easy – The Secret Ingredient

Breakfast

Farali Suran Ni Khichdi | Jimikand ki Khichdi for Vrat | Elephant Foot Yam Stir Fry with Peanuts Recipe

By anshu October 2, 2016

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There are a few vegetables which are not commonly used in all households. It might be due to difficulty in making them or purely because of their taste. When I saw elephant foot Yam which is also known as Suran or Jimikand in the farmer’s market I asked my mother why we never brought it home. The reason she gave me was that she did not like its taste but that my grandfather was very fond of it. I decided to buy it and experiment it in my kitchen. Sometimes when you make a recipe in your own style disappoints you. What you need is a fresh eye and a new recipe which makes that dish exciting. That is exactly what I did and tried a gujarati recipe which can eaten during navratri fasting.

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The recipe was quite simple and the results were amazing. The khichdi turned out delicious, filling and I found a new and interesting way to use Jimikand. I will be trying out more suran recipes in the days to come. Lets see if I can make Suran more appetizing and to my taste buds.

Directions:
1. Apply oil in your hands to avoid irritation and itchy feeling on your hands while handling Jimikand. Cut a piece of suran or jimikand and peel its skin.

2. Grate the yam and soak the grated pieces in a bowl of water till we use it for cooking. This will prevent it from getting black.

3. In a wok add some oil and when the oil is hot enough add cumin seeds and sesame seeds and wait for them to crackle for a few seconds.

4. Add chopped green chillies and pounded peanuts. toss the peanuts till they have got some colour. Do not burn it.

5. Add grated yam and salt. Mix everything and let it cook uncovered for 6-8 minutes.

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6. Add ground cinnamon and cloves and combine. Since its a gujarati Recipe you may like to add a little sugar to it. I am not fond of it so gave it a pass. Turn the flame off.

7. Add juice of lemon and mix thoroughly, this will prevent the itchy feeling when you eat it and overall makes the khichdi delicious. Garnish with fresh Coriander Leaves and grated fresh Coconut.

8. Serve hot with fresh plain curd and falahari Dhaniya Chutney. Its the most fulfilling vrat or fast recipe and can be made in no time.

Other recipes for fasting you can try are: Healthy Kachalu Aloo Chat, Tangy Mint Potatoes, Khajoor Til Ke Laddoo, Vrat Wale Dahi-Paneer Kebabs, Swang Ke Chawal Ka Halwa, Swang Ke Chawal Ki Phirni, Tapioca Coconut Milk Pudding with Strawberry Preserve, Paneer Ki Kheer, Sabudana Kheer, Kaddu Ka Halwa, Sabudana Khichdi .

surankhichdi_featured8 [whohit]Suran Khichdi[/whohit]

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Dinner

Quick Vegetarian Lasagna in a Mug Recipe | Mushroom Lasagna in a Microwave

By anshu July 30, 2016

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I am an extremely lazy person and when that laziness assimilates in me I look for all possible ways to cut short my work, be it cooking, exercise or anything else. Such times see emergence of use of microwave in my kitchen. I hate microwaves and use it only for reheating. I detest baking in it but this lasagna recipe made me change my opinion about microwaves. This single serving lasagna in a mug is like your best buddy and can be made by anyone. Bachelors will love some quick fix dishes and so will people who are lazy like me.

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This no cook pasta sauce has been a boon in disguise. I love it for my pizzas and for everything which requires red sauce. Gets ready in a jiffy without any hassle. The ricotta cheese can also be made in no time. Its just paneer with a little salt which is not set and has a crumbly texture. All you need is to curdle milk, drain the whey and its ready to use. Check out a detailed step wise step recipe to make Ricotta Cheese at home.

Directions:
1. In a glass microwave friendly bowl add water and Lasagna sheet and microwave for 3 minutes. Cut it into small squares and set aside.

2. Chop Mushrooms and Shred Mozzarella Cheese, set aside.

3. In a bowl add Chopped mushroom, Ricotta Cheese, ground black pepper, granulated garlic,red chili flakes, chopped basil leaves and salt. Set mixture aside.

4. Prepare the sauce by mixing all the ingredients under No Cook Red Pasta Sauce. Set aside for assembly.

5. Pour 2 tablespoons of pasta sauce at the bottom of the mug. Top with a piece of softened pasta sheet. Add some mushroom mixture, 2 tablespoons of mozzarella, and a pasta sheet. Continue building the lasagna, ending with a layer of pasta sheet at the top. Sprinkle mozzarella over the pasta.

6. Microwave everything for 1 minute 30 seconds or until Mozzarella Cheese melts. Serve hot.

Other Lasagna recipes you can try: Vegetarian Mushroom Lasagna in Creamy White Sauce, Cheesy Chicken Lasagna .

Other Pasta dishes you can try: Healthy Broccoli Pasta, Pasta Alla Vodka, Sautéed Red Bell Pepper and Olive Pasta Salad , Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad, Wild Fiddlehead Fern & Angel Hair Pasta , Avocado Parsley Pasta.

MicrowaveMugLasagna_Featured1 [whohit]LasagnaMug[whohit]

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Breakfast

Fried Egg Over Polenta with Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe

By anshu July 27, 2016

We are an egg loving family. For us our breakfast has to be with eggs but the same old omelette and fried eggs can be boring at times. So when I picked up this Polenta from SOS organics I was keen to make something with it. Polenta is widely used in Italy as a porridge. Its also known as Corn Semolina. The corn is coarsely ground in a mill and is used widely in place of wheat and rice. Its excellent for those people with gluten allergies.

This is not exactly an elaborate recipe post as you are used to seeing on my blog but its an interesting breakfast idea which can be made in a jiffy and which is utterly delicious and nutritious. You must be well aware by now what emotions I have with respect to Eggs. I have recently come across high protein, organic and nutritious Eggs from Eggee. And trust me I never had better eggs than this in India. If you can lay your hands on Eggee I insist you try any recipe with it and you will feel the difference in taste and texture. Earlier I had posted a few other egg breakfast recipes on blog like Spinach Mushroom Quiche, Italian Frittata with Mushrooms and Spinach, Shakshouka, Wrapped French Toast , Mexican Casserole Eggs. However, this combination of simple fried or poached egg with polenta and pesto is a killer. If you are looking for homemade Italian Basil Pesto you can try here. Nevertheless, you can buy in a jar. Just cook your polenta following the directions below wand assemble everything together.

Directions:

1. For polenta, pour water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add polenta and simmer it for 20-25 minutes till the polenta is cooked and has absorbed water.

2. Take it off the flame and season with salt, pepper and parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly and set aside for assembly.

3. Fry eggs. If you like you can even poach them.

4. You can make your own pesto by using fresh ingredients and you can follow this recipe. Now in order to plate this dish ladle some Polenta in a large serving bowl, garnish with Pesto and olive oil and place your fried egg in the centre resting on the bed of Polenta and pesto. You can even garnish with pine nuts.

Related Recipes: Italian Basil Pesto

Other Delicious egg recipes you can try: Italian Frittata with Mushrooms and Spinach, Shakshouka, Wrapped French Toast , Mexican Casserole Eggs.

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Air Fryer Recipes

Vrat Wale Dahi-Paneer Kebabs | Airfried Yogurt & Cottage Cheese Kebabs for Fasting

By anshu April 12, 2016

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Ever since my husband gifted me this Air fryer I cant stop trying recipes which I had earlier put in abeyance for I never wanted to eat fried food. This Navratri I was very excited because a lot of fasting food is fried and I gotta a chance to try variety of dishes in air fryer. Yesterday when I noticed my facebook friend Geeta di had posted the Dahi Paneer Kebabs for Vrat or Fasting, I could not control myself and made these in a jiffy. They were so delicious that my boys (Fully grown as well as my little kid) ate them tastefully.

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The taste was enhanced by the fact that they were healthy. I used half a teaspoon of oil for 9 kebabs, which isn’t bad at all. Ishall be posting more of my trial in my new Airfyer <3 Oh man! I am loving this..

