Ansache Sasav/ Goan Pineapple Curry

Anas or Ananas is a konkani word for pineapple. Sasav is a sweet and sour curry  and is typically prepared in Goa. Due to the sweet and sour taste of the pineapple, it is used in the preparation of Sasav.

Sasav is also prepared using raw mango (Torache Sasav), ripe mango (ambyache sasav) , hog plums (Ambadyache Sasav).

Pineapple is not a common favorite. But this sweet and sour pineapple curry prepared in Goan style will immediately be a common craving.

Ingriedients:
Chopped Pineapple - 1 cup (I used canned pineapple - 1 can)
Grated coconut - half cup (I used frozen coconut)
Red chillies - 3
Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
Jaggery - 1 tablespoon
Asafoetida/Hing - 1/2 teaspoon
Water
Oil
Salt

Procedure:
1. Grind the grated coconut, red chillies and half tsp mustard seeds to a fine paste. Add water while grinding.
2. Take a vok and add oil. Add the remaining mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add hing.
3. Next add the ground coconut masala and then the chopped pineapple.
4. Add 1 cup of water and let it the pineapple cook in the gravy for 5 minutes. Also add a pinch of salt.
7. Finally add the jaggery and let it cook for another 5 minutes.
8. Adjust the amount of jaggery depending on the sourness of the pineapple.
9. Also add salt or water if necessary.

The delicious Ansache Sasav is ready.
Serve it hot with hot steamed rice.

Atte Ke Ladoo

Thinking what to do with the leftover sugar syrup from gulab jamuns???

Here is a easy n healthy way to finish all the leftover sugar syrup.

Just mix it with some roasted wheat flour, thats it , our atte ke ladoo is ready.

Ingriedients:

Sugar syrup - 1 cup

Wheat flour - 1 cup

Ghee - 1 tbsp

Cardamom powder - half tsp

Procedure:

1. Take a kadhai, dry roast the wheat flour on a low flame for about 15 minutes.

2. Next add in the ghee, cardamom powder and sugar syrup and mix well on a low flame till the sugar syrup is absorbed by the wheat flour.

3. Once it cools down, roll it between your palms to prepare ladoos.

4. Store it in a air tight container

Weet-Bix Smoothie

I got introduced to this Weet-Bix after moving to Sydney. It is Ausiies favoirite food loved by the kids as well as the adults equally. Weet-Bix are basically wheat biscuits which are served for breakfast by dipping in milk.

Weet-Bix with some cornflakes and Muesli served with hot milk is my favourite breakfast. It is a healthy as well as a quick option for breakfast. Sometimes I give it a little twist, I prepare Weet-Bix smoothie which is just so delicious.

Ingredients: (Serves 3 glasses)
Apple - 1
Banana (ripe) - 1
Weet-Bix - 2
Chilled Milk - 1 cup

Procedure:
1. Chop the apples (along with the skin) .
2. In the blender, add the apples, bananas, Weet-Bix and milk.
3. Blend it for 2-3 mins.

Delicious n Healthy Weet-Bix Smoothie is ready. Serve it chilled.

Notes:
1. I have not added sugar or honey as it gets the sweetness from the ripe banana.

Multigrain Thalipeeth (with leftover Pav Bhaji)

This is one of the best ways of utilizing the previous days leftover sabji ín the next days breakfast menu. I had some leftover pav bhaji prepared for previous days dinner. Next day I just added some onions and different varieties of flour to this pav bhaji and prepared the delicious multigrain thalipeeth. I added wheat flour, maize flour and ragi flour. You can add any flour and veggies or your choice to prepare this healthpacked breakfast.

Ingredients:
Leftover Pav Bhaji - 2 cups
Wheat flour - 1 cup
Maize flour/ Makke ka atta - half cup
Ragi flour - half cup
Salt
Ajwain\ carom seeds - half tsp
Chopped onion - 1
Water
Oil

Procedure:
1. In a bowl, mash the leftover pav bhaji, add the chopped onions.
2. Next add the wheat flour, maize flour and ragi flour and mix well.
3. Add the carom seeds and salt. Add sufficient amount of water to prepare the dough. The dough should not be like the one we prepare for making chapati. It should be more sticky.
4. Prepare big balls. Take a pan, pour some oil, take one ball and pat it on the tava till the dough is evenly spread and is thin layered. Dipping your figers in water while spreading the dough will make it easeir for spreading the dough.
5. Make small holes in various parts of the thalipeeth and drizzle some oil. Also drizzle oil from the sides.

