Spicy Egg Curry - Kolhapuri Style

Serves 3-4

Preparation Time : 15 - 20 mins
Cooking Time : 30-35 mins

Ingredients :
Boiled Eggs - 3-4 Nos.
Onion Large - 1  Nos.
Tomato Medium - 1 Nos.
Dark Green Chillies - 4-5 Nos. (optional)
Dried grated coconut - 1 Tbsp.
Garlic Cloves - 10-12 Nos.
Ginger - 1 inch.
Red Chilli Powder - 1 Tsp.
Turmeric Powder - 1 Tsp.
Coriander powder - 1 Tsp.
Cumin Powder - 1 Tsp.
Kanda Lasun Masala - 2 Tsp.
Bay Leaf - 2 Nos.
Cloves - 4-5 Nos.
Black peppercorns - 4-5 Nos.
Cinnamon Stick - 1 inch.
Green / Black Cardamom - 2-4 Nos.
Oil
Salt
Water

Method :
1) Roughly chop onion and green chillies. Add to blender along with coconut and some water. Blend in a smooth paste.
2) Boil the tomatoes in a pot. Remove the skin. Puree the tomatoes.
3) Also make a fine paste of garlic and ginger, separately, in mortar and pestle.
4) Heat 2-3 tbsp. oil in  a pan. Add bay leaf, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, peppercorns. Let these crackle.
5) Add onion paste. Fry the paste till it starts to turn brown. Add garlic paste, mix well, add ginger mix well. Fry everything till colour turns to brown. Keep mixing, else might stick to the bottom of the pan.
6) Add coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli powder, turmeric, kanda lasun masala, salt. Mix well.
7) Add tomato puree, some water and cook for 4-5 minutes or till oil separates. Adjust seasoning if required.
8) To make a thinner curry add more water and let it boil for some time.
9) Poke eggs with a tooth pick or a fork. Make some holes in different directions to help curry seep into the egg. Leave the egg in the curry for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve hot garnished with onion rings and coriander leaves.

Tips :
1) Avoid using canned tomatoes for puree or ready made tomato puree and ginger garlic paste.
2) Onion contains sugar, hence let the onion paste turn completely brown else that might give sweet taste to your curry.
3) Raw tomatoes can also change the taste of your curry, hence avoid using them without boiling. Also after the puree is being added to the curry allow it to cook for sometime before adding other ingredients.
4) Substitute egg with potatoes, cauliflower, pumpkin, or even serve plain curry with rice.
5) For chicken/mutton lovers, to the curry add chicken/mutton boiled in water along with turmeric and salt. Instead of water, use this water from the boiled chicken/mutton. 

Perfect Pav Bhaji - Easiest and Foolproof

Serves 3-4

Preparation Time : 15- 20 mins
Cooking Time : 15-20 mins

Ingredients :
Medium Potato - 2 Nos.
Capsicum Medium - 1 or 2  Nos. (appx 250 gms)
Small Cauliflower - 1 or 2 Tsp. (appx 250gms)
Tomatoes Medium - 1 Nos.
Onion - 1 Nos.
Garlic Cloves - 6-7 Nos.
Green Peas - 1 cup.
Oil - 1 Tsp.
Red Chilli Powder - 1 Tsp.
Pav Bhaji Masala (Everest) - 3 Tsp.
Lemon Juice - 1 tbsp.
Butter
Salt
Water

Method :
1) Wash, peel and grate potatoes. Finely chop onion, tomatoes, capsicum, cauliflower. Mash garlic cloves in a fine paste.
2) Heat oil in a cooker. Add garlic, onion, tomatoes, red chilli powder, pav bhaji masala, salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
3) Add all the other vegetables and mix well. Add 1 glass of water. Close the cooker lid and cook for 10-15 mins or till all the vegetables become soft and mushy. Mash with a masher or using a churner (ravi)
4) Add a blob of butter and lemon juice. Add peas, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Serve hot with pav, bread topped with finely cut onions and lemon wedge.

