anshu – Page 15 – The Secret Ingredient

Baking

Gingerbread Man Cookies | Festive Gingerbread Man Cookies with Molasses

By anshu December 11, 2015

gingerbreadmancookies_featured4

Few days from now and it will be Christmas!! And I will be home with my parents. I may have been raised Hindu but having studied in a Christian School makes me yearn for Christmas and fun & frolic associated with it. I remember as a little kid I would decorate a potted plant in my house 😛 Now that I am a mommy, the spirit of Christmas hasn’t died in me, rather it is coming out in the form of baking and cooking delicious food which makes the festivity more joyous.

gingerbreadmancookies_featured2

A little while back I had posted Melomakarona : Greek Christmas Cookies and since then the vicious circle of baking is on. The next on my list if to bake my Rum Cake for Christmas. I smell the rum soaked dry fruits everyday and greedily imagine when the cake will be baked. Well looks like I will do that in a day or two, cant wait beyond this 😛 Nevertheless here are my authentic ginger bread man cookies which are made with molasses syrup. It has a distinct spiced flavour to it which makes you warm and feel good about the weather around. Not to mention, its so much fun to decorate them using royal icing. You need a little practice and patience to decorate them perfectly. Clearly I lack both 😉 My kiddo had fun baking these cookies with me. He ate the entire first batch by dunking them in his glass of milk. Definitely, he is mumma’s boy <3

Directions:
1. In a bowl add All Purpose Flour.

2. Add to it ginger powder, ground cinnamon and cloves powder.

3. Add baking soda and salt. Mix all the dry ingredients well and set aside.

5. In another bowl add butter at room temperature and add brown sugar to it. I used light brown sugar as it was the only thing I had on hand. Add molasses and give everything a good whip until creamy and soft. I used my electric whisk but you can always do it manually.

6. Add an egg to it whisk again. Now its time to add your dry ingredients little by little till everything comes together in the form of a dough.

7. Divide the dough into two or four balls and wrap them in a cling wrap and refrigerate for an hour or until the dough is set.

8. Preheat the oven to 180 degree Celcius (Learn more about Oven temperature and Conversion).Take one ball of dough and let it sit on counter till it is workable. Dust your counter well with dry flour and roll it into a 1/8 inch circle. Cut it into gingerbread man shape using a cutter. If you think your cutter gets sticky you can dip it into flour and continue to cut the shapes. You can buy gingerbread man cookie cutter from our online store The Gourmet Shop

9. Place them on a baking sheet lined with Oddy Uniwrap Parchment paper. Bake them for 10 minutes in a center rack until they turn a little brown.

10. Cool them completely and decorate them with Royal Icing and candies. Learn to make Royal Icing easily at home.

11. You can dunk them in milk or enjoy them as it is. Its a treat for kids and you can even gift it to your loved ones to melt their heart this season.

Other Cookies you can try here are:Melomakarona : Greek Traditional Christmas Cookies, Ragi & Whole Wheat Biscuits, White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Italian Almond Biscotti, Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips, Coconut Chocolate Cookies.

gingerbreadmancookies_featured3

[yumprint-recipe id=’186′]

View Post

Dinner

Italian Chicken Meatballs with Spaghetti | Meatballs Napoletane

By anshu December 9, 2015

After Thanksgiving its time for Christmas. Festivity in true sense is spending ample time with family and loved ones. What can be more cherishable than eating together a meal with your family. I love those family reunions. During such get togethers I personally like to serve food which is easy to put together and can be made way in advance. Of course I don’t want to end up cooking in kitchen while rest of the family is having fun together. 😉 Casserole dishes like Lasagnas are best for such holiday get togethers. Sometime back I made Cheesy Chicken Lasagna and Mushroom Lasagna in Bechamel Sauce. But there is another interesting dish Italian Meat balls, which can be made well before time and served with freshly boiled spaghetti pasta.

Its a classic Italian dish which is flavourful and loved by everyone. It requires just a few basic ingredients and you can pull it off with ease. Traditionally meatballs is done with some kind of meat but I am sharing this recipe which uses chicken, which is lean and has less calories. You can replace the chicken with any red meat of your choice.

Directions:

1. Finely chop Onions, garlic and Fresh Basil.

2. In a large mixing bowl add fresh bread crumb* and milk.

3. Add to it an egg and finely chopped basil and grated garlic.

4. Add chopped onion and parmesan cheese.

5. Garnish with Salt and Pepper and mix everything well with a fork.

6. Add minced chicken or any other meat you are using. Mix everything with your hand to form a homogenous mixture but do not over work the meat or you will end up getting tougher balls.

