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April 29, 2015

Phool Makhana Curry Recipe|Lotus Seeds Gravy With Paneer

Phool makhana paneer gravy

I came to know about Phool Makhani(Puffed Lotus Seeds/Fox nut in English) recently through my blogger friends. As soon as I came to know about them, I looked for its health benefits and amazed at it. I have listed them below. Please have a look so that you can have it whole heartedly without any fear. I used to have Lotus stem fryums( Thamarai thandu vathal in Tamil) buying from Home foods, Salem when I was pregnant. My Doctor suggested me to eat them as it is very rich in calcium.Similarly the nutritional facts of Phool makhana makes you buy them immediately. I bought it from Metro, Kanakapura road. I guess you can find them in Nilgiris too. You can prepare recipes like Roasted masala phool makhani, makhana kheer, gravy, phool makhana curry, pulao and much more.Very soon I will share phool makhana kheer recipe.
Coming to today’s recipe, last week I got a mail form BigBasket.com asking me to do a guest post. I generally don’t accept any promotional posts. So I was in hesitation. When I told about this offer to my friend Shalini, she suggested me to do it as she buy groceries and vegetables from Bigbasket regularly and she gave a very good feedback about them. So I accepted to make a post. They immediately sent me this phool makhani, paneer gravy recipe. I made some changes in the original recipe and made it for Sendhil’s lunch box as a side dish for Roti/ChapathiI too had the same for lunch. It was very nice, flavorful and kadai licking good. It tastes very similar to Paneer butter masala. Addition of phool makhana made it more healthy. Try this Yummy North Indian Gravy with lotus seeds. You will love it for sure.

Check out my other paneer recipes HERE.



Health benefits of phool Makhana
  1. Makhana helps in cardiac protection,regulates blood pressure and relieves numbness and pains in joints.
  2. It prevents premature aging,arthritis.
  3. It is rich in calcium,protein when compared with other nuts.Popped makhana contains almost 12% of protein
  4. It benefits kidney,spleen and heart.
  5. Makhana is very useful for women during and post pregnancy period.
  6. The seed also has calming properties that alleviate restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia.It is good for impotency too.
Makhana curry recipe


Phool Makhana Paneer Gravy Recipe


Phool Makhana,Paneer Gravy Recipe Yummy North Indian style gravy recipe using phool makhana and paneer - An awesome side dish for roti
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Gravies
Serves: Serves 2-3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 240ml
To saute n grind
  • Cooking oil + ghee - 2 tbsp + 2 tsp
  • Cardamom – 1 no
  • Ripe tomato - 4 nos
  • Big onion- 2 nos
  • Green chilli - 1 no ( long)
  • Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp
  • Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp( Use 1 tsp for more spice taste)
  • Dhania powder - 1 tsp
  • Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Sugar – 1/2 tsp
  • Cashew nuts - 6 nos
  • Water – as needed
To add at the end
  • Fresh cream - 2 tbsp ( optional)
  • Kasoori methi - 1/4 tsp ( crushed)
  • Boiled milk - 1/4 cup
  • Coriander leaves - few ( to garnish)
Lemon juice – few drops (optional)
METHOD

  • Heat 1 tsp of ghee in a kadai. Roast the makhana for 3-4 minutes and set aside. Boil water in a bowl and add the chopped paneer cubes. Let it soak in hot water till use.This helps u get soft paneer pieces. Chop onions, tomatoes and slit chilli. Keep aside.
Makhana curry recipe
  • Heat  1 tbsp oil+1 tsp ghee in a kadai and add cardamom. Saute onions,ginger-garlic paste till its raw smell vanishes. Now add the green chilli and saute for a second. Add tomato pieces.Saute till mushy adding required salt.
Phool Makhana curry recipe
  • Add red chill powder, dhania powder & garam masala powder. Saute them in medium flame. Switch off the flame & add cashew nuts. Let it cool. Grind this mixture to a smooth paste adding water.
Makhana curry reecipe
  • Heat 1 tbsp of oil & splutter cumin seeds, add this paste. Saute well till oil separates. Add a cup of water and boil for few minutes. It splutters,be careful.
Makhana curry recipe
  • Lastly add the roasted makhana, paneer pieces. Add milk, sugar. Mix well and switch off the flame. Add crushed kasoori methi & fresh cream at the end. Remove and garnish with coriander leaves. Adjust the consistency of gravy by adding more milk or water as it thickens after cooling down.
    Makhana curry recipe

    Serve & Enjoy with roti/chapathi !


