Yes, I was stumped by the combination of Orange and Carrot. When I was looking for types of soups which my kids also can enjoy, I found this combination irresistible. The addition of curried Tofu was definitely the winner in this case. There were so many flavors in this soup that it was hard to resist yet another scoop :)

The original idea was to stealthily let the little one consume curried Tofu as she had previously shown some interest in carrot soup. But it turned out to be the other way round in her case! She liked the curried tofu (which was very mildly 'curried' for her benefit!) and had to force in the carrot soup along!

Note for future - Reduce ginger when adding red chilli powder. I had to add a few spoons of yogurt for the kids to make it mild for them.
So here is the soup for Day 3 of BM 10. While here check what my fellow marathoners are up to in this edition of Blogging Marathon.

Carrot-Orange Soup With Curried Tofu

Ingredients - 

For the Soup - 
Carrots Sliced 2 cups
Oranges 2 (Zest and juice)
Onion sliced 1/2 cup
Vegetable Stock or water (I used water) 2 cups
Ginger minced 1 tsp
Red Chilli Powder as needed
Salt as needed
Pepper as needed
Oil 1 tsp 

For Curried Tofu - 
Tofu cubed about 1 1/2 cups (or as needed)
Curry Powder 1 Tbsp
Cornstarch 1 Tbsp
Salt as needed

Carrot-Orange Soup With Curried Tofu

Method Of Preparation - 

Sprinkle the cubed tofu in a mix of cornstarch, curry powder and salt and saute until golden brown.

Set aside the golden brown tofu. 

Now that the curried tofu is ready, time for the soup!

In a heated pan, add oil and saute onions until they are golden brown. 

Add the orange zest, ginger, carrots, vegetable stock (or water) and cover with a lid.

After the carrots are tender, remove form fire and blend the contents to smooth paste.

Add salt, pepper and red chilli powder and heat the pureed soup until the flavors get a chance to blend well.

Remove from fire and mix in the orange juice.

Serve the soup and curried tofu together for a filling lunch/dinner!

Sending this hearty soup to Srivalli's 'Soups and Salads Mela' and also to Srivalli's 'Kid's Delight - Deceptively Delicious' hosted by Pavani of Cooks Hideout.

Preparation Time 45 min 
Serves 4-5 

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Posted by Harini on Friday, November 18, 2011

Cabbage-Chickpea Soup


I realized that my kids were beginning to appreciate the soups made at home provided they were mildly spiced. Thanks to the previous Blogging Marathon, we got to enjoy a good variety of soups and that got me thinking too. 


That was when S got a huge cabbage and we were all getting bored of eating cabbage day in and out. So on a weekend, I thought I could sneak in cabbage in a soup and was looking for interesting ideas. That search led me to this recipe and I set out making it.


To my amazement, no one commented on the presence of cabbage. They were busy looking out for carrots and chickpeas :)


So here is the soup for BM 10 Day 2. Check out what my fellow marathoners are cooking up here.


Ingredients - 


Kabuli Chana / Chickpea pre-soaked, pre-treated (optional) and boiled 1 1/2 cups 
Cabbage shredded 2 cups
Carrots julienned 1 cup
Onion thinly sliced 1/2 cup
Garlic minced 2 cloves 
Cooked Rice about 3/4 cup (I used cooked Basmati rice)
Vegetable Broth or Water 6 cups
Dry Thyme 1 tsp
Salt as needed
Pepper as needed
Chopped Spring onion for garnish
Olive Oil 1 tsp (or more if preferred)




Cabbage-Chickpea Soup


Method Of Preparation - 

Preheat a stock pot over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil.

After the onions are brown enough, add the shredded cabbage, carrots, vegetable stock (or water), thyme, salt and pepper.

Cabbage-Chickpea Soup

Let it come to a rolling boil. Add the cooked rice and the boiled chickpeas (Chana). Cover with a lid and let it cook for about 20 min or until the carrots are fork tender.

Remove from heat and garnish with chopped spring onions.
Enjoy the subtle taste of chickpeas with cabbage and rice. {Adjust the pepper as per need).

Cabbage-Chickpea Soup

Sending this hearty soup to Srivalli's 'Soups and Salads Mela' and also to Srivalli's 'Kid's Delight - Deceptively Delicious' hosted by Pavani of Cooks Hideout.

