German onion cake (Modified)

A great hit with everyone. I modified it for my kitchen and is high on taste.

Ingredients

2 cups flour 

1 tsp salt

1 tsp instant yeast 

2 tbsp oil 

Warm water to knead 

1/4 cup thick curd/ cream cheese

2 sliced onions 

Italian herbs 

Crushed pepper

1/4 cup grated cheese

Method 

1. Mix flour with salt and yeast. Add warm water and knead the dough. 

2. Add oil and make into a ball and keep to prove it. 

3. Roll the dough on a baking tray. 

4. Spread yoghurt or cream cheese. 

5. Top with onions. 

6. Put seasonings. 

7.  Top with cheese and put into a preheated oven at 200 deg C and bake for about 20 mins. 

8. Cut and serve. 

Bengali beet chops

I

As kids we enjoyed the delicious sweet and nutty beetroot chops in Kharagpur made in the cafeteria made close to our home.  I have been long thinking of making them but never got to doing it. Boiled beetroot packet motivated me to make them. Loving the flavors that are in my kitchen right now. Very nice smells and very nutritious. Worth trying these yummy treats.
Ingredients
2 cups boiled and grated beetroots
3 cups boiled and mashed potatoes
1/2 cup chopped beans
1/2 cup green peas
1 grated carrots
1 chopped chilli
1 tsp grated ginger
chopped coriander leaves
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
1 tsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
2 crushed cloves
1 crushed green cardamom
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp garam masala, I used dabeli masala
1 tsp cumin seeds
salt to taste
1 tbsp oil
For coating
Cornstarch
Suji/semolina
Oil to fry or shallow fry
Method
Mix all the vegetables together.
Add peanuts, masalas, salt and mix well.
Heat oil , add cumin and let them crackle. Add sesame and let them crackle too. 
Add the mashed vegetables and cook till water is evaporated.
Cool and make cutlets.
Coat with mixture of cornstarch and suji and shallow fry or deep fry !
Yum yum yum is the only word to this.Health and taste ek saath!

Dabeli style turnovers

Dabeli style turnovers

Sometimes ingredients around you push your creativity to such an extent that you feel pleased that you were short of ingredients. I promised a sick friend done dinner but the buns weren't enough and then my oven was on for baking mini pizzas for kids and there was enough left over dough from them. Enough reasons for me to experiment with potato filling of dabeli,dough and a hot oven ! They turned out delicious !! Next time around will mark the covering with whole wheat flour and make it healthier! :))

Ingredients

For the covering

250 gms flour

50 gms suji

1.5 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup curd

2 tbsp oil

Salt 

For filling

2-3 boiled potato

1 chopped onions

1 chopped tomato

Chilli powder

1/2 tsp haldi

1 tsp coriander powder

1.5 tsp dabeli masala

Salt

1 tbsp oil

For dabeli masala

1 tsp Coriander seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

Red chille a few

4-5 cloves

Small stick of cinnamon

Other things

Roasted masala peanuts, tamarind chutney, garlic chilli chutney

Method

Mix flour and suji with baking powder , salt and oil. Add curd and water to make a firm dough. Rest for a while.

Roast all the spices for masala and powder them.

Heat oil and add onions and sauté. 

Add tomatoes and sauté to mash.

Add all the spices and cook till you get good aroma.

Add mashed potatoes and cook well. 

Add chopped green coriander and mix well.

Roll small circles from the dough, about 4" round and 2-3 mm thick. 

Spread some garlic chutney and a bit of tamarind chutney.

Put a generous spoon of potatoes on one side.

Top with peanuts and fold over.

Stick the sides with a bit of water and press with a fork.

Put on baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Brush with butter or milk.

Bake in a preheated oven at 200 deg C till they are golden brown.

Serve them hot! 

Yummy delicious tiffin snack!

