March 2019 – Batter Up With Sujata

Red Lentil Soup

Red lentil soup.
A delicious comforting and flavourful soup. Very easy to make and nutritious. Serve it as a comforting meal with a dash of lemon juice or serve it with rice or bread.

Earlier made a Lebanese lentil soup with whole red lentils and loved the taste so tried this with red lentils. Its equally delicious.

You may like some more lentil recipes in this blog.

Lebanese Lentil Lemon Soup

Beetroot dal or lentil curry

Whole Masoor dal or brown or red lentils

Red lentil fritters in sour gravy

Red lentils, also known as Masoor dal, are an extremely popular lentil in India. They are grown all over the country and consumed for their various health benefits. Red lentils are extremely good for your skin and can prevent issues like rapid ageing and acne. They can also be used to lighten the skin and get rid of tans. Red lentils promote weight loss and are very good for your digestion due to the high amounts of fiber present in this lentil. It is good for diabetics as it regulates the random spikes and drops in the glucose level in the blood. It is abundantly rich in proteins and minerals, which help boost various systems in your body. It is very good for your bones, teeth, and eyesight because of this. It can reduce the risk of cancer due to its anticancer properties and is known for reducing bowel, colon, lung, and breast cancer risks. Moreover, due to its high antioxidant content, it is very beneficial for your immune system and can help prevent a ton of diseases and infections.
Read more about red lentil here.

This lemon flavoured lentil soup is very easy to make. You can use your pressure cooker to make it. But better to cook in open pot for taste. Soup will be more tasty if you will cook it in open pot.

Recipe

Red lentils or Masoor dal – 1 cup

Carrot – 2 medium

Potato – 1, optional

Onion – 1, finely chopped

Bay leaf – 1

Garlic – 3 – 4, minced

Ginger – 1 inch piece, grated

Tomato – 1, chopped

Baby spinach – 100 gram, chopped

Cilantro or coriander leaves – handful, chopped

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 cup

Dried mint leaves – 3 tablespoon, crushed

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon or to taste

Salt to taste

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Water – 5 cup

Lemon juice – 2 teaspoon

Zest of 1 lemon

Method

1. Peel and cut the carrot and potato in cubes.

2. Rinse and chop the spinach.

3. Heat oil in a pan or wok. Add onion and garlic. Fry till the onion becomes translucent.

4. Add grated ginger, carrot, and potato. Saute for 2 minutes.

5. Now add spinach and tomato. Saute for 2 – 3 minutes or till the tomato becomes soft.

6. Add lentils, salt, cumin powder and black pepper powder. Mix well.

7. Add water and crushed dried mint leaves. Let it boil.

8. When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Cook on low heat till lentils becomes soft. It will take 25 – 30 minutes. Don’t cover the pan.

9. When lentils becomes soft add lemon zest and lemon juice. You can add more water if require.

10. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more lemon juice if require.

11. Garnish with mint and coriander leaves, lemon wedges and chopped tomatoes or fresh red chilli. I have used small pieces of fresh red chilli.

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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Beetroot Dip

Beetroot dip with roasted beetroot.
A delicious and easy to make dip for your snacks with all the healthy and flavourful ingredients.
You will love the taste even if you don’t like beetroot. Roasting enhanced the sweetness and taste of beetroot.

You may like some more beetroot recipes in this blog.

1. Dairy free beetroot smoothie

2. Beetroot dal or lentil curry

3. Beetroot shot

4. Beet smoothie

5. Beetroot rice or pulao and raita

6. Black rice oats beetroot pancake

7. Beetroot appe

8. Beetroot cutlets

9. vegan fruit and veggie smoothie

10. Beetroot green with green peas and corn

Beets are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and plant compounds, some of which have medicinal properties.
1. Many Nutrients in Few Calories. Beets boast an impressive nutritional profile.
2. Help Keep Blood Pressure in Check.
3. Can Improve Athletic Performance.
4. May Help Fight Inflammation.
5. May Improve Digestive Health.
6. May Help Support Brain Health.
7. May Have Some Anti-Cancer Properties. 8. May Help You Lose Weight.
Source

Earlier I have made beetroot dip with boiled or raw beetroot.

But noticed a baked beetroot process in twitter from Gala in the kitchen. A detailed and well explained method shared on this blog. Followed the method and very happy with the result. Taste of the baked beetroot are much better than boiled or raw beetroot. You could also see the difference in colour.

Recipe is very easy and simple. If you have baked beetroot ready then you only have to blend all the ingredients. But if you don’t have oven then you can boil the whole beetroot with water in pressure cooker then peel and chop when cool before blending.

Recipe

Beetroot – 2 medium

Tomato – 1 medium

Walnut – 1 tablespoon, chopped

Mint leaves – 3 tablespoon

Sesame seeds – 1 tablespoon

Dried Basil – 1 teaspoon

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Black or pink salt to taste

Pepper powder to taste

Lemon zest – 1/4 teaspoon

Method

1. Wash well and bake the beetroot. Get the method here.

2. I have used my halogen oven to bake. If you are using halogen wrap beetroot with baking paper and then aluminium foil as directed in the above link. Place beetroot on muffins tray.

3. Place the tray on high rack of halogen oven.
Select speed up at 230° for 40 minutes or till done. Insert a fork to check.

4. If you don’t have oven then boil the whole beetroot in pressure cooker with water till done.

5. Let the beetroot cool down. Peel and chop into small pieces.

6. Dry roast the sesame seeds. When it starts to change its colour to light brown remove from heat. Transfer the sesame seeds on a plate.

7. Roast the tomato.
Hold it with the help of a fork or knife on flame. Roast till the skin becomes black.

8. Dip roasted tomato in cold water.
Now peel the skin and chop roughly.

9. Blend everything altogether.
Taste and add salt and more lemon juice if require.

10. Pour the mixture in a glass bowl. Garnish with mint leaves, walnut and dry roasted sesame seeds. Serve with any snack.
You can keep it in refrigerator for 5 – 6 days.

Note

You can add garlic cloves 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.
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Cornmeal Oats Soya Vegetable Idli

Cornmeal oats soya vegetable idli.
Soft and delicious idli made of Soyabean flour, ground oats, cornmeal and vegetables. I have used broccoli, green peas, sweet corn and carrot. You can use any vegetable of your choice like capsicum, cabbage, beans, bell pepper etc.

Not only healthy but its very easy and quick recipe. You don’t need to soak, grind or ferment the batter. If you have ground oats or oats flour ready then you can make it anytime.
I have already shared three different flavoured idli recipes on this blog.

1. Green moong idli

2. Chutney idli

3. Barnyard millet fried idli

Along with oats and semolina I have used cornmeal in this idli.
Unlike flour made from wheat grains, corn meal does not contain gluten, so it makes for a safe cooking ingredient for those suffering from celiac disease or gluten intolerance, according to Colorado State University. Eating corn meal also offers some health benefits because it serves as a source of essential nutrients.
Source

Sending this post to 188 Idli Medley theme suggested by Mayuri Patel who blog at Mayuri’s Jikoni. Do visit her space for some awesome recipes. For this theme we have to make idli without rice.

Did you know March 30 is celebrated as World Idli Day?
For the last three years, March 30 has been celebrated as World Idli Day. The delicious south Indian steamed rice cake is often eaten for breakfast along with piping hot sambhar and a variety of tasty chutneys.
Source – NDTV

Earlier I have used only semolina or suji in idli. But this time added oats and cornmeal, oats and Soyabean flour to make it healthy and for a different taste. But if you don’t have these flour then you can make it with semolina and oats or only semolina.

Recipe

Cornmeal – 1/4 cup

Oats – 1/4 cup, ground

Soyabean flour – 1/4 cup

Semolina or suji – 1/4 cup

Broccoli – 1/2 cup, chopped

Green peas – 1/3 cup

Sweet corn – 1/3 cup

Carrot – 1, grated

Cilantro or coriander leaves – handful, chopped

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece, grated

Green chilli – 1 – 2, finely chopped

Rai or mustard seeds – 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves – 12 – 15

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Salt to taste

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Curd – 1/2 cup

Fruit salt – 1 teaspoon

Water – 3/4 cup or as require

Method

1. In a bowl mix cornmeal, ground oats, soyabean flour and semolina or suji.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.

