Thattai

Thattai - name calls for crisp,tasteful snack anytime. Down south of India along with Seedai thattai is also made on Lord Krishna's birthday or Krishna Jayanthi.

Ingredients:

1 cup - Idli rice or Boiled rice
1/4 cup - Pottukadalai or roasted gram dhal
1 tbs     - Pepper powder
1 tbs    - Asafatida
2 tbs   - Channa Dhal or Kadalai Parupu
1 arc.  - Curry leaves
1 tbs.   - Red Chilly powder or flakes
Salt to Taste
Water to soak rice and dhal
Oil to deep fry

Method
1. Soak rice for 4hrs. Drain and grind into a fine semi liquid batter
2. Soak Channa dhal for 1hr
3. Grind the pottukadalai into powder
4. In a bowl add in the rice batter. To it add pottukadalai powder little by little in small quantities.
5. Add in salt,chilly powder,pepper powder,asafatida,Channa Sal drained,curry leaves.
6. Mix well into a dough.

7. Meanwhile heat oil on medium flame or induction 3 point
8. Take a small lemon size dough and flatten it round using 3 fingers a tissue paper or plastic sheet or wet cloth.
9. Test a bit of dough in oil to check temperature of oil. Dough has to raise up.
10. Slowly drop 2 to 3 flattened dough into oil depending on size of your pan

11. Turn the dough after 30 secs to other. Fry them until golden brown.
12. Drain it on to a tissue paper and store it in air tight container once it cools down.

Bharwan Lal Mirch Aachar

Lal Mirch Aachar - A common pickle in northern parts of India. I have been tasting since my childhood. Made by my mother, aunts. Note: there are many alternate receipe options also.

Ingredients:
2tbs - Turmeric powder
1 ltr - Mustard oil
25gms - Dry coriander seeds
25gms - Fenugreek / Methi seeds
25gms - Brown or Black Mustard seeds
10 pcs  - Dry red chilly
2 tbs.    - Dry Mango powder
25gms  - Saunf or Fennel seeds
5 tbs.    - Black Salt or  if, Rock Salt then 4tbs, if, table salt 5tbs
400 gms/10 to 12 - Fresh long Red Chillies
2tbs.     - Asafetida

Method:
1. Wash & dry the red chillies with a dry cloth.
2. Cut the chillies into 2 to 3 pcs each measuring at least 5 inches
3. Scoop out the seeds seperately.
4. Coat the chillies with some mustard oil
5. In a pan dry roast all ingredients except salt. Dry roast salt after switching off the flame
6. Cool them and grind them into powder along with the seeds taken out from fresh chillies
7. Fill tightly the powder into  the red chillies.
8. Meanwhile heat the mustard oil until the smoke comes.
9. Have a sterilized glass or ceramic jar.
10. Place in the chillies on by one into the bottle.
11. Once oil cools down pour it into the jar or bottle .
12. Remember oil should be at least 1/4th of the glass. This avoids fungus formation.
13. Keep under sunlight for a week.
14. Keep it in a dry place and use for minimum 6 months.

Crunchy & Yummy dinner platter

Got bored of the usual dinner platter. At times joining different cuisines for a meal makes a great platter. Try this time a thick soup, crunchy cool salad with Focaccia by side.

Carrot Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
Carrot-1 , Onion-1,Garlic-2 pods,Thoor Dal-1/4 cup,Yellow Moong Dal- 1/4 cup, Water-3cups,Salt & Pepper to taste,Mixed herb seasoning, Butter-1Tbs

In a pressure cooker add in the butter. To it add in the veggies, lentils, half salt. Sure for 2mins. Add water to it. Cook until 5 whistles come up. Cool and drain water & keep aside. Grind the veggies and lentils. Pour in the paste to the drained water and mix well. Add in remaining salt, pepper,mixed herbs. Serve hot with krutons.

Feta Cheese Cool Salad
Ingredients:
Feta Cheese-100gms, Cucumber-1 cut in circles, Onion-1, Green Chilly - Finely Chopped, Letuce- 1/2 Cup, Apple Cider Vinegar- 1/2tbs,Pepper-1tbs,Olive Oil- 2tbs,Salt half the usual as Feta Cheese contains salt,Green Coriander,Blanched French Beans-5, Sugar-1/4tbs

In a bowl add in all the veggies cut lengthwise except for cucumber in circles. Make a salad dressing with apple cider,pepper,Olive oil,green coriander,half salt, sugar. Beat well. Pour the dressing into the veggies. Mix well and add in Feta cheese to it and mix well gently. Refrigerate it for 10 mins and then serve cool.

Veg Cheesy Focaccia Bread
Ingredients:
Focaccia bread- 1, Red Yellow Green Capsicum- 1 cup, Onion-1 cup sliced, Tomato sliced-1 cup, Mozerella Cheese grated-1cup, Bolanse Sauce- 1 cup, Pesto Sauce- 1/4 cup, Salt pepper & mixed herbs to sprinkle.

Cut the focaccia into 4 parts and slit them.
Rub butter and make it half crisp by baking it in Oven for 2mins. Once done layer it with Bolanse Sauce, Pesto sauce, Capsicums, Onions, Salt,pepper,mixed herbs, Mozzerela on top. Bake them on a silver foil tray for 12mins @ 220 Degrees.

Platter the above on a plate with Salad and Soup.
Enjoy ths