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 Ajwain uses, Carom Seeds

10 Uses of Ajwain (Carom Seeds) 

Ajwain is an herb belonging to the cumin and parsley family that are tiny, erect and oval-shaped with a sharp and penetrating taste. It has been used since ancient times for its culinary, aromatic and medicinal properties.



Mooli ki SubziMooli ki Subzi

1. Due to the strong aroma and distinctive taste of ajwain it is used as part of the tadka for many dishes, especially dals and subzis like Mooli ki Subzi and Rangoon na vaal.

 Fafda Recipe, Gujarati Fafda, Crispy Besan SnackFafda Recipe, Gujarati Fafda, Crispy Besan Snack

2. Carom seeds are the popular choice of seeds added to the dough and batter of various street food items and snacks, the most common one of which is Samosa.

It is also added to the batter of Fafda, which has a distinct ajwain taste, paneer pakodas and bhajiyas. 

 Paneer Pakoda, Punjabi Paneer Pakora RecipePaneer Pakoda, Punjabi Paneer Pakora Recipe

3. You can also add a little ajwain when preparing the dough for paratha and rotis as it imparts a wonderful, penetrating aroma when the paratha roasts on the Tava. Missi roti is a Rajasthani roti typically known for its significant use of ajwain and is eaten with a launji

 Missi Roti, Rajasthani Missi RotiMissi Roti, Rajasthani Missi Roti

4. Ajwain is a popular choice to add to the doughs of snacks like papdis and mathri.

It is also added to a maize flour dough that is used to make nachos and tacos. 

 Nacho ChipsNacho Chips

5. It gives a very different taste when added to marinades as well. You can marinate any vegetable in a batter that has Ajwain in it, from paneer to broccoli or baby corn. 

 Paneer Amritsari Tikka ( Kebabs and Tikkis Recipe)Paneer Amritsari Tikka ( Kebabs and Tikkis Recipe)

6. Ajwain is known for its medicinal properties as well. It is either had plain or boiled along with water to help with digestion, cold and stomach ache.

Ajwain helps reduce the flatulence causing effect of beans. 

 Ajwain and Turmeric MilkAjwain and Turmeric Milk

7. It can be combined with jaggery and had to help cure a cough.

 Ajwain Water

Ajwain Water

8. It forms a part of the after meal snack, Mukhwaas, as well. This is used as a mouth freshener and a digestive aid.

9. It is also added to pickles for its preservative qualities.


 Tamatar ki Chutney, Indian Tomato Chutney for ChaatsTamatar ki Chutney, Indian Tomato Chutney for Chaats

10. Another unique way to use carom seeds is to add it to tomato based chutneys and pizza and pasta sauces. This gives a great twist to the original. 

To know about Recipes using Carom Seeds, check out our collection.


Ajwain Uses



Winters herald the coming of veggies in dessert-enveloped Rajasthan, and with it come delicacies such as the Mooli ki Sabzi, made of radishes along with their leaves. This delicious duo is perked up with simple but aromatic seeds and spice powders. A pinch of baking soda is essential while cooking the radish and its greens, in order to reduce the cooking time and to retain the bright colour of the greens.
Punjabi samosa | authentic Punjabi samosa | Punjabi veg samosa | aloo samosa | with amazing 25 images. Local 'halwaais' frying mouthwatering samosas in huge kadhai is a common sight in nearly any part of India. Golden brown and crispy on the outside and soft and spicy on the inside Punjabi Samosas taste as good as they look. The traditional Punjabi Samosa is large and its filling is mainly made up of potatoes and peas. You can even add chopped cashew nuts and raisins to make them a rich and tasty snack. For that extra zing to Punjabi veg samosa you can also add some anardaana or black salt to the filling mixture. Also, while frying Punjabi samosa adjust the flame as needed for different batches as the oil should be medium hot and do not overcrowd the pan. Piping hot Punjabi samosas taste amazing with Khajur imli ki chutney or spicy green chutney. You can even top them with hot chole to make Chole Samosa Chaat. Other than that with a drizzle of coconut kadhi, you can make a unique Samosa Kadhi Chaat. Notes and tips on Punjabi samosa recipe. 1. Dough for samosa should be stiff which makes samosa’s flaky and crispy. 2. Press the stuffing lightly in the cone to prevent the air pockets. 3. Ensure that the edges of the samosa are sealed properly so that the stuffing doesn’t come out while frying. For others who don’t like complicated chaats, you can make this easy and quick Samosa Chaat smeared with whisked curd and chutney. Apart from these chaats, Mumbaikars make various sandwiches by stuffing samosa between bread slices. Try these fabulous Samosa Chips Sandwich and Toasted Samosa Sandwich for a tasty and innovative evening snack. You can make different stuffings of your choice and make varieties of samosa. Our website also has other samosa variants like the Mini Spinach and Cheese Samosa Hariyali Samosa, Chinese Samosa, Cheese and Spring Onion Samosa that you can try making at home. Learn to make Punjabi samosa | authentic Punjabi samosa | Punjabi veg samosa | aloo samosa | with detailed step by step photos below.
paneer pakora | Punjabi style paneer pakora | paneer pakoda | how to make paneer pakora | with 28 amazing images Paneer pakora is a simple and easy snack. It is moist and soft on inside and crisp outside, unlike other pakora’s. paneer pakoda is made with simple and basic ingredients that are easily available in every household. We have first coated paneer in a dry powder masala which has carom seeds, chilli powder, garam masala , coriander-cumin seeds (dhania-jeera) powder, dried mango powder, (amchur)turmeric powder (haldi) and chaat masala as paneer has a bland taste. We did the process to make the dish even more flavorful and tastier. Once the paneer is coated we have dipped the flavoured paneer into the Bengal gram batter which is made with besan (bengal gram flour), chilli powder, turmeric powder (haldi), asafoetida (hing), hot oil, chopped coriander (dhania) and a pinch of baking soda. Once spiced paneer is dipped in the batter it is deep fried until it turns golden brown. Looking for a quick and easy evening snack or something to eat with a piping hot cup of tea on a rainy day? Pakoras are an ideal choice. Pakora also known as pakoda, pakodi, bhaji, bhajiya is originated from India. It is a deep fried snack, basically a fritter. It is found in restaurants and also sold by food vendors on the streets. Also, It is a famous Indian street food, found all over. Pakora is made by choosing a main ingredient like onion, potato, spinach,eggplant, cauliflower, corn etc. which is then dipped in Bengal gram batter and deep fried. Here we have used paneer which is loved by everyone Punjabi style paneer pakora is my personal favourite out of all the pakora’s. I usually make Punjabi style paneer pakora for my father-in law and husband for evening snack, they are a big fan of paneer pakoda’s and they have it with a cup of tea, it is a perfect combo. I also make it when last minute guests walk in as it is simple, easy and quick but also very mouth-watering and delicious and we can bet your guests would love it!! When making it for my kids, I sometimes cut two pieces of paneer and apply green chutney between them, add little cheese, batter coat and fry. My kids love it. Serve Paneer pakora with green chutney and tomato ketchup. Enjoy paneer pakora | Punjabi style paneer pakora | paneer pakoda | how to make paneer pakora | detailed step by step photos and video given below.
