How to Caramelize Sugar

Caramelize Sugar

Ingredients

Sugar -1 cup
Water -1/4 cup
Lemon juice - 1 drop (optional)

The water will slow down the whole cooking process That's good.This will prevent the sugar from scorching.

The lemon juice will also  prevent the mixture from hardening.

Preparation

Add 1 cup of  sugar , quarter (1/4) cup of water and a drop of lemon juice to a heavy clean sauce pan (stainless steel is preferred) on a low to medium heat.

Stir only a few times until the sugar dissolves in the water.The mixture will turn to a clear liquid at this point.

If you keep stiring after this point,the mixture will start to crystalize and you have to start again.

When the sugar reaches a uniform light golder colour,take if off the heat immediately and use or pour it in to another cold cup.Otherwise it will continue to cook and burn.

NOTE: If you think it’s close to being done but are scared of burning it, you can take it off the heat and it will finish due to the residual heat.

Cheera thoran/Spinach stir - fry

Ingredients

1.Cheera - 3 cups

2.Grated cocunut - 1 cup

3.Kunjulli/Shallots - 1/2 cup

4.Green chilies -4

5.Garlic -1 piece crushed

6.Cumin powder -a pinch

7.Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp

8.Dry red chilies -3 

9.Salt -as required

10.Curry leaves-as required

11.Oil -3 tsp

Preparation

1.Chop the Cheera /Spinach very well.

2.Crush grated coconut,shallots,green chilies,garlic, turmeric powder and cumin powder
3.Add the above mixture to the chopped cheera and mix well with hands

4.Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds .Add curry leaves,small onions  and red chilies

5.Add the cheera and stir well .Cover the lid and cook in a low-medium flame.

6.When its done,open the lid and saute for a couple of minutes or till it is dry and done.

Bitter gourd stir-fry /Pavakka Thoran

Ingredients

1.Onion-1

2.Bitter gourd - 2  or 250gm

3.Coconut-  1/2 of one coconut
4.Green chillies-5

5.Shallots/Kunjulli -1/2 cup
6.Coconut oil-3 tsp

7.Mustard seeds-as required
8.Curry leaves-as required
9.Salt-as required 

10.Dry red chilies-4

11.Garlic-1 pod

Preparation

1.Cut the bitter gourd in to small pieces, mix with salt and keep aside

2.Crush together grated coconut,small onions and green chilies
3.Add the above ingredients to the bitter gourd and mix well with hand
4.Heat Oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds, add red chilies and curry leaves

5.Add the bitter gourd and cook in a low-medium flame. Keep it covered

6.Add 1 piece crushed garlic and enough salt.

7.Open the lid and saute the bitter gourd for few more minutes

8.Serve with rice

Semiya Payasam

Cup Cake

Pineapple Pachadi/Madhura curry

Burfi