Directions:

1. Wash and Boil some potatoes and peel off their skin. Place them in a mixing bowl.

2. Add crumbled paneer or Cottage Cheese to it.

3. Add Chopped Green Chillies and Grated Ginger.

4. Add Plain Thick Yogurt. You can even use hung curd. I had a creamy thick curd which wasnt runny, so I used that.

5. Add salt, red Chilli Powder and Garam Masala.

6. Add chopped Coriander leaves.

7. Add Singhara flour or also known as Water Chestnut Flour and combine everything well.

8. Take small portions and shape them into patties and place them all on a plate.

9. In the meanwhile preheat your Air Fryer to 180 degrees for 10 minutes.

10. Place the kebabs into the basket of air fryer and brush them with little oil on top.

11. Air fry them for 15-18 minutes till you get a golden colour on top. If you wish you can brush them with more oil in half time. I did not. Serve them hot with Phalahari Chutney.

Other Navratri recipes you can try are: Sabudada Khichdi, Swang ke Chawal ki Khichdi, Sabudana Tikki , Khajoor Til Ke Laddoo, Arbi Masala Curry, Gajar Ka Halwa, Makhane Ki Kheer, Rasgulla, Swang Ke Chawal Ka Halwa, Swang Ke Chawal Ki Phirni, Anaar Aloo ka Raita, Palak Dhaniya Chutney, Coriander Chutney without Onion Garlic, Vrat Ki Roti.

VratWaleDahiKebab_Featured3 [whohit]DahiKebabForVrat][/whohit]

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Chutney

Green Ber Ki Chutney | Indian Plum & Mint Dip

By anshu March 8, 2016

Green Ber ki Chutney I make every year because green ber is usually available at this time of the year. Yesterday was Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival which is celebrated on the fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon. It has a special significance for those who are on a spiritual path. A lot of Shaivas, devotees of Shiva observe fast on this day. Around this time of the year the markets in India are flooded with some interesting fruits and vegetables, like the yellow ripe pumpkin, Cape gooseberry or Rasbhari in Hindi and also Ber or Indian Plum.

I have always loved eating Ber. It has a very peculiar taste not liked by everyone. This year on shivratri when I saw ber in the market I bought in abundance to munch all day long and tried to make this delicious chutney with mint. This recipe I had seen a while back and had been on my to-do list. I was a little skeptical about its taste but the end result was astonishing. Husband who doesn’t like ber also relished this chutney and asked for multiple servings with Samosa 🙂 Ha! what a happy end to ber.

Directions:
1. Wash and pit or destone the ber and cut into pieces.

2. Separate the mint leaves from the stem and wash them well.

3. In a blender add the ber pieces along with mint leaves and Black Rock Salt and normal salt.

4. Also add sugar and roasted Cumin Seeds powder.

5. A green chilli, cashew nuts and a pinch of asafoetida.

6. Blend them together to a smooth creamy paste.

7. Add Lemon juice and pulse again.

8. Serve with your favourite snacks and enjoy its deliciousness. You can refrigerate the chutney for later use.

Other Chutney Dips and Salsa you can try here are: Aalubukhara Chutney, Argentine Chimichurri Salsa, Coconut Chutney, Sweet and Sour Raw Mango Chutney, Pudina Chutney, Spinach Coriander Salsa| Phalahari Chutney , Coriander Chutney without Onion Garlic, Raw Mango Chutney with Mint and Coriander,

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Baking

Coconut Macaroons | Quick Crispy Eggless Coconut Macaroons

By anshu January 21, 2016

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This is my first post the year. It has been crazy in the midst of workshops, bakes, pickle orders and a much much more. Not that I have not been baking , just that I have a different laptop to work with and it is taking a while to adjust. So a lull in posting. I hope you missed me as much I missed you. Here’s a super quick dessert which is easy, crisp and equally delicious.

