Carrot & Peas Pulav

The one vegetable which makes me feel bored to eat is Carrot. Especially when it is prepared in a curry form I try to exchange it with my friends since then my school & college days. Amma makes excellent carrot kheer for us to get rid of that raw taste and help me and my brother to consume it in yummy way. Later this mid week, I had no veggies left at home than these carrots& onions!

I decided to make a pulav out of it ! I remember amma sending me carrot rice to school. I tried it with a twist of herbs n spices. This is an excellent way to feed your little ones with carrots and to get all the richness of the vegetable. Now I prefer having it as a pulav!

Here it goes!

Ingredients:

Carrots-3

Onion -2

Mixed herbs- Thyme, oregano, & Rosemary ( a pinch of all the three)

Chilli powder- 2 and half tsp
Garam Masala- 2 and half tsp
Jeera- 2 tsp
Ghee- 1 tbsp
Oil- 2tbsp
Cinnamon- 1/2 inch
Cloves- 3
Cardamom- 2
Star Anise- 1/2 piece
Basmati Rice / Raw rice- 1 Cup
Salt

Method :

1. Grate the carrots in a grater and saute it in a tsp of ghee antil the raw smell goes and keep it aside. Dont over cook.
2. Soak Basmati rice for half in 2 amd half cups of water and cook it seperately. I used plain rice and hence it didn't require any soaking. Pressure cook it with 3 whistles.
3. Chop the onions and boil the peas with little salt.
4.Heat a kadai , add oil and splutter it with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon & jeera. ( You may add ginger garlic paste add this stage and cook till the raw smells goes off. I didn't use it )
5.Now add the chopped onions and saute them well with the seasoned spices.
6.Add the sauteed carrot and blend it well and add the mixed herbs and give it a fine toss.
7.Once the herbs are mixed well with onion & carrot add chill powder, garam masala powder & par boiled peas and cook for 2 mins in medium flame.
8.Now add the rice and mix it well. Serve hot and garnish with cashews.

Chutney

Today, late in the evening I was wondering what subzi can I make for my rotis. Suddenly something struck my mind on seeing the walnuts lying in the refrigerator. Then immediatedly thought would do a quick wrap with the Walnuts which would go well with  Bread,Rotis, Dosas n Khichadis.

Walnuts are high in protein, vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids and has a lot of health benefits ranging from weight management to slowing of various cancers.

So here we go with a quick and easy recipe.




INGREDIENTS:

Walnuts - 1/2 cup
Green chillies - 2
Red chilli -1
Grated coconut - 2tbsp
Mint leaves- 3
Salt - A pinch
Oil- For seasoning

Method :

Take the above mentioned quantity of walnuts and leaving a few to garnish at the end and put it in a mixer.

Add 2tbsp of grated coconut , green chillies , red chillies and salt and grind it to smooth paste.

Take a ladle and add a few drops of oil and add the remaining walnuts and saute it. Ensure that it doesn't get burnt. Garnish with mint leaves.

Note :

You may add jaggery instead of salt while making it for kids.

Sweet recipes

Semiya Kesari

                             Ingredients  

•   Semiya - 1 cup
• Sugar - 1 1/2 cup
• Ghee- 4 tbslp
• Cashew nuts- 10 to 15
• Cardomom powder- a few pinch
• A pinch of saffron
• Orange color  
• Water- 2 cups

Method:

In a large pan, add a tablespoon of ghee and roast the cashewnuts and keep it aside.

Add a 1 tblsp of ghee saute the semiya for few minutes until the color changes. Do ensure that it doesn't get burnt.

Once the semiya is roasted, add 2 cups of water and bring the semiya to boil by keeping in medium flame.

Check if the semiya is boiled using a ladle and now add the above quantity of sugar. Addition of sugar varies from people's choice and taste.

Keep mixing them well until it reaches a consistency. Now add 2 tblsp of ghee and mix it well.

Now add the cardomom powder, saffron and roasted cashew nuts and mix them well and switch off the flame.