Veggies Mixed Dal Khichdi#Alphabet Challenge

It's in most people minds that khichdi as a meal for the sick people or it is served to kids its bland and tasteless. But now a days, dal khichdi has become very famous and it has got a place in the restaurant menus as well. A simple and healthy dish ideally served for lunch and dinner, super delicious and satisfying meal.

Serves 7
Measurement 1 cup = 150 ml
Ingredients
1 Cup Rice
1 Cup Mixed Dal ( yellow moong, masoor, tur & chana dal)
8 Cups Water
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
1 Teaspoon Meat Masala
¼ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoons Desi Ghee
10 French Beans - chopped
1 Small Potato - diced
1 Carrot - diced
½ Cup Green Peas
8 Florets Cauliflower
1 Medium Onion - chopped
1 Medium Tomato - chopped
1 Teaspoon Ginger Garlic paste
½ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
For The Tadka
2 Tablespoons Desi Ghee
1 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
2 - 3 Button Red Chillies
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida
¼ Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
Method
Wash & soak dal for around 30 minutes to an hour. After the soaking time add it to large pressure cooker along with washed rice. Add 5 cups water and salt to taste. Cook it for 2 whistles on high flame. Let the cooker cool.

In a large kadai /pot heat desi ghee, add cumin seeds when they splutter add the chopped onions sauté till it turns translucent. 

Add the ginger garlic pate and sauté for a minute. Add all the veggies and tomato fry on high flame for a minute.

Then add all the dry spices and salt to taste for the veggies. Fry for a minute or two. Now add 2 cups water and bring this to a boil. Then reduce the flame, cover and cook till the veggies are nearly done. 

Now add the cooked rice dal and and a another cup of hot water, give it a good mix. Taste for salt add if necessary, cover and cook for 2 - 3 minutes stirring in between or else it will burn at the bottom. Switch off the flame.
For The Tadka

Heat ghee in a tadka pan, add mustard seeds when they splutter add the button red chillies and give it a stir, add asafoetida and switch off the flame. Then add the red chilly powder and pour this over the khichdi . Cover it let is rest for 2 - 3 minutes.

Stir and serve garnished with coriander leaves. Enjoy with this raita and papad. 

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Khichdi, Lentils, Rice, Mixed Veggies, Healthy, Main course, Indian, Gluten Free Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Vanilla Mug Cake 

Culinary Cam: Teriyaki Sauce-Swabbed Venison Burgers on Seeded Sourdough Buns  

Sneha’s Recipe: Veggies Mixed Dal Khichdi 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: No Churn Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream 

Blogghetti: Homemade Vanilla Latte 

 Mayuri’s Jikoni: Vegetable Cutlets

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Vietnamese Chicken Stirfry

A Messy Kitchen: Tropical Vols Au Vents 

 Food Lust People Love: Spicy Vinegar Braised Chicken

Magical Ingredients: Val Dal Veggie Paratha

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Sweet & Spicy Balsamic Vinegar Deviled Eggs

Prawn With Veggies Bafat Without Coconut#SundayFunday

This recipe is made with two East Indian Masalas and is without any coconut. It's quick, easy and tasty too. This pairs well with hot steamed rice or hand bread. 

Ingredients 
300 Grams Cleaned Prawns With Shells
1 Teaspoon Heaped Kacha Masala 
1 Teaspoon Heaped East Indian Bottle Masala
1 -2 Green Chillies - slit
1 Teaspoon Heaped Ginger Garlic Paste
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
1 Tomato - Sliced
1 Medium Onion - sliced
1 Sprig Curry Leaves
1 Medium Potato - quartered
2 Small Brinjals - quartered
4 -5 French Beans
4 -5 Papadi/Broad Beans
1 Small Piece Snake Gourd
3 Tablespoons Oil
1 Tablespoons Tamarind Paste
1 Tablespoon Rice Flour

Method 

Heat oil, add cumin, slit chillies, ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute, later add chopped onions and fry till slightly pinkish in color. Now add the prawns and fry well till the onion turns just a little brown ( don’t fry till dark brown). Add the chopped tomato and fry till soft adding a splash of water.
Once the tomatoes are mushy add potatoes, French beans and and both the East Indian masala with a little water and let the masalas cook till the oil starts separating check and add little more water ( don’t add too much water as we will be adding it in the later stage) if required till the masala gets well sautéed. 

Now add all the veggies and a little water to get the veggies sautéed in the spices for about a minute or two stirring in between. Add the prawns and water enough to make a gravy consistency accordingly. Lightly give this a mix and cook covered for 5 - 7 minutes, stirring in between. Once the veggies and prawns are cooked add the tamarind paste mixed with the rice flour, give it a light mix and let is simmer for 2 - 3 minutes.

