Green Peas Kachori with Spicy Dum Aloo - Bengali style

Today's recipe is Green peas Kachori with Spicy Dum Aloo.  I prepared this for the South vs North Challenge, brain child of Divya Pramil. I am sure many of you know about this challenge. But for those who are hearing about this challenge for the first time- There are two teams - South Team and North Team. Every month one person from each team will challenge the other team. We have completed four challenges and this is the fifth. This month Sanoli Ghosh of North team challenged us with Green Peas Kachori with Spicy dum aloo, a bengali delicacy  while Tamilarasi Sasikumar of our team challenged North team with Paal kozhu kattai.  To know more about the event click here. 

 When Sanoli announced the challenge in her space I wanted to prepare it right away but I could prepare it only now. When my other team mates prepared it and gave feedback about it my expectations started growing. When I prepared it yesterday and tasted, it tasted beyond all expectations. Totally yummy!! We all loved it and I thoroughly enjoyed this month's challenge.

Green Peas Kachori/ Koraishutir Kochiri

What are the ingredients needed?

For Kachoris

All purpose flour, 2 cup

Salt, 1/2 teaspoon

Oil, 1 tablespoon (to knead the dough) + more for frying

For the stuffing

Green peas, 2 cup

Green chillies, 2 nos

Grated ginger, 1 teaspoon

Cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon

Garam masala powder, 1/2 teaspoon

Asafoetida, a pinch

Fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon

Oil, 1 tablespoon

Salt to taste

How it is made?

1. In a bowl combine all purpose flour, oil,salt and add water little by little and keep kneading till you form a smooth dough. Keep it covered and let it rest for at least half an hour.
2. To prepare the green peas filling- coarsely grind the green peas, ginger and green chillies. Then heat oil in a skillet, add fennel seeds and then asafoetida and fry for a minute, then add the ground peas mixture. Mix well. Then add cumin powder, garam masala powder and salt to taste and mix well. Keep stirring the mixture in medium low heat until all the extra water evaporates and mixture becomes dry. Then turn off the heat and roll the mixture into small balls and set it aside. It yields 12- 14 balls depending on the size you roll.
3. Now take the resting dough and roll it into small balls.
4. Then roll it into small disc, place the prepared peas balls in the centre and cover it such that it is completely covered. 
5. Then roll it again gently till the you get the required kachori shape. 
6. Heat oil and deep fry the kachori till they are golden brown on both sides. The kachoris will puff like pooris. 
7. Remove from oil, drain the excess oil in a paper towel and serve it warm with Dum Aloo or any other curry of your choice.

Dum Aloo/ Aloor Dam

What are the ingredients needed?

Baby potatoes, 1 lb
Oil, 2-3 teaspoon
Fennel seeds,1 teaspoon
Cloves, 3-4 nos
Cinnamon stick, 1 small
Bay leaf, 1 no
Green chillies, 2 nos

Tomatoes(Large) 2 nos
Grated Ginger, 2 teaspoons
Asafoetida, 1/4 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder, 1/4 teaspoon
Cumin Powder, 1/2 teaspoon
Chilli powder, 1 teaspoon
Coriander powder, 2 teaspoons
Garam masala, 1 teaspoon
Yogurt, 1/2 cup
Salt, to taste
Cilantro, handful to garnish

How it is made?

1. Boil the potatoes and peel the skin. Then heat oil in a skillet, fry these potatoes till they turn slightly golden brown. Then set them aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the fennel seeds, cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaf and fry for a minute or two. Then add asafoetida, tomatoes, grated ginger, green chillies and fry for 2-3 minutes.
3. To this add turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala and mix well and let it cook for few minutes till oil starts seperating on the sides.
4. Then add the potatoes, mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. Then add yogurt mix well and add water to get the required consistency and check the salt and bring it to boil and reduce to simmer for few minutes and then turn off the heat.
6. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
7. Serve it with Green Peas Kachori, or any bread of your choice.

This is for the South vs North Challenge

Quinoa Bluberry muffins (Sugar-less)

As you have noticed, I have been posting healthy muffin recipes for the past 2 days and today's post will be the final post of the series. It is Quinoa blueberry muffins. Quinoa is said to have lot of health benefits. This is the first time I have baked with quinoa. I wanted to make it sugarless so used agave nectar to sweeten it. Though appearance of the muffin was not so appealing, the taste was good and my kids enjoyed it. Even my Hubby was happy about the muffin as it has Quinoa and has no sugar. It is a healthy breakfast/ snack for kids.

What are the ingredients needed?

Uncooked quinoa, 1/2 cup

All purpose flour, 1 1/4  cup

Baking powder, 1 teaspoon

Baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon

Salt, 1/2 teaspoon

Low fat Yogurt, 1/2 cup

Oil,  1/4 cup

Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon

Agave nectar, 1/2 cup

Egg, 1 no

Blueberries, 1 cup

How it is made?

1. Cook Quinoa as per the package instructions and let it cool completely.
2. Pre-heat the oven to 375 F and prepare the muffin pan by greasing and dusting it with flour.
3. In a bowl, combine all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and mix with cooked & cooled quinoa until they are mixed well and set aside.
4. In another bowl whisk together yogurt, agave nectar, oil, vanilla extract and egg.
5. Add this mixture little by little to the flour mixture and mix well. Finally fold in the blueberries.
6. Pour this batter in to the prepared muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minute until its done.
7. Let the muffin cool down for few minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool  completely.

It yields about 16 muffins. 

Notes:

• Please make sure you rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking otherwise it will taste bitter.
• This muffin is mildly sweet. I felt that it tastes better when cooled completely than when tasted warm.

Linking this to Priya Akka's  event Cooking with Seeds - Quinoa/ Ragi hosted here.

Oats Carrot Muffins- Savory and Egg-less

 My Hubby always complains when I make something sweet.So mainly for him, I wanted to try savory muffins . I tried this oats carrot muffins twice already and Hubby just loved it ,  both taste wise and also health wise. It has oats, carrots and also made with low fat yogurt and milk. So this muffin is for all health conscious people.

What are the ingredients needed ?

Grated Carrot, 1 1/4 cup

Chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup

Wheat flour, 3/4 cup

Oat flour, 3/4 cup

Baking powder, 1 teaspoon

Baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon

Pepper powder, 1 teaspoon

Cumin Powder, 1/2 teaspoon

Ginger powder, 1/2 teaspoon

Salt, to taste 

Low fat yogurt, 1/2 cup

Skimmed milk, 1/2 cup

Olive oil, 1/4 cup

How it is made?

1. Pre- heat the oven to 375 F. Prepare the muffin pan by greasing and dusting it with flour.
2. In a bowl, combine together wheat flour, oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper powder, cumin powder, ginger powder and salt. 
3. To this mixture, add low fat yogurt, mix well. Then add milk, olive oil and mix well.
4. Finally add the grated carrot and chopped cilantro and mix until they form a homogeneous mixture.
5. Pour this batter into prepared muffin pan and bake for 17- 20 minutes.
6. Take it out of the oven. Let it cool before removing from the pan.
7. It yields about 10-12 muffins.

Notes

• To prepare oat flour at home, slightly roast the oats in a pan till slight aroma comes. Let it cool and then powder it in a blender. Or you can get them in the store.
• This muffin doesn't rise well like the one made with all purpose flour.
• The oven timings varies in each oven. So keep an eye in the oven after the muffin are in the oven for 15 minutes. 

Whole wheat Banana Muffins( Eggless)

Today's recipe is Whole wheat Banana Muffins. I have already posted Banana Muffins which is made with All purpose flour and it has eggs. Today's recipe is made with whole wheat flour, it does not have any eggs and also it is the low calorie version.  These are the healthy muffins loaded with all goodness. 
This week I am taking part in the blogging marathon under the theme- Baking with whole grains. Though I baked these muffins days ago, was waiting for this marathon to start to post the recipe.  To check what the other marathoners are doing click here

What are the ingredients needed?

Whole Wheat flour, 1 cup

All purpose flour, 1/4  cup

Baking Soda, 3/4 teaspoon

Baking Powder, 3/4 teaspoon

Cinnamon Powder, 3/4 teaspoon

Salt, 1/4 teaspoon

Light brown Sugar, 1/2 cup

Low fat Yogurt, 1/2 cup

Skimmed low fat milk, 1/4 cup
Oil, 1/4 cup

Vanilla Extract, 1 teaspoon

Ripe Large Bananas, 2 nos.(mashed)

How it is made?

1. Pre - heat the oven to 350 F. Prepare the muffin pan by greasing it and dusting it with flour and set it aside.
2. In a bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all purpose flour along with baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon powder, salt and set it aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix yogurt and sugar, then add the flour mixture little by little alternating with milk. Mix until they are well blended.
4. Add vanilla extract, oil and mix well. Finally add the mashed bananas and mix well till they form homogeneous mixture.
5. Pour this mixture into the prepared pans till they are about 3/4 th full in each muffin cup.
6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or till they are done. (the tooth pick inserted comes out clean).

