Phool makhana ki kheer

I think u wont be needing an introduction to phool makhana as already post of phool makhana curry is posted previously.  So let us see how to make nutritious kheer/ payasam.

Ingredients required

• 1 cup phool makhana/lotus seed
• Half litre milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp cardamon powder
• 1/4 cup ghee roasted almond pieces

Method

In a deep vessel, add milk and phool makhana.  Heat under simmer flame till phool makhana gets cooked.  Now, mash the phool makhana with help of any utensil, (for instance, daal masher) such that phool makhana gets incorporated into milk very well.

Now add in cardamon powder, sugar, condensed milk, stir continously.

Garnish with almond pieces and serve hot... hmm.. it was very tasty... :)

I enjoyed it!!!!1

Banana and dates smoothie

  Smoothies are blended paste from fresh fruits.  Sometimes, they can be flavoured with honey, vanilla or choclate.  Additionally milk/cream can also be added to enhance its consistency.  Here is used soy milk, thereby making it more nutritious...

Ingredients required

• Soy milk- half cup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 Banana (which can be frozen, optionally)
• 4-5 deseeded black dates
• 1 tsp honey

Method

Grind all above into smooth paste and serve chilled.

I am just reminded of brittania slogan  EAT HEALTHY, THINK BETTER :) tin tin ti tin

Soya dosa

Soya dosa is an typical pondicherry dish.  The traditional methodology involves combining soya milk with wheat flour with other dry spices.  But, there are also shortcuts like substituting soya beans for urad dal in regular dosa batter or using soya flour with wheat aata to creat instant soya dosas... I tried the traditional version and it came out good..

Ingredients required

• One cup soy milk
• 1/4 cup wheat flour
• 1/4 cup rice flour (optional)
• 1 tsp shahjeera
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• 1/2 tsp hing/perungayam
• 7-8 curry leaves
• Water, as required

Method

In a vessel, add in all ingredients till it resembles the consistency of dosa batter like follows

Pour the batter on pre-heated tawa.  Cook on both sides and serve with chutney of ur choice

 I served it with onion chutney

Soy milk

Soy milk is most nutritious drink made by blending the soya beans and straining the liquid left behind.  These are easily available in packets, and there are also machines used in making them called soy milk maker that are found abundant in Asian homes.  These soy milk can be flavoured and had as such.  They are also used in making smoothies, dosas etc.  So, let us learn how to make soy mik at home...

Ingredients required

• 200 gm soya beans
• Water, as required
• Fine muslin cloth (to filter)

Method

Soak soya beans for about 12 hours.  Wash them, and heat at moderate flame for ten to fifteen minutes.  This is done to destroy any harmful enzymes, if present.  Then blend it in blender along with 2 cups water and filter using cheese cloth/muslin cloth.  This process will exactly resemble the coconut milk extraction.

After extraction, heat the milk till boiling point and again for five to ten minutes on simmer flame.  Remove, cool and refrigerate.  You can store for three days...

Onion chutney

Ingredients required

To be blended

• 2 cups finely chopped onions
• 2 tsp thick tamarind extract
• 7-8 garlic pods
• 3-4 broken red chillies
• 1 tsp salt

To  temper

• 3 tsp oil 
• 1 tsp rai/mustard seeds

Method

Add all ingredients to be blended in a blender and grind into fine paste.  Meanwhile, heat oil in kadaai, add mustard seeds/rai, let the seeds crackle.  Add the blended paste and cook the paste (as raw onion is blended, and there is a need to cook them) on simmer flame till raw smell fades away. Serve hot with any dosa..