Fruity coriander rasam

My mind constantly craves new twists to my day to day activities in kitchen. I had a friend coming over for lunch and it was cold too. Along with a rawa dosa, hot rasam seemed a perfect match. But run of the mill rasam wasn’t a very exciting thought. Saw oranges and then an apple...voila...a great rasam that was amazing in taste and very different too. Perfect. 

INGREDIENTS

2 chopped sweet and sour apples 

2 oranges segmented 

1 green chilli 

3-4 cloves garlic 

1/2 tsp grated ginger 

Few curry leaves 

1/4 cup coriander leaves 

1/4 tsp haldi

1/4 tsp cumin 

Pepper crushed as per taste 

Pinch of hing

1/2 tsp dhaniya powder 

1 tsp ready made rasam powder( optional) 

1 tsp ghee 

Lemon juice 

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

METHOD

1. Put all ingredients except ghee, mustard seeds, lemon and curry leaves in a pot and pressure cook. 

2. Once cooked well, blend well. 

3. Heat ghee, add mustard seeds and curry leaves and let them splutter. 

4. Pour into the rasam, heat through. 

5. Squeeze lemon juice and garnish with green coriander leaves and serve hot. 

6. Enjoy with any meal as a great palate cleanser and nutritious drink. Good way to use the left over fruits. 

Tandoori Roti

 

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup atta 

1/4 cup maida

2 tbsp suji

1 tsp baking powder 

2 tbsp curd 

Salt 

Water 

2 tbsp Oil 

METHOD

1. Knead the dough and keep for 15 mins. 

2. Roll and poke with fork and bake till half done. 

3. Keep aside and store. 

4. Put rotis in toaster and toast till done. Toaster makes it flexible for baking and serving as required. 

5. Apply butter and serve. 

Tabbouleh &Tzatziki

A delicious salad that’s filled with fresh, flavorful ingredients and is extremely healthy. Lebanese cuisine was introduced by my dear friend and we love to enjoy it as and when we can. 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Finely chopped parsley  

1 stick chopped spring onion

1 tbsp chopped mint 

2 chopped tomatoes 

1/2 cup chopped cucumber 

100 gms cubbed Feta cheese 

2 tbsp bulgur/ cracked wheat 

2 tbsp olive oil 

Lemon juice 

Salt 

Pepper 

METHOD

1. In a bowl add all the chopped vegetables. 

2. Sprinkle the bulgur and pour out the dressing ingredients and season to taste. 

3. Toss well and refrigerate for a couple of hours for the bulgur to get soft and absorb flavors. 

4. Serve with pita bread. 

TZATZIKI

Amazing freshness that is almost like the Indian raita. It’s just thicker and tastes great as a spread as well. 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup very thick yoghurt

1/4 cup julienned cucumber 

Spring of dill/ mint 

1/4 tsp crushed garlic

1/2 tsp vinegar 

1 tbsp olive oil 

Salt and pepper 

METHOD

1. Mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate. 

2. Once cool serve with pita bread. 

5 Nutri-seed flatbread

I bought this bread at a supermarket here and loved the taste and found it very versatile  can be served for all kinds of cuisines  but the list of ingredients and wanting it to be preservative free made me want to try this out  I looked up the ingredients and decided to make my own with few changes  and guess what I nailed it  it’s more flavorful, has that lovely texture in the mouth and my family wants this weekly! Sharing this healthy recipe....make it whole wheat flour if you so desire  

INGREDIENTS 

1 cup white flour 

1/4 cup whole wheat flour 

1 tbsp millet 

1 tsp sesame 

1 tsp flaxseed

1 tsp chia seeds 

1 tbsp oats 

1 tsp each sunflower & pumpkin seeds crushed 

2 tbsp oil 

1 tsp butter 

1/4 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp instant yeast 

2 tbsp yoghurt 

Salt to taste 

Pinch of sugar

Water to knead

METHOD

1. Add all ingredients except curd, butter and water. 

2. Knead together to mix oil well. 

3. Add yoghurt and knead again. 

4. Add water as needed and knead to a medium soft dough. 

5. Add butter and knead well for 2-3 mins. 

6. Tie the ends and tuck under and make a ball. 

7. Place in a bowl, rub oil on top and keep to double. 

8. Make balls and roll into oval shaped bread 3-4 mm thick. 

9. Keep for 5 mins and apply milk on top. 

10. Keep in pre-heated oven at 200 deg C and bake till they start to turn slightly brown. 

11. Apply butter and serve. 

12. Make it browner and use as crackers. 

13. Serve with a salad, dip or a good curry. 

Oats bhel

Healthy and tasty...this bhel is surely a dieter’s paradise food. It’s filling, takes away cravings of spicy snack and is right for those snacks dinners. I tried to use a good mix of everything that I love.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cup rolled oats
1 small boiled potato cubed
1 chopped red onion
1 green chili chopped
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup boiled sprouts/chickpeas
1/2 cup potato stick chips
1/2 cup sev or mixed namkeen
2 tbsp tamarind chutney
2 tbsp coriander chutney
2 tbsp roasted peanuts
1 tbsp chaat masala
1/4 tsp pepper powder
1 tsp roasted cumin seed powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp mustard oil- optional
1/2 lemon juice
Salt to taste
METHOD
1. Put all ingredients in a big bowl.
2. Toss well.
3. Adjust seasoning.
4. Top with fresh coriander leaves.
5. Serve with lemon wedges. 

Mirchi ka Saalan

I love mirchi ka Saalan, it has the ability to add the excitement on your full plate. It’s spicy, has texture and I like to add various kinds of chillies and peppers to give character. The squishy tomatoes also give a break from just the spice. It has never failed us. Do try.
Mirchi ka Saalan

INGREDIENTS - makes 500 gms
100 gms big chillies slit into halves
1/2 bell peppers sliced
10-15 green chillies sliced
5-8 garlic cut into halves
1 onion sliced
4-5 small tomatoes halved
1 tbsp ginger-garlic-green chillies crushed
2-3 tbsp oil
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp roasted peanuts
1 tsp roasted sesame
2 tbsp roasted coconut
1 tsp dhaniya powder
1/2 tsp haldi
1.2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp gur
Salt to taste
Hing
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tsp jeera
Curry leaves
Walnut size tamarind
METHOD
1. Heat oil, add curry leaves, hing, mustard and jeera.
2. Add GGG paste and sauté.
3. Add onions and sauté slightly.
4. Add all the 3 kinds of chillies and sauté till well coated and glossy.
5. Grind peanuts, sesame and coconut together.
6. Add the paste and tomatoes and sauté.
7. Add all the spices, tamarind and water.
8. Cook till it starts to come together.
9. Add tomato halves and cook for just few mins.
10. Serve hot with rice. 

Healthy Focaccia

INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup oats
3-4 tbsp nuts and seeds
2 tsp yeast
1/2 tsp sugar
3-4 tbsp oil
1/2 cup buttermilk or curd
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp vinegar
Milk to knead
1 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
Herbs of choice
Vegetables to decorate the top.
METHOD
1. Mix all the dry ingredients well.
2. Add all the wet ingredients.
3. Knead to a squishy dough.
4. Add oil and beat it up.
5. Apply oil and keep to rise for about an hour or till it doubles up.
6. Pour into a greased dish.
7. Top it up with vegetables and pickled of choice.
8. Bake at 200 deg C till golden brown.
9. Serve hot after drizzling with olive oil or butter. 

Healthy sweet bread

INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup nuts,raisins and seeds
2 tsp yeast
100-120 gms sugar
3-4 tbsp oil
1/2 cup buttermilk or curd
1/2 tsp vinegar
Milk to knead
1 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

METHOD
1. Mix all the dry ingredients.
2. Add all wet ingredients and need till squishy.
3. Add oil and mix well.
4. Keep to proof for an hour or till double.
5. Pour into a greased dish.
6. Bake at preheated oven at 200 deg C.
7. Bake for about 40 mins till it’s brown.
8. Take care it doesn’t burn. Keep checking.
9. Cool and cut into slices and enjoy with coffee. 

Croissant

Croissants are an attraction and one of the most loved breakfast form of breads. I tried making these at home and we just loved them.  Sharing a simple recipe which does not require as much work.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup/ 250 gms white flour
80 gms chilled butter
1 tsp yeast
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup warm milk
METHOD
1. Put all dry ingredients together and mix well.
2. Add sliced butter and mix.
3. Add warm milk and mix lightly to bring together.
4. Put together and make into ball. Freeze.
5. Take out and roll into rectangle and fold thrice. freeze. Freeze once more.
6. Roll into rectangle and fold into layers.
7. Roll once more and finally roll into rectangle.
8. Cut into triangles and shape them.
9. Keep to proof.
10. Brush with milk.
11. Bake at 180 deg till golden. 

Buns

Buns are a must in every household. They are versatile and can be used for vada pao, pao bhaji, burgers and so much more! Simple easy recipe with white flour. If you add whole wheat flour and then you increase the yeast. If you have fresh yeast use double the quantity.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup/250 gms white flour
1 tsp yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2-3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup milk and water
METHOD
1. Put dry ingredients together.
2. Add warm milk and knead well.
3. Add oil and knead.
4. Make into a ball and keep to proof.
5. Divide into balls and keep for 15 mins to rise.
6. Brush with milk.
7. Bake at 180 deg C for 15-20 mins.
8. Brush with butter.