[Meatless Monday] H for Hara Bhara Kebabs (Spinach Patties) | H for Happy! + a chance to win one of three copies of "Rainbows in the Desert and Other Stories" book

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Learn how to make an easy vegan appetizer recipe that is sure to please your friends and family. 'Hara Bhara' literally translates to 'All things Green'. Though traditionally it is spinach that is used for this recipe, feel free to replace with any firm greens on hand. Taste will slightly vary and I recommend blanching them lightly before using in the patty mixture. As an accompaniment, try this killer no-cook coriander chutney (from BongMom's cookbook ). :-)

I am one of those people who suffer from severe lack of motivation on a Monday morning. I am sluggish, my brain works very slow and I frantically search for things that would make me smile. Here is what I stumbled upon today -

First, here is a video (We Are Happy In Goa) made in collaboration by a lovely blogger friend Revathi of Hungry and Excited. I love watching these adaptations of Pharrell Williams "Happy" song where people are smiling, dancing and just being their happy best. My favorites are - from my city Hyderabad, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Detroit Elementary School (my absolute favorite) and many more! Here is how Pharrell reacted when Oprah interviewed him about the success of his song.

Next that made me realize what "happiness" is truly all about is Archna Pant's debut novel - Rainbows in the Desert and Other Stories. It is a collection of seven stories and I slowly read the book for a week, giving each story it's own time to be reminisced and truly understand its meaning. The characters seem real and writing beautiful. (especially because it is a first time effort). "Rainbows in the Desert" taught me resilience; "Lessons of Life" depicted the true meaning of love - not always in togetherness but in feeling each other's presence; "Mirages of the Heart" defined the true meaning of selfless affection our parents tend to feel for us; "Reasons of the Heart" brimmed with compassion; "Justice for Janaki" talked about a view we normally tend to miss - the suffering of the victim's family & the true meaning of justness; "Wind beneath the Wings" is about an independent girl who fights all along for her dreams to come true and stands tall even when betrayed in love. It is a book of merely 190 pages filled with stories of every day people, who strive every moment to create their own 'rainbows'.

I enjoyed the book so much that am giving away three author signed copies to three lucky readers. Please scroll down to the end of this post to enter your details.

Third, Food always always makes me happy and here is a recipe for alphabet 'H' for my A to Z Recipe Blogging.

Enjoy!

Previously posted recipes in this A to Z Andhra Recipe blogging -

A for Aratikaya Ava Pettina Kura | Raw Banana (Plantain) Curry in Mustard Paste Recipe

B for Bangaladumpa Pulusu | Potatoes and Tamarind Stew

C for Charu Podi | Homemade Rasam Powder

D for Dibba Rotte | Minapa Rotte | Andhra Style Crispy Uttapam

E for Erra Karam (Red Chilli Chutney) Dosa

F for Feni (Pheni) Besan Laddu (Shredded Vermicelli Chickpea Flour Ladoo) + 2-minute Feni Payasam

G for Gavvalu or Andhra Style Sweet Shells 

H for Hara Bhara Kebabs (Spinach Patties)

Makes around 8 patties

Ingredients:

1 cup finely chopped spinach

1 cup potato (boiled and mashed)

1/2 cup grated carrot

1 green chilli, finely chopped

2 tbsp besan (or chickpea flour)

1 cup grated paneer

1/4 cup finely chopped green beans

salt and pepper - to taste

1 tsp cumin powder

1/4 tsp turmeric

Oil (about 4 to 5 tbsp) - for shallow frying

Preparation:

In a large bowl, mix together spinach, potato, carrot, green chilli, green beans and paneer. Then add chickpea flour and season with salt, pepper powder turmeric & cumin powder. Mix everything together and take a small portion to shape in round patty. Repeat the same with the entire mixture.

Heat oil in a shallow pan and gently drop each patty. On low heat, cook each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve with ketchup or any chutney. 

The giveaway contest is for worldwide shipping and will be open for 1 week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway **********************************************

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until next recipe with alphabet I,