Baingan Bhurta

Baingan Bharta in Marathi

Time: for Roasting- varies according to roasting method | Cooking Time - 5 to 10 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4 persons

Ingredients:
1 big eggplant
1 big Onion, finely chopped (around 3/4 to 1 cup)
3 green chilies, slitted lengthwise
For tempering: 1 tbsp oil, 2 pinches mustard seeds, 1 pinch cumin seeds, 1/8 tsp hing, 1/8 tsp turmeric
Salt to taste
Cilantro for garnishing

Method:
1) Roast the eggplant.
i) over stove top:- If you have gas burner, rub little oil to eggplant and roast it on the flame. Turn it occasionally. (Note- Eggplant releases water after roasting, so it may leave stains on the burner. But those stains can be removed by scrubbing)
ii) in Oven:- Preheat the oven at 400 F. Apply some oil all over the eggplant. Poke the eggplant a few times with a fork. Wrap it with aluminum foil. Put it in a baking tray and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. (It does cook the eggplant, but does not give smokey flavor)
iii) Use the barbecue grill to roast eggplant.
iv) in Fireplace (Tip) - Funny to hear but I actually roasted the eggplant in fireplace :). Apply some oil all over the eggplant. Poke the eggplant a few times with a fork. Wrap it with aluminum foil. Open the exhaust before starting fire. Now stack 2-3 twigs in fireplace. Put 1 or 2 coconut shells at the bottom. Sprinkle 2 spoons oil over twigs. Place the eggplant in between so that it gets roasted evenly. Light the fire with some newspapers. After fire kicks up perfectly, eggplant will get roasted within 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the eggplant very carefully by using tong. BE CAREFUL WHILE USING THIS METHOD and taking the roasted eggplant out.

2) Let the eggplant cool down. Peel it and cut off the stem. Chop the flesh roughly.
3) Mix eggplant and onion. Do not throw the juices oozed out of the eggplant.
4) Heat oil into a kadai. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing, turmeric powder and chilies. Saute for few seconds and add onion-eggplant mixture. Cook for couple of minutes. Garnish with cilantro
Serve hot with Millet Roti.

Tips:
1) I did not use store-bought fire log to start the fire. We don't know what things and chemicals they use to make fire long. So, I used fallen twigs.

Navalkol sukhi bhaji

Navalkol Bhaji in Marathi

Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 3 people

Ingredients:
2 medium bulbs of Kohlrabi (Navalkol)
for tempering: 1 tbsp oil, 2 pinches mustard seeds, 2 pinches cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 2-3 curry leaves
2 green chilies
2 tbsp fresh coconut
1/2 tsp sugar or to taste
Salt to taste

Method:
1) Peel the Navalkol bulbs and cut into medium cubes.
2) Heat oil into a pan. Prepare tempering by adding mustard seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, curryleaves and green chilies.
3) Add chopped navalkol and salt. Cover the pan and cook till navalkol cubes become tender. Sprinkle little water occasionally. (Tip)
4) Add fresh coconut and sugar. Mix and cook for couple of minutes. Garnish with cilantro.
Serve hot with chapati

Tips:
1) Do not add whole lot of water. Sprinkle couple of tbsp at a time in batches.

Chinese Noodles Frankie

Noodles Franki in Marathi

Make the following Recipe kids friendly - See tip below

Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 medium Frankie

Ingredients:
For Stuffing
1 medium noodles cake (50 to 70 grams)
1 cup cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 cup carrot, thinly sliced (make very thin strings)
1 small bunch of spring onions
1/2 cup capsicum, thinly sliced
1 tsp oil
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 tsp red chili sauce
1 tsp green chili sauce
1/2 tsp soy sauce
salt to taste
For frankie Wrap
3/4 cup Maida
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste

Method:
1) Boil around 4 cups of water and cook noodles as per instructions given on the packet. Once noodles are done. drain the hot water and immediately add cold water.
2) Heat oil into a pan. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chilies. Saute for 5 seconds. Then add capsicum, carrot and cabbage. Also add red chili sauce, green chili sauce, soy sauce and salt to taste. Mix well. Do not cook for longer. We need vegetables crispy. Add noodles and toss well. Transfer the mixture into another bowl. Do not keep it in the hot pan, noodles will become sticky.
3) Add 2 tbsp oil and 1/2 tsp salt into maida. Knead the dough by adding water. Make very soft dough. Also use some more oil to make it soft and pliable.
4) Divide the dough and the stuffing into 6 equal portions. Dust the dough ball with some dry maida flour. Roll it to a nice thin circle. Roast both sides over heated tawa.
5) Spread 1 portion of the stuffing at the middle line of the circle. Wrap the stuffing by pulling two sides. Press with spatula. Serve hot with Tomato ketchup.

Tips:
1) To make the above recipe Kids friendly, do not add chili sauces and green chili. Instead, use tomato ketchup.

Bottle gourd sabzi

Lauki Sabzi in Marathi

Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 persons



Ingredients:
2 cups bottle-gourd cubes (First, peel and deseed the bottle-gourd)
1 tsp + 1 tsp Ghee
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
2 to 3 tbsp roasted peanuts powder
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
Salt to taste
2 dried red chilies
1/2 tsp urad dal
Cilantro, finely chopped

Method:
1) Heat 1 tsp ghee in a pan. Add cumin seeds and wait for few seconds. Add bottle-gourd cubes and little salt. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes.
2) Then add milk and let the bottle-gourd cook. Add peanuts powder after bottle-gourd is cooked. Simmer for couple of minutes.
3) Take a small tadka pan. Add 1 tsp ghee and let it melt. Break the chilies into 2 pieces. First, add urad dal and wait till the color turns to pink. Then add broken chilies and stir with spoon. Pour this tempering over bottle-gourd sabzi.
Serve hot with chapati.

Tips:
1) Some people eat bottle gourd for fasting. In that case, skip the tadka of ghee- cumin-urad dal. This sabzi may be eaten as a one bowl meal. Also, it tastes great if accompanied with sabudsana khichdi.

Aloo Methi

Aloo Methi in Marathi

Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 persons

Ingredients:
3 cups finely chopped Methi leaves
1 medium Potato, (peel and cut into medium cubes)
1 small onion, finely chopped (around 1/2 cup after chopping)
1 small tomato, pureed
For tempering:- 1.5 tbsp oil, 2 pinches mustard seeds, 1 pinch cumin seeds, 1 pinch hing, 1/4 tsp turmeric
2-3 green chilies, slitted lengthwise
Salt to taste

Method:
1) Tomato Puree - Immerse the tomato into a water-filled glass bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes. Then drain, puree and strain.
2) Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing, turmeric and green chilies. Saute for few seconds. Add onion and cook 50 %. Then add potato cubes (Tip 1). Mix well, cover the pan and let the potato cook. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
3) Add tomato Puree and cook over high heat. Stir until tomato puree reduces and becomes very thick.
4) Now add chopped methi and 2-3 pinches of salt. Do not add too much salt as methi will shrink after sauteing. Stir over high heat.
5) Once methi reduces in size and water content in methi almost evaporates, reduce the heat and cook for couple of minutes. Add salt at this moment (only if required).
Serve hot with chapati.

Tips:
1) Boiled potato can be used to save time. In that case, follow the same steps except add boiled potato cubes at the end.
( tempering + Add onion and cook completely + Add tomato puree and cook until thickens + Add methi leaves and wait till the it shrinks + add potatoes cook for few minutes)
2) This sabzi tastes good without any spices. However, spices may be added as per your choice (garam masala, coriander - cumin powder).
3) Onion can be substituted by Garlic paste. Use 1 tsp garlic paste.

