Cucumber Raita with Onions

Cucumber Raita with Onions

Cucumber
Green Chillies

Onion
Tomato
 Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- 
Dried Pomegranate Powder (Anardana)-
Salt-
Whipped Curd/Plain Yoghurt-

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Grilled Feta Greek Salad

International Vegetarian Salad Special 
Greek Cuisine

Grilled Feta Greek Salad- Classic Greek Salad with a Twist!

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Cucumber- 1

Tomatoes- 2

Red Onions- 1 Medium

Black Olives- 5

Fresh Mint Leaves- 1 Sprig

Fresh Parsley Leaves-

Fresh Feta Cheese- 

For Dressing:

Olive Oil- 2 Tbsp.

Red Wine Vinegar-  2 Tbsp.

Honey- 1 Tbsp.

Sea Salt- To Taste

Freshly Cracked Black Pepper-

Method:

Whisk together Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar, Honey, Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Next Slice Cucumber, Tomatoes & Place on a Serving Plate

Sliced Red Onions, Olives, Mint Leaves & Flat Parsley Leaves

Now Slice Feta into Big Rectangular Slices & Brush with Oil

Heat Non stick on High Flame & Fry until Golden & Crunchy

Cut in Half & Place on Salad

Just before Serving, Spin the Dressing & Serve

Tip:

Thanks to Donna Hey, I got this Idea for this Recipe that has all the Classic Greek Salad Ingredients like Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Olives, Fresh Burst of Parsley & Mint. So, the Twist in this Recipe is that the Feta is Pan Fried really quickly so that there is Crispy Outside & Warm Cheese Flavor Inside! 

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Puffed Rice Snack (Jhal Mudi/Marmaralu)

Indian Vegetarian Snacks Special

Andhra/Bengali/Oriya Cuisine

Puffed Rice Snack (Jhal Mudi/Marmaralu)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Puffed Rice (Murmure/Marmaralu/Mudhi/Muri)- 4 Cups

Onion- 1 Medium, Finely Chopped
Tomatoes- 1 Small, (Optional)

Green Chillies- 2, Slit & De seeded
Fresh Coriander Leaves- 2 Tbsp., Finely Chopped

Carrot- 2 Tbsp., Finely Chopped

Potato- 2 Tbsp., Boiled & Finely Chopped

Cucumber- 1 Tbsp., Peeled & Finely Chopped

Salt- To Taste

Red Chilli Powder- 1 Tsp.

Chat Masala- ½ Tsp.

Lemon Juice-

Namkeen/Sev- 1 Cup  (here it is a mix of Ratlami Sev & Aloo Bhujia)

Roasted Peanuts- 1 Tbsp.

Mustard Oil (Kacchi Ghani Sarson Tel)- 1 Tbsp. (this is drizzled by the Vendors just before serving!!)

Method:

In a Bowl, mix all the Ingredients including Salt, Red Chilli Powder, Chat Masala & Lemon Juice except Mustard Oil

Add Mustard Oil at last and Toss well 

Serve Fresh Immediately!

Tips:
Famous mostly in the Coastal Andhra Region (including our Paternal Hometown of Arasavilli) Srikakulam, Vizag, Orissa Border, Berhampur &of course Odisha, Bengal etc.

Use Thick Skinned Tomato with less Juice

If Raw Mango is not available, can use Lime Juice

Can Add Sprouted or Dry Roasted Moong, Kaala Chana, 1 Tbsp. each of Finely Chopped Coconut & Raw Mango

Sprouts (are formed the process of 'Sprouting', also called 'Living/Wonder Foods') are a great source of Nutrition packed with a Super Healthy & Interesting Nutritional Content called the 'Digestible Energy, Proteins, Vitamin C, Low in Calories making them Diabetic Friendly, helps to Lower Blood Cholesterol, Liver Fat etc.

Can add Dry Roasted Foxnut (Makhana) in this as well

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Greek Salad

International Vegetarian Salad Special 
Greek Cuisine

Greek Salad
(an interesting version of the Classic Greek Salad with Bread!)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Lebanese Cucumber- 1 No.

Fresh Greek Tomatoes- 2

Red Onion-1

Dried Oregano- ½ Tsp.

Kalamata Olives- 4, Finely Sliced

Feta Cheese- 3 Tbsp., Crumbled

Dill Leaves- Finely Chopped

Red Wine Vinegar- 1-2 Tbsp.

Salt- A Dash

Pepper- A Dash

Ciabatta Bread- 1 Loaf

Method:

Slice the Edges and Sides of the Ciabatta Bread

Keep it in the Oven to Toast for about 5 Minutes

Peel & Dice the Cucumber into 1 Inch Cubes

Dice Tomatoes into Cubes

Peel & Dice Onion into Fine Slices

In a Salad Mixing Bowl, Add Cucumber, Tomatoes, Onion, Oregano, Olives, Feta Cheese & Mix Well

Add Olive Oil, Dill Leaves, Vinegar, Salt, Pepper & Mix Well

Add the Toasted Ciabatta Bread just before Eating and Serve Fresh!

Tips:

Greek Salad is one of the most Famous Summer Salads in the Greek Cuisine. Horiatiki Salata is the name for the Basic Greek Salad where Horiatiki means just like Village-Style. Throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, Greek Salad can be found in Varied Flavours.

One of First things to keep in mind while making an Authentic Greek Salad is that Lettuce is not a part of it but only its Variations around the World

In case Kalamata Olives can’t be used, only then opt for Canned Black Olives

Surprisingly the Ciabatta Bread is an extra addition we tried & trust me it blends in wonderfully. There is popular Saying in Greece that the Greeks gave the Ciabatta Bread to the Italians!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciabatta

It is very important to use Good Quality Fresh Tomatoes are a must

Good Quality Feta Cheese should preferably be used either as Cubed or Diced 

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Grapes, Pomegranate and Cucumber Dip (Angoori Anar aur Kheera Raita)

North Indian Vegetarian Dips Special

Grapes, Pomegranate and Cucumber Dip (Angoori Anar aur Kheera Raita)

Ingredients:

Set Thick Curd- 1 Cup

Grapes (Angoor)- 1/4 Cup, Chopped

Pomegranate (Anar)-1/4 Cup

Cucumber (Kheera)- 1/4 Cup, Grated

Onion- 1 Small, Finely Chopped

Black Salt (Kala Namak)- 1/2 Tsp.

Roasted Cumin Powder (Kuta Bhuna Jeera)- 1/2 Tsp.

Red Chilli Powder (Kuti Lal Mirch)- 1/2 Tsp.

Lemon Juice (Nimbu)- 1 Tbsp.

Crushed Black Pepper Powder (Kuti Kali Mirch)- To Taste

Fresh Coriander Leaves (Dhaniya)- 2 Tbsp.

Method:

Whisk the Curd; add Black Salt, Roasted Cumin Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Lemon Juice, Crushed Black Pepper Powder and pinch of Salt to it

Add Grapes, Pomegranate, Cucumber, Onions and Mix it properly

Raita should not be of a Creamy Texture, neither too Thick nor too Watery
Add 1 Tbsp. of Water if needed

Garnish it with Fresh Coriander and Sprinkle some Pomegranate Seeds

Serves as a Perfect Accompaniment to Stuffed Indian Flat Bread (Paranthas) and Rice Varieties (Pulao/Biryani)!!

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