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.
With kids it's very hard to make elaborate Indian sweets and sometimes when you have guests coming on short notice,this can be a life saver. I normally make these Ladoos during Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali.
I assure you that you won't just settle for one,it uses simple ingredients and are ready in a jiffy.
It's laden with good fat( nuts),so you won't feel guilty if you are even eating couple of them.
Ingredients:
Ghee or unsalted butter: 2-3tbsp
Cashew pieces: 1/2 cup
Whole Almonds:1/2 cup
Sugar(granulated): 1/2cup
Coconut Flakes : 3/4 cup
Milk: 3-4 Tbsp
Saffron strands: 4-5 (optional)
Cardamom Powder : 1 tsp
Method:
In a bowl mix milk and Saffron,keep it aside.
Blend Cashew pieces and Almonds coarsely. Now in a heavy bottom Pan or kadhai add ghee or unsalted butter. when the ghee/butter is warm add the cashew-almonds powder. Keep Stirring for 7-10 mins on low Medium heat.The mixture will change it's color to light brown and will have a fragrant smell.
Now add coconut flakes,Cardamom Powder and keep stirring it for another 2-3 mins. After that add sugar and incorporate everything,make sure there are no lumps. If you want to add more sugar,you can add it now.
Now let it cool for 5-10 mins.
Take the milk and with a spoon just crush the saffron around the edges of the bowl.
Now take the almond-cashew mixture and put small amounts of milk and make small balls with hands.
Keep them aside for an hour or so and they will be firm.
Store in a air tight container and enjoy whenever you have a sweet craving.
Lemons are your best friend in summers to keep you chilled and cool. Who doesn't like a glass of cool refreshing lemonade on a hot sizzling day.Here is my version of Lemonade or Nibu Pani as we used to call it back in India. It's one of the favorite drinks not only with my family,but also with my friends.
Ingredients:
Water: 2 Cups
Lemon Juice: 1/8 cup
Sugar:1/4 cup
Rock salt: 1tsp (you can find rock salt @ any Indian grocery store)
Regular salt: 1tsp
Cumin powder: 1tsp
Mint leaves: 8-10
Crushed ice: 1/2 cup (optional)
Method: Blend water,mint leaves,lemon juice and sugar in the blender and strain in a glass pitcher.
Now add rest of the ingredients and mix everything well.
Add crushed ice just before serving
Garbanzo beans have been a staple in our house, partially because i like them a lot,also because you can use them in so many different ways.
They are also part of low fat diet.
Here is one simple salad with Asian touch.
Ingredients:
Boiled Garbanzo beans :2 cups
Tamarind paste: 2-3 Tbsp
Garlic and Ginger paste: 1-2tsp
Turmeric: a pinch
Red/green Bell peppers: 3/4 cup
Green chillies: 1(optional)
Low cal sweetener( splenda) :1 pkt
Spring onions or red onions: 3/4cup
salad leaves( lettuce,spinach whatever you fancy): 4-5
Lemon juice: 2Tbsp
Cumin Powder: 1 tsp
Salt and Black Pepper: Acc to taste
Tomato sliced: for garnish
Method: When boiling Garbanzo beans add Turmeric powder,ginger and garlic paste. If using canned beans, rinse nicely and add the turmeric and Ginger Garlic paste and microwave it for 2-3 mins.cut the salad leaves into small pieces.
Now add Tamarind paste,bell peppers, green chillies,green onions,Sweetener lemon juice,cumin powder, salt and black pepper and mix everything nicely.
Garnish with tomatoes and enjoy a healthy fulfilling meal.
PS: if you do not want to use sweetener ,you can use sugar also.
