Kerala Jalebi Recipe/ Jangri / Imarthi Indian Sweet Recipe

After the usual rush-hour in the kitchen,sending my people to school and office respectively,  I can't wait to have my cup of tea , which boosts up my energy for the rest of the day.
Today I sat near my favorite window in the bedroom which has a view to our neighbor's beautiful garden ;)
 hey don't misinterpret me , that's just to enjoy the nature ;) while sipping my tea...
made sure I had all luxuries near me - laptop , phone and of course my cup of Tea
......relaxed I had my first sip

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee     NO SUGAR

Wonder why my better-half didn't let me know that I gave him sugarless Tea...what ever....

Done .......enjoying the nature and the tea for today :/

Anyways I have a sugary Indian dessert to share, that's my favorite sweet and we don't get it fresh here...so I make it every time I think about it.

A comparatively easy dessert though it seems to be difficult with its twisted look....
Have described in each step , the details be noted if trying to make Jalebi's for the first time.

Ingredients

Split Urad Dal - 1 cup
Sugar - 2 cups
Water - 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup
Red or Orange - Food Color - a pinch
Lime Juice from 1/2 lime
May use a few drops of Rose Essence but I didn't use.
Oil for frying


* Soak Urad dal in water for 1/2 an hour, may use whole Urad dal if then do increase the soaking time.

* Boil sugar and water, let boil till it becomes a thick syrup, when its one thread consistency add lime juice and Rose essence (is using) , lime juice helps to prevent the sugar from crystallizing. Switch off the heat and keep the syrup aside.

* Drain water from the soaked Urad dal and transfer to a grinder/Mixer to grind it to a smooth paste. May Sprinkle few drops of water to make it grind easier, care should be taken not to pour more water as the batter should be very thick so that it will be easy to pipe it while frying.

* Grind it to a very smooth paste , rub the batter between your fingers to see if its nice and smooth, (this is important as the texture of the Jalebi depends on how nicely you grind the dal)

* Add food color to the batter and mix well. In a zip-lock bag, cut its tip to make a small hole and spoon in the batter, try piping the designs to a paper or on to another zip lock once or twice before you start making the Jalebi's.
 ( The hole in the zip lock bag shouldn't be too small nor too big, piping the designs first to a paper gives an idea how your Jalebi's would come out)

* Heat oil in a frying pan , once the oil is very hot, lower the heat and pipe Jalebi's designs  to the hot oil.(If the oil is too hot the jalebi's would bubble up and float immediately as you start piping it and then it will be hard to make the designs hence keep the oil in medium - low heat, See Notes below for related YouTube links on how to pipe the Jalebi Design's.

* Should wait to get'em cooked nicely on each sides (about 1 to 2 minutes on each side if the oil is in medium-low heat , also shouldn't over fry'em as then it wouldn't absorb the sugar syrup and will be very crisp, also tends to get dried easily)

* Once it looks done , drain the Jalebi's and Dip each Jalebi's  in the sugar syrup for few minutes  and transfer to a plate.

*  Make the rest of the Jalebi's.

 - when cooled to room temperature store'em in an air tight container (May refrigerate these for longer shelf life)


Notes :
          *  Making the Jalebi Design's click Youtube link here.

          * Watch another YouTube Video  here to get a better idea of making Jalebi's, I had watched this video before trying it and it helped me too

          * If you find it hard to make the shapes , make some circle's initially , anyways its going to taste the same and the credit is always there as you are making it at home :)

Cheers
TN

Chicken Burritos and Refried Beans Recipe

While growing up I have never been so interested in planting or in any backyard activities as its called, other than the imaginary world that I used to be in - while reading girlish stories like "Cinderella" where the backyard had much to contribute, her pets and the pumpkin took me to another world but now I am not sure why that I spent hours in my yard  Veranda , trying my best to grow vegetables and flowers, and then the long wait, wonder what exactly inspires me to wait patiently, each day I check if there's any new bud of hope.
Enjoying the hide and seek game the birds does when am around, I was so desperate to entertain'em once and now am happy to see'em every time near the only tree that I have in my backyard.
I have never enjoyed summer in the US,  like I do now, may be this house with a little space behind changed my Idea of Summer which for me till last year was just taking NA to the park without a jacket and the long weekend trips....may be because I grew up in a very sunny place.

