Akki Payasam/Rice payasam

This is one of the simple yet tasty South Indian sweet dish ! Its also known as phirani in some parts of India... You must give a try to this if you have not yet! I bet you would like it :) Here I have done using pressure cooker to prepare rice which would be easier...

Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time : 25 mins

Ingredients:
1. Rice - 3/4 cup
2. Sugar - 1/2 cup (or based on taste how much sweetness is needed)
3. Jaggery - 1/4 cup
4. Milk - 1 1/2 cup
5. Raisins - few
6. Cashew - 4
7. Badam - 2/3
8. Ghee -1/2 tsp to 1 tsp , to fry rasins
9. Cocount - 1/2 cup grated

Method:
1. Pressure cook the rice, it should be bit watery
2. Smash using spatula and add milk and heat.
3. Once it starts boiling, reduce the flame and add sugar, jaggery. coconut grated
4. Keep it in low-medium flame and stir in between for about 10 mins
5. Mean while, grind cashew and badam and put into the cooker and cook for another 10 mins
6. In a pan, add ghee and allow to melt and fry rasins till it turns brown and allow to cool
7. Add to the cooker and cook for another 2 or 3 mins

Serve it hot/chilled based on how you need it....

Note:
1. This payasam is better when its set for about 2 hrs and best when chilled!
2. Grinding cashew and badam and mixing is optional

Veg Fried Rice

One of our favourite Indo-Chinese dish :) With vegetables added its also nutritious and one of the easy dish to be prepared! Here is this recipe, try and let me know how it tastes! :)

Preparation Time : 25 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins

Ingredients:
1. Rice - 1 cup
2. Oil - 1tsp
3. Beans - 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
4. Carrot - 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
5. Cabbage - 1 cup (finely chopped)
6. Capsicum - 1/4 cup (finely chopped)
7. Onion - 1 (finely chopped)
8. Garlic - 2 to 3 pods
9. Ginger - 1 inch
10. Oil - 2 1/2 tbsp
11. Vinegar - 1 tsp
12. Soya sauce - 2-3 tsp
13. Jeera - 1 tsp
14. Chillies - 3 to 4 (slit lengthwise)
14. Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil and add jeera, once it turns its color to golden brown add onion and chillies and saute until onions are translucent
2. Then add garlic, ginger and saute for few seconds
3. Add beans and fry. Add carrot, cabbage, capsicum and in the same order
4. Saute in high flame and continuous stirring is needed for beg to be cooked and crunchy.
5. Add rice, soya sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper needed and mix well.
6. Saute for few seconds in high flame and fried rice is ready :)

Note:
1. If required can add 1/2 lemon's juice
2. If required can add star anise to flavor the rice
3. Cook the rice in such a way that grains are separate
4. Only time consuming is cutting vegetables finely

Home Made Paneer

Especially favourite with North indians, paneer is used in making various dishes from sweets to curries. Though its readily available in markets here is how to prepare it at home!

Ingredients:
1. Milk - 1 litre
2. Fresh lemon - 1

Method:
1. Heat milk and bring to boil.
2. Once milk starts boiling, reduce the flame and add lemon juice by squeezing the lemon while continuously stirring the milk
3. Milk starts curdling
4. Keep stirring until curdling is complete
5. Strain through the cheese cloth and wait to cool
See pic below:

6. Gather the cloth , squeeze out all water, tie a knot and hang for 15 to 20 mins to drain water completely
7. Then keep a heavy object on top it and leave for 2-3 hours
8. Then take out from bundle and cut into desirable shapes and use to your recipe

Note:
1. Can store in air tight container & refrigerate if not used immediately
2. Can use pressure cooker filled with water to keep on top of it to drain water
3. If paneer crumbles when you cut its not drained off water properly

Brocolli Soup

Brocolli which is high in vitamin C and dietary fiber is full of nutrients! Here is the low fat delicious soup :)

Preparation Time : 15 mins
Cooking Time : 15 mins

Ingredients:
1. Brocolli - 2 cups chopped
2. Onion - 1 1/2 chopped
3. Garlic - 4 pods
4. Mint leaves - few
5. Butter - 1tblsp
6. Pepper - 2 tblsp
7. Salt as needed
8. Water - 3 cups (or as required)
9. Bread cubes - as needed

Method:
1. In pan heat butter to melt, add garlic and fry for a minute
2. Add onion and fry until it turns translucent
3. Add brocolli and fry for a minute
4. Add 1 cup water and cook till brocolli is soft (10 - 15 mins)
5. Allow it to cool and blend along with mint leaves till smooth(add water if required)
6. Now transfer it to a pan and add remaining water and also add salt, pepper and cook
7. Add the bread cubes while serving
Brocolli soup is ready to serve!

