Poha Khaman and Awards :)))

Hi All, I am back. Thank you so much all for your concerns about my health. It’s really touching. I missed all of you and some great recipes :(( This brings me to my new recipe post, Poha Khaman.
I love Khaman. It is my all time anytime favorite snack. It is very easy to make. This one is made with Poha and spices. The texture of this snack is very soft and taste is sweet and savory. The toppings add more flavor to the original taste of Khaman. Poha Khaman are usually served with tomato and onion salad. This can be served as a appetizer too. The twist is garlic wafers which make this Khaman recipe unique. Each bite is filled with khatta-mitha, garlicky, and spicy flavor.

Ingredients:-

• 2 cups Poha, thick
• 3 tbsp Gram Flour
• 1/2 cup Yogurt, bitten
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/4 cup Green Peas, boiled
• 1 tbsp Green Chilli, chopped
• 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
• 1 tsp Ginger, grated
• 2 tsp Sesame seeds
• 1-1/2 tsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• Pinch of Asafetida
• 4-5 Curry Leaves
• 5 tbsp Oil
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 1/4 tsp Mustard
• Salt to taste
• Black Pepper to taste

-- Other Ingredients

• 1 Tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 small Red Onion, chopped
• 1 tsp Cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 tsp Mint, chopped
• 1 Garlic Clove, thinly sliced
• Pinch of Red Chilli powder
• Chat Masala to taste
• Salt to taste

Method:-
1. Wash Poha well and soak for 10-15 minutes after draining water.

2. In Pan, toast gram flour until its little golden or until it is toasted.

3. Heat oil in pan. First cook slice of one garlic until its golden brown. Put it on paper towel to remove extra oil. It should look like a wafer.

4. In the same oil, add mustard seeds. When they start to crackle, add cumin seeds.

5. Add curry leaves, garlic, ginger. Sauté for 1 minute.

6. Add green chilli, gram flour. Cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat.

7. In Poha, add salt, sugar, asafetida, sesame seeds, and lemon juice. Mix well.

8. After 2-3 minutes, add green peas, Poha mixture in pan, with water, and yogurt. Mix well, and cook on low heat for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.

9. Grease deep dish with little oil. Pour Poha Khaman into the dish and let them set for 10 minutes. Cut them into the pieces after they set.

11. In the mean time, mix tomato, onion, cilantro, mint, red chilli powder, chat masala, and salt.

12. Serve Poha Khaman with tomato and onion mix on top.
Enjoy...

This is my entry to - Shama's Fast Food Poha Event

Now to Awards…..A Two Awards, at that....Hurrayyy :)))

Dear friends, My fellow blogger Divya, Shubha, and Meera passed this rocking award for "Rocking Girl Blogger" to me.

I am so excited and very happy. Thank You so much gals for this award:)))
I would love to pass on it to Kalai , Cham, Sukanya Ramkumar, Laavanya, Pearlsofeast, Uma, Prajusha

I also received this “Nice Matter Award” from dear Ranji and SwatiSwati. I really appreciate this lovely award, I am blushing :))) Thanks a ton.


“Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.”

Now my turn to pass on this award. Sagari, Seena, Trupti, Pravs, Kamala, Asha.

Enjoy your awards gals. And Ya!!!! don’t forget to scream with happiness, like me :P

Tostadas

I love Mexican food. Mexican cuisine has excellent spicy and rich dishes. I love Tostadas because they have layers of flavors of rice to beans to salsa to cheese and vegetables too. Tostadas are very easy to make, and when you are in hurry or want to serve in a party to lot of people, this is the perfect entree. I made fresh cilantro sauce instead of plain sour cream, which is much more flavorful than plain sour cream.
Ingredients:-

• Tostada
• 1 Iceberg Lettuce - shredded
• 1/2 cup Mexican Cheese
• 1/2 cup Rice, boiled
• Hot Salsa, to taste
• Scallions, chopped

