Mix Flour Shankarpali/Shankarpara#AlphabetChallenge

Shankarpali is crispy, crunch and yet very soft like fried biscuit. This snack typically made in India during Diwali or Christmas, actually a festival is incomplete without this snack. It is made in two forms savory and sweet. Today, I am sharing the sweet version.
Makes 400 Grams
Ingredients  
1 Cup Level All Purpose Flour
½ Cup Level Wheat flour
½ Cup Level Fine Semolina
2 Tablespoons Heaped Ghee - melted and cooled
Salt a pinch
Oil as required to deep fry
For The Sugar Syrup - to knead the dough
½ Cup Sugar
½ Cup Water

Method 
In a small sauce pan mix sugar and water, bring this a boil only till sugar melts. Immediately take off flame add salt and ghee.  This syrup does not require any thread consistency . Allow to cool. When cooled then add the semolina mix it and let it sit covered for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes take the whole wheat and all purpose flours into a big kneading bowl.   Add the sugar semolina mix little by little , mix well with the help of your palms. knead the dough. The dough should be of medium consistency. Not very hard nor very soft. 

Make equal sized balls and roll into 1/4 cm thick circle. Cut them into square or diamond shape. 

Heat oil, when the oil if medium hot then put the cut squares in to it. Do not fry on high flame, because they will remain uncooked from the inside. 

Fry the pieces till light brown and crisp. Once all are fried, place them aside to cool. They become nice crispy on cooling. Once cooled store them in an airtight container.

Enjoy these sweet, crispy yet melt in mouth Shankarpali.
Labels:  Festival Sweets, Shankarpali, Christmas, Mix Flour, Snacks, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "M" 

Food Lust People Love: Miso Chocolate Cookies 

Mildly Indian: Molasses cake 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Mambazha Pulissery 

Sneha’s Recipe Mix Flour Shankarpali/Shankarpara 

A Messy Kitchen: Mastica Ice Cream 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Sweetened Condensed Milk Cookies 

Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Grilled BBQ Meatball Skewers 

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Mexican Green Chile Pimento Cheese Dip 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Melon and Prosciutto Salad 

Blogghetti: Mini Turkey Meatloaves 

Sizzling Tastebuds: Methi Chaman

Low Carb 2 Ingredient Oats Bread#AlphabetChallenge

This low carb, gluten free, light, quick and easy bread, do try this bread is really good for sandwiches. 

Ingredients
2 Eggs
4 Tablespoons Gluten Free Oat Flour
½ Teaspoon Baking powder
¼ Teaspoon Garlic Salt / All Purpose Seasoning
½ Tablespoon Olive Oil
Method

Break the egg in a large bowl add the oats powdered, garlic salt, olive oil and whisk well, till it forms a smooth batter without lumps. Pour this into a silicon muffin pan and bake at 180°C in a preheated oven for 18 -20 minutes.

Cool the bread then unmold.

Slice and make a sandwich of your choice. This bread is perfect for sandwiches. 
Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Baked, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Oats, Egg, Breads

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "L" 

• Deviled Eggs with Lemon Caper Remoulade from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Easy Lamb Shoulder Roast from Food Lust People Love
• Greek Pork Chops from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Instant Pot Spicy Moroccan Lamb and Lentil Stew from A Messy Kitchen
• Lasooni Palak from Mayuri’s Jikoni
• Lemon Lavender Scones from Blogghetti
• Lemon Lush from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Lentils, Sweet Peppers, Spinach, and Linguica from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Low Carb 2 Ingredient Oats Bread from Sneha’s Recipe

Kondakadalai Sundal/Chickpeas Sundal#AlphabetChallenge

Sundal is a healthy and nutritious evening snack or salad with legumes. There are many types of  and variations of sundals prepared with different legumes.  This is a chickpea sundal also know as Kondakadlai Sundal. 

We had this as a salad for healthy dinner,  it's filling that it makes you feel full and reduces hunger pangs, also reduces the urge to have any unhealthy snacks, its simple, healthy and yum too. Lets make the sundal. 

