July 15, 2012

Indian Tater Tots | Potato Bites Recipe and Quick Fix Indian Cookbook Giveaway


[Updated on October 29th 2012] This recipe was featured on Huffington Post under the article "Tater Tot Recipes, Because They're Good In Everything"  

New York Times ran an article last year - "Are Apps Making Cookbooks Obsolete?", which created quite a stir among foodies. In the article it is said -

"Cookbooks have long offered their own kind of enriched content, in the form of scribbles left in the margins by cooks who found they liked a little extra cinnamon, or a higher oven temperature."

..yes I own cookbooks for the same reason as I can scribble what I think about a certain recipe as I make it. Though I don't normally end up cooking from all the books I own, they have an old-school-charm to it. Only when one experiences it, they would know the warm feeling for cooking from a book rather from an app.


After 5 years of her first cookbook, Ruta Kahate (5 Spices 50 Dishes fame) brings us a new edition with about 125 easy indian recipes that can be made in 30 mins or less. It starts with a "Shortcut Shelf" which has recipes for read-to-use pastes/condiments that can be stored or refrigerated for later use. Drawing inspiration for Thai Red Curry and Green Curry pastes, she has Red Masala and Green Masala that can be made quite easily and these are handy to spruce up almost anything - from meat to veggies to sandwiches and even pastas.

Similarly there are some funky names for other categories as well such as "Brisk Breakfasts", "Mains in Minutes", "Curries in a hurry", "Swift Soups", "Zippy Snacks" etc. Some of the recipes are quite intriguing like "Tomato Water" and her "Maa's Sheera", but I have a feeling that an experienced cook will find these recipes quite basic.

When it comes to a cookbook, I love ogling at a photograph of the finished recipe as it gives a good idea on what to expect. Quick Fix Indian has a very small number of photographs, often just the ingreidients and not of the recipe featured which is a little disappointing for me, personally speaking.

Nevertheless, Ruta demystifies Indian food and makes sure there is something for everybody and every occasion in her book. It gives a modern twist to few of our classic recipes without compromising on taste. Do try to grab a copy today.


I bookmarked quite a few recipes from every section and since it was raining & quite gloomy in our neck of woods, I chose to make some Indian Tater Tots today - a quick snack with a cuppa of tea did work its wonders on me. :-)

Enjoy!


{Recipe} Indian Tater Tots | Potato Bites


Ingredients:

12 ounces (approx 4 medium-sized) potatoes, boiled
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2 small green chillies, seeded, minced
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
salt - to taste
1 large egg, whisked
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 cup canola oil
1-2 tablespoons all purpose flour/maida (my addition, optional)

Note: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour if the mixture is too sticky and cannot be rolled into balls. 



Preparation:

1. Peel the potatoes and mash well. Mix in onion, chillies and cilantro. Season to taste with salt. Stir in the whisked egg and the bread crumbs (and flour if using).

2. Form into small balls (as the original recipe). (or) sprinkle some bread crumbs on a plate or wax paper, roll potato mixture into a thin cylinder. Cut into small pieces with knife. (just like gnocchi).

Optional Step - Line the balls on (wax) paper and refrigerate for atleast an hour, until firm.

3. Heat oil in a skillet and shallow fry the tater tots until light golden brown. Drain excess oil on paper towels. For a healthier option, these can be very well be baked at 180 C or 350 F for 20-30 minutes, carefully flipping them in the middle.

4. Serve them immediately with ketchup or any chutney







How to enter Quick Fix Indian Cookbook giveaway

1. Leave a comment on this post with your favorite quick fix recipe  (indian or non-indian) - No need of links, just the name will do. Note: Quick fix recipe is something you make when you are darn hungry and short of time. 

2. Mention your location - US or India so that you are entered for the corresponding drawing.

To increase your chances in the random drawing, do one or more of the following and leave a comment once you did so. 

3. Follow Cooking With Siri on Facebook.


4. Follow me on Twitter. - @sirime

5. Subscribe to Cooking With Siri feed.

6. Tweet about this giveaway. Feel free to use the below text -
Share your favorite quick fix recipe for a chance to win Quick Fix Indian Cookbook giveaway on @sirime's blog. http://www.tinyurl.com/quickfixindiangiveaway

If you are already liked me on facebook, following on twitter or subscribed to RSS feed, just leave a comment letting me know and you are entered in the giveaway automatically! This giveaway is open for everybody, You don't have to be a blogger to win the cookbook.

The giveaway will end on July 31st 2012 and two winners randomly picked - one from US and another from India will be announced on August 1st 2012. . 


Good Luck Everybody!





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until next time,





Note: This is not a paid post. The giveaway for US residents is sponsored by the publisher and one for Indian residents is sponsored by me.


48 comments :

  1. I subscribe to your feed in google reader..and I am from India

    ReplyDelete
  2. My quick fix recipe would be vegetable pulav made in the pressure cooker..healthy and delicious..
    My location is India

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  3. I love sauteed veggies with jarred marinara sauce and pasta. US drawing please! ssremington (at) gmail (dot) com

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  4. My quick fix recipe is Tomato Rice, and I'm in US :)

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  5. I am in the US. I am going to have to make these tater tots this week, they sound great; thanks for posting it!

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  6. I would so so so love to win this book!

