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Tuesday 29 April 2014

Instant Mango Pickle .... Kitchen Basics


When mango is in season, this ‘Instant mango pickle’ will appear more in our kitchen. My hubby likes fresh mango pickle, so as soon as mango season start i prepare this pickle specially for him. 


Ingredients for Instant Mango Pickle :

Raw Mango - 1no
Red chilli powder - 1tsp
Salt as per required

To temper
Sesame oil - 1tbsp
Mustard - 1/4tsp
Red chilli(optional) -2
Asafoetida - 2pinch

To prepare Instant Mango Pickle :

1. Chop the cleaned mango in small and place in a mixing bowl add  red chilli powder, salt and mix well.
2. In a pan/ kadai, heat oil and temper with the items given under ‘To temper’ in order . Switch off the stove and add to the mango pickle mixture.

Tips / Notes:

·        I din’t add tempering, but its nice to add to the pickle.
·        Adding asafoetida both while tempering and mixing give nice flavor.
·        Adjust the spice and salt according to the tanginess of the mango.
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Sunday 27 April 2014

Simple Omlet / Instant Omlet


This is one of my daughter 's favorite food and it is so easy to make too. Before going to school she confirms to make me omlet for dinner.


Ingredients to make 3 simple omlet :

3 Eggs
3 pinch Red chilli powder
3 pinch Salt
3tbsp oil

To prepare each Omlet :

1. Break a egg in the glass. Add a pinch of salt and Red chilli powder and gently whisk them with a fork. Just enough to merge the whites and yolks together. Don't over do this whisking.
2. Add a tablespoons of olive oil to the frying pan then pour the egg mixture. Cook till the egg is done and turn the omlet to the other side. Then cook it for 30 seconds and serve hot with ketchup or mayonnaise or even serve it as a side dish for lunch/dinner.. kids will love it. 
3. Repeat the same steps for remaining two omlets.


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Friday 25 April 2014

Broad Beans/ Chikkudukaya / chapparada avare kayi-stir-fry


Quick to make and good to eat with roti/chapati or Rice and sambar.
This is a tasty vegetable dish and it is full of good nutrients too



Ingredients for Broad Beans-stir-fry:

500g Broad Beans/ Chikkudukaya / chapparada avare kayi (washed and choped)
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/2tsp cumin seeds
2 dry red chillis
1 stem curry leaves
1tsp ginger garlic paste
1tsp bengal gram dal/channa dal/senaga pappu
2- tomatoes finely chopped
1/2tsp Red chilly powder
1tsp Dhaniya powder/ Coriander powder
pinch turmeric pwd
Coriander to garnish
salt to taste

To prepare Broad Beans-stir-fry:

1. Heat olive oil in kadai, add the mustard seeds. After the mustard splutters add the cumin seeds, dry red chillies, channa dal, once the dal turns red, add ginger  garlic paste, curry leaves and sauté for a minute.
2. Add the Broad Beans and sauté till 80% cooked then add tomatoes and sauté for 2 to 3 minute.
3. Add salt, Coriander pwd, Red chilly pwd, turmeric pwd and sauté for 2 to 3 minute. Garnish with coriander leaves and remove from heat.
4. Serve hot with roti/chapati or Rice and sambar.

Tips / Notes:

·        U can omit ginger garlic paste even then stir fry taste yummy

·        U can add Onion before adding the Broad Beans this will give light different taste and flavor too 
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Tuesday 22 April 2014

Simple Chicken Pakoda


A deliciously and satisfying Indian starter, which is perfect when served with a variety of sauces. These chicken pakodas are quick and easy to make and taste fantastic.


