DAHI WADA/DAHI BHALLE-SWEET AND SAVOURY VERSION!!!

Dahi wada is a cold appetizer popular in North India..There are two versions of it one the sweeter one and the another spicy one.The sweet Dahi wadas are popular in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat where as the spicy dahi wadas are prepared in South India.

Dahi wadas are prepared of  fried black gram  dumpling and then soaked in curd.Simple and exotic.

Heres the recipe to make the Basic wada:

Cooking time:20mins

Preparation time:15mins.

Serves:6 persons

Ingredients:

• Split Black gram/urad dal-1 cup
• Ginger and garlic paste-1/2tsp
• Salt-1/2tsp.
• Oil for frying.

Cooking method:

• Wash and soak the dal for atleast 2-3hrs in water.
• Drain all the water from the dal and grind it to a little coarse paste adding  little water.The paste should not be watery,it should be a thick paste.
• Add salt and ginger and garlic paste,mix well and keep aside.
• Heat oil for frying.
• When the oil is hot put small dumplings of the paste and fry till golden brown.remove and keep aside.
• Take a bowl add luke warm water and put the fried dumplings and soak them for 5-6minutes.
• Lightly press each ball to take out all excess water.The wadas are now ready.You can make sweeter ones or the spicy ones with it.Heres how:

For the Sweet dahi wadas:

Ingredients:

• Curd-3cups(not sour)
• Sugar-5 tsps
• Salt- 2pinches.
• Red chilly powder/lal mirch-1/2tsp
• Cumin powder/Zeera powder-1/2tsp
• Wadas as prepared above

Method:

• Beat the curd with the sugar,1/2cup of water and salt till smooth.
• Now for serving put the wadas in the serving dish pour the beaten curd over them and sprinkle red chilly powder and cumin powder.
• Serve it with Tamarind and Mint chutney.

For The Spicy Dahi wadas:

Ingredients:

• Curd-3cups.
• Green chilly-2no
• Ginger and garlic paste-1tsp
• Salt-1tsp or more according to taste.
• Corriander leaves/dhanya/kotmir-2tbsp.
• Cumin seeds/Zeera-1/2 tsp
• Mustard seeds/Rai-1/2tsp
• Whole red chilly-2no
• Oil-2tsps.
• Wadas as prepared above.

Cooking method:

• Grind the green chilly with 1/2 cup of curd,1tbsp corriander leaves and salt to a fine paste.Mix this in rest of the curd add ginger and garlic paste and  beat the curd to a smooth paste.
• In a serving dish put the wadas and pour this curd mixture over them.keep aside
• In a small pan  heat oil add cumin seeds,mustard seeds and red chilly and let them splutter add this on the wada and curd mixture.
• Ready to serve.

FRIED KING FISH IN GREEN SPICE PASTE!!!

FISH- They are very rightly called the "BRAIN-FOOD"   because of the omega-3 fatty acids in them,lower in saturated fat, total fat and calories than comparable portions of meat or poultry,It helps in lowering cholesterol level and in controlling blood pressure. It is important that you make fish a part of your balanced diet but be little cautious about the source and the amount of intake.

In this recipe I used small King fish.

Heres the recipe:

Cooking time:15mins.

Preparation time:20mins

Serves- 5 persons.

 Ingredients:

• King fish/Mackerel- 1kg(cut in to medium sized pieces)
• Green chillies- 5 no
• Turmeric powder/haldi-1/2tsp
• Cumin seeds-1tsp
• Garlic- 6 cloves
• Corriander leaves- 2tbsp
• Lime juice-2tsp
• Salt to taste.
• Wheat flour-1tbsp.
• Oil for shallow frying.

Cooking method:

• Clean and wash the fish pieces.Keep aside.
• Grind to a fine paste with little water green chillies,garlic,corriander leaves,cumin seeds and salt.
• Now mix in the fish pieces the ground chilly paste ,put turmeric powder,flour and lime juice,mix well and marinate for 30mins.

• Heat oil for  shallow frying and put the fish pieces and fry till golden brown on both sides,Do not turn them again and again,let it brown on one side and then turn to the other side.

• Serve hot

CHEESY POTATO SANDWICH- WITH MINT SPREAD!!!

