Savoury South Indian Shortbread - Khara Biscuits

If you are a resident of Karnataka especially, South Bangalore area, you would have seen and visited an Iyengar Bakery.Or you must have atleast heard of them. These are famous old style bakeries specialising in eggless bakes. If that doesn't ring a bell, then I suggest you visit an Iyengar bakery at evening time. There is such a rush between 3 to 4 for hot fresh masala sandwich, buns, cookies and cakes. I usually prefer the savoury items and unless you are dot on time, you will never get them. So I was very happy to see the savoury shortbread cookies from these bakeries in Priya's Blog with whom I am paired this edition of Blog Hop Wednesdays, an event by Radhika. It was also a long time since I baked cookies and longer since anything savoury. And these were simple to make as well. 

Ingredients:

All Purpose Flour: 2 cups

Butter/Shortening: 1/3 cup soft

Sugar: 4 tsp

Salt: 1 tsp
Yogurt: 2 + tbsp

Grind to a coarse paste OR Chop Finely

Green Chillies: 6 or as per taste (I used my green Chile paste)

Coriander Leaves: 2-3 tbsp
Cumin seeds: 1/4 tsp + as per taste
Curry Leaves: few (optional)

Preparation:

Cream together sugar and butter for a few minutes till creamy. Add 2 tbsp yogurt and continue to beat. Add in the dry mix of flour+salt and continue to beat to incorporate it. 

You might have to get down and knead the mix with your hands to get a non sticky crumbly dough. Fold in the ground/chopped herbs and continue kneading adding 1 tbsp of yogurt at a time. 

Roll out the dough on a flat surface -you might not dust the surface as the dough will not stick. Using cookie cutters or appropriate shapes, cut into required shapes or rounds.

Place the cookies in a lined & greased baking sheet and bake until the the edges start browning for about 15-20 minutes. Make sure you check after 10-12 minutes as the time varies from oven to oven. The recipe said 18-20 minutes but mine was done by the 15th minute.. So keep an eye so that they are not burned.

You taste these once, you can understand the rush at the Iyengar Bakeries.Savoury cookies that are different from the regular sweet ones and easy to make as well.

Qishr -Yemeni Ginger Coffee Drink

Sometimes aimless browsing can give an exciting recipe to you.Its like you have hit the jackpot and same thing happened when I came across this name 'qishr' and more googling got me interesting info on it. This is supposed to be a popular Yemeni drink made from dried coffee berries  or coffee husks. The word qishr or geshr,kishr etc is Arabic for skin. I have adapted the  recipe in Food.com and have tried it out easily with instant coffee. I liked the ginger coffee and if you are one of those who like the gingery drinks then you will definitely like it. Its perfect especially when its raining or misty and wintry. A warm cuppa with a savoury snack like pakoras, khara biscuits etc is sure to provide warmth and comforting.

Ingredients:

Water: 1 cup

Instant Coffee powder: 2 tbsp

Sugar: 2 tbsp +/- as per taste

Powdered Ginger: 2 tsp

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to boil. Bubbles should appear on the surface of the mix and then you remove it from heat. Cool for a minute and then again bring to boil under high heat. Again repeat the boiling and cooling process for another three times (its just takes minutes altogether).

Adjust and add more sugar if necessary.It is said to be very sugary -atleast the Yemeni version that is. Also if you feel the ginger is too strong, add a pinch of cinnamon/cardamom to dilute it a bit.

Serve in cups preferably small cups as you will not require more than a certain quantity of this sweet strong spicy drink.

A simple yet comforting beverage with a gingery kick. In Ethiopia where it is called buno (bunna for coffee) it is served with dates for breaking the Ramadan fast during the Holy month.So I think its perfect for dear friend Lubna's Joy from Fasting to Feasting event