SPICY SPROUTED FENUGREEK SEEDS MASALA(Reposting)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

They say sprouts is good for health. Any sprouts? I am not sure, but this one is really a healthy sprout and I enjoy having it a lot.

Thrice a week I have a habit of having a tea spoon of methi seeds in the morning with hot water. I love methi seeds and never miss any chance of adding it into our food. I add it in curries, sambhar, dal, sometimes in some sabji. So how about making the whole curry with methi seeds. But that will go directly in to the dustbin as these seeds are very bitter if prepared directly. So the best way is to soak them, allow to sprout and then use in a spicy, tangy dry curry.

Fenugreek seeds have their unique taste and contribute a huge part when comes to health. Its good for diabetes. It controls the diabetes to some extent(of course with other intakes or controlled diet)

If we take a tea spoon of methi seeds with a glass of water when suffering with diarrhea, it comes under control. 

Soak the seeds in the night and paste it in the morning. Apply it to the hair for an hour and wash it, a very good tonic for your hair.  

Ingredients:

Fenugreek seeds or Methi seeds - 1/2 cup

Soaked for 6-8 hours. Drained and then kept in a cotton or muslin cloth for a day or till it gets sprouted.

Oil - 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp(optional)

Onion -2 big, finely chopped

Tomato - 1 big, finely chopped

Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp

Green chilly - 2 slit

Salt to taste

Red chilly powder - 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala powder - 1 tsp

Jaggery - 1 tsp

water - 1/2 cup

Fresh coriander to garnish

Method:

• Heat oil in a thick bottomed kadai.
• Add cumin seeds and Mustard seeds. 
• Add onion and fry till brown. Keep on stirring.
• Add Ginger and garlic paste. fry for a minute.
• Add tomato and little water. Mix well and cook till the tomato is half cooked.
• Add sprouted methi seeds and other ingredients. 
• Mix well. 
• Add some more water. 
• Cook for 5 minutes.
• Adjust the seasoning.
• Check the seeds, cook till soft. (It may take another 5 minutes.)
• Garnish with fresh coriander.
• Enjoy it with soft chapatis.

My aunt says its stays good for 3-4 days so good while travelling, but I never kept it more than one day...

Sending this to Soumya (of Nivedhanam)'s event 

 HITS – Diabetic friendly and HITS page"

 

Keep Smiling,

Softest Grape Ice Cream

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

How are you?

Summer is here and cold things are in.. The refrigerator is full of juices, ice creams, squash, Tang, Rasna..

Hey wait, I think  last year also, I started with the same sentences :-)

That doesn't matter anyways, we have to concentrate on today's recipe.

Its Grape Ice cream. It was my elder daughter's wish. And how could I say NO to her..

Before also I have prepared Ice creams many times but this time it was something special, it was the softest Ice cream I ever had at home..

I don't know the reason, but I am giving you the step by step procedure, try and let me know whether you too got the same taste and texture.

                         

Ingredients:

Milk - 1/2 liter (I used thick milk Kolhapur brand)

Sugar - 1/2 cup

Grapes - 1 cup

Corn Flour - 2 tbsp

Vanilla Custard Powder - 3 tbsp(CHIEF INGREDIENT :-) )

Fresh cream - 3 tbsp(I have saved it from 2 days milk and stored in the fridge.

Method :

• Boil the milk in a thick bottomed pan and wait until cold.
• Till its cold,
• Prepare the grapes puree by putting in the mixi. 
• Transfer it into glass bowl or Plastic bowl. Cover it and keep in the freezer.
• Take out the half cup of milk.
• Add the Corn flour and Vanilla Custard powder. Mix well till no lumps.
•  Keep the milk to boil with sugar added. Once the sugar is dissolved and milk starts boiling,
• Add the cornflour and custard powder mix. Be careful, keep on stirring, otherwise the milk will burn at the bottom. Boil for few minutes(5 to 7 minutes is fine). Remove from the fire. Allow it to cool.
• Refrigerate for few hours(depends on the capacity of your fridge) Mine is old one and takes long time to freeze. I kept it for 4 hours. 
• Remove it out, add the fresh cream and grapes puree. Churn it in the mixi. 
• Transfer it in the box storage box(if you have any ice cream box, its good).
•  Keep in the freezer again for few more hours. I kept the whole night.
• Next morning, again I removed it and allowed it to thaw.
• Again I put it in the mixi and churned it well till soft.
• Transfer it again into the box. Keep it in the fridge till its set :-)

Enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy each bite of this softest grapes ice cream.

