Gulab Jamun

Overview
Gulab Jamun is one of the most popular desserts in India that you can get at any Indian restaurant.  It is a dumpling made with milk and immersed in sugar syrup. The word Gulab Jamun translates to Rose Berries since this dessert is flavored with rose essence and looks just like berries. This is an easy recipe to make at home. I used non fat milk powder and Bisquick pancake mix to make this.

Gulab Jamun

Ingredients
Non fat milk powder - 1/2 cup
Bisquick pan cake mix(Flour with baking soda) - 1/2 cup
Milk to make the dough - 1/2 - 3/4 cup
Ghee 1 teaspoon
Oil - 2 -3 teaspoons
Oil for deep frying

For Syrup
One cup sugar
Two cups water
Rose essence  - 1 teaspoon or Cardamom seeds powdered( seeds from 5 - 7 cardamom pods)

Steps
1. Mix the milk powder with the pancake mix.  Add the ghee and mix well. Slowly add the milk and make a smooth dough.
2. Put some oil in your hands and make small balls with the dough. Do keep in mind the size of the balls you make since they double in size when they are fried and immersed in sugar syrup.
3. Heat oil in a pan. When the oil gets hot keep the flame in medium. We need to fry the balls in medium heat so we get a the golden color and the inside of the balls also gets cooked. Deep fry all the balls in batches till they are golden brown.
4. To prepare the syrup add the sugar and water mix well and bring this to boil. Once it starts boiling add the Rose essence( or cardamon powder) and let it boil for about 10 minutes in medium heat.
5. Add the fried balls to the hot prepared syrup. Keep it immersed in syrup for about 4 hours to overnight.

Serve hot or cold

Mint Chutney

Overview
This green tangy mint chutney goes well with fried Indian appetizers like Pakodas, samosas and kabob's. This is a very flavorful and easy to make chutney that goes very well with grilled lamb and chicken too. You can make it as spicy as you like by increasing the number of  green chillies. For mild chutney just use one green chilly.

Mint Chutney

Ingredients
One cup Mint leaves
Half cup Cilantro leaves
Tamarind pulp 1- 2 tablespoons
Green chilly 1 - 4
Shallots 2 - 3
Salt to taste
Sugar 1/4 teaspoon
5 -6 tablespoon water

Steps
Grind all ingredients in a blender with water to make a smooth thick chutney. Serve with grilled meat or any fried appetizers as a dip.

Lemon Rice

Overview
Lemon rice is one of the popular rice recipes from south India. Zesty lemon rice is one of the favorite picnic lunches and a lunch box special. This dish can be made with left over rice too. Urdu Dal, Channa Dal and Peanuts adds a nutty flavor and protein to this dish. The tangy taste of lemon juice mixed with the simple spices adds a unique texture and flavor to this rice dish.

Lemon Rice

Ingredients
Basmati Rice or any long grain rice - 2 cups
Lemon Juice -  Juice of 2 big lemons
Roasted Peanuts - 3 tablespoons
Urdu Dal - 1 tablespoon
Channa Dal - 1 table spoon
Ginger 2 inch piece finely chopped
Green chilly - 2 - 4( depending on how spicy you want it to be)
Finely chopped shallots (optional) - 3 tablespoons
Curry leaves  - 2 sprigs
Whole dry red chillies - 3 - 4 cut into piece
Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon
Mustard seeds  - 1 teaspoons
Oil - 4 tablespoon
Salt to taste

Steps
1. Cook 2 cups cleaned rice in 4 cups water and keep aside. Once the rice is cooked fluff it up with a fork and  let it cool.
2. Heat oil in a pan. When the oil gets hot add the mustard seeds to it and let it splutter. Add the red chilly pieces and curry leaves to this and fry them then add the Urdu Dal and Channa Dal. Saute till the Dal's are brown.
3. Add the finely chopped green chillies . ginger, turmeric and shallots to this and saute few minutes. turn off the heat.
4. Add the cooked rice, salt, lemon juice and roasted peanuts to this and mix well.

Serve hot with Raita and Papaddams