Nutty Pancakes and spicy chutney!

 
There's been quite a lot of happenings in my life for the past months..that I am not able to update my blog regularly.I have joined at my son's school as a Culinary teacher for the High Schoolers .Its been quite fun being with my kids even at school ;) In addition to my school work, my  Lip Smacking Classes  on Kerala Cooking  are in full progress on weekdays.
    A perfectly new environment..its been quite challenging to bring my horses on the right road.. trying to bring a balance at home and work.There was a Salad making competition at school which was between the 11th and 12th grades.The ideas that the kids came up was indeed a feast to the eyes.I am planning to post some of their recipes in my next post.So wait and watch out.:)
   Today's post is dedicated to my wonderful Culinary students of HRS.This was one of their nutty and spicy treats!

Peanut & Potato Pancakes with Coriander Chutney 

For the Pancakes

4tbsp of rice flour
2 small potatoes peeled and grated
1 big onion chopped
2 tbsps of roasted peanuts
salt to taste

Combine  all the ingredients with  about 3-4 tbsp of water in a bowl and mix well to make a dough.Divide into equal portioned balls.Heat a tawa.Smear oil on ur palms ,flatten the balls into thin circles and  cook on both sides on the tawa by drizzling  little oil .

For the Coriander Chutney

2 cups of coriander leaves chopped
1 cup grated coconut
4 green chillies
2-3 shallots
juice of 1 lemon
salt to taste

Combine all ingredients except for the lemon juice and grind into a smooth paste in a blender using very little water.Mix in the lemon juice,refrigerate and use with the pancakes.

The Monsoons have started in Munnar..enjoy the rain with hot pancakes and chutney!

Mini Aloo Bondas for the monsoon!

The rains have started pouring out here..June and July being the monsoon months in Munnar. I really hate goin out when there are showers in Munnar. Some hot chocolate for the kids and tea for us are the best opted drinks with snacks..
The recipe that I have shared here are the ones that comes out from my Mom's diary of recipes.This spicy  Potato snack is one of my Monsoon favs!

Mini Aloo Bondas 


For the filling
4-5 potatoes pressure cooked and mashed
5-6 green chillies finely chopped
a small piece of ginger finely chopped
4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
3 large onions chopped
cilantro chopped
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
a pinch of asafoetida powder
1 tsp lemon juice
salt to taste

For the batter
1 1/2 cup of gram flour
2 tbsp of rice flour
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Water
salt to taste

Oil for frying

Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan.Pop the mustard seeds and add the asafoetida powder and stir.Add in the chopped large onions,green chillies,ginger and garlic and saute till the onions turn translucent.Add in the turmeric powder,chilli powder and garam masala .Stir and add in the mashed potatoes.Mix well with the required amount of salt and chopped cilantro till well incorporated and keep it aside.Add in the lemon juice and mix.

While the filling cools, mix all the ingridients required for the batter in a bowl.Slowly pour in water to make a batter of thick consistency .Make lemon sized balls of the filling.Dip the balls in the batter and deep fry them in oil.
Your Potato balls are ready to be served with ketchup.! :-)

Khara Biscuits for ICC!

I'm so happy that Srivalli chose Khara biscuits of Iyengar bakery(Karnataka special) as this months ICC.If you are looking for something to munch of  with a hot cup of tea when its raining..this biscuit is perfect with the spice of chillies and the aroma of cilantro.The best part is that these cookies can be stored in airtight containers for about 4 days.


My husband was quite addicted to these biscuits..guess its bcz he craves masala biscuits...:)

Here's the recipe
Iyengar bakery Khara biscuit


2 cups of all purpose flour
1/3 cup softened butter
5-6 green chilies chopped
4 tsp sugar
1tsp salt
coriander leaves/cilantro a few twigs chopped
2-3 tbsp yogurt(i used 4 tbsp yogurt)

Preheat oven to 160 degree
Prepare the baking tray with an aluminium foil sheet smeared by a few drops of vegetable oil/cooking spray.
Whisk the flour and salt together in a bowl.
In an other bowl beat the sugar and butter till creamy.Now add in the yogurt.
Mix in the flour(you will have to use your hands ) and incorporate well to make a dough.
Do not use too much of pressure.
Roll the dough into 1/4 inch thickness and cut out round shapes with a cookie cutter.
Line them in the prepared tray and bake for about 18-20 minutes.
If you want more crispier biscuits you can bake for a few for minutes.
Cool them on a wire rack and transfer into airtight containers.

