Poha Namkeen-Diwali Snacks

Poha Namkeen:

This is yet another special Diwali recipe that can be enjoyed with a hot cuppa tea or coffee on a cold evening. I have not fried the poha/chivda here. If you wish, you can fry the poha.I have made the sweet and tangy version here by adding powdered sugar and citric acid powder but it is completely optional.

Ingredients:

Thin Poha-1.5 cups

Groundnuts-4 teaspoons

Cashewnuts-2 teaspoons

Almonds-1 teaspoon

Curry leaves-10 or12 leaves

Red chilli-2(optional)

Cumin seeds/jeera-1 teaspoon

Sesame seeds/til-2 teaspoons

Asafoetida/Hing-1/4 teaspoons

Oi/Ghee-to fry the nuts and curry leaves(3tablespoonsapprox.)

Salt-To taste

Sugar powder-2 teaspoons(optional)

Citric acid powder-1/4 teaspoon

Turmeric powder-1/2 teaspoon

Dried coconut-cut into thin strips-7-8

Method:

-Take a heavy bottomed iron pan and heat it on medium flame.

-Add the poha and dry roast it on low-medium flame for 4-5 minutes and take it out of the pan.

-Now, add oil/ghee to the same pan and fry the nuts, sesame seeds, red chillies and curry leaves in batches and keep them aside.

-Add another teaspoon of oil/ghee and add the hing, jeera and turmeric powder and mix the fried nuts,curry leaves and stir gently.

-Now, add the poha and salt,powdered sugar, citric acid and dried coconut and give it a good mix.

-Allow this mixture to cool and store it in a clean air tight jar.

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Cauliflower Curry without Garlic and Onion-Vrat/Fasting special

 Cauliflower Curry without  onion and garlic :

 Shravan is an auspicious month for Hindus and this month is dedicated to the worship of lord Shiva.It is believed that Shravan month is a good time to meditate and pray to lord Shiva.Many people refrain from eating onion and garlic during this time as these are considered to be Tamsik in nature as per Ayurveda.

This cauliflower curry is cooked without onions and garlic and can be eaten during vrat or fasts.I have used roasted  whole spices and made a nice powder from it.You can store this powder in an air tight jar and use whenever you want to make any recipe without onions and garlic.Use dry ginger powder(Saunth) if you do not want to use the powder immediately.
Try this delicious curry during this holy month of Shravan or any Vrat and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:
For Masala Powder
Cumin seeds-2 teaspoons
Coriander seeds-2 teaspoons
Black pepper corns-3-4
Dry Red chillies-2
Cloves-3-4
Green Cardamom-1
Cinnamon-1 big stick
Bay leaves-2
Dry ginger powder(Saunth) -2 teaspoons

For the Curry
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
Tomatoes-2 medium sized,diced
Cauliflower-1
Potatoes-2 medium sized
Oil-3 teaspoons
Turmeric powder-1 teaspoon
Green coriander leaves-2 teaspoons,finely chopped
Water-2.5 cups
Salt to taste

Method:
-To make the masala powder,put all the ingredients mentioned in the ingredients for masala in a mixer jar and grind to make a smooth powder.
-Cut the cauliflower and potatoes into medium size.Dice the tomatoes.
-Take a pan and put 1 teaspoon of oil and separately fry the potatoes and cauliflower.Add a pinch of salt while frying the cauliflower.Saute the potatoes and cauliflower for 3-4 minutes each till they are half cooked.
-In the same pan add 2 teaspoons of oil and let it heat.Add the cumin seeds and let it splutter.Add the diced tomatoes and saute for 2-3 minutes.
-Now add the masala powder,cauliflower and potatoes and mix well.
-Add salt and turmeric powder and cook for 2 minutes.
-Add 2 cups of water and mix well.Cover the pan with a lid and cook for another 4-5 minutes on medium flame till the vegetables and properly done.
-Remove from fire and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
-Serve hot with puris or pulao.

Fruit Raita(Yogurt Fruit Dip)

 This delicious and super healthy yogurt dip has fruits which are a great source of vitamins and anti-oxidants.Yogurt is rich in nutrition and the combination is just perfect to start your day.Serve this raita with rava upma, multigrain cracker or poha.

