Egg Masala (Indian Recipe)

Eggs are packed with protein and this is a nutritious egg recipe which is made from hard boiled eggs.You can hard boil the eggs and store them in the refrigerator for atleast a day.I like to serve this recipe with hot Parathas(Indian flat bread).Pack egg masala in your lunch box or have it for dinner or lunch.

Ingredients
Hard boiled eggs-3
Onions chopped-1
Green chilli chopped-1
Tomatoes Diced-1
Garlic paste-1 teaspoon
Coriander Powder-1 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder-1/2 teaspoon
Red chilli powder-1/2 teaspoon
Garam Masala-a pinch(optional)
Chopped coriander leaves-1/2 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil-4 teaspoon
Method
-Take the egg shell out and make 1or 2 slits on the top of the eggs and rub the eggs with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder.
-Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a pan and fry the eggs.Remember to turn the eggs once one side has been fried well.Once the eggs look slightly golden,take them out and keep aside.
-In the same pan add 2 more teaspoons of oil and add the chopped onions and fry till they turn slightly brown.
-Now add the coriander powder,chopped green chillies,garlic paste,turmeric,salt,red chilli powder and the diced tomatoes.
-Stir well and cook the masala for 3-4 minutes.Add garam masala and the fried eggs.
-Cook for another 2-3 minutes and turn off the flame.Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
-Serve with Parathas or rice

Vegetable Tikki

This vegetable tikki is a ready -in -a -jiffy preparation.All you need is some veggies and cheese.Tikkis taste great with chutneys and some healthy salads
Ingredients
Boiled potato-1 big
Grated carrot-1
Green peas boiled-1/2 cup
Processed cheese cube-1small
Dry mango powder(Aamchur-1 teaspoon(Optional)
Garlic-1clove
Green chilli-1
Chopped coriander leaves-2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Cornflour-4 teaspoon
Oil-for shallow fry

Method
-In a mixer,add boiled green peas,garlic and green chilli.Grind it for 4 seconds.
-Take a big bowl and add boiled and mashed potatoes,grated cheese,green peas paste and all the above ingredients and mash well.
-Take a small portion of the mashed potatoes and veggies and make round balls.
-Gently press the balls to make flat tikkis.
-Heat and flat pan and add 2 teaspoons of oil.
-Now put 2to 3 tikkis on the pan and cook on medium heat.
-Turn the tikkis and cook on the other side too.If required add another teaspoon of oil .
-Once the tikkis are cooked and look nice and golden,take them out and serve hot with delicious chutneys
-You can also serve it with salads.

Cheese and Peas Paratha(Indian Flat Bread)

Cheese and green peas paratha is yet another healthy lunch box and kid friendly recipe.I usually cut the parathas in squares,triangles or make small round parathas.You can even use a cookie cutter to make star and heart shaped parathas.
Ingredients
Boiled green peas-1/2 cup
Garlic-1 clove
Green chilli(optional)-1/2
Processed cheese cubes/slices-1
Salt to taste
Oil-to make the parathas
For the Dough
Whole wheat flour(atta)-2cups
Salt-1/4 teaspoon
Carom seeds(Ajwain)-1/4 teaspoon
Water-1/2 cup

Method
To Make the Dough
-Add the boiled green peas,garlic,green chilli and a pinch of salt in a blender and mixer and blend to make a fine paste.Do not add water.
-Take a big container and put the whole wheat flour,salt and carom seeds.Mix well.
-Add the green peas paste to the wheat flour and mix well with your hand.
-Grate the cheese cube or simply mash the cheese slice and put it in the wheat flour.
-Add little water and make the dough by moving the flour mixture is circular direction.
-Repeat this process to make a nice and soft dough.Allow the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes.

To Make the Parathas 
-Take a rolling pin and a cup of wheat flour(atta)

-Take a small portion of the dough,make a round ball and dust it with whole wheat flour.
-Press the ball with your hands to make the dough flat.
-Roll gently to make round parathas.The edges should be rolled properly so the they do not remain thick.
-You can cut the parathas into the desired shapes or just make small round parathas.
-Heat a pan and put the paratha.Turn it to the other side after 2-3 minutes.
-Apply 1/2 teaspoon of oil only when both the sides are cooked properly.
-Take out and serve hot with green coriander chutney.

