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Masala Waffles

Most of the times we think of breakfast when using a waffle iron, but it can be used to make savory dishes as well! If you want to avoid frying and lots of oil, its a healthy way to adapt a lot of recipes.

You can add any vegetables you have, such as green bean, corn, and/or bell pepper, to the zucchini mixture. Feel free to mix up the seasonings as well.

Cilantro or tomato chutney, ketchup or sweet & hot sauce all go well with the waffles as an accompaniment.

Ingredients

1 large egg, beaten

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup oil

2 medium zucchini coarsely grated (approx 2 cups)

1 medium carrot, coarsely grated

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup chickpea flour (besan)

1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

1 long green chili, chopped fine

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Oil for brushing the grids of the waffle iron

Preparation

Preheat the waffle iron on medium high (4)

Beat the egg, milk and oil in a large bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients and stir till the batter is smooth.

Add about 1/2 -3/4 cup batter to the center of the waffle iron.

Press down and finish cooking for about 4 minutes, until the waffles are brown and crispy.

Remove to a wire rack.

Serve hot with any sauce or chutney that you prefer. They freeze well and can be crisped up in the toaster or oven.

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Featured

Naan with Mixed Vegetable

We’ve always enjoying eating Aloo Parathas (flat bread stuffed with potato) so I decided to try making naan stuffed with mixed vegetables. Baking Naan, I’ve found, is much easier than making parathas or rotis/chapatis, as you can make about 6 pieces at the same time. The results are even better if you have a pizza stone!

Frozen mixed vegetables as well as frozen pizza dough, saves a lot of time but feel free to use fresh veggies if you have them on hand.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon yeast

3/4 cup warm water

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon oil

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

Filling

1 tablespoon oil

2 cups of mixed vegetables..( 1 packet frozen ), cooked

1 small onion, diced

1 medium potato, cooked and mashed

2 green chillies, cut fine

1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated

1/2 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

Preparation Of Dough

Add yeast, sugar and oil to the warm water. Stir until mixed and set aside for 10 minutes.

Add both the flours and salt to a mixing bowl or food processor.

Pour in the yeast mixture to form a soft dough. Add a little all-purpose flour as needed, if the dough is sticky.

Knead for a few minutes until the dough is soft, or process the dough for a minute until it becomes a smooth ball.

Cover and set aside for about 45 minutes until the dough is doubled in size.

Make the Filling

Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onions and sauté for about 3-4 minutes on medium heat until the onions are light brown.

Add the garlic, ginger, green chilies, chili powder, garam masala and salt. Stir until the spices are mixed .

Add the cooked mixed vegetables and mashed potato. Mix well, and add the chopped cilantro.

Set aside this mixture and allow to cool.

Making the Naan

Punch the dough down and divide into about 8 portions.

Roll each portion with a little flour if needed, into 4″-5″ rounds.

Place about 2 tablespoons of vegetable filling in the center of the dough and bring the sides up to form

a ball.

Flatten and re-roll the pieces on a lightly floured board to about 6″- 7″ rounds.

Preheat broiler; place rack 8″ from the top element.

Place 4-6 naan on a baking sheet and let them rise for about 20-30 minutes.

Place the naan under the broiler and turn when one side is brown, about 2-3 minutes.

The second side should take 1-2 minutes, to brown. Remove and keep in a covered bowl.

Brush with butter or ghee (optional).

Note: The naan freeze well – simply reheat in a toaster or toaster oven.

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Featured

Spicy Zucchini Soup

One of the nice things that has come out of the pandemic is that I’ve been enjoying monthly video calls with my cousins. Since they also enjoy cooking (and eating!) we share a lot of recipes, recently they shared this tasty and simple, zucchini soup recipe.

It’s not only delicious, but nutritious – my husband even enjoyed the soup!

Ingredients

2 large zucchinis, cut into cubes

1 onion, coarsely chopped

1 – 2 garlic cloves, sliced (optional)

1-2 serrano or jalapeno chillies, chopped

1 32-ounce vegetable or chicken stock

1 -2 teaspoons curry powder (or garam masala)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt, to taste

1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Preparation

Heat oil in a saucepan, add the onions and chillies- fry until the onions are translucent.

Add the zucchini cubes and salt; fry for approximately 3-4 minutes.

Add the stock, cover, and cook on medium heat for 8-10 minutes until the zucchini is soft.

Turn off the heat and blend using an immersion blender (or regular blender), until you have a thick and creamy consistency

Turn the heat back on and add the curry powder or garam masala, and bring it back to a boil.

Add lemon juice if desired. Garnish with cream or yogurt.

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Featured

Lemon Rice (Chitrannam)

We have leftover rice in our house, quite often. Occasionally we freeze it to use another day, or turn it into another dish. Many of you may use it to make an Asian-style fried rice. In the south of India there are 2 popular rice dishes made using leftover rice – tamarind and lemon. Lemon rice is the simplest to make and can be eaten by itself or with a vegetable or chutney.

