Mango Bread

Mangoes are widely used in Indian cuisine. I tried making mango bread with the pulp of this delicious fruit. The bread was soft, sweet, and full of flavor and bits of the mango bar enhanced the taste.

Ingredients:
Mango Pulp - 1/2 cup or substitute with fresh blend mangoes
Soy milk/skim milk - 1/2 cup
Salt - 1 tsp
Butter – 3 tbsp
Sugar - 1 tbsp
Bread Flour – 3 cups
Yeast – 3 tsp
Mango essence - few drops
Yellow food color - few drops


To be added during during the mixed bread cycle when the machine beeps

Dehydrated mango pieces - 1/4 cup
Cashews chopped - 1/4 cup


Method:

1. Add all the ingredients for the bread in the bread machine in the order given above.
2. Set the setting to mix bread and dark crust.
3. Start the bread machine.
4. Make sure the dough is soft elastic ball, if necessary add a tsp of oil if the dough is tight or a tsp of flour if the dough is sticky.
5. When the machine beeps add the mango bar pieces and chopped nuts.
6. Cool completely when done and slice to pieces.

Sandwich Dhokla

Recipe:

For Batter:
Besan - 250 gms (1 & 1/2 cup)
Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Water - 1/2 cup
Cooking Soda - 1/2 tsp

To be mixed to the batter just before cooking
Oil - 1 -2 tbsp
Turmeric a pinch
Sugar - 1 tsp
Citric acid - 1/2 tsp

Eno - 1 tsp + sprinkle or dust few bits on the plate

For the green portion of sandwich dhokla blend together:
Coriander leaves - 1/2 bunch
Green chillies - 3
Ginger - 1/4 inch

Seasoning:

Sesame seeds - 2tsp
Urad dhal - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp
Green chillies - 3 or 4
Grated coconut - 1 tblsp
Coriander leaves - Corriander leaves
Jeera - 1/2 tsp

Method to prepare:

1. Mix 1/2 cup yogurt with 1/2 water.
2. Add the besan and mix well to get a lump less batter, the consistency should be of idli batter, more of dropping not pouring consistency. Slowly add more water if needed else.
3. Add the cooking soda. Keep it aside to rise for 1 hour.
4. To the batter mix in the citric acid, oil, salt, sugar, turmeric powder. Mix well.
5. Divide the dough into two portions.
6. Add the blend coriander, green chillies and ginger paste to half of the dough.
7. Mix the eno to both the batters and a little of eno for dusting on the plate mix gently.
8. Pour the plain batter to the plate.
9. Steam for 5 minutes. Pour the green batter mixed with coriander paste on top of the dhokla and continue to steam for another 20 minutes or till done.
10. Remove the lid and test with a toothpick. If it comes out clean and does not have any batter sticking, then its done.

Seasoning:
Heat a pan with oil, add mustard seeds , cumin seeds, sesame seeds, urad dhal, green chillies When mustard starts popping, remove and pour over the dhokla. Garnish with coriander leaves and grated coconut.

Banana Halwa

"The Indian Cooking Challenge" for February is "Banana halwa" also known as "Pazham Varatti". This dessert is a specialty from Kerala. It tastes absolutely delicious and is a must try recipe.

Recipe:

Ripe Kerala plantains - 2
Sugar - 1 and half cup
Ghee - 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup as required
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
Nuts to decorate

Method:
1. Peel bananas and blend without water.
2. Cook on a heavy bottom vessel or non stick pan in high flame stirring constantly.
3. Add sugar and continue stirring.
4. Lastly add ghee gradually and cardamom powder and cook till it leaves the sides and forms a ball.
5. Spread on a greased plate and cool it.
6. Cut it to pieces when completely cooled.
7. Garnish with nuts as desired.