Monday, September 28, 2009

Pooris and Pakodas Made of Kuttu (Buckwheat) Atta

Today I am going to share two recipes made from kuttu atta that is buckwheat flour-kuttu ki poori and pakode.During navratri fasting this is the flour that is used instead of regular wheat flour or any other grain.I usually have these at evening/night time on my fasting day.So here are the recipes-


For Kuttu Poori
Ingredients

Kuttu Ka Atta 2 cup
Potato(boiled and mashed) 2 medium
Sendha namak(Salt used for fasting)
Oil for deep frying
Water(Lukewarm)for kneading

Method

1. In a large bowl take kuttu ka atta,sendha namak,mashed potato.Mix the ingredients with your hands.
2. Now knead a dough using little water at a time.The dough should be little firm.
3. Make lemon size balls with the dough and roll in small circles like poori.
4. Heat oil in a kadhayi/pan and deep fry these pooris till dark brown from both the sides.Repeat the process to make all the pooris.
5. Serve the pooris hot with raita/chutney.



For Kuttu Ke Pakode
Ingredients
Kuttu Ka Atta 1 cup
Potatoes (Boiled) 5-6 medium
Sendha namak (Salt used for fasting)
Green coriander leaves chopped
Green Chili 1-2 chopped
Oil for deep frying

Method
1. Take boiled potatoes and peel the skin off and roughly mash them( don't mash them finely).
2. Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients except oil.
3. Make small lemon size balls from this mixture(if necessary apply a little oil in your hands).
4. Heat oil in a kadhayi/pan and deep fry these balls.Take them out on a kitchen paper towel.
5. Serve hot with green chutney/raita.
Note: You can also make chaat with these pakodas using plain yogurt,green chutney and imli ki chutney.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Aloo(Potato) Halwa


This is my second contribution for fasting recipes.For navratri I generally have this potato halwa during day time as I eat salt(sendha namak) things only at evening/night and it's very filling also.It tastes good even without any kind of dry fruits in it.

Ingredients
Aloo/Potato 4 large
Sugar(Powdered) 3/4 cup or as per taste
Ghee/Clarified butter 3 tbsp
Dry Fruits(Almonds,Raisins) for garnishing (optional)

Method
1. Boil and peel potatoes.Now mash/grate them.
2. Heat ghee in a kadhayi/pan and add potatoes in it.
3. Fry these potatoes till golden in colour.Keep on stirring so that it will not stick to the bottom of the pan.
4. At this point add sugar and keep on stirring till the sugar dissolve completely.Remove it from heat when it leaves the sides of the kadhayi/pan.
5. Garnish with dry fruits and it's ready to serve.

Note: You can also use sweet potatoes instead of potatoes.


Sending this to the following events:
Kids Delight by Srivalli of Spicing Your Life,
Dussehra,Dhanteras and Deepavali by Shanti of Shanti Krishnakumar's Cook book,
WYF: Festive Treat by Suchi of Simple Indian Food,
FIL- Ghee by Sanghi of Sanghi's Food Delight.





AWARDS!!!
I got these two wonderful awards from Renu of Renu's Kitchen.Thanks a lot Renu.



Saturday, September 19, 2009

Makhana-Kheer (Lotus Seeds Pudding)


First of all a very happy Navratri to all.As today is the first day of this festival so I am keeping fast.But this time I am not alone my hubby is accompanying me and I am so glad about it.So the very first dish I made is this Makhana-Kheer as my hubby is fond of puddings.

Ingredients
Makhana/Lotus seeds 1 cup
Ghee 1 tbsp
Milk 1 litre
Almonds 6-7
Cashews 8-10
Green Cardamom pw 1/2 tsp
Sugar 1/2 cup

Method
1. Heat ghee in a pan and fry the makhanas till golden in colour.Take them out and roughly crush 1/4th part of it.
2. Heat milk in a pan and add makhanas,cardamom powder.Simmer till it becomes of thick consistency.Stir occasionally to avoid milk sticking to the bottom of the pan.
3. Now add sugar,powdered cashews and chopped almonds and heat till the sugar dissolves completely.
4. Decorate it with pistachios and almonds.Serve hot or cold.

Sending this to the following events:
Awards!!!

