BHAJJI KI MINI PIE

  Well, what can I say about this cheesy n soft (vegetable) bhaji stuffed pies??  They are a divine fusion of Indian chaat with England-based dessert.  Since bhaji goes excellent with pav, their combo with buttery pie crust was good too :)  I made them when I desperately needed a savory snack. I am always a savory lover...  so when this 'fusion' idea struck me, I no longer resisted myself to bake :)   Yes, I don't know why baking is very mesmerizing and these days I am getting bakeaholic :D  :D

When it came for filling, I needed them a bit cheesy with  a different seasoning.  So, I went for oregano with mozzarella combination.  You can use any dry herbs seasoning (or replace them with a couple of fresh herbs and chili flakes you have).  If you want a classic 'cheesy' look, you can replace quarter cup of cheese to almost 1 cup.  (Trust this one, you will get a 'classic temptation')  These pies are better had straight from the oven, piping hot.  :D  :D So, with freezing climate here, they were a 'pleasure to intake' :D  :D

I got a lot of credits when I shared this pie with my neighbor :D :D  She especially appreciated the filling.  This has given me a lot of confidence, yes I am going to try this filling with more of savory types.  On the other hand, I had to admit that making these pies were a bit time-consuming.  It is best to prepare the dough before a  day and refrigerate them if you are in short of time. 

Kadaai khumb

     Mushroom always has an special reserved place at my refrigerator :)  I buy them often, atleast once an week.  This is because both hubby and daughter are mushroom lovers, they love in any form.  I made this kadaai khumb one day for dinner and I must say it was appetizing, palatable and melted easily with rotis/parathas. 

 

As goes with all kadaai gravy, I made them with cashewnut paste and cream.  This is an rich gravy, and also has green peas with them.  If you prefer it milder, you can add almond paste/putane dal paste instead of cashew paste. Also instead of cream, milk can be added.  This, is derived from Punjabi cuisine, where lots of dairy products are used. 

 

 

You can also try other mushroom recipes here like Mushroom stir-fry, Mushroom theeyal, Malvani khumb curry, Khuskhuswali khumb, Laal khumb, Mushroom dopyaza, Mushroom jalfrezi. 

 

Mangalorean curry

Mangalorean curry is a spicy curry that has a strong coconut base with tamarind flavour along with other spices.  This curry is prepared usually with chicken or with  vegetables

Ingredients required

For the masala paste

• Half cup of sauted onions
• One cup of grated coconut(Which is later sauted along with garlic pods)
• 6-7 garlic pods
• 4-5 tiny pieces of tamarind
• 5-6 dry chilly
• 1 tsp of whole dhanya
• 1 tsp of whole jeera
• 1/2 tsp of peppercorn
• Half tsp of methi seeds/venthayam

To temper

• 3 tsp oil
• 1/2 tsp rai/ mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp jeera
• 1/4 tsp methi/venthayam
• 1/4 tsp peppercorn
• 1/4 tsp dhanya
• 6-7 curry leaves
• 2-3 green chillies, slit lengthwise

Other

• 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions
• 1/2 cup of mixed vegetables like carrot, cauliflower, potato, green peas
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup of boiled double beans (optional)

Method

As given in pic below, first dry roast coconut with garlic.  Then,  onions  (sauted alone).  Also all dry spices , cool them separately, blend them together.  This forms the basic masala for mangalorean curry, keep them aside

In a kadaai, heat oil and add ingredients for temper one by one.  Later, add chopped onions.

Now, throw in salt and vegetables, double beans.  

Add in blended masala, cook till vegetables are done.  Serve hot with rice

Kandhe ki tarkari

This gravy is mildly spiced as it is cooked with veggies & onion-garlic sauce

Ingredients required

To make paste

• 4-5 sprigs of spring onion (bulb alone)
• 10 garlic pieces
• 3 tsp oil

other

• 1 tsp whole jeera
• 1/2 cup of chopped green part of spring onions
• 2 cups of finely chopped vegetables like radhish, carrot, cauliflower, peas
• 1 tsp of salt

Method

Grind onion  bulb, oil  and garlic to form paste

In a kadaai, add paste, jeera and green part of spring onions.  Saute well.

Add other veggies and cook till done. Adjust salt and garnish with coriander leaves