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad in Marathi

Time: 20 to 25 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5 persons

Ingredients:
1 medium banana
1 medium apple
1 medium orange
1/2 cup grapes
1/2 cup papaya, small cubes
Dry Fruits: - 2 tbsp sliced almonds, 1 tbsp sliced pistachio, 2 tbsp golden raisins, 1 tbsp cashews
1/2 cup condensed milk
1/2 cup milk

Method:
1) Preparation
Grapes: Use whole grapes. If the size is big, cut them into two halves. Also, use seedless grapes.
Orange: Peel the orange. Separate the wedges. Now remove skin and take out the fleshy part.
Papaya: Peel the papaya. remove seeds. Chop the papaya into medium cubes.
Banana: Peel the banana and make medium cubes.
Apple: Always cut the apple when you are ready to mix all the ingredients. Cut the apple, deseed and make small cubes.

Mix all the fruits. Add condensed milk and plain milk. [Amount of milk may vary. So first, add 1/4 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of condensed milk. Taste the fruit salad. If it is sweet enough then only add plain milk, if required.]
Add dry fruits, save some for garnishing.
Chill the fruit salad and serve as a dessert.

Tips:
1) You may add your choice of fruits like Chickoo, Pomegranate kernels, strawberries, Alfonso mango etc. [use any sweet or sweet and sour tasted fruits]

Harabhara kabab

Hara Bhara Kabab in Marathi

10 to 12 medium kababs
Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
15 to 20 spinach leaves
2 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled and mashed
3/4 cup green peas, boiled
2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
2 tbsp corn flour
1/2 tsp ginger, grated
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp amchoor (dry mango powder)
salt to taste
oil for deep frying
8 to 10 Cashew-nuts

Method:
1) Blanch the spinach leaves - boil around 2 cups of water. Once water starts boiling, add spinach leaves. Stir for couple of minutes. Then drain hot water and immediately immerse spinach leaves into cold water.
2) Slightly squeeze out water from spinach. Add green peas, spinach and green chilies to a blender. Blend coarsely. Do not add water.
3) Transfer blended peas and spinach to a mixing bowl. Add ginger, mashed potatoes, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, amchoor and salt. Also add corn flour and mix nicely.
4) Grease your palms lightly. Divide the mixture into equal small portions and make smooth surfaced balls. Press slightly to flatten a little. Gently press cashew-nut at one side. Deep fry over medium-high heat until pinkish.
Serve with Tomato ketchup, green chutney or tamarind chutney.

Tips:
1) Mash the potato without any lumps
2) To make the mixture dry, squeeze out the water well from spinach. Also drain the peas properly before adding to blender. The kabab wont form well if the mixture is wet and more corn flour will require. This will ruin the taste.
3) To make kababs very green, add a small pinch of edible green color

Gawarichi bhaji

Gavar Bhaji in Marathi

Time: Preparation: 15 to 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 to 3

Ingredients:
1/4 kg Gawar (Cluster beans)
for tempering:- 1 tbsp oil, 2 pinches mustard seeds, 1 pinch cumin seeds, 2 pinches hing (Asafoetida), 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp red chili powder
1 small potato, peeled and cubed
2 to 3 tbsp fresh coconut
1 tbsp peanuts powder
2 tsp jaggery
1/2 tsp Goda masala (Maharashtrian masala)
salt to taste

Method:
1) Wash gawar thoroughly. Pat dry with towel. Remove ends and strings (if any) of each gawar. Then pluck and make 1 inch pieces.
2) Steam cook broken gawar into a pressure cooker. Do not add water. (Add 1 inch level water at the bottom of cooker, take a steel container which fits inside the cooker. Put the broken gawar into it. and do not add water to this container.) Pressure cook upto 2 whistles, then turn of heat and wait for 10 minutes.
3) Heat oil into a wok or any pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing and turmeric. Then add potato cubes. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, till potato is half done. Add steam cooked gawar and mix.
4) Add red chili powder, goda masala, coconut, peanuts powder, and little salt. Mix nicely, cover and cook for couple of minutes. Then add jaggery and mix well. Cook for couple minutes more.
This sabzi tastes nice with chapati or white rice and dal.

Tips:
1) Instead of raw potato, boiled potato can also be used. Put the boiled potato in the refrigerator for little while. Add the boiled potato and steam cooked gawar together into tempering.
2) Potato can be substituted by black peas. Soak the peas for atleast 7 to 8 hours in the water. Then pressure cook and use in the vegetable.
3) This sabzi can be prepare completely in the pressure cooker. Take a small pressure cooker. Prepare tempering according to the above method. Then add raw broken gawar and potato cubes (or soaked peas). Also add other ingredients and little water. Pressure cook upto 2 to 3 whistles. After 10 minutes open the cooker and boil for couple of minutes.

Moongdal Khichdi

Moongdal Khichdi in Marathi

Time: 20 to 25 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 persons

Ingredients:
1 cup Rice
1/2 cup Moong Dal (Tip 1 and 2)
3 to 3.5 cups hot water (Tip 3)
For tempering:- 1 tbsp oil, 2 pinches mustard seeds, 1/4 tsp cumin seeds, 1 pinch hing, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/2 cup Green peas (Tip 5)
1 tsp goda masala
Salt to taste

Method:
1) Wash rice and moong dal and drain all the water. Leave it for 1/2 an hour.
2) Heat a small pressure cooker (Tip 6). Add oil and wait till its hot. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Saute and add washed rice and dal. Saute until nicely dry (about 4-5 minutes).
3) Once rice is roasted, add peas and saute for a minute. Then add hot water, goda masala and salt. Stir. Add little salt if needed.
4) Close the cooker with lid and let khichdi cook upto 3 to 4 whistles. Let it stand for 10-15 minutes to release the pressure.
Do not forget to add a tsp of ghee while serving khichdi.

Tips:
1) Moong dal (peels on), Toor dal or masoor dal can be used instead of yellow moong dal.
2) The quantity of moongdal can be adjusted according to your preference.
3) To get soft consistency add little more water.
4) Roasting rice and dal keeps the grain separate after cooking. Just careful not to burn the rice.
5) Potato cubes, cauliflower florets, capsicum slices, onion slices, carrot chunks etc can be added instead of green peas.
6) Khichdi can be made without pressure cooker. Do the tempering in heavy bottom pan. Roast rice. Only add some more water. Cook over high heat until water is almost soaked into rice, then turn the heat down and cover the pan. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes.While using toor dal, soak in the water before making khichdi as toor dal takes longer to cook.

Eggless Vanilla Cake

Happy Valentine's Day

Eggless Vanilla Cake in Marathi

Time: Prep time - 25 to 30 minutes | Baking Time - 35 to 40 minutes
Yield: 10 small pieces

Ingredients:
3/4 cup All purpose flour
200 gram Condensed milk (1/2 cup + couple more tablespoons) (Tip 5)
1/4 cup Butter (unsalted)
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup carbonated water (soda water) (Tip 4)

Method:
1) Preheat oven at 350 F (180 C).
2) Sieve all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder together into a medium bowl
3) Take another deep and medium mixing bowl. Add softened butter and condensed milk. Beat using hand mixer or egg beater. Mix until well blended and smooth. Add vanilla essence and blend for a minute.
4) Now, add half of the all purpose flour to butter and condensed milk batter. Mix with the hand mixer. Then add half of the soda water and blend. Then again add flour, followed by soda water. Mix well until smooth consistency.
5) Pour the batter into greased baking tin. To remove excessive air bubbles, hit the pan very gently on the counter-top. The pan goes into the oven for 35-40 minutes.
6) After 35-37 minutes poke at the center of cake with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, that means cake is ready. If you find wet batter on the toothpick, then bake for another 10 minutes.
Once cake is baked, remove it out from the cake tin and put it on a wired rack to cool down. After 15-20 minutes, cut the cake and its ready to enjoy.




Tips:
1) There are variety of cake tin shapes available in the market. You can make the above cake in heart, oval, round, square shape.
2) The above quantity is good for 2 to 3 people. So, double the amount of ingredients to make little larger cake.
3) For the above given ingredients, you will need little smaller cake tin. The cake tin which I used is approx 8 X 3". After pouring the batter into cake tin, the level should be around 1.5 to 2 inches from the bottom.
4) Do not use other sodas like coke, pepsi, ginger ale, lemon soda etc. Use plain soda water. Soda water makes the cake fluffier.
5) After mixing all the ingredients, taste the batter a little. If you want it little more sweet, add few tablespoon condensed milk. Mix well after adding it.

Stuffed Paneer Paratha

Stuffed Paneer paratha in Marathi

Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 medium parathas

Ingredients:
Stuffing
2 cup grated paneer
3-4 green chilies, finely chopped
1/4 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp amchoor powder, 1/2 to 1 tsp grated ginger
Salt to taste
Cover
3/4 cup Maida
1 cup wheat flour
1/4 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/4 cup yogurt
Water as needed
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
Other ingredients
Butter or oil to roast paratha
Dry flour for dusting

Method:
1) Take grated paneer into a bowl. Add green chili, cilantro, coriander-cumin powder, dry mango powder, ginger and salt and mix gently.
2) To make the dough, mix maida, wheat flour, cumin, turmeric, red chili powder, yogurt, oil and salt. Pour required amount of water and make a soft dough. Cover it and let it rest for 15 minutes.
3) Divide the dough into 6 to 8 equal portions. Divide the stuffing into same amount of equal portions.
4) Roll the dough ball into 2 to 3 inch diameter circle. Then put 1 portion of stuffing. Gather all the edges and seal. Roll it with a rolling pin by sprinkling little flour.
5) Heat a tawa. Place rolled paratha at the center. Drizzle little oil or melted butter. Roast both sides until brown spots appear.
Serve this paratha with green chutney or mint chutney.

Tips:
1) Add chopped mint leaves along with cilantro for more flavor.
2) Carom seeds can be replaced by cumin seeds.

Potato Pumpkin Sabzi

Potato Pumpkin Stir fry in Marathi

Time: 20 to 25 minutes
Servings: 2 to 3

Ingredients:
1 cup potato cubes, small (peel the potato first)
1 cup pumpkin cubes, small (peel and deseed the pumpkin)
1 tbsp ghee
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 to 3 green chilis, slit lengthwise
2 tbsp fresh coconut, scraped
2 tbsp peanuts powder, coarse
approx 1/4 cup Buttermilk (Tip 1)
salt to taste
Cilantro finely chopped

Method:
1) Heat ghee in a pan. Add cumin and wait till it splutters. Then add green chilies and potato cubes. Mix nicely and cover the pan with a lid. Let the potatoes cook for a minute or two. Add 3-4 tbsp water before covering the pan.
2) Then add pumpkin cubes and salt. Sprinkle little buttermilk. Mix well and add coconut. Cover and cook until pumpkin is 80 % cooked. Add peanuts powder and mix gently. Cook for a minute.
Serve hot with chapati. It can also be eaten during fast.

Tips:
1) Sprinkle buttermilk only when moisture is needed.

Manchow Soup

Manchow Soup in Marathi

Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Servings: 3

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp oil
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 inch ginger piece, finely chopped
1 to 2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped vegetables:- green bell pepper, carrot, mushrooms, white part of spring oion
3 cups vegetable stock - Click here for the recipe
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp vinegar
1/2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1/2 tbsp maggi chili masala sauce
1 tbsp corn starch or corn flour
2 pinches white pepper powder
salt to taste
For garnishing - green part of spring onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup Noodles (optional)

Method:
Noodles: Boil the noodles in salt water and cook until 80 to 90 % done. Deep fry half of the noodles until crispy. Keep the remaining noodles to add in the soup.

1) Heat a tbsp of oil in a wok. Add finely chopped ginger and garlic to it. Saute for 4 to 5 seconds. Add green chili and chopped vegetables. Cook the vegetables until half done. Add salt.
2) Add 3 cups vegetable stock. Once it starts boiling add 1 tbsp soy sauce (Light soy sauce), tomato ketchup and Maggi chili sauce. Let it boil for a minute. Taste the soup and adjust salt. Also sprinkle white pepper powder.
3) In a small bowl, mix corn starch and 1/4 cup water. Blend well and add to soup. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Add vinegar. If you are going to add noodles, add cooked noodles.
Serve into a soup bowl. Garnish with finely chopped green part of green onion and fried noodles.

Tips:
1) If the vegetable stock is not available,use plain water.

Vari Tandul Pulao [Samo Rice Pulav]

Samo Rice Pulao in Marathi

Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Servings: 3 to 4

Ingredients:
1 cup Samo Rice
2 tsp Ghee
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
2 green chilies
1/2 cup Pumpkin cubes medium (Peel before making cubes)
1/2 cup Potato cubes (Peel the potato)
2 tbsp Coarsely ground peanuts
salt to taste
Approx 3 cups hot water

Method:
1) Heat a heavy bottom pan. Dry roast samo rice for couple of minutes. Transfer the roasted rice to a bowl
2) In that same pan, add ghee and wait till it melts. Add cumin seeds and slit green chilies. Saute for 10 seconds. Flame should be on medium. Add potato cubes. Cover the pan and cook till potato is almost done. At this point, add roasted samo rice.
3) Mix nicely. Pour hot water and add salt. After couple of minutes add pumpkin cubes and peanuts powder. Stir well, cover and cook till rice is done.
Garnish with Cilantro Serve hot with Peanuts curry.

Rava Idli

Rava Idli in Marathi

Yield: around 15 to 18 medium Idlis
Time: 35 to 40 minutes (Prep time - 15 mins + steaming time - 20 to 25 mins)

Ingredients:
1 cup Rava /Semolina (Coarse quality)
1 tsp Oil, pinch of mustard seeds, pinch of asafoetida (hing), 1/2 tsp urad dal, 1/2 to 1 tsp chana dal, 4 to 5 curry leaves
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 cup sour plain yogurt, well beaten
1/2 cup water
salt to taste
1 tsp Eno fruit salt (Eno Soda) - original flavor (do not use flavors like cherry, lemon)

Method:
1) Heat oil in the pan. Add mustard seeds and hing. Immediately add chana dal. Let the chana dal turn pink. Then add urad dal and saute for few seconds. Add curry leaves and ginger. Now add Rava and roast for couple of minutes over medium heat.
2) Transfer roasted rava into a deep bowl. In other bowl mix beaten yogurt and water well. when rava becomes warm, add yogurt+water mixture to it and blend well (tip 2). Add salt and mix. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Consistency should be like usual Idli batter, not too thick or thin.
3) Pour about 2 to 2.5 cups of water into the Idli cooker. Put it on the stove over high heat. Light grease the Idli stand (molds) with little oil (tip 3). Add Eno salt to the batter and mix in one direction. Spoon the batter into Idli molds.
4) Once water starts boiling, put the Idli stand inside the cooker (important tip 4). Close cooker with the lid. Steam the idlis for 12 to 15 minutes. After 12-15 minutes, turn off the heat and wait for 7-8 minutes before opening the cooker.
Remove idlis with sharp edged spoon (Do not use knife, it will break the idlis)

Tips:
1) Some variations can be done in the above recipe. Vegetables like carrot, peas, cabbage can be added to the idli batter. Just put small quantity of grated carrot and 2-3 peas into idli molds and then spoon the batter over it. Another idea is you may add the vegetables to idli batter.Though, it changes the color of Idlis.
2) If you have roasted the rava a little longer, it will soak more water. So, you may need to add little more water to adjust the consistency.
3) If you have small Idli stand (8 to 12 medium molds), Do not add Eno soda into whole batter. Divide it into 2 equal portions. Add 1/2 tsp of soda into one portion. Make idlis as per above instructions. Now add remaining 1/2 tsp soda into second prortion of batter and make idlis with the same directions.
4) If using normal pressure cooker, remove the weight (Pressure whistle) and then before steaming idlis.

