Homemade Apple Jam

When there are abundant apple sitting in the fridge, I have no other option than making jam. I googled and searched for the recipe, as I have no experience in making jam at home. First I though it’s a tough job and need some extraordinary ingredients to prepare a jam ;-) But I was wrong. It’s really simple. After reading plenty of recipes, I started making it. I didn’t go through the ‘sterilizing canning jar’ part, which everybody was suggesting for storing the jam. Sterilizing the jar prevents the jam from bacteria/fungus, if they are going to be stored for long period of time. I just washed and dried the jar completely before transferring the jam. But if you are going to store the jam for more than one week, follow the sterilizing procedure. Here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

Apple – 4

Sugar – 2 ½ cups

Water – ½ cup

Lemon juice – 1tbsp

Method:

Wash the apples and peel off the skin.

Remove the seeds.

Cut into square chunks.

Add the apple chunks to a heavy bottom pan.

Pour the water and close the pan.

Let them boil for 10min in medium flame.

Check if the chunks become soft enough to mash it, by pressing it with a ladle.

If they are not ready, cook them for 10 more min.

Once they are ready, mash it completely.

Add 2 cups sugar and stir well.

Close the pan and cook for 30min in low to medium flame.

Stir the jam in frequent intervals.

Add the remaining ½ cup sugar and cook for another 10 min.

Cook till the jam comes to semi-solid consistency.

Remove the jam from the fire.

Let them sit for few min, till they reach the room temperature.

Now add the lemon juice and mix well.

Transfer them to a clean and sterilized jar and close the lid.

Let the jam sit in the room temperature for 3 hours, and then refrigerate.

Wait till the next day to use the jam :-)

Sweet and Fresh Strawberry Milkshake

A quick Strawberry Milkshake for a fresh morning Breakfast. Use sweet and fresh strawberries for perfect taste.

Ingredients:

Milk - 2cups

Strawberry – 12 medium sized
Sugar – 3tbsp
Chopped strawberries – 1tbsp

Method:

Wash the strawberries and remove the leaf.
Slit the berries into two halves.
Combine strawberries, milk, and sugar and blend until smooth.
Pour the shake into a juice jar, add some chopped strawberries and serve immediately.

Note: Adding ice cubes is optional. If adding, add them while blending.

          Instead of adding ice cubes, use cold milk.

 

 

Spicy Pudina, Kothamalli Thokku / Mint, Coriander Thokku

Pudina, Kothamalli Thokku, we can call it as ‘thogayal’ also. It’s a simple, aromatic, tasty, tangy, spicy side dish. Once prepared, refrigerate in an air tight container. They remain fresh for one to two weeks. Try it as a spread for bread.  I used to make sandwich with this thokku, where I use this thokku for one layer, some onion and tomato over it along with jam. It tastes yummy. Instant side dish for chapatti / roti, dosa, idly. Also goes well with hot, steamed, white rice, with a dollop of ghee. Use fresh mint and coriander for great aroma.

Ingredients:

Pudina / Mint – 1bunch
Kothamalli / Coriander – 1bunch
Onion chopped – 1 ½ tbsp
Ginger chopped – 1 tbsp
Garlic chopped – 1tbsp
Green chilli – 7 (adjust yourself as per your spice level)
Tamarind – gooseberry size
Urad dal – 1tbsp
Hing – a pinch
Oil – 1tbsp
Salt

Tempering:

Oil – ½ tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1tsp
Urad dal – 1tsp

Method:

Remove the leaves from mint and coriander.

Chop coarsely and wash.

Chop ginger, garlic, onion, into fine pieces.
Chop green chillies into two half.
Heat oil in a pan. Add urad dal, hing, ginger, garlic, chillies, onion, tamarind and fry.
Once the onions become soft, add the chopped coriander, salt and mint and sauté them in low flame.

Sauté till the raw mint smell goes. It will take around 2 to 3min.

Now remove the mixture from the fire and keep them aside to cool down.
Transfer the mixture to the blender and blend them to fine past without adding water. (If they look sticky just drop 2, 3drops of water)

Tempering:

Heat the oil in the same pan which is used to sauté the mixture.
Once the oil is ready, add mustard seeds, once they splutter add urad dal and give a quick fry (if you feel the thokku is less spicy, add one green chilli or red chilli to the tempering at this point)
Add the grinded thokku and sauté for few seconds till they get mix with the tempering.
Leave aside to cool down.
Transfer the thokku to an air tight container and refrigerate.