CHAKKI KI SHAK/ CHAKKI KI SUBJI

 The cuisine of  Madhya Pradesh ( central India) has been unexplored by me so far. Recently while looking up the internet I saw this interesting recipe called Chakki Ki Shak from the MP cuisine. I found the recipe simple and interesting and as I don’t have this cuisine on the blog I gave it a try and the dish turned out so delicious that I had to blog it. 

While looking up this recipe in detail I also came to know of many more interesting vegetarian  recipes from the region and I will surely bring them all here over a period of time. If you are following the blog you know by now that when I try a new recipe it has to turn out well thrice, and that takes time.

Before we delve into the recipe, I must tell you that MP being the center of India is surrounded by various states and hence there is a similarity of cuisine between them. I found some dishes bearing similarities with Rajasthani and Maharashtrian cuisine. Wheat, Jowar, and Maize form the staple food, do you see that’s how “Bhutte Ka Kees” is a specialty from MP, Bafla which is made of whole wheat flour is also a famous dish from the region. The current dish Chakki ki Shak is a curry  made of whole wheat flour and some aromatic spices. The flour dumplings are simmered in a tangy sauce.

While you are here check out my other curry recipes like Miloni Baby corn and Bell Peppers curry, kadai Paneer( gravy), Kathrikai Masala Kuzhambu, Pachai Mochai Kuzhambu, Keerai Molagootal, Mirch Ka Salan, Dum Aloo Ajwaini, Pachai Sundakkai Kuzhambu and more...

Here is the recipe for Chakki ki shak-

 PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 15 Mins

 TOTAL TIME: 30 Mins                                COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: INDIAN/MP                                SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

      

    Ingredients to make Chakki:

    Whole wheat flour 1.5 cups

    Oil 1 tsp

    Carrom seeds/ Ajwain 1 tsp

    Salt as required

    Red chilli powder 1 tsp

    Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

    Water as required to make a dough

    Ingredients for making the curry:

    Cumin Seeds 1 tsp

    Cardamom 2 pods

    Cloves 2-3

    Onions 2 small finely chopped

    Tomatoes 3 large

    Curd 1/2 cup 

    Cashewnuts 8 to 10

    Red chilli powder( regular) 1 tsp

    Red chilli powder( Kashmiri) 1 tsp

    Coriander powder 2 tsp

    Fennel powder 1 tsp

    Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

    Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp

    Fresh coriander 1 tsp finely chopped

    Directions for making Chakki ( wheat dumplings)

In a bowl take the flour add the oil, salt and all spices and using water form a soft dough. It should be like roti dough. Immerse this dough in water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, scrub the flour lightly with your fingers, the water will become hazy. Throw this water. Pour some more water on the dough and scrub again and discard the water. The dough is now ready to be made to Chakki. Get the steamer ready, as the water in the steamer is getting boiled, smear your steamer plate with oil and spread this dough evenly on the plate using your fingers. Now place this in the steamer for 10 to 15 mins. Remove and cool the chakki. On cooling, cut into diamonds or squares. In a pan take some oil for shallow frying, and fry the Chakki to a golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper and keep aside.

   Directions for gravy preparation: 

In a blender add the chopped Tomatoes, and cashewnuts and blend to a smooth paste. In a Pan or Kadai take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Add the cumin seeds, cardamom and cloves and fry until aromatic. Now add the finely chopped onions ,turmeric powder,  and saute until light brown. Now add the ground paste followed by all the spice powders- red chilli powder(both regular and Kashmiri), coriander powder, fennel powder and mix well. Cook for two minutes until the raw smell goes away. Now add half a cup of curd and stir continuously for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups water and gently drop in the cooled and cut Chakki(wheat flour dumplings). Cover and cook the dumplings in this gravy until they turn soft and the gravy thickens up. Depending on what you are serving the Chakki Ki Shak with you can thin down or thicken the gravy. Finally add Garam masala powder and fresh coriander leaves and switch off the flame. 

Serving Suggestion: With Roti, Paratha, Naan or Plain or Jeera rice.

    STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a bowl take the flour add the oil, salt and all spices and using water form a soft dough. It should be like roti dough. Immerse this dough in water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, scrub the flour lightly with your fingers, the water will become hazy. Throw this water. Pour some more water on the dough and scrub again and discard the water.

2. Get the steamer ready, as the water in the steamer is getting boiled, smear your steamer plate with oil and spread this dough evenly on the plate using your fingers. Now place this in the steamer for 10 to 15 mins. Remove and cool the chakki. On cooling, cut into diamonds or squares. In a pan take some oil for shallow frying, and fry the Chakki to a golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper and keep aside.

3. In a blender add the chopped Tomatoes, and cashewnuts and blend to a smooth paste. In a Pan or Kadai take 1 tbsp oil and heat. Add the cumin seeds, cardamom and cloves and fry until aromatic. Now add the finely chopped onions ,turmeric powder,  and saute until light brown. Now add the ground paste followed by all the spice powders- red chilli powder(both regular and Kashmiri), coriander powder, fennel powder and mix well. Cook for two minutes.

4.  Now add half a cup of curd and stir continuously for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups water and gently drop in the cooled and cut Chakki(wheat flour dumplings). Cover and cook the dumplings in this gravy until they turn soft and the gravy thickens up.

6. Finally add Garam masala powder and fresh coriander leaves and switch off the flame. 

 

    NOTES:

1. Since most recipes suggested soaking and washing the dough, i have followed it. One can also try steaming the dough, cutting to pieces and frying also.

2. The gravy can be allowed to thicken further if serving with Rotis.

3. Whichever the method, resting the dough for 15 mins is essential. 

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 i'll respond as soon as I can.

If you would like to receive our recipes on 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.

  This is my meal with Chakki Ki Sakh. I served it with Jeera Pulav, Bombay Potatoes and Beet root Raita.

DOSAKAYA CHUTNEY

 Dosakaya is a type of Cucumber that is yellow in colour and round. There are longer versions of the yellow cucumber too, but I have used the round ones. 

There are 3 varieties in cucumbers, one is the slicing one, which is used in salads. Then there is the pickling variety and the other burpless ones which the melons belong to. This vegetable Dosakaya,  is the pickling kind. 

This Cucumber is more popular in South India as compared to other places and especially in Andhra Paradesh they make many dishes of it. This chutney is my favorite of all those recipes and hence I am bring it here to share with all if you. Cucumber have a lot of water, minerals in them and their seeds are edible too. In summers one must include them as much as possible in ones  diet.

For people who are first timers at using this vegetable,  the skin needs to be peeled and seeds discarded and the flesh is used to cook. This chutney is an ideal accompaniment to Dosa, Chapati, Idli, Puri, Parathas and even hot rice.

This is a simple recipe so does not involve any stepwise instructions. I have included a video instead and the directions to the recipe.

While you are here also check out other recipes like  Homemade Schezwan sauce, Thengai Molagapodi (Coconut Gun powder), Roasted red Bell Peppers Chutney, Homemade Pesto, Curry leaves Podi (Karivepilai Podi), and more.

Here is the recipe for Dosakaya Chutney-

PREP TIME: 20 Mins                     COOK TIME: 10 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 30 Mins                  COURSE: ACCOMPANIMENT  

CUISINE: SOUTH INDIAN           QUANTITY: 2 CUP

AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients:

Dosakaya/ Yellow Cucumber 1 medium sized, skin peeled, seeds removed and flesh chopped to pieces.

Tomatoes 2 large or 15-15 Cherry Tomatoes ( I used Cherry tomatoes)

Mustarrd seeds 1 tbsp

Methi seeds/Fenugreek seeds 1/2 tbsp

Chana Dal/ Gram dal 1 tbsp

Urad Dal 1/2 tbsp

Dry Red chillies 4

Green chillies 2-3 depending on spice

Asafoetida a pinch

Fresh Coriander leaves a handful

Oil for sauteing

Directions:

In a pan heat oil and add mustard seeds, Methi seeds, Chana dal and Urad dal. Fry for 30 second. Now add the Dry red chillies, green chillies and asafoetida and fry until the dals turn light brown. Remove them onto a plate and cool them. In the same pan, add  ore oil if required and drop in the cut Dosakaya cubes. Saute them until half done. Now add salt followed by the tomatoes and continue to saute until the tomatoes turn tender. Cool the vegetables. Now powder the fried dals to a coarse mixture in a blender. Making a fine powder does not give the right texture to the chutney. Now add the sauteed vegetables and coriander leaves and blend again to a coarse paste. Watch video for the right texture. No tempering is required for this Chutney, and can be served directly with Idli, Dosa, Rice or Parathas.  Enjoy. Bon Appetit !!

