HAPPY COOKING

  Moong Dal Toast Description: Moong dal toast is prepared by soaked yellow moong dal along with some spices and veggies of your choice. Toast it in tawa until golden.   We can make this for breakfast or as a snack too. I have added carrot and capsicum but grated paneer and cheese can also be added. Kids loves to have this as an evening snack. It’s a great option to include protein in kids snack.   Ingredients: Bread slices- 5 Moong dal - 1/2 cup Green chilli- 1 Ginger- 1/2 inch Garlic- 2 cloves  Onion- 1 (finely chopped) Carrot- 1 (finely chopped) Capsicum- 1/2 cup(finely chopped) Curry leaves- little (chopped) Coriander leaves- little (chopped) Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp Red chilli powder- 1/2 tsp Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp Salt - 1 tsp Ghee - for toasting    Preparation : 1. Soak moong dal atleast for an hour. 2. Grind moong dal with green chilli, ginger, garlic and salt to a thick paste. 3. Do not add water else it won’t stick with the bread. 4. Transfer it t...

Onion Chutney Description : Onion chutney is prepared by saute onion, red chilli,  tamarind, salt and blend into a fine paste. Finally give a temper before serving.   Onion chutney is one of the famous side dish served in South Indian restaurants for breakfast. Using few ingredients we can make a delicious dish. Since we are adding Kashmiri red chilli it gives the nice colour to the chutney. Ingredients : Onion - 2 (chopped) Kashmiri red chilli-4 Tamarind- 1 tsp Oil - 1 tsp Salt  Water  For temper: Sesame oil- 2 tsp Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp Urad dal - 1/2 tsp Hing Curry leaves Preparation :  To a pan heat oil - add onion and red chillies. You can add small onion too check variations for measure.    Saute in low flame.    Saute until golden.    Switch off. set aside to cool down completely.    Transfer to a mixer jar. Add tamarind, required salt and little water.    Grind it slightly coarse as shown.    Do...

  Oats Pancake Oats Benefits: Oats are highly nutritious and provide several health benefits, including  supporting heart health, aiding in weight management, and improving digestive health .  They are rich in soluble fiber  (beta-glucan) , protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help lower cholesterol, balance blood sugar levels, and promote a feeling of fullness.   Nutritional benefits Rich in nutrients:   Oats are packed with fiber, protein, vitamins (like B vitamins), and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and manganese.   High in antioxidants:   They contain a unique group of antioxidants called avenanthramides, which may help lower blood pressure.   Health benefits Heart health:   The beta-glucan fiber in oats can help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease.   Blood sugar control:   Oats can improve insulin sensitivity and help balance blood sugar levels, which is pa...

  Baingan Bharta Description: Baingan Bharta is prepared by fire roasted eggplant mash cooked with some Indian spices.The smoky aroma and flavor is what makes this dish.  Those who don’t like eggplant flavour likes this because the smoky flavour tempts everyone to try. It’s a popular dish from punjabi cuisine.It goes well with chapathi, dosa and personally i like to have it for ghee rice.  Ingredients: Eggplant - 1 ( 350 gms) Garlic - 5 cloves  Green chilli - 1 Oil - 2 tbsp  Onion- 1 (finely chopped) Tomato- 2 (chopped) Red chilli powder- 1/2 tsp Coriander powder- 1 tsp Coriander leaves  Salt  Preparation: 1. Rinse the eggplant and dry. Brush with little oil and make slits using knife. 2. Insert garlic clove in each slits, keep it directly on flame and roast it. It takes 10 mins to roast. 3. Once roasted check if its done, insert a knife inside the eggplant, it should go easily. 4. Once cooled, remove the skin and chop the roasted garlic. 5. Transfer t...

  Vendakkai Puli Kulambu Description : Vendakkai puli kulambu is a popular South Indian kulambu which is very easy to make. It goes well as an accompaniment with rice. It can be made with or without coconut. This simple kulambu is often prepared in my home. In hotels, kulambu is mostly prepared in this manner.   Ingredients : Ladies finger/Vendakkai - 8-10 Pearl  Onion -10      G arlic – 10 cloves     Sambar Podi – 2 tbsp  Tomato - 1 Salt needed  Tamarind – small lemon sized ball  Coconut – 3 tbsp For the seasoning:     Sesame seed oil – 3 tbsp    Mustard seeds – 1 tsp    Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp    Hing – a pinch    Red Chillies – 1-2    Curry leaves – a sprig Preparations: Wash and wipe ladies finger dry with a kitchen towel. Cut the tip and tail and discard it. Then cut it into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Peel pearl onions and garlic. If it is big, cut it into half. ...

