Broccoli Almond Cheese Soup / Guest Post By Vishal Amin

Broccoli almond cheese soup.
A healthy and delicious soup by Vishal Amin. Always amazed by his food photography and recipes. Super talented Vishal is not only avid cook but a businessman, excellent photographer, musician and traveller.
I saw this soup on Instagram and requested Vishal to share the recipe with my readers.
So here is his first guest post for this blog. Thanks Vishal for this wonderful recipe.
Now over to Vishal Amin.

‘Railway Mutton Curry’
The dish that introduced me to Sujata Roy.
This dish was suggested by my sister as it was her most favourite mutton back in days when she was a non-Vegetarian.
I searched for it in a food group and I saw ‘Batter Up With Sujata’
And I fell in love with the story that she had narrated about ‘Railway Mutton Curry’. As my sister had told me the same history about this dish.
I was even more amazed after making the dish following Sujata Roy’s recipe of the same.
She is not just a Home Cook. She is a Mother who is a Home Chef. And you see a lot of that love on her face! I feel, there’s no better chef in the world than a Mother.
Thank you Sujataji for making me part of your wonderful blog.

I, Vishal Amin, am a businessman involved in the manufacturing sector. Different food ingredients interested me from my childhood. It was my Mom’s wish to make me extremely Independent from young age. One fine Sunday morning, she handed me a pan and few eggs. And said ‘Mr Amin’, make your own breakfast. And I was only 10.
I can’t believe that I managed to make an Omelette but turned it into Bhurji without salt 🙂

But yes, from that day began my love story with cooking! For the last few years it has become my passion.

Yes, I experiment a lot in the kitchen. So I am a Home Cook who loves to chop onions a lot.
My biggest winner is that, ‘I never make same mistakes twice’

Today I am presenting a simple bowl of hearty ‘Broccoli Almond and Cheese Soup’
A simple recipe which is easy to follow for anyone.

I hope you like it!

Cheers

One of the most taste bud satisfying soup

~ Broccoli Almond Cheese Soup

Would definitely ask for another bowl

Easy to make and healthy meal

Specially I love it in Winter Days .
.
My Mom’s Favourite 💕 .

Broccoli Almond Cheese Soup
By Vishal Amin

Recipe

Broccoli – 400 gram

Onion – 1 (Finely Chopped)

Garlic cloves – 2 (Finely Chopped)

Soaked Almonds – 10

Vegetable Stock (Maggie Stock Cube) – 500 ml

Milk – 1/2 cup

Cheese (Cheddar) – 2 slices (Optional)

Butter – 1 teaspoon

Pepper – 1 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Method

1. Boil Broccoli with Stock Cube in about 600 ml water.

2. Strain the water and keep it for later use.

3. Heat butter in an pan and sauté the onions and garlic.

4. Add boiled broccoli and stir well.

5. Whisk the soaked almonds and crush it with 1/2 cup of milk in a blender to form almond paste. Add it to the sauté mix.

6. Blend Broccoli mix in a blender to make a puree.

7. Boil this puree and add cheese slices. Mix well to get a good soupy consistency and turn the flame to minimum.

8. Flavour it with salt and pepper.

9. Serve the Warm soup with a Bread of your choice.
Enjoy the hot comforting and delicious soup.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Vegan Broccoli Stir Fry With Lemon And Ginger Julienne

Broccoli stir fry with lemon and ginger julienne.
An easy to make and delicious broccoli made with onion, garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes, corn kernels and ginger julienne.
Corn kernels are optional. I have added them to bring some colour in the dish. Cherry tomatoes, corn kernels and broccoli makes the dish colourful and delicious.

This week we bloghop members discussed a lot about pegan diet. Now what is pegan diet?
The pegan diet is a style of eating inspired by two of the most popular diet trends — paleo and vegan.
According to its creator, Dr. Mark Hyman, the pegan diet promotes optimal health by reducing inflammation and balancing blood sugar. However, some components of this diet remain controversial.
The pegan diet combines key principles from paleo and vegan diets based on the notion that nutrient-dense, whole foods can reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar, and support optimal health.
Major emphasis is placed on vegetables and fruit, but intake of small to moderate amounts of meat, certain fish, nuts, seeds, and some legumes is also allowed.
Heavily processed sugars, oils, and grains are discouraged — but still acceptable in very small amounts.
Because the pegan diet emphasizes nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, it may help prevent disease, promote heart health, and reduce inflammation.
To read more about Pegan diet click here.