-- For Chunky Guacamole

• 1 Avocado, chopped
• 1 tsp Green Chilli
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 small Tomato, chopped
• 1 small Red Onion, chopped
• 1 tsp Hot Sauce
• Salt to taste

-- For Beans

• 1 cup Black Beans
• 3/4 cup Corn Kernels
• 1-1/2 tbsp Chipotle pepper, chopped
• 3 tbsp Red Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1-1/2 tsp Taco Seasoning
• 1 tbsp Oil
• Salt to taste

-- For Cilantro Sauce

• 1-1/2 cup Cilantro
• 1 tbsp Jalapeño
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream, light
• 3 tbsp Yogurt
• 1/2 cup Water
• Salt to taste

Method:-

-- For Guacamole
1. In a bowl, stir together the avocados, tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, green chilli, salt, and hot sauce.

2. Stir as little as possible. Do not mash avocados.

-- For Beans

1. In a bowl, mix black beans, corn kernels, red bell pepper, taco seasoning, oil, and salt.

2. Heat in microwave for 2 minutes.

-- For Cilantro Sauce

1. In blender, mix Cilantro, sour cream, yogurt, lemon juice, jalapeño, salt, and water. Blend until it is smooth and creamy.

--For Tostadas

1. Arrange Tostadas in baking sheet with a liberal amount of beans and rice.

2. Put spoonful of Chunky Guacamole on it.

3. Top with hot salsa and then cheese. Broil until cheese is melting.

4. Serve immediately with lettuce, cilantro sauce, and chopped scallions.

Enjoy...

Rajasthani Chana Curry

Every region in India has their own style of cuisine. This recipe comes from land of the brave, Rajasthan. Rajasthan is famous the warriors, kings, great battles, Rajputs, and eye-catching architectural gems like Castle of Jaipur, Hawa Mahal, ChittarI Palace, and many more. It is also famous for its amazing food. The most popular dishes of Rajasthan are Dal-Bati, Churma, Gavarfali ki subzi, Papad subzi, Gatta Kadhi, Ghevar, Balushahi, Missi Roti , and Ker-Sangri. Most important ingredient in Rajasthani food is Ghee, and they believe that their curries are incomplete without it.

This dish is not very well-known because mainly it’s cooked in homes as their day-to-day meal. It is very similar to Jaishalmer chana subzi. I ate this dish first time at one of my neighbors', and I love it since then. This dish works best with, Ghee Jeera Pulav.

Ingredients:-

• 1 cup Bengal gram, (kala chana)
  
• 1 small Potato, boiled and mashed
  
• 4-1/2 tsp Besan
  
• 1 Onion, chopped
  
• 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
  
• 3 tbsp Oil
  
• 2 tbsp Ghee
  
• 1 Cinnamon stick
  
• 2-3 Cardamom
  
• 5 Cloves
  
• 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
  
• 1 tbsp Dhania-Jeera Powder
  
• 4 Green Chilli, chopped
  
• 3 Garlic cloves, chopped
  
• 1 tsp Red Chilli powder
  
• 1 tsp Rajwadi Garam Masala
  
• 1-1/2 cup Yogurt
  
• 1-1/2 tsp Chat masala
  
• 1/2 cup Spinach, chopped
  
• Salt to taste
  
• Cilantro, chopped
  

Method:-
1. Soak chana in water overnight. It is advisable to use hot water initially.

2. Wash chana well, and pressure cook until its cooked completely. Drain well after cook.

3. Heat oil and ghee in pan. Add cumin seeds.

4. When they start to crackle, add cinnamon stick, cardamom, and cloves. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

5. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 4 minutes or until it is little brown.

6. Add green chilli, red chilli, asafoetida, turmeric, dhania-jeera powder, spinach, rajwadi garam masala, salt, and sprinkle some water to prevent it from burning. Cover it with lid and cook for 5 minutes on medium-low heat.