It yields about 12 muffins.

Notes

• This muffins are mildly sweet. You can adjust the sweetness as per your taste.
• Oven timings varies with each oven So check yours accordingly.
• You can add some toasted nuts like Walnuts / Almonds to the muffin batter and bake for some extra crunch.

Black Forest Trifle

Love is in the air. You all know what I am talking about.. It is Valentine's day. Happy Valentine's day, Friends!! What are your plans for this special day? Mine is pretty simple.  Hubby has work, Thaara has school. So we have planned a quiet dinner at home. For dessert, I prepared this Black forest trifle. Since I wanted to blog about the dish, I prepared it a day in advance and clicked and let it set in the refrigerator. For taste testing made one and it was over in few seconds. It was yum!! It is chocolate, it has red cherries, what more you need to represent Valentine's day. 
 I was looking for a easy to make yet elegant dessert and  got the inspiration from Reshmi's space. Then this afternoon when I was chatting with Priya she told me she has prepared the same trifle too. It is like we both are celebrating this day in the virtual world together. :)

And friends, there is something I wanted to share with you all. Many of you might have noticed, but still I wanted to inform you that our site has moved to its own domain. The new web address is  www.divyasculinaryjourney.com.  

So this dessert is for double celebration - for Valentine's day and moving to own domain.  

Now the recipe...

Recipe source: Reshmi Mahesh

What are the ingredients needed?

Chocolate cake

Maraschino cherries(in syrup), as needed

Heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups

Granulated Sugar, 2 tablespoons

Vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon

Chocolate shavings, as needed

How it is made?

1. Prepare whipped cream - In a large bowl whip heavy cream sugar and vanilla extract together till stiff peak forms.
2. In a small trifle bowl, first arrange the first layer of chocolate cake. 
3. Then drizzle the cherry syrup (that comes with the cherries) on the cake. Then add a layer of whipped cream.
4. Then arrange the cherries on top of this and arrange a layer of chocolate cake, drizzle some syrup and  finish with the whipped cream and sprinkle some chocolate shavings.
5. Let it set in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours before serving. 

It yielded 4 trifle bowls. 

Notes:

• For chocolate cake, you can use the recipe of Chocolate cake covered with chocolate ganache. 
• You can even use store bought chocolate cake. 
• If not making whipped cream at home, just get it from store. 
• The number of serving depends on the size of the serving bowl. 

Sending this to Valentine's day recipe contest @ Priya's Versatile Recipes

Turkey Kofta Curry- Turkey meat balls in spicy gravy

We had a visitor over the weekend - the winter storm Nemo. Because of which, we are having a llllooooonnngg weekend here. From Friday till today both Hubby and Thaara are home, that is why it is like the weekend is not over at all. The schools are closed tommorow too. Since both are at home today, I prepared this Turkey kofta curry - Turkey meat balls in a spicy gravy. It was lip smacking good and both of them loved it so much.  

What are the ingredients needed?

For the meatballs (koftas)

Ground turkey, 1 lb

Ginger garlic paste, 1 teaspoon
Bread crumbs, 3-4  Tablespoons

Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon

Cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon

Chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon
Garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon

Coriander powder, 1 teaspoon

Salt, to taste

To grind into paste

Large Red onion, 1-2 (depending on the size)

Tomatoes, 2-3 nos.(depending on the size)

Ginger, 2 inch piece

Garlic, 5 cloves

Fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon

Poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon

Cloves, 3 -4 nos

Cardamom, 3-4 nos

Other ingredients

Oil, 2-3 teaspoon

Bay leaf, 1 no

Cinnamon stick, 2"

Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon

Chilli powder, 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder, 1 tablespoon

Garam masala, 1 teaspoon

Salt, to taste

Kasoori methi, 1 tablespoon

Cilantro (Chopped), to garnish

How it is made?

