Tuesday 2 October 2018

Instant Vegetable Rawa Idli



There are days when you want to eat something good and healthy, sitting in the comfort of your house, but feeling too lazy too prepare something elaborate. Then, what to do? Of course, you may say order food or prepare something ready to eat. But, as my awareness about food quality is increasing, I am increasingly getting skeptical about eating outside, unless it is a trusted outlet. So, I still prefer to cook rather than eating out.

Come change in season and viral fever comes knocking on the door, especially if you have children in the family. Few days back MIL & I wanted to eat something light and different, but as the children were not well, we couldn't go for anything elaborate. 

So, prepared this yummy, instant veggie rawa idli n enjoyed with freshly prepared coconut chutney. Surprisingly my elder one too relished this as he too wanted some change in taste.
Ingredients (Makes approx 15 Idlis)
Thick Rawa/Sooji/Semolina - 1 Cup
Curd - 3/4 cup
Oil - 1 tbsp + for greasing the Idli mould
Onion - 1 small, chopped
Garlic - 3-4 pods, chopped
Carrot - 1 small, chopped
Chana Dal - 2 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Green chillies - 3 small chopped + 3-4 whole for garnishing
Curry Leaves - 5-6 no.
Ginger - 1 small piece, chopped
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Green Coriander - 1/2 Cup, chopped
Water - 1 Cup, or as required
Eno - 1 sachet
Brown Raisins - 2-3 per idli


Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and add the asafoetida and mustard seeds.

2. When the mustard seeds begin to splutter, add the chana dal.

3. Add the curry leaves and let them splutter.

4. Add turmeric powder and mix well.

5. Add the chopped onion, garlic, ginger, carrot and green chillies. Mix well. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.

6. Next add the rawa and mix well. Reduce the flame to low and bhuno/saute well till nice aroma starts coming as the rawa gets cooked.

7. Turn off the flame and cool the mixture.

8. Add the curd, salt and chopped coriander and mix well. You may adjust the consistency with water in case the mixture appears thick. It should be like a batter consistency.



9. Cover and keep aside for 15-20 minutes.
10. Grease the idli moulds and add 2-3 raisins to each cavity. I also added whole green chillies to few cavities but it is completely optional.

11. Add the Eno sachet to the mix and fold gently. Immediately Transfer to the greased idli moulds and steam on high flame for about 15-20 minutes.



12. To check if the idlis are done, poke a knife in the idli. If the knife comes out clean, the idli is done.

13. Remove and serve hot with coconut chutney.



P.S. Since we had some extra batter which we couldn't keep for long as Eno was already added, my MIL used it to prepare yummy Dhokla by adding sweet water and tempering. You may refer to my Dhokla recipe for tempering details.


Friday 28 September 2018

Healthy Methi Mathris


Who doesn't like Mathris during tea time? Crispy and salty mathris make up for a refreshing snack on the go. I remember as a kid, whenever we had a trip coming up, mom would prepare yummy mathris to be munched throughout the long train journey. Mathris are a favorite item in the wedding return gift sweet boxes (we call them Bhaaji in North). When I got married, we had a good quantity of mathris left from the Bhaaji. Every evening, after returning from office, the Mathris would give me and my MIL company with our evening chai. Often, we would prepare papdi chaat with the leftover mathris. 

There is magic in the hands of Delhi Halwais (special chefs for preparing sweet and savory items). Almost everyone in the North have their favorite Halwai shop from where they get their dose of Samosa, Kachoris and Mathris. 

After moving to Mumbai, I terribly missed the Delhi walla mathris. I did find good Mathris at some shops here however, my soaring waistline keeps me away from fried food.

Few days ago, as it was raining, my taste buds craved for Mathris. So, I decided to pamper them the healthy way and prepared these Baked Methi Mathris. Apart from being non fried, these Mathris are made with 100% wholewheat flour and yet, they taste so crispy and yum. Since Methi imparts a certain bitterness, you may keep the quantity of methi leaves less in your first attempt.



Over to the recipe now...

Ingredients
Whole Wheat Flour - 1 Cup
Chopped fenugreek (Methi) leaves - 1/2 Cup (You may adjust the quantity to your taste)
Salt - 1 1/2 tsp or to taste
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Carrom Seeds/Ajwain/Ova - 1 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp (I didn't add as I was preparing for my kid)
Oil/Desi Ghee - 1 tbsp + for brushing
Water - 1/2 Cup

Method
1. In a mixing bowl, take the wholewheat flour. Add the chopped fenugreek leaves, salt, coriander powder, turmeric powder, carrom seeds and red chilli powder.


2. Add the desi ghee/oil. Add water bit by bit and bind into a still dough.

3. Cover with a dry cloth and rest for 15-20 minutes.

4. Roll the dough and divide into 15 small balls.

5. Roll each ball into a thin disc.

6. Arrange the discs on a greased baking tray.

7. Slightly prick with a fork to ensure that the Mathris don't rise.

8. Brush some ghee on the discs.


9. Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees for about 20 minutes or till the mathris turn golden brown.