Ingredients
Yogurt-2 cups
Pomegranate seeds-2 teaspoons
Apples-11/4 cups,finely chopped
Pineapple-11/4 cups,chopped
Bananas-5-6 slices
Lime juice-1 teaspoon
Rock salt-1 teaspoon
Grapes-4-5,seedless
Sugar-a generous pinch
Roasted cumin powder-1/4 teaspoon
Mint leaves-1 teaspoon,finely chopped.

Method
-Take a bowl and add the chopped apples and add lime juice to it and mix well.
-In another bowl whisk the yogurt and add rock salt and sugar.
-Now add the grapes,banana slices,apples,pineapple and gently mix.
-Keep it in the refrigerator a serve chilled by topping it with pomegranate seeds,roasted cumin powder and freshly chopped mint leaves.

Sabudana Upma(Navratri Special)

PEARL SAGO KHICHDI (Photo credit: rashmi1979)

Today is the second day of Navratri(Nine nights) and people in most part of India observe fast.Dishes made of sabudana and potatoes are usually comsumed by people during the fasting period.
Today's recipe is sabudana upma which is another easy to make recipe.I've used sandha namak(Rock salt) instead of the common salt.

Ingredients
Sabudana-1 cup
Potatoes-2 medium,boiled
Green chillies-2,finely chopped
Peanuts-1/4 cup,roasted
Cumin seeds-1r/4 teaspoon
Asafoetida- a gesnerous pinch
Lime juice-2 teaspoon
Rock salt to taste
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Oil- 2 tablespoon
Curry leaves-3-4
Green coriander leaves-1 teaspoon,finely chopped

Method
-Soak 1 cup of sabudana in 1 cup of water for 4-5 hours.
-Boil the potatoes and dice them into small cubes.
-Coarsely crush the roasted peanuts.
-Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and allow it to splutter.
-Now add the finely chopped green chillies,curry leaves and asafoetida and stir for a minute.
-Add the diced potato cubes and mix well.
-Now add the rock salt and turmeric powder and stir again.
-Put the soaked sabudana and cook for 3-4 minutes by constantly stirring.
-Add the crushed peanuts on top and mix gently and add lime juice and sprinkle some finely chopped coriander leaves on top.
-Serve hot.

Sabudana Vadas(Tapioca cutlets)-Navratri Special

sabudana vada (Photo credit: sumeet basak)

Sabudana vada is a famous snack from Maharashtra,a state in western India.This is also a recipe popular during fasts.
You can soak the sabudana  overnight till they become fluffy and soft.If you do not have enough time to soak then you can pressure cook the sabudana .
These vadas are crunchy from outside and soft from inside.Serve them with fresh green chutney along with a cup of hot masala tea!

Ingredients
Sabudana(Tapioca)-2 cups
Green chillies-2,finely chopped
Potatoes-2,Boiled
Peanuts-1/2 cup,Roasted and coarsely crushed
Salt to taste
Vegetable/Olive Oil-2 cups,for frying

Method
How to Pressure cook Sabudana
-Take 2 cups of sabudana and put it in a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water.
-Pressure cook for 2-3 whistles.

For the Vadas
- Mash the boiled potatoes and keep aside.
-Take the soaked/cooked sabudana in a big bowl and add the mashed potatoes and all the above ingredients except oil.
-Mash all the ingredients with hand.
-Heat a fry pan and add 2 cups of oil to it.
-Take small portion of the mixture and make vadas of desired shape.You can make flat rounds or small round balls with your hand.
-Fry the vadas in oil.Make sure you regulate the temperature or the vadas will burn from outside and remain uncooked from inside.
-Serve hot with Fresh green chutney and a cup of spiced tea.

Peanut and Yogurt Dip(Navratri Special)

Here's another simple and tasty dip recipe.It goes well with chapatis,parathas,rice,tikkis or with salads.
You can use hung curd or plain curd to make this dip.Use hung curd if you plan to send this dip in your kid's lunch box.It's healthy and very appetizing.Try it and please give your feedback.
Ingredients
Peanuts-1cup
Ginger-1very small piece
Green chilli-1
Salt to taste
Curd/Hung Curd-2 cups

Method
-Roast the peanuts in a pan till a nice a nice nutty aroma comes out.Keep stirring with a spoon or the peanuts will burn.Let it cool.
-Take a handful of peanuts and rub then with both the hands to take the skin out.Blow off and take the skin out.
-Repeat the above step for the rest of the peanuts.
-Take a blender or mixer and add all the above ingredients and blend to make a nice smooth paste.
-Delicious yogurt and peanut dip is ready!