Kitchen Corner-Try It

   Mutton Kola Urandai- Mutton Meat Balls Mutton Kola Urundai/ Mutton Keema Balls is a delicious snack that you cannot stop munching!  Are you are, looking for delightful crispy snacks for entertaining? Why not try this local delicacy of the Madhurai and Chettinadu region in South India. It is an old-fashioned, rustic meatball that is a very versatile recipe. It is often fried and then served in a number of different ways, as a snack with a cup of tea, an appetizer, a side dish for lunch, or added to gravy to make a delicious curry. It is a customizable meal for any day of the week, and this recipe is a keeper. Mutton balls are deep-fried, bite-sized finger food, crisp on the outside and soft and juicy inside. It is so addictive! Trust me, it will be gone before you realize it. Meatballs are comfort food in many cuisines, and there are so many variations. Mutton Kola Urandai is a regional specialty.   You can find it in the menu of restaurants, local canteens in...

   Soft and Spongy Khaman Dhokla- Savory Chickpea Flour Steamed Cakes Today's recipe is Khaman Dhokla- a healthy steamed savory cake made with gram flour/besan.  Are you looking for a healthy and filling breakfast? Then why not try this classic Gujarati breakfast. Khaman dhokla has a perfect spongy texture and is delightfully light and fluffy. The pretty yellow hue is from turmeric powder. It is a simple and unassuming snack, sweet and tangy, with a hint of spice. It is a guilt-free breakfast made with minimal ingredients and tastes delicious. These fluffy savory bites are also perfect for entertaining as a filling snack or appetizer. This recipe is an instant version with no fermenting and will be ready in under 30 minutes. Does this sound exciting? Then check the recipe, it is super simple. You are going to love this one! The first time I checked the recipe for dhokla, it sounded similar to South Indian idlis. Many Indian stores have snack bars where you can buy Khaman ...

   Kerala Beef Cutlet/ Beef and Koorka/ Chinese Potato Cutlet Beef Cutlet is a local delicacy of Kerala- a timeless favorite when it comes to party appetizers. Kerala cutlets are meat patties with potatoes- crunchy is the outside and with a soft filling. There is always a nostalgic feeling when it comes to these breaded crispy fried beauties. They are the best comfort food and easy to make. Are you are looking for delightful crispy snacks/appetizers for entertaining this Christmas? In Kerala, Christmas feasts are incomplete without this spicy lip-smacking delicious appetizer. That is also the reason I am sharing this recipe today. Cutlet is a yummy snack made with meat or vegetables is cooked, in aromatic spices, breaded and deep-fried to crispy golden. They are so addictive that you will never get tired of eating them! Cutlets can be made with any meat. For this recipe, I am using beef and Koorka/ Chinese potato. Usually, mashed potatoes are used for the filling, but Chinese ...

  Spicy Chicken 65/ How To Make Kerala Restaurant Style Chicken 65 Chicken 65 is fiery, crispy fried chicken bites, perfect for a cocktail party or a delicious snack. It is always a crowd-pleaser, and besides, there’s nothing like a deliciously spicy chicken fry. Sounds exciting, huh? Then check the recipe, it is super simple to make, and you can enjoy restaurant-style chicken 65 at home. Chicken 65 is one of the easiest and tastiest of chicken fry dishes from South India and found on the menu of every South Indian eateries/ restaurant. It is a peculiar name for a chicken dish. You might wonder why the name Chicken 65? It seems like this is a mystery. Some sources suggest that it was the 65th item on the menu list. Another viable reason is that it was named after the year it was introduced in the hotel menu, in 1965 at the Buhari hotel in Chennai. But there is no doubt this delicious, flavorful chicken is an addictive starter and is a pure joy to indulge. The chicken pieces are mar...

Easy Masala Cashew Nuts/ Roasted Kaju with Ghee Masala flavored cashew nuts are a seriously addictive snack with the right balance of heat and flavor. It is a perfect combination of spicy, salty and with a touch of sweetness. Cashew nuts are one of my favorite nuts. It has a natural sweetness and milky flavor and they taste delicious. But here is an interesting twist, kick it up a notch higher with this masala flavored roasted cashew nuts. They make impressive gifts during holidays or festivals. Spiced kaju or cashew nuts are very popular in India. You can buy roasted or deep-fried cashew nuts from bakeries. This tastes just like the store brought ones and you will be surprised how easy it is to make them at home. It is a versatile recipe and you can use any nuts of your choice. It is so good for snacking at home or as a party treat. Cashews are rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin B and iron with heart-healthy fats and protein. The magic ingredients in this recipe are earthy spices, cu...

Bacon Cheese Balls Today's recipe is a quick and easy appetizer or snack. You can make this ahead of time and it freezes like a charm. It is a great time saver if you are planning a get-together. Are you are looking for delightful crispy snacks for entertaining or a game-day snack? Then why not try this yummy bacon cheese balls. This is one of the most requested ones at home and my kid loves this so much. I make it sometimes for his school lunch and it is always a hit. It is so addictive! Trust me it will be gone before you realize. I tried this for the first time at a friend's dinner party and loved the flavor profile of this snack. I have been making this for so many years now and experimenting with different flavors. If you wish to make variations, continue reading. I have listed down below different ways to make this recipe extra special. Experiment a little and find a flavor combo that makes your taste buds happy! Bacon cheese balls are deep-fried, bite-sized fi...

