Chikoo-date halwa

INGREDIENTS
chikoo 5-6, remove skin, chop finely
dates 100 gm finely chopped
milk 1- 1 1/2 cups
ghee 4 tbsp
nuts 1 tbsp
raisins 1 tbsp
bread crumbs of 4 slices( you can pdr. with the corners)
gur 3/4- 1 cup
cinnamon pdr. 1/4 tsp ( optional)
nutmeg pdr. 1/4 tsp ( optional)
cardamom pdr. 1 tsp
 
METHOD
In a kadai or non-stick pan, add 1 tsp ghee, fry nuts and raisins, remove in a small cup
in the same pan, add bread crumbs along with little ghee, fry well on low flame stirring continuously till nice aroma comes and it turns light brown , remove in a bowl
In the same pan, add dates, fry for 2 minutes on low flame, add 1 cup milk, keep stirring often till the dates are soft, so that you're able to mash them well, if need be, add some more milk
Once you've mashed the dates, add chikoo pieces, keep stirring for 3-4 minutes till they also get cooked, so that you're able to mash them all well
Now add gur, keep stirring, as gur melts, no need to add water or milk, keep cooking till gur is almost thickened, at this stage add breadcrumbs along with 2 tbsp ghee, keep stirring well, till everything is well blended and the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan
At this stage, add cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon powders, mix well, adding half of the nuts and raisins.
Remove in a serving bowl, decorate with remaining nuts and raisins, if you want, you may sprinkle some desiccated coconut on top. It can be served hot or cold.

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Stuffed snake gourd

INGREDIENTS
snake gourd, washed seeds and white parts removed by scooping out, into 2" rounds 
onion 1 big finely chopped
potatoes 2 big boiled, peeled and mashed when still warm
paneer crumbled 2-3 tbsp
green chilies finely chopped to taste
coriander leaves finely chopped 2 tbsp
salt to taste
turmeric pdr. 1/2 tsp
hing little
jeera/ cumin 1 tsp
oil for shallow frying
oil 1 tbsp

METHOD
make sure that you don't break the snake gourd rounds when you cut and scoop out
heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add jeera, once it crackles, add green chilies, hing, fry for a minute, add onion, fry with wee bit of salt till light brown, add mashed potatoes, turmeric, mix well, frying for another 3-4 minutes on medium flame 
add paneer, salt, coriander leaves, mix well. 
remove, cool, check for seasoning before stuffing
stuff well in the rounds, heat oil in a pan, add the stuffed gourds, fry on low flame turning from side to side, so that all the sides are evenly browned.
Drain, serve hot with rice or roti.

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https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. for all cancer and health related topics
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

Snake gourd ( pudalangai) soup

INGREDIENTS
snake gourd chopped 1 cup after removing the seeds and the white portion
onion finely chopped 1 small or 8-10 shallots ( sambar onions)
tomato 1 big finely chopped
turmeric pdr. 1/4 tsp
moong dal cooked  1/2 cup
salt and pepper pdr. to taste
ghee/ butter 1 1/2 tsp
ginger 1/2 tsp finely chopped
water as needed
coriander leaves for garnishing

METHOD
heat butter/ ghee in a pan, add onion, ginger, fry for a minute, add tomato and snake gourd pieces, fry on low flame for few minutes, then add turmeric pdr., water enough to cover the veges, cover and cook till veges are cooked.
Add cooked moong dal, cook for another 2-3 minutes, remove, cool little, blend everything well in the mixie or with hand blender, season with salt and pepper pdr., add water as desired, boil well, serve hot garnish with coriander leaves.

TIP- at times, snake gourd is bitter, as we don't know, best is, wash, cut into desired pieces, sprinkle some salt, mix well and keep aside in a colander with a plate down, as water will come out, then wash well, squeeze out and use as you'ld normally do.

