Peas Kachoris/Green Peas Stuffed Indian Fried Flat Bread

Peas Kachoris/Green Peas Stuffed Indian Fried Flat Bread

Like Won-tons is to Chinese cuisine, Kachoris are for Indian snack.  Like Falafel are integral part of Middle Eastern snack Kachoris are for Indian Snack.

Kachoris, Samosa and other few snacks are a must have for anyone who like Indian cuisine. I have earlier shared the recipe of Kachoris (Onion Kachoris with you all, and was super hit with my family and many other readers, for recipe ) . This Wednesday when hubby was working from home it was such a pleasant climate that thought to indulge in fingerlicious yummy brunch. :D

Hubby wanted Idlis I insisted on having Kachoris and that’s so some fresh green peas filling. I was trying this dish for the first time, so had to call mom to take some tips..:P and she guided me with step by step recipe from filling to dough.

I am sharing an awesome recipe by Mommy the expert and executed and admired by a novice cook like me..:) But can guarantee the recipe is simple and sure shot. You try once and I bet you will not be disappointed at all.

Let’s begin

Ingredients used:

For Filling

-          ½ cup fresh peas

-          Salt to taste

-          1 tbsp ghee/clarified butter

-          ½ tsp fennel seed powder

-          ½ tsp cumin seed

-          A pinch of asafetida

-          ½ tsp of Garam Masala

-          ½ red chilli powder

-          ¼ tsp of anardana/Pomegranate seed powder

-          ¼ tsp aamchur powder/dry mango powder

For Dough

-          1 and ½ cup of plain flour Maida

-          Salt to taste

-          2 tbsp carried butter/ghee

-          ½ tsp carom seeds/ajwain

-          Water to knead the dough

-          Oil for Deep frying the Kachoris

Process for Filling

1.       In a blender/Food processor Jar add fresh green peas and make a coarse paste.

2.       In a pan heat oil, and add cumin seed and Asafetida and let splutter for few seconds.

3.       Now add the peas to pan along with salt.

4.       Sauté for 2 minute or so.

5.       Now add all the spices mentioned in the ingredients list and cook till most of the moisture of peas is evaporated.

6.       Take the pan off the heat and let the filling cool completely.

Process for Dough

1.       In a bowl take flour and add salt and carom seeds, mix well.

2.       To this add the ghee and mix the ghee thoroughly. The result would be coarse bread crumb lookalike mixtures. This process helps to make the Kachoris crunchy and tender.

3.       Now by adding little by little water knead the dough, into a smooth dough.

4.       Make sure not to over knead the dough, that may take off the crispness of your Kachoris.

5.       Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 20 minutes.

Assembling the Kachoris:

1.       Make equal sized small balls of the dough, a little bigger than that of table tennis ball

2.       Using your hand smoothen them and make in smooth ball.

3.       Then using tip of your fingers make cavity in the dough ball, so as to fill the filling.

4.       Once done, Take 2 spoonful of the filling and place in the cavity created.

5.       Once done, bring all the edges together and seal the ball. For further reference please have a  look at the picture below ( Picture Courtesy (http://www.sonykitchen.com/)

6.       Once done fry the Kachoris in Medium heated oil on low to medium flame till you see a golden brown crust on both the sides.

7.       Repeat the process for all the Kachoris.

You can enjoy these Kachoris best with some spicy potato Curry, Mint Coriander Chutney or even ketchup. It will taste awesome in all the ways…. :)

Eggless Whole Wheat and Almond Cookies

Eggless Whole Wheat and Almond Cookies

As the Summer Vacation starts here in India, Holidays start for kids and double job for mommies. :D
When kids are at home the home comes alive with their Mischievousness and Playfully acts all the time..

We as mommies are always on toes half the time running behind our toddlers and half in kitchen preparing healthy food for them. So, I thought of doing a Cookie Week where I will share the series of Home Made Cookies that I prepare regularly for my family.

Out of these Cookies Some would be healthy, some not so healthy but delicious of course. :) Some made with Whole Wheat Some with Plain Flour/Maida, Some with Indian Flavor infused like Saffron Some with Kids Favorite Chocolate. I have tried to keep all the recipes absolutely simple and the results are absolutely amazing. You try once and you will keep them baking for ever and ever..:)

So to start with this Cookie baking week, I am sharing thus super amazing and Super Simple Recipe of Whole Wheat and Almond Cookies. Cookies that brings together goodness of Whole wheat and Vitamins and proteins from Almonds. Just 5-6 ingredients and you are all set to bake these amazing cookies.

