Karachi Fruit Biscuits

Who does not like to munch cookies and there are a hundred varieties to try out.We had come across Hyderabadi karachi biscuits in stores here that are simply out of the world.It tempted me to try out baking it at home and this is a fantastic recipe of karachi fruit biscuits that i came accross while surfing the net.This was tried out long time back and was lying in my draft folder.I have tried both fruit and nut variety.Will post the nut variety soon!!.The credit goes to cafeGarima and really appreciate for the wonderful recipe with ingredients that are usually available in kitchen pantry.

Ingredients:
All purpose flour/Maida                      1 cup+1tbsp
Butter                                                           1/2 cup
Powdered sugar                                      1/2 cup
Tutti Frutti                                                 1/3cup
Cardamom(elaichi) powder               1/2 tsp
Vanilla essence                                        1/2tsp

Method:

• Sift the flour.
• Let the butter come to room temperature(if refrigerated)
• In a mixing bowl beat butter and sugar until well combined using a wire whisk or electric beater which is actually faster and less laborious.
• Add tutti frutti,vanilla and mix using a spatula.
• Now add sifted flour in batches gently mixing the dough till all flour gets consumed.
• Gently combine everything but dont knead the dough.
• Now your cookie dough is ready to shape.
• Make small balls of even size and slightly flatten else to get the above shape follow the notes below.
• Place them on a baking tray giving atleast an inch of space between cookies as they tend to expand while baking.
• Bake in a preheated oven @180 degrees centigrade for 13-15 minutes
• The cookies will be brown at the bottom but the center will be a little soft which is fine.
• They get crunchier as they cool down.
• Store in a jar and consume.

Note:

• As per the original recipe rose extract is used which i have replaced with vanilla as i like the flavour.You can try any flavour of your choice.
• The shape of the cookies here is square.
• To get it i have just taken an empty carton of aluminium foil and lined it with a plastic sheet or cling film.
• Then spread the dough evenly to fit in it.
• Use hands to evenly spread the dough in the entire carton .
• Gently fold the plastic sheet and close the carton.
• Tie the box and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Open the plastic wrap and slice the dough into 1 inch thickness.
• Bake in a preheated oven.

Black beans Spicy Daal/Kaali chawli sarupkari

This is a variety of bean popular in Udupi district.When cooked it gives a blackish colour and also little thick texture to the dish.Locally it is known as Kaali chawli(Konkani) which means black beans.The beans resemble urad/black gram but are slightly bigger in size.So far i have posted sarupkari's of horsegram,green gram,rajma and here is one more addition to the list which is simple to prepare and tasty too!!.This particular sarupkari is made adding jackfruit seeds which definitely enhances the taste.

Ingredients:
Black chawli
(black beans)              1/2 cup
Jackfruit seeds             8-10

For tempering:
Garlic flakes                  6-8
Red chillies                    3-4
Oil                                     1tbsp
Other ingredients:
Water                             for pressure cooking(about 2-2.5cups)
salt                                  to taste

Method:

• Soak the beans for 8-10 hours
• Crush the jackfruit seeds and remove the thin peel
• Rinse the soaked beans well as it may have sand or mud particles and transfer into a pressure cooker along with the crushed jackfruit seeds.
• Add about 2-2.5 cups of water and bring it to a boil adding the weight(whistle) to the cooker
• When the first whistle is about to start turn the flame to sim and cook for 20 minutes(dont count the blowing whistles)
• After 20 minutes switch off the flame.
• When the pressure is completely gone transfer the contents into a soup pot(beans should be soft)
• Add salt to taste and bring to boil.
• Add water if it is too thick and continue boiling.
• Crush the garlic flakes and break chillies into 2-3 pieces.
• Meanwhile prepare the seasoning by heating up oil in a small pan.
• Add the crushed garlic and roast on medium flame till light golden and now add the broken chillies and roast further til both turn golden
• Pour this over the boiling beans.
• Boil another 1-2 minutes
• Tastes good  with white or brown rice.

Note:
Jackfruit seeds are optional as they are seasonal and not available everywhere.