easy – Batter Up With Sujata

Paruppu Payasam.

Paruppu Payasam.
A vegan pudding or kheer with moong dal or yellow lentil. Coconut milk, roasted moong dal, fried cashew nuts and raisins, jaggery and cardamom made this payasam or kheer divine. This payasam is an Onam special recipe. Usually made for prasad or offering to deities in the temples of South India. It also made for special occasions.
And this pudding is sweetend with jaggery so its a healthy option to satisfy your sweet craving.

According to Wikipedia Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent and is bordered by the union territory of Puducherry and the South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Its capital and largest city is Chennai (formerly known as Madras).

The cuisine of Tamil Nadu deserves special mention because of the rich taste of the culinary items. Many items of Tamil Nadu cuisine are accredited internationally and are unique in their own ways.
A typical Tamil Nadu meal consists of steamed rice, lentils, grains and vegetables. This food is taken almost by every household member. But in special occasions there are special menu that are prepared with great care and concern.
To read more about Tamil Nadu cuisine click here.

If you are a regular reader of my blog then you know that I am a member of Facebook group Shhhhh cooking secretly challenge. And every month we share a recipe from different Indian States. This month sharing this recipe from Tamil Nadu cuisine.
Shhhhh Cooking Secretly a group started by Priya of Priya’s Versatile Recipes, is where every month food bloggers are paired up and give each other 2 secret ingredients to cook with according to the theme chosen. If you’re interested in joining this exciting group then please leave a message in the comment section. Thank you.

This month my partner is very talented blogger Archana Gunjikar Potdar who blog at The Mad Scientist Kitchen.
Visit her space for different types of healthy and delicious recipes. Recently she posted a very interesting and mouthwatering recipe of Caramel apple and plum mini pizza.
Archana gave me ghee and cardamom as secret ingredients and I gave her pepper and cumin. Archana made a delicious rice dish with these ingredients. Check out the recipe here.

This moong dal payasam or paruppu payasam is very easy to make and taste heavenly. You can keep it in refrigerator and enjoy chilled. No sugar used so you can say it is a healthy option for dessert.

Recipe

Moong dal or yellow lentil – 1/2 cup

Jaggery – 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon

Ghee – 1&1/2 tablespoon

Cashew nuts – 2 tablespoon

Raisins – 2 tablespoon

Grated fresh coconut – 1/4 cup, optional

Cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon

Coconut milk – 1 cup

Water – 2 cup + 1/4 cup

Method

1. Dry roast the moong dal or yellow lentil till aromatic.

2. Wash well and pressure cook with 1 cup water for 4 – 5 whistle or after 1 whistle reduce the heat and cook on simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Let the pressure settle down on it’s own.
Open the pressure cooker and mash the dal with a spoon or spatula. Add 1/2 cup water and mix well.

4. In a pan boil 1/4 cup water and jaggery till the jaggery dissolved completely. Strain the mixture if any impurity and keep aside.

5. Heat ghee or clarified butter in a pan. Fry the cashew nuts in it till light brown. Remove from ghee.

6. In the same ghee add raisins. When the raisins fluff up immediately remove from ghee.

7. In the same pan add the boiled dal, jaggery syrup and 1/2 cup water. Mix well and let it boil. Keep stirring.
When the mixture becomes thick, reduce the heat.

8. Add coconut milk and cook on simmer for 4 – 5 minutes. Don’t increase the heat. Cook on low heat to avoid curdling coconut milk.

9. Keep stirring to avoid sticking at the bottom.

10. Now add cardamom powder and fried cashews and raisins. Mix well and remove from heat.

11. Garnish with fried cashews and raisins.
Serve warm or room temperature or keep in the refrigerator and serve chilled.

Notes

1.You can use any milk instead of coconut milk.
2. Dried sliced and fried coconut can be used instead of grated fresh coconut. Or you can use both.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using the hashtag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

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Tender Drumstick Potato Dry Curry With Bengali Five Spices / Sojne Data Chochchori

Tender drumstick potato dry curry with Bengali five spices or sojne data chochchori.
A very simple yet delicious Bengali recipe using panch phoran or Bengali five spices which is consists of fenugreek seeds or methi, Nigella seed or kalaunji, cumin seed or jeera, mustard seed or sarso and fennel seed or sounf.

You don’t need much spices to make it. You need only turmeric powder, mustard powder and red chilli powder to make this delicious dry curry with tender drumstick and potatoes.

