This is it. The wait is almost over. The much-awaited long weekend of August is right here and we cannot reign in our excitement. Soon after Raksha Bandhan, the nation will gear up for the 75th Indian Independence Day. In 1947, India won freedom from the Britishers, and now India is one of the fastest, developing nations. India also houses a great number of young adults.
It is said that 260 million adults in India are below the age of 30 and the number is only rising. As more and more youngsters are acquainting themselves with the ways of ‘eating healthy’ and leading a healthier life, it is only fair that we ring in this year’s Independence Day celebrations with all things desi, but equally healthy.
For the longest time, Indian snacks have had a reputation of being overtly fried or spicy. But it only takes a few minutes to rethink, reimagine the classics and present them in a new avatar that is beneficial for all.
Here are some fabulous recipes by executive Chef Amit Kocherakar, The Resort Mumbai.
1. Aloo-Matar Samosa
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup green peas
- 2 green chilli
- 1 cup refined flour
- ¼ cup ghee
- 3 potatoes
- ¼ cup broken cashew nuts
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup oil
- ½ cup water
Method:
- Peel and boil potatoes.
- Make a paste of ginger and green chilli.
- Heat oil in a pan, put ginger chilli paste and all the ingredients, and cook till it gets properly mixed.
- Put the mixture in one tray and cool it down.
- Make a dough by adding refined flour, ghee salt, and water.
- Make an even portion from dough and roll by rolling pin stuffed the mixture and make the samosa out of it.
- Bake in an oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10-12 minutes or air fry it until golden brown in the air fryer.
- Serve with green chutney.
2. Low-Cal Hara Bhara Kebab
Ingredients:
- 1 cup green peas
- ½ cup spinach
- 2 green chillies
- ½ inch ginger
- ¼ cup cottage cheese
- 2 potatoes
- 1 tsp chaat masala
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
Method:
- Clean and boil the spinach and green peas.
- Take a mixture bowl, add spinach and green peas into it and coarsely grind it.
- Then, chop the ginger and green chilli, and the coriander leaves.
- Peal & boil the potato & grate it.
- Grate the cottage cheese in one bowl.
- In the same bowl, add grated potato, chop the chillies, ginger, cottage cheese, chat masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chopped coriander, bread crumbs, and salt.
- Make dough out of it, make 10 equal portions out of it, make a tikki shape and place on a baking tray.
- Bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10-12 minutes or air fry it until golden brown in the air fryer.
- Serve with green chutney.