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These Coconut Macaroons are not to be confused with French Macarons. The two words refer to completely different things. Both macarons and macaroons are confections, and both names are derived from the Italian word ammaccare, which means “to crush” – but that’s where the similarities end. Traditionally, these coconut macaroons are made with whipped egg whites, however this recipe is eggless and far more easy and yet so delicious!

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degree F ( Learn about Oven temperatures and Conversion). In a bowl add some dried flaky Coconut. Also add to it All purpose Flour and little salt.

2. Add to the bowl vanilla extract and condensed milk.

3. Mix them thoroughly using a spoon. Wet your hands and roll them into golf size balls.

4. Line a baking sheet with Oddy Uniwrap Parchment Paper and place these balls on it.

5. Bake them in preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden. Remove them on wire rack to cool off.

6. Enjoy these crispy flaky Coconut Macaroons in no time. Perfect solution for quick dessert cravings.

Still looking for more Coconut recipes? You can try Coconut Chutney , Coconut milk and Mango Pudding and Chocolate Coconut Cookies.

CoconutMacaroons_Featured5 [whohit]CoconutMacaroons[/whohit]

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Easy Recipe

Adrak Lehsun ka Achar | Ginger Garlic Pickle

By anshu November 23, 2015

These days you can easily find fresh ginger root sold in the markets. The newly dug ginger root is pinkish in colour and is very soft without any membranes which makes them perfect for pickling. This is a very easy recipe of Adrak Lehsun ka Achar or Ginger Garlic Pickle which I learnt from my mother. I made this pickle for the Uttrakhand Food Festival where I participated last month. I sold more than 30 bottles of pickle in one day. That was quite an achievement for me.

My husband is completely gaga over this pickle. He eats his every meal with this. Oh well he hasn’t been fond of pickle ever but wonder why he is hooked to this 😉 You must try this for you will fall in love with its simplicity.

Directions:
1. Wash Ginger Root thoroughly and remove all the mud. Cut or break it into small pieces. Peel its skin using a sharp knife.

2. Cut it into thin slices and further cut into thin sticks.

3. Place the ginger sticks into a bowl and add white vinegar. Add half teaspoon salt and cover. Let it rest overnight. The ginger will absorb vinegar and become pink in colour.

4. In a dry grinder add rai or red mustard** and make a course powder and set aside.

5. Also make a paste of garlic and set aside.

6. In a wok or karahi add mustard oil and smoke out the oil. Add garlic paste and saute till you see it changing its colour.

7. Add powdered rai powder, salt, black pepper powder.

8. Add ginger sticks and discard the vinegar. Mix well with the spices and let it cook a couple of minutes more. Turn the flame off.

9. Let it cool down and transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature. The pickle stays good for up till a year.

Other Pickle recipe you can try here: Jalapeño Pickle, Kacchi Haldi ka Achar, Instant Raw Mango Pickle South Indian Style. Bharwan Lal Mirchi ka Achaar.

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Dinner

Cous Cous Pilaf | Couscous Vegetable Pulao | Mixed Vegetable Couscous Pulav

By anshu November 2, 2015

Its been a few months now I have been maintaining the regime to eat healthy and exercise daily. Luckily I have been able to shed a few kilos (Happy Dance!!) but a few kilos are still to go. I have been eating everything but in control and avoiding sugar and fried food as much as I can. I made Couscous Salad with Chickpeas some time back and it is a regular at my place.

I wanted to try the couscous pilaf which tasted flavourful with some spices and vegetables. All I can say it was amazing, filling and gets ready in minutes. If you are hungry and looking for quick dinner options, dont think twice make this healthy pulao which looks gorgeous and tastes divine. Its a good option when you want to avoid hi starch rice pulav.

Directions:

1. Chop Onions and Garlic Finely. Also chop Red and Yellow Bell Pepper in strips lengthwise. You can even add mushrooms, I did not have on hand. Set aside.

2. In a sauce pan add water and bring it to a boil. Turn the flame off.

3. Add Couscous to the boiled boiled and top it with ghee or clarified butter*. Cover and let it sit for 5-7 minutes or till the couscous gets cooked. Fluff it up with a fork and set aside.