I know its been almost a week that I have posted anything in my blog, though I feel that my day is not complete if I don't update, to be honest last week what ever I tried new didn't come up to the mark for me , to be uploaded here other than this Burrito.

I have been wanting to try this for sometime as all of us here love Mexican foods which taste similar to Indian food , I think that's the Cumin and Cilantro affiliation , these are among the most used spices/Herbs in Indian cooking and also the use of Dry Beans / Dal as we call it in India.

In burritos they fill the tortilla's with Rice , whole Pinto or black beans/Rajma , grilled veggie's  but options are wide and the choice is yours when you make it at home , I am not sure if there is any underlined rule in filling the burrito's , using refried beans helps to stick the other ingredients intact as it acts as a glue :) though we gets different varieties of Canned refried beans,
I wanted to try making it at home.

This is How I made Refried Beans

Ingredients 

Dry Pinto Beans - 1 lb
Jalapeno's or use Green chili's - 1 or 2 (According to taste)
Olive Oil or use any Vegetable Oil - 3 Tb Sp
Water for cooking the beans.
Cheddar Cheese - 1/4 cup (Optional -I didn't use)
Salt to taste

Method 

* Soak Pinto beans in water overnight to save cooking time , may cook'em keeping it open but then it takes time (About 2 to 3 Hour's in low heat with water added to it occasionally)  or else use a pressure cooker (Cook for 30 minutes in medium to low heat after a whistle and wait for the cooker to cool completely to open)

* I soaked it over night , hence cooked'em open for about 1/2 an hour with enough water to cover the beans , stir occasionally, cook till the beans are nice and soft and its skin tends to open/split.

* Remove excess water if any (need just up to 1/4 cup water in the beans once its cooked nicely)      Add the pepper's (Jalapeno's / Green chili's) and salt to taste , using a potato masher mash the cooked beans nicely.(I used a blender to slightly blend it)

* Heat oil in a pan and add the mashed beans to it, stir and fry the mashed beans add more water if necessary to prevent'em from drying out.switch off the heat when slightly thick , it should be moist too as it tends to get thicker in consistency when it sits and cools a bit. (Sprinkle water and stir to make it moist if you think its getting dried)

* May add some cheddar cheese to the cooked beans while its hot , which then melts and blends with the mashed beans - this step is Optional.

Serve hot with Rice , Tortilla's , Nacho's etc I used this to fill my Burrito's.

Burrito's with Chicken Recipe

Burrito's are a complete Mexican meal,there's no sides or sauces needed to enjoy it, as its wrapped up with flavors from all healthy ingredients. 

Tortilla's - 4 to 6 no's 

Refried Beans or else use whole cooked Black/Rajma or Pinto Beans  - 2 Tb Sp for each Tortilla's

Chicken - boneless pieces about 2 cups when cooked 

Garlic - 2 to 4 no's chopped 

Dried Oregano - a pinch 

Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp 

Lime juice - from 1 Lime 

Oil - 3 Tb Sp 

Pepper Powder - 1/2 tsp (Or more as per preference) 

Salsa / Mexican sauce - few Tb Sp for each tortilla's (I used a store bought Salsa mix from a local Mexican store)

Grated Cheese - 1/4 cup to 1 cup - I used the Mexican Blend

Salt to taste.

Cilantro / Coriander leaves to garnish.

Choice of vegetable's - I used white onion and some colored Peppers (may use lettuce and cabbage)

Method 

* Heat 2 Tb Sp oil in a pan , add the sliced chicken pieces and garlic to it , add salt and pepper and cook till nicely done. Stir occasionally while cooking.

* When the pieces are cooked and looks dry , sprinkle cumin powder , dried oregano and lime juice. Switch off the heat and Keep aside.

* In an other pan, heat 1 Tb SP oil and lightly fry the vegetables for not more than 2 minutes (as if cooked for more time the vegetables starts to sweat and become moist) May use a grill to grill the vegetables with some salt and pepper instead of sauteing. 

 Keep these Veggies aside. 

* Heat each tortilla's in a flat pan (Chapathi Tawa) a few seconds on each side. 

