Onion Pakoda

Am not much of a fonder of fried items. Due to my 6 year old  son's constant nagging for pakoda, I tried this onion pakoda.. It is absolutely mouth watering with hot tea on a cold weather ! ... And very easy to make snack when compared to its counterparts like bhajiis or bondas !.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Yields : 7-9 pieces

INGREDIENTS:

Onions - 1 1/4 cup thinly sliced
Besan/Chickpea flour/kadalai maavu - 1 cup
Red chilli powder -1/2 teaspoon
Ajwain seeds/omam - 1/2 teaspoon
Garam masala - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - as required
Water - 1/4 cup
Asafoetida powder - as required
Oil - For deep frying

METHOD:

1. Slice onions thin, lengthwise as shown in pic.

2. In a large bowl, taken besan. Add salt,red chilli powder,garam masala,ajwain seeds.Sprinkle some asafoetida powder.

3. Add sliced onions to the besan and mix the contents well.

4. Keep it covered and allow it to rest for about 30 minutes. Because, the onions would let out some water. After 30 minutes, open it. You can see that mixture would be little wet. Now, add some water and mix well to a thick paste. Do not add more water. The batter should be thick in consistency.

5. Now heat oil in a pan, and once it is hot, take some spoonful and deep fry them in oil, till they turn golden brown.

6. Tasty Onion Pakoda is ready !. Have it with hot tea !

SEE ALSO: Masala Vadai, Tape Murukku, Maida biscuits(Spicy) 

Masala Sandwich (Iyengar Bakery Style)

Iyengar bakery style open faced masala sandwich !.. Quick bite in few minutes!!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

Plain White Bread - 4 no.s
Carrot - 1/2 cup grated
Onion - 1 cup finely chopped
Tomato - 1 medium size chopped
Green chilli - 1 no finely chopped
Sambar powder -2 teaspoon
Red chilli powder -1/4 teaspoon
Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
Salt - as required
Cinnamon stick - 1 small sized
Cloves - 2 no.s
Cumin seeds -1/2 teaspoon
Oil - 2 tablespoon

METHOD:

1. Grate carrot.Chop onion,tomato and green chilli finely.

2. In a pan, add oil. Add cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add onions and green chilli and fry till they turn transparent.

3. Now add carrots,cinnamon,cloves,turmeric,redchilli and sambar powder. Add some more oil. Fry them , till the raw smell of masala is gone.

4. Now finally add chopped tomato . Sprinkle little water and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Switch off.

5. Slightly toast bread either in tawa or toaster. Spread the masala above and if you prefer, add some ketchup before serving. Iyengar bakery style open masala sandwich is ready !

SEE ALSO: Pav Bhaji, Veg Samosa, Rava Toast 

Beetroot Kurma

Tasty,healthy,iron rich beetroot kurma !

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

Beetroot - 2 medium sized
Onion -1/2 cup chopped
Tomato - 2 medium sized, chopped.
Ginger garlic paste -1 table spoon
Red chilli powder -1/2 teaspoon
Garam masala - 1 teaspoon

FOR MASALA PASTE:

Coconut  - 3 tablespoon grated(You can also use desiccated coconut powder)
Green chilli - 2 to 3 no.s
Channa dal /Bengal gram - 2 tablespoon


FOR SEASONING:

Oil - 2 tablespoon
Cinnamon - 1/2 inch sized
Clove -2 to 3 no.s
Cardamom - 1 no.

METHOD:

1. Dry roast channa dal for 2 minutes, until they are hot to touch. Grind them along with green chilli and coconut powder in to a smooth paste by adding little water.

2. In a pressure cooker, add chopped beetroot and some water and salt. Pressure cook for 3 to 4 whistles in high, and switch off. To avoid spewing, do not add more water. Just add 1/2 cup of water.

3. Now in a pan, add oil. Now add items mentioned in the "Seasoning" section. Then add onion and fry till they change color. Now add chopped tomato,ginger garlic paste,red chilli powder,garam masala powder and stir for another few minutes, till the raw smell of masala is gone.

4. Now add the masala paste which you prepared in step 1. Also add cooked beetroot. Now add some water to your desired consistency. Allow the contents to boil for 4 to 5 minutes. Switch off. Beet root kurma is ready !

5. Serve kurma with phulkas !.

SEE ALSO: Beetroot Rice, Navratan Kurma, Bhendi besara