Showing posts with label snack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snack. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Indian spiced Empanadas #FoodieExtravaganza

              The National Empanada Day is to be celebrated on April 8 th in the USA .  We a group of bloggers in the facebook group Foodie Extravaganza are having an Empananda Party.

  An  empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover consisting of pastry and filling , common in Mediterranean , Latin American and Filipino cultures. The name empanada comes from the Spanish verb empanar , and literally translates as " enbreaded " , that is wrapped or coated in bread. 

   The  empanada are made by folding dough over a filling, which may consist of meat , cheese , corn or other ingredients and then cooking the resulting turnover , either by baking or frying. They resemble turnovers from many other cuisines and cultures including the pastry from the British Isles , the samsa from central Asia and Samosa or pedakiya from the Indian subcontinent , or the Pirozhki from Russia.


  Empanadas trace back their origins to the northwest region of Spain , Galicia . A cookbook published in Catalan in 1520 , Libre del Coch by Robert de Nola , mentions empanadas filled with seafood in the recipes for Catalan , Italian , French and Arabian food. 


    These empanada resembles the famous Indian sweet dish Somas ( Tamil Name ) / Gujiya  in its shape and method of preparation but differs in its filling. A gujiya or a pedakiya is a sweet deep- fried dumpling , native to the Indian subcontinent. It is made with semolina or all purpose flour stuffed with a mixture of sweetened milk solids and dried fruits. The earliest mention of gujiya dates back to 13th century , when a jaggery - honey mixture was covered with wheat flour and was sun - dried.

  I decided to make the Indian spiced empanadas . The filling is spiced with the Indian aromatic spices filled inside the empanadas and deep fried......
   I had used green peas and Soy Chunks ( Texturized vegetable Protein ) for the filling .




Requirements : 

For Dough 
  3 cup all purpose flour
  2 tbs butter 
  1 tsp salt 
  Half cup cold water
  2 tbs vegetable oil 

For Filling 

 a cup of Green peas
 a cup of Soy chunks
 1 tbs vegetable oil
  Half tsp cumin seeds
 1 onion 
 Half tsp ginger garlic paste
 Half tsp chilli powder
 Half tsp coriander powder 
 Half tsp Garam masala
 Salt to taste

 Oil for frying 




Method : 


  •  In a bowl , add the flour and salt , mix well. 
  •  Add in the cold butter and crumble the dough.
  •  Then sprinkle little water at a time and knead a soft dough.
  •  Add the vegetable oil and knead once. 
  • Then cover the dough and let it rest in room temperature or in refrigerator.



To make the Green peas soya chunks filling


  • Soak the soya chunks in warm water for ten minutes. Then drain the water.
  •  Peel the skin of the onion and chop finely.
  •  Heat oil in a pan , add the cumin seeds and let it splutter .
  •  Add the chopped onion and saute till it becomes translucent.
  • Add the ginger garlic paste and required salt , give a quick stir.
  • Now add the green peas and the soya chunks , let them cook on a medium flame for five minute.
  • Then  add the spices - chilli powder , coriander powder and garam masala , cook for two minutes.
  • Let the green peas soya chunks filling cool down.



To make Empanadas 


  • Roll the dough into flat bread , use mould or a glass to cut out circles.
  • Place a large spoonful of the filling in the middle  and fold the empanada into half moon by bringing a edge of the circle to other by enclosing the filling and press the edges then twist the edges to seal.
  •  Heat the oil in a frying pan , Fry the empanadas in a medium flame till they became golden brown.






Indian spiced Empanadas are ready to be served.







     





  • Argentine Beef Empanadas from Making Miracles
  •  





  • Beef Empanadas from Sneha's Recipe
  •  





  • Easy Cornish Pasties from Food Lust People Love
  •  





  • Easy Empanadas from A Day in the Life on the Farm
  •  





  • Empanadas de Atún (Argentinian Tuna Empanadas) from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
  •  





  • Empanadas de Picadillo from Karen's Kitchen Stories
  •  





  • Indian Spiced Empanadas from Sara's Tasty Buds
  •  





  • Spiced Potato Empanadas from Palatable Pastime

  • Foodie Extravaganza is where we celebrate obscure food holidays by cooking and baking together with the same ingredient or theme each month.


    Posting day is always the first Wednesday of each month. If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you! If you're a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board!

    Tuesday, February 12, 2019

    Coriander Garlic Pull apart Bread#BreadBakers

      For this Feb 2019 the theme given by Pavani Nandula was Bake any bread from previous themes you might have missed or repeat a theme just because  you loved it that much . It's a catch up theme - you are free to bake anything , it has to be from one of the previous themes. 


    Bread Bakers themes - past and future, with links to event

    2014
    September - Favorite breads
    October - A touch of the grape
    November - Thanksgiving
    December - Quinoa

    2015
    January - Rye
    February - Bagels
    March - Seeds
    April - Easter, Passover and Springtime Breads
    May - Stuffed Breads
    June - Yeasty flatbreads
    July - Oatmeal
    August - Summer bounty
    September - Whole grains
    October - Hearty Fall breads
    November - Family feast breads
    December - Overnight breakfast bread

    2016
    January - Ancient grains
    February - Griddle breads
    March - Cacao, cocoa or carob
    April - Garlic
    May - TBA
    June - Stone fruit
    July - Natural Sweeteners
    August - Peppers
    September - Pumpkin/Pumpkin Spice
    October - Fall fruit and veg 
    November - Root Vegetables 
    December - Sweetened Holiday Yeast Breads


    2017
    January - Healthy Breads 
    February - Pancakes from around the World 
    March - St. Patrick's Day Breads 
    April - Breads from Italy 
    May - Flower or Mother's Day Inspired Breads 
    June - Breads with Nut Meals and Nut flours 
    July -  Braided Breads
    August - Steamed Buns/ Bread 
    September - International Breads 
    October - Breads with a starter 
    November - Pull Apart Breads 
    December - Whole Grained Holiday Breads 

    2018
    January - Pretzels 
    February - Creative Pancakes
    March - Crackers 
    April - Flat Breads 
    May - Breads with Seeds
    June - Naturally Colorful Breads
    July - Gluten Free Breads 
    August -  Breakfast Breads 
    September - Breads with Grapes
    October - Middle Eastern bread 
    November - Yeasted Cakes
    December - Fresh Fruit/No White Sugar

    2019
    January - Good Luck Breads 
    February - Bake any bread from Previous themes 



     I choose to bake from  April 2016 - Garlic - Bread with Garlic.  I 
    made this Coriander garlic pull apart bread on a evening for my niece's snack . 






    Requirements : 

     4 cup all purpose flour

    2 tbs Instant dry yeast 

    2 tbs butter 

    1 tbs sugar 

    1 tbs salt 

    1 cup luke warm water 

    1 cup luke warm milk 

    Oil

    For Topping :

    4 tbs unsalted butter  

    1 tbs minced garlic 

    2 tbs chopped coriander leaves



    Method : 

    In a bowl , mix the flour , sugar ,salt and yeast together .

    Add in the luke warm milk and mix well.

    Add in little water at a time and knead the dough.

    Knead the dough for ten minutes with hand or stand mixer.

    Add the butter and knead again for two minutes.

    Place the dough in a oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth.

    Let the dough rise for about two hour.

    Punch in the doubled dough and divide into equal parts.

    Roll each part of dough into smooth round balls and place in a

    round baking pan. You can use bundt pan / ring baking pan for this.

    Rest  the rolls for the second rise . In the mean time mix the butter 

    minced garlic and chopped coriander leaves .

      Apply this butter mixture on each bread roll in the round baking 

    tray and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes at 180*C.

      Let the bread cool and demould from round pan.

    Coriander Garlic Pull apart bread is ready to be served. 

     Serve with any spicy dip of your choice........




    This month, we are catching up on old ‘Bread Bakers’ themes we missed out on. Our host of the month is Pavani at Cook's Hideout. Check out what the Bread Bakers have baked up.





    • Adjaruli Khachapuri from A Day in the Life on the Farm


    • Big Batch Dinner Rolls from Karen's Kitchen Stories


    • Breudher Cake from Passion Kneaded


    • Coriander Garlic Pull apart Bread from Sara's Tasty Buds


    • Cranberry English Muffins from Cindy's Recipes and Writings

    • Eggless Oats Banana Bread from Gayathri's Cook Spot


    • Fig Jam Friands from All That's Left Are the Crumbs


    • Herbed Wholewheat Garlic Knots from Sizzling Tastebuds


    • Keema Naan from The Schizo Chef


    • Peperoncini Focaccia Bread from Sneha's Recipe


    • Savory Almond Meal Bread from Palatable Pastime


    • Sourdough Cinnamon Buns from Baking Sense

    • Steamed Apple Date Bread from Food Lust People Love


    • Vegan Gluten-free Banana Bread from Cook's Hideout


    • Whole Wheat Palak Naan from Cook with Renu


    • Yeasted Lemon Bundt Cake from Anybody Can Bake


    • #BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page.


      We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.



      BreadBakers



      Wednesday, January 31, 2018

      Rice Pakoras / Chawal Ke Bhajiyae - Chattisgarh Cuisine

           For this month's Ssshhh secretly cooking , we have to cook the dish from the State Chattishgarh . It is known as the rice bowl of India and has a rich tradition of food culture.Most of the traditional and tribal foods are made of rice , rice flour , curd and a variety of green leafy vegetables.
        I was paired with Priya Satheesh of Priya's Menu . She gave me Rice fl our and cumin seeds as my secret ingredients. I made this crunchy Rice pakoras with the secret ingredients. 




      Requirements : 
      2 cup rice flour 
      1 onion 
      1/2 cup curd 
      1 tsp cumin seeds 
      4 green chilli 
      A handful of chopped coriander leaves
      Water as required 
      Salt to taste 
      Oil for deep frying 

      Method : 

      Peel the skin and Chop the onion.
      Chop green chillies or grind to fine paste .
      Mix rice flour , salt , onion , cumin seeds , chopped coriander and green chillies together.
      Add in the curd and mix well.
      Sprinkle little water at a time and mix the batter to get the required consistency- usual pakora consistency.
      Check the salt , if required add more.
      Heat oil in a kadai and drop a spoonful of batter , fry in a medium flame till golden brown.
      Serve hot rice pakoras with tea.
      When served hot the pakoras are more crispier . If the pakoras are cold , it will be less crisp.But both tastes good.

      Sunday, December 31, 2017

      Litti Choka - Famous Traditional Bihari snack

       

      Litti Chokha , a traditional dish of Bihar served as an evening snack . In this Litti are served with chokha made of potato , brinjal and tomato .History says Litti was eaten by the peasants and farmers of Bihar.



      For the December 2017 , Ssshhhh secretly cooking , I was paired with Archana Potdar of The Mad Scientist's Kitchen . She gave me the secret ingredients as sattu and . I was delighted to try out this Litti along with Chokha. This was a wonderful snack and everyone in our family liked it.

      According to Wikipedia , Litti , along with chokha is a complete meal originated from the indian subcontinent and popular in Indian states of bihar , Jharkhand , parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh as well as Nepalese state of Madhesh.

      It is a dough ball made up of whole wheat flour and stuffed with sattu ( roasted chickpea flour ) mixed with herbs and `spijces and then roasted over coal  or cow dung cakes or wood then it is tossed with  lots of ghee . It may be eaten with  yogurt , baigan bharta , alu bharta and papad. The litti are traditionally baked over a cow dung fire.

       Herbs and spices used to flavor the litti include onion , garlic , ginger , coriander leaves , lime juice , carom seeds , nigella seeds  and salt . Tasty pickles can also be used to add spice flavor.

       In the western Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh , litti is served with murgh Korma .

      Litti was a war food , it is carried by the soldiers in ancient time along with dry sattu powder. Litti can last for day and it gives us protein , carbohydrates and other minerals . It could be consumed on long march or during rest hours . Litti helps body retain water content of the body if consumed with Jaggery.

      As I can’t find dried cow dung , I baked the littis in the oven.


      Requirements : 

      For Litti : 

      2 cup Wholewheat flour 
      1 Tbs Ghee 
      Half tsp salt 
      1 cup Water 

      For Litti Filling :   

      1 cup Sattu ( Roasted Bengalgram flour ) 
      1 tsp cumin seeds 
      1 Tsp Fennel seeds 
      1 tsp carom seeds 
      1/2 tsp Onion Seeds 
      1 tsp red chilli powder 
      2 finely chopped green chilli 
      1 tsp finely chopped Ginger 
      1 tsp finely chopped garlic
      2 tbs chopped coriander 
      2 tbs lemon juice 
      2 tbs vegetable oil 
      water as required 
      salt to taste

      For Tamatar Chokha : 

      5 medium  tomato 
      2 Green chilli 
      4 cloves Garlic
      4 tbs chopped coriander leaves
      2 tbs lemon Juice
      salt to taste 
      For Aloo Chokha : 
      3 Potato 
      1 onion 
      3 Green chilli 
      4 cloves garlic
      1/2 of Lemon Juice 
      2 tbs chopped Coriander leaves 
      salt to taste

      For Serving : 
      Ghee 




      Method: 

      Making of Litti : 
      Outer Covering of Litti : 

      In a bowl , mix together whole wheat flour , salt and ghee. Sprinkle little water at a time and mix well. 

      Knead a soft and supple dough. Let it rest for 30 minutes. 

      Stuffing of Litti : 

      I like using the spices as a whole , so while eating when you bite the spices it will be a nice punch. 

      You can use a morter to crush the spices and add , if you don't like to bite them. 

      In a bowl , add the sattu , cumin , fennel , carom , onion seeds and mix well. 

      To this add the red chilli powder , salt , chopped coriander leaves , green chilli , ginger and garlic. While mixing , just crush these ingredients with your hand to infuse the flavor. 

      Now , add the lemon juice and vegetable oil . Mix all the ingredients well. 

      The mixture may seem dry , sprinkle little water and mix well till you feel moisture in the sattu mixture. 

      If this mixture is dry , it will be even more dry after the baking of litti. So make sure the sattu mixture is somewhat moist. 


      Shaping of Litti : 

      Divide the whole wheat dough in to small balls.
      You can use roti press to flatten the dough balls.

      I shaped with hands , to a cup and placed a spoonful of stuffing of sattu mixture and sealed the edges and shaped to a round ball. 

      Repeat the same for the remaining dough.
      Arrange the prepared litti on the baking tray and brush melted butter on them.

      Bake on the preheated oven @ 200*C for 30 - 40 minutes or till the the outer covering of litti became brown. 

      After half of the baking time , turn over the littis to other side , so  the whole of the litti is cooked evenly.

      Making of Tamatar Chokha : 

                       

      Tamatar means Tomato in Hindi .Grill the Tomatoes, when they crack and charred , take off flame. 

      Let it cool and peel off the skin and chop roughly.
      Add chopped green chilli , Garlic , coriander leaves and lemon juice.
      Add salt as required.
      Mix well, Tamatar chokha is ready.

      Making of Aloo Chokha : 

                                     

      Aloo means Potato in Hindi . 
      Boil the potates, peel off the skin. 
      Mash the potatoes. Add the chopped onion , green chilli , Garlic , coriander leaves , salt and lemon juice. Mix all well.
      Aloo Chokha is ready.

      Serving of Litti : 

      Serve the Littis with a bowl of each chokha along with a bowl of melted ghee.




      Note : 

      As , the roasted bengal gram flour ( sattu ) is not available in my place , i grounded the roasted bengal gram to fine powder on my own. 

      Some add carom and nigella ( onion ) seeds to the dough for outer covering , I kept mine as plain dough.