gluten free – Batter Up With Sujata

Shahi Dum Aloo

Shahi dum aloo. A no onion garlic rich creamy and delicious curry. Easy to make spicy and flavorful curry to paired with puri, paratha, roti, fried rice, jeera rice or pulao. A perfect side dish for this festive season.

On upcoming Navaratri which starts from 7th October this year, many people avoid onion garlic on these days. So here is a mouthwatering and easy recipe for you. You can also make it to serve as Bhog prasad with Luchi, Basanti pulao, Bhuni khichuri or Bengali pulao. I have served it with basanti pulao.

Potatoes are always comes to our resque when no other vegetables available for some reason. I always store potatoes when my vegetable vendor is on leave. Versatile potatoes are

• Packed With Nutrients.

• Contain Antioxidants. Potatoes are rich in compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic acids

• May Improve Blood Sugar Control

• May Improve Digestive Health

• Naturally Gluten-Free

• Incredibly Filling

• Extremely Versatile

To read more about health benefits of potato click here.

Some fragrant spices are used to make this potato curry flavorful. I have used ground paste of these spices. You can also use these cardamom, cloves and cinnamon in tempering or tadka. If you are using in tempering don’t forget to crush the whole spices in a mortar pestle. But I like my gravy smooth and many people don’t like if these whole spices comes in mouth while eating. So to make the gravy smooth and creamy grind the spices into a smooth paste. And you can also add 1-2 tablespoon fresh cream at the end of cooking if you want.

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Recipe

Small potatoes – 500 gram

Tomato – 1 medium, chopped

Green chilli – 3-4 or to taste

Ginger – 1 inch piece

Cashew nuts – 10

Melon seeds – 1 tablespoon

Poppy seeds or khas khas – 1 tablespoon

Green cardamom – 3

Cinnamon – 1/2 Inch piece

Cloves – 3

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 2 teaspoon

Curd or yogurt – 4 tablespoon

Mustard oil – 3 tablespoon

Salt to taste

Sugar – 1/2 teaspoon

Kasuri methi – 1 teaspoon

Water – 1&1/2 cup + 4 tablespoon

Ghee or clarified – 2 teaspoon

Cilantro or coriander leaves – to garnish

Method

1. Boil the potatoes in a pressure cooker for 2 whistle. Don’t make too soft because we will fry the potatoes. If you don’t have small potatoes then you can also use large size potatoes. Cut the boiled potatoes in large pieces before frying.

2. Let the cooker cool down. Take out the potatoes and peel them. Prick the potatoes with a fork and keep aside.

3. Dry grind poppy seeds, melon seeds and cashew nuts. Add 3-4 tablespoon water and grind again. Make a smooth paste. Pour the paste into a bowl. Mix well beaten curd or yogurt with the mixture and keep aside.

4. In the same grinder grind tomato, ginger, 1-2 green chilli, cinnamon, green cardamom and cloves. You can use green cardamom, cinnamon and cloves for tempering or tadka but I recommend to grind everything into a smooth paste to get creamy smooth gravy. And the whole spices will not come in mouth while eating.

5. Heat oil in a pan. Add potatoes and salt. Fry till potatoes becomes golden brown.

6. Add tomato, ginger, green chilli, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves paste. Mix well. Add cumin powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder. Saute till oil leaves the sides.

7. Reduce the heat and add cashew nuts, melon seeds and poppy seeds paste mixed with curd or yogurt. Saute till everything dried up and oil leaves the sides. Don’t increase the heat. Cook on simmer to avoid curdling the yogurt.

8. Add 1 & 1/2 cup water, sugar, 2-3 green chilli and little salt. Remember we have added salt in potatoes.

9. Increase the flame. When the gravy starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Cook on simmer for 10-15 minutes. Or till you get your desired consistency.

10. Crush Kasuri methi with your palm and add in potatoes. Taste and adjust the salt if required. Add a dollop of ghee or clarified butter and remove from heat. You can add 1-2 tablespoon fresh cream if you like. I didn’t.

11. Garnish with chopped cilantro or coriander leaves. Serve with any pulao, steamed rice, puri, luchi, naan, paratha or any Indian flatbread.

Notes

1. You can use almond instead of cashew nuts.

2. Use chilli according to your spice tolerance.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

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Basanti Pulao

Basanti pulao or Bengali sweet yellow pulao. Bright yellow coloured aromatic rice made with fragrant gobindobhog rice saffron and aromatic whole spices taste heavenly with any spicy curry. A festive dish from Bengali cuisine. Basanti stands for yellow. This sweet yellow pulao called basanti pulao, holud pulao or misti pulao. Basanti pulao also taste great with Basmati rice, so you can use whatever you have.

Durga puja is around the corner. Try this aromatic rice to celebrate your festival. You can also make it for bhog prasad for Goddess. To know about Durga Puja or Sharad Utsab click here. For bhog or naivedya different types of dishes are prepared to offer Goddess Durga. Reading a book Bhog Naivedya by Sujata Shukla. Copy pasting a line from the book, “This is not just faith, but also a nation’s food culture, brought to you on a puja thali!.” I completely agree with it. You can get many more authentic recipes on above Durga Puja post link. As I said you can serve this pulao with any veg or non veg spicy curry. I served it with shahi dum aloo. I will share the recipe soon.

Here are some no onion garlic veg curry recipes which you can serve with this pulao.

Pointed gourd in yogurt gravy

You can also serve this pulao with any non veg curry like

Fragrant gobindobhog rice with whole spices made this pulao aromatic. But if you don’t have gobindobhog rice then you can use Basmati rice. I usually make basanti pulao with Basmati rice because gobindobhog rice is not available outside Bengal. Have a look at how it looks with basmati rice. In this pulao I have used basmati rice and instead of saffron used little turmeric powder.

But this time got gobindobhog rice online. I used saffron or keshar to make this pulao basanti or yellow. If you don’t have saffron then you can use little food colour or turmeric. But I recommend to use saffron for the lovely aroma and colour.

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Recipe

Gobindobhog rice – 1&1/4 cup

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon

Saffron or keshar – 1/4 teaspoon

Milk – 3 tablespoon

Cumin seeds or jeera – 1/2 teaspoon

Green cardamom – 3

Cloves – 3

Cinnamon – 1 inch piece

Bay leaf – 1

Cashew nuts – 15

Raisins – 15

Ginger – 1 teaspoon, grated or paste

Salt – 1 teaspoon or to taste

Sugar – 2-3 tablespoon

Bengali garam masala powder – 1 teaspoon

Mace or javitri powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Nutmeg or jaiphal powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Water – 2 & 1/2 cup

Method

1. Wash the rice well. Drain the water completely. Marinate the rice with 1 teaspoon ghee, salt, sugar, grated ginger or paste, nutmeg or jaiphal powder, mace or javitri powder, cumin powder and 1/2 teaspoon Bengali garam masala powder. Get the recipe of Bengali garam masala here. I have used 1 teaspoon salt and 2&1/2 teaspoon Sugar and its perfect for me. Mix everything well and keep aside.

2. Soak saffron for 15 minutes in 3 tablespoon warm milk. After 15 minutes crush the saffron with your finger tips and let it soak for some more time.

3. Crush the green cardamom, cloves and cinnamon in a mortar pestle.

4. Heat remaining ghee in a pan or wok. You can use half oil and half ghee if you want but ghee taste better. Fry the cashew nuts on low medium heat. Keep stirring to fry the nuts evenly. When cashew nuts becomes light golden brown transfer the nuts on a plate.

5. Now fry the raisins. When raisins fluff up immediately remove from ghee and transfer on a plate.

6. In the same ghee add cumin seeds, crushed green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf. When cumin seeds starts to splutter add marinated rice and fry for 2-3 minutes.

7. Add saffron soaked milk, water and fried cashew nuts and raisins. Mix well.

8. Cover and cook for 5 minutes on high heat. After 5 minutes reduce the heat and cook on simmer for 5 minutes again.

9. Now stir the rice gently and check. Add little more water if required. I had to add 1/4 cup more water. Cover and cook on simmer for 5 minutes more or till water absorbed.

10. Add 1/2 teaspoon Bengali garam masala powder, mix and switch off the heat.

11. Cover and leave it to rest for 5-10 minutes. Now fluff the rice gently and serve with any spicy curry.

Recipe notes

1. Basmati rice can be used instead of gobindobhog rice.

2. You can use turmeric powder or yellow food colour instead of saffron or keshar.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

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Sri Lankan Egg Curry

Sri Lankan egg curry. A spicy aromatic and lipsmackingly delicious curry from Sri Lankan cuisine. If you’re bored of your regular egg curry then try this egg curry with a completely different taste and flavour.

Coconut milk and spices made this curry superbly delicious. I always love to use aromatic spices. And this curry is absolutely flavorful and mouthwatering. Usually Srilankan curry powder, fish flakes and pandarus leaves are used in this curry. But I don’t have these ingredients. So I used all the spices of Sri lankan curry powder separately. And skipped pandarus leaves and fish flakes. Believe me taste is too good.

Earlier shared some more egg curry recipes on this blog.

