Pinto Beans in Ancho Chili Sauce

Hi all, I am back after a good, long break. Today I am sharing with you all the recipe of Pinto beans in chili sauce (Mexican Ancho chili).

When I was looking at Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian cook book, for some new recipes to cook with Pinto beans, I came across her Tex-Mex style Stew(thick sauce) with beans and  Ancho Chiles. The minute saw the title, I just knew this was going to be our side dish for our dinner tonight.

The recipe I am posting today is the adapted version for Madhur Jaffrey's recipe. I have just kept the Pinto beans and Chile sauce as main ingredient from her recipe and added North Indian Garam Masala powder to make it more like Indian Taste, to go with Chapthis.

 
Recipe Adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian Cook Book.

Ingredients :
Pinto Beans - 1 cup (cleaned, washed, soaked and cooked)
*Red beans, kidneys beans/Rajma can be used instead

Vegetables I have used :

• Onion, Tomato - 1 medium size (chop/ cut finely)
• Ginger - 1 tbsp (grated or finely chopped)
• Few cilantro/coriander leaves for garnish
• Few fresh slices for Lime and Red Onions for sides

Spices :
 Cumin/Jeera powder - 1tsp
Garam Masala - 2 tsp
Red Chile powder - 1 tsp ( optional, use only if required)

For Ancho Chile Sauce :
 1 big  Chile - I used Mexican Ancho Chile (Substitute with any mild, dried chilies) .
Method :
 1. Ancho Chiles are very mild in their spice level, so add according to your desired spice level.
2.First soak the Chiles in hot water for 20 mis or until the Chiles are cool enough to handle.
3. Then blend/grind Chile with soaked water to smooth sauce.
4.This yields about a  cup of  Chile sauce. Keep the sauce ready and use as required.( I have used the whole batch for the dish).

Preparing the Dish.

• Clean the beans, wash and soak in water for at least 6 hrs or overnight. When ready cook with just enough water ( i use pressure cooker) and cook till just soft, make sure not to make it mushy.
• Make the Chile sauce and keep it ready .Please refer the method mentioned above for making Chile sauce.

1. Heat oil, when hot add grated ginger, chopped onions and tomatoes and cook till soft about 5-7 Min's on medium high heat.
2. The add the Chile sauce, spices mentioned above. Mix well let it all cook for 5 more minutes until the sauce is bit cooked through.
3. Now add cooked beans, add more water if required. Now adjust salt and spices, taste and add more if required. Mix well and let it cook for 20-30 Min's on medium heat.
4. Keep stirring in between. Mash few beans so it gives nice consistency to the sauce. When all the flavors have come together and the sauce has come to the desired thickness. Now switch off.
5. Let it sit for few minutes before serving. Sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves. Serve warm with rice or rotis.

We had with some whole wheat Chapathis and few slice of  onions and lime. Enjoy !

I am sending this to MLLA # 22 hosted by Ruchikacooks which was created by Susan.

Short Break

Hello all,
 
I am on break from blogging, for a few weeks now and will be for few more weeks. I will not be able to take part in ICC-event as well. See you all in April.

Happy Cooking and Blogging !

Khasta Kachori (Moongdal Kachori) for ICC

I have eaten Kachoris a few times before, since it was very new type of snack for me to try, I was very happy to see the spicy snack as this months recipe. I have made Samosas(triangular shaped deep fried snacks with potato fillings) many times, so kachoris is like a close cousin to it, with lentil fillings and circular in shape.

Srivalli who have chosen, Khasta Katchoris a North India Snack/Chaat as the recipe for ICC (January) event. She has given 3 different recipes for fillings, I choose the moongdal filling and followed the recipe exactly as mentioned by her.

End result was very satisfying with crunchy outer layer,with warm and spicy filling inside. Since it was made in batches of 2-3 at a time, we just enjoyed them hot as it was out of the oil with some Maggie hot & sweet sauce by the side, and i just made sure to save a few, to click them.

Kachoris - Adapated from Medhaa's Aunty and Tarla Dalal.

Resting Time for the Dough is app 1/2 hr - 1 hr

Frying time for the Kachoris - 20 mins for each batch app.

Soaking Time for the Filling is app. 1 hr

Cooking Time for the Filling is app 15 mins

Yields - 15

For Filling

Khasta Kachori - Moong Dal Kachori

Ingredients Needed:

• Split Moong Dal (yellow) - 1/2 cup
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
• Hing / Asafoetida - a pinch
• Curry Leaves - 2 tsp chopped fine (opt)
• Green Chilli - Ginger paste - 1 tsp
• Sauf / Fennel seeds powder - 1 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1/2 tspRed
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Mango powder / Amchur - 1 tsp
• Oil - 1 tsp
• Salt to taste.

