Tempered Tortilla (Phodnicha Tortilla)

It was nearly weekend and time to clean out the refrigerator. Found a bunch of Tortillas lying in there. I did not want to make quesadillas or enchiladas so decided to try out an Indian twist. Tempered it Indian style and turned it into something similar to Maharashtrian 'Phodnichi Poli'. Phodnicha Tortilla or Tempered Tortilla!! Turned out to be really good. You can eat this for breakfast, snack or as a light one dish meal too.

Sharing the recipe here:

Ingredients: Tortillas - 4, Onion - 1 medium chopped, Oil - 2 tbsp, tempering: mustard seeds-  1 tsp, cumin seeds - 1 tsp, asofoetida - 1/2 tsp, Turmeric powder - 1 tsp, red chilly powder - 1 tsp (per taste), curry leaves - 4-5, green chilly - 1-2 slit, salt to taste, sugar 1-2 tsp, lemon juice - few drops, cilantro - chopped - 3-4 tsp.

Method:  Roughly tear the tortillas and grind them to coarse in a mixer. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds to it. When they start popping add asofoetida, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chilly powder, curry leaves, slit green chillies and chopped onion. Saute, cover and cook for 3-4 mins till onions are soft. Then add the coarse tortilla mixture and saute and cover for 3-4 mins. Add salt, sugar and lemon juice and saute for 1 minute and cover and cook for additional 2 minutes. Add cilantro and saute and serve warm.

It tastes exactly like phodnichi poli. Was really delicious and got my family's seal of approval!! Now this has become my go to recipe for finishing extra tortillas. 

Till my next post, take care everyone!! #staysafe

Spicy Tofu, Chickpea and Vegetable Stew

This stew is my go to meal on the days I am lazy to cook but still want to eat a health and hearty meal. It is full of proteins and vitamins and is ready in minutes. Some of my friend's had asked for this recipe and I had promised to put it on the blog this weekend.

So here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

Frozen mixed vegetables - 1 cup, Tofu extra firm (preferable) - 1 cup cubed, onion - 1 sliced, ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp, oil - 3-4 tsp, coconut milk - 2 cans, chickpeas - 1 can, pepper powder, cinnamon sticks - 1 or 2 1 inch, cumin powder - 1 tsp, turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp, paprika - 1/2 tsp, curry powder (not garam masala) - 3 tsp, salt to taste, Serrano chillies - 1 sliced, cilantro - chopped for garnish

Method:

Boil/cook in frozen mixed vegetables. Boil/microwave chickpeas till soft with little salt. Cube the Tofu and shallow fry till light golden brown in a pan (optional but enhances taste of tofu). After this, take a pan and add oil to it. Once hot add cinnamon sticks and sliced onions and fry till soft. Add ginger garlic paste, cumin powder, turmeric powder, pepper powder, paprika powder and curry powder to it. Add half sliced Serrano peppers and saute for 2-3 mins. Add cooked frozen mixed vegetable and chickpeas and saute for 2-3 mins, then add the fried tofu and keep sauteing for 2-3 mins. Then add coconut milk and salt to taste. Let everything boil for 4-5 mins. Add the rest of the sliced Serrano peppers and cilantro to garnish and serve hot with brown or white rice.

Enjoy this hearty meal!! Believe me once you try this it is going to be your go to meal too :)

Till my next post, take care everyone!! #staysafe.

Aloo Paratha (Spiced Potato filling stuffed flatbread)

Aloo paratha is a classic Punjabi dish that needs no introduction. It is an Indian flatbread with spiced potato stuffing inside it. It tastes heavenly. One bite and you will be hooked forever. Even though it is a traditional Punjabi dish, it is made in almost all regions in India. Who doesn't love potatoes, right??!! You can follow this recipe and try it out for yourself:

Ingredients: For the dough: 2 cups wheat flour, 1 tsp maida flour (to give elasticity to the dough), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder. For Stuffing: Potatoes - 4-5 boiled and mashed, turmeric powder - 1 tsp, chilli powder - 1 tsp, coriander powder - 1 tsp, ginger garlic paste, green chillies and cilantro crushed - 2 tsp (optional), 1/2 tsp dried mango powder, salt to taste.