3. Add curry leaves, grated ginger and chopped green chilli. Fry for a minute.

4. Add all the vegetables. Add salt and cumin powder. Mix well.

5. Cover and cook on simmer for 4 – 5 minutes or till the vegetables become tender. Stir in between.

6. Now add all the flour and mix. Saute for a minute and remove from heat.
Let it cool down.

7. Add curd and 1/2 cup water. Mix well and add more water slowly to make a thick batter.

8. Cover and keep aside for 15 – 30 minutes.

9. Grease the idli moulds with oil.

10. Add fruit salt in the batter. Give a good stir and immediately pour the batter into the idli moulds.

11. Steam for 8 – 10 minutes in idli cooker. Insert a toothpick in the middle of a idli. It should comes out clean. I have made in microwave. In microwave it will take 6 – 7 minutes on full power.

12. Serve hot with any chutney. You may like some chutney recipes on this blog.
1. Mango sesame chutney

2. Water chestnut chutney

3. Onion tomato chutney or dip

4. Peanut chutney or dip

Notes

1. If you don’t have Soyabean flour and oats then you can make it with only semolina. Use 1 cup semolina or suji and skip oats powder and Soyabean flour.
2. Use chilli according to your spice tolerance.

Check out some more idli recipes of my fellow bloggers.

Poha idli by Archana

Buckwheat idli by Mayuri

Kanchipuram idli by Priya

Quinoa idli by Poonam

Oats rawa idli by Kalyani

Oats almond vegetable idli by Preethi

Veggie quinoa mini idli by Sasmita

Barnyard millet idli by Veena

Ragi idli by Swaty

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.

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Vegan Fruity Golden Smoothie With Turmeric And Aloe Vera

Vegan fruity golden smoothie with fresh turmeric and Aloe Vera.
Dairy free golden smoothie with fresh turmeric, ginger, Aloe Vera gel, grapes, orange, carrot, cucumber, coconut milk and flavoured with mint and cinnamon. A perfect breakfast smoothie for weight watchers.

You don’t need to make juice of orange and carrot. Just use finely chopped or grated carrot and remove the skin and seeds of orange before using. Smoothie is enough sweet due to orange and carrot so you don’t need any sweetener.
You can get some more smoothie recipe here.

Turmeric is known for it’s healing compounds curcumin. Ginger is high in gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Earlier I have shared turmeric shot recipe. Click here to get the recipe.

Here are some health benefits of the ingredients used in this smoothie.
1. Orange is high in Vitamin, C. Healthy immune system. Prevents skin damage. Keeps blood pressure under check. Lowers cholesterol. Controls blood sugar level. Lowers the risk of cancer.
Source

2. Grapes are packed With Nutrients, Especially Vitamins C and K. High Antioxidant Contents May Prevent Chronic Diseases. Plant Compounds May Protect Against Certain Types of Cancer. Beneficial for Heart Health in Various Impressive Ways. May Decrease Blood Sugar Levels and Protect Against Diabetes.
Source

3. Carrots health benefits includes supporting healthy eyes, a good source of antioxidants, supporting healthy heart, supporting health teeth and gums, treating wounds, improving brain health and cognitive functions, fighting cancer, supporting better digestion, maintaining youthful age, supporting healthy hair and skin and lowering the risk of developing diabetes.
Source

4. Though commonly thought to be a vegetable, cucumber is actually a fruit.
It’s high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions.
Also, cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.
Source

5. Turmeric Contains Bioactive Compounds With Powerful Medicinal Properties .Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound. Turmeric Dramatically Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the Body. Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases.
Source

6. Aloe Vera contains healthful plant compounds. Antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Accelerates the healing of burns. Reduces dental plaque. Helps treat canker sores. Reduces constipation. May improve skin and prevent wrinkles. Lowers blood sugar levels.
Source

Now coming to the easy and simple recipe. Just combine everything and blend till the mixture becomes smooth. I don’t like the flavour of fresh turmeric so I have added cinnamon. Because of mint leaves and cinnamon you hardly notice turmeric flavour. If you want you can omit mint or cinnamon. But I recommend to use both for a lovely flavour.

