Olive Hummus without Tahini

I LOVE.... HUMMUS!! I really really do. Luckily for me, so does my family.

chickpeas garbanzo kabuli chana chutney garlic vegan mediterranean


Creamy hummus and some fresh and warm pita bread... yummmm... makes my mouth water.

I can eat hummus with anything - Bread, Roti, Naan etc. Sometimes, I cheat on the pita bread with Crackers. I spread the hummus on crackers and savor them at tea time.

Until recently, hummus was something you could only have in middle eastern restaurants. And even they were so few. But these days you can buy hummus from your super market. May not be at the really local grocery chain but you can definitely get them at the gourmet grocery chains.

And you get them in so many flavours these days - roasted pepper, sun dried tomatoes, peri peri, rosemary etc. I'm still a fan of the original Hummus. Recently, however, I picked up one with tiny bits of Olives in it and I simply loved it.

chickpeas garbanzo kabuli chana chutney garlic vegan mediterranean


This Olive Hummus has a predominant taste of olives , however, it does not overpower the original hummus. The hummus turns out smoother and creamier if you peel the chickpeas before blending it. But if you are a Lazy bug like me, skip it and blend.

Usually Hummus is made with a creamy sesame butter called Tahini. Tahini has a low shelf life and is not available very easily. Don't worry! It can be easily replaced with toasted sesame seed powder. That's what I have done. It adds a nice nuttiness to the Hummus.

This time I made my own whole wheat pita bread to enjoy the hummus if. If you thought it is difficult to make, you are totally mistaken. Check out how to make pita bread here. I replaced the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour and it tasted equally amazing.

DO NOT throw out the water you cooked the chickpeas in, store it in the fridge and wait for my next post, I'll show you how you can make a simple garlicky broth with it that we call "Kattina Saaru". It is a famous accompaniment to rice across Karnataka.



chickpeas garbanzo kabuli chana chutney garlic vegan mediterranean

Olive Hummus without Tahini


Hummus made with chickpeas and olives and no Tahini

Recipe Type:  Dip
Cuisine:         Mediterranean
Prep Time:    8 hours (Includes soaking time)
Cook time:     5 minutes
Yield:             2 cups

Ingredients:


1 cup dried Chickpeas or 2 cups cooked Chickpeas
3 Tbsp Sesame seeds
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-3 pods of Garlic
1-2 Tbsp Lime juice
5-6 Olives
Upto 1/2 cup water
Salt

Method:


Soak the dried chickpeas overnight or for 8 hours in 2 cups of water.
Cook them with salt until they are well done. I pressure cook them, it takes around 10 minutes. Don't worry if you overcook them, that's what we need.
Drain them and allow them to cool. Keep the water aside.
Peel the chickpeas by gently squeezing them for a smoother hummus.
Lightly warm the Sesame seeds in a pan and grind them into a powder.
Blend together the chickpeas, sesame powder, garlic,salt,1 Tbsp of lime juice,2 Tbsp of olive oil and around 2 Tbsp of water.
Blend well until the hummus is smooth. If the mixture is too sticky for your blender, continue to add 1 Tbsp of water at a time to loosen the mixture.
Add the remaining lime juice and Olive oil as per your taste and mix well.
Finely chop the olives and add it to the hummus and mix well.

Notes:


I love garlic. The quantity I added makes it really garlicky. Adjust the garlic according to your love for garlic. The garlic pods in India are really very small, so you may want to start off with 1/2 a pod and then continue to add more. Or you can add garlic powder or paste. Start with 1/2 tsp and increase as per your taste.
Read more ...

Cold Coffee | Iced Coffee

In the winters, we sat on our bean bags in the balcony, all covered up with blankets and sipped on hot tea while watching the clear skies and the twinkling stars.

Finally, it's time to welcome SUMMER!!

drink beverage no ice cream

Now, days are getting hotter and so are the evenings... The kind of hot that brings out all the sleeveless tops and the shorts. The kind of hot that makes one wince at the thought of going out in the Sun. The kind of hot that demands you relax at home under the cool breeze blown by the fan and just keep drinking COLD DRINKS all the time. Iced water is good, Iced Coffee or Cold Coffee is even better.

