Vada Curry

Vadacurry as the name implies is a curry made with vadai,a dumpling usually made with split yellow peas.This side dish for dosa makes the breakfast special.This can also be had with idli,chappathi...There are several variations for this recipe as per individual taste and needs.Vada curry can be made with leftover vadais as well.The coconut milk added in this dish gives it a unique creamy texture and taste.Dosa with vadacurry is a food to relish.

Prep Time:25 m     Cook Time:30 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

For the Vadai

Yellow Split Peas - 3/4 cup

(Pattani paruppu) 

Onion                   -1(reserve the other half)

Ginger                  - 1"piece

Cinnamon            - 1"piece

Aniseed               - 1/2 tsp

Khus khus            - 1/4 tsp

Curry Leaves        - few

Dried Red Chilli    - 2

Asafoetida            - 1/4 tsp

Coriander Leaves  - 1/4 cup

Salt                       - as required

Oil                        - to deep fr

For the curry

To Grind

Ginger             - 1"piece

Garlic              - 3 cloves

Cinnamon        - 1"piece

Aniseed            - 1/2 tsp

Khus khus         - 1/4 tsp

Fried Gram Dal - 1 tblsp 

For curry

Onion                  - 1

Curry leaves        - few

Green Chilli        - 4

Mustard Seeds     - to splutter

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Coconut Milk       - 3/4 cup

(first) 

Coconut Milk       - 3/4 cup

(second)

Salt                      - as required

Oil                        - 2 tsp

Method

• Grind the soaked channa dal with other ingredients upto dried red chilli to grind.Add salt,chopped coriander leaves,remaining onion,asafoetida and mix well.Heat oil in a kadai and then drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the oil and fry till golden brown and set aside.
                          
     
• Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,add curry leaves,onion and green chilli.Saute for a while.Add the ground paste,turmeric powder and little water.
                                
     
• Now add the second coconut milk and bring it to a boil.Then add the first coconut milk and salt.Now add the vadais into this and switch off the flame.Leave it for five to ten minutes so that the vadais are soaked in the curry and then serve with spongy or crispy dosas.
                                      
                                 
  

Little Words

• The dal can be ground coarsely also.When it is ground softly the vadais are spongy and they easily absorb the curry.
• Channa dal can also be used to make the vadai.

Cheese Stuffed Chilli Fry

Bajjis are the most favourite snack for all ages and that too hot bajjis with a cup of hot coffee or tea on a rainy evening is divine.Try these chilli cheese fries with a crispy covering made of sooji and flour dough instead of bajji batter.

Prep Time:20 m     Cook Time:10m

Makes:10

Ingredients

For the dough 

Sooji/rawa  - 1/4 cup

Plain Flour - 1/4 cup

Salt            - to taste
For Stuffing
Long Chilli/Bajji Milagai - 10
Mozarella Cheese             - 1/4 cup
Cheddar Cheese               - 1/4 cup
Onion                               - 1/4 cup
Ginger Powder                 - 1/4 tsp

Chat Masala                     - 1/4 tsp

Salt                                  - to taste
Oil                                   - to deep fry

Method

• Mix rawa,plain flour and salt with little water and knead into a dough.
     
• In a bowl mix the cheese,ginger powder,salt and chat masala and set aside.
     
• Meanwhile heat oil in a kadai.Make a slit in the chilli and stuff with cheese mixture.
              
• Now make small balls from the dough.Spread this and place the stuffed chilli in this and cover it well.Prepare all of them and once the oil is hot deep fry them until golden and serve with tomato ketch up.
                            
                                
     

Little Words

• A yummy snack especially when craving for a lip smacking snack.
• Instead of ginger powder ,ginger paste can be used.
• If using bajji batter for the outer covering make sure that it is covered well else cheese will ooze out in oil.

Nuts Coco Pops

Nuts coco pops is packed with all the goodness of nuts with a chocolate flavour.It is a very easy and quick to prepare snack.Shape them into mini balls that can be popped into mouth or wrap them as chocolates or insert a tooth pick to make them into lollipops.

Prep Time:10 m     Cook Time:5 m

Makes:20 - 25 

Ingredients

Cashew            - 15 

Badam              - 15

Fried Gram Dal  - 1/4 cup

Groundnut         - 1/4 cup

Dates                - 8

Jaggery             - 1/4 cup

Cocoa Powder   - 2 tblsp

Method

• Dry roast the groundnuts and grind it corsely along with cashews,badam,fried gram dal,dates and jaggery.Now add the cocoa powder and mix well.Take small portions and shape into balls.
                        
                            
                           
                               
                        
     

Little Words

• A great snack for kids with all the goodness of nuts and chocolate flavour.
• Wrap them in foil to make them look like chocolates or insert a toothpick to make them look like lollies.
• Vary the ratio of the nuts as desired.