MIRCH KA SALAN

This recipe is one of the most flavourful dish from the Hyderabadi  cuisine. This dish is made from a particular type of Chilli called Banana Peppers or Bajji Milagai. You will find a mention of this in my Mirapakaya Bajji or Mirchi Bajji post. Like I have said in that post, there is also a Jaipuri style of making this dish, but today I am sharing the recipe of the Hydrrabadi style.

Usually, people think that this is a very spicy dish, but it is not so at all. Once the  chillies are deseeded the right way and lightly sauteed in oil, one can enjoy just the flavour of the chillies in the dish. 

While you are here please check out my other curry recipes like Dum Aloo Ajwaini, Palak Paneer, Matar Paneer, Mixed Vegetable Curry, Mava Paneer Curry, Rajma, Choley and more...

Here is the recipe of the flavour max dish Mirch Ka Salan.

 PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 15 MINS

 TOTAL TIME:30Mins                                  COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                         SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

    Ingredients:

    Banana Peppers orBajji Milagai 10 nos

    Onion 1 large minced or ground roughly

    Raw peanuts 1handful 

    Cashewnuts 4 -5( optional)

    Coriander Seeds 1 heaped tbsp

    Cumin seeds 1 tsp

    Dry red chillies 2 ( reduce for less spice)

    Till/ white sesame

    Tamarind pulp 2 tsp ( or less) 

    Garam masala 1/2 tsp

    Mustard seeds 1 tsp

    Curry leaves a few

    Oil for sauteeing 

Directions:

Heat 2 tsp oil in a big Karahi or pan ( big enough to hold 10 big chillies). Add the peanuts and roast them for 20 seconds, now add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies, cashewnuts( if using) and sesame seeds and continue to toast until they all turn light brown and crisp. Set aside to cool. Now pour 2 tbsp oil and put in few chillies at a time and saute them until they get a light brown tint. Repeat for all chillies and set aside. Now put all the roasted masalas in the blender jar and grind it to a fine paste using little water. To the oil remaining after sauteeing the chillies( add more oil if required), put in the mustard seeds, and as they crackle add the curry leaves and onion and turmeric powder. Fry it nicely until it starts turning brown. Now add the ground paste and fry it in oil nicely. Keep stirring or the paste will stick to the pan bottom. Once the raw smell of the peanuts is gone add 1.5cups water and required salt and stir. Now add the sauteed chillies and cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the gravy comes to the desired consistency. Finally add the tamarind pulp and garam masala and put off the flame. The flavourful Mirch ka Salan Curry is ready.

Deseed and slit chillies as shown...

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Heat 2 tsp oil in a big Karahi or pan ( big enough to hold 10 big chillies). Add the peanuts and roast them for 20 seconds, now add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies, cashewnuts( if using) and sesame seeds and continue to toast until they all turn light brown and crisp. Set aside to cool.

2. Now pour 2 tbsp oil and put in few chillies at a time and saute them until they get a light brown tint. Repeat for all chillies and set aside.

3. Now put all the roasted masalas in the blender jar and grind it to a fine paste using little water. To the oil remaining after sauteeing the chillies( add more oil if required), put in the mustard seeds, and as they crackle add the curry leaves, ground onion paste and turmeric powder. Fry it nicely until it starts turning brown.

4. Now Add the ground paste and fry it in oil nicely. Keep stirring or the paste will stick to the pan bottom.

 Once the raw smell of the peanuts is gone add 1.5cups water and required salt and red chilli powder and stir. Now add the sauteed chillies and cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the gravy comes to the desired consistency. 

5. Finally add the tamarind pulp and garam masala and put off the flame. The flavourful Mirch ka Salan Curry is ready.

NOTES:

1. Deseeding the chillies is very critical to this dish. They have to be removed  properly.

2. Frying the chillies is also an important step. It helps in taljng away the hotness of the chilli.

3. Once these two steps are done, this recipe is a breeze.

4. If you like you can add 2 teaspoons of desiccated coconut while roasting the masalas. It gives a nice taste and flavour to the dish.

