Food & Recipes

Paratha: Spinach-Carrot-Tofu Flatbread for kids

~ Madame Zenista ~ Leave a comment

Paratha/ parantha, or Indian pan-fried flatbread make a very simplistic subject for a blogpost (certainly so if you are from India). Yet, the reason it made it here is because of its high nutritional value and reasonably good taste. A staple in our household, it works well with the kids, unless, of course when I overdo it! The best part about these flatbreads is they work out to be a great medium for a variety ingredients

Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha (pan-fried flatbread)
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha (pan-fried flatbread). Vegan.
The super nutrition information at the very bottom of this post will show you how wholesome and healthy these are that you’d want to surely try it out!

Ingredients

Basic: (see Note 1)
1.5 cup Whole wheat flour atta or multigrain flour
1 cup / 1 medium carrot , grated big (see Note 2)
1 cup packed spinach, chopped (make sure the stems re not used lest it break the paratha)
1/2 cup firm organic tofu after water squeezed out, crumbled (see Note 3)
Condiments:
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp carom seeds
1.5 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp salt OR to taste (tip 3)
1/2 -1 tsp red chilli powder
some water to knead the dough (depends)
some Oil for frying

Recipe:

1. Mix and mash all the ingredients well. Now add little water (if and as needed) in 2-3 intervals and knead into a smooth pliable dough, if doing by hand. (The dough should not be sticky).
2. Make slightly bigger than golf-sized balls and roll parathas this way. (Or use a tortilla maker.)
Notes:
  1. As for the proportions, feel free to add more or less of the ingredients/ condiments that go in the flour. Care must be taken for the resulting total water proportion in the dough, either from veggies or added.
  2. If the carrot is grated small / fine, it will release more water. You might then need very less or no water at all. (I grate it big).
  3. Similarly, any unsqueezed water from the tofu will add to the dough. In that case you might need very little water while kneading, or none at all.
  4. If the salt if just right can make the parathas edible by themselves.

Serving suggestion:

Goes with yogurt (with a pinch of salt and red pepper), achar (Indian pickles) , cottage cheese (great source of protein), egg bhurji (Indian spiced scrambled eggs) or with any other Indian curry / subzi. Though they are savory, I give it with sugar/jaggery + ghee as a last resort if nothing else works with kids; this always does!

Paratha Quesadillas

Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadilla
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadilla. Vegetarian.
Following the recipe for veggie tofu healthy parathas, here is the way I use it for quesadillas.
(Read quesadilla basics here, or alternatively ‘folding method’ here)
  1. Heat a non-stick pan, place one paratha.
    • Spread caramelized onions or any other suitable stuffing like egg bhurji of your choice (optional)
  2. Put some shredded melting cheese like cheddar, monterey jack, colby, fontina.
    • Place sliced picked jalapeños on the cheese for the spicy-cheesy goodness – this stuff aint for kids! (optional but yum!)
    • Sprinkle with Taco seasoning or one of your choice (optional)
  3. On the second paratha that goes on the top, spread one or more of the following and place the spread-side-down facing the cheese:
    • Honey mustard / hummus / sriracha hot sauce /a spread of your choice (Hummus adds a creamy texture to the quesadilla and prevents ‘drying’ even when the quesadilla cools down. It tastes great and adds whole lot of goodness and protein)
  4. Once the cheese melts and binds the two parathas together, flip the entire set of tortillas to crisp the top paratha now.
  5. Once crisp, cut in wedges and serve hot.
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadilla
Carrot-Spinach-Tofu Paratha Quesadillas. Vegetarian.

 Nutrition information

here

Narayan Sheera: the simple & delicious halwa recipe

~ Madame Zenista ~ 2 Comments
Narayan Sheera based on Dr. Balaji Tambe's 'Ayurvedic Garbha Sanskar'
Narayan Sheera: recipe from Dr. Balaji Tambe’s ‘Ayurvedic Garbha Sanskar’

On the occasion of my sons second birthday, I made Narayan Sheera, a halwa that is rich, nutritious and gives a feeling of satiety to the tummy and soul. It is made for Satyanarayan Puja or any religious ceremony as prasad (food offering to God).

