Sweet and Sour Potatoes with Mango

One of the most interesting and challenging part of cooking is experimenting with flavors and spices, just like the blend of flavors in this Vietnamese-style recipe for Sweet and Sour Potatoes with Mangoes! It was an effort to replicate what we enjoyed at our local Tofu House restaurant. The blend of spices with soy sauce, thai chillies, red pepper, semi-ripe mango and rice vinegar resulted into a winning sauce base for the baby potatoes to be simmered in. The addition of Mango in a curry isn't an idea many would relate to, but try this, and I promise you will love it!

Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup rice vinegar (you can add more if you like the taste)
1/4 cup tomato puree
1-1/2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water (more to make the gravy)
1 tspn garlic powder
2 tsp freshly grated ginger
4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (the red one)
1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

The ingredients above yield about 2 cups of thick sweet and sour sauce

7-8 baby potatoes
1 small medium-rip mango(more green than yellow)
chopped scallions - for garnish

Method

Sweet and Sour Sauce
Mix all ingredients for the sauce (except cornstarch and water) together and bring to a boil in a small pot. Mix together the cornstarch and water, add to the other ingredients and stir to thicken. You can add more vinegar or water till you achieve your desired consistency.

Boil the baby potatoes and dice them into 2 (or you can leave them whole). Prick them with a toothpick so they can be better flavored with the sauce. Chop the mangoes into thin slices and keep aside.

Now take a pan, add 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then saute the potatoes in it for some time. Then add the sweet and sour sauce, half of the mangoes and grated ginger, then cover with a lid and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes. Keep stirring in between.

Once cooked, check for flavor and consistency of the sauce; add water or seasonings if required. Chop some scallions for garnish.

Serve the Baby Potatoes cooked in Sweet and Sour Sauce with Steamed rice. Garnish with remaining chopped mangoes and green onions.

Tandoori Aloo Masala (Potato Curry)

Its been raining like hell in North California since past couple weeks, and looks like more rain is on the horizon! Its one thing to sit at home sipping hot tea and enjoying Bhajiyas while hearing the pitter-patter of the rain, and totally another boring story to be driving to work each day in these nasty showers! Nevertheless, whenever I am down, I turn to food for comfort, and making and eating a nice comforting meal always help to lift your spirits! This hot and spicy Tandoori Aloo Masala is no exception! Enjoy it with some lovely Parathas and you'll be sure to feel good after the meal!

Ingredients
8-10 baby potatoes
1 Medium size onion (grated)
1 cup yogurt - blended
1 tbsp Coriander seeds
3 cloves
1 inch piece of cinnamon stick
2 Cardamom pods (green)
4 tbsp Ghee/oil
4-5 Bay Leaves
1 tsp each Ginger-garlic paste and chilli powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/4 tsp Tandoori masala (ready-made)
1 tbsp tamarind paste
1 tsp sugar (or add to taste)
salt - to taste

Method
Boil the baby potatoes, making sure they stay firm and not become too mushy. Split into halves and keep aside.

Now take ghee in a non-stick pan and let it heat. Then add the grated onions and a pinch of salt, to prevent onions from becoming bitter in taste. Saute the onions for about 2 mins, till golden and translucent.

Dry roast the cardamom seeds, cloves, coriander seeds, bay leaves, and cinnamon in another pan on medium heat. Then process them in a spice grinder to make fresh dry masala powder.
PS: If you cannot do this, add the spices directly to the onions and let them cook with it. Just remove the bay leaves and cinnamon barks after about 5 mins so they don't overpower the recipe.

Add the fresh masala to the onions and let it cook. Also add the ginger-garlic paste and saute on low-to-medium heat, stirring constantly, till it becomes reddish brown and the mixture starts separating from the oil.

Now add turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt. Fry it about a minute till everything becomes smooth and almost like a gravy.

Now add the blended yogurt, and the tandoori masala to the gravy. try to keep the gravy thick, but if it is too solid, you can add about 2 tbsp water. now add the boiled and skinned potatoes and gently roll them over to coat them evenly with the masala gravy. Add some chopped fresh coriander leaves, Cover with a lid and let it simmer for about 5 mins. Stir occasionally to make sure the curry does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Add water only if needed.

Cook till thick and muchy, then remove from flame, garnish with some chopped cilantro and chillies, and serve hot with some Parathas!

Also take a minute to check out this recipe for Tandoori Aloo which is a great appetizer or a side dish for parties

Shahi Dum Aloo Recipe

Dum Aloo, also known as Aloo Dum Pukht, is a favored Indian Curry recipe that you often get to see on many restaurant menus, and this home-made Shahi variation is nothing less! Who doesn't like potatoes? especially when they are baby potatoes simmered in creamy & aromatic gravy made with almonds and cashews and flavored with traditional Indian spices! What makes this recipe different and special is the choice of onions, yogurt, tamarind, almonds and cashews as a base for the gravy. With aromatic spices like cardamom, fennel, ginger, and addition of some milk and cream to add a richness to the recipe, the resulting Shahi Dum Aloo was a wonderful treat for our family. B actually liked it better than the Malai Koftas, which means I actually scored a victory with this make-as-you-go recipe venture!

Ingredients
8-10 baby potatoes
3 tbsp tomato puree
1 mid-size onion
4 tbsp yogurt (plain, not sour)
2 tsp tamarind paste
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
3 tbsps almond-cashewnut paste
** soak the nuts in water, then remove skin and blend to a paste
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp dhania powder (dry coriander powder)
1/2 tsp kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
2 tsp garam masala powder
1/4 tsp fennel powder (saunf)
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
1/4 tsp dry ginger powder
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
salt and lemon juice - to taste
2 tbsp oil
3 tbsp fresh cream
fresh coriander - chopped for garnish

Method
Skin the onions and blanch them in hot water for 3 mins, then puree them to form a paste. Make a paste from the blanched almonds and cashews and keep aside.

