OATMEAL COOKIES

 Oatmeal Cookies are hearty and chunky cookies that are like granola bars in cookie form. Some days we are in a hurry or rush to get to work, and most times ignore our hunger pangs. This Cookie comes in handy. For those mid-morning or early evening hunger pangs this a healthy option to eat. Have fussy teenagers at home who skip breakfast for sleep😀? Ideal cookie for them.

I am giving you such a simple recipe that one bowl and all the mentioned ingredients are what you need. No mess, mix up everything in a single bowl, scoop the cookie dough into a baking sheet, and done.

These cookies can be stored at room temperature for a week and stay good in the refrigerator for 15 days. I prefer to make them in batches that last me a week or a fortnight. They are very simple to make so I don't mind the process of making them regularly.

This Cookie requires Almond flour/almond meal, which is not available at all stores. Amazon has it though and I ordered it from there. Regular flour will not work for these cookies and will make them doughy. These cookies are not the crunchy ones but the chewy type.

While you are here please check out my other recipes like Blueberry Cheesecake, Apple tea cake, Apple Crumble, Savoury Muffins, and more... 

Here is the recipe for Oatmeal cookie-

 PREP TIME: 20                                      COOK TIME: 30Mins

 TOTAL TIME:50 MINS                          COURSE:  DESSERT

 CUISINE:  WORLD                              SERVINGS: 12 PIECES

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

Dry Ingredients:

Oats - 1 1/4 cup Instant or rolled (refer note1)

Almonds 1 handful or 50 gm 

Cashewnuts 1 handful or 50 gm

Walnuts 1 handful or 50 gm

Raisins 1/2 cup

Almond flour 3/4 cup (refer note2)

Cinnamon powder 1 tsp

Baking powder 1/2 tsp

Desiccated coconut 1/4 cup

Wet Ingredients:

Dates 100 gm pitted or 15 numbers after pitting

Hot water 1/4 cup or just enough to soak the dates

Honey 3 tbsp

Egg 1

Coconut oil or Olive oil 3 tbsp

Vanilla essence (optional)

Directions:

Soak the pitted dates in hot water, just until they are submerged. Preheat oven to 180 degrees for 10 minutes. While the oven is getting hot let's get the Cookie dough ready. Take the instant Oats and dry roast them on low flame for 3 minutes. We don't want to brown them, but just make them a little crisp. Keep feeling the oats with your fingers, when they hot enough and your fingers can't stand the heat, switch off the flame and let it cool while we get other things ready. Dry roast the Almonds, Cashewnuts, and walnuts, cool them slightly, and pulse them a single time in the blender. We want them to be partly broken.

The dates would have softened by now. Take a spatula or wired whisk and mash it to a smooth puree. Add all other ingredients mentioned under wet ingredients and combine well with a spatula. Add the dry ingredients to this mixture and mix well, such that all are well integrated. Now what you have at hand is a thick batter. 

Line a baking tray with parchment paper or baking paper and grease lightly. Now with an ice cream scoop or a deep round spatula scoop the batter and place them on the baking sheet, giving an inch distance(these cookies do not spread much) between them. Bake at 180 degrees for 30 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Do the skewer/toothpick test if in doubt. (prick through the center, if it comes out clean without any batter, the cookie is done). Enjoy the cookies with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Bon Appetit.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Soak the pitted dates in hot water, just until they are submerged. Preheat oven to 180 degrees for 10 minutes. Take the instant Oats and dry roast them on low flame for 3 minutes. Keep feeling the oats with your fingers, when they hot enough and your fingers can't stand the heat, switch off the flame and let it cool.

2.  Dry roast the Almonds, Cashewnuts, and walnuts, cool them slightly and pulse them a single time in the blender. We want them to be partly broken.

3. Now take a spatula or a wired whisk and mash the dates to a smooth puree. Add all other ingredients mentioned under wet ingredients and combine well with a spatula. 

4. Mix in the dry ingredients into this mixture and combine well until all are well integrated. We will have a sticky dough.