Note:
1. Water can be adjusted based on whether you want it thick or watery
2. Salt, Pepper can be adjusted based on your taste
3. You can also garnish it with pepper and a brocolli floret

Pepper Rasam

Rasam is a famous dish in South India. And here is the recipe for Pepper Rasam which is a kind of rasam in alot of types... This is also good for cough and cold since pepper is used... And I just love to gulp a cup of any rasam :) This is also easy to prepare when you dont have any veggies at home! Important ingredients here are tamarind, tomato and pepper :)

Preparation time : 10 min
Cooking time :  30 - 40 min

Ingredients:
1. Tomato -2
2. Tamarind - small lemon sized ball
3. Whole black pepper - 1 tbsp (if you like it can use 1 1/2 tbsp)
4. Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
4. Garlic - 2 cloves
5. Turmeric Powder - a pinch
6. Sambar Powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)
7. Curry leaves - few
8. Salt to taste
9. Coriander leaves - 2tbsp
10. Water - 1 3/4 cup
11. Jaggery - 1 tsp (optional)

Seasoning:
1. Ghee - 1 tsp
2. Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
3. Red Chilli - 2
4. Curry leaves - few
5. Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp

Method:
1. Soak tamarind in warm water and get juice from pulp
2. Grind jeera,pepper,garlic and curry for few seconds in mixie
3. In a kadi, add cup of tamarind juice, chopped tomatoes, sambar powder, turmeric powder, jaggery, mixture prepared in step 2 and salt and boil
2. Once it starts boiling, reduce the flame and simmer for 15 mins
3. Now add water and boil in medium flame (nearly 10 - 15 mins)
4. Once forth starts forming switch off th gas
5. Add finely chopped coriander leaves
6. In a pan heat ghee and add mustard seeds, once it splutters add all other ingredients under 'For seasoning' and put it into rasam and mix

Note:
1. Can use black pepper powder if you want instead of grinding the black pepper

Cabbage Fry

This is Andra Style cabbage fry for all those who like cabbage and in this style :) To be frank i loved this dish though i just did this to try once... Trust me this is delicious and easy to prepare too need not say healthy! Its good for your skin, immunity and weight loss! 

Ingredients:
1. Cabbage - 1 1/2 cup (finely chopped)
2. Chana Dal - 1/4 cup (soaked in water until its soft)
3. Turmeric powder - a pinch
4. Salt to taste
5. Water - 1/2 to 3/4 cup

For Grinding:
1. Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp (finely chopped)
2. Green Chillies - 3 (chopped)
3. Coconut - 1/4 cup
4. Ginger - 1/2 inch

For Tempering:
1. Mustard Seeds : 1 tsp
2. Jeera - 1 tsp
3. Onions - 1  (very finely chopped) (optional)
4. Curry leaves - 1 spring
5. Oil - 2 tbsp

Method:
1. Grind the ingredients dry i.e., without adding water and keep aside
2. In a kadai, heat oil and add mustard seeds and allow to splutter
3. Then add all ingredients under 'For Tempering' and saute until onions are transparent
4. Now add the grinded mixture and saute for a minute
5. Add cabbage and saute for a minute
6. Add water (water should be less as cabbage gets cooked with less water) and cook with covered lid until cabbage is soft and fully cooked
7. Now add soaked chana dal and cook for couple of minutes and switch off
8. Serve with rice/roti

Note:
1. The cabbage is boiled until partially cooked and then added while cooking this dish. Since the nutrients will be lost the above method would be the best way to cook it
2. This can be taken as side dish for rice and sambar also or can have it with chapati
3. Do not put more water to cook cabbage. It requires less water and later can be added if required and cooked
4. Chana Dal can be soaked over night and use for preparation next day. If the dal is not soft when you chew it does not taste good when cabbage fry is prepared