Sandwiches-These  are such versatile food,made with breads of any type,shape or size just pop in your choice of filling and you are ready with a complete nutritious meal.Quick and easy to make,It can be a simple sandwich or a Gourmet dish,make it any way you like it and Enjoy.
This recipe is rich in carbohydrates,proteins and fibre with the use of potato,chesse and mint.
Heres the recipe:
Cooking time:5mins
Preparation time:7-8mins
Serves-1 person

Ingredients:

• Bread slices-4 no
• Mint dip- 2tsp.
• Tomato ketchup- 2tsp
• Cream cheese- 3tsp
• Potato -1no(medium sized)
• Butter- 2tsp.

Cooking method:

• Boil the potato and when cool cut it in to thin slices.keep it aside.
• On two bread slices spread evenly the mint dip and then the tomato ketchup.keep aside
• On the remaining two slices spread the cream cheese and put the potato slices and cover it with the bread slices spread wth mint dip and tomato ketchup.
• Heat a pan put butter and the sandwiches and toast them till nice golden brown on both sides.
• Serve.

CHICKEN TANGDI KABAB- CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS BAKED IN AROMATIC FLAVOURS!!!

 Grilled dishes or baked ones are very healthy,as very less oil is use in its preparation and they are super yummylicious in taste.Thay are very popular fast food dishes,one can consume  it as a starter,side dish or a main dish.

  This dish uses chicken legs which are marinated and then baked.
Heres the recipe:
Cooking time:30mins
Preparation time: 20mins
Serves-5

Ingredients:

• Chicken legs- 1kg
• Ginger and garlic paste- 2tsp
• Lime juice-2tsp
• Curd-100gms
• Red chilli powder-1 tsp
• Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
• Garam masala powder- 1tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil- 2tbsp

Cooking method:

•  Wash the legs and squeeze out all the excess water.With a paring knife,cut the tendons at the narrow end of each drumstick,to loosen the meat and while holding the base, push the meat down gently to expose the bone and form a lollipop.Apply salt,ginger and garlic paste and lime juice and leave it for 10 mins.

• Now mix all the rest of the ingredients curd,red chilli powder,garam masala,turmeric powder and oil.Apply this marinade on to the chicken lollipops and leave it for 2-3hrs.

• Preheat the oven to 350 C .Put the chicken legs on a baking tray and bake it for 15 mins,then turn it over and again bake it for another 15 mins.
• Serve hot. 

BROAST CHICKEN- STEAMED FRIED CHICKEN.

Broasting is a form of pressure-frying chicken and other foods using a 'Pressure fryer'.Broaster and Broasted are registered trademarks of the Broaster Co. in Beloit, Wisconsin, that has been broasting chickens since 1954.Pressure frying is mostly done in industrial kitchens. Ordinary pressure cookers are not suitable for pressure frying so never attempt to pressure fry using an ordinary pressure cooker as its very dangerous.
This method of cooking gives food a great taste and flavour as it seals in the juices and keeps the meat moist and less greasy.
                Heres the recipe of Broast chicken.
Cooking time:30-40mins
Preparation time:15mins.
Serves:4.

Ingredients:

• Chicken- 1kg(cut in ti pieces)
• White vinegar- 1/2 cup
• Red chilli powder-1/4 tsp
• Curd- 3tbsp
• Oil-1 tbsp
• Ginger and Garlic paste-1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
• Black pepper powder-1/4tsp
• Whole red chilli(coarse powder)- 1/2 tsp
• Oil for frying.

Batter:

• Refined flour- 1cup
• eggs- 2 nos
• Baking soda- a pinch
• Salt- a pinch 

Cooking Instructions:

•  Wash the chicken pieces and squeeze out all the excess water.
•  Add all the ingredients and keep it aside for atleast 2hrs.
•  Take a vessel put the marinated chicken pieces with 1/4 cup water,Cover and let the chicken cook in its  own steam for around 20 mins till the water in the vessel is fully absorbed.Initially put it on high flame for 2-3mins then simmer the flame.
•  Mix the ingredients of batter with water to form a fine lump free paste of medium consistency.
•  Heat oil for frying.
•  Dip the steamed chicken pieces in the batter and fry till golden brown.
•  Serve hot.

CHICKEN SEEKH KABABS- DELICIOUSLY YUMMY!!!

Kababs-can be defined as a mix of meat,spices and herbs,which can be skewered or flattened balls of varied shapes and sizes,with their cooking method ranging from shallow-frying,deep-frying and baking.
Serve it as a side dish to your main meal or make it in to a meal with varieties of its kind like "Chicken seekh kabab","Shaami-kabab","Chapli-kabab","Nargisi-kabab","Grilled-kababs",""Galouti-kababs","Kakori-kababsand so on.
Kababs are usually made of meat of various kinds but no disappointment to the vegans,Kababs can be made of mixed vegetables,yam,raw-banana,etc.
This recipe is using chicken mince with herbs,spices and lemon juice to enhance the flavours.Heres the recipe:

Cooking time: 20-25mins
Preparation time:15-20mins
Serves- 2-3persons.