The drumstick or moringa plant is one of those rare species, where every part is beneficial for health and wellness. While the world celebrates moringa leaves and moringa powder as superfoods, the stalks are equally powerful, and have been used since time immemorial in Indian kitchens to add a dash of health to your diet.
Drumsticks are rich in two vital nutrients that are essential to bone health, keeping osteoporosis and osteoarthritis at bay. Calcium and iron are both minerals that are known to enhance the quality of your bones, so consuming an adequate amount of drumsticks can really help with that.
Source

I have used mustard powder in it. You can use mustard paste if you want. You can skip potatoes if you don’t like potatoes. Make it with only drumsticks and enjoy the delicious flavourful drumstick dry curry. Or you can add eggplant and pumpkin with potatoes in this drumstick curry.

Recipe

Tender drumstick – 200 gram

Potatoes – 3 – 4

Tomato – 1 large, chopped

Panch phoran or Bengali five spices – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder – 1 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Mustard powder – 1 tablespoon

Mustard oil – 2 tablespoon

Water – 1 & 1/2 cup + 4 tablespoon

Method

1. Peel and cut the potatoes into lengthwise.

2. Wash the tender drumsticks well. Cut and discard the both ends. Chop the drumsticks into 1 inch pieces.

3. Mix 1 tablespoon mustard powder with 4 tablespoon water. Stir and keep aside.

4. Heat mustard oil in a pan or wok. Add panch phoran.
Panch phoran consists of fenugreek seeds or methi, Nigella seed or kalaunji, cumin seed or jeera, mustard seed or sarso and fennel seed or sounf.

5. Let the seeds splutter. Now add potatoes.

6. Fry the potatoes for 2 minutes or till the potatoes starts to charge it’s colour.

7. Add chopped drumsticks. Saute for 2 minutes more.

8. Add salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder mix well.

9. Add soaked mustard powder and water and cover the pan. Cook till the potatoes and drumsticks becomes soft and dried up.

10. Remove from heat.
Garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve with steamed rice or Indian flat bread.

Note

You can also add eggplant and pumpkin with potatoes.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

Vegan Fruity Golden Smoothie With Turmeric And Aloe Vera

Vegan fruity golden smoothie with fresh turmeric and Aloe Vera.
Dairy free golden smoothie with fresh turmeric, ginger, Aloe Vera gel, grapes, orange, carrot, cucumber, coconut milk and flavoured with mint and cinnamon. A perfect breakfast smoothie for weight watchers.

You don’t need to make juice of orange and carrot. Just use finely chopped or grated carrot and remove the skin and seeds of orange before using. Smoothie is enough sweet due to orange and carrot so you don’t need any sweetener.
You can get some more smoothie recipe here.

Turmeric is known for it’s healing compounds curcumin. Ginger is high in gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Earlier I have shared turmeric shot recipe. Click here to get the recipe.

Here are some health benefits of the ingredients used in this smoothie.
1. Orange is high in Vitamin, C. Healthy immune system. Prevents skin damage. Keeps blood pressure under check. Lowers cholesterol. Controls blood sugar level. Lowers the risk of cancer.
Source

2. Grapes are packed With Nutrients, Especially Vitamins C and K. High Antioxidant Contents May Prevent Chronic Diseases. Plant Compounds May Protect Against Certain Types of Cancer. Beneficial for Heart Health in Various Impressive Ways. May Decrease Blood Sugar Levels and Protect Against Diabetes.
Source

3. Carrots health benefits includes supporting healthy eyes, a good source of antioxidants, supporting healthy heart, supporting health teeth and gums, treating wounds, improving brain health and cognitive functions, fighting cancer, supporting better digestion, maintaining youthful age, supporting healthy hair and skin and lowering the risk of developing diabetes.
Source

4. Though commonly thought to be a vegetable, cucumber is actually a fruit.
It’s high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions.
Also, cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.
Source

5. Turmeric Contains Bioactive Compounds With Powerful Medicinal Properties .Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound. Turmeric Dramatically Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the Body. Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases.
Source

6. Aloe Vera contains healthful plant compounds. Antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Accelerates the healing of burns. Reduces dental plaque. Helps treat canker sores. Reduces constipation. May improve skin and prevent wrinkles. Lowers blood sugar levels.
Source

Now coming to the easy and simple recipe. Just combine everything and blend till the mixture becomes smooth. I don’t like the flavour of fresh turmeric so I have added cinnamon. Because of mint leaves and cinnamon you hardly notice turmeric flavour. If you want you can omit mint or cinnamon. But I recommend to use both for a lovely flavour.

