I love trying out appetizers and this one is great. Usually served at Indian restaurants all over the world and one of my favorites. I just tried to modify them to meet the oil free or the low fat snacks that most people are looking for. I know that deep frying the pappad is delicious or even spraying a little bit of the non stick spray on the pappad would be a good substitute to frying, I think this snack is still delicious and healthy and does not compromise on the flavor part.


Gadgets:

Microwave oven
Plates
Knife
Cutting board or the chopper that you can find for $20 at Bedbathandbeyond.com or lnt.com. Its called Vidalia Chop Wizard. A blessing for those who hate to chop or who mess up when chopping.

Ingredients:

Lijat Pappad ( Any kind that you might enjoy, spicy, non spicy etc)
Tomato
Red Onion
Green Chillies ( can substitute with chilli powder or paprika)
Salt
Cilantro
Chat Masala (Note: Talking of masala I just happened to pick out Ethnic food masala brand the other day from out Indian store and I think it is very nice and kind of different from the usual ones that you can find out there)

Preparation

1.Place the pappad on a plate and microwave it for a minute.(If you feel that the pappad needs more toasting please add 15 second increments and toast them again in the microwave so that you do not burn the pappad)

2.While the pappad is in the microwave, chop tomatoes )after removing the seeds from them),onion,(can be made without it too) cucumber, green chillis and cilantro.

3.As soon as the pappad is out of the microwave take a little bit of the veggies add salt and sprinkle the veggies all over the pappad and add chat masala a pinch or 2 over them and serve.
(Note:Do not add salt before else the veggies would start to shed water and the pappad might get soggy)

Spicy Cashews
Masala Peanuts
Garlic Bread 
Masala Papad
Crouton Chole Chaat

I dislike using the blender unless it is really necessary, maybe because I do not like the clean up process after that.I have been trying to find easy recipes for Mor Kolazmbu. Most recipes call for soaking some ingredients and grinding them before preparing the Kolazmbu which takes time. Last month I experimented with a few powders which resulted in this easy but very delicious Mor kolazmbu.My sister and my mom think its really simple and very very delicious that they make it every week.

Gadgets:

Heavy Bottom Pan.
Big spoon
Bowl

Ingredients

Oil- 2 tsp
Veggies - 3/4(Okra/ladies finger,potato,carrot,bell pepper,chow chow,pumpkin etc)
Mustard - 1 tsp
Methi Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 5
Powdered dry coconut- 1 tsp (optional)
Jeera Powder- 2 tsp
Coriander Power - 1 tsp
Salt as per taste
Asifoetida powder - 1/8th tsp
Dry chili - 1
Turmeric- 1/2 tsp.
Curd/ Yogurt or Trader Joe Butter milk - 1 and 1/2 cups
Water - 1/2 cup.

Preparation:

1. Heat a heavy bottom vessel and add oil to it.
2. Add Asafoetita powder, and mustard seeds and wait for them to pop.
3. As the mustard seeds start to pop add the red chili and methi seeds.
4. Add curry leaves and then the cut veggies for eg. carrots.
5. Mix the carrot with the seasoning and then add jeera powder,coriander powder, turmeric,salt,coconut and mix it well so that all the carrots are coated with the seasoning.
6. Add water and allow the carrots to cook well for 3 minutes.
7. Once the carrot is cooked turn off the stove.
8. Let the vessel cool for a min and then add the curd/ yogurt /buttermilk.
9. Mix well and serve with hot rice.

A note on the butter milk. If you have a Trader Joe's near your town use their butter milk.It reminds me of the buttermilk I used to drink in India.

Truly my own creation in 1999.It was one of those days I wanted to have something spicy. Looking into the pantry cupboard at my sister's I saw a tin of pineapple.Decided to do something with that.Created this wonderful recipe. This has been a great hit in the family and we always serve with South Indian traditional food.

Gadgets:

Bowl
Measuring Spoon
A seasoning pan
Cutting board and knife
Tin Opener

Ingredients:

Pineapple crushed/cubed - 1 can
Oil - 1 Tbsp
Green Chilli - 1 or 2 as per taste
Black mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Cilantro chopped - 1 tsp
Chilli powder - a pinch
Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Open the can of pineapple and add it to the bowl.

2. If cubed mash the pineapple a little.

3. Add salt and chilli powder and cilantro.

4. Place the seasoning vessel on fire, add oil and when that heats up add mustard seeds.
5. As the mustard pops add green chilli's.

6. Add seasoning to the bowl of pineapple.

7. Tastes great as a side dish or can eat it as such.

This is for a true cashew lover like my sisters. Great to snack on when watching movies, catching up on old stories with families or with cocktails.

Gadgets:

Microwave
Microwave bowl
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Cups

Ingredients:

Raw cashew Nuts - 1/2 cup
Ghee(clarified butter)/ Oil -1/2tsp
Pepper/ Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp

Preparation:

1. Add 1/2 tsp Oil/Ghee to a microwavable Bowl.

2. Place it in the microwave for 1 minute.

3. Remove the bowl and add cashews,salt and pepper/chilli powder.

4. Mix well with your hands so as to coat each cashew with the mixture.

5. Place in the microwave and toast it for a minute.

6. Remove and mix well and place it back for another minute.

7. If toasted cool and serve else mix once more and toast for another minute.

8. You have spicy cashews ready.

Note:Add Chilli powder / pepper according to taste.

TIP: You can toast cashews in the microwave by just adding ghee/oil and coating them well and toasting for a minute or two. You can add this to payasum, deserts, rice dishes etc.

Check out this masala kadala(peanuts)that is very common and most relished snack in south India.It takes 4 minutes to prepare and saves you when you have unexpected guests at your door.Great to snack with a cup of tea, coffee or hard drinks.


Gadgets:

Microwave oven.
Microwave safe Bowl.
Measuring spoons ( tbsp,1 tsp,1/2tsp,1/3tsp)
Measuring cups ( 3/4 cup)


Ingredients:

Oil - 2 Tsp.
Basen(kadala)flour-1 Tbsp
Rice flour - 1/2 Tbsp (1 Tbsp=3tsp)
Chilli powder-1/2 Tsp
Salt-1/3 tsp
Asfoetida- 2 shakes if the LG powder or 2 pinches.
Peanuts(raw with skin or without)- 3/4 cup.
Water -1 Tbsp.

Note:It is very important to follow the measures to get optimum results, so please do get yourself a measuring spoon before trying this one out.


Preparation:

1. Add 2 tsp of oil to the microwaveable bowl.
2. Place it in the microwave for 1 minute.

3. Remove the bowl and add Basen flour,Rice flour,Chili powder,Salt,Asfoetida powder and mix well.

4. Add Water and mix well with your fingers to form a lump less paste.

5. Add raw peanuts and mix them with the paste so as to coat the peanuts well.

6. Put it in the microwave for 1 minute and remove and mix with a spoon so as to separate the peanuts.

7. Place it back in the microwave for another minute remove and mix again.

8. Place it back in the microwave for a minute more.

9. Voila you have the most delicious spicy hot masala peanuts.

Note: Allow it to cool before eating them, it might be tasting a little raw but when it cools it is very crunchy and tasty.

Enjoy!!!