Mexican Salsa

Preparation Time - 10 Min                                      Cooking Time - 5 Min           

Ingredients :

Finely chopped tomato - 2 Cup + 1 tomato

Finely chopped onion - 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp

Jalapeno or green bell pepper- 1/4 Cup + 1 tbsp

Garlic - 2 Cloves

Finely chopped cilantro - 2 Tbsp + 1 tbsp

Lemon juice- 2 Tsp

Cumin powder - a pinch

Red Chili powder - 1/4 Tsp

Salt - 1 Tsp

Method:

1) In a saucepot mix tomato, onion, cilantro, bell pepper (or jalapeno), garlic and cilantro.

2) Add salt, lemon juice, cumin powder, red chili powder.

3) Add 2 tbsp of water mix well and let it boil on high flame for 5 mins.

4) Let it cool for 10 min and then add one chopped tomato, one tbsp each of onion,cilantro and jalapeno. Refrigerate it for half an hour and serve.

Sambar

Preparation Time - 10 Min                           Cooking Time - 30 Min                 Serves - 4

Ingredients :

Tuvar dal - 3/4 Cup

Chopped tomato - 1/2 Cup

Chopped onion -  1/2 Cup

Drumsticks - 2

Chopped cauliflower - 1/2 Cup

Chopped radish - 1/2 Cup

Chopped Carrot - 1/2 Cup

Chopped egg plant(Brinjal) - 1/4 Cup

Garlic - 6 cloves

Curry leaves - 6

Ginger paste- 1 Tsp

Dry red chili - 4

Turmeric powder - 1 Tsp

Red Chili powder - 1 Tsp

Sambar masala - 2 Tsp

Coriander powder - 1 Tsp

Mustard seeds - 2 Tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Asafoetida - a pinch

Tamarind paste - 1 1/2 Tsp

Jaggery - 1 Tbsp

Salt - 2 Tsp

Oil - 2 Tbsp

Method:

1) Wash tuvar dal till water runs clean and pressure cook up to 20 mins or 3 whistles.

2) Heat oil in pan and crackle mustard seeds.

3) Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, turmeric powder and dry red chilies.

4) Add curry leaves, garlic and ginger paste and saute well.

5) Add onion and fry well for 2 minutes and add tamarind paste and jaggery.

6) Add all other vegetables, 1 tsp of salt and saute well for 5 min.

7) Add red chili powder,coriander powder and sambar masala and mix well.

8) Put these half fried vegetables in pressure cooker and add cooked dal, mix well.

9) Add 2 cups of water, 1 tsp of salt and put the lid. Let it cook for 8-10 mins.

10) Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with idli , rice, vada or dosa.

Sambar

Guacamole/Mexican Dip

Preparation Time - 10 Min                                                     Serves - 4

Ingredients:

Avocado - 1

Finely chopped tomato  - 3 Tbsp

Finely chopped onion - 2 Tbsp 

Finely chopped  green chili - 2 Tsp

Finely chopped cilantro - 2 Tbsp

Lemon juice - 1/2 tbsp

Salt - 1 Tsp or to taste

Method:

1) Grind 1 tsp of green chili, 1 tbsp of cilnatro, 1 tbsp of onion, 1 1/2 tbsp of tomato together and keep aside.

2) Cut avocado in half and scoop out the pulp in a bowl and mash it well.

3) Add the ground mixture,salt,lime juice and remaining finely chopped ingredients and mix well and serve.

    Tip : You can refrigerate for half an hour and then serve.

Guacamole/Mexican Dip

Khavyachi(Mawa) Poli With Ricotta Cheese

Preparation time -  40 Min                               Cooking Time - 20 Min           Serves - 4      

This recipe makes 8 medium size khawa poli (Mawa sweet roti).

Ingredients:

For Stuffing :

Ricotta Cheese - 1 Cup

Sugar - 1 Cup

Cardamom powder - 1/4 Tsp

Nutmeg powder - 1/4 Tsp (Optional)

For Cover :

All purpose flour(Maida) - 1/3 Cup

Wheat flour - 1/3 Cup

Salt - 1/4 Tsp

Oil - 2 Tbsp

Ghee - 4 Tbsp

Method:

1) In a bowl mix wheat flour and all purpose flour and salt.

2) Heat 2 tbsp oil in pan and add it to flour and mix well with spoon.

3) Add water and knead into a stiff dough.

4) Cover the dough with wet cloth,paper towel or clear-wrap and keep aside.

5) In a pan add ricotta cheese and fry for 15-20 mins on low flame stirring continuously till cheese become dry and get khoya(mawa) like structure.
Tip : You can use fresh khoya(mawa) instead of ricotta cheese, fry it for 7-8 mins and other step remain same.

7) Add sugar, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder and mix well for 1/2 min. Switch off stove and let it cool for 10 mins and make equal size balls.

8) Take a ball of dough and flatten it, place the stuffing and close all edges slightly. Flatten it carefully into circle of 5 inches diameter and fry both sides well on hot griddle. Add little ghee on griddle while frying and serve hot.
 Tip - The ball of the dough should be smaller than stuffing ball. I take dough ball half of the size of stuffing ball.

Khavyachi Poli

Mawa Poli

Masala Paratha

Preparation time - 25 Min                       Cooking Time - 30 Mins          Serves - 4

Ingredients :

For dough :

Wheat flour - 2 Cup

Carom seeds - 1 Tsp

Sesame seeds - 1 Tsp (Optional)

Salt - 1 Tsp

Oil - 1/2 Tbsp

For Masala :

Red chili powder - 1 Tsp

Coriander powder - 1 Tsp

Cumin powder - 1 Tsp

Chaat masala - 1 Tsp

Dry mango powder(Amchur) -1 Tsp

Garam Masala - 1 Tsp

Salt - 1 Tsp

Ghee - to fry paratha

Method:

1) Heat 1/2 tbsp oil and add this in wheat flour and mix well.

2) Add salt, carom seeds, sesame seeds and water as required and knead the dough of medium consistency.

    Cover the dough and keep aside for 20 mins.

    Tip : If you take water exactly half of the flour amount then it makes perfect dough for paratha.

3) In a small bowl mix well all spices.

4) Take a small ball of the dough and roll it to paratha of maximum diameter possible. Apply ghee all over paratha and then sprinkle spices mix all  over.

5) Starting from one side of paratha start making fold of minimum width possible towards another side. The more folds you make more layers will form in paratha. 

You can also cut the paratha in small pieces and put the pieces on each other and then roll the paratha to form layers.

 

6) Form the pinwheel from the folds and roll the pinwheel into circle of approx 7 inch diameter.

7) Cook paratha on heated skillet from both sides adding 1 tsp of ghee. Make sure you fry both sides well

8) Serve the crispy paratha hot with raita, curd(yogurt) or pickle.

Masala Paratha

Kadhi

Preparation time - 5 Min                Cooking time - 8 min                 Serves - 4

Ingredients:

Curd(Yogurt) - 1 Cup

Gram flour(Besan) - 1 1/2 Tbsp

Ghee or Oil - 1 tbsp

Curry leaves - 6 

Ginger paste - 1 Tsp

Chopped green chili - 2 

Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Asafoetida - a pinch

Salt - 2 Tsp or to taste

Sugar - 1 Tsp

Cilantro - a few to garnish

Method :

1) Take curd in a bowl and whisk well.

2) Add 1/2 cup water and gram flour (besan) and mix well. Make sure there are no lumps.

3) Heat ghee or oil in a pan and crackle mustard seeds.

4) Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, green chili, ginger paste and curry leaves. Fry well.

5) Add curd and besan mixture.

6) Add 1 cup water, salt and sugar. Cook on low flame for 8-10 mins stirring occasionally. 

   Never cook kadhi on high flame and make sure you stir it occasionally.

7)  Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice or khichdi.

Kadhi

Dry Aloo Sabzi/Dry Potato Curry

Preparation Time - 20 Min                    Cooking Time - 8 Min                   Serves - 4

Ingredients:

Potato (Aloo) - 4

Chopped onion - 1 Cup

Oil - 2 Tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida - a pinch

Chopped green chili - 3

Curry leaves - 4 (Optional)

Ginger paste - 1 Tsp

Red chili powder - 1/4 tsp 

Turmeric powder - 1 tsp

Salt - to taste

Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Cilantro - a few to garnish

Method :

1) Boil and peel potato and cut into small cubes.

