Dahi Phulki -Gram Flour Dumplings In Yogurt Sauce.

Better late than never!
Enough of procastination!!.I need to break the ice!!..yes get back to blogging.Cant even tell you how much I missed sharing all the wonderful recipes pictures and travel and now that I have got a new Camera.. yes!! a Nikon D3100 (well got it more then a year back).Its high time I should get back to what I loved.So from now on I promise to share my recipes along with a piece of my not so spicy life.So no more broken cameras travel breaks or lazy weekends or even super busy weekdays can keep me away.So here to start with I have a very easy peasy recipe.

These can be eaten as a side dish or simply as an Appetizer.This one is my moms traditional recipe.And its an absolute must during the ramadan.Dahi phulikis are quite a north indian delight.Havent seen it anywhere else though.Its not a dish which can be found in restuarants or on a street food stall.Its a very homemade sort of dish.The phulkis or the dumplings are usually made of gram flour but I have tasted a variant variety of phulkis made of moong dal.My pakistani cousins   usually have the monng dal variety.But personally I love the gram flour flavour.Plus its gluten free.
Go ahead and enjoy the recipe and lemme know!

Ingredients

For Phulki(Dumplings):

• 1 cup gram flour (Besan),sifted
• 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 3/4 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves,chopped
• water,as required
• oil,for deep frying

For yogurt Sauce:

• 750 gm. plain yogurt
• 1 tsp salt
• chaat masala,according to taste 
•  1tsp dry mint

For Tempering:

• 2 whole dried red chillies.
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 5-6 curry leaves (optional)

Method

 For the dumplings.

1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.Add water and beat well with a spoon or whisk.Take care to add water little by little.We dont want a very runny batter nor a very thick one.The consistency of the batter is important it should be that of a creamy consistency.Leave it to rest for 15-20 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a wok or a fryer.Test the temperature by dropping a small amount of batter into the hot oil.It should rise to the top at once.
3. The oil should be medium hot.Drop teaspoonful of batter.Fry to a golden in color.Remove and drain on a kitchen towel.Let it rest for 20-25 minutes or till it has cooled.
4. In another big bowl take some hot water.The water should be enough for the dumplings to dip in.Add salt to the water and soak the phulkis for atleast 15 mins.Squeeze out the excess water gently by pressing them and place them in a serving bowl.Keep in fridge or at room temperature for 10-15 minutes so that Phulki absorbs the yoghurt.

 For Yoghurt Sauce.

1. Whisk yogurt with 1\2 cup water,salt and dry mint to make a smooth paste. Pour evenly onto the Phulki in the serving dish and stir gently.

 For Tempering:

1. Heat oil in a small saucepan.Add the tempering ingredients till light brown.Temper the dish.Garnish with Chaat Masala

Stuffed Chocolate Dates!!

Hey Peeps, I am back with a new bust of energy, all set to rock the blog-town. It’s been way   too long since i last posted. You might be wondering where the hell I vanished? May be on a vacation? No I have not been very lucky to enjoy summer vacation this year.

Last month I was on a spiritual-spree since it was the blessed month of Ramadan. Yes i am super greedy when it comes to blessing, and I don’t leave a single stone unturned. And more over I hardly did any cooking last month was enjoying the luxury of my moms kitchen. I am just not in mood to cook while I fast. After Ramadan it was the meet-eat-expand phase for those of you who are confused with my weird expression, It actually was the Eid time. 

Eid is the festive time when Muslims all over the world celebrate. It actually marks the end of fasting through a generous feasting time (as-if-Ramadan was less of a feast).so we meet friends & family, feast together, increase our dress and waist sizes. The merrier time landed me on bed, I was invaded by some unwanted enemies called virus. However, finally after combating a battle which lasted couple of weeks I am back in shape and ready to share some mouth watering recipes with you

Meet my current favorites.. stuffed chocolate dates.A little twist to the normal dates.

Ingredients

• A dozen or two of any soft variety of dates.
•   200gm bar of chocolate
• 200gm bar of  white chocolate
• 1/2 a cup of colorful sprinkles

For stuffing

• 1/2 cup of mixed nuts grounded in coffee grinder.
• Tahina halava (can be found in most middle-eastern grocery shops)
• 1-2 tbsp butter

Method

1. Wash & de-seed the dates by sliding in the center along the length of the date.let it dry
2. Mix the nuts mixture with the butter by gradually adding the butter.till it reaches a pliable dough consistence.
3. keep an empty plate in freezer for 5-10 minute.
4. Now the stuff  half of the dates with a pinch of this mixture.and the rest with the halava.
5. In two separate bowls melt chocolate & white chocolate respectively.Either over a double boiler or in the microwave.
6. Now dip one end of the date in dark chocolate and let it rest over the frozen plate.It begins to harden and then dip the other end in the white chocolate.you can also dip it in the sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
7. Transfer them to small paper cups and serve with a cup of coffee.

Sesame & Oatmeal crackers!..100% healthy!!

Last night I realized that it had been quite a while since I watched a movie considering how much of a movie buff I am, it certainly was not a very pleasant news. Further,  to make matters worse I am on a sort of holiday ,visiting my parents, that means I should have doubled my proportion for the month.Before the guilt of missing my reel life would kill me.I instantly planned my matinee movie time, set my alarm & hit the sack, hoping for an early morning.

Therefore, today I woke up to an early ray of sunshine .As fresh as a daisy surprisingly just the way I had planned. I even indulged in the luxury of a decent breakfast (of course fixed by me!!). :)

Conversely, when all settled down to kick start my movie hour I noticed I am out of popcorns, what could be more awful than this? How on earth would I be able to enjoy my movie without munching pop corns as a matter of fact extra cheese was also planned.

How my dream of popcorns just popped away since now it was all in vain situation.So all I could think about at this moment was a replacement therapy. The word cracker in all its glory popped in my head. Great I thought its easy, not at all time consuming and also supper healthy as well. So here is the journey of  Sesame & oat meal crackers created in my kitchen. Enjoy it without fearing unhealthy carbs or feeling guilty!

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oats meal
• 11/2-2 thsp sesame seeds
• salt
• 3-4 thsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup-1 cup water (for making a dough hence varies) 
• 1/8 tsp baking soda.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, oats meal.baking soda and salt. Pour in the vegetable oil and water; mix until just blended.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough as thin as possible - no thicker than 1/8 inch. you can also do it in between two baking sheet or foil (i rolled them out placing the dough between to sheets of aluminum foil
4. Place dough on an greased baking sheet, and mark squares or bars out with a knife, but don't cut through. Prick each cracker with a fork a few times, and sprinkle with salt (i did not sprinkle salt as i do not like them salty)
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until crisp and light brown. Baking time may be different depending on how thin your crackers are. When cool, remove from baking sheet, and separate into individual crackers. 

•  You can make these crackers just about any shape you like. You can cut them into wide strips, thin ribbons, precise squares - or simply bake them off in big sheets. They go nicely with the cream cheese dip. I suspect they'd also be great crumbled over Caesar salad and can replace croutons in soups, or dive deep into  hummus.

This Recipe goes to Anyone can cook&Bookmarked Recipes - Every Tuesday Event.  WWC-Oats in the baking

Iftar nights 
   
Healthy Snacks

Honey Glaze Potatoes !!

Since i try to keep a healthy diet,i deprive myself of the fried goodness on daily basis.However,once in while I do loose my cool & get swayed off by the temptatious oily goodness.I indulge and when i do, i make sure that the calories are worthy of my indulgence. 
Honey glazed potatoes is one yummy food which i often indulge in ..its a perfect mix of crispy thick fries covered with sweet tangy chili sauce and those sesame seeds..yumm!!...just add to the flavors.There is something completely addictive and magical about these potatoes.
Ever since i first tasted them I consistently craved for more, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn how to make my own.I tried various recipes.I had a rocky road of tons of trial & errors before i finally reached this one.

Ingredients

• 3 medium potatoes - peeled and quartered
•  water - to cover potatoes
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp chilli sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1thsp ketchup
• 2 thsp Sesame seeds
• 1 cup flour

Method

1. cut the potatoes longitudinally as in  french fries.Cover it with water and add salt to it.Now microwave it on medium heat for 5-6 minutes or till its half done.take care it should not be very soft and tender.
2. Drain the fries once done.Leave them aside for 10-15 minutes.
3. Roll the fries in the flour & sieve the excess flour .
4. Heat oil in a wok on medium heat or you can even do this in a fryer.Fry potatoes till golden brown.
5. Once the fries are done drain them on a paper towel.Meanwhile,in another wok add 1 thsp of sesame seeds and saute until toasted.Make a mixture of honey ,ketchup & chili sauce.
6. Add oil ,wait till it is slightly heated,add the sauce mixture.Tip in the fries.Mix well till all of the fries are coated with the sauces. Dish out.
7. Garnish with the remaining roasted sesame seeds.

• You can also add spring onion to the glaze & also use it to garnish.Frozen fries can also be used.

This Recipe goes to the event hosted by Saras's Kitchen ,Signature Recipes.