Matar Paneer

Ingredients

Tomato           -  4

Onion             - 1

Paneer            -  100 g

Kasuri Methi   -  a pinch

Cashew           -  10

Chilli Powder   - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala  - 1/2 tsp

Salt                  - to taste

Method

• Chop onion and tomatoes roughly.Add little water,salt and pressure cook along with cashews for two whistles.
       
• Blend this into a fine paste and return to the pan.Add chilli powder and garam masala.Fry paneer cubes till golden brown or as such if using fresh paneer.
                     
       
• Add peas,paneer and kasuri methi and serve with chappathi...
                   
       

Little Words

• You can add other spices such as coriander powder too if desired.
• If you are using fresh peas cook it separately and add.
• If you are using dried peas pressure cook along with onion and tomato.

Veggie Tortilla Bites

Ingredients

Baby Potato      - 5

Peas                 - 1/4 cup

Red Capsicum  - 1/2 cup

Spinach             - 1/4 cup

Egg                   - 4

Cheese             - 1/4 cup

Salt                   - to taste

Oil                    - 2 tsp

Method

• Preheat grill at 180 C/350 F for ten minutes.Peel and chop potatoes finely.Heat oil in a shallow frying pan and fry the potatoes till slight brown spots appear.
       
• Add peas and chopped spinach and saute.
       
• Add salt and chopped capsicum.Beat eggs in a bowl and pour over this.
      
• Wait till the egg white settles and sprinkle cheese cubes.Grill it for two minutes,carefully flip into a plate,cut into wedges and serve.
             
      
                       

Little Words

• A healthy breakfast for kids especially.
• Add cheese only after white settles down.
• Cheese is optional,if you are not adding cheese you can omit the grilling under oven.
• If you are doing completely in the frying pan then do in a low flame after adding egg else veggies in the bottom may get burnt.
• You can add grated cheese as well.

Broccoli Cheese Tikkis

Makes  - 8 - 10

Prep Time - 40 m

Cook Time - 20 m

Ingredients

Broccoli & Cauliflower Florets  - 1 1/2 cup

Potato                                      - 2(boiled & mashed)

Onion                                       - 1

Green Chilli                              - 2

Garlic                                       - 4

Cheese                                     - 1/4 cup

Corn Flour                               - 2 tblsp

Bread Crumbs                          - to coat

Salt                                          - to taste

Oil                                           - to fry(2 to 3 tblsp)

Method

• Bring a large pan of salted water to boil.Add the florets and leave to stand for five minutes.Remove and chop them finely.Heat oil an a pan,add onion,green chilli and chopped garlic and saute.
        
• Add cauliflower and saute for a while.Then add chopped broccoli,salt and saute well until cooked. 
       
• Add corn flour,grated cheese and mashed potato,mix well.Switch off the flame and allow to cool.
      
• Make lemon sized balls,flatten between your palms,coat with bread crumbs and shallow fry till golden brown in a frying pan.Serve with sauce or plain or spiced yogurt.
                
                    
  

Little Words

• Yummy tikkis perfect for after school snack.
• It can be made with either broccoli or cauliflower.

Onion Pakoda

Ingredients

Onion                -   2

Rice Flour          -  1 cup

Gram Flour        -  1 cup

Chilli Powder     -  1 1/2 tsp

Asafoetida         -  a pinch

Bi carb of soda  -  a pinch

Salt                    - to taste

Oil                     - to deep fry

Method

• Slice the onions and spread on a tray.In a mixing bowl,mix all the powders.
       
• Add this to the onions and mix.Sprinkle water just enough to hold them tight.
       
• Take a fistful and drop in small portions into hot oil and fry till golden brown.
      

Little Words

• Crispy pakodas make an excellent teatime snack.
• If you are making in large quantity,mix flour and onion and then sprinkle water for a small portion and then repeat the same.This helps in preventing the mixture becoming dry.

Onion Tomato Chutney

Ingredients

Tomato             -  3(medium sized)

Onion               -  1

Red Chilli          -  2

Tamarind Paste  -  1/4 tsp

Salt                  -  to taste

Mustard Seeds   -  to temper
Oil                   -  2 tsp
Coriander Leaves- to garnish

Method

• Heat a taespoon of  oil in a pan and fry the red chillies and set aside.Add roughly chopped onions and tomatoes and fry till they are cooked thoroughly.
     
• Add salt and tamarind paste and little water(if needed) and grind.Temper with mustard seeds and garnish with coriander leaves and serve with idli,dosa,chappathi.
     

Little Words

• A quick, tangy and  spicy chutney that comes to hand on the go.
• Yummy with idli,dosa...

Sambhar Idli

Ingredients

Idli                         -as per need

For Sambhar

Toor Dal                  -  1/2 cup
Sambhar Powder     -  1 tblsp
Tomato                    -  1(big sized)
Onion                       -  1
Garlic                       -  4 cloves
Curry Leaves            -  few
Coriander Leaves     - to garnish
Chilli powder            - 1/2 tsp
Tamarind Paste        - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder     -  1/4 tsp
Asafoetida               - a pinch
Mustard Seeds        - to splutter
Oil                          - 2 tsp
Salt                         - to taste

Method

• Soak dal for half an hour,add turmeric powder,salt and pressure cook for 2 whistles.Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,add asafoetida,onion,curry leaves and fry for a while.
       
• Add the tomatoes, sambhar powder and add required amount of water.When it comes to a boil add the dal,tamarind paste and garnish with coriander leaves and switch off the flame.
                      
       
• Cut the idlis into bite size pieces and arrange them in a serving bowl.Pour the sambhar over the idlis and sprinkle finely chopped raw onions and enjoy hot.
       

Little Words

• Let the consistency of the sambhar be running so that the idlis absorb the sambhar.
• Give atleaast ten minutes for the idlis to absorb sambhar.
• Raw onions add to the taste,do add them.
• While pressure cooking dal add a teaspoon of castor oil which helps in faster cooking.