Entry for Click:Bicolor July - 09

This is going to participate in Click : Bi-colour hosted by Jai and Bee of Jugalbandi.

Spinach / Palak Soup

One way to start your day in a healthy way would be to have soup. Soups are the lightest and refreshing ones. A bowl of hot soup is more comforting on a cold winter's day. So i made the Spinach / Palak soup. It is one of the healthiest soup and a very nice way to include greens in our diet. I saw this in a cookery show from some local channel and i want to share this recipe to you all.

The cute Pepper and Salt shaker in the picture below was gifted by Lubna of Yummy Food . I loved it. That looks so cute isn't it!

Ingredients

• Spinach - 2 bunches

• Onion -1, chopped

• Tomato - 1, chopped

• Butter - 1 tbsp

• Pepper powder - 1 tbsp

• Split Orange Lentils ( Massor Dal) - 1/2 cup
  

• Panner - for garnishing

• Salt to taste
  

Method

• Pressure cook masoor dal and smash them properly. Add 1 cup of water to it and boil for 2 Min's and the stock is ready. Keep them aside
  

• Melt butter in a pan, then add chopped onions to it and fry for 3 Min's.

• Then add chopped tomato to it and saute for few Min's.

• Then add chopped palak leaves and enough water to it and cook till leaves becomes tender.
  

• Grind them to a smooth puree in a mixer.

• Then add this puree to the dal stock and add salt and pepper to it and bring to a boil.

• Garnish with grated pannner and serve hot with bread.
  

Chickpeas Rice

Chickpeas/Channa Dal are high in protein. And also high in fiber and helps to lower cholesterol. They are versatile to cook. They can be used in soups, salads, snacks etc. Here is the delicious and healthy recipe for lunchbox. you can add your favorite veggies in addition to chickpeas. So here it is the protein packed rice.

Ingredients
Rice - 1 cup
Chickpeas - 1/4 cup
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Green Chillies - 2
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp
Dry Red Chillies - 3
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves - few
Oil - 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method

• Soak the chickpeas overnight and pressure cook it on the next day.

• Cook the rice with enough water and keep aside.

• Dry fry fenugreek, coriander seeds and dry red chillies and grind them to a powder.

• Heat oil in a wok, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, let them splutter and then add curry leaves and green chillies to it.

• Add the grounded powder and fry for 2 Min's.
  

• Then add chickpeas, rice and salt to it and mix well.

• Sprinkle lemon juice on rice and serve.
  

Palak Panner Sandwich

I wanted to try something new in the kitchen, so i thought... how about a sandwich with paneer. I love paneer, big fan of it. And one small bunch of spinach was left over. So i thought i would add that to my sandwich. Made sandwich. It tasted lovely. So here' s what i did.

This is going to participate in " Show me Your Sandwich " Event hosted by Divya of Dil Se.


Ingredients

• Spinach - 1 small bunch

• Panner ( Cottage Cheese) - 100 gms

• Bread Slices - 4

• Butter to Spread

• Onion - 1 small one, chopped

• Garam Masala - 1tsp

• Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

• Salt to taste

• Oil - 1 tbsp

Method

• Wash the spinach leaves and chop them finely. Chop also panner and keep them aside.

• Heat oil in a frying pan, add chopped onions to it and fry till it turns golden brown.

• Then add garam masala, coriander powder and fry for 2 to 3 Min's or till the raw smell goes.

• Add salt to it and mix well

• To it now add panner and palak and fry for 2 to 3 Min's and then turn off the flame.

• Spread the butter on one side of each bread.

• Place the fillings between breads and grill them on sandwich toaster.

• Grilled palak panner sandwich is ready.
  

Brinjal Baji / Brinjal Kadayal / Kathirikkai Kadayal , Kongunadu Cuisine

Brinjal Baji - this recipe i learnt from my MIL. This is very easy and very very quick to make. I find it very easy to make and very tasty also. It gives you both spicy and tangy taste. This recipe is from Kongunadu cuisine, Coimbatore style brinjal kadayal. It is best taste with idli and dosa.

