Masoor Dal Pakodas - Lentil Fritters

These masoor dal pakodas are a much loved pakodas at an assamese home. Whether we eat as snacks or dipped in kadhi with rice this is indeed a tasty preparation yet so simple and easy to make. Our mom used to make them quite often for lunch at home. I am sure she makes it now as well only thing we both girls miss them now ..maa ke haath ka khana (mom's cooked food). How we used to grab 3-4 pakodas even before she finishes making them all.
Few weeks back only I made these pakodas to have in lunch after a long time actually. I was happy as it tasted much better than the previous batches of them I tried before. SO I thought to note this recipe down here and share with you all though it was with few variations of ingredients than mom's authentic recipe. Simple & Easy to prepare delicious snacks you can always serve as starter or munch them with your hot cuppa

Ingredients:
 
Red lentil: 1 cup washed, soaked in water for about 15-20 mins & drained
Onion: 2 medium sized grated
Garlic: 6-7cloves finely chopped/grated
Green chillies: 2-3 chopped
Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder: 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Red chilli powder: 1 tsp
Amchur powder: 1/2 tsp
Oil for deep frying

Method:

Grind masoor dal to a coarse mixture without adding water. In a bowl transfer the mixture. Add the onion, garlic & rest of the ingredients and mix them well.

Heat oil in a deep bottomed kadhai/pan. Take a spoonful of the mixture and deep fry in the oil giving the shape of pakodas and slide them into the oil. Deep fry on both sides till golden brown and crisp. Remove from oil and drain on absorbent paper.

Serve hot with green chutney or ketchup and enjoy.

 

Yummilicious Chocolate mousse

The first time I had this divine dessert was some 4-5 years back in the restaurant Kobe in Kolkata. And from the very fist time I was totally in love with this sinful chocolaty dessert. Mousse is a sweet or savoury dish made as a smooth, light mass in which the main ingredient is whipped with cream and egg white, it can be light and fluffy to creamy and thick, depending on preparation techniques.

However I was never keen to make it at home until yesterday when we had guests coming over for dinner. Few are such dishes that I only want to sit and enjoy at a restaurant other than making at home. But yesterday when I was thinking and thinking on what to make for dessert for guests I went through many such recipes and finally thought to give it a try! Checked out many recipes of chocolate mousse and then with some mix and matches, few variations I finally got the final product . My little girl always gets  the first chance to taste anything that I cook at home. She instantly said "yummy" & her usual line "mamma you are such a great cooker". And yeah then I knew it this mousse has definitely come out yummy. MY guest from Assam liked it too. So here is the recipe for you all .


Ingredients: (Yield: 6-7 servings)

Dark Chocolate : 2 packets (I used Amul dark chocolate of 40gms)
Heavy cream: 1 packet (I used Amul whipping cream of 200 ml)
2 egg whites
Sugar: 4 tbsp. (you can increase or decrease quantity as per your taste)
Coffee powder: 1 tsp
Some more grated/shaved dark chocolate for garnishing
Cocoa powder for garnishing


Method:

Chop the chocolate and take in a large glass bowl and melt through double boiler method. Stir continuously until it melts completely. Put the flame off and keep it aside.

In a clean chilled steel bowl take out the cream and whisk until it reaches soft peaks. Keep aside. Now take the egg whites in another bowl and whisk it from medium to high. Add sugar and again whisk to soft peaks. I used the electric beater only to whisk both cream and egg whites.

Now fold this whisked egg whites into the melted chocolate, add coffee powder and combine all with the beater in low speed. Once everything incorporated, fold in the whipped cream and give a low whisk to it.

Now transfer the mousse to glasses/dessert bowls, cover with foil and keep in refrigerator to set for at least an hour. Before serving , top the mousse with grated/shaved dark chocolate and dust cocoa powder on it with the help of strainer. Enjoy this chilled chocolaty heaven.