Take 2 tbsp yogurt, add the tamarind paste, fennel powder, red-chilli powder, ginger powder, cardamom powder and sugar to it, and beat it well to form a smooth blend. Keep aside.

Boil the potatoes in a microwave or a pressure-cooker, taking care not to over-cook them. Just microwave till tender, but not mashable. Take a toothpick, and poke some holes into the baby potatoes, then keep aside.

Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan, add the bay leaf and the cloves, then add the onion paste and saute till light-brown. Add ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 3 minutes. Add all the dry spices (masalas) and roast for anther 2 mins. Finally add the almond-cashew paste and roast for another 5 mins.

Add the tomato puree, the yogurt-tamaring blend, crushed kasuri methi, and salt. Stir and let it simmer for some time. Then cover with a lid, and let it cook on medium flame for another 10 mins, till the curry becomes think and everything blends well to form a smooth texture.

Add the baby potatoes, lower the flame, and and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add 2 tbsp milk or whipping cream, and allow the potatoes to be cooked entirely. They will also suck up some of the flavor from the curry and spices, thanks to the holes you poked them with!

Garnish with coriander leaves and fresh cream if you like. Throw some more chopped nuts and raisins on the top. Serve the delicious Shahi Dum Aloo with any bread of your choice, pulao or simply jeera rice.

Related Recipes:
Paneer Butter Masala
Lauki Koftas in Almond Gravy
Bhindi Masala with Peanuts & Coconut

Related Tags
indian-gravies, potatoes, parathas, nuts

Zucchini Crab Cakes

The day I saw Crab Cakes being served at a restaurant, I've been dying to eat them! But I was averse to eating those "fake" Vegetarian Crab Cakes which uses "stuff" that looks like meat, but is not actually meat! So, taking things in my own hand, I decided to go for a less glamorous but equally tasty option - Vegetarian "Crab" Cakes made with Zucchini! I had heard about zucchini fritters before, but never tried them; I don't have particular affinity for zucchini too, but as it was the most viable alternative for my crab cakes experiment, I went for it. And to my immense surprise, these Vegetable Zucchini Cakes turned out to be a classic! They are very easy to make, and can definitely give a tough competition to the original Crab Cakes recipe!

Ingredients
3 cups grated zucchini
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup fat-free or low-fat milk
3 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp cilantro -finely chopped
6 green onions - finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2-3 tsp chili garlic sauce
3 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1 boiled potato - mashed
2 tbsp lemon juice

Method
Drain all water from the grated zucchini by pressing tightly.

In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, bread-crumbs, potato, milk, mayonnaise, cilantro, green onions, salt, pepper and chili sauce. Moisten hands with water and form the mixture into 8 cakes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Lightly coat each cake on both sides with flour. Heat olive oil or butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the crab cakes until crispy and golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Then allow to cool on a tissue paper.

Serve the delicious Vegetarian "Crab" Cakes with a dipping sauce of your choice!

Tip: To prevent the crab cakes from falling apart while cooking, make sure to refrigerate the cakes for at least an hour before frying.

Sabudana Khichdi (Sago Khichdi)

"Sabudana Khichdi" is a very popular Indian snack often enjoyed for breakfast, during fasting, or as a light meal. Sabudana, also known as Pearl Sago, is a whole-grain similar to tapioca; small white seeds that become soft and spongy when soaked in water and turn translucent when cooked. Sabudana Khichdi is one of my all-time favorite recipes, where these sago grains are mixed with boiled potatoes, peanuts and sauteed along with curry leaves and spices. As Sago tends to be starchy, the trick lies in making the khichdi in such a way that it doesn't stick together and become a clump, so here's a tried-and-tested recipe to make a delicious and crunchy Sabudana Khichdi, which is non-sticky and is sure to please your tastebuds a lot!

To make non-sticky Sabudana Khichdi, it is important to follow the method used for soaking. Too little water, and your sabudana will stay hard and raw; too much water and turns all mushy and sticky. So use only as much water as needed to immerse the sago, and not more! Also, the crushed peanut powder helps lend it better texture and remove some of the stickiness, as well as adding a crunch to the khichdi.

Ingredients
2 cups sabudana/sago
2-2 1/2 cups water - for soaking the sabudana
1 medium potato - boiled and chopped
1/2 cup peanuts - ground into coarse powder
** reserve 1 tsp for garnish
10-12 raw peanuts
3 tbsp ghee(clarified butter)
** Ghee gives it a special taste, but you can substitute with veg oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 green chillies - finely chopped
6-7 curry leaves - whole
1-2 tsp sugar (adjust per taste)
salt and lemon juice - to taste
chopped cilantro - optional for garnish

Method
Take the sabudana in a container, and add enough water that it barely comes above the surface of the sabudana. Leave it like this for at least 6-7 hours(or overnight) The sago will soak up all the water, fluff up to become soft and spongy, so it can be squeezed between your fingers, without feeling sticky or mushy. Drain out any excess water, if remaining.

meanwhile, chop your boiled potatoes into small cubes. Take a non-stick pan and add the ghee to it. When it's a bit hot, add the cumin seeds, chopped green chillies and curry leaves and the raw peanuts.

