Rice Appam

This is a simple dosa variety. It doesn't contain urad dal like the traditional dosa. Instead of it, cooked rice is used. What I really like about it is, its crispy on one side and very soft on the other, so you get two different texture.

What You need:
2 cups long grain rice
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
salt
Ghee/butter

How it's made:

Soak the raw rice, cooked rice and  fenugreek seeds in water for 3-4 hours. Grind to fine batter, Add salt and let it ferment overnight. In winter fermentation is a problem and it may take longer. 

Once well fermented heat a skillet or dosa pan, spread the batter like a traditional dosa. Cover it and let it cook on medium heat for few minutes, until the top layer is cooked and the bottom layer gets a nice golden color. Don't turn and cook  again. This has to be cooked on one side only. Spread ghee or butter and serve hot.

Poha Upma

This is one of the most commom form of poha dish we make at home. Quick, easy and comforting. It's ideal for breakfast or with evening tea. I am posting this recipe on request from one of my childhood neighborhood friend.

What you need :
2 cup thick Poha
1/2 onions chopped
2-3 green chillies( depending on your taste)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon urad dal
about 2 tablespoons groundnuts
few curry leaves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
salt to taste
 1 table spoon oil /ghee
cilantro leaves for garnishing

How it's made:

Wash Poha in water, drain off all the water and let it stand for 5-10 minutes until it is soft and fluffy. Sprinkle some water if it gets too dry.  Add salt and turmeric powder and set it aside. In a pan heat oil or ghee, once heated add mustard seeds, curry leaves, urad dal and groundnuts, fry till done (cook on low heat or else the urad dal will turn black - I tend to burn all the time :) ). Add green chillies, onions and fry for  few more minutes till the onions start to change color. Add a bit of salt for the onions and groundnuts. Add the poha to this and gently mix, let it cook for 3-4 minutes just until it gets heated up well. Switch off the heat, add lemon juice, sugar  and mix. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot. You can also add some sev over it for some nice crunch.  

Strawberry Parfait

This sunday the weather was unusually warm for spring. But the warm weather tempted me to work in our garden. After 2 hours of work I was tired and hungry. Ready to eat something, but wasn't in mood for my regular breakfast. Wanted something cool, so made this yummy strawberry parfait. Its simple, delicious and best of all nutritious.

 

 

What You need:

Fresh Strawberries - cut to desired size

Yougurt/ icecream of you choice

cereals / granola 

honey

Whipped cream for topping

How it's made:

Slice strawberries and place them in a bowl. Stir in a bit of honey, making the strawberry filling as sweet as you like and set it aside.
Place a spoonful of strawberry mixture into the bottom of a tall glass. On top of that layer with cereals or granola.  Add a big spoonful of your favorite yogurt or if preferred, a scoop of vanilla ice cream,. Add more strawberries, cereals and more ice cream or yogurt, continuing the layers until you fill the glass. Add a dollop of whip cream to the top of the strawberry parfait, garnish with strawberry and enjoy.