Microwaved Masala Peanuts

For this week's Blog hop Wednesday by Radhika, I was paired with Prathima . She has a wonderful blog with so many tempting dishes but this simple recipe caught my attention.This was something that I had always wanted to try but  kept on postponing. The recipe sounded perfect so I finally tried the microwave version of masala peanuts.Now I repent for not trying this out earlier, as this was such a delight to have and I have made this five times already after my first try. So instead of  going for the deep fried version, try this option for the same taste sans the calories. Thank you Prats for this awesome snack made in minutes.
Recipe Source: Prats Corner
Ingredients :
1 cup plain unsalted  raw peanuts
2-3 tbsp gram flour (Chickpea flour)
2-3 tsp rice flour (for crispness)
1/2 to 1 tsp chilli powder
a pinch of hing powder (asafoetida)
3 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
Method :
Mix together all the dry ingredients .Add the oil to this and mix well. Add water and mix well ( I added a little more than 1/4 cup as I wanted an even smooth coating on my nuts). Transfer the peanuts onto a microwave safe bowl (flat and wide). Spread them so that they do not stick to each other. Cook on HIGH for 2 mins. Remove, break lumps  if any and stir the peanuts and place back in microwave and repeat this process in 1 minute increments until done.
The time in the microwave will depend on the power of the microwave,  and the amount of water added. It took me approximately about 10 minutes.
Sending this over to Blog Hop Wednesday and Diwali Special-Sweets and Savories by Radhika

Sesame Balls / Ellunda

This recipe is originally from my mom. She used to make the Ellundas as a means of compensating for any deficiency of iron in our diets; and used to make them ever so frequent. So growing up, I used to regard these as more of a dietary supplement rather than as the snack that these really are. I began appreciating these more only after I grew up; even though as a mother myself, I don't make these anywhere as frequently as my mom used to.Both Jai and Aishwarya loves it whenever I am inclined to make this :-)
Ingredients
Black sesame seeds - 500g
Flattened rice - 300g
Jaggery - 250g
Coconut (grated) - 1 cup
Cardamom - 10
Water - 1/2 cup

Method
Dry-roast sesame seeds and  flattened rice separately. When  flattened rice is cold enough, powder it  to a fine powder . Now powder the sesame but it should be powdered only coarsely. Melt the jaggery in water. Seive it and add coconut to this and cook till coconut dries up.Keep this aside. Add powdered cardamom to this . Mix together all the ingredients and make into little balls.

Sending this to Kerala Kitchen hosted by Divya

Old Fashioned Baked Apples in Microwave

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Though it is healthy eating apples every day, during those chilly winter days you may not feel like biting into any of the cold fruits. This is one recipe that lets you have the goodness of apples in a wholesome and appetizing meal even on those cold winter days.

If you are in a hurry and yet want the great taste of oven baked apples, along with that wonderful aroma, all in a fraction of the time you should try this recipe.
Recipe source:ILoveInns
Ingredients:
1 medium apple per person
1 tbs brown sugar per apple
1/2 tbs butter per apple
Cinnamon powder to taste
Method:
Using a melon baller, scoop out stem, core and seeds of apples leaving bottom intact. Using sharp knife, slice a thin waist around each apple. Arrange apples in microwaving pan. Fill each apple with 1 tbs brown sugar, top with 1/2 tbs butter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover apples with kitchen towel . Microwave on high until tender. Let stand covered for 3 minutes before serving. Serve with some home made granola to make this a complete meal.
Microwave timing for different quantities of apples

 6 apples for 10 – 14 minutes

 4 apples for 6 – 10 minutes

 2 apples for 3 – 5 minutes
 1 apple for 2 – 3 minutes
Sending this over to ABC Series A for Apple at Ramya's Recipe

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Stuffed Artichoke Indian Style

Today Jay was in a mood to experiment. So he asked me to take my day off from kitchen and that he would make something different. He went out and came back with the artichokes and while I  enjoyed my Sunday, reading a book, he came up with a delicious artichoke bake. When I asked him how he did it (I know he was checking through many recipes on the internet), he said that he has combined many of what was there on the net and he would rather blog his recipe on my blog !!  Thus it saved me the job of posting a new recipe on Sugar'n Spice as well. Thanks to him I had a totally relaxed Sunday!

Ingredients:
4 large artichokes
4 button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup soy-granules , Morningstar meal starters
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup onion; diced
4 cloves garlic; minced
2 teaspoonLemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon curry powder
4 tablespoonsfresh parsley; minced
1 1/2 cupsbreadcrumbs; (fresh and soft)
1/2 cupParmesan cheese; grated
1/4 cup Mozzarella optional
For drizzling:
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon salt

Method:
Trim the stem off the bottom so artichokes can stand flat. Peel off the bottom leaves (the hardest ones).Place artichoke on its side and cut off the top inch or so to remove top thorns. With scissors, snip thorny tips from remaining leaves. With a spoon, scoop out the choke (the fuzzy part) in the center of the artichokes. Cut one lemon in half and squeeze into a large bowl of cold water. Put the cut artichokes in this water so that the lemon water coats the cut portions. This is to avoid discoloration. Steam the artichokes and cook for about 30-45 minutes, until the leaves pull away easily. Once done, drain out any water onto a towel, keeping the artichokes upside down.
While the artichokes are being steamed, prepare the stuffing.
Saute garlic and onion in butter till they turn translucent. Add the curry powder and saute for another minute. Add mushrooms and the soy-granules and saute again. Now add all the remaining herbs  and salt to this and when it is almost dry add the bread-crumbs and Parmesan cheese to this.
Combine the olive oil with the seasonings (for drizzling). Now drizzle half of this oil over the artichokes. Stuff the artichokes in the center as well as in between the leaves gently with the stuffing prepared. If you prefer you may put some mozzarella cheese over the stuffed artichokes. Now drizzle the artichokes with the remaining oil and bake at 350 degree F for 20 minutes till it is heated through.