Baked Puri (Tea time low calorie snack)

Puri is very popular Indian snack. Puri is traditionally deep fried but in today's health conscious world baking it would give you a very health and low calorie option. Baked puri is as good as fried in terms of taste and with tea it is just perfect morning breakfast or an afternoon snack. You can use this puri as a chaat base as well.

Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time : 10 mins
Baking time : 15 mins

Ingredients:
1 cup wheat flour
2 tsp oil
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chilly powder
1/2 tsp coriander cumin powder
1 tsp carom seeds
a pinch of asafoetida (hing)
salt to taste
oil for greasing

Method:
1. Combine all ingredients and make a firm dough with warm water. Keep it aside for 10 min.
2. Divide dough into equal portion. Make small balls and roll each portion into thin rounds.
3. Prick each puri with a knife or fork. Arrange it in a greased oven tray.
4. Bake in a preheated oven on 200 c (400 f)
5. Turn it in between and bake it till golden brown.
6. Let it cool and store in an airtight container.Serve with hot tea or coffee. Best for travelling.

Tip:
You can use the same dough for paratha, puri and bhakhri. Baked puri stays fresh for a month.

Badam Pak (Almond Fudge)

Badam pak is a very popular Indian subcontinent sweet dish. Almond is not only healthy and nutritious but also enriches taste of any dish. This is one of the winter special desserts. It is easily available in sweet shops but as it is very quick and easy recipe so why not to give it a try to make it at home?

Preparation time : 15 min
Cooking time  : 15 min

Ingredients : 
2 tbsp Butter

2 tbsp Semolina

1 tbsp Condensed milk

2 tbsp  Almond

2 tsp  Saffron ( dilute in 2 tsp hot milk)

1 tbsp Coconut powder

2 tsp  Milk powder

1/4 tsp Cardamom powder

1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder

Oil for greasing 

For garnish :

Sliced almond and pistachio 

 Method :

1. Take saucepan and melt butter, add semolina. Once it turn golden brown turn off the heat.

2. Add almonds, cardamom, nutmeg powder, saffron and condensed milk and mix well.

3. Add milk powder and turn on the heat on very slow flame. 

4. Mix well and stir it continuously. It will be hard to stir but mix well till 8 to 9 min.

5. Place the mixture in a greased tray. Flatten and smooth the surface.

6. Garnish it with almond and pistachio slices.

7. Make pieces in any shape. Let it cool and store it in airtight container.

Tips :

You can replace some ingredients,

Semolina - wheat flour

Milk powder - milk

Butter - ghee

Condensed milk- sugar

You can increase the amount of almond. For garnishing you can always choose your favorite nuts.

You can add khoya or mava to give softness and rose water for fresh fragrance to enhance the flavor

The last and important thing is do not over cook it other wise it might get hard and difficult to chew. 

Khichu or Papdi no lot (Rice Flour Recipe)

Khichu or papdi no lot is a very famous gujarati steamed snack. It is easily available on streets. It is actually a part of making Papad or papadam. Kids favourite food as it is soft, mild yet delicious. It taste best when served hot. So here is soft, easy, instant and aromatic recipe of khichu.

Preparation time - 5 min
Cooking time - 10 min
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients :
1 cup rice flour
3 cups of water
1/2 tsp cumin seeds roughly ground
1/2 tsp carom seeds roughly ground
1/2 tsp finely chopped green chilly
a pinch of soda bi carb
salt to taste

For garnish:
chopped coriander
oil to taste
red chilly powder or pickle powder [aachar masala]

Method:
1. Boil 3 cups of water. Add cumin seeds, carom seeds, salt, green chilly and soda when water comes to boil, mix well and boil for 2 -3 min on high flame.
2. Add rice flour and stir continuously with wooden spoon so that no lumps remain.
3. Cover it and cook it on slow flame for another 5 to 7 mins and stir in between.
4.Turn off the flame when khichu leaves sides and keep it cover for few mins then take it out.
5. Apply oil on your palm and make a medium size balls. You can shape it with interesting moulds or you can use your hands as well.
6. Garnish it with oil, red chilly powder and chopped coriander. Serve hot.

Tips:
Stir continuously with wooden spoon when you add rice flour.
Serving it in the traditional way with oodles of raw oil can turn this healthy snack into an unhealthy one. You can use olive oil instead of other oils.