Milagu Poondu thakkali Rasam / Garlic Pepper and Tomato Soup Recipe

                              There is a popular saying in Tamil that, "உணவே மருந்து". Meaning the food we eat itself is a medicine. Rasam is the dish which is apt for the above saying. I remember my grandma making rasam almost all the days for lunch. I am fond of drinking the rasam, which my kid follows too:-)

                                     The Pepper, Cumin, Garlic, Tomato, Tamarind syrup, and the coriander leaves, will make wonders in ailing your digestion. Want to treat your cold and cough without seeking doctor, then having rasam for a week along with cooked rice will help you. This helps in relieving constipation and gastric problems also. The first baby food with rice will be mashed rasam rice in my native regions.

Muskmelon(Cantaloupe) and Papaya Smoothie- An Ultimate Low Calorie Smoothie

                            Trying new combinations is always exciting, the result may be thumbs up or sometimes thumbs down too. My try with this muskmelon and papaya smoothie made my day eventual. Instead of going for canned and tinned juice, we can make these smoothies. As they are less time consuming when compared to other fruit smoothies. Peeling, removing seeds and cutting will only take few minutes of your time.

                       These types of smoothies would act as your whole body refresher, nourishing from your hair to toe. Both the ingredients are one among the best fruits. Give a try and make your day.

Prep time 10 mins

Cooking time Nil

Ingredients

1 cup Muskmelon/Cantaloupe (Peeled, Deseeded and Chopped) 

1 cup Papaya (Peeled, Deseeded and Chopped)

1/2 glass Water (optional)

1 tbsp Honey (optional)

Procedure

1.  Leave off skin(yellow color). Deseed the muskmelon and chop it.

2. Peel the skin of papaya, deseed and chop it.

3. Then in a blender put the chopped muskmelon and papaya, blend it.

3. Add the water, if needed and just blend for a second (if mixer grinder, just inch it). 

4. Transfer it to a container. Now the refreshing Muskmelon and Papaya smoothie is ready to be served.If necessary add ice cubes.

                   Note:

• Water can be added as per required, depending on the consistency of the juice you prefer. 
• Adding honey or sugar is optional.
• I won't add any ingredient other than fruit when making smoothies.

Pomegranate and Carrot Juice- Juice for Supple Skin

                     Juicing always gives joy, that too when a healthy juice is yummy......My try for Pomegranate and Carrot juice, gave me a splendid experience. Was not aware of the worth of Pomegranate, when in my country. Got a chance to travel abroad, there I found shocking that the price of pome was nearly 20 times more that of our country. They said there was a big demand for that fruit too...

Sprouts Salad Recipe for Kids with Sprouted Lentil

                               Yesterday I got a chance to go to a library. My intention was to engage my kid over there, to avoid her boredom. But, I found my mind completely refreshed after I went there. Lots of books, lots of kids, lots of people and many new activities. When I was gazing through a book, I found food for kids, food for 20's, food for 30 & 40's, food for 50's and so on. Sprouts is the one item which falls almost in all categories.

                            While making this Sprouts salad recipe, I crumbled some potato chips along with the sprouted lentils, boiled peanuts and some veges. The taste turned to be better. From then I have started adding chips of some sort to the sprouts salad.

Prep time 15 mins (regardless of sprouting of beans)
Cooking time Nil

Ingredients
1 cup Sprouted Lentil / Sprouted Mung Beans.
1/2 - 3/4 cup Peanuts (Boiled)

1/2 cup Potato Chips (Crumbled)
1 Onion Big (Chopped)
1 Tomato (Chopped)
1 tsp Pepper Powder(optional)
1 tbsp Cilantro(Chopped)
As per Taste Salt

Procedure

1. Sprouting of Moong beans is the first step.
2. Then boil the raw peanuts for 5-6 whistles in pressure cooker.
3. Crumble the potato chips. Chop the onion, tomato, cilantro and set aside.
4. Now mix all the above ingredients, add salt and pepper as per taste.
5. Sprouts salad is ready. 

                          Note:

• You can add lemon juice if needed.
• 1 tsp of chat masala can also be added. It gives a good flavor and taste.
• You can add the chips you wish to add. As potato chips are tender I prefer adding them.
• You can also add the roasted peanuts, will end in different taste.

Kadai Vegetable Sabzi/ Kadai vegetables Dry

                            Some two to three years back, when I was working we used to go out for lunch when our project gets completed successfully. In the same way, I along with some of my colleagues accompanied with some of our global partners. By that time I was very new to the company, so I was very quiet and didn't go for any choices in ordering the dishes. Just accepted that anything is fine for me. One of my colleague ordered this yummy Kadai Vegetables and from that day I am a very big fan of it.

                      I was very new to that dish by that time and so was very eagerly waiting for the dish. According to my imagination, I thought the dish would be served in a the Kadai and so the name. But it was not served so in that hotel and the tasty was really good. Having tried only veg kurmas, it was new to me and had some healthy quotient in it too.

Prep time 15 mins
Cooking time 20 mins                 
                       
Ingredients

1 Onion Chopped
1 Tomato Chopped
1 tsp Chilly Powder
1 tbsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
As per Taste Salt
As needed Water

Vegetables for Kurma
1/4 cup Green Peas
1 Carrot
5-6 nos Beans
1/2 cup Cauliflower (Optional)
1 number Capsicum Green

To Dry Roast and Powder
2 tsp Coriander Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
2-3 nos Dried Chilies


For Ginger, Garlic and Chilly Paste
1 inch sized Ginger
6-7  nos Garlic Pods
1-2 nos Green Chilies


To Temper
1 tbsp Oil
1 inch sized Cinnamon
2 nos Cloves

For Garnishing
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves

Procedure

1. First dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds and dried chilies and powder it finely.
2. Then make the paste of ginger, garlic and green chilies.
3. In a Kadai in medium flame, put 1 tbsp oil followed by cinnamon and cloves. Add the dry roast and ground powder. Add chopped onion, after they become translucent, put the ginger, garlic and chilly paste. Saute well.  
4. Put all the vegetables chopped, except the tomato and capsicum. Allow it to cook in low heat. Sprinkle some water if needed.
5. Once the veges are cooked add all the powders, turmeric, chilly and coriander powder. After stirring them uniformly, add the chopped tomatoes and salt. Sprinkle water (if needed) for the veges to get cooked completely. 
6. After the water is completely absorbed, put the chopped capsicum. In low heat, cook for 4-5 minutes. Finally add the garam masala powder. Switch off the stove and garnish it with chopped coriander leaves.

                           Note:

• Need not add tomatoes immediately after adding the onions.
• Adjusting the chilly powder according to your taste can be done.
• Too much adding of water will turn the whole mushy, so just add water by sprinkling.

                       Enjoy with rotis or chapattis.