The great thing about using leftover rice – it is on the dry side and the rice can be mixed easily. If you don’t have precooked rice, simply make sure the rice is refrigerated – its best to use when it is cold and not mushy!

Nuts are optional but give the dish a nice added crunch!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil

1/4 cup peanuts or raw cashew nuts

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon urad dal

1 dry red chili

1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1 sprig curry leaves

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups cooked rice

2-3 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Preparation

Heat a tablespoon of oil and saute the nuts until lightly brown. Set aside.

Heat another tablespoon of oil, and add the mustard seeds. As soon as they start popping add the urad dal and the dry chili. As the urad dal turns light brown, add the ginger and curry leaves and stir over medium heat. Add the turmeric and salt.

Stir in the cooked rice and mix well. Add the lemon juice and cilantro leaves, and stir until combined.

Garnish with nuts. Best eaten at room temperature.

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Featured

Homemade Masala Mac & Cheese

On one of my many trips visiting my daughter in NYC, we went to S’Mac – a restaurant dedicated to mac and cheese! The location in her neighborhood closed down unfortunately but there’s still a location on the LES (Lower East Side). 10+ years later, I still remember the Masala Mac infused with spices- delicious!

Since my daughter moved to Baltimore years ago and I don’t visit NYC as often, I thought I would try to recreate the dish!

Change the spices and flavorings to create your own favorite version … using a combination of taco seasoning, Mexican chili powder, hatch green chili, jalapeño and corn, create a Mexican version of Mac and cheese.. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Pepper Jack or Colby Jack.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups elbow macaroni

1 tablespoon oil

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup finely diced red pepper

1 green chillies, chopped

1 teaspoon grated ginger

2 cloves garlic minced

1 Roma tomato, chopped

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon coriander powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped, set aside a little for garnish

3 tablespoons butter, separated

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 cups warm milk

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs

PREPARATIONS

Boil the macaroni (al dente) according to the directions on the packet. Drain and set aside

Heat oil in a saucepan, add the onion and red pepper, saute for about 2-3 minutes.

Add the green chili, ginger and garlic and stir on low heat for about a minute.

Add the tomato, cumin powder, coriander powder and salt, stir till combined. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes Remove from heat and set aside.

In another saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter and when foamy add the flour and keep mixing for about a minute. Gradually add the milk and when the sauce is smooth, stir occasionally until thick and bubbly.

Add the cooked pasta, cheese and the tomato spice mixture; mix until the cheese is melted.

Pour into a greased 8″ x 8″ square glass dish or a 2 quart glass dish.

In a small pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter – mix in the dry breadcrumbs.

Add breadcrumb mixture evenly over the Mac and Cheese.

Bake at 400 for 5 mins until the breadcrumbs are brown. Garnish with cilantro.

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Featured

Baked Chickpeas

Did you know…. chickpeas, or garbanzo beans are one of the top 10 trending food products in 2021? Chickpeas have so many benefits– a low glycemic index (your body absorbs and digests them slowly), high dietary fiber (which can help lower cholesterol), calcium and magnesium.

India produces the most worldwide, though grown in more than 50 countries.

This Ottolenghi recipe my daughter sent me reminded me of the dish Chole- though the traditional recipe takes quite a bit of time to cook. This recipe’s only liquid is oil- cooking the chickpeas and other ingredients in the olive oil makes all of the flavors more concentrated and flavorful. All you need is a casserole dish or large pot with a lid, and in an hour and a half the dish is done.

The recipe calls for canned chickpeas, but if you choose- soak 1 1/2 cups dry chickpeas overnight or for at least 4 hours with a pinch of baking soda. Rinse and add more water, pressure cook them for 5 minutes and they’re done!

Ingredients

2 (14 ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed

10 whole garlic cloves, chopped (if you prefer, thinly slice or leave whole)

1 tablespoon ginger, grated or thinly sliced

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 teaspoons each: cumin seeds and coriander seeds, crushed or blended in a spice grinder

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional

2 teaspoons paprika

2 fresh or dry red chilies, optional

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2-3/4 cup olive oil

Preparation

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Put all the ingredients in a casserole dish (which has a lid). Stir to combine.

Cover with the dish, place in the oven and cook for about 75 minutes, stirring once halfway.

Serve with Pita bread, Naan using the bread to soak up the flavored oil, or rice.

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Featured

Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Pea Soup)

Dal is a staple in all parts of India, served thick over rice or in a bowl as a soup. There are so many different varieties, all made with somewhat different ingredients. There are many types of lentils (also called dal) – whole lentils, split lentils, and lentils which have the husk or skin removed.

Lentils are a low-calorie source of plant-based protein (they have a protein concentration of approximately 25%). One-half cup serving of cooked lentils provides 9 grams of protein. They also are a good source of iron, fiber and a good source of Vitamin B.

This recipe uses split pigeon peas, or toor lentils – a basic, every day dal. Feel free to adjust the taste to suit your menu – eliminate the tomatoes, add more lemon juice – most of the ingredients are optional.

Soaking the lentils will help cut down the cooking time, though using a pressure cooker makes it even quicker.

