Spinach Handvo

Ingredients:

Handvo Batter:

Rice                                   - 1 cup
Lentil Mix                                 - 1/2 cup each ( arhar,chana daal )
Fenugreek Seeds           - 1 tspoon
Yogurt                                       - 2 tblspoon
Baking Soda                             - 1 tspoon
Green Chili Paste                     - 1 tspoon
Ginger  Paste                          - 1 tspoon
Garlic  Paste                            - 1 tspoon
Turmeric Powder                     - 1 tspoon
Red Chilli                  - 1/2 tspoon
Lemon Juice/Pickle Gravy      - 1 tspoon  (Optional)
Citric Acid                               - 1/4 tspoon
Baking Soda                            - 1 tspoon
Jaggery                                    - 1/2 cup
Salt                                          - 2 tspoon
Oil                         - 2 tspoon
Spinach                 - 1 cup finely cut and blanched

For Tempering / Sprinkle :
Oil                                           - 2 tblspoon
Red Chilli                                - 2-3 whole
Hing                                         - a pinch
Mustard Seed                           - 2 tspoon
Sesame Seeds/Til                     - 2 tblspoon + 1 tblspoon for sprinkle
Peanuts                                     - 1/4 cup
Fried Onions                             - 2 tblspoon

Method:

Making The batter:
Wash and Soak Rice and both lentils along with fenugreek seeds for overnight.
Now grind soaked rice, lentil and fenugreek seeds with the help of water.
Make a thick smooth paste, sprinkle water while grinding.
Do not mix a lot of water to make it a runny batter.

Making Handvo Mixture to Bake:
Mix the batter well.
Now add 2 tblspoon yogurt, 1 tspoon salt and mix well.

Keep it to ferment. If the weather at your place is hot or warm keep the batter for 4-5 hours and if it cold and chilli ferment it for 7-8 hours.

Once fermented add jaggery and mix well to get the jaggery melted very well.
Now we will add the spinach in the batter and mix well to avoid any lumps.
Now its time add the spices.
Add in the green chili, ginger, garlic, red chili, turmeric, salt, citric acid, baking soda, oil and also the pickle gravy or lemon juice.

Mix the batter very well to form lump free batter.
Taste it and adjust the Spices accordingly.

Pre-heat the oven to 190c and grease a 8"-10" pyrex tray.
Now we will prepare the tempering.

Warm the oil in a pan, add in the mustard seeds, sesame seeds, red chilli, hing, Peanuts and let them pop.
Now add the tempering to Handvo Batter and mix well.

Pour the batter into the greased tray.
Sprinkle some more sesame seeds and fried onions over it.

Now bake the Handvo for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool the handvo and cut into desired sized pieces.

Serve with assorted chutney or pickles.
This is a very good option as a breakfast, brunch or starter in a party.

Thali Menu - 7

Thali (Hindi: थाली) is an Indian meal made up of a selection of various dishes. Thali dishes vary from region to region in South, North East and west India and are usually served in small bowls, called katori, which are placed on a round tray, the actual thali; often a steel plat made with multiple compartments is used. Typical dishes include rice, dal, vegetables, roti, papad, yoghurt, small amounts of chutney or pickle, and a sweet dish to top it off.

Thalis are sometimes referred to by the regional characteristic of the dishes they contain. For example one may encounter Punjabi thali, Rajasthani thali, Gujarati thali and Maharashtrian thali. In many parts of India, the bread and the rice portions are not served together in the thali. Typically, the bread is offered first with rice being served afterwards, often in a separate bowl or dish. 

This Thali Menu -7  has Gajar ke Kofte, Baingan Ka Bharta, Boondi Raita, Rice and Roti.

Happy Cooking...Until next time, Saumya

Recipe Links:

Baingan Bharta
Gajar Ke Kofte

Baked Gajar Ke Kofte / Baked Carrot Dumplings in Spiced Gravy

I love experimenting in my kitchen, specially with Kadhi and Kofte. As many as vegetables you can cook and has less moisture can be best for experimenting in these dishes. Up to now I've made several kind of Koftas but didn't get chance to click every time but few of them I've posted here.

