Masoor Dal Soup

Off late, We are trying to have a healthy dinner with soup and salad. I tried this soup out of Tarla Dalal's recipe book and it tastes really good. This soup is very filling as it has dal, rice and vegetables in a pureed form.  To make this soup you ll need

* 1/2 cup masoor dal (orange colored dal)

* 1/4 cup rice

* 1/2 cup  red onion 

* 1/2 cup green capsicum

* 1/2 tomato

* Milk - 1/2 cup

* Water - 1/2cup

* Salt - to taste

* Pepper - to taste

1.Wash the dal and rice . Pressure cook with vegetables in 1 1/2 cups of water. 

2. Once the pressure has reduced, open the cooker and mash the contents using a hand blender. If it gets too thick add water to blend. All the ingredients must be mashed completely.

3. Add the 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of water now and bring to boil. If the mixture is still too thick then add water to bring to flowing consistency. 

4. Add the salt and pepper according to your taste and enjoy !!!.

We usually have this soup with couscous salad.I will post the recipe for that as well, I have not uploaded any pictures but I will very soon once I get my computer sorted out. I hope you enjoy making this soup :)

Envelope Parathas

I just made this today, adapted from one of Tarla Dalala's recipe books,  these parathas are easy and tasty. I enjoyed making them though I was not in a mood to cook.

For the Stuffing.

*Boiled and mashed potatoes - 1 cup
*Mixed vegetables - carrots, peas, cauliflower, corn - 1 cup
* Green chilli - 1
* Chopped coriander - a few stems ( 4-5)
* Gharam masala - 1/2 tsp
* Chat masala - 1/2 tsp
* Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
* Salt

Mix all the ingredients for the stuffing and keep aside.

For the parathas,

* Whole wheat flour - 1 cup
* All purpose floour - 1/2 cup
* Oil - 2 tbps
* Water -as needed

Mix all the ingredients above adding water slowly to form a firm but soft batter.

Divide the batter into small balls. Roll each ball out into small tin chappatis.

Place the stuffing in the center and fold on all sides to close the stuffing. The paratha should look like a rectangular envelope.

Place on heated pan and cook till both sides are cooked properly. U can use ghee if required to cook the parathas.

Serve with ketchup or boondi raitha.

Here is a picture of what I cooked today, though the parathas don't look very appetising in there, I am sure they will look much better the next time I make them. Happy Cooking :D

Vegetable Parathas ready to be eaten :)

Had to do with ketchup this time, next time will try the boondi raitha. 

Health Breakfast drink - Magh nu Pani ( Sprouts water).

There are these days during winter when you'd like a hot cup of something other than the regular coffee or tea in the morning. Magh nu pani , as we call it in gujrati is a great breakfast drink, filling and also very health. This is my grandma's recipe, every summer when my sister and me used to visit my grandparents this drink would definitively be on the table for breakfast. This recipe reminds me of my childhood days, I hope you enjoy making the drink and serving it to your family creating memories. :)

You 'll need around one cup of green moong dal, cumin powder, salt, pepper and a dash of lime juice.

1) Soak the green moong dal overnight in water ( 2- 3 cups) .
2) The next day , boil the moong dal with the same water until they are soft. Note that if there is extra water its okay, so dont throw away any water.
3) Mash the dal with a hand blender and let it pass through a sieve.
4) If needed, use a spoon to mash up the remaining moong in the sieve and discard it once done.
5) Heat the sieved sprouts water for 3-4 minutes, adding salt, cumin powder, pepper and lime juice and serve immediately. It tastes the best when its drunk hot !

This is indeed a easy and healthy breakfast recipe. And in the cold chilly mornings, it just makes me feel great ! Have fun cooking. 

Hot Sprouts water