A Hint of Spice

Georges Blanc once said "Happy and successful cooking doesn't rely only on know-how; it comes from the heart, makes great demands on the palate and needs enthusiasm and a deep love of food to bring it to life.”
This is a saying very close to my heart and the people who are close to me,know that I would cook on   any given day but good things come out only when my heart is in it.Now many of you must be thinking what does it have to do with Malai Kofta? Well the first time I tried making malai kofta was my Husband's first birthday after marriage.I did not have a first hand experience till then,had not seen any one make it and I think to be honest I tried to accomplish too much that day.Soo the final result was OK,my husband was impressed but I was not happy.It is only after 6 years did I have the heart to make it again.The special occasion was our anniversary.This time I am really impressed(If I can say so myself).

2 heaped tbsp each of crumbled paneer,khoya and thick malai(You can substitute this with baked ricotta cheese and heavy cream)
4-5 cashew nuts finely chopped
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1 tsp warm milk(for soaking the saffron)
Few strands of Saffron(optional)
Salt To Taste
3 tbsp cooking oil/ghee(clarified butter)
Oil for frying the koftas
For The Gravy
Gravy Masala
1 tblsp cashews (soaked in warm water overnight)
2 tblsp plain yogurt


Directions
1.Boil the potatoes till tender.
2.Peel and mash the potatoes and add salt according to taste.
3.Keep aside.
4.Mix the crumbled paneer,ricotta cheese and heavy cream,cardamom powder,cashews,salt(to taste),saffron threads (mixed with milk).
5.Make rounds of the potato dough and place a little of the prepared mixture in the center of each round.
6.Seal the edges and shape into stuffed rounds. Deep fry each kofta till golden brown. Drain and keep aside.
7.Make the masala for the gravy as mentioned in the link above.
8.Make a paste of cashew(which has been soaked overnight,if you are all out of cashews you can use almonds)
9.Once you add the cashew paste to the gravy let it cook for few minutes,remembering to stir the gravy so that the cashew paste does not stick to the bottom.
10.The gravy will begin to change its color.Then add the plain yogurt.In this recipe I am using plain yogurt instead of cream.If you want you can use heavy whipping cream or even fat free sour cream.
11.If the gravy is too thick add water and let the gravy boil.
12.Put the kofta's in the hot gravy when you are ready to serve.
13.Garnish with finely cut cilantro or kasuri methi and serve with Naan or Hot Chapati
'njoy!!!
This goes to Reeni from Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice for her Event Side Dish Showdown.Also sharing it with Divya from Dil Se for her event Show me Your Curry

This is one Chaat which is quick to make.Not much to do and very Tasty.

Ingredients:
2 cups boiled chickpeas - (kabuli chana) (You can also use 1 can of chickpeas)
2 boiled potatoes - cut into pieces
1 big Onion-finely chopped
1/2 Cup Papri
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped green chillies
1 teaspoon chaat masala
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
salt - to taste
1/2 tsp Jeera powder
1/4 tsp Rock salt (optional)
1/2 tsp or more Chilli powder
Sev to garnish

Directions:
1.Mix all ingredients together except the papri and sev.
2.Mix Papri and sev just before serving.

Tip: If you dont have Papri ready at home,just cut Flour Tortilla in diamond shapes and deep fry .It tastes the same as Papri.

This goes to Rachel for her event My Legume Love Affair and to Susan who is the creator of the MLLA event.
I am also sending this to Akila for her event Dish Name starts with:A

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.

Sending this recipe to Priya for her St.Valentine's Day Event and to Akila for her Event Dish Name Starts with-A

Headlines-DH wants healthy ,crunchy snack and no it cannot be Dryfruits,and it cannot be Popcorn.I was at wits end trying to think what is it that I can make which will work for evening Snack and Dinner (It was the weekend and I just wanted to sit down and watch some movie ).

Finally after opening and closing the fridge,freezer and pantry to see what I have to turn into healthy Snacker (Snack+Dinner=Snacker) I came up with this Dish.Hope you like it.



Ingredients
3 Large Boiled potatoes
1/2 cup boiled green peas
1 cup Boiled spinach
1/2 cup roasted peanuts (crushed)
2 tbsps Chopped cilantro
1 tbsp Chopped green chili
1 tbsp Chopped / grated ginger
1 tsp Chaat masala
1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
Salt As per taste
Red Pepper Flakes (If you want it more spicy)
Oil Spray for pan roasting the Tikki's

Directions:
1.Peel and Mash the boiled Potatoes.
2.In a blender puree the Boiled peas,boiled spinach,Chopped Cilantro,Chopped Green Chilli and grated ginger.Keep in mind to keep the mix a little thick and not let it blend to a runny consistency.
3.Mix the above Blended Puree and Potatoes.Also add the Bread Crumbs,crushed roasted peanuts and the seasonings.
4.Divide the mixture into equal portions and make Tikkis by flattening the mix between your Palms.
5.In a non stick pan spray a little oil so as just to coat the pan and keeping the stove on Medium Pan roast the tikkis till they are done.
6.Serve with Tomato Sauce.
'njoy!!!

Tip
1.For making firm cutlets (tikki) follow this Tip.