delicious – Batter Up With Sujata

Masoor dal Chochchori Or Chorchori

Masoor dal chochchori or chorchori. A flavorful and delicious thick dal to serve with roti, paratha or steamed rice. Easy to cook but taste is scrumptious. This red lentil or Masoor dal chochchori is an age old recipe from Bengali cuisine.

After bhaja muger dal and narkol die chholar dal this Masoor dal chochchori is my most favourite dal. Serve it as a side dish or enjoy bowlful hot dal on its own. Earlier shared one more masoor dal recipe from Bengali cuisine. To get the recipe click here.

This recipe is my contribution for 306 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is dal or lentil. This time it was my turn to suggest. Let’s see what my fellow bloggers share. Waiting for some wonderful dal or lentil recipes.

This dal recipe is very easy but taste is absolutely mouthwatering. I have used fried garlic cloves to garnish because my daughter loves fried garlic cloves in dal but you can skip this step if you don’t like. Also Kashmiri red chilli powder is not used in authentic recipe but I used to add some colour. You can use mustard oil to make this dal and omit ghee. Or make the dal with any oil and add a teaspoon of ghee before removing from heat. Choice is your.

Recipe

Masoor dal or red lentil – 1 cup

Green cardamom – 2-3

Cinnamon – 1/2 inch piece

Cloves – 3

Bay leaf – 1

Onion – 1, chopped

Garlic – 3-4

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 tablespoon

Salt to taste Sugar – 1/2 teaspoon, optional

Garlic cloves – 6 to garnish, optional

Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon, optional

Water – 3 cup

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 2-3 tablespoon, chopped

Green chilli – 3-4 or to taste

Method

1. Wash the dal well and soak in water for 5-10 minutes. Drain the water completely and keep aside.

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

3. Grind onion, garlic, ginger and one green chilli into a smooth paste.

4. In a small bowl mix turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder and 1 tablespoon water. Mix well. You can use hot variety red chilli powder if you want your dal more spicy.

5. In a pan or wok heat ghee or clarified butter. You can use half ghee half oil if you want. See notes for more options.

6. Fry the garlic cloves till golden brown and take out of the ghee or clarified butter. This step is optional. You can skip if you want.

7. Add crushed cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf. Add onion, garlic, ginger, chilli paste and saute till oil leaves the sides and raw smell of onion garlic goes away.

8. Add water mixed all the spices. Fry again till everything dried up and oil leaves the sides.

9. Now add drained dal or red lentil. Saute for 2 minute. Add water, salt, chopped cilantro or coriander leaves, 2-3 green chilli and sugar if using. Mix well.

10. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until dal becomes soft and thick on medium flame. Check in-between and stir. Dal should be thick. Taste and adjust salt if required.

11. Garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves and fried garlic cloves if using. Serve with steamed rice or Indian flatbread or any bread.

Notes

1. Mustard oil can be used instead of ghee or clarified butter.

2. Add green chilli according to your taste. Use more green chilli or red chilli powder if you want your dal spicy.

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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Sweet Potato Halwa With Date Palm Jaggery Or Khajur Gur

Sweet potato or shakarkand halwa with date palm jaggery or khajur gur. Try this easy to make dessert and enjoy the delectable taste. Sweet potato and date palm jaggery or khajur gur/Patali gur mixed taste is heavenly.

If you don’t have date palm jaggery then you can use cane jaggery, sugar or brown sugar. But date palm jaggery will taste divine. Earlier shared Sweet potato dumplings or pithe now here is one more sweet potato recipe for you. Sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense root vegetables that come in a variety of colors. They’re high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain. They’re also incredibly rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support good vision and your immune system. Source

As I mentioned above you can use any sweetener instead of date palm jaggery but flavour and taste may be different. Here are some health benefits of date palm jaggery.

• Benefits of having date palm jaggery in winters.

• Relieves common ailments like cold and cough.

• Rich in nutrients.

• Helps in weight loss.

• Boosts energy.

• Treats menstrual pain.

• Restores healthy digestion.

• Eases joint pain.

To read more about date palm jaggery click here.

Try this delectable halwa and serve warm as a dessert. Normally halwa needs lots of ghee or clarified butter but to make this halwa you need only one teaspoon ghee. So you can call it a healthy treat. Don’t skip the milk to get the exact taste. You can use any dry fruits of your choice.

Recipe

Sweet potato – 2, boiled

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Cashew nuts – 8

Raisins – 1 tablespoon

Date palm jaggery or khajur gur – 3 tablespoon, grated or finely chopped

Milk – 1 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Ghee or clarified butter – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Peel and mash the sweet potatoes and keep aside.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the cashew nuts till golden brown. Remove from oil and fry raisins in the same oil. When raisins starts to fluff up immediately remove from oil. You can also use almond or any dry fruits of your choice.

