Tuesday 28 September 2010

Methi Theplas - Roti (flatbread) with Fenugreek Leaves

Gujarati Thali is the one I have been searching for in Mysore in a long time. Even though there was a mention here and there the only time I had it was one Navratri Dandiya time few years ago. I searched for Theplas ( after girls saw three idiots , they do know names of a few Gujarati dishes now I guess I will have to make them!!!) I came across Roma Sharma's Blog. This theplas turned out very tasty. The measurements were so great that doubling up too yields perfect results. Thanks Roma.


Theplas are basically spiced parathas. They are excellent for travelling as they are not spoilt for more than a week.This variety is great either as a meal, with tea or just a snack in the kids lunch box.


Here's the recipe friends


Methi Thepla






Ingredients :
1 cup Wheat flour /Atta
1 tablespoon Besan /kadalehittu/gram flour
1 tablespoon Oil
Pinch of Haldi powder /turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Mirchi powder /red chilli powder
1 teaspoon Dhania powder /coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon Jeera powder /roasted cumin powder
5 pods of Garlic, finely chopped
1 cup of Methi (Fenugreek ) leaves, fine chopped
1/4 cup Curds /Sour Yogurt
1/2 teaspoon Jeera/Cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon Til/Sesame seeds
Pinch of Hing (Asafoetida)
Salt (to taste)
Sugar (to taste) (optional)
Oil to roast.


Method


Mix all the above ingredients with just about half a cup of water to a  dough. Knead it till it is soft. Allow it for about 5 to 10 minutes . With a little dry flour roll out rotis.. small circular ones. Cook on both sides with a little oil on a hot flat pan or tawa...
Enjoy hot thelpas with set curds  .They are great with masala tea too.

Scottish Shortbread

Yesterday tried some Scottish Shortbread. Thanks to Malini for the recipe, indeed it is easy and kids can make it too. It took exactly 10 minutes for the preparation and about 20 minutes baking time. Girls absolutely loved it and I am sure it is going to be a regular snack at my place now on..
Here is the recipe for those who want to try. I have changed it to cups to make the measurement easier. I made them the first time, may be next time there will be some improvement in shape and will have the courage to add chocolate or poppy seeds etc.I will add photos and changes as and when I make them again.


                                                             SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD


Ingredients

All purpose flour /maida  - 1 cup
Unsalted butter (melted)- 1/2 cup
Granulated sugar - 1/2 cup
Salt - a bit

Method:
Preheat the oven for 15 minutes at 170 C
Meanwhile prepare the dough.
Sieve the flour with a bit of salt, knead the flour with the melted butter
roll it with the pin for 2" thickness and spread around cut it with shaped biscuit cutters
I made shapes like fingers, but you can just spread them on to a greased tray with two cms thickness.
place the greased tray in the oven for 25 minutes.
If you have spread the dough as whole cut into squares when warm and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
The short breads are ready to have with a hot cup of tea.

