Orange Crinkle Cookies Or Nankhatai

Orange crinkle cookies or Indian shortbread biscuits or nankhatai.

If you are tired of eating same type of cookies try this fusion cookies. A mix match of orange flavoured crinkle cookies and shortbread  biscuits or nankhatai. I am sure you will love the taste even if you don’t like orange. I have tried it first time and everyone love the taste. I have to make one more batch 😀

This week’s our #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #fusion recipe. And my contribution is this super yummy crispy orange cookies.

Fusion cooking allows us to mix and match ingredients cooking style and recipes. And come up with a new and more delicious dish.

Nankhatai is Indian shortbread biscuits popular in India and Pakistan. The word Nankhatai is derived from Persian word Naan meaning bread and Khatai from an Afghan word meaning Biscuit. These nankhatai are known for it’s divine taste and melt in mouth texture.

Crinkle cookies are coated with powdered sugar and while baking they puff up and crackle. So these cookies are called crinkle cookies.

And here is a mix match of orange crinkle cookies and nanakhatai or Indian short bread.

Recipe 

Flour – 1 cup

Oats – 1/2 cup

Powered sugar – 1 cup

Cashew nuts – 1/4 cup

Orange juice – 1/4 cup

Orange zest – 1 & 1/2 teaspoon

Clarified butter/ghee or butter – 1/2 cup

Baking powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Baking soda – 1/4 teaspoon

Powered sugar for coating

Method 

Grind the oats and mix with flour. I have used 1/2 cup all purpose flour/maida and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour or atta. You can use only whole wheat flour/atta or only all purpose flour/maida too.

Grate the orange peel for orange zest. Be careful while grating. Grate only the orange part and not the white pith. Because white pith is bitter in taste.

Grind the cashew nuts and keep aside.

Cream together clarified butter/ghee or butter. I have used ghee or clarified butter. You can use butter if you like. Mix orange zest and half of the orange juice.  Beat well.

Add oats powder mixed flour, baking powder, soda and ground cashew nuts.

Make a smooth dough with remaining orange juice. Mix orange juice gradually.

Dough will be soft and sticky. Keep the dough in refrigerator for 10 – 15 minutes.

Grease a baking tray or line with parchment paper.

Spread powdered sugar on a plate.

Make small balls out of the dough, roll on powdered sugar and place on baking tray 1 to 2 inch apart. Keep the tray in refrigerator again for 10 – 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180° for 10 minutes.

Take out the baking tray from refrigerator.

Roll the balls on powdered sugar again. Press gently on powdered sugar. Place the balls on baking tray 1 – 2 inch distance.

Cookies will expand so don’t forget to keep distance.

Bake at preheated oven at 180° for 15 – 20 minutes. Or until the edges becomes light brown. Every oven takes different time so check after 10 minutes.

Don’t overbake.

Let the cookies cool down before serving. Cookies will be soft when hot but they will turn crisp as they cool down. Store in an airtight container for later use.

Enjoy the divine taste. Serve with tea or coffee or satisfy your sudden hunger pangs.

I would love to hear from you. Please give your feedback if you like the recipe.

Chicken Dak Bungalow

Dak bungalow chicken.

Its a colonial recipe from the days of the British. Unfortunately dak bungalow cuisine is a near forgotten culinary treasure. Dak bungalows were the rest houses of Calcutta where the British officers used to take rest on journey. Or used as a night stay during hunting trip. In these dak bungalows or rest houses a khansama or orderly used to handle the kitchen. They generally used their own chicken or goat or the animals killed in hunting to serve the officers.

The recipe is different  from one dak bungalow to other depending on the availability of ingredients.

Dak bungalow chicken curry comes with whole boiled and fried eggs and potatoes in it and freshly ground spices.

A very flavourful dish which needs only two steps marinade and then cook. The original recipe of chicken dak bungalow was chicken roast. Which is very light on spices and could be cooked with minimal ingredients and shortest of time. But these days chicken dak bungalow is much spicier and with more gravy.

I have made this chicken dak bungalow in my own way. Generally coriander powder is used in it but I have used cumin powder in it. You can use coriander powder if you like.

I have made a rich and spicier version of chicken dak bungalow.