Method

1. Wash and Soak dal in water for atleast 1 hour. You can go upto 4 hours not more.
2. Drain the water well.
3. Grind the dal to a coarsely. (Will resemble Idli Rawa)
4. Heat oil in a pan.
5. Add the hing and cumin seeds.
6. Once the seeds splutter add the curry leaves.
7. Add the dal.
8. Lower the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes till the dal stops sticking to the pan.
9. Cook for another 10 minutes on low till the dal turns slightly brown.
10. Add all the masalas.
11. Cook for few minutes till the aroma of the spices hit you.
12. Add Salt.
13. Remove from heat and keep aside to cool.

Special Tips / Notes for the filling:
The fillings have to be really dry if not when rolling they will ooze out when rolling.
Adjust the masalas according to your taste. What is given in this recipe is spicy to the extent one can still enjoy.

For Dough and Stuffing

For the Dough

Ingredients Needed:

• All purpose flour / Maida - 2 cups
• Oil/ Ghee - 1/4 cup
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Water for kneading

Method

1. Mix the flour and salt, Add the oil/ghee and mix till you get a bread crumbs texture.
2. Slowly add water and make a soft dough. Knead well for about 8 minutes.
3. Cover and keep aside to rest for atleast half hour.

Special Tips / Notes for the dough:
Keep the dough covered at all times, if not it will dry up and not puff up when frying. If the dough is made right wet cloth can be used if not just a towel.
The dough could spring back for many reasons:Dough is too cold (If wet cloth is used)
Dough is not soft enough.Not kneaded for enough time.Oil is less.Not rested enough.

To Make Kachori's

1. Make a small ball from the dough. Roll out into a 2 inch diameter circle. Or flatten the ball using your fingers having the center thick and sides little thin.
2. Place about 1.5 tsp of the filling in the center of the rolled dough.
3. Cover the filling with the dough by slowly stretching it over the filling. Seal the ends and remove excess dough. Repeat with all the balls and keep aside for 5 -7 mins.
4. Then using your palm, flatten the balls by lightly pressing it, as using the rolling pin will make the filling come out. (See notes below). Keep aside covered. Repeat with the remaining dough.

For Frying

1. Meanwhile heat some oil for deep frying. The oil should not become smoking hot. Test to see if the temperature is right by dropping a tiny ball of dough and see if it is rising slowly to the top.
2. Drop the kachoris in batches of 3-4 gently into the oil. It should rise up slowly. If you don't want to use lot of oil, use just enough for two or three at a time and fry them. After it rises up (about 2 minutes), turn it over.
3. Cook for about 6 to 10 minutes till the side down gets a golden brown color. Turn and cook the other side for another 6 minutes or till its golden brown in color. Remove when done, cool and store in airtight container.
4. Serve with coriander chutney and tamarind chutney.

Special Tips / Notes for making the Kachoris:

You can fry 3 kachori's at a time. The oil should be at a heat when you drop some dough it should come up slowly, if the dough comes up too fast the oil is too hot, if it does not come up then the oil is cold. It will not be crisp if the oil is too hot. Fry the kachori's on medium low to get a crisp outer layer, that is the key. For people using electric stove, the numbers can be going from 6 to 4.

I am sending this to Srivalli's ICC (January).

Aloo Chapathis (Mashed Potato Flat-bread)

Chapatis(wheat-flour flat bread) are very staple at my home. We have them on daily basis. Once in a while I like to add grated or mashed vegetable to make Chapatis bit more tastier.
I use Potatoes (aloo) mainly, while making the mashed veggie Chapatis. Adding potatoes makes the Chapatis very soft and this will be good for lunch boxes, since it stays soft for longer hours.



Ingredients :
Potatoes (Aloo/Alugadde)- 2 medium size (boiled, peeled and mashed)
(Substitute potatoes with mashed lentils or beans for more wholesome and nutritious Chapatis)
Whole wheat flour (godi hittu) - about 2 cups (use Chapatis atta instead)
Spices : Black pepper powder (menasu), red chili powder, turmeric powder and salt - about 1/2 to 1 tsp.

*Above measurement makes about 10-12 medium size Chapatis.

1. Wash and boil potatoes till soft, once cooled peel the skin and mash them coarsely.
2. Add wheat flour, and spices and mix together with the mashed potatoes. No water is required, moisture from the potatoes will help bind the flour.
3. Mix all the flour and spices until ever thing is combined well and from a stiff dough. Add more flour if required.
4. Keep the dough covered, for 10-15 minutes.
5. Then take a big lemon size ball, roll to a circular shape. And toast them on a griddle/tava on both sides. See this link for rolling and toasting Chapatis.

