Instant White Dhokla#Alphabet Challenge

Homemade Instant White Dhokla is breakfast/snack item of the state of Gujarat in India. Since dhokla goes through a steaming process, it is healthy. It is a perfect addition to your weight loss plan because it is rich in protein, fiber, and other nutrients. It is ideal for breakfast or an evening snack option.

Cup Measurement 1 Cup = 200Ml
Ingredients
1 Cup Raw Rice
½ Cup Poha
½ Cup Yogurt
¼ Cup Fine Rawa / Semolina
½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
1 Sachet Eno Fruit Salt or 1 Teaspoon
For The Tadka
2 Tablespoon Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
2 Green Chillies - slit
1 Teaspoon Sesame Seeds
1 Teaspoon Chopped Coriander - optional
1 Teaspoon Sugar
½ Cup Water 
Method

Wash the rice well. Soak the rice and poha for an hour or maximum 3 hours. After that drain all the water. Grind the rice and poha with the yogurt to a fine paste. Remove this into a bowl, mix the fine rawa and keep it aside for 15 to 20 minutes. 

In the meantime grease an 8 inch plate well with oil. Keep a steamer ready with enough water to steam the dhokla. When the water begins to boil place the plate on the stand.

After 20 minutes add the salt and eno and whisk it well till it turns frothy. Pour this into the plate. Sprinkle a bit of chilly powder on top. Cover the lid with a clean cloth so that the water does not fall on the dhokla and make it soggy. 

Steam on medium high flame for 15 to 20 minutes or until a knife or tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Switch off the flame. Let the dhokla cool. When it cools cut into pieces.
To Make The Tadka

Heat oil in a pan add the mustard seed, when they splutter add in green chillies and fry for a minute add the water and sugar bring this to a rolling boil add the coriander leaves, sesame seeds. Pour this evenly on the cut dhokla. Let is soak for few minutes. Serve hot with chutney. 
My Notes

If you do not have fine semolina then use the regular one only pulse it for 2 or 3 times in the mixer.
If you are making a double batch and do not have a dhokla stand wherein you can steam 2 -3 plates at a time. Then divide the batter in two parts. Add the eno to one batch at time and steam when that is steamed then add the eno to the second batch. You have to be quick once you add the eno or else the dhokla will not be fluffy.
This white dhokla is a thin layer. So do not add too much batter in the plate.

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Ready/Instant Mixes, Dhokla, Gujarat, Breakfast, Kids delight, Rice, Rawa, Steamed, Healthy 

• Sneha’s Recipe: Instant White Dhokla 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Iceberg Wedge Salad 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Instant Pot Bean and Smoked Pork Soup 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Italian Beef Sandwiches 
• Culinary Cam: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Saffron-Cardamom Ice Cream 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Italian Pane di Genzano 
• Magical Ingredients: Instant Aloo Paratha 
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• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Orange & Feta Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
• Blogghetti: Strawberry Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe 

Campanelle Pasta In Creamy Beetroot Pesto Sauce#SundayFunday

This is a vegetarian and delicious pasta dish which is easy, quick and delicious.  You will love it.

Serves 2
Ingredients
2 Cups Campanella Pasta
1 Large Beetroot - boiled, cooled and grated,
3 Cloves Garlic - chopped
1 Small Onion - chopped into big cubes
½ Cup Sliced Black & Green Olives
3 Sliced Green Jalapenos
3 Sliced Red Jalapenos
Salt To Taste
½ Teaspoon Black pepper powder
½ Teaspoon Oregano1½  Tablespoon Toasted Pine nuts
2 Cups Milk
½ Cup Dill Sauce
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
8 Basil Leaves - torn

Method

Boil the pasta until al-dente for 10 - 12 minutes or as per the packet instructions. Do not overcook the pasta. Retain some of the liquid.

Make the Beetroot Pesto

Grind the chopped beetroot, pine nuts , garlic, black pepper to a smooth paste. Add the reserved pasta liquid if the mixture is too dry and you need some liquid for grinding.

Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the onion and cook until soft and translucent . Add the beetroot pesto, oregano, pepper and stir for a minute. Add the Dill Sauce and ½ cup of the pasta liquid keep stirring till it thickens. 
Add the salt, olives half of sliced jalapeno, olives and Campanella and stir for about 2 minutes until the sauce covers the pasta well.

