Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Cheese Cherry Pineapple Kebab | A Quick & Kid Approved Healthy Starter

Know What You Eat: This is a great cocktail snack, or just something to have in-between meals. Very easy to make extremely  kid  friendly..and irresistible Fresh pineapple when paired with cheese contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which helps in the digestion of protein. High in potassium, Vitamin C & A. Cherry carries the ability to fight memory loss, lower cholesterol, help your sleep patterns and fight diabetes. A perfect quick and healthy snack, even kids can assemble.

appetizer

Recipe: Cheese Cherry Pineapple Kebab
A Quick  & Kid Approved Healthy Starter
Ingredients
  • Vegetarian Source Processed Cheese,cut into cubes ( I used Amul)
  • Fresh Pitted Cherries
  • Fresh Pineapple, cut into cubes
  • Crushed Ice to Serve
  • Short Bamboo Skewers or Cocktail Toothpicks
  • Note: You will need 1/4 cheese cube, one pitted cherry and one pineapple cube for each skewer.


appetizer

Directions
  • Pitt cherries without breaking them into pieces.
  • Chop pineapple into cubes. You don't need perfect squares.
  • Cut cheese cubes into 4 equal pieces.
  • On each skewer, first insert the cheese cube, followed by the cherry and finally the pineapple.
  • Serve the sticks on a bed of crushed ice.
  • Before you notice, it will be gone..Enjoy!!!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Doodhi | Lauki Channa Dal Curry | Super Easy & Quick

Know What You Eat: Bottle gourd (Dhoodhi) is low in fat and cholesterol yet high in dietary fiber. It contains 96% water and 100gm of it contains around 12 Kcal. It is rich in iron and also has vitamins C and B complex, excellent for light, low-cal diets, as well as for small children, people with digestive problems, diabetics and convalescents.
Balancing Liver Function
This vegetable is very good for balancing liver function. It is often recommended by ayurvedic physicians when the liver is inflamed and cannot efficiently process food for maximum nutrition and assimilation.
Benefits of Bootle Gourd(lauki) Juice
The Bottle Gourd juice is used in treatment of stomach acidity, indigestion and ulcers. A glass of lauki juice with a little salt added to it prevents excessive loss of sodium, quenches thirst & helps in preventing fatigue. excessive loss of sodium, satiating thirst and keeping you refreshed in summer. Juice from its leaves is good for jaundice.
 

dudhi channa dal curry

Recipe: Dhoodhi | Lauki Channa Dal Curry 
Serves 2                                    Cooking time: 12 mins                                 Preparation time 7-8 mins

Ingredients
  • 3 C Bottle Gourd (from 1 Small Louki, washed peeled and diced) 
  • 1/4 C Channa Dal/Split Chickpeas (soaked previously for 10 mins in warm water)
  • 1/2 C Water | Vegetable Stock
  • 3 medium Tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Jaggery (Optional)
  • 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala powder
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds (jeera)
  • 1/4  tsp Hing/Asafoetida
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • Some fresh Cilantro, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • Salt to taste

Method
  • Pressure cook channa dal and bottle gourd in two separate compartment upto 2 whistles on medium flame. Allow it to cool. Remove keep it aside.
  • Heat oil in a wok | Kadai and add cumin seeds and asafoetida. When jeera starts to sizzle and turn light brown in color, add finely chopped tomato and sauté on medium flame for about 1-2 mins.
  • Mix in  pressure cooked bottle gourd, channa dal, garam masala, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, jaggery salt and sauté for another minute. 
  • Add 1/2 cup of water or vegetable stock to above gravy and cover the lid. Cook the curry on medium flame for 10-15 minutes, stirring in between. Once done garnish it with freshly chopped cilantro and lemon juice.
  • Serve this delicious Lauki | Dhoodhi Channa Dal Subzi, with Roti or Rice. Enjoy!!!