Note - You can adjust the quantity of fenugreek leaves as per your preference. Start with small quantity and increase if you feel like. 






Who doesn't like Mathris during tea time? Crispy and salty mathris make up for a refreshing snack on the go. I remember as a kid, whenever we had a trip coming up, mom would prepare yummy mathris to be munched throughout the long train journey. Mathris are a favorite item in the wedding return gift sweet boxes (we call them Bhaaji in North). When I got married, we had a good quantity of mathris left from the Bhaaji. Every evening, after returning from office, the Mathris would give me and my MIL company with our evening chai. Often, we would prepare papdi chaat with the leftover mathris. Few days ago, as it was raining, my taste buds craved for Mathris. So, I decided to pamper them the healthy way and prepared these Baked Methi Mathris. Apart from being non fried, these Mathris are made with 100% wholewheat flour and yet, they taste so crispy and yum. http://shaivikafunda.blogspot.com/2018/09/healthy-methi-mathris.html?m=1 #healthyrecipe #healthyfood #health #healthyeating #healthybaking #healthy #snacks #teatime #recipe #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #food #snacks #delicious #tasty #tastebhihealthbhi #yummy #shaivikafunda #instagood #picoftheday #recipes #indianfood #india #indiansnacks
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Thursday 20 September 2018

Samosa Memories - Part 1

When I was a kid, it was a general practice to order Samosas when guests came over unannounced. Otherwise mom was prepared with her pakoda batter before the guests rang the doorbell. As I loved samosas I loved guests who came unnanounced! Anyway, all I had to do was to smile and do a quick Namaste! Lol!
While guests would be counted before sending my brother to the Samosa shop, mom ensured 2-3 extra samosas would be ordered just in case a guest wanted to have a second helping. Being a foodie by birth, I obviously eyed those extra samosas. While everyone would be busy to escort the guests to their car, I would swiftly slip back in the house and gobble up the remaining samosas in no time. Such a brat I was that my greed was not just limited to the extra samosas...if a guest didn't choose to eat the Samosa, I rejoiced secretly as it meant another extra samosa in my tummy ðŸ˜„

All this may sound very cheap and silly now, but I think every foodie kid is like that 
What to do, Samosas are so irresistible ðŸ˜‹
Pampered myself to these Samosas during teatime and remembered my childhood 






When I was a kid, it was a general practice to order Samosas when guests came over unannounced. Otherwise mom was prepared with her pakoda batter before the guests rang the doorbell. As I loved samosas I loved guests who came unnanounced! Anyway, all I had to do was to smile and do a quick Namaste! Lol! While guests would be counted before sending my brother to the Samosa shop, mom ensured 2-3 extra samosas would be ordered just in case a guest wanted to have a second helping. Being a foodie by birth, I obviously eyed those extra samosas. While everyone would be busy to escort the guests to their car, I would swiftly slip back in the house and gobble up the remaining samosas in no time. Such a brat I was that my greed was not just limited to the extra samosas...if a guest didn't choose to eat the Samosa, I rejoiced secretly as it meant another extra samosa in my tummy 😄 All this may sound very cheap and silly now, but I think every foodie kid is like that 🤣 What to do, Samosas are so irresistible 😋 Pampered myself to these Samosas during teatime and remembered my childhood 😀 #samosa #snacks #foodie #foodblog #foodblogger #food #chaat #indianfood #samosas #childhoodmemories #children #childhood #downthememorylane #shaivikafunda #memories #stories #storiesuntold #foodstory #funny
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Friday 7 September 2018

Easy and Healthy Sattu Sandwich


Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian Bloggers


I was introduced to Sattu by my mom in law, after I got married. My earlier job required me to be out by 6.30am. I still remember how diligently she would wake up every morning to prepare my breakfast and tiffin. Even during the famous Delhi winters, she would ensure I never left home without eating breakfast. Sattu was her favourite handy ingredient back then. 

For those who don't know much about Sattu, it is an excellent ready food which has several health benefits, as it is nothing but roasted gram/chana in powdered form. Sattu drink is an excellent way to beat the heat during summers in North India. An excellent food for people suffering from Diabetes and Hypertension, Sattu is an instant energy booster as well and rich in fibre, proteins, minerals and antioxidants. 

A super healthy and light option which perfectly compliments many recipes.

My MIL loves to play around a lot with Sattu. Apart from the Sattu drink in summers, she prepares excellent Sattu paranthas and Littis.

Having learnt so much from her, I experimented with Sattu and prepared these Sattu Sandwich for breakfast yesterday. To my utter gastronomic joy, they came out so well! Posted these on my Facebook foodie groups and the overwhelming response motivated me to post the recipe on my blog.


Ingredients (Makes 2 Sandwiches)
Brown bread - 4 slices

Onion - 1 medium

Green chilli - 1 large or to taste

Salt - to taste

Red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
Sattu/Roasted grams powder - 1tbsp
Lemon juice - few drops
Cheese slices - 1 per sandwich
Ghee - 1tsp (optional)


Method

1. Chop together onion and green chilli.





2. Add Sattu powder, salt, red chilli powder and lemon juice. Mix well.


3. Spread stuffing evenly on bread slices.


4. Put cheese slice on top.


5. Cover with the other bread slice.

6. Smear some Desi ghee on top (optional) for good colour.

7. Grill and enjoy!



Tuesday 10 July 2018

Book Review - The Assassinations

Author - Vikram Kapur
Publisher - Speaking Tiger
Genre - Fiction
Pages - 211
Price - Rs. 299


First Impressions
The year 1984 is a very important special year for me, because I was born that year. Well, on the serious front, being a Delhiite I have heard many first person accounts of the 1984 riots. When merely listening to those accounts shook me, imagine what those people would have gone through. I hardly get to read anything about 1984 these days, so I was quite intrigued when i came to know about this book. 

The cover bore a fiery read look, symbolising the flames that had engulfed the once peaceful city and burnt many lives, hopes, desires and friendships. All that they left behind were burnt houses, burnt lives and ugly scars that refuse to leave the hearts of those affected. 

My View
If you have lived in Delhi during the 1980s, you would have your own set of memories related to the 1984 riots, irrespective of your religion. Having been born and brought up in Delhi, I have heard several accounts of the riots from my parents and in-laws. Those few hours of lawlessness left scars of a lifetime to many lives. I recall having once met a Sikh uncle at a social gathering whose one arm was amputated. When I asked my mom how he lost his arm, she made a grim face and told me in a hush tone, "He lost his arm in the 1984 riots". While uncle was happily enjoying his Patiala peg, I am sure the drink would do nothing to remove the ugly memories from his mind. When my mom in law came to know about the plot of the book, she went in past and recalled how houses were burnt in the nearby colonies. In my previous organisation, a Sikh woman told me how she and her family had to hide in the Gurudwara for days before they felt safe to venture outside. 

To feel unsafe in one's own home is the worst fear come true and sadly, this happened in the city I call my home. For those who unlike me, haven't had the chance to hear the stories of survivors, The Assassinations beautifully narrates how one incident can affect the destinies of multiple generations. 

The book portrays through Prem, Deepa and their families the physical, social and emotional trauma people went through in the times that followed the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Prem, the son of a migrant Punjabi family and Deepa, the daughter of a an affluent Delhi Hindu family are head over heels in love. Even as Deepa's father, a beaurocrat has his hunch on the upcoming situation becoming tense due to Operation Bluestar, the father in him is unable to say no. While Prem and Deepa are engaged and weaving dreams of a rosy life ahead, the flames of Operation Bluestar and its aftermath reach Delhi. In the lawlessness and riots that followed, Prem was transformed overnight from a guy next door to a youth with endless turmoil going in his mind. The effect is seen on their relationship as well, however keeping the focus on the aftermath, the book does not unnecessarily drags on their relationship. While reading a book like this, one often anticipates the next, so while I had anticipated Prem and Deepa to be the focus till the end, I was shocked when they both die in a militant attack. I think it was the powerful narrative after their untimely death which brings brownie points to the story. The story suddenly shifts focus to the lives that remain, how they try to pick up the remains and move on. While Deepa's parents live a life of endless guilt having agreed for the match, Prem's family tries best to escape the tag of a militant's family. The story fast forwards two decades later, where both families are seen struggling with the after affects of the incident. They do move on physically, however the scars on their hearts refused to fade. 

Hits

  • One has to be very careful when touching upon such a sensitive topic as Operation Bluestar and the 1984 riots. I am impressed how the author beautifully captured the pulse of those times without any exaggeration or digression. 
  • The chapters are divided aptly before and after 31st October 1984, which makes it easy to understand the sequence of events.
  • Each character is penned thoughtfully and has an important role to play in depicting the mindset of each generation.
  • The consistent pace of the book is its biggest plus point. Without any exaggeration, the book is able to keep the reader glued and one literally feels transported to 1984. 
  • Unlike a lot of books that use such incidents to grab eyeballs without focusing much on the storyline, The Assassinations is a book that delivers what it promises. The powerful story not even once loses focus from the core issue and even as you flip the last page, your heart might say a silent prayer for those who suffered in those horrible times. For a moment, I felt as pained for the characters as I had felt while watching the 90s movie Maachis.

My Rating
4.5/5

A must read, for its powerful narrative.

I received the book from WritersMelon for an honest review.