Hot and sour idles

Hot and sour idles
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Ingredients:-
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18-20 - left over idles
3-4     -  green chillies finely chopped
3-4     - cloves of garlic
1 tsp   - minced ginger
1tbsp  - chopped coriander leaves
1 medium- onion diced
2 tsp - tomato sauce
1 tsp - green chilly sauce
1 tsp-  soya sauce
1.5 tsp- sugar
1/2 tsp- chilly flakes
2tsp  -  oil

1/4  - cup water
salt  - as per taste

Method:-
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1. Chop up the idyll's to about 1 inch size and keep aside.
2.In a non-stick pan take 2 tsp of oil,just when it becomes hot add garlic,ginger and chilly flakes and mix them. Then add chopped green chillies,onion and saute for 2-3 mins.
3. Then add tomato sauce,soy sauce,green chilly sauce ,salt and sugar and mix properly.
4. Now add water and make it into a medium paste.
5. To the above mixture add the cut idly and mix properly so that all the idly pieces are coated properly.
6. Cut off the heat and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

It tastes almost like idli munchurian but without the guilt of deep fried one.

Stuffed bread rolls

Ingredients:-
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7-8 bread slices[remove the edges]
2-3 large- boiled mashed  potatoes
1 tbsp   -  chopped fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup - frozen thawed peas
1 large  - onion chopped
1/2 tsp -  ginger garlic paste
1 tsp    -  garam masala
1/4 tsp - turmeric powder
1/4 tsp - chilly powder
salt       -  as per taste
1/2 tsp  - cumin seeds[jeera]
1/4 tsp  - chat powder
1-2 tsp  - oil/butter/ghee for toasting

Method:-
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1.In a deep nonstick pan
 take 1tsp oil ,add cumin and afetr a min add chopped onions,ginger garlic paste and saute for 1-2 mins . Then add peas and add turmeric powder,chilly powder, garam masala powder and mix properly.
2. In a bowl take the boiled mashed potato and then add the above mixture add  chat powder and salt and mix properly. Now add chopped mint leaves and keep aside.
3.. Wet both hands and then tap the bread so as to make it slightly moist. Put the potato mixture about a spoon full in the centre and then slowly roll with wet hands and seal the edges properly.
4. Take a non stick pan. To it add a little bit of oil or ghee and slowly roast the bread roll on all sides so that it crunches out. Do remember to keep the flame in medium.
5. Enjoy hot with desired chutney or simple ketchup.

Vegetarian Hot dog with vegetarian sausages

Ingredients:-
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potatoes                                   - 2  medium sized                 
 
Carrots                                    - 1 large

Beetroot                                 -  1 medium size

hotdog buns                            -  4-5

Day old bread / only crust       -  heaped 1 cup [ 4-5 sclices]

Bell peppers                          - 1 small

Onions                                  -  1/2 cup chopped

Garlic                                    - 3-4 cloves

red chilles                            - 2-3

Garam masala                        -   1tsp

Chilly powder                         -    1 tsp

Turmeric                                -    1/2 tsp

Salt                                       - as per taste

Jeera                                     -  1 tsp

Coriander seeds                     -  1tsp

Soya flour                              -  1/2 cup

Wheat flour                           -  1 cups

Oil                                         -  2tbsp

Method:-
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1. Wash and peal potatoes,carrots and beets . Slice then to thin stripes and steam cook ,keep aside for cooling.

2. In a pan  take about a tsp of oil,then when it becomes hot add jeera . When the jeera starts to splutter add onions ,ginger, garlic,coriander seeds keep mixing  for about 2 mins till the raw smell goes off.

3. Now  using a blender or food processor   blend the vegetables, with the small chunks of bread and the above onion mixture to a chunky paste. 

4. To the above paste add the 2 flours , enough salt, dry masala and make a soft dough without adding water.

5. Grease  the vessel in which you want to steam these dougs properly. Take a big lime sized ball of the dough and shape them in sausage shapes and place slowly in the greases vessel and steam cook till done.it will take about 8-10 minutes to get cooked properly. It will change in color and when you stick in a knife it should come out clear.

6. Allow it to cool and then in a non stick pan add a few drops of oil and saute these sausage about 3 at a time till the outer surface becomes a bit charred and crusty.

7. Take a hot dog  bun and smear with butter totally optional . Then place the sausage . It can be topped with onions and bell peppers or picked cucumbers or just tomato sauce and mustard and enjoyed when its hot.....


8.You can make this sausage ahead of time and freeze it. It can also be used in many more dishes or yummy recipes like fried rice singapore style or in north indian curries  which will be my future post. so do not forget to make in large quantity as it will be a time saver  for your next dishes

Note:-[ tips]
1. If you don't have fresh bread you can use old bread kept in freezer. i save the bread crust in freezer and use them as bread crumps or as a binding agent in cutlet, hara bara kabaab etc.even here i have used just the bread edges and end slices.. one more use for the wasted edges in bread sandwiches so dont forget to save them.

2. If you dont have soya flour you can use only wheat or maida. You can even use only soya flour . In all the ways it will taste great. But just adjust the flour to form a shape able mass.

