VEGETARIAN – Batter Up With Sujata

Almond Walnut Chutney With Mango Ginger Or Amada

Almond walnut chutney with mango ginger or amada. An easy to make, healthy and lipsmackingly delicious chutney flavored with mango ginger. Best accompany with your snacks or any meal.

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

1. Olive chutney with jaggery and panch phoran

2. Tomato chutney

3. Ginger chutney

4. Mango sesame chutney

5. Date raisins jaggery chutney with mango bar

6. Water chestnut or singhara chutney

7. Onion tomato chutney

8. Mango raisins chutney

9. Peanut chutney

10. Gur aam

11. Capsicum salsa

I have used amada or mango ginger in this chutney for flavour with almond, walnut, garlic, green chilli, cilantro or coriander leaves, lemon, tomatoes, sesame seeds, cumin and black pepper. Raw mango flavored amada or mango ginger looks like ginger but taste is different.

According to Wikipedia Mango-ginger is a popular spice and vegetable due to its rich flavor, which is described as sweet with subtle earthy floral and pepper overtones and similar to that of raw mango. It is a delicious addition to salads and stir fries. It is used in South Asian and Southeast Asian as well as Far East Asian cuisines.

Mango ginger or amada also have some health benefits.

1. Relieve pain. Mango ginger acts as a calming agent that provides relief from pain.

2. Treat skin diseases. Curcuma manga is used for treating skin problems. It detoxifies the body and improves skin complexion, skin problems and acne.

3. Relieve Itching. The root is anti-allergenic and provides relief from itching.

4. Metabolic problems. The plant helps to rectify the metabolic problems.

5. Relieve Cold and Cough. Mango ginger is an analgesic and expectorant which is often used to provide relief from cold and cough. It provides relief from bronchitis and asthma.

6. Relieve digestive problems. In human and animals, enterokinase found in Mango ginger assist digestion. The enzyme breaks down proteins to organic compounds which are easier to digest. Root also detoxifies the body. It provides relief from gas, promotes digestive strength and improves appetite.

7. Relieve inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties prevent swelling in joints.

8. Relieve head lice and dandruff. Mango ginger has anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties. To read more about mango ginger or amada click here.

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 chutney theme is suggested by Priya Vijaykrishnan who blog at Sweet Spicy Tasty. I have bookmarked her delicious Raw mango chutney to try. And this month my partner is Anu Kollon who blog at Ente Thattukada. Anu gave me walnut and sesame seeds as secret ingredients. I am sharing this healthy and absolutely delicious chutney using these ingredients. And I gave her tamarind and garlic. Let’s check out her delicious Peanut coriander chutney with these ingredients.

You have to dry roast sesame seeds or til, almond and walnut to make your chutney more delicious and flavorful. I have used roasted tomato. Roasted tomato will give a wonderful taste. You can increase or reduce the amount of green chilli and garlic according to your taste. You can also add ginger if you want.

Recipe

Tomato – 2, medium

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 1/2 cup

Walnut – 2 tablespoon, dry roasted

Almond – 2 tablespoon, dry roasted

Green chilli – 3 – 4 or to taste

Garlic – 2 – 3 cloves

Mango ginger or amada – 1 inch piece, grated

Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Sesame seeds or til – 1 tablespoon, dry roasted

Lemon juice – 2 tablespoon or to taste

Salt to taste

Method

1. Rinse, pat dry and roast the tomatoes. Hold them with the help of a fork or knife on flame. Roast till the skin becomes black.

2. Dip roasted tomato in cold water. Peel the skin and chop them roughly.

3. Lightly dry roast almond, walnut and sesame seeds separately. Let everything cool down.

4. Peel the garlic cloves. Add all the ingredients in a grinder jar. Grind into a smooth paste. You can also add 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger if you want.

5. Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice if require. Take out the mixture in a glass bowl. You can drizzle 1 – 2 teaspoon olive oil. I didn’t.

6. Garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves and tomato slices. Serve with any snacks.

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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Bati Chochchori

Bati chochchori. A simple, easy, quick and delicious curry without any spice. Sharing a simple and easiest potato recipe from Bengali cuisine. You can add any vegetable of your choice with potatoes.

You need only panch phoran or Bengali five spices, salt and mustard oil to make this curry. Even you don’t need turmeric or any other spice powder. Sounds healthy isn’t it? Normally it’s cooked in a bowl. And in Bengali bati means bowl. And vegetables with panch phoran called chochchori or chorchori. Mixed vegetable chochchori is always a dry curry. But this bati chochchori can be made with gravy. You can keep the consistency of gravy as you like.

To make bati chochchori you can use cauliflower, eggplant or any vegetable of your choice. Bati chochchori can be made with fish too. Just mix everything and cook. A super easy method. I like bati chochchori with only potatoes.

Do you love potatoes? Here are some potato recipes from this blog.

