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!