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!! 

Spicy Black Pepper Chicken

Black pepper also known as Milagu, in southern states of India.This chicken dish is popular and made in the households of south India. Pepper and other spices are famous in this part of the country, there are many interesting plantations of them.
Peppercorns is considered a king spice in that part of India.
I came across this dish, when I saw it being prepared at a TV show. I liked how simple it was to make and that it can be served, as an appetizer or main dish.

  Ingredients:
2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken cut into 2 inch cubes.
Salt to taste
1 tsp turmeric
1tsp coriander powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp black pepper ( Milagu powder)
1 tsp each ginger ,garlic paste
3 to 4 green chilies chopped
3 tsp rice flour
2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup ( 200 ml)vegetable oil to deep fry
1 tsp mustard seeds
6 to 7 curry leaves
2 to 3 dried red chilies
Fresh coconut slices (optional)

                                                    

                                  

Method:
Marinate chicken in a bowl, with salt, red chili powder, coriander , pepper , turmeric. Add an egg, and ginger, garlic paste.
Add finely chopped curry leaves, and lemon juice. Heat oil to deep fry the chicken pieces, to a golden brown, frying them for 4 to 5 minutes. Strain on to a paper towel.
Next heat a medium pan, with 2 tbsp oil for tempering. Add mustard seeds, allow them to splatter.Next add in coconut slices , brown the coconut slices, add green chilies and sliced onions.Add curry leaves 2 to 3.
Then add in 1/2 cup water, and cover few minutes,  add in the fried chicken. Saute for another 4 to 5 minutes, serve hot . Enjoy preparing and eating this spicy chicken dish, with family and friends :)

Berrylicious smoothie :-)

We are on a smoothie trip, me and my hubby. He has bought a powerful mixer , called Nutri bullet and it is perfect for making different types of smoothie. 
Packed with protein and nutrients, smoothie is ideal for on the run drink, or take along while going for work.
These mouth watering smoothies are prepared using fresh fruits  and vegetables , not to forget to add some nuts and sunflower/ chia seeds , berries and carrots and oranges  also make a great smoothie. Another interesting ingredient is Almond milk, that is flavorful and light to drink.
My son like most of the kids is not a vegetable eater (though he does eat some veggies) so this is the best way to feed kids , make it tasty and colorful and you have the perfect formula to excite kids to have this smoothie!!
I like to experiment using different fruits , veggies and the result is a power packed drink, so you'll too try some and make your family feel healthy too!!

Ingredients

1/4 cup washed blue berries
1/2 cup washed strawberries
1 cup Almond milk
1/4 cup sunflower seeds ( or chia seeds is fine too)
1/2 cup washed cleaned carrots
2 tsp Whey protein powder
3 to 4 ice cubes 
This makes one jar of smoothie, approx 2 glasses !!

Method:
I like to use the blender jar ( Nutribullet jar, as a measure cup)
Basically simplest thing to prepare,  add  berries, carrots,and some seeds into the nutribullet jar.
Now add the liquid part ( either juice or almond milk, coconut water-your choice)
 Next add whey protein powder and then ice cubes, about 3 to 4 and put the lid on and  let Nutribullet do the needful, churning out the juice and its powerful motor and blades extract all the juices and blend all the seeds, result is smooth smoothie, ready to drink with all its goodness.
Pour into tall glass and drink cool smoothie.
As mentioned I have prepared using Kale and avocado smoothie, you can similarly add your choice of ingredients and make it to your taste.
Do share your thoughts and ideas about other ingredients!!

Misal~Sprouted Beans

Misal  is an authentic Maharashtrian dish , from the state of Maharashtra in India. food snack.It is a spicy dish and is enjoyed with bread.

Misal (Sprouted Beans)

Ingredients:
250 gm matki or moth beans sprouted and steamed
100 gm mung beans (green gram) sprouted  and steamed
1 medium onion chopped
1 medium tomato chopped
4 tbsp grated coconut
3 to 4 cloves of  garlic chopped finely
1 tsp ginger green chilies paste
2 tsp garam masla powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili powder
1/2 lemon juice
4 tbsp oil
1/2 cup hot mix (Chivda)or spicy wafers
1 loaf of bread slices or dinner buns


Method:
Buy  ready sprouted beans  (available in Indian grocery stores) or easy way to sprout is to soak them in equal quantity of water  overnight,next day the beans would have sprouted. After the beans is sprouted, take in a medium container and add water,1 tsp salt and microwave for about 10 minutes to steam the beans.


Method:
1. Heat a pan, add the grated coconut and cook on low heat ,careful not burn the coconut.Keep stirring for 2 to 3 minutes  till the coconut turns lightly brown.Remove from pan and keep aside in a bowl. In the same pan,heat oil,add onions.Allow onions to turn golden brown,add in the tomatoes,garlic and ginger green chilies.Cook for another 10 minutes.Close burner.On cooling put the onion mixture and coconut in a blender .Add1/4 cup water to form a smooth paste.Keep aside.
2. For tempering : Heat oil in a wok, add cumin seeds ,mustard seeds.Add in onion  paste, stir on medium heat ,till oil leaves the sides of the pan. Add in salt,red chili powder and garam  masala powder.Add the sprouted and steamed beans  and continue cooking  for 5 to 6 minutes on medium heat.Add 1 cup water to the lentils and allow them to boil for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve prepared misal dish  with chopped onions,tomatoes,hot mix mixture/ spicy wafers  and bread.

Sprouted Protein Bhel

All the goodness of a power packed vitamin bhel is there in this dish :) healthy snacking and guilt free too:))

Protein Packed Bhel

Ingredients:
200 gm sprouted Moong
1/4 cup corn cooked or frozen
1/4 cup small diced capsicum
1/4 cup red onions diced
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
1 small tomato diced small
1 tsp chaat powder
2 tbsp green coriander chutney
2 tsp sweet tamarind chutney
100 gm bhel sev


Method
1. Cook the sprouted moong for about 10 to 15 minutes in 200 ml of water by adding 1 tsp salt to the water,strain and cool.
Also microwave frozen corn for about 2 to 3 minutes.Keep aside.
2.In a medium bowl, take sprouted moong, add in corn,capsicum,onions,tomato, green chilies, stir together ,add chaat powder and both the chutney's, stir together. Just before serving add the peanuts,sprinkle little sev on top and garnish with finely chopped coriander.


Sending this to Spicy Treats Show me your hits event

http://sangeethaskitchen.blogspot.ca/2012/03/show-me-your-hits-series-2-fiber-rich.html 

From Julie's Kitchen