5.  Line a baking tray with parchment paper or baking paper and grease lightly. Now with an ice cream scoop or a deep round spatula scoop the batter and place them on the baking sheet, giving an inch distance(these cookies do not spread much) between them. Flatten the cookies with a spatula slightly. Bake at 180 degrees for 30 minutes or until they turn golden brown.

NOTES:

1. I have dry roasted the Oats as they are the instant ones. If using rolled oats, roasting is not required.

2. Almond flour can be made at home also by blanching almonds, dry them, and then grinding to a fine powder.

3. If one doesn't mind the skin of the almonds they can be directly ground to a fine powder.

4. I have added the Cinnamon powder at the end along with the dry ingredients.

ALOO METHI PARATHA

There is no doubt that Aloo Parathas are the king of Parathas. But once the Methi leaves season comes, I make these Aloo Methi Parathas which are healthy as the Methi leaves are rich in iron and fiber. They lift the regular Aloo paratha to a different level. The Methi leaves themselves are very aromatic and when added to any dish they enhance the flavour and aroma of that dish manifold.

Aloo Methi is a popular north Indian subji that I have stuffed into these Parathas. which makes this dish a wholesome lunchbox option for kids and adults alike. It is also a good way to make kids eat the Methi leaves.

Using fresh methi leaves also gives the Parathas wonderful texture. I have not tried this paratha with Kasoori methi as firstly a huge amount of it will be required because dried leaves will lack volume, and secondly nothing can compensate for the taste of fresh methi leaves.

While you are here please check out my other flatbread/ Paratha recipes like Beetroot Paratha, Missi Roti, Garlic Lachcha paratha, and more...

Here is the recipe for Aloo Methi Paratha for you-

  PREP TIME: 20                                      COOK TIME: 30Mins

 TOTAL TIME:50Mins                               COURSE:  BREADS

 CUISINE:  INDIAN                                  SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

   Ingredients for stuffing:

   Aloo/ Potatoes 5 medium-sized,  boil, skin peeled and mashed

   Methi leaves/Fenugreek leaves 1 bunch finely chopped

   Salt as required

   Red chili powder 1 tsp(or more as per spice)

   Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

   Coriander powder  2 tsp

   Fennel powder 1 tsp

   Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp

   Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

   Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp

   Oil for tempering 1 tbsp

   Ingredients for dough:

   Whole wheat flour 3 cups

   Salt a pinch

   Oil 1 tsp

   Water for kneading

   Oil for cooking the Parathas

Directions for making the stuffing:

Chop the Methi leaves finely and wash them thoroughly. Drain all the water and keep aside. Boil the potatoes, peel the skin, and mash them.  In a pan or Kadai take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Drop the mustard seeds and as they crackle add the cumin seeds and turmeric powder. Now add the washed and drained Methi leaves and saute. Add salt followed by red chilli powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and continue to saute. The methi leaves will release moisture, keep sauteeing and let the moisture dry out. Now add the mashed potato to the Methi leaves, little by little, and mix them nicely. The Methi leaves should have combined evenly with the potato mash. Finally, add some Garam masala powder, mix once again, and allow the mixture to cool.  

Directions to make the dough:

Take 3 cups whole wheat flour in a big mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of oil and mix well. Now adding water, a little at a time, combine to follow a slightly tough dough. A loose dough will not help in spreading the filling well. Rest the dough for 20 minutes.

Directions to make the Paratha:

Take the dough and pinch it into balls and divide it into 12 equal portions. Now dust one ball at a time in flour and roll it out into a palm-sized circle. Take about 2 tbsp of stuffing and put it in the center of the circle. Bring all the sides together and seal the stuffing. Now dust the stuffing filled ball in flour again and roll it out into a thick and medium-sized circle. Heat a girdle/tava and put the Paratha on it. Drizzle some oil over it and cook on one side. Flip over and cook on the other side too, drizzling a little oil on it. Cook both sides until brown dots appear. Repeat for all the dough and stuffing. The yummy and wholesome, one meal parathas are ready. Enjoy. Bon Appetit.

Serving suggestions-- as it is filled with a proper subji it actually doesn't need anything to go with. One can just enjoy them with a dollop of butter and plain curd. 

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Chop the Methi leaves finely and wash them thoroughly. Drain all the water and keep aside. Boil the potatoes, peel the skin, and mash them.

2. In a pan or Kadai take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Drop the mustard seeds and as they crackle add the cumin seeds and turmeric powder. Now add the washed and drained Methi leaves and saute.

3. Add salt followed by red chilli powder, coriander powder, fennel powder and continue to saute. The methi leaves will release moisture, keep sauteeing and let the moisture dry out. Now add the mashed potato to the Methi leaves, little by little, and mix them nicely. 

4. The Methi leaves should have combined evenly with the potato mash. Finally, add some Garam masala powder, mix once again, and allow the mixture to cool.  

5. Take 3 cups whole wheat flour in a big mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of oil and mix well. Now adding water, a little at a time, combine to follow a slightly tough dough. Rest the dough for 20 minutes.

6. Take the dough and pinch it into balls and divide it into 12 equal portions. Now dust one ball at a time in flour and roll it out into a palm-sized circle. Take about 2 tbsp of stuffing and put it in the center of the circle. Bring all the sides together and seal the stuffing.

7. Now dust the stuffing filled ball in flour again and roll it out into a thick and medium-sized circle. 

8. Heat a girdle/tava and put the Paratha on it. Drizzle some oil over it and cook on one side. Flip over and cook on the other side too, drizzling a little oil on it. Cook both sides until brown dots appear. Repeat for all the dough and stuffing.

NOTES:

1. One can try the paratha using Kasoori Methi, but I have not tested this method, as I have mentioned above, it might not give the right texture and flavor.

2. Some potatoes absorb a lot of water while cooking, therefore choose ones that cook a little dry. Alternately don't overcook the potatoes. Cook them adequately and grate them through. I don't mind a few potato lumps in between, so I don't process them so much.

3. I don't use garlic or onions in this recipe and so cannot tell how the taste will be.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes in your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchen has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.

MIRCHI BAJJI/MIRAPAKAYA BAJJI/CHILLI FRITTERS

 Mirchi Bajji or Mirapakaya bajji as it is called in Andhra Pradesh, is popular street food in most South Indian states. The way of making them differs though. This snack is popular in Jaipur/Rajasthan too and the style of making it is different. This snack is made from a particular type of Chilli, called Banana Peppers or Bajji Milagai. They are a light shade of green and huge.

In this recipe, I have followed the Hyderabadi style, wherein the chilli is first processed by slitting it in the centre, de-seeding it, and stuffing it with a paste. The then chillies are coated with chickpea flour batter and deep-fried.

In the Rajasthani style, the Mirchi/chilli is de-seeded and is topped with a spicy mashed potato coating(not stuffed), then dipped in chickpea batter and then fried.

In some other states in South India, the chillies are just deseeded and then dipped in batter and deep-fried. This version is not the best way to make this bajjis though. The stuffing is what makes all the difference.

I am getting to the recipe without much ado. I request you to have a look at my other snack recipes like Semolina Cheese Balls, Kothimbir Vadi, Dahi Pohe/Moru Aval, Masala Wheat flour Papdis, and more..,

Here is the recipe for Mirchi Bajji/Mirapakaya Bajji for you-

 PREP TIME: 20                                         COOK TIME: 20Mins

 TOTAL TIME:40Mins                                  COURSE:  SNACK

 CUISINE:  INDIAN                                     SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

Ingredients for stuffing:

Chickpea flour/Besan 2 cups

Tamarind paste 1 tbsp or Tamarind pulp 1 cup(refer note1)

Salt as required

Red chilli powder 1/2 to 1 tsp

Ajwain seeds/Omam 1 tsp

Water as required(if using tamarind paste)

Ingredients for batter:

Besan/ Chickpea flour 2 cups

Rice flour 1/4 cup

Salt as required

Red chilli powder 1 tsp

Ajwain 1/2 tsp

Hot oil 1 tbsp

Ingredients for Mirchi Bajji:

Bajji Chillies 12 numbers

Oil for deep frying

Processing the Bajji Chilli:

Wash then and pat them dry. With a sharp knife make a lengthwise slit in the center and remove the seeds complete with your fingers, or spoon. Be very gently or they may break. The chilli should be clean on the inside and devoid of any seeds.

