Spicy Mashed Potatoes

This is one of my favorite dish. The traditional name for this is Potato Puttu. It
needs simple ingredients and frequent stirring and we can make this delicious dish
in 15-20 minutes. It goes very well with Kara/puli kuzhambu



Ingredients:

Boiled Potatoes -3
Chopped Onions- 1 big
Chopped garlic - 6 pods
Green chilli - 3 ( can be replaced with chilli powder if you have kids at home)
chopped cashews - 10
turmeric powder - pinch
salt
Oil - 2 tbsp

Procedure:

1. Boil the potatoes well. Mash them with salt and turmeric powder and mix well and make as a dough. (it will be sticky)

2. Heat oil in a pan (preferably heavy bottomed non-stick). Fry the cashews. To this add onions, garlic and green chillies. Fry well. (if you are using red chilli powder add after the onions are sauted well and brown)

3. Add the mashed potatoes and keep stirring. Keep on a medium low flame. Spread the mixture evenly across the pan with the spatula.

4. Keep stirring for every 1 or 2 minutes. It will gradually turn brown on the bottom. If you don't stir it will burn. Do this for 15 minutes or until it turns light brown.

5. Potato puttu is ready.

Stuffed Mushrooms

This is a tasty appetizer which is easy to make. The stuffing can be changed with any of your favorite ingredients like peppers(capsicum), cabbage, potatos etc., I got the recipe from my friend and my special thanks to her. you may prepare this few hours ahead and reheat in the oven before serving



What we need:

Whole Mushrooms - 10
chopped onion - 1/2 cup
chopped garlic - 3 pods
red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
pepper
salt
Oil - 1tsp
Shredded cheese (parmesan or mild cheddar) - 1/2 cup

How to make:

Work with mushrooms:

1. Wash the mushrooms a couple of times to remove the mud completely.

2. Remove the stem of the mushrooms which will leave the hollow part inside. Keep the whole hollow part aside

3. Finely chop the stem part of the mushroom


Making the stuffing:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Then add chopped onions and garlic.

2. After its sauted add the chopped mushroom stems. We can add other vegetables also at this time

3. Now add the red chilli powder, a little pepper and salt.

4. cook till its done. we may not need water as mushroom tends to leave out some


Final part:

1. Preheat the oven at 350F

2. Take the whole mushrooms and fill the prepared stuffing inside them

3. Assemble the mushrooms in an oven-safe vessel with the open side facing upwards

4. Now sprinkle the shredded cheese on top and keep inside the oven

5. Cook for 35- 40 mts. Mushrooms will be brown and bubbly. Serve hot.