Healing Foods -Event Announcement

This month Seduce Your Tastebuds hosts Siri's Healing foods.Thanks a bunch Siri for giving me this wonderful opportunity to explore the beautiful and beneficial world of healing foods...

This month I have chosen a vegetable [actually categorized under fruits]

• That was once considered to be poisonous!!Its botanical name translates into 'wolf-peach' giving us the idea that it is cannot be consumed.
• It is native to Western South America and Central America.
• It is available all through the year.
• It is nutritious and very versatile.
• The french call it 'Love apple'!!!

Yes,yes,I am talking about the TOMATOES !!!!

Everyone sure does know about the benefits of Tomatoes.Here is a small recap...

• Purifies the blood
• Improves complexion
• Natural antiseptic
• Antioxidant rich
• Rich source of Vitamin K
• Nicotinic acid in tomato helps reduce cholesterol.
• Decreases the risk of several cancers
• Anti inflammatory property

With loads of health benefits,this has become the star of the month on the healing foods calender...


There are umpteen ways in which tomatoes are used in our day to day cooking like....

• Soups
• Salads
• Chutneys / Dips / Sauces / Ketchup
• Pickles / Preserves
• Curries / Gravies / Stews
• Baked goods
• You can also share cooking tips and techniques/tips and techniques to preserve tomatoes

If you have more ideas do send them in...

Now a small reminder about the rules

1. Cook any Vegan / Vegetarian dish using TOMATO as the chief ingredient and blog about it this month.[Eggs are allowed in baked goods only.]
2. Link back to this announcement and to Siri's Healing foods page is a must.If you have tried a recipe from another blog, link it to that post as well.
3. Multiple entries are always welcome.
4. Archived entries are accepted as long as you link it to the announcements and update the post .
5. You can share the recipe sent here with other events as well.
6. Non bloggers are most welcome to participate
7. The deadline is August 31st 2010.
8. Once you have blogged about your dish, mail the following details to seduceurtastebuds@gmail.com with the subject - Healing foods-Tomato

• Your name
• Blog name
• Dish
• URL of the dish
• Share a couple of lines on the dish you prepared.
• A picture of your creation.

Looking forward to your tasty dishes....

Instant Oats- Sago Dosa

Many times when I don't have dosa batter and am lazy enough to make chapathi,I rack my brains to prepare some form of instant dosa.Long back I made these instant oats - sago dosa and now its being sent to Niloufer for her Cooking with seeds-Sago,an event started by Priya.This dosa was super soft and very delicious.




 I used :

Quick cooking Oats- 1 1/2 cups
Sooji / White Rava-1 cup
Sago -1/2 cup,soaked in warm water
Eno fruit salt -1 small sachet
Sour curd-1 cup
Salt to taste

1. Roast oats in a pan and powder.Similarly roast suji and keep aside.
2. In a bowl put in powdered oats ,rava,soaked sago,curd,salt.Add more water to make a batter.It should not be too watery.
3. Just before making the dosa,dissolve Eno in a little water and add to the batter.It will bubble up and the batter will turn light.Let it sit for 5 minutes.
4. Pour a ladleful of batter on a heated griddle and spread.
5. Drizzle oil around the edges and cover and cook till the edges leave the side of the griddle
6. Flip it over and cook for 2 minutes.
7. If the batter turns thick in between,add more water.
8. Serve hot with a chutney / sambar.

Yummy oats-sago dosa served with tomato gravy.

Note :

I used a fine variety of sago so I just soaked it for 15 minutes.Depending on the variety of sago used,soak till it is soft.

Bon Appetit...   

Mulaikattiya Kollu Sundal | Sprouted Horsegram Salad

Sprouts-An excellent source of nutrients and that too it can be got without a hassle.Sprouting is the easiest thing to do in order to obtain maximum benefits from the legumes.

I have already sprouted a few legumes and apart from using it in salads I also made sambar with sprouted fenugreek seeds.Last week I sprouted kollu / horsegram and made a simple salad / sundal.

I soaked the horse gram overnight and the next day,tied it in a light kitchen towel and let sit on the kitchen shelf.The next day beautiful sprouts appeared....

Cooking the horsegram sprouts till just tender so that the sprouts are intact and a light seasoning gives us a delightful snack with tea or use it as a side dish for lunch.

I used:

Sprouted horsegram / kollu-1 cup
Onion-1 finely chopped
Mustard-1 teaspoon
Red chilli-1,cut into bits
Curry leaves- a few
Salt to taste
Oil-1 teaspoon

1. Pressure cook the sprouts with enough water till tender but not mushy.
2. Drain excess water if present and use it in soups/ rasam/sambar / gravy.
3. Heat oil in a pan and put in mustard,red chillies,curry leaves.
4. When the mustard splutters put in onion and saute till soft.
5. Add salt and mix well.

Serve as a snack or side dish.

This simple sundal is sent to Priya who is hosting a wonderful event -Let's sprout

Bon Appetit...





 

Tangy Onion Chutney

This month Nupur has announced BB6 and I was delighted to see the theme.We can blog any recipe that we have tried from another blog.My reason for happiness-I have many entries for her event :)

A couple of days ago I tried this Onion Chutney from Geetha's blog.Although I prepare onion chutney by another method,this one is a keeper.Tangy and yum,a perfect side dish for our morning breakfast.

I used:

Onion- 3 ,sliced
Tamarind extract - 1 tablespoon
Red chillies-3
Urad dhal-1 tablespoon[white]
Salt to taste
Oil-1 teaspoon

To season:

Oil-1 teaspoon
Mustard- 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1/2 a teaspoon
Curry leaves - afew
Asafoetida powder- a pinch

1. Heat a little oil in a pan and put in urad dhal and redchilles.Fry till the dal turns brown ,remove from heat.Keep aside.
2. In the same pan ,heat the remaining oil and saute onions till translucent.Cool.
3. Powder the dal and chilli and put in onion,salt and tamarind extract and grind to a paste but not too smooth.Remove into a serving dish.
4. In a smaller pan,heat oil and put in the ingredients under seasoning.When it splutters,pour over the chuney,mix well and serve.

Note:

• This chutney must be tangy so add tamarind pieces/ extract accordingly.
• Grind the dhal first and the onions for a perfect chutney.

Bon appetit...

Ragi Adai With Herbs

Yesterday morning when I opened the refrigerator to check if there was anything worth cooking,a bowl of adai batter made itself present.The batter would just make 3-4 adais and it would not be sufficient for us.I checked the boxes in the pantry and was rewarded to find 1/4 packed of ragi flour.I put these two together and wanted to improve the taste.

Just as I was thinking,I saw the drumstick tree in the backyard from the kitchen window.The drumstick tree branches swayed gracefully and looked like it was calling out to me.I picked out a handful of leaves and dropped it into the batter and added a little of mint and coriander.Lo and behold,a tasty and healthy breakfast was ready!!!

I used :

Leftover adai batter
Ragi flour
Drumstick leaves
Mint leaves
Coriander leaves
Cumin seeds
Finely chopped onions
Salt

I used 4:1[adai batter - ragi flour] ratio.You can use according to your taste/the quality of the ragi flour. Similarly adjust the quantity of onion,herbs.

1. Mix all the ingredients to make a batter without lumps.
2. Heat a griddle and pour a ladleful of batter in the centre and spread it.It may not come out as a perfect circle as we have added onion and herbs.Drizzle oil if needed and cover and cook till the edges leave the pan.
3. Flip it over and cook again for 2 minutes.
4. Remove from griddle and serve piping hot with a side dish of your choice.

Piping hot Ragi adai with herbs served with Tangy tomato gravy

Sending this to Sowjanya who is hosting Vegetable Marathon with the theme-Drumstick.Vegetable Marathon was started by Silpa of Anitha's Kitchen and also my event-Scrumptious Delights from Leftovers.

Bon Appetit...








 

How To Blanch Tomatoes In A Microwave

Let me start with a good news today.Veena Krishnakumar of Veg Junction has passed on this beautiful award! Thanks a bunch Veena :).

The award comes with a set of rules to state 7 things about yourself and to pass it on to 15 bloggers....

I have already spelt out 7 'secrets' of mine.I just went through the list and found that they have not changed so far!!!

So now I off passing this wonderful awards with my friends.

Ushnish of Cooking And Recipes
Adelina of Vegetarian Yogini
Jaya Wagle of Desi Soccer mom
Naina of Simply Food
Priya of Mharo Rajastan Recipes
Premalatha of Prema's Thaligai
Mina Joshi of Authentic Vegetarian Recipes
Geetha of En Samaiyal Araiyil
Prathiba of The Chef and her kitchen
Divya kudua of Easy Cooking
Saraswathi of Sara's Corner
Nisha of Nisha's Kitchen
Lata Raja of Flavors and Tastes
Shabithaof My Home Kitchen
EC of Simple Indian Food

[There are so many bloggers out there with whom I would love to share this award, but the 'rules' say 15 so restricting it to that number...]

Now to the post,when I was thinking about a suitable theme for Srivalli's Microwave Easy Cooking[MEC] event which Iam hosting right now,I thought of all the dishes that can be prepared exclusively in the MW and all of them were hosted already.Then I thought why not I host Favorites and the first thing that came to my mind was to blanch tomatoes.

Blanching tomatoes is not exactly a recipe and its really no big deal.We all do it on stove tops for the preparing puree for soups,chutney's,rasam and gravies.Blanching tomatoes is a breeze in MW and it hardly takes a minute.When I started cooking this was the first one to try and it has stayed since.

All I do is slit the tomatoes halfway and put in them in a microwave proof bowl with a little water and microwave for 30-45 seconds on high.

The timing may vary with the brand and also with the quantity of tomatoes used.As you can see from the pic above,these tomatoes can be easily peeled and pureed and used in any recipe you need.

I use Microwave oven to prepare everything from basic like this one to bake cakes.What are your favorite dishes that you prepare exclusively in the MW?Do share them with us in our MEC event.

Updated:Taking a hint [ ;) ] ,I am sending this off to Jayas Back to Basics Event.

