OATS UPMA

Healthy oats upma is a simple, healthy and delicious recipe made with quick cooking oats and mixed veggies with detailed photos. A better way of serving oats is vegetable oats upma. It is very similar to the traditional rawa upma recipe. However, in this upma, we add oats in the place of rawa. Here for my recipe I used Rawa and Oats together. Oats upma is healthier version of upma for diet conscious people and the best breakfast menu. Oats can be prepared with the choice of vegetables, but can be prepared without veggies too. I like the crunch of peanuts so added coarsely ground peanuts in my recipe. This recipe is easy to prepare and gets done within 30 minutes including both preparation and cooking. I have added finely chopped veggies and I do suggest to add them as they give a good texture and of course a nutritional boost to the upma. I usually stick to the trio of green peas, capsicum and tomatoes. Oats upma can be served plain, drizzled with some lime juice. This upma also makes for a healthy tiffin snacks. So here is the detailed step-by-step recipe of oats upma.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Oats, dry roasted for 3-4 minutes
1/2 cup Samolina/ Rava, dry roasted for about 5 minutes.
1 sprig Curry Leaves
1 Onion, chopped
2-3 Green Chillis, chopped
1 Capsicum, chopped in cubes
1 Tomato, chopped finely
1 teaspoon Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 grated carrot, or cubed (optional)
2 tablespoon Coriander, chopped
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
Salt,as needed
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 1/2 tablespoon Oil
1/4 cup Green Peas
2 tablespoon Coarsely Ground Peanuts
1 teaspoon Cumin, Mustard Seeds

METHOD:
STEP 1 - Heat a pan on low heat and dry roast the oats and samolina seperately. Keep it aside.

STEP 2 - Heat oil in a pan and crackle cumin-mustard seeds in it..

STEP 3 - Then add peanut powder in it and roast for 30 seconds.

STEP 4 - Then add chopped onion and green chillies with ginger-garlic paste. Cook till the raw smell vanishes.

STEP 5 - Then add chopped capsicum and tomatoes. Cook till the tomato becomes mushy and then add green peas in it and saute well.

STEP 6 - Add turmeric powder and then samolina and oats in it. Stir it well and cook for 1 minute.

STEP 7 - By the time, boil water in another bowl. Add salt in it and mix well.

STEP 8 - Add boiling water and cover the pan as it splutter and you may get hurt. So be careful.

STEP 9 - After 1 minute remove the lid and stir it well and cook for next 1 minute.

STEP 10 - Finely, add chopped coriander and lemon juice and give a nice stir.

Remove on to a serving bowl and ready to serve.

Serve it hot with a hot cup of tea or coffee and enjoy.

ALOO- GAWAR SABJI/ CLUSTER BEANS-POTATO CURRY

A delicious healthy sabji recipe of cluster beans and potato which is simple and easy to make. Gawar also known as Guvar in Gujarati or cluster beans in English. It is a healthy vegetable but not exactly everyone's favorite. My mom used to make it's sabji with peanuts and coconut ground with garlic and some spices which is my favourite one. Not only me but all my family members like gawar ki sabji that way. That recipe is dry sabji and shared by me earlier in my blog.This time I made gawar with potatoes and some spices and pressure cooked it. The version I am posting today is a "wet curry" that is patli or rassedar sabji. I myself is a huge fan of gawar however my daughters hates gawar because of it's slight bitter taste. But still I make it.
Cluster beans or gawar phali is a native to India and is grown and consumed in almost all the states . This little green soft and tender beans contain glyconutrients that help in controlling blood sugar levels in the body. Not many people are aware of the fact that gawar is low in glycemic index and hence, do not cause rapid fluctuations in your blood sugar levels when consumed. Although this is one vegetable you should include in your diet if suffering from diabetes. There are many health benefits of gawar and you can google it to know more about it. Gawar phali is traditionally available in summer season. The taste is slightly bitter and edges of these beans are fibrous and you'll have to de-string it.
While making dry sabji of gawar, you have to boil or steam the beans first. As this is a heavier vegetable to digest, it is always a good idea to add a little carom/ ajwain seeds to the tempering. It helps the digestion and adds a great taste too. While making this sanji, remember to add the ingredients in the mentioned order, to ensure that the aroma and flavour of the vegetable and each spice powder is retained to the hilt, to entrall your taste buds!!!