Recipe

Grapes – 1 cup

Orange – 1 large or 2 small

Carrot – 1, grated or finely chopped

Cucumber – 1, optional

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece, optional

Fresh turmeric – 1/2 inch piece

Mint leaves – few

Lemon juice – 1 – 2 tablespoon or as require

Aloe Vera gel – 1 – 2 tablespoon

Coconut milk – 1/2 cup

Cinnamon powder – 1/2 teaspoon, optional

Method

1. Peel and remove the seeds of orange. I have small oranges so used two oranges. If you have large orange then use one.

2. Peel and chop the cucumber. Taste before using. Cucumber should not be bitter.

3. Peel and grate or finely chop the ginger and fresh turmeric.

4. Combine everything, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and blend till smooth and frothy. Taste and add more lemon juice if require.

5. Pour in your favourite glass. You can add some ice cubes in the glass if you want.

6. Garnish with mint leaves, cucumber and lemon wedges. Serve chilled or in room temperature.

Notes
1. If you want sweeter smoothie omit the cucumber
2. If you don’t like cinnamon then you can skip it.
3. Add lemon juice 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.

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Italian Flavoured Paneer Bhurji

Italian flavoured paneer bhurji.
A different way to make our very own paneer bhurji. This lip-smacking paneer bhurji can be serve as a side dish or make sandwich stuffing or use as pizza topping.

We normally make paneer bhurji with onion garlic tomato and some Indian spices. But this time made with Italian seasonings.
Well now you can ask that how I get the idea of making this Italian flavoured paneer bhurji. Because this week our 187 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is desi twist suggested by Kalyani Sri who blog at https://www.sizzlingtastebuds.com/?m=1

According to Kalyani “the base idea has to be an Indian dish but not an Indian ingredient’. So I have made our humble paneer bhurji Italian. And loved the taste. Try it, I am sure you will also love the taste.
You can use bell peppers or any vegetable of your choice.

Recipe

Paneer or cottage cheese – 2 cup, crumbled

Onion – 1, finely chopped

Green chilli – 1 – 2, finely chopped

Garlic – 2 – 3 cloves, minced

Green peas – 1/2 cup, boiled or frozen

Sweet corn – 1/2 cup, boiled

Capsicum – 1, cubed

Tomato – 2 medium, cubed

Onion – 1, cubed

Oregano – 2 teaspoon

Dried Basil – 1 teaspoon

Rosemary – 1/2 teaspoon, optional

Red chilli flakes – 1 teaspoon

Black pepper powder – 1 teaspoon

Pizza sauce – 2 tablespoon

Vinegar – 1 tablespoon

Tomato sauce – 1 tablespoon

Olive oil – 2 tablespoon

Salt to taste

Chopped scallion or onion green – 1 tablespoon, optional

Method

1. In a bowl mix pizza sauce, vinegar, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, black pepper powder and red chilli flakes. Also add rosemary if using. Mix well and keep aside.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Add finely chopped onion. Fry till translucent.

3. Add minced garlic and chopped green chilli. Fry till garlic becomes brown.

4. Add cubed onion, tomato, capsicum and salt. Add salt carefully. Sauce has enough salt. Saute for 2 minutes.

5. Add boiled sweet corn and green peas. Mix well.

6. Add crumbled paneer or cottage cheese and mix. I have used homemade paneer or cottage cheese. Get the recipe here.

7. Reduce the heat. Cook on simmer for 4-5 minutes or till it dried up. Stir continuously. Cooking on low heat helps the paneer to absorb the flavour of herbs.

8. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Add 1/2 tablespoon chopped scallion or onion green if using. Mix and remove from heat.

9. Garnish with remaining 1/2 tablespoon scallion. Serve hot as a side dish with any bread or make sandwich stuffing. Even you can use it as pizza topping.

Notes

1. You can use bell peppers, broccoli, beans or any vegetable of your choice.

2. Any vegetable oil can be used instead of olive oil.

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.

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Fennel Oats Millet Cookies / Gluten Free Cookies

Fennel oats pearl millet cookies.
Gluten free crispy aromatic cookies with all the goodness of pearl millet or bajra, oats and jaggery. Used very little ghee or clarified butter. Perfect treat for your kiddos and you.

