Nuts and Vegetable salad

Serves 4
This is a very healthy and simple salad that can be prepared in less than 15 minutes.This recipe is adapted from Tarla Dalal's recipe.She's my favorite cook, the way she whips up an extremely elegant and delicious vegetarian dish in very little time simply amazes me. I've modified this salad a little,according to things available in my kitchen.

Ingredients:
Peanuts .- 1 tsp (Crushed coarsely)
Sesame seeds - 1 tsp (roasted)
Walnuts - 1/2 cup (chopped)
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp ( chopped)
Capsicum - 1 cup (chopped)
Cherry tomatoes - 2 cups (chopped) - regular tomatoes can also be used
Dressing:
Olive oil - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 and 1/2 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp

Method :
-Mix all the Ingredients well.
-Add the dressing mixture and toss them good !

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Sambar powder

Ingredients:
Whole red chili - 350 g                              

Coriander seeds - 350 g                       

Toor Dhal - 150 g                             

Ural Dhal - 4 tbsp                          
Cumin - 4 tbsp
Turmeric - 25 g or turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Whole pepper corns - 50 g
Channa Dhal - 60 g

Optional :

Cinnamon - 2 sticks

Coconut  - 4 tbsp

Method:

-Dry roast all the Ingredients on a low flame separately and grind to a fine powder together.

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Cabbage and Peas stir fry

Serves 3
I've been trying to cook cabbage in combination with different vegetables.This was one such attempt and I kind of liked this better than the other combinations.Tastes real yum with Sambar or other spicy gravies.

Ingredients :
Cabbage - 1.5 cups grated ( about 1/4 of a medium sized cabbage)
Boiled Peas - 1 cup
oil - 2 tsp
Mustard - 1 tsp
Curry masala powder - 1 tsp
salt - as needed

Method:
-In a pan heat the oil and splutter the mustard seeds.
-Add the grated cabbage and a tsp of salt and mix well.Add the peas and the curry masala powder and saute for a minute.
-Sprinkle some water and cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 mins.
-Remove the lid and saute on high for another 3-4 mins.Done!

Note:
Any curry masala powder can be used, else you can replace it with 1/2 tsp Red chili powder,1/2 tsp corinader powder and 1/4 tsp garam masala powder.I used 'Aachi chicken masala' powder.

Broccoli Sambar

Serves 3
Sambar is really the queen of south indian gravies.It can be prepared with almost all vegetables and tastes simply amazing. This is just one simple variety of sambar!

Ingredients:
Onion - 1 medium
Tomato - 1 medium
Sambar powder - 3 - 4 tsp
Toor dhal - 1/2 cup
Hing - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Broccoli - 1/2 a medium one
Tamarind juice -  juice squeezed from a small marble soaked in 1/2 a cup of water for 30 mins
Coriander leaves - 2 sprigs
salt - as needed

Tempering:
Mustard - 1 tsp
Cumin - 1 tsp
Fenugreek - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 2 sprigs
oil - 2 tsp

Method:
-In a pressure cooker, add the chopped onion,chopped tomato,dhal,Hing and turmeric powder with 1 cup of water.Cook on high for 1 whistle and simmer for 5 - 7 minutes.Mash it.
-Cut the broccoli into small florets.
-In a pan,heat the oil and splutter all the tempering ingredients.Add the broccoli florets , 1 tsp salt and saute on medium heat for 5 mins.
-To this add the mashed dhal mixture and the tamarind juice and mix well.
-Add the sambar powder and coriander leaves and mix well. Let it boil on low heat for 10 minutes.
-It's done !.Check the recipe for sambar powder here.

Whole grain apple muffins

These muffins are very healthy .I make them mainly for breakfast for my toddler.They are very quick & easy to make and can be real filling.

 Ingredients :

Makes 4

Whole wheat flour - 75 g

Oats - 75 g

Egg - 1

Brown Sugar - 75 g

Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Whole Milk - 3 - 4  tbsp

Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp

Apple - 1/2 a medium one

Method :
-In a bowl add the sugar,flour,oats and cinnamon powder and mix well with a spoon.
-Break the egg into the bowl and mix well.The batter will be very thick.
-To this add the olive oil and milk and mix well.
-Peel,core and grate the apple.Add the grated apples to the batter and mix well.
-Preheat the oven to 175° C.Fill 4 muffin cups fully with the batter and bake for 20 mins.

