Besan Ke Laddoo!! (Gram Flour Laddoo)

Besan Ke Laddoo (Gram Flour Laddoo) is made mostly in Maharashtra.. There are many version are there to these laddoo, but this recipe is very basic and easy to make. Me and my hubby happen to be a big fan of laddoo's, They are very useful when you are hungry and you need something soon and you don't have to juggle in the kitchen.. That's why I make very few of them so that it get over soon. Making a less quantity gives me a chance to try different laddoo's too... You can make in a big batches and store them in a airtight container and keep serving for a 2 to 3 weeks.. Do try this recipe and let me know.

Ingredient's.

2 cup besan (gram flour)

1 cup ghee (clarified butter)

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp green cardamom powder

1/2 cup chopped dry fruits (almonds, cashew, raisin and pistachio).

Cooking Method.

In a deep non-stick kadai. dry roast all the dry fruits and set it aside. In a same kadai add ghee, besan and cardamom powder and roast on a low flame till it gives a nice aroma and become golden brown. by stiring continuously.

Then take the besan out in a large plate and allow it to cool a bit. Now add the powdered sugar and dry fruits and make a even size laddoo's while the mixture is still warm. If you feel the mixture is little dry, feel free to add a little milk to make a smooth laddoo's.

Store them in a airtight container and Serve when ever you want.

NaanKhatai!! (Indian Eggless Shortbread)

NaanKhatai!! (Indian Shortbread) is the very famous cookies in India. This is the easiest and best cookies to be made in no time and with minimum ingredients. These cookies can be made with gram flour and rawa or even only with maida. Even this naankhatai can be made on cook-top  for that recipe may be you have to wait for my next post.. This is a beginner recipe with only few basic ingredients which I believe every house will have it. This cookies can be stored in a airtight container for a week and you enjoy with hot cup tea... Naankhatai can be a great idea for gifting during Diwali or Holi..Do try this recipe and let me know.

Ingredients.

3/4 cup maida(all purpose flour)

1/4 cup gram flour(besan)

1/2 ghee (clarified butter)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cardamom powder.

Baking Method.

Pre-heat oven at 180c for 10 minutes.

In a mixing bowl add maida, besan, sugar, baking powder and cardamom powder and mixing them well. Then by adding little by little ghee, knead a cookie dough. Then divide a dough into 18 equal sized portion. Take a each ball and press in between your palm to give a cookie shape.

Now place the cookies on to greased baking tray and bake them for 12 to 15 minutes at 180c.

Then cool them on to a wire rack and once completely cooled. Store them into a airtight container.

Serve with hot cup tea or warm milk..

Mutton Kofta And Potato Curry.

Mutton Kofta And Potato Curry. Making kofta use to be always a big task for me in the beginning but now it is one hand game and I try making more and more kofta's using many kinds of meat and even vegetables. Though this recipe takes a bit more time compare to the other recipe but trust me it is worth trying and this yummy curry can making a nice combination with rice or roti.

Ingredient's for kofta.

100 gram mutton kheema

2tsp coconut paste, 2 green chillies

2tbsp chopped coriander leaves

6 curry leaves

1tsp ginger garlic paste

2tbsp besan (chickpeas flour)

1/2tsp red chilly powder, 1/2tbsp coriander powder, 1/4tsp turmeric

1/2tsp black pepper

Salt to taste.

Ingredient's for curry.

2 medium potato (cut into small pieces)

1 small onion, 2 small tomatos, 3 green chillis

Handful of chopped coriander leaves, 8 curry leaves

1tsp ginger garlic paste

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2tsp red chilli powder, 1/4tsp turmeric, 1/2 garam masala

Salt and Oil to taste.

Cooking Method

Step-1. Mix all the kofta ingredients in blender and blend it together. (Dont add water while mixing)

Remove in a plate and make small balls and set a side. 

Step-2. In a different blender add, coriander leaves, green chillies, curry leaves, ginger garlic paste, black pepper, tomato, onion and blend it to a coarse paste.

In a deep frying pan, add oil, when oil is hot, add the Ground masala, red chilli powder, turmeric and garam masala and fry till oil starts separating from the sides. that will take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Then add the potato and fry for a minute or 2. Now add 1 cup of water and cover the lid and allow the potato to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Then add another 1cup of water and give a good mix. then add the kofta's and close the lid and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on a low flame or till gravy becomes thick.

Mutton kofta and potato curry is ready to serve with Roti or Rice.

Masala Vada / Sabbasige Soppu Masala Vadai / Dill Leaves And Lentil Fritters.