I used Spinach and Herb Tortilla's...got attracted to it color :)

  

* Place about 2 Tb Sp of refried beans and top with few pieces of chicken. 

* Place few sauteed vegetable pieces  on top of the chicken, then pour the salsa over it. 

* Wrap'em tightly and arrange these in a baking tray. 

* Pour some salsa on top...

* And sprinkle some Mexican blend cheese over it.....

* And Bake in 350 Degree F for about 10 minutes (Until the cheese melts)

* Garnish with some Cilantro and serve Hot.

*  Enjoy A Complete Mexican Meal , with the goodness of all healthy Ingredients....

Notes : May fill the Burrito's with some cheese to make it rich and tasty. 

Cheers 

TN

Kachori

Since the World is talking Soccer....I am reminded of the excitement we used to have some 15 years ago, even my Granny used to sit with us to see the World-cup Soccer or Cricket matches - clap, shout and whistle....altogether a festive mood even in the streets with small gatherings in front of most store's where they'll have the TV placed outside which streams the match...
Now majority of our homes back in my place would have a Television and Sports channel's too

"Snacks" are necessary thing needed while enjoying a match , hence concentrating on experimenting snack recipes this month....I made Aloo Matar Ki Kachori here/ Kachori with Potatoes and Peas.

Khasta Kachori is what they call it in North India , this is a flaky fried snack, this can be filled with ingredients of your choices , usually its filled with mashed dal/lentil's - mung bean's or  Peas, Pyaaj/Onion Kachori is a snack popular in Rajasthan. 

I made it with wheat flour instead of Plain flour as always to lessen the guilt after having any fried snack , the texture do vary very much when wheat flour is used and the crispness will not be the same too

Ingredients 

For the Dough 

All purpose flour - 2 cups (I used Wheat Flour) 

Ghee / Clarified Butter - 1/4 cup (I used vegetable oil) 

Salt to taste 

For the filling 

Potatoes - 1 medium size boiled and mashed 

Cooked Peas - 1 cup cooked

Green Chili's - 3 no's (adjust as per your preference)

Ginger - 1 tsp finely chopped 

Kala Jeera / Kalaunji - 1/2 tsp (I used cumin seeds) 

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

Jeera Powder  / Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp 

Amchur / Dry Mango Powder - 1/4 tsp 

Sauf/ Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp crushed

Salt to taste 

Oil - 1 Tb Sp for the filling + For frying 

Method 

* Mix flour , salt , ghee or oil ,pour water little at a time to make a firm dough , knead the dough well , may coat this dough with little oil or ghee and cover with a wet cloth, Keep aside. 

* Heat 1 Tb Sp Oil in a pan, add Sauf / fennel seeds and Kala Jeera or else cumin seeds , then add the finely chopped ginger and green chili's for a minute , add then the powder's (Jeera / Cumin Powder + Coriander Powder + Amchur / Dry Mango Powder) 

* Add mashed potatoes and cooked peas , add salt and lightly mash it again, stir to combine and switch off the heat. Let it cool a bit. 

* Make lemon sized ball's with the dough, roll each ball's to make it 2 to 3 inch diameter (Approx) Place about 1 Tb Sp of the potato-Peas Filling in the center of the rolled dough.

* Bring the ends together to seal it.

* Press these stuffed ball's with your palm and flatten it. Make the rest of the kachori ready like this and heat oil in a deep pan to fry the kachori's.

* Deep fry these in low to medium heat until both sides looks golden brown , transfer to a paper towel.

* Kachori tends to puff up a bit while frying and gets crisp outside.

   Serve with Green Chutney / Curd. 

Enjoy !

Congratz Germany , we totally enjoyed Muller's  Hat-trick :) 

The game was worth watching....

Cheers

TN

Cauliflower & Carrot Thoran/ Stir Fry with Coconut

Since Summer started and our Sun just can't wait to wake up,
myself like all others are happy to step out of the house, enjoy nature ,walk around , spend time with kid outside, but I know my Blog is now in the back seat.....working on it though :)
I am yet to develop the skill of multitasking....Like every home makers I also do it but at the end of the day there is some satisfaction lacking,
but then I remember my Achachen (Dad) used to advice me "To do one thing at a time " always to get the perfect result.