3. Add peeled and mashed sweet potatoes and saute till sweet potatoes leaves the sides. It will take about 2-3 minutes.

4. Add milk and stir continuously. When milk about to dried up add gur or jaggery, fried cashew nuts, raisins and mix well. Cook till moisture evaporate. Stir continuously.

5. Add cardamom powder and 1 teaspoon ghee. Mix well and switch off the heat.

6. Garnish with grated jaggery and fried cashew nuts. Serve warm.

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.

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Microwave Chicken

Microwave chicken. Again sharing a simple yet absolutely delicious chicken recipe in an easy peasy way. Just mix everything and microwave for 8 to 10 minutes and your chicken curry is ready with only 2 teaspoon oil. Easy isn’t it?

Earlier shared one more no oil microwave chicken or Hariyali chicken on this blog. In this recipe I used only 2 teaspoon oil. If you want more spicy add some more slit or chopped green chilli and red chilli powder. You can serve it with any bread or rice dishes. I served it with steamed rice and Beetroot green stir fry.

This Monday our 304 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Side Ka Kamaal suggested by Priya Vijaykrishnan who blog at Sweet Spicy Tasty. Priya suggested us to share any side dish. My contribution is this easy and healthy chicken curry for this theme. Priya has a wonderful collection of South Indian recipes on her blog. As the name of her blog you can get many other different types of sweet spicy and tasty recipes on her space. I recently bookmarked her Vegan kootu curry to try.

This is a microwave recipe. But you can also make it on stove top in the same way. Use a nonstick pan to fry the onions in less oil. Or you can use barista or fried onions too. Use green chilli according to your taste. To make more spicy add some more chopped or slit green chili and red chilli powder. Or if you are making for kids omit chilli. You don’t need to add water. Chicken will release enough water to cook. You can add a spoonful of ghee or clarified butter at the end if you want.

Recipe

Chicken – 500 gram

Curd or yogurt – 5 tablespoon

Ginger garlic paste – 2 tablespoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 2 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Garam masala powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Onion – 2 large

Mustard oil – 1 teaspoon, optional

Slit green chilli – 3-4 or to taste

Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon

Vegetable oil – 1 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Method

1. Marinate the chicken pieces with salt, curd, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice and mustard oil if using. Mix everything well. Cover and keep it in refrigerator for one hour.

2. Thinly slice the onions. In a microwavable glass bowl mix sliced onion and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Microwavable on high power for 2 minutes. Stir and microwavable again for 1-2 minutes or till onion slices becomes brown.

3. After 1 hour take out the marinated chicken from refrigerator. Mix brown onion slices into the chicken. Reserve 2 tablespoon for garnishing. You can grind the brown onion and add brown onion paste into the chicken if you like smooth gravy.

4. Add slit green chilli according to your taste.

5. Mix and microwave on high power for 8-10 minutes. Use a loosely covered microwavable glass bowl. Check after 8 minutes. Stir well and microwave again for 1-2 minutes if require.

6. Garnish with fried sliced onion and cilantro or coriander leaves. Serve with steamed rice, jeera rice, pulao or any bread.

Notes

1. Use chilli according to your taste.

2. Barista or fried onions or paste of fried onions can be used in the chicken.

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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Baked Bitter Gourd Or Karela

Baked bitter gourd or karela. Make this nutritious and immunity booster vegetable in an easy way. You don’t need to spend lots of time in kitchen in this scorching hot weather. Just mix everything and bake. Enjoy the crispy bitter gourd as a side dish.

You can peel the bitter gourd if you don’t like the bitterness. And add more onions while baking. You can also add some lemon juice before serving. Crispy delicious baked karela will be a perfect side dish for any meal.

You may like some more bitter gourd recipes on this blog.

1. Bitter gourd with tomato

2. Sukto

3. Gujarati bitter gourd stir fry

4. Bitter gourd dopyaza

5. Crispy bitter gourd and potato

According to Healthline here are some health benefits of bitter gourd.

• Packs Several Important Nutrients. Bitter melon is a great source of several key nutrients.

• Can Help Reduce Blood Sugar.

• May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties.

• Could Decrease Cholesterol Levels.

• May Aid Weight Loss.

• Versatile and Delicious.

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 theme is Fear Not Bitter suggested by Seema Doraiswamy Sriram who blog at Mildly Indian. Seema is a very talented blogger. You can get numerous healthy and delicious recipes on her blog. I recently bookmarked her Millet jaggery cake and some more.

