Zucchini Thepla/Spicy Zucchini Flatbread

rowsing around the categories on USMasala you will notice a couple of different other Thepla recipes - the classic Methi Thepla and the Tofu variation of it. Here's another one.
You may find this a little unusual but the thought of this dish puts me on a train with my family... the train speeding through the country and I find myself sitting on the lower berth (after of course having fought with my brother for the window seat) with my gaze fixed outside staring at the lush green crop fields that race past us and the warm yet cool breeze rushing in as we wait for the train to take us to our destination... then you are suddenly pulled out of the trance by the loud sound of your name... thats mom demanding we get together as it was lunch time... and there it is... she opens her tote bag and pulls out a couple of boxes. Wrapped in tinfoil in those boxes are these wonderful flat breads with awesome dry potato curry and pickle. The already beautiful breeze is now filled with the wonderful aroma of the roasted fennel and carom seeds from the bread and the potatoes.

Mom almost always made these as lunch and as dinner when we traveled. She claimed they stayed nice and fresh even after being packed for several hours... and fresh they were... gone in minutes. Of course I didn't think much of it those days... after all that was mom and this is what she always made, right? ... aah... the things we take for granted.

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Murungai Keerai Rasam

Moringa Oleifera : The Miracle Tree  is found through out India its really famous in southern India we prepare lot of recipes using drumstick & leafs. this rasam recipe is good for gastric & diabetic patients and kids over all its really good for everybody its packed with vitamin A & C its also packed with iron. murrungai keerai rasam is my favorite. there are few favorite recipes using these greens which i will be blogging very soon...:)

Click Here to view tomato rasam recipe.

Ingredients:
2 Large Ripe Tomatoes
1 Tbsp Tamarind Paste (if your using whole tamarind take a small lime size ball of tamarind)
4 Garlic Pods
1 Cup Murungai keerai (its very important to wash the greens thoroughly we normally wash the green thrice)
Fist Full Coriander leafs and stems
2 Sprigs Curry leafs
1/4 Tsp Cooking Soda

1 Tbsp Rasam Powder Click Here for rasam podi recipe
1 Tbsp Oil
Salt as per taste

For Tempering:
1/4 Tsp Mustard Seeds
1/4 Tsp Cumin Seeds
2 Dry Red Chilies
1 Pinch Asafoetida

1st Step:

• In a heavy bottom pan or wok boil 1 cup water add cooking soda and the greens allow the green to cook thoroughly and reserve in a bowl.

2nd Step:

• Boil another cup of water in the same wok and add the tomatoes to cook till well done.

• Once the tomatoes have cooked to a mushy consistency remove from flame add the tamarind paste and extract the pulp from the tomato.
• Add salt mix well and check for sour content.

3rd Step:

• Add the cooked greens to the tomato puree along with the garlic, coriander and curry leafs.

• Bring to a rapid boil and add the rasam podi mix and allow to boil once and remove from flame.

4th Step:

• Heat a fry pan with 1 tbsp oil  add mustard and cumin seeds allow to splutter.
• Add dried red chilies and asafoetida and temper the rasam. serve hot with rice and Enjoy...:) 

Video Recipe in English...Enjoy....:)

Saffron Mango Lassi

ow summer is not my most favorite season but for some reason I have a strange sense of longing now that it is almost over. This drink is an ode to summer saying goodbye and what better than to do that with with king of summer fruits ~ the Mango! The sound of 'Lassi' reminds me of hot summer afternoons, a tall glass filled with a chilled frothy yogurt drink. Summers in India are even harsher than here but they still used to be fun. Not just because we used to have long vacation away from school and we were allowed to just go out and play, visiting grandparents, all the pampering .. but also because the season would bring a lot of fun and cool food and fruits and berries - mangoes, jamun, lassi, a million varities of kulfi, soda pops, ice-chuski and the list goes on.

Lassi is a sweet chilled yogurt based drink is especially loved by all n very popular all over India especially in the northern and north-western parts of the Indian Subcontinent. Being made of yogurt it has a cooling effect so just the right thing to do to gulp own a tall glass before you head out in the scorching sun. 

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VIDYARTHI BHAVAN

VIDYARTHI BHAVAN located in Gandhi Bazaar Main Rd., Gandhi Bazar Road, Basavanagudi Bengaluru, Karnataka is famous for crispy masala dosa and coffee the hotel is located in very busy street of gandhi bazaar at first we were unable to locate the hotel the street flower vendors had blocked the entire path we could not even see the name board but i did not regret a bit the flowers were so inviting it was divine...it was like the hotel had a grand entrance love it...:)

The hotel is there since 1943 for past 4 generations nothing much has changed its always filled with crowd you will have to find a seat and take it...

