Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Chilli Parotta


Chilli Parotta is a popular dish served in restaurants in Tamil Nadu, India.  You can use the leftover Parottas and turn it into a scrumptious dish. Chilli Parotta is usually served with raitha in restaurants.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

Parathas (Frozen) - 4
Onion - 1 big
Green chillies - 3-4
Tomato - 1 
Ginger paste - 1 tsp
Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 3/4 tsp
Salt
Curry leaves
Cilantro leaves
 

Method

Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in a pan and add some mustard seeds and urad dhal. When mustard seeds splutter, add the chopped onions, green chillies and curry leaves.  When the onion become translucent, add ginger and garlic paste and fry for 3 minutes.  Add the chopped tomatoes and the spices and salt and saute the mixture till the onion and tomato blend well with the spices.


Cook the parathas and cut into bite size pieces.  Add the paratha pieces  to the onion - tomato mixture. Mix the ingredients until the parathas are well coated with the spices.


Garnish the chilli parotta with Cilantro. Enjoy!


Optional : You can add an egg towards the end.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Masala Vadai (Lentil Fritters)


Masala Vadai (Lentil Fritters) is a popular South Indian snack.  It is available in all the hotels and road side shops in TamilNadu, India. Here is a simple recipe for a crispy and crunchy masala vadai. Masala vadai is served with coconut chutney and a cup of masala chai. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Bengal gram (Channa dhal) - 2 cups
Onion - 1
Curry leaves
Mint leaves
Cilantro leaves
Salt
 To grind

Green Chillies - 4-5
Fennel seeds - 11/2 tsp
Garlic - 5 pods
Ginger
Method

Soak the Bengal gram (Channa dhal) for 3-4 hours.  Grind the green chillies, fennel seeds, garlic and ginger and keep it aside.  


Drain the water completely from the Channa dhal and grind them coarsely. You can leave some whole channa dhal in the mixture. Add the chopped onions, cilantro leaves, curry leaves and the ground chilli mixture to the ground dhal.  


Make small balls and shape the balls as small patties and fry them in the oil and let the Vadai cooks on medium heat.


Drain the Vadais using a paper towel and serve the Vadais with coconut chutney. Enjoy!


Note : Soak the dhal for at least 3-4 hours. You don't need to add any water. If you feel that the dough is watery, you can add a teaspoon of rice flour.