We have discussed a lot about millet flour and oats on my earlier posts so no more words about the health benefits of these ingredients. This time have a look at the benefits of jaggery.
Manoj K. Ahuja, Sukhda Hospital, says “It is best consumed during the winter months because winter is the season of fresh jaggery. Since it is rich in many vital vitamins and minerals, jaggery boosts immunity, keeps the body warm, helps treat cold and cough and controls the temperature of the body. This natural sweetener has been a great go-to ingredient in India since time immemorial.”
Here are 15 jaggery benefits
1. Prevents constipation
2. Detoxes the liver
3. Treats flu-like symptoms
4. Blood purifier
5. Boosts immunity
6. Cleanses the body
7. Eases menstrual pain
8. Prevents anaemia
9. Boosts intestinal health
10. Cools the stomach
11. Controls blood pressure
12. Prevents respiratory problems
13. Relieves joint pain
14. Weight loss
15. Good source of energy

Read more about jaggery benefits here.
Source – NDTV Food

These cookies are delicious with crispy crunchy texture. But if you want Mouth melting cookies just increase the amount of ghee or butter. Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup and don’t use milk. Use ghee or butter only to make smooth and soft dough. I have used little sugar but if you want you can make it with only jaggery powder. On my first try I have used 1/2 cup oats and 1/2 cup ghee. Taste is too good but cookies lose it’s shape and becomes flat. See the picture below. So tried again and very happy with the result. Reduced the amount of ghee and used 1 cup oats. Taste and shape both are excellent.

Sending this post to A to Z challenge, a challenge initiated on Facebook Group, created by Jolly
and Vidya.
Wherein a group of bloggers come together and we choose key ingredients alphabetically to cook and post a dish every alternate month. This month’s Alphabet is letter F. I have chosen fennel seeds for this month.

Lightly dry roasted fennel seeds and cardamom made these cookies aromatic. Not only healthy and aromatic but the cookies are yummy because of dessicated coconut, fennel, cardamom and jaggery mixed taste.

Recipe

Oats – 1 cup

Fennel seeds or sounf – 1 tablespoon

Pearl millet or Bajra flour – 1/2 cup

Baking powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Baking soda – 1/4 teaspoon

Desiccated coconut – 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon

Powdered sugar – 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoon

Jaggery powder – 1/2 cup

Ghee/clarified butter or unsalted butter – 1/4 cup

Milk – 3 tablespoon or as require

Method

1. Preheat the oven at 180° for 10 minutes.

2. Grease or line a baking tray with parchment paper.

4. Lightly dry roast fennel seeds or sounf in a pan. Remove from heat and keep aside.

5. Sieve the pear millet or Bajra flour in a bowl.

6. Grind the fennel seeds and oats altogether. Make fine powder.

7. Add dessicated coconut in the grinder and grind again.

8. Mix ground fennel seeds, oats dessicated coconut, pearl millet or Bajra flour, cardamom powder, baking powder and soda.

9. In a large bowl mix ghee or unsalted butter, powdered sugar and gur or jaggery powder. Mix well.

10. Add all the dry ingredients and 3 tablespoon milk. . Make a smooth dough. Add little more milk if require to make smooth dough.

11. Make small balls. I have made 26 cookies with this dough.
Place the balls on baking 1 inch apart.

12. Press the balls with a fork two times to make zigzag.

13. You can simply flatten the balls with your palm if you want. Or you can roll the ball with rolling pin and cut with your favourite cook cutter. You can make thin cookies if you like. But don’t make too thin.

14. Bake in the preheated oven at 180° on middle rack for 12 – 15 minutes or till the edges becomes brown.

15. Let the cookies cool down completely before serving. Cookies will soft when hot and become crisp after cooling. Store in a airtight container for later use.

Happy baking 😊

Notes

1. Whole wheat refined or any flour can be used instead of pear millet and oats.
2. You can make these cookies with only jaggery. Omit powdered sugar and increase the amount of jaggery powder.
3. If you want Mouth melting cookies skip milk and use only ghee or butter to make the dough.
4. You can add tutti fruity dry fruits or choco chips in the dough 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.

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Broccoli Malai Curry

Broccoli malai curry.
Yes broccoli again. But this time with a rich finger licking gravy. Generally we make this malai curry with prawns or chingri. Called chingri malai curry. If you want you can make prawns or any fish instead of broccoli with this gravy.

This week our 186 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is plant based milk recipes suggested by Archana Gunjikar Potdar who blog at Mad Scientist’s Kitchen. Visit her blog for some awesome recipes.

Today I am sharing my brother Sanjay’s recipe. I already shared his one more recipe.
Radhaballvi with dum aloo.