Garnish with jalapeno for some extra spice and torn basil leaves and jalapenos, olives.
Enjoy this creamy pasta
Labels : Pasta, Beetroot, Jams & Sauces, Vegetarian, Olives, Dill, Main course, Healthy, Sunday Funday

• Sneha’s Recipe: Campanelle Pasta In Creamy Beetroot Pesto Sauce
• Palatable Pastime: Pasta with Pancetta 
• Culinary Cam: Handrolled Pasta alla Gricia
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Tuna Pasta Salad 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Pasta With Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce
• Cook with Renu: Vegan Summer Pasta Salad (Oil-Free, Cheese-Free)
• Amy's Cooking Adventures: Homemade Gnocchi 

Dhapate - Multigrain Flatbread#BreadBakers

Dhapate is a multigrain flatbread from Maharashtra and is mostly had for breakfast or an evening snack. This is made by mixing the flours along with spices. Dhapate is a like a sister of thalipeeth, since the method and spices used is more or less the same. It taste more delicious when had with freshly churned homemade white butter. What I love about making these that is takes just no pre preparation to make it and all ingredients are always there in your kitchen pantry.

Ingredients
1 Cup Jowar Flour/Sorghum flour
½ Cup Whole Wheat Flour
¼ Cup Besan/Chickpea flour
1 Small Onion - finely chopped
1 Green Chilly - minced
2 Cloves Garlic - crushed
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves
½ Teaspoon Coriander powder
1 Teaspoon Ajwain/Carom seeds - coarsely crushed
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds - coarsely crushed
1 Tablespoon Sesame seeds
½ Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
½ Teaspoon Salt to taste
½ Teaspoon Red Chili Powder
Water - as required to make a soft dough
Oil as required

Method 

In a mortar and pastel, lightly pound the ajwain and cumin seeds.  

In a wide bowl add the flours, salt and dry spices and mix well. Then add the onions, green chilly, garlic and coriander leaves and mix well.

Now add water slowly to knead a soft dough. Cover and keep aside.
Heat a tawa or pan.

Make equal balls about 5 to 6.

Using a plastic sheet or a clean wet cloth, take one ball and press to form a circle using your fingers. You can even pat the rotis directly on the pan using wet hands. 

Make four or five holes in it( this allow the oil to seep in evenly). 

Place this on to hot tawa and peel off the cloth/plastic sheet. Add little oil in each hole. Cover with a lid, let it cook for 2 minutes. Take off the lid. 

Flip and cook on the other side till golden.

Serve with freshly churned homemade white butter or with a chutney or any sauce.

Enjoy these healthy and wholesome Dhapate's for breakfast. These are so filling that they will keep you energetic past lunch time.

Labels: Flatbread, Multigrain Flour, Maharastrian Cuisine, Maharashtra, Breakfast, Snack, Healthy, Vegan, Breads, Jowar, Millets, Bread Bakers

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated each month on this home page.

We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.

• Aromatic Multigrain Bread with Coriander and Fennel from A Messy Kitchen
• Dhapate - Multigrain Flatbread from Sneha’s Recipe
• Easiest Multigrain sourdough Bread from Zesty South Indian kitchen
• Fluffy Multigrain Pancakes from Food Lust People Love
• Multi-Grain Dinner Rolls from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Roasted Potato Multigrain Bread from What Smells So Good?
• Spelt, Barley, and White Wheat Rustic Loaf from Karen’s Kitchen Stories 

Gavar Sabji#Alphabet Challenge

The Gavar or cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is an annual legume and the source of guar gum. It is also known as Gavar, Guwar or Guvar bean or in English Cluster Beans. Its kernel consists of a protein-rich germ and a relatively large endosperm, containing big amounts of the galactomannan.

Ingredients
250 Grams Gavar/Cluster Beans
1 Onion - chopped finely
1 Tomato - chopped finely
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin seeds
1/2 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
A pinch of Asafoetida
A pinch of turmeric powder
1 Teaspoon Chilly powder
1/2 Teaspoon Magic masala
1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Tablespoon Coconut - grated
Salt to taste

Method
Wash and chop the vegetable in small pieces.  

In a pan heat oil, add the mustard and cumin seeds, when they crackle, add the asafoetida, onions, tomatoes and turmeric powder, saute this till the tomato is soft and forms a paste. Add the Gavar and saute for 2 -3 minutes, then add the chilly powder, magic masala and sugar, saute for few minutes. Add salt to taste, cover and cook till done. If necessary then add water. I cooked this sabji on steam. When done, garnish with grated coconut and serve hot with rotis, phukla or rice.  

