Vengaaya Vendhaya / Shallots in thick tamarind sauce !

Most of my Tamil preparations are inspired by Viji Varadarajan's book "Samayal".Going through her simple and delicious recipes,I keep wondering how many vegetable gravies can be prepared with Sambar powder.The otherwise normal curry/kuzhambu can be lifted immensely with flavorful sambar powder is a revelation.Truly worth it,this simple shallot curry is an example to start with.Just try and experience the magic..

Ingredients

1.1 pound/500 gm shallots,peeled
3 tbsp thick tamarind pulp
1 cup water
1.5 tbsp sambar powder
1/2 tsp asafoetida powder
few pinches of jaggery to balance the flavor (optional)
2 tbsp sesame oil
salt and handful of curry leaves

For the seasoning

1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
half tsp black gram/uzhunnu parippu
1/2 bengal gram / kadala parippu
sesame oil

Method

In a kadai or medium skillet heat a teaspoon of oil and splutter mustard seeds.Add fenugreek and both daals and fry till it turns golden brown.Now add the shallots and mix well.Pour the tamarind pulp and water .To this add sambar powder,asafoetida powder,curry leaves and salt.Mix well and bring to a boil.Now cover and simmer till it's somewhat thick.This may take 7-8 minutes.Now remove the lid and add jaggery.Let the curry/kuzhambu turn thick.Add the remaining sesame oil .Switch off the flame.Serve with rice /idli/dosa etc.

Black Forest Gâteau !! Blog Anniversary Special

Finally I made up my mind.Here is Black Forest cake from my kitchen,which I believe most of you will be fond of.Black forest cake is the layered chocolate cake filled and decorated with cherries and cream.If you prepare this German dessert in an authentic way,you may have to add Kirsch,a colorless fruit brandy which is made from double distillation of Morellos.In my recipe anyway,I don't use alcohol and so mine is poor sugar syrup.You may as well use the syrup from tinned cherries.This is to wet and further smoothen the chocolate layers.

Thank you once again for supporting me in a way I never imagined...Enjoy your cake slice !

Ingredients

6 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour/maida
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup unsalted,melted butter


 For the Filling & Topping

3-4 tbsp sugar syrup/cherry syrup/Kirsch
3 cups whipping cream
3 tbsp icing sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2-1 cup stoned cherries

To decorate

grated chocolate
chocolate curls/pieces
handful of cherrries,stones

Method

Prehat the oven to 180 degree.Prepare three 19cm/7 in sandwich cake tins.Or you may bake the cake as one and slice to three or two,whichever you may choose.This is completely your choice.In a large bowl whisk the eggs with sugar and vanilla essence till pale and thick.To this sift the flour and cocoa and fold lightly and evenly.Pour the melted butter and keep folding.If you are baking as three,you may shift the mixture to three tins equally.Otherwise bake it as one.Bake for 13-15 minutes and leave it to cool on a wire rack.Now comes the assembling part.For this,first prick the surface of each cake and sprinkle the sugar syrup.In another large bowl start whipping the cream adding icing sugar and vanilla essence.Now take the first cake layer and make a thick layer of whipped cream and top with cherries.Bring the second layer and repeat the process.After the final layer,we have to decorate the cake.Spread the remaining cream all over the cake.Press grated chocolate over the sides and decorate with the chocolate pieces and cherries.Enjoy !

A splendid vacation,First Blog Anniversary and a Big note of thanks !!

So,how are you all my dear friends and readers ? I took a meaningful vacation and back here towards a much peaceful 2012.Hope you all have a great time, wherever you are ! 

Just now noted that tomorrow is my first Blog Anniversary and suddenly felt like to write few words here.In fact,it was a humble beginning.Melange.Now that I have few friends here to converse and exchange some nice words with,I am so thankful to this space.This is my opportunity to thank all of you who came here,spend time and been kind to record your feedbacks.To all my silent visitors as well,I thank you for the valuable time spend here.THANK YOU SO SO MUCH..

Since I am in the process of settling back after this long journey,I am yet to find plans on what to post for this special occasion.Hope to meet you soon..Have a splendid,healthy 2012 !!