1. Spicy potato with tamarind

2. Coriander red potatoes

3. Potatoes with green peas

4. Rosti or Swiss potato pancake

5. Potatoes in yogurt gravy

6. Grilled potatoes

7. Potato curry to serve with hing kachodi

8. Batata bhaji

9. Peanut potato

10. Potato pie

11. Potato with nigella seeds, poppy seeds and tomato

12. Savoury potato cake

13. Stuffed potato

14. Aloo chop or potato fritters

15. Dum aloo

16. Spicy potatoes

17. No onion garlic potato curry

18. Aloo chaat

19. Aloo ke gutke

20. Matar nimona

21. Panch phoran tarkari

22. Kashmiri dum aloo

23. Aloo kabli/chaat

24. Aloo kofta curry

25. Dum aloo with luchi

This stew like curry is best accompany with luchi, puri, paratha or any Indian flatbread. I have served it with luchi. Get the recipe here.

Now why I am talking about this easy and simple recipe. Actually this week its my turn to suggest the theme for 286 #Foodiemonday bloghop. And I suggested my fellow bloggers to cook an easiest dish which you make so often and it should be your family member’s favorite. And better to use minimum spices. So the theme is Cook In A Jiffy. And I also suggested savoury bake as second option but easiest recipe won unanimously.

We are always looking for some easy quick and simple recipes to make in a jiffy for our busy days. Right? Believe me easy and quick recipes can also be delicious 😊 In winter a bowl of hot bati chochchori with fulko or fluffy luchi or puri is a bliss. If you like light less spicy curry then its perfect for you.

If you don’t have panch phoran, then you can make the mixture of five whole spices. To make panch phoran or five spice mix 1 tablespoon 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. Use green chilli according to your taste. You can also add 1 – 2 teaspoon more mustard oil for an extra zing. Bati chochchori is a light curry. Mix mustard oil, salt panch phoran and water as require with chopped potatoes, green chilli and tomatoes. If you want your chochchori without much gravy, then add less water. I like the taste of light gravy so used 1 cup water. I have used pressure cooker but you can also make it in microwave. Mix everything in a microwavable glass bowl, cover and cook on full power for 4 – 5 minutes or until potatoes becomes soft. Or make in a covered bowl or pot on stove.

Recipe

Potato – 3

Tomato – 2

Slit green chilli – 4 or to taste

Panch phoran or five spices (mixture of fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, cumin, mustard seeds and fennel seeds) – 1 teaspoon

Mustard oil – 1 tablespoon

Salt to taste

Water – 1 cup

Method

1. Peel and chop the potatoes lengthwise. Rinse well.

2. Rinse and chop the tomatoes in small pieces.

3. In a pressure cooker mix chopped potatoes, tomatoes, panch phoran, slit green chilli, mustard oil, salt and water. Add green chilli according to your taste. If you like your curry hot add some more chilli or if you are making for kids reduce the amount of green chilli.

4. If you don’t want much gravy add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup water. Use water as you like your curry, thick or thin. Pressure cook for 2 – 3 whistle.

5. Let the pressure settle down on its own. Taste and adjust salt. You can add 1 – 2 teaspoon more mustard oil for an extra zing.

6. For microwave mix everything in a microwavable glass bowl. Cover and microwave on high power for 4 – 5 minutes or until potatoes becomes soft.

7. Or you can make this bati chochchori in a pot or wok. Mix everything, cover and cook till potatoes becomes tender and tomato becomes mushy. Check and stir in between. If your curry is too runny, then cook for some more time to reduce the gravy. Your bati chochchori is ready. Serve hot with Luchi , paratha or any Indian flatbread.

Take care and stay safe 🙏 😊

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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Carrot Peas Instant Appe Or Paniyaram

Carrot peas instant appe or paniyaram. You don’t need to soak grind and ferment the batter to make this appe. A spicy and delectable snack without much oil. So you can call it a healthy treat for health conscious people. These low calorie fritters can be served with any chutney or sauce.

Kuzhi paniyaram, or Paddu/GuLiyappa/Yeriyappa/Gundponglu or Gunta Ponganalu or Tulu : “appadadde” is an Indian dish made by steaming batter using a mould. The batter is made of black lentils and rice and is similar in composition to the batter used to make idli and dosa.The dish can also be made spicy or sweet depending on the ingredients Chillies and jaggery respectively. Paniyaram is made on a special pan that comes with multiple small fissures. Source

This carrot peas appe taste absolutely delicious. These round ball like appe are crisp from outside and soft inside. You will love the taste and texture. Semolina or suji appe are hot favourite amongst my family members. So I always try to make this with different ingredients. You may like some more easy apple recipes on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Rice appe with cooked rice

2. Masoor dal or red lentil appe

3. Beetroot appe

4. Semolina and lentil appe

5. Roasted gram or sattu appe

6. Semolina and flatten rice appe

7. Sprouts and oats appe

Linking this post to 285 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Paniyaram Pan Magic suggested by Priya Vijaykrishnan who blog at Sweet Spicy Tasty. Her blog is really a treasure of different types of sweet spicy tasty recipes. I love her South Indian recipes as well as international recipes. I have to try her Aloo frankie Kathi roll soon.