6. Once done, flip it over to the other side.

The delicious and healthy Multigrain Thalipeeth is ready.

Serve it with a dollop of butter along with some curd or chutney.

Naralachi Vadi/ Kopra Vadi/ Coconut Barfi

Naralachi vadi as the name suggests is a delicious sweet prepared using grated coconut. The grated coconut is roasted in ghee and cooked in milk. The cardamon and nutmeg powder gives it a authentic taste and aroma.

The below recipe is prepared by by husband , with little side support from me ;)

Ingredients:
Grated coconut - half kg
Sugar - 1 cup
Milk - 2 cups
Ghee - 2 tablespoon
Cardamom powder/Elaichi powder - half tsp
Nutmeg powder - half tsp

Procedure:
1. Take a kadhai. Add 2 tablespoon ghee. Next add the grated coconut and fry for some time till is gives a nice aroma.
2. Add the sugar and milk and let it cook till the milk is evaporated.
3. Finally add the Cinnamon powder and nutmeg powder.
4. Spread it on a plate and refrigerate it for a couple of hours to set it.

5. Cut it into small cubes using a knife

The delicious Naralachi vadi is ready.

Notes:
1. It can be refrigerated for a couple of days.
2. Adjust the sugar as per your likes.

Carrot Nutty Cake

Presenting here a healthy version of a delicious cake. Loaded with carrots and nuts. I prepared it using whole meal flour and olive oil to prepare a healthier version. 

Ingredients:

Carrots grated - 2

Whole meal self raising flour - 1 cup

Brown sugar - 3/4th cup

Nutmeg powder - 1 tsp

Cinnamon powder - 1 tsp

Eggs - 2

Olive Oil spread - 1 tsp (Optional)

Olive oil - 3/4th cup

Mixed nuts- walnuts, cashew nuts, raisins, almonds - 1/2 cup

Gems (for garnishing)

Cashew nuts (for garnishing)

Procedure:

1. Take a mixing bowl. Beat 2 eggs.

2. Next add the whole meal self raising flour, grated carrots and the brown sugar.

3. Add the olive oil gradually while mixing the ingredients.

4. Add the nutmeg powder and the cinnamon powder and the olive oil spread and mix.

5. Finally add in the nuts and mix well. The batter is ready.

6. Grease the baking tray with olive oil spread. Pour in the prepared batter and spread it uniformly.

7. Sprinkle some nuts on the top.

8. Preheat the oven at 180 degrees for 10 minutes and bake the cake for around 25 minutes. 

9. The baking time depends on the oven. Insert a fork in the cake. If it comes out clean, cake is ready.

10. Once ready, place it on a wire rack to cool down.

11. Decorate with the gems 

Te delicious cake is ready.

Carrot Pickle

This is my own recipe of carrot pickle.

It is very simple recipe where the grated carrot is mixed with green chillies and garlic, both of which give an awesome flavour to this pickle. Adding the seasoning and lemon juice further adds to some more flavours.

It can be served as a delicious accompaniment with rice as well as rotis.

Ingredients:
Carrot - 1 big
Green chillies - 2
Garlic - 3 big petals
Sunflower oil - 1 tablespoon
Mustard seeds - half teaspoon
Cumin seeds - half teaspoon
Fennel seeds - half teaspoon
Hing
Chilli powder - one teaspoon
Turmeric powder - half teaspoon
Lemon juice - 3 teaspoon
Salt

Procedure:
1. Grate the carrot and keep it aside in a mixing bowl.
2. Finely chop the garlic pods and the green chillies and add them to the grated carrot.
3. Take a tadka pan (small pan used for preparing seasoning).
4. Add 1 tablespoon oil, next add mustard seeds.
5. Once they splutter, add the cumin seeds and fennel seeds.
6. Finally add hing and then chilli powder and turmeric powder.
7. Pour this in the mixing bowl with the grated carrot.
8. Add salt and sprinkle lemon juice
9. Mix well

The delicious carrot pickle is ready.
Keep it in an airtight container and place it in the sun for 1 day.

