CRISPY BAKED ONIONS RINGS

Who doesnt like Fried foods?They are so tasty and comforting any given day but a lot of guilt comes with it. For a person like me who loves fried food but doesnt like to fry its  such a daunting task to stand in front of the hot oil and fry especially in this summer heat. But I had to do something to satisfy my cravings for it. This crispy baked onion rings is just the solution. Its totally GUILT FREE and completely satisfying. Its one of the best onion rings I ever had.
The secret is to coat the bread crumbs with a little bit of oil before coating it onto the rings. This helps it to brown evenly. This was one of the tips given by the chef on foodnetwork. Dont remember his name.

INGREDIENTS

Vidalia onions - 2 nos
Buttermilk - 1 cup
Hot Sauce - 1 tbsp ( I used buffalo wing sauce)
All Purpose flour -  1 cup
Garlic pdr - a few sprinkles
Cayenne pepper - 2 tsp
Black pepper pdr - 1 tsp
Panko Bread crumbs(seasoned)
oil - 1 tsp
Ice cold water

Note:- The measurements here doesnt have to be perfect you can increase and decrease the amount according to your taste.You can also add any other spices and herbs you like.onion pdr, cumin pdr, thyme etc

METHOD

Slice the onions to 1/2" thick rings. Separate them and put them in ice cold water to firm it up.
In a plate mix flour,garlic pdr,cayenne pepper, pepper. Salt is not reqd if you are using seasoned breadcrumbs otherwise add some for taste. In a bowl pour buttermilk and hot sauce.If you like spicy add more hot sauce. In another plater add bread crumbs and a tsp or so just enough to wet the crumbs. This helps the crumbs to brown nicely without drying out. I like to use panko breadcrumbs cause it gives a great crunch.

Preheat oven to 375 deg F. Remove the rings from the cold water one at a time.You dont have to pat it dry, the water will help the flour to stick to the onions. Coat the rings  in the order of flour, buttermilk and bread crumbs. Transfer it to the cooling rack. Baking it on the cooling rack will let the heat to flow nicely and help the rings to brown evenly. Bake for about 20- 25 mins or until brown. Serve warm with coffee or tea!!!

ENJOY!!!

BRUSCHETTA TOPPED WITH WHITE BEANS

Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer or antipasto. Its basically a roasted piece of bread with various toppings. The bread usually used to make a bruschetta is a baguette.The bread is sliced and roasted and then rubbed with garlic ,served with any toppings and some olive oil. I used some simple cannellini beans sauteed with some garlic,onions and tomatoes. A sprinkle of thyme and a splash of white wine gives a boost of  flavor. A quick, simple and easy appetizer to make. For toppings use anything  of your choice even a simple tomato and onion salad or just cheese. Choices are endless.

INGREDIENTS

For Bruschetta:-

Baguette - 1, sliced
Garlic cloves -  1-2

Olive oil to brush on top

For the topping:-

Cannellini beans - 1 can, fully drained
Onion - 1 medium size, finely chopped
Tomato - 1 medium size, diced
Garlic cloves - 2 cloves, finely chopped
Chilli flakes - 1/2 tsp
Dry thyme - 1/2 tsp
Olive oil - 1 1/2 tsp
Dry White Wine - a small splash
Salt and pepper
Parsley - a bunch , to garnish

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 400 deg F. Brush the bread with oil on both sides and bake it for 10-15 mins or until golden brown. While they are still hot rub it with some garlic on top. Set it aside.

In a pan heat some oil.Add chopped garlic,chilli flakes and onions.Saute until the onions are golden brown. Sprinkle some dry thyme.Stir for a minute and then add the diced tomatoes. Let it cook fo a couple of minutes.When they become soft mash them using a wooden spoon. Now add the beans, salt and pepper and a splash of wine. Cover and let it simmer for 5 mins. Mash some of the beans using the wooden spoon .This helps to bring the whole thing together. Garnish with some chopped parsley. Let it cool.

Top it just before serving.

CHICKEN STIR FRY

Chicken is an ingredient  that i love to cook with. Most of the time i try to make something new with it. I have prepared many variations of chicken stir fry over the yrs,  peppery chicken ,a herb chicken fry among the popular ones in the family.This one is the simplest of them all with salt ,pepper and a dash of chilli pdr being the only spices added.I also coated the chicken with some all purpose flour for some crispiness and a change of texture. They are quick to prepare and tastes absolutely delicious. Great as appetizers.

INGREDIENTS

Chicken tenders - 4 strips, cut to bite size pieces
Salt and pepper
Chilli pdr - 1/2 tsp
All purpose flour -enough to coat the chicken
Onions - a medium size,sliced
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Oil - 1 1/2 tbsp

METHOD

Marinate the chicken with salt,pepper and chilli pdr.Coat it well with some flour.Leave it aside.Heat oil in a wide cast iron skillet.Slowly add the coated chicken.Shallow fry the chicken pieces  until brown on both sides.Transfer it to  plate.In the same skillet add the sliced onions and curry leaves.Add salt and pepper.When it becomes slightly brown add the chicken pieces.Stir fry for a minute or two.Serve warm as appetizers.

ENJOY!!!

HERB - CRUSTED FISH

I love fish, can have it every single day.Most of the time i try making the kerala type fish dishes like fish molay or meen pollichathu or fish fry. For me making those dishes are really tough because even though they are edible they dont come close to perfection.But this one is as perfect as it can be.Credit goes to my brother who taught me to cook this. I never thought such simple ingredients could make a fish so tasty. He served it on top of some caramelized onions and pepper. YUMMY!!!Its melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Its great as an appetiser.My l'il one  loves it too. This is just one of the many tasty dishes i got out of my brother, hoping for more :).

 INGREDIENTS

Fish fillet - 1-2 nos(i used tilapia. You can use any white fish like catfish or flounder)
Dry oregano
Dry thyme
Dill weed
Salt and pepper
Oil
No particular measurements just spread as much or as less as you want.
(You can use any combination of dry herbs that you have in your pantry)

METHOD

First clean the fish and wipe it dry.Apply some oil on both sides of the fish to help the herbs and salt stick to it.Put salt,pepper,and herbs all over the fish on both sides.Press it gently so tht they stick well to the fish.

Heat a tbsp each of butter and oil in a wide cast-iron skillet.When its smoking hot put the fish in the skillet and let it cook for couple of minutes on both sides.This fish cooks pretty fast.Transfer it to a paper towel to absorb the extra oil. Serve warm on the side of white rice  or as an appetizer.

THIKSANI BAJJI/ MULAGA BAJJI/ CHILLI FRITTERS

Weatherwise its been so dull the last couple of days, continuous rains and still going on.Days like this i crave to have something spicy. Most of the time i would settle for a bowl of hot soup or some spicy curry on the side. But this time when there were some ready-to-be-picked banana peppers in my garden, i just couldnt resist making these spicy Chilli Fritters to go with my hot cup of coffee.No doubt they were absolutely perfect.

Chilli Fritters also brings back fond memories of my childhood tirupati trips with my family.After getting a good darshan dad used to buy us these freshly made fritters from the small food stalls there.They fry these whole without removing the seeds which makes them extremely spicy.To add to the heat we had some delicious hot badam milk to go with it.A Deadly combo indeed.

INGREDIENTS

Banana peppers - 9-10 nos
Oil for deep frying

For the batter:-

Besan - 1 cup
Chilli pdr - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - A big pinch
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp (optional)
Salt to taste
Water

METHOD

Clean the banana peppers well. I leave the top stalk as it is to help me hold and i think the final product looks good with the stalk on it. Now using a knife slit the pepper from top to bottom to help remove some of the seeds. Apply some salt and leave it aside.

Mix all the dry ingredients of the batter in a wide bowl.Add water just enough to make a medium thick batter. The consistency of the batter should be such that it holds onto the pepper when dipped.Not too thick though ,that will take way the taste of the pepper.Check salt.

Heat oil for frying.When its ready.Dip the pepper in the batter and slowly drop it in the oil. Fry 2-3 at a time depending or how big your frying pan is.Do not over crowd the pan. Let it cook until brown on all sides. Transfer it to a paper towel inorder to soak the extra oil. Serve warm with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

ENJOY!!!

CHICKEN SUKKA

When i eat a dish in a restaurant or in a friends house and simply fall in love with it i try to recreate it in my kitchen.Sometimes the outcome is just the way i want it to taste.

It's quite a while since i ate or prepared chicken and so was craving for it. Wanted something that was quick and easy to prepare.So decided on making Chicken sukka.

I hade my first bite of Chicken sukka during my college days in manipal,karnataka.A dry coconut based dish with mild spiciness prepared with minimal ingredients.It's truly a delicious dish especially with some hot steaming rice.The recipe didnt disappoint me.The dish tasted same as the one i ate back then , YUMMY!!, brings back memories of college days.

INGREDIENTS

Chicken tenders - 4 nos, diced small
Onion - 1 medium size, chopped
Coconut - 1 cup, grated
Garlic - 1 tsp chopped
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Turmeric pdr - 1/2 tsp
Masala pdr - 2 tbsp + 2 tsp(recipe below)
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Oil - 1 tsp + 1 tsp
Salt to taste

To Roast and Grind:-

Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp
Peppercorn - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
Curryleaves - 4-5
Dry red chillies - 3 nos

METHOD:-

First make the masala pdr by roasting and grinding the ingredients mentioned above.Marinate the chicken with 2 tbsp of the griunded pdr.Keep the rest aside.Add salt and 1 tsp of oil to the chicken.Mix all well .Let it marinate for 1 hr. In the meantime in a large nonstick pan heat some oil.Add mustard seeds.Ones it starts to pop add cumin seeds,curry leaves and garlic.Stir for a minute then add onions.Add salt.Saute until its soft and translucent.Add turmeric pdr and 2 tsp of masala pdr .Stir for a minute.Now add the marinated chicken.Stir again.When the chicken is half cooked add the grated coconut.Mix it all in.Cover with a lid and simmer for 5-8 mins or until the chicken is fully cooked.Check for salt.Drizzle with some lime juice if you want.Serve warm with hot steaming rice.Great with chapathi's as well.

ENJOY!!!

PEPPERRY EGG FRY

Whenever i need to make something quick to go with chapathi's i tend to lean on eggs.Egg dishes are so easy to make and tastes great.Peppery egg fry are spicy and delicious.I saw the pic of peppery egg in suma's blog . Something new made with egg and it catches my eye.I was simply drooling looking at the pic that i had to make it immediately. Result was not at all surprising - ABSOLUTELY PEPPERYABULOUS. It tastes good on its own and is great as an appetiser, made it multiple times. But this time i wanted something to go with chapathi's so i stir fried it with some onions, tomatoes and more pepper.They taste even more fabulous.

INGREDIENTS

Boiled egg - 3-4 nos
Freshly ground pepper - 2 tbsp + 2 tsp
salt to taste
oil - 1 tbsp
Onions - 1 medium size, thinly sliced
Tomato - 1 medium size, sliced
Ginger - 1 tsp, chopped
Garlic - 1 tsp ,  chopped
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Green leaves - 2 nos, slit

METHOD

Mix 2tbsp of pepper and some salt.Prick the eggs with the help of a fork. Then coat it in the ground pepper and salt mixture.In a pan pour some oil just enough to cover the bottom.Shallow fry them until its brown on the outside.Keep aside.

In the same pan fry ginger and garlic for a minute.Add curry leaves and green chillies.Then add the sliced onions.Fry until it turns brown.Add tomatoes and the rest of the pepper pdr.Fry until the tomatoes are fully cooked.Add the fried eggs to the onion tomato mixture.Mix it well.Garnish with cilantro.Serve warm with chapathi.

ENJOY!!!

ROASTED PATHRAWADA - made using collard greens

Getting to eat what we crave the most while pregnant is the utmost satisfaction.I have heard that women crave for food that either they should not eat or is not good for them or something that is difficult to make or get.Well through my experience to some extent its true.When i was pregnant I wanted to eat pathrawada . If i was in India then this wouldnt have been a problem since its easy to get hold of colocassia or taro root leaves(ones usually used to make).My mother was in a dilemma since i wanted it so bad.In US these leaves are rarely available in indian storesThen i remembered my cousin Roopa of my kitchen treats had made pathrawada ones using collard greens.I was so excited.Hubby dear bought it immediately since the leaves are easily available in any american grocery stores.
Collard greens have a great aroma and taste slightly bitter.They cook very quickly .So instead of preparing pathrawada the usual method(steaming)my mom roasted it.The result was simply incredible.It tasted very similar to the usual pathrawada .I had no more complains after eating it:).My mom was happy and i was satisfied .I want to thank roopa for the idea and my mom and hubby for their patience:).Everyone should try out this unique dish.

INGREDIENTS
Collard greens - atleast 5-6 os
oil- 1 tsp
pathrawada batter

METHOD
Remove the center vein of the leaves.Wash it thoroughly and wipe them dry.Place the largest leaf on a plate and apply batter all over it generously.
Place another leaf over it and repeat the procedure until you use 5-6 leaves.Now fold the bottom and apply batter.Then fold the sides, apply batter.Holding it tightly on both sides roll the leaves from bottom to top.(For pic instructions on how to fold click here).
Now slice them 1/2" thick.

Heat a pan.Spread a teaspoon of oil.When it gets sizzling hot place the collard slices on it.Close it with a lid.Let it cook for 2-3 mins.Then turn them ,close with lid and let it cook 2-3 mins on that side as well.Finally transfer them onto a plate.Serve warm with tea or coffee.

P.S:-Add 4 shallots while grinding the batter for extra taste.

