Jackfruit Payasam (Chakka Pradhaman)

Chakka Pradhaman is a traditional payasam (pudding) of  Kerela made with chakka varatti (Jack fruit jam). I made it with fresh jack fruit pieces as I don't have chakka varatti here. I didn't have much hope on it till I tasted it. But it was beyond my expectations. Its really yummy & also can be made with less effort & time. Here comes the special recipe for Tamil New year & Vishu...

Chakka Pradhaman Recipe

Preparation time : 10 mins | Cooking time : 20 mins | Serves : 3
Category : Dessert | Cuisine : Kerela

Ingredients:


Jack fruit pieces (Riped) - 12
Jaggery - 1/2 cup
Thick coconut milk - 3/4 cup
Ghee - 4 tsp
Coconut bits(thin sliced small pieces) - 2 tbsp
Cashew nuts - few
Raisins - few
Cardamom powder -1/4 tsp


Method:

1. Pressure cook jack fruit adding water just to get immersed for 2 to 3 whistles. Allow it to cool.

2. Drain the water & grind it to a smooth paste. Set aside.

3. Prepare 3/4 cup of coconut milk.

3. In a pan heat a tsp of ghee & fry the raisins, cashews, coconut pieces & set aside.

4. In the same pan, add the powdered/broken jaggery with 1/4 cup of water. Let it dissolve completely. Once it got dissolved, filter it to remove impurities. Heat it again until it bubbles (No need to check the string consistency).

5. Add the jack fruit paste to it & mix well to get coated well with the jaggery syrup. Let it become thick.

6. Add 3 tsp of ghee. Then add the coconut milk & give a quick stir. Switch off the stove when its about to boil. If you allow it to boil for a long time after adding coconut milk, it will curdle.

7. Now add the Cardamom powder, fried cashews, raisins & the coconut pieces & give a stir.

Serve it warm or cold.

Bread Paneer Cutlet

Unsure what to do with your leftover bread that's going to expire soon? You can make best use of it making this Bread Paneer Cutlet. It is a healthy & an easy to make evening snack. It can also be served as an appetizer or starter for parties. Also be used as patties & sandwiched between Burgers, an attractive way to make the kids eat:) The preparation method is almost the same as Veg cutlet except for the bread & paneer added to it. It can be shallow or deep fried. I shallow fried it to be on the healthier side. Here comes the recipe..

Bread Paneer Cutlet Recipe

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 15 mins | Makes : 10-12
Recipe Category : Snack | Recipe Cuisine : Indian

Ingredients:

Bread (White/brown) - 4 slices
Potatoes - 2 (Boiled & mashed)
Paneer (Shredded) - 3 tbsp
Onion (Medium) - 1/2 (finely chopped)
Capsicum - 1/4 (finely chopped)
Cilantro - few (finely chopped)
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Kashmiri/Red chill powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder - 1/4 tsp
Chaat masala - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Corn flour - 1 tbsp
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Salt as needed

Method:

1. Cut the sides of the bread & crumble the slices as small as possible.

2. Boil the potatoes. Mash it well & add to the bread crumbles. Add the chopped onions.

3. Shred the Paneer & add it followed by the chopped Capsicum & ginger garlic paste.

 4. In a small bowl mix the turmeric, garam masala, chaat masala & red chilli powders & add it to the mixture. Then add the corn flour, chopped cilantro & salt to it.

 
 5. Now combine everything well to form a dough. Don't add water to it as the moisture in onion & potato itself is enough to form the dough. It should be non sticky. Grease your hands with oil & make round shapes & flatten it thick.  Or you can make heart shaped  cutlets if you wish.

6. Add oil in a pan & shallow/deep fry till the cutlets turn golden brown. Flip the sides for shallow frying till both sides turn brown.

7. Serve it hot with tomato ketchup/hot chilli sauce.

Points to be noted:

• You can even add carrots & peas to it if you wish. 
• If you dont have Paneer just skip it.
• Never add water while making the dough.
• If your chilli powder is too hot, just add 1/4 tsp.