Bhel

This is my last post from US,I am going back to India,Pune for good. I will not able to visit your space regularly for a month.
Some times we all feel something quick and chapata(spicy) snack, this is perfect and instant version Of bhel,that can be made in approximately 5 minutes using readily available ingredients from your own pantry,If you plan ahead.

Ingredients:

• Poha Chivda-4 cups
• Onion-1 medium( finely chopped)
• Peanuts-1/4 cup (roasted)
• Potatoes-2 medium (boiled,peeled and diced)
• Green chili-2 to3 (chopped)
• Sev-1/2 cup
• Salt to taste
• Green chutney-1/4 cup
•  Sweet chutney -1/2cup

• Lemon juice-2 tsp
• Coriander leaves-2 tbs(chopped)

Method:
Transfer Poha Chivda on a big bowl,add roasted peanut,potatoes and sev
Toss to mix.Add sev and mix. Add salt to taste.
Add the two chutneys and stir well.
Add lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve immediately.
Enjoy!!!

Eggless Custard Powder Cake

This is the perfect cake for beginner baker like me and avoid to eggs in baking ,it is very moist,soft
And perfect snack time cake.
(Adapted from Best Recipes)

Ingredients:

• All purpose flour(maida)-1 and 1/ 2 cups
• Custard powder-3/4 cup                                    
• Granulated sugar -3/4 cu
• Baking powder-1 and 1/4 tsp
• Vanila extract-1/2 tsp

• Butter-150 gm at room temperature
• Milk - 1 cup

Method:
Sieve all the dry ingredients into big bowl and mix well.
Add the milk,butter and  mix until you get a smooth batter.
Preheat the oven  at 350F and bake for 40 to 45 minutes
Or cake is done by inserting a toothpick in the middle of the
Cake comes out clean.
Let it cool completely and serve.
Note:
Baking time may vary depending on your oven and cake pan.

Idlis( South Indian steamed rice and spilt black gram dumplings)

I love this soft,spongy and white idlis with sambhar and coconut. This hot healthy snack is probably
The lightest but also the most filling snack in India.

 






Ingredients:

• Rice-2 cups
• Urad dal( spilt skinless black gram)-1 cup              
• Fenugreek seeds( methi)-1/2 tsp
• Poha-1 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil for greasing

Method:
Wash rice in water 2 to3 times and drain add 3 cups water and soak for 3 to4 hours.
Wash and soak dal,poha  and methi  in 2 cups water for 3 to 4 hours.
Drain dal and methi,poha and put in a grinder with 1/2 cup water make a smooth batter.
Transfer to a pan.
Drain the rice and put in the grinder with 3/4 cup of water grind to a slightly coarse mixture.
Transfer to the saucepan with the dal mixture.
Mix the batter with hand and cover the pan with tight lid and set aside in a warm place overnight
To ferment.
Heat 2 cups water in a steamer and lightly oil the idli moulds.
Add the salt into batter and stir pour it into the moulds. Fit the trays onto the stand put in the steamer
Cover and steam for about 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in an idli comes out clean.
Take the idli stand out of the steamer and keep aside for to cool a bit.
Spoon the idlis out and serve with samber and Coconut chutney.

Oats Muthiya(Steamed Oats Dumplings)

Muthiyas are typical snacks from Gujarat and favorite snack at our house.you can refrigerate any leftover served at breakfast or for kids lunch box.you could use carrot,spinach,methi instead of cabbage...experiment with your favorite combinations of vegetables.

       
Ingredients:

• Oats-3/4 cup(coarsely)
• Cabbage-2 cup(grated)
• Suji(semolina)-2 tbsp
• Curd-3 tbsp
• Red chili powder-1 tsp
• Coriander powder-1 tsp
• Ginger paste-1 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Asafetida- pinch
• Coriander leaves-1/2 tbsp( chopped)
• Oil-2 tsp
• Sesame seeds-1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste

Method:
Add cabbage,oats,turmeric powder,coriander powder,chili powder,ginger paste
Coriander leaves,curd and hing in a bowl.mix well and knead to make a sticky dough.
Do not add water.
Grease your palms with a little oil.Divide the dough into equal portion and shape into cylinder.
Put the rolls on a steaming tray and place in the steamer.Steam for 12 to 15 minutes.
Or until a toothpick or knife inserted into one of the pieces comes out clean.
Remove from  and let cool completely.
Cut into 1 inch pieces.
Heat oil in a pan add sesame seeds when the seeds sputter add the dumpling
Pieces and toss well and saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot.
Enjoy!!!!

