Aditi's kitchen

Microwave Khandavi

Ingredients

Besan - 1 cup

Water - 1 cup

Curd - 1 cup

Salt - to taste

Turmeric - 1/4 spoon

Sugar - 1 spoon

Mustard seeds - 1/2 spoon

Curry leaves - 5/6

Chopped Green Chillies - 2/3

Hing - 2 pinches

Chopped coriander - for garnish

Method

- Take a microwave bowl. Add besan, water and curd. Mix well. Ensure there are no lumps.

- Add turmeric, salt and sugar and mix all. Then microwave for 1 and 1/2 minutes. (Do not cover while mixture is in microwave)

- Remove and stir the mixture to remove all lumps. Again microwave for 1 and 1/2 minutes.

- Repeat the above process and again microwave for 1 and 1/2 minutes.

- Remove and stir one last time. Pour the mixture on a flat surface and spoon & spread it out to make long thin sheets.

- Let it cool for 10 mins and then cut long strips and roll to make Khandavi.

- Heat oil, add hing, mustard seeds, chopped chillies and curry leaves. Pour this on the Khandavis.

- Serve with chopped coriander. (Optional ) You could add some shredded coconut.

No part of this blog/content may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording, or otherwise, for commercial purposes without the prior permission of Techster LLC.

Sambari Vermicelli Upma

Ingredients

1. Vermicelli (aka Sevai/Sivaya/Shimai) - 1 cup

2. Frozen Peas - 1/4 cup

3. Potato - 1 small

4. Onion - 1/2 small

5. Frozen Corn - 1/4 cup (optional)

6. Tomato - 1 small (optional)

7. Sambar powder - 2 spoon

8. Salt and Turmeric

9. Mustard Seeds - 1/2 spoon

10. Green Chili - 1 or 2

Method

1. In a pan, add 4-5 spoons oil.

2. Once its warm, add mustard seeds and chopped potatoes and sauté till its soft. Add curry (kadipatta) leaves if you like.

3. Add chopped onions, green chili and tomatoes. Sauté for 3-4 mins.

4. Add chopped tomatoes, peas, corn. Then add the vermicelli and roast for 3-4 mins. The vermicelli should turn golden brown.

5. Then add water (For 1 cup vermicelli add 2 cups of water) , salt and turmeric, sambar powder and cover and let it cook.

6. Cook till the water dries out and it will become like noodles. Ensure you dont add too much water else it will become very sticky.

7. Serve hot. Garnish with coriander and sprinkle some lemon juice (optional). It is mainly a breakfast item or even a quick lunch/dinner.

Green Moong Dal

Ingredients

Whole green moong dal - 2 cups
Red onion - 1small - chopped
Garlic - 5-6 cloves - finely chopped(this dish needs a lot of it)
Tomato - 1 chopped
Coriander - chopped(optional)
Turmeric
Red chili powder
Jeera-Dhania powder
Kadi pata - 4-5 leaves
Green chilies -3-4 chopped
Ginger paste - 1 spoon
Mustard seeds - 1/2 spoon
Pinch of hing(optional)

Method

Soak the whole green moong dal for 2-3 hours and then boil it (pressure cooker- 2-3 whistles) to make it soft.
In a pan, pour some oil, once hot, add hing, mustard seeds, ginger paste, garlic.
Once the garlic leaves a nice aroma, add the onions, green chilies, kadi pata, tomatoes. Sauté for 4-5 mins.
Add the powder spices(turmeric, red chili, dhania-jeera powder) and sauté for 3-4 mins.
Now add the boiled green moon dal. Salt taste.
Simmer for 10 mins. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with rice or roti or paratha.

