Olya Naralachi Karanji / Fresh Coconut Nevries#Alphabet Challenge

We East Indians make this for San Jao Cha Sann/St John feast, which is celebrated on 24th June the proper day or the coming Sunday. 

This is must in my family, my mother and grandmother used to make this every year,  I too make this since my husband loves them. This year I decided to take step by step pics, here is my family recipe. You can add more sugar if you want, but for us the sweetness was just right.

This Karanji is  also a traditional Maharashtrian sweet,  usually made  for festive occasions like Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi.  

Olya means fresh, naralachya means coconut,  karanjya is turnovers or nevries,  which means fresh coconut karanji. The shelf live of these are just 3 - 4 days,  for a longer shelf-life you may use dry or desiccated coconut and sugar. 
I, prefer making karanji using fresh coconut for a superior taste. Making these, is quite a time consuming task, but,  if you love these, all the effort is worthwhile. This is one of the most easy recipes, do try preparing karanji this way and let me know how it turned out. 
Makes around 9 - 10  Nevries /Karanjies - depending on the amount of filling inside. 
Ingredients
For The Filling
1 Cup Packed Fresh Grated Coconut
¼ Teaspoon Heaped Cardamom pods
3 Tablespoons Heaped Sugar
A Pinch of Nutmeg powder
15 Cashewnuts - chopped
1 Tablespoon Golden Raisins/Kismis
1 Teaspoon Ghee/Vegetable Shortening

For The Covering

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

1½ Tablespoon Heaped Melted Ghee

¼ Teaspoon Salt

For Frying 

Vegetable Oil as required
 Method

For The Filling

In a pan / kadai take ghee, coconut and sugar. Cook on low heat till  melts and the mixture comes together, add the raisins, cashew nuts, cardamom  and nutmeg powder and continue to cook the mixture on low medium heat for a 2 minutes stir continuously, since tends to burn quickly, so do not stop stirring at any given point of time. Once the mixture is dry  take  off the heat and set aside to cool completely.

For The Covering

In a thaal/bowl mix  flour, melted ghee and salt, mix well.  Add water as required and knead to a soft, pliable,  smooth dough.  Keep it covered in a moist cloth  for 25 to 30 minutes. 

After 30 minutes, knead the dough again slightly and make small round balls.

Take one small dough ball. With the help of a rolling pin, roll it flat (same as the size of a poori)

Place a spoonful of the coconut jaggery mixture in the center

Dip your finger into the water and apply on the edge of half the poori. Flod the other edge of the poori, press the edges well to seal the filling inside.
Be sure that no air bubbles remain inside. The edges should be tightly sealed or the filling may ooze our during deep frying.

Press the edges using the back of a fork  or a cutter to give it that  design.  Place the filled karanjis on  a plate and cover with  a damp towel to avoid drying. 

Heat oil for deep frying in a kadhai or deep pan.
Slowly fry the karanjis on low flame till golden brown. Remove on paper towel and let them rest for 20 mins. When cooled down, store in airtight container upto 3 - 4 days. If refrigerated, it can be stored for a few more days.

Enjoy.. these are delicious, I am sure you can't stop at one or two!!
Labels:   Coconut, Fried, Nevries, Karanji, Turnover, Festival , Maharastrian Cuisine, East Indian, Vegan,Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "N"

Leftover Grilled Chicken Patties#SundayFunday

Got bored of having the same grilled chicken in lunch, dinner or in sandwiches, then this recipe is for you.  

I, usually do not have leftover grilled chicken, it's always over in two days.  But this time since we had to many outings, this was lying in my refrigerator.  

Converted the leftover into patties and they tasted very good. Make them is so easy since it's a mixture of chicken, eggs, bread crumbs,  onion, etc., with extra addition of seasoning make patties  you'll  love it! My mother used to make  these with leftover meat from the curry,  I made these to use leftover grilled chicken.

These patties can be frozen and stored in an airtight container in a single layer, fried without thawing directly whenever required. 

Ingredients
2 Cups Leftover Grilled Shredded Chicken
1 Cup Fresh Bread Crumbs
2 Eggs - lightly beaten
1 Medium Onion  - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Coriander Leaves - finely chopped

1 Teaspoon  Black pepper powder

1/4 Teaspoon Garam Masala Powder

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon Rice Flour - optional

Salt  to taste 

Method

In a food processor add the chicken, onions  and run  it till the chicken is finely chopped. 