. Dim kosha or spicy egg curry

. Eggs in green curry

. Dim posto or eggs in poppy seeds gravy

. Kerala egg roast with potato

. Egg korma

. Eggs in mustard gravy

. Egg with yogurt sauce

. Spicy egg or masala egg

. Piperade with Indian spices

And you may also like to try South Indian turnip curry from Priya Iyer. I am going to try it soon.

I don’t like my curry too hot. But if you like the curry more spicy and hot then you can use 1-2 chopped green chilli. I have used whole dry red chilli for tempering. To make the curry more spicy break or chop the red chilli into 2-3 pieces. Don’t skip the powdered spices. These spices will make your curry flavorful and delicious.

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Recipe

Egg – 3-4, hard boiled

Onion – 1 large, thinly sliced

Garlic – 3 cloves, minced or grated

Ginger – 1 inch piece, grated

Tomato – 2 medium, finely chopped

Mustard seeds – 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves – 1 spring

Dry red chilli – 2

Fennel or sounf powder – 1 teaspoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Cinnamon powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Cloves powder – 1/8 teaspoon

Mace or javitri powder – 1/8 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Red chilli powder – 1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Thick coconut milk – 1 cup

Water – 1/4

cup Oil – 3 tablespoon

Cilantro or coriander leaves for garnishing

Method

1. Peel the hard boiled eggs. Make some slit on the eggs with a knife.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the eggs till light golden brown and remove from oil.

3. In the same oil add mustard seeds. When mustard seeds starts to splutter add dry red chilli and curry leaves. You can chop or break the dry red chilli in 2-3 pieces, if you want to make your curry hot.

4. Now add garlic and sliced onion. You can also add 1-2 chopped green chilli with sliced onion if you want.

5. When onion becomes light brown add tomatoes, salt and all the spice powder. Saute till tomato becomes mushy.

6. Add coconut water and water. Add a few finely chopped curry leaves. Let it boil. You can also add 1-2 slit green chili if you want.

7. When it starts to rolling boil add the eggs and reduce the heat. Cover the pan and cook on simmer for 5-6 minutes.

8. Switch off the heat. Garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice, Pulao, Barista fried rice, Bengali pulao, Fried rice, or any bread.

Recipe note – Use chilli according to your spice tolerance.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

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Steamed Vegetable In Rice Cooker

Steamed vegetable in rice cooker. Vegetables are smeared with salt and herbs and steamed on banana leaf till vegetables become fork tender. An easy to cook delicious flavorful and nutritious dish without any oil.

You can enjoy these steamed vegetables on it’s own as a salad or main dish. Or you can also serve this with white sauce. Slightly crunchy and flavorful vegetables taste wonderful. I have served it with grilled paneer or cottage cheese and white sauce.

I have placed the vegetables on banana leaf before steaming. Vegetables release juice while steaming. We don’t want to discard the nutritios juice of vegetables, right? So place any edible leaf under the vegetables. Or you can cook your rice or any other dishes under vegetable basket so that juice of vegetables will mix into the dish below.

I have used mushrooms, broccoli, French beans, carrots, cauliflower, baby corn, sweet corn and green peas and seasoned with rock salt, garlic powder, black pepper powder and oregano. You can use any herbs of your choice. If you don’t have rock salt, use any salt instead. You can also use any vegetable of your choice. Add vegetables less or more according to your taste.

You may also like Baked vegetables on this blog. Or you might like to try Chinese style steamed eggplant from Preethi’s blog.

So here is the recipe as I made this steamed vegetables. My daughter and I love this steamed vegetables as main dish. I gave the measurement of vegetables as we like. You can always use more or less according to your taste. Or you can also use any vegetable of your choice. I like my vegetables in stripes but you can chop the vegetables in small cubes or in round shape. Small sized vegetables will cook quickly. Chop the vegetables in your desired size and shape. As I mentioned above that you can use any herbs of your choice. You can also use Indian spices if you want.

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Recipe

Mushroom – 250 gram

Broccoli – 1

French beans – 1 cup, chopped

Cauliflower – a few florets

Baby corn – 10

Sweet corn – 3/4 cup

Green peas – 1/2 cup

Carrot -2

For seasoning

Rock salt

Garlic powder

Oregano

Black pepper powder

Method

1. Wash all the vegetables well. Cut the broccoli into medium size florets. Chop the carrots into stripes. You can also chop the carrots into small round pieces or in cubes.

2. Cut the mushrooms and baby corn into half. You can also chop the baby corn into thin slices by cutting lengthwise. Chop the French beans into long pieces. Chop the cauliflower into small florets. You can use more cauliflower florets if you like.

