Checkered Cookies- A Christmas Treat!!!!

My friends came over for a Christmas party and we had a potluck lunch, then we made ugly sweaters together and did white elephant by stealing and keeping the gifts. It was so much fun with them. While they were leaving I wanted to give them some christmasy gifts and cookies, so I wrapped snow globes and I was googling for cookies. I wanted to make some cookies which I never posted in my blog and so I made these checkered cookies which is very different from the normal cookies and which will be liked by all because of the cakey texture of the cookies.

I got the recipe from here and I double the ingredients as I have to make a big batch to give to my friends and save some for my kids. These cookies look tedious to make but it can be done within no time if you make these with your friends or family. My kids were helping me in making these and it was so much fun. These cookies are buttery, festive, delicious and a simple one with a choice of chocolate or vanilla. Try this out and let me know.

Ingredients:

1. Butter- 2 Cups
2. Sugar- 1 1/2 Cups
3. Eggs- 2 
4. Vanilla Essence- 2 tsp
5. Baking powder- 2 tsp
6. All purpose Flour- 4.5 Cups
7. Cocoa powder- 1/3 Cups

Method:

1. Cream the butter along with sugar and add the eggs one by one and mix well. 
2. When they are combined add the vanilla essence, mix then add all purpose flour and baking powder in small quantities and mixing in between. 
3. When everything gets combined well, divide the dough in half and in one half add the cocoa powder and give it a nice mix.
4. Form each dough in a square log and wrap both the dough in cling film and place it in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Make sure both the cookie dough should be of the same shape and length.
5. After 30 minutes, take it out of the refrigerator, using sharp knife slice the dough into thirds longwise, turn it ones and cut into thirds again. We will get 9 strips.
6. Repeat the process with the other dough. Whole together we will have 18 strips of dough.
7. Place one stripe of vanilla dough, chocolate and then vanilla on a flat surface. On top alternating with the strips and then on top repeat the same process till we get a square log. Press this dough together tightly, keeping the square shape.
8. Meanwhile place a parchment paper on a baking tray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
9. Refrigerate again for 15 minutes. Take it out and slice into 1/4th inch pieces. You can see nice checkered pattern. 
10. Place them on a parchment paper and bake for 12- 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!!!

Air-Fryer Crispy Potatoes- A simple & elegant side dish with rice!!!

My friend (Subha), who is a great cook always makes these fried potatoes but not in air-fryer. She used to  saute the cubed potatoes in little oil till they turn golden and crispier. Ones, when I went to her house, I had it which reminded me of my mom's potatoes, who makes exactly like these. But whenever I tried making them at home, they would never turn out perfect. Either I had to add lots of oil as potatoes absorb oil or they got burnt. I used to think, the dish which doesn't take much time to make has become complicated for me.

Then one day I tried making them in air-fryer which doesn't require much oil and ta-da, they turned out perfect. I started making them frequently as my family loves the dish. Air-fryer does some kind of magic on potatoes. Crispy out side and perfectly soft inside. These are the most addicting side dish. I am sure that everybody might know how to make these but I realized that with less/ no oil we can make these perfect. Try this easy dish and let me know.

Ingredients:

1. Potatoes( washed & cubed)- 3Cups
2. Red Chili powder- 1 tbsp
3. Turmeric Powder- 1 tsp
4. Salt- as required
5. Oil- 1 tbsp
6. Sambhar powder- 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Toss all the powders along with cubed potatoes and oil in a bowl.
2. Place these potatoes in the air-fryer basket and cook at 370 degrees F for 15- 20 minutes. The potatoes will turn golden in color.
3. Enjoy this with warm rice and rasam.

leftover Turkey Potato Cutlets

Our friends came over for Thanksgiving and together we cooked a thanksgiving dinner by baking the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and Apple pie. The turkey was huge, mostly we finished within 3- 4 days but the remaining I kept it frozen as I was thinking of making something later. Then as the kids take lunch for school, one day I decided to finish the turkey by making cutlets which I usually make with chicken.

Ones it's done, the cutlets came out delicious with the right amount of spices and the potatoes. We can add any spice powders from the pantry. These can also be used as patties for burgers or can be stuffed into wraps. In which ever way, these cutlets taste delicious and will be liked by all. Try this recipe and let me know.

Ingredients:

1. Minced Left over Turkey- 2 Cups
2. Onions ( cghopped)- 1
3. Ginger Garlic pate- 1tbsp
4. Red Chili Powder- 1tsp
5. Turmeric Powder- 1tsp
6. Garam Masala powder- 1 tsp
7. Oil- 1 tbsp
8. Salt- as required
9. Boiled Potatoes - 3 

For Coating:

• Egg- 2

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan. When hot add the onions, fry till they become translucent.
2. Add the ginger garlic paste, stir till the raw smell disappers. Add the red chili powder, salt, turmeric powder, garam masala powder and the minced turkey. Mix well and switch off the flame. Let it cool.
3. When cooled add the boiled mashed potatoes in the turkey mixture, mix well and make small balls and flatten the balls. Flatten the  remaining turkey potato mixture.
4. Break eggs in a bowl and mix with salt and keep it ready.
5. Heat a griddle with 1 tbsp of oil, dip each flattened mixture into the eggs and place them on the hot griddle and cook till done. 5-8 minutes on each side. Enjoy warm cutlets along with evening tea or as a side dish with rice or simply just like that.