1. In a bowl take all the ingredients listed under 'to make meat balls', mix them well and roll them into balls. (approximately size of a small lemon). It yields around 20 meat balls.
2. Then grind all the ingredients listed under 'to grind' in to a fine paste.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add bay leaf and cinnamon stick and fry for a minute or two. Then add the ground paste and fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. Then add all the powders(turmeric, chilli, coriander, garam masala) and mix well. If needed, add water, and also the required salt  and mix well. Bring this to boil and let it simmer till oil starts separating from the masala.
5. Add kasoori methi leaves, mix well and adjust the consistency of gravy by adding water, as needed and bring it to boil.
6. Then reduce the flame and add the prepared meat balls to the gravy. Cover the pan and cook for few minutes. Then gently mix the gravy without breaking the meatballs and cover and cook till the meat balls are cooked thoroughly.
7. Turn off the heat, garnish with chopped cilantro.
8. Serve with rice or any flat bread of your choice.

Notes

• In this gravy, instead of ground turkey, you can use ground meat of your choice.
• Take care not to mix the gravy as soon as you add the meat balls into the gravy. It will break them. So let it cook for few minutes and then gently mix them. 

Sending this recipe to My spicy recipe event @ Spicy Chilly. Do send in your entries to Spicy Chilly for a chance to win e gift vouchers from famous retailers like Jabong, Myntra etc.,

Coconut Rice/ Thengai Sadam

Today I am posting a simple recipe, Coconut rice. It is vegan. It is quick, simple and easy to prepare making it  perfect for packing lunch on a busy morning.Or like me. I was in no mood to cook an elaborate meal, so prepared this coconut rice and served it with home made plantain chips. 

What are the ingredients needed?

Cooked rice, 2 cups 
Grated Coconut, 1/2 cup
Oil, 2-3 teaspoon
Mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon
Urad dhal, 1 tablespoon
Channa dhal, 1 tablespoon
Green chillies, 2-3 nos(depending on the spice level)
Curry leaves, 1 sprig
Cashews (optional)
Salt, as required

How it is made?

1. Heat oil in a pan.Add mustard seeds and when they crack, add urad dhal,channa dhal cashews (if using) and roast them for a minute.
2. Then add asafoetida, green chillies and curry leaves and fry for 2 minutes.
3. Then add the grated coconut and fry till the  aroma of coconut comes out. 
4. Now add salt to taste and add rice and mix well and turn off the heat.
5. Ready to serve.

Round up of Celebrate- Christmas

Seeing the title of the post you might be wondering, Christmas now??  Jagruti's event Celebrate series took place in the month of December and I couldn't do the round up last month since  I was caught up in so many things. Better later than never. I am posting the round up of the event now(a month later). First, I would like to thank all the participants. We received 107 entries for the event. Here is the round up..