Recipe

Grapes – 1 cup

Orange – 1 large or 2 small

Carrot – 1, grated or finely chopped

Cucumber – 1, optional

Ginger – 1/2 inch piece, optional

Fresh turmeric – 1/2 inch piece

Mint leaves – few

Lemon juice – 1 – 2 tablespoon or as require

Aloe Vera gel – 1 – 2 tablespoon

Coconut milk – 1/2 cup

Cinnamon powder – 1/2 teaspoon, optional

Method

1. Peel and remove the seeds of orange. I have small oranges so used two oranges. If you have large orange then use one.

2. Peel and chop the cucumber. Taste before using. Cucumber should not be bitter.

3. Peel and grate or finely chop the ginger and fresh turmeric.

4. Combine everything, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and blend till smooth and frothy. Taste and add more lemon juice if require.

5. Pour in your favourite glass. You can add some ice cubes in the glass if you want.

6. Garnish with mint leaves, cucumber and lemon wedges. Serve chilled or in room temperature.

Notes
1. If you want sweeter smoothie omit the cucumber
2. If you don’t like cinnamon then you can skip it.
3. Add lemon juice according to your taste.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
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Vegan Fruit And Veggie Smoothie

Happy Maha Shivratri!
May this Shivratri bring blessings to you and your family. May the almighty Lord Shiva bless you with all the happiness!!

Vegan fruit and veggie smoothie.
Beet carrot cucumber smoothie with orange and mint. Smoothie is naturally sweet so you don’t need any sweetener. Perfect for fasting days.
Smoothie is not only delicious and nutritious but every ingredients of this smoothie will also help to nourishes your skin.

Monday again and this week’s 183 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #GlowingskinRecipes suggested by Amrita Iyer who blog at Food samaritan.
Do visit her space for many amazing recipes.

I have used cucumber, carrot, orange juice, beetroot, almond, walnut and lemon in this smoothie. And every ingredients helps you to make your skin glow.

Cucumber – Cucumbers are light on the stomach, and perfect for quenching thirst and staying hydrated.
In fact, cucumber’s high water content is excellent for the skin as it keeps it hydrated and well-nourished. It is also rich in silica, which enhances your natural complexion and adds a glow to it.
Cucumber contains potassium, magnesium, biotin, and vitamins A, B1, and C, and therefore helps to improve your skin condition.

Carrot – We have been told time and again that carrots are great for the eyes. What you do not know is that they are great for the skin too.
Carrots contain vitamin A, which fights acne, wrinkles, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone. The juice is rich in fiber, which eases bowel movement and excretion, thereby clearing out your stomach. This enhances your skin.
Carrots also contain vitamin C and potassium, which improve skin elasticity and help in the regeneration of new cells.

Orange – Along with boosting your mood, it also elevates your skin’s health.
Oranges are rich sources of citric acid that aid collagen and elastin formation in the skin. Hence, they dry acne, enhance your complexion, improve your skin texture, and make your skin firm. Oranges also hydrate the skin and treat sunburns.
They contain antioxidants that fight free radicals and prevent wrinkle formation and skin sagging, thereby controlling premature skin aging.

Beetroot – Fresh beetroot juice has anti-inflammatory properties and is a rich source of iron and potassium, which help purify the blood. The vegetable juice also contains vitamins A, C, K, copper, magnesium, folic acid, and zinc.
Dilute beetroot with another ingredient and drink the juice every day to fight skin problems such as blemishes, acne marks, and inflammations.

Almond – The regular consumption and the proper external application of soaked almonds can do wonders for your skin.
Vitamin E and other antioxidants present in these nuts can eliminate the harmful free radicals from your body. As a result, the aging process gets delayed and you remain younger-looking for a longer period.

Walnut – Walnuts are good for the skin as they are packed with B-vitamins. Vitamin B is an excellent stress and mood manager. Lower stress levels result in a better skin. Increased stress levels can result in the earlier onset of wrinkles, thus inducing faster aging. The presence of the B-vitamins, together with Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, helps in fighting the free radicals induced due to stress. This further delays the aging process.

Lemon – Lemon is full of natural antioxidants. It can effectively combat damaging free radicals and remove them completely from your body. Being a good source of vitamin C, the fruit also repairs the damaged skin cells as well as helps you get rid of fine lines, blemishes, wrinkles, deep furrows etc. Hence, lemon water is considered as a great anti-aging solution.
Source – STYLECRAZE

You can add 1 – 2 tablespoon Aloe Vera gel and 1 inch piece fresh turmeric root in the smoothie to make it more effective for glowing skin. Add fresh turmeric if you like the flavour. I don’t like the flavour of fresh turmeric so I didn’t use it.

