Whole Wheat Bread Pakoda

North Indian Vegetarian Snacks Special

Punjabi Cuisine
Whole Wheat Bread Pakoda
Serves 2

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Bread-

For Batter (Pakoda Batter):
Chickpea/Gram Flour (Besan)- 1/4 cup
Caraway Seeds (Ajwain/Vamu)-
Salt- To Taste
Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder- 1/2 Tsp. (optional)
Red Chilli Powder- 1 Tsp.

Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- For Deep Frying

For Stuffing:
Potatoes- Boiled & Mashed
Onions-
Green Chillies-
Salt- to Taste
Fresh Coriander Leaves- a few Sprigs

Method:

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Brinjal filled with Chick Pea Flour (Gutti Vankaya Senagapindi)

South Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special
Andhra Cuisine
Brinjal filled with Chick Pea Flour (Gutti Vankaya Senagapindi)
Serves 2


Ingredients:
Brinjal- 8 to 10 Pieces


For Stuffing:
Chick Pea Flour (Besan)- 2 Tbsp.
Cumin Seeds (Jeera) or (Ajwain)- 1 Tsp.
Hing- a Pinch

Salt- to Taste
Red Chilli Powder- 1/2 to 1 Tsp. depending on the Spiciness needed
Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- needed to mix the Stuffing

Fresh Coriander Leaves- 1 Tbsp., Finely Chopped


Method:

Mix in all the ingredients for the Stuffing with Oil to make a Crumbly consistency

The Brinjals need to Simmer in the Pan with Cover with Water (only if cooked in a Metal Based Pan as the Brnjals tend to stick )

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Nestle Milkmaid Creations

Nestle Milkmaid Creations

As soon as I saw this AD on TV, I wanted to know what all was included in the Range & trust me all Classics plus some Classics but Surprise Recipes (that we normally may not make at home) are in store for us!

According to one of the leading Indian Newspaper that had this Print ad says that these Mixes are '...Simple 3 Step recipes that serve mouth watering desserts at home'

The classic Milkmaid has always been at home no matter if it is used for Halwa, Kheer, Desserts, or just as a dip for Quick Dessert Fix!
So looking at the Nestle Brand, these Mixes may just make our lives a bit more Easier & Yummier!

After trying at Spencer’s with no luck, finally found only 4 Mixes (excluding the Kulfi Mix) at Nilgiri’s in Chennai

Besan Laddoo Mix

Badaam Kheer Mix

Eggless Cake Mix

Pista Kulfi Mix

Rice Kheer Mix

Nestle Milkmaid Creations: Besan Laddoo

Servings: 6 (12 Laddoo)

Cost: Rs 95

Nestle Milkmaid Creations: Badam Kheer

Servings: 6

Cost: Rs 145


I have to admit we were all waiting to post the Pictures of our Badam Kheer (as well as my Family's reactions)..
Here they go..

Serve Chilled (with may be some extra Blanched & Sliced Almonds & Yes..Raisins!)

Nestle Milkmaid Creations: Rice Kheer

Servings: 6 -7

Cost: Rs 120

Nestle Milkmaid Creations: Eggless Cake

Servings: 10

Cost: Rs 95

Nestle Milkmaid Creations: Pista Kulfi Mix

Servings 6
Cost: Rs 125

Thanks for all the Great Support from Fellow Bloggers & Netizens!! :) 

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Mixed Mango Puree & Buttermilk Preparation (Aamras ki Kadhi)

Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special

Gujarati Cuisine

Mixed Mango Puree & Buttermilk Preparation (Aamras ki Kadhi)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Ripe Mango (Aamras) Puree- 1 Cup

Raw Mango (Keri) Puree- 1 Cup

Thin Buttermilk (Chaas)- 1 Cup

Bengal Gram/Chickpea Flour (Besan)- 2 Tbsp.

Haldi-

Salt- To Taste

Asafoetida (Hing)- a Pinch

For Tempering:

Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- 1- ½ Tsp.

Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)- ¼ Tsp.

Mustard Seeds (Rai/Sarson)- ½ Tsp.

Curry Leaves (Kadi Patta)- 5-6 No’s

Green Chillies- 2, Slit

Deep Fried Gram Flour Pearls (Boondi)- 2 to 3 Tbsp.

