Vegetable Pulao

Vegetable pulao is a one pot meal in its self and it also makes a healthy and delicious main course rice preparation.This is yet another easy lunch box recipe.I have used regular carrots,green peas, and cottage cheese to make it more healthy.You don't need much preparation to make this dish.Cutting the vegetables the night before and storing them in a zip lock pouch.Left over rice can be used but i have cooked long grain rice and added vegetables to it.Serve it with raita.

Ingredients
Long grain rice-2 cups
Carrots-1
Green Peas-1/2 cup
Paneer(Cottage Cheese)-5-6 small cubes
French Beans-3-4 cut into thin strips
Sweet corn kernels-1/4 cups
Cashew nuts-5-6
Vegetable oil/Ghee-3 teaspoons
Cardamom powder-a pinch
Salt-1/2 teaspoon

Method
How to Cook Rice
-Wash the long grain rice and soak it in water for atleast 15-20 minutes.
-Take a big container and boil 7 cups of water.When the water starts to boil add the rice and a pinch of salt and let the rice cook.Stir the container after 10 minutes to check if the rice is done.Do not overcook the rice or the pulao will become sticky.Use a spoon and take little rice and check if it's properly done by breaking the rice grain with hands.
-Drain the water and let the rice cool.It is important to let the water dry completely from the rice.Put the cooked rice on a bog flat plate and gently spread it on the plate using a spoon.Now allow it to cool completely.
For the vegetables
-Finely chop the carrots into very small cubes and vertically cut the french beans into thin strips.
-In a pan heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil/Ghee and fry the cottage cheese.Fry the paneer cubes till they become slightly golden.Take the cubes out of the pan and now add 2 teaspoons of oil or ghee and fry the cashew nuts and the cut vegetables,sweet corn and the green peas.
-Keep stirring till the vegetables and slightly cooked.
-Now add the fried paneer cubes and mix well.
-Keep the flame on low .
-Slowly add little rice using a spoon and mix gently.
-Add a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of cardamom powder.
 -Add some more rice.Repeat the process with rest of the rice.
-Turn off the the flame and gently mix again.
-Vegetable pulao is ready.
-Serve with Raita.

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!

Healthy Parathas for lunch Box(Indian Flat Bread)

My son has just started kindergarten and this new beginning is definitely a welcome change for my son.It's a little difficult for me though as i have to wake up at 5:30 am and pack lunch box for him.The first question that comes to my mind is what do i send in my T's lunch box? I did come up with some interesting ideas.Today and in my coming posts I'll share some handy tips and ideas with you.
Today's recipe is a simple yet very healthy for kids.I've used cottage cheese(Paneer),grated veggies and a combination of two healthy flours-Atta(Whole Wheat flour )and Besan(Gram flour).You can pack the parathas with the healthy chutneys and dips I've mentioned in my previous posts or simply with hung curd.
Ingredients
Whole wheat floue(Atta)-2 cups
Gram flour-1/2 cups
Grated carrots-1
Green chilli finely chopped-1
Chopped Spinach leaves-1/2 bunch
Boiled potato-1 medium
cottage cheese grated(Paneer)-1/2 cup
Curd-1/4 cups
Salt to taste
Water-1/4 cups

Method
-Take a big bowl and mix all the above ingredients together and add water slowly and knead it to make a nice soft dough.
-Cover the dough with a cling wrap and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
-Take 1 cup of atta(whole wheat flour) and keep it aside.
-Take a small portion of the dough and make a small round ball with your hand and press it a little.
-Put this flattened dough on the atta that you have kept aside.Coat both sides with atta.
-Put the coated dough on a flat surface and roll it with a roll pin.Spread the dough to make a nice round paratha.
-Heat a flat pan and put the roti and cook it till both sides and properly done.
-Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil/olive/ghee and turn the paratha on both sides.
-Place it on an aluminum foil.Similarly,prepare parathas from the rest of the dough and pack them in an aluminum foil.
-Serve with chutneys,dips or with hung curd.

