This is Toni Fiore's recipe,so I won't take any credit for this;but I fell in love with this recipe. It's light and refreshing.A vegan take on the traditional Waldorf salad.Whether you are vegan or not; you will keep making this one.It's great for lunch-box or as a picnic food.
Serving Size: 3-4
Ingredients :
1 cup Celery chopped in small pieces
1 small med Apple,peeled ,and cut into small pieces
1/2 cup :red onions chopped in small pieces*
3/4 cup : red or green grapes cut into two pieces
1/4 cup: dry cranberries
1/4 cup: Golden Raisins
1/4 cup: chopped walnuts or pecans
Dressing:
1/2 cup: chopped Parsley.
1/4 cup: Chopped cilantro
1/8 cup: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2-3 Tbsp: Lemon/Lime juice
2 Tbsp: Sugar(you can even use honey)
Salt and Pepper according to taste.
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients for the dressing,whisk well and keep aside.
Take a big bowl, add the chopped celery,Apple,onions,grapes,cranberries,raisins and walnuts.
Pour the dressing and incorporate everything.Cover the salad and keep it in the refrigerator for 1/2 hr before serving.
you can add crumbled Blue cheese
*If you find onions to strong for your taste, you can reduce it's quantity.
I agree that i'm not fond of eating desserts ,but my kids love all kinds of Indian Sweets. I like to make those sweets, which have little room for error and doesn't require elaborate preparations.
You can also make this recipe using ricotta cheese,but for that you have to slow roast to get the desired consistency.
Everyone in my family loves Peda and I'm sure once you try it, it will be a keeper in your cookbooks too.
Makes approx 10-12
Ingredients :
1 Cup : Grated Khoya/Khoa/Mawa*
1/4 cup: fine sugar(add 1 Tbps more if you like your sweets really sweet)
4-5 : saffron strands
4-5 : Cardamom
5-6 : unsalted Pistachio
Directions:
Take the Saffron threads and put 1/2 tsp of water or milk and let it soak for 10 mins,then crush the threads with the spoon or with the help of mortar and pestle.Keep aside.
Soak the Pistachio in warm water and peel and chop it into 1/4" long pieces
Take the cardamom seeds from the pods and crush it into fine powder.
Take a heavy Bottom Pan or Kadhai and add Mawa and Sugar ,keep stirring it on slow flame for 15 -18 mins , Add the saffron strands.It gives a nice yellow color to the peda and adds a nice aroma to it.
Add the cardamom powder.Mix everything well.
once the mixture had cooled down,take some ghee or unsalted butter in your hand and make 1/2 inches spheres.Garnish with chopped Pistachios.
*:Mawa is easily available in any South Asian/Indian grocery stores.
This is a nice addition to any meal or a meal by itself, very healthy and guilt free.If you are watching your diet,this recipe will sure come handy.
Serving Size: 3-4
Ingredients :
1 1/2 cup : Broccoli slaw chopped into small pieces(you can find it any supermarket
1-2 Tbsp: Chopped Walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup :dry Cranberries
1 Tbsp: Raisins
1/2 cup: Grapes cut into halves
1 med size apple( cut into small 1/2"pieces)
1 tsp :Orange Zest
1 1/2 Tbsp: sugar
1/2 tsp: Salt
juice of half lemon/lime
For the Dressing:*
3-4 Tbsp: Low fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup chopped Cilantro
a pinch of salt
Directions:
To make the dressing,put yogurt,cilantro and salt in a blender and give it a swirl.
Cut the Broccoli slaw into small pieces.The slaw comes as large stalks.If you chop it into small pieces,the dressing sticks to it much better. Add the dry cranberries,raisins,orange Zest,Grapes, apples,walnuts,Salt, Sugar and lemon juice.Add the dressing.Incorporate everything and let it chill in refrigerator for 1/2 hour,to let all the flavours develop.
*:you can also use this dressing as a dip,just add some lemon juice to it.
My Apologies for being inactive for a long time.....kinda hibernating.
Here is one recipe which is a Lunch-Box regular in our household. A perfect combination of grains and vegetables.Very light and healthy.