Note
  • For variations, you can saute the tomatoes and make this gravy instead of grinding a paste.
  • Use either phool makhana or paneer in this gravy.

Makhana gravy recipe

Enjoy this healthy, tasty phool makhana gravy with roti/chapati. Tastes so good !


Phool makhana curry
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April 28, 2015

Fine Vermicelli Payasam(Semiya Kheer)Recipe

Fine vermicelli payasam recipe
I made this payasam using fine vermicelli for the first time on our 10th anniversary last week.It was so rich and creamy with condensed milk/Milk maid.We loved it a lot and it was perfect for the celebration tooRose.Whenever I see my fellow bloggers sharing recipes like kesari and payasam with fine vermicelli(Semiya in Tamil),I get tempted & kept searching for fine vermicelli in stores.Recently i went to Jayanagar 4th block with my friend.I found this vermicelli and took it immediately to try this yummy payasam recipe.Its an easy and quick Indian dessert recipe that can be made easily by beginners too.The consistency of this kheer can be adjusted according to your preference.You can make it thick like vermicelli pudding or thin like payasam/kheer adding more milk.I have used condensed milk here but its completely optional.For variations,u can mix cooked sago/Javvarisi in this payasam.It gives more taste and volume as well.Whatever may be the combo,the end result would be great.Lets see how to make this creamy fine vermicelli payasam recipe.
Fine vermicelli

Fine vermicelli kheer/Payasam recipe


Fine vermicelli kheer/Payasam recipe Kheer/Payasam recipe with fine vermicelli/Semiya
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Sweet
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 20 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Fine vermicelli - 1/2 cup ( 100 gms)
  • Sugar - 1/3 cup
  • Condensed milk - 2 tbsp
  • Ghee - 1 tsp
  • Boiled milk - 1.5 cups
  • Water - 2 cups
  • Cardamom – 2 nos
  • Saffron threads-few
  • Nuts - few ( Roast in a tsp of ghee)
METHOD

  • Take the vermicelli and break into pieces.Heat ghee in a kadai and roast the vermicelli for 2 minutes till golden.
  • After roasting the vermicelli,add water to it. Cover and cook in medium flame for 5 minutes.It cooks quickly.So keep an eye so that it doesn't get burnt.
Vermicelli payasam recipe
  • Add sugar and mix well.Lastly add boiled milk,condensed milk and cardamom powder. Give a boil and switch off the flame.Add saffron threads at the end if needed.
Vermicelli payasam recipe
Vermicelli payasam recipe
  • Roast the nuts in ghee and add to the payasam.
  • Serve it warm or refrigerate and serve chill.Enjoy !

 


Enjoy a cup of payasam with your loved ones.It tastes yum !
Vermicelli payasam recipe

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April 25, 2015

Javvarisi Vadam-Sago Vathal Recipe-Summer Recipes

Javvarisi vadam
Javvarisi vadam/Sago fryums is our family favourite vathal recipeMy MIL makes it very nicely adding different colors. Every year she makes it in bulk during summer and pass it to me & my SIL.This year too, she made a batch for us. My FIL sent me a complete video of making this vadam in detail. But I couldn’t share it now as I am totally tied up with my personal works. So lets see how to make this crunchy Javvarisi Vathal recipe. Please refer my Arisi koozh vadam to get some basic idea of how to make vadam.
Sago vathal recipe

Javvarisi Vadam Recipe


Javvarisi Vadam Recipe Javvarisi vadam/Sago vathal recipe - Summer special side dish for rice varieties
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Snacks
Serves: -
Prep time: 12 Hours
Cook time: 30 Minutes
Total time: 12H30Min


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Javvarisi/Sago - 2 cups ( Big variety)
  • Green chillies - 5 nos
  • Cumin seeds/Jeera -2 tbsp
  • Lemon - 1/2 
  • Salt - as needed( Use lesser quantity than rice vadam)
  • Water - as needed ( 1:5 ratio of sago & water)
METHOD

  • Wash and soak the Javvarisi/Sago over night.The next morning sago would have soaked well. Grind green chillies adding required water and salt.Set aside.
  • Boil water in a pressure cooker base. Use 1:5 quantity of water.  If sago is 1 cup, use 5 cups of water. When the water comes to a boil, add green chilli paste & jeera.
  • Let it cook well in medium flame. Keep stirring. At one stage, the batter will become thick and shiny, transparent. Javvarisi would have cooked very well without any white trace. Squeeze 1/2 of a lemon and mix well. Addition of lemon juice helps to give white colored vadam as shown in the pics.
  • Now wash a dhoti(cotton cloth) OR thick Polythene sheet. Spread it on the floor. Pour a small ladle of batter and make vadam. Let it dry under the sun during daytime and under the fan during night for one day.
  • The next day morning, sprinkle water on the back side of the cloth and remove the vadam. If using plastic sheet, the vadam will come off easily. No need to sprinkle water.
  • Spread the vadam in the cloth or a paper and again sun dry  in morning and put under fan for another 2-3 days till they are completely dry. Deep fry in oil and enjoy with rice.
To check whether it is completely dry, deep fry in oil. The vadam should rise immediately as soon as you put in hot oil and it should not stick to the teeth while eating.

Note


  • For variations, you can add food color in the water during intial stage OR add color while adding lemon juice at the end for making vadam in different colors in the same batch.
Making Javvarisi vadam is easy for beginners for too.Try n enjoy with rice varieties.
I served it with tomato rice.
Javvarisi vadam



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April 22, 2015

Thakkali Kuzhambu for rice/Tomato Kulambu Recipe Without Coconut and Tamarind

Thakkali kuzhambu recipe
I usually make thakkali kuzhambu for idli,dosa (tomato gravy) using my mom’s method. It is our family favourite too. But I wanted to try tomato gravy / thakkali kulambu for rice for long time. I have also tried a couple of times but I made in kurma style with coconut. So it was not a good pair for rice instead it went well with idiyappam and roti. So I was looking for a tomato kuzhambu recipe without coconut and tamarind that suits well for rice. I got a perfect recipe from Jeyashri’s blog

I made few changes in the recipe based on my easy brahmin style vatha kuzhambu and tried it for Sendhil’s lunch box yesterday. It was very easy to make with less chopping works and without grinding job. So Bachelors and working women can give this a shot for making a quick lunch. It was not only easy but also very tasty and finger licking good.

 Being a tomato lover, I loved this gravy a lot. I am happy that its a no onion no garlic recipe too. Hope this recipe would be useful for my Jain readers. Lets see how to make this yummy,tangy tomato kulambu without coconut for rice.

Check out my 30 kuzhambu varieties for rice if interested !

Thakkali kulambu recipe
 

Thakkali kuzhambu recipe


Thakkali kuzhambu recipe Thakkali kuzhambu/Tomato gravy without coconut for rice
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Gravies
Serves: 2
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Ripe tomato - 4 nos
  • Sambar powder – 2-3 tsp ( add 4 tsp for more spicy taste)
  • Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp
  • Rice flour - 1 tsp
  • Salt & water - as needed
To temper
  • Gingely oil or cooking oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Toor dal - 2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds/Jeera - 1/2 tsp
  • Methi seeds - 1/8 tsp
  • Red chilli – 1 no 
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Hing/asafetida - a pinch
HOW TO MAKE TOMATO KUZHAMBU FOR RICE - METHOD

  • Wash and chop the tomatoes finely. Dilute rice flour in little water and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds, methi seeds, urad dal, toor dal, Pinched red chilli and jeera. Saute for a second until dal turns golden. Now add the sambar powder and curry leaves. Saute in medium flame for a minute and immediately add the finely chopped tomatoes. Make sure sambar powder is not burnt.
  • Saute until tomato turns pulpy. Add 1 cup of water and bring to boil. Check for salt and spice. Add more if required. Lastly add the diluted rice flour and Mix well. The gravy will become thick. Add little water and bring to boil. Switch off the flame and serve hot with rice.
How to make thakkali kuzhambu

Enjoy !


Note

  • The quantity of sambar powder may vary based on the tanginess of tomato.
  • Rice flour water acts as a binding agent. Skip if you don’t want to use. Actual recipe din’t call for it.

I served this easy thakkali kuzhambu with rice & easy potato curry. It was yum !
Thakkali kuzhambu recipe

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April 20, 2015

Anjappar Biryani Recipe In Rice Cooker-Sunday Lunch Recipes Series-14

Anjappar biryani recipe
“Evalavo Pannitom Itha Panna MatomaWinking “ haha,This is how i thought when my friend Megha suggested me to try “Anjappar style biryani recipe” using vegetables.I browsed through few Anjappar style chicken biryani recipes and got it from here & here.I mixed up both the recipes and tried it using potato & peas.I usually make biryani using pressure cooker.This time i tried using rice cooker and made it little more spicy as it belongs to Chettinad.The result was yummy and we loved it.After i made this biryani successfully i became very happy & contented that i had tried and shared almost all the popular Tamil nadu biryani recipes like Ambur star biryani, Dindigul Thalappakatti biryani, Coimbatore Angannan biryani, Muslim wedding biryani, Kuska in vegetarian version which was my long time dream.In the line of those yummy biryani recipes,here is yet another interesting and the most popular Anjappar biryani recipe.Friends,do suggest me if u know any other popular biryani recipe across Tamil Nadu.I am eager to try that too.Lets see how to make this flavourful and easy to make Anjappar Biryani Recipe in detail.
Before going to the recipe,I would like to tell something.As I am bit tied up with some personal work, i will try to make a post whenever i find time.Please bear with my irregular postings just for a week.Thanks for understanding.
Check out my other popular Tamil Nadu Biryani recipes

Ambur star biryani

Dindigul Thalappakatti biryani

Coimbatore Angannan biryani

Muslim wedding biryani

Kuska

Anjappar biryani recipe

Anjappar biryani recipe using vegetables


Anjappar biryani recipe using vegetables Anjappar biryani recipe with potato & peas - Sunday special lunch menu series - 14
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Lunch
Serves: Serves 2
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 35 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Basmati rice - 1 cup ( India Gate)
  • Potato - 3 nos
  • Green peas - a fistful
  • Green chillies - 2 nos
  • Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt - as needed
  • Water - 2 cups
To roast rice
  • Ghee – 2 tsp
To saute
  • Cooking oil - 2 tbsp
  • Ghee - 1 tbsp
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Cloves - 2 nos
  • Cardamom - 1 no
  • Biryani leaf - 1 no
  • Big onion -1 no ( sliced)
  • Tomato - 1 no
To grind (optional)
  • Big onion - 1/2 no or Small onions - 8 nos
  • Green chillies - 2 no
  • Ginger - 1 inch piece
  • Garlic - 5 cloves
  • Fennel seeds – 1/4 tsp
To Garnish
Mint + coriander leaves – 3 tbsp ( finely chopped)
METHOD

  • Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20 minutes.In the mean time,peel the potatoes and chop into cubes.Slices the onions,cut the tomatoes into small pieces.Slit the green chillies.Grind the ingredients given under”to grind” to a smooth paste adding enough water.(If u don’t want to grind them add 1.5 tsp of g&g paste along with crushed fennel seeds in oil while sauting onions and whole spices)
Anjappar biryani recipe
  • Now drain all the water in soaked rice.Heat ghee in a kadai and roast the rice for 2 minutes without breaking them.
Anjappar biryani recipe
  • Now heat the rice cooker in cooking mode and add oil + ghee in the center of serrated plate.Add cinnamon,cloves,cardamom and biryani leaf.Saute for a second.Now add the sliced onions and slitted green chillies.Saute till transparent.Now add the ground paste and saute until raw smell goes off.Add red chilli powder and mix well.The rice cooker mode may switched into warm mode.No problem,just keep sauting in the heat of plate.Now add the tomatoes and salt.Mix until tomato turns pulpy.Turn the rice cooker to cooking mode and add water.
Anjappar biryani recipe
Anjappar biryani recipe
  • Add finely chopped mint+coriander leaves in water.When the water comes to a boil,add rice.Cook it till done.
    Anjappar biryani recipe
    Enjoy with raita !


Note

  • You can make this biryani using pressure cooker too but change the quantity of water to 1.5 cups.
  • Adjust the quantity of chillies based on your need.
  • You should not add mint+coriander leaves while sauting.Add them only in the water before adding rice.
  • Roasting rice helps to give firm and long grain rice.

Try this yummy Anjappar style biryani recipe in a weekend and Enjoy with your familyHappy
anjappar style biryani
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April 17, 2015

EGGLESS VANILLA MUG CAKE RECIPE-MICROWAVE RECIPES

Vanilla mug cake recipe

Its been a long time I shared an eggless mug cake recipe in microwave. After trying some one minute & 5 minute cake successfully, Iam much more comfortable & confident in trying out recipes like this. Its my long time wish to try out one minute vanilla cake as it is my most favourite flavour. I have been searching for the same and I finally found it here. It came out super soft and spongy with a lovely vanilla flavor. Try this easy cake recipe for your kids during this summer vacation. It is going to be an instant hit in your family. Let me know your feedback ! 

Note: You should consume the cake immediately after baking because the bottom of cake may turn slightly chewy due to the heat of the bowl. So please keep this in mind.
Eggless vanilla mug cake recipe

1 Minute Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe


1 Minute Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe 1 Minute Vanilla Mug Cake Recipe - Easy,Instant & tastes delish !
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Cakes
Serves: Serves 1
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 1 Minute
Total time: 6 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • All purpose flour/Maida - 2 tbsp
  • Sugar - 1.5 tbsp
  • Cooking oil - 3/4 tbsp  (any odourless oil, I used sunflower oil)
  • Milk - 2 tbsp
  • Baking powder-1/4 tsp
  • Vanilla essence- 1/4 tsp ( Increase based on your taste)
  • Salt – a small pinch
METHOD

  • In a bowl,take maida,sugar,baking powder and salt. Mix well. To this add the wet ingredients like Milk, oil and vanilla essence. Mix well without lumps and make sure sugar is melted. The batter will fall like a ribbon. It is the right consistency of batter.
Vanilla mug cake
  • Now pour the batter into a microwave safe bowl. I used a porcelain/ceramic mug. The size of mug should be at least double the size of batter. Microwave it in high power ( 800w) for 1 minute. Adjust the timings based on the power of your microwave.The batter will rise till the brim and again goes in. So don’t scare. It won’t spill.
Vanilla mug cake
  • Check with a tooth pick. If it comes out clean or with little crumbs, cake is done. If you find wet batter in the tooth pick, bake it for 10-15 seconds more. 
  • Serve it warm and enjoy !
Note : You should consume the cake immediately after baking else the bottom of cake may turn slightly chewy due to the heat of the mug. If you don’t want to consume immediately, transfer the cake to another bowl and use it later.


Note

  • Make sure sugar is melted completely before you bake. So mix well for 2-3 minutes.
  • U can use powdered sugar but I am not sure with measurements.
  • U should consume the cake immediately to enjoy its best taste.



Eggless vanilla mug cake recipe

Try this instant, one minute vanilla mug cake. Treat your kids and loved ones. 
Eggless vanilla mug cake

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April 15, 2015

French Fries Recipe | Crispy Homemade French Fries

 French fries recipe
Recently I saw my friend buying a packet of frozen french fries to fry it using her newly bought air fryer. It tempted me to try french fries at home. The success of my McDonalds Veg Burger recipe & KFC style veg strips recipes made me confident enough to try this most popular, kids favourite french fries recipe too. I googled so many recipes & videos to make a perfect homemade french fries. As I mentioned in my homemade potato chips post, you need to use the right potatoes to get crispy McDonalds style french fries. People in abroad can use Russets or baking potatoes. 

In India, we get red colored potato covered with mud. It is called as chips potato. U have to use that variety for best results. If you have these potatoes in hand,just carry on with this recipe. You can make it perfect as shown in the picture. Here I have just sprinkled salt like in restaurants. U can also season them with organic spices if you wish. And if you are health conscious, you can opt for baked version too. I have given the temperature settings in the method section. 

When I tasted these fries, I reminded my daughter Raksha. She is in Salem for vacation. She loves these fries a lot and today I missed her very badly. I should make it again as soon as she come here. Ok, Lets see how to make crispy,homemade french fries recipe with the picture of potato I used.

Russet potatoes

French fries

Homemade french fries recipe


Homemade french fries recipe How to make crispy french fries at home easily using 3 methods.
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Snacks
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 20 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

  • Red colored potatoes - 2 nos (Big oblong shaped)
  • Salt - as needed
  • Ice cold water or water at room temperature – as needed
  • Cooking oil - to deep fry
HOW TO  MAKE FRENCH FRIES - METHOD

  • Wash and peel the skin of potatoes.Cut them into 1/2 inch thick slices and then into thin strips of uniform size.
French fries recipe
  • Wash the strips in plain water or ice water for 2 –3 times to remove the excess starch content. Boil 2 cups of water in a pan. Switch off the flame and soak the potato strips in it for 5 minutes. No need to cover the bowl. Drain the water completely. Pat it dry in a clean kitchen towel. Leave it open for 5 minutes. Make sure there is no water in the strips and it should be completely dry.
French fries recipe
French fries recipe
  • Heat oil till medium hot and deep fry the potato strips for 2 minutes in medium flame. It would be oily and soft. Make sure the colour of potatoes are white.Remove & drain them in a tissue paper. Let it cool down completely. Store in zip lock bags and freeze them for later use. If making immediately, follow the next step.
French fries recipe
French fries recipe
  • Again heat oil till its well heated but not smoky. Now deep fry the potato strips for the second time till it becomes crispy and golden. Keep tossing them for uniform cooking. Remove in a tissue and sprinkle some salt. Serve with tomato sauce.
French fries recipe

  • NOTE : If  you want to make them in bulk and store it for later use, after frying for the first time, remove and cool down completely. Store them in a zip lock cover and freeze it till use.Whenever you want to make it, heat oil well and deep fry them. Oil may sizzle & splutter as the potatoes are frozen and coated with ice. So fry them carefully till golden and crispy and serve hot.
  • Baked version : Follow the same steps till  you pat dry the potato strips in kitchen towel. Preheat the oven in convection mode at 200c. No need to cook the potatoes. Arrange the strips in a baking plate and drizzle some oil all over them. Sprinkle some salt or organic seasoning. Bake them at 200c for 25-30 minutes OR till they become crispy. Remove and serve hot.Soon I will try to make a separate post for this baked version.
    Enjoy !


Note
  • Follow any of the above discussed methods based on your liking.You will get crispy french fries.
  • To make these fries more flavourful, you can sprinkle garlic powder, thyme, basil etc.
  • Use Red colored mud coated potatoes for best results. Other potatoes may turn brown quickly while roasting.
  • Washing the potatoes twice is to remove the extra starch content in the potatoes. It helps you get nice color to the fries.


Homemade french fries
Try these yummy, crispy french fries at home for your kids. They will love it for sure.!!
French fries
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