Katirikka Rasavangi

Ingredients

One Bhima eggplant(Brinjal)
1/2 tbsp tamarind paste
1 1/2 tspn coriander seeds
1 tspn chana dal
3-4 dried red chillies
4 tbsp coconut (dry will do but fresh is better)
1/2 cup cooked toovar dal (with turmeric)
1/2 tspn mustard seeds
a pinch asafoetida
curry leaves
A little oil for roasting and seasoning
salt to taste

Preparation

Cube eggplant. In about a cup of water dissolve the tamcon paste. Set on stove, add eggplant to tamarind water, a little turmeric, salt and let cook until eggplant is done but has not lost its shape.

In a pan with very little oil roast red chillies, coriander seeds, chana dal and asafoetida. When you can get the aroma of roasted coriander or the red chillies have turned a dark, dark red remove from heat and let cool.

Throw into blender with coconut, add 3 tbsp water and grind slowly into paste. Add a little water if blade gets stuck. Remove from jar and wash it out with water and save this.

Mash cooked dal with a spoon until blended and add to cooked eggplant. Now add the coconut paste and its water. Keep on low heat till it starts to simmer a little. Take off heat.
Season with spluttering mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Variations:

You can throw in a handful of chick peas from a can into this, thin it out somewhat and have it as katirikka sambar.

Alternately, you can make the cooked dal with half toor and half chana dal, in which case you should not cook until mashed. Remove a trifle before it gets fully done.

Gotsu

Ingredients

One small to medium eggplant
1/2 tbsp tamarind paste or extract from a tamarind size marble, soaked
one large onion, chopped (if using little ones in a bag, about five)
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
6 hot green chilles, slit and cut into pieces
curry leaves
1 tspn mustard
1/2 tspn turmeric
garlic (optional)
salt to taste
3-4 tbspn oil

Preparation

Chop the eggplant into very tiny pieces. Heat oil, add mustard seeds, when popping add curry leaves, chillies, onions and fry till onions become transcluscent. Add tomatoes and eggplant and fry for another five minutes.
If using tamarind paste add a cup and half of water, or pour equal quantity of extract from fresh pulp.
Throw in the turmeric, salt and garlic. Let it simmer for a while until eggplant becomes really soft and is barely able to retain its shape.

Remove from heat.

Tomato-Onion Gotsu More tomatoes can be substituted instead of the eggplant for a tomato- onion gotsu. Add more chillies if necessary.

Pulikacchal

Ingredients

Soaked tamarind about the size of a large lemon
1 1/2 tbspn jaggery
2 tbspns sesame seeds roasted dry
6-8 green chillies, slit into two (add more for spice)
2 inch ginger cut into thin strips
1 tspn mustard seeds
1 tspn chana dal
3-4 tbspns oil, preferably sesame
good pinch asafoetida
pinch turmeric
curry leaves

Preparation

Squeeze out the pulp from the tamarind. You can add a little fresh water each time to extract the pulp. When you have a about a small bowl full, set aside.

Warm oil, season with mustard seeds first. When they start to pop throw in red chillies, chana dal, asafoetida and curry leaves. When dal turns red, add the green chillies and fry. Throw in the ginger, add tamarind extract

carefully, a pinch turmeric, salt to taste and jaggery. Simmer on low heat till raw smell disappears and the sauce has reduced to one-third or thickened yet spoonable.

Crush the roasted sesame seeds with a rolling pin on paper or in a spice mill rather coarsely. Add this at the end to the pulikacchal Mix well so there are no lumps.

Ras Malai

Ingredients

Ricotta Cheese 2 lb.
Half and Half 2 qts.
Sugar 2 cups
Cardamon pods 5
Bay leaf 1
Vanilla 1 tsp.
Rose Water To taste (opt.)

Preparation

Mix 1.5 cups of sugar with the Ricotta cheese and bake it in a 400o F oven for about 1hr and 15 minutes in a flat dish covered with aluminum foil. The cheese should have hard- ened and turned a pale brown.

Thicken the Half and Half by simmering over low heat for a long time. This is best done in a microwave; if a

microwave is not available, do it over low heat and stir frequently. Thicken until the volume drops to around half
of the origi- nal volume.

Add the remaining 0.5 cup sugar, cardamon pods, bay leaf, vanilla and rose water (and any other flavouring that
you may want) to the Half and Half. Heat for a few minutes.

After the cheese has been baked, cut it into 1 inch squares and add to the hot thickened half and half.

Cool for a few hours in the fridge.

Lemon Pickle

Ingredients

Lemons 6
Salt 5 tsp.
Chili powder 5 tsp.
Turmeric pinch
Hing 1 tsp.
Methi 1 tsp.
Oil 5 tbsp.

Preparation

Cut lemons into small pieces and remove the seeds. Add salt and keep for about 12 hours.
Add chili powder, turmeric, and methi.
Heat oil, mustard seeds, and asafoetida. Spread this mixture over the lemons.
Mix thoroughly.

More Kozhambhu

Ingredients

Yogurt 32 oz.
Coriander seeds 2 tsp.
Cumin seeds 2 tsp.
Red Chili powder 1 tsp.
Chana Daal 1 tsp.
Rice or rice powder 1 tsp.
Coconut (grated) 2 tsp.
Salt 2 tsp.
Mustard 1 tsp.
Turmeric pinch
Red Chili 1

Preparation

Fry Coriander seeds, Cumin seeds, Chana Daal, Red Chili in a little oil.
Grind the mixture with the coconut and add to the beaten yogurt. Add turmeric and bring to a boil.

Stir in rice powder, and heat on low until consistent texture is achieved.
Heat oil and mustard seeds and add to the mixture.

VEGETABLE Kurma

Ingredients:

2 cups Vegetables
2 Onions cut length-wise
2 Green chilies cut length-wise
1 tsp Coriander powder
1 1/4 tsp Salt
one pinch Turmeric powder
1/2" Cinnamon stick
2 Cloves
2 Cardamom
2 tblsp Coconut powder
1 tsp Khus-Khus (poppy seeds)
1/4 tsp (3 cloves) Garlic
1/4 tsp powder (or 1/2" fresh) Ginger

Method:

Put a reasonable sized vessel on the range and heat oil. Add cinnamon,
cloves and cardamom and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add onions and green
chilies and fry till onions turn brown. Add garlic + ginger paste and
fry for a minute or so. Add vegetables and fry for about 3 minutes.
Add Water (about a cup or two). Let the vegetables + turmeric powder
cook.

If you are using canned or frozen vegetables skip the above step.

Add coconut paste, khus-khus, salt and wait until cooked.
(Note: Cook on low heat.)

Dahi Vada (Savory Balls In Yogurt)

Ingredients:

1/2 c Urad dal
1/2 Moong dal
1 c Yogurt
Spice to taste (cumin and paprika)
Oil for frying
1/4 c Milk

Method:

Clean dal, wash and soak in water for 4 hours. Blend in blender at
medium speed using the minimum amount of water required to keep paste
moving freely. Add salt and start heating oil.

Drop spoonfuls of batter in the hot oil using a large tablespoon. Fry
until golden brown. Drop in water. Let it soak till ready to serve.

Beat yogurt with milk. Add spice according to taste. Squeeze out water
from the vada and add yogurt. Serve.

Bonda with mashed potato

Ingredients:

1 medium Onion
2 cups Potato buds
1 1/2 cup Peas and carrots
2 big ones Green chilies
1 teaspoon Lemon juice
1 cup Gram flour
1/2 tsp Mustard seed
pinch Turmeric
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/4" piece Ginger
1 small bunch Coriander leaves
2 tsp Salt
Oil

Method:

The filling is prepared as follows:
-----------------------------------
Mix potato buds and 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of hot water.
Finely chop ginger, chilies, coriander leaves, and onion. Heat oil
(about 5 Tbsp) and add mustard seeds. Add chopped ingredients and fry
until onions are brown. Add carrots, peas, turmeric and 1 tsp of salt
and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Add potato (now mashed) and
fry for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and let cool.
The batter is prepared as follows:
----------------------------------

Combine gram flour, 3 Tbsp of oil, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, the
baking powder and mix thoroughly

After the batter is prepared, make small balls out of the filling and
roll them in the batter. Next fry it in hot oil. You will get about
20-30 small bondas.

Sambar powder

Whole red peppers - 1/4 kg
Coriander seeds - 1/4 kg
Toor Dal - 200 g
Gram dal - 200 g
whole black peppers - 25 g
asafoetida - a pinch Dry the above ingredients and grind into a nice powder.

Rasam Powder

Whole black peppers - 1
Toor Dal - 1/2
Cumin seeds - 1/2
coriander seeds - 1/2
Slightly heat without adding oil in a fry pan and grind the above ingredients into a
nice powder.

Vegetable Cutlet

Vegetables-Potato,Beans, Carrots,green peas,Beet Root(if preferred)
Steam the vegetables in a pressure cooker or a food steamer and mash them into
a tight paste. Add grated onions, salt, red chilli powder, garam masala powder and
ground cinnamon(a pinch).Knead the mixture tightly.
Take some rice flour and add water to make it into a slightly watery juice.Make
the vegetable mixture into evenly sized balls and roll over the rice flour and then
cover it with rawa.Deep fry the balls until they turn golden brown.

Side dish :

Tomato ketchup

Curd Vadai

Grind some grated coconut and green chillies into a thick paste.Add thnis to thick
curd and keep it aside.
Rinse the required amount of urud dal(black gram) for about 1 1/2 hours.Grind into
a thick paste. Add salt, coconut pieces, black whole peppers, and asafoetida.Take
a small piece of plantain leaf or plastic sheet of paper and tap the flour on the
sheet into a round flat shape Make a small hole in the middle so that it gets fried
uniformly.Drop this carefuly into boiling oil and fry till it turns golden brown.
Put the vadai immediately in a vessel of water and after about 2 minutes add it to
the curd mixtue.Add fresh coriander leaves, boondi.Splatter with mustard and
asafoetida.

Paruppu podi

gram dal - 1
toor dal or Pottu kadalai - 1
whole red peppers - 5
Roast the above without oil, add salt and asafoetida and grind into a very fine
powder.

Coriander-tomato chutney

Fresh coriander leaves(cilantro/parsley) - 1 cup
Tomato - 1 large
Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
green chillies - 2
tamarind - a pinch
Salt - to taste
Wash fresh coriander leaves and pick the leaves from the stem.Cut the tomato
into medium sized pieces.Add the other ingredients and grind it in the blender into
a thick paste.
Heat 3 spoons oil in a fry pan, add mustard seeds.When it splatters, add urud
dal.Add the ground paste and fry till the raw smell dissappears.

Ginger Pickle

Grate ginger finely.Take oil and add mustard seeds.When it splatters, add
fenugreek seed powder an asafoetida.Add grated ginger and fry well till the
moisture is gone and it becomes a non-sticky paste.

Lime pickle

Fresh lime(large size, thin skin, ripe) - 6
Cut into medium pieces.(Preseve the juice while cutting).Add salt- 4 spoons,red
chilli powder - 4 spoons, asafoetida - 1/2 spoon and mix well.
Next day add 1/4 cup of sesame oil and leave it aside.
Next day, add mustard seeds to 4 spoons of oil and when it splatters add
fenugreek seeds and asafoetida.Add this to the poickle and mix.Store in
refrigerator.