Mint Rice/Pudina Bhath/Pulao

The aroma of mint makes this a delicious, colorful and nutritious dish as well  :) Its easy and simple ! Pudina/Mint is rich in Vitamin C, Potassium and Calcium. The flavor of the mint leaves makes me tempting while preparing ;)

Preparation Time : 15 min
Cooking Time : 20 - 25 min

Ingredients:
1. Mint leaves/pudina - 1 cup/1 medium size bunch
2. Rice - 1 cup
3. Onion - 2
4. Green Chillies - 2
5. Garlic - 1 pod
6. Ginger - 1tsp
7. Lemon juice - half lemon
8. Salt to taste
9. Water - 2 cups

For Seasoning:
1. Oil - 2 tbsp
2. Mustard seeds - 1tsp
3. Jeera - 1tsp
5. Cardamom - 1
6. Cinnamon - 1 small piece
7. Cloves - 2
8. Leaf - 1

Method:
1. Wash mint leaves, and add all mint leaves, one onion, green chillies, garlic and grind to paste by adding little water
2. Heat oil directly in a pressure cooker, and add mustard seeds. Once it splutters add all other ingredients mentioned under 'For Seasoning' and saute for few seconds.
3. Add an onion thinly sliced and ginger paste and saute until transparent
4. Add the mint paste and saute till raw flavor of mint paste goes
5. Add rice and saute for a minute
6. Add water, salt as per taste and lemon juice, mix well and pressure cook for 2 whistles
7. Once the cooker cools down, mix well and serve hot along with raita or curd :)

Note:
1. Can add peas if required
2. You can also cook rice and paste separately. And mix both and can have.
3. Can check for Raita in my blog

Bisi Bele Bhath

Bisi Bele Bhath, BBB, is rice based dish and popular dish in karnataka :) Bisi(in kannada) means hot and bele(in kannada) means lentils so its hot lentils rice ! Usually this is eaten along with chips/raita/boondi/mixture. So have a look at this recipe done using pressure cooker and MTR bisi bele bhath powder and try it :)

Preparation time : 15 mins

Cooking time : 25 mins

Ingredients:

1. Rice - 1 cup

2. Toor Dal - 3/4 cup

3. Mix Vegetables - 1 - 1 1/2 cup (I used beans, carrot)

4. Onion - 1 1/2

5. Tomato - 1

5. MTR Bisi bele bhath powder - 3 tsp

6. Grated coconut - 1/4 cup

7. Tamarind concentrate - 3/4 tsp 

8. Jaggery - 1/2 tsp 

9. Water - 5 cups (or adjust as required)

10. Salt

11. Oil - 2 tsp

For Tadka:
1. Mustard Seeds - 1tsp
1. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
2. Curry leaves - few strands
3. Red Chillies - 3 (break at centre)
4. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Method:
1. Heat oil directly in a pressure cooker. Add mustard seeds. Once it splutters add cumin seeds, curry leaves and red chillies saute for a min
2. Add Onions and saute until onions are transparent
3. Add  mix vegetables and saute for a min
4. Add toor dal and rice and saute for a min then add tamarind concentrate, jaggery, coconut and saute for few seconds
5. Add water, mtr bisi bele bhath powder, tomato, turmeric powder and salt as per taste and check the taste for salt and masala and adjust
6. Bring to boil and close the lid and cook for 2 whistles
7. Once the cooker is cool, open the lid and mix well and check the bhath and adjust water. The bhath should not be too thick.

Serve hot !

Note:
1. Water can be added once the cooker is cooled if its too thick and heat for few mins
2. Serve hot with any side dish of your choice
3. Can use any vegetables of your choice including peas, cauliflower
4. You can also add  1/2 to 1 tsp of red chilli powder after adding all ingredients to make it more spicy.
5. Can be served with Raita, boondi, chips...

Rava Dosa - Instant

Here is a dosa recipe that is quick, easy and tasty ! Its a good breakfast idea when you run out of it :)
Here I have added a pinch of ragi according to ma flavour and my taste :)

Preparation Time : 10 min

Ingredients:
1. Rava/Sooji/Semolina - 1 cup
2. Rice Flour - 1/2 cup
3. Ragi Flour - 2 tsp (optional, just for my taste I have added this)
4. Maida Flour/All purpose flour - 2 tsp (optional)
5. Salt to taste
6. Jeera - 2tsp
7. Coriander and Curry leaves few to garnish
8. Onion - 1 finely chopped (optional)
9. Green Chillies - 3 finely chopped
10. Oil to fry dosa
11. Water - 3 cups(adjust according to making thin batter)

Method:
1. Add all ingredients (1 to 9) and add little water and mix well and make a thin batter. This should be thin batter and not like normal batter. Keep aside for 5 mins. Batter is ready
2. Pour a little oil on tawa and heat. Once tawa is heated reduce the flame to medium.
3. Spread the batter from outside and fill the gap. This batter cannot be spread like regular dosa
4. Drizzle oil and heat until golden brown
5. Flip and heat on both sides

Enjoy when its hot

Note:
1. Adding maida and ragi is optional, without which also makes dosa good and tasty
2. Each time before making dosa, mix the batter since water will be on top
3. Adding onion is also optional.

Gobi Paratha

Popular from Punjab, Gobi Paratha with pickle and curd is a perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner:)
The stuffing can be done differently by experimenting with different ingredients and I have changed the rolling procedure of making the paratha to make it more simpler and according to my taste than usual methods used in parathas :)

Preparation Time : 20 mins
Cooking Time : 15 mins

Ingredients:
1. Cauliflower/Gobi - 1
2. Onion - 1
3. Green Chillies - 3 to 4 (based on whether you like it spicy or not)
4. Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp
5. Jeera - 1 tsp
6. Coriander -  1/4 cup
7. Oil - 1 tblspn
8. Wheat Flour - 1.5 cups
9. Water as required to prepare a dough
10. Ghee/oil - to fry paratha (I prefer Ghee to oil)

Spices:
1. Garam Masala - 1 tsp
2. Turmeric Powder - a pinch
3. Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
4. Coriander Powder - 1 tsp (optional)
5. Cumin Powder - 1 tsp (optional)
6. Salt as required

Cleaning the Cabbage:
Wash and boil the cauliflower in water with salt for a while so that it would be clean

Method to Prepare the stuff:
1. Wash and grate the cauliflower, finely chop the onions, green chillies and coriander
2. In a kadai, add oil and heat. Add the cumin seeds and once it splutters add onion, green chillies and saute until onions are transparent
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for few mins
4. Add cauliflower, coriander, and all spices specified under 'Spices'  and cook well in medium flame
5. Remove from flame and allow it to cool

Method to prepare paratha:
1. Take the wheat flour in a vessel and add the stuffing and mix well and knead to prepare a dough using water. (This is the change I did, instead of putting the stuffing at the center and rolling out , here I mix everything and prepare a dough and then roll out)
2. Prepare dough as you prepare chapati dough and now make even sized ball out of paratha dough and roll out ball using flour to dust
3. Heat a tawa, and put the prepared paratha dough on it. Apply some ghee all over paratha and shallow fry both sides.

Enjoy or Serve when hot with a pickle and curd :)

Note:
1. You can go back to normal stuffing process. Once the chapati dough is prepared, make even sized ball and roll out the dough into small circle by dusting the wheat flour. Now place a small amount of stuffing at the center and  gather all corners and seal properly. Dust it with wheat flour and roll out. And heat on tawa using ghee
2. Do not apply too much pressure while rolling out the dough in any method used
3. You can skip adding coriander powder and cumin powder, though adding would enhance the taste

Strawberry - Blueberry smoothie

Here is one drink for all berry lovers as I am ! I made it with fresh fruits and it tastes great. It is full of antioxidants. Super good!

Preparation Time - 10 to 15 min

Ingredients:
1. Strawberry - 8 to 10
2. Blueberry - 1/2 cup (if you want this to be more can take 3/4 cup)
3. Banana - 1
4. Yogurt - 1/2 cup
5. Milk - 1/2 cup
6. Ice cubes - 3 to 5
7. Sugar/Ice Cream (optional. I dint use it as I love the natural taste :) )

Method:
1. Wash and cut the strawberries into half. Cut bananas roughly and add all the fruits specified under ingredients in a blender
2. Add ice cubes and blend for 3 mins
3. Now add yogurt and milk and blend until its smooth (not too thin nor too thick, but I like it thick :) )
Enjoy your smoothie. 

