Masoor Dhal/ Masala Dhal

 As lentils are the main source of proteins for vegans and vegetarians, it is important that we explore the variety of lentils to satiate the palate of the vegetarian connoisseurs. I have experimented with masoor dhal recently and was impressed with the outcome :)

Ingredients:

1 cup of Masoor dhal
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
1 green chilly

1 tbsp of oil
coriander as garnish

salt as required

Seasoning:

1/2 inch- stick of cinnamon

2 pieces of bay leaf

2 cloves

Grinding:

1 large chopped tomato
1/8 tsp of turmeric
1/2 tsp of red chilly powder
1/2 tbsp of coriander powder
1 tbsp of cashew nuts

1 tsp of cumin seeds

Preparation:

1. Grind the ingredients mentioned above together. Slice the onion and garlic lengthwise.
2. In the preheated pan add oil. Add the seasoning, as the nice aroma comes add onion and garlic.
3.Saute for a minute and add the ground mixture. Saute well till the tomato paste starts to thicken and the raw smell disappears.

4.Add masoor dhal, salt and 3 cups of water. Close the lid and pressure cook up to 3 whistles.

5.Add coriander as garnish. Serve with rice/ roti.

Bread upma

  Figuring out options for my school going kid's lunch has become a priority off late. Today, I would like to share with you the recipe for bread upma which which can be made within 15 minutes. I have customized the spice level of this dish as per his taste and my son absolutely loved it! 

Serves up to 2 people

Preparation time: 15 minutes 

Ingredients:

2 Bread slices
1 slit green chillies

1 tsp of grated ginger 
pinch of turmeric

pinch of red chilli powder

pinch of garam masala 
1/2 tbsp of tomato sauce

1 small of onion

1 small of yellow bell pepper

1/2 tomato

oil as required
1/4 tsp of mustard
1 sprig of curry leaves

coriander leaves as garnish

salt as required

Preparation:

1.Fine chop the vegetables in to small pieces. Heat oil in shallow pan, add mustard. 
2.As mustard sputters, add onion, green chillies, ginger. Saute for a minutes and add the yellow pepper*. Saute till the raw smell disappears, add red chilli powder, turmeric, tomato sauce and salt.

4.Cut the bread slices in to small squares and add to the pan. Saute well. Add garam masala and finely chopped coriander leaves as garnish. 
5.Bread upma is ready. 

 

*Try this dish with the veggies of your choice.

Rava Laddu

Rava laddu is one of my childhood favorites. It can also be made as a quick evening snack or as a prasadham. The ideal rava laddu needs to have the right amount of firmness, sweetness and coarseness.

 Ingredients:

1 cup of fine Rava/ Sooji
3/4 cup of powdered sugar
1/4 cup of ghee
2 tbsp of cashew nuts
2 tbsp of raisins
1 tsp of powdered cardamom
Warm milk(optional)

Preparation:

1. Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a skillet and add cashew nuts. As they turn golden brown, add raisins. As they plump up, transfer to a plate.
2. Add rava to the pan and dry roast them till nice aroma comes. Switch off the flame and add sugar, roasted nuts and ghee. Mix them.
3. The mixture should be warm to make a small lemon sized balls. As the mix becomes dry add a tbsp of warm milk and continue making balls.

4. Rava laddu will be soft but eventually it becomes firm. Store them in the refrigerator.