Directions for making Mirchi Bajji:

 Once the processing of the Chillies is done, take all ingredients mentioned under stuffing except water and mix them well with your fingers. Now add water little by little to make a dough, which is neither too stiff nor too loose. (this procedure is if using tamarind paste)

If using tamarind pulp then take all ingredients mentioned under stuffing, in a bowl and combine them to form a dough, using the tamarind pulp. 

Now make small cylinders out of this stuffing dough and stuff it into the chillies. Note that the chillies need not be fully stuffed, making a cylinder of them ensures that the stuffing is there from stalk to tip. Repeat for all chillies.

Now take all ingredients mentioned under batter, except water and mix well with your fingers. Adding water little by little, form a batter that is not too flowy. It should be thick enough to coat the chilli. The chilli surface is very smooth and slippery. so the natter has to be a little thick(refer picture). After making the batter, put oil for deep frying in a Kadai and heat. Bring the oil to smoke point and reduce heat completely. Pour 1 tbsp of this oil into the batter, and mix the batter nicely with a spoon(be careful not to use your hands, the oil is very hot). The hot oil does the job of baking soda here, and make your bajji turn fluffy and crisp(secret out😀). Now it is time for frying. Holding the chilli by the stalk, dip it into the batter, use your fingers if required to coat the chilli well and drop them gently into the hot oil. Fry on medium-high until it turns a nice brown in colour. To serve, sprinkle some Chaat masala and enjoy. Bon Appetit.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Follow the processing of chillies step and set them aside.

2. This step is if you are using tamarind paste- take all ingredients mentioned under stuffing except water and mix them well with your fingers. Now add water little by little to make a dough, which is neither too stiff nor too loose. (if following this step ignore step 3)

3. This step is if you are using tamarind pulp: take all ingredients mentioned under stuffing, in a bowl and combine them to form a dough, using the tamarind pulp. 

( PICTURES SAME AS ABOVE, USE TAMARIND PULP INSTEAD OF WATER)

4.  Now make small cylinders out of this stuffing dough and stuff it into the chillies. Note that the chillies need not be fully stuffed, making a cylinder of them ensures that the stuffing is there from stalk to tip. Repeat for all chillies.

5. Now take all ingredients mentioned under batter, except water and mix well with your fingers. Adding water little by little, form a batter that is not too flowy. It should be thick enough to coat the chilli.

6. After making the batter, put oil for deep frying in a Kadai and heat. Bring the oil to smoke point and reduce heat completely. Pour 1 tbsp of this oil into the batter, and mix the batter nicely with a spoon(be careful not to use your hands, the oil is very hot). 

7. Holding the chilli by the stalk, dip it into the batter, use your fingers if required to coat the chilli well and drop them gently into the hot oil. Fry on medium-high until it turns a nice brown in colour. 

NOTES:

1. I usually make a paste of tamarind and keep it handy. This post is on my Facebook and Instagram handles. I will try to share that in the blog sometime soon. Store-bought paste also can be used, quantity should be 1.5 tbsp. If using store-bought paste, decrease the amount of salt in the stuffing.

2. For making Tamarind pulp take lemon size ball of tamarind, soak in warm water for 5-10 minutes and extract a pulp that comes to 1 cup. Use this to make the stuffing dough.

3. Pouring hot oil into the Bajji batter does the job of soda. It makes the Bajji fluffy and crisp and also gives it a good colour. 

4. While frying these Bajjis patience is required and fry them in high heat will give you an uncooked stuffing. 

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes in your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchen has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.

GAJAR HALWA BARFI

 A Barfi is the Indian cousin of the western Fudge. In a Barfi either milk or flour is a base along with fruit or vegetables or dry fruits or a combination of them. This is a sweet dish I tried just for fun and I really did not have an idea of the quantities. I just went by gut feeling and it ended up in something really yummy. It is a twist to the regular Gajar Halwa and tales just 1/4 of the time to get it done. It took me precisely 20 minutes for the entire cooking process, 5 minutes for grating the Carrot. It needs a 20-minute chilling time(in the refrigerator). 