Note:
1. Refrigerating for sometime and having it cool would also taste good 
2. If you want to add sugar or ice cream add it while adding milk and blend togteher

Bread Upma - Instant

Here is another upma n now with Bread! Yes you read it correct... Bread Upma :)
Though I was reluctant to try this before, once prepared enjoyed it :) Its easy and instant and so can be prepared when you are bored to spend more time in kitchen or have no time, and bored of having  bread toast and sandwich then you can have this bread upma in south indian style:)

Preparation Time : 10 min
Cooking Time : 15 min
Serves - 2

Ingredients:
1. Bread slices - 5 to 6
2. Onion - 1 1/2
3. Green Chilli or red Chilli - 2 (I have used Red Chilli here)
4. Tomato - 1
5. Turmeric Powder - 1 pinch
6. Ginger Paste - 1tsp
7. Sambar Powder - 1tsp
8. Ghee - 2tsp for frying bread
9. Salt to taste

To Temper:
1. Mustard seeds - 1tsp
2. Cumin seeds - 1tsp
3. Oil - 2 to 3 tsp
4. Curry leaves

Method:
1. First cut breads into square pieces or tear it into smaller pieces
2. Add ghee in a pan and fry the bread pieces until its turns golden brown. Make sure to roast both sides. Switch off the heat and keep it aside
3. Now add oil in vessel/kadai, and heat it. Once the oil is heated add mustard seeds
4. Once the mustard seeds crackles, add cumin seeds, currey leaves, chillies, ginger and onion one by one
and saute until onions are transparent
5. Then add tomatoes, and saute for a min
6. Add turmeric powder, sambar powder, salt and cook till tomatoes are soft
7. Then add bread pieces and mix well and toss until bread is coated well
And serve hot.

Note:
1. Do not use water, else bread becomes too soft and doesnt taste good.. The tomatoes added are enough for moisture
2. Best to have when hot.
3. can have it as breakfast or even in tea time as snacks

Green Chutney

This chutney which is different from our regular chutney goes well as a side dish for many like idlis, dosas, sandwich, bajjis and for many other dish, also can be used as a dip or spread :) Not to tell, its again a healthy side dish since mint, coriander is used:)

Preparation Time : 10  min

Ingredients:
1. Coriander leaves - 1/2 cup
2. Mint/Pudina leaves - 1/2 cup
3. Garlic - 3 pods
4. Green Chillis - 1 or 2 (can use based on whether you like it spicy or not)
5. Chaat Masala - 1tsp
6. Onion - 1/2
7. Salt as needed
8. Lemon - 1/2
9. Tomato - 1/2 (optional)
10. Ginger - 1/2 inch
11. Water - 2tblspn (little for grinding)

Method:
1. Rinse and cut mint and coriander leaves, roughly chop onions , tomatoes and green chillies
2. Add all ingredients in a mixer/grinder/blender and blend till smooth

Green chutney is ready to be used!

Note:
Adding more chillies would make the chutney spicy

Shavige Bath/Upma

If you are bored of having regular rava upma, you can try tis which is done using vermicelli. We can have it for breakfast and lunch :) Its simple and easy :)

Preparation Time : 15 min
Cooking Time : 15 min
Ingredients:
1. Shavige/Vermicelli - 1 cup
2. Green Chillies - 4 to 5 (based on whether you like it spicy or not)
3. Onion -1
4. Mix Vegetables - 1/2 cup (I used carrot, beans. Can use peas also)
3. Salt to taste
4. Oil - 2 tblspn
5. Coriander to garnish
6. Water - 1 3/4 cups(or as required)
7. Lemon juice - 2 tblspn
8. Coconut - 1/4 coconut (or as per taste)

To Temper:
1. Mustard seeds - 2 tsp
2. Cumin seeds - 2 tsp
3. Chana Dal - 1 tsp
4. Urad Dal - 1 tsp
5. Curry leaves

