cabbage thalipeeth

Ingredients -

Bengal gram flour - 1 cup
Rice flour  -  1/2 cup
Wheat flour -1/2 cup
Cabbage    - 1 1/2 cup chopped
Onion        -  1 med. chopped
Green chilies - 3-4
Cilantro -
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Ginger garlic paste- 2tsp
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Recipe -
1.  Mix all the ingredients and make a sticky dough. Take the  plastic sheet or a bag. Spread the 2-3 drops of water on it. and then take a dough .
2. Now lightly place the dough on the plastic bag. Use the fingertips to pat the dough -ball  into flat pancake.
3. Make the hole in the center of the pancake.
4. Heat the pan and put some oil into it.
4. Now gently turn the thalipeeth  upside down and put the thalipeeth into the preheated  pan .
5. Put some water on 1 side and then put the lid.
6. let it cook for some time and then turn it. Thalipeeth is ready to serve.

Thalipeeth is the  traditional Maharashtrian dish. It is the multi-grain pancake. Thali means plate and peeth means the dough. One can find ready-made mix for Thalipeeth in the market. I didn't have it, so I have used different flours available. One can use Ragi in this which is really nutritious, high fiber and  high calcium source. Addition of dal -flour and cereal flour makes it good quality protein. Addition of Cabbage , onion provides the fiber. One can add palak, methi, or any possible veggies to it. It meets the requirements of the balanced dish. One can make it for a weekday dinner or a Sunday brunch.Its quick, easy and nutritious !!! Usually people love to eat it with the curd or raita and lahsun chutney.

Valentine's Day special Pav bhaji

Ingredients

Tomatoes - 3
 Bell peppers - 1 big
Onion - 1 big
Cauliflower - 1 cup cooked
Peas -  1/2 cup
Tomato puree - 1  cup
Potatoes -  2 med.
Ginger - garlic paste - 1 Tbsp
paprika - 2 tsp
butter -  2 tsp
Red chili powder - 2 tsp
Pav Bhaji masala - 4 tsp
Hing / asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
Kasuri methi       - 1 1/2 tsp
Cilantro              - 1/2 cup chopped
Low fat cheese   - 1 Tbsp ( opt.)
Garlic bread      -


Recipe  -

1. Cook all the vegetables in 2 cups of water in the microwave & mash them but keep 1/4 cup of chopped onion aside.
2. Heat the pan. Put  2 tsp butter in the pan.Add the onion, ginger-garlic paste,1 Tbsp cilantro, Kasuri methi, hing and saute till it becomes brown.
3. Then add red chili powder and pav bhaji masala and salt. and saute for 1 min.
4. Now add all the mashed vegetables. Add the water also in which we cook the vegetables. mash well.
5. Now the yummy pav- bhaji is ready to serve. Garnish it with cilantro and grated low fat cheese.
6. Serve with garlic bread. 

Pav- Bhaji is the most famous dish for most mumbaikars. In hindi pav means Bread and bhaji means a curry and vegetable mix. Sometimes it can be mumbaikar's breakfast, lunch or dinner. Pav bhaji is to Mumbai , what pasta is to Italy or the hamburger is to America !!!
( source - Encyclopedia of India,Pakistan and Bangladesh by Om Gupta )
Everyone has their own recipe of pav-bhaji. This recipe is influenced by Juhu chowpaty pav-bhaji recipe.... I know... nobody can beat that taste of that pav-bhaji ....
Today is the valentine's day and this is my valentine's favorite recipe. So I decided to make this today after long time !!!  I prefer to add cheese in the pav-bhaji  over extra butter as it gives protein + taste. Traditional recipe has lots of butter but there is no source of good quality protein in the dish.Personally I would not consider this as very healthy recipe as it has butter.One can add more butter and make it more tasty...  But one can certainly eat it occasionally to treat themselves. Enjoy the recipe !!!

Kothimbir vadi ( Cilantro cutlets)

Ingredients -

Cilantro - 1 bunch
Bengal gram flour - 1 cup
Rice flour - 1 Tbsp
ginger paste - 1 tsp
Garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
Corriander seed powder - 1 tsp
Lime juice - 1 tsp
Green chilies - 3
Red chili powder - 1tsp
Asafoetida or hing - 1/2 tsp
sugar - 1tsp
salt
sesame seeds - 2tsp

(  * One can just steam  and put the tempering on the steam vadis. Traditionally , it is deep fried , but shallow frying is a good method to make it tasty and comparatively healthy. )
RECIPE -
1. Chop cilantro finely. Add gram flour and rice flour and mix with all the ingredients above except sesame seeds.
2. Grease the plate. and put the above mixture in the plate. Let it steam for 8-10 minutes .
3. Let it cool down. And then cut into squares.
4. Heat oil in the pan. Put the sesame seeds and shallow fry these cilantro cutlets or Kothimbir Vadi.

Kothimbir vadi is the traditional Maharashtrian dish. Unlike vada-pav and pav-bhaji this food item is uncommon.One can hardly find this on the restaurant menu. This really very tasty dish can be served as a snack with chutney or it could be an appetizer in a meal. I like to eat it as part of a  meal.
I was missing mom's kothimbir vadi and never tried it before.That day my friend came for a lunch and I wanted to make something special for her. It turned out really tasty. My friend never tasted this dish before. She just loved it !!!

Usually we use cilantro to garnish some dishes, but in this dish cilantro is the main ingredient. Cilantro is rich in pro-vitamin A ( carotene).It is rich in Vitamin C ( which diminishes on storage),potassium, fibre,iron. And 1 cup of cilantro has only 5 kcal. ( Culinary Herbs )

My love for cooking......

Good cooking is all about making yourself feel good whether its in the kitchen or at the table. Sure, its about generosity, hospitality and the inner glow that comes from feeding family and friends. They say, the more good food you cook,more love you get !!! It is an art which encircles family, friends, parties, memories and culture.

For me, cooking is finding a new and better way of life. I love food but only when it makes me feel good !!! Good cooking simply doesn't need creamy sauces, too much oil and deep frying. It needs good food choices like olive oil,fresh herbs and spices, low fat cheese, fruits and veggies to make it tasty. I believe, whatever we cook becomes tasty only if we pour our love while cooking. Cooking is my passion and my husband is a foodie!!! What a perfect couple we are ;)!!!

Many people think that eating healthy means limiting food choices, eating bland food,extra efforts and time spent while shopping to select wise food choices. It isn't true. Our simple methods or selection of foods can lead us towards healthy lifestyle.

Healthy diet has an enormous power to prevent diseases. It gives us energy, immunity and retards the process of ageing. Eating healthy is a lot easier than people think.

Good shopping is 70% of good cooking. Good cooking is its own reward. If we shop well and cook well, we eat well and feel well. Spread the joy of cooking.

Sources -
(Cooking, a love affair )
good cooking : The new basics

aaloo- methi paratha

Ingredients-

mashed Potato - 1 cup
Fenugreek leaves - 1 bunch
green chilies - 3-4
garam masala - 11/2 tsp
Onion - 1 med.
Wheat flour - 2 cups
Bengal gram flour - 1 cup
Salt
Pepper - 1/2 tsp
oil - 1 Tbsp

Recipe -

1. Knead the dough by adding wheat flour, Bengal gram flour,salt, pepper and 1 tsp oil.
2. Chop onions and green chilies. Put oil in a pan and then saute chopped onions , green chilies,fenugreek leaves, garam masala, salt.
3. Add mashed potatoes to the mixture.
4. Divide the dough into small round portions and roll it. Then add the stuffing to it. and then again roll the paratha.
5. Roast the paratha and then add some oil .
6. serve with raita or salad.

Addition of bengal gram flour to the wheat flour, makes it complete protein. addition of methi and onions add fibre to it.Fenugreek is the cleansing and soothing herb which also has mild laxative properties. When we eat these parathas with curd or raita it makes a complete meal as it meets all the food groups.

wild rice with jalapeno

Ingredients-

rice - 2cups
white wine - 1 Tbsp
Fish sauce - 1 Tbsp ( optional)
Worcestershire sauce - 2tsp
jalapeno - 1
fresh celery - 100gms
salt
Olive oil - 1 tsp
Parsley leaves

INGREDIENTS -

1. Cook rice with 4 cups of water and 1 Tbsp white wine and salt and keep it aside.
2. Heat oil in the pan. add jalapenos and chopped celery.
3. Add cooked rice and fish sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Garnish with parsley.

Rice was not that spicy as my side dish was fiery Cajun shrimp which was spicy. I wanted to balance the spiciness . One can add more jalapenos and make it more spicy. Celery, parsley, makes this dish more nutritious !!!

chicken with gnocchi and tomato sauce

Ingredients-

wheat gnocchi - 2 cups boiled and cooked
Chicken( boneless)- 11/2 cup
Tomato puree - 2cups
Basil -20 fresh leaves
Sun dried tomatoes - 4-5
Oregano - 1/2 tsp ( opt.)
Olive oil - 1 Tbsp
Paprika -1 1/2 tsp
Garlic - 2 tsp
Red pepper flakes - 2 tsp
pepper- 1/2 tsp
Grated Parmesan cheese- 1TBsp
( Reduced fat )
Chopped parsley -
* Vegetarians can add broccoli and mushrooms instead chicken.
Recipe -

1. Boil and cook wheat gnocchi and drain it.
2. Cook chicken and cut into pieces . Vegetarians can cook Broccoli and mushrooms instead chicken
3. take tomatoes, basil leaves,sun dried tomatoes, paprika,garlic, oregano,salt and chopped onion in the grinder and grind it and make a puree.
4. Heat 2tsp oil in the pan and cook this puree and make a tomato basil sauce.
5. Now grease the baking pan add gnocchi or veggies then add this sauce on the top of it then sprinkle Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley on that.
6. Bake in the preheated oven at 400 F for 10-12 Min's.

I always use to feel Italian is all loaded with cheese and extremely high calorie food. But one can modify it into healthy nutritious recipe. I have tried to make it comparatively nutritious with maintaining the taste. It was a very successful recipe.
Though we get ready made pasta sauces, The fresh tomatoes and basil add more nutrition and taste to the dish and also, we can reduce the amount of preservatives in our diet !!!

what gnocchi makes it comparatively high fibre,chicken and low fat cheese gives low fat and high protein source.Also we all know therapeutic value of basil.It has same properties as mint.It has antibacterial,anthelminitic ( antiworm)propeties. It gives aid to the digestive tract, useful in intestinal and kidney ailments.It has orientin and vicenin which has anti cancerous properties. Tomatoes contains phytoestrogen lycopene which has anticancerous and anticholesterol properties. Also parsley has a Nerve stimulant properties.

cluster bean vegetable or Gavairchi bhaji

Ingredients -

Cluster beans - 350gms
Potato - 100gms
curry leaves - 7-8
onion - 1 med. chopped
ginger paste - 1 tsp
Goda masala - 1 Tbsp
green chilies - 3-4
(salt,turmeric,asafoetida or hing, mustard seeds, cumin seeds )
sugar - 1/2 tsp

* One can find Goda masala / black masala/ maharashtrian masala in the indian store.

Recipe
1. Cut the cluster beans,onion and potatoes.
2. Boil the cluster beans and potatoes and drain it and keep some water maybe 1/2
to 1 cup.
3. Heat the oil in the pan. Put mustard and cumin seeds, asafoetida or hing.
4. then add curry leaves and green chillies and ginger paste. Then put the cooked cluster beans and potatoes.
5. Add salt, turmeric, Goda masala and sugar. Then add the remaining water and cook
till its get evaporated.

This simple veggie goes well with simple dal-rice. This is my mom's recipe and I just love it !!! Guvar contains Guvar gum which is 75% of dietary fibre. It is useful to fight against cholesterol and obesity.Contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Manganese, Vitamin A, dietary fiber, folate, iron and potassium. and 1 cup of guvar contains only 44 Kcals.

fiery cajun shrimp

Ingredients - 
Shrimp

1 Tbsp cajun seasoning
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1tsp Melted butter
1 tsp Olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoons ground pepper
2 teaspoons chilli sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt
2 pounds medium shrimp
1/2 medium chopped onion
1 lemons, thinly sliced
2tsp constarch

Recipe

1. Mix Worcestershire sauce,lemon juice,ground pepper,chilli sauce,salt and cajun seasoning together in a bowl and add shrimp to it.
2. Add butter and olive oil in the pan and then add chopped garlic, chopped onion to it and saute.
3. Add obove mixture into the pan and again saute.
4. After 2-3 minutes take caonstarch in a different bowl and cold water to it and mix well. Then put this mixture in the pan.
5. Cook it for 5-10 mins. Fiery Cajun shrimp is ready to serve.


This recipe turned out to be awesome than I expected. This goes excellent with wild rice. I tried cajun shrimp recipe at K.Paul's kitchen, New Orleans. and I just loved it and wanted to try it since then. This was a bit spicy and not all people like to eat very spicy food, so I have mentioned the modified recipe here. I had marinated the shrimp for 6-7 hrs and made this preparation 1 hr before the party.

Shrimp is an excellent source of protein,selinium and B12. It is a very good source of iron and phosphorous. 100 gms of boiled shrimp gives 99 kcal, 21 g protein, 195 mg of cholesterol,177 mg of EPA and 144 mg of DHA. ( EPA & DHA ) are good fatty acids. Because it contains cholesterol , many people tend to avoid it. But, it can be eaten in the moderate amounts to get other nutritional benefits.

undhiyu

This one is one of my favorite recipe. Traditional recipe contains a lot of oil and coconut. This is the edited version of the traditional recipe.I have excluded coconut and also reduced the amount of oil from the traditional recipe.It contains herbs like ginger, garlic & cilantro which contains lots of minerals like vitamin c,zinc, phosphorous,fiber .It also contains many vegetables.Also, muthiyas are baked instead of frying.

UNDHIYU

INGREDIENTS-:

Surti papdi - 150 gm
Raw banana - 150 gm
Eggplant - 150 gm
Potatoes - 150 gm
yam - 150 gm

Green masala

Cilantro - 1/2 bunch
Ginger - 2 tsp
Green Garlic paste - 2 tsp
(OR Garlic paste )
Salt
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Undhiyu masala - - 2 tbsp
Sugar - 2 tsp


Oil - 2 tsp

For muthiya

Methi or Fenugreek leaves - 150 gm
Bengal gram flour - 30 gm OR 1 Tbsp
Whole wheat flour - 30 gm OR 1 Tbsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Ajwain - 1 tsp
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Oil - 1tsp
Salt -

Method -

1. Cut all the vegetables. Steam and partially cook it for 8-10 minutes.
2. put 1 tsp oil in a pan and saute partially cooked vegetables.
3. Grind GREEN MASALA ingredients and make a paste and put it aside.
4. Mix all the ingredients of muthiya and knead the dough. Then bake it in an
oven at 400 F or 200 C for 10 minutes.
5. Put oil in a pan. Add green masala paste. Add Sauteed vegetables and muthiya to
it. Keep it for minimum 6 hrs. Let all the spices mix well with veggies and
muthiya.

Hara bhara pulao

This is a very good recipe for the people who doesn't like to eat broccoli and spinach in a whole vegetable form. I have pureed all these vegetables.This recipe also has a distinct taste of curry leaves. This dish has fiber,vitamins, minerals. It is a low calorie recipe which can be eaten in moderate amount as rice has carbohydrates. It tastes good with raita and pickle !!!

Ingredients -

Rice - 2 cups
Peas - 1cup
Cashews - 8-10


Spinach - 1 bunch
Fenugreek leaves - 1 bunch
Broccoli - 1 1/2 cup
Onion - 1
Cilantro - 1/2 bunch
ginger - 1tsp
garlic - 1tsp

tempering
Oil - 2 tsp
mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
curry leaves - 10-15 ( finely chopped )
Dry red chilies - 4-6 no.

salt
cilantro - for garnishing

Method -

1.Cook all the vegetables for 10-12 minutes. Make a paste of all the vegetables except peas and herbs.

2 for every 1 cup of rice take 2 cups of vegetable puree.( for 2 cups = 4 cups vegetable puree) and add salt, peas and cashews . Then cook it in microwave for 20 minutes.

3.Heat the oil and put the tempering with all above listed ingredients.

4. Add cooked rice and saute with the tempering.

5. Garnish this rice with cilantro.

salmon sandwiches

This is delicious and very nutritious dish. I loved this one. I used What breads which are high in fiber, also salmon is high in proteins and saturated fatty acids,selenium,niacin, B12, phosphorous, magnesium and B6.Coleslaw has cabbage fiber, Vitamin C,moisture,minerals and phytoestrogens which are anti-cancerous.I used 1 tsp low-fat mayonnaise and mixed it with yogurt which makes it comparatively less fat.

Ingredients -

Wheat bread slice - 4 no.

Mashed potatoes - 4 tbsp
Parsley leaves - 1 tsp
Cayenne pepper - 1 tsp
salt

Coleslaw -
Cabbage - 1 1/2 cup
Low-fat Mayonnaise- 1tsp
Yogurt - 3Tbsp
Parsley leaves- 1/2tsp
salt
Sugar - pinch

Salmon -1
Cajun seasoning - 1tsp
Red chili powder- 1tsp
Olive oil - 1tsp
salt
Garlic paste

Method -
1. Marinate salmon by adding garlic paste,salt,cajun seasoning,red chili powder
and salt
2. Finely chop cabbage and onions. Mix all the ingredients from above coleslaw recipe.
3. make mash- potatoes by adding above spices. You can also add some butter. ( opt.)
4. Bake fish at 350 F for 20 minutes.
5 Toast bread slices.
6. Put ketch-up to the toasted slices.then put layers of mashed potatoes,coleslaw,
and baked fish. One can also fry fish.
7. Sandwich is ready to serve !!!

Tangy okra

Okra is a warm weather crop which is very popular in south. This vegetable has an African origin.
It goes well with tomatoes, onion, garlic, seafood,chicken, rice, hot sauce, curry powder and a tangy touch of lemon, vinegar and tamarind.
100g Okra has 1.9 g Protein, 35 Kcal, 6.4g carbohydrates ,0.2g fat ,6.9mg sodium,

Nutritional benefits -

1. It has low calories.
2. It contains high moisture
3. It contains high fibre.
4. It has high sodium.

Health Benefits -

1. Because of its high fibre and moisture content it is good for constipation or irritable bowl
syndrome.
2. It is good for sodium deficiency.
3. Because of high fibre , moisture content with low calories it can be used in weight-loss diets.

Tangy Okra

Ingredients -

Okra - 250 gms
Oil - 1 Tbsp.
Roasted peanuts
( powdered ) - 1 Tbsp
Dry mango powder
( Amchur ) - 1tsp
Red chili powder - 11/2 tsp
turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
coriander powder - 1 tsp
Tamarind pulp - 1 tsp
Tomato - 1/2 ( opt.)
salt

Recipe -

1. Mix Roasted and powdered peanuts,dry mango powder, red chili powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder, salt together in a bowl.

2 . Put a slit to okra and put the above mixture in it.

