Yam Kebabs (Suran Kebabs)

Courtesy : Mom
A great starter or side-dish for rice, this recipe takes a little more effort compared to my other dishes. And the effort does gives a great result at the end.

You'll need :

• Chana dal : 1/2 cup
• Suran or Yam : 1 1/2 cups (finely chopped)
• Onion : 1/2 cup (sliced)
• Ginger : 1 1/2 tsp (grated)
• Garlic : 2 cloves (chopped)
• Green chillies : 2 (chopped)
• Mint or pudina : 1/4 cup (chopped)
• Chaat masala : 1tbsp
• Garam masala : 1/4tsp
• Oil for cooking : 3tbsp
• Salt as per taste
• Oil for grilling
• Water as required

Method:

• Heat 1tbsp of oil in a pan, add the chana dal and saute it till it gives a nice aroma.
• Cool and grind the chana dal to a powder. Keep aside.
• In another pan, heat the remaining 2tbsp of oil and saute the onions, ginger, garlic and green chillies till the onions turn translucent.
• Add the yam/suran and cook over a slow flame for 5-7 minutes. 
• Add 1/2 cup of water and cover and cook till the yam/suran is soft and all the moisture has evaporated.
• Cool and grind to a paste along with the mint without using any water.
• Combine the chana dal powder, suran mixture, chaat masala, garam masala and salt and mix well.
• Divide into 4 equal portions and shape them into kebabs/ cutlets.
• Shallow fry till they are lightly browned on all sides.
• Serve hot with green chutney and onion rings.

Paneer Capsicum

Courtesy : Mom
An another delicacy learnt from Mom. The aroma itself speaks a lot about its taste. Try this quick side-dish for rotis/pulav and you'll love it.

You'll need :

• Paneer : 500gm (diced) 
• Capsicum : 1cup (diced) 
• Tomatoes : 2nos 
• Green chillies : 3-4 
• Garlic : 2-3 cloves
• Ginger : 1-inch slice
• Jeera : 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric pwd : 1/2 tsp
• Oil : 1tbsp
• Salt to taste

Method :

• Grind together the tomatoes, green chillies, garlic and ginger .
• Heat oil in a pan, add jeera and let it splutter.
• Add the ground tomato masala, turmeric powder and saute for few mins, till it leaves oil.
• Add the diced paneer, capsicums and salt to taste and mix well. 
• Cover cook for some time or till the paneer is tender.
• Paneer Capsicum is ready to serve!!! 

Fried Chicken

Courtesy : Manju
This Fried Chicken is as good as any KFCs. Tried, tested and is finger lickin' goood!!!!!!

You'll need :

• Chicken : 1/2kg
• Red chilli pwd : 2tbsp
• Turmeric pwd : 1tsp
• Ginger-garlic paste : 1tsp
• Chicken/Meat Masala : 1tsp
• Soya Sauce: 1tbsp
• Lemon juice : 1tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Egg : 2
• Bread Crumbs : 2cups (5-6 bread slices powdered in a processor)
• Oil for deep frying

Method :

• Clean and cut the chicken such that, you retain the two leg pieces but chuck-out the bones from the remaining chicken. Mark slant-cuts on the leg pieces.
• Now marinate the Chicken pieces with all the Spices and salt from the above list and refrigerate for  2-3hrs. (I usually marinate and refrigerate overnite. Makes my job the next day a lot easier.)
• Now place the marinated chicken in a wide pan and cover cook on medium heat for 10-15mins or till the chicken becomes tender from inside.(Do not completely fry and cook at this stage. You just need to par cook them).
• Meanwhile, in one bowl, beat the eggs with little salt and keep aside.
• In another bowl, keep the bread crumbs ready.
• Heat oil for deep frying.
• Once the chicken is tender from inside, take them out one @ a time and directly dip them into the bowl of egg 1st, then roll them into bread crumbs till completely covered and quickly deep fry till light-golden colour.
• Your Fried Chicken is ready..!!!

Gulab Jamun Cheese Cake

Courtesy : Mom
This is a no-baking cake and tastes Heaven with all those Gulab Jamuns!! A unusual combo for Gulab Jamun lovers like me, this has the best taste when eaten cold.

You'll need :

• Plain Round Sponge cake : 1 (for the base cake)
• Gulab Jamuns : 1tin (10-15 in nos.)
• Icing Sugar : 1cup
• Fresh Cream : 1tsp
• Unsalted Butter : 2-3tsp
• Grated Cheese : 1/2cup
• Vanilla essence : 1tsp

Method :

• In a bowl, whip together the icing sugar (I have used here Pillsbury's ready-made creamy icing sugar), Fresh Cream, butter, grated cheese and vanilla essence, till you get soft and creamy texture. The cream, butter and cheese will help lower down the sweetness of the icing sugar. 
• Slice the Sponge Cake horizontally to get to two round cakes (Here I made the sponge cakes using Pillsbury cooker Sponge Cake Mix, you can use the readily available sponge cakes too.)
• Spread the cheese and icing creamy mix on top of one cake slice.
• Arrange few Gulab jamuns on top of this mixture, pressing them down firm.
• Spread the cheese and icing mixture again on top of this and press down with the other slice of the cake.
• Slowly press down on the edges to seal them.
• Spread the remaining cheese and icing sugar mixture on top of the cake and place few sliced gulab jamuns on top of it.
• Refrigerate it for 4-5hrs. 
• Cut and serve immediately. 

PS : Always keep the remaining cake (if any) in fridge only. Do not keep outside for longer period.

French Cucumber Sandwich

Courtesy : Mom
This another easy sandwich has been our favs during picnics and trips. Ready in jiffy, this one requires the least no.of the ingredients to prepare.

You'll need :

• Bread slices : 6
• Mint leaves : 1cup (finely chopped)
• Coriander leaves : 1cup (finely chopped)
• Cucumber : 1cup (finely sliced)
• Butter : 2-3tsp

Method :

• In a bowl, tip in the butter, finely chopped fresh mint leaves and coriander leaves and mix well.
• Spread it on one side of each bread slice.
• Place a few sliced cucumbers on 3 bread slices and sandwich them with the remaining bread slices.
• Voila!!! Your French Cucumber Sandwich is ready!!!