Masala Chai-Spiced Indian Tea

Masala Chai is a blend of tea and spices.This beverage  has become popular in many parts of the world.Spices like cardamom,black pepper and ginger have several health benefits.A cup of warm masala chai can help you relax after a stressful day and can even keep us warm in the cold of winter.You can add sugar-free or even honey as sweetener.
Try this spiced tea with some hot crispy pakoras as evening snacks.

Ingredients:
Tea leaves-2 tablespoons(I prefer Tata Tea Gold)
Milk-1cup
Water-2 cups
Ginger-1 small piece
Green cardamoms-2
Bay leaf-1 small
Sugar-free powder-1 small teaspoon
Black pepper powder -1/4 teaspoon
Cloves-1

Method:
-Heat 2 cups of water in a pan and let it simmer on slow flame.
-Crush the ginger,cloves and cardamoms in a mortar-pastel and make a coarse powder.
-Add this powder along with the bay leaf and black pepper powder to the water and let it boil.
-Add 2 table spoon of tea leaves and allow it to boil.Stir well.
-Now add 1 cup of milk and boil it.
-Place a tea strainer on a cup and strain the tea.
-Add the sugar-free powder and stir it well with a spoon.
-Hot masala tea is ready!

Achaari Cheese-1 minute snack

This recipe requires no cooking at all.This recipe was in fact suggested by my  son.He loves cheese and  came up with this idea of mixing cheese with pickle and believe me,the combination tastes YUMM!
I pack this in his school lunch-box.
I mix MTR tomato pickle with Amul cheese cubes.You can mix any pickle of your choice.
So here goes the very quick recipe...

Ingredients:
Amul Cheese cubes-3
MTR tomato pickle--3 teaspoons

Method:
-Cut the cheese cubes into half and add the tomato pickle to it and mix well with hands.
-Tada! Achaari cheese is ready to serve.

My Notes:
Another interesting combination would be cheese with fresh green chutney.

Quick Tomato Soup

Tomatoes have numerous health benefits.The lycopene in tomatoes are packed with anti-oxidants and phyto-chemicals along with some vitamins and minerals.Studies have also shown that cooked tomatoes are healthier than the raw ones.
This simple soup is tomatoes cooked with some garlic,spices and carrots and is very healthy and quick to make.It is just perfect to keep you warm on a cold day!

Ingredients:
Tomatoes-4 big sized
Garlic-3-4 cloves
Staranise-1no
Clove-2 nos
Black pepper- 3-4 nos
Carrot-1 small,diced
Milk-1/2 cup
Sugar-a pinch
Salt to taste
Olive oil-1/2 teaspoon
Fresh parsley-2 teaspoons

Method:
-Wash the tomatoes and blanch them in boiling water.Cool the tomatoes and take the skin out.
-Take a mixie jar and add all the above ingredients except parsley and olive oil and blend to ame a fine smooth puree.
-Heat 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil in a pan and add the puree.Cook till it becomes a little thick.
-You can add a little water if you want a clear soup.
-Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm with some toasted bread.

Falafel-Deep fried Chick peas

Falafel is a famous appetizer from the middle-east which is is popular in many parts of the world.It is usually made from fava beans mixed with some spices,herbs and onions.You can use chickpeas instead of fava beans.Falafel tastes best with pita bread and tahini sauce(Sesame seeds sauce).

Ingredients:
Chickpeas-2 cups,soaked overnight
Fresh parsley-1/2 cup,finely chopped
Green coriander leaves-3-4 teaspoons,chopped
Garlic-8-10 cloves,peeled and crushed
Onions-1 small,chopped
Cumin seeds-1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper-a generous pinch
Red chilli flakes-2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Oil-2 cups,for frying

Method:
-Soak the chickpeas in water for 8-10 hours or overnight.
-Take a mixie jar and add all the above ingredients except oil and blend to make a smooth paste.
-Heat 2 cups of oil in a pan and deep fry the falafels taking small portions at a time.
-Serve then in pita bread with some cut onions,lettuce and pickled vegetables.