This time while thinking to make Koftas, I saw leftover grated carrot (after making carrot muffins). I thought to use it for Kofta dumplings. So this recipe calls for goodness of carrots. As everyone knows, Carrots are awesome source of vitamin A and C, so why not use it in more new ways to feed our kids.

Some information about Kofta, they are introduced in India by in decades ago in Mughal era. It's shaped like meatballs, sometimes coated and sometimes not then deep fried in the oil. Indian and surrounding countries Koftas are served in a spicy gravy, as the dry version is often known as Kebab.

Lets see the recipe and some pictorial about making "Baked Gajar Ke Kofte". I baked the Kofta dumplings instead of frying them, so the curry is on healthier side of Indian food. So here is the recipe for you all to try. I would love hear your take on this recipe. Until next time...............Happy Cooking friends, Saumya

Ingredients:

For Koftas:

Grated Carrot                   - 1 cup grated
Gramflour                        - 4 tblspoon
Salt                                   - To taste
Amchoor                          - 1/2 tspoon
Garam Masala                  - 1/2 tspoon
Red Chilli Powder            - 1/4 tspoon
Baking Soda                     - 1/8 tspoon
Coriander                          - 1 tblspoon chopped
Water                                - for making batter


For Kofta Gravy:

Cumin Seeds                     - 1/4 tspoon
Asafetida/Hing                  - 1 pinch
Onions                               - 2 finely chopped
Garlic                                 - 4 cloves finely chopped
Ginger                                - 1/2 inch finely chopped
Tomatoes                           - 2 large finely chopped
Brown Sugar                      - 1 tspoon
Turmeric powder               - 1/4 teaspoon
Amchoor powder               - 1/4 teaspoon
Coriander powder              - 1 teaspoon
Garam masala                    - 1/2 teaspoon
Red Chili Powder              - 1/4 tspoon
Kitchen King Masala         - 2 tspoon (Optional)
Salt                                     - to taste
Oil                                      - 1 tblspoon for tempering
Water                                  - 2 cup or as per your choice of thickness
Coriander                            - 2 tblspoon finely chopped

Method:

For Kofta balls:

Mix everything listed under Kofta ingredients, except water in a bowl.

Pre-heat the oven at 200c and line a baking tray with parchment paper and grease with 3-4 drops of oil.
With the help of water mix the ingredients and form a thick batter.

Scoop the batter of desired size on the baking sheet.

Bake it on preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until the dumplings are puffed and golden.
Do not keep the batter for long time after mixing else dumplings will not puff and result in flat and stiff.
Once baked keep the dumplings in a serving bowl.

For Kofta Gravy:

Warm 1 tblspoon oil heavy bottom pan.
Add all the cumin and hing to it. Add chopped garlic and ginger in it.

Once garlic starts to turn golden, add chopped onion and sugar into it. Sugar will help with breaking the acid of gravy and caramelising the onions.

When Onions starts to turn brown and you smell the caramelised sugar, add in the tomatoes and salt into it. Mix well.

After 2-3 minutes of mixing the tomatoes add the spices, turmeric, coriander, amchoor, red chili, garam masala and kitchen king. Mix well.

Add 2 cup of water and mix well. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes on medium flame.
After 20 minutes, gravy will be cooked thoroughly and thicken a bit.

Pour the gravy over the dumplings in the bowl.

Garnish it with fresh coriander and serve hot with choice of Roti, Chapati or Paratha and rice.
These Koftas go very well in any dinner or lunch menu party. This can also be a part of your festive Thali food.

Chinese Chili Soya Mushroom

Chinese vegetarian food or say Indian style chinese food has always been my weakness. I LOVE eating Chinese food, Noodles, Fried rice, Manchurian, Chilli Paneer and what not. The smell of Garlic, Ginger, Onion fried with soy sauce and vinegar just makes me go crazy. On top if it has Capsicum and Mushroom, I just can't stop eating like manic.

Anyways, I can write a diary on my love of Chinese food :D So today was one of the day when try to meet everyone's demands for the dinner made me feel like eating something spicy, mushroomy and chinese. Son wanted Mango smoothie, Daughter wanted Biryani and I wanted Chinese food.