7. Add cooked chana and mash lightly. Add yogurt, mashed potato, and besan. Mix well.

8. Cook for 3 more minutes. Add 2-1/4 cups of water and chat masala. Bring it to the boil.

9. Turn down the heat to low, cover with lid and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

10. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with ghee jeera rice or bajara roti..

Enjoy...



This is my entry to RCI - Rajasthan hosted by Padmaja of SpicyAndhra.

Visual Treat Event hosted by Sanyukta.

Spicy Tomato & Olive Focaccia Bread

Focaccia is famous Italian flat bread. This bread is usually seasoned and topped with onion, tomato, olive, rarely meat, and cheese. The most popular toppings are herbs like rosemary, oregano, and thyme. The dough of focaccia is very similar to pizza dough. Focaccia is usually eaten accompanied by olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar. In Italy, people eat focaccia on Christmas Eve for good luck. Focaccia is perfect for sandwiches, either cold or warm. Focaccia dough can be used for pizza dough, bread for the Panini, or sometimes for sweet sandwich.

Ingredients:-

• 2-3/4 cup All-purpose Flour
  
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  
• 1 tsp Sugar
  
• 1 tbsp dry Active Yeast
  
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  
• 1/2 tsp onion Flakes
  
• 1 tsp dry Thyme
  
• 1 tsp dry Oregano
  
• 1 tsp Black Pepper, ground
  
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
  
• 1 cup Water, warm
  

-- For Topping

• 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
  
• 4 tbsp Parmesan Cheese, grated
  
• 2 tbsp Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
  
• 1 Tomato, sliced
  
• 8-10 Black Olives, sliced
  
• 1 tsp red Pepper Flakes
  
• 1 tsp Herbes De Provence
  

Method:-
1. Mix flour, salt, sugar, yeast, thyme, oregano, pepper, garlic powder, onion flakes in large bowl.

2. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix well until dough pull together.

3. On floured surface, knead the dough until smooth and elastic.

4. Put the dough in lightly greased bowl. Coat dough with little oil and cover with a damp cloth.

5. Let the dough rise for 25-30 minutes in warm place.

6. Preheat oven at 450 degree. Punch the dough for 2-3 times after 25 minutes.

7. Grease baking sheet. Place dough on baking sheet, so that its thickness is around 1-inch.

8. Brush olive oil on top of dough.

9. Sprinkle some salt, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese , herbes de provonce, red pepper flakes, tomato slices, and olive slices. Make sure to remove tomato seeds.

9. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Serve warm or room temperature with olive oil and balsamic vinegar on side.

Enjoy...

This is my entry to AWED :Italiano hosted by Dhivya.

Thai Flavored Carrot Soup

Carrot soup is right up there in the list of very famous soups, followed by tomato soup. It is popular all over the world, with every region having their own version. This is Thai flavored carrot soup. Thai flavor comes from lemongrass, coconut milk, and ginger. This soup has some Indian touch as well, with garlic and curry Powder. Roasted carrots make this soup more flavorful. This soup is very rich in texture and spicy in taste.

Ingredients:-

• 1 lb Carrot
  
• 1 Red Onion
  
• 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
  
• 1 tsp Ginger
  
• 4 cups Vegetable Stock
  
• 1 cup Coconut Milk
  
• 1-1/2 tsp Lemongrass, finely chopped
  
• 5 tbsp Olive Oil
  
• 1 tsp Red Chilli, finely chopped
  
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
  
• 1/4 tsp Red Chili Flakes
  
• 1 tbsp lemon Juice
  
• Salt to Taste
  
• Pepper to Taste
  

Method:-
1. Preheat oven at 400 degree.

2. Peel carrot and cut into small pieces.

3. Season carrot with little oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until carrots are tender and little golden brown.

4. In the mean time, heat oil in pan. Add onion, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, red chilli, cumin powder, curry powder, and cook for 8-10 minutes on medium-low heat.

