A Chef's Melody

 What do you need 3 leftover chapatis/rotis 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter 1 tsp ghee 1  tbsp powdered sugar What you need to do Tear the chapatis into small pieces and pulse it through the blender couple of times till they form a coarse powder. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix everything well. Make small balls as per your preference and let it sit aside for 30 mins before serving. Notes: The chapatis must be cooked at least 7-8 hours before preparing this recipe. This recipe does not work well for fresh chapatis. For peanut allergy: You can skip the peanut butter and increase the ghee by 1 tsp. Add 1/8 tsp cardamom powder to enhance the taste. Can be stored for a couple of days refrigerated.

What do you need 3 cup Besan/Chickpea flour 2 & 1/2 tbsp oil 1 tsp red chili powder 1/2 tsp carom seeds,crushed 1/2 tsp cumin powder 1/4 tsp asafoetida (Hing) 1/4 tsp turmeric powder salt to taste Oil to deep fry What you need to do Sieve the besan to avoid any lumps. Take 2 & 1/2 tbsp oil in large bowl.Add salt ,red chilli powder,carom seeds cumin powder,asafoetida, turmeric. Add 2 tbsp water in it and beat it vigorously with beater or spoon for few minutes It helps to make shev lighter and more crispy. Then add besan in above mixture and mix it well. Add sufficient amount of water and prepare a medium soft dough. Cover this dough with lid and allow to rest it for 10-15 minutes. After 10 minutes ,take a shev maker and grease little oil inside it. Wet palm with water and take some portion of dough in palm.Fill it properly in the shev maker and close the shev maker. Heat oil in a pan on medium flame. Prepare a shev directly in hot oil with Shev maker. Deep fry shev on me...

 What do you need 3 cups whole wheat flour(atta) 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 3/4 cup ghee 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cardamom powder oil for deep frying What you need to do In a pot,add the water,sugar,ghee and let it simmer until the sugar dissolves completely. Transfer this mixture to a large plate to cool. When the mixture is warm,add the salt and cardamom powder.Mix everything well. Add the wheat flour in batches and mix till the mixture form a dough ball. Let this rest for 15 mins. Divide this dough into 6 small balls.Take one of this ball and roll it out into a thick chapati.Cut small squares out of the dough by making horizontal and vertical cut on this dough 1/2 inch apart. Spread these squares on a plate and let them dry for 15 mins.Repeat this process with other dough balls. Heat oil in a kadhai,when hot ,reduce the heat to medium and fry these squares in batches for 6-8 mins or until they are light golden.Drain and transfer onto a tissue paper. Let the cool completely before stori...

  What do you need 2 cups packed jaggery powder 24 oz jar Kirkland canned peaches 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1.5 cups whole wheat flour(Atta/chappati flour) 1.5 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup flavorless oil 1 cup plain yogurt 1/8 tsp salt 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 tsp white vinegar What you need to do Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan).  Melt butter in a pot and stir in 1 cup jaggery and bring to a boil,stirring frequently.Continue boiling for 1 minute.Pour into a lightly greased 9x13"pan. Drain the jar of canned peaches and reserve the liquid.Arrange the peaches on the butter jaggery mixture. In a bowl,whip oil and 1 cup  packed powdered jaggery until smooth.Add yogurt and again whip for another minute. In a separate bowl,sift whole wheat flour,baking soda,baking powder,and salt twice. Add this dry mix in batches to the jaggery-yogurt-oil mix ,fold gently to form a lump free batter.If the batter is thick add couple of tbsp of the reserved ...

  What do you need 1 1/4 cup All Purpose flour/Maida 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup flavorless oil 1 cup milk,at room temperature 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda a pinch of salt What you need to do Preheat the oven to 350 deg F. Grease a 8 inch baking pan with oil and line the bottom with a parchment paper. In a bowl,add condensed milk,sugar,milk,and oil and whisk everything to make a homogeneous batter.(Wet ingredients) Place a sieve on a separate bowl and sift the all purpose flour,baking soda,salt,and baking powder. Slowly add this dry ingredients mix to the wet ingredients and whisk everything together to make a smooth batter. Transfer this batter to the greased baking pan.Tap the pan a couple of times on the counter to release any air bubbles.Bake for 25-30 mins or until a toothpick when inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and let the cake cool completely.Run ...

