Festive Spirit: 3 Unique Appetiser Recipes

Festive Spirit: 3 Unique Appetiser Recipes

Ring in the changes in your party menu with these unique appetiser recipes from a former chef at The Leela Ambience Hotel, Delhi.

 

1. Soya Tacos

Festive Spirit: 3 Unique Appetiser Recipes
Unique Appetiser Recipes: Soya Tacos

Serves: 4

Prep time: 45 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Calorie count: 1042 calories (per serving)

 

Ingredients:

To prepare the tomato salsa:

3 tsp lemon juice

A pinch of sugar

Salt, to taste

¼ cup tomato juice

1 tsp cumin, ground

5 coriander leaves, chopped

1 green chilli, chopped

20 g jalapeno, chopped

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

 

To prepare the soya marinade:

1 tsp chaat masala

2 tbsp cream

½ tsp kasuri methi

1 tsp roasted cumin powder

15 g garlic paste

1 tsp garam masala powder

3 tsp red chilli powder

½ cup hung yoghurt

3 tsp mustard oil

600 g soya cubes

 

To prepare the tacos:

Water

A pinch of salt

300 g wheat flour, sieved

 

To garnish:

Chaat masala, to taste

100 g salsa

1 medium onion, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

 

Method:

  1. To prepare the roti tacos, knead a soft dough with the wheat flour, salt and water. Chill it for one hour. Roll out 12 small rotis, cook them lightly on each side on a flat pan and set aside.
  2. Marinate the soya with the chaat masala, cream, kasuri methi powder, roasted cumin powder, garam masala, red chilli, garlic paste, hung yoghurt and mustard oil. Set aside for an hour.
  3. In a tandoor or an oven, roast the marinated soya, remove and cut into strips. Set aside.
  4. To prepare the tomato salsa, mix the coriander leaves, green chilli, jalapeno, garlic, onion and tomatoes in a bowl.
  5. Add the lemon juice, sugar, salt, tomato juice and ground cumin and mix well.
  6. To assemble the soya tacos, place a prepared roti taco on a chopping board or a platter. Heap with the soya mixture, add a slice of avocado and onion and sprinkle with chaat masala, top with salsa, place on a circlet of butter paper and place in a taco stand. 
  7. Repeat to prepare the remaining tacos and serve hot.

Tip: Freeze the dough for at least one hour.

 

2. Dahi ke Sholey

Serves: 15

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Calorie count: 350 calories (per serving)

 

Ingredients:

1-litre oil, for frying (divided usage)

1 ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs

To prepare the filling:

Black salt, to taste

½ tbsp honey

3 tsp freshly ground black pepper

5 g raisins, chopped

10 mint leaves, chopped

2 green chillies, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

 

To prepare the yoghurt mixture:

Salt, to taste

¼ tsp white pepper powder

1 tsp cardamom powder

¼ cup cashew nut powder

½ cup makhana powder

1 tsp sugar

1 cup hung yoghurt

 

Method:

  1. Place the salt, white pepper powder, cardamom powder, cashew nut powder, makhana powder, sugar and yoghurt in a bowl and mix it until a smooth dough is obtained. Set aside.
  2. Place the black salt, honey, black pepper, raisins, mint leaves, ginger, green chillies, and onion and mix well. Set aside.
  3. Divide the prepared yoghurt mixture into equal portions and roll each into a ball.
  4. Stuff each ball with the prepared onion stuffing and roll into croquettes. Dip the croquettes into the fresh breadcrumbs to coat. Set aside.
  5. Fry the prepared dahi ke sholey in hot oil until golden. Remove, drain and serve hot. 

Tip: Serve the dahi ke sholey with mint chutney.

 

3. Tofu Dumplings

Festive Spirit: 3 Unique Appetiser Recipes
Unique Appetiser Recipes: Tofu Dumplings

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 7 minutes

Calorie count: 590 calories (per serving)

 

Ingredients:

1 cup sweet chilli sauce, to serve

1-litre oil, for frying

150 g breadcrumbs

100 g sweet bean paste (available online and at gourmet stores)

Salt, to taste

60 ml sesame oil

150 g cornflour

5 g white pepper powder

15 ml vegetable broth

4 red chillies

100 g coriander leaves, finely chopped

700 g tofu

 

Method:

  1. In a bowl, mix the salt, sesame oil, cornflour, white pepper powder, vegetable broth, red chilli, coriander leaves, and tofu. Mash well.
  2. Make equal-sized round balls of the tofu mixture. Roll each out, stuff it with the sweet bean paste and reshape it into a ball.
  3. Dip the tofu dumplings in the breadcrumbs.
  4. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the tofu dumplings.
  5. Remove, drain and serve hot with sweet chilli sauce.

Tip: Ensure the oil is piping hot to prevent the dumplings from breaking while frying.