Bing | Spring Onion Parathas - Stuffed Paratha Series # 1 - Spring Onion

One way or the other,dishes world wide are linked by with each other..Similarities are found in each cuisine that makeI hav us say 'Hey! that looks like our dish,just a few changes and its our own....'.So When I found 'Bing' in China I was like 'How did Chapathi land here!!! I call 'Bing' the Chinese Chapathi and love its delicate flavor which comes from the spring onions.They in turn love our 'Parotta' which they call 'Feibing'.Translated it means 'flying dough'!!!!They seem to have coined this word from the method of preparing the parotta where the dough tossed and flipped which seems like the dough is floating / flying. Our parotta is so famous there that many have asked me if I can make it and if I say 'Yes' they are like 'You know to make Feibing!!Wow!!You must be a great chef!!'.I don't know if I am great but Parota is something so common that I don't know what fascinates them about it!

Very simple method turn a routine chapathi /Parota into an exciting meal.I have seen the method of preparation of Bing and they seem to use a lot of oil just like our Parottas being soaked in a lot of oil.I have made it healthier by omitting the oil and using whole wheat flour instead of All purpose flour / Maida.

I used :

Whole wheat flour -3 cups + for dusting
Spring onion-1/2 a cup or more,finely chopped
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoons
Chilli power- to taste
Salt to taste

1. In a small bowl mix spring onions,cumin and red chilli powder.This is the filling.
2. In another bowl put in wheat flour and salt and add water little by little to make a smooth dough.Knead well for a few minutes.
3. Pinch a golf ball sized dough and flatten lightly.
4. Place a teaspoon of the filling and bring the edges together to seal.Flatten again and roll out into chapathis.Dust a little flour if needed.
5. Heat a griddle and cook the chapathi till brown spot appear on both sides.Drizzle oil /ghee if required.

Serve with a side dish of your choice.

Bing served with Tomato Onion Chutney and Vegetable Kurma

Spring Onion Parathas can also be prepared in another hassle free method if you feel that filling and patching up the chapathi where is splits is a pain.Put in all the ingredients in a bowl and make a dough.Make chapthis with this dough.So no stuffing and patching up....This Indian version of the Chinese Bing is off to Sandhya who is hosting Gobal kadai-Flat breads an event started by Cilantro.

Bon Appetit...

Healthy Heart Cookbook - Book Review

Our symbol of Love is gaining more and more popularity in terms of  disease and disease management with rise in heart disease and heart attacks.Recently I read in a magazine that in India,heart attack is becoming common in people under 30 years!!Its truly alarming isn't it?

With the change in life style,stress,less physical activity,drinking and smoking habits more and more people of the younger generation are falling prey to heart diseases.On the brighter side,thanks to the awareness created by the media,people are turning to healthier living.One way to protect ourselves is to cook healthy.I came across a long forgotten book on my bookshelf and it was titled 'Healthy Heart Cookbook'.

I am sure there is no one around here who hasn't heard the name 'Tarla Dalal'.She has authored several cookbook and has a series on Healthy eating titled 'Total Health Series'.

The 11th book in this series is the 'Healthy Heart Cookbook' which has low fat and low cholesterol recipes.This book has a lot of Indian and international cuisine that use very little oil and very innovative too.

The book opens with a wealth of information on

• How our heart functions
• Causes of heart diseases
• Fat facts
• Eating smart for a healthy heart

Then comes the recipes categorized into a menu format with

• 8 Breakfast dishes
• 8 Soups
• 8 Starters -n-Snacks
• 7 Accompaniments
• 8 Salads-n Raitas
• 7 Sabzis
• 5 Dhals
• 5 Rotis-n-Parathas
• 4 Rice-n-Khichidi
• 8 Main courses
• 9 Desserts
• 4 Basic recipes

81 appetizing and innovative recipes from around the world.The book winds up with healthy heart sample menus.

Recipes like High fiber chutney,full of fiber pasta,Paneer shavarma wrap,Custard fruit tarts sound like so much fun and health!!!

Though this book has only a few color photographs of recipes,it certainly is very good in terms of its contents and recipes and sure will be helpful for those who are looking for better options to save their heart.


At a glance :


Book -  Healthy Heart Cookbook: Low Fat Low Cholesterol Recipes (Total Health Series) [ Click link to buy from Amazon]

Publisher - Sanjay & Company,Mumbai

Price -Rs.250/-[Purchased in 2009]

No.of pages -130

No. of recipes - 81

Please note:I have not been paid to write this review.

Happy browsing...




   

Life Is Like That And A Comforting Beetroot Soup Microwave method

Her hands shook as she placed her mobile back on the table.Her palms felt wet.She realized she was sweating profusely.She was trembling and tears began to flow down her cheeks.


She checked the time-half past four.None of her colleagues were around.They all would arrive a few minutes before 6 pm.No one except her came in so early!They all had someone to be with but for her the office was her home. She was desperate to call someone to help her and ask for some reassurance but whom could she call and what could she tell.The clock had moved ahead 15 minutes and she moved towards her CEO's room.


She knocked lightly and a loud 'Yes' beckoned her in.A towering man in his early 30's,Akash,her CEO -a handsome man with a vast fortune,was amused to see her.He knew her from the day she took charge for coming to work very early and leaving late.His questions were always answered with a smile so he stopped asking her why she chose to work long hours.She realized her was staring at her and she began...


'Sir,I...errr, I ...

'Yes,Sruthi....'

'Sir,I want to ......'

'Gosh,you are trembling..Here, have some water'

'Thanks Sir...'She gulped down the glass of ice cold water and felt better.Finally she found the voice to convey her message.

'Sir,I want to go home'.Sruthi felt like a school kid asking her teacher for permission to see her mom...