VenPongal

Mix rice and moong dal in the ratio 1:1.Add 3 times water and steam until it is
overcooked.Cut green chillies and ginger into fine pieces.Take some ghee in a fry
pan and add whole black peppers, and cumun seeds.When the peppers burst add
chillie and ginger pieces and a pinch of turmeric powder.Add some cashewnuts and
remove the pan when the cashews are roasted and begin to smell.Add this to
cooked dal-rice.Add salt, curry leaves and mix well.Add some ghee while serving.

7-cup sweet

Milk - 1 cup
gram flour - 1 cup
Sugar - 3 cups
Grated coconut - 1 cup
Ghee - 1 cup
Mix well and heat in a fry pan until it becomes soft.

Tamarind pickle (Pulikkachal)

coriander seeds (Dhaniya), fenugreek seeds, sesame seeds - each 1 spoon
asafoetida - 1/4 spoon
Slightly roast the above without oil and grind into fine powder. Pour 3 spoons of oil
in a fry pan and add some gram dal and whole red peppers and fry slightly.
Add tamarind juice to this and bring it to boil.Add salt and heat with constant
stirring until the mixture becomes thick. Now add the ground powder and stir
constantly with heating until it becomes a non-sticky paste.Store in refrigerator.

Aviyal

Vegetables - Plantain, potatoes, brinjal, carrots, beans, drumstick, green peas
Cut the vegetables into long pieces and steam in pressure cooker.
Grind grated coconut and green hot chillies and salt.Add this to thick curd.Add
cooked vegetables, mix well and heat for sometime. When cooked, add curry
leaves and 1/2 spoon coconut oil.

Poricha Koottu

toor dal, coriander seeds, urud dal, whole black peppers, cumin seeds - each 1
teaspoon

1 whole red pepper, grated coconut (fry last)
Fry the above ingredients in little ghee, grind and keep it aside.
Vegetables - Snake gourd, cabbage, beetroot
Cut any of the vegetables into small pieces, add moong dal and steam it in pressure
cooker.Add the ground mixture to this and heat for a little while to mix
uniformly.Add splattered mustard seeds.Add curry leaves.

Vella Appam (PK John)

2 cups of white rice
Half a coconut
1 table spoon of yeast
Sugar
Salt
2 table spoon of partially ground, cooked rice

Soak the washed rice for 3 to 4 hours.Wash and drain. Grind the soaked rice in a blender with just enough water so
that the ground material will be thick. In the early stages of grinding take out about two table spoon of the partially
ground rice and keep it apart for cooking and later mixing.(This will be called KURUKKU).
Mix separately 1 teaspoonful of yeast , quarter cup of luke warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar and allow the
mixture to rise. Grind the coconut to a milky emulsion. Mix your ground rice, 'Kurukku'(cook the partially ground
rice saved earlier like a thick porridge) the yeast mixture and ground coconut
Allow the mixture to ferment for about 6 hours. Add sugar and salt as your taste dictates.You can add a little
coconut milk to adjust the consistency.(You can add one beaten up egg at this stage if you fear appams sticking
to the pan.- Alternately you can wrap a half fried egg in cloth and use it to rub the frying area of your pan.)
Now put the mixture in a warm oven for 2 hours just before you make the Appams
After it rises DO NOT STIR.
Use a cast iron pan and use the same technique that one uses for pancakes.

Erissery (Maya Nair)

Green bananas or plantains (nenthrakkay) - cubed
turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
chili powder - 1 teaspoon
cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
mustard seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
urad dal - 1/4 teaspoon
coconut, grated - 1/2 cup (may substitute des. coconut)
coconut for garnish - 1 tablespoon
black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
curry leaves - a few
salt to taste
oil - 1 teaspoon

Soak the cut plantains in warm water mixed with half teaspoon turmeric for ten minutes. Drain and cook the
plantains with the remaining turmeric and salt. Grind the coconut well with cumin and add to the cooked plantains.
Let it simmer. Meanwhile, heat the oil and pop the mustard seeds. Add the urad dal and the coconut reserved for
garnish and stir till browned. Add this mixture to the erisherry and mix in the curry leaves.

Paruppu Thogaiyal

toor dal - 1
gram dal - 1
whole red peppers ,asafoetida
Fry the above ingredients in alittle ghee, add salt and grated
coconut and grind.

Milagu Kuzhambu

coriander seeds - 2 spoons(fry first)
toor dal - 2 spoons
whole black peppers - 2 spoons
whole red peppers - 3-4
asafoetida and curry leaves -little
Fry the above ingredients in a little amount of oil and grind
it.Mix this paste with tamarind juice, add water and heat
until the raw smell is gone.
Side dish - This can be mixed with rice and served along with
paruppu thogaiyal, or as a side dish to curd rice.

Avial (Mixed Vegetables With Sauce)

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Serves 4

Required ingredients:

Cubed White Squash (pumpkin) -- 1 cup
Chopped French Beans, Cauliflower,
Drumstick*, Bell Pepper, Potato -- 3 cups
(mixed together)
Green Chilies -- 4 (medium sized)
Plain Yoghurt -- 2 cups
Grated Fresh Coconut -- 1 cup
Curry Leaves -- 10
Coriander Leaves -- 4 tsp.
Mustard -- 1/8 tsp.
Turmeric -- 1/8 tsp.
Cooking oil -- 1/2 cup
Dried Red Chilies -- 2
Sugar -- 1 tsp.
Cumin -- 1 tsp.
Split Black Gram -- 1/8 tsp.
Asafoetida -- a pinch or two
Salt to taste

In a deep pot boil the mixed vegetables in a cup
of water until tender. Keep aside. (If there is any
water left in the pot, do not discard it).

In a blender, blend yogurt, sugar, cumin, grated
coconut, turmeric, salt, coriander leaves, a cup of
water until well mixed. Pour this mixture into the
pot containing the vegetables and keep it on
medium heat. Add the green chilies sliced
lengthwise and simmer the contents for ten
minutes. (Remember to stir frequently, as yogurt
tends to stick to the bottom of the pot). Remove
from heat and keep aside.

In a wide skillet heat oil on medium. When oil is
hot add dry red peppers and fry for one minute.
Then add mustard seeds, black gram and curry
leaves. When the mustard seeds pop, add
asafoetida. Immediately add the vegetables and
sauce from the pot. Cook for a minute or two.
Remove from heat.

Goes well with plain white rice, pita, paratha, puri.

*If drumstick is not available, you can add some
other vegetable. Eggplant, however, is

not advised because it becomes bitter when
boiled in water.

Apple, Banana & Carrot Halwa (ABC Halwa)

Ingredients

1 cup chopped apple (without skin)
1 cup chopped banana
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup milk or 1/2 cup milk powder
1 cup coconut
3/4 cup ghee
2 cups sugar

Method

Grind carrot & milk.
Mix all the ingredients together except ghee.
Keep on stirring till the apple & banana pieces are cooked & the halwa
becomes one mass.
Then add ghee, cardamom powder.
Remove from the stove top & decorate with nuts of your choice.

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4

Required ingredients:

Rice -- 3 cups
Tamarind Extract -- 5 tbsp.
Split Bengal Gram -- 2 tbsp.
Peanuts -- 0.5 cup
Mustard Seeds -- 0.5 tsp.
Dried Red Chile -- 5
Green Chile -- 4
Black Pepper Corns -- 8
Turmeric Powder -- 0.5 tsp.
Oil -- 0.5 cup
Water -- 5 cups
Coriander Leaves -- 1 bunch
Curry Leaves -- 20
Sesame Seeds -- 1 tbsp. (powdered)
Asafoetida -- 0.5 tsp.
Salt to taste

In a large bowl, add water and rice and cook until
well done. Remove from heat and in a wide, large
bowl spread out the rice. Add turmeric, half of the
curry leaves and three tablespoons of oil to the
rice and mix thoroughly. Keep it aside.
Meanwhile in a skillet, heat remaining oil on low
heat. To this add black mustard seeds, split
bengal gram, red chile, pepper corns and peanuts.
When the bengal gram turns light brown, add
coriander leaves,remaining curry leaves,
asafoetida, sliced green chiles and tamarind
extract. Stir well. Remove from heat. Now add
salt and sesame seed powder to the skillet and
add it all to the bowl containing rice. Mix
thoroughly. Serve with Verusanagapappu
Pacchadi or plain yoghurt.

Note:

You can adjust the amount of tamarind
extract according to your taste.

Kesar Pista Kulfi

Ingredients

Take two cans of evaporated milk.
One can of condensed milk
One 16 Oz wipped cream
1\4 cup pista
1 pinch safron

Method

1.Take a pot and mix evaporated milk, condensed milk and wipped
cream with the hand grinder (mixer grinder)
2.Now mix pis ta and saforn in it
3.Put into a air sealed container and put in the freezer for 4 hours.

Note:

It will taste authentic with falooda.

Vegetable Cutlet

Ingredients

1 medium size carrot
1 medium size potato
1 medium size beet root (optional)
4-5 Beans
Peas (optional)

To Grind

garlic 1 small piece
Fennel seeds 2-3
Green chili 2-3
Coriander leaves little bit
One medium sizes onion finely cut & keep.
To dip
2-3 tablespoon of Maida & add little bit of water and mix them well (it
should be pouring like idli flour)
Powder
Take 3-4 slices of bread & powder them. (you can use either breads
crumbs)

Method

1.Finely cut all the above said vegetables.
2.Wash & Pressure-cook with little bit of water, turmeric powder &
salt.
3.Smash them & keep it aside (if there is any excess waterin the cooked
vegetables just drain).
4.Heat one tablespoon of oil.
5.Fry onions till it turns into brown & add the grounded paste. Just fry
for few seconds.
6.Then add the smashed vegetables & fry till it gets thickened. Wait to
cool.
7.Then make them into small balls and dip it in the above said Maida
consistency & immediately smear them in the above said powder and
spread them in the plate or paper to dry.
8.Once everything over just do deep-fry or roast both the sides of them
by adding little bit of oil till it turns into brown in the wok or thava.

Servings: 12-15 (depends upon the balls you are making)
Side Dish: Ketchup, Chilly chutney

Bread Besan Bajji

Ingredients

4 Slices of bread
1 cup of channa dal
1 spoon chilli powder
1/4 spoon corriander powder
salt to taste.
Oil for frying.

Method

1.If you prefer onions you can put 1/2 onion cut into small pieces.
2.Make the paste of channa dal by adding some water and mix salt,
chilli, corriander powder and some corriander leaves for taste.
3.Cut the bread into four pieces and dip them in channa dal paste and
deep fry them in the oil till golden brown.
4.Serve them with some hot sauce or ketchep.

