Solkadi

Solkadi is a cooling drink which is usually enjoyed in the summers in the konkan areas. It is prepared using Sol that is Kokum commonly found in konkan areas. In Goan households, Solkadi is served everyday along with full-fledged lunch. It can be had as an appetizer drink or also with rice. I like it either ways.

Ingredients:
Sol/Kokum - 7-8
Hing
Green chilies -2 - finely chopped
Salt - as per taste

Sugar - 1 tsp
Coconut milk -half cup 
Jeera - half tsp
Hot water - half cup

Chopped Coriander (for garnish)

Procedure:
1. Soak the kokum in hot water for at least 15 mins. Squeeze the juice out of the kokum and drain it.
2. Pour this in a mixing bowl.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the coconut milk and let it boil.

4. Once it boils, add the coconut milk and let it boil for a few mins.

That's It. The Solkadi is ready.

Pour it in glasses and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve it with rice or as a cool drink

Note:
1. I have used tinned coconut milk in this recipe. But Solkadi tastes best when using fresh coconut milk.

2. Lasunechi Solkadi can also be prepared for a variation by adding garlic. In this case, coconut milk needs to be extracted by adding the garlic to grated coconut using the mixer

Goan Style French Beans

This is a Goan style of preparing the French Beans, stir fried with grated coconut and green chillies.
Usually French beans is not really a favorite in my house, but this recipe is an all time favorite.
Very simple, yet very tasty and also very healthy.

Ingredients:
French Beans - half kg - finely chopped
Grated coconut - 1 cup
Green chilies - 2 - slit
Garam Masala - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - half tsp
Chili powder - half tsp
Mustard seeds - half tsp
Jeera/Cumin seeds - half tsp
Garlic - 2-3 petals - chopped
Oil - 1 tbsp
Hing
Salt

Procedure:
1. Wash and chop the French beans. Chop them into small pieces as they will cook faster.
2. Slit the green chilies and garlic.
3. Take a kadhai, add oil, next add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add the cumin seeds, garlic and hing.
4. Next add the turmeric powder, chili powder and garam masala and then quickly add the chopped french beans.
5. Add salt and let it cook covered on a medium flame for 5 mins.
6. Add in the grated coconut and let it cook until the beans are cooked.

The delicious French Beans are ready.
Serve it with roti or as a side dish with rice

Vada Pav

Vada Pav...the name itself waters our mouth.

This lip smacking, mouth watering vada pav can be prepared at home in no time.

                                       

ENJOY EATING!!

Ingredients:
For the Potato filling:
Boiled Potatoes - 3 - mashed
Green chilies (small) - 2 - chopped
Onions - 1 - chopped
Garlic - finely chopped
Ginger - finely chopped
Curry leaves - chopped
Saunf - half tsp
Hing
Turmeric powder - half tsp
Mustard seeds - half tsp
Cumin seeds - half tsp
Coriander seeds - half tsp (crushed)
Salt
Oil- 1 tbsp

For Preparing Vadas:
Chickpeas flour/besan - 3 tbsp
Salt
Ajwain - half tsp
Chili powder - half tsp
Soda - half tsp
Oil - for deep frying vadas

To Serve:
Green chilies (big)
Pav/ Bread
Pudina Chutney

Procedure:
Preparing the Potato stuffing:
1. Take a kadhai and pour oil. Add the mustard seeds.
2. Once it splutters, add the jeera seeds. Next add hing, garlic, curry leaves and green chilies.
3. Next add the onions and fry it till golden brown.
4. Next add the ginger, coriander seeds, turmeric powder and salt and finally the mashed potatoes.
5. Let it cook for 5 minutes.
6. Mix it well and mash it nicely.

Preparing the Aloo Vadas:
1. Let the mashed Potato mixture cool down.
2. Once it cools down, make small balls and keep aside.
3. Mix all the ingredients for the vada batter (Except oil) and in the mean time keep a deep pan and pour oil in it for deep frying.
4. Once the oil is hot, put 1 tsp oil in the prepared batter.
5. Dip the potato ball in the batter and deep fry it till golden brown. Keep aside and drain the oil on a serviette/ tissues.
6. Repeat the same with the rest of the vadas.

7. Also dip the big green chillies in the remaining batter and deep fry them. Also deep fry some chillies in the oil.

Preparing the Vada Pav:

1. Prepare the Pudina Chutney following the recipe - Pudina Chutney
2. Spread the chutney on one side of pav.
3. Place the vada and close it like a burger.

Serve the delicious Vada Pav with fried chilies.