4. In a pan add oil and heat it.

5. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle for a couple of seconds. Also add whole red chilies.

6. Add garlic and saute. Also add onions and saute till it turns soft and translucent.

7. Add bell peppers and mushrooms if you are using. Saute them till they become cooked but still crisp.

8. Add turmeric Powder and salt. Combine.

9. Add cooked and fluffed couscous to the veggies and combine. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

10. Serve hot with some Aloo Anaar Raita or plain yogurt.

Other Pulav or Pulao or Pilaf recipes you can try are: Mint Pulav, Mango Rice, Curd Rice, Kathal Ki Biryani, Veggie Vermicelli Pulao.

If you are looking for other healthy recipes you can try, Couscous salad with Chickpeas, Mango Black bean Salad, Grilled Chicken Salad, Healthy Broccoli Pasta.

[whohit]CouscousPilaf[/whohit]

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Dinner

Healthy Broccoli Pasta | No Cream Broccoli Pasta

By anshu September 30, 2015

I have mentioned time and again that I am a die hard fan of pasta in all its forms. I don’t mind if its cheesy, boozy, creamy or simply loaded with veggies. Pasta holds a sacred place in my heart. As my little up is growing up I have seen similar or more violent streak to devour pasta. This makes the matter serious since we are a complete pasta loving family and I have to come up with more and more pasta recipes. Sigh!

Well lately my husband and me are on a load shedding spree, which means creamy and cheesy pastas have to be kept at bay. 🙁 I decided to make this healthier pasta with Broccoli which uses no cream and very little cheese and that too is purely optional. I have always loved such simple pastas. You can enjoy them without feeling very guilty ;). I had earlier posted Sauteed Red Bell Pepper & Olive Pasta which was also without cream and cheese.

Directions:

1. Cut the broccoli into florets and wash them under running water to make it dirt free. Boil pasta as per packet instructions. You can choose any shape you like. Learn how to boil pasta perfectly.

2. Drain water and keep the florets aside. Also finely chop some garlic or you can even mince it.

3. In a pan add some olive oil.

4. Add chopped garlic and Red chilli Flakes to the oil. Let the oil get infused with garlic and red chili flakes while it heats up.

5. Add broccoli florets and give it a toss in the oil.

6. Add water and stock bullion. Or you can use vegetable stock only.

7. Season with salt and let it cook covered on low medium heat till broccoli is partially cooked. You will be able to cut the broccoli with a spatula.

8. Add boiled pasta to the broccoli and combine.

9. Season it with Ground Black pepper.

10. Add little butter to make it smoother.

11. Top it up with Parmesan Cheese.

12. Serve it hot with Cheesy Garlic Bread on the side.

Other Pasta recipes you can try here are: Pasta Alla Vodka, Sauteed Red Bell Pepper & Olive Pasta, Avocado Parsley Pasta, Sundried Tomatoes Pasta Salad, Spaghetti Vegetable Pasta , Chicken Lasagna, Mushroom Lasagna in Bechamel Sauce.

[whohit]BroccoliPasta[/whohit]

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Easy Recipe

Potato Smileys | Homemade Potato Smiles

By anshu September 16, 2015

Any mother would understand how difficult it is to make your little ones eat. You have to apply so many tricks to handle and control their eating tantrums. The food has to be glamorized so that they at least give it a try. This could be very maddening at times.

Another challenge is to make them eat healthy and something which is not processed. These days super markets are stacked with frozen snacks which are processed and have no nutritional value. Unfortunately kids are tempted by its appearance and taste. One such snack is Smiley Potatoes by McCain. So I decided I would recreate those smileys at home from fresh products. To my utter surprise they were delicious and tasted almost the same as store bought but many times healthier. I could see the excitement in my kiddos eyes as he grabbed one piece after another. Only a mother would know what satisfaction this brings in.

Directions:

1. Boil potatoes till they are done and peel their skin off.