7. Take little mixture in hand and form golf size balls.

8. Add Olive oil to a flat bottom non stick pan and heat it over medium heat. Add the balls into it carefully ensuring not to break them. You can cook them in batches. Cook them for a couple of minutes on both sides. They must get that golden brown colour. Be careful when you flip them.

9. Place them in a tray until you finish cooking all the balls.

10. In a blender add ripe tomatoes and make a smooth puree. You can use canned tomatoes as well.

11. In the same pan add a little more oil and add onions. Saute them for a while and then add wine and cook for a minute more.

12. Add the tomato puree to the pan and give it a good stir. Carefully drop meatballs to the pan ensuring the meatballs are completely covered in the sauce. Put the lid on and let it cook on low heat for good 1 hour and 45 minutes. Keep stirring in between to ensure the bottom doesn’t get cooked quickly

12. Season with Salt and Pepper and top it up with torn basil.

13. Serve hot with boiled Spaghetti or any pasta of your choice. Learn how to boil pasta perfectly.

Other Pasta dishes you can try here are Pasta Alla Vodka, Avocado Parsley Pasta , Healthy Broccoli Pasta, Sautéed Red Bell Pepper and Olive Pasta Salad, Spaghetti Vegetable Pasta, Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad.

Other Italian food you can try : Mushroom Risotto, Frittata with Mushrooms and Spinach, Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread, Cherry Rosemary & Sea Salt Focaccia Bread, Italian Almond Biscotti, Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes.

[whohit]ChickenMeatballs[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’185′]

View Post

Appetiser

Cream of Broccoli Soup with Chives | Healthy Broccoli Soup

By anshu December 5, 2015

Winters are the best time of the year when you enjoy feasting and gorging on rich food. The body requires certain food to keep it warm. As a result we end up hogging so much that as the summers approach we are up by a few kilos. I know you are nodding in agreement. But this year I have decided to keep a strict watch on my diet. I am staying away from fatty, greasy, fried food by all means. In order to keep the body warm I have started making warm soups every evening, which are healthy and my family enjoys.

Last week when my mommy sent me broccoli from the plains (yeah unfortunately we don’t find this in our hills :() I knew I had to make this soup. Its the best way to ingest broccoli specially when you despise its flavour. I also made Broccoli Pasta which is creamless and a big hit in my family. The soup is made creamy not by adding whole lot of creamy fat but by adding potatoes. It gives it a smooth creamy texture and rich flavour.

Directions:

1. Take two heads of broccoli and cut out their stems. Cut it into florets.

2. Wash the florets under running water for any grit.

3. Chop some Garlic and Onions finely. Peel Potato and cut it into cubes.

4. Add Butter in a large pot and let it melt. Add garlic and onions and saute them till they turn a little pink.

5. Add broccoli florets and potato cubes to the pot and mix them well.

6. Add Salt and Water.

7. Add a cube of broth. I used vegetable broth if you like you can use chicken. Cover with a lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes have cooked.

8. Open the lid and let it cool off a little. Puree the soup with a blender and make it into a smooth soup.

9. Season with black pepper powder and a little cream.

10. Garnish with freshly chopped Chives and serve hot with soup sticks.

Other Soups you can try here are: Tomato Soup, Zucchini Garlic Soup with Yak Cheese Shreddings, Classic French Potato Leek Soup, Peas and Mushroom Spicy Soup, Russian Beetroot & Vegetable Soup, Chicken Soup with Rice, Sopa De Frijol .

[whohit]CreamOfBroccoliSoup[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’184′]

View Post

Dinner

Mooli aur Mooli Ke Patton Ki Sabzi | Radish & Radish Greens In Indian Spices

By anshu December 4, 2015

Mooli aur Mooli Ke Patton Ki Sabzi is a winter delicacy. Winters are here in full swing and the most inviting winter produce we get in India are white long radishes. In mexico I have seen red colour variation of these. But nonetheless both are delicious in their own ways 🙂 The radish which are sold now often come with the leaves on. If you are lucky to visit the market in the morning you might find the fresh radish with their greens on. That what you must pick for this recipe. The tender the leaves the more delicious they will be. This is an interesting way to cook radish than to have it just as a salad or stuffed in a parantha.