I have added sauteed ground green peas and grated carrot with ginger and green chilli in the semolina batter. Green peas and carrot enhance the flavour and taste. I have used 1/2 cup green peas but you can use one cup peas if you like. Just increase the spices accordingly if you are using more green peas. You can also use any grated vegetables of your choice. Add all the grated or finely chopped vegetables with carrot and green peas while sautéing. I like my appe spicy but if you are making for kids reduce the amount of chilli. Its a no onion garlic recipe but you can add 1 finely chopped onion in the batter if you want. If you have leftover green peas stuffing of paratha or kachodi then you can add it in your appe batter.

Recipe

Carrot – 1

Green peas – 1/2 cup

Ginger – 1 inch piece

Green chilli – 3-4 or to taste

Semolina or suji – 1 cup

Curd – 1/2 cup

Water – 3/4 cup or as required

Salt to taste

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Chaat masala powder – 1 teaspoon

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Baking soda – 1/2 teaspoon

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 2 tablespoon, chopped

Oil – 1 tablespoon + to fry

Method

1. Mix semolina or suji with curd and 1/2 water. Add salt and mix well. Cover and keep aside for 15-30 minutes.

2. Wash, peel and grate the carrot. Grind the green peas with ginger and green chilli. Add green chilli according to your taste. I like my appe spicy so used 4. You can add 1-2 tablespoon water for easy grinding.

3. Heat oil in a pan and add ground green peas, ginger and green chilli. Add grated carrot, salt and cumin powder. Add salt carefully. We have added salt in semolina too.

4. Saute till mixture completely dried up and raw smell of peas goes away. Remove from heat.

5. Add the green peas and carrot mixture into the suji batter. Add chaat masala, lemon juice and chopped cilantro or coriander leaves. Add water as require to make a thick batter.

6. Add baking soda and mix well.

7. Heat appe pan. Add a few drops of oil in all the holes.

8. Pour a spoonful of batter in every holes. Cover and cook on low heat till appe starts to change it’s colour and firm up.

9. Sprinkle little oil over all the appe. Flip and turn the appe upside down. Cook uncovered until appe becomes golden brown.

Serve hot with any chutney or sauce.

Notes

1. You can use any other vegetables with carrot and green peas.

2. You can double the green peas if you want. Increase the spices accordingly.

3. One finely chopped onion can be added in the batter.

4. You can also use leftover green peas stuffing of paratha or kachodi.

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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Semolina Blueberry Custard Cupcakes

Semolina blueberry custard cupcake with malai or milk topping. A superbly delicious and soft cake with full of vanilla flavour and blueberry. You can also make a single cake following this recipe. I have made these cupcakes following my Suji malai cake recipe with some changes. You can get one more semolina cake recipe here.

As I mentioned above that this semolina cake is super soft and delicious. You don’t need any frosting. You can place one blueberry on top of every cupcake. You can use any dry fruits, tutti frutti or cranberries or any dried berries of your choice instead of blueberry. If you don’t like vanilla then use cinnamon powder, lemon zest or orange zest for flavour. And if you don’t have malai or milk topping, then you can use oil or butter.

I have made 12 cupcakes and one small cake with this batter. You can make one single cake if you like. You can also make this cake without blueberry or any berries or dry fruits. You will love the simple vanilla flavour cake.

Recipe

Semolina or suji – 1 cup

Vanilla custard powder – 1/2 cup

Powdered sugar – 3/4 cup

Baking powder – 1 teaspoon

Baking soda – 1/2 teaspoon

Milk powder – 1/2 cup

Dried blueberry – 1/2 cup

Malai or milk topping – 1/2 cup

Warm milk – 1/2 cup

Thick or hung curd – 1/2 cup

Vanilla essence – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Grease or line cupcake or muffins moulds with cupcake liner.

2. If you are using OTG preheat the oven at 170° for 10 minutes. And for new model Samsung microwave set hot blast function. Set the temperature at 150° and press start. Your oven will start to preheat.

3. Chop the dried blueberry into 3-4 pieces and coat with 2 teaspoon flour. I have used whole wheat flour or atta. You can use refined flour or any flour you have.

4. In a bowl mix semolina or suji, custard powder, milk powder, baking powder and soda.

5. In a large bowl whisk powdered sugar, milk and curd well. Add malai or milk topping and vanilla essence. Whisk again.

6. Now add dry ingredients gradually. Mix well to make a lump free smooth batter.

7. Fold in flour coated blueberry. Pour the batter into the moulds. Fill 3/4 of the moulds. You can place one blueberry on every cupcake.

