Indian Samosa

Ingredients

For the Filling

4-5 large potatoes - boiled and mashed
1 cup peas - boiled
1/2 cup onions - chopped finely
3-4 tbsp coriander - chopped finely
2 tbsp cumin seeds
2-3 tsp each of turmeric powder,
2-3 tsp red chilli powder and
2-3 tsp garam masala
3 tsp salt
2-3 green chillies - chopped
1 tbsp garlic paste

For the Shell

5-6 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
2 tsp salt
3-4 tbsp oil
warm water for kneading the dough
Oil for frying

Method


For the filling, set a pan on medium heat and add the cumin seeds and grren chillies. Next add the garlic paste and onions and saute for a minute. Then add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep aside.

For the shell, mix the salt and flour together and add the oil to it. Mix well so that the entire flour is oiled and forms crumbles. Now knead the dough (not too thin or soft, just pliable enough) using warm water. This helps make the crust more crispier. Use very little water at a time so that you do not make the dough to watery.Cover with a wet cloth and leave aside for 10-15 mins.

Now take a small portion of dough, roll into a ball and use a rolling pin and some extra flour to form a large 5"x5" circular shaped puri. Cut into 2 semi-spheres using a knife. Fill 2 tbsp of the filling in the center of one portion, then roll the 2 sides/edges over the filling to form a triangle. use light oil and water mixture on the edges to seal them properly on all 3 sides and form a samosa. Make all the samosas in this way and refrigerate for 5 mins. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan. Drop 2 samosas in the frying pan at a time and fry on both sides at low-to-medium flame till they turn into a light golden color (about 2-3 mins). Do not over-fry. Remove and drain them on a tissue paper. You can reheat them in the microwave or oven if you want to savour them later.

Serve hot with Green Chutney or my classic Date-Tamarind-Raisin Chutney or even fresh Salsa!! Te texture did not come out exactly as intended, but they tasted great!!

RAJMA Chawal (Rice recipe)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup kidney beans (rajma)

1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

2 large tomatoes

1 tablespoon ginger

1 green chili

3 tablespoon oil

Generous pinch of asafetida (hing)

1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)

2 tablespoon coriander powder (dhania)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

1 medium chopped tomato for garnishing

Method

1. Wash and soak the kidney beans in about six cups of water for at least 6 hours (kidney beans will be double in volume after soaking).
2. Cut the tomatoes in small pieces, green chili slice lengthwise and take out the seeds (if you prefer mild). Next blend tomatoes, green chili, and ginger and make a paste.
3. Heat the oil in pressure cooker. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed. If the seed cracks right away, the oil is ready. Add asafetida and cumin seeds, as the cumin seeds crack add tomato paste, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, black pepper, and paprika.
4. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the oil is separating from the mixture.
5. Add kidney beans, salt, and three cups of water close the cooker. Cook on medium high heat.
6. As pressure cooker starts steaming turn the heat down to medium and cook for about 12 minutes.
7. Close the heat and wait until steam has stopped before opening the pressure cooker.
8. Kidney beans should be soft and tender. Lightly mash the kidney beans while mixing. Adjust salt, and pepper to your taste.
9. Garnish with chopped tomatoes.

Ingredients:

1 cup Basmati rice or long grain rice

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon oil

Method:

1. Wash rice gently changing water several times until the water appears clear.
2. For fluffier rice, the rice should be soaked for at least 15 minutes prior to cooking.
3. Cooked rice expands to about 3 times its original size, so be sure to use the proper size pan.
4. Drain the rice and put into the saucepan. Add the water, oil, and salt, bring to a boil and turn the heat to low, and cover the pan.
5. Cook rice for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water has evaporated.
6. Turn off the heat and fluff the rice with a fork.

GARLIC CRAB

Deep fried crabs in a lip-smacking and spicy chilli garlic sauce Preparation Time : 30 minutes Cooking Time : 20 minutes

Ingredients

Crabs 3 large Red chilli paste 2 tablespoons Garlic, chopped 14-16 cloves Oil 2 tablespoons + to deep fry Tomato ketchup 2 tablespoons Fish stock 1 1/2 cups Salt to taste MSG 1/4 teaspoon Cornflour/ corn starch 2 tablespoons Sugar 1 teaspoon Vinegar 1 tablespoon Spring onion greens, chopped 2 stalks Egg, whisked 1

Method

Heat sufficient oil in a wok and deep fry the whole crab along with the claws. Drain and set aside on absorbent paper.Heat two tablespoons of oil in another wok. Add garlic and sauté for a minute. Add tomato ketchup, red chilli paste and stock. When the mixture comes to a boil, add salt and MSG. Dissolve cornflour in half a cup of water and add to the sauce. Add sugar and cook till it thickens slightly. Add vinegar to the sauce along with spring onion greens and mix. Add the egg in a thin trickle and cook till the egg strands rise to the top. Place the fried crab in a serving dish, pour the sauce over it and serve immediately.

BAKED FISH WITH CHILLI COCONUT SAUCE

Preparation Time : 15 minutes Cooking Time : 30 minutes

Ingredients

King fish (surmai) fillets 4 Sea salt to taste Fresh red chillies, chopped 2 Lemon juice 2 tablespoons Olive oil + to grease 4 tablespoons Dry parsley 2-3 sprigs Crushed red chillies 1 teaspoon Coconut milk 1 cup Butter 2 tablespoons Onion , chopped 1 small Garlic, chopped 4 cloves Ginger, chopped 2 inch piece Tomato puree 1 cup Salt to taste Fish stock 1 1/2 cups Refined flour (maida) 2 tablespoons

Method

Preheat the oven to 220C. If the fish fillets are too long cut them into six inch pieces. Make criss-cross slits on top. Apply sea salt, chopped fresh red chillies and lemon juice. Grease a baking tray. Place the fish pieces on it and dribble two talespoons olive oil on top. Bake in the preheated oven at 220C for twenty minutes. Heat butter and one tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Add onion, garlic, ginger and sauté. Add fresh tomato puree, salt, fish stock, crushed red chillies and cook for about ten minutes. Strain the mixture pressing nicely. Heat the remaining olive oil in another pan. Add refined flour and sauté for two minutes on low heat. Add the prepared sauce and cook. When it thickens add coconut milk and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Place the fish on a serving dish. Pour the sauce on the sides. Garnish with a parsley sprig and serve hot.

Almond Coconut Cake Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes


Cook Time: 45 minutes


Ingredients:

* 12 (.6-ounce snack size) almond coconut candy bars

* 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

* 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

* 1 cup packed light brown sugar

* 1/2 cup granulated white sugar

* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature

* 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

* 1/2 cup grated coconut

Preparation:


Move rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil.

Chop candy bars into rough 1/2-inch chunks. Pour into a bowl and place in the freezer until needed.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce to medium speed. Add vanilla, then eggs in a steady stream, beating until combined. Alternating between the flour mixture and the buttermilk, mix in one third at a time until incorporated, scraping down sides as needed. Batter will be thick. Fold in 2/3 of the candy bar chunks.

Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 candy bar chunks and grated coconut on top. Bake for about 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool to room temperature. Lift cake out of the pan using the foil. Cut and serve.

Yield: 24 to 36 servings, depending on cut size