Ginger- Juliennes

Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder-

Fresh Coriander Leaves- Finely Chopped

Sea Salt-

Method:

In a Bowl, Mix Aamras, Keri Puree, Chaas,

In another Bowl, Add Besan & Buttermilk

Combine them well so they bind properly

Using a Sieve, add the Besan into Aamras to avoid Lumps

Add Haldi, Salt, Hing & Combine all

In a Non Stick Pan (Kadhai), Heat Oil

Add Methi, Rai, Curry Leaves & Sauté

Add Green Chillies & Sauté

Add the Aamras Mixture & Keep Stirring

If it thickens, Add Buttermilk to thin it down

Add Boondi & Keep Aside

For Tempering:

Heat Oil, Add Ginger, Kashmiri Chilli, Coriander Leaves, Curry Leaves, Boondi & Sea Salt

Add on top of the Prepared Aamras

Serve Hot with Steamed/Jeera Rice!

Tips:

Using the Techniques of Boiling-Deep Frying, Spices & Aromatics & Basics of Indian Vegetarian Cooking & Vegetables

This Kadhi is Sweet & Sour recipe best enjoyed with Boiled Rice

Ruu- Bind the Starch with liquid

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Gram Flour Dumplings in Yoghurt Gravy (Gatte Ki Sabzi)

North Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special

Rajasthani Cuisine

Gram Flour Dumplings in Yoghurt Gravy (Gatte Ki Sabzi)

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

Chickpea/Gram Flour (Besan)- 1 Cup

Turmeric Powder-

Coriander Powder-

Hing-

Salt- ¾ Tsp

Baking Powder- ¼ Tsp.

Roasted Cumin Seeds (Jeera)-

Ginger- Crushed & Finely Chopped

Pudina- Finely Chopped

Curd/Yoghurt- Whisked

For Gravy Base:

Ghee- 1 Tbsp.

Guntur Red Chillies- 3 to 4 No’s

Onion- 1, Finely Chopped

Cloves-

Cassia- 1 Inch Stick

Garlic- 3 Cloves, Finely Chopped

Haldi- ½ Tsp.

Red Chilli Powder-

Coriander Powder-

Hing-

Salt-

Green Chillies- 2, Slit

Curd-

Fresh Coriander Leaves- Finely Chopped

For the Gravy:

Gatta Flavoured Oil- 1 Tbsp.

Ghee- 1 Tbsp.

Method:

In a Bowl, Add Besan, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder, Hing, Salt, Baking Powder & Mix Well

Roast the Jeera, Grind it in a Mortar Pestle & Add to the Besan

Add Curd, Ginger, Pudina,

Divide & Roll the Dough into long thin cylindrical Pieces (Cut according to the Gatta Size)

In a Wide Pan, Boil Water

Add the Gatta Pieces Gently, Cook Uncovered till par Cooked

Drain from Water & Keep Aside to Cool

Cut into Bite Sized Chunks

In a Non Stick pan (Kadhai), Heat Refined Oil, deep fry the Gatta Balls till Golden Brown

For the Gravy:

In a Non Stick Pan, Heat Oil & Ghee

Add the Steamed Gatta Pieces

Sprinkle Water & use the Bhunna Technique

Add Curd little by little

As the Ghee starts coming to top, Add Green Chillies & Mix Well

Add Fresh Coriander Leaves

Tips:
This Recipe is a Rajputana, Marwari Community Specialty

Use the Soda Bicarb according to the Besan used, so if 2 Cups of Besan is used, ½ Tsp. Soda Bicarb will be needed

The Gatta Dough would need some Oil to help Bind

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Deep Fried Green Chilli Dipped in Gram Flour Stuffing (Mirchi Pakoda/Mirapakaya Bajji)

Indian Vegetarian Snacks Special

Andhra Cuisine

Deep Fried Green Chilli Dipped in Gram Flour Stuffing (Mirchi Pakoda/Mirapakaya Bajji)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Sweet Banana Green Chillies- 8 No’s

ChickPea/Gram Flour (Besan)- 1- ½ Cups

Carom Seeds (Ajwain)-

Onion Seeds (Kalonji)-

Salt- To Taste

Red Chilli Powder-

Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- For Deep Frying

Method:

Wash, Towel Dry, Slit & De-Seed the Banana Green Chillies

In a Bowl, Mix Besan, Ajwain, Kalonji, Salt, Red Chilli Powder with Water to form a Thick Pancake style Batter

Dip Each Chilly Piece in the Batter Fully till the Chilli is entirely coated

Gently Slide in the Oil from a Side of the Pan

Fry till Golden Brown on both sides

Drain in a Plate with Absorbent Paper 

Serve Hot with Tomato Ketchup!

