Bajra-Lauki Paratha-Indian flat bread with millets

I've already mentioned about the goodness of bajra and how important it is to include this millet in our diet.Lauki,doodhi or bottle-gourd is yet another vegetable that has many health benefits.This paratha recipe is healthy and a great way to sneek lauki in your child's paratha.

Ingredients:
Bajra flour-2 cups
Whole wheat flour- 1/2 cup
Lauki-1/2,peeled and grated
Salt-1/2 teaspoon
Ghee-1 teaspoon
Red chilli powder-1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-a pinch
Hing-a generous pinch
Garam masala-1/4 teaspoon
Oil- 1 teaspoon each,for making the parathas

Method:
-Wash and peel the lauki and grate it and keep aside.
-Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients expect oil and mash well and make a soft dough and let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes.
-Take some wheat flour in a bowl and take small portions of the dough and roll them into parathas with a rolling pin.Dust some wheat flour as the paratha may become little sticky.
-Heat a flat pan and put the paratha and cook it till one side is properly done.Flip it and cook the other side.
-Smear a little oil on both sides of  the paratha.
-Repeat the above steps with the rest of the dough.
-Serve hot with raita,salad and pickle.

Jelly and Peanut butter Biscuit Sandwich-2 minutes yummy snack

Kids love jelly and if your child is not allergic to peanuts,the peanut butter is a much healthier option than the regular margarine or butter.This recipe is a combination of a tasty jelly and peanut butter sandwiched between two marie-light biscuits or any biscuits of your choice.It's a quick and filling snack for kids.

Ingredients:
Marie biscuits-1 small pack
Jelly(any flavor)
Peanut butter

Method:
-Take two biscuits and spread jelly on one and peanut butter on the other.
-Sandwich the two biscuits and enjoy!

Fried Potatoes and Okra(Alu-Bhindi)

Kids love okra or bhindi and this simple and tasty recipe of alu-bhindi is just a perfect for their lunchbox.Pack this with some salads,fruits and plain chapati smeared with ghee or butter.

Ingredients:
Okra/Bhindi-10-12
Potatoes-1-2 medium size
Kalonji/Onion seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Mustard seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Dry red chilli-1
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
salt to taste
Oil-2 teaspoons

Method:
-Wash the bhindi and wipe it with a kitchen towel before cutting.Cut the bhindi into small pieces.
-Wash the potatoes and chop it into small pieces.Do not peel the potato skin.
-Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and kalonji.Let it splutter.
-Add the dry red chilli and the potatoes first.
-Cook for 2-3 minutes and the add the chopped bhindi and mix well.
-Add salt and turmeric and stir well and cook till the potatoes and bhindi are done.
-Serve hot with puris ,parathas or plain chapatis.

Green Moong Dal Dosa

Green moong dal is rich in protein and this dosa recipe is yet another tasty and healthy recipe.

Ingredients: 
Green moong dal-2 cups
Dosa rice-3 cups
Green chillies-3
Ginger-1 small peice
Onion- 2,Finely chopped
Green coriander leaves-1/2 bunch,finely chopped
Salt to taste
Oil /Ghee to make the dosas 

Method:
-Soak the green moong dal and rice separately with enough water for 6-7 hours.
-Grind the moong dal with the ginger and green chillies first with little water in a mixer jar and take it out into a big and dry vessel.Next,grind the rice with little water.The consistency of the batter should not be very thin
or too thick.
-Cover the vessel and allow the batter to ferment.It usually takes 7-8 hours to ferment.
-Mix salt with the fermented batter.
-Mix the chopped green chillies and onion,coriander leaves and keep aside.
-Heat a non-stack tawa and spread some portion of the batter and make rounds like you make dosa.
-Add a teaspoon of oil around the dosa and add some chopped chilli-onion-coriander at the center.
-Once the dosa is done roll it and serve hot with spicy chutney.
-Repeat with the rest of the dough.

Potato and Drumsicks Fry

This combination of potatoes and drumsticks cooked in mustard paste makes the recipe different from the normal fries.

Ingredients:
Drumsticks-2,cut into medium pieces
Potatoes-2,cut in rounds
Mustard seed-3 teaspoons
Garlic-2 cloves
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
Green chilli-1
Turmeric powder-1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil-2 teaspoons

Method:
-Take a pan and add 3 cups of water and add salt and turmeric powder.
-Put the cut pieces of drumsticks and potatoes into the water and allow it to boil for 4-5 minutes till the potatoes and drumsticks are half cooked.
-Strain the water and keep the half boiled veggies aside.
-Take a mixer jar and add the mustard seeds,garlic,cumin seeds and green chillies and grind to make a fine smooth paste.Add a little water if required.
-Heat a pan and add oil to it.Add some mustard seeds and let it splutter.
-Now add the mustard paste and stir it for a minute.
-Immediately add the potatoes and drumsticks and cook stirring in between.
-When the vegetables are completely cooked serve hot with rice and dal.

Fruit Cream-Fruits and nuts in cream

This is a healthy and delicious recipe enjoyed by kids.You can use less cream if you do not want to add too much calories.I have used sugar-free but you can substitute that with honey too.

Ingredients:
Amul cream/Malai(Homemade)-1/2 cup
Sugar free powder-2 teaspoons
Grapes-7-8
Pomegranate seeds-1/4 cups
Ripe banana-1,sliced
Apple-1 small,peeled and diced
kiwi fruit-1,diced
Plums-1,diced
Raisins-3 tablespoons
Cashewnuts-5-6
Almonds-5-6
Dried figs-2,finely chopped
Walnuts-2 teaspoons
Fresh mint leaves-3-4

Method:
-Whip the cream with a fork and add the powdered sugar and whip for about 15-20 minutes.
-Add all the fruits and dried fruits and nuts to the whipped cream.
-Garnish with fresh mint leaves on top and serve chilled!

Paneer paratha-Cottage Cheese stuffed in Whole Wheat parathas

 (Photo credit: mcbridejc)

Paneer or cottage cheese is a great source of calcium and is equally loved by kids and oldies.This paratha is made with whole wheat flour and the paneer is mixed with various spices to make is tasty and delicious.

Ingredients:
Whole wheat flour(Atta)-2 cups
Water-as needed for the dough,Lukewarm
Paneer-200 grams
Salt to taste
Green chillies-1finely chopped
Onion-3 teaspoons,finely chopped
Dry mango powder(Amchur)-1 teaspoon
Coriander powder-1 teaspoon
Fresh coriander-3 teaspoons,finely chopped
Ginger-1 teaspoon,finely chopped
Oil-3 tablespoons

Method:

To Make the Dough
-Take 2 cups of atta and add 1/4 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of oil to it.Mix well.
-Add little lukewarm water and knead to make a nice soft dough.
-Cover the dough  and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes.

For the Stuffing
-Mash the paneer with hands and add all the above ingredients except oil.

To Make Parathas
-Take enough  dough and roll it by dusting a little atta to sake a small round.
-Apply 1/2 teaspoon of oil and add the stuffing.
-Close the sides of the round with the stuffing at the centre.
-Dust some more atta on it and gently roll the stuffed dough to make a paratha.
-This paratha must not be thin.
-Heat a pan and put the paratha and cook till both sides and done well.
-Flip and add little oil on both sides and cook until you see golden brown colour on both sides of the paratha.
-Serve hot with green chutney or raita.