Cook the potatoes for about 2 mins, then add the soaked sabudana to the pan. Add the coarsely ground peanut powder, salt, sugar and lemon juice and mix well, but gently. Cook the sabudana on medium-flame and stir gently to prevent clumping together. Once everything is mixed, and the sabudana khichdi gets a light-brown color, adjust for seasoning to your taste. Then remove from flame and set aside.

Microwave Method
Nupur suggests a wonderful microwave recipe for sabudana khichdi which can make your job easier! Just toss your boiled potatoes, ghee, cumin seeds, green chillies, peanut powder, and the soaked sabudana into a microwave-safe glass container and cook it for 6-8 mins, in spurts of 2 min each (m/w for 1 min, then let it stand 2 mins, then repeat the procedure till needed). Season with salt, lemon juice and sugar and give it a final whir for another 1 min till your khichdi gets cooked. I've never tried this method, but I'm inclined to try it soon!

Garnish with the reserved peanut powder ( and chopped cilantro if you like) and serve the hot Sabudana(Sago) Khichdi with a cup of tea for a light and fulfilling meal!

Related Recipes:
Aloo Masala Poha
Handvo - Savoury Steamed Cake
Vegetarian Potato Cutlets

Related Tags:
sago, breakfast, potatoes, microwave-recipes

Aloo Masala (Batata) Poha - Healthy Breakfast

"Aloo Poha", or "Batata Poha", as its called in most places in Gujarat and Maharashtra, is a very well-known and easy-to-make light snack. Mostly savored as a healthy breakfast in most Indian homes, Aloo Masala Poha mainly consists of puffed rice flakes & potatoes, but it has evolved over time to include cooked veggies like boiled potatoes, onions, peas, carrots and coriander. Low in fats and carbs, and high in fiber and vitamins, this is a perfect breakfast meal. It is also popular as a light evening snack, often served with tea. My recipe combines more veggies than usual, and a final sprinkling of sev (thin flat noodles) for a glamorous touch. Light and refreshing, yet filling at the same time, this Aloo(Batata) Masala Poha is a simple and healthy meal!

Ingredients
3 cups poha (rice flakes)
1 medium-sized potato - boiled and chopped
1/2 onion - chopped finely
1/4 cup peas - boiled (or frozen and thawed)
2-3 tbsp carrots - boiled and chopped (optional)
1 green chilli - finely chopped
4-5 curry leaves
1/2 tsp cumin (jeera) seeds
4 tbsp oil
salt & lemon juice - to taste
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp sugar
chopped cilantro - for garnish
thin sev or shredded coconut - for garnish (optional)

Method
Take the poha (puffed rice) in a bowl and wash it thoroughly with water. Soak them in water for 1 min, then transfer to a colander and let all the water be drained. leave them while you prepare the other stuff. They will puff up a little and get softened as they soak the water.

Take the chopped carrots and peas in a bowl, add a little water and microwave them for 5 mins until they become soft and cooked. Alternately, you can boil them along with the potatoes.

Take 4 tbsp oil in a non-stick pan, add the curry leaves and the cumin seeds. When they start spluttering, add the chopped green chillies and the onions. Saute them till they turn slightly pinkish-golden in color.

Add all the boiled vegetables, sugar, salt and turmeric powder and cook for 5 mins. Finally add the soaked poha and mix everything well ltogether, evenly coating with oil and spices. Sprinkle a little water if desired, then cover with a lid and let it cook for another 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the vessel.

Add the chopped coriander, leaving some for garnish, and give it a final stir. Remove from flame and transfer to a serving bowl.

Garnish with some more chopped cilantro and shredded coconut or sev if you like. Serve the Aloo(Batata)Poha hot with a cup of tea for breakfast, or some lemonade on a breezy summer evening!

Related Recipes:
Vegetable Handvo - Savoury Lentil Cake
Paneer-Tomato-Capsicum Muffins
Spinach Onion Dosa(Pancakes)

Vegetable and Cheese Parathas (Stuffed Flatbread)

Parathas have been a traditional Indian breakfast in many north and west-indian households for as long as I can remember, and the versatility of the recipes is what makes it so attractive. Not to mention that they are healthy and filling at the same time. "Stuffed Parathas" are basically nothing but "Stuffed Flatbreads", filled with your choice of boiled and mashed veggies, rolled into a disc and cooked on a "tava" (cast-iron pan), greased with oil or ghee on both sides. Aloo or Paneer parathas are eternal favorites, but I was looking for something more nutritious, so I decided to make these Vegetable and Cheese Parathas, which are stuffed with a lot of mixed veggies and cheese; delicately flavored with indian spices, these parathas serve to be a perfect meal anytime of the day. What's more, you can even cook them and store them for a couple of days so you just need to reheat them before serving!

Ingredients
3 cups wheat flour (chapati atta)
1/4 cup cheddar or ricota cheese - crumbled or shredded
1/2 cup green peas
2 cup cauliflower florets
2 medium-sized potatoes (or 1 large)
1/4 cup onions - chopped finely
1/2 cup coriander - chopped
2 green chillies - chopped
1 tbsp jeera (cumin seeds)
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala (optional for flavor)
salt and lemon juice- to taste
2 tbsp oil
1 to 1 1/2 cup water (approximately) - to knead dough
extra oil or ghee for sauteing the parathas

Method
Knead the dough with water Take the flour and add 2 tbsp oil. Mix well, then keep adding a little water at a time to knead the dough, just as you would for a regular paratha or bread. The emphasis here is to keep the dough soft but not too sticky, leaning more towards tough than soft, say a little harder than cookie dough. Cover and keep it aside for 15-20 mins.