My Notes
** You can use shredded cabbage,grated cauliflower,radish,bottle gourd and onions
** Adding fenugreek leaves also gives a nice taste to the paratha.
** You can cut the parathas into triangles and squares to make it more appealing to kids.

 

Healthy Vegetable-Cheese Parathas(Indian Flat Bread)

Parathas(India flat breads) are a meal by themselves.Make this tasty paratha for your guests or pack them in your kid's lunch box.Serve it hot with a cup of yogurt or any dip and chutney.
Ingredients
For the Stuffing
Grated processed Cheese-2  small cubes
Grated carrots-1
Grated boiled patato-1 small
Green peas-1/4 cups boiled and mashed
Green chilli-1finely chopped
Ginger-Garlic paste-1 teaspoon
Green coriander-3 teaspoons-finely chopped
Shredded Cabbage-1/4 cup
Vegetable oil/ Olive oil/Ghee-1 teaspoon
Dry Mango Powder(Aamchur) -2.5 teaspoon(Optional)

For the Dough
Whole wheat flour(Atta)-3 cups
Salt -1/2 teaspoon
Carom seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Water- 1.5 cups

Method 
To Make the Stuffing
-Heat a pan and add 1 teaspoon of oil to it.
-Add the ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chillies to the pan.Stir for 1-2 minutes.
-Now add the above mentioned vegetables except the cheese,one by one.Keep stirring.
-Add salt and the dry mango powder(aamchur) and cook till the vegetables are done.Do not forget to stir.
-When the vegetables are cooked,allow it to cool completely.
-Add the grated cheese to the cooked vegetables and mash with clean hands or using a spoon.
-Make 7-8 small balls of the mashed cheese and veggies and keep aside.

To Make the Dough
- Take a bog bowl and put the whole wheat flour and add all the ingredients except water.
-Mix well
-Now slowly add little water and mix the atta with your hands in a circular direction.
-Knead the atta mixture well to make a nice soft dough.
-Put a cling wrap on the dough and keep it aside for 10-15 minutes.

To Make the Parathas
-Take a roll pin and a cup of whole wheat flour.
-Take a small portion of the dough and roll it in your hands to make a small ball.
-This step is important:Press this ball to it flat and using your thumb and index finger,press the sides if the flattened dough.
-Take a mashed veggies and cheese ball and carefully put it at the center of the flat dough.
-Slowly close the veggie-cheese ball by carefully bringing the presses sides of the dough towards the veggie-cheese ball.
-Try and close the veggie-cheese ball completely with the dough.
-Press this dough a little and dust some whole wheat flour on it and roll gently to make a round paratha.
-If you notice the veggies coming out or the dough becoming sticky,the dust some more wheat flour.
-Heat a flat pan and add the paratha.The flat pan must be very hot.
-Turn both sides of the parathas.
-Smear oil/ghee only when both the sides of paratha have been cooked properly.
-Repeat with rest of the dough.

School Bus Safety Tips for Children

School bus is one of the safest modes of travel for children.If your child is using school bus,teach him some important and good rules to follow.
Safety Rules

• Every child should know about the danger zones and should always stay away from them.
• Teach children about the rules while crossing the road.
• When your child is near the school bus he should have the attention of  the driver.
• Never allow children to play near or around the school bus.
• When crossing in front of the bus,children must measure and take atleast 10 big steps in order to identify the danger zone.

Getting On the Bus

• Always reach the bus stop 10 minutes before the actual pick up time.
• Find a safe place away from the road and wait for the bus.
• Wait for the bus to stop before getting on board.
• Board the bus carefully holding the side rail carefully.
• Do not push or shove your friend.
• Find a vacant seat and sit on it quietly.
• Keep your school bag on your lap.Remember not to keep your bag at a place where other children can trip over.
• Never put your hand,arms or head out of the window.
• If you are standing,hold on to the safety rails tightly.You should also face the front of the bus.
• Do not distract the driver.
• Always listen to and follow the instructions given by the driver.