Post Partum diet: I have the book Ayurvedic Garbha Sanskar by pioneering Ayurvedic physician and spiritual master Dr. Shri Balaji Tambe that my mother and I used as a guide during my pregnancies. It is an excellent book for those who are pro natural living and inclined to Ayurveda. Along with all the great information, the DOs and DON’Ts, the book has some recipes, including this Narayan shira / sheera that makes a rich but healthy dessert for one and all, especially beneficial during postpartum care. It is quite potent and so also recommended for women just before going into labor, as it provides the energy to sustain the mother through (and the only food before) the arduous hours of labor, childbirth and immediate recovery period.

This recipe is adapted from the book. Note how the characteristic proportion of suji to ghee to sugar is 1:1:1.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rava / suji / semolina

1/2 cup ghee /  Indian clarified butter

1/2 cup sugar*

2 cups milk

2 tbsp almonds (or more/less, per you wish), chopped

2 tbsp cashews (or more/less, per your wish), halved

1 tsp elaichi powder (cardamom)

1/4 tsp kesar  powder (saffron)

1 ripe banana

1. In a thick bottomed pan, heat ghee and fry almonds and cashews. Set aside.

2. Add the suji in the ghee and fry it on low flame until it changes color to a dull pinkish and fragrant. Heat milk in the mean time.

3. Add the hot milk slowly while stirring so as to not let it form into lumps. After adding all the milk, stir well and cover to let it cook for about 5 minutes on very low heat. Make sure it doesn’t get burnt at the bottom (Put another griddle between your stove and the pan, if you need to).

4. Add sugar, almonds, cashews, saffron, cardamom powder, stir well, and cover for a minute or two. In the end, stir in the ripe banana pieces and cover for another minute or two before turing off the stove.

*The Indian sugar somehow seems sweeter than the one in the US. That said, you could add a couple more teaspoons of sugar if you wish. But again, most people like it not “too sweet” too. So adjust sweetness to your taste.

Simple Seviya or Vermicelli recipe for kids

~ Madame Zenista ~ Leave a comment
Nutritious seviya / semiya for kids
Nutritious seviya / semiya for kids

It is one of those trying times when the kid refuses to eat almost anything offered to him, that you hit rock bottom as a frustrated mother! There are of course exceptions to their don’t-like-anything phase: Mac ‘n’ cheese! Seriously??  That orange sticky gooey ‘stuff‘? It was after one such tantrum that I hatched this evil (read ‘noble’) plan to cheat (not really) my kids with something that slips down their throats with minimal effort, yet get them to eat their veggies. (I know, they could thank me later!)

So I found my answer in semiya or vermicelli, a form of thin noodles used widely in Indian dishes like semiya upma (savory) and kheer (sweet porridge). This simplified version of the recipe worked for me. And I could see the mom-evil-laughter behind my matter-of-fact straight poker face! The pleasure of outwitting your kids by making them eat what you want them to: priceless!

Recipe Outline My standard simple recipe is driven by three factors:

1) Nutritious: enough fresh veggies per serving. My staple – broccoli, celery and carrots. Might add tofu at times for protein. Nuts added at times.
2) texture should be buttery and slimy
3) flavor should be just the right mix of salt-pepper-ghee. Neither too hot/spicy, nor bland.
That said, once the vermicelli is roasted in ghee, you could add any veggies you would like to experiment with, as long as the final product doesn’t lose the texture or taste suitable for kids.

Basic ingredients- kids Seviyan recipe
Basic ingredients- kids Seviyan recipe

Basic Ingredients:

3/4 cup vermicelli
1 cup broccoli cut in small florets
1 cup diced celery
1 cup peeled, grated carrot
1 tbsp ghee
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

 

Optional ingredients

-1/2 to 3/4 cup tofu. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp honey mustard, pinch of pepper.

-1/4 cup Crushed nuts- cashews and or almonds and or walnuts.

-Some shredded cheese (currently the Mexican Taco seasoning cheese is a household favorite).