There are numerous celebrities, politicians and great poets who have constantly visited vidyarthi bhavan just to savor masala dosa and coffee its very well recognized and must visit @ Bangalore dont miss it...

I had no plans or clue that my dad will all of a sudden take me to this place really surprised when he took me there i loved it and enjoyed every bit of suspense and to my luck i carried my cam and captured every bit...the place was packed when we were there but every one were so friendly the mixed crowd of young and old were so nice...♥

The ambiance is very cool with pencil sketches of all the politician and  celebrities on the wall who have visited till date...how ever its bit cramped but we will have to let go of certain comforts to savor the best...:)

Rates are reasonable and the place is clean and well maintained... 

Dad ordered for masala dosa, kesari bath and coffee we loved every bit...♥♥♥ 

Do visit vidyarthi bhavan if your in the area...No one has given sponsorship for me to do a review on VIDYARTHI BHAVAN its on my own interest and will...thank you for visiting my post...:)

Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies!

ere's my dilemma. I am not a big cookie fan. But absolutely love chocolate. Don't even care much for chocolate cookies. There is about only one baked sweet goodie that I like and that is a good loaded rich and moist brownie. If you get my drift, you probably realize where the thought of these cookies originated. There is one other angle to it. My little princess. She likes cookies especially chocolate ones, but she gives me a hard time when I try to get her to eat brownies. She takes it as I am trying to get 'food' into her and immediately revolts. But she likes the taste of brownies... don't ask.

So long-story-short as you can see these cookies are a winner.... er... well yes before I forget, hubs liked them too :)

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Pyaz Ke Pakode Wali Kadhi/ Onion fritters in spicy yogurt curry sauce

ou can cross the seven seas and eat the food served by the best chefs from the most celebrated lands but I believe my foodie friends will agree that there is nothing like a bowl of that most loved comfort food that you can snuggle up in the comfort of your home and feed your soul with.
You may think the above is too strong a sentiment for a bowl of kadhi, but that is how I feel about it. Comfort food doesn't have to be complex or even exotic, you cannot explain it. Just the aroma of a hot bowl of simmering kadhi gives me a strange sense of comfort. It always elevates my mood, pulls me out of the clutches of a bad day and reminds me of home, mom and good times spent with family. Give me a choice between the bestest dessert in the world and a bowl of hot kadhi trust me I will always choose the latter. That is how much I like it, you get the idea. Kadhi is classically paired with plain rice or 'chawal' and is especially pure bliss on a cold rainy day.

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Mutton Liver Fry/Eeral Varal (South Indian Style)

This recipe can be altered and served in 2 different variations when we combine the masala with the liver it can be reduced a bit and served with gravy or allow the moisture content to dry out totally and served as dry fry.we like it semi dry the masala fry is simply superb with rice...

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo Goat Liver (I've washed the liver twice and then cut into cubes)

(try to purchase fresh liver for this recipe if your purchasing liver from super market check at the packaging date if its a day old its still stale tends to be bit on the rubbery side once cooked.)

1/4 Tsp Chilly Powder
1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste

1 Large Onion (finely chopped)
5-6 Pods Garlic Crushed
3 Cloves
3 Pods Cardamom
1 Inch Stick Cinnamon
1 1/2 Tbsp Coriander Powder
3 Tbsp Oil
1 Tsp Ghee
Salt to taste.

Masala Paste:

1 Tbsp Onion
1 Tbsp Coconut
1 Inch Ginger
10 Pods Garlic
6 Green Chilies
1/2 Tbsp Black Pepper Corns
1/4 Tsp Fennel Seeds
2 Cloves
2 Cardamom
1 Inch Cinnamon

First Step:

• To Prepare masala paste heat a fry pan with 2 tsp oil add onion and pepper corns fry a bit then add all the ingredients ginger, garlic, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon , cloves and chilies fry all the ingredients to light pink in color remove from flame and allow to cool before adding to a mixer jar.
• Grind the fried ingredients to a smooth paste.

Second Step:

• Heat a pressure cooker with1 tbsp oil add the ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder and chilly powder fry a bit add the liver and fry add 2 cups of water and 1/4 tsp salt and bring to a boil.
• Cover and allow the liver to cook for 4 to 5 whistles till well done.

Its best to cook the liver prior this not only saves time but also helps to eliminate any funny smell.

