Ivy Gourd/Tindora Fry (Dondakaya koora)

 

Ridge Guard Chutney (Pachadi in Telugu)

 

Ridge gourd chutney (Pachadi in Telugu)

Ingredients

2tsp dry roasted sesame seeds 

1 tsp urad dal ( black gram )

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp chana dal ( Bengal gram)

1/2 tsp mustard seeds 

1tsp  coriander seeds

1 ridge gourd 

Small gooseberry size tamarind 

Green chili 2-3

2-3 red chili 

A hand full of curry leaves 

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp turmeric

1 tomato ( optional)

For tempering

1tsp oil

Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

Urad dal 1 tsp

fenugreek seeds 1 tsp

Asafoetida a pinch

Preparation 

Wash the ridge gourd and cut into pieces along with the skin.

In a pan add oil and add the dals- urad, chana, mustard,  cumin, coriander seeds, and roast. Once they change color to slightly golden, add red n green chili and curry leaves. Roast till dals are golden and transfer from the pan to the mixer. In the same pan add 1 tsp oil and add the ridge gourd and turmeric and cook till soft. Let it cool. Add the ridge gourd, roasted sesame, tamarind, salt and grind coarsely. Not into a fine paste. You can add a tomato while cooking the ridge gourd and cook it till soft and grind for a tangy taste. 

In a pan heat oil for tempering, splutter the mustard seeds. Add urad dal, fenugreek seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, red chili flakes and add this to the chutney and relish with warm rice.

Vegit Halwa Mix with a Twist!

Christmas and New Year is just around the corner, twinkling stars and jingle bells everywhere, Christmas trees are surrounded with presents and the stockings ! No celebration is complete without sweets, gifting goodies, decorating trees and cakes. Keeping with the spirit of festival, Vegit a leading player in ready-to-cook mixes brings healthy and delightful Vegit Halwa. Satiate your sweet tooth craving in just 2 minutes with Vegit Halwa, the first ever dessert by Vegit. 

I too received some goodies from Vegit!

When I first heard of the name halwa mix with potato flakes, I was a little skeptical, but when I looked into the ingredients and preparation time I was very happy.
After trying it out, the taste was good and very handy if you need to make some dessert for sudden guests!

I had to make  a twist recipe out of the halwa so i thought of making sweet pancakes or Paniyarams (Tamil).

 Ingredients:
2 cups idly batter
1 cup halwa mix
1 tbsp grated coconut
2-3 tbsp sugar
oil or ghee for frying

Preparation
Add the halwa mix to the idly batter and add required amount of water for a smooth batter. Add the rest of the ingredients and leave it for 10 minutes. If the batter gets thick some more water can be added. Heat the Pancake mold. Add ghee to the mold and make pancakes. Lovely golden brown crispy pancakes are ready! Kids will love this.

But I liked the original halwa :) better than the twist!

Here’s Vegit Christmas Halwa cake recipe for you by Brand Chef Arun Kumar, Zambar. 

Ingredients
Vegit Halwa mix :500g
Grated Coconut : 200 g
Cardamom Powder :  a dash
Cashew Nuts: 12 - 15
Raisins/Sultana: 12 – 15
Candied Fruit : 100g
Icing Sugar: 250g
Water:Enough to mix Halwa and Icing Sugar

Method

1. Take 500g Halwa mixture. Add 200 g Grated Coconut, 2 teaspoons cardamom powder and prepare Halwa by either of the 2 methods mentioned on packet. 
2. Mix in the Cashew Nuts, Raisins/Sultanas, Candied Fruits (save some for garnishing)
3. Press the above mixture into an appropriate cake mould and overturn
4. Mix icing sugar with water gently, stirring to avoid lumps, to get a thick pouring consistency
5. Pour over the un-moulded ‘cake’, sprinkle some candied fruit and allow to set
Celebrate this Christmas and New Year in Vegit – “Hamara Mix, Aapka Twist style.”

 

More Vegit recipes are on their way.....