Thursday, June 4, 2015

Shavige - Rava Banana Kesari Baat;

Vermicelli or Shavige is used very often in Indian culinary. We do prepare Upma, Payasam (Kheer) and other items.
Rava or semolina is also one of the main ingredient used in Indian kitchens.
Kesari baat or sheera or Sooji ka halwa is normally prepared with  medium size rava. Here is a little twist. I have used both semolina and shavige ( vermicelli). It is an easy dish and anyone can learn. I mean even people who are new to cooking and have interest can try this dish.
Shavige or vermicelli is prepared using rice or wheat or all purpose flour that is maida or moong bean.Vermicelli prepared from wheat is good for people who are suffering from high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is loaded with fiber.
Shavige -Rava Banana Kesari Baat can be prepared for breakfast or kitty parties or kids parties or when guest's surprise visit.  It is also can be prepared for festivals, functions and as Prasaadam.
Let us see the recipe Now

Ingredients :

Rava ( Medium size) : 1 Cup
Shavige ( thin variety ) :3/4 cup
Sugar : 1 Cup
Cardamom : 3 pods.
Well ripen  Banana : 1 (big or 2 small)
Cashew Nuts : 2 Table spoons (cut ones)
Raisins  (dry grapes) : 1 Table spoon
Water : 2 Cups .
Kesari (Saffron) : 5 to 6 Rakes
Ghee : 3/4 Cup

Method :

1. Powder cardamom and keep it aside/ Cut cashews into small pieces.

2. Keep water for boiling. Cut bananas in to thin slice and keep it aside.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add 1 table spoon of ghee. Add cashew nuts and fry till they turn golden brown.
4 Add raisins and fry till they are fluffy. Add Shavige and fry for 2 minutes.
5. Add  rava (semolina) to the fried vermicelli and fry nicely till the raw smell disappear.
6. Add boiling water. Stir nicely it thickens.
7. Add sugar when it starts thickening. Add cut bananas and stir continuously on low flame. (It turns bit watery and starts to thicken again).
8. Add a spoon of ghee and saffron (kesari) flakes and mix it nicely. It starts to leave the pan.
9. Put off the fire. Add remaining ghee and mix it well.
10. Shift the ready kesari baat to a serving dish and serve hot Shavige - Rava Banana kesari baat .
 Note :
Adding more sugar (another 1/2 cup of sugar can be added). adding more or less ghee is purely optional. You should use boiling water to cook. Stir nicely till the pan leaves the kesari baat. Frying rava is a must to get the good result.
Total time : 20 minutes
Serves : 5 to 6.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Mango Masala Paties

Mango Masala Patties is a snack dish. You can have them in the evening and skip your dinner. It is stomach filling yummy dish.
Potato is favourite of almost every one. Preparing bajjis, bondas, vada pav or Aloo tikky are common now a days. Potato is normally the basic ingredient in most of the North Indian dishes. These dishes have become very very popular world wide.
I have prepared potato patties using bread and potatoes. I also have done a curry or ragda using tomatoes, spice and a little amount of boiled peas. For the tangy taste I used mango chutney. Mango Chutney mixes well with spice and adds taste to the curry.
Lets see the recipe.

Things needed :

 For the patties:

Potatoes : 4 to 5 medium sized
Brown Bread slices : 6 to 8
Coriander leaves : 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder : a pinch.
Garam Masala powder : 1 Tea spoon
Red Chilly Powder : 1 Tea spoon
Jeera Powder : 1/2 Tea spoon
Oil : To shallow fry : 3 to 4 Table spoons.
Oats : 2 Table spoons.
Salt : According to taste.

For the gravy.

Fresh peas or dried peas : 1 Cup 
Tomatoes : 2 to 3
Mango Chutney : 2 to 3 Table spoons
Garam Masala Powder : 1 1/2  Tea spoon
Jeera : 1/2 Tea spoon
Coriander seeds : 1 Tea spoon
Coriander Leaves : 1/2 Cup
Salt : to taste
Green Chilly : 2
Chilly Powder : 1 Tea spoon
Pepper pods : 3 to 4
Cooked Peas : 2 to 3 Table spoons
Oil : 1 Table spoon
Ghee or butter : 1 Tea spoon
Cinnamon : a small piece. 
Lemon juice or tamarind pulp : 1 Table spoon. (1 lemon extract).

Method : Gravy

1.Wash and boil peas and potatoes for 6 to 8 minutes and leave it for cooling.  ( Remove the skin and smash  potatoes and keep it aside).
2. Grind, mango chutney, 1 tea spoon of garam masala powder, jeera, coriander seeds, coriander leaves, green chilly, tomatoes and cooked peas. ( 2 to 3 table spoons). Remove from the jar and keep it aside. 

3. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add 1 table spoon of oil and 1/2 Tea spoon of jeera, a small piece of cinnamon. (dalchinni). Let it turn slightly golden brown.
4. Add ground spicy masla and fry nicely for 1 minute on medium flame.
5. Add boiled peas, required salt and one smashed potato. Add 1/2 Tea spoon of garam masala, a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix it well and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add water if required. ( It shou6.ld be cooked after adding the required water).
6. Now the gravy is ready to serve.  Keep it aside.
 Method : Patties.
1. Take already smashed potatoes in a bowl.  Add cut coriander leaves, salt, garam masala powder and little jeera powder.
2. Powder brown bread nicely and add it with smashed potatoes. Grate carrots and keep it aside.
3. Dry roast oats and dry grind it. Add ground oats to potato mixture.
4. Now mix all the ingredients nicely and divide it into small ball size.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add a spoon of oil. Take a small portion already divided and pat it on your palm.
6. Give a shape according to your wish. Put this pattie on the hot tava. Cook till it turn brown.
7. Turn the other side and cook nicely. At time 4 patties can be cooked.
8. Repeat the same with the remaining mixture.
9. Serve with the gravy and top up with onions or grated carrots.

To top up : (optional)
Onion or Carrot  : 1
and curd (optional)
10. Serve hot and enjoy Mango Masala Patties.
Note :
You should use fresh chutney to get the good result. You should not over cook potatoes. You can also serve this Mango Masala Patties with sweet and hot chutney. ( Katta - meeta chutney). Adding more peas is optional. I have used fresh peas. Dry pea pods are also can be used.Wash and soak dry peas in water (plain water) for 4 hours. Using onions and garlic is purely optional. Using cut onions also optional. You can use grated carrots instead of onions. You can also use chat masala instead of hot and sweet chutney.
Preparation time : 20 minutes.
Cooking Time : 30 minutes.
Total time : 50 minutes to  1 hour.
If using dry peas then another  5 hours or over night .
Serves :  3 to 4.

Link to Mango Chutney :
http://nsomayaji.blogspot.in/2015/05/ondelaga-raw-mango-chutney.html

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About

author
My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
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