Kachori for Indian cooking challenge

When Srivalli announced February's Indian cooking challenge, 'Kachori' . I was the happiest one. I got the chance to make this deep fried snack which I was avoiding to make from last 1-2 months. So this time I tried Moong dal and Green tuver/ Lilva kachori. I'll try Pyaj ki Kachori given by Srivalli some other time. Both my kachoris were perfect. We had it with imly ki chutney and green Pudina chutney. Thanks Medha and Srivalli .

Ingredients

The dough is the same for all the fillings.

Resting Time for the Dough is app 1/2 hr - 1 hr

Frying time for the Kachoris - 20 mins for each batch app.

Soaking Time for the Filling is app. 1 hr

Cooking Time for the Filling is app 15 mins

Yields - 15

For the Doug

• All purpose flour / Maida - 2 cups
• Oil/ Ghee - 1/4 cup ,
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Water for kneading

Procedure

1. Mix the flour and salt, Add the oil/ghee and mix till you get a bread crumbs texture.
2. Slowly add water and make a soft dough. Knead well for about 8 minutes.
3. Cover and keep aside to rest for atleast half hour.

Special Tips / Notes for the dough:

1. Keep the dough covered at all times, if not it will dry up and not puff up when frying. If the dough is made right wet cloth can be used if not just a towel.
2. The dough could spring back for many reasons:
   Dough is too cold (If wet cloth is used)
   Dough is not soft enough.
   Not kneaded for enough time.
   Oil is less.
   Not rested enough

Fillings

Khasta Kachori - Moong Dal Kachori

Ingredients

• Split Moong Dal (yellow) - 1/2 cup
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
• Hing / Asafoetida - a pinch
• Curry Leaves - 2 tsp chopped fine (opt)
• Green Chilli - Ginger paste - 1 tsp
• Sauf / Fennel seeds powder - 1 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
• Red Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Mango powder / Amchur - 1 tsp
• Oil - 1 tsp
• Salt to taste

Procedure

1. Wask and Soak dal in water for atleast 1 hour. You can go upto 4 hours not more.

2. Drain the water well.

3. Grind the dal to a coarsely. (Will resemble Idli Rawa)

4. Heat oil in a pan.

5. Add the hing and cumin seeds.

6. Once the seeds splutter add the curry leaves.

7. Add the dal.

8. Lower the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes till the dal stops sticking to the pan.

9. Cook for another 10 minutes on low till the dal turns slightly brown.

10. Add all the masalas.

11. Cook for few minutes till the aroma of the spices hit you.

12. Add Salt.

13. Remove from heat and keep aside to cool.

Special Tips / Notes for the filling

• The fillings have to be really dry if not when rolling they will ooze out when rolling.
• Adjust the masalas according to your taste. What is given in this recipe is spicy to the extent one can still enjoy.
• For idea on pressing the filled kachori, check out Manjula's method. If you try to press out using a rolling pin, the filling may come out and make holes in the kachori.
• Fry the kachori's on medium low to get a crisp outer layer, that is the key. For people using electric stove, the numbers can be going from 6 to 4.

Lilva Kachori

• 2 cups green fresh tuver / lilva
• 1 teaspoon green chillies, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon nigella seeds (kalonji)
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds (saunf)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 4 tablespoons chopped coriander
• 2 tablespoons oil

salt

For the green tuver filling

1. Coarsely grind the green tuver,green chillies and ginger in a blender without using any water. Keep aside.
2. Heat the oil in a pan,add the nigella seeds,fennel seeds,bay leaves and ground green tuver mixture and saute over a very slow flame for 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Add the chilli powder,garam masala,coriander and salt and saute for 2 more minutes. Remove the bay leavess and discard. Divide into 12 equal portions.

To Make Kachori's

1. Make a small ball from the dough. Roll out into a 2 inch diameter circle. Or flatten the ball using your fingers having the center thick and sides little thin.
2. Place about 1.5 tsp of the filling in the center of the rolled dough.
3. Cover the filling with the dough by slowly stretching it over the filling. Seal the ends and remove excess dough. Repeat with all the balls and keep aside for 5 -7 mins.
4. Then using your palm, flatten the balls by lightly pressing it, as using the rolling pin will make the filling come out. (See notes below). Keep aside covered. Repeat with the remaining dough.
5. Meanwhile heat some oil for deep frying. The oil should not become smoking hot. Test to see if the temperature is right by dropping a tiny ball of dough and see if it is rising slowly to the top.
6. Drop the kachoris in batches of 3-4 gently into the oil. It should rise up slowly. If you don't want to use lot of oil, use just enough for two or three at a time and fry them.
7. After it rises up (about 2 minutes), turn it over.
8. Cook for about 6 to 10 minutes till the side down gets a golden brown color.
9. Turn and cook the other side for another 6 minutes or till its golden brown in color.
10. Remove when done, cool and store in airtight container.
11. Serve with coriander chutney and tamarind chutney

Special Tips / Notes for making the Kachoris:

• You can fry 3 kachori's at a time.
• The oil should be at a heat when you drop some dough it should come up slowly, if the dough comes up too fast the oil is too hot, if it does not come up then the oil is cold.
• It will not be crisp if the oil is too hot.