and mix well. 
• Add Curry leaves and Coconut Oil and stir for a minute and remove from fire.

Recommended Combination: Vanpayar Thoran / Red Bean Thoran can be served hot with Rice / Kanji.

Koon Mezhukkupuratti / Mushroom Stir Fry

Koon Mezhukkupuratti / Mushroom Stir Fry is a simple dish which is served as a side dish with rice.

INGREDIENTS:

• Sliced Mushroom - 2 cup
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp 
• Pepper Powder - ½ tsp
• Coconut Oil - 2 tbsp 
• Curry leaves - A few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add Mushroom, Pepperpowder, Turmeric Powder, Curry leaves and Salt.
• Fry it till the Water from the mushroom completely dries up.

Recommended Combination: Koon Mezhukkupuratti / Mushroom Stir Fry can be served hot with Rice.

Chemmeen Fry / Shrimp Fry

Chemmeen Varuthathu / Shrimp Fry is a spicy fried dish which can be served together with rice or as an apetizer/snack.
Dont forget to remove the vein of the shrimp by making a shallow cut lengthwise down the outer curve of the shrimp's body after you remove the shell.

INGREDIENTS:

• Chemmen / Shrimp – 20 nos
• Ginger Paste - ½ tsp
• Garlic Paste - ½ tsp
• Lime juice – 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Red chilly powder – 2 tbsp
• Pepper powder – 1 tsp
• Curry leaves – few 
• Coconut oil for frying
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Clean and devein the Chemmeen / Shrimp. 
• Marinate the fish with all ingredients and keep it aside for 2 hrs in refrigerator.
• Heat Oil in a Pan.
• Fry the chemmeen along with curry leaves in low fire for 10 minutes.

Recommended Combination:Chemmen Varuthathu / Shrimp Fry can be served hot with Rice / Appam / Chappathi

Manga Chammandi / Mango Chammandi

Manga Chammandi is a very popular side dish for several breakfast items and even as a side dish for rice.
It is very easy to prepare.

INGREDIENTS:

• Raw Mango - ½ mango
• Grated coconut - 1 cup
• Pearl Onion - 1 no
• Green Chilly - 2 nos
• Curry leaves - 2 -3 leaves
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Peel the Skin of the mango and cut it into small pieces.
• Grind all the other ingredients with mango without using water.

Recommended Combination: Manga Chammandi can be served with Rice.

Koon Theeyal / Mushroom Theeyal

Theeyal is a delicious dish in Kerala. It has a rich distinct taste which makes it a distinct curry.
Koon Theeyal / Mushroom Theeyal is a variety preparation of this dish with Mushroom as the main ingredient.

INGREDIENTS:

• Sliced shallots(Pearl Onion) - 15 nos
• Slit Green Chilly- 4 nos
• Sliced Mushroom- 1 cup
• Grated Coconut- 1 cup
• Red Chilly Powder - 1½ tsp
• Coriander Powder- 1½ tsp
• Turmeric Powder-¼ tsp
• Fenugreek Powder- a pinch
• Tamarind - A gooseberry sized ball
• Water - ½ cup
• Curry Leaves - a few
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 2 tsp

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan add grated coconut and saute till brown.
• Add chilly powder and coriander powder and stir for a few minutes.
• Remove from fire and allow to cool.
• Grind it to a fine paste.
• Soak tamarind in ¼ cup of warm water and take the extract from it.
• Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan.
• Add sliced onions, Green Chilly and saute, till they turn golden brown colour.
• Add sliced mushroom and saute again for 2 minutes.
• Add turmeric powder, salt and water and let it cook.
• Add tamarind juice and allow to boil.
• Add coconut paste and let it boil for 3-4 minutes.
• Remove from the fire and add curry leaves.
• Sprinkle fenugreek powder and mix well.

Recommended Combination:Koon Theeyal / Mushroom Theeyal can be serve hot with Rice / Chappathi

Parippu

Parippu / Moong Daal Curry is a popular item in the traditional Kerala Sadya.
It goes in combination with Rice, Papadam and Ghee. This dish is very rich in protein and is good for growing children.

INGREDIENTS:

• Split Moong dal/Cherupayar parippu - 1 cup
• Turmeric powder -¼ tsp
• Grated coconut -1 cup
• Garlic -1 nos
• Cumin seed -¼ tsp
• Coconut Oil- 1tbsp
• Curry leaves-a few
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Roast Moong Daal till the raw smell goes.
• Cook Moong Dal with Water and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker for 5-6 whistle. 
• Grind Coconut, Garlic and Cumin seeds to a fine paste.
• Add this paste to the cooked Parippu/ Moong dal along with little water and salt.
• Allow to boil. 
• When it starts boil,turn off the stove and add Coconut Oil and Curry leaves.

Recommended Combination: Parippu can be served hot with Pappadam , Ghee and Rice.

Ullipuli / Onion Curry

Ullipuli / Onion Curry is a great side dish which can be served with rice.
The tamarind juice in this gives it a distinct taste.

INGREDIENTS:

• Finely Chopped Onion - 1 nos
• Green Chilly(roundly cut) - 3 nos 
• Finely sliced coconut - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp
• Red Chilly Powder - 2 tsp
• Corriander Powder- 3 tsp
• Fenugreek Powder- a pinch
• Tamarind - A gooseberry sized ball
• Coconut Oil - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
• Red Chilly-2 nos
• Curry leaves - few
• Salt to taste
• Water

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Soak tamarind in ¼ cup of warm water and take the extract from it.
• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds and Red chilly and allow to splutter.
• Add the chopped onion,green chilly, sliced coconut and saute well till the Onion turns transparent.
• Add chilly powder, corriander powder and Saute till raw smell goes.
• Add Turmeric powder and little water, let it cook.
• When Onion is cooked, add Tamarind juice and allow to boil.
• Remove from the fire and add curry leaves.
• Sprinkle fenugreek powder and mix well.

Recommended Combination:Ullipuli can be served with Rice / Chappathi

Vazhuthananga Thoran / Brinjal Thoran

Vazhuthananga Thoran / Brinjal Thoran is a dry side dish served with rice.
Its a very simple yet tasty recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• Diced vazhuthananga / Brinjal - 6 nos
• Chopped Onion - ½ cup
• Grated coconut - ½ cup
• Chilly Powder - ½ tsp
• Red Chilly -2 nos
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - as needed
• Curry leaves - few

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds and red chilli and let it splutter.
• Add chopped onion and saute till translucent.
• Add brinjal/ vazhuthananga with turmeric powder, chilly powder and salt.
• Cover the pan with a lid.
• Slow down the flame and cook it for 10 mins. 
• Add grated coconut and curry leaves and mix well.

Recommended Combination:Vazhuthananga thoran / Brinjal Thoran can be serve hot with Rice.

Muringa ila Parippu Curry

Drumstick leaves or Muringaila can be combined with Parippu or Daal to make a simple, rich nutritious curry.

INGREDIENTS:

• Toor Daal - 1 cup
• Drumstick leaves -1 cup
• Turmeric powder -¼ tsp
• Chilly Powder - ½ tsp
• Grated coconut -1 cup
• Garlic -2 nos
• Coconut Oil- 1tbsp
• Curry leaves-a few

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Detach the drumstick leaves from the stem.
• Cook Toor Dal and drumstick leaves with Water, chilly Powder and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker for 2-3 whistle. 
• Grind the coconut and garlic to a fine paste.
• Add this paste to the cooked daal along with little water and salt.
• Allow to boil. 
• When it starts to boil, turn off the stove and add Coconut Oil and Curry leaves

Recommended Combination: Muringaila Parippu can be served hot with Chappathi / Rice / Poori

Naranga Achar / Lemon Pickle

Lemon Pickle is a popular variety of pickle across India.
The sour taste gives this pickle its distinctness.
Lemon Pickle or Naranga Achar can be made very easily.

INGREDIENTS:

• Lemon / Naranga / Lime - 5 nos
• Chopped Ginger - 1tbsp
• Garlic(sliced)- 10 nos
• Chilli powder - 2 tbsp
• Fenugreek powder - ¼ tsp
• Asafoetida Powder - ¼ tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Gingely oil -¼ Cup
• Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Wash and cut each lemon into 4 pieces.
• Heat Oil in a pan.
• Put Mustard seed into the Oil and let it splutter.
• Add Ginger and Garlic and saute well.
• Add Chilly powder to the hot Oil and saute for a minute.
• Add Lemon pieces and saute well for 5 minutes.
• Add Salt and 2 tbsp water to it and mix well.
• Cook Lemon on medium heat till water dries up and oil oozes out from it.
• Add Fenugreek powder and Asafoetida Powder and mix well.
• Remove from fire and allow to cool.

Recommended Combination:Lemon pickle can be served with Rice and Curd / Biriyani / Curd Rice / Kanji

Beetroot Curry

Beetroot is rich in dietary fiber and has no cholestrol, which makes it a healthy side dish.
Beetroot Curry is a tasty side dish for Chapathi or Naan.

INGREDIENTS:

• Chopped Beetrot -2 medium size
• Diced Onion- 1 no
• Chopped Potato - 1 no
• Diced Tomato - 1 no
• Grated Coconut- ½ cup
• Red Chilly Powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder- 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder- ¼ tsp
• Fennelseed powder - 1 tsp
• Coconut Oil -1 tbsp
• Salt -to taste
• Curry leaves - a few

PREPARATION METHOD:

• Cook Chopped Beetroot, Onion and Potato along with Chilly Powder, Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, salt and water.
• Grind the coconut into a fine paste.
• Add this paste to the cooked vegetables along with Fennelseed powder and tomato.
• Allow to boil for few minutes. 
• Turn off the stove and add Coconut Oil and Curry leaves.

Recommended Combination: Beetroot curry can be served hot with Chappathi / Rice / Poori / Dosa