Boondi Raita

Boondi Raita is a typical side dish from the Punjabi Cuisine. Milk products are a main part of Punjabi food. Raitas are usually salads in Yoghurt but boondi raita is different due to the addition of Boondi instead of salads! Boondi is a snack made from chickpea flour and can be prepared at home with some efforts! But since it is easily available in Indian stores, the raita becomes easy more easier to prepare.. Boondi raita with paratha is a cool combination for a weekend breakfast.. The boondi is initially soaked in water.. hence the oil from boondi drains off.. And hence the raita becomes even more healthy :) Here goes the recipe of Boondi Raita for RCI Punjabi Cuisine!

Boondi Raita

Makes:

1 serving each for 2

What you need:

4-5 tbsp salted Boondi
1 cup Yoghurt
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder/Pepper
½ tsp Cumin Powder
Salt
Corriander for garnishing

How to proceed:

1) Soak boondi in water for 5 mins
2) Drain water from boondi and add boondi to yoghurt
3) Add chilli powder, cumin powder and salt to yoghurt and mix well
4) Garnish with corriander and refrigerate for some time
5) Serve chilled with hot paratahas

* Adding a tsp of Chat Masala adds a zest to the raita!

Funke/Waffole

This is one dish near to my heart coz its from my ajool (granny's place). "Funke" as it is called in Khandesh (Northern Maharashtra), it is also known as "Waffole" after the process of cooking- steaming (this process is called "Waafavane" in Marathi, waaf being the marathi word for "vapour"). I can be undoubtedly called 100% healthy dish coz this recipe does not call for even a drop of oil. Toor daal, rich in proteins, onions and corriander and spicy chillies is all it needs for making waffole. Nutritious and tasty waffole can be served as a side dish or as breakfast or snack item with a hot cup of tea! :) As a side dish, this goes for "RCI Maharashtrian Cuisine", "W of Indian Vegetables" and as a healthy breakfast for "WBB #12-Spice it up"!

To enjoy something crispy, cut each waffole into 2-3 pieces and shallow fry in a skillet with one tablespoon of oil and some mustard and cumin seeds. If you are health/ calorie conscious people, below recipe is for you! Enjoy madi! :D

Funke

What you need:

1 cup Toor Daal
2 Onions, finely chopped
1/3 cup Corrainder, finely chopped
1 inch Ginger, minced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
3-4 Green Chillies, minced
4-5 tsp Sesame Seeds
1 -2 tsp Lemon Juice
Salt

How to proceed:

1) Soak Toor Daal for 1-2 hrs
2) Drain all water and coarsely grind it
3) Mix all the remaining ingredients except Sesame seeds and knead together
4) Make small dumplings of desired shape and dip in sesame seeds
5) Put these dumplings in a steamer/cooker and steam it for 15-20 mins
6) Serve hot oil-free healthy waffole as a snack or a side item during lunch!

* The long funke on the left are the steamed funke and on the small funke on right are the shallow fried ones. I served them with tomato ketchup.