SAGO KHICHDI (SABUT DANA)

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS        

SAGO 

Sago 1 cup

Mustard seeds 1 tsp

Potato chopped 1 small

Peanuts 2 tbsp

Curry leaves 7 or 8

Green chilly 1 slit 

Sea salt as per taste

Red chilly powder 1/2 tsp

Oil 1 tbsp

METHOD

Soak the sago with 4 cups of water overnight. Drain the excess water and take the sago out in a strainer to get rid of all the water. Let it dry a little.

In a pan add oil and let it heat, then add the mustard seeds let crackle. Add the chopped potato and cover with a lid for 3 - 4 minutes. Check if the potato is cooked.

Then add the curry leaves, green chilly and peanuts. Add the sago, salt and red chilly powder, cook for a minute. Mix well and serve hot. 

SPINACH LEMON RICE

INGREDIENTS

Boiled rice          1 cup
Chopped spinach 1/2 cup
Ginger garlic paste 2 tsp
Red chilly powder 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder (haldi) 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds (jeera)         1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds (rai)1/2 tsp
Pinch of  asafoetida (hing optional)
Lemon Juice                 2 tsp
Crushed  peanuts  1/4  cup
Oil                       1 tbsp
Salt  as per taste

METHOD 

Heat oil in a pan.Add asafoetida, mustard seeds and cumin seeds let it crackle.

Now add ginger garlic paste and  chopped spinach.Saute for 3-4 minutes.Then add chilly powder, turmeric powder, boiled rice and salt. Mix well. Add the lemon juice and mix again and close the flame.

Serve hot. 

MATAR KULCHA

The following recipe is very popular in India and a good substitute for choley. The white chickpeas called Matar can be sourced from any Indian / Asian store.

Preparation Time 35 to 40 mins

Serves 2 

INGREDIENTS

MATAR 

Matar (white chickpeas) 1 cup 

Water 4 cups

Bay leaf 1

Salt 1 tsp

Black Salt 1/2 tsp

Roasted Cumin (Jeera)  Powder 1/2 tsp

Red Chilly Powder 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder 1/2 tsp

Chaat Masala (I used Shan) 1 tsp

Lemon Juice 1 tbsp

Imli Powder 1 tsp (Optional ) 

FOR THE GARNISH:

Chopped Onion 1 (medium size)

Chopped Tomato 1 (medium size)

Green Chilly 1 (Finely Chopped)

Chopped Coriander 1 tbsp

Grated or Julienne Ginger 1tbsp

Roasted Cumin Seeds a pinch

Green Chutney 2 tbsp (Optional ) 

METHOD

1. Soak the white chickpeas overnight or at least for 6 hours. Wash thoroughly and drain the water. In a pressure cooker, Add the chickpeas, Salt and Bay leaf. Close the lid and Leave it on full flame for 5 minutes, then simmer for another 15 - 20 minutes.
2. Let it stand for 15 minutes for the steam to escape, check if the matar is soft , remove the bay leaf and slow cook till the water is evaporated. Now close the gas and add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. 
3. Add all the ingredients for garnishing and eat hot with Kulche or Naan.

SAMOSA

INGREDIENTS:

This is the most popular North Indian Snack. The following recipe will make 20 to 25 Samosas.

SAMOSA

FOR THE DOUGH

All purpose Flour (Also called Maida): 400gms
Oil : 100 ml
Oil for frying (Can use refined or Olive oil)
Salt : 1 tsp
Carom seeds(Ajwain): 1tsp (Optional)
Lukewarm Water (Pani) : 1/4 cup

FOR THE FILLING

Boiled Potatoes : 3 or 4
Boiled Peas: 1/2 cup
Green Chilly : 1 chopped
Cumin(Jeera) : 1 tbsp
Asafoetida(Hing): 1 pinch
Dry Mango powder(Amchoor) : 1tbsp
Red chilly powder(Laal Mirch) : 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder (Dhaniya powder) : 1 tbsp
Cottage Cheese diced in small cubes : 50 gms (optional)

   METHOD:

     Combine all the ingredients for the dough except water. When you see the oil has been properly mixed with flour then start adding little water and knead. Remember to add little water at a time as we want the dough to be firm. Once it is done cover it with a wet muslin cloth and put aside.

         Now add oil in a sauce pan or Kadahi, When hot add cumin seeds, asafoetida, peas, green chilly and potatoes. Mix it for a minute simmer the gas and add red chilly powder, Dry mango powder, Coriander powder, Salt and mix. Cook for about 2 mins. Add the Cottage cheese and cover the mixture with the lid for 5 to 7 mins till it gets a nice light brown color and the spices are properly coated on the potatoes.

       Divide the dough in about 8 to 10 balls. Spread each ball with the help of a rolling pin and then cut it in the centre through its diameter. You would have two semi circles, now spread a little water on the edge pick it up and fold it in a conical shape between your thumb and first finger. Stuff it with the potato filling and the close it overlapping the layer on the top. It would look like a triangle. Repeat till all the dough is finished.

      Put Oil in a pan for frying let it heat for about 10 to 12 mins and then lower the gas and put the samosa and fry at medium heat till golden brown. Take them out in an absorbent paper so that the extra oil is soaked. Serve them hot with mint chutney or saunth. Alternatively you can also bake them for a healthier option.

BHATURA

INGREDIENTS:

Plain Flour (Maida) 2 cups

Semolina (Sooji) 1 tbsp

Curd 3 tbsp

Oil 1 tbsp

Salt ½ tsp

Sugar ¼ tsp

Drinking Soda to knead into a dough

Oil for deep frying

METHOD: 

1.   In a large bowl mix maida, salt, oil, sugar and semolina.

2.      Then add curd with the help of drinking soda make a tight dough.

3.      Cover with the damp cloth  and leave it to rest for 2 – 3hours.

4.      Make small balls round in shape of  the dough and leave for another 15 mins.

5.      Take a small ball one at a time and with the help of rolling pin roll them into a thick oval shaped roti.

6.      In a heavy bottomed pan put some oil let it heat on full flame. Make sure the oil is hot by putting a very small amount of dough if it puffs immediately means the oil is ready.

7.       Once the oil is hot reduce flame to medium flame. Then put the rolled out bhatoora one at a time in the oil. 

8.      Press from the back of the ladle to help it puff. Flip to the other side till its nice golden brown in color from both the sides.

9.      Take out on an absorbent paper to remove the excess oil.


10.  Serve hot with White Chickpeas Curry (Choley).