Ajwain Pudina raita

Cooking Time Required: 10 mins
Cost of preparation: 15-20 rupees

Ingredients: Yogurt ( 1 1/2 cup ), onion ( 1 small), green chillis ( 2-3 nos),
pudina/mint leaves ( 2 tbs ), dhaniya/coriander leaves ( tbs ), jeera-lanka (
cumin-chilli ) powder ( 1/3 tsp ), roasted ajwain powder ( 1/5 tsp), salt.

Preparation: Cut the onion and green chillis into fine pieces.

Take the yogurt in a mixing bowl. Add jeera-lanka powder, ajwain powder and salt with 3-4 tbs water. Beat well.

Add the green chilli, onion, coriander leaves and mint leaves along with 1/2 to 1 cup water and mix well.

Serve as a side-dish with any non-vegetarian/vegetarian meal.

Note : I served this raita with Mutton biryani( recipe coming soon.....).

Paneer Pakoda ( Cottage cheese fritters )

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of preparation: 55-60 rupees


Ingredients: Paneer ( 250 gm ), onion ( 1 small ), red chilli powder ( 1/3 tsp ), finely cut coriander leaves( 2 tsp ), finely cut mint leaves ( 2 tsp), salt, oil for deep frying.

For the batter: corn flour ( 4 tsp ), besan/gram flour (2 tsp), ginger-garlic paste ( 1/2 tsp), cumin-chilli powder ( 1/4 tsp ), red chilli powder ( 1/4 tsp ), salt, baking powder ( a pinch ).

Preparation: Mix all the ingredients for batter in a mixing bowl with a little water. Make into a thick paste.

Cut the panner into 1 X 2 inch pieces. Grind the onion, red chilli powder, coriander
leaves and mint leaves into a thick paste.

Cooking: Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan. Add the paneer pieces and fry for 1-2 mins.

Boil water in a saucepan along with sufficient salt. Add the paneer pieces and boil for 4-5 mins.

Drain the water and make an cut along the length of the panner pieces measuring about 3/4th of its length. Apply a thin layer of the paste in between the two halves. Keep aside for 30 mins for marination.

Heat oil in a wok. Dip the paneer pieces in the batter and add to the oil. Cook the
panner pieces till golden. Remove from wok and keep on a blotting paper/newspaper to
absorb excess oil.

Serve as a snack with tomato sauce / mint-coriander chutney.

Note: Do not over-fry the panner pakodas as they lose their juices and turn hard.

Adraki Aloo

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of preparation: 15-20 rupees

Ingredients: Boiled & peeled potato ( 1 no., large ), yogurt ( 4-5 tbs ), ginger ( 1
inch long ), cumin ( 1/2 tsp ), green chilli ( 2 nos ), salt, oil ( 3 tsp ).

Cooking: Cut the potato into medium sized cubes. Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add the
potatoes and stir fry for 3-4 mins. Remove and keep aside.

Add the remaining oil into the wok. Add the cumin seeds and the crushed ginger & green chillis. Fry for 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup water to cool down the wok temperature.

Beat the yogurt with 1/2 tsp corn flour and 2-3 tsp water. Add to the wok along with
salt. Bring to a boil while stirring continuously. Add the stir fried potatoes.

Boil for 7-8 mins or till most of the water evaporates and the yogurt forms a thick
layer around the potatoes.

Serve with puris.

Note: This is a no onion-garlic recipe which can be served on fasting days. Tastes best with lightly sour yogurt .

Baked Soya Tikkis

Cooking Time Required: 15-20 mins
Cost of preparation: 20-25 Rupees

Ingredients: Nutrela Soya granules ( 1 cup ), potato ( 1 small ), onion ( 1 small ), green chilli ( 2 nos ), coriander powder ( 1/3 tsp ), cumin powder ( 1/3 tsp ), garam masala ( a pinch ), kasuri methi ( 1 tsp ), salt, tomato puree ( 1 tbs ), oil ( 1 tsp), pancha phutana ( 1 /4 tsp ).

Preparation: Cut the onion and green chilli into small pieces. Boil the potato, peel and keep aside.

Boil the soya granules for 5 mins. Drain out the water.

Cooking: Heat a wok. Add oil followed by the pancha-phutana. When the seeds start spluttering, add the onion and green chillis. Fry till onion turns translucent.

Add the soya granules and fry for 2 mins. Add the mashed potatoes, coriander powder, cumin powder, kasuri methi, garam masala, tomato puree and salt. Add 2-3 tbs water and cook for 3-4 mins till it forms a sticky mass.

Remove from fire and keep aside to cool slightly. Shape into tikkis. Brush the tikkis with a few drops of oil.

Keep on a baking tray. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees. Put the tray inside and reduce heat to 160 degrees. Bake for 5 mins.

Serve hot with ketchup/chutney.

Note: One can give the onion a miss on fasting days. Add fresh coriander leaves instead.

