Healthy Breakfast and Lite snacks

Breakfast and lite snacks ideas .....

As we all know eggs contain 6 gm of high quality protein, they are very versatile, as you can prepare many forms of egg dishes , also rich source of other vitamins like A, E and vit B12, so its  a great source of energy. 

Eggs are desirable, making it a healthy option too. I like to add veggies like, green bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach to the omelet, adding low fat milk ,shredded cheese can be a good source of calcium.

If you are in a hurry during breakfast time, especially on week days, you can just scramble eggs, or prepare 6 to 7 boiled eggs before hand and store in the refrigerator.

As a vegetarian, the options to get protein and fiber can be obtained by making:

1.Oatmeal smoothie with chia seeds, using low fat yogurt.

2.Granola bars , prepared using dried fruits, nuts and  rolled oats are a great energy source. Peanut butter can be added, for protein. 

3.Greek yogurt parfait prepared at home ,are a good source of calcium and protein. 

4.Kale and avocado smoothie is another great morning starter high protein drink. Also beet juice , carrot juice and apple juice , combined together is a power house of energy and healthy too.

  Today, I will be making a healthy chevda, that can be enjoyed as a snack , its good for all, because of the healthy ingredients . This chevda uses very little oil. It is a mixture made  by using nuts, cornflakes,rice krispies cereal,sunflower seeds, flax seeds, healthy snacking without the guilt.

Ingredients
1 cup ready store bought cornflakes
1 cup rice Krispies (cereal)
1 cup kurmura ( puffed rice, available in Indian grocery)
2 tsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped almonds, cashews, peanuts each (all unsalted) 
1/4 cup raisins 
3 to 4 curry leaves
1 tsp mustard seeds 
2 tsp white sesame seeds
2 tsp sunflower seeds or flax seeds 
salt to taste
1 tsp chaat powder (available in Indian store)
2 dried red chilies

Diet / healthy  Chevda 

Method:
1.Heat  2 tsp oil ,add  mustard seeds, allow to sputter , next add in  cashews, almonds and peanuts, saute` for a minute or two.
 2.Add in dried red chilies, curry leaves,salt, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds and chaat powder.
3.Add in cornflakes, continue stirring on low heat, next add rice crisps,kurmura (rice puffs) mix all together,on low heat, stir for another 8 to 10 minutes and close burner.
On cooling,store prepared chevda (Diet mixture) in an air tight container , and enjoy as a healthy snack.


Downward facing Dog pose#4
A yoga pose  that resembles an inverted  V letter ,very beneficial pose, elongates the spine, and gives strength and body circulation.
Stand tall with feet hip distance apart. Shoulders relaxed.
1.Breathe in ,raise your arms up ,stretching your hand up above your shoulders.
2. Breathing out , lower the arm, and bend forward,with knees slightly bend, place palms on the ground,  spread  palms to help distribute the body weight.
3. Lift your hips up and head down, looking at the feet and body into an inverted V shape. keep this pose for a minute or two, and then bend knees to the floor, exhale and relax.
. Do not exert or push yourself, through the pose.

Day 2 Breakfast post

Day 2
Yoga
We all understand and know the importance of yoga and meditation, in today's stressful times. The benefits of yoga are many. It not only improves the physical  strength, also helps us focus better . Practising yoga poses greatly provides the right balance and flexibility.

Tree Pose 
Stand tall, with legs a feet apart. Starting with the left foot, bend the left leg knee, so the sole of the left foot sits on the inner thigh of the right leg. Fold hands in Namaste, and try to focus , looking straight. It requires balancing and that's what this pose helps. Alternate, with the other foot. Repeat for 2 rounds, This pose is called the Vrkrasana  (Tree Pose) and it helps strengthen the spine, thigh and neck. It helps perfect the balance of mind and body and is relaxing too. Beginners if you want use the wall for balance.

Tip of the morning
Ginger, is a root plant with many beneficial properties , cut 1 inch ginger piece into long strips,sprinkle them with little sea salt, add 1/2 lemon juice and eat these ginger strips. Having 2 to 3 strips of ginger a day helps our immune system and  our digestive system.

