A Taste of Tradition: My Mother’s Special Adai Recipe
Dear fellow Rotarians,
There’s something magical about family recipes, isn’t there? They’re not just instructions on a page; they’re whispers of love passed down through generations. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you my mother’s special Adai recipe – a dish that has warmed our hearts and filled our bellies for years.
Adai, for those unfamiliar, is a delightful South Indian breakfast that’s both nutritious and delicious. It’s perfect for those busy mornings or when you’re craving a comforting meal. So, let’s embark on this culinary adventure together!
First, gather your ingredients:
- 1 cup each of raw rice and boiled rice
- 1/2 cup each of toor dal and channa dal
- 1/4 cup each of moong dal and javvarisi (sago)
- 20 red chillies for that perfect kick
- A pinch of asafoetida for depth
- 2 tablespoons of fennel seeds for a hint of sweetness
- 1 cup grated coconut
- 1 cup finely chopped shallots
- A handful each of curry leaves and coriander leaves, chopped
Now, here’s a little secret my mother swears by. Timing is everything! Soak the rice and dals separately for exactly three hours – not a minute more, not a minute less. As for the javvarisi, just an hour will do. Trust me, this precision makes all the difference!
When you’re ready to cook, grind everything together, adding the chillies, fennel seeds, asafoetida, and a pinch of salt. But wait, we’re not done yet! The magic happens when you fry those shallots in two tablespoons of gingelly oil until they’re golden and fragrant, now add grated coconut and stir fry for couple of minutes then mix them into the batter along with the curry and coriander leaves. Oh, the aroma that fills the kitchen at this point is simply heavenly!
Now comes the fun part – cooking the adai on your dosa tava. Be generous with the oil (it’s okay to indulge a little!) and watch as it turns a beautiful golden brown. Flip it over, and soon you’ll have a crispy, flavourful adai ready to be devoured.
Serve it hot with coconut chutney or tomato kurma, and voila! You’ve got a meal that’s sure to bring smiles all around.
Remember, dear friends, cooking is an act of love. So as you prepare this adai, think of the joy it will bring to your loved ones. After all, isn’t that what we Rotarians are all about – spreading happiness and making the world a little better, one act of kindness (or in this case, one delicious meal) at a time?
Happy cooking, and even happier eating!
