Sunday, September 26, 2010

Khara biscuits


One of a savoury cookies that is a big thing in bakeries all over Karnataka, (has got my taste buds yearning for one) is what I was dying to make & share with my friends. I finally got myself to put my thoughts in action and I'm glad that's striked off from my 'to bake' list. It was a super hit among my fellow desi's and It felt good getting appreciation for somethimg as simple as this. This one is a keeper.

Ingredients
1 cups Maida
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1tsp baking powder
1 tsp yogurt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp jeera
2 green chillies, finely chopped
2 curry leaves,chopped

Method:
Sieve dry ingredients together(sugar, maida, salt and baking powder).
Add the softened butter, yogurt, chillies, curry leaves. Knead this to make a dough that binds together. Mixture of dough pressed together in a fist should hold the shape and not fall off to bits. Knead well, keep aside covered in a damp cloth for 30 mins.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 F. Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Take half of the dough and roll like a chapathi until it is 1/4" thick.

Using an empty can as a cookie cutter, cut into circles. Place it on the cookie sheet about a inch apart.Prick the top of the cookies with the fork so that the cookies does not puff up during baking. brush the top with oil. Repeat to use up all the dough.


Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges browns to a golden color.

Aloo Mirch masala

This is one of my easy breezy side dish that is perfect for impromptu get togethers.
All the ingredients are readily available in an Indian pantry, to put together and make into a delicious side. Aloo can easily sustituted for paneer and made into Paneer mirch masala which has been added as a new favourite in my list. Enough already! Here goes.

Ingredients for ground masala:
1 small onion
1 tomato
red chillies 2-3
Garlic cloves 4-5
Ginger 1/2″ piece
Coriander seeds 1 tsp
jeera seeds 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder 1 tsp
Chili powder 1 teaspoon
Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp
Cashews 10-15, soak in water for 15 mins

Onion 2, finely sliced
Potatoes 1, boiled, cubed
Capsicum 2, cubed
coriander leaves, finely chopped

Dry roast coriander seeds, jeera seeds and red chillies separately .Grind along with onion, ginger, tomato, garlic cloves and cashews to a paste.

Heat kadai with 3 tbsp oil. Fry sliced onions till translucent.
Add turmeric powder, chili powder, garam masala powder and capsicum peices. Saute for a few mins. Add ground masala paste and fry till the oil floats. To this add boiled potatoes, salt and chopped coriander leaves. Saute on simmered heat for about 5 more mins.
Best served with chapathis.