Preparation Time 30 min
Serves 4-5

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Palak Paratha

Today I am posting a recipe which qualifies for two blogging events I participate in, Srivalli's  Blogging Marathon -10 and Radhika's Blog Hop Wednesdays

For the Blogging Marathon, I have chosen to blog for the next week under the theme 'Deceptively Delicious for Kids'. This theme is very close to my heart as I have a bunch of picky eaters whose needs have to be catered to and I successfully 'deceive' them into eating healthy by sneaking in unsuspecting (read : healthy) ingredients in some form or another! Thanks to Amma for passing on her genes as also her very creative ideas!

Coming to the Blog Hopping, I was paired with Nayna of Simply.food. I chose to make these Palak Parathas to please all of them. 

Check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked up here and check on the blog hoppers here.




Ingredients - 

Wheat Flour 2 cups (I used Aashirwad Atta)
Palak / Spinach chopped 1 cup (or more as needed)
Salt as needed
Red Chilli Powder as needed
Cumin Powder as needed 
Oil as needed to drizzle 
Water to knead into a soft dough as needed

Note - I wanted to use more Spinach to get the green color but then was skeptical about the 'reception' the green Parathas might get :) 
I did try out with more palak and the kids appreciated the deep color!

Method Of preparation - 

Blanch the spinach in hot water and drain. Puree the spinach and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, add the wheat flour, salt, red chilli powder, cumin powder and mix well. To this mixture add the spinach puree and knead into a soft dough gradually adding as much water as is needed.

Rest the dough covered, for about 30 min.

Heat a tawa/griddle.


Palak Paratha

Pinch a lime size dough and roll it to make a small disc about 2 inches in diameter. [Optional - Drizzle a couple drops of oil and spread it evenly, sprinkle a pinch of dough on the oil - This tip is from a friend to get flaky layers]. Fold it to make a semi circle and fold it into another half to make a quarter of a circle essentially making a triangle. 

Roll the the triangle shaped discs into thin circular or triangular shaped chapatis and gently place on the heated tawa.

After a few bubbles appear, flip the paratha and drizzle some oil while patting it with a clean kitchen towel or a flat ladle and let both the sides cook well. Remove from fire and store in a warmer box or hot box as it is called.

Repeat for the remaining dough and you might end up making about 9-10 parathas.

Serve hot with any gravy curry.

Sending these parathas to Srivalli's 'Kid's Delight - Deceptively Delicious' hosted by Pavani of Cooks Hideout.

Preparation Time 15-20 min 
Makes 9-10 Parathas

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Posted by Harini on Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The October edition of Indian Cooking Challenge is here with a Sindhi Delicacy called Majun or Majoon. This delectable Halwa is supposedly a very popular one for breakfast. With so many dry fruits in it, it is surely a powerhouse of energy and good health! 


I have made halwa using dry fruits in many varieties but never have I used poppy seeds / khus khus and its addition surely changes the texture of the halwa! And about the aroma when I was cooking - unbelievable. It brought all the occupants of the house running into the  kitchen! 


This halwa is supposed to last for 6 months in the refrigerator. But I doubt it will last more than a couple days at our place!! 


Majun


Source - Vaishali Sabnani
Ingredients - 


Badam/Almonds 250 gms (I used 1/2 cup)
Cashews 250 gms  (I used 1/2 cup)
Pista 125gms (I used 1/4 cup)

Dry Dates 125 gms (I used 5-6 coarsely powdered)
Khus Khus (Poppy Seeds / Gasalu) 150gms (I used 2 Tbsp)
Sugar 500 gms (I used 1 cup)
Milk 1.5 lts (I used 2 cups)
Unsweetened Khoya 500 gms (I used Homemade Khoya 1/2 cup)
Ghee 400gms (I used 2 Tbsp)
Cardamom Powder 2-3 tsp (I used 1 tsp



* I measured the coarsely powdered dry fruits (Almonds, Cashews, Pista and Dry Dates). I used  1 1/2 cups of the powdered nuts. So I approximately used 1 cup of sugar and 2 cups of milk which was perfect to our taste. So alter as per taste if required.


Majun


Method Of Preparation - 


In a pre heated non stick kadai/wok, boil milk along with sugar. After the sugar is dissolved, add khoya, khus khus and cardamom powder and keep mixing until it reduces to half.


Add the coarsely powdered nuts to the simmering milk mixture.


Reduce the heat and let the nuts cook on a low flame. Mix well and cover with an air tight lid so that the nuts get cooked well. 


Add ghee in 2 batches and mix well so it is well incorporated. Since I was using a non stick pan, I didn't need to add more than 2 Tbsp of ghee. So please use your judgement in adding ghee.


When the moisture evaporates and the mixture gets a shade of golden brown, and the nuts are cooked to a soft texture, remove from heat and enjoy.


Majun


It is supposed to be served mixed in milk. But my family enjoyed this healthy halwa as is!


