Phulkopi r Singara ( Samosa filled with Cauliflower Mixture )

Probably you have already guessed from my video (posted in my FB account) what next I am going to share in my blog. Yes, I will tell you today about how we can make India’s most favorite snacks called Samosa. What is known as Samosa in rest of the India, called Singara in Bengal. Singara, chai and Muri are still the menu in many houses in the evenings, especially during rainy days. Even in abroad, Samosa is very well-known Indian dish among non-Indians. While I was searching about the origin of Samosa in India, got surprised to know that it came from middle east through the traders from this region. That’s why similar dish with different stuffing is available in middle eastern countries.  

Bengali Singara is little different from samosa. It uses potatoes, peas and cauliflower, sometimes peanuts for a little crunch. I think Singaras are easy to make, but some of my friends may not agree. To them the most difficult part is the folding of singara. That’s why I wanted to help you by posting the video online. What differentiates Singara from its siblings is flaky textures of the outer cover. It takes long hours of practice to get the perfect texture of Singara. After repeated attempts I have now started getting the texture as flaky as Kolkata's Singara.

Though there are different kinds of Singaras, the most common one is Fulkopir (cauliflower) Singara. Since Bengalis can never keep anything vegetarian, they made Singara also non-veg by putting chicken as stuffing. Surprisingly there is no fish Singara. In Kolkata's sweetshops, you also find a sweeter version, filled with khoya and dipped in sugar syrup.

I will share today the recipe of Fulkopir singara.  So friends, please try my version and let me know if you like it. 

Recipe of Aloo Phulkopi r Singara ( Samosa filled with Potato and Cauliflower Mixture ), makes around 10 Samosas

Ingredients :

For the filling :

Cauliflower florets : 3 cups 

Potatoes : 1 and 1 /2 cups, peeled and cubed 

Green peas : 1/2 cup

Roasted peanuts : 1/4 cup 

Vegetable oil : 2 tablespoons

Cumin seeds : 1/2 teaspoon 

Red whole chili : 1 

Grated ginger : 1 tablespoon 

Turmeric powder : 1/2 teaspoon 

Cumin powder : 1 teaspoon 

Salt : to taste 

Bhaja Masala : 2 teaspoon ( dry roast one whole red chili, 1 tablespoon of  the whole cumin seeds and 1/2 tablespoon of coriander seeds and grind them into a powder ) 

for the Samosa Shells 

Maida ( all purpose flour ) : 3 cups 

Ghee : 6 tablespoons 

Salt : 1 teaspoon 

Sugar : 1 teaspoon 

Cold water : 

Vegetable oil : for deep frying 

Method :

1. To make the filling, first , boil some water in a saucepan. Add the cauliflower florets and potatoes and peas to it. Cook them for 3 to 4 minutes. 

2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan, once oil is hot add cumin seeds and the whole red chili. When it starts to splutter, add the cauliflower florets , potato cubes, and peas. Add the roasted peanuts and stir it well. Add grated ginger, turmeric powder, cumin powder . Keep Stirring. Add salt. Once vegetables are well cooked, add the bhaja masla. Mix it well. Turn off the heat. 

3. Take a big mixing bowl, add the flour to it. Add ghee to flour and mix it nicely with your hand. Add salt and sugar and mix it again. Add cold water to the flour mixture, add little at a time and knead it into a stiff dough. Cover the dough with a damp kitchen towel and keep it in the refrigerator for an hour. 

4. Take the dough and knead it again for 2 to 3 minutes. Divide the dough into 12 to 15 big lemon sized balls. Apply oil on your clean kitchen counter top and start rolling it into an oblong shape.  

5. Cut each oval into two halves. 

6. ( the 6th step and the 7th step are how to fold the samosa , I have made a video of it , you can follow it)  Take half part of the oval and make it a cone. Seal the edges with water. 

7. Take a tablespoon stuffing and fill the cone. Seal all the edges by pressing it gently with your fingertips. The shape will look like a triangle. Repeat the process with the rest. 

this is the video link  https://www.instagram.com/p/BL1VFteDTGM/ 

8. Heat oil in a deep-frying pan, once oil is hot, turn off the heat and let it cool down. When oil is not too hot. Carefully add 3 to 4 samosas and fry it on low temperature until they become golden brown on both sides. ( Don't fry them on high heat, the crust will not be crispy ) 
Make sure the temperature of the oil is low enough when you add the next batches of samosas. 