Bread Pakoda

Ingredients -

4 Bread slices - each slice cut into 4-6 pieces (bread should not be too soft, medium thick slices are preferable)
Onion - 1 - chopped
Coriander - 1 small bunch - chopped
Grated beet - 2 spoon - optional
Besan(Gram Flour) - 1 cup
Turmeric
Red chili powder
Garlic powder - optional
Salt
Oil - For frying

Method

In a bowl, put the besan, turmeric, red chili powder, garlic powder, salt and add water to make a smooth paste. This will be used to coat the bread pieces, so ensure the batter is not too thin.
Add the chopped onions, coriander and grated beet. Beet is optional, but if you add it, makes the batter look nice pink in color(and who doesn't like pink).
Heat oil in a pan on medium flame.
Once oil is ready for frying, dip each bread piece in the batter and fry it. You can add 3-4 pieces together, just make sure you do not crowd the pan else the frying won't be good.
Make sure you fry it at medium flame for 2-3 mins each side. If the oil is too hot, the bread may end up burnt(and you certainly don't want that!)
Once frying is done, remove it on a plate lined with paper towel(to soak the excess oil).
Serve hot with ketchup/hot sauce. Enjoy as an appetizer or a quick snack.

Garlic Noodles

Ingredients

Spaghetti noodles - 2 cups
Garlic - 5-6 cloves (finely chopped)
Parsley
Olive Oil - 6-7 tbsp
Tomato - 1 - chopped
Red chili flakes (optional - just make it a bit spicy)
Garlic powder - 1-2 tsp (yes, this recipe needs a lot of garlic)

Method -

Cook the spaghetti noodles as per packet instructions.
In a pan, heat some olive oil and when warm , add the finely chopped garlic. Stir for 2 mins and add chopped tomatoes.
When the tomatoes, get a little tender, add the cooked spaghetti, garlic powder, red chili flakes and some salt to taste. Stir in for 4-5 mins and sprinkle some chopped parsley before removing from the heat.
Serve hot. Simple and easy. Optional - You could sprinkle some parmesan cheese if you like.

Veg Manchow Soup

Ingredients

Green Spring Onions - 1 stick
Carrots - 1 small
Cabbage - 1/2 of a small one
Garlic - 5-6 cloves
Ginger - 1 inch
Capsicum (Green Bell Pepper) - 1 small
Green Chili - 1-2
Dark Soy sauce - 2 tbsp
Ajinomoto (optional) - a pinch
Ketchup - 3 tbsp
Sriracha(Hot Sauce) - 1/2 tbsp
Water - 2 cups
Corn Starch/Maida - as required
Boiled Macaroni Pasta (optional) - as desired (around 10 shells are fine)

Method

Chop all the vegetables finely.
In a pan, add 2-3 tbsp oil. Once the oil is warm, add the chopped ginger, garlic and green chilies.
After a minute, add the remaining chopped vegetables and saute them for 4-5 mins. Add pinch of salt and ajinomoto. (If you eat chicken, you can add some boiled shredded chicken pieces to make it more hearty)
In a bowl, add soy sauce, ketchup & sriracha(hot sauce) and make a paste.
Add the sauce paste in the vegetable. Now add the boiled macaroni pasta shells & water and bring it to a boil. Add salt to taste.
If the soup turns too watery, add some corn starch/maida dissolved in water to thicken the soup to the desired consistency.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Palak Mutter Pulao

Ingredients

- Basmati Rice - 2 cups
- Palak
- Red onion - 1 small
- Tomato - 1small
- Peas
- Garlic
- Ginger paste
- Pulao Masala
- Kitchen King Masala
- Turmeric
- Salt
- Jeera seeds

Method
- Cook the basmati rice first
- In a pan, pour little oil, when warm, add Jeera seeds
- once they crackle, add red onions, chopped garlic, tsp garlic paste
- When the onions turn slight brown, add chopped tomatoes and cook for 4-5 mins
- Add the finely chopped palak, peas and saute for 2-3 mins
- add turmeric, pulao masala, little kitchen king masala and salt to taste
- Now add the cooked rice (adjust salt as needed), stir for 2-3 mins and serve hot!

Idli Upma

Do you have left over Idlis and not sure what to do? Well, here's a simple recipe for Idli Upma.

