Namakpare(Diwali Recipes)

 (Photo credit: su-lin)

Diwali is a festival of lights.It also signifies the victory of good over evil.Diwali is incomplete without sweets and snacks.In my coming posts I will be sharing some tasty yet healthy diwali recipes.
Namakpares,also known as flour crackers are small handy diamond pieces or crunchy triangles are a popular festival recipe.It is made from flour and cut into diamond shaped strips or folded into triangles and deep fried in oil.This recipes also makes a great evening snack.It stays fresh for weeks if stored in a dry air tight jar.

Ingredients: 
All purpose flour-1 1/2 cups
Wheat flour-1 cup
Black onion seeds(Kalonji)-1/2 teaspoon
Oil-2 teaspoons for the dough and 2 cups for frying the namakpares
Salt-1 teaspoon
Water-to make dough
Baking soda(sodium bi-carbonate)-1/2 teaspoon

Method:
-Take a big bowl and add both the flours,salt,kalonji,baking powder and 2 teaspoons of oil.
-Mix well with hands for 5-6 minutes.Do not add any water at this stage.
-Now slowly add little water and make a tight and stiff dough.
-Knead this dough properly for about 10 minutes.Let it rest for some time.
-Take small portions of the dough and make medium sized balls and roll it to make a nice flat chapati.Remember to add a little oil to the dough while rolling so that it does not stick.
-Now cut the rolled chapati diagonally into thin strips and again cut into strips from the other side to make diamond shapes.
-Heat a pan and add 2  cups of oil to it.
-Slowly pick the cut diamonds and fry them in batches.Do not overcrowd the pan.
-Take out on a kitchen towel and let it cool completely.
-Store it in a dry and air tight jar.Enjoy it with a cup of hot evening tea.

Healthy Matar-Paneer(Cottage Cheese Cubes in Tomato Gravy)

Paneer or cottage cheese is packed with protein.This simple and healthy curry recipe is made with  fresh home made tomato puree which is a good source of antioxidants.I've used milk instead of water for the gravy.The curry tastes great with a healthy Vegetable Pulao.

Ingredients:
Paneer-200 grams
Green Peas-1/4 cups,boiled
Tomatoes-2 medium sized
Onion-1 small size,chopped
Green chilli-1,chopped
Ginger-1 very small piece,finely chopped
Milk-1/2 cup
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Kasuri methi-1 teaspoon
Garam masala-a generous pinch
Salt to taste
Olive oil/vegetable oil-1 teaspoon for shallow frying the paneer cubes and 2 teaspoons for the curry

Method:
 -Cut the paneer into medium sized cubes.
-Boil the tomatoes in water for 6-7 minutes and cool and take the skin out.
-Cut and blend the boiled tomatoes to make a puree.
-Add the green chillies,ginger and onions in a mixer jar and make a smooth paste.
-Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a pan and shallow fry the paneer cubes for 3-4 minutes.Take out and keep it aside.
-In the same pan add 2 teaspoons of oil and the ginger-onion paste and fry for 3-4 minutes.
-Add the tomato puree now and mix well and add salt ,kasuri methi and turmeric powder and cook till you see oil coming out from the masala paste.
-Add the fried paneer cubes,boiled green peas and mix and add milk and let the curry simmer on low flame for 5 minutes.
-Add a generous pinch of garam masala to the matar-paneer and mix well.
-Serve hot with vegetable pulao.

Horsegram Sprouts Salad

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Horsegram also known as Kulith is a reddish brown colored bean usually grown in dry agricultural areas in India.This legume is high in protein,vitamin C and iron.Horsegram sprouts is made by soaking the legume in water for 8 to 10 hours and  wrapping it tightly in a damp cloth and letting it germinate.It usually takes a day for the horsegram to develop small roots or sprout.
I have cooked the kulith sprouts in water with a little salt and mixed it with a very light tempering of onions and some fresh grated carrots and coconut.
I usually pack this in my son's snack-box.We also have it as evening snacks often.

Ingredients:
Horsegram sprouts-1.5 cups
Onion-1 small size,finely chopped
Green chilli-1,finely chopped
Carrot-1/2 piece,grated
Coconut-2 teaspoons,shredded
Lime juice-1.5 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Water-5 cups,for boiling
Oil-2 teaspoons

For Tempering:
Cumin seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Curry leaves-5-6
Dry red chilli-1(Optional)
Green coriander leaves-2 teaspoons,finely chopped(For garnishing)

Method:
-Wash the horse gram and soak it in water overnight or for 8 to 10 hours.
-Wrap it in a clean and damp cotton cloth and tie it properly and allow it to germinate for a day.
-Boil the horsegram in 5 cups of water and add 1.5 teaspoons of salt and let it boil for 15-20 minutes till the pulses are properly cooked.You can even pressure cook it for 5-6 whistles.
-Drain the water from the horsegram and keep it aside.
-Heat oil in a pan and let the cumin seeds splutter.
-Add the chopped green chillies,curry leaves and onions and saute for 3-4 minutes.
-Now add the shredded coconut and grated carrots and mix well.
-Add the sprouts and a pinch of salt and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
-Turn off the flame and add lime juice and mix with a spoon and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Garlic-Coconut Chutney for Improved Immunity

We all know about the medicinal properties of the extremely versatile herb Garlic.Garlic helps to strengthen the immune system and even fight off cancer formation.Coconut on the other hand is highly nutritious in fiber,vitamins and minerals.
In this recipe I've used dry coconut.You can also use fresh coconut but make sure you consume it in a day or two.You can slightly saute the garlic but I've used raw garlic.
Store this chutney in an air tight jar and keep it in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:
Dry coconut-1/2 cup,grated
Garlic-5-6 cloves
Red chilli powder-2 teaspoon(According to your taste)
Tamarind paste-1 teaspoon
Salt-1/2 teaspoon
Oil-1 teaspoon

Method:
-Mix all the ingredients in a mixer jar and blend it to make a fine paste without adding any water.
-Store in an air tight jar and use a spoon to take the chutney out.

simply.food: Announcing Event~Celebrate Navratri Diwali

simply.food: Announcing Event~Celebrate Navratri Diwali

Cheese Corn Tikki(Autumn Recipes)

 As the weather gets cooler,the urge for comfort food hits.This easy tikki recipe along with some warm soup or a cup of hot tea is a perfect way to embrace autumn.

Ingredients:
Corn-1 cup,boiled
Cheese-2-3 cubes,grated
Chilli flakes-1/2 taspoons(Optional)
Bread slices-2
Salt to taste
Oilve/vegetable oil-2 table spoons

Method: 
-Grate the boiled corn and the cheese cubes
-Cut the sides of the bread and crush it with your hands.
-Add salt,chilli flakes and the crushed bread to the grated corn and cheese.
-Mix well with your hand and make small balls out of the mix.
-Press the balls gently and flatten it.
-Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the tikkis.
-Serve hot with ketchup or fresh green chutney and soup or tea.

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.