9. Drain Samosas on a kitchen towel to absorb the excess oil. Serve hot with a cup of tea. 

( If you want, you can make it ahead of time. Keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight box. Bake it in the oven at 425 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes when you want to serve it.)

kheer Kadam

Even though we can’t see pandals in every one mile and big banners with advertisements of saree shops, can’t hear the sound of drums from the morning, we can still feel the smell that Durga Puja is around the corner. It may not be as grand as Kolkata, but we are also preparing to celebrate Durga puja. We started chatting with our friends about which saree we would wear. Kids have started practicing their roles in the drama. Some have started making narus as per the order from the main priest. Looking forward to two days of fun with lots of photos and good food. Hope you also have a wonderful festive time with your loved ones and post lots of beautiful selfies with your new attire.

Last week I asked my Facebook followers that as Durga puja is approaching, which traditional sweet recipe they would like to see on my blog. The majority voted for Kheer Kadom. So today I will share the recipe of kheer kadom with you. it’s a very popular dessert in West Bengal as well as in other parts of India. Making Kheer kadam is not a big deal, if you know how to make rasgullas. Because rasgullas are used as the inner layer in this dessert.  But the texture of rasgulla used in Kheer Kadom is different. It won’t be spongy, rather little bit hard compared to the normal Rasgullas. First chenna balls are cooked in thicker sugar syrup to make rasgullas. Once rasgullas are made, then they will get a coating of mawa and sugar mixture. When one layer of Bengali sweet itself can make mouth water, imagine how this two-layered dessert will make your family delighted.

So friends, the recipe of Kheer Kadam is here and if you really love this sweet, try it out in this Durga puja for your friends and family. Will come back soon with another puja-special recipe, till then enjoy the festival.

Recipe of Kheer Kadam, makes 15 pieces 

Ingredients :

To make Chhenna :

Whole milk / full-fat milk : 2 liters 
Lime juice : 3 tablespoons or as needed

To make the dough for Rasgullas :

Sugar : 1 teaspoon 
All purpose flour : 1 tablespoon
Semolina : 1 teaspoon 
Saffron or yellow food color : 

For Sugar Syrup :

Sugar : 2 cups 
Water : 3 cups
Crushed cardamoms : half tablespoons 

For the cover :

Mawa / milk solid : grated 3 cups 
Powdered sugar : 3 tablespoons 
Milk : 2 to 3 tablespoons 

Milk powder or grated Mawa mixed with powdered sugar 

Method :

1. Heat the milk in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, stir occasionally. Once the milk starts boiling, lower the flame. Pour the lemon juice and stir in. Milk will start cuddling and change into chenna ( cottage cheese ) and greenish water. Remove the pan from heat and leave the chenna in this condition for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the chenna and water mixture over a cheese cloth or a soft cotton cloth and let the water drain away. 

2. Put this cloth with the chenna under cold running water for 2 to 3 minutes to remove the lemony smell. Then hang the chenna along with cloth on the kitchen faucet for around 30 to 35 minutes. 

3. Now once again squeeze the cloth, if there is any extra water. But note that the chenna should not get too dry. Put the lump of chenna over a flat surface and knead it. Start kneading with the heel of your palm for about 4 to 5 minutes, until you get a smooth dough. 

4. Add sooji, flour, sugar and saffron or 3 to 4 drops of yellow food color to it and knead it. Press the dough with your palm continuously for about 3 to 4 minutes until you feel your palm is oily. 

7. Divide the dough into 15  to 16 equal portions and make some smooth surfaced round balls. 

8. Take a big deep- bottomed pan with the lid.  Add water and sugar, once it starts to boil add the crushed green cardamom. After 5 minutes, gently add the chhena balls into the syrup. Cover the pan with the lid and turn down the heat to medium high.  Let it cook. 

9. After 25 minutes, open the lid to check. Turn off the gas. Leave the pan as it is for 10 to 15 minutes. 

10. Drain the rasgullas in the strainer and keep it aside for 20 to 25 minutes. 

11. Now take a bowl, add grated mawa, powdered sugar and milk and make a smooth dough.

12. Now make some balls out of the mawa dough. Flatten one ball using your palms and place the rasgulla at the center of it. Seal the edges with help of your fingertips. Roll into a smooth surfaced ball. Repeat the process until all are done. 