For my other blogs, I'm giving the links below, feel free to view and comment too.
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. for all cancer and health related topics
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

Besan (gram flour) Vege idlis

INGREDIENTS
besan 1 cup
rava/ semolina  2 tbsp
buttermilk as required
salt to taste
carrot cut fine / grated  2-3 tbsp
green peas 2 tbsp
spring onion 2 tbsp
green chilies chopped fine to taste
baking soda 1/2 tsp
hing little
turmeric pdr. 1/2 tsp
oil for frying

METHOD
in a bowl, add besan, rava, hing, turmeric mix well
add buttermilk make batter like for idli adding enough buttermilk
add veges, green chilies, mix well
let it rest for 10-15 minutes, mix well, if the batter is thicker than idli batter, add more buttermilk to get the right consistency
add baking soda along with wee bit of water and beat well for 2-3 minutes
pour the batter in greased idli plates, put in idli cooker/ normal cooker  and steam for 10-12 minutes in medium flame or microwave cooker for about 4-5 minutes
cool slightly remove from the idli plates, cool completely, cut into long or smaller pieces
heat a pan, add 1-2 tbsp oil, if desired add mustard seeds, green chilies, add the cut idli pieces, fry on low flame till crisp. Serve at once hot.

Sorry made this for hubby one day, as usual forgot to take photo, as he was hungry ! but told this recipe to daughter-in-law, she made and sent me photos, saying grandsons liked it !
 You can use whatever veges you like- cauliflower can be added finely chopped, can avoid onion, choice is yours.

For my other blogs, I'm giving the links below, feel free to view and comment too.
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. for all cancer and health related topics
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

 

Multigrain egg-less carrot cake- microwave

Sorry forgot to take the photo before and after baking, as I was in a hurry as my friend was coming over. I cut the cake of the 1st batch quickly to give my hubby to taste, by the time I finished baking the 2nd one, my friend had come.

INGREDIENTS
carrot grated 1/2 cup
1 big / 3 small bananas mashed
brown sugar  2 tbsp
gur / molasses   1/2 cup approximately
salt a big pinch
buttermilk 1/2 cup
milk 1/4-1/2 cup
baking pdr. 1 tsp
baking soda  1/2 tsp
nuts and raisins as desired
coconut oil 2 tbsp
ghee/ butter to grease the baking dish
multigrain flour ( wheat flour, ragi and other millets) about 1 1/2 cups

METHOD
in a bowl, beat well mashed banana with sugar and gur
I added baking soda and baking pdr., mixed well
then added buttermilk, add 1/2 the quantity of flour along with salt, mix well
add rest of the flour, mix, add enough milk to get the pouring consistency
As I baked in normal microwave, the batter should be slightly thinner than when you bake in an oven
I baked in 2 micro-safe plates for 5 1/2 minutes each.Sor
It had come out very soft and gave it to my friend, who couldn't believe that it was made without eggs and butter !

As for using sugar, I prefer to bake it healthy, so I used brown sugar and gur/ molasses- you may use the quantities as per your taste. Or you may use normal white sugar.
If you don't have multi-grain, use only wheat flour, it should come out fine.

For my other blogs, I'm giving the links below, feel free to view and comment too.
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. for all cancer and health related topics
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

6 Natural Energy Drinks That You Can Easily Make Yourself

Whether we’ve woken up early and need a shot of energy, we’ve eaten lunch and now feel tired, or we’ve reached the evening and need just a few more hours to check off a couple more things off our to-do lists - energy is a "rare commodity" that we always need, and often feel that we do not have enough of. Instead of drinking another cup of coffee, whose effect will soon dissipate, or drinking store bought energy drinks that are laden with health-damaging substances, do yourself a favor and prepare one of the 6 natural, healthy and delicious energy-boosting drinks below.

 

1. Morning Sweet Potato Drink

Although baked sweet potato is a dish that is eaten as part of lunch or dinner as an addition to the main course, you should know that it can be used to make an excellent morning drink that will keep you energized for the rest of the day. The sweet potato contains carbohydrates and fiber that provide long-term energy, along with a respectable amount of vitamins A and C. This energizing drink includes bananas, which are rich in potassium and provide the body with available energy, and chia seeds, which contain antioxidants and high-quality protein.
Ingredients:

• ½ a baked sweet potato
• ½ a cup low-fat yogurt without additives
• ½ a cup almond milk
• ½ a banana
• 1 tsp powdered cocoa powder
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 3 ice cubes

Preparation: Blend all ingredients together in a blender at high speed until you reach a smooth consistency. The result will be enough for 3 cups of this sweet drink.