Ingredients
1 Cup Dried Chickpeas/ Garbanzo beans/ Kondakadalai
1/3 Cup Freshly Grated Coconut
A Sprig Curry leaves
3 Dry Red chillies
1 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
A pinch of Asafoetida
¼ Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Oil

Method 

Soak chickpeas/kondakadalai for about 6 - 8 hours or overnight. Drain the water that they were soaked in and rinse them in fresh water.
Pressure cook the these in 2 -3 cups of water and ½ a teaspoon of salt till done. When done and the pressure has cooled down completely then drain the chickpeas in a strainer.  

Heat oil a pan or wok oil, add mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add curry leaves, asafoetida, dry red chillies, sauté for a few seconds. Add the grated coconut and again saute for a second, add the chickpeas and salt, toss them till they are well mixed in the seasoning. Take off flame.
Serve and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal!!

Labels: Lentils, Chickpea, Salads, South Indian, Healthy, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "K"

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• Blogghetti: Brown Sugar and Ketchup Pork Chops
• Food Lust People Love: Easy Chicken Kapama
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Individual No Bake Key Lime Pies
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Kachhe Kele Ke Kofte
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Kahlua and Cream: Brown Cow Cocktail
• A Messy Kitchen: Kielbasa Pasta Medley (Sicilian Medley)
• Mildly Indian: Kohlrabi Pasta
• Sneha’s Recipe: Kondakadalai Sundal / Chickpeas Sundal
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice:Spicy Cheddar Krispies Crackers  

Aloo Tamatar Jhol - No Onion No Garlic#AlphabetChallenge

Aloo jhol is a dish from the North Indian cuisine of Uttar Pradesh, this is a no onion no garlic gravy dish which can be had with puris, luchis or chapatis and also goes well with steamed rice.

Jhol means a thin gravy, wherein  the potatoes are first boiled  and then add them to the gravy.  This gravy does thicken when it cools a little. This is another vrat recipe.

Ingredients 

2 Tablespoons Oil
½ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
1 Inch Piece Ginger -  finely chopped
1 Green Chilly -  finely chopped
2 Tablespoons Tomato paste
5 Medium Potatoes - boiled
A Pinch of Asafoetida
1 Teaspoon Heaped Coriander powder

1 Teaspoon Heaped Red chilly powder

½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder

½ Teaspoon Sugar 

Salt to taste

Water as required
1 Tablespoon  Coriander leaves - finely chopped

Method 

Chop the potatoes into thin triangle slices.

Grind the green chilly and ginger to  make a fine paste. keep aside.

Heat  oil in a kadai, add  cumin seeds and  mustard seeds,  when they crackle them add the ground paste and tomato paste, fry till oil surface, then add the turmeric, chilly and coriander powders, with a little water and sauté  till oil surfaces. 

Add the  potatoes and continue to fry for a minute, add salt, sugar, two cups of water  or more and bring it to a rolling boil.  When it comes to boil, cover and let it simmer on low flame for 10 to 15 minutes till oil surfaces.  Keep stirring off and on and mash the potatoes lightly.   Adjust the gravy consistency is accordingly by adding more water.

When done then garnish it with coriander leaves and serve with puri, luchi or chapatis or steamed rice.

My Notes 

Can use 2 medium tomatoes blended instead tomato paste. Blend the tomatoes with the ginger and green chilly.