Minty Lemon Freeze

Preparation Time: 5-6 mins
Cost of preparation: 10-15 Rupees

Ingredients: Lemon ( 1 no, large ), mint leaves ( a fistful ), sugar ( 4 tsp ), ice-cubes , water ( 1 1/2 glasses ), salt ( 1 pinch ).

Preparation: Put the water in a mixer jar. Add sugar, ice cubes, mint leaves and salt. Cut the lemon into two and squeeze the juice into the mixer jar.

Mix on lowest speed for 2-3 mins till sugar dissolves.

Pour into glasses using a sieve to filter out mint leaves. Top up with more crushed ice if required.

A healthy and refreshing chiller is ready.

Chuna Maccha Tarkari ( Chuna maccha with besara )

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of preparation: 30-35 rupees

Ingredients: Chuna Maccha ( 250 gm ), mustard seeds ( 2 tsp ), cumin seeds ( 1/2 tsp ), pancha phutana ( 1/4 tsp), curry leaves ( 1 sprig ), green chilli ( 2 nos ), garlic flakes ( 5-6 nos), ambula ( 1-2 nos ), salt, turmeric, mustard oil ( 2 tsp ).

Preparation: Clean the fish throughly. Add salt and turmeric and keep aside for 15 mins.
Grind the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and garlic flakes into a smooth paste.

Cooking: Heat a flat pan. Add 2 tsp mustard oil followed by the pancha phutana, slit
green chillis and curry leaves. Allow seeds to crackle.

Add the mustard-cumin-garlic paste and stir for 30 secs. Add 1 cup of water along with the salt and ambula pieces . Bring to a boil.

Add the fish and allow to boil for 5-6 mins while stirring carefully at intervals. Allow most of the water to evaporate till a thick mustard layer remains over the fish.

Remove from fire and keep aside for 10 mins.

Serve with rice and dal.

Note: One can substitute the ambula with lemon juice ( 1 tsp ).

Chuna maccha according to Oriya cusine can be any small fish upto 2-3 inches in length. It is more popularly called smelt fish or anchovies. It scores over the over larger varities in terms of health benefits and lower toxin accumulation levels as belongs to the lower strata of the food chain.

Smelt

Bread pakoda

Cooking Time Required: 30 mins
Cost of Preparation: 45-55 rupees
Makes 8 bread pakodas.

Ingredients:
For the stuffing: Potato ( 2 nos, large ), finely chopped beetroot ( 4-5 tbs ), finely cut carrot ( 4-5 tbs ), green peas ( 1/2 cup ), cauliflower bits( 3-4 tbs ), onion ( 1 no, small ), green chilli ( 2 nos), coriander powder ( 1/3 tsp ), jeera-lanka (cumin-chilli) powder ( 1/3 tsp), turmeric, salt.

For the batter: 4 tbs besan ( gram flour), cornflour ( 2 tbs ), baking powder ( 1 pinch ), chilli powder ( 1/3 tsp), salt.

Sandwich bread - 8 slices ( with the sides cut off ) and oil for frying.

Preparation: Mix all the ingredients for the batter along with water into a paste of medium to thick consistency .Keep aside.
Cut the onion and green chilli into small pieces.

Cooking: Boil the potatoes. Peel and mash them.

Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan. Add the onion and chilli.Fry till onion becomes translucent.Add the beetroot, carrot, cauliflower and green peas. Stir fry till they are cooked .( should not take longer than 4-5 mins ).

Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, jeera-lanka and stir fry for 30 secs. Follow with mashed potatoes and salt. Mix all the potato and the other vegetables. Cook for 5 mins.

Remove from fire and allow to cool down to a tolerable temperature. Spread a thick layer of the stuffing between 2 bread slices and press hard. Cut into two triangles.

Heat sufficient oil in a wok. Dip the bread triangles in the batter and put into the oil. Fry on both sides till golden brown. Remove from wok and keep on a blotting paper.

Serve hot with ketchup/green chutney.

Note: Bread pakoda tastes as good even when it is prepared without onion. Just add a little bit of grated ginger as a substitute.

Capsicum boat stuffed with Chilli fish

Cooking Time Required 30-35 mins
Cost of preparation: 60-70 rupees

Ingredients: Fish fillet ( 150 gm ), Capsicum ( 2 large ), onion ( 1 large ), red/green chillis ( 5-6 nos ), chilli vinegar ( 1 tsp ), soya sauce ( 1 tsp ), finely cut garlic ( 1 tsp ), pepper powder ( 1/4 tsp), salt, tomato sauce ( 1 tsp ), ajinomoto ( 1/4 tsp), turmeric ( 1-2 tsp ), oil ( 3-4 tsp ), oil.

Preparation: Wash and marinate the fish with salt and a pinch of turmeric.

Cut the onions into thin long pieces. Slice the capsicum into 2 halves. Remove the pith and the seeds.

