Green Peas Soup (Matar Shorba)

 

           This is a very healthy and a nutritious soup, loaded with proteins and fibre. It is also low in fat, thus a guilt free soup for you. The presence of some coriander and mint leaves gives a very nice refreshing flavor to this Green Peas soup. Enjoy this hearty soup with few bread sticks or croutons. This amazing comfort and soul satisfying soup can be a great start to any meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 1 cup green peas (I used frozen peas)
• handful of coriander leaves & mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. oil 
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 2-3 cups water
• 2-3 tbsp. yoghurt 

           Heat olive oil and butter in a pan. Add the onion, garlic and green chilies. Sauté till translucent. 

              Add the peas and cinnamon. Stir fry for a minute.

              Then add the coriander-mint leaves, salt to taste, pepper powder and roasted cumin water. Mix everything well.

            Add water and cook, covered for 4-5 minutes. (Adjust the water depending on the consistency required). 

              Set aside to cool. Then discard the cinnamon. Blend into a puree. Heat through and add yoghurt. 

              Give it a stir and serve, garnished with pepper powder and coriander leaves Enjoy as it is or with some soup sticks.

                      Heat olive oil & butter. Add onion, garlic & green chilies. Sauté till translucent. 

                                  Add the peas and cinnamon. Stir fry for a minute.

                   Add coriander-mint leaves, salt, pepper powder & roasted cumin water.

                   Mix everything well.

                        Add water & cook, covered for 4-5 minutes. Set aside to cool. Then 

                        discard the cinnamon. Blend into a puree. 

                                  Heat through and add yoghurt. Give it a stir.

                                Serve, garnished with pepper powder and coriander leaves.

                        Enjoy as it is or with some soup sticks.

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.

Minty Green Peas Soup

          This is a very healthy and a nutritious soup, loaded with proteins and fibre. It is also low in fat, thus a guilt free soup for you. The presence of mint gives a very nice refreshing flavour to this Green Peas soup. Enjoy this hearty soup with few bread sticks or croutons. This amazing comfort and soul satisfying soup can be a great start to any meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 1 cup green peas (I have used frozen peas)
• 1/4 cup oats, dry roasted
• 1 tbsp. olive oil / butter
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 3 cups water
• handful of cup mint leaves

          Heat oil and temper with the bay leaves and cinnamon. Then add the onion, garlic, ginger and green chilies. Sauté till translucent. 

          Add the peas and all the dry spices. Give it a stir. Then add the oats and mint leaves. Mix everything well.

          Add the water and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Adjust the water depending on the consistency required. 

          Cool and discard the bay leaves and cinnamon. Blend into a puree. Heat through and serve just as it is or with some soup sticks.

                      Heat oil & temper with bay leaves & cinnamon. Add onion, garlic, ginger
                      and green chilies. Sauté till translucent. 

                       Add the peas and all the dry spices. Give it a stir. 

                       Then add the oats and mint leaves. Mix everything well.

                       Add the water.

                      Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Cool & discard bay leaves & cinnamon. 
                      Blend into a puree.

                               Heat through & serve just as it is or with some soup sticks.

Cucumber Mint Cooler

       
          Cucumber along with yoghurt is extremely beneficial especially during summer. It contains antioxidants, nutrients, keeps us hydrated, prevents us from heat and flushes out toxins from our body. As cucumber also contains a fair amount of water and fibre, it is low in calories, helps in weight loss and lowers blood sugar too. 

          So how about a summer cooler with some mint leaves thrown in, for a refreshing drink? Add a pinch of pepper powder, salt and roasted cumin powder to it and you have a yummy healthy drink to be enjoyed as and when desired.

• 1 cup yogurt (serves 2)
• 1 cucumber, roughly chopped
• 8-10 mint leaves
• salt to taste
• pinch of roasted cumin powder
• pinch of pepper powder
• pinch of sugar
• few drops of lime juice (opt)

          Blend all the above ingredients to a smooth puree and refrigerate for a couple of minutes. Pour into individual glasses / small earthen pots and enjoy chilled for a refreshing drink.

Minty Hummus - Mediterranean Style

          This is a traditional Middle Eastern dip and spread, made of boiled chickpeas and blended with other ingredients. A very healthy and nutritious dip, which is had with Arabic bread. I added some mint leaves to enhance the taste and flavour. It can also be relished with veggie crudités or chips. A little bit of garlic and sesame seeds gives this dip a very unusual taste and flavour. There is nothing like having a creamy, homemade hummus for a quick snack.

• 3/4 cup kabuli chana (white chickpeas), soaked overnight
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• handful of mint leaves
• 1 tsp. lime juice 
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds 
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. olive oil, pinch of red chili powder/sumac powder, boiled chana & mint leaves to garnish

Pressure cook the kabuli chana for 5 whistles. When cool, blend with the rest of the ingredients, (except lime juice), till smooth. 

When done, add the lime juice and serve, garnished with more olive oil, mint leaves, red chili powder / sumac powder and few boiled kabuli chana.

Minty Mixed Lentil Crepes / Pancakes / Cheela

          How about starting your day with some healthy stuff? So here are some mixed dal cheela / crepes for you where I threw in some mint leaves for some lingering aroma. I also added flaxseed and nigella seeds. You may omit it if you please. Serve these nutritious crepes along with some homemade chutney or pickles. They may also be had as a snack, as a light meal or packed for lunch.

• 1/2 cup mixed lentils, soaked overnight
• handful of mint leaves
• salt to taste
• pinch of turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander-cumin powder
• 1-2 green chilies
• 1" ginger
• 1 tsp. flax seed
• 1 tsp. nigella seeds (kalonji)
• oil to shallow fry

          Blend all the above mentioned ingredients (except oil, flaxseed & kalonji) along with some water into a smooth batter. Adjust water to make it of a pouring consistency.

          Add the flaxseed and kalonji and stir well. Heat a nonstick tawa and pour a ladleful of the batter. 

          With the back of the ladle spread it into a round disc. Drizzle some oil around the edges and cook on a medium flame till it turns light brown.

          Gently flip it over and cook the other side too. Transfer to a serving plate. Make similar crepes with the remaining batter and serve with any chutney or pickle.

Pudina Masala Poori (Spicy-Minty Deep Fried Puffed Bread)

          If Poori happens to be your favourite breakfast, then try something new. Just add some crushed dry mint leaves and some spices to make these delicious Pudina Masala Poori. It is anytime welcome from the same boring plain pooris. 

          Relish these deep fried puffed bread with any side dish for an enjoyable meal with your loved ones. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare them.

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (atta)
• 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander-cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. carom seeds (ajwain)
• 2 tbsp. dry mint leaves, crushed
• 1 tbsp. oil to knead
• oil to deep fry
• any side dish to serve
• sliced onion, fresh chilies and lime wedges to serve

          In a bowl, mix all the ingredients (except oil to deep fry) and knead into a tight dough by adding required quantity of water. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside for 25-30 minutes.

          Knead again for a minute and divide into equal portions (makes around a dozen). Roll out each portion into a small disc by smearing some oil or dusting some flour.

          Deep fry in hot oil till they puff up and are light golden in colour. Drain on a kitchen towel and serve them hot with any side dish and salad.

               Mix all ingredients (except oil to deep fry) & knead into a tight dough by 
               adding water. Cover with a damp cloth & set aside for 25-30 minutes.

                               Knead again for a minute & divide into equal portions.

                     Roll out into a small disc by smearing some oil or dusting some flour.

                          Deep fry in hot oil till they puff up & are light golden in colour. 

                                Drain on a kitchen towel.

                                Serve them hot with any side dish & salad.