Akki Payasam/Rice payasam

This is one of the simple yet tasty South Indian sweet dish ! Its also known as phirani in some parts of India... You must give a try to this if you have not yet! I bet you would like it :) Here I have done using pressure cooker to prepare rice which would be easier...

Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time : 25 mins

Ingredients:
1. Rice - 3/4 cup
2. Sugar - 1/2 cup (or based on taste how much sweetness is needed)
3. Jaggery - 1/4 cup
4. Milk - 1 1/2 cup
5. Raisins - few
6. Cashew - 4
7. Badam - 2/3
8. Ghee -1/2 tsp to 1 tsp , to fry rasins
9. Cocount - 1/2 cup grated

Method:
1. Pressure cook the rice, it should be bit watery
2. Smash using spatula and add milk and heat.
3. Once it starts boiling, reduce the flame and add sugar, jaggery. coconut grated
4. Keep it in low-medium flame and stir in between for about 10 mins
5. Mean while, grind cashew and badam and put into the cooker and cook for another 10 mins
6. In a pan, add ghee and allow to melt and fry rasins till it turns brown and allow to cool
7. Add to the cooker and cook for another 2 or 3 mins

Serve it hot/chilled based on how you need it....

Note:
1. This payasam is better when its set for about 2 hrs and best when chilled!
2. Grinding cashew and badam and mixing is optional

Veg Fried Rice

One of our favourite Indo-Chinese dish :) With vegetables added its also nutritious and one of the easy dish to be prepared! Here is this recipe, try and let me know how it tastes! :)

Preparation Time : 25 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins

Ingredients:
1. Rice - 1 cup
2. Oil - 1tsp
3. Beans - 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
4. Carrot - 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
5. Cabbage - 1 cup (finely chopped)
6. Capsicum - 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
7. Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
8. Garlic - 2 to 3 pods
9. Ginger - 1 inch
10. Oil - 2 1/2 tbsp
11. Vinegar - 1 tsp
12. Soya sauce - 2-3 tsp
13. Jeera - 1 tsp
14. Chillies - 3 to 4 (slit lengthwise)
14. Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil and add jeera, once it turns its color to golden brown add onion and chillies and saute until onions are translucent
2. Then add garlic, ginger and saute for few seconds
3. Add beans and fry. Add carrot, cabbage, capsicum and in the same order
4. Saute in high flame and continuous stirring is needed for beg to be cooked and crunchy.
5. Add rice, soya sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper needed and mix well.
6. Saute for few seconds in high flame and fried rice is ready :)

Note:
1. If required can add 1/2 lemon's juice
2. If required can add star anise to flavor the rice
3. Cook the rice in such a way that grains are separate
4. Only time consuming is cutting vegetables finely

Home Made Paneer

Especially favourite with North indians, paneer is used in making various dishes from sweets to curries. Though its readily available in markets here is how to prepare it at home!

Ingredients:
1. Milk - 1 litre
2. Fresh lemon - 1

Method:
1. Heat milk and bring to boil.
2. Once milk starts boiling, reduce the flame and add lemon juice by squeezing the lemon while continuously stirring the milk
3. Milk starts curdling
4. Keep stirring until curdling is complete
5. Strain through the cheese cloth and wait to cool
See pic below:

6. Gather the cloth , squeeze out all water, tie a knot and hang for 15 to 20 mins to drain water completely
7. Then keep a heavy object on top it and leave for 2-3 hours
8. Then take out from bundle and cut into desirable shapes and use to your recipe

Note:
1. Can store in air tight container & refrigerate if not used immediately
2. Can use pressure cooker filled with water to keep on top of it to drain water
3. If paneer crumbles when you cut its not drained off water properly