South Asian
Seasonal Snacks
It’s holiday season and that time of year when
half days at work and lots of parties are actually encouraged! So how
do you handle unexpected visitors dropping by to celebrate their early
evenings home from work? There is no reason to give into pre-packaged,
full-of-fat holiday snacks pulled from unforgiving grocery store shelves!
With their tradition of never allowing a guest to leave without a bite
to eat or a drink, South Asians have a few quick and healthy answers
for simple snacks. Here are some easy recipes with a winter-spirited
flair.
Paneer and Corn in Filo Pastry Shells
Indian natural cheese (paneer) is typically
a North Indian specialty, and is served mostly during the cold winter
months because of its highly nutritious properties. Although many make
this cheese at home, it is considerably quicker to buy it at your local
South Asian specialty store. These filled mini filo-pastry shells
make a great anytime-appetizer or snack.
15 mini filo-pastry shells come in one package—available
pre-packaged at any grocery store in the freezer section. They are very
inexpensive and great to keep in the freezer for panicky, what-to-serve
situations.
Indian natural cheese (pre-packaged paneer), turmeric powder,
chili powder and cumin seeds can be found at any South Asian specialty
store, and even at most organic grocery shops such as Whole Foods and
Trader Joes. Pre-packaged paneer can last for quite a while
if it is kept in the freezer. When you decide to use it, take it out
and put it in the fridge to thaw a little before using. If you buy the
paneer knowing it will be used within the next two or three
weeks, then you can certainly keep it in the fridge. Just take out and
use immediately when you want to cook it.
Ingredients
2 cups Indian natural cheese (paneer), grated
1 small onion, diced
½ cup frozen sweet corn
1 ½ tablespoons vegetable cooking oil
½ teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
½ teaspoon red chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
½ teaspoon salt or to taste
15 mini filo pastry shells
Instructions
1) Using a non-stick frying pan, heat cooking oil on
high heat.
2) Add cumin seeds.
3) Put in the diced onion and cook until soft (but
not brown).
4) Add turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt.
5) Add corn and cook for a minute.
6) Throw in natural cheese and cook for about five
minutes.
7) Put filo pastry shells in the oven for about
three minutes – they just need to be slightly browned so watch
them carefully!
8) Fill pastry shells and serve.
Sweet Vermicelli (Suukhi Sewian)
A popular dessert dish, cooked all over India, this sweet vermicelli
dish is also served slightly more often during the cooler winter months
as a warm dessert. It is very simple to make and has the additional
benefit of being cooked in ghee—clarified butter. Ghee
is a great aid in digestion and carries the healthful benefits of the
food you eat to the rest of the body.
Ingredients
1 cup vermicelli (sewian)
2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
3 whole cardamoms
5 saffron threads (optional)
2 cups water
3 tablespoons sugar
15 slivered blanched almonds (optional)
1 sheet edible silver leaf (varak) (optional)
Instructions
1) Crush seeds from the cardamoms and remove the skin.
2) Heat ghee in a non-stick pan on medium heat.
3) Add cardamoms, vermicelli and saffron; stir-fry
on medium heat until the vermicelli is a dark, golden brown, and then
stir.
4) Add water and stir.
5) Cover the pan and cook on low heat. Cook until
water has evaporated.
6) Add sugar and stir well until the sugary syrup
has been absorbed by the vermicelli.
7) Remove from heat and add almonds.
8) Put into a serving dish, garnish with the silver
leaf and serve hot!
Cardamom Tea (Elaichi Chai)
It’s the favorite, any-time winter drink! Who needs to go to
Starbucks when you can whip up a nice quick cup of hot tea, South Asian
style, at home? Guests love to be offered a cup too!
Loose tea leaves can be bought from practically any
grocery store. Tea masala can be bought from any South Asian specialty
store, but since many people make this masala at home themselves, you
might be able to find a simple recipe or two by asking around.
Ingredients
1 cup of water
Pods from 1 cardamom (elaichi), ground
¼ cup milk
¾ teaspoons loose tea leaves
A pinch of tea masala per cup of tea (optional)
Sugar to taste
Instructions
1) Put water into a pot on high heat.
2) Add loose tea leaves and ground cardamom, and bring to a boil.
3) Add milk and keep tea boiling for a minute
4) *Optional: At this stage, add the tea masala if
desired and boil for a few seconds.
5) Put in sugar, to taste, then stir and remove from the heat.
6) Strain and put into a teapot to serve.
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