Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Announcing an event ... 'Side dish for chapathi'

Indians make many kinds of flat breads namely roti, chapathi (chapati), naan, paratha, parotta etc., using wheat flour. Spicy curries are served as side dish.

The side dish for those flat breads play a major role in the dinning table. If you cannot make a delicious side dish, then the whole lot of bread will remain untouched. It is always a trouble for me to choose a perfect match for my roties.

So I decided to host an event 'Side dish for chapathi' , that can help many .

I invite you all to bring out your amazing side dishes to make the event a great success.




Here are some rules:

1) Make any side dish that suits Roti / chapathi/ naan/ paratha/ parotta / any flat bread / fried flat bread (poori) and post the same in your blog . No need to describe the roti procedure. But you can send the whole spread too.

Link back to this announcement. Feel free to use the logo.
You can send in your entries from the archive also, provided they are re-posted for this event between Aug 5 and Sep 5, 2009.

2)Multiple entries are always welcome. All edible ingredients are accepted.
The choice is endless. I will be glad if the side dish is more authentic . You can post some famous side dish of your region / state too. But you can post any dish of your choice also.

3)you can send your entries to vikiskitchen@gmail.com and the Subject as 'Side dish for chapathi' with the following details.

Your Name:
Recipe Name:
Recipe URL:
Attach a picture of the dish. Non bloggers can send their entries with the recipe details and picture if any to my email account.

Send it on or before September 15 , 2009.

Looking forward for your delectable dishes.....

Cheers,
Viki.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Rava Ladoo

Rava laddu / ladoo is a classic Indian sweet prepared during auspicious occasions and festivals.
There are many ways to prepare it. The standard way is to roast and grind the ravai (sooji) and to make balls using hot ghee.
Those ladoos will last long for a month also. I associate the rava ladoo with my chithi (my dad's brother's wife) . It is her habit to prepare snacks at home if she visits some one special.... mostly me:) She makes it in the authentic way using ghee and I will discuss it afterward... may be 'Rava ladoo - part 2'.

But our subconscious mind can never allow us to use such a bulk quantity of ghee, even though the tongue begs for it:) So here is a lesser fat version . Hope you all like it.




Ingredients:

Rava / sooji / semolina - 2 cups
Shredded coconut - 1 cup
sugar - 1 1/2 cup
water - 1 cup
cardamom - 5
raisin - 20
Cashew nut - 20
Ghee - 2 tbsp

Method :

1.Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a wok.
Fry the cashews and raisins till the cashews turn golden. Keep aside.

2.In the same wok add the remaining ghee and fry the rava till it becomes loosen and fragrant.
Transfer to a plate and keep aside.

3.Now put the shredded coconut and dry roast it till it starts to get mild golden color. Transfer it to the rava plate.

4. Pour 1 cup water to the wok along with the sugar and heat till it gets one thread consistency. (One thread consistency: If you scoop the syrup and pour back using a spoon, the last drop will drip like a single elongated drop).

5.Immediately add the rava and mix well. Put off flame and let it become a thick dough.

6. Add the powdered cardamom, fried cashew , raisin and mix well. Let it get cool (warm) so that we can touch.
Take a lemon size portion and make balls .

Rava ladoo is ready!

Serving suggestions:

Serve as dessert or snack. Makes 20 ladoos.
Store in airtight container . It will last for 2 days without refrigeration and more than a week if refrigerated.

I am not sure of the longevity of these snacks , as they vanish as soon as I make:)