Hara Bhara Kabab - Diwali Special Healthy Snacks

Hara Bhara kabab is a vegetarian kabab made from green peas, paneer, spinach, gram flour, bread crumbs and Indian spices. You can deep-fry or shallow fry them on a tawa. These are very popular in North Indian Snack Platters and healthy too. 

Ingredients:

• Green peas - 1 cup
• Spinach (chopped) - 1/2 cup
• Paneer (grated)  - 1/2 cup
• Gram flour / Besan - 1 tsp
• Bread crumbs - 1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Roasted cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Cashew nuts 
• Oil for shallow fry

Process:

1. To start with, make a smooth paste with peas and spinach. Transfer to a Mixing bowl.

2. Add all the ingredients and make a dough. Take small pieces and give the shape of kabab. 

3. Put a cashew nut on the top, shallow fry both the sides until crispy. Serve hot with ketchup.

P.S. The recipe video is there on my Instagram and Youtube pages. Do check it out @romisrecipe

Chicken Cutlet / Chop

Rainy season comes with a lot of cravings. Good food is wise medicine and can save you from a lot of infections that commonly affect the digestion system in the rain. Moreover, home made foods are always the BEST, isn't it? 

Lets make these tasty and tempting Chicken Cutlets, the simplest chicken recipe for monsoon cravings. These cutlets are perfect for parties or any get-togethers. And you can either shallow fry them or air fry (as per your wish). 

Ingredients:

1. Minced chicken - 200 grams
2. Onion - 1 finely chopepd
3. Garlic - 1/2 tsp fine chopped
4. Green chillies - 2 or as per taste
5. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp 
6. Meat Masala powder - 1/2 tsp 
7. Kashmiri red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp 
8. Salt as per taste
9. Ginger paste - 1/3 tsp
10. Coriander leaves 
11. Potatoes - 2 (boiled and mashed)
12. Bread crumbs - for coating
13. Oil - for shallow fry

Process:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add Chopped garlic and chillies, sauté for a minute and add the minced chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes and then add chopped onion, and powder spices. Mix everything properly and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add ginger paste, mix well, cover and cook till chicken is done properly. Remove from heat, add coriander leaves and let the mixture cool down. 

2. In a mixing bowl, add the chicken mixture, boiled potatoes and bread crumbs. Mix everything together. 

3. Make small balls from the chicken mixture and shape them into cutlets or chops (cylindrical shapes) whichever you wish to. 

4. In a small bowl, add one egg and pinch of salt, mix well. Once all the cutlets are ready, dip them (one by one) into the egg mixture and carefully roll them in bread crumbs. You can also keep these chicken cutlets in fridge for frying later.

5. Heat oil in a frying pan and shallow fry both the sides until they turn golden brown. Drain the cutlets on kitchen towel and repeat the same process for the remaining cutlets. SERVE hot with tomato ketchup.

P.S. The recipe is there on my Instagram and Youtube pages. Do check it out @romisrecipe

Steamed Papad Tadka Rolls

Steamed Papad Tadka Rolls - Lip-smacking snack which is a perfect combination of health and taste to enjoy.

Ingredients:

Papad - 3-4
Besan (Gram flour) - 2-3 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Kashmiri red chilli powder - 1/ 2 tsp
Chaat masala - 1/2 tsp
Kasuri methi - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
White sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves
Sunflower Oil 

Process:

1.In a bowl, add all the dry ingredients, add water and make a paste. 
2.Brush water in the papad and apply the ready paste on one side of the papad. Roll it.
3.In a steamer, place all the rolls (do not overcrowd the pan)  and steam for 6-7 minutes.
4.Remove from the steamer and cut the roll into small bite size pieces.
5.In a tempering pan, add 1/2 tsp of oil, add mustard and sesame seeds along with curry leaves. Add the dry spices (chilli powder, turmeric, chaat masala and salt). 
6.Mix well and add the papad pieces. Simmer for 1 minute and add fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot. 

P.S. The recipe reel is up on my Instagram page. Check it out @romisrecipe

ACHARI ALOO CHAT (Potato Chaat)

Achari aloo is a very popular snack recipe and one of my favourite. The best way to enjoy potatoes is to make this spicy Achari aloo chaat and it can be ready so quickly with a few ingredients.

Ingredients

1. Baby potatoes - 10-12
2. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
3. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
4. Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
5. Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
6. Hing 1/3 tsp
7. Nigella seeds - 1/2 tsp
8. Dry red chilli - 1
9. Coriander leaves
10. Mumbai Sev / bhujia - 2-3 tsp
11. Curd - 2 tsp
12. Green chutney
13. Tamarind chutney
14. Oil
15. Salt to taste

Process

1. To start with, dry roast the cumin seeds and all other seeds mentioned in the ingredients along with dry red chilli. Grind into powder, not very fine powder.

2. Boil the baby potatoes and cool it down and remove skin. Make small dots using a tooth pick or fork. 

3. Now heat oil in a pan and add mustard oil. Heat up the oil and add potatoes and fry them for 2-3 minutes. Once they are properly fried add this prepared masala and cook for few more minutes. You can serve this Achari aloo with roti paratha also.

4. For making the chaat, place the Achari aloo on a serving dish, spread curd, green chutney (recipe on my blog), tamarind chutney (recipe on my blog) and Mumbai sev. Serve immediately.

POHA CUTLET || CHIRER CHOP

Chire or flattened rice or poha is rice which has been beaten into flat light dry flakes. It is an easily digestible form of raw rice which swells when liquids are added to it. It is a breakfast staple in several states in Eastern India. If flattened rice is not a staple in your pantry, simply replace it with left over rice or grain that absorbs liquid well, and you will have a delightful snack to serve at tea time. 

Ingredients

1. Poha or Flattened rice - 2/3 cup
2. Onion - 1 chopped
3. Ginger - 1/2 inch finely chopped
4. Coriander leaves - finely chopped
5. Potato - 1 (boiled and mashed)
6. Green chilli - 1-2 finely chopped
7. Salt to taste
8. Chat masala - 1/2 tsp
9. Breadcrumbs 
10. Oil for frying

Process

1. Wash poha two to three times, drain off the water and keep aside. 

2. Add mashed potato, onion, ginger, coriander leaves, green chilli, salt and chat masala to the poha and mix them well.

3. Make small cutlet sized balls and place them in a plate. 

4. In a plate, place breadcrumbs. Once all the cutlets are shaped, cover them with breadcrumbs properly and keep aside, they are now ready to fry.

5. Heat the oil in a frying pan. When the oil is hot enough reduce the heat and drop the cutlets. Cook them over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until they look golden brown on either side.

6. Serve hot with ketchup or any tangy chutney of your choice.

Moong Sprout Cutlets

The Moong sprout cutlet recipe is a healthy, tasty and diabetic friendly cutlets made with sprouted green moong dal with mashed potatoes and onions that can be served as a healthy and light evening snack.

Ingredients 

1. Green moong sprouts - 2 cups
2. Potato - 1 boiled and mashed
3. Onions - 1/2 cup finely chopped
4. Coriander leaves 1/2 cup finely chopped
5. Ginger - 1 inch finely chopped
6. Green chilli - 2-3 finely chopped
7. Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
8. Dry roasted jeera (cumin) powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Salt to taste
10. Oil - for shallow fry the cutlets
11. Breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup
12. Cashew nuts - few for topping the cutlets (optional)

Process

1. To start with making these cutlets, there are two ways to use the moong sprouts. You can cook the sprouted moong dal in a pressure cooker using 1/3 cup of water and a pinch of salt, cook for 2 whistle and then mash them with the help of a masher. OR you can use a blender to make a coarse paste of the sprouted moong adding only chilli and pinch of salt and ginger. Both way it would be perfect. I have used coarse paste of sprouted moong for this cutlet.

2. Once the moong paste is ready, add mashed potato, salt, powder spices, green chilli, onions, coriander leaves, ginger and make a good textured dough.

3. Make small cutlets, you can give any shapes of your choice. In a plate, place breadcrumbs and cover nicely in the cutlets. Put cashew nut at the top of all the cutlets and they are ready to fry.

4. In a pan, add little oil and place cutlets. Fry in batches, do not overcrowd the pan. You can fry 3-4 cutlets at a time. Let them cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, on low medium flame. Once one side is crisp and golden brown, flip the cutlet and let the other side also cook the same way till crisp and golden brown. It will take around 8-9 minutes for making one batch. 

5. Once all the cutlets are golden brown, serve hot with any of your favorite dip or tomato ketchup or green chutney.

SPINACH CUTLET

Spinach Cutlet is quite similar to hara bhara kebabs, this is basically a vegetarian kebab recipe prepared with fresh and leafy vegetables, an easy alternative for all the kebab lovers. I have used spinach which gives a green colour to this kebab recipe and also the name. You can make this in 30 minutes and a perfect snack for evening time. 

Ingredients

1. Spinach - 1 bunch leaves
2. Oil - 2 tsp (for pan frying)
3. Green chilli - 2-3 (finely chopped)
4. Coriander leaves - finely chopped 2 tsp
5. Boiled & Mashed potatoes - 2 medium size
6. Breadcrumbs - 2 tsp
7. Kashmiri red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp (or as per your taste)
8. Cornflour - 1 tsp
9. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Aamchur powder - 1/2 tsp
11. Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
12. Salt to taste
13. Roasted peanuts - 1 tsp (optional)
14. Garlic - 1 tsp (finely chopped) - you can skip this if you are pure vegetarian
15. Jeera - 1/2 tsp

Process

1. Firstly, blanch the spinach and put them to the blender to make a coarse paste along with green chilli. Make sure you cool down the blanched spinach before putting them to the grinder.

2. In a frying pan, add 1 tsp oil, jeera and chopped garlic and saute for a minute and add the spinach puree. Saute till the moisture disappears.

3. In a mixing bowl, add this spinach, mashed potatoes and all the other ingredients and spices and give it a good mix. Add corn flour and breadcrumbs.

4. Grease hands with oil and make small cutlet, you can give any shape of your choice. Cover the cutlets with breadcrumbs and keep aside.

5. Take a frying pan and brush it with 1 tsp oil. Keep putting the cutlets on the pan and let them cook (one side) for 3-4 minutes over low medium flame, until crispy. Repeat the same with the other side. Once all are done keep them onto kitchen towel to drain the extra oil. Serve hot with your favorite choice of ketchup or any chutney.

Note - You can also deep fry the cutlets.

VEG SPRING ROLL

Vegetable Spring Rolls are very popular starter or snack that is served in Indo Chinese restaurants. These are perfect as a tea snack or for a weekend brunch. In India, you would see people enjoying these rolls with a cup of tea or coffee. You can make these rolls with ready made frozen sheets or home made wrappers. I have used ready made frozen sheets here and used paneer and some vegetables as stuffing.

Ingredients

1. Spring roll wrappers - 3-4 
2. Onions thinly sliced 1 medium 
3. Cabbage finely shredded 1/2 cup
4. Carrot 1 medium (cut into thin strips)
5. Green capsicum 1 medium (cut into thin strips)
6. Salt to taste
7. Oil 2 tsp
8. Black pepper powder 1/3 tsp
9. Soy sauce - 1 tsp
10. Coriander - finely chopped 1/3 cup
11. Cornflour - 1 tsp

Process

1. To make the stuffing, heat the oil, add onion and other vegetables and salt and toss. Add pepper powder, soy sauce and mix. Cook till the vegetables soften. Switch off the flame and keep aside to cool.

2. Make a paste of Cornflour with 2 tsp water.

3. Spread the spring roll wrappers on the pan and place 1 tsp of the stuffing mixture. Make this way for all the wrappers and fold in the edges and roll tightly.

4. Apply Cornflour paste to open end and seal. Keep the rolls under a damp cloth. Gently slide into the hot oil and deep fry till golden and crisp. Drain on absorbent paper and cut into small pieces and serve with your favorite chutney. 

Veggie Fingers

Veggie fingers is one of the most popular and attractive fast food, and most easiest one. It requires very less time for preparation and cooking. Delicious as well as healthy snack and you can use varieties of veggies of your choice or based on availability. Its always important to have veggies everyday for our health as veggie being the best source of proteins and vitamins. In this recipe of veggie fingers I have used potatoes, carrots, green peas and corns. Mixed vegetable mixture shaped into fingers, dipped in refined flour batter, rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fry, that simple it is. 

Ingredients

1. Boiled and mashed potatoes - 2
2. Grated carrots - 1/2 cup
3. Green peas - 1/3 cup (blenched)
4. Corn -1/3 cup (blenched)
5. Salt to taste
6. Corn Flour - 2 tsp
7. Pepper to taste
8. Bread crumbs - 1 cup
9. Oil for frying
10. Fresh coriander (chopped) - optional

Process

1. In a mixing bowl add mashed potatoes, grated carrots, corn and peas and mix well. Add salt and pepper also. 

2. Shape the mixture like finger.

3. In a small bowl, mix corn flour and water and make a paste.

4. Dip the veggie fingers one by one in the corn flour paste and then coat them with bread crumbs.

5. Heat oil and once the oil gets heated fry the veggie fingers till they become golden brown.

6. Drain the excess oil and serve hot with ketchup or any of your favorite chutney. 

ALOO TUK - Sindhi Recipe

POTATO - Is there anyone who doesn't love Potatoes?

Potatoes are hands down, one of the most versatile ingredients on the planet and they are perfectly delightful in any form. Tried this super crispy Aloo Tuk which is a Sindhi specialty. They are super crispy and perfect for evening snacks, the outset crust is so crisp whereas the inside is soft. 

Ingredients:

1. Baby Potatoes - 100 gram
2. Oil - for deep frying
3. Salt to taste
4. Black pepper - 1 tsp
5. Chat Masala - 1 tsp
6. Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
7. Fresh coriander leaves (optional)
8. Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Process

1. Rinse and wash the potatoes nicely and cut them into two. In a bowl, pour water, add salt and dip these potatoes for sometime. 

2. Boil them for 4-5 minutes and then with the help of knifes, press them a little to give a proper shape (flatten). 

3. Heat oil in a wok for deep frying. Deep fry potatoes in medium heat till they looks crispy and tender. Fry them in batches. Remove from oil and let them cool. Fry them again in the same oil till they are more crisp and golden brown in color. While double frying, add a few potatoes at a time and avoid stirring unnecessary as the potatoes will break and soak too much oil. Also second time frying must be done on high heat so that the potatoes become crisp.

4. Transfer the double fried potatoes in a big bowl and add all the spices. Mix well by shaking the bowl till the potatoes are coated evenly with the spices. . Sprinkle with some fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with tea or coffee.

Note : You can serve these Aloo Tuk with simple Dal rice also. It goes well.

MAGGI BALLS

A perfect evening snack with family can always help you to forget the entire day work-stress or anything. Maggi, for me (and I am sure, for many) is just that warm blanket of comfort for anytime of the day, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a twist in the evening time! Made these simple maggi balls with loads of veggies for evening snacks. And we all enjoyed these yummy balls with simple tomato ketchup.

Ingredients: 

1. Maggi - 1 and half packet
2. Onions - 1 (finely chopped)
3. Salt as per taste
4. Butter - 1/2 tsp
5. Capsicum - 1/3 (finely chopped)
6. Carrot - 1 tsp (grated)
7. Ginger - 1 inch (grated)
8. Spring onions - 1 tsp (finely chopped)
9. Cornflower - 1 tsp (you may use 2 tsp also, based on your dough type)
10. Oil for deep frying

Process:

1. Boil one cup of water adding 1/2 tsp butter and tastemaker, add one packet of maggi and cook for 2 mins. Do not overcook the maggi as it turns mushy. Once the maggi is done, let it cool down on room temperature.

2. Add all the chopped veggies (onions, capsicum, spring onions, grated carrot and ginger) along with salt and cornflower and mix well forming a soft dough, make sure not to mash the noodles. 

3. Grease hands with oil and prepare small balls. Coat with crushed maggi to get an extra crispy bite. Deep fry in medium hot oil, keeping the flame on medium. Stir occasionally and fry until the balls turn golden brown. Drain off, serve hot with tomato ketchup or any chutney. 

Sweet Potato Kebabs

If you are vegetarian & always feel like missing on kebabs then try this one. I tried for the first time with sweet potatoes, and trust me it turned out yummilicious. A quick, easy, healthy and delicious appetizer and can be served as a starter in any party too.

Ingredients:

1. Sweet potatoes - 200 gram (4-5)
2. Salt to taste
3. Ginger finely chopped - 1 tsp
4. Green chilli - 2-3 (finely chopped)
5. Fresh coriander leaves - handful (finely chopped)
6. Mustard oil / Refined oil for frying
7. Besan - 1 tsp
8. Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Chat masala / Amchur powder - 1 tsp
10. Cornflower - 1/2 tsp

Process:

1. Boil the sweet potatoes and peel them properly. In a mixing bowl, grate the sweet potatoes (do not mash them). Add salt and all other ingredients and mix well. 

2. Grease oil on your palms and take small portion from the mixture and give them the shape you want to. Let them rest for 10-15 minutes.

3. In a frying pan, add little oil (for shallow fry), start frying them in batches, till they turn brown in color. 

Serve hot with any of your favorite chutney.

BEETROOT CUTLET

Beetroot cutlet is an easy, colorful and healthy appetizer made from beetroot, potato and aromatic spices. Crispy outside and soft inside, these cutlets are shallow fried snacks, hence a healthy option with evening tea. So if you are bored with the same evening snacks everyday, do give it a try. 

Ingredients : 

1. Beetroot - 1 cup (grated)
2. Boiled potato - 1
3. Cashew nuts - 1 tsp (chopped)
4. Raisin - 1 tsp
5. Onion - 1 big (finely chopped)
6. Green chilli - 2 (finely chopped)
7. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
8. Salt - to taste
9. Cumin powder - 1/2 tea spoon
10. Coriander powder - 1/2 tea spoon
11. Red chilli powder - 1/2 tea spoon
12. Amchur powder - 1/2 tea spoon
13. Garam masala powder - 1/2 tea spoon
14. Chat masala - 1/2 tea spoon
15. Coriander leaves - Finely chopped (1 tsp)
16. Green peas (optional) - 1/3 rd cup (pre-boiled)
17. Maida - 2 tsp
18. Bread crumbs 
19. Oil for frying

Process:

1. Peel and grate the beetroot and keep aside. Also peel, cut and boil potatoes separately and keep them aside.
2. To make the cutlet mix, place a pan on low medium flame. Add 1 tsp oil and fry cashew and raisin first. Once the cashew nuts turn brown, add chopped onions, green chilli and ginger garlic paste. Add salt and saute for 3-4 minutes. Then add grated beetroot. Now add all the powder spices and give it a good mix. Once you feel that the raw aroma of beetroot is gone, add the boiled potatoes and mash them properly with this mixture. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Now add finely chopped coriander leaves and boiled peas (if you are using peas), mix everything nicely with soft hand. And let it cool down and then start taking small portions of the mixture and give them cutlet shapes, can be round or oval or whichever you like. Place them in a plate.
4. In another small bowl, take maida and by adding water, make a smooth batter. The outer coating of the cutlet should be less for this cutlet, so that the color of the beetroot is seen through outside, hence the batter should not be thick, neither too watery.
5. In a plate, take the breadcrumbs.
6. Now deep the cutlets into this maida batter and roll it into bread crumbs and place them in a plate. Once all the cutlets are ready, refrigerate them for 20-25 minutes.
7. Now, take oil in a frying pan for shallow fry, and start placing the cutlets one by one, 3-4 cutlets you can fry at a one-go, in medium flame. Serve hot with ketchup.