HEALTHY AND TASTY ENERGY BAR/ HEALTHY LADOO.

HAPPY DIWALI ALL.

Today is Diwali so thought of sharing a sweet as well as healthy recipe.

Today it’s also Children’s Day so this recipe is also kids friendly recipe .

We have been eating plain nuts for years as part if of our daily diet as it keeps us healthy.Now it’s time to innovate something from the bests of the nuts family.So here I have a snack bar/nuts and dates ladoo that is tasty and most importantly stays healthy since the dish is free from oil,sugar and jaggery

Ingredients

.Dates……1 cup

.cashews…..1 cup

.Almonds…1 cup

Groundnut…1 cup

Sesame….1/4 cup

Honey…1/2 cup

Salt…1/4 tsp

Honey…1/2 cup

Oats…..1/2 cup

Dessicated coconut…1/2 cup

Can add walnut,pistachio and pumpkin seeds.

.Soak dates in hot water for 2 hrs.It will get softened. Blendit into a smooth paste.

.Dry roast oats in a kadai and powder it.

Method

1.In a kadai or a thick bottomed vessel addcashews,almonds,groundnut

,sesame, dessicated coconut and roast it.In a few minutes it will turn golden aromatic and crisp.Remove from fire and keep aside.

2. In the same kadai add the dates paste and cook for 5 mts.When it gets thickened add the roasted nuts mixture to it.

3. Add honey,cardomom powder and salt mix well.

4. Add powdered oats to it combine well.Moisture gets absorbed and it holds shape

5.Transfer it to a tray,level it and refrigerate it for an hour.

It will set completely Now you can cut into pieces.If you would like to have it as a snack bar.

If you like to have it as a ladoo first shape into balls instead of levelling it in a tray and then refrigerate it.

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GRATED CARROT RICE

Carrot is a root vegetable is a perfect health food. It improves eye health. Orange carrots get their bright color from betacarotene an antioxidant that your body converts into Vit.A.

They are good source of fiber,Vit.K1, potassium,B6 and antioxidants.

Ingredients

Rice……1cup

Cinnamon…1piece

Cardomom…2

Cloves…..3

Star anise …1

Cook rice with the above whole spices and little salt. Add 1/2 lemon juice.Keep aside.

For Carrot rice

Carrot……4 grated

Ghee……3tbs

Saunf….1/4tsp

Cumin seeds….1/4tsp

Onion……2chopped

Green chillies…2

Garlic cloves …..3or 4 pods

Turmeric a small piece

Garam masala……1/4tsp

I grinded green chilli,ginger and garlic.

For a change have used grated turmeric powder I have used fresh turmeric grated.

In a kadai add ghee .Add saunf ,cumin seeds

Add onion and grated turmeric and add grated carrot.

Add grinded chilli ginger garlic paste.Add garam masala powder if you need more spicy add chilli powder and salt.

When done add cooked rice. See that rice doesn’t get broken.

Lastly add chopped Coriander leaves.

CHOCALATE FUDGE

Another easy recipe especially for children.

Ingredients

Milkmaid…..1/2 tin

Chopped nuts….50 gms

Cocoa……1/4 cup

Butter……25 gms

Sugar…..6 TBS

Method.

Pour milkmaid into a thick bottomed pan.

Add butter and sugar into the pan.

Add cocoa and nuts

Stir on gentle heat till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.

Pour evenly into a buttered dish.

Allow to cool and set.

Cut into squares.

VEGETABLE BIRIYANI

I have already posted vegetable biriyani cooker method this is microwave method

.Ingredients

• Soaked Basmati Rice….200gms
• Water…..400ml
• Ghee….2tbs
• Cloves…3
• Cardomom……3
• Black pepper…3
• Salt and Sugar as per your taste.
• Mixed vegetables cauliflower,peas,french beans and carrot chopped…….1cup
• Soya sauce…..2tbs
• Chilli sauce…2tbs

Method.

1. In microwave safe glass bowl add ghee, vegetables,all masalas and soaked basmati rice,mix it well and cook.
2. When beep add water,salt and sugar.
3. Cover it start cooking.

Mine is Samsung Oven and it has code which is preset.so I am cooking in that way.You can cook according to your oven.Serve hot with raita and papad.

FRUIT SALAD WITH CUTARD SAUCE

Most fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium and calories. None have cholestrol. Fruits are sources of many essential nutrients that are under consumed including potassium,dietary fiber,Vit.C and folate.Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain health.

BANANAS:

These are often noted as great sources of potassium. A banana has around 15% of your Vit C requirements.

APPLES:

As the old saying goes “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” one apple contains about 20%of our daily fibre requirement and around 8%of our recommended VitC requirement.

POMEGRANATE:

This is loaded with important nutrient s. It contains hundreds of edible seeds called arils. They are rich in fiber,vitamins,minerals and bioactive plant compunds also contain some sugar. It contains punicalagins and punicic acid unique substances that are responsible for most of the health benefits.

GRAPES:

Packed with nutrients especially Vit.C and K. High antioxidants contents may prevent chronic diseases. Reveratol is a key nutrient in grapes that may offer health benefits.

To beat the heat of summer thought of sharing this desert for you.I prepared the custard sauce separately and added to the cut fruits.We can add fruits to our diet to boost our nutrition intake..

Ingredients

• Fruits……4 cups
• Custard powder….21/2 tbs
• Sugar…..6
• Vanilla essence…..1/4 tsp
• Milk………21/2 cup.

METHOD.

1. To 1/4 cup milk add custard powder and make it as a paste.
2. Boil milk in a heavy bottom vessel.
3. Add sugar then vanilla essence and now add custard powder paste to it and the mixture will get thickened. Stir it continuously so that it prevents lumps from forming.
4. When cooled it will get more thickened.
5. Add fruits and chill it.You can also chill the custard first and then serve with cut fruits
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POTATO RICE

I have given a number of single rice recipes. This post is a single rice preparation which is very easy to prepare. Almost all kids favourite is 🥔. It is also a lunch box recipe. I cooked rice seperately and prepared potato separately.

Ingredients:

• Cooked rice……1 cup
• Potatoes…………2 cut into small cubes
• Ginger garlic paste…..1 tsp
• Chilly powder………….1 tsp
• Turmeric powder…….1tsp
• Onion…………..1 or 2finely chopped
• Vegetable masala powder…1 tsp
• Oil……….as required
• Salt …….as required
• Coriander leaves……finely chopped.
• Cinnamon…1 piece
• Star anise….1
• Cloves………2
• Cardomom….2

Method:

1. Cook rice separately remember it should not be mushy.
2. Boil potatoes and cut it into cubes.
3. Pour oil in the pan. If it is for kids can use ghee instead of oil.
4. Now put fry masala ingredients cinnamon,star anise, cloves and cardomom.
5. After sauting add chopped onions fry a little add cubed potatoes now add turmeric powder, chilly powder, vegetable masala powder and salt.Fry till it is crispy.
6. Now add the cooked rice. Mix well.
7. Finally add chopped coriander leaves.
8. Can serve with raita and papad.

When giving for kids remove the whole spices after cooking and before serving for kids .

Cauliflower masala dosai/Gopi masala dosai

Gopi masala dosai or cauliflower masala dosai is another dosa variety from my cuisine.This is an all time favourite for my family members.Can easily prepare this curry.If curry is left over can use it for rotis or Chappathi as a side dish.Two steps are involved one is preparing the curry and second is stuffing the curry in the dosa.

INGREDIENTS

Dosa batter as required.

For Curry.

• Cauliflower finely chopped and cooked 1cup
• Onion_1 finely chopped
• Tomato_1 chopped
• Green chillies_2chopped or can use chilly powder instead.
• Mustard seeds and urad dhal 1tsp
• Curry leaves a few
• Ginger garlic paste_1tsp
• Coriander powder _1tsp
• Vegetable masala powder 1tsp/ or Sambhar powder 1 tsp.
• Salt as needed.
• Oil for frying as well as for dosa
• Cashew nut paste or coconut paste 1to 2 tbs.

Method:

If you are going to add cashew paste soak in hot water and grind it into paste. and keep aside.

Boil cauliflower florets with salt and a pinch of turmeric and keep aside. when cold chop into small bits.

Curry

1. In a wok put oil and add mustard seeds and when it splutters add urad dhal.
2. Now add ginger and garlic paste and fry.
3. Now add onions ,green chillies curry leaves and saute it.
4. Add chopped tomatoes to it and fry till it becomes mushy.
5. At this stage add turmeric powder,if you are going to add chilli powder vegetable masala powder,coriander powder and salt add now,mix well
6. After mixing add cooked cauliflower allow the masala to blend well
7. Add cashew paste or coconut paste.
8. Add coconut paste or cashew paste to get it thickened.Finally add chopped coriander leaves.

To prepare dosa:

1. Keep Dosa tawa and put one laddle of dough on it.Spread into a round shapes one.
2. Drizzle oil or ghee on it .
3. When it is cooked and crispy keep a spoonful of masala in one side of the dosa cover with lid for few seconds.Then cover it with the other half.After few seconds remove from fire.

Serve hot with chutney and Sambhar.

Frying onion 🍅 and masal items.

Grinding cashews

Allowing curry to boil.

When it gets thicker switch it off.

This dosa is done with finely chopped cauliflower.

CHILLI IDLY FRY

Another easy recipe from me.This can be prepared with freshly made idlis or from left over ones.This is a kids friendly recipeThis is a Tiffin recipe for lunch or evening snack.

Ingredients

• Small idly or bigger ones cut into pieces.
• Oil for frying 

For curry

• Onion_____2or 3
• Capsicum____1
• Tomato___1 or 2
• Chilli______1
• Garlic_____few pods
• Ginger____14 tsp.grated 
• Or can use ginger garlic paste
• Chilly sauce___1/2 tsp
• Tomato sauce_1/2 tsp
• Soya sauce_1/2 tsp
• Sugar _____1/4 tsp
• Salt as needed
• Coriander leaves for garnishing
  
• Oil

Idli_ __   5 nos cut into pieces or small idlis a bowl.Fry idols either by shallow fry method or deep fry and keep aside

Method

1. Heat oil in a kadai first add onions after frying a little add capsicum,tomatoes and green chilly
2. Now add ginger and garlic or ginger and garlic paste.
3. After frying a little add tomato sauce,chilli sauce,soya sauce,sugar.
4. Sprinkle little water after adding salt to it.
5. When the masala is mixed well add fried idlis to it.
6. See that the masala blends well with the idly
7. Garnish with coriander leaves

Serve with raitha or  Sambhar and chutney

Suggestions

• When  you fry dont fry too brown It should be crisp outside and soft inside.
• Can add red chilli powder or pepper powder reducing ginger garlic paste.
• When frying if it sticks refrigerate idlis for some time.
• If packing for kids avoid green chilly and can reduce ginger garlic paste.

CAPSICUM RICE

A variety rice which can be easily prepared. It’s kids friendly too.I have used only green bell pepper but can use different color Bell pepper too.
Ingredients
Rice ____2 cups
Star anise 1
Ginger garlic paste 1 tap
Onion___2
Cloves_,_2
Garam Masala__1tsp or vegetable
masala
Bay leaf 1
Coriander leaves a few
Oil or ghee
Method
1To a wok add oil or I’d it is for kids add ghee.
2.Add star anise,cloves,bay leaf and fry it very well.
3. Add sliced onion and add capsicum after a little while.
4. Now add ginger garlic paste,masala powder and required amount of salt.
5.When it is mixed well add cooked rice toit.
6.Add chopped coriander leaves.

Can add roasted peanuts.
Also can add green peas or potato too

Serve with raitha and papad.

KEERAI KADAYAL/KADANCHA KEERAI

We have different receipes with keerai.Today I thought of sharing a simple and traditional recipe with few ingredients. This recipe with ghee is very good for children.I have done with Arai keerai but palak or siru keerai or mula keerai or spinach can be used.
INGREDIENTS
*Spinach or Arai keerai 1 bunch
*Garlic 4 cloves
*Green chilly 1
*Tomato 1
*Water 1/2 cup
*Salt as needed
For frying
Oil 2 tbs
Mustard seeds 1/4 tsp
Urad dhal 1/2 TSP
Curry leaves a few

METHOD
1.Clean the Greens and remove the dirt and sand by keeping in water for sometime.
2.Remove from water and keep aside.
3.Now in a saucepan or kadai putgreens,garlic,tomato, chilly with water and cook for  few minutes.
4.When done remove from fire and allow it to cool.
5.Put in a blender and make it into a fine puree adding salt to it.
6.Keep in a bowl.
7.In a pan take 1 to 1 tbs oiladd mustard seeds when it splutters add urad dhal then curry leaves to it when fried add to the Greens puree.

Serve with rice with a dash of ghee.

Options
1.Some add 1onion too.
2.If you are giving for small children can avoid green chillies.
3. Instead of putting in a blender can use keerai mathu for mashing it.
Can add a pinch of sugar while cooking greens to retain its color.