What do you need  2 cup Besan/Chickpea flour 1 tbsp oil 1 tbsp ginger-green chili paste 1 1/2 tsp citric acid 2 cup water 2 1/2 tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp Eno fruit salt(flavorless/plain version) For tempering 1 tbsp mustard seeds 2 spring curry leaves 2 sliced green chilies 1 tbsp white sesame seeds 6 tbsp sugar 1/8 tsp salt 1/4 tsp asafoetida/hing 1 cup water 1/8 cup finely chopped cilantro(for garnishing) 3 tbsp lemon juice(optional) What you need to do Sift the besan into a bowl. In another bowl,add water,oil,citric acid,sugar,salt and mix well until the sugar is dissolved. Add the besan in batches and mix simultaneously with a whisk to avoid lumps. Add the ginger-green chili paste. Put water is the steamer,let it boil. Add soda and eno to the batter.Mix well and transfer to a grease 9" thali. Steam in the steamer for 15 mins on high and 10 mins on simmer. Remove the plate from the steamer.Let the dhokla cool for 5 mins. Hear a tadka pan,add oil.When the oil is hot,a...

What do you need 1 cup atta/whole wheat chappati flour 1/2 cup oats flour 1/3 cup ghee at room temperature 1/3 cup sugar/fine jaggery powder 1/4 cup crushed nuts 1 tbsp ginger powder 1/4 tsp baking soda  1/4 cup milk,at room temperature What you need to do Sift the wheat flour,oats flour,baking soda, and ginger powder into a large bowl. In another bowl,add the ghee and sugar and whisk it until well incorporated. Slowly add the flour mixture,crushed nuts and mix everything well. Add the milk a tbsp at a time to form a dough.Do not over knead the dough. Roll the dough into a log and wrap it in a aluminum foil/cling wrap. Refrigerate for an hour. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F.Grease a cookie sheet with oil. Cut 1/2 inch disc out of the log.Place them on the cookie sheet 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 16-18 mins. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container.

What do you need 1 cup fine sooji 1 cup yogurt,whisked 1 tbsp ginger green chili paste 1 tsp sugar salt to taste 1/4 tsp turmeric powder(optional) 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp unflavored eno/baking soda For tempering 1 tbsp oil 10 curry leaves 1 tsp mustard seeds 1/8 tsp asafoetida/hing 1 tsp sesame seed 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 green chili,slit 1/8 tsp salt 2 tbsp sugar 1/3 cup water 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro for garnishing What you need to do In a large bowl,mix sooji,yogurt,ginger chili paste,sugar,salt,and turmeric and set aside for 15 mins. Meanwhile,get the steamer ready. After 15 mins,check the batter if it is too dry,add couple of tablespoons of water.The batter should be of the same consistency as idli batter.Add the eno and 1 tbsp of lemon juice.Mix well and immediately transfer it to a greased plate and steam on high for 18-20 mins or until the toothpick when inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the dhokla from the steamer and cool for 5 ...

What do you need 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup almond butter 1/2 cup finely chopped pitted dates 2 tbsp chia seeds 2 tbsp toasted desiccated coconut 1/4 cup ground flaxseed 1/3 cup raw unfiltered honey/agave/maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla extract What you need to do Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Roll out teaspoon sized balls and place them onto the baking sheet. Refrigerate for an hour. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

Ingredients 3/4 cup whole wheat flour(see note) 1/2 cup instant oats 1/4 cup butter,melted 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 tsp powdered cinnamon 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp baking powder 1-2 tbsp milk What you need to do Sift the whole wheat flour,baking soda,cinnamon and baking soda.Add the oats. In a large bowl,cream the butter and sugar. Slowly fold in the flour mixture the creamed butter. Add the milk as required so that the mixture comes together and can be rolled in ball. Take 1 tbsp of the mixture and roll it between your palms to make a ball and slightly flatten it. Place the balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 deg F for 18-20 mins. Let it cool for atleast 15 mins before you handle it for either serving or storing. Note: I have used Indian atta to make these cookies. Cooking time will vary as per the thickness of the cookies. Variation: Add chocolate chips  to the cookies to make them instant hit among k...

Ingredients 1 cup Besan (sieved) 1 1/2 tbsp Sooji 1 tbsp ginger chili paste 1 cup water a pinch of turmeric 1 tsp salt 3 tsp sugar 1 tbsp oil 1 1/2 tbsp eno fruit salt For tempering 1 tsp mustard seeds 1/2 tsp hing 1 tsp sesame seeds 5 -6 curry leaves torn into pieces 2 tbsp oil 1/8 cup water 2 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp lemon juice Method Get the steamer ready for steaming-Fill it with enough water,place an inverted thali at the bottom cover the lid and turn the heat on. Grease a 8 -10 in deep thali for the dhokla. In a bowl,add the besan sugar,salt,turmeric and then add water little at a time to form a smmoth mixture. When the steamer is ready add the oil , the fruit salt,lemon juice and mix well.Immediately pour in the grease thali and steam for 10 mins. Remove from the steamer.Let it cool for 5 mins. Heat oil.when hot add hing mustard seeds when they splutter add sesame seeds,curry leaves and turn off the heat. Add the water,sugar,and salt. Mix and t...

What you need  filling 1 cup coconut powder 3/4 cup powdered jaggery 5-6 cardamom pods 1/4 cup almonds 1/4 cup cashews 1/4 cup golden raisins 1 tbsp poppy seeds Outer cover 1 cup all purpose flour 2 tbsp sooji 2 tbsp hot oil 1/8 tsp salt water to knead the dough oil to fry What you need to do In a pan roast the poppy seeds for 30 secs on medium low heat. Grind coconut powder,jaggery,cardamom seeds,almonds,cashews,raisins,and poppy seeds to a coarse powder. In a bowl,take the flour,sooji,salt and hot oil and mix well.Add water and make a smooth dough.Set aside for 20-30 mins. Make small ball of the dough and roll in to small puri.Add the filling and the center and seal the edges to form a semi circle.You can apply water or milk at the edge of the rolled dough to seal it better. Drop the karanji in hot oil and fry on medium heat until light golden. Once cooled store in airtight container.

What you will need 3 cups All purpose flour 1 cup fine sooji 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp salt 7-8 tbsp warm milk 4 tbsp ghee oil to deep fry What you need to do Grind the sugar to powder.In a bowl,add all purpose flour,sooji,sugar,vanilla,and salt.Mix well. Heat ghee until hot and add to the flour.Mix well until you get a bread crumbs like texture. Add milk and make a firm dough.Set aside for 30 mins. Make golf size ball of the dough and roll it to 1 cm thick roti. Heat oil to deep fry. Cut small squares and fry in oil in small batches.Drop the squares in hot oil and then lower the heat to medium and fry until golden. Cool and store in airtight container.

What do you need 3 cup rice flour 1 1/2 cup besan 8 tbsp oil (1/2 cup) 1 3/4 cup water 3/4 tsp turmeric powder 1 1/2 tsp ajwain seeds,crushed 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp red chili powder 1/2 tsp asafoetida 3 tbsp white sesame seeds oil to deep fry salt as per taste What you need to do In a bowl,add rice flour,besan,turmeric,ajwain,cumin seeds,sesame seeds,chili powder,asafoetida,and salt.Mix well. Heat the oil in a small pan until hot.Add the hot oil to the flour mix and mix well to form a breadcrumbs like texture. Boil water and add it in small quantity to the mix and make a firm dough.Set aside for 30 mins. Heat oil to deep fry.Divide the dough in small portions and place in the chakli maker and make chaklis. Drop the chaklis in hot oil and lower the heat to medium and fry until golden. Once cooled store it in an airtight container.

What you will need 2 cups dates 1/4 cup black raisins 1/4 cup pistachios,crushed 1/4 cup almonds,crushed 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds/cashews,crushed 1/4 cup desiccated coconut powder 1 tsp cardamom powder 1 tbsp milk 1 tsp unsalted butter/ghee aluminium foil What you need to do If the dates are dry,soak them in warm water for 30 mins and then continue with the recipe. Take the date and milk in a blender and blend for a min.The mixture should be chunky. In a heavy bottomed pan,add the butter and when it melts add the date milk mixture and cook for 2-3 mins or till the moisture evaporates. Add the coconut,raisins,nuts, and cardamom powder and cook till the mixture leaves the sides and comes together like a ball. Transfer the mixture in a plate to cool for 5 mins. Lightly knead and shape the mixture in a log. Roll the log in a foil and refrigerate for 4 hours. After 4 hours,remove from the refrigerator and cut in discs about 1 cm thick. Note: You may add a tablespoo...

