Vada

Medu vada or vada is a popular south Indian snack which is very healthy and needs only few ingredients to cook.This traditional south Indian snack not just every day cuisine but also part of menu in festivals and puja days.This is sometimes referred as Indian doughnut.This is my family's most favorite snack.I Usually cook vada atleast once in a month as being liked by all.I'm posting recipe in BM#43 under  festival theme.I cook this recipe on Varalakshmi pooja.Here goes my recipe.

Ingredients

• Urad dal 1 cup
• water as needed( I use 1/4cup)
• Oil for deep frying
• onion 1/2 chopped(optional)
• Ginger small pieces( chopped finely 1 tspn)
• Green chilli 2( chopped finely)
• Salt to taste.

Procedure

• Soak urad dal minimum 6 to 8 hrs ( for very good vadas) .I usually soak overnight if possible.
• Drain the water from dal and grind  dal in a blender using very less water.
• Next after grinding take out the batter in a bowel,add salt and mix chopped( onions,green chilies,ginger) mixing these ingredients is optional,I do this as our family likes this way.( i do one batch without onion,chili,ginger during festivals and offer god as prasadam)
• Heat oil in a kadai or deep pan.
• Now to make vadas, wet your hand and take little amount of batter in your hand( approx medium lemon size)flatten it and make a hole in the center and slowly leave in the oil( its a tricky part,if you feel its difficult you may try using a ziplock bag)
• Repeat the process for all the vadas.
• Cook the vada until golden brown on one side and flip other side and cook again.
• Remove these vadas on a paper towel and let them cool few mins.

 Tips for perfect vadas:

• Always prefer grinding dal in a food processor or wet grinder.
• Soak  urad dal overnight for soft crispy vadas.
• Before cooking I keep the batter in a refrigerator for atleast half an hr.

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coconut jaggery laddu(kobbari undalu)

Jaggery is a natural and alternative for sugar.Sugar is manufactured by chemical process where as Jaggery is obtained from sugar juice.It is the safest and the purest form of sugar and the process of jaggery doesnt involve any chemicals.It contains natural goodness of vitamins and minerals.It is extremely beneficial for anemic people as it is rich in iron.Coconut also have numerious health benefits.Eating coconut is excellent for ones immunity.Here I am posting coconut jaggery laddu in BM#43 under Festival theme which is very easy and delicious recipe.I prepared this recipe on Janmastami day.Here goes my recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grated coconut( fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup jaggery grated
• cardamom powder 1/4 tsp(optional)
• Ghee 1 tspn

PROCEDURE:

• Take a heavy bottom pan, and add grated coconut and jaggery in medium heat.
• Mix it well until jaggery starts melting.Let the coconut cook well with jaggery.
• Stir the mixture continuously to avoid burn at the bottom.Once it starts thickning switch of the stove.(usually it takes 8 to 10 mins)Let it cool.
• Avoid over cooking the mixture as it leads to hard balls.
• When the mixture is still warm grease your palms with ghee and start making round balls called laddus or undalu.Yummy sweet is ready(mix cardmom powder while making laddus,I havent used it as i wanted to enjoy coconut jaggery flavor)

Also linking this to srivalli's kids delight theme under kids healthy dessert

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kova with milk powder

Doodh Peda or pala Kova is traditionally prepared by boiling milk in low flame for hours. But, now no one is ready to sit in the kitchen for long hours. Today I'm posting a very easy recipe of Kova which is prepared with milk powder and Kova in a microwave oven. I prepared this dish on Raksha Bandhan. My 5 yr old demanded me to prepare a yummy sweet for her brother.I'm posting this recipe in BM#43 under 'festival theme'.Here goes my easy recipe.

Ingredients For pala Kova:

• Milk powder 2 cups( mine 200 ml cup)
• condensed milk 14 oz(homemade)
• Butter 1 stick( 1/2 cup)
• Cardamom powder 1/2 tsp(optional)
• Nuts of your choice ( almond, pistachios, crushed) 1 tsp

You can make different sizes and shapes 

                                                          ( Deep brand Milk Powder) Condensed milk recipe: 

milk 500ml ( 1/2 liter)
sugar 1 cup
Butter 1 tbsp

Method to prepare condensed milk:

•  Take a deep pan, bring the milk and sugar to boil over medium to high flame.
• Once the milk starts boiling reduce the flame to medium and let it boil 10 to 15 mins, we can see a change in color. and keep stirring continuously. It took me around  30 mins in medium flame to thicken the milk. (the bottom burns easily if we stop stirring)
• When the milk starts thickening switch off the stove and add butter to it. Once cooled, store in a glass jar.