Jowar Flour bhakri

Jwarichi Bhakri in Marathi

Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5 medium bhakari

Ingredients:
2 cups Jowar flour
approx 2 cups hot water
1 tbsp ghee or Butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup dry jowar flour for dusting

Serve this healthy yet delicious Bhakari with - Bhogi Bhaji (Mixed Vegetable)

Method:
1) Boil 2 cups of water into a small pan. Add 1 tbsp ghee. Add 2 cups jowar flour into a big thali or a big mixing bowl. Sprinkle salt. Add the hot water little by little into jowar flour and mix carefully. Knead and make a soft, pliable dough.
2) Now divide the dough into 4 to 5 equal portions.
3) Heat a tawa over high heat for a minute and turn down the flame to medium high. Make a smooth ball of a dough portion, dip it into dry jowar flour and dust nicely. Gently roll with a rolling pin to a semi thick disc. Sprinkle little dry flour if required.
4) Put the bhakari over hot tawa. Apply some water to the surface carefully with hand or wet cotton cloth. The applied water will evaporate. At this time check the doneness of opposite side. Turn the bhakari and cook the other side. Dark brown spots should appear on both the sides. (Important tip 2)
Put a dollop of homemade butter on hot bhakari and serve with zunka, pithla or eggplant-potato curry.

Tips:
1) Instead of rolling bhakari can be made by patting it clockwise.
2) I have electric stove coil at home, So its not possible to roast the bhakari on direct flame. However, if you have gas stove top (with flame), roast one side on tawa. Flip the side roast for few second on tawa and now put it on direct flame. flip and turn the bhakari with a tong. It will puff up nicely on direct flame.
3) To make it on the day of Bhogi. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp of sesame seeds on bhakari dough ball and roll. Sesame seeds will stick to bhakari and will get roasted with it.

bhogichi bhaji

Bhogichi Bhaji in Marathi

Time: Preparation - 20 minutes | Cooking - 15 to 20 minutes
Servings : 3 to 4

Ingredients:
1 big potato, peeled and cubed (approx 1 to 1.5 cup)
1 medium Eggplant or 3 to 4 small eggplants (approx 1 to 1.25 cup medium cubes)
1 cup carrot, medium cubes
1/2 cup fresh green chana (I used frozen)
1/4 cup soaked Peanuts (soak for 2 hours)
1/4 cup Pavta beans (Indian style lima beans)
6 pieces of Drumsticks (3 inch) (tip 1)
For Tempering: 2 tbsp oil, 2 pinches mustard seeds, 2 pinches hing, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
3-4 curry leaves
2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds, coarsely crushed
2 tsp Goda Masala - click here for recipe
2 tbsp Tamarind juice
1 to 1.5 tbsp jaggery, grated
1/4 cup fresh coconut
salt to taste

Method:
1) Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing, turmeric, red chili powder, curry leaves. Then add potato cubes, fresh chana, pavta beans, drumsticks and peanuts. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. stir occasionally.
2) Then add eggplant and carrot. Mix well. Add 1/2 cup water, cover the pan and cook over medium heat.
3) Once vegetables are almost cooked, add tamarind juice and goda masala. Also add little water if required.
4) Add jaggery after vegetables are cooked nicely. Also add roasted sesame powder and fresh coconut. Sprinkle little salt if needed. Boil for 1 minute and serve immediately with Millet Roti.

Tips:
1) Use fresh drumsticks. Aged and stale drumsticks have hard beans which takes longer to cook. In that case, pressure cook drumstick with 2 whistles.
2) It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to cook the vegetables. For a quicker version, pressure cook chana, Pavta (lima beans), drumsticks, peanuts upto 2 whistles. However, the vegetables cooked in the pan taste more flavorful that quick version.

Oatmeal Cookies

Eggless oatmeal cookies in Marathi

Time: 45 minutes
Yield: approx 15 cookies

Ingredients
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 + 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
Egg Replacer powder for 2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 and 1/2 cups rolled oats (old fashioned)
1 cups chocolate chips or chunks

Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C)
2) In a medium bowl, sieve flour + baking powder and baking soda.
3) In a large bowl, add butter and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add necessary amount of water to egg replacer and mix well. Add vanilla and egg replacer to sugar-butter mixture. Beat until mixed. Add all purpose flour and mix well.
4) Now introduce oats to the bowl and mix until well incorporated. Add chocolate chips and mix nicely.
5) Scoop the mixture onto greased baking tray or baking sheet (you can line it with parchment paper to avoid sticking). Press with hand to flatten into disc. Put the trey into preheated oven and bake the cookies for 16 to 18 minutes or until golden brown (Tip).
Let the cookies cool on baking sheet completely before removing.

