Sweet Potato Parata

It was a normal end of the day and time to cook dinner.Thinking of what I should do(everyday and night..Poor planning!) came up with a idea of doing Parata, since my hubby loves it. Other than Monday and Thursday,where I grade for Kumon Kids, I am free on other days and can make something hot and delicious. Who doesn't like hot food on a Snowy weather...

Potato ,Gobi and Avacado Parathas are a usual one but Sweet potato is something different to try and was very desperate to taste it. Recently I bought Microwavable Sweet Potato in the Potato aisle section. Believe it or not, sweet potato cooked in just 6 minutes in Microwave which ease your job than cook in the cooker.But if you can't find the Microwavable one, you can buy the normal sweet potato and cook it in either Tawa/Cooker. Along with that, I made leftover Sweetpotato Cucumber Raita which tasted Heavenly with Home made Tomato Pickle.Awesome combination,it was. To my surprise, the parathas were so soft just like Phulkas and consumption was more from my dear family.Also, this sweet potato has to be mixed with Atta/Wheat Flour and became soft dough...I was quite skeptical about the result but came out very beautifully and tasted delicious too.

Ingredients:


Sweet Potato - 1 (half only used)
Whole Wheat Flour/Atta- 1.5 cups
Turmeric/Haldi- 1/2tsp
Coriander powder- 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder- 1 tsp( I added more to subsidize the sweetness of the potato)
Kasuri Methi- little pinch
Garam Masala- a pinch
Salt and oil


Method:


1) As per the instruction of the Microwave Sweet Potato, Microwave it for 5-6 minutes and wait for 2 minutes to cool down.As soon as you take it from the microwave you can see the cooked potato and later, mash it well with a fork.If you dont have Microwavable,you can substitute with Normal sweet potato cooked and mashed in the cooker.

2)Mix all the dry ingredients, Coriander Powder,Turmeric Powder,Red Chilli Powder,Kasuri Methi,Garam Masala and add the cooked mashed potato along with this.

3)Add little water just enough to knead and make sure you dont add more water ,otherwise, the dough becomes too soft.

4)Rest for 5 minutes .


After the dough is rested, you can take soft small balls and start rolling out in to a circle shape just like phulkas. Make sure, you roll it softly otherwise, you might break the dough and keep repeating the stuff.

I served Sweet Potato Parathas with Cucumber Sweet Potato Raita and Tomato Pickle.

Calzone...at my Kitchen Zone

Sandwich sized Calzone are often sold at Italian /Pizza places .Not only they are very easy to eat but I bet it was very easy to prepare .Those are the days where we venture out for something special to eat other than rice and rotis..and here comes the home made with our lovely hands. With love being an ingredient in home made, it sure make the dish delicious. You could cram the dough full of vegetables and cheese baked in the oven and crave for some more...

Being inspired by the Spicy treats and with little addition from my side, I have altered the dish ( just the part about the veggies) and made it simple. For those who have no idea about making something out of All Purpose Flour/Maida , this is the best recipe to try. I have been on this page where I dont know to make chapathis or anything, and being now to try this recipe was quite rewarding for me.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• All Purpose Flour - 1 and 1/4 cup
• Whole Wheat Flour - 1 and 1/4 cup
• Yeast - 1 package active dry yeast or 2tsp
• Sugar- 1tsp
• Salt & Water - needed
• Oil - 1tsp

Method

1) In a bowl add yeast and sugar mixed with warm water.Wait till 2- 3 minutes .

2)You can add all the dry and wet ingredients which will become like big dough.

3)Keep this dough rested in a bowl for about 60 minutes. For the best, I waited for 2 hours.



Meanwhile, we can start making the vegetables which we are going to stuff inside this calzone pocket.

Ingredients:

• Frozen Mixed vegetables(carrots,Red Pepper,Brocolli) - 1.5 cups
• Turmeric/haldi - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1 tsp
• Salt and oil as needed

Method:

1) In a vessel, Add all the frozen vegetables with masalas and stir fry it. As soon as the vegetables get ready, you can swtich off the flame and start assembling the vegetables inside the dough which is already double in size.

These are the ingredients, need to be stuffed inside the dough.

Ingredients

• Onions
• Bell Pepper
(Dint have those)
• Mozarella cheese
• Prego Pizza /Pasta Sauce - as needed
• Water - 4 tsp
• Milk or oil - Brush

Method


1) Once the dough has risen, punch down the air and make medium sized balls.

2) Take a ball and round in to circle shape just like the phulkas/roti.

3) Put the Prego sauce and the vegetables ,Onion on it.

4) Add some cheese and wet the edges around the dough. Make it like a semicircle by folding it and press it around the edges with a fork .Also dont forget to brush it with some milk or oil on top and prick with fork on top.

5)Keep repeating the whole process till you are done with the dough.

6)Bake on 375 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes.

Serve Hot with Sauce.


I did the same thing without vegetables for my daughter! She liked it. For picture perfect explanation you can visit Spicy Treats.

First attempt ...Rava Kesari

Ho Ho!! Its friday and comes the release of Vishwaroopam in US Theatres..Poor guy, his film always ends up in trouble!

Remember the feeling, when we try to do something and that never gets us ...Thats how its  for me whenever i think of doing traditional south indian sweet recipe. I am always scared when using Vellam/Jaggery in my cooking for the result of those dishes doesnt come good. I am pretty sure I have tried quite a number of recipes involving sugar /Jaggery in my past 7 yrs of marriage but in vain. Also, its very difficult to earn a good critic from my hubby dear. But this time, I made a promise to myself that whatever it is, I will try my level best to improvise my dish by trying several times, and Now I did with my very first attempt for Rava Kesari. Though, I am not regular in my posting my recipes, but has never stopped in looking for one.

Every friday, there will always be Durgai poojai along with Lakshmi astotram. Some neiveidiyam is done on Friday. With the help of Rak's Kitchen pictures, got clear idea of how to do it briefly. Thank you Rak's Kitchen for the beautiful pictures explaining in detail.

Since its first time, I did it in small quantity which almost yielded 1 cup totally.

Ingredients :

Rava/Semolina : 1/3 cup
Water : 1 cup
Sugar : 1/3 cup( I added same as the rava, but if you like more sugar, you can by appx : 1/2 cup)
Orange color- Pinch
Ghee- 2 tsp
For garnishing: Raisins and Almond Flakes

Method:
1) Fry Rava/Semolina in a table spoon of ghee in kadai for about 3 mts till you get a nice aroma.
2) Keep aside in a vessel and pour the water and wait till it boils.
3) Add a pinch of orange colour and start pouring Rava and stir it continously. Make sure the heat is low- medium. Once you know its cooked ,happens in appx 5-10 mts, you can add sugar.
To check whether rava is cooked: Wet your hand and try touching the rava,It should not stick Make a ball and see for the texture
4) Add Sugar and keep stirring till you find the kesari dont stick to the sides of the pan.
5) You can pour in another vessel and garnish the Raising and Almond Flakes in little ghee.

Tadaaaa! Yummy Delicious Rava Kesar is Ready for Neividiyam.

Home Made Chocolates in 10 Minutes

Not being a regular blogger though doesn't mean am not trying new recipes. I have become very lazy to write up in my blog. I couldn't stop craving for some sweet things as soon as I had my lunch or dinner. Couldnt stop having the store bought chocolates which contains Gelatin and other stuffs which will harm our tummy. So my hubby bought up an idea of doing something at home,which I couldnt take it as I thought making chocolates at home is very difficult.Never knew until I saw 4thsensecookingthat chocolates are very easy and healthy too :)

Here is the recipe of 10 minutes chocolates inspired from Simple Home Made Chocolates from 4th sense cooking. Thank you dear.
Ingredients:
Cocoa powder - 1/4 cup
Milk powder - 1.6 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
water - 1/2 cup
Butter - 1/4 cup
Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
Nuts and raisins

Method:-
1) Take sugar and water in a pan and allow it boil for few minutes till you get a 1 string consistency . This will take 5-9 minutes.
2)Remove from fire and add butter to it.Also add Milk Powder,Cocoa Powder and Vanilla Essence with the nuts and raisins.
3) Take a baking tray and pour the above mixture using spatula.
After keeping in Fridge- Freezer (whatever u feel like) you can cut in to square shapes which I failed because of the pan I chose. So you can choose a nice rectangular tray and try or yourself.
Home Made Yummy Chocolates served to your tummy...

P.S: Sorry the shape of the chocolate was not perfect!!!! but tasted yummy