Ingredients for Chiken Pakoda :

1/2kg skinless chicken (cut into small pieces)
1 Egg
1tsp Pepper flakes
1tsp Corn powder
Salt as per taste
oil for deep-fry

To prepare Chiken Pakoda :

1. Mix all the ingredients except oil and keep it aside for 15/30min
2. Deep fry the chicken in the hot oil till golden brown or till chicken gets tender.
3. Simple chicken pakoda is ready. Serve hot as a starter or as a side dish or simply with Chai.
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Mango Dal Andhra Recipe


Since I stayed in Andhra for more than 10 years, my day-to-day recipes closely resembles the Andhra cuisine. We know that this mango dal is also an andhra dish. I wished to prepare it. Loved the combo of the tangy mango and toor dal which gives an unique taste for this dal.



Ingredients for Mango Dal :

Raw Mango - 1 no, 1 cup when chopped
Toor Dal - 1 cup
Green chilli - 6 no

For seasoning :
Olive oil - 3 tsp
Asafoetida - a big pinch
Mustard seeds - 1/2tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2tsp
Dry red chillis 2no slit into two
Garlic - 3 nos, chopped
Curry leaves -1 strings
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - to taste

To prepare Mango Dal:

1. Wash and soak Toor Dal for 30 minutes.
2. Pressure cook soaked Toor Dal, green chills and Mango together for 3-4 whistles or till the toor dal becomes soft. Wait till the steam from pressure cooker subsides.
3. open the lid and mash the dal well to this add turmeric and salt mix well.
4. Meanwhile in another pan put olive oil, asafoetida, cumin seeds and mustard seeds, when mustard seeds starts spluttering, add red chilli, garlic and fry till garlic turns to golden color then add curry leaf, after 30sec Turn the flame off and pour this seasoning to the mashed dal.

Tips / Notes:

·        Make sure to chop the mangoes into big chunks in case if you are pressure cooking it along with toor dal
·        My toor dal normally gets cooked well in 6 whistles after soaking it for 30 minutes and hence I mixed both toor dal and mango together to make the job easier. If not, cook dal and mango separately and add it together to make this dal. Add seasoning after mixing both cooked mango and toor dal.
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Sunday 20 April 2014

Easy Lemon Iced Tea


Iced lemon tea is easy and refreshing beverage to sip on a sunny afternoon.



Ingredients:

Water: 2 cups
Tea Powder: 2 tsp
Sugar: 4 tbsp or as required
Lemon : 2 tbsp
Ice Cubes 

To prepare this Lemon Iced Tea :

1. In a sauce pan, bring water to boil. 
2. Add the tea powder and sugar and let it boil for 3 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and strain the water through the strainer into a bowl.
4. Then add lemon juice to it and mix well.
5. Let it cool down and keep it in the fridge.
6. After remove from the fridge. Pour the tea into glasses and add a few ice cubes and serve.
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Rooh Afza Lemon Sharbat or Indian Rose Lemonade Recipe


Rooh Afza Lemon Sharbat is easy and refreshing beverage to sip on a sunny afternoon.




Ingredients:

3 cups cool Water
4 tbsp Rooh Afza / Rose Syrup
3 tbsp Lemon Juice
2 to 3 tbsp Sugar (optional)
Lemon Slices for garnish

To prepare this Rooh Afza Lemon Sharbat :

1. In a bowl, add 3 cups of cold water.
2. Add lemon juice, sugar and rose syrup.
3. Mix everything well.
4. Adjust the sugar as per your taste.
5. Add Lemon Slices and serve chilled.







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Saturday 19 April 2014

Palak (Spinach)-stir-fry


Quick to make and good to eat is the perfect caption for Palak Ki Subzi! This is a tasty vegetable dish and it is full of good nutrients too



Ingredients:

2 big bunches fresh spinach leaves (choped and washed thoroughly)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 dry red chillis
1tsp bengal gram dal/channa dal/senaga pappu
1tsp split black gram dal/urad dal/minappapu
1- onion finely chopped
2 green chillis, slit
pinch turmeric pwd
5-6 garlic flakes, 10-12 curry leaves
Dhaniya powder 1tsp
salt to taste

To prepare Palak-stir-fry:

1. Heat olive oil, add the mustard seeds and once they splutter, add the cumin seeds, channa dal and urad dal, once the dal turns red, add the garlic flakes, red chillis, green chillis and curry leaves and saute for half a minute.
2. Add the onions and saute till transparent, approx 4-5 mts.
3. Add the chopped spinach leaves once the spinach cooked for 80% add salt, dhaniya and cook for 2 more min. Turn off the stove.
Serve hot with rice or Chapati.
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Ragi Dosa


Ragi is rich in calcium, protein, iron and is also a good source of fiber.
Its also good for diabetic patients and also for the people suffering from high cholesterol.