Watch Video here 👇

 

EASY CORN FRITTERS

 Corn Fritters are very simple to make, healthy and delicious and they get done in no time with no planning ahead needed. Isn't this the very reason, one should make this often? This recipe has been on my mind for a very long time and it is a contest on social media that finally got me making this. 

Other than the Corn, all other vegetables used here are customizable to one's preference. I have used every day vegetables like carrots and capsicum. Grated Potatoes(after removing starch), Purple cabbage, Zucchini are other add ins that I usually use.

While you are here check out other snack recipes here like- Semolina Cheese Balls, Medu Vada, Potato Cheddar bake, Pepper vadai, Patra, Dhaniya wale Namak Pare, Oatmeal Cookies, Samosa Pie, and more...

Here is the recipe for Corn Fritters--

PREP TIME: 10 Mins                                      COOK TIME: 15 Mins

 TOTAL TIME:30 Mins                                    COURSE:  SNACK

 CUISINE:WORLD                                         SERVINGS: 12 NOS   

 AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM                                      

 

      Ingredients:

      Sweet corn Kernels 20 gm (divided into 100 each) cooked and kept aside

      Carrot 1 small chopped finely

      Capsicum 1 small chopped finely

      Refined Flour( Maida) 1/2 cup

      Egg 1 

      Salt as per taste

      Pepper powder 1 tsp

      Red Chilli powder   1 tsp

     Oil for shallow frying the fritters

      STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Boil Corn and divided it into 2 halves. Crush 1 half in a mixie/blender to a coarse paste and keep the other half as whole kernels. To the mashed or crushed corn, add all the other vegetables like carrot, capsicum etc, add the flour and egg, followed by salt, pepper powder and red chilli powder. Add chopped coriander if you like(optional).  

                                     

                    

2. Mix well to make a thick mixture, and now add in the whole corn kernels, and mix lightly. Heat oil in a pan (2 tbsp will be enough, more can be added if required). Now drop small scoops of this corn mixture and flatten lightly with a spatula. Coo on one side and flip and cook on the other. Remove and enjoy with some sauce. I drizzled Cheese sauce over them. Alternately bake them in a pre heated oven, by spreading the mixture on a baking sheet, and bake at 200 C for 20 to 25 minutes. Since all oven work at different temperature ranges keep checking from 20 mins onward for doneness.  

        

NOTES:

1. A very simple and fool proof recipe hence no notes are needed.

2. For more quantity just double up the ingredients.

3. As for alternate to egg, Flax egg can be used, but I have not tried the version yet.

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.

 

MEDU VADA / URAD VADA

 Urad Vada or Medu Vada, as it is called, is probably one of the most simplest and yet difficult to make recipes. This is because the texture of the ground batter is very important for a perfect turn out and the quality of the Urad dal is important too. With time and practice one gets a hang of it. In this recipe I have tried to give detailed pictures of various steps of grinding so that the recipe becomes a no fail one, and I am depending on your feedback on this once you try it. The Medu Vada is different from its North Indian counter part, because of the hole in the center, and making that hole is what makes grinding the batter perfectly important.

Urad Vada can be a snack, an accompaniment to the mains or even a starter when made bite sized. In South India it is a part of Prasad / Bhog ( holy offering) to God and so is made many times during the year. In my house after eating a few plain with chutney or Sambar the rest are converted to Dahi Vada in the evening. If one doesn’t want to get into making Dahi Vadas, just  dunking them is tomato sauce is also a good option.

I prefer using the whole Urad dal without skin for these Vadas, as compared to the split urad dal as they almost are no fail. There are many add ins to into the batter like finely chopped onions, grated carrot, mix of finely grated veggies, the only rule- once the add in’s go in, pat and fry Vadas immediately. Another variation of this Vada is the dry Pepper Vada or Milagu Vadai. 

While you are here, check out my other snack recipes like Semolina Cheese Balls, Patra/ Pathrode, Ratlami Sev, Mirchi Bajji/Mirapakaya Bhajji, Potato Cheddar Bake, and more...

Here is the recipe for fluffy Medu Vadai for you--

PREP TIME: 5 Mins ( 1hr Soak time)         COOK TIME: 30 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 1 hr. mins                             COURSE:  BREAKFAST/TIFFIN/ SNACK

CUISINE:  INDIAN                                     SERVINGS: 15 pcs

AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

   

    Ingredients:

    Whole or Split Urad dal (without skin) 1 cup 

    Green chillies 2

    Ginger 1/2 inch piece

    Peppercorns 5 to 6 crushed

    Curry leaves a few

    Salt as required 

    Rice flour 1 tbsp (optional)

    Directions:  

Soak the Urad dal in water for 1 hour. Grind the green chillies, ginger, and curry leaves to a coarse dry paste ( check picture). Now in a blender add the dal after draining all the water and grind to a smooth paste. Add water a little at a time, by sprinkling and not by pouring it. So, sprinkle water, grind, sprinkle, grind, until the batter is smooth and thick. Take care to see that the batter does not become runny or else Vadas cannot be formed. The right consistency of the batter is when it doesn't fall off your hand easily. Remove the batter from the blender into a bowl, add salt and the green chili and ginger paste, add few more curry leaves if required and rice flour in case using ( I have not used in this recipe), and mix well with your fingers. Next, take a banana leaf or a plastic cover( I have used a flexible plastic lid) for patting the Vada. Now, wipe the leaf/ plastic with some water, take a small lemon sized portion of the batter and place it in the centre of the leaf/plastic, do not flatten, just wet your index finger in water, and make a hole in the centre . Now carefully pick the Vada out of the leaf/ plastic and gently drop it on hot oil and fry until golden brown. Remove on to absorbent paper . Repeat the process for the entire batter. Enjoy hot with Sambar and Chutney.

    STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Soak the Urad dal in water for 1 hour.

2. Grind the green chillies, ginger, and curry leaves to a coarse dry paste ( check picture). 

3. Now in a blender add the dal after draining all the water and grind to a smooth paste. Add water a little at a time, by sprinkling and not by pouring it. So, sprinkle water, grind, sprinkle, grind, until the batter is smooth and thick. Take care to see that the batter does not become runny or else Vadas cannot be formed. The right consistency of the batter is when it doesn't fall off your hand easily. ( see pics for stages of grinding)

4. Remove the batter from the blender into a bowl, add salt and the green chili and ginger paste, ground pepper powder, add few more curry leaves if required and rice flour in case using ( I have not used in this recipe), and mix well with your fingers.

5. Next, take a banana leaf or a plastic cover( I have used a flexible plastic lid) for patting the Vada. Now, wipe the leaf/ plastic with some water, take a small lemon sized portion of the batter and place it in the centre of the leaf/plastic, do not flatten, just wet your index finger in water, and make a hole in the center . Now carefully pick the Vada out of the leaf/ plastic and gently drop it on hot oil and fry until golden brown. Remove on to absorbent paper .

    NOTES:

1. Sprinkling water a little at a time and not pouring it into the dal while grinding is critical.

2. The batter should be smooth, yet not lose or runny.

3. I usually add rice flour only if I find that the batter is not turning fluffy as we grind, and kind of flat. Anyway adding 1 tbsp does no harm, and gives crisp Vadas.

4. I prefer to grind in the wet grinder, as then, even with minimum water we are able to grind well. But those who don't have one can certainly use the blender and be patient while grinding.

To make these yummy Dahi Vadas - To a blender add 1/2 a bunch of coriander leaves, 1/2 inch piece ginger and two green chillies. Blend to a paste. Add little curd to it and now blend to a smooth paste. Add this mixture to 500 ml of curd, and add salt as required. Soak the Vadas in hot water for 2 minutes, squeeze lightly and put them into this spiced curd mixture. Let it soak in for 30 mins in the fridge, before serving. 