Akash was all the more amused.

'Any problem?Are you sick?Shall I drop you at home?-Questions seemed more teasing than serious and came very swiftly

'No Sir,I,err..I can manage..Thanks..'

She turned to leave,tripping over the file cupboard.

'And Shruti take a week off if you want' 

'Eh..why..I mean...one week..',she stammered

'You will need it',said akash smiling wickedly...

A chill went down her spine.'Why did she smile so menacingly',she wondered.She pushed that thought out ,she had other things to deal with at the moment.

Grabbing her bag she headed towards the elevator.'How can it move so slowly when she was in a hurry,she thought.Hailing a taxi and directing the driver,she started thinking for the first time after the fateful phone call.The call that jolted her was from someone who said.....,she could not even think of what he had said......How could anyone be so cruel to talk to her like this when she had meant no harm....


It all started when her parents forced her to get married to Sanjay.Sruthi wanted to do her Masters but her parents were eager to see that she was settled.Several fights and arguments later she agreed but not willingly.Threats and tears forced her to give up her dreams of further studies.


She never asked to see who the groom was and never bothered about what he did for a living.She had only overheard people say he was tall and handsome and her cousins joked that he was like the 'Mills and Boons' hero.Her uncle told her Sanjay had started a company recently and showed all signs of becoming a 'super star'!All this made her hate Sanjay even before they tied knot.


Sanjay showered all his love on Sruthi but she despised him from the bottom of her heart.Yet,now,after the call,she was really shaken....


She joined a training center soon after their wedding , canceling Sanjays plan for a dream honeymoon.Sanjay was visibly upset and she was secrectly happy!!!They moved on in different directions from that day and Sanjay's efforts to bring her close to him failed miserably.


Sanjay showered her with gifts and treats.He even got her a mansion as a wedding gift.She had decorated and arranged everything with so much care that he thought Sruthi had changed.He was mistaken,for she behaved totally indifferent towards him.Something in him told that she would come around one day or the other and they would live happily ever after.


She gave a gloomy laugh.The cab driver turned to see her.She straightened herself.'How ironic',she thought.'Sanjay's dream would never come true,never...,ever.....'.She started sobbing....


Though she abhorred him to the core,she was equally distressed.She never wanted to see him like this...He was most dedicated person and yet she didn't appreciate anything he did.It was a way to settle scores with her parents for pushing her into married life when all her friends had joined the university for their Masters.She knew Sanjay was in no way connected to her grudge yet she refused to believe that fact.


The taxi stopped at the signal and she was jolted back to the present.Her home was just around the corner.The signal changed and the taxi purred to life and stopped in front of her home.She checked her watch.It showed five-thirty.She cursed the season.It got dark so quickly in winter.


She opened the gate and each and every step towards the house began to slow down.Sanjay's car was in the portico,the doors open and the inside looked like someone rummaged through the contents.Her heart pounded faster.


She fumbled with the keys and realized the door was open.It was completely dark inside.She suddenly forgot where the switch was.At last she located and flipped it.Just a click,no light.She wanted to scream but lost her voice.Did the voice on the phone really do what he meant.


The ill-fated call that caused all the havoc had laughed evilly before stating that her husband would be revenged for his conduct towards a staff.In spite of cautioning him about the dire consequences,Sanjay had refused to resolve the issue.So he was going to do something that Sruthi would live to regret and that could only mean one thing-Sanjay was dead.......


She flopped down and began to sob and it intensified into a scream and mellowed down to more crying.How she wished she had lived happily with him.Who else could be so loving and caring but him.She had lost the opportunity to live with a wonderful man.She never knew what was going on at his office..It seemed like ages that they spoke to each other.

She left to work before he came and slept till he left to his office.They were literally two strangers living in under the same roof.She tried to recollect when she had last looked at him..Sruthi could hardly recollect.Now she could never see him.....

If only she could turn the clock back and start all over again....

She felt something brush her shoulders-a hand...She screamed..The lights shone bright and she blinked.Her eyes took time to get accustomed to the brightness.She half expected to see the assassin with a bloody knife or a sleek revolver.

She raised her eyes slowly and to see who was there.Tears blinded her eyes.Confused and trembling she stood to see if she was seeing things .The hand extended and she screamed again.The person in front laughed and hugged her.She struggled to liberate from his clutches....She failed and waited for him to pull the trigger or was it the same bloody knife.

'You are so delicate',said the voice.

She looked up .....She wanted to say something but lost her voice once again.

'I know,u are shocked but don't be..Here I am....',said the voice again with a huge grin.

'But,you..you ...God what is happening here...'

'Let's sit and talk' ,said Sanjay as he led her towards the plush sofa.

'Someone called to tell me...'

'....that he was going to finish off your husband because he created some problem with the staff',completed Sanjay

'How did you know!!??'


'Hahahahahaha,so you did not recognize the voice heh!'

How negligent she had been,not even recognizing his voice in spite of being married for a year !Now everything became clear.He had played a trick on her and a very mean one.Suddenly she realized what a wonderful person he was and how hard he tried to keep up the relationship and all the while she had turned a blind eye on him.She did love him after all...

'You have a lot to explain Sanjay',said Sruthi,wiping her tears.

'Relax babe,let me get you something to comfort you'..

A few minutes later,Sanjay came out with two bowls of soup...