Ingredients 1 cup +1 tbsp Unbleached All purpose flour 1/2 cup quick oats 1/3 cup light brown sugar 1 stick of salted butter 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip What you need to do In a bowl,cream the butter and sugar. Add vanilla extract and mix. In another bowl,mix in 1 cup flour,oat and baking soda. Add 1 tbsp of flour to the chocolate chip and toss. Add the flour mix and chocolate chips to the butter-sugar mixture and form a soft dough. Roll the dough to form a log and wrap in with a plastic wrap and refrigerate  for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F.Cut 1 inch thick disc out of the cookie log and line them on the baking sheet 1.5 inches apart. Bake for 18 mins. Once cooled to room temperature store in airtight container. Makes 18 cookies

Ingredients 4 leftover chappatis 2-3 tbsp sugar 1/4 tsp cardamom powder 1 tbsp ghee,at room temperature What you need to do Roughly tear the chappatis and pulse them in the blender/food processor along with the sugar to make a course powder. In a bowl,add the prepared powder,cardamom powder and ghee. Mix together and form small ball/ladoos. Note A day old chappati works better than fresh chappati. You could add dry fruits powder to these ladoos too. Makes 3 to 6 depending on the size

Ingredients 5 slices of white sandwich bread 2 large eggs,at room temperature 1 tsp ginger garlic paste 1/2 tsp chilli powder 1 tbsp cilantro,finely chopped 1/4 tsp garam masala 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 3-4 tbsp of oil salt to taste What you need to do  Cut each bread in 4 equal squares. In a bowl,lightly beat the eggs.Add the ginger-garlic paste,turmeric,cilantro,garam masala,salt and mix well. Heat a skillet,brush it with a tbsp of oil. Dip each bread square in the egg batter one at a time so that it is coated well from all sides with the egg batter and place it on the skillet.Do not overcrowd the pan.Place the squares 1 inch apart. Let it cook on one side for 2 mins.Then flip it and cook the other side for another 2 mins.Cook on medium low heat.Use oil as necessary. Serve hot with ketchup. Variation Add finely chopped onion to the egg batter. Substitute chilli powder with green chilli paste.

Ingredients 1 cup All Purpose flour 1/4 cup oil 1/4 cup water 2 tbsp crushed kasoori methi 1/2 tsp chilli powder 1/4 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp ajwain (optional) salt as per taste oil for frying What you need to do Heat 2 tbsp of oil,when warm add the kasoori methi,chilli powder,turmeric and salt.Saute for 30 secs. In a bowl,add flour,the above mixture,ajwain and remaining oil and mix well.Using water form a hard consistency dough. Cover and rest the dough for 30 mins. Make small balls of the dough. Roll each into a thick roti and cut out shankarpali( diamond shape) using a knife. Heat oil for frying.Fry the cut diamond on a medium heat until golden. When cooled,store in an airtight container. Note: You can sprinkle some chaat masala on the still warm shankarpali.

Ingredients 1 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour/Atta 1/2 cup+1 tbsp sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 medium carrots,grated 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp cinnamon(optional) 1/4 cup oil 3/4 cup plain yogurt 1/4 cup milk 1/8 tsp salt 2 tbsp chopped walnuts,coated lightly with 1/2 tsp of plain flour/maida What you need to do Preheat the oven to 350 deg F and line the muffin pan with cupcake liners. Dry mix -Sift the wheat flour,baking powder,baking soda,salt and cinnamon. In a large bowl,add yogurt,milk,sugar,vanilla and oil and mix until smooth. Slowly incorporate the dry mix to form a lump-free batter. Gently fold in the carrots. Spoon the batter in the liners until 3/4th full. Garnish each muffin with some walnuts. Pat the muffin tray couple of times to release air bubbles,if any. Bake for 20 mins. Switch off the oven and let it stand for another 2 mins. Remove and cool on the wire rack. Stays good in a air tight container at room temperature for ...