These decadently delicious chocolate lava cookies use my soft, chewy, almond flour cookie dough and a flowy, chocolate ganache filling that oozes out when you break them in half! (gluten-free and soy-free with nut-free options)

It’s cookie season, and I wanted to make a decadent, chocolatey cookie. And what better idea than to convert molten lava cake into cookie form! 

My motto is that baking should be super easy and flexible, so that even if you make a few measuring errors, things still turn out great. Nobody has time to whip up butter and sugar and all that, so I use my trusty almond flour cookie dough, which works every time.

To make this simple dough, you just add all the dry ingredients to a bowl, mix really well, add some melted coconut oil and maple syrup, mix again, and that’s it! You have a dough! 

For this recipe, we’ll add cocoa powder to make a chocolate cookie dough. Then, we make a molten chocolate “lava bomb,” which is a melted chocolate ganache that goes inside the cookie. As the cookie bakes, it spreads and traps the chocolate ganache inside. When you break it open, it’s oozy, melty, and so delicious.

Why You’ll Love Lava Cookies

• easy, flexible, foolproof almond flour cookie dough
• chewy, chocolatey cookie outisde
• oozy, melty chocolate ganache filling
• naturally gluten-free and soy-free with nut-free options

Continue reading: Molten Lava Cookies

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Chai tiramisu cake has a delicious, moist, chai-infused cake with layers of cardamom cream dusted with a cocoa-chai topping. It is an absolutely fabulous fusion dessert perfect for Diwali or any special occasion! (soy-free with gluten-free or nut-free option)

We’re actually making a super quick cake for this chai tiramisu, instead of using ladyfingers. The rich, creamy textures of the cake and cardamom cream give you the decadence of tiramisu without any eggs or dairy needed.

You can make this with vegan ladyfingers, if you can find those, or you can use vegan cake rusks. Cake rusks are like plain biscotti available in Indian stores, and they work well as a substitute for ladyfingers. Just soak them in the chai, and use them for layering. Or, you can make this simple cake with just a few ingredients.

I heard you about wanting a cake that used a cream topping that didn’t need a freezer to set. The cardamom cream for this chai tiramisu cake sets up thick and spreadable at room temperature, no freezer needed.

Whether you make the cake from scratch or use one of the substitutions, this incredibly delicious chai tiramisu is a hit at any dinner party. It also freezes well, so you can make it ahead. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge.

Why You’ll Love Chai Tiramisu

• quick, easy, moist, delicious cake soaked in flavorful milk chai
• rich, decadent cardamom cream that sets up with no freezer needed
• cocoa-chai sprinkle on top for extra flavor
• soy-free with gluten free or nut-free options

Continue reading: Chai Tiramisu Cake (Chaimisu!)

The post Chai Tiramisu Cake (Chaimisu!) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Vegan Chicken 555 reimagines a beloved South Indian street-style appetizer. Crisp golden tofu is coated in a richly spiced sauce infused with fennel, ginger, garlic, coriander, and peppers,  and enough heat to make you reach for seconds (and maybe a cold drink).  gluten free, nut free. soy free option.

This is another one in my series creating vegan versions of these amazing, meat-heavy, regional Indian appetizers. There’s just so much variety in all of these super delicious snacks and appetizers, and sometimes you don’t find those flavors and that spice in the vegetarian appetizers.

You can use this recipe with tofu, soy curls, chickpea tofu, chickpeas, or vegetables, like cauliflower. Basically, you coat your protein or vegetables of choice with this amazing, flavorful batter, and either pan fry or bake it. 

Then, we make this easy, spicy, and delicious sauce mixture. It’s kind of a dry sauce, and you toss the crisped tofu “chicken” in it. Oh my god, it’s so incredibly delicious and also pretty spicy!

You can adjust the spice level to your preference. There are four kinds of chilies in this tofu 555: Kashmiri chili powder in the batter, and green chilies, cayenne, and red pepper flakes in the sauce. To get the flavor with less heat, reduce any or all of those. The combination of peppers adds a ton of flavor, so you definitely want to use some of each, even if you don’t use the full amounts. You can use a milder green chili to manage the heat, too,  if you prefer.

Basically, adjust the heat based on your preference, but definitely try this vegan chicken 555. It’s just so fabulously delicious!

Tofu 555 is great on its own or in crunchy salads with juicy fruits like apples, pears, or mangoes, or with roasted or fresh vegetables. A cucumber salad with a simple lime, salt, and pepper dressing also pairs wonderfully with this Indian appetizer. Or, you can make wraps with lettuce, creamy dressing, and fresh green chilis or pickled jalapeños. 

No matter how you serve it, you have got to try vegan chicken 555!

Why You’ll Love Chicken 555

• crispy tofu in thick, spicy sauce with flavors of fennel, ginger, garlic, coriander, and 4 kinds of peppers
• easily adjust the heat to your preference
• use your plant based protein or use veggies of choice.
• naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option

Continue reading: Vegan Chicken 555 Appetizer

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Crispy, crunchy, spicy and oh-so-delicious, these air fryer fried chicken presents themselves with all the glory of a classic crispy fried chicken but without the guilt of deep frying in loads of oil!

I can’t explain how happy I was when these crispy fried chicken came out of my air fryer for the very first time!

I was literally holding my breath and praying to the Air Frying God for churning out perfectly crispy chicken so that I can finally restart to enjoy this favorite chicken of mine without that load of guilt!