This post goes to the Farmersgirl Kitchen and to the Breakfast Club page at Fuss Free Flavours

Green Potato and Peas Curry

Serves 3
This dish comes in handy on days when I don't feel like cooking.As much as I like cooking, there are days when i just don't feel like actually sauteing things and cooking elaborately.This is a very easy and tasty dish that can be done in a very short time with little preparation.

Ingredients:
Potato - 2 medium ones ( chopped)
Fresh Peas - 150 g
Garlic - 4-5 cloves
Ginger - 1" piece
Onion - 1 medium
Tomato - 1 medium
Coriander leaves - 15 sprigs
Mint leaves - leaves from 5 sprigs
Cloves,Cardamom - 1 each
Star anise - 1 petal
Cinnamon - 1 piece
Green chili - 1
Milk or coconut milk - 1/4 cup
Oil  - 2 tsp

Method:
-In a blender grind the Ginger,Garlic,green chili,Onion,tomato,mint and coriander leaves to a fine paste.
-In a pressure cooker add oil, when it heats up add the cloves,cardamom,cinnamon and star anise.
-Add the ground paste and saute for 3-4 mins.
-Add the potatoes and fresh peas,mix well and add the milk or coconut milk,salt and half a cup of water.
-Cook for one whistle on high and simmer for 5 minutes.Done !

Oven Roasted Corn with Chutney

Corn on the cob is one thing that I love right from childhood.In Chennai we find this only at the beach .The smell of the corn roasted on coal and the sea breeze can be very pleasant and comforting. In Bangalore I've found roasted corn shops on the sidewalks in many areas.It's either roasted or boiled in salt water.At times it used to be our breakfast when we sleep in on weekends and miss our breakfast in our hostel :) In one particular shop on commercial street the corn is roasted with a green chutney and it simply tastes yum. I've never tasted it elsewhere and it has a very unique taste. I've tried to replicate it here,it comes close but definitely not as good as the original !

Ingredients:
Corn - 2 big ones
For the chutney :
Mint leaves - leaves from 3-4 sprigs
Coriander leaves - leaves from 10 sprigs
Green chili - 1
Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Chaat masala - 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Salt - as needed



Method:
-In a blender grind all the Ingredients for the chutney to a fine paste.
-Spread the chutney on the corn.
-Preheat the oven to 190 °C ,Bake for 25-30 mins.

Vegetable croquettes

Makes 8
These croquettes make great starters and are very similar to veg cutlets.I'm not a big fan of fried food, but I make these ones and those days that I decide to indulge myself :)

Ingredients:
Potato - 2 medium
Carrot - 1
Arbi - 1 small
Peas - 100 g
Cabbage - 100 g
Onion - 1 small,chopped finely
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp (chopped finely)
Green chili - 2 (chopped finely)
Ghee - 1 tsp
Vermicelli - 50 g,broken into small pieces
All purpose flour - 50 g and 2 tbsp
Oil - for deep frying.

Method :
-Chop the Potato,Carrot,Arbi and cabbage into small pieces.Chop the cabbage.Steam all the vegetables in a pressure cooker( Add them to a tall vessel, sprinkle little salt and keep inside a pressure cooker with 1 cup of water.Cook on high for 1 whistle and simmer for 10 minutes).Remove from stove and mash the vegetables.
-In a pan add the ghee and when it heats up add the green chili and coriander leaves, saute for 2 - 3 mins.Add the onions and fry until translucent.
-Mix the onions with the mashed vegetables,2 tbsp of flour and mix well.Add salt if needed and make small dumplings.
-Make a thin batter by adding the 50 g of flour to 1 cup of water and a little salt.Break the vermicelli into small pieces.
-Dip the dumplings in the flour batter and roll well in the vermicelli.
-Add to hot oil and deep fry until golden brown !

Dish name starts with V at Akila's Space

 

Cabbage and Capsicum stir fry.

Serves 4
I've never used Cabbage in any dish other than fried rice.Had a few capsicums lying around so thought i'd fry both of them together and they did taste better than I expected !

Ingredients :

Cabbage chopped - 1.5 cups

Capsicum - 1 medium

Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Whole red chili - 1

Coriander leaves - to garnish

oil - 2 tsp

salt - as needed

Method :

-Add oil to the pan and splutter the whole red chili,cumin,fennel and mustard seeds.

-Add the chopped cabbage and mix well.Add a tsp of salt and saute for 3-4 mins.

-Sprinkle little water and cover and cook on low flame for 4-5 minute.

-Now remove the lid and add the chopped capsicum.Add a little salt.

-Fry on high heat for 3-4 mins.

-Finally add the Garam masala powder and the coriander leaves and remove from the stove.

Spinach and Chickpea curry Palak Channa

Serves 3
Chickpeas are very nutritious and when combined with Spinach they make an extremely healthy and delicious combination .This gravy goes well with Chapati, but I love it the best with hot ghee dosas !

Ingredients:
Chick peas - 100 g
Frozen spinach - 100 g or Palak - 10 leaves
Onion - 1 big
Tomato - 1 big
Garlic - 8 cloves
Ginger - 1"
Red Chili powder - 1 heaped tsp
Dry mango (armchoor) powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds -1/2 tsp
Kasoori Methi - 1/2 tsp
oil -  1 tbsp
Salt - as needed

Method:
-Soak the chickpeas overnight or for 8 hours .Pressure cook them for 1 whistle in high heat and simmer for 15 min with a tsp of salt and 1 cup of water.
-If using Palak, add them to boiling water for 3-4 mins and grind them. I used frozen spinach.
-Grind the onion,ginger and garlic to a fine paste.Chop the tomatoes.
-Add oil to a pan, when it heats up splutter the cumin seeds.
-Add the onion,ginger and garlic paste and saute on low heat until well browned. Add the tomatoes along with the chili powder,coriander and cumin powder,armchoor and garam masala powder.Mix well and cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 mins.When the tomatoes are cooked add the boiled chickpeas along with the water and mix well.
-Add the Spinach and kasoori methi and mix well.Cook on medium flame for 5 minutes.It's done !

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Cheese Pennies

Makes 24

These are easy to bake savory cookies.Was looking for some sugarless baking when I came across this recipe.These Pennies are cheesy,crunchy and make a great tea time snack.

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 115 g

Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

Paprika - 1/2 tsp

Grated cheese - 115 g

Butter - 115 g

Salt - 1/8 tsp

Method:

-Soften the butter. To a blender add the cheese and butter and pulse until they are well mixed.

-In a bowl mix the pepper powder,paprika,flour and salt.Add this to the blender and pulse along with the cheese and butter until well blended.

-Transfer the contents of the mixer to a plastic wrap and keep it wrapped in the fridge for one to two hours,until it gets firm.

-Take it from the Fridge and divided the dough into two portions.Roll each portion into a thin disc and cut small rounds from them.The dough can be a bit sticky so it's better to place it in between plastic wraps and roll.

-Preheat the oven to 225 °C /450° F .Bake for 8 -10 mins.

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Spinach,Corn and Carrot Sandwich

Serves 2
This is a very healthy and easy to fix dish.It makes a great breakfast dish or an evening snack.This is more like a family favorite :)

Ingredients :
Bread slices - 4 big
Frozen spinach - 150 g or Palak - 15 leaves
Corn - 100 g
Carrot - 1 medium (finely grated)
Onion - 1 small ( chopped finely)
Ginger - 1 small piece (grated)
Green chili - 1( chopped finely)
Mint leaves- 1 tsp( chopped finely)
Coriander leaves - 1 tsp ( chopped finely)
Cumin powder - 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp
Red Chili powder - 1/ 4 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp
Milk - 2 tbsp
Cheese(Grated) - 1 tbsp
Salt - As needed
oil - 1 tsp
Butter or Ghee- 1 tsp

Method:
-If using Palak leaves, add them to boiling water and let them boil for 2 mins. Then drain them out and chop finely or grind.
-Add the oil to a pan , when it gets heated add the ginger,green chili,coriander and mint leaves and saute for a few mins.
-Add the onion and saute until it turns brown.Add the grated carrot and saute for a few min.Now add the corn, spinach, tomato ketchup,salt and the powders.Saute for 2 - 3 mins until well mixed.
-Add the milk, and about 2 tbsp water and cover and cook on low heat for 4 - 5 mins.
-After 5 mins sprinkle the cheese, mix and remove from the stove.
-Apply little butter on all the slices of bread, Spread the corn mixture between two slices of bread and grill in a sandwich maker !

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Blueberry Orange muffins

Makes 5
I simply love baking and I find that Orange adds a very unique flavor to anything baked with it.These muffins are not very sweet, but taste very good and make great breakfast muffins.This recipe is from 'Baking from my home to yours'. I don't own the book, and this recipe really makes me wish I had the book :)

Ingredients:
Freshly squeezed orange juice - 30 ml
Orange zest - 1/2 tsp
Egg - 1 big
Honey - 1 and 1/2 tbsp
Butter - 60 g - 1/2 stick - melted and cooled
Sugar -  30 g - 1/6 cup
All purpose Flour - 1 cup - 140 g
Baking powder - 1 and 1/4 tsp
Baking salt - 1/8 tsp
Buttermilk - 90 ml
Salt - 1/8 tsp

Method:
-Whisk Buttermilk,egg,honey,melted butter and orange juice just until combined.
- Grate the skin of about half an orange to get the zest.Add the sugar to the orange zest and mix it well with your fingertips.
-Add the flour,baking powder,salt and baking soda to the sugar mixture and whisk gently.
-Add the orange juice mixture to the flour mixture and fold gently for a few times.The batter will be thick and lumpy.Make sure to not over mix it.
-Fill about 5 muffin cups until they are full.
-Preheat the oven to 400°F/204°C and bake for 20 mins.

Masala Tea

Serves 3

The gentle aroma of this spicy tea can be very relaxing.This is my father's special tea.We would love it when he makes it for all of us,and no matter how hard I try I can never make it as good as him :) Curled up on a sofa with this hot tea ,biscuits and a good book on a rainy day would be simply awesome I guess :)

Ingredients:
Milk - 1/2 liter
Tea powder - 1 and 1/2 tsp
Ginger - a small piece
Masala powder - 3/4th tsp
Sugar - 2 tsp per cup of tea
Spice powder :
  Cinnamon - 2 sticks
  Cardamon - 5
   Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
   Cloves - 4
   Ginger powder - 1 tsp
   Peppercorns - 2

 
Method:
-Grind the spices for the spice powder in a blender.
-Boil the milk. Let it cool a little.Mash the ginger in a mortar, coarsely.
-To the boiled milk add the ginger,spice powder,tea powder and let it cook on medium, when it starts to boil simmer it for 5 -7 mins on low heat.Keep stirring it if it tries to overflow.
-Strain the tea into a cup ,add sugar and mix well. It's done!

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Baked Chicken cutlet

Makes 10

Cutlets have always been my favorite from childhood.Be it vegetables,fish or meat cutlets, their unique taste has always flattered my taste buds I've tasted cutlets everywhere but the first thing that comes to my mind is of the cutlets served in the day trains or chair cars in Tamil Nadu.The wonderful taste of hot cutlets with tomato ketchup and the gentle rocking of the train is a very cherished memory.This is a healthier version,frying it will definitely enhance the taste !

Ingredients:
Chicken ( boneless) - 250 g
Potato - 2 big
Green Chilies - 2 ( minced finely)
Ginger - small piece (minced finely)
Garlic - 2 small pods (minced finely)
Onion - 1 medium (chopped finely)
Egg - White portion of  1 egg
Breadcrumbs
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp ( chopped finely)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam masaala powder - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 2 tsp


Method:
-Boil the potatoes until they are just cooked. About 5 mins in a pressure cooker in low heat,after the first whistle.Grate them.
-Boil the Chicken in a pressure cooker with 1/2 a cup of water,salt and the turmeric powder.About 3 mins.Drain the chicken pieces, the leftover stock can be added to any gravy.Blend the pieces in a blender to a smooth paste without adding water.
-In a pan add the oil and when it's hot add the ginger,garlic,coriander leaves and green chilies.Saute for 2 mins and add the onion with a little salt and saute until it's translucent.
-In a separate bowl, mix the fried onions,grated potatoes and ground chicken.Add salt and pepper powder.
Make them into small patties.
-In a bowl whisk the egg white with a fork for a few minutes.Dip the patties in the egg whites and roll them on breadcrumbs until they are fully coated with the breadcrumbs.
-Preheat an oven to 175°C and bake for 25-30 mins.

**For the breadcrumbs,heat an oven to 175°C, keep a few white bread slices on the grill for about 7 -10 mins,grind them.