Tips:
1) You can add raisins or dried cranberries to the mixture.
2) Baking time may vary according to oven's heating power and size of the cookies.
3) You can add eggs instead of egg replacer.

Masala Papad

Masala Papad in Marathi

Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients:
4 Urad Papad (5 to 6" dia)
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup tomato, finely chopped
2 tbsp Cilnatro (coriander), finely chopped
1/2 tsp red chili powder or to taste
1/2 tsp Chaat Masala
1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
Salt to taste
Oil to deep fry

Method:
1) Heat a flat pan (Tip 1). Add oil and deep fry Papad as usual.
2) Rub lemon juice to the chopped onion. (Tip 2)
3) Sprinkle Red chili powder (Tip 3)and chaat masala over the papad. Also spread tomato and onion. Sprinkle very little salt.
Garnish with Cilantro and serve immediately.

Tips:
1) Usually we use kadai to deep fry papad. But, sometimes papad gets twisted while frying. Hence I used flat pan. It requires very little oil and papad does not fold or twist.
2) Lemon juice gives nice tangy flavor. However, masala papad should be served immediately after adding lemon juice. Otherwise, papad becomes mushy.
3) I had used Jeera flavored Papad. It is better to use plain urad papad. You may use other flavors urad papad, but the taste changes a bit. Sprinkle very little red chili powder, when using Miri flavored (black pepper) Papad.
4) Papad can be roasted instead of frying. However, roasted papad soaks the moisture and gets mushy immediately.
5) Fine sev can be sprinkled to make the masala papad more attractive.

Gulpoli

Gulpoli in Marathi

Time: around 2 hours
Yield: approx 25 gulpoli

Ingredients:
Stuffing
1/2 kg Jaggery
1 cup Besan flour (Chickpea flour/ Gram flour)
1/2 cup Oil
2 halves of dry coconut
3/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup poppy seeds
1/2 cup peanuts
Cover
1 and 1/2 cup maida
3/4 cup wheat flour
2 tbsp oil
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp besan (Optional)

Method:
1) Grate the dry coconut. Dry roast till golden brown. Gently crush with hands. We need around 1/2 to 3/4 cup of crushed coconut. If it is less, then grate some more coconut. Roast and crush it.
2) Dry roast sesame seeds, poppy seeds separately, till golden brown. Grind to a fine powder.
3) Dry roast peanuts. Remove the peels and grind the peanuts to a fine powder.
4) Heat a pan. Add 1/2 cup oil. Add 1 cup besan flour and roast till, you sense nice aroma and color changes til golden.
5) Grate the jaggery to a fine powder. Add all the roasted items to the grated jaggery. Knead to a semi-stiff dough.
6) Mix maida, wheat flour, salt and besan. Heat 2 tbsp oil to the smoke point. Add it to the flour mixture. Make a medium consistency dough by adding water. Use little oil if required. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
7) Divide the stuffing into 23 to 25 equal balls.
8) For the cover, we will need two equal dough balls for 1 stuffing ball. Therefore, the 2 dough balls should be slightly smaller than stuffing ball.
9) Sandwich the stuffing ball between two dough balls. Seal the edges. Use dry flour and roll it to a thin roti. While rolling, do not flip the sides.
10) Roast over medium-high heated tawa. Roast both the sides. Put it on a paper towel. Stack them into Chapati Container after cools off.
Gulpoli can be served warm or cold. It tastes delicious either way. Do not forget to put a dollop of desi ghee.
Gulpoli stays fresh for 8 to 10 days at room temp. Hence, you can stack some extra gulpoli and enjoy them for few more days.

Tips:
1) The proportion of the flours can be changed according to your preference. If you want firm and little crispy gulpoli, then use only maida and add hot oil. If you want soft gulpoli, then use wheat flour and do not use hot oil, use room temp. oil.