Thankfully my prayer was answered and I got a basket of freakingly unbelievable crispy air fryer fried chicken which are super crispy on the outside and juicy & succulent inside!

After I took my first bite, I simply stood there speechless looking at the crispy chicken in my hand and wondering which evil force had stopped me from trying this crazy delicious air fryer fried chicken until now?

What is Air Fryer Fried Chicken?

To put it simply, air fryer fried chicken is your same addictive takeaway style crispy fried chicken but instead of being deep fried in loads of oil, it is air fried with just sprays of oil!

But if you are worried that these air fryer fried chicken will not come out as addictive and as crunchy as the deep fried alternative, you are utterly mistaken my friend!

I insist you try making these crispy fried chicken in your air fryer as soon as you can and I can guarantee that you will come back here to thank me!

After going through many recipes of how to make crispy fried chicken in an air fryer, this recipe of air fryer fried chicken from Gimme Delicious struck the right chord with me.

I made these first to see if they really come out that crispy which sweeps us off our feet with their crazy crunch without being dry or chewy inside.

And you know what the outcome was if you have read this blog from the top! So, this recipe of air fryer fried chicken is a keeper which you can enjoy as a high protein meal, but occasionally!

The post Best Ever Air Fryer Fried Chicken | Healthier Takeaway Style Crispy Fried Chicken first appeared on Flavor Quotient.

This foolproof blender recipe creates perfectly fudgy blondies studded with chocolate chips. Allergy-friendly, protein-packed, and absolutely delicious.

I have used chickpeas and lentils in various ways to make healthier desserts already on the blog. There is my chickpea cookie pie, my chickpea brownies, my lentil brownies, and my lentil cookie dough brownie bars.

There are just so many ways to use all these legumes, so I decided to try using white beans. Chickpeas can sometimes be a little bit more grainy and gritty, even when you blend them That’s because chickpeas have thicker skin. The texture of the bean is also a bit more gritty compared to creamy white beans, so white beans actually are a great option to use in dessert recipes instead of chickpeas.

I made these blondies with white beans and tahini. Usually, I add some kind of nut butter to my brownies or cookie pies. I wanted to keep this recipe nut-free, so I’m using tahini here. But if you don’t want to use tahini, you can just add some smooth almond butter or peanut butter.

It’s a super simple recipe with just a few ingredients. Just add everything to a blender or a food processor, blend, then transfer to a baking pan. Add your chocolate chips and chunks if you want, and bake. That’s it!

These are amazing and super easy, and you’re going to want to make them again and again.

Why You’ll Love White Bean Blondies

• super easy – you make the batter in the blender!
• lots of protein and fiber from the beans and tahini
• versatile! Make it with chocolate chips or use the snickerdoodle variation
• naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free

Continue reading: Fudgy White Bean Blondies – Soy & Nut Free

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This vegan jalapeño popper cheese ball is super easy: no soaking or blending required! Just 10 minutes of prep time, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for parties with veggies or crackers. (Gluten free, soy free option)

Five reasons you should make this jalapeño popper cheese ball:

1. No soaking the nuts overnight.
2. No blending the nuts.
3. No straining a blended mixture.
4. Just 10 minutes of active time in the kitchen.
5. Uses just a few everyday ingredients.

It is just mind-blowingly delicious for the small amount of effort this recipe needs. You just make this flavor mixture that’s like a jalapeño dip with non-dairy yogurt, some brine from pickled jalapeños, and some spices. Then, mix in some almond flour and fresh and pickled jalapeños to create a dough. Shape it into a ball, and bake. That’s it!

Baking this vegan cheese ball helps the flavors meld together and takes a little bit of the bite out of the jalapeños. It just enhances the overall flavor and texture. The result is this fantastically delicious vegan cheese ball to serve with some crackers, veggies, crudités, or however else you like. 

This is also such a versatile vegan cheese ball. There are lots of fun ways to serve it! You can make sandwiches with it by spreading it on some bread, and pairing it with some fresh tomatoes or other veggies or some crisp tofu. Or add dollops of this mixture to salads.

It also works great in mini quesadillas! Just spread some of the jalapeño popper cheese ball onto small tortillas with some grilled veggies, fold them over, and cook until crisp in the oven or on the stovetop.  If you’re going to use it to make quesadillas, you don’t even need to bake the cheese ball, because cooking the quesadillas will cook the cheese mixture then.

Continue reading: Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball 

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Apple almond kheer is a delightful no sugar added Indian style dessert fit for any festival. Flavoured and thickened with almond flour it is a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for beginners.

I am  not good when it comes to viral recipe trials. By the time I decide buy the ingredients and try it, the trend is over!
Clearly,it needs much more devotion and promptness. So that is an area we shall leave it to the enthusiastic experts. However there is one recipe I have been wanting to try and was waiting for the apple season to come. Enjoy my version of the apple kheer with no added sugar. 

What is apple kheer?

Made with full fat milk that’s slow cooks rice grits,  kheer is a must try  dessert. This is traditionally served in festivals  and grand Indian  weddings. We have added a whole collection of kheer in our post- Payasam pathaman and kheer
Apple kheer a fusion dessert  that embodies the idea of a kheer but has apples and almond flour to flavour and thicken. It is not a super sweet version , rather one to share at dinners or home gatherings.

Is this diabetic friendly apple kheer?

I make this with no added sugar or sweetener, just the sweetness from the apples making it a bit more on the diabetic friendly Indian dessert side. Please be aware that the apples are sweet enough, so moderate the portion size.

Ingredients to make almond apple kheer

Apple: crunchy sweet apples are the base flavour for this kheer. Personally, I like pink lady or red apples to make this kheer. I would avoid tart green apples as they can be too sour and may split the milk.

Butter or ghee:To kick off the caramelization and the colour on the apples, unsalted bautter or a small amount of ghee is helpful.You can use coconut oil if you are making it vegan. 

Almond flour: the almond flour gives a rabdi like feeling to the kheer. I use the blanched almond flour. If you don’t have these you can grind a few almonds or soak them and grind with the milk. Instead of almonds you can used any nuts of your preference like cashews, pistachios. Melon seeds or puffed makhana(lily seeds) powder also taste good and thicken the kheer easily.

Milk: full cream milk is best suited for this recipe. It has the right consistency and doesn’t easily split the milk when adding the sauteed apples. I would avoid almond milk to make this kheer among the plant based ones as it easily splits. You could use coconut or soy as well.

Sweetener: I have actually not added any in this recipe as the apples were super sweet and we like a mild sweetness for our kheer. You can add sugar as the milk boils. If adding jaggery syrup or maple syrup add it after you remove from heat. Alternatively date paste will be lovely in this kheer.

Spices: the common sweet spices used in Indian desserts are saffron and cardamom. I have used a few strands of saffron and powdered cardamom to finish the recipe.

Let’s make almond apple kheer

It does take a few steps to make this kheer, however, it is not a hard recipe to follow some absolutely recommend beginners to try it.

To prep the Apple: the Apple can be chopped like I have done or grated to have a smoother kheer. It is optional to peel the apple as this will be all about mouth feel. I leave the peels in as it gives a good bite. Once prepped add the apples to a pan with a touch of unsalted butter. On a low heat let this mix cook down and caramelize. Ensure that this is a low heat process. You can cover the apples for a minute if you feel they are dry. This captures the water from the juices allowing the apples to steam.

Boil the milk: in a separate sauce pan,  boil the milk. As it bubbles and boils, stir in the almond flour.
Thicken the milk the almond flour is the thickening agent. When the milk has started boiling and rising a bit, lower the heat to a simmer. Sprinkle the almond flour on the boiling milk. Stir well ensuring it is lump free. Let this cook down for about 5 to 6 minutes with stirring in between.

Add the apples: add the cooked apples into the mix and mix well. You can take off the heat at this point.

Flavouring the kheer: sprinkle cardamom powder and a few kesar strands and mix well.  At this stage my kheer is done. If you prefer to add sugar or jaggery syrup do so at this stage and mix well.

Is this a vegan kheer?

If you are using plant based milks the recipe can easily be turned vegan. Coconut milk or soy tastes good. For sauteeing and caramelizing the butter, coconut oil is best. 

Can we make this with other fruits?

Of course  you can change the fruits to make a variety of kheer. Mango ,jackfruit or plantain banana will be my first choice.
You can try dates and dried figs too. When using sweet dry fruits adjust the sugar accordingly.

Other quick try kheers

Sabudhana kheer
Sweet potato kheer
Mothichoor ladoo kheer
Rajgira kheer
Manipuri black rice kheer

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Sticky, crispy, ginger- and garlic-packed tofu Manchurian is an easy and delicious meal over rice, quinoa, noodles, or lettuce wraps. This popular Indo-chinese sauce has a sweet heat that is absolutely addictive! (nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free options)

Manchurian sauce is one of the most popular Indo-Chinese sauces, and it’s one of my favorites. You can use it in many different ways to make a variety of dishes. You can find it on restaurant menus paired with crispy fried chicken, crispy cauliflower, or fried veggie balls coated in the thick, sticky sauce. 

This sauce is absolutely delicious, and it has tons of ginger and garlic, so be ready to chop up a lot of both.

You can also make a thinner version of Manchurian sauce to pair with rice, very saucy veggie balls, crispy chicken, or noodles. I have a couple of different ways to use Manchurian sauce on the blog that use these variations.

Today, let’s make tofu Manchurian. We toss tofu in rice flour and cornstarch to make a really crispy coating, then pan-fry it until it gets an amazing crunch. We make the Manchurian sauce in the same pan, then toss the crispy tofu in it right before serving, so it keeps that satisfying crunch. 

Top your tofu Manchurian it with green onions, and serve it with rice, quinoa, noodles, or lettuce wraps. Or enjoy it as a starter on its own!

Why You’ll Love Tofu Manchurian

• crispy tofu in sticky-sweet ginger-garlic Manchurian sauce
• 1-pan dish ready in about 30 minutes
• flexible! Serve as a starter or over rice, grains, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.
• naturally nut-free with easy gluten-free and soy-free options

Continue reading: Indo-Chinese Crispy Tofu Manchurian (1-pan, 30 minutes)

The post Indo-Chinese Crispy Tofu Manchurian (1-pan, 30 minutes) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Tofu majestic is a vegan version of the popular South Indian starter, chicken majestic. Spicy, crispy tofu in a thick, spicy sauce is an absolutely delicious starter or side! You can easily control the heat, if you don’t like your food too spicy. (Options for gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free)

Chicken majestic is pretty popular in restaurants in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and especially in the city of Hyderabad. It is a spicy, crispy chicken dish that is usually fried or pan-fried and tossed in a thick, delicious, spicy sauce. It has elements from indo Chinese cuisine and the combination with South Indian flavors makes it a finger licking can’t stop good appetizer!

It is served as-is as a starter with a side of chutneys or a side salad. You can also add it to wraps or serve with rice. It is absolutely mindblowingly delectable and delicious. The tofu is crisped with some cornstarch and rice flour and some spices. Then tossed in a thick sauce to coat. If you want to keep these crisp, toss and serve immediately!

Tofu majestic is definitely hot with 4 heat elements in it, there’s green chilies, Kashmiri chili powder, black pepper and sambal oelek! It can get hotter depending on the green chilies that you use. To manage the heat, use milder green chilies and use less of the black pepper and Kashmiri chili powder.

I like to serve this with a side salad of onion and cucumber. It’s kind of like quick pickled onion with Indian spices called laccha pyaza. See the recipe notes for instructions for making the crispy, vibrant laccha onions. You can also serve with chutneys of choice or a creamy dip on the side to mellow the heat.

Why You’ll Love Tofu Majestic

• flavorful, crunchy, battered tofu in a thick, spicy sauce
• bake or pan fry the tofu
• versatile! Serve on its own, with chutney or creamy dipping sauce, with a fresh salad, or as wraps
• easy to make gluten-free, nut-free, and even soy-free.

Continue reading: Tofu Majestic (Vegan Chicken Majestic)

The post Tofu Majestic (Vegan Chicken Majestic) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

A hearty BBQ lentil burger topped with quick and easy creamy coleslaw is a perfect summer meal! Serve in a bun or over a crisp salad. (nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free options). This post was originally published May 6, 2013

Hello summer! It’s time for all things BBQ, and this BBQ lentil burger combines so many summer flavors in one delicious dish.

The patties have split red lentils, which cook really quickly, and they are loaded with BBQ sauce, inside and out! You can make them on the stovetop or in the oven.

These burgers are also absolutely loaded with veggies! Finely chopped cauliflower, carrots, garlic, ginger, and bell pepper give the patties bulk, texture, and flavor. These are veggie veggie burgers. Not trying to be meat anything. Just lentils and veggies and celebrating them. These veggie patties are delicious as is as well!

Serve these with a simple, creamy slaw or your favorite burger toppings on a bun, or use them to top a green salad for a lighter meal. I love adding fruit to the slaw. The original recipe was written with mango in the slaw. Mango add some juicy sweet to the creamy, tangy, crunchy slaw for amazing balance of flavor.

Why You’ll Love BBQ Lentil Burgers

• veggie-packed!
• easy to make in the oven or on the stovetop
• loaded with so much amazing BBQ sauce flavor!
• versatile – Serve on a bun with your favorite toppings or add the patties to a salad.
• nut-free with easy soy-free and gluten-free options

Continue reading: BBQ Lentil Burger

The post BBQ Lentil Burger appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Tofu Koliwada is a plant-based version of the popular regional Indian appetizer. It’s like a tofu nugget with tons of fiery heat and so delicious served with green chutney or other of choice. It’s super delicious, crispy and packs flavor! (gluten free and nut-free with soy-free options)

I’ve been veganizing a bunch of decadent, meat-based Indian curries on the blog for a while, and I decided to switch gears. I wanted to explore these regional Indian starters and appetizers, which are just so flavorful —especially some of the meat-based ones. They’re pretty wild, with a lot of different sauces, flavors, and spices.

So welcome to veganizing some amazing appetizers! Let’s start with this delectable koliwada.

Koliwada is a popular crispy appetizer in Indian restaurants, especially around Mumbai city. It’s usually made with prawns ,is fried, and has a signature flavor. It originated with influences from Mumbai coastal cuisine and Punjabi cuisine.

The story goes that a man had moved down to an area close to Mumbai near Koliwada and created this dish, which became super popular.

Koliwada is usually made with prawns, shrimp, or chicken, but we’re using tofu. If you don’t want to use tofu, you can use an alternate protein of your choice.

It is usually served with a green chutney that is slightly different than the usual. It has onion tomato and tamarind and is vibrant and spicy sour with a hint of sweet!

Basically, all of the flavor is in the batter, the spices. It’s kind of like tofu nuggets or crispy fried chicken, but Indian, with tons and tons of heat. Serve it with the vibrant cilantro-mint chutney listed below or with Schezwan chutney, tamarind chutney, or mango chutney.

Why You’ll Love Koliwada

• crispy, super spicy tofu with adjustable heat
• delicious as a side or make it a meal by adding to a wrap or salad
• incredible mint chutney for dipping comes together in the blender
• versatile recipe – use dry coating or a batter, bake or pan fry!
• naturally gluten-free and nut-free with soy-free options

Continue reading: Tofu Koliwada (Indian Spicy Crispy Tofu) with Cilantro-Mint Chutney

The post Tofu Koliwada (Indian Spicy Crispy Tofu) with Cilantro-Mint Chutney appeared first on Vegan Richa.

What is okoy?

Ingredients to make Filipino fritters

Ingredients the make pink vinegar dipping sauce

• The pink colour takes a few minutes to seep in so I prefer making the dipping sauce first.
• The pink dipping sauce is so easy to make.
• Finely chop the red onion and add it to a bowl, add the vinegar, salt and sugar.
• Stir well and set it aside for 10 minutes.

• I have used cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, a small capsicum that grew in the garden to make this recipe.
• Grate these so that they make a  easy mix and cook evenly.
• Add these into the mixing bowl. Use 1:1 ratio of glutinous flour to vegetable grated.
• Add the flour, salt and crushed black pepper.
• Mix this well and set aside for 10 minutes. do not add any water as the vegetables will provide enough moisture.
• Heat oil in a pan . Once oil is hot, lower the heat to medium.
• Scoop and shape the batter in to flat  and as far as round you can. Then gently place in the oil. Let this cook on on side and gently flip to the other side.
• Once both sides are golden and crispy, remove and drain from oil.
• The okoy is ready to have.

Meal prep the okoy

Other recipes from the Filipino cuisine

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Makki Ki Roti is a popular Punjabi bread made with corn flour and served with Sarson Ka Saag. Maki ki roti is also a Gluten Free flat bread.

This recipe will make 6 rotis, and will serve 3.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups makki ka atta, corn flour
• 1 cup potato, boiled peeled and grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 2 tablespoons dry fenugreek leaves, kasuri mathi
• 1/8 teaspoon asafetida, hing
• ¾ cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons of ghee or clarified butter for cooking roties

We also need a plastic sheet about 8” x 12” to roll the roties I am using a zip lock bag.

Method

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl, corn flour, salt chili flakes, fenugreek leaves, and asafetida mix it well. Add potato to the mixture and mix. This will become very crumbly. Add water as needed to make the firm dough. Knead the dough for a minute. For makki ki roti make the dough when ready to make roti.
2. Note: Makki ki roti is little hard to roll that is the reason I decided to use potatoes. Potatoes help to binding the dough.
3. Divide the dough in 6 equal parts. Make them in smooth balls.
4. Take one ball press it between the plastic sheet plastic sheet help rolling the roti, roll the roti into about 6-inch circle. Note: may be the edges will not be as clean like other roties.
5. Heat the skillet over medium heat. Skillet should not be very hot. Otherwise roties will not cook through.
6. Place the roti in the skillet. As it cooks, the dough will change color and have a dryer look. Turn the roti over using a spatula. You should see golden-brown spots on the semi-cooked side.
7. After few seconds, spread 1 teaspoon ghee onto the roti using a spatula. Turn the roti over. Using your spatula, lightly press the entire surface of the roti to help it cook all the way through. Put the ghee on both sides of the roti while cooking. Grill the roti from both sides making sure it is golden-brown on both sides.  Remove from heat.
8. Repeat with the remaining dough, until they are all done.

Serve them hot. Makki ki roti traditionally served with sarson ka saag or dal makhani. If you are vegan use the oil for cooking the roties.

Originally posted 2016-06-16 23:30:35.

The post Makki Ki Roti – Paratha appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

 Chakli (also known as chakkuli or chakali) is a very staple savory tea time snack found in most of the Indian households. When it comes to making chakli, there are numerous recipes out there. Previously I updated my blog with a recipe that called for crunchy chakli and this recipe calls for a more softer and crunchy chaklis. This is our home recipe. You gotta try it to believe it :)

My favorite kind is soft and crunchy chakli mixed with lots of spice. But now I appreciate less spicy kind too :) Ingredient phutani(dalia) that is used in this recipe is delicious in taste, nutritious and can be digested easily. It is commonly mixed with sugar and distributed to the devotees in temples as God's offering.
Getting the spirals right(it is a big deal:)) while you press on the dough using a chakli press maker, surely gives you a kick and cheap thrills :) If it won't come out neatly (or breaks) please don't overreact like a hindi serial mother-in-law hehe... absolutely don't worry, I do have few tips up my sleeve which is mentioned in the notes below.



The first time you make it right, that moment, that satisfaction, that simple pleasures of life are not to be forgotten! :) (at least in my case) I cannot thank the techno-era we live in where I can simply share my kitchen achievements/stories, mishaps, success any darn thing with my mom, sister or a friend instantly.

Let us take a look at the Chakli recipe,

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice flour 
• 1/4th cup roasted gram dal (also known as dalia, phutani) 
• 1 tsp chilly powder, (more if you like spicy) 
• 1/2 tsp turmeric (haldi) 
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera) 
• 2 tsp sesame seeds (til) 
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder (dhania pwd) 
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder 
• 2-3 tbsp butter at room temperature 
• salt as per taste 
• 1/2 - 3/4th cup approx. water (to knead the dough) 
• oil to fry 

Preparation:

• Mix all the above ingredients except water and mix everything with your fingers. 
• Then slowly add water little by little and make a chapati/roti like dough. Keep aside for 20-30 min, covered.
• Take some portion of the chakli dough, knead it some more and place it in the chakli press, start making spirals on a newspaper sheet or wax paper. 
• Heat oil in a kadai, once the oil is hot bring the flame to med. Slowly slide the chaklis in the kadai using piece of wax paper or slide it on plain spatula and transfer slowly in the hot oil and fry nicely till it is brown on all sides on med-low flame. 
• Take it out and place on the paper towel to absorb the extra oil. Nice soft and mild crispy chaklis are ready. 
• Let it cool down completely before you store it in an airtight container. 

How to make horse gram recipe ?

kollu paruppu recipe is very famous in Kongunadu. People prefer horse gram for weight loss in ayurveda also horse gram good for diabetes. we used to prepare kollu paruppu recipe often especially to treat cold which goes well with white rice. lets see how to cook horse gram recipe now.

Ingredients:

• kollu paruppu ( known as horse gram tamil & kulthi beans in hindi ) – 1 cup
• Water to cook horse gram
• Castor oil – ½ spoon
• Country tomato – 1(big)
• Turmeric powder – ¼ spoon
• Shallots – ¼ cup (cleaned)
• Red chilli – 3 no’s
• Curry leaves – 1 sprig
• Garlic – 4 cloves
• Cumin seeds – ½ spoon
• Coriander seeds – 1 spoon
• Coriander leaves – 4 stalks
• Required salt

Steps to cook kollu paruppu recipe in pressure cooker:

1. To begin take a bowl add horse gram and wash them thoroughly.
2. Switch on the stove place a cooker then add 2 ½ cups of water, ½ spoon of castor oil, ¼ spoon of turmeric powder, one big country tomato.
3. Now close the pressure cooker and cook kollu paruppu up to 3 whistles.
4. Steps to cook kollu paruppu in earthen pots and normal pan:
5. Switch on the stove place earthen pot or steel pan, add 3 cups of water then is hot add in washed horse gram.
6. Followed by ½ spoon castor oil, one big country tomato then cook up to 15 minutes
7. After horse gram half cooked add turmeric powder then cook until horse gram fully cooked.

Steps to grind kollu paruppu:

1. At first switch off the stove drain the excess water in horse gram and keep it aside.
2. Next add cleaned shallots, red chilli, curry leaves, coriander leaves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, required salt in cooker, earthen pot or normal pan.
3. Leave it all spices for 10 minutes.
4. Now take a mixer grinder put all things in to it and grind them as semi coarse paste. (No need to add water if you want add drained water from horse gram)
5. You can also add kollu paruppu in Aattu kal and grind well as semi coarse paste. (Taste will be super good)
6. Spicy authentic Kongu special kollu paruppu recipe is ready to serve.
7. Drizzle some homemade ghee or coconut oil on the top of the kollu paruppu and serve with hot white rice.

Various names of kollu paruppu

• Kollu Paruppu is known ashorse lentil or horse gram, horse gram beans in english (also Cowpea)
• kulthi horse gram in Hindi
• ulavalu recipes in telugu
• It is called as Muthira in Malayalam
• Its botanical name is Macrotyloma uniflorum

Tips:

• This is authentic Kongu style kollu paruppu; there also another way.
• The only difference is seasoning, after grind the kollu paruppu, take a kadai add some ground nut oil when it is hot add mustard seeds, one red chilli and curry leaves then fry for a second and add kollu paruppu and cook up to 5 minutes. (This process will help to avoid spoilage of kollu paruppu)
• As of now you need kollu paruppu in semi streaming consistency implies include water at that point cook well.
• kollu paruppu in semi gravy is the good texture to eat.
• More vegetarian recipes : thuthuvalai rasam recipe | pirandai chutney recipe | Mini Sambar Idly recipe | Pachai Payaru Paruppu | Paruppu Rasam recipe | murungakkai paruppu recipe
• black horse gram another variety of kollu.
• We can make more than 40+ kollu recipes ( ulavalu recipes – kulith recipes) using horse gram dal.
  • horse gram soup
  • horse gram juice ( kollu juice)
  • kollu chutney
  • kollu kanji recipe
  • horse gram powder recipe for weight loss ( kollu powder)
  • kollu kulambu
  • kollu podi
  • kollu rasam (i’ll post kollu rasam in tamil soon)
  • paruppu thogayal
  • horse gram flour ( kulith flour) used for Weight loss Roti Recipe

horse gram health benefits / ulavacharu health benefits / kollu benefits

• Kollu known in english as horse dal, horse gram lentils or horse peas. Horse gram benefits for more people who are following horse gram diet for weight loss.
• Refer this web link for horse gram benefits in tamil : kollu for weight loss in tamil
• horse gram nutrition :  Horse gram seed contains carbohydrate (57.2% w/w), protein (22% w/w), dietary fiber (5.3% w/w), fat (0.50% w/w), calcium (287 mg), phosphorus (311 mg), iron (6.77 mg) and calories (321 kcal) as well as vitamins like thiamine (0.4 mg), riboflavin (0.2 mg) and niacin (1.5 mg) per 100 grams of dry matter.
• benefits of drinking horse gram water: Drink the horse gram water twice a day on an empty stomach for weight loss.
• horse gram benefits diabetes : Anti-oxidants help in controlling oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals. He said the study found that raw horse gram seed has the ability to reduce post-prandial hyperglycemia by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and reduce insulin resistance by inhibiting protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1 beta enzyme.
• horse gram and diabetes: This helps to reduce insulin resistance.Hence it is highly used for diabetics.The seed is beneficial for reducing the blood glucose level.It can reduce the digestion of carbohydrate.This leads to lower the blood sugar level.This is used as insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.Including Horse gram (മുതിര) in your daily food is very effective for diabetics.This can also help to reduce the cholesterol level.
• horse gram benefits for weight loss : Consuming horse gram can help you lose burn calories. Horse gram is low in calories. It can keep your bad cholesterol levels in check and prevent the risk of heart diseases. Also, consuming horse gram will provide you with protein and fibre, which will keep you full for long and prevent you from eating more.
• horse gram sprouts benefits : Doctors recommends having sprouts as a good source of protein and also to cool the body.
• horse gram for hair growth : Drink it horse gram for hair growth once a day when bearable hot. Add 1/4 cup of Horse Gram ( Kulthi in India a pinch of Asafoetida ( Hing in India ) and 2 pinches each of dried horse gram for hair growth Ginger ( Adrak in India ) and Liquorice ( Mulethi in India )
• horse gram for kidney stones ( kulthi for kidney stone): The importance of horse gram was well recognized by folk medicine as a potential therapeutic agent to treat kidney stones, urinary diseases, piles, common cold, throat infection, fever, lowering cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels. Horse gram water was prescribed for treating jaundice.
• flaxseed and horse gram : Flax seed is a seed, while Horse Gram is a pulse. * Nutrient Value of 100 gram of Flax seed is: 50 calories, 20 grams of protein, 41 grams of fat, and 28 grams of fiber. * Nutrient Value of 100 gram of Horse grain is: 321 calories, 22 grams of protein, 287 mg of Calcium, 311 mg of Phosphorus and 7mg of Iron.
• is horse gram good for health : If you are trying to lose weight, you can consume horse gram as much as you want, but remember moderation is the key. Moreover, the high protein and fibre content of horse gram will keep you fuller for a long time.
• horse gram where to buy : its available local stores, super market and even online portals.

The post kollu paruppu recipe – how to cook horse gram recipe, horse gram recipe appeared first on Famous Indian Recipes.

how to make Instant Ragi Dosa ?

Finger Millet is a nutritious grain which is staple food in most of the South India. This Ragi Dosa also know as Finger Millet Dosa and Nachni Dosa. Instant ragi dosa made with homemade sprouted ragi flour is a healthy breakfast/Dinner for babies, toddlers and kids. Lets see how to prepare Instant Ragi Dosa with simple steps

Ingredients:

• Ragi flour – 1 cup
• Water to mix ragi flour
• Salt to taste

For seasoning:

• Oil – 3 spoons
• Mustard seeds – ½ tea spoon
• Chana dal – 1 spoon
• Big Onion – 1 (finely chopped)
• Red chilli – 1 no
• Curry leaves – 1 sprig

Steps to cook instant ragi dosa:

1. Take a bowl add one cup of ragi flour, required salt then mix well and keep it aside.
2. Turn on the stove. place a fry pan when it is heated add oil, after one minute add mustard seeds when it is splutters add chana dal fry for a second.
3. Now add finely chopped onion fry till it become transparent, then add red chilli and curry leaves then fry for a minute then switch off the stove.
4. Next take a ragi mixture in bowl add these fried item into ragi flour.
5. This is time to add required water in to ragi flour then mix well.
6. Ragi dosa batter should be in not thick and not thin consistency.
7. Switch on the stove place a dosa tawa, when it is heated sprinkle some water and pour the instant ragi dosa batter and make dosa.
8. Turn other side and cooked well both sides of ragi dosa.
9. Healthy, easy and instant ragi dosa is ready to serve.
10. Serve this ragi dosa with tomato chutney and coconut chutney etc.,
11. More millet recipes from Famous Indian Recipes | kambu curd rice | Varagu Arisi Ven Pongal | Ragi murukku recipe | varagu rice dosa | Ragi vada |

Tips:

• Here I used simple method to cook easy and healthy ragi dosa version and anyone can try it.
• We can also prepare ragi dosa with curd. but i tried instant ragi dosa without curd.
• Some people like to have ragi dosa with rice flour. Here i shared instant ragi dosa without rice flour. Even some people trying ragi dosa with urad dal.

Ragi dosa health benefits

• Loaded with Calcium
• Helps in Controlling Diabetes
• Reverts Skin Ageing
• Battles Anemia
• Relaxes the Body
• Helps in Weight Loss

The post Instant Ragi Dosa – how to make Instant Ragi Dosa, Finger Millet Dosa appeared first on Famous Indian Recipes.

 Winter is in the air ; the chill and pleasant weather calls for  nice soul satisfying hot meals from the pan to the plate . We at home,prefer piping hot parathas or rotis for dinner .

Parathas are filling and healthy as you can include almost as many veggies you wish either by kneading it along with the dough or even by stuffing it into the rolled bread .

Doodhi Parathas are a family favorite during winter, so this time when I had some fresh Zucchini in my fridge I thought of making some delicious parathas with them. I have used green zuchini ,but you can also use the yellow zuchini which are widely available in the market .

Zucchinis belong to the squash family and are used in a variety of recipes across cuisines . Unlike cucumber ,zucchini needs to be cooked before eating.  Zucchini may either be shredded, grated , sliced or even used as cubes depending on the recipe that it is being used in .

For the paratha,I have peeled the zucchini and then grated it finely and kneaded along with the wheat flour with various spices and flavorings. 

If you want to try some healthy,delicious and tasty parathas, please click on the recipe links below 

• Aloo Paratha

• Pudina Paratha

• Palak Paratha

• Moong Paratha

• Doodhi Paratha /Bottlegourd paratha 

• Achaari Ajwain Paratha

• Capsicum Paneer Paratha

• Beetroot Paratha

• Kasuri Methi Paratha 

Ingredients 

Method 

• Squeeze out the excess water from grated zucchini and add it a mixing bowl along with the spices (red chilli powder , haldi powder , jeera powder and salt) . Mix it well with your fingers .
• Add the wheat flour and the corriander and knead into a smooth and firm dough without cracks .Apply some oil over the dough and keep covered for 10 mins. 
• Pinch out big lemon sized balls from the dough and roll them into a medium thick roti .
• Heat a tawa or griddle and place the rolled out paratha on the tawa .
• Flip it over when you see small bubbles and brown spots on the under side .
• Apply some oil around the paratha and roast it until its well done.
• Take it off the tawa and serve hot with some chilled curd or raita of your choice. 

