Beef Biriyani - With Detailed Procedure

I have always got positive feedback for my Biriyanis,both from my relatives and guests whom I have served and even some have mentioned it in my blog after they had tried it like this and this one.

Chicken Majboos

Two weeks with parents just passed away so quickly,just like blinking of the eyes.Also it's already past a week after the new year.My Facebook friends know how the last week turned out with my parents all of a sudden ,my Dad being sick.

Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice is something,mostly loved by all.My younger one prefers such type of rice rather than the normal rice,curry and thorans(stir fry).

NeyPathal

There is always a happy face when these 'nadan' (a Malayalam term used for country) food is at the dining table.The broad smile is on none other but my dear hubby's face.To be more specific when the meal is the Malabar type..Pathiris,Ghee rice,Malabar style Chicken curry etc...and this also is one among his very favorites 'Ney pathal'.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Biriyani

Today is 10th of February and time for this month's 'Muslim Food Blogger Challenge.'I have already mentioned in my earlier post that I am part of a face book group with so many ladies of the same interest in food.And this month's Challenge theme was to cook any type of Biriyani.

Muttayappam/Muttasurka

Muttayappam very commonly known as Muttasurka or Muttasirka in our homeland;is one of the traditional recipe of the North Malabar.This is served mostly as a breakfast with a non veg curry.This is prepared by blending egg and rice and then frying.This is also made without eggs and sometimes cooked in Kaara/aebleskive pan and used as snacks.I have already posted the Kaara appam

Fish Biriyani/Meen Biriyani

Biriyani is something  we cook on all Fridays or Party get together and sometimes cook in bulk (lazy me!)to take it the next day.This Fish biriyani (with some other dishes) has been in my drafts from long.Somethings stay in drafts for such a long time then I start to get a feeling whether to post it or not and if  it is a 'no' then it won't be on my blog forever.So thought of finishing off things from drafts.

Kaara Appam

This is a simple way of making Kaara Appam without using eggs or sugar.This can be served as a breakfast with your favorite curry or use as a snack item with tea..This type of Kaara appams are usually prepared in most of the houses at the Kannur side and these are called 'Kaara Appam' because it is prepared in a"Kaara''/aebleskive pan

Ingredients needed 
White Rice/Pachari           1 cup
Cooked parboiled rice       1/2 cup+2tbsp 
Water             1/2 cup + a little
Salt                1/2 tsp (as needed)
Oil             for deep frying
Method
-Soak rice for 2-3 hours.Wash drain and then grind it together with the other ingredients till smooth.
-Heat the kaara/aebleskive pan and pour oil in each mould.
-When the oil is hot, pour a ladle of the batter in each mould till 3/4th.
-Cook on medium heat.When it rise, flip(using a fork slowly turn over) and cook the other side also.
-Once cooked remove from the pan on a tissue paper.Serve with your favorite (spicy) curry.

 *Once cooked it will float in the oil.

Kalthappam(unsweetened)/Rice Cake In A Pressure Cooker/White Kalthappam

Kalthappam is a very famous dish of the Malabar specially the North Malabar side.This is prepared in two ways,one is the sweet way using jaggery which is very popular and the other one is the unsweetened one.The sweet one is usually served as a snack item where as this one can be served with your favourite curry as a breakfast or snack.Kids might like it with a little honey or sugar or can be eaten without any side dishes too. This is cooked by adding the batter into the fried onion which gives this rice cake its perfect taste..

Ingredients 
White Rice/Pachari             1 heaped cup(soak for 2-3 hrs)
Cooked (par boiled)  rice    3/4 cup
Coconut grated                 1 cup
Onion                         1 small (finely chopped)
Water                           as needed
Salt                              as needed
Oil                         2 tbsp

 Method
-Wash and drain the soaked rice.
-Add both the rice,grated coconut and salt in a blender with enough water and grind into a thick batter(the consistency should be that of idly batter).Keep this aside.
-Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add the chopped onion.Saute till it turns golden brown.From this, take out 1 spoon of the fried onion** and keep aside.
-Swirl the pressure cooker with the remaining oil and onions so that the sides of the cooker gets coated with oil properly.
-Now pour the  batter,spread the reserved fried onion**on top and close the lid tightly without inserting the weight/whistle of the cooker.
-Keep the pressure cooker on low flame on the small burner for 30-35 minutes.
-Switch off the flame and carefully open the lid to check if it is cooked (insert the flat handle of a spoon or  insert a knife..if it comes out clean or with  little crumbs on it then its cooked or you can see the edges of the cake gets separated from the cooker.
-Keep it closed for another 5 -7 minutes to cool.Cut into pieces and serve.

