Crazy with Avacados

Thanks to my maami(aunt),this is an amazing fruit i got used to after coming here.Filled with mono unsaturated fat which lowers cholesterol and antioxidants,it is so healthy.Other than using in salads,thanks to my friend sowmya i tried thugaiyal and it was a good accompaniment to have with rice.
One day,i made idli and intended to make some chutney.When i saw inside the refridgerator all i had was 2 avacados and 2 carrots.I just wanted to make the carrot chutney but there was not enough.I half heartedly added the avacado to the chutney and Hurray...the chutney was so good and an instant hit.This is a great side dish for idli,dosa,dhokla,rice....This is a healthy food you can make instead of the coconut chutney.It can be used as a dip too.

Ingredients:
1 ripe avacado
2 carrots chopped or grated
1/2 of a medium sized onion
1/2 tsp mustard(kaduhu)
1 tsp of black and bengal gram dhal
(udaicha ulutham paruppu and kadalai paruppu)
3-4 dry red chillies(milahai vatral)
1 1/2 tsp salt

Heat a tablespoon of oil,add mustard,dhals,chillies and asafoetida in the same order after the mustard crackles.When the dhals slightly change their colors,add the onion and carrots.Saute until the carrots' color start to change.Remove from fire and let it cool for 3-4 minutes.In the meanwhile remove the outer skin and the pit of avacado.When the carrots are cool,grind them along with the avacado with the salt.If u want a thick dip,have it as it is.Or add 1/4 cup of water.Enjoy!
This is my second entry to WBB.

idli with avacado chutney and milahai podi

Almond ,date cake with honeyed raisins and walnuts

I wanted to try an eggless cake with spices and nuts and i read in a vegan site that both flaxseeds and bananas can be substituted for eggs.Two ripe bananas were in my refridgerator for the past one week and i was thinking of baking.I really was in the mood for baking and here is my Almond,date cake with honeyed raisins and walnuts.I added some cinnamon and nutmeg to give a woody flavor.

After 15 minutes of work and 25 minutes for baking,the outcome was quite pleasing and satisfying.The cake was good,moist and springy.It is a good thing to have as during a lazy weekend morning with a cup of coffee or remove the edge part,cut two slices,sandwich them with whipped cream mixed with sliced strawberries,pour some on the top as well and u have got a wonderful dessert.......

Here is the recipe,
2 ripe bananas,
1 tbsp baking soda,
1/2 tsp baking powder,
1 cup oil,(u can use melted butter too)
1/2 cup milk,
1 cup of sugar,
1.5 cups of all purpose flour,
1/4 cup of powdered almonds(i used trader joe's almond meal)
1/4 cup chopped dates
and
1/4 cup of raisins and walnuts
( soaked in 1/2 cup of honey for 15 minutes)

1 tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg each(u can use allspice powder too)

I whisked the bananas into a smooth paste,added the almond powder,baking soda and powder.Beat it until fluffy,add the oil,sugar and then the flour.Blend them well using the whisk.Then add the milk if its is tight.(It was tight for me).Beat until the mixture blends well and becomes flowy.

the mixture

Spread the chopped dates and pour the mixture in the greased cake pan,pour the honeyed mixture on top carefully.
Preheat oven to 350F.Bake for 25-30 minutes until the inserted fork comes clean.

fresh out of the oven

the cake

I am submitting this as my entry to WBB#12 Spice It Up.

Jack fruit seed kulambu

I simply love jackfruits...the very sight of that fruit makes me happier.I have the beautiful memories of having jackfruit with honey and jaggery with my amma(mom) and paati(grand ma) in the olungai at our home back in srivilliputtur.Olungai is the pathway that connects the hall and the backyard.When the jackfruit season is over,we used to eat the roasted and steamed palaakkottai(jackfruit seed) seasoned with salt and chilli powder.It was a delicious and filling snack.My Paati loves jackfruit too.But she used to say she had left it in kaasi(varanasi-a holy city in northern india).Some people say that if someone can leave three things they love so much in kaasi(they should never touch them again),they are strong enough and good things will happen to aid their strong will.
Well,coming to the point,palaakottai kulambu is one thing i love.The seed is not sweet like the fruit and it has its own unique taste which combined with the tamarind and seasonings give a good flavor.I really wanted to participate in JFI-jackfruit and i did try to find a jackfruit.Wherever i find the word grocery i marched right inside and asked about jackfruit.I even tried the produce market and the fruit has been sold out.Maybe i didnt try enough.
Anyhow,I patted myself with a "better luck next time" and determined to post an article.Here it is ....without a photo.
Here is the palaaakottai kulambu recipe,
Take 9-10 jackfruit seeds,slightly roast them.Boil one and half cups of light tamarind water along with sambhar powder,the jackfruit seeds,salt,turmeric and asafoetida.After 5 minutes of boiling,remove from fire.
Thiruppumaruvathu/thaalipathu are the prevailing words for seasoning in tamil.
Well for thiruppumaara/thaalikka,take mustard seeds,bengal gram ,black gram seeds,a pinch of fenugreek seeds,asafoetida,4-5 dry chillies and curry leaves.
Heat oil and add the ingredients in order and put them in the kulambu.Boil for a minute.
Here is the palaakottai kulambu.