Tutti frutti

Got one big papaya from mom's garden, so tried this tutti frutti recipe which I kept pending for a long time. It has come out so well and my son is too excited. Planning to make a tutti frutti cake shortly ,using this yummy home made tutti frutti.

Cutting it into tiny cubes is bit time consuming but it is all worth it in the end. I used two colours that is orange and apple green and kept few without adding any colour,so I got three different colours. Add colours according to your choice. 

Here is the method for preparing tutti frutti at home. 

Ingredients:

Raw papaya cubes-2 cups

Sugar-3/4 cup

Water-as needed

Vanilla essence-1 tsp

Food colours

Method:

• Wash and deseed the papaya. Remove the outer skin Cut into tiny cubes. Boil the papaya cubes in water until half cooked.
• Drain the water and allow it to cool down.
• In a pan add the sugar and two tablespoons of water to prepare sugar syrup. Do not add more water just wet the sugar.
• Add the papaya cubes and stir until it reaches one string conistency.
• Switch off flame. 
• Add a teaspoon of vanilla essence and mix well.
• In separate bowls add your favourite food colour.Add the cubes along with sugar syrup and mix well with separate spoon for each colour.
• Leave it for 8 to 10 hours for the colours to be absorbed.
• Squeeze extra syrup and let it dry on paper towels for 4 to 5 hours.
• Once it is completely dry, mix all the colours together and transfer to air tight containers.
• Refrigerate it and use as a topping for desserts or use it in cakes and cookies.

Step by step instructions:

Wash and deseed the papaya. Remove the outer skin completely.

Cut into tiny cubes. Boil the papaya cubes in water until half cooked.

Drain the water and allow it to cool down.

In a pan add the sugar and two tablespoons of water to prepare sugar syrup. Do not add more water just wet the sugar.

Stir on medium flame and melt the sugar.

Add the papaya cubes and stir until it reaches one string conistency.

Switch off flame. 

Add a teaspoon of vanilla essence and mix well.

In separate bowls add your favourite food colour.Add the cubes along with sugar syrup and mix well with separate spoon for each colour.

Leave it for 8 to 10 hours for the colours to be absorbed.

Squeeze extra syrup and let it dry on paper towels for 4 to 5 hours.

Once it is completely dry, mix all the colours together and transfer to air tight containers.

Refrigerate it and use as a topping for desserts or use it in cakes and cookies.

Paneer sandwich

Paneer sandwich made from fresh paneer, crunchy capsicum and mild spices is a tasty and healthy breakfast or snack. This is a bit different from the regular sandwiches and is too yum!

Step by step instructions:

• Finely chop the onion,tomato and capsicum and keep it ready

• Heat ghee in a pan and add chopped ginger and garlic. 

• Once it turns brown add the onion and saute well.

• Add the capsicum and saute for a minute

• Add the chopped tomatoes,salt,spice powders 

• saute until it turns mushy and well cooked.

• Add the grated paneer to this masala and mix thoroughly. Cook for a minute.

• Toast the bread on one side.

• Stuff the paneer mixture between two toasted bread slices and serve .

Ingredients:

• Bread slices-12
• Paneer-1 cup, grated
• Capsicum-1 small
• Onion-1
• Tomato-1
• Ginger -1 inch grated
• Garlic-1tbsp finely chopped
• Ghee-2 tsp
• Butter- for toasting the bread slices
• Pepper powder-1tsp
• Red chilly powder-1tsp
• Garam masala powder-1 tsp
• Salt-as needed

Method:

• Finely chop the onion,tomato and capsicum and keep it ready
• Heat ghee in a pan and add chopped ginger and garlic. 
• Once it turns brown add the onion and saute well.
• Add the capsicum and saute for a minute
• Add the chopped tomatoes,salt,spice powders and saute until it turns mushy and well cooked.
• Add the grated paneer to this masala and mix thoroughly.
• Toast the bread on one side.
• Stuff the paneer mixture between two toasted bread slices and serve .

Vegetable Pakoras / vegetable fritters

Crispy veg Pakoras with a cup of hot tea, makes your evening perfect. I make it a bit spicy, as everyone at home prefers it that way. I have added finely chopped green chillies and red chilly powder along with ginger garlic paste, you can either skip the green chilly or reduce the quantity of red chilly powder if you don't want it to be too spicy.

Here is a simple recipe of veg Pakoras that gets ready in minutes. Vegetables like brinjal,snake gourd, beans can also be added.

Ingredients:

Mixed vegetables thinly sliced

(potato,carrot,cabbage)-1 cup

Onion-1 large

Green chilly-1

Curry leaves-few

Gram flour-1/4 cup

Rice flour-1tbsp

Red chilly powder-1 tsp

Ginger garlic paste-1 tbsp

Fennel seeds-1tsp

Salt-as needed

Oil-for frying

Method:

• Thinly slice the vegetables,onion and finely chop the green chilly and curry leaves.
• Put veggies in a bowl along with onion, curry leaves and chilly.
• Add the gram flour, rice flour,salt,red chilly powder,ginger garlic paste,fennel seeds and mix well adding little water at a time until the veggies are evenly coated with the paste.
• Heat oil in a pan and deep fry on medium flame ,little at a time in different batches.
• Fry until golden brown and remove it. Drain excess oil on a paper towel.
• Serve hot .

Bread omlet

One common breakfast in our house is bread omlet,mostly on weekend mornings. This is super quick and is filling too. You can be more innovative in making this dish,by adding your favourite stuff to it like mushrooms or capsicum or grated paneer/cheese.

Ingredients:
Bread slices-6
Eggs-4
Onion-1
Tomato-1
Coriander leaves-few
Green chilly-1
Pepper powder-2 tsp
Garam masala-1 tsp
Salt
Butter- for toasting the bread slices

Method:

• Break open the eggs in a large bowl. Add all the ingredients and beat well.
• Heat a pan and add butter to it
• Place the bread slices on the pan and pour the egg mixture on it covering the slices completely.
• Put a lid and cook for 2 minutes
• Flip the slices to the other side and cook for 2 minutes.
• Remove when done and serve hot with mayonnaise or ketchup.

Eggless wheat and nut cake

This is my third cake recipe and iam so much satisfied by the output of this eggless wheat cake where I  used jaggery instead of sugar. It was so spongy and tasty and really quick to make too.

This surely tastes a bit different from the cakes baked using sugar and maida but still a more healthy one.

Preheat the oven before you start preparing the cake mixture. Don't let the mixture sit for a long time before putting it in the oven. The original recipe suggested to bake for 40 minutes but mine was done in 25 minutes. It's always better to check in between to see if the cake is done instead of waiting longer until the suggested timing.

I use an otg and there is always difference in baking time between an otg and microwave.

Ingredients:

• Wheat flour- 1 cup
• Jaggery-1 cup ( increase or decrease as per your taste) 
• Baking soda-1tsp
• Salt-1pinch
• Milk-1/4 cup
• Melted butter-1/3 cup
• Vanilla essence-2 tsp
• Lemon juice- 1tbsp
• Mixed nuts and raisins-2tbsp
• Chocolate chips- 1 tbsp (optional)

Preparation:

• In a wide bowl sieve  the wheat flour,salt and baking soda and keep aside
• In another bowl mix the butter and jaggery together until it blends well 
• add the lemon juice and vanilla essence and mix again
• Add the butter mixture to the flour and mix to form a thick cake batter by adding little milk at a time.
• Now mix in the nuts and raisins.
• Transfer the batter to a greased baking tray and level it.
• Sprinkle the Choco chips.
• Bake it for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Once done allow it to cool completely and run a grease knife through the sides of the tray and turn it upside down to remove the cake from the tray.
• Cut it into slices and enjoy!

Scrambled egg sandwich

Made some quick sandwiches for dinner with scrambled eggs. Just a simple dish that's ready in minutes. I did not use the proper method for scrambling the eggs, instead just poured the eggs in tava and scrambled them quickly with some onion,salt and pepper.

Adding green chilly and coriander leaves will be a more tastier option. But this is a quick recipe that saves your time and energy.

Ingredients:
Bread slices-6
Eggs-2
Onion-1
Pepper powder-2tsp
Salt-as needed
Butter- for toasting
Method: 

• Apply butter on one side of the bread slices.
• In a bowl beat the eggs onion salt and pepper well.
• Heat a tava and pour the egg on it and wait until one side is well cooked.
• Gently scramble the egg ,cook for few minutes and switch off flame.
• Place the scrambled egg on the bread slice and close it with another slice of bread.
• Place it in the sandwich maker and cook for 2 minutes.
• Serve with ketchup.

Carrot cheese paratha

Planning the snack box for a pre schooler is really a challenging task. Here is one super quick and healthy snack box option. It is so filling and can also be had for breakfast or dinner. It can be made with mixed vegetables too, by boiling and mashing them. I have used wheat flour for a healthier version. I only had cheese slices so I used it but shredded or mozarilla cheese will be even better option.

I have made a less spicier version but you can increase the quantity of chilly powder or even add finely chopped green chillies to spice it up.

Ingredients:
For paratha:
Wheat flour- 1 cup
Salt-as needed
Water-to knead the dough

For the filling:
Grated cheese-1/4 cup
Grated carrot-1/4 cup
Onion-1 , finely chopped
Mustard seeds-1 tsp
Cumin-1tsp
Salt-as needed
Red chilly powder-1tsp
Coriander powder-1tsp
Preparation:

• In a wide bowl mix the wheat flour and salt.
• Add water little at a time and knead soft dough.
• Shape the dough into small balls and roll it thin.
• In a pan add little oil and add mustard and cumin seeds .
• Add the onion and saute well. Then add the carrot.
• Add salt chilly powder and coriander powder,mix well and saute few seconds.
• Now heat a tava and slightly heat the rolled chapathis on both sides for just few seconds. 
• Take it from the tava and add the prepared filling along with cheese and fold the paratha on all sides thoroughly.
• Cook it on medium heat in a tava by greasing little butter on both sides.
• Flip and cook until both sides turn golden brown.
• Serve it hot! 

Aloo masala poori

Aloo masala poori is so easy to make with just the available ingredients. Came across this recipe in one of the cooking sites and tried it for my son's snack box. He loved it! So here is the recipe for this yummy poori.

Ingredients:

Wheat flour/atta-1 cup
Rava/sooji-1tbsp
Potato-1
Chilly powder-2 tsp
Cumin seeds-1tsp
Sesame seeds-1tsp
Coriander leaves-a few
Water- for kneading the dough
Salt-as needed
Oil-for deep frying

Method:
Boil the potato,peel the skin and grate it finely
In a wide vessel add the wheat flour and rava.
Add chilly powder,cumin,seasame and salt .
Add the chopped coriander leaves too.
Now add the grated potato and knead the dough gently by adding little water when needed.
The dough should not be too soft.
Once the dough is ready, shape into small balls and roll it into pooris.
Drop the pooris in hot oil and fry until fluffy and brown.
Crispy hot aloo masala poori is ready!

grilled paneer with veggies

This is a very quick dish yet a very tasty and healthy one. I have used an otg to grill it but this can also be done using a pan on stove top. I have not used any store bought masala in this instead, used home ground spice powders like pepper,jeera, turmeric and red chilly powder. I used capsicum, onion and tomato.Using orange ,red and yellow bell peppers will make it more colourful.

I made this for my son's snack box on a busy weekday morning and kept my fingers crossed for it to come well,as this is my first grilled recipe using my new otg. It is a super hit! To achieve a more bright red colour you can use kashmiri chilly powder from the stores.

You can also skew the paneer and veggies in a skewer and then grill it. I have already shown in my blog on how to grill paneer on stove top and here is the recipe for oven grilled paneer.

Ingredients:
Paneer cubes-1 cup
capsicum- 1 small
onion-1
Tomato-1
Red chilly powder-1 tsp
turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
pepper powder- 1 tsp
Cumin powdee-1 tsp
coriander powder-1 tsp
curd- 2 tbsp
olive oil-1 tbsp
salt - as needed
Method:
Cut the capsicum, onion as tomato into big pieces or cubes.
in a bowl mix all the ingredients mentioned above and leave it for half an hour.
Pre heat the oven to 220 degree Celsius for 10 minutes in grill mode.
Grease the baking tray and transfer the contents to it.
place it in the oven and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the Paneer starts to turn golden brown on the edges.
remove and serve after adding a few drops of lemon juice.

Mixed grains sundal

When you think of healthy snacks,the first option that comes to your mind will be sundal. It is easy to prepare and has lots of flavoring options. You can also use sprouted grains for a more healthier version.
You can make it plain with just salt or add some green or red chilly to it with some seasoning and a more elaborate one with scrapped mango,coconut and seasoning. Here is a mixed grains sundal with a simple seasoning. This so easy to make and is good for children and adults.

You can get mixed grains in packets from the stores. You can opt for the sprouted one which can be used immediately or the dry one which needs soaking overnight. I used the dried mixed grains and soaked them overnight after which I pressure cooked it.

Step by step instructions : 

• Wash the grains and soak in enough water overnight or for 5 to 6 hours.

• Drain the water just leaving little water at the bottom and add needed salt and mix well.
• Pressure cook ot until it turns soft.

• In a pan add oil and add the ingredients for seasoning.

• Add the cooked grains and mix well.

• Switch off flame and serve. You can also add scrapped coconut before serving.

Ingredients:

Mixed grains-1 cup

Oil-2 tsp

Mustard -1 tsp

Jeera-1tsp

Red chilly-2

Curry leaves-1 spring

Asafoetida -1 pinch

Salt-as needed 

Preparation:

• Wash the grains and soak in enough water overnight or for 5 to 6 hours.
• Drain the water just leaving little water at the bottom and add needed salt and mix well.
• Pressure cook ot until it turns soft.
• In a pan add oil and add the ingredients for seasoning.
• Add the cooked grains and mix well.
• Switch off flame and serve. You can also add scrapped coconut before serving.

yam chips /kara karunai chips

Elephant yam or elephant foot yam has a high medicinal value. It is used in ayurveda as a cure for various ailments. It is used in treating liver and spleen disorders and is good for diabetic people.
It has various vitamins like vitamin C, A and vitamin B6 and is good if consumed regularly in moderate amounts. It is helpful in hormonal balance by increasing estrogen levels in woman. It has a high antioxidant property and is rich in minerals such as zinc,pospherous,magnesium etc.
My mom makes variety of dishes using yam or kara karunai. Here is one simple yam chips recipe that she taught me.  Just with fewer igredients you can make this easy dish in just few minutes.It is a good side dish for any variety rice or can be had as a snack too.

Ingredients : 

• Yam (thinly sliced)-1 cup
• Salt-as needed
• Pepper powder-1 tsp
• Oil-for deep frying

Preparation : 

• Remove the skin, cut the yam into huge pieces and wash it thoroughly. 
• Using a chips slicer slice it into thin pieces. 
• Sprinkle salt and mix well.
• Keep it in a colander for excess water to drain.
• Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the slices in small batches.
• Remove when it turns crisp and golden brown.
• Drain excess oil using a paper towel.
• Mix in pepper. Serve!

Karupatti (palm jaggery) paniyaram

On a vacation at my mom's place and enjoying mom's authentic dishes. She made karupatti paniyaram and kara paniyaram for breakfast with kara chutney. My son tasted paniyaram for the first time and he loved his grandma's special karupatti paniyaram so much.

Karupatti or palm jaggery is a healthy alternate for sugar. This karupatti paniyaram is usually made during nombu or pooja times. Will try making these soon and will upload the step by step recipe with pictures ,shortly.
The same batter can be used to make kara paniyaram (savory version) too. My mom din use cooking soda but you can add it.

Here is mom's recipe for the sweet and soft karupatti paniyaram.

Ingredients : 

• Raw rice-1/2 cup
• Par boiled/idli rice-1/2 cup
• Methi seeds-1/4 tsp
• Toor dal-1 tsp 
• Urad dal-1 tsp
• Salt-1/2 tsp
• Palm jaggery/karupatti-1/4 cup
• Ghee-for greasing
• Cardamom -1 
• Cooking soda-a pinch(optional)

Instructions:

• Soak the rice,Toor and urad dal for 4 to 6 hours along with methi seeds.
• Grind it to a smoother and thin batter by adding little water.
• Transfer the batter to a bowl and add the salt and let it sit for 4 to 5 hours. 
• Then add powdered palm jaggery to the batter. 
• Add powdered cardamom and mix well.
• Heat kuzhipaniyaram pan. Grease with ghee.
• Pour the paniyaram batter filling 3/4th of the shallow provisions. 
• Cover with a lid and cook for 2 minutes.
• Open the lid and flip it to the other side and cook until done. 
• Paniyaram should turn golden brown. Take it from the pan and transfer to serving bowl.
• Tasty karupatti paniyaram is ready.