Ingredients -

Left Over Idlis (can't make it with fresh idlis as it is difficult to grind it to powder)
Red Chillies - 2
Red Onion - 1
Coriander
Lemon juice
Mustard Seeds
Jeera Seeds
Peanuts
Urad Dal
Turmeric

Method -

Break the idlis into big chunks and grind it to a coarse powder in a food processor.
Put little oil in the pan (5-6 tbps) and heat it. Add mustard seeds, jeera seeds, red chillies, urad dal. Once they crackle a bit, add the peanuts and chopped onions.
Once the onions have a light brown color, add turmeric powder, idli powder, salt to taste, a little sugar and mix well. Mix well for 5 mins.
Before serving add a little lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander.
Serve hot and enjoy! This can be served as breakfast or as an evening snack.

Grilled Mumbai Sandwich - Deetz Style

Ingredients -

Bread Slices
Tomato - Sliced thin
Capsicum (also know as Green Bell Peppers) - Sliced thin
Boiled Potato - Sliced thin
Red onion - Sliced thin
Mozzarella Cheese slices
Green Chutney Paste
Ketchup
Chat Masala
Butter

To make the green chutney paste -

Coriander - 1 bunch
Garlic cloves - 2 to 3
Ginger - 1/2 inch
Green chillies - 2 to 3
Jeera seeds - 1/2 tsp
Salt - To taste
Mix all these in a mixer with little water and make a smooth paste. You can even store this in the freezer for 1-2 weeks.

To make the Sandwich

On 1 bread slice - apply the green chutney paste.
Top it by adding the veggies - thin sliced potato, tomato, capsicum and red onions. Sprinkle some salt to taste and little chat masala.
Add a cheese slice.
Now take another slice of bread and apply ketchup. This becomes the inside of the top part of the sandwich. On the top side, apply butter.
Grill this sandwich for few minutes on the sandwich or panini griller till you get a nice golden brown color.
Cut into 4 pieces, sprinkle some chat masala on top and serve hot with ketchup/hot and sweet sauce. Enjoy!!! This can be served as a snack or even a great option for a quick weeknight dinner.

Veggie Burger Patties

Burgers are a hit with both kids and adults. Great option to make for a game day party or fix a quick dinner. Try out this simple Veggie Burger Patties recipe. Hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients -

2 potatoes
1 cup - boiled mixed vegetables (includes peas, carrots, corn, beans)
Chopped coriander
Jeera seeds - 1 tbsp
Chopped garlic (per your taste, suggested 2-3 cloves)
1/2 tbsp Garlic paste
1 tbsp - Curry powder
1/2 tbsp - Red Chili powder
Cheese slices
Tomato slices
1 small - Chopped Red onion
Optional - 1 cup of boiled black beans
Corn Flour (for coating)
Optional - Sesame Seeds

Method -

Crush the mixed vegetables in a food processor to make a coarse paste.
Heat oil/butter in a pan. Add jeera seeds and let them crackle. Then add some chopped onions, garlic and ginger paste and let the onions become light brown.
Add the mixed vegetables paste and then the boiled potatoes. Add salt to taste, curry powder and red chili powder. Optional - To make it more healthy and tasty, you can add coarse black bean paste.
Saute it for 5-10 minutes, make sure you mix it well. Finally add some chopped coriander and remove it.
Let the mixture cool and then make burger patties out of it.
Heat some oil/butter in the pan. Coat the burger patties with corn flour, sprinkle some sesame seeds and shallow fry the patties.
In the last few seconds, cut some cheese slices and lay it on top of the patties, add a cover on top for 5-7 seconds to let the cheese melt.
Serve hot in between burger buns , add tomato slices, red onion slices, ketchup, mustard, mayo (basically whatever you like on your burger ! )
Enjoy!!!!

