MOLAKOOTAL/PORICHA KOOTU...A SIMPLE KERALA IYER SPECIAL

Molakootal/Porichakootu is originally a typical kerala iyer dish which is very simple and is a delight to your taste buds.We mostly prefer molakootal during sundays at home and will love it.

This dish can be made with most of the vegetables.

U can name like white pumpkin(alone )or with potato,chayote squash or chow chow,along with vegetables like carrot and long string beans(payar)not much in lil amounts and with cabbage.

Spinach or keerai(green) which is an all time favourite for my better half.

The basic procedure is very simple and  there are two varients in it which i came to know recently after marriage because my inlaws side they prepare in different way.

Ingredients

Vegetables(of ur choice)-boiled 1 cup(i have used chayote squash here)

Toor dhal-1/2cup

Coconut-1/4cup

Dry red chillies-5 nos or less (acc to your spice)

Jeera-3tbsp

Urud dhal-1tsp

mustard-1 tbsp

curry leaves -1 twig

Method

Variant 1

Boil veggies with turmeric and salt.If using vegetables like white pumpkin use very little water as they itself produce water..

Roast coconut,dry red chillies,2 tbsp jeera ,little urud dhal and let it cool down,once they cools down grind very nicely...then add this to the boiled vegetables and let it boil for 2min,once they boil add mashed toor dhal.

Variant 2

Boil the veggies with lil sambar powder ,turmeric and salt. 

Grind coconut and jeera(no need to roast it),then add mashed toor dhal.

Seasoning

Add little oil,make tadka with mustard ,jeera and curry leaves.

PANEER BUTTER MASALA

Paneer is all time favourite in my home. We all love to have it, ofcourse you can make various dishes with this ingredient as it merges with anything.Paneer butter masala has  got a royal position in between dishes..

Paneer butter masala goes well with any rice and indian bread...

Ingredients

Tomatoes -3

Onion-2

Paneer-1 pack(i used nanak)

Cashew paste/Badam paste-3-4tbsp

Bay leaves-2

Cloves-4

Ginger and garlic paste -2tbsp

Red chilli powder-1-2 tsp(acc to ur spice)

Turmeric pow-1tsp

Dania powder-2tsp

fenugreek powder-less than a pinch

Garam masala-1.5tsp

Tandoori masala/a pinch of red colour(optional)

Ghee-1tbsp

Butter-3 tbsp

Cream-3tbsp or milk-1tbsp

Corriander leaves-few

Salt to taste

Method :

1. Peel the skin of onions and cut into cubes and blanch it in hot boiling water  for few mins,once they cools ,puree them.
   
2. Cut tomatoes into cubes and similarly blanch it in  hot boiling water  and peel the skin and puree them too.
3. Cut the paneer into cubes and heat a pan with  ghee and fry the paneer cubes nicely and immerse them in hot water with little turmeric and salt.Remove them and put it in a tissue paper fo 15 minutes.
4. Heat 2 tbsp of butter in the pan add bay leaves ,cloves and the onion paste and fry them till light brown.
5. Add ginger garlic paste,saute it for few min,add the chilli powder then the  cashew paste(i used badam paste as i didnt have cashew)for 5 minutes.
6. Add tomato puree,fenugreek powder(be cautious while putting this,more make it bitter)/kasuri methi,dania powder/corriander powder,turmeric powder,garam masala and salt.
7. Keep it sim for few minutes.
8. Add paneer cubes and add lil water mixed with red colour or tandoori masala and let it sit for some time in low flame,until desired consistency is reached.
9. Once it forms a gravy switch off the flame ,add remaining 1 tbsp butter and very little milk(or fresh cream).
10. Garnish with corriander leaves.
11. Yummy!!! Paneer Butter Masala is ready....enjoy.