This is going to participate in " FIL - Brinjal " event hosted by Sanghi'.

Ingredients
Brinjal, chopped - 4
Tomato, chopped - 2
Potato, small one, chopped - 1
Shallots, peeled - 5 to 6
Tamarind - Goose berry sized
Green Chillies - 5 to 6
Red Chillies - 4
Salt to taste

For Tempering
Oil - 2 tbsp
Split Bengal Gram - 1 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tbsp
Curry Leaves - Few

Method

• Pressure cook all the ingredients said above with enough water.

• Then smash them using wooden smasher.

• Add the tempering to it and serve with idli or dosa.

Note: If you add little jaggery or sugar to it gives you more tasty.

Fried Pineapple

Fried Pineapple is a hot dessert and it is very simple and quick dessert to make and its a very refreshing treat. A hot delight to end a meal.



Ingredients
Pineapple - 1
Butter - 2 tbsp
Shredded Coconut - 1 tbsp
Jaggery - 4 tbsp
Lime Juice - 4 tbsp
Yogurt to Serve

Method

• Using sharp knife peel the skin. Cut the pineapple into half and discard the woody core. Cut into length ways in wedges.

• In a small frying pan dry fry the shredded coconut until lightly browned and set aside.
  

• Heat the butter in a frying pan. When it has melted add the pineapple wedges and cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 Min's or until they turned golden in color.

• Now sprinkle the jaggery to the pineapple. Then add lime juice and cook until jaggery has dissolved.

• Sprinkle the roasted coconut and serve with yogurt.
  

Noodles with Ginger and Parsley

Ingredients
Noodles - 1 small packet
Sesame oil - 1 tbsp
Ginger - 2 " piece, chopped finely
Handful of fresh Parsley leaves , chopped
Spring Onions - 5 to 6 , chopped
Soy Sauce - 1 tbsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tbsp

Method

• Boil 2 cups of water with one drop of oil in a pan. Let it bubble.

• Add noodles to it now and cook until done.

• Rinse under cold water, drain the water and transfer to a bowl.

• Add sesame oil to it and toss to coat.
  

• Heat oil in a wok, add ginger ans stir fry for few seconds.

• Then add Spring onions and fry for 3 to 4 Min's.

• Add noodles to it and fry until the noodles are hot.

• Drizzle over the soy sauce and then sprinkle the chopped parsley on noodles.

• Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. Toss and serve with garlic sauce.

Note: If you don't like parsley you can use coriander leaves instead of parsley.

Banana Fritters

Banana Fritters are deep fried, made with mashed bananas. These delicious deep fried bananas are very quick to prepare. I like to have with tea. You can also serve this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for heavenly treat.

Ingredients
Bananas, riped ones - 3 to 4
Roasted Sesame Seeds - 1 tbsp
Dry roasted Maida - 3 tbsp
Powdered Jaggery- 1 tsp
Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup
Powdered Cardamom - 1/4 tsp
Oil for deep frying
Salt to taste

Method

• Mash the ripe bananas , add jaggery, salt, grated coconut, cardamom, roasted sesame seeds.

• Then add maida to it ( add by the tablespoonful until you have soft dough of dropping consistency).
  

• Drop spoonfuls of this mixture into hot oil and deep fry.
  

Soya Wheat Flour Dosa

Dosa made with soya milk and wheat flour. Start your day with this healthy dosa. A very healthy breakfast recipe and very easy, quick to prepare. Its an instant dosa without any fermenting, ready to serve. Any chutney or sambhar will go with this dosas.

This is going to participate in " Dosa Corner " event hosted by Padma of Padma's Recipes


Ingredients
Soya Milk - 2 cups
Wheat Flour - 1 cup
Green chilly - 2
Onion - 1, chopped finely
Mint leaves - few
Coriander leaves - few
salt to taste
Oil

Method

• In a bowl mix all the above ingredients expect oil. Make a thin batter.

• Heat a nonstick tava and pour ladeful of batter and spread it in a circular motion.

• Cook on both sides using little oil.

• Repeat with remaining batter and serve hot.