2) Heat oil in pan and crackle mustard seeds.

3) Add cumin seeds and asafoetida.

4) Add turmeric powder, curry leaves, green chili and ginger paste, saute well. If you like you can also add garlic paste.

5) Add onions and 1/2 tsp salt and fry till they are soft. I prefer vertically cut onions for this curry.

6) Add red chili powder, mix well.

7) Add potato and mix well on medium flame.

8) Add lemon juice and salt, mix well.

9) Let it cook for 3-4 mins on low flame. Switch off stove. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with chapati.

Dry Aloo Sabzi

Mawa (Khoya) Burfi With Ricotta Cheese

Preparation Time - 2 Min                                      Cooking Time - 7 Min

This easy and quick recipe makes 12 big size burfi.

Ingredients:

Ricotta cheese - 1 Cup

Milk Powder - 1 Cup

Sugar - 1 Cup 

Cardamom powder - 1/4 Tsp

Crushed Almonds or Pistachios - 2 Tsp

Ghee - Few drops to grease

Method :

1) In a microwave safe bowl mix ricotta cheese,milk powder and sugar.

2) Put this bowl in microwave for 2 mins.

3) Take it out mix well and put in microwave again for 2 mins. Be careful mixture will be very hot.

4) Take it out, add cardamom powder mix well and put in microwave again for 1 min. Do not put in microwave for more than 1 min after this point else mixture may get burnt. 

5)  Take it out, mix well put in microwave again for 1 min.

6) Take it out mix well and put in grease plate in square shape.

7) Garnish with almonds or pistachios and let it cool for 30 mins. Cut in your favorite shape and serve.

Mawa(Khoya) Burfi With Ricotta Cheese

Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preparation Time - 10 Min                                        Cooking Time - 11 Min

This simple eggless cookies recipe makes 30-34 cookies.

Ingredients : 

All purpose flour - 1 1/4 Cup

Butter - 1/2 Cup or 1 stick softened at room temp

Powdered sugar - 1/2 Cup

Light brown sugar or Jaggery - 1/2 Cup

Baking soda - 1/2 Tsp

Baking powder - 1 Tsp

Salt - 1/2 Tsp

Pure vanilla extract - 1/2 Tsp

Chocolate chips - 3/4 or 1 Cup

Vinegar - 1 Tsp

Oil - 1 Tsp

Water - 2 Tsp

Method :

1) In a bowl take butter and beat it for 1 min.

2) Preheat oven to 375° F or 190° C.

3) Add powdered sugar and packed brown sugar and beat the mixture well for 2 mins.

4) In another bowl mix together all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

5) Add this flour mixture to butter and sugar mix.

6) Add vanilla extract, salt, vinegar, water and oil, beat well for 2-3 mins.

7) Add chocolate chips and mix well.

8) Make small balls of mixture and put on greased baking sheet. You can grease the sheet with oil or butter.
    Try to make all balls of same size. You can use ice-cream scoop for that.

9) Bake for 11 mins. If you like cookies soft then bake for 10 mins.

10) Cool for 10 mins and transfer cookies to wired rack and cool for another 20 mins and then serve.

Tilgul Cookies(Naan Khatai)

Preparation Time - 10 Min                      Cooking Time - 15 Min  

Ingredients :

All purpose flour(Maida) - 1 1/4 Cup

Unsalted Butter - 1/2 Cup or 1 stick softened at room temp

Grated Jaggery (Gul) - 1/2 Cup

Sesame Seeds (Til) - 1/4 Cup

Nutmeg powder - 1/4 Tsp

Cardamom Powder - 1/4 Tsp

Salt - 1/4 Tsp

Baking powder - 1/2 Tsp

Method :

1) Grate the jaggery and keep aside.

2) Fry sesame seeds on low flame till golden in color and keep aside.

3) In a bowl, beat butter for 2 mins , add nutmeg powder and cardamom powder, mix well.

4) Add jaggery and salt in it. mix well. If you use salted butter then do not add salt.

5) In this mixture add all purpose flour, baking powder and sesame seeds and mix well. Dough should be very soft.