5. While frying/sauteeing the chillies a lot of moisture escapes and the oil splitters out a little..that's why we are using very little oil to sautee them. Once you put the chillies in, you can cover it a bit, leaving some space for steam to escape. This way there is little mess.

6. I usually prefer sauteeing my chillies ahead if I'm making the curry for dinner, as by then the gas stove can be cleaned once and for all.

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.

DRY FRUIT LADOO

 These Ladoos are absolutely delicious and healthy. In my house, these are made not only during Diwali but all year through. They have a long shelf life and can sometimes substitute for breakfast. People who fast can rely on this for some quick energy. No sugar or honey or jaggery is added and I use minimum ghee(about 3 teaspoons). Yes! this is a whole package of health. Remember good things always come in small packages? This is that package😀.

My daughter gets it packed for hostel without fail every time she comes homes on her break. According to her, whenever she gets up late and is late for breakfast at the mess, she pops in 2 of these ladoos and grabs a glass of milk and her breakfast is taken care of for that day. I don't recommend this on a daily basis, but we all have times when we are running against time, this healthy ladoo comes in handy, it also takes care of sudden hunger pangs. My home always has a stock of these ladoos. And the best part you can customize them as per your desired dry fruits and nuts.

While you are here please check out my other sweet/dessert recipes like- Red Poha Ladoo, Carrot Kheer, Gajar halwa barfi, Maa Ladoo, and more...

Here is the recipe for Dry fruit ladoo-

PREP TIME: 20                                          COOK TIME: 20 MINS

 TOTAL TIME:40Mins                                  COURSE:  SWEET

 CUISINE:  INDIAN                                      SERVINGS: 15 PCS

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

     Ingredients:

     Dates ( juicy, fleshy ones) 250 gms deseeded

    Cashewnuts 100 -125 gms

    Almonds 100 gm

    Walnut 75 gm

    Ghee 1 tbsp

    Directions:

Put a pan over the flame and add 1 tsp ghee to it. Now roast all the nuts separately to a nice golden colour. Take care not to burn them, as the burnt smell will reduce the taste and flavour of the ladoo. Transfer them to a plate and cool them. On cooling using the "pulse mode" of your blender, blend them to a coarse mixture. Now to the same pan add another teaspoon ghee and put in the deseeded dates. Keep stirring and mashing them with the back of a spatula. As it turns warm, the dates start getting a little gooey. Now start adding the coarse nut mixture, little by little, until the gooey date paste absorbs most of it( mixture will look semi-dry). All through this process, the flame should be on low. Once your date and nut mixture is combined, remove from flame and cool for 5 minutes. We want a little warmth for binding, so don't let it go too cold. Grease your palms with a little ghee and start making ladoo of them. Repeat for the entire mixture. The yummy and tasty Dry fruit ladoo are ready. Store them in an airtight jar once they are completely cool. 

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Put a pan over the flame and add 1 tsp ghee to it. Now roast all the nuts separately to a nice golden colour. Take care not to burn them, as the burnt smell will reduce the taste and flavour of the ladoo.

2. Transfer them to a plate and cool them. On cooling using the "pulse mode" of your blender, blend them to a coarse mixture. 

3. Now to the same pan add another teaspoon ghee and put in the deseeded dates. Keep stirring and mashing them with the back of a spatula. As it turns warm, the dates start getting a little gooey. 

4. Now start adding the coarse nut mixture, little by little, until the gooey date paste absorbs most of it( mixture will look semi-dry). All through this process, the flame should be on low. Once your date and nut mixture is combined, remove from flame and cool for 5 minutes. 

5. Grease your palms with a little ghee and start making ladoo of them. Repeat for the entire mixture. The yummy and tasty Dry fruit ladoo are ready. 