Labels: Aloo, Tomato, No Onion No Garlic, Vrat, Uttar Pradesh, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "J"  

• Sneha’s Recipe: Aloo Tamatar Jhol - No Onion No Garlic 
• Blogghetti: Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Coconut Cherry Jasmine Rice 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Cowboy Candy 
• Food Lust People Love: Jägersuppe - Hunter's Soup 
• Culinary Cam: Jasmine-Infused Tres Leches Bundt
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Jerk-Seasoned Caribbean Honey Mustard Sauce
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Jicama Slaw with Carrots, Cucumbers, and Bell Peppers 
• A Messy Kitchen: Juniper Butter Cookies 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Veg Jalfrezi   

Indo Chinese Idli Fry - Leftover Idlis#AlphabetChallenge

Have leftover idli's and you are tired of having them with Sambar or chutney then try this quick Indo Chinese fusion recipe. Quick, easy and delicious. We had this for a quick Sunday brunch, can pack this as your kid's tiffin as they are moist and not dry to eat.

Ingredients

10 Leftover Idli's - cubed.
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Onion - finely chopped
1 Capsicum - chopped
3 Garlic cloves - finely chopped
3 Tablespoons Tomato ketchup
2 Tablespoons Soya sauce
1 Teaspoon Vinegar
½ Teaspoon Red chilly powder or to your taste
½ Teaspoon Sugar
Salt to taste
1 Spring Onion - chopped for garnishing
Oil - as required for deep frying

For The Batter 
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
¼ Cup Rice flour
1 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
Salt to taste 
Method 
Cut the idlis into big cubes.  

In small deep frying pan heat oil. 

As the oil is heating let's prepare the batter -
Take all the ingredients for the batter in a bowl , add water to make a thick coating consistency. 

Dip the idli pieces in the batter and fry on high flame till golden.

Remove on a absorbent paper to remove any excess, fry all the remaining pieces and keep aside. 

In a another pan heat the 2 tablespoons oil and add the onions, garlic , fry till translucent. Then add capsicum and toss,  it should remain crunchy. Add the tomato ketchup, vinegar, soya sauce, chilly powder,  salt, 2 tablespoon water, sugar and stir well,  let it come to a boil. Now add the fried idli's toss them well till coated with the sauce on high flame. Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve hot. 

Enjoy!!
Labels: Breakfast, South Indian, Leftover series, Idli, Indo Chinese, Kids delight, Brunch,Vegan, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "I"

Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Homemade Italian Dressing  

Sneha’s Recipe: Indo Chinese Idli Fry - Leftover Idlis 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Iru Puli Kuzhambu   

Food Lust People Love: Italian Sausage Stuffed Mini Peppers 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Mini Ice Cream Cakes 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Nutella Ice Cream 

A Messy Kitchen: Smaller Chocolate Eclair Cake (from scratch) 

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Sun Dried Tomato Italian Dipping Oil for Bread  

Homemade Chilli Oil#AlphabetChallenge

Chili oil is a fragrant, spicy condiment, staple of Chinese cuisine, particularly Sichuan cuisine. This is an addictive oil tha can be used as a topping for dumplings, noodles and stir-fries, this chilli oil carries aromas and flavours of Asian chilli powder, garlic plus toasted spices . The flavor is dynamite and taste of this oil is divine. It's so delicious.

This is my take on Chilli Oil, you can always add or minus the spice level according to your taste.
Ingredients
6 Big Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Tablespoons White Sesame seeds - lightly toasted
2 Tablespoons Korean Gochugaru or Red Pepper Flakes
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
1 Whole Star Anise
1" Stick Cinnamon
1 Bay Leaf
1 Teaspoon Sichuan Peppercorns
2½ Tablespoon Kashmiri Red Chilly Powder
2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Tablespoon White Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce

Method

In a pan, toast the star anise, sesame seeds. cinnamon stick, bay leaves, Sichuan peppercorns over medium low heat until just starting to release a fragrance.

Heat the oil in a seperate pan, when the oil is just warm add all the toasted spices. Let this oil heat up to medium low flame till the spices start to gently sizzle. Cook at a gentle sizzle for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame and let it cool for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. 

Place the gochugaru flakes, garlic and salt in a heat-proof jar or bowl. Pour the oil over this mixture. Add the vinegar, soy sauce, chilli powder, gently stir. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight jar. Refrigerate, use within six months to a year.

This is an addictive oil tha can be used as a topping for dumplings, noodles and stir-fries etc.