Chana Masala

Ingredients -

Chickpeas (soaked in water for 7-8 hours) - 2 small cups
Jeera Seeds - 1 tbsp
Red Onions - 1 large
Tomatoes - 2
Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp
Ginger Paste - 1 tbsp
Chana/Chole Masala Powder - 4 tbsp
Amchur powder - 1/2 tbsp
Turmeric
Red Chili Powder

Method -

This is a quick recipe, which I make in a cooker when am short of time. Alternatively you can boil the chickpeas and add it to the masala (mentioned below),water to make your desired consistency.
In the cooker, heat some oil and add jeera and onion paste.
Add the ginger and garlic paste and saute for some time till the onion paste is light brown. Then add the chopped tomatoes.
Add the masalas - red chili powder, turmeric, chana masala, amchur, salt and saute it for 7-8 mins.
Add the soaked chickpeas and saute it for another 5 mins.
Add water - level it with the mixture. Add salt to taste.
Put the cooker cover and cook it till 3-4 whistles.
Serve hot with puris/chapatis with red onions and lemon. You can also serve with jeera rice.

Malpua

Ingredients -

Maida - 2 cups
Suji - 1 cup
Sugar
Raisins - Soak them in water for atleast 20 mins
Fennel Seeds (Saunf) - 1 tbsp
Small Elaichi - 2/3

Method -

To make the batter, mix the maida, suji, 1/2 cup sugar and water to make a medium consistency batter. Keep it aside for 15-20 minutes.
During this time, you can prepare the sugar syrup. Add 1 cup sugar, 2 cup water in a bowl, small elaichi seeds and heat it make a thin consistency sugar syrup. Set it aside.
Now, its time to fry the malpua's. Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Add the raisins in the batter and mix it well. Fill a round ladle with the batter and pour it slowly in the centre of the oil(keep the center thicker than the sides). Fry the malpua one at a time. Once golden brown, remove from fryer and dip it in sugar syrup.
Soak each malpua in sugar syrup for atleast 5 mins, remove it and serve ! Yummm!

Aloo Vada

One of the most favorite street food in Mumbai is vada-pav and I simple LOVE it. Here's my take on making the vadas. Simple, yet such a great snack.

Ingredients -

Potato - 4
Onion - 1
Besan
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tbsp
Coriander leaves
Green Chilies
Ginger - Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Turmeric - 1/2 tbsp
Chili powder
Udad dal seeds - 1 tbsp
Oil

Method -

Boil, peel and mash the potatoes.
Finely chop the onions and green chilies.
Heat oil in a pan on medium heat, add mustard seeds, udad dal seeds, ginger-garlic paste, onions, chilies, turmeric.
Add the potatoes, salt to taste and coriander leaves.
You can add some lemon juice (optional).
Mix it for 5 minutes, remove from heat and let it cool.
For batter - Add besan in a bowl, 2 tbsp oil, salt, chili powder, salt to taste and add water.Ensure the consistency is medium thick, we need to use this batter to coat for frying.
Heat oil in pan for frying.
Make small round balls out of the potato mixture, dip it in the batter and fry it at medium heat.
Serve hot with sauce or green chutney....enjoy!

Coffee Cake

Simplest Coffee cake recipe ever!

Ingredients -

Yellow Cake Mix
Instant Coffee - Nescafe
Chopped Almonds

Method -

Prepare the yellow cake mix batter per instructions on the box. Save some water to make the coffee. Example - If the box says add 1 cup water, add 1/2 cup to the batter and save 1/2 cup for coffee.
Pour the water in a cup and add 2 tablespoons of instant coffee. Microwave it for 1 minute. Remove and stir it to ensure the coffee has completely dissolved. Let it cool for 5 mins.
Add the coffee to the cake batter,chopped almonds and mix it properly and bake as per the instructions on the cake mix box.
Enjoy the cake with tea or coffee. Simple....but tastes delicious!

Banana Bread

This is my friend Divya's recipe. She had got it at work once and it was soooo good, I had to try it myself. Believe it or not, its a super easy recipe!