Happy Munchhing..!

Rava-ulli vada and Kadalaparippu chammanthi..with a sip of tea!

Its quite some time since I  put up my posts frequently...its been quite a busy week for me with my kids.My younger one has got his attack of flu as it has started raining here.As every kid likes to play in the rain..hes up with his own pranks...:D
The recipe that I'm posting today is Semolina Onion Vada with Bengal gram chutney.I love hot n spicy fried  items when its cold and raining with a hot cup of tea!:P

Heres the recipe

Semolina Onion Vada
3 cups of roasted semolina
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup rice flour
5 green chillies chopped
a small piece of ginger chopped
1/2 cup of small onions/shallots chopped
1/2 cup of coriander leaves chopped
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup yogurt
1 cup water
salt to taste

oil for frying

Mix all the ingredients together so that it becomes a sticky dough.Make small balls of the mix ,flatten them to make thin discs with the palm of your hands(make sure to wet ur palms) and fry them out in hot oil till golden brown in colour.

Bengal gram Chutney
1 cup grated coconut
1/2 cup Bengal gram
3-4 dry red chillies
2 small onions
a small ball of tamarind
salt to taste

Grind all the above ingredients in a blender with required amount of water .
For seasoning
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 dry red chillies (broken)
5-6 curry leaves
2 tsp coconut oil

Heat a oil in a small pan and pop the mustard seeds.Add the dry red chillies and curry leaves to it and pour it over the chutney.

Serve the hot vadas with chutney!

Enjoy ur monsoon!:)

Aloo Mutter an impeccable delight!

Aloo Mutter is a dish that my hus always craves for rotis/chapathis..This lovely combi of potatoes and peas really kicks up your taste buds..
Heres the recipe

ALOO MUTTER

3 large potatoes (cut into quarters)
1 1/2 cup green peas
2 large onions chopped
1 and 1/2 tsp of Ginger garlic paste
a pinch of turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1 large tomato
1/4 cup curd
1/4 tsp garam masala

Fry and seperate the potatoes and peas in oil.In a heavy bottomed pan  fry the onions and saute in the ginger garlic paste and all the spice powders (chilli ,coriander,cumin and turmeric except garam masala).Add  blanched tomatoes and simmer till the spices are cooked.Add in the potatoes and peas let it cook covered.Pour in about 1/2 cup of water if the gravy is very thick,When the potatoes and peas are well cooked,add in the well beaten curd and simmer till the gravy becomes thick.Garnish with coriander leaves.

Paneer Butter Masala..to butter your senses!

Paneer curries are quite a fav with my kids.Last day when I made Paneer Butter masala for them,Surjeeth was planning a photo shoot with the curry..while my little one was all tears thinkin that my camera was going to  gobble up the curry :D
Well here's the recipe

2oog of Paneer
4 big tomatoes
3 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 large onions chopped
25gms of cashewnut paste
3 green chillies (julian cut)
2tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
1tsp garam masala
4tbsp butter
1/2 tsp of Kasuri methi powder/dry fenugreek powdered
1/2 cup cream
2 tbsp curd
Salt as needed

• Boil the tomatoes with water and on cooling peel the skin of the tomatoes.
• In a mixer grind the tomatoes into fine paste.
• In a heavy bottomed pan pour butter and slightly fry and seperate  the paneer cubes till golden.
• In the remaining butter saute the onions till brown.Now add in the ginger garlic paste and cashewnut paste and saute for a minute.
• When well sauted add in the tomato paste.When it starts simmering add in the chilli powder,garam masala and kasuri methi powder.
• When the flavour comes out and simmers well  , add in the fresh cream.
• Switch off the flame and granish with freshly cut coriander leaves and butter.