Keep Smiling,

HUDSON CANOLA OIL ~ Product Review

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

It was one month ago, postman knocked the door and my husband opened the door. The postman was holding a big box with my name and address written on it. He told my husband to call me and I went out. He handed over the box to me and told me to sign the paper that I received the box. I was confused and not understanding what to do.  I took it and opened it :-). This bottle came out with a cooking recipe book. Thennnnn.... I remembered that I had filled up a form which I received in my mail from Hudson company. It was just out of curiosity, I had filled it and forgot about it totally. I was happy to receive it. Thanks to "HUDSON CANOLA OIL".

Hudson Canola oil, is a brand recently launched in India and specifically suited to both Indian

cooking and health.

Hudson Canola Oil is brought to you by Dalmia Continental, owners of 

Leonardo Olive Oil.

Let me copy few lines from the book which I got with it.

"You can't change your body, but you can change your oil. Canola oil has the lowest 

saturated "bad" fats amongst all cooking oils, very high monounsaturated "good" fats, rich 

content of Omega-3 essential fatty acids and high Vitamin E. 

A light and versatile oil, Canola creates delicious and healthy food. It is neutral in taste and

 aroma, allowing the original flowers of your favorite foods to emerge.  Indian food- 

whether fried, roasted or grilled- tastes great with Canola. 

It is also economical because it can be RE-USED several times, if unsmoked and filtered 

after each use."

Crushed from the seeds of the yellow Canola flower, Canola oil is Global phenomenon. 

I do agree with it as it tastes good, I mean, you will not find any difference in the taste.  I tried veg and non veg items using this oil but clicked only few photos.
I love to have it in my Kitchen always.

There are many delicious recipes by a famous chef Komal Taneja from Punjab.

Thanks to HUDSON CANOLA OIL for choosing me to get the free sample. 

They are on Facebook also.  https://www.facebook.com/Hudson.Canola.Oil. click the link to know more about them.

Keep Smiling, 

PALAK PANEER(Food Remake)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

How are you? I am finding time or making it a point to take out some time for my blogging. Though I tried many new recipes previous months, I was lazy to click the photos. I made a mistake. I know I can again cook and click. But the joy, the happiness what we feel with the first time never comes afterwards.

Coming to today's recipe, Palak Paneer. My all time favorite(!!!!). But never like my version. Made many times my way but did not wanted to share that simple recipe. Then the other day I was searching my friend's blogs and websites for the recipe. There appeared Rak's 

PALAK PANEER | PANEER RECIPES |

 The color of the dish was so tempting and I decided to try it the same time as I knew there is Palak in the fridge. So I went to the MORE supermarket to get the ready Paneer. 

NADINI brand was available. I was not sure about it as I never tasted it before but there was no option for me. I got it. NANDINI paneer is really good. It was soft and fresh. Try it once if you get in nearby stores.

The only thing I changed was I used only one spinach and reduced the masala according to it..

My clicks are not so good, I am not that great photographer and I really do not have patience to arrange the things and click. Sorry girls...

I have tried to write in my words as I have altered it.

Ingredients:

Spinach or Palak - 1 big bunch or 2 small.

Onion - 1 medium

Tomato - 1 medium

Greeen Chillis - 3 to 4 (according to the strongness)

Paneer cubes - 1 cup

Oil - 1tbsp

Butter - 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Dry coriander powder - 1 tsp

Kasoori methi - 1 tsp

Haldi -(is in her post, I avoided as I was scared of loosing that lovely green color)

Milk - 1/4 cup

For dry masala(this has become my favorite now, I have used it in Aloo methi, Dry chicken roast, and even in Pulao)

Cinnamon - 1/2" piece

Cardamom - 1 

Clove -1 

Pepper - 1 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp

Method:

Clean the stem of palak. Wash and clean it properly. Chop it.

Chop the onion and tomatoes in to small cubes.

Take a pan and add 1/2 tsp of butter. Roast the dry masalas and make into powder. Keep it aside(closed)

In the same pan, fry the palak just to remove the water from it. Keep it aside and allow it to cool.

Add the green chillis and make into fine paste.

Fry or roast the cubes with little butter on a low flame. (She has not done, but I like it roasted)

In a kadai,

heat the oil and 1 tbsp of butter. 

Add the onion and fry till soft and brown. Add the coriander powder and mix well. 

Add tomatoes and salt. Cook till very soft. Add the kasuri methi.

Now add the ground palak paste. Mix well. Cook for few minutes till the oil separates. 

Add the roasted paneer cubes and cook for a minute.

Add the powdered masala and milk. Cook it for few more minutes.