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 Vella Seedai or sweet jaggery fritter balls are an essential prasad /offering made for Gokulashtami/ Krishna jayanthi to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna .

We make two types of seedai; Uppu seedai (savory)  and Vella seedai (sweet) along with various other favorites of Lord Krishna to be offered on the special day when we all rejoice and celebrate lord Krishna's birth .

To know how we celebrate Krishna Jayanthy in a typical Tambrahm (Tamil Brahmin) house hold head over to my post, Krishna Jayanthy Celebrations where you can also find link to all the special recipes we make for the big festival .

Making seedai is an art and requires a little expertise and caution while making it . With practice we can easily master this and become a pro .

I am giving all tips and tricks to make a fail proof seedai so that even beginners and newbies can make it with an ease . These tips are applicable for flours which are either home made or store bought. 

Traditionally rice flour and udad dhall flour at prepared at home for purpose of maintaining hygiene and quality but now a days we get good quality ready made flours so we can use that even. 

In this recipe, I have used store brought rice flour and  udad dhall flour to make the recipe, thus making it easy for working women and those who are pressed for time.   

Points to keep in mind 

• Roast the rice flour in a dry pan until it feels warm. The flour should be roasted just until you can feel the warmth no need for the flour to change color . Sieve the flour well through a sieve once it cools down.
• Roast the udad dhall flour the same way and sieve it. If you are unable to find ready made udad dhall flour,  take 1 cup of udad dhall and dry roast in a pan until it turn crisp ,cool it and then blend into a fine powder using the blender . Sieve it to get a really fine powder without any grits . 
• Melt the jaggery in hot water and strain it to remove any impurities .
• Sieving the flours and jaggery syrup is very important as even a small particle or grit can cause the seedais to burst in the oil .

To know how to make Uppu Seedai and also on how to roast the flours check the video link below 

Ingredients 

Method

• Take a wide mixing bowl and add the sieved rice flour and udad dhall flour along with the sesame seeds and grated coconut. 
• Meanwhile, heat the melted jaggery in a pan and let it come to a rolling bowl.we donot need ant string consistency.  When the jaggery is boiling add in the cardamom powder to this.
• Pour this hot jaggery syrup over the flours and mix it gently with a spoon so that the syrup gets incorporated well with the flours.
• Now add the melted butter and gently with your hands knead a soft and pliable dough.most of the times the jaggery syrup is enough to knead the dough but incase if you feel the dough is dry , sprinkle some warm water and knead until its firm but soft.  Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 mins.
• Heat oil in a kadai and start rolling small balls from the dough . The balls must be crack free and the same time not rolled very tight. 
• If you roll it tight there is a chance of the seedais bursting in oil . Grease your palms with ghee while you begin to roll the balls .
• When the oil is heated, reduce flame to medium and first drop one ball into the oil . It must not disintegrate in the oil. Incase it disintegrates means the moisture content is more . To fix this ,sprinkle some rice flour and knead the dough again until the dough feels dry and firm . Donot panic. 
• Once the dough is of righr consistency, drop the balls into the oil carefully and fry on medium flame by occasionally splashing oil over the seedais,this will prevent the seedais from bursting. 
• Fry until the oil stops hissing and the seedais have turn nice and brown. You can see cracks on the seedais once they are fried. This indicates that the seedais are perfectly done both from the inside and outside.
• Carefully take it off from the hot oil and let them cool completely before you can store in a dry container. 

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 Cheela or Besan ka cheela is a popular brekfast  in North India made from gramflour known as Besan . There are many variants in making cheela ,can be plain with just basic spices used for flavoring or we can add in some finely chopped veggies and make it a healthier version .

Cheela makes for a very filling breakfast and also a perfect lunch box option.  Gramflour is certainly a magic ingredient which makes the recipe absolutely delicious and tasty . This morning it was raining and chilly making us want to indulge in something that would pep us up for the day and we dint want to have anything deep fried ,so that's how this healthy breakfast was made .

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 BESAN CAPSICUM CURRY

CAK was intended for documenting  recipes cooked at home for the reference of children who stayed far away from home base . As our family circle started expanding to other states through marital connections an array of recipes belonging to different regions are also being documented in CAK . Learnt the recipe of a simple and tasty dish from a sweet angel who will be part of our family soon . As the name suggests powdered lentil and spice are used in the preparation of  Besan Capsicum Curry . It reminds me of Paruppu Usili which is also prepared using lentil - but soaked and ground - along with any selected vegetable. Here is the recipe of a yummy Rajasthani dish slightly altered to my convenience ! 

INGREDIENTS

Capsicum ( Chopped finely ) - 2 cups

Sweet corn ( Steamed ) - 1/4 cup ( Optional)

Besan ( dry roast ) - 1/2 cup

Chilly Powder - 1 tbsp ( Instead I love to use my Sambar Powder ! )

Dania powder - 1 tsp

Cumin powder - 1 tsp 

Turmeric powder - 1 / 2 tsp

Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tbsp 

Sesame oil - 2 tbsps

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp

Curry leaves - a few

METHOD

1. Blend all the dry powders in a bowl .

2. Add chopped Capsicum and steamed sweet corn and mix well . 

3. Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds and then add the curry leaves.

4. Add the vegetable and spice mixture , and stir well .

5. Stir and cook on medium flame till the capsicum softens .

6. Keep stirring till the oil comes out and the Besan mixture turns reddish in colour.

Enjoy the hot and spicy Besan Capsicum Curry with rotis or rice.