13. Take a plate, add half cup of milk powder or 1/2 cup of grated mawa mixed with 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar. Carefully roll the Kheer Kadam in the milk powder or mawa mixture. Kheer Kadam is ready to serve. 

No Bake Oreo Cake Pop

Next week I am planning to try out two new recipes on the eve of Durga Puja. One of them would be a sweet dish and the other one would be most likely a savory. So please eagerly wait for them. For the moment, let me share a fun food dessert. I made this for my son’s 9^th birthday party and all the kids loved it. Oreo cookies and cake pops both are kid’s favorite and so I thought they would be delighted if they get both at the same time. I started looking for recipes of cake pops made out of Oreo cookies. When I finished making it, was wondering why I didn’t prepare this treat before. The procedure was so easy and went very smoothly.

The Cake pop is a form of cake that looks more like a lollipop. It’s very nice idea to get a makeover of leftover cake by making these delicious pops. The first step of the recipe is to mix cake crumbs with icing and form small balls. Then put a layer of coating, probably of chocolate or any other decoration that you like. Adding chocolate on top makes it look more beautiful and attractive to the Kids.

The recipe that I am sharing today for Cake pops will take much lesser time from you compared to others. Mainly because it is a no-bake cake pop. Since you don’t need to bake a cake, it cuts the preparation time drastically. That’s why when I found this recipe, I just jumped out of excitement and gave it a try. Hope you and your kids will love this yummy tasty and delicious Cake pops.  

The recipe of No-bake Oreo Cake Pops  makes 20 Cake pops 

Ingredients :

Oreo Cookies : 24 pieces 

Cream Cheese : 3/4 of the package, around 5 oz. 

Lollipop sticks : 20 

Ghirardelli Semi-sweet chocolate chips : 2 and 1/2 cups.

Shortening / Butter : 1 tablespoon 

Ghirardelli Classic White baking chips : 2/3 cup  

Method :

1. Use a food processor or a blender to crumble the cookies. You can put the cookies in a large ziplock bag and use a hard object to crush the cookies as finely as possible. 

2. Take a bowl, add Oreo crumbles and cream cheese. Mix it well and make a dough. 

3. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

4. Roll the dough into 1.5 inch balls. Make about 20 balls. 

5. In a small microwave-safe bowl, add 1/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate chips and a half teaspoon of the shortening. Cook it in the microwave for one minute. Remove and stir until smooth. Dip one end of each lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and poke sticks into the Oreo balls. Keep them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

6. Now take a microwave-safe cup , add remaining semi-sweet chocolate chips and the shortening. Microwave for about 2 minutes. Check the bowl and stir. If chocolate is not melted, again cook it in the microwave. Check every 30 seconds to avoid burning. Stir until smooth. 

7. Dip the balls into melted chocolate. Turning the stick to ensure even coverage. Allow the excess to drip off. Use a block of styrofoam as a holder to stick the cake pops in while they are drying. 

8. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the Ghirardelli white chocolate chips for one minute. Stir until smooth. 

9. Once the cake pops are just set, drizzle with melted white chocolate. Let's stand for 30 minutes or it is set. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. 

Bengali Kochur Loti style Asparagus with Shrimp

As we all are aware of, many of the modern popular Bengali dishes came from the eastern part of the Bengal or today’s Bangladesh. Several of them use Taro Stolons as a main ingredient, called Kochur Shak or Kochur Loti in Bengali. Once they are cooked simply in a home-style manner, they become really delish. You can consider to make them more frequently and surprise your family. Your hubby will stop referring to the Hilsha dish that his mom used to make with Kochur Shak.

As my family is all from West Bengal side, I rarely had Kochur Shak before coming to US . I can still recall that one of our neighbor aunts introduced us to Kochur loti with Hilsha head when she heard that none of my family members knew how to cook this veggie. 

Later when I came to  USA,  got to know Asparagus, the vegetable which is very close to Taro Stolons. Bengalis in USA generally cook Asparagus the same way the kachur loti is

used to cook in Bengal.  Whenever I go to farmers market, I always feel like buying this beautiful vegetable, especially during summer because it looks so fresh. Initially, I made the grilled version of this vegetable in American way, which didn’t become popular at our home. Then I started wondering how it can be made in Indian way and will go well with rice. So I experimented it with shrimp and mustard paste.  My husband and I both like it, except my son who is not a big veggie lover. 

Like Taro Stolons, you can cook Asparagus in several different ways . The vegetarian way  is simply with coconut and mustard paste.  You can make the non-veg version with fish head or Shrimp, though my favorite is shrimp.  Today I will share the recipe about how to cook Asparagus with shrimp, the style influenced by Bengali Kachur loti. The recipe itself is very fast and easy, requires very few pantry staples.

Recipe of Asparagus with Shrimp

Ingredients:

Asparagus : 1 bundle ( 1 lb ) 

Shrimp : 1 cup small 

Onion : a small one, thinly sliced 

Mustard oil : 6 tablespoon 

Kala jeera / Nigella seeds : half teaspoon 

Green chilis : 4 - 5 or to taste 

Turmeric powder : a pinch 

Red chili powder : 1/2 teaspoon ( optional ) 

Mustard paste : 2 teaspoons 

Grated coconut : two tablespoons ( optional ) 

Salt : to taste 

Method:

1. Cut the asparagus into 2 inches long pieces and discard the hard end part. 

2. Clean and wash the shrimps thoroughly and salt and turmeric and mix it well  and set it aside for 10 minutes. 

3. Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, fry the shrimp until they are pink. Take it off from the pan and keep it aside. 

4. In the remaining oil add kalo jeere and green chilis. Once it sizzles add sliced onion and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. 

5. Now add the chopped asparagus to the pan. Stir it and add salt and turmeric. Cover and cook it for 8 to 10 minutes over low heat until they are soft. 

6. Add mustard paste , add more green chilies if you need. Keep stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. 

7. Now add fried prawns and mix it well. Check the seasoning. Add grated coconut ( optional ) and add few drops of mustard oil. Stir and cook for another couple of minutes. Switch off the flame and serve hot with steamed rice. 

Kalakand ( Indian Milk Cake )

The Festive season is around the corner. After Janmashtami last week, it’s now time to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, a grand festival in India before Navaratri or Durga Puja comes. As we all know, our festivals can’t be celebrated without sweets. It’s very common practice to offer sweets to Hindu gods and distribute the same among devotees once the puja is done. So for your need, I have come up with the recipe of very popular Indian sweet today. While I am busy planning my son’s 9^th birthday, didn’t have enough time to capture pictures of a new post. So thought of sharing this recipe that I tried a few months back and was lying in my draft for some time.

The name of today’s recipe is Kalakand, a delicious Indian dessert, though originated from north India, it has gained popularity across all parts of India.  It’s a milk based sweet dish and rich, soft and crumbly. This traditional dessert is made with Indian Cottage Cheese (Chenna) and solidified milk (Mawa) ). 

There are various methods of preparing Kalakand and some short-cuts too. Though the traditional one is little time-consuming, worth every bit of the effort. To prepare Kalakand from scratch, the  first thing you need to do is to make some Chenna. Then to get a thicker mixture, you would cook Chenna with low flame and allow the mixture to set for a few minutes. Once it’s formed,  you should cut it into squares and garnish with nuts like Pistachios and almonds. If you have never tried a sweet dish, you should definitely give a try to prepare this relatively easier one in this festive season.

Recipe of Kalakand : Makes about 10 pieces 














 

Ingredients :

Whole Milk : 9 cups

Lemon juice : of a big lemon, mix with 2 teaspoons of water.

Green Cardamoms : 3, crushed 

Milk powder : 4 tablespoons 

Sugar : 3 to 4 tablespoons or to taste 

Ghee / Clarified Butter : 1 teaspoon 

Pistachios : chopped 3 to 4 tablespoons. 

Method :

1. Boil 4 cups of  milk in a big pan and stir continuously. Once the milk starts boiling, lower the flame. Pour the lemon juice. Stir the milk. Once the milk starts curdling, and it changes into chenna (cottage cheese) and greenish water, remove the pan from heat. Leave the chenna / channa in this condition for 5-7 minutes.

2. Put it over a soft cotton cloth / or a cheese cloth (if you have any). Let all the water drain away. Now put this cloth with the chenna under running cold water for 2-3 minutes. This will help to remove the smell of lemon. Hang the chenna along with the cloth on the kitchen faucet for 30 minutes. Please note that the Chenna shouldn’t get too dry.

