Tawa Paneer with a twist-Deviation from the usual recipe

I am back after a week’s hibernation. Although the short break taken for a quick gateway doesn't seem to be enough but as they say all’s well that ends well. It was a refreshing trip and spent some quality time with friends and family. We went to Mahabaleshwar with a very good family friend of ours.

With its mesmerizing valleys, placid lakes, cascading waterfalls, scenic locations, Mahabaleshwar gives shelter to various tourists’ destinations. Be it the lookout points with spectacular views of hills and valleys or the spiritual aura prevailing in the place, it is an ideal destination for any type of visitor.

It represents a perfect blend of natural beauty, modernity and old charm. It is easily reachable from Mumbai and Pune and it takes at least 2-3 days to explore the place as it has lots to offer. It owes it cool climate to the high altitude and evergreen forests.

Another high point of the trip was the local cuisine delight of strawberries with cream. This place is loaded with fresh strawberries and known for its cultivation. Being a foodie, I enjoyed strawberries in all forms possible… I bought some strawberry crush and squash for my pantry stock. I’ll try to use them for creating some mouthwatering dishes and watch out this space for some amazing recipes.  

Though i enjoyed my vacation but missed some of the interesting posts from my fellow bloggers. I’ll try to pace up and keep myself abreast with all that I have missed over the break.

Now I am out of my lazy phase. And to celebrate that, i made paneer tawa masala with a twist. This recipe is unique because of an unusual ingredient “Pao Bhaji Masala. I decided to marinate the paneer pieces with Pao Bhaji Masala and other aromatic dry spices. It enhances the flavor of the dish and it is an unusual take from the original recipe.

 This is a very easy recipe to make and worth making an effort to please your loved ones. . The curry was simply brilliant. It was divine to dunk a piece of phulka into the gravy along with a chunk of paneer. This is a kind of recipe that you can indulge in again and again without any guilt indulgence.

Serves: 4 people

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: Under 15 minutes 

Bottle gourd and Multi Grain Bread Pattie (Tikki) served with Sweet and Hot Tamarind Pulp

Have you heard of “Tikki” made of bottle gourd? I didn’t have any clue about this recipe until my nutritionist/trainer introduced this unique recipe some one year back. Thanks to the happy soul for introducing me to another interesting snacking option which is extremely light on your palate and strikingly appropriate to be considered as a tea time snack.

According to health experts, snacking is beneficial to your health. Years of research indicates that snacking in between meals is healthy and satisfying to a person. The choice of snacks and its contents matter.

Also another healthy option is to select a light evening snack for your early summer dinner and to avoid salt intake after 7 PM. You can take fruits or curd after 7 PM to cut off the extra calories and flab's.

Many people avoid snacks because they are afraid that snacks contribute to weight gain. However, a healthy snack can offer health benefits. Snacks can even be included in a weight loss plan. The trick is to choose a snack with about 100 calories and a mix of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. Aim to eat your snack about halfway between meals to keep energy levels consistent.

Believe me! Your search for that ideal health snacks comes to an end with this inimitable recipe of bottle gourd tikki(pattie) served with sweet and hot tamarind sauce. It Tastes great and gives a softer feeling. It is not only nutritious, but also helpful to fight out the hot summer months.

This is an amazing and fantastic yummy dish innovatively prepared with a quite tasteless and bland vegetable which nobody would have ever thought off. However without ignoring its health benefits do try this recipe at home to enjoy the flavors of this exotic Pattie loaded with immense nutrients beneficial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

It is low in calories and fat yet high in dietary fiber. It has a cooling, calming and a diuretic effect. So get ready to enjoy the benefits of healthy snacking with this pleasing quick recipe.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Serves: 2 people

“Singhare Ki Kachori” Dahi Aur Moongfali ki Chattni ke Saath (Navratri Fast Special)

This is that time of the year when our hearts are filled with new aspirations and hope for the coming days and a new beginning to look forward. There is always something warm and bright about this time of the year, when everything has a special glow!

Yes, I am talking about the Navratra festival. Navratri just like the name suggests is a celebration of nine days to worship Goddess Durga in nine different forms. Navratri is celebrated twice a year - once in the month of Chaitra (April-May) and again in the month of Ashwin (September-October). It is celebrated in the country differently in different states.

By the way, I owe this piece of knowledge to my mum in law. Thanks to her for expanding my horizon and for telling me some wonderful stories about the origin of Navratri festival. I am religious but not a staunch follower of religious customs. I only practice what I can do genuinely with 100% dedication and belief. However my in-laws are very religious; especially my mum in-law. She is an avid follower of all important Hindu rituals but that doesn’t mean she is orthodox.  She practices what she preaches and she is able to maintain balance between the extremities of being orthodox and following one’s inner belief.