fafda recipe | Gujarati fafda | fafda gathiya | crispy besan snack recipe | with 19 amazing images. fafda recipe | Gujarati fafda | fafda gathiya | crispy besan snack recipe is made with besan and a handful of spices. Learn how to make Gujarati fafda. To make fafda, combine all the ingredients in a deep bowl and mix well. Knead into a soft dough using enough water till smooth. Take a small portion of the dough and roll into a 50 mm. (2”) cylindrical roll in between your palms. Place the roll on one side of the chopping board or any flat surface and with the base of your palm press and stretch it vertically with light force from one end to the other to form a long strip. Loosen the strip gently with a sharp knife. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan and deep-fry on a medium flame till it turns crispy and light brown in colour. You can deep-fry 2 to 3 fafdas at a time. Drain on an absorbent paper. Cool slightly and serve or store in an air-tight container and use as required. Fafda gathiya is a traditional Gujarati snack, which is kind of like a test of one’s cooking skills! This crispy besan snack requires a lot of practice, and once you master the art, it shows your culinary prowess. You need to shape and loosen the dough tactfully, and also have to fry the Gujarati fafda on a medium flame. Otherwise, it will remain soft and not become crispy and light brown. However this crispy besan snack recipe is completely worth the effort and time you spend, and the outcome will be much appreciated by everybody apart from your own satisfaction and pride of biting into homemade Fafda! It is served with a famous Gujarati sweet – jalebi and with raw papaya chutney alongside for Sunday breakfast in many Gujarati households. Fafda-jalebi is also a must on occasions like Dusshera. Tips for fafda. 1. The dough cannot be made in advance. Knead it just before deep frying. 2. While stretching ensure you apply uniform pressure on the fafda so it is evenly shaped. Also apply the pressure only with the heels of your palms. 3. While you are shaping the fafda, you can keep the remaining dough covered with a damp muslin cloth to prevent it from drying. 4. Do not shape all fafda at a time. Shape 2 to 3 fafda at a time and deep fry simultaneously. 5. Remember to cool the fafda completely before storing, else they might turn soggy. You can also try other Gujarati dry snacks like Shakarpara and Masala Khakhra. Enjoy fafda recipe | Gujarati fafda | fafda gathiya | crispy besan snack recipe | with step by step photos.
paneer amritsari tikka recipe | Amritsari paneer pakoda | paneer tikka pakoda | with 28 amazing images. This recipe is not your regular paneer pakoda or tandoori paneer. paneer amritsari tikka is a combo of 2 recipes. Learn how to make paneer amritsari tikka recipe | Amritsari paneer pakoda | paneer tikka pakoda | paneer amritsari tikka is a scrumptious snack of crisp, shallow-fried marinated paneer cubes. It’s a super quick recipe which gets done within 15 minutes. This paneer tikka pakoda recipe is quite similar to tandoori paneer tikka but this is made without yoghurt and shallow fried it. This dish is mildly spiced but is very flavourful. Gram flour is the star ingredient in this recipe. You can use roasted gram flour for that nutty aroma and flavour. This Amritsari paneer pakoda starter is best served hot with green chutney, ketchup and piping hot adrak wali chai. pro tips to make paneer amritsari tikka: 1. Allow the paneer cubes to marinate in the flavorful mixture for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight. This will ensure that the flavors penetrate the paneer and give it a rich taste. 2. Once the paneer is cooked, serve it immediately while it is still hot and crispy. This will help retain the best flavor and texture. 3. You can also use onion cubes or capsicum cubes to make this recipe more flavourful. Enjoy paneer amritsari tikka recipe | Amritsari paneer pakoda | paneer tikka pakoda | with detailed step by step photos.
tamatar ki chutney recipe | tomato chutney for chaats | with 10 amazing images. A tomato-based chutney with the zesty overtones of garlic and carom seeds, this tamatar ki chutney is a handy ingredient for desi food lovers. tomato chutney for chaats is quick and easy to make. We have prepared our famous Low Calorie Sev Puri recipe using this luscious tomato chutney . Chutney's are made in every Indian household and each has their style of preparing it. Chutney's are basically condiments and dips and we show you how to make tomato chutney for chaat. All we have done to prepare tamatar ki chutney is heat oil in a pan, added garlic, carom seeds and asafoetida. Carom seeds will add a nice flavor to our chutney. Further, we have added chopped tomatoes, along with tomato pulp, sugar and salt and cooked everything together. Cool and store tamatar ki chutney in air-tight container. tomato chutney for chaats can be used to make chaats like Bhel Puri or Sev Puri, or innovatively used as a spread or dip too. You can make a batch of this chutney and store it for around three days in an airtight container in the fridge, and use it as and when required to add a revitalizing flavour to any snack! Try other chutney recipes that can be used in making chaats like Sweet Chutney and Green Chutney. Enjoy tamatar ki chutney recipe | tomato chutney for chaats | with detailed step by step recipe photos and video below.
nacho chips recipe | corn chips | homemade Mexican nacho chips | deep fried Indian style nacho chips | with amazing 15 pictures. Who doesn’t like nacho chips? From a kid to the most elderly every one enjoys nachos. Nacho chips are supremely versatile. There’s no better option than making homemade Mexican nacho chips gulping it all down with guacamole. Nacho chips are crispy treat for your taste buds and tooth. The characteristics of corn chips are quite different from other chips due to the combination of maize flour and plain flour. The methods of making nacho chips is easy. They are readily available in India but making them at home is healthy and efficient. We have started with knead a dough, combine maize flour, plain flour, oil, carom seeds, dried oregano and salt. We have used little plain flour as maize flour is gluten free and doesn’t have stretchy quality and can break while rolling, so plain flour helps in binding. Knead into a soft dough, make sure it is not sticky. Divide the dough into equal portions and roll them into a roti and cut into triangles. Further take a fork, prick them so that they don’t puff up and comes out crispy. Fry them till golden brown and your fresh deep fried Indian style nacho chips are ready! You can also store homemade Mexican nacho chips in an air tight container or atleast 15 days. corn chips makes a perfect jar snack for your kids and everyone at home. You can also make nacho chips healthy by baking it rather than frying. Enjoy crunchy nacho chips with your favourite dip. Nacho chips can also be used to add a crunch to soups and salads like Mexican Nacho Soup and Mexican Salad. We have also used crushed nacho chips in our recipe for Burrito Bowl, a satiating one-dish meal. Enjoy nacho chips recipe | corn chips | homemade Mexican nacho chips | deep fried Indian style nacho chips | with detailed step by step photos and video below.
Rajasthani missi roti recipe | Rajasthani paratha | masala besan roti | missi roti on tava dhaba style | with 17 amazing images. Rajasthani missi roti recipe | Rajasthani paratha | masala besan roti | missi roti on tava dhaba style is a simple everyday fare from the state of Rajasthan. Learn how to make missi roti on tava dhaba style. To make Rajasthani missi roti, combine all the ingredients in a deep bowl and knead into a stiff dough using enough water. Divide the dough into 10 equal portions. Roll out each portion into a 100 mm. (4") diameter circle using a little whole wheat flour for rolling. Heat a non-stick tava (griddle) and cook each roti, using a little ghee, till they turn golden brown in colour from both the sides. Serve hot. Rajasthani paratha are eaten throughout the year except in the winters in Rajasthan when bajra rotis are preferred. Made with the right proportion of wheat flour and besan, they fuse together well to give a perfect texture. A dough made with carom seeds forms the base of this masala besan roti. Apart from adding flavour and aroma, it is also added for its digestive properties. Cooked with ghee it brings forth the taste of authentic Marwari cuisine. Serve these missi roti on tava dhaba style with a spicy vegetable or gatte ki kadhi or a tongue tickling launji to make a delicious meal. A variation to these rotis are methi ki missi roti which are made by adding methi leaves or coriander leaves to flavour the dough. Tips for Rajasthani missi roti. 1. We have rolled the rotis slightly thick, but if you wish you can roll them thin. 2. Since they are thick, cook them on a slow to medium flame, so they cook well from inside. Enjoy Rajasthani missi roti recipe | Rajasthani paratha | masala besan roti | missi roti on tava dhaba style | with step by step photos.

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