Notes:
1. It can be refrigerated up to a week.

Instant Ragi Dosa (Using leftover Dosa Batter)

This is one version of instant ragi dosa prepared using the leftover dosa batter.

Your guess is right, just add the ragi flour to the dosa batter and add a pinch of salt. That's it. Our ragi dosa batter is ready. You are ready to prepare some delicious crispy ragi dosas.

This is a slight variation to the normal dosas with the added health benefit of ragi. Can be served for a quick breakfast :)

Ingredients:
Dosa batter - 1 cup (Click link for recipe - Dosa Batter)
Ragi flour - half cup (you can add in more if you like)
Water - as needed
Salt
Oil

Procedure:
1. Add the ragi flour gradually to the dosa batter and mix well.
2. Add sufficient amount of water and a pinch of salt and mix well.
3. Take a dosa pan, pour a laddle full of batter on the pan and spread it in a circular motion. Keep it on a high flame.
4. Sprinkle some oil and once done, flip it on the other side.

Delicious Crispy Ragi Dosa is ready. Serve it with chutney and sambhar.

Veggie Burger

Veggie Burger reminds most of us of MacDonalds or KFC. It is everyone's favourite right from the young to the old.

This delicious Veggie Burger can be prepared at home too.

Presenting here a healthier version of yummy yummy veggie burger.

Ingredients:
Burger Buns - 4
Boiled potatoes - 2
Grated veggies - 2 cups (I used carrot, cabbage and beetroot)
Boiled Green Peas - half cup
Salt
Chat Masala
Pepper
Bread Crumbs - 1 cup
Oil - for shallow frying the cutlets
Cheese Slices - 4

Tomato sauce\ Any sauce of your choice

Salad for filling the burger (like lettuce, onion rings, baby spinach , etc)

Procedure:

Preparing the patty/ cutlet
1. Grate the boiled potatoes. Add in the grated veggies. Add in the salt and chat masala and fresh ground pepper. Mix well.
2. Add bread crumbs as needed. Bread crumbs absorb the water and makes the dough more stiff. Adjust the amount of bread crumbs as you like.
3. Divide it into 4 equal portions and pat it to form a patty.
4. Take a tava, drizzle some oil. Dip the patty in bread crumbs and place it on the tava.
5. Repeat the same with remaining patties.
6. After some time, flip it onto the other side.

Preparing the Burger

1. Cut the burger buns into two halves.

2. Place the lower half on a plate, add a cheese slice.

3. Next place the prepared patty.

4. Add in any sauce of your choice.

5. Add in any veggies of your choice like lettuce, washed baby spinach, onion

6. Finally place the upper half of the burger bun.

The delicious Veggie Burger is ready.

Creamy Celery Soup

Celery is rich in vitamin K and also rich in folate, Vitamin A, potassium and vitamin C. It also provides a good amount of dietary fibre. Celery is good for the digestive tract as well as the cardiovascular system. It lowers the BP and prevents cancer.

With this ample health benefits, we cannot miss out this healthy food from our diet. The crunchy stalks of the celery serves as a good snack. If you are not very fond of it, there is one more delicious way to include in our diet. That is the creamy Celery soup. This soup is made creamy , not by adding cream but by adding potatoes and the combo is really awesome.

It is quite heavy and can be served for dinner too...

Ingredients:
Celery stalks - 2
Potato -1
Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
Garlic cloves - 3
Salt
Pepper

Procedure:
1. Chop the celery stalk along with some of its leaves. Also chop the potato into cubes.
2. Take a pan, add olive oil and then garlic gloves.
3. Next add the chopped celery and potato. Add sufficient water.
4. Add pinch of salt and let it cook for around 10 minutes till the potatoes are cooked.
5. Take it in a bowl and let it cool down.
6. Once it has cooled down, Blend it in a blender.
7. When you want to serve it, just heat it up.

Serve the hot delicious celery soup with some pepper.

Apple Cake... With a Twist

Its been quite some time since I baked a cake. This time I added some apples and some grated coconut to give it a new twist and the combo turned out really awesome. Just Delicious...