Boil all the vegetables (except onions, green chillies and coriander) together in a pressure cooker or microwave. Take a frying pan, add 2 tsp oil to it, add the cumin seeds, green chillies and ginger-garlic paste, then saute the chopped onions until light pink and cooked. Add all the spices and the boiled vegetables to this and cook for another 2-3mins.

Remove from flame, then mash everything together with your hand or use a masher as it might be hot. Finally add the cheese and chopped coriander to the mixture and again mix everything well till it becomes soft and maleable, without any hard lumps. Now divide it into equal portions to use as filling for the parathas.

Take a small part of the dough. Roll it out into a small circle, then put the filling mixture in the center. Roll over the dough edges over the filling to cover it completely and make into a ball. Then flatten it between your palms, roll in plain flour and use a rolling pin to gently shape it into a thick round paratha. Remember to apply gentle pressure else the paratha would break and the filling would pop out. (Don't worry, its not as hard as it sounds!)

Put a griddle over medium heat and cook the parathas on both sides over the griddle. Apply light oil or butter on each side while on the griddle to make it puffy and soft. Cook till you see small brown spots appear on both sides and the outer layer looks evenly cooked (as shown in the picture)

Once these are a little cool, you can wrap them in an aluminium foil and refrigerate them for a couple of days. Alternately, you can also freeze them and preserve for at least a week. But there's nothing like enjoying fresh hot parathas straight off the griddle with a cup of coffee or tea. You can even serve these delicious Cheese Parathas with any curry for lunch or dinner!

Similar Recipes:
Paneer Parathas
Makkai (Sweet-Corn) Parathas

Spicy Vegetarian Potato Croquettes (Cutlets)

Potatoes are the most universally accepted spuds in any style or type of cooking. Come to think of it, they pair so well with most other vegetables, herbs, meat and the spices, that they would be a great addition to a large number of meals, without forgetting how they can be an entire meal themselves, even when simply baked and drizzled with salt, pepper, sour cream and chives! Potatoes hold an even higher reverence in Indian cooking, especially vegetarian recipes, and most of the kids grow up eating nothing else but potato curry (including my husband!) So when I was asked to choose a single recipe which could serve to be "An Ode to Potato", I had to choose my all-time favorite, the Vegetarian Potato Cutlets. With potatoes as the base and the serrano chillies providing the kick, these spicy croquettes combine a variety of other vegetables and can be savored with chutneys or sauces, or be used for burgers and frankies!

The croquette is basically a serving of minced meat or vegetables, encased in breadcrumbs and potatoes, flattened into disks, and then deep-fried. The croquette was originally a French invention that gained a world-wide popularity as a fast-food with the advent of burgers. In India, it is known as "cutlets" or "aloo-tikkis"

Ingredients
3 large potatoes - boiled and mashed
1 carrot - boiled
1/2 cup peas - boiled
1/2 cup beetroot - boiled and diced
1/2 cup onions chopped
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves - chopped
2 serrano chillies - chopped
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt to taste
1/2 cup breadcrumbs or all-purpose flour - for coating

Method
Boil the potatoes, peas and carrots; Then make sure you remove all the water and just take the vegetables and mash everything with a masher or with your hand. Boil the beet root separately otherwise it colors all the remaining vegetables and turns them pink! Chop into fine pieces and add to the mixture and try mashing everything well together.

Heat a wok, add 1 tbsp oil and saute the chopped onions till soft and lightly caramelized. Now add all the spices, green chillies and the chopped coriander to this and remove from heat. Transfer this to the potato mixture and add 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Mix everything together to form a firm mixture.

Take a chunk of the filling, grease your palms, and shape the vegetable mixture into discs or cylindrical cutlets. Do not make them too thick else it won't get cooked thoroughly while frying or baking.

Now roll each cutlet into the remaining bread crumbs or maida(all-purpose flour) so that it is evenly coated. This step is crucial so that the cutlet binds properly and does not break while frying.

Take a frying pan, add 2 cups cooking oil to it, then deep fry the croquettes 2 or 3 at a time. flip them over only when the bottom side is done; turning them around a lot increases the chances that they'll break! Fry well on both sides till dark golden brown in color. Remove and allow to drip excess oil on a tissue paper.

When they cool, serve with some ketchup or green chutney, or bundle them up inside a bun to form vegetable burgers! Anyay you eat it, the cutlets are delicious! These are on their way to Dhivya's Potato Feast and Sia's Ode to Potato events!

Similar Recipes:
Spinach and Paneer Cutlets
Ragda-Patties

Lachha Paratha (Layered Flatbread) with Potato and Peas Curry

Indian breads are a delight to eat with any kind of curries, and adding spices and stuffings like garlic, potatoes, paneer, onions or other veggies, not only makes them tasty, but wholesome and nutritious too. Wheat flatbreads, popularly known as "Chapatis" or "Phulkas" are light and fluffy, while Parathas are more heavier and come in various shapes and flavors. One such simple variation that uses all-purpose flour is the "Lachha or Layered Paratha". Originated from the northern provinces of India, this is a very simple bread, with no spices except salt, but the beauty lies in the crust and crisp flakiness of the bread. It has several layers and is made by folding the rolled bread over and over again for a few times. It does take some time and patience to make these parathas, but they are an absolute joy to eat when they are served hot with delicious curries! Some people also have it for breakfast with their tea in the morning. Not a bad start of a new day, I must say:) These parathas are heavy, so you might be full with just one, and that saves a lot of time!

Recipe Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
Water to make dough
Salt to taste
1 cup ghee (clarified butter)

Method
Mix the flour and salt and knead into a soft dough with a little water at a time. The consistency should be such that the dough is pliable, yet not too hard, nor too watery. It might help to knead the dough with some warm water as that would help obtain a better and softer texture. Cover the dough and keep aside.