Cold Coffee - A chilled caffeine shot is what I call it. All the energy of coffee with all the coolness of ice.

drink beverage no ice cream

And when it gets so hot that you cannot be bothered to go down to the Coffee Shop to buy a cold coffee, turn to this Cold Coffee Recipe. All you need is right there in your house. Just 5 ingredients - Milk, Coffee, Sugar, Water and Ice. No ICE CREAM in my recipe. Probably less than half the calories of your Coffee Shop Cold Coffee but just as delicious and a lot cheaper on your pocket. What's even better is you can flavor it just as you like it. Cinnamon, may be? Or do you fancy chocolate? Or is Cardamom your vice? It's all up to YOU!!!

I made it plain and absolutely LOVED it... 

I've used instant coffee, so it is absolutely INSTANT Cold Coffee. 



Cold Coffee | Iced Coffee


Cool beverage made of milk, coffee, sugar, water and ice.

drink beverage no ice creamRecipe Type:  Beverage
Cuisine:         Indian
Cook time:    10 minutes
Yield:            4 Tall Glasses



Ingredients:


3 cups of Milk
1 cup of Water
4-5 Tbsp of Sugar
4-5 tsp of Instant Coffee Powder
Ice Cubes

Method:


In a blender, blend together all the ingredients. Start with less sugar and increase if needed. Same goes for the coffee powder.
Serve cold with more ice.




Read more ...

Tawa Pulao | How to make Tava Pulao Recipe with Step by Step Instructions

Tava pilaf pav bhaji mumbai street food masala rice tomato

Street food ROCKS!!!

Don't you just agree to that? Many markets across the world are centered around the street food. Streets of Bangkok... Streets of Mexico City... Streets of Mumbai...

I think the true essence of a city lies in its Street Food. You get local food, fusion food and some even carry international favorites. But one thing is a constant in every food street, there is so much variety. After all, variety is the spice of life, isn't it?
I've found these are one of the busiest places in a city, especially after sundown. We have our own little food street in Bangalore which is packed even on weeknights.

Every city has its favorite, and so does Mumbai.

Mumbai is famous for its Vada Pav and its Pav Bhaji. Lurking in their shadows is the Tawa Pulao. Tawa Pulao literally is rice and vegetables cooked on a flat griddle along with some spices and oodles of butter.

Everything tastes better with BUTTER!!! Spoon in as much butter as you desire, it only improves the taste.

Tawa Pulao can be easily made VEGAN by skipping on the butter, or adding some yummy Almond Butter.

Tava pilaf pav bhaji mumbai street food masala rice tomato

Tawa Pulao has now started to become a popular dish outside of Mumbai too. I've eaten it in so many places in Bangalore. It seems to be entering restaurants too. But the street version beats the restaurant version any day. On my list of favorite street food, Tawa Pulao ranks 3rd, right behind the Pani Puri and the Pav Bhaji.

I must credit this recipe to my friend at work. She got this for lunch one day and I simply had to have the recipe. I was pleasantly surprised when she told me the recipe. I couldn't believe it was so easy to make. My friend makes it with only green peas and she adds a chilli paste as well. I add any vegetables I find in my fridge. In the past I've added babycorn, sweet corn, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli etc. I guess you get the picture.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Tava pilaf pav bhaji mumbai street food masala rice tomato

1) If using uncooked rice, wash the rice and cook it in 2 cups of water until it is done but not mushy. Allow the rice to cool and then gently fork it.
2) Dice the vegetables and keep aside. 
3) Puree the tomato in a blender.


Tava pilaf pav bhaji mumbai street food masala rice tomato

4) Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds.
5) Once they brown, add the onions and cabbage and fry until the onions are translucent.
6) Add all the remaining vegetables and 1/2 tsp of salt and cook until the vegetables are done but still have a bite to them. You can cover the pan to quicken the cooking.



Tava pilaf pav bhaji mumbai street food masala rice tomato

7) Remove the vegetables into a bowl, and place the pan back on heat. Add the ginger-garlic paste and the tomato puree and cook on low heat for 5-7 mins until the water from the puree evaporates and you get a thick tomato masala.
8) Add the pav bhaji masala and salt and mix well.




9) Add the fried vegetables and mix well.
10) Add the butter and mix well.
11) Add the rice and mix well.
12) Garnish with finely chopped coriander and serve.



