Bansi Rava Vegetable Kichadi !!!

Bansi Rava kichadi is a healthy breakfast option which is also known as broken wheat or Lapsi. Of all the varieties of upma, broken wheat is the most nutritious one as it packed with fiber and protein.   I like to add lots of veggies to this as it makes more tasty and delicious.

Ingredients :

1. Broken wheat - 1 cup
2. Oil - 2 tbsp
3. Ghee - 1 tsp (optional)
4. Cinnamon stick - 1 no
5. Cloves - 3 nos
6. Cardamom - 2 nos
7. Garlic - 4 pods 
8. Vegetables (Carrot, beans, peas) - 1 cup
9. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Onion - 1 large sized
11. Tomato - 1 no
12. Green chillies - 3 to 4 nos
13. Mint leaves
14. Coriander leaves
15. Water - 2 1/2 to 3 cups

Method :

1.   Heat oil in the heavy bottomed pan, add cinnamon stick , cloves, cardamom and sliced onions.  Saute till tender.

2.   Add green chillies, garlic, turmeric powder, vegetables & saute till half cooked.

3.   Add broken wheat & fry over medium heat.

4.   Add chopped tomato, mint leaves, salt & water.  Cover and cook till done.

5.   Garnish it with finely chopped coriander leaves.

Serve with chutney.

Mango Chia Pudding

I love this dessert may be because mango is one of my favourite fruit.  This is such a refreshing and easy dessert to have on a hot and humid days.  It has a perfectly balanced sweet to tart ratio, and the texture is absolutely addictive.  If it were possible for a dessert to reach enlightenment, this one would be the first to do it.  Mango chia pudding is truly divine. 

Ingredients :

1. 1 large mango or 2 small mangoes
2. Coconut milk - 2 cups (or almond milk)
3. Chia seeds - 2 tbsp
4. Honey / Maple syrup 
5. A pinch of cardamom
6. Water - 5 tbsp

Method :

1.  Add chia seeds with water in a small bowl, leave it to soak and bloom for about 15 mins.

2.  Place mango, coconut milk, honey and cardamom powder in a blender and blend them till smooth.

3.   Stir in soaked chia seeds and refrigerate.  I garnished it with sweetened coconut flakes.

Serve chilled. 

Black Urad dal porridge for babies (The Best)

My son used to love this porridge for breakfast.  Not only does it taste great, it is also packed full of nutritious ingredients.  I would say this is my second best porridge for my son and started feeding him from 8 months.  I use this powder for making ladoos occasionally. Good for improving babies weight and bone strength !!!!

Ingredients :

1. Black whole urad dal  - 1 kg
2. Black sesame seeds - 100 gms
3. Almonds, blanched - 500 gms
4. Cashew nuts - 250 gms

Dry roast them separately and cool them completely.  Grind them to smooth powder and sieve it.  Store it in airtight container. 

For porridge :

1. Formula / Breast milk
2. Water
3. Ghee - 1/2 tsp

Method :

Cook the urad dal porridge mix in the water and ghee.  Cook them without any lumps.  Add milk just before serving.

Enjoy :)

Turnip Curry in Punjabi Style

Once you've tried these punjabi styled turnip curry, you'll be hooked.  Slow-simmering infused them with the curried tomato sauce, resulting in a zesty and colourful dish.  It takes more time to cook, as I use turnips with skin.  We can pressure cook them to save time. Serve with rice or rotis.

Ingredients :

1. Turnip - 500 gms, chopped
2. Oil - 1 tbsp
3. Onion - 2 no, finally chopped
4. Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
5. Puree from 3 tomatoes
6. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
8. Red chilly powder - /2 tsp
9. Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
10. Salt to taste
11. Coriander leaves

Method :

1.   Heat oil in the pan, add finely chopped onion and saute.

2.   Add ginger garlic paste and then tomato puree.  Cover and cook for few mins.

3.   Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilly powder and garam masala.  Add enough salt and cook for few more mins.

4.   Add chopped turnip (preferably with skin) and cook for few mins.

5.   Add enough water and cook till completely done.

6.   Garnish it with finely chopped coriander leaves.

Serve with rotis.

Granny's Chocolate Pound Cake - Delicious !!!!

This chocolate cake is rich, moist, dense and buttery with a drizzle of chocolate glaze.  Perfect for birthday's.  Chocolate lovers everywhere will rejoice upon first sight.... and bite.  It is heavenly!!! 