This month my partner is Poonam Bachhav. I love her space for her versatile recipes. Specially her authentic thali recipes. You can also get many delicious, healthy treat on her blog. You will definitely love her Mango bundt cake and many more. Poonam gave me cumin and Amchur as secret ingredients and I gave her milk and jaggery. Poonam made Eggless banana chocolate cupcakes with these ingredients.

You can use as much shallot or small onions as you want. Sliced onion and shallot both will reduce the bitterness. I used Kashmiri red chilli powder to add some colour. You can skip it or if you want your karela more spicy then you can add hot variety red chilli powder.

Recipe

Bitter gourd or karela – 2

Shallot/sambhar onion or small onions – 15

Onion – 1 large Salt to taste

Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Amchur or dry mango powder – 1 teaspoon

Oil – 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon

Coriander leaves and lemon wedges to garnish

Method

1. Wash the karela or bitter gourd and cut off the both tips. Cut the bitter gourd or karela into thin round slices. You can peel the bitter gourd to reduce the bitterness. I didn’t.

2. Peel the sambhar onion or shallot and keep aside. Slice one large onion. You can use one more onion if you like.

3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil and brush with little oil. I used parchment paper.

4. In a bowl mix all the dry spices, salt, 1 tablespoon oil and bitter gourd slices. Mix well and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.

5. Arrange the marinated bitter gourd slices on lined baking tray in single layer.

6. In the same bowl mix shallot and onion slices with little salt and one teaspoon oil.

7..Bake the bitter gourd slices at 200 degree temperature for 10 minutes.

8. Take out the baking tray and mix both the onion with bitter gourd slices.

8. Bake for 10 minutes again or until bitter gourd becomes crisp. Keep an eye after 7 minutes. Bitter gourd shouldn’t be burnt.

9. Garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves and lemon wedges. You can add some lemon juice before serving. Serve warm as a side dish.

Note- To reduce the bitterness peel the bitter gourd and use more onion.

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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Baked Pasta With Egg And Cheese

Baked pasta with egg and cheese. A cheesy delicious treat for kids and adults both. You don’t have to boil the pasta before making this baked pasta. An easy peasy recipe but taste is absolutely mouthwatering.

You can use any pasta or elbow macaroni to make it. I have only cheese slices so I used it. But you can use mozzarella, cheddar or any cheese. Use whatever you have. Add as much cheese as you like. I made it simple without any vegetable this time. But I like sweet corn in my pasta. So you can use sweet corn, bell peppers or any vegetable of your choice. Even boneless chicken pieces can be added in pasta.

This time theme of our 303 #Foodiemonday bloghop is Pasta Please suggested by Priya Iyer who blog at The World Through My Eyes. Her blog is a treasure house of authentic South Indian recipes with different types of continental recipes. Recently she shared a delicious Peanut basil pesto recipe. Visit her space for step by step detailed recipe. If you want something innovative, check out her Zucchini thepla and many more.

Now coming to the recipe. As I mentioned above it’s a very easy recipe. Even you don’t need to boil and strain the pasta before making it. And to make it more cheesy add as much cheese as you like. Kids love cheesy pasta, right? You can use any cheese, use whatever available at your place. I didn’t use red chilli flakes but you can use it in pasta and sprinkle some over the cheese before baking. It will look great. You can also add finely chopped green chilli with onion. Use chilli according to your taste. You can use chicken or mutton stock instead of water.

Recipe

Pasta – 2 cup

Onion – 1 large, finely chopped

Garlic – 3-4 cloves, minced

Tomato – 2 ground or finely chopped

Olive oil – 1&1/2 tablespoon

Cheese as require

Egg – 3-4

Dried Oregano or mixed Italian herbs – 2 teaspoon

Dried Basil – 1 teaspoon

Pasta or pizza sauce – 2 tablespoon

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon or to taste

Olive pieces to garnish, optional

Salt to taste

Water – 1&1/2 cup

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan or wok. Add minced garlic and finely chopped onion. Fry till onion starts to change it’s colour.

2. Now add tomato paste or finely chopped tomatoes. For tomato paste grind the chopped tomatoes in your mixer grinder.

3. Add oregano, basil and black pepper powder. You can use Italian mixed herbs instead of oregano. Use whatever you have. You can add little red chilli flakes if you want. You can also add sweet corn or any vegetable of your choice. Saute till mixture dried up.

4. Add pasta and salt. Mix well. Add water, mix and cover. See notes for more options.

5. Cook till pasta about to dried up. Pasta shouldn’t be over cooked.

6. Remove the cover and mix well. Add two cheese slices or shredded cheese and mix well. This step is optional. But it will make your pasta more cheesy.

7. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Remove from heat when pasta dried up.

8. In a bowl beat the eggs with little salt and black pepper powder.

9. Preheat the oven at 180°.

10. Grease a baking dish. Transfer the pasta to the baking dish. Spread the pasta evenly into the baking dish.

11. Pour the well beaten eggs all over the pasta. Arrange 4-5 cheese slices over it. Or spread shredded cheese over the pasta. Sprinkle olive pieces over it. If you don’t have olive, skip this step. You can also Sprinkle little red chilli flakes over the cheese.

12. Bake in preheated oven at 180° for 20 minutes or until cheese becomes golden brown. Keep an eye after 15 minutes.

13. Cut in square pieces and serve warm.

14. You can store leftover pieces in refrigerator. Heat in microwave just before serving.

Notes

1. You can use more cheese if you want. You can use mozzarella, cheddar or any cheese. Use whatever you have.

2. Sweet corn, bell peppers or any vegetable can be added in the pasta.

3. Add chilli according to your taste. If you are making for kids omit chilli.

4. . Any vegetable oil can be used instead of olive oil.

5. Chicken or mutton stock can used instead of water to make this pasta.

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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Gluten Free Bread With Garlic And Mixed Seeds

Gluten free multigrain milk bread with garlic, mixed seeds and Italian herbs. A super healthy breakfast bread with quinoa, bajra or pearl millet, soybean and oats. And you don’t have to compromise on taste for health. This bread is nutritious and delicious. Posting after a long time. A very difficult month. Lost some near and dear ones. Still some are under treatment. May God bless all. Please stay home stay safe and protect others.

I have used mixed garlic and herbs in the dough this time. You can also make this bread by following my Stuffed savoury bread recipe. I sometimes make like it. Make the dough first and pat or roll the dough into flat and rectangular. Spread fried or roasted garlic, Italian herbs or chopped cilantro or coriander leaves and cheese. And fold it to make loaf. After baking and slicing you will get the bread slice like this 👇

Have a look on the ingredients of this gluten free bread.

Bajra or pearl millet flour. Most famous millet and rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and many healthy nutrients.

Quinoa flour. Quinoa is also very high in fiber, protein, iron and unsaturated fat. And it has a Low Glycemic Index, which is good for blood sugar control.

Soybean flour. Protein enriched soybean flour also is rich in vitamins and minerals. Low calorie soybean flour is great for health watchers and diabetic people.

Oats powder or oatmeal. Oatmeal is high in fiber, minerals, antioxidants and various vitamins. It helps to reduce blood sugar levels and reduce risk of heart disease. It also helps to weight loss. Source – Healthline

Xanthan gum. According to King Arthur Baking Xanthan gum helps you get that with gluten-free bread. It locks in moisture to the dough, while also providing structure, so your loaf will hold its shape while baking and slice up perfectly when cooled.

Salt. Salt will enhance the taste of the bread.

Olive oil. Heart healthy olive oil will make your bread soft. You can use any oil or butter instead.

Yeast. It will make your bread soft and airy.

Brown sugar. Sugar helps to activate the yeast. You can also use white sugar or honey. It also enhance the taste.

Milk. You can use water instead of milk but milk will make your bread more soft. And milk is packed with important nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins, potassium and vitamin D. Plus, it’s an excellent source of protein. Source

Milk powder. It will enhance the flavour and taste. And milk powder will also help to browning the crust.

Vinegar. Acidic vinegar will help to add flavour to your bread.

Oregano, rosemary and basil. Used dried herbs for taste and flavour. You can use any herbs of your choice.

Garlic. Use lightly fried garlic for flavour. Garlic is well known for it’s numerous health benefits.

Mixed seeds. Nutrients rich mixed seeds will also enhance the taste of your bread. . I have roasted mixed seeds including sunflower, pumpkin, flax, watermelon, chia and gojiberries seeds. You can use any seeds.

Sending this post to #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Lockdown Recipes suggested by Narmadha who blog at Nams Corner. Narmadha has a wonderful blog with different types of veg and none veg healthy recipes. I bookmarked her Healthy granola bar and Masala fish fry recipe to try.

This gluten free bread is not only healthy but its also delicious. If you want you can add one cup of whole wheat flour while making dough to make multigrain bread. If you have dough hook then you can make this dough in less time. Keep the dough soft to make soft bread. And you can add more garlic if you like. You can use any flavour instead of Italian herbs.