INGREDIENTS:
150 gms Cluster Beans [Gawar Phali]
2 small Potatoes
2 Medium Sized Tomatoes, chopped finely
1 teaspoon Green Chilli Chopped
1 teaspoon Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 Sprig of curry Leaves
3 tablespoon Cooking Oil
3/4 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
1/4 teaspoon Carom Seeds
A pinch of Asafoetida
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder [as needed]
1 and 1/2 teaspoon Dry Coriander Powder
Salt as per taste
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
A pinch of Sugar
3/4 Cup Water
1 tablespoon Chopped Coriander
METHOD:
STEP 1 - Wash and string the gawar phalis and chop them.
STEP 2 - Peel and chop potatoes into big cube sized pieces.

STEP 3 - Chop the tomatoes finely in to small pieces.

STEP 4 - Heat oil in  a pressure cooker.
STEP 5 - Add cumin seeds and carom seeds in it and let them splutter. Add green chillies, curry leaves and ginger- garlic paste and saute well. After that add a pinch of asafoetida.

STEP 6 - Now add chopped tomatoes and salt and stir fry till tomatoes become soft and mushy.

STEP 7 - Add powdered spices

and stir fry till oil starts leaving the sides.

STEP 8 - Add chopped potatoes in it and cook fir 1-2 minutes.

STEP 9 - Then add chopped gawar in it.

STEP 10 - Mix well and add water .

Mix it and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles or till get cooked.

STEP 11 - Open the lid when cool down completely and add sugar and lemon juice in it.

STEP 12 - Garnish it with chopped coriander and serve.

It goes well with chapatti or rice.

EGGLESS VEGETABLE MAYONNAISE SANDWICH

Vegetable Mayonnaise Sandwich is a tasty, quick and healthy sandwich which can be served as a healthy and filling breakfast along with a glass of juice. I made them with eggless mayonnaise. Here I have made use of chopped onion, capsicum, tomato as main ingredients but you can choose other veggies such as grated carrot, sweet  corn and cabbage. Here for my recipe I used white bread but you can use wheat bread/multi grain bread to make it more healthy. I saw mayonnaise sandwich in the menu card of restaurant but never tried it. So it is on my to do list from last so many days. I have chosen no toast option but you can toast the sandwiches. It is quick to make and sure a healthy alternate to the usual toast sandwiches. So try this healthy and creamy sandwiches next time for your breakfast or snack time.  Just follow the step by step recipe and enjoy.

INGREDIENTS:

8-10 Bread Slices [wheat bread/ multi grain bread]

½ Cup Capsicum [All Coloured Bell Peppers], chopped in cubes

1 Tomato, chopped

1 Cucumber, chopped in cubes

1 tablespoon Chopped Coriander

1-2 green Chillies, chopped/ ½  teaspoon Chilli Flakes

½ teaspoon Oregano

Salt as needed

½ teaspoon Black Pepper Powder

2-3 tablespoon Eggless Mayonnaise Sauce

1 tablespoon Chilli Garlic Sauce [optional]

1 tablespoon Butter

METHOD:

STEP 1 – Apply butter on one side of each bread slice.

STEP 2 – Then drizzle some chilli garlic sauce on it.

STEP 3 – Mix all the veggies and mayonnaise with spices in a bowl and mix it well.[see notes]

STEP 4 – Now place a butter slice on a clean, dry surface with the buttered side facing upwards. Spread the mayonnaise salad on the bread slice.

STEP 5 – Keep another bread slice over it with the buttered side facing downwards and sandwich it.

STEP 6 - Cut the sandwich diagonally into two halves.

Your sandwich is ready to serve. [see notes]Repeat the same with the rest of the breads and serve immediately.

Serve veggie mayonnaise sandwich with a hot cup of tea or coffee and enjoy.

NOTES: *Adjust the salt, as mayonnaise sauce also have salt.

               * You can grill the sandwiches with some butter and enjoy.

PALAK DUMPLINGS WITH MOONG DAL

Palak kofta is a classic and famous North indian curry dish. Koftas  are  very easy,delicious and quick recipe which is very healthy too. Recipe needs some before hand preparation like make the palak/ spinach dumplings and keep ready before going to make the dal. I used the deep fried dumplings but you can steam them which makes it more healthy for health conscious people who wants tasty food around. These are deep fried so they become little crisp from outside. As you know leafy vegetables has so many nutrition in it. They are low in calories, low in fat and high protein, fibre, iron and calcium. You should have leafy vegetables in your diet, I also make different ways to include them in my family’s diet. Moong dal is very tasty and it tastes more delicious with palak dumplings. This is a comforting every day dal. This aromatic dish is full of flavours and aroma of Indian spices. It is the best vegetarian curry which goes well with any Indian flatbread or rice. My kids love this dal mixed and cooked with other green leafy veggies like methi and dil leaves.  It’s rich, filling and nutritious. So give a try and share your experience.