  Homemade Szechuan Sauce Description : Szechuan sauce is prepared by grinding soaked red chillies and tomato later cook it in oil along with ginger, garlic , salt and sugar.  Since it’s homemade we didn’t add any preservatives so we can have guilt free. For making parties or potluck, instead of using ready made ones we can make at home in large quantity. We can adjust the spiciness to our taste while making for kids. We can make fried rice, noodles, momos out of this sauce. Ingredients : Dry red chilli- 15  Tomato - 1 (large) Ginger - 1 tbsp (finely chopped) Garlic- 1 tbsp (finely chopped) Oil - 6 tbsp  Vinegar- 1 tbsp  Salt - 1/2 tsp Sugar- 1/2 tsp  Preparation : 1. Soak dry red chillies and slit tomato in hot water for 30 mins. 2. Peel tomato skin and blend with red chillies to a fine paste. 3. Heat oil in a pan saute ginger and garlic to golden color. 4. Add blended paste and cook till oil separates. 5. Add salt, sugar and cook till it turns thick and o...

  Jackfruit Seeds Laddus Benefits : Jackfruit seeds are beneficial for digestive health due to their high fiber content, which  aids in preventing constipation and improving digestion .  They are also rich in nutrients like iron, which helps prevent anemia, and vitamins A and C, which boost the immune system.  Additionally, studies suggest they can help regulate blood sugar, lower bad cholesterol, and improve skin and hair health.     Description :  Jackfruit seeds laddus are prepared by coarse grind jackfruit seeds and mix thoroughly with grated coconut, palm jaggery powder, groundnuts , cardamom and cashews.  Jackfruit seeds laddus are very nutritious and tasty snack for both kids and adults. It’s a great option for those who are in weight loss journey too.  Ingredients : Jackfruit seeds - 1 cup Coconut- 1/2 cup (grated) Palm Jaggery powder- 1/2 cup Groundnut- 1/4 cup Cashew- 1/4 cup Cardamom- 3 Ghee -3 tbsp  Preparation : 1. Dry roast...

  Pumpkin Cutlet Description : Pumpkin cutlet is prepared by using cooked pumpkin, millet flakes, spinach and some spices. Shallow fry it and serve warm with any dip.  Kids who are refused to have veggies can have this cutlet happily. It’s a great option for kids lunch box menu too.We can serve this with green chutney or tomato ketchup. Ingredients : Kodo millet flakes - 1/2 cup Yellow Pumpkin - 1 cup Chopped spinach- 1/4 cup Coriander leaves- 1/4 cup Onion - 1 (finely chopped) Green chilli- 2 (finely chopped) Ginger garlic paste- 1 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp Coriander powder- 1 tsp Garam masala- 1 tsp Bread crumbs- 1/2 cup Salt Preparation : 1. Heat oil in a pan and cook pumpkin cubes on low flame till they turn soft and mushy. 2. Do not add water , once cooked transfer it to a mixing bowl. 3. Add water sprinkled flakes, chopped onion, green chilli, chopped spinach and chopped coriander leaves. 4. Now add all the spices, turmeric powder, pepper powder...

  Ellu Thogayal or sesame seeds chutney Description : Ellu thogayal or sesame seeds chutney is prepared by dry roast sesame seeds with other flavourful ingredients. It’s rich in calcium and Iron. Health Benefits of sesame seeds : 1. Boosts Fiber Intake 2. May Lower Cholesterol Levels 3. May Fight Inflammation 4. Can Help Lower Blood Pressure 5. May Aid Blood Sugar Control 6. Rich in B Vitamins 7. Supports Immune Health 8. May Provide Anti-Cancer Effects. Ingredients : Black sesame seeds- 1/2 cup White sesame seeds- 1/2 cup Chana dal - 1 tbsp  Urad dal - 1 tbsp  Mustard seeds- 1 tsp Cumin seeds- 1 tsp Garlic- 2 clove Tamarind- lemon sized  Grated coconut - 1/4 cup Red chilli- 2 Curry leaves- a little  Gingelly oil - 2 tbsp  Asafoetida  Salt Preparation : 1. Dry roast black and white sesame seeds separately and keep it aside. 2. Heat oil in a pan, Temper mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, chana dal and urad dal.  3. Add red chilli, tamarind a...

Egg Lollipop Description: Egg lollipop recipe is prepared by using grated boiled eggs along with some   spices  later deep fried till golden and crispy. It's a  delicious and crunchy   evening snack for kids.   Ingredients: Boiled Eggs-4 Ginger- 1 tbsp (chopped) Garlic- 1 tbsp (chopped) Green chilli- 2 (chopped) Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp Chilli powder- 1 tsp Coriander powder- 1 tsp Garam masala- 1 tsp Besan flour- 2 tbsp  Corn flour- 2 tbsp  Bread crumbs- 1/2 cup Salt Oil for frying  Preparation: 1. Grate the boiled eggs in a mixing bowl 2. Add chopped garlic, ginger, green chilli, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, besan flour, corn flour into it. 3. Sprinkle little water and mix well till it becomes a non sticky dough  4. Shape them into small balls  5. In a small bowl, add corn flour and water and make a thin paste  6. Dip each shaped balls into cornflour and then roll in bread crumbs until evenly co...