Recipe

Bajra or pearl millet flour – 1/2 cup

Quinoa flour – 1/2 cup

Soyabean flour – 1/2 cup

Oats powder – 1/2 cup

Xanthan gum – 2 teaspoon

Salt – 1&1/2 teaspoon

Olive oil – 3 tablespoon + for greasing

Dry yeast – 1&1/2 teaspoon

Brown sugar – 1 tablespoon

Warm milk – 1&1/2 cup

Milk powder – 2 tablespoon

Vinegar – 1&1/2 tablespoon

Oregano – 1 teaspoon

Dried Rosemary – 1 teaspoon

Dried basil – 1/2 teaspoon

Oats and sesame seeds to sprinkle

Garlic – 19-20 cloves or more

Mixed seeds – 4-5 tablespoon

Method

1. In a bowl mix brown sugar, yeast and warm 1/2 cup warm milk. Milk should be warm not hot. Cover and keep aside for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes yeast mixture will be foamy.

2. In a large bowl mix oats powder, sieved bajra or pearl millet flour, quinoa flour and soybean flour, xanthan gum, salt, milk powder vinegar, dried basil, dried rosemary, oregano, mixed seeds and 2 tablespoon olive oil.

3. Make a hole in the middle and pour foamy yeast mixture and 1 cup warm milk. Knead well. Use your food processor or dough hook of your hand mixer to knead the dough for 5 minutes.

4. Dough will be soft and sticky. Smear the dough with oil and also grease the bowl generously. Cover the bowl and keep in a warm place for an hour or till the dough becomes double.

5. In the meantime heat one tablespoon oil in a pan. Fry the garlic cloves lightly. Don’t make too brown. Fry till garlic cloves becomes light brown. You can use more garlic cloves if you like.

6. Let it cool down. Chop the fried garlic cloves roughly. After one hour dust your cleaned kitchen counter with flour. Take out the dough with your oil greased palm. Punch down the dough. Place the dough on your cleaned and flour dusted kitchen counter.

7. Knead the dough again. Now the dough will be less sticky. Add fried and chopped garlic cloves. And mix well. Flatten the dough with your oil greased palm. Press the dough into flat and rectangular. Fold and shape the dough into a loaf.

8. Place the loaf in a oil greased loaf pan. Cover and keep in warm place for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes loaf will becomes double. Brush the top with milk and sprinkle white sesame seeds and oats.

9. Preheat the oven at 190°. Bake for 40- 45 minutes. I have used my Samsung microwave. For microwave set hot blast function at 170° and press start. Your oven will start to preheat. After preheating bake the bread for 25-30 minutes. Or until bread becomes golden brown. Invert the bread on a cooling rack or plate. Let it cool down before slicing.

10. Slice and make crisp toast or sandwich with filling. Enjoy the healthy and delicious bread in breakfast. Or serve warm with soup in dinner. Stay home stay safe and healthy 🙏

Notes

1. You can use any flour instead of these flour.

2. You can use peeled one whole garlic if you like garlicky flavor.

3. Vegan people can use water instead of milk.

4. You can use any flavour of your choice instead of Italian herbs.

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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Chicken Rezala

Chicken rezala. A mughlai dish which is very famous in Bengal. Chicken rezala is a yogurt based fragrant rich creamy curry. Yogurt, whole spices and Kewra water made the dish aromatic and delicious.

First time I tasted famous rezala of Sabir in Kolkata with my elder sister Chhobidi and brother in law long years ago. But still remember the taste. Chhobidi and brother in-law were left for heavenly abode. But I am dedicating this post to their younger daughter and my lovely niece Ellora Roy.

I have shared some more chicken recipes on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

1. Chicken chaap

2. Chicken clear soup

3. Chicken dak bungalow

4. Zafrani chicken

5. Chicken kosha

6. Sikkimese chicken curry

7. Hariyali chicken

8. Easy spicy pressure cooker chicken

9. Andhra chicken curry

Monday again and this week its time for dahi/curd or yogurt. 294 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Dahi Dhamal suggested by Priya Vijaykrishnan who blog at Sweet Spicy Tasty. Priya has amazing collection of authentic South Indian recipes with different types of continental recipes. I have to try her Bean corn Quesadilla and Keerai sambhar soon.

To make this chicken rezala you have to marinate the chicken pieces in yogurt or curd/dahi and some spices for atleast an hour. You can marinate the chicken for overnight in refrigerator. Make a smooth paste of poppy seeds and cashew nuts. For easy grinding soak poppy seeds and cashew nuts in hot water. Or you can dry grind the poppy seeds first. I always store some dry ground poppy seeds. Just add little water with dry ground poppy seeds and grind for a few seconds. You will get perfectly ground smooth paste for your curry. For better result cook chicken rezala with ghee or clarified butter. But if you don’t want to use ghee use any vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon ghee. I have used 1 tablespoon Mustard oil in marination and refined white oil with ghee for cooking. You can also marinate with the chicken with ghee or any white oil.