3. Marinate all the vegetables separately with rock salt, garlic powder, oregano and black pepper powder. You can marinate the vegetables altogether. But I have mixed the seasoning separately with all the vegetables because some of my family members don’t like mushrooms. If you marinate and place the vegetables separately in steamer basket everyone can enjoy their favourite vegetable.

4. Wash a banana leaf with running water. Place the banana leaf in steamer basket. You can steam the vegetables without banana leaf but I don’t like to waste the juice of vegetables which released while steaming. You can use any edible leaves instead of banana leaf. Or you can cook your rice under the vegetables. Place all the marinated vegetables, sweet corn and green peas over the banana leaf in steamer basket.

5. Pour 4 cup water in the rice cooker. Cover and heat the water on cooking mode. It will take 4-5 minutes to boil the water.

6. When water starts to boil remove the lid and place the steamer basket with vegetables on the rice cooker. Cover and steam for 10- 15 minutes or until the vegetables become fork tender.

7. Check after 10 minutes. Mine are perfectly steamed after 12 minutes. Vegetables should be little crunchy.

8. You can steam the vegetables on stove top but remember water shouldn’t touch the steamer basket while steaming. Taste and add more seasoning if required. Enjoy the hot delicious and nutritious steamed vegetable. You can add a dash of lemon juice before serving. Or you can also serve this steamed vegetables with white sauce.

Notes

1. You can use any vegetable of your choice.

2. Any herbs can be used for seasoning.

3. You can use any salt instead of rock salt.

4. Use vegetables less or more according to your taste.

5. You can also use Indian spices to marinate the vegetables.

6. You can chop the vegetables according to your desired size and shape.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

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Veg Galouti Kabab/ Lentil Kabab

Veg galouti Kabab or dal/lentil Kabab. A soft mouth melting Kabab made with all the aromatic spices and nutritious dal or lentils. The word galouti means so soft that melt in mouth. This exotic Kabab is originated from the city of nawab, Lucknow from Awadhi cuisine generally made with minced meat. But here is a veg version of scrumptious mouth melting galouti Kabab.

There is, however, an interesting story behind the conception of this variant of “melt in the mouth meat”. The kebab was specially made for the ageing Nawab of Lucknow, Wajid Ali Shah. The Nawab had lost his set of teeth, but not his appetite for meat! At his behest, the royal kitchens came up with an ingenious way of preparing meat that was easy to go down the foodpipe. The cooks marinated finely ground meat, mixing it with unripe papaya and sprinkling a mix of erotic spices. They then fried the keema in oil/ghee. It is said that the original recipe contained a mix of more than 100 exotic spices! Source

I am sharing this delicious mouth melting galouti Kabab for my vegetarian readers. You need only two types of dal or lentils and black chickpeas or kala chana with some aromatic spices like bay leaves, clove powder cardamom, cumin and mace or javitri powder. Recipe is very simple and easy. You can prepare and store the Kabab in refrigerator and shallow fry just before serving.

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Recipe

Whole red lentil or sabut masoor dal – 1 cup

Chana dal or bengal gram – 1/3 cup

Black chickpeas or kala chana – 1/4 cup

Water – 2 & 1/2 cup

Bay leaf – 2 Potato – 1, large

Onion – 2 large, sliced

Green chilli – 4 – 5, finely chopped

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Ginger garlic paste – 1 tablespoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Lemon juice – 2 teaspoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Clove powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Javitri or mace powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Method

1. Rinse the whole red lentil or sabut masoor, chana dal or bengal gram and black chickpeas well and soak in sufficient water overnight.

2. Next day drain the water and pressure cook with 2 bey leaves and 2 & 1/2 cup water for 4 whistle. Let the cooker cool down.

4. When lentils cool down strain the water and discard the beay leaves. Don’t discard the remaining water. Grind the lentils with the help of little remaining water of boiled lentils.

5. Boil, peel and mash the potato.

6. Heat a pan and add oil. You can use 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter if you like. Add sliced onion and finely chopped green chilli.

7. Fry till onion becomes translucent. Add ginger garlic paste. And saute till onion becomes brown and raw smell of garlic goes away.

8. Now add lentil paste, mashed potato, salt and cumin powder. Saute till the mixture dried up and becomes like a dough. Switch off the heat.

9. Add lemon juice, cardamom powder, clove powder and Javitri or mace powder. Mix well and let the mixture cool down. Dry ground cloves and javitri or mace separately to make powder. You can store these powder in refrigerator for later use.

10. Make equal round patties. Press gently with both of your palm.

11. Heat a pan and shallow fry all the patties with little oil. Turn the patties upside down and fry the other side too. Turn the patties carefully because patties are too soft. Turn with two spatula or spoon carefully to avoid breaking.

