Delicious Recipes You Must Try With Your Mixer Grinder

Mixer grinders are indispensable kitchen tools, especially in Indian cooking. From grinding spices to making pastes, chutneys, batters, and more, a good mixer grinder simplifies cooking tasks and enhances the flavors of traditional dishes. This recipe guide for mixer grinders will walk you through several essential recipes and provide tips on how to use your mixer grinder to its fullest potential.

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out, these recipes will help you discover the versatility of your mixer grinder and add authentic Indian flavors to your meals.

Coconut chutney is a staple in South Indian cuisine, often served with dosa, idli, and vada. With your mixer grinder, you can make this chutney in minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh grated coconut
• 1 tablespoon roasted chana dal (Bengal gram)
• 1-2 green chillies (adjust for spice)
• 1/2 inch piece of ginger
• 1 small clove of garlic (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed

For Tempering:

• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 dry red chili
• 5-6 curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon oil

Instructions:

1. Grind the chutney: In your mixer grinder jar, add the grated coconut, roasted chana dal, green chilies, ginger, garlic, coriander leaves, and salt. Add water gradually and grind into a smooth paste.

2. Adjust consistency: If the chutney is too thick, add more water and grind again until you reach your desired consistency.

3. Prepare tempering: Heat oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, dried red chili, and curry leaves. Once they splutter, pour this tempering over the chutney/

4. Serve fresh with idli, dosa, or vada.

The perfect dosa batter requires a fine, smooth consistency that is easily achieved using a mixer grinder. This recipe will show you how to prepare a traditional masala dosa batter at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup urad dal (split black gram)
• 3 cups rice (preferably dosa rice or parboiled rice)
• 1/4 cup poha (flattened rice)
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak the ingredients: Wash the urad dal, rice, poha, and fenugreek seeds. Soak them in water for at least 6 hours or overnight.
2. Grind the batter: Drain the water and add the soaked ingredients to your mixer grinder. Grind them in batches, adding small amounts of water to create a smooth, slightly thick batter.
3. Ferment: Transfer the batter to a large bowl, add salt, and mix well. Cover and leave the batter to ferment overnight in a warm place.
4. Cook the dosa: Heat a tawa (griddle), pour a ladle of fermented batter, and spread it evenly into a thin round. Drizzle oil around the edges and cook until golden and crisp.
5. Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.

Homemade garam masala is far superior to store-bought blends, and with a mixer grinder, you can make it fresh in small batches to retain its aroma and flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon cloves
• 1 tablespoon cardamom pods (green)
• 1-2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small nutmeg
• 2 dry red chilies (optional for heat)

Instructions:

1. Dry roast spices: In a pan, dry roast all the spices over low heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
2. Grind the spices: Once cooled, transfer the roasted spices to the mixer grinder. Pulse and grind to a fine powder.
3. Store: Store the freshly ground garam masala in an airtight container. Use it to flavor curries, biryanis, and gravies.

This green chutney is a vibrant, zesty accompaniment to snacks like samosas, pakoras, and chaats. It's easy to make in a mixer grinder.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh coriander leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1-2 green chilies
• 1-inch piece of ginger
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Water as needed

Instructions:

1. Grind the ingredients: Add coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chilies, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, cumin seeds, and salt to the mixer grinder. Add a little water and grind into a smooth chutney.
2. Adjust the consistency: If needed, add more water and grind again.
3. Serve with snacks or as a dip for Indian appetizers.

Sambhar is a staple in South Indian households, and the sambhar masala is key to its flavor. Using a mixer grinder, you can easily prepare this spice blend at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon chana dal (bengal gram)
• 1 tablespoon urad dal (split black gram)
• 5-6 dry red chilies
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
• Curry leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Dry roast spices: Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, chana dal urad dal, red chillies, fenugreek seeds, and black peppercorns in a pan until aromatic.
2. Cool and grind: Once cooled, add the spices to the mixer grinder. Grind into a fine powder.
3. Store: Store the sambhar masala in an airtight jar. Use it to flavor sambhar and other South Indian dishes.

For quick curries, soups, or sauces, making a batch of fresh tomato puree with your mixer grinder is simple and convenient.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 ripe tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Blanch the tomatoes: Boil water and add the tomatoes for 2-3 minutes. Remove and peel the skin.
2. Grind into puree: Add the peeled tomatoes to the mixer grinder and blend into a smooth puree.
3. Store: Store the puree in the refrigerator or freeze in portions for later use. Use it in curries, pasta sauces, or soups.

• Use the pulse setting: For chunkier textures in chutneys or dips, use the pulse function to avoid over-grinding.
• Don't overload the jar: Always follow the recommended maximum capacity of your mixer grinder jar to avoid motor strain.
• Grind spices in batches: For the best flavor and texture, grind spices in small batches rather than overloading the jar.
• Clean immediately: To prevent tough residue buildup, wash the jars immediately after use. For tough stains, soak them in warm water with a little baking soda.

A mixer grinder is a versatile tool that can handle a variety of tasks in the kitchen, from grinding spices to making chutneys, batters, and pastes. With the right recipes, it can significantly reduce your prep time and add an authentic touch to your meals. Whether you're blending up a delicious chutney or creating a smooth dosa batter, this guide shows you how to use your mixer grinder to its full potential.

Keep experimenting with new recipes, and let your mixer grinder be your kitchen companion for creating flavorful, home-cooked meals taste so much better than before!