Vendakka Mezhukkupuratti

Fresh Vendakka Mezhukkupuratti

Kerala Vegetable Recipe - Vendakka Mezhukkupuratti
Another quick vegetable recipe for time starved folks. This time I'm sharing the popular Vendakka Mezhukkupatti ( Vendakka in Malayalam, Vendakkai in Tamil,  Bhindi in Hindi and Ladies finger in English). Mezhukkuparatti in English is stir fry.

Mezhukkupuartti is a typical Kerala dish prepared with vegetables. It takes minimum time, effort and use of other ingredients. We have all kinds of Mezhukkupuartti.

Vendakka Mezhukkupuartti can be prepared under 10 min. I frequently make this dish as everyone likes Ladies Finger.

How to make Vendakka Mezhukkupuartti?
All you need is to chop it into medium size pieces as you see in this pic. Then season oil with mustard, onions, chilly, curry leaves.

Suitable for single men or those who are trying their first hand at preparing veg dishes. Try this at home.

Handy Tip While Preparing Ladies Finger: 

1. Wash Ladies finger before cutting. That means do not wash after cutting
2. Do not add water as it cooks. It can make it slimy.
3. Don't fry onion too long. It shouldn't get darker for that would make the dish get a charred effect.

xoxo,

Marina

P.S: Recently a colleague ( Bachelor) called me asking about Mezhukkupuratti. After doing it, he called back to say he never knew it was this simple. 

Blue Trevally Baked ( Vatta Fish)

Fresh Glittering Vatta from Bangalore

                                            

Baking underway 

                                                          

Marinated Blue Trevally

                                                              
It was a pleasant surprise on this Saturday to get fresh Vatta from Sargar fish stall at Domlur in Bangalore. One kg of Vatta (Blue Trevally) was priced Rs 160, roughly $4. I bought 3 medium size Blue Trevally.

Got the fish cleaned. Despite their cleaning, I cleaned inside-out with water and then cleaned it rock salt and lemon syrup to take off any fish-odor.

Since starting Sardine grill, I'm on a grilling spree. These days I use less time to grill fish in my OTG. Earlier I used used to take 30 min to bake, Now I cut short the grilling time by turning on both coils in the OTG. Wow, now I get the grilled fish in around 10-12 min.

This time, I marinated the fish with

Chilly powder
Turmeric powder
Pepper powder
Salt.

I kept the marrinated fish for 30 min before grilling it.

In just 10 min I got well grilled vatta for lunch. Today I had cabbage thoran, dal curry to make it a grand luncheon. The fish was extremely fresh, sometime I wonder the miracle of today's transportation or storage.

It was just perfect addition to our lunch when you want to come something up fishy, quick and great served on a bed of boiled rice.

Your's with fishy delight!

Marina

Dosa Unseen View

Plain Dosa Inside View

Dosa Store at Indira Nagar
Ever wonder the inside view of a roasted Ghee Dosa? If not, see to believe it. Looks like  the view inside a big rolling white wave.

Last weekend we had brunch at Sri Andal Mess at Tipasanda, Inidra Nagar, Bangalore. We had planned to go to adjacent Madurai Idly shop, but it was too crowded. Many came to Madurai Idly shop were having idlies sitting at the step. :)

At Sri Andal Mess, items was asked from the menu was over. So we settled for dosa and button idlies. It's our first time at this dosa shop. I liked the taste of sambar and the chutney. The Ghee dosa was thin, with less oil. I do not like the oil dipped dosa from the Santhi Sagar kind of veg restaurants.

Another thing I love about his place is the simple table and comfortable chairs. Every restaurant has some edge and I feel this restaurant score points on seating.

Your's through Dosa!

Marina

Beetroot

Just couldn't help capturing the picture of fresh beetroot from my pan. This quick veg dish is ideal for bachelors starved of time and those who don't like to spend too much time in the kitchen.

Here the one of the easiest way to prepare beetroot. All it takes is the time to chop these into small cubes and then toss into the pan with bit of oil. Here's how

Sardine Baked

Sardine Grill

Sardines loaded with Omega fats
Did you know these little fish known as Sardines ( Matti or Chala in malayalam) are the top source of Omega-3 fats and vitamin D? Yes, Indian oil Sardines is best way to get a shot of Omega 3 fats.

My hubby is a big fan of this little species of fish. Almost every day we buy Sardines. It comes around Rs 50/- for a kilo.

Usually we make Mathi Curry (Sardines curry) or fry it. For a change, today we baked it in our OTG. Surprisingly we like the grilled taste of sardines. Earlier when I tried grilling, the grilled fish came out bone dry. This time I kept the Sardines in aluminium foil. Bingo, it came well in just 10 min.

If you're a Sardine fan, then you can try grilling for a change. It will cut down oil in your system and you'll have great taste intact.

Well, you can try out different masala, herbs, spices to get a different taste.If you've any suggestion on new recipe, pls share it.

Marina.

P.S. I give sardine fish curry along with office lunch packs. I'm located close to Lourdes Church, Cambridge layout, Ulsoor, Bangalore.

Read more about Sardine cleaning tips