Safna's Cook Book

Methi Dal Curry is a healthy combination of dal and methi.As we all know, toor dal(thuvaraparippu)  helps to regularise bowel movements and methi helps to control diabetes.In North Indian style, this curry is made without using coconut because they rarely use coconut in their cuisines.As i am from South India,i cannot even think of making it without using coconut.Dal with Drumstick leaves(muringa) is a traditional curry that i love & make.I tried this curry in kerala style and it came out well.Very simple easy to make recipe.Serve hot with rice or parathas. Ingredients Toor Dal                                       -  1/4 cup Chopped Fenugreek leaves        -   1/2 cup  Shallot                                         -  6 no Grated coconut                            - 1/4 cup Green chillies                               - 2 Turmeric powder                          -1/4 tsp Cumin seeds                                - 1 tsp Red chilly powder                        

Liver Fry is my mom's speciality.Whenever i go home, this dish is always on top of my list.In my hometown, it is a important food to have  after post delivery diet.Liver is a superfood with many important nutrients.You can adjust your spiciness according to your need.Here i am using mutton liver but you can also try with chicken.It is a spicy,delicious simple recipe that you can try. Ingredients Liver                           -  500g Shallot                        - 1 cup Ginger- garlic paste    - 2 heaped tbsp Jeera  powder             - 1/2 tsp Garam Masala             -  2 tsp Coriander powder        - 2 tbsp Chilli powder                 - 2 tsp Turmeric powder           - 1 tsp Pepper powder              - 1 tsp Ghee                              - 8 tbsp Salt                                - to taste Curry leaves Preparation Combine 1/2 cup of water with liver and all spice powders,shallot,ginger garlic pa

Prawns Masala is one of my favourite recipes.This one i learned from my mother-in-law.she cooks really well and here is her recipe.This is the modified version by adding more spice powders.My husband wants me to prepare exactly like how she prepares  but i cannot give 100% perfection.Nobody needs any expertise in cooking prawns. Whatever you do the authentic  flavour of prawns will give a special taste to that dish.This one ,a spicy & tasty dish that goes along with hot steamed rice,chapati.I love it & everyone should try it out. Ingredients Prawns                             - 250 gms Ginger & garlic                 - 1 tbsp each,crushed Green chilli                       - 1 Chili powder                     - 1/2 – 1 tbsp Pepper powder                -  1/2 tbsp Turmeric powder              - 1/2 tsp Coriander powder            -1/2 tbsp  Garam masala                  - 1/2 – 1 tsp Tiny coconut pieces         - 1/4 cup  Shallots(sliced thinly)        

Dal Fry is a popular north indian recipe.It is moderately spiced with a combination of masoor dal and yellow moong dal.Dal fry tastes best when it is served with jeera rice.Quick and easy to make.

Paneer Mutter Masala is my daughter's  favourite recipe of all time.I started loving this recipe since i moved to Mumbai.Paneer mutter is a classic north indian punjabi recipe.It is a combination of peas and paneer,whatever be the style of preparation.   A masala paste sauted in butter is further perked up with spice powders, tangy tomato, milk, cream and other ingredients to form a rich gravy that holds the star ingredients – mutter and paneer. Paneer Mutter Masala is an ideal accompaniment for rotis and rice too. Ingredients Boiled green peas                              -3/4 cup   Paneer                                                -2 1/2 cups   Butter                                                 -2 tbsp   Chilli powder                                     -1 tsp   Cumin seeds(jeera)powder                -1/2 tsp   Garam masala                                    -1/2 tsp   Dried fenugreek leaves                      -1 tsp   Fresh tomato puree          

 I love to make easy chicken cutlet because this is one of my favorite snacks. Nobody could ever resist when offered a plate of hot cutlets with tea.Serve them with tomato ketchup or chutney.

Alissa Alissa , a wholesome wheat and meat porridge.This thick porridge is made with wheat from which bran is removed along with meat or chicken. The dish is garnished with thinly sliced shallots, raisins and cashews fried in ghee. It is one of the dishes served as a starter before ghee rice or biryani at north Kerala Muslim weddings.Alissa is quite similar to harisa, a recipe preserved over centuries by the people of middle east.A more elaborate version called Haleem is popular in north india.The base is same for all 3 recipes(wheat and meat),but slight variation in method and ingredients.

Unnakkaya is a good snack item prepared mainly in Malabar.It is a delicious sweet snack made mainly during Ramzan and in other occasions too.Main ingredients are banana and coconut.Both kids and adults will love it.Try this recipe at home. Ingredients Banana (ripe but do not over)   -   1 kg Egg                                            -   6 nos Coconut grated                          -   6  tbsp Sugar                                          -  6  tbsp Cardamom crushed                    -  4 Cashew nut powdered                -  4 tbsp Raisins chopped                         -  4 tbsp Ghee                                           -  2 tsp Oil                                              - for frying Preparation Boil the banana, peel off the skin and mash well and keep aside. Heat ghee in frying pan and stir-fry cashew nut and raisins. Add eggs,sugar,coconut and cardamom  and stir well.The filling is ready. Remove from the stove and allow it to cool. A