Saturday, November 21, 2009

Farhe(Rice Dumplings with yellow lentil stuffing)


Farhe is a snack from UP(Uttar Pradesh) the political heart of India, which is made as an offering to God on some festivals like karwachauth and bhayia dooj.Farhe is basically rice dumplings cooked with gram dal stuffing.

Ingredients
Rice Flour 2 cup
Chana/Gram dal 1 cup
Salt
Onion 1
Green chili 1-2
Oil 2 tbsp

Method
1. Wash and soak chana dal overnight.In the morning drain and grind the dal using very little water.Add some salt in it.
2. Take rice flour in a big bowl and knead it into a dough using little water at a time.
3. Make small lemon size balls out of this dough and flatten it into a circle using your hands.
4. Put a spoonful of dal inside this circle and fold the circle into a semi circle.
5. Now there are two ways to cook these dumplings.First method is steaming them and second method is put the balls in boiling water.
6. I used the second method.Boil water in a big pot and pour the dumplings in batches.Let them cook in water for 5 minutes and then take out.Allow them to cool.


7. Now with a sharp knife cut each dumpling in thin slices.
8. Heat oil in a pan/kadhayi and add in it chopped onion and green chili.Fry till golden in colour.Now add the dumpling slices,some salt and cook for 4-5 minutes.
9. It's ready to serve with green coriander chutney.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Radish Leaves Sabzi


This is a dry sabzi/veggie made of radish leaves which is very healthy and easy to cook.Radish leaves contain Calcium,Phosphores,Vitamin C and Protein.I have seen two ways to make this.At my in-laws place the chopped leaves are cooked directly using oil and garlic but my mother makes it slightly differently.So here is the recipe which I got from my mother.

Ingredients
Radish Leaves 1 Big bunch
Radish 1
Onion 1 small
Carom Seeds/Ajwain 1/2 tsp
Salt
Asafoetida 1 pinch
Turmeric pw 1/2 tsp
Red Chili pw 1/2 tsp
Mustard Oil 2 tbsp

Method
1. Wash and chop the radish leaves.Peel,wash and cut radish in small pieces.
2. Pressure cook these leaves and radish in half cup of water.
3. Take out and let them cool down.Now squeeze the water from these leaves pressing between your palms(you can use this water for dal or kneading dough).
4. Heat oil in a pan/kadhayi and add carom seeds,asafoetida in it.
5. Add chopped onions and fry it till golden in colour.Now add turmeric and chili powder in it.
6. At this point add the boiled leaves,radish,salt and mix well.Let it cook for 5 minutes on low flame.
7. Serve it hot with roti/chapati.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Sago Vada


Sago/Sabudana Vadas are dumplings made of sago and potatoes.You can have it like a snack or during fasting.

Ingredients
Sago/Sabudana 1 cups
Boiled Potato 2 Medium
Salt
Red chili pw 1 tsp
Oil For deep frying

Method
1. Soak sago in water(just enough to cover the sago) for 30 minutes.Now drain off excess water.
2. Peel and mash potato.
3. In a bowl mix mashed potatoes,sago,salt and red chili powder.
4. Apply a little oil in your hands and make small balls out of this mixture.Pat them gently with your fingers to flatten them.
5. Heat oil in a pan/kadhayi and deep fry these vadas till golden in colour from both sides.Take out and place on a kitchen paper towel.
6. Enjoy hot sago vadas with your favourite chutney/sauce.

Note: Just to enhance the taste you can also add green chillies,coriander leaves in the mixture.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Methi(Fenugreek Leaves) Paratha


When it comes to parathas( kind of Indian bread) I am always game.We use methi(fenugreek) as an herb and as a spice.It has a nice aroma and is very healthy as the green leaves contain Potassium,Calcium and Iron.They are rich in fiber and also contain Vitamin C and K.So try and enjoy these yummy parathas keeping all these good things in mind.So eat healthy and stay healthy.

Ingredients
Methi/Fenugreek Leaves 1 bunch
Atta/Whole wheat flour 2 cups
Cumin Seeds 1 tsp
Green Chili 1-2
Salt
Oil

Method
1. Wash and finely chop the methi leaves.
2. In a big bowl take flour,chopped leaves,chopped green chillies,salt,cumin seeds and mix all these with your hands.
3. Now knead this into a medium-soft dough using little water at a time.Keep aside for 20-25 minutes.
4. Make balls little bigger than you make for roti/chapati.Roll it into a small circle using dry flour.Apply little oil on it and fold it along the diameter to form a semi circle.Again apply some oil and fold it to make a triangle.Roll it in a triangular paratha using dry flour.



5. Heat a tava/griddle and cook the paratha on medium flame.Apply oil on both sides and press it gently with a spatula so that it cook evenly.
6. Repeat the process to make all the parathas.Serve hot with Pickle,curd or any kind of sauce.

Sending this to the event Weekend Herb Blogging hosted by Haalo of Cook (almost) Everything.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Paneer Bhurji


Paneer Bhurji is one of my favourite as you can prepare it in a jiffy and it tastes great with any combo.It can go along with any Indian bread or as a side dish with any meal.Make paneer at home and enjoy this easy and yummy recipe.

Ingredients
Paneer/Indian cottage cheese 150 gm
Onion 1
Tomato 1
Green Coriander leaves
Garam masala 1 tsp
Red chili pw 1 tsp
Turmeric pw 1/2 tsp
Salt
Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
Oil 2 tbsp

Method
1. Crumble paneer roughly with your hands .I used home made paneer( See how to make paneer at home) and I did not want the proper pieces so I skip the point to keep it under heavy weight.Chop tomatoes and thinly slice onion.
2. Heat oil in a pan/kadhayi and add cumin seeds in it.Let the seeds crackle then add onions and fry them for 2 minutes.
3. Now add tomatoes,salt and all the spices.Fry it till the oil separates the spices.
4. At this point add paneer,salt and mix all the ingredients softly.Let it cook for another 4-5 minutes.
5. Finally garnish with Chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with any Indian bread(roti/chapati,parathas,naan or pooris).