Ingredients:
Self raising flour - 1 cup
Caster Sugar - two-third cup
Grated coconut - 3 tablespoon (Optional)
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
Apple - 1 - chopped into very small cubes
Melted butter - 80 gms
Eggs - 2
Milk - half cup

Procedure:
1. Take a mixing bowl. Beat 2 eggs very well.
2. Next add the self raising flour and mix well.
3. Next add the milk and mix again
4. Add in the butter and caster sugar and vanilla essence.
5. Finally added the grated coconut and the chopped apple.
6. Beat the whole mix very well for about 5 minutes.
7. Grease a cake tin with butter or ghee.
8. Pour the cake mix in the tin
9. Preheat the oven at 180 degrees for 15 mins
10. Bake the cake at 180 degrees(without fan forced) for about 30 minutes.
11. Prick the cake with a fork to check if its done. If its done, the fork comes out clean.

12. Turn it upside down and place it on a wire rack to cool it down.

The delicious Apple Cake is ready.
Cut it into pieces and serve it  :)

Beetroot Thalipeeth

Beetroots are an excellent source of folic acid and a very good source of fibre, manganese and potassium. It lowers Blood Pressure, increases stamina and acts as a detoxifying agent. It has many many more health benefits.

In spite of these ample benefits, it is not a favourite in my house. Yesterday I reluctantly prepared this beetroot thalipeeth with leftover beetroot sabji (prepared with beetroot and yellow moong dal) , and it became a big hit in my house. My hubby and my daughter both loved it. I served it with a dollop of butter and Celery Chutney (recipe coming soon).

If your family also is not a beetroot fan, you can definitely give this a try. If you have leftover beetroot sabji, go for it. If not, no worries. You can add grated boiled beetroot and boiled dal (Optional). The taste should be the same.

Ingredients:
Beetroot - 1
Yellow moong dal - half cup (Optional)
Wheat flour - 2 cups
Salt
Ajwain\ carom seeds - half tsp
Onions - 1
Green chillies - 2
Water
Oil

Procedure:
1. Boil the beetroot and the moong dal separately in a pressure cooker
2. Grate the beetroot and keep aside.
3. In a bowl, add the grated coconut, boiled dal, wheat flour, carom seeds, salt , onions and green chillies and mix well. Add sufficient amount of water to prepare the dough. The dough should not be like the one we prepare for making chapati. It should be more sticky.
4. Prepare big balls. Take a pan, pour some oil, take one ball and pat it on the tava till the dough is evenly spread and is thin layered.
5. Make small holes in various parts of the thalipeeth and drizzle some oil. Also drizzle oil from the sides.
6. Once done, flip it over to the other side.

The delicious and healthy Beetroot thalipeeth is ready.
Serve it with a dollop of butter along with some curd or chutney.

Murmura Chiwda\ Spicy Puffed Rice\ Bhadang

Murmura Chiwda is a spiced version of puffed rice and serves as snacks item. Murmura stands for puffed rice and Chiwda  is like a savoury item.

In winter, especially when it rains, its nice to enjoy some chiwda with a cup of hot chai or tea. I had one whole packet of murmura lying with me for more than a month. So prepared this murmura chiwda to enjoy as a snack with our evening tea.

Apart from the fact that it needs more oil, it is quite a healthy option for snacks esp in winters. It is loaded with energy in the form of peanuts, grams, nuts , etc. And the best part is that it is just so Yummm...

It is so easy to prepare that you dont have to wait for Diwali to enjoy this savoury. Prepare in bulk and stack it in a air tight container and just enjoy it with your chai for a month.

Ingredients;
Murmura\ Puffed rice - 3 cups
Peanuts - half cup
Chana\ Grams - half cup
Karipatta\ Curry leaves - around 15
Chilli powder - half tsp
Turmeric powder - half tsp
Hing - half tsp
Mustard seeds - half tsp
Jeera seeds - half tsp
Saunf - half tsp
Salt - as needed
Sugar - half tsp
Green chillies - 2
Sunflower oil - 3 tbsp

Procedure:
1. Dry roast the puffed rice till it is crispy and keep aside.
2. Next dry roast the peanuts
3. Add 3 tbsp oil to the kadhai. Add the mustard seeds.
4. Once it starts splutering, add the jeera and then the saunf.
5. Next add hing, kariptta leaves, roasted peanuts and slit green chillies.
6. Add the chilli powder and the turmeric powder.
7. Next add the roasted puffed rice and chana and mix well.
8. Finally add the salt and sugar as per your taste.