-Some ghee before serving.

Recipe

1. Cut vegetables, crush nuts, squeeze out water from the tofu, crumble and season. Set aside.
Put 1&1/4 cups of water to a boil in the microwave at step 5.

2. Add ghee to a thick bottom pan. Add some crushed pepper followed by vermicelli. Roast on a medium to low flame until the color changes to light brown. They could quickly burn, so be fully attentive and keep stirring.

3. Once brown, add nuts and roast for a minute.

4. Add all the veggies and roast another minute.

5. Add the boiling water, salt and cover. Reduce the heat to medium low and let it cook for 5 minutes for el dente.
(I would add a little more water and cook slightly longer when my younger one didn’t have many teeth. Would also powder the nuts then). If there’s still some water left, cook uncovered for a minute of so until it evaporates.

Vermicelli is ready.

6. Mix in the seasoned tofu to the pan now, if you’d like. (No need to ‘cook’ tofu, but you could mix in and cover to let it sit for a minute in the steaming vermicelli.)
7. Add some ghee and / or shredded cheese in the plate before serving.

Maharashtrian Kadhi

~ Madame Zenista ~ Leave a comment

Kadhi or kadi, is a hot Indian stew, slightly sour and tangy, that goes as a side dish with Indian food. Its as satisfying as having a hot soup on a chilly day. There are several ways to make it. As a matter of fact, there are variations in the style and recipe depending on which part of India its made – theres Punjabi kadi and the Sindhi kadi and the Gujrati kadhi… I grew up having my style of kadhi which was a trademark of our household. This is the Maharashtrian style kadhi that my mother makes to this day, at least a few times a week, and continues the yummy family tradition.

Typically, sour homemade yogurt is used that imparts a wonderful tangy flavor to the stew.

Heres the recipe I use:

Yogurt mix ingredients

1 cup plain yogurt + 2 cup water (Or, 1 cup plain yogurt + 1 cup 2% buttermilk + 1 cup water)
Additional 1/2 cup water

4 tsp of besan (chickpea flour)

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp ground paste of : 1 medium hot green chilies (use 2 if you wish so),  few cumin seeds, a few coriander leaves (cilantro)

1 small pinch(literally) of turmeric

Salt to taste

Optional ingredients:

A few coriander leaves for garnish.

Some lime juice or amchoor powder (see Tip 2)

Sugar (see Tip 3)

Cream or sour cream ( see Tip 4)

Kadhi tempering ingredients

For tempering:

2 tsp of cooking oil/ ghee

1/2 tsp of mustard seeds

1/2 tsp  cumin seeds

1/4 tsp methi seeds (fenugreek) (optional)

5-7 curry leaves

1 pinch hing (asafoetida)

1. Mixing and blending: Mix the yogurt, buttermilk and water and add besan, ginger garlic paste, the ground paste made of chillies, cumin and cilantro and salt if you wish (see tip 5). With a stick blender or whisks, blend it well to get a smooth texture without any flour lumps. Once done you can taste it to see if it tastes right. Add a teeny tiny pinch of turmeric to get a light yellow color like vanilla ice cream.

The consistency you have is how final product should be like. To this add another half a cup of waterthat would evaporate as you boil the mixture.

2. Cooking: On medium to high heat, bring the mixture to a boil  by continuously stirring it- it is critical NOT to multi task and leave the stew unattended. I tried to, in my first ambitious attempt, only to realize that the mixture had separated into a clear liquid and a granular looking yogurt mix. This means the kadhi has “busted”( as they’d say in Marathi!)

It should take about 12-15 mins to boil on medium heat. Let it boil for a minute or two and you are ready for tempering.

3. Tempering: Heat oil/ghee in a small skillet. Add asafoetida, mustard, methi and cumin seeds. Once sputtered, add the curry leaves. After about 30 seconds, pour the flavored oil in the boiled kadhi.

Hot Kadi is ready to serve with steaming hot white rice and a spoon of ghee.