Recipe

Chicken – 500 gram

Curd/dahi oryogurt – 1/2 cup

Ginger garlic paste – 1&1/2 tablespoon

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Oil – 4 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon

Ghee – 1 tablespoon

Onion – 2 large

Green chilli – 5 – 6 or to taste

Cashew nuts – 12

Poppy seeds – 2 tablespoon

Bay leaf – 2

Dry red chilli – 5

Black cardamom – 1

Green cardamom – 4

Cinnamon – 1&1/2 inch piece

Cloves – 4

Saffron – a pinch

Milk – 1/4 cup

Water – 1&1/2 cup

Kewra water – 2- 3 drops

Method

1. Clean and wash the chicken well. Drain the water completely. Marinate with curd, black pepper powder, ginger garlic paste, salt and 1 tablespoon oil or ghee. I have used mustard oil in marination but you can use any oil. Mix well, cover and keep in refrigerator for an hour. You can keep the marinated chicken overnight in refrigerator. But if you don’t have time marinate the chicken at least 30 minutes to one hour.

2. Soak the cashew nuts and poppy seeds in hot water. This time I have used dry ground poppy seeds so soaked only cashew nuts in little hot water till cashew nuts becomes soft. Soaking will make your grinding easy. You can dry grind the poppy seeds or khas khas into a fine powder and store in an airtight container in refrigerator to make your cooking easy. Grind the cashew nuts, poppy seeds and green chilli into a smooth paste and keep aside.

3. Also grind the onion into smooth paste separately.

4. Lightly crush the green cardamom in a mortar pestle. Soak saffron in 1/4 cup hot milk.

5..Heat oil and ghee or clarified butter in a pan or wok. You can use only ghee if you like or skip ghee and make with oil only. But for better taste use little ghee. I have used only 1 tablespoon. You can use any refined vegetable oil.

6. Now add bay leaves, crushed green cardamom, black cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and dry red chilli. Fry for a few seconds or until whole spices becomes fragrant. Spices shouldn’t be burnt. Add onion paste and saute till oil leaves the sides.

7. Take out the chicken from marinated mixture and mix with sauteed onion paste. Add salt. Be careful while adding salt. We already used salt in marination. Stir well. Cover and stir in between.

8. Cook till chicken dried up and oil floats on top. Don’t forget to check and stir in regular interval to avoid sticking to the bottom. Add cashew nuts, poppy seeds and green chilli paste. Saute and till oil leaves the sides.

9. Add soaked saffron and water.Add warm water as require to make gravy. I have used 1 cup first and added 1/2 cup more warm water because chicken was about to dried up and still little uncooked.

10. Cover and cook till chicken becomes soft. Timing depends on the quality of chicken. So keep an eye and check in between.

11. Taste and adjust the salt. Add Kewra water mix and remove from heat. Garnish with saffron and fried dry red chilli and serve with steamed rice, pulao, rumali roti, naan, tandoori roti, paratha or simple fulka roti or any Indian flat bread.

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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Eggplant Or Brinjal Chutney

Eggplant/brinjal or baigan chutney. A lipsmackingly delicious chutney with very simple ingredients. Eggplant/aubergine or baigan haters will also enjoy this chutney without recognizing eggplant or brinjal in it.

You need very simple ingredients to make this chutney. For best result always use seedless brinjal or eggplant. And you can customize the recipe according to your taste. I have used dry coconut in the chutney. You can use fresh coconut pieces if you want. You can also use hot variety red chilli powder instead of Kashmiri red chilli powder for more spicy chutney. Usually same amount of eggplant and tomato used to make this chutney but I like more tomatoes and less eggplant in my chutney. So I used a small eggplant and three tomatoes. Tomatoes and tamarind both will make your chutney tangy and tasty. I have used eggplant, tomatoes, dry coconut pieces, green chilli, curry leaves, mustard seeds, ginger, roasted peanuts, dry red chilli, cilantro or coriander leaves, tamarind paste with some spices.

You may like some more chutney recipes on this blog. Click on the name below for recipe.

. Almond walnut chutney with mango ginger or amada

. Olive chutney

. Tomato oambal or chutney

. Ginger chutney

. Mango sesame chutney

. Date raisins jaggery chutney with mango bar

. Water chestnut or singhara chutney

. Onion tomato chutney

. Mango raisins chutney

. Peanut chutney

. Gur aam

293 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Tiffin Side Dish suggested by Priya Iyer who blog at The World Through My Eyes. You can get many chutney recipes on her space. I recently bookmarked her delicious Vegetarian pad thai noodles to try soon. And her Gujarati kanda Kairi recipe is also in my list to try.

