Cook Without Book

Papadi, Potato and Chick Pea Chaat There are some cold, rainy days when you feel a craving for something crunchy and spicy. Here is a quick snack that you can fix up in a jiffy to liven your spirits. Surely, your entire family will love it as it is loaded with papadi, fruits, potatoes, cooked kabuli chana, chutneys and perky spices – there is something in it for everybody! Preparation Time:  15 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients 2 cups  coarsely crushed readymade  papadis 3/4 cup  boiled and peeled  potato cubes 1/2 cup  soaked and  boiled kabuli chana (white chick peas) 3 tbsp  finely  chopped pineapple 3 tbsp  finely  chopped raw mango 1/4 cup   sweet chutney 2 tbsp   green chutney 3/4 cup  whisked fresh  curds (dahi) 1/2 tsp   cumin seeds (jeera) powder 1 tsp   chilli powder 1/2 tsp   chaat masala salt  to taste Method Combine all the ingredients in a deep bo...

Aam aur Chane ka Achaar The summers in India are quite unbearable, but they have a saving grace - the mango season. Everyone looks forward to the yearly mango crop and housewives get busy blending the myriad spices needed for a whole year's supply of mango pickles. As pickles are an essential feature of the Indian menu, new and more innovative varieties come up from time to time. This recipe is of a tongue tickling grated mango and chick pea pickle combined judiciously with whole and powdered spices. The chick peas in this recipe take on a sour salty flavour as they are soaked in raw mango juice. Like all oil pickles, this has a shelf life of upto one year but I am sure it will be eaten up much before that. Store in cool dry place for:  1year. Preparation Time : 24 hours. Maturing Time: 3 to 4 days. Makes 2 cups.  Ingredients 1/2 cup   kabuli chana (white chick peas) 1 1/2 cups   grated raw mango 1 tsp   turmeric powder (haldi) 1 tbsp ...

Achaari Aloo Roll (wraps and Rolls) Achaar is synonymous with indian cuisine. Undoubtedly, it adds a brilliant touch to wraps too! lacing the spicy potato filling with aam aur chane ka achaar makes your tongue tingle with joy. I’m sure you’ll love it purely because of its simplicity. This recipe has to be planned in advance as the achaar has to be marinated for 3 to 4 days. Else, you can buy readymade aam ka achaar. Preparation Time:  20 mins Cooking Time:  20 mins Makes 4 rolls Ingredients For The Aam Aur Chane ka Achaar 1 1/2 cups   grated raw mangoes 1 tsp   turmeric powder (haldi) 1 tbsp   salt 1 tbsp   fenugreek (methi) seeds 1/2 cup   kabuli chana (white chick peas) 1 tbsp   fenugreek seeds (methi) powder 1 tbsp   fennel seeds (saunf) 1/2 tsp   asafoetida (hing) 1 tsp   nigella seeds (kalonji) 14 pcs   whole dry Kashmiri red chillies 1 tbsp   chilli powder 1 1/4 cups   mustard (rai / sarson) oi...

Chick Pea Salad ( Desi Khana) Colourful and tangy, the chick pea salad has a very peppy accompaniment. Savour the tanginess of tomatoes, green chillies and lemon juice; the wholesomeness of chick peas and potatoes; and the chat-pati hints of black salt and chaat masala, all in one enticing package! Preparation Time:  20 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients 2 cups   soaked and boiled kabuli chana (chick peas) 1/2 cup  boiled and peeled  potato cubes 3/4 cup  finely  chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp  finely  chopped coriander (dhania) 2 tsp  finely  chopped green chillies 1/2 tsp   black salt (sanchal) 1 tbsp   lemon juice 2 tsp   powdered sugar 2 tsp   chaat masala salt  to taste Method Combine all the ingredients in a deep bowl and mix well. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Serve chilled.