Ingredients

1 cup toor dal, (split pigeon peas)

2 tablespoons oil

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 small onion, chopped

1-2 green chilies, slit or 1 dry red chiili

1- 2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 roma tomatoes, chopped

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon salt (to taste)

1- 2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon cilantro leaves for garnish

Preparation

Prepare the lentils: Rinse dal until the water is clear. If you have the time, soak the dal for about 1 hour.

Drain the soaked dal, add 3 cups water and cook the toor dal in a pressure cooker for about 10 minutes (unsoaked for 14 minutes). Or cook in a saucepan with approximately 3 cups water, until soft for about 30 minutes.

If you prefer a smoother consistency, blend with an immersion blender, whisk or potato masher.

Tempering: In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add the mustard and cumin seeds- as soon as they start popping, mix in the red or green chilies and onion. Cook for 3- 4 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent and then add in the garlic and tomatoes. Stir for a few minutes- next add in turmeric and salt.

Stir in the cooked dal and about 1-2 cups of water, depending on the consistency you prefer. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the tomato is soft and dal is well combined.

Mix in the lemon juice and garnish with cilantro.

Other variations:

Add 1-2 cups chopped fresh spinach (1/2-1 cup frozen spinach, thawed)
Add 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger with the garlic.
Add 1 teaspoon sa mbar powder, with the turmeric

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Featured

Red Lentil and Zucchini Pakodas

I saw this recipe in Bon Appetit a few months ago and it caught my attention for several reasons. I had never seen a pakoda (fritter) recipe made with not only Masoor dal (red lentils) but also a nutritious green vegetable.

Lentils are an excellent source of vegetable protein, rich in iron and folate and the addition of Zucchini adds antioxidants and fiber to the dish .

I experimented, adding a few more spices and cilantro to the original recipe and cooked it in my air fryer (healthy alternative to pan frying).

Serve the pakodas with cilantro chutney, ketchup or hot sauce.

Ingredients

1 cup Masoor dal (red lentils)

1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon garlic paste

1 teaspoon ginger grated

1/2 – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

Ghee or oil for sautéing

Preparation

Rinse the lentil and soak with water overnight.

Add the grated zucchini to a colander and add the salt and onion. Mix well and set the colander over a medium bowl and let this mixture sit for a couple of hours.

Squeeze the liquid from the mixture and pat with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

Drain the lentils and place in a food processor.

Add the spices and 1/2 teaspoon salt and pulse the mixture till it forms a puree.

Transfer the lentil mixture to a bowl, add the zucchini mixture, chopped cilantro and stir to combine .

Heat oil or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat and drop about 1/4 cup batter , flattening the top with a spatula. Drop about 6 “pakodas” in the skillet and frying them for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Transfer them to a plate lined with a paper towel. Repeat with the remains mixture.

Makes about 12 pakodas, depending on size.

Air Fryer Method

While your air fryer is preheating (for approximately 5 minutes) at 380 degrees, shape your pakodas and brush with oil

Cook for about 6 minutes; turn them over, brush oil on the other side and continue to cook for about 5 more minutes, until brown.

Serve with cilantro chutney, ketchup or hot sauce.

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Savory Quinoa Mini Muffins

Quinoa is one of the healthiest grains – high in protein, a moderate amount of fibre and various minerals and vitamins. These mini muffins made with quinoa are a great addition to lunch or dinner with soup or as an appetizer.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups cooked Quinoa

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 -1/2 cup corn

1/2 cup black beans

1/2 cup edamame or lima beans

1/4 cup salsa

1-2 tbsp hot sauce (Sriracha or buffalo wing hot sauce)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2-3 tbsp cilantro leaves, finely chopped

2 eggs, beaten

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brush a 24 cup mini muffin pan (or 2- 12 cup mini muffin pans) with oil.

Mix all of the above ingredients together and fill the muffin cups.

Bake for 20 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes and remove to a wire rack.

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16Nov / 2020

Almond Halwa

Happy Diwali! Diwali (or Deepavali) is India’s biggest holiday of the year. Also called the festival of lights – it gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

I enjoy making a variety of Mitai (Indian sweets) during this time – and this recipe is a quick and easy one!

Preparation

2 teaspoon butter or ghee

1 cup almond or cashew flour

1/2 cup milk

4 tablespoon sugar (or more to taste)

Pinch of saffron strands (optional)

1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder (optional)

Chopped nuts, for garnish

Whipping cream (optional)

Method

Heat the butter or ghee in a saucepan.

Add the almond flour, milk, sugar and saffron strands, if using.

Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until mixture is thick

Add Cardamom powder (if using).

Pour into a serving dish, and garnish with nuts

Serve warm, with whipping cream if desired

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Viji's Kitchen

Category Archives: Vegetarian

Masala Waffles

Naan with Mixed Vegetable

Spicy Zucchini Soup

Lemon Rice (Chitrannam)

Homemade Masala Mac & Cheese

Baked Chickpeas

Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Pea Soup)

Red Lentil and Zucchini Pakodas

Savory Quinoa Mini Muffins

Almond Halwa

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