Bloomin' Design Studio

A progressive dinner party is a great way to get together with your neighbors and have a fun time. Homes are usually picked within walking distance so people can walk from one home to the other. We will be visiting three homes in my neighborhood, the first home for appetizers, second for the main course and the third home for desserts. We are participants in the first home and I plan on making two appetizers for this dinner party, Masala Peanuts, a favorite Indian snack and Mysore Bonda.

Masala Peanuts

Traditionally, these masala peanuts are deep fried, but decided to go with a healthier version using an oven, yet not skimping on the taste. This recipe was absolutely effortless, yet crunchy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• Raw Peanuts - 1 cup
• Chickpea flour - 3 tbsps
• Rice flour - 1 tbsp
• Chilly Powder - 1 tsp
• Lime juice - 1 tbsp
• Olive oil - 3 tbps
• Salt - to taste

Method:

• Mix the chickpea flour, rice flour, Chilly powder and salt together in a bowl.
• Wash the peanuts and drain and immediately proceed to next step.
• Stir in the peanuts and slowly add the lime juice and olive oil. The peanuts should get well coated with the mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• On a baking sheet spread the peanut mixture as a single layer.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until the coating is golden brown.
• Let it cool before eating. If you have any leftovers (doubt it!!!), store it in air tight containers.

Here’s a fresh batch straight out of the oven.

o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

Mysore Bonda

I like this recipe as there is no grinding required and still tastes good. But, there is no getting away from deep frying here.

Ingredients:

• All purpose flour - 1 cup
• Rice flour - 2 tbsps
• Green chilly - 2 finely chopped
• Cilantro - 2 tbsps chopped
• Onion - 1 small finely chopped
• Sour curd - 1 cup enough to make the batter
• Olive oil - for deep frying
• Baking soda - a pinch
• Salt - to taste

Method:

• Mix all the above ingredients using the curd to make the dough to a consistency that is suitable for dropping
• Keep this aside covered for 2-3 hours.
• Heat some oil in a frying pan.
• When the oil is hot enough, drop a spoonful of the batter in the oil and deep fry them until golden brown.
• Serve it hot either plain or with coriander chutney.