North Indian Poha Upma

Upma needs no introduction. Many experiments are done in kitchen to make healthy upma with so many things like sooji, poha, bread and nowadays oats. Poha Upma is an excellent breakfast item.

Basic info about the recipe

Cuisine                                                 - North Indian

Serves                                                  - 2 people.

Ingredients

1. Poha/ rice flakes                         - 2 cups
2. Onion                                         - 1 no:
3. Green chillies                              - 2 nos
4. Turmeric powder                         - ½ tsp
5. Mustard seeds                            - 1 tsp
6. Salt                                            - to taste
7. Lemon juice                                - 1 tbsp
8. Peanuts                                      - ½ cup
9. Coriander leaves                         - few sprigs
10.  Oil                                             - 1 tbsp.

Method: Sprinkle some water and salt to the poha and mix well. Let it rest for 5 minutes. ( If you soak the poha in water, you will not get a dry upma and it will be soggy)

Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add diced onions and green chillies and fry till golden brown.

Add peanuts and fry till done

Add turmeric powder and mix everything well.

Add the poha, stir and cover with a lid for 3 minutes. Check salt at this stage.

Switch offf the gas, pour lemon juice and stir well.

Add the coriander leaves and serve hot.

Notes: Instead of oil alone, you can add butter/ ghee and oil together.

Wheat and Oats Roll

Roll needs no introduction. Rolls are made of refined flour. I thought of making it healthy with some different ingredients. This can be served as a breakfast item, a tea time snack or for dinner.

Basic info about the recipe

Cuisine                                                           - South Indian

Serves                                                            - 2 people.

Ingredients

1. Atta                                                      - 2 cups
2. Oats                                                     - 1 cup
3. Besan                                                   - 1 tbsp
4. Salt                                                      - to taste
5. Carrot                                                   - 1 no:
6. Onion                                                   - 1 no:
7. Tomato                                                 - 1 no:
8. Oregano                                               - as required
9. Red chilli flakes                                     - as required
10.  Oil                                                       - as required.

Method: Grate the carrot. Dice the onion and tomato and keep aside.

Make a dosa batter with wheat, oats, besan, salt and water.( the consistency should not be very thick)

Heat a pan and pour a ladle of batter to it. Sprinkle the grated carrot, onion and tomato( like uthappam). Drizzle some drops of oil. Wait to cook.

Carefully flip to the other side and allow to cook.

Remove from pan and sprinkle some red chilli flakes and oregano on top. Roll and serve hot.

Notes: If you are making this for children, you can avoid red chilli flakes and put some grated cheese on top. In that case allow the cheese to melt and then add oregano.

Easy Prawn Biriyani

The name itself suggests that the biriyani is quite simple and easy. Biriyanis are prepared at homes mostly on Sundays. So, why not try this one too.

Pizhinju Payasam

This is a traditional payasam of Kerala. It is mostly prepared in temples as an offering to God.

Gobi Manchurian

Gobi Manchurian is a very famous Indo- Chinese item and a favourite of all vegetarians.

Sambol

Having given the recipe for suttu, it is time now to post sambol which is the perfect combination for the previously mentioned suttu. Sambol is a Srilankan side dish prepared with coconut. Some would add dry fish to this dish even though I prefer a vegetarian one.

Basic info about the recipe

Cuisine                                                 - Sri Lankan

Serves                                                  - 2-3 people.

Ingredients

1. Grated coconut                           - half a coconut
2. Shallots                                      - 6 nos
3. Red chilli powder                         - 1 tsp
4. Salt                                            - to taste
5. Lemon juice                                - 2 tsp

Method: Grind all the ingredients together except lime juice. Water should not be added at the time of grinding as it is a dry chutney.

Transfer to a bowl. Add lime juice. Mix well and serve.

Suttu

This breakfast item may not be familiar to most people even though it is prepared in some parts of Kerala. It is an easy item with very little ingredients.