Banana Oats Raisin Muffins

I am pretty sure that every once in a while, you have overripe bananas on your kitchen counter. Hats off to you if you don't, but clearly that's not the case with me. Whenever that happens to me, I think of a few options that I can use the bananas for - banana bread, banana smoothie, sometimes I also cut and freeze the bananas for making a smoothie later. 

Last weekend when this happened, I thought of preparing banana muffins. This was to make sure we can use these masterpieces for snacking during the school holidays. My daughter is not a fan of raisins as such but does not mind having them. To make it healthy, I have added steel cut oats to the recipe. You can replace it with all-purpose flour instead if you wish to. 

Ingredients:

- Overripe Bananas - 2

- Sugar - 1/2 cup

- Cinnamon powder - 1 tsp

- Self Raising whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup

- Steel cut oats - 1 and 1/2 cups

- Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

- Milk - 1/2 cup

- Olive oil - 1/4 cup

- Eggs - 2

- Baking powder - 1 tsp

- Raisins - 1/2 cup

Method:

- Mash the bananas with a fork in a bowl.

- In another bowl, beat all the wet ingredients (oil, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla essence) together.

- To this mixture, the add mashed bananas and mix well.

- Add the flour, baking powder, raisins and oats and mix well.

- Line a muffin tray with muffin cases and preheat oven to 170 degrees celcius.

- Once the oven is preheated, bake muffins for 20 mins.

- Let it cool before serving.

 

Wheat Rava Upma

Wheat Rava is wheat semolina and upma is a south Indian breakfast dish. It is a humble, healthy but filling dish that keeps you full for long.

 Ingredients:

- Vegetables of your choice cubed (1 cup). I have used, carrots, onion and cauliflower. 

- Oil - 1 tbsp

- Ghee - 1 tsp

- Curry Leaves - 6-7

- Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

- Jeera/Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp

- Peanuts - 1 tbsp

- Wheat Rava / Bulgur - 1 cup

- Water - 3 cups

- Salt/Sugar - As per taste

- Green Chili split - 1 (optional)

 Method:

- Heat oil in a wok.

- When hot add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, peanuts, chili and curry leaves.

- When they splutter, add the veggies and fry till half cooked.

- Add this point add the wheat rava, salt and sugar and mix well for 2 mins.

- Add water, cover with a lid and let it cook on low flame. 

- Will be cooked in 15-20 mins. Keep mixing at 2 min intervals so that it does not burn/stick to the bottom of the wok.

- Add Ghee when cooked and serve hot with Sambar.

Carrot, Apple and Oats Muffins

Have a busy week ahead? Don't have time to cook breakfast? Not to worry!! Bake these healthy muffins during the weekend and grab and go breakfast is sorted.

Ingredients:

- Rolled Oats - 1.5 cups

- Grated Carrot - 1 cup

- Grated Apple - 1 cup

- Vegetable Oil - 1/4 cup (You can use any white oil).

- Baking Powder - 1 tsp

- Egg -1

- Vanilla Essence -1 tsp

- Sugar - 1/4 cup (I like keeping it less sweet as the apples and carrots add some sweetness too! Feel free to add more sugar if you want breakfast to be sweeter and less healthy!)

- All Purpose Wheat Flour - 1/4 cup (For binding, you could use self-raising flour too.)

- Milk - 2 tbsp or more based on consistency of batter.

 

Method:

- Mix all the wet ingredients i.e., sugar, oil, egg, vanilla essence in a mixing bowl.

- Add all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, oats) to it and fold the mixture in.

- At this point you should have ribbon like consistency for the batter. If you dont then add milk and mix again.

- Add in the carrot and apple and mix well.

- Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius.

- Line your muffin tray with muffin cases, leave 1 muffin section. 

- Fill the muffin cases halfway through with the batter.

- One muffin hole that you left empty, fill it halfway through with water. This helps keep the muffins moist when baking. 

- Bake for 30-35 mins.

- Let it cool and enjoy with honey. Can be stored in an airtight container and left in the pantry in winter. In summers storing in the refrigerator would make more sense. Grab one or two when running late and have no time for breakfast.