Tawa Pulao | How to make Tava Pulao Recipe


Tava pilaf pav bhaji mumbai street food masala rice tomato Tawa Pulao is rice cooked with tomatoes, vegetables and Pav bhaji masala. 

Recipe Type:  Main
Cuisine:          Indian
Prep Time:     15 minutes
Cook time:     30 minutes
Yield:              Serves 3-4

Ingredients:


1 cup uncooked Rice or 5 cups of cooked Rice
1 cup Tomato Puree or 2 Juicy Tomatoes
1.5 cups of assorted Vegetables (like Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Green Peas, Green Beans, Capsicum) (Optional)
1 Onion
1 Tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
2 Tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala (If you don't have this available, use Garam masala - 1/4 tsp, Coriander powder - 1 tsp, Amchur/ Dry mango powder - 1/4 tsp, Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp, Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp)
1 Tbsp Butter
2-3 Tbsp Oil
1 tsp Cumin seeds / Jeera
Salt
Water
2 Tbsp chopped Coriander leaves for garnish

Method:


If using uncooked rice, wash the rice and cook it in 2 cups of water until it is done but not mushy. Allow the rice to cool and then gently fork it.
Dice the vegetables and keep aside.
Puree the tomato in a blender.
Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds.
Once they brown, add the onions and cabbage and fry until the onions are translucent.
Add all the remaining vegetables and 1/2 tsp of salt and cook until the vegetables are done but still have a bite to them. You can cover the pan to quicken the cooking.
Remove the vegetables into a bowl, and place the pan back on heat. Add the ginger-garlic paste and the tomato puree and cook on low heat for 5-7 mins until the water from the puree evaporates and you get a thick tomato masala.
Add the pav bhaji masala and salt and mix well.
Add the fried vegetables and mix well.
Add the butter and mix well.
Add the rice and mix well.
Garnish with finely chopped coriander and serve.
Read more ...

Tinda Masala

I missed blogging last week. I am ready with my excuse - I was in Hyderabad on office work. I was put up in a hotel for an entire week and had to eat all my meals there. Hyderabad is definitely the chilli and I also think spice capital of India. I had my eyes watering and complaining that the food is too hot, while the Hyderabadis were surprised at my low spice tolerance. And I thought I ate spicy food!!!

sabzi apple gourd tomato vegan side

By the time I returned home, all I wanted were the boring simple home food. Some cabbage or beans, may be? I was like that for a week. Finally as the weekend neared, I dared to go near some of the SPICES when I found these lovely TINDA in the market. 

Tinda is known as apple gourd. It is native to the Indian sub continent. It resembles a guava or a green apple but is neither sweet nor does it have the texture of either of the 2 fruits. The closest in taste and texture is the bottlegourd or the lauki. It is basically a vegetable with a very mild taste and it tends to take on the flavour of what it is cooked with. I've added spices to the Tinda Masala , but in very little quantity. 

Tinda Masala is a very simple recipe and can be even prepared by a novice in the kitchen. It is VEGAN and GLUTEN-FREE...

Step-by-Step Instructions:

sabzi apple gourd tomato vegan side

1) Chop the Tinda into chunks and chop the tomatoes roughtly.
2) Heat oil in a kadhai / pan and add the cumin seeds.

sabzi apple gourd tomato vegan side

3) Once the cumin seeds brown, add finely chopped tomato and fry for 1-2 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
4) Now add the Tinda and cover and cook on low heat. Add a little water if you feel the tinda will stick to the bottom of the pan.
5) When the tinda is almost done, add all the spices and salt. Cover and cook until the tinda is cooked through.

sabzi apple gourd tomato vegan side


6) Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve with rotis.

