Parippu Vada/Lentil Fritters

Some snacks holds tons of memories in it..This is one such thing..Its been the part of so many wonderful years of train travel's that I cherish..These are easy to prepare and delicious to munch on..

Chana Dal-1/4 cup
Toor dal-1/4 cup
Fennel Seeds-1/4 tsp
Pearl Onion-4 nos
Green chili-2 nos
Asafoetida-2 pinch
Ginger-1 tsp finely chopped.
Curry Leaves-1 sprig
Salt to taste
Oil to fry.

Method of Preparation:
1. Soak chana dal and toor dal for min. 3 hours. Wash and drain the water.
2. Set aside about 2 tbsp of dal and then grind the remaining to coarse pieces along with pearl onions, chilli, ginger, fennel, curry leaves, asafoetida and salt.
3. See that the dal is just pulsed to bits and not to paste.
4. Transfer to a clean dry bowl, add the 2 tbsp of dal and check for seasoning.
5. Heat oil in a wok.Take a small round ball of dough and lightly press between the palm to flatten it.
6. Deep fry in medium low heat so that the inside gets cooked and outer covering is crispy and browned.
7. Serve hot with tea.

Notes:
1. You can grind the lentils and then crush the other ingredients and mix it separately instead of grinding/pulsing together.
2. Shape them according to how you want them, If you need crispy vadas make them thin discs, else thicker ones.
3. The oil should be on medium heat, if too hot they will turn dark and wont be cooked inside.

Sun Dried Tomato and Onion Tart-Baking Partners

This time we the Baking Partners decided to bake pies. As always I was waiting for the beautiful day to bake one that the flu visited us through my son..Poor baby he was very badly hit by it and the flu has caught all of us with severe headache, fever and cough ..With all this around I was not in a position to bake and enjoy anything..When I could finally get some relief yesterday decided to bake this tart..There is another reason too..when I had decided to join this group my main idea was to bake things other than cakes and breads..so this time I wanted to do it..I went with this easy tart suggested by Samantha of Samantha Menzies from here. It was very easy to put together and required very less effort and was equally delicious.

 Thawed puff pastry sheets-2 nos (9 by 9 inches)
Olive oil-2 tbsp
Onions-3 cups (thinly sliced)
Thyme- 4-6 sprigs
Salt to taste
Dijon mustard-1½ tablespoons
Heavy cream-1½ tablespoons
Gruyere-1 cup grated
Sun-dried tomatoes- ½ cup (roughly chopped)

Method of Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place sheets of puff pastry on a baking tray. Prick surface with a fork, leaving a ½-inch border untouched. Bake until  lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.
3. Meanwhile, prepare onions. Set a  pan over medium heat. Heat oil and add onions, thyme and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions turn golden, about 15 minutes. Season with salt.
4. In a small bowl, mix mustard with cream. Once pastry is slightly cool, return it to baking tray and spread mustard-cream sauce over top, leaving ½-inch border untouched.
5. Scatter half of cheese over sauce and top with onions. Add remaining cheese and tomatoes over top.
6. Return trays to oven and bake until cheese melts and browns in spots, about 15 minutes.

Notes:

1. Even after pricking the puff sheets they puff up while baking so do prick them after taking out.

2. I replaced thyme with dried Oregano & fresh parsley leaves

3. Instead of Gruyere I used Emmental Swiss Cheese.

4. I halved the recipe.