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.

Haritha's Stuffed Brinjal Roast/ Vankaya Kaaram Koora

Today's post is a dish made with brinjals. A very popular dish  from Andhra. My friend Haritha, who has a YouTube channel in the name of "Haritha's Home and Kitchen" made this dish when we had a get together at my place. She is an amazing cook and you can visit her channel which has lots of cooking videos and authentic recipes. 

I love brinjals but you all might know by now that my husband doesn't like brinjal and so ones in a blue moon I will be making brinjal dishes. As my friend knows about this, she made the delicious roast just for me.

This is a simple dish with minimum ingredients. My mom prepares amazing Andhra dishes, the most famous one is gutti vankaya koora/ Stuffed brinjal curry. In this dish, you have to grind the masala and stuff it in brinjal and roast till done. Within minutes yummy brinjal roast will be ready. Please try this dish and let me know.

Ingredients:

• Brinjal- 7-8
• Oil- 2tbsp

Masala:

1. Grated Coconut- 1Cup
2. Cumin Seeds- 2tbsp
3. Red Chili Powder- 3tbsp
4. Garlic Cloves-4
5. Salt- as required

Method:

1. Cut the brinjal length wise keeping the stem intact. Immerse them in water for 5- 10 minutes. 
2. Grind the masala to a paste. Stuff this masala in brinjal. Repeat with all the brinjals till done.
3. Heat a deep bottomed vessel and pour oil, when it becomes hot, add the stuffed brinjals and mix well. Stir well till everything is mixed and the brinjals become soft and tender. Enjoy with hot rice.

Maaladu/ Fried Gram Dal Laddu- A festival delicacy

It's festive season in India and I can see many of my friends on Instagram making different varieties of Indian sweets which made me craving for sweets. I checked my pantry and with the ingredients I got from my kitchen, I made these amazingly delicious maaladu which I used to eat often as a kid in Andhra. This laddoo is the easiest dessert which can be made within no time. A rich, delicious, perfect one for any festive occasion.

There are so many dessert recipes among which these laddoos will stand out and will be a perfect crowd pleaser. Just three main ingredients and theses laddoos are ready. Hope you all will try and let me know how it turned out.

Ingredients:

1. Gram Dal- 2 Cups ( Roasted)
2. Sugar- 3/4 Cup
3. Ghee- 1/2 Cup
4. Cardamom Powder- 1 tsp
5. Broken Cashew- 2 tbsp

Method:

1. Grind together gram dal and sugar to a fine powder.
2. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the cardamom powder and broken cashews.
3. In this add the melted ghee and shape into small balls. If the balls are not forming, add little amount of ghee till it forms a firm laddoo.

Peanut Chikki/ Peanut Brittle/ Kadala Muttai

Chikki/ Peanut Brittle is a traditional Indian candy made with jaggery and peanuts. This one is loved by everyone in my family. My mom used to make this when we were kids but I never tried as I was not sure of the syrup consistency.

We buy this when we go shopping at Indian store, but nowadays we are not getting good quality ones and so I gathered courage and made this by asking my mom and watching some channels regarding the syrup consistency. It came out perfect. You can cut them into pieces by spreading them on a greased surface. This is a very healthy snack, rich in protein and iron.

Jaggery is an important ingredient for perfect chikkis. Also make sure the syrup reaches the right consistency by dropping a little bit in water and checking whether it turned into candy consistency. Act fast while rolling. Hope my friends will try this and please let me know how it turned.

Ingredients:

1. Peanuts- 2.5cups
2. Jaggery- 1cup
3. Water-1/4 Cups

Method:

1. Roast the Peanuts till nice aroma comes and till it starts to change golden in color. Keep this aside and ones it is cooled remove the skin by crushing gently. Separate the skin and keep the peanuts aside till the jaggery syrup is ready.
2. Heat a heavy bottomed pan and add the jaggery along with water. Let it dissolve on low heat.
3. Begin to boil and keep stirring until it thickens well. Check the consistency by dropping few drops into water. When it reaches the right consistency the jaggery syrup will harden immediately and it forms brittle.
4. If you are unable to get the syrup brittle then cook for few more minutes.
5. Turn off the stove and add the roasted peanuts, be quick and stir the peanuts well till everything gets well incorporated.
6. Grease your hands with ghee and roll them into balls. Ones it gets harder place it in an airtight container. and enjoy.

Instant Crispy Jalebi

Jalebi is a popular Indian dessert which makes an appearance in almost all the festivals and marriages. The best combination that goes well along with hot jalebis are rabdi. These jalebis can be made with different ingredients and they all have variety of names like the paneer Jalebi, Khoya Jalebi, Jaggery Jalebi, jaleba which is king size, jhangri which is made using urad dal, imarti and so on. 