NOTES:

1. The amount of nuts required depends upon the juiciness of the dates. The juicier the dates the more nuts will be required.

2. Good quality nuts and dates always give the best taste.

3. During Diwali we all receive lots of dry fruits and nuts and have to stuff everything into our refrigerators to avoid insects accessing them. These ladoos are a great idea to use up all those dry fruits in the best possible way.

4. After adding the required amount of coarse nuts to the dates, if it is still gooey then add more nut mixture after roasting and coarsely grinding them.

5. After adding the nut mixture to dates if you find it is too dry and are not able to make ladoos, them warm up more dates and add to them.

 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 Kitchenn has a new post we will mail the recipe to you.

DHANIYA WALE NAMAK PARE( NAMAK PARE)

Namak Para's are a simple dry snack made from refined flour or whole wheat flour. They make for a good tea time snack too. Here the flour is combined with salt and spices to form a stiff dough. The dough is then rolled out and cut into diamonds and deep-fried in oil. This is an easy savory recipe to make around festivals like Diwali or Janmashtami where the tradition calls for making some flour-based snacks. One can just make it as a regular tea time snack too.

Yesterday when I entered the kitchen, the idea was to make the regular Namak Para.  As I went to the refrigerator to fetch some flour(oh yes my fridge is the storehouse of my flours), my eyes fell on a bunch of fresh coriander leaves, and the idea of adding them to my Namak Para struck me. Therefore the recipe of this Dhaniya wale Namak Pare. Which means Coriander flavoured Namak Paras.

In this recipe, I have used a mixture of Multigrain flour(storebought) and Refined flour. 

While you are here please check out my other snack recipes like Semolina Cheese balls, Thattai/Nipattu, Ratlami Sev, Masala Wheatflour Papdis, Moong Dal Kachori, and more...

Here is the recipe of Dhaniya wale Namak Pare-

 PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 30 MINS

 TOTAL TIME:45Mins                                  COURSE:  SNACK

 CUISINE:  INDIAN                                      SERVINGS: 4 CUPS

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

    Ingredients:

    Refined flour/ Maida 1 cup

    Multigrain flour or Whole wheat flour 1 cup

    Semolina/Suji(fine) 4 bsp

    Carrom seeds 1 tsp

    Salt as required

    Cumin seeds/Jeera 1 tsp

    Fresh coriander leaves 1/2 bunch (washed and chopped)

    Green chili 1 chopped

    Ghee 11/4 tbsp ghee

    Oil for deep frying

    Directions:

 In the blender jar put the chopped coriander leaves, green chilli, and cumin seeds and blend to a smooth paste using as little water as possible. Now in a mixing bowl take both the flours, semolina and add salt, carrom seeds, and ghee. Now start rubbing the ghee into the flour. Once nicely mixed, using a spoon add the coriander paste to the flours little by little and start combining. Use as much paste as required for forming a stiff dough(a puri kind of dough). In case all the paste is used up and the flour is still dry then sprinkle little water and combine to form the dough. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Now work the dough again for a minute and divide it into 4 parts(ball it up). Now take one ball smear it with little oil and roll it out like a chapati. Keep the thickness medium and don't roll it out too thin. Using a knife cut to form diamonds or squares. Heat oil in a Kadai for deep frying. The right temperature is when to put a tiny bit of dough, it should sizzle immediately. Drop in the diamonds/squares gently into the oil, and fry on low flame until all the bubbles subside and the Namak Para turns a golden brown. It is difficult to retain the green color of the coriander as the flour has to cook through thoroughly, but the flavour and aroma of the coriander are retained and this is a flavour max recipe. The Coriander flavoured Nmak Para is ready.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In the blender jar put the chopped coriander leaves, green chilli, and cumin seeds and blend to a smooth paste using as little water as possible.

2. Now in a mixing bowl take both the flours, semolina and add salt, carrom seeds, and ghee. Now start rubbing the ghee into the flour.