Third Step:

• Heat a heavy bottom pan or kadai add 1 tbsp oil and 1tbsp ghee add  the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves to the hot oil and fry add the crushed garlic a fry till light pink.
• Add the onion and coriander powderto the garlic and fry till transparent.
• Add the prepared masala paste to the onion and fry a bit add the cooked liver check for salt and add salt if needed stir and cover.
• Allow the moisture content to reduce keep stirring till the oil separates to the sides squeeze in 1/2 lime juice and garnish with coriander and mint...serve hot with rice...Enjoy..:)

Demo Video in English do watch ...Enjoy...:)

Nutella Cold Coffee

old coffee is a popular drink. I knew that. But only when I published this Cold Coffee drink riding on Nutella (think: cold coffee on steroids) way back in July of 2010, I realized just how powerful a simple drink can be. The instant response and acceptance it received then and has received ever since is just overwhelming and even more humbling. So much so that ever since I posted this original recipe, I have seen it copied over several times by different folks on their websites, some have been nice enough to extend courtesy, some haven't. So feel free to reproduce and publish the recipe, just do remember to keep the spirit of sharing by linking back to the original post.
I just had to do it again. So dear friends here it is again - the USMasala ever popular Nutella Cold Coffee, repackaged for your viewing and drinking pleasure.
I have not changed the original post from July, 2010 which went as below -
One sunday evening after a heavy brunch and a relaxing nap me and hubby both were craving for some cold coffee (I wanted it with chocolate:) ) and didn't want to drive to starbucks.. so I raided my pantry and refrigerator and came up with this recipe with whatever I could lay my hands on and he went WOW! Now it is regular in our household, also have wowed guests by serving this who always ask for the recipe and don't believe how simple it is to make. Perfect for summer evenings and even as a dessert drink after dinner.Both of us like our coffee with chocolate so I used some Nutella (I did not have any chocolate ice-cream). The chocolate hazelnut flavor of Nutella mixed with coffee is just wonderful and refreshing. You will not believe drinking something so elegant and decadent was made in a matter of minutes.

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Cabbage/Kosu Kootu

I received so many mails requesting me to prepare cabbage kootu past couple months i have received about 20 different mails right from europe to dubai  finally posting moms version of cabbage kootu and also dedicating this recipe to babu from europe sheikh from cannada leela & kumar from south africa shakthi velu from dubai surabhi gupta from usa and imran, joshi, krithika & abhi from India thank you for following my videos and blogs regularly wishing you all the best of luck...♥♥♥

Ingredients:

250 Grams Cabbage/kosu (finely chopped)

1 Large Onion (finely chopped)

3-4 Green Chilies

2 Sprigs Curry Leafs (finely chopped)

1 Coffee Cup Channa Dhal/Split Chickpea 

1 1/2 Tbsp Coriander Powder

1/4 Tsp Chilly Powder

1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder

1/3 Cup Fresh Grated Coconut

Salt as per taste

For the seasoning:

2 Dried Red Chilies

1 Tsp Cumin

1/4 Tsp Mustard Seeds

1 Tsp Split Black Gram 

2 Sprigs Curry leafs

1/4 Tsp Asafoetida

2 Tbsp Oil or Ghee

Method:

• Wash the dhal twice or thrice add to a pressure cooker add 1/4 tsp turmeric and 3 cups water and pressure cook for 3 to 4 whistles until well done.
• Reserve the cooked dhal water to cook the vegetable.
• In a heavy bottom pot or wok add the cabbage, onion, curryleafs and chillies. 
• Add the chilly powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder to the cabbage. add salt as per taste
• Add the dhal water and extra water to cook the vegetable cover and place the vegetable on medium flame allow the vegetable to cook till well done.
• In 10 to 15 minutes the vegetable should be done add the cooked dhal coconut and water if needed add salt if needed bring to a boil and remove from flame.
• Heat a fry pan add oil or ghee add all the ingredients shown in the seasoning fry a bit add to the kootu and serve hot with steamed rice...Enjoy...:)

Demo video in English..:)

Before chopping the cabbage make sure to rinse twice in salt water this will eliminate all the pesticides eat cabbage atleast twice or thrice in a week its packed with Vitamin C prepare cabbage wraps its really healthy and good for health.

Double Dark Chocolate Cappuccino Muffins (Eggless and Whole Wheat)

s I was browsing around my own creations on USMasala the other day - which by-the-way I do much too less often as much as I would like to - I realized that I haven't blogged lately about any dish with one of my most favorite ingredients - Chocolate. It was also surprising to me as I make something that has chocolate in it almost every other day for my little one.

So here is a recipe for a baked chocolcate goodie that is one of the most common and most loved in my  household. I make a small batch of these muffins atleast twice a week and they serve me well mostly as a quick snack when kiddo gets back from her pre-school.

Now as this is a regular, it has to be healthy. So you will notice the use of whole wheat flour and olive oil and zero butter. You can use whole wheat flour or even whole wheat pastry flour, any that is locally available. To kick it up a notch, addition of coffee is a must for me in anything that I make with chocolate especially when baking.

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