Rustic sweet potato spicy mash

 

The color of these sweet potatoes resonates the color of my heart...orange! The inside is a beautiful orange and it’s sweet when roasted or boiled. I want to explore it more as it’s very delicious. I have roasted and boiled and chilled them. Eaten that way with no additions tastes very delicious and is extremely hydrating. It’s filling too and gets rid of cravings. I tried this for my lunch today. Just mashing and adding spices and imagining the taste. End of it....it’s just mind blowing! Will relish it today chilled with mah ki dal and missi rotis. Can’t just wait. Of course I licked up all the spoons as I poured it and kept it away for lunch to chill.
INGREDIENTS
500 gms boiled or roasted
1 tbsp mustard oil(can use others too)
1 heaped tbsp masala from Indian pickles
2 tbsp chopped red onions
1/2 chopped green chilli
1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt
METHOD
1. Mash the sweet potato with a fork roughly.
2. Add all the ingredients and mix well.
3. Adjust seasonings and spices to taste.
4. Serve chilled with missi rotis.

Red bean summer salad

As we live indoors most times, it’s important to eat healthy as much as we can due to lack of movement. I had some salad leaves that needed a good mix and I came up with this salad. It is so filling and delicious. You really don’t need anything with it. Do try this salad on a warm day and when you don’t want to eat carbs and still feel full.

INGREDIENTS 

1 bowl salad leaves of choice 

1 can of red beans

1/2 cup feta cheese cubes

1 red onion sliced 

1 cup cherry tomatoes 

1/4 cup boiled corn 

1/2 bell pepper sliced 

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 

Crushed pepper 

1 packet Salad seasoning of choice 

1/4 tsp garlic powder 

3 tbsp sunflower seeds 

3 tbsp pumpkin seeds 

METHOD 

1. Put all the fresh salad ingredients in a big bowl. 
2. Put all the seasonings in a bottle and shake it well. 
3. Pour over the salad and toss well. 
4. Serve with a nice crisp toast. 

Protein punch salad

At times I just like to eat my salad with a slice of bread and make it work like a brunch. Try this protien packed meal that is satisfying and extremly healthy with carbs, proteins, nuts,fruits and vegetables.

Ingredients

1 cup Moong sprouts

1/2 cup anar

1/2 chopped bell pepper

1/2 chopped apple

few raisins

2 tbsp mixed seeds

1 toasted bread cut into small cubes

1/4 cup chopped paneer pieces

Dressing

Juice of half orange

Juice of half lemon

1 tsp chaat masala

1/2 rock salt

1/4 tsp pepper powder

1 tbsp oil

salt to taste

Method

1. Toss all the ingredients for salad on the top except bread.

2. Put all the ingredients for dressings and whisk well.

3. Toss all together and pour into a bowl lined with lettuce and chill.

4. Throw the bread pieces over and serve chilled.

German potato salad

 

Lucious and cold potato salad

A mild, flavourful salad that is satisfying with its tangy tastes and is great on a summer afternoon lunch. A favourite with all age groups. Have it cold preferably.

Ingredients

500 gms boiled and sliced potatoes

1 sliced onion

1 cup or veg broth/water

salt

1 tbsp vinegar

1/2 tsp pepper crushed

Herbs of choice (oregano, chopped spring onions)

2 tbsp oil

Method

1. In a bowl put the potatoes. 

2. Mix oil with broth, salt and seasonings.

3. Toss all well. At this point it should be watery.

4. Chill and serve. 

Long green bean salad Thai style

Sharing a recipe from a friend. I added my touch to it. Remembered Shimpa's Thai apple salad and so here is an amazing crunchy salad.

1 cup chopped long beans

1 chopped tomato

1 chopped sour apple

1/2 bowl of roasted peanuts

1-2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp chilli flakes

1 tsp lime juice or vinegar

Salt to taste

1-2 tsp sugar

Method

In a mortar add garlic, chilli flakes, peanuts,vinegar, sugar , tomatoes and the green beans. Pound them roughly to blend the flavors. Add the apple and mix well. Chill for a couple of hours to blend the flavors. Serve ... Enjoy the crunch! 

Wirsing sauteed in sesame seeds

    Wirsing comes from the cabbage family and is a new vegetable in my kitchen.It looked so fresh in the supermarket that I could not resist picking it up.The leaves look like crumpled cabbage leaves,very crisp and softer and cook pretty quickly. I tried this and it turned out like a good warm salad and the smell of sesame and curry makes it very appetizing.
SERVES: 3
Ingredients
Wirsing cut into strips                1/2
Sliced onions                             1 no
Sliced green bell peppers           1 no
Olive oil                                    1 tbsp
Mustard seeds                           1/2 tsp
Sesame seeds                            1 tbsp
Red chilli                                  1 no
roasted peanuts                         2 tbsp
tumeric                                     1/2 tsp
Chilli powder                           1/2 tsp
coriander powder                     1/2 tsp
Lime juice/amchur powder       1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Method
Heat oil and add mustard and let it splutter.
Add red chilli,sesame seeds and peanuts and turn around till golden.
Add the sliced onions and saute till transparent.
Add tumeric and salt and mix well.
Now put in wirsing and bell peppers and mix well.
Cook on high heat to reduce water.
Now when the leaves look a bit wilted, add chilli powder,coriander powder and mix well.
Add lime juice/amchur and mix.
Serve warm.

Add

Snacky french fry

There is hardly anyone who does not like french fries.I love to give my family the ones we bake, less fat and less guilt.But by themselves, it can get pretty boring.I tried this like a salad/snack with my dinner and we all loves it.Its good to have it even as an evening snack to kids or lunch box recipe.Must try.
Ingredients
French fries                   250gms
Sliced tomatoes             2 nos
Sliced onions                 1 no
Skiced bell peppers       1/2 no
Sliced red raddish          2-3 nos
Halved green olives        8-10 nos
Lemon juice                   2 tsp
chilli flakes                     1/4 tsp
Tobasco sauce               a few dashes
salt to taste
Chopped parsley/chives/basil for flavor
Method
Bake the fries with a bit of salt till they are crisp (about 180deg temperature).
In a bowl,mix all the ingredients and toss well.
Top with a sprig of green and serve at once.

Carrot relish

This is just amazing with any cutlet or topping on hot buns or with baked potatoes.I like it as it is simple,quick, tangy and is made with things always available at home.

Ingredients
grated carrots            1 no
curd                          100 gms
chopped tomatoes    1 no
chopped onions        1 no
salt to taste
pepper powder         1/2 tsp
crushed red chilli        1/4 tsp
vinegar                       1/2 tsp
sugar                         1/2 ts
fresh chopped herbs   1/2 tsp
crushed garlic             2 pods
Method
Whisk the curd and mix all the ingredients well.Serve chilled with kebabs,salad topping or with baked jacket potatoes.

Warm mixed vegetable salad

     Yesterday was really in no mood to cook after a whole evening of shopping, but the look of fresh broccoli always inspires me to do something.I ended up with a nice warm salad of all that was there in the fridge and to fill up the gaps of "just salad" ,served the family with penne with a new pesto that I picked up from the supermarket.The family happily ate up and I was glad  that I was able to feed them all the vegetables.Added the protein in the form of tofu too.Here is a quick fix salad.
Ingredients

broccoli florets               500gms
tofu                                50gms
Red bell peppers diced   1 no
penne pasta boiled          1 cup
Sliced onions                  1 no
Garlic chopped           1 Tbsp
Gherkins chopped       2 Tbsp
Olives halved               2 tbsp
pepper powder            1/2 tsp
salt to taste
crushed red chillies       1/2 tsp
oregano                        1/2 tsp
lime juice                       1 tsp
Olive oil                         1 tbsp
Method
Heat oil and add the garlic.Brown them taking care not to burn.add crushed chillies and onions. Saute till translucent.Add the broccoli,tofu cut into 1" pieces,diced bell peppers and cook on high heat so that they start to turn bright green.Add the herbs, pasta and other ingredients and some fluid from the olive bottle.Stir fry at high heat making sure that the broccoli retains its crispness and serve hot with garlic bread and a nice warm soup.