Airaawat

“Airaawat” is a very tasty chutney and this is not to be confused with the white elephant of Indra ! 

During the recent Ganesh festival celebrations at our ancestral home in Katapady (Udupi district), as usual, I was going around to see what new dishes the cook is churning out this time. He drew my attention to “Airaawat” which was in the process of completion. This was something new to me but looked simple and good. He rattled off the ingredients and the method. I mentally made a note of it. He also told me that there are different versions to this recipe.

So naturally, after the “pooja” and the “aarti” as we all sat for the sumptuous lunch prasad, I was looking forward to this new item to be served. As soon as it was served, I quickly had a taste of it. I loved it! It was a perfect blend of three tastes – sweet, sour and spicy and the crunchiness of the chopped ingredients (ginger, chilies and coriander leaves) leave a wonderful taste in the mouth. Try it out and see it for yourself.

Ingredients

For grinding
Grated Coconut	1/2 cup
Dry red chilies	3-4
Tamarind	1 lemon (small) size ball
Jaggery powder	About 4-5 tsps
Salt	As per taste
For tempering
Oil	1-2 tsps
Mustard seeds	1 tsp
Curry leaves	1 sprig
For Garnishing
Finely chopped coriander leaves	1 small bunch
Finely chopped green chilies	1
Finely chopped fresh ginger	1 inch piece

Method:

1. First grind all the ingredients mentioned under “for grinding” into a fine paste adding very little water. Transfer it into a bowl.
2. Next heat a tempering pan and oil and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds starts spluttering and the curry leaves. Give it stir and pour the contents into the bowl contiaining the ground paste.
3. Finaly add all the chopped ingredients mentioned under “For Garnish” into the bowl and mix well.
4. Airaawat is now ready to be served.

                                     

Preparation time : 25 mins

Cooking time : about 3-4 mins

Serves : 3-4 persons

Note:

• This can be eaten with idli or dosa or even as an accompaniment to rice and daal or curd rice.
• During the festival, I had this with "Khotto" (Idli made in jackfruit leaves). 
• The chopped items for garnish should be mixed just before serving to preserve the crunchiness of ginger, green chilies and coriander leaves. 

Grilled Veg Sandwiches

For me, Sandwiches means, picnics, outings or short travels. During our recent train journey (for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival) I made these grilled sandwiches in a Sandwich toaster and they tasted wonderful. It's a meal by itself.

I am sure everybody will agree with me that there is no comparison to a healthy home-cooked food especially during overnight journeys. I have tried carrying different items for the journey but found that these grilled sandwiches to be most suitable as they are devoid of any mess or spilling as they are sealed from all sides - thus making the journey more comfortable. Even during the long drives on weekends with my daughter and son-in-law, I make it a point to make these sandwiches whenever possible. Everyone loves them as they can be eaten without much paraphernalia of plates, spoons etc. 

Ingredients:

Bread slices	8
Butter	As required
For the Stuffing:
Mixed Vegetables chopped	A handful of each vegetable
Onion (chopped)	1 medium
Garlic (chopped)	5-6
Ginger (chopped)	1 inch piece
Tomatoes (chopped)	2 medium
Turmeric powder	1/2 tsp
Chilly powder	3/4 tsp or as desired
Garam masala	1 tsp
Coriander leaves chopped	For garnish
oil	2 tbsp
Salt	As per taste

Method:

For the stuffing:

1. Steam or cook the chopped mixed vegetables in a steamer or pressure cooker. And keep them aside.
2. Next heat oil in a pan/wok. Add garlic and ginger. Saute it for a while and then add chopped onions.
3. When onions turn translucent, add the chopped tomatoes. Saute it for a while till the tomatoes are cooked. Then add turmeric powder, chilly powder and the garam masala. Give it a good stir.
4. Now add the steamed/cooked mixed vegetables, salt and a little water if necessary and mix it well.
5. Let it cook for about 5mins on a low heat so that the masalas and salt are absorbed by the vegetables.
6. Remove from flame and garnish it with chopped coriander leaves. Mix well and keep it aside without covering.

For preparing the grilled sandwiches

1. Take each bread slice and thinly apply butter on either side of the slice and stack it on one side and keep it ready.
2. In the meantime, heat the Sandwich toaster and when it almost reaches the desired temperature, open the lid and fill evenly 4 slices of bread with the stuffing and place it on the grilled platform of the sandwich toaster.
3. On top of each filled slice, place another slice to cover the filling and close the lid of the toaster.
4. After 1-2 minutes, open the lid.
5. Your 4 grilled sandwiches are ready to be served with coriander and mint chutney or tomato sauce.

 

 

 

 

Preparation time : 20 mins

Cooking time : 25 mins

Makes: 8 triangular grilled sandwiches

Note:

1. I used unsalted butter and whole wheat bread. You may use any butter or bread of your choice. When served hot, it's nice and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
2. You can prepare any curry of your choice for the stuffing but take care to see that the curry is dry or else your sandwiches will turn soggy.
3. And applying butter on either side of the bread slice also prevents the sandwiches from getting soggy.
4. Ideal for picnics, short journeys, lunch box and tea-time snacks.