Category: Veg Appetizer

Vada Pav


My hubby spent his earlier job days at Mumbai still somewhere inside his heart,he is a Mumbaikar  and really like Mumbai street food
one day he asked me ,do you know how to make Vada Pav ??

i had never visited Mumbai but ate this dish at a friend house here at the USA.

it is a vegetarian fast food/street food dish native to the state of Maharashtra. The dish consists of a deep-fried potato dumpling (vada) placed inside a bun (pav) sliced almost in half through the middle then apply a little or as much one prefer Spicy green chutney and dry garlic chutney on the inner sides of the pav and stuff with a hot vada and serve with fried green chillies.

Here I am sharing my version of Vada Pav which I prepared today the first time and he really loved it.

For today’s Vada Pav recipe, I have made everything from the scratch dry and wet chutneys and vada.Except Pav its store bought.

Ingredients

Pav or bun

For vada (potato dumplings )

Boiled potatoes 2-4

Mustard seeds 1 tsp

Turmeric 1 tsp

Curry leaves 10-12

Salt to taste

Garlic /ginger /green chilli crushed  2 tsp

Oil 1 tbsp

Batter to fry dumplings

Gram flour (Besan ) 1 cup

Red chilli 1 tsp

Turmeric 1/4 tsp

water

Salt to taste

oil for deep frying

green chilli 2-3 ( optional)

method to prepare Vada
Take oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and curry leaves Then crushed garlic ,ginger & chilli  and saute well.Now add turmeric powder, a tsp of salt, and boiled potatoes Mix them well.keep aside to cool down and make a ball of round shape or any shape you prefer.

mix all ingredients for batter and make a smooth paste.Add enough water to make a thick batter. Whisk well until you get a lump-free batter.Once the batter is ready, keep it aside for 15-20 minutes.

heat oil in a pan to fry potatoes Dumplings .

Dip the potatoes balls completely in to the besan mix and deep fry in the pan over medium heat & fry till golden brown.

Drain on an absorbent paper and keep aside. (You can make rest of Dumplings  using rest of the batter).

How to Fry Green chillies

In the same pan add green chilies and fry them.
note :- Be careful, as green chilies tend to splutter.so slit green chilli and deep fry .

For green chutney 

1 bunch cilantro /coriander leaves

1 garlic cloves 

1 green chilli 

Salt as per taste 

Lime juice 1tsp or as per taste 

mustard oil 1 tsp

method
In a grinder jar add all ingredients & Grind smooth with little bit water .Empty you jar &  pour your mixture in a container or a bowl. add oil ,i prefer Mustard oil or you can Skip it.

Dry garlic chutney

8-10 cloves 

1/4 cup desiccated coconut or fresh 

2 tsp sesame seeds 

Salt to taste 

Kashmiri red chilli powder or Red chilli 1 tbsp 

Oil 1 tsp

method
Heat pan add oil on med-low heat then add garlic and saute for 30-40 sec or till it starts browning .Same pan saute desiccated coconut on low heat (30-40 sec) & remove it .Same way sesame seeds .Let all ingredients cool down.

In a blender jar add all ingredients & add chilli powder & salt.

Press pulse button (otherwise ingredients will release oil ) once or twice & don’t make it fine leave it coarse .Chutney is ready .

Note :- i don’t have fresh coconut so i used desiccated one.My family Doesn’t like too much Spicy so i have used kashmiri red chilli powder.

How to assemble Vada Pav

Take buns or pao and put green chutney,  and dry garlic chutney inner side of both bun and keep fried potato dumplings  between them.

Serve with the garnishing of fried green chillies and sprinkle more dry garlic chuney ontop. Serve immediately.

Note :- You can adjust the amount of all chutneys as per preference.

 

 

by Categories: breakfast, snacks, Veg AppetizerTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Gobhi Manchurian Dry


Gobhi Manchurian is an Indian Chinese fried cauliflower served as an  appetizer or a snack. The Cauliflower has a crispy coating and is tossed with a mouth-watering spicy sauce.

There are two different variants of gobhi Manchurian, dry and with gravy. Both variants are prepared by using common ingredients like cauliflower, corn flour, all purpose flour,spring onion, soy sauce, chilli sauce, minced garlic, ginger,ground pepper, etc. and has typically  garnish with spring onion.Its taste can vary from a mild spicy to hot depend on individual taste buds.