Variations:
There are other varieties of Chillies available which can be used for this Recipe also

There are other methods & stuffing which can be used to make the Mirchi ka Pakoda like Boiled & mashed Potato etc.

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Okra Chips

Indian Vegetarian Snacks Special

Okra Chips

Serves 2

English- LadyFinger/Okra 
Hindi- Bhindi
Kannada- Bhendekayi

Malayalam- Vendakka

Tamil- Vendaikai

Telugu- Bendakaya

Ingredients:

LadyFinger/Okra (Bhindi/Bendakaya)- 500 Grams

Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- For Deep Frying

Bengal Gram Flour (Besan)- ½ Tsp.

Carom Seeds (Ajwain)- 1 Tsp.

Turmeric Powder (Haldi)- 1Tsp.

Red Chilli Powder (Lal Mirch)- 1 Tsp.

Chat Masala- 1 Tsp.

Salt- To Taste

Lemon Juice- 1 No.

Method:

Wash the Bhindi and then Dry Thoroughly

Remove the Top Stem of Bhindi & Slit Diagonally into Long Thin Slices

Heat the Oil on a Medium Flame

Put the Bhindi in a Large Bowl and Sprinkle the Dry Ingredients (Besan, Ajwain, Haldi, Red Chilli Powder, Chat Masala, Salt) & Mix Well

Just before Frying, Season The Bhindi with Salt

Deep fry the Bhindi Slices in Small Quantity until Crisp and Drain on Plain Paper

Garnish with the Lemon Juice and Serve with Steamed Rice

Tips:

To get the Perfect Recipe for any Bhindi Recipe, make sure follow the Proper Method where the Bhindi is Washed, Cleaned, Completely Dried with a Cloth (Bhindi needs to be Completely Dry before Cutting into Pieces or else the Cut Bhindi will be Sticky during Sauteing/Frying), Trimmed at both Ends

Be Careful while heating the Oil as too much Heat may Burn the Bhindi easily while Deep Frying

Seasoning with Salt should done only at the time of Frying or else the Bhindi tends to release Water & turns Soggy

Can Add Sesame Seeds in the Besan Batter

Variation:

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Simple Snake Gourd Preparation (Potlakaaya Kura)

South Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special

Andhra Cuisine 

Snake Gourd Preparation (Potlakaaya Kura)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Snake Gourd (Potlakaaya)- 1 Medium or 1/3rd of a Long Creeper

Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- 1 Tbsp.

Turmeric Powder (Haldi)- 1 Tsp.

Salt- To Taste

White Sesame Seeds (Kuta Til/Nuvvulu) Powder- 1 Tbsp.

Chick Pea/Gram Flour (Besan/Senagapindi)- 1 Tbsp.

 

For Tempering:

Mustard Seeds (Rai/Aavalu)- ¼ Tsp.

Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- ¼ Tsp.

Split Bengal Gram Lentil (Chana Dal)- ¼ Tsp.

Split Black (Urad Dal/Menapappu)- ¼ Tsp.

Asafoetida (Hing/Inguva)- a Pinch

Curry Leaves (Karvepaku)- 5-6 No’s

Method:

Wash, Clean & Cut the Potlakaaya in Rings/Slices

Heat Oil in a Non Stick Pan (Kadhai)

Add Tempering Ingredients & Saute

Add the Potlakaaya Pieces along with Turmeric Powder & Salt

As the Vegetable is cooked, Add the Powdered Besan/Til & Combine Well

Served with Andhra Meal of Steamed Rice, Andhra Style Lentils (Pappu), Andhra Style Soup (Charu) or Vegetable Stew (Pulusu), Oora Mirapakayalu or Appadam, Set Curd
a Light Summery Andhra Meal usually has Cooling menu Items consisting of a Light Cleansing Soup, easy Summery Vegetable Preparation, can have Boiled Lentils, Buttermilk or Curd etc.

 

Tips:

Snake Gourd or Chinese Cucumber is a Laxative so is a Cooling Vegetable for , Diarrhea, Natural Antibiotic so is effective in Fever, Anti Inflammatory, Jaundice, Alopecia, Constipation etc.   

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