Dil-e-Bahare Dahi mein Cigar-e-Baby Corns

I can never forget this recipe, this was my start towards the food world or you can say that this is my launch recipe. In Jan 2013 when I left my job,  we had a Master chef India online contest in March. I participated with this dish and guess what? I won 2nd prize. It was a dream come true. That was the first contest I participated and won too. It gave me great confidence and my journey begun.......

Ingredients required :-

For Baby Corn Cigars

• Baby corns (1 packet)

• Oregano – 1 tsp

• Chilli flakes – 1/2 tsp

• Thyme – 1tsp

• Basil – ½ tsp

• Lime Juice – 1 tsp

• Olive Oil - 2tbsp (you can use any vegetable oil if you don’t have olive oil)

• Boiled potatoes – 1 & ½ cups (mashed)

• Corn Flour – 2 tbsp

• Red Chilli powder – 1 tsp

• Coriander leaves finely chopped– 2-3 tbsp

• Garlic paste – 1 tsp

• Bread crumbs – 1 cup

• Salt (as per the taste)

• Oil for deep frying

For Yogurt Dip

• One Cup hung curd/full fat Greek Yogurt

• Finely Chopped onions – 2-3 tbsp

• Finely Chopped Capsicum or bell peppers (any color) – 2-3 tbsp

• Finely chopped green chillies as per the taste

• Coriander leaves finely chopped

• Salt (as per the taste)

METHOD

• Blanch the Baby corns by putting them into the boiling water for 3-4 minutes and immediately take them out and keep them in ice cold water.

• Cut the baby corns into two halves.

• For the marination, in a bowl take oil, add oregano, basil, Thyme, chilli flakes, lime juice, chilli powder, garlic paste, salt to it. Mix nicely all these ingredients together.

• Add the baby corns and coat the marinate over them and keep them into the refrigerator for half an hour.

• Now roast the coated baby corns in a hot pan just for a minute or two, by drizzling very little oil and keep them aside for cooling.

• For outer covering of the baby corn cigars, take mashed potato in a bowl then add ginger paste, corn flour, coriander leaves and salt. If you like you can add green chillies to it. Mix everything well.

• Take a small part of the potato mixture, roll it properly. Place a corn piece in the centre of the mixture and roll them properly. You can wet your palms or apply some oil while making the cigars. Remove the excess covering of potato mash.

• Roll them over the bread crumbs and deep fry them till they get a nice golden brown color.

For Dipping Sauce

• In a bowl take yogurt add finely chopped bell peppers, finely chopped onions, finely chopped green chillies, finely chopped coriander leaves, salt.

• Mix all these ingredients well.

• Keep the dip in the refrigerator to serve chill with hot cigars.

Serve these hot with chilled yoghurt dip :)))

Enjoy and Happy Cooking
Priyanka :)