27 June, 2008

Healing Herbs: Kothimbir Vadi

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Kothimbir Vadi

"We are what we eat. We don't doubt that fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts contain a range of vitamins, minerals and cancer, yet the nutrient content and medicinal properties of herbs are often overlooked.”
- UK's leading organic herb grower Jekka McVicar

Do we really underestimate the healing power of herbs? I doubt. As far as Indian cooking is concerned herbs play vital role in any regional cooking. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicinal form, emphasises on the healing power of herbs and spices. Since generations many families in India have been following knowingly or unknowingly the concept of cooking with medicinal herbs and spices. While growing up I have seen my mother using herbs in many avatars. She starts her day with herb infused teas and ends by taking fresh herbs and spices for its medicinal use. In between, the herbs are used in recipes not just as garnishes but good handfuls for enhancing flavours and also for their healing power.

One such herb which I use quite often is fresh Coriander which imparts a bold sage and tangy citrus effect to many dishes in ethnic kitchens. It is almost impossible to see food in Indian restaurants and home without it. It makes its presence felt in a form of dried aromatic seeds or ground powder or in its vibrant green leafy form. It is said that Coriander was named after the bedbug, because it emits the same unpleasant odour as its namesake. What?? Unpleasant odour??? I strongly disagree as the heady aroma of roasted coriander seeds and chopped fresh coriander leaves is one pure pleasure for all your senses. May be that’s the reason I end up adding little extra handful of coriander leaves and extra pinch of coriander powder in almost all the dishes I cook. After all it is a wonder herb for acid indigestion or upset stomach.

While browsing through Nupur’s One Hot Stove for T&T, I came across this recipe of Kothimbir Vadi. One look at them and I had serious cravings for this delicious vadis. And another point that got my full attention was the fact that Coriander is the main lead in this recipe instead of playing a cameo role as a garnish. This recipe is a best example as how simple herb can be used as main ingredient and yet will not end-up tasting herb-y (I know it’s not even a word, but couldn’t think of anything else ;). Other main equipment needed for this recipe is a steamer. I used pressure cooker without the “weight” and fried them in little oil till they turned golden and crisp. And boy! What a tasty vadis they turned out to be. Aromatic, crisp from outside and soft from inside, they were devoured in no time at all. We had them as an evening snack with cup of coffee and also as a side dish with Sabudana Kichidi the very next day. Thank you Nupur, for introducing us to another wonderful Marathi dish. Off this delightful crisp vadis goes to dear Kayln who is hosting this week’s WHB a.k.a. Weekend Herb Blogging.

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Kothimbir Vadi


Kothimbir Vadi (Steam Cooked & Fried Savoury Coriander Cakes)
Prep Time: 5-10 mins
Cooking Time: 30 mins
Serves: 4-6
Recipe Source: One Hot Stove

Ingredients:
2 packed cups Coriander Leaves, finely chopped (I also used their stems)
1 cup Gram Flour/Besan
¼ cup Mixed Flours (I used Whole Wheat Flour + Millet Flour)
1 tbsp Rice Flour
4-5 Green Chillies, finely chopped (adjust acc to taste)
1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 tbsp White Sesame Seeds (Nupur used 1 tsp)
1 tsp Poppy Seeds
½ Lime Juice (Nupur used 2 tsp, I am little partial to tangy taste)
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Sugar
¼ tsp Hing/Asafoetida
¼ tsp Baking Soda
Salt to taste
Oil for frying
Method:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl except the oil. Add little water at a time to get a thick batter. Make sure that you remove any lumps former. The batter I made was that of any Pakoda/Bhajji batter consistency.
Grease a flat bottomed vessel with oil and pour batter into it. Steam it using a traditional steamer or pressure cooker without its weight for around 20-30 mints over a medium heat. The skewer inserted in the middle should come clean when it’s cooked properly.
Let it cool properly before you un-mould it. Cut it into desired shapes. I cut them into wedges. Now you can either serve it as it is or continue with next step.
Heat about ½ cm of oil in a pan and arrange these slices. Cook on both sides till they turn golden brown and crisp.
Serve these Kothimbir Vadis as snacks with any chutney or sauce of your choice or as side dish with Rice and Dal and enjoy.

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Kothimbir Vadi


Reminder: MBP-Street Food
MBP-Street Food ends on 30th of June, 2008. Start patrolling the blogs and cook your favourite Street Food that your tummy begs and heart desires and spread link love.

Deadline: 30th June, 2008

Please go through the guidelines and include all the required information in your post and mail when sending me your entry. Don't forget to add Your Name, Your Blog Name, Name of the Dish you cooked, Perm Link of the entry, Perm Link of original recipe along with the gorgeous Photo of final dish.