Khandvi

I love this delicious,bright yellow savory,snack dish from Gujarat, I learned to make this dish long back from one of my Gujarati friend.Making khandvi takes some practice to know when the batter is cooked to the correct consistency.

Ingredients:

• Besan(gram flour)-1 1/4  cup
• Curd-1 cup
• Water-2 cup
• Ginger paste-1/2 tsp
• Green chili paste1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Hing(asafetida)- pinch
• Oil-1 tsp
• For tampering :
• Mustard seeds-1 tsp
• Oil-1 tbsp
• Coconut for garnishing
• Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:
Put the besan,curd,turmeric powder,green chili paste,ginger paste,hing,oil and salt
Mix well until smooth.
Add water and make a smooth batter with no lumps.
Pour mixture into heavy bottomed pan, place it on medium heat and cook for 5 to 7
Minutes,stirring continuously, after 8 minutes or until the mixture is thick
To check if the batter is cooked,take teaspoonful of it and spread it thinly on surface.
Let it cool for a minute.Then lift it up  the surface by rolling it up.
If the batter comes off the surface it means that it is cooked enough.
Remove from the heat and working quickly,spread the batter with flat sputlla
Over surface as thinly as possible,while the batter is still hot.Let cool completely.
Cut into 2 inches wide and roll them up tightly. Pick up each roll gently and place in
A serving dish.
Place a small pan on medium heat and add oil.when oil is hot add mustard seed.
Pour this tempering over the khandvi.
Sprinkle with the coconut and coriander leaves.
Serve immediately.
Enjoy!!!

Mathari( whole wheat flour mathari)

This is really a simple,healthy and tasty treat that makes a great munching tea time snack.you can also sent as a snack along with your kids snack box.Here i have used whole wheat flour to make more healthier but You can also use all purpose flour too.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour(aata)-2 cups
• Suji(semolina)-2 tbsp
• Oil-1/4 cup
• Black pepper-1/2 tsp(crushed)
• Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Method:
Take aata in a big mixing bowl.Add the cumin,crushed black pepper, salt and stir.
Now add oil and mix well. Add gradually water and knead to make a stiff dough.
Cover with damp cloth and set aside for 15 to 20 minutes.
Divide the dough into 3 equal portion and shape into balls. Roll out into about a 8 inch
Circle.Cut mathari with cookie cutter into round shape.Prick with a fork all over the surface
To prevent their puffing up during frying.Continue with the rest of the balls the same way.
Heat oil in a kadahi on medium hot, gently slide matharis few at time and fry
Untill golden brown and crisp.Remove and drain on paper towels.
Let them cool completely and then store in an airtight container.
Note:
To make masala mathari you can add kasoori methi,Ajwain and red chili for flavor.

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Dahi Vada

Dahi vada is a very famous snack or street food from North India. My Mom-in-law is an expert in making dahi vada, there is only one secret to make perfect dahi vada.if you whip batter with hands for 4 to 5 minutes then only you will get vadas melt in your mouth.

you can add chutneys and curd as per your taste.
Click here for Imli Ki chutney  and Green chutney.
 Ingredients:

• Urad dal(spilt skinless black gram)-1 cup             
• Cumin seeds-1 tsp
• Salt to taster
• Asafetida(hing)-pinch
• Oil for frying

 
For Serving:

• Curd- 3 cups
• Roasted cumin powder-1 tsp
• Red chili powder-1 tsp
• Imli ki chutney
• Green chutney
• Black salt to taste
• salt to taste