Switch off the flame and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Enjoy this with steamed rice or Hand Bread.  

Labels: East Indian, Prawns, Seafood/Fish, Sunday Funday, Main course, Mixed Veggies  

• Sue of Palatable Pastime shares Calabrian Chili Pasta with Shrimp
• Amy of Amy's Cooking Adventures serves up Crispy Oven Baked Fries
• Stacy of Food Lust People Love gives us Grilled Octopus with Spinach and Smoky Beans
• Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm made a Pineapple Shrimp Noodle Bowl
• Sneha of Sneha's Recipe cooks Prawn With Vegetable Bafat Without Coconut  

Maggie Noodle & Veggie Cake#SundayFunday

This is a two minute Maggie Noodles made into Maggie Veggies Cake. This is so simple, cheesy and deliciously yummy. Your kids and friends will love this. I took this to a get together with friends and all loved this. You can add whatever veggies you have in the refrigerator, no hard and fast rule in making this.

Ingredients

1/3 Cup Sliced Mushrooms
1/3 Cup Chopped French Beans
1/3 Cup Chopped Baby Corn
1/3 Cup Chopped Carrots
1/3 Cup Each Colored Capsicum - Green Red Yellow - cut into cubes
1 Large Tomato - deseeded & cut into cubed
1 Large Onion - thinly sliced
200 Grams Mushrooms - sliced
5 Cloves Garlic - chopped
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
½ Teaspoon Mixed Herbs
½ Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt or to taste
½ Cup Fresh Cream
200 Grams Grated Cheese
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 Tablespoon Butter
3 Packets (280Grams) Instant Maggie Noodles

Method

Boil the Maggie noodles as per the packet instructions. When they are cooked all moisture evaporates add a teaspoon butter, spice mix,  3 tablespoons cheese and mix well with a fork. Keep aside.

In another large pan heat oil and butter, add the onion and garlic sauté on medium high flame till the onion is translucent, add the mushrooms, beans carrots and baby corn, sauté again on medium high flame till they are nearly done but still crunchy ( do not overcook the veggies). Then add all the seasonings, salt and the colored capsicums. Sauté again for a minute. Add 3 tablespoons of cheese and fresh cream. Mix well. Keep aside.

Grease a loose bottom pan with butter generously ( I used 10" loose bottom pan ). 

Add half of the cooked noodles at the base and press it well and level the base, then top it with just little cheese all the cooked veggies then again cheese 

again remaining cooked noodles then cheese sliced capsicums capsicum in center, for garnishing , then drizzle some fresh cream. 

Bake it in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Labels: Baked, Vegetarian, Cheese, Indian, Appetizer, Main course, Mixed Veggies, Pasta & Noodles, Sunday Funday

• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Beef Chow Fun 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Creamy Irish Whiskey Butter Noodles with Fennel 
• Culinary Cam: Longevity Noodles 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Maggie Noodle & Veggie Cake 
• Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Semolina Soup Noodles 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Vegetarian Drunken Noodles 

Bisi Bele Bath#Improv

Bisi Bele Bath or Bisi Bele Huliyanna is a dish meal which is flavorsome, spicy and slightly tangy complete meal made with lentils, rice, mixed vegetables and a super aromatic spice powder. This is a famous Karnataka cuisine dish. It's actually a masala khichdi with lots of veggies. The term “Bisi bele bath” translates to “Hot Lentil Rice Dish”. “Bisi” is a Kannada word meaning “Hot”, “Bele” translates to “Lentils” and “Bath” is a word that denotes a “Soupy Rice".

Bisi Bele Bath is so popular that you get it so easily in the South Indian restaurants in Bangalore.  To make this dish I have used readymade Bisi Bele Bath masala, which is readily available in any store. I am sharing the quick and delicious way to prepare this dish/ a pressure cooker version. 

Serve 5 as a complete meal
Ingredients
1 Cup Short Grain Rice(- washed)
1/3 Cup Tur Dal
1 Medium Onion - chopped
1 Teaspoon Finely Chopped Ginger
1 Large Tomato - chopped
8 - 10 Beans - cut into big bits
½ Cup Green Peas - I used frozen
½ Cup Cauliflower Florets - I used frozen
½ Cup Pumpkin - cut into medium cubes
½ Cup Carrot - cut into medium cubes
2 Small Potato - cut into medium cubes
½ Cup Diced Capsicum - I used Red , Yellow and Green - you can use any one color
½ Cup Tamarind Juice
1½ Tablespoons Level Bisi Bele Bath Powder
¼ Teaspoon + ½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
For The Tadka
½ Cup Oil
1½ Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida
2 Sprig Curry Leaves
¼ Cup Cashewnuts or Raw Peanuts - I used Cashewnuts
2 Dried Red Chillies

Method
For Cooking The Veggies

In a pressure cooker add the all the veggies, beans, pumpkin, potato , carrot ( since I used frozen cauliflower and peas I did not add to the cooker. If you are using fresh then add this to the cooker). Add ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ cup water. Take one whistle on high flame. Let the cooker cool completely. Strain the stock & veggies. Keep them aside separately.

In the same cooker add the rice and lentils, with ½ teaspoon salt. Measure the stock from the veggies. Add total 5 cups water. Keep it on medium high flame and take 5 whistles. The rice and lentils should be mushy, then you do not need to mash them.

In a big kadai/ pot heat oil, add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the asafoetida, curry leaves , dried red chillies and cashewnuts sauté for a minute or till the cashewnuts turn golden. Remove ½ of the tadka and keep aside for garnish ( this is optional).
Now add the capsicum, peas and cauliflower, saute for a minute or two. Then add all the cooked veggies, the bisi bele bath powder and saute till it releases an aroma, say for 2 minutes on medium low flame. 

Add the tamarind water and cooked rice dal mix. Give it a good mix, add more hot water if necessary to make it a soupy dish. Let this simmer for 4-5 minutes so that the flavors infuse on very low flame, covered with a lid. Taste for salt,  add accordingly.  After 4 -5 minutes switch off the flame. 

Serve garnished with the remaining tadka this hot. As this cools the rice and dal will absorb most of the stock and will thicken. 

We enjoyed this hot with fried rice papad or falafel. pickle and raita. Bisi bele bath is a delicious complete and healthy meal. My guest enjoyed this meal. Do try this recipe, you will definitely fall in love with it.

Labels : Khichdi, Karnataka, Rice, Lentils, Mixed Veggies, Pumpkin, Complete Meal, Healthy, Vegan, Gluten free, Main course, Tur Dal, Pressure Cooker, Improv Cooking Challenge

Improv Cooking Challenge

Squash & Rice

Bisi Bele Bath by Sneha's Recipes
Butternut Squash Methi Pulao by Magical Ingredients
Butternut Squash Rice Pudding by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf by Palatable Pastime

Quick Pumpkin And Other Veggies Sabzi#Sunday Funday

Many children do not like white pumpkin, so to make them eat it one has to find different ways to make it, so that they, do not know exactly what veggies are there in the sabzi. This is great way of hiding veggies and feeding kids. This is also tasty, yummy and quick. 

I have made a Mangalorean style sabzi with Bafad masala, which is available in many stores or cold storage. Here, have used the ready masala, but will sure post the recipe of homemade masala very soon.

Ingredients  
1 Cup White Pumpkin / Lauki - cut into small cubes
1 Carrot - cut into small cubes
1 Capsicum - cut into small cubes
1 Large Potato - cut into small cubes
8 - 10 French Beans - Chopped
2 Tomatoes - Finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Ginger - Garlic paste
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilly paste
1 Teaspoon heaped Bafad Masala
1/3 Cup Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Sugar

Method

In a pressure pan heat oil add the ginger- garlic paste, tomatoes with 1/3 cup water, cover and take 3 whistles on high flame. When the cooker cools open it and blend with a hand blender. Pour the blended mix into the pressure pan again and add the red chilly paste, bafad masala and fry till oil leaves the sides. 

Then add all the veggies, salt and sugar, sauté on high flame for 5 minutes, then cover with the lid and take 2 whistles on high flame. 

Open when the cooker cools, serve hot with rotis or bhakris. Enjoy!!
Labels: Mixed Veggies, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free, Sunday Funday, Main course, Karnataka, Mangalore, Lauki, Sabzi

Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins from Amy's Cooking Adventures

Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes from Food Lust People Love

Pumpkin and Black Bean Quesadillas from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Pumpkin Crème Brûlée from Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Pumpkin Prune Quick Bread from Palatable Pastime

Pumpkin Sweet Potato and Amaranth Patties from Cook with Renu

Quick Pumpkin And Other Veggies Sabzi from Sneha’s Recipe

Cheesy Rice Bowl - Cafe McDonalds Style#SundayFunday

This Continental recipe is such that you will feel tempted to finish this dish in one go. This is an easy-to-make one-pot meal that can be served to your guests in a parties and get-togethers. This cheesy rice bowl is made of fried rice is made with a twist - boiled wheat grains are added to enriched with a combo cheesy white sauce and Italian spices.
Making this at home is so easy, tasty and you will have a clean and healthy bowl of meal.

