Quick & Easy Vegetarian Meals Recipes
Seeking vegetarian meals that are both delicious and easy to prepare is a common desire for many. With the wealth of resources available today, platforms like Manjula’s Kitchen make it incredibly convenient to discover a variety of vegetarian recipes that cater to different tastes and dietary needs. Manjula’s Kitchen: A Hub for Vegetarian Meals Delights Manjula’s Kitchen is a treasure trove for anyone looking to explore vegetarian cuisine. The platform offers an extensive collection of recipes that are perfect for all occasions. Here’s a detailed look at what you can find on each platform associated with Manjula’s Kitchen: YouTube Channel
Manjula’s Kitchen on YouTube has a massive following with over 1 million subscribers and more than 500 videos. These videos range from traditional Indian dishes to modern vegetarian meals.
The channel has garnered millions of views, with some popular videos like the Tawa naan reaching over 1 million views. The step-by-step video tutorials make it easy for beginners to follow along and create authentic Indian dishes at home. Facebook Page
The Facebook page for Manjula’s Kitchen is another popular platform where you can find a plethora of indian vegetarian recipes. With over 200,000 followers, the page is regularly updated with new recipes, cooking tips, and engaging content. It also serves as a community hub where followers can share their cooking experiences and ask for advice. Website
The official website of Manjula’s Kitchen is a comprehensive resource with hundreds of vegetarian recipes categorized under various sections like breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts.
Each recipe is detailed with ingredients, cooking instructions, and nutritional information. The website also features a blog where Manjula shares her cooking journey, tips, and tricks. Pinterest
Manjula’s Kitchen on Pinterest is a visual delight for those who love to browse through food photos. The page has over 50,000 followers and features pins of beautiful food photography, linking back to the detailed recipes on the website. It’s a great place to find inspiration for vegetarian meals and plan your meals visually. TikTok
Although relatively new, the TikTok presence of Manjula’s Kitchen is growing rapidly. With short, engaging videos that showcase quick recipes and cooking hacks, it’s perfect for those who prefer bite-sized content. The TikTok account has already amassed thousands of followers and millions of views. Popular Vegetarian Meals from Manjula’s Kitchen
Paneer Butter Masala: A rich and creamy dish made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and a blend of spices. It’s a favorite among vegetarians and pairs well with naan or rice. A great delicacy coming from paneer recipes. Chole Bhature: This classic dish comes from North Indian recipes consisting of spicy chickpeas (chole) served with deep-fried bread (bhature). It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for brunch or dinner. Vegetable Biryani: A fragrant rice dish cooked with a variety of vegetables and aromatic spices. It’s a complete meal in itself and can be enjoyed with raita (yogurt sauce). A special rice recipe that is great to taste and amazing to feast. Aloo Gobi: A simple yet flavorful dish made with potatoes (aloo) and cauliflower (gobi). It’s a staple in many Indian households and can be served with roti or rice. Dal Tadka: A comforting indian dal lentil dish tempered with spices. It’s a protein-rich meal that pairs well with steamed rice or roti.
Quick and Easy Vegetarian Meals
For those looking for quick easy vegetarian meals, Manjula’s Kitchen offers several options that can be prepared in under 30 minutes:
Vegetable Stir-Fry: A mix of colorful vegetables stir-fried with soy sauce and spices. It’s a healthy and quick meal that can be served over rice or noodles. Chickpea Salad: A refreshing salad made with chickpeas, vegetables, and a tangy dressing. It’s perfect for a light lunch or a side dish. Spinach Paratha: Whole wheat flatbreads stuffed with spiced spinach. They are nutritious and can be served with yogurt or pickle. Mango Smoothie: A delicious and healthy smoothie made with fresh mangoes, yogurt, and a touch of honey. It’s a great breakfast option or a refreshing snack.
Engaging with the Community
Engaging with the community on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok is a great way to discover new recipes and get cooking tips. The comments section often has valuable insights and variations of recipes shared by other users. Manjula herself is very responsive and often answers questions from her followers. Conclusion
Manjula’s Kitchen is an excellent resource for anyone looking to explore the world of vegetarian cooking. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, you’ll find a wealth of recipes and cooking tips that will make your culinary journey enjoyable. So, dive into the delicious world of vegetarian meals with Manjula’s Kitchen and discover the joy of cooking wholesome, flavorful dishes.