5. Cover the pan with lid. Stir occasionally.

6. Add roasted carrot, coconut milk, vegetable stock, and salt. Bring to the boil.

7. Turn down the heat and let it simmer for 35-40 minutes.

8. Pour soup into the blender and blend to smooth.

9. Pour soup back into pan. Add cilantro and lemon juice. Simmer for 3 minutes.

10. Sprinkle some red pepper flacks and serve hot.

Enjoy...

American Paplu....Tribute to my Papa

This is my entry to . Magic Bullet Giveaway Contest, hosted @ Fun and Food Cafe.

I don't know where to start. I guess I will start with how he was. My dad, my dearest papa, was full of life, always smiling, always confident. He was simply the biggest influence in my life. He lived a tough life. He lost his father when he was 22 years old. He left his cricket career and opened a shop to earn a living as he was kinda head of the house in a family of 9 with 3 younger unmarried sisters. I lost him 2 years back and ironically and sadly, my brother was 22 at that time. It was the biggest loss of our lives. I had a tough time coming to terms with this loss. I still hear his voice and see him in my dream sometimes. He always wanted to see us smiling, me, my brother, and my mom. There are a lot of my father's memories that I want to share, but I can't otherwise this post will be pages and pages long. He used to call me - "Queen Victoria". He was a big foodie, and as I mentioned in my profile, I developed interest and passion for cooking because of him.


Coming to the recipe, we had this dish at one of my cousin's wedding many many years ago. I was a little kid and couldn't remember the name but it was awesome. My mom always wanted to make it, but she couldn't because she did not have the recipe. One day papa found this recipe and told my mom to make it in next cooking competition. Before the actual contest, she made it and it was a hit. My neighbors and family members loved it.

In Diwali of 1999, he and my mom submitted my name for one of cooking competition instead of my mom without asking me. I was surprised and reluctant at first because I never took part in any cooking competition before that, but he kept on saying "You can do it and it’s a "paplu" of a dish. In Bambaiya Hindi, the word "paplu" means very very easy. He also named the dish as "American Paplu."


I took part with this recipe, and I won. I was very happy, and my dad was even happier. One day he told me that he thinks American Paplu is nothing else but a recipe for spicy American Potato Pastry.

After this whenever I asked him about what he wanted to eat, the answer invariably was American Paplu. So here's your favorite dish papa. Love you, dad.

Ingredients:-

• 2 Potato, boiled
  
• 1/2 cup Green Peas, boiled
  
• 1/4 cup Red Bell pepper, chopped
  
• 6 Garlic cloves, crushed
  
• 1 tsp Ginger, grated
  
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  
• 1 tbsp Red Chile Powder
  
• 1 tsp Paav-Bhaji Masala
  
• 1 tbsp Green Chili, chopped
  
• 1 tbsp Sugar
  
• 3 tbsp Lemon Juice
  
• 2 tbsp Cilantro, chopped
  
• 1 tbsp Mint, chopped
  
• Bread, slices
  
• All-purpose flour
  
• Amul Cheese, grated
  
• Chat Masala
  
• Maggie Tomato Ketchup
  
• Mint chutney
  
• Salt to taste
  

Method:-
1. Take 2 bowls. Mash both potatoes in separate bowls.

2. In first bowl, mix peas, green chili, cilantro, salt, mint. Split garlic, ginger, lemon juice, dhania-jeera, and turmeric in half. Put it in first bowl. Mix well.

3. In second bowl, mix carrot, red bell pepper, red chili powder, paav-bhaji masala, remaining half of garlic, ginger, sugar, lemon juice, dhania-jeera, and salt. Mix well.

4. Cut the edged of the bread slices. Spread potato mix from first bowl on one side. Flip the bread around and spread potatoes mix from second bowl.

5. Cut slice into four pieces and cover them with all-purpose flour.

6. Fry until its golden brown.

7. Drain access oil and immediately sprinkle cheese on hot paplus/pastries.

8. Garnish one corner with mint chutney and other half with tomato ketchup and chat masala.

9. Serve hot.

Enjoy...