PALAK PANEER is  ready to eat with anything you like. 

I made normal chapatis but I had it like that only :-)

Thanks Rak's for this wonderful recipe.

VISIT HER PLACE FOR MANY MORE LOVELY RECIPES..

Keep Smiling,

 

DAL,BATI, CHURMA for ICC JANUARY

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, How are you all? Feeling little embarrassed to come back here after 3 months. I feel guilty for not posting regularly.

First and foremost, I want to say Sorry to Jagruti that I could not finish her event. Really sorry dear, I hope you do understand my problems. Thanks.

Now, today I am here to participate in Indian Cooking Challenge which is hosted by Srivalli. I am sorry Valli, I am not a regular participant for your event, but still wait for your challenge every month and always look forward for other's recipes tried in ICC. 

Food is my weakness. This time the recipe chosen was really not to be missed. Daal Bhati Churma is the delicacy of Rajsthan. I tasted this first time in Chowkidani in Pune and I thoroughly enjoyed each item. But somehow the taste of Dal Bhati Churma took more place in my heart and I always wondered whether I can make it or not. I surfed many blogs and bookmarked few. One was Priya's and the other one is Jagruti's Daal baati churma by Jagruti, But never dared to make it. I thought its difficult to make and so much ghee into it. Being health conscious, I was always hesitated to go ahead. But when I got the challenge, I could not resist. And Yes!!!! it came perfect. Thanks Valli.

She has chosen recipes from three sources. One is from Priya (which even I had bookmarked a year back only). The others are  from Sanjeev Kapoorji and Tarla Dalalji.

I thought of following Priya's recipe as I felt I can connect myself more with her recipe.

Visit her place mharorajasthanrecipes  for detailed recipe.

I really enjoyed this challenge and enjoyed the feast too. I never thought its so easy to make.

Visit Valli's space for today's post :

Dal Bati Churma ~ Rajasthan Special Step by Step | Indian Cooking Challenge - January

Keep Smiling,

EVERYDAY CHOCOLATE BROWNIE(FOOD REMAKE)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

I know, I know, its not the time to post the recipe of Cakes and brownies... Its Diwali, I should post the recipe of some sweets and savories. But just thought of sharing a recipe with Demerara sugar and then I can share other recipes.

The brownies are very common in my house. Its almost once in 10 days , I bake the brownie. I got the recipe of Every day Chocolate Brownie from Aarthi which she had taken from one and only Nigella... I love her recipes, most of the times I have to read her recipes and be happy because I do not get many of the ingredients she has mentioned in my town :-(

Even Aarthi has got the fantastic space and the best part is all of her recipes are step by step in pictorial way which helps any one to remember and cook easily. Thanks a lot for that dear.

Coming to the recipe,

Usually I follow the regular recipe but today I thought of  giving a twist to it.. only because I wanted to use Demerara sugar instead of white or normal sugar. And I added the instant Bru Coffee powder at the end.

THE BEST SOFT AND MOIST BROWNIE I EVER MADE :-)

Ingredients:

All purpose flour - 2/3 cup

Demerara Sugar - 3/4 cup(coarse powdered)

Cocoa powder - 1/2 cup

Eggs -2 

Butter - 1/2 cup or little less

Baking soda - 1/2 tsp

Salt a pinch(skip if you are using salted butter, I always use salted Amul butter)

Vanilla essence - 2 tsp

any chocolate - 100 gm

(I like to use the cooking chocolate itself )

Instant coffee powder(Bru or Nescafe)- 1 tbsp

Method:

• First preheat the oven to 190 degree c
• Line a square tin with foil and brush it with butter on it. (Using foil is really a very good idea)
• I use Microwave for making it, you can use the normal way(as shown in Aarthi's space)
• Take a big M/W safe bowl.
• Add butter and the sugar.
• Keep in M/W on HIGH for a minute.
• Remove, mix well and add cocoa powder. Keep in the oven for 10 seconds. 
• Remove, add in the flour, baking soda and mix well to make it soft.
• ALLOW IT TO COOL WHICH IS REALLY VERY IMPORTANT OTHERWISE IF YOU PUT EGGS WHEN HOT,  IT WILL BE SPOILED.
• Now add the eggs, vanilla and mix well till you get very smooth consistency.
• Fold in the chocolate pieces and mix well.
• Now pour this mix into the ready tin.
• Sprinkle the instant powder evenly on the mix.
• Bake it in the oven for 20 minutes. 
• Allow it to cool. Cut into desired size of squares. 
• Enjoy it cold or warm or with ice cream or hot chocolate sauce.