Ragi/Finger Millet Idli

I have grown up eating a lot of south Indian food. The primary reason for that being my Dad's love for south Indian cuisine. Idli was very common at our breakfast table during my growing up years. Same was reflected in my kitchen when I started cooking. To add to the likelihood of South Indian cuisine finding a place in my kitchen, was the fact that we lived in Hyderabad for 12 years. Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana and an Indian city we hold very close to our hearts as a family. Thats where we started our life together, where our daughter was born. So many first times of my life in this city!

I was introduced to Ragi Idlis in Hyderabad. Idli is traditionally prepared with Idli Rava (Semolina) and Urad Dal (split black lentils), but this recipe basically replaces the Idli Rava with Ragi flour making it healthier. All millets including Ragi is very high in fiber making it an ideal weight loss ingredient. Ragi is rich in iron, calcium, minerals and vitamins. Ragi is also known to help with muscle growth. This recipe also calls for fermentation of the batter hence making the end product good for gut health.

Ingredients:

- Urad Dal / Split Black Lentils - 1/2 cup 

- Ragi Flour - 1 and 1/2 cup

- Methi Seeds - 1 tsp

Method:

- Wash Methi seeds and Urad Dal in a bowl and soak them for 8-12 hours.

- To another bowl soak Ragi flour for 1-2 hours (optional).

- Once soaked, take the urad dal and use a mixer grinder to turn it into a thick, fluffy and frothy batter.

- To this batter, add the soaked ragi flour and mix well.

- Cover and keep in a warm place. Leave for 12-14 hours or overnight.

- When fermented, you will not get the raw smell of ragi or urad dal instead you will get a mild fermented flavor. Yet you will not get a sour smell.

- At this stage the batter is ready. 

- Take your idli steamer (you can buy one at any Indian Store), fill the pot with a cup of water and bring it to a boil on the stove.

- While the water comes to a rolling boil, grease the idli plates and pour the batter in.

- Cover and steam the Idlis for exactly 10-12 mins.

- Open the lid of the Idli steamer and scoop the idlis out.

- Serve hot with Sambar or Chutney or both. 

Shada Alur Tarkari / White Potato Curry

Shada Alur Tarkari or White potato curry is a must make dish on Sunday mornings to go with Luchi (deep fried bread) in any bengali household. This needs very little ingredients and is delish. Goes really well with hot phulkas or paratha too. This is also a very common dish during Bengali wedding breakfasts when served with a side of Luchi and hot Rosogollas. This is not a very common preparation at my place coz the husband does not eat potatoes nor anything deep fried. But I do make it sometimes for myself and daughter when craving kicks in.

Ingredients:

- Brushed Potatoes - 2

-  Hing/Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

- Salt - 1 tsp

- Sugar - 1 tsp

- Dried Red Chilli / Green Chilli - 2

- Mustard Oil - 2 tsp

 

 Method:

- Cut the potatoes into cubes and soak them in water. This will prevent them from turning brown.

- In a wok or pan, heat mustard oil.

- When hot add the red chilli (optional) and hing.

- Add potatoes and salt. At this point you can add green chilli too.

- Keep stirring every few minutes otherwise will stick to the bottom of the pan.

- If the potatoes are taking too long to cook or sticking to the pan, you can add a splash of water and cover the pan will the flame at low.

- Once the potatoes are soft but firm, add sugar.

- Serve hot with Luchi / Phulka / Porota / Ruti.

Poha / Chirer Polao (Rice Flakes Pulao)

Poha known as Chirer Polao in West Bengal is an acquired taste. I have never liked it as a kid and same goes for my daughter.

I do like it for breakfast now. This used to find place in the breakfast table and evening snack pretty often during my childhood.  I have tried it a few times at my breakfast table but this is not a regular.

Ingredients:

- Flattened rice - 1 cup

- Water - 2 cups

- Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp

- Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

- Peanuts - 1 tbsp

- Vegetable oil - 1 tsp

- Ghee - 1 tbsp

- Salt and sugar - acc to taste

- Turmeric - 1/2 tsp

- Veggies of your choice (cut into small pieces) - 1 cup (I have used beans, carrots, potatoes)

- Ginger paste or chopped - 1 tsp

- Coriander leaves chopped- 1 tbsp

- Lemon juice - 1 tbsp

- Pomegranate - 1 tbsp

Method

- Wash flattened rice and drain all the water. Let the rice sit in a bowl for 30 mins. Start the next steps when the rice is soaked well and has puffed up.

- Heat oil in a wok.

- Add peanuts and fry till brown.

- Add mustard seeds, fennel seeds and ginger. Fry for 1 min.

- Add all the veggies and fry till they are cooked.

- Add turmeric and mix well. Once turmeric is cooked add flatenned rice / chire, salt, sugar and mix well.

- When everything is mixed, add ghee and give it another stir.

- Garnish with coriander leaves and pomegranate. Add lemon if you like, I do add it. Serve hot for breakfast or evening snack.

Banana Oats Dates Smoothie

This recipe is from my friend Amrita. I made it once and have been using this for a quick breakfast ever since. This is a life saver when you are running short of time and want to make something healthy real quick.

Ingredients: (Serves 1)

- Banana - 1

- Oats - 2 tbsp (slightly roasted on a pan)

- Dates - Deseeded 4 to 5

- Curd - 3 tbsp

- Milk - 1/2 cup

- Chia seeds - 1 tsp

Method: 

- Peel the banana and slice it into pieces.

- Put all the ingredients (apart from chia seeds) into the mixer jar.

- Beat on low speed for a min.

- Pour in a jar and mix the chia seeds.

Serve cold on a hot summer day.

Basic English Pancakes

My baby "A" is 3 years now. After a lot of struggle, hopping between the roles of a Mother,Wife and a working woman, now, I finally am able to find some time to return back to my blog.

In these last 3 years, I have realized how difficult it is to manage everything with a baby. I must say, I am really lucky to be blessed with a caring and supporting husband, without whom I would not have been able to live up to the expectations in all my roles. While in the world, the debate still continues on "Working Woman VS Stay At Home Mom", I feel if you have a supportive family to fall back to, you can manage everything - be it your office job or household work.

Let us now talk about today's recipe:  Basic English Pancakes

Ingredients:
- Maida (1 cup)
- Powdered Sugar (1/2 cup)
- Melted butter (2 tbsp)
- Egg (1 no.)
- Vanilla essence (2-3 drops)
- Milk(1/2 cup)
- Baking Powder (1 tsp)
- Oil (2 tbsp)

Method:
- Sift flour and baking powder together.
- Mix well the above dry ingredients with Sugar.
- In another bowl, mix egg, vanilla essence, melted butter and milk. I use a hand mixer for mixing, you can also do it with a fork.
- Now form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture little by little and mix.
- Heat a girdle and put 2-3 drops of oil/butter. Spread accross the girdle.
- When the girdle is hot, pour one ladle of the pancake mixture on the girdle.
- Cook on medium heat. Pores will be formed on the surface of the pancake.
- Check the pancake and when it turns brown flip it and cook the other side as well.
- Serve hot with chocolate sauce/ honey / maple syrup or any sweet sauce of your choice.

Shell Pasta in White Sauce

There is nothing better than pasta in white sauce. You can have it for dinner or breakfast. I personally prefer having it for breakfast. Breakfast is the  most important meal of the day. It should be filling, nutritious and healthy. To make it healthy I add in a lot of fresh vegetables. You can also add some chicken or prawns if you want. This does not take much time to prepare and is very tasty - hence perfect for any weekday breakfast or dinner.

 Ingredients:
- Shell Pasta(small)  (3 cups)
- Tomatoes (small 1 julienne)
- Capsicum (1 cut into long thin strands)
- Carrots (1 julienne)
- Garlic (1 clove crushed)
- All purpose flour / Maida(1 tbsp)
- Milk ( 2 cups)
- Salt(Acc to taste)
- Cheese of your choice (2 tbsp)
- Olive oil ( 3 tbsp)
- Pepper powder (1 tsp)

