March 26, 2018

Monday Chit Chat With A Home Chef - Priyadharshini Selvam


Hey ! It's Monday and Happy Rama Navami to all my readers !

Are you ready to meet my today's special guest ?

I am feeling great to introduce my third guest of the series and a wonderful Home chef Priyadharshini Selvam. I got to know about her through my another foodie friend Adaikkammai Annamalai who's Chit Chat also got published a couple of weeks back. Since I do not know much about Priya, thought of giving a small surprise by making her bestie to share few words about her..

Here is what her bestie Adaikkammai Annamalai shared with us about her friend...

"Priyadharshini is a very nice person. I admire all her recipes especially loaded sweet potatoes and casserole layer are my favourites. She works as a lecturer and at the same time, she follows her passion Cooking too.I personally feel, thats the great talent. And finally she is a wonderful Chef !"

Now let's hear from Priya...

Priya : Love to hear few word about you and your passion. Who is your greatest support ?

Priya : I would like to introduce as a foodie. I love to explore different cuisines and try new recipes. I started cooking after marriage only. Concentrated on healthier home made recipes after my son's arrival in my life. Definitely my husband is my greatest support since the day I got married as he encourages and supports me to do what I love. 

Priya : Your favourite chef, favourite cookery show and favourite cookbook. 

Priya : Venkatesh Bhat is my favourite chef as he doesn't repeat usual dishes in his show Samayal Samayal. I love watching Master Chef. I don't follow any cookbooks. I read blogs, watch videos online and learn. 

Priya : Can you share us about your first cooking experience and the recipe which you tried first ?

Though I cooked a little here and there, after marriage only my serious cooking experience started. Kongu special Arisimparuppu Sadham was the first recipe I made for my husband. 

Priya : Please share some kitchen tips or secrets of yours..

Priya : Working women can try to balance home cooking by preparing the veggies and necessary items the previous night itself. When it comes to your kid you always want to give the best and healthy homemade food. So try to cook at home with healthy ingredients and teach your kid to eat homemade food which will impact their lifestyle in future. 

Priya : When your house filled with sudden guests.. What would be your quick menu ?

Priya : I actually never get any sudden guests. I prepare well in advance when guests arrive. Still coconut milk rice with spicy baby potato roast and lime mint punch would be my quick menu. 

Priya : What's your family's most favourite recipe which you cook?

Priya : My husband likes Chicken biryani, Chicken 65 and Ennai Kathirikai Puli Kulambu. My son's favourite is Banana Appam and Sathumaavu cookies. 

Priya : What do you like in my blog and please share your suggestions to improve mine. 

Priya : I like your neat presentation and simple words used for the recipe. Suggest you to continue the interesting home chef Chit Chat which will encourage a lot of women and build up confidence in them. 



Sathumaavu cookies

Sathumaavu powder recipe: 

Finger millet (Ragi) -  200 gms
Pearl Millet (Kambu) - 200 gms
Red Rice - 100 gms
Wheat (Samba Godhumai) - 100 gms
Jowar (Cholam) - 100 gms
Green gram (Paasi Payaru) - 100 gms
Soya Beans - 100 gms
Corn (Makka Cholam) - 50 gms
Roasted gram (Pottukadalai) - 50 gms
Foxtail millet (Thinai) - 50 gms
Horse Gram (Kollu) -  50 grams
Sago (Sabudhana, Javarisi) - 50 gms
Barley - 50 gms
Almonds - 50 gms
Cashew - 50 gms 
Cardamom - 10 nos

Step 1 : Wash each ingredient separately ( except almonds,cashew,cardamom) , look for impurities , drain water completely and air dry/sun dry them.

Step 2 : Dry roast each ingredient separately in a pan.

Step 3 : Grind everything together.. 

Usually we give it to small mills for grinding.. You can grind using mixie too in two sets. This can be stored for 6 months! ( storing in airtight container in a Refrigerator works well)

Cookie making : 

Sathumaavu powder - 250 gms
Butter - 120 gms 
Cane sugar - 100 gms ( can increase if more sweetness needed)
Milk - 2 tbsp ( only to achieve desired dough consistency)
Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp ( optional)
Salt - a pinch 

(This ratio gave me 40 cookies.. Adjust accordingly) 

Step 1: Cream butter and cane sugar together with vanilla essence.

Step 2 : Add sathumaavu and salt to it and make a cookie dough (add milk if needed).

Step 3: Cover the dough with a cling wrap and refrigerate for 30 mins. 

Step 4 : After 30 mins ,Preheat oven to 180°C. Press the dough flat with the rolling pin ( cling wrap helps in even rolling) to 0.5 mm thickness.

Step 5 : Cut to desired shape with a cookie cutter and carefully line them on a baking tray with parchment paper and bake for 10 mins at 180°C . Watch carefully as it turns from dark brown to black within seconds.

Step 6 : Remove from oven, cool for 10 mins and serve.

                                 I really enjoyed today's Priya meets Priya chit chat ;)

Thank you so much Priyadharshini for being my special guest and for sharing your signature healthy recipe with us. I am sure that my readers will love it for sure. Cookies look so perfect and sounds super healthy too. I wish you all the success in your life and may all your dreams come true ! Happy Cooking !

And also, Thanking her friend Adaikkammai Annamalai for sharing few words about her bestie with us.

Click the below link to view the so far posted Monday Chit Chat with a Home Chef..

Monday Chit Chat with a HomeChef - Adaikammai Annamalai 

Monday Chit Chat with a HomeChef - Karuna Pooja 

Stay tuned till next week to meet a another interesting Home chef along with an interesting recipe. Have a great week ahead !

If you are interested to participate in my Chit Chat series, please do drop a mail at priyasmenu@gmail.com










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