Kala Chana

Ingredients

• Kala chana (available at any Indian store)
• Red onion
• Cilantro chutney

Preparation

Soak kala chana for a few of hours (usually over night).

Boil in a pressure cooker until pressure has build for 5 minutes. Turn stove off and let pressure cooker cool down before opening.

If not using a pressure cooker, boil in a regular pot with plenty of water, check every 15 minutes for consistency of the chana. It should be soft and remain whole, not mushed.

Finely chop red onion.

Add onion and cilantro chutney to the chana.

Enjoy as chaat (tapas, snack).

Paneer Pakori

Ingredients

• Paneer (Indian Cheese)
• Garbanzo flour (besan)
• Cumin seeds (jira)
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric powder (haldi)
• Chili powder 
• Red onion

Preparation

Paneer packages available in all Indian stores.
 

 

Thinly slice Paneer and red onion.

In a bowl mix garbanzo flour (found at any Indian store), cumin seeds, chili powder, turmeric powder, salt and water. (See another variation)

Dip Paneer into the batter and/or Paneer and red onion mix. Make a ball and dip into the batter. You can basically batter any vegetable and make different flavor pakoris.

Deep or pan fry.

Enjoy as a snack or appetizer with chutney!

Poha

Ingredients

• poha
• tomatoes
• chili
• red onions
• cilantro
• cashews
• mustard seeds 
• turmeric powder
• salt

Preparation

Purchase poha (flat rice puffs) at an Indian store. The "thick" kind is better.

Rinse poha in a colander.

Chop tomatoes, onions, chilis and cilandro.

Fry mustard seeds on some olive oil.

Add red onion to the mustard seeds.

Chop cashews and leave on the side.

Add tomatoes and chilis.

Add the poha to the mix.

Add turmeric powder and salt.

Garnish with cilantro.

And, crushed cashews.

Serve and enjoy. You can add cilantro chutney as a side sauce.

Pav Bhaji

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Red onion
• Bell peppers
• Garam masala
• Haldi
• Salt
• Chili 
• Lime 
• Cilantro 
• Olive oil
• Buns - pav

Preparation

Wash, peel and cut golden potatoes.

Use a glass container and cook them in the microwave until tender.

Chop tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion.

Brown the onion

Add the tomato

bell peppers. Steam them in a pot.

Add haldi, garam masala, salt and chili.

Add cooked potatoes. Keep cooking on low heat (20-30mins) and make it into a fine mix by breaking the potatoes with your spatula. (Do not use a blender!)

Garnish with cilantro.

Eat as a sandwich with hamburger buns. Add lime to taste.

Enjoy!