12. Serve hot with onion rings and any chutney or sauce.

Note

1. You can shallow fry these Kabab in ghee or clarified butter instead of oil to make the Kabab more flavorful.

2. Kabab is too soft so fry very carefully. Use two spatula or spoon while turning upside down.

Linking this recipe to Facebook gourmet group Shhhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge. In this monthly group members are paired with different partners every month and two secret ingredients are given to each other. We have to use these ingredients in our recipe.

This month Kabab Time theme is suggested by me. Eagerly waiting for the different Kabab recipes from my blogger friends. And this month my partner is Seema Doraiswamy Sriram who blog at Mildly Indian. Seema has a wonderful blog with numerous mouthwatering recipes. You might like her South Indian thali meal dishes. All the dishes of this thali are absolutely delicious. We had a lovely chat about veg Kabab and other topics. Really enjoyed the discussion. I gave her potato and chaat masala as secret ingredients. Seema shared delicious veg Sheek Kabab with these ingredients. Seema gave me bay leaf and onion and I am sharing this veg galouti Kabab using these two secret ingredients.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

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Kaju Curry/No Onion Garlic Curry

Wishing a very happy Janmashtami to you all and your family. May Lord Krishna fill your life with bliss and joy. May God bless you all with good health, happiness and prosperity 🙏

Kaju or cashew nut curry. A no onion garlic rich creamy, mildly spicy and delicious tomato based gravy with fried cashew nuts. A scrumptious side dish to serve with paratha, puri or any bread and rice dishes.

You can also make it with onion garlic. Also sharing the recipe below with onion and garlic. You may like some Janmashtami special recipes on this blog. Click on the link for recipe.

1. Apple coconut fudge or barfi

2. Chhena kheer

3. Malpua

4. Mohanbhog

5. Makhana curry

And many other dessert, sweet and no onion garlic satwik recipes. Or you might like to try Janmashtami prasad thali to celebrate the festival from the blog of Poonam Bachhav.

This Kaju curry is completely Satwik recipe. But you can also make it with onion garlic if you want as I mentioned above. To make with onion garlic fry the roughly chopped onion, garlic cloves, ginger and green chilli. When onion becomes translucent add tomatoes. Saute till tomato becomes mushy. Let the sauteed mixture cool down and grind into a smooth paste. Then follow the steps as given below. Add the ground mixture in oil instead of tomato green chilli and ginger paste.

I served this delicious Kaju curry with paratha. To make paratha in a bowl mix 1 cup maida or refined flour and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour or atta. You can use only maida or only atta if you want. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoon oil or ghee. Mix well. Now add water gradually to make a smooth dough. Smear the dough with half teaspoon of oil. Cover and keep aside for 30 minutes. Make medium sized balls and roll into a thin roti with the help of little flour. Fold the round roti into half then fold again into a triangle. You can spread ghee on both layers. Fry the triangle paratha from both sides on a griddle or tawa.

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Recipe

Kaju or cashew nuts – 3/4 cup

Ghee or clarified butter – 1 teaspoon

For gravy

Tomato – 3 medium

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece

Green chilli – 2-3 or to taste

Cashew nuts or Kaju – 2 tablespoon

Poppy seeds or khas khas – 2 tablespoon

Melon seeds – 2 tablespoon

Oil – 3 tablespoon

Salt to taste

Sugar – 1/2 teaspoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Fresh cream – 2 tablespoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1&1/2 teaspoon

Garam masala – 1/2 teaspoon

Kasuri methi – 1/2 teaspoon

Water 1&1/2 cup + 4 tablespoon

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 1 tablespoon, chopped, optional

Method

1. Dry grind cashew nuts, poppy seeds and melon seeds into a fine powder. Add 4 tablespoon water and grind again to make smooth paste.

2. Grind chopped tomatoes, 1-2 green chilli and ginger. Make a smooth paste.

3. Heat one teaspoon ghee or butter in a pan. I used ghee. Add the cashew nuts or Kaju and fry on low medium heat till light golden brown. Take out the cashews and ghee and place on a plate.

4. In the same pan heat 3 tablespoon oil. You can use ghee or butter if you want. Add tomato, chilli and ginger paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, salt and sugar. Saute till oil leaves the sides.

5. Add cashew nuts, melon seeds and poppy seeds paste and fresh cream. Saute again till everything dried up and oil leaves the sides.

6. Add water and let it boil for 4-5 minutes on low heat. Stir in between to avoid sticking to the bottom.

7. Now add the fried cashew nuts, 1-2 slit green chili and chopped cilantro or coriander leaves . Reserve some fried cashew nuts for garnishing. Cook again for 3-4 minutes.

