Baked Broccoli Patties

The other day I was out with my 5 year old in the park, when she asked me "Mummy, why aren't you wearing shorts like the other mothers,It's a warm day and it's sure to be more comfortable." I grabbed the opportunity to give her a nice pep talk about how conservative and beautiful Indian culture was when she promptly asked me why the Leading ladies in most Indian movies are dressed in shorts,but she's hardly seen anyone in India wearing shorts.Made me realise how Indian Culture seems to be forever at this point where we try to simultaneously cling to our conservativeness and embrace the western Independence.It's funny how most movies paint a picture that in no way depicts a country or it's culture.On a funny note,if we were to go just by movies, we'd probably think that :

Tamil Movies -  

   -The only thing that matters in our life is to find the love or our life and marry them again all opposition, with cars flying and bombs blasting.

   -Chennai is full of Dons and their Henchmen, and all of them carry a gun(In a all my days in Chennai I've never ever seen a real gun:( )

  -Most Tamil men are machos, who can fly,fight and do everything with no gadgets or scientific intervention.Not to mention the 50 year old hero who's a college student :)

Telugu movies - I haven't watched a lot but from the few popular ones that I've watched.

 -  Most of them live in joint families in big Doll houses.
 -  All men do is to fight over women.
Hindi movies -
  Honestly I don't know what to make of them any more.The last time I watched a movie I had a  doubt if I was watching a movie or a fashion show .
Hollywood Movies -
  -Most men are skilled,intelligent ex FBI or CIA agents
 - Aliens and space ships are for real
  -Let's not get into science fiction and movies like SAW :)
Malayalam movies -
 These seem to be as close to reality as possible,but some of the latest ones makes me feel that they are fighting the temptation to make movies like their counterparts in the Tamil and Telugu industry.

Ironically I'm not a movie buff and I would've hardly watched a handful movies  before I married a movie buff who watches movies in every possible language :)nd I Would be unfair if I don't mention that there are a lot of good movies too in all these languages which really call for appreciation.

Coming to the recipe, this is a very quick and healthy dish.Makes a  great starter or side dish.It tastes yummier when shallow fried.I feel that ,Broccoli despite being very healthy doesn't gel well with Indian spices.I usually do a stir fry with lots of Garlic and pepper,Broccoli and garlic pair up real well.This is a yummier alternative and both my 1 year old and 5 year old loved it :)

Makes 12 - 14 patties
You'll Need:
Broccoli - Half a big one - 12 - 15 Florets
Egg - 1
Olive oil -  1 tsp
Bread slices - 3, or bread crumbs
Cheese grated ( Cheddar/ Paneer/ Parmesan) - 80 g
salt as needed

Method:
-In a big vessel boil water, add the broccoli florets,cover with a  lid and remove from the stop.Let it sit for 3 - 4 minutes.Remove the florets with a slotted ladle.Add it to a mixer jar and pulse for a few seconds.
-Toast the bread on stove top or in  an oven,pulse it in a mixer jar to get breadcrumbs.
-In  a bowl mix the broccoli,cheese and bread crumbs.Add salt as needed and the egg.Mix everything well with a fork.
-Make small patties and arrange them on a baking tray lined with a baking sheet.
-Bake in a pre-heated oven at 175°C,for 20 - 25 minutes.After the first 15 minutes flip them over for even cooking.
-They taste even yummier when shallow or deep fried :)

Have a nice day ! Thanks for stopping by !

Channa Tikki - Chickpeas Patties

The needle in my weighing scale simply loves to move towards the right.Well I've almost given up trying to make it dip towards the left,all that I expect is that it stays where it is :) This was one more effort at keeping that needle in place.I actually boiled some chickpeas as it makes a very healthy snack.But then my taste buds wanted something more appetizing,so I ended up making these patties.They are real yummy and healthy and can be whipped up in no time.For an even healthier version you could bake them in the oven.This makes a great snack for kids too,just skip the green chillies !

You'll Need:
Makes 14 -15
Chick Peas/Kabuli Channa/Garbanzo beans - 3/4 th cup - 125 g
Onion - 1 small (finely chopped)
Carrot - 1 medium(finely grated)
Cabbage - 1/2 cup(grated)
Coriander Leaves -  2 tbsp (finely chopped)
Capsicum - 1/2 a small one(chopped finely)
Lemon Juice - 1 tsp
Garam Masala Powder -1/4 tsp
Green Chillies - 2 tsp(chopped)
Corn Flour - 1 - 2 tbsp
 salt as needed

Method:
-Soak the Chickpeas overnight or for 6 -8 hours in sufficient water.Rinse the chickpeas and pressure cook with 2 cups of water & salt for 1 whistle and simmer for 8 - 10 minutes or until well cooked.
-Drain the chickpeas and preserve the water.You can add the water to other curries or use it for kneading chapatis.
-Grind the chickpeas without adding water to a coarse paste.
-Add all the ingredients except the oil and mix well.Check for salt.
-Make small patties.
-Heat a little oil in a pan on medium flame.Cook the patties on both sides till they turn golden brown.
-Alternatively rub a little oil on the patties and bake in a pre heated oven at 350°F / 175 °C for 25 -30 minutes.

