Bhindi Masala 

(Punjabi Style)

 Don't be afraid to try without all the optional ingredients. 

It will be way better than any shop bought food anyways!

Bhindi  250 gms
Onion       2 medium
Tomato     1 medium (optional)
Ginger      1 or 2 inch piece(optional)
Coriander leaves few sprigs (optional)
Green Chilli       1        (optional)
Lemon juice       1 or 2 tsp (according o your taste) (optional)

Cumin seeds  1 tsp
Asafoetida  a pinch (optional)
Turmeric        1 level tsp
Red chilly powder  1/2 tsp (or less according to your taste)
Coriander cumin powder (Dhana jeeru powder)   2 heaped tsp. (Optional)

Oil  2 tbsp
salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Wash and wipe the bhindis with a tea towel. Cut and discard the end bits. Cut into halves and then lengthwise into four parts. Discard if you notice any black bits in any.
2. Peel onions, rinse and cut in half and then cut into long thin strips or chop.
3. Wash and cut tomatoes. Discard the green bit.
4. peel and grate or pound ginger.
5. Slit green chilli lengthwise.
6. Wash and chop coriander

In a wide non stick pan:   

1.  On a medium heat, add oil in the pan. 
2. Add cumin seeds, green chilli .
3. When the cumin changes color,add asafoetida and turmeric.
4. Give a quick stir and add onions.Mix. Cook till softened.
5. Add ginger, red chilli and dhana jeeru , a quick stir and add tomatoes.
6. Lower the heat and let it cook covered for a minute.
7. Add the bhindi. Mix well. 
8. Cover and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
9. Uncover and mix and cook further for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir if needed so it cooks evenly.
10. Poke a sharp knife through a bhindi, if it cuts into it with ease,its cooked.
11. add coriander, lemon juice salt and mix well.

TURMERIC

It is an antioxidant,antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.
It aids in digestion and is very beneficial for a clear and glowing skin.


Acne: Mix turmeric powder with gram flour (besan) and make a paste with lemon juice or water.Apply to the face and wash away after 10 minutes.

GINGER
Medicinal Value:  

Reduces cough,inflammation,congestion,cold etc. 
It also aids in suppressing nausea.

Boil water.
Add a 1/2 inch piece of ginger( pounded or grated)
a little cinnamon(dalchini) powder 
and 1 teaspoon of honey.

Strain and drink at regular intervals to relieve discomforts of a sore throat.

Dahi Bhaat

Dahi Bhaat or Curd Rice

If you like yoghurt, you will definitely enjoy dahi bhaath.

Cold or Warm !

Whenever you are making rice, just always make it a point to make extra to come in handy for just one more meal. 1 cup rice needs 2 cups water to cook. Refer to the Plain Rice recipe on the blog.

Cold Dahi Bhaat  

Serves 1 person

• Leftover rice  
• Yoghurt
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp oil
• Green chillies (chopped fine or slit in half, optional)
• Curry leaves (a few, optional)
• Mustard seeds 1/4 tsp.
• Split white udad dal  1/2 tsp (optional)
• Coriander leaves ,chopped , 1 tsp.(optional)

1. Add and mix enough yoghurt into the rice to get a consistency of your liking.
2. Add salt 
3. In a pan, heat oil on a low temperature. Add mustard,green chillies and udad dal . (They splutter ,so cover quickly or else you have to clean the stove!)
4. Uncover and add curry leaves and stir in.
5. Pour over the rice and yoghurt mix and stir in.
6. sprinkle coriander.

Warm Dahi Bhaat

1.           Heat a bowl of rice in the microwave oven.
2.           Add yoghurt according to your liking. 
3.           Add salt.
4.           Add cumin powder.
5.           Mix well.
6.           Add ghee if you want to.
7.           Just eat!

I'll add more variations to this post soon....

Apple Tea

Apple Tea


Do you often discard apple peels?


Pour boiling water over the peels.
Seive.
Enjoy a cuppa! 


Its delicious and way better than the shop bought dehydrated apple tea .

Tulips From My Garden!

These are Tulips from my garden. They are such a pleasure to grow. Plant them in November. No need to dig the bulbs out after flowering season.

Yogurt Dip

YOGURT DIP
Serve with fresh vegetable sticks e.g; carrots,celery,cucumber, cauliflower,broccoli,red radishes,paprika/capsicum (red,yellow, green)
OR
with chips
OR
as filling/spread for Pita or sandwiches.

Ingredients:
500 ml Yogurt
1/2 white or red onion finely chopped
1/2 Tomato finely chopped
Fresh Coriander Finely chopped 1 tablespoon
Green chilly 1 or 2 (to your taste)finely chopped or pounded
Salt

The Simplest way

Add all the ingredients to the yogurt and fold in.