Shevai-Rice Semia/Idiyappam

If there is a favorite breakfast for me after puttu,it has got to be shevai.I got introduced to this delicious breakfast after marriage.At my place,we make idiyappam which is almost similar to this,but the procedures and taste differ a lot.I fell in love with it the moment I had it first.The best part about this shevai is,it can be had with any curry or just plain..drizzle a drop of coconut oil,mix and eat,as simple as that!!Even though the process might appear difficult,when you devour it after all the hard work you feel it was all worth it!!

Whenever we go to my in-laws place,amma makes sure she makes it for breakfast the day we reach.In fact my father-in-law teases me saying that if there's shevai on the table I don't need anything else coz I'll eat it for lunch and dinner as well;-).I had not ventured into making this,of course mainly coz of the hard work involved,but also due to the fact that I feared that if I made it and it flopped..well!!Last year,when we had gone to Mangalore to attend a cousin's wedding,we got a shevai danthe(the shevai press).I have been a part of shevai making process with amma,so I had a vague idea as to how to go about it.I feared asking her for instructions coz if it flopped,she would feel bad and so would I.

I made the batter,made the shevai dough,steamed it and it was ready to be put into the press.Hubby willingly pressed the danthe for me while I collected the shevai from beneath.When he pressed it,my heart was literally in my mouth..!!When I saw perfectly looking shevai coming out of it..I almost jumped with joy..!!Hubby was wondering how these things could make me so happy..if only he understood!!I have been making shevai proudly ever since,but if given a choice,me and hubby would definitely prefer amma's shevai.I think she makes the best shevai I have ever eaten..love you ma,for all the hard work,just for whetting our palettes..!!


Shevai/Idiyappam

Ingredients

Boiled rice/matta ari - 2 cups
Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tbsp

Method

Soak the rice for 4-5 hours.
Grind with grated coconut to a smooth paste,add enough water.
Add salt to taste.
In a thick bottomed kadai add the oil and twist a little so that the oil is spread all over.
Pour the batter and keep stirring till the batter resembles a paste,stiff enough to be shaped into balls(this method is called alavche,in Konkani).
When the dough becomes a little cool to touch,shape balls in oval shape.
In a steamer or an idli cooker(called pedavan),steam the balls for 30-45 minutes till well cooked.
Keep the steamer closed and take out the balls one by one,closing after each turn.(if the balls become cold,it becomes extremely difficult to press through the mould)
Put the balls into the danthe and press it,while collecting the shevai from underneath.(use a small plate to do this)


Collect the shevai in a plate layered with a wet muslin cloth,transfer to a container once its cold.
Serve with vaagu/batata song or have it plain with coconut oil and a drop of pickle!!

I am sending this to RCI-Konkani hosted by Deepa of Recipes N More!!

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Spicy Egg roast~Mutta roast

There are vegetarians..there are non-vegetarians..and then there are those who choose the middle path.I do not claim myself to be a vegetarian even though I do not eat meat or meat products.I do not eat egg also but I do eat stuff in which egg is added,like cakes and brownies.I know so many people who eat egg and say they are pure vegetarians.Now,I am not going to find fault with either of the food group.My hubby is a pucca non-vegetarian and he enjoys his seafood among other stuff.He hates it when people vie for vegetarianism and say that non-vegetarians are harming animals and stuff like that.In fact,when we got married,the first thing he told me was that he would never force me to have non-veg and I shouldn't force him to be a veg,fair deal.I had some relatives asking me how I am gonna live with a "pure non-veg";-),they sure are not counted among endangered species,are they;-)?

I did my schooling in a convent school and being around with friends who ate non-veg,I was quite comfortable when we dined out with friends out of whom I was the lone vegetarian.Just like vegetarians who seem to find fault with non-vegetarians,it does happen vice versa too.I have had people asking me how I will get enough proteins and nutrients if I don't eat eggs and meat..!!Some friends have mocked me saying I am eating tasteless pizza and burger since its vegetarian..!!

Mutta roast was one of the dishes which tempted me very badly during one such dining outs.I just couldn't resist the aroma coming out of this dish and the way my hubby was eating it with puttu..oh boy!He suggested that I avoid the egg and eat the gravy.I was actually waiting for him to say that and dug into the curry.It was so tasty that I didn't touch my veggie gravy that day and finished up my share of puttu with the egg roast sans the egg!!It is truly amazing and to this date whenever I prepare it,I avoid making a veg gravy for me..!!Yummy!!


Spicy egg roast ~ mutta roast

Ingredients

Eggs - 4
Onions - 3 big,chopped lengthwise
Tomato - 1 big,chopped lengthwise
Coconut oil - 2-3 tbsp
Salt to taste

For the masala

Red chilly powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp

Method

Hard boil the eggs,peel and keep aside.
In a thick bottomed kadai,add the oil and fry the onions.
Onions should turn light brown,simmer and let it caramelize.(this may take upto 10 minutes,at the end of which the onions would have become half the quantity)
Add the tomatoes and mix well.
Make a paste of the ingredients required for the masala adding a little water.
Add the masala to the onions-tomato,add salt to taste and mix well.
Add 1/4 cup of water and let it boil.
Cover and cook for a minute.
Make small slits on the eggs and add to the masala.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with puttu or idiyappam!!

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Happy Ganesh Chathurthi

Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha Festival is a day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in Sanskrit.Tamil,Kannada and Telugu and Chavath in Konkani. It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar of Bhaadrapaada starting on the shukla chathurthi(fourth day of the waxing moon period).The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi. This festival is observed in the lunar month of bhadrapada shukla paksha chathurthi madhyahana vyapini purvaviddha.

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. (Source-Google)

Wishing all of you a very happy Vinayaka chathurthi.May Lord Ganesha bestow his blessings on all of us!!

I share a love-hate relationship with our favorite God's naivedyam-Modak.I never seem to get it right,either the rice flour dough won't hold its shape or the filling doesn't stay in place!!I've tried and tried so many times..but in vain.Almost every time I end up making these pathalis/ela ada in place of modak.Even though the recipe and procedure is similar for both,modak is what is offered to Ganesha on Chavath.This year too I ended up making modak packets(thats what I called them!) for dear Ganesha!!I hope He doesn't mind;-).

Pathali/Ela ada/Modak packets

Ingredients

Rice flour - 1 cup
Hot water - 1-1 1/2 cups
Salt-a pinch

For the filling

Grated coconut - 1 cup
Grated jaggery - 1 cup
Powdered cardamom - 1 tsp

Method

Mix the flour and hot water(start with 1 cup water) with a spoon and wait till it cools down bit.
Knead into a smooth dough,adding more water if required.
Mix the ingredients for the filling.
Using a foil,spread the dough into a round shape and keep a tbsp of filling inside.
Seal the sides so that the filling stays in place.
Steam in a steamer or idli cooker for 10-15 minutes.
I kept the pathalis in an idli stand.
You could also use banana leaves in place of foil,which will give the adas a nice aroma.
Enjoy the pathalis...but not before you offer some to Lord Ganesha!!

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