Red pepper soup

When we need something warm and comforting on a rainy evening, then soup is the answer.

This pepper soup was an inspiration from a picture in a cookbook which I was sifting through.

Then I saw a some fresh peppers in the market and voila!

Serves- 2 large portions
Ingredients

1. Pasta (any shape)- 1/2 to 3/4 cup
2. Red pepper/ Red color capsicum- 5
3. Garlic- 2-3 cloves
4. Olive oil - 1 tbsp
5. Shallots- 2, chopped fine
6. Vegetable broth- 1 cup
7. Black pepper- 1/4 tsp or as per taste
8. Salt as per taste

Method

• Boil the pasta till al dente. Reserve the water.
• Grind the peppers and garlic together with 1 tsp of olive oil to a puree.
• Heat the remaining olive oil. Saute the shallots in it.
• Pour the puree into the pot. Add vegetable broth and salt. Mix and cook for a few minutes.
• Now add the pasta with the water reserved. Cook for a few minutes. Add black pepper.
• Taste and check for salt and pepper.
• Serve hot for a fulfilling meal.
• It'll go great with some cheesy garlic bread, or buttered french bread even some plain boiled rice.

Moong dal- a quick and healthy recipe

 When I need something light for lunch or dinner; something unpretentious and yet fulfilling, then I always end up making Dal- roti . Simple, delicious and easy to make.

So here is a super easy and quick version of moong dal.

Makes about 2 bowls of dal

Ingredients:
Yellow moong dal/ washed or shelled green gram - 1/2 Katori
Ghee- 1tsp
Jeera- 1/4tsp
Heeng (asafoetida)- a pinch
Tomato- 1 small, chopped

Method:

1. Wash the dal thoroughly. Rinse 3-4 times. 
2. Soak in clean water for 10 min (optional).
3. Put a pressure cooker on flame. Pour 1tsp ghee.
4. Add heeng and jeera. When jeera starts to sizzle than add tomatoes.
5. Now add the soaked dal. Add about 1 and 1/2 katori of water.
6. Close the lid and put the whistle on.
7. After about 2-3 whistles. Switch off the flame and let the pressure cooker cool down.
8. Garnish with a few coriander sprigs (optional) and serve with hot chapatis.

Enjoy !