.....From My Palate

Bhawana

Onion Focaccia

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Foccacia

Onion Focaccia
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tbsp of sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 4- 4 1/2 cups Bread Flour
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • Herbs of your choice to sprinkle on top for garnishing.
Instructions
  1. Stir the yeast, pinch of sugar and ½ cup of water together in a mixing bowl and let stand at room temperature until foamy, about 8 to 10 minutes. (If foam does not form, the yeast is dead and should be discarded.)
  2. Add ¼ cup of olive oil, salt, onion and remaining sugar and stir in bread flour 1 cup at a time and water until an irregular shaped dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  3. Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and knead by hand, adding flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking. Knead until the dough is smooth, slightly sticky and elastic to the touch, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.
  4. With oiled fingers, press & flatten the dough and give the oval shape or shape of your choice.
  5. Grease the baking tray and place the dough and cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size. This will take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  6. With your fingertips, make deep indentations all over the surface of the dough. Drizzle remaining olive oil & sprinkle herbs of your choice all over & keep it aside for more 30 minutes.
  7. Preheat the oven to 400°F and Bake the focaccia in the hot oven until it is light golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  8. Serve warm or at room temperature with salad of your choice.
  9. Herbs choices are rosemary, sage, basil or oregano.

Happy Karwa Chauth

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Hey, How was your Karwa Chauth ?????


Simple to make and yummy to eat…..

Happy Karwa Chauth
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • Yogurt 2 cups
  • Milk/Water ½ cup
  • Pain boondi ½ cup
  • Fresh Pomegranate seeds ¼ cup
  • Red chilli powder acc. To taste
  • Cumin powder (Roasted) ½ tsp
  • Garam Masala just a pinch
  • Salt to taste
  • Coriander leaves chopped finely
Instructions
  1. Beat the yogurt and water to get smooth consistency.
  2. Add salt, garam masala and chili powder.
  3. Mix well
  4. Add boondi(I like the crunch so i prefer without soaking in water) and pomegranate seeds and mix well.
  5. Sprinkle roasted cumin seeds powder on the top.
  6. Chill it for 1-2 hours.
  7. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
  8. Serve chill

No Oil, No Butter, Sandwich

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I love grilled sandwiches. They are very easy to make, and the best part is you can use your imagination and invent one just for yourself!

This is my entry for WYF-Diet Food Event hosted by Hima.
Thanks a lot Hima.

No Oil, No Butter, Sandwich
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • Whole Wheat Bread
  • Cucumber Slices (Can use Tomatoes slices or Sprouted Beans or stuffing of your choice)
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Grill or Grill Pan
Instructions
  1. Take bread slices and layered with cucumber slices, sprinkle salt and peppe
  2. Place in a grill till done. (you get crisp golden brown color)
  3. Serve hot with salad and fruits of your choice
  4. Enjoy your sandwich.

Aloo Ka Halwa

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This is my entry to Think spice…think Saffron event of this month, hosted by Sunita. Thank u Sunita. http://sunitabhuyan.blogspot.com/

Hi Vijaya, I am happy to post this recipe for you, hope u will try it & let me know if u like it.

Aloo Ka Halwa
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 3 cups boiled grated potatoes
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (acc. to taste)
  • 3 tbsp ghee
  • 2 tbsp warm water mixed with few strands of Saffron
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan.
  2. Add grated potatoes and fry well on a low flame stirring continuously till golden brown.
  3. Add sugar and saffron water stir continuously till the ghee starts separating from the potatoes mixture.
  4. Add cardamom pd and chopped nuts stir again for more 2 minutes.
  5. Serve hot.

Happy Navratri

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Comments for Orkut
Foontastic.com – Orkut Scraps Codes

“Navratri” or “Navratra” is a combined word which means nine nights.
During these nine days, devotees keep strict fast and Durga is worshipped. The style of observing Navratra is different in different parts of the country, but its sole aim is to make Durga Ma happy and to seek her blessings.
On the first day of the Navaratras, grains of barley are planted in the puja room of the house. Every day some water is sprinkled on it. On the tenth day, that means on Dusshera the shoots are about 3 – 5 inches in length and after pooja sisters put them on their brothers ear. It is significant of prosperity and abundance.

Today is Ashtami – the eighth day of Navratri. In northern India, people usually fast during this period, for seven days, and on Ashtami, the eighth day, devotees break their fast by worshipping young girls who are supposed to be representatives of the Goddess herself by offering them the puris, halwa and chanas

Thaali For Kanya Pujan
(L. Rassewale Aloo,Boondi Aanar Raita,Kale Channe,Suji Halwa, Puri and Banana)
Talking about Fasting,I read it some where but its true that the modern-day fasting is pretty relaxed with variety of dishes to choose from, almost every household in North India observes these nine holy days by keeping fasts. But guess what? The kitchens are busier than before and the platter is more exciting than the usual days.

Now take a sneak peek into my kitchen.


L- Kajoor Rolls, aloo ka raita, Kacche kele ke Kofte with Kuttu Parantha

R- Aloo Ka Halwa,Plain Yogurt,Green Chutney with kuttu ke Pakode

L-Arbi(taro)TavaFry,Rassewali Lauki,Aloo Anaar Raita,Rassewale Aloo,Green Chutney with kuttu Parantha

R-Green Chutney,Plain Yogurt,Rassewale Aloo with Kuttu ki Puri
No Wonder…during these nine days, people even stop counting their calorie intake.
But Today as the navratris are over and all the events dates are around the corner(Diwali too) so lot of cooking is on the way ..
See u soon. 🙂

Khajoor Ki Mithai

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Khajoor Rolls

Hi, this is the month of festivity & fun. Or you can say our holiday season, of course.  All the festivals are almost there…especially Diwali. But let’s talk about Navaratri & Dusherra first.  Today is the fourth day of navaratri and I am fasting all nine like always. So I am going to eat specific vegetables & spices and no grains.  Its festival time so let’s start with a healthy sweet (Believe me it is)
This recipe comes from one of my good friend (all the best to her coz she is due any time..)