Black Eyed Peas / karamani sundal

My son loves sundal a lot. He even likes the plain salted sundal so much. I bought karamani for the first time and made a spicy sundal with scrapped coconut and it was a hit. Karamani is the tamil name for this and it is also known as cow peas or black eyed peas.Planning to do a gravy soon. Here is the recipe for the tasty and spicy karamani sundal.

Ingredients : 

• Karamani-1 cup
• Onion-1 (optional ) 
• Mustard seeds-1tsp 
• Urad dal-1 tsp 
• Cumin -1 tsp 
• Green chilly-1
• Shredded coconut-4 tbsp
• Red chilly powder -1 tsp 
• Coriander powder -1 tsp 
• Curry leaves-1 spring
• Hinge-1 pinch
• Salt
• Oil-2 tsp

Preparation : 

• Soak the karamani overnight or for 5 to 6 hours.
• Pressure cook the karamani with salt until it turns soft.
• Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When it splutters add jeera seeds and urad dal. 
• Add the curry leaves and Green chilly. Add the hinge.
• Add finely chopped onion and saute well.
• Add the cooked karamani and add in the chilly and coriander powder and check if more salt is needed. If so add some salt.
• Mix well and wait until raw smell of spice powders leave.
• Finally add the coconut and switch off the heat immediately. 
• Serve hot.

Medhu vadai / Ulundu vadai / Urad dal vada

When I grind idli dosa batter I always soak extra urad dal for making medhu vada. So it will be an evening snack with a cup of hot masala chai 😀 or the next day's breakfast will be either pongal vada with coconut chutney or idli vada with sambar 😊. This is my mother's technique and I follow the same 💜

Medhu vada is good for all age groups starting from babies to aged people. Even  people who are diabetic can eat this without guilt or fear. 

The same can be made with just pepper and cumin without adding onions if you are preparing it for pooja. I will do a step by step recipe for this soon.

Ingredients : 

• Urad dal-200 gms
• Onion-1
• Ginger-small piece
• Curry leaves - a few 
• Coriander leaves - few 
• Green chilly -1 
• Salt -as needed 
• Oil -for deep frying 

Preparation : 

• Soak urad dal in water, atleast for 3 to 4 hours. 
• Grind it to a smooth fluffy batter with very little water.
• Transfer the batter to a wide bowl.
• Add finely chopped onions,green chilly, curry leaves,coriander leaves and ginger.
• Add needed salt and mix throughly. 
• Heat oil in a pan.
•  Keep a bowl of water ready to wet your hands before you take the batter each time.
• Take little amount of batter at a time and press it gently on the other hand. 
• With your index finger pierce the Centre to make a small hole.
• Gently transfer it to the other hand and drop it in oil. 
• (You can also do this on a banana leaf or plastic sheet greased with oil.)
• Deep fry until golden brown.
• Hot medhu vada with a crispy outer layer and a soft inner layer is ready! 

Wheat pancake

Wheat pancake is a healthy breaksfast recipe and can be prepared in just few minutes. Using eggs is optional but it give more fluffy pan cakes. I have used sugar for making these pan cakes but you can substitute it with honey or palm sugar or even jaggery.

 A good way to make a fussy toddler eat, is to give them something new each day. But spending too much time will not be possible during the busy morning hours. So we can opt for some easy and halthy breakfast recopes.Babies love sweet taste so this mildly sweet pancakes will surely be their favorite. This is not just a good breakfast for babies but a good one for adults too.
The ingredients given below.will fetch you two medium size pan cakes.

Ingredients : 

• Milk-1 cup
• Egg-1
• Sugar-2 spoons or as needed
• Wheat flour-1/2 cup
• Adding Cinnamon powder/vanilla extract  is optional.

Preparation:

• In a wide bowl pour the milk.
• Break open the egg into ot and add sugar.
• Whisk together thoroughly.
• Add the wheat flour and cinnamon powder or vanilla extract and whisk again until you get a lump free batter of thick pouring consistency.
• Heat a tawa and pour the pancake mixture on it.
• Add butter or ghee and cook both sides until it turns golden brown.
• Serve hot with honey.