Masala Vada

Ingredients :

Split Bengal gram - 1.5 cup ( soak in water for about 4 hours)
Onion - 1 medium size (chop very finely)
5-6 finely chopped curry leaves

1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

5 finely chopped green chillies

2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp cumin seeds

Salt to taste

Oil for deep frying

Method :

Drain the water from the Channa(Bengal gram). First grind 2 tbsp dal to a fine paste without adding water. Now add the remaining dal and grind coarsely.(for 5-6 seconds) . Keep aside 2 spoons of the dal-mix it later with the other ingredients.
Mix all the other ingredients into it. Make medium sized dumplings, flatten and deep fry till they turn golden brown on both sides. Best served along with 'Payisam'.

Diwali snack - Potato/plantain bajjis

Ingredients :

Potatoes - 1 lb
Plantain - 1 lb
Oil - 2 cups
Batter -
Cornflour
Chilli powder
Ginger-garlic paste
Rice-flour
Salt.

Method :

Heat oil in a deep pan. In the meantime, mix all the ingredients in a bowl with little water into a smooth paste. Peel and slice the potatoes and plantains into very thin round shapes. Dip them in the batter and deep fry on both sides till they turn brown.

Chicken reshmi kababs.

Ingredients :

Boneless chicken - cut into cubes - 1lb
Herb vinaigrette - 3/4 cup [can be bought from 'whole foods store or made at home]
(¼ cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar,1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh oregano, 2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon of whole grain Dijon mustard, Salt, Freshly ground black pepper)
1/2 cup butter
Lemon juice - 3 tbsp
Garlic paste - 2 tsp
white pepper powder - 1 tsp
Yellow or green food color - a pinch.

Method :

Mix all the ingredients and let it marinade for atleast 12 hours . Pre-heat oven at 400 degrees and then cook the chicken for about 20 minutes or until done, brushing it with olive oil at regular intervals. Serve with pudina chutney.

Spicy Chicken kababs

Ingredients :

Boneless chicken - 1 lb (cut into small cubes)
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Dhainya powder - 2 tbsp
Jeera powder - 2 tbsp
Chilli powder - 2 tbsp
Garam masala - 2 tbsp
Salt
Fresh cream - 1/4 cup
Red tandoori color - a pinch

Method :

Mix all the above ingredients with the chicken in a bowl, expect the cream. Let it marinate for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator. Pre heat the oven at 400 degrees. Mix the chicken with the cream sometime before grilling it. Keep in oven for 20 minutes while brushing oil or butter at regular intervals. Serve hot with pudina chutney.

Sheek kabab (pork)

Ingredients :

Ground pork (any ground meat of your choice) - 1 lb
Onion - 1 small -minced
Green chillies - (minced)
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Cumin powder - 1 tbsp
Garam masala - 1 tbsp
Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
Lime juice - 2 tbsp
Egg - 1
Butter - 1 cube
Salt
Olive oil - 2 tbsp

Method :

Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl. Make them into shapes like a hot dog. Mold the meat onto the skewers and place them in the oven - pre-heat oven at 450 degrees and then place them inside for about 45 minutes or till done. Brush it with oil at regular intervals. Serve hot with pudina chutney.

Tandoori chicken

Ingredients:

Chicken drumsticks and thighs with bone - 4 pieces each
Dhaniya powder- 3 tbsp
Jeera powder - 3 tbsp
Chilli powder - 2 tbsp
Black pepper powder - 2 tbsp
Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tbsp
Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Lemon juice - 2 full lemons
Red tandoori color
Butter - half a block
Salt

Method:

Mix all the above ingredients and marinate the chicken for atleast 24 hrs. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and cook in oven for 45 minutes.
Serve hot with pudina or mint chutney.

Chicken lollypops

Ingredients:

Boneless chicken- 1lb (cut into cubes)
Self-rising flour - 1 small cup
White pepper powder- 1 tbsp
Ginger garlic paste- 1/2 tbsp
Oil- 2 tsp
Cornstarch- 2 tbsp
Soy sauce- 1 tbsp
Salt
Toothpicks - few

Dipping sauce:Ingredients:

1 cup Vegetable broth
6 tablespoons Tomato paste
2 teaspoons Red chili paste
1 tablespoon (fresh lemon) juice
1/2 teaspoon Ground cumin
1 tablespoon Fresh parsley -- minced
1 tablespoon Cilantro -- minced

Method:

Mix all the above ingredients into a paste. Add the cut chicken cubes and mix well. Golden fry in hot oil till its done. Use toothpicks like lollipop sticks to dip the fried chicken into the sauce and eat.

For the sauce - mix all the ingredients in a saucepan. Keep stirring on medium heat till it gets thickened like a gravy.