Recipe

Orange juice – 1 cup

Carrot – 1

Boiled or baked beetroot – 1

Cucumber – 1

Mint leaves – 3 tablespoon

Almond – 10, soaked and peeled

Walnut – 1 tablespoon, chopped

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon or as require

Method

1. Peel and chop the beetroot and carrot.

2. Soak the almonds in hot water and peel when cool.

3. Peel and chop the cucumber. Taste before using. Cucumber should not be bitter.

4. Blend chopped carrot, cucumber, beetroot, mint leaves, almond and walnut.

5. Add orange and lemon juice in the blender. Blend again till the mixture becomes smooth and frothy.

6. Taste and add more lemon juice if require. I have added 2 teaspoon more.

7. Pour the smoothie in a glass. Garnish with mint leaves and lemon wedges.

8. Serve immediately or keep it in refrigerator to serve chilled.

Notes

1. You can add pink or black salt and black pepper powder if you like.
2. Ice cubes can be added in the smoothie while blending.
3. You can add 1 – 2 tablespoon Aloe Vera gel in this smoothie.
4. If you like the flavour of fresh turmeric root add 1 inch piece chopped turmeric root while blending the smoothie.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

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Vegan Smoothie Bowl

Vegan smoothie bowl.
A dairy free and gluten free smoothie bowl for breakfast. And also sugar free. So diabetic and weight watchers both can enjoy it.
Easy to make, filling, healthy and delicious. A perfect breakfast option. With all the goodness and taste of banana, oats, almond, raisins, dates and coconut and the crunch of walnut and pomegranate.

I have used banana but you can use strawberry or any fruit of your choice. You don’t need any sweetener because raisins, banana and dates give enough sweetness to your smoothie bowl.
Sending this post to 180 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is #Lowcalorie food.

This week I have suggested the theme. Read my fellow blogger’s posts to get many more low calorie food recipes.

This smoothie is perfectly sweet and delicious but if you like less sweetness in your smoothie then you can reduce the amount raisins and dates. You can dry roast the oats if you want. I didn’t.

Recipe

Oats – 1/4 cup

Banana – 1

Coconut milk – 1/4 cup or as require

Fresh coconut – 2 tablespoon, chopped

Almond – 5

Date – 2, pitted and chopped

Raisins – 2 tablespoon

Walnut, raisins, pomegranate and banana pieces for topping

Method

1. Peel and chop the ripe banana.

2. Soak the almonds in hot water and peel when cool.

3. Soak the raisins in water.

4. Grind the oats. You can dry roast the oats before grinding if you like.

5. In a blender blend ground oats, chopped coconut, chopped dates, peeled almonds, soaked raisins, chopped banana and 1/4 cup coconut milk. Blend into a smooth mixture.

6. Pour the mixture into a bowl. You can add 1/4 cup more coconut milk if you want your smoothie consistency thin.

7. Top with banana slices, raisins, walnut and pomegranate arils.
Enjoy the delicious and healthy smoothie bowl. Stay healthy stay happy

Notes

1. You can use strawberry or any fruit of your choice instead of banana.
2. If you don’t like oats then dry roast the oats before grinding.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
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Gluten Free Rose Flavoured Nankhatai Or Shortbread Cookies

Gluten free rose flavoured nankhatai or shortbread cookies.
Mouth melting delicious cookies with Pearl millet or Bajra flour, almond, pistachio and chickpea flour or besan and flavoured with cardamom and rose water.

Nankhatai are shortbread biscuits popular in India and Pakistan. The word Nankhatai is derived from Persian word Naan meaning bread and Khatai from an Afghan word meaning Biscuit.

You may like some more nankhatai recipes here.
1. Orange crinkle cookies or nankhatai

2. Nankhatai

And bajra or pearl millet cookies recipes

1. Cashew almond honey cookies

2. Pearl millet sesame oats cookies

This week’s our 175 #Foodiemonday bloghop theme is Christmas special. And my humble contribution is this easy to make, delicious, mouth melting and healthy nankhatai.

Nankhatai is all time favourite among kids and adults both. I have added little food colour to make it attractive for festive season. But its completely optional. You can skip it. Ground almond and pistachio will enhance the taste of your nankhatai. Serve it on Christmas eve or make it to gift your friends. You can use refined flour or maida instead of pearl millet if you want.

