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Before yesterdayPinch Of Swad

Set Dosa with Saagu


Dosa is a versatile dish. Set Dosa with Saagu dish is like a couple made in heaven. They complement each other just perfectly. Set dosa is very spongy and soft in texture and is also known as Aval Dosa or Poha Dosa. The batter you get and the method to cook/roast is just like how we make the pancakes. While Saagu is a mixture of vegetables cooked in a thick textured curry where a blend of some interesting spices come together. It is one yummy curry!


Set dosa is similar to mushti pola (another Konkani style dosas) which is very soft and fluffy and has grated coconut ingredient in it. At home, my mom made it once in a while, as everyone loved Plain Dosas. My husband loves this combo so much that I am forced to make it and I prefer to have it for dinner instead of breakfast. It fits perfectly in the dinner menu. Filling and Yumilicious!!


So let us take a look at the Set Dosa Recipe and Saagu Recipe as well.

Set Dosa
Ingredients:
  • 2 cups rice ( I use basmatiΒ because that is my staple rice)
  • 1 cup parboiled rice of any kind
  • 3/4 cup urad dal
  • 3/4 cup thinΒ pohaΒ (flattened rice)
  • 1 tsp methi seeds
  • salt as per taste
  • 1/2 - 1tsp sugar (optional)
  • oil for frying







Preparation:



Β 

  • Soak all the ingredients (preferably separately) except salt and sugar (duhh :)) for 6-8 hours or overnight. Drain the water and transfer to the blender.
  • Blend urad dal first by adding just enough water till it is immersed. Make a smooth paste and transfer it into a big bowl.
  • Then in 2 parts add rice and soaked poha, grind and transfer to the urad dal paste. Mix everything nicely.
  • Make the batter of pouring consistency not too thick nor running. Keep it in a warm place to ferment for good 8-12 hours.
  • Just before you are ready to make set dosas, add salt and sugar to the batter. Mix properly.Pre-heat a tawa till it's really hot, pour 2 ladles of batter (do not spread the batter like we do for plain dosas) and leave it to cook gradually over medium heat.Β 
  • Drizzle some oil along the edges and let it cook for 2 more minutes or till nicely roasted. You will notice bubbles formation on it(see pictures) just like pancakes.
  • Flip the set dosa over (this is optional) and let it cook further for less than a minute or so till it is slightly roasted.Β 
  • Serve hot with Coriander Chutney and Saagu or Sambar etc.


Saagu:
Ingredients:
  • 2-3 cups cubed mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, potatoes, capsicum)
  • 1 onion chopped roughly (or cubed)
  • few curry leaves
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 tbsp oil
  • chopped coriander leaves for garnish
For the wet masala:
  • 2 tbsp grated coconut
  • 2 inch piece of ginger
  • 1-2 tbsp coriander leaves
  • 3-4 green chillis
For the dry masala:
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1β€³ cinnamon stick
  • 2 cloves
  • 1 1/2 tbsps roasted channa dal

Preparation:
  • In a blender make a smooth paste by adding the ingredients under wet masala. Keep aside.
  • Then in aΒ coffee grinder(maybe), make theΒ powder using ingredients under dry masala.Β 
  • Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the onions and curry leaves and saute till transparent, just for a couple of minutes.
  • Add the mixed vegetables and combine well. Add salt and turmeric pwd and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Pour the wet ground masala paste, powdered dry spices masala and mix everything quickly. Add 1-1 1/2 cups of water, stir everything and pressure cook for 1 whistle, then simmer the gas and cook for 6-7 minutes. *
  • Switch off the gas, and wait for the steam to be released. Β Open the lid and your hot saagu is ready to be devoured.Β 
  • Garnish it with cilantro leaves and serve with set dosa, poori, roti etc.

Notes:* You can cook it in aΒ regular pan too. First, cook the vegetables till 3/4th done, then add all the masalas, water and cook till done.

Health Benefits:
Dosa is a great source of complete protein for vegetarians as it is made of rice batter and urad dal (black gram lentil) Dosa contains healthy carbs which provide our body with the energy needed to carry out different functions. It is a good option for people on a weight loss diet as well. Cutting out carbs from your diet can make you lethargic, low on energy and also lead to depression in some cases. Protein is another essential nutrient required by our body. It keeps us full for longer as it slowly releases energy and also helps make our hair, bones, and muscles stronger. Lentils used in the Dosa helps us with that. It is a low-calorie dish. Saagu is aΒ dish with healthy vegetables providing all adequate nutreints, minerals, and vitamins.

Saagu recipe adapted from Sailus Kitchen.

Irish Soda Bread

We are going through a history where the world is witnessing a pandemic episode of Covid-19.Β  As the world reels in the #StayAtHome concept lots of new ideas are popping up on internet to keep oneself busy and sane. One of them being Baking YES... Baking Breads, Cakes, Muffins, Brownies, Pastries is at its peak and is being enjoyed thoroughly across the globe as we silently fight against the Virus and pray that it dies down.


Irish Soda Bread



I venture into baking once in a while. This time it was so tempting for me to justΒ  not to ignore the call of baking a bread. But sigh!! I had to be patient as I did not have yeast in my pantry. Going to grocery stores at the drop of the hat is a big NO NO now, to add to it I kept forgetting to add that ingredient on my list of next home delivered order.

So I was left with no option but to look for something that used no Yeast. Something that was quick, simple and no fermentation recipe for my bread as I craved to make one!

And voila came across Irish Soda Bread in a 5 year old magazine which I was browsing while having my tea.
As befitting many of the bestΒ breadsΒ in the world – Irish Soda BreadΒ is a traditional Irish speciality- it was made with only the most basic of ingredients: flour, bakingΒ sodaΒ (used as a leavening agent instead of yeast), soured milk to moisten and activate theΒ soda, and salt.
Irish Soda bread remains an international favorite.Β Β Before baking, a cross was cut on the top with a knife, to ward off the devil and protect the household.Β 
Something about it, when you mark that X just before the bread goes in the oven, makes you smile and you know it will come out right :)





You are going to love it I promise.

Made this in like 50 mins [included baking time] and it was ready to be relished with your butter/jam/marmalade.....

Here goes the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cup +2 tbsp - all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tbsp regular rolled oats
  • 1/2 tsp baking pwd
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda ( preferably fresh)
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp cold u salted butter cut in small cubes
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp orange zest ( optional)
  • 1/2 cup nuts or dried currents or cranberry


Preparation:

  • Take all dry ingredients in 1 bowl and mix it with cold butter. Keep mixing the flour with butter till all cubes crumbles n become one with the flour ( you can flatten the butter with a spatula or use hands as you mix the butter with flour)
  • Then in another bowl take egg, honey, buttermilk and whisk till everything comes together. Add nuts, zest and give a stir.
  • Pour this mix into dry flour ingredients. Bring everything together with a spoon.
  • On a parchment paper transfer the dough n knead it gently (sprinkle flour on top if needed) should be soft and little sticky.
  • Give the dough any size you want like rectangle or round or square. Then with a knife make X sign on the loaf.
  • Bake it on 350F/180C for 40-45 min ... Let it cool down before u slice and enjoy this beautiful loaf of bread.
just out of the oven the beauties :)

njoY!! happY bakinG!!


Ragi Rotti (Finger Millet Pancakes)



Today I was in a great mood to have these yummilicious Ragi Rotti. Ragi rotti (in Karnataka) also known as Nachani chi Bhakri in Maharashtra: is a very staple and savory breakfast dish. Ragi(finger millet) is hailed as a very nutritious millet/grain with a naturally nutty flavor. Lots of recipes are churned out using this ancient grain and Rotti (flat bread) is one of them. Feel free to take a look at few more interesting recipes on my blog that use Ragi as the main ingredient. In the past few years Ragi has taken a permanent place in my pantry :)



Ragi Rotti is nothing but a finger millet pancake made with mixing ragi flour, hot water, onions, chilies and few other ingredients to make a semi-soft dough. It makes a power packed breakfast or meal for that matter. It is usually served with spicy chutney, yogurt and dollops of ghee/butter.
Most authentic way of making it is by patting a rotti on a banana leaf and then frying the rotti on both the sides on a griddle till it's cooked. The flavors are amazing. As banana leaves are not easily available in the USA, Β I use wax paper to roll it πŸ™‚ . Many a times I directly pat the rotti on the griddle/tava itself. I wouldn't recommend it for the beginners though.


Ragi digests slowly and hence keeps you full for a longer period of time, just like protein. That's the reason why it is very loved and common amongst hard working class of people like farmers, construction workers etc. Ragi Mudde is another such example. Ragi flour porridge is given to babies once they start on solid food. A very staple grain found in almost every household in India. I highly recommend to incorporate this grain in your lifestyle.


Let us take a look at this recipe of Ragi Rotti.

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup ragi flour (finger millet flour)
  • 3/4 cup hot water (approx)
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 green chili chopped
  • 1 inch ginger minced
  • couple sprigs of cilantro chopped
  • salt as per taste
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • oil to fry
  • 2 tbsp grated coconut (optional)*

Semi Soft Dough

Spread the ball of dough on a wax paper with your greased fingers,

Fry on both sides.
Preparation:
  • In a mixing bowl add all the ingredients except water.
  • Nicely mix everything with your hands or use a wooden ladle. Pour hot water slowly little by little as you keep mixing the mixture in circular motion. Keep doing it till you get a nice soft dough. Not too hard. Keep aside closed for 5-10 minutes.
  • Now heat a griddle/tava till smoking hot and then reduce the heat to med. Add 1 tsp of oil.
  • Take a square piece of wax paper to roll out rotti's. Take a portion of the dough about the size of a tennis ball and keep it on the wax paper. Grease your palms with oil and flatten it nicely using your fingers slowly and gently making a round rotti about 5 inch in diameter. (You can also use a rolling pin to make rotti).
  • If the edges are cracking, do not worry, just dip your finger with some water and gather it and seal the crack. Make some holes in between to make sure the oil gets absorbed uniformly well.
  • Lift the rotti along with the wax paper and invert it on the hot tava carefully and peel the wax paper out leaving the rotti on it.
  • Add oil or ghee gingerly around the rotti and over it. Cover with a lid and cook for couple of minutes. Flip the rotti and add more oil if you want and let it cook for another 2 minutes or till its done.
  • Take it out and serve hot with ghee/butter/yogurt/chutney etc.
njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Note:* Usually the ragi rotti turns out little on the crispier side.
If you want it more on the softer side then add coconut.
If you think that dough is too soft to make rottis, add a tsp (or more) of rice flour to make it semi-soft.
You can also add veggies in it to make it more nutritious like grated carrot, cucumber etc.

You may also like:

Ragi Mudde
Ragi Iddiyapam
Ragi Poori
Potato Stew



Health Benefits:Β 
Finger Millet(Ragi) is a power packed grain! It is high in protein and minerals. Helpful in controlling diabetes, keeps one younger for a long period(cross-linking of collagen), reduces bad cholesterol, also has anti-microbial properties and has been found to act against a number of bacteria including Bacillus cereus, which causes food poisoning, Salmonella sp., which causes a typhoid-like fever etc. Try and include this healthy food in your diet when you can.


Thank you for dropping by this post! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

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