CHICKEN CROQUETTES

As promised in my last post, here is a mouth watering recipe of a kind of chicken croquettes. Though I got inspired by the croquettes I ate in Hotel Il Palazzo, yet because of some experimentation, I ended up making a great snack for a cocktail party.

INGREDIENTS:
Chicken Mince – 500 gms
Boiled egg – 1
2 midium onions finely chopped
1 tsp ground ginger
Coriander leaves nicely chopped
Green chilly nicely chopped
1 raw egg
Bread crumbs
Oil for frying
Salt and pepper for taste
Method:
In a big bowl mash the boiled egg properly and mix the chicken mince, onions and ginger together. In this mix, add the coriander and green chillies as per taste. Though I am not too sure of how much coriander one wants, yet try to put in a little more. The smell of coriander with chicken goes very well. And in the absence of any masala (Indian spices), this flavour renders the dish a unique taste. Now add the raw egg in the mix, transforming it into a dry paste. Don’t make it too watery. If it happens then add some bread crumbs in it which will make it thick.
Now oil your palms slightly and shape the mince mix in small balls or flatten it like a kabab. Spread the bread crumbs on a plate and dust the kebabs well with it. Once all the croquettes are dusted and done, put it in the fridge for at least 2 hrs before deep frying in hot oil till it browns from both sides.
This dish is very different from the normal chicken kababs or balls as it has no masala into it. If you happen to have any other suggestions, do write in. After all what is cooking without experimentation. Serve hot with hung curd dip and a nice cocktail (blue lagoon!!!)
Bon Appétit!!!

Il Palazzo @ Panchgani (Part 2)

How can I finish writing about Panchgani and not mention Il Palazzo? If I have to rate my trip to the beautiful valley, then definitely this particular hotel will get the top most rating. It is a bungalow, situated very near market, and yet magically, very quiet. The beautifully manicured gardens and the small swimming pool with a swing beside is a real treat. This is basically a hotel run by a Parsi family in their ancestral home. Though we were not staying in this hotel, we still managed to see the big spacious rooms decorated in the antique style but with every modern amenities required. The bathroom specially has got both the styles integrated beautifully. You will find a big dresser before you get into the bath. Though the bungalow doesn’t promise a good view of the valley, yet for people who plan to spend a quite weekend away from the city, and want to get thoroughly pampered, are most welcome here.




Priced at an economical 3000 Rs per night, it promises to be a great stay. The fare also includes four mouth-wateringly good meals. As they follow the Parsi style of cooking, thus you will find your meals in various courses, served by a waiter who is constantly monitoring your plate. If you want to try the food only, then book for a lunch or dinner in advance. They don’t take in booking for breakfast or snacks. We went for a sumptuous lunch and got the following courses to savour.


The first course included a delicious green pea soup accompanied with fresh bread. The bread was so soft that as you put it in your mouth, it melted away. In the starters, we had some chicken croquet which went very well with the pea soup. Back home, I tried to duplicate the croquets and ended up making a great cocktail snack. Watch out this space for the recipe which is coming soon.


In the main course, we had all possible meat available in Panchgani’s market. There was a Parsi style chicken curry. I assume they call it Sali-boti when it is served with potatoes. There was a nicely spiced sukha mix vegetable. Also with it was Malwani pomfret curry and mutton made in a delicious coconut curry. And along with this, there were chapattis or rice, whatever one wishes for.


Once our main course got over, my husband, an eternal fan of sweets and confectionary couldn’t wait for a moment before sinking his teeth into the delicious Sev pudding with cherry topping. The portions given on the table were huge and one could ask for a repeat of any course as you desire. Priced at a modest 300 INR per person, this was our best meal in Panchgani so far. What else can I say but a complete paisa vasool.


For a full weekend of such gorgeous lay of food, you have to burn a lot of energy. For this I recommend that whenever you go out, try not to take a car along. Walk a lot and freak out in the small swimming pool. Trust me at the end you will not regret.


PS: for book lovers, the hotel has a big collection of all kinds of book. You can easily seat yourself on a shaded swing and freak out with any of those books, as much as you want.

Photograph courtesy: www.goindiaholidays.com/il-palazzo.html, http://www.ilpalazzo.co.in/rooms.php?f=1,