Stuffed Potato Masala Idli With Pumpkin Sambar#SundayFunday

Stuffed Potato Masala Idli is so soft and make a perfect filling brunch. These are filled healthy are more healthier than the normal idlis with delicious pumpkin sambar, and, I am sure all idli fans would love to have this. Check here how to grind idli batter.  

Ingredients
3 Medium Potatoes - boiled, peeled and mashed
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
1 Teaspoon Split Urad Dal
1 Medium Onion - finely chopped
1 Medium Tomato - finely chopped
2 Green chillies - finely chopped
⅓ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
2 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - finely chopped
Salt To Taste
Homemade Idli Batter - As needed
For The Pumpkin Sambar
½ Cup Tuvar Dal
2 Cups Water
½ Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
For The Pumpkin Sambar
1 Medium Lauki - can use Red Pumpkin - cut into cubes
1 Onion - sliced
2 Green chillies
2 Teaspoons Homemade Sambhar Powder or to taste
Salt to taste
1 Teaspoon Jaggery
2 Teaspoons Tamarind Paste or to taste
Water as needed
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
¼  Teaspoon Asafoetida
A sprig Curry Leaves - a sprig

2 Dried Red Chillies 

Method

For The Potato Masala

Heat a kadai with oil, add the mustard seeds and spilt urad dal, when the dal changes color. Add in the finely chopped onions, green chillies, fry till onion turns transparent.
Add the tomatoes and potatoes fry for a minute in medium flame. Add turmeric and salt to taste. Cover and cook on low flame for 2 -3 minutes. Sprinkle water if its too dry and mash them lightly so that all the flavors blend well. Add coriander leaves. Switch off the flame and let it cool.

Once cooled make small balls and lightly flatten it to fill in the idli, keep aside.
Let's Make The Pumpkin Sambar

Wash and soak the dal for at least an hour.
Take dal, water and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker. Cover and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Turn off the cooker and let the cooker cool completely. Open and mash the dal well add the pumpkin and take one more whistle on high flame. Let the cooker cool completely. 

Heat oil in a pot/kadai. Add in mustard seeds when they crackle add in curry leaves, dried red chillies and asafoetida. Sauté for a minute. Reserve some for pouring on top. Add in onions, Sauté this for a minute or till translucent. Add in the sambar powder and mix well. Add in cooked dal and pumpkin, tamarind pulp and water to make  the sambar. Mix well. Add in salt to taste and jaggery. Mix well, bring this to boil, let it simmer on low flame for 5 to 8 minutes stirring in between. Switch off the flame. Pumpkin Sambar is ready to serve.

To Make The Stuffed Idli

Grease the idli plate and then pour a half ladle of batter and spread evenly. 

Now place the ball of the potato ball in the center and again pour the idly batter to cover it.
Steam the idli for 12 - 15 minutes. 

Cool and with a knife or spoons remove the idli's from the mold. 

Serve hot with Pumpkin Sambar, Enjoy!! 

Labels: Sambar, Sambar powder, Pumpkin, Idli, Stuffed, Potato, Main course, Brunch, Homemade, Vegan, Gluten free, Healthy, South Indian, Sunday Funday

Sunday FunDay - 23 April 2023 - Spring Brunch   

• Baked Garlic Cheese Grits from Palatable Pastime
• Breakfast Tarts from Mayuri's Jikoni
• Lobster Bruschetta from Food Lust People Love
• Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Stuffed Potato Masala Idli with Pumpkin Sambar from Sneha's Recipe
• Torijas with Honey Orange Syrup from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Spicy Fried Fish With Homemade Fish Masala#SundayFunday

Perfect spicy fried fish to enjoy this as an accompaniment to a main course meal. Have a fry fish masala and this is quick to make.