I tried this out with small quantities of everything as I was trying it for the first time. Since it turned out very well, it is blog-worthy and worth a try by everyone. I usually make Gajar Halwa only when the Delhi Carrots(the orangish-red ones) arrive in Chennai, and I make it 3 to 4 times before the season gets over. Since I was trying a Barfi I went ahead with the regular carrots. 

While you are here check out my Indian sweet recipe collection like- Pineapple Rabri, Atte Ka Sheera, Unni Appam, Aval Kesari, Thengai Therattipal, Maa Ladu, Vella Aval, Chakkara Pongal, Carrot Kheer, and more...

Here is the recipe for Gajar Halwa Barfi for you-

   PREP TIME: 5                                    COOK TIME: 20Mins

   TOTAL TIME:25Mins                          COURSE:  DESSERT

   CUISINE:  INDIAN                             SERVINGS: 6

   AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

Ingredients:

Carrots 2 big shredded

Kova/Khoya/Mava 100gm(store-bought)

Sugar 1/2 cup

Milk 1/4 cup

Ghee 6 tsp

Cardamom powder 1/4 tsp

Broken nuts for garnish

Directions:

Grease a small plate with ghee and keep ready. In a Kadai or pan take 2 tsp ghee and heat. Drop the grated carrot onto the Kadai or pan and saute on high for a minute. Now add the milk, reduce the flame, and cook the carrots for 5 minutes. The carrots should cook but not turn limp. Now add the grated Khoya/Mava and continue to cook for few minutes. Once the Mava is added the mixture becomes a little thick, now add the sugar and stir, the mixture liquefies a little as the sugar melts. Keep stirring for a few minutes and the mixture will start to thicken up. When the mixture no longer sticks to the bottom of the pan, its time to transfer it into a greased plate. Another method to check for doneness of the mixture is to wet your hands, take a small amount of the carrot mixture, and try to form a ball. If the ball retains shape its time to transfer into the greased plate. Spread the mixture evenly on the plate, sprinkle some chopped nuts on top, and press it gently with the ladle back or your palm. Put the plate into the fridge for 20 minutes. Bring it out, cut into diamonds or squares and it's ready to serve. Enjoy the dessert. Bon Appetite.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Grease a small plate with ghee and keep ready. In a Kadai or pan take 2 tsp ghee and heat. Drop the grated carrot onto the Kadai or pan and saute on high for a minute.

2. Now add the milk, reduce the flame, and cook the carrots for 5 minutes. The carrots should cook but not turn limp. Now add the grated Khoya/Mava and continue to cook for few minutes.

3. Once the Mava is added the mixture becomes a little thick, now add the sugar and stir, the mixture liquefies a little as the sugar melts. Keep stirring for a few minutes and the mixture will start to thicken up. When the mixture no longer sticks to the bottom of the pan, its time to transfer it into a greased plate. Before transferring to a greased plate add cardamom powder and 2 tsp ghee.

4. Another method to check for doneness of the mixture is to wet your hands, take a small amount of the carrot mixture, and try to form a ball. If the ball retains shape its time to transfer into the greased plate. Before transferring to a greased plate add cardamom powder and 2 tsp ghee.

5. Spread the mixture evenly on the plate, sprinkle some chopped nuts on top, and press it gently with the ladle back or your palm. Put the plate into the fridge for 20 minutes. Bring it out, cut into diamonds or squares and it's ready to serve. 

RECIPE VIDEO HERE 👇

NOTES:

1. The process is not lengthy, but stirring from time to time is required.

2. Don't want the Barfi? no worry- just don't refrigerate, temper with dry fruits and nuts fried in ghee, and enjoy as Instant Gajar Halwa😃.

3. I have not added any colour as the Carrots were so bright themselves. One can add food colour of they prefer a deeper colour.