Aloo Tamatar ki Sabji (Potatoes with Spicy Tomato Gravy)
Aloo Tamatar ki Sabji or Potatoes with spicy tomato gravy is a classic combination and a popular North Indian dish. Aloo Tamatar, is flavorful and delicious and the best part is that it goes well with all different kinds of bread and rice.
1piecesgreen chiliseeded and cut into small , optional
Instructions
Break the potatoes by hand in bite size pieces and roughly mash them, this should make about 3 cups.
Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Oil should be moderately hot, when you add the cumin seeds they should crack right of way. Add cumin seeds, and asafetida, as cumin seeds crack add the tomatoes.
Cook the tomatoes until they are soft and mushy. Add the other spices coriander powder, turmeric, chili powder and ginger, stir fry until tomato start separating from oil. This should take about 2 minutes.
Add potatoes and salt mix them well with spices, add water, as potatoes come to boil cover the pan and lower the heat to medium and let it cook for about ten minutes.
Mix the potatoes and mash some potatoes as mixing the potatoes, this will thickness to gravy. Adjust the water in gravy to your liking; gravy will thicken as it will cool.
Add garam masala and cilantro, and green chilies this is optional. Mix it well turn off the heat and cover the pan.
Notes
Aloo Tamatar Sabji is ready. Serve this with Paratha, Purie, Plain Rice, or you choice of bread.
Dal Paratha, or Bikaneri Paratha, is best described as Indian stuffed flatbread. This delicious bread is filled with cooked chana dal and a variety of spices. However, unlike other stuffed parathas these are rolled super thin. These parathas are a Rajasthani delicacy. They are excellent source of protein in hot summers and are a healthyvegan option.
1/2cup chana dal, available in Indian grocery stores
1/2teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fennel seed powder, (saunf)
1/2teaspoon red chili powder, adjust to taste
1/8teaspoon asafetida (hing)
Also, Need
1/4cup all-purpose flour, for rolling
2tablespoons oil for cooking paratha
Instructions
for Dough
Mix the flour, salt and oil.
Add the water slowly, mixing with your fingers as you pour.
Dough should be soft, do not knead the dough.
Cover the dough and let it sit for at least fifteen minutes.
for Filling
Boil the chana dal with two cups of water on medium-high heat. After the dal comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and let it cook until the dal is very soft. If needed add a little more water. Strain the dal removing the access water if needed.
consistency of soft dough. Consistency of dal is very important for this recipe. If dal is too soft it will be difficult to make the filling, so stir fry the dal to bring it to the right consistency. If it is too dry and crumbly add a little water.
In a bowl mix dal with salt, fennel powder, chili powder, and asafetida. Adjust the pepper and salt to taste. Set it aside.
Making Paratha
Divide the dough and filling into eight equal parts and form into balls.
Roll the dough ball lightly in dry flour and roll it into a 3” circle. Place a filling ball in the center. Pull the edges of the dough to wrap it around the filling. Repeat to make all eight balls. Let the filled balls settle for three to four minutes.
Meanwhile heat an iron or other heavy skillet on medium-high heat until moderately hot. To test, sprinkle water on the skillet. If the water sizzles right away, the skillet is ready.
Press the filled ball lightly on dry flour from both sides.
Using a rolling pin, roll the balls keeping the sealed side up. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin or rolling surface, lightly dust the parathas with dry flour; roll the paratha into a seven-inch circle.
Place the paratha on the skillet. When the paratha starts to change color and begins to puff up, flip it over. You will notice some golden-brown spots.
After a few seconds, drizzle half a teaspoon of oil over the paratha. Flip the paratha and put half a teaspoon of oil in again. Lightly press the puffed areas with a spatula. This will help Paratha to puff.
Flip again and press with a spatula making sure the paratha is golden-brown on both sides. Repeat for the remaining parathas.
Parathas are best served hot and crispy. They will be soft as they cool off.
Parathas can be kept unrefrigerated for up to two days wrapped in aluminum foil or in a covered container. For later use, parathas can be refrigerated for six to seven days or frozen for up to a month. Re-heat using a skillet or oven. But they taste great at room temperature.
