Medley of orange rice...called summer green

Tasty side dish which may sound weird to you, when you hear about it but this has odd yet perfect blend of everything. You can feel the taste of sweet orange with slightly spicy taste of green chillies along with nice aromatic taste of cilantro and mint.. yummm sounds just awesome. Actually its hard to describe different flavors you experience with one bite of this rice. The beautiful green color of rice with colorful veggies will reminds you of beautiful summer. This can be served as side dish which looks really pretty and colorful. I gave this an indian touch also with the blend of nice aromatic spices which lifts the flavor. When i first served this dish to my family i called it summer green looking at the beautiful green color. They just loved the flavor and the name of course. Let see how this is made and i hope you guys try this at home... i bet you'll love it...

cooking time: 30 min

Serves :2

Ingredients:

1 cup  Jasmine rice

1 cup  Mixed veggies (carrot,beans,broccoli,corn, bell peppers)

1 cup  Orange juice (optional if you like pulp)

1 cup  Vegetable stock/ water

1/2 cup Paneer (optional)

1/2 cup  Coriander/cilantro leaves

1/2 cup  Mint leaves

1/2 cup Spinach leaves

4-5  Green chillies

1 tsp  Coriander powder

1/2 tsp  Garam masala powder

1/2 cup  Onions

2-3  Garlic cloves

2 tbs  Butter

salt as per taste.

Method:

1. Cook rice in a pot by adding half of orange juice and other half of vegetable stock.

2. When rice is cooked set aside and now grind all the greens i.e., cilantro,mint,spinach and green chillies.

3. Now heat butter in a pot and add finely chopped garlic and onions. Saute till slightly brown.

4. Add all the veggies and paneer diced.

5. Saute for 5 minutes and add the green puree to it.

6. Now add all the dry ingredients and saute for 8-10 min.

7. Finally add rice into this mixture and mix slowly.

8. Garnish with cilantro leaves and enjoy your summer green rice.

 Note:

1. Do not grind your greens too early this may cause your puree to turn black to avoid this add a pinch of sugar.

2. You can fry your paneer before adding if you like it crunchy.

3. You can also add bits of orange to your rice if you want them in your rice.

Mix veg patties with quinoa twist

Lunch box! omg.. sometimes gives me a nightmare.. i think it sometimes gets tough to think what to make for lunch today, when you have time running out morning. Every one loves something which is quickly made and easy to carry. When i am short of grocery or running late, i keep myself always ready for such days with these yummy patties in my fridge. All i do is open my fridge toss a bread and make simple sandwiches and its ready to go. What makes it worth eating is protein and fiber content in it and its awesome taste.
Kids would love it and before they even realize all the veggies are in their stomach, isnt this good...
This can also be served as evening tea time snack which is quite healthy option. Today i will share my quick and easy mix veg quinoa patty recipe.

Cooking time: 20 minutes
serves: 4

Ingredients:

1/2 cup  Quinoa

1 cup   Boiled and mashed potatoes

1/4 cup  Grated carrot

1/4 cup  Capsicum minced

1/4 cup  Onions 

1/4 cup  Corn 

1/2 cup  Grated paneer

1/4 cup  Cilantro/ coriander

2 Green chilled chopped

1/4 cup  Mashed kidney beans (optional)

1 tbs  Redchilli powder

1 tbs  Coriander powder

1 tbs  Cumin powder

1 tbs   Garam masala

1/2 tbs  Turmeric 

2 tbs  Breadcrumbs

1/4 cup  Lime juice

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Rinse quinoa properly with cold water and then cook the quinoa until properly done.

2. Boil the potatoes and mash them. Add all the veggies finely chopped.

3. Now add all the dry masalas, lime juice and quinoa to the potato mix.

4. Mix all of them properly and then add  bread crumbs .

5. Finally make lovely round shaped patties and shallow fry them in oil.

6. Enjoy them hot as snacks or make a sandwich out of it.

Tips:

1. If your patty is breaking try adding gram flour to it. This gives great binding.

2. Store in a air tight container or package in freezer for 10 days.

3. Use as many veggies you like by make sure they are finely minced.

Quinoa Khichdi

Khichdi always reminds me of  fine childhood memories where my mom used to cook and feed, i didnt even know the name but what i knew was it tastes yummy. I so much wanted to tell mom but i couldnt tell properly except 'bah bah buh', that was back when i was 2. khichdi reminds me of my mom, am sure it does to every. Every person including kids in india love this dish which is very popular and usually made with rice and lentils. This dish is easy on stomach usually called comfort food.