Savory fingers

Ingredients:-

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Rice flour              - 1 cup

Gram flour             - 1 /2 cup

Wheat flour            - 1/4 cup

Sesame seed s     -   1.5 tbsp

Salt                       - as per taste

Cumin seeds         - 1 tbsp

Green chillies         - 2  / as per taste

Onion                   - 1 medium finely chopped

Curry leaves         - 12 large finely chopped

Turmeric powder  - 1/2 tsp

Red chilly powder  - 1/2 tsp

Hing                      - 1/4 tsp

water                     -  to form a soft dough

Oil                         - for frying

Method:-

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1. Take a large bowl . Add all the dry ingredients .to this add chilly powder,turmeric,jeera,hing,i salt and mix properly with the hands.

2. Now finely chop onion green chillies and curry leaves and add it to the above dry ingredients.

3 . Now to the mixture add water little by little and form a firm non sticky dough  .

4. Make small balls and roll it into stick form by rolling in between your greased palm.

5. In a plate sprinkle some sesame seeds and roll over it the finger shaped sticks what we have prepared.

Then once again roll between your palms to secure the seeds into the dough. continue this process with the remaining dough and keep ready.

6. Now heat the oil for frying. slowly fry 10-12 finger sticks at a time till they turn golden in color.

7. Remove the fried stick to a tray lined with paper napkin. This will absorb the excess oil.

8. Once cooled store in an air tight  container.

 Enjoy with a hot cup of tea or coffee on a rainy day.....

palak aloo ke laccha paranta

This is a kid friendly meal and a healthy delicious complete meal in itself. I often try to  make something which looks good full of nutrients in it. My lil one has become a picky eater.These lil ones have no time to sit in a place and have food too. This will be a good idea for the lunch box too. Spinach is rich source of vitamin and iron. Its full of fibers . Potato is believed to be rich in iron and other minerals too.Its best among the root vegetables.

Ingredients:-

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Whole wheat flour  - 2.5 cups

Spinach                  - 1/2 bunch

Potato                     - 2 large

Salt                         -   as per taste

Jeera                      -  2 tsp

Water [warm]

Ghee  / butter

Optional:-[adults version]

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Green chilles          -  2

Coriander powder  - 1/2 tsp

Jeera powder           - 1/2 tsp

Dill seeds                 -  1/4 tsp

Method:-

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1. Wash the potatoes and then peal them . Chop them into small cubes add a little water and cook in the microwave until tender.

2. Mash then properly and keep aside.

3. Wash the spinach leaves properly and with the stems chop them small and grind them to a fine paste.

4. Now add the mashed potatoes, spinach paste ,salt and jeera with salt as per taste to a large bowl.

5. Add atta [ wheat flour] and mix properly adding water little by little.

6. Kneed the dough to form a soft unsticky mass . Then keep aside covered with lid for about 10 mins.

7. Now make small round lemon size balls out of the dough .

8. Roll it a thin chapathi and then fold it like pleating a sari.

9. Roll inwards to form a coir as shown below. IT looks like a flower. Now press it down to form a flat layered patty

10. Now roll it just like a simple chapathi.

11. Heat the pan in medium heat. grease the pan ,then place the paranta. cook on both sides by greasing it with ghee ,butter or olive oil.

12. Enjoy with dal , chole or with thick yogurt and pickles on the side when its warm. enjoy......

Papaya Halwa

Papaya is a fruit which is rich in Vit-A. Its a good source of fiber and is really good for your eyes and even intestine. Its believed to reduce digestive problem and even increase the appitite. It helps in weight reduction. All in totally is a very healthy yet a yummy option. Papaya is a fruit which is edible even when its raw.

Ingredients:-
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Semi- ripe papaya- 2-2.5 cups[ app 1large papaya]
Sugar - 1.5 cups
Saffron - 2 pinches
Cardamom - 2-3 pods[freshly powdered]
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Water - 2 tbsp

Method:-
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1. Grate the papaya and keep aside. I have used semi ripe papaya.
2. In a non-stick pan add the sugar and water and put on the heat. Just wait until the sugar melts.



3. Now add the grated papaya and mix properly.




4. Keep stirring until most of the liquid content evaporates and all the content form a single mass and leaves the bottom from the edges.




5. Add the saffron in about a tbsp of warm water and stir and keep aside for about 2 mins.
6. Now add the saffron with the water to the halwa mixture and stir properly.






7. Add the ghee to the mixture.
8. Now add freshly powdered cardamom to the mixture and stir and put off the heat. Enjoy hot or at room temperature.

Kesar badammilk drink/safron almound drink mix

Almond is a nut which is very beneficial for growing kids.It helps in brain development in both young kids and adults.It is a nut which is a rich source of fibers . We people in India try to use this nuts in many sweet dishes ,drink powder or even add it to the cereal powder used in small infants.Its believed that if a pregnant womem consumes these almonds through out her pregnancy right from 4th month to 9th month then her child will be born very healthy and will be very intelligent. Her baby will also have thick hair all over the scalp and the baby will be of fair complextion.This has proven to be a healthy drink for nursing moms and even tired adults.



Ingredients:-
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Raw Almonds - 2 cups
sugar - 1 cup[as desired]
kesar - 1/2 tsp
cardamom - 1/4 tsp

Method :-
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1.Take almonds, sugar, saffron ,cardamom in a blender and make a dry fine powder .
2.Store it in an air tight box.This will last for months together.



To prepare badam milk:-
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Add about a spoon full of the above powder,add very hot milk and pour it to another cup and keep mixing by pouring it to the same cup back and forth. Enjoy......