Tinda Masala


Tinda Masala is a dry curry made using tinda or apple gourd, tomatoes and spices. Vegan and Gluten Free.

sabzi apple gourd tomato vegan side
Recipe Type:  Side
Cuisine:          Indian
Prep Time:     15 minutes
Cook time:     30 minutes
Yield:              Serves 2

Ingredients:


250 gms of Tinda
1 large Tomato
3-4 tsp of Oil
1 tsp of Cumin seeds / Jeera
1/2 tsp of Turmeric Powder
1/2 tsp of Red chilli Powder
1 tsp of Coriander Powder
1/4 tsp of Garam Masala or Kitchen King Masala
A handful of fresh Coriander leaves
Salt to taste

Method:


You can peel them or leave it as is. Remove the seedy pulp if the seeds are too large, else, you can let it be. Then, dice the Tinda into big chunks.
Heat oil in a kadhai / pan and add the cumin seeds.
Once the cumin seeds brown, add finely chopped tomato and fry for 1-2 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
Now add the Tinda and cover and cook on low heat. Add a little water if you feel the tinda will stick to the bottom of the pan.
When the tinda is almost done, add all the spices and salt. Cover and cook until the tinda is cooked through.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve with rotis.
Read more ...

Vangi Bhaat | Eggplant Rice Pilaf with Raita with Step by Step Instructions

Vangi Bhaat or Eggplant Rice Pilaf is perfect for those weeknights when you are tilting towards ordering that pizza or planning to drive to the closest restaurant for that greasy take out but your head is making you feel guilty over that restaurant food.

brinjal aubergine eggplant yogurt curd rice pilaf pulao Indian

Isn't it true that we all get burned out sometime? All that going to work, doing the laundry, dusting the house, exercising and cooking.... seriously tires me out. Sometimes a little retail therapy aka shopping is what helps ease all that stress. Thank heavens for those little pleasures of life !!

Vangi Bhaat is always my GO TO dish when I'm not in the mood for too much of work and I want something home cooked, quick to make and as comforting as rice. It sometimes takes less time to come home and make Vangi Bhaat than wait for my take out at restaurants. And I know what goes in it and I can tweak it to my liking. And to add to it, it is a ONE POT recipe. Just one pot to wash, HURRAY!!!

brinjal aubergine eggplant yogurt curd rice pilaf pulao Indian

There are absolutely no more excuses to not make it anymore - Quick, Tasty, Healthy and less pots to wash. What more can one ask for, right?

Vangi Bhaat is rice cooked with brinjal or eggplant along with some basic spices. Toss in everything in a pot and cook until the rice is done. I use a pressure cooker and I recommend it as it cuts the cooking time by half. 

I usually pair it with some cooling mix vegetable raita. The raita can be made while the Vangi Bhaat is cooking away.

brinjal aubergine eggplant yogurt curd rice pilaf pulao Indian

Step-by-Step Recipe:

brinjal aubergine eggplant yogurt curd rice pilaf pulao Indian

1) Wash the rice in sufficient water. Drain and set aside.
2) Roughly chop the onion, tomato and the brinjal.
3) Heat oil in a pressure cooker or a deep pan.
4) Add the cumin seeds.
5) Once they brown slightly, add the onions and fry until translucent.
6) Now add the tomatoes and brinjal and fry for 1 minute.

brinjal aubergine eggplant yogurt curd rice pilaf pulao Indian

7) Add water, all the spices and salt. If you are not using a pressure cooker, the quantity of water may vary. Adjust accordingly.
8) Add the rice and cover and cook until the rice is done. In a pressure cooker, that will take you around 3-4 whistles or approximately 10-12 minutes.
9) Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and serve with Raita

brinjal aubergine eggplant yogurt curd rice pilaf pulao Indian

10) To make the raita, just mix all the ingredients well.


Vangi Bhaat | Eggplant Rice Pilaf with Raita


Vangi bhaat is rice cooked with brinjal or eggplant and a few spices. It is vegan and gluten free.

brinjal aubergine eggplant yogurt curd rice pilaf pulao IndianRecipe Type:  Main
Cuisine:          Indian
Prep Time:     10 minutes
Cook time:     30 minutes
Yield:              Serves 4-5

Ingredients:


Vangi Bhaat:


200 gms of Brinjal or Eggplant
1.5 cups of Rice
1 Tomato
1 Onion
1/2 tsp of Turmeric Powder
1 tsp of Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp of Cumin Seeds / Jeera
1 Maggi Magic Cube (Optional)
4-5 tsp of Oil
3 cups of Water
Salt
A handful of fresh Coriander leaves

Raita:


1 cup of finely chopped mixed Vegetables (Tomato, Carrot, Cucumber, Onion)
1 Tbsp of finely chopped Coriander leaves
1.5 cups of Yogurt or Curd
Salt to taste

