Grape juice

Grapes are very rich source of antioxidants.They grow in bunches or clusters on grape vines. They are classified as a type of berry because they grow on vines. Grape clusters can be green, red, pink or purple.The very mention of grapes brings wine to our mind.The process of preparing wine is quite interesting.

I made grape juice last week.This is how i made it...
Ingredients
Grapes 1 cup
sugar 1/4cup(according to the taste)
Lime juice 1 tspBlend grapes & sugar in a blender & strain.Add lime juice ,chill & serve.
This goes to Anu Sriram's event Refreshing drink for summer.

Dhal makhani

Dhal makhani is a Gujarati speciality.All Gujarati food tastes a little sweet.It tastes great when served with chapati.It is a very healthy side dish prepared with green gram.Its a rich source of protein.

This is how i made it
Ingredients
Green gram 1 cup
onion 1
tomatoes 2
jeera 1/4tsp
ginger a small piece
garlic 2
garam masala 1/2 tsp
chilli powder 1-2 tsp
coriander powder 1 tsp
jaggery 3tsp(shredded)
salt to taste
oil 2-3 tspIn a kadai add oil & add jeera.Then add chopped onion & saute.Now add ginger & garlic which are finely chopped as well.Now add cut tomatoes & saute.Now add the green gram & mix well.Now add all the powders & mix well.Now add enough water to submerge all the ingredients added.Pressure cook this mixture for 10-12 whistles.Check if green gram is cooked fully & mashy.If its not fully cooked pressure cook it for 2-3 whistles more.When ready now add salt & jaggery.Taste & adjust salt.Allow to boil & take off stove & serve hot with chappathi.

Iam sending this to WYF-side dishes hosted by EC of simple Indian food.

Carrot kheer

Carrot kheer is a classic Indian dessert prepared..Its a creamy rich pudding .It needs no excuse to make this kheer.I made this last week & my hubby loved it.

This is how i made it
Ingredients
Carrot (shredded) 1 cup
condensed milk 1/2 cup (according to taste)
sugar 2-3 tsp(add it if needed)
Milk 1/2 cupIn a kadai add the grated carrots & add little water.cover & cook.When the carrots are half cooked add milk & cook.keep stirring.When carrots have cooked add the condensed milk & mix well.Taste & add more condensed milk or u can add sugar.I didn't add sugar coz i had added enough condensed milk.Take of stove when it reaches a thick consistency.Cool & chill it & serve.If u want u can roast cashew nuts & raisins in ghee & add to the kheer.

Muffins

I made my first muffins yesterday.My friend anupama inspired me to make muffins the movement i spoke to her y'day.I made a very simple muffin y'day in no time.Tasted so gud with a cup of coffee is my hubby's verdict.

Here is how i made it.....

Ingredients
All purpose flour 11/2cup
Brown sugar 3/4cup
baking powder 11/2tsp
salt 1/2 tsp
apple sauce 1 cup
milk as required
vegetable oil 3/4 cup
Raisins 1/2 cupIn a bowl mix apple sauce & vegetable oil.Measure the mixture.Now add milk to this mixture so that the total liquid ingredient comes to one cup.Now in a mixing bowl mix flour,brown sugar,baking powder and salt.Now add in the liquid ingredient mix & beat.Now the mixture should fall in layers when dropped with a spoon.Add the raisins to this mixture.

Now pre heat oven to 400 degrees.Grease the muffin trays with vegetable oil.Now fill the muffin mold with the mix & bake for 20-25 mins.

My friend used blueberries.Since i didn't have them i used raisins.

channa chaat

Channa has always been a all time favorite item for people of all ages.When it comes to chaat this channa chaat tastes yummy.Usually chaat items are not very rich in nutrients.But this channa chaat is rich in protein.Check out the recipe.

Ingredients
Channa 1 cup
tomato 1
onion 1
cucumber 1
beaten rice 1/2 cup
salt to taste
chaat masala 1/4tsp
coriander leaves fewSoak channa over night & pressure cook.Drain excess water in cooked channa.Now allow channa to cool & refrigerate it for some time.Now mix all other ingredients with the chilled channa & serve the cool channa chaat.Kids will love it.

Indian style broccoli

Broccoli is a part of cabbage family.Lesser u cook it better it tastes & gud for health.It is mainly used in salads.It is said that eating broccoli reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.A compound found in broccoli appears to have more effect than modern antibiotics against the creation of peptic ulcer causing bacteria.Broccoli is high in Vitamin C and also soluble fiber.

It takes very less time to cook this vegetable.So i tried this Indian way of preparing broccoli.This is how i made it.

Ingredients
Broccoli florets 1 cup
onion 1
chilli powder 1/4tsp
salt to taste
Pinch of hing
Jeera 1/4tsp
oil 1-2 tspIn a kadai add oil.Then add jeera.Now add chopped onions & saute.Now add the broccoli florets & saute.Add chilli powder,hing & salt & sprinkle 2-3 tsp water.Cover & cook for a min.Ur broccoli kai is ready.It tastes best when it's a little crunchy.

Carrot cucumber tomato salad

This salad is high in nutrients & simple to make.Little bit about all the ingredients in this salad.
Carrots are highly rich in vitamin A,sodium, sulphur, chlorine and contain traces of iodine.Chewing a carrot immediately after food kills all the harmful germs in the mouth. It cleans the teeth, removes the food particles lodged in the crevices and prevents bleeding of the gums and tooth decay. Raw carrots are good for fertility. Sterility is sometimes overcome by its use.

Cucumber are a valuable source of potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, silicon, chlorine and fluorine.Those who suffer from constipation can greatly benefit by taking two cucumbers a day.Grated cucumber applied over face, eyes and neck for 15 - 20 minutes has been found effective as a beauty aid and a best tonic for the skin of the face. Its regular use prevents pimples, blackheads, wrinkles and dryness of the face. Cucumber juice promotes hair growth due to its high silicon and sulphur content, particularly when mixed with carrot, lettuce and spinach juice.

Tomato is considered to have unsurpassable nutritional and health-giving qualities. Tomato is rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C and carbohydrate.

The carbohydrate in tomato is chiefly in the form of invert sugar which is the predigested form. It contains very small quantity of starch which is converted into sugar, chiefly dextrose during the process of ripening.Tomatoes are highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity. One or two ripe tomatoes taken early morning, without breakfast, for a couple of months is considered a safe method of reduction in weight and at the same time, it also supplies the essential food elements to preserve the health.

With all these nutritive information lets c how to prepare this salad.

Ingredients

carrot 2

cucumber 1

tomatoes 1

coriander leaves few

salt & pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients & adjust salt & pepper according to taste.

Iam sending this to AFAM-cucumber hosted by Neha of easyntastyrecipes started by Maheshwari

Iam sending this to FIL-Carrots hosted by Sanghi.