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July 16, 2008

Kadhi and (No Fry) Pakoda for a Milestone





Remember my post on Palak Kadhi? This post is directly connected to that. Let me rephrase that. This post is a direct outcome of the comments that my namesakes, Arundathi and Arundati made on that post. One of them was happy that there was no deep frying and the other thought that fried koftas would have been nice. I couldn’t help remember this picture that was sent with some forward I received. But it got me thinking. For a week or so I thought about how I could have pakodas in my kadhi and yet avoid the pain of deep frying. Since S was traveling again, I had plenty of milk and curd in the house and decided to make kadhi yet again. I decided to make mixed vegetable pakodas to put in my kadhi.


So far, so good. But I didn’t want to heat oil to fry the pakodas. I did the next best thing. I brought out my appey kayli and made my “pakodas” in that. It tasted really nice and once the pakodas soak up the kadhi, you can’t tell that they weren’t fried. It is amazing what blogging does to you. One post and its comments led to my experiment and this way I can have my cake (err pakoda) and eat it too.



Pakodas (Dumplings):
2/3 cup Gram Flour
1 tsp Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Onion, finely chopped
½ cup Mixed Vegetables, chopped and steamed
1 tsp Green Chilli Paste
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves, chopped
Salt to Taste
A few drops of oil


Kadhi:
1 1/4 cups Curd/Yogurt
3 tbsp Gram Flour
2/3 cup Water
1 tsp Ginger Paste
1 tsp Garlic Paste
1 1/2 tsp Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Cumin Powder

Tempering:
1 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
4 Red Chillies

To make the dumplings, mix the gram flour with the chilli powder, salt, baking soda, onions, mixed vegetables, green chilli paste, and coriander leaves. Add enough water to form a thick batter. Heat the appey patra and lightly oil the moulds. Drop a spoonful of the batter into each mould. Fry until golden brown, turning once and using a few drops of oil if necessary.


To make the kadhi, whisk the curds with the gram flour and water. Add all the spices and salt and mix well. Bring this mixture to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly.

For the tempering, heat the oil in a frying ladle and add the cumin seeds. When they crackle, add the red chillies and take off the flame.



To proceed:

Add the pakodas to the kadhi. Add the seasoning and serve hot with rice.


This experiment couldn’t have come at a better time. This is my 300th post and, in my opinion, it is extremely reflective of the essence of blogging and all its associated joys. Thank you all.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome!! see what value we add to each other!! cant believe there are three of us in one sentence!! congratulations babe on your 300th!! many more wonderful ones to go!!

Laavanya said...

The no-fry pakodas have all my attention.. remember seeing this method for nupur's koftas as well. I have to give this a shot.. looks great! 300? Coolness - Congrats.

Mandira said...

the no-fry pakoras got my attention and the kadhi looks great! Congrats on the milestone.

Deepa said...

COngrats!!

Regarding the shallow fryer thing you've used - wondering if there're NON non-stick solutions to shallow frying like this. Maybe on my regular dosai stone...or any other pan maybe..? While non-stick is still widely available, most people I know have stopped using it (because of concerns about carcinogenic properties - it reacts with the food). It's been years since I used non-stick. The FDA has listed it as a "possible carcinogen". Until it's proven, it won't be taken off shelves of stores...I really took notice when my chemical engineer friend said he'd NEVER use teflon for cooking. Cast Iron, when seasoned and taken care of well, begins to act like non-stick...incidentally. --Deepa

Rajitha said...

wowie!! this is the best raaga...i am excited about this recipe..will be making this for sure....thnks :)
and congrats on the 300th post madam...waiting for the 600th now :)

TBC said...

No-fry pakodas? that's brilliant! and 300 posts! that is a remarkable achievement, A! I just finished a year and have not even touched a 100 yet.:D
Best wishes for many many more!

bee said...

whoa!!! slow dow gal. every time i open my reader, there are multiple posts from you. i must say i enjoy them all. well done.

Nirmala said...

Congrats dear! In just a year and little more 300 posts ? Awesome! Kep up the pace. These no-fry pakodas were looking so healthy!

Raaga said...

@Arundati: Thanks... you have no idea how people I've never met (or met once) influence my day to day cooking.

@Laavanya: The taste is no different. try it. Thanks

@Mandira: Thanks :-)

@Deepa: Cast Iron. I've always used a cast iron pan. I bought this non stick one here as I couldn't find a non stick. My other cookware is either stainless steel, hard anodized or cast iron. My dosa and chapati tava, my kadhais and my egg frying pan are all cast iron. In any case, I have only 3 non stick items, but fads come and fads come, my cookware stays on. :-)

Raaga said...