Dill Leaves Madala Vada.. Dill is a unique plant, because both its leaves and seeds are used as seasoning. It is rich in vitamin A, C, B6, folates, riboflavin, calcium, iron and other important minerals. Using of dill leaves in masala vada it is very common in south India and they make different varieties of fritters with this leaves. Even I love adding this leaves in different recipes and I cook dill leaves saag with potato, when goes very well with roti.. When ever I cook this leaves at home the smell of the leaves stays for atleast 2days and I love that and I rarely cook any fried items but when ever I cook I always make it a point to add fresh green leaves.. Adding dill leaves to fritters it gives a very nice smell and unique taste and you'll end up having more.. The people who are weight concious needs to watch out when you cook this masala vadai.

Ingredient's.

1 cup channa dal

1tbsp sooji/rawa

2tbsp besan

1 Onion, 3 green chilles(finely chopped)

1/2tsp fennel seeds

2tbsp chopped coriander and mint leaves

1 spring curry leaves

1 inch piece ginger

5-6 garlic cloves

Salt as needed

Oil for deep frying.

Cooking Method.

Soak channa dal for 3-4 hours. First grind ginger, garlic and fennel coarsely.

Then drain channa dal completely and add it in two batches and grind coarsely. (Not too smooth)

In a mixing bowl add grinded channa dal, fennel mixture. Then add onion, green chilles coriander and mint, salt, sooji, besan and curry leaves.

Keep a bowl with water and wet both hands. Make equal sized balls first for uniform sized vadas. Mean while Heat oil in deep frying pan. Shape each ball to flat patties of medium thickness.

Deep fry in hot oil until golden in colour,flipping once in between. Cook in medium flame to ensure even cooking and golden colour. Drain in paper towel.

Serve hot with tea/coffee or coconut chutney as side dish for vada .

Meethi Thepla.. (Indian Flat-Bread With Fenugreek Leaves)

Meethi Thepla is very famouse Gujarati snack bread. It is very flavorful and makes for a great travel or picnic food. You can serve with Pickle or with plain yogurt. Actually I love most of Gujarati snacks like Dhokla, Thepla, Khahkra and the most favourite of mine is Fafda, I simple love this snacks and can munch any time of the day.. I usually prepare thepla very often for the breakfast, because it is very healthy and easy to cook and easy to eat for the people like my hubby, who is always in a hurry..

You can make them in a bulk and store them for 4 to 5 days and they will taste same... There are many different version to cook, but I follow one very simple recipe sometime I do change ingredients but most of the time it is simple. Do try this recipe and serve healthy food to your loved ones..

Ingredient's.

1 cup Whole Wheat flour

1/2 cup Besan (Chickpea flour)

1 cup Methi (Fenugreek) leaves

2-3 tbsp Curd

1 green chilli (finely chopped)

1/4tsp ajwain (carom seeds)

1 tsp Coriander powder, 1/2 tsp Red chili powder, 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

2 tbsp Oil

Salt to taste

Oil/Ghee,to roast theplas.

Cooking Method.

Chop meethi leaves finely and set it aside.

Take a big bowl and add wheat flour and besan along with all the masalas and mix well.

Add oil and curd and rub and mix the flour nicely. Now add methi leaves, with little water and knead till the dough is smooth and soft.

Grease your hands and knead it again until it gets the elastic texture. cover it and leave it for 10-15 mins. 

Make medium size balls of the dough and roll it to a disc of 6'' in diameter by dusting it in between with the dry flour.

Heat a tawa and place the rolled thepla on the tawa and let it cook slightly on one side. Turn it to the other side and apply oil and then turn it again and apply oi and let it roast on both sides till it forms the brown spots.

Prepare all the theplas in the same manner and stack them in a roti basket.

Serve the theplas hot/warm/cold with Pickle and yogurt.

Vada Pav.. (Mumbai Street Food)

Vada Pav.. I have eaten this many times in Goli Vada Pav in bangalore, in starting I use to feel good and use to have 2 to 3 times in a week, then the masala what they use started giving me problem and I totally stopped eating Vada Pav. I always wanted to try at home, but use to feel why to do some much of work when you can get it from opposite of the road and stop myself from cooking.. But here there is no option what ever we want to eat I have to cook at home only and I really feel this is a very good opportunity for me to try out many recipes which I have been waiting to try from ages..

This was my second attempt to cook Vada Pav at home and it turn out to be the tastiest Vada Pav we have ever had and my H loved it and he ate 2 Vada Pav along with 2 green chilli. where he use to always by 1 and eat only half.. When ever he eats happily and more I feel my this much of effort is worth.. Enjoy the simple and tasty recipe of Vada Pav and make your family members happy..

Ingredient's For Vada.

3 medium boiled potatoes (peeled and mashed)

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 green chillies, 1 medium onion (finelychopped)

1/4 tsp tumeric powder

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

6-7 curry leaves

2tbsp oil

Salt to taste.

