Indian Aloo Parathas

The word “Aloo” means potato.  

Aloo Paratha is a stuffed potato bread from the Punjab region in India. It is made with a basic dough that is stuffed with a mashed potato and spice mixture. Aloo Parathas are well known breakfast food for many Indian families.

I am happy to enjoy them anytime of the day. Breakfast, lunch, as a snack or as a starter for dinner.

I love making them, it is a form of therapy which yields a delicious reward.

Step1: Make the Dough.

Ingredients: Makes 8

2C   Flour

1t     Salt

1C   Warm Water

2T     Oil

1. Add all the above ingredients into a bowl and knead it until it forms a soft dough.

2. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest until the filling is ready to use.

 

Step2: Make Mashed Potatoes.

Ingredients:

3    Potatoes

½t  Salt

      Water

3. Peel, rinse and cut the Potatoes into small cubes.

4a. Microwave Method:

• Put them into a bowl, add enough Water to cover the Potatoes, add the Salt.
• Cover the bowl with Plastic Wrap and cook it for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Allow it to cool before removing the Plastic Wrap.
• Drain the excess Water, mash the boiled potatoes and allow it to cool.

4b. Stove Top Method:

• Put the Potatoes into a pot, add enough Water to cover the Potatoes, add the Salt.
• Cover the pot with a lid and cook it for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Drain the excess Water, mash the boiled potatoes and allow it to cool.

 

Step3: Make Mashed Potato Mixture.

Ingredients:

½     Onion

1-2   Fresh Green Chillies

½C  Fresh Coriander Leaves

1t     Salt

1t     Ground Cumin

5. Peel and chop the Onion.

6. Chop the Fresh Green Chillies and Fresh Coriander Leaves.

7. Add the chopped Onions, Green Chillies, Coriander Leaves, Salt and Ground Cumin to the mashed Potatoes and mix it through.

Step4: Making the Aloo Parathas

8. Flour a work surface generously.

9. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.

10. Form a small ball in the palm of your hand.

11. Place the dough onto the work surface and flatten it with your fingers into a round disk, to about the size of a saucer.

12. Divide the Potato Mixture into 8 equal parts and form balls.

13. Place the ball of Potato Mixture into the middle of the round dough disk.

14. Lift it into the palm of your one hand and bring the outer parts towards the middle and squish them together, closing it into a round flower shape.

15. Place the stuffed dough ball onto the work surface and roll it gently until it flattens, to about the size of a side plate.

16. Repeat the same process another 7 times.

17. Heat a pan to medium heat.

18. Drizzle it with a thin layer of Oil.

19. Place an uncooked Aloo Paratha onto the pan and fry it for about 2 to 3 minutes or until it is brown, then flip it onto the other side and repeat the process.

Aloo Parathas can be enjoyed as is or they can be dipped into Plain Yogurt.

They are truly an Indian Delight!

Lotsa Love

CarolC

Thai Beef with Basils

 

Also known as, “Phat ka-phrao” which means “Holy Basil stir-fry”.

This is such a deliciously hot and spicy stir-fry. 

Who would think that Chilli and Basil could create such an amazing dish.

If anyone would ask me to recommend a Thai dish, Thai Beef or Chicken with Basils, would be what I would suggest. It is my absolute favourite.

Ingredients:

500g   Minced Beef

2T   Oil

6-8  Fresh Garlic Cloves

1x   Onion

1x   Pepper (Green or Yellow)

1C  Fresh Basil Leaves

4x   Eggs

Chilli Paste Ingredients:

2x  Fresh Red Chillies

2T  Fish Sauce

2T  Light Soy Sauce

2T  Lemon Juice

1T  Sugar

1t  Corn Flour

 

1. Wash and slice the Pepper into thin slices.

2. Peel and slice the Onions and Fresh Garlic into thin slices.

3. Add the Oil into a frying pan or wok, add the Onions, Peppers and Garlic. Fry it until it is light golden brown.

4. Add the Minced Beef and stir-fry it for 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Add the Chilli Paste, stir it through and cook it for about 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

6. Finally, add the Fresh Basil Leaves, stir it through.

7. Fry the Eggs sunny side up. Crispy whites with a soft yolk.

Serve it with steamed Jasmine Rice and top it with an Egg. Absolute Bliss…

Lotsa Love

CarolC

Strawberry Jelly Ice Cream

 

I scream

You scream

We All Scream

4 Ice Cream

What more is there to say…

Summer or Winter Ice Cream is always a delicious treat.

Ingredients:

1pkt    Raspberry Jelly(80g)

1C       Boiling Water (250ml)

2C       Strawberries

250ml  Fresh Cream

1tin      Condensed Milk(385g)

 

1. Mix the Raspberry Jelly Powder and the Boiling Water together in a plastic container.

2. Cover it and put into the freezer for +/- 30 minutes.

Tip:

Do not allow the Jelly to set, it should be wobbly.

 

3. Wash the Strawberries, remove all the leaves, put them into a bowl and mash them until they are smooth.

 

4. Add the Fresh Cream, Condensed Milk, Raspberry Jelly and the mashed Strawberries together and mix it well.

5. Put the mixture into a plastic container, cover it with the lid and put into the freezer.

 

6. Take it out every hour . Stir through with a fork.

7. Cover it again and put it back into the freezer.

8. Repeat this 4 times.

9. Allow it to set overnight.

 

Experiment! You can use any fruit combinations. Go Crazy! Be sure to pay attention to the method. This is the trick.

Lotsa Love

CarolC