It is my maternal aunt Neena’s recipe which she often makes with ground poppy seeds and mustard seeds. I tried this first time fearing my fussy husband wouldn’t like it. He simply detests radish and its close kin turnip. But I was hellbent to impress him. The dish came out delicious and it was proved without doubt when my husband took a second helping 🙂

Its not only delicious but very nutritious. The fresh greens and radish are a rich source of roughage and helps to regulate blood pressure. It fights constipation and is extremely good for asthmatic patients. Who doesn’t wanna like this humble vegetable with such health benefits.

Directions:
1. Take some firm radish with fresh tender leaves. Wash the radishes. Cut the neck of the radish and separate the leaves. Do not throw them away. Peel the radish.

2. Cut the radish into small cubes and separate the tender leaves.

3. Wash these leaves well so that no grit remains. Chop them finely, set aside.

4. In a dry grinder or coffee grinder add poppy and mustard seeds and grind them to a powder. Set aside.

5. In a wok or kadhai add mustard oil and smoke it. Add the mustard, poppy seeds powder and saute for a minute.

6. Add turmeric powder, salt and red chili powder.

7. Add chopped raddish and mix well with the spices. Cover with a lid and cook on medium low heat for 7-8 minutes or until your see its partially cooked.

8. Add the chopped radish greens to the wok and mix well. Cover it and further cook for another 5 minutes.

9. Serve hot with Roti and with some Bathua raita on the side.

For more everyday recipes you can try: Gobhi Danthal ki Sabji, Aloo Methi Punjabi Style, Swanjhane ki Sabji, Methi Matar Malai.

[yumprint-recipe id=’183′]

View Post

Baking

μελομακάρονα | Melomakarona | Greek Traditional Christmas Cookies

By anshu November 28, 2015

Its November end and Thanksgiving is over. I can feel the chill in the air and my nose turns red when I take my daily walk in the hills. I have soaked the dry fruits in Rum for the Christmas Cake, which officially means that Christmas has begun. Hurray!! now who can stop me from baking delicious cakes and cookies.

Incidentally, this months Spatula Force Theme Challenge was Greek Cuisine hosted by my Friend and Food Blogger Bhawna Pandey from Salt and Pepper . This motivated me to try the Greek Traditional Christmas Cookies Melomakarona. They are delicious, melt in mouth, egg shaped cookies with goodness of Olive Oil and Honey. They are Spiced with Cloves, Cinnamon and Orange Zest. Doesn’t that sound very festive and christmasy?

The baked cookies are dipped in Sugar Honey Spiced Syrup and finally glazed with Honey and chopped Walnuts. Ohh!! The taste is absolutely mindblowing and scintillating. You must try these to believe me 🙂 I loved to photograph these cookies and creating a little Christmas like ambience. Thanks to my friend Lily for the beautiful platter she gifted me on her visit. Doesn’t that look amazing!

Directions:

1. Wash and dry a firm Orange and take out its zest, only the orange part using a microplane or zester.

2. In a saucepan add some water and add to it lemon zest and orange juice.

3. Add sugar to the saucepan along with cinnamon and Cloves.

4. Bring the syrup to a boil and then simmer for two minutes. Turn the heat off and add honey and mix well till it is dissolved. Keep aside.

5. In a mixing bowl add Vegetable Oil, Olive oil and Orange juice.

6. Add to bowl baking soda and whisk together with the juice and oils. Let the soda react with the juice.

T

7. Add ground Cloves and Cinnamon and combine

8. Add caster sugar or icing sugar to the oil juice mixture and mix well along with orange zest. Add semolina and combine using a whisk.

9. Now add All purpose flour little by little and combine to make a smooth dough. Do not over work the dough.

10. Divide the dough into walnut size elliptical or oval shape balls and press them against a grater to get the pattern. Other wise you can use a fork to make pattern of your choice.

11. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon mat, with amble space between each cookie* and bake for 25-30 minutes on 200 degree Celsius in middle rack. Keep an eye after 25 minutes, for it shouldn’t get over baked.

12. Immediately as they come out of the oven dip them in the syrup we prepared before for 20 seconds. You can use slotted spoon to take them out.

13. Let them drain and rest on a wire wrack. When they cool down drizzle them with Honey and sprinkle on top some coarsely ground walnuts.

14. You are ready to dig into them and make this Christmas more special and Joyous.

Other Cookies you can try on The Secret Ingredient are: White Chocolate Chip Cookies , Ragi & Whole Wheat Biscuits, Coconut Chocolate Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips and Italian Almond Biscotti.