8. Bake in preheated oven at 150° for 20-25 minutes. For OTG bake at 170°. Every oven takes different time so check with a toothpick after 20 minutes.

Let the cupcake cool down before serving. Happy baking!

Notes

1. You can use any gluten free flour instead of semolina.

2. Cranberries or any dried berries or any dry fruits ot tutti frutti can be used instead of blueberry.

3. Oil or butter can be used instead of malai or milk topping.

4. You can use cinnamon, lemon, orange or any other flavour instead of vanilla.

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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Mushroom Egg Fried Rice

Mushroom egg fried rice. A delicious and nutritious one pot meal with sweet corn and green peas. You can use carrot, baby corn, cauliflower, beans or any vegetable of your choice. An easy and quick to make yet absolutely delicious and flavorful rice. You can also use leftover rice to make this fried rice.

You may like some more rice recipes on this blog.

1. Mexican green rice

2. Tricolor rice

3. Carrot rice

4. Mexican rice

5. Beetroot rice

6. Mint rice

7. Spanish moulded rice

8. Aloo chutney pulao

9. Korean rice

10. Corn peas barista fried rice

11. Easy pulao

12. Saffron rice

13. Mix vegetable fried rice

And here are some Indo Chinese recipes

1. Ginger noodles

2. Broccoli mushroom noodles with sriracha sauce

3. Mint noodles

4. Schezwan paneer

5. Paneer capsicum stir fry

This week Preethi Prasad of Preethicuisine suggested the theme Lunar New Year Fest for 284 #Foodiemonday bloghop. Preethi suggested us to make some dishes according to lunar new year. And my contribution is this delicious Chinese style fried rice with eggs and mushrooms. Preethi has an amazing blog with numerous delicious and healthy recipes. I have bookmarked her unique recipe Raw banana fried rice to try. Do visit her space for many more wonderful recipes.

For this recipe rice shouldn’t be over cooked add sticky. You can use leftover rice to make this fried rice. I have quartered the mushrooms but you can chop the mushrooms into small pieces if you like. Cauliflower, carrot, baby corn, French beans or any vegetable can be used in this rice. Add your favourite vegetables and sauce and enjoy the delectable taste. Adding more fresh vegetables will make your rice more nutritious and colorful. You can serve it with manchurian, chilli chicken, schezwan paneer etc. But this rice is superbly delicious and flavorful so you don’t need any side dish with it.

Recipe

Basmati rice – 1 cup

Mushroom – 200 gram

Onion – 2, sliced

Green chilli – 2, finely chopped

Egg – 2

Frozen sweet corn – 1/3 cup

Frozen green peas – 1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Vinegar – 2 tablespoon

Green chili sauce – 1/2 tablespoon

Soya sauce – 1 tablespoon

Schezwan sauce – 2 tablespoon

Oil – 2 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon

Method

1. Rinse the rice well and soak in water for 15 minutes. Boil sufficient water in a pan. When water starts to boil add drained rice and stir. Cook the rice until rice becomes soft but not mushy.

2. Remove from heat when 90 percent cooked and immediately pour into a colander to strain the water.

3. Wash the mushrooms. Chop each mushroom into 4 pieces.

3. Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a pan or wok. Add sliced onion and finely chopped green chilli. You can also add a few minced garlic if you want. Fry till onion starts to change it’s colour.

4. Add quartered mushrooms and little salt. Mix well. Mushrooms will release water so cover and cook till dried up. Keep stirring in between.

5. Now add green peas and sweet corn. Saute for 2 minutes more.

6. Add the cooked rice, all the sauce, vinegar and salt. Add salt carefully. We are using sauce and sauce contains salt. Mix well.

7. With the help of a spatula place the rice on the sides of the wok or pan and make a hole in the middle. Add two teaspoon oil and break 2 eggs in the middle.

8. Stir well to cook the eggs just like bhurji or scramble eggs. You can add 2 more eggs if you want. Now mix everything well. Stir gently to avoid breaking the rice.

9. Taste and adjust the seasoning. You can add more sauce or vinegar if required. Fry the rice for 1 – 2 minutes more. Enjoy the mushroom egg fried rice with chilli chicken, schezwan paneer, manchurian etc.

Notes

1. You can use any vegetable of your choice to make the rice more colorful and nutritious.

2. Increase or decrease the amount of sauce according to your taste.

3. You can add more green chilli if you want your rice spicy. Or skip if you are making for kids.

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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Aloo Chaat

Aloo chaat. An easy quick and lipsmacking chaat made with fried potato cubes. Just mix everything and enjoy the spicy tangy and mouthwatering chaat at home.