Ingredients :

1. Cake flour - 11/2 cups
2. Baking powder - 1 tsp
3. Salt - 1/2 tsp
4. Unsalted butter - 1 cup
5. Sugar - 1 1/4 cups
6. Vanilla extract - 2 tsp
7. Eggs - 4 nos
8. Milk - 2 tbsp
9. Unsweetened cocoa powder - 1/4 cup
10. Instant Coffee powder - 1 tbsp
11. Hot water - 1/4 cup

Chocolate Glaze :

1. Semi sweet chocolate - 90 gms
2. Butter - 25 gms
3. Honey - 1 tbsp

 Method :

1.  Preheat the oven at 180 C.  Grease and line up the baking pan with parchment paper.

2.   Mix the cocoa powder, coffee powder and hot water without any lumps.  Allow them to cool completely.

3.   Sieve together cake flour, salt, baking powder and keep aside.

4.   Beat the butter until smooth and add vanilla extract & sugar.  Beat until light and fluffy.

5.   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in the cooled cocoa mixture.

6.   Add in the flour mixture along with the milk.  Mix well until well combined.

7.   Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake it for 55 mins or until toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake just comes out clean.  Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely.

For chocolate Glaze :

8.   Melt the chocolate, butter and honey over the simmering water.  Allow them to cool little and glaze them over the chocolate cake.

Enjoy baking :)

Lollipop Pinwheel Sandwich

A plate of pinwheel sandwiches is perfect for a children's birthday party and is bound to be the first thing finished.  Pretty bright rolls, filled with delicious stuffings, they can be made hours ahead, popped into the fridge and then sliced before serving.  It's essential to grate the carrots and cucumber quite finely and roll the bread slices as thin as possible.  Also perfect for lunch or snack for kids.

Ingredients :

1. Cream cheese 
2. Salt to taste
3. Black pepper powder
4. Garlic powder
5. Oregano
6. Basil
7. Shredded carrot
8. Shredded cucumber
9. White / Brown bread slices, crusts removed
10. Lollipop sticks
11. Mayonnaise 

Method :

1.   Mix together cream cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano and basil.  Keep aside.

2.   Flatten the bread slices using rolling pin.

3.   Spread the bread slices with cream cheese mixture.  

4.   Over the first bread slice sprinkle some carrot and on another slice sprinkle some cucumber.

5.   Place the second bread slice over the first slice. Roll & wrap the sandwich tightly using the wax paper.  Refrigerate them for atleast one hour.  

6.   Remove the wax paper and cut them into slices and insert the lollipop sticks in the middle using mayonnaise as a glue.

Refrigerate & serve.

Chandrakala !!!

Chandrakala, is probably the most popular Indian sweet.  Every state has its own different version.  Homemade pastry sheets are stuffed with mava, sugar and nuts which is deep fried first and soaked in sugar syrup. 

Ingredients :

For the dough :

1. All purpose flour /Maida - 1 cup
2. Ghee - 1 tbsp
3. Salt - a pinch
4. Cold water for kneading
5. Nuts for garnishing
6. Oil for deep frying

For the stuffing :

1. Sugarless Khova - 1/2 cup
2. Sugar, powdered - 1/4 cup (as per your taste)
3. Desiccated coconut - 1/4 cup
4. Nuts (Cashewnuts, badam & pista) - 2 tbsp
5. Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

For sugar syrup :

1. Sugar - 1 cup
2. Water - 1/4 cup
3. Saffron strands - 3 nos (optional)

Method :

1.   Sieve flour and salt together.  Add ghee & rub the flour using your fingers which resembles like a breadcrumbs.  Add enough cold water & knead the dough.  Keep aside for 30 mins.

2.   Prepare the sugar syrup to single thread consistency.  Add saffron strands for additional flavour.

3.  For the stuffing, mix together khova, sugar, desiccated coconut, nuts & cardamom powder.  Keep aside.

4.  Divide & roll the dough into small sized pooris.  Fill the poori with the stuffing in the middle & seal the edges with water.  Once sealed, make spirals around the corner.   

5.   Heat oil over the medium heat & fry them till golden brown on either sides.  Drain the excess oil in the tissue.

6.   Dip & soak the chandrakala's in the sugar syrup for 5 mins.  Remove them from the sugar syrup & garnish it with chopped nuts on top.

Enjoy :)

Apple - Blueberry Overnight Oats

Store in a glass jar or another airtight container and let the oats soak for at least three hours, ideally overnight.  A healthy breakfast hack to try, because it does all the magic while we sleep. Instead of almond milk, we can use regular milk preferable low fat - for healthier version   Serve them with your favourite toppings, delicious :) 

Ingredients :

1. Rolled oats - 1/2 cup
2. Almond milk - 1 cup (or milk)
3. Honey - 1 tbsp
4. Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp
5. Chia seeds - 1 tbsp 
6. Yoghurt - 1 tbsp
7. Apple & Blueberry - 1/2 cup
8. Flax seeds - 1 tsp

Method :

1.   Mix together rolled oats, almond milk, honey, chia seeds & yoghurt in a airtight container.  Soak it at least for 3 hours ideally overnight.

