Spicy Avocado Chutney

Avocado is a rich, buttery fruit but very bland to eat it by itself. You must be familiar with the guacamole(a dip made out of avocado) found in the Mexican cuisine. Just by adding a few spices you can amp up the flavor, increase the heat and blend it to an unbelievable tasting indian style chutney. With a healthy dosage of heart-healthy fats in every spoonful, you can gobble up the chutney as a spread for crackers or as a dip for vegetables. I actually prepared this chutney to accompany my Dosa . It tasted out of the world and I am sure you will love this chutney just like we did. Here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

1 ripe Avocado

5 pearl onions

2 green chili

3 Garlic cloves

1/4 cup Cilantro packed

Few Curry leaves

1 tsp Tamarind

Pinch Asafoetida

2 dry red chili

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds

1 tbsp Urad dal

Salt, to taste

1 tsp +1 tsp Oil

Seasoning (optional)

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp Urad dal

1 pinch Asafoetida

Few Curry leaves

How to:

• Cut the avocado in half, twist and open. Carefully remove the seed. Now score vertical and horizontal lines without piercing the skin and gently scoop out with a spoon.

• Roast the dry red chili, cumin seeds and urad dal in 1 tsp of oil.

• Let cool, grind to a coarse powder and keep aside.

• In the same pan, heat the remaining oil, add the onions, green chili, garlic, curry leaves and tamarind and saute for 3-5 mins.

• Finally add the cilantro, saute for a min.

• Switch off and let it cool.

• In a blender, add the onion-cilantro mixture along with avocado, salt and grind coarsely.

• Now add the ground spice powder and pulse it until smooth (or bit chunky if you like it).

• Transfer it a bowl and add the optional seasoning.

•  Serve the chutney with idly or dosa.

Hot Carrot Chutney

If you are not a big fan of carrots, then this chutney is definitely for you. Yup! you read it right. This is a simple chutney made from not-so-favorite vegetable for most of us, but it doesn't taste like it at all. I have prepared it really hot with a bit extra thai chilies, because that is how it quickly disappears in my home. Also, i have skipped the final tadka which you can always add at the end, if you prefer. The color and chunky texture adds another dimension to the chutney. Bring carrots to your 'really good' list by preparing this chutney. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

3 medium Carrots (shredded)

1/4 cup Coconut (shredded)

6 green Chilies (chopped)

1 tbsp dried Tamarind

2 Garlic pods (chopped)

1/4 tsp Asafoetida

1 sprig Curry leaves

1 tsp Mustard seeds

1/2 tsp Urad dal

1 tsp Cumin seeds

1 tsp white Sesame seeds

1 tbsp Oil

1/2 cup Water

Salt

 How to:

• Heat oil in a skillet at medium heat, add the mustard seeds, urad dal, asafoetida, cumin seeds and sesame seeds and splutter'em.

• Then add the green chilies, curry leaves, garlic and tamarind, and saute for a couple of mins.

• Now add the shredded carrot, mix well and cook until the raw smell disappears, for 3-4 mins.

• Allow the mixture to cool completely and then grind together with the coconut and salt for taste.

• Add water while grinding for desired consistency of the chutney.

• Serve as a side for dosa or idli.

Roasted Eggplant and Garlicky Dip

This is such an easy and healthy dip that would go well with pretty much everything. It tastes great with dosa, cooked rice, toasted bread, pita chips and crackers. The garlic adds so much flavor, the red onions give it a nice crunch and the chunky eggplants adds a great texture. And last but not least, you will get a guaranteed 'good great job' pat from your spouse just like i did. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

2 medium Eggplants (or 1 large)

10-12 Garlic pods

4 small Green Chilli (finely chopped)

1/4 cup Red onion (finely chopped)

1/4 cup Cilantro (finely chopped)

2 tbsp Olive oil

Salt

 How to:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Wash the eggplants, cut the stem off and make 4 slits lengthwise.

• Open the slits gently and stuff the garlic and green chilli.

• Place the eggplant on a foil, sprinkle salt and drizzle olive oil over it.

• Wrap the eggplant tightly and place it in a oven safe dish and bake for an hour.

• Once baked, remove the foil immediately and carefully slide the roasted eggplants into the dish.

• Cut  the eggplants and mash'em along with the skin and check the salt for taste.

• Let it cool completely, add the onions and cilantro, mix well.

• Serve at room temperature or chilled with chips or crackers.

Pesarettu (Green Moong Dal Dosa)

Highly rich in protein, this moong dal dosa would be the perfect breakfast any day. A couple of these dosas keeps you full and satisfied until noon. If you don't like onions, add some grated carrot or zucchini or beets and make it fun and colorful. Researchers say, foods rich in protein should make your breakfast plate. So, ditch your regular rice dosas/idlies and start your day including more dals and eggs. Here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

1 cup Whole Green Moong dal

1/2 Yellow onion (finely chopped)

1 piece Ginger 

2 small Garlic

4 Green chilli (chopped)

1/2 cup Cilantro (chopped)

1 pinch Asafoetida

1/2tsp Cumin seeds

Water

Oil

Salt

How to:

• Soak the gram dal overnight or at least for 6hrs. Drain'em and keep it aside.

• Grind the dal along with ginger, garlic, green chilli, cilantro, asafoetida, cumin seeds and salt, in a blender/mixie to a smooth dosa like batter, adding some water.

• Now heat a griddle or dosa tawa, pour a ladleful of batter and swirl like you would for dosa, sprinkle some onions over the batter and pour drops of oil around the edges and on top.

• Cook for couple of mins or until golden brown, flip and cook the other side.

• Serve hot with any chutney or sambar.

Instant Savory Spring Onion Dosa

I know, 'Instant' sounds always good. No soaking, no grinding and no fermenting, totally free from all these time consuming process. This is such a dosa where you can whip up the batter with a few ingredients already available from your pantry. This savory dosa had a great crunch from the spring onions and a spicy kick from the green chilies. You can also add grated carrot or zucchini and make it more colorful and healthy. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

1 cup Besan flour 

2tbsp Sooji (Rava)

1tbsp Rice flour

1/4tsp Turmeric powder

1/4tsp Ajwain seeds

1 pinch Baking soda

1/4 cup plain Yogurt 

1 cup Water

1tsp minced Ginger

2 small Green chilli (minced)

3 stalks Spring Onion/Green Onion (finely chopped)

1tbsp Cilantro (chopped)

1tsp Salt

Oil

How to:

• In a big bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: besan, sooji, rice flour, turmeric powder, ajwain and salt.

• Add yogurt and water and whisk well to form a lump-free batter.

• Now add the green chilli, ginger, cilantro and spring onions, and mix'em well. 

• Let the batter sit for 15-20 mins. Add baking soda just before using the batter.

• Apply oil on a hot tawa/griddle, pour a ladle full of batter and spread it out.

• Cook for 2-3 mins or until evenly browned and flip the dosa. 

• Continue cooking for another couple of mins and serve hot with chutney or sambar.