3. Take a nonstick pan, add the remaining milk and boil it till the milk reduces to half of its quantity. 

4. Now add the chenna to the milk. Stir it till the mixture thickens. Add the milk powder and keep stirring. Add sugar and crushed cardamoms. Stir it again and cook the mixture until it separates from all the sides of the pan and it forms a lump. 

5. Grease a plate with the ghee / clearified butter. Spread the Kalakand evenly on the plate. Garnish with chopped pistachios or almonds. Refrigerate it for about an hour.

6. Cut the Kalakand into squares and serve. 

Radhaballabhi / Radha ballavi ( Bengali Stuffed Poori with Spiced Urad Dal )

Once upon a time, when my mother used to make Luchi (similar to famous Indian dish Puri) I used to wonder how she can make every one of them puff so nicely. Couldn’t imagine that one day I will also be popular as master of this expertise among my friend circle. Most of my friends in San Diego can die for Luchi with mangsher jhol (chicken or mutton gravy) or Aloo Dum and I feel very happy if I can prepare the same for them in my party. 

In Bengali Cuisine there are many version of this dish, where it’s stuffed differently. Some popular names from the list are Dal Puri, Hinger Kachori, Radha Ballavi.  A very thin line of difference exists among these variants and each one carries its own discernible features. Making stuffed Puri was not a cup of my tea, though I can comfortably make simple Puri. Recently I have mastered this skill too :-)

Today I have got a stuffed Puri recipe, called Radha Ballavi. It’s deep fried like a Luchi or Puri but stuffed with spicy urad daal filling. Often they are bigger than normal Puris in size and served with Dum Aloo or Cholar Dal.  This is a very traditional Bengali dish, commonly available in sweet shops, served as breakfast or snack. When north-Indian Naan or Kulcha didn’t become a status symbol in the Bengali wedding, this dish used to be served along with Pulao in most of the weddings. Generally, Radha Ballavis are not made at home and left to the professionals of the sweet shop or the Chef appointed to cook for a wedding. However, neither we can go to a sweet shop nor can attend a wedding in abroad, so only way to enjoy this tasty delicious item is making it at home.

Steps of making RadhaBallabhi 

Recipe of Radhaballabhi, serves : 2

Ingredients :

For dough

Maida / all purpose Flour : 2 cups

Ghee or white oil : 2 tablespoons 

Salt :  a pinch 

Luke-warm water : for kneading 

For Stuffing

Urad dal : 1/2 cup, washed and soaked for overnight 

Grated Ginger /Ginger paste : 1/2 tablespoon 

Green chillies : 1 

Hing ( asafoetida ) : a generous pinch 

Bhaja Masala : 1 tablespoon ( Take one dry whole red chili , two teaspoons of whole cumin seeds, and a half teaspoon of whole coriander seeds in a small pan, dry roast them till aroma comes up.Turn off the gas. Let it cool down and then dry grind to a fine powder. )

Whole fennel seeds : 1/2 teaspoon 

Salt : to taste 

Oil : for deep frying 

Method :

1. In a wet mixer grinder add the urad dal, ginger, fennel seeds and green chili. Make a paste. 

2. Heat one or two tablespoons of oil in a non-stick pan. Add hing , then add the Urad dal paste to it. Add salt and keep stirring the paste and cook it until a thick dough is formed. Once done, add bhaja masala and allow it to cool. Stuffing is ready. 

3. In a big bowl, take maida, salt, and oil and mix them well. Now gradually add water and knead it for at least 7 to 8 minutes and make it a dough. The dough should be soft enough but still firm. Once it is done, keep it covered with a damp kitchen towel. 

4. Make some big lemon sized balls from the dough. 

5. Flatten a ball into a disc of about 2 inches by using your palms.

6. Place one big teaspoon of stuffing in the center of the flatten dough, cover the stuffing by bringing all the sides of the disc together and make a ball again. 

7. Slowly press down with the help of a rolling pin to roll out the ball and get a small circle like puris. Prepare all the puris in the same way. 

8. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Once the oil is hot, keep the flame on medium high, put the Radhaballabhi in the oil one at a  time. Toss it carefully and fry it with the spatula, till it becomes golden on both the sides.

9. To puff it up, you should lightly press down the sides of the Radhaballavi with the spatula and always control the heat of the oil by increasing or decreasing the flame.

10.  Remove the fried RadhaBallabhi with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain the excess oil. Serve hot with Dum aloo / Aloor dom or Cholar dal.