Thursday 2 September 2010

Mosaravalakki

Krishnashtami at my place is a matter of delight for kids, Only snack day . The typical dish of the day is Mosru Avalakki (beaten rice with yogurt and seasoning). Avalakki being the favourite snack of Lord Krishna they say. A Sketch of Balgopal by my girl.. adorned the pooja room with my other pictures this time. I told this story to my girls as a part of the festive day.. This is what I found perfect to write in Indokidz... you can find more stories here.
The story of Sudhama is described in the Bhagwat Purana, an ancient scripture of the Hindus.
Sudhama was a poor brahmin boy who became a close friend of Krishna in sage Sandipani's hermitage. Krishna learnt to chant from Sudhama.
Once, Sandipani's wife asked Sudhama and Krishna to get some wood from the forest. While they were collecting the wood, a storm came and they got lost. Sudhama was scared. Krishna held his arms and assured his safety. When the storm was over, they found their way to the hermitage. Sudhama was relieved. Sandipani blessed them with a long life and happiness.
After completing their studies, Sudhama and Krishna went their own ways. Krishna became the king of Dwarka and married princess Rukmini, the goddess of prosperity. Sudhama, on the other hand, married a simple brahmin girl and began to lead the life of a devotee, reading scriptures, praying, forsaking worldly pleasures. Everyone loved Sudhama. His family was quite happy.
Then Sudhama's wife gave birth to two children. Because of Sudhama's austere life style, the family began to face difficult days, with little food to eat and no clothes to wear. Sudhama's wife was extremely devoted to her husband but when her children began to suffer, she was concerned.
Finally on a cold night, when her children were without blanket, she approached Sudhama and humbly said, "Aren't you and Krishna, the lord of Dwaraka, friends? And, Krishna married to the goddess of prosperity, Rukmini?"
Sudhama replied, "Yes."
Sudhama's wife dreamed of seeing an improvement in her family's poor condition. She earnestly said, "Go my lord, I beseech you, for the sake of our dear children, meet Krishna."
The very prospect of meeting Krishna, his old friend, made Sudhama happy. "I will go and see him, but I will not ask him for anything." Sudhama's wife could hardly conceal her joy. She happily said, "Even a visit to Krishna will bless our family. Do not ask anything from him. I will be content my lord."
Just before his departure for Dwaraka, Sudhama came to his wife. Both had the same thought. "What will I give to Krishna when I see him after such a long time?"
Sudhama's wife suddenly remembered, "My lord you used to tell me that Krishna immensely loved Poha, the flattened rice!" Sudhama too remembered Krishna's great liking for Poha . Sudhama's wife ran to her neighbor's house and they happily gave her the gift of Powa in a small bundle. Sudhama then set out on his long journey to Dwaraka.
When Sudama came to the palace, surprisingly enough, no one stopped him.
He looked through various rooms and finally located Krishna and Rukmini. When Krishna saw Sudama he ran to embrace him. Then Krishna sat down and washed Sudama's tired feet with warm water and put sandalwood paste on them.
After the royal meal, they all settled down to chat. Krishna and Sudama exchanged the happenings of their lives since they departed from Sandipani's hermitage. Suddenly Krishna noticed a small bundle on Sudama's waist. He remarked, "Ah! You have brought a present for me!"
Sudama hesitated, "How do I give a king, a poor man's Powa?" When Krishna noticed that Sudama was ashamed to give him the bundle, he remarked, "Sudama, the poorest gifts given to me with love is dearer to me than the richest of gifts given without love." Krishna was thoughtful, "He has not come to ask anything for himself. He came out of love for his wife and me." Then he quickly snatched off the bundle and opened it. There it was, his favorite Powa! He tossed some in his mouth with great satisfaction. Then they talked and talked, as old friends, to their heart's content. Sudama could not ask anything from Krishna.
Next morning Sudama bid Krishna and Rukmini farewell. The long road back home did not seem to be that hard as he thought of Krishna. When he reached home, he was amazed to see that a huge mansion was standing in place of his poor hut. His wife and children, wearing new clothes, came to receive him. He could hardly recognize them. Sudama felt the touch of the all-knowing Krishna who had rewarded Sudama for his gift of love.
Sudama continued to lead the life of a hermit while his family enjoyed the generous gifts of wealth from Krishna.
So during the Janmasthami festivities we do make a lot of snacks which have avalakki/poha /beaten rice as a main ingredients.
This snack plate shows KAYIBELLA AVALAKKI, GOJJAVALAKKI AND
MOSARAVALAKKI.
We do make Bisibele avalakki too .
Today I am sharing the recipe of
Mosaravalakki , will post Bisibele avalakki and Kaibella avalakki soon.
MOSARAVALAKKI (BEATEN RICE WITH YOGURT):
This is a very tasty and easy to make snack. Filling and healthy too..
Tasty Mosaru avalakki

Ingredients:
2 cups thick – Thick Avalakki
2 cups of yogurt – Mosaru
1/2 cup freshly grated coconut.
1 or 2 green chillies very finely chopped
few coriander leaves finely chopped
a sprig of curry 1 cup milk,( optional)
the usual seasoning ingredients.(cumin, mustard, chana dal, urad dal and 1tsp oil)
Method:
Wash the avalakki, beaten in water twice and then let it soak for about 15 minutes.Then add the yogurt, salt to taste , grated coconut and coriander leaves.In a small pan, heat oil. Add all the seasonings add the dals after the mustard splutters then add green chillies and curry leaves. Mix this seasoning with the above avalakki mixture. If the yogurt is thick or sour, add milk .
Enjoy the Mosru avalakki.
Have a happy Janmashtami. Jai shri Krishna.