2. Detoxing Energy Drink

A nutritionist, dietitian and longevity expert whose patients have given him a nickname  for his natural and effective treatments that cleanse the body of all toxins. The following drink is the result of Dr.'s recommendation, and he himself makes it clear: "When you need a real power punch of energy and cleansing vitality, you can’t do better than a straight-up green smoothie."

Ingredients:

• 1 handful of spinach leaves
• ½ a lemon, peeled
• 1- inch ginger root
• ½ a cucumber, peeled
• 1 handful of coriander leaves
• 1 handful of parsley leaves
• 1 cup coconut water (or natural mineral water)

Preparation: Blend all ingredients together until the mixture is smooth.

3. Raspberry-Cherry Energy Drink

If you want to get a little "pinch" in the morning that will wake you up and inject energy into you all day long, choose this wonderful natural drink. Not only will it leave you with a great taste in your mouth, it’ll also provide your body with plenty of polyphenols, a natural antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, thanks to the cherry juice and coconut water in the recipe.

ingredients:

• ½ a teaspoon matcha pomegranate powder, or natural pomegranate concentrate pomegranate
• ¾ cup coconut water
• ¼ cup sour cherry juice
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• A handful of strawberries or raspberries
• 2-3 slices of lemon

Preparation: Place the tea, coconut water, cherry juice and turmeric powder in your blender and blend until smooth. Add the pieces of fruit and lemon slices, mix a little, and drink.

4. A Refreshing Mint Drink

The slightly spicy and refreshing taste of mint stimulates all the senses in an instant, but in the same breath also creates a sense of calm on the palate, and therefore it is highly recommended to start your day with this cool and invigorating drink. Beyond the freshness and energy that it’ll provide you with, it is also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that will greatly contribute to your health.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup green or mint tea
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 whole lemon, squeezed
• A handful of mint leaves

Preparation: Place all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker (or something similar) and shake well until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, then pour into a cup.

5. Golden Milk Latte

For many of us, this phenomenon occurs almost daily - towards 3-4 pm, after we’ve been on full speed since the morning, a feeling of fatigue begins to wash over us and we feel that our energy is slowly disappearing. Instead of making another cup of coffee, you should try making this awesome latte, based on a blend of turmeric and ginger that will give you the energy you need.

ingredients:

• 1 cup milk of your choice (plain milk, almond, soy or other)
• ½ a teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ a teaspoon cinnamon
• A pinch of black pepper
• ⅛ Teaspoon of ginger powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper 
• ½ a teaspoon pure honey

Preparation: Mix all the ingredients in a pot over a low flame. Cook until the mixture is hot, but not boiling. Pour into a cup and sip slowly.

6. Dirty Matcha 

Matcha is a natural green tea that is very popular in Japanese culture but has already spread around the world. This wonderful tea has significant health benefits, plus with the following ingredients that make it "dirty" - in the best sense of the word - it becomes a natural energy drink that is especially effective and healthy: the dates will give you plenty of proteins and B vitamins that help the body produce energy, and the espresso adds a small caffeine boost that contributes to health and alertness.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon matcha powder
• ½ a cup boiling water
• ½ a cup almond or cashew milk
• 1 date, finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon honey (for sweetening - optional)
• 1 espresso shot

Preparation: Mix the matcha powder with a little boiling water until it dissolves, and then add the rest of the water. Boil the chopped dates, honey, and cinnamon in milk until the mixture starts to froth, and mix until its consistency becomes uniform. Then pour the milk mixture into the cup with the matcha and add the espresso. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and drink your warm, delicious energy drink.

For my other blogs, I'm giving the links below, feel free to view and comment too.
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com. for all cancer and health related topics
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement