Rava Mint and Cashew Pakoda / Semolina Mint and Cashew Fritters ~ Day 36

This minty, crispy, delectable and easy to make pakoda is a perfect snack to munch while watching the Super Bowl.   

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Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

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Ingredients:

• Rava / Sooji / Semolina - 1 cup
• Rice flour - 1/4 cup
• Yogurt - 3/4 cup
• Fresh Mint leaves - 1/2 cup, chopped
• Cashews - 2 tbsp, broken
• Ginger - 1 tbsp, chopped
• Green chillies - 3, finely chopped
• Asafetida - a pinch
• Salt - to taste
• Water - as needed
• Oil - for frying

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine rava, rice flour, mint, cashews,ginger, green chilies, asafetida and salt.
2. Add yogurt and mix well.  Sprinkle little water at a time and make a soft dough.  Let it rest for 5 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a deep skillet / kadai over medium high.
4. Take a tbsp full of dough and drop it in the hot oil.  Reduce the heat to medium low and fry until golden brown.
5. Drain on paper towel.
6. Serve hot with coffee or tea.

Vegetable Quesadilla (Super Bowl Recipe) ~ Day 35

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Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

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Ingredients:

• Flour Tortillas - 4
• Any kind of Salsa - 1 cup
• Mexican cheese or Pepper jack cheese - 2 cups
• Black beans, 1 can, rinsed and drained
• Onion - 1, large, thinly sliced
• Green pepper - 1, thinly sliced
• Red pepper - 1, thinly sliced
• Yellow pepper - 1, thinly sliced
• Roasted corn or sweet corn (frozen) - 1 cup, microwaved and thawed
• Taco seasoning - 2 tsp
• or
• Roasted cumin powder - 2 tsp
• Garlic powder - 1 tsp
• Onion powder - 1 tsp
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves / Cilantro - 1/4 cup, chopped
• Butter - 2 tbsp
• Oil - 2 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet.  Add onions and saute for a minute.
2. Add the peppers and stir and cook for 2 minutes.  
3. Add taco seasoning or cumin, garlic, onion, chili powder and salt.  Mix well.
4. Add black beans and the corn.  Stir well and cook for a minute.  Remove from the flame and stir in the chopped cilantro / coriander leaves.  Set it aside.
5. Heat a large griddle on medium high.  Spread 1/2 tsp butter and place one tortilla on the griddle.
6. Spread 2 tbsp salsa all over the tortilla.
7. On one side, place some of the vegetable mixture and sprinkle with some cheese.
8. Close the other side over and press it firmly.  Cook until the bottom turns light golden brown.
9. Flip and cook the other side.
10. Remove and let it stand for a minute and cut into wedges.
11. Serve with guacamole and sour cream.

Broccoli Pizza Puff Spirals (Super Bowl Recipe) ~ Day 34

There is nothing much to say about these cute and delicious pizza rolls, except they are extremely easy to make and they will disappear in no time.  Make this fun appetizer for the Super Bowl and enjoy the game.

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Preparation time: 10 minutes 
plus 30 minutes to thaw the pastry sheets

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves: 6

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Ingredients:

• Puff pastry sheets - 1 pack, thawed
• Ricotta cheese - 1 cup
• Broccoli florets - 2 cup, finely chopped
• Mozzarella cheese - 1 cup, shredded
• Garlic - 1 clove, finely chopped
• Dried basil - 1/2 tsp
• Dried oregano - 1/2 tsp
• Olive oil - 2 tbsp
• Red chilli flakes - to taste
• Salt - to taste

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line  baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, basil, oregano and salt.  
3. Mix garlic in 2 tbsp olive oil.
4. Brush garlic oil in one of the pastry sheet.  
5. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly on the sheet.
6. Next, sprinkle broccoli and red chilli flakes.
7. Top it with mozzarella cheese.
8. Take one end of the pastry sheet, roll to the other end.  Pinch the ends together.  Cut into 4 slices. 
9. Place the slices cut side down on the baking tray and repeat the process with the rest of the sheets.  
10. Bake until golden brown, about 15 - 20 minutes.  
11. Serve hot.

Fresh Basil Hummus (Super Bowl Recipe) ~ Day 33

Are you ready for the Super Bowl 50 this weekend?  I am so excited for two reasons. 1) It is happening here in the Bay Area and 2) my hometown team Carolina Panthers is playing in the super bowl.  I am sure my family and friends in Raleigh, NC will be glued to the TV watching the historic game this weekend.  Super bowl party is all about food, food and more food.  I'll be posting some easy to make recipes this week for the game day.  Today's recipe is a healthy hummus dip bursting with fresh flavors of sweet basil and lemon.  Hummus can be served as a dip for crunchy vegetables, pita chips, or any kind of chips.   

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Preparation time: 5 minutes

Process time: 5 to 7 minutes

Serves: 4

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Ingredients:

• Chick peas - 1 can, 15oz
• Tahini - 1/4 cup, (for homemade Tahini, roast 1/4 cup white sesame seeds until golden brown over low heat, cool and process with 2 tbsp olive oil until smooth)
• Basil - 2 cups
• Garlic - 1 clove
• Lemon juice - from 1 lemon
• Olive oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt and Pepper - to taste
• Chat masala - 2 tsp (optional, but highly recommended)
• Chili flakes - for garnishing

Method:

1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.  Place it in a food processor bowl and process until smooth.
2. Add tahini, lemon juice, basil, chat masala, and salt and pepper.  Process until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Transfer into a serving dish and drizzle some olive oil and garnish with red chilli flakes.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa / Salsa Verde for Super Bowl

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4-5

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Ingredients:
Tomatillos - 1 lb, outer skin removed
Serrano peppers - 4 or to taste
Onion - 1, medium, roughly chopped
Garlic - 3 cloves, with skin
Cilantro - 1/4 cup, chopped
Salt - to taste

Method:

1. Wash tomatillos in warm water to remove stickiness.  Wipe to dry.
2. Place all the ingredients (except salt and cilantro) in a baking tray lined with aluminum foil.
3. Bake at 400 degree F for 15 minutes, turning half way through.  Let it cool.
4. Remove the skin from the garlic and top portion from the peppers.
5. Place them in a food processor along with cilantro and salt. Pulse until smooth.
6. Serve with tortilla chips.