So here goes mum in the Kitchen with all the weapons (Kitchen gadgets and utensils) to satisfy the demands of the day. Soya & Vegetable Biryani, Mango Smoothie with tooti-frooti of top and most favorite of Mum "Chinese Chili Soya Mushroom".

I ate Chili Mushroom a lot of time in many many restaurants around London, especially the buffet restaurants.  Paneer Chili will cost a lot , I understand that, so the Mushroom Chili. Thats reason, I think makes the restaurateurs choose Mushroom Chili in the menu. BUT to be honest, I'm happy with this choice, First it's tasty, Second it's less fatty and Third I love it.

So here is my version of Chinese Chili Mushroom, with goodness of Soya Chunks and some gravy to help with Biryani. I can't recommend enough the dish to try into your Kitchen. You can make it dry for snack or tea time accompaniment. Simply use thin slices for Mushroom and fully drained soya chunks. I'm sure family and you will love eating this dish just like mine did......................Until Next Time, Happy Cooking Friends, Saumya

This recipe is also participating in Meat Free Monday round up at Tinned Tomatoes. Have a look there for more yummy and delicious vegetarian recipes from other bloggers.

Ingredients:

Mushroom                   - 6 medium cut into 4 pieces
Soya Chunks               - 1 cup Large Chunks
Capsicum                    - 2 cups Julienne mixed colour
Onion                          - 2 large Julienne
Spring onions              - 1/4 cup green part to garnish
Garlic                          - 5 cloves
Ginger                         - 1 inch
Soya Sauce                  - 2 tbsp
Rice Vinegar               - 1 tblspoon
Corn flour                    - 2 tbsp
Chili flakes                  - 1 tblspoon
Salt                              - to taste
Oil                               - 1 tblspoon

Method:

Wash and cut the Capsicums (Green, Orange, Yellow and Red) in Julienne, keep aside.
Wash and boil Soya Chunks or 5 minutes, drain and keep aside in a sieve to drain the water completely.
Wash and cut the mushrooms in 4 pieces, keep aside.
Cut the onions in thin julienne, make garlic and ginger paste, keep aside.
Heat the oil in pan, add Onions into it, fry until golden.
Add in the Ginger Garlic puree/paste into it. Fry until the raw smell goes away.
Add in the Mushroom and Soya chunks. Fry on high flame for few minutes to dry the moisture in the mushroom and soya chunks.
In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, cornflour, vinegar, salt and chilli flakes. Mix well with 1/4 cup of water.
Add this mixture in the pan, Cover it and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes.
Adjust the water for thin/thick gravy as per choice.
Now turn the flame to high and mix it well for few minutes.
Finally give it a good stir and garnish with spring onions, Onion slices or herbs.
Serve hot as a starter or as a side-dish in lunch or dinner menu.

This recipe is also participating in Meat Free Monday round up at Tinned Tomatoes. Have a look there for more yummy and delicious vegetarian recipes from other bloggers.

Chana Daal Paratha - Bengal Gram Lentil Stuffed Paratha

Chana Dal is very nutritious and easy to digest. These little beans are a powerhouse of lean protein, fiber and iron. They're packed with nutrients, such as folic acid, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc.

Chana Dal also known as "chholar dal" comes from India , where it's appreciated a lot unlike the western countries. "Bengal Gram Lentil"  is the British English term for what we call "chana dal" in Hindi. It's glycemia index is also very good for blood sugar levels.

Chana Dal is very closely related to garbanzo beans, or chickpeas. The differences are that chana dal is younger, smaller, split, sweeter, and has a much lower glycemic index. But you can substitute chana dal for garbanzo beans in just about any recipe.

Chana dal is the split kernel of a variety of chickpea known as desi or bengal gram. It has a sweet and earthy flavor, and the cooked bean is about the size and shape of a corn kernel. Chana Dal is one of the many lentils used to make dal, the family of Indian lentil dishes that form the foundation of Indian cuisine.