Ingredients:

• Chicken meat-500gms (see instruction below to make chicken mince)
• Garlic(chopped finely)- 3tsp
• Onion(chopped)- 1no(medium-sized)
• Corriander powder- 1tsp
• Lemon juice- 3tbsp
• Corriander leaves(chopped)- 1/4cup
• Mint leaves(chopped)- 1/4cup
• Black pepper powder- 1tsp
• Green chilli(chopped)- 2-3
• Garam masala powder- 1tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil- 1tbsp
• Oil for shallow frying.

Cooking Method:

• Take the chicken mince in a bowl and mix all the ingredients except the oil for frying.Keep aside for 1-2hrs for the flavours to lock in.

Note:Chicken mince should not have water,squeeze out the water completely else the mixture will become watery and it wont retain any shape.In case your mixture becomes watery you can add maize-flour or chick pea flour about 2tbsp,this helps in binding.

To make chicken mince:Take boneless chicken wash and clean and remove all the excess water and then mince it in your food processor or a normal chopper will also serve the purpose.

• Take the marianted chicken mince and skewer it on wooden skewers.

• Take a pan put little oil for shallow frying and heat the pan well,
• Put the skewers and keep turning till they are golden brown.

• Serve hot

This goes CWS event hosted by Radhika and Priya.

SOYBEAN PATTIES:FULFILLING PATTIES WITH POTATOES!!!

These protein packed appetizers with soybeans are nutritious as well as tasty enough to tickle your taste-buds.The health benefits of soybeans is known to all,The protein in soybean has all the essential amino acids adequate for human health.They are good source of  carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals like calcium, folic acid and iron.
These patties goes well as a appetizer or make good nourishing Burger with it.Heres the recipe:

Cooking time:20-30mins
Preparation time:15mins
Yields:6-8

Ingredients:

• Soy granules-1cup
• Potatoes- 2no(medium size)
• Bread slices-4
• Green chill(chopped)- 3-4
• Coriander leaves/Cilantro(chopped)- 1/2cup
• Ginger and Garlic paste-1/2tsp
• Turmeric powder/Haldi- 1/4tsp
• Red chilli powder- 1/2tsp
• Lime juice- 1tbsp
• Mint leaves(chopped)-1/4cup
• Salt to taste
• Oil for shallow frying.

Method:

• Wash and soak the soy granules in water for 15 mins.And after 15 mins the soy granules will swell up.Squeeze out all  the water completely.

Note: 1cup of dry soy granules=2 cups soaked soy granules

• Boil the potatoes.Cool and mash finely.keep aside.
• Soak the bread slices in water for few secs about 10secs.And squeeze out all the water.keep aside.
• Take a  bowl and put all the ingredients soygranules,potatoes,bread slices and all the other spices and herbs.Mix well.
• Make flattened balls and shallow fry on both sides till nice golden brown.
• Serve hot.

This goes to MLLA eventMLLA event by Susan

TANDOORI CHICKEN- CHICKEN IN SPICY MARINADE AND GRILLED TO PERFECTION!!!

This grilled Indian dish has Mughlai origins.It has become a major part of Indian fast-food and also forms a part of formal cuisine.A starter,side-dish or a whole-meal give it any name you want.
The word 'Tandoori' comes from the fact that it is baked in a 'Tandoor'- a clay chamber heated it up with live charcoal and used for baking at very high temperatures.The charcoal smoke gives the dish a distinctive flavour.Tandoor is used for cooking and baking Naans,tikkas,tandoori chicken and various breads.
Tandoori chicken-whole chicken marinated in thick yogurt and various spices and then grilled in a Tandoor.Heavenly!!!
Usually one doesnt have a Tandoor at home,one can bake it an oven,this recipe is for all who dont have a Tandoor and an oven,no worries you can still have your Tandoori-Chicken,I have used a pan but the taste is all the same.Try it out and you will never regret it.

Cooking Time: 20-30mins
Preparation time: 15mins
Serves: 2-3persons.