Ingredients for Ragi Dosa :

Ragi Flour - 1 cup
Urad dal - 3/4 cup
Dosa Rice - 1 cup
Fenugreek/ Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Few drops of Oil for greasing

To prepare Ragi Dosa :

1. Wash and Soak Urad dal, Fenugreek seeds and Dosa Rice separately for atleast 4 hours and make a smooth batter by grinding it in a blender.
2. Once done mix the ragi flour to the dosa batter till no lumps are formed. 
3. Allow it to ferment for 6hrs or overnight.
4. Add salt and mix the batter thoroughly.
5. Heat the griddle and pour the dosa batter on and spread it. pour some oil put the lid on and let it cook for some time. then flip the dosa and cook in other side too without lid and serve this hot healthy dosa your favourite chutney.

Tips / Notes:
·        Ragi  Dosa tastes great when made very thin and served hot.
·        You can also prepare this with left over dosa batter, by adding ragi flour to it and call it instant Ragi Dosa.
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Home made Coriander powder / Dhania Powder .... Kitchen Basics


Home made coriander powder / Spice powder have a longer shelf life and also remain fresh. there is no additive or preservative added and they really bring out the flavors & aroma in the food.





Ingredients for Coriander powder or Dhania powder :

Coriander seeds - 1/4 kg

To prepare for Coriander powder or Dhania powder :

1. Pick the Coriander seeds to get rid of stones and impurities.
2. Dry in the sun for 1-2 days. The other method is roast the coriander seeds in a pan till they become fragrant, crisp and browned. Do not burn them then bring to room temperature.
3. Make fine powder of the coriander seeds using mixer.
4. Store coriander powder in an airtight container in a dry and cool place.
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Sunnundalu with Jaggery


Sunnundalu or Minapasunni is a very healthy sweet. One small size ball every morning will give a great relief to the lower back pain problem. Minapappu or black gram has lot of iron in it adding jaggery which is also has lot of iron content in it. This will help in increasing haemoglobin levels in the blood and also helps in making bones strong. This is one of the confinement food.(given to delivered ladies after  11/2 to 2 month).

My most favourite and easiest sweet also. There are different ways to make it. We can use black gram with skin or without skin and also we can make them with sugar or with jaggery. Laddu made with jaggery are more healthier than made with sugar. Lot of ghee also adds taste to it.


Ingredients for Sunnundalu :

Black Gram Dal - 1 cup (with skin)
Jaggery - 1 cup
Ghee/Clarified Butter - 1/2 cup


To prepare Sunnundalu :

1. Grate or cut the jaggery.
2. Roast black gram dal in the low flame, till gets the aroma of it.
3. Switch off the flame and let it cool for 10 mins. When cooled grind the black gram into powder. Make the powder neither too fine nor too coarse. It should be in between them.
4. Make Jaggery syrup by adding required amount of water. Mix jaggery syrup and blak gram powder.
5. Melt the ghee and add it to the above mixture. Make laddus of desired size. For each laddu wet the hand with ghee and make them, so that making laddus will be easy.  Keep them in an air tight container and serve them morning and evening.

Tips / Notes:

·        If we use black gram dal with skin, it gives a dark colour to laddus, but they are really healthy. 
·        We can make these laddus with plain black gram dal and sugar as we did it now. when u use sugar make it powder and to make laddu use melted Ghee. 
·        We can make the sugar and black gram dal powder mix without adding ghee and keep it for further use also.
·        Whenever plan to make laddus just add melted ghee and make them.
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Ragi Sunnundalu ( Finger Millet Jaggery Balls)


Ragi is rich in calcium, protein, iron and is also a good source of fiber. It is said to be good for diabetic patients also.