Recipe

Pearl millet or Bajra flour -1 cup

Gram flour/chickpea flour or besan – 1/2 cup

Powdered sugar – 1 cup

Clarified butter or ghee – 3/4 + 2 tablespoon, melted

Baking powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Baking soda – 1/4 teaspoon

Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Rose water or essence – 1/2 teaspoon

Almond – 2 tablespoon

Pistachios – 2 tablespoon

Red food colour – a pinch, optional

Shredded pistachio to garnish

Method

1. Preheat the oven at 180° for 10 minutes.

2. Grease or line a baking tray.

3. Grind the almonds and pistachio.

4. In a bowl sieve pearl millet or bajra flour, besan or chickpea flour, baking powder and soda.

5. Cream ghee or clarified butter and powdered sugar. Add rose water and whisk well.

6. Now add flour mixture, ground almond and pistachio and cardamom powder. Make a smooth dough.

7. Make small balls and arrange on baking tray. Place the balls 1 inch apart.

8. Place one pistachio piece on every balls. Press gently with your finger. You can place almond or cashew instead of pistachio.

9. Bake in preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes or until the edges becomes light brown and cracks appear on the cookies.

10. Let the cookies cool down completely before serving.
Cookies will soft when hot and become crisp after cooling.

Serve with tea, coffee, milk or store in airtight container for later use.

Stay tuned for one more gluten free treat.

Notes
1. You can use refined or whole wheat flour instead of pearl millet.
2. If you like crisp cookies use 3/4 cup ghee and 2 tablespoon milk in the dough. Ghee or clarified butter will make your cookies mouth melting.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
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Egg Corn Cottage Cheese Baked / Casserole

Egg corn cottage cheese baked or casserole. Easy to make and delicious dish for your dinner or breakfast. I love it in breakfast with crisp toast. I have used homemade soft paneer or cottage cheese but you can use store bought too. Just grate or crumble before using. You can add 1 – 2 more scallions or green onions if you like.

Sending this post to 174 #Foodiemonday bloghop #PotluckRecipes theme. This week Preethi Prasad suggested the theme. Preethi blog at Preethicuisine. Check out her blog for more delicious recipes.

You may like some more egg recipes here.

1. Korean rice or egg fried rice

2. Soya egg shami kabab

3. Chana dal and steamed egg khichdi

4. Egg dal tadka

Recipe is very simple. You can use any vegetables of your choice like bell peppers etc. I have used Italian seasoning, you can use Indian spices, cilantro or chopped coriander leaves, cumin powder etc. If you have leftover, store in refrigerator and microwave before serving.

Recipe

Egg – 3 – 4

Milk – 1/4 cup

Cottage cheese or paneer – 1 cup, crumbled

Sweet corn – 1 cup boiled

Scallion or onion green – 1, finely chopped

Flour – 1/2 cup

Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon or to taste

Chilli flakes – 1/4 teaspoon or to taste

Black pepper powder – 1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon

Baking powder – 1 teaspoon

Salt – 1 teaspoon

Olive oil – 1/4 cup

Method

1. Preheat oven at 200° for 10 minutes.

2. Generously grease a baking pan with butter or oil.

3. Blend cottage cheese or paneer with 1/4 cup milk in a blender to make smooth.

4. Whisk the eggs well. Add oil and blended cottage cheese or paneer mixture. Mix well.

5.Add the flour, mix and make a lump free batter.

6. Add salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chilli flakes and black pepper powder. Mix well.

7. Add corn and chopped scallion or onion green. Make a smooth batter.

8. Add baking powder and mix well.

9. Pour the mixture into the greased baking pan. Tap the pan gently.

10. Sprinkle chopped scallion or onion green cilantro or coriander leaves and red chilli flakes. You can place tomato slices on the top.

11. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes or until eggs set well and top becomes golden brown.

12. Every oven takes different time. So check after 35 minutes.

13. Let it cool down slightly before slicing.

14. Sprinkle little black pepper powder and oregano if require. Serve warm.

Notes
1. You can add oregano Basil or any herb of your choice.
2. If you don’t like garlic then you can skip it. Or if you like garlicky taste then add more garlic powder.
3. Chopped Bell peppers, capsicum green chilli, cilantro or coriander leaves or parsley can be added in the batter.

If you tried my recipe, you can share your food pictures with me in the social network sites by using hash tag, #batterupwithsujata
I would love to see your creations.

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and suggestions in comment.
Please visit my facebook page and hit the like button to get the latest update
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