Once it cools down, store it in a airtight container.

The Delicious Murmura Chiwda is ready.

Notes:
1. Add roasted cashewnuts and\or dry coconut pieces for a variation of taste.

Easy Pancake (using Self Raising Flour)

This is a very basic version of pancakes for beginners. The self raising flour makes our job really easy.

Serve the pancakes with some chocolate syrup and some fruits. That serves as a quick n delicious breakfast. I love them especially on weekends :)

Ingredients:
Self Raising Flour - 1 cup
Caster Sugar - 1 tbsp
Eggs - 1
Milk - 3/4 cup
Butter - 50gm (melted)
Vanilla Essence - 1 tsp (Optional)
Salt - a pinch

Procedure:
1. Beat the egg well.
2. Mix the butter with the caster sugar in a separate bowl.
3. Add the self raising flour to the beaten egg and mix it.
4. Next add in the caster sugar - butter mix.
5. Add in the milk little by little.
6. Finally add the salt and the vanilla essence.
7. Mix it well. Pancake mix is ready.
8. Take a hot tava and grease it with little butter. Pour one cup of pancake mix and spread it gently.
9. Once it turns golden brown, flip it on other side.

The delicious pancake is ready.
Serve it with chocolate or maple syrup.

Notes:
1. You can replace the caster sugar with normal sugar.

Masale Bhaat\ Spiced Rice

When am running out of veggies in my pantry, masale bhaat comes to my rescue. As the name says, it is spiced rice. Add in all the spices and cook the basmati rice with all these spices. Yum Yum Yum :)

I usually prepare it in my steel pressure cooker. If you don't have one, you can prepare it in a any other container or vok too. Just adjust the amount of water added. I like cooking it in the pressure cooker, as it is fast and easy :)

Serve it with Raita, pickle and papad.
I served it with Brocolli salad just to add some veggies for my dinner.

Ingredients:
Basmati Rice - 1 cup
1 Onion - finely chopped
4 cloves
2 small pieces of Cinnamon
2 Star Anise (whole)
Garam Masala - 1 teaspoon
Oil - 2 tablespoons

Procedure:
1. Wash the basmati rice and keep it for about half an hour.
2. Take a pressure cooker, add the oil and then add the whole spices like cloves, cinnamon and star anise.
3. Next add the chopped onions and fry till golden brown. Also add a pinch of salt.
4. Add the garam masala and mix well.
5. Add the washed rice and mix.
6. Finally add 2 cups hot water and sufficient salt.
7. Take 3 whistles.

The delicious Masale Bhaat is ready.
Serve it with Raita, pickle, papad and some salad.

Notes:
1. You can also add some veggies like carrots, beans to prepare vegetable masale bhaat.

Apple-Banana-Orange Smoothie

Smoothie Time :)

During the weekend, I filled my kitchen with loads of fruits and varieties of them - apples, bananas, oranges, mandarins, pears and what not.

One of the best ways to have them together is in the form of a Fruit Chat , which sometimes gets boring to cut the fruits. Another way is a delicious Smoothie. Just add the fruits as per your taste and blend them. That's it...Loads of vitamins captured in a glass and every sip :)

This is one of the way of providing fruit supplements to your fussy kids. They will surely enjoy this health drink.

Usually in smoothies, we add milk. But as per Indian Ayurveda, we avoid mixing milk with fruits (esp citrus fruits). So I skipped the milk. But if you like you can add it. Just skip adding the citrus fruits like oranges.

Ingredients: (Serves 3 glasses)
Apple - 1
Banana - 1
Oranges - 2
Milk - half cup (optional)
Honey - 2 tsp

Procedure:
1. First extract the orange juice. Peel and chop the oranges. Extract juice using a blender or citrus juicer.
2. Drain the juice and keep aside.
3. Next chop the apples (along with the skin) and bananas.
4. Add the apples, bananas and orange juice to the blender.
5. Blend it using a blender and then add honey.

Delicious n Healthy Smoothie is ready. Serve it chilled.

Notes:
1. I have added apples, bananas and orange juice. You can add any other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, etc You can also add vegetables like carrots.
2. You can add milk too. Just skip adding the oranges or any other citrus fruits.
3. You can add sugar instaed of honey.