There are several different ways of doing this, but the basic idea is to create layers by folding the rolled dough over a few times. Here's how I do mine.

Divide the dough into equal-sized balls, and roll into a round over oval shape using a rolling pin and flat board. Now take a knife and cut to make long 1" wide strips. Layer all the strips on top of one another to form a stack. Then roll the entire stack from one end to the other, length-wise, just like you'd do in a jelly roll cake.

Flatten between the palms of your hands, grease with some ghee, then dip in some raw flour and roll it out again. To see a pictorial representation, click here. Don't try to be very exact in following these steps; as long as you are creating layers, you are fine. Finish the paratha by rolling it into desired shape.

Heat a flat pan on a medium flame. Then cook the paratha on each side; remember to sprinkle some oil when flipping it over so it does not stick to the pan. Cook on both sides till it turns a light golden brown in color. The layers will start puffing up, and make sure you cook it on medium flame only, too high and it may get burnt, but stay uncooked from inside.

The resulting paratha will be crisp and flaky, ready to serve with a curry of your choice!!

Potato and Peas Curry

Ingredients
3 cups cubed boiled potatoes
2 cups boiled gren peas
a pinch of asafoetida
3 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp mustard seeds
4 tbsp tomato puree
salt - to taste
sugar - to taste(optional)
lemon juice - to taste
4-5 tsp red chilli powder
chopped coriander - for garnish
3 tbsp oil

Method
Take a non-stick cooking pan. heat the oil, then add the cumin and mustard seeds and allow to splutter. Then add the asafoetida, followed by the tomato puree, and then the potato cubes and green peas. Add about 1.5 to 2 cups of water, add the salt and sugar, then cover with a lid and cook for 10 mins on medium heat.

When the curry starts simmering, add all the remaining spices. Mix well, add more water if required, then add the lemon juice. Check for taste, then allow to cook for another 5-10 mins on low flame. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish wit chopped coriander.

Enjoy a wholesome meal with the hot and crispy Lachcha Parathas with the delicious Potatoes and Green peas curry!

Similar Recipes
Paneer-Ajwain Parathas
Mung-Dal (Lentil) Parathas

Spinach and Paneer Cutlets - Bring a Zing to your table!

Cutlets, also known as "Croquettes" or "Aloo Tikkis" are a top choice for delicious snacks, coctail parties or finger-food appetizers. They are easy to make, and if you add some paneer to these to make Paneer Cutlets, you can expect some serious compliments for your cooking! Potatoes, by default are a preferred ingredient in most vegetable cutlets, but this time I chose to add something else that could give my cutlets a unique taste and texture. So I chose the next best thing in the Indian cooking glossary - Paneer, and added a bunch of peas, spinach and spices to make these delicious Vegetable Cutlets. You can serve them with any dipping sauce or enjoy these by themselves at tea-time!

Ingredients
1 cup paneer (cottage cheese) - shredded
2 cups spinach - blanched and chopped
1 big potato - boiled and mashed
1/2 cup peas - boiled and mashed
1/2 cup coriander - chopped
3 cloves of garlic - minced
1/2 cup onions - chopped finely
1/2 cup corn flour or maida
3 slices of bread - crumbled
2 tbsp garam masala
2 tsp turmeric powder
salt, lemon juice, sugar - to taste
2 tbsp green chilli-ginger paste
1 cup rava (semolina) - to roll the cutlets in before frying
Oil for frying

Method
Boil and mash the potatoes and mix the paneer, spinach, peas and all the dry masala together. Then add the crumbled bread slices, followed by corn flour, garlic, green chilli paste and mix everything together with your hand. Do not add any water; also remove the water from the blanched spinach. The dough should be hard and non-sticky so that it can be easily rolled into desired shape.

Frying - Now grease your palms with some oil, take small portion of the dough and roll into egg-shaped cutlets, or any shape you like. Heat the oil on medium flame, and when it gets hot enough to start giving out vapors, roll the tikkis into the semolina and gently dip them into the oil. Shallow fry 4-5 at a time by turning on both sides to get a golden color.

Baking - Alternately, you can also preheat oven to 350 degrees, then bake the cutlets by placing them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 mins, then flip the cutlets on the other side and bake for another 10-15 mins. Make sure to check they are cooked from inside; once done you can set the oven to broil for 5 mins to get the nice goledn hue on the top of the croquettes.

You can store these overnight or for a few hours. Do not leave the dough for a long time after making it as it the boiled veggies would give out water which could break the cutlets while frying. Do reheat them in the oven before serving. Serve piping hot with Chutneys or your favourite dipping sauces!

Related Recipes:
Vegetable Potato Cutlets
Achari Paneer-Tikka Wraps

Malai Kofta Curry

One of our favourite curries in all Indian restaurants is the Malai Kofta. In fact, my husband uses this dish as his criterion for judging restaurants:) The place that can dish out a rich, delicious and freshly-spiced Kofta Curry goes on his wishlist. Though I've made similar curries before, I had never really ventured into making the authentic malai kofta, but when we planned a pre-Diwali dinner with family and friends, I knew it's now or never!! So I made the Malai Kofta Curry and am proud to say that it was a hit with everyone and was also complimented as being "restaurant-style"!! This dish does involve some planning and preparation time, but at the end, it is truly worth it.

