Today is a spicy treat from my veggie garden.  Well, I can’t say if this is everybody’s cup of tea, but if you love spicy food this is definitely a treat. You can also make it spicy or not too spicy if you choose but definitely something you would enjoy with your cup of chai ya coffee.  Most of the food I cook brings back memories which are sometimes nostalgic, some are funny & some bring a warm smile on my face like this one.

The  smell of the first rain drops on the soil which I call it the earthy smell, I would run out and inhale the smell it imparts, something nostalgic about it, brings out lots of memories.  When I was a little kid we used to make paper boats & later on when I had my kids I used to make pater boats for them to play with, we used to run  outside in the garden or on to the road, trying to find little streams or where we could see the  water flow so we could sail our boats and enjoy every minute of it, If there was a heavy down pour and our boats drowned or soaked we wouldn't mind or disheartened we would make more boats!,  I know it is bringing back your memories isn’t it ?  Mmmh..

Coleus Aromaticus

When I think of all Bhajjis & Bondas it reminds me of all those days in Bangalore, especially when it is monsoon, Ice creams is another delight I used to enjoy when it rained, what a combo.  These days fried snacks are a far away delicacy which I try not to indulge in. I have not been a big fan of fried foods, too much oil & my hunger disappears, I have always been a bit of health conscious not a health freak as I love eating but everything in moderate. I do care about oily food a bit more so deep fried is always a second thought especially when feeding my kids,  Now a days my teenage kids very rarely ask me for fried snacks, they like everything bake

Costus Pictus

In Bangalore, I used to live in Gandhi Bazar, there are some famous food joints their. But, all little joints are the best place to eat, have you ever tried? There is a little place at the end on DVG road, under a shop, I don’t know if he is still there, he had a little joint and this man used to make amazing Bondas, Bhajjis, & Masala vadas etc.., I can’t remember what other things he was making but he used to stay just for 2 to 3 hours and it would be so busy.

Those are the days which we used to enjoy so much. Once the rain stopped know tor if it was a cold winter evening, eating these was one of my favourite, the most I ate I think was when I was pregnant with my first child, I craved to eat very spicy chilli Bhajjis.  You can see I have made Bhajjis with Doddapatre (Coleus Aromaticus) & Costus Pictus , I don’t know their common names  though , making bajjis you have to follow the same method, This same method you can use in  making  Potato,  Chayote, Ridge Gourd etc..,

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Chilli Bhajji / Molaga Bhajji / Menasinkaayi Bhajji

Absolutely addictive, spicy and tasty can't stop with one, of course not a healthy treat, as it is deep fried, Vegan, Gluten free.

Course Appetisers, snacks &amp

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Author Jayasri Ravi

Ingredients

• FOR THE BATTER Tempura Batter
• 1 Cup Gram flour chick pea flour
• 1/3 Cup Rice flour
• 2 tbsp Corn flour
• 2 tsp Chilli powder*
• pinch of Asafoetida
• 2 tbsp hot oil
• 1 tsp salt*
• water as needed
• Oil for deep frying as needed
• VEGGIES FOR THE BAJJIS
• 6 to 7 Chilli Bajjis / Banana Peppers
• 6 to 7 Doddapatre
• 1 Onion
• FILLING
• Grate 1 or 2 Carrots
• 2 medium sized Onions
• 3 to 4 sprigs of coriander leaves
• 1/4 tsp of Chilli powder
• 1 tsp of Chat masala powder
• 2 to 3 pinches of salt / or as per taste

Instructions

• Take all the Ingredients for the batter in a bowl and add water as required, the batter should be in between Dosa (Pancake) & Idli batter consistency, It should not be thin nor thick.
• I have said hot oil; when you are preparing the batter, heat oil in a pan, take 2 tbsp of this oil when it is hot add this to the batter, this makes the Bhajjis more crispier.
• Dip the chillis one by one coat it well and drop into the hot oil and fry it to golden colour.
• The same way wash the leaves wipe clean and dip them in the batter and deep fry.
• How to make the filling (stuffing) for thesey chillies:
• Slit open once the bhajjis which have come out of the oil, and drain in on a kitchen towel, Mix all the ingredients from the above said list, check the taste increase or decrease spices as per your preference, fill this filling in the slit open Bhajjis and enjoy.

