Roasted Channa Dhal Vada ( Pottukadalai Vada )

Here is a quick and easy vada recipe.. These can be made in minutes.What is more appetizing than a hot bowl of soup and something crunchy on a cold day. The vadas are crispy outside and soft on the inside. There is no soaking and planning to make these instant super yummy vadas..

Ingredients:

Roasted Channa Dhal -- 1 cup

Rice Flour -- 4tbsp

Onions -- 1/2 cup finely chopped

Green chillie paste -- 1tsp ( or according to taste)

Ginger -- 1 inch finely chopped

Cilantro -- 4tbsp finely chopped

Curry Leaves -- 2 springs finely chopped

Asafoetida -- 2 pinches

Aniseed -- 1 tbsp

Salt -- to taste

Water -- as needed to make the dough

Oil for deep frying

Method:

• Grind the roasted Channa Dhal to a coarse powder.
• Add to a bowl and mix all the other ingredients to it except oil.
• Add water slowly and mix to a stiff dough consistency.
• Make small balls and flatten them
• Heat a pan with oil 
• Drop in the vada slowly
• Deep fry  till golden brown in colour on both sides
• Drain on absorbent paper and serve hot.. 

Yummy instant vadas are ready..

Notes:

• You could use green chillies finely chopped. I prefer using green chillie paste as it is easy to serve to my little one.
• You could bake them in a preheated oven at  375 degrees for 20 to  15 minutes and then broil them for 2 minutes on both sides.

Vatha Kuzhambu -- with a twist

Vatha Kuzhambu  is one of the favourite dish in Tamilnadu . For the authentic recipe visit the following link : 
Traditional Vatha Kuzhambu

With so much of changes in lifestyle and taste the traditionally vatha kuzambu has also got a new taste. This is a recipe i saw on a TV show.  The process of making this dish is entirely different from the traditional method. For those of you tired of the traditional taste , this is a treat.. Simply try this with plain rice , roasted papad and  a dash of ghee or gingely oil.

Ingredients :

To make a paste :

Coriander seeds -- 1tbsp

Red chillies -- 3 to 4

Coconut -- 1 tbsp

Khus Khus seeds -- 1 tsp

Onion -- 1/2 cup chopped

For the Seasoning :

Mustard seeds -- 1 tsp

Channa Dhal -- 1 tbsp

Red chillies -- 2

Fenugreek seeds -- 1 tsp

Urad dhal  -- 1 tsp

Asafoetida --1/4 tsp

Curry leaves -- 2 springs

Other Ingredients :

Pearl onions -- 10 to 15

Manathakali vathal -- 4tbsp

Tamarind paste -- 1 tbsp

Tomatoes -- 1 big finely chopped

Turmeric powder -- 1/4 tsp

Red chilly powder -- 1 tsp

Gingely oil -- 2 tbsp

Salt -- to taste
Water -- 1 cup

Method:

• Heat a pan with 1 tsp of oil
• Fry coriander seeds , red chilles , urad dhal, coconut and khus khus seeds to light brown. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pan fry the 1/2 cup chopped onions till transparent. Allow to cool
• Grind all of the above to a smooth paste, by adding very little water.
• Heat a pan and add the rest of the oil to it.
• Start adding the seasoning one by one and fry till light golden brown.
• Then add the pearl onions to it and fry till translucent.
• At this stage add the manathakali vathal and fry for a minute.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and fry till it is soft and mushy.
• Now add the ground paste and fry till all the raw smell goes about 5 minutes.
• Finally  add turmeric powder , chilly powder , salt and tamarind paste, 1 cup water  and allow to boil.
• Reduce heat to medium and let simmer till it becomes thick.
• Serve hot..

Notes :

1. If gingely oil is not available olive oil or any other oil can be used.
2. This recipe gets its taste when more oil is added.
3. In case manathakali vathal is not available you and omit it.
4. The simmering process gives it a nice taste

Tandoori Paneer Pizza

Wish you a Jolly & Bright 2011. Have a blast on the New Year and have a very happy year ahead

Wish you all a Happy New Year !!

Am back to blogging after a long time..


Here is the first recipe for the year : Tandoori Paneer Pizza ...

Ingredients :

Pizza Crust -- I used a store bought one
Tomato sauce -- 1/2 cup
Cheese -- as required


Ingredients for the topping :

Paneer -- 2 cups cut in 2 inch cubes
Capsicum -- 1 cut in square pieces
Onion -- 1 cut in squares
1 tomato -- deseed and cut into squares
Thick Yogurt -- 1/2 cup
Red chili powder -- 2tsp
Turmeric powder -- 1/2 tsp
Ginger paste -- 1/2 tsp
Garlic paste -- 1/2 tsp
Kasori Methi -- 1/2 tsp
Garam masala -- 1/2 tsp
Tandoori masala -- 1/2 tsp (Available in Indian Stores)
Juice of 1 lime
Salt to taste
Cilantro -- 2 tbsp finely chopped


Method:

Combine all the above ingredients from thick yogurt to Cilantro and mix well. 
Then add the vegetables pieces and paneer,mix well till all the pieces are covered with the marination sauce. .

Leave it for 4-5 hours, preferably overnight. (I prefer keeping it in the fridge overnight).


Heat a pan on medium heat, add a tsp of olive oil and add the marinated pieces and tomato sauce to it. Boil for 5 minutes till water evaporates and it comes to a thick consistency. Let cool.


Pre-heat oven to 400 Fahrenheit


Prepare a baking sheet and unroll the pizza crust and bake for 5 minutes.


Remove from oven and top with the prepared topping,  Spread the cheese evenly on top..


 Bake for 10 to 12 minutes till the cheese melts and a golden crust is formed.


Serve hot..