Pineapple-Cheese Sandwich

sandwiches are easy to make and are great for snacks or breakfast.I prefer brown bread or multigrain bread over white bread.There are several ways to make sandwiches and today's recipe is a quick to make and healthy one.

Ingredients:
Brown bread slices-6
Cheese slices-3
Pineapple slices-3
Mayonnaise-2 tablespoons
Tomato ketchup-3 teaspoons


Method:
-Cut the sides of each bread slice.
-Take a bowl and mix mayonnaise and tomato ketchup together.
-Now spread the mayonnaise evenly on each slice of bread.
-Place a cheese slice and a slice of pineapple and cover it with another bread slice.
-Serve with fresh fruit juice.

Potato-Peas Salad

Potato and white peas salad is filling and is also healthy.I have added chopped onions but you can skip that if you want to have this salad during fasts.This is another quick and easy to make recipe and can be served to kids as an after-school snack.

Ingredients:
Dried White peas-1/2 cup,soaked and boiled
Green peas- 3 table spoons,boiled
Potatoes-2 small,boiled and peeled and diced
Cucumber-3 tablespoons,finely chopped
Onion-3 teaspoons,finely chopped(Optional)
Green chilli-1,finely chopped
Lime juice-2 teaspoons
Fresh coriander leaves-3 teaspoons,finely chopped
Tomato-1 small sized,finely chopped
Rock salt-a pinch
Salt to taste
Chaat masala-1 teaspoon
Aamchur powder-1/2 teaspoon
Sev bhujia-2 teaspoons
Hung yogurt-1 tablespoon
Roasted cumin powder-1/2 teaspoon

Method:
-Soak the dries white-peas in water for 6-8 hours and pressure cook the soaked peas in 3 cups of water with a little salt for 3 whistles.
-Wash and boil the potatoes for 3 whistles.Cool it and peel and dice the potatoes into small cubes.
-Take a bowl and  add all the above ingredients gently and serve immediately.

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.