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!

Healthy Breakfast Potatoes with Curry Leaves - Make it Monday

Make this yummy version of Breakfast Potatoes with a hint of Curry Leaves and Mustard seeds.
It is originally a South Indian Dish but I have added my own twist to it!

Healthy Breakfast Potatoes

Ingredients:

Potatoes - 4 Medium
Curry leaves - 1 Stalk
Mustard Seeds - 1 Tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 Tsp
Red Whole Chilies - 2
Chopped Green Chilies - 1 Tsp
Chopped Onions - 2 Medium
Turmeric - 1 Tsp
Salt - to Taste
Olive - oil 2 Tbsp
*You can add/reduce the Chilies as per your taste

Method:
Boil the potatoes,
Peel them,

Heat Oil in a pan, add Mustard seeds, Cumin seeds, when they pop add Curry Leaves, Chilies and Onions,

Fry till the onions are transparent, then add the potatoes, gently crush them don't mash up,

Finally add turmeric and salt, Cook for 8-10 minutes.

That's all your yummy + healthy Potatoes are ready!

Enjoy!

 

Baked Crispy Chickpea Snack: Make it Monday

I absolutely loved this snack when I was growing up, only back then we had the unhealthy deep fried version! Though it tasted good but today I just can't eat it! 

Anyways I have a healthier version which is also tasty so no there is no need to give it up!

Ingredients-

Soaked and Boiled Chickpeas - 1 Cup

Coconut Oil - 2 Tbsp

Salt - to taste

Black Pepper - to taste

Paprika - To Taste

Cumin Powder - 1 Tsp

Method-

• Pre-heat the oven to 230 Degree C
• Mix all the ingredients together
• Spread the chickpeas on a baking tray in a Single layer
• Once the oven is heated bake this for about 25 minutes
• Turn them a bit and bake for another 20 minutes
• Check for crispiness, remove from the oven and cool to store

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!!

Crispy Bitter Gourd - Make it Monday: Spicy Indian Recipe

I know "Bitter Gourd" is not something that everyone has taste buds for, when I was in school I used to hate it too, but now it is one of my favorites! 

Especially looking at the health benefits it has. This recipe is infused with sweet and mild fennel flavor and also has a spicy flavor to it!

So here it is...

 

Ingredients:

Bitter Gourds - 2  Medium
Onions - 2 Medium
Crushed Fennel Seeds - 1 Tsp
Red Chilly Powder - 1/2 Tsp (or as per Taste)
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tsp
Salt
Light Olive Oil - 2 Tbsp

Method:

1. Peel the bitter gourds and cut into two length-wise. Discard the seeds.
2. Apply salt generous to it and keep for about an hour. This will reduce the bitterness quite a bit.
3. After that thoroughly wash the bitter gourd and cut into thin slices.
4. Chop the onions.
5. Heat oil in a pan, add the crushed fennel seeds, add onions and bitter gourd.
6. Cover the pan for about 10-15 minutes and cook on medium heat so that the bitter gourd is tender.
7. Add chilly powder and turmeric powder. Remember you marinated it in salt so no need to add any now.
8. Open the lid and cook on high heat stirring in between for about 25-30 minutes till the bitter gourds are nice crispy and brown.

Enjoy!!

Indian Recipe - Lentil Pancakes

Ingredients:
Yellow Mung Lentil: 1/2 Cup
Water: As needed
Green Chilies Chopped: 1-2
Finely Chopped Onion: 1 Medium
Chopped Coriander: 1 Tablespoon
Cumin Seeds: 1 Tsp
Salt: To Taste
Olive Oil: As Needed

Method:

1. Soak the lentils in water for about an hour.
2. Drain and grind the lentils finely.
3. Once done add water to the batter till it gets a smooth flowing consistency. Do not add too much water.
4. Add all the other ingredients and mix well for a few minutes.
5. Heat a little oil in a non stick pan for shallow frying, pour a large spoon full of batter to make a small pancake (about 4" in diameter).
6. Fry well on both sides.
7. Enjoy this easy to digest protein filled snack!

Whole Wheat Raisin-Walnut-Banana Bread

This banana bread is both yummy and healthy.

Ingredients:

1 Large Egg

1 Large Ripe Banana – Mashed

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

¼ Cup Olive oil

¼ Cup Fine Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts

1 Tbsp Chopped Raisins

4-5 Ground Almonds

1 Pinch Nutmeg

1 Pinch Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Honey

1 Tsp Vanilla Essence

½ Tsp Baking Powder

¼ Tsp Salt

Method:

1. Preheat the Oven to 350 Degree F.
2. Mix in Sugar, Oil, Vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, honey and mashed banana, beat well until smooth.
3. Add the egg, beat nicely.
4. Add the baking powder, salt and ground almonds to the flour, mix well.
5. Add the flour mixture gradually to the wet mixture and beat.
6. Once smooth, add the raisins and walnuts.
7. Bake in small bread pan for about 55-65 minutes, till done.

ENJOY!