Click Here or on the logo to find out more information on this event.

Reminder: WBB-Summer Feast

For this edition of WBB, your challenge is to cook anything with summer fruits and vegetables. Yes, the theme is WBB-Summer Feast. Go to your town/city’s Farmer’s Market and pick fresh season’s produce and make your favourite breakfast or brunch and join in the Summer Feast.

Deadline: 31st July, 2008

Please go through the guidelines and include all the required information in your post and mail when sending me your entry. Don't forget to add Your Name, Your Blog Name, Name of the Dish you cooked, Perm Link of the entry, Perm Link of original recipe along with the gorgeous Photo of final dish.

Click Here or on the logo to find out more information on this event.

34 comments:

  1. What an unusual recipe and drool-worthy pic... now who is teasing whom with delicious goodies ;)

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  2. My favorite accompaniment to simple dal and rice :) Thanks for trying this recipe, dear Sia!

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  3. slurp!! drool...that sure looks yummy sia! :-) great presentation, no doubt..and the pictures...? awesome!

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  4. I always thought these are fried vades as it says, steaming sounds wonderful. Like Dhoklas with lot of herbs. Good one Sis, looks yummy!:)

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  5. Ah, I have some besan at home that I need to get rid of - I first saw them a couple of years ago in Bombay and was so fascinated by their shape - those were cut into squares.

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  6. Hi sia,
    Perfect snack for a rainy evening,i love to enjoy this with a hot cup of ginger tea.These vadis take me to the era when i was in school,and whenever my father would leave early from office ,he use to bring these ,and we all used to relish vadis with tea and enjoy a hearty conversation...aah.... those golden days of my life!

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  7. These look delicious, Bookmarked to try.

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  8. kothmir vadi looks yummy ... making them into wedges looks unique :)

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  9. Absolutely gorgeous picture!!! Love it.

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  10. My mom used to make these. I miss them now. These look delicious.

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  11. I love my bunch of coriander too...can't say the same for the seeds or powder, but those fresh green leaves are enough to excite me...have just added a generous bunch to a fish curry...smells heavenly :-P

    ...enjoy your weekend, Sups :-)

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  12. Wow, This looks so yummy. I just feel like grabbing one from the picture .

    Thanks for sharing the recipe

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  13. this ones splendid!!! will try it when I have guests over.reminds me of dhoklas.... stunning pics, as always :)

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  14. The vadis are a novel thing to me...they look tempting though

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  15. these are very new to me..looks damn good..love it..look just like crispy cake pieces:)..

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  16. Lovely vadi's Sia..Love coriander and adding more of it would just be a pleasure...

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  17. I'm dribbling on your Kothimbir vadis, Sia! I just love the corriander flavor, such a lovely herb! I will have to try this one for sure.. cheers :)

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  18. Nice pics.That is a new dish I havent heard of..

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  19. we've tried this and loved it.

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  20. Looks so good your picture ... tempting to try this Kothimbir vadi

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  21. Hey! I have made and eaten this many times but your pics look so good I feel what I made was not the right thing! PERFECT!

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  22. I am trying to avoid fried food, but I think you are going to break my resolutions.:(
    Looks delicious.

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  23. this dish is new to me Sia.. looks yummo! Lovely entry ..:)

    Cheers,
    Siri

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  24. My colleagues used to bring this steam then lightly fried - Yum! they were out of the world!! Girl, you're on a blogging+event hosting spree nowadays :)

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  25. Sia, that is a perfect snack. The way you describe them makes it more than just delicious.

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  26. What a delicious sounding dish. I'm positive I'd like it (well of course the cilantro certainly gets my attention! Your photos are really great too, droolworthy!

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  27. sia
    i am making this today....thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  28. kothimbir wadis looks absolutely droolworthy....i cant make them due to lack of a steamer...so have to satisfy my yearning through the eyes

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  29. Looks so yummy !! wonderful Pictures Sia!! Feel like having this vadi right now :)!! Shape is so perfect steamed and fried.. my mother makes it.. yummy !!

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  30. I love the photos on your site and recipes are defintiely worth trying :)

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  31. that looks so lovely and non-oily cuz of the steaming!!

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  32. Absolutely perfect, Sia! No wonder they were devoured so quickly! :)

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  33. Kothmir vadi looks delicious, Sup! Love the colorful pictures. Dahi batata puri looks awesome too! Dreaming about street food- he he :)

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  34. Boy that looks so good Sia ! I first thought it was deepfried but I love this steaming + pan-frying method.

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