4. Adding 2 tsp of ghee on the mixture before spreading on the plate, helps in even and smooth spreading. Alternately apply little ghee to the back of the ladle with which you will spread the mixture.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes in your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchen has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.

VEGETABLE MANCHURIAN(WITH GRAVY)

 Who doesn't like Vegetable Manchurian? This is the most Indianised Chinese dish, that has been customized to the Indian palette. The dry version of this dish aka Vegetable Manchurian dry is one of the most popular Starters offered at all weddings, get-togethers, parties, and the like. This also happens to be my most favourite starter.   I also have a recipe on this blog for Fried rice with these dry Manchurians, do check it out. The only difference is that I have used Cauliflowers instead of cabbage in the fried rice recipe. Fried rice and Manchurian with gravy are a match made in heaven, so do try out the combination from the recipes in my blog.

This is a no-fail recipe and turns out well every time that I make it, which is why I make it frequently. In this recipe, I have used 1 whole medium-sized cabbage( oh yes that's how much we like this dish), one can customize it as per their requirements though.

While you are here please do check out my other Indo Chinese recipes like Schezwan fried rice(with Soya chunks), Cauliflower fried rice and other dessert recipes like Pineapple jam tarts and Apple crumble.

Here is the recipe for Vegetable Manchurian(with gravy) for you-  

   PREP TIME: 20 Mins                      COOK TIME: 40 Mins

   TOTAL TIME:60Mins                       COURSE:  MAIN

   CUISINE:  FUSION                         SERVINGS: 5

   AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

 

   Ingredients for the Manchurian dough:

   Cabbage 1 medium-sized (shredded)

   Carrot 1 (shredded)

   Spring onions 1 bunch chopped finely

   Onion 1 finely chopped

   Green chillies 2 finely chopped 

   Ginger 1/2 inch piece finely chopped

   Salt as per taste

   Pepper powder 1 tsp

   Maida 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup

   Rice flour 1/4 cup

   Ingredients for the gravy:

   Garlic 3 cloves finely chopped(reserve some for garnish)

   Ginger 1/2 inch piece

   Green chillies 2 finely chopped

   Spring onion greens 1 tbsp finely chopped

   Onion 1 small finely chopped

   Tomato puree 1/4 cup or puree of 1 large Tomato

   Green Capsicum 1/4 of a whole chopped medium-sized

   Red Bell pepper 1/4 of a whole chopped medium-sized

   Tomato sauce 2 tbsp

   Chilli sauce 2 tsp(add for more spice)

   Soy sauce 1 tbsp

   Vinegar 1 tbsp

   Cornflour 2 tbsp

   Salt as required

   Pepper powder 1tsp

   Oil for frying the Manchurian

   Directions to make the Manchurian:

In a bowl take the shredded Cabbage, add to it rest of the vegetables like shredded carrot, spring onions, onions, green chillies and ginger. Add salt and pepper powder and combine well using your fingers. Now add Maida/refined flour, followed by rice flour and combine nicely. It needn't become a dough, but you should be able to form a ball that doesn't go flat or break. Now divide the mixture into lemon sized balls( I got around 20 of them with this quality). Heat oil in a wok or Kadai and fry the balls in medium heat until a golden brown. Keep them aside.

Directions for making the gravy:

Heat oil in a pan and add the finely chopped green chillies, ginger and garlic to it. Saute for 30 seconds. Now add the spring onion greens and saute. Add the onions and continue to saute, until the sweat a bit. Remember all sauteeing to be done in high heat and with constant stirring. Now add the tomato puree and cook for a minute. Add salt and pepper powder and continue to cook for another minute. When the raw smell from the tomato puree is gone, drop in the both the Red and Green capsicum. Saute for another 30 seconds. You can add a teaspoon of sugar at this stage(optional). Now add the tomato sauce, followed by the red chilli sauce. Stir nicely. Now add the soya sauce followed by Vinegar, stir and cook for a minute. Prepare the cornflour mix by adding 1/2 cup water to 2 tbsp of cornflour. Pour this mix into the prepared sauce and stir continuously for a minute. Now dilute the sauce to the consistency you prefer by adding water. I have added 1 cup as I like a thick gravy. Simmer for 2 minutes on low heat and the gravy is ready. Now arrange the Manchurian balls in a serving dish and pour the gravy over it. Enjoy hot with any Fried rice varieties. Bon Appetit. 

 STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a bowl take the shredded Cabbage, add to it rest of the vegetables like shredded carrot, spring onions, onions, green chillies and ginger. Add salt and pepper powder and combine well using your fingers. 

2. Now add Maida/refined flour, followed by rice flour and combine nicely. Now divide the mixture into lemon sized balls( I got around 20 of them with this quality). Heat oil in a wok or Kadai and fry the balls in medium heat until a golden brown. Keep them aside.

3. Heat oil in a pan and add the finely chopped green chillies, ginger and garlic to it. Saute for 30 seconds. Now add the spring onion greens and saute. 

4. Add the onions and continue to saute, until the sweat a bit. Remember all sauteeing to be done in high heat and with constant stirring. Now add the tomato puree and cook for a minute. Add salt and pepper powder and continue to cook for another minute.

5.  When the raw smell from the tomato puree is gone, drop in the both the Red and Green capsicum. Saute for another 30 seconds. Now add the tomato sauce, followed by the red chilli sauce. Stir nicely. Now add the soya sauce followed by Vinegar, stir and cook for a minute. 

6. Prepare the cornflour mix by adding 1/2 cup water to 2 tbsp of cornflour. Pour this mix into the prepared sauce and stir continuously for a minute. 

7. Now dilute the sauce to the consistency you prefer by adding water. Simmer for 2 minutes on low heat and the gravy is ready. Now arrange the Manchurian balls in a serving dish and pour the gravy over it. Enjoy hot with any Fried rice varieties.

Notes:

1. The gravy for any wet Manchurian is the same, so one can experiment with other vegetables like Cauliflower, Potato, Brocolli, Soya Chunks beside others. If you make Manchurian with any other interesting vegetable do let us know. We love learning.

2. I usually make a slightly thick gravy as that's how we like this dish. If you prefer a lighter one, feel free to dilute the gravy by adding little warm water.

3. If you make an excess of the Manchurian balls, don't fret, as you can mix them ina onion tomato paste, add some spices, add Schezwan sauce and get it to the consistency of a dry paste. Toss in the balls into this paste, mix nicely and stir fry and you have a dry Manchurian at hand😀 to relish.

  

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

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ROASTED EGGPLANT (2 WAYS)

 This roasted eggplant subji is the simplest to make as I roast/bake it in the oven. The actual recipe involves deep-frying this in oil, but these days most of us want food that is light on the oil. Moreover, I feel when deep-fried these Brinjals/Eggplants take in a lot of oil. So the best way to cook them is over a pan or in the oven.

Here I am giving both the methods so one can choose whichever is convenient for them. What I do is bake one batch and pan-fry the other. Both methods yield the same result. Baking takes a little longer, though with a little less oil than pan-frying. So while one batch is baking I get done two pan-fried batches. Does that sound weird😉? Well, I do this because the roasted Eggplant subji is a family favourite and just one batch of baking is not enough😀. 

I Have used the big globe type Eggplants/Brinjals here(Bharta Baingan). The small ones can also be used but the bake time might vary. I have not tried baking with the small Eggplants/brinjals.

While you are here I request you to check out my other subji recipes like- Creamy Palak in Coconut Milk, Stuffed Karelas, Drumstick Curry, Kadai Paneer, Beans Paruppu Usili, and more...

Here is the recipe for Roasted Eggplant/Baingan for you-

 PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 25Mins

 TOTAL TIME:40Mins                                  COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                         SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

   Ingredients:

   Eggplants(globe/big/Bharta Baingan) 2 or 3

   Oil 2 tbsp

   Red chilli powder 2 tsp(divided)

   Turmeric powder 1 tsp(divided) 

   Salt as required

   Coriander powder(optional) 2 tsp

   Mustard seeds 1 tsp

   Jeera/Cumin 1 tsp

   Curry leaves a few

Directions for Prepping the Brinjal/Eggplants:

Wash the Eggplants well and cut them to Slices that are of medium thickness. Sprinkle some salt on them and mix well, so that the salt gets coated evenly on all slices. Leave to rest for 20 minutes. Now rinse the sliced Eggplants and pat dry them on a towel. Set aside. 

