Spiced Yogurt (Moru kachiyathu)

Spiced Yogurt  (Moru kachiyathu)

This is a very simple dish which falls under the everyday Kerala cooking category. At our home, moru kachiyathu is an indispensable side dish with rice. Rice and moru kachiyathu is my comfort food. As a child it was one of the staple food in our home. I was amazed once how this simple dish has such magical effect on people. It comes together very quickly and one of my favourites.

I always made moru kachiyathu with rice. Lately I wanted a change made other curries instead of moru. My kids were disappointed and were asking for moru kachiythu. It is a nice combination and goes well with rice

Though it is a simple dish, it   can curdle if you are not careful with heat and not constantly stirring. It is also very good to drink on a hot day if you dilute with water add some salt to taste.

Ingredients:

Plain Yogurt                     1 container (750 g)

Oil.                                  2 tbsp.

Mustard seeds                 1/4 tsp.

Fenugreek seeds               pinch

Hot pepper flakes            1/4 tsp

Red chilly powder             pinch

Turmeric powder             2pinch

Green chilly pepper           2                      

Chopped Ginger               1/2 tsp

Chopped Garlic                1/4 tsp

Curry leaves                     1

Water                               1/2 cup

Salt                                   As needed

Heat the oil in a pan splatter mustard fenugreek, add ginger garlic green pepper curry leaves fry until ginger turns light golden brown. Turn the heat down to low, add pepper flakes chili powder turmeric. still for about 1 minutes . Be sure not to burn the powders. Turn the heat up and add 1/2 cup of water.Once the water boils  turn the heat to medium,add the yogurt and stir it constantly without any lumps . Use a whisk to stir. Yogurt is ready when you see green pepper and curry leaves starts floating on top. continue stirring for about one more minute. add salt as needed. I always leave the store brought yogurt in a warm place overnight to keep it more on the sour side. Serve it with Rice and fish curry.

Pita pocket

Pita pocket

Pita is a slightly leavened round flat wheat bread, and variable in size. Its history extends far into antiquity. Flat breads in general, are among the most ancient breads. Most pitas are baked at high temperatures (450 °F . I made this on a stove top. Much of pita's popularity in the Western world since the 1970s is due to expanded use of the pocket types of sandwiches.

                This pitta pocket is an easy lunch item for the kids. I used to buy store brought pita. one  Sunday night I realized i had  no bun or pita for sandwich for Monday lunch. ( stores are not open after 5 pm on Sundays) Rice and curry is out of the question for lunch. I decided to give it try to make pita bread. lucky, it came out well. kids loved it.  I also add shredded lettuce tomatoes and shredded cheese on top of the meat.

For the Dough:

Whole wheat flour     3cup

Yeast                          1tsp

Warm water                 1.1/4 cup

Sugar                           2tsp

For Filling:

Ground beef           21b

Flour                       2tsp

Tomato                   2 medium size chopped

Oregano                  1tbsp.

Garlic  Chopped     1tsp

Black pepper           1tsp

Chilli pepper            2 tsp.



In a medium bowl Mix sugar and warm water.Sprinkle yest and mix well let it stand for 15 minutes. In a large bowl mix flour, pinch of salt.  Make a well add the yeast mixture. make Soft dough. Add more flour if needs to. Let it stand in a warm place for 2 hrs. Divide the the dough in to 6 small balls. Roll in to 1/4 thick 6"circles. Heat the pan add each pitas in to the pan for about 2 min in each sides cover with with lid while cooking. The bread will puff up.

Filling:
Heat the pan. add flour and fry until light golden brown. Add ground beef and rest of the ingredients except tomatoes,and mix well. Cook well until the oil comes out clear. add chopped tomatoesand cook for about 5 more minutes.

Cut pita into two halves. Open  up slowly. spoon in the fillings. You can also add  shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese.