This week started with the anticipation of the arrival of this unwanted guest ; Hurricane Sandy .. State of emergency was declared and everyone was at home . After a long time all of us were home and there were no activities,no errands to run and no outdoor play . We decided to make it a fun time . No fun is complete without baking in Kane's coop . So here it is indian flavored oats-rava-chia seeds banana nut bread . It's a wholesome , healthy ,filling bread and packed with protein and calcium for active kids . I got this recipe from Donna and Usha and tweaked it a little . Junior had once told me how to write recipes for cakes and breads the way he is learning at school .
Dry Ingredients :
1 cup old fashioned oats 2 tbsp chia seeds 1/2 cup fine rava/sooji/cream of wheat 3 tbsp almond powder 1/4 cup walnuts 3 tbsp flax seed powder 2 tbsp everest milk masala 5-6 cardamoms powdered 1/8 tsp nutmeg powder couple of pinches of saffron 3/4 cup brown sugar ** you can use regular sugar also** 1 tsp baking powder
1) Preheat the oven to 350 F. 2) Grase the cake pan with baker's spray . 3) Powder the oats and chia seeds together . 4) Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a pan and roast oats-chia seeds flour with rava till there is this nice aroma . 5) Keep aside and cool down completely . 6) Mix all the dry ingredients except baking powder in a big bowl . 7) Puree bananas with milk and the remaining ghee. 8) Add to the dry ingredients and mix well . 9) Add baking powder and mix well . 10) Pour in the prepared pan and bake for 30 mins or till the toothpick inserted comes out clean . 11) Invert on a plate and sprinkle sugar with the help of a strainer .
Serve warm . The kiddos like it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream .
Kane's Coopjust loves avocados and pasta is always a hit with the kids . Diwali is approching and kids are busy with their practices in addition to regular activities . Pasta is a kind of meal I can count on when kiddos are tired . One of my friends was telling me how she would love pasta with some green sauce on red and green themed dinner for christmas and I knew what I was making for dinner tonight . Princess Pea loves beans so I try to add beans in every meal I make . I found a recipe on US Masala and tweaked it according to my family's taste . The sauce is smooth and creamy and goes well with any kind of pasta . I prefer Penne or Rotini or something that will hold more sauce than spaghetti . Pasta :- 1 box of whole wheat garden rotini *** you can use any pasta of your choice ***
Sauce :- 3 ripe avocadoes 1 cup spinach 1/2 cup cilantro 4 cloves of garlic juice of 1/2 lemon 1/4 cup toasted walnuts salt to taste 1/4 cup olive oil 1 can garbanzo beans/chickpeas/chhole
Pasta :-
Boil the pasta according to the directions on the box . Drain .Reserve 1/2 pasta water and keep aside .
Sauce : 1) Blend together avocados , spinach ,cilantro,garlic ,walnuts and half of the garbanzo beans to a smooth paste . 2) Use oil instead of water to make into a smooth paste . Add salt and lemon juice and blend again .
Assembly :
Toss the pasta in prepared avocado sauce . Adjust the consistency by using reserved pasta water . Mix with rest of the garbanzo beans . Serve with garlic bread and soup .
Ganesh Chartuthi brings with it excitement , peace,happiness and positivity . We miss the festive atmosphere here but still the heart is bouncing with joy . Every year I make modak and every passing year the kids enjoy it more . This year I planned to make modak in the microwave . What is the use of all these appliances if you don't use them . so here comes microwave modak..
Dough :
1 cup rice flour 1 cup water 1 tsp oil 1/4 tsp salt 1 tsp sabudana powder (optional : if you are not sure how old the rice flour is ..)
To make dough :
1) Add salt and oil to water in a microwave safe bowl . Microwave on high for 2 mins . 2) Add rice flour and using sabudana flour . Mix well , cover and microwave on high for 2 -3 mins till the mixture looks shiny . 3) Knead the dough in the food processor .
Filling : 1 cup grated coconut 1 cup jaggery 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
To make filling :
1) In a microwave safe bowl mix grated coconut and jaggery . 2) Microwave on high for 4 mins till the mixture looks dry and sticky . 3) Add cardamom powder and mix well . 4) Keep aside and let it cool .
To mold :
1) Take a small ball of the dough . 2) Roll it with your palms to about 3"diameter . 3) Add 1 tbsp of filling in it . 4) Make 8-10 folds in the dough .( Traditionally we make 21 folds in the dough ) 5) Shape and close the modak as it looks in the picture .
To steam :
In microwave : 1) Add water in a microwave safe bowl . Keep one small bowl filled with water in the bowl and cover with a plate that will fit in that pot . 2) Wet the paper towel on the plate . 3) Dip the modak in water and place on the wet towel . 4) Cover and steam for 4 mins .
In rice cooker : 1) Boil water in the rice cooker . 2) Lay the wet paper towel on the steamer or a sieve . 3) Place the modak on the towel and steam for 10 mins .
To serve : Place the modak on a plate .Add a tsp of ghee and serve warm .
I wish everyone a very Happy Dasara .. I was missing my home terribly on the day of Dasara . Being in Bangalore for almost 8 years made Dasara very special . The markets get ready for the festive season and people start planning for the 10 days school break . Dasara in Maharashtra is totally different from that in Karnataka .But the spirit is the same .Now living abroad makes it all different . You have normal everyday routine on the festivals too. Kids have school , activities and homework . I was listening to my family planning the Dasara sweets . And I miss all of that.. My MIL always talks about this particular dessert and I decided to surprise my family with their favorite dessert ..Jalebi( we call it Jilabi in marathi ) with Rabdi .This is an instant version though the traditional method is always the best .
Jalebi :
1cup all purpose flour 1 tbsp corn flour / besan 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp dry yeast 1/2 cup lukewarm water 2 tsp yogurt 1 tsp ghee/oil pinch of saffron powder / turmeric powder /orange food color oil for frying
Sugar Syrup :
1 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup water 1/2 tsp cardamom powder a pinch of saffron juice of 1 lemon 1/4 -1/2 tsp rose essence(optional )
To make the Jalebi :
1) Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water .Let it sit for 5 mins . 2) In a bowl mix all purpose flour,ghee,sugar,and saffron powder together . 3) Add yogurt to it . 4) Add the yeast mixture in the dry ingredients and make a smooth ,lump free ,ribbon consistency batter .You may need to add some water to it . 5) cover the bowl and let sit for 1/2 hour . 6) The batter looks spongy when fermented . 7) Fill the Jalebi batter in jalebi making bottle /empty clean ketchup bottle/icing bag . 8) Heat oil in a pan . 9) Pipe the Jalebi in circular motion to desired size . 10) Fry till golden brown on both sides . 11) Put in the warm sugar syrup just for a few second . 12) Drain and Keep on a plate .
To make Sugar Syrup :
1) Dissolve sugar in water in a heavy bottom pan and let it boil . 2) Reduce the heat and simmer till it reaches one string consistency . 3) Add cardamom powder ,lemon juice ,rose water and saffron to it . 4) Turn off the stove .
To make Rabdi : 1) Mix evaporated milk and condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl . 2) Microwave on high for 8 mins stirring every 2 mins . 3) Add cashew powder and MW on high for 2 mins . 4) Add cornflour and MW on high for 2 mins stirring every 30 seconds . 5) Add cardamom powder . 6) Rabdi will further become thick after cooling down .
To Garnish : Sliced pistachios ,almonds and saffron strands .
Assemble the Dessert :
1) Spoon some Rabdi on a plate . 2) Place Jalebies over it . 3) Spoon some more rabdi . 4) Garnish with chooped almond,pistacios and saffron .
When I want kiddos to eat vegetables without fussing , only two dishes come to my mind . The good old Pav-Bhaji and Pizza . Pizza is always welcome at the parties , playdates and even mom's meetups .
The pizza crust and sauce recipes are from The Complete Italian Cookbook by Tarla Dalal though I have tweaked them a little . I got this book about 10 yrs back and still love it .
6 medium tomatoes 2 bay leaves 4-6 peppercorns 1 small onion diced 1/2 green pepper ,chopped 1 tsp garlic , grated 2 tbsp tomato puree 1/4 cup tomato ketchup 1 tsp sugar 2 tbsp oil 1/2 tsp oregano or pizza seasoning salt to taste
Toppings : vegetables of your choice Cheese
**you can add any meat to make it a non vegetarian pizza .
To proceed :
Dough :
1) Combine all the ingredients except oil and knead into a soft dough using enough warm water until smooth and elastic .( The amount of water differs with different brand pf wheat flour ) 2) Add oil and knead again . 3) Cover the dough with wet cloth for 15-20 minutes or till it doubles in volume . 4) Knead lightly to remove trapped air . 5) Divide the dough in two equal parts . 5 ) Roll and stretch into a pizza dish .
Sauce :
1) Blanch ,peel and chop the tomatoes . 2) Heat oil in a pan . 3) Add bay leaves and peppercorns and saute for a minute . 4) Add the onion ,garlic and green pepper and cook for couple of minutes . 5) Add chopped tomatoes and simmer for 12-15 minutes . 6) Add tomato puree ,ketchup ,sugar and salt and let it simmer for another couple of minutes . 7) Let it cool down a little and grind well in a blender . 8) Return to the stove and finish off the sauce with oregano or pizza seasoning .
Assembly :
1) Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2) Spread the pizza sauce on rolled pizza crust . 3) Add the toppings . 4) Add cheese . 5) Bake in a preheated oven for 18-20 minutes .
It's fall and we can feel the chill in the air . The stores are getting ready for the holidays . Grocery stores are stocking up on supplies for the festive foods . You hear people talking about thanksgiving and christmas . My favorite part of thanksgiving dinner is the cranberry sauce . The first time I had cranberry sauce , I fell in love with it . Then I had cranberry orange relish and there began my love for cranberries . I like to eat them fresh ,dried ,in sauce, jelly , in cookies and scones and everything that can accomodate them . Come fall and the grocery stores display these bright red ,dainty berries . They are in season from October to January . They have sour ,tart and a refreshing taste just like that of raw mango . And if they remind me of raw mango ,they remind me of grandma's mango pickle .
I used store bought pickle masala that one of the family friend had recently gifted me . This pickle is pretty easy to make .
One bag of fresh cranberries 1/2 cup of store bought pickle masala 1/4 cup oil
How to :
1) Wash and dry the cranberries . 2)Cut them in half . 3) Heat the oil till it's smoking . Let it cool down completely . 4) Mix the pickle masala with the cranberries .Mix to coat the cranberries . 5)At this point you can start testing . If enough of the pickle is left then you can proceed with the next step . 6) Put it in aglass jar . 7) Add the oil and mix well . Let it marinate for a day if you have self control(oops...I don't ) . The cranberry pickle is ready to rock .
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