He always used strained water of soaked dry red chilies in his non-vegetarian dishes. In his view ‘its enhance the taste and colour’. So I have followed his method today. Try this gravy with any vegetables or fish chicken etc. And please let me know how it turns out.

Recipe

Broccoli – 1

Onion – 2

Garlic – 2 – 3

Ginger – 1 inch piece

Tomato – 2 medium

Green cardamom – 2

Cinnamon – 1 inch piece

Cloves – 3

Bay leaf – 1

Coconut milk – 1 cup

Cashew nuts – 10 – 12

Poppy seeds or khas khas – 1 tablespoon

Cumin powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 tablespoon

Dry red chilli – 3

Salt to taste

Water – 1 cup + 1/4 cup

Mustard oil – 3 – 4 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon

Slit green chilli to garnish

Method

1. Soak the poppy seeds and cashew nuts in hot water.

2. Soak the dry red chilli in 1/4 cup water for 20 – 25 minutes.

3. Blend the soaked red chillies with it’s water. Strain the water with a sieve and keep aside. Discard the skin and seeds of dry red chilli.

4. Grind onion, ginger and garlic into smooth paste.

5. Grind tomatoes, soaked cashews and poppy seeds altogether. Make a smooth paste.

6. Crush green cardamom, cinnamon and cloves with a mortar pestle.

7. Rinse the broccoli well. Cut the broccoli onto small florets.

8. Heat 2 teaspoon oil in a pan. Add the chopped broccoli.

9. Fry till the broccoli starts to change it’s colour. Remove from heat and keep aside.

10. Heat 3 – 4 tablespoon oil in the same pan. Add bay leaf, crushed green cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.

11. Add onion, garlic and ginger paste. Sauce till the ground paste becomes light brown.

12. Add tomato, cashew and poppy seeds paste. Add cumin powder, kashmiri red chilli powder and turmeric powder.
Saute till oil leaves the sides.

13. Add fried broccoli florets and salt. Mix well.

14. Saute for 1 – 2 minutes.
Add strained water of dry red chilli, coconut milk and water. You can also add some slit green chilli. Stir and mix well.

15. When it starts to rolling boil reduce the heat. Cover and cook on simmer for 10 – 15 minutes or until the broccoli becomes tender.

16. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Remove from heat. You can add 1 – 2 teaspoon ghee or clarified butter if you like. I didn’t.

17. Garnish with slit green chilli.
Serve with steamed rice, pulao, jeera rice, roti, paratha, naan, puri or any bread.

Notes
1. You can make prawns or any fish or chicken in this gravy.
2. Any vegetables can be used instead of broccoli.

4. You can also make this curry with less oil if you want.

5. Any vegetable oil can be used instead of mustard oil.

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.

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Broccoli With Cottage Cheese And Mixed Vegetables

Happy Women’s Day to all wonderful women.
Broccoli with paneer or cottage cheese and mixed vegetables.
Here is a simple yet delicious recipe with all the goodness of broccoli, cottage cheese and some mixed vegetables.

Yes broccoli again. My vegetable vendor brings lots of broccoli every day. And always request to buy some. Broccoli not only healthy but taste great and see how this vegetable looks beautiful with some other colourful veggies.

You may like some more broccoli recipe on this blog.

1. Broccoli with egg and tomato

2. Vegan broccoli stir fry with lemon and ginger julienne

3. Broccoli almond cheese soup

I had some different vegetables and cottage cheese in my refrigerator. So made this mixed vegetables.
Posting it from train. Going to Allahabad to attend a marriage in family. So quickly coming to the recipe. Try out this and enjoy.

Recipe

Broccoli – 1

Cauliflower – 1 cup, chopped into small florets

Carrot – 3/4 cup, cubed

Beans – 3/4 cup

Capsicum – 1, cubed

Tomato – 2 medium, chopped

Green peas – 3 /4 cup

Sweet corn – 3/4 cup, boiled

Grated ginger – 1 teaspoon

Green chilli – 1 – 2, chopped

Garlic – 4-5, minced

Onion – 2, sliced

Paneer – 1 cup, cubed

Salt to taste

Tomato ketchup – 1 tablespoon

Vinegar – 1 tablespoon

Oregano – 2 teaspoon

Rosemarie – 1 teaspoon, optional

Olive oil – 2 tablespoon

Method

1. Cut the broccoli into small florets. Cover with water and boil till fork tender. Broccoli florets should not be mushy. Or microwave with water for 4 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped onions, garlic and green chilli. Fry till the onions becomes light brown.

