Spinach : Green and white for rolls

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Spinach is one green veg. which is not a favorite option to choose. It has more nutritional value but because of its taste, most of the people and especially kids don't like to have it.

Thats the reason I will be finding the ways to use the spinach in my regular menu, and I get the ways too.

Where there is a will, there is a way!!

Here are two options to use spinach in the menu. And these are best for chapati rolls for kids. My daughters enjoyed these rolls.

Here are the recipes :

The first one is

Green Garlic and Tomato Spinach:

Ingredients:

Spinach - 1 big bunch, cleaned, washed and finely chopped

Onion - 1 small, chopped

Garlic - 8 to 10 flakes, crushed(medium what you get in India, but if you are using big flakes, use 4 to 6)

Tomato - 1 big, cleaned and chopped

Salt to taste

Red chilly powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Oil - 1 tsp

Lime juice - 1 tsp

Heat oil in a kadai. Add chopped onion and garlic. Fry till the color changes. Add tomato, salt, turmeric powder and red chilly powder. Fry for two minutes. Now add chopped spinach and mix it well. Keep on stirring. Add 1 tbsp of water. Cover and cook on slow heat for few minutes. Open, add lime juice. Mix well. Remove from the heat. Its ready to serve. You can roll into chapati or can have it as a side dish with rice.

The second one is,

Creamy Green dip:

I took this recipe from LG book given to me while buying my microwave oven. I have changed the ingredients as  per my taste. And  instead of using as a dip, I used it for chapati rolls.

Ingredients :

Spinach - 1 small bunch, cleaned, washed and finely chopped

Coriander or Parsley - 1/2 cup, cleaned, washed and finely chopped

(I used coriander)

Water - 1/4 cup

Green chilly - 1 finely chopped

Onion - 1 small, finely cubed

Garlic - 1 tbsp chopped

All purpose flour - 1 tbsp

Butter - 1 tsp

Milk - 1/2 cup

Sour Cream - 1 cup

OR

One day old hung curd - 1cup(for healthier version and it is easily available at home)

(I used normal(not hung) curds, I just kept it in a muslin cloth for half an hour as there was not enough time to make hung curd)

Salt to taste

White pepper powder to taste

In a microwave safe bowl and chopped spinach, onion and garlic in 1/4 cup of water and microwave for 3-4 minutes at 100% power.

Drain out  the excess water if any. Keep it aside and allow to cool.

In a blender or with hands, mix curds(or cream), salt, pepper, red chilli and keep it aside.

In another microwave safe bowl microwave butter at 100% power for 30 secs. Add flour and microwave for 2 mins. Stir in between.

Add milk slowly stirring it till thick at 100% power for 2 to 3 min to make a thick sauce. 

I did this on gas stove.

When cool combine everything and store it in a refrigerator for some time before serving.

This can be done totally outside, on the gas stove too.

Actually this can be used as a dip with chips, French fries or French bread.

But my chapati rolls were hit and rolled into my kids stomach in no time.

Here are the rolls :

Sending these rolls to 

Pari's 'Only' Kids Delight

Keep Smiling,

Apple and Onion Bake

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Here is my preparation for my event " "Cook and Click".

Click APPLE AND ONION BAKE here for the recipe.

I took half the quantity of given recipe as I felt if I take the given quantity, it will be too much for my family. 

The taste was good, but I felt that we should add less water than told. I had it as a side dish with my normal food.

Before it went into the oven, 

After the baking,

In to my plate,

Sending this to Akila's event Event: Dish Name Starts With: A

                                 

Keep Smiling,

Award time

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Award time again, and this time it is from Veena of veg junction

Its very sweet of her to share the award wtih me. 

As the award comes with 2 rules. I enjoy the rule 1. Who does not like to talk about themselves??

