VEGETABLE MANCHURIAN

The past few days have been a little crazy. first my husband left for India. He had a lay over in mumbai the day the most horrific of incidents in the history of the country occurred. He reached his destination just fine. Then my brother was here for thanksgiving, so was busy with that.

And then yesterday I came down with fever.  There was so much happening, that I got left behind in the recipe marathon too. was short by just a week. I guess better luck next time. 

Apart from just a few dishes I made when my brother was there, I have not been cooking much. 

since I was feeling a little better today, I thought of atleast updating my blog with a few recipes I made last week.

vegetable Manchurian, is one of them, that I made just a day before my husband was leaving.

We both love Chinese and with no options for Indian Chinese,I end up making it at home.

I wonder what's the history behind the name"vegetable Manchurian".

anyways here is the recipe

You will need

for the manchurain balls

• carrot-2-3
  
• cabbage-1/2 
  
• garlic-1-2
  
• cornflour
  
• salt and pepper
  
• oil- to fry

for the gravy

• onion-1
  
• garlic-1-2
  
• soy sauce-2 tbsp
  
• chilly sauce-1 tbsp
  
• vinegar-1 tbsp
  
• green onion-2-3
  
• salt and pepper to taste
  
• sugar-1/2 tsp
  
• water-1 cup
  
• cornflour-1 tbsp
  

You have to 

for the manchurian balls

1. grate the cabbage and carrot.
   
2. chop the garlic and add to the grated carrot and cabbage
   
3. add the salt and pepper
   
4. add cornflour and mix everything up.
   
5. heat oil in a pan.
   
6. take a little bit of the mixture, squeeze it. (there will be water) and shape into ball. fry till golden brown.
   
7. note: initially fry one ball and see. if it doesn't break fine. But if it breaks add some more cornflour. You will have to squeeze out the excess water before making the balls and frying.

fried manchurain balls

for the gravy

1. finally chop the onion and the garlic
   
2. in a pan take around 1 tbsp of the same oil (that you used for frying the Manchurian balls).
   
3. add the chopped onion and the garlic. saute till transparent
   
4. in a bowl mix the soy sauce, chilly sauce and the vinegar. add the salt, pepper and sugar.
   
5. mix in the water. add the mixture to the fried onions and garlic.
   
6. in a smaller bowl dissolve the cornflour in water and add it to the gravy, mixing constantly.
   
7. check for seasoning. add the manchurain balls right before serving.
   
8. garnish with green onions.
   
9. serve hot with rice and /or noodles.
   

enjoy

SESAME CHILLY POTATOES

Its actually been a while since i last posted a recipe.........I can not think of any intros......I have typed and deleted atleast five times............finally I give up.

made this dish for an indian chinese dinner that I made on friday.

As I was making this dish,I remembered the A.W.E.D with theme chinese, hosted by Culinary Bazaar. It fit perfectly. I am sending it in.

I made this using a stir fry sauce that I had bought from Trader Joe's (a speciality store). it did the trick. I was amazed how good it tasted. Served it along with vegetable manchurian, fried rice and hakka noodles.

here is the recipe

You will need

• potatoes- 4
• onions (sliced)- 1
• bell peppers (sliced)- 1/2
• garlic (finally chopped)- 1 tsp
• sesame seeds- 1 tsp
• whole red chilly- 2-3
• stir fry sauce- 1 tbsp
• chilly sauce- 1 tsp
• soy sauce- 1/2 tsp
• tomato sauce- 1 tsp
• salt and pepper - to taste
• ajinomoto- a pinch (this is optional)
• oil

You have to

1. cut potatoes into long slices and fry them. drain excess oil.
2. to make the potatoes crisper, after frying I baked them in the oven for 10- 15 mins.
3. heat oil in a pan. add the sesame seeds, whole red chilly and garlic. saute.
4. add onions and fry them till soft. add the bell peppers. cook.
5. add soy sauce, chilly sauce and tomato sauce. along with salt, pepper, sugar and ajinomoto.
6. add the potatoes. mix everything.
7. add the stir fry sauce and cook.
8. add very littler water, to get all the sauces together and coat the potatoes.
9. dish out and garnish with spring onions.

enjoy.

SWEET AND SOUR VEGETABLES

I wonder how an authentic Chinese would respond to eating Chinese food in India?

hummmm!!! I guess he will enjoy the twist in taste too.

Welcome to the land where the authentic Chinese food got a tempering of the Indian taste and the result was "Indian Chinese". A cuisine that has grown in popularity all over India.

As for me, I have had an old connection with the cuisine. That is because I share my birthplace with that of the cuisine- Kolkatta (did not know this until I read about Indian Chinese in wikipedia).

Growing up, eating Hakka noodles, Manchurian, chilly chicken and a whole lot of other specialities, I ended up opening a small Chinese take away, in the market complex near our house, in Delhi.Its menu had all the famous "Indian Chinese dishes like, veg Manchurian, chilly chicken, chili paneer, momos, to name a few. The take away however had to shut down after I got married and came to the US.

After coming to the US, I have always craved for the taste of this cuisine. There are no places that I know of, that serve up all the favourites. So I end up recreating the flavours at home as far as possible.

Sweet and sour vegetable is the new addition to my list of Indian Chinese that I have tried recently.

I was quite surprised to actually find an entire article related to Indian Chinese on wikipedia. here is the link, if anyone would like to know more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Chinese_cuisine

http://www.chinatownconnection.com/indian-chinese-fusion-food.htm

Here is the recipe.

You will need

Green bell peppers: 2

Potatoes: 3

Onions- 1

Carrot- 2-3

Cauliflower- 7-8 florets

Tomato- 3

Honey- 2 tsps

Chilli sauce- 1 tsp

Soy sauce- 1 tsp

Maggi hot and sweet tomato sauce- 2 tbsp (available in Indian store)

Wochestireshire sauce- 1/ 2 tsp

Salt- to taste

Pepper- 1/2 tsp

Red chilli flakes- 1/2 tsp

Sugar- 1/ 2 tsp

Garlic- 1 tsp

Oil- 1 tbsp

note: one can add any veggies. I just added the ones I had on hand. Zucchini, snow peas, broccoli etc. Can be added as well

You have to:

1. Dice the vegetables, into cubes.
2. Heat oil in a pan, saute garlic.
3. Add the cubed onions. saute.
4. Add the other vegetables, except the tomato.Add salt and saute.
5. Cover and cook for 10- 15 mins.
6. In a bowl, combine the honey, along with all the sauces, and the spices.
7. Add very little water. Mix well.
8. Add this sauce to the vegetables.Let it cook. mix well.
9. Add the tomatoes and cook on high heat, till vegetables become tender.
10. Check for seasoning. Here you will have to add a little bit of sugar, and spice if required.
11. Turn off the heat once the gravy comes together.
12. Garnish with cilantro.
13. Serve with steamed rice, or noodles.

enjoy.....