Peas Croquettes

Whether it be a long winter break or the festivities during the cold months, the winter season is a great time. Its last week of October and winter is just round the corner. So soon we will be digging into our lofts and beds for warm winter wear. The cold months of the year are so much fun. Foggy mornings, days without Sun and gloomy evenings..I per say don't really enjoy winters much coz they make me a bit lazy but still i have a few reasons to look forward to them. Cladded with heavy woolens, i always wish to tuck myself inside a warm cozy blanket! Lethargy seeps into my system..totally!

One of the reasons why i look forward to Winters is the variety of flowers available all around. Oh yes! i love flowers..they make me smile...they seem to spread happiness with their vibrant colors..without a miss, i bring flowers at my home and meticulously arrange them in my vases and place them in the corners of my living room. They give me such a high! 

The second being the plethora of calorie filled food we all gorge on. I don't bother about those extra calories in my meal. Cold winters and a bowl of hot gulab jamuns..worth it! worth it! Ohhh..i cant wait to grab some now! Its just a matter of few months and i enjoy to the fullest. Winters bring along with it a wide range of vegetables and you can do soo much with it. Phew! Its insane. Stuff it and make parathas or deep fried delicacies. Love them in whichever they are made. I truly live to eat. :D After all Life is meant to be lived once and i wish to live it to the fullest. I hate to regret later for anything which i missed.

Warm sunny days and cold nights are the apt time to feast with your family. Barbecue parties are so much fun. A sunny day with mild winter breeze, aromas from the barbecue grill and gossips with friends is my perfect idea of a winter Sunday. So my today's share is a perfect starter for a winter affair!

Peas or matar (as known to Indians) is available during winters and for sure its a delightful veggies for many of us. I love it in any form, be it just a Peas Pulao in Lunch or mildly tempered peas with ginger and chilly for breakfast. They are delicious. Truly appetizing. So today, i bring forth a delectable dish made out of peas which is not only different but is loaded with flavors and trust this is a right snacks or starter for those Sunday BBQ feast or the one of those evening when you have surprise guests. Quick to make if all ingredients are handy. Even those who don't relish peas otherwise will dote on this new avatar of peas.

Ingredients:-

1 cup grean peas (I used frozen ones, you could use fresh ones as well)

½ cup soaked soya granules (soak them for 30 mins)

1 cup mashed potatoes

2 finely chopped green chillies

2 tsp grated ginger

Handful of chopped fresh coriander leaves

1 tsp cumin powder

2 tsp coriander powder (freshly roasted coriander seeds roughly ground it in mortal & pestle)

1/4 tsp black pepper powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

1/3 cup bread crumbs

3-4 tbsp flour (maida)

2 tbsp kasuri methi

3-4 tsp red chilli flakes

Salt to taste

Oil for frying

Chaat Masala

Steps to follow:-

1. If using fresh peas, then blanch them with little salt and when soft drain and spread on a kitchen towel to remove all excess water.

2. If using frozen, then blanching is not needed as they are already blanched before being frozen.

3. Transfer the peas to a mixing bowl and add finely chopped green chillies, chopped coriander and grated ginger and thoroughly mash them.

4. Now drain the water from the soya granules and ensure there is no excess water.

5. Now add the soya granules to the peas mixture and mix well.

6. Add mashed potatoes and ensure everything gets together well.

7. Then add the cumin powder, salt to taste, roughly ground coriander powder, black pepper powder, garam masala, kasuri methi & red chilli flakes and mix well to incorporate everything together.

NOTE: You can alter the measurements for red chillies, green chillies, black pepper powder based on the level of spiciness required & your choice of taste. The existing measurements mentioned will give mildly spicy croquettes.

8. Then add the bread crumbs and flour (maida) and mix it well.

9. Now moisten your palm with bit of oil and make roundels.

10. Place a wok on the gas stove and add oil to it for frying.

11. One by one add the croquettes to the oil and deep fry and monitor the flame by alternating between low and medium.

12. Flip the croquettes when one side is golden and sieve them out when cooked well from both the sides.

12. Sprinkle chaat masala on these croquettes and serve hot with your favorite tomato ketchup or any dip/chutney of your choice.

Variation:-

1. Switch your oven to bake mode and preheat the for 20 mins at 170 degree celcius

2. Place a parchment paper on the cookie tray and lay the croquettes onto them and brush them with a tsp of oil on both sides.

3. Bake in two batches for 10-15 minutes, turning every time until both sides are well cooked and appear goldenish brown in color.

Corn & Spinach Canapes...a burst of flavors!

Morning rush at my house is crazy! Believe me that's the hour of the day when i am busiest and literally hopping from one area to another...Maddening it is! 

Hmm..guess by know you would have assumed that there would be kids around who create such a ruckus! ha ha ha..Trust me, there are just two of us in my home, my dearie husband and me...ofcourse! Still a havoc...is what you would be wondering now!!!??? Just lots of work, all of which i want to do by myself. I know, i know, i am bit finicky!

So, my day starts early and is followed by a few rigorous rounds of Surya Namaskar & then i a peaceful meditation which completely de-stresses me. Aahh! Keeps me sane even in times of utter commotion.

Once i am through with my exercise regime, my real work begins!..Phew! Prepare breakfast, get the lunch ready, pack the tiffins, get the house cleaned, see off my husband and finally leave for my work.

Lunch is usually simple affair for which i do some basic preparations an evening before. But i dread breakfasts coz i am never able to think differently for this meal of the day, perhaps, the hectic schedule and my panic stricken state being the reason, which doesn't let me think beyond the regular stuff. Poha, parathas, sabudana khichdi, chilla or cornflakes with a fruit bowl or sprouts are usual. Yet nothing exciting!