Carrot and Ginger Soup is a light vegan, gluten-free and super healthy soup with the added benefit of tasting delicious. This soup is made with carrots, celery, ginger, and flavored with mild spices. Of course, this soup is also nutritious!
Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium high heat, Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if the seed cracks right away, the oil is ready.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the cumin seeds, carom seeds, asafetida. As seeds crack, add carrots, celery, and ginger. Sauté for about 12 minutes until carrots are very soft.
Puree them in blender with 2 cup of water, on high speed. Add water as needed to puree.
Use the same pan and pour the soup salt and sugar, bring the soup to boil on medium high heat. Add more water if needed. When the soup boils, turn the heat to low and let it simmer for ten minutes.
Serve soup hot, Add the black pepper and lemon juice, in the bowl when ready to serve.
Roasted Chickpeas is one of my favorite (and easy to make) snacks. This makes little snacks for 2-6 people. They are very good and the spicy crunchy contrast is delicious. I am sure you will love it too!
Preheat the oven to 425 Fahrenheit and grease a cookie sheet or line with foil.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas, removing as many of the skins as possible, or use chickpeas that have been soaked overnight.
Melt the coconut oil and toss the chickpeas with the oil and spices.
Spread onto the cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Stir the chickpeas and bake for another 12-16 minutes or until they are fully roasted and crunchy.
Remove and let cool before eating. Once cooled, they can be store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
Olive oil can also be used if coconut oil is unavailable. Enjoy!
Sarson Ka Saag, mustard greens with spinach is a healthy and easy to prepare dish. Sarson ka saag is a all time favorite punjabi dish. Traditionally this is served with makki ki roti (maize flat bread) and gur (unrefined cane sugar).
Mix corn flour with ½ cup of water and keep aside.
In a heavy bottom pan boil the mustard, and spinach leaves, 4 tablespoons ghee/ clarified butter, salt, turmeric, ginger and green chili with one cup of water over medium high heat.
After greens come to boil cover the pan and turn heat down to medium. Cook for approximately 30 minutes; stir 3-4 times in between. Greens should be well cook and mushy; they will become about 1/3 in volume.
Add corn flour mixture and mix it well and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir 3-4 times in between. Saag should be cook well all the ingredients nicely integrated together.
For seasoning heat the ghee/ clairfied butter in small pan, ghee should be moderately hot. Add cumin seeds they should crack right a way. Add asafetida and red chilies stir for few second and add to the saag. Mix it well.
Sarson ka saag is ready. Serve hot with maki ki roti, naan or Thandoori Roti.
Mushroom peach biryani is a flavorful variation of the traditional vegetable biryani. Its a rice based dish that goes well as a stand alone dish and also can be served along with other forms of curries and gravy recipes.
Wash the rice several times with water till the water appears clear.
Soaking the rice in water for about 30 min before cooking is recommended.
After this drain the water and add rice and 2 cups of water in a pan, also add ½ teaspoon of salt. Set the flame to high till the water comes to a boil, once the water boils reduce the flame to low and cover the pan and cook until the water evaporates.
Mix the saffron with milk
Let the rice cool for about 10-15 min before adding the saffron mixture and mix very gently to avoid breaking the rice grains.
For Gravy:
Chop the onions and peaches into thin long slices, cut each mushroom into 4-6 pieces. Cut the chilies into thin slices lengthwise and coarsely cut the cilantro.
Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium flame, add cumin seeds, crushed green cardamom pods and cinnamon stick
After this is done, add the sliced onions and green chilies cook for few minutes till the onions look transparent. After this add the shredded ginger and mix.
Add the mushrooms, salt, chilli powder, coriander powder and cook till the water from the mushroom dries.
Add the sliced peaches and cilantro and cover the skillet and let it cook for another 5 minutes, the peaches will start turning slighty transparent but they must not be mushy. Mix the gravy once or twice in between so that it doesn’t burn or stick to the base of the skillet.
After this add the dried cranberries and garam masala and mix.
Carefully add the rice to the gravy and mix gently so that the rice grains go not break let it cook covered for another 2 minutes.
