Kerala Fried Chciken

Overview
Spicy fried chicken  that can be prepared with few simple ingredients. Curry leaves fried with the chicken add s a very nice aroma to the chicken. Can be served as an appetizer with onion salad. There are many recipes for Kerala fried chicken this is one that my whole family likes.

Kerala Fried Chicken

Ingredients

Ingredients
One pound chicken skinned and cut into small pieces
One teaspoon ginger paste
One teaspoon garlic paste
Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
Cayenne powder - 1 teaspoon
Black pepper powder -  1 teaspoon
Curry eaves 3 sprig
Green chillies split at center - 4 or 5
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Steps
1. Mix all the spice powders with salt and ginger garlic paste and marinate for about 2 hours.
2. Heat oil in a pan to deep fry the chicken. When the oil gets hot  add few curry leaves and then the pieces of chicken. Fry on low flame so the chicken gets crispy and cooked inside. keep turning the chicken pieces so all sides are browned well.
3. In the same oil fry the green chillies.
5. Serve the fried chicken with the fried curry leaves and fried green chillies.

Blueberry Banana Bread

Overview
A simple delicious bread to make when you have overripe bananas. Blueberries adds a nice sweetness and texture to this moist bread. The whole loaf has just one egg and 3 tablespoon of oil so is low in fat. Serve this warm blueberry banana bread for breakfast or for tea.

Blueberry Banana Bread

Ingredients
2 cusp all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 large ripe bananas mashed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups blueberries

Steps
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease the loaf pan and keep aside.
2. Mash the ripe bananas
3. In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add egg and 3 tablespoons of oil and vanilla extract to it. Add the mashed banana and mix well. Fold in the blueberries with a spatula till all the blueberries and mixed well. Pour batter in the loaf pan.
4. Bake at 350 F for about 60 minutes till a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve warm.

Red Spinach Stir Fry (Chuvanna Cheera Thoran)

Overview
Red Spinach is found plenty in Kerala in addition to the green spinach and is very nutritious and tasty. This is a very simple stir fry with few ingredients and fresh grated coconut that can be served as a side for any rice or bread. Fresh grated coconut is a Kerala specialty which does adds a nice texture and flavor. This is the first time I got Red Spinach from Indian store so had to make this dish.

Red Spinach Stir Fry (Chuvanna Cheera Thoran)

Ingredients

Ingredients
Washed and finely chopped red spinach - 4 cups
One red onion finely chopped
Half cup freshly grated coconut
One tablespoon finely chopped garlic
Half teaspoon turmeric powder
Crushed red pepper 2 - 3 tablespoon
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs optional
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tablespoon

Steps
1. Wash the red spinach leaves several times in water and finely chop and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan. When the oil gets hot add the finely chopped red onions and garlic to it. Saute till the onions are light brown.
3. Add the turmeric powder and crushed red pepper to this and saute few minutes. Add curry leaves  and stir few minutes and then add the finely cut red spinach to this with salt. Mix well cover pan with lid and simmer till the spinach is cooked. Open lid and stir till all liquid is evaporated.
4. Add fresh grated coconut and mix well. Keep stirring till the coconut is well mixed with the spinach and all the liquid has evaporated. Turn off heat.

Serve hot with any rice or bread.