Toor daal and rice steamed balls

Onion cake

      Being in Germany before and now, I have eaten this snack called onion bread ( Zwiebel Kuchen-in German). I just loved it and best is ,it is so simple to make and you can pack it for kids lunch box and serves like a healthy snack. Its made with normal white flour, but this is my version of it, more healthy and with extra bite. It has onions, cheese, yoghurt and of course the bread below.Its always been a hit when I made it.One can make various versions and improvise.I am giving recipes of 2 methods of making the dough.
Serves:10-12 pieces
Ingredients (1)
Flour                                                     500gms
Dry yeast                                              25 gms
Milk                                                     150 ml
Sugar                                                   1/2 tsp
Olive oil                                               3 tbsp
Yoghurt                                                2 tbsp
salt to taste
Method
Warm the milk very slightly.In half the milk, mix yeast and sugar.keep for 10 mins till frothy.
Mix flour with salt and little oil and add yeast,yogurt and knead well.Add milk as required.
Now put olive oil and cover and keep for 1 hour till it doubles.
Ingredients (2)
Ready mix bread dough                         500 gms
(full corn,mixed seeds,etc)
Olive oil                                                3 tbsp
Milk                                                      150 ml
Yogurt                                                  2 tbsp
salt if needed
Method
Mix all the ingredients knead and keep for 1 hour to double up.
Ingredients for filling
Onion rings                                           4 nos
quark/Drained curd                               100 gms
chopped garlic                                       2 tbsp
Italian herbs of choice                           2 tsp
Chilli flakes                                          1 tsp
Olive oil                                               2 tbsp
pepper powder                                     1/2 tsp
Grated cheese                                       100 gms
Salt to taste

Method
Now to make the onion cake, roll the dough and press into a greased tray lined with butter paper.
heat olive oil and add garlic and saute.
add the onions and cook 5 mins till a bit soft.
Add the herbs, pepper and salt and keep aside.
On the rolled dough, layer up the quark/ chukka curd and spread well.
Spread the onion mixture well on top.
Sprinkle cheese and put this in a preheated oven at 180 def C to bake.
Bake till the bread is golden and the cheese has melted and started to brown.
serve hot cut into wedges.

Tip :Can use spring onions,olives and sliced gherkins as toppings too.Some days adding a dash of tobasco makes a difference too.

Pav Bhaji (Spicy vegetables with toasted buns)

       One of the most interesting combination in Indian fast food is Pav bhaji.Its healthy. loaded with vegetables and complete meal which satiates not only the hunger pangs but also the senses......full of flavors and tastes.....perfect for any day. I try and replace the buttered pav/ white buns with full grain breads.It gives the extra bite and also great on health and tastes.
Serves :6-8 people
Ingredients
Boiled and mashed potatoes                         4 nos
Chopped cauliflower                                    1/2 cup
Chopped beans                                            1/2 cup
Chopped capsicums                                     1 no
Shelled peas                                                 1 cup
Chopped carrots                                          1/4 cup
Chopped tomatoes                                       6 nos
Chopped onions                                          2 nos
Crushed garlic                                             1 pod
Chopped chillies                                         2 nos
Chopped coriander                                     3/4 cup
Dry red chilli                                              2-3 nos
Pav bhaji masala( curry powder)                2 tsp
Coriander powder                                      2 tsp
chilli powder                                              1/2 tsp
Tamarind pulp thick                                   2 tsp
Lime juice                                                   1 tsp
Salt to taste                                    
Method
Crush the garlic with red cillies.
Heat the oil and butter in a pan.Add the garlic mixture.Put in the onions and chillies and saute.
Now add cauliflower,carrots and beans and cover and cook till soft.
Put in the capsicums and saute.
Put in the dry spices and mix well so that the spices give out a good aroma.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook well.
Add the potatoes and add water (1 cup) and mix well.Cook.
Now put in the peas and capsicums.Add tamarind paste.
Cook well and mash a bit till the mixture gets thick.
Add the lime juice and coriander leaves.
Serve with lime wedges,chopped onions and butter on top.
Cut buns in the middle.Apply butter and cook on both side on a skillet.
Serve hot with the bhajji.