Vaangi Baath (Brinjal Rice)

Ingredients

Brinjal - 300 gms
Onions - 2-3 medium sized
Coriander powder, Chilli powder, Salt to taste
Rice - 1 cup
Water - 2 1/2 cups
Cooking oil - 2 tbsps
Finely chopped coriander leaves

Method

1.Cut the brinjal & onions to not very fine pieces. If u cut the brinjals
too fine, they will get mashed up and will lose their taste.
2.Saute the onions till they get transparent. Then, add the brinjals also.
3.Add the spice powders and saute the curry for 4-5 minutes.
4.Cook the rice in the quantity of water mentioned above. Do not
overcook.
5.Allow it to cool and then mix it with the curry just prepared above
taking care to see that u do not mash them up.
6.Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
7.Serve hot.

Tikha Baigan Masala

Ingredients

1/2 kg brinjal (small size)
3-4 onions (cut in big pieces)
2 tbsp of grated coconut (dried)
1 whole garlic
ginger
2 tbsp chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste
small lump of tamrind
1 tbsp garam masala powder
1 tsp jeera

Method

1.Take all the ingredients grind it at once in mixer, do not add water.
2.Add 2 tbsp of oil in pan and heat it, put the mixture in the pan.
3.Fry the mixture properly. Take of the pan from stove and let it cool.
4.Take the brinjal slit it in 4, fill the mixture in the brinjal.
5.Pour 2 - 3 tbsp of oil in kadai, heat it and then put the stuffed brinjal,
cook it.
6.Add little water to the brinjal. Put small piece of jaggery to taste if
required.
7.Let it cook for 15-20 minutes.

Your tikha brinjal masala is ready

Tur Dal Kofta

Ingredients

2 cups tur dal
6-7 green chilles, chopped
3tb.spoon cumin seeds
1 pinch asafotida
Salt to taste
3tb.spoon finely chopped corriander leaves
3-4tb spoon grated coconut

Method

1.Soak tur dal over night. Then wash it thoroughly.
2.Grind it coarsly.
3.Then add chopped chillies, corrinder leaves, grated coconut, cumin
seeds, asafotida & salt mix it thoroughly.
4.Then make small koftas (balls) with the mixture pressure cook for 15
min.
5.Serve hot with rice dishes.

Pineapple Gojju

Ingredients

1 canned (small) crushed pineapple
1 table sp sesame seeds
1 table sp urad dhal
1 table sp channa dhal
3 red chillies
2 green chillies
1 tsp chick peas
1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
1/2 tsp tamarind paste
a small piece of jagerry OR 1 table sp brown sugar
1/2 cup grated coconut
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
4-5 table sp's Oil for frying
1 tsp mustard seeds

Method

1.Dry fry sesame seeds, urad dhal, channa dhal, red chillies and
asafoetida till they all turn roast(frying time 5-6 mins)
2.Grind the fried ingredients with green chillies, chick peas, tamarind
paste, jaggery (or brown sugar) and grated coconut to a smooth paste
(add little water while grinding).
3.In the meantime, keep oil in a kadai and let it heat for a minute. Then
put mustard seeds and turmeric powder and allow mustard seeds to
pop.
4.Then put the canned crushed pineapple to it and fry the pineapple for
about 15 mins approximately.
5.Later on, add the ground paste to the fried pineapple and fry further 10
mins.
6.Add salt according to taste
7.Remove kadai from the heat.
8.This goes well as a side dish with chapatis or rice & rasam and can be
eaten hot or cold.

Cabbage Kofta Curry

Ingredients

For Koftas

1/2 medium size Cabbage Shredded
2 tbsp Besan or all Purpose flour
Oil for frying

For Gravy

1 medium sized onion
a Piece of ginger
1 Cardamon
1 cinanamon stick small
1 clove
1 spoon jeera
1 spoon dania
2 medium sizes Tomatoes

Method

1.Take the shredded Cabbage in a bowl, add flour & make small round
balls with the same.
2.Deep fry the balls in the hot oil & keep aside
3.In a seperate pan heat 1 tsp of oil & add bay leaves & the paste, salt
according to taste & little bit of sugar.
4.Let the paste cook till the oil seperates.
5.Can add little water if the paste is too thick.
6.Switch off the flame add the Kofta's & Cover till Serving.
7.Before serving garnish with fresh coriader leaves.

Mysore Pak (South Indian Dish)

Ingredients

Besan (chick-pea flour) 1 cup
Sugar 1 1/2 cups
Ghee 2 cups
Water 1 3/4 cups

Procedure

1.Dissolve the sugar in the water and heat it.
2.Keep stirring till you get a thread consistency.
3.You can check for this by feeling the syrup between your fore-finger
and thumb. (If the syrup has reached the required consistency, then
you will able to pull it out like a thread).
4.Remove all the lumps in the chick-pea flour and add it to the syrup, 1
table spoon at a time.
5.Reduce the heat and add 2 teaspoons of ghee.
6.Stir, till the flour and ghee has completely blended with the syrup.
7.Repeat procedure 2 till you finish all of the besan.
8.Continue to stir and keep adding ghee 1tsp. at a time till the mixture
changes color and texture. At one point, you will observe that the
mixture is not able to absorb any more ghee. Also, the whole mixture
becomes porous and starts leaving the edges of the vessel.
9.At this point, transfer the mixture into a greased plate and with a
spatula press the mixture down till the excess ghee surfaces. Do not
remove the excess ghee.
10.Allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Then, cut it into desired shape and wait
for another 10 minutes. Carefully remove each piece and arrange on
the serving tray.

Cooking time: 45 minutes.
Yield: 40 medium sized pieces.

Palak Paneer

Ingredients

Spinach - 500 gms
Onions - 5 medium sized
Garlic - 2-3 flakes
Cooking oil - 6-7 tbsps
Cummin seeds - 1 tbsp
Paneer - 150-200 gms
Salt to taste
Garam Masala, Geera Powder, Chilli Powder

Method

1.Cook the spinach in water.
2.Drain the water and then make puree of the spinach leaves.
3.Cut 4 of the onions finely and saute them till transparent.
4.Grind the other onion and the garlic flakes to a fine paste.
5.Add this paste to the sauted onions. Also add the puree and the spice
powders. Add some water if necessary.
6.Let boil for a minute or two.
7.Cut the paneer to cubes of desired size (preferably not too small). Fry
this in oil till golden brown,
8.Add this paneer to the prepared palak.
9.Serve hot with rice or rotis.

Mix Veg Curry

Ingredients

1 cup mixed vegetables sliced, boiled
(use carrot, cauliflower, beans, peas, potato, etc.)
1 tomato sliced
1/2 coconut grated
1/2 tsp. ginger grated
1/2 tsp. garlic crushed
3 green chillies
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. each cumin, mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
salt to taste
1 tsp.lemon juice
2 cloves
1" piece cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter

Method

1.Drain the boiled vegetables, keep stock aside.
2.Blend together, coconut, chillies, sesame seeds, cinnamon, cloves in mixie.
3.Heat butter, add seeds, allow to splutter.
4.Add ginger, garlic and paste.
5.Stir fry for 3-4 minutes.
6.Add vegetables except tomatoes.
7.Add 1/2 cup stock. Cover, simmer for 5 minutes.
8.Add salt, chilli powder,tomatoes and cook till gravy is thick.
9.Serve hot with parathas or chappatis.

Making time: 20 minutes.
Makes: 2 servings

Simple Potato Cake

Ingredients

3 large potatoes
45
1 capsicum
1/2 cup grated cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1red chilli crushed
2 tsp butter
1 tbsp. plain flour

Method

1.The potatoes will turn out best if boiled and refrigerated overnight before using.
2.Do not peel potatoes. Slice into thin rounds or grate coarsely.
3.Deseed capsicum and slice into thin rounds
4.Heat a thick nonstick pan about 5" diameter.
5.Meanwhile mix cheese, milk, crumbs, flour and chilli.
6.If mixture feels thin, add some more bread crumbs.
7.Add salt to taste. Apply 1 tsp. on bottom of pan.
8.Arrange potatoes to cover the pan. Top with capsicum.
9.Pour the mixture all over evenly. Level to cover all the potatoes.
10.Sprinkle fresh ground pepper, salt and simmer on low till bottom is golden brown.
11.Flip over very carefully with a wide sharp spatula, and roast the other side.
12.Let in the remaining butter around the edges to seep down.
13.Let other side become golden brown too.
14.Flip on serving plate and make sections with a knife.
15.Serve hot and crisp.

Variation: Bake the same if desired, instead if roasting.
Making time: 40 minutes

Baked Bread Rolls

Ingredients

6 slices soft bread fresh
1 tbsp. butter softened
2 flakes garlic crushed
1/2 tsp. crushed red chilli
salt to taste
1 tbsp. grated cheese

Method

1.Roll the bread flat with the help of a rolling pin.
2.Mix the salt, chilli, garlic in the butter.
3.Apply on all slices generously.
4.Roll one slice tightly from end to end.
5.Brush all over with a bit of butter.
6.Coat the roll with grated cheese by rolling in it.
7.Repeat for all slices. Cover rolls with a moist cloth.
8.Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
9.Bake in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes or till golden brown and crisp.
10.Serve hot with ketchup.

Note: If you have trouble keep the rolls in place when raw, secure them with toothpicks before placing in the fridge.
Remove toothpicks
before baking.

Making time: 10 minutes (excluding chilling and baking time)
Makes: 6 rolls

Spicy Roti

1 1/2 cups wheat flour
1/2 cups gram flour
1 1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp oil
salt to taste
44
1/2 turmeric powder
2-3 pinches asafaetida
1/2 tsp each cummin / oregano seeds
finely chopped coriander
1 tbsp water

METHOD

Knead a slightly stiff dough, adding all above ingredients, cover with wet cloth. Break off bits and make small potato
sized balls. Roll to 3-4
mm thickness. Roast on griddle (tawa) as for phulka. Or after brown spots appear place direct on gas flame and puff,
with help of tongs.

Phulka also may be done similarly if puffing with cloth, feels difficult. Apply ghee or butter and serve hot with
sweetened mango preserve
(chunda) or curds or jam.

Naan

3 cups self-raising flour (maida)
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup curds fresh
salt to taste
1/2 tsp baking soda (soda - bicarb)
warm milk for kneading.

METHOD

Sieve together dry ingredients into a large rimmed plate. Add butter curds, oil and crumble with fingers. When does is
like course crumbs, add
milk a little at a time, till a soft pliable dough is formed. Cover with wet muslin cloth. Cover with another plate and keep
aside for 5 - 6 hours.

Knead dough lightly. Break of piece, the size of a medium potato and roll into a thick triangle, using dry dough if
required.

Place on a pre-warmed griddle (tawa). Apply water on the top part with hands Invert naan and stick to griddle. Invert
griddle and roast over
the gas flame direct (or nothing like toasting over bar-b-que coals). Serve hot with a blob of butter on it.

Tandoori Roti (without Tandoor)

Ingredients

2 cups slightly coarse wheat flour
1/4 cups maida
2 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp curd
salt to taste.

Knead slightly stiff dough cover and keep for 2 hours.
Take naan sized dough and make a ball.
Roll to a thickish roti (4-5 mm thick).
Heat griddle (tawa) place on tawa and dry one side.
Wet upper side with water and invert.

Invert griddle and roast over gas flame (or if available a barb- que coalfire). It will fall off when done.

Serve hot with desired vegetables.

Bhel

1 1/2 cups puffed rice
1 onion
1 tomato
1 small boiled p eeled potato
1/2 tbsp coriander leaves
1/2 cup fine sev
1/4 cup parboiled moong sprouts -- optional
1 tsp roasted peanuts -- optional
1 tsp hot green chutney
1 1/2 tsp tamarind chutney
salt to taste
1/4 lime juice
10-12 puries (used for bhel or panipuri optional) crushed

Method

Just before serving. In a large mixing bowl, add puffed rice, and all ingredients except 1/4 the coriander and sev. Mix
well. Sprinkle a few
drops water if too dry. Adjust taste and salt. Spoon into individual bowls. Sprinkle some sev and coriander to garnish.
Serve immediately.

Making time: 15 minutes (excl chutney making time)
makes: 3 servings
Shelf life: best fresh.

Poha

1 cup beaten rice (poha)
1/4 cup crushed groundnuts
1/4 cup grated or scraped coconut
1/4 cup coriander leaves
1 stalk curryleaves chopped
1/4 tsp sugar
salt to taste
5-6 green chillies
1 tsp lime juice
1 1/2 tbsp oil
2 onions chopped
1 small potato chopped
1/2 tsp each cumin & mustard seeds.

Wash poha till clean. Drain water sprinkle a handful of clear water and keep aside.
After 15 minutes loosen the poha gently, and break lumps with fingers. In a heavy saucepan, heat oil, add seeds and
then potatoes. Stir for
2-3 minutes. Add onion, chillies and curry leaves. Stir and fry onions till tender. Take off fire.
Add poha and all other ingredients. Save some coconut and coriander leaves for garnishing. Mix very well. Adjust salt
and lime as per taste.
Return to low flame till hot. Stir gently every now and then. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with coriander and
coconut. Serve hot with
freshly brewed coffee.

Making time: 15 mins (excluding soaking time)
Serves: 3
Shelflife: best fresh

Vegetable Pie

Ingredients:

2 cups plain flour (maida)
100 gms. chilled butter
1/2 tsp. salt
chilled water

For Filling

2 cups Chopped vegetables of choice (eg. potatoes, peas, beans, carrot, spinach, cauliflower etc, All or any)
2 onions
1 tomato
2 green chillies
1/2" piece ginger
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
1/2 tsp. curry masala (or garam masala)
1 tbsp. cream
1 tsp. corn flour
salt to taste

Method

Sieve together flour and salt.
Add chilled butter. Mix with fork till mixture is crumbly.
Sprinkle chilled water over it.
Quickly, with light hand mix the dough into a lump.
Do not over knead.
Chill dough for 15 mins. in a plastic bag.
Roll dough into 4" thick round.
Place over a greased pie plate.
Prick with a fork all over.
Bake in a pre-heated oven for 12 mins., or till light brown. Keep aside.
Filling
Grate tomato, onion, ginger.
Finely chop green chillies.
Chope and boil other vegetables.
Heat oil in a skillet, add the grated vegetables and chillies.
Cook for 4-5 mins. Stirring occasionally.
Add all other ingredients except cream.
Cook till the water evaporates and curry is thick.
Sprinkle a little cornflour over the crust.
Pour and spread the filling in the shell.
Pour cream all over.
Bake for 8-10 mins. in pre-heated oven.
Slice and serve warm.

Pav Bhaji

Ingredients

8 pavs (squarish soft buns about 4" x 5" size)
butter to shallow fry.

For Bhaji

1 capsicum chopped fine
2 onions chopped fine
2 tomatoes chopped fine
2 1/2 cups chopped mixed vegetables (beans, carrots, cauliflower, potota, beans, bottle gourds, etc.) 1/2 cup shelled
peas
2 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. pavbhaji masala
1 1/2 tsp. chilli powder
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp. sugar
salt to taste
1 cup water (in which vegetables were boiled)
1/2 tsp. each ginger grated, garlic crushed
juice of 1/2 lemon.
To Garnish
1 tbsp. coriander chopped
1 onion chopped
small pieces of lemon

Method

Pressure cook mixed vegetables and peas till well done.
Mash them coarsely after draining.
Heat butter in a pan.
Add ginger-garlice, capsicum, onion, tomatoes.
Fry for 2-3 minutes till very soft.
Add pavbhaji masala , chilli powder, turmeric, salt, sugar and fry further 2-3 minutes.
Bring to boil.
Simmer till gravy is thick, stirring and mashing pieces with masala, in between.
Add lemon juice, stir.
Garnish with chopped coriander and a block of butter.

For Pavs

Slit pavs horizontally leaving one edge attached. (To open like a book).
Apply butter (as desired) and roast open on a griddle till hot and soft with the surface crisp on both sides.
Serve hot with bhaji, a piece of lemon and chopped onion.

Making time : 30 mins. (excl. pressure cooking time)
Serve : 4 (2 pavs each)

Channa Bhatura

Ingredients

For Channa

1 cup kabuli channa soaked overnight
1 large tomato
2 large onions
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped coriander
1 tsp. ginger grated
1 tsp. garlic crushed
1 lemon (juice extracted)
2 tbsp. oil, 1 tbsp. ghee
1 tsp. tea leaves (tied into a pouch in a
small piece of clean muslin cloth)
4 green chillies slit
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. cumin seeds

Dry masalas :-

1 tsp. red chilli powder
1/2 tsp. each cinnamon - clove powder,
turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. each garam masala, pepper
powder
salt to taste
For Bhatura
2 cups plain flour (maida) 2 tbsp. curds
2 tbsp. butter or oil
1/2 tsp. soda bicarb
salt to taste
Milk to knead dough
oil to deep fry

Method:

Sieve together flour, salt and soda.
Add and mix in curds and oil.
Add enough milk to knead into a soft pliable dough.
Cover with a wet cloth.
Keep aside for 5-6 hours. Make sure the cloth does not dry up, or wet again.
Knead dough again. Take fistful of dough. Roll into 1/4" thick 5" diameter round. Fry in hot oil.
Turning only once. Till very light golden in colour. Repeat for all. Serve hot with hot channa and
slices of onions and lemon.

Method for Channa

Put the soaked, washed channa in a cooked with enough water, teapouch and bay leaves.
Pressure cook till done. (approx. 6-7 whistles).
Cool about 5 tbsp. channa for grinding.
In a mixie, blend together 1/2 tomato, 1 onion, cooled channa and 1/2 tbsp. coriander. Keep aside.
Chop remaining tomatoes and onions fine.
Heat oil in a large skillet.
Add cumin seeds to splutter.
Add ginger-garlic and fry for a minute.
Add chopped tomatoes, onion and fry till tender.
Add channa-paste, fry further 3-4 minutes.
Add all dry masala except cinnamon-clove powder.
Stir and fry till oil separates. Add drained channa and 2 cup water which was drained from channa.
Stir and bring to boil.
Simmer for 7-8 minutes till gravy thickens.
Take in serving dish.
Heat ghee in a small sauce pan.
Add the chillies and cinnamon-clove powder.
Add chopped coriander and pour hot over the channa.
Squeeze lemon over channa.
Stir in seasoning gently.

Making time :- 30 mins(excluding pressure cooking)
Serves - 5

Chutney spread:

1/2 cup grated coconut 4 red chillies or 1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 long bean tamarind
2 flakes garlic
1 tbsp. groundnuts
salt to taste
Grind all ingredients together to form a firm chutney. Use very little water.

Masala Dosa

Ingredients:

1 cup plain rice.
1 cup parboiled rice.
1/4 cup white udad dal.
1/2 tsp. methi (fenugreek) seeds
1 /2 tsp soda bi carbonate
1/2 cup curds the batter.
10-12 tsps. ghee or oil as preferred
water for grinding

Method:

Wash the rices and dal together.
Add plenty of water and methi seeds.
Allow to soak for 7-8 hours or overnight.
Rewash the rice by draining the water 2-3 times.
Grind to a paste. Rawa -like grains should be felt in
Add soda bicarb and salt and mix well.
Keep aside in a warm place for 8-10 hours. Beat the curds well.
Add to the batter, add more water if required.
The consistency of the batter should be
enough to thickly coat on a spoon when dipped.
Heat the iron griddle or non-stick tawa well.
Pour a spoonful of batter in the centre, spread
with the back of the spoon to a thin round.
Pour a tsp. of ghee or oil over it.
Spread chutney spread over dosa.
Place a tbsp. masala in the centre.
Fold into triangle to cover masala.
Remove with spatula when crisp.
Serve hot with chutney and/or sambar.

For masala:

Ingredients

2 large onions in vertical slices
2 large potatoes boiled and peedled
4-5 green chillies
1 tbsp. chopped coriander
8-10 cashews halved
1/2 tsp. each udad dal, cumin & mustard seeds
2 tbsp. oil
1/4 tsp. turmeric
salt to taste
Chop potatoes coarsely. Chop green chillies.
Heat oil, add cashews and brown lightly.
Add dal, seeds and splutter.
Add chillies and onions. Fry till tender.
Add turmeric, salt, potatoes, coriander.
Mix well.

Mixed Dal Dosas

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup rice
1/3 cup each yellow moong, channa, udad dal
2 tbsp. curds
1/2 tsp. soda bicsarb
2 tbsp. oil
salt to taste
oil to shallow fry

Method:

Wash rice separately and dals toghether.
Soak in plenty of water and keep aside for 5-6 hours.
Wet grind the rice till semolina type grain can be felt
Wet grind rice till fine.Mix both batters.
Add the curds, salt, soda and oil.
Mix well till fluffy and light.
Keep aside for 3-4 hours before making dosas.
Heat griddle, pour batter and make as for plain dosas.
Serve hot with chutney.

Make thin or thick as desired.
Makes: 8-10 medium sized dosas
Shelflife: 1 day refrigerated.
Texture: Light and thin, foldable but crisp.

Rava Dosa

Ingredients:

1 cup fine soji (semolina)
1/2 cup rice flour or plain flour
1 tbsp. oil
1/8 tsp. soda bicarb
2-2 ½ cups buttermilk
1 tsp. coriander chopped fine
2 green chillies chopped fine

Method:

Blend all the ingredients together.
Add more buttermilk if necessary.
ginger grated Roll the dosa in a three-fold cylinder.
oil to shallow fry Serve hot with onion and/or coconut chutneys.
The batter should be relatively thin. salt to taste Keep aside for 20 - 30 minutes.
Heat griddle and pour 1 large spoon of batter on it.
Spread by gently rotating the griddle.
Put some oil (1/2 tsp.) over dosa.
Lift with a spatula as for basic dosa.

Makes: 10 - 12 thin dosas
Shelflife: Fresh only.
Texture: Thin with polka sized holes, not too crisp, foldable.

Ingredients:

1 cup plain rice
1 cup parboiled rice
1/4 cup white udad dal
1/2 tsp. methi (fenugreek) seeds
1 /2 tsp soda bi carbonate
1/2 cup curds
10-12 tsps. ghee or oil as preferred
water for grinding

Method

Wash the rices and dal together.
Add plenty of water and methi seeds.

Allow to soak for 7-8 hours or overnight.
Rewash the rice by draining the water 2-3 times.
Grind to a paste. Rawa -like grains should be felt in the batter. Add soda bicarb and salt and mix well.
Keep aside in a warm place for 8-10 hours.
Beat the curds well.
Add to the batter, add more water if required.
The consistency of the batter should be thick enough to thickly coat on a spoon when dipped.
Heat the iron griddle or non-stick tawa well.
Pour a spoonful of batter in the centre, spread with the back of the spoon to a thin round.
Pour a tsp. of ghee or oil over it.
Remove with spatula when crisp.
Serve hot with chutney and / or sambar.

Boondi

Ingredients

1 cup gram flour
1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
6-8 chopped almonds
ghee to deep fry
perforated flat spoon about 5" diameter

Method

1.Boil the sugar and water together. Add a tbsp. of milk to bring up the scum.
2.Remove scum and boil liquid till the syrup is sticky between the fingers.
3.Keep aide, but keep warm for use.
4.Make batter with gram flour, which should not be too thin.
5.The batter should evenly coat the back of a spoon when dipped in it.
6.Heat ghee, hold perforated spoon a little above the hot ghee, pour some batter on the spoon.
7.Tap very lightly at edge of spoon to allow small droplets to fall in the ghee.
8.Pour back remaining batter and wipe spoon.
9.Stir the boondis in the ghee gently and fry till crisp but not brown.
10.Drain and put into the syrup. Keep for 3-4 minutes before draining from the syrup.
11.Spread on a wide plate, add cardamom powder, almonds and mix gently.
12.Cool completely and loosen the boondi with finger till each droplet separates.
13.Store in airtight container.

Note: Take great care while dropping the boondi in the hot ghee so as not to burn yourself. A little practice and it is
very easy.

Making time: 30 minutes.
Makes: 3 cups approx.

Karanjia

Ingredients

For cover :

1 cup plain flour (maida)
1 tbsp. ghee
water to knead
For filling:
1/2 cup coconut flakes fine
1/2 cup khoya
1 tbsp. poppy seeds (khuskhus)
1 tsp. cardamon powder
1 tbsp. crushed almond
1/4 cup sugar ground
10 to 15 raisins

Method

For cover:
1.Roast khoya to a light pink by stirring continuously over low heat.
2.Cool and break in fine crumbs with fingers.
3.Mix flour and ghee well.
4.Add enough water to make soft pliable dough.
5.Keep aside.

For filling :

1.Roast coconut flakes lightly. Cool.
2.Mix all other ingredients.
3.Check for sweetness.
1.Make small (4 ") rounds, not too thin not too thick .
2.Place 1 tsp. filling in one half of round .
3.Fold over the other half, sealing in the mixture.
4.Seal edges by twisting or pressing together .
5.Make all in t he same way.
6.Dry on clean cloth for 30 minutes.
7.Deep fry in hot ghee on low till light brown on both sides.
8.Drain and cool completely before storing.

Note: You may use a karanjia mould for filling them if available.

Making time: 1 hour.
Makes: 13 to 15 pieces.

Mitha Khaja

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup maida (plain flour)
1/2 cup jaggery
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
1 tbsp. ghee
ghee to deep fry

Method

1.Heat the water and jaggery till all of it dissolves in the water.
2.Strain and cool a bit.
3.Mix the cardamom powder and ghee in the flour.
4.Knead the flour with the jaggery water.
5.The dough should be stiff but pliable.
6.Break into approx. 20 parts.
7.Knead each with palm and roll into 4" rounds.
8.Make many tiny slits with knife or fork on each on both sides.
9.Keep them aside on a clean cloth for an hour or so to dry a bit.
10.Deep fry in hot ghee on low flame till light golden in colour.
11.Drain and cool for a while.
12.The khajas will become crisper and harder as they cool.
13.Store in airtight container after cooling completely.

Making time: 45 minutes
Makes: 20-25 pieces

Shankarpala

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup ghee
1 1/2 cup maida (plain flour)
ghee to deep fry

Method

1.Warm the water, sugar and ghee together till sugar dissolves.
2.Add maida and knead into a soft pliable dough.
3.Divide dough into 4 parts.
4.Roll into chappatis 1/3" thick.
5.Cut with a cookie cutter or knife into small diamond shapes.
6.Lift with spatula and loosen. Keep aside on a dry cloth for 1 hour.
7.Deep fry in hot ghee over slow flame till light golden brown.
8.Drain well and keep aside till cool.
9.Store in clean, dry containers.

Making time: 45 minutes.
Makes: 2 1/2 cups.

Spicy Khaja

Ingredients

2 cups gram flour
1/2 cup plain flour
2 tsp. red chilli powder
1/2 tsp. omam seeds (ajwain)
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
1 tbsp. coriander very finely chopped
1 tbsp. oil
salt to taste
oil to deep fry

Method

1.Mix both flours together.
2.Make a well in the centre, add all other ingredients, except oil to deep fry.
3.Mix them well in the flour.
4.Add enough water to make a soft pliable dough.
5.Divide dough to make small (4" diameter) thin rounds.
6.Prick on both sides with a fork.
7.Allow to dry on a clean cloth for 25-30 minutes.
8.Deep fry in hot oil till a light browning appears.
9.Do not over fry.
10.Drain and cool completely before storing.

Making time: 30 minutes
Makes: 25-30 pieces

Sweet Kachori

Ingredients:

For filling:

200 gms. khoya
50 gms milk powder
1/2 tsp.nutmeg-cardomom-cinnamon powder

For cover:

250 gms. plain flour
1 tbsp. cornflour
30 gms. ghee

For syrup:

250 gms. sugar
1 cup water
1 big pinch saffron
Ghee for deep frying

Method

1.Mix ingredients for filling. The mixture should be soft and crumbly.
2.Mix ingredients for cover. Using water knead to a pliable dough.
3.Cover with a wet cloth. Keep aside
4.Boil sugar and water adding a tbsp. of milk to clear the syrup.
5.Boil till the syrup is slightly sticky between the fingers.
6.Strain. Crush and add the saffron. Keep aside.
7.Make 15 to 16 flattish balls of the mixture.
8.Divide dough also into 15 to 16 parts.
9.Roll one part into a puri, place one mixture ball in the centre.
10.Pull up all the sides to seal the mixture and press in centre.
11.Make 5 to 6 such kachoris, heat ghee and fry on low flame till light brown, turning once.
12.Repeat for remaining kachoris.
13.When slightly cool, make a hole in the centre of each (approx. 2cm. diameter).
14.Pour about half tbsp. of syrup and roll kachori around to let the syrup spread.
15.Allow to stand for half hour before serving.

Note: The unsweetened kachoris may be stored without refrigeration for one week and sweetened as required .

Serves:15 helpings .
Time required:2 hr.
Shelf life: 10 days .

Gulab Jamoon

Ingredients

500 gms. khoya
125 gms. plain flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp. cardomom powder
1 pinch saffron strands
250 gms. sugar
ghee to deep fry

Method

1.Crumble the khoya. Sieve in the flour and soda together.
2.Mix in the cardomom powder and crushed saffron.
3.Mix well to form a soft dough. Use as much milk as required for kneading.
4.Make balls of even size. Makes about 25-30.
5.Heat the ghee very well. Take off fire and cool a little. Let in some of the jamoons.
6.When they rise up put back on fire and fry till medium brown.
7.Remove from ghee and put in the syrup. Soak for 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a glass bowl.
8.Repeat for all the balls. When done pour the remaining syrup over the jamoons.
9.Microwave lightly or warn over boiling water before serving.

To make the syrup:

1.Take the sugar in a heavy pan and add water to just cover the sugar.
2.Boil and add a tbsp. of milk to separate the dirt. Strain and boil again.
3.The syrup is done when , while dropping from a spoon it falls in a thin single thread.

Serves: 25-30 helpings
Time required: 1 hr.
Shelf life :2-3 days, (1 week refrigerated)

Malai Ladoo

Ingredients

1/2 cup condensed milk
250 gms. paneer (cottage cheese)
2-3 drops kewra essence
1/4 tsp. yellow colour

Method

1.Mash paneer.
2.Add condensed milk and cook on slow flame, stirring continously.
3.Cook till thick and sides leave.
4.Add essence and remove from flame.
5.Mix well.
6.Pour on plate.
7.Cool. Make ladoos.
8.Sprinkle powdered elaichi and decorate.

Mava Burfi

Ingredients:

500 gms khoya
300 gms. powdered sugar
1 tsp. cardamom powder
2 sheets silver foil (edible)

Method:

Mash khoya . Mix in tne sugar. Put into a heavy saucepan.
Cook on slow flame, stirring continuously.
Cook till the mixture is a very soft lump.*
Place on a working board and roll with a rolling pin to 1/2 inch thickness.
Cool a little. Spread on the working board silver foil carefully and evenly.
Make incisions with knife to cut in the desired size and shape.

Note:Burfi is usually cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.

Variation:

To make chocolate mava burfi: Follow till * as above. Divide the mixture in two parts 1/3 and 2/3
In the smaller part mix 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp. chocolate colour.
Roll both parts separately. Place the chocolate on the mava layer. Roll lightly.
Continue as for mavaburfee.

Serves: 25 helpings
Time required:1/2 hr.
Shelf life: 10 days

Pedhas

INGREDIENTS

500 gms. khoya (mawa)
300 gms. sugar
3 drops colour as required
8 to 10 pistas sliced
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
cookie mould

Method:

Grate khoya . Powder sugar . Mix together in a skillet .
Heat on low flame , stiring continously .
Cook till mixture thickens . It should form a very soft lump .
Cool for 10 minutes . Add cardamom powder & colour . Mix well .
Take a small fistful of mixture . Form a ball . Press into the cookie mould .
Turn out carefully . Press 2-3 slices of pista on the centre .
Repeat for remaining mixture .

Note on khoya.
Khoya is available in most Indian sweetmeat stores anywhere.
Making at home consumes time but isn't that difficult.
Boil milk on high flame in a large heavy saucepan till water evaporates ,
leaving a soft lump. Stir frequently while cooking.
OR Substitute with 1 tin (400 gms.) condensed milk and 1 cup milk.
Lessen sugar by 1/2. Boil till a soft lump is formed. Stir continuously while cooking.

Serves: 36 pieces
Time required: 1/2 hr.
Shelf Life: 15 days (refrigerated)

Rossogolla

Ingredients:

1 litre milk
1/2 tsp. citric acid
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups water
2-3 drops rose essence

Method:

Heat the milk and bring to boil.
Cool the milk for a couple of hours. Remove the cream layer.
Reheat the milk and bring to a boil.
Add the citric acid dissolved in some water.
Stir slowly till the milk is fully curdled.
Keep as it is for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile heat the sugar and water in a wide sauce pan. Bring to a boil.
Strain the milk through a muslin cloth. Wash the chenna in the cloth under cold running water.
Press out the excess water and remove in a wide plate.
Gently knead into a soft dough by passing between fingers.
Make twelve equal sized balls of the dough.
Let them into the boiling water. Cover with a perforated lid. Boil for 13 to 15 minutes.
Take off from heat and cool them to room temperature.
Add essence and chill for at least 4 to 5 hours.
Serves: 6 helpings
Time required: 1/2 hour.

