Superfoods

Posted in Desserts, Superfoods

Rose Chia Pudding

Grown in Mexico, Chia was a staple diet of the Aztecs and Mayans. The seeds nutrients provided sustained energy during lng hunts and had numerous medicinal benefits. Revered by the people, Chia was often used in religious ceremonies which led to its ban by the Spanish during their conquest of the region. In the list of rediscovered forgotten foods, the Chia seeds have topped the “Super-foods” category. The oval shaped, nutty flavored seeds are packed with  ALA(alpha-linolenic acid) an Omega-3 essential fatty acids (150%) and fibre (16%) Chia seeds are extremely easy to consume, you can add these to oatmeal, yogurt, salads…

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Posted in Quick n Healthy, Snacks, Spring - Summer Special, Superfoods

Kale Chips

We all know we should eat green leafy vegetables. And I am sure you have come across Kale Chips too. Are they easy to make? Yes and No. They are easy to make for the most part, but can easily be messed up. When I first made Kale chips, I had no idea how Kale tastes. Its slight bitter taste does call for Indian touch like chaat masala or your favorite seasoning. If “green” and “leafy” do not strike a bell in your mind, here is why Kale is a clear winner when in comes to nutrition. Type of Green Calories…

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Posted in Desserts, Entertaining, Maharashtrian, Superfoods

खजूर साटोरी (Stuffed Dates Paratha)

Healthy twist to  a traditional Maharashtrian dessert Satori (साटोरी) is a traditional Maharashtrian dessert prepared with khoya, coconut and suji (semolina) stuffed in a poori made with maida. I have given a healthy twist to this traditional sweet dish by adding khajoor (dates), poppy seeds, sesame seeds and dried coconut stuffing inside a puri made with mainly whole wheat flour and some maida. Instead of deep frying, I lightly roasted them with ghee. The result was delicious yet healthy khajoor satori ! [purerecipe] Method Stuffing – Chop pitted dates as small as possible. Roast sesame seeds in a small frying…

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Posted in Appetizers, Gujarati, Snacks, Superfoods, Winter Special

પાલક મેથી ના મુઠીયા / Palak Methi na Muthiya

“They look green, so they must be healthy!” I must admit, I love Gujarati Farsan. Khaman, dhokala, shev-khamni, khandvi, locho, muthiya, mathiya, handva …. so much variety and so yummy! Muthiyas caught my attention because these can be made healthier as compared to other fried items. They get the name from the way they are made using feasts. Muthiyas can be made with different vegetables. Here is my version of spinach and fenugreek muthiya. They taste slightly bitter and I think that’s the best part. My neighbor once said “they look green, so they must be healthy!”. Ingredients – 2 cups spinach leaves,…

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Posted in Breakfast, Continental, Desserts, Jams & Pickels, Spring - Summer Special, Superfoods

Blueberry Jam / Compote

I look at Jam as a way to preserve summer in a jar 😛 Every summer my mom used to make mango jam at home. She did the same thing with strawberries last summer and now I am following her tradition with yet another awesome superfood of this planet – blueberries. Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh blueberries 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1/8 cup lemon juice That’s it. Wash blueberries and let them dry completely. No need to chop blueberries, they are so tender they break down easily once heated. In a sauce pan, mix blueberries and sugar and mix it…

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Posted in Breakfast, Superfoods

My New Affection: Oatmeal

When I saw my friend eating oatmeal at Starbucks, I literally laughed at him. It looked like baby food to me. But the price and especially the three toppings – brown sugar, dried fruit and nuts caught my attention. Since then I have become a big fan of oatmeal. Chinese tradition believes that the most important meal of the day is the first meal. So why not make it nutritious and delicious? I like to start my day off with this big bowl of warm and hearty old-fashioned oatmeal topped with fresh fruits such as strawberries, banana, red apple and walnuts and…

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Posted in Superfoods

Not my cup of tea!

Yes, tea is simply not my cup of tea. I just hate it. But my husband is a big big fan of tea and sadly my everyday starts with making tea for him. I am still wondering how to avoid it   If you like tea, here are few simple ways to make it more interesting. You can add a pinch of grated ginger or 1/2 chopped mint leaves or home-made tea masala – grounded powder of black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. I do use tea but for a different reason. Not because it rejuvenates my mind but it does rejuvenate…

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