Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Chatpata Pav Bhaji




In continuation of my earlier post for homemade pav, I want to share the king of mumbai street food "pav bhaji" which is now popular all over India. This chatpata (spicy n tangy) buttery dish with a rich assortment of vegetables is served with pav and it is an eternal favorite and a complete meal in itself. I don't want to keep you waiting so here is the recipe.

Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 30 min
Serves 4

Ingredients:
  • 3 cups diced vegetables(Potato,cauliflower,beans,carrot,green peas)
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped tomatos
  • 3/4 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1 tsp garlic ginger paste
  • 3 tsp pav bhaji masala (available in all indian stores)
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/4 tsp chilli powder
  • a pinch of sugar
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • salt to taste
To serve
1/2 cup chopped onion
lemon cut into wedges

Cooking Procedure:

Pressure cook the diced vegetables for 3 whistles with 2 cups water. Once it cools remove the vegetables mash them coarsely n keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan add onion,ginger garlic paste n fry, then add turmeric powder n stir till onion become translucent. Add bell pepper n let it fry for another 5 min. Then add tomatoes and cook till become soft. Then add coriander powder,salt,sugar,chilli powder,pav bhaji masala,cilantro n fry for another 2 min or till oil begins to saturate.


( Click image for enlarged view )

Add the mashed vegetables to the above mixture , mash them further so that it blend nicely n stir occasionally n let it cook on medium flame for 5 to 10 min.Your bhaji is ready.

Serving Procedure:


( Click image for enlarged view )

Take two pav cut them horizontally apply little butter and toast them

Take a plate put some bhaji n sprinkle with some chopped onions,add a slice of butter and squeeze little lemon n serve with the toasted pav.

I am sending this recipe as a guest post to Lisa's Indian Dinner Party!

and also to

___________________________________________________________________

Tags: Pav Bhaji, Pav, Homemade Pav Bhaji, Mumbai Pav Bhai, King of mumbai street food, Street Food, Chatpata Pav Bhaji

Monday, August 30, 2010

Laadi Pav ( Indian Street Food Bread )


Many people do not know that Pav/Pao is a portugese word for bread. This bread was introduced to India by them. The pav is also called “laadi pav” which means a slab of bread rolls as the rolls are baked as one big slab and the individual rolls are pulled apart. This bread is used for two popular street food in mumbai, vada pav and pav bhaji.

With the influx of north indians in Bangalore n Chennai where idly n dosa is an all time favorite, pav bhaji has become popular too.... ... Ask any south Indian what north Indian food they would like to have they would always say either Panipuri or Pav Bhaji .

This bread is very easy to prepare at home too n I got this recipe from Aparnas My Diverse Kitchen. I made a small change in the preparation of activating the yeast as it works for me with better results.

Preparation Time: 15 min
Baking Time: 10 min
Makes: 9 pavs

Ingredients :
  • 2 cups OR little less all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 3/4 tbsp butter, softened
  • 3/4 tsp active dried yeast
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp butter for brushing on the pav
Cooking Procedure:

In a big bowl add salt sugar n yeast mix nicely. Then add warm milk n melted butter and let it sit for 10 min or till it become active .Once its active then add flour one cup at a time and mix with spatula. Blend slowly till it is soft and elastic .

Note: Do not add excess flour.Now grease the dough with oil nicely, cover it with damp cloth or cling wrap n let it sit for one hour or till the dough doubles in size.

After one hour knead the dough lighty for 1-2 minutes and divide it into nine equal parts. And set in a greased baking pan side by side. And let it sit for another 20 min. Preheat the oven 425 F.

After 20 min start baking, bake the pav until they slightly turn light brown ( approx10 min) then immediately take them out n brush all the pav quickly with butter and bake another 5 min. Take it out and immediately shift the pav to a cooling rack n let them cool.Your pav is ready to enjoy in pav bhaji, masala pav, vada pav !!


I am sending this recipe as a guest post to Lisa's Indian Dinner Party! and also to

Champa's Bake off event

Tried and tasted event hosted by Srivalli which was originally started by Zlamushkaand now run byLakshmi.


