Lets Paint It 'Green' II - Hara Bhara Paneer Pulao

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The meaning of comfort food varies from person to person and for me it invariably involves 'rice'. The variety of recipes that can be made with our humble grain - sometimes seems just endless. The minute I declare one as my absolute favourite, a new dish pops up and becomes a perfect week night dinner.

...continuing my quest of posting only 'naturally green colored' recipes this week (Click here to know why), here is one such pulao which am sure will appeal to all. The added goodness of greens makes it nutritious and corn kernels with tiny paneer cubes gives it a nice body & crunch. You wouldn't need any other side dish as accompaniment. Serve it with any cool raita and Enjoy!

{Recipe} Hara Bhara Paneer Pulao

Adapted from Tasty Touch

Ingredients:

Greens used for this recipe: 4 cups spinach (palak), 1/2 cup mint (pudina) leaves, 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
3 green chillies
1 tsp ginger, minced
2 cups uncooked rice, (I used sona masoori, basamati would be the ideal choice) soaked in water for 15 minutes
1 cup paneer, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
2 bay leaves
1" cinnamon stick
2 cloves (lavangalu)
1/2 tsp cumin-coriander powder (or) 1/4 tsp each of cumin powder & coriander powder
2 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Blanch Spinach: Fill a large pot with water, bring it to boil, add spinach and blanch for not more than 30 seconds, until they turn brilliant green. Using a slotted spoon remove the spinach and plunge into a bowl of cold water, to retain their color. Squeeze out all the excess water. Keep aside. Don't throw away the liquid, we will use it later.

2. Grind together - blanched spinach, mint, coriander leaves, green chillies and ginger with little water into a smooth paste.

3. Heat about a tsp of oil in a pan and fry paneer pieces into slightly golden color. Set aside.

4. In a same pan, add rest of oil and add bay leaves, cinnamon and cloves. Fry for couple of minutes on low-medium flame until fragrant. Add corn kernels and spinach paste. Cook for few minutes until the raw taste disappears.

5. Add rice, salt and cumin-coriander powder. Gently mix everything. Add in 4 cups of boiling water. Cook until rice is completely cooked. Note: Alternatively, you can put everything and cook in a rice cooker.

6. Finally toss paneer cubes into the pulao. Serve with raita.

Here is what other FSB members have posted until now -

Mittu - Blueberry and Lavender Cream Pie [Violet]
Nags - Easy Basic Cake Pops [Blue]
DK - Risotto Alla Milanese [Yellow]
Deepti - Citrus Golden Sangria [Orange]
Lata - White and kidney beans falafels and spicy hot vandikkaran chutney, Filled and Grilled Red Peppers, Jam and Fruit Tart [Red]

2011 Holiday Give Away(s)

Just 3 days left for this season's holiday give away to end. Check out these and enter today - One for peeps in India and other for US residents. You may be the lucky reader who either wins a year long subscription for BBC Good Food Magazine (or) the 75th anniversary edition of the very classic 'Joy Of Cooking' cookbook. Last Date to leave a comment - December 31st 2011, midnight (IST). Winners will be announced on January 1st 2012. :-)

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until next time,

Lets Paint It 'Green': Mint Peanut Chutney {Pudina Chutney}

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No, it is not St. Patrick's Day yet. I will be 'going green' with my recipes, all of this week for an another reason. (Click here to know why) To know what it is, you gotta wait till December 31st 2011. :-).

On an another note, I can't believe that the last week of the year 2011 has already started and I have to post only 6 photographs more to finish my Project 365. Trust me, posting a photograph every day of the year has not been easy. Especially when we had to pack our bags and move back to India in April, I thought of just giving up. But, my love for photography was at its peak then, so couldn't let it go, just like that...and I am so glad I stuck with my decision. Or else, how else would I have captured my little sister's wedding (or) found out my new passion for Black and White photography...

Mint leaves are available in abundance in the markets. Go grab some and make this chutney..

For me, a piquant chutney is what completes a meal. I, sometimes just spread some on a piece of toasted bread and enjoy it as-is. Today's recipe -  Mint Peanut Chutney is one such combination which tastes delicious with everything and anything. It is incredibly easy to make and last for a good whole week when refrigerated. Enjoy!

Cook mint leaves and green chillies until wilted.

Grind the chutney to a consistency of  jam..