Ingredients

10-12 cauliflower

3 tbsp corn flour

5 tbsps all-purpose flour

¼ cup water

1 tsp black pepper powder

orange food color (a pinch) optional

Salt to taste

oil for deep frying

Ingredients for Manchurian Sauce

1 medium onion

½ cup chopped spring onions(white bulb)

1tbsp finely chopped garlic

2 tsp finely chopped green chillies

2 tsp finely chopped ginger

1 tbsp corn flour

1/4 cup water

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp tomato ketchup

1 tsp red chilli sauce

1 tbsp cooking oil

salt to taste

spring onion (for garnish)optional

Method :-

Heat oil in a wok or a deep fryer, till it’s becoming hot we will dissolve the corn flour and all purpose flour along with pepper,food color and salt in water.Add the cauliflower florets and mix until the florets get coated with the flour mixture.Add about 5 florets at a time into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel. Keep aside.Mix the corn flour with ¼ cup of water. Add soy sauce, ketchup, chilli sauce  & salt.Heat oil in a wok or frying pan on high heat; add onion saute till it becomes pink after that add garlic, ginger, green chillies, spring onions and stir-fry for a few seconds.Add the corn flour mixture to the above and cook for a few minutes until thick and the corn flour is cooked.Turn off heat. mix well,fried cauliflower with the Manchurian Sauce and serve.Before serving garnish with spring onion leaves.

by Categories: Indo Chinese, Veg AppetizerTags: , , , , , , , 8 Comments

Onion & Cabbage Pakora


Pakora  is a fried snack or a fritter.Originally from India & across South Asia especially in India & its Neighbouring country.It is  a mix of finely Sliced  onions & shredded cabbage  green chillies, and Indian spices mixed in gram flour. It is rolled into small balls ,Flatten on fingers and deep-fried in hot oil. These pakoras are very crisp on the outside and medium soft to crisp inside

Pakoras are created by taking one or two ingredients, such as onion, eggplant, potato, spinach, paneer, cauliflower, or chili pepper & Served with Chutney Mint & Coriander Chutney or tomato ketchup.

Ingredients

1 cup besan

Cabbage -1/4 cup

onion -1 big size

Green chilli -1-2 (as per taste)

Salt to taste

Chilli powder-1/4 tsp

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

Coriander powder-1/2 tbsp

Cumin powder 1 tsp

Black pepper powder to taste

Oil for frying

Water if required

Method

Wash & cut cabbage & onion.finely chopped green chillies.In a big bowl add all ingredients mix properly using hand& check seasoning .Heat oil in a Kadai drop pakoda batter and deep fry them.Put on paper towel to remove excessive oil.Serve with Chutney .

Tips:- if needed then only add water,as onion & cabbage leaves water when we add salt.Pakora batter will become runny .

 

 

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Instant Dhokla


A dhokla is a spongy savory cake made of gram flour, suji (semolina) or rice powder. Dhokla recipe is a very popular Gujarati dish prepared in almost every household in India. Many variations of dhoklas such as Besan Dhokla, Suji Dhokla, Chawal Dhokla or Khaman Dhokla. it is prepared by steaming .Dhokla can be served as breakfast, evening snack or even as an appetizer. Garnished with split green chilies, mustard seeds, grated coconut and coriander leaves, this dish can be served with accompanied with green chutney.

Ingredients

Gram Flour /Besan 1 cup
Suji 1 tbsp
Curd 1/4 cup
Ginger Chilli paste1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil 1 tsp
Fruit salt 1 tsp
Lemon juice few drops
Water for making batter
for Tempering
Ingredients
Mustardseeds( black ) 1 tsp
Oil 1/2 tsp
Green chillies 1-2
Asafoetida (Hing )1/4 tsp (optional)
Water 1cup
Salt to taste
Sugar to taste
Fresh grated Coconut (garnishing)

Method
Take a large pan or pot add water for steaming dhokla.Grease a plate or any utensils using for dhokla.i have used loaf panMeanwhile take a bowl add besan,sooji,curd ginger & green chilli paste .adding little water to make a smooth paste.Now add fruit salt & lime juice mix properly.Pour batter in grease utensil.Steam for 10-12 or till it cooked.Put a knife as we do for a cake ..to check.If it comes clean.dhokla is steamed properly.
For tempering
Method
Take a deep pan heat & add oil then mustard seeds,hing green chilli,water,salt &sugar.give a boil.Let it cool down & bit .pour on steamed dhokla.Cut in a desire shape.garnish with fresh grated coconut.Serve with green Chutney.

