Savory tapioca pudding

  

1 cup tapioca (soaked in some water for few hrs)

2 ½ cups hot water

1 tbsp ghee/butter

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp grated ginger

2 finely chopped green chilies

2 tbsp yogurt

1 tsp sugar

 Salt to taste

Coriander for garnishing

Method:

Heat ghee in a deep nonstick pan, add cumin seeds grated ginger, chilies and sauté for few sec.

Then add Tapioca and sauté for a min, then add water.  Now add salt and sugar and bring it to a boil. Turn the flame off.

Now add yogurt and mix well. Garnish with 

coriander leaves and serve immediately.

 Enjoy!

Dry peanut garlic chutney

A very popular spicy and tasty maharashtrian side dish. Serve it with chapatti, bhakari or with rice and it will add spice to your daily meals. It takes very less time and ingredients. 

To prepare this chutney you will need:

2 cups roasted peanuts

½ cup dry coconut powder

4 tbsp. finely chopped Garlic (quantity can be changed as per taste)

2 tbsp. cumin seeds

¼ cup chili powder

1 tbsp. sugar

1 tbsp. oil

Salt to taste

Method:

In a bowl mix all the above ingredients except oil.

Now in small batches grind them to a course powder.  Once it is done add oil and mix well.

It can be Stored in an airtight container for several weeks.

Enjoy!

Green chilies dry chutney

I love this Hot and spicy instant chutney which can be prepared in few minutes.  It require very  few ingredients and tastes delicious.

Ingredients:

2 cups Serrano peppers finely chopped (big green chilies)

¼ cup roasted sesame seeds
¼ cup dry roasted coconut powder

For tempering:

2 tbsp. oil

1 tsp. mustard seeds

1 tsp. cumin seeds

Pinch of asafetida/ Hing

1 tsp. turmeric powder

Few curry leaves

1 tsp sugar

Salt to taste

Method:

Heat oil in pan.  Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds once they splutter add asafetida, turmeric powder and curry leaves, sauté for few seconds then add green chilies and sauté till chilies change colour and are little crispy.

Now add roasted coconut powder and sesame seeds, sauté for few more min. then add sugar and salt mix well. 

Once it is cooled down store in an airtight container which will help preserve its freshness for few days.

Enjoy!

Chinese pot stickers

These delectable Chinese style dumplings have a wonderfully sticky texture and makes perfect appetizer. You can make them in advance and steam  them just before serving.

Ingredients:

1 cup minced raw prawns/ shrimp

(For veg option use finely shredded cabbage and carrots)

½ cup minced mushrooms

2 tbsp  finely chopped chives

1 tsp finely chopped red peppers (optional)

2 tbsp sweet chili sauce

Oil and some water for steaming 

Salt to taste

24 Dumpling wrappers (available in Asian store)

Chili oil and soy sauce,  to serve.

Method:

Place minced shrimps, minced mushrooms and chopped chives in a bowl.  Add chopped peppers, sweet chili sauce, salt and mix well.

Now place the wrappers on clean surface, put a small spoonful of mixture into the center of wrapper, brush edges with water and fold them over to form a half-moon shape. Press and pleat the edges to seal as shown in picture.

Cover with clean damp cloth, and make the remaining dumplings in the same way.

(at this stage dumplings can be stored in refrigerator in an air tight container for a day )

 

Now in a deep pan heat some oil and arrange the dumplings. Let them cook till the base turn golden brown then add some water (about 2 tbsp) and cover the lid and steam for 5 to 6 min.

Make a dipping sauce by mixing chili oil and soy sauce in a bowl.

Arrange the dumplings in a serving plate and serve immediately with the sauce.

Enjoy!

Matar Karanji/ Gujiya

This crispy and tasty gujiya is a very good option for a Tea time snack or as a appetizer.

Ingredients:

For outer cover:

4 cups all purpose flour/ Maida

5 tbsp ghee/butter

1/2 tsp salt

water to kneed the dough

For filling:

3 cups green peas / matar

1 boiled potato mashed

1 onion finely chopped

2 tbsp oil

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp mustard seeds

2 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp kasuri methi

1 tsp fennel / sauf powder

salt to taste

oil for deep frying

 

Method:

In a large bowl take all purpose flour salt and ghee and mix everything together. now add little water and kneed the dough till it is nice and soft. form a ball and cover it with wet cloth, and keep aside for few min.

For filling:

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard and cumin seeds and once they splutter add onions and saute till they turn light brown. now add all the dry spices and mix well.

Then add green peas and mashed potatoes, lemon juice, salt and sugar and mix well. remove from heat and let the mixture cool down a little.

Now kneed the dough again and divide the mixture in small round. with a rolling pin roll the rounds in small round sheets, place 1 tbsp of mixture in the center of the sheet and fold the the sheet in half moon shape. seal the edges well so the mixture will not come out while deep frying.

Repeat the process to make the reaming gujiyas. deep fry on medium heat till the outer cover turns golden brown in colour. 

serve hot with Tamarin chutney or ketchup.

Enjoy!

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Its really easy to make this delicious, comforting, rich and creamy mushroom soup. It requires very few ingredients, takes less time to prepare and everyone in your family will love this soup.

Ingredients:

1 cup sliced mushrooms.

1 medium onion finely chopped

2/3 cloves of garlic finely chopped

4 cups chicken / vegetable broth

1 cup whole milk 

1 tbsp plain flour (maida)

2 tbsp butter

salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Melt butter in a pan. add garlic and onions and saute for 2 mins. Then add mushrooms and saute for another min.

Now add plain flour and saute for few seconds, add broth and bring to a boil, now simmer and cook on very low heat for 10 to 15 min.

Add milk and mix well. season with pepper and salt, and simmer for another 3 to 4 mins on low heat.

Now remove from heat, let it cool a little then blend until smooth. garnish with fresh coriander and serve.

Enjoy!

Carrot cake

This is one of the most irresistible cake, which is moist, and flavorful. This is a great healthy dessert option which everyone in your family will love.

Ingredients:

2 cups grated carrot

3 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup finely chopped pineapple (fresh or canned)

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp nutmeg powder

1 cup brown sugar

Method:

Preheat oven at 350 degree F. grease the baking pan and keep aside.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and Cinnamon. now add grated carrots to the flour mixture and mix well.

In another bowl beat eggs, then add sugar and pineapple and mix well. Now slowly add flour and carrots mixture and mix till everything is combined properly.

Pour batter in the greased pan and bake for 60 min.check if cake is done by inserting a knife in the center of the cake, if it comes out clean then the cake is done. if it is still sticky bake for another 10 to 15 mins.

Once the cake is done let it cool down for few min on a wire rack.

Enjoy!