Aloo-Methi Puris

On the last lazy Sunday, wanted to prepare something quick & still different from the regular preparations. Was really bored eating regular roti/chapati/phulka & thought of frying some Puris which are very rare in my house since Y does no prefer anything which is deep fried!! (I always wonder if he actually does not like them or he avoids it for me...he's my weight watcher ;)) But that was the day when I had made up my mind to just go for it!!

In my hostel days, I used to enjoy batata-puri in the mess.  They were mostly prepared on Sunday & we used to have a real heavy breakfast that day & used to sleep and directly wake up for 'feasty' lunch served specially on Sundays!! Lovely days!! These one's which I have prepared are still the same with slight variation of 'methi' but taste the same.

Aloo-Methi Puris

Serves: 3-4                  Preparation Time: 10-15 mins               Cooking Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour + more for rolling puris

2 large potatoes, boiled, peeled & mashed

3 tbspn crushed kasoori methi

2 tbspn sesame seeds

1/2 tsp ajwain

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tbspn red chilly pwd (adjust as per taste)

1/2 tsp haldi

1 tsp chaat masala (optional)

salt as per taste

oil for deep frying

water for kneading

Step 1: Mix all the above ingredients & knead into soft dough using very little water at a time.

Step 2: Set the dough aside for 10-15 mins. Till then heat oil in a kadhai.

Step 3: Prepare puris & deep fry in oil on medium heat. Place on a tissue paper to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Serve 'garma-garam' with sauce or pickle.

Note: For rolling the puris, I rolled a big chapati & then cut the puris with the help of one katori. This reduces the rolling time & all puris are of the same size then :). You can also roll each puri separately.

Healthy Idlis

I was never ever so much health conscious or diet conscious in my past life. But ever since I have become a Mom, I have always been keeping any eye on how do I provide the correct nutrition to my toddler, which is the most basic question all mothers face since they are all fussy eaters & above all its important to keep their interest in food sustained!! Along with him, we also get to enjoy all the nutritional & health benefits from the food ;)

Last Sunday, I prepared these Idlis for the breakfast which my little one enjoyed with tomato sauce (his favorite these days). They were so easy to prepare without much preparation in advance & will surely become a routine breakfast for us now!! 

Healthy Idlis

Serves: 3-4            Prep Time: 10 mns (excluding soaking time)       Cooking Time: 15-20 mns

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup rice

1/2 cup urad dal (black gram dal)

1 cup mix vegetables of your choice

(I used sweet corns, green peas, french beans, carrot, capsicum)

 few chopped coriander leaves

3-4 green chillies, finely chopped (adjust as per spice level)

2 tsp Eno fruit salt

salt as per taste

Oil for greasing the pan

Idli Batter

Before Steaming, added grated carrot in between just for fun!!

Step 1: Soak the rice & urad dal separately, overnight or approx 5-6 hrs.

Step 2: Drain the water completely & grind the dal & rice together.

Step 3: Transfer to a bowl. Add salt, chopped coriander & vegetables. Mix well.

Step 4: Grease the Idli moulds with oil. 

Step 5: Add Eno fruit salt. Mix well & you will find the bubbles appearing in the batter.

Step 6: Pour the batter in the moulds & steam the Idlis for 15-20 mins.

Step 7: Serve hot with green chutney or sauce.

Raw Tomato Sabji

Its been long since I have posted something. A few things are keeping me busy these days...but its just limited to finding out the time to write & post something. It has not stopped me from trying different things in the kitchen :). Many things getting up the hold of my brain & many pictures lying in my mobile, today I finally thought of letting the things out!! 

A month before, we had been to our village & its pretty normal always that I take a single bag while going & come back in multiples ;) There were plenty of fresh vegetables directly from the farm to our house & my bag was loaded with them. My mouth was saying 'No' but my heart was saying 'Yes' to all those freshly picked vegetables. I ended up quarreling with 'Y' for carrying all that with us...but finally 'woman rules'! I was so happy when my refrigerator was full of vegetables.

This is a lovely recipe for the raw tomatoes, which I think, are not much used on a routine basis. I have just tried some rice preparation & this particular sabji with them. In case anybody knows some other way to use raw tomatoes, please let me know for sure. Till then, just check this simple, sweet & tangy recipe.

Raw Tomato Sabji

Serves: 2-3                       Preparation Time: 5 mins                Cooking Time: 10-15 mins

Ingredients:

3-4 raw tomatoes, washed & finely chopped

3 tbspn roasted sesame seeds

3-4 tbspn grated jaggery (adjust as per taste) (I like it sweet!)

2 tsp red chilly pwd

a pinch of haldi

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

3 tbspn oil

salt as per taste

chopped coriander leaves for garnish

Step 1: Heat oil in a kadhai. Add mustard seeds. As they crackle, add cumin seeds. 

Step 2: Reduce the heat. Add haldi, red chilly pwd, immediately followed with the tomatoes.

Step 3: Mix well. Add salt & cook for 5 mins. (No need to cover)

Step 4: Add jaggery, sesame seeds. Mix well & cook for another 10 mins or till the water evaporates. Saute well on high flame for last 2 mins. 

Step 5: Turn off heat & garnish with coriander. 

Note: This sabji does not look green in spite of using green raw tomatoes. The red chilly, jaggery & last 2 mins sauteing process is something that will make the difference.