Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Grape juice

Many a times we squeeze fresh juice from raw grapes but by that way the juice would not get the color of the grapes. Also some people can't take grape juice , because of its cooling nature. But here is a method to extract the juice along with its natural color and suitable for all body types.
Few months back hubby brought a big pack of red grapes but it was a large quantity for him. So I made few recipes using it.  I saved some grapes for juice, so that he can take it to office for snack time:) This is not a regular juicing technique for grapes. But I love it very much, as my mom got this recipe from her sister, my Gandhi chithi . During one fine summer, when our chithi was visiting us, mom tried to make some grape juice as welcome drink instead of regular lime juice. Chithi told amma to follow the below method so that kids can drink it without any hesitation and after that she had used this recipe every time she made this juice and now I am continuing that:)


Ingredients:
Grapes - 200 gm (2 coffee mug full approx)
water - 5 cups
sugar - 2 tsp per cup

Method:
Rinse the grapes thrice or till it runs clear.
Add 1 tbsp salt per 2 cups of rinsing water and let it soak to remove any chemicals (optional).
Again wash well in water. Drain water and keep aside.
Bring 5 cups of water to boil and add the grapes.
wait till it boils and grapes start cracking.
Switch off. Keep closed for 10 minutes. Let cool.
Take out the grapes alone and squeeze using hands. Add the sugar and scrub the fruit with sugar and extract all the juice.
Repeat with the boiled water and extract all the juice from grapes.
Filter to remove any seeds or skin.
Pour in a pitcher, let cool completely and serve chilled.

Note:
Red / black grapes look gorgeous by this recipe. I have used red grapes here.
Prepare this juice few hours before serving, let cool in room temperature or serve chilled.
Stays good in fridge for a 3 days.
Sour grapes will make incredibly tasty juice.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Chicken soup (thick)

Chicken soup recipe varies from country to country and even city to city, as it is the most sought entree during cold weather. In my native place we make clear soups which are plain and simple. But in Chennai, the chicken soups are thicker and made with more spices, flour, veggies to satisfy everyone. Try this and enjoy!
Chennai chicken soup

Ingredients:
Chicken - 200 gm
(drumstick or any piece with bones. while buying whole chicken  reserve neck and some ribs for making soup or broth.)
red onion / shallot - 1/2 cup
garlic - 1 whole
butter - 2 tsp + 1 tsp
AP flour - 2 tbsp
tomato - 2
cilantro , mint - handful
cumin, fennel - 1/2 tsp each
cloves - 2
bay leaf -1
cinnamon -1 inch
turmeric powder - 1 tsp
pepper powder - as per need
cumin powder - as per need
salt - as per need

Method:
Clean and rinse the chicken. Cut the chicken into small pieces. 
Heat 2 tsp butter in a large pan. Add 2 cloves, fennel, bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin. Put the onion and peeled garlic and fry till they get tender.
In a pressure cooker vessel  put the chicken, 2 cups water, turmeric powder, chopped tomato, chopped cilantro, mint, fried onion garlic.
Pressure cook for 1 whistle, reduce flame and cook for 10 minutes. switch off.
After the pressure is gone,  open the lid. Take out the chicken pieces and mash the other ingredients using a spoon.
In the mean time heat 1 tsp butter in the large pan and fry the 2 tbsp maida (AP flour) for few seconds. Pour the cooked chicken along with all the soup to the soup pan. Add 3 cups of water.
Add required salt, pepper powder, cumin powder. Bring it to a boil. Switch off or keep warm till served. Chicken soup is ready!

Note:
Serve along with main course or appetizer.
Makes 5 servings.
Sometimes I add 1 knorr soup cube to thicken the soup, instead of flour. Both tastes good.
Instead of pepper powder,  grind 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tsp sea salt  and  1 tsp cumin to add to this soup.
If needed garnish with freshly chopped spring onion or cilantro.

Chow chow Paruppu koottu and peel thogayal

Chow chow / Bangalore Kathirikai / Chayote  A dal curry paruppu koottu with chow chow and a spicy chutney using it's peel (chow chow tho...