Menasinakai Bajji/Stuffed Mirchi Bajji/Mirapakai Bajji

Menasinakai Bajji with Coffee....

When we think of a fiery evening snack especially on a cold evening,, the first thing that comes to my mind is the "Mirchi Bajji" lovingingly called as "Menasinakai Bajji" in Karnataka..Especially in bangalore, the cartwheel vendors made delicious bajjis and it was my favourite indulging snack..
My friend got me a bag full of the portugese peppers which are fiery hot fresh from her garden..She warned me about the degree of heat in these chillies..So I decided to make these stuffed bajjis to satisfy my snack craving:)..Here it is..

You need:
5-6 portugese peppers/banana peppers/any kind of peppers which can hold stuffing and long..
Clean them, make a vertical slit on one side and remove the vein with the seeds if you do not like it very hot..
For the stuffing:
2 boiled potatoes
1 onion chopped finely
1/2 cup coriender leaves chopped
2tsps chat masala powder
1tsp peanut powder(optional)
juice of a lime and salt

Mix everything together..

For the batter:
1cup besan/kadle hittu
a tbsp of rice flour/akki hittu
a pinch of turmeric
a pinch of red chillie powder
water
salt
oil to deep fry

mix everything together toa thick batter..
To make
Stuff the potato mixture into the peppers gently and keep it aside..
Heat oil and deep fry the stuffed peppers dipped in batter till brown and crispy.
Cut them into pieces and serve them with lime, chopped onion and cilantro with a steaming cup of coffee..

Usli Chaat with a refreshing Carrot Cooler....

Usli is a quick all time favourite snack in Bangalore.. I remember the Usli given as prasadam during Ganesh Chaturthi.. the taste was unforgettable.. Loaded with protein with spice and a touch of lime tingle your taste buds..
Here is a variation of usli which has a tang of Chaat as well and hence "Usli Chaat"..
What more healthier than washing this off with a refreshing Carrot Cooler....

For Usli you need:
2cups Matki (you can use any combination of pulses soaked and sprouted)--parboil it till soft but not mushy
1 big red onion
1 small cucumber
2tsp tamarind date chutney
1 cup peanuts roasted and coarsly crushed
juice of lemon
salt
green chillies 4 chopped
cilantro 2twigs
1tsp chat masala
oil 2tsp

Procedure:

in a pan add oil, when heated add curry leaves, green chillies and half the onions. Add turmeric and fry till translucent and switch off the heat..
Boil the matki till it is soft but firm.. Drain the water if any.. now mix the left over onion, cucumber and peanut powder.. To this add chat masala and juice of lemon and salt and mix well. Finally add the cooled fried onion mixture and mix well and serve immediatly...

Carrot Juice:
3large juicy carrots (peeled)
1/2 inch ginger root
1tsp honey..
Blend the above adding 1/2 cup water and strain.. Serve it with crushed ice (optional)...