3. Once nicely mixed, using a spoon add the coriander paste to the flours little by little and start combining. Use as much paste as required for forming a stiff dough(a puri kind of dough). Let the dough rest for 15 mins.

4. Now work the dough again for a minute and divide it into 4 parts(ball it up). Now take one ball smear it with little oil and roll it out like a chapati.

5. Keep the thickness medium and don't roll it out too thin. Using a knife cut to form diamonds or squares. Heat oil in a Kadai for deep frying. 

6. The right temperature is when to put a tiny bit of dough, it should sizzle immediately. Drop in the diamonds/squares gently into the oil, and fry on low flame until all the bubbles subside and the Namak Para turns a golden brown.

NOTES:

1. Use as much coriander paste as required for forming a stiff dough(a puri kind of dough). In case all the paste is used up and the flour is still dry then sprinkle little water and combine to form the dough.

2. In case you wish to make the regular Namak Paras then instead of making the dough using the coriander paste, just use water to make the dough, the remaining ingredients and proportions will remain the same.

3. Using Mint/Pudina for this recipe may not work as the Pudina paste changes colour on blending to a paste and may change further on frying.

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.

RATLAMI SEV

Usually every Diwali I make the usual Omapodi( sev) , Tenkozhal and Ribbon Pakoda. This time I have tried something different. This is called the Ratlami Sev and though we get it at the sweet shops and some brands also market it, I have never tried making it at home. The credit to this recipe goes to @indiankhana.net , where I found this while browsing for something new.

This is a simple recipe( oh yes, I mostly pick simple, as that's what we all want). Very similar to the Kara Sev of South India, but different in taste because of the masalas used and the Ratlami Sev  does not have rice flour, while the Kara Sev does.

This savory gets its name from a place in Madhya Pradesh, India, called Ratlam,  where it is famous. As I mentioned it is a quick recipe and difficult to resist  munching.

While you are here checkout my other Diwali Sweet and Savoury recipes like Maa Ladoo, Thattai, Gajar Halwa Barfi, Masala wheat flour Papdis, Baked Samosa pie, and more...

Here is the recipe of Ratlami Sev

 PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 15 MINS

 TOTAL TIME:30Mins                                  COURSE:  SNACK

 CUISINE:  INDIAN                                      SERVINGS: 2 CUPS

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

    Ingredients:

    Besan/ chickpea flour 1 cup

    Cooking Soda 1 pinch

    Hot oil 3 tbsp

    Salt as required

    Red chilli powder 3/4 to 1 tsp depending on taste 

    Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

    Clove powder 1/4 tsp

    Fennel powder 1/4 tsp

    Pepper powder 1/4 tsp

   Ginger powder 1/4tsp

   Black salt 1/4 tsp

   Cinnamon powder 1/4 tsp

   Ajwain powder 1/4 tsp

   Roasted Cumin powder 1/2 tsp

   Asafoetida 1/2 tsp

   Dry ginger powder 1/4 tsp

   Lemon juice 2 tsp

   Oil for deep frying

Directions:

In a mixing bowl take the Besan/ Chickpea flour. To it add Salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and all the other powders like clove, fennel, cinnamon, Ajwain/ carrot seeds, black salt and asafoetida , cooking soda,and 2 tsp of lemon juice. To this add 3 tbsp of hot oil and mix nicely with a spoon( as the oil will be hot), when it turns warm mix nicely with your fingers to form a crumbly mixture. Now adding water 1 tbsp at a time make a soft but stiff dough. Heat oil in a Karahi for deep frying. Grease the Chakli/ Muruku press with oil and put in a little dough into it and squeeze into the oil when it is hot. Oil should be medium hot. Fry on medium heat, until the bubbles subside and the Sev turns a golden brown. Repeat for the whole mixture. The spicy and flavorful Ratlami Sev is ready. 

I have combined the Cinnamon Powder, pepper powder, Roasted cumin powder, dry ginger powder, fennel powder, clove powder, Ajwain powder, and black salt, in the given measures and made it as a single powder, and am calling it the Ratlami spice mix. 