Ingredients

For Koftas
2 cups Paneer - grated
3 Potatoes - boiled and mashed
1 cup Green Peas
1 small Carrot boiled and grated
1 tsp Garam Masala
1 1/2 tsp Kitchen King Masala
3-4 tbsp Maida
2 tbsp Cashews slit in halves
3 tbsp Raisins
Oil for deep frying
Salt to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice

For Gravy
2 medium Onions - finely chopped
1 can of Tomato Puree
12-15 Cashews
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp Garam Masala
2 tsp Kitchen King Masala
2 tsp Jeera
1 tbsp Cumin-Coriander Powder
2 tbsp Red Chilli Powder
2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 cup Fresh or Whipping Cream
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
2 Green Cardamon
2 Cloves
1 Bay Leaf
1 big tbsp Tandoori Masala
1 tbsp Oil/Ghee
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
Salt to taste

Method

For Koftas
Mix the boiled and grated carrot, green peas, boiled and mashed potatoes and the grated paneer in a big bowl. Add the garam masala, kitchen king masala, salt, lemon juice, turmeric powder and maida and mix them well using your hands. Do not add water. In fact, remove any water from boiled vegetables to make a thick mixture that can be rolled into tight balls.

Make small egg-shaped balls and deep fry them in batches in hot oil at slow to medium flame till they turn golden brown and crisp from outside. Transfer the fried koftas on paper towel to remove excess oil. If you see that your koftas break while frying, try rolling them in more maida or bread crumbs before frying.

For Gravy
Blend the tomato puree with cashews, kitchen king masala, cunim-coriander powder, garam masala, chilli powder and turmeric powder to smooth paste; add 3 tbsp water to form a liquid paste.

Heat oil in a pan and add jeera, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom and bay leaf and saute it for a few mins, then add the chopped onions to it till they are pinkish golden in color. Add the ginger-garlic paste, and then the tomato-cashew puree. Add 1 1/2 cups water and mix well to form the gravy. When it starts simmering, add the dry spices, salt and whipping cream and cook for further 10-15 minutes over a low flame. If you think it is thick and need to make it liquid, add some whole milk. Finally add the tandoori masala to get the nice yellow color. Remove from heat, mix in finely chopped coriander and keep it aside.

When it's time to serve, arrange the koftas in a serving dish, pour the gravy over them and garnish with fresh cream and chopped coriander. Serve hot with Parathas or Jeera Rice! Hope this delicious Malai Kofta curry finds a place on your dinner table and helps liven your meal, just as it did ours!

Similar Recipes:
Doodhi/Lauki Kofta Curry
Hariyali Paneer Koftas

Hot and Tasty Dum Aloo

As winter starts setting in, our senses crave for something hot and comforting, and that's exactly what we want our food to be too, right? So what could be better than hot and spicy curry served with parathas or rice?! That was precisely the thought in my mind when I decided to pick up these baby potatoes over at the vegetable market. They were so cute and so inviting I had to buy them and put them to good use. And there is no other way to enjoy these than to make Dum Aloo - a vegetable curry packed with spices and flavor. "Dum" means strength, and that is precisely what's packed in these tiny potatoes that are flavored with spices to the core and are simmered in a rich curry. Here goes my recipe!

Ingredients
1/2 kg baby potatoes - boiled and peeled
3 tbsp lemon juice
Few coriander leaves - chopped
green spring onion - chopped for garnish
4 tbsp cup ghee
Salt to taste
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp tandoori masala (available in indian stores)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup whole milk.
oil for shallow frying the potatoes

For the masala paste
2 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tbsp poppy seeds (optional)
2 small onions, chopped
a small piece of ginger
1/2 cup grated coconut
8-10 cashew nuts
2-3 green chilies
2 tsp red chili powder
6 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp turmeric and curry powder
1/2 tsp garam masala

Method
Mix all the ingredients of masala paste and blend to make a fine and smooth paste.
Peel the potatoes and make 5-6 holes in them using a toothpick. Then shallow fry them in a little oil and remove immediately. This is just to give them a crispy texture on the outside. Now heat ghee in a pan and fry the ground paste. When it starts giving out an aroma and ghee starts to separate at the edges, add water and milk and let it simmer. Next add the lemon juice and the potatoes. Add the tandoori masala and cook covered partially for 8-10 mins to allow the masala to seep into the potatoes.

Once it's cooked and the potatoes look tender, remove from flame and transfer to a serving bowl or kadai. Garnish with chopped coiander and spring onion leaves and serve hot with Parathas or Rice.

Hot and Spicy Samosas - Heralding the first raindrops !!

What I love about cooking is that there is so much variety and experimentation to do, that you never get tired, and there's always a challenge to look forward to. Though I usually shy away from fried foods, there is one time when I absolutely feel eating something fried is justified! Yes, I'm talking about Rain!!(any Indian would know how we flocked over samosas and vada paavs or moms got busy making bhajiyas as soon as the first rain sets in!!) The two most well-received rain-time snacks are Bhajiyas and Samosas. Here is my recipe for some hot and spicy Vegetable Samosas, a sure hit ampng adults and kids. And they taste so good, you don't really need to wait for rain to enjoy them!!

Ingredients
For the Filling
4-5 large potatoes - boiled and mashed
1 cup peas - boiled
1/2 cup onions - chopped finely
3-4 tbsp coriander - chopped finely
2 tbsp cumin seeds
2-3 tsp each of turmeric powder, red chilli powder and garam masala
3 tsp salt
2-3 green chillies - chopped
1 tbsp garlic paste

For the Shell
5-6 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
2 tsp salt
3-4 tbsp oil
warm water for kneading the dough
Oil for frying

Method
For the filling, set a pan on medium heat and add the cumin seeds and grren chillies. Next add the garlic paste and onions and saute for a minute. Then add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep aside.