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 on 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.

   

SWEET POTATO PURAN POLI

Every year during Vaikunta Ekadashi and Shiv Rathri the elders in my family like to have Sweet Potato, as is the custom. Shiva Rathri and Vaikunta Ekadashi both are celebrated in winter and the carbs from the Sweet potato give the much needed warmth. This could have been the reason this custom was formed. 

So instead of just giving them the plain boiled one, I prefer giving it to them as these Puran Polis. This is quite a simple recipe and needs no pre planing. Sweet potatoes are also high on fiber and minerals, therefore they are perfect for people on a fast. Sweet Potatoes promote gut health, they support healthy vision and also support the immune system. Isn't this reason enough for us to include this healthy  tuber.

While you choose the sweet Potatoes at the market, choose the fat ones, chop off the tips before boiling, as that's where you may find some rough fibres. 

There is a lot more one can do with Sweet Potatoes than just making a subji and I for sure am going to explore every one of them and bring it here for you all.

Let's get to the recipe of this yummy Sweet potato stuffed flat bread which can be had as dessert, can be a holi offering(prasad), or even a snack.

While you are here check out my other dessert recipes like Gajar ka Halwa, Carrot kheer, Eggless Pineapple cake, Strawberry and Lemon loaf, Dry fruit ladoo, Shrikand, Aval Kesari, Mal Pua, Akkaravadisal and more...

Here is the recipe of Sweet Potato Puran Poli--

PREP TIME: 30 Mins                                      COOK TIME:30 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 20Mins                                     COURSE: DESSERT/SWEET

CUISINE:   INDIAN                                         SERVINGS: 4

AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

Ingredients for dough:

Wheat flour 2 cups

salt a pinch

oil 1 tsp

water to knead

Ingredients for stuffing:

Sweet potatoes 2 large or 3 medium ( pressure cook for 3 whistles, peel skin and mash)

jaggery 1/2 cup

cardamom powder 1 tsp

Ghee/ clarified butter 1 tbsp

Ghee for cooking Polis

Directions:

 For dough- combine flour adding the salt and oil and little water at a time and combine to form a soft yet stiff dough, like that of Paratha dough.

For stuffing: Pressure cook, peel and mash the sweet potatoes. Now ina kadai put in the mashed sweet potatoes followed by the jaggery and keep stirring. The jaggery will begin to melt. Keep stirring so that the jaggery combines well with the sweet potato and thickens a little. Now add cardamom powder and ghee and mix well. Allow the stuffing to cool.

Now divide the dough into 10 equal parts and divide the stuffing also. Take one ball of the dough at a time, dust it with flour and roll into a small puri, put the stuffing in the centre, and seal the edges. dust with little flour again and roll out into a thick Chapathi. Heat a girdle/Tava and put the Poli ( stuffed roti) on it. Cook on one side and apply some ghee, flip over and cook on the other side and apply more ghee. Repeat for all the dough and stuffing. Enjoy hot. This can be stored in the fridge for uptio 4 das and warmed up as required.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS: 

1. For dough- combine flour adding the salt and oil and little water at a time and combine to form a soft yet stiff dough, like that of Paratha dough.

2. For stuffing: Pressure cook, peel and mash the sweet potatoes. Now ina kadai put in the mashed sweet potatoes followed by the jaggery and keep stirring. The jaggery will begin to melt. Keep stirring so that the jaggery combines well with the sweet potato and thickens a little.

3. Now add cardamom powder and ghee and mix well. Allow the stuffing to cool.

4. Now divide the dough into 10 equal parts and divide the stuffing also. Take one ball of the dough at a time, dust it with flour and roll into a small puri, put the stuffing in the centre, and seal the edges. dust with little flour again and roll out into a thick Chapathi. 

5. Heat a girdle/Tava and put the Poli ( stuffed roti) on it. Cook on one side and apply some ghee, flip over and cook on the other side and apply more ghee. Repeat for all the dough and stuffing. Enjoy hot.