Pineapple Rice

Ingredients
Pineapple chunks (canned)    1 cup(syrup strained)
Basmati rice (Cooked)        2 cups
Pineapple juice            1/4 cup
Ginger                 11/2 tsp(finely chopped)
Garlic                   11/2 tsp( ''         ''     )
Green chilly          2 (slit lengthwise)
Spring onion (white part)     31/2 tbsp(finely chopped)
(green part)             1/2 cup(finely chopped)
Tomato ketchup     2 tbsp
Chilly sauce            1 tsp
Salt                   to taste
Oil                       2 tbsp

To prepare Croutons
Bread                     2 slices
Butter                     2 tbsp(as needed)
Method
First to make the croutons.. 
-Remove the crust part of the bread slices and cut the slices into small cubes. Heat a non stick frying pan on medium heat and melt the butter.Now add the bread pieces so that the pieces get coated with butter,do not stir until they turn golden brown on the bottom side, once it turns brown turn the pieces on all sides using a spoon so that all the sides turn brown and crisp(crunchy).Transfer these pieces onto a plate  and keep aside.

Further preparation  
-Heat a non stick wok on medium-high flame and add oil.
-Add the chopped ginger and garlic.When it turns a little brown giving out a nice smell add the spring onion(white part) and the green chillies.Saute for a minute.
-Now add tomato ketchup and the chilly sauce.Mix well and add the pineapple juice and salt.
-When the juice starts boiling add the spring onion (green) and the pineapple chunks.Mix well and add the cooked rice and saute till everything gets mixed well(don't keep for a long time).
-Add the croutons,mix and serve.

*Serve this rice with anything fried or Chilly Chicken.

Rice Kheer/Rice Payasam

Rice kheer is a very delicious and easy to prepare dessert.Mostly it is prepared just using rice,milk and sugar,but I make it using Condensed milk.Also I use my Pressure cooker to prepared this kheer,so that the rice gets cooked easily.Usually Basmati rice is used,but here I have used jeerakasala (short grains) which gives it a nice aroma within the cooked rice.But that is completely optional ,you can go ahead with the Basmati itself.On to the recipe:
Ingredients
Basmati Rice      3/4 cup
Water                 3 cups
Condensed milk   1 tin
Sugar (if needed)  3 tbsp
Cardamom           2  
Milk                    3 cups
For Garnishing
Ghee      1 tsp
Cashew nuts  a few  
Raisins  a few
Almonds sliced a few  

Cooking Method
-Heat a pressure cooker adding water,rice and cardamom.

-Close the lid and wait for 2 whistles.

-When the steam goes;open the lid,mash the cooked rice a little and add the condensed milk.Mix well.

-Now add milk and sugar, stir continuously till the milk boils  along with rice. 

-Remove from the flame.   

-Now heat a pan,add ghee and fry the cashew nuts and raisins .

-Add this to the kheer along with the Almonds and serve.

*If the kheer is too thick you can add again 1 cup of boiled milk.

Sending this recipe to Milk Sweet Recipes and  My Healthy Happy Kitchen, Feast of Sacrifice Event 

Prawns Biriyani/Chemmeen Biriyani

Prawns are my family's all time favorite...and when it comes to prawns biriyani then it's a real hit at home.When we were young my Umma used to prepare such delicious prawns biriyani.... 
Not at my Umma's level but I  too cook prawns biriyani,as now it is the favorite of my hubby and children.Going with the recipe:

Coconut Rice/Thenga Choru

Coconut rice is made different in different parts.In some places it is made using shredded coconut while in others adding spices.My mother cooks it using coconut milk.I got this recipe from her.