Honey Chilli Potatoes

What's not to love about chinese food , especially this completely Indianised (read non authentic) starter! 

The ones served in restaurants are usually deep fried with a cornflour batter and then tossed about with the sauces. This recipe is super quick and much lower in calories and something I can whip up any time . I use store-bought frozen french fries which I bake in the oven (zero oil) and then toss them with peppers and honey. These can be made with all kinds of peppers, baby corn,sweet corn,mushrooms - just saute whatever vegetable you are using as in step 2. Even the sweetness and chilli can be adjusted as per taste

Ingredients (makes one medium bowl serving)

1 medium packet frozen french fries (about 250 gms)

1 large bell pepper, sliced

1 green chilli, sliced

1 tablespoon honey (add more if you want a sweeter taste)

1 tablespoon soya sauce

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon red chilli powder

Salt to tast

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1 teaspoon chopped ginger

2 tablespoons white sesame seeds

2 tablespoons oil

1. Pre heat oven to 220 degrees. Thaw the fries for 15 minutes before placing in a tray and baking in the oven- wtihout oil, on the top rack . Bake for about 15 minutes or till done, not too brown

2. Heat oil in a wok. Fry the ginger, garlic and green chilli. Saute the peppers on a high flame till slightly soft

3. Add all the remaining ingredients (except the sesame seeds) and toss for a minute

4. Add in the fries and reduce the flame. Mix till the sauce coats everything uniformly

5. Remove onto serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds.

6. Serve immediately  

Churma Recipe

Churma - of Dal Bhaati Churma fame. This recipe is from Tarla Dalal's Rajasthani cookbook with very minor modifications.
It is a very light version of the actual ghee-laden churma I have eaten before. Perfect end to an Indian meal menu. As per the recipe the same can be used for making Churma ladoos, just need to add more ghee for the binding - what's the point I say?;)

Ingredients (makes one medium bowl )
1 cup atta (whole wheat)
1/2 cup sooji
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoons ghee plus ghee to fry
1/4 cup powderd almonds/cashewnuts


1. Knead the atta with the melted ghee (4 tablespoons) and little water (approx 1/2 cup added in parts) to get a smooth and
tight dough. It needs to be made with minimum water so add little water at a time .
2. Divide the dough into 8 portions and roll into round pedas.
3. Take each peda, place onto your palm and flatten it tightly between your palm and fingers. The dough should get your finger impressions (see pic 3 below)
4. Heat ghee in a thick bottomed kadhai. When hot, reduce the flame to minimum and add the flattened pedas to fry. Fry on minimum flame till they are medium brown in colour(see pic 2 of fried pedas) -takes about 12-15 minutes per batch.
5. Cool completely
6. Break into rough pieces and add to the grinder. Grind till you get to a coarse powder (not too fine-about the texture of regular sugar)
7. Add the powdered sugar,almonds and elaichi powder.
8. This can be stored in an airtight jar for a few days