RAJASTHANI BAJRE KI RAAB / RAABDI / RABRI

Bajre ki raab is a traditional drink of Rajasthan made with pearl millet flour and yogurt. It is very nutritious. Raab is served warm in winters and cold in summers There is also a sweet version of  Raab that has jaggery, ghee and nuts.
In the dessert regions during summers when the vegetables are scarce, people make do with dried vegetables like Ker Sangri or Raab  They make a thicker version of Raab to dip the Rotlas.

Ingredients:
Bajra flour .... 2 tbsps
Yogurt .......... 1/2 cup
Ajwain ........ 1/8 th tsp
Cumin seeds ... 1/8 tsp
Salt .............. to taste
Roasted cumin powder.. 1 pinch

Method:

Whisk the yogurt with 2 cups of water.Add salt, cumin and ajwain seeds.Now blend in the bajra flour and whisk it well to avoid any lumps.

Place a pan on the gas. Pour the liquid into it.

Keep stirring for 5-7 minutes until it thickens.

Now add 1 more cup of water and continue to stir on low flame. The flour has to be cooked properly so that there is now raw taste.
When you get the desired consistency remove from the gas.

Pour it into the serving glass and sprinkle a pinch of roasted cumin powder.

See the recipe video

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BESAN KI MACHLI / BESAN KI SABZI

This is a very popular vegetarian curry made with gram flour from Bihar and Jharkhand region. This vegetarian delicacy is also nicknamed as Besan ki Machli  (Vegetarian Fish Curry) because it tastes as good as fish curry.
I made this curry for our monthly event in our group , "Shhhhh Cooking Secretly" . This month the theme is Jharkhand Cuisine. My partner is Poonam Bachhav. Do visit her blog Annapurna to check out some delicious dishes.

Ingredients:
Gram flour ... 1 & 1/2  cups
Yellow or black mustard seeds .. 2 tbsps
Cumin seeds ..... 1+1 tsps
Fenugreek seeds ... 1/4 tsp
Saunf / aniseeds .... 1 tsp
Black pepper corns .. 8-10
Garlic .................... 12 cloves
Turmeric powder .... 1/4 + 1/4  tsp
Red chilli powder ...... 1/2 tsp
Salt ............... to taste
Kasoori methi ......... 1 tbsp (I used fresh methi 3 tbsps)
Mustard oil ............ 1/4 cup

Method:

Mix together gram flour, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder and salt.

Make a smooth and thick batter adding water little by little. Set aside.

Dry roast the mustard seeds, saunf, pepper corns, cumin seeds.

Grind them to make a coarse powder. Add garlic and little water. Grind together to make a paste.

Now heat a griddle. Pour ladleful of gram flour batter and make thick pancakes.

Spoon a little oil to cook them .Fold the sides to make a roll and flatten it.

Repeat until the batter is finished.

Cut them into slices.

Now heat mustard oil in a pan to smoking point. Reduce the heat. Add fenugreek and cumin seeds.

When they crackle, add the ground masala and saute.

Add salt, 1/4 tsp haldi and red chilli powder.

Continue to stir until the oil is separated and the masala is fried well.

Add about 3 cups of water.

When it starts to boil tip in the gram flour pieces.

Add kasoori methi or sauteed fresh methi and simmer for about 12-15 minutes.
Keep the consistency of the gravy thinner as the liquid is soaked up on keeping the curry for a longer time.

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DAHI VADA KULFI

If you have some leftover dahi vadas from a party you can give them a makeover and serve in some innovative way. I have lightly mashed the vadas and set them in kulfi moulds. Place them in the freezer until they are firm and easy to unmould. You don't have to completely freeze them to a solid form like a kulfi. Garnish and serve.

Ingredients:

Dahi Vadas .... 2

Yogurt ...........  4-5 tbsps

Sweet Tamarind chutney ... 2-3 tbsps

Thin sev .................. for garnishing

Salt .................... to taste

Mint leaves ....... for garnishing

Pomegranate seeds ... 2 tbsps

Red chilli powder .. 2 pinches

Chaat masala ... as needed

Ice cream sticks .. as needed

Method:

1. Take the left over dahi vadas and mash them lightly.

2. Spoon the mixture into kulfi mould. 

3. Cover the mould with a foil paper and insert a stick. Place them in the freezer for about one hour or until the mixture is set.

4. Remove it on a serving plate. Whisk the yogurt with little salt and spoon it on top. Garnish it with sweet tamarind chutney, pomegranate seeds, mint leaves. Sprinkle some fine sev, red chilli powder and chaat powder. 

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NILGIRI MUTTON CURRY

This delicious curry is from the Nilgiri Hills (Ooty) in South India. It is flavoured with mint and coriander leaves. Yogurt is added for tanginess. You can relish it with plain rice, dosas and appams.

Ingredients:
Mutton ............ 500 gms
Coriander leaves .. 1/2 cup
Mint leaves ........ 1/2 cup
Green chillies ..... 2-3
Grated coconut .... 1 cup
Yogurt .................. 1 cup
Onion ................. 1 large (sliced)
Ginger paste ......... 1 tsp
Garlic paste .......... 1 tsp
Curry leaves ......... 1 sprig
Bay leaves ......... 2
Cinnamon ......... 1" piece
Cloves .............. few
Black cardamom ... 1
Green cardamoms .... 4
Salt ............. to taste
Turmeric powder ... 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder .. 1 tsp
Cumin powder ....... 1 tsp
Garam masala powder .. 1/2 tsp
Oil ..................... 8 tbsps

Method:

Heat 2 tbsps oil in a pressure cooker and add whole spices (cinnamon, cardamoms,cloves, bay leaves)

Add the mutton pieces, 2 cups water and salt. Close the lid and cook for 7-8 whistles.

When done, separate the mutton pieces after discarding the whole spices. Save the stock for the gravy.

Grind together coriander leaves, mint leaves, coconut and green chillies.

In a pan add 3 tbsps of the oil and fry the onions until translucent.

Tip in the ginger garlic paste and some curry leaves.. Add a little water and simmer for few minutes.When cooled, grind the onion coarsely.

Add the remaining 3 tbsps of oil in the pan and add curry leaves.

Now add the onion paste and saute for couple of minutes.

 Add the mentioned spice powders.

Stir in the green masala paste.

Tip in the cooked mutton pieces.

Add the stock and little water if required.

Whisk the yogurt.

Add it to the mutton curry. Check the salt and add if needed.

Simmer for few minutes until done. Garnish with coriander leaves.










Recipe Credits - Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

See the video

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