Why we are talking about pegan diet? Well this week for 184 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #pegandiet suggested by Veena Krishna Kumar who blog at Veenasvegnation.  Visit her blog for many delicious recipes.

Thanks to Veena for introducing me to this pegan diet. Quite interesting and healthy.
Made this easy and delicious broccoli stir fry but I have a little doubt about corn kernels. I have used and don’t know whether it is allowed or not. But our group member Sujata Shukla
said that I can use it but not more than 1/2 cup. And I also Google searched and found yes its allowed.

The good news is, you don’t need any special recipes to eat a Paleo-vegan Diet. Each day, just aim for:
5 or more servings of nonstarchy vegetables and fruit4 servings of whole grains or healthy starch (such as 1/2 cup of potatoes, brown rice, corn, oatmeal or whole-grain pasta)3 servings of healthy fat (such as 1 Tbs. of olive oil, 1 oz. of nuts/seeds or 1/4 avocado)2 servings of plant-based protein (such as 1/2 cup of beans or tofu)1 small serving of animal protein (such as 3 oz. of fish, chicken or beef)1 optional serving of dairy substitute.
Source

You may like one more broccoli recipe on this blog.
Broccoli with egg and tomato

Recipe is very simple and you need very less ingredients to make it. I have used small onions but if you have shallots use them whole or half.

Recipe

Broccoli – 1

Small onions – 5, cubed

Garlic – 2 – 3 cloves, minced

Ginger julienne – 1 tablespoon

Green chilli – 1 – 2, chopped

Corn kernels – 1/2 cup, boiled

Cherry tomatoes – 1/2 cup

Black pepper powder to taste

Salt to taste

Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Lemon juice – 2 teaspoon

Lemon zest – 1/4 teaspoon

Olive or avocado oil – 2 tablespoon

Method

1. Wash the broccoli well under running water.
Cut the broccoli into small florets.

2. Chop the stems into thin slices. If stems are too thick peel and remove the outer layer before slicing.

3. Heat 4 cup water in a pan. Add 1 teaspoon salt. When the water starts to rolling boil add chopped broccoli and sliced stems.

4. Keep a bowl of water with some ice cubes handy.

5. Boil for 4 minutes or till the broccoli becomes fork tender. Don’t make it mushy.

6. Remove the broccoli florets with a slotted spatula and dip into the ice cold water immediately to stop further cooking and retain the colour.

7. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add minced garlic, green chilli and ginger julienne. Fry till the garlic and ginger julienne starts to change it’s colour.

8. Add the onions. You can use whole or half shallots if you have. Saute for 2 minutes.

9. Add broccoli, boiled corn kernels and cherry tomatoes.

10. Add salt, black pepper powder and cumin powder. Mix well.

12. Saute till the tomatoes becomes little soft but not mushy.

13. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix well and remove from heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

14. Garnish with ginger julienne.
Serve with any bread.

Notes

1. You can use more chopped or slit green chilli if you want it spicy.

2. Corn kernels are optional, you can skip it if you want.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Egg In Green Curry Or Chutney Curry

Egg in green curry or chutney curry.
Bored of regular egg curry? Try this different and delicious curry with all the green chutney ingredients. If you don’t like eggs then you can make it with potatoes, cauliflower or any vegetables. See note for the method.

Yes here is one more recipe of egg which is called super food specially in winter.
Already shared some egg recipes. Why egg again? Well when we don’t have an idea what to cook, eggs are always there for rescue. Eggs can be stored for a month in refrigerator. And you can make it in different ways. Type egg on the search bar on this blog and you will get all the recipes I shared. Already discussed about the health benefits of eggs. We all know that eggs are world popular super food and protein rich. Today read one more article on my news feed about top 5 healthy winter snacks. Have a look.

Never doubt the health value of the world-popular super-food.
Eggs are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, Vitamin A and D, among others.
They are known to improve heart health, manage obesity, strengthen bones, and enhance nervous system function.
Further, eggs are simple and easy-to-make.
You can always boil a couple, or make a delicious omelette.
Source

Sweet corn and cherry tomatoes makes the curry colourful. But these are optional. I love the taste of sweet corn so added it.
And not only that, it has so many health benefits.
1. Reduces the risk of Anemia. Corn is rich in Vitamin B12, folic acid and iron which helps in the production of red blood cells in the body.
2. Energy Enhancer.
3. Miracle for those underweight.
4. Lowers Blood Sugar & Cholesterol Level. 5. Helpful during Pregnancy.
6. Preserve Healthy Skin.
To read more about health benefits of sweet corn click here.

And now coming to the low calorie cherry tomatoes. These tomatoes always makes your salad and other foods beautiful and attractive.
1. Cherry tomatoes are rich in a number of nutrients that are good for your health.
When you’re trying to lose weight, the key is to eat foods that keep you full without costing you too many calories. Ten cherry tomatoes, which is about a cup, has only 30 calories. If you’re on a 1,500-calorie diet, those 10 cherry tomatoes only meet 2 percent of your daily calorie needs.

2. In addition to being low in calories, the red veggie is also a good source of fiber with 2 grams in the 1-cup serving. Even if you’re not counting calories to lose weight, making it a point to add more fiber to your diet may help you drop a few pounds, according to study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
3. Ten cherry tomatoes has almost as much potassium as a medium banana with 400 milligrams. Eating more potassium-rich foods may help lower your blood pressure.
4. Protection Against Free Radicals
Protecting your body from toxic substances that cause damage to your cells may help lower your risk of a number of chronic illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes contain a few nutrients that offer such protection, including vitamin C, lycopene and beta carotene, which are known as antioxidants.

Source – healthy eating

And not only healthy, this curry is also lip-smacking. If you want your curry more spicy then increase the number of green chilli. The curry taste spicy and fingerlicking.

Recipe

Egg – 3 – 4, hard boiled

Tomato – 2 medium, chopped

Green chilli – 2 – 3 or to taste

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 1 cup, chopped

Mint leaves – 1/2 cup

Garlic – 3 – 4 cloves

Ginger – 1 inch piece

Sweet corn – 1 cup, boiled

Cherry tomatoes – 10 – 15 or 1 cup

Onion – 1 large, sliced

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon + 1/4 teaspoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Oil – 2 – 3 tablespoon

Water – 1 & 1/2 cup

Method

1. Grind tomatoes, cilantro, mint leaves, green chilli, garlic and ginger. Make a smooth paste.

2. Make some slits on hard boiled eggs with a knife and marinate with little salt and 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder.

3. Heat oil in a pan or wok. Fry the marinated eggs. When the eggs becomes golden brown, remove from oil keep aside.

4. In the same oil add sliced onion.
Fry till onion becomes brown.

5. Add the ground paste. Add salt, cumin powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder.
Saute till oil leaves the sides.

6. Add cherry tomatoes and boiled sweet corn. Saute for one minute.

7. Now add fried eggs and water.
When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat.

8. Cook on simmer for 15 minutes. If you want your gravy more thick cook for some more time.

9. Remove from heat.

10. Curry is already colourful because of sweet corn and cherry tomatoes. You can garnish with chopped cilantro or mint leaves.

Serve hot with steamed rice, pulao, jeera rice, roti, paratha, naan or any bread.

Notes

1. If you don’t like eggs then you can make it with any vegetable. You can add boiled and fried baby potatoes or cubed potatoes, fried or sauteed cauliflower, broccoli, or any vegetable of your choice.

2. Use chilli according to your taste.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Nolen Gur Or Date Palm Jaggery Coconut Barfi

Date palm jaggery or khajur gur/nolen gur coconut barfi.
A delicious and easy to make sweet made with khoya/mawa or dried milk, fresh grated coconut and date palm jaggery or khajur gur or nolen gur. Aroma of nolen gur makes the sweet mouthwatering.

Texture of this perfectly sweet barfi is grainy just like kalakand. Texture and aroma makes the taste devine.
We get nolen gur in winter only. And the taste and flavour of this jaggery is amazing. Why not try some more recipes with khajur gur. Try out the recipes below. Click on the name for detailed recipe.

1. Date palm jaggery rice pudding or kheer

2. Nolen gur narkol or coconut sandesh

3. Baked dudh puli

4. Gokul pithe

5. Sandesh

6. Steamed Sandesh

7. Jaggery oats dry fruits cookies

9. Moong dal bhaja pithe

Recipe is very easy and simple. Just cook everything till dry and then set in a greased tray or plate. I loved it’s grainy texture just like kalakand.
If you want the texture smooth then you can blend coconut and khoya or dried milk in a blender or food processor. I didn’t.

Recipe

Coconut – 1, grated

Milk – 2 cup

Khoya/mawa or dried milk – 2 cup, tightly packed, get the khoya recipe here

Date palm jaggery or khajur gur – 3/4 cup, grated

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Pistachios to sprinkle

Method

1. Grease a plate with ghee or clarified butter and keep aside.

2. Boil milk in a heavy bottom pan.

3. When it starts to boil add grated coconut. Mix well.

4. Cook on low heat till the mixture about to dried up.

5. Now add khoya or dried milk. Mix well. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes.

6. Add grated jaggery and stir. Cook till the mixture dried up and come together. Mixture should be becomes like a dough. Add cardamom powder and mix.

7. Pour the mixture into the greased plate. Level with a spoon or your hand.

8. Sprinkle pistachio over it. Keep it in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

9. Cut in your desired shape. Serve as a sweet dish or keep in refrigerator for later. You can keep these in refrigerator for 6 – 7 days.
Enjoy the heavenly taste.

Notes

1. If you want your barfi texture smooth blend coconut and khoya or dried milk in a blender or food processor before cooking.
2. Sugar can be used instead of date palm jaggery or khajur gur.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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No Onion Garlic Vegan Makhana Or Fox Nut / Lotus Seeds Curry

1. 

No onion garlic vegan makhana or fox nut/lotus seeds curry.
A lip-smacking gravy with makhana or lotus seeds/fox nuts, cashews, melon seeds and poppy seeds or khas khas. Gravy is perfectly rich, creamy and delicious without onion garlic.

Sending this post to 183 #Foodiemonday bloghop Indian super food theme. This week Vidya Narayan who blog at Masalachilli suggested the theme.
Do visit her space for traditional recipes with some wonderful bake.

My humble contribution is this no onion garlic vegan makhana curry.

In India, these Lotus seeds are commonly referred to as Makhana. Usually people consume it during their fasts or even use it as an ingredient in Indian cuisines or sweet dishes. However, not many people are aware of its health benefits and nutritional value.
The first and foremost advantage of consuming lotus seeds is that it acts as an anti-aging agent.
Lotus seeds are known as a great source of protein which is extremely beneficial to the body. Doctors even recommend the intake of lotus seeds to combat protein deficiency in the body.

Lotus seeds are low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium. They are an extremely good source of manganese, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, protein and phosphorus.
It helps to eliminate all the spleen from the body and keeps it clean from the unnecessary cholesterol, therefore, maintaining the body’s cholesterol level. The potassium content is a great advantage for heart as it reduces the risk of heat stroke and hypertension. It is helpful in flushing out excess water and sodium from the body. It is of a great help in case there are muscle contractions, which can lead to cramps.
Source

Recipe is very easy to make. You need only ground ginger, chilli, tomatoes, cashew, melon seeds, poppy seeds, coconut, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. I have made it with oil. But if you want you can also use butter.

Recipe

Makhana or fox nut – 2 & 1/2 cup

Green peas – 1 cup

Tomato – 3 medium

Green chilli – 1 – 2, chopped

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece

Poppy seeds or khas khas – 1 tablespoon

Cashew nuts – 2 tablespoon

Melon seeds – 1 tablespoon

Grated fresh coconut – 2 tablespoon

Green cardamom – 2

Cinnamon – 1/2 inch piece

Cloves – 2

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 & 1/2 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Sugar – 1/2 to 1 teaspoon or to taste

Oil – 2 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon

Water – 1 & 3/4 cup

Method

1. Soak the poppy seeds or khas khas in hot water or microwave for 1 minute with little water.

2. Soak the cashew nuts and melon seeds in warm water for 15 minutes.

3. Grind tomatoes, green chilli, ginger, green cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, soaked poppy seeds, melon seeds, cashew nuts and coconut altogether. Make a smooth paste.

4. Heat 2 teaspoon oil in a pan. Add fox nuts or makhana. Fry till makhana becomes crisp and light golden brown.

5. Stir constantly and be careful. Makhana shouldn’t be black.
Remove from heat and place on a plate.

6. Now heat 2 tablespoon oil and add the ground paste. Add salt, sugar, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and kashmiri red chilli powder. Mix well.

7. Saute till oil leaves the sides.
Add green peas. Mix and saute for few seconds.

8. Add water and when it starts to boil reduce the heat. Cover and cook on simmer for 5 – 6 minutes or until green peas becomes soft.

9. Add makhana or fox nut. Mix and cook on simmer for 3 – 4 minutes.

10. Your curry is ready. You can add 1-2 tablespoon fresh cream and 1 teaspoon crushed kasuri methi at the end. I didn’t.

11. Garnish with slit green chilli and cilantro or coriander leaves.
Serve with jeera rice, pulao, steamed rice, puri roti, paratha, naan or any bread.

Notes

1. You can use butter instead of oil.
2. Almond can be used instead of cashew nuts. Or use cashew nuts and soaked and peeled almond both.

