Jackfruit Chips/ Chakka Upperi

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   Jackfruits are one of the biggest blessing during humid summers in Kerala.  Loved as much as the mangoes we use this summer fruit in manifold ways to turnover scrummy dishes.  Believe me when I say this we really make use of every part.  The fruity flesh is enjoyed as is and turned into cooked sweet delicacies.  When raw we cook them fine adding chilies and coconut and make a savory side dish for rice or eat is with spicy fish curry or pickle.  Coming to the seeds it can be turned into unbelievable variety of dishes as well.  Paired with other vegetables or alone they make great dishes to be enjoyed with rice. 

  It makes me drool just writing about all the delicious stuff.  Without further ado today's recipe is the crispy fries made with the raw flesh of the jackfruit.  They are one of our favorites and while in Kerala I had a chance to make them with family.  It was a wonderful time both making and munching on them over tea and chitchat while the rain splashed away keeping pace with our own relentless chatter.  Simple pleasures of life.

  By the way, I did mean it when I said we use every part of the jackfruit.  The jagged outer husk is fed to the cattle.



Ingredients:

Raw Jackfruit(take only the edible white part)
Salt
Oil

Method:

1.Clean the raw chakkachula (edible white part)and slice it equally.Cut off both the top and bottom edges.
2.Bring the oil to smoking hot.
3.Throw in the pieces and fry till it is done. The time depends on the thickness of the pieces.
4.Add some salt water slowly into the pan ,be careful while doing so, since the oil will splutter around.If you are using a smaller pan you could cover it up, if not stay as far as you can :-)
5.Take out and spread on a paper towel and let cool before storing in an airtight container.



Here is the picture of some jackfruits from our yard ,back in Kerala.In fact when went they were almost over, though we were lucky enough to eat them in all forms.And I got to click the last remaining ones for you all :-)

Tandoori Chicken

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Thanks for all your wishes to Sunitha and me.Thanks for your understanding and continued support.

Today's dish is so popular that it doesn't need any introduction.My family just love this and we make it quite often.Usually I do not add any food color,rather I would add more Kashmiri chilli powder for the color.See you all with another delicacy, soon :-)



Ingredients:

Chicken Drumsticks- 6-7
Yogurt- 4-5 Tbsp
Ginger-Garlic Paste- 1 Tbsp
Lemon Juice- 1 tsp
Pepper powder- 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder- 1/2 Tbsp
Kashmiri chilli powder-1 Tbsp
Garam Masala- 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder- 1 Tbsp
Turmeric- a pinch
Red food color (optional)- a few drops
Salt- To taste
Oil- 1 Tbsp



Method:

1.Clean the drumsticks and remove all the water by placing them on paper towels.
2.Prepare the marinade by mixing together all the ingredients except the oil, listed.If you have time it would be great if you could take out all the water from yogurt by letting it hang in a muslin cloth for some time.
3.Make some incisions on the drumsticks and apply the marinade on each of them.
4.Finally sprinkle the oil on top and cover it, keep in the refrigerator for overnight or at least 8 hours.
5.Preheat the oven at 450 degree F.Place an Aluminum foil on a baking tray. (this would help reduce the mess).Place the drumsticks a few inches apart and spray with some oil.
6.Bake for about 30 minutes ,turning the sides in between.
7.If your oven has broil option keep it at 500 degree F, broil for 10 minutes,again turning the sides in between.If you are not broiling, keep it at 450 for another 10-12 minutes or until it is done.
8.If you have a grill, keep it on high until the chicken is done.This takes about 20-25 minutes.

Contributor: Namitha

Carrot Halwa

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I thought I will start with a sweet note to say hi to all of you. God, how much I missed you all and your yummy delights. India was wonderful with rains and lots of food.Still we are unpacking and settling back to normalcy.Kids are sick and we may not be able to upload everyday for some more days. Sunitha is shifting to a new place this weekend and she needs some time to settle in. I wish her all the very best in the new place and hope she will find out some new friends soon.



Ingredients;

Grated carrot- 2 1/2 cup
Milk- 2 Cups
Sugar- 1/3 cup or to your taste
Ghee/Clarified butter- 1/4 cup
Cardamom- 1/2 tsp
Nuts- for garnishing



Method:

1.Boil the milk in a pot till it gets reduced to 1/3rd of its quantity.Stir in between while doing this.
2.Heat a non sticky pan and add the ghee, throw in the grated carrot into this and saute for a few minutes on low heat.Keep stirring for a few minutes, until the carrot is cooked. This takes around 7-8 minutes.
3.Pour the evaporated milk over this and cook ,keeping the lid on for a few minutes.
4.Add the sugar and mix well.Continue to cook for some more minutes, or until tall the water content is evaporated.
5.Sprinkle the cardamom powder and mix well.
6.Take this in a serving plate and garnish with slivered almonds or any nuts and raisins.



We are happy to send this to Nivedita's event "celebrate sweets- Halwa "
Thanks for hosting such a cool event Nivedita :-)

Contributor: Namitha