NOTES:

1. Let the  jaggery melt in the heat from the sweet potato, do not add any water. If the mixture is lose, the stuffing will tend to come out of the Roti.

2. Ghee can be smeared even after both sides are cooked.

3. Brown or unrefined sugar can be added in place  of jaggery.

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 on 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.

   

PEPPER VADA/MILAGU VADAI

 Pepper Vada or Milagu Vadai as it is known, is a drier and crisper version of the regular Vada. Simple ingredients and a hack make this a foolproof recipe. Read ahead. This is similar to the Tirupathi style Milagu Vadai.

I tried this recipe the first time during Navarathri this year. It was an instant hit at home as well as my social media pages. A few of you even asked for the recipe and I could not post the recipe immediately as I had not clicked stepwise pictures. So, this time I clicked all the necessary pictures to blog it.

As I always say, some recipes don’t need a huge introduction. The recipe does all the talking. While you are here check out my other savoury recipes like Dhaniya wale Namak Pare, Ratlami Sev, Samosa pie, Masala Wheat flour Papdis, Thattai, Kothimbir Vadi, Moongdal Khastha kachori and more ...

Here is the recipe for Pepper Vada/ Milagu Vadai

PREP TIME: 15 Mins (SOAK 4 HRS)           COOK TIME: 15 Mins

 TOTAL TIME:30 Mins                                   COURSE:  SNACK

 CUISINE:SOUTH INDIAN                           SERVINGS: 25 NOS   

 AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM                                      

 

Ingredients:

    Urad Dal/ Black lentils( with skin) 1 cup soaked for 4 to 5 hours.

     Salt as required 

     Coarse Pepper powder 2 tsp ( add more if you like it spicy)

     Rice flour 2 tbsp

     Hot oil 2tbsp

     Oil for deep frying

Directions: 

Soak the Urad dal( use with skin for this colour and texture) for 4 to 5 hours. Drain water completely after it soaks and grind it to a coarse batter without adding( or by adding minimum) water. I have ground it without any water and later sprinkled a little over the coarse batter for the right consistency. Now to the coarse batter( check picture for consistency), add salt, coarse pepper powder, and rice flour and, mix well. If you feel the mixture is too dry, sprinkle a little more water. Mix using your fingers to combine well. Now heat the oil kept for deep frying, and when the oil is sizzling hot with a ladle pour 2tbsp into the batter and using a spoon or spatula mix the oil into the batter( don’t use your fingers now as the oil is too hot). Now pinch small portions from the mixture and make balls of it. Slit a zip pouch into two or use a Banana leaf to  flatten the balls. Flatten the ball using the back of a cup or you palm. Pat them quite thin to get them crisp. Make a hole in the centre for even cooking. Now gently drop them into hot oil and fry at medium high until all the bubbles in the oil subside. Repeat the process for the entire batter. These Vadas stay crisp up to a month when stored in an airtight container. They make for a good dry snack for school lunch of kids or adults as they are protein packed. 

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Soak the Urad dal( use with skin for this colour and texture) for 4 to 5 hours. Drain water completely after it soaks and grind it to a coarse batter without adding( or by adding minimum) water. I have ground it without any water and later sprinkled a little over the coarse batter for the right consistency.

2. Now to the coarse batter( check picture for consistency), add salt, coarse pepper powder, and rice flour and, mix well. If you feel the mixture is too dry, sprinkle a little more water. Mix using your fingers to combine well.

3. Now heat the oil kept for deep frying, and when the oil is sizzling hot with a ladle pour 2 tbsp into the batter and using a spoon or spatula mix the oil into the batter( don’t use your fingers now as the oil is too hot). 

4. Now pinch small portions from the mixture and make balls of it. Slit a zip pouch into two or use a Banana leaf to  flatten the balls. Flatten the ball using the back of a cup or you palm. Pat them quite thin to get them crisp. Make a hole in the centre for even cooking.  Now gently drop them into hot oil and fry at medium high until all the bubbles in the oil subside. Repeat the process for the entire batter.

NOTES:

1. This Vada can be made with white Urad dal too ( the de skinned one) . The texture and taste remain the same. Just the colour varies.

