Thepla ( Gujarati Cuisine )

Thepla

Makes: 4

Ingredients

1 cup ( 200 ml / 8 oz ) whole wheat flour atta
1/3 cup ( 50 ml/ 3 oz ) curd
3/4 teaspoon red chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin jeers seeds
1/2 teaspoon ajwain
1/3 cup ( 50 ml / 3 oz ) water ( for mixing the dough )
4 teaspoon cooking oil

Method

Mix all the ingredients in a big bowl ( except water and oil ) and make a soft dough with water. Set aside in an airtight container for 15 minutes.

Divide the dough into 4 equal portions / balls.

Roll into thin chapatis.

Place a non - stick frying pan / griddle / tawa on heat. Place a thepla on the frying pan / tawa and cook for few seconds until little bubbles appear. Turn over and cook for 1/2 minute or until brown specks appear. Cook each side for 1/2 minute and remove from tawa. Apply little oil on both sides of the thepla and stack them on top of each other.

Serve with mango pickle / alu bhujia / green chutney/ navratan mixture ( farsaan )...

Potato Tomato Curry ( with coconut and without onion & garlic )

Potato Tomato Curry ( with coconut & without onion and garlic - Saraswat Cuisine )

Serves: 3 - 4

Ingredients

2 potatoes, cut into desired shape
1 tomato, roughly chopped
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt ( or to taste )

For Coconut Masala / Paste

3/4 cup grated coconut
1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoon water
Extra 2 tablespoon water

Make a smooth paste of above ingredients with 2 tablespoon water in a mixer. Dilute coconut paste with extra 2 tablespoon water.

For Seasoning:

1 teaspoon cooking oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 spring curry leaves

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds. When they splutter and curry leaves and fry for 2 - 3 minutes on a low heat.

Method

Boil potato cubes with chopped tomatoes in 1/2 cup water. Add salt to taste. Cover with a lid and boil on a low heat for 15 - 20 minutes or till done ( or you can separately cook Potato cubes in Microwave - Microwave High for 3 minutes with 1/2 cup water and then mix with chopped tomatoes and cook on a low heat for 10 minutes ).

Add coconut paste, adjust salt, mix well, stir occasionally. Cover with a lid and cook on a low heat for 10 minutes.

Pour seasoning over this curry. Serve as a side dish with rice / dosa / chapati...

Vattayappam for Christmas

Vattayappam for Christmas
( Traditional Kerala Dish )

Recipe Credit - Ms Lily Babu Jose, Cochin

Ingredients

1 cup rice flour

1/4 cup Sugar

1/2 cup water ( for sooji / rawa )

1 tablespoon rawa / sooji

1/2 cup grated coconut
2 tablespoon water ( for grinding coconut )
1 1/2 teaspoon yeast

1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oil for greasing

1 tablespoon raisins

Method

For Yeast Solution:

Mix 2 tablespoon warm water with 2 teaspoon sugar. Add 1 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast. Cover and keep aside for 20 - 25 minutes.

For Vattayappam:

Cook rawa with 1/2 cup of water into a thick porridge. Cook on a low heat and stirring continuously.

Grind grated coconut with water to a fine paste.

In a big bowl, combine rice flour yeast solution, ground coconut, cooked rawa, sugar and salt. Mix well, cover with a lid and keep aside for 8 -10 hours or overnight. Quantity of the mixture will be almost double after fermentation. Sprinkle cardamom powder and mix well.

Grease a steel bowl with 1 teaspoon oil. Pour vattayappam batter, spread it evenly with a flat spatula and decorate with raisins. Steam in a pressure cooker on a medium heat for 25 - 30 minutes. Cut into desired shape and serve as a snack or it goes well with spicy curries too.

Tip: Vattayappam is perfectly steamed when a cake skewer inserted in the centre comes out completely free of vattayappam dough / batter.

Muffins

Muffins

Makes: 20

Ingredients

2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon soda bi carb ( baking soda )
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

Sieve flour, soda bi carb, baking powder and salt.

Beat together egg and sugar.

Add milk and butter.

Combine sieved ingredients and mix to make a creamy consistency.

Spoon out onto greased patty tins and bake at 190 * C or 375* F for 30 minutes or until done.