Cooking: Heat a pan. Drizzle with oil. Add the fish and fry lightly on both sides. Remove from the pan and allow to cool down.

Remove the bones from the fish. Mash lightly and keep aside.

Heat a pan. Add 2 tsp oil. Add the onions and green/red chillis, Fry lightly. Add the mashed fish and fry for 2-3 mins.

Add the chilli vinegar, soya sauce, tomato sauce, garlic pieces, ajinomoto, pepper powder and a bit of salt. Fry for 1 min.

Smear oil all over the capsicum halves. Stuff the chilli fish into the capsicum halves. Microwave / bake at 180 degrees for 3 mins.

Serve hot with tomato sauce as an appetizer.

Vegetable cutlet ( Vegetable Chop )

Cooking Time Required: 30 mins
Cost of Preparation: 45-55 rupees
Makes 8-10 nos.


Ingredients: Potato ( 2 nos, large ), finely chopped beetroot ( 4-5 tbs ), finely cut carrot ( 4-5 tbs ), green peas ( 1/2 cup ), onion ( 1 no, small ), green chilli ( 2 nos), coriander powder ( 1/3 tsp ), jeera-lanka (cumin-chilli) powder ( 1/3 tsp), bread crumbs ( 2/3 cup), turmeric, salt, oil for deep frying.

For the batter: 4 tbs besan ( gram flour), cornflour ( 2 tbs ), ginger garlic paste ( 1 tsp ), baking powder ( 1 pinch ), salt.

Preparation: Mix all the ingredients for the batter along with water into a paste of medium to thick consistency .Keep aside. Cut the onion and green chilli into small pieces.

Cooking: Boil the potatoes. Peel and mash them.

Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan. Add the onion and chilli.Fry til onion becomes translucent. Add the beetroot, carrot and green peas. Stir fry till they are cooked .( Should not take longer than 4-5 mins ).

Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, jeera-lanka and stir fry for 30 secs. Follow with mashed potatoes and salt. Mix all the potato and the other vegetables. Cook for 5 mins.

Remove from fire and allow to cool down to a tolerable temperature. Mould into oblong pieces of length 3 inches approx.

Put into the batter. Shake off excess batter and roll on bread crumbs. ( This step should be repeated 2-3 times if one prefers a thick crust )

Heat a wok with sufficient oil for frying. Add the vegetable cutlets 3-4 at a time. Allow to turn brownish red ( the beetroot gives it a reddish color ). Remove and keep on a tissue/blotting paper.

Serve hot with tomato ketchup.

Capsicum Rice

Cooking Time Required: 15-20 mins
Cost of Preparation: 20-25 rupees

Ingredients: Rice (1 cup), capsicum ( 1 no), onion ( 1 no ), soya sauce ( 1 tsp ),
tomato sauce ( 1 tsp ), chilli flakes ( 1/2 tsp ), ajinomoto (1 pinch), salt, olive oil ( 1 tsp ).

Preparation: Cut the capsicum and onion into small pieces and keep aside.

Cooking: Cook the rice with salt and 2 cups water in a pressure cooker for 1 whistle.

One can also cook rice in a open vessel if one is not pressed for time.

Keep aside and allow to cool down completely.

Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a pan. Add the onion and saute till translucent. Add the
capsicum and fry for 1-2 mins.

Add ajinomoto, soya sauce and tomato sauce. Stir fry for 1 min.

Spread the cooked rice over the onion and capsicum and sprinkle salt and chilli flakes.

Do not stir. Cover with a lid. Switch off the flame after 30 secs.

Note: This is one quick and easy to make lunch box recipe. It tastes good even if it is not so hot.

Panasa dalma ( Kathal wali daal )

Cooking Time Required: 15-20 mins
Cost of Preparation: 30-35 mins

Ingredients: raw jackfruit ( medium sized pieces, 1 cup ), moong dal ( 1 1/2 cup), potato ( 1 no, medium ), tomato ( 1 no., big ), fennel seeds ( 1 tsp ), red chillis ( 4-5 nos ), garam masala ( 1/5 tsp ), bay leaves ( 2-3 nos ), jeera-lanka powder ( 1/3 tsp ), ghee ( 1 tbs ), salt, turmeric.

Preparation: Dry roast the moong dal till it gives off a fragrance.

Wash and cut the potato into cubes. Cut the tomato into half and deseed it.

Cooking : Wash dal and add to pressure cooker. Add the potato and tomato to the cooker. Add salt and turmeric along with cups water.

Close lid and boil for 1 whistle. Allow steam to escape.

Add the jack-fruit pieces along with garam-masala. Boil for 2 whistles. Keep aside.

Heat a pan. Add the fennel seeds, broken red chillis and bay leaves. Dry roast for 5-6 secs. Add ghee.

Pour the tempering over the boiled dal. Sprinkle jeera-lanka powder.

Serve hot with rotis/rice.