miércoles, 31 de octubre de 2012

STUFFED VEGETABLE IDLY

I am making this stuffed idly for the third time. Whenever i get bored of usual idly sambhar , i make this.This is one of the best ways to incorporate vegetables into idly.My daughter never eats the vegetables i add in sambhar. But she likes this idly a lot…U can just play around with different combinations of stuffing in it.I've given my method of making the filling. Do try this and leave ur feedback.

STUFFED IDLY

INGREDIENTS

  • IDLY batter – 1 bowl
  • Water – little to dilute

For stuffing

  • Carrot – 2 nos
  • Beans – 6 nos
  • Potato – 1 no
  • Green peas – 1/4 cup
  • Big onion – 1 no
  • Cooking oil – 1tbsp
  • Turmeric powder – a pinch
  • Salt – As needed
  • Red chilly powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Garam masala – 1/4 tsp

To grind

  • Cinnamon – 1 inch piecee
  • Cloves – 1 no
  • Fennel seeds – little
  • Grated coconut – 1 tbsp
  • Dalia / Fried gram dal – 1tsp
  • Ginger – small piece & garlic – 6 cloves or GG paste – 1 / 4 tsp

To garnish

  • Coriander leaves – a few
  • Lime juice -  As needed.

METHOD

  • Heat a kadai with a tbsp of oil and add the onion pieces.
  • Saute till it turns transparent. Now add the ground masala paste.
  • Saute till the raw smell disappears.Then add the cooked vegetables and the powders.Mix well for few mins.
  • Add the required water and boil well till the  stuffing thickens.
  • Finally  add the lime juice and garnish with coriander leaves.
  • In an idly pot, pour a tbsp of batter and keep a tsp of filling in the center.
  • Then pour another tbsp of batter to cover the filling.Steam for 15 mins.
  • Insert a fork, if it comes out clean, the idly is done.

Serve hot with sambhar ,coconut chutney  or tomato chutney !!

 

stuffed idly collage

Here is a picture of stuffed idiyappam which i made the next day with the left over stuffing Winking smile

Stuffed idiyaapam

 

Note:

  • U can make the above version in chinese style by adding cabbage , little soya sauce , ajinomotto and white pepper powder.But avoid using garam masala pwd, red chilly powder and ground masala paste..Hope u all know this. Sometimes i make like this too.
  • If u dont want to stuff the idly, just mix the above stuffing in the batter directly and make idlies.It tastes good in that way too.. Smile
  • While making for kids , add a tsp of ghee over the stuffing in each idly .that gives an additional flavor..


BEETROOT PORIYAL

I learnt this from my mom.Usually my mom makes this as an accompaniment for keerai kuzhambu.Its my favorite..Last week i made for mor kuzhambu . It was a flavorful and excellent combo.

Beetroot poriyal

INGREDIENTS :

  • Beetroot - 2 nos (big)
  • Moong dal - 2 tbsp
  • Salt & water - As needed
  • Sambhar powder  or Red chilly powder- 1.5tsp

To grind :

  • Grated coconut - 3 tbsp
  • Small onion - 2 nos
  • Jeera - 1/4 tsp

To temper :

  • Oil -  1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Big onion - 1 no (finely chopped)
  • Curry leaves - Few

METHOD :

  • Chop the beetroot into small pieces and pressure cook along with moong dal , sambhar powder , salt & water.
  • Grind all the ingredients given under 'to grind 'into a smooth paste adding little water.
  • Now temper the items mentioned above and add the cooked beetroot mixture.
  • Then add the ground coconut paste and saute well till the  raw smell emanates.

Enjoy with sambhar/ mor kuzhambu / Keerai kuzhambu with a papad .

KITCHEN CLINIC :

BEETROOT :
Beetroot contains sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iodine, iron, copper, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and C. Each capsule provides approximately 1-2mg of elemental iron.

Benefits and Features of Beetroot

  • Beetroot provides a good source of anthocyanadins, a natural antioxidant that contributes to its deep red color
  • Extract is a natural source of vitamins and minerals
  • Beetroot is used traditionally as a blood building food
  • Beetroot may aid the natural process of elimination and support detoxification processes
  • Beetroot has liver, spleen, gall bladder and kidney cleansing properties
  • Beetroot is particularly rich in Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and iron
  • Each capsule provides approximately 1-2mg of elemental iron
  • The iron contained in beetroot is organic and non-irritating and will not cause constipation
    Beetroot is useful in acidosis due to it being rich in alkaline elements
  • Vacuum packed to enhance stability and shelf life
  • Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Beetroot for Cholesterol Reduction

Beet fiber has been shown to have cholesterol lowering capabilities. In a study on rats with induced high blood cholesterol, a red beet fiber diet caused a reduction of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels (by 30 and 40%, respectively) and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). This diet induced also a significant decrease (almost by 30%) of cholesterol content in the aorta.

Beetroot for Blood Pressure

Beetroot juice has been shown to lower blood pressure in subjects with normal blood pressure. In healthy volunteers, approximately 3 hours after ingestion of 500 ml of beetroot juice, blood pressure was substantially reduced, an effect that correlated with peak increases in plasma nitrite concentration, nitrite being the blood pressure reducing ingredient.

Beetroot and nitrate capsules are equally effective in lowering blood pressure indicating that it is the nitrate content of beetroot juice that underlies its potential to reduce blood pressure. It has also been found that only a small amount of juice is needed – just 250ml – to have this effect.

Beetroot for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Betaine, a nutrient found in beets and some other foods lowers plasma homocysteine, a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Betaine supplements are manufactured as a byproduct of sugar beet processing. Betaine "supplementation" has however been found to increase blood LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in healthy humans, which may undo the potential benefits for cardiovascular health of betaine supplementation through homocysteine lowering.

Beetroot for Healthy Liver Function

Beetroot contains the bioactive agent betaine, which supports healthy liver function. When the liver is functioning properly, fats are broken down efficiently, aiding weight loss, and preventing fatigue and nausea.

Glycemic Index of Beetroot

In a study to determine the estimated Glycemic Index of various foods, it was concluded that beetroot has a medium GI of 64.

Adverse Reactions from Beetroot

Beetroot and especially beet greens contain high levels of oxalate, and should be avoided by individuals with kidney stones containing oxalate

Beetroot contains nitrates and when they are cooked and left standing at room temperature, microorganisms that convert nitrates to nitrites begin to multiply, and the amount of nitrites in the beetroot rises. The nitrites combine with amines in the stomach to form nitrosamines, some of which are known carcinogens.


lunes, 29 de octubre de 2012

Falafel Pita with Tahini Sauce Recipe


The Arabic Food Recipes kitchen (The Home of Delicious Arabic Food Recipes) invites you to try Falafel Pita with Tahini Sauce Recipe. Enjoy the Arabic Cuisine and  learn how to make Falafel Pita with Tahini Sauce. 

Switch up your lunch routine with a Falafel Pita with Tahini Sauce. Falafels are made with bulgur, garbanzo beans, herbs, and spices. Serve these Middle Eastern sandwiches with homemade Tahani Sauce inside a pita half with lettuce and roasted red peppers.

Yield: Makes 6 servings (serving size: 1 burger, 2 tablespoons tahini mixture)

Ingredients

2/3 cup bulgur
1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 large egg white
1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves
1 garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup tahini
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup water
4 cups torn lettuce
1 cup roasted red peppers
6 (6-inch) pitas

Preparation

Cook bulgur according to package directions; drain and set aside to cool.

In a food processor, combine cooked bulgur, garbanzo beans, egg white, parsley, 1/4 mint, garlic, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Form mixture into 6 (approximately 3-inch) patties and place on a large plate. Refrigerate until firm (20 minutes).

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook falafel burgers until browned and heated through (3 minutes per side).

Transfer to a plate.

Before serving, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, and water in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.

Divide falafel burgers, tahini mixture, lettuce, and roasted red peppers among pitas and serve.

Ellen Kunes and Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, CarbLovers Diet Cookbook, Health
JANUARY 2012

More Arabic Food Recipes:

Crispy Falafel with Yogurt Dip
Falafel in Pita with Yogurt Sauce
Falafel with Tahini Sauce
Falafel Recipe from Scratch
Chickpea fritters (falafel)
Make Best Falafel Balls

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