PUNUGULU / PUNUKULU / RICE AND LENTIL FRITTERS / COCKTAIL FRITTERS

Punugulu or punukulu is a street food from Andhra Pradesh . Small bite size fritters usually made from the left over idli / dosa batter. They can also be made from plain urad or moong dal batter. There is no particular recipe that you have to follow for this. These can be made plain or with the addition of anything you prefer like finely chopped onion, ginger, garlic, green chillies, coriander leaves, crushed cumin seeds, asafoetida. etc etc.. choice is yours.. I have made them with moong dal and rice batter and served with spicy coconut chilli chutney.

To make perfect and crispy punugulu make sure the batter is not too thin. If you are using left over batter and need to thicken it just add a spoonful of rice flour / urad dal powder or ground poha. If the batter is thin they tend to soak oil and if it is too thick they become hard.

Ingredients:
Moong dal ......... 1/2 cup
Rice .................. 1/4 cup
 Ginger .............. 1 tsp
Garlic ............... 1 tsp
Asafoetida ........ 1 pinch
Crushed cumin seeds .. 1 tsp
Balking powder .... 1/4 tsp
Salt ............. to taste
Oil .......... for frying.

For the chutney:
Grated coconut ... 1/2 cup
Dry red chillies .. 2-3 ( as per your liking)
Garlic ............... 1 tsp
Salt ................ to taste
Mustard seeds ... 1 tsp (for tempering)
Oil ..... 2 tsps (for tempering)
Prepare the chutney by grinding all the ingredients to a smooth paste and add the mustard seed tempering.

Method:
1. Soak the rice and dal separately for 4-5 hours.
2. Grind to a smooth batter adding little water. Mix both the batters together. Let it ferment for 5-6 hours. But if you are using only urad dal or moong dal you need not ferment. It can be fried right away like vadas.
3. When you are ready to fry add the salt, asafoetida, baking powder and crushed cumin seeds. ( and anything else you want to add)
4. Mix the batter well using your hand or a spoon for few minutes. This will make it light and fluffy.
5. meanwhile keep the oil for heating.
6. Drop small quantity of flour to make the fritters.
Serve hot with any chutney you like.

Pin for later

You may also like:

Cocktail Vada

Cocktail Idli / Mini Idlis

Quail Egg Fritters

CHEESE AND VEGETABLE FRITTERS / CHEESE PAKORAS (Continental Style)

Cheese and vegetable fritters are perfect for munching at tea time or with drinks. I am sure all the kids would love them too as they have no spices or chillies. Those who enjoy hot stuff can relish them with a spicy dip / sauce. The addition of vegetables can be variated according to the availability. Non vegetarians can add one egg to the batter too..

Ingredients:
APF / maida ......... 1 & 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese ... 3/4 th cup (grated) Green capsicum .. 2 tbsps (diced) Red Capsicum ..... 2 tbsps (diced) Yellow capsicum --- 2 tbsps (diced) Onion ................... 2-3 tbsps (diced) Spring onions ...... 2 tbsps (diced) Egg .............. 1 (optional ) Baking powder .... 2 -3 pinches Dried basil........... 1/2 tsp (or few fresh leaves chopped) White or black pepper .... 1/2 tsp Salt ............ to taste (add carefully as the cheese is already salty) Oil ............ to fry.

Method:
1. Mix together all the diced vegetables, flour, cheese, salt, herbs and pepper.
2.  Make a thick batter adding sufficient water.
3. Heat oil in a pan.
4. Drop small portions of batter using a spoon or with your hand into the hot oil.
5. Reduce the flame and fry the fritters turning them occasionally until they are crisp and golden.
Serve hot with any sauce.

Check out the video

Pin for later

You may also like:

Sindhi Sanna Pakora

Crispy Onion Pakoras

Rice Pakoras

MINI MASALA UTTAPAMS

Whenever we make dosa batter there is always enough left for the next day. I like to make use of it in various different ways. Today I made mini uttapams by adding tadka of onion and sambar powder. These mini uttapams are perfect to serve in your evening tea party or kids party.

Ingredients:
Dosa batter .... 2-3 cups
( If you don't have left over batter make it fresh. Soak 1/2 cup urad dal and 1 and 1/2 cups raw rice for 5-6 hours. Grind to make a smooth batter of pouring consistency. Mix them well adding a little salt and allow it to ferment overnight or 8-10 hours )

Ingredients for Tadka /Tempering :
Onion .... 1 cup finely minced
Green chilli .. 1 finely minced (optional)
Coriander leaves .. 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Mustard seeds ... 1 tbsp
Asafoetida .... a pinch
Sambar powder or Podi ... 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder ... 1/8 tsp
Salt ........ to taste
Oil .... 2 tbsps and extra for making uttapams

Method:
1. Take a pan and heat oil. Add the mustard seeds and when they crackle add the asafoetida and finely minced onion and green chillies.
2. Saute until translucent. Tip in the sambar powder, salt, turmeric powder and saute on low flame.
3. Add the coriander leaves and switch off the flame. Allow it to cool.
4. Mix it in the dosa batter.
5. Pour a small ladle full on the griddle to make the uttapams.
6. Spoon a little oil and flip both sides until done.
Serve with coconut chutney.