Serving Size: 3-4
Ingredients :
1/2 cup couscous or cracked wheat (cracked wheat is easily available in any Indian grocery store)
1-2 Tbsp: olive oil
1 cup :Assorted vegetables(corn,onions,Bell peppers,Zuchini,carrots chopped in small pieces)
1/2 cup: chopped Tomatoes
1/4 cup: dry cranberries
1/4 cup: Raisins
1/4 cup: chopped/ sliced Almonds
1/2 cup: chopped Cilantro/or Parsley.
1-2 Tbsp: lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper according to taste.
Red pepper flakes :optional
Directions:
Cook the couscous according to the directions on the package. If you are using cracked wheat,cook it in the pressure cooker with equal amount of water for 15-20 mins or up to two whistles.
Once the couscous/cracked wheat is cooked,spread it on a plate and just separate it with a fork,so it doesn't stick together.
Once it cools down,mix the lemon juice, Tomatoes and keep it aside.
Now take olive oil in a pan and once its hot,put all the chopped veggies and sauté them until they are translucent,but make sure they don't get mushy. You still want a bit of crunch from them.
Once they are done,add the veggies to the couscous.
Now add the cranberries,raisins and sliced almonds.Add the parsley or cilantro.Season it with salt and pepper.Incorporate everything nicely and treat yourself to a healthy meal by it self.
Any feedback,comments are appreciated.
I tried this recipe at a restaurant couple of years back and modified it and made some changes.It perfect for fall weather, and you can make it low fat without sacrificing taste. Whenever you have a sweet craving,go for it.
Serving size: Approx 4
Ingredients :
1-2 tablespoons butter(you can totally skip the butter if you want a low fat/low cal version)
1/2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated or minced
3 Golden Delicious /Granny Smith apples,cored and and cut into 1/2inch square pieces
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons brown sugar( if you are out of Brown sugar,you can use regular sugar too)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1 stick of whole cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg,
Handful of toasted walnuts ,chopped
vanilla ice cream
whipped cream
a pinch of Nutmeg for garnishing.
Directions:
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger and apples to warm butter, squeeze a little lemon juice over the pan and saute 4 to 5 minutes. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg to the apples and cook another 5-8 minutes. Spoon apples into dessert dishes and top with ice cream and whipped cream. Garnish whipped cream with a pinch more nutmeg and walnuts .
This is a very kid friendly drink.I created this drink specially for my son. Since i don't approve of kids drinking soda or similar kind of beverages,this uses simple sparkling water but gives them the satisfaction of drinking something fizzy.Its a great drink for everyone -kids and adults alike.
Serving:s Approx two
Ingredients:
Plain Sparkling water 4 oz
Fresh Orange Juice: 3-4 Oz
Fresh Pineapple Juice: 4Oz
Sugar: 1/2 Tbsp
Salt: a Pinch or approx 1/4 tsp
Crushed Ice: Optional
Method: Squeeze the Oranges and stain the juice,so that their is no pulp. Blend the Pineapples in the blender and strain.
In a pitcher pour the Orange and Pineapple juice,now add sugar and salt and mix well. Now add the sparkling water and mix thoroughly.
Cool it in the refrigerator for 1/2 hr and before serving add crushed ice.
PS: you can add more Orange juice,if you like it more tangy and if the pineapple is really sweet ,you can omit sugar or can reduce its amount.
This recipe originated in a very funny or you can call weird manner. Every time i used to get a watermelon, after everyone has eaten to their heart's desire and nobody even wanted to look at it.
The half watermelon would tease me, every time i open the refrigerator.
I don't believe in wasting food. so came into existence this drink.
Enjoy it on a cool summer day or just like me when you have left over watermelon which nobody wanted to touch. I promise you once you put a glass of watermelon cooler in front of your loved ones;their is no looking back.
Ingredients:
Watermelon : 2 cups
Lemon Juice: 1 Tbsp
Salt: 1/2 tsp
Rock/Black Salt: 1/2 tsp(you can find it at any South Asian grocery store)
Freshly crushed black Pepper: a pinch
Crushed ice: Optional
Blend all the ingredients really well, so that their are no big pieces. Strain the juice and chill it for 1/2 hr.
Before serving taste the juice and add more salt and lemon if needed.
When serving add some crushed ice and enjoy.
A sugar free and all natural drink.
