Mango Jam - Make it Monday: Recipe of the Month

Here is one more Mango recipe, let's make the most of it while they are in season!

This time a 'Sweet' one with a surprise ingredient. My Grandpa used to make this Jam all the time when we were little!

As far as I am concerned I love anything Mango and this recipe is a childhood favourite.

Ingredients-

Semi-ripe Mangoes- 2 Medium
Sugar - 1 Cup or as per your taste
Saffron Strands- 8 or 9
Cardamom Powder - 1/3 Tsp
Lemon Juice - 1 Tsp
Water as needed

Method-

• Peel and grate the Mangoes
• Transfer the pulp to a non-stick pan and cook on medium heat
• Add the Sugar gradually
• Cook till the mixture reaches a thick consistency, taste to see if you need more sugar as this depends on how sour your mango is
• Add Saffron, Cardamom and Lemon juice
• Keep cooking till the mixture thickens and becomes transparent and reaches Jam consistency, add water if required.
• Cool and Store in a jar in the refrigerator

ENJOY!!

Hot & Sweet Mango Chutney- Make it Monday: Recipe of the Month

Mango is my Favorite fruit! And Mangoes are in season!! And it is also the best time to get out and enjoy some barbecue or go picnicking...So let's make some yummy chutney to pair with it. You can also enjoy it as a dip or side with any crispy or finger food! 

The best part about living in Singapore is that we get Mangoes almost year long!

Ingredients:

Semi-ripe Mango - 1 Medium

Ginger Paste - 1/4 Tsp

Garlic Paste - 1/4 Tsp

Sugar - 5 Tbsp + Water as needed

Red Chilly Flakes - 1 Tsp or as per Taste

Vinegar 1/2 Tsp

Salt - to Taste

Method:

• Cut the Mango into thin slices
• Mix the sugar with Mangoes and a little water till the Mangoes float in the mixture
• Heat it on medium flame till the mangoes become a bit soft.
• Taste to check, if it is too sour add some more sugar
• Now add chilly, ginger-garlic paste, vinegar and salt
• Cook till the mixture thickens and the mango slices turn transparent
• Add more water and boil if you want the chutney to be more flowy
• Store in the refrigerator

Enjoy!!

Coconut Dessert: Make it Monday

This quick and easy Coconut is a true treat!

Coconut Dessert Recipe

Ingredients: 
Desiccated Coconut - 1 Cup
Milk - 1 Cup
Sugar - 4 Tbsp
Raisins- 3 Tbsp Chopped
Cardamom - 2 to 3 Pinch
Saffron - 5/6 Strands
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil- 1 Tbsp
*You can adjust the Sugar and Raisins as per your taste

Method:

• Heat the milk on medium flame till it is reduced to one-third, this might take a while
• Add Saffron, stir for a few seconds
• Add the coconut, Sugar and Cardamom 
• Add Coconut Oil, Stir till everything blends in nicely and the mixture thickens
• Enjoy!

Carrot & Celery Soup: Make it Monday

Make this Delicious & Healthy soup with my fun & simple recipe!

Ingredients:

Carrots - 2 Medium
Celery - Stalk 1 Finely Chopped
Onion - 1 Small Finely Chopped
Celery Leaves- I tbsp Chopped
Garlic - 1 Small Clove Finely Chopped
Black Pepper - As Per Taste or 1/3 Tsp
Olive Oil - 1 Tbsp
Salt - to Taste

Method:

• Chop the Carrots into big pieces and boil covered in 1 cup water.
• When the carrots are tender, let them cool and then blend into a smooth paste.
• Heat the oil, add chopped onions, celery and garlic.
• Fry for a few minutes, add the carrots, salt & pepper.
• Boil for 15-18 minutes on medium flame, add some water, boil more if you want it thicker.
• Serve hot garnished with celery leaves.
• Enjoy!!

Stir Fried Rosemary Carrots: Make it Monday

Make this Yummy and Quick Carrot Recipe for a healthy anytime Snack!

Ingredients:

3-4 Medium Carrots
1/2 Tsp Chia Seeds
1/3 Tsp Black Pepper Powder
1 Tbsp Light Cooking Olive Oil
1/2 Tsp White Vinegar
Salt to taste
Dry/Fresh Rosemary to Garnish

Method:
1. Chop the carrots into small pieces as you like.
2. Heat the oil, add Chia seeds.
3. Add the carrots.
4. Cover and cook till carrots are tender and soft.
5. Add pepper, salt, vinegar and mix well.
6. Garnish with Rosemary.

