Cook Without Book

Palak Aur Matar Ki Kachori Palak dough stuffed with green pea mixture, shaped into kachoris and deep fried. Cooking Time:  15-20 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  15-20 minutes   Category:  Veg Ingredients • Spinach puree 3 tablespoons • Green peas 1 cup • Refined flour (maida) 1 1/2 cups • Ghee 1 1/2 tablespoons • Carom seeds (ajwain) 1/4 teaspoon • Salt to taste • Oil 2 tablespons + for deep-frying • Asafoetida a pinch • Ginger,finely chopped 2 inch piece • Green chillies,finely chopped 2 • Fennel seeds (saunf) 1 teaspoon • Fresh mint leaves,finely chopped 2 tablespoons Method Knead maida, ghee, ajwain, palak purée and salt with sufficient water into a dough. Heat 2 tbsps oil in a non stick pan, add asafoetida, ginger, green chillies and fennel seeds and sauté.Add peas, salt and mint leaves. Mix well, cool and grind to a coarse mixture. Transfer into a bowl. Divide the dough...

Spicy Chaat - Calcutta Style A delightful chaat that will thrill you to the core – hold it in your hand, capture a whiff of the namkeens dipped in sweet and tangy chutneys and topped with choice spices, dip your fingers and lick the chutney, take a mouthful and lose yourself in this calcutta style spicy chaat. Soaking time:  3 to 4 hours Preparation Time:  15 mins Cooking Time:  30 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients For The Pakodis 1/2 cup   urad dal (split black lentils)  with skin 1/4 cup   green moong dal (split green gram) with skin 4   green chillies  , roughly chopped 12   ginger (adrak) 1 tsp   nigella seeds (kalonji) 1/4 tsp   asafoetida (hing) salt  to taste oil  for deep-frying For The Papadis 1 cup   plain flour (maida) 1 tsp   carom seeds (ajwain) 1 tbsp   oil salt  to taste oil  for deep-frying For Serving 1 cup  fresh  curds (dahi) salt  to taste 20  bo...

Rava Dosa ( Tava Cooking) Rava dosa is a delectably crispy dosa that can be prepared instantly, without the need for any fermentation. A traditional tempering and quick mix-in of chopped onions, coriander and green chillies add excellent flavour to a batter made of ready flours. This dosa is indeed an irresistible option for breakfast, supper, snack or a sudden meal for a surprise guest. Preparation Time:  10 mins Cooking Time:  25 mins Makes 6 rava dosas Ingredients 1/2 cup   semolina (rava) 1 1/2 tbsp   plain flour (maida) 1 1/2 tbsp   rice flour (chawal ka atta) salt  to taste 1 1/2 tbsp   oil 1 tsp   cumin seeds (jeera) a pinch of  asafoetida (hing) 3 to 4   curry leaves (kadi patta) 1 1/2 tbsp  finely  chopped coriander (dhania) 2 tsp  finely  chopped green chillies 1/4 cup  finely  chopped onions oil  for greasing and cooking For Serving coconut  chutney Method Combi...

Aam ka Achaar ( Punjabi Recipe ) During the mango season in the summer in punjab, one can see at least two or three earthenware jars full of pickled raw mangoes maturing in the sun outside homes. This typical punjabi recipe for making mango pickle is most popular in the region. The combination of fennel seeds, nigella seeds with mustard and other pickling spices is what distinguishes this mango pickle from its equally famous gujarati counter part. Sun-dried mangoes used in this pickle impart a salty chewy character and also improve the shelf life of the pickle. This is a very simple recipe to follow. Just keep in mind the basics of pickle making a clean sterilized jar, see that there is no moisture and ensure that mustard oil forms a covering layer over the ingredients in the jar. Preparation Time:  15 mins Cooking Time:  10 mins Makes 2 servings Ingredients 3 cups  (375 grams) raw mangoes  , cut into pieces 1 tsp   turmeric powder (haldi) 1/4 cup ...

                                    Spices The history and culture of Indian spices is probably as old as civilization itself. The Vedas, the Bible, and the Quran are all replete with references—direct or indirect. The earliest literary record on spices in India is in the Rig Veda (around 6000 BC) as well as in the other three Vedas—Yajur, Sama, and Athasva. Spices constitute an important group of organic commodities, which are virtually indispensable in the culinary arts. They can be primarily defined as farm products used in various forms; fresh, ripe, dried, broken, powdered etc., which contribute to the aroma, taste, flavor, color, and pungency of food. Spices may be in the form of bark, buds, flowers, fruits, leaves, rhizomes, roots, seeds, stigmas and styles, or the entire plant. It is hard for me to imagine my pantry without these magical gifts of nature that change the entire char...