Rava (Semolina) Ladoo

Ingredients:

1 cup rava
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. ghee
1/4 cup milk

Method:

Take ghee in a deep saucepan and heat.
Add rava and cook on low heat. Stir continuously.
When the rava turns light brown add the sugar. Stir for 3-4 minutes.
Keep aside cool for some time. Add cardomom powder, coconut flakes and saffron.
Add half the milk. Mix well. Wet hand with milk and shape the mixture in ladoos.
Serves: 12 helpings
Time required: 1/2 hr.
Shelf life : 15 days

Beetroot Halwa

1 kg beetroot
1 1/2 litre milk
400-500 gm sugar
elaichi powder (cardomon)
saffron few flakes
1 tbsp ghee

Method

Peel and grate beetroot
Put milk and dudhi in a heavy saucepan. Boil till thick, stirring occassionally. Once it starts thickening, stir
continuously. Add sugar and cook
further till thickens. Add ghee, elaichi, saffron and colour. Stir on low heat till the mixture collects in a soft ball or the
ghee oozes out. Serve
hot, decorated with a chopped almond or pista.

Atte ka seera

2 tbsp. wheat flour
2 1/2 tbsp. ghee
3/4 to 1 cup sugar or molasses (jaggery)
elaichi powder
chopped pista and almonds

Method

Add flour and roast on slow fire, stirring continuously
Side by side add to sugar 2 1/2 cups water and keep to boil
When the atta becomes a golden brown, add the boiling sweet water
Stir gently and continuously till excess water evaporates and the ghee separates.
Decorate with chopped nuts

Dal ka seera

500 gm Moong dal (green)
500 gm sugar
500 gm ghee
saffron soaked in a little milk
elaichi powder
water about 250 ml.

Method

Soak the dal for 5-6 hours.
Wash and remove the skins well.
Grind dal fine either in a stone grinder or electric grinder or mixie.
Use as little water as possible.
Put sugar and water in a pan and put to boil.
Once sugar dissolve add a few tblsp. of milk.
As the syrup boils the scum will rise.
Remove with a strain.
Further boil till the syrup become sticky between the fingers.
(One thread should fall when poured from a tilted spoon) keep aside.
Heat the ghee in a heavy kadai (vessel) and add dal.
Keep stirring rigorously to avoid burning.
Once the dal stops sticking to the vessel, stir gradually till golden brown, and ghee begins to separate.
Pour the hot syrup, add elaichi and dissolved saffron.
Stir very carefully, not allowing hand to be scalded. Cook slowly till all water is absorbed.
Decorate with chopped dry fruit.
Serve hot especially on a cold day.

Chickoo Halwa

6 chickoos
1/2 tea cup milk
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
150 gms khoya or milk powder made paste.
2 - 3 drops cochineal (essence)
1 tbsp ghee

Method

Peel and mash chickoos or blend.
Add milk and boil in heavy saucepan.
When slightly thick add khoya and cook, stirring continuously.
Add sugar and ghee. Cook on low turning continuously till ghee oozes.
Garnish with almond or walnut in centre of the halwa.

Doodhi Halwa

1 kg doodhi
1 1/2 litre milk
400-500 gm sugar
elaichi powder (cardomon)
saffron few flakes
1 tbsp ghee

Method

Peel and grate Dudhi
Put milk and dudhi in a heavy saucepan. Boil till thick, stirring occassionally. Once it starts thickening, stir
continuously. Add sugar and cook
further till thickens. Add ghee, elaichi, saffron and colour. Stir on low heat till the mixture collects in a soft ball or the
ghee oozes out. Serve
hot, decorated with a chopped almond or pista.

Carrot Halwa

1 kg juicy orange carrots
1 1/2 litre milk
400-500 gm sugar
elaichi powder (cardomon)
saffron few flakes
few drops orange colour (optional)
1 tbsp ghee

Method

Peel and grate carrots
Put milk and carrots in a heavy saucepan. Boil till thick, stirring occassionally. Once it starts thickening, stir
continuously. Add sugar and cook
further till thickens. Add ghee, elaichi, saffron and colour. Stir on low heat till the mixture collects in a soft ball or the
ghee oozes out. Serve
hot, decorated with a chopped almond or pista.

Badam ka seera

1 1/2 cup almonds soaked overnight
3 cups hot milk
250 gm ghee
1/2 to 1/3 cup sugar

Method

Peel the almonds, wash and grind to fine paste.
Heat ghee in a heavy pan.
Add paste and cook on first high then slow flame, stirring continuosly.
After a while it should turn a light brown and aromatic.
Carefully pour hot milk and stir.
Use a long-handled spatula as the mixture tends to splatter.
When thickens, add the sugar and cook, stirring continously and gently till ghee begins to separate.
Decorate with chopped nuts and serve hot.

Kalakand (Milk Burfi)

2 litres milk
1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
chopped nuts to decorate (pista, almonds)
silver foil (optional)
1/2 tsp citric acid dissolved in 1/2 cup water.

Method

Boil half the milk and add the citric solution as it comes to boil
Switch off gas. Once the chenna settles sieve through muslin cloth, press out excess water, take in a plate and press
down.
Do not knead.
Put the remaining milk in a heavy pan and boil to half.
Add the chenna and boil till the mixture thickens, stirring continuously.
Add the sugar and continue to cook, stirring all the while till softly thickens in a lump.
Set in a tray, apply silver foil and sprinkle the chopped nuts.

Khajur Burfi or Rolls

1 tin condensed milk
1 kg khajur deseeded (dates)
250 gm mixed dryfruits (badam, cashew, pista)
1/2 cup dessicated dry coconut

Method

Break up khajur coarsely
Add milkmaid and dryfruit all in a heavy, non-stick pan.
Cook on slow flame, stirring continuously.
Do not allow to stick to bottom.
It takes a while to cook
Stir gently till a soft lump forms.
Spread some of the coconut on a butter paper sheet.
Grease hands and take a chunk of the mixture and roll into a thick roll, on the sheet, all the coconut to cover it.
Chill the rolls in the fridge
Cut into slices
Or set in a tray and cut into squares.

Kaju Barfi

150 gm cashewnuts
400 gm sugar
elaichi powdered
silver foil (optional)
500 gm khoya

Method

Dry grind the cashew
Mix khoya (grated) and sugar
Heat in a heavy pan, stirring continuously.
Once the sugar dissolves, add the cashew (powdered) and elaichi
Cooking, constantly stir till soft lump is formed and does not stick to sides
Roll on a flat surface to desired thickness and apply silver foil.

Imarti

Ingredients

2 cups urad dal
3 cups sugar
300 ml. water
saffron colour
1/2 tsp. cardomom ground
500 gms. ghee to fry

Method

1.Soak urad dal overnight in plenty of water.
2.Wash and drain. Grind to fine thick batter. Put water little by little.
3.Add colour and mix very well.
4.If using a mixie, beat the dal well by hand till fluffy after grinding.
5.Keep aside for 3 hours. More is weather is cold.
6.Make 1 tar sugar syrup as shown in introduction.
7.Add cardomom powder to syrup.
8.Using either an imarti bottle (with nozzle) or cloth as shown in note, form imartis in the hot ghee. Lower flame and
allow to crisp turning
once.
9.Remove from ghee, drain and dip in hot syrup.
10.Soak for 3-4 minutes, drain and serve.
11.Repeat for remaining batter.
12.Make 4-5 imartis at a time, depending on size of frying pan.

Note:

Use a flat bottomed frying pan.
The imarti bottle can be substituted with a soft plastic sauce bottle with a nozzle.
If not available, take a 12"x 12" thick cloth, make a buttonhole type hole in centre.
Place over a tumbler and pour in some batter.
Hold like a pouch and press out imartis like icing.
Shape the imartis as follows, make a ring first, then form small ringlets all along the ring.
Till you come to the start.

Making time: 1 hour (excluding soaking and keeping time)
Makes: 20 imartis
Shelflife: (1) Keep unsoaked in syrup for a day. (2) Soak in syrup as required.

Coconut Burfi

Ingredients

250 gms. finely grated coconut
250 gms. sugar
150 ml. water
ghee for greasing plate

Method

1.Prepare syrup with sugar and water to 2 1/2 thread consistency.
Use method as shown in introduction.
2.Warm coconut in heavy saucepan, pour in the syrup.
3.Stir well and cook till soft lump forms.
4.Spread in a greased plate. Cool.
23
5.Sprinkle cardamom powder (optional).
6.Cut into squares, store in airtight container.

Making time: 30 minutes
Makes: 20-25 pieces
Shelflife: 2 weeks

Patisa (Soan Papdi)

Ingredients
1 1/4 cup gramflour
1 1/4 cup plain flour (maida)
250 gms. ghee
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup water
2 tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. cardamom seeds crushed coarsely
2 tsp. charmagaz (combination of 4 types of seeds) refer glossary
4" squares cut from a thin polythene sheet

Method

Sift both flours together.
Heat ghee in a heavy saucepan.
Add flour mixture and roast on low till light golden.
Keep aside to cool a little, stirring occasionally.
Prepare syrup simultaneously.
Make syrup out of sugar, water and milk as shown in introduction.
Bring syrup to 2 1/2 thread consistency.
Pour at once into the flour mixture.
Beat well with a large fork till the mixture forms threadlike flakes.
Pour onto a greased surface or thali and roll to 1" thickness lightly.
Sprinkle the charmagaz seeds and elaichi and gently press down with palm.
Cool, cut into 1" squares, wrap individually into square pieces of thin plastic sheet.
Store in airtight container.

Making time: 45 minutes
Makes: 20 pieces (approx.)
Shelflife: 2 weeks

Puranpoli

Ingredients

300gms. channa (yellowgram) dal
300 gms. jaggery (molasses)
1 tsp. cardamom powder
150 gms. plain flour
1 tbsp. ghee
warm water to knead dough
ghee to serve

Method
Boil dal in plenty of water till soft but not broken.
Drain in a colander for 10-15 minutes.
Pass through an almond grater little by little till all dal is grated.
Mash jaggery till lumps break. Mix well into dal.
Put mixture in a heavy saucepan and cook till a soft lump is formed
Take care to stir continuously, so as not to charr. Keep aside.
Mix ghee, flour, add enough water to make a soft pliable dough.
Take a morsel sized ball of dough, roll into a 4" round.
Place same sized ball of filling in centre, life all round and seal.
Reroll carefully to a 6" diameter round.
Roast on warm griddle till golden brown.
Repeat other side.
Take on serving plate. Apply a tsp. of ghee all over top.
OR
Shallow fry on griddle like a paratha for a better flavour.
But this method will consume more ghee and therefore calories.
Serve hot with dal or amti.

Note: The water drained from boiling dal is used to make the amti. ( a thin curry made using black masala, garam masala
and some mashed
dal.)

Making time: 45 minutes
Makes: 7-8 puranpolis
Shelflife: Best fresh (puran {filling} may be stored in the refrigerator for a week.