______________________________________________________________

Tag: Pav, Pao, Laddi pao, Laddi pav, Portugese bread, bread, pav bhaji, vada pav


Award Time!!! : )

It is time I thank all my blogger friends
for giving me the above "Versatile Blogger Award"... This award means a lot to me ... each of you are so talented and there is a lot I need to learn from you folks ... this award encourages me blog more recipes n try to be more creative... thank you once again

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


I would also like to thank Kitchen flavours too ... for passing me the above "Versatile Blogger Award" . You have a great collection of recipes n I need to learn a lot from you too.... thank you so much again for giving me this award.

The rule of these awards is I need to pass to another 10-15 blogger friends, but I want to share these beautiful with everybody so friends please collect it n spread the love...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Participation Award from Akila of Torview for participating in the "Cold Desserts" Event with a wonderfull roundup of recipes...you can view the cold dessert roundup here




+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And another participation award from Srilekha of Me And My Kitchen for participating in the Sweets and Savory for Diwali Series Event



Sunday, August 29, 2010

Shahi Rabri (The Emperors Dessert)


( Click image for enlarged view )


One of my special moments after marraige was when my hubby gifted me a cookery book "Microwave Cooking with Tarla Dalal". I prepared my first dessert "shahi rabri" from this book. The very name "shahi" means royal n "rabri" means thick milk dessert.

This is an exotic dessert which can be prepared very quickly with minimum ingredients. Cottage cheese is simmered in milk n flavored with pistachio n cardamom.

Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time : 6 min
Serves 4

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups organic milk
  • 1 cup grated paneer(cottage cheese)
  • 1/2 cup condensed milk
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped pista
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/8 tsp cardamom powder
  • 2-3 drops of rose essence
For Garnishing
  • 1 tsp pista

( Click image for enlarged view )

Cooking Procedure

Mix all the above ingredients in a microwave safe deep bottom bowl n microwave on high for 6 min.In between stir it at every 2 minutes.

After 6 min let it cool then garnish with chopped pista n refrigerate for minimum 1 hr n serve cold.

Note: The chosen bowls height should be 4 times the height of the milk because this will prevent the milk from overflowing in the microwave.

Party Serving Tip: Before refrigeration first divide them in small serving bowls, then garnish n refrigerate. Serve chilled directly to guests.

I am sending this yummy shahi rabri to


MEC Festive Events hosted by Smitha and started by Srivalli


ON GOING EVENT


'Cooking for Kids' event by Sharmi , guest hosted at Veggieplatter

____________________________________________________________

Tags: Pista Shahi Rabri, Pista Shahi Rabidi, Rabri, Rabadi, Indian Dessert, Indian Sweet, Microwave dessert, Cold dessert, Easy Recipe, Tasty recipe

Friday, August 27, 2010

Simple Tomato Dal

(Click image for enlarged view)

This is a very simple n flavorful dal to prepare. It can be had with rice n rotis and it is one of my favorite dal. There are many variations by changing the dal/lentil. I used mung dal but you can also use toor dal or masoor dal. You can try all the variations n I am sure you will the notice the difference but all are tasty.

Preparation time :5 min
Cooking time:15 min
Serves :3 to 4 people

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup moong dal
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp urad dal
  • 1 tsp crushed garlic
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 green chilli sliced
  • 2 red chilli
  • 1 pinch hing (asafetida)
  • salt to taste
  • 3 cups water
(Click image for enlarged view)

Cooking Procedure

Wash the dal with normal water n keep aside.In a pressure cooker heat 1 tsp oil add urad dal,mustard seeds,cumin seeds,hing,turmeric powder n stir till mustard seeds splutter.Then add onion,garlic,curry leaves,green chilli,red chilli n fry for a min. Now add tomatoes n dal let them fry one more min.

Then add three cups of water, salt n close the lid, pressure cook for 3 whistles.Then off the flame.Once it cools open the lid mix it well.Add 1 cup water n let it boil for 5 min. And ur dal is ready !!

