Mango Basundi

 

To serve 4-6 generously;

1/2 Gallon of full milk
1/2 Gallon of half and half
1/2- 1 cup of sugar depending on your taste
3-4 cardamom pods seeds crushed
1 tsp of Saffron blossomed in a Tbsp of warm milk
1 cup of chopped ripe mangoes (or 1 cup of mango pulp)
Your choice of dry fruits roasted in ghee for garnishing

 

In a steel heavy bottom pan, Add the milk and the half and half and bring to a boil on high heat. (Keep stirring)
Lower the heat and simmer till the milk reduces to a half quantity and slightly changes color. (Keep stirring)
This will take about an hour or more so please be patient and keep stirring to avoid the milk solids from sticking to the pan.
Add the cardamoms and the saffron. Mix well. (Keep stirring)
Add the sugar to taste and cook further till the milk reduces to a quarter quantity. Check for sugar. Remove from the stove. (Stir)
Bring to room temperature before adding the mango.
Garnish with the dry fruits. Serve warm or chilled (at least 4-5 hrs).

 

Hara Bhara Kale Upma

To serve 2:

1 cup semolina lightly roasted on low heat for 4-5 minutes. (Semolina should not change color)

1/4 cup green peas
1/2 cup Kale leaves chopped fine
1/2″ ginger root peeled and minced
1/4 cup of finely chopped onions
1 Tbsp of curry leaves
1 Tsp of mustards seeds
1/2 Tbsp Urad dal
1-2 green chillies chopped fine
2 Tbsp Vegetable oil
Salt to taste

Heat the oil for a couple of minutes. Add the mustard seeds and the urad dal to the oil. Let sputter till the dal is a nice golden brown. Add the onions, ginger, curry leaves and the Kale. Saute for 3-4 minutes till the onions turn translucent.

 

Add the peas and the water. Season with salt (about 2 tsp). Bring to a gentle boil.

 

Reduce the heat to a medium low. Slowly add the semolina and whisk the mixture gently.

 

The upma will start thickening up. It will then become almost like a ball.

Orzo salad

Light eats for a sunny day in the Carolinas! Orzo sautéed with peas, red bell peppers, banana peppers and olives.

Tossed with fresh basil and parsley. Big squeeze of lemon and a light drizzle of Olive oil to finish it off.

 

Photo: Light eats for a sunny day in the Carolinas! Orzo sautéed with peas, red bell peppers, banana peppers and olives. Tossed with fresh basil and parsley. Big squeeze of lemon and a light drizzle of Olive oil to finish it off. 

#freakycurry #healthyeats #healthyfood #healthyfoodshare #easyfood #spring2014 #orzo #vegan #vegetarianrecipe

Spicy idli upma breakfast!

Photo: Recycle Friday special! "Recycling" left over idlis for a spicy idli upma breakfast! Deets up on the blog soon! What's your favorite "recycle" recipe?

“Recycling” left over idlis for a spicy idli upma breakfast!

2 cups of crushed left over idlis (idlis should be cold when crushed into a chunky consistency)

1 small onion chopped fine
1 clove of garlic minced fine
1 Tsp mustard seeds
1 Tsp urad daal
1 green chilli chopped fine
1-2 sprigs of Curry leaves
1-2 Tbsps of fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp turmeric powder
Salt, pepper and cayenne to taste

Saute’ onions and garlic for a 2-3 minutes on medium heat till they turn translucent. Add the mustard seeds and the urad daal and continue to saute’ till the daal turns golden brown.

Add the curry leaves and the chillies. Mix well. Add the idlis, turmeric and the seasonings. Mix well till the mixture turns a pale yellow. Add the lemon juice and toss well. Finish with fresh cilantro.