Four evergreen recipes that make India every foodie’s favorite destination

 

•  By Easyday Club

India is a country of diverse cultures, religions, traditions, and beliefs. If there is one thing that brings us all together, then it is the common love for food – authentic flavors and traditional cuisines. East or west, north or south, India has so many appetising dishes that touch the soul. So, on this 27th September, as we celebrate World Tourism Day, let’s appreciate four golden Indian dishes that make India a foodie’s ultimate destination –

Chole Bhature

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chickpeas (soaked overnight)
• 1 finely chopped onion 
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• 1 inch cinnamon sticks 
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp turmeric and cumin seeds
• ½ tsp raw mango powder 
• 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves 
• 2 cups of water 
• 2 cups of maida 
• 1 tbsp rava 
• 1 cup plain curd
• 2 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp of baking powder and baking soda
• Oil (for frying) 
• Salt as needed

Method:

• Combine maida, rava, curd, baking soda, baking powder, oil and a pinch of salt. Knead this mixture into a smooth dough. Punch the dough a few times to release the air. Cover it with a moist muslin cloth for 15 minutes. 
• After 15 minutes, punch the dough to release the air. Divide the dough into equal portions.
  Using a rolling pin, flatten each dough ball into your desirable size of bhatura.
• Heat some oil in a deep pan and deep-fry each bhatura on both sides. 
• Meanwhile, heat some oil in a pressure cooker and add bay leaf, cinnamon stick and cumin seeds. To this, add ginger-garlic paste and chopped onion and saute it till it turns slightly transparent. Now add tomatoes and allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes. 
• Now add turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, raw mango powder and salt as needed. Mix it all well and cook for another minute.
• Add soaked chickpeas and garam masala to this and two cups of water. Mix it well, check for seasonings and close the pressure cooker lid. Allow it to cook for 6-7 whistles and then depressurize on its own. 
• Open the pressure cooker, sprinkle some coriander leaves and mix well. 
• Serve piping hot along with some lemon wedges.

Thukpa

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of hakka noodles
• ½ cup of chopped onion
• ½ cup of chopped spring onion
• 7-8 chopped French beans
• ¼ cup of chopped carrots
• ¼ cup of chopped cabbage
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 2 finely chopped garlic cloves 
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• ½ tsp garam masala and cumin powder
• 3 cups of vegetable broth 
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt and pepper as needed

Method:

• Heat some water in a vessel and boil the hakka noodles. Strain the excess water and set the boiled noodles aside 
• Heat a wok and add oil. Add chopped onions and garlic. Saute for a minute till the onions turn translucent. Now add carrot, cabbage, spring onions, beans and salt. Mix it well and allow it to cook for a minute.
• Now add the vegetable broth, garam masala, cumin powder, pepper, soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce. Mix it all well and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Add chopped cilantro and mix again. 
• Check for seasoning and add the boiled hakka noodles. Stir well and simmer for another 2-3 minutes. 
• Serve immediately.