Ingredients
For The Homemade Fish Masala 
1½ Tablespoons Cumin seeds
2 Tablespoons Coriander seeds
1½ Teaspoons Ajwain
½ Tablespoons Salt or to taste
6 Whole Kashmiri Red Chillies
½ Tablespoon Turmeric powder
1 Tablespoon Red Chilly powder
¼ Teaspoon Yellow Food Color
3 Tablespoons Besan
½ Teaspoon Garlic powder
1 Teaspoon Dried Green Chilli - optional
Other Ingredients
1 Tablespoons Lemon juice
½ Tablespoon Vinegar
1 Egg
½ Tablespoon Green Chilly paste
535 Grams Fish Slices - I used Pomfret
Oil for frying


Method
For The Homemade Fish Masala

Dry roast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds for a minute. Then add the ajwain and continue to dry roast until fragrant. Now add the dried whole red chillies and roast for a two minutes or until they are warm to touch. Switch off the flame and let this cool.

In mortal & pestle or a small mixer jar add dry roasted spices & powder them. To this add the salt, red chilli powder, dried green chilli, garlic powder, turmeric powder, yellow food color, besan and pluse the mixer 2 to 3 times or until well mixed.  

Fish masala is ready (for 1 kg fish). Can be stored in an airtight jar for up to a month or more in your pantry shelf.

To Prepare The Fish Fry

In a bowl, add prepared fry fish spice mix, tamarind pulp, vinegar, egg, green chilli paste & whisk well. Add 3 tablespoons of the prepared fish masala and mix well. Apply this to the fish pieces well and marinate for 30 minutes.

Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the fish till golden on both sides. Serve hot.

Labels: Fish, Fried, Sunday Funday, Homemade, Fish Masala, Indian 

Sunday Funday

Spice & Herb Mixes

• Chinese Five Spice Powder by Food Lust People Love
• DIY Country Gravy Mix by Palatable Pastime
• Homemade Garam Masala by Mayuri's Jikoni
• Homemade Taco Seasoning by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Italian Herb Blend by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Sicilian Pesto by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Spicy Fried Fish With Homemade Fish Masala by Sneha's Recipe 

Gluten Free Pie Crust - Homemade

This is an all butter gluten free pie crust! So flaky and light, with homemade gluten free blend.

This dough will make an 7" Pie Crust  
Ingredients
For Pastry
150 Grams Homemade Gluten Free Bread Flour + extra for dusting
90 Grams Butter - chilled butter cut into cubes
1 Large Egg- beaten - reserved 1½ tablespoon to brush the pastry
½ Teaspoon Heaped White Vinegar
1 - 1½ Tablespoons Ice water or as required to make a dough

Method

In the bowl, place flour and add salt. Add butter and using your fingers or a pastry blender, blend into butter until the size of large peas.

Pour the vinegar and beaten egg into the bowl and to combine with a fork, slowly add water a teaspoon at a time. You may not need the full amount of water, depending on your climate and size of the egg. When the mixture comes together in the bowl, stop mixing. Of note, gluten free pie crusts do better when they are slightly wetter (because the flour will soak up some of the liquid).
Divide the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap, flattening each into a round disk. Chill in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes.

Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface into approximately a 15 inch round, moving constantly to avoid sticking. If it does stick, lightly sprinkle more flour. Roll dough onto rolling pin and carefully lift and unroll into the pie plate. 

Trim the edges of the dough and crimp the edges.

T0 Blind Bake

Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork. Place the crust in the refrigerator and chill for about an hour, or the freezer for about 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Remove the pie crust from the refrigerator and line it with a piece of parchment paper. Fill it with pie weights, beans, or rice.
Bake for approximately 15 - 17 minutes, until the edges start to brown. 

Carefully remove the parchment and beans and I brushed the base with egg (this i did so that when I add the filling the base should not get soggy) continue to bake for about 5 more minutes, or until the bottom and sides are lightly browned and no longer shiny. Cool the crust completely before proceeding with your recipe.

For Double Crust Pies

Roll out the bottom crust and add your filling of choice into the crust. Roll top crust out and place on top of filling. Crimp as desired to seal. 

