NETHOLI FRY | FRIED ANCHOVIES

Ingredients

1. Netholi/Anchovies( cleaned)-  250 gm
2. Curry leaves- 2 to 3 sprigs
3. Oil for frying

For masala

1. Kashmiri chili powder- 2 tsp
2. Coriander powder-1 1/2 tsp
3. Black pepper powder-1/4 to 1/2 tsp
4. Fennel powder- 1 pinch
5. Ginger-crushed-1/2 " piece
6. Garlic-crushed-3 cloves
7. Curry leaves- few
8. Salt to taste
9. Water-as required

Method

• Combine all the ingredients for the masala to form a thick paste.Mix anchovies with this masala paste and keep aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

• Heat oil in a pan and add curry leaves ,let it splutter.
• Now add anchovies and shallow fry ,turning once in between until done.( you can also deep fry anchovies on a medium flame ,if desired)

Note:Adjust the spice level  according to your taste.

For best results use coconut oil.

EGGLESS ICE CREAM BROWNIE SQUARES

Recipe for brownie :www.food.com
You can find the original recipe here

Ingredients

1. All purpose flour- 1 /2 cup
2. Cocoa powder-1/2 cup
3. Brown sugar- 1 1/2 cup
4. Baking powder- 3/4 tsp
5. Baking soda-1 1/2 tsp
6. Salt-1/2 tsp
7. Brewed coffee-3/4 cup
8. Milk-3/4 cup
9. Vanilla extract-1 tsp
10. Vegetable oil- 1/3 cup
11. Finely chopped walnuts-2 tbsp ( optional)
12. Eggless caramel Ice cream -  3/4 to 1 ltr

Method

• Preheat oven to 180 deg C and  line a  baking pan with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl whisk together all purpose flour,cocoa powder, brown sugar,baking powder,baking soda and salt.
• In another mixing bowl whisk together coffee,milk,vanilla extract and vegetable oil.Slowly add this into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
• Add finely chopped walnuts ,if desired.
• Pour the prepared batter into the pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the brownie comes out clean.
• Let it cool completely.
• Place the brownie on to a work surface and cut out hearts using a heart shaped cookie cutter.Keep aside.

• Place ice cream in a large bowl.Let stand at room temperature ,mashing well with a spoon in between until it is soft enough to stir.
• Line a baking tray with foil or plastic wrap and let it extend over the edges of the pan.Now spread the softened ice cream on the prepared pan .Level it using a spatula.

• Now arrange the brownie hearts over the ice cream layer and press it gently so that the top of the brownie is almost in level with the ice cream layer.

• Cover this with a cling film and freeze until firm.
• Cut into squares using a sharp knife and serve.

NOTES:

• Allow the brownie to cool completely before cutting out hearts from it ,to avoid  cracks on  top of the brownie hearts.
• I halved the recipe for thinner brownies.
• These brownie have more of a cake like texture.

EGGLESS CARAMEL ICECREAM

Recipe Source: www.Cookingchanneltv.com
You can find the recipe here
Ingredients

1. Milk- 1 1/2 cup
2. Light cream- 1 cup
3. Cornflour- 3 tbsp
4. Sugar- 1/2 cup
5. Vanilla pod- 1  or  vanilla essence - 1 tsp
6. Dulce de leche-1 to 2  tbsp ( see note)
7. Salt- 1 pinch

Method

• Mix cornflour with 1/4 cup milk and keep aside.
• In a saucepan add rest of the milk,cream ,sugar and salt .If you are using vanilla pod,cut it into two, lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the milk mixture along with the pod.Cook this over medium low heat until it begins to steam.
• Now remove the vanilla pod and add the cornflour mixture,stirring well as you do so.
• Bring this to just under a boil,stirring continuously.
• Now reduce the flame to low and cook for 5 minutes or until  the milk mixture thickens.
• If you are using vanilla extract ,add it and mix well.
• Transfer the mixture to a wide container .Allow it to cool well.
• Cover and place the container in the refrigerator to chill for 30-40 minutes.
• Take the container out ,now it should have just started freezing from the outside edges.
• Using a wooden spatula or a sturdy whisk( a hand blender works really well),beat the mixture well to make it smooth once again.Put it in the freezer.
• Continue to check every 30- 40 minutes ,stirring well as it is freezing .( repeat this process 3 to 4 times)
• After the final mixing ,once the mixture is soft,add the dulce de leche 1 tsp at a time and fold in lightly for just two or three times.Put it back in the freezer until it is firm.

Note:
Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.
Check this link to see 5 different ways to make homemade Dulce De Leche.