@Rajitha: 600th will come very soon... maybe by the time I reach my second anniversary, I'll be at 500. With NaBloPoMo... its very easy :-)

@TBC: You did not become insane like me. Thank your lucky stars :-) I hit 100 posts in 3 months... then it took a little over a year to complete the next 100. :-)

Raaga said...

@Bee: Its because of the NaBloPoMo. I have to post once a day! Thanks :-)

@Nirmala: Thanks :-)

Miri said...

Congratulations !! we have enjoyed reading your posts and recipes! :)

Miri

jayasree said...

Congrats on the milestone..300 posts gr8 job..There is many more to go.

Loved the idea of using appakaral. Shall try it.

Srivalli said...

hey raaga..those are awesome...great experiment...and congrats!!...may you blog for many more years and experiment..heheh

delhibelle said...

Now this is the second co-incidence in a row, I made kadhi pakoda too last evening, but love the way you have defattened the pakora

Divya Kudua said...

Wow..thats a great idea Raaga..got to try this no-fry method!!Amazing!!!Congrats on your 300th post..keep rocking!!!

Sia said...

now that is one brillent idea raaga. i have bought appey pan this time when i visited india and still not used it yet.
and 300 posts already?? my goodness! congrats babes for reaching yet another mile stone. at this rate of posting recipes i wont be surprised if u reach 500th post in another few months ;)

ST said...

Congrats on the milestone..300 posts gr8 job.Kadhi looks delicious..
Loved the idea of using appey patra Shall try it.

sra said...

300! Wow! I haven't even reached 150, I think, and it's close to two years since I began blogging. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

A new way of making pakodas for kadhi! I did try once by making the kadhi mixture very watery and when it starts boiling putting in the pakoras .. and cook them along with the kadhi.Turned out ok ... but did not have the lovely brown colour. I think your way serves both purposes ... brown pakoras .. and no deep frying too. :-)

lakshmi said...

Samathu Ponnu - 300 posts shows how regular and disciplined you are :). Great idea on Pakodas. I am trying this technique. Any plans of patenting - :P

ranji said...

WOW!!300 posts...u r too fast..i have just hit my 100 today :)...kadhi looks gr8..excellent idea to make it in appya kayli than deep frying..very healthy way indeed...keep going aru...:)

KALVA said...

Love the idea used to make no fry pakora.. lovely and healthy

Richa said...

congrats on the 300!!!!!
wow! how many do u post in a day?...lol

delhibelle said...

and before I forget again.. congrats on the 300 posts..Way to go!

kozhumum said...

Hi Raaga, Congrats on your 300th post. Keep it up!

I am one of those silent visitors to your blog. I am with my family in Tokyo and have a passion for cooking. Me and my wife Anu look upon your blog for new recipes, which we try during the weekends.

Regards, Karthik

Rashmi said...

Congratulations on ur 300th post...
u have got a wonderful blog

do visit my blog when u find time...and leave ur comments and suggestions..
http://envittuvirundhusamayal.blogspot.com

Sig said...

300 posts.... Wow, girl.... I can't say I am surprized, you are like an energizer bunny-- keeps on going.. Congrats darling, and keep up the energy... Before we know it, we will be reading your 1000th post, I am sure :)

Raaga said...

@Miri: Thanks :-)

@Jayashree: Do try it and let me know.

@Valli: I sure hope I do :-) Thanks

Raaga said...

@Delhibelle: Love the word "defattened" :-)

@Divya: Let me know the result :-)

@Sia: Thanks... and you hot a milestone yourself :-)

Raaga said...

@Sireesha: Thanks and let me know how it turns out.

@Sra: I blame it all on that one Saturday where I got ahead of all of you... just cause I had nothing to do! Thanks

Raaga said...

@Sharmila: No fry and brown, huh :-)

@Lakshmi: this is all MINE :-) great idea na

2Ranji: Congrats and thanks!

Raaga said...

@Kalva: Thank you. Do try it :-)

@Richa: Only 1 per day :-) never more... not any more.

@DB: Thanks girl.

Raaga said...

@Karthik: Thanks for not being silent anymore. I am glad you found this blog useful.

@Rashmi: Thanks... I did visit your site.

@Sig: Energizer Bunny huh... I slowed down tremendously after the first 3 months... but I like this pace... blogging when I want to and not when I don't :-)

Suganya said...

Congrats on the 300, Raaga. Wishing you many many more :). btw, doddhi kofta can also be made with aappa kadai.

SS blogs here said...

This is great.. I only recently learnt abt Appe pans. Thanks for the link, Raaga! :)