Ingredients
½ Cup Wheat Grains
1 Cup Basmati Rice
Salt as required
For The Cheese Sauce
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
1½ Cup Milk
2 -3 Cheddar Cheese Cubes - grated
Salt & Pepper to taste
For The Rice & Garnish
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 Cup Mixed Veggies
Salt to taste
1 Teaspoon Sugar
½ Teaspoon Dried Oregano
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
½ Teaspoon Dried Basil
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
2 Tablespoon Red Chilli Sauce
1 Tablespoon Chopped Coriander Leaves 

Method

Wash and soak the  wheat grains in water for minimum 45 minutes .
Add this in the pressure cooker with 2 cups water and salt to taste, cover and on high flame take 4 whistles, after 4 whistles lower the flame for let continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Switch off the flame and let the cooker cool completely. Strain and it and reserve the water.

Wash and soak the rice for 15 minutes. Then cook the rice with 6 times the water and a teaspoon of salt, on high flame till done yet the grain should firm and whole. Strain and let it cool.
For The Cheese Sauce

In a pan heat butter, add the flour, with a whisk cook it for 2 minutes stirring continuously add milk and stir to make a smooth sauce. Let it come to boil stirring continuously, add grated cheese and cook till cheese is melted, add salt, pepper and cook till it thickens. Remove from flame and keep aside.

For The Rice

Heat a kadai/pot add butter and oil then add the chopped vegetables and sauté them for a minute on high flame then add sugar, salt. Remove half of the vegetables into a bowl(this is for garnishing) add the oregano, salt, pepper basil, red chilly flakes , red chilly sauce , coriander leaves and saute on high flame for a minutes stirring continuously. Add the boiled wheat and rice and toss it well till they are coated with the spices , taste and adjust the seasonings. Switch off the flame.
To Assemble The Bowls

Pour the fried rice till the top pour ¼ cup of the cheese sauce or more as per your taste, top it with the sautéed veggies. 

Serve & Enjoy!!

You can check some of the other bowl recipes
Couscous Shrimp Buddha Bowl 
Loaded Veggie & Potato Soup In a Bread Bowl 
Mexican Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

Labels: Rice, One Bowl, Cheese, Whole Wheat, Main course, Continental Cuisine, Vegetarian, Sunday Funday, Mixed Veggies

For Sunday Funday our theme is Bowl Meals/Hearty Meal In a Bowl.

 

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Shredded Beef Taco Bowls 

Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Greek Chicken Rice Bowls 

Palatable Pastime: Saffron Bulgur Bowl 

Cook with Renu: Tofu and Sprouted Moong Buddha Bowl 

Food Lust People Love: Shrimp Spring Roll Bowls 

Sneha’s Recipe: Cheesy Rice Bowl - Cafe McDonalds Style 

Mayuri’s Jikoni: Baked Falafel Bowl 

Loaded Veggie & Potato Soup In a Bread Bowl#SoupSwappers

If you love flavorful soups then you’ll definitely want to try this one. Soups are always good but with the potatoes and creamy cheesy consistency, this soup is too good to be true and delicious!

Ingredients 
1 Cube Veg Seasoning
1 Large Carrot - peeled & diced
2 Medium Potatoes - peeled & cubed into small pieces
1 Small Onion - chopped
1 Head Broccoli washed and diced small
1½  Cup Water
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Homemade Soup Mix
500Ml Milk
Shredded Cheddar Cheese - as required
Salt To Taste
½ Teaspoon Minced Garlic
½ Teaspoon Lemon pepper powder

Method

In a pressure pan add half the water, vegetable cube, carrots, potatoes, broccoli and onion. Bring to a boil, cover and take two whistles on high flame. Let the cooker cool.

To Make The Bread Bowl

Take a crusty round bread, slice the top a little, then scoop the center to make a well. Bread bowl is ready.

In a large sauce pan/pot melt butter, add the onion and garlic cook for a minute. Whisk in the soup mix and cook for another minute (or until golden brown). Add in milk and whisk till until the sauce starts to thicken. Add in the veggies and all the stock, bring this to a boil, stirring it gently. Let it simmer for 2 minutes on low flame. Now add the cheese and stir until it is all melted. Add lemon pepper powder and taste for salt (add salt only after tasting). Make it a thinner consistency add a little more milk accordingly (since the bread will absorb most of the soup liquid). 

Serve warm in a bread bowl with a generous sprinkle of cheddar cheese.

My Notes

Serve more soup ( in a seperate bowl) when you are ready to serve, since the bread will absorb most of the liquid. By the time I took pics the soup had been absorbed by the bread.

Labels: Soup, Vegetarian, Mixed Veggies, Potato, Cheese, Homemade Soup Mix, Bread Bowl, Soup Swappers, International Cuisine, Main Course, American

Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm our host and author of Soup Swapper's group, today we are making Potato Soups.    

• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Creamy Potato Soup 
• Magical Ingredients: Easy Cabbage and Potato Soup 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Loaded Veggie & Potato Soup In a Bread Bowl 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories : Scandinavian-Style Fish and Potato Soup