Ingredients:

• Whole Chicken/Chicken large pieces- 1kg
• Yogurt- 5tbsp
• Onions(Thick slices)- 1no(large)  -(optional)
• Red chilli powder- 1tsp
• Lime juice- 3tbsp
• Ginger and Garlic paste-2tsp
• Black pepper powder- 1tsp
• Garam masala powder- 1/2tsp
• Turmeric powder/haldi-1/2tsp
• Corriander powder/dhanya- 1tsp
• Cumin powder/Zeera powder- 1tsp
• Dried Fenugreek leaves/Kasuri methi(crushed)- 1tsp
• Chat masala powder- 1tsp
• Gram flour/Besan-1tsp
• Salt to taste
• Kewra essence/Rose water-1/4tsp
• Strawberry Red food color-1/4tsp
• Oil- 2tbsp

Method:

• Clean and wash the chicken/chicken pieces.
• Make deep diagonal cuts.
• Rub in the lime juice and salt in these cuts.keep aside.
• Take a muslin cloth and put yogurt  tie the cloth and hang it around 1/2 to 1 hr, with this all the excess water comes out and you get nice and thick yogurt.
• To the thick yogurt add all the ingredients except the onions and mix well,this is the marinade.
• Apply the marinade on the chicken nicely and keep the chicken in the fridge for atleast 2-3hrs.

Note:Give atleast 2-3hrs for the meat to marinate.Keeping  the marinade overnight gives a very good taste and meat comes out nice succulent.

• Heat a pan,lightly laze with oil ,the pan should be so hot that the moment we put the chicken it should immediately seal the juices without letting water ooze out of the chicken.

Note:Whenever one is using a pan to make tikkas or any marianted meat the pan should be very hot,so when we put the meat on the pan the juices are sealed else the entire dish is spoiled.

• Mix the onion slices with the chicken pieces.Put the chicken or chicken pieces on the pan,the pan should be hot and on medium flame.keep turning the chicken pieces once in a while to avoid burning.It takes about 20-25mins for the chicken to get cooked and get a even reddish-brown color.
• Serve hot with Naan and mint dip.

This goes to CWS event hosted by Radhika and Priya.

Cheesy-Roundels-Chicken and Cheese, great combination!!!

These roundels serves a great appetizer,the cheese in it gives it a very good soft texture which melts in ur mouth.For all you spice lovers  make it more spicy according to your taste.These can be sandwiched and made in to a complete meal.Heres the recipe:

Cooking time:30mins
Preparation time:15mins
Yields:20

Ingredients:

• Chicken boneless-250gms
• Potatoes- 2no(medium size)
• Carrots(finely grated)- 1no(medium size)
• Cheddar Cheese(grated)-100gms
• Corriander leaves(chopped)- 1/4cup
• Green-Chilli sauce-3tsp
• Black pepper powder-1tsp
• All purpose flour/Maida-3tbsp
• Milk- 1/2cup
• Cumin powder/Zeera powder- 1/2tsp
• Ginger n Garlic paste- 1tsp
• Whole Cumin/Zeera-1/4tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil for shallow frying.

Method:

• Clean and cut the chicken in to small pieces.
• In a deep pan take the chicken,add ginger n garlic paste and salt to taste,put 1/4cup water.and cook the chicken covered for around 15-20mins,till all the water gets absorbed.
• Cool and shred the chicken in to small pieces.keep aside
• Boil the potatoes and when cool mash them finely.keep aside.
• In a pan heat 2tsp oil add whole cumin saute for 30secs,then add maida and roast for about 4-5mins on a slow flame.
• Now add carrots,milk and stir  without forming lumps.
• Now add shredded chicken,potatoes,Black pepper powder,cumin powder,green chilli sauce and salt to taste.
• Mix well.
• Now add grated cheese and corriander leaves and cook for another minute.
• Cool the mixture.
• Give desired shapes and shallow fry them on a pan.(you can coat them in beaten eggs and then shallow fry them).

• Serve hot with a dip of ur choice.

Sesame Squares-Potato filling on whole wheat bread done with sesame!!!

These delectable squares can be had for breakfast or as a snack anytime,good source of carbohydrates to give a quick boost to the energy level,make in any desired shapes and sizes and the result will be liked by all especially children.Try it out!!!