Tips:- Dhokla mixture neither should be too thin or too thick. A consistency of a  batter is most important for fluffy & light dhokla.add fruit salt into the mixture and stir it with a spoon. As soon as the bubbles appear immediately put the dhokla in the greased plate or dish to steam. Do not whisk the mixture for long. delaying a time to steam dhokla after adding fruit salt to it, then the dhokla will not rise well.

 

by Categories: Veg AppetizerTags: , , 2 Comments

Quinoa Vegetables Cutlet


Quinoa  is a source of complete protein ,a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and calcium.It is a healthy combination of quinoa and wholesome veggies with a tweak of Indian flavor.

 

ingredients

Pre-washed Quinoa 1 /2 cup

Water 1 cup for cooking quinoa

Boiled potato 1 med size

Salt to taste

Carrot 1/4 cup

Corn 1/4 cup

Green coriander leaves chopped 1tbsp

Spring onion chopped 1 tbsp

Green chilli 1 finely chopped

Ginger 1/2″ finely chopped

Garam masala 1/2 tsp

Chaat masala 1/2 tsp

White pepper powder 1/4 tsp

Lime juice 1 tsp

Cornflour 1 tbsp(to coat)

oil for shallow fry

method

In a pot add quinoa & water once it started boiling then adding a salt little bit ,Carrot & corn cover it & cook on low flame till quinoa cooked properly .it takes 10-12 min or till it cooked .remove from heat & leave for 5 min more.After 5 min uncovered take out a mixture in a bowl to cool down & add all ingredients & mix properly Check seasoning ,give a cutlet shape.heat oil in a pan for shallow fry .roll cutlet in a cornflour it will give a nice & crispy crust.cook from both sides till it became Nice golden Color.Serve Hot with sauce & salad.

 

q1
pan seared

 

 

q2
inside view 

 

 

by Categories: Healthy Food, Veg AppetizerTags: , , , 5 Comments

Semolina Cutlet


Cutlets made by using Semolina ,Paneer & Nuts.

Ingredients
1 cup Semolina(suji)
1 cup Milk
1 cup Water
Salt to taste
1 tsp ghee/oil
fillings
100 g paneer
12-15 raisins(optional)
3-4 cashew nuts, finely chopped(optional)
3-4 almonds, finely chopped(optional)
1/2 tsp green chillies, finely chopped
1/2 tsp ginger, grated/finely chopped (optional)
freshly chopped coriander
black pepper to taste
salt to taste
oil for frying
Method
Add ghee/oil in a pan.when warm, add the suji and fry for 2-3 mins on low heat. Suji should not change colour. Add salt, lesser than what should make ideal taste.mix the water and milk together and add to the suji mixture and keep on stirring.within minutes it will be like a dough.once it is like the Chapati dough switch off the gas and cover the mixture. Set aside for a few minutes until cooled to room temperature.Once cooled mix it with hands to make the mixture smooth.Crush paneer and add all the ingredients. Mix well.take a small portion of dough, make a ball of it and press it.fill up a spoon of filling mixture in it and close the ends to form a ball.give the desired shape. You can shape of u r choice. make all cutlets in a same way .warm the refined oil in a kadahi .put 2-3 spoons of suji on a plate and roll the cutlet on it and then deep fry it in warm oil on medium heat till golden brown.Serve with tomato ketchup/ coriander or mint chutney.

.

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Grilled Paneer


Paneer Pieces Grilled & serve on a bed of crunchy Veggies.

ingredients

Paneer pieces 8-10
Curry powder 1 tsp
Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
Olive oil 1 tsp
Kasoori methi(Dry roasted) 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Red Chilli powder 1/2 tsp
Lemon juice few drops
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Oil for grilling & sauteing
Assorted veggies
(any veg of ur choice)
Onion diced 1 small
Tomato 1 deseeded
Corn (Boiled) 1/2cup
Bell Pepper diced 1
Mint leaves for garnish
Chaat masala (optional)
Method
In a bowl add oil ,curry powder,garlic powder,crushed kasoori methi,red chilli powder,salt & Pepper.mix properly make a paste.add paneer coat with mixture leave it for 1 hr.
Grill ur paneer .
Heat oil in a pan then cumin seeds.Once it crackled add veggies saute till it cooked.Add very little salt as we added during marinating paneer.Add leftover marination & mix properly now take out cooked veggies on a plate.Arrange Grilled paneer.Sprinkle chaat Masala.very little lime juice.Garnish with mint leaves.
Enjoy !!

by Categories: Veg AppetizerTags: , , , , , 2 Comments