Tips :
1) You can also add grated vegetables like carrot and cabbage to add more nutritional value to the bhaji.
2) Add butter to oil during tadka for more taste.  

Eggless Whole Wheat Pita Bread - Without Oven

Serves 5-6

Preparation Time : 1.5- 2 hrs
Cooking Time : 5-10 mins

Ingredients :
Wheat Flour - 2 Cups.
Dry Yeast - 1.5 Tsp.
Sugar - 0.5 Tsp.
Oil - 1 Tsp.
Salt
Water

Method :
1) Add yeast, sugar and 1 tsp of flour to 1 cup warm water. Let it sit till yeast is active
2) Sift the flour in a bowl. Add the yeast mixture and oil. Knead into a soft mixture.
3) Grease the bowl and dough. Cover and let the dough sit till it rises and doubles in size. (This might take two hours or less)
4) Knead the dough softly and divide in 8 equal portions. Flatten the each portion in a 3-4 inch round shape. Let these breads sit for another 30 minutes.
5) Pre-heat a pan. Grease with a little oil. Place the bread on the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes till both sides develop brown spots and bread is puffed with air.
6) Cut the bread in half and open like pockets. Fill these with salads, falafel, flitters, sauces of your choice and serve.

Chatpati Chana Tikki (Chickpea Patty)

Serves 3

Preparation Time : 5-10 mins
Cooking Time : 15-20 mins

Ingredients :
Chickpeas (Chana) - 1.5 Cup. (Soaked overnight)
Medium Onion - 1 Nos. (Finely Chopped)
Chickpea Flour (Besan) - 2 Tbsp.
Garlic Cloves - 2-3 Nos.
Cumin Powder - 1 Tsp.
Coriander Powder - 1 Tsp.
Fresh Parsley (Dhaniya) - 1 Tbsp.
Oil
Salt


Method :
1) Add all ingredients except oil to a grinder. Grind slowly into a dough consistency mixture.
2) Remove in a bowl. Divide in 3-4 equal portions. Shape into a patty.
3) Shallow fry the patty till golden brown on both sides. Serve hot with sauce of your choice.

Tips :
1) Place the patty in between a bun or pita bread with some fresh home-made mayo and salad and enjoy like a burger.
2) Choose any legumes of your choice to make it more healthy and delicious for example : peas.

Check out pita bread and yogurt sauce recipe :

Chickpea Fries

Serves 4-5

Preparation Time : 5 mins
Cooking Time : 25-30 mins

Ingredients :
Chickpea Flour (Besan) - 2 Cup.
Cumin Seeds - 1 Tsp. (Optional)
Oil (For Frying)
Salt
Water - 4 Cups

Method :
1) Boil water in a pan. Add salt as per taste.
2) To boiling water add chickpea flour. Mix vigorously to avoid lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
3) Remove from heat. Grease a container. Pour the chickpea mixture and pat the tray to make it even. Leave for 20-25 minutes.
4) Remove from container. Cut in strips.
5) Heat oil in a pan. Deep fry the strips till crispy brown on all sides. Remove on paper towel. Serve hot with yogurt dip or tahini

Tips :
1) Use cookie cutter to cut different shapes.
2) For more flavour add toasted sesame seeds and sprinkle with chat masala.

Yogurt Mint Dip Sauce

Serves 10

Preparation Time : 5 mins

Ingredients :
Yogurt - 2/3 Cup.
Garlic Cloves - 1-2 Nos. (Finely Chopped)
Mint Leaves (Finely Chopped) - 1.5 Tsp.
Salt


Method :
1) Beat yogurt thoroughly till it becomes smooth.
2) Combine yogurt, garlic, mint leaves and salt. Mix Well.
3) Adjust seasoning. Serve as a dip along with potato wedges, fries, fresh cucumber sticks or salads, etc

Tips :
1) For better result and healthy option, use greek yogurt.