Lauki Halwa / Ghiya Halwa

I am making Lauki halwa after year.  The first time I tried to make it years back it was a disaster.  I never attempted it after that. A month back I had it at one of my cousin’s house and got inspired to try it once again. This time I tried it my way without going through internet recipes or books.  The end product was fabulous.  I never thought my kid would eat it, so the quantity I made was less just for hubby and me, but we both did not get it to taste. 

 

As typical mother I was supper happy with the feeling that my kids ate Lauki ( i.e the YAKKY lauki became YUMMY lauki).  

 

Ingredient

 

Ghiya/ Lauki/ bottle gourd - around 400gms

Condense milk – 200gm

Khoya  - 50gm

Ghee – 3tbsp

Cardamom powder – ½ tsp

Green edible color – 1 drop

Pishato

 

Method

 

1.  Peel the outer skin of the Lauki. Then grate it.

2.  Heat a heavy bottom pan and add ghee.

3.  To this add the grated lauki. Cover and cook it for 10 min.

4.  To this add the condensed milk and keep cooking in low flame till the mixture become thick.

5.  Now add color, cardamom and mashed khoya, mix well.

6.  Cover with a lid and cook for 1 more min.

7.  Lauki halwa is ready to serve.

 
 

Kerala Beef Fry

Beef fry is a Kerala special.  Every house has its own special way of cooking it.  This is our family recipe which I learnt from my mother.  It is another of our family favorites and is a must for any party.  The garam masala for this recipe is always home made.

Those who eat beef can try this.

Ingredient

Beef – 1 kg

Onion – 2 finely cut
Ginger – 1tsp finely cut
Garlic – 1tsp finely cut
Curry leaves – 10 to 15
Coriander powder – 3 tsp
Red chilli powder – 2 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1tsp
Garam masala – 1tsp (homemade)
Coconut pieces – ½ cut (  thengakothu in malayalam)

For the seasoning

Shallots (sambar onion)- 20 (cut lengthwise)

Curry leaves - 10
Mustard seeds – 1tsp
Black pepper powder – 2 tsp
Oil – 2 tbsp

Method

1.  Clean the beef in running water and remove excess water
2.  In a pressure cooker mix beef, onion, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and coconut pieces.
3.  Mix it thoroughly with hand.
4.  Cover and cook in pressure. After the first whistle, slow the flame and cook for 10min. 
5.  Switch off the heat and let the pressure go off automatically. 

For the seasoning

6.  Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan.
7.  Now add the mustard seed. When it crackles, add shallots and curry leaves.
8.  Fry till the onion is brown.
9.  Now add the cooked beef and let is cook on high flame till it becomes dry ( all the excess water evaporates), lower the flame.
10.  Now add the black pepper powder and mix well.
11.  Let it fry for 2 more minutes.
            

Garam Masala for Kerala Beef Curry

 

 

Ingredient

Cardamom – 10

Star Aniseed – 2 (optional)
Clove – 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick – 2 sticks of 2inch
Cumin – 2tbsp
Black Cardamom – 2
 

Method

1.      Grind all the ingredient together to a course powder.

2.      Store it in an airtight container.