Getting Off the Bus

• Get off slowly holding the handrails.
• Do not push or shove your friends.
• After getting down you must walk and not run.Go right home.
• Never go behind the bus or stand in front of the bus.

Safety Rules for Parents

• If possible,accompany your child to and from the bus stop.
• When crossing road,always hold your child's hand especially if he is under 10.
• Before crossing,be sure you check the traffic lights and flash signals.
• Wait for the traffic to clear or stop before you cross the road.
• Walk across the road and turn your head both ways to watch and listen to traffic.You must walk and never run on the road.
• If you are driving,always slow down near school bus stop areas and places where children are standing and playing.

Motion Sickness Prevention Tips for Children

It can be distressing for parents to see their children not feel well and have frequent motion sickness.Children from 5years to 12years are more susceptible to motion sickness.

What is Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is caused by a disturbance of the inner ear where there is a conflict between the vestibular inputs and visual inputs.These conflicting messages are sent to the brain which results in imbalance and thus leads to motion sickness.
Motion sickness can occur in air,sea,bus,car,roller coaster or from playing video games.

Symptoms and Signs

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Pale skin
• Cold sweat
• Fatigue

Remedies for Motion Sickness

• Always ask the child to look at a distant point,at the horizon or focus his attention somewhere out of the window.
• Have a plastic bag ready.Wiping your child's face with wet towels will also make him feel better.While traveling in air keep the air sickness bag ready for the child.
• If traveling by car,let your child sit in the front seat.This helps him to focus and keep his eye in tune with the motion of the vehicle.If in a bus,choose the middle seat.
• Give your child a pillow or use the head rest to avoid unnecessary head movements.Your child should keep his head as still as far as possible.
• Calm your child.Anxiety can make the problem worse.Tell your child that he is not the only one and he will get over it as he grows a little older.
• Always carry lots of liquids while traveling.Frequent vomiting can cause dehydration in children.
• Give your child small sips of water or electrolytes if he's vomiting.
• Motion sickness can get worse if your child is on empty or full stomach.Avoid giving big or greasy meals to your child before travel.It is a good idea to have a light snack before the motion.
• Avoid drinking and eating during short trips.
• Make frequent stops.Take short breaks when the child starts complaining about feeling sick.
• If you are flying,request for a seat near the airplane wing.This helps to reduce the turbulence.
• Try covering the windows as bright sun can make nausea worse.
• Fresh air can also help prevent nausea.Try and open the windows whenever possible.

Useful herbs and medicines

 Before starting any therapy make sure you consult a health care professional or doctor about the exact dosage and method of treatment.

Herbs

-Ginger

-Peppermint

-Black Horehound

Homeopathy

-Cocculus

-Sepia

-Tabacum

-Borax

-Petroluem

-Nux Vornica

Other Medicines

-Promethazine

-Antihistamines

-Scopolamine

Quick Antioxidant Rich Bell Pepper Dip

The multicolored bell peppers are a rich source of antioxidant,vitamin C and beta carotene.They come in orange,green,yellow and red color.These colorful bell peppers not only provide spice and crunch,they can also be a good source of nutrition for your family's lunch,dinner or breakfast.
Here is an interesting recipe of bell pepper dip.I have used all the four colored bell peppers in the recipe.
Ingredients
Red bell pepper-1
Yellow bell pepper-1
Green bell pepper-1
Orange bell pepper-1
Garlic-4-5 pieces
Fresh Thyme-1.5 teaspoon
Parsley-1 teaspoon
Extra virgin olive oil- 3 tablespoon
salt to taste
Method
-Roast the bell peppers in an oven or prick the bell pepper with a fork and roast it on gas.
-Let the bell peppers cool completely.Take the skin out and cut it into thin slices.
-Chop the parsley and thyme.
-Chop the garlic pieces.
-In a blender add all the above ingredients.Blend to make a nice smooth paste.
-Garnish with chopped parsley.
-Bell pepper dip is ready to serve.