Some of these powders we might not have at home readily, for which one can roast 1 tsp of all the given ingredients under Ratlami spice mix as a whole and powder them. Use 1 to 1.5 tsp of this for the recipe. 

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a mixing bowl take the Besan/ Chickpea flour. To it add salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and Ratlami spice mix( refer paragraph above). Also, add the asafoetida, Cooking soda, and 2 tsp lemon juice. (I forgot to add salt in the beginning and have added towards the end as you will see in one of the pictures).

2. Now heat 3 tbsp oil in a Kadai ( heat it well, but don't turn it smoky) and pour it into the Besan and spice mixture. Using a spoon combine well(do not use your hand now as the oil is hot).

3. After it turns a little warm, using your fingers nicely mix the mixture until it turns crumbly. Now adding water one tablespoon at a time start combining it to form a soft but stiff dough. We want a dough that is easy to squeeze through, but also stiff enough to retain shape. I used about 3 tbsp water to make my dough. 

4. Heat oil for deep frying on medium-high. Grease the Chakli/ Muruku press with oil and put in a little dough into it and squeeze into the oil when it is hot. Oil should be medium hot. Fry on medium heat, until the bubbles subside and the Sev turns a golden brown. Repeat for the whole mixture. The tasty and spicy Ratlami Sev is ready.

NOTES:

1. Some of these powders we might not have at home readily, for which one can roast 1 tsp of all the given ingredients under Ratlami spice mix as a whole and powder them. Use 1 to 1.5 tsp of this for the recipe. 

2. I used 3 tbsp water, one can use more as required as different qualities of Besan absorb water differently.

3. Take care not to use your fingers as soon as you pour hot oil in the mix. Let it become warm and then use your fingers to combine.

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.

RED POHA LADOO( RED AVAL LADOO)

 Poha is my go-to food many times during the week. Sometimes as breakfast and sometimes as dinner and, sometimes as a quick dessert or as a simple prasad. I like the fact that this humble ingredient is so versatile allowing us to create so many dishes from it. The Poha can even go into the Idli batter to make the Idlis soft and into the Dosa batter to make super crisp Dosas.

Diwali for me is about feasting consciously. There are loads of sweets that can be made with less ghee like these Poha Ladoos. They need less sugar too, which makes them an ideal recipe for Diwali times. In this recipe, I have used the Red Poha that is available at all stores these days. These Poha/rice flakes are made from Red rice. Red rice does not undergo as much processing as regular rice.  Therefore it is rich in fiber, Vitamin B, and minerals like Zinc, Iron, and Magnesium, making it a healthier choice. This Ladoo is easy to make and gets done within no time.

If you make these Ladoos don't forget to tag us.

While you are here check out my other Poha recipes like -SweetPoha, Dahi Pohe(Mor Aval), Aval Kesari...

Here is the recipe of Red Poha Ladoo for you- 

  PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 15 MINS

 TOTAL TIME:30Mins                                  COURSE:  SWEETS

 CUISINE:  INDIAN                                      SERVINGS: 12 pcs

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

    Ingredients:

    Red Poha/Aval 2cups ( any measure of two cups is fine)

    Sugar 3/4 to 1 cup powdered (depending on your preference)

    Ghee 4 tbsp

    Cashewnuts 6 to 7 broken to bits

    Raisins(Kishmish) 6 to 7

    Cardamom/Elaichi  5 to 6

    Nutmeg/Jaiphal 1 tiny bit

Directions: 