For garnishing:
I used fresh basil leaves and cranberries.
Notes
Additional Tips:Other fruits like apricots and nectarines can also be used instead of the peaches and you can remove the peel of the fruits if you prefer it that way.
We all love Chinese food. I love it too. Actually chinese is one of my favorite cuisine. Chinese food is really healthy food and aroma of sauces used in it is also very nice. It always contains so many healthy vegetables. This time I found a new version of that. How about a chinese paratha? Give it a try. Trust me, you will fall in love with it.
1/2 Cup of very finely chopped cabbage/Patta Gobhi
1/4 Cup of very finely chopped capsicum/Shimla mirch
1/2 Cup of very finely chopped carrot
1/2 Cup of very finely chopped Green onions
2-3 very finely chopped green chillies
1 Tbsp of dark soya sauce
1 Tbsp of chilly sauce
1 & 1/2 Garlic very clove finely chopped
salt to taste
a pinch or 2 of black pepper
1 Cup of Wheat Flour
1/4th Tsp salt
1/4th Tsp 1/4th Tsp Red pepper/Lal mirch
Water as required to make the dough/around 1/2 cup
Oil or butter or Ghee[Purified butter] for paratha's
Instructions
Method
In wheat flour add salt and red pepper and mix well.
Slowly adding water to it, make the dough as same as chapati dough. Cover it and keep it aside for around 15 minutes.
All vegetables should be very finely chopped. Mix together all vegetables, green chillies, black pepper, sauces and salt as per taste. Be careful while adding salt with stuffing, because all types of sauces contains already salt.
Divide the dough in 10 equal parts. Roll 2 balls in circle shape as same as chapati with the help of rolling pin.
On one chapati, spread 2 tbsp. of vegetable mix. Cover it with another rolled chapati. Press it from all sides and pack it well, so that the stuffing will not come out.
Cook it from both sides on hot tawa, adding little oil/butter/ghee, till very small brown patches appeared on both sides.
Serve hot.
Notes
Additional:If you want to garnish it, spread some green coriander leaves and grated paneer/Indian cheese on it.
1 cup matar, (light brown in color, they look almost like chick peas; available in Indian grocery stores)
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon black salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 tablespoon coriander
2 tablespoons ginger finely chopped
2 small green chilies finely chopped, (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Garnishing
Few slices of lemon
2 tablespoons ginger finely chopped
2 green chilies finely chopped
Instructions
Method
Wash and soak matra in three cups of water overnight. After soaking matra will be about 2 1/2 times the volume of the original.
Dry roast the cumin seeds and coriander seeds separately, until they are brown and you can smell their aroma. Let them cool and grind to powder consistency.
Put the matra in a pressure cooker with 2½ cups of water. Add the salt, ginger, and green chili. Cook on medium high heat.
When the pressure cooker starts to steam, turn the heat down to medium and cook eight to nine minutes more.
Turn off the heat and wait until steam has stopped before opening the pressure cooker. Matra should be soft and tender.
Add all the spices; this is the time to adjust the salt and pepper to your taste.Mix the spices well. Add a little water if they look too dry, the gravy should be thick.
Serve warm garnish with ginger and green chili and lemon.
Matar Chaat Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide to Homemade Delight
Stuffed Bell Peppers make for fantastic party recipes, offering quick & easyappetizers that are vegan, gluten-free, and low-fat, perfect for satisfying cravings with a delightful chaat-inspired twist, ideal for snacking. In this matar chaat recipe, we’ll explore the delightful flavors of this popular Indian street food. Matar chaat is a savory snack made with dried yellow peas, bursting with tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors. It’s a perfect dish to satisfy your cravings for something savory and delicious. This recipe offers a perfect blend of textures and tastes, making it a favorite among both kids and adults alike.
Step 1: Soaking the Peas
To begin with this matar chaat recipe, the first step is to soak the dried yellow peas overnight or for at least 8 hours. Soaking helps to soften the peas, making them easier to cook and digest. It also reduces the cooking time significantly, ensuring that your chaat is ready in no time.
