A Hint of Spice

Aloo tikki is a savory appetizer which can be eaten as is or in many different ways...Aloo Tikki Chaat,Cholle Tikki,Vegetable Burger(if the patties are little bigger),or as cocktail snack(if the patties are really small).One dish many ways to serve....yummmm.


As you can see above the tikki's are heart shaped...this was what I made for valentine's day.My DH just loves anything spicy..though we are trying to cut down on spicy and oily food...but I guess once in a while is allowed.Right???Anyways coming back to the recipe

Ingredients
6-8 medium sized potatoes-boiled and peeled
1-2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala
salt according to taste
3-4 tblsp bread crumbs (see tips below)
Oil for Pan frying the tikkis( notice pan frying and not deep frying)
heart shaped cookie cutter-if you want to make tikkis in that shape(optional)

Directions
1.Mash the boiled potatoes and mix salt,red chilli and Garam masala.
2.Add the bed crumbs and mix well with mashed potatoes.
3.Shape the tikkis in round shape or if you want any other shape,keep the cookie cutter on the pan in which you plan to pan fry the tikkis and press the potato masala in the cookie cutter.Remove the cookie cutter and make the rest of the tikkis the same way.
4.Using Oil spray ..spray some oil on the pan and let it heat well.Once it is very hot put the tikkis in it and bring the heat to medium-medium low.
5.Wait patiently...less oil means cooking on low heat and for a little more time but the results are wonderful.
6.Once golden brown,flip and let it cook on other side.
7.Serve hot with cholle for cholle tikki.Top with finely cut onions,imli chutney,coriander and sev.
8.Alternately serve with yogurt poured on top of tikkis with imli chutney,coriander chutney,onions and sev for Aloo-Tikki Chaat.
'njoy!!!

Tips
1.If you don't have bread crumbs readily available..no problem.For every medium sized potato take a sandwich bread slice...any kind will work ..white bread,wheat bread.Soak it in water for few seconds and then mash it potatoes.It will do the work of binding.
2.If you dont have bread or bread crumbs...no problem again .If you have murmure (also known as puffed rice/kurmure/murmure/mamra) grind them coarsely in the mixer and mix with the potatoes.They work well.

Chivda is a traditional Marathi snack and is really addictive :).I assure you ...once you have it ready,it won't last long.This was my father's favourite...my mom had a tough time trying to save it for unexpected guests as the 3 of is(my father,brother and me) were eating it anytime we could sneak a bowl. It is like trail mix.

Ingredients
2 cups thin poha
1/2 cup roasted chick peas(dalia)
1/2 cup thinly sliced dry coconut
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
5-6 curry leaves
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup cashews (optional)
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
2 green chillies (diced finely)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar

Directions
1.Roast the poha on medium heat and keep aside.
2.Heat oil in a big pan (big enough to hold all the ingredients and mix them).
3.Fry chana daal (dalia) till it turns golden brown in color.Remove from oil and drain it on a paper towel.
4.Fry peanuts till it turns brown in color.Remove from oil on a paper towel.
5.Fry the sliced dry coconuts till golden color and remove on paper towel.
6.Add mustard seeds,curry leaves and green chillies till they start to splutter.
7.Reduce the heat and add salt,turmeric powder,sugar and red chilli powder.
8.Finally add the poha,chana daal dalia,peanuts,sliced cocnuts,cashwes and raisins and mix well on medium low flame.
9.Cool completely and store in an air tight container.

Rememeber to mix the seasonings well since salt can sometimes settle at the bottom and then some servings may taste bland and some very salty.
'njoy!!!

The title may sound ambigious but I did not have a much better way of describing it except to say "All Purpose Masala" or "All in 1 Masala".This Masala has soooo many uses.By following the recipe you can make the basic masala and then twist it according to the dishes by adding some spices at the last minute.
You can make Rajma,Kale Channe,Lobia,Matar Paneer,Matar Aloo,Egg Curry (in a hurry),Dudhi Kofta,Cabbage Carrot Kofta,Dum Aloo etc.




oops the pic is not as good as the masala.Sorry!!!

Ingredients
2 tomatoes, (roughly chopped)
1 big onion, (roughly chopped)
6-8 glakes of garlic,
1" piece ginger
1/4 tsp Turmeric,
1 tsp Salt,
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder,
1 tsp Coriander Powder,
1/4 tsp Black Pepper Powder

Directions
1.Blend onions and garlic together.
2.Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan,add the onion paste .
3.Saute the Onion-Garlic paste on medium heat ,When it starts turning light brown (it should not burn) add the dry spices .
4.Blend Ginger,Tomatoes and green chilli(if you need it more spicy) together.
5.Add the tomato paste to onion masala.
6.Let it cook on a medium flame till it turns dry and golden brown reddish in color.
'njoy!!

Tip:-
1.This masala preserves well for atleast a month.Spray an ice tray with non stick spray and freeze the masala in the tray.Once the cubes are formed take them out and put in a ziplock freezer bag.Use as you need.This is a better way of storing the masala because you can use the cubes according to the servings you want.
For using the masala,add a little oil to the pan ,add the masala cubes and then add some spices such as cinnamon powder,dhania powder,cardamon powder.This always makes the masala taste fresh.Finally add the garam masala.
Sending this to Padmajha from Seduce your Tastebuds for her event Healing Food-Tomatoes. and to Siri who started the wonderful event.