Shrikhand

Ingredients

1/2 kg. curds
300 gms. sugar
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
few strands saffron
1/2 tbsp. pista & almond crushed

Method
Tie curd in a clean muslin cloth overnight. (6-7 hours).
Take into a bowl, add sugar and mix.
Keep aside for 25-30 minutes to allow sugar to dissolve.
Rub saffron into 1 tbsp. milk till well broken and dissolved. Keep aside.
Beat well till sugar has fully dissolved into curd.
Pass through a big holed strong strainer, pressing with hand or spatula.
Mix in cardamom powder and dissolved saffron and half nuts.
Empty into a glass serving bowl, top with remaining nut crush.
Chill for 1-2 hours before serving.

Making time: 20 minutes (excluding tieing and keeping time)
Makes: 6-7 servings
Shelflife: 3-4 days refrigerated

Variations: To make fruit flavoured shrikhand eg. mango, add pulp at the stage of adding cardamom and saffron.

Dhaal vada

urad dhaal -
chana dhaal -
red chillis -
Following is the thread test (tar) to check required consistency of syrup (chashni). If no thread is formed, but there is
stickiness in the syrup when tested, then it is 3/4 tar (thread). This consistency is generally used in dipping sweets like,
gulabjamoon, boondi, jalebi, imarti, etc. Boil some more and when 1 tar forms, it is used in soaking pancake pancakes like
malpua. On further boiling two tars are obtained and this is used in sweets like burfis, mohanthal, etc. At this stage a drop
of syrup dropped on a plate will form a soft ball when cooled. After this stage do no stir briskly and continuously or the
sugar will recrystallise. Still further boiling will form 2 1/2 to 3 tars and this syrup is used to get a white coating of sugar on
sweets like balushahi, surti ghari, etc. At this stage when the syrup is dropped in a plate it will form a hard ball when
cooled. Following are the steps shown to make sugar syrup (chashni) in the right way.


a.Take sugar and water in the ratio of 2 : 1 1/2 unless other wise mentioned.
b.Put both in a deep saucepan to boil, stirring occasionally.
c.When the mixture comes to a boil, add 1/2 cup milk.
d.When a thick scum is formed on the surface of syrup, it is time to strain.
e.Always use a metal strainer or moist cloth to strain the hot syrup, never plas tic.
f.Put back to boil, checking the consistency required as above.
g.Check frequently, because once the first thread forms, it proceeds to thicken to the next stages very quickly.
h.Use as required in the recipe. Make syrup side by side of making the recipe, reheating the syrup too many times will alter
the texture of the resulting sweet dish. To save time, prepare the syrup on a second burner, while making the rest of the
recipe. This will avoid excess wastage of time and unnecessary cooling off, of the fried flours, etc. as the recipe demands.

Adai

Rice - ½ cup
urad dhaal - ¼ cup
chana dhaal - ¼ cup
thoor dhaal - ¼ cup
yellow moong dhaal - ¼ cup
red chillis
salt
Soak everything in water over night. Grind with little water.

Ulundu vada

urad dhaal
hari mirch
salt
Soak dhaal in water over night. Grind dhaal in little water.
Then make vada shape and deep fry in oil.

Sweet Pongal

Ingredients (for two people) :-

Moong dhal - 1/2 cup.
Rice - 1/2 cup.
Milk
Coconut
cashew
jaggery
raisins (khish-mish - dry grapes)
cardamom
ghee.
Fry the moong dhal (before washing) till it becomes little light brown (it
will start smelling). Then soak rice and dhal separately for 10 minutes.
Thoroghly wash and keep it in cooker with the right water (lesser is o.k)and
cook it seperately (in two different containers). Meanwhile cut coconut in
very small pieces and fry in ghee. Fry cashew and raisins also separately.
Break the jagerry and put in water (very little) and make a syrup. This is
done because sometimes jagerry has mud and stones. After we make the syrup
strain it through tea strainer. Put the rice and dhal in a big vessel and
add milk (may be one cup) and cook it till all the milk gets absorbed. Add
jaggery syrup and again cook till even it gets absorbed. Add three big table
spoons of ghee, powdered cardamon and cook again for a while. Add fried
coconut, cashews and raisins.
Serve hot in two cups with a spoon of ghee.

Sarson ka saag

Ingredients

1 bunch sarson greens
1 bunch spinach
1 onion grated
1/2 tsp. each ginger & garlic grated
3 green chillies
1 tbsp. grated cheese o r paneer (optional)
1/2 lemon juice
salt to taste
2 tbsp. ghee
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. garam masala
1 tbsp. maize flour

Method
1.Chop both greens, wash, drain.
2.Heat oil in the pressure cooker direct.
3.Add both greens, green chillies, stir.
4.Add ginger, garlic, stir.
5.Add few pinches salt, 1 cup water.
6.Pressure cook till done. (2 whistles).
7.Mash well.
8.Heat ghee in a pan, add onion, saute till brown,
9.Add all other ingredients, except cheese.
10.Stir well and cook till oil separates.
11.Garnish with cheese.
12.Serve hot with makki ki roti, or paratha.

Making time: 25 minutes (excluding pressure cooking time)
Makes: 3-4 servings
Shelflife: Best fresh

Green All-Purpose Chutney

Ingredients:

15 green chillies
1/2 cup coriander
1/2 lemon
1 tbsp. sev or potato wafers crushed
1/2 tsp. jaggery
salt to taste
1 tsp. oil
1 clovette garlic

Method:

Put all the ingredients , except oil and asafoetida , in a small mixie.
Heat the oil and add the asafoetida and put in the mixie.
Run the mixie till a smooth chutney is obtained.
Try using no water or as little as possible to make the chutney keep longer.
Add water as and when required.
Store in a clean glass bottle.

Note: Sev is a fried Indian snack made of gramflour.
Makes 1/2 cup chutney
Making time: 5 minutes
Shelf life: 1 week (refrigerated)

Pear and Mango Chutney

Ingredients:

250 gms. raw firm mango
250 gms. pears.
500 gms. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 tsp. garam masala
1 tbsp. marshmelon (kharbooja) seeds.
1 tbsp. raisins.
2 cloves powdered
8 each almonds and cashews chopped finely.

Method:
Peel and mash and pear.
Put 1 tbsp. sugar in a heavy saucepan.
Heat on a low flame, stirring and cooking till it turns brown.
Add 500 ml. water and boil.
When the sugar has fully dissolved in the water add remaining sugar.
When it begins to boil again add the mashed fruit, cashew, raisins, seeds, chilli and salt.
Boil till a thick jam consistency is obtained. Stir occasionally.
Add the clove powder and garam masala.
Cool a bit and transfer to clean airtight jar.

Making time: 1 hour
Shelf life: 1 month
Makes 1.5 kgs. chutney.

Spicy Sev

Ingredients

2 cups gram flour (besan)
1/2 tsp. ajwain (omam) seeds
1 1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
1 tbsp. oil
salt to taste
2-3 pinches asafoetida
water to make dough
oil to deep fry

Method
1.Mix the chilli, oil, salt and seeds into the flour.
2.Add enough water to make a dough which is quite gooey.
3.It should not be pliable but sticky.
4.Grease the inside of a Sev-press, fill with the dough.
5.Press into hot oil, and fry lightly on both sides.
6.Drain well and cool before storing.

Variation:
You may adjust the chillies as per taste.
You may omit chillies to make bland sev.
You may add finely crushed dried herbs (eg. mint) for add flavour.
Note: A sevpress is similar to a vermicelli press, but it should be small enough to handle over hot oil.

Making time: 15-20 minutes
Makes: 250 grams approx.

Hot Kachori

Ingredients

For cover:
1 1/2 cup plain flour
3 tbsp. oil
salt to taste
cold water to knead dough

For filling:
1 cup yellow moong dal washed and soaked for 1/2 hour
1 tsp. garam masala
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1/2 tsp. dhania (coriander) powder
1/2 tsp. coriander seeds crushed coarsely
1/2 tsp. fennel (saunf) seeds crushed coarsely
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tbsp. coriander leaves finely chopped
salt to taste
2-3 pinches asafoetida
1 tbsp. oil
oil to deep fry
1 tbsp. plain flour for patching

Method

For cover:
Mix flour, salt and oil, knead into soft pliable dough.
Keep aside for 30 minutes.

For filling:
Put plenty of water to boil. Add dal.
Boil dal for 5 minutes, drain.
Cool a little. Heat oil in a heavy pan.
Add all seeds whole and crushed allow to splutter.
Add asafoetida, mix. Add all other ingredients.
Mix well. Do not smash the dal fully.
But enough to make the mixture hold well.
Remove from fire, cool.
Divide into 15 portions.
16
Shape into balls with greased palms.
Keep aside.

To proceed:
Make a paste with water, of flour for patching.
Keep aside.
Take a pingpong ball sized portion of dough.
Knead into round. Roll into 4" diam. round.
Place one ball of filling at centre.
Pick up round and wrap ball into it like a pouch.
Break off excess dough carefully.
Do not allow cover to tear.
Press the ball with palm, making it flattish and round.
Repeat for 4-5 kachories.
Deep fry in hot oil, on low flame only.
If the kachori get a hole anywhere, apply some paste.
Return to oil and finish frying.
Turn and repeat for other side.
Fry till golden and crisp. Small bubbles must appear over kachori.
Drain and serve hot with green and tamarind chutneys.

Making time: 1 hour (excluding soaking and cooling times)
Makes: 10-12 pieces
Shelf life: 2-3 days
Note: Take care to fry on low. Hurried frying will result in soggy and oily kachories.

Masala Vada

Ingredients

1 cup yellow gram (chana) dak
1/2 cup onion finely chopped
1/2 cup coriander finely chopped
1/2 cup dill leaves finely chopped
3-4 green chillies finely chopped
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
oil o deep fry

Method

Wash and soak dal for 3-4 hours.
Keep 2 tbsp. dal aside, grind the rest,coarsely.
Mix all other ingredients, including whole dal.
Add 2-3 tbsp. hot oil to the mixture.
Heat oil, make pattie shaped rounds with moist palm.
Let carefully into the hot oil.
Fry first one side then the other till golden brown.
Serve hot with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or ketchup

Making time: 20 minutes (excluding soaking time)
Makes: 15 vadas (approx.)
Shelflife: Best fresh

Samosa

Ingredients

For cover:

1 cup plain flour (maida)
2 tbsp. warm oil
water to knead dough

For filling:

2 potatoes large boiled, peeled, mashed
1 onion finely chopped
2 green chillies crushed
1/2 tsp. ginger crushed
1/2 tsp. garlic crushed
1 tbsp. coriander finely chopped
1/2 lemon juice extracted
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp. garam masala
1/2 tsp. coriander seeds cru shed
1 tsp. red chilli powder
salt to taste
oil to deep fry

Method

For dough:

Make well in the flour.
Add oil, salt and little water.Mix well till crumbly.
Add more water little by little, kneading into soft pliable dough.
Cover with moist cloth, keep aside for 15-20 minutes.
Beat dough on worksurface and knead again. Re-cover.