In a Kadai take 1 Tbsp ghee and heat. Add the Red Poha to the ghee and start roasting it, until they become crisp. Keep stirring continuously as we don't want the Poha to turn brown, but to get crisp evenly. Once crisp, transfer to a plate and cool for a few minutes. Now in the blender jar take the sugar and add the cardamom and nutmeg to it and grind them to a fine powder. Transfer the sugar to a plate or vessel and in the same blender jar, grind the roasted Poha to a fine powder. Now transfer the Poha powder to a wide vessel, and add the powdered sugar to it. In a small Kadai take 1/2 tbsp ghee and fry the cashews and raisins until they turn a nice brown. Drop the fried nuts and raisins into the Poha and Sugar mixture. Now in the small Kadai warm(not heat) 3 tbsp ghee. The ghee should have melted and be warm( if your fingers can bear the heat, that is the right temperature for the ghee, be careful while testing, don't scald your fingers). Now mix the Poha sugar and dry nuts mixture well with your fingers, so that the sugar is mixed evenly. Create a well in the center of the Poha flour and pour the ghee into it, rub the ghee nicely into the flour, and start making Ladoo(balls) immediately. The ghee should be warm while making the Ladoo as it gives the right binding. If the ghee is not warm and is at room temperature, the ladoos will not form. Form the ladoos with the entire mixture, you can customize the size to your preference. The tasty and healthy Red Poha Ladoos are ready to gobble. Enjoy. Happy feasting!

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients.

2. In a Kadai take 1 Tbsp ghee and heat. Add the Red Poha to the ghee and start roasting it, until they become crisp. Keep stirring continuously, taking care not to brown the Pohas or burn them. Transfer to a plate and cool for a few minutes.

3. Now in the blender jar take the sugar and add the cardamom and nutmeg to it and grind them to a fine powder. Transfer the sugar to a plate or vessel and in the same blender jar, grind the roasted Poha to a fine powder.

4. Now transfer the Poha powder to a wide vessel, and add the powdered sugar to it. In a small Kadai take 1/2 tbsp ghee and fry the cashews and raisins until they turn a nice brown. Drop the fried nuts and raisins into the Poha and Sugar mixture. 

5. Now in the small Kadai warm(not heat) 3 tbsp ghee. The ghee should have melted and be warm, now mix the Poha sugar and dry nuts mixture well with your fingers so that the sugar is mixed evenly. Create a well in the center of the Poha flour and pour the ghee into it, rub the ghee nicely into the flour, and start making Ladoo(balls) immediately. 

6. Form the ladoos with the entire mixture, you can customize the size to your preference. The tasty and healthy Red Poha Ladoos are ready to gobble. Enjoy. 

NOTES:

1. I ground my Poha to a step less than superfine, as then you get a little crunchy feel. One can customize between superfine or a stage before, but take care not grind it coarse, as them forming the ladoos will be difficult.

2. The temperature of the ghee is very important. If it is very hot, you can form the ladoos immediately, so wait for it to turn warm. However, if the ghee is not warm enough, then the ladoos will not form. Add a little warm ghee and form the balls.

3. If you have poured too much ghee, the ladoos will slump and not hold shape. Try to stick to the measure given. However, if you do end up adding too much ghee, roast more poha, grind it to powder, and add it, to form ladoos. 

4. The Poha does not hold much sugar, so stick to the measure given.

  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.

DUM ALOO AJWAINI (ONE POT)

Dum Aloo Ajwaini is a recipe that is a little different from the regular Dum Aloo, because of a "magical masala paste' I add just before turning off the flame and that masala is what makes this a flavour blast dish, that goes very well with Pulav, plain rice and all types of flatbreads.

I spotted this recipe in a flights inhouse magazine many many years ago and I have always made it this way ever since, with small creative bursts from time to time. 

I have also adapted this recipe to the one-pot style. The only time-consuming factor is scraping the peels of the baby potatoes. Don't worry though, you can easily make the same with regular potatoes, by dicing them to cubes. The one-pot style also helps in better absorption of the masalas by the potatoes than pan cooking, hence for this particular recipe, I always follow the one-pot style. 

While you are here please check out other Subji/curry recipes of mine like- Mava Paneer Curry, Roasted Eggplant 2 ways, Creamy Palak in coconut milk, Stuffed Karela/Bittergourd, Mushroom Do Pyaaza, Palak Paneer, and more...