In a large bowl combine the chicken mixture, bread crumbs, rice flour,  eggs, garam masala and pepper powder, salt, lemon juice and  coriander, mix well; if mixture is too dry to form patties, mix in another lightly beaten egg. 

Mix well and form into  a nice dough.  

Form small patties, arrange them in tray. At this stage you can freeze these and then store in an airtight container to use whenever required.

Heat oil in a large skillet / pan over medium heat and fry patties in oil until golden brown.  Serve these with Sweet Chilly Sauce.  These make a great appetizer for a party too.

Labels : Chicken, Leftover series, Patties, Appetizer, Chicken Patties, Snacks, Party pleasers

You might also like to check these recipes:

Cheesy Chicken Patties

Grilled Sumac Chicken - Middle Eastern Cuisine

Chicken Schnitzel With Garlic Mayo
Chicken Fries

Chicken And Cheese Box Patties

Brown Sauce Grilled Chicken - Spain

Musakhan / (Baked Chicken with Onions) / A Palestinian Cuisine

Chicken Steak with Mashed Potatoes & Buttered Vegetables
Chicken Pizzas - Gluten Free, Grain Free

• Grilled Stuffed Squid by Culinary Cam
• Grilled Tandoori Chicken by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Leftover Grilled Chicken Patties by Sneha's Recipe
• Neapolitan Pizza by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Tender Grilled Octopus by Food Lust People Love

Tri Color Biryani Rice#SundayFunday

This Tri Color Biryani Rice is perfect to celebrate occasions like our Republic Day and Independence Day. 

This is a quick and easy rice with goes well with any gravy.

Measurment - 250 Ml Cup 
Serves 2
Ingredients  
1½ Cups Basmati Rice
5 Cloves
2 Green Cardamoms 
1 Brown Cardamon 
1 Stick Cinnamon
1 Star Anise  
1 Teaspoon Shahi Jeera 
2 Bay Leaves
1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
¼ Cup Oil
¼ Cup Brown Onions
3 Cups Hot Water
A Pinch Orange Color - mixed in a tablespoon water 
A Pinch Green Color - mixed in a tablespoon water 
¼ Teaspoon Shahi Biryani Essence
¼ Teaspoon Kewra / Screw Pine Water

Method
Wash the rice and soak the rice for at least 15 minutes.   After 15 minutes drain all the water. Keep aside.

In a large pot/kadai, heat oil, add the whole spices, when they start to sizzle add the brown onions, rice, salt and lightly mix it. Add hot water and lightly stir it with a spatula. Bring it to a rolling boil. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 10 - 15 minutes or till  the rice is nearly done and the water nearly evaporates. Add the shahi biryani essence and kewra water, mix it well. 

Now add the color on top it (do not stir the rice), leave it on dum for 5 minutes 

Or till the rice is full done.

  Tri Color Biryani Rice is ready 

Serve garnished with brown onions  

This goes well with any gravy of your choice.

Labels : Veg Rice,  Biryani, Vegan, Gluten Free, Main Course, Sunday Funday 

• Firecracker Hot Dogs from Food Lust People Love
• Mushroom Poutine from Mayuri's Jikoni
• Oreo Ice Box Cake from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Patriotic Slushie from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Tri Color Biryani Rice from Sneha's Recipe
• Watermelon Pizza from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Mango Bread Pastry - No Bake Dessert#AlphabetChallenge

Made this with Alphonso mangoes so often because it is easy, delicious and yummy. My friends too made this pastry, when I, explained to them how to make it and it is a instant hit in their home too.  Make this for your guest and they will shower praises after enjoying this pastry. 

Ingredients 
4 Slices Bread - white or brown any will do
As Required Slices Mango - cut in the size of the bread slice
 ¾ Cup Vanilla Ice Cream 
For The Mango Glaze
2 Tablespoon Sugar
½ Cup Mango Puree
1 Teaspoon Gelatin or Agar Agar powder
2 Tablespoons Water
Method
For The Mango Glaze 

Soak the gelatin in water for 5 minutes.  
Take a another pan, mix together  mango puree and sugar, mix well add soaked gelatin.  Now switch on the flame and cook the mixture on low heat, stirring continuously, so that it doesn't stick to the bottom. Cook until it becomes translucent and thick  ( do not bring it to a boil). It's is ready. Take off flame, take it out on a bowl, keep aside to cool. 
For Assembling
Take the bread slices. Take out the ice cream and let it become a little soft so that it's easy to spread.  

First take one slice and spread a tablespoon ice cream nicely all over.  

Then place the slices of mango.  

Spread a little mango glaze on top.  

Then  spread little ice cream on it.  Take second slice of bread and place it on top then again continue the same process. First spread ice cream and in this way repeat the process until the fourth slice of bread finally is placed on top. 

Then apply layer of of ice cream and pour mango glaze on the top. Its summer and so hot as you can see as I am assembling it the ice cream is melting.

Now place this pastry in an airtight container, keep it in the freezer for half an hour or more to set.

When ready to serve take it out, trim the sides and cut from the center  - into two parts. So two pastries are ready , garnish with glazed cherries or mango pieces and serve chilled. 

Enjoy.. yum... 

Labels: Mango, Pastry, Sweets & Desserts, Vegetarian, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "M" 

• Food Lust People Love: Milk Roasted Chicken with New Potatoes and Mushrooms
• Blogghetti: Movie Night Charcuterie Board 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Mango Bread Pastry - No Bake Dessert 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Mocha Milkshake 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Maple Pecan Madeleines 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Steak and Mushroom Bites 
• A Messy Kitchen: Mini Lemon Cupcakes with Marionberry Frosting (Doctored Cake Mix)
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Moong Dal Salad | Kosambari 
• Magical Ingredients: Mint Mascarpone Dip 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Pineapple Ketchup Ground Turkey Skillet Meatballs 
• Culinary Cam: Mini Peach Galettes  

Milk Chocolate Mug Cake - Microwave#SundayFunday

Have a craving for  cake, then this is for you.  This is a quick and easy microwave recipe.  Try this and you will love this moist and chocolaty cake.   

Ingredients

30 Grams Butter or 1½ Tablespoons Heaped - see notes
40 Grams Milk Chocolate(any brand) - break into pieces
1 Egg
2 Tablespoons Level Sugar powdered
¼ Teaspoon Vanilla Essence
5 Level Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
½ Teaspoon Level Baking powder

Method 

In a mug melt the butter and chocolate together, microwave on high power for 30 seconds. Use a hand whisk and whisk it till smooth. Keep it aside to cool.
In the meantime gather rest of the ingredients
Mix the flour, sugar and baking powder well. 

In a another mug or bowl, whisk an egg along with the essence well. Add all the dry ingredients and whisk till well combined. Now add the melted chocolate mixture and mix well. Pour this batter into a large mug.

Place it in the microwave on high power for a minute and twenty to twenty five second's, after a minute and 20 seconds pause the microwave and check  if done by inserting a skewer,  if comes out clean then it's done or else microwave again for 5 seconds more.

Let it cool for a minute or two.  Pipe a little whipping cream and sprinkle grated chocolate.  Enjoy with a tea or coffee.  

This is a delicious, quick  and moist cake for you and your little ones whenever they crave for cakes.

My Notes
Reserved  a small piece to grate for the topping. You can add all the chocolate and make it more chocolaty and gooey ..mmm yum. 

Make this in a large mug or two medium size mug. Since it will rise and then overflow.

The timing will change accordingly so keep a check

The butter should be softened .. the consistency like when you  spread it on a slice of bread.

You can also unmold this cake and cut into slices.  Just run a knife around the sides of the mug and mold. 

Labels: Cakes, Microwave, Mug Treats, Chocolate, Kids delight, Sunday Funday 

• Fried Perch by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Marmite Butter Mashed Potatoes by Food Lust People Love
• Milk Chocolate Mug Cake - Microwave by Sneha's Recipe
• Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Roasted Yukon Gold Potato Wedges by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Somehow We Have Landed on Korean for Fathers' Day: Bo Ssäm Recreated by Culinary Cam