Labels: Asian Cuisine, Chilly, Homemade, Condiments, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "H"

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• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Haluski
• Food Lust People Love: Hazelnut Vodka 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Homemade Chilli Oil 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Honeynut Squash Soup with Apple and Bacon 
• Magical Ingredients: Hot Chocolate Rolls
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Vegetable Hariyali 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Whipped Honey 

Homemade Gluten Free Bread Flour#AlphabetChallenge

This is a perfect gluten free bread flour for all celiac or for those not eating gluten. I make bread, tart or quiche with this blend. Please weigh the ingredients -  for cup and weight measure differs.  

Makes 704 Grams
Ingredients 
286 Grams Potato Starch
250 Grams Super Fine Rice Flour 
76 Grams Super Fine Tapioca Flour/Sabudana Flour 
76 Grams Whey Protein Isolate 
16 Grams Xanthan Gum    
Method  

Mix all the flours together and sieve them well two to three times. Store them in an airtight container.  
Labels: Homemade Bread Flour Blend, Gluten free, Tapioca Flour, Potato Starch, Rice flour, Whey Protein Powder, Alphabet Challenge, Xanthan Gum

Recipes Made from this Homemade Gluten Free Bread Flour

• Gluten Free Artisan Baguette
• Gluten Free Beef Empanadas
• Gluten Free Pie Crust 

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "G"

• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Cheesy Bacon Grits
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Chunky Garlic Stuffed Olive Deviled Eggs
• Magical Ingredients: Gochujang Garlic Flower 
• A Messy Kitchen: Gochujang Sugar Cookies
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Golden Diner Pancakes with Maple Honey Syrup 
• Blogghetti: Grilled Garlic Honey Boneless Wings
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Ham, Cheese, and Spinach Packets
• Sneha’s Recipe: Homemade Gluten Free Bread Flour 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Kadai Aloo Gobi 
• Food Lust People Love: Ricotta Gnocchi à la Poêle 
• Sizzling Tastebuds: Wholewheat Garlic Monkey Bread  

Fingerlicking Garlic Coconut Chutney#AlphabetChallenge

This chutney recipe is a simple made with garlic, coconut it's fingerlicking & delicious. Goes well with dosa, snacks or sandwiches, you can also enjoy with rice as a side dish.

Ingredients
2 Big Cloves Garlic
½ Cup Packed Grated Coconut
¼ Teaspoon Cumin powder
Sendav Namak to taste
1 Tablespoon Oil
½ Teaspoon Low Carb Sweetner
2 Green Chillies - not spicy
2 Spicy Green Chillies
Juice of One Lime
3 Tablespoons Coriander leaves
5 Mint Leaves 
Method

Use freshly grated coconut.
Grind all together with little water as possible to the fine paste. Fingerlicking Garlic Coconut Chutney is ready.

Labels: Garlic, Coconut, Green Chilly, Side Dish, Chutney, Indian, Alphabet Challenge, Low Carb, Keto

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "F"

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Brazilian Feijoada - Black Bean Stew with Beef and Pork
Sizzling Tastebuds: Eggless Flourless Chocochip Brownies
Mayuri’s Jikoni: Fansi Dapka Nu Shaak
Magical Ingredients: Feta Potato Swirls
Sneha’s Recipe: Fingerlicking Garlic Coconut Chutney
Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Funfetti Pancakes 

A Messy Kitchen: Fortune Cookie Crust
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Gruyere and Apple Cider Fondue
Food Lust People Love: Lamb Feta Mint Patties
Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Lemony Potato & Fennel Rotisserie Chicken Soup
Blogghetti: One Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta  

Keto Dairy Free Savory Crepes With Almond Flour#AlphabetChallenge

I love crepes for breakfast, so I made these large crepes for me to enjoy. These crepes are dairy free, these are good to enjoy with sugar free jam.
Cup Measurement = 250ml
Makes 7 Large Crepes
Ingredients
1¼ Cup Almond Flour
½ Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Cup Egg Whites
¼ Teaspoon Salt
Butter Or Desi Ghee - for brushing the pan
Method

In a large bowl combine egg whites, almond flour, almond milk and salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Let rest 5 minutes. Set a 10-inch skillet over medium low flame. Add just enough oil or butter to the pan to lightly coat it. 