Here is the recipe of Dum Aloo Ajwaini for you-

  PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 15 MINS

 TOTAL TIME:30Mins                                  COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                         SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

    Ingredients for the gravy:

    Baby Potatoes 250 gms jackets peeled(refer note 1)

    Onion 1 large chopped finely

    Tomato Puree 1 cup

    Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp

    Salt as required

    Red chilli powder(regular) 1 tsp 

    Red chilli powder Kashmiri 1/2 tsp

    Coriander powder 1 tsp

    Fennel Powder 1 tsp

    Garam Masala Powder 1/2 tsp

    Oil for tempering the masalas 1 tbsp

    To be ground to a paste:

    Fresh coriander leaves 1/2 a bunch

    Ajwain/Carrom seeds 1/2 tsp

    Cashew nuts 5 to 6

    Curd 1/2 a cup

Directions:

In a small pressure cooker take oil for tempering and heat. Add the Jeera and fry for 30 seconds. When they crackle add the ginger garlic paste and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the chopped onions and saute until they start turning light brown. Add the turmeric powder and saute another 30 seconds. Now add the peeled Baby potatoes and saute nicely until the oil coats all the potatoes. Now add the tomato puree followed by salt, Regular red chilli powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, Coriander powder, fennel powder, and stir everything together nicely. Pour about 1 to 1.5 cups of water and close the cooker. Allow 3 to 4 whistles to come and put off the cooker immediately. We don't want overcooked potatoes, so take care to switch off on time(refer notes).

While the pressure releases lets grind the "magic masala"😀.

Put all ingredients mentioned under 'to be ground to a paste', except curd, into the blender jar, and give it a good spin. Now add the curd and blitz to a smooth paste. When the pressure from the cooker releases, open the cooker pour this paste in, switch on the flame on low and cook for 3 minutes, stirring in the masala paste nicely, such that it gets evenly mixed in the gravy. Add the garam masala and put off the flame. The spicy, tangy and flavourful Ajwaini Dum Aloo is ready.

Serving Suggestion: with Rotis, Paratha, Kulcha, Pulav, vegetable rice or with plain rice.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a small pressure cooker take oil for tempering and heat. Add the Jeera and fry for 30 seconds. 

2.When they crackle add the ginger garlic paste and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the chopped onions and saute until they start turning light brown. Add the turmeric powder and saute another 30 seconds. 

3. Now add the peeled Baby potatoes and saute nicely until the oil coats all the potatoes. 

4.  Now add the tomato puree followed by salt, Regular red chilli powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, Coriander powder, fennel powder, and stir everything together nicely. Pour about 1 to 1.5 cups of water and close the cooker. Allow 3 to 4 whistles to come and put off the cooker immediately. 

5. Put all ingredients mentioned under 'to be ground to a paste', except curd, into the blender jar, and give it a good spin. Now add the curd and blitz to a smooth paste. 

6. Pour this paste into the cooker once the pressure releases, switch on the flame on low, and let it simmer for just 3 minutes. Stir nicely, so that the masala gets mixed wit the gravy.

7. Finally, add the garam masala powder and put off the flame. The Dum Aloo Ajwaini si ready to serve.

NOTES:

1. If one feels peeling the baby Potatoes is cumbersome the big ones also can be used after dicing them to bigger cubes.

2. If using the big potatoes switch off the flame exactly in 3 whistles, as they cook faster.

3. Mint leaves can also be used in place of coriander leaves, but reduce the quantity as they are more pungent compared to coriander leaves.

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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SHRIKHAND ( KESAR)

 It is a double whammy when you get a probiotic as dessert. Under this category come sweet dishes like Misthti Doi, Bappa Doi, and Shrikhand. The previous two I am yet to try and blog.  But the Shrikhand is something that I love making and relish eating. 