Note :May be because I used the Demerara sugar, it was less sweet or may be it was because I used instant coffee powder. Whatever, the brownies were too good :-)

Wait for my next post with these brownies...

Brownie and Ice cream sandwich.. with hot choco sauce..

This is my first entry to my event which is a brain child of Jagruti

Keep Smiling,

DAL DHOKLI (ಖಾರ ಬೇಳೆ ಗಡಬು)

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

One of my comfort food. I love this any time. But always enjoyed it for the dinner. Easy, quick, tasty, healthy.. what else we want?

This is known as Dal Dhokli in Gujarat, we call it "kharbele kadabu" in Kannada. It was a long time that I made this. The other day, when I really felt like having it, I made it immediately. I thought my daughters and hubby will not like it.. But it got over as soon as it was served.. 

There are two ways to make it, actually 3 ways.. One is with dal, one is without dal, and either cook it directly in a pot or give one whistle in a cooker. All taste good, but I love the dal one and  in cooker.

Ingredients:

Wheat flour - 1 cup

Salt a pinch of

Oil - 1 tsp

Water to make chapati dough.

PREPARE THE DOUGH AND KEEP IT ASIDE.

For the dal

Boiled dal(Toor) - 1/4 cup

(if you do not have boiled dal, soak the dal for half an hour before making)

Oil - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1tsp(both are optional)

Onion - 1 big, chopped finely

Curry leaves - few

Green chilly - 1 slit

Garlic (crushed)- 6 to 8 cloves(optional)

Tomato - 1 small chopped

Tamarind paste - 1 tbsp

Red chilly powder - 1 tbsp

Haldi - 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Fresh Coriander - 2 tbsp, chopped finely

Water - 1 to 2 cups

Method

Take the dough and roll into medium thick chapati.

Cut into small squares or diamonds and keep aside.

Take small cooker and heat it.

Add oil. When hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds(if adding), curry leaves, green chilly and garlic.

Saute for some time.

Add the onion and fry till golden brown.

Add the dal and mix well.

Add tomato, tamarind paste, red chilly powder, haldi, salt. 

Mix well and cook for few minutes.

Add water and wait it to boil.

Add the chapati dough bites. Mix slowly and cover the cooker and give one whistle.

Allow it to cool. 

Add ghee and serve hot..

Keep Smiling,

AN EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT~KNOW YOUR NATURAL SWEETNESS~MAPLE SYRUP OR DEMERARA SUGAR

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Its more than a year that I hosted any event. Before, my blog had at least one event in a month and I always enjoyed participating in the events hosted by other blogging friends. Those events always encouraged me to try new recipes and I enjoyed those challenges.

Now a days, because of some personal hindrances, I am not able to post regularly any thing, forget participating or hosting any event.

Few months back, when Jagruti asked me whether I am interested in hosting her event I could not say no because I wanted to come back again and its always pleasure to host her event. She is a lady with so much enthusiasm.Check her blog and you will come to know, her site is hosting many events at a time with different and unique themes.

Coming to my theme for the event Announcing Series event~Know Your Natural Sweetness by Jagruti,

I have chosen two sweets!! yes!, Maple Syrup OR Demerara Sugar

To be honest, till today I have not tried Maple syrup in any recipes, so its new challenge for me. I have not tasted also how it tastes. Still I need to search for the Maple syrup in my town and not sure about getting it.

When I went through Wikipedia, I was surprised to see that maple syrup is extracted from maple tree. And its less in calorie!! That makes it more interesting.There are many things we don't know!! Click here to know more about maple syrup.

Demerara sugar is commonly used in baking substituting the white sugar for many reasons. Its known as natural brown sugar.

I am inviting you all to take part in the event..

Coming to the rules of the event...

1. Cook or bake any recipe using EITHER Maple Syrup OR Demerara Sugar,

2. Please post the entries between 1st of November and 30th of November 2012.

3. Please send your entries with details of your post to my email id               nivedita.mt@gmail.com

4.Linking your post to this event announcement and Jagruti's Event Announcement is compulsory.  

5.Adding the event logo is highly appreciated as it helps others to know about the event.

6.Multiple entries are welcome. 

7.Only one post from archived posts is welcome.

8. Non-bloggers are invited to participate in the event. Please mail me your recipe with a photograph of the dish to the mail id nivedita.mt@gmail.com

ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND MAKE THIS EVENT SUCCESSFUL.

