Veggie Upma

Ingredients:

Sooji-1 cup
Carrot-1
Califlower-a few florets
Green chilli-4
Onion-1
Curry leaves-a few
Ginger-1 small piece
Cloves-2
Cardomam-2
Cinnamon-a small piece
Mustard seeds-1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1/2 teaspoon
Salt-1 teaspoon
Oil or ghee-2 tablespoons

Method:

1. Wash and cut the vegetables into small pieces.
2. Heat the oil in a pan and add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, mustard seeds, cumin seeds.
3. Fry them for a few seconds and add carrot cubes, califlower florets, green chilli, curry leaves and onion.
4. Fry them on a medium flame and add 4 cups of water.
5. Boil the water and add salt.
6. Lower the flame and add sooji by continuously stirring to prevent the formation of lumps.
7. Cook it for 3-4 minutes and turn off the stove.
8. Serve the colourful upma on a plate along with your favourite chutney.

Ullipaya Pakodi (Onion Fritters)

Ingredients:

Gram flour or besan-1 cup
Rice flour-1 cup
Onions-2 large sized
Red chilli powder-1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-a pinch
Salt-1 teaspoon
Garam masala powdwer-1 teaspoon
Oil for deep fry



Method:

1. Wash and cut the onions into long and thin slices. Add the sieved gram flour and rice flour in a big bowl.
2. Add salt, garam masala, turmeric powder, chiili powder and two tablespoons of hot oil to the flour.
3. Mix all the ingredients into a batter by using a little water. Heat the oil in a frying pan on a medium flame and drop the batter into the oil using fore fingers.
4. Fry them until they turn brown and drain them on a paper towel.
5. Enjoy hot, hot pakodis with a cup of coffee on a rainy evening…