INGREDIENTS:

1 bunch of Palak  

½ cup Gram Flour (Besan)

1 cup Masoor Dal

1 big Chopped Onion

1 tablespoon Ginger-Garlic Paste

2 Green Chillies

1 tablespoon Turmeric Powder

1 tablespoon Red Chilli Powder

Salt for taste

Oil for deep fry

2 tablespoon Ghee

1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds

1 teaspoon Mustard seeds

2 Red Chilies

Curry Leaves

METHOD:

STEP 1 – Take a frying pan and roast the besan for 2 minutes till you can smell the nice aroma of besan

and keep aside.

STEP 2 – Heat a tablespoon of oil and add chopped onions and ginger-garlic paste and sauté.

STEP 3 – Now add the chopped palak, turmeric, red chili powder, salt and cover and cook for 2 minutes.

STEP 4 – Let palak cool down and mix well with roasted besan and make small balls/ dumplings.

STEP 5 – Heat sufficient oil in a deep pan and deep fry till crisp.

STEP 6 – When they turn golden brown from all sides, take them out on  atissue or a kitchen towel. Keep them aside.

STEP 7 – Add green chilies, salt, turmeric powder to dal and cook in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles and keep aside.

STEP 8 – Now in a deep pan, add tempering with a tablespoon of oil and green chillies. 

STEP 9 - Add the dal and palak dumplings and cook for 5 minutes.

STEP 9 – Heat ghee and add cumin and mustard seeds. When they crackle add red chilies and curry leaves. Add this to the dal.

Serve this dal hot with chapatti, parantha or steamed rice.

BRAIDED BREAD

Today we had this delicious pizza braid for dinner. It was soo good. It’s like pizza and bread sticks all in one. This is my first attempt at making a braided bread and look how it has turned out. Really happy with the outcome. I tried baking ladi pav a few months back and guess what , it was a super flop. This time followed the recipe carefully and here is the result. A beautifully braided pizza stuffed with pepper, onion, black olives, homemade pizza sauce and grated cheese. An east dinner or quick game-day appetizer. I can’t wait to see what other foods I can make into a braided treat! Hope you like my recipe, if yes then don’t forget to comment in the comment box below.

INGREDIENTS:
For Braided Bread:
3 cups All-purpose Flour
7 grams Dry Active Yeast
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Water
1 teaspoon Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
3 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Chilli Flakes
1 teaspoon Dry Oregano
1 teaspoon Dry Rosemary
1 teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
For Filling:
1/2 cup Onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup Boiled Corns
1/4 cup Black Olives
1/4 cup Yellow/ Red Bell Peppers, finely chopped
1/4 cup Mushrooms, finely chopped
Salt as per taste
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
1 teaspoon Dry Rosemary
1 teaspoon Dry Oregano
2 tablespoon Pizza Sauce or Tomato Sauce
1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil

METHOD:
STEP 1 - Heat water and milk in a saucepan. Add sugar and let it dissolve completely. Make sure, the liquid is lukewarm, neither hot nor cold.
STEP 2 - Add in the yeast in this lukewarm mixture and let it activate which will take around 7-8 minutes. You will know that yeast has activated when the liquid gets frothy.

STEP 3 - In the meantime, sift in all-purpose flour along with salt and other spices.

STEP 4 - Next, add in oil and yeast mixture to the flour and knead it to a pilable dough.

STEP 5 - Smear dough with some oil

and cover with a kitchen towel, keep it at a warm place and let rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours.

STEP 6 - Till the time dough rises, make the filling.
STEP 7 - Heat oil in pan. Add in all the vegetables and let for 3-4 minutes. Next, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, herbs and pizza sauce.

STEP 8 - Let the stuffing cool completely.
STEP 9 - By the time, dough would also have been risen. Knock off the air from the dough and again knead for about 5 minutes.

STEP 10 - Divide the dough in two equal portion.

STEP 11 - Dust the platform with little flour

and roll out each portion in a long oval sheet.

STEP 12 - Put a tablespoonful pizza sauce in the center, add the stuffing along with mozzarella in the centre of the rolled dough.

STEP 13 - Next, make the cuts as shown in the image below.

STEP 14 - Now, start sealing the stuffing by bringing together the strips from each side alternatively, sort of making a braid. See the image below.

STEP 15 - Place the braided pizza on a baking tray and let it rise for additional 30 minutes.

STEP 16 - In the meantime, preheat the oven to 180 degree C.
STEP 17 - After 30 minutes, smear the breads with some melted butter and sprinkle some oregano over it.

STEP 18 - Then pop them in the oven to bake for around 30 minutes.

Your bread should be ready.

Serve it warm with schezwan sauce or any of your sauce.