Papdi Chaat ~ With fresh Veggies & Chaat Chutneys.

     This is a very refreshing snack, perfect for chill winter evening. This is similar to the Indian roadside snack - Thattu Vadai Set...Here I am not able to find the small thattais So I used  Papdi".  That's why the title Papadi Chaat. Also I used green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney. Very good n yummy with fresh carrots n beets..You can't stop with just one or two.  You can find these Papdis in any Indian grocery store.

Thayir Vadai/Dahi Vada

Ingredients

1. Urad dal   1 cup
2. rice flour   1tsp
3. Curd    2 cups
4. Pepper corns    1/2- 1 tsp
5. Shredded Carrot    1/4 cup
6. Coriander leaves     few finley chopped
7. Bhoondi      1/2 tbsp(optional)
8. Salt    as needed
9. Oil    for deep frying

To temper

• Oil   1 tsp
• Mustard seeds     1/4 tsp
• Urad dal    1/2 tsp
• ginger     2tsp(finely chopped)
• Green chillies    1-2 (finely chopped)
• Hing     a pinch

Method

1. Soak urad dal for 1-2 hrs and grind it to a smooth fluffy paste with pepper corns and very little water.
2. then transfer the grounded urad dal batter to a bowl,add enough salt and 1-2 tsp rice flour and mix well 
3. Heat oil in a wok (for deep frying),Wet your  palm with water ,take a lemon size ball and flatten it slightly and make a hole in center using  your finger and drop gently in to the hot oil.
4. Fry in medium flame until light golden brown on both sides.
5. In a wide bowl take some hot water and add little salt , mix well and keep aside.
6. Now transfer the hot fried vadas to the Hot Water and soak it for 30 minutes.
7. Meanwhile temper the curd with tempering ingredients and add enough salt and mix well.
8. And after 30 minutes,take a bowl pour tempered curd (should be little thin) and add the soaked vadas and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the time to serve.
9. Take the soaked vadas from the fridge just 10-15 minutes before you serve and Serve the chilled Dahi/thayir vadas with some shredded carrots and bhoondi on top 

Notes:
Beat the curd/yogurt well before tempering.
Water should be hot not boiling hot.
Drain the water from the soaked vadas completely using colander or slotted laddle and add it to the curd.

Tiffin Sambar / Hotel Style Tiffin Sambar

       This sambar is perfect for all tiffin items like idly, dosa, vadai, pongal, uthaappam, rava dosa, upma, masal dosa, sambar vadai n etc. For authentic taste and flavor the sambar should be tempered with ghee. Tempering with ghee gives more & real taste of Hotel sambar. But I used oil, adding ghee is purely optional, ghee will enhance the richness and flavor but anyway with oil also sambar tastes great. A Must Try recipe!!!

Coriander Chutney / Cilantro Chutney

       A versatile chutney that can be served as sides or a dip with Pakora/Bhaji or as a sandwich spread or mix it wit pasta like a cilantro pesto pasta and even makes a comfort & filling meal with some hot plain rice & papad. Either way this cilantro chutney tastes great. Its an Indian style Cilantro Pesto with lots of flavor and taste. Coriander leaves/Cilantro  are rich in iron, minerals like phosphorous and also good source of antioxidants, Vitamin C & vitamin A. So its good to add this chutney at least weekly once to your diet.
 My kid's  favorite chutney. He like this this chutney very much. Its easy for me to feed him with this chutney, he never troubles me. This chutney goes well with idly,dosa,pongal,chapathi,puri and white rice also. I added less coconut you can also add little more.

Simple Vanilla Cake Recipe / Vanilla Sponge Cake Recipe

            This is a simple vanilla sponge cake Recipe. The recipe requires simple basic ingredients and method and the result is a spongy soft and yummy vanilla cake. You can serve this cake as a plain tea cake as a snack along with some chai/coffee or serve it with desired frosting and serve as a Dessert. Either way the cake tastes delicious.
Other Variations - This recipe can be made rich with adding mixed nuts, tutty-fruity, dry fruits etc on the top or mixed with cake batter also.

Chayote Thogayal / Chow Chow Paruppu Thogayal / Chayote lentil Chutney

       This is little different from regular paruppu thogayal...very simple, easy and tasty recipe. This thogayal does not need coconut and is prepared only with Chayote squash or chow chow & lentils.  Fiber rich, low calorie condiment that pairs well with plain rice, Variety rice and also with Idli/Dosa. 

Rava Semiya Khichdi / Rava Vermicelli Khichdi / Vegetable Rava Khichdi

This is one wholesome and delicious breakfast, i usually make this khichdi once in a month for our weekend breakfast. Generally my H doesn't like upma both rava n vermicelli but he too love this khichdi, this tastes great with coconut chutney. If u haven't tried this combo just give it a try n let me know h it turned out to u :)