Lables: Gavar, Main course, Vegetarian, Healthy, Vegan, Gluten free, Cluster Beans

Sneha’s Recipe: Gavar Sabji 

Culinary Cam: Aïgo Bouido (Provençal Garlic Soup) 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Shrimp and Grits 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Guacamole Salad 

Food Lust People Love: Grape Juice Jigglers

Palatable Pastime: Grilled Vegetables with Hot Bacon Dressing

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Gyoza Wrapper Pizza Bites

Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Garlic Butter Gnocchi with Green Beans

Blogghetti: Easy Baked Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Creamy Simple Stovetop Gouda Mac & Cheese

Magical Ingredients: Green and Red Salsa Paratha

Asparagus Pesto#SundayFunday

Green, hearty, healthy, Asparagus Pesto, this recipe is a winner. Spread it on pizzas or sandwiches, use it in pastas or salads. It’s amazing and delicious in every way.

Ingredients
200 Grams Asparagus -  cut into 1″ pieces
1 Bunch Fresh Basil Leaves
2 Tablespoons Pinenuts
1 Jalapeno Pepper
4 Cloves Garlic
½ Cup Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese

Method 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Add the asparagus and cook until fully tender but not mushy, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well, reserving couple spoons of the cooking liquid, and let the asparagus cool slightly.
Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz together till it’s nearly smooth.

You can refrigerate it or freeze it for future use. 

Labels: Asparagus, Pesto Sauce, International Cuisine, Healthy, Sunday Funday, Keto

You can check the other Asparagus recipes 

• Asparagus and Herbed Ricotta Tart from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Roasted Asparagus with Tangerine Gastrique from Palatable Pastime
• Asparagus Pesto from Sneha’s Recipe
• Quick Pickled Asparagus from Culinary Cam
• Asparagus with Lemon, Mint, and Red Peppers from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Asparagus Soup from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Prosciutto-wrapped Asparagus with Garlicky Baked Brie from Food Lust People Love

French Beans Fry - Andhra Style#Alphabet Challenge

This is a tasty, which is every easy and delicious to make, is a delicious Andhra Style french beans cooked in mildly spiced masala called Pappula Podi. Healthy, hearty and flavorful Andhra style beans fry goes well with rice and sambar or with rotis. You can add a bit of fresh coconut as a final garnish.

Ingredients
250 Grams French Beans
Salt To Taste
1 Tablespoon Oil
2 Tablespoons Pappula Podi Masala
1 Tablespoon Fresh Coconut - grated
For The Pappula Podi Masala
2 Dry Red Chillies
¼ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 Tablespoon Dry coconut - grated
1 Tablespoon Split Roasted Gram /Phutane/Chutney Channa
2 Cloves Garlic
A pinch of Salt
For The Tempering
½ Teaspoon Mustard seeds
A Sprig Curry Leaves
2 Dry Red Chilies - de-seed and cut into two
2 Cloves Garlic - crushed (I used garlic)
OR
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida

Method
To Make Pappula Podi Masala

Dry roast dry red chilies and cumin seeds for a minute. Add grated dry coconut and roast for half a minute. 

Cool and grind to a fine powder along with garlic, split roasted gram (phutane/chutney channa) and salt. 

Wash, stringed and chop the French beans into small pieces. Then boil it with salt, turmeric and water enough to cook the beans till done, ( make sure that there is at-least 3 tablespoons stock in the beans). 

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them splutter, add curry leaves, crushed garlic clove and dry chillies and sauté for few seconds. Add the french beans, salt, pappula podi masala and mix well, then add the stock and place lid let it simmer for about 3 minutes. Turn off heat, add fresh grated coconut. Serve with rice and any curry of your choice. We had with simple dal and steamed rice and enjoyed this spicy French Bean fry.

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Vegetarian, Healthy, Andhra Pradesh, Indian, Sabzi, Side Dish

• Sneha’s Recipe: French Beans Fry - Andhra Style 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Chicken Fajita Bowl 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Fruity Baked Oatmeal 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Turkish Fig Pudding 
• Blogghetti: Homemade Fajita Seasoning 
• Palatable Pastime: Fake Fatty Pastrami 
• Food Lust People Love: Baked Chicken and Feta Meatballs 
• Magical Ingredients: Fava Fennel Paratha 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Butternut Squash Soup with French Herbes

Carrot Whole Wheat & Bajra Flour Flatbread#BreadBakers

This unique recipe combines the goodness of home stone ground bajra (pearl millet) and whole wheat flour with bran, carrots resulting in a flavorful and healthy high in fiber, antioxidants and B vitamins. This is a filling and and will keep full of energy to carry out your chores.

Ingredients 
1 Teaspoon Coriander Powder
1 Teaspoon Cumin Powder
1 Tablespoon Kasuri Methi
½ Teaspoon Teaspoon Salt or to taste
¼ Teaspoon Ajwain Carom Seeds
¼ Teaspoon Amchur Powder
1 Tablespoon Grated Fresh Turmeric
1 Teaspoon Grated Ginger
2 Green Green Chillies - finely chopped
¼ Cup Chopped Coriander Leaves
½ Cup Heaped Grated Carrot
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
¾ Cup Whole Wheat Flour
¾ Cup Bajra Flour
Water as required

Method 

In large bowl mix all the given ingredients well. Then add water a little at a time to to make a soft dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes. 

After that divide the dough into equal size balls.

Dust the work surface with whole wheat flour and roll each ball into a round circle.

Heat a tawa or girdle on medium low flame 

and bake each flatbread turning the sides till brown spots appear on both sides.

Brush them with oil or desi ghee and likewise bake the rest of the flatbreads.

Enjoy with a yogurt & pickle!!

Labels: Carrot, Bajra, Whole Wheat Flour, Millets, Flatbreads, Healthy, Vegan, Bread Bakers 

Passion Kneaded: Italian Easter Bread
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Hot Cross Buns Muffins
Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Casatiello Napolitano
What Smells Do Good?: Bunny Bread
A Messy Kitchen: Carrot Milk Bread
Ambrosia: Rosemary Dinner Rolls
Palatable Pastime: Carrot Bread
Zesty South Indian Kitchen: Sourdough Osterbrot
Magical Ingredients: Carrot Stuffed Carrot Buns
Sneha’s Recipe : Carrot Whole Wheat & Bajra Flour Flatbread 

Nasi Goreng- Vegetarian#EatTheWorld

This is a National dish of Indonesia. I have made a vegetarian version, Nasi Goreng can simply refer to fried pre-cooked rice or left over rice, a meal including stir-fried rice. This rice is a one pot meal, you do not require any accompaniment with this dish. 

Its a meal in itself. You can make it spicy according to your taste. There are many ingredients in this dish which you can substitute or even eliminate, it does not change the taste of the dish. Do not get discouraged to prepare this dish by looking at the long list of ingredients, let me assure you that this dish is easy and quick to make. So here is the recipe.

Ingredients
2 Cups Rice
1 Large Carrot - peeled & cut into matchsticks
12 French beans - chopped
½ head Cabbage - finely shredded
5 Shallots - chopped
2 Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Tablespoon Red Chilli Sauce
1 Stalk Celery - finely chopped
½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black or White Pepper
2 Tablespoon Sweet Dark Soy Sauce * See Notes
Salt To Taste
4 Tablespoon Groundnut Oil
For The Ground Paste
1 Large Ripe Tomato
1 Teaspoon Coriander seeds
4 Cloves Garlic
4 Large Fresh Red Chilies* See Notes (You can used 4 dry Kashmiri red chilies)
4 Almonds
For Garnish
1 Bunch Scallions/Spring Onion Greens - chopped
Chopped Coriander Leaves

Method

Soak the rice for 30 minutes then cook add few drops of peanut oil while cooking the rice, this will make the rice grainy and will not stick to each other. Do not cook the rice till it entirely soft strain it one stage before that. The rice once cooked should be grainy.

Grind the tomato, garlic , red chillies, almonds & coriander together to form a smooth paste and keep it aside.

In a large wok, heat the oil on medium flame add the chopped onions. Then add ground paste saute them till the sides starts leaving oil. Add in the carrots, beans and cabbage and saute them till the vegetables are tender. Add the cooked rice, salt, pepper, red chilli sauce and sweet soy sauce.

Mix well till combined. Garnish this chopped spring onion greens and coriander leaves.
My Notes
To make the Sweet Dark Soy Sauce I cooked it with 2 teaspoons palm jaggery.
Don' t have fresh red Chilies, you can used 4 dry Kashmiri red chilies. Soak them in warm water and then grind.

Labels: Rice, Asian Cuisine, Healthy, Vegan, Indonesia, Eat The World, Vegetarian, Sunday Funday, Main course

Join us as we Eat the World!!!

Check out all the wonderful Indonesian dishes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Find out how to join Eat the World here and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us! 

Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Nasi Goreng with Chicken  

Pandemonium Noshery: Sop Buntut - Indonesian Beef Soup 

Culinary Cam: Rijsttafel, An Indonesian Feast with a Colonial Twist 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Gado Gado 

Sneha’s Recipe: Nasi Goreng- Vegetarian 

 Kitchen Frau: Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) 

Sugarlovespices: Slow Cooked Beef Rendang, Indonesian Beef Stew

Beef Rendang from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Iga Bakar (Indonesian BBQ Beef Short Ribs) from Palatable Pastime

Soto Ayam (Indonesian Chicken Soup) from Karen’s Kitchen Stories