Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Battura

Recipe No: 68
Even though I love Battura, thinking of the guilty feeling that I am going to have after eating them often kept me away from making it. So after some trials and a lot of greasy Batturas, I came up with this non greasy variety of Battura. The secret is much in the consistency of the dough. If the dough is too soft, it will absorb a lot of oil. If it is too hard, the end product will be hard. So take care in making the dough to the just right consistency.
Ingredients                                                  Makes 16 small ones
  • All Purpose flour/ Maida….2 cups
  • Yeast…………………………….1 Teaspoon
  • Sugar…………………………….1 tablespoon
  • Salt……………………………….3/4 Teaspoon
  • Yogurt………………………..…3 Tablespoons
  • Lukewarm water……………1/2 Cup
  • Oil for deep frying
Method of Preparation
  1. Dissolve Sugar and Yeast in lukewarm water. Cover this with a foil and keep aside for 5 minutes. This is to activate the yeast and it should be foamy by this time.
  2. Mix Flour, Salt and Yogurt and knead it into a soft dough using the Yeast water. It should not be too sticky. Use more water if needed.
  3. Place this in a big bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and keep it in a warm place till it is doubled in size.
  4. Once doubled, punch it down, and let it rise once more time for 1 hour. This time also cover it with a towel and keep in a warm place.
  5. Divide this into 16 equal portions and roll them into 3 inch circles. This should not be very thin otherwise it will not puff up.
  6. Heat the oil for deep frying on high flame. There should be at least 2 inches of oil.
  7. Deep fry the Batturas on both sides till they are cooked and nicely browned on both sides. With the back side of a  slotted spoon, push the Batturas into the oil till it is puffed.
  8. Once fried, take it out of the oil and drain the excess oil on a paper towel.
  9. Serve hot with Channa Masala.
Notes: 
  • The Oil should be really hot while frying, otherwise it will absorb a lot of oil.
  • Put yeast only in lukewarm water. Hot water might kill the yeast and cold water might not activate the yeast. If the water in which the yeast is dissolved is not frothy in 5-10 minutes, then either you have killed the Yeast or its too old. In both cases start over again.
  • I like to make small Batturas than the traditional big ones, as its easy to be fried. But that's only a personal preference. 





    Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
    serve it to your family with love…

    1 comments:

    saregamapa said...

    hi asha, looks perfect and delicious ..

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