I love all the varieties. In my blog, long back I have posted a jalebi recipe which is made instantly using yeast, today I tried using curd and baking soda. The consistency of the batter matters, as it shouldn't be too thick nor thin.

The thought of making jalebis came to me when yesterday my son after coming back from school saw the jalebi on youtube and started asking me to buy or to make as Jalebi being his second favorite dessert (first one is always Gulab jamun). Today after my morning walk, I gave it a try by preparing the batter and as the jalebis were done, it took only 30- 45 minutes. Using these quantity I made 20-25 Jalebis. As the shape and taste were delicious, I thought of sharing with all my friends here in my blog. Hope you all will try and let me know.

Ingredients:

1. All Purpose Flour- 1 Cup
2. Corn Flour- 2 tbsp
3. Ghee-4 tsp
4. Curd- 4 tbsp
5. Baking Soda- 1 tsp
6. Salt- a pinch
7. Yellow/ Orange Food Color- a drop
8. Water- required to make a batter- 1/2 Cup
9. Oil- for deep frying

Sugar Syrup:

1. Sugar- 1 Cup
2. Water- 1/2 Cup
3. Lemon Juice- 1 tbsp
4. cardamom Powder- 1 tsp

Method:

1. Mix the all purpose flour, corn flour, curd, ghee, baking soda, food color and salt in a mixing bowl. Combine these using little amount of water by using a whisk. The batter should be neither thick nor thin, it should be free flowing. If it feels thin add a tbsp of all purpose flour, if it is too thick add small amount of water.
2. Pour this batter into a squeezer or in a zip lock bag and seal it.
3. Heat oil for deep frying, when it is hot cut a small end of the zip lock and pour the batter in the shape of Spirals. Make 4-5 rings and let it become crisp on both the sides. Repeat with the remaining batter.
4. Meanwhile make the sugar syrup by adding the ingredients in a deep bowl on a low heat. Mix and boil till the sugar syrup forms 1 string consistency. Keep this aside.
5. Add the made jalebi rings into warm sugar syrup, flip it on both the sides for a min and remove. Continue with the remaining.
6. Enjoy hot jalebis.

Shirin's Special Goat Biryani- A delectable combination of spiced meat & rice!!!!

Eid Mubarak my friends!!!!

We visited our friend's house for the weekend and they celebrate bakrid one day before us, so we got to celebrate Eid with them. We enjoyed spending time with our friends. Kids had lots of fun time playing, all nighter, watching movies and so on. 

Usually we make some easy breakfast and then start the biryani process but at my friend's house they prepare the biryani in the morning and will have it for breakfast. We thoroughly enjoyed the biryani for breakfast. It was a new experience. As my friend Shirin, made this in her version,  I gave this biryani her name.

My friend, marinated the meat with spices and yogurt, cooked the rice separately and deep fried the onions. She then assembled it by layering and adding lemon juice and saffron milk in between. For breakfast, a delicious, scrumptious, finger licking and mouth watering biryani was ready. We relished the biryani the rest of the day.

I noticed a thing that this biryani doesn't require too many ingredients like a normal biryani. Hope you like the recipe and try it out. Please let me know how it turned.

 Ingredients:

Marination:

• Goat- 3 lbs
• Green chillies (slit)- 10-15 numbers
• Ginger- Garlic Paste- 3 tbsp
• Yogurt- 2 Cups
• Garam Masala- 2 tbsp
• Salt- as required

1. Basmati Rice- 6 Cups
2. Water- 11 Cups
3. Fried onions (sliced)- 8 numbers
4. Garam Masala- 3 tbsp
5. Lemon Juice- 1/2 Cup
6. Saffron with Milk/ Orange food color with milk- 1/4 Cup

Method:

For Marination:

1. Marinate the goat, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, slit green chilies, garam masala and salt. Keep this aside for almost 3-4 hours or overnight. Cook this on medium flame for almost 2 hours or the meat gets tender.
2. Deep fry the sliced onions in oil till it gets golden brown. Keep this aside on a kitchen towel. Reserve the fried oil for assembling.
3. Rinse and soak the rice for 30minutes. After 30 minutes, drain the rice. Heat water required for the biryani and when it gets boiled add the drained rice and salt, mix and keep the lid and let it cook for 20 minutes on low flame. After 20 minutes switch off the flame and keep it for 10 minutes without mixing. Slowly fluff the rice using a fork.

For assembling:

1. In a deep bottomed vessel layer with a tbsp of fried onions, spoonful of goat masala, tbsp of garam masala and cooked rice and repeat the process and make sure that the top layer is of rice. 
2. Poke holes and pour the lemon juice and saffron milk in each hole and close with a lid. Let it cook on low flame for about 15- 20 minutes.
3. After 20 minutes, open the lid, mix and enjoy with raita.