Ambal and Lassi

Hi Friends and my dear readers, its always a pleasure to write for you'll and thanks so much for taking the time to read and share these recipes with friends and family.
My today's dish is called Ambal, a childhood favorite of mine. The first time I tried  this dish was when I visited my relatives in Jammu. 
Ambal is a famous dish made often in Northern part of India. It is basically pumpkin, cooked in a sweet and sour way  and  adding of methi seeds, during tempering  takes this dish  to another level of flavors. Very easy to prepare, yummy and  healthy too !!
How about a cool glass of refreshing sweet Lassi, another childhood  favorite !
Spices are easily available these days, either online or in Indian stores.


Ingredients:

250 gm pumpkin (Orange colored) peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes 

1/4 cup soaked tamarind 

2 tbsp jaggery (available online or in Indian stores)

1/4 tsp methi dana ( Fenugreek seeds)

1 tsp ginger, chopped

1 tsp jeera seeds ( cumin seeds)

2-3 Kashmiri dried red chillies

1/2  tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp coriander powder 

2 Tbsp refined oil

Salt, to taste

1/4 tsp red chilly powder 

1/4 cup Water

Fresh Coriander leaves, to garnish

Ambal 

                                                             

Method:

   1. Heat a pan, add oil, for tempering, add methi seeds,cumin seeds, 2 dried red chillies,and ginger.
   2.Add turmeric, salt, red chilli powder. Saute for approx few  seconds.

3.Add  pumpkin and toss well. Add  tamarind and jaggery. Cook for 3-4 minutes on high flame.

4.Add 1/2 cup water, cover with a lid and cook (on a low flame) till pumpkin is soft and almost done.  Garnish with coriander leaves.

                                     

Lassi a north Indian yogurt drink, prepared by combining  plain yogurt, ice cubes, rose flavoring(available in Indian stores) very little water and sugar to your taste, I like mine with less sugar, so to keep it healthy! Just put all ingredients into a blender jar and blend for a minute or so, to give a nice creamy drink. Substitute with salt instead of sugar for a salty lassi, you can garnish with mint leaves too.

Again for mango lassi, all you do in this add mango pulp, check for sugar accordingly as mango pulp is usually sweet. Enjoy 

Bakeless granola bars

Granola bars, no baking how easy is that and also they are good for you. You can make it, take them along and the best part is its to your choice of ingredients ( I mean  why buy them at stores, when you can make them yourself, and to  your choice of whatever dried fruits and nuts you want to add)

Crunchy sweet and oh so good for you, so read this simple easy to make recipe and make your self ,and your family and friends happy.

Ingredients:

21/2 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips ( If your a chocolate fan or else you can substitute with coconut flakes)

1/4 cup mixed nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, raisins etc.. make it your choice of seeds

1/4 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup light brown sugar

4 tbsp unsalted butter

Cut out granola bars

Bakeless granola 

Method:

1. Using a baking tray lined with parchment or silver foil, toast  oats along with chopped almonds, for about 6 minutes at 350 F.

Take out of oven and stir them around, making sure they don't burn. Put Put them back in oven for another 10 minutes, remove  as they get light toasted. 

2.Pour these toasted oats almonds into a mixing bowl.

3.Heat a small pan add butter and melt it, over low heat. Add light brown sugar and vanilla essence ,close burner.

4.Add this melted butter to oats mixture.At this point you can go ahead and add some of the chocolate chips, don't worry it will melt and help to hold the bars.Mix in the nuts and coconut flakes.

I prefer to using a square baking pan, line it with silver foil, or parchment paper.

5.Pour  granola mixture into this  square pan, and press with a spatula to give it an even surface. Sprinkle the top with remaining chocolate chips. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Remove the foil, and cut out even sized bars to enjoy!!