SIMMY'S SPICES & FLAVOURS

INGREDIENTS- Black chana-1.5 cups Tomato-1 large Chopped Ginger-1 tsp Curry leaves-handful Green chili-2-3 Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp+1/2 tsp Chili powder-1/2 tsp Coriander powder-1/2 tsp Roasted jeera(cumin) powder-1/2 tsp Dry red chili-2 Asafetida-a pinch Salt to taste Oil-1 tsp Chopped Coriander-handful for garnish METHOD- 1-Clean, wash and soak kala chana overnight or at least 5-6 hours. 2-Pressure cook chana with water, turmeric powder and salt for 5-6 whistles.After cooked the chana drain them through strainer. 3-Grind green chili, ginger, curry leaves and two spoon water coarsely and keep aside. 4-Grind tomato to make tomato puree and keep aside. 5-In a pan heat oil, add asafetida, cumin, dry red chili.When they start to sputter add curry leaves paste. 6-Cook for 1-2 minutes, then add all the spices one by one.Mix well for 30 sec. 7-Then add tomato puree and cook until the oil separates. 8-Then add ch...

INGREDIENTS:- Peanut-1 cup(I used skinless peanut) Jaggery/sugar-1 cup(I used both sugar and jaggery,I used 3/4 cup jaggery and 1/4 sugar) Ghee-1 tsp Salt a pinch METHOD:- 1-Grease a plate or tray or a thali and set aside. 2-Dry roast the peanuts on medium heat,keep stirring continuously and it takes 5-8 minutes. 3-In a pan melt sugar till it turns brown in color,then add jaggery,salt and lil water. 4-Boil the jaggery syrup till it thickens a bit(To test the syrup is ready,drop a tsp of hot jaggery syrup in cold water.If it forms a ball,then the syrup is ready.If it's not ready,then it won't form a ball and you'll see that the syrup has diluted in the water). 5-Lightly crush the peanuts and add it to the melted jaggery syrup.Mix quickly until peanuts are well combined with jaggery. 6-Remove from heat immediately,spread this mixture into the greased plate/tray/thali and spread it evenly. 7-When it is just about to set,cut into desired shape and siz...

Sweet dishes of Odisha are quite popular across India(and outside).Khasta Gaja is a crispy Odia sweet, served as a snack or dessert.Which is also offered to Lord Jagannath in the holy Temple of Puri located in Odisha, India in his madhyanna dhup(Midday meal served to the lord).It is a combination of flour,ghee and fennel seeds dough,which deep fried in ghee and then dipped in sugar syrup.It is very delicious to taste and best for festivals and occasions.  INGREDIENTS:- All purpose flour(maida)-1 cup Wheat flour(Atta)-1 cup Ghee/butter/oil-1/4 cup Fennel seeds-1 tsp Salt-1/2 tsp Oil for frying FOR SUGAR SYRUP- Sugar-1 & 1/2 cups Water-1 & 1/2 cups Cardamom powder-1 tsp(optional) METHOD- 1-In a big bowl take flours,salt and fennel seeds.Then pour the warm ghee/butter/oil in it slowly and with your fingertips rub the ghee in the flour to get a breadcrumb like consistency about 8-10 mins.The whole mixture should lump together gathered. 2-Ad...

Thandai is a refreshing summer cooler drink recipe made during Indian festivals.This famous drink is traditionally prepared as an offering to Lord Shiva during the festival of Maha Shivaratri & the festival of colors,Holi.It is also known as "sardai".It is a cold drink prepared with a mixture of almonds,fennel seeds,melon seeds(char magaz),poppy seeds(khus-khus),rose petals,pepper,cardamom,saffron,milk & sugar.This thirst-quencher is tasty & cools you down.So let's start.... INGREDIENTS:- Whole Milk-4 cups(You can also use low-fat or soy or almond milk) Whole almond-1/2 cup Melon seeds(char magaz)-2 tbsp(if n't available,then use pumpkin seeds) Poppy seeds(Khus-khus)-1 tbsp Cardamom pods(elaichi)-10 Fennel seeds(saunf)-1 tbsp Peppercorns(kali mirch)-8 Rose water-1 tbsp(you can also use 1/2 tsp rose essence or 1 tsp dried rose petals) Sugar-1/2 cup(or adjust according to taste) Chopped pistachio-handful Saffron-few stands Ros...