Drumstick leaves Uttapam (Murungai Keerai Uttapa)

Uttapams are quite versatile when it comes to the flavours that one can infuse in them. They work great with everything ranging from Chinese (schezwan/manchurian) toppings to even Italian ones (cheese, peppers and herbs). But the recipe I am sharing today is a very simple one that takes the flavors from the nutrient loaded drumstick leaves. Apart from their medicinal/nutritional qualities, these leaves also happen to be quite aromatic.

Read on for the simple recipe -

Preparation Time - 15 mins

Ingredients -

• 2 cups thick dosa batter ( I use the I.D. brand)
• 1 medium sized onion (finely chopped)
• 2/3 cup drumstick leaves
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 3-4 tsp oil
• salt to taste

Preparation - Add salt and chili powder to the batter. Adjust water if required. This is a thick batter so take care not to dilute it too much.

Wash the leaves that you have already plucked from the stems. Be careful to discard leaves that have the tiny insects/eggs sticking to them. (You can do this by immersing them in  warm water to which salt has been added)

Cooking - Heat a non-stick pan. Drizzle some oil and then add a ladle of the batter. Do not spread too much. Top up with the drumstick leaves and chopped onions.

Cover with a lid for about a minute or two. Remove the lid and check if it has firmed up. If yes, flip it over.

Add a little oil from the sides if required. Again cover with a lid and cook for 1-2 mins. Remove from the wok.

Repeat with the remaining ingredients. 

Serve hot with chutney.

Oats Uttapam

Another oats recipe from my kitchen. While I have been constantly raving about how to incorporate oats in one's breakfast, I do not like the almost insipid oats porridge (what even flavor it may be) on an everyday basis. So I try and add to the regular breakfast items like dosa, upma, pongal or even khichdi. The latest victim of my experimentation has been the 'Uttapam'.

I have given it another twist my topping it with cherry tomatoes, cheese and some Italian seasoning. Read on for the recipe:

Preparation Time - 10 mins

Ingredients - 1 cup regular uttapam batter, 1 cup quick cooking oats, 1 medium sized onion, 6-8 cherry tomatoes, 6-8 pear tomatoes, grated cheese, chilli flakes, mixed herbs seasoning, 3 tsp oil, salt to taste.

Preparation - Mix the oats into the regular batter and keep aside for 5-6 mins.

Chop the onions into small pieces. Cut the tomatoes into two.

Cooking - Heat a non-stick frying pan. Season with a few drops of oil ( or use an oil spray instead ).

Pour 1/3 of the batter onto the pan and do not spread it too much. ( The batter does spread on its own. But if you think that its too thick, just spread it a bit more. )

Put the onions and tomatoes over it. Sprinkle chilli flakes, seasoning and a little bit of salt. Layer on the grated cheese.

Cover with a lid and let it cook through.

Flip over and cook on the other side for 1 minute. Remove from pan.

Serve hot with coconut chutney / ketchup.