Dates Dry Fruit Roll (Sugar Free Dessert)

 

             Dates Dry Fruit Rolls are very easy to prepare. They are healthy with the goodness of dates and mixed dry fruits having almonds, cashew, pistachios, walnuts and raisins. I flavored these rolls with cardamom powder and rose water. This is a perfect guilt free dessert apt for any festive occasions. Besides, they can be enjoyed as a quick breakfast on the go. It is also a perfect snack for weight watchers and ideal for the youngsters.

             Dates and Dry Fruit Rolls are completely sugar free as it has only the natural sweetness of the dates. So they are diabetic friendly. It can be made much in advance and stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. So check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy treat. 

• 1 cup soft dates, deseeded & chopped
• 3 tsp. ghee
• 1 cup mixed fry fruits, chopped
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. pistachios, chopped
• 1 tbsp. rose water
• pinch of chopped pistachios, almonds and dry rose petals

              Blend the chopped dates and the rose water in a mixer grinder and keep aside. 

              Dry roast the sesame seeds for a minute and keep aside.

              Heat 1 tsp. ghee and sauté the dry fruits for 2 minutes. Keep aside. 

              Heat 1 tsp. ghee and sauté raisins for a minute. Set aside. 

              Heat the remaining 1 tsp. ghee and sauté the ground dates and cardamom powder till it comes together as a lump. 

              Now add the roasted dry fruits and raisins. Combine everything well. 

              Transfer to a plate. When it is cool enough to handle,  roll the mix into a log. 

              Now on a surface or in a pan, spread the roasted sesame seeds, chopped pistachio, chopped almonds and dry rose petals.

              Roll the log on it so that it is well coated. Wrap it in an aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

              Then cut into slices with a sharp knife. Date Dry Fruit Rolls are ready to be enjoyed.

                                  Dry roast the sesame seeds for a minute and keep aside.

                            Heat 1 tsp. ghee & sauté the dry fruits for 2 minutes. Keep aside. 

                                 Heat 1 tsp. ghee and sauté raisins for a minute. Set aside. 

                     Heat the remaining 1 tsp. ghee & sauté the ground dates & cardamom

                       powder till it comes together as a lump. 

                        Add the roasted dry fruits & raisins. Mix everything well. Transfer 

                        to a plate. When it is cool enough to handle, roll the mix into a log. 

                              Now on a surface or in a pan, spread the roasted sesame seeds, 

                              chopped pistachio, chopped almonds and dry rose petals.

                                  Roll the log on it so that it is well coated. 

                                 Wrap it in an aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

                                  Cut into slices with a sharp knife.

                        Date Dry Fruit Rolls are ready to be enjoyed.

Chicken Cheese Tikka Wrap

 

                This is an amazing quick fix snack, that is not only delicious but wholesome and filling. It can be served as a meal on the go, as a tea-time snack, a simple lunch box meal or a light lunch / dinner. Options are a plenty. 

          These wraps are a popular street food / snack that is much liked by one and all. Even some store bought Tikkas can be used to prepare this delicacy if time is a restraint. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this great comfort snack.

• 1 cup atta (whole wheat flour)
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. oil to knead
• 2 eggs, beaten well with a pinch of salt & pepper powder
• 1 cup chicken tikka, shredded
• 4 tbsp. tomato ketchup / green chutney
• 2 cheese slices, each cut into half
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 2 lettuce leaves
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• oil to shallow fry

             Knead a dough with atta, salt to taste, 1 tbsp. oil and required quantity of water. Keep aside for 30 minutes. Divide it into 2 equal portions.

          Roll out each portion of the dough into a circle, just like chapatis. Heat a little oil in a tawa / griddle and fry one chapatti on both sides till slightly cooked.

          Add half of the beaten egg on one side of the chapatti and swirl it around so that it is evenly spread on the chapatti. 

          Fry for a minute and flip it over when set. Fry till both the sides are done. Fry the other chapati in the same way.

          To assemble, take a paratha and spread half of the tomato ketchup. Place a lettuce over it, followed by the cheese slice, half of the chicken tikka pieces lengthwise, onion, tomato and coriander leaves on the egg side of the parathas. 

          Gently roll over and secure with paper napkin / foil. Serve as a tea-time snack, a lunch box meal or for a light lunch / dinner.

Spinach (Palak) Paatra

 

          Paatra, a popular Gujarati Snack is also known as Aloo Vadi in Maharashtra and Pathrode in Mangalore. The method of making it, is almost the same. Traditionally, Paatra is prepared using Colocasia leaves that is liberally smeared with a spiced gram flour paste, rolled, steamed, sliced and then shallow fried. 

          However, in this recipe, I substituted it with few spinach leaves. For a healthier option, you can have them steamed. No matter what, it just tastes yummy. You can enjoy this healthy snack as an appetizer / snack with some chutney / tomato sauce or as a tea-time snack too. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare my version of this recipe.

• 10 fresh spinach leaves, preferably large in size, washed & pat dried
• 1 cup gram flour 
• 2 tbsp. semolina
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1`tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. fresh grated coconut 
• 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste
• 1 tsp. sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• pinch of baking soda
• 1 tsp. coriander-cumin powder
• 2-3 tbsp. mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp. oil
• water as needed

Tempering - 

• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds 
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1/2 tsp. chili flakes
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp. fresh grated coconut

          Make a semi-thick paste with the gram flour and all the other ingredients (except the spinach leaves).

          Take a spinach leaf and smear some paste over it. Take another leaf and place it on the first one. Smear some of the paste on it too, in the same manner. 

          Similarly smear the paste on more leaves depending on the size of the leaves. If the leaves are large then 2 leaves are enough. If not, work with 4-5 leaves. 