S.no	Name of the blog	Recipe
Cakes and cup cakes
1	Confusion cook	Eggless Christmas cakes
2	Cook Eat Burrp	Almond peanut chocolate cake
3	Desi fiesta	Ragi banana cake Santa
4	DCJ	Christmas Fruit cake
5	Food lovers	Vanilla Cake
6	Ghar ka khana	Chocolate cake
7	Ghar ka khana	Classic Cupcakes
8	Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey	Double cream fruit cake
9	Laavy's Kitchen	Rose Bouquet cupcakes
10	Laavy's Kitchen	Santa claus hat cupcakes
11	My style of recipes	Plum cake
12	My Cooking Journey	Neopolitan cake
13	nayanas kitchen kreations	Plum cake
14	Nitha's Kitchen	Vegan Indian flavored steamed cake
15	Nitha's Kitchen	No bake chocolate cheese cake with biscuit crumbs
16	Pramitha love cooking	Eggless Vanilla Sponge cake in microwave
17	Pramitha love cooking	Red velvet cake
18	Santosh's Kitchen	Plum cake
19	Sara's Kitchen	Neopolitan cake
20	Sara's Tasty Buds	Eggless Beet cake
21	Sara's Tasty Buds	Eggless Pumpkin Raisins cakes
22	Sara's Tasty Buds	Steamed Banana Cake
23	Sara's Tasty Buds	Eggless christmas cupcakes
24	Spicy foood	Beets dates wheat cake
25	Sweet n Savory	Twin treats
26	Sweet n Savory	Chocolate Almond cake
27	Tangy minds	Christmas Fruit cake
28	The mad scientist's kitchen	Chocolate Almond cake
29	You too can cook- Indian food recipes	Mini banana Walnut cake
Cookies
30	Desi fiesta	Cheerios Raisin Cookies
31	Desi fiesta	Eggless whole wheat flour Sugar cookies
32	Desi fiesta	Quick ginger bread cookies
33	DcJ	Chocolate chip cookies
34	Erivum Puliyumm	Christmas wreath cookies
35	Food lovers	Wheat choco chip cookies
36	Home cooked food	Nan khatai
37	Kitchen Chronicles	Candied fruit cookies
38	Laavy's Kitchen	Macadamia nut white chocolate cookies
39	Malaysian Delicacies	Butterscotch shortbreads
40	My Cooking Journey	Molasses drop cookies
41	My Cooking Journey	Sugar Cookies
42	My Cooking Journey	Fruit cookies
43	Nivedhanam	Eggless fruit cookies
44	Nivedhanam	Eggless Pistachio and cardamom cookies
45	Sara's Tasty Buds	Dates pinwheel cookies
46	Sara's Tasty Buds	Ragi Cookies
47	Sara's Tasty Buds	Mexican wedding cookies
48	Sara's Tasty Buds	Cashew  Semolina Cookies
49	Sara's Tasty Buds	Ice box cookies
50	Tangy minds	Fruit cookies
51	The turmeric Kitchen	Chocolate hazelnut cookies
Indian Dessert
52	Desi fiesta	3 minutes milk peda
53	Erivum Puliyumm	Kulkul
54	My style of recipes	Munthiri Kothu
55	Pramitha love cooking	Apple Sandesh
Other Desserts/ Sweets
56	Confusion cook	Eggless Cappucino Biscotti
57	Desi fiesta	Apple strudel
58	Desi fiesta	Sandwich chocolate pancakes
59	Divya's Culinary Journey	Pumpkin Pie
60	Erivum Puliyumm	Pine apple Cobbler
61	Food corner	Sago pudding
62	Ghar ka khana	Almond Brownie
63	Home cooked food	Cocoa fig and date nut rolls
64	Home cooked food	No bake chocolate chip oats bar
65	Indian Vegetarian Recipes	Sweet salt and nutty chocolate bars
66	My Cooking Journey	Hazelnut butter balls
67	Nivedhanam	Apple cornmeal bread
68	Pramitha love cooking	Bread cream cheese triffle
69	Pramitha love cooking	Pannacotta with cherry sauce
70	Pramitha love cooking	Quick chocolate pudding
71	Pramitha love cooking	Christmas pudding
72	Sara's Tasty Buds	Date n Walnut loaf
73	Sara's Tasty Buds	Mini banana pie
74	You too can cook- Indian food recipes	Snow pudding
75	You too can cook- Indian food recipes	Peanut chocolate balls
Snacks/ Appetisers
76	Desi fiesta	Vegetable puffs
77	Desi fiesta	Spicy corn braided puff
78	My Cooking Journey	Home made oven fries
79	Nivedhanam	Spicy roasted chickpeas
80	Sanoli's Kitchen	Coconut Samosa
81	Sanoli's Kitchen	Tandoori Paneer Tikka
82	Sanoli's Kitchen	Pumpkin flower fritters
83	Sara's Tasty Buds	Mixed Vegetable rice balls
84	Sara's Tasty Buds	Kongu Ulundhu Vadai
85	Sara's Tasty Buds	Sweet and Spicy Potato fingers
86	Sara's Tasty Buds	Noodles Pakoda
Salads
87	Desi fiesta	Black chickpea salad
88	My Cooking Journey	Chickpeas Cucumber Salad
89	Sowmya's Kitchen	Quinoa Pistachio salad
Pulao
90	My Cooking Journey	Peas Pulao
91	Sara's Tasty Buds	Foxtail millet Pulao
Other Savory dishes
92	Pramitha love cooking	Eggless Omlette
93	Sara's Tasty Buds	Misal Pav
94	Sara's Tasty Buds	Potato Saggu
95	Sara's Tasty Buds	Methi Potato Kurma
96	Sara's Tasty Buds	Empty Salna
Savory bakes
97	nayanas kitchen kreations	Vegetable au gratin
98	Nitha's Kitchen	Spicy Egg muffins
99	Nivedhanam	Eggless garlic mozzarella muffins
Non Vegetarian dishes
100	Cook like Priya	Lemon Pepper Chicken Roast
101	nayanas kitchen kreations	Malai Prawns
102	Pramitha love cooking	Chicken Chilli Dry
103	Sanoli's Kitchen	Prawn in poppy paste
104	Sanoli's Kitchen	Chilli chicken
105	Sara's Tasty Buds	Mutton Coconut milk kuzhambu
106	You too can cook- Indian food recipes	Turkey Curry
Something to drink
107	My style of recipes	Grape Wine

Thanks again for all the participation, Friends.