Fish Puffs

While "Earth Day" was celebrated on April 22nd, officially they say that its related to "Spring"
I thought about my previous post when I wrote about the unpredictable climatic changes happening these days, when I simply blamed the Season instead of thinking about the reasons for the same,
I now regret my ignorance.
It was when I saw some posts in FB related the the "Earth Day" that I realized that changes happened not within a day but within many years. Our Earth is no more the same like how it looked and felt that time when I started going to school, to this time when my NA starts her Kinder-Garden.
Those days when the everything around me looked more greener to this day when its all polluted.

I must write about someone whom I know in my hometown, who loves to do gardening, and it was her face which came into my mind today.While I went for vacation this time, I saw her walking through her yard, watering the plants and also talking to them as always.
Did I say "talking" ?? yes she does it,
she talks to the flowers in her garden and she says it responds to her too, this may sound funny
but I guess the response she feels might be her attachment with the nature.
I fear if that time when there was a beautiful garden in all the houses will remain as "Past"
the time when number of fruit trees and flowers which stood smiling at the guests was a cause of pride for the women of that house.
We are not to blame anyone for this "as everything changes with time"

I remember my Grandfather describing about his business of running a Petrol Pump during the early 70's, when only 5-7 families owned a car in our place & how my Achachen (Dad) used to wait eagerly for a vehicle to come to fill the fuel, when I heard this I was a kid and I couldn't even imagine the roads so empty and now if I describe this to NA she would think I am crazy.
Life has changed so fast, people live luxuriously when compared to the older time when owning a car was a sign to show  pride and luxury (I am talking about India) as am not sure about the situation then in any developed country. Glad that it all happened, but gradually we exploited our dear "Earth"

I think we as elders must share our experience growing up to our kids to let them get an Idea of how our Earth was and how it should be maintained for our future generations to live life happily here as Newton's law states "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction" the increasing number of deadly diseases that we see now may be the reaction.

Dedicating "Earth Song" to all those who agree with me :)

I am sorry for the long post, but just couldn't keep myself from writing about it.
Our Earth which bears more than 7 Billion Human beings, let us do our part to make it livable  for the generations to come and think about the things that we could do to detoxify Earth by being more attached to the "Nature", slowly it will turn out to be a natural cure for everything,
also we'll be blessed like how the Native Americans say....

:)

These fish puffs are a very easy snack to make, I made a filling with fish and wrapped it in Puff Pastry dough. May fill'em with what ever you like,
since I learned this idea of making this fish shapes thought to make fish filling itself,
Thanks to my friend Dilna for the idea :)

Ingredients 

Puff Pastry Dough - 1 sheet

For filling 

Any fish - I used Salmon fillets (2 no's)
Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp (use as per your preference)
Onion or shallots finely chopped - 1/4 cup
Ginger and Garlic finely chopped - 1 tsp
Tomato - 1 small ,finely chopped
Paprika or Red chili powder - 1 and 1/2 tsp (use as per your preference)
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala powder - 1/4 tsp (or else use Meat masala Powder)
Vinegar - 1tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 tbsp

Method


* Marinate the sliced fish with enough salt, 1/2 tsp Paprika or Red chili powder, pepper powder, a pinch of turmeric (if using) & vinegar. Keep for half an hour.

* Keep the Puff pastry dough outside the freezer for sometime (1/2 an hour to 1 hour)

* Heal oil in a pan, shallow fry the marinated fish pieces till cooked, remove from oil.

* To the same oil, add chopped onion, garlic and ginger, saute for a few minutes, then ad finely chopped tomato pieces, saute till everything looks cooked.

* Add the remaining Paprika/Red chili powder, turmeric powder,coriander powder (if using) & Garam Masala or  Meat Masala powder,Stir to combine and cook for another minute.

*Add the fried fish pieces, use the spoon to mash the cooked fish to the thick masala/gravy.

* Add salt to taste and switch off the heat.

* Preheat the Oven to 400 Degree F.

* Spread 1 sheet of the puff pastry dough on to a floured surface, lightly spread the sheet using a rolling pin to extend it a bit.

* Cut in to squares as shown in the picture, using a rolling pin again roll each squares to extend it again a bit.

*Place 1 to 2 Tbsp filling on one end of the square (use filling,depending on the size of the square)

* Bring the opposite ends together, may use water to make it stick to each other, this then looks almost like a triangle.

* Leaving the joined ends,  bring together the other 2 ends of the triangle and twist its ends together to make it looks like the fish tail. (May use water to make it stick)


* Place pepper corns as Eyes to the fish.

*May give these an egg wash or milk wash before baking it in 400 degree F preheated oven for 15 minutes (Approx) or till its outside looks golden brown.

& NA wanted to introduce these guys to the fishes here

Happy Weekend !

Cheers
TN

Uzhunnu Vada / Medhu Vada / Fried Lentil Dumplings

Since Easter I am busy enjoying some non vegetarian food
though I have the guilt of having it each time I enjoy it,of late I have lost my control over my taste buds as its over powering the guilt in me.
Also  I am disappointed with the weather here :(
I was in a mood to write about the Spring Season,
but the sudden change in climate was indeed disappointing,
as I believe that Spring is a Season of colors and and it bring with it a good spirit of "Hope"

But quiet deceiving was how it looked and felt this time,
In Malayalam (My mother tongue) we call it "Chathi"  I don't know the apt word for it in English , may call it  "Betrayal" or something,  as that was what I experienced this time.
I started loving my budding plants I sowed early this month, was waiting to see the flowers and those vibrant colors which donates a positive energy, those tiny leaves started spreading freshness,
making my home more lively,
but yesterday when I woke up,
everything was - gone with the wind !