Ingredients for Ragi Sunnundalu :


Finger Millet Flour (Ragi Flour) : 1 cup
Grated Jaggery : 1 cup
Melted Ghee : 1/2 cup

To prepare Ragi Sunnundalu :

1. Grate or cut the jaggery.
2. Dry roast Ragi flour in low flame, till gets the aroma of it.
3. Switch off the flame and let it cool for 10 mins.
4. Make Jaggery syrup by adding required amount of water. Mix jaggery syrup and Ragi flour.
5. Melt the ghee and add it to the above mixture. Make laddus of desired size. For each laddu wet the hand with ghee and make them, so that making laddus will be easy.  Keep them in an air tight container and serve them.

Tips / Notes:

  • We can make these laddus with Ragi flour and sugar as we did it now. When we use sugar make it powder and to make laddu use melted Ghee.
  • We can mix the sugar and Ragi flour without adding ghee and keep it for further use also.
  • When ever plan to make laddus just add melted ghee and make them.
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Home made Sambar Powder / Belesaar Pudi / Udiriso Pudi .... Kitchen Basics


Sambar powder is one of the flavorful ingredient to make Sambar, a popular south Indian lentil based gravy. Each home has their own signature recipe for the sambar pwd. 

Here, I share my mom’s version, which we usually prepare at our home. My mom makes the absolutely best and  mouth-watering sambar!  Typical ingredients of this sambar pwd includes roasted lentils, coriander seeds, dried whole red chillies and other aromatic spices.


Ingredients for Sambar Powder / Belesaar Pudi / Udiriso Pudi:

1/4kg coriander seeds/dhania/dhaniyalu
1/4kg Guntur dried red chillies/lal mirchi/endu mirapakayalu
1/4kg Byadige dried red chillies/lal mirchi/endu mirapakayalu
1/4kg cumin seeds/jeera/jeelakara
100gm mustard seeds/rai/avalu
100gm fenugreek seeds/methi/menthulu
50gm pepper corns/kali mirch/miriyalu
150gm bengal gram dal/channa dal/senaga pappu
100gm split black gram dal/urad dal/minappapu
2tsp turmeric pwd/haldi/pasupu
1 tsp asafoetida/hing/inguva
1 bunch Fresh curry leaves/kadi patta/karivepaaku

To prepare this powder :

1. In a fry pan Dry roast all the above mentioned ingredients separately ( you can adjust red chillies according to your spice level ) except turmeric powder 
2. Make sure that all the ingredients are nicely cooked in a very slow flame, to ensure, just fold the red chilli and it should break in to pieces in no time. If all the ingredients are cooked good they can be powdered easily.
3. Switch off the flame and let all ingredients cool for 10 mins
4. Grind them in to a fine powder.

Tips / Notes:

·        You may sieve it before storing if preferred (unless you are using a heavy duty mixer).
·        Store in an airtight glass jar.
·        Use as required. As with most condiments, use only DRY spoons to increase the shelf life.
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Homemade Ghee / clarified Butter / Neyyi .... Kitchen Basics


Myself used to make Ghee in India using Cream of milk after boiling. I used to store them for 15 days in a glass jar and sharp on day 16 used to make Ghee. The smell while making ghee was so strong that it used to reach our neighbors downstairs.
Today am happy that I am making some fresh Ghee for my daughters though its not from homemade butter - I feel satisfied that they are farm fresh and with the same taste and smell. Most of all Indian Desserts / Sweets use Ghee as one major ingredient that enhances the taste and flavor.