This dal and another 5 more dishes




goes to "Healing Food - Tomatoes" Event hosted by PJ and started by Siri.
______________________________________________________
Tags: Tomato Dal, Tomato Pappu, Tomato Mung Dal, Lentil Gravy

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Rotini Cilantro Pesto Pasta

( Click image for enlarged view )

This Pasta is very quick n easy to prepare ...and the best part all the ingredients are easily available in India,I adopted this recipe from Nita Mehta's book (Pasta n Corn) with a slight variation,the result was very good n we enjoyed it. Kids will surely love this as its very creamy n less spicy , it is healthy too because of the cilantro,nuts and parsley.

Preparation time :10 min
Cooking time :15min
Serve :2

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups Rotini/or any pasta (any shape)
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro (coriander)
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp chopped garlic
  • 3 tbsp chopped walnuts
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp finely grated cheese(any one)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
  • 1/8 tsp pepper powder
  • salt to taste
Cooking Procedure

Preparing the pesto
In a grinder or blender, combine garlic ,walnut ,salt ,coriander ,parsely,oil,chilli flakes and cheese and blend until finely chopped into a coarse paste .

( Click image for enlarged view )
Preparing the pasta
Bring a large sauce pan of salted water to boil,add pasta n cook until done.Drain water n keep pasta aside.Melt 2 tbsp butter on a pan . Add pasta and toss well sprinkle some pepper on it n mix well. Keep aside.

( Click image for enlarged view )

Mix milk with pesto sauce in a large pan and boil .Simmer for 1 min .

( Click image for enlarged view )
Add pasta to pesto sauce, toss well and serve.

This recipe goes to 3 wonderful events


Kids Delight hosted by Pari
_________________________________________________________________
Tags: Pesta,Pasta,Italian,Rotini, Rotini Cilantra, Easy Recipe, Tasty Recipe,Pasta Recipe,Italian Recipe

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Falafel Stuffed Pita Pockets

(Click image for enlarged view)

In continuation of my earlier post , I have prepared some falafel and tahini sauce to have with the pita bread. Falafel is basically a mediterranean dish made with chickpeas n used extensively to stuff pitas. I had bookmarked this recipe of falafel and tahini sauce from manjulas kitchen and at last this weekend I got a chance to prepare it. Tahini sauce is also very healthy as it has sesame and parsley. We enjoyed it a lot, it was new to me which made it more fun.

Preparation Time:20 min
Cooking Time: 45 min
Makes: 6-8 stuffed pita pockets

Falafel Ingredients:
  • 1 cup chickpeas (soaked overnight, pressure cooked with 1 whistle and 3 min)
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cilantro
  • 2 tbsp parsley
  • 1 green chilli
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • 1/2 inch ginger
  • oil for deep fry
  • salt to taste
(Click image for enlarged view)

Falafel Preparation:
Grind all the above ingredients except oil to a coarse paste with very little water, the paste must bind with a simple hand grip. Divide it into 20 balls and deep fry until they turn brown. Keep aside.

Tahini Sauce Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 green chilli sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp cilantro
  • 2 tbsp parsley
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • salt to taste
Tahini Preparation:
Grind the above ingredients to a smooth paste and keep aside.


(Click image for enlarged view)

For stuffing the pita we need:
  • 16 falafels
  • 1/2 cup tahini sauce
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce
  • 3/4 cup chopped onion
  • 3/4 cup chopped tomatos
  • 3/4 cup chopped cucumber
Procedure:
Heat one pita pocket on a tawa lightly. Fill with lettuce,onion,tomato,cucumber, falafel and then top it with tahini sauce. Serve immediately.

I am posting this recipe to the following events
A.W.E.D.MENU hosted by niloufer started by DK

CWF: LB - Chickpeas hosted by Nithu and started by Kiran
__________________________________________________________
Tags: Pita,Pita Pocket,Pita Bread,Mediterranean Bread,Yeast,Flour,Bake,Baking,Easy Recipe,Baking Recipe,Bread Recipe,Falafel,Falafel and Pita Recipe, Tahini Sauce,Falafel stuffed pitas,Falafel Sandwich,Falafel Wrap, Chickpeas, Sesame Sauce, Garbanzo Beans, Healthy Recipe