Recipe 

Chicken pieces – 1 kg

Onions – 4 large

Garlic – 6 – 7 cloves

Tomatoes – 4 large

Oil – 1/2 cup

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Sugar – 1 teaspoon optional

Ginger – 1 inch piece

Green chilli – 3 – 4 or to taste

Green cardamom – 4 -5

Cinnamon – 1 inch stick

Cloves – 4

Mace or javitri – 2 string

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 2 tablespoons

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon or as per your spice tolerance

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon

Eggs – 4 – 6
Garam masala powder – 1/2 teaspoon

For marinate 

Salt

Mustard oil – 1 tablespoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

lemon juice – 1 teaspoon

Garlic paste – 1 tablespoon

Ginger paste – 1 teaspoon

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon

Curd – 1/2 cup
Garam masala powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Method 

Marinate the chicken pieces with salt, mustard oil, turmeric powder, cumin powder, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, chilli powder, pepper powder, garam masala powder and curd. Keep it in refrigerator for 1 – 2 hour or overnight.

Finely chop 2 onions. Make a paste of remaining 2 onions, ginger and garlic. Keep it aside.

Grind the tomatoes with green chillies, cardamom, mace, cloves and cinnamon. You can use the whole spices in tempering too.

Peel the boiled eggs and pierce with a knife. Marinate with salt and turmeric powder and keep aside. I didn’t use potatoes but if you are using potatoes peel and marinate some whole small potatoes or chopped large potatoes with salt and turmeric powder. Fry the potatoes and eggs separately and keep aside.

Heat mustard oil in a nonstick pan. Fry the marinated chicken pieces and keep aside.

In the same oil add the chopped onion and sugar. Fry till the onion becomes brown. Add the onion, garlic and ginger paste. Saute till oil leaves the sides.

Now add the tomato, green chilli, cardamom, mace or javitri, cinnamon and cloves paste. Saute and add salt cumin powder, red chilli powder, black pepper powder, turmeric powder. Saute till oil leaves the sides.

Now add the fried chicken pieces. Mix well.

Add remaining spices of marination and water as require to make gravy. Add the fried potatoes and eggs. Cover and cook until the chicken and potatoes are becomes soft.

Taste and adjust the seasoning. Sprinkle garam masala powder and switch off the flame.

Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced onions and green chilli.

Serve hot with steamed rice, roti or Indian flat bread, paratha, puri or luchi.

Potato Stuffed Egg Enchilada

Potato stuffed egg enchilada

A delicious Mexican dish enchilada is a corn tortilla stuffed with variety of ingredients like cheese, potatoes, vegetables , meat, beans etc and covered with a chili pepper sauce. The word comes from enchilar which means add chilli peppers to something. A spicy and super yummy breakfast dish.

Our #Foodiemonday #bloghop theme is #Enchilada. So here is an easiest enchilada recipe with a twist.

Most enchilada recipes call for corn tortillas. But I have used eggs to make the wraps. And very happy with the result. Its thin omelet stuffed with spicy potato and egg mixture. Covered with a delicious sauce.

Recipe 
For stuffing 

Potato – 2 large

Garlic – 3 – 4 cloves

Green chilli – 2

Oil – 1 tablespoon

Capsicum – 1

Cilantro – 2 tablespoon chopped

Scallion or spring onion – 2 finely chopped

Tomato – 2 small

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Oregano – 1 teaspoon

Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Tomato sauce – 1 teaspoon

Egg – 1 boiled

Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon

For the wrap 

Eggs – 5

salt to taste

Black pepper powder to taste

For sauce 

Tomato – 4 – 5 medium

Garlic paste – 1 teaspoon

Oil – 2 tablespoon

All purpose flour – 2 tablespoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon
oregano – 1 teaspoon

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon

Vinegar – 1 – 2 teaspoon

Water – 2 cup

Cilantro – 2 tablespoon

Tomato sauce – 1 tablespoon

Method 

For stuffing 

Crush or finely chop the garlic and green chilli.
Roast the capsicum on high flame with the help of a knife or fork until it’s skin becomes lightly black. Wash and remove the black skin. Now chop the capsicum, tomatoes and boiled egg.

Peel and cubed the potatoes. Boil or microwave with little water for 6 – 7 minutes. Drain the water and keep aside.

Heat oil in a nonstick pan. Add garlic and green chilli. Fry till the raw smell goes away or garlic becomes light brown.