If you are looking for Delicious Cakes and Sweet Breads: Apple Raisins Streusel Bread , Chocolate Vanilla Marble Cake, Eggless Almond Vanilla Cake, Eggless Orange Cake with Candied Orange Peel Filling, Lemon Cake with Lemon Glaze, Persimmon Rum Cake, Pumpkin Cake Rolls , Vegan Chocolate Banana Cake, Wacky Vegan Chocolate Cake , Whole Wheat Vegan Banana Bread with Melon Seeds.

Other Greek Cuisines from my fellow Bloggers participating in this challenge are: Spanakopita Triangles or Greek Spinach Pie by Binjal Pandya from Binjal’s Veg Kitchen, Baklava by Pooja Khanna from 2Bliss Of Baking.

[whohit]Melomakarona[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’182′]

View Post

Ayurvedic Recipes

Amla Chyawanprash | Ayurvedic Indian Gooseberry and Herb Jam

By anshu November 24, 2015

Chyawanprash also spelled as chyavanaprasha, chyavanaprash, chyavanaprasam is a jam like mixture of Indian Gooseberry or Amla, Jaggery and other herbs. Traditionally, it is prepared as per the instructions available in the Ayurvedic Texts. It is a comprehensive herbal tonic with wonderful health benefits. It promotes anti-aging and longevity. Apart from other benefits it also builds your immunity against cough and cold during thick winters. The original recipe calls for a lot of herbs and many of those I cant even pronounce the name 😉

As a little girl my parents often fed me with a spoon full of Chyawanprash everyday with a glass of lukewarm milk. Honestly as a kid it was difficult to eat, as its flavour is a little too strong. My husband still makes faces 😛 But with age I realised its benefit. Its the most popular herbal tonic sold in India and even endorsed by a lot of film stars. Having said that I wanted to make own chyawanprash at home as you cannot trust what is inside that bottle and one day I found recipe posted by Alka Bhayana, a very sophisticated, warm and well respected women I have known over time through Facebook. Her recipe of Chyawanprash mesmerized me. It required a few basic ingredients which you can easily find at home. The very next day I brought home amlas and gave it a go. The chyawanprash was sooo delicious even my picky Big Boy (my husband) ate without a hitch and was gaga over it. He called his real mommy (thats my mother in law) and told her that he was a big boy and that he finally eats chyawanprash 😉

Truly even I loved the flavour of chyawanprash it may not have all 80 or more herbs but I know for sure whatever it has is pure, healthy and made with love. Thankyou Alka Mam, this post goes to you!

Directions:

1. Wash Amlas or Indian Gooseberry and pat them dry with your kitchen towel.

2. Arrange a pressure pan with a rack at its bottom and add amlas to it. Add water and close the lid. Boil the amlas for 2 whistles or 10 minutes on full pressure. Turn the flame off and let it sit in steam till the pressure is released.

3. Drain the water and remove the pit. After they boil they become soft and you can easily remove the pit.

4. Put the pulp in a blender and make a smooth puree. You make use a spoon of water to ease grinding.

5. In a pan add some ghee or clarified butter. And add amla puree to the ghee. Keep sauteing for good ten minutes or until you see it leaves out the oil.

5. Add Jaggery or Gur to the amla puree. I decided to put a big chunk as it was soft. But incase your jaggery is hard as a rock, I would recommend you to break it into small pieces or make a powder.

6. Add Honey. Keep sauteing till you achieve a thick, sticky, messy mass.

6. Take green cardamom, fennel seeds, whole black pepper, few strands of saffron and cinnamon in a dry grinder and make a powder .

7. Add ground spiced to the pan and mix well. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes till everything is well combined.

8. Let it cool down and transfer to an air tight jar. Eat a spoon full daily with a glass of milk and have a healthy, illness free winter.

Other healthy recipes you can try here are: Mexican Black Bean and Mango Salad, Couscous Chickpea Salad, Classic Russian Borsch Beetroot Soup.

[whohit]Chyawanprash[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’181′]

View Post

Easy Recipe

Adrak Lehsun ka Achar | Ginger Garlic Pickle

By anshu November 23, 2015

These days you can easily find fresh ginger root sold in the markets. The newly dug ginger root is pinkish in colour and is very soft without any membranes which makes them perfect for pickling. This is a very easy recipe of Adrak Lehsun ka Achar or Ginger Garlic Pickle which I learnt from my mother. I made this pickle for the Uttrakhand Food Festival where I participated last month. I sold more than 30 bottles of pickle in one day. That was quite an achievement for me.