SUKHIYAN | MUNG BEAN FRITTERS

Ingredients

1. Green gram / cherupayar / mung beans -cooked- 1 cup
2. Jaggery-grated-1/2 cup
3. Water-2 to 3 tbsp
4. Grated coconut- 1/2 cup
5. Cardamom powder- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
6. Ginger powder- 1 pinch
7. Cumin powder- 1 pinch ( optional)
8. Oil-For deep frying

 For batter

1. All purpose flour-1/4 cup
2. Rice powder- 1/4 cup
3. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp (optional)
4. Water -as required
5. Salt- 1 pinch

Method

• In a heavy bottomed pan, add jaggery and 2 tbsp water.Cook until it is thick, over medium low flame.
• Now add grated coconut,mix well and cook for a minute on low flame.
• Next add cooked green gram and saute for about 5 minutes or until it is almost dry.Switch off the stove.
• Add cardamom,ginger and cumin powder and mix thoroughly .Allow it to cool slightly.Roll this into lemon sized balls.
• Combine all the ingredients listed under "for batter" to form a thick batter.
• Heat oil in a pan.Dip each balls into the batter to coat it evenly and deep fry until golden brown.

NOTE

Do not over cook mung bean.

You can roll the filling into slightly larger balls ,if desired.

AVAL VILAYICHATHU | AVAL VARATTIYATHU

Ingredients

1. Jaggery -cut into small pieces- 1 cup ( or to taste)
2. Water- 1/2 cup
3. Aval/Poha/flattened rice flakes- 2 1/2 cup
4. Grated coconut- 1 cup
5. Cardamom powder- 1 tsp
6. Ginger powder /Chukku- 1/4 tsp( optional)
7. Ghee- 1 tsp  & more for frying
8. Chana Dal /Kadala parippu- 1 1/2 tbsp
9. Cashew nuts and raisins- 8 to 10 nos

Method

• Heat ghee in a pan and  fry chana dal ,cashew nuts and raisins separately  until it turns golden brown.Drain and keep aside.
• In a heavy bottomed pan ,add jaggery with  1/2 cup  water and cook over low flame until it begins to thicken .(or until you get one thread consistency)
• Now add grated coconut and mix well.Cook for few minutes over low flame until it is thick.
• Add aval and mix well until combined.Switch off the stove.
• Now sprinkle cardamom and ginger powder followed by fried chana dal and cashew nuts.
• Finally drizzle 1 tsp ghee ( if using) and mix everything thoroughly.

NOTE
You can also add a pinch of roasted cumin powder ,if desired.
Strain the melted jaggery ,to remove impurities,if any.

KADAI PANEER

Ingredients

1. Paneer -cubed-1 cup
2. Onion -chopped -1 no
3. Garlic -chopped-1/2 tsp
4. Ginger -chopped-1 tsp
5. Green chilies -chopped-1 or 2 nos (according to taste)
6. Tomato-finely chopped-2 nos
7. Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
8. Coriander powder-2 tsp
9. Kashmiri chili powder- 1 tsp
10. Cumin powder-1/4 tsp
11. Garam masala -3/4 tsp
12. Capsicum ,diced-1/2 of a medium sized 
13. Water-1/2 cup
14. Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)-1 generous pinch
15. Salt to taste
16. Oil

Method

• Soak paneer cubes in hot water until required.
• Heat oil in a pan and add onion,garlic,ginger and green chilies.Saute until onion turns translucent.
• Add chopped tomato and cook until tomato turns mushy.
• Now add turmeric,coriander,kashmiri chili,cumin ,garam masala powder and salt to taste, cook until oil separates. (or until the masala leaves the sides of the pan, in case you are using less oil)
• Add diced capsicum and cook for  1 or 2 minutes.
• Pour water and mix well.Bring it to just under a boil and add the drained paneer cubes and mix gently.
• Cover and cook for  4 to 5  minutes on medium low flame or until gravy thickens.
• Add crushed kasuri methi,stir gently and switch off the stove.Cover and keep aside for few minutes,before serving.

Note: You can also shallow fry the paneer cubes if required.

AVOCADO EGG SALAD SANDWICH

Recipe source:Epicurean escapism
You can find the  original recipe here
Makes: 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

1. Ripe Avocado ( mashed)- 1 no
2. Hard boiled egg ( chopped)1 no
3. Lemon juice-1 tsp
4. Black pepper powder-to taste
5. Salt to taste
6. Salad green of your choice- 1/4 cup
7. Whole wheat bread-4 slices

Method

• In a mixing bowl, combine avocado, egg,lemon juice,pepper powder and salt.Mash well with a fork until combined.
• Add chopped salad greens and mix lightly.
• Take 2 slices of bread and spread 2 to 3 spoonfuls of the  avocado- egg mixture on it.
• Top with the other slice and cut into half.