 

         Fold them securely. Make similar rolls and steam them for for 20 minutes. When cool, cut them into 1/2 inch slices.

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add cumin seeds, sesame seeds, asafoetida and the curry leaves.

          Sauté for a few seconds and add the sliced Paatra. Give it a toss and stir fry on a low flame till they are crisp and light golden in colour on both sides. 

          Garnish with coriander leaves and fresh grated coconut. Serve as an appetizer with chutney / tomato sauce or as a tea time snack.

                   Make a semi-thick paste with the gram flour and all the other ingredients 

                   (except the spinach leaves). 

                                 Take a spinach leaf and smear some paste over it. 

                                  Take another & place it on top of the first one. 

                                  Smear some of the paste on it in the same manner. 

                                 Fold them securely.

                                  Make similar rolls and steam them for for 20 minutes.

                                  When cool, cut them into 1/2 inch slices.

                     Heat oil & temper with mustard seeds. Then add cumin seeds, sesame seeds,                                     asafoetida and the curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

                   Add the sliced Paatra and give it a toss. Stir fry till they are crisp and light

                   golden in colour on both sides. 

                                  Garnish with coriander leaves and fresh grated coconut. 

                       Serve as an appetizer with chutney / tomato sauce or as a tea time snack.

Chickpeas & Millets Tikki

         These yummy and healthy tikkis made of black chickpeas and mixed millets are worth a try any day, especially during monsoon. They are just perfect as a tea-time snack or as appetizers to be enjoyed with any green / tamarind chutney or tomato sauce. 

          They can also be served inside burgers along with onion, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and cheese for a wholesome meal or brunch anytime of the day. Besides, they can also be made into a roll / Frankie or packed for a lunch box meal. 

• 1/2 cup boiled black chickpeas (makes 8-10)
• 1/4 cup mixed millets, dry roasted & powdered
• 1 tsp. corn flour
• 2 tbsp. fried onion
• 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1/2" ginger, finely chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 2 tbsp. mint leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. oil
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• oil to shallow fry

          In a bowl, combine all the ingredients (except oil) and shape into tikkis. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

         Heat some oil in a tawa and fry them in batches till golden in colour on both sides. 

         Drain on a kitchen towel and serve with tomato sauce, green chutney or tamarind chutney.

Mutton Seekh Kebab Roll

          Rolls are popular Kolkata street food snack enjoyed by young and old alike. This amazing quick fix snack is not only delicious but wholesome and a meal on the go. They can also be enjoyed as a tea time snack, a lunch box meal or a light lunch / dinner. Options are plenty. So today I stuffed them with some leftover mutton seekh kebab, onion, tomato, some French fries, etc. and voila! my lunch was made in no time. 

• few leftover mutton seekh kebabs
• chapattis / parathas 
• sliced onion
• sliced tomatoes
• few French fries (opt)
• chopped coriander leaves
• tomato sauce / mayo / hummus / any chutney

          Smear the paratha with some of the sauce. Then place the seekh kebab and rest of the ingredients lengthwise. Fold them and enjoy a quick meal on the go. 

          You can also add in some grated carrots, cheese and a sprinkle of some red chili flakes / pepper powder / chaat masala for added flavour. 

Chicken Tikka Roll

          This is an amazing quick fix snack, that is not only delicious but wholesome and filling. It can be served as a meal on the go, as a tea-time snack, a simple lunch box meal or a light lunch / dinner. Options are a plenty. 

          These rolls are a popular street food / snack that is much liked by one and all. Even some store bought Tikkas can be used to prepare this delicacy if time is a restraint. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

Roll - 

• 1 cup atta (whole wheat flour)
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. oil to knead
• 2 eggs, beaten well with a pinch of salt
• 1 onion, cut into roundels
• 1/2 cup mint chutney
• oil to shallow fry

Tikka - 

• 1 cup chicken cubes
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. vinegar
• 1/2 cup yoghurt
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder or to taste
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. coriander powder
• skewers, soaked in water for an hour

          In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients mentioned under TIKKA. Dip the chicken cubes in it and marinate for a couple of hours (preferably overnight).

          Knead a dough with atta, salt to taste, 1 tbsp. oil and required quantity of water. Keep aside for 30 minutes. Divide it into 2-3 equal portions.

          Thread the marinated chicken cubes in the skewers. Heat 1 tbsp. of oil in a grilled pan and fry the chicken tikkas on all sides till well browned. Drain and keep aside.

          Roll out each portion of the dough into a circle, just like chapattis. Heat a little oil in a tawa / griddle and fry the chapattis one at a time on both sides till slightly cooked.

          Add a ladle of the beaten egg on one side of the chapatti and swirl it around so that it is evenly spread on the chapatti. 

          Fry for a minute and flip it over when set. Fry till both the sides are done. Fry the remaining ones in the same way.

          To assemble, take a paratha and spread some of the mint chutney. Place few chicken tikka pieces lengthwise and spread some onion rings on the egg side of the parathas. 

          Gently roll over and secure with a piece of an aluminum foil. Serve as a tea-time snack, a lunch box meal or for a light lunch / dinner.

                                  Fry the Tikkas on all sides till done.

                                 Fry rolled out chapatti on both sides till it is slightly cooked.

                                 Pour a ladle of the beaten egg on one side & cook till it is set.

                                  Flip it over & cook the other side too till done.

                                 Transfer to a plate.

                                  Spread some mint chutney & place tikkas & onion rings.
                   

                 Roll over & secure with aluminum foil. Serve as a tea time snack, a lunch 
                 box meal or for a light lunch / dinner.