Menu of today 
Uttapam ( Rice pancakes with veggie fillings)
 savoury pancakes,filled with ingredients of your choice, mostly veggies... 
Ingredients
500 gms  Dosa batter ( ready store bought) 
1 medium onion chopped finely
3 to 4 green chillies finely chopped 
Salt to taste
1 medium size red tomato, chopped finely
1/4 cup freshly chopped coriander
1/4 cup water
1 tsp red chilli powder
2 tsp chaat powder (optional)
Coriander chutney (store bought or prepare using my previous recipe)

Method:
1.Heat  a non stick pan (flat pan), add few drops vegetable oil.
 Mix the batter , if its  too thick, add 1/4 cup water to give the batter a medium consistency. Using a spoon, spoon a tablespoon of batter on to the hot non stick pan, using the back of the spoon spread the batter make a round pancake like shape. Add few drops of vegetable oil,and continue cooking the uttapam.
2. In another bowl, mix chopped onions with green chillies, add chopped coriander leaves, chopped tomatoes, season with salt, red chilli powder and tsp chaat masala (store bought) Mix together 
3. While the uttapam is still  cooking , add a spoonful of this onion's mixture onto the surface of uttapam and cook it on low to medium heat, by adding few drops of vegetable oil.Turn and cook on the other side for a minute or two. Serve hot uttapam with store bough coconut chutney.
These uttapam are nutritious and make a good filling breakfast. (breakfast is break the fast) 

                                                       

Ingredients

                                                    

Uttapam

Flip to cook on both sides

                                                  

Uttapam 

Friends do share your views recipes , tips for breakfast an important meal of the day.Share it on the comments box on Spicenflavors.

Tea time treats

Today the recipes that I want to share with you'll are interesting and very yummy too:) It is special too as it is prepared by my dear Aunt,Mrs Neena Dewan, who prepared these yummy treats for us.When I tell you what it's made of , you are going to be just as pleasantly surprised as was I.  Enjoy these visual treats :))

Bread Idlee

Bread Idlee's
Ingredients:
1 packet plain white bread
4 to 5 medium Potatoes
1 cup green chutney
1 stick butter
2 tsp red chili powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp mustard seeds
4 to 5 curry leaves
1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves
200 gm Plain yogurt(curd)

Bread Idlees

Method:
1.Using a pizza or cookie cutter Cut out round 5 inch disc's from bread slices. Keep the sides of the bread aside.
2.Make sandwiches,by applying butter on bread and green chutney on the other round slice.
3.Boil potatoes,peel and mash them to create a stuffing for the sandwich.Add salt,red chili powder. Add 2 tbsp of  mashed potatoes to the round slices to  make sandwich.keep aside.
4.Heat a non stick pan,add butter.Next add in mustard seeds,curry leaves.Keep aside.
5.Beat some curd in a bowl.Add salt,sugar,pepper.Coat the top's of the prepared sandwich evenly with a spoonful of curd.
6.Heat each sandwich in the nonstick for 2 to 3 minutes, with the curd side up. Remove and garnish with mustard seeds ,curry leaves and serve hot.Enjoy these delightful sandwiches with hot tea and surprise your guests:)
 The best part is still to come...., guess the next dish??? a delicious pudding. As we relished the pudding we couldn't believe that it was made from leftover bread sides!!!how cool is that :))

Bread Halwa 

Bread Halwa
Ingredients
The sides of  remaining bread sides
1 tbsp clarified butter(ghee)
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups milk
1/4 cup dry fruits (cashews and walnuts )
Method:
1.Put remaining sides of bread into a blender, grind to a coarse powder.
2.Heat clarified butter.Add powdered bread ,stir 5 to 6 minutes on medium heat . Next add milk and sugar,continue stirring 3 to 4 minutes, remove into a star shaped cake tin mold. Garnish with nuts before serving.This bread pudding tastes so good and the best part those bread sides got recycled to make this halwa (pudding)
I loved both the recipes and am sure you'll will too :-)

Khaman dhokla~snacks

Khaman  dokhla is an Indian snack , that can be enjoyed as a starter or side dish. it is very light in texture and spongy too :)) Its like a savory cake, made with gram flour and perfect for snacking:)) it"s steamed , so  healthy too:)

Khaman Dhokla

Ingredients
2 cup Besan (gram flour )
2 tsp Eno fruit salt
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp asafetida
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 cup water
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp ginger green chilies paste
2 tbsp grated coconut
For Tempering
2 tsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1tsp sesame seeds
3 to 4  dried chilies
2 tsp shredded coconut 
3 to 4 curry leaves.


Method
1.Make a medium consistency paste of gram flour with  water,not too thick and not too runny.Add salt,turmeric  asafetida, sugar and ginger green chilies to this paste ,stir and allow to sit for 5  minutes.Next take Eno (fruit salt) in a cup ,add few drops water (1 tsp water) mix and add this to the gram flour mixture.
2.Heat water in a heavy bottomed container or a steamer , take a  6 inch round thali ,apply 1 tsp oil.Pour half  the mixture into the thali and allow to steam ,covered till about 15 minutes,until the dokhlas are ready and rise up like a cake.
Repeat same step to make another batch of dokhla. Cut dokhas into equal sized squares, arrange the dokhla in a serving dish.
3.For tempering take 2 tbsp oil in a pan as it gets hot,add mustard seeds,allow to splutter,add til seeds and curry leaves and pour this over the ready dokhla pieces.Sprinkle few drops water onto the tempered dokhlas ,this will keep them soft. Garnish with grated coconut.

