South Indian Special: Ven Pongal

1 cup rice
1/2 cup moong dal
1/4 inch ginger
2 tsp ghee
3 green chillies
1 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp whole black peppers
10 - 15 cashewnuts
pinch of hing

Mix 1 cup rice and 1/2 cup moong dal .Add 3 times water(6 cups) and boil until it is overcooked.Cut 3 green chillies and 1/4 inch ginger into fine pieces.Take 2 tsp ghee in a fry pan and add 1 tsp whole black peppers, and 1 tsp cumin seeds.When the peppers burst add chillie and ginger pieces and a pinch of turmeric powder.
You should be cautious while adding the black peppers and green chilli in hot oil. They may burst all over. Therefore use low heat and a deep hollow vessel for this.
Add 10 - 15 cashewnuts and remove the pan when the cashews are roasted and begin to smell.Add this to cooked dal-rice mix.Add 1/2 tsp salt, a sprig of curry leaves and mix well. Add some ghee while serving.

Mushroom Manchurian

Button Mushroom – 1 cup
Spring onions – 4 Strands
Onion -2
Green chillies – 2
White pepper – 1 tsp
Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp
Garlic – 4
Cornflour – 2 tbsp
Vinegar – 1 tbsp
Soya sauce – 2 tbsp
Tomato sauce – 4 tbsp
Salt to taste

Preparation:
For the Manchurians
Wash Mushroom and boil it for 2 mins.
Add ginger garlic paste, white pepper, chilly powder,
Tomato sauce, soya sauce , vinegar and required salt to the mushroom.
Marinate( In a freezer preferably) the mushroom mixture for 2 hours.
To the mushroom, add 1 to 2 spoons of corn flour and mix.
Deep fry until golden brown.
For the Gravy
Heat the pan. Add 1 tsp of oil, green chillies, chopped garlic, add the chopped spring onion and stir for a minute.(Broccoli or Celery are optional).
Add white pepper, Tomato Sauce, Vinegar, soya sauce and the green springs of the onion and stir for a while.
Now add the fried mushroom to the gravy and mix slightly.
Garnish with spring onions and serve hot.

Basmati Ghee Rice

Serves: 4
Cooking time (approx.): 15 minutes
Style: Indian Vegetarian

2 cup(s) Basmati rice
4 cups warm water
1" cinnamon stick broken
2 each of bay leaves and cloves
1 teaspoon(s) black peppercorns
6 medium sized onions finely sliced
4 tablespoons clarified butter (ghee) / butter
salt to taste

1. Heat the clarified butter (ghee) / butter in a heavy-bottomed pan till hot. Add the whole spices and fry for a few seconds. Add the onion slices and saute for a few seconds on high level. Lower the heat and saute on medium / low level till the onions are transparent and soft.
2. Add the rice and saute for a few seconds. Pour in the warm water and add the salt. Bring to a boil, cover and cook on a low level for about 15 minutes or till the rice is done and all the water has evaporated. Separate the grains of rice with a fork.

Basmati rice is used for this recipe. If it is difficult to obtain Basmati rice, any other long-grained rice is fine.

Serve hot with any vegetable curries

Vermicelli Uppuma

Serves: 4
Cooking time (approx.): 10 minutes
Style: South Indian

2 tablespoon(s) ghee (clarified butter) / butter
2 cup(s) broken vermicelli
1 teaspoon(s) mustard seeds
1 teaspoon(s) husked split black gram
2 green chilli(es) slit
1 sprig curry leaves
2 cup(s) warm water
4 tablespoons grated coconut if available
salt to taste

1. Heat half of the ghee (clarified butter) in a pan. Fry the vermicelli, stirring continuously to a golden color on medium / low level for about 2 minute(s). Keep aside.
2. Heat the remaining ghee (clarified butter) in a pan. Toss in the mustard seeds followed by the black gram. Stir fry on medium level for about 2 minute(s) or till the mustard seeds splutter fully and the gram is red in color. Toss in the green chillies, curry leaves and fry briefly.
3. Add the warm water along with salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the vermicelli. Cover and cook whilst stirring often on low-medium level for about 3 minutes or till all the water has evaporated and the vermicelli is well cooked. Remove from heat and stir in the grated coconut.

TIP:

• Green chillies can be increased if desired.
• It is better to warm more water than specified above in case it is required.