Step 2: Cooking the Peas
Once the peas are soaked, drain the water and rinse them thoroughly. Then, transfer them to a pressure cooker or a large pot. Add enough water to cover the peas and some salt. Cook until the peas are tender but not mushy. Cooking time may vary depending on the type and freshness of the peas, but it usually takes around 15-20 minutes in a pressure cooker.
Step 3: Preparing the Chaat
Once the peas are cooked, it’s time to prepare the chaat. Heat some oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Let them splutter and then add finely chopped green chilies. Now, add some minced ginger and cook for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
Step 4: Adding Spices
Next, add the cooked peas to the pan along with some chaat masala, red chili powder, amchur (dry mango powder), and a pinch of garam masala. Mix well until all the spices are evenly coated with the peas. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
Step 5: Serving the Matar Chaat
Once the matar chaat is ready, transfer it to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves, chopped tomatoes, and a drizzle of tamarind chutney. You can also sprinkle some sev (crispy chickpea flour noodles) on top for an extra crunch. Serve hot and enjoy this flavorful matar ki chaat with your favorite beverages.
Tips:
You can customize this matar chaat recipe according to your taste preferences by adding ingredients like chopped cucumber, boiled potatoes, or pomegranate seeds.
To make it healthier, you can use olive oil instead of regular cooking oil.
Adjust the spice levels according to your preference. If you like it spicy, add more green chilies or red chili powder.
Variations:
For a creamy twist, you can add a dollop of yogurt or sour cream on top of the chaat.
If you’re vegan, you can skip the yogurt and use vegan yogurt or coconut cream instead.
Experiment with different toppings like grated cheese for added flavor and texture.
Benefits:
Matar chaat is a nutritious snack as it’s packed with protein and fiber from the yellow peas.
It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy option for snacking.
The spices used in this chaat, such as cumin, ginger have various health benefits including aiding digestion and boosting immunity.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use canned peas instead of dried peas?
A: While canned peas can be used in a pinch, dried peas are preferred for this recipe as they have a better texture and flavor. If using canned peas, make sure to drain and rinse them well before cooking.
Q: Can I make this chaat ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the cooked peas and spice mixture ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the mixture and assemble the chaat with your desired toppings.
Other Recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen
If you’re looking to explore more Indian recipes, appetizers, beverages, and desserts, be sure to check out the following links on Manjula’s Kitchen. Here are some links to recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen official website:
Apple custard is a nice gluten-freedessert with the red strawberry sauce to give a holiday touch. The uncooked apples and roasted almonds give it a nice texture.
2 cups (500 grams) strawberries, rinsed, green tops removed (frozen will work)
1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar (depends on sweetness of berries)
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved into 2 tbsp water
for Custard
2 cups milk
3 tbsp custard powder ( I used vanilla flavor.)
3/4 cup sugar
10-15 roasted chopped almonds
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1 1/2 cup chopped apple (you can use chikoo, banana, grapes too)
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
Instructions
for Strawberry Sauce
Mix strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and water in a pot.
Heat the mixture in medium flame for 13-15 mins.
Keep the pot covered (occasionally stir).
When the strawberries are tender and can easily cut by spoon, this is the time to add the corn starch dissolved in water. Stir it nicely and turn off the heat. Let the mixture cool for 10 mins.
Put the mixture in blender and make a puree. Strawberries has seeds on sides. Strain the sauce to remove these seeds. Keep the sauce in refrigerator.
for Custard
Take some (3-4 tbsp) milk and mix custard powder to it.
Heat rest of the milk at medium flame, add sugar to it.
Just before boiling add the custard powder mixture (made in step 1) to the milk. Add the cardamom powder.
Keep stirring the milk till it boils. After boiling take the pot away from heat. Add roasted chopped almonds. Let it cool for an hour.
Add the fruits to custard.
Keep the mixture in refrigerator.
While serving add 1 tsp strawberry sauce at bottom of the bowl. Add the fruit custard and top it with the strawberry sauce. See Photo.
Notes
Additional:Decorate with some fresh mint leaves (optional).
Butternut Squash Risotto is a simple, rice-based delicious quick & easy recipe that can be served anytime. It can be served with any side of green vegetables.
