Baked Idli Chat

Ingredients:

Idli* - 4

Onion - 2 tbspns, finely chopped

Mango - 2 tbspns, finely chopped
Carrot - 2 tbspns, grated

Curd - 2 tbspns, whisked with a pinch of sugar and salt

Mint Coriander Chutney - 2 tbspns

Green Chili Chutney - 2 tbspns

Sweet Chutney - 2 tbspns

Boondi - 2 tbspns

Plain Sev - 2 tbspns

Chili Powder - 2 pinches

Chat Masala - 2 pinches

Roasted Cumin Powder - 2 pinches

Oil - 1 tsp if using oven or 2 tbspns if using stove top

Coriander Leaves - 2 tbspns, finely chopped

*If using fresh idlis, keep it in the refrigerator for atleast 30 minutes to 1 hr.

Instructions:

Oven Method;

Preheat the oven to 375F. Cover a baking tray with a aluminium foil.

Cut the idli into bite sized pieces. Coat the idli pieces with a tsp of oil. Place in the tray and bake the idlies for 20-30 minutes turning the idlies every 10 minutes. Or else bake until it turns golden brown.

Stove top;

Heat 2 tbspns of oil in a tawa. Fry the idlies on medium heat, till they are golden brown & crisp.

Place the fried idlis on a plate. Spread a layer of curd over the idlis. Add a tbspn of chopped onions, mint corainder chutney, mango, carrot, sweet chutney, green chili chutney, boondi and plain sev. Sprinkle a pinch of cumin powder, chili powder and chat masala. Garnish with a tbspn of chopped corainder leaves. Repeat the same for the next plate. Serve the idli chat immediately.

Aloo Paneer Tikka Masala Gravy

Ingredients:

For the marination;

Paneer - 1 cup, cubed into bite size pieces

Baby Potatoes - 1 cup, cooked and skin peeled

Thick Curd - 4 tbspns

Corn Flour - 1 tbspn

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp

Kashmiri Chili Powder/Paprika - 1 tsp

Roasted Cumin Powder - 1/4 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 tbspn

Salt to taste

Method:

Mix all the above ingredients together well and add all the paneer cubes and aloos/potatoes and let them marinate them for 30 minutes. Grill them in an oven for 375F for 20 minutes turning all the sides till golden brown. Or else you can place the marinated paneer and potatoes in the tava and fry them with very little oil till golden brown. Keep it aside.

Ingredients:

For the Gravy;

Onion - 1 medium, roughly chopped

Tomato - 3 small, pureed

Cashews - 10, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes

Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tsp

Tomato Paste - 1 tbspn (store bought)

Turmeric Powder -1/4 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

Kashmiri Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp

Tandoori Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp

Red Color - few drops(optional)

Milk - 1/4 cup

Sugar - 1/4 tsp

Coriander Leaves - 1 tbspn, finely chopped

Salt to taste

Oil or Butter - 2 tbspns

Method:

Saute the roughly chopped onions in a tbspn of oil until the onions become translucent. Cool them well. Make puree with the sauteed onions. Puree the tomatoes. Coarsely grind the cashews. Keep it aside.

Now heat a pan and add a tbspn of oil. Add the cumin seeds and them crackle. When the onions begin to change color and the raw flavor of ginger garlic paste is gone, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder. Fry until the mixture is aromatic and the spices don’t burn.

Once the spices are fragrant, add the tomato paste. Cook for about 30 seconds and add freshly pureed tomatoes. Add salt to taste and add 1/2 to 1 cup water and mix well. Cook on low flame until the mixture thickens.

As the gravy begins to come to a boil, add the coarsely grinded cashews. Mix well, keep the flame low. Now add the milk and let them cook for 2 minutes. Add the red color (if using) . Finally add the aloo paneer tikka pieces along with salt, garam masala, tandoori masala, kasuri methi leaves and sugar and mix well. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and top up with butter. 

Serve hot !!