According to Wikipedia Aloo chaat or alu chaat is a street food originating from the Indian subcontinent, it is popular in North India, West Bengal in Eastern India, Pakistan and also in parts of Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. It is prepared by frying potatoes in oil and adding spices and chutney. You may like some more chaat recipes on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Ghugni and aloo kabli

2. Matar chaat

3. Chana or chickpea chaat

4. Sprouts chaat

5. Peanut chaat

This week 283 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Street Food Of India suggested by Priya Iyer who blog at The World Through My Eyes. Priya is a very talented blogger. Do visit her space for many mouthwatering recipes. Check out her Pav bhaji recipe for this theme.

Fried potatoes are used to make this chaat. But you can also use boiled potatoes if you want your chaat healthy. Or saute the boiled and cubed potatoes in little oil till crisp. I sometimes do so. But my daughter loves fried version so this time made with fried potato. You can also use green chutney or mint coriander or dhania pudina chutney if you want. I have used store bought Maggi tamarind chutney but you can use homemade tamarind chutney instead. You can also mix some thick curd in the chaat if you like the taste. Fine nylon sev looks good for garnishing. But I don’t have sev so used Haldiram aloo bhujia to garnish.

Recipe

Potato – 2, large

Oil for frying

Black salt – 1/2 teaspoon

Amchur or dry mango powder – 1 teaspoon

Red chilli powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Roasted cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Chaat masala – 1/2 teaspoon

Green chilli – 1 small, finely chopped

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 1 tablespoon, finely chopped

Tamarind chutney or sauce – 1 & 1/2 teaspoon

Grated ginger – 1/4 teaspoon

Pomegranate arils – 3 tablespoon

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Sev or aloo bhujia to garnish

Method

1. Peel the potatoes and cut into cubes. Rinse well and drain the water completely.

2. Heat oil in a pan or wok. Fry the potato cubes on low medium heat. Fry the potatoes in two three batches depending on the size of your pan.

3. Fry till potato cubes becomes golden brown and crisp. Stir to fry from all the sides evenly. Don’t increase the heat. Fry on low heat to cook the potatoes well from inside. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon.

4. In a bowl mix fried potatoes and all the other ingredients. I have used Kashmiri red chilli powder for colour. You can also use 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder if you want. See notes for more options.

5. Mix well and taste. Add little more salt or tamarind chutney if required. Garnish with pomegranate arils and sev or aloo bhujia. Enjoy spicy tangy lipsmacking aloo chaat with your family.

Notes

1. Omit green chilli if you are making for small kids.

2. You can also add green chutney or mint coriander chutney if you like.

3. One small finely chopped onion can be used in the chaat.

4. You can garnish the chaat with ginger julienne.

5. You can add one tablespoon fried or roasted peanut for a crunch.

6. You can mix curd or thick yogurt in the chaat if you like the taste.

7. You can make this chaat with boiled potatoes instead of fried potatoes. Or saute the boiled potatoes till crisp with little oil for healthier alternative.

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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Moong Dal Halwa

Moong dal halwa. Enjoy delectable warm dessert without much effort. You don’t need to grind the dal and fry for a long time. Process is very easy so make anytime and serve warm or cold. You can also make laddu or barfi following same method if you want. So here is the recipe as I remember how maa usually made it. And yes my most favourite dessert in winter.

You may like some more halwa recipes on this blog. Click on the name below to get recipes.

1. Buckwheat Waterchestnut banana halwa

2. Paneer gajar halwa

3. Sugar free gajar halwa

4. Chana dal halwa

5. Cherry pineapple kesari

6. Singhara atta or Waterchestnut laddu

And some more dessert which you can enjoy warm

1. Kheer or rice pudding

2. Nolen gurer paesh

3. Pantua

4. Baked rasgulla

5. Sugar free sheer khurma

6. Gulabjamun

7. Shakkarai pongal

8. Rasaballi

9. Paruppu payasam

As I mentioned above that recipe is very easy to make and you don’t need to grind the dal or yellow lentil and fry for a long time. I remember my mother cook the lentil and milk on simmer after lunch to serve warm in evening. And maa used to add lots of cashew nuts and raisins but my kids don’t like so I skipped. You can use any dry fruits of your choice. If you have a large vessel to cook then you don’t need to sit and stir continuously. Just stir in regular interval to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Recipe

Moong dal – 1/2 cup

Milk – 3 cup

Sugar – 1/3 cup

Ghee or clarified butter – 1/4 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Method

1. Rinse the moong dal till water runs clear. Soak dal or yellow lentil in enough water for 2 hours.

2. Heat milk in a wok or pan. Drain the water and add the moong dal in milk. When milk starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. You can add a small pinch of saffron in the milk. I don’t have while making it so I skipped. Saffron will give a lovely colour and flavour.

3. Cook on simmer till milk absorbed. Don’t forget to stir in regular interval. It will take about 1 hour to cook the dal completely on simmer.