2.  In the morning, you can add fresh fruits, cinnamon powder, flax seeds, nuts and other favourite toppings to your oatmeal.

Enjoy!!!

Oats n Moong dal Adai

Oats adai is one of the quick & healthy breakfast menu for busy mornings.  I use oats instead of rice to make a healthier version and almost carb free and it is loaded with fiber-rich oats, dal and vegetables.  No fermentation is required and can sprinkle some powdered flax seeds over the adai while cooking.  Taste great with coconut chutney !!!

Ingredients :

1. Oats - 1/2 cup
2. Moong dal - 2 cups
3. Red chilly - 3 nos
4. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
5. Onion - 1 no
6. Coriander leaves
7. Carrot, grated - 1/4 cup
8. Green chillies - 2 no
9. Curry leaves - 1 tbsp
10. A pinch of hing
11. Salt to taste
12. Oil as required

Method :

1.   Soak dal in water for 2 hours and Oats for 20 mins.  Drain and grind them to coarse paste along with cumin seeds & red chilly.  Add enough water & salt while grinding.  The batter should resemble like a idly batter.

2.   Add finely chopped onion, green chillies, hing, curry leaves, grated carrot and coriander leaves to the batter.  

3.   Heat the skillet,  pour a ladle full of batter in the centre of the pan and swirl around to form a circle.

4.  Drizzle some oil around & over the adai and cook for 2 to 3 mins on either sides.

Serve with chutney.

Basbousa - Egyptian Delight !!!!

Basbousa is most popular all over the Middle East and every country makes it slightly different.  This cake like sweet is made using semolina & coconut as a main ingredient and soaked in sugar syrup.  This dessert is supposed to be really sweet and it tastes best that way, but you can adjust the quantity of sugar that goes into the syrup, if you want a less sweeter version.  In fact, it is an extremely tasty one and the recipe is very easy to follow.  You are going to love it :) 

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 1/2 cup
2. Semolina - 1 1/4 cup
3. Desiccated coconut - 1 1/2 cup
4. Almond essence - 4 drops
5. Baking powder - 1 tsp
6. Butter,melted - 110 gms
7. Egg - 1
8. Milk - 1 cup
9. Saffron, few strands
10. Sugar - 3/4 cup
11. Blanched almonds. whole

For the sugar syrup :

1. Sugar - 1 1/2 cup
2. Water - 1 1/2 cup
3. Rose water - 1 tsp
4. Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp

Method :

1.   Mix together flour, semolina, desiccated coconut, almond essence, saffron, baking powder, butter, egg, sugar, milk and make a smooth dough.

2.   Spread the dough in the greased baking pan & refrigerate for 30  mins.  Cut the dough in the desired shapes. 

3.   Bake them at 180 C for 30 mins.  

4.   Meanwhile, prepare the sugar syrup by boiling the water & sugar for 5 mins.  Add lemon juice while boiling and finally rose water.

5.   Remove the Basbousa from the oven and pour the sugar syrup and arrange almonds on top.  Bake for another 10 mins or until done.

Serve them warm.

Chicken Chettinad

This is one of the best chicken curry which taste great with rice, dosa, idly & roti's.   

Ingredients :

1. Chicken - 1 kg, washed & cut into pieces
2. Onion - 2 nos
3. Tomato - 1 medium sized
4. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
5. Red chilly powder - 2 tsp
6. Curry leaves 
7. Oil - 5 tbsp
8. Salt to taste
9. Coconut, grated - 1/4 cup
10. Green chillies - 1 no
11. Cashew nuts / Roasted chick peas - 1 tbsp
12. Cloves - 3 nos
13. Cinnamon stick - 1 no
14. Cardamom - 2 nos
15. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
16. Poppy seeds - 1/2 tsp
17. Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
18. Black pepper corns - 1 tsp
19. Coriander leaves, for garnishing

Method :

1.   Dry roast the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin seeds, poppy seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns and grind them along with coconut, green chillies and cashew nuts with little water.  Keep aside.

2.  Heat oil in the pan, add sliced onions.  Saute. 

3.   Add curry leaves, ginger garlic paste, red chilly powder and chicken pieces.  Cover and cook over medium-high flame for 5 mins.

4.   Reduce the flame and add finely chopped tomatoes.  Cover and cook for another 5 mins.

5.   Add the spice paste and enough water.  Cook for 10 mins.  Garnish it with coriander leaves.

Serve with rice or rotis.