3. Add oil in a pan and heat it.

4. Put the okra and spices mixture in pan and and tamarind pulp.

5. Cook it for 12-15 minutes on a slow flame.

Broccoli soup

Broccoli is a member of cabbage family. The name is derived from latin name '' Branchium " which means branch or arm. Broccoli provides a complex of tastes and textures ranging from the soft and flowery florets to the fibrous and crunchy stem.
Native country - Europe

Nutritional benefits -

1. Although low in calories, it is most nutrient-dense food.

2. A cup of Broccoli provides same amount of protein as a cup of rice or corn , but less amount of calories.

3. It is an excellent source of Vitamin A,C,K , Folic acid and fibre, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium,B6 and vitamin E.

4.It also contains glucosinolates and phytochemicals with tremendous anticancerous effects.

100g Broccoli - 35 Kcal, 2.3 g protein, No cholesterol, 0.4 g of fat, 7.2 g carohydrate, 3.3 g fibre

Health Benefits -

1.It has anticancerous substances like glucosinolates and lutein.

2. It contains Sulforaphane which helps the body to get rid of Helicobacter Pylori. This bacterium is responsible for peptic ulcers and gastric cancers.

3. It contains carotenoid which prevents macular degenaration. It protects retina from damage.

Tips for preparation.

1. It can be served hot or cold, raw or cooked.

2.It can be added to salads or omlets.

3. It can be lightly steamed for 9-12 minutes, stir-fried or sauteed. lemon juice and sesame seeds can be added to the lightly cooked broccoli.

4.With the puree of lightly cooked Broccoli and cauliflower , one can make delicious soups by adding seasonings of their own choice.

( Reference - Encyclopedia of healing foods, Broccoli and other tales of food and love )

Ingredients of Broccoli Soup.

• 1 teaspoons butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli
• 1 large onion, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth ( opt)
  
• 1 cup Low fat milk
  
• 1/2 cup cream ( opt.)
• Croutons (opt)
• 1 tsp. garlic
• finely chopped parsley or cilantro
  

Recipe -

1. Cook Broccoli , onions, for 9-12 minutes.

2. Blendarize the these boiled veggies with water, low fat milk, cream ( opt), all purpose flour, salt and pepper.

3. Put butter in a pan. Saute garlic paste.

4 . Pour the blenderized puree into the pan. Add 4 cups of water or chicken broth.Let it cook for 3-5 mins.

5. Garnish it with chopped parsley or cilantro leaves.

Lifestyle & Psychology

Nowadays everybody has become a fitness freak. All of us want to shape our body and live confidently. How many of us think about shaping their mind ? Balancing mind should be the base of Lifestyle management program. Many of us suffer from psychological problems during our Lifestyle change programs.

People with anorexia are obsessed with food and their weight and body shape.They attempt to maintain a weight that's far below normal for their age and height.In extreme cases, they may be extremely thin but still think they're fat. To prevent weight gain people with anorexia may starve themselves or exercise excessively. Anorexia is an unhealthy way to try to cope with emotional problems, perfectionism and a desire for control.

In contrast, some people suffer from disorder called bulimia. When you have bulimia nervosa, it's common to live in a world of secret shame . But one may feel trapped by this addiction-like relationship with food, where you eat a large amount of food and then try to rid yourself of the extra calories by such unhealthy ways as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise.

Sometimes the large food intake results in emotionally weak state of mind. Emotional eating is the way to supress our negative emotions such as stress, anger, anxiety, boredom, sadness and loneliness. Often with emotional eating people tend to eat sweet , fatty ,salty foods. But if this is the only problem ,one can regain control of their mind and move forward towards healthy lifestyle.

. Learn to know which is your true hunger & which is emotional eating.

. Look elsewhere for comforts. Try to engage yourself in other activities.

. Get adequate sleep. At least for 8 hrs.

.Eat well balanced diet and exercise regularly.

.Try Yoga for balanced mind.

. Enjoy parties by meeting and talking to people not with food.

. Always eat to live and not live to eat.