But rule 2 is difficult for me as I have to choose only 15 friends :-(

Coming to rule 1, I need to write 7(only?) things about me

1. I do believe in LETS GROW TOGETHER

2. I am a an Woodpecker when it comes to reading.

3. I am a confused person who can not take decision without eating someone's head. (Its the truth)

4. I love music, dance and maths.

5. I love exercise, jogging, yoga and meditation and.

6. I hate gossiping.

7. I do not like to talk more!!! 

and my main motto of living is known to you all :-)

Now comes the tough time, to choose my 15 friends! I thought of selecting new members who joined me recently:

1.  Neetz 

2.  Kiran 

3.  Sanyukta Gour(Bayes) 

4.  shifa firoz

5.  niveditha 

6.   Babli 

7.  Satya

8.  Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal

9.  Khaugiri 

10.  kitchen queen

11. srividhya Ravikumar 

12. Hamaree Rasoi 

13.  Kamalika 

14.  Akila

15.Guna's kitchen

Keep Smiling,

Pav Bhaji

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

One of my favorite food for evening, for lunch, for dinner or at 12 midnight! My daughter loves it too, and its her favorite when her friends come home or she wants to take something special to her school to share with her friends.

I try to make it often, as it got lot of vegetables, but with one drawback i.e Pav which is made of Maida. If I learn to make pav with whole wheat flour, then Pav Bhaji is the healthiest for kids.

Giving the recipe with step by step photos,

Ingredients:

Potato - 3 to 4 big

Carrot - 1 medium, cleaned and chopped,

Beans - 12 to 15, cleaned and chopped

Peas - 1/2 cup(I did not put, as it was not at home)

(the choice of vegetables is as per your taste. you can add cauliflower, cabbage or you can use only potatoes)

Boil the potatoes, carrot, beans and peas in a cooker. I keep potatoes in one vessel and other vegetables in another vessel and give 3 whistles.

Peel the potatoes. Smash it and keep it aside.

Drain the water from vegetables and smash it.

For Bhaji,

Onion - 2 big, finely chopped

Tomato - 2 big, finely chopped

Capsicum - 1 big, finely chopped

Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp 

Salt to taste

Red chilly powder - 1 tsp

Ready made PAV BHAJI Masala - 2 tbsp or more as per your taste, but if you put more, it becomes bitter.

( I use Mother's Recipe or MTR)

Oil - 1 tbsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Lime juice - 1tsp

To serve,

Pav - 6 to 8

Butter  to roast the pav

Onion - 1 finely chopped

Fresh Coriander - finely chopped, 1 tbsp for each plate

Lime - cut into quarters(one for each plate)

Butter - 1 tsp for each plate

Heat oil in a thick kadai. Add onions and fry till it changes its color. Add ginger garlic paste. Fry to remove the raw smell.  Now add capsicum. Fry for a minute. Now goes the tomatoes. Add PAVBHAJI masala, chilly powder and  fry for 2 minutes. Add boiled vegetables and potato. Mix well. Add the salt, lime juice and sugar. Add one cup of water.

Cover and boil for 5 minutes.

Open and adjust the seasoning and thickness of the gravy.

Bhaji is ready.

For Pav :

Cut the pav in the middle. 

Heat tawa. When its very hot, Add butter and spread it.

Keep the pav on it and toast it both the sides.

Pav and bhaji is ready to serve.

Its always good to have the plates with partitions to enjoy the pav bhaji.(you get the plastic plates also in the market)

Arrange the plate like below. 

This serves for 4 kids.

Sending this to 

sra's(Sara's Corner) ongoing event, 

Monthly Mingle - Party Treats Event Announcement!!...

 (Monthly Mingle an event started by Meeta)

Keep Smiling,

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Lets salute the nation which got the freedom after many lives are taken, the freedom which we got after many years of fighting.. And lets be strong to keep this freedom with us forever. Lets not allow others to rule on us again. 

Lets fight against terrorism, global warming and move towards love and peace.

Lets save our nation.

I would love to request all of us to protect Tigers on this occasion.

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.

BE PROUD TO BE AN  INDIAN.