Ingredients -

White Sugar - 1 Cup
All purpose Flour - 1 Cup
Vegetable Oil - 1/2 Cup
Eggs - 2
Salt - 1/2 tbsp
Baking Soda - 1 tbsp
Ripe Bananas - 2
Chopped Almonds - 1/2 Cup (This is my twist to the original recipe ;-) , feel free to add walnuts instead)

Method -

Mash the bananas properly.
Mix all the other ingredients (except almonds) and make a smooth batter.
Lightly grease a baking tray and add the mixture.
Now add the chopped almonds on the top.
Pre-heat the oven at 350 and bake for 45-60 min.
Please remember, it does take a little longer than most cake recipes. So a minimum of 45 mins is definitely needed. Make sure you insert a toothpick and ensure it comes out clean. If not, keep it for few more mins until done.
Remove, let it cool and then cut it in slices.
Enjoy with a cup of hot tea or coffee or even just like that :-) !

Corn Cutlet

Ingredients -

Frozen Corn - 1 cup
Potato - 2
Frozen Peas - 1/2 cup
Onion - 1
Green Chilies - 3 or 4
Ginger Paste - 1 tbsp
Jeera/Cummin Seeds
Corn Flour / Corn Atta
Red Chili powder
Chat Masala
Chopped Coriander
Maida - 2-3 tbsp

Method -

Boil the potatoes and then grate it.
Take a bowl filled with water, add the frozen corn and peas and heat it in microwave for 1 minute.
Then drain the water out,add green chilies and make a coarse paste in a food chopper.
Heat oil in a pan, add jeera seeds. Once they crackle, add the chopped onions.
Once the onions turns light brown, add the ginger paste, corn-peas paste.
Add the potato and mix it up.
After 1-2 mins, add red chili powder, Salt and Chat masala.
Heat it for 5 mins, finally add the chopped coriander and turn off the heat. Let the mixture cool for 20 mins.
Make small cutlet shaped patties.
Let these cool in fridge for about 1/2 hr to 45 mins.
Once its time to make them, remove the patties from fridge.
Add water to the maida, medium consistency. This will be used to coat the cutlets, so make sure its not too watery.
Now, take the corn flour/atta, add some salt and red chili powder to season it.
Optional - You can replace the corn flour/atta with bread crumbs too.
Heat oil in pan for frying these cutlets.
Take a pattie, dip in maida mix and roll it over corn flour and deep fry them at medium flame.
Serve hot with ketchup or coriander chutney. Enjoy!!!

Palak Paneer

One of my favorite dishes from childhood...love it even now!!! :-)

Ingredients -

Paneer
Fresh Spinach - 1 bunch
Tomatoes - 1 big
Red Onions - 1 medium
Potato - 1 medium
Ginger - 1 inch
Garlic Powder - 2 tbsp
Bay leaves
Cumin Seeds
Cinnamon powder - 1 tbsp
Fresh cream - 2 tbsp
Green Chili - 1
Turmeric

Method -

Heat water in a bowl and when warm, add fresh spinach leaves. Once soft take it out and add it in a blender jar.
Cut tomatoes into big pieces and add them in the blender. Add a pinch of salt and make a smooth paste.
Add the onions,ginger and green chilies in a chopper and grind it together.
Heat oil in a pan. Cut the paneer into small pieces and saute them in the pan for 1 min. Add a pinch of salt and turmeric. Remove it in a bowl. (Don't saute too much else paneer cubes become hard)
Now cut the potato in same size as that of paneer and saute them until half done and then remove it in a bowl
In the remaining oil, add 2 Bay leaves, add 1 tbsp of cumin seeds. As the seeds crackle, saute the chopped onions.
When they become golden brown, add the spinach paste,garlic powder,salt and pinch of turmeric and mix well. Simmer for 2 mins.
Add fresh cream and simmer for 2-3 mins.
Then add the cinnamon powder and let it simmer for another 2 mins.
Finally add the potatoes and paneer and mix it well and let it stay on low flame for 5-6 mins.
Serve hot with paratha....enjoy!

