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.

Read more »

Methi Mathri/Indian fenugreek crackers

This is a crunchy crispy snack that I always try to keep handy. It is the most common snack that I can have any time and even sometimes as a whole meal with mango pickle :) Mom made it all the time as she knew I totally loved them. Now whenever I visit her in India, among all the goodies she packs for me to bring back, this mathri is definitely included (and a reasonably large pack of it). But again as you probably guessed, I run out rather quickly. Now that I am on my own, I always missed having them around until one day I decided to make some of my own. I now know this is going to be a regular in my snack drawer.
Read more »

Paneer butter masala

I asked him on the phone if he liked paneer and he said "Ugh! I have had so much paneer lately that I can't stand it anymore" and I went "oh! crap". This was one time during the courtship days before my husband and I were married. He later explained in 'great detail' how he has been eating paneer practically every day sometimes twice for the last two years of his bachelor lifestyle. In those days he was in Pune, India and always ate out and being a vegetarian and eating out you pretty much end up choosing something with paneer. While I empathized with his situation, I also realized I might not be able to eat my favorite paneer. I had to do something.
A few days after we got married and came to the US, I figured he might have gotten over his paneer-phoebia and made this paneer butter masala. He loved it. Apparently the brief break and (as he tells me) the great dish had brought him back. Paneer was back as an ingredient in our household. So here is the recipe of the comeback paneer dish that I now make (I always tease him by reminding him of his anti-paneer days).
Paneer butter masala probably needs no introduction. I am yet to see an Indian restaurant that does not have it on its menu. The big juicy paneer cubes in a creamy spicy gravy is an absolute delight. Me being me however, I make it with very little oil and no cream and butter at all (no butter in butter masala? funny eh!) So here goes...

Read more »

Kadai paneer with mushrooms

 have already raved about my liking for paneer, so here is yet another very popular paneer recipe. Kadhai paneer is a classic north indian dish. In the recipe, paneer is cooked in a kadhai or wok (hence the name kadhai paneer) with bell peppers in a spicy onion-tomato based sauce with lots of ginger, garlic, cilantro leaves and flavored with kasoori methi. It has a distinct fresh spicy aroma and flavor that compares to nothing else.

This is one of the few non-creamy preparation of paneer easy and quick to make with simple ingredients and is always a crowd pleaser. My hubby likes the combination of paneer and mushrooms very much so I came up with this recipe and it was a big hit :) But using mushrooms is entirely optional. These are great for dinner, lunch, parties or picnics. Can be served with roti or parathas and can also be filled inside sandwich or wraps for a quick fix wholesome meal.

Read more »

Tofu methi thepla

 

packet of silken tofu was sitting in my refrigerator for longer than I would've liked it to... everytime I opened my fridge, I would think what to make out of them but I just couldn't come up with anything. Last sunday for dinner I was not in the mood to cook something elaborate and thought of making some methi thepla. Which we all know is a well known gujarati bread which is thankfully a full meal in itself :) So I went in the kitchen and started preparing everything, opened my fridge and again the same tofu was there staring back at me and bingo came the bright idea :D why not make tofu methi thepla, went ahead, made it and served to hubby with some yogurt and pickle.. he loved it, I loved it and so this recipe was born. The result was a soft and flavorful tofu methi theplas. Also a very good way to add some extra protein to your diet, so both healthy and yummy. If you are not a big tofu fan, this dish might just make you a convert.. Can be served as breakfast or snack, lunch or even dinner.

Read more »

Malai kofta - healthier version!

alai kofta is an exotic and another classic dish from the northern parts of India.
The cuisine in north India very much reflects the wonderful fusion of Indian, middle eastern and Mughlai styles of cooking and is characterized by its fragrant rich sauces, aromatic spices, saffron, milk and fresh cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, ghee (clarified butter), dry fruits and nuts. 

Malai Kofta is all of the above and more, a delightful vegetarian alternative to meatballs or meat koftas. Malai is hindi for cream and koftas are dumplings made with paneer/Indian cheese, stuffed with nuts and raisins and simmered in a buttery, creamy fragrant sauce. A sinful indulgence and a must have on every Indian restaurant's menu around the world!

I like eating this dish but don't like all the deep frying and cream involved in the recipe. Earlier I used to make it at home often but stopped making it for a long time. My (kofta deprived) hubby used to ask me to make it and I just used to ignore him ;) then one day he was finally able to convince me to make it again but then me being me I tried to make it a little healthier.
So, this 'malai kofta' is sans all the malai and sans the deep frying. I make the koftas in my oven and they turn out very good a big hit without feeling guilty afterwards! Both hubby and I are happy. I now make it almost regularly and he gets to eat his fav malai kofta. For some special occasions I still revert back to the old method, but on a regular basis this one works great. If you like the fried kofta better you can always fry them. But if you are into healthy but tasty eating do try this and you will not be disappointed and see your taste buds falling head over heels in love with this tempting curry!

Read more »

Kasoori methi aloo

I like the flavor of methi leaves or fenugreek very much and try to incorporate them in almost everything I make (daal, rice, roti) when they are in season. They are known for their unique taste and amazing medicinal value. One day I was craving for some aloo methi when the fresh methi were off season. I tried the same with the dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) and some whole baby potatoes and it turned out just as great, a fragrant and flavorful dish with all the taste of fresh methi.

These are great for taking on picnics, for potlucks and taste awesome with pooris. You can always substitute the kasoori methi with fresh or frozen ones (see notes) but do try this once and everyone will be asking for the recipe :)

Read more »

Paneer tikka masala

 love paneer. I mean I really really love it in all the different ways it can be made. So does hubby and my little princess. I can have it every single day and for every single meal. Infact, I am yet to come across someone who hates paneer. I love eating it as well as making different and new recipes using it. Any restaurant visit is just incomplete for me without having atleast one paneer dish :) A great substitute for vegetarian protein and a very versatile ingredient, can be used in different preparations like rice, bread, curries, desserts etc. It is regular in our house, very easy to make and always tastes good. I just can't write enough about my love for paneer.

The world famous "Paneer tikka masala " is something I absolutely love among all the recipes of paneer. The rich and creamy sauce, subtle tandoori flavors and spicy roasted paneer is something absolutely scrumptious and can have you drooling just by thinking about it. You just can not go wrong with this. Try this delectable and flavorful paneer dish and you will know what I am talking about!

Read more »