Small Jalebi

I love sweets. India is one country which has thousands of varieties of sweets. We have some special sweet for every occasion. I can eat them at any time of the day or I can say I eat sweets all the time. I have been trying to make different varieties and here comes one of my experiments. Well it is very very sweet.. and of course delicious! This recipe is for all the sweet lovers.

Ingredients:

Flour - 1 cup 

Corn Flour - 2 or 3 tbsp

Yogurt   - 1/2 cup

Baking powder - 1/2 tsp 

Orange food color - pinch 

Oil/ Ghee - to deep fry

Sugar - 2 cups 

Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp 

Procedure:

1. Add flour, corn flour, baking powder in a bowl and mix. Add yogurt and mix well. 
2. Dissolve food color in about 1 tbsp water and add it to the above. At this point add enough water to the mixture to get a thick and smooth batter. 
3. Let this batter ferment over night. Then take this batter in to a piping bag and keep it aside.
4. Add sugar, cardamom powder and sugar in a pan and heat till we get a string consistency. (roughly for about 10 to 15 minutes)
5. In a separate pan add 1" layer of oil. 
6. Reduce the heat to low and at this point. Pipe the batter (from step 2) in circles as shown in the picture. Make sure to cross the circle to hold the shape. 
7. Turn the Jalebis when they are firm and fry them till they are golden brown. 
8. Remove from the oil and soak them in moderately warm sugar syrup (from step 3) for about 2 or 3 mins. 

Serve hot!!

Note: Crispiness of the Jalebis depend on the Cornflour. The more cornflour you add, the more crispier they become. 

Simple masala rice with Veggies

This is probably one of the most easiest and delicious recipe that I have tried. Its especially convenient to make when you have guests at home. I like to add what ever veggies I find in my refrigerator. So, its also the best way to finish all the leftover veggies. I have a 5 liter rice cooker at home and it makes it much more easier to cook this dish.

Ingredients:

Veggies - chopped 1.5 cups {I used carrots, peas, potatoes}

Onion - 1 chopped

Butter - 1 tbsp

Cardamom - 2

Cinnamon stick - 1/2 inch

Bay leaf - 1 

Cloves - 5

Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp

Salt - to taste

Coriander powder - 1 tbsp 

Chilli powder - to taste

Uncooked rice - 1.5 cups 

Water - 3 cups [depends on the type of rice you use] 

Fresh coriander leaves - handfull

Procedure:

1. Add butter in to a rice cook and let it melt. Add cardamoms, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves and mix well. After few seconds add ginger garlic paste and cook for a few seconds. 
2. Add chopped onion to the above and cook till they become translucent. 
3. Add in the veggies and cook till they become soft. 
4. Add rice to the above and mix well. Pour in the water and stir. 
5. Add coriander powder, salt and chilli powder and mix. Add freshly chopped coriander leaves and mix well. 
6. Close the lid and let it cook. Stir once or twice before the rice is completely done.

Serve with raitha or some curry on the side!!!!

Cheese Puffs

Its funny why I decided to cook this recipe. I had 3 egg and cheese left in my refrigerator, looked up on the internet and bumped in to this recipe. It sounded and looked Yummy, so I decided to go for it. Very simple recipe and if you also happen to have some cheese and eggs then do try it. It tastes best when hot.. so try not to leave it for the next day!

Ingredients:

Butter - 100 gms
Grated Cheddar cheese - 1 cup
Eggs - 4
Flour - 3/4 cup
Salt - 1 pinch
Water - 3/4 cup

Procedure:

1. Add water in a hot pan, add butter and salt and stir till the butter melts. 
2. Preheat the oven to 180 C. Once the butter melts stir in the flour. 
3. Add eggs to the above and mix well. Add cheese to the above and mix well. 
4. Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture in to another bowl. 
5. Once the mixture cools, scoop the mixture on to a baking pan.
6. Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for 25 mins. 

Enjoy while they are hot!!!!