Wednesday, September 26, 2012

"Chatpata Chaat"- Papdi Chaat/ Tortilla Chaat

I love the way some 'Cooking tips' and 'Tricks' spread from ear to ear...and then everyone around you..is making it the same way!!! Last week, during Ganpati festival, I made Mango Modaks and molded them with a help of a fork. Many of my friends tried that trick....liked it...and so... many Ganpati bappas had the Mango modaks for prasad!!
Similarly, "A' had made 'Papdi chaat' for a Baby shower Potluck , couple weeks ago. She had fried 'Flour Tortillas' to make the 'Papdi' for the chaat!!! They were so crisp and yummy!! I thought it was a easy and cool trick to do!!

 Ingredients:
4 flour Tortillas cut up into strips
1 boiled Potato chopped into pieces and sprinkled with salt and red chili powder
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped tomato/ sliced cherry tomatoes
1tbsp chopped Cilantro
1/4 Cup Fine Sev
Oil for frying Tortillas
1/4 cup Yogurt slightly sweetened (optional)
Boiled Chickpeas/ white chana (optional)

 Green Chutney--
1/2 cup Cilantro
1/4 cup mint leaves
1tsp lemon juice
1/2tsp cumin seeds
2 green chilies
salt
sugar
Blend everything into a smooth paste

Tamarind Jaggery Chutney--
1 cup water
1/2 cup Jaggery or use 1/4cup jaggery and 1/4 cup sugar
1.5 tbsp Tamarind concentrate
salt
1tsp Chaat masala
1tsp Cumin-Coriander powder
1/2tsp red chili powder
Mix everything till well blended and boil for 10 mins or until slightly thick. This Chutney should taste Sweet-Sour tasting.

Method:
1) Deep fry the cut up Tortilla strips in oil till golden brown and crisp.This will be 'Papdi' for the chaat.Drain well.

2) Assemblying the chaat--
a) Place a handful of Papdi in individual serving plate.Top it with chopped potato, onion and tomatoes.
b) Drizzle the Sweet-Tangy Tamarind and Jaggery chutney and drops of green chutney. If you like drizzle some sweetened yogurt and boiled chick peas.
c) Garnish with chopped cilantro and fine Sev. Sprinkle some chaat masala, red chili powder on the chaat.
Serve immediately!!!
You will love the crispy Papdi with variety of textures and flavors of the chaat!!


















Tuesday, September 25, 2012

" The Sizzle From a Guest Kitchen"- (Guest-Dr.Sharvari Kolhatkar-Deshpande)- Hello Kitty Sandwich


DR.SHARVARI KOLHATKAR-DESHPANDE
Consulting Dietician and Naturopath

"Taste Of Columbus" Cooking Competition - 1st Place winner in the "Lunch box for Kids" category

Hello Kitty Sandwich-

Sharvari says:
Being a big time cat lover since childhood, I was always fascinated by HELLO KITTY. It’s a simple thing to make and nutritious.  Because of good presentation I believed that Kids will eat it with smile..:) There is always a scope to show your creativity in making meal for Kids. And I exactly did that...

Sharvari's Recipe:
 
Ingredients-

4 Whole wheat bread slices
2 tbsp Tomato, finely chopped
2 tbsp Onion , finely chopped
2 tbsp Capsicum , finely chopped
2 tbsp Whole green gram (sprouted)
1 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese
1-2 chopped curry leaves
A pinch of black pepper powder
Salt to taste
1 tsp olive oil


How to make it-
Cut the whole wheat bread slices in desired shape and size.
In a pan, take 1 tsp oil and heat it. Sauté onion, tomato, capsicum.
Add 1 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese in it and mix well.
Add curry leaves, black pepper powder and salt to taste and mix.
Take on slice of bread (which is already cut into desired shape) and spread the above mixture evenly on it.
Place the other slice of bread on it and press gently.
Give this sandwich in the lunch box with chutney or tomato sauce.