Method:


Wash the rice in sufficient water. Drain and set aside.
Roughly chop the onion, tomato and the brinjal.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker or a deep pan.
Add the cumin seeds.
Once they brown slightly, add the onions and fry until translucent.
Now add the tomatoes and brinjal and fry for 1 minute.
Add water, all the spices and salt. If you are not using a pressure cooker, the quantity of water may vary. Adjust accordingly.
Add the rice and cover and cook until the rice is done. In a pressure cooker, that will take you around 3-4 whistles or approximately 10-12 minutes.
Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and serve with Raita
To make the raita, just mix all the ingredients well.
Read more ...

Matar Dhokla


Steamed Gujarati Green peas Snacks

Dhokla is a steamed savory cake that is a favorite of western India. They are usually made of semolina and chickpea flour. They are light and fluffy and taste delicious with a tangy green chutney.

I never knew there was so much variety in something this simple.

I was browsing through cookery books in the library when I glanced upon Tarla Dalal’s Non-Fried Snacks. I’m a big fan of non-fried snacks. The book has some good recipes, majorly it has different types of dhoklas and muthias. And this Matar Dhokla or Green Peas Dhokla was a featured recipe.

It is still just as simple to make as the regular dhokla, but now has the added goodness of green peas. You can use either fresh or frozen peas, according to what you have available. 

The addition of peas gives it that lovely vibrant green colour and the slight sweetness of peas. 

Some people like to soak their dhoklas in a diluted syrup of sugar and lime juice, while some enjoy it with creamy yogurt. It tastes awesome with both.

Step-by-step Instructions:

Steamed Gujarati Green peas Snacks

1) Puree the green peas with a little water.

Steamed Gujarati Green peas Snacks

2) Mix together the chickpea flour, semolina, pea puree, salt, ginger- chilli paste, yogurt and salt into a smooth batter.
3) Now add the fruit salt or eno to  the batter. Pour the remaining water over it and mix well. It should start getting frothy.

Steamed Gujarati Green peas Snacks

4) Grease a shallow vessel that fits inside the steamer and add the batter to it.
5) Place the vessel in the steamer and steam on medium flame for 12-15 mins. Insert a knife in the middle and if it comes out clean, it is done.

Steamed Gujarati Green peas Snacks

6) Turn off the stove and allow it to rest for around 2-4 mins.
7) Then remove slowly and cut into desired shape.

Steamed Gujarati Green peas Snacks

8) Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds.
9) Once they splutter, add the curry leaves and chilli and fry for 20-30 seconds.
10) Pour over this tempering on the dhoklas. 
11) Garnish with the fresh coconut and the coriander leaves. I also sprinkled a few pomegranate seeds to add some freshness.


Matar Dhokla

Steamed Gujarati Green peas Snacks

Steamed savory cake made with green peas and chickpea flour.

Recipe Type:  Snacks
Cuisine:          Indian / Gujarati
Prep Time:     15 minutes
Cook time:     30 minutes
Yield:              Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

Dhokla


1 cup Fresh or Frozen Green Peas
1.5 cups of Chickpea Flour / Besan
4 Tbsp Fine Semoline / Chiroti Rava
1 tsp of Ginger-Green Chilli Paste
2 Tbsp of Yogurt / Dahi
1/2 cup of Water
1.5 tsp Fruit Salt (Eno)
2 tsp of Oil for greasing
Salt to taste

Tempering


4 tsp of Oil
½ tsp of Mustard Seeds
10-15 Curry Leaves
1-2 Slit Green / Red Chillies

Garnish


2-3 Tbsp of grated Fresh Coconut
2 Tbsp finely chopped Coriander Leaves

Method:


Puree the green peas with a little water.
Mix together the chickpea flour, semolina, pea puree, salt, ginger- chilli paste, yogurt and salt into a smooth batter.
Prepare the steamer. (see note)
Now add the fruit salt or eno to  the batter. Pour the remaining water over it and mix well. It should start getting frothy.
Grease a shallow vessel that fits inside the steamer and add the batter to it.
Place the vessel in the steamer and steam on medium flame for 12-15 mins. Insert a knife in the middle and if it comes out clean, it is done.
Turn off the stove and allow it to rest for around 2-4 mins.
Then remove slowly and cut into desired shape.
Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds.
Once they splutter, add the curry leaves and chilli and fry for 20-30 seconds.
Pour over this tempering on the dhoklas. 
Garnish with the fresh coconut and the coriander leaves.

