"Appetizers"- Shrimp Pattice/Prawns in potato Patties

'M' and I had been friends for 5-6 years before we got married.Even then I did not know about his 'unlove' for prawns.After getting married I started to 'show' my cooking skills and one day I made these just before he came back from work.Now these 'pattice' are a delicacy in my moms home.We all would go head- over -heels when she made these.So when 'M' got home that day, I served these and waited for his reaction.I thought he is going to be sooo happy on me...
BUT....he took a bite and then he said...he can't have anymore!!I was in tears:( He then told me that due to the resemblance of shrimp/prawns with 'worms' he cannot eat shrimp.
Hence, now I make them only when I have other friends to share and enjoy these with me!
Ingredients:
For the shrimp filling
20-25 Small/Medium shrimp(cleaned, deveined, tails off)
1 large onion finely chopped
1tsp ginger garlic paste
1tsp Chicken masala/Kitchen king masala
1-2 tsp Red chili powder
1/2tsp Turmeric powder
1/2tsp cumin seeds
Cilantro
Oil
Salt

For the outer covering
2-3 potatoes boiled and mashed well,without any lumps.Grate them to get smooth mash.
1/2tsp garlic paste
1/4tsp Ajwain seeds/Cumin seeds
Salt
oil to fry
Bread crumbs

Method:
1) On 1tbsp oil fry the chopped onions till translucent and starting to brown.Add the cumin seeds, Ginger garlic paste and fry 1 min.Then add shrimp, spices,salt and cook till the shrimps cook and all the moisture evaporates. Garnish with Cilantro.

2) Mix mashed potato, salt, garlic paste, ajwain and make into smooth 'dough'.Make small balls with shallow center and stuff with 'Shrimp' filling. Cover completely with potato.

3) In a flat plate take bread crumbs.Place the Patties in the bread crumbs and coat on both sides.
4) Shallow fry on both sides till golden brown.

              Serve the Spicy Shrimp Patties hot with Maggie 'hot and sweet' sauce!

"Everyday Cooking"- Whole Wheat Tandoori Naan

My friend 'M' made this the other day for the Potluck.She said she learnt it from some friend of hers here in Columbus.I am sure this recipe is pretty much famous in Columbus now! It is one of those 'Wildfire 'Recipes that spreads from ear to ear!
"Naan' is a leavened flat bread. The only 'leavening' agent here is 'Yogurt' and these flat breads are made from whole wheat flour and in our 'Home Tandoors' that is Regular ovens! All these make them a BIG HIT! Not only that they bake in about 2 mins!!!

Ingredients:
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour/Atta/ Chapati Flour
1/3rd Cup Plain Yogurt/Dahi
1/2tsp Kasoori Methi(optional)
1/4tsp Ajwain/Oowa(optional)
Salt
water
Cooking spray
Butter

Method:
1) Mix wheat flour with yogurt, salt, ajwain, kasoori methi and knead into a soft dough with water.

2) Keep covered for 2-3 hrs.
3) Roll out the dough into oblong/ triangle / circle shape with 'light' hand. Do not press hard on the dough while rolling. Roll till about twice the thickness of a 'chapati'

4) Pre heat the oven to 'Broil' or to Max temp(like 500F)
5) Spray the cooking sheet with cooking spray/apply light hand of oil to prevent naan from sticking.
6) Bake for 1 min or so(till light roasted) then turn the naan and roast on the other side.The naan will fluff up and are done quickly.SO WATCH OUT..or otherwise they will burn.

7) Apply butter and serve IMMEDIATELY.
8) Serve with your favorite curry. I served them with 'Paneer Chettinad"!
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/03/everyday-cooking-chicken-chettinad.html