VEGETABLE PUFFS

Vegetable puffs remind me of my good old school days.After school my friends and me used to hog on these crunchy puffs from the bakery before heading for our tuition classes.I loved it so much especially the egg puffs.Thats for later ,today its vegetable puffs.Its very easy to make this goodie as long as one has these store bought puff pastry sheets in their refrigerator.One can make any kind of filling,cheese and spinach or a sweet filling or a chicken filling.The one i have made is a simple potato and onion filling.I have taken this to so many get together parties and its always a hit.
INGREDIENTS

Puff pastry sheets - 1

For Filling:-

Boiled potatoes - 2 nos

Onion - 1 medium size, sliced

Frozen peas - 1/4 cup

Fresh ginger - 1 1/2 tsp, chopped

Fresh garlic - 2 cloves, chopped

curry leaves - of 1 sprig

turmeric - 1/4 tsp

red chilli pdr - 1 1/2 tsp

cumin seeds - 1 tsp

coriander pdr - 2 tsp

cumin pdr - 1 tsp

amchur pdr - 1/4 tsp

chaat masala pdr - 1 /4 tsp

coriander leaves - a small bunch, chopped

salt to taste

METHOD

Mash the potatoes and keep aside.Heat some oil in a pan.Add cumin seeds, ginger, garlic and curry leaves.Saute for a few seconds and then add the sliced onions.Saute it until they turn soft and translucent.Then add turmeric pdr,red chilli pdr,amchur pdr ,coriander pdr,cumin pdr and chaat masala pdr.Stir well and add the peas.Add salt and stir in for a couple more mins.Now add the mashed potatoes and mix well.In the end stir in the chopped coriander leaves.Keep aside and let it cool.

Follow the box instructions and thaw the puff pastry sheets.Preheat oven to 400 deg F.Sprinkle some flour on both sides of the pastry sheets and roll it out a bit.Cut it into 9 equal squares.take a spoonful of the filling and place it on the center of the square. Close it by lifting the opposite corner over the filling and pressing it tightly.Apply some water to help seal the edges.Bake for about 10-15 mins or until it turns golden brown.Serve it warm with coffee or tea.

CHICKEN 65

Chicken 65 is a spicy, deep fried chicken dish popular in South India.There are different stories behind its name, whatever the story be, its the taste which has made this dish an all time favourite.It can be prepared using chicken on or off the bone.Here the chicken pieces are marinated in a mixture of spices, onions and curry leaves.The flavor of curry leaves is imparted into the chicken and this makes it unique and very tasty.In restaurants,usually the color is added to make it look red.Here i havent used any color. Vegetarians can prepare the same using cauliflower or potatoes.

INGREDIENTS

Chicken breasts - 1 large (bone in or boneless),cut to bite size pieces

oil to deep fry

For Marination:-

Onion - 1/4 cup , diced

Fresh Ginger- 1 tsp

Fresh garlic - 1 tsp

red chilli pdr - 1 1/2 tsp

coriander pdr - 2 tsp

garam masala - 1 tsp

curry leaves - of 1 or 2 sprigs, chopped

curd - 2-3 tbsp

lemon juice - 2 tsp

rice pdr - 3-4 tbsp + more if reqd.(just enough to coat the chicken and a give a crispy crust)

coriander leaves - a small bunch,chopped

green chillies - 3-4 nos,diced

salt to taste

METHOD

In a bowl combine all the ingredients for the marination.Add the chicken to it and mix it well.Let it marinate for atleast 4 hrs, overnight is even better.

Heat oil in a kadai or deep sauce pan.Fry the chicken on medium heat until it turns golden brown.Serve hot with lemon wedges and sliced onions.

KAPPA/YUCCA FRITTER

Yucca/kappa is a very popular root vegetable in South America.In India its largely consumed in the southern part of India ,mainly kerala.Kanji kappa is one popular dish there.Yucca/kappa is high in starch and calcium.The best and simplest way to eat this root vegetable is by simply cooking it in salt water till tender and serving along with shallot tamarind chutney.Thats how my hubby and i like it.Ones in a while we do want something else prepared from it.Last week after we bought a big fat one,i kept thinking what other than the usual can i prepare from it? Thats when the idea of making fritters of it struck me.The result was simply delicious.I simply boiled and cooked it in salt water,cut it into 2" high strips,dipped in besan batter and deep fried.This one is a must try.Here is the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Yucca root - 1 whole,peeled,cleaned and cut into large chunks

water

salt

Oil for deep frying

For Batter:-

Besan flour - 1 cup

chilli pdr - 1 tsp

asafoetida - a pinch

water - enough to make a batter(consistency-not too thin nor too thick)

salt to taste

METHOD

In a vessel,add the yucca chunks,pour enough water to cover it and add salt.Cook it until its

tender but firm.Remove from water,pat dry and cut it into 2" length strips.Keep aside.

In a bowl mix all the ingredients needed for the batter.Keep aside.

Heat oil.Drop the strips one by one into the batter,coat it well and carefully drop it in the hot oil.Fry it till golden brown.Remove and place it on paper towel to remove excess oil.Serve hot.