Ingredients for Homemade Ghee :

Butter (unsalted - Farm fresh / Homemade / Store brought)
Salt - a pinch
Betel leaves -2 (optional)
Garlic cloves - 10 (optional)

To prepare Homemade Ghee :

1. Heat a pan, set the temperature to medium low and add the required amount of butter you need to the pan(Its better to have the butter in room temperature)
2. When the butter melts we will see white foam starting to form. This means it will start to boil in some time. Keep stirring continuously to avoid burning.
3. When the butter starts to boil the foam slowly starts to disappear and froth starts forming.
4. Keep stirring in the medium low flame and we can see that the butter changes its color to light brown and we can see the bottom of the pot through it.
5. Before switching off the stove add garlic cloves and Switch off and let it sit to cool down to room temperature. If you want to add betel leaves, this would be the time. We can see the sediments settled down.
6. Takeout garlic cloves and betel leaves,  take a tea strainer strain the Ghee. to this add garlic cloves, betel leaves and a pinch of salt and stir well(salt is added in order to form the granules in ghee).
7. Fresh Homemade Ghee is ready to use. The Ghee gets set to semi solid state after some time.

Tips / Notes:


  • The time taken to prepare ghee differs from the amount of butter we taken, the more the quantity the higher the time
  • Salt is used to give the grainy structure for the ghee. Don't use more than a pinch per litre of ghee.
  • Adding garlic and betel leave enhance the flavor and taste of the Ghee.
  • Do not fasten the process. Cooking ghee is a slow process. Ghee requires your observation and patience so concentrate on the Ghee. 
  • You can add curry leaves or drumstick leaves during the cooking process instead of adding garlic and betel leaves. It will give a good flavor.


FAQ’s about Ghee :

1. Why my Ghee not taste so good?
Ghee’s taste depends highly on the butter used. If you use good butter, the Ghee will taste good. Do not use cheap butter. Best one is 

2. What to do if I have only salted butter?
Do not worry! You can still go ahead and make Ghee. It would not taste salty.  But Salted butter will foam a lot when it is boiled. Use a large pan to accommodate the foam. If you stir it continuously, the foam will subside.

3. What to do if my pan could not hold the froth?
When the froth overflows, stir it continuously. This will being the froth down. If not, take the pan out off the heat for few seconds and stir. After the froth has come down, you can continue the process.

4. Can I use butter which has extra ingredients in it like vitamins, emulsifiers and minerals? Or can I use a any other butter that serves a different purpose like spreadable butter?
I would not recommend such butter as it would not come out well or the way we need it.

Health benefits of Ghee :

1. Use ghee to fight inflammation.
2. Use ghee if you’re lactose or casein intolerant.
3. Use ghee for a healthier butter choice.
4. Use ghee to boost your daily dose of antioxidants.
5. Use ghee to boost your micronutrient intake.
6. Use ghee to increase the effectiveness of some herbs.

So try this recipe and write back to us…We love to hear from you.

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Hulisaar pudi .... Kitchen Basics


Hulisaar powder is one of the flavorful ingredient to make vegitable saaru in karnatak, a popular south Indian vegitable based gravy. Each home has their own signature recipe for the Hulisaar powderHere, I share my mom’s version, which we usually prepare at our home. My mom makes the absolutely best and  mouth-watering vegitable based gravy! 



Ingredients for Hulisaar pudi :

1kg  Guntur red chilli

1/4kg Byadagi red chilli
1kg Coriander seeds
1/4cup Fenugreek seeds
1/4cup turmeric

To prepare this powder :

1. In a fry pan Dry roast all the above mentioned ingredients separately ( you can adjust red chillies according to your spice level ) except turmeric powder. 
2. Make sure that all the ingredients are nicely cooked in a very slow flame, to ensure, just fold the red chilli and it should break in to pieces in no time. If all the ingredients are cooked good they can be powdered easily.
3. Switch off the flame and let all ingredients cool for 10 mins.
4. Grind them in to a fine powder.

