Moong Dal Payasam

• Moong Dal     - 2 c
• Jaggery (grated)     - 2 c
• Coconut Milk     - 2 c
• Water     - 3 c
• Butter     - 4 Tbsp
• Cashews (chopped)     - 1/2 c
• Raisins     - 1/2 c
• Sugar     - 1/2 c
• Dry Ginger (powdered)     - 1 Tbsp
• Cumin (roasted and powdered )     - 1 Tbsp

1. Clean the Dal and dry roast it on Medium heat for 10 mins.
2. Add 2 cups of boiling water to the dal in a big pot.
3. Let it boil and then cook it on low heat for 1/2 an hour, till the dal is cooked.
4. Mash the  cooked dal partially and add one more cup of water and bring to boil.
5. Add the grated jaggery and cook on low heat for 15 mins.
6. Melt the butter in a frying pan and fry the Cahsews and Raisins till golden.
7. Add the Dry Ginger and Cumin powder along with the fried cashews, raisns along with the melted butter used for frying.
8. Add the sugar and mix it thoroughly and cook on low for 15 mins.
9. Add the Coconut Milk and cook for 5 mins . Do not boil.
10. Take it off the heat . Taste to check the sweetness. Add more sugar if desired.
11. Let it cool a bit. Serve it warm or cold after lunch or dinner.

 

Fish Moilee

The is a special Creamy Fish Curry from Kerala, my mom's recipe.

• Fish ( boneless or fleshy )      - 2 lb
• Curry Leaves      - 2 sprigs
• Onion (large)      - 1
• Tomatoes      - 2
• Ginger-Garlic paste      - 1 Tbsp
• Green Chillies      - 5
• Pepper pwdr      - 2 tsp
• Turmeric      - 1/4 tsp
• Cinnamon      - 1 inch
• Cardamom      - 6
• Cloves      - 6
• Salt      - 2 tsp
• Coconut Milk      - 8 oz
• Oil ( Coconut Oil )      - 8 Tbsp
• Water     - 1/2 c

1. Wash and Clean the fish. Cut into equal sized pieces.
2. Apply 1 tsp Salt, Pepper and Turmeric to the fish and marinate for an hour or two.
3. Shallow fry the Fish in the Oil for 2 minutes on each side and set aside.
4. Chop the Onions and Tomatoes very small and set aside.
5. Heat the same Oil and add to it the whole spices along with Curry leaves.
6. To this add the Onions and fry till they turn transparent 5- 10 mins.
7. To this add the Green Chillies and Ginger/Garlic paste and fry for 2 mins.
8. Add the tomatoes and remaining salt. Add more salt as per taste.
9. Cover and cook this on low heat till the tomatoes can be mashed .
10. Add the water and let the mixture boil.
11. Add the fish to this and let it all boil, then simmer it for 15 minutes.
12. Add the Coconut Milk and let the mixture just reach boiling point (donot boil).
13. Take the curry off the flame and let it stand for atleast an hour before serving for the fish to absorb the spices.

Tip : Serve hot along with Parathas, Naan, Rice or Appam.
King Fish is good for this recipe. Vegetable oil can be substituted for Coconut Oil .

Spicy Fried Fish

This recipe was inspired by a friend who loves Spicy Grilled Fish .

• Small fish - 3
• Chilli pwdr - 1/2 Tbsp
• Pepper pwdr - 2 tsp
• Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Garlic pwdr (or Garlic crushed - 2 cloves) - 2 tsp
• Lemon Juice (optional) - 1 tsp
• Oil ( Mustard/Coconut/Veg ) - 5 Tbsp

1. Mix the spices with a little water to form a thick paste.
2. Clean the Fish and make few vertical slits along it surface.
3. Apply the masala and marinate the fish for 2 hrs.
4. In a big frying pan heat the Oil.
5. Fry the Fish for 5 minutes on each side.
6. Drain on paper towel.
7. Serve with Hot Rice and Vegetables. Enjoy !

Tip : The fish can be Pomfret/Mackerel or any flat fish the size of your palm.
It can be baked or grilled for slightly different flavor.
Baking and grilling will reduce the oil but, it will be tastiest when fried.

Masala Prawns

This recipe was shared by my mom. Its delicious.

• Prawns     - 2 lb
• Ginger/Garlic paste     - 4 tsp
• Onion (large)      - 1
• Green Bell Pepper     - 1 or 2
• Tomato paste     - 1 Tbsp
• Tomato     - 1
• Cilantro     - 1/4 c
• Salt     - 2 + 1/2  tsp
• Chilli pwdr     - 1 Tbsp
• Pepper pwdr     - 2 tsp
• Turmeric     - 1/2 tsp
• Oil     - 6 Tbsp

1. Clean prawns and add all the masalas, 2tsp salt and marinate for atleast 2hrs.
2. Chop Onions into fine slices. Cut the Green Bell Pepper into 1 inch pieces.
3. Shallow fry the prawns for few minutes till cooked on both sides about 5 mins.
4. In the same oil fry the Onions till golden brown . Add the Bell pepper and 1/2 tsp salt and fry along with onions on medium to high heat.
5.  Fry for 5 mins till the peppers are cooked but still crunchy. Add the tomato- paste to this and fry for 1 minute.
6. Add the fried prawns to this and mix throughly.
7. Decorate with sliced Tomato and chopped Cilantro.

Tip: For milder preparation reduce the chilli powder by half.
Serve hot along with parathas/naan or rice . Enjoy !