Rice Krispies Kheer (Payasam)

Payasam (Kheer) is one of the unavoidable desserts for the South Indians during Onam festival. In my recipe I've used 'rice krispies cereal', which is entirely different from the usual traditional kheer preparations with 'vermicelli' or 'rice'. I'm sure you'll love it. Do give a try!

 

Total Time....1 hr 10 min (Prep - 5 min, Cook- 5 min, Inactive-1 hour)

Yield..............3 to 4 servings

Level.............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal
• 3 cups Milk 
• 1/2 cup Condensed milk
• 4 tbsp Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
• 1/4 Cup Raisins
• 1/4 cup Cashewnuts
• 2 tbsp Ghee  
• Pinch of saffron

Directions:

1. Take a shallow pan and slightly fry cashewnut & raisins in ghee. 
2. Add cereal and saute for 2 min.
3. Pour milk, condensed milk and sugar. Then mix in saffron and cardamom powder. Stir till the milk boils.
4. Allow it to cool and refrigerate for 1 hour(minimum). If its too thick before serving, add more chilled milk & stir well.

I hope all the Keralites had a great Onam with the lovely celebrations and tasty Sadya :)    

 Wishing everybody a very HAPPY ONAM !!

Chicken Fingers

Chicken strips coated with herbed, cheesy & crispy mix. It goes perfect with tomato sauce, mayo,honey mustard dip etc. This is definitely a crunchy & tasty appetizer!!

Total Time....30 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 20 min)

Yield...............3 servings

Level..............Easy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Chicken strips
• 2 cups Crushed Corn flakes cereal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose Flour (Maida)
• 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp dried Thyme
• 1/2 tsp Basil leaves
• 1 tsp black Pepper powder
• 1/4 cup Milk
• 1 Egg white 
• 3 tbsp Butter
• Salt as required 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F. (about 190.56 degrees C)
2. Beat egg white with little water thoroughly and keep aside.
3. Make a mixture of crushed cornflakes, cheese & garlic powder. Keep aside.
4. Take a separate  bowl and mix flour, milk, herbs, pepper and salt.
5. Dip the chicken strips first into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture & then again into the flour mixture.
6. Finally coat evenly with corn flakes mix. Arrange on a baking pan and drizzle little butter.
7. Bake for 10 min. Turn the strips & bake for another 10 min.

Note: Same method can be used for preparing big chicken pieces. Increase the baking time to 50 to 55 min and serve hot with mashed potatoes :)

Tilapia Fish Curry

Tilapia pieces and green peas, cooked in a thick and spicy coconut gravy! It goes perfect with rice, paratha, roti etc.
.

Ingredients: 

• 3 Tilapia fish fillets
• 1 cup sliced Onion
• 1/2 cup Green Peas
• 1/2 cup Coconut milk 
• 1 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder
• 1 tsp Coriander powder
• 1 tsp Garam masala powder
• 3 tbsp Tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp Oil
• Salt as required 
  

Directions:

1. Clean the fish in water and lime juice(to reduce the smell) and marinate for 10 min with little red chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt.
2. Take a pan, pour oil & saute onion till golden brown. 
3. Make a paste of 1/2 cup cooled sauteed onion and add back to the pan with ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, coriander powder, remaining red chilly powder & fry for sometime.
4. Now add the peas and tomato sauce to it. Stir for some time.
5. Then add coconut milk and 1/4 cup water, mix it well and allow it to boil.
6. When it will starts boiling, add the marinated fish and cook with the lid closed for 3 min.
7. Then open the lid & cook so that the fish is cooked perfectly and a thick gravy will be formed. Serve hot!

Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry

Simple, healthy & colourful dish of stir fried veggies and chicken strips served over plain rice. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups Chicken strips
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
• 6 tbsp Seasoned Rice Vinegar
• 2 tbsp Cornstarch
• 4 tbsp oriental Sesame Oil
• 1/4 cup Asparagus
• 1/4 cup sliced Carrots
• 1/4 cup sliced Grean Beans
• 1/2 cup chopped Cauliflower
• 1/2 cup sliced Yellow squash
• 1/2 cup chopped Celery
• 1/4 cup chopped Onions
• 1/4 cup chopped Mushroom
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/4 cup Water
• 2 cups Cooked rice
• Sriracha hot Chilly sauce

Directions

1. Take a small bowl & mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken broth, cornstarch and water.
2. Stir fry vegetables in a skillet until soft.
3. Add chicken and sesame oil. Stir fry for 3 to 5 min.
4. Stir in sauce (1) and cook until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
5. Serve over rice & drizzle with soy sauce and chilly sauce.

Choco Vanilla Cookies

Ingredients for the Vanilla dough

• 1 1/4 cup sifted all purpose Flour
• 8 tbsp Butter
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• A pinch of Salt

Directions:

1. In an electric mixer beat butter and sugar. 
2. Add egg yolk and mix thoroughly.
3. Gradually add flour, salt and vanilla essence. Beat till a soft dough is formed. 
4. Cover in plastic wrap & refrigerate for half an hour. 
5. Unwrap and flatten using rolling pin to 1/2 inch thickness and in rectangular shape.

Ingredients for the Chocolate dough

• 1 1/4 cup sifted all purpose Flour
• 3 tbsp Cocoa powder
• 7 tbsp Butter
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 Egg 
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• A pinch of Salt 

 Directions:

1. In an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar. 
2. Mix thoroughly and add egg yolk. 
3. Gradually add flour, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla essence. Beat till a soft dough is formed. 
4. Cover in plastic wrap & refrigerate for half an hour. Unwrap and flatten using rolling pin to 1/2 inch thickness and in rectangular shape.
5. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Place the vanilla on top of chocolate.
6. Cut into half & place one half on top of the other so that the colours come alternatively.
7. Cut into 1/4 inch length wise strips. Place all strips one above the other so that the chocolate & vanilla comes alternatively.
8. Wrap the logs in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour. Unwrap, cut into squares and bake for 10 to 12 min.

Note: (Brush egg white in between the dough while arranging & press slightly to join)