snack – 15 Marbles

Does that make you wanna reach out and take a bite?? No!?? then,I really need to take better pictures.Trust me when I say,that this is the most delicious treat ever!
Today is Mahashivratri-one of my favorite festivals.I think this time scales are tipped higher because of the yummy foods associated with this day.This was the day,when everyone in my family fasted-including little kids.Seriously there was so much food it was more of a feast.The normal menu comprised of- Sabudana khichdi,Potato Bhaji,Shikran(banana+ milk fruit salad)buttermilk,Sabudana thalipeeth(sabudana+potato pancakes),candied sweetpotato,rajgira vadi,bhagar,chips and milk/tea. Who would want boring regular food then? I miss some of the foods,and wish I can make them someday-specially the candied sweet potato-but I can’t replicate my grandma’s perfect flavour.Till then,we’ll make do with Sabudana khichdi and potato bhaji 🙂

Sabudana Khichdi :
Ingredients:
2 cups sabudana( tapioca pearls)
3/4 cup peanut powder( dry roast the peanuts,take off the skin and grind the peanuts coarsely)
1 potato(boiled)
3-4 green chilies
2 tsp cummin seeds
1 tsp sugar
salt to taste
1 tbsp oil
fresh corriander leaves for garnishing.

Preparation:

Soak the Sabudana in water.Drain and keep aside for 2-3 hours,till all the pearls are soft and fluffy.
Add peanut powder,salt and sugar to the fluffy sabudana and mix well.
Heat oil in a thick pot or kadai. Add cummin seeds,green chilies,potato pieces.Fry the potatoes for 2 minutes.
Add the Sabudana mix to the pot and mix well. Keep stirring till the sabudana pearls turn translucent and soft.
DO NOT COVER OR ADD WATER-otherwise,you will end up with a sticky,soggy mess. If you need to,add a little oil or ghee.
Garnish with chopped corriander,and serve hot with a lemon wedge and fresh yogurt.
I love it especially when the slight sweetness from the sugar,the tangy lemon flavor and fresh yogurt come together in my mouth…ummm…yummm!
I have shared this recipe with so many friends and they always complain that it doesn’t turn out like mine.. well,I’ll just say,keep mixing and stirring till ~~your arm is about to fall off~~ all the sabudana pearls turn translucent..really thats the trick..That and be generous with the peanut powder.
If the calories bother you,workout more the next day.. but for now-Enjoy!!!

Happy New Year,everyone!!
And a big Thank You to those of you,who still haven’t stopped visiting.And Only for you,I try once again to revive this blog!
One of my goals..yes goals and not resolutions,this year is to introduce back some real food to Ms.Aadya.That and to bring in some childhood favorites in our everyday menu.
Two trips home in less than a year,an over-indulgent father,my sister’s visit and my lack of energy has turned Ms.Aadya into a junk-slob!Well not really a junk-slob..but lets just say,good wholesome food and vegetables aren’t top on her list anymore..they have been replaced by Candy,chips,icecream.Give her some Nuggets and she will gobble them up..Give her fries-she will chomp’em up..Give her potato bhaaji(curry) and she will turn her little nose up. Meal-times have been very irritating,lately.The girl refuses to eat anything other than yogurt-rice or roti-butter.I am not kidding you!!The only good thing is she still loves her oats and salads!I am tired of sneaking in vegetables..and the tantrums that follow if they are discovered.
So,anyway,I have rolled up my sleeves and decided to kick the junk-slob out of my little Princess and get her to eat something sensible..occasional treats are fine…AFTER sensible food.
The first thing I did is got rid of the junk..chips,candy,icecream.No more of that in the house.When we go out,she does get to pick one!
Anyway,so far I have tried:
Daal-chakali mixed with stir-fried spinach(not sneaked in..added in front of her)-another comfort food from my childhood. -She quite liked it.
Cracked wheat Dalia-This one went down well too..but it was sweet!
Upma-She hated it.
And today,/Bread Rolls -She loved those.Though she removed half of the stuffing:)

Does anyone remember this crispy favorite? Crunchy on the outside,filled with soft mashed potatoes ?And I pan fried them.I don’t remember the last time I deep-fried something..Seriously!
Anyway,here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
5 slices of bread-white or whole wheat.
2 medium sized potatoes-boiled and mashed
1 tsp chopped corriander
1 green chilly ,finely chopped.
1/2 tsp red chili powder
pinch of turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cumin-corriander powder
salt to taste,
Bread crumbs to coat.
oil to fry.
A bowl of water.

Preparation:
Add corriander,green chili,spices and salt to the mashed potatoes and mix well.Keep it aside.
Take a slice of bread,dip it lightly in water and gently squeeze out the water,by pressing the slice between your palms.If the bread is very soft,its a good idea to just let it touch the water from one side and then,squeezing the water(hope this makes sense)
Now,put some potato mix on the bread and make a roll,applying very little pressure.
Roll it in bread crumbs.Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then, pan fry your rolls on medium heat,till they are a nice golden brown.Its important to keep the heat medium,because other wise you will end up with crunchy rolls on the outside but soft on the inside.
Cut into halves and serve hot with ketchup or chutney.

Category: snack

Sabudana Khichdi

Happy New Year and Bread Rolls