Notes

Some things to Note:
The coating or the batter consistency is for just 6 to 7 Bhajjis, you can keep increasing the same proportion of ingredients to fry more Bhajjis
Adding Hot oil to the batter makes crispy Bhajjis.
I usually cut an onion in the end to mix with the left over batter which makes crispy pakoras

The post Chilli Bhajji / Molaga Bhajji / Menasinkaayi Bhajji appeared first on My Veg Fare.

I love baking cookies; they are no hard work, fuss free, few ingredients and Lo! Bite sized, fulfilling on the go & all time favourite sweet something’s, what do you say? Do you like cookies? What’s your favourite?

This post has been in my draft for some time, I have been away from my blog  for a long time. Days just go by without me knowing it, well I could blame it on my kids now.  They are in University now, excited that they came back,  I have been quite busy past month, been cooking and baking non-stop.

So, they have been here for a short break for  Christmas vacation and I am so excited about it, from past few months I haven’t baked much at all, After they joined University this year, baking has taken a back seat.  Every week, sometimes twice a week I used to bake breads, they loved home-made breads for their Lunch box and also I used to bake cakes, muffins etc, just for munching / snacking.    I have been thinking about this from past year wondering what I would do when they go away, probably stop baking and stop blogging too.

Well, I don’t think I can stop blogging now as my kids are cooking on their own and always ask me and look at my blog for recipes, I have planned to blog basic & simple recipes just for my kids for their reference.

Coming back to the recipe, I baked these when my kids were here, they were very tasty, and if you want you can increase more sugar if you have a sweet tooth.  They were quite tasty I ate quite a lot as my two favourite Ingredients are in that, Coconut & Pistachio two of my favourite ingredients.

Recipe Source: Jayasri
Prep time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

100 grms Pistachio Nuts
100 grms Fresh Coconut
100 grms Caster Sugar
100 grms Icing Sugar
2 tbsp Rice Flour
2 tbsp Corn Flour
1/8 th tsp Baking soda
2 tbsp Oil
Pinch of salt
Few Pistachios for decorating

METHOD:

First of all powder pistachios coarsely, take Fresh coconut and give one  whiz in your food processor or mixie don't do it too much it will start giving milk which we don't want, as we want the taste of coconut , Now mix this with Icing sugar, salt and Baking soda and keep aside. In a bowl beat Rice flour, Corn Flour and oil beat them together, to this add the dry ingredients mix well.

Make small balls, I made around 27 balls out of the dough,  flatten them out and bake them for 20 minutes in a preheated oven Gas mark 3 on a baking sheet (I have a gas oven and gets hot,  even in low temperature so I always bake in a low temperature).

Once done take it out and cool on a wiring rack,
You just can’t stop with one  enjoy it with your Cuppa ya Chai

C you soon
Bye

The post Eggless, Gluten, Dairy & Soya Free Coconut Pistachio Macaroons appeared first on My Veg Fare.

FRIED TOFU WITH  SESAME SEED TOPPING AND KAESHI SAUCE

INGREDIENTS FOR TOASTED TOFU
250gms Tofu Block
3 to 4 tbsp of white Sesame seeds
oil as required*
Bread Crumbs*
corn flour*
water*

METHOD:
Remove the Tofu from the wrap press and remove the water from it, cut them into rectangles.
In a bowl mix both bread crumbs and sesame seeds in small portions, so you won't be wasting both of them, use them as needed.
In an other bowl mix corn flour with water and make it into a pancake consistency and keep it ready.
Dip these rectangles in the corn  flour batter first then into the bread crumb mixture.
Heat a small pan and toast these Tofu pieces on both the sides carefully until golden brown in colour.
* I have indicated this star to tell you that I have not mentioned the exact measurements and these things are totally used approximately. A small tip I could give you is when making the corn flour batter do not add too much water start with little water and when mixing water you will start to know how it reacts and how corn starch gets settled down in the bottom.., If you are new to this concept, it is better that you add around 1 or 2 tsp of plain flour which helps in making the consistency of the batter.

KAESHI SAUCE
adapted from here
INGREDIENTS:
170 ml dark soy sauce
30 ml Mirin
25 gms sugar

METHOD:
About this recipe and if you are too keen on learning Japanese dishes and love it.., it is better to go the website, as she discusses about the use of different kind of Mirin., The one I have used is an alcohol free.
Put the Mirin in a pan bring to boil, lower heat and simmer a bit
Add sugar and still till everything is melted
Now add soy sauce let it warm up slowly, do not allow it to boil, when it starts bubbling switch of the stove and keep it aside.
If any scum has formed on top of it, skim off carefully.
She says Kaeshi can used straight away but tastes best when left for about a day,
This can kept for several month under refrigeration in an air tight container.
You can even add more sugar to taste if you like it sweet...
I think my daughter added more sugar as to her liking...
So you can increase decrease the contents as you like it.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#14

The post Sesame fried Tofu - Aishu's Recipe with Kaeshi Sauce appeared first on My Veg Fare.

DRY GOBI MANCHURIAN

INGREDIENTS:
Cauliflower one whole medium sized one
1 bunch (8 to 9 stalks) Spring Onions
1/4 Cup Grated Cabbage
1 (medium) Carrot
1/2 fresh Green peas Pre cooked ( you can use frozen too)
1 large Capsicum/Green Peppers
2 to 3 Green chillies
3 to 4 finely Chopped Garlic pods
1'' Grated Ginger
1/4 bunch Coriander leaves

FOR MARINATING FLORETS
1/4 Cup Corn flour
1 tbsp rice flour
1 tbsp Plain flour
Salt as required

FOR THE SAUCE
1 tbsp of Dark Soy Sauce
1 tbsp Vinegar
1 tbsp Hot chilli sauce
2 to 3 tbsp Tomato Ketchup (depending upon the sweetness you like)
1 tbsp Tomato puree
1 tsp Pepper powder

METHOD:
First of all chop the and cook the Cauliflower florets for 5 minutes, this way any a kind of cleaning is done as it is difficult to clean the florets ( Dad always said florets have hidden worms in them, cooking florets in water will kill them), I do not how true it is but I have always done this.
Drain the water and let them drain on a kitchen when you get your things ready for sauces.
Take the sauces for the florets and put them in a large bowl then add the flours to it, with little water make it into a paste, do not add too much water then add these florets to it mix them well, I asked you not to add to much water because the florets will still have water in them even after they are drained if it very thick add a little bit more water, and leave them to marinate.
Now peel and chop the carrots to Julienne strips, the same way cut the cabbage and capsicum/Green Peppers and keep them aside.
Chop Garlic finely and grate ginger and keep it aside
chop spring Onions too.
Now Take a wok add around 2 to 3 tbsp of oil take few marinated florets at a time and in a high flame fry them continuously so they get coated with oil and gives a rustic finish and the paste gets uniformly coated to the florets and have a nice crunchy effect, keep adding 2 to 3 tbsp of oil every time and fry the florets quick and fast for this entire florets I might have used around 6 tbsps of oil at the most as I remember. After frying them like this keep them aside no need to keep on a kitchen towel as it is not deep fried.
(when you start doing this if your wok has lost its teflon coating like mine, it might stick to the pan the first time but afterwards it will be fine.).
Now get the wok back on to the stove, heat 2 to 3 tbsp of oil then add chopped green chilles, ginger, garlic, shredded cabbage, carrot, peas (precooked), Capsicum/Peppers, all at one go into the wok, stir fry them in a high flame, so they get cooked and still be crunchy!, for around 5 to minutes.
Bring the flame to low, Then add all the Sauces under the sauces heading (Increasing or Decreasing to your taste , as I like more pepper powder in it, I usually lit bit extra for the taste), After adding them give it a go by tasting and adjusting to your requirement, Now Increase the flame again and stir fry for another 2 minutes so the sauces get incorporated into the veggies now add the florets into the wok, mix thoroughly, then add chopped spring onions and chopped fresh coriander leaves and serve immediately with your favourite sauces.
Enjoy.., healthy and gorgeous to taste with no compromises... a wonderful  Gobi Manchurian....

c u soon..., take care
I am sending this to fast food not fat food of Priya, Alphabet recipes - A Appetizers, and vallli's Kid's delight - street food.

The post Dry Gobi Manchurian - No oil version appeared first on My Veg Fare.

EGGLESS BLUE BERRY MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:
140gms of Plain Flour/APS
140 gms of Fine Corn Meal
1 Apple (weighed 100 gms)
1/4 Cup Oil
1 tbsp Flax seed Powder
1/4 Cup Milk
3/4 th Cup Granulated sugar
1 tsp Vanilla essence
1 and 1/2 tsp of Baking Powder
1/2 tsp of Baking Soda
1 cup (150 gms) fresh Blue Berries
2 tbsp of Warm water (if required)

METHOD:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees/350 d F/Gas Mark 4
Spray 12 case Muffin tray with vegetable oil/cooking spray or butter them or line them with Muffin cases
First of all wash and dry the Blue berries and keep them aside,
Mix both the flours and sift together may be two to three times until well combined
In a mixie /Food Processor/hand Grinder or what ever you use to grind!,
Take apples (without the peel), Flaxseed powder and oil, Grind them into a smooth paste
Pour this into a large bowl, then add milk and Sugar give it a nice whisk for just a minute,
Then add Baking powder and Baking Soda, mix well

Then add the fresh Blue berries to the bowl, combine together
Then add the flour in three to four parts, in a nice circular motion, incorporate the flour completely into the bowl, until they are well combined do not mix it too much, be careful so the air pockets created by all the Ingredients should not get destroyed but the flours should also be well combined, do it slowly and steadily
Once everything is incorporated fill the Muffin cases around 2/3rds full with the batter and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until well risen and golden or a tooth pick inserted comes out clean.
I always turn the muffin tray around after 20 minutes for an even bake.
I did not do any frosting as I always make muffins and cakes for my kids to take it to school..
Take an other look at my lovely muffins..

Thanks to my daughter for this click she wanted to show me how soft and nice it was! isn't it beautiful.. Mmm.., they all loved it hope you try it and love it too...

I like to send this to Akila's Dish name starts with E event, and also to Cooking with fruits event by Smitha

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MUSHROOM MANCHURIAN

MIngredients:

• 350 gms Button Mushrooms
• 1 big Onion
• 5 to 6 Garlic pods
• 1 bunch spring onions
• 5 to 6 green chillies
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1'' ginger
• 1 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
• salt to taste
• 3 to 4 tbsp oil
• 5 to 6 sprig of coriander leaves (optional)
• 4 to 5 tbsp corn flour
• 2 to 3 tbsp besan flour (chickpea flour) or All purpose flour
• Sufficient oil for deep frying

METHOD:

1. Chop onion, garlic, green chilles & ginger into fine pieces and keep aside.
2. In a vessel make a paste of corn and Besan flour using little water and  a little salt, it must be of a consistency where in you can dip the mushrooms and put it in the oil, it shouldn't be too watery or too thick, make it into a dosa consistency or just they way when you make Aaloo Bondas.
3. Take sufficient quantity of oil in a wok and deep fry all the Button Mushrooms into golden colour and keep aside on a kitchen paper.
4. Now take a wok, heat oil add the chopped onions, garlic, green chillies and ginger. Fry them nicely.
5. Then add all the sauce, vinegar and  ketchup and required quantity of salt, but just remember you have already added little salt to the flour when deep frying the mushrooms so balance the salt properly!!
6. Give them all a good toss add chopped spring onions and coriander leaves (optional), Now add the fried mushrooms and mix well and leave it in the wok for a  minute or two  frying them so the ingredients in the wok get coated to the mushrooms.
7. Now it is ready to serve.
8. Serve it with your favourite Ketchup or sauce.

Note :
If you want you can add chopped peppers, Roast them with the onions,  I cook Gobi Manchurian in the same way .

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