Directions for Masala paste:

Take 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and required salt in a small bowl. Add 1 tbsp oil and make a paste. I suggest you make the paste as required, depending on the number of Brinjal/Eggplant slices. The given quantity will cover 10 big slices approximately. If it gets over, make the paste again. The quantities given in ingredients is for 2 batches.

Directions for Baking the Eggplants:

Preheat oven at 180 C for 10 minutes. Take a baking tray and grease with a thin film of oil. Arrange the Eggplant/Baingan slices in the tray in 2 layers such that they are not crowded and the lower ones get some heat(refer picture). Take a brush and coat all slices with the masala paste. Repeat on the other side. Put the tray in the oven and bake at 200 C for 10 minutes. Remove, flip them around and bake again for 10- 15 minutes. Remove and transfer to a bowl. Repeat for all slices.

Directions for Pan-frying the Eggplants:

Heat a Tava/Girdle. Grease with a little oil. Brush the Eggplant slices with the Masala paste and arrange them on the girdle. Drizzle 1 tsp oil on the Tava for quick cooking. Cook on one side until crisp and flip the slices around, drizzle another teaspoon oil and cook until crisp. Remove from girdle to a separate vessel. repeat for all slices. 

Tempering:

In a small Kadai take 2 tsp oil and heat. Add mustard seeds, when they crackle add the Jeera/Cumin seeds followed by the curry leaves. Pour this tempering over the baked/pan-fried Brinjals. The Roasted Brinjal/Eggplants are ready to serve with Rotis(flatbread), Dal Chawal, Kadi Chawal and more. Enjoy. Bon Appetit. 

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Wash the Eggplants well and cut them to Slices that are of medium thickness. Sprinkle some salt on them and mix well, so that the salt gets coated evenly on all slices. Leave to rest for 20 minutes. Now rinse the sliced Eggplants and pat dry them on a towel. Set aside. 

2.Take 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and required salt in a small bowl. Add 1 tbsp oil and make a paste.

3. For baking- Preheat oven at 180 C for 10 minutes. Take a baking tray and grease with a thin film of oil. Arrange the Eggplant/Baingan slices in the tray in 2 layers such that they are not crowded and the lower ones get some heat(refer picture).

4. Take a brush and coat all slices with the masala paste. Repeat on the other side. Put the tray in the oven and bake at 200 C for 10 minutes. Remove, flip them around and bake again for 10- 15 minutes. Remove and transfer to a bowl. Repeat for all slices.

5. For Pan-frying: Heat a Tava/Girdle. Grease with a little oil. Brush the Eggplant slices with the Masala paste and arrange them on the girdle. Drizzle 1 tsp oil on the Tava for quick cooking. Cook on one side until crisp and flip the slices around, drizzle another teaspoon oil and cook until crisp. Remove from girdle to a separate vessel. repeat for all slices. 

6. Finally, to temper take some oil in a small Kadai and heat. Put in the mustard seeds and as they crackle add the cumin seeds and curry leaves. Pour this tempering over the roasted Eggplants. Enjoy with Rotis or Dal Chawal or whatever you feel like.     

NOTES:

1. The smaller variety of Brinjal can be used in the Pan-fry method. Since I have not used them anytime in the baked method, unable to be specific of the result. When I try it, I will definitely update here.

2. If one does not wish to apply the masala paste while pan-frying or baking, the masalas can be added along with the tempering and mixed also.

3. Prepping of the Eggplants is critical as otherwise, they will release a lot of moisture and instead of turning crisp they will turn soggy.

4. This is a simple everyday recipe, therefore I have kept the masalas to the minimum. Feel free to add your choice of masalas/spice powders.

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes in your mail please leave your mail id at the homepage. Every time Rajjo's Kitchen has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.