Enjoy!!

Make it Monday- Easy Coffee Cupcakes

Make these super easy and yummy Coffee Cupcakes in less than an hour!

Ingredients:
1 Cup Flour
2  Eggs
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Fine Sugar
4 Tsp Instant Coffee Powder
1 tbsp Cocoa Powder

Method:
Preheat the oven to 190 degree C or 375 degree F, Prepare 12 Cupcake tins.
Mix flour, butter , eggs sugar, coffee and cocoa. Blend for a few minutes.
Fill the cupcake tins to 2/3rd level with the batter.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, Do a tooth pick test to see if they are done.
Take out Cool them.
ENJOY!!

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta: Make It Monday

The best thing about this recipe is the flavor of the sauce! 

Tangy tomato and sweet pepper taste with the roasted aroma just fills up your taste buds. This version is healthy as the pasta I have used is wholewheat and organic. Also there is no cheese in it.

Ingredients:

Red Pepper- 1 Medium
Tomatoes - 2 Medium
Pasta - 1 Cup Uncooked

Dry Basil - 1 Tsp
Garlic Finely Chopped- 5 Cloves
Green Chilies Chopped- 2 Medium or as per taste
Black Pepper - 1/2 Tsp
Salt- To taste
Olive oil- For Roasting & Frying
Chilly flakes- for garnish (optional)
Italian Seasoning - for garnish (Optional)
*Cheese - If you wish to add

Directions:
1. Cut Red pepper, tomatoes and one onion into large pieces. Add a little olive oil and 1/2 tsp basil,and roast for about 20-30 minutes.

 

2. Boil and prepare the pasta.

3. Chop the other onion, Heat about 1 tbsp olive oil and fry chopped onion, garlic and chilies. Fry till onions are soft and translucent.
4. Add 1/2 tsp basil to this.
5. Once the roasting is done,Let it cool,peel off the skin from red peppers and tomatoes. Mix onion, tomatoes and peppers and grind into smooth paste. 
6. Add this paste to the fried onions. Cook for about 10 minutes.
7. Add the cooked pasta to this sauce.
8. Mix well, cook for 3-4 minutes.
9. Serve hot, garnish with herbs/cheese if you like.

ENJOY!!

Lentil Soup: Make it Monday

The benefits of Lentils are numerous. Not only a rich source of protein but good for heart too, plus it is low in calories.

Being a vegetarian "Lentil Soup" is one of my favorites to meet my protein requirement. This recipe is both healthy and yummy, with wholesome unpolished yellow lentils and the goodness of turmeric, you'll have no excuse to avoid this one!

Ingredients:

Yellow Lentils - 1/2 Cup Washed and drained (preferably unpolished)

Water - 1.5 Cups

Onion 1 Medium - Finely Chopped 

Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1/2 Tsp

Asafoetida Powder- 1 Pinch (**this is great to prevent bloating - should be available online or at any Indian Grocery Store)

Black Pepper Powder - 1/3 Tsp

Cumin Powder - 1/3 Tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tsp

Salt - to taste

Cooking Olive Oil- 1 Tbsp

Cilantro - 1 Tbsp Chopped to Garnish (Optional)

Method:

Heat Olive Oil to medium- Add onions, saute till onions are translucent, then add the dry powders except salt.

Add Ginger Garlic paste, saute till fragrant.

Add lentil and water, Add salt.

Cook in pressure cooker for about 12-14 minutes.

When done, blend the lentils with potato masher to unify, continue cooking uncovered for about 8-10 minutes if your soup had needed consistency. If you feel that your soup is too thick you can add more water and cook OR if it is too thin cook uncovered for some time to thicken, while stirring in between, due to different types/age of lentils amount of water may vary.

Finally Garnish with cilantro, serve hot.

Enjoy!!

Homemade Blueberry Jam: Make it Monday

There is nothing like the flavor of homemade Jam. Preservative free, artificial flavors free, low in sugar and yummy!

This reminded me of our blueberry picking trip back in Dallas! They were so yummy and full of flavor, the store bought berries don't even taste anywhere near!

Ingredients:
2 Cup  Blueberries (1 Cup Crushed + 1 Cup Whole)
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Lemon Juice
1 Pinch Cinnamon
1 Pinch Salt

Method:
Mix and microwave the blueberries for about 4 minutes.
Next add Sugar and microwave again for 4 minutes.
Add all other ingredients and keep microwaving at 3 minute intervals, stirring and mixing in between, until the jam is thick and dark in color, this should take only a few minutes.

Enjoy!!