4. When milk and dal about to dried up and dal become soft or fully cooked add sugar.

5. Sugar will release water so cook for 8 – 10 minutes more on low heat. Keep stirring. Now add ghee or clarified butter and mix well.

6. Stir continuously. Better to use nonstick pan but if you are using any other pan be careful to avoid sticking to the bottom and burning. When halwa dried up and you will get a nice aroma of fried moong dal add cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. Garnish with shredded almond and pistachio.

7. Serve warm or room temperature. You can also make laddu or barfi with this mixture.

Notes

1. You can use any dry fruits of your choice.

2. You can increase the amount of ghee and milk if you want.

Participating in Shhhhh Cooking Secretly group after a long time. 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 Warm Dessert theme is suggested by Rafeeda AR who blog at Big Sweet Tooth. Rafeeda has a vast collection of wonderful recipes. I specially love her dessert recipes. I have bookmarked her Cookie cheesecake brownie bar to try soon. And this month my partner is my dear friend Preethi Prasad of Preethicuisine. I always love her authentic, healthy and innovative recipes. Among many other recipes I have to try her recently published Eggless orange cake soon. Preethi gave me ghee and moong dal and I gave her almond and cardamom to use in the recipe. I am sharing this delicious dal halwa using these 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.

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

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Mix Vegetable Fried Rice

Mix Vegetable Fried rice. Fried rice with all the seasonal vegetables. An aromatic, no onion garlic and easy to make rice dish from Bengali cuisine. You will love the delectable taste and flavour.

Fried carrots, French beans, cauliflower, green peas ,cashew nuts and raisins made this rice absolutely delicious. You can use whatever vegetables you like and available. And the rice is flavored with whole spices and Bengali garam masala.

You can serve this fried rice with any curry or

Khejur aamsotto chutney

Mango chutney

Chicken dak bungalow

Savoury rasgulla korma

To get some more recipes from Bengali cuisine click here.

And for some more rice recipes click on the name below.

1. Mexican green rice

2. Tricolour rice

3. Carrot rice

4. Mexican rice

5. Beetroot rice

6. Mint rice

7. Spanish moulded rice

8. Aloo chutney pulao

9. Korean rice

10. Corn peas barista fried rice

11. Easy pulao

12. Saffron rice

Monday again and our 281 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Variety Rice Special suggested by Narmadha who blog at Nams Corner. Narmadha is a very talented blogger. I always love her authentic South Indian recipes. I have bookmarked her Veg lunch menu and Curry leaves rice to try. I am sure you will love to visit her space for more authentic, innovative and healthy recipes.

This fried rice recipe is very simple and easy to make. Its a no onion garlic recipe but you can use sliced onion if you want. After adding whole spices add sliced onion with chopped green chilli and fry. When onion becomes golden brown add green peas. You can also make it with leftover rice but rice shouldn’t be over cooked. I have used carrots, French beans, cauliflower and green peas. If you don’t like any of these vegetables you can omit it.

Recipe

Basmati Rice – 1 cup

Carrot – 2

French beans – 100 gram

Cauliflower florets – 1/2 cup

Green peas – 1/2 cup

Green chilli – 3, finely chopped

Green cardamom – 4

Cinnamon – 1 inch piece

Cloves – 4

Bay leaf – 2

Cumin seeds – 1/2 teaspoon

Refined oil – 2 tablespoon

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 tablespoon

Salt – 1 & 1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Sugar – 2 teaspoon or taste

Bengali garam masala – 1/2 teaspoon

Method

1. Rinse the rice well. Soak in water for 15 minutes. Drain the water and keep aside.

2. Heat sufficient water in a pan. When water starts to rolling boil add the rice. Stir and cook until rice becomes soft. Rice shouldn’t be mushy. Keep checking, remove from heat when 90 percent cooked. Check the rice by pressing between your fingers. Strain the rice immediately on a colander to drain the water well.

3. Spread the rice on a plate to cool down. Add salt and sugar and mix well. Add sugar according to your taste. I have used 2 and 1/2 teaspoon sugar, but you can use less sugar. But don’t skip it, add at least 1 teaspoon for taste. Be careful, rice shouldn’t be broken.

4. Wash all the vegetables well. Chop French beans into 1/2 inch pieces. Peel the carrots. Chop into small cubes. Cut the cauliflower into small florets.

5. Marinate the carrots, beans and cauliflower florets with little salt.

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

7. Heat ghee and oil in a pan or wok. Fry the carrot cubes. Transfer fried carrots to a plate.

8. Now fry the French beans for 1 – 2 minutes. Beans should be remain green. Remove the fried beans from oil.

9. Fry the cauliflower florets till golden brown and remove from oil.

10. Fry the cashew nuts till golden brown and remove from oil. Fry the raisins. When raisins starts to fluff up immediately remove from oil. You can use the raisins without frying if you want.