In the festive occasion of Navratri, fast is observed by people for seven or eight days, depending upon when they want to conduct the Kanchika Pujan (when young girls are worshipped). The devotees, who have observed fast, would get up early in the morning, take bath and offer prayers to the deity .Most people nowadays perform partial fasting which is logical and practical in today’s fast paced world.

I strongly believe that by integrating the practice of fasting with Navratris, people are willy-nilly made to follow a tradition of cleansing, detoxifying, and resting their bodies. Although this is not all bad. In fact it is a good way to relax your body and mind by way of detoxification.

Today’s recipe is a very simple recipe eaten during fasts. Some might like to call it as “Singhare ki poori” but I would prefer to call it as “Singhare ki kachori” because it tastes incredible with the dip made out of Yogurt and roasted peanuts.

“Singhare ka Atta” or Water chestnut flour is usually a "vrat" or a fasting item. It is made from dried, ground water chestnuts. The nuts are boiled, peeled, dried then ground into flour. The nuts are also eaten raw. My mum in law makes this at home. Now days you can buy (Water chestnut flour) it from super markets but we prefer to make it at home to ensure the purity of the ingredients.

There is an element of fun and devotion attached to such fasting rituals. The devotees feel a sense of satisfaction by performing such meticulous rituals.

The dish is simple but you feel a sense of divinity while feasting on it :) Hope you all world like it.

Preparation Time: 10-15 min

Cooking Time: 10-15 min

Serves: 4-5

Stir Fry Bottle gourd with Black Gram-Lauki Aur kale Chane ki Sabji

I consider bottle gourd as a very unique vegetable and at the same time adaptable in making either sweet or salty dishes. I love for its simplistic mild flavor.

Bottle gourd is known by host of other names in different parts of India- Lauki and Doodhi being some of the commonly known name.

Off late it has gained popularity because of its increasing use in “Ayurveda treatment”. Those of you who practices yoga must know that Yoga guru “Baba Ramdev” urges everyone to include bottle gourd in their daily meal to follow healthy eating habits and for its nutritional benefits.

This simple vegetable is loaded with health benefits. . Its juice is known to lower cholesterol and beneficial for diabetic patients. It is rich in iron, protein and fiber. It is 96.1% water, and is light on the stomach and aids digestion. Do you know 100 gm serving of lauki contains just 12 calories.... Isn't this amazing to know especially for those who are constantly watching the weight machine. I can just live on this vegetable and can easily adjust it to whatever recipe it is used in. You can use them for dry stir fries, curries, with lentils, in desserts, soups and a lot more creative recipes.

I know many who don't like to eat bottle gourd as a simple veggie, especially kids. They are not very excited by the look of the veggie and for its simple taste. I guess, it simply doesn't appeal to them. But try serving this recipe, bet you will be asked for  more servings.

The recipe today is adapted from my mom. I remember her cooking this recipe with sheer enthusiasm and serving it with pure vehemence :)  It is an extremely light dish on your palate and super quick dish but still packed with tons of flavor and taste.  The ingredients used are very basic and easily available but the end results are astonishing.

This is again a perfect dish for weight watchers. There is no onion garlic in this recipe and it is very lightly spiced.  Hopefully you guys will enjoy this dish as much as I do …..

Preparation Time: Under 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 2 people

Zucchini Sushi Rolls wrapped in Broccoli & Carrots-Served With Minty Yogurt Dip

Zucchini is one of those foods that I discovered late in life (like, two year’s back!) and now I just can’t get enough of it!  “V” is not very fond of it so I try using zucchini in variety of dishes like risotto, salads and in pastas. Every time I try slipping it in into dishes, I just hope that he doesn’t realize it until it’s already in his mouth. 

Would you ever think of zucchini as an appetizer?  Well today’s recipe is a sushi roll made out of zucchini. I made this for an evening snack and it turned out to be pretty impressive.  These sushi rolls are wrapped with a mixture of broccoli, carrots, almonds and cottage cheese. I have used the slight tinge of garlic and some herbs to enhance the aroma.

Zucchini is a very wholesome vegetable. High in vitamin C and antioxidants. While they are low in calories, just 15 calories in a 3/4-cup serving, they’re rich in potassium, which promotes healthy blood pressure, as well as immunity-supporting vitamins C, A and B6. They also have plenty of zeaxanthin, which is good for your eyes. (Be sure you eat zucchini with the skin on—that’s where most of the nutrients are.)

They are known as summer squash as well. These sushi rolls are very simple to prepare, super delicious and highly versatile. The other bonus is it can be made ahead of time.  You could also use these as a side dish. It creates an endless amount of possibilities because almost anything goes with the smooth and silky flavor (and texture) of the zucchinis. It is a great grain-free alternative to the conventional wrap.

