Dahi Kebabs / Yoghurt fritters

  I love being different.I like unique.My name is unique...and I named my daughter "Adwita" which means "unique". 

I like people who are different. But not different just for the sake of "it"... rather simply because thats the way they are. 

I love eccentricities...idiosyncrasies..Its what defines people..makes people who they are ...and I especially love people who are fine with being different. Its not easy...it takes an amazing amount of inner strength to be truly comfortable with who you are..

I am quite loved in my neighborhood...known something as the cool working mom in shorts,spouting English and listening to hard rock..I guess in Raipur, that makes me "different" from the crop of other home making, salwar clad moms..but if I were back in my darling Bangalore, it would be normal, and no one would give me a second glance.
Yet life becomes tough for people who are a little different, people who don't fit the mould , doesn't it??
I love kids. Always have..and they in turn have always loved me. But kids can also be cruel..without knowing how or meaning to , they might hurt others.
There is this an engaging autistic child in my lane..a very sweet and gentle kid who keeps to himself and sometimes, if he is feeling especially good, he will bestow the sweetest, most innocent smile on you. And when that happens,believe me, you will feel rather "special" yourself.
But the other kids of the lane, don't include him in their games much... no matter how much I try to tell them to go play with him... Luckily Dishu, my lil munchkin plays with the "different" kid ..It bugs me no end thinking about the discrepancy being meted out to this innocent little child for no fault of his own, other than being "different". It pains my heart. I wish parents would inculcate the sense of acceptance in their kids..right from the young age.

Acceptance is the fibre of any democracy. Not independence, but acceptance of each other, just as we are, without any judgement is what makes us free in the true sense..

That kid, Ansh , is much like me, soft on the inside with a nice tough I-don’t-care, hard exterior. 
 I took to him at the first meet..obviously my admiration for him has grown manifolds  since then..  I know him quite well by now with his mum being a good friend of mine..

This kebab I made reminded me of him..and me..and of all those other kids and people labelled "Different". 

The dahi kebab or yoghurt fritters I made are simply that....Different..It.is much like me, soft on the inside with a nice tough I-don’t-care, hard exterior.

 Different from your other kebabs,coz , hang on... Its made of hung curd or dahi!
How amazing is that!!??? :)
I was totally floored the first time I tasted these delightful flavorful kebabs in a restaurant.. since then, I have made these at home whenever the mood strikes for something "different". Surprisingly it always elicits a similar response in people who eat it... "Wow.... kya hai ye... its soooo soft"!

Here's how you make these amazing yoghurt fritters that are unbelievable in their texture and flavour, and are extremely simple to do...

 Recipe for Melt in your mouth Dahi Kebabs..

Ingredients: 

• Hung Curd (250 gms) - prepare beforehand by tying curd in a muslin cloth and letting the whey drip out. keep in fridge overnight tied in the muslin cloth.
• Paneer softened (100 gms) - Soak paneer in warm water for 30 mins till very soft.
• 2-3Tbsp besan ( chick pea flour) - dry roasted over low heat till slightly darker 
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped onions 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1 tsp roasted and powdered cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp green saunf  or fennel seeds
• Paprika or red chillie powder 1-2 tsp
• 1 tsp powdered sugar
• 2-3 tsp Oil/ghee - for pan frying
• Rock salt for sprinkling on top 

Method

• Mix all the ingredients except the oil, and chill for an hour. 
• Shape the mixture into flat rounds (like tikkis) .
• Pan fry over medium heat till brown on both sides.
• The kebabs are quite soft, so you have to handle them carefully. 
• Serve hot off the pan with ketchup,chutney and some fresh cut tomatoes and onions in chaat masala and lime juice.. I also served some poppadums.

Here's to being a "different me" in a world that craves to fit in..here's to being yourself..no matter how hard that may me..Here's to teaching our kids the importance of being "different" ... and a special hatke Cheers to the millions of "Different" special kids living with Autism...

"Different is Good"..
S :)