Method:
1. Dry roast the vermicelli untill it turns slight brown. Switch off the heat. And keep it aside
2. In a vessel, add oil and heat. Once the oil is heated add mustard seeds.
3. Once the mustard seeds starts crackling, add all other ingredients one by one given under 'To Temper' and saute till dal turns light brown. (make sure you wont over fry the dal)
4. And then add chillies(chopped or cut length wise) and then onions(chopped or cut length wise) and saute for a minute or until onions are transparent.
5. Add all veggies(finely chopped) and saute for a minute and add Water and allow the veggies to get cooked
6. Add salt and coconut mix well and cook for a minute
7. Add shavige/vermicelli and cook for 3 to max 5 minute, meanwhile add lemon and mix well. Once cooked switch off the flame and allow it to rest for couple of minutes
8. Garnish with coriander and serve hot


Note:
1. You can add turmeric along with salt in step 6 if you want the dish in yellow color
2. Vegetables should be finely chopped so that they are cooked easily
3. You can have your own choice of veggies like beans, carrot, capsicum, peas
4. Make sure to roast the vermicelli properly before using, else it will become sticky

Strawberry Smoothie

This delicious blend gives you an added boost of nourishment while they delight your taste buds!
This is my personal favourite as I just love strawberries :) 
Here is the recipe which is simple yet tasty :)

Ingredients:

1. Strawberries: 8 to 10

2. Milk : 1/2 cup

3. Yogurt - 1/2 cup

4. Banana - 1 (optional, but enhances the taste and also healthy)

5. Ice Cream - 1/2 cup (optional)

6. Sugar - 1/3 cup (can keep it low or as per your taste)

7. Ice cubes - 2 to 3 (optional, but eases the blending)

Method:

1. Wash and cut the strawberries into 2 and put into blender

2. Add banana,  ice and yogurt to blender

3. Blend for 5 mins, stop and blend again

4. Add milk to the blender and blend for 5 sec, stop and blend again

5. Add Sugar, Ice cream and blend for 5 secs, stop and blend again

Enjoy the smoothieeee :)

Note:

1. If you want to make it healthy you can skip the last step (adding ice cream and sugar)

2. Or you can add sugar or ice cream for sweetness rather than using both

Capsicum Curry/Palya/Subji

A simple yet tasty subji/palya which is often taken with chapati/rotis...

I must also say that this veggie has lot of health benefits too... Its good source of anti oxidants, boosts metabolism n lot more. 

Preparation time - 10 mins            
Cooking Time - 20 mins

Ingredients:

1. Capsicum - 2 to 3

2. Onion - 1 

3. Oil - 2tsp

4. Lemon juice - 1tsp

5. Salt as required

6. Coriander to garnish

7. Water - 1/2 cup(or as required to immerse the veggies to cook)

To Temper:

1. Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

2. Jeera/Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp

3. Curry leaves - 5 to 6 strands

Spices :

1. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp

2. Red Chilli Powder - 2 tblsp

3. Sambhar Powder/Garam Masala Powder - 1 tblsp

Method:

1. Wash capsicum and slice them in smaller size , and slice the onion length wise (or finely if you wish)

2. Heat oil in kadai, add mustard seeds.

3. Once mustard seeds starts to splutter, add cumin/jeera, and onion and saute untill onions are transparent

4. Now add capsicum and fry for a min or two and add water and allow the veggie to get cooked with covered lid(cover the lid in such a way that there is pace for the ventilation, I used a lid with small hole)

5. Once the veggies are cooked, now add all spices specified under 'Spices' along with salt and mix well

6. Add lemon juice mix well and turn off heat

7. Garnish with coriander and serve with roti/chapati 

Note:

1. Cut the capsicum in smaller size so that it gets cooked fast

2. You can also use 1 tomato in this if required
3. Depending on whether you like it bit watery or not adjust the use of water

Oats Upma - Instant

What better way to gain strength and energy to carry you through hectic morning schedule than with this healthy upma which is simple and easy to prepare. Its high in fiber content, reduces cholesterol, enhances immune response and alot...