In India, Kheer / Payasam is mainly meant for serving to the God. Also, its very convenient to prepare Kheer when you want to prepare some sweet dish in less time. Main ingredients needed for any kind of Kheer are – milk and sugar / jaggery. Different varieties of Kheer are prepared by adding other thing with these main ingredients. When we were in Bangalore, I was getting nice bottle gourd from 'Reliance Fresh' almost throughout the year. I used to prepare Bottle-gourd Kheer frequently. After coming to Australia, I tried preparing same kind of Kheer using Zucchini. To our surprise, it resembled the same taste of Bottle-gourd Kheer! These days, I never look for bottle-gourd in the shops; we got used to the taste of zucchini itself!Zucchini Kheer (Payasam)is a delicious quick & easyhealthydessert.
Mushroom Sesame Fingers are a great choice for a light, crispy and low-fatappetizer. Prepare it in advance whenever there’s a party, and store it in the oven. Reheat for 10 minutes before serving.
Back home in India, we used to relish the pickled chilies or mirchi ka achar, where good quality of mirchi or chilies are chosen with great care, and then stuffed with pickle spices , drenched in hot mustard oil and infused with the flavor of fennel, cumin, mustard etc. The other way to enjoy it as an appetizer, where the jalapeno or korean chilies are coated with seasoned chickpeas flour and then deep-fried in hot oil, and on an overcast monsoon day you can relish these hot mirchi bhajjis with a cup of coffee…some of the simple pleasures in life. No discussion of chilies can be ever completed without mentioning the celebrated mirchi ka salan from the cuisines of Hyderabad. The lip smacking dish successfully wins every heart whether you love or hate the chilies.
leave the stalk intact and cut (lengthwise) the chili in half with a knife, take extra care while handling the chilies. Discard the seed and membrane with the help of a knife or spoon. Do not touch the seeds and membrane with your hand.
Drop the chilies in boiling water for couple of minutes, drain and let it dry. Blanching the chilies, this way will reduce the heat or spiciness of chilies.
Preparing the filling : Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan, and then brown the sliced onion for few moments.
Once the onions are browned evenly, add the grated coconut, candied ginger, raisins, seasoned it well with salt and pepper. If you wish, you can add little cumin powder also.
Stir for few moments on low heat. Take off the heat and add bread crumbs in it. Mix them well.
Let the filling cool slightly before stuffing the chili peppers.
With the help of a tea-spoon, fill the halved chili peppers with coconut mixture and topped each of them with cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 15-20 minute or until the cheese melts.
Mawa Kachori is an exotic dessert. This is a delicacy from the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is known for its rich food and culture its a sweet savory snack. Pastry filled with an aromatic mixture of Mawa and nuts makes a very festive dessert.
1/4 cup mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios coarsely ground)
1/4 teaspoon crushed cardamom
3 tablespoons sugar
Note: If you are using Mawa use ¾ cup of Mawa instead cream and powder
Oil to fry
Syrup
1cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon crushed cardamom
Few strands of saffron
Instructions
Crust
Mix flour, and clarified butter in a bowl, making it firm and soft adding water slowly as needed. Knead the dough until the dough becomes soft and pliable.
Set the dough aside and cover it with a damp cloth. Let the dough sit for at least ten minutes.
Syrup
Boil the sugar and water on medium heat, as sugar comes to a boil add saffron, and cardamom on medium heat until syrup is about one thread or 220 degrees (Fahrenheit) on a candy thermometer. Set it aside.
Filling
Mix the cream and milk powder in a frying pan. Cook on medium heat until it becomes the consistency of soft dough, this should take about 3-4 minutes. Stir continuously so the mixture does not burn on the bottom of the pan. This mixture is known as Mava.
Next add nuts mixture, sugar, and cardamom powder to Mawa. Mix well and cook for about 2 more minutes until the mixture is consistent with soft dough. Keep it aside.
After cooling, the mixture will become drier but still should be lightly moist.
Making Kachoris
Knead the dough for a minute.
Divide the dough into about 18 equal parts.
Roll each ball into about 2-inch diameters.
Take one of the rolled doughs in your palm and place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center. Pull the edges of the dough to wrap the filling. Proceed to make all 30 balls.
Let the filled balls sit for 3 to 4 minutes before pressing.