'You made this!!!'

'Who do you think was cooking for me all the while!!!'

She felt so bad for neglecting to fulfill even the basic needs for him.She sipped and relaxed for the first time.

'Akash and me are college mates and I never knew he had settled down here.We met accidentally at the gym last week and I invited him home.He saw our wedding pics and ....'

'...and you poured out your tearful story...'

'No,no,no,just the outline' he smiled sheepishly...'We devised a small plan and you know the rest...'

Now she understood the meaning of Akash's smile and the one week off...

'You scared the life out of me..How could you!!?' she said feigning anger.

'Just wanted to know if you loved me or not..'

'Nice trick....,

''So you do love me rite!!' 

'Yes,yes I do and sorry for ignoring you all this while but don't you ever try it on me again'.

'Promise,I won't..Ok,get dressed ,Iam taking you out for dinner,Let's celebrate your birthday....'

'My birthday!!Gosh,I forgot..but u...,chooo chweeettttt'.She hugged  him tight..Sanjay knew his life would be a bed of roses and that too without thorns .Tears welled in their eyes,unseen to each other.After an year they had found or rather realised true love.....

This work of fiction is off to Sra who is hosting the third edition of Of Chalks and Chopsticks,an event started by Aqua.

Sorry for making you wait this long to get to the recipe.You have all rights to whack me for the nonsense above :)

Comforting Beetroot soup -Microwave Method


You need:

Beetroot-1 large,peeled and grated
Potato-1 small,peeled and grated
Onion-1 small,finely chopped
Tomato-1,small,halved
Garlic-2 gloves,grated/finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a microwave safe bowl take 1/2 a cup water and put in the tomato.Microwave on medium heat for 30 seconds or till the skin peels out.Remove from microwave,take off the peel and keep aside.Reserve the liquid from the tomato.
2. In the same bowl,put in beetroot,potato,onion,garlic and the the reserved liquid.Microwave covered for 10 minutes on medium .Add more water in between if the mixture is dry .Stir in between a couple of time.Let it stand in the microwave for 2 minutes.
3. Remove the mixture form the bowl,puree with blanched tomato and enough water to get a soupy consistency.
4. Transfer the soup to a microwave save bowl and heat once again,add salt and pepper and serving.

This soup can also be prepared on the stove top.Pressure cook the vegetables with stock /water and puree.Heat again and serve hot.This is very healthy as it has no added oil in it,making it light and nutritious,

This soup is also being served @ MEC-Favorites hosted here.Microwave Easy Cooking[MEC] is an event started by Srivalli of Cooking for all seasons.This dish also joins Srivalli for her 365 days of Microwave cooking event.

Bon Appetit...

Soya Capsicum Pulao

A long time ago,I had soaked up soyabeans for kurma and after cooking it I found that it was more than what I needed and hence I took a small portion of the cooked bean to use later.Given a chance I tend to whip up flavored rice with anything and everything and this soya went in with rice along with capsicum.Use colored bell pepper to seduce your eyes or if you don't have them use whatever is present and seduce your tastebuds.


I used:

Steamed rice-2 cups,grains separate
Soya beans - 1/2 a cup,soaked overnite and pressure cooked till soft.
Capsicum-1 large,deseeded and finely chopped
Onion-1,finely chopped
Ginger garlic paste
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
Green chillies-3 ,slit
Curry leaves- a few
Oil-1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

1. Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds,curry leaves,slit green chillies.
2. When the cumin crackles,put in onion,capsicum and ginger garlic paste.
3. Saute till onions turn translucent.
4. Add the cooked soya beans,salt and rice.
5. Reduce the flame,add a few splashes of water if it is too dry and cover and cook for 2 minutes or till the water is evaporated.

Remove from  flame and serve hot....



.Note:

• As you are aware I don't prefer spicy food and hence if you like your food to be spicy feel free to add freshly ground pepper powder towards the end of the cooking.

Bon Appetit...

Murungai Keerai Soup / Drumstick Leaves Soup

Our backyard houses a few essential herbs and trees that are found in most South Indian homes.A drumstick tree,a few coconut trees and a gooseberry tree adorn the back yard.A couple of days ago heavy winds knocked down the delicate branches of the drumstick tree and we had  huge bunches of these leaves staring at us.Even after sharing it with our neighbors,a large bunch was left behind.

I am not a fan of the drumstick leaves curry,so turned half the bunch into a tasty soup.I don't think they serve this kind of soup in restaurants but its pretty tasty and very healthy.

While I was preparing this soup,call it coincidence or luck,a friend of mine had forwarded a mail with the benefits of drumstick leaves!!!It is said that these leaves can cure around 300 illness / diseases.It is also referred to as the miracle tree.Along with the mail was a link which took me to Trees of Life International [Check out the value of this tree and leaves in this site.]


This soup has herbs and spices to give a wonderful flavor.Adults can savor it as such without staining the soup,while children can be given the strained version so that the leaves and spices don't come their way.Lil angel loved it and asked for more and I was really impressed with the taste.



The drumstick leaves need not be separated from the smaller stalks.They will be tender by the time they get cooked.I have not mentioned the quantity as you can use them to suit your taste.

This is how you prepare this nutritive soup....

In a huge pot bring water to boil.

