Kothu Chicken

It is a Nagercoil special recipe of chicken and very tasty too.

Ingredients

• Chicken - 1.5 kg (Cut into 20 pieces)
• Chilly powder - 2tbsp (Kashmiri + Normal)
• Turmeric powder - 1/ 2tsp
• Coriander powder - 1.5 tbsp
• Fennel Powder - 1tbsp
• Ginger paste - 1tbsp
• Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
• Water -1.5 cup
• Green Chilly - 4
• Onion - 4
• Tomato - 3 

Preparation

1. Add chilly,turmeric,fennel,coriander powder, ginger paste,garlic paste and salt into  Chicken pieces.Mix well with water.Cover and cook.

2.When it is cooked,separate the chicken pieces from gravy. Debone the chicken pieces and set the shredded chicken aside.

3. Heat oil in a pan,add onion,green chily and curry leaf and saute till onion become golden brown. Add the shredded chicken to the pan and saute well.

4. Add tomatoes.when it becomes soft,add the reserved gravy into this.boil for 5 minutes add chopped coriander leaves.Switch off

Sardine Fry With Green Pepper / Mathi Fry

Sardines are rich in Vitamins and Minerals. It is also a natural source of  omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

Ingredients

• Sardines - 10 
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Green pepper corns - 2 tbsp
• Garlic - 4
• Curry Leaves

Preparation

1.Clean and wash the fish with salt.

2.Crush green pepper and garlic cloves.Mix turmeric and salt into this.

3.Rub this mix into the fish(especially in the slits)and keep it for 10 minutes.

4.Heat coconut oil in a pan, add some curry leaves and fry both sides of fish.

Note:To remove the smell of fried fish in house,heat a spoon of coffee bean in a pan or light a scented candle in the room.

Alleppey Fish Curry

Alleppey is a place in Kerala and it is a popular tourist destination because of the backwaters. This is a special fish curry with a blend of raw mangoes and coconut milk.

Ingredients

• Fish  – 1/2 kg
• Raw mango  – 1
• Pearl onions- 12 
• Ginger – 1 tbsp
• Green chilies – 2
• Curry leaves – 1 sprig
• Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
• Kashmiri chilli powder – 2 tsp
• Tomato – 1, sliced
• Coconut milk – 1.5 cups

Preparation

1.Heat coconut oil in a clay pot, splutter mustard seeds and add sliced onion, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves and a pinch of salt. Saute until lightly browned.

2.Add turmeric powder and chilly powder. Mix well and saute until their raw smell leaves. Add sliced tomato and cook for a minute.

3.Add coconut milk, enough salt and bring to a boil. Cook for a few minutes. Add the fish and mango pieces. Cook covered at medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Add  a tsp of coconut oil and a  few curry leaves. Switch off the flame. 

Chana / Chole Masala

Ingredients

• Chana/White Chickpeas - 1/2 cup
• Onion - 1 
• Red Chilli Powder - 1.5 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Garam masala  - 1 tsp
• Cinnamon - 1/2 inch piece
• Cloves - 2

To grind

• Tomatoes - 2
• Onion - 1 
• Ginger - 1 inch piece
• Garlic - 4 cloves
• Fennel Seeds - 1 tsp
• Pepper - 1/2 tsp

Preparation

1.Soak chickpeas for 8 hours.Pressure cook with enough water and salt until soft,Set aside.

2.In a pan heat oil; add onion, tomato, ginger, garlic and saute till mushy. Allow it to cool, then add fennel seeds and pepper corns along with this.Grind it to a fine paste

3.In a pan heat oil, add cinnamon,cloves and onion then fry till golden brown.

4.Add the tomato onion paste. Add the spice powders and mix well.Add chana along with the cooked water to this and cook in medium flame.Add required salt.

5.Once the gravy is thick and desired consistency is reached, Garnish with coriander leaves and switch off.

Capsicum Stir Fry / Mezhukkuperatty

It is a simple side dish you can have it with rice or chapathi.

Ingredients

• Capsicum (Sliced) - 3(any colour)
• Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp 
• Crushed Chilly - ½ tsp
• Curry leaves 
• Salt 

Preparation

1.Heat oil in a pan.

2.Add capsicum, crushed chilly, turmeric powder, curry leaves and salt.

3.Fry until it turns to light golden colour.

Tapioca / Kappa Cutlet

Ingredients

• Tapioca (Mashed) - 2
• Onion - 1
• Green chilly - 2
• Ginger - 1/2 " piece
• Egg - 1
• Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves
• Bread crumbs

Preparation

1.Peel and wash the tapioca and cut into small pieces. Then boil it with enough water.Once it is cooked well, drain the water.When it cools,mash it well.

2.Heat oil in a pan and add finely chopped onion, ginger, green chilly and curry leaves. Add garam masala and mix it well.Later add mashed tapioca and salt.Mix it thoroughly and switch off.

3.Apply some oil in your palms and make small balls from the mix.shape into cutlets and dip it in egg and roll in bread crumbs.

4.Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the cutlets.

Brinjal Fry

Ingredients

• Brinjal (big) - 2
• Chilli powder - 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt 

Preparation

1.Cut the brinjals in round thin shape.

2.In a wide vessel put the chilli , turmeric , salt  together and pour a little water to make a paste.

3.Add the slices into the paste and mix it thoroughly. Make sure the masala get in into each piece.

4.Keep a pan on the stove and pour a little oil and spread it. Put the brinjal slices onto the pan  and let it roast medium flame.Once it’s roasted flip it and roast the other side.

This can be used as a side dish for rice and chapathi. Very easy and with less ingredients.