Pure Desi food

I adopted this recipe from paula deen of food network. It is definitely a healthy snack and could be made with just the ingredients we have in the pantry. I am very fond of black eyed peas, i use them in many of my dishes like- sambar, curry, snack(sauteing it with some oil and chillies) and of course these cutlets.

These cutlets are very soft and must be handled with gentle care.

Makes about 10 cutlets.

Ingredients:

• Black eyed peas(alasandu)- 1 cup(uncooked)
• Medium green bell pepper(capscium)- 1
• small onion-1
• garlic cloves-2
• all purpose flour(maida)-few teaspoons
• crushed black pepper- 1/4 tsp
• Red chillie powder- 1tsp
• cilantro

Procedure:

• The black eyed peas have a thinner skin, no presoaking is required before cooking. Pressure cook the black eyed peas, it should be soft but still hold its shape.
• Drain the water and squeeze the peas just a little.
• Now add finely chopped green bell pepper, onion, garlic, red and black pepper, cilantro and salt.
• Mix it well, taste and re-season accordingly.
• Now make a pattie, dust both sides of the pattie with all purpose flour(maida).
• Take a non stick pan, add few teaspoons of oil and cook the pattie for three minutes on each side.
• Serve with some tomato ketchup or maggi hot & sweet tomato sauce.
• These cutlets are little soft immediately after cooking. If you prefer it little firm, just leave the cutlets for few minutes and then serve it.

Chole curry(Chick peas curry)

Recently i posted a recipe for black eyed peas curry, this curry is very similar to that. I made this curry for a birthday party my co-sister hosted for her cute two year old. We had it with chapathi, but goes really well with puri,onion and some lemon on the side.

Ingredients:

• chole (dry chick peas)- 1 1/2cups (uncooked)
• onion-2
• tomatoes-3
• ginger garlic paste- 1/4 tsp
• cinnamon stick -1/2 stick
• cloves- 2
• cumin(jeera) powder- 1/4 tsp
• dhania powder- 1/4 tsp
• garam masala – 1/2 tsp
• red chillie powder- 1 tsp
• lemon and cilantro

Procedure:

Pressure cook the chick peas, until soft but still holding its shape. Take about 1/4th cup of the cooked chick peas and make a puree out of it.

Take a skillet add four teaspoons of oil and add the cloves, cinnamon stick. Then add finely chopped onion and the ginger garlic paste. Cook the onion till it becomes soft,transulent and the raw smell goes away. Now add jeera,dhania, garam masala and red chillie powder. Cook for about thirty seconds then add the tomatoes. Once the tomato becomes soft add the cooked chick peas, puree,salt and half a cup of water. Close the lid and cook for about ten minutes until most of the water is absorbed and curry looks little thick. Finally add some fresh lemon juice and chopped cilantro.