Buckwheat Flour Vada

Ingredients:
1 cup buckwheat flour also called kuttu ki atta (135gm)
1/2 teaspoon ajwain seeds (also called carom seed)
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 chopped green chili or to taste
A few chopped cilantro leaves (hara dhania or use curry leaves)
2 tablespoon shredded carrot

Preparation:
To the buckwheat flour add ajwain seeds, cumin seeds and salt, mix and slowly add milk at room temperature and mix thoroughly remove the lumps.  After the lumps have been removed add the green chili, cilantro leaves and shredded carrots and mix.  Set aside for five minutes.

Heat a pan with oil on medium heat.  Test to see if the oil is hot enough by dropping a little bit of batter into the oil, if the batter floats up right away it is hot enough, you can start making the vadas.

To make to vadas drop a scoop of batter gently into the hot oil and let it cook for a few minutes after which turn it and let it cook on the other side.  The oil should be at medium heat, if it is too hot the outside of the vadas will be overcooked and the inside will be raw.  Cook on medium heat until the sizzling has come down at which point it can be removed from the oil.

Serve warm with yogurt or chutney.  Serves 4.

Quinoa, Buckwheat and Millet Pilaf

1/3 cup whole buckwheat rinsed and drained in water
1/3 cup millet rinsed and drained in water
1/3 cup Quinoa rinsed and drained in water ( use cracked wheat to substitute)
3/4 cup frozen peas or use your choice of vegetables (beans, carrots, cauliflower)
2 to 2 1/2 cups water or as needed, or use vegetable stock
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 two inch long cinnmon sticks
3 tablespoon oil

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat.  Add cumin seeds and cinnamon.  When the cumin seeds turn brown add the buckwheat, millet and quinoa,  saute for a couple of minutes,  add the frozen peas or vegetables.  Saute for 30 seconds, add water and cook till the grains are done.  While it is cooking keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally so that the bottom does not burn.  When the grains are done they will become clear.  Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving.

I like to make this dish for people who like alternatives to rice and wheat.  This is very filling.  Quick and easy to make.  It uses very few ingredients.

The millet and buckwheat tend to get rancid very easily.  I buy them in small quantities and store them in the refrigerator.

Spicy Buckwheat crepes or Kuttu ata ki Dosa

Ingredients:
1 cup Buckwheat flour or kuttu ata
2 cups water or as needed to make a flowing batter
a few curry leaves
a few cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
a pinch of asafoetida
1/2 teaspoon of salt or to taste
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Ingredients: for crepe or dosa topping
ginger
chili
red and green bell pepper thinly sliced
shredded carrots
or use your own favorite topping


Prepare Batter:  Add water to buckwheat flour and make a liquid batter.  Add curry leaves, cilantro leaves, cumin powder, asafoetida, salt and keep it aside.  For best results make the dough 4 to 8 hours before making the crepes or make it overnight and refrigerate it.
Before making crepes add lemon juice and ground black pepper and stir the dough since the contents would have settled.


Prepare crepes or dosa:  Heat a greased griddle.  Pour some batter in the middle and tilt the griddle to spread the batter.  Evenly distribute the topping over the dosa.  Press it down lightly with the spatula,  Let it cook until the sides are loosening.  Use a spatula to turn it and cook the other side.  It is done when brown spots appear. Remove and serve.

Makes 6 crepes.

Note:  I usually buy buckwheat flour in small quantities.  It gets rancid very easily.  I store it in the refrigerator. 

Buckwheat crepes with Kale and Mushroom Filling

To make crepes:

1 cup buckwheat flour  (called kuttu ka atta in Hindi)

1/2 cup rice flour

1 cup almond milk (or any milk)

1 1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

In a bowl mix all of the ingredients to make a lump free, flowing batter.  Adjust the water as necessary.

For best results let the batter rest for at least 4 hours before making crepes.  I usually leave it overnight in the refrigerator for chilling.

To make crepes use a greased griddle or a skillet.  Pour some batter in the center and tilt the griddle to spread the batter.  Wait for it cook.  It is done, when the edges are loosening, turn it over and cook the other side and remove.  Do the same with rest of the batter.  Makes about 6 to 8 crepes.

Spicy Kale and Mushroom filling

1 tbsp sesame oil
1 bunch of kale
8 oz pkg or 4 cups chopped mushroom
green chili to taste
1 tablespoon of chopped ginger
some chopped parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
tobasco green sauce to taste

Heat oil add green chili and ginger, saute it for a few seconds.  Add parsley and saute it for a few seconds, add mushrooms and kale and saute for a few seconds.  Add salt and let it cook until all of the water has evaporated.  Turn the heat off when the curry is dry add some tobasco sauce and mix. 

To assemble the crepes put some filling in the center and fold the edges of the crepe over the filling.  Serve with chutney or tomato salsa.

Simple ingredients for healthy living

Note:  I usually buy buckwheat flour in small quantities.  It gets rancid very easily.  I store it in the refrigerator.