Gobi Manchuria

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This appetizer has been a favorite with me, way back in Hyderabad...this was when Dhabas were booming all around, it was a patent name on the menu cards. The name is familiar to Chicken Manchuria...probably because they look identical. The only thing I resisted adding was the food color. Anyways, here are the ingredients.

Ingredients:
2 cups cauliflower, washed and cut into decent sized florets
3/4 cup chana besan flour
oil as needed
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
a pinch of turmeric powder
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
a pinch of baking soda
1 green chilli, chopped
chopped cilantro to garnish
water as needed

Method:
Mix all the ingredients except cauliflower florets. Let the marinate sit for sometime.

Dip the cauliflower florets and mix in well. The mix should not be very runny, make sure it is thick and cling well to the cauliflower.

Heat oil in a deep based pan and fry till gloden brown, serve with mango chutney or sauces of your choice.

Kofte Pyaaz

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...translated as Meatballs in thick Onion gravy, is another recipe which uses the tempting kofte I prepared the other day. Anyways, as for the recipe, its absolutely worth trying, amazing flavors to savor coupled with the sweet taste of onions give this gravy a unique touch.

Ingredients:

olive oil 4 tbs

14- 15 meatballs/kofte

4-5 onions, thinly sliced

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 cup water

1 green chilli, slit

4 cardamoms

cilantro to garnish

Method:

Heat a wok and add the onions, as they begin to get a brown tinge add ginger garlic paste. Stir a while and add salt, turmeric powder, cardamoms and green chilli.

As the onions starts to get golden...add red chilli powder and stir briskly. Splash in some water, let all the ingredients mix in well.

Shut the lid and let it cook on medium...for 10 min's max. By now the onions should start to leave oil. Slip in the kofte and garnish with cilantro. Serve warm with naan or rice.

French Beans in Onion

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This is the most basic of Indian cooking. French beans are very versatile, you can prepare it in gravy or just boil them and season with salt and pepper (that's how my older son likes it) they taste just as good!

Ingredients:
3-4 tbs oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 cups water
1 lb or more french beans, cut in 4 pieces
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp ginger garlic paste

Method:
Heat oil and slide the onions, as the onions start to slightly brown add ginger garlic paste and stir briskly.

Add salt and turmeric powder and stir in well. By now the onions will have browned. Add red chilli powder and let everything blend in well.

Add half the water and the cut french beans and shut the lid, check after a few min's to see if the beans have gone tender.

Add the remaining water and cook on a medium flame till tender and oil starts to seperate. Serve!

Delish Fruit Cups

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Now here's one dessert that has no sugar...the flavor totally rides on the fresh fruits and whip cream. Assembling the dessert is a breeze once you have all the ingredients ready :) Again there are no limits to the kind of fruits you want to add, I put whatever I had handy.

Ingredients:

1 apple
1 orange
1 banana
1 cup cantaloupe

1 cup grapes

1 cup mango

2-3 tsp fresh apricot

2-3 tsp black raisins

3-4 dates

Method:

Cut all the fruits in desired sizes, layer them in a serving bowl.

Scoop a dollop of whip cream on top and sprinkle black raisins, dried apricots and dates. Serve cold!

Potato Fritters

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Here's another fried crispy delicacy straight for the iftar table...easy to make and simply great to eat. Here is the recipe...

Ingredients:

4 tbs oil
2 potatoes, skinned and sliced

1 1/2 cup chana besan flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp red chilli powder

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 green chilli, chopped

1/2 onion, sliced

Cilantro as needed
A pinch of baking soda

Method:

Slice the potato using a mandolin, Immerse them in cold water and keep aside.

Mix all the other ingredients and add the potatoes, let them sit in the mix for sometime.

Heat oil and deep fry them till golden brown. Serve hot with ketchup or Maggi tomato sauce.