Add chopped scallion and cubed, boiled potatoes. Mix well and add the chopped capsicum, tomato and egg. Stir and add salt, red chilli powder, oregano, cumin powder and black pepper powder.
Saute till the mixture dried up completely. Add chopped cilantro, tomato sauce and 2 tablespoon enchilada sauce mix well and switch off the flame. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Keep the mixture aside.

Beat the eggs with salt and black pepper powder. Make 4 omelets with it. Fill the potato stuffing. Spread the mixture middle of a omelet, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese or processed cheese and little oregano over it, then wrap the left side over and then the right. Make wraps like this with all the omelets.

For sauce 

Grind the tomatoes and keep aside.
Heat oil on medium heat. Add flour, cumin powder, oregano, red chilli powder, salt and black pepper powder. Stir continuously. Saute for a minute or till fragrant.

Add the tomato paste and garlic paste. Saute till the mixture dried up. Now add tomato sauce and water and stir continuously to remove the lumps. Let it boil on low flame for 7 – 8 minutes or until the mixture thickened. Add the chopped cilantro and 1 teaspoon vinegar. Mix well and switch off the flame. Taste and adjust the seasoning. I have added 1 teaspoon vinegar and black pepper powder more. Adjust as require.

preheat the oven at 200°. Spread some enchilada sauce on a baking pan. Place the stuffed omelets over it. Place the omelette seam side down. Pour sauce over them. Sprinkle mozerella cheese and chopped scallion over it. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until the sauce starts bubbling and cheese becomes light brown.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Note

If you have corn tortillas you can use them instead of omelets if you like.

Stuffing and sauce can be made a day before and refrigerate for convenience.

Tomato Cilantro Egg Drop Soup

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  Tomato cilantro egg drop soup.

A power packed soup for glowing skin and the overall health of our bodies.

Winter is knocking at the door. So our this week’s #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #Soup. My contribution is this delicious soup to stay warm and nourished in this cold season.

Some soups are not so healthy and unsuitable for diabetics because of lots of cream and other fat laden ingredients added. So here is a lip-smacking soup recipe for everyone.

Flavoured with garlic, lemon, ginger and cilantro.

Tomatoes have vitamins, minerals, protein and dietary fibers to maintain healthy skin and other body organs. Its helps to lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease, prevent cancer, fight inflammation and improve eye health. Apart from these it gives you radiant skin.

And lemon is a rich source of vitamin c. It protects the body against immune system deficiencies and serves as a powerful antibacterial.

Recipe is very simple and easy. You don’t need any fancy ingredients. You can use whatever you have in your pantry. I have used only tomatoes and cilantro but you can add grated carrots or any vegetables of your choice. Make a healthy bowlful to warm you up in this cold season.

Recipe 

Tomatoes – 4 large chopped

Cilantro or coriander leaves  – 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon chopped

Onion – 2 chopped

Garlic – 4 – 5 cloves chopped

Grated ginger – 1 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon

Shredded tender coconut – 2 tablespoon

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon optional

Bay leaf – 1

Lemon juice – 2 teaspoon

Egg – 2

Water or stock or coconut milk – 2 cup

Oil or butter – 2 tablespoon

Method 

Heat oil or butter in a pan. Add the bay leaf, chopped onion and garlic. Saute till the onion becomes translucent. Don’t make it brown.

Now add the chopped tomatoes, cilantro, coconut and grated ginger. Saute till the tomatoes becomes mushy.

Add salt, black pepper powder and red chilli powder. You can omit red chilli powder if you don’t like it hot. I have used it to add some colour in the soup.

Add 2 cup vegetable stock or coconut milk or water or chicken or mutton stock. Use whatever you have. I have used half water half coconut milk.

Let it boil. Cook on simmer for 10 minutes. Add lemon juice and mix. Let it cool down.

Discard the bay leaf and blend the mixture until smooth. Beat 2 eggs in a bowl and keep aside.

Pour it again in the pan. Add more water or stock. I have added 1 and 1/2 cup more. Add as you like your soup, thick or thin. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

When it starts to boil add the beaten eggs slowly. Stir gently. Eggs will cook immediately. If you don’t like eggs you can skip this step.

Cook until you get your desired consistency. Garnish with coriander leaves, grated coconut, tomato slice and scallion or spring onion.

Serve piping hot. Add some more lemon juice and back pepper powder if require.

Or if you are serving to your kids add spoonful of butter and grated cheese.

Stay healthy stay happy.

Enjoyyyy