3. Add grated ginger and chopped tomatoes. Saute till the tomatoes becomes mushy.

4. Add carrot, beans, cauliflower green peas and salt. Mix well.

5. Cover and cook on low flame till the vegetables become tender. Stir occasionally.

6. Add capsicum and cook for 1 – 2 minutes on high heat.

7. Add corn, broccoli florets and paneer or cottage cheese pieces. Mix everything.

8. Add tomato ketchup, vinegar, oregano and rosemary. Rosemary is completely optional. If you don’t have or you don’t like skip it.

9. Stir and cook on high heat till the vegetables dried up.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.

10. Remove from heat. You can garnish with chopped scallion or onion greens.
Serve with any bread.

Notes

1. You can use bell peppers or any vegetables of your choice.
2. Use green chilli according to your taste.

3. You can use any vegetable oil.

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.

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Vegan Fruit And Veggie Smoothie

Happy Maha Shivratri!
May this Shivratri bring blessings to you and your family. May the almighty Lord Shiva bless you with all the happiness!!

Vegan fruit and veggie smoothie.
Beet carrot cucumber smoothie with orange and mint. Smoothie is naturally sweet so you don’t need any sweetener. Perfect for fasting days.
Smoothie is not only delicious and nutritious but every ingredients of this smoothie will also help to nourishes your skin.

Monday again and this week’s 183 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #GlowingskinRecipes suggested by Amrita Iyer who blog at Food samaritan.
Do visit her space for many amazing recipes.

I have used cucumber, carrot, orange juice, beetroot, almond, walnut and lemon in this smoothie. And every ingredients helps you to make your skin glow.

Cucumber – Cucumbers are light on the stomach, and perfect for quenching thirst and staying hydrated.
In fact, cucumber’s high water content is excellent for the skin as it keeps it hydrated and well-nourished. It is also rich in silica, which enhances your natural complexion and adds a glow to it.
Cucumber contains potassium, magnesium, biotin, and vitamins A, B1, and C, and therefore helps to improve your skin condition.

Carrot – We have been told time and again that carrots are great for the eyes. What you do not know is that they are great for the skin too.
Carrots contain vitamin A, which fights acne, wrinkles, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone. The juice is rich in fiber, which eases bowel movement and excretion, thereby clearing out your stomach. This enhances your skin.
Carrots also contain vitamin C and potassium, which improve skin elasticity and help in the regeneration of new cells.

Orange – Along with boosting your mood, it also elevates your skin’s health.
Oranges are rich sources of citric acid that aid collagen and elastin formation in the skin. Hence, they dry acne, enhance your complexion, improve your skin texture, and make your skin firm. Oranges also hydrate the skin and treat sunburns.
They contain antioxidants that fight free radicals and prevent wrinkle formation and skin sagging, thereby controlling premature skin aging.

Beetroot – Fresh beetroot juice has anti-inflammatory properties and is a rich source of iron and potassium, which help purify the blood. The vegetable juice also contains vitamins A, C, K, copper, magnesium, folic acid, and zinc.
Dilute beetroot with another ingredient and drink the juice every day to fight skin problems such as blemishes, acne marks, and inflammations.

Almond – The regular consumption and the proper external application of soaked almonds can do wonders for your skin.
Vitamin E and other antioxidants present in these nuts can eliminate the harmful free radicals from your body. As a result, the aging process gets delayed and you remain younger-looking for a longer period.

Walnut – Walnuts are good for the skin as they are packed with B-vitamins. Vitamin B is an excellent stress and mood manager. Lower stress levels result in a better skin. Increased stress levels can result in the earlier onset of wrinkles, thus inducing faster aging. The presence of the B-vitamins, together with Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, helps in fighting the free radicals induced due to stress. This further delays the aging process.