My Notes 

Unbaked pie crusts will keep in the refrigerate for about 3 days. They can be frozen for up to 3 months, well wrapped.
To thaw, remove from freezer and place in the refrigerate to thaw overnight. Let come to a cool room temperature, about 20-30 minutes, before rolling out and using.

Labels: Gluten free, Tart/Pie/Quiche, Homemade, Butter, Egg

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Italian Ricotta Cheese, is easy and a flexible recipe which anyone can make at home. Ricotta is a fabulous component of many Italian dessert's, such as cheese cake, cannoli etc.. It is also used in pasta's, pizza's, lasagna, ravioli and so on. Well In India this is very expensive to buy and making it at home is so easy and delicious. I love to have this as a filling for pancakes.

Makes around 350 Grams
Ingredients
2 Liters Full Fat Milk
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1 Cup Full Fat Yogurt
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons White Vinegar - mixed in ¼ cup water

Method 

In a large pan, heat the milk, heavy cream, till it comes the temperature comes to 90°C. Then add in the full fat yogurt, salt, vinegar mixed in water,  gently stir on a low flame and let is heat for 3 -4 minutes, stirring lightly until milk curdles up. Meanwhile take a strainer and cover it with a muslin cloth and place it on top of a deep bowl. 

Once milk curdles up and comes to boil, stir and put off the flame. Strain curdled milk with a strainer having muslin cloth. Do not throw away its water also known as whey (You can use this in soups or to knead dough for making bread), let it drain for 15-20 minutes. Gather muslin cloth and squeeze properly to remove excess water or whey out of it.

Once done keep cheese covered with the cloth and keep a heavy object on top to give it shape of your choice.
Refrigerate and use this within 3-4 days. 

Homemade Ricotta Cheese is ready for which we would pay a hefty sum to buy it.
Labels: Cheese, Homemade, Ricotta, Italian, International Cuisine, Keto, Low Carb

Gluten Free Prawn /Shrimp Quiche - With Homemade Gluten Free Pie Crust#FishFriday

This is my gluten free pie crust with a my own All Purpose Gluten free flour Blend. I have to yet refine this blend recipe so will post it after my perfect trail. This was delicious but delicate to handle, so will refine this by making this blend again then post the recipe. I have used my own blend so I do not know if you can substitute this for other blends.

Makes a 7" Pie Crust
Ingredients
For The Pie Crust
105 Grams Homemade Gluten Free Flour + extra for dusting
60 Grams Butter - chilled butter cut into cubes
1 Egg- beaten - I used half to make the dough
½ Teaspoon White Vinegar
1½ Teaspoons Ice water or as required to make a dough

Method

In the bowl, place flour and add salt. Add butter and using your fingers or a pastry blender, blend into butter until the size of large peas.
Pour the vinegar and beaten egg into the bowl and to combine with a fork, slowly add water a teaspoon at a time. You may not need the full amount of water, depending on your climate. When the mixture comes together in the bowl, stop mixing. Please note that, gluten free pie crusts do better when they are slightly wetter (because the flour will soak up some of the liquid).
Divide the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap, flattening each into a round disk. Chill in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes.

Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface into approximately a 15 inch round, moving constantly to avoid sticking. If it does stick, lightly sprinkle more flour. Roll dough onto rolling pin and carefully lift and unroll into the pie plate. Trim the edges of the dough and crimp the edges.

To Blind Bake

Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork. Place the crust in the refrigerator and chill for about an hour, or the freezer for about 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Remove the pie crust from the refrigerator and line it with a piece of parchment paper. Fill it with pie weights, beans, or rice. 
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until the edges start to brown. Carefully remove the parchment and beans and I brushed the base with egg (this i did so that when I add the filling the base should not get soggy) continue to bake for about 5 more minutes, or until the bottom and sides are lightly browned and no longer shiny. Cool the crust completely before proceeding with your recipe.