Once ready, enjoy them warm with a some spicy pickle and curds on side.

Avocado with Indian seasoning

Avocado's also known as butter pear, alligator pear and sometimes as butter fruit. Avocados are most widely used in Mexican cuisine's and Guacamole is one of the famous dip/dish made with this fruit.

We are very fond of spicy Mexican dips, I regularly make authentic Mexican Guacamole to go with some corn chips. Sometimes I do the Indian version of Guacamole in place of chutneys by doing the tempering with mustard seeds, hing and urad dal . Just adding the seasoning/tempering to the avocados, gives a very different taste to it. This will be good as side-dish with Indian kind rotis.

So here is how I make it.

Ingredients :

• Avocado(s) - 1 or 2
• Lime/lemons - about half (this helps to prevent oxidation or changing into brown color)
• Red onions/ Shallot - 2 tbsp finely chopped
• Green chillies - 1or 2 finely chopped (depending on level of spiciness)

For Tempering:

• Oil - 2tsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
• Hing - one pinch

1. Cut avocados in half, remove the pit/seed and skin. Mash them coarsely.
2. Squeeze fresh lime/lemon to the avocados.
3. Add finely chopped onion and chili,add salt to taste. Mix well to combine.
4. Lastly do the tempering with oil, when oil is hot add mustard seeds and urad dal.
5. When dal changes color and mustard seeds start to pop add hing and add this seasoning to the Avocado mixture, mix well.

Quick and healthy side dish/dip/chutney is ready to be served. We usually eat this with Chapatis. Enjoy !

I am sending this to Siri's new event Healing Foods - Avocado.

Moongdal Halwa

For Indian Cooking Challenge (ICC)-December, Srivalli has chosen Moongdal Halwa. When I saw the announcement I was very excited. Since I hadn't made any North-Indian style halwa's before, so I couldn't wait to try it.

I have followed Recipe # 2, for me it took about 50 mins to get to the Halwa stage. I had fun making them and enjoyed them warm, with lots of nuts and raisins.Thanks Srivalli, Simran and Lata ji for the recipe and trying it out for us.

Moongdal halwa was very apt for the occasion as well, made this for Sankranthi y'day in place for our regular Sweet pongal. We all enjoyed it very much.

Soaking Time : Overnight

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Cooking Time : 30 - 45 mins

Recipe 2 : With just the Dal (no Khoya)

Ingredients :

• Split (Yellow) Moong dhal - 1 cup (I have used, split moongdal with husk)
• Ghee - 1/2 cup
• Sugar - 3/4 cups to 1 cup (as per required sweetness)
• Milk - 1/2 cup (Notes from Lataji - instead of water for the sugar, milk gives the khoya added taste, Simran's recipe asked for water)
• Cashews & Raisins roasted in ghee for garnish.

1. Soak 1 cup moong dal overnight. Next morning, grind to a paste.
2. Heat a heavy Kadai, take initially only 1/2 of the ghee and heat it.Add the dhal and stir continuously, not allowing lumps to form. This part is very tricky as the dhal cooks really fast, irrespective of the ghee.
3. Keep the heat at the lowest and keep stirring even after the dhal becomes thick.Add the rest of the ghee intermittently and cook the dhal until aromatic and the ghee starts oozing out.
4. Meanwhile mix the sugar with water/ milk in a pan and bring to a boil. Add this slowly to the cooking dhal.
5. Keep the fire low at all times and break lumps if formed while adding the sugar and water/ milk mix.
6. Cook until the ghee surfaces.Garnish with cashews and raisins.

Notes :

• Use a thick bottom pan or better nonstick pan.
• Don't leave the halwa unattended. The dal can stick and it can go from just done to burnt in a second so keep stirring as much as possible. You should remember to keep stirring to prevent dhal from sticking irrespective of the ghee added.
• You aren't looking for the halwa to get too thick when you turn off the heat. It was thicken as it cools.
• Cook until ghee surfaces on the sides and the halwa attains a very nice shine.
  Initially, it may appear that all the ghee is being used up. But as the dhal cooks the ghee separates. So the ghee measure is sufficient.
• In both recipes depending on how you got the moong dal paste, you may require slightly more ghee to get the texture
• Though original recipe didn't call for roasting the dhal before soaking, Lataji felt roasting it a bit gives more fragrance.

* Halwa looks bit green in color, since I have used the moongdal with husk which gives this color.

Off this goes to Indian Cooking Challenge( ICC) challenge, hosted by Srivalli.

