Thursday, June 24, 2010

Onion Rice



Sometimes we have leftover plain rice and we do not know what to do with it.
Onion rice is the easiest and fastest way to use this rice and make a fresh new dish out of it.

Ofcourse you can use freshly steamed rice as well.. ;) not necessarily the leftover.

Ingredients:

  • Cooked Rice - 2 cups
  • Chopped Onions - 1 small
  • Chopped Green Chillies - 1
  • Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Hing - a pinch
  • Urad Dal - 1/4 tsp
  • Chana Dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Cashew Nuts - 4-5
  • Curry Leaves - few
  • Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp
  • Oil - 2 tbsp
  • Salt - to taste
  • Chopped Cilantro - for garnishing

Directions:

  • In a pan, heal oil and add mustard seeds. After they start to splutter, add cumin seeds and hing.
  • Add urad dal and chana dal and roast till golden brown. Then add cashew nuts, fry till they turn golden too.
  • Now add chopped green chillies and curry leaves.
  • Add chopped onions and fry till translucent, add turmeric powder.
  • Add Garam masala and fry for just a minute.
  • Turn off the flame and add the boiled rice to it and mix well.
  • Add salt to taste and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Serve with Curd.

Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki is a very popular Indian appetizer.
This an be eaten in several ways.
You can eat it with Green chutney and tamarind chutney.
Or use it as a stuffing for burger.
Most popularly, used in chat.

Ingredients :


  • Boiled Potatoes - 3 large
  • Bread Crumbs - 2 tbsp
  • Finely Chopped Green Chillies - 2
  • Finely Chopped Cilantro - 2tbsp
  • Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Amchoor Powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Roasted Jeera Powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Chana Dal - 1/4 cup
  • Oil - For shallow frying

Directions:

  • Soak Chana dal for 30-40 minutes and keep aside.
  • Mash the boiled potatoes and add bread crumbs .
  • Add all the masalas , salt , green chillies and cilantro leaves and mix well and make it like a smooth dough.
  • Add the chana dal to this dough and mix well ( or,you can stuff dal like we do in stuffed paratha)
  • Take a small portion of potato dough , make a ball , then flatten it in a pattie shape
  • Heat a flat pan with little oil, say 1/4 tsp and shallow fry this tikki on both sides till golden brown color.
  • Take it off the pan and place it on the paper towel.

Tip : You can avoid chana dal if you wish.

Tamarind Chutney

Tamarind Chutney or Imli Chutney also known as khatta meetha chutney is a sweet and sour sauce used as a dip for many snacks like samosa, pakoras, bhajjis etc..
Also a very common ingredient in chats ( Indian Sreet Foods )


Ingredients :

  • Tamarind Concentrate - 2 tbsp
  • Water - 2 cups
  • Jaggery (gur) - 1 cup
  • Roasted Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp or to taste
  • Fennel Powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Chat Powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Salt - to taste

Directions:

  • Mix the tamarind concentrate in warm water.
  • In a sauce pan, heat this tamarind mixture and grated jaggery and bring it to boil.
  • Add all the masalas ( cumin powder, chilli powder, fennel powder, chat powder ).
  • Boil it and keep stirring till u see all the jaggery dissolves, and water is reduced to almost half.
  • The chutney will get thicker when it cools.
  • Serve with samosas, or pakoras or bhajjis or use in chats.

Tip : You can store it in the fridge for 1 month in an air tight jar.