It is an ideal option for a light summer dinner meal. I decided to serve the sushi rolls with a dip made out of hung yogurt, dry mint powder and generous use of simple flavors like garlic, green coriander leaves and crushed pepper.

If you don’t like to use cottage cheese then fill it with hummus or any other stuffing like minced soya granules or even with chunks of raw green apple salad. Oh the opportunities are endless!

Okay let me just go straight to the recipe or else I will get lost in the simplicity of the dish.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

BADAMI PANEER (COTTAGE CHEESE IN ALMOND AND TOMATO SAUCE)

As per my promise, I am back with the recipe of “BADAMI PANEER”. This recipe was the other significant entrant on my Holi Platter (Thali) besides “MALAI DILKHUSH KOFTA” made out of Raw Bananas(refer to the recipe at).

This scrumptious almond-based gravy is colorful because of the addition of tomatoes and bell peppers. Subtle spices are used to enhance the aroma of the dishes.

It is again a no onion garlic recipe which is ideal for festive seasons. You will simply love the soft and delicious milky flavor of this dish. You can add other nuts also to this recipe to give it an interesting twist but I have avoided using other nuts simply to avoid the extra calorie intake.

Almonds are very good sources of vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, copper, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and phosphorus. These minerals in necessary amounts are required by our body to remain healthy. Though almonds are considered fatty, the good news is that they are good for our heart.

Almonds can be used to improve the texture and consistency of most gravy, as opposed to cashew nuts. I find that almond-based gravy tastes better and is also healthier than cashews nut.

So I am heading straight to sharing the details of the recipe without wasting time in explaining the rich texture of the gravy. It is light on your palate and can be relished likewise by adults and kids.

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4 People

My Special Holi Thali-RAW BANANA KOFTA STUFFED WITH CREAM (No Onion Garlic Recipes)

Holi was quite a hit with friends and family spending some quality time together. I decided to spend my time in the kitchen for churning out some special meals for my loved ones. It is always a pleasure cooking for family and friends and it adds up the excitement quotient during festivals.

My son specially enjoyed it with his friends and “Holi” was a big fun event for all of them, with all the kids unrecognizable, smeared in innumerable colors by the end of the day. I was having nightmare thinking about the process of scrubbing off the colors. By end of it, my son had two different colored ears :)

I have always believed that meals cooked with love can bond us to our kith and kin, while food can evoke memories.  So I decided to wear my special apron to cook up a memorable meal for the festival of colors “Holi”.

I decided to make a special Thali (Platter) for “Holi” Lunch. Traditionally on festive occasions like holi, we offer our food first to god and goddess before having ourselves and the dishes cooked are no onion garlic recipes.

Thali means platter. It is a complete meal with balance of all flavors and textures. The concept of “Thali” is that all the nutrients are included in a meal plate. As with most of the Indian customs/rituals, the Thali also has scientific reasoning behind it — right from the content of “Thali” to its presentation. The selection of the menu is motivated by availability of seasonal vegetables and fruits which provides required nutrient and minerals to body for that particular climate/season.

My special “Holi Lunch” Menu consisted of the following dishes:

-MALAI DILKHUSH KELE KE KOFTE (RAW BANANA KOFTA STUFFED WITH CREAM)

-BADAMI PANEER (COTTAGE CHEESE IN ALMOND TOMATO GRAVY)

-MATAR PULAO (PEAS PULAO)

-MASALEDAR KADDU KI SABZI(SPICY PUMPKIN VEGGIE)

-DAHI VADA

-POORI

It was a real treat, I agree it was a heavy meal but a little bit of sinful indulgence is allowed during festivals.

I’ll be sharing the recipe of two dishes mentioned above- MALAI DILKHUSH KELE KE KOFTE & BADAMI PANEER (COTTAGE CHEESE IN ALMOND TOMATO GRAVY) purely because they were different than the other common entrant on my “Thali recipe”.

I will confess that I have been too liberal in choosing the basic ingredients for making this kofta curry. I am not sure whether anyone has tried it before but this surely is the result of my imagination and the result was sinful:) but I guess we are allowed to feed ourselves royally on occasions like Holi.

The name selected for the raw banana dumpling (MALAI DILKHUSH KELE KE KOFTE )curry is virtuously for using dry fruits as the main base.

Dry Fruits are commonly used in Indian cooking for thickening gravies and adding volume. However I have used poppy seeds, cashew nuts and some sunflower seeds to create the gravy of the dish. This lovely white gravy is prepared with loads of cashew nuts and poppy seeds. Coriander adds some color to the gravy while the malai kofta just melt in your mouth!

I have given a melting texture to the raw banana dumplings by filling malai (cream) as a stuffing.

Now quickly over to the recipe before I get lost is explaining the stunning flavor of the recipe.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: Under 30 minutes

Serves: 5-6 people