Preparation:
- Boil water in a pan.
- When the water is boiling medium the flame and add in pasta. Also add in 1 tbsp olive oil. This prevents the pasta from sticking together.
- When the pasta is cooked (it should be soft yet firm; make sure not to overboil it) drain the water and put some cold water on the cooked pasta. Drain the cold water too.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil a skillet and add thegarlic to it. When garlic turns golden brown add the vegetables to it. Saute the veggies for 2-3 mins. Keep aside.
- Now for preparation of the sauce, add 1 tbsp oil in the wok. When the oil is hot add in Maida and fry it till the raw smell of flour goes.
- Now add in the milk, salt and stir so that no lumps are formed.
- When the sauce is a bit thick add the cheese, veggies and pasta. Cook together for 2-3 mins. Add in the pepper powder and mix.
- Serve hot.

:)

This is my entry for Cook Click and Devour.

Grilled Egg Sandwich

Hello Friends!! I am here after quite some time.. was bit busy wid work.
Today I have decided to share with you a sandwich recipe which is very easy to make and makes a great breakfast on a weekday when you are in a hurry to leave for work.I don't know why but I always leave for work in a hurry as I am always late. I have a habit of packing lunch and taking to office everyday. Not only because eating out everyday is not good for health but also the food at my office canteen is horrible. You can't eat a single thing there.... even the sight of food there will leave you feeling sick... its full of oil and red in colour. I had lunch there once and ended up having severe heartburn. That was the day when I decided I am not going to eat canteen food no matter what!!! In the morning when my gas oven is occupied with the lunch dishes it is convenient to prepare something in the microwave or the sandwich maker for breakfast. I got this sandwich maker as a gift from my husband's friends during our marriage and I really feel blessed that I have one of these.

Ingredients:
- Boiled Eggs (1)
- Cucumber - (1/2)
- Tomatoes (1)
- Capsicum (1/2)
- Tomato sauce (2 tbsp)
- BlackPepper powder(1 pinch)
- Grated cheese (1/2 cup)
- Grated carrots (1/2 cup)

Method :
- Cut the boiled egg, capsicum, tomatoes, cucumber in your choice of shapes. Make sure the slices are pretty thin.
- Take a slice of bread.
- Put all the veggies and the egg over the slice. Add the tomato sauce.
- Now add the grated carrots and cheese, sprinkle some black pepper powder and put another bread slice on top of it.
- Now put it in the sandwich maker for grilling.
- After it is grilled take it out and cut it diagonally into two halves.

Your sandwich is ready. Have it at home or on your way to office like I do. :)

This goes off to Sumee's Culinary Bites Breakfast Ideas and Lets Make Sandwich Event at Simply Food and Cook Click and Devour.

Happy New Year and Welcome back with Pasta!!!!!

Hello Friends and wish you all a very happy new year... I have been away from blogworld for quite a few days now. I have a valid reason for that. My parents were here :)  and I hardly cook anything when my Mom is at my place... She does not like my intervention in the kitchen. :(. As the saying goes "Too many cooks spoil the broth". So I leave it to her and just sit back and relish all her dishes..

So guys if you thought I am done with food or cooking there is nothing further from truth than that. So I welcome you and myself back to Blogworld with a simple pasta recipe for breakfast.

Ingredients:
- Pasta (1 cup)
- Capsicum (1 cut into thin long pieces)
- Carrots (1 cut into thin long pieces)
- Green Chilli (2 halved)
- Beans (9-10 cut into long pieces)
- Olive oil (2 tsp)
- Tomato puree (3 tbsp)
- Tomato ketchup (3 tbsp)
- Milk (4 tbsp)
- Onions (1 sliced)
-  Pepper powder (acc to taste)
- Salt (acc to taste)
- Cheese (acc to taste)
- Garlic (2-3 cloves crushed)

Method: 

- Boil 1 cup pasta until cooked. Drain the water and keep it aside.
- Peel and chop the onion.
- Peel and crush the garlic.
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan.
- Add beans,onion and garlic and saute.
- Add capsicum and carrots and saute for some more time.
- Add tomato puree, tomato ketchup, and stir for 5 mins.
- Add milk, cheese, salt and pepper.
- Add boiled pasta and cheese and mix well. Serve hot.

Instead of adding cheese you can add cheese sauce.

Happy cooking  :)