Potato and spinach bake

        This baked dish I ate at a German friend's place. We just fell in love with it.It has the goodness of spinach and potatoes which the kids love. It can be kept away and can be made into small squares and given at school too for lunch box.
Serves:4-6
Ingredients
Thinly sliced potatoes                          4-5 large
Sliced onion                                        1 large
Chopped garlic                                    1 tbsp
Olive oil                                              1 tbsp
Pepper                                                 1/2 tsp
Seasoning of choice                            1/2 tsp
Milk                                                    1/2 cup
Frozen spinach with cream                 400 gms
(Alternatively- blanched,crushed spinach mixed with 1/2 cup cream and seasoning)
Grated cheese                                    100 gms
Salt to taste


Method
In a baking dish, smear the base with butter.
In a bowl,mix in sliced potatoes,onions, garlic,salt, oil and seasoning.
Put this into the baking dish and spread evenly.
Pour the milk on it.
Season the spinach mixture and spread evenly on the potato mixture.
Cover this with grated cheese.Put this into a pre heated oven at 200 deg for 20 mins.
Reduce the heat to 150deg and bake further till the liquid is evaporated, potatoes are cooked through (check by poking a fork in) and cheese is browned well.
Serve hot with garlic bread.Or cool, refrigerate and cut into squares.

Rawa idli

       I had my first rawa idli at MTR in Bangalore. They served it with potato curry, for me that was very surprising.But I loved the taste of these fluffy idlis and the best part is you do not have to do the grinding and fermenting part which is a very major part of idli making.Over the years I have made many versions with vegetables grated, peanuts and also plain .All the times it has been a hit with everyone who ate them.They make for a good snack,lunch or lunch box recipe. One just needs an hours notice to prepare them. I serve them with sambhar, chutney or even potato gravy,and it always satisfies the mood for good food.I have used baking powder as baking soda was not available, but the recipe was as good. Enjoy this recipe.This makes about 30 idlis.

Ingredients
Roasted semolina/suji                                  300 gms
Sour curd                                                    200 ml
roughly crushed roasted peanuts                 3 tbsp
Oil                                                              2 tbsp
chopped chillies                                          1-2 nos
chopped ginger                                           1 tbsp
curry leaves                                                 handful
Chana dal                                                    1 tbsp
urad dal                                                       1 tbsp
mustard seeds                                              1 tsp
hing                                                             1/4 tsp
Flax seeds crushed(optional)                       1 tbsp
baking powder                                            15gms
Chopped coriander                                      1/4 cup
salt to taste                            
Method
Take the roasted semolina/sooji in a bowl and add the curd in it.
Mix the flax seeds (like to add as its healthy).Add more water to make it into a thick batter.
Add salt and keep for 30 mins.
The mixture would have thickened and so adjust the consistency with water and make it like the idli batter or cake batter.
Heat oil, add hing.Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Now put in the dals and let them color.
Add ginger and green chillies and curry leaves.
Pour into the batter and mix well.Add the peanuts and coriander and keep this mixture for 10 mins.
Put the baking powder and mix well.
Grease the idli stand .Pour spoonfuls in each plate and put the stand in the steamer or a pressure cooker in which some water is being heated.
Close and steam without the whistle for 6 -7 mins and keep aside.
Ope the cooker/steamer and take out the stand and with a wet spoon,spoon out the hot idlis.
Serve with chutney,sambhar or rasam.

Tips
You can add grated carrots, shredded cabbage,sauteed chopped onions,coconut pieces, grated coconut,green peas, chopped capsicum, raisins,sauteed cashewnut etc to give it variety.It would always be a hit.