8. Crush the Kasuri methi with your palm and add in the gravy. Mix well.

9. Add garam masala and remove from heat. I have used homemade Bengali garam masala. Get the recipe here.

10. Garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves and fried cashew nuts. You can also use fresh cream to garnish your Kaju curry. Serve with paratha, puri, or any bread and rice dishes.

Notes

1. You can use ghee or butter instead of oil to make the gravy.

2. You can also use 1-2 tablespoon more cream at the end if you want.

3. Dry roasted cashew nuts can be used instead of fried cashew nuts.

4. Use green chilli according to your taste.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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Panch Phoran Bhaja Or Roasted Five Spice Powder

Panch phoran bhaja or dry roasted Bengali five spice powder. A very aromatic spice mixture to use in chutney, sukto and many other dishes to enhance the flavour. Panch phoran or mixture of whole five spices generally used for tempering or tadka. And this roasted panch phoran powder will make your dishes aromatic. Just add a teaspoon of this powder at the end of cooking to enhance the taste and aroma of your dish.

Panch phoran originating from the region of Eastern South Asia and used especially in the cuisine of Bangladesh and Eastern India, Northeastern India region especially in the cuisine of Odisha, West Bengal, Mithila region of India and Nepal. Wikipedia

To make panch phoran or five spice mix 1 tablespoon of each nigella seed or kalonji, cumin seeds or jeera, mustard seeds or sarso, fennel seeds or sounf and 1/2 tablespoon fenugreek seeds or methi.

Generally radhuni or wild celery seeds are used in panch phoran. Radhuni looks like ajwain or carom seeds but flavour is different. But radhuni is not available outside Bengal so we use mustard seeds instead of radhuni.

Here are some recipes with panch phoran bhaja powder. Click on the link below for recipe.

1. Panch phoran dal

2. Olive chutney

3. Gur aam or instant sweet mango pickle

4. Sukto

And some recipes which panch phoran tadka or tempering.

1. Panch phoran tarkari

2. Bati chochchori

3. Drumstick and potato curry

4. Pumpkin stir fry

5. Assamese massor dal borar tenga

6. Lentil patties in mustard sauce

7. Spicy potato curry

To make this aromatic dry ground spices mix all the seeds and dry roast till fragrant. Let it cool down before grinding. After grinding store panch phoran bhaja or five spice powder in airtight container and use as require. Radhuni is not available here. I bought a packet from Kolkata and stored in refrigerator to use in Sukto or some other dishes. I make panch phoran with the mixture of fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds and mustard seeds. You can get ready to use mixture in your local grocery store.

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Recipe

Cumin seeds or jeera – 1 tablespoon

Nigella seeds or Kalonji – 1 tablespoon

Mustard seeds or sarso – 1 tablespoon

Wild celery or radhuni – 1 tablespoon

Fennel seeds or sounf – 1 tablespoon

Fenugreek seeds or methi – 1/2 tablespoon

Method

1..Combine all the seeds. I have used cumin or jeera, mustard or sarso, fennel or sounf, nigella or kalonji and fenugreek or methi seeds. I didn’t use radhuni. You can use if you have or you like the flavour. I like mustard seeds in my panch phoran. Methi seeds taste bitter so I always use less methi in panch phoran. You can use equal quantity if you like.

2. Dry roast on a pan till the seeds become fragrant. Seeds shouldn’t be burnt.

3. Let the dry roasted seeds cool down completely.

4. Grind the mixture into powder. Store in airtight container for later use. You can store the powder in refrigerator.

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Baked Potato Wedges With Rosemary Infused Olive Oil

Crisp baked potato wedges with rosemary infused olive oil. Potato wedges are crisp from outside and soft inside. You need only very few ingredients to make these wedges but taste is absolutely delectable.

You can also use this rosemary infused oil for salad dressing or marinate the chicken or many other dishes. I have used my microwave to make these delicious crispy potato wedges. But you can also make it in your OTG. Bake at 200° and heat the olive oil with rosemary on your stove top. Just warm up the oil on low heat for 5 minutes and let it cool down before using.

As I mentioned above that you don’t need much ingredients to make these potato wedges. I have used rosemary infused olive oil with oregano, garlic powder, black pepper powder and rock salt or sea salt. But you can use any herbs of your choice. I don’t like garlic much so used only 1/2 teaspoon. If you like garlicky flavour, you can use 1 teaspoon full or more. You can use any salt instead of rock salt. If you are making it for kids reduce or skip black pepper powder. You can also skip garlic powder if you don’t like.