6) Make small round balls of the dough and put it on greased tray approximately 2 inches apart. Make sure there are no cracks on balls.

7) On these balls put sesame seeds and press.

8) Preheat oven to 350° F or 175° C and bake for 13-15 mins depending on your oven.

Tilgul Cookies (Naan Khatai)

9) Let the cookies cool for 30 mins and then serve.

Bhogi Bhaji

 Preparation Time - 15 Min                       Cooking Time - 15 Min                  Serves - 4           

This is a Maharashtrian recipe generally made on Bhogi i.e. Lohri.

Ingredients:

Papdi Val - 2 Cup

Chopped Carrots - 1/2 Cup

Green Peas - 1/4 Cup

Green Chana - 1/4 Cup

Zizyphus (Ber/Bor) - 4 (Optional)

Oil - 1 Tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tsp

Red chili powder - 2 Tsp or to taste

Coriander powder - 2 Tsp

Cumin powder -1 Tsp

Salt - 2 Tsp or to taste

Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Asafoetida - a pinch

Sesame seed powder - 3 Tsp

Gul (Jaggery) - 2 Tsp

Method :

1) Peel val beans. Remove side lines and split open and then cut it.

2) Heat oil in pan add mustard seeds. Once crackled add cumin seeds and asafoetida. 

3) Add carrots and turmeric powder. 

4) Add green peas and green chana. 

5) Add red chili powder,coriander powder, cumin powder and fry for 1 min.

6) Add val beans, ber, sesame seed powder, jaggery, salt and one cup of water.

7) Keep the lid and cook for 10-12 mins on medium flame.

8) Serve hot with chapati or bajarichi bhakri.

Bhogichi Bhaji

You can also add brinjal (egg plant) in this curry.
You can also try a variation with gravy of goda masala and ground nuts.

Kaju Katli

Preparation Time - 10 Min                                        Cooking Time - 10 Min

This very easy recipe makes about 18-20 Kaju Katli.

Ingredients:

Cashew Nuts (Kaju) - 1 Cup

Sugar - 1/2 Cup

Milk Powder - 1 Tsp

Method:

1) Grind cashew nuts in mixer. Sieve the cashew nut flour and keep aside.

2) In a pan add 1/4 cup water and then add sugar. Let it boil to make sugar syrup of one string consistency.

     Always use heavy bottom pan to make kaju katli.
  
3) Add in cashew nut flour and milk powder and mix well.

4) Stir continuously till mixture becomes dry.Keep the flame very low else mixture may become little brown. 

4) Let it cool for 2 mins, it should form the dough.

5) Take a plastic paper and put the dough on it.

6) Take another plastic paper and put on the dough and then roll it. Keep thickness approximately 1/4 inch.

7) Cut the kaju katli in diamond shape. If you like you can add silver foil but I avoid to use it. You can grease the cutter or knife with a drop of ghee so that it will not stick to kaju katli and cutting becomes easier.

8) Let it cool for 15 mins and then serve.

Kaju Katli

Misaliche Varan/ Mix Dal Lassoni

Preparation Time - 30 Min                           Cooking Time - 30 Min                   Serves - 4

Ingredients :

Tuvar dal - 1/4 cup

Urad dal with cover(Black gram) - 3/4 cup

Masoor dal (Red Lentil) - 1/4 Cup

Moong dal with cover - 1/4 Cup

Chana dal - 1/4 Cup

Finely chopped garlic - 8 Cloves

Finely chopped onion - 1/2 Cup

Red chili powder - 1 1/2 Tsp or to taste

Turmeric powder - 1/4 Tsp

Goda masala - 1/2 Tsp

Asafoetida - a pinch

Mustard seeds - 1/2 Tsp

Oil - 1/2 Tbsp

Method :

1) In a bowl mix together dal, wash and soak for 1/2 an hour.

2) Pressure cook dal for 20 min or 3 whistles.

3) In a pan heat oil and add mustard seeds, let it crackle.

4) Add asafoetida, garlic and saute well for 1 min.s

5) Add onions and saute well till translucent.

6) Add red chili powder, turmeric powder, goda masala and mix well.

7) Add pressure cook dal and 2 cup water and salt.