I used quinoa instead of rice to make khichdi  and i swear khichdi made with anything, it never disappoints our taste buds. I am personally a big fan of this dish and recommend every one to try this healthy and yummy quinoa khichdi. Its not so difficult in cooking, takes so less time.

Cooking time: 20 min

Serves: 3

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cup  Quinoa

1/2 cup   Red dal (masoor dal)

1/2 cup  Onions

5-6  Curry leaves

2-3  Green chillies

1/2 tsp  Turmeric

1 tsp  Ginger galic paste

water

Method:

1. Heat oil and add onions into it. Saute until light golden brown.

2. Now add ginger garlic paste, after 2 seconds add curry leaves, turmeric, green chillies.

3. Saute them for 1 min and add 2 cups water.

4. When water comes to boil, then add quinoa and dal together .

5. Let it cook until the water is evaporated and make sure quioa and dal is cooked.

6. Serve hot with coconut chutney or kadi and dont forget the papad .

Tips:

1. Soak quinoa and dal atleast 15 -20 min in water before cooking. This will reduces the cooking time.

Quinoa veg biryani..

Being a hyderabadi myself i am so found of biryani. Biryani is like heart of Hyderabad, ask a hyderabadi how much he loves biryani. Every coner of hyderabad has restaurants which serves hyderabadi biryani. I tried making this famous dish with quinoa and i swear it tastes so delicious. This  has become my favorite easy to make fab dish. Whenever i find few leftover vegetables in my fridge i make this dish. Moreover this is quite healthy and gives the same taste as with rice.

Cooking time: 25
Serves : 3

Ingredients:

3 cups  Quinoa

1/2 cup  Onions

1/2 cup  Carrot small diced

1/2 cup  French beans ( cut in 1cm length)

1/2 cup  Potatoes small diced

1/2 cup  Cauliflower

1/2 cup  Capsicum diced

1/2 cup  Tomatoes

1/2 cup  Yogurt

1 tsp  Red chili powder

1 tsp  Salt

1 tsp  Ginger garlic paste

1/2 tsp Turmeric

1 tsp  Coriander powder

1 tsp  Garam masala Powder

1/4 cup  Whole garam masala

1 cup  Coriander and mint leaves.

2 to 3  Green chillies
1/4 cup  Fried onions
pinch of color dissolved in half lemon juice

Method:

1. Cut all the veggies into small dices.

2. Heat water in a pot then add 1/4 cup of whole garam masala, coriander and mint leaves. When water comes to boil add quinoa into it. Cook quinoa until 3/4 done and drain the water suing strainer.

3. Now heat oil and add potatoes into it. Fry until half done and remove in a plate.

4. In the same heated oil add onions fry till transparent and now add cauliflower and carrot. Saute for a minute and add ginger garlic paste. After 1 min add capsicum and tomatoes.
5. Now add all the dry spices and saute properly. Then add yogurt. Cook for 2 more minutes .
6. Finally add the strained quinoa on the vegetables.
7. Now top the quinoa with fried onions,coriander leaves and lemon juice with color. This is look very beautiful.
8. Cover with lid and on medium flame let it cook for 10 minutes and serve it with boiled eggs and raita.

Tips:

1. Cook with olive oil to make it more healthy.

2. If you dont want spicy then you can avoid adding whole garam masala in quinoa. Still it will taste good.

Healthy bitter gourd (karela) chutney

Bitter gourd is one such vegetable that is not easily loved by all types of people. Specially kids run away when bitter gourd is cooked. Due to its bitter taste i never liked this vegetable since childhood. One day my grandmother told me how this bitter tasting gourd is so healthy for my skin and even helps in reducing weight. She shared this recipe and it was tasty, healthy and never tasted bitter. This vegetable is mostly used by asian people.  People with diabetes should definitely include this vegetable in there diet because this helps in reducing blood sugar level. This can be cooked in many ways either eat like chips or  make a curry or chutney and you can also make pickle and store for few days.

Today i am sharing my grandmom's secret karela chutney with you guys. This can be stored for 3 to 4 days. This is a perfect side dish to eat not just with rice and parathas but can be used with hot fried snacks.

Ingredients:

    2 medium size  Bitter gourd(karela)

    1 cup   Onions

    1/4 cup Sesame seeds (till)

    3-4   Green chilis

    1/2 cup   Tamarind    

    2 tbsp    Cumin seeds(zeera)

    2-3    Garlic pods

    1 tsp  Oil

    Salt to taste

Tempering:

   2 tbsp  Oil

   1 clove   Garlic

   1 tbsp   mustard seeds

   1 tbsp   cumin seeds
   5-6     Curry leaves
   2-3    Dry red chilies
   Pinch of turmeric

Method:

1.  Roast bitter gourd directly on the stove till it is soft. Then cut the bitter gourd into pieces removing all the seeds.
2.  soak tamarind in little water.
3.  Heat 1/2 tsp oil and add onions, saute till light golden. Almost transparent.

4.  Heat 1/2 tsp of oil and add greenchilies, cumin seeds(zeera), garlic cloves, sesame seeds then roast them. Grind them into a paste.
5.  Add onions and soft tamarind with little water and grind into smooth paste.
6.  To this mixture add bitter gourd pieces and coarsely grind it.
7.  Now make the tempering. Heat oil in pan and add garlic, mustard seeds, cumin seeds when they crackle, add red chili and curry leaves. Add a pinch of turmeric to this.
8.  Add the grounded mixture to the tempering. Add water to make loose consistency.
9.  Cook for 5 minutes and its done.

Tips:

1. Add good amount of tamarind to avoid the bitter taste.

Healthy Indian Masala Quinoa..

I have been thinking of simple quinoa dishes in my purple time which can add  an indian twist and flavor, here i am with my first recipe.  Masala Quinoa is  easy to make and delicious healthy dish made with quinoa. This is a very good healthy option for lunch box. Does not take much time and requires no much cooking experience. this dish is a beautiful blend of indian spices with quinoa giving a lovely flavor to it.

          Preparation time: 15 minutes
          Cooking time : 10 minutes
          Serves : 2

       Ingredients:

         2 cups   Quinoa
         1/2 cup  tomatoes
         1/2 cup  carrots
         1/2 cup  french beans
         1/2 cup  capsicum
         1/2 cup  onions
         2 tbsp   olive oil ( can use any other oil instead)
         1 tsp   ginger garlic paste
         1/2 tsp   red chilli powder
         1/4 tsp  turmeric
         1 tbsp  coriander powder
         1/2 tsp  cumin powder
         salt to taste

     Method:

1. Heat the oil, add onions and fry  till golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.

2. Add all the vegetables and saute for 2 minutes. Then add all the dry ingredients ( masalas). cook till the tomatoes are mushy .

3. Add 2 cups water. When the water comes to boil add quinoa.

4. Let it cook for 5 minutes. till all the water is evaporated. Keep stirring in between and mix well.

5. Once the quinoa is cooked its done. Serve hot and eat with raita.

   Tips:

1. Rise the quinoa with cold water properly before adding. It removes the bitterness.

       

QUINOA..,a perfect substitute.

I know this is a bit weird first post of my blog but nothing stuck my mind which is as brilliant as quinoa. My passion for cooking has made me experiment with quinoa and this friendly seed soon became my favorite. Thus i want you all to know about this healthy seed. 

Two years back when i first heard of quinoa, i had this imagination of some vegetable. Later i came to know about this tiny little miraculous grain which has become my favorite these days. This wholegrain is actually not counted with the other cereals this is called pseudocereal. 2013 was named as " the year of quinoa" because of its popularity.

Quinoa is called the super food by nutrition scientists and dietitians in the world because of its nutrition value. Quinoa is high in protein, fiber, minerals and it is also gluten free. This complete protein is great for vegetarians and vegans to get essential protein in daily life and it is also great for people who are dieting, as it is cholesterol free, has dietary fiber and low fat source of protein. Quinoa is low in calories.

Quinoa is twice as high in fiber as most grains like beans and legumes. It is gluten free and considered easy to digest. Quinoa has high anti oxidants that help fight ageing and many diseases. This is called weight loss friendly food because of its proteins which increases metabolism and reduces appetite. This is a source of calcium, high in magnesium and iron.

When cooked its texture is much like cooked rice. Me as an indian has a habit of eating white rice more. I found this grain a perfect substitute for rice. This is much better and high in nutrition value compared to rice. Due to the difficulty in digestion, rice is the cause of obesity and cardio-vascular diseases.

When compared 1 cup of quinoa has 222 calories whereas rice has 205 calories. Quinoa has 39g of carbs where rice has 44.5g. Quinoa has has 8g of protein which is much higher than rice which is 4.3 g. Quinoa has 4g fat where rice has 0.4g. Though quinoa has more total fat which can be overlooked for having more nutrition value. Due to many plus points quinoa is considered as the perfect substitute for rice. Where it is very close between brown rice and quinoa. Which is also a health alternative for quinoa.

Quinoa can be eaten in salad, soups, and cooked in many ways. Many delicious rice dishes can be made with quinoa. This tiny grain has become my new cooking fantasy. Keep looking for many delicious indian quinoa recipes i will be sharing.