Thanks for stopping by ! Happy Cooking !

Sending this to Gujaratizaika’s winner’s choice giveaway  ,100th Post GiveAway at Cutchi Kitchen

  

Prawn Cutlet - Eral Cutlet

   This is seriously an amazing starter, a sure hit in a party or get together.It was part of the food that I prepared for my daughter's birthday party.We are a small group of Indians who meet mostly on occasions like birthdays or on a warm sunny day .Actually all this is an excuse for us to eat good food :)We don't have any Indian restaurants around and we really look forward to occasions like this. Guess when we prepare food everyday,no matter how much we love cooking there are days when we wish someone would hand us a platter full of good food.And these parties are treats for us women,though it's hectic for the one who prepares food :)

     I'm usually nervous when I have to cook for a group,because something that I least expect usually goes wrong.This time it was the cake,my fridge sometimes behaves like a partial freezer and it decided to do it on the day of my little girl's b'day.So when I kept the cake on the table it was so hard that poor little girl had some difficulty cutting it :) And only then did I also realize that I forgot to pipe the border.She's a big fan of Pocoyo and wanted a Pocoyo cake,as with every little kid she was easy to please too and told me that she loved the cake.Though I wasn't totally satisfied.It actually tasted yummier towards the end of the day when it was at room temperature.It was a three layer cake(pistachio,orange and chocolate) with a butter cream icing. Will share the recipe soon.In all the hurry I couldn't get a good click, that's the poor cake :) Cake decorators please don't laugh :) I was thinking if I should write a book 'Cake'ai sodhapuvadhu eppadi'(How to ruin a cake)' ,Just kidding !

So off to the recipe,I always complain that we don't get good prawns here,but this time I'm seriously in love with the prawns here.I prepared this cutlet from store bought cooked prawns,it makes the whole process very simple and easy.A blessing for a lazy person like me :) 

You'll Need:
Makes about 10 Cutlets

Prawns - 100 g

Potato -  1 big
Ginger - 1/2 tsp(grated)

Green Chilli - 1 big(finely chopped)

Egg - 1

Corn Flour - 1 tbsp

salt as needed

oil - for frying

Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp

Red Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp

Turmeric powder -  a pinch

Onion - 1 medium (finely chopped)

Method:

-Boil the potato.Peel and grate the potato.

-Boil the Prawn with little water,salt ,turmeric powder and red chilli powder.Drain the water and grind the prawns coarsely.
-Add oil to a pan and when it heats up add the ginger and stir for a minute.Then add the onion ,green chilli and coriander leaves and saute until the onions turn translucent.Add the ground prawn and saute for a minute or two.
-Whisk the egg slightly.
-In a vessel mix the prawn mixture,potatoes,egg,corn flour and salt.Mix well and add salt as needed.
-Make small dumplings and shallow fry or deep fry in oil until they turn golden brown in colour.

Thanks for stopping by ! Happy Cooking !

What are the dishes that you love to prepare for a party or what do you think is a crowd pleaser. Do let me know !

Sending this to Gujaratizaika’s winner’s choice giveaway  ,100th Post GiveAway at Cutchi Kitchen

  

Sending this to Party happening at Amrita's space Motions and Emotions

Kidney Bean Kebab - Rajma Kebab

Makes 8
This is a very healthy and appetizing kebab.It's definitely a variation from the Rajma curries.I generally skip the green chilli so that my little girl would also enjoy it !



Ingredients:
Rajma - 150 g
Onion - 1/2 a medium one
Potato - 1 big (boiled and grated)
Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp (chopped finely)
Ginger - small piece (minced finely)
Corn flour - 1 tsp
Salt - as needed
Ghee - 1 tsp
Green Chilli - 1 tbsp(finely chopped)
oil -for shallow frying


Method:
-Soak Rajma for 8 hours or overnight.Boil with enough water and salt in a pressure cooker on high heat for one whistle and simmering for 10 minutes.
-Mash the Rajma well.

-In a pan add the Ghee and when it heats up add the ginger,green chilli and coriander leaves.Saute for 2 minutes and add the chopped onions and turmeric powder.Saute until slightly browned.Remove from the stove.
-Add the mashed rajma,corn flour and potatoes and mix well.Add salt as needed and mix well.
-Make small patties and shallow fry.