Pin for later

You may also like:

Pesarettu

Poha Dosa

Masala Dosa

BAKED WHOLEWHEAT MASALA CRACKERS

Try out these delicious and healthy baked masala crackers made with wholewheat flour.These taste like mathris and are good to serve as a tea-time snack or you can even serve with some chutney or dip. Adjust the spice level according to your liking. You can cut them in any shape using cookie cutters too.
Recipe Source : You Too Can Cook

Ingredients:
Wheat flour .. 1 cup (or as needed)
Chilli flakes .. 1/4 tsp
Crushed cumin seeds ... 1/2 tsp
Crushed pepper corns .. 1/2 tsp
Kasoori methi ... 1 tbsp
Salt ... to taste
Oil ... 4 tbsps

Method:
1. Mix the mentioned spices and kasoori methi in the flour. Add salt and oil. Mix everything together.
2. Now knead the flour with warm water and make the dough.
3. Roll out a portion of it using a rolling pin. Do not use dry flour while rolling.
4. Cut out any shapes you prefer. Place them in a greased baking tray. Pierce them with a fork to avoid bubbles.
5. Bake them in a pre-heated oven until golden brown and crisp.( It takes about 20 - 22 mins in the medium setting - 200 degrees C )
 Cool them and store in an air tight container.

Note: The original recipe had dry curry leaves but I have replaced them with kasoori methi. Similarly you can have many variations like adding ajwain or sesame seeds.
Kindly note that the baking time may vary a little depending on the type and size of the oven and also the thickness of the crackers. It is usually faster in small OTG s and convection microwave ovens. You have to set the temperature accordingly.

Recipe Video 

Pin for later

You may also like:

Raisin and Oat Cookies

Healthy Ragi Cookies

Nankatais / Cardamom Cookies

ZA'ATAR PUFFS

I had some left over puff pastry sheets.. made these  simple tangy rolls using za'atar spice powder and sliced olives for the stuffing. These easy to make puffs / rolls are good to serve as a cocktail snack in the parties.

Ingredients:
Puff Pastry sheets .. as needed
Olives ..... thinly sliced - as needed.
Zaatar spice mix .. You can get it in the Middle Eastern grocery stores or  make it at home.
See the Za'atar recipe  HERE 

Method:
1. Cut out the puff pastry sheets into small rectangle pieces.
2. Sprinkle the za'atar spice powder over them.
3. Arrange the olive slices.
4. Roll them and place on a greased baking tray.
5. Bake in the pre-heated oven until crisp. ( about 10 - 12 minutes )

 Note: You can even make folded puffs in any shape you like. The baking time will vary accordingly and also depending on the size of the oven.

Pin for later

You may also like:

Pita Bread

Sumac Chicken

Hummus

BREAD PIZZA

This is a quick and easy snack to prepare when you are short of time. Perfect for kids specially if you cut out the slices in different shapes for them using cookie cutters.


Ingredients:
Bread slices .. as many required.

For the Topping :
Capsicums / Bell peppers .... red & green
Basil leaves .......... 3-4
Cheese .. grated
Dry Basil

For the Sauce:
Tomatoes ... 1-2
Garlic ......... 1 tbsp
Chilli sauce .. 1 tbsp
Tomato ketchup .. 1 tsp
Oregano / basil ... 1 tsp 
Salt ........... to taste
Olive oil .... 2 tbsps

1. Heat oil in a pan and saute the garlic.
2. Add the blanched and chopped tomatoes and simmer to cook.
3.Add the sauces and tempering. Set aside to cool.

Method:

1. Cut the capsicums and freash basil leaves into fine pieces.

2. Cut out the desired shape from the bread slices. I have just cut rounds. If you are making for kids they would love different shapes.

3. Spread a spoonful of the prepared sauce on each slice.

4. Spread the chopped capsicums and basil leaves.

5. Top the slices with grated cheese and sprinkle a little dry basil.
6. Grill them and serve hot.

The cuttings from the bread can be used to make :
Seyala Bread

Masala Bread

Pin for later

You may also like:

Pizza Monkey Bread

Dessert Pizza 

Heart Shaped Pizza 

PIZZA CUPS

Make these tiny pizza cups for your kids party. The procedure is the same like making pizza .

For the dough:
All purpose flour / maida ....  1 cup

Fresh yeast .................... 1/2  cube (If using dry yeast - 1 tsp )
Sugar ........................... 1 tsp
Salt .............................. 1/4 tsp
Olive oil ................... 2 tbsps

1. Take the flour in a flat vessel . Make a well in the middle and crumble the yeast. Add sugar. The salt and  1 spoon of olive oil should be added on the sides. (The salt should not come in contact with the yeast ).
2.Take luke-warm water and knead the dough starting from the middle portion and gradually mix everything.

3. Using a little more olive oil knead the dough well for 2-3 minutes.

4. Oil a dish and place the dough in it well covered in a warm place to rise. It takes about 20 - 30 minutes. In winters it may take longer.


To make the Sauce
Tomatoes ... 1-2
Garlic ......... 1 tbsp
Chilli sauce .. 1 tbsp
Tomato ketchup .. 1 tsp
Oregano / basil ... 1 tsp
Salt ........... to taste
Olive oil .... 2 tbsps

1. Heat oil in a pan and saute the garlic.
2. Add the blanched and chopped tomatoes and simmer to cook.
3.Add the sauces and tempering. Set aside to cool.

To make the cups:

1. Take the risen dough and knead it well again.
2. Spread a little portion with your fingers and press it in the greased cups.
3. Leave for a few minutes. Half bake the cups in a pre-heated oven.
4. Remove them and let them cool.

To assemble the pizza cups:
Grated cheese
Olives
Capsicums ( you may use any topping you like )

1. Place the pizza cups in a baking tray.
2. Fill them with the prepared sauce and finely chopped capsicums.
3. Spread the grated cheese and place a piece of olive on top.
4. Grill them in a pre-heated oven for 4-5 minutes or until done.

Since the cups are half baked it does not take long.
You can even place them in colourful paper cups for the kids.

Pin for later

You may also like:

Easter Bunny Bread Rolls

Apple and Kiwi Tarts

Pull Apart Pizza Rolls