Sabudana Khichdi

Having lived in Mumbai, I grew up eating this great dish. It is usually eaten during fast(upvas) but I can simply eat it any time of the day, any time of the year. It took me a long time to actually cook this the right way, but after 3 yrs of relentless trying and practicing, have finally managed to get it right :)

Ingredients -

Sabudana (Tapioca) - 1 cups
Boiled Potatoes - 1 (medium sized)
Chopped Coriander
Jeera
Roasted Peanut powder
Ginger - Chili paste
Sugar
Lemon juice

Method -

The first thing I learnt after trying this recipe multiple times is, ensure you buy good quality Sabudana (look for bigger anf fuller grains - If you live in US, I like to buy the Laxmi brand sabudana)
Soak the sabudana for 20-30 mins in water. Then drain the water completely. Now take some water and sprinkle over the grains just so that all the grains are wet. Cover with a lid and keep it for 4 hrs.
Roast some peanuts and grind it with 1/2 tbsp red chili powder to make a coarse powder.
Take a wok. Add oil + little ghee and heat it. Make sure it is on medium-low flame.
Add 1 tbsp Jeera seeds, once the seeds crackle add a tbsp of ginger - green chili paste
Cut the boiled potatoes into small pieces and add it in the wok. Mix it for 1-2 mins.
Add the sabudana and peanut powder
Add salt to taste, 1 tbsp sugar, lemon juice
Keep mixing it. Add 1 tbsp of ghee, then some chopped coriander. If you feel the grains seem a little dry, feel free to sprinkle some water.
Mix it 7-8 mins and its ready. Serve hot! Enjoy!!!!

Khandvi

Ingredients -

Besan - 1 cup
Curd - 1 cup
Water - 2 cups
Green Chilies - 2-3
Ginger - 1 inch
Hing - 1/4 tsp
Turmeric
Salt to taste
Sesame seeds
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Chopped Coriander
Grated Coconut

Method -

Mix the Besan, Curd, Water well, keep mixing them until there are no lumps.
Add the Hing, Ginger-Chilli paste, turmeric, salt to taste and mix well
Heat a non stick pan, add 1 tbsp of oil. Add the mixture to it and keep stirring it for 10 mins on medium flame. Make sure you keep stirring the whole time.
If the besan mixture feels a little raw, consider stirring it for 1-2 more minutes.
Spread this mixture on a flat surface such as cookie pan sheets or flat steel plate.
Allow it to cool for 15-20 mins.
Start rolling from one end like a swiss roll. Cut out pieces from the roll.
Now in a small pan, add oil, heat it , add mustard, sesame seeds, curry leaves, pinch of hing.
Spread it over the pieces.
Sprinkle chopped coriander and grated coconut and serve.
Enjoy!!!! Serves as a great side item or appetizer.

Veg Puffs

Ingredients -

Frozen pastry sheets(You can find them in any grocery store like Fry's)
Frozen Peas
Potato
Red Onion
Jeera
Chat Masala/Amchur Powder
Pam cooking spray/Light Oil brush is good too

Steps -

First lets make the stuffing

Boil the potatoes
Put the frozen peas in a bowl filled with water and microwave for 1 minute
In a chopper, add some jeera and add the peas, make a coarse mix (don't make a paste)
Now heat a pan, add some chopped red onions and saute till light brown
Add the boiled potatoes and the peas mixture(Optional - Add little garlic powder)
Add salt to taste, pinch of chat masala or amchur powder(dry mango powder)
Cook for 2-3 minutes and set to cool

Now lets stuff the pastry sheets
Usually you get them as 3 fold sheet, open them up
Add the veggie mix in the middle fold, cover one fold, spread a thin layer of the mix again and cover it with the 3rd fold
Spray some Pam and bake the puffs in pre-heated over of 375 deg for 15-20 mins, until the top turns golden brown
Enjoy hot!!