Pudina Paratha (Mint Flat Bread)

           Bored with the usual Parathas? Then try this yummy and aromatic Mint Paratha and relish it with any side dish, yoghurt, butter or just pickle. It is not only easy and simple to make but a very healthy and nutritious breakfast, brunch and snack item. Have it hot right out of the tawa for an unforgettable experience. They also serve as a perfect lunch box meal too. So check the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. ajwain (carom seeds)
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1/2 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasred cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 2 tbsp. yoghurt
• 1 cup + 1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped & loosely packed
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• oil to shallow fry

           In a bowl, combine whole wheat flour, green chilies, ginger, 1 tbsp. oil, 1 cup mint leaves and all the dry spices. 

          Knead into a tight dough with required quantity of water. Apply some oil and keep aside for 15-20 minutes.

          Divide into equal portions. Roll out each portion into a circle by dusting some flour. Smear some oil over it and sprinkle some flour and chopped mint leaves.

          Fold into a semi circle and again smear some oil, followed by mint leaves and flour respectively.

          Fold into a triangle and roll out again by dusting some flour. Make similar parathas with rest of the dough and keep aside.

          Heat a tawa / griddle and shallow fry the parathas, one at a time by drizzling some oil over it and around the edges. Fry on both sides till light golden in colour. 

          Serve them hot with any side dish, yoghurt, butter or just pickle. 

Mix whole wheat flour, green chilies, ginger, 1 tbsp. oil, 1 cup

     mint leaves & all dry spices. Knead into a soft dough with

 required quantity of water. 

                                  Apply some oil & let it rest for 15-20 minutes.

                    Divide into equal portions. Roll each portion into a circle by dusting 
                    some flour. Smear some oil & sprinkle chopped mint leaves & flour.

                   Fold into a semi circle & again smear with some oil, followed by a sprinkle
                   of mint leaves and flour.

                                  Fold into a triangle.

                  Roll out by dusting some flour. Do the same with rest of the dough in the same 

                   way and keep aside.

                   Heat a tawa & shallow fry the parathas, one at a time, by smearing some oil.

                   Fry on both sides till light golden brown. 

                     Serve them hot with any side dish, yoghurt, butter or just pickle.

Fried Chicken

          Fried Chicken is universally popular and is loved by young and old alike. You can enjoy as an appetizer, snack or as a light meal with salad or soup as accompaniments. It is a great comfort meal to many and can be relished with tomato ketchup or green chutney. 

           However, in this recipe, I gave a slight twist and substituted plain flour and bread crumbs with whole wheat flour and brown bread crumbs respectively. Hence the colour, but it turned out very yummy. It can be a great kids meal and a party recipe too. So check the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 4 chicken drumsticks 
• pinch of turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt to marinate the chicken
• 1 egg, well beaten 
• pinch of salt & pepper
• 1 cup whole wheat flour 
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. crushed kasuri methi
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. cumin-coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. garlic-onion powder
• 1/2 cup brown bread crumbs
• 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes
• oil to deep fry

          Marinate the chicken drumsticks with a pinch of salt, turmeric powder and red chili powder for an hour or two.

          Add salt & pepper to the beaten egg. Mix well and keep aside. Mix together the brown bread crumbs with the chili flakes and keep aside.

          In a bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, crushed kasuri methi. red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, cumin-coriander powder, garam masala powder and garlic-onion powder. Keep aside.

          Heat oil in a pan. Take each chicken drumstick and coat it with the flour mix, egg mix and then the brown bread crumbs respectively.

          Then deep fry them till it is well cooked on a medium flame. Drain on a kitchen towel and serve them hot with tomato ketchup or green chutney.

          

                     Marinate chicken drumsticks with a pinch of salt, turmeric powder &
                     red chili powder for an hour or two.

 
                               Take each chicken drumstick & coat it with the flour mix, 

                                 egg mix and 

                                then the brown bread crumbs respectively.

                           Heat oil & deep fry them on a medium flame till it is well cooked.
          

                                Drain on a kitchen towel. 

                                Serve them hot with tomato ketchup or green chutney.

Bhapa Mishti Doi (Steamed Sweetened Yoghurt)

          This sweetened yoghurt is a most irresistible Bengali dessert that is so quick and super easy to prepare. You need to combine all the ingredients and steam to perfection. It is that simple. You can set the yoghurt overnight in the traditional way, bake or steam it. So this is the latter version. Garnish as desired and enjoy it chilled. So check out an easy step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

          Absolutely a hassle free dessert, it is a pure bliss and a total hit at any in-house party. So this totally yummy and melt in the mouth delicacy is simply to die for.  A few variations can be made by adding your favorite fruit to make it more flavorful.

