Monday, May 9, 2011

Extending the Arusuvai Chain with Four Grain Muesli

I am done with the moving and unpacking. Yet to get used to the huge community I live in:)
People do not even return smiles here. I was a little sad thinking of this, because in the US its so easy to make friends.
The best part here is a rent, read and return book store inside the premises. I felt it would kill the boredom I and kids are facing!
There is also a nice bread shop, grocers, parlour etc.



Its a pleasure to be a part of the Arusuvai chain. Aparna of "My Diverse kitchen" sent me some organic dry grapes. Since I was moving I could not think of anything easier than Muesli:)

(Bharathy, Srivalli and Lathamma started this Arusuvai Chain. Now the second season is organised by Sayantani of A Homemaker's Diary) . My Thanks to all the wonderful ladies !
Ingredients

1 cup medium or thick rolled oats/oat flakes
1 cup rolled rye flakes
1 cup rolled wheat flakes
1 cup rolled barley
1 cup corn flakes
1/2 cup dried dates
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or sliced/slivered almonds
1/4 cup whole flaxseeds or flaxseed meal
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup dried black grapes
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1/3 cup raisins

Preparation
Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl. Transfer to an airtight container. If storing for longer periods, consider keeping the cereal in the freezer or refrigerator. 
Hot Muesli Instructions: Add 1/2 cup Muesli to 1/2 cup water, milk or soy milk and bring to a boil. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. You can also microwave Muesli in a large bowl on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring once halfway through.  Makes two servings.

Cold Muesli Instructions: Soak 1/4 cup Muesli in 1/2 cup yogurt, milk, soy milk or fruit juice for 5-10 minutes, or soak overnight. Makes 1 serving.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Hot n Sweet Paneer-Veg Sauce with Stir Fried Noodles!

Indo-Chinese food like mushroom munchurian, gobi manchurian, fried rice etc. are some of my favorite, but I think this is the first time I am blogging about it:)

Hot n Sweet Paneer-Veg Sauce

Ingredients

1/2 cup Paneer (cubed)
1/2 cup Soya chunks (Soaked, drained and halved)
1 cup onions, cubed into big dices
2 tbsp grated carrots
2 tbsp cabbage diced
¾ cup bell pepper, cubed into dices
½ cup spring onions/scallions, chopped
1tsp ginger-garlic paste
3-4 green chilies, slit
1 tsp Soya sauce
1 tsp tomato sauce
1 tsp vinegar (optional)
1 1/2 cup/can vegetable stock or water
1 tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp olive oil
spring onions greens for garnish
1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
½ tsp crushed pepper
salt to taste
1/2 tsp sugar

Preparation

Heat oil in a wok. Add the onions, saute for a minute, to this add the ginger-garlic paste, green chilies and spring onions and sauté again.
Now add the bell pepper, paneer cubes, soya chunks and Stir fry for another minute. Add the Soya sauce, chili sauce, vinegar.
Now add the veg stock or water. Season with salt and pepper.
When the gravy starts boiling, add the corn flour mixed with 1 tbsp of water.
Stir until sauce thickens. Add sugar and sesame seeds, remove from heat.
Garnish with spring onions greens and serve immediately with noodles or fried rice. you can also prepare this with baby corns, carrots and other veggies

Stir Fried Hakka Veg Noodles
Ingredients

1 packet Hakka noodles
1 onion sliced
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
2 green chillies, finely chopped
2 spring onions, sliced
¼ cup shredded cabbage
¼ cup carrots(sliced or grated)
1 tbsp green bell-pepper chopped
1 tbsp Soya sauce
1 tsp vinegar(optional)
¼ tsp pepper powder
¼ cup spring onion chopped
1 tsp roasted sesame seeds
3-4 tbsp oil

Preparation

Cook the noodles till just done and not to soft. Drain and Drop it in cold water or add about a tsp of oil to the noodles and mix to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Heat a wide wok. Add 4 tbsp of oil. Add the onions, ginger-garlic paste, chillies and sauté over high heat for few seconds. Add the veggies like carrots, cabbage, bell peppers and cook for a minute. Add the noodles,  Soya sauce, vinegar, salt, pepper, sesame seeds and mix well.
Add the spring onions.Serve hot with the above prepared sauce.


Sending this to "Only Fusion" Recipes hosted by Priya and  Pari being the brainchild.




Here are some mango recipes (archived)Ripe Mango Curry


Mango Kulfi


Both the recipes are contributed to Siri's Healing food- Mango hosted by Revathi!


These are some lovely awards given to me by Sojo. So sweet of her to remember me. Thanks Sojo!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Wheat flour Halwa ( Aate ka halwa)


Ingredients

1 cup wheat flour (aata)
1 cup sugar
1 cup ghee (clarified butter)
1 cup water
1/2 cup grated fresh coconut
1 cup of nuts (cashews, almonds, golden raisins)
1 tsp cardamom powder
1 tsp almond powder
2 tbsp Mawa (khoya)(optional)

Preparation

Heat 1tbsp ghee in a heavy bottomed pan on medium flame and fry the dry fruits till golden. Set aside.
In the same pan add the remaining ghee. Once the ghee is warm, add wheat flour and keep stirring on medium flame till the wheat flour turns golden brown and the aroma fills the air. As soon as the flour turns golden, add the water and the sugar together to the flour and simultaneously stir.
Once all the ingredients are nicely mixed, add the nuts,cardamom powder,almond powder, grated coconut (optional)and keep stirring. Once the halwa starts leaving the sides of the pan, turn off the heat and transfer the halwa to a greased plate. If the halwa does not leave the sides add more ghee;) Serve warm like halwa or set to cool, cut to pieces and serve!!
Mawa can be added after adding water for extra richness.