LEMON RICE

Hello everyone

South Indian flavours are my all time favorite. That's why I often used to prepare South Indian delicacies at my home and everyone loves it a lot. Today I was not in mood of cooking but some thing must be needed for our dinner. Then idea strikes to make lemon rice as I had lots of cooked rice from lunch and these will be perfect for preparing lemon rice in no time. As everyone have their own way of preparing the same dish, so here is mine version of lemon rice which never let me down in flavours. I can relish on these lemonish beauty any time.
Recipe is given below, hope you all will love to try it.

LEMON RICE

Serves: 3-4
Time: 10-15 mins

Ingredients

3- 4 cups cooked rice
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp asafetida ( heeng)
1 tbsp Chana dal
1 tbsp urad dal
1/4 cup peanuts ( optional)
2-3 springs curry leaves
3-4 dry red chilies
2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp black pepper powder ( completely optional, I added to spice up)
1-2 tbsp lemon juice ( adjust as per taste)
Salt to taste
Oil


Method:

Heat oil in a wok, add asafetida and mustard seeds. Let it crackle then add peanuts and fry for 2-3 mins. Then add Chana dal and fry till light golden . Add urad dal and saute for few seconds, till light golden. Now add both chilies and curry leaves. Saute for a minute then add turmeric powder. Just stir for a second and lemon juice followed by rice, black pepper and salt. Mix everything well and saute for 2-3 minutes to incorporate all the flavours in rice. Serve hot with any raita or as it is. It needs nothing to accompany as is full of aroma and flavour.

** Always try to add pre cooked rice ,  cooked atleast 3-4 hrs earlier. This will give nice fluffy rice.

* Don't add both dal together to fry as urad dal burns quickly. So follow the steps religiously.

* After adding lemon juice, immediately add rice as cooking of lemon juice may turn it little bitter.

* Adjust chilies and lemon juice as per taste.

Enjoy this super easy rice dish and satisfy your hunger in a yummy way. This will be best for lunch, dinner, breakfast or even for tiffin too.

Do try this simplest recipe and let me know your experience. Please pour your valuable comments and suggestions here, they meant a lot.

Happy cooking....

LOW FAT EGGLESS TOMATO, CHILI GARLICKY MAYONNAISE

Hello everyone 

Now a days, not only kids but elders too gone mad over burgers, sandwich,pizza etc loaded with high calorie , high fat mayonnaise. But by health point of view these are not good at all. So I thought why not try some low fat, low calorie version of mayonnaise to go with these traditional fast food items  to avoid some extra calories without punishing our taste buds. This can be also used on simple whole meal or brown bread as spread, if you are health conscious fellow but can't leave the love of having yummy finger licking mayonnaise. I came across this recipe accidentally, as I was trying to make some different dip for my snacks and to my surprise it came out as super smooth silky shiny mayonnaise.

Recipe is given below, hope you all will definitely love to try it.

LOW CALORIE EGGLESS TOMATO, CHILI GARLICKY MAYONNAISE

Yield : Approx 1 cup

Time: 10 mins ( maximum)

Ingredients 

1/2 cup soft paneer

1/2+ cup milk ( as per need)

2 tsp tomato paste 

1 tsp red chilli hot sauce

1 tsp corn flour

1 tsp garlic powder ( you can also use fresh garlic pods)

1/4 + tsp black pepper powder ( as per taste)

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp chilli flakes ( optional)

Salt to taste

Method:

Add all the above ingredients in a mixer jar except chili flakes & oregano and blend till it become creamy batter like.

** It must be nice smooth and pouring consistency batter, neither too thick nor too runny. So if needed add some more milk to get right consistency.

Then put it in a microwave safe bowl and add oregano & chilli flakes, mix it well.

Now cook in microwave for 2-3 min stirring every 30 sec to avoid lump formation and even texture till it acquire the consistency of mayonnaise. 

Mine took exact 3 mins.

Your silky smooth eggless mayonnaise is ready to serve with your choice of snacks.

** If you find it little thinner then don't worry it will thicken after cooling.

**Always use soft cheese otherwise you will get grainy texture.

It's so quick and easy recipe that you can make daily and enjoy different flavours without any guilt.

** It can be kept in airtight covered jar for 1 week to 10 days in refrigerator .

* It goes well with any snacks as dip or use in burgers, sandwich etc.

** You can adjust ingredients as per your taste.

** If you want to make as gas stove then preferably use non stick pan and cook the blended mixture at low flame and stirring constantly to get lumpless smooth mayonnaise . Cook it till you get desired consistency.

Hope you all will like this simplest and easiest recipe ever with handy ingredients. So please give it a try and pour your valuable comments and suggestions here, they meant a lot.

SPROUTED MOONG AND PEANUTS KACHUMBAR SALAD

Hello everyone

Almost 9-10 years back, I tasted kachumbar salad for very first time in a restaurant and from that day I became a die hard fan of it. I frequently prepare it at my home and everyone loves it. But the day my doctor told me of hypothyroid and elevated cholesterol level , I decided to replace atleast some of my meal with some zero oil healthy version. And the first name came to my mind was kachumbar salad. Then I started to wonder , how I can add some more health and taste to my regular salad to make it more delicious as well as healthy too. I never liked sprouts but when I added moong sprouts in my salad then it really tasted far better or you can say much delicious to resist it. From that very day, this became a meal replacement for me in a healthy and yummy way.

If you are looking for a diet recipe with deliciousness at the same time then this is for you. Just try it , you will love it to have anytime without any second thought.

Recipe is given below, do try and don't forget to tell your experience with me.

SPROUTED MOONG AND PEANUTS KACHUMBAR SALAD

Serves: 2 ( big)

Time: 10 mins

Ingredients 

1 cup sprouted moong

2 medium cucumber, finely chopped

1 medium carrot, grated

2 slices Apple, finely chopped ( optional)

1-2 green chiles, finely chopped

1 tbsp green coriander leaves, finely chopped

Black pepper powder, as per taste

1/4 tsp Black salt

Chaat masala, as per taste

Lemon juice, as per taste

Salt , as per taste

1/2 cup roasted peanuts

Method:

First of all steam sprouted moong till semi cooked or microwave with some water for 4-5 minutes. Drain all water from sprout and let it cool.

Now add all ingredients together and mix well. Adjust seasoning according to your taste.

While serving ,add peanuts and serve immedietly. Your super yum and healthy dish is ready to fill you .

You can have it with evening tea/ breakfast or replace your dinner or lunch with it. If you are willing to loose some extra pounds then this is best meal replacement for you. So delicious yet healthy and zero oil dish , you can prepare in minutes.

** Don't add peanuts too early, otherwise they will get soggy and will not taste as good as you want.

So always add peanuts while serving.

** You can also add onions, capsicum , spring onions etc as per your taste to make your salad more personalized to your taste buds.

Do try this delicious treat and share your experience with me. Please pour your valuable comments and suggestions here, they meant a lot.

Happy cooking....

WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR AROMATIC PANJIRI LOADED WITH DRYFRUITS

Hello everyone

Now the season of festivals are on . One after another festival is in the row to make us full of energy and divine spirit. Today is Janmashtami , birthday celebration of our favorite kanha Ji. So made this healthy and delicious treat for him to celebrate this day. But here also my kids choice came first and compelled me to make krishna's treat in his way. As my kid don't like bits and pieces of dryfruits in any way , so I used powdered form of dry fruits to make my panjiri as delicious as it used to be and without hurting my kids feelings too. My lil one was so excited to smell the nutty aroma while I was roasting the flour and dryfruits.

 He was so eager to taste it that started saying - mom , may be kanha don't like this , so give me first and I will tell kanha that it's so delicious and he can also have it.

Really his this cute conversation made my day. He seems to me like lil kanha who used to steal makhan despite of yashoda's threat. Finally my kid was convinced that he will offer this prasad to kanha then he can have it . 

My kids loved it to the core and took another serving too. 

Stepwise recipe is given below, do try and don't forget to remember me.

WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR AROMATIC PANJIRI LOADED WITH DRYFRUITS

Time: 30 mins

Ingredients 

2 cup wholewheat flour

3 -4 tbsp ghee

1 cup powdered sugar or boora sugar ( tagaar)

1/2 cup dry desiccated coconut

1/3 cup almonds+ 4-5 walnuts 

1 tsp green cardamom powder

Method:

First of all grind almonds and walnut to fine powder and keep aside for later use. You can also use sliced dryfruits of your choice. I used powdered as my kids don't like pieces of dryfruits in their sweet treats.

Now heat ghee in a deep heavy bottom wok and add whole wheat flour .Roast it on medium to low flame , stirring constantly till it become nice golden brown and aromatic.

*** Always keep flame medium or low to avoid burning flour and keep stirring constantly.

 Add almond walnut powder and desiccated coconut to it and again roast for 1-2 mins. Now transfer it to dry vessel to cool till it become easy to handle.

** After add almond powder, don't roast for long as it will kill all nutrients of almond.

** Must transfer flour in another vessel to avoid further roasting due to hot wok.

When it become warm then add boora sugar and cardamom powder. Mix with hand, smashing all the lumps if any. 

Add all other dryfruits if adding and if it feels too dry then add some more ghee to it and mix well. 

Your panjiri is ready. 

Garnish with basil leaves and Your super delicious healthy panjiri is ready to offer to your lord.

Prepare this sweet treat and please your lord ,kids and family members in a healthy and yummy way.

** If you don't want to add almond walnut powder then simply skip it. Or can also add any dry fruit of your choice.

* Add sugar as per your taste. Can use boora sugar for better texture ,it's easily available at grocery shops. As it adds crunch to your panjiri.

** You can also prepare these for any katha or Pooja prasad or for kids healthy evening snacks.

*** This can be stored for 1-2 months without spoling if stored in dry air tight jar at cool place.

These are so easy to prepare and super delicious to eat. Either prepare for any festival or as an offering to God , in every way it will earn you lots of praise . 

Hope you all will love this recipe and definitely give it a try. Please pour your valuable comments and suggestions here , they meant a lot.

Happy cooking....

SPANISH RICE

Hello everyone

Rice is a grain which is used worldwide with different taste and texture. And today I am going to share one of such rice dish which is not from Indian cuisine. As we know Spanish dishes are not so spicy yet full of flavours. Once I came across a recipe of Spanish rice preparation, from that very day I thought to give it a try some day and luckily today made it. And viola it turned out super delicious beyond my expectations. So thought to why not share this tempting recipe with you all. There are no lots of ingredients or utensils needed to prepare it .But Believe me , you will never regret, atleast give it a try once and you will fall in love with it. Recipe adopted from Home Cooking.

Stepwise recipe is given below, do try and don't forget to share your experience with me.

SPANISH RICE

Serves: 4-5

Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

2 cups long grain aged rice ( preferably basmati rice), washed and soaked for atleast 30 mins

2 big onions, finely chopped

1 tbsp garlic , finely chopped

1 heaped tbsp oregano

2-3 big tomatoes, finely chopped

Salt to taste

Method: 

Heat oil in a pan, add chopped onions followed by garlic. Saute till transparent then add drained rice and Saute till rice become little golden. 

Now add tomatoes and oregano. Saute for 2 mins and add 4 cups water ( depend on quality of rice). Add salt and let it boil on high flame. Now cook till top of rice starts looking dry. 

Now lower the flame to minimum and cover rice with lid. Let it simmer for another 5 mins and put off the flame. 

Let it rest for 5 mins then open lid and mix the rice  lightly with a fork or knife. Again cover with lid and let it rest for another 10 mins.

 Now garnish with spring onions and serve hot with your choice of raita /curry/ chutney .

* Always use fork or knife to mix your rice to avoid breaking it.

* You can also use vegetable/ chicken stock instead of plain water to enhance its flavour. But then use salt accordingly as stocks are high in salt content.

Your super delicious aromatic rice is ready in no time to please your guests and family members.

Even kids too like this rice. You can prepare it for their tiffin or for any lazy day lunch/dinner.

So enjoy this easy peasy super yum treat and don't forget to remember me . Please pour your valuable comments and suggestions here, they meant a lot.

Happy cooking....

CORN AND CARROT POHE

Hello everyone

Before marriage I was not a very big admirer of poha. As in our family,only my youngest brother loves it, so mom used to make it rarely. But after marriage found that hubby is die hard fan of pohe. He can have it everyday in breakfast without getting bore. But as per my interest I started making twist and turns in basic recipe of poha . And now I too love to have it any time but still not everyday😜. Today I planned to prepare poha for breakfast but peas were finished. But I was not in mood of preparing anything else so gave my twist and added some sweet corn and carrots. Viola It too was so yummy and delicious to resist. Though it was not planned to share its recipe here in my blog , so didn't clicked stepwise pics, but be sure to get elaborated stepwise recipe. As it's so simple and easy to prepare that  first timer can also prepare perfectly.

Recipe is given below. Hope you all will like it and do share your experience with me here.

CORN AND CARROT POHE

Serves: 2-3

Time : 20 mins

Ingredients 

1 cup flattened rice ( pohe) thick ones

1/2 cup sweet corn kernels ( you can also use peas)

1/2 carrot, grated

2 medium onions, thinly sliced 

1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste 

2-3 green chilies, finely chopped ( as per taste)

1 medium tomato, finely chopped 

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp black pepper powder

1/4 tsp chaat masala powder ( optional)

2 tbsp green coriander leaves, finely chopped 

Salt to taste

Oil

Handful of roasted peanuts or any savory mixture, for garnishing 

Method:

First of all wash flattened rice ( pohe)  and drain all the water. Keep it aside for later use.

Now heat some oil in a wok , add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them crackle then add onion and chilies. Saute till onions get transparent. 

Now add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute. Add corn and carrot followed by turmeric powder and some salt. Saute for a minute and cover to cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Now add chopped tomatoes and again cover to cook till tomatoes get mushy. Add coriander leaves and mix well. Now add flattened rice ( pohe), black pepper powder , chaat masala and salt . 

Mix well and saute for 2-3 minutes. Serve in individual bowls and garnish with some peanuts or mixture. 

Your delicious breakfast is ready to serve hot with a cup of tea or coffee.

** You can also add some other veggies too, like capsicum, beans, peas, potatoes etc. keep changing ingredients and enjoy new flavor every time.

** You can increase quantity of onions as per your taste. As I like too many onions in my poha, it leads to poha' taste to another level.

You can prepare it for morning breakfast or for evening snacks. It's not only yummy but filling too.

Hope you all will love to try this simple yet delicious breakfast and don't forget to share your experience with me. Please pour your valuable comments and suggestions here, they meant a lot...

Happy cooking....

PANEER PALAK FRANKIE ROLLS

Hello everyone

Serving nutritious, healthy cum delicious food to their family is every homemakers dream. And this dream becomes more challenging when you have fussy eaters at your home, just like mine. My younger one demand more attention , when I have to prepare lunch box for him. He is too picky to like regular meals, so I have to invent new forms of daily meals to lure him. Today I added some spinach and paneer to kids lunch box in some innovative way without telling them. Who doesn't know the nutritional values of green leafy veggies , which our kids totally deny. Generally kids are fond of paneer dishes, so I took advantage of this weakness of them and added some more nutrition in my way. Hope you will find it more interesting way to feed your child some more nutrients without more fuss. 

Recipe is given below, do try and see your kids having healthy snacks in delicious way.

PANEER PALAK FRANKIE ROLLS

Serves: 5-6

Time: 30 mins 

Ingredients 

For filling:

1 1/2 cup cottage cheese ( paneer), cubed

2 big onion, thinly sliced

1 cup spinach , roughly chopped 

2-3 green chilies

1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste

Pinch of turmeric powder 

1/4 tsp cumin powder

1/4 tsp garam masala powder

1/4 tsp chaat masala powder

1/2 tsp lemon juice ( optional)

Salt to taste

Oil

For rolls:

5-6 tortilla wraps/ round parathas/ khubus ( I used parathas made of dough kneaded with left over dal)

Some salad

Sauce of your choice

Method:

First of all make smooth paste of spinach, green chilies and some water. Keep aside for later use. 

Heat some oil in a wok and add sliced onions. Let it cook till transparent, add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute. Now add cumin powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder and salt. Saute for 2 minutes then add prepared puree of spinach. Cook for 4-5 minutes and add chaat masala powder. Add paneer cubes and saute for 2 mins. Adjust salt and our filling is ready. 

Now either prepare round paratha or take ready made wraps and put required amount of above filling , topped with some salad and sauce. Roll it to give cylindrical shape and wrap in an aluminum foil if giving in lunch box , to retain its shape and softness.

 Or cut it in desired size and serve hot with any sauce or as it it. I used khubus this time.

*You can add other vegetables too as per your choice and availability.

* Paneer can also be replaced with any other veggie option or meat products as per your choice.

It is very delicious cum healthy breakfast/ tiffin snacks provides maximum nutrition in one go, and is very easy to prepare too.

 You can also prepare it for dinner/lunch/breakfast or whenever you want  as it is a complete meal and filling too.

Hope you all will definitely give it a try and don't forget to share your experience with me. 

Happy cooking....