Upon cooling store it in an air tight container in a refrigerator for upto 6 months. When ready to consume, scoop out 2-4 Tbsp of this halwa and mix it in 4-5 Tbsp of warm milk and enjoy!


Preparation Time 45 min
Makes 1 1/2 cups

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On a rare occasion when I get to lay my hands on some fresh Amaranth leaves (Thotakoora), I make sure to buy them in a lot and chop and freeze them for later!  This combination of Thotakoora and Raw mango is very traditional at least in our households. They both complement each other in taste and a healthy combo indeed! Amaranth is said to be one of the healthiest greens. As per Ayurveda, these leaves are superior to Spinach and other greens as well. I came to know that the Amaranth seeds and flour are extremely healthy too..For now lets enjoy this 'precious' dal.


Thotakoora Mamidikaya Pappu

Ingredients -


Toor Dal 1 cup
Amaranth leaves/Thotakoora finely chopped 2 cups
Raw Mango peeled and cubed 1 cup
Green Chillies 4-5 (or as per taste)
Roasted Methi Powder a pinch
Sugar a pinch (Optional)
Salt as per taste
Turmeric 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Powder 1/4 tsp (or as per taste)
Seasoning (Oil 2 tsp, Mustard Seeds 1/2 tsp, Urad Dal 1 tsp, Jeera 1/2 tsp, Red Chillies 1, Curry leaves few, Hing/Asafoetida 1/8 tsp)



Method Of Preparation - 

Boil Toor dal in a pressure cooker.


After the cooker cools down, heat a sauce pan and add oil and the seasoning. 

Once the mustard seeds splutter and the urad dal is brown add the chopped mango and the amaranth leaves (Thotakoora) and let them cook.

Add boiled toor dal, chopped green chillies ,roasted methi powder, sugar, turmeric and salt.

Add red chilli powder and let the dal simmer for couple of minutes and remove from fire.


Serve with hot rice and ghee.

Serves Approx 4 Adults

Preparation Time 35 min

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Posted by Harini on Monday, November 14, 2011

I recently discovered that both of my kids have grown to like Okra/Bhendi in all its variety. This simple fry is another attempt to let them have their favorite vegetable with nuts. I find that adding powdered nuts enhances the flavor. 


Bhendi Fry With Nuts

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Posted by Harini on Thursday, November 10, 2011

There was a time when I was not aware of the difference between Naan and Kulcha. I came to know about these Kulchas from Chef in You. Kulcha uses Baking Powder and Baking Soda as leavening agents where as Naan is made with yeast as the leavening agent. The shape of Naan is oblong where as kulchas are usually made as circles. 


Whatever be the differences, these kulchas with onion coriander leaves filling are a delight!


Onion Kulcha


Ingredients - 


For the dough - 
  • Maida /All Purpose Flour 3 cups
  • Baking powder 1/2 tsp 
  • Baking Soda 1/8 tsp
  • Sugar 1 Tbsp 
  • Salt to taste 
  • Oil 3 Tbsp
  • Yogurt/Curds 1/2 cup 

  • Ghee 1 Tbsp 
  • For the Filling -
  • Onion, chopped very finely 1/2 cup
  • Green Chillies minced (as per taste)
  • Cumin/Jeera Coarsely powdered
  • Ajwain (Vaamu) 1/4 tsp
  • Salt to taste


Onion Kulcha

Method Of Preparation - 


Mix all the ingredients for the dough and knead into a soft dough adding as much of water as required. Set it aside for a couple of hours.


Mix all the ingredients for the filling and set aside.


Divide the dough into 12-15 equal parts. Roll each of the pieces into a circle (like a roti) and place a little filling in the center. Bring the edges of the circle together and seal it.


Gently roll the dough with filling into a thick circle. Place this rolled out kulcha onto a heated tawa/griddle.


Cook on both the sides smearing ghee as and when needed. Remove from the tawa when both sides show enough brown spots. Continue with the rest of the dough.


Serve them hot with a side of any gravy curry and enjoy!


Sending these onion kulchas to Jaya's 'Back to Basics - Basic Breads' hosted by PJ.