Tofu burritos

   Though I have studied hotel management, we never really cooked Mexican food and I did feel a bit left out from its tastes.Its such a lovely cuisine and I feel it is pretty similar to Indian foods, loads of spices, use of tortillas and loads of beans. The last visit to the super market had me pulling out a packet of tortillas to try make something delicious.So "burritos" it was, with a nice summer salad.My family loved it.We still have 2 more left, would make something with it tomorrow.Tofu is a great way of having quality protein in the diet.
Ingredients
Tortillas                                      6 nos
Tofu chopped                             150 gms
Boiled kidney beans                    100gms
Sliced onions                              1 no
Crushed garlic                            2 cloves
Chopped red bell peppers          1/2 no
Chopped tomatoes                     4-5 nos
Cumin powder                           1 tsp
Chilli powder                             1/2 tsp
Cayenne pepper                        1/2 tsp
Garlic powder                            1/2 tsp
oregano                                    1/2 tsp
Coriander powder                     1/2 tsp
       Or
Readymade Mexican spice mix    2 tbsp
Oil                                               1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Cheese sliced as required.
Method
Heat oil and drop in the chopped garlic.Add the onions and saute well
Now put in chopped tomatoes and cook till soft.
Add the spices and salt and mix well.
Put in the tofu, chopped peppers and kidney beans.Cook till well integrated.
Heat the torillas in microwave for 10 secs each or in the oven for 10 mins or on a skillet/tava for 2 mins.
Put in the mixture and cheese and roll up the tortillas into long rolls.
Serve hot with fresh salad.

Two Corn upma

        The other day I walked into the specialty foods department of the supermarket and came across ground maize used for polenta.I made it and tasted really good.have to still make it one more time and put it on the blog.This evening decided to use it for an Indian dish.Thought of making umpa.The texture is just like suji (semolina) and I thought it would great to try it out.I used it with a bit of suji to just give myself a bit of mental support that it would taste right, do not worry.And it did.The kids loved it.I thought of putting this recipe across.I used corn and beans but we can use many other vegetables to vary the taste.It is delicious!
Ingredients
Maize semolina                                 3/4 cup
semolina                                           1/4 cup (optional)
chopped onions                                1 no
chopped beans                                 3/4 cup
boiled corn                                       3/4 cup
Chana dal                                         1 tbsp
urad dal                                            1 tbsp
curry leaves                                      10-12 nos
oil                                                     1-2 tbsp
chilli powder                                     1/2 tsp
lime juice                                          1 tbsp
sugar                                                1 tsp
salt to taste
hing                                                  1/6 tsp
mustard seeds                                   1tsp
Method
Heat oil and add mustard seeds and hing.Let them crackle.
Add dals and let them brown a bit.
Add the onions and curry leaves.Let them get translucent.
Add the vegetables and let them saute a while.
Now put the semolina and let it saute at low heat till golden.
Add chilli powder, salt and sugar.
Add 2 cups of water and let it cook.It will thicken up.Add 1 cup more water slowly and let the semolina cook further.Cook on slow heat now.
Add lime juice and mix.
Cover and keep on low fire for 3-4 mins.
Top with coriander leaves and butter and serve with pickle and corn chips.Enjoy!
    

Vegetable French toast

   Breakfast and children's lunch box is always challenging.My kids need something exciting all the time.Once this idea struck in my mind and this was a hit with my kids and family  and friends too.In fact the other day my son took these to school and the teacher who looks after the lunch time in school was eyeing his box.She later asked me what it was and she was very tempted to have a bite!I obliged by sending her a few the next day which she throughly enjoyed and too the recipe too.Since my kids are not too fond of sweet french toast, I invented this and its quite frequently made now as breakfast, evening snack or even for dinner when we are hungry for a small dinner.Serve it with chutneys, sauces of choice or just the way it is, nutritious and delightful.
Ingredients
Bread slices                         6-8 pieces(of your choice,I like multigrain)
semolina                               1/2 cup
chopped onions                     1 no
chopped broccoli                   1/2 cup
grated carrots                         1/4 cup
chopped capsicum                  1/4 cup
sour curd                                1 cup
oregano                                  1/2 tsp
pepper powder                       1/2 tsp
chilli flakes                               1/2 tsp
oil                                            1 tbsp
grated cheese                          1/4 cup
salt to taste

butter to cook

Method
Keep the bread aside and mix all the ingredients in a bowl.Keep for 15 mins so that they blend well together.Add water to have a dropping consistency.Heat a pan.Put the mixture on the bread and put it on hot  buttered pan.Cook on medium heat and apply butter and cook on both sides.Press slightly to cook them well.Roast till golden brown.Cut into slices and serve with sauce or chutney of choice.