Put in 3 handfuls of cleaned and washed drumstick leaves ,

a handful of mint leaves and coriander leaves

Next, in goes chopped small onions,chopped tomato,garlic,ginger.

Add a pinch of turmeric powder, coarsely crushed cumin and pepper,aniseed,salt.

 Simmer for 15 minutes.[Don't forget to close the pot while it simmers]

Stir and serve piping hot!!!

A bowl of piping hot soup 

This soup is full of vitamins,minerals and fiber.It is very effective when you are dull and lack appetite. Drumstick leaves is beneficial for diabetics too.Give this soup a try and you are sure to feel rejuvenated!!!

This soup is being served to Sowjanya who is hosting Vegetable Marathon with the theme-Drumstick. [Thanks for letting me know about the event Sowjanya :).]Vegetable Marathon was started by Silpa of Anitha's Kitchen

Bon Appetit...

 








 

Sukku Malli Coffee

Call it Sukku malli kapi / Sukku malli coffee this is a healthy concoction of spices to treat or relive minor ailments.Sukku is dry ginger and malli is coriander seeds.Each one of the spices used in this is loaded with health benefits. When sipped piping hot,it is said to relive symptoms of indigestion,anorexia[loss/lack of appetite],headaches/light giddiness and many more.In the rural area,people still use such home remedies instead of running to see the physician for minor ailments.[There are numerous versions of this concoction and I have even seen people add a dash of instant coffee powder to this!But I don't think the authentic version uses coffee powder].Anyways,here is how you make it....


You need:[Please see note at the bottom of the post]

Dry ginger / ginger powder - 2 " piece / 1 teaspoons
Roasted coriander seeds - 2 teaspoons
Peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
Palm candy[Panam kalkandu] to sweeten

1. Heat water around 2 litres in a big pot.When it comes to a boil,put in all the ingredients except palm candy.
2. Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Strain,add palm candy and sip.

The remaining sediment can be used again.Just pour more water and prepare the kapi in the same method.



 Note:

The spice mix for this can be made ahead and used when required.Use fresh ingredients to make the powder.Do not use store brought powders to make the mix.Roast[without oil] the coriander seeds,peppercorns,cumin and then powder.Mix together ginger powder and the roasted and ground powder and store in an airtight container.To prepare this kapi,heat  water and add a teaspoon of this mix ,boil,strain and sweeten to sip.

• This should not be gulped down like other beverages.Since it is spicy,it has to be sipped and savored.
•  It is a spicy concoction so do not give it to children
• Adults should not take more than 1/2 a cup per dose.Can be taken once or twice a day.If you are suffering from chronic ailments consult your physician before taking this.
• Adjust the pepper and ginger ratio to suit your taste.
• Do not use white sugar to sweeten.It spoils the original taste of the drink.

 

Amrakhand / Mango Shrikhand

I almost missed posting mango based recipe this season.I am not a huge fan of mangoes but I just buy a few so as to be part of the mango mania.But this year I didn't even buy a single one.My neighbor who has a tree in her yard learnt about Lil angels 'sudden' fondness for mangoes and sent across a few.Lil Angel was delighted to see them and just as suddenly as the likeness appeared ,it vanished without trace and the mangoes were forgotten.Then I took matters into my hands and prepared Amrakhand today.

A few weeks ago while watching Travel and Living channel,Madhur Jaffrey made this delightful dessert and I was hooked on to it.Lil Angel who was watching this show was equally tempted.We [Lil angel and me] are huge fans of the cooking series in Travel and Living.We love to watch Kylie Kwang,Nigella Lawson and Madhur Jaffrey turn their kitchen into heaven!!!Kylie Kwang is her favorite as she resembles a friend from the orient![I will save the details for a later post].So Madhur Jaffrey was on TV and we both were literally drooling as she prepared a Gujarati meal.Amrakhand, Dokla, Kandhvi.Each dish surpassed the other in simplicity and visual appeal.

Now to the recipe-Amrakhand is a fruity version of the creamy Shrikhand.Shrikhand ,as you are aware,is the sweetened creamy hung yogurt flavored with cardamom and saffron.A sweet dessert from Gujarat,it can be savored as such or as a side dish to roti / puri.

This is one of those 'make-ahead' desserts when you have a large crowd and want to have an impressing spread of dishes.You can also enjoy it all by yourself on hot summer days when you crave for something cool and delicious.

I used:

Thick curd / Yogurt - 3 cups
Sugar- less than 1/4 cup ,depending on the sweetness of the mangoes
Mango pulp-1 1/2 cups
Nuts and mango pulp to garnish

1. In a bowl whisk yogurt and sugar.It will become pasty.
2. Add the mango pulp and whisk to mix.
3. Chill till serving time.
4. Serve garnished with mango pulp and some nuts.

Note:

•  The yogurt has to be very thick.Else tie it up in a cheese cloth and hang it till the water drains completely.Watery yogurt spoils the dish totally.
• You can also use canned mango pulp.
 

Updated : Sending this to Akila'sDish name starting with A event and to Akheela's Cold desserts event.

 

Bon Appetit...



 

Homemade Poha Chivda

The clouds are threatening to pour and its so breezy and chill.I am hungry.I want a hot cup of coffee and some munchies.Munchies-not the oil laden ones but something crisp,not deep fried or baked.I can hear you girls!!Where can I get something like this!!!I did , actually in Sana's blog.As you are aware I am paired with Sana who writes at Every Bunny Loves Food.This is my second dish for Taste and Create from Sana's blog.As you are aware Taste and Create is a food community where blogger's are paired to try and taste each others recipe.If you are interested check out the Sign up page.

Sana's version of Homemade Poha Chivda is actually not deep fried but roasted in a pan.Perfect for today's climate....

I made just one change.She used green chillies.Unfortunately I did not have it so used red chilli .

I used:

Poha/Pressed rice/Aval - 1 cup
Peanuts- a handful
Cashew-a few
Roasted channa dhal[Dalia]-a handful
Curry leaves -a few
Red chillies-2
Mustard seeds-1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-a pinch
Sugar-1/2 a teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil-1 teaspoon

1. Heat a heavy bottom pan and put in poha.Stir it on medium heat till it curls up[thin variety] or turns crisp[thick variety].It will a few minutes.Remove onto a plate.
2. In the same pan heat oil and put in all the other ingredients except sugar and salt.Fry till the nuts are brown.
3. Put in the roasted poha and mix well.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool on a plate.
5. Add salt and sugar and toss well.
6. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

A perfect snack on a chilly evening with a cup of piping hot coffee!!

I also made Mera Lazywala Maggi from Sana's blog..Check it out too..

Bon Appetit...

Mera Lazywala Maggi

Maggi-I don't think there is anyone out there who hasn't tried this brand of noodles.A favorite among kids and adults alike!!My first recollection of Maggi noodles is from Standard 1!!One morning when we were standing in line for the assembly and prayers,a few men came in with huge boxes and spoke to the group gathered.I don't remember what exactly they were talking but certainly remember them handing out 1 packet of Maggie noodles to all the students.

I for sure did not know what to do and passed it on to my senior who also happened to be my neighbor.She saw the pack and said it was not something I would eat and would get it exchanged for me.I, of course, did not understand a word of what she meant and happily went to my class,the pack forgotten.The next day mom prepared something for my evening tiffin when I came back from school and told me it was the pack I got in school.It was yum and I was hooked!

Now I can see that those guys must have come to promote their product by passing out free samples and the pack I got would have been the chicken variety and my senior got the vegetarian version for me and handed it over to mom.

Why am I talking about this now,you might wonder.A post from Sana's Every bunny loves food had a post on Maggie noodles and it made me nostalgic.This month I am paired with Sana for Taste and Create.As you are aware Taste and Create is a food community where blogger's are paired to try and taste each others recipe.If you are interested check out the Sign up page.

Sana's recipe is titled 'Mera Lazywala Maggi' and this recipe is apt as I prepared it today morning.The climate is kinda 'its-gona-rain-anytime' sort and it definitely made me lazy prepare any elaborate breakfast.Noodles is Lil angels favorite so this was perfect today.

I made just one change in Sana's recipe.I replaced chicken with Paneer.The original recipe is here.My usual version does not include the spices that she used yet it was tasty and a change from the usual.By force of habit,I seasoned it with mustard and cumin seeds...

I used:[Serves 2]

Maggie noodles - 2 packets
Mixed vegetables-1 cup[I used peas,carrot,baby corn]
Paneer cubes-1/2 a cup
Onion-1,chopped
Butter-1 tablespoon
Chilli powder-1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-a pinch
Coriander powder-1 teaspoon
Mustard and cumin seeds-1/2 a teaspoon each

Coriander Leaves  and grated cheese to garnish)

1. Pressure cook [or microwave] the vegetables till done.
2. Heat butter in a pan add the mustard and cumin seeds,when they crackle put in onion and saute till translucent.
3. Add the red chilli powder,coriander powder,turmeric powder and the masala sachets that come with the noodles.[I used only 1 sachet instead of 2.]
4. Add water according to the instructions on the pack.When it comes to a boil put in the vegetables,paneer,noodles.
5. Once the noodles are cooked,remove to a serving plate and garnish with grated cheese and coriander leaves.

I also made Homamade Poha Chivda for Taste and create from Sana's blog

Would you like to be a part of T & C?Come and join us @ Taste and Create.

Bon Appetit...

Scrumptious Delights From Leftovers - An Event Announcement

The other day I had some leftover idlis from breakfast and thought I will give to my maid.She did not turn up for work that day and at night I still had them staring at me.So I changed it into idli upma.[Lil Angel prefers idli upma to idlis!!]Leftover rice from the night's meal is a big 'NO' from my maid who says 'old stuff' doesn't suit her health.Most of the times,I do avoid situations leading to a container full of leftovers staring back at me.But sometimes,this does happens and I am in a dilemma - to use or to waste.Wasting is sinful but there are no takers for the reheated stuffs.So I like to change it in form and present it as another dish.Lo and behold,it disappears within minutes!!!

Then I thought it will be a nice idea to collect ideas and recipes that use leftover food to prepare something tasty and masks the original dish .Turn your idli's into masala / fried idli or use the last few ladles of batter to create a different dish.Let your chapathi's transform into wraps / roll or something new.Create gravies from leftover rasam/sambar.Transform rice into a new and colorful dish...These are just a few ideas from my side.I know you guys are so creative that you will have loads of ideas....So dear buddies,I invite you to send in your ideas / recipes to create a dish using leftovers.

You already know the rules but let me outline it yet again for the benefit of our budding bloggers...