So lets look into the recipe of making this oats upma more tasteful :)

Preparation Time: 15 mins      
Cooking Time : 15 mins

Ingredients:

1. Oats - 1 cup

2. Onion - 1 

3. Mix Vegetables - 3/4 cup

4. Green Chillies - 3 to 4

5. Water - 1/2 cup

6. Salt - as required

7. oil - 2 tsp

8. Coriander to garnish

For Tempering:

1. Mustard - 1tsp

2. Urad dal - 1tsp

3. Channa dal - 2tsp

4. Curry leaves - 1 spring

Method:

1. Chop onion and vegetables finely. I used beans and carrot for veggies. You can make your own favourite selection

2. Heat oil in kadai, once oil is heated add items given under 'For tempering' in the same order

3. Then add onions & fry till transparent. And then green chillies, vegetables and fry under medium flame for 2 mins

4. Add oats, salt and mix well for a min. 

5. Add 1/4 cup of water, mix well and cook covered for 2 mins

6. Again add the remaining water and cook well until veggies are cooked.

7. Garnish it with coriander and serve hot

Note:

1. Its best to have it when hot

2. Can add turmeric if you want it in yellow in color

Masala Puri

Chaaaaaats.... one of the most favourites evening snack...
That too road side masala puris n paani puris are hot favourite no matter what!
So here is the recipe for you all to satisfy that craving for chats at home... :)

Preparation time : 15 mins                
Cooking time : 20 mins
Ingredients:
1. Puris/Papadis - 10
1. Green Peas - 1 cup
2. Green chutney - 1 tsp
3. Sweet Chutney - 1tsp
4. Green chilli - 2 to 3
5. Tamarind paste - 1tbsp
6. Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup
7. Onion - 1 (finely chop half onion)
8. Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
9. Garlic - 3 pods
10. Ginger - 1/4 tsp
11. Lemon - 1/2
12. Sev to garnish (used Haldiram's Aloo Bujia)
13. Salt to taste
14. Oil - 2tsp
15. Water - 1 1/2 cup (or as needed)

Spices :
1. Red Chilli Powder - 1 or 2 tsp
2. Cumin Powder - 1/4 tsp
3. Chaat Masala - 1 1/2 tsp
4. Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Coriander Powder - 2tsp

Method to prepare ragda/masala:
1. Pressure cook green peas(if using dry peas else need not)
2. Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan, add ha;f onion, garlic and ginger and saute for 2 mins or until onions are transparent
3. Grind half of the cooked peas with half of the coriander leaves, green chillies, tomato also add sauteed ingredients in step 2 and prepare paste (not too thick)
3. In pan, add oil and heat
Once the oil is heated add peas paste and saute in low flame
4. Add little water, tamarind paste, Red Chilli powder, Cumin powder, Coriander powder, Chaat Masala, Turmeric Powder  and Salt as needed
5. Add remaining water. Mix well and let it boil. (Adjust the water as required)
6. Switch off the flame and add lemon juice and mix well

Method to serve masala puri :
1. Crush puris in a plate
2. Pour 2-3 laddles of masala/ragda on this
3. Put green peas on this (from half of the cooked peas was kept separately), green chutney and sweet chutney on this
4. Put half finely chopped onions on this and then tomatoes
5. On this garnish with sev and if required grated carrot and coriander. Enjoy when its hot

Note:
1. In step 3 in the method to serve masala puri, instead of separately adding the peas on top , you can add the peas to the ragda/masala and use the ragda altogether
2. Masala puri tastes good when masala/ragda is hot
3. If masala/ragda is more you can refrigerate and use it later also. But remember to heat it before using
4. if you do not have green chutney and sweet chutney, you can skip that. yet it tastes good :)
5. You can get the recipe for green chutney from my blog
http://namadugemane.blogspot.de/2014/02/green-chutney.html

Raagi Amli / Finger Millet Malt

Raagi/Finger Millet is always common in my home. This recipe is from my mom's kitchen. Most frequent dish with Raagi is of course muddhe. Its so common in Karnataka.
Its healthy, tooo good for diabetic, kids and my personal favourite drink :)
This also cools your body which is why this was regular during summer at home and need not say its rich source of calcium!