But somehow NA's plants are saved , it was lying indoor,at least she's not disappointed on her first trial.

May be its because of my imperfect perception about the weather here,
whatever the reason may be I am at present very disappointed :(

Anyways hope you all enjoyed Easter and Vishu.
One of the change which happened to me after starting this blog is the significance I tend to give for all the known festival no matter the religion or who celebrates it, I find some happiness in being part of it, satisfaction of prioritizing small things in life for the good being the end result.

Here is the recipe for Uzhunnu Vada/Medhu Vada, its a very popular fried snack in India.
Crispy on the outside but soft and flavorful inside  is how this snack is, texture wise,
 though a little tricky as its shape seems, the only difficulty is to make the hole in it, which can be done only with the required consistency of the batter.

Ingredients

Urad Dal /Uzhunnu - 1 cup
Rice Flour - 2 tbsp
Onion - 1 medium finely chopped
Green Chili's - 3 to 5 no's (adjust as per your preference)
Whole Black Pepper crushed - 1/2 tsp
Ginger crushed and chopped finely - 1 Tbsp
Curry Leaves - 1 or 2 springs
Salt to taste
Oil for frying.

Method

* Soak Urad dal in water for sometime(atleast 45 minutes (I used split urad dal, which gets soft sooner than the whole Urad dal) Soak up to 2 hours if its whole Urad Dal.

* Drain away water from the soaked Urad dal and grind it adding  pepper and salt to it, add not more than 1 to 3 tbsp of water to help grinding it easy, but its better not to add any water.
 Keep in warm place for it to get fermented a bit, at least 5 hour's.
May fry these within 1 hour time, but the texture does vary, the more it sits, its texture when fried matures and becomes nice and crispy on the outside and soft inside.

* Add all the other ingredients to the fermented batter and mix thoroughly to combine, add rice flour l (purpose is to make it thick in consistency, hence add accordingly).

*Heat oil in any frying pan to deep fry these, when the oil is really hot reduce the heat to medium, dip your palm in water before placing the batter, place 2 Tbsp(approx) of the thick batter, to make a flat round, dip your point finger of your other hand in water and make a hole in the middle of the batter taken, slowly slide the vada into hot oil.

* Fry each Vada's accordingly , till each sides looks golden brown and crispy on the outside.

* Drain it to any paper towel and enjoy it with Coconut Chutney.

Notes :
           - The hole's are made to easily cook it in the inside, as otherwise it takes longer to cook, if you find it difficult to make it, simply fry small balls (with 1 tbsp) of the batter.
            Initially I used to find it difficult, so I used to make space in the middle using the back side of a spoon after placing the batter in the hot oil, the hole's never used to look good but its purpose was met.

           - Batter stays in the refrigerator for up to 3 days , store in air tight containers.
           - Watch Video in Youtube - Mia's Kitchen Recipe for Medhu Vada / Uzhunnu Vada, if planning to make these.

          

Cheers
TN

Happy Easter

Made some Vanilla cup cake - Recipe adapted from Cooks.com

Used Hot Fudge for topping or else use what ever you like to frost'em

Use some fruit strips/ and Jelly Beans

To make'em look like Baskets :) 

Almost Baskets :)

Real Quick Easter Basket Cup Cakes

May use green colored frosting to make it more colorful,
I'll do it for next Easter
 :)

Wishing you all a very Blessed and Happy Easter

Enjoy !

Cheers
TN

Soya Chunk Cutlets

A thought about thinking less

And another one 

I admire people who likes to keep silence,

I wish I could be like them 

:(

Have a very nutritious appetizer - recipe to share, though it can no way help me talk less ;) 

It definitely helps to keep our-self healthy and fit,  since Soy-chunks are packed with Protein and Fiber. 

Ingredients 

Soya Chunks - 3 cups (Approx) - soak in water for 1/2 an hour before using. 

Potatoes - 2 medium sized ( boiled and mashed.)

Onion - 1 medium (finely chopped)

Garlic - 5 to 7 no's (finely chopped )

Ginger - 2 tbsp (when crushed) 

Green chili's - 2 to 4 no's chopped (Adjust as per your preference)

Cilantro & Mint - 1/4 cup finely chopped (Optional- may not use if you don't like its flavor) 

Salt to taste 

Oil - 2 Tbsp 

Spice- Mix 

Garam Masala - 1 tsp 

Red chili powder or use Kashmiri Chili Powder - 2 Tsp (Adjust according to your preference) 

Coriander Powder - 2 Tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp 

Black Pepper crushed - 1/2 tsp 

For frying 

Bread Crumbs (or else use Rava/Semolina) - for coating 

Egg (or else Thick Butter milk) - for coating 

Oil - for frying.

Method 

* Soak Soya chunks in water for at least 1/2 an hour then cook the same with enough salt added to it, until it becomes tender, takes about 15 minutes, drain away the water and shred the chunks using a food processor or blender. Keep these aside. 

* Heat Oil in a pan , add finely chopped onion, garlic, ginger and green chili's , saute these till they start to turn brown.

* Add cooked, shredded chunks to it and stir nicely, cook in medium to high heat until any water in it evaporates. 

* Sprinkle all the spice mix to it, while you keep on stirring, add chopped cilantro, mashed potato & salt to taste , just before you switch off the heat. 

* Once the mixture is cooled, take about 2 tbsp of the mixture each to shape it (I made Oval shape)

* Dip each Cutlets in lightly beaten eggs / or thick Butter milk then coat'em with bread crumbs or Semolina/ Rava.

* May store these in  air tight containers, stays in refrigerator for 2 to 3 days or else may freeze these. 

* Deep fry or shallow fry Soya chunk Cutlets.

 Serve hot with Ketchup and / or Onion Salad.

Cheers

TN

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