Tomato-Brinjal-Potato Curry (Thakkali Kathirikai Urulaikizhangu Kadaiyal)

Category:  Kuzhambu Varieties 

Preparation Time: 10 mins  

Cooking Time: 20-30 mins 

Servings: 3-4 servings

Tomato-Brinjal-Potato Curry

 Tomato-Brinjal-Potato Curry, usually called as "Thakkali Kathirikkai UrulaiKizhangu Kadainthathu" in our Home is a very tasty one with minimal ingredients. We love to have with Idly, Dosa and Paniyaram. This is my mom's recipe and I just added Curry powder as an extra ingredient. We can also add coconut milk at the end for more flavour.

Ingredients:

• Tomatoes, well ripen - 3 nos, finely chopped
• Brinjal - 2 nos, finely chopped
• Potato - 2 nos, peeled and finely chopped
• Small Onions - 10-12 nos or 1 Big onion, finely chopped
• Green chillies - 1-2 nos, halved (Adjust as per spice level) (Can be avoided if making for kids)
• Red chillies - 1 no, broken

Potato Smileys

Category: Snacks
Preparation Time: 10 mins + 1 hr resting time
Cooking Time: 20 mins
Servings: 3-4 servings

Potato Smileys:)

These home made potato smileys will surely bring a huge smiles on our little ones' faces. The flavorings can be adjusted as per our taste. For Indian flavor, we can use any Spice Masala and Ginger Garlic paste instead of Italian seasoning. I add cheese since  kids like it, I guess we can omit it if making with spices.

Ingredients:

• Potato - 4-5 small sized ones / 2 big ones
• Cheese - 1 slice
• Corn starch / Corn flour - 3-4 tbsp (as needed)
• Bread crumbs - 1-2 tbsp
• Italian Seasoning - to taste
• Pepper powder - to taste
• Salt - as required
• Oil - for deep frying

Method:

1. In a pan, boil the potato with skin till it gets cooked (I didn't pressure cook since that will make them so soft)
2. Peel off the skin from the cooked potatoes and mash / grate them in a mixing bowl
   
   
   
   
3. To the mashed potato, add the cheese, Italian seasoning, pepper powder and salt; mix well until they all gets combined
4. Now add the bread crumbs to it and mix well
5. Then add the Corn flour, 1 tbsp at a time and knead well to form a soft dough
   
6. Refrigerate the dough for atleast 30 mins to 1 hour (We can also keep it overnight)
7. After refrigeration, make equal sized balls out of it 
8. Flatten the balls to a little thick circular discs
9. Using straw / back of a clean pencil, make two holes for the eyes
   
10. Using the spoon, make a smile on them :)
    
11. Heat oil in a wok (enough for deep frying) and once it becomes hot, add the prepared smileys in batches and deep fry them in medium high flame; by flipping it half way through for even frying
    
    
    
    
12. It may take around 3-5 mins per batch and once the sizzling sound subsides and they all turned golden brown, take it out and drain the excess oil
    
13. Serve hot:)
    

Broccoli - Potato Stir Fry

Category: Lunch / Poriyal
Preparation Time: 10 mins 
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Servings: 2-3 Servings

Broccoli-Potato Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• Broccoli florets - 2 cups
• Potato, cut into thin wedges - 2 nos
• Oil - 2 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Spice Powder - 1-2 tsp (I used home made Pav Bhaji Masala, and it can be replaced with any Masala powders as per taste)
• Salt - to taste

Method:

1. Place the potato wedges in hot water for 5 mins and drain excess water; keep aside
2. Clean and chop broccoli into bite sized florets, we can also blanch them in hot water for 1-2 mins
3. Heat oil in a pan, once it becomes hot add the Cumin seeds and allow them to splutter
4. Add the Ginger Garlic paste and saute for a min
5. Add the potato pieces along with turmeric powder and saute for 2-3 mins
   
6. Cook covered until potato gets half cooked
7. Now add the Broccoli florets and saute for another 2 mins
   
8. Add required salt and Masala powder, mix well and cook covered for 2 mins till broccoli gets cooked but it should still retain its crunchiness
   
9. Once its done, fry for one more min and switch it off
   
10. Serve hot!
    

Cheese stuffed Broccoli Cutlets

Category: Snacks
Preparation Time: 10 mins  
Cooking Time: 4-5 mins per batch
Servings: Yields 5-6 cutlets

Cheese stuffed Broccoli Cutlet

Cheese stuffed Broccoli Cutlet

Ingredients:

• Broccoli, finely chopped / grated - 1 cup heaped
• Potatoes - 1 no
• Small Onion, finely chopped - 5-6 nos
• Garlic, finely chopped - 3 pods
• Corn starch / corn flour - 1-2 tbsp
• Cheese - 1 slice or 2-3 cubes (as required)
• Pepper Powder - to taste
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 1 tsp + for toasting
• Optional: Green chillies, finely chopped (can be avoided if making for kids)

Method:

1. Boil the potatoes and grate / mash it well without any lumps
   
2. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan, add finely chopped small onions and saute for 1 min
   
3. Add the finely chopped garlic and saute till they turn golden brown; If using chillies, we can add at this stage and fry well
   
4. Add the grated / finely chopped broccoli pieces along with required salt and saute in medium flame for few mins till it gets cooked
   
5. Once the broccoli is done, switch off and allow the mixture to cool
6. In a bowl, add the sauted broccoli and mashed potato, mix well
   
7. Add 1 tbsp of corn flour to it and knead well to form a stiff dough. If required we can add another 1/2 tbsp of corn powder
   
8. Make equal sized balls out of the kneaded dough; flatten one ball into a circular patty
9. If using cheese slice, we can cut them into thin strips and roll it as below and place in the center of the patty; when using cubes, we can grate it and place the same
   
10. After placing the cheese at the center, bring the sides inwards and form a ball
11. Flatten it gently into circular cutlet shapes; repeat the same for the remaining dough
    
12. Heat a pan and drizzle few drops of oil, place the patties and allow to toast for 1-2 mins in medium flame
    
13. Then flip it over and cook the other side too with few drops of oil till it becomes golden brown
    
14. Once its done, remove it and serve hot!
    

Home made Potato Chips / Wafers

Category: Snacks
Preparation Time: 10 mins + 30 mins - 1 hr soaking time
Cooking Time: 4-5 mins per batch
Servings: Around 5 cups

Home made potato chips / wafers is a healthy alternative for the store bought wafers which are loaded with artificial chemicals and flavouring agents. Although its deep fried, once in a while it's fine and kids will enjoy these:) Here I had not added any spices but we can add as per our taste. Also since I soaked in salt water, I didnt add salt later, but if we need, we can add to our taste. This can be had for snacks or with sambar sadham:)

Home made Potato Chips - Crispy!!!

Ingredients: 

• Russet potatoes- 3 nos
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - for deep fry
• Ice cold water - for soaking
• Spices for flavouring (Optional) - Pepper / Chilli powder / Mint/Chat Masala , etc

Method:

1. Wash and peel the skin off (Optional) from the potatoes
   
2. In a wide bowl take ice cold water with 1 tsp of salt
3. Using slicer, make thin slices of the potatoes and soak them in the cold water for minimum 30 mins. We could also keep the bowl inside the refrigerator. This step would help to remove little starch from the slices and make it crispy
   
4. After 30 mins, drain the water and wipe the potato slices well with paper towel / cloth to remove moisture; spread it over paper towel on a plate
   
5. Heat oil in a kadai for frying
6. Once the oil is hot, add few slices one by one into the hot oil (add depend on the size of the pan and amount of oil) and allow to cook
   
7. Stir it in between for uniform frying
   
8. Once it started to turn golden brown, remove it and drain the excess oil
   
9. Place it over a paper towel 
   
10. If using spices, sprinkle spice over the chips while its hot, we can also add salt if needed
11. Store it in an air tight container
    

Mint flavoured Aloo Paratha

Category: Chapati / Paratha   
Preparation Time: 15 mins    
Waiting Time: 30 mins    
Cooking Time: 25 mins    
Servings: yields 10 - 12 parathas

Minty Aloo Paratha

Ingredients: 

For dough:

• Wheat flour / Atta -2 1/2 cup
• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Salt- to taste
• Warm Water - as required 

For Stuffing:

• Potatoes - 4 nos
• Mint / Pudhina leaves, finely chopped - 1 cup , loosely packed
• Ajwain / Omam - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Green chilly paste - 1 tsp (Optional - I didn't use here)

Other Ingredients:

• Wheat flour - for dusting
• Ghee / Oil - for toasting

Method:

1. In a wide bowl, take wheat flour, ghee and required salt, mix well and knead into a smooth soft dough by gradually adding warm water. Keep aside for atleast 30 mins and prepare the stuffing
   
2. Pressure cook the potatoes; remove the skin and mash them well without any lumps
   
3. Add the finely chopped mint leaves, Ajwain, Salt. Turmeric powder and green chilly paste (if using) to the mashed potatoes and knead well
   
4. Make equal sized balls of the stuffing and keep it ready
   
5. Divide the dough into equal lemon sized balls, dust them with flour, flatten them to a small thick circle
   
6. Place one ball of stuffing inside, cover it upto form a big ball
   
   
7.  Roll to form a thin or slightly thick Paratha
   
8. Heat the tawa, place the parathas and cook till bubbles started to appear on the surface
   
9. Turn over and cook the other side
   
10. Once it's cooked, spread a little ghee / oil on the paratha and transfer to plate or place it in hot box till you serve
    
11. These parathas are super soft and taste good with plain curd / any raita