Crab Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms If you like mushrooms this is a perfect party appetizer recipe that you should try. You can use large portobello  or medium sized white button mushroom caps to stuff the filling.This is a versatile recipe and you can use vegetarian or non vegetarian filling of your choice. The filling here is a creamy crab meat filling. Ingredients Portobello mushroom caps- 4 Crab meat- 1 cup Cream cheese- 3 tbs Salt and pepper to taste Garlic powder- 1/4 tsp Onion powder- 1/4 tsp Chopped spring onion- 1 tbs Chopped parsley- 1 tbs Chopped mint- 1/2 tsp Parmesan cheese-3 tbs Panko bread crumbs- 1/3 cup Olive oil- 2 tsp Pre heat oven to 345 degree f.  Remove the stem and clean the mushroom cap. In a bowl add crab meat, cream cheese, chopped parsley and mint and the rest of the seasoning and mix well. Spoon the filling into the mushroom cap and spread evenly. Finally sprinkle the bread crumbs on top and drizzle with olive oil. Place...

Shami Kebab Kebabs are popular appetizers in South Asian cuisine and are made with chunks of meat or with minced meat. Shami kebab is flavor-packed meat patties made with minced mutton. It is pan fried and one of the easiest kebabs to make. Shami kebabs have the flavor of lentils too. Lentils like chana dal (yellow split peas) are cooked and ground together with the meat to bind and hold shape while making patties. It is then dipped in eggs and pan-fried. It is a party favorite with delightful with a soft melt in mouth texture and taste. Are you looking for delightful crispy snacks/appetizers for entertaining? Shami Kebab is a perfect appetizer. Kids will love this finger food, and it is fun to make. Go ahead then and give it a try. I am sure you'll love them too! The best meat to use is mutton, but you can also use beef or chicken. Recently I have been cooking the meat and lentils together in an Instant Pot. They cook together beautifully, and it is easy. Shami Kebabs are ...

Crab Croquettes Crab croquettes is delicious appetizer perfect for parties and get together. It has a creamy and tasty crab meat filling and is crispy in the outside. Béchamel sauce is used to make the it creamy and rich.It also helps to bind and shape the patties. Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients Crab meat- 8 oz. Onion- 1 small Garlic 2 cloves Pepper powder-to taste salt to taste Chopped parsley- 2 tsp Lemon juice-a few drops For the white sauce Milk- 1/2 cup Cream-1/4 cup Butter-  3 tbs All purpose flour- 2 tsp Panko bread crumbs- 1 cup Egg -1 Oil for frying- 2 cup To make the sauce,heat a pan and add butter, when it melts add the flour and cook the butter and flour in low flame, till the raw flavor disappears and  the flour changes color. Do not allow it to brown up. Add milk and cream and whisk till it thickens to sauce consistency. Switch off the flame. If you are using regular crabs cook and bre...

Crab Rangoon Crab Rangoon is easy to make crispy appetizer. It is often found in Thai and Chinese restaurants in USA, and is served as an appetizer with sweet spicy dipping sauce. Deep fried wanton wraps filled with crab and cream cheese filling, is yummy and an absolute party favorite. Try this, you will surely love it. Ingredients Wanton wraps- 16 Crab meat- 1 cup Cream cheese- 4 ounce Sugar- 1/2 tsp Minced garlic- 1 Soya sauce- a few drops Spring onion chopped- 3 tbs Salt and pepper to taste Oil for frying- 2 cup Keep wanton wraps under a damp towel to keep it from drying. If you are using fresh crabs cook and break the shell. Scoop out the meat and set aside. In a bowl add soften room temperature cream cheese, crab meat, salt and pepper, few drops of soya sauce, sugar and minced garlic.Mix well. Take one wanton wrap and wet the edges with water. Place a teaspoon full of crab filling in the center. Fold the wrap diagonally like a triangle.Press and seal...

Crispy Calamari/Squid Rings Crispy calamari rings can be served as an appetizer or as a snack. Squid/koontal deep fried and crispy is very appetizing. I usually make the Kerala style spicy roasted squid/koontal. But this one is quick recipe and kids will enjoy eating them.This is breaded calamari, you can also try tempura batter to make them. Ingredients Calamari/squid - 1/2 lb Paprika- 1/2 tsp Garlic paste- 1/2 tsp Salt and pepper to taste Lemon juice- 1/2 tsp finely chopped parsley-1/2 tsp All purpose flour- 2 tsp Egg- 2 Bread crumbs- 1 cup Oil for deep frying Mix calamari/squid with salt,pepper, lemon juice, paprika,garlic paste and chopped parsley. Mix well and set aside for at least 10 minutes. In a bowl beat egg with two tsp of water. In another bowl put the bread crumbs.  Toss calamari with the flour. Take one ring at a time, dip first in egg and then roll in bread crumbs.Layer then flat on a tray and keep in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. Heat...