Apple Jam\ Apple Sauce

This is my first attempt at making a jam. I had abundance of apples at home. So I thought giving a try to apple jam. My attempt was very successful, hence it is here on my blog :)

This apple jam is really easy to prepare, No Preservatives, No colours and can stay in fridge for around a month. What more would anyone want ;)

Ingredients:
Royal Gala Apples - 3
Sugar - 2 tablespoon
Cinnamon sugar - 1 tsp
lemon juice - 1 tsp
water - 1 cup

Procedure:
1. Wash and peel the apple skin. Cut it into small cubes.
2. Take 1 cup of water and keep it for boiling.
3. When it starts boiling, add the apple pieces.
4. Once the apple is cooked, add the sugar and cinnamon sugar and let it cook till most of the water is evaporated.

5. Sprinkle the lemon juice and mix well.
6. Store in the fridge in an air tight container

The Apple jam is ready. Serve it with any toast for your delicious breakfast.

Tips:
1. I have used Royal Gala apples to prepare this jam. You can try with other varieties of apples too.

Rava Onion Utappam\ Semolina Onion Pancake

I had tried this rava utappa at my friends place and fell in love with it. I immediately noted her recipe and tried preparing it at home with some slight variations.

The best part about it is that it can be prepared very quickly. Just the soaking of rava in curd takes around an hour, rest goes really fast. Very easy breakfast option :)

Here goes the recipe

Ingredients:
Fine Semolina\ Chiroti Rava - 1 cup
Yoghurt\ Curd - 1 cup
Chopped Onion - 1
Chopped green chillies - 2
Cumin seeds - half teaspoon
Chilli powder - half tsp
Coriander seeds powder - half tsp
Sugar - half tsp
Water - add if needed
Eno - a pinch
Oil - for frying
Salt

Procedure:
1. Take a mixing bowl and add the fine semolina and curd and mix well. Let it stay for about an hour.
2. Next add the chopped onions, chillies, salt, sugar, chilli powder, coriander seeds powder and cumin seeds.
3. Mix well to prepare the batter, Add water if needed.The batter should neither be too thick nor too watery. It should be of correct consistency to spread on the tava.
4. Heat a tava and spread some oil. Next pour a ladle dull of batter and gently spread it on the tave using the ladle. Sprinkle oil from the sides.
5. Cook it covered on a medium flame . Once it is cooked on one side, flip on to the other side and cook for some time

Serve the delicious Rava Utappa with chutney or ketchup of your choice.

Thai Vegetable Curry (with Coconut Milk)

It was our wedding anniversary and we had a delicious dinner in a Thai restuarent. We just loved the authentic taste of the Thai vegetable curry prepared with coconut milk. Why not bring this delicacy to our home. I tried replicating the Thai curry at home the next day. And the result was awesome. It was just as delicious as we had in the restuarent. Just served it with steamed rice. Awesome combo for a lovely dinner. This one is going to be a frequent on my menu now.

Living in a multi cultural place like Sydney gives me lots of opportunities to try different food from different cuisines. I am happy that my blog has extended over multi cuisines.

Here goes the recipe. You should definately give it a try.

Ingriedients:
Veggies - 2 cups (I used carrots, Beans, Brocolli and Raddish)
Coconut Milk - 1 can (You can extract it at home too)
Thai Red curry Paste - 2 tsp (It should be available in any Asian stores)
Salt
Sugar
Onion - 1
Garlic - 4 petals
Canola Oil - 1 tablespoon

Procedure:
1. Take a vok, add 1 tablespoon oil, add garlic and then onions and fry for some time.
2. Once they are golden brown, add the cut veggies of your choice. Add salt and let it cook for some time till the veggies are half cooked.
3. Add the Thai red curry paste and a pinch of sugar and mix well.
4. Add the coconut milk and let it cook for 5-10 minutes till all the veggies have cooked.

The delicious Thai Vegetable Curry is ready. Serve it with steamed rice

Tips:
1. You can use any vegetable oil instead of canola oil.
2. Use vegetables of your choice.
3. Adjust the coconut milk as per your taste. If you find the curry little dry, do not add water, instead add more coconut milk.