3. Use chilli according to your spice tolerance.

4. You can add fried cashew nuts in the gravy.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Eggless Coconut Cupcakes

Eggless coconut cupcakes.
Soft, moist and delicious cupcakes made with coconut.

Adopted the recipe from Mayuri’s blog. Always love her delicious bakes. Now happy to share her recipe for my readers.

Made this cupcakes today for Recipe swap challenge initiated by Jolly
And Vidya.

In this group members are paired up every alternate month. And we have to choose a recipe from partner’s blog to cook and share. This month my partner is talented blogger Mayuri Patel who blog at Mayuris Jikoni.
I have bookmarked many of her recipes. I always love her baked recipes. This time decided to make focaccia bread and bookmarked it. But recently bought a small and beautiful silicone cupcake mould and wanted to use it. So I picked up her Coconut cupcakes.

I will make other bookmarked recipes from her blog later or maybe when we paired again. Do visit her space for some awesome recipes specially different types of bread and cakes.

You may like some more cupcakes in this blog.

1. Rasgulla cupcakes

2. Eggless sugarless dry fruits cake with oats

3. Gluten free pineapple cupcakes

4. Gluten free apple almond cupcakes

I have reduced the amount of batter. Used oil instead of butter. And added little Soyabean flour because soya flour makes the cake super soft. My earlier bakes with this flour was always a hit among my family and friends. You can use any flour of your choice. But adding Soyabean flour will make your cake soft and protein rich. But if you don’t have Soyabean flour then you can use only refined flour or whole wheat flour.

Recipe

Refined flour – 1 cup

Soyabean flour – 1/2 cup

Baking powder – 1 teaspoon

Baking soda – 1/2 teaspoon

Desiccated coconut – 1 cup

Oil – 1/2 cup

Milk – 3/4 cup

Thick yogurt – 1/4 cup

Milk powder – 1/4 cup

Powdered sugar – 1 cup

Vanilla essence – 1 teaspoon

Caramel essence – 1 teaspoon, optional

Yellow food colour – 1/4 teaspoon, optional

Tutti fruity to sprinkle

Method

1. Preheat the oven at 170°.

2. Grease the cupcakes or muffins moulds with oil or butter or use cupcake liner.

3. In a bowl mix both flour, dessicated coconut, baking powder and soda.

4. In a large bowl whisk milk, yogurt and powdered sugar. Add milk powder and whisk again.

5. Add oil, vanilla essence, yellow food colour and caramel essence. Whisk well.

6. Now add the dry ingredients gradually and mix well. Make a lump free batter. You can add tutti fruity, dry fruits, glazed cherry or choco chips in the batter.

7. Pour the batter into the cupcake moulds. Fill 3/4 of the moulds.
Sprinkle some tutti fruity over the cupcakes.

8. Bake in preheated over for 20 – 25 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.

Every oven takes different time so keep an eye after 15 minutes.

9. Let the cupcakes cool down before serving.

10. Serve with milk tea coffee or enjoy on your munching time.
Happy baking.

Notes
1 . Instead of refined flour or maida you can use whole wheat flour or atta in the cake batter. Or use any gluten free flour.
2. Dry fruits, choco chips, glazed cherry or tutti fruity can be added in the batter.
3. You can use same amount of butter instead of oil.
4. Instead of vanilla essence you can use any flavour of your choice, like cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, cinnamon powder etc. Caramel essence is optional, you can skip it if you don’t have it.

5. Food colour is also optional but colour will make your cakes more attractive.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Paneer Gajar Halwa Or Cottage Cheese Carrot Pudding

Gajar halwa or carrot pudding with paneer or cottage cheese.
In winter we make gajar halwa or carrot pudding frequently. For gajar halwa we simmer grated carrot with milk till milk thickened and dried up. At the end ghee, dry fruits, khoya will be added with sugar.
But now here is a gajar halwa with little change. I have added paneer or cottage cheese in the halwa with khoya or dried milk. And taste is much better. Try it for a change. I am sure you will love the taste.
I have already shared Sugar free low calorie gajar halwa or diet gajar halwa.

No its not sugar free. Dry fruits, sugar, cardamom, khoya or dried milk and paneer made this halwa mouthwatering.