Keep Smiling,

SOYA BEANS IDLY

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

Idly recipe(Idly, Sambhar and Chutney) is already there in my blog.. but that is a regular method of making.. Here is another way of making your healthy idly healthier or healthiest... Yes, Soya beans are very good for health. We always think how to add these in our diet. I have many ways for it..

Soak the beans for 8-10 hours, drain and deep fry in the oil  or roast in the oven, add salt and chilly powder.

Make the soya beans powder and add it while making chapatis, Thaali peeth.

Or as usual make the curry, masala, salad...

These idly taste very good, same like normal idly. And the batter wont turn sour next day(it happens with the normal batter)

Ingredients:

Urad dal - 1/2 cup or 1/4 cup

Soya beans - 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup

Methi seeds - 1 tsp

Thick poha(puffed rice) - handful

Idly rava - 2 1/2 cup(ready available in the stores)

Salt to taste 

(the proportion is  1/2:1/2: 2 1/2 or 1/4:3/4:2 1/2)

If you are trying for the first time and not sure about the taste of soya beans in idly, go with 1/2:1/2 portion.

Method:

Soak urad dal, soya beans and methi seeds together in a vessel with enough water for 4-6 hours.(both the urad dal and beans get doubled in size in few hours and there is a chance that if you don't see they wont get soaked properly. JUST ONE HOUR BEFORE GRINDING, ADD POHA INTO IT.

Drain the water and grind into fine batter.

Transfer into a big steel vessel. Add the salt and mix nicely with your hands.

Keep it untouched in a warm place for 6 to 8 hours(In winter it takes more time)

Before making idly,

Add the water in a cooker and keep it on slow flame till you fill the idly mould with the batter.

Mix the batter properly, grease the idly plates with oil, Pour the batter to fill the moulds.

Keep it in the cooker and close the lid WITHOUT whistle.

Steam for 6 minutes on high and another 3-4 minutes on low flame.

Remove from the heat, allow it to cool.

Carefully open the lid and take out the idly stand.

Keep it like that only for 5 minutes. Then remove the idlys into a serving bowl.

Enjoy these softest idlys with Onion sambhar and chutney,.

(recipe for the sambhar and chutney is in my previous idly post)

Just add baby onions in oil before adding the masalas, which will make the sambhar into onion sambhar.

I love it....

Keep Smiling,

SPICY SPROUTED FENUGREEK SEEDS MASALA

Tried and tasted by Nivedita

Hi All,

They say sprouts is good for health. Any sprouts? I am not sure, but this one is really a healthy sprout and I enjoy having it a lot.

Thrice a week I have a habit of having a tea spoon of methi seeds in the morning with hot water. I love methi seeds and never miss any chance of adding it into our food. I add it in curries, sambhar, dal, sometimes in some sabji. So how about making the whole curry with methi seeds. But that will go directly in to the dustbin as these seeds are very bitter if prepared directly. So the best way is to soak them, allow to sprout and then use in a spicy, tangy dry curry.

Fenugreek seeds have their unique taste and contribute a huge part when comes to health. Its good for diabetes. It controls the diabetes to some extent(of course with other intakes or controlled diet)

If we take a tea spoon of methi seeds with a glass of water when suffering with diarrhea, it comes under control. 

Soak the seeds in the night and paste it in the morning. Apply it to the hair for an hour and wash it, a very good tonic for your hair.  

Ingredients:

Fenugreek seeds or Methi seeds - 1/2 cup

Soaked for 6-8 hours. Drained and then kept in a cotton or muslin cloth for a day or till it gets sprouted.

Oil - 2 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp(optional)

Onion -2 big, finely chopped

Tomato - 1 big, finely chopped

Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp

Green chilly - 2 slit

Salt to taste

Red chilly powder - 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala powder - 1 tsp

Jaggery - 1 tsp

water - 1/2 cup

Fresh coriander to garnish

Method:

• Heat oil in a thick bottomed kadai.
• Add cumin seeds and Mustard seeds. 
• Add onion and fry till brown. Keep on stirring.
• Add Ginger and garlic paste. fry for a minute.
• Add tomato and little water. Mix well and cook till the tomato is half cooked.
• Add sprouted methi seeds and other ingredients. 
• Mix well. 
• Add some more water. 
• Cook for 5 minutes.
• Adjust the seasoning.
• Check the seeds, cook till soft. (It may take another 5 minutes.)
• Garnish with fresh coriander.
• Enjoy it with soft chapatis.

My aunt says its stays good for 3-4 days so good while travelling, but I never kept it more than one day...

Sending this to Soumya (of Nivedhanam)'s event 

 HITS – Diabetic friendly and HITS page"

 

Keep Smiling,