Flax Seed Podi (Powder)

Flax seeds contain Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, and have healthy heart effects. They are also considered good for hair. A daily dose of flax seeds can make your hair healthy, vibrant and strong. Podi is a coarse powder made from dried spices and can be used as a condiment on Idlis and Dosas. Mix it with ghee and eat with Rice. It is a convenient substitute for chutneys as well.

Ingredients

1/4 Cup Roasted Gram
1 Cup Peanuts
!/2 Cup Flax Seeds
8-10 Whole Red Chili
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
4-5 cloves of Garlic
1 Tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

Procedure

Heat a heavy bottom pan and dry roast the flax seeds on medium flame. Transfer them to a bowl and let them cool. Now add peanuts and roast, keep tossing so they don't burn, lower the heat and add roasted gram, garlic, cumin seeds. Toss till these are done. Keep aside for cooling in the bowl. Add 1 Tsp oil to the pan and fry red chilies till crispy, without burning. Add cooled chilies and the other ingredients from the bowl to the mixer grinder. Add salt and blend to a coarse powder. This can be stored in an airtight jar and good to use for about a month.

Chili Oil

Chili oil is most commonly used in Chinese Cuisine, it is made from vegetable oil that has been infused with red chili peppers.

Ingredients

5 Star Anise
1 Cinnamon stick
2 Bay Leaves
1 Tbsp Coriander seeds
1 Tbsp Black pepper corns
1 cup Crushed Red Chili
1 tsp Salt
2 cup oil (vegetable or olive oil)

Procedure

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat, add star anise, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, black pepper corns and bay leaves. when the oil starts to bubble turn down the heat to low. Let the oil cook for about half an hour. After this the seeds should be darker in color, make sure they don't turn black. LEt the oil cool for 5 minutes. In a separate bowl put crushed red pepper and salt. Strain out the oil using a strainer and now slowly pour the oil over the chili flakes and stir well.
When completely cooled, transfer to a jar, this can be stored in a refrigerator for as long as 6 month.

Veg Chalupa

Chalupa is a Mexican Dish, it is basically a thick fried wheat flour shell filled with kidney beans, sour cream, cheese, salsa, and shredded lettuce. Fillings can vary based on veg or non-veg preference.

Ingredients

1 cup Whole wheat flour
1/2 cup All purpose flour/Maida
1/2tsp Baking Powder
3-4 Tbsp Oil
Milk as needed( for kneeding)
salt to taste

Filling

1 Medium sized Tomato, Chopped
1 Medium sized Onion, Chopped
1 cup Chopped Lettuce
1/2 cup Sour cream
1 cup Kidney Beans
1/2 cup Salsa
1/2 Cup grated Cheddar cheese ( optional)

Procedure

Soak the kidney beans overnight and pressure cook them with salt and water till soft.
Take a bowl and mix whole wheat flour, maida, salt and baking powder, add oil and mix well, now pour milk as required and make a soft dough. Cover with wet cloth and keep aside for half an hour.

Now divide the dough in 5-6 equal sized balls and roll them into thick chapattis, prick them with a fork and deep fry them in hot oil on medium flames.

Using a tong fold the chapatti into half, creating a concave container. Fill each pocket with kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and smear sour cream and salsa and top it with grated cheddar cheese and it's ready to be served.

PS:

SOUR CREAM RECIPE: 1/2 cup plain buttermilk, 1 cup thick cream, mix well.

SALSA RECIPE: 1 Medium Sized Onion, 2 Large Tomatoes, 1 Green chilli, 1/4 Green capsicum, some fresh coriander leaves. Kosher Salt to taste, pinch of cumin powder and black pepper powder. Toss them all in a blender and make a chunky paste. Add some lemon juice if you need it to be extra tangy.