Procedure : 

Pala kova procedure in Microwave:

• Take a big microwave-safe bowl to add butter and melt it in the microwave for 1 min.
• Now add milk powder, condensed milk. Mix it with spoon or spatula without any lumps.
• Microwave for 1 min.
• After 1 min, take it out and mix it well. Microwave for 2 more mins, stirring in between. Totally microwave for 3 mins.
• Repeat the process for a total of 4 to 5 mins..( not more than that )We can see a change in the color.
• Still, if you don't see you may heat one more min( make sure it will not burn)
• Carefully watch for any spilling as when it starts heating it rises up, so better always take big deep microwave bowl.
• Allow it to cool for just 4 to 5 min or more longer mins. When it is still warm take a small amount in your hand's press and make balls or any desired shape.Can also place nuts on the top.

Pala Kova on Stove Top:

• Heat a deep Kadai, once hot add butter. When it melts slowly add milk powder and condensed milk
• slowly stir the mixture continuously until 10 to 15 mins or until just butter, milk powder and condensed milk well combined.
• when you see a change in color of the mixture slowly mix the mixture and switch off the stove.
• Take a small amount of Kova mixture, when it just warm ( little hot)( be careful it is, still hot in your hand just roll it like a small gooseberry size ball and slightly press in the middle, shape it like a flat disc.
• sprinkle some chopped nuts on top and enjoy!

Note:

You may add milk powder extra if you feel the mixture is little loose.

I prefer doing it on the stove to avoid spilling in the microwave

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Prawns tomato gravy

Shrimp or prawn are important seafood that are consumed world wide.These are versatile ingredients and are often used as an accompaniment to fried rice.Common methods of preparation include baking,boiling,frying and grilling.Wet shrimp is commonly used as a flavoring and as a soup base in Asian cuisines,while fried shrimp popular in North America.Here I am posting prawns curry mixed with tomatoes and few spices.

Ingredients:

• Prawns 1 lb
• Onion 1 big size
• Green chilies 4
• Ginger garlic each 4 small pieces
• Tomato 1
• Poppy seeds1 Tspn
• Jeera powder1/4 Tspn
• Daniya powder1 Tspn
• Garam masala 1 Tspn
• Chili powder1 Tspn
• Turmeric powder 1/4 Tspn
• Salt to taste

Marination: marinate prawns with chili powder,turmeric powder,salt at least 15 to 20 mins.

Masala paste:
Grind onion,ginger garlic,poppy seeds into fine paste and keep aside( half onion for making masala paste and remaining for frying)

Procedure:

• Heat oil in a pan.Add half chopped onions and green chilies fry well,then add onion masala paste,fry until the raw smell goes off
• Now add marinated prawns to the masala paste and fry very well until the masala well coated with prawns.
• Add Daniya,jeera and chili powder,salt and mix well.
• Now add chopped tomatoes to the prawns and close the lid for few mins until tomatoes are well mixed with masala paste.
• Add 1 cup of water and close the lid,let it cook for 20 mins till the prawns are soft.
• Remove the lid and add 1 Tspn of garam masala and stir it for 2 to 3 mins and switch  off the stove.Yummy prawns curry is ready.

pizza pockets

Pizza pockets with puff pastry sheets is similar to the pinwheels recipe only just few changes.When i was thinking for the pizza snacks what else can i cook as pizza snacks? so thought of doing this as it is very  quick and easy. I already had pastry sheets at home so quickly jumped to this recipe.I'm posting this recipe in BM#43 under the theme pizza snacks.Here goes  my quick easy recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 puff pastry sheet refregerated(pepperidge farm)
• 1 cup of chopped vegetables (olives,mushrooms,green peeper,spinach)( you may add your choice vegetables)
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese
• 2 tspn of Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper( very little)

fold and seal all sides 

Procedure:

• Preheat oven to 375F
• Unfold pastry sheet on lightly floured surface.cut pastry sheet into small rectangles as shown in the pic.Or you may cut your desired shape
• Spread  1 tspn of pizza sauce on each sheet.Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of each sheet.
• Add vegetables on top each sheet.Fold the sheet one side and slowly seal the edges with egg white or with few drops of water.(dont seal too tight as they puff easily)
• Brush the top surface with egg white( this is optional ).Bake in the oven around 25 mins or until puff pastry is golden brown.