For the shell, mix the salt and flour together and add the oil to it. Mix well so that the entire flour is oiled and forms crumbles. Now knead the dough (not too thin or soft, just pliable enough) using warm water. This helps make the crust more crispier. Use very little water at a time so that you do not make the dough to watery.Cover with a wet cloth and leave aside for 10-15 mins.

Now take a small portion of dough, roll into a ball and use a rolling pin and some extra flour to form a large 5"x5" circular shaped puri. Cut into 2 semi-spheres using a knife. Fill 2 tbsp of the filling in the center of one portion, then roll the 2 sides/edges over the filling to form a triangle. use light oil and water mixture on the edges to seal them properly on all 3 sides and form a samosa. Make all the samosas in this way and refrigerate for 5 mins. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan. Drop 2 samosas in the frying pan at a time and fry on both sides at low-to-medium flame till they turn into a light golden color (about 2-3 mins). Do not over-fry. Remove and drain them on a tissue paper. You can reheat them in the microwave or oven if you want to savour them later.

Serve hot with Green Chutney or my classic Date-Tamarind-Raisin Chutney or even fresh Salsa!!

Tip: Fry your samosas over even medium heat and always re-heat them (fry again) before serving. This makes them extra-crispy! And of course, kneading the dough with warm water is also necessary to add crispiness.

Ragda-Patties

Weekends are times for family and fun, and there's nothing more satisfying than preparing a nice delicious meal that all of you would enjoy together. But if you don't want to spend most of your time cooking in the kitchen, a bit of prudence and planning can get you both, fun time with your family and loads of compliments for your cooking!! Here's one of my husband's favourite dishes: Ragda (curry made of dried white peas) poured over delicious Potato Patties (cutlets). Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine!!

Ingredients

For Ragda
3 cups dehydrated white peas, soaked overnight or at least for 3-4 hours
3 cup water

2 tbsp tamarind paste (or lemon juice)

2 tbsp oil
3 green chillies

1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp chopped coriander
Spices: 2 tsp red chilli powder, turmeric, sugar (optional) and garam masala, salt - to taste

For Patties
4 potatoes boiled, peeled, mashed

1/2 cup peas boiled
1/4 cup semolina (rawa) or cornflour
1/2 cup bread crumbs
8-10 green chillies
1/10th piece of a medium ginger
3-4 large tbsp oil
Spices: 1-2 tsp salt, garam masala, and lemon juice

Method

The Ragda

Wash and pressure cook the peas till well done. Heat oil in a pan, add the cumin seeds, green chillies and the tamarind paste. Now add 1/4th of the cooked peas and mix well. Mash these with a large ladle or spoon. Alternately, you could even blend them first, but I prefer mashing them in the pan with the tamarind paste. This way they soak up more flavour. Add the dry masalas and salt and cook for 2-3 minutes. now add the remaining peas, add water to form a thich curry and bring to boil. Cook covered or uncovered on medium flame for about 10 mins till the gravy thickens.

The Patties
Mash the potatoes and peas separately and then mix them in a bowl. Grind the ginger and green chillies to form a paste and add this alongwith all other spices to the mixture. Mix in the bread crumbs and finally the semolina (rawa) one spoon at a time, only to make the mixture hold together firmly. Grease your palms and roll a small amount of mixture into cutlets or patties. Roast 3-4 at a time on a greased hot griddle on medium-high flame.Flip onto the other side till both sides are crisp and golden brown.

To serve, place 2 patties in a shallow dish or bowl, pour ragda on the top, add Green Chutney and Tamarind chutney, sprinkle some sev, chopped onions and chopped coriander and eat it hot!...Hmm...I can't wait to have one of these myself!!!

Bread Rolls

Hey guys, the summer is still on in California, and so's the season of summer picnics and beach baskets. And what are the first 2 food items that come to mind when you are ready to pack something in a jiffy??? yup, Bread and Potatoes!! So here's a simple yet filling recipe that'll be an asset to your food baskets. And also a perfect snack for the kids when they come home after winning a game!!

Ingredients:

Bread slices (1 slice for each roll), boiled and mashed potatoes, finely chopped garlic and green chillies, finely chopped onions, salt and lemon juice to taste, 1 tsp each of garam masala, turmeric powder, oil for frying

Method:

Mash the boiled potatoes and add all the above ingredients and mix well. Now take a slice of bread (do not remove sides) and dip in a bowl of water. remove immediately and press between palms of your hand gently to remove the water. This makes the bread soft enough to fold and shape it. Now place a huge heap of the potato mixture in the centre of the bread and roll over the sides to cover the mixture, forming oblong rolls. Make as many rollsa s you like and keep the plate full of rolls in the referigerator for 5 mins so that excess moisture evaporates. Meanwhile, heat some oil in the frying pan on high heat. Then lower the heat and add a small piece of bread in it to bring down the oil temperature. Remove the rolls from the fridge and fry them 2 pieces at a time till golden brown. Do not turn them over immediately as they can break. Fry over medium heat so its cokked through and through, and serve hot with ketchup!!

You can also referigerate the rolls and preserve them for 2-3 days. Just microwave them and they are ready to eat!! Who says great tasting food needs a lot of time to prepare???

Tip: Another variation for this dish is to dip the rolls in besan (chick-pea flour mix with salt, turmeric powder and red chilly powder mixed with water to achieve thick consistency to coat the rolls) and fry them as above to make Bread Pakodas. Wow, that's 2 recipes in one - nice catch!!!

Batata Poha (Rice Flakes)

I was getting late in the morning, and there was absolutely no time to make any lavish breakfast, and with minimal ingredients at home, I resorted to make the batata poha, a tried and tested, yet never-failing snack. "Poha" is nothing else but rice flakes, and for those who are used to having rice flakes in the form of cereals for breakfast, try this indianized version
which is simple, filling and highly nutritious!!