Bhel Poori~ Chatpatey snacks

Bhel poori  a savory Indian snack ,its delicious so its enjoyed by all:)) It's ingredients all add up together to make it so colorful and delicious!!! Hope this tempts your taste buds too:)

Bhel Poori

Ingredients:
2 boiled potatoes , peeled and diced small
1 small onion chopped  finely
1 small tomato diced small
2 to 3 green chilies chopped fine
1 bunch fresh green coriander leaves chopped fine
1 packet 250 gm Kurmura
1 packet 100 gm Bhel sev
1 packet of flat bhel pooris
2 tsp oil
1 tsp asafetida (hing)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 lemon juice


Method:
1.Boil potatoes, peel the skin of the potatoes and dice them. Keep aside.
2.In a wok heat oil,add asafetida,add the kurmura,stir with a spoon on low heat, for about 5 to 10 minutes making sure the kurmura don't  burn. Add 1 tsp salt,1/4 tsp turmeric . Mix together  and close burner .Keep aside.




Sweet Tamarind chutney Ingredients
250 gm tamarind deseeded
50 gm dates pitted
100 gm jaggery 
50 gm sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp red chili powder1/2 tsp chat powder (optional)


Method:

1.Soak the tamarind and dates in 1/2 cup water in a pan and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes till it boils.
2. Strain the tamarind pulp and add in jaggery and  sugar , salt, red chili powder,cumin powder. Mix together and keep aside.


Green chutney Ingredients
1 bunch coriander leaves (wash and clean the coriander leaves)
1 inch ginger piece
3 to 4 green chilies
1 tsp salt
1/2 lemon juice
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup water


1. In a blender, add all the above ingredients and grind for 2 to 3 minutes to form a smooth paste. Pour the ready coriander chutney into a bowl and keep aside.


To assemble Bhel follow these steps:  

1. In a mixing bowl take the kurmura (puff rice).Add in the chopped onions, boiled potatoes,  sev,tomatoes,green chilies, add in approximately 3 tsp green chutney,  2 tbsp of tamarind chutney, stir together and squeeze in 1/2  tsp lemon juice and sprinkle some more sev on top and serve in a plate, garnished with finely chopped coriander.

Julie's event Participation Award:)
http://erivumpuliyumm.blogspot.com/2012/02/ep-series-herbs-spicesevent.html 

Kutch Speciality - Dabeli.

Friends, today I am going to share with you a speciality dish from Kutch. It is called Dabeli. People in Western part of India are familiar with this dish as it is available in Gujarat and major cities of Maharashtra. Others may not be aware of it. However, once you try it,  you will enjoy it and will want to have it again. I learnt this dish from my mother in law. She was born and did her schooling in Mandvi, a small town in Kutch. Before I start writing about the dish, I would like to start with saying few things about Kutch. 


Kutch district is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India.  Kutch District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea in south and west, while northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Rann of Kutch. To the North of Kutch is the Pakistan border. The Rann of Kutch boasts of beautiful white sand. The language spoken predominantly  is Kutchi language, sort of a mix of Gujarati, Sindhi, and Hindi. The place is becoming a popular tourist attraction after Gujarat Government started promoting the natural beauty of the place. Credit also needs to go to the popular ad campaign featuring none other than the Big B - Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. The Rann Utsav, in December, and Kite festival in the month of January have added to the popularity of this place. These festivals are attended by thousands of people from across the world.  Here are couple of photos of Rann of Kutch.

Rann of Kutch

Rann Utsav - Celebrated on full moon in December

Kutchi Dabeli

Ingredients:
2 pounds potatoes boiled
4 tbsp oil
1 cup raw peanuts
2 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp garlic chutney (available in Indian store)
1/4 cup ready sweet tamarind chutney
1 tsp garam masala powder
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp dabeli powder (roast and grind to a powder- 1 cinnamon stick, 2 to 3 cloves, 1 tsp coriander seeds,2 red chilies,1 tsp cumin seeds)
pomegranate seeds- for garnish (optional)


Method:


1.Boil the potatoes till well done,peel and mash the potatoes.Keep aside.
2.In a large skillet, heat oil,add in the peanuts, saute till brown in color, careful not to over brown them. .Remove from oil and keep in a container.Add 1/2 tsp salt,1/2 tsp red chili powder,1/2 tsp cumin powder,sugar to the peanuts. Keep aside.
3.In the same skillet add garlic chutney,red chili powder,tamarind chutney,salt,lemon juice,garam  masala,dabeli powder and mix in the potatoes.Stir together for about 5 minutes.Close burner.


Enjoy with bread buns and peanuts.

http://www.simplysensationalfood.com/2012/03/announcing-event-lets-cook-speedy.html

http://rascookbook.blogspot.com/2012/02/im-star-my-first-event.html