This is my entry to Priti and Purva's Rakhi – Thread of Love event.




This is my entry to Magic Bullet Giveaway Contest, hosted @ Fun and Food Cafe.

An Award and Meme...Yipppiee :))

Yipppieee.."Yummy blog award" for my blog!!!My dear friend

Divya passed onto me this lovely award. Thank you so much Divya for remembering me, you made my day very special. This award has been started by Roopa of My Kitchen Treats who says,

"Yummy blog award is given to the blog with most yummy recipes/photos".



As per the rules, I should quote my favorite yummylicious dessert(s) that I have ever prepared/eaten. Here are my favorite yummy-delicious desserts.

Orange Citrus Chocolate Cake


Chocolate Ice-Cream


Cadbury Dairy Milk - Oh how can i forget this :)))

Now my turn to pass on this award. I wanted to give this yummy blog award to all the rocking foodie bloggers, but I have only four choices and believe me, it is very very difficult. Still, rules are rules and should be followed. I want to honor these four blogs/bloggers, who have yummy recipes with eye-catching snaps, with this award.

Swati Raman Garg
Subha
Cynthia
Annu

Congratulations dear friends for your well deserved award :))))

Rules for the ‘Yummy Blog’ award Receiver :

1. The person who receives the award should display the "Yummy Blog!" logo on their blog and also the meaning of the award which is "Yummy blog award is the award given to the blog with most yummy recipes/photos".

2. The receiver should also quote their favorite yummy-licious :) dessert(s) that they have ever prepared/eaten. Don’t restrict yourself to any dessert, chocolate bars also welcome).

3. Also the receiver should pass on the award to four other bloggers whose blog they find "yummy" and let them know about the rules.

I am tagged by My Dear Friends UMA and EASYCRAFTS - So here it goes:


1) LAST MOVIE U SAW IN A THEATRE?
Krazzy 4, Just waste of time..but there is Hrithik :)))

2) WHAT BOOK ARE U READING??
Mukti Bandhan..Gujarati Novel by Harkishan Mehta

3) FAVOURITE BOARD GAME?
Monopoly.

4) FAVOURITE MAGAZINE?
Chitralekha, Readers Digest, Safari

5) FAVOURITE SMELLS?
Spices, coffee, Melted Cheese, Flowers, Garlic.

6) FAVOURITE SOUNDS?
Bird Chirping, Waves from ocean, Music.

7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Being Ignored.

8) WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE?
If I can sleep 5 more minutes: P

9) FAVOURITE FASTFOOD PLACE?
Chipotle, Round Table, and Jack In The Box for Jalapeno Nuggets.

10) FUTURE CHILDS NAME?
For Girl - Manya Or Kuhu
For Boy - Agatsya

11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’D’
Want to open Restaurant.

12) DO U DRIVE FAST?
No Way. My hubby's fast driving is enough.

13) DO U SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
Yes, occasionally....

14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY?
Scaryyyy..

15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
Never had a car, but it will be Infinity G35 whenever i'll have one.

16) FAVOURITE DRINK?
Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Kesar Milkshake, Coffee.

17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD…
Update blog every day.

18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
No.

19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
Brown.

20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS U HAVE LIVED IN?
Navsari, Ahmedabad, Sunnyvale, Sacramento, Los Angeles.

21) FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Cricket.

22) ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
A nice blogger with great recipes..

23) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED?
Carpet.

24) WOULD U LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN??
Definitely.

25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Night Owl.

26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Over Easy.

27) FAVOURITE PLACE TO RELAX?
Home..Always.

28) FAVOURITE PIE?
Only if it is spicy.

29) FAVOURITE ICECREAM FLAVOUR?
Chocolate..I m chocoholic that’s my HD call me :))

30) OF ALL THE PEOPLE U HAVE TAGGED, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
No Idea.

I Tag to:-

Ranji
Namratha
Vaishali
Meera

Do this meme only if you are interested.