Cooking time:30mins
Preparation time:10mins
Serves: 2-3persons

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat bread-4 slices
• Butter/Margarine-1tsp
• Potato-2(large size)
• Carrot(grated)- 1/4cup
• Tomato ketchup- 1tbsp
• Green Chillies(chopped)- 2no
• Lemon juice- 1tsp
• Corriander leaves(chopped)- 1/4cup
• Sesame seeds-1tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil- 1tsp

Cooking Method:

• Boil potatoes.when cool peel the skin and mash them fine.
• Dry roast the sesame seeds on medium flame for about 5mins.
• Add carrot,tomato ketchup,green chillies,lemon juice,salt and  corriander leaves to the mashed potatoes.
• Take a pan heat oil and put this potato mixture and saute for 5 mins.Keep aside.
• Butter the slices lightly and cut the bread slice in to four pieces,1 bread slice will yield four squares.
• Now you can toast these squares on a pan till crisp,I used electric sandwich maker,I put these squares for 10 mins in it,they came out nice crisp.
• Now put cleanly the potato mixture on these squares and sprinkle sesame seeds on them.
• Serve with tomato ketchup.

This goes to Srivalli's event and Jihva -Breakfast event.

Yummy Fried Chicken-Chicken coated with cornflakes and deep fried!!!

 This dish is inspired from the  very famous fast food KFC.Although this dish is fried but it is healthy as the main ingredient in any fried dish is the Cooking oil used .I use Canola cooking oil It's high in mono-unsaturated fats and has a high flash point meaning it can be heated to a very high temperature without starting to smoke and burn and it has a milder flavour.I used cornflakes also for coating the chicken another healthy point.This dish is a favourite among all.Here's my version:

 

Cooking time: 15-20 mins.
Preparation Time:15 mins.
Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:

• Chicken with bones(skinless)- 1kg
• Red chilli powder- 1/2tsp.
• White pepper powder- 1/2tsp
• Mustard paste- 1 tsp
• Garlic paste- 2tsp
• Tomato Ketchup- 2tsp
• Salt to taste
• Cooking oil(Canola oil) for frying

For Coating:

• Maida- 1/2 cup
• Cornflour- 1/2cup
• Cornflakes-1/4cup
• Eggs- 2

Cooking Directions:

• Clean the chicken and cut in to  medium sized pieces trimming all the excess fat
• Mix all the ingredients with the chicken.Keep it aside for atleast 10mins.Meanwhile heat the oil in a deep bottom pan.
•  Beat the eggs.keep aside.Crush the cornflakes lightly and add maida and cornflour.
• For frying dip the chicken pieces first in egg and then coat them nicely in the cornflakes mixture.

• Fry in hot oil till golden brown.

• Serve hot with ketchup or Coleslaw.
  
  

Hara-bhara Tikka-Chicken marinated in thick yogurt and skewered!!!

Tikkas are forms of meats,which are marinated in varied spices,yoghurt and lentils,threaded on to Skeweres and cooked over charcoal,pan-fried on stove tops,baked in a tandoor or baked in oven.Its usually served as a starter dish with salad and can be had with naan and roti and it can be used as an ingredient in various dishes like the famous "Chicken tikka masala",pizzas,tikka biryani,sandwiches,etc.Its healthy too as less oil is used in its preparation.There can be inummerable varieties of tikkas,I personally do a lot of variation each time and alhumdulillah every time it turns out great,Inshallah I will share with you all in the future,Here is my one of my favourite "Hara Bhara tikka":

Cooking Time: 20 mins
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Marination time: 3hrs minimum
Serves:2 -3 Persons


Ingredients:

• Boneless chicken- 500gms
• Youghurt- 4tbsp
• Mint leaves- 1/2 cup
• Corriander Leaves-1/2 cup
• Green chillies- 4
• Garlic paste- 1tsp
• Onions- 1 medium size
• Vinegar- 2tbsp
• Tomato Sauce-2tsp
• Cream- 1tbsp
• Black pepper powder- 1/2tsp
•  Cardamom powder- 1/4tsp
• Green color-1/8 tsp
• Olive oil- 4tsp
• Salt to taste

Cooking Directions:

• Clean the chicken,trimming all the excess fat and Cut the chicken in small cubes.
• Grind mint leaves,corriander leaves and green chillies in little water to a smooth paste.Rub this paste finely on the chicken cubes.
• Take 2 tsp oil and mix rest of the ingredients.Apply this mixture on chicken cubes,Marination is completed.keep aside for a minumum of 3 hrs.
• Keeping this marinade overnight in the fridge brings out all the flavours real well,'Longer the marination-Better the taste'.
• After the marination thread it on wooden or iron skewers.alternating the chicken pieces with onion quarters.You can Barbecue on charcoal,bake in a oven(15-20 mins at 200 degrees).
• I do it on a Grill pan on stove top.Apply little oil on the pan.Heat the pan well and put the skewers.First 2 mins cook on high heat-this seals the juices.later cook it on a medium flame turning them.
• Serve hot with mint and tamaind dip.