 Mint Peanut Chutney {Pudina Chutney}

Mint Peanut Chutney {Pudina Chutney}

Ingredients:

pudina/mint leaves, 1 big bunch (3 tightly-packed cups)
green chillies, 8-10 , halved
sesame seeds, 4 tbsp
peanuts, 4 tbsp
oil, 2 tsp
tamarind extract, 1 tbsp

Tadka -

oil, 1 tsp
urad dal, mustard seeds, cumin seeds - 1 tsp of each
red chilli, 1
hing (asafoetida), pinch

Preparation:

1. In a pan, dry roast peanuts and sesame seeds. Keep aside.

2. Heat oil on a medium-low heat. Add mint leaves and green chillies. Cook for few minutes, until wilted. Season with salt and turmeric. Finally add tamarind extract. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Allow it to cool a bit.

3. Grind together - mint leaves mixture with dry roasted peanuts & sesame seeds. Adjust salt if needed.

4. In a small pan, heat oil and add all ingredients listed under 'Tadka', until slightly brown.

5. Add tadka to pudina chuntey and Serve with hot rice or with dosa or idli. Store the rest of it in an air-tight container & refrigerate until next use.

Here is what other FSB members have posted until now -

Mittu - Blueberry and Lavender Cream Pie [Violet]
Nags - Easy Basic Cake Pops [Blue]
DK - Risotto Alla Milanese [Yellow]
Deepti - Citrus Golden Sangria [Orange]
Lata - White and kidney beans falafels and spicy hot vandikkaran chutney, Filled and Grilled Red Peppers, Jam and Fruit Tart [Red]


****************************************************************************************************************************************

Give Away: 

It is Holiday Season and best time to spread some happy cheer all around. Its time to give-away something special to my readers who supported me all along the way. Check out these two give-aways - One for peeps in India and other for US residents and enter today, if you haven't already. Last Date - December 31st 2011.

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until next time,

Chile Relleno with Home-made Tomato Sauce

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It all started with uber delicious Mysore Bonda, then we moved on to making Vegetarian Rogan Josh and last month we all munched on some crunchy Cornmeal-Orange Cookies.Yes, it is time for some free-spirit-blogging again. For the month of August, I chose the theme as - "Favourite Main Course Dish which we had in any Restaurant". We all have our favorites, don't we. those bajjias from your favorite stall which you crave in the middle of the night, the yummy dessert dish which you had in a restaurant during one of your travels that always stays with you and the taste still lingers in your mouth. I wanted my FSB pals to re-create the magic in their own kitchens.

I have my absolute favorites too. Bagels and Cream Cheese for instance. Are you one of them who associate food memories with some distinct places? I do that all the time. I had some of the best bagels in NYC and then in Washington DC. I ate them every single day, for breakfast. Whenever I think of Bagels, they remind me of the wonderful times I had and the fun people I met in these two cities.

Then, I moved to California.

That is when I fell in love with Mexican cuisine. It all started with Chipotle, then I moved on to visiting local, nameless restaurants in Mountain View which served hands down some of the best quesadillas, salsas and chile rellenos I ever had. I would always go for a full mexican platter complete with - fresh guacamole, sour cream, rice and beans. For me, Chile Relleno reminds me of Mountain View, California.

...and today, I have tried to recreate the same mexican flavors in my indian kitchen. It is not just food that is important here, it is also the place at which I had this dish almost every alternate day that take precedence. As I sat with my plate of Chile Relleno today, I thought about all those dinners, where I used to go all alone right from work. Alone because S used to work very late in the night and I also knew we would move back to India someday. So, those 10 months were the only time, where I could taste these goodies to the fullest. those were the days which I will always cherish and will forever be with me whenever I taste some good Mexican food. :-)

Chile Relleno with home-made Tomato Sauce

Adapted from various internet sources

Ingredients:

For Chile Relleno

3 long Peppers (preferred: Poblano Peppers, I used Anaheim variety)
1/2 cup Maida/All purpose flour
1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated or sliced
1/4 cup Milk
1 Egg, beaten
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
Salt and Red pepper flakes - to taste
1 tsp Oil
Oil - for shallow frying

For Tomato Sauce:

3 tbsp Olive oil
1 Onion, finely chopped
3-4 Garlic cloves, finely minced
2 Tomatoes
1/4 cup Tomato puree
Salt and Black pepper - to taste

Preparation:

Chile Relleno -

1. Make a vertical slit to the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Note: for a smoky flavor, slightly char them a little and cool. or Use as-is. I tried both charred & uncharred versions and they taste equally yummy

2. In a small bowl, combine maida, milk, egg, baking powder, baking soda, salt and a tsp of oil. Spinkle some red pepper flakes over the batter and whisk well.