Tips:  
1. Kadhi is made with sour homemade yogurt. But in its absence, store bought yogurt could be used.
-Store bought buttermilk could also be added which adds tanginess. 2% used in this recipe. If it’s whole or plain, then reduce quantity to 3/4 cup, and increase water to 3/4 cups.

2. Once done, to make the kadhi tangy, add few drops of lemon juice or amchoor  powder (made of sour green mangoes) according to your taste.

3. Some like their kadhi sweet and sour. For this, add 1 to 3 tsp (or more – adjust to taste) sugar at the end. Sweet and sour kadhi tastes yum- just try it for a small portion and check if you like it.

4. In my experience, kadhi made with fat free yogurt was a sheer disaster! Best use plain yogurt. Adding 1tbsp or so or cream or sour cream will add a deliciously creamy flavor, especially with 2% yogurt.

5. You can go low on salt while blending stage or entirely omit it. Add the required salt at the very end after the kadhi is done.  Why? If you work too hard and boil the stew to reduce it more than required (which will be actually nice), the salt proportion might go haywire!

The ‘authentic’ Kande Pohe

~ Madame Zenista ~ 15 Comments
Kande Pohe Kanda Poha
Kande Pohe or Kanda Poha

Kande Pohe (literally meaning Onion-ed flattened rice) are a staple breakfast dish in Maharashtra, India. Of all the variations I have had, the best is made by Aai (my mommy) hands down- not even exaggerating this time! I’m going to share her simple and yummy recipe here. This is the ‘authentic’ way to make it, per me.  And once I show you the rule, you can always appreciate the exceptions 😉

Pohe are flattened/ beaten rice that can be bought in Indian grocery stores. Since they are dried, they can be stored for long periods. They easily absorb liquids and become instantly edible. They come as thick and thin, and for this recipe you need the THICK ones. (Else you will end up with Pohe lumps).

In the Kande Pohe recipe, the fried onions add the sweetness, the peanuts give the crunch and protein, along with the peas to the savory soft Pohe. Lemon juice gives a dash of tanginess.

Trivia: I remember the “chaha-pohe” (Pohe with chai tea) ritual has been an integral part of the ‘bride-viewing’ ceremonies (where the boys family visits a prospective girl’s family in an arranged marriage)! So whats the basis of happy long lasting Maharashtrian marriages? Yes- you got it- savory soft buttery delicious Kande Pohe!

And here’s what you’ll need:

1 1/2 cups of THICK Poha / Pohe

1 medium onion- sliced

1 medium boiled potato- cubed (with or without skin)

1 medium-hot green chilly (depending on how much heat you can handle, add another).

6 curry leaves (also available fresh in Indian grocery stores)

1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen)

1 tbsp peanuts (make that 2 if you like the crunch in every bite!)

Condiments:

1 1/2 tbsp oil

1 tsp salt (or adjust to taste)

1/2 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp turmeric

2 tsp lemon juice (or adjust to taste)

To garnish: Cilantro, grated coconut (preferably fresh)

Optional, but certainly a deal breaker in my recipe: 1 tbsp sour cream or 1 heaped tbsp plain yogurt. This prevents drying up and lends a soft texture and slight flavor. Try without it and you’ll know what I mean.

Recipe:

1. In half a cup water, add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar, stir and add to dry Pohe in a bowl. Make sure no residual water is left out, yet all Pohe flakes are wet. Add the yogurt or sour cream. Set aside.

2. Heat oil, add peanuts and fry for a minute, take out and keep aside.

3. Once the oil is hot again, add curry leaves and fry for 30 seconds. Add chillies and fry for a minute. Add onions and fry until translucent.

4. Add turmeric followed by cubed potatoes. Stir until they are all yellow and lightly fried (1 minute). Add remaining salt and stir in peas. Add the Pohe and stir well without crushing until they are all yellow. Reduce the heat to minimum, add 1 tbsp water along the edge of the pan to generate steam and cover for 5 mins.

Add the lemon juice.Taste and adjust salt / lemon juice/sugar. Stir in peanuts. Garnish with cilantro and grated coconut. Serve HOT! Most like it with hot chai!