1. Cook any Vegan / Vegetarian  dish using leftovers and blog about it this month.
2. Make a link back to this announcement and if you have used someone's idea, link it to her post as well.
3. Multiple entries are welcome
4. Archived entries are accepted as long as you link it to the announcements and update the post .
5. You can share the recipe sent here with other events as well.
6. Non bloggers are most welcome to participate
7. The deadline is August 31st 2010.
8. Once you have blogged about your dish, mail the following details to seduceurtastebuds@gmail.com with the subject - Scrumptious Delights From Leftovers

• Your name
• Blog name
• Dish
• URL of the dish
• Share a couple of lines on the dish you prepared- like why u made it or any anecdote related to the dish.
• A picture of your creation.

Waiting to see your creative recipes....

Multipurpose Lentil Spice Mix

I consider spice mixes as a blessing from heaven.And if they are homemade,there is nothing that equals in satisfaction and taste.I like to keep spice mixes handy in case I am late to prepare a meal [which happens when I go overboard blog hopping or writing for my blog ] or return late and hungry from a trip outside.Be it the spice mix for sambar / Rasam or the handy milagai podi to go with breakfast I love them all.[Check out the other handy spice mixes in the Magic Masala section.]

Here is another spice mix joining the group and I call it 'Multi purpose'.If your molagai podi container is empty or you don't have time to prepare chutney,use this mix instead.If u want to spice up your variety rice preparation,add a couple of teaspoons of this mix.If you have just steamed rice and not in a mood to prepare anything else,saute a little chopped onion and put over the steamed rice.Add this spice mix and a little sesame oil and you have a yummy spice mix rice ready.So, I am not right in calling this Multi purpose!

You can prepare it ahead and store in a n air tight container.Keeps well for several months.

I think this is going to be the last entry for Jaya's Back to Basics event as I feel I have bombarded her inbox with too many entries.

I used:

Channa dhal-1 cup
Toor dhal-1 cup
Urad dhal,white-1/4 cup
Raw rice-a handful
Sesame seeds-2 tablepoons
Mustard-1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
Peppercorns-1 tablepoon
Red chillies- 10
Garlic-5 pods ,crushed
Curry leaves- a handful
Rock salt - to taste [You can also use the regular salt]
Asafoetida powder- a generous pinch
Oil-1 tablespoon

1. Dry roast sesame seeds till fragrant and they start to crackle.Keep aside.
2. Do the same for curry leaves till they are crisp.Keep aside.
3. Put in rock salt,asafoetida and garlic and keep stirring on low flame for a few minutes.
4. Heat oil in the same pan and put in all other ingredients and roast on medium flame till all the ingredients turn brown.Take care not to char them.
5. Spread them on a plate and let them cool.
6. Powder all the ingredients.You can make it coarse or fine to suit your taste.
7. Leave them on a plate for sometime to cool incase they heat up during the powdering process.
8. Store in an airtight container and use as required.

Bon Appetit...

How To Prepare Banana Stem for Cooking and A Recipe

We already know the amazing health benefits of Banana.I have already written about it here.Then comes the blossoms and now the stem.The stem is the tender core of the tree.

Even now when my neighbors cut the banana tree after taking off the [banana] yield,they will come home with a couple of stems.Stems are also available in the farmers market.No one around here[in India I mean] throws out the tree after it is cut.The leaves are used to serve food.The taste of food served on these leaves are definitely out of the world!!The stems and blossoms are used in cookery and as a medicine.The outer covering of the stem is dried and cut into thin strips and used to string flowers like jasmine.So as you can see all the parts of the tree are so useful to us!

Banana stem too has loads of goodness.

• Whenever anyone complains of kidney stones the elderly people in the house always recommend plantain stem juice.It is a diuretic and helps improve the function of the kidneys.
• It detoxifies the body.
• It also help in the treatment of gall stones.
• It is also helpful in reducing weight.
• Stems are a good source of Potassium and Vitamin B6.

 [The beneficial treatments mentioned above are to be carried out under the guidance of your physician]

So the next time you spot the stems be sure to bring it home and make it a part of your menu.

When you buy the plantain stem it most probably will have a thick outer layer which is to be removed.

 When you peel off the outer layer,you will notice that it is very fibrous

The inner part has to be cut into slices.Once a slice is taken off the main stem ,it will come attached with some fiber.Pull out the fiber and discard.[If the stem is a mature one,there will be lots of fiber and it is better not to use it.]When the fiber is all taken out,chop it finely.

Preserve in a container with thin buttermilk like we did the blossoms.

When you need to use it ,drain the buttermilk and use the chopped stem.

This is also joining Jaya for her Back to Basics Event.

Now for a simple banana stem stir fry...

In a pan heat 1 teaspoon oil and put in mustard,cumin seeds,channa dhal [1 teaspoon each],curry leaves,3 slit green chillies.

When the mustard splutters and dal turns brown,put in 1 chopped onion and saute till it is translucent.

Add 1 cup drained banana stem and some water to the pan.

Cover and cook.Keep stirring once in a while and sprinkle more water if necessary.

Cook till it is soft.
[Press a few pieces between your fingers to check doneness]

Add salt and 2 tablespoons grated coconut.

Mix well and remove from flame.

Serve as a side dish with steamed rice.

Bon Appetit....