Chana Dal makes a quick-cooking, exotic addition to dals, soups, curries, dips, pilafs, fritters, salads, casseroles, and rice or whole grain dishes. Toss them in a little olive oil and your favorite spices and roast them in the oven for a wonderfully tasty, healthy snack.

In Short:
Chana dal is high in fiber and helps to lower cholesterol.
It also has a very low glycemic index, which is important for those with diabetes.
Chana dal is a helpful source of zinc, folate, calcium and protein.
It is low in fat and most of it is polyunsaturated.
Chana dal is extremely delicious in taste, full of nutritious and can be digested easily.

So friends, why not make this lentil a must have food in our diet, when we know it's gonna make a difference. So this time I made Stuffed Paratha with Chana Dal. We had them with Raita, Salad and also some potato curry. Very filling and very healthy Lunch for us. It will be for you as well once you try your hands on these Parathas. let me know by dropping comment to the post, how they turn out for you and family. Until next time.......Happy Cooking Friends, Saumya

Ingredients:

For Stuffing:

Chana Daal / Split Bengal Gram         - 1 cup soaked overnight and boiled in 1 cup water
Carom Seeds/Ajwain                           - 1 tspoon
Asafetida                                              - 1 pinch
Garam Masala                                      - 1/4 tspoon
Salt                                                       - to taste
Red Chili powder                                 - 1/4 tspoon
Amchoor                                               - 1/2 tspoon
Fresh Coriander                                    - 1 tblspoon
Oil                                                         - 1 tspoon

For Crust/Outer Layer:

Whole-Wheat Flour                              - 2 cups
Garam Masala                                       - 1/4 tspoon
Salt                                                        - to taste
Red Chili powder                                  - 1/4 tspoon
Amchoor                                               - 1/2 tspoon
Oil                                                         - 1 tspoon + 3 tblspoon
Water                                                    - to knead the dough

Method:

First prepare the dough. Mix Flour, Powdered spices, and 1 tspoon oil in a big mixing bowl.
Knead it with the help of water and make a smooth pliable dough.

Keep the dough aside covered with a damp cloth.
Now on to the stuffing. In a small bowl, mix together the Chana Daal, Carom Seeds, Asafetida, Garam Masala, Salt, Amchoor and red chili powder.
In a heavy bottom Pan, add tspoon of oil and warm it.
Add the Daal mixture into the pan and mix well.
Mash it while mixing and stirring continuously.

Cook it until the moisture is gone and the lentil mixture starts to leave the pan and stick around your spatula.

Take the mixture out on a plate and let it cool down.
Now knead the dough again. Divide the dough into 6-8 pieces. Depending on the size of Paratha you like.
Roll and pat all of the dough pieces to 3 cm round by hand.
Place 1 tablespoon of filling on each dough piece and pinch them from all sides and seal them to form a ball again.

Roll the stuffed balls by hand and gently with the rolling pin roll that balls into a 6 in round circle to make stuffed parantha.

Heat a Griddle on medium heat.
Shallow fry the paratha on the griddle from both sides until golden brown and crunchy.

Repeat this process with all the Rolled Parathas.

Serve the Parathas with Raita/Yogurt Dip, Pickle, Curry and Salad.

Thali Menu -6

Thali (Hindi: थाली) is an Indian meal made up of a selection of various dishes. Thali dishes vary from region to region in South, North East and west India and are usually served in small bowls, called katori, which are placed on a round tray, the actual thali; often a steel plat made with multiple compartments is used. Typical dishes include rice, dal, vegetables, roti, papad, yoghurt, small amounts of chutney or pickle, and a sweet dish to top it off.

Thalis are sometimes referred to by the regional characteristic of the dishes they contain. For example one may encounter Punjabi thali, Rajasthani thali, Gujarati thali and Maharashtrian thali. In many parts of India, the bread and the rice portions are not served together in the thali. Typically, the bread is offered first with rice being served afterwards, often in a separate bowl or dish. 

This Thali Menu -6  has Karail, Gobhi Musallam, Bell Pepper and Cucumber Raita, Rice and Aloo Roti.

Happy Cooking...Until next time, Saumya

Recipe Links:

Karail

Gobhi Musallam