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  7. My fav go to snack would be any fruit or a super quick salad !
    Thanks for the giveaway..US drawing please :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. My quick fix snack is popcorn pepped up with Indian spices! Following you on FB, twitter and reader!

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  9. Siri.....u had tempted me by posting the pic on fb but with no recipe....Love the Pic and i will try this pot by skipping the egg.

    My fav Quick fix Snack is Onion Bhajjis , hardly takes 5-10 mins and a great snack on a rainy day...

    I stay in India and would love to win this.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My quick fix requires no cooking: fresh fruit followed by a piece of chocolate.

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  11. One of the recent quick fix i done was, there was some uppma made in the morning, and make it interesting, I made an egg burgi, with some pepper added and mixed it with the uppuma. Worked well for me since kids eat it :)
    I'm from India

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lovely giveaway Siri.My quick fix snack would be bread toast if there is bread around or I love to have poha upma.Keeping my fingers crossed to win this book.Indian drawing please :)

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  13. Btw,I am ur fan on FB and am subscribing to your posts :)

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  14. My quick fix recipe is Pasta with any veg I found around me.

    I stay in India :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good looking tater tots!

    My favorite quick-fix recipes would be grilled cheese (bread stuffed with cheese and assorted veg, and a smear of pickle and chutney). I'm located in the US, crossing my fingers that I win this fun cookbook.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i have many... the first would be a hot tomato chutney to go with my favourite curd rice, the second and the best that i love is the cucumber raita with lots of green chillies and rice puffs in it. this fills my growling stomach and leaves me refreshed. Please add me to the indian list ;))

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  17. My quick fix is a sweet potato in the microwave and then I put some salt and cayenne pepper on it. I'm in US.

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  18. Suscribed to your feed :) from US

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  19. I have done all the above. Subscribing now however.My favourite quick fix is thin poha with chatni pudi, methehit mixed with salt and lot of tomatoes, onions, cucumber, capsicum and green chillies, coriander and lime. Ultimate. Drooling right now.:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm from the US, and my quick fix recipe is muffin pan meatloaf. Thanks for the opportunity to win. XO

    Dbyrne1[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. When I need a quick fix I usually go for breakfast foods, like pancakes or some scrambled eggs with cheese.

    ReplyDelete
  22. My quick fix is usually noodles with soy sauce and sesame oil with steamed tofu and veggies.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi,

    A quick fix that is a favourite for me and every one at home is noodles flavoured with panner, capscium, onion, vegetables and a little bit of soya sauce.

    I am from India.
    Sukanya

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  24. my quick fix recipe is onion pakoras - onions dipped in gram flour batter n deep fired till golden brown with mint chutney. heavenly. I also love spinach pakoras. Dip whole leave of spinach in the gram flour batter and deep fry. The rainy season in India is the perfect time for this treat.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like to make microwave omelets. Mix some spices, egg whites, and milk and microwave for a bit, and you have a protein packed breaktast! I am from the US.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I subscribed to your feed via email. I am from the US.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I also liked Cooking with Siri on Facebook. From the US. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. The recipe looks awesome, I will a give a try one of these days.
    My quick fix recipe is Healthy Poha with lots of Vegetables in it, and I'm located in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  29. The tater tots look mouthwatering!
    My quick fix is a yummy bhel. I am located in the US and have subscribed to your blog via google reader.

    ReplyDelete
  30. My quick fix is literally a can of black beans and a can of corn heated up together on the stove. Maybe mix it with any leftover salsa that I have. But in general I try not to make things that take too long ;)

    I'm in the US!

    ReplyDelete
  31. US here. My favorite quick fix is a smoothie. Throw a couple pieces of fruit, lots of vegetables, and some yogurt into a blender and there's a meal!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yum! These look delish! My favorite quick fix meal is a salad with poached eggs!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yum! That recipe looks divine! My quick fix is a salad and poached egg. I'm in the US!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Please enter me in the US drawing!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Siri , my quick fix recipe which I make quite often for my son is cut whole wheat bread in round shape with glass and grate some carrot, chopped capsicum, onion, mozzarella cheese on top and season it with salt, oregnao and cilantro leaves. Bake is for 10 minutes!!
    These tarter tots are looking so cute and crispy.
    Following you via subscribe and Facebook also :-)Finger crossed ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  36. My quick fix is tomato salad over hard bread. I always have a batch of it in the fridge, and it's perfect as a main dish, a side dish, a snack, or even a garnish.

    I am in the USA.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hello, I am following you on Twitter. :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. My quick fix recipe is baked chicken. And I'm in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  39. iam ur follower on fb and a subscriber through feedburner
    ...4m india

    ReplyDelete
  40. my quick fix recipe is maggi 2min noodles ...from india

    ReplyDelete
  41. quick fix: fried egg sandwich; u.s.
    gkuroda(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. liked you on fb
    gkuroda(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Siri, would love to win this book, fingers crossed US

    ReplyDelete
  44. Well I follow you on all social networking mediums

    ReplyDelete
  45. Bread and egg burjee works best for me ! I follow you on fb and subscribe via email. Am in India

    ReplyDelete
  46. My quick fix would be pasta with vegetables. Family loves it too :). I am in the US. Following you on facebook and twitter.

    ReplyDelete

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Siri

 
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