11. Add cumin seeds, bay leaves, crushed cardamom, cinnamon and cloves in the same oil ghee mixture. When cumin seeds starts to splutter and green peas and finely chopped green chilli. Sprinkle little salt. Saute till green peas becomes tender. To add onion see notes.

12. Now add rice, fried cashew nuts, raisins and all the fried vegetables. Mix well.

13. Fry for 2 – 3 minutes. Stir gently. Rice should be intact. Add 1/2 teaspoon Bengali garam masala powder, mix well and switch off the heat. Your Bengali style fried rice is ready. Serve hot with kosha chicken, fish kalia, dum aloo, dim kosha, chhanar dalna, mutton curry, chutney or any curry.

Notes

1. You can use sliced onion if you want. Add sliced onion after adding cumin, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves and fry. Add green peas when onion becomes light brown.

2. Add 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.

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Ranga Aloor Pithe/Sweet Potato Dumplings

Ranga aloor pithe or sweet potato dumplings. A sankranti special delicacy from Bengali cuisine. Sugar syrup soaked and stuffud with mawa/dried or thickened milk, coconut and khajur gur or date palm jaggery dumplings taste heavenly.

As I mentioned in my last year Sankranti post that in Bengal different types of pithe, puli, paesh or rice kheer/pudding are usually made to celebrate Poush Parbon or Makar Sankranti. On sankranti our lunch is Bhuni khichuri or khichdi with different types of vegetable fry or bhaja, Dum aloo , beguni, papad, tomato chutney or Khejur aamsotto or date mango bar chutney and for dinner different types of pithe puli, paesh or kheer, malpua, green peas stuffed kachodi, aloor nonta or savoury pithe. A day to enjoy all the traditional dishes. Here are some recipes that you can try to celebrate Poush Parbon or Makar Sankranti. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Til badam laddu

2. Moong dal fried and baked pithe

3. Baked dudh puli

4. Malpua

5. Nolen gur paesh or date palm jaggery kheer

6. Gokul pithe

7. Date palm jaggery and coconut barfi

8. Rice kheer

9. Narkol naru or coconut laddu

And not traditional as above recipes but absolutely delicious two innovative baked recipes with all the sankranti special ingredients.

1. Semolina or rawa cake

2. Date palm jaggery oats dry fruits cookies

Monday again and our this week’s 280 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Sankranti Special.

To make these ranga aloor pithe or sweet potato dumplings you need rice flour and maida or refined flour for binding with mashed sweet potatoes. You have to mash the sweet potatoes really well. Dough should be completely lump free. Some sweet potatoes have fiber. Discard the fiber if any. And we don’t need thick sugar syrup for this pithe. Make a stuffing with khoya or mawa/dried whole milk, khajur gur or date palm jaggery, dry fruits and coconut. Cook the mixture on low heat until dried up. Keep stirring to avoid sticking to the bottom. Add little cardamom powder and remove from heat. Let it cool down completely before stuffing.

I always use homemade mawa. Get the method to make mawa here.

Recipe

Sweet potato- 4

Rice flour- 3 tablespoon

Refined flour or maida- 1 tablespoon

Sugar- 1 cup

Water- 2 cup

Cardamom powder- 1 teaspoon

For Stuffing click here

Refined oil or ghee for deep frying

Method

1. First make the stuffing as we made for Moong dal bhaja pithe and keep aside.

2. For sugar syrup boil 2 cup water with 1 cup sugar till sugar completely dissolved. Let it boil on low heat for 5 – 6 minutes more. Add 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder, mix and remove from heat. You can use half cup khajur gur or date palm jaggery and half cup sugar to make jaggery flavoured syrup.

3. Boil the sweet potatoes. Don’t make the potatoes mushy, boil till potatoes becomes tender. If you are using pressure cooker, cook for 2 whistle.

4. Peel the sweet potatoes when cool. Mash the potatoes well. Break all the lumps and make lump free dough. Discard the fiber if any.

5. Add rice flour, refined flour or maida and 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder. Mix well and make a smooth dough.

6. Make equal size balls. I have made 13 – 14 balls. You can make small sized pithe if you want. Flatten the balls with your palm. Place one teaspoon stuffing in the middle.

7. You can use little more stuffing but be careful while sealing, stuffing should be remain inside. Seal the edges and give cylindrical shape.

8. You can also make round pithe just like gulab jamun if you want.

9. Heat sufficient oil in a pan or wok. Slide the stuffed pithe into the hot oil. Slide 3 – 4 pithe one by one. But don’t overcroud. Fry on low medium heat till pithe becomes golden brown.

10. Dip the fried pithe in warm sugar syrup. Let it soak in syrup for 30 – 40 minutes or until all the pithe soaked well and swelled.