Method: Mix all the ingredients for the dough and set it aside for at least 2-3 hours. For the filling: Boil and mash 4-5 potatoes. Mix all the stuffing ingredients and make small balls and set aside. Take the dough and make small balls (slightly bigger than the stuffing balls) and set aside. Roll one dough ball to disc shape and fill in the stuffing ball. Seal the stuffing inside the dough dip it in loose wheat flour and roll the paratha. After that fry it on hot tava and add ghee or olive oil or butter as per your preference while roasting. Make sure to roast on medium flame so that the paratha does not burn.

Enjoy with raita, ketchup, pickle, chutney or any condiment of your choice. In this picture, I have served it with boondi raita and ginger-orange chutney.

Till my next post, take care everyone!!

Gopalkala for Gokulashtami or Janmashtami Festival (flattened rice with yogurt and seasonings)

Hello Friends, Gokulashtami or Janmashtami is coming up and Gopalkala is a perfect dish to make that day. It is healthy and tasty. The yogurt makes it cooling along with cucumber. Kids love to eat this simple dish just like Lord Krishna.

So let me get to the recipe straight away.

Ingredients: Poha (Flattened rice) - 1 cup, Yogurt (Dahi)- 1 cup, 1 Cucumber- 1 chopped (peel and chop), Ginger - grated - 2 tsp, Grated coconut - 5-6 tsp, Green chillies - 5-6 chopped, Curry leaves - 5-6, Pomegranate seeds - for garnish (optional), Cilantro - chopped for garnish, Salt - per taste, Sugar - 1 tsp, Ghee - 2-3 tbsp, Cumin seeds - 1 tsp, asofoetida - 1/2 tsp

Method: Wash the Poha or flattened rice with water for about a minute or two. Keep aside and let it fluff and soften. Meanwhile prepare the yogurt. Whisk the yogurt in a bowl and add salt, sugar, and grated coconut. Add the poha to this mixture. Lightly mix everything in the bowl. Adjust the consistency of the poha. They should be able to soak up all the yogurt and not get too dry. Add a little milk if dry. After this, prepare the tempering to add to the Gopalkala. Heat ghee in a pan and add add cumin seeds, asofoetida, green chilies and  grated ginger pieces and turn off the heat. 

Add the seasoning to the Gopalkala and stir gently to mix everything. Garnish with Cilantro and Pomegranate seeds to make it colorful and add the extra element of taste. Enjoy and Happy Gokulashtami or Janmashtami to all.

Till my next post, take care everyone!!

Garlic Mustard greens with Moong sprouts - insanely simple and healthy

Hello everyone!! Life is really busy as always but I am going to try and post something at least once in a while.

Today I want to share this insanely simple and healthy dish with you - my own creation - Garlic Mustard greens with Moong sprouts

Now-a-days everyone seems to be following some kind of diet and they want to eat smaller portions and healthier. Please keep in mind that even if you are dieting, it is essential that you eat food that is highly nutritional. If you compromise on nutrition, your body will be deficient of essential vitamins and minerals. Well, this recipe that I am sharing today is extremely minimalist on spices and high on nutritional value and taste.

Ingredients: Mustard greens - 1 bunch, Moong sprouts - 1 cup, Onion - 1 medium, Tomato - 1 small, Garlic - 10-12 pods chopped, Cumin seeds - 1 tsp, black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp, oil - 3 tsp, salt to taste.

Method: Wash mustard greens and chop them, cook sprouts with a little salt in a microwave for 8 mins, chop tomato and onion into small pieces. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds chopped garlic and black pepper powder when hot. Saute for 1/2 minute and add onion. Cook till soft and then add the mustard greens. Cook for 3-5 minutes and then add cooked sprouts. Check for salt and add some if required (since we cooked the sprouts with some salt earlier). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes in the end and turn off the flame. Let the tomatoes cook on steam for 1 minute.