I got this Kreative Blogger Award from Sandhya of Sandhya's Kitchen.I am very delighted to receive it.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Stuffed Snake Gourd


Here comes another member of Gourd family that is narrow,soft skinned,long serpent like structure-Snake Gourd.It is also known as Chichinda in hindi.Well I don't know how many of you like it but I always admired it because of this stuffed recipe which I learn from my mom.For those who are not aware of this veggie here is a click


Ingredients
Snake guard 2
Onion 2
Ginger 2 inch piece
Garlic 4-5 pods
Turmeric pw 1/2 tsp
Red chili pw 1 tsp
Garam Masala 1 tsp
Coriander pw 1 tsp
Dry Mango pw 1/2 tsp
Salt
Oil 2 tbsp

Method
1. Peel,wash and cut snake guard into 2 inch long pieces.
2. Scoop out the seeds to make these pieces hollow.Crush the seeds and flesh and keep them aside.
3. Make a stuffing with grated onion,ginger,garlic,salt and all the masalas.Mix well.Also add in it the scooped out part.
4. Now fill each piece with that stuffing.
5. Heat oil in a pan and add these stuffed pieces.Add a little salt and any remaining stuffing.Cover it to cook on medium heat till its done.
6. Serve it with roti/chapati or as a side dish.

Note: For a quick recipe just cut the snake guard into thin rings.Heat oil in a pan and add these rings,grated onion,ginger,garlic,salt and all masalas.Cover it to cook on medium heat.

AWARDS!!!

I got this A Fabulous Blog award from Renu of Renu's Kitchen.Thanks a lot Renu for considering me and thanks to all my visitors and supporters to make my blog Fabulous with their sweet and encouraging comments.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Mung Bean/Green Gram Salad



I am a BIG Lover of salads and my meal is incomplete without it.So lets have a healthy and nutritious bean salad.It includes green gram sprouts with other veggies.

Ingredients
Green Gram/Moong Dal (whole) 1 cup
Tomato 1
Cucumber 1
Onion 1
Lemon juice 1 tsp
Salt
Chaat Masala 1/2 tsp

Olive Oil 1 tsp



Method
1. Wash and soak mung beans in water overnight or for 8 hours.
2. Heat oil in a pan.Add mung beans,salt and cook it for 2 minutes.
3. In a serving bowl take the beans and add chopped onion, cucumber, tomatoes, coriander leaves to it.
4. Sprinkle chaat masala,lemon juice and mix the ingredients.It is ready to serve.

Sending this as my entry to the event MLLA:Fifteenth Helping hosted by sia of Monsoon Spice and originally owned by Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook.
Also sending it to the event Food for 7 stages of life: Pregnancy(Zero hour) by Radhika of Sourashtra Kitchen and Sudeshna of Cook Like A Bong.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Awards


I got this token of appreciation from Shanti for participating in her event State special.My sincere thanks to Shanti.

One of my fellow blogger Sara tagged me.I really appreciate it.Thanks!!!
The Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share the ABCs of you.
4. Tag 4 people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let the 4 tagged people know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Do not tag the same person repeatedly but try to tag different people, so that there is a big network of bloggers doing this tag.
The Tag:
1. A – Available/Single? Married
2. B – Best friend? My DH
3. C – Cake or Pie? Cake
4. D – Drink of choice? Lassi
5. E – Essential item you use every day? Air,Water
6. F – Favorite color? All colours of happiness
7. G – Gummy Bears Or Worms? None
8. H – Hometown? Lucknow
9. I – Indulgence? Shopping,cooking
10. J – January or February? Feb for starting my life with my DH
11. K – Kids & their names? Son named Akshaj
12. L – Life is incomplete without? My Family
13. M – Marriage date? 6th Feb
14. N – Number of siblings? one younger bro
15. O – Oranges or Apples? both
16. P – Phobias/Fears? Fears
17. Q – Quote for today? Whatever Happens, Happens For Good
18. R – Reason to smile? My Family
19. S – Season? Spring
20. T – Tag 4 People? Sandhya,Renu,Purva,Radhika
21. U – Unknown fact about me? Even I dont know
22. V – Vegetable you don't like? I like all veggies
23. W – Worst habit? Loosing temper and shouting
24. X – X-rays you've had?
25. Y – Your favorite food? Chaat
26. Z – Zodiac sign? libra

I have tagged 4 blogger friends

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Maggie Noodles


Well Maggie Noodles are a big hit in every household in India for sure.Generally I cook it using the method given on the pack but sometimes I use some of my favourite veggies in it to give it a nice colour and flavour.In that way it becomes healthy too.

Ingredients
Maggie Noodles 1 pack
Green Pepper/Capsicum 1/4
Onion 1/2 small
Broccoli a few florets
Carrot 1/2
Tomato Sauce 2 tsp
Salt
Olive Oil

Method
1. Wash and cut all the vegetables in small pieces.
2. Boil 2 cups of water in a pan.Add 1 tsp of olive oil,salt and cook noodles in it till they are almost cooked.Drain out the excess water.
3. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan /wok and add all the veggies,salt,maggie noodles masala.Fry it for few minutes till the veggies are done.
4. Now add noodles and tomato sauce in it.Mix all the ingredients softly or toss just them and heat it for a few seconds.
5. Remove from heat and serve hot.

Note: Maggie Noodle Masala contains salt in it so don't add too much salt in the veggies.