Palak Paneer-Cottage cheese in spinach gravy

Spinach is rich in iron and is also a good source of antioxidant while paneer is packed with protein.I have tried to make this recipe as healthy as possible(i.e without adding too much butter or ghee).

Ingredients:
Spinach leaves-3 cups
Paneer cubes-500 grams
Onion-1 medium sized,finely chopped
Tomato-1 big sized,finely chopped
Garlic-8-9 cloves,finely chopped
Ginger-1 small piece
Green chilli-1
Red chilli powder-1 teaspoon
Kasuri methi -1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
Garam masala-1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaves-1
Cinnamon stick-1
Salt to taste
Oil-3 teaspoons

Method: 
For the Spinach Puree:
-Heat 4 cups of water in a pan and add a little salt to it.When the water starts to boil,turn off the flame and add the spinach leaves and kep the pan pan covered for 3-4 minutes.
-Drain the hot water and add ice cold water to the pan and take the spinach leaves out.
-Take a mixer jar and add the blanched spinach leaves,green chilli,ginger,2 garlic cloves and blend to make a fine puree.

For the Gravy:
-Cut the paneer into medium sized cubes and fry them in 1 teaspoon oil for 4-5 minutes.
-Take another pan and add 2 teaspoons of oil and let the cumin seeds crackle.
-Add finely chopped onions and fry till it becomes golden brown.
-Now add the bay leaf,cinnamon stick and diced tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes.
-Add garam masala,salt,red chilli powder and chopped garlic and mix well.
-Now add the spinach puree and mix and cook for another 3-4 minutes and then add the fried paneer cubes.You can also add a little water if the gravy is too thick.
-Let it simmer on low flame for another 3-4 minutes.
-Finally add crushed kasuri methi.
-Serve hot with whole wheat kulcha.

Walnut-Pudina Chutney-Walnuts and mint leaves dip

Walnuts have amazing health benefits.They are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants which are great for the body.Mint leaves  too have numerous health benefits.They are packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants.The combination of mint leaves and walnuts along with garlic makes this dip/chutney super healthy.You can use this dip as a spread on breads and chapatis or simply enjoy it with your meals.

Ingredients:
Mint leaves-1 cup
Walnuts-1/2 cup
Lime juice-2 teaspoons
Garlic-4-5 cloves,chopped
Green chilli-1,finely chopped
Oil- 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

Method:
-Heat oil in a pan and add the garlic cloves and the green chilli and fry for 2-3 minutes.
-Now add the walnuts and fry for another 2-3 minutes.Let it cool.
-Take a mixer jar and add the roasted walnuts,mint leaves,salt and lime juice and blend to make a smooth paste.

Tawa fried paneer-Cottage cheese marinated and shallow fried

This recipe of paneer is quick and easy to make.You can marinate the paneer with the chutney and spices and store them in the refrigerator.Paneer is healthy and a good source of protein for vegetarians.

Ingredients:
Paneer/Cottage cheese-500 grams
Green Chutney-See the recipe Here, 3 teaspoons
Aamchur powder(dried mango powder)-2 teaspoons
Lime juice-3 teaspoons
Chilli powder-1 teaspoon
Garam masala powder-1/2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Black pepper powder-1/2 teaspoons
Oil-2 teaspoons, to shallow fry

Method:
-Cut the paneer into thick slices and keep aside.
-Take a bowl and mix all the above ingredients except oil and add the paneer slices to the bowl.
-Gently coat the paneer slices with the chutney and masala.
-Keep this marinade for 2-3 hours in the fridge.
-Heat a non-stick tawa(pan) and add the oil and shallow fry the paneer slices on both sides.
-Serve hot.

Spinach Chapatis with Multigrain Flour

I have already written some posts about the goodness of multigrains like whole wheat,bajra,jowar and oats.I have also added pureed spinach in the paratha to make it more nutritious.

