Pumpkin Stir Fry(Kaddu Ki Subzi)

Pumpkin is a low calorie vegetable which is high in antioxidants and vitamins A,C and E.Stir fried pumpkin is an interesting and easy to make recipe.I have used garlic and onions along with some spices to make it more nutritious.Pumpkin is a fruit readily available in the market year around and I think it should be included in kid's diet as a super-food.

Ingredients: 
Pumpkin-250 gms
Garlic-2-3 cloves,chopped and crushed
Onion-1 small,finely chopped
Dry Red chilli-1
Mustard seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Fenugreek seeds-4-5 seeds
Asafoetida-a generous pinch
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Green coriander leaves-2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Oil-2 teaspoons

Method:
-Wash and cut the pumpkin into small chunks.You can keep the skin if you want.
-Take a pan and heat oil and add the mustard seeds,chilli and asafoetida.
-Immediately add the chopped onions and stir fry for 2 minutes.
-Add the garlic and mix well.
-Put the cut pumpkin and cook for 2-3 minutes.
-Add the turmeric powder and salt and keep stirring.
-You can also add a little water if you want the pumpkin to be a little mushy.
-Cook till the pumpkin in properly done.

-Garnish with green coriander leaves.
-Serve hot with chapati or parathas.

Clear Spinach Soup-a Soup loaded with Iron!

We all know that spinach are rich in iron and vitamin K and B.Children and women can benefit immensely from this green leafy veggie.Try and make this easy soup at least 4-5 times a week to get all the nutritional benefits of spinach in your diet.Serve it as an appetizer with some soup sticks.

Ingredients:
Spinach-4 bunches
Tomatoes-1 medium size
Ginger-1 small piece
Kala namak-1/2 teaspoon(optional)
Salt -to taste
Lime juice-1.5 teaspoons
Cream-1/2 teaspoon(optional)
Water-2 cups
Strainer

Method:
-Wash the spinach under running water and pluck the leaves only.Dip the plucked leaves in a container filled wit water.Wash the leaves properly to make sure that all the dirt has been cleaned.
-Roughly chop the spinach leaves
-Wash the tomato and dice it.
-Take the ginger peel out and grate it.
-Boil the spinach,tomato and ginger with a pinch of salt and boil till the spinach is cooked.
-Add 2 more cups of water to this boiled veggies.
-In a mixer jar put all the above ingredients and blend to make a nice smooth puree.
-Take a strainer and place it on a container.Slowly pour the puree on the strainer and stir it with a spoon.
-Repeat this step till you are done with the entire puree in the mixer jar.
-Now heat a pan and pour the strained soup into this pan and heat it for 2-3 minutes.
-Turn the flame off and add lime juice and a little cream on top.
-Clear spinach soup is ready.Serve with some soup sticks.

Magic of Unhulled Sesame Seeds:Sesame Potatoes-Tilwale Alu

This simple combination of potatoes and unhulled sesame seeds makes the recipe tasty as well as nutritious.It's a good way of introducing sesame seeds in kid's diet.The nutty and crunchy tasting sesame seeds are a rich source of copper and manganese and also contain good amount of calcium,iron and other beneficial minerals.
Here's a small tip-Always buy unhulled sesame seeds because the mineral content in hulled and unhulled sesame seeds varies significantly.If you compare the calcium and iron content per 1 tbsp serving of both types of seeds,hulled sesame seeds has 5mg calcium and 0.51mg iron whereas the unhulled sesame seed contains 88mg calcium and 1.31 mg iron.

Ingredients:
Boiled Potatoes-3 medium sized
Sesame seeds-4-5 teaspoons
Ginger-1 small piece,grated
Green chillies-1,finely chopped
Kasuri methi-1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Coriander powder-1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil-2 teaspoons
Green coriander leaves-2 teaspoons,finely chopped

Method:
-Dice the boiled potatoes into medium cubes.
-Heat oil in a pan and let the cumin seeds splutter.Next add the green chillies,grated ginger and sesame seeds and mix well.
-Add the diced potatoes and stir for 2-3 minutes.
-Now add turmeric powder,coriander powder,kasuri methi and salt and cook for another 2 minutes.
-Sprinkle freshly chopped coriander leaves on top.
-Serve hot with puris,chapatis or parathas.

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.