Recipe

Carrot – 500 gram

Milk – 5 cup

Sugar – 1/2 cup

Khoya/mawa or dried milk – 1/2 cup, grated or crumbled

Paneer or cottage cheese – 1/2 cup, crumbled

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Cashew nuts – 2 tablespoon, sliced

Raisins – 2 tablespoon

Almond – 2 tablespoon, sliced

Ghee or clarified butter – 2 – 3 tablespoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Soaked and peeled almond and pistachio to garnish

Method

1. Peel and rinse the carrot. Cut the both ends.

2. Grate in a food processor or manual grater.

3. Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan or nonstick pan or wok.

4. When milk starts to boil add the grated carrot. Stir well.

5. Cook on simmer and stir constantly to avoid burning at the bottom.

6. When the milk about to dried up add sugar.
Mix and cook on simmer till the milk evaporated.

7. Now add ghee/clarified butter, khoya or dried milk/milk solid, paneer or cottage cheese, cardamom powder, raisins, sliced almond and sliced cashew nuts. I have used homemade khoya and paneer. Get the recipe here.

8. Mix and cook till the mixture dried up completely. Stir constantly.

9. Your halwa is ready. Garnish with pistachio and peeled almond. You can also garnish with fried cashew nuts and raisins.

10. Serve warm or in room temperature. Or you can serve it with vanilla ice cream.
You can keep it in refrigerator for 7 – 8 days. Microwave before serving.
Happy cooking.

Notes

1. You can add 1 – 2 tablespoon more ghee if you want.

2. Add any dry fruits of your choice.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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Moong Dal Bhaja / Fried And Baked Pithe

Bhaja or fried pithe

Baked pithe

Moong dal bhaja/fried and baked pithe.
A deep fried delicacy from Bengal. Mildly sweet and spicy outer layer made of moong dal or yellow lentil and coconut and date palm jaggery or khajur gur stuffing. Interesting isn’t it 😊
Usually it should be deep fried but I have also baked it to make it guilt free. Sharing both methods. I have baked these in halogen oven but you can use your microwave convection mode or OTG to bake.

I remember my mother used to make different types of pithe puli on sankranti. Like bhapa or steamed pithe, ranga aloor/sweet potato pithe, gokul pithe, nolen gur paesh or kheer, green peas stuffed potato or aloor nonta/salty pithe, patishapta, dudh puli, narkol nadu or coconut laddu, malpua and this moong dal bhaja pithe. On sankranti day these was our dinner. I have made all the pithe except this bhaja pithe. It was my most favourite but I can’t remember the exact recipe. Only remember the mildly spicy and lip-smacking taste and some ingredients. My mother is no more so now whom to ask.
In a facebook group Swati Chatterjee Mookherjee posted this. So I have asked her about the recipe. And she gave me her mom’s recipe. Tried it and got the same taste of mom made pithe. Thanks Swati and a big thank to your mother.

Only difference is in her recipe she used green chilli but I remember my mother used red chilli powder. So I have used red chilli powder instead of green chilli paste. If you want you can use paste of 1 – 2 green chilli or black pepper powder instead. As I mentioned above this pithe taste better next day.

You can get some more sankranti delicacies on this blog.

Gokul pithe

Malpua

Coconut laddu or larkol nadu

Baked dudh puli

Sending this post to 182 #Foodiemonday bloghop Down memory lane theme. This beautiful theme suggested by our bloghop member Swaty Malik who blog at Food Trails.
Do visit her space for some delicious recipes.

Down the memory lane yes this pithe is perfect for the theme. It was my childhood favourite. After a long time got the same taste. I have used 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder to make it mildly spicy but if you want to make it more spicy, then you can add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon red chilli powder.
I have fried half of the pithe and baked remaining half. Baked version is also too good. Loved both the version fried and baked.

Bhaja or fried pithe

Recipe

For stuffing

Coconut – 1 cup, grated

Mawa/khoya or dried milk – 3/4 cup

Date palm jaggery or khajur gur – 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

For outer layer

Moong dal or split yellow lentil – 1 cup

Ghee or clarified butter – 1 tablespoon

Ginger paste – 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Salt – 1/4 teaspoon

Water – 2 & 1/2 cup or as require

Date palm jaggery or khajur gur – 1/2 cup, grated

Rice flour – 3 tablespoon

Oil for frying

Method

1. Heat a nonstick or heavy bottom pan. Add coconut, mawa/khoya or dried milk and date palm jaggery or khajur gur. Mix well.

2. Cook on low heat, stir continuously to avoid sticking to the bottom.

3. When the mixture dried up and becomes like a dough remove from heat. Add cardamom powder and mix. Stuffing is ready. Let it cool down.

