Idli Upma

Ingredients:
Idli              -  4 nos.
Onion          - 1 cup finely chopped
Green chilli - 1 finely chopped
Ginger         - 1 inch piece finely chopped
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Chili Powder       -   1 tsp.
Mustard                 -1 tsp.
Bengal gram         - 3/4 tsp.
Urad dal                - 3/4 tsp.
Hing                      - a pinch

Curry leaves          - few sprigs

Oil - 1 1/2 tbsp.

Salt as required

Method:

1. Crumble the idlis with your fingers or even better use a fork.(easy if the idlli is cold).
2. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add bengal gram, urad dal, hing and curry leaves.
3. When dal turns golden brown, add the chopped onions, green chilies, ginger, turmeric and chili powders, salt and saute till onions turns transparent.Then add the crumbled idli and mix well. Taste and see if more salt is needed.
4. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

Sweet and Sour Mango Chutney

Ingredients:
Raw mango         –       2 Nos.(peel and cut in 1 inch sized cubes)
Black pepper       –       12 pods, crushed
Cinnamon stick   –       ½ inch
Sugar                   –       100 gms.
Turmeric power   –      ½ tsp.
Red chili powder –       1 tsp.
Fennel seeds        –       1 tsp.,crushed
Salt                      –        1 tsp.
Oil                       –         2 tbsp.

Method:

1. Heat oil in a kadai  and add the crushed black pepper and cinnamon stick and saute for 2 mins.
2. Add the cubed mangoes in the kadai and incorporate it well and leave it for new 5 min on medium heat.
3. Add the turmeric,chili powder and salt and mix well for a minute or two.
4. When the mangoes turn a bit soft add the sugar and mix well until it dissolves. Add little water if required.
5. Cook for another 10 mins. and add the crushed fennel and remove from flame.
6. Allow to cool and store in a air tight jar in refrigerator (keeps good for a month). Serve with any kind of breads.

Chicken Tikka

Yum

Ingredients
boneless chicken (cut in small cubes)    -        1 kg.
green capsicum(cubed)                          -        1
button mushrooms                                 -        10 to 12   
Onion(cubed)                                        -        1
 Tomato(cubed)                                     -           1 
     
Marinade

ginger garlic paste          -        1 tbsp.  
chilly powder                 -       2 tsp. 
coriander powder           -       1 tsp.   
 turmeric powder            -      1/2 tsp.
pepper powder(optional)     -       1/2 tsp.    
 garam masala                -       1/2 tsp.   
cumin powder                -      1/3 tsp.     
cilantro                           -       4 -5 sprigs
lemon juice of half a lemon
curd                                -     1 cup   
red food color                 -       1/2 tsp. 
 oil                                  -     3 tbsp.
salt to taste

Method

1. Mix together all the ingredients listed under marinade in a bowl to make a thick paste.
2. Add the chicken and the vegetables to this and mix well.
3. Marinate it overnight in refrigerator or for atleast 2 to 3 hrs.
4. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F
5. Arrange the  chicken and the vegetables alternately as desired on the skewers and place them on a baking tray and cook for 15 minutes on each side.
6. Remove from oven and serve.

Notes:

• If using bamboo skewers soak them in water overnight to prevent burning.

Chicken Salad With Mayonnaise Dressing

Yum

Ingredients:
500 gm. (2-3 cups)      -   cooked chicken meat, coarsely chopped
1/2                               -   red bell pepper, seeded & chopped
5 nos.                           -   green olives, pitted 
5 nos.                           -   toasted almonds,sliced(optional)
1/4 cup                        -    red onion,chopped
1 no.                            -    apple, chopped


Dressing:
5 Tbsp.                         -   mayonnaise
1/2 Tbsp.                      -   honey
2 tsp.                            -  fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste


Method:

1. Toss the salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
2.  Prepare the chicken salad dressing in a separate smaller bowl. Mix together the mayonnaise,honey and lemon juice. 
3. The salad dressing should not be too sweet nor too sour. Add more honey or lemon juice until you have reached the balance you want. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Gently stir the dressing in with the chicken salad ingredients. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.