Masala Murmura-Puffed Rice with Sprouts and Spices

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Puffed rice or murmura is made from rice and is a common snacks food in many parts of India.Being a part of bhel-puri which is a popular street food,murmura is also offered as prasad in temples.
In this tangy and spicy recipe,I've added grated carrot,tomatoes and diced cucumbers along with some spices and sprouts.

Ingredients:
Puffed rice/Murmura-3 cups
Onions-3 teaspoons,finely chopped
Tomatoes-2 teaspoons,finely chopped
Green moong dal sprouts-1.5 teaspoon
Bengal gram-2 teaspoons
Cucumber-2 teaspoons,diced
Green chillies-1 teaspoon(Optional)
Lime juice-2 teaspoons
Sev bhujia-2 teaspoons
Roasted peanuts-2 teaspoons
Fresh coriander leaves-2 teaspoons,chopped
Fresh Coconut- 1 teaspoon,scraped
Salt-a pinch
Mustard oil-1 teaspoon

Method:
-Soak the green moong dal and bengal gram over night and boil the bengal gram and wrap the green moong in a damp cloth to sprout.
-Take a big container and add all the ingredients except lime juice and coriander leaves.
-Mix the ingredients very well using a spoon for 3-4 minutes.
-Now add the lime juice and stir well again.
-Garnish with chopped green coriander.

Chilli-Garlic Potatoes

 This is another easy to make recipe with spring onions and crispy fried potatoes cooked in a  garlic and red chilli sauce.
Chilli-garlic potatoes is one of my favorite and this recipe tastes great with noodles.You can cut the potatoes into cubes or simple wedges.If you do not have fresh red chillies then use dried red chillies soaked in warm water for at least 30-35 minutes.

Ingredients:
Potatoes-4 Medium
Garlic-8-10 cloves
Red chilli-8
Tomato ketchup-1/2 cup
Salt-to taste
Water -1/4 cup
Spring onions-1/4 cups,finely chopped
Oil-2 cups for frying the potatoes and 2 teaspoons for cooking
Cornflour-3 teaspoons

Method:
-Grind the red chillies and garlic to make a fine paste.
-Mix this paste with 1/2 cup of tomato ketchup by adding 1/4 cup of water to it.Mix well and keep aside.
-Peel and cut the potatoes into the desired size and dust cornflour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to it and mix well with hands.
-Heat a pan and add 2 cups of oil and fry the potatoes in batches.Take out and drain excess oil on a kitchen towel.
-Now heat another pan and add 2 teaspoons of oil and add the paste and cook it on medium flame till the sauce paste becomes a little dry.
-Immediately add the fried potatoes and spring onions and stir well for another 2-3 minutes.
-Chilli-Garlic Potatoes is ready to serve.

Pulses-Sprouts Salad for Healthy Heart

Pulses play an important role in our daily diet.The nutrient -rich pulses are high in protein and are also easy to digest.A recent study has shown that people who consume pulses on a regular basis are less prone to coronary heart diseases.
This salad recipe is a mix of 3-4 types of pulses along with some vegetables like carrots and tomatoes.

Ingredients:
Green Moong dal-1/4 cup,sprouts
Horsegram-1/4 cup,sprouts
Bengal Gram-1/4 cup,boiled
Carrot-3 teaspoons,grated
Cucumber-1 small,grated
Tomatoes-1 medium,finely chopped
Onion-1 small, finely chopped
Green chillies-2,finely chopped
Sev bhujia- 3 teaspoons
Lime juice-3 teaspoons
Black salt- 1/2 teaspoon
Fresh coriander leaves-3 teaspoons,finely chopped

Method:
-Soak all the pulses in water separately for8-10 hours or overnight.
-Wrap the green moong ,bengal gram and horse gram  separately in a damp cloth and allow it to rest for a day.
-Boil the bengal gram in a pressure cooker with 4 cups of water and a teaspoon of salt.Cook for 2 whistles.
-Take a big bowl and mix all the pulses together.
-Now add the tomatoes,green chilled,onions and grated carrots.
-Sprinkle some black salt and freshly chopped coriander leaves and toss the salad.
-Add some sev bhijia on top and the tasty tangy salad is ready to serve.
-Finally add lime juice on top and toss again.