Khajoor Ki Mithai
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
  • 1 cup mixed nuts Chopped
  • (Almonds, cashew, pistachio, walnuts anything of your choice)
  • 2 tbsp ghee
Instructions
  1. In a non- stick pan, Melt ghee on slow flame and add Dates in it and keep smashing it until it blends well and turns soft.
  2. Add chopped nuts and mix well along with dates in slow flame. Remove from heat and when cool enough to handle, spread it on to a greased surface, with a greased rolling pin (I use my palm for it)
  3. Gently roll from the edge as tightly as possible and wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
  4. Keep it aside for 2 hours and when ready to eat cut the roll in thin slices.
  5. Enjoy no guilt sweet.

Whole Wheat Quesadillas

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Whole Wheat Quesadillas

What’s for dinner today?? Let’s eat Mexican at home dear!!

Whole Wheat Quesadillas
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • For tortillas:
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tbsps Oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Warm water (For kneading as required)
  • For the stuffing:
  • Onion chopped
  • Cabbage finely shredded
  • Carrots Finely Grated
  • Colored Peppers Chopped
  • Spring onions finely chopped
  • Crumbled Paneer
  • Garlic finely chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper Pd ½ tsp
  • 1 cup grated cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
  • 2 tsp Oil
Instructions
For tortillas:
  1. Mix all the ingredients except water.
  2. Make soft dough, kneading well with the help of warm water.
  3. Keep aside for 15 mts.
  4. Take a small ball from the dough and roll out a paper thin roti on floured surface.
  5. Preheat your skillet over medium/medium-high heat and cook roti maybe about 5 seconds on each side.
  6. I flipped mine back and forth a couple of times, until they looked done.
For the stuffing:
  1. Sauté Garlic & vegetables in oil for few minutes & add salt & pepper.
  2. Start at the center of the tortilla, evenly spread the vegetable stuffing Top it with paneer and cheese.
  3. Place another tortilla on top and press the edges.
  4. Place a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.
  5. Place the tortilla in the skillet and cook it from both sides.
  6. When the cheese is completely melted, carefully slide the tortilla from the pan onto a cutting board.
  7. Slice into 8 wedges and serve warm.
  8. Serve with fresh salsa, guacamole or sour cream.

Palak Ke Parathey

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This paratha is not only delicious but very nutritious also It tastes great with yogurt and Aam Ka Achaar (mango pickle).

Palak Ke Parathey
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Wheat Flour
  • 1 bunch Spinach (washed & dried), finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Ajwain
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Pd
  • Oil
  • Water
Instructions
  1. Mix flour, spinach, salt, ajwain, chili Pd & required water to make smooth dough. (Use oil at end to make it softer)
  2. Make small balls and roll them like parathas.
  3. Put the paratha on the tawa (griddle) and fry like regular paratha.
  4. Serve hot with Dahi & Aachar.

Sweet lassi

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Lassi is the most popular drink of the people in India. Lassi is made in two ways either sweet or salty. On a hot sunny day it is only natural to quench one’s thirst with a tall glass of Lassi

Sweet lassi
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup crushed Ice
  • 2 cups plain, whole milk Yoghurt
  • 1/2 cup sugar (acc. To taste)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cups water
  • few drops Kewra Essence(optional)
Instructions
  1. Blend all the ingredients together except crushed Ice.
  2. Add crushed ice and blend for couple of minutes till it turns frothy.
  3. Serve chilled in tall glasses.

Bisi Bela Bhath

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bisibelabhat

This is my entry to RCI: Karnataka Cuisine hosted by Asha of Foodies Hope. Thank You Asha for hosting this beautiful event…

IMG_9344

Bisi Bela Bhath
Author: Bhawana
Ingredients
  • 1 cup long-grained Rice
  • ¾ cup Toor Daal
  • 2 cups Mixed Vegetables (Carrots, Beans, Potatoes, Peas)
  • 1 cup Tamarind Juice (soak golf ball sized lump of tamarind in 1 cup water for 15 minutes. Squeeze out juice.)
  • 3 tbsp Bisi Bela Bhath Masala
  • 2 Tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ cup Peanuts, roasted
  • 1/2 cup Coconut, shredded
  • 1 tsp Garlic Paste
  • 1 tsp Ginger Paste
  • 10 Cashew Nuts
  • 3 tbsp Ghee
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 6 Curry Leaves
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 2 Onions, thin sliced
  • Salt to taste
  • Coriander Leaves to garnish
Instructions
  1. Wash toor dal & rice.
  2. Add mixed vegetables and 2 cups of water to it.
  3. Half cook it in a pressure cooker. Keep aside.
  4. Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds and curry leaves. When they stop spluttering add ginger-garlic & onions and fry till soft.
  5. Add tomatoes, when they turn soft add bisi bela bhath masala. When it start leaving oil at corners add peanuts, coconut & cooked rice-dal and vegetables.
  6. Add the tamarind juice and 1 cup of water to this and bring to a boil.
  7. Add salt to taste and cook till all ingredients are done.
  8. Heat a little ghee and fry cashew nuts until golden brown in color.
  9. Add it to the rice just before ready to serve.
  10. Garnish with coriander leave.
  11. Serve hot with boondi raita.