In the frying pan heat the oil on medium-high, the frying pan should have about 1-1/2 inches of oil.
Set the filled balls on a clean and dry surface with the seam facing up. Using the base of your palm, slowly flatten them into a circle of about 3 inches.
To check if the oil is ready put a little piece of dough in the oil. It should sizzle, and come up slowly.
Slowly drop the Kachoris in the oil, do not overcrowd the kachoris in a frying pan, fry them on medium heat.
After they are puffed, slowly turn them over.
It will take about 5-6 minutes to fry. Fry until golden brown on all sides.
If the kachoris are fried on high heat, they will get soft and will not be crispy.
Notes
Serving
Just before serving drizzle the kachori with about 2 tablespoons of hot syrup. Garnish them with leftover filling or sliced pistachios.
A healthy bean salad with an Indian twist is something that can bring you accolades at a party. This high-protein-packed salad brings with it the goodness of fresh and colorful veggies. Couscous adds to the fiber content of the salad while the minty yogurt gives it an Indian touch and that extra zing!, keeping the calories under count too. At times this can also serve a full meal on its own! The veggies for this salad are chosen such that you can make this salad ahead of time ( to lessen that last-minute hush) and it will not turn soggy/watery or have that oniony smell. What more can you ask from a simple salad recipe!
1 cup Kidney Beans (I used a mix of the dark and light variety)
1 cup finely cut veggies: red, green and yellow capsicum, boiled corn kernels, celery.
1/4 – 1/2 Cup couscous (as per your choice)
Lemon juice – to taste
For the Dressing:
1 Cup yogurt (I used Greek style Yoghurt)
1 Cup fresh mint leaves
Handful of fresh coriander leaves
Chopped tomato – half
Garlic cloves and ginger – to taste (optional)
Chaat masala, salt, black salt, red chili powder, black pepper powder, green mango powder, anardana powder – To taste.
For Garnishing and serving:
Fresh Coriander and mint leaves
Lettuce leaves
Some chopped capsicum, boiled corn etc.
Instructions
Method
Wash and soak kidney beans overnight in sufficient water. Pressure cook or boil them till cooked. The beans should retain the shape and should be well cooked. Set aside for cooling.
Wash and drain cous cous properly. Add enough warm water to soak it and leave aside for 10-15 minutes.
Grind together mint leaves, coriander, and garlic, ginger, chopped tomato, all spices for the dressing. You can add green chilies if you like your salad hot.
Mix the above with hung yoghurt. Make sure the yoghurt is thick as we do not want the salad to turn watery.
In a big bowl, add the boiled beans (just press them little so that they open up a bit; this will help the dressing seep into the beans and impart them some flavor but make sure they still retain their shape). Now add cut vegetables and the minty yoghurt dressing and well.
Fork through the cous cous so that the grains separate. Add this to the salad bowl and give it a good mix. Finally add some lemon juice and mix. Do a taste test and adjust salt if needed.
For an eye catching presentation, serve a portion each on Lettuce leaves such that the leaf serves as a plate as well for individual serving! Sprinkle some cut veggies and mint and cilantro leaves!
Notes
Variations and tips:
If you have mint chutney on your menu with some starter, this salad is a must! Just mix green chutney and yogurt, throw in some more spices and Voila! You have the dressing ready in a jiffy.
Although capsicum and celery are enough to give a crunch, but still if you really do want to have onions, add them just before serving. It will look fresh as well as avoid that smell. Tomatoes are also grinded and not added directly as they tend to release water and the salad can’t be made ahead of time.
This can be made with only coriander if mint is not at hand. But adding mint makes it unique and so very flavorful! Try using dried mint instead but you will lose on the flavor.
Yogurt should not have extra water; else the salad will go runny.
Instead of yogurt, you can make a simple cream/sour cream dressing as well but that adds to the calorie count too!
You can use sprouted moong, moth instead of kidney beans but it tastes great with kidney beans; you will have to take my word for that.
You can use dried herbs as well like oregano, parsley or herb mixture of your choice. Options are endless!
Serving Options:
Serve it as a starter with corn chips.
It goes very well with Rice/Biryani or even bread or chapattis for that matter.
Use it as a noteworthy addition to your next scrumptious party menu.