Tips / Notes:

·        You may sieve it before storing if preferred (unless you are using a heavy duty mixer).
·        Store in an airtight glass jar. Use as required. As with most condiments, use only DRY spoons to increase the shelf life.
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Wednesday 16 April 2014

Home made Ginger Garlic Paste .... Kitchen Basics


Ginger-Garlic paste is used regular in Indian cooking, most of the curry calls for ginger-garlic paste and of course we all love this one don't we? So did you ever wonder how to make ginger-garlic paste at home? Nothing beats fresh home made ginger-garlic paste.  I never really liked store ginger-garlic paste; not only they look dull but after a while it smell weird and perhaps taste too,  I always prefer to make my own paste or I freshly mince ginger-garlic, a habit which I am hooked too but then to cut short the mincing time I prepare paste and keep in fridge to make it handy on weekdays









Ingredients for Ginger Garlic Paste :

Ginger  1 cup
Garlic 3/4 cup
Salt 1 tsp
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Oil 1/4 cup

Take pealed and chopped ginger, peeled garlic and turmeric and blend into fine paste.

Tips / Notes :

  • While blending you can add oil and salt to store for longer time like more than a month in refrigerator.
  • Crush the garlic in hand motor slightly to peel its skin easily.
  • If u don't use Garlic then just make Ginger paste and use it for Ur recipes. 
  • Using Ginger and Garlic paste or just Garlic paste to the curries give different flavor.
So try this recipe and write back to us…We love to hear from you.
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Tuesday 15 April 2014

Healthy instant Oats Dosa


This must be one of the easiest Dosas I have made, and its super healthy and nutritious too :) Needs very minimal soaking time, and is a great breakfast option when you pressed for time, or need a break from the normal Urad dal - Rice Dosas ! Its a good option for diabetics as well




Ingredients for Oats Dosas :

Oats :  1cup
Rice flour : 2tsp
Rawa/suji  :  2tsp
Tomato : 1no
Onion : 1no
Salt as per taste
Lemon juice 1/2tsp (opt)
Water  - 1cup

1. Finely chop tomatoes and onions
2. In a mixing bowl add oats, rice flour, suji, tomatoes, onions, salt and mix well. add water and make dosa batter.
3. Heat the griddle and pour the dosa batter on and spread it. pour some oil put the lid on and let it cook for some time. then flip the dosa and cook in other side too without lid and serve this hot healthy dosa with tomato onion chutney or with your favourite chutney.
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Monday 14 April 2014

Authentic Andhra Tomato pickle .... Kitchen Basics


I was so much happy to see this time tomatoes as it is an essential vegetable in my kitchen. I love its juicy texture which gives richness to the gravy. I don’t know anyone who hates them!!

Tomato pickle is always one of my choice of pickles. This is a traditional dish taught by my friend who makes this to her perfection. Its also my family favorite side-dish. Its a good time-saver and accompany with many dishes. I always prepare in bulk and store it in refrigerator when I find really red tomatoes in the market. 



Ingredients for Tomato pickle :

Tomato  1kg
Tamarind 80g
Fenugreek and Cumin powder 1/2spoon each (fried one)
Mustard powder 2 to 3 spoon
Chilli powder 1 cup
Salt 1cup or adjust as per taste
Groundnut oil 2 spoon
Turmeric 1spoon

For tempering :

Groundnut oil - 1cup
Mustard seeds
Cumin seeds
Red chilli

1. Wash tomatoes and wipe with cloths
2. Cut tomatoes into small pieces
3. Wash tamarind with water and drain the water
4. In a pan put 2 to 3 tsp oil  then put tomatoes and cook in sim till tomatoes get 70% cooked then add tamarind and cook in sim for 10 more min.
5. Switch off the stove and bring the cooked tomatoes to room temperature.
6. Meanwhile in another pan put groundnut oil, mustard seeds and cumin seeds when starts spluttering switch off the stove and bring it to room temp.
7. For the cooked tomatoes add cooled tempering, chilli powder, fenugreek and cumin powder, mustard seed powder and salt mix well and store it in dry bottle

Tasty tomato pickle is ready.  U can use this pickle with ghee rice, idly, dose or even with curd rice.

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