My husband is completely gaga over this pickle. He eats his every meal with this. Oh well he hasn’t been fond of pickle ever but wonder why he is hooked to this 😉 You must try this for you will fall in love with its simplicity.

Directions:
1. Wash Ginger Root thoroughly and remove all the mud. Cut or break it into small pieces. Peel its skin using a sharp knife.

2. Cut it into thin slices and further cut into thin sticks.

3. Place the ginger sticks into a bowl and add white vinegar. Add half teaspoon salt and cover. Let it rest overnight. The ginger will absorb vinegar and become pink in colour.

4. In a dry grinder add rai or red mustard** and make a course powder and set aside.

5. Also make a paste of garlic and set aside.

6. In a wok or karahi add mustard oil and smoke out the oil. Add garlic paste and saute till you see it changing its colour.

7. Add powdered rai powder, salt, black pepper powder.

8. Add ginger sticks and discard the vinegar. Mix well with the spices and let it cook a couple of minutes more. Turn the flame off.

9. Let it cool down and transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature. The pickle stays good for up till a year.

Other Pickle recipe you can try here: Jalapeño Pickle, Kacchi Haldi ka Achar, Instant Raw Mango Pickle South Indian Style. Bharwan Lal Mirchi ka Achaar.

[yumprint-recipe id=’180′]

View Post

Dinner

Mushroom Matar | Peas and Mushroom Spicy Soup | Khumb Matar Thin Curry

By anshu November 22, 2015

One afternoon we were eating at our favourite restaurant in Mexico. It was a busy afternoon. We ordered food and were expecting it to take time and then suddenly two bowls of soup appeared in front of us. We told the waitress we never ordered this. She apologetically said your order will take another 3 minutes so till then you enjoy this soup on the house. It was such a beautiful gesture. It was Mushroom and Peas soup. When I took its first sip it took me back home, it tasted exactly like the way my mother makes matar mushroom thin curry. Just that it had chicken broth in it. That day we realised that this can be had as a spicy soup as well.

After coming back India we have made this so many times owing to my love for Mushrooms. On the contrary my Mother In Law despises mushrooms 🙁 but when she tried this she couldn’t stop. 🙂 The taste of this thin gravy is exception in spite of the fact its simple to make it. You can have it as a soup or team up with roti or rice.

Directions:

Wash and slice some mushrooms into bite size pieces.

2. Chop some tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and green chilies and make a smooth puree in a blender.

3. Add some ghee or clarified butter in a pressure pan. When it becomes hot add cumin seeds. Let them crackle for a couple of seconds.

4. Add the tomato garlic puree to the pan. Keep sauteing till oil separates the masala.

5. Add salt, red chili powder* and turmeric powder.

6. Add chopped mushrooms and mix well. Also add fresh or frozen peas.

7. Mix the vegetables with the masala and add water. The water should be enough to drown the vegetables.

8. Close the lid and let the pressure build up. Cook for 4-5 whistles or 8-10 minutes on high pressure. Turn the flame off and let it cook in its steam. Open the lid and garnish with green coriander and Garam Masala.

10. Serve hot with a slice of garlic bread if eating this like a soup. If eating like a full meal you can have this with roti or rice.

Other Mushroom Recipes you can try here are: Mushroom Do Pyaaza, Malai Bell Pepper Mushroom, Chilli Mushroom, Mushroom Risotto, Italian Frittata with Mushrooms and Spinach,Mexican Casserole Eggs with Mushrooms and Chili Poblano, Mushroom Lasagna in Bechamel Sauce, Kadhai Mushroom.

If you are looking for more delicious healthy soups you can try: Chicken Soup with Rice, Russian Beetroot & Vegetable Soup, Classic French Potato Leek Soup , Sopa De Frijol, Tomato Soup, Zucchini Garlic Soup with Yak Cheese Shreddings.

[whohit]MushroomPeasSoup[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’179′]

View Post

Baking

Stuffed Mushroom Cheesy Crack Bread | Cheesy Mushroom Pull Apart Bread

By anshu November 6, 2015

I needn’t say more about my obsession with mushrooms and breads. Clearly it is getting out of control. At least twice a week I want something mushroomy something bready in my meals. After doing the Mushroom Spinach Stuffed Braided Bread I bring you this Cheesy Mushroom pull apart bread. This was not planned but on my search I found this recipe which was like Love at First Sight. I happily baked a bread in the evening and stuffed it with Mushrooms and Cheese. Ohh man! It was pure indulgence. I served the bread with my mommy special Tomato Soup. I happily skipped my dinner for the sheer love of this bread.

