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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

AVANI AVITTAM (UPAKARMA) / AVANI AVITTAM (UPAKARMA) SPECIAL RECIPES


AVANI AVITTAM (UPAKARMA), AVANI AVITTAM (UPAKARMA) SPECIAL RECIPES
                                           
Picture courtesy: http://vedabhavan.org

Upākarma also called as "Avani Avittam" is an important ritual associated with the Brahmin community. This is an important festival for brahmin gents. The day is of great significance to Rig, Yajur, Sama Vedic Brahmins. On this day, the sacred thread (Poonool) worn by the men/boys is changed chanting mantras. The old poonal is also removed by chanting some manthras. After the gents change their sacred thread (poonal), ladies at home take aarathi and invite them into the home. On the next day, "Gayatri Japam" is observed. The first 'Avani Avittam' after the 'Upanayanam' is called as "Thalai Avani Avittam". You can ask the priests of your family about the significance of "Upākarma/Avaniavittam" or google for it. 

Click here to view the sankalpam for this year (2016) in english and tamil.
Click here to download PDF and Audio files (2016).

Avani avittam menu and recipes are as under: Please click the name of recipes for the link. Onion and garlic should be avoided.

For breakfast:
Appam (neiyappam)
Tanjore style appam
Idli

For lunch:
Sadham(rice)Nei(ghee), paruppu,
Poli 
Mor kozhambu or Sambhar
Paruppu usili
Kari amudhu(poriyal)
Kootu
Thayirpachadi
Kosumari
Vadaam or appalam(fried), 
Vadai or thayir vadai, 
Saathamudhu(Rasam)
Tirukannan amudhu(payasam)
Thayir (curd),
Oorugaai(pickle).

For dinner:
Palaharam. Any light tiffin.

Friday, August 21, 2015

RAW PAPAYA CARROT STIR FRY / RAW PAPAYA AND CARROT CURRY

HOW TO MAKE RAW PAPAYA CARROT STIR FRY, HOW TO MAKE RAW PAPAYA AND CARROT CURRY

This stir fry tastes good without garam masala and onions. However, onions, garlic and garam masala are optional.

INGREDIENTS:

Raw papaya - 1 cup (chopped)
Carrot - 1/2 cup ( chopped)
Oil - 2 tsp.
Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp.
Urad dhal - 1/2 tsp.
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp.
Turmeric powder - a generous pinch
Sambhar powder - 1/2 tsp.
Dry red chillies - 2
Scraped coconut - 2 tablespoons
Salt - as per taste
Curry leaves - a sprig

METHOD:

Heat oil in a pan, temper with mustard seeds, urad dhal and when they turn golden brown, add the jeera (cumin seeds), chillies and curry leaves. Give a quick saute without burning and immediately add the chopped papaya and carrot. Mix well and add salt and sambhar powder. Saute well till all the ingredients mix well uniformly, sprinkle little water and cook covered until done. Finally add coconut scrapings and mix well. Serve hot with rice, phulkas and pooris. This curry goes well as a side dish with South Indian thali.

Friday, August 7, 2015

MILLET RAJMA PATTICE / MILLET RED KIDNEY BEAN KEBAB / MILLET BEAN PATTIES

HOW TO MAKE MILLET RED KIDNEY BEAN KEBAB,HOW TO MAKE MILLET RAJMA PATTICE, HOW TO MAKE MILLET BEAN PATTIES

INGREDIENTS:

Cooked rajma - 2 cups
Cooked barnyard millet (Or any cooked millet) - 1 cup
Boiled  and mashed potato - 1
Powdered cashew - 2 tablespoon
Ginger paste - 1/2 tsp.
Red chilli powder  - 1/2 tsp.
Roasted cumin powder  - 1/4 tsp.
Pav bhaji masala OR Garam masala - 1/2 tsp.
Salt - to taste
Finely chopped coriander leaves - fistful
Oil - to shallow fry

To coat:
Corn flour - 2 tablespoons
Bread crumbs - as needed

HOW TO MAKE MILLET RED KIDNEY BEAN KEBAB, HOW TO MAKE MILLET RAJMA PATTICE, HOW TO MAKE MILLET BEAN PATTIES

METHOD:

Cook rajma alongwith salt until soft, drain water and pulse in a mixie for a few seconds alongwith powdered cashew and ginger paste. Add all ingredients, mix and knead well without any lumps. In a spoon of oil, saute this mixture for 2 minutes. When cool, divide into equal sized balls, shape to pattice or kebabs. 

Dissolve corn flour in  1/2 a cup of water. Dip the pattice in this solution, coat in bread crumbs and shallow fry until crisp on all sides. It can also be deep fried.

Healthy millet rajma patties is ready. Serve hot with tomato ketchup and tea. 

NOTE: Sauteed onions can be added to the mixture. Ginger garlic paste can be used instead of ginger paste.