September 29, 2012

Karagadabu

Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesha, is celebrated with great pomp and show in India. This festival is incomplete without karagadabu for Ganesha. This year me and my friend Arathi made karagadabus for the festival.



Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 1 cup
Cream of wheat - 3/4 cup
Salt a pinch
Sugar - 1 tsp
Ghee - 2 tsp

Filling:
Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup
Coconut powder - 1/4 cup
Saffron - few strands
Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
Powdered cashews - 1/4 cup (optional)

Oil to fry

Method:
1. Mix all purpose flour, salt, cream of wheat, sugar, ghee to a stiff but pliable dough.
2. Rest the dough covered for half an hour
3. Knead well so it is soft and easy and to work with. Add a tsp of olive oil if necessary.
4. Mix all the filling ingredients.
5. Make small balls from the dough and roll it or press it with a tortilla press
6. Keep the rolled dough in the mould and spread the filling and seal the edges.
7. Remove from the mould and deep fry in medium heat till crisp.

September 28, 2012

Quinoa Akki Roti

My latest experiment with quinoa - quinoa akki roti. I tried this recipe by making quinoa flour in the blender. Then I added a little rice flour and proceeded the same way as the regular akki roti by add the onions, grated carrots, cilantro, curry leaves in the dough.



Ingredients:
Quinoa flour - 2 cups
Rice flour - 1/2 cups
Carrot - 1 small grated
Onion - 1 medium chopped
Curry leaves - 2 strings
Coriander leaves - 4 tbsp chopped
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Green chillies - 2 chopped
Salt to taste
Olive oil - few tsp to cook

Hot boiling water - to mix

Method:
1. Mix quinoa and rice flour with grated carrots, chopped onion, chopped curry leaves, corriander leaves, cumin seeds, chopped green chillies, chopped and salt.
2. Add just enough boiling water to this and knead.
3. Make it to tennis size balls.
4. Flatten the dough on a plastic sheet with your hand
5. Gently transfer the flattened roti to a cast iron griddle or skillet
6. Add a tsp of olive oil around it and cover it
7. Cook on medium flame till done
8. Serve with chutney.

September 16, 2012

Besan Masala Roti


The cooking challenge for the month of August is "Besan ki Masala roti". This is a flat bread made with chick pea flour and whole wheat flour. These rotis are stuffed with mixed spices. This recipe is adapted from Sanjeev Kapoor's "Marwari Vegetarian Cooking". This recipe post is for "Indian Cooking Challenge". This event is hosted by Srivalli of "Spicing Your Life".



Ingredients

For roti:

Besan -1 cup
Wheat flour 1/2 cup
Salt to taste
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons

For masala filling:

Cumin powder 1 1/2 teaspoons
Coriander powder 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon
Green chilli,chopped 1
Salt to taste
Dry mango powder 1/2 teaspoon
Red chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon
Olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoons

Method
1. Mix all the ingredients for the masala filling in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Divide into eight portions and set aside.
3. Combine all the ingredients for roti and knead into a soft dough. Divide the dough in eight portions and make balls.
4. Roll out each ball into a four inch disc and place one portion of the masala filling on to it.
5. Fold and roll out again in triangular or round shape. Repeat the same with the remaining portions.
6. Heat a skillet and fry each roti with a little olive oil till both sides are golden brown. Serve hot.