Tabbouleh with Foxtail Millet & Mixed Herbs (Fusion Lebanese Salad)

 

           Tabbouleh is a traditional Lebanese salad which is very nutritious and healthy. It has the goodness of greens in the form of parsley and mint. The addition of couscous, tomatoes and onion makes it even more appetizing. Salt, pepper, lemon juice balances the taste and flavour of this salad. 

          However, check out my version of Tabbouleh prepared with foxtail millet and mixed herbs. Besides the mandatory onion and tomato, I also added some chopped mixed dry fruits, cheese, boiled black chickpeas and dry rose petals. Enjoy it as it is, with grilled meat or Arabic bread. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy salad

• 3 cups of mixed herbs (parsley, mint, dil, basil, rosemary, lettuce, coriander, spring onion, kale, thyme), finely chopped
• 1/2 cup cooked foxtail millet
• 1 onion, chopped finely
• 1 tomato, chopped finely
• 2 tbsp. cheese, chopped
• 2 tbsp. boiled black chickpeas
• 1 tbsp. each of chopped cashew, almonds, walnut & pistachios
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp. dry rose petals

          In a bowl add the chopped greens. To it add chopped onion, tomato, chopped mixed dry fruits, cheese and boiled black chickpeas. Mix well.

          Now add the cooked foxtail millet, salt, pepper powder, dry rose petals, red chili flakes, olive oil and lemon juice. Give it a toss. 

          Serve immediately just as it or, with grilled meat or with some Arabic bread. 
          

                      In a bowl add the chopped greens. 

Add onion, tomato, mixed dry fruits, cheese & boiled black chickpeas. Mix well.

  Add cooked foxtail millet, salt, pepper powder, dry rose petals, red 

  chili flakes, olive oil & lemon juice. Give it a toss. 

 Serve immediately just as it or, with grilled meat or with Arabic bread. 

Rajma & Chana Salad with Avocado (Kidney Beans & Chick Peas)

 

          Rajma (kidney Beans) has a lot of health benefits as it contains dietary fiber, reduces cholesterol and is good for diabetics. It is also a powerhouse of proteins, boosts energy and prevents constipation. Chickpeas, too, reduces cholesterol, prevents diabetes, aids in weight loss and is a good source of iron. Lastly, avocados helps in digestion, protects against cancer and is rich in nutrients. 

          So the combination of these three super foods in a salad form is good for our health. This wonderful salad is a quick fix for a lazy and late dinner. It is also a one-pot meal. Loaded with proteins, iron and fiber, it is a healthy substitute to any fried snacks. It can pep up your life a give you a feeling of lightness, thus satiating your appetite. Enjoy a bowl of this yummy salad with the dressing which will add a punch to your dish. 

• 1/2 cup rajma (red kidney beans), soaked overnight
• 1/2 cup black chana (chickpeas), soaked overnight
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. mustard sauce
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder

          Pressure cook the rajma with enough water for 10-12 minutes on low flame after the first whistle.

          Drain and keep aside. Similarly, pressure cook the chana too in enough water for 6 whistles. Drain and keep aside.

          For the dressing, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard paste, salt and pepper powder.

          To serve, combine together the boiled rajma, chana, avocado, cucumber and coriander leaves. Pour the dressing over it and toss well. Serve as it is or with some garlic bread / soup.

 

Grilled Chicken Steak

          Grilled Chicken is an all time favourite with one and all and is perfect as an appetizer with any chutney or as a light and healthy meal, accompanied with some salad. So this is a simple and an easy grilled chicken recipe, marinated in some leftover green chutney, a bit of kasundi and few other ingredients. It is a complete wholesome meal which you can enjoy with family and friends.

           This homemade, tempting and delicious grilled chicken is not only easy to make but it is completely hassle free. This is a healthy variation to any fried chicken and is a one dish meal in itself for any weight watchers too. They are a perfect treat for any in-house party too and is a great accompaniment with cocktails and mocktails.

• 2 chicken breast
• 1/2 cup green chutney
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. kasundi (bottled mustard sauce)
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. oil

           Marinate the chicken breast with all the above mentioned ingredients for a minimum of 2-3 hours or preferably overnight. 

          Line a baking tray with aluminium foil and arrange the marinated chicken over it. Grill for 30-35 minutes or till done on both sides. 

          Halfway through turn the steak and baste with the leftover marinade. Serve these grilled delicacies with some salad as accompaniment for a healthy and wholesome meal.

Grilled Chicken Steak

            Grilled Chicken is an all time favorite with one and all and is perfect as an appetizer with green chutney or as a light and healthy meal, accompanied with some salad. So this is a simple and an easy grilled chicken recipe which is a complete wholesome meal. So go ahead and give it a try and I bet your family and friends will simply love this gourmet delight. Do check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

        

          These homemade, tempting and delicious grilled chicken is not only easy to make but it is completely hassle free. This is a healthy variation to any fried chicken and is a one dish meal in itself for any weight watchers too. They are a perfect treat for any in-house party too and is a great accompaniment with cocktails and mock tails.

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced into half
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. mustard oil 
• 2 tbsp. yoghurt
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder

          Marinate the chicken fillet with all the above mentioned ingredients for a minimum of 2-3 hours or preferably overnight. 

          Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and arrange the marinated chicken over it. Grill for 30-35 minutes or till done on both sides. 

          Halfway through turn the steak and baste with the leftover marinade. Serve these grilled delicacies with some salad as accompaniment for a healthy and wholesome meal.

                      Marinate chicken fillet with all mentioned ingredients for 2-3 hours or
                      preferably overnight. 

                      Line a baking tray with aluminum foil & arrange marinated chicken 
                      over it. 

                      Grill for 30-35 min. or till done on both sides. Halfway through turn 
                      the steak & baste with the leftover marinade. 

                               Serve with some salad as accompaniment for a healthy meal.

Chicken & Veg. Salad

          This is a healthy non-veg salad with the goodness of assorted vegetables and chicken. Make them more colourful and vibrant for a real visual treat. More varieties of veggies, other than what I have used can be added. 

          A little bit of dressing over it will tickle your taste buds. Have this colourful salad as a light meal. They are not only satisfactory but good for weight watchers. Such meal should be adopted for a healthy living. The chicken can be grilled as per choice and added to the salad. 

• 1/2 cup boneless chicken, boiled & shredded
• handful of baby spinach, washed & drained
• 1/2 cup red cabbage, sliced
• I capsicum, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1/2 cup mushroom, sliced
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. +1 tsp. olive oil
• 1-2 fresh red / green chilies, chopped

          Heat 1 tsp. oil in a pan and saute the mushrooms till they turns soft. Drain and keep aside. 

          Now in a bowl, combine all the above mentioned ingredients and toss well. 

          Just before serving, sprinkle salt and pepper powder and drizzle lime juice and olive oil.

Salatet Batata (Potato Salad - Lebanese Style)

          This yummy Lebanese style salad is not only healthy but very easy and simple to dish out. You can serve it as a salad, an appetizer or as a light meal, accompanied with some baked or grilled delicacy. This sumptuous one-pot meal is anytime welcome. So go ahead and give it a try and relish it with your family and loved ones. 

• 1 potato, boiled & cubed
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 capsicum, chopped
• 2 stems of spring onion, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. mint leaves, chopped
• 2-3 tbsp. parsley, chopped (I added coriander leaves)
• pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

          In a bowl, combine all the above mentioned ingredients. Transfer to a serving dish and serve as an appetizer, snack or as an accompaniment to some barbecue meat.

Pan Grilled Eggplants

          For all you Eggplant lovers, here are some quick, simple and a healthy version of pan grilled eggplants, marinated in sesame oil. They can be made in a jiffy and relished along with salads with a dash of lime. 

          I sometimes roll them in chapattis with some sliced onion, coriander leaves, lettuce leaves and red chili flakes for a wholesome lunch box meal. Another great way of serving them is in sandwiches or Burgers along with some sauce, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese. How about as toppings on pizza? Choice is yours...... So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 long eggplant, cut into 1/3" roundels
• salt to taste
• pinch of turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder or to taste

          In a bowl, combine sesame oil, salt, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Marinate the eggplants in it for an hour.

          Heat a grill pan and place the marinated eggplants in batches and fry on a low flame for 2-3 minutes on one side or till it is brown in colour.

          Then gently flip it over and roast the other side too, till done. Serve as salads with a dash of lime and the leftover marinade drizzled on the top. It can also be relished as an appetizer with some green chutney.

                            Combine sesame oil, salt, turmeric powder & red chili powder. 

                                Marinate eggplants in it for an hour.

                      Heat a grill pan & place marinated eggplants. Fry on a low flame for
                      2-3 minutes on one side or till it is brown in colour.

                               Then gently flip it over & roast the other side too, till done.

                                Drain on a kitchen towel.

                     Serve as salads with a dash of lime & the leftover marinade drizzled on
                     the top. It can also be relished as an appetizer with some green chutney.

Mexican Bean Salad with Brown Rice & Bell Peppers

            This is a very colorful and a nutritious salad - the Mexican way.  Spicy and tangy, this salad can also be served over grilled meats and chicken to suit your palate. The awesome dressing will definitely tickle your taste buds. It is very wholesome and an excellent light dinner meal.

• 1/2 cup rajma  (kidney beans), boiled
• 1/2 cup kabuli chana (white chickpeas), boiled
• 1/2 cup brown rice, cooked
• 1/2 cup black chana (chickpeas), boiled
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup capsicum, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 cup coriander leaves, chopped

Dressing-

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 2 cloves, garlic, grated
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. honey / sugar

            In a serving bowl, combine together all the ingredients from kidney beans to coriander leaves.

           For the dressing, whisk together all the ingredients from olive oil to sugar in a small bowl and keep aside.

          Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve.