Katachi Amti | Chana Dal Amti | Spicy Split Bengal Gram Soup

Katachi Amti  is the famous spicy lentil accompaniment for Puran Poli. The combination is a festive treat and this year I had made both for Holi. And as today is the first day of the Navratris, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa, Katachi Amti with Puran Poli would make the perfect meal. This version of Amti is a little different from those I have made previously. This time I chose to make the masala for the Amti with raw spices. I brought together the Khara | Saabot Masalas | Whole Spices and ground them without dry roasting them first. This lent a very fresh and mellow taste to the Amti. The aroma was also very delicate and went beautifully with the cardamom and sweetness of the Puran Poli.

Delicious Dal Dhokli

Chilly temperatures always call for especially delicious treats and comfort foods. And last week, while it was snowing like no tomorrow, I decided to treat us to some hearty Dal Dhokli. While Dal Dhokli is basically a Gujarati dish, similar dishes are made in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh too. The seasoning in the various versions differs, and I will blog other version @ Annarasa too!! Dal Dhokli was particularly popular in Mumbai where I spent part of my childhood.

Daring Cooks March 2011: Filled Potato Patties from Peru

The Daring Cooks March 2011 challenge was wonderful - filled potato patties from Peru. Even though I am really pressed for time these days, I knew I just had to make this particular recipe, albeit with some modifications to suit our tastes!! Details of the filling to follow.