 

4. Rinse the lentil well. Spread on a plate or paper towel for 30 minutes.

5. Heat ghee or clarified butter in a pan. Add the lentils.

6. Fry the lentils till fragrant and change it’s colour to light golden brown.

7. Add salt ginger paste and red chilli powder. If you want more spicy add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon red chilli powder.

8. Mix well and add water. Let it cook on low flame till the lentils becomes soft. You can add more water if require.

9. Add jaggery and mix. Cook until jaggery melted and the mixture dried up. Remove from heat.

10. Let the mixture cool down. Add rice flour gradually and mix.

11. Mix well and knead into a smooth dough. You can add 1 tablespoon more rice flour if require for binding but don’t add more than it.

12. Make small balls. Flatten the ball with your palm and place one teaspoon full stuffing in the middle.

13. Bring the edges together and make a ball again. Give the balls cylindrical shape.

14. Heat sufficient oil for deep frying. Oil should be enough hot.

15. Slid the cylindrical pithe in the oil reduce the flame and fry on low medium heat till golden brown from all the sides.

16. Remove from oil and place on paper towel. These taste best next day.

Baked method

For halogen oven

1. Brush all the pithe with oil. Place on the nonstick baking tray or plate which you got with oven.

2. Press speed up mode and set the temperature 200°. Set the timing 10 minutes. Press start to bake.

3. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes or till pithe becomes golden brown. Keep an eye after 8 minutes. Mine takes 10 minutes to bake one side and 8 minutes after turning.

4. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes or till pithe becomes golden brown. Turn over and bake other side too in this method.

For microwave convection mode or OTG

1. Preheat the at 200° for 10 minutes.

2. Bake at 200° for 8 – 10. Or until pithe becomes golden brown. Keep an eye after 6 minutes. Every oven takes different time.

Serve warm or cold. It will taste better next day. Enjoy…….

Notes

1. Instead of red chilli powder you can use green chilli paste or black pepper powder.

2. You can drizzle date palm jaggery syrup over the pithe just before serving.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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Broccoli With Egg And Tomato

Broccoli with egg and tomato.
A superbly delicious and healthy side dish. You can serve it with toasted bread in breakfast or serve as a side dish in lunch or dinner.
If you like eggs then its perfect for you.

Not only delicious but protein, vitamins and minerals rich eggs makes it nutritious.

When it comes to great-tasting nutrition, broccoli is an all-star food with many health benefits. While low in calories, broccoli is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber.
Researchers are studying the anti-cancer properties of Sulforaphane and have come to some interesting conclusions, although more research is needed.
And is a good source of beta-carotene. Broccoli contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc too. It also provides fiber and is low in calories.
Broccoli is a great source of vitamins K and C, a good source of folate (folic acid) and also provides potassium, fiber. Vitamin C – builds collagen, which forms body tissue and bone, and helps cuts and wounds heal. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and protects the body from damaging free radicals.
To read more about Broccoli nutrients click here.

And broccoli and eggs are great combo.

Why : Research shows that when you add a food containing a reasonable amount of vitamin D to a calcium-rich food, you absorb about 60% more of the calcium.

“Broccoli along with other green leafy veg are one of the richest plant-based sources of calcium, while eggs are one of nature’s best sources of vitamin D – a nutrient that is hard to get from food alone,” says Rob.
Source – Mirror

Recipe is very simple and easy. I don’t have cherry tomatoes so I quartered the tomatoes. If you have cherry tomatoes use them to make your dish more beautiful and attractive. I have used Indian spices but you can use any herbs or spices of your choice. You can also use capsicum or Bell peppers if you want.

Recipe

Broccoli – 1

Tomato – 5 small

Egg – 2 – 3

Onion – 2, finely chopped

Garlic – 3 – 4 cloves, minced

Green chilli – 1 – 2, chopped

Grated ginger – 1 teaspoon

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Cilantro or coriander leaves – handful, chopped

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon

Garam masala powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Method

1. Cut the broccoli into small florets.

2. Chop the tomatoes into 4 pieces. If you have cherry tomatoes make them half or use full.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add broccoli florets and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well.

4. Cover and cook on simmer. Stir in between. Fry till broccoli florets slightly changes it’s colour and becomes a bit tender. Remove from heat and keep aside. Don’t make the broccoli too soft.

5. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add minced garlic and chopped onions. Fry till onions becomes translucent.

6. Add chopped green chilli and grated ginger.

7. When the onions becomes light brown add the tomatoes and saute for 1 minutes or till skin of the tomatoes begins to wrinkle. Tomatoes should not be mushy, just make slightly soft.