Red Kidney Beans Curry(Rajma)

Rajma or red kidney beans are a great source of cholesterol- lowering fibers.They are also packed with protein and essential minerals like potassium,manganese and iron.
This Rajma recipe is simple and very healthy.I have used little oil and more tomatoes which is a good source of lycopene and is good for kids.
Ingredients
Rajma(Red Kidney Beans)-2 cups
Ginger-1/4 inch
Garlic-3-4 cloves
Onions-2 medium
Green chilli-1(Optional)
Coriander powder-2 teaspoons
Cumin powder-1/2 teaspoon
Red chilli powder-1/4 teaspoon
Ripe tomatoes-3
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Green coriander leaves-4 teaspoons(Finely chopped)
Green Cardamom-1 crushed
Curd-4-5 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil-3 teaspoons
Method
-Wash and soak the rajma in a big container filled with enough water for atleast 12 hours or you can also soak it over night.
-Add 5-6 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt in a pressure cooker and put the soaked rajma.Pressure cook it till 4-5 whistles.
-Do not drain all the water from the pressure cooker.We will use this water for the gravy.
-Keep the rajma aside and allow it to cool.
-Wash the tomatoes and cut them into big pieces.
-Add the cut tomatoes to a blender or mixer and blend to make a fine paste.
-Slice the onions and chop the garlic and ginger.
-Grind the cut onions,ginger and garlic together.You can also add the green chilli while grinding.
-Heat a pan and add oil to it.
-Now,add the onion,ginger and garlic paste and fry for some time.Keep stirring till the paste is slightly cooked and you get the nice aroma of the cooked paste.
-Add the coriander,cumin and turmeric powder and cook by mixing well.
-Add the tomato puree and cook till the tomatoes are done.beat the curd and add it now.
-Put the cooked rajma and add salt according to your taste.
-Crush the cardamom and add it to the rajma.
-Add 1-2 cups of water now.The water used for boiling rajma can be used here.
-Mix well and cover the pan with a lid and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
-Add finely chopped coriander leaves on top.
-Serve hot with plain rice.

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

 Stop the kitchen Germs
Kitchen is the germiest place in the house.Since mothers are in charge of the food department,it is your responsibility to maintain a clean and germfree kitchen in your house.By following a proper regime you can easily control the kitchen  germs and bacteria.
Follow these tips to tackle the nasty germs and keep your kitchen clean.

 Kitchen Sponge

• This is an item that is filled with germs.Soak the sponges in bleach or vinegar solution for 20-30 minutes and rinse it thoroughly with dry hot air.
• Don't forget to change the sponges every two weeks.
• Use separate sponges for cleaning dishes and wiping counter tops,sinks and other surfaces.

Counters

•  Remember to wipe the counter top after each food preparation.Use 10% vinegar solution on the counters and keep them for 40 seconds and then wipe.
• You can also use antibacterial solutions or disinfecting solutions to spray or wipe the counters.

Cutting Boards

• Try and keep separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables.
• Use plastic or cutting boards as they are non porous and more resistant to bacterial attacks.
• Change the cutting board if it has lots of knife indentations or is worn out.
• Always disinfect the cutting board immediately after cutting meat or vegetables.This prevents cross contamination of food.
• Use hot soapy water and spray vinegar or bleach solution.Keep it for atleast 20 minutes.Rinse off with hot water and let it day.You can also put it in the dishwasher at high.

Dish Towel

• Use paper towels while preparing food with meat.Always wash hands with soap after cutting meat.
• It is a good idea to have separate towels for  wiping hands and dishes.

Trash Can

• Keep the trash can lid closed.This will keep the smells from spreading and also prevent insects and bacteria.
• Always keep a waste paper bag in the trash can.
• The trash can should be cleaned every time you see stains or dropped food inside.Spray bleach solution and keep it for 20 minutes.Rinse it with hot water and some anti bacterial solution and allow it to dry.

Handles

• Clean the refrigerator,cabinets and pantry door handles atleast once a week.
• Use bleach solutions or vinegar to clean.

Refrigerator

• Clean the handles every week.
• Wash all the surfaces of the fridge including drawers and racks with vinegar solution.
• Get rid of the mold on the refrigerator door by cleaning the surface with bleach.

Healthy Carrot Halwa(Sweet Carrot)-Diwali Recipe

The carrot halwa recipe that i'll share today is very healthy as i have used very little oil/ghee and have completely skipped using condensed milk and khoya.Instead of sugar,i've used sugar free.The other ingredients remain the same.
Smart Tip to Grate Carrots
If you find it difficult to grate the carrots,you can simple cut the peeled carrots into  small pieces and blend them in a mixer or blender without adding any water to make a coarse paste.

Ingredients
Grated Carrots-6(Washed and peeled)
Milk-5 cups
Raisins-10-12
Slivered almonds-4-5
Casewnuts-5-6
Cardamom-2 crushed
Vegetable oil/ghee-3 teaspoons
Sugar free powder-2.5 teaspoons
Method
-Grate the carrots and keep them aside.
-In a pan put3 teaspoons of oil and add the grated carrots to it.Keep stirring till the raw smell of carrots is gone and the water from the carrots is dried.
-Now slowly add milk to the cooked carrot and mix well.Cover the pan and keep stirring occasionally till the milk starts boiling and is completely reduced.
-Now add suger free and mix properly.
-Turn off the flame.
-Take another pan and add 1/2 teaspoon of ghee and fry the cashew nuts and raisins.
-Add the fried cashew and raisins to the carrot halwa and mix gently.
-Garnish with slivered almonds on top.
Healthy and yummy carrot halwa is ready.

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.