I like my chutney tangy and spicy. Hotness depends on the green chilli you are using. You can taste and adjust the seasoning according to your taste. You have to roughly chop the ginger and green chilli. You can also serve it without blending as a side dish with roti, paratha or any Indian flatbread. I used roasted peanut but if you don’t have roasted peanut then you can dry roast the peanut separately or fry the peanut with ginger, green chilli and coconut. If you are using seedless eggplant, then its impossible to recognize the taste of eggplant or brinjal/baigan in the chutney.

Recipe

Eggplant/aubergine or brinjal (baigan) – 1 small

Tomato – 3, chopped

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece, peeled and chopped

Green chilli – 3-4 or to taste

Dry coconut – 2 tablespoon, chopped into small pieces

Salt to taste

Cumin/jeera powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric/haldi powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Mustard seeds/rai – 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves – 8-10 leaves

Dry red chilli – 1

Cilantro or coriander leaves – handful, chopped

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Tamarind or imli paste – 1/2 tablespoon or to taste

Roasted peanut – 1 tablespoon

Oil – 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon

Method

1..Chop the eggplant or brinjal in cubes. Immerse the eggplant pieces in sufficient water to avoid discoloring.

2. Chop ginger and green chilli roughly.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add half of the mustard seeds. When mustard seeds starts to splutter add 4-5 chopped curry leaves, chopped ginger, green chilli and coconut pieces. You can also add a few chopped garlic cloves if you want. I didn’t.

4. Fry till coconut pieces becomes light brown. Now add eggplant or brinjal, salt, cumin powder, turmeric powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder. Mix well and cover.

5. Cook till eggplant becomes soft. Stir in between to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add chopped tomato, cilantro or coriander leaves and roasted peanut.

6. Mix and cook covered till tomato becomes mushy. Add tamarind paste, mix and remove from heat. Taste and add more salt or tamarind paste if required. I added 2 teaspoon more tamarind paste because I like my chutney tangy. It will be delicious. You can enjoy it with roti, paratha or Indian flatbread.

7. Let it cool down. Blend the mixture in your mixer grinder.

Tempering

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a small pan or wok. Add remaining mustard seeds and 4-5 curry leaves. When seeds starts to splutter pour the tempering on the chutney. Your chutney is ready to serve. Serve with idli, dosa or any meal.

Notes

1. You can use roasted eggplant to make this chutney if you like smoky flavour.

2. If you want your chutney more spicy, then add some more green chilli or you can also use some red chilli powder with other spices.

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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Casatiello/ Stuffed Savoury Bread

Casatiello or stuffed savoury bread. A delicious and soft bread stuffed with butter fried mushrooms. Casatiello is a famous Italian Easter bread usually topped with eggs and stuffud with meat and cheese. But I made it without eggs and meat. An absolutely delicious Easter bread for vegetarian people. Serve it warm or room temperature and enjoy the heavenly taste. And it will be finished so fast so get ready to make it again as I did.

Casatiello is ring-shaped stuffed bread topped with eggs which has been an iconic Easter treat for more than 400 years. The ring-shape is symbolic of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during the crucifixion and the eggs represent Jesus’s rebirth. It is the perfect dish to pack for the tradition of picnicking on Easter Monday (Pasquetta). The dough is usually made on Good Friday, left to rise overnight and baked the next morning. Source

I have followed my Whole wheat milk bread recipe with some changes.

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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 Easter bread theme suggested by Renu Agrawal Dongre who blog at Cook With Renu. Renu has a vast collection of baked recipes along with different varieties of savoury and sweet recipes. List is too long but I have to try her Easter bunny buns first. Renu shared Paska Easter bread and muffins recipe for this theme.

This month my partner is Mayuri Patel who blog at Mayuris Jikoni. She is also a wonderful baker and her blog is a treasure of traditional Gujarati recipes with numerous mouthwatering continental recipes. I always love her baking skill and her vast collection of baked dishes. I have bookmarked her Brazilian carrot cake to try soon. Mayuri gave me rosemary and mushroom and I used both of these ingredients in stuffing of this delectable bread. And I gave Mayuri Milk and orange zest. Check out the delicious German Easter bread recipe on her space with these ingredients.

When I make this ring shaped stuffed bread, I have only four mushrooms. But while making second time on my kids demand used 200 gram mushrooms.

And made the bread in loaf pan. Both are equally delicious but ring shaped is looking more attractive. Sharing both methods here.

