Oats upma

Upma is a quick and delicious comfort food that it is prepared in every household at least once a week.When upma is being prepared at home, the aroma from the vegetables makes one’s appetite for breakfast, lunch or dinner even stronger. It’s a no fuss dish and needs a very few ingredients and is sure a crowd pleaser. Here is the recipe for Oats Upma. Oats contain more soluble fibre than any other grain.

Ingredients

Oats - 1 cup ( rolled oats)
Grated ginger - 1/2 tsp
Green chillies - 2 ( slit length wise)
Mixed veggies - 3/4 cup ( i used frozen mixed veggies)
salt - to taste
cilantro - 1tbs finely chopped
water - 2 cup
Lemon Juice - 2 drops
Curry leaves - one string
Cashews - 10 ( optional)

Method

In a pan,dry roast the oats in medium flame for 2 min. Heat oil in a wok and add the ginger,green chillies,curry leaves, cashews and saute. Now add the veggies and salt. Mix well. Add 2 cups of water. When the water comes to boil , add the roasted oats.Allow it to cook till the water absorbs.Turn off the gas then add lemon juice and finely chopped cilantro.

Note : Oatmeal, which is one of the most nutritious cereals, is generally tolerated by almost everyone that has some form of cereal allergy. Oatmeal does not go through any form of refined processing, which makes it an integral food because it does not lose any of its nutritional value.

Macaroni-Pineapple Salad with Thousand Island Dressing

This is very healthy and very easy to prepare salad.Always serve the dressing separately. If we mix it and keep the vegetables generally let out water and the whole salad will be watery. If the salad is going to be served immediately then we can mix it and serve. I pack this salad for my husband for his dinner at least two days a week and he loves it.Just toss it up and have fun.


Ingredients
Boiled Macaroni 2 cups
Pineapple diced 1 cup
Tomato 1 cored and diced
Cucumber diced 1 cup
Lettuce chopped 2 cups
Capsicum diced ½ cup
Lime Juice – 1 tsp
Salt and pepper as per taste


Dressing
¾ Cup Thick Yogurt whisked with a fork or spoon to creamy texture
¼ tsp crushed raw mustard
A pinch or 2 of salt
Few drops of lime juice
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp finely chopped capsicum
1 tbs Tomato ketchup( No onion No garlic from Kissan)

Method

Boil Macaroni till it becomes soft. Drain the water and cool it immediately by pouring cold water on it.Mix all the above mentioned ingredients of the salad in a salad bowl. Garnish with Little boiled corn, pomegranate,coriander leaves and cheese.For the dressing mix all the mentioned ingredients in a bowl.

Mixed Vegetable Pulao

Vegetable Pulao is a simple, quick and nutritious rice which I make pretty often at home and goes well with Gobi Manchurian or Raita. Basmati rice gives very nice aroma when it is blended with spices. The original recipe was from my family friend Suresh and I made some modifications. Pulao is usually served as a main course. This recipe is easy to prepare for the unexpected guest at home.

Ingredients

Basmati Rice 3 cups

frozen veggies - 2 cups

Ghee - 2 tbs

Black Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Ginger - 2 tsp grated

Green Chillies - 2 slit length wise

Salt - 2 tsp

Mint Leaves - One Fistful

Coriander leaves - less than one fistful

Pulao Masala - 1 1/2 tsp

Coriander Powder - 1 tsp

Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp

Coconut milk - 1 1/2 cups

Bread Slices - 2 cut into cubes

Cashews - 10

Pepper Powder - less than 1/4 tsp

Lime Juice - 3 drops

Method:

Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 mins. Cook the rice in rice cooker with few drops of ghee. Heat a wok and add one tbs of ghee , black Cumin, ginger, green chillies, Veggies, salt ,mint leaves, cilantro/coriander leaves , Pulao masala, coriander powder, cumin powder and garam masala.Fry them for 2 mins and add the coconut milk. On a medium flame stir well until the coconut milk consistency reduces and becomes condensed ( like a thick gravy mixture). Mix the rice carefully in the masala.Add lime juice and sprinkle the powdered pepper . Optionally add fried bread pieces and cashews.

Note: I used MDH Pulao masala. Once the coconut milk is condensed keep it in a low flam for 3 mins and turn off the flame.