Jowar Atta Upma (Sorghum Flour Porridge)

          Other than using jowar atta (sorghum flour) to make roti / flat bread, it can also be used to make upma for a healthy breakfast. As this essential grain is full of dietary fibre, protein, is gluten free and cholesterol free among other benefits, it is good to include in our diet. You can go ahead and add any of your favourite veggies in it to make it more nutritious. This upma can also be cut into slices, once it has cooled down and served as evening snacks.

• 1/3 cup jowar atta (Millet flour)
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. urad dal
• 1-2 green chilies, slit
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. sambar powder
• 1-2 tbsp. coriander leaves

          Dry roast the flour till you start getting a nice aroma. Keep it aside. Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds and allow it to splutter.

          Add the curry leaves, green chilies and urad dal. Sauté for a few seconds. Add the onion and ginger and fry till light brown. 

          Now add the roasted jowar flour, salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder and sambar powder. Mix well and add water. 

          Simmer on a medium flame by stirring it continuously till it thickens. Transfer to a plate and serve, garnish with coriander leaves. Cut into slices when it cools down and serve as snacks.

Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad)

       
          
          This is a healthy and a nutritious salad in a Thai style which is spicy, tangy and sweet. The dressing gives a very unique flavor and taste to it. The crushed peanuts gives a crunchy effect. It can be made into a veg. version too by simply omitting the shrimps. This is my version of Som Tam, where I made a few alterations depending on the availability of the ingredients and to suit my palate.

• 200 gms green papaya, grated
• handful of bean sprouts
• 1 tomato, deseeded & cut into strips
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped (opt)
• 8-10 green beans, cut into 1" pieces & blanched
• 1 onion, sliced / 1/4 cup spring onions, chopped
• 10-12 paneer / tofu cubes, shallow fried 
• few sprigs of coriander leaves, chopped

Dressing-

• salt to taste / 1 tsp. soya sauce / fish sauce
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder / chili flakes
• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder or to taste (opt)
• 1 tsp. honey / sugar

Garnish-

• 2 tbsp. roasted peanuts, coarsely ground
• 10-12 shrimps, shallow fried

          In a bowl, combine all the above ingredients (except the dressing). Keep aside. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and keep aside.

          Just before serving, pour the dressing on the prepared salad and Toss well. 

          Serve, garnished with the roasted peanuts and the fried shrimps. Yummy Thai salad is ready for you.