2. If using white  Urad dal, just 1 hour of soaking will do. The black lentils take time to soak and so need to be soaked longer.

3. The batter as well as the pepper should be ground coarse for maximum taste.

4. In this Vada Curry leaves are usually not added to the batter as its for long keeping, and any moisture in the curry leaves can affect its shelf life.

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.

 

RASAKALAN

Rasakalan is a traditional mixed vegetable dish from the Palakkad cuisine. The dish is so rustic and delicious and very easy to make. It is great to go with hot rice or can be served on the sides with Dosa or Idli. The vegetables mostly used in this dish are Ash gourd, Sweet potato, pumpkin, that are cooked in a tangy tamarind sauce and then a flavourful coconut masala paste is added. It is the paste that makes all the difference. Finally the seasoning in coconut oil enhances the flavours of the dish and takes it to a different level.

In our family my aunt makes this the best, so this recipe has been adapted from  her instructions. This recipe allows you to customize the vegetables as per your liking. I have used a mix of Ash gourd, Capsicum, Carrot, Beans and Potatoes. 

While you are here check out my other recipes from the Palakkad cuisine like Unni Appam/Nei appam, Sukhiyan, Avial, Keerai Molagootal with Mathan puli pachadi and more...

Here is the recipe of Rasakalan for you all-

  PREP TIME: 15                                          COOK TIME: 15Mins

 TOTAL TIME:30Mins                                   COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE: PALAKKAD                                 SERVINGS: 6

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

    Ingredients:

     Ash Gourd 100 gm skin removed and diced

     Potato 1 peeled and diced

     Beans about 5 chopped to 1 inch pieces

     Carrot 1 peeled and diced

     Capsicum 1 chopped to small pieces

   Tamarind paste 1 tbsp or soak gooseberry size tamarind ball and extract pulp appx 1.5 cup

      Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp

      Salt as required

      Coconut 2 tbsp

      Green chillies 2

      Dry red chillies 4 (or depending on spice choice)

      Jaggery 1 tsp

      Coconut oil or refined oil 1/2 tbsp

      Mustard seeds 1 tsp

      Chana dal ( gram dal) 1/2 tbsp

      Asafoetida 1/2 tsp

      Dry red chilli broken 1

      Curry leaves a few

Directions:

In a pan add the tamarind paste plus 2 cups water or tamarind pulp 1.5 cups and switch on the flame. Add turmeric powder and salt followed by chopped vegetables and cook until the vegetables are done. The vegetables should be well cooked but firm. Overcooking may ruin the taste of the dish. When the vegetables are cooked grind the coconut, green chillies, dry red chillies to a smooth paste adding a little water. Pour this paste into the vegetable and tamarind gravy and cook further for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the gravy comes together. Put off the flame. In a tempering Kadai take some coconut oil or any oil of our choice and heat. Add mustard seeds, when they crackle add the gram dal, asafoetida and curry leaves. Add this tempering to the cooked curry. The delicious Rasakalan is ready to serve. Enjoy with hot rice or with Dosa, pongal or upma.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1.  In a pan add the tamarind paste plus 2 cups water or tamarind pulp 1.5 cups and switch on the flame. Add turmeric powder and salt followed by chopped vegetables and cook until the vegetables are done.

2.  When the vegetables are cooked grind the coconut, green chillies, dry red chillies to a smooth paste adding a little water.

  

3. Pour this paste into the vegetable and tamarind gravy and cook further for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the gravy comes together. Add the jaggery and put off the flame.

4. In a tempering Kadai take some coconut oil or any oil of our choice and heat. Add mustard seeds, when they crackle add the gram dal, asafoetida and curry leaves. Add this tempering to the cooked curry. The delicious Rasakalan is ready to serve. Enjoy with hot rice or with Dosa, pongal or upma.

NOTES:

1. As said earlier the vegetables can be customized to ones liking, keeping the vegetables traditional and Indian helps in retaining the traditional taste.

2. Using coconut oil enhances the taste, but any other oil of preference can be used too. Note taste will vary though. 

3. The texture and consistency of this dish should be thicker then Sambar.

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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