Onion Bajji

Ingredients

Gram Flour           - 1/2 cup

Rice Flour             - 1/4 cup

Onion                    - 2

Chilli Powder        - 1 tsp

Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp

Salt                         - to taste

Bicarb of Soda       - a pinch

Oil                          - to deep fry

Method

• Heat oil to deep fry.Slice the onions horizontally into thin slices.Meanwhile mix flour,salt,jeera ,soda and chilli powder into a thick batter.Dip the sliced onion in the batter and deep fry in hot oil till golden in colour.Drain the excess oil on a kitchen towel and serve with any chutney.
                       
                                       
     

Little Words

• An excellent teatime snack that could be made in a jiffy.
• In the same batter can use potato slices,papadom,sliced raw banana,spinach leaves,fish pieces and the list goes on

Phirni with Condensed Milk

Prep time:5min

Cook time:15 min

Serves:2

Ingredients

Rice                    - 1/4 cup + 1 tblsp (soaked overnight)

Milk                    - 1 cup

Condensed Milk - 1/2 tin

Vanilla Essence  - few drops

Cashewnuts        - as desired

Method

• Soak rice in water for atleast six hours and grind into a smooth paste.
     
• Place rice paste,milk,condensed milk,vanilla essence in a heavy bottomed vessel and keep stirring in low flame for about fifteen minutes.The mixture would start thickening and creamy softy melt in the mouth phirni is ready.garnish with cashew nuts or any nuts of choice.

                                       

                                      

             

Little Words

• An easy and delicious sweet to make if rice is soaked previously.
• Sugar can be added if desired.
• Tastes divine with a rich creamy texture.

Ragi Pakoda

Ingredients

Ragi Flour      - 1/2 cup

Rice Flour       - 1/4 cup

Green Chilli    - 2

Curry Leaves   - few

Onion               - 1

Bicarb of Soda - a pinch

Salt                   - to taste

Oil                    - to deep fry

Method

• Mix all the ingredients except water.Sprinkle water and make a stiff dough.Meanwhile heat oil to deep fry.
                               
     
• When the oil is hot take a small portion and pinch off into oil as pakodas and fry till the bubbles ceases or the 'sh' sound ceases.Drain on a kitchen towel and serve hot.
                                   
     

Little Words

• Tastes best when hot.
• Diabetic friendly snack.

Pink Puri/Beetroot Puri

Prep Time:10m        Cook Time:15 m

Makes:8-10

Ingredients

Wheat Flour  - 1/2 cup

Beetroot         - 1/4 cup(finely grated)

Salt                 - to taste

Chilli Powder - 1/4 tsp(optional)

Oil                  - to deep fry

Method

• Mix flour, salt and chilli powder(if adding) so that salt mixes evenly.Then add finely grated beetroot and knead into a not too soft dough.Add a teaspoon of oil,knead it again and leave it to rest for fifteen minutes.
                              
                                  
  
• Heat oil in a kadai to deep fry the pooris.Meanwhile make small balls and roll into pooris.When the oil is ready fry them one by one and drain on a kitchen towel and serve with coconut chutney or any desired side dish.
                              
                                   
     

Little Words

• Gently rolling and gently pressing into hot oil gives puffy pooris.
• Take care while adding water as the beetroot has water content in it.
• The colour attracts kids.

Mung Beans Dal Fry

Ingredients

Mung Beans       - 1/4 cup

Onion                  - 1
Garlic                  - 3 cloves

Tomato                - 1

Curry Leaves       - few

Mustard Seeds      - to splutter

Cumin Seeds         - to splutter

Coriander Leaves  - 2 tblsp

Turmeric Powder  - a pinch

Chilli Powder        - 1 tsp

Coriander Powder - 2 tsp

Cumin Powder      - 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala      - 1/4 tsp
Salt                        - to taste
Oil                         - 2 tsp

Method

• Soak moong dal overnight and pressure cook for three whistles.Heat oil in kadai and add mustard seeds,cumin seeds,curry leaves,garlic and onion and saute till onion becomes transparent.
  
• Now add chopped tomatoes and all spice powders.Add water and salt and cook this for ten minutes.
     
• Now add cooked mung beans and mix well and cook for further five minutes,garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice or roti.
                                 
     

Little Words

• Mung bean sprouts can also be used.
• If soaking time for mung beans is lesser then pressure cook for few more whistles.

Ragi Sponge Cake

Ingredients

Wheat Flour      - 1/2 cup 

Ragi Flour         - 1/2 cup

Butter                - 1/4 cup(melted)

Sugar                 - 3/4 cup

Egg                    - 2

Vanilla Essence - 1/4 tsp

Baking Powder  - 1 tsp

Baking Soda      - 1/4 tsp

Method

• Preheat oven to 350 F(175 C).Cream butter and sugar.Break in the eggs and beat well.Add vanilla essence and mix well.
                  
• Sift the flours,baking powder and baking soda together.Now mix the wet ingredients and dry ingredients well.
     
• Grease a round cake tin and dust with flour.Pour the batter into the tin and tap gently.Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.Let it cool and gently tap the tin upside down and cut into slices.
                                  
                           
     

Little Words

• A healthy cake indeed and tastes great too.
• I was wondering how it will turn when I experimented this for the first time and it turned out well.
• You can add some chopped nuts and sprinkle on top or even mix to the batter.