Sending this to Kid's delight and Let's cook for Kids & Learning to Cook - Dish name starts with R

Vegetable croquettes

Makes 8
These croquettes make great starters and are very similar to veg cutlets.I'm not a big fan of fried food, but I make these ones and those days that I decide to indulge myself :)

Ingredients:
Potato - 2 medium
Carrot - 1
Arbi - 1 small
Peas - 100 g
Cabbage - 100 g
Onion - 1 small,chopped finely
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp (chopped finely)
Green chili - 2 (chopped finely)
Ghee - 1 tsp
Vermicelli - 50 g,broken into small pieces
All purpose flour - 50 g and 2 tbsp
Oil - for deep frying.

Method :
-Chop the Potato,Carrot,Arbi and cabbage into small pieces.Chop the cabbage.Steam all the vegetables in a pressure cooker( Add them to a tall vessel, sprinkle little salt and keep inside a pressure cooker with 1 cup of water.Cook on high for 1 whistle and simmer for 10 minutes).Remove from stove and mash the vegetables.
-In a pan add the ghee and when it heats up add the green chili and coriander leaves, saute for 2 - 3 mins.Add the onions and fry until translucent.
-Mix the onions with the mashed vegetables,2 tbsp of flour and mix well.Add salt if needed and make small dumplings.
-Make a thin batter by adding the 50 g of flour to 1 cup of water and a little salt.Break the vermicelli into small pieces.
-Dip the dumplings in the flour batter and roll well in the vermicelli.
-Add to hot oil and deep fry until golden brown !

Dish name starts with V at Akila's Space

 

Baked Chicken cutlet

Makes 10

Cutlets have always been my favorite from childhood.Be it vegetables,fish or meat cutlets, their unique taste has always flattered my taste buds I've tasted cutlets everywhere but the first thing that comes to my mind is of the cutlets served in the day trains or chair cars in Tamil Nadu.The wonderful taste of hot cutlets with tomato ketchup and the gentle rocking of the train is a very cherished memory.This is a healthier version,frying it will definitely enhance the taste !

Ingredients:
Chicken ( boneless) - 250 g
Potato - 2 big
Green Chilies - 2 ( minced finely)
Ginger - small piece (minced finely)
Garlic - 2 small pods (minced finely)
Onion - 1 medium (chopped finely)
Egg - White portion of  1 egg
Breadcrumbs
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp ( chopped finely)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam masaala powder - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 2 tsp


Method:
-Boil the potatoes until they are just cooked. About 5 mins in a pressure cooker in low heat,after the first whistle.Grate them.
-Boil the Chicken in a pressure cooker with 1/2 a cup of water,salt and the turmeric powder.About 3 mins.Drain the chicken pieces, the leftover stock can be added to any gravy.Blend the pieces in a blender to a smooth paste without adding water.
-In a pan add the oil and when it's hot add the ginger,garlic,coriander leaves and green chilies.Saute for 2 mins and add the onion with a little salt and saute until it's translucent.
-In a separate bowl, mix the fried onions,grated potatoes and ground chicken.Add salt and pepper powder.
Make them into small patties.
-In a bowl whisk the egg white with a fork for a few minutes.Dip the patties in the egg whites and roll them on breadcrumbs until they are fully coated with the breadcrumbs.
-Preheat an oven to 175°C and bake for 25-30 mins.

**For the breadcrumbs,heat an oven to 175°C, keep a few white bread slices on the grill for about 7 -10 mins,grind them.

Chick Peas Vada

Chick Peas Vada
Serves 3 ppl

These vadas are made from Chickpeas instead of the regular channa dal. It makes them more nutritious and definitely more tasty.This one is from my mom's kitchen, being a working mother she was great at juggling work and home.We would wait for the weekends for she would spoil us with a lot of good food.These piping hot vadas with sambhar and chutneys were definitely special !

Ingredients :
Chickpeas - 125 g
Onion - 1/2 a big one (chopped finely).
Fennel - 1/2 tsp
Cardamom,Cloves - 2 each
Cinamon - small piece
Ginger - small piece
Garlic - 4 small pods
Curry leaves - 10 leaves ( chopped finely)
Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp ( chopped finely)
Mint leaves - 1 tbsp ( chopped finely)
Green chili - 1
Whole red chili - 1
Salt
Oil - for deep frying

Method:
-Soak the chick peas overnight or for 8 hours.
-In a mixer grind the whole spices,Ginger,Garlic,Green chili and Red chili finely.
-To the same jar add the chickpeas and salt and grind adding as little water as possible , the mixture should be a little coarse.
-To the batter add Mint leaves, curry leaves, coriander leaves and the onions and mix well. Check the seasoning and add salt if needed.
-Make small patties and deep fry them in oil !