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Jun 27, 2011

Quinoa –Spinach Upma

Quinoa has become very popular these days due to its health benefits. I have seen lots of recipes with quinoa on the net. Even I had tried many recipes with this heavenly grain. Many foodies have already posted different varieties of quinoa upma. Here is my version of quinoa upma that I usually prepare at home.


Ingredients: (Serves 2)

  • 1 cup Quinoa (Yields 3 cups cooked Quinoa)
  • 1 cup Spinach, chopped
  • ½ cup Mixed Vegetables (carrots, beans, corn, green peas)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 or 3 green Chilies, chopped
  • 2 or 3 Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp Amchoor Powder (Dry Mango Powder)
  • A pinch of Turmeric
  • 1 or 2 tsp Oil
  • ½ tsp Mustard Seeds
  • ¼ tsp Cumin Seeds
  • ½ tsp Bengal Gram (Chana Dal)
  • ½ tsp Black Gram (Urad Dal)
  • Few Curry Leaves
  • Salt as required

Preparation:

Wash quinoa well and add to a bowl. Pour 2 cups water and allow the contents to boil. Turn the flame to a low setting and allow quinoa cook well for about 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Small spirals (the germ) separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds can be seen when quinoa is fully cooked. Then completely turn the flame off and fluff with a fork to separate the grains (optional).

Note: You may also cook quinoa in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles. But I personally prefer to cook it on stovetop as I feel pressure cooking makes quinoa too mushy.  



Now to prepare Upma:

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they pop, add cumin seeds + Black gram + Bengal gram and sauté until the dals turn golden brown in color.

Then add spinach + onion + chilies + tomatoes + mixed veggies + curry leaves, mix well and allow cooking for some time until they become soft.

Then add amchoor powder + turmeric and mix well. Finally add the cooked quinoa and mix well. Add salt as required.

Keep on low flame for some time and turn the flame off. Transfer the cooked quinoa upma to a serving bowl and enjoy with desired pickle/chutney.

This is not only super healthy but also super yummy!!
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Jun 20, 2011

Cranberry Pappu (Daal)

This is an ultimate comfort food prepared in a simplest way. Tastes so good too!!


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Pigeon Peas (కంది పప్పు, Toor Dal)
  • ¼ cup Cranberries (fresh or frozen), chopped
  • ½ tsp Coriander – Cumin Powder
  • ½ tsp Red Chili Powder (or 2-3 Green Chilies)
  • A pinch of Turmeric Powder
  • Salt

For Seasoning/Tempering:

  • 1 tsp Oil
  • ½ tsp Mustard Seeds
  • ¼ tsp Cumin Seeds
  • Few Curry Leaves
  • 2 or 3 whole red chilies, broken
  • A pinch of Asafetida

Preparation:

Wash and place the toor dal in a bowl. Add chopped cranberries + turmeric + coriander – cumin powder and mix well.

Cover and pressure – cook for 4 whistles. When all the pressure is gone, take the bowl out, add salt and mix well with a spoon. Keep aside.


In a small pan heat oil and add mustard seeds. When they pop, add cumin seeds + curry leaves + asafetida + red chilies and sauté well.

Pour this on top of the cooked dal and mix well. Enjoy this simple and yummy dal with rice or chapathis.
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Jun 14, 2011

Spinach – Almond Shake

Spinach – Almond Shake

This is a healthy milkshake perfect with breakfast. My family loved it and enjoyed the tasty milkshake. And the good thing about this shake is: no extra sugar added.

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Jun 7, 2011

Roasted Plantain Pickle

కాల్చిన అరటికాయ పచ్చడి 


Just like Roasted Cucumber Pickle which I posted previously, this is also very aromatic and delicious pickle. No one can resist the smell and taste of this yummy pickle.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Plantain (అరటికాయ)
  • A bunch of Cilantro (కొత్తిమీర)
  • 3 or 4 Green Chilies
  • 1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
  • ½ tsp Cumin Seeds
  • A pinch of Asafetida (ఇంగువ, Hing)
  • 2 tsp Oil
  • Salt

Preparation:

Wash plantain and wipe dry. Roast this on the stove directly on low flame until the skin becomes roasted just like in the picture below. Keep aside to cool.


When plantain becomes cold, peel the skin off and chop it into small pieces.

Heat oil in a pan and roast green chilies + coriander seeds + cumin seeds well. Then add these to a blender along with asafetida + cilantro and grind well.


To the above mixture add the plantain pieces and grind into a smooth paste. Add little amount of water as needed. Add salt as required.

Enjoy this delicious pickle with rice as well as chapathis. It smells great too!! 
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