For filling:

Heat 3 tbsp. oil, add ginger, green chilli, garlic, coriander seeds.
Stir fry for a minute, add onion, saute till light brown.
Add coriander, lemon, turmeric, salt, red chilli, garam masala.
Stir fry for 2 minutes, add potatoes. Stir further 2 minutes.
Cool. Keep aside.

To proceed:

Make a thin 5" diam. round with some dough.
Cut into two halves. Run a moist finger along diameter.
Join and press together to make a cone.
Place a tbsp. of filling in the cone and seal third side as above.
Make five to six. Put in hot oil, deep fry on low to medium till light brown.
Do not fry on high, or the samosas will turn out oily and soggy.
Drain on rack or kitchen paper.
Serve hot with green and tamarind chutneys (refer chutneys), or tomato sauce.
Making time: 45 minutes

Makes: 20 pieces (approx.)
Shelflife: Bestfresh

Malai Kofta

Ingredients:

Gravy:

125 gms. cream
75 gms. khoya or paneer
150 ml. milk
50 gms. cashewnuts
3 tsp. white pepper powder.
2 1/2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. grated ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. garlic crushed
1" cinnamon
6 cloves
6 cardamoms
salt to taste
3 tbsp. ghee

Kofta:

50 gms. khoya
50 gms. paneer
5 medium potatoes
20 gms. cashewnuts
20 gms. raisins
4-5 green chillies chopped fine
1/2 tsp. ginger grated
1 tsp. coriander chopped
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
salt to taste

Garnish:

1 tbsp. grated cheese or paneer
1 tbsp. chopped coriander

Method:

Koftas
Boil the potatoes, peel and smash them.
Mix together all the ingredients except raisins and cashews.
Take a ping-pong ball sized dough in hand.
Flatten. Place 2-3 cashews and raisins in the centre and shape into a ball.
Repeat for remaining dough. Keep aside.

Gravy:

Roast the cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves together.
Dry grind and keep aside. Wet grind all the other ingredients, except ghee, to a paste.
Heat ghee in a skillet, add powdered spices and fry for 2-3 seconds.
Add paste and fry further for 5-7 minutes stirring well.
Add 2 cups water and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
Warm the koftas either in the oven or on the tava.
Optional: You can deep fry the koftas also.
To serve place warm koftas in a casserole.
Either pour boiling hot gravy on the koftas or pour and bake in hot oven of 5 minutes.
Garnish with grated cheese and chopped coriander.
Serve hot with naan or parathas.


Making time: 45 minutes.
Makes: 10 koftas with gravy.
Shelf life: Best fresh.

Navratan Korma

Ingredients:

2 cups peas boiled
1 large carrot chopped and boiled
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup curd
1/4 cup malai(cream)
3 tbsp. butter
1 small sweet lime
1 small apple
1 banana
2 slices pineapple
10-15 cashewnuts
20 raisins
2 glaced cherries for decoration
1 tbsp. coriander chopped
1 tbsp. ghee
salt to taste
12
Dry Masala:
1 tsp. cuminseeds
2 tsp. khuskhus (poppyseeds)
1 tsp. cardamoms
Wet Masala:
1 large onion
1/4 cup coconut shredded
3 green chillies

Method:

Grind the dry and wet masalas separately.
Chop all the fruit fine. Heat ghee and fry cashews, drain and keep aside.
Add butter to ghee and heat, add the wet masala and fry for 2 minutes.
Add the dry masala and salt and fry 2 more minutes.
Add the carrots and peas, mix together curd and cream and add to gravy.
Allow to thicken a bit, add fruit, cashews and raisins and boil till the gravy is thick and the fat separates.
Garnish with grated cheese ,coriander and chopped cherries.
Serve hot with naan, roti or paratha.


Making time: 45 minutes
Makes for: 6
Shelf life: Best fresh

Potato in Curd Gravy

Ingredients:

3 medium. potatoes boiled and peeled
1 cup curd or yogurt beaten
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dhania powder
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. garam masala
2 pinches asafoetida
1 stalk curry leaves
1 tbsp. coriander leaves chopped
1 1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. each ginger, garlic grated
2 green chillies slit
1 tsp. each cumin, mustard seeds
1/4 tsp. wheat flour
1 tbsp. oil

Method:

Cut potatoes into big pieces. Mash 3-4 pieces fine with hand. Keep both aside.
Mix all the dry masala in 1/4 cup water.
Heat oil. Add the seeds (cumin and mustard). When they splutter, add ginger-garlic, chilli and curry leaves.
Add the masala mixture and fry for 2 minutes.
Add beaten curd and fry for 5 minutes or till the curd loses its whiteness. Stir continuously after adding curd.
Add the remaining water and all the potato and flour. Stir well.
Boil and simmer for 10 minutes or till gravy thickens
Garnish with chopped coriander.
Serve hot with thin wheat chappaties and rice.

Making time: 30 minutes.
Makes for: 5
Shelf life: Best fresh

Shahi Paneer

Ingredients:

250 gms. paneer (cottge cheese)
3 tbsp. ghee or butter
1 onion chopped into strips
1/2" piece ginger chopped fine
2 green chillies chopped fine
4 tomatoes chopped fine
2 cardamoms crushed
10
1/4 cup beaten curd
1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
1/2 tsp. garam masala
salt to taste
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp. tomato sauce
To garnish:
2 tbsp. grated paneer
1 tbsp. chopped coriander

Method:

Chop the paneer into 2" fingers.
Heat half the ghee. Add onion,ginger, green chilli and cardamom. Fry for 3-4 minutes.
Add tomatoes and cook for 7-8 minutes, covered.
Add curd and cook for 5 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup water and cool.
Blend in a mixie till smooth.
Heat remaining ghee, add gravy and other ingredients except milk and paneer.
Boil to get a very thick gravy.
Just before serving, heat gravy, add milk and paneer fingers and boil for 3-4 minutes.
Garnish with chopped coriander and grated paneer.


Making time: 45 minutes.
Makes for: 6
Shelf life: best fresh.

Sindhi Saibhaji

Ingredients:

1 each - carrot, capsicum, onion, small cabbage,potato, brinjal, tomato, ladyfinger (okra)
100 gms. french beans
9
1/2 bunch each spinach, coriander, khatta (3 leaved) greens.
1/2 bunch any other leafy greens.
1 cup green gram dal
1/2 cup horsegram dal (channa dal)
4-5 green chillies
2-3 clovettes garlic
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 tsp. dhania (coriander seed) powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. turmeric
3 tbsp. oil
1/2 tbsp. ghee
2 pinches asafoetida

METHOD:

Clean and wash dals.
Clean, wash and chop spinach and vegetables except tomato.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add all the vegetables, spinach and dals.
Mix well, add enough water to cover the contents.
Add all masalas and mix.
Place whole tomato on top, cover and pressurecook for 3 whistles.
Cool the cooker, open and handblend the contents.
Heat 1/2 tbsp. ghee add a pinch of asafoetida add to the mashed vegetable.
Serve hot with paratha or steamed rice

Making time: 30 minutes (excluding cooling time)
Makes for: 6
Shelf life: Best fresh

Gobi Manchurian

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium. cauliflower clean and broken into big florettes.
1 small bunch spring onoin finely chopped
2 tsp. ginger finely chopped
1 tsp. garlic finely chopped
1/4 cup plain flour
3 tbsp. cornflour
1/4 tsp. red chilli powder
2 red chillies, dry
3 tbsp. oil
1 1/2 cups water
1 tbsp. milk

METHOD:

Boil the florettes for 3-4 minutes in plenty of water, to which a tbsp. of milk has been added.
Drain and pat dry on a clean cloth.
Make thin batter out of flour and 2 tbsp.cornflour, adding 1/4 tsp. each of ginger and garlic and red chilli powder and salt
to taste.
Dip the florettes in the batter one by one and deep fry in hot oil. Keep aside.
In the remaining oil, add remaining ginger, garlic and crushed red chilli and fry for a minute.
Add the salt and spring onions.
Stir fry for a minute. Add 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil.
Add 1 tbsp. cornflour to 1/4 cup water and dissolve well.
Gradually add to the gravy and stir continuously till it resumes boiling.
Boil till the gravy becomes transparent. Add florettes and soya sauce.
Boil for two more minutes and remove.
Serve hot with noodles or rice.

Variations:

Dry manchurian can be made by omitting the gravy.
Make florettes as above and instead of adding water as above, add fried florettes, spring onions and soya ce at this stage.
Sprinkle 1 tsp. cornflour on the florettes and stirfry for 2 minutes.
Serve piping hot with toothpicks or miniforks and chilligarlic sauce or tomato sauce.
Same procedure for veg. manchurian (with gravy or dry), but instead of using only cauliflower, use finely chopped minced
vegetables and
bind with some cornflour or bread crumbs and make small lumps the size of a pingpong ball.
Fry as above and proceed as above.

Making time: 45 minutes
Makes for: 6
Shelf life: Best fresh

Aloo Palak

Ingredients

3 cups chopped spinach
2 large onoins chopped fine
2 large potatoes boiled and peeled
1 tomato grated
2 green chillies
1" piece ginger
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. wheat or other flour
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 tsp. cinnamon-clove powder
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 pinches asafoetida
1/2 tsp. garam masala
1/2 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. ghee
salt to taste

METHOD:

Put the washed spinach in a pan, add very little water (just a sprinkle) and a pinch of salt.
Cover and boil over a high flame for 2 minutes. Cool quickly, or hold under running water in a colander.
Put in a mixie, add green chilli and run for a minute. Keep slightly coarse, do not make very smooth.
Keep aside.
Cut the potatoes into big pieces. Heat ghee and fry potatoes till light brown.
Drain the potatoes, keep aside.
In the same hot ghee add the cumin seeds.
Add the ginger, onions and fry till very tender.
Add the tomato and further fry for two minutes.
Add all the dry masalas and fry till ghee separates.
Add spinach and potatoes.
When it resumes a boil sprinkle the flour and stir well. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Add lemon juice
Just before s erving heat butter in a tiny saucepan and add the asafoetida.
Pour over the vegetable and mix gently.
Serve hot with naan or parathas or even rice.
Note: You may use boiled peas, boiled corn kernels or paneer chunks in the above dish, instead of atoes.

Making time: 45 minutes
Makes for: 6
Shelf life: Best fresh

Gulab Jamun

INGREDIENTS:

¼ lb. Indian cottage cheese (grated)
½ lb. Dry Milk
2 tbsps.All Purpose Flour
2 tsps. Raw Cream
¼ tsp. Baking Soda
2 cups SugarCardamom to taste(powder)
Vegetable Oil for frying

DIRECTIONS:

Dissolve sugar in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Keep stirring till the syrup thickens. Set aside.
Mix khoya, paneer, soda, flour, cardamom powder and cream. Knead it into a soft dough.
Shape the dough into 12 round balls.
Heat oil and deep fry the balls over medium heat. Keep the heat low or else the insides of the gulab jamun will remain uncooked.
As the balls turn golden brown, remove them and drop them into the warm syrup.
Remove the Gulab jamuns from the syrup after 20 minutes and serve.