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Recipe

Potato – 4, medium

Olive oil – 1-2 tablespoon

Dried rosemary – 2 teaspoon

Sea salt or rock salt – 1 teaspoon or to taste

Oregano – 1 teaspoon

Garlic powder – 1/2 teaspoon, optional

Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon or to taste,optional

Method

1. Peel the potatoes. Cut the potato lengthwise. Again cut the pieces lengthwise into half. Now cut all the pieces into half. You can get 8 pieces from each potato.

2. Wash the potato pieces well. Wipe the potato pieces with a kitchen napkin.

3. In a microwavable glass bowl heat olive oil and dried rosemary for 35 seconds on full power. Your rosemary infused oil is ready to use. If you want to make it in less oil then use only 2 teaspoon oil.

4. In a large bowl mix rosemary infused oil, salt, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper powder and potato wedges. Mix and coat the wedges well with oil and herbs.

5. Arrange the potato wedges on a baking tray. Sprinkle all the remaining herb mixed oil on the wedges.

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 190°. Or until the potato wedges becomes golden brown. If you are using OTG bake at 200°. Serve crisp potato wedges immediately with any sauce.

Notes

1. Any salt can be used instead of sea salt or rock salt.

2. If you are making for kids reduce or skip black pepper powder. Or to make more spicy add little more pepper powder.

3. You can use any herb according to your taste.

4. Add 1 teaspoon full or more garlic powder if you like garlicky flavour. Or you can also skip garlic powder if you don’t like.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

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Mint Yogurt Dip

Mint yogurt dip. A delicious dip similar to Greek sauce tzatziki which is a yogurt based sauce made of cucumber, lemon juice or vinegar, garlic, mint or dil. But its without cucumber and garlic. Mint, little cilantro, a small green chilli and a dash of lemon juice mixed this yogurt based sauce taste delectable.

Here are some more dip or chutney recipes on this blog.

1. Beetroot dip

2. Waterchestnut chutney or dip

3. Onion tomato chutney or dip

4. Peanut chutney or dip

5. Eggplant chutney

6. Almond walnut chutney with mango ginger

7. Mint almond hummus

8. Mint carrot beetroot hummus with green peas

9. Ginger chutney

10. Mango sesame chutney

11. Capsicum salsa

To make this delicious dip we need thick curd. You can serve this dip with veggies, snacks or pita bread. I think it would be great with Aruna’s Cucumber discs and pipes.

Strain the curd or yogurt with a cheesecloth or use Greek yogurt. Don’t use watery curd or yogurt. Very finely chopped or coarsely ground mint leaves and green chilli will give a wonderful taste. This dip is very lightly spicy because of a small green chilli and pepper powder. You can increase or decrease the chilli and pepper according to your taste. I have used 1 tablespoon cilantro or coriander leaves for taste. You can use 1 tablespoon more if you like. Or skip if you don’t like cilantro. Leaves should be coarsely ground don’t grind to a smooth paste. You can also use half grated and squeezed cucumber into the dip. Taste the cucumber before using. Don’t use bitter cucumber.

Recipe

Thick curd or hung curd – 1/2 cup

Mint leaves – 1/4 cup

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 1 tablespoon, chopped

Green chilli – 1 small

Lemon juice – 1 & 1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Black or pink salt – 1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Method

1. Finely chop or coarsely ground mint leaves ,green chilli and cilantro or coriander.

2. Add hung curd or thick yogurt, black or pink salt, black pepper powder and lemon juice. If you don’t like your dip tangy use one teaspoon lemon juice.

3. Blend everything well. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more lemon juice if require.

4. Pour the dip into a bowl. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve with any snacks, pita bread, vegetable sticks or serve with any meal instead of raita. You can also use the dip as a sandwich spread.

Notes

1. Use chilli and black pepper according to your taste.

2. If you like less salted dip add 1/4 teaspoon first and adjust after tasting. 1/2 teaspoon is perfect for me. You can also use rock salt instead of black salt. But black or pink salt taste best.

3. You can add half grated and squeezed cucumber into the dip while blending. Squeeze the water of cucumber completely before adding.

4. You can store this dip in refrigerator to serve chilled.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

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Masala Paniyaram Or Appe

Masala paniyaram or appe. A delicious and cute looking snack or breakfast dish with only a few drops of oil. Earlier shared some easy and quick instant appe recipe. Now sharing authentic recipe of appe or masala paniyaram. You need only thick grain rice and black lentils or udad dal with some spices to make this delicious appe/kuzhi paniyaram or paddu.

You can also use leftover fermented idli or dosa batter to make appe.

Paddu is an Indian dish made by steaming batter using a mould. It is named variously kuzhi paniyaram, paniyaram, paddu, guliyappa, yeriyappa, gundponglu, gunta ponganalu, or Tulu: appadadde, appe. The batter is made of black lentils and rice and is similar in composition to the batter used to make idli and dosa. Wikipedia

My Family members and friends love these appe as breakfast or snacks. I got this recipe 7-8 years ago from my friend Keerti Gupta. Now she is just like my younger sister. We met in a food group. That time I was a novice in food photography and writing recipes. I started to share my diabetic friendly innovative recipes whatever I tried for my husband. I love the way Keerti shared her recipes and interact with other group members. She always supports me and gave all the tips and tricks to click and write down the recipes. Now she is not active on social media but we are still connected with each other. I am very happy today to sharing her recipe on my blog. Thanks Keerti for the recipe.

Copy pasting Keerti’s words here. “The authentic recipe looks little cumbersome but trust me this gonna taste heaven.” So friends try and enjoy these delicious cuties as snacks or breakfast.

You may like some instant appe recipes on this blog.

1. Carrot peas instant appe

2. Rice appe with cooked rice

3. Masoor dal or red lentil appe

4. Beetroot appe

5. Semolina and lentil appe

6. Roasted gram or sattu appe

7. Semolina and flatten rice appe

8. Sprouts and oats appe

Monday again and this week’s 305 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Monsoon Snacks suggested by Sasmita Sahoo Samanta who blog at First Timer Cook. You can get numerous delicious recipes on her space like Jamun coconut panna cotta and many more.

My contribution for this theme is this healthy and yummy masala paniyaram. You need thick rice or mota chawal or idli rice to make these appe. But sometimes I also used regular Basmati rice if thick rice or idli rice was not available. But now its always available in local grocery store. You have to soak rice and split black lentils or udad dal overnight and grind in the morning. Let it ferment till evening and make the paniyaram for evening snacks. Or you can soak rice and lentil in the morning and grind in evening. Ferment overnight and your batter will ready for breakfast. You can half the ingredients if you want. Rice:dal ratio should be 1:1/3. You need only a drop of oil for each appe and after flipping no oil required for cooking other side.

Recipe

Thick rice/mota chawal or idli rice – 3 cup

Black lentils or udad dal – 1 cup

Salt to taste

Cilantro or coriander – handful, chopped

Green chilli – 3-4 or to taste, finely chopped

Ginger – 1 inch piece, grated or paste

Grated Coconut – 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup, optional

Mustard seeds or rai as require

Vegetable oil as require

Curry leaves – 1 tablespoon, finely chopped

Method

1. Wash & soak dal and rice separately for atleast for 5 hours or overnight. I have used split black lentils or udad dal.

2. First grind dal with little water to a smooth paste and in the same jar grind the rice with just enough water.

3. In a large bowl mix ground rice, udad dal or black lentils and salt. Mix well and cover with a lid (not an airtight lid). Leave it overnight to ferment. You can keep it in your switched off microwave oven. Batter will rise after ferment so don’t fill the bowl. Fill half of the bowl only or batter will be spilled out of the bowl after ferment.

4. In the morning the batter should be raised but in case it doesn’t add a teaspoon of Eno fruit salt just before pouring them in Paniyaram Pan. If the batter has raised, dont use eno.

5. Add chopped cilantro or coriander leaves, green chilli, ginger, chopped curry leaves and coconut if using. Mix well.

6. Heat a appe or paniyaram pan on high flame. Now simmer the flame and pour one drop of oil in each slot.

7. Sprinkle a pinch of rai. When the seeds starts to splutter start pouring Paniyaram batter in every holes. Flame should be sim.

8. After filling all the holes close the pan with a lid & Increase the flame to low medium. Dont ever put it on high.Let it cook for 3-4 minutes, checking occasionally. Remember the slots in middle cook faster than others.

7. When appe becomes nicely browned, flip them with fork or spoon or wooden stick. After flipping dont cover.

8. Cook on low medium heat. This side will take more time than the previous one so please be patient. If u increase the flame they will burn and remain raw from inside.

9. Now your masala paniyaram is ready. Serve with any chutney or sauce of your choice.

Notes

1. If batter doesnt rise overnight add a teaspoon of Eno right before you pour the batter in pan.

2. You can add grated carrot, onion or any vegetable of your choice.

3. You need only a drop of oil. After flipping the appe or paniyaram you don’t need need to add oil again.

4. Patience is the key, dont leave the sight else it will be a mess. Better to cook on low heat for crisp outside paniyaram.

5. Paniyarams taste best when hot.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hashtag, #batterupwithsujata I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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