Savory waffles

     I liked waffles but they always are sweet and also almost always have eggs.I felt the need to make them more than just a breakfast dish.The need to give them more variety and make my waffle maker more usable.So the new variety was born which was savory!! I made them in various ways and each time they were a hit with everyone.So here is one which I make very often for breakfast as well as for dinner too when I am not keen on a full dinner and a quick fix spicy treat.Enjoy my invention!!

Savory waffles-Indian flavours
Semolina                             1 cup
chick pea flour{optional}  1/4 cup
yoghurt                                1/4 cup
boiled corn                         1/2 cup
chopped capsicum                1/2 no
chopped onion                     1 no
chopped chillies                    1 tsp
chopped coriander                2 tbsp
chilli powder                         1/2 tsp
hot spice/garam masala          1/4 tsp
hing                                       1/8 tsp
oil                                         1 tbsp
Fruit salt/baking powder        1 tsp/1/2 tsp
salt to taste
Method
Mix semolina with curd and all the vegetables ,spices and oil.Add water to get a thick cake like batter.Keep for 30 mins.Adjust the consistency and add the fruit salt or baking powder.Mix well.Heat the waffle iron.With a brush apply butter and pour a big ladle full of batter and close.Let it cook and about 4-5 mins later try and open the waffle maker.If it is cooked, it would open.When cooked, the waffle is golden and crisp.Apply butter and serve it with spicy chutney of your choice.I serve it with tamarind,green or peanut chutney.Tastes yummmmmy.Enjoy my innovation as breakfast, as a snack or give it to kids in their lunch box  or make it your quick fix dinner!

Grilled vegetable sandwich

     This morning we wanted a break from a very big lunch.We have been stuck at home with Prisha being down with fever, snow outside and 3 days of holidays for Christmas.So decided to make some grilled sandwiches with variety of breads in the house.We all loved the change.I sauteed the vegetables for the filling.Sharing this recipe.

Ingredients
Multigrain breads/buns         2-3 nos
Broccoli                               1 no
Bell peppers                          1/2 no
Onions                                 1 no
garlic chopped                      1 tbsp
olives                                    6-8 nos
Chilli salsa                              2 tsp
lemon juice                            1 tbsp
butter  for spreading
cheese slices as per choice
salt to taste
mixed Italian herbs               1 tsp
olive oil                                1 tbsp
Method
To prepare the vegetables, slice broccoli and bell peppers and onions.Heat oil and add the chopped garlic, saute.Add sliced onions and then add broccoli and bell peppers and saute.Add salt, herbs and saute on high heat so as not to overcook vegetables.Add lime juice.
Butter the insides of the breads or buns.I choose multi very grainy breads and buns.Gives the sandwich more texture and taste.Spread the chilli salsa.Top this with loads of vegetables,olives,cheese slice and another slice of buttered bread.Put it in the grill and grill both sides till golden.Once done remove and brush with butter and serve them crisp with mustard sauce.Delicious is the word here!

Raw banana cutlets/kebabs

This is one my all time favorite these days when I get raw bananas from the Indian store.I like to get them and keep as they stay fresh for quite long in the fridge.They come out absolutely awesome-crisp, healthy and the best is they are not fried but baked(I picked up this trick from my teacher Mrs.Alaka Hudlikar) and so the whole family can actually eat them together.I avoid frying , I am famous for being conscious of my diet and feed healthy food consisting of loads of seasonal vegs, less oil, whole grains and portions too are enough and so no left overs!I serve this with carrot relish.An awesome combination!
Ingredients
Raw banana         2 nos
boiled potato        1 no
chopped onion      1 no
chopped green chilli   1/2 tsp
chopped ginger          1/2 tsp
curd                      2 tbsp
chilli powder          1 tsp
hing                       1/4 tsp
coriander powder   1tsp
salt to taste
lemon juice           1 tsp
semolina                1/2 bowl
oilve oil for brushing
Method
Grate or mash peeled ,boiled banana and poatoes.Add the onions,chillis, ginger and other ingredients and mix well.Shape them into cutlets or round kebabs.Roll them into semolina well and arrange them on a greased baking dish.Brush them with olive oil and bake them at 250 deg in the middle rack of a preheated oven till they turn golden brown.Serve them with the tangy carrot relish or chutney of your choice.