Ingredients:
Spinach leaves-2 cups,finely chopped
Ginger-1 small piece
Garlic-5 cloves
Gram flour-1/4 cups
Oats-1/4 cups
Bajra flour-1/4 cups
Jowar flour-1/4 cups
Whole wheat flour-1/4 cups
Green chilli-2
Salt to taste
Ghee(optional)- 2 teaspoons
Warm water-as needed to make the dough

Method:
-Add the spinach leaves,ginger,garlic and green chilli in a mixer and blend to make a puree.
-Take a vessel and mix all the multigrain flours together along with 1.5 teaspoons of salt and the spinach puree.
-Slowly add a little warm water to make a dough.Knead the dough well.The dough will be a little stiff.
-Keep this dough covered for 15-20 minutes.
-Take a small portions of the dough and dust a little wheat flour on the balls and flatten to make chapatis.
-Heat flat pan really well and add the chapatis and cook till both sides are done well.
-Smear a little ghee on the hot rotis if you like and serve with yogurt, green chutney,pickle,salad and some healthy curry to make a complete meal

Pasta Salad-A healthy salad with yogurt dressing

Pasta can be cooked in many ways but I like to make a simple salad with boiled pasta,chickpeas,cucumber and some fresh herbs.It's healthy,tasty and also takes less time to make as you can pre-boil the pastas,chickpeas and cut the cucumber and tomatoes and store them in a zip-lock pouch in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:
Boiled pasta(any shape)-1 cup
Boiled chickpeas-1/4 cups
Cucumber-1/2,finely chopped
Boiled baby potatoes-3-4,cut into halves
Tomatoes-1,finely chopped
For the Dressing:
Hung yogurt-2 tablespoons
Lome juice-3 teaspoons
Coriander leaves-3 teaspoons,finely chopped
Cumin seeds-2 teaspoons,dry roasted and crushed
Salt to taste
Chilli powder-1/4 teaspoons
Green chilli(optional) -1,finely chopped
Black pepper-3-4,crushed

Method: 
-Mix the pasta along with all the above ingredients and keep aside.
-Take another bowl and mix all the ingredients for dressing together and stir it with a spoon.
-Now add the dressing to the pasta mix and gently mix again and serve immediately.

My Notes: You can also add boiled and shredded chicken pieces to this salad.

Lobia Cutlet-Shallow fried Black Eyed Peas

Black eyed peas or Lobia are a good source of protein and there are many recipes that can be made using lobia.The cutlet recipe that I'm going to share today is very healthy and nutritious and if your child is a fussy eater,you can make this for him.
I have shallow fried the cutlets instead of deep frying them and have added some spices to enhance the taste of the cutlets.Give this recipe a try and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients:
White Lobia-2 cups,soaked for 6-8 hours
Ginger-1 small piece
Garlic-5-6 cloves
Green chilli-2
Onion-1 small
Coriander leaves-4 teaspoons
Black pepper powder-1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Red chilli powder-2 teaspoons
Aamchoor powder(Dried mango powder) -2 teaspoons
Garam masala powder-1 teaspoon
Oil-1 teaspoon for each cutlet

Method:
-Soak the white lobia in water for 6-8 hours.
-Take a pressure cooker and add 4-5 cups of water and add 1 teaspoon of salt to it.
-Put the soaked lobia in the cooker and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles.
-Take a mixer jar and add the chopped green chillies,garlic,ginger and coriander leaves and grind to make a paste.Keep this paste aside.
-Now in the same mixer jar add the boiled and cooled lobia along with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and grind  it.Do not add any water.
-Take the lobia paste and mix it with the ginger-garlic-chilli paste.
-Add all the other spices and mix them properly and take small portions of the paste and make small balls and flatten it with your hands.
-Heat oil in a pan and gently place the cutlets on the pan and cook on low flame till both sides are properly done.
-Serve hot with spicy chutney or use it as a patty for burger.

Whole Wheat Garlic Bread

This is yet another easy recipe I have used whole wheat bread instead of white bread and used freshly crushed garlic in place of garlic powder.The used for the recipe is also olive oil and not butter.

Ingredients:
Whole wheat bread- 6-7 slices
Garlic cloves-4-5 ,peeled and crushed
Olive oil-2 teaspoons for each slice
Pizza seasoning-3 teaspoons

Method:
-Cut the sides of the bread and again cut the bread into the desired shape using a knife.You can cut it into triangles,squares,rectangles or even circles.
-Rub the crushed garlic on both sides of the cut bread pieces.
-Heat a flat pan and toast the bread pieces and add little olive oil to each side.
-Let the bread toast till they look slight golden brown.
-Sprinkle  some pizza seasoning on top.