This is one recipe that used to make in our Delhi days when curd was in excess or a little sour. Then there was a period when I entirely stopped making Shrikhand and relied on the store-bought one. Until recently when Aishu( pointed out that " amma you haven't made Shrikhand in ages"), that I decided to whip it up again. (The advantage of homemade Shrikhand is that we can customize the sugar, as per requirement. I find the store-bought ones very sweet).

But this time the Mantra was to make it in a much simpler way, in the past, this was a half-day procedure for me as it involved making hung curd, and that took anywhere between 3 to 5 hours, depending on the milk we use.

So I improvised my previous method to a smarter one, by using a mix of Greek Yogurt and homemade curd.

While you are here try out my other Indian dessert recipes like Pineapple Rabri, Thengai Therattipal, Atte ka Sheera, Gajar Halwa Barfi,  Akkaravadisal, Sweet Poha, Carrot Kheer, and more...

Here is the recipe for Shrikhand( very detailed pictures are missing because this was supposed to be a causal post for social media and turned out that many people requested the recipe). So I am blogging it with minimum pictures, but I shall compensate for that with a good set of instructions.

 PREP TIME: 5 MINS                      PROCESS TIME: 45 MINS

 TOTAL TIME: 60 MINS         COURSE: DESSERT

 CUISINE: INDIAN                  SERVINGS: 6  

 AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM

    Ingredients:

    Greek yogurt( any brand) 400 gm

    Homemade Curd 400 gm

    Sugar 1/2 cup powdered ( add more if you prefer it sweeter)

    Kesar powder a pinch 

    Kesar stands soaked in warm water a pinch

   Elaichi/ Cardamom

Directions: Take a clean Muslin or cotton cloth, which will allow water to pass out. Spread the cloth into a bowl and empty the Greek yogurt plus homemade curd into it. Collect the edges and tie it such that all the water is able to drain away. I usually tie it to the Kitchen sink tap, so that the excess water from the curd drains away into the sink. Allow 45 minutes to pass. Now untie the cloth from the dripping arrangement. Almost all the excess water from the curd must have dripped away and the hung curd is now ready. Transfer the hung curd to a bowl in which you can whip/beat it. Now with an electric beater, at low speed start beating the hung curd. Beat for a minute until the hung curd looks like cream. Now add the powdered sugar and beat again for 30 seconds. Add in the colour, the cardamom powder, and a little of the water in which the kesar strands were soaked( about 2 tsp). Use a spatula to combine well until the kesar colour is evenly spread. Garnish with Kesar strands and the yummy probiotic Shrikhand is ready. Put it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions: Puri and Shrikhand is a match made in heaven. In my house, we like it with Parathas and Rotis too.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Take a clean Muslin or cotton cloth and spread it into a bowl and empty the Greek yogurt plus homemade curd into it.

2. Collect the edges and tie it such that all the water is able to drain away.  Allow 45 minutes to pass. Now untie the cloth from the dripping arrangement. Almost all the excess water from the curd must have dripped away and the hung curd is now ready.

3. Transfer the hung curd to a bowl in which you can whip/beat it. Now with an electric beater, at low speed start beating the hung curd. Beat for a minute until the hung curd looks like cream.

4. Now add the powdered sugar and beat again for 30 seconds. Add in the colour, the cardamom powder, and a little of the water in which the kesar strands were soaked( about 2 tsp). Use a spatula to combine well until the kesar colour is evenly spread.

5. Garnish with Kesar strands and the yummy probiotic Shrikhand is ready. Put it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

NOTES:

1. Always add powdered sugar, so that the consistency of the Shrikhand does not go runny.

2. I have made a variant of Rose flavour too. I had some homemade Rose syrup, so tried it out. One can buy storebought ones and try. Use the rose syrup in place of the kesar colour and proceed.

3. This recipe can be made with homemade curd too. It takes longer for the water from the curd to drain. The rest of the recipe is the same.

 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.