Once hot, tilt the pan pour the batter to the pan and swirl or spread into a thin layer that reaches to the edges. 

Cover with a lid. After 2 minutes open and let is cook for a few seconds or until the edges are cooked and can be loosened with a spatula. Loosen all the way around and then lift one edge gently and work spatula underneath (I found it easiest to place the spatula to loosened edge and under the crepe so I could flip it).

Flip and cook on the other side until lightly browned. Remove and lay on prepared baking sheet, then continue with remaining batter. You can layer another piece of parchment on top of the first set of crepes as more come off the pan.

Fill with whatever your little heart desires. You can enjoy these with sugar free jam or with sugar-free Nutella!

Labels: Crepes, Keto, Low Carb, International Cuisine, Almond Flour, Egg Whites, Dairy Free, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "D" 

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• Food Lust People Love: Coconut Cream Date Caramel
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Dalithoy,Konkani Style Dal 
• Blogghetti: Deviled Egg Charcuterie Board
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Dirty Shirley
• Magical Ingredients: Dragon Paneer Roll 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Keto Dairy Savory Crepes With Almond Flour
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Parmesan & Cheddar Pimento Corn Chip Dip 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Ricotta Gnudi with Creamy Mushroom Sauce 
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Colorful Peppers Pulao#AlphabetChallenge

Colorful Peppers Pulao is an easy, quick and delicious one-pot meal rice made with 3 different bell peppers/capsicum, aromatics and herbs. The best thing about this recipe is that you can use leftover rice too. Perfect for lunch box or kid's tiffin.

Ingredients
½ Each of Red, Yellow, Orange & Green Bell Peppers
½ medium sized Red/ purple Onion
3 Green Chilies - thinly sliced
1 Teaspoon Urad Dal
1 Tablespoon Homemade Curry Powder
1½ Cups  Rice 
2-3 Tablespoons Oil 
2½ Cups Water 
Method  

Dice into little cubes all the colored bell peppers
Heat a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil and sauté the peppers, sliced green chillies and with a pinch salt, and a teaspoon of curry powder. Remove and keep aside.

In the same pressure cooker heat 2 tablespoons of oil, add the urad dal, when it starts to brown add in the rice and sauté it for a minute lightly stirring it or else the rice will break. Then add in the curry powder and sauté again for a minute, add salt to taste and give a good mix. Add in the water and bring this to a rolling boil. Close the cooker and take 2 whistles on high flame. After 2 whistles switch off the flame. 

Let the pressure release on it's own. Open the cooker and stir in the sautéed bell peppers and green chillies lightly fluff the rice with a fork so that the bell pepper as incorporated and the rice is loosen nicely. Serve warm, garnished with chopped coriander leaves.

Enjoy this simple yet completely healthy and wholesome one pot meal! 
Labels: Colored Bell Peppers, Capsicum, Pulao, Pressure Cooker, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free,  Main course, Curry powder, Homemade, Alphabet Challenge

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet Challenge 2026 - Alphabet "C" 

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• Culinary Cam: Chicken Thigh Schnitzel + Chenin Blanc 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Chocolate Chip Crescent Roll Cookies 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni : Chora Nu Shaak,Gujarati Style 
• Magical Ingredients: Coconut Rolls 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Colorful Peppers Pulao 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Corn Saute with Pancetta, Potatoes, and Peppers 
• A Messy Kitchen: Cranberry Pistachio Pull-apart Rolls 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Dill Pickle & Mustard Seed Cream Cheese Spread
• Food Lust People Love: Traditional Cullen Skink
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: White Chicken Chili