This dish has a lot of childhood memories. My late mother used to make it quite often. So I would like to share this family recipe of an unusual, but a delicious chutney made with nigella seeds (kalonji). Combined with garlic, it is considered healthy and an antioxidant. I also added some onion and a handful of coriander leaves for some added flavour. This yummy concoction can be relished with steamed rice or as a side dish with chapattis.
It is particularly beneficial during winters to ward off cold and is also given to new mothers as it is considered to strengthen immunity. This humble seed is also used for tempering and is widely popular in Bengali cuisine. This seed combined with mustard oil is a heavenly combo. The oil is equally good for treatment of migraine, diabetes and other health problems.
- 1 tbsp. nigella seeds (kalonji)
- 2 tbsp. mustard oil
- 1-2 dry red chilies
- 2-3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1-2 onions, sliced
- salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
- handful of coriander leaves
- 1 tsp. raw mustard oil to garnish
Heat oil in a pan and temper with nigella seeds and red chilies. Sauté for a few seconds. Then add the garlic and sauté till it turns light brown.
Add the onion, salt and turmeric powder. Fry on a medium flame till light brown. Add the coriander leaves and continue to sauté for a minute.
Switch off the flame and keep aside to cool down. Blend by adding little water.
Serve, garnished with raw mustard oil. Relish with hot steamed rice or as a side dish with chapatti.
If you are looking for some easy to bake healthy homemade biscuits, then this recipe is just for you. It is prepared with whole wheat flour (Atta) along with crushed kalonji (nigella seeds) and olive oil besides other basic ingredients.
Perfect for an evening tea-time snack, they can also be devoured anytime you feel like munching into something savoury. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare these crispy delicate bites.
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp. nigella seeds (kalonji), crushed coarsely
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- buttermilk as required
In a bowl, mix together whole wheat flour, kalonji, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Then add the olive oil and combine to form a crumbly mix.
Add buttermilk little at a time and knead into a dough. Cover with a wet muslin cloth and let it rest for 25-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, place a baking paper over the baking tray and keep aside. Roll the dough into a circle by dusting some flour. (The thickness of the biscuits should not be too thick or too thin).
Cut into different shapes with a biscuit / cookie cutter and arrange them on the baking tray. Gather the remaining dough and roll out again.
Cut them further with the cutter and in the same manner use up all the dough. Bake the biscuits in a preheated microwave oven at 180 degrees C. for 15 minutes.
Set them aside to cool down before storing in an airtight container. Enjoy these healthy and yummy whole wheat biscuits just as it is or as a tea-time snack.
Mix whole wheat flour, kalonji, salt, baking powder & baking soda.
Add olive oil & combine to form a crumbly mix.
Add buttermilk little at a time.
and knead into a dough.
Cover with a wet muslin cloth & let it rest for 25-30 minutes.
Roll dough into a circle by dusting some flour. Cut into different shapes with
a biscuit / cookie cutter.
Arrange them on the baking tray.
Bake them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C. for 15 minutes. Set
aside to cool down before storing in an airtight container.
Enjoy these healthy & yummy biscuits just as it is or as a tea-time snack.