Thanks to the site which uploaded such a consoling Quote by Swami Vivekananda :)

This week NA is full time at home as its her summer break and am busy answering questions all the time , sometimes  if I am doing something with my full soul into it, I answer it with a typical Indian way of doing it :) that's shaking head lightly up and down for "Yes" and Side to side for "No" and sometimes rotating which doesn't intend Yes or No and then confuse myself and NA with that answer....funny isn't it :)
Cauliflower Thoran / stir fry -  is a typical Mallu way of doing it, a very easy way too.

Here's what you'll need

Cauliflower - 1/2 medium chopped finely
Carrot - 1 medium grated
Coconut - 1/4 to 1/2 cup
Green chili's /Jalapeno's - 2 no's finely chopped (or more as per your preference)
Onion or shallots - 1 medium onion or use 3 to 7
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
salt to taste
Curry leaves - few optional (I didn't use)

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Vegetable oil or Coconut Oil- 1 Tb Sp

Method 

* Combine all ingredients with a spoon or use hands to rub everything together , keep aside.

* Heat oil in a pan , pop mustard seeds and saute the above ingredients for not more than 7 minutes in medium to high heat.(Stir continuously ) do not add water.

Switch off the heat and serve hot with Rice.

I wanted to make a cake for Soccer Man on Father's day but then as I mentioned , I need to develop the skill of Multitasking... especially when both my people are at home -  time just flies :(
Hope you all enjoyed Father's day weekend :)

Cheers
TN

Berry Oats Squares / Cookies Recipe

I always saunter around the bakery section of any store when ever I go for shopping...and then there occurs a clash between my "wish" and my diet consciousness....
Have you been in situations like these ???  the best thing to do is to eat before going for a grocery shopping,as when we are hungry while in a grocery store we end up buying lot of unnecessary things which we never intended to buy.
I have learned that small and frequent meals is the best option for any weight loss diet hence its good to store snacks in our pantry so that our hunger is satisfied timely to prevent over eating, but its hard to find " healthy and tasty" snacks these days.

I had some Raspberries and Strawberries sitting in my fridge so decided to fill this snack with it but any fruit preserves or Jam's would work good too.
Slightly adapted from Quaker Oats Recipe & Recipe fromThe pioneer woman

Ingredients

Wheat Flour - 1/2 cup
All Purpose Flour - 1/2 cup
(Regular or Quick) Oats - 1 cup
Brown Sugar - 1 cup
Baking Powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Vanilla essence - 1/4 tsp
Butter - 1/2 cup or 1 stick
Egg - 1 small

For Filling - use fruits you like or else any Jam.
I used some
Strawberries(Few) & Raspberries (1/2 cup approx)
Brown Sugar - 3 Tb Sp

Cook whole Strawberries and Raspberries with brown sugar till nicely done , mash it lightly with a wooden spoon and switch off the heat (There shouldn't be much liquid/juice left in the pan)
 Keep this aside.

Method 

Preheat the oven to 375 Degree F. Grease a small or medium sized square shaped baking pan and keep aside.

* Mix together flour's (Wheat flour and Plain flour or else may use only plain flour 1 cup) with oats,baking Powder , salt , Vanilla essence and Brown sugar.

* Cut the butter in to small cubes and mix these with the flour and oats mixture , work with your hands to mix everything together until it resembles course crumbs.

* Divide this mixture in to two equal portions , add egg to one portion and mix with a spoon to combine.

* Transfer the egg mixed oats mixture to the greased baking dish and bake in 375 degree F for 15 to 20 minutes till its cooked inside and the sides looks light brown.

* When its done , take out and insert the surface of the cooked base with a fork and pour the filling over it , spread evenly.

* Sprinkle the other half of the oats mixture over the top and pat gently and bake in 375 Degree F (Place it on the top most rack in the oven) , bake for another 15 to 20 minutes - until golden brown on top.

*  When cooled , cut in to squares and serve.

Enjoy these healthy snacks anytime without regrets....

Something to crunch while watching a cookery show....or during a Soccer match.

By the way "World cup" begins tomorrow :)


Notes :
          Cut these only when its cooled completely or else it tends to break.
          Store these in Air tight containers , if intending to store for a longer period its better to fill the same with Jam instead of fruits.

Cheers
TN