BE INDIAN WHERE EVER YOU ARE.

LOVE INDIA.

Keep Smiling,

Steamed Sweet Dumplings(ಕುಚ್ಚಿದ ಕಡಬು)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

We prepare Til ka Laddoo, Sev Laddoo, Dalia powder laddu, Peanut laddu for Naga Panchami. With these, there are two more preparations which we make on that day. One is Steamed Sweet dumplings and other is the Sorghum pop corns.

These two are must for Neivadyam.

Giving the recipe for Sweet dumplings.

These dumplings are usually fried in the oil during other ocassions. But, as there is custom on Naga panchami, not to fry anything, we steam it or boil in the water.(Please do not ask for the reason, even I do not know, but still follow, as I will get yummy dumplings to enjoy with ghee and yellow gram pachadi or salad.

For Dumplings cover :

Wheat flour - 1 cup

or 

Maida or APF - cup

(choice is yours, but for health reasons, I used wheat flour(against my mother's wishes), and the taste was good).

Salt - a pinch

Water to make dough.

Take flour and salt in a big bowl or plate. Add water to make soft dough. Keep it covered for half an hour.

For Stuffing:

Chana dal - 1 cup 

Jaggery - 1 cup, grated or powdered

Cardamom Powder - 1tsp

Nutmeg powder - 1/4 tsp

Cashew nuts and almonds - 1 tbsp chopped(optional)

Salt -  a pinch

Water - 3 cup to boil the chana. 

Milk and rice paste(3:1) - 1/2 cup

Soak chana dal for half an hour.  Keep water to boil in a thick bottomed vessel and add the chana when water is hot. Boil it till the dal is soft and cooked. Keep on stirring in between or else it will be burnt.

Remove the water and keep it aside. You can use the water to make a tasty curry.

Transfer the chana in to the same vessel with jaggery. Mix well.Add salt. Keep on low flame and boil it till both get mixed well. Add cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. Take it from the heat. Allow it to cool.

Once cold, put in a mixie or blender and make into fine paste(WITHOUT ADDING WATER).

Add chopped cashew nuts and almonds.

Now, divide the dough into lime size equal balls. 

Roll into a palm size oval shape. 

Take one tbsp of chana and jaggery paste. Keep in the middle of the rolled puri.

Fold it and close it by applying milk and rice paste to the sides.

Repeat with remaining dough.

Now, there are two ways to boil or steam it.

First one is,

Take big and wide opened vessel. Add water into it.

When it starts boiling, add these dumplings and boil for few minutes.

Remove and keep on a clean white cloth to remove the water.

OR

The best way is,

Keep the dumplings in a cooker vessel.

Cover and steam it without whistle for 10 minutes.

Remove and serve hot with lot of ghee and yellow moong dal pachadi.

I will be posting the popcorn recipe soon.

Keep Smiling,

HAPPY NAGA PANCHAMI

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Wishing every one a very HAPPY NAGA PANCHAMI,

I was busy in making laddoos as it s the main neviadyam we offer to God (Snake) on this day. It is very popular in North Karantaka, and its mainly celebrated by ladies. Playing swings which are tied to big and huge trees is very common in the festival. There will be competition for it. They tie a big laddo infront and one has to swing high in the air to take it by mouth. Its a real fun. But now a days its played only in villages as we, staying in cities are more busy to catch the money while swinging from office to home!!

THIS  is last year's post. My this year's laddoos will appear by tomorrow or day after with recipes.

