Recipes From My Kitchen

Upma is a savory porridge made with semolina / rava, ginger and green chillies. It is a traditional South Indian breakfast dish and usually served with coconut chutney, peanut chutney, podi or any pickle. It tastes great even without any side dish. This rava upma recipe can also be extended further to khara bath or masala bath by adding vangi bath powder or bise bele bath powder. However I particularly like to be simple and I enjoy the simple upma recipe with a small portion of rava kesari bath. This combination is also popularly known as chow chow bath in Bangalore and is one of the popular breakfast served in morning tiffin centres. The upma is served with an array of chutney’s. It can be a simple coconut chutney , peanut chutney or even onion tomato chutney . Making upma does not take much time and can be done in 15-20 minutes, if you have the roasted semolina ready. I always roast semolina and then keep in an air-tight container. This way the semolina stays good for ...

A popular South Indian breakfast dish Vermicelli Upma also known as Semiya Upma, is a quick and healthy snack that you can cook easily in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients. A versatile ingredient, vermicelli is used to make sweet dishes like kheer (in North India) and payasam (called semiya payasam in Tamil Nadu). Though relatively bland in taste, it readily absorbs the flavors of ingredients it is cooked with. Low in sodium and fat, it is a great source of energy as it is rich in carbohydrates, hence it may not be very filling when just eaten plain, but the inclusion of a variety of vegetables increases its nutritional content helping you feel full and satisfied for longer. Carrots are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Peas are rich in protein, folate, and high in antioxidants. Bell peppers are low in calories, high in potassium, vitamin A and C. The health benefits of the vermicelli combined with the vegetables make this an appetizing, delicious dish which can also b...

After having classic palak paneer at the dhabas during my time in Delhi. Another palak recipe that I found unique and experimental was Palak Corn. We usually have a combination of palak with paneer, dal, mushroom, etc but with corn I never thought that it would taste so good. The sweetness of corn goes really well with the bland taste of palak and makes the dish interesting. In case, you do not have paneer it can substitute it in the palak paneer recipe. This recipe is a complete pack of nutritional values due to the presence of palak and corn, also it is delicious and full of flavours because of the Indian tadka of the spices and garlic. Garnished with some fresh cream and served with hot homemade roti, nan, or jeera rice. This makes me crave for the food at the dhaba every time. Serves – 4  Ingredients:  2 cup palak puree (spinach) 1 large tomato, pureed, 1 large onion, finely chopped, 1 cup of frozen corn, 2 small bay leaves (tej patta) 2 cardamoms (ell...

Being a runner and a fitness freak, I’m always on the lookout for healthy foods that are rich in nutrients, easy to make, and would serve as a good pre or post-workout snack. Salads are my favourite and I love experimenting and rustling up new salads by combining simple, yet tasty ‘health foods’ to create a quick appetizing dish! The Indian twist of adding a bit of seasoning or ‘tadka’ to the salads gives it a unique flavour that you’re sure to enjoy! Green Moong Salad is one such dish that I relish. Made by combining pre-soaked green moong, pomegranate, and cucumber, this salad is not only healthy but also visual delight due to its colourful appearance. The earthy flavour of the green moong, crunchiness of the cucumber and the sweet-tangy taste of the pomegranate is sure to be a treat for your taste buds! An excellent source of protein, green moong has a myriad of health benefits. Containing vitamins that have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, this legume helps...

Bored of your regular breakfast fare? In the mood to try something different? Here’s a healthy, delicious and exotic breakfast dish! I’m sure reading the word ‘exotic’ you’re assuming that it’s a complicated dish that can be made only by someone who is an expert at cooking. Well not necessarily! Eggless Whole Wheat Pancakes are easy to make and even more delicious to taste! Fluffy and soft, these pancakes can be eaten plain or topped with juicy fruits, honey or maple syrup. Traditionally made with eggs, milk, sugar and flour, here’s the healthier and vegetarian-friendly version of this popular international breakfast dish. Very similar in appearance to our South Indian ‘set dosa’ this wholesome, and nutritious dish with divine sweetness in every bite is surely going to leave you happy and sated. Whole wheat - rich fiber, protein, and great source of carbohydrates, milk – one of the best calcium sources & jaggery which contains essential antioxidants & minerals that b...

Healthy avocado toast is super easy to make and makes the perfect addition to any breakfast or an anytime snack! Mashed avocado spread over crusty whole-wheat bread, finished with olive oil, some crushed black pepper, and salt—does it get much better than that?  It’s full of healthy, unsaturated fats, packed with fiber, and it’s an effortless breakfast or snack. Avocado toast has become my new favorite breakfast/snack. It’s healthy, simple, and delicious and best of all, it’s super easy to make and ready in under 5 minutes. In fact, this recipe is so simple we can hardly call it a recipe, but I had to share it with you because of how good it is! This recipe is for simple avocado toast but the possibilities are endless. Sometimes we like to zest up the avocado toast and top it with tomatoes, jalapenos, spinach, mushrooms, or pretty much anything else! To begin, simply toast your bread. You can use any kind of toast or sliced bread you have but I like to use cru...

Salads are not everyone’s favourite. The term ‘salad’ conjures up images of bland, boring & tasteless spinach & sprouts. Well not this protein packed salad! Loaded with crunchy, flavourful vegetables & delicious legumes combined with cottage cheese (paneer or tofu), this nutritious salad lightly seasoned with spices, is a great Indian go-to snack to satisfy those early evening hunger pangs and is also an excellent pre-workout snack & energy booster. Rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin B, and an apt substitute for meat, legumes are a great source of protein especially for vegetarians. Having a low glycemic index & low saturated fat, it also helps to reduce bad cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. The other main ingredients used in this salad - peanuts & paneer are also a great source of protein, healthy fat and folate, aiding in overall weight loss. This recipe does require a bit of pre-planning in terms of soaking & boiling the chickpeas, but onc...