Hot Cross Buns...

The buns that I am mentioning is not the plural form of bun but a very famous breakfast item that can be found in most of the homes and restaurants in Mangalore. This is basically a deep fried Indian bread that is usually served with either chutney or dalithoy. At our place we usually have it without any side dishes. As kids we used to dunk it in hot coffee and eat :) I know its a little wierd.

This is slightly sweet due to the addition of banana and sugar If you are not fond of the sweetness you may serve it with some spicy coriander leaves chutney or any other chutney of your choice.

Here is what's needed:

2 cups Maida (All purpose flour)

1 cup Atta (Whole wheat flour)

1 pinch Baking soda

2 medium sized Ripe banana

1/2 cup Curds

1/2 cup Sugar

1 tsp Cumin seeds

1 tbsp oil + extra to deep fry

Procedure:

1) Mix sugar and curds and let it sit for 10-15 mins.

2) Add mashed banana,cumin seeds to the sugar - curd mixture and mix well.

3) Sieve the flours and soda. Add it to the mixture and knead it. It will be a sticky mixture. Resist the urge to add more water or curds. The liquid from curds and banana is sufficient to knead the dough.

4) Heat a tbsp of oil until hot and pour it over the dough and let it rest overnight or at least 8-10 hrs.

5) Knead the dough again incorporating the oil. Make small balls and roll it using a rolling pin. The rolled out disc should be slight thick.

6) Deep fry in hot oil and drain it on a tissue paper.

Serve hot.

P.S: Often the top of the Buns tend to crack up in oil causing oil to splutter a little. So make sure that you are careful when you flip the Buns in oil.

Capsicum and Potato side dish (2 Variation)

This is another variation of using capsicum and Potato. You can check my previous version here. I got this recipe from my dear friend R who is a Rajasthani. I have already made it twice and every one who has tried this recipe have loved it a lot. I normally look for different varieties of side dishes as I get bored pretty easily. R makes these only with capsicum and I added Potato as the day I made it for the first time I had just one capsicum in hand. But we loved addition of it (who does not love potato). This is going to feature regularly in my hubby's lunch box :) I have started making phulka's regularly along with rice and some curry. Hence I have to come up with new side dishes everyday :)

Here's what's needed:

1 large Capsicum deseeded and cubed

1 large Potato peeled and cubed (Store in water until the time of use)

1/2 tsp each Mustard seeds and Cumin seeds

2 tbsp Chickpea flour (Besan)

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder (Haldi)

1-2 tsp red Chilli powder

1/4 tsp Garam masala powder

a small pinch of Asafoetida (Hing)

Salt to taste

Oil

Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Procedure:

1) Heat Oil. Add in mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add Cumin seeds and when they splutter add hing and saute for a while.

2) Drain the potato's and fry for a 3-4 mins,until slightly soft. Add in all the spice powders and saute it well.

3) Add in cubed capsicum and fry. Add salt and cook covered. Make sure that the flame is always on medium. When capsicum is slightly soft i.e it breaks easily add the besan. Fry until the raw taste goes away.

4) Add little water to prevent the mixture from getting completely dry and cover for 2-4 mins. Check for seasoning and add any if desired. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with Phulka.

I love this curry as it does use any ginger garlic paste or onion to be sliced. Easy breezy recipe and tastes great.

P.S: I have been working out with some changes in this blog and by this month end I am hoping to come out with the changes. So may not blog regularly but will definitely come over to your blog.