Also linking this recipe to kids delight theme which is hosted by Harini under healthy snacks.

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pizza muffins

Pizza muffin is a very interesting recipe.My kids love to eat pizza so i thought of preparing this recipe.We can add our favorite vegetables inside.These muffins smell out just like pizza out of the oven.Not only these pizza muffins are tasty,they are super easy to put together.we no need to spend lot of time in the kitchen.I'm posting this recipe in BM#43 under the theme pizza snacks.This is the first time I'm preparing so many pizza snacks.Ohh my kids love it..Here goes my easy interesting recipe.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour 1 1/2 cup means one and half cup(  mine is 1 cup=200ml)
• Baking powder 2 tspn
• 1 tspn of italian seasoning( dried basil leaves,oregon)
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Red bell pepper 1/2 cup diced(small chopped)
• Salt 1/4 tspn

Procedure:

• In a large bowl whisk together flour,baking powder,italian seasoning,salt.
• Take another bowl whisk together milk,eggs,oil .Slowly add flour stir until it is just moistened.
• Stir in cheese,red  bellpepper.Pour the batter slowly in each muffin cup so that it fills upto 3/4 cup
• sprinkle cheese over muffins.On top add small tomato slice cut side up.
• Preheat the oven and bake 375F for about 25 min or until the top portion is firm.

Also linking this recipe to Kids delight theme hosted by Harini  with the theme Healthy snaacks

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Pizza pinwheels

Pizza pin wheels is one of the delicious snack both for kids and adults.Great for  starters in a party as well. It is very Quick and easy recipe. I baked this version with puff pastry sheets.

It came out great and my kids loved it as adding our favorite vegetables gave a very good taste. Kids love to dip these pizza pin wheels  in  condiments like ketchup and ranch I'm posting this recipe in BM#43 UNDER THE THEME" PIZZA SNACKS"..Here goes my recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 refrigerated (pepperidge farm )puff sheet
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup of chopped( red and green bell peppers,olives,sliced onions))
• 1 tspn of Italian seasoning( dried basil,oregano,chilli flakes)
• 1/2 cup of pizza sauce ( i used marinara sauce)
• 1/4 cup chopped basil leaves,(  I highly recommend basil leaves which is a key ingredient)

steps before putting in the oven.

procedure:

• Preheat oven to 375 F.Spray baking tray with cooking oil.
• Take refrigerated puff sheet( atleast 30 mins before baking keep outside room temperature from freezer)Dust the baking surface with flour,sprinkle some flour on top of sheet.
• Now apply pizza sauce on top of entire sheet just little space leaving sides ( to avoid the leakage while folding)
• Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of it,slowly spread all chopped veggies.( I added very less cheese as my kids like it light) while you may add more cheese.
• Starting with one side roll up the sheet  and press the edges to seal.Using knife cut sheet into small round discs.
• Place the cut side down on cookie sheet.Add extra cheese on top of it if you like.Bake 25 to 30 mins or until edges are brown.(observe the oven as the temperature varies from oven to oven)or bake until top portion is firm.
• enjoy when they are completely cool.Don't try to remove when they are hot.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Always remove puff pastry sheets just 30 mins before baking and make sure it is little cold to handle.
• cut the pinwheels little bigger slices,in that way your pinwheels won't be mushy.
• spray the baking sheet with oil before baking pinwheels
• Always wait until they are completely cool or elseif u pick when they are hot they willbe mushy to handle.
• After arranging on baking tray keep the tray for 5 mins in freezer(for crispy pinwheels)before putting into the oven.
• you can coat with egg whites entirely your choice( optional).
• you can reduce the quantity of marinara sauce to avoid leaking.

This pic was taken recently when I baked for my kids..

 Also linking this recipe to kids delight theme hosted by Harini under healthy snacks

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