 Method:
Wash the dal and soak it in water for 4 to 5 hours.
Drain and place in grinder and try to add very little water, grind to a smooth and fluffy paste.
Transfer to a bowl,add the cumin,salt and asafetida and beat by hand until fluffy.
To test if the batter is ready drop pea size batter into a bowl of water if it float on the
Top,that means batter is ready.
Heat oil in a kadahi on medium flame.when its hot shape the batter into small dumplings
Slide them a few at times into the hot oil.cook the vadas  until golden brown.
Remove and keep on paper towel.continue with the remaining paste.
Transfer them to a bowl of hot water and cover.let them soak for 15 minutes.
Squeeze the vadas between your palms to remove excess water.
Put  chilled curd in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
keep the vadas in serving dish and pour the curd to cover the vadas
Sprinkle with the cumin,chili powder,salt,black salt and drizzle both chutneys and serve.
Enjoy!!!

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Poha Cutlets

This simple dish can be made quickly and easily,it can served  as a delicious appetizer,evening snack or breakfast.kids would definitely love this so try out this crispy appetizer.

Ingredients:

• poha(beaten rice)-1 cup
• potato-2 medium(boiled,peeled and mashed)
• Bread crumbs-1/2 cup
• Besan( gramflour)-2tbsp                                         
• Peanut-2 tbsp
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Green chilli -2 finely chopped
• Ginger -1 tsp (grated)
• Chat masala-1tsp
• Coriander leaves-1 tbsp(finely chopped)
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Method:
First dry roast peanut and once cool, grind coarsely.
Wash poha and soak for 2 minutes and drain.
Mix mashed potato,soaked poha,peanut,salt,ginger,turmeric powder
Chopped coriander,green chili,chat masala and mix everything properly.
Make a smooth dough.
Divide the mixture into equal portion and shape them into square or round cutlet.
And place it in bread crumbs,press them from all the sides.
Deep fry or shallow fry the cutlets on medium heat till golden brown in colour
From both sides.
Serve hot with tomato ketchup or green chutney.
Note:
Suji (rava) can be used instead of bread crumbs.
Enjoy!!!

Masala Poori

Masala poori is a very quick and easy to make snack or breakfast and tastes great with any pickle or dry potato curry ,you can add flavor as per your choice like carom( ajwain seed),crushed black pepper etc. and try to serve hot so taste will better.

Ingredients:

• Wheat flour( atta)- 1cup
• Besan ( gram flour)-1 tbsp
• Kasoori methi-2 tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/2tsp
• Crushed cumin seed- 1 tsp
• Chili powder- 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Method:
Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl except oil and mix properly.
Knead into the  stiff dough using little amount of water.
Cover and keep aside for 10 to 15 minutes.
Divide the dough into small size balls, roll them out into small size disk.
Heat oil into deep pan( kadahi) on medium high heat.
Deep fry each puri one at a time till golden brown color from both side.
Keep on paper towel and Serve hot.
Enjoy!!!

Instant Suji (Semolina)Dhokla in Microwave

Dhokla is very popular Gujarati snack item traditionally made with rice and lentils. when I saw this recipe in nishamadhulika I couldn't resist myself to try out. It is very delicious,soft and spongy as well as very quick and easy to make.it can be made in a jiffy If you have unexpected guest at home.

Ingredients:

• Suji(rava)-1cup
• Curd-1 cup( whisked)
• Oil-2tbsp
• Ginger & green chilli paste-1tsp
• Salt-to taste
• Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
• Eno fruit salt 1/4tsp
• Water-3/4 cup
• Coriander leaves-1tbsp(finely chopped)
• Coconut(grated)-1tbsp (for garnishing)

To temper:

• Oil-1tbsp
• Curry leaves-few
• Hing-a pinch
• Mustard seed-1/4tsp
• Sesame seed -1/4 tsp
• Green chilli- to taste (slit)