This is more like a idea than a recipe to make something incredible with bread specially for Super Ball or Cricket Matches or may be catching up a flick late night on recliners with comfy cushions. I am just saying! Or be like me. You don’t need a reason to eat Mushrooms and bread..do you?

Directions:

1. Take a loaf of french bread or any bread other than sandwich loaf. I have used the same recipe as White Sandwich bread for this but simply placed it on a baking tray without using a pan for second proof and baked it. You can also use Sourdough bread for this. Using a bread knife cut the bread lengthwise and widthwise without cutting through all the way. You will notice cavity between the bread pieces. Place it on a Baking sheet lined with Aluminium foil. Set aside. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes on 180 degree Celcius.

This is

2. In a pan melt some butter.

3. Add finely chopped mushrooms and saute them them till they release their water. Let the water evaporate.

4. Add Thyme, I used dried. Add salt and combine. Set aside.

5. Finely chop some onions and add them to a microwavable bowl. Add butter to the onions. Microwave for 2 minutes or until the butter melts. Set aside.

6. Cut strips of cheese. I have used Mozzarella because that is what is easily available here. You can use Provolone if you lay your hands on it. Insert Cheese sticks or strips inside the cuts or cavity both horizontally and vertically.

7. Top up the cheese laden cavity with sauteed mushrooms.

8. Drizzle the bread with the onion butter all over. Sprinkle the top with some poppy seeds and garnish with fresh Coriander leaves.

9. Now cover the bread with the aluminium foil and bake it in the preheated oven on 180 degree Celsius (Learn more about Oven temperatures and Conversions) for 15 minutes and uncovered for another 10 minutes or until you see the cheese melting.

10. Serve hot and relish each bite.

Other recipes with bread you can try are: Cheesy Garlic Bread, Stuffed Mushroom and Spinach Braided Bread.

More Bread recipes you can try on The Secret Ingredient: White Sandwich Bread, Russian Bublici, Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread, Chinese Black Sesame Steamed Buns, Cherry Focaccia Bread with Rosemary and Sea Salt, Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Beetroot Bread with Garlic and Thyme, Honey Oats Bread, Domino’s Garlic Breadsticks, No Knead Light Wheat Bread.

[whohit]MushroomCrackBread[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’178′]

View Post

Baking

Ragi Masala Twisters | Ragi Healthy Baked Namkeen | Mandua Whole Wheat Spicy Snacker

By anshu November 3, 2015

Last week I was invited to the Uttrakhand Food Festival in Nanital. I was asked to put up a stall featuring food and produce from Kumaun and Garhwal region. I decided to bake my Ragi Whole Wheat Cookies, Ragi Brownies and these savoury twisters also made from Ragi or Mandua which is grown in this region and predominantly part of the kumaoni palette. The most amazing part of these twisters is that they are baked and have very little oil in them. This is an idle guilt free snacking option, specially for weight watcher’s like me. 20 twisters contain 100 calories.. isn’t that amazing!

All twisters and Ragi Brownies were sold off on the very first day of the event. It was a huge success. I was overjoyed when I bagged the second prize for Innovation in Baking. Truly I felt my hard work paid off 🙂

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree Celcius (Learn more about Oven temperatures and Conversions.). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. I am using a silicon mat. Set aside. Take Ragi and Whole Wheat Flour in a bowl.

2. Add plain yogurt or curd to the bowl. Also add Ginger Garlic and chili paste.

3. Add Cumin Seeds, little sugar and salt and combine.

4. Add turmeric powder and freshly chopped Coriander.

5. Add oil and water just enough to form a paliable dough. Therefore, add little water spoon by spoon.

6. Knead a soft paliable dough. It should not be very stiff nor very sticky.

7. Divide the dough into two and roll each of them by dusting the surface with dry flour. The dough should be rolled in a large circle of 200 mm. (8”) in diameter.

8. Now cut it into strips about 25 mm. x 12 mm. (1″ x ½ “) using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter.

9. Twist each strip vertically with your hands and place them on a lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or until they become crisp and light brown in colour. Flip sides gently after half time. Let the come to room temperature before indulging as they will crisp up even more. Store them in an airtight container, stays good for a very long time.

Other Baked Snacks you can try are: Baked Paneer Corn Kebabs

Other Ragi or Red Millet recipes on The Secret Ingredient: Instant Ragi Dosa, Ragi Whole Wheat Cookies.

[whohit]RagiMasalaTwisters[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’177′]

View Post