Serve with rotis or as a side dish with rice. Can't get any simpler than this :)

Till next time, take care everyone!!

Dhapate (Maharashtrian Wholegrain Multi-flour Flatbread or paratha - Healthy and spicy)

'Dhapate' is a typical Marathi word. It literally means 'beating'. Dhapate are typically made not by the traditional rolling method but by gently patting (beating) the dough into a flat roti shape - hence the name :) They are made by mixing various whole grain flours and that's what makes them super healthy - full of fiber and tasty. Dhapate are somewhat like Thalipeeth except thinner like paratha. They taste awesome and are easy to make.

Ingredients: Whole wheat flour - 1 cup, Jowar flour - 1/2 cup, Bajra flour - 1/2 cup, Besan (Chickpea flour) - 1/4 cup, Onion - 1 medium finely chopped, Green chillies - 1-2, Cumin seeds/ powder - 1 tsp, Ajwain/(Owa)/ Caraway seeds - 1/2 tsp, Garlic - 6-8 pods crushed, Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp (optional), Cilantro - 3-4 tbsp finely chopped, Sesame seeds/flax seeds - 2-3 tsp, oil - 2-3 tsp tsp knead,  Salt - as per taste.


Method: Coarsely grind green chilies and garlic in a mixer. Chop the onion finely or coarsely grind in mixer too. Combine flours, onion, coarsely ground green chili/ garlic, cumin seeds or powder, red chili powder (optional), cilantro and salt in a mixing bowl. Add 2-3 tsp oil and just enough water to mix and knead the flour into a soft dough. Cover and set aside for at least 30 minutes. Divide the dough into equal size pieces. Take a plastic sheet and gently pat the dough pieces into discs. Put some sesame seeds or flax seeds on top and gently pat them down into the Dhapata.  Gently remove the dhapata from plastic sheet and transfer and cook them on hot griddle/ tawa. Make sure to thoroughly cook by adding a few drops of oil on both sides till light golden in color.

Serve with Spicy Garlic/Peanut chutney. Enjoy this unique Maharashtrian delicacy!! 

Till my next post everyone, take care!!

Chutney Chana Pilaf or Pulao - Healthy and delicious!

Busy weekdays call for some quick cooking - to put food on the table just in time to satisfy impatient and hungry tummies. This is my go to recipe just for those days and it has a lot of surprises to please everyone's taste buds. It is super easy, healthy and delicious, that is 3 birds in one stone... haha. Here is my version of this fantastic one pot meal.

Ingredients: 

Brown Rice - 2 cups (you can use white rice and adjust cooking time accordingly), Water - 4 cups (adjust as per recommended on rice packet), Onion chopped - 1 large, Tempering - Oil - 3-4 tsp, Mustard seeds - 1 tsp, Asofoetida - 1/2 tsp, ginger/garlic crushed - 1 tsp, turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp, red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp, chana masala - 1 tsp, biryani masala - 1/2 tsp, cumin powder - 1/2 tsp, coriander powder - 1 tsp, Aamchur - 1/4 tsp or few drops of lemon juice, For chutney: grind together 1 cup cilantro, 1/2 cup mint, 1 tsp roasted chana dal, 1 tsp cumin seeds, pinch of sugar and salt to taste. 

Method: 

Heat a pan/ pressure pan and add oil. When hot splutter mustard seeds, add asofoetida, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, chana masala, biryani masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, aamchur powder and half of the green chutney. Saute for a minute and add onions. Cook for a minute and add the brown rice. Add water and cook for 25-30 minutes or as per directions on brown/white rice packet. When ready, garnish with some fresh boondi and cilantro and serve with the remaining chutney and raita. 

Enjoy this yummilicious Chutney Chana Pilaf or Pulao/Pulav - plant based, protein rich and full of flavor for clean eating! Vegan friendly too!!

Till my next post, take care everyone.

I am sending this post off to MLLA#112 Event: Herbsspicesandtradition blog: MLLA#112

foodandspice blog and thewellseasonedcook blog

Oats and Vegetable Sanja (Savory Oats with mixed Vegetables)

Hello everyone, I am back after a long time. Busy with summer activities, kids and work!!

'Sanja' - is traditionally made from semolina (cream of wheat) in Maharashtra. It is loved by everyone in our family. This recipe is a twist on traditional since I made it out of Oats today to make it healthier. This was our quick fix lunch today. It turned out to be really yummy and got a thumbs up from the kids too :)

Ingredients: 1 cup - Quick cooking oats, 1 medium onion chopped, mixed veg (any ones that you like - 1/2 cup),  tempering: 3-4 tsp Oil,  1 tsp mustard seeds, 1/4th tsp asofoetida, few curry leaves, 1-2 green chillies, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp Sambar masala (optional), Salt to taste.

Method: Roast the quick cooking oats in a pan till they turn very light golden in color. Heat oil in the pan and add  mustard seeds and let them crackle, then add asafoetida, curry leaves and green chillies, turmeric powder, chilli powder. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 mins till the onion is soft. Then add the mixed vegetables, and cover and cook for additional 2-3 mins till the vegetables are soft. Add sambar masala (this adds an interesting flavor) and stir and add the roasted oats and salt and 1 &1/2 cups water. Cover and cook it on medium low heat for 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally. Garnish with cilantro. Enjoy Oats and Vegetable Sanja (Savory Oats and Vegetables) with yogurt or pickle!! 

Till my next post, take care everyone.

Simple and Healthy greens - Kale and Tofu Bhaji

This bhaji or vegetable is the simplest and healthiest one that you can ever make. It can be prepared in less than 20 mins start to finish and is totally delicious and good for you. Kale can be substituted with any other green like Swiss Chard, or purple kale, it tastes just as good. It has all the healthy nutrients and vitamins and plant based soy protein that you body needs.

Ingredients: Kale - 1 bunch, Garlic- 5-6 pods, Tofu - 12 oz extra firm, Oil - 3-4 tsp, black pepper - 1/2 tsp, salt to taste and few drops of lemon juice.

Method: Clean, wash and chop the Kale or any green that you are using. Crush the garlic pods. Heat oil in a pan and and add 1/2 tsp crushed pepper and crushed garlic. Immediately add the chopped greens and cover and cook for 3-4 mins on medium heat. Cube the tofu and add that to the greens. Cover and cook for 3-4 mins. Add salt to taste and lemon juice. Delicious bhaji is ready. Eat with Chapati or fill it in Pita pocket or roll it in Lavaash bread or eat as a side dish with rice. It is really versatile, simple and tasty.

Till my next post, take care everyone!

Khichadi with Kadhi

Ingredients: 1 cup rice, 1/4 cup of yellow moong dal, 1/4 cup toor dal, 1 cup mixed veg (i use frozen mix veg), 1 Bay leaf, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tsp Coriander-Cumin powder,1 tsp, Garam masala, Salt per taste. Tempering: 3 tsp oil, Mustard seeds, pinch of asofoetida, turmeric powder, curry leaves, red chillies.
Method: Wash rice and dals and keep it for 1/2 hr. In a pressure pan heat oil add tempering ingredients and let them crackle. Add  bay leaf, cinnamon stick and mixed veg. Then add rice and dals. Saute for 2-3 mins. Add coriander cumin powder and garam masala. Add 3-4 cups water and pressure cook for a whistle (till its soft). Garnish with shredded coconut and cilantro and serve with Kadhi, and other yummy condiments like Papad, Yoghurt Chilli and Pickle.

I am sending this recipe as an entry to Foodelicious Combo Event  . This event is a celebration of her 100th post!! Congratulations Pari!