3. Stuff each of the peppers with the cheese.

4. Heat enough oil in a wide pan. Roll each pepper into the batter, carefully dip and fry in oil until light golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, remove them onto paper towels to drain excess oil.

Tomato Sauce -

1. Blanch tomatoes for few minutes in hot water.

2. Heat olive oil in a pan and saute onions & garlic until translucent. Mix in sliced, blanced tomatoes and cook until mushy. Add tomato puree with salt & pepper. Add about 1 cup of water to bring it to a thick saucy consistency. Cover and cook for few minutes.

Assembling -

Spoon some tomato sauce on a plate and place chile rellenos on top. Serve with cilantro-lime rice, beans and guacamole on the side to make it a complete mexican platter.

Check out what other FSB members cooked for this month's challenge -

Anu - Gobhi 65
Nags - Murugan Idli Kadai Idli
Lataji - Potato and Aubergine Gratin with Greens

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until next time,
Siri

Cornmeal Orange Cookies

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July 2011 has passed and it is time for some free-spirit-blogging again. Would you believe that it is already the 4th edition and by each theme, it is getting challenging and am enjoying it more and more.

For the month of July, it was Lata ji who chose the theme and she had a list of 12 choices and each one of us had to choose a number from 1-12. Each number was associated with a hidden ingredient & an add-on flavor.

I chose No. 10. Want to know what were the other choices. Below is the complete list. Some will make your wonder, some will make you wrack your brains and some were like, just a big WOW. Check out for yourself -

1. Bottle gourd/ Marrow/ Zucchini (Cinnamon/Cardamom flavouring)
2. Tapioca/ Arrowroot starch (Zest of lemon or Orange/Juice)
3. Tomatoes (Vanilla)
4. Barley (Coffee/ fruit)
5. Quinoa (Raisins, fruit juice)
6. Noodles/ Pasta (Dark chocolate)
7. Buckwheat (Cheese/paneer)
8. Sweet peppers (Nuts and dry fruits)
9. Sweet corn (Cream)
10.Corn meal/ Polenta (Coffee/Orange)
11.Black currants/ Pomegranates (Caramel/White Chocolate)
12.Chick peas or mung beans (saffron/ pistachios)

Didn't I say - you will be surprised by some of the combinations ;-). Now, the part of the deal is to make a dessert out the allotted ingredient preferably with the add-on flavors specified on the side. I chose Orange and made some yummy Cornmeal Orange Cookies for the FSB challenge.

You know whats the first thing I got reminded of as soon as I took a whiff of the cookie dough - the little Orange cream biscuits which I used to practically live on, when I was a child. I never knew Orange oil would give such nice fragrance and flavor to the cookies. :-)

Cornmeal Orange Cookies

Adapted from Dorie's recipe of Cornmeal Shortbread Cookies and some inputs from Mads

Ingredients:

* Yellow Cornmeal (fine) - 1.5 cups

* All purpose Flour/Maida - 1/2 cup

* Cornstarch - 1/4 cup

* Butter - 1 cup

* Sugar - 2/3 cup

* Salt - 1/2 tsp

* Orange zest - 2 tsps

* Orange essence/oil - 1/2 tsp

* Vanilla - 2 tsps

Procedure:

Step 1: Sift the flour, cornstarch, cornmeal and salt. Set aside.

Step 2: Working in a bowl, rub the sugar and zest together with your fingertips until the sugar is moist and fragrant.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar together with the vanilla, about 3 minutes.

Step 4: Reduce mixer speed to low and tip in the dry ingredient mixture, mixing only until the flour streaks have disappeared into the dough (do not over-mix).

Step 5:  Using a rubber spatula, transfer the dough (which will be soft and sticky) onto a large piece of clingwrap. Wrap neatly and transfer dough to the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. 

Step 6:  Towards the end of the refrigeration period, pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F.

Step 7:  Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper, else grease them. If using non-stick bake-ware, lining or greasing them will not be necessary.

Step 8: Using a cookie scoop or a greased tablespoon, drop the refrigerated cookie dough two-inches apart, on the readied cookie sheet. Don’t worry about the dough being of irregular shapes as you drop it on the cookie sheet. The cookies will even out as they bake due to the fat spreading from the heat.

Step 9:  Lower the temperature to 150°C/300°F and bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes or until they just start to turn golden brown on the edges. They will continue to cook even after you’ve removed them from the oven, so please don’t be fooled to think that they’re under-baked.

Step 10: Remove cookie sheet from the oven and let the cookies sit on the sheet for a couple minutes before you gently move them with a thin spatula to a wire-rack, to cool completely.

Variation: Break the cookie into crumbles and top it with Vanilla Ice cream. It is pure heaven. :-)

Previous FSB challenges:

May 2011 - Mysore Bajji/Mysore Bonda
June 2011 - Vegetarian Rogan Josh

Here is what other FSB members made for the month of July -

DK - Eggless Tapioca Pudding with Chocolate

Mads -  Sweet Corn Panna Cotta

Nags - White Chocolate & Pomegranate Cupcakes

Anu - Yet to post

Lata ji - Apple and strawberry crumble with barley flour

Mittu - Quinoa Raisin Muffins with Lime Curd Whipped Cream Frosting

Deepti - Yet to post

until next time,
Siri

Vegetarian Rogan Josh (with Cauliflower & Tofu) and Rice Cooker Biryani

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"Being a Vegetarian", Is it tough? How do you manage?

How can you NOT have meat?

Don't you crave for some?

You don't eat meat, but watch Food Network?

Oh! You are that ghass-poos types?

C'mom people, especially the meat-eating ones. Stop judging the vegetarians. If we, vegetarians can  be laid back and are non judgmental about your eating habits, then why are you?

Did you know what a guy called Neal Barnard once said -

"..The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined.  If beef is your idea of "real food for real people" you'd better live real close to a real good hospital..."... Yep, its true!

Ok, there I settled score with all of my meat-loving friends, who keep teasing me or questioning about my vegetarianism. It is choice of living I love, and No, I don't crave or would secretly wish, I was like you. :-)

I am not here to rant and start a debate or to promote that vegetarianism is better. I am just saying - One is free to choose what to eat and what not to eat. Don't be judgmental. Live & Let Live.

Now, shall we move on to today's post in "Free Spirit Blogging". and this month my dear blogging pal, DK chose the theme. Here are some basic cues -

1. The challenge is to take a classic (or famous) Non Vegetarian dish and give it a Vegetarian interpretation.

2. The final dish should look as close as possible to its Non vegetarian counterpart.

3. If you can also make the texture/taste similar then it would be awesome, although its purely optional.

3. Usage of store bought Mock meats (or mock anything) is not allowed.


I chose to make a classic, non vegetarian recipe called - "Rogan Josh", normally made with mutton and gave a vegetarian twist with tofu and cauliflower. I went with these two as the recipe involved marinating the meat and tofu & cauliflower have a tendency to absorb such flavors very well.

Vegetarian Rogan Josh (with Cauliflower & Tofu)

Sandeepa's Trivia: Rogan means oil in Persian, while Josh means heat, hot, boiling, or passionate. Rogan josh thus means cooked in oil at intense heat. Another interpretation of the name rogan josh is derived from the word rogan meaning color and josh meaning passion, hot or red. It is originally a classic meat dish which is red in color. I have used a tad bit less chilli as I was serving this for my cousin-brother who doesn't eat a lot of heat. Next time, I am gonna try for that authentic "red" color.

I have adapted this recipe from Bong Mom's Cookbook - Mutton Rogan Josh. Since I was working with Tofu and Cauliflower, which are very bland in taste as-is, I added some more spices in the marinade. The ingredients-list is effectively the same, it is just that I used them in a different order :-). Also, my version was a little on a dry-side. Simmer it in little more water would make this gravy-based.

Ingredients:

200 gms of tofu (I got mine from M K Ahmed, Bangalore - Ka Kim's variety)

1 medium cauliflower, washed and cut into florets.

For the marinade:

2 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp ground cumin powder (jeera powder)

1/2 tsp turmeric (haldi)

1 tsp coriander powder (dhania powder)

salt - to taste 

1/4 cup of water

For tempering

1 tsp butter

2 medium sized onions, chopped

3 tbsp oil

1 bayleaf (tej patta)

2 cardamom pods (green ones), crushed

2-3 cloves (laung)

1 inch cinnamon stick (dalchini)

1/2 tsp pepper powder

1/2 tsp fennel powder

1 tsp chilli powder (The original recipe asked for Kashmiri Mirch, which enhances the red color. I didn't have any on hand, so used normal red chilli powder)

1/4 tsp garam masala

1/2 cup beaten yogurt

Preparation:

Dry Fry Tofu: Dry frying is one way to prepare tofu to remove the moisture and  in turn helping it to soak up the flavors of a marinade or sauce. One important thing to remember is to use a well drained tofu with a non-stick pan. (Source)

Place the tofu on a cutting board and a bowl with half filled water on it (for 10-15 mins). Make sure the pressure is not too much which can crumble the tofu. Cut them into small chunks (as shown below). Heat a non stick pan on medium heat. Once hot, place the tofu chunks on it. No oil required. Remember, we are just dry frying. Occasionally, keep turning the sides so that it is evenly, lightly browned.

Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix ginger garlic paste, ground cumin, turmeric, coriander powder with salt and water. Whisk the contents well. Divide the marinade into two separate bowls and put the tofu pieces into one and cauliflower florets into the other. Carefully, mix so that sauce coats them properly.

Cover and Refrigerate it for at least 2 hours.

After about an hour and half into marination, you can start the following steps.

Melt butter in a kadai and add chopped onions to it. Sauté until thoroughly browned. This adds significant flavor to the dish. Please be patient and don’t skim on the sauté time. :-) Cool down a bit and grind into a smooth paste. Keep aside.

Heat oil in the same kadai and add bayleaf, cloves and cinnamon. Once it starts to sizzle, add fried onion paste. Next comes the dry spices - fennel powder, pepper powder and chillo powder. Add a little water and fry the masala until oil separates. 

Next add marinated tofu and cauliflower florets. Mix well, lower the heat, add the yogurt little by little, mixing in the middle. Let it simmer for 1 min. Add 1-2 cups of water and adjust salt and spices if necessary. Cover and cook on low heat, giving it a careful stir for every 5 mins until the cauliflower florets are fully cooked.

Finally, sprinkle some garam masala and it is ready to serve.

You ask, what to serve with? Hmmmm, how about I share a very very simple biryani that can be made in a rice cooker.

Rice Cooker Vegetable Biryani

I end up making this biryani (which I learnt from my mom) atleast once in a week with a spicy gravy dish on the side, just for the fact that it is so easy to make.

Ingredients:

2 cups of Basmati Rice. (Sona masoori variety is fine too)

3 cups of water

few mint leaves

1 cup mixed vegetables. (I used frozen - a combo of peas, cauliflower, tiny carrot pieces and beans)

salt to taste

3 tsp oil

1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 bayleaf

1 tsp garam masala

Preparation:

Wash rice and drain water, completely. Keep aside.

Heat oil in a kadai, add bay leaf, ginger garlic paste and mint leaves. When it starts to sizzle a bit, add the mixed veggies. Saute them for 4-5 mins. Add the salt & garam masala. Finally the rice and Mix once or twice.

Empty the contents of the kadai into a rice cooker. Add 3 cups of water. (rice:water ratio - 1:1.5). Cover and cook until it shifts to - "Keep Warm". 

Isn't it one easy-peasy recipe? Just stick to the rice to water ratio - to not to end up a sticky biryani..

Here is what other FSB member have cooked for you -

DK - Vegetarian Meatball Sub Sandwich with Seitan

Deepti - Grilled Veggie Seekh Kabab 

Lataji -  Xacuti - Vegetarian Mutton 

Mads - Cottage Cheese Chops with delicious looking Potato cream dip

Anu - Sweet and Spicy Orange Paneer

Hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.

until next time,
Siri

Free Spirit Cooking: Mysore Bajji / Mysore Bonda

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You all must have read this post sometime last month. It was Mads who was introducing to the world about we, the *free-spirit-bloggers*...

..."Free-spirit Bloggers (FSB) is a closed-group of 8 bloggers. (Mads, Anu, DK, Nags, Lataji, Deepti, Mittu and myself) Every month, the FSB group will pick a theme and share eight appropriate tongue-ticking recipes with you by the month-end. Be it dishes/bakes, we’re all going to be sharing different recipes each but we will still be sticking to the central premise of the theme that month. Let me give you examples of the kind of exciting themes you can look forward to in the coming months – We each pick a personal favourite Chef and cook a signature dish of his/her’s. We each share a family heirloom recipe. We each choose a personal vice and create a dish/bake based on it (How about a slow-cooker dish from the lazy-bum? Or an eye-popping chocolate treat from the sinner?!!). You get the drift? It IS different. The themes chosen will just act as a guide and not suffocate those creative juices. It also gives each blogger the flexibility to cook/bake according to their personal choice, style and palette so every month, we churn out a potpourri of veritable recipes for you guys to devour from......" 

I had to miss the first edition of FSB as were in amidst of moving countries and as of today, still settling in Bangalore, what we call our new home. :-). I couldn't afford to miss the second one which was chosen by dear Nags.

Here is the challenge, in brief in her own words -

- I want us all to cook (or bake) up *savory* appetizers.
- The appetizer should be easy to make in bulk (think party for 50 people)
- Mark the preparation and cooking time separately in your post if you don't already
- You can make the preps over a day or more, but cooking or baking on final day should be relatively quick.
- It can be baked, deep fried, pan fried, steamed, all up to you.

Only two conditions is that it should be savory, an appetizer, and fit for a party.

Mysore Bajji [Mysore Bonda]

Now, that is an interesting one. Isn't it as we all are in constant look out for such recipes whenever we have to cook for a (potluck) party. Though I don't have yet, a kitchen which I can say as my own, I borrowed my mom's kitchen for couple of hours to make this appetizer. She always whips up this absolutely delicious bajji/bonda every time we ask for. It is deep-fried. It is savory. It is very easy to make in bulk - a perfect fit for any occasion. that said - it meets both the conditions of Nags challenge. :-)

Let's dig in then....shall we....

Mysore Bajji [Mysore Bonda]

Mysore bonda or Mysore bajji, as it is popularly known is one of the favorite snacks from Mysore cuisine. These are usually made for breakfast/brunch, so does my mom since we were little. It tastes the best when it is served with coconut chutney that is normally accompanied with idlis or dosas.

Recipe Adapted from my mom.

Ingredients:

2 cups of all purpose flour (maida)

1/4 cup yogurt (perugu)

1/2 cup shredded coconut (fresh or frozen) (kobbari turumu)

1/2 tsp baking soda (soda uppu)

2-3 green chillies (pachi mirapakayalu)

1 inch ginger (allam)

salt - to taste (uppu)

neutral tasting oil such as canola - to deep fry (noone)

Preparation:

1. The night before you wish to make these bajjis - Soak flour, yogurt and add about 3/4 cup of water little by little and mix. Note: Donot add the water all-together. Make sure the consistency is like a loose (chapati) dough not like idli or dosa batter. You should be able to make a small ball out of it. Keep covered.

2. The next day, coarsely grind - 1/2 c shreded coconut with green chillies and ginger. 

3. In a medium-sized bowl mix well (without any lumps) - flour-yogurt mixture with coconut-green chilli-ginger paste, baking soda and salt.

4. Heat oil in a wok. To test if it is ready, make a very tiny ball of dough and drop it. it should fluff up and rise to the top.

5. Lightly water your hands and make small lemon sized balls out of the dough. Drop them into the oil, carefully. Fry them until golden brown. Put them on paper towels so that the excess oil is drained off. Serve with any chutney or just as-is.

This is how the mysore bajji looks, when split open - 

These can be made anytime of the day. All that needs to be done is soak the flour a night before. If you are short of time, use self raising flour to make the dough instead of the normal all purpose flour. No need to ferment then in yogurt and alternatively water can be used, though I would recommend yogurt for that slight tanginess.

Now, who wants to grab these little beauties right out of the screen and pop them into their mouths..I sure want to.

Don't forget to check out which of the tasty appetizers did the other FSB members make for you all - 

Mads 

Anu 

DK 

Nags 

Lataji 

Deepti 

Mittu

Enjoy..

cya all next time,
Siri

Did you like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow me on Facebook to be the first to know what I am are up to. Interested in just photo blogging? 365 days of Siri is my one other blog where I share a slice of my life through my lens. Cya all there. :-)