Channa Dhal stuffed Paratha

I always try different types of stuffed paratha for my son's lunch box and one such hit is channa dhal stuffed paratha.Channa dhal paratha is a simple and delicious parathas which is a good option for lunch box with pickle and yogurt.It has a unique flavor and taste which is a real feast for the taste buds.The recipe as follows...

Ingredients

For the Filling

Ingredient	Quantity
Channa dhal	1cup
Onion	1no.(medium size)
Ginger(finely chopped)	1tsp
Green chilly	4nos.
Turmeric powder	1/2tsp
Garam masala powder	1/2tsp
Coriander leaves(finely chopped)	1tbs
Salt	a pinch
Oil	2tsp

For the dough

Ingredient	Quantity
Wheat flour	11/2cups
All purpose flour	1/2cup
Salt	to taste
Water	approximately 1cup(to knead)
Oil	1+2tbs(to cook parathas)

Method

                          Mix the flours,salt,oil and add water,knead it to a soft and smooth dough with water.Keep it covered with a damp cloth for 1/2 hour.

Meanwhile prepare the filling by boiling the channa dhal in a pressure cooker for a whistle or a open pot till it is tender.Drain the water and coarsely grind it in a blender or mash it with a masher,keep aside.

Keep a pan in a medium flame and crackle the cumin seeds then add green chilles and ginger.Saute the onion till transparent with a pinch of salt.

Now add the salt,turmeric powder and garam masala powder,stir it then ground channa dhal,and give it a mix.Finally add the coriander leaves and turn off the stove.The filling is ready.

Divide the dough and the filling into equal portions,flatten the dough to a 3 inch disc and keep the stuffing in it.Gently pull the edges to the center,seal it and flatten it.Now on a floured surface, roll each flattened ball gently to a desired thickness.

Heat a griddle on a medium flame and cook the parathas both sides.

Serve it with pickle and yogurt.

Enjoy.....

• Ginger and garlic paste can be added for extra taste and flavor.
• A tsp of carom seeds can be mixed in the flour while making the dough which gives a nice aroma and aids digestion.
• Amchur powder can also be added for extra tangy taste.
• Dusting it with all purpose flour(maida) helps the rolling easy.

Sending this to LGSS-Stuffed Paratha event happenings in Vardhini's Kitchen.

Also sending Paneer Paratha to the event.

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Mint and Green peas Pulao

This yet another simple and flavorful pulao in my kitchen which is a one pot meal ideal for lunchbox and parties.I have lot of mint plants in my backyard and before the peak winter starts I wanted to use the leaves.Yesterday I made this pulao and here follows the flavorful recipe.........

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
Basmathi rice	11/2cups
Onion(thinly sliced)	2nos.(medium size)
Ginger&garlic paste	11/2tsp
Green peas	1/2cup
Garam masala powder	1/2tsp
Lemon juice	11/2tsp
Cashews(broken)	2tbs
Salt	to taste
Oil+ghee	1tbs

To Grind

Ingredient	Quantity
Mint leaves	1cup
Green chilly	5-6nos.
Coconut(grated)	2tbs

To Season

Ingredient	Quantity
Cloves(lavangam)	3nos.
Cinnamom(pattai)	1 inch piece
Star anise	1no.
Bay leaf	1no.
Cardamom	1no.

Method

                               Soak the basmathi rice for 15 minutes and grind the mint leaves,green chillies and coconut to a fine paste.
Heat a pressure pan with oil and ghee,season it with the spices given "to season".Add the cashews and fry the onion till transparent,then ginger&garlic paste.
Now add the ground paste,garam masala powder,saute it for a minute till the raw smell goes off.
Add 13/4 cups of water and let it boil,once the water is boiled add the soaked rice and green peas,cook it for one whistle in a medium flame.Then keep it in the low flame for 5 minutes.Open it after the pressure subsides and finally add the lemon juice and fluff it with a fork gently.
Serve it with raitha,pickle or chips.

Enjoy.......

• Instead of using ginger&garlic paste it can be grind along with the mint leaves.
• Coconut milk and tomato can also be added for extra rich flavor and taste.
• Some times I add coriander leaves along with the mint leaves.

Sending this to Cooking With Seeds-Peas event happenings in Priyas Easy And Tasty Recipes and to the Royal Feast-Biriyani event by Reva of Karasaaram.

Also sending the Green Peas Kurma to Priya's event and Cauliflower and Peas Pulao
to both events.

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Poondu(Garlic) Podi/Powder

Poondu podi is a simple and easy to make spicy powder with red chillies and garlic which is a condiment for idly and dosa.I had this podi first time in my MIL's place and its my hubby's favorite and learned it from her.This podi is not only as an accompaniment for idly it can be used in the stir fry such as potato,raw banana and to make podi dosa.Since it is a spicy podi it needs to be topped with generous amount of sesame oil or ghee.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
Red chilly	12-15nos.
Channa dhal(kadalai paruppu)	2tbs
Garlic(big size)	8-10 cloves
Salt	to taste

Method
                       Dry roast the red chillies and channa dhal separately.Pound the garlic with the skin in a mortar and fry it till the color changes and let it cool down completely.

 In a blender first add the red chillies and powder it coarsely,then add in the channa dhal and grind it.Finally add the garlic,salt and pulse it.(not to grind continuously otherwise it becomes like chutney).

Serve it with Idly

Enjoy.....

• No need to peel the skin of the garlic and top it with generous amount of sesame oil.
• Sometimes I add curry leaves for extra flavor and taste.
• After grinding,if it is not dry, dry roast the powder in a pan which is on a low flame for couple of minutes.It will be powdery after cooling.
  

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Bombay Halwa/Maida Halwa

Today is a special day for me,its been100 days since I started blogging.In these 100 days I gained lot of knowledge in blogging and come across so many amazing blogs.I got more than 100 friends who are following my blog and received 4 awards.I like to convey my heartfelt thanks to all my talented and wonderful fellow bloggers,friends who are supporting  me with their valuable comments to achieve this.To celebrate this special day I like to share a delicious and special sweet with all my friends.
Halwa is one of my favorite and hubby's too,this is a very famous sweet in my home town,usually halwa is made of whole wheat but this one is with maida and ghee.I make this sweet for special occasions and here is the recipe for the mouth watering recipe...

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
All purpose flour	1cup
Sugar	21/2cups
Ghee	11/2cups
Cardamom powder	1/2tsp
Food color(red or orange)	1/8tsp
Cashews(broken)	1/4cup
Almonds(broken)	1/4cup
Salt	a pinch
Corn flour(optional)	1tbs

Method  


                              Mix maida,corn flour,salt and food color with 2-21/2 cups of water(like buttermilk),strain it and set aside.Keep a heavy bottom wide mouth pan on the stove top with half cup of water,dissolve the sugar and let it boil till it reaches single string consistency.
Once the sugar syrup reaches the consistency add in the maida mixture and stir it vigorously till it cooks.
Now slowly add ghee with intervals and stir it continuously till the mix mixture leaves the sides.Add the cardamom powder and turn off the stove.Fry the cashews and almonds in a tsp of ghee and add half amount of nuts to the halwa.
Grease a tray with ghee and sprinkle the remaining nuts on the tray.Now pour the mixture on the tray and allow it to cool.
Cut into desired shape with the knife or it can be served as such with a ladle.

Enjoy......

• To get a perfect halwa the amount ghee is so important so don't compromise on that.
• Using corn flour with the maida is optional but it gives a glossy texture to the halwa.
• The amount sugar can be increased or decreased according ti your taste buds.

Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

Whole Wheat Almond Cookies

My son loves cookies a lot especially home made and likes to take for his snack along with some fresh fruits. So I always bake some cookies and store it,to make it healthier I use wheat flour and sometimes oats.I learned this recipe from my close friend  M who does lots of baking experiment and original recipe is with all purpose flour and semolina.

This is an easy to make cookie with lesser number of ingredients with a flavor of cardamom.These cookies are addictive,simple and perfect with a cup of tea.Here is the recipe for a delicious,eggless mouth melt cookies with whole wheat flour and almonds.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
Wheat flour	1cup
Sugar	1/3cup
Butter(room temperature)	1/2cup
Almond(Powdered)	1/4cup
Cardamom powder	1/2tsp
Baking powder	1/2tsp
Salt	1/2tsp

Method

                                      Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl with a hand blender until soft & fluffy.Add in the flour,almond powder,baking powder salt and the cardamom powder,mix it well till everything gets blend. Form a dough by gently kneading with hands to a soft dough.
Divide the dough into equal portions of small balls,flatten slightly each ball by pressing gently with thumb or with a fork.Keep in the greased baking tray with enough space between each cookie.Bake in the preheated oven for 18-25minutes or until nice golden color(for me it took 22 mins).
Store it in a an air tight container once its cool down completely.

Enjoy........

• Vanilla extract can also be added for extra flavor.
• Here,I have powdered the whole almonds in the blender to a fine powder which can be substituted with cashews or pistachios.
• If the dough is crumbly add couple of tbs of milk to make it soft.

Sending this to Bake Fest  started by Vardhini and hosting by Sangeetha and Srivalli's Snack Mela,
Kirthi's Serve It Series,Julie's Christmas delicacy event.
Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com