How to prepare:
Take big mixing bowl add suji,curd and oil mix well untill there are no lumps.
Add green chili and ginger paste,turmeric powder,salt mix them well.
Keep the batter aside for 10 minutes.
In the meantime grease microwave safe bowl.
After ten minutes add eno fruit salt  and mix well untill bubbles appear on the batter.
Quickly pour the batter into greased bowl,spread evenly.
 Microwave on high for 4 minutes, insert a tooth pick if its done. It should come out clean.
Let it cool down and cut the dhokla into square pieces.
Heat oil into small pan add mustard seed let them splutter,add sesame seed,add green chili
Curry leavs And hing cook fo 15 to 20 seconds. Switch off the heat.
Pour this over the dhokla pieces and garnish with grated coconut and coriander leaves.
Enjoy!!!
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Corn and Methi Kabab

Corn and methi kabab is very healthy,delicious and preparation is quite easy, made with corn,methi and potato.Try out this flavorful and perfect tea time snack.

Ingredients:

• Corn-1cup( boiled & mashed)
• Methi (fengureek leaves)-1cup finely chopped
• Potato-1/2cup ( boiled &mashed)
• Rice flour-2tbsp
• Coriander leaves-1tbsp(chopped)
• Chat masala-1tsp
• Chilly powder-1tsp(to taste)
• Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
• Salt-to taste

How to prepare:
Coarsely mash potato and corn in a big bowl.
Add chopped methi,coriander leaves,chat masala,salt,turmeric powder,chilly powder and rice flour.
Mix everything properly. Shape it into small sized patties.turn on the heat on medium.
Shallow fry the patties on non stick pan with some oil,until golden brown on both sides.
Serve hot with tomato ketchup or Green chutney
Note:
You can deep fry patties too.
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Hummus (chickpeas Dip)

Hummus is a spread or dip made with chickpea, garlic, olive oil, and lemon Juice.Try this Middle Eastern delight at home.it an excellent source of protein and fiber and It is quite easy to prepare and  it taste great with chips, pita bread and veggie stick.  

                                                                                                                                           

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas (chole)- 1cup
• Garlic-4 clove
• Olive oil-2tbsp
• Lemon juice-1&1/2tbsp
• Salt- to taste
• Red Chilli powder-1/4tsp  
  

preparation:
Soak chickpeas overnight .pressure cook with salt till soft.

Add chickpeas, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice into blander

And blend until smooth mixture, add little water if needed.

Keep into serving bowl drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle some red Chilli.       

Enjoy with chips or raw veggies.   

 Note:

You may use canned garbanzo beans (chickpea) instead of soaked and boiled chickpeas.
Recipe source:
Sanjeev Kapoor

Home made French Fries

It is very easy and perfect homemade French fries. You can have them any time of the day.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes-4

• Oil –for frying

• Salt-to taste

• Water

Method:

Wash and peel potatoes. Now cut it into long even strips.

Soak them into ice cold water for 20 to 30 minutes.

Take enough water for boiling in a big pan. When water

Start boiling adds fries and salt. Boil them till half done.

Remove from the pan and pat dry in a paper towel.

Heat oil in a pan and place fries into pan fry till golden brown.

Your French fries is ready to serve.

Serve with tomato sauce or ketchup.
Enjoy!!!

Poha Chivda

Ingredients:

• 2 cup thin poha
• 1 cup murmura(puffed Rice)
• ½ cup peanut
• Mustard Seed- 1 tsp
• Curry leaves few
• Green Chilli- to taste (finely chopped)
• Turmeric Powder-1/2 tsp
• Black Salt-1/2tsp
• Salt-1tsp or to taste
• Sugar-1tsp
• Fennel Seeds Roasted and crushed-1tsp
• Grated cocnut-3tsp 

Method:
. Roast the poha in heavy bottomed pan, till the poha is crisp.

.Do the same with the murmura.

.Heat Oil in a pan at medium flame.

.Once Oil is hot; add mustard seeds allow them to crackle.

.Add in the Green chili and curry leaves and cook for 20 to 30 seconds.

.Add in Turmeric powder and Grated coconut,salt .Mix well.

  turn off the stove.

.sprinkle the sugar, black salt,crushed fennel seed and mix well.

.Allow the chivda to cool completely and store in an air tight container.