8) Let it cook for 15 mins on low flame.

9) Serve hot with chapati.

Misaliche Varan

Bharwan Bhindi/Bharleli bhendi

Preparation Time - 7 Min                             Cooking Time - 12 Min                 Serves - 3

Ingredients :

Bhendi(Lady finger/Okra) - 250 gm

Onion - 1 Cup

Green chili - 2

Oil - 1 Tbsp

Cumin seed - 1 Tsp

For Stuffing :

Coriander powder - 1 1/2 Tsp

Besan (Gram flour) - 1 1/2 Tsp

Ground nut powder - 1 1/2 Tsp

Cumin powder - 1 Tsp

Dry mango (Amchur) powder - 1 Tsp

Chat masala - 1 Tsp

Red chili powder - 1 Tsp or to taste

Turmeric powder - 1/4 Tsp

Garam Masala - 1/2 Tsp

Salt - to taste

Oil - 1 Tsp

Method :

1) Vertically slit bhendi and keep aside.

2) In a bowl mix together coriander powder, besan, ground nut powder, cumin powder, garam masala,
 amchur powder, chat masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt.

3) Add 1 Tsp oil to this masala stuffing and mix well.

4) Stuff this masala in bhendi and keep aside.

Bharwan Bhindi

5) Heat oil in pan and cumin seeds, let it crackle.

6) Add green chilies and saute well.

7) Add stuffed bhendis and sprinkle little water. Put the lid and cook for 5 mins on low flame.

8) Sprinkle little water and cook for 4 mins.

9) Add vertically cut onions and pinch of salt and red chili powder. Do not put the lid.

10) Cook for 2 mins and serve hot with chapati.

Bharwan Bhindi

Zunka/ Kanda-Besan Bhaji

Zunka/ Kanda-Besan Bhaji

Preparation Time - 5 Mins                        Cooking Time - 12 Mins                 Serves - 4

This is very famous Maharashtrian recipe often served with Jowar roti (Bhakri).

Ingredients:

Chopped Onions - 3 Cup

Besan (Gram Flour) - 1 Cup

Oil - 1 Tbsp

Finely chopped green chili - 1 Tsp

Ginger garlic paste - 1 Tsp

Red chili powder -1 Tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tsp

Goda Masala - 1 Tsp

Asafoetida - 1/4 Tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 Tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 Tsp

Salt - To taste

Spring onions or cilantro - to garnish

Method:

1) Heat oil in pan and add mustard seeds, let it crackle and add cumin seeds.

2) Add asafoetida and add green chilies and ginger garlic paste.

3) Add onions and salt and saute well till become translucent.

4) Add turmeric powder, red chili powder and goda masala.

5) Add besan and mix well. Sprinkle little water and put the lid and let it cook for 3-4 mins

6) Garnish with cilantro or spring onions and serve hot with bhakri or chapati.

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Pithala

Khekda Bhaji

Eggless Almond Cookies

Preparation Time - 12 Min                                      Cooking Time - 11 Min   

This simple eggless cookies recipe makes 2 dozen or 24 cookies.

Ingredients :

Butter - 1/2 Cup or 1 stick, softened at room temp.

All purpose flour - 1 1/4 Cup

Powdered Sugar - 3/4 Cup

Vanilla extract - 1 Tsp

Baking powder - 1 Tsp

Baking soda - 1/2 Tsp

Salt - 1/4 Tsp

Coarsely chopped almonds - 1/2 Cup

Water - 3 Tsp

Vinegar - 1 Tsp

Oil - 1 Tsp

Method :

1) In a bowl take butter and beat it for 1 min.

2) Add sugar and beat the mixture well for 2 mins.

3) Add all purpose flour to this and whisk together.

4) Add salt, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, oil, water and vinegar and beat for 2 mins.

5) Add almonds and mix well. You can add up to 1 cup of almonds if you like.

6) Let the mixture rest for 5 mins.

7) Preheat oven to 375° F or 190° C.

8) Make small balls of mixture and put on greased baking sheet. You can grease the sheet with oil or butter.

9) Bake for 11 mins.

10) Cool for 10 mins and transfer cookies to wired rack and cool for another 20 mins and then serve.

Eggless Almond Cookies