Ingredients
For The Filling
200 Grams Peeled & Wash Prawns/Shrimps -chopped
1 Large Onion - finely chopped
2 Big Clove Garlic - finely chopped
2 Green Chillies -finely chopped - I used red chillies
½ Teaspoon Chili flakes or to taste
1 Large Eggs - beaten
2 Tablespoons Chopped Scallion/Spring onions
1 Teaspoon Each Butter or Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Salt, Black pepper & Cayenne powder to taste
2 Tablespoons Heaped Fresh Cream
2 Tablespoons Heaped Grated cheese - add more to your taste
Method
For The Filling

Heat olive oil and butter then add the garlic and when the raw aroma vanishes add the chopped onion and chillies sauté till translucent, add the seasonings, salt, pepper, cayenne, mix well, add the prawns and cook it done, add the cream and mix well. Cook till mixture is thick. Cool completely. 

In a bowl, beat egg, add little cheese add this to the cooled mixture and pour this into the baked pie crust. Sprinkle more cheese and chopped scallion greens. 

Bake the quiche in a preheated at 180°C for 15 - 20 minutes or until it is done and toothpick comes out clean. 

Serve at room temperature.

Labels: Quiche, International Cuisine, Baked, Fish Friday, Seafood/Fish, Gluten free, Homemade

• Gluten Free Prawn /Shrimp Quiche - with Homemade Gluten Free Pie Crust from Sneha's Recipe
• Salmon and Shrimp Strudel from Food Lust People Love
• Shrimp Cups from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Shrimp in a Blanket from Karen's Kitchen Stories 

Cheesy Chicken Nachos With Doritos#SundayFunday

These Doritos are with melted gouda cheese, homemade refried beans, spicy  chicken mince  in taco seasoning and a sprinkling of coriander, they are fantastic.  Whatever you would normally use on your nachos just use on the Doritos. Pop the tray into the oven at 180°C for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese has  just melted. That’s it, easy, peasy and delicious snack or appetizer to serve for a party.

Ingredients

Doritos
Chicken Mince
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Gouda
Homemade Refried Beans
Sliced Onion
Chopped Scallions Greens
For The Chicken Mince With Taco Seasonings
½ Kg Chicken Mince
2 Tablespoons Chopped Onions
1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning

Method
For The Chicken Mince With Taco Seasonings

In a large sauté pan, cook the chicken mince, breaking it up, for about 4 -5 minutes. Add onions, homemade taco seasoning sauté until the onion is translucent. Set aside.
Place a layer of Doritos on the serving dish. Top with homemade refried beans. Then the shredded cheese (I used Gouda cheese).

Bake at 180°C for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted
Don’t bake the Doritos nachos too long or they’ll start to get a little crispy on top. 

Garnish them with sliced onions & chopped scallion greens.
These tasted so very, very good! My friends enjoyed these. You will definitely want to make these nachos with Doritos the next time you have a party or a get together. They make a wonderful snack, party dish, appetizer or even a casual dinner.

Labels: Baked, Doritos, Nachos, Chicken Mince, Party pleasers ,Refried Beans, Cheese, Mexican, Homemade, American

National Corn Chip Day for #SundayFunday 

• Cheesy Chicken Nachos With Doritos by Sneha’s Recipe
• Chilaquiles by Palatable Pastime
• Chili Frito Pie by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Elotes Dip by Culinary Cam
• Frito Pie by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Nuts and Bolts Chex Mix by Karen’s Kitchen Stories

Homemade Taco Seasoning

This homemade taco seasoning recipe is quick and easy to make, works great  on everything make tacos  or to season  veggies, meat, seafood, rice, beans, soups, salads and more. It has a perfect amount of spices which come together in the homemade taco seasoning! You will never buy taco seasoning from the store again!  

Ingredients 
2 Teaspoon Red Chilly Powder 
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder 
1 Teaspoon Cumin powder - coarsely ground 
½ Teaspoon Onion powder 
½ Teaspoon Dried Oregano 
½ Teaspoon Paprika powder 
½ Teaspoon Salt 
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder

Method  

Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl to make the taco seasoning blend. Store this in a airtight container.

Labels: Homemade, Taco Seasoning, Preservative free, Mexican, International Cuisine