Mama's View | Parenting, Education, Money & Mindful Living

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,...

 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-...

 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.

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 a...

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 ingre...

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!