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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

South Indian Mini Meals(Version 1)

Who doesn't love variety on their plate? I am a major fan of mini meals that certainly pleases the eye and other senses. Mini meals are a rare indulgence in the house due to the amount of work involved. Mini items they may be..but they require major work..lol.

Plate for one, please:
  • Mini Idlis with Homemade Milagai Podi/Chutney Powder(Click here for the recipe)
  • Teeny Tiny Puffy Poori(Wheat Unleavened Bread) and purple potato fry (Click here for recipe)
  • Ulunthu Bonda (Dhal Fritters)
  • Sweet Bonda With Banana and Jaggery(Raw sugar)
  • Eggplant and Potato Gotsu (Thick Moong Dhal Soup)
  • Peanut Chutney (Click here for the recipe)
Ulunthu Bonda(Makes 25-30 mini bites):
Ingredients:
  • Urad dhal - 1/2 cup, soaked in water for an hour or so
  • Green chillies - 3, halved and chopped to bits
  • Red onion - 1, small, diced
  • Cracked Pepper - 1/ 2 tsp
  • Baking soda - a pinch
  • Cilantro - 2 tsp, chopped
  • Salt for taste
  • Canola Oil - for deep frying
Procedure:
  • Grind the urad dhal with very little water.
  • Transfer the ground dhal to a bowl and to it add salt, cracked pepper, chopped chillies, baking soda and the onions.
  • Briskly mix it and let it sit for 15 minutes.
  • Scoop small portions and deep fry in oil until browned on both sides.
  • Drain on paper towels and serve hot with peanut chutney.
Sweet Bonda(Makes 25-30 mini bites):
Ingredients:
  • Wheat flour - 1 1/2 cup
  • Ripe Banana - 1, pulped
  • Jaggery(Raw sugar) - 4 tbsp, shaved
  • Cardamom powder - a pinch
  • Baking soda - a pinch
  • Canola Oil - for deep frying
Procedure:
  • Mix all the ingredients except the oil in a bowl
  • Scoop marble-sized portions of the batter and deep fry in oil until browned.
  • Drain and paper towels and serve as is.
Tip: Don't have the patience to shave the Jaggery? Use dark brown sugar instead.

EggPlant and Potato Gotsu(Makes ~3 cups):
Ingredients:
  • Moong Dhal - 1/2 cup
  • Onion - 1 large, vertically slit and divided into 2 portions
  • Tomato - 3, medium
  • Eggplant - 2, small, chunked
  • Potato - 1, small, chunked
  • Garlic - 3 cloves
  • Turmeric powder - a pinch
  • Asafoetida(Hing) - a pinch
  • Green chilli - 4
  • Curry leaf - 2 stalks
  • Cilantro - for garnish
  • Olive oil - 2 tbsp
  • Mustard and Urad dhal - for seasoning
  • Water - 2 cups
Procedure:
  • Pressure cook the Moong dhal with half the slit onions, 2 green chillies, 2 tomatoes, garlic, hing and turmeric powder.Smash it to a smooth pulp and set aside.
  • In a pan, heat the oil, add mustard, urad dhal for seasoning.
  • Add the curry leaf, onion and saute until browned.
  • Add the cut eggplants, potato, remaining tomato and bring it to a boil with a 2 cups of water for 5-10 minutes.
  • Pour the smashed moong dhal and mix it gently.
  • Add salt and garnish with cilantro.
  • Serve hot with steaming idlis.
Enjoy!

    9 comments:

    1. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful platter...all are great recipes...:-)

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    2. Such a delicious platter...delicious dishs..yummy!

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    3. Wow lots of yummy yummy dishes and recipes.....Thanks for this delicious recipes...

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    4. OMG...Gal I am so honored!!! Thank you so much dear, it was so sweet of ya!
      Agreed, mini meals we say, is only mini when it comes to servings..but requires major effort ;)
      I am a great fan of such mini meals too, because you get to taste everything at one-go! Thanks for the recipes..Keep rocking gal! :)

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    5. wow, that's a delicious spread you've got there!! that boiled purple potatoes sounds unique; have ate them like chips but never tried as a purée!!

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    6. All recipes looks delicious!!. Loved all the entries and very inviting.:)

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    7. What an awesome spread to please my taste buds.... It has all the varieties I love.... Thank You.... I am full!!!

      Hey that's an awesomely presented prep.....

      Ash....
      (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

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    8. Lovely and tempting spread..thanks for the entry

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    Thanks a bunch for your valuable comments and continued support.They are very much appreciated. Yes,like "Rain on Dry Land" and like "Oasis in Desert Sand".
    XoXo, Cool Lassi(e)