Keep Smiling,

Reminder for my new event "Cook and Click" - Apple and Onion Bake

Tried and tasted by Nivedita
Hi All,
I think there is some mistake with my new event announcement. As I got few mails asking, when am I going to start this event.
So here is the reminder and re invitation to all of you for my new event
Event Announcement - "COOK AND CLICK" :

Recipe for this week: (I felt, this is interesting and good starter)

APPLE AND ONION BAKE:

Onions - 6, sliced(round)

Ghee - 2 tbsp

Tomatoes - 2, thickly sliced

Bread crumbs - 1/2 cup

Apples - Peeled and sliced

Green chillies - 2, finely chopped and seeds removed

Chopped coriander - 2 tbsp

Veg stock(you can use Maggi cubes to make) - 1 cup, heated

Procedure :

1. Lightly sauté onions in 1 tbsp ghee. Remove with slotted spoon.

2. Sauté tomatoes. Drain off juiced through strainer and reserve.

3. Sauté breadcrumbs in remaining ghee to brown lightly.

4. Grease baking dish and arrange onion, apple and tomato in alternate layers.

5. Put chillies, coriander and reserved juiced into hot stock and pour over vegetables. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over top.
6. Cover and bake at 190 degree C or 375degree F for 30 minute.

7 Uncover and cook another 15 minutes.

Serves 4.

(Source : Indian Cookery by Bay Books Cookery collections)

I  had announced the last date for submitting this recipe as 16th August, but Now as many of you were not aware of the event, I want to extend it till 20th August. 

Hoping to get more clicks from your cameras!

Send the following details to nivedita.mt@gmail.com with subject "COOK AND CLICK" :

your name, 

blog name, 

url of the link  and 

the photo attached.

Non bloggers can send the details to my mail.


Please share your experience about this dish.

Any suggestions, new ideas are welcome. 
(If you have any hidden or unknown recipe, you also can send it to me. I will add it in the event with your details, whenever possible)

Keep Smiling,

Carrot and Bread Halwa

Tried and tasted by Nivedita 

Hi All,

After the event round up, I keep on trying halwa recipes from my friend's blog. Last week, I tried microwave bread halwa. Today it was  Nithu from Nithu's Kitchen'  turn. But, when I went through the recipe, and checked my kitchen, I did not had khoya and condensed milk. (I got big tins, which I did not wanted to use it for so small quantity) But I wanted to try the Halwa with carrot and bread.

And Here I came with my version, which was really relishing.

I too make this halwa very often(Carrot burfi), and it is very normal to use the milk in this Halwa, but I decided to quit it and use the malai or fresh cream which is formed on the top layer of milk, after the milk is boiled on slow flame for long time.(from the milk, which I store and make ghee) 

You can use the ready made fresh cream also.

Ingredients :

Carrot - 3 big, cleaned and grated

Measure the quantity. If it is 2 cups,

add

Sugar - 1 1/3 cup or less (as per your taste)

Fresh Cream - 3 tbsp

Bread - 2 big pieces, crushed.

Sugar - 2 tbsp (this is to garnish the halwa, there is a twist in the taste for these sugar granules!!!)

Ghee - 2 tbsp + 1 tsp

Cardamom Powder - 1 tsp

Dry ginger or clove powder - 1/4 tsp(optional)

grated or crushed nuts - 2 tbsp (I used Cashew nuts and almonds)

Procedure :

Mix the grated carrot and sugar in a bowl and keep it aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

Till then, heat 1 tsp ghee in a thick kadai or vessel (in which you are going to prepare the halwa) and fry these nuts.

Keep aside.

In the same vessel, add the carrot and sugar mix(by this time, the sugar will start leaving water)

Keep on high flame and fry it for few minutes, but keep on stirring.

Once the sugar mixes well with it and you will not see the sugar granules, add fresh cream. Mix well. Add the crushed bread pieces.

Keep on frying till the raw smell goes. 

Now add cardamom powder, dry ginger powder(or clove powder). Fry for few more minutes. You can add some more cream if you feel its getting dried.

Add the fried nuts and ghee. Mix well and cook till the mix starts leaving its sides.

Be careful and be in front of the vessel, by stirring it in between.

It takes 15 minutes to get the halwa done.

And it serves 2 to 3 persons.

Remove from heat. Allow it to cool.

Before serving add the sugar, mix well and serve chilled.

You will enjoy those sugar granules in your mouth with the yummy halwa!!!

Keep Smiling,