Have a Good Weekend, Everyone!

Ellu-Bella

Wishing you all a very Happy Sankranthi/Pongal, with a bowl full of Ellu-Bella.

Every year during Sankranthi/Pongal , a mixture of Jaggery, Dried coconut, Dalia Dal, Peanuts/groundnuts and Sesame seeds(roasted) known as Ellu- Bella are mixed together and shared with families, neighbors and friends. Along with this mixture seasonal fruits like sugarcane and oranges are also given to mark the harvest season and sweet beginnings.

Ingredients (all toasted lightly).

• Peanuts/Groundnuts (Kadalekayi) - 1 cup (toasted, skin removed and halved)
• Dalia dal (Hurigadale) - 1 cup
• Jaggery (Bella) - 1 cup
• Dried coconut (Kobbari)- 1cup
• Sesame seeds (Ellu) - 2 tbsp

Toast all the above ingredients, let it cool and mix them all together and enjoy !

Will send this to Priya's Cooking with Seeds event.

Vegetables in Sesame-Cashew sauce

I use Sesame seeds (Ellu) in most of my gravy/curries quite often. I usually pair this with roasted peanuts/groundnuts, but this time I tried something different and paired with Cashews.

Both of these are lightly toasted with cinnamon, cloves and dried red Chiles for some spice and flavor and mixed with veggies like onion,tomato, potato and bell peppers.

Sesame seeds and Cashews makes the gravy/curry very rich and cream in taste.

Ingredients :

Vegetables I have used : Onion, tomato, Potato and Bell peppers (capsicum) - 1 each chopped into bit size pieces.

Lightly toast and grind :

• Sesame seeds (Ellu) - 2 tbsp.
• Cashew nuts (godambi) - 2 tbsp.
• Cinnamon & cloves (chekke-lavanga)- 2 each.
• Dried red chilli - 1or 2

Others : Oil - 2 tsp, turmeric - 1/2 tsp and salt to taste.

1. Wash and chop vegetables to bit size pieces.
2. Lightly toast the above mentioned ingredients, let it cool and then grind them to fine powder, keep them ready.
3. Heat a pan, add oil when hot add turmeric and then add chopped veggies and fry for few mins, until half cooked.
4. Then add ground sesame-cashew mixture. Add enough water, salt.
5. Cover and cook until veggies are cooked though about 10 - 15 min. Keep stirring in between to make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
6. Adjust salt, mix well. Garnish with few cilantro leaves and top with few toasted sesame seeds (this is optional).

Serve warm with Rotis or rice. Enjoy !

Sending this to Priya's Cooking with the Seeds event.

Happy 2010

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New year.

Pooris

Day 7 of 7 days of Recipe Marathon.

Closing the week long recipe marathon (in my case its Roti Marathon) with our beloved bread, Poori. This is puffy bread, deep fried in oil. We like having them with vegetable Sagu, or most times with Aloo palya and Coconut chutney.

I made this Pooris using my Mom's recipe. Its a very simple recipe, dough should be kneaded to soft but stiff and should rest for not more that 10-15(otherwise this will absorb lots of oil), and dough needs to be fried at the medium-high temperature, in order for the pooris to puff up.

Ingredients :

• Whole wheat flour - 1cup
• All-purpose flour/Maida - 1cup ( used any India atta instead of wheat and all purpose flour)
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt - 1tsp
• Water - about 1 cup ( for kneading)
• Vegetable/Peanut Oil - 1 - 2 cups ( for deep frying).

Method :

1. Take flour/atta, salt and oil mix well. Now add water little by little and mix to form a stiff dough. Add little oil to hands, knead until soft for about 5 mins,cover and let is rest for 10- 15 min.
2. Heat oil in a pan/wok on medium. Turn to medium high while frying.

3. Roll the dough to about palm size and bit thicker than regular rotis.

4. When oil is hot, drop the rolled dough, through the edge of the wok(just one at a time).

5. In a few seconds, the dough will puff up (if not press gently with back of the ladle).

6. Turn/ flip gently and let it fry for few more seconds on the other side,. Take it out with a stainer, drain, any excess oil on paper towel.

Pooris are ready to be served. We enjoyed ours with Aloo Palya and Chuntey.

* Frying temperature is the main thing while making Pooris, make sure to maintain med-high temperature.

Recipe Marathon : Day 1- Chapatis , Day 2- Jodala Rotti , Day 3- Homemade Bread, Day 4- Naan , Day 5- Aloo paratha , Day 6- Phulkas .

I very much enjoyed cooking for this Week long Recipe Marathon. Thanks Nupur for this lovely event to end 2009.