Ingredients

3 cups poha (rice flakes), 1 small potato-boiled and chopped, half an onion bulb-chopped finely, 4-5 curry leaves, 2 green chillies finely chopped, jeera seeds, 3 tbsp oil, spices - salt, turmeric powder, sugar and lemon juice- to taste, chopped cilantro and dried dessicated coconut to garnish

Method

Place the rice flakes in a colander and wash them with water. Soak them a little and let the water drip out by itself from the colander. meanwhile, add the oil to a pan and add the curry leaves, jeera and green chillies. When it starts to splutter, add the chopped onions and saute for some time. When glazed and cooked, add the boiled potatoes, all the spices and finally the rice flakes. Mix everything well without breaking the poha. Do not add water. If it looks dry, add a little more oil and cook covered on low flame for 7-8 mins or until the poha are cooked through.

There it is, an awesome breakfast or snack is ready !! Garnish with chopped coriander and dried coconut.

Tip: Serve hot with sev (similar to vermicelli, found in Indian grocery stores) sprinled on it for a bit of crunch

Batata(Potato) Vada

Though high in calories, fried food is no doubt the best-tasting snack ever, and the recipe I describe below is our favourite one. Batata Vada is considered to be staple food for people in Bombay(Mumbai) and you are sure to see vendors selling them in trains, buses or roads. An ideal snack for people-on-the-go, it tastes as good as it looks appetizing. Anything to do with potatoes can seldom go wrong, and this by far is a winning concoction!! try it and let me know how you like it.

Ingredients:
Potatoes-3 large ones
Besan (gram flour) about 1 cup (for batter)
Onions 1/4 cup-chopped
1/2 clove
Spices: Asafoetida(hing) a pinch, Turmeric a pinch, Ginger-garlic paste 1 tspn, lemon juice to taste, garam masala powder 1 tspn, dhana-jeeru powder 1.5 tsp, sugar(optional) 1 tsp, Green chillies 2, Red chilli powder 1/2 tspn, Mustard seeds 1/4th tspn, Jeera (cumin) seeds 1/4th tspn, Coriander leaves, Curry leaves 4-5
Oil for frying
Salt to taste

Method:
Boil the potatoes, peel them and mash with hand. Add salt, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, dhana-jeeru powder, ginger-garlic paste, sugar, and lemon juice and mix well.

Heat some oil and add mustard and cumin seeds. When they start spluttering, add asafoetida, green chillies and curry leaves. Then add the chopped onions and cook till golden. Now add the mashed potatoes, finely chopped coriander leaves and mix well. Remove from flame and set aside.

In a bowl mix besan, chilli powder, a little salt, and a pinch of asfoetida with sufficient water to make a thick paste that can coat the potato mixture. Heat oil in a kadai. Take a ball of potato mixture, dip it in the besan paste so that there is a thick layer of besan paste on potato ball and deep fry in oil. Fry till it gets a slight brown color.

Serve the Batata Vadas with hot with green chutney and date-tamarind chutney or simply with ketchup!

Hariyali Koftas - Paneer Koftas in Spinach Gravy

As we kick into the summer, its nice to use more green leafy vegetables as part of your diet. I tried eating salads for a few days, but then my heart craved for something nutritious yet appealing to my palette, and that's when I started preparing a concoction called the Hariyali Koftas. They are not only tasty, they have a high fibre content, high protein, vitamin A and calcium, and the dish blends perfectly well with bread or rice. Hariyali koftas are basically vegetable and paneer koftas cooked in thick and creamy spinach gravy. It's easy to make, and sometimes provides a welcome change from the traditional Malai Kofta Curry.

Ingredients:
Spinach (2-3 cups for the gravy)
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 tbsp oil
2 tsp each turmeric, red pepper, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste
1/2 onions(finely chopped)
1/2 cup tomato puree
4-6 tbsp heavy whipping cream
salt and lemon juice - to taste
chopped coriander - for garnish

For the koftas
4-5 potatoes - boiled and mashed
5 tbsp grated paneer(cottage cheese)
2 tbsp grated cheese
salt, garam masala powder, lemon juice - to taste
half-cup assorted dry fruits-cashews,almonds and raisins, chopped finely
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Method:
Mash the potatoes for the koftas and add all the spices and lemon juice in it. Mix the grated paneer and cheese together. Now make a small ball with some of the potato mixture. Flatten it a bit to make a small hole in the centre and fill it with the paneer/cheese mix, and put some dry fruit mix in it too. Then roll the ball again so as to make a smooth even oblong-shaped kofta ball. Make as many koftas as you need and store them in the referigerator for some time. Now fill the saucepan with some oil and fry the koftas 2 at a time, after rolling them in the all-purpose flour so that they stay firm and do not disintegrate in the oil.

For the gravy, take some oil, add cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste and onions and saute for a minute. Then add the dry spices-garam masala, red chilli powder, and turmeric and let them mix with the onions. Now add the tomato puree, salt and let it cook for some time. Boil the spinach and blend it, then add it to the pan. Lower the heat and let it cook with the spices for 5-7 mins. Slowly add the whipped cream and keep stirring continuously till the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Now cook this covered for another 5-10 mins.

When you are ready to serve, arrange the koftas in a serving dish, then pour the gravy on the top, and garnish with shredded cheese or paneer and chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with chapati, bread or jeera rice!!!

Similar Recipes:
Methi-Malai Mutter
Stuffed Capsicum with Tomato Gravy