NOT your usual 'Aloo Paratha'

'Dabeli', has all my favorite flavors and ingredients packed up in small but delicious package! So here is ...Another innovation in my favorite world of Dabeli :)

Here is a short recipe:
Mash boiled potatoes, add 'Dabeli masala' very finely chopped dried cranberries, salt and red chili powder and mix. While making Parathas stuff this mixture in the dough along with very finely minced onion, cilantro and some thin Sev. Roll paratha and roast till slightly brown. Serve with tamarind chutney!! 

Dabeli recipes in different forms:

http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/search/label/Dabeli

Avocado Parathas

Everyone has heard the buzz about the 'Health benefits of Avocados' and want to incorporate more of them in their diets. Though they are a 'high fat vegetable'(85% of its calories come from fat)...don't you worry...they are "Good for you fats". Here is the link to know more about  health benefits of Avocados: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5
I love to eat Avocados...in the form of "Gaucamole"...with chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, cilantro and squeeze of lemon juice....Spread on the baked Tostitos or even better.... "Microwave toasted Papad"!!!

The other day, my friend "Soniya Keskar" gave me a brilliant idea of making "Avocado Parathas". Since both "E" and "A" are not huge avocado fans...this was a great way to incorporate it in their diet!!
The parathas came out really soft due to the 'fats' in the avocados and looked slight 'yellowish-green' with tiny specks of avocados and cilantro.

Ingredients:
2 cups Whole wheat flour
1 'medium- ripe' avocado
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1tsp Red chili powder ( add more or less)
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1/4tsp Garlic paste
1 green chili finely chopped
Salt
water if needed

Method:
1) Slit the avocado length wise. Twist both halves in opposite direction. Take out the seeds. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Scrap all the 'green' flesh near the skin too.The healthy goodness lies in here!
2) Mash the avocado with your hands.Add the rest of the ingredients and make into a "chapati like dough'. Add little water if needed to make the dough. No need to add oil.The avocado already has 'fats' to make the parathas soft. Keep the dough aside for 30 mins.
3) Knead the dough again and roll out into parathas. Roast the parathas on a heated 'tava'
4) Serve hot along with Chutney/ Pickle/ Ketchup or Gaucamole!!

"Everyday Cooking"-Potato and Peas Paratha

Yesterday's 'Navaratri Potluck' was a big hit.It was so nice to meet all friends together,share good food, laughter and for a change we (the adults) got to play cards while the kids played on their own..without (much) brawling! I really look forward to such potlucks..where things are kept casual..... just catch up with friends,relax, share recipes and good food,laugh..be your own self....it is soooo much fun !
The 'bread pakoda' appetizer I took along for the party....was liked by everyone.Everyone joked about the color combination in the pakodas.....to be 'very patriotic'! See... now I have a 'special' appetizer I can take along to 'Independence day' potluck ..if we have any!
Since we got back home really late after the card game (which I won... once..yeah!!) last night,waking up this morning was....ummm a bit difficult.But 'E' wakes up at his usual 7.30am time..so we had to too!
What's cooking for lunch?.....No that was not 'M' asking me about lunch(he hardly does!)...it was me asking myself...
'M' isn't interested in food as much as I am.He loves to eat good food...but I guess....he's too lazy (and yes...verryyyyy busy) to make it himself,try out different things,learn about it..etc.His way of 'helping' me in the kitchen would be to order 'pizza' for the meal! Hahahha!
So......without much hesitation..on what to cook for lunch... decided to make Aloo parathas.My friend 'V' had been asking me to put up this recipe,as she likes the parathas I make.So this one is for her...
She herself is an incredible cook....and I have hardly tasted anything she made, which was far from 'perfect'.
Ingredients:
For the stuffing/filling:
2-3 large potatoes boiled mashed without any lumps
1/2 cup cooked green peas mashed well
1/2tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin-coriander powder
2tsp chopped mint (optional)
1tsp garlic paste
2tsp chopped cilantro
salt to taste

For dough:
1 +1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp oil
1/4tsp ajwain/owa seeds
salt to taste
water for kneading

Method:
1) Mix flour,oil,salt,ajwain seeds and knead into a soft dough.Keep aside covered.
2) Mix the mashes potatoes,peas,garlic paste,cumin,garam masala,chili powder,cumin-coriander powder,salt etc and knead well.
3) Make lemon size balls of the dough.Roll into a small circle.
4) Put a small lemon size ball(little small than the dough itself) in the center of the rolled out dough.
5) Cover the stuffing completely by folding the dough from all sides.Stuffing should not ooze out.
6) On a well floured surface, gently (without heavy pressure) roll out the paratha.Roll out thicker than chapatis.
7) Roast the parathas on hot pan, with occasional brushing with oil.
8) Roast till both sides are golden brown.
9)Serve hot with mint-coriander chutney/raita/ketchup/butter.