Notes:


STEAMER - I used an idli steamer. You can use a pressure cooker without the whistle or any deep saucepan with a lid. 
1) To prepare it, add around 2-3 cups of water to the steamer and cover and cook on high flame until the water boils. 
2) Next place a small flat bottomed vessel or bowl upside down in the steamer. The top of this bowl should be above the level of water.
3) Place the plate / vessel with the dhokla over this upturned bowl. The purpose of the bowl is that the dhokla plate / vessel does not touch the boiling water directly and is slightly higher than the water level.
Read more ...

Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Sauce

This pumpkin sauce is AMAZING with not just pasta, but with lots of other  things too. Toss in some stir fried veggies and make it a delicious and vibrant orange CURRY to pair with rice. Or DRIZZLE it over some grilled vegetables to liven them up.

pasta creamy coconut gravy italian pumpkin salad dressing dip chips

This creamy- silky smooth-delicious-orange sauce filled with the goodness of those freshly picked farm pumpkin is completely VEGAN. Yesss!!! I mean you can make your own non-vegan version by replacing the coconut milk with some cream, but according to me, the coconut milk adds a lovely taste to the regular pumpkin sauce.

Did I tell you how easy to make this was? Or how you could finish making this before your TV serial/sitcom reached its credits? Yup, it’s THAT simple!!!

What do you need, you ask? Just some olive oil, pumpkin, garlic, coconut milk, oregano and anything to add some heat to this baby. I used some dried red chillies, you can add hot sauce or green chillies or paprika or totally skip  it.  And of course, salt. 6 ingredients, including salt and oil. Nothing gets simpler than that.

After you assemble all your ingredients, it is just chop, saute and blend. 3 steps. So now 6 ingredients and 3 steps – no reason at all to not try this at all.

I added it over some cooked farfalle pasta and tossed in some stir fried vegetables like broccoli. I love broccoli. Feel free to add or not add anything at all. It doesn’t really demand anything, it is just as good being plain.

If you plan on drizzling this on veggies or using it as a dip, I suggest adding less of the coconut milk to keep it nice and thick. If it is curry you plan to make, you can add other spices – cumin and coriander go well with it.

Oh oh oh – This would make an interesting SALAD DRESSING too. Some zucchini ribbons, some julienne carrots and some fresh salad leaves with this slightly sweet pumpkin sauce – DELICIOUS and healthy!!!

Step by Step Instructions:

pasta creamy coconut gravy italian pumpkin salad dressing dip chips

1) Heat oil in a pan and add the minced garlic. Saute for 1 min. 
2) Add the diced pumpkin and cover and cover and cook on low heat until the pumpkin is done. Cut into smaller pieces to get it cooked sooner. 

pasta creamy coconut gravy italian pumpkin salad dressing dip chips

3) Add the oregano, chopped red chillies, coconut milk and salt.
4) Cook for around 2-3 mins on low heat.
5) Allow it to cool and then blend into a smooth sauce.

pasta creamy coconut gravy italian pumpkin salad dressing dip chips


Pumpkin Sauce [Vegan]


Versatile vegan pumpkin sauce that can be used for pasta, as a dip or as a base for curry.

pasta creamy coconut gravy italian pumpkin salad dressing dip chipsRecipe Type:  Sauce
Cuisine:          International
Prep Time:     10 minutes
Cook time:     20 minutes
Yield:              Serves 2-3

Ingredients:


For Pumpkin Sauce:


2.5 cups or 125gms of diced Pumpkin
1 Tbsp of finely minced Garlic
3/4 tsp of dried Oregano
3/4 cup of Coconut Milk
1.5 Tbsp of Olive Oil
1 tsp of dried Red Chillies
Salt to taste

Pasta:


250gms of Pasta
1 cup of assorted stir fried Vegetables (Broccoli, Peppers/Capsicums etc.)