These cookies are Melt in Mouth and i am not saying since its my recipe, but you try it once and you will believe me why I say so.. :)

lets begin,

Ingredients
* 1 and 1/2 Cup Whole Wheat flour
* Desi Ghee 1/2 Cup
* Powdered Sugar 1/2 Cup
* Cardamom/Elaichi 1/2 tsp ( Optional)
* Almond flaked/Sliced/Crushed Almonds 1/4 Cup for Dough and few for Garnishing
* 1/4 tsp of Baking Powder

Process

1. Take a bowl put together ghee and powdered sugar and beat it wheat till it 
forms a cream and fluffy mixture. 
2. In a separate bowl take flour and mix cardamom powder and baking powder to it before you go ahead and mix the flour to the sugar .
3. Once done combine dry and wet ingredients and using your hand mix them 
well.
4. Add the Almonds and mix everything well.
5. Please ensure not to knead the dough like that of chapati dough. 
6. est the dough for 10 mints. and then start taking small portions of the dough between 
your palm shape them like a ball and then press a little between your palms. 
7. Garnish them with Almond Flakes before popping them in oven
8.Pre heat the oven at 180 degree and bake on same temp for 15 mints. + After 15 
mints keep an eye on them on their color to identify its done..

Your Cookies are ready to enjoy with a cup of coffee tea or just like that...:)

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Eggless Choco Delight ( Nutty Chocolate Cookies)

Post #2 for Cookies Series

As Promised here comes the second post to Cookies Week. My Favorite , your Favorite and Kids Favorite Chocolate Cookies but with a nutty twist to it.. :)

Kids Loves Chocolate and can eat anytime of the day, so why not bake something that kids love and give it our own healthy touch...Lets bake Some Chocolate Cookies that are loaded with nuts. This is an eggless preparation and again made with simple ingredients.

Simple Chocolate flavor, perfect flaky cookies and you will see your kids gobbling them up.. :)

Lets Begin with the ingredients followed by the process

Ingredients
* 1/4 cup unsalted butter
* 1/4 powdered Sugar
* 2 tbsp coco Powder
* 1 Cup plain flour Maida
* 2 Tbsp Milk ( on room temp.)
* 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
* 1/4 Cup total of Semi powdered Nuts ( I have used Almonds and Hazelnuts)
*1/2 Tsp Baking Powder


Process

1. Pre Heat the oven at 180 degrees C, Take a bowl put together butter and powdered sugar and beat it wheat till it 
forms a creamy and fluffy mixture. 
2. In a separate bowl take flour and mix coco powder and baking powder to it before you go ahead and mix the flour to the sugar .
3. to the butter mix all Vanilla and milk and whisk nicely together.
4. Once done combine dry and wet ingredients and using your hand mix them 
well.
5. Add the nuts ( Keep Few Tbsp for garnishing) and mix everything well. 
6. Please ensure not to knead the dough like that of chapati dough. 
7. Rest the dough for 10 mints. in Freezer or 20 Minutes in refrigerator .
8. once done, on kitchen platform smooth en the dough a little and then start rolling it.
Cut the cookies in desired Shapes.
8. Garnish them with Almond Flakes before popping them in oven
9. Bake the cookies on pre heated oven for 15 mints. + After 15 mints keep an eye on them on their color to identify its done..

Your Choco Delights are ready to enjoy.. :)

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Quick 15 Minutes Indo Chinese Platter

Quick 15 Minutes Indo Chinese Platter

Do you feel in a fix at times when some guests come without notice? Or, in daily life at times you want to pamper yourself with yummy food without putting in much effort??? Every time Maggie or any Ramen noodles does not satisfy your taste buds, do they?? Well, not for me all the time..

Though I love Maggie and Top Ramen and even Cup noodles.. :D  

How about preparing yummy Indo Chinese Food without much efforts and that so within 10-15 minutes of time. Yes, its true and possible.  Few months back I got these small Miracle Masala/Spice mix packets from the grocery store which is used to make some instant Chinese Platter. And trust me as the name suggest these Masala packs are truly miraculous.

I have been a big fan of these spice mix since I have used them for the first time and recommended to many relatives and family friends, and the feedback each time has been bang on. Obviously, wouldn't want please themselves and family with their smart cooking skills.. :p :D

Though the entire cooking process is written on the back of these Packs, I still though will explain the process step by step for proper understanding..