Lemon – Lemon is full of natural antioxidants. It can effectively combat damaging free radicals and remove them completely from your body. Being a good source of vitamin C, the fruit also repairs the damaged skin cells as well as helps you get rid of fine lines, blemishes, wrinkles, deep furrows etc. Hence, lemon water is considered as a great anti-aging solution.
Source – STYLECRAZE

You can add 1 – 2 tablespoon Aloe Vera gel and 1 inch piece fresh turmeric root in the smoothie to make it more effective for glowing skin. Add fresh turmeric if you like the flavour. I don’t like the flavour of fresh turmeric so I didn’t use it.

Recipe

Orange juice – 1 cup

Carrot – 1

Boiled or baked beetroot – 1

Cucumber – 1

Mint leaves – 3 tablespoon

Almond – 10, soaked and peeled

Walnut – 1 tablespoon, chopped

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon or as require

Method

1. Peel and chop the beetroot and carrot.

2. Soak the almonds in hot water and peel when cool.

3. Peel and chop the cucumber. Taste before using. Cucumber should not be bitter.

4. Blend chopped carrot, cucumber, beetroot, mint leaves, almond and walnut.

5. Add orange and lemon juice in the blender. Blend again till the mixture becomes smooth and frothy.

6. Taste and add more lemon juice if require. I have added 2 teaspoon more.

7. Pour the smoothie in a glass. Garnish with mint leaves and lemon wedges.

8. Serve immediately or keep it in refrigerator to serve chilled.

Notes

1. You can add pink or black salt and black pepper powder if you like.
2. Ice cubes can be added in the smoothie while blending.
3. You can add 1 – 2 tablespoon Aloe Vera gel in this smoothie.
4. If you like the flavour of fresh turmeric root add 1 inch piece chopped turmeric root while blending the smoothie.

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.

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Panch Phoran Tarkari

Panch phoran tarkari from Meghalaya cuisine.
A very simple, easy to make yet delicious potato dish. Generally potatoes eggplant and other vegetables are use to make this panch phoran taratari. But I have made it with only potatoes and green peas.

Meghalaya is a state in northeastern India. The name means “the abode of clouds”in Sanskrit.
Meghalaya is also the home to a large variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal plants. Meghalaya is also famous for its large variety of orchids — nearly 325 of them. Of these the largest variety is found in the Mawsmai, Mawmluh and Sohrarim forests in the Khasi hills.
Meghalayan cuisine is the local cuisine of the Indian state of Meghalaya. Meghalaya is home to three Mongoloid tribes; it has a unique cuisine, different from the other Seven Sister States of northeast India. The staple food of the people is rice with spicy meat and fish preparations. They rear goats, pigs, fowl, ducks and cows and relish their meat.
Source – Wikipedia

This month in Shhhhh cooking secretly challenge
facebook group we are sharing different dishes from Meghalaya cuisine.
This month my partner is lovely Kalyani Sri. Who blog at Sizzling taste buds.
We gave each other two secret ingredients. Kalyani gave me potato and fennel seeds. And I gave her ginger and garlic. Check out her space for the wonderful recipe she shared with these ingredients.

This panch phoran taratari is very similar to Bengali aloo chhechki with panch phoran or Bengali five spices.
Panch phoran consists of fenugreek seeds or methi, Nigella seed or kalaunji, cumin seed or jeera, mustard seed or sarso and fennel seed or sounf.

Recipe

Potatoes – 4 large

Green peas – 1 cup

Panch phoran – 2 teaspoon

Bay leaf – 1

Dry red chilli – 1

Green chilli – 1 – 2, chopped

Cilantro or coriander leaves – handful, chopped

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Oil – 2 tablespoon

Method

1. Chop the potatoes in small cubes.
Wash, drain and keep aside.

2. Heat oil in a pan.
Add panch phoran, dry red chilli and bay leaf.

3. For panch phoran mix 1/2 teaspoon each of fenugreek seeds or methi, Nigella seed or kalaunji, cumin seed or jeera, mustard seed or sarso and fennel seed or sounf.

4. When panch phoran starts to splutter add the potatoes, green peas and green chilli.

5. Add salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and cilantro or chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.

6. Cover and cook on simmer. Stir occasionally.

7. If the potatoes are sticking at the bottom add 3 – 4 tablespoon water.

8. Cook till the potatoes become tender. If you have used water then water should be evaporated completely.

9. Garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves.
Serve with paratha, puri, roti or any bread. It also taste great with dal chawal.

Note

Eggplant or any vegetables can be added with potatoes.

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