Method:


Heat oil in a pan and add the minced garlic. Saute for 1 min.
Add the diced pumpkin and cover and cover and cook on low heat until the pumpkin is done. Cut into smaller pieces to get it cooked sooner.
Add the oregano, chopped red chillies, coconut milk and salt.
Cook for around 2-3 mins on low heat.
Allow it to cool and then blend into a smooth sauce.
Boil the pasta according to the packet instructions.
Toss with the sauce and the vegetables and enjoy it hot.
Read more ...

Sabudana Chana Vada | Sago Pearls and Chickpea Patty [Vegan & GF]


Sabudana Chana Vada Sago Chickpea patty burger garbanzo fritter wada pakoda bonda sabakki

Sabudana vada is a traditional Maharastrian snack eaten during fasting / upvas. I was trying to avoid potatoes in my diet, so I replaced it with chickpeas or kabuli chana. This vada (patty) is a fusion between the traditional Sabudana Vada and the Middle Eastern Falafel. Although both the original snacks are deep fried, I shallow fried. 

Deep frying definitely makes them tastier, but then, doesn't it always do it? I watched an older episode of Eat Street on TV, where they showed a truck that deep fried Cup cakes. I wonder how that tastes. 

The chickpea in the vada increases the protein content of the vada. It also adds a nuttiness to it. You can eat it just as it is or add it in a burger like I did. I used the dry chickpeas that I soaked overnight, you can replace this with canned chickpeas as well. The sabudana or the sago pearls sold in supermarket are dried. They need to be soaked to fluff up and become spongy. You can add spices to enhance the flavor.

All the work in this recipe is during the preparation stage, the cooking is actually a no brainer - grind, mix and fry. That's it! 

This vada is vegan and gluten free.

Step by Step Instructions:

Sabudana Chana Vada Sago Chickpea patty burger garbanzo fritter wada pakoda bonda sabakkiSabudana Chana Vada Sago Chickpea patty burger garbanzo fritter wada pakoda bonda sabakki


1) Soak the kabuli chana or chickpeas in 3 cups of water overnight.Drain the water and keep aside.
You can use canned chickpeas as well. Skip the above steps if using canned chickpeas. Wash and drain the canned chickpeas. Use 2 cups of canned chickpeas.
2) Soak the sabudana in 2 cups of water and leave aside for 1/2 hour.Drain the water and cover and keep it aside for 2 hours.If you plan on making this for breakfast, then after draining the water, cover and keep it aside overnight.
3) Grind the peanuts into a coarse powder.
4) Grind together the chickpeas and green chillies coarsely.
5) Add the ground peanuts, sabudana, curry leaves, coriander leaves and salt and mix well.
6) Shape into patties / vadas.

Sabudana Chana Vada Sago Chickpea patty burger garbanzo fritter wada pakoda bonda sabakkiSabudana Chana Vada Sago Chickpea patty burger garbanzo fritter wada pakoda bonda sabakki

7) Heat around 2 Tbsp of oil in a shallow pan for shallow frying. You can decide to deep fry it too.
8) Once the oil is hot, add the vadas to the pan and cook on medium heat.
9) Flip the vadas when the first side is browned and cook it until the other side browned.
10) Serve hot with coriander chutney or ketchup.




Sabudana Chana Vada | Sago Pearls and Chickpea Patty


Sabudana Chana Vada Sago Chickpea patty burger garbanzo fritter wada pakoda bonda sabakki Pan fried patties/ vada made with sabudana (sago pearls) and kabuli chana (chickpeas). Vegan and gluten free.

Recipe Type:  Snacks /Breakfast
Cuisine:          Indian
Prep Time:     8 hours (Including soaking time) or 3 hours (If using canned chickpeas)
Cook time:     30 minutes
Yield:              7-8 vadas

Ingredients:


1 cup dry Kabuli Chana / Chickpeas
1.5 cups of dry Sabudana / Sago Pearls
1/2 cup of roasted Peanuts
1-2 Green Chillies
7-8 Curry Leaves
2 Tbsp of chopped Coriander Leaves
Salt
Water
Oil for frying

Method:


Soak the kabuli chana or chickpeas in 3 cups of water overnight.
Drain the water and keep aside.
You can use canned chickpeas as well. Skip the above steps if using canned chickpeas. Wash and drain the canned chickpeas. Use 2 cups of canned chickpeas.
Soak the sabudana in 2 cups of water and leave aside for 1/2 hour.
Drain the water and cover and keep it aside for 2 hours.
If you plan on making this for breakfast, then after draining the water, cover and keep it aside overnight.
Grind the peanuts into a coarse powder.
Grind together the chickpeas and green chillies coarsely.
Add the ground peanuts, sabudana, curry leaves, coriander leaves and salt and mix well.
Shape into patties / vadas.
Heat around 2 Tbsp of oil in a shallow pan for shallow frying. You can decide to deep fry it too.
Once the oil is hot, add the vadas to the pan and cook on medium heat.
Flip the vadas when the first side is browned and cook it until the other side browned.
Serve hot with coriander chutney or ketchup.
Read more ...

Dahi Kebab Recipe | Yogurt Kabab Recipe [Video]


Dahi Kebab Recipe with step by step video instructions. Dahi Kebab is a pan fried appetizer / snack made from thick yogurt or hung curd, chickpea flour and nuts. The kebab is crispy on the outside and creamy and soft on the inside. Dahi Kebab is gluten free and fits a Jain diet.

In a hurry? Jump to Video or Jump to Recipe


Dahi Kebab Yogurt Kebab kabab kebob hung curd punjabi besan chickpeas snacks

Dahi  kebab… sounds interesting, doesn’t it? That’s the very reason I ordered it in a food court and I was pleasantly surprised. It actually tasted delicious. And as though fate meant for me to make it, the recipe was showed on TV before I could even google it. It is so simple to make, and it is crowd pleaser. Most people I’ve served it to, haven’t heard of it and eat it out of intrigue. But there is no stopping after one, believe me. It even turned a “dahi hater” around.


Dahi Kebab Yogurt Kebab kabab kebob hung curd punjabi besan chickpeas snacks

It actually tastes a lot like paneer, but it is creamier and has that tang of dahi. It is pan fried, so up goes the healthiness factor.

You can add spice powders like cinnamon, cardamom, clove etc and zing it up. I preferred to keep it as simple as possible to let the dahi shine through.

You can either buy already hung curd or make it yourself. I made it myself. Hung curd is just regular yogurt with all the whey drained out. To make it at home, tie the yogurt into a muslin cloth and leave it hanging for 6-8 hours. I left it overnight in the fridge.










If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo @oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com I'd love to see what you are up to.

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 



You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life on FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterest or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email



Video Recipe





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dahi Kebab Recipe | Yogurt Kebab Recipe

Dahi Kebab Yogurt Kebab kabab kebob hung curd punjabi besan chickpeas snacks
Dahi Kebab is a popular gluten free North Indian appetizer. Dahi Kebabs are pan fried Kebabs made with thick yogurt and chickpea flour.
Recipe Type:  Snacks
Cuisine:          North Indian
Prep Time:     8 Hours
Cook time:     20 minutes
Total time:     8 Hours 20 Minutes
Yield:                12-15 kebabs
Author:                Anupama

Ingredients:


3 cups Yogurt (Curd/Dahi)
2-3 Tbsp Chickpea Flour (Besan)
1-2 Green Chillies
2 Tbsp chopped Nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios) (Optional)
1 Tbsp Coriander leaves
Salt to taste
Oil to fry

Method:


1. To make hung curd, place a muslin cloth on a strainer and add the yogurt. Tie the cloth and either leave in the strainer for 4-6 hours or tie the cloth over the sink. You can also leave this in the fridge overnight.
2. 3 cups of yogurt will yield 1 cup of hung curd. Take the hung curd in a large bowl.
3. Add all the ingredients except the oil and mix well.
4. Heat oil in a frying pan for shallow frying.
5. Wet your hands and take a small ball of batter and shape it as a kebab.
6. Gently place the kebab in the frying pan. If you are unable to shape the kebabs, you can use two spoons and spoon the kebabs into the frying pan.
7. Cook on medium heat.
8. Flip when the first side browns.
9. Cook until the second side is cooked too.
10. Serve hot with mint coriander chutney or ketchup.




If you liked this, you may also like:

Paneer Tikka

vegan pan fried turnip chops
Shalgam ke Kebab
Sweet Potato Kebabs
Sweet Potato Kebabs
Read more ...