Preparation Time 30 min (excluding resting time for the dough)
Makes about 12-15 Kulchas

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Posted by Harini R on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I have grown up in a family where Peanut Powder is a staple in the pantry. So I was surprised to find out that Peanut Rice is a delicacy in some households! I came to know of this particular variation from my cousin, Sowmya. She tells me that it is prepared very frequently in some households. I also realized that this rice can be put together in a very little time and can prove to be invaluable for some :)


Peanut Rice


Ingredients -


Rice cooked 2 cups
Peanuts roasted handful
Coriander seeds roasted 1 tsp
Sesame Seeds roasted 1 Tbsp
Red Chillies 1-2 (or as per taste)
Turmeric 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Seasoning (Oil 1 Tbsp, Chana Dal 1 tsp, Urad Dal 1 tsp, Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp, Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp, Curry leaves few, Asafoetida a pinch)
Lemon juice as needed


Method Of preparation -


Grind roasted peanuts, roasted coriander seeds, roasted sesame seeds and red chillies. Set aside.


Spread the cooked rice in a serving platter and set aside to cool down. Better if the rice is already cold!


In a small sauce pan, prepare the seasoning by adding oil and the rest of the seasoning ingredients. 


After the mustard seeds pop and the dals are brown enough, add turmeric and salt. Remove from fire.


Mix this seasoning and the peanut powder into the cooled rice and mix well.


Check for taste and squeeze in the required lemon juice.


Serve it with Raita and enjoy!


Linking this to Smitha's 'Healthy Lunch Challenge' guest hosted by Kavi.


Preparation Time 10 min
Serves 3

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Posted by Harini on Monday, November 7, 2011

Moong Wadis or Mangodis are tiny sun-dried lentil nuggets obviously made out of Moong Dal. One of my Punjabi friends told me about Moong Wadi Subzi that is very popular at their place. That is when I took the recipe of Moong Wadi and made them last summer. I shall have to blog about the Wadis in a separate post. But this curry is what caught my attention in Vatsala's space. I have been paired with her for this edition of Radhika's Blog Hop. So here is how I made it. I have made some changes to the original recipe to suit our palate.


Moong Dal Wadi Palak Curry


Check out what my fellow blog hoppers have posted today.
Source - here
Ingredients - 


Moong Wadi 1 cup
Palak / Spinach chopped 2 cups
Onion finely chopped 1/2 cup
Tomato puree 3/4 cup
Turmeric
Red Chilli Powder
Dhania-Jeera Powder
Salt 
Ginger-Garlic-Coriander leaves paste 1 Tbsp
Oil 3 Tbsp
Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp


Moong Dal Wadi
Moong Wadis before (Left) and after frying (Right)


Method Of Preparation - 


In a heated sauce pan/wok/kadai add oil and after it is sufficiently hot, fry the Moong Wadis in small batches until they are brown and crispy. Remove them and drain on kitchen paper towels. Fry all the moong wadis and keep aside.


In the same sauce pan, add the cumin seeds and after they are brown enough, saute the onions until they are golden brown.


Meanwhile puree the tomato, ginger, garlic and coriander leaves and add it to the sauteed onions. 


Sprinkle turmeric, red chilli powder, dhania-jeera powder and mix well.


Pour about 2-3 cups of water and let the mixture come to a boil.


Add in the fried Moong Wadis, cover it with a lid and let them cook.


After about 10-15 minutes, add the chopped spinach, salt and let the spinach cook for another 10 min or so. Keep the sauce pan covered.


After the Moong Wadis are tender and the flavors have blended in well, remove from fire.


Serve hot with rice or roti.


Preparation Time 45 min 
Serves 4-5

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Posted by Harini on Wednesday, November 2, 2011

I made this salad as per my older one's request. When I asked her what she would like for lunch, she said she wanted Roti and this salad. She ultimately ended up using chapatis as a wrap with the salad as the filling! I was happy to let her have it her way :)


This salad is for Day 7 of Srivalli's Blogging Marathon - Edition 9. Also check what my fellow marathoners are upto.


If you have missed any of the previous recipes under Soups and salads here they are..


Kidney Bean Salad


Ingredients


Red Kidney Beans(Rajma) soaked, optionally pretreated, boiled and cooled 1/2 cup
Lettuce chopped 1/2 cup
Onions chopped 2 Tbsp
Tomato chopped 2 Tbsp
Tomato Sauce (Any Sauce of your preference) (I used Taco Sauce) as needed
Salt as needed
Yogurt or Sour Cream as needed


Kidney Bean Salad


Method Of Preparation - 


In a mixing bowl, add the chopped lettuce, onions and tomatoes. Toss in the red kidney beans and mix well.


Sprinkle Salt and Taco sauce and mix well.


Garnish with yogurt or sour cream and enjoy with a side of crouton or bread. My kids enjoyed it with Roti.


Sending this soup to Susan's 'MLLA - 40' hosted by Suma Gandlur and to Srivalli's Soups and Salads Mela.


Preparation Time 10 min
Serves 1-2

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Posted by Harini on Saturday, October 29, 2011
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