Let’s begin with the 10 Minutes Schezwan Fried Rice/same can be used for Noodles too

Ingredients

·         4-5 Cups Boiled rice

·         1 Sachet of Chings Schezwan fried rice

·         ½ cup finely chopped onions

·         1 cup finely chopped mixed vegetables ( I have used Carrot, Capsicum, Cabbage, )

·         2 Tbsp of Oil

·         1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste

·         Soya Sauce 1 tbsp Optional

Process

1.       Take a Big wok/Pan heat oil.

2.       Add chopped onion and cook till translucent.

3.       Add Ginger Garlic Paste and cook for another minute.

4.       Now add all the chopped Veggies and Saute for 2-3 Minutes.

5.       DO NOT overcook the veggies as we want the crunchiness of the veggies to be maintained.

6.       Once done, Add Boiled Rice and the Schezwan Fries Rice Miracle Masala (Whole Sachet) and with very gentle hands, mix thoroughly.

7.       Add Soya Sauce and mix for one last time.

8.       Garnish with Spring onion Greens, Your Schezwan Fried rice are ready to be served..:)

Ingredients for Stir Fried Veggies

·         I pack of Chings Manchurian Masala Sachet

·         ½ Cup thinly sliced onion

·         1 cup cubed/sliced veggies of your choice ( I have used Carrots/Broccoli/ Capsicum and Zucchini)

·         1 Cup water

·         1 Tbsp Oil

·         ½ Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste

Process

1.       Take a bowl and add 1 cup water.

2.       IN water add Masala mix and stir till no lumps.

3.       In a pan/Wok heat oil

4.       Add onion and cook till translucent.

5.       Add, ginger garlic paste and saute for another minute.

6.       Now add the veggies and cook cover under Medium flame for 3-4 minutes.

7.       Once done, add the water and Masala Mix to the wok and stir continuously till the gravy comes to a boil.

8.       Once the gravy reaches the desired consistency, switch off the flame.

Serve with hot Fried Rice/Noodles it tastes yummy with both.

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Falafel Stuffed Bread Bites

Falafel Stuffed Bread Bites

With 2 Nd round of a food competition, I had 2 ingredients self selected and 2 others given by a fellow competitor. So, this time the 4 ingredients I had was Chickpeas, sweet corn kernels , yeast and flour... Sounds weird....?? :D to me too, at the first go.. But then lot of brain scratching thought of making a falafel Pie, but when shared my thought with hubby, he wasn't very keen in having a pie for dinner...:( plan shattered....

Then I thought of making something for appetizers so a stuffed bread which is very attractive in shape came to my mind. I initially thought of making roses but then I have already tried making bread roses so, wanted do something different. Then I thought of cute little mice came to me in my weekly pinned posts on P interest .... Hippy I shouted....:) :)

To start with Falafels as filling, Falafels are a Middle eastern street food. To describe it simply, they are chickpeas fritters.. Falafels are usually serves with Tahini sauce or hummus, I too have used hummus in my bread bites.... Yes!!! :) you don't need to even dip them in I any dip or sauce it's there in the rolls already.....

The bread dough I have used is very simple and can be referred to my post of Cottage cheese and Cheddar filled bread flowers by Clicking here though i'll be copying the same below too..

So these awesomely cute looking bread Bites are basically assembling of 3 things together-
1. Falafels
2. Hummus ( to give that creamy texture inside the bread Rolls)
3. Bread Dough to finally give the shape of Mice

Starting with Bread Dough Followed by Falafel and Hummus, I am keeping the 3 components very simple and with mild seasoning and flavors. you can use any seasoning ingredients you want..

Ingredients for Dough

- 1 cups plain flour/Maida

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 tsp. active yeast

- salt to taste

- 1/4 cup Lukewarm water

- 2 tbsp cooking oil/Butter 

- Some more oil/milk fir brushing 

- some extra flour for rolling and dusting

Process

1. In a small bowl add  water which is warmed to just lukewarm.

2. Add sugar and yeast and Sprinkle some flour. Stir it and leave for around 10 mints.

3. In a separate big bowl take flour and mix in salt.

4. Once yeast if proved, add the yeast mix to the flour. 

5. Now add the cooking oil, and knead the dough for at good 5-7 minutes.

6. Once the dough is kneaded well, grease the dough and a bowl in which we need to keep the dough and let it rest for first proofing. 

7. Cover the dough with a cloth, and let the dough rest in a warm spot for approx. 45 mints. Or till the dough doubles.


For Falafels
- 3/4 Cup overnight  soaked Chickpeas and in morning Pressure cooked for 6-7 whistles in low flame.
- 1 small onion roughly chopped
- some garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley/you can use coriander also
- few tbsp of water
- few tbsp of Oil to Pan fry the falafels

Process
1. Take a Blender jar add, chickpeas, salt, pepper powder, parsley, lime juice, garlic and as minimum as possible water to make the mixture into coarse paste.
2. once its ready cover it with damp cloth or cling wrap and let it rest for at least 1/2 hour.
3. once done, using less oil in a pan, pan fry them till golden brown form both the sides.

Ingredients for Hummus
 3/4 Cup overnight  soaked Chickpeas and in morning Pressure cooked for 6-7 whistles in low flame.
-  some garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- few tbsp of water

Process
1. In a blender jar take all the ingredients together an blend into a smooth paste using little by little water as required.
* I had restriction of ingredients you can add Olive oil to finish the hummus to give the awesome flavor.

Assembling of read Bites

1.Dust the dough and your hands a little, punch the dough and deflate all the air. Knead the dough for another minute or so.

2. On your work surface sprinkle some dry flour. And divide the dough in small equal portion ( 6-7) . And, roll each small ball in small disc of approx. 2 inches of diameter. 

3. On the rolled dough spread 1 tbsp of hummus and then place 1 Falafel.

4. Now, with help of your palms and fingers turn this into a shape of a mice. and with hellp of a scissors place 2 cuts to make ears and pierce tooth pick to make eyes.

5. Repeat to shape all the dough balls. And place them in nicely greased baking tray. 

6. Let them rest for 5-7 minutes covered with a cloth. 

7. Once done, brush lightly with butter, milk or oil. 

8. Bake the breads in pre heated oven at 180 degrees C for approx. 20 minutes or till you see a nice golden crust on the bread.

Your cute little Icy Micey are ready.. :)

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Home Made Strawberry Jam with 3 Ingridients

Home Made Strawberry Jam with 3 Ingredients ( without Artificial Color/Flavors or Preservatives?

Who Doesn't Loves Jam?? Though I know there would be many who don't, but I am talking about majority.. :D

Before we Bid Adieu to yummy, juicy and flavorful Strawberries, I finally tried my first ever jamming process and the results were super Awesome. I have referred to the basic jam from Allrecipes.com ( Jam without Pectin)

Trust me there can be nothing better than home made jams, especially if you have kids at home and they love having a bread toast or parantha with jam, this home made easy version of Jam recipe is a blessing. I love this recipe even more for the fact tat it uses no preservatives no Food Colors. Yes, you read it right, A Home made Jam with goodness of Fresh Fruits and no artificial color or flavor and no preservatives too :)

With this first trial of Jam making I am literally loving the process of Jam making, and would be doing lot more of Jam making from now.. Its easy, its Natural, Its Healthy and Its Homemade.. We all want to eat such food right???

So lets begin with the Ingredients then Things required to make Jam and Finally the Process..

Ingredients
- 3 Cups of hulled and roughly chopped Strawberries
- 3 cups of Sugar
- 4 tbsp of Lime/lemon juice

Things required
- Masher to mash Strawberries
- a big bowl
- a big and heavy bottom Pan
- a wooden spoon or any other ladle/spoon
- very imp. sterilized bottled to store jam

Process-
1. Take a bowl and dump in the chopped strawberries in it.
2. using a masher, mash the strawberries nicely.
3. Now put the pan on high flame on the gas.
4. pour all the mashed?pureed strawberries in the pan.
5. Add lemon juice and sugar to the pan.
6. Continuously stir the mix till all the sugar is dissolved.
7. Once sugar is dissolved, let the mixture come to a boil on high flame.
8. once the mixture comes to a boil, put the flame on medium and let the mixture cook stirring every minute or so.
9. As the sugar caramelizes the jam will thicken up. On medium flame it will take anywhere between 8-10 minutes to cook the jam.

Ways to check if the jam is done
a. ) Drop Test- Take a spoon full of jam and drop it from little height, if its too runny you need to cook it more, if its taking little time to drop, that means jam is done.
b.)  Checking from back of the spoon/Ladle - when a spoon is dipped in jam mixture and you see the jam is sticking to the back of the spoon and not flowing back to the vessel immediately the jam is done.

10. by checking from any of the above methods, you can determine when the jam is cooked and needs no further heating.
11. Once cooked, turn of the flame and let the jam cool completely before you put it in jar.
12. Ensure to use ONLY STERILIZED BOTTLES to store the jam.

Enjoy this homemade jam over a toast, desserts, flat breads it will definitely satisfy your taste buds... :) :)

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Individual Serving Shahi Vegetable Casserole

Individual Serving Shahi Vegetable Casserole

In a recent food competition I was given a list of ingredient and challenge was to prepare a dish with those ingredients without using any other ingredients apart from basic ingredient like oil, onion garlic and seasoning ingredients.

I had an absolute peculiar list of ingredient which constituted:

-          Cashews

-          Fresh Mint Leaf

-          Cottage Cheese

-          Radish

-          Brinjal

-          Spring onion

-          And I was allowed to use some basic ingredients mentioned above.

After scratching my head and exploring hell lot of combinations, I decided to do a vegetable casserole with available content.  So I made these 4 layered Individual Serving Shahi Vegetable Casserole with layers of Tangy Radish Dip, Spicy Brinjal Fries, Spring Onion cooked in  Makhni Gravy ( creamy Cashew and Tomato Gravy) and top layered with toasted Cashew and Minty Masala Cottage Cheese/Paneer.

The Experiment was super successful, and the 4 bowls of Individual Serving that I made was gone in a glance. . J The best thing about this is you can serve it as Starter and main course too. Serve it with rice, parantha or naan, I am sure you will definitely please your guests..:)

Sharing how I made this super yummy and easy gorgeous looking vegetable casserole-

Ingredients Used

·         2 Radish Medium Sized

·         1 Medium Sized round Brinjal, Sliced as per the serving bowl

·         3-4 Spring Onion sticks Roughly chopped

·         100 Grams Cottage cheese

·         Approx. 25 Cashews

·         Mint Leaves 6-7

·         Oil 2 Tbsp

·         Salt to taste

·         Kashmiri red chilli powder 2 Tbsp

·         Tumeric powder 1//2 Tsp

·         Dry Mango/Amchoor powder ½ Tsp.

·         Onion 1 Medium size

·         Tomato 2 Medium Size

·         Garlic Paste 1 Tsp

·         Cumin Powder  ½ tsp

·         ¼ tsp mustard seeds

·         1 Tsp. garam Masala

·         1 Tbsp coriander powder

·         Few mint leaves to garnish

·         Few Diagonally cut  Spring onion for garnishing

·         1 tbsp of Chat Masala/Piri Piri seasoning

Process

1.       For Radish Dip –

a.        In a pan , heat ½ tbps of oil

b.      Add mustard seeds and let splutter

c.       Add ½ roughly chopped onion and cook till light golden brown

d.      Once done, add roughly chopped radish and few tbsp of water.

e.      Cook covered, till radish is soft, this will take approx. 4-5 on medium flame.

f.        Once done, add salt to taste, ½ tbsp red chili powder.

g.       And grind till smooth paste in a grinder/blender

2.       For Makhni Gravy-

a.       In a pan heat ½ tbsp of oil

b.      Add roughly chopped remaining onion and tomatoes

c.       Add salt to taste along with 7-8 cashews

d.      Add few tbsp of water and cook covered, for 3-4 minutes on medium flame.

e.      Once done, in a grinder make smooth paste of the mix.

f.        In a pan heat few drops of oil and add this onion paste along with 1 tbsp of red chilli powder, ½ tsp of garam Masala, ½ tbsp of coriander powder and cook for another ¾ minutes on low flame.

g.       Add chopped spring onion and cook for another minute and turn off the flame.

3.       For Brinjal Fry

a.       Slice the brinjal not too thick nor too thin approx. ½ inch ( one bowl would need 2 slices, so you can slice accordingly)

b.      In a plate add Salt, Garam Masala, Coriander powder, red chili powder, cumin powder and Turmeric powder and mix well.

c.       In a pan heat 2 tbsp of oil and fry brinjal till tender and soft from both the sides

4.       For Minty cottage cheese and cashew crumble –

a.       In a grinder jar add the remaining Cashew and 2-3 tbsp of water and make a coarse paste

b.      To this ass crated cottage cheese and give a pulse or 2, just to make a homogeneous mixture.

c.       Add seasoning Masala and mix well

Assembling of Casserole

1.       Take a bowl, small glass

2.       Add a scoop/2 tbsp of radish dip followed by a slice of brinjal Fry

3.       Press it very gently to settle it

4.       Now add 2-3 tbsp of Makhni Gravy

5.       Add another slice of Brinjal Fry and again press very lightly

6.       At the end, add generous amount of Paneer crumble and microwave the bowl for 30 seconds.

Tada, your amazing bowl of yumminess is ready…

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