11. Use a large vessel to soak the stuffed and fried pithe. Don’t place the pithe over each other. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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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Til Gur Jowar Cookies/Sesame Jaggery Sorghum Cookies/Gluten Free Cookies

Happy new year to all my readers. Wishing a very happy, healthy, joyous and prosperous new year to everyone. My first post of this year. Starting with a healthy recipe. Til gur jowar cookies or sesame jaggery sorghum cookies. A gluten free, healthy and absolutely delicious cookies with the goodness of sorghum flour or jowar atta, til or sesame seeds and jaggery or gur.

These eggless cookies are very easy to make. You don’t need to cream butter and sugar. Just mix everything and make a smooth dough. Make small balls and press on the sesame seeds to coat well and bake. Try and enjoy the crispy crunchy delicious cookies flavored with cinnamon, cloves and ginger. On last winter I had shared Til badam laddu or sesame almond laddu .

Til or sesame seeds and jaggery both are known as warm food. You may also like Pearl millet sesame oats cookies on this blog. For some more gluten free cookies recipes click here.

Til or sesame seeds contain calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc. These seeds are a powerhouse of energy and when taken with jaggery they can help to reduce the risk of cold, cough and flu, which is a common health concern in winters. Jaggery or Gur is an ultimate winter superfood. The natural sweetener is not only a healthier alternative of refined sugar but also has numerous potential health benefits. Loaded with iron, vitamin C, protein, magnesium and potassium, gur is something that every person must include in their diet, especially when the temperature drops. Source

I have used sorghum flour or jowar atta to make these cookies. Gluten free Sorghum flour is rich in protein and fiber.

Sorghum is a nutrient-packed grain that you can use in many ways. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. It’s likewise an excellent source of fiber, antioxidants, and protein. Source – Healthline

Sending this post to 279 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Sesame Seeds suggested by Mayuri Patel who blog at Mayuris Jikoni. I always love her space for versatile recipes and wonderful write up. I have a long list of baked recipes from her blog to try. Like Taftan, Christmas tea bread etc. You can also get many authentic Gujarati recipes on her blog.

Now coming to the recipe. As I mentioned above that its a quick and easy recipe. Just mix everything and bake. I have used organic jaggery powder but you can use powdered sugar, brown sugar or any sweetener of your choice. You can also use shredded almond or cashew nuts if you want. Nutty flavour of sesame seeds, coconut, jaggery and the mix aroma of ginger, cinnamon and cloves made these cookies divine. You can use whole wheat flour or atta, refined flour or maida or any flour instead of sorghum flour. But I recommend to try with sorghum flour or jowar atta for best result. I have used salted Amul butter and olive oil. But you can also use ghee or clarified butter, unsalted butter and instead of olive oil any flavorless oil can be used.

Recipe

Sorghum flour – 1 cup

Desiccated coconut – 4 tablespoon

Sesame seeds – 3 tablespoon + for coating

Organic jaggery powder – 1/2 cup

Salted butter – 3 tablespoon

Olive oil – 2 tablespoon

Dried ginger powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Cinnamon powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Baking powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Baking soda – 1/8 teaspoon

Clove powder – 1/4 teaspoon, optional

Milk – 1/4 cup

Method

1. Dry roast 3 tablespoon Sesame seeds or til in a pan. When sesame seeds starts to splutter and change it’s colour to light brown immediately transfer the seeds on a plate.

2. In a large bowl mix sorghum flour or jowar atta, organic jaggery powder, baking powder, soda, desiccated coconut, dry roasted sesame seeds or til, cinnamon powder, ginger powder and clove powder.

3. Add olive oil and salted butter. I have used Amul butter. Chop the chilled butter into small pieces before measuring.

4. Mix everything well with your fingers. When everything combined really well add milk and make a smooth dough.

5. Preheat the microwave convection or hot blast function at 160°. For OTG preheat at 180° for 10 minutes. Grease a baking tray or line with parchment paper.

6. Spread some sesame seeds or til on a plate.

7. Make small balls out of the dough. You can make 18 – 20 cookies from this dough. Depends on the size.

8. Press the balls on the sesame seeds to coat well. For crisper cookies press to make thin cookies. I didn’t dry roast the sesame seeds used for coating because I wanted white coloured sesame seeds coated on brown cookies. You can use roasted sesame seeds if you like.

9. Arrange the sesame seeds coated and flatten balls on lined or greased baking tray. Don’t forget to leave some space between cookies.

10. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until cookies becomes golden brown. Keep an eye after 10 minutes. For soft mouth melting cookies bake for less time and for crispy crunchy cookies bake for longer time.

11. Let the cookies cool down completely before serving.

Notes

1. Any flour can be used instead of sorghum flour or jowar atta.

2. You can use any flavorless oil instead of olive oil.

3. You can add shredded almond, cashew nuts or any dry fruits in the dough.

4. You can also use vanilla essence or any flavour of your choice instead of cinnamon and cloves.

5. Ghee or clarified butter can be used instead of butter.

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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