Ingredient's For Batter of Vada

1 1/2cups gram flour (besan)

Oil for deep frying

1 pinch of red chilli powder, 1 pinch of turmeric

1/4tsp ginger garlic paste

1 pinch of cooking soda (optional)

Salt to taste

6 Pav buns (square buns).

Ingredient's For Spicy Red Dry Chutney.

1tbsp red chilli powder

1/4 tsp cumin

8 curry leaves

1tbsp grated coconut

1/4 cup peanuts, 3tbsp sesame seeds

5 garlic cloves, 1 green chilli (finely chopped)

1 pinch of asafoetida

Salt to taste.

Cooking Method.

Step-1. First dry roast all the ingredients of spicy red dry chutney. and grind them into powder (do not add any water) and set it aside.

Step-2. Then in a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients of batter for vada and mix them nicely and make a thick batter like we make for bajji.. set it aside.

Step-3. Now in a deep frying pan, add 2tbsp oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, when they start spluttering, add onion and green chilli and fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Then add ginger garlic paste, turmeric, potato and salt, fry for another 3 to 4 minutes. Take out the mixture in a separate plate and allow the mixture to cool. when the potato mixtures is cooled, make 6 to 7 large lemon size balls and keep it aside.

In the same frying pan add oil for deep frying the vada's. When the oil is hot, dip one potato ball at a time into the gram flour batter to coat well and then deep fry till golden. Drain on paper towels.

Take one Pav bun, slit in half (not completely - leave one edge joined) and put a spoonful spicy red chutney on it. Place a potato ball on the bun and fold over, pressing down gently.

Serve while the Vada is still hot with fried green chilli..

Kathal Kofta.. (Jack-Fruit Dumplings In a Tangy Yoghurt Curry)

Kathal Kofta.. I had heard of this curry before but never eaten in my life before marriage and blogging.. When I had gone to visit my In-Laws place, there I had this curry and I was not knowing till they told me, that curry was made out of jack-fruit. I thought that is mutton kheem, because it was not at all looking like jack- fruit and it was tasting like mutton only. When I asked my elder co-sis then she told me that curry was not mutton kofta curry it was jack-fruit kofta curry. I was shocked and I had no words to say, then I told my MIL to bring again jack-fruit tomorrow so that even I can learn to make this curry.

From then I have cooked this curry in many other version and my H loves it... Actually there in my In-Law's house they only cook one type of green curry, some how I don't like that curry much so only I keep trying other recipes too... This recipe is the best so far, it has got a tangy taste of yoghurt and lovely reddish color...

Ingredient's For Kofta.

250 grams jack-fruit (peeled and chopped in chunks)

A pinch asafoetida

1/2tsp ginger garlic paste

1/2tsp garam masala powder

3tbsp besan (ground bengal gram)

1/4tsp red chili powder

1/4tsp salt

Oil for frying.

Ingredinet's For Gravy.

2 medium onions (grated)

1 medium tomato (grated or finely chopped)

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1/2 cup beaten yoghurt

1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp garam masala powder

1½ - 2 tbsp oil

1 pinch asafoetida 

1/2tsp cumin seeds

Salt to taste

2 cups water

2 tsp fresh chopped coriander (for garnish).

Cooking Method For Koftas:

Boil the jack-fruit with a asafoetida till it is tender. ( pressure cooked them till one whistle escaped)

Smack them by using fork or hands. Add the besan along with the rest of the kofta ingredients to the jack-fruit, gently mix everything together. Make balls and keep them aside on a greased plate.

Heat oil and fry kofta balls in batches on a medium low heat till golden brown. Remove on a kitchen towel and keep aside.

Cooking Method For Gravy:

Heat the oil and add asafoetida and cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add the onions and on medium heat fry till they turn goldenish brown.

Add 2-3 tbsp of water and add the ginger garlic paste. Fry till the masala becomes aromatic and brownish again.

Add the tomato and rest of the gravy ingredients. Fry them on low heat till the oil separates.

Add water and let the masala come to a boil. Add koftas and cook further for 3-5 minutes on medium low heat. Then add beaten yoghurt and swtich off the flame.

Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and Serve hot with chapatti or rice.

Soya Kheema Kofta Curry!!! Made By Hudson Canola Oil.

Yesterday afternoon i received a courier and i kept thinking that what did i order. The pack was very heavy and it was written fragile on the box. Then i thought may be my husband has given me a surprise, I opened fast fast, what i'm seeing, after i opened the courier, a oil bottle.... Then suddenly i realized, ohh Sushil had told me about this oil few weeks back that they will courier me a bottle for a taste and review...

