OATS- WHOLE WHEAT COOKIES

These cookies are healthy delicious one. They are quite easy to make. Whenever you feel like to munch on something go for these healthy cookies. You will love this for sure.

Ingredients

1.      Wholewheat-1/2 cup

2.      Oats-1/2 cup

3.      Sugar-1/4cup

4.      Honey-1tblsp

5.      Baking soda-1/2tsp

6.      Butter-1/4cup

7.      Water-1tblsp

Method of preparation

1.      Preheat oven at 190◦ for 10 minutes. Line a baking tray with butter paper and grease with some oil or butter.

2.      Mix oats and whole wheat in a bowl. Heat a pan or any vessel. Melt butter by keeping the pan in low flame. When it melts completely switch off the flame. Let it cool down. Add sugar,honey,baking soda and water into this. Stir until sugar dissolves.

3.      Pour butter mixture into whole-wheat oats mix.mix well.

4.      Take small balls out of it. Slightly flatten with your hands. Place it on a prepared baking tray. Do not place closely as it will expand while cooking. Bake at 190◦ for 10 minutes.

5.      Once it is cooked carefully transfer (using a spatula will make this job easier) as it may break apart. It will turn crispy and firm upon cooling.

Notes : with this measurement around 12 cookies can be made. I baked in 2 batches. 

cookie dough

shaped into balls

flattened slightly

arranged on a baking tray

done..

GREEN CHICKEN CURRY

Now a days as a part of healthy eating we reduced intake of  rice  and cook it only once in a week .Other days of our lunch and dinner would be chappathi and finding a good curry for rotis is a difficult task for me. There were few pieces of chicken lying in my fridge and this time I wanted to try a different curry that goes well with chappathi. When I started making this, I was quite blank on what to make or how to make. In between my little naughty boy started crying .I was just throwing all the ingredients in to the pan and finished cooking somehow. I couldn’t even check the saltiness!! When my husband came back from office ,the first thing he asked was “ahhh nalla manam …nee entha innu undakkiye”?(wow nice aroma! What you prepared today?)  .Yes it was…it taste as good as it smells. Also It was looking really pretty with beautiful green color.GO GREEN :)So do try this colorful curry…    here goes the recipe

Ingredients

1.      Chicken-500gm,cut into medium size

2.      Onion-3medium sized,roughly chopped or sliced

3.      Ginger-1tbsp,chopped

4.      Garlic-1tbsp,chopped

5.      Green chilly-2nos,slitted(see notes)

6.      Tomato-1 roughly cut+ 1 chopped

7.      Coriander powder-2tsp,heaped

8.      Turmeric powder-1/2tsp

9.      Garam masala powder-3/4tsp

10.  Whole black peper-1 or 1n 1/2tbsp

11.  Cardamom-2nos

12.  Coriander leaves-one handful

13.  Mint leaