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 !

Sankat Chauth and offerings to Ganesha - Pua recipe

This is one of the numerous fasts that are observed by Hindus in India. It offers the prayers to Lord Ganesh. We observe the fast for the day and eat a meal after the seeing the stars in the evening.

We make sweets with white Til (sesame seeds) called "tillbugga" and "pua" (deep fried sweet, flattened discs, made of flour).

I have posted about "Tillbugga" here

So we'll be making "Pua".

Makes 8 puas
Ingredients

Sugar- 5-6 tsp
water- to cover the sugar
Wheat flour-1 and 1/2 cups approximately
Ghee/Oil for frying
Cardamom powder(optional)

How to:

Soak sugar in water.Rest for a few hours so that it dissolves.
Add cardamom powder to the syrup.
Mix wheat flour and make a hard but pliable dough. Add a spoon of Ghee while mixing.
Pinch off a little dough and roll it into a circular disc.
Heat oil in a wok/Kadai.
When the oil becomes hot lower the flame to medium and fry the disc to make a pua.
Repeat and make till all the dough is used.

Enjoy the sweet treat of the new year.

Sandwich with basil pesto

 Most people I know are not into sandwiches..it sounds too simple! Its not French/Italian or ethnic Indian.
 Yet ...Here I am with another recipe of Sandwich. I can't help but experiment with the fillings.
Here I have tried a vegan basil pesto (Recipe by Soma) with whole wheat bread and results are pretty good.

Ingredients (for 2 sandwiches)
1. Brown bread/ wheat bread/ multigrain bread- 4 slices
2. Cucumber- 1, thinly sliced
3. Tomato- 1 big, thinly sliced
4. Capsicum/green pepper- 1 small, thinly sliced
5. Red Onion-1, thinly sliced
6. Mushrooms- 3-4 small, thinly sliced and sautéed in oil/butter
7. Salt-to taste (remember the pesto has salt)
8. Freshly ground black Pepper-to taste
9. Homemade basil pesto- 2-3 spoons (u can increase as per your taste)
10.  Italian seasoning to sprinkle (optional)
11. Mustard sauce and ketchup (optional)- to serve
12. Cheese slices (we used 'Emborg' -edam cheese)- 2

Method

• Toast the bread slices. You can also prepare the sandwich and then grill it.
• Spread the pesto on the bread and layer all the veggies onion, cucumber,capsicum, tomatoes and mushrooms respectively.
• Sprinkle salt, black pepper and the seasoning mix . Cover with cheese slice.
• Cover with toasted bread.
• Use a sharp knife and cut it into a triangle.
• Enjoy with your coffee/tea.

If you want melted cheese then you can re-heat the sandwich on a skillet . Remember to keep it the cheese- y side down. I tried it with one, as it had went somewhat cold.

Hope you like it. Do tell me about your experience.

D

Coconut Cookies (eggless) / Nariyal ke biscuit

Sometimes you want nothing chocolate-y, sometimes you just want wholesome goodness, sometimes you need to have coconut cookies...
So I baked a batch of whole wheat coconut cookies, which turned out pretty neat.

The recipe is very simple and can be found at more places than one...I really cant remember where I jotted it from.

Ingredients

1. Whole Wheat flour- 1 cup
2. Softened butter - 100gm (1/2cup)
3. Grated coconut- 1 cup + 1Tbsp for topping
4. Icing sugar- 3/4 cup
5. Baking powder-1tsp
6. Coconut Extract- 1/2 tsp (optional)
7. Milk- 1-2 Tbsp

 Method

• Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees centigrade.
• Cream the sugar and butter. Add the extract.
• Mix the baking powder with the flour thoroughly. 
• Add the flour to the creamed sugar and butter. Mix well.
• Add grated coconut and make soft dough. Add milk if the dough seems to be too dry.
• Prepare the baking sheet by brushing it with a little butter.
• Take extra grated coconut in a flat bowl.
• Make small rounded balls, press them on the coconut flakes/grated coconut so some if them stick to it.
• Place on the sheet leaving room for the cookies to expand.
• Put the tray in the oven for 12-15 min. Keep your eyes on it. they should not burn.
• When slightly browned at the edges and just about to set, take them out let it cool in the tray for a minute or so.
• Remove and store in an air-tight container.
• Bake the rest in a similar manner.

Enjoy!!

Pattaghobhi/ Bandhgobhi - matar ki sabzi (cabbage-peas veg)

This is an easy and quick recipe. Pretty much a staple in our household.

Serves 2
Ingredients:

1. Cabbage - Chopped, 1 and 1/2 cup
2. Peas- 1/2 cup (I used baby peas)
3. Green chilies- 2, chopped finely
4. Tomato- chopped, 1 medium sized.
5. Turmeric Powder (Haldi) -1/4 tsp
6. Mustard seeds (rai)- 1/2 tsp
7. Oil- 1 tbsp
8. Dhaniya powder (powdered coriander seeds)-1/2tsp
9. Salt to taste
10. Garam masala (optional)- 1/4 tsp
11. Amchoor (dried mango powder)-1/4 tsp

Method:

• Heat water in a pan. Blanch the chopped cabbage in the water. Drain and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a wok (Kadhai).
• Add mustard seeds. When they start to splutter, add green chilies and turmeric powder.
• Follow by adding dhaniya powder.
• Add the cabbage and turn to coat well with the spices. Add salt. Cook for a minute or so.
• Add tomatoes and peas. Mix well, cover and let it cook on a slow flame for a few minutes.
• Add garam masala , mix, cover and cook again for a few min.
• Turn off the flame and sprinkle amchoor . Mix and cover for a few minutes. 
• Garnish with Coriander leaves if you wish.
• Serve hot or cold as a side.

Since I used baby peas, it took less time to cook. If you are using fresh peas, then boil them in salted water for a while before adding them to the vegetable. 

Enjoy!