I was planning to cook Soya Kheema Kofta Curry for dinner and veg kofta i always deep fried before putting into the curry. I mostly use olive oil for deep frying, because the fried items comes out very lite and soft. My oilve oil bottle was empty and i was planning to go and buy, After i received this oil, i dropped my plan after reading the benefits of the oil and i thought of giving a try. I must say this try was worth, because the kofta had come out so lite and perfect. They had not absorb oil and when you touch by hand it was not at all oil... I'm definitely going to be a regular customer for Hudson Canola Oil.... and the price is also very reasonable for the quality we pay money and this is the right product to pay so much of money... Here are the few important benefits of Hudson Canola Oil.. 

Hudson Canola is a standard edible vegetable grade oil, a light oil with neutral taste and flavour. Hudson Canola can be used for all types, methods and varieties of Indian cooking: frying, roasting or grilling. Canola is neutral in flavour and aroma with no distinctive taste or smell. Canola Oil is extruded from the seeds of the yellow Canola flower. I must say this oil is very good and lite. Canola Oil has the lowest saturated fat amongst all oils, very high monounsaturated fat, very high Omega-3 and rich Vitamin-E content..

Ingredient's For Kofta
100 gram soya chunks (soak and grind to paste)
1 boiled potato (peeled and smashed)
1 small onion, 1 green chilli ( finely chopped)
2tbsp finely chopped coriander leafs
1tbsp chick peas flour
1/2tsp red chilli powder, 1/2tsp turmeric, 1/2tsp garam masala
Oil for deep frying (Hudson canola oil)
Salt to taste.

Ingredient's For Curry
1 large onion (finely chopped)
3 large tomato, 2 green chilli (grind to a smooth paste)
1/2tsp cumin seeds, 1 green cardamom, 1 clove, 1 cinnamon stick
1/2tsp red chilli powder, 1/2tsp turmeric, 1/2tsp coriander powder, 1/2tsp garam masala
1tbsp ginger garlic paste
2tbsp thick cream
2tbsp oil
Salt to taste
Hand full of chopped coriander leafs for garnishing.

Cooking Method For Kofta
In a large mixing bowl, add all the above kofta ingredients and mix them every thing together and make a small size round balls and set a side. In a deep frying pan add enough oil for deep frying and fry the kofta to golden brown and set it aside..

 

Cooking Method For Kofta Curry.
In a deep frying pan,add oil, when the oil is hot, add cumin, cardamom, clove and cinnamon stick, when they start splutter, add chopped onion and fry to golden brown. Then add red chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala and ginger garlic paste, fry all the masala for 2 to 3minutes.
Then add green chilli and tomato paste and fry till the oil start separating from the corners. Add 2cups of water and bring the curry to a boil and then add fried kofta and simmer on a low flame for 4 to 5minutes.
Add chopped coriander leafs and cream from top and Serve hot with Roti's or Rice..

Gatte Ki Sabji (Gram Flour & Curd Curry)

Gatte ki sabji is a popular and all-time favorite marwari recipe with besan based steamed dumplings simmered in buttermilk laden tangy gravy. I had never heard of this sabji nor tasted, few days back i was watching a TV show called Chak Le India on NDTV Goodtimes. There he was showing all marwari dishes in that i liked only gatte ki sabji, because it was sounding very different and very tasty too. On the same day i tried making this gatte ki sabji and it was very tasty with rice and i love it...

Ingredients-For Gatte

1 cup Besan (Gram flour)

1 pinch red chilly powder

1 pinch turmeric powder

2 tsp curd

cumin seeds

coriander leaves

2 tsp oil and salt to taste

Ingredient's-For Curry

2 cup of buttermilk

1onion, 2 green chilly (finely chopped)

5 to 10 curry leaves

2 dry red chilly 

1 tsp mustard seeds

1-2 cloves

1 tsp turmeric powder, 2 tsp red chilly powder

1tsp ginger garlic paste

4-5 tsp oil and salt to taste

Cooking Method

In a mixing bowl add besan, cumin seeds, oil, curd, salt, chilly & turmeric powder in to it & make a thick dough (if needed add little amount of water )

Divide the dough in to 3-4 pieces.

Roll every piece & cut them in to small capsule like pieces. (these are the Gatte)

Now add these gatte in to the boiled water & allow them to boil up to 10-12min (when gatte boiled properly they will appear on a surface of water)remove the water from boiled gatte & keep then aside.

Heat a deep frying pan add oil, when the oil is hot add dry red chilly, curry leafs, mustard seeds and cloves, when they splutter, add chopped onion and green chilly and fry to golden brown.

Then add turmeric and red chilly powder and fry for another 1 to 2 minutes. Then add buttermilk and mix it well, now add the prepared gatte and salt and cook for 4 to 5minutes in a low flame.

Serve hot with Roti or Rice.. I prefer with Rice.