• 1 cup yoghurt
• 1/2 cup condensed milk
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup milk powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• few strands of saffron, chopped pistachios & dry rose petals to garnish

          Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk thoroughly. Take care to see that there are no lumps. Pour this mix into individual ramekins and cover with a foil.

          Pour some water into a pressure cooker and place a stand over it. Bring the water to a boil. Then carefully arrange all the ramekins on the stand.

           Then steam without the vent for 10-12 minutes on a medium flame. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before opening the lid and then refrigerate.

           Serve this chilled delicacy, garnished with chopped pistachios, dry rose petals and saffron. 

                                 Mix all the ingredients in a bowl & whisk thoroughly. 

                                 Pour into individual ramekins & cover with a foil.

                   Pour some water into a pressure cooker & place a stand over it. Bring the
                   water to a boil. Then carefully arrange all the ramekins on the stand.

                              Steam without the vent for 10-12 minutes on a medium flame. 

                     Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before opening the lid & then refrigerate. 
            

                 Serve this chilled delicacy, garnished with chopped pistachios, dry rose petals 
                 & saffron. 

Masala Ginger Lime Tea

          This immune booster drink is the need of the time. It's refreshing, spicy and a tangy concoction that will surely soothe your nerves and keep you going throughout the day. You can enjoy it hot or chilled, along with some ice cubes, according to your preference, anytime of the day. The tea and the honey (or any sweeteners) can be omitted if you wish.

       
          Ginger and lime contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants. The intake of ginger wards off nausea, stomach ailments and of course strengthens our immunity. 

          Lime on the other hand, improves digestion, is good for the tummy, removes toxins from our body and relieves constipation.

          Lastly, the whole spices are high in antioxidants as they lower blood sugar level / blood pressure, reduces inflammation, digestive problems and improves cholesterol, relieves indigestion and constipation.

          So a cupful of this healthy drink (with all the above mentioned ingredients) has a lot of healing properties. It relieves any cold during winter and boosts our energy with or without the spices, tea or honey.

• 1 litre water
• 1" ginger, sliced 
• 2" cinnamon stick 
• 3 green cardamoms 
• 5 cloves 
• 1 tsp. carom seeds 
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds 
• pinch of salt
• 1-2 tsp. tea leaves / 2 tea bags
• lime juice to taste
• honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste

          Bring the water to a boil in a pan. Then add all the ingredients (except tea, lime juice and honey). Simmer for 8-10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced.

          When done, switch off the flame and add the tea leaves. Keep it covered for 5 minutes. Then strain and serve with lime juice and honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste.

Matar Palak Paneer

          Palak Paneer is a very popular dish on a North Indian Platter. It is a wholesome and a nutritious preparation of cottage cheese and spinach. But in this recipe, I added some green peas too, for a healthier version and it turned out real yummy. Please note that this is a no onion - no garlic recipe. You may add them if preferred. It can be enjoyed with hot steamed rice, jeera rice or any Indian flat bread. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

          Greens in general are loaded with iron, fiber, vitamins and calcium. They are healthy and essential for a well balanced diet. 

          Green Peas are a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are also low in carbs and calories.

          On the other hand, Paneer also contains few health benefits as it is high in calcium, protein and folate. It also improves digestion and is good for the heart. 

          So this recipe is a combination of three super foods. So go ahead and give it a try and serve them to your family for a well balanced meal. 

• 2-3 bunches of spinach, washed, drained and chopped
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 100 gms. paneer cubes
• 1 tsp. nigella seeds (kalonji)
• 2 green chilies
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 tsp. ginger, finely chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1/2 cup green peas (I used frozen peas)
• 1 tsp. dry roasted sesame seeds 

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the paneer cubes slightly. Drain and keep aside. Temper the same oil with green chilies and nigella seeds. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the ginger and asafoetida. Sauté till it slightly turns brown. Then add the greens and combine everything well.

          Now add all the dry spices and give it a stir.  Cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the green peas and continue to sauté till all the moisture has evaporated. 

          When done, add the paneer and give it a toss. Switch off the flame and sprinkle the sesame seeds. Serve as a side dish with any form of rice or Indian bread for a nice healthy meal. 

                                  Heat oil & sauté paneer cubes slightly. Drain & keep aside. 

                 Temper same oil with green chilies & nigella seeds. Sauté for a few seconds.

                                  Add ginger & asafoetida. Sauté till it slightly turns brown. 

                                 Then add greens & combine everything well.

                                 Add all dry spices & give it a stir.  Cook for 2-3 minutes. 

                                 Add green peas & sauté till all the moisture has evaporated. 

                                 When done, add paneer & give it a toss. 

                                 Switch off the flame & sprinkle roasted sesame seeds. 

                         Serve with any form of rice or Indian bread for a nice healthy meal.