Cooking Time : 10 mins

Ingredients:
1. Raagi Flour/Finger Millet Flour - 1/4 Cup
2. Salt as needed
3. Butter Milk - 1/2 cup
4. Water 1/2 cup

Method 1:
1. Add Raagi Flour and Water 1/4 cup and mix well so that there are no lumps in a pan
2. Add salt as required and remaining water and heat it and bring it to boil.
3. Add buttermilk and allow it to cool
Can have it once its cool or when its warm depending on your choice

Method 2:
Ingredients:
ingredient in point 2&3 is not required from above
Need: jaggery 1/4 cup and milk 1/4 cup

1. Add Raagi Flour and Water 1/4 cup and mix well so that there are no lumps in a pan
2. Add jaggery as required and remaining water and heat it and bring it to boil.
3. Slowly add milk and boil for 1 or 2 mins
Can have it warm/hot depending on you choice

Method 3:
Ingredients: (ingredients changes in this method, where flour is prepared)
1. Raagi - 1 cup
2. Milk - 1/2 cup
3. Jaggery - 1/4 cup

For sprouting and flour:
1. Soak raagi for a day (at least 8 to 9 hours)
2. Drain the grains and tie in a white muslin cloth and keep it over night. It will sprout overnight
3. Shade dry and powder it

Method: Follow the same method as in method 2

Note:
Easy methods are method 1 and 2
Method 2 can be used if required it sweet else Method 1
Where as method 3 requires time for sprouting and drying but its more beneficial as its sprouted

Instant Wheat Dosa

When you have no time or no interest to be in kitchen for long time or when there are no much ingredients to cook. Then this is what i cook and enjoy :) Its so easy, takes less time and tasty :)


Preparation time : 10 mins    
Cooking Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:
1. Wheat flour - 1 cup
2. Rice Flour - 1/2 cup
3. Green Chillies : 3 very finey chopped (can use based on whether you like it spicy or not)
4. Jeera - 2 tsp
5. Curry leaves - few tender ones
6. Coriander leaves - few
7. Oil - for making dosa
8. Water - 3 cups

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients (1 to 6) and add little water and mix well so that there are no lumps.
Then add remaining water and mix well again. Now the batter is ready
2. Pour a little oil and heat tawa. Once tawa is heated, reduce the flame to medium
3. Spread the batter from outside and fill the gap. Cannot spread this batter like regular dosa
4. Drizzle oil and heat untill the bottom is golden brown
5. Flip and heat untill both side is cooked
Enjoy when its hot

Note:
The batter and dosa looks similar to rava dosa.
The batter should not be too thick
Its best with tomato chutney but I usually have it with chutney pudi.

Chilli Bajji

This is my hubby's 'All Time Fav' snack. I bet you all love it especially when its too cold or raining. Having this is heaven :) But too much is not good for your tummy! So watch it :)

Preparation Time : 15 mins          
Cooking Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:
1. Green - 5 Chillies (large in size used for making bajjis)
2. Besan/gram flour - 1 cup
3. Rice Flour - 1/4 cup
4. Cooking soda/Eno - 1 pinch
5. Jeera - 2 tsp
6. Red Chilli Powder - 3/4 tsp (can use 1tsp based on whether you like it spicy or not)
7. Salt as needed
8. Water as needed
9. Hot oil - 2tblsp  (optional, this is used to avoid sucking of oil by bajji)

Method:
1. In a mixing bowl, mix besan/gram flour, rice flour, cooking soda, jeera, red chilli powder, salt and hot oil(if using). Add water little by little and mix well so that there are no lumps and make a thick batter so that it coats the chilli easily.
2. Wash the chillies and pat dry. Slit them lengthwise with knife. (Can remove the seeds if required)
3. Meanwhile heat oil in a pan for deep frying the bajjis
4. Dip the bajji one by one in the mix and coat it properly and carefully drop it in the hot oil
5. Cook both sides untill golden brown and in medium flame so that its cooked from inside
6. Once done drain in paper towel and serve hot (with chutney optional)

Note:
1. Seeds of chilli can be removed if you do not want bajji to be spicy
2. Mix the batter and once the oil is heated, can add 2tblsp of oil to batter and mix well
3. Batter should not be too thick or thin. If its too thick it takes time to cook inside the bajji and if its too thin it does not coat and drops from bajji while putting in oil