Aloo Matar Tikki | Potato Peas Patty

Potatoes are versatile and can be used anywhere and everywhere . Most of the fast food items or Indian Chaats / Street food are potato based . Today I am going to share another popular Indian Snack, Aloo Mutter Tikki. Tikkis are nothing but patty or cutlets which are shallow fried on a griddle and served with some tamarind dates sauce or corriander chilly dip.

Makes for a very good  starter at any party or dinner / lunch get togethers .You could make the tikkis well ahead of time and freeze them and just before serving , thaw them for about 5-10 mins and then shallow fry to serve them hot. This way you can save a lot of time
The same tikki can be used as base to make Ragada Pattice or Aloo tikki chaat.

Preparation Time : 30 mins
Cooking Time : 10-15 mins
Complexity : Easy
Serves : 2-3

Crispy Corn

This I am sure is a very favorite recipe for all those who have dined at Barbeque Nation outlets in India . Along with the yummy and lavish spread of grilled food menu , this crispy corn is something that I always look up to munching on at barbeque nation.
It is very easy and quick to make at home, with just a few regular ingredients available in our pantry.
Only care to be taken is to be careful while frying the corn as it tends to splutter and burst when put in hot oil.

Preparation Time : 5 mins
Cooking time : 10-15 mins
Complexity : Medium

Base gravy for curries - no onion & garlic

The moment we think of paneer butter masala ,mattar paneer ,malai kofta ,Vegetable makhanwala etc , we can immediately visualise a lovely bright orangish  gravy with the perfect blend of spices and a hint of ginger garlic paste sautéed in tomatoes and onion .

What if I tell you , the same texture and taste can be achieved when you prepare without onion and garlic ?? Cannot believe your eyes ... worry not , I shall present to you the recipe for a basic gravy that you can prepare and modify it into any classic North Indian gravy .

Preparation time : 15 mins
Cooking time : 20 mins
Serves :2-3
Complexity :simple

Hayagreeva Maddi | Hayagreeva - Udupi Mutt Prasadam

Hayagreeva Maddi or Hayagreeva as this sweet is popularly called was offered to Lord Hayagreeva(an Incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu with a horse face) by a very devout devotee daily at the Udupi Mutt.

Hayagreeva maddi or Hayagriva mandi is a traditional offering made especially on Hayagreeva Jayanti . A very easy and a delectable sweet made using Channa dhall / bengal gram and jaggery with some ghee,dry fruits and fresh coconut .

 There is a myth that the Lord in the form of a white Horse would come and partake this Prasadam / Offering . Even to this day, this sweet is offered to the Lord as prasadam daily .

Who is Lord Hayagreeva ?

 Lord Hayagriva  /Hayagreeva is an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu with a horse face. Lord vishnu took this avatar to retrieve the vedas that were stolen by the Asuras / Demons . Haygreeva avatar is a lesser known avatar of lord Mahavishnu and is worshipped for being bestowed upon with good knowledge and intelligence.  Children are taught to pray to Lord Hayagreeva before commencing Education /schooling .

The day on which Lord Vishnu incarnated as Hayagreeva ,it is celebrated as Hayagreeva Jayanti and it is on this day that the Brahmins change their holy sacred thread (poonal) and this festival is known as Avani Avittam . 

Preparation Time : 45 mins
Cooking Time : 20-25 mins
Complexity : easy

Recipe credit - from chef Venkatesh Bhatt on a cooking show 

Ingredients

1 cup channa dhall / bengal gram
3/4 cup or 1 cup jaggery grated
2-3 tablespoon of ghee
1 tablespoon fresh grated coconut
pinch of cardamom / elaichi powder
handful of cashews and raisins

Method

• Wash the bengal gram well and soak it for about 10-15 mins and pressure cook until it becomes soft with a pinch of haldi .
• Mash the dhall coarsely using back of a ladle or a masher. Do not mash it too fine,let there be a few pieces of the dhall to get the bite when you eat the sweet.
• In a wide pan, melt the jaggery with a little water and let it come to a rolling boil. In case of impurities, filter the jaggery syrup using a sieve.
• Add the mashed dhall and coconut gratings to the jaggery syrup and mix it well with 2-3 teaspoons of ghee. 
• Cook the mixture on medium flame by stirring occasionally to prevent burning until it thickens and appears glossy . Turn off the stove.
• Add the cardamom powder, 1 tablespoon ghee along with roasted cashews and raisins and mix well.
• Garnish with some fresh grated coconut and offer it to the lord and enjoy the Prasad.

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Faraali Pattice - Vrat ka khana

Faraali pattice is a very popular Gujarati snack ,specially made for fasting / Vrat . The main ingredient is potato and this is stuffed with a tasty mixture of peanuts, cashews , raisins and fresh grated coconut.

Not necessarily, this has to be made only while you fast, it can be made as a starter to welcome your guests for a party or tea time snack  for a kitty party with your friends and because of the favorite veggie Potato, this surely will be a kid's delight always and will vanish away in no time.

If making this for vrat, make sure to use Shendha Namak / Rock Salt and ArrowRoot powder as binding agent .
On regular days one can use table salt and cornflour/maida for binding.

Preparation Time : 40-45 mins
Cooking Time : 15-20 mins
Serves : Makes about 8 pattice
Complexity : Medium High

Potato Crispies | Crisp Golden Fingers

This is the name I have given for this recipe, you can call it potato fingers, golden crisp potatoes or whatever you like.
I had tasted this in a house warming ceremony of our friend and fell in love with this ever since. I tried to replicate the taste and texture at home and slightly tweaked the recipe to suit our family palate. These crispies can be served as a tea time snack or as a starter for parties and even goes well with Bisi Bele Baath or regular Rasam rice or any kind off variety rice .

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins
Complexity : Medium
Serves : 2-3