Harabhara Kabab (Spinach patties)

We all know the benefits of green leafy vegetables. But sometimes kids don't like to eat simple dishes made of leafy vegetables. Then it's the mother's skill to make some dish which is tasty but also lovable by kids. Harabhara kabab (Spinach patties), a vegetarian starter from Indian cuisine,  is such a dish that is not only tasty and crispy but has the goodness of spinach. Let's see how to make it. 

HaraBhara Kabab - Spinach Patties

Ingredients:

1. Spinach: 2 big packs 
2. Boiled potatoes: 2 medium size
3. Green  fresh/frozen peas: 1 cup
4. Ginger: 1 inch
5. Green chilies: 4
6. Coriander: 1 cup
7. Red chili powder: 1 tablespoon ( or as per your taste)
8. Garam masala: 1 teaspoon (optional)
9. Chaat masala: 1 teaspoon (optional) 
10. Salt: As per taste
11. Cornflour: 1 cup
12. Oil to fry. 

*Ingredients shown in blue can be bought from any Indian grocery store.

Procedure:

1. Wash and cut spinach.
2. Blanch spinach - In one big pan/vessel boil water. Add cut spinach in boiling water, let it boil just for 10 secs and strain immediately. Pour cold water on spinach and strain again. Remove all water from spinach. Squeeze out all water from spinach with hands.
3. Mash boiled potatoes.
4. Grind ginger and green chilies together to make a coarse paste.
5. Cook green peas with water in the microwave just for 1 min on high power. Strain water and grind peas to a coarse mixture.
6. Wash and cut coriander. 
7. In one big bowl take blanched spinach, mashed potatoes, a mixture of peas, coriander, half of the cornflour, and ginger-chili paste.
8. Add red chili powder, garam masala, chaat masala and salt.
9. Mix all ingredients together.
10. Make small patties and pat them from both sides in the remaining cornflour.
11. Deep fry or shallow fry patties using oil. Make them crispy from both sides.
12. Serve hot harabhara kabab with tomato ketchup or any chutney. 

Add caption

Blanched Spinach, Potatoes, Peas, Ginger, Chillies, Cornflour, Salt

Mashed Potatoes, ginger chilli paste and peas paste

Patties pated in cornflour

Harabhara Kabab -Spinach Patties

Poha Chivada

During these days of the pandemic, we are spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Since all family members are at home and there are fewer food resources available, we are always struggling to find the answer to the question "What to cook now"?   On top of that if you are busy with your work from home and kids have finished their online school and are hungry, we tend to give them some readymade food.  Many times "junk food" like chips/cookies.  Instead of that try this poha-chviada which is less oily and made from rice-flakes (poha)  And you can make as spicy as you and your kids will love to have. It's very easy and takes hardly 20 mins to make. Your kids will definitely like this crispy snack.

 

Ingredients:

1. Thin poha - 250 gm
2. Peanuts (unroasted, unsalted) - 3 tablespoons
3. Green chilies - 4 - 5
4. Curry leaves - 10 - 12
5. Chili powder - 2 tablespoons
6. Salt - As per taste
7. Turmeric powder - 2 teaspoons
8. Mustard seeds - 1 tablespoon
9. Sugar - 1 teaspoon
10. Oil - 4 Tablespoons

Procedure:

1. First, take poha (rice flakes) in a pan and dry roast on medium heat for 5 mins. This makes poha crispy.
2. Take oil in a properly big pan (big enough to stir all poha together )  and put it on heat.
3. Once the oil starts heating, first add peanuts in it as peanuts take longer time to fry. Keep stirring for 3 mins.
4. Add mustard seeds and let them splatter. Then add green chilies and curry leaves. Make sure chilies and curry leaves are fried till they become crispy.
5. Add a pinch of turmeric in the oil. We are not adding all the turmeric powder as it may burn.
6. Now add roasted poha, chili powder, remaining turmeric powder, salt, and sugar. Mix everything well.
7. Keep stirring for almost 10 mins. Switch off the heat.
8. Your chivada is ready.  Let it cool for 1 hour. Then store it in a dry, airtight container.  
9. Enjoy chivada with evening tea. :)

Peas Patties

iSaltPepper: Peas Pattice

Green peas are very nutritious and easily available everywhere. Till now if you are not a fan of peas, try this dish of peas patties. Picky eaters in my house like it. You will also like it !! Definitely !!

Ingredients: 

iSaltPepper: Peas Patties- Ingredients

1. Boiled peas - 1cup
2. Boiled potatoes - 8 - 10  medium size
3. Finely chopped onion - 3 medium size
4. Grated coconut - 1 cup
5. Chopped coriander - 1/2 cup
6. Ginger-garlic-green chili paste - 2 tablespoons
7. Chili powder - As per taste
8. Garam masala - 1 teaspoon
9. Coriander powder - 2 teaspoons
10. Jeera powder - 1 teaspoon
11. Jeera - 1 teaspoon
12. Asafoetida (Hing) - 1/2 teaspoon
13. Oil - 2 tablespoons  +  for shallow frying
14. Salt as per taste
15. Turmeric powder - 2 teaspoons
16. Cornflour

Procedure:

1. Mash boiled potatoes, add some salt and 1 teaspoon turmeric powder and mix evenly.
2. In a pan, take 2  tablespoons oil, once it is hot, add jeera and asafoetida (hing).
3. Add ginger-garlic-chili paste in oil, fry well.
4. Add onion and fry till becomes translucent.
5. Add chili powder, coriander powder,  jeera powder, garam masala,  and salt as per taste. Fry well till all mixture becomes dry and leaves oil from sides.
6. Strain boiled peas to remove all water and add in the onion. Mix and fry well.  
7. Lastly, add grated coconut and chopped coriander. Mix well and remove from heat.  
8. Let it cool for at least 10 mins.
9. Make small patties of potatoes as shown in the picture. Use some cornflour for dusting so that patties don't become sticky. 
10. Take one patty at the bottom, place peas-onion mixture on it, place another patty on top of it.  Join the sides by hand.  Make rest all patties like this and then shallow fry on a pan.
11. Serve hot with ketchup, green chutney, and a salad of your choice.

iSaltPepper: Peas Patties - Peas, onion mixture

iSaltPepper: Peas Patties - step 1

iSaltPepper: Peas Patties - Step 2

iSaltPepper: Peas Patties - Shallow Fry

iSaltPepper: Peas Patties

   

Cucumber Salad (Vegan)

iSaltPepper: Cucumber Salad (Vegan)

Ingredients

1. Cucumbers - (1 big or 2 small)
2. Crushed (or coarse powder of)  roasted unsalted peanuts - 2 tablespoons
3. Coriander Powder - 2 teaspoons
4. Cumin Powder - 1 teaspoon
5. Green chillies -2 (Optional)
6. Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
7. Oil - 1 tablespoon
8. Salt - As per your taste
9. Sugar - 1/2 teaspoon
10. Coriander - 1 tablespoon

Procedure

1. Wash and peel cucumbers.
2. Cut cucumber in small square pieces. Take in a bowl.
3. Add crushed peanuts, coriander powder, cumin powder, salt, and sugar.
4. Cut green chillies in small pieces.
5. In small pan heat oil, once it is hot add mustard seeds and green chillies. Fry chillies for 1 minute, remove the pan from heat.
6. Pour oil with mustard seeds and chillies on cucumber mixture.
7. Mix well.
8. Garnish with coriander.