As I said I have followed my Whole wheat milk bread recipe with some changes. Used all purpose flour or maida instead of whole wheat flour. I love the texture of milk bread. Milk bread are more soft than the bread kneaded with water. So used warm milk for kneading the dough. You have to knead the dough really well. Adopted the method from here. I have cheddar cheese powder so used it but you can skip it if you don’t have. Or for more cheesy taste you can also add cheese powder in the dough. Mix cheese powder with flour before kneading.

Recipe

All purpose flour or maida – 3 cup +for dusting

Yeast – 1&1/2 teaspoon

Sugar – 1 tablespoon

Salt – 1&3/4 teaspoon

Milk powder – 2 tablespoon

Vinegar – 1&1/2 tablespoon

Olive oil – 2 tablespoon + for greasing

Warm milk – 1&1/4 cup

Stuffing

Mushroom – 4, finely chopped

Butter – 1 tablespoon

Oil – 1 teaspoon

Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon

Oregano – 1 teaspoon

Dried rosemary – 1/2 teaspoon

Pizza sauce – 2 tablespoon or as required

Cheddar cheese powder – 3 – 4 tablespoon, optional

Diced or grated cheese – 1/4 cup

Method

1. Heat butter and oil in a pan. Add mushrooms, garlic powder, oregano and rosemary. Saute till mushrooms completely dried up and changed it’s colour. Remove from heat and let it cool down. I have only 4 mushrooms so I used it. You can use more mushroom. Sharing the second method below this recipe.

2. You can use minced garlic instead of garlic powder. Fry the minced garlic before adding mushrooms and other ingredients in the oil. For more stuffing options see notes.

3. In a bowl mix 1/4 cup warm milk, yeast and sugar. Stir well. Cover and keep in a warm place for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes it will becomes foamy. Milk should be warm not hot.

4. In a large bowl mix flour, salt, olive oil, vinegar and milk powder. Mix well. Make a hole in the middle and pour the yeast mixture. Add 1 cup warm milk and mix well. Knead the dough well. You can use your food processor for easy kneading. This time I used dough hook of my hand mixer. If you are using kneading machine knead the dough for 5-6 minutes. Or to knead with hand, sprinkle little flour on your cleaned kitchen counter and place the dough on it. Knead the dough for 9-10 minutes. Knead the dough by pressing with your palm and heel of your palm by pushing and stretching. Now after kneading well make a ball with the dough.

5. Grease a bowl generously. Smear the dough with oil and place in the greased bowl. Cover with kitchen napkin and keep in a warm place for an hour or till the dough becomes double. Timing depends on the temperature of your place. Its summer time here so 1 hour is sufficient. I kept the dough in my oven.

6. After 1 hour punch down the dough and knead again. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin or your oil greased palm. Roll or press the dough into flat and rectangular. Spread pizza sauce all over it. Sprinkle cheddar cheese powder over the sauce. Spread mushroom and grated or diced cheese. I used Amul diced mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend.

7. Now start rolling it from the longest side. After rolling place it in the greased bundt pan. Pinch the seam well. Cover the pan with a kitchen napkin and place in a warm place for 30 minutes or until it becomes double.

8. Preheat the oven at 190°. Bake for 40- 45 minutes. I have used my Samsung microwave. For microwave set hot blast function at 170° and press start. Your oven will start to preheat.

9. After preheating bake the bread for 25-30 minutes. Or until bread becomes golden brown. My bread was perfectly baked in 24 minutes. Take out the bread from oven and brush with melted butter. Invert the bread on a cooling rack or plate.

9. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

Second method with more stuffing

1. For staffing Follow the above recipe but use 200 gram finely chopped mushroom, 1&1/2 tablespoon butter, 1&1/2 teaspoon Oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary and 2 teaspoon Garlic powder. Add garlic powder more or less as you like. Make the stuffing as above recipe.

2. Process of making dough is same as above recipe. After first proofing roll the dough into flat and rectangular. Spread pizza sauce, cheddar cheese powder, butter fried mushrooms and then grated or diced cheese.

3. Now start rolling from shorter side. Pinch the seam well. Roll as this Herbed milk bread recipe .

4. Place in a oil greased loaf pan and cover with kitchen napkin. Place in a warm place for 30 minutes or until it becomes double. Bake the bread as above. Slice and enjoy.

Notes

1. You can add chopped hard boiled eggs in the stuffing.

2. Any stuffing can be used in this bread like minced meat, paneer or cottage cheese, eggs, sweet corn, peas or any vegetables of your choice. You can also use paneer bhurji, egg bhurji or scrambled eggs for stuffing.

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.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update

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