8. Add fried broccoli florets, chopped cilantro or coriander leaves, salt, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and garam masala powder. Mix well.

8. Now make space in the middle of the pan with a spatula.

8. Break the eggs and drop in the middle of the pan.

9. Stir with a spatula and break the egg yolks.

10. Stir and mix the eggs with broccoli and tomatoes.

11. Stir continuously and cook for 2 minutes or till the eggs cooked completely.

12. Remove from heat. Serve hot with roti, paratha, puri naan or toasted bread.

Notes
1. You can use olive oil or any vegetable oil.
2. Use cherry tomatoes to make your dish more attractive.
3. You can use any herbs or spices of your choice.

4. Capsicum or Bell peppers can be used with broccoli.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.

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Adas Bil Hamod Or Lebanese Lentil Lemon Soup

Adas bil hamod.
Brown lentil soup or Lebanese lentil soup with lemon.
A delicious comforting and filling hot thick soup is perfect for winter.
This soup is made of brown lentil or whole Masoor dal. Brown or red lentil is rich in protein, vitamins and Iron.

You may like one more brown or red lentil recipe on this blog

Whole Masoor dal or red lentil curry

Here are some other dietary and health benefits of masoor dal: Helps Stabilise Blood Sugar Level. Keeps The Heart Healthy by Lowering Cholesterol. Effective Remedy Against Weight Loss. Anti-Ageing Properties. Nourishes Teeth and Bones. Helpful In Maintaining A Healthy Vision. Beneficial For A Glowing And Radiating Skin.
Source

Sending this post to 181 #Foodiemonday bloghop #Levantine cuisine.
This week very talented blogger and our group member Sujata Shukla who blog at Pepper On Pizza
suggested the theme. Do check her blog for many wonderful recipes. She has a vast collection of regional and continental recipes.

Levantine cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the Levant, known in Arabic as the Bilad ash-Sham and Mashriq, which covers a large area of the Eastern Mediterranean. It continues to carry an influentially mainstream character in a majority of the dishes today. It is found in the modern states of Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria, and parts of southern Turkey near Adana, Gaziantep, and Antakya (the former Vilayet of Aleppo). In the broader family of Mediterranean cuisine, Cypriot cuisine also has strong Levantine influences. Conversely, some of the dishes may have early origins in neighboring regions, but have long since become traditions in the Levant.

I am sharing this healthy and delicious lentil soup from Lebanese cuisine.
Lebanese cuisine is a Levantine style of cooking that includes an abundance of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, starches, fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry is eaten more often than red meat, and when red meat is eaten, it is usually lamb on the coast, and goat meat in the mountain regions. It also includes copious amounts of garlic and olive oil, often seasoned by lemon juice. Chickpeas and parsley are also staples of the Lebanese diet. Lebanese cooking derives its style from various influences, such as Turkish, Arab, and Mediterranean cuisines.
Source – Wikipedia

This soup can be serve with pita bread or enjoy it as an appetizer.
Browned onion, spinach, cilantro, dried mint leaves and lemon makes it lip-smacking.

Recipe

Brown lentil or whole Masoor dal – 1 cup

Onion – 1 large, finely chopped

Garlic – 3 cloves, minced

Spinach – 50 gram

Cilantro or coriander leaves – 1/2 cup, chopped

Dried mint leaves – 1 tablespoon, crushed

Salt – 1 & 1/2 teaspoon

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon or to taste

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Lemon juice – 3 tablespoon

Olive oil – 2 tablespoon

Water – 5 – 6 cup or as require

Method

1. Wash and soak the lentil for 30 minutes. Drain the water and keep aside.

2. Chop the spinach leaves. Discard the stem.

3.Heat oil in a pan. Add finely chopped onion.

4. Fry till the onions becomes translucent.

5. Add minced garlic and fry till the onions becomes brown.

6. Add chopped cilantro and spinach. Saute for 1 – 2 minutes.

7. Add lentil, salt, dried and crushed mint leaves, black pepper powder and cumin powder. Mix well.

8. Add 5 cup water and mix. When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat.

9. Cook on low heat until the lentils becomes soft. Stir in regular intervals. It will take 30 to 35 minutes.

10. You can add 1 cup or more water if require to get your desired consistency.

11. When lentils becomes soft remove from heat and add lemon juice. Taste and add little more salt if require.

12. Garnish with mint leaves.

Serve hot with pita bread or enjoy as an appetizer.
This soup also taste great with Indian flat bread.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
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