My husband is an avid food enthusiast yet has never complained about mundane breakfasts served to him. Was it just a guilty wife's confession or my husband never really had any concerns. Well, i am absolutely clueless till date. Nevertheless, my take is on the former, so that i constantly aim for something new. 

Little did i know that today morning was the day of a miracle. I stumbled into some frozen corns and 6-7 slices of bread. Looked around in my fridge a bit further and caught hold of a pack of cream. Strange, but i knew all had been done. I just happen to utter to myself, 'Viola!! Wonderful, i'll try some corn canapes today' ..unaware of the recipe, just concocted by me a seconds ago, i was confident enough that i would be able to conquer a delicious experiment. So just followed my gut feeling & i nailed it!

He was astounded with the pleasure & joy at the sight of my invention. Needless to say, he gorged on them and finished all in no time. What a feeling it was!! A victorious wife in me just smiled with contentment and happily saw dearie hubby off at the building elevator...

So if you feel to impress your some loved one, bang on, NOW is the time! Win all the hearts with this sumptuous creamy corny-spinachy dish.

Moral of my story: Just follow your heart and you will succeed!

Ingredients:-

5 - 6 slices of bread (preferably white bread) 

100 gms sweet corn

5 tbsp heavy cream (I used Amul one)

1 tbsp finely chopped green chillies

1/4 cup chopped Spinach

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 tbsp butter

1-1/2 tbsp chipotle sauce (available in grocery stores)

2 tsp honey
1 tsp grated ginger

Seasonings required - 

Oregano, Garlic bread herb seasoning , red chilli flakes (From the brand Urban Flavors)

black pepper and salt (as per taste)

Steps to Follow:-

1. Microwave the corns with some water in a microwave safe bowl for 3 mins (at 100% power)

2. Once they are soft & supple, and strain them, ensuring all the water is drained.

3. Transfer the corns to a microwave safe bowl and throw in the following - chopped onions, green chillies, butter, heavy cream, chipotle sauce, grated ginger, chopped spinach

4. Throw in the spices for flavor as per your taste (I added more quantity of red chilli flakes as i like it to be HOT!)

5. Thoroughly whisk the misture once or twice and microwave again for 3 mins

6. Now add honey and give whisk one more time.

7. Cut the bread slices into squares with the help of a cookie cutter.

NOTE: You could play around with the shape of the canapes. Instead of squares, you could simply remove the edges of the slice and cut into two triangles. That would work too or may be have roundels!! Just need to be creative!

7. Pre-heat the oven at 150 degree celcius for 15 mins

8. Line an aluminium tray and brush it with slight oil.

9. Place the square shaped bread on the tray and now top mixture on the bread and spread it well. 

9. Bake for 10-15 mins, till you see the crust browning.

10. Garnish each canape with some coriander 

NOTE: 

1. You have to roast/grill the roundels only on one side. Do not flip them.

2. To check the doneness of the roundels, you may touch them and see if they appear crispy and crunchy.

3. When they are ready, arrange them on a platter and serve hot! Not necessarily with a dip coz its already spicy and sweet.

Variation:-

1. Incase you do not have a oven at home

2. Heat a pan/tava/griddle on the gas stove and spread some butter and let it melt.

12. Once the pan is hot, carefully arrange the canapes on the pan (Do not overcrowd)

13. Ensure the flame is on medium else all will burn. 

14. Let the canapes toast on the pan for a sometime while you regulate the flame from low to medium as needed.

Corn is high in Vitamic C and Spinach has good amount of Iron, so this forms a sumptuous and indeed a wholesome and appetizing breakfast. You could accompany these yummy finger food with your choice of mocktail and you will be transported with pleasure!! 

Chivda Namkeen

The onset of monsoon calls for delicious savories along with a hot cuppa! I love it. Don't You?

For me, a yummy accompaniment with my tea is such a necessity!!! Especially with a lovely weather around. So when i want it to be easy & quick (occasionally healthy too ;) ), i go for something that can be created fast and at the same time something that can tickle my taste buds as well!! So here it is Dry chivda mix, for those days when you wish to enjoy the downpour outside and not spend too much time cooking. 

Rice Flakes are a good source of Iron & peanuts give intake of protein. Undoubtedly, a perfect nosh with so much nutritive value. 

Goes without saying, this will be a big Hit!

Ingredients:-

Thin rice flakes (Chivda/Poha) - 250 gms

Peanut - 1 tbsp

Roasted Chana - 1 tbsp

Turmeric - 1/4 tbsp

Raisins - 10 - 15 pcs

Curry Leaves - 10 leaves

Dry red chillies - 2 (cut into halves)

Rock salt - as per taste

Amchoor/Dry Mango Powder - 1 tbsp

Powdered sugar - as per taste (to balance out salt-sour flavor)

Oil - 2 tbsp

Asafoetida - 2 pinch

Steps to follow:-

1. Dry roast rice flakes in a thick pan on a medium flame.

2. Keep stirring the rice flakes till they are crispy. Ensure they do not over cook.

3. In another pan, pour some Oil and add curry leaves, roasted chana, peanuts, raisins, asafoetida, turmeric and rock salt.

4. Once all are sauteed well add amchoor and sugar.

5. Add the curry leave mixture to the roasted chivda and mix thoroughly, ensuring that all flakes turn yellow in colour.

6. Remove the chivda from the pan and let it cool.

7. Store it in a dry Jar.

Wooah! Such a Delectable relish ready to be devoured in no time! Eat & Enjoy! Happy Monsoons.. :)