Finger Food For The New Year Party - Idly Sticks

FINGER FOOD FOR THE NEW YEAR PARTY

IDLY STICKS

Basically Idly Sticks are nothing but fried idlies. The addition of garlic and and other spices lend a distinct flavour to the Idly Sticks.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE BATTER

Raw rice - 3 cups

Black gram dal - 1 cup

Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp

Beaten rice or puffed rice - 1 tbsp

Bengal gram dal - 1 tsp

salt - 2 tsps

Sugar - 1 tsp

METHOD

1.Wash and cover all ingredients except salt and sugar with water and soak for one hour.

2. Grind the soaked ingredients into a thick, smooth and fluffy batter using the grinder.

3. Mix salt and sugar and run the grinder for two more minutes. 

4. Store the ground batter in a big vessel allowing space for fermenting.

5. Cover with a lid and leave the batter in a warm place overnight.

TO PREPARE IDLIES FOR THE IDLY STICKS

INGREDIENTS

Finely chopped garlic - 2 tbsps

Chilly flakes - 2 tbsps ( Dry roast red chillies till crisp and crush them using a pestle )

Sesame seeds - 2 tsps

Cumin seeds - 2 tsps

Finely chopped coriander - 1 tbsp

METHOD

1. For every cup of the fermented idly batter add the above ingredients and blend well.

2. Grease idly plates ( I have used tattae idly plates ) and pour one cup of the prepared batter into each plate.

3. Steam the idlies for fifteen minutes in a pressure cooker without the weight.

4. Allow to cool and then refrigerate the idlies along with the plates for half an hour.

5. Remove the idlies from the idly plates and cut them into long sticks using a sharp knife.

6. Heat oil in a pan and gently drop the sticks one by one into the hot oil so that they do not clump together.

7. Turn over using a perforated ladle and fry till the Idly Sticks become crisp and golden brown in colour.

8. Remove the crisp Idly Sticks and drain them on a paper towel.

Enjoy the flavoursome Idly Sticks as they are or with tomato sauce, chutney or any other dip of your choice.

Coffee and Chocolate Pudding

When I saw coffee and chocolate pudding first time at Priya's site (Priya's Feast), I bookmarked it right away to try it. After quick checking of ingredients, I baked it and I need to say the time taken to taste this pudding was just below 30 minutes. I couldn't control myself eating this pudding before I click a picture. It was very gooey, tasty and sinfully delicious. I halved the recipe and served with a tablespoon of whipped cream and a raspberry.

Basic Information:
Preparation Time: <10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:



All purpose flour/ Plain Flour/ Maida - 1/2 cup

Baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon

Unsweetened cocoa powder - 1 teaspoon

Brown sugar - 1/4 cup

Milk - 1/4 cup

Butter - 1 tablespoon, melted, cooled to room temperature

Egg - 1/2 well beaten egg

Walnuts - 2 tablespoons, chopped



For Topping:



Brown Sugar - 1/4 cup

Cocoa powder - 1 tablespoon

Strong black coffee - 1/2 cup



Method:



1) Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease 2 medium size or 3 mini ramekins with butter or cooking spray.

2) Sift flour,baking powder and cocoa powder together. Add brown sugar and mix well. Keep aside.

3) Mix melted butter, milk, egg and walnut in another bowl.

4) Pour this wet ingredients to dry ingredients.

5) Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.

6) Spoon the batter into the greased ramekins.  Make sure to maintain the batter level between  1/2 to 3/4  of the ramekins.

7) Sprinkle over the ramakins evenly with brown sugar and then with cocoa powder.

8) Then, pour over the coffee on top of cocoa powder. Do not stir.

9) Bake it for 15-20 minutes.

10) Once done, serve with whipped cream or sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar or serve with vanilla ice cream.

Note:

1) I used only 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of black coffee for topping and still it tasted very good.

2) I prepared black coffee using Nescafe instant coffee powder. I think BRU can also workout.

Finger Food For The New Year Party - Spicy Banana Rings

FINGER FOOD FOR THE NEW YEAR PARTY

SPICY BANANA RINGS

Now that Christmas is over, everybody is geared up to usher in the New Year with new hopes, dreams and resolutions. Here we are, ready with a few Finger Foods to add spice and life to your New Year party.

INGREDIENTS

Raw banana - 2 large

Green chillies - 3

Green coriander leaves - 1/2 bunch

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Pepper ( coarsely crushed) - 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Asafoetida - 1 pinch

Fresh ginger - a big piece

Bengal gram flour ( Besan ) - 2 tbsps

salt - 3/4 tsp

Cooking oil - for seasoning and roasting

METHOD

1. Wash and halve the bananas and pressure cook without adding water. Set aside to cool.

2. Peel and chop the ginger lengthwise  into slender pieces resembling match sticks.

3. Grind green chillies,coriander and turmeric powder into a thick paste adding a few drops of water if required.

4. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and add the crushed peppers and the cumin seeds.

5. When they crackle add asafoetida, besan and the ground paste at half minute intervals and saute together for two more minutes and switch off flame and  then add the ginger.

6. Peel the cooked bananas and mash well.

7. Add the banana mash and salt to the sauteed paste.

8. Knead together into a thick dough.

9. Take a lemon size ball of the banana mixture and flatten it on your palm.

10. Make a hole in the center .

11. Arrange a batch of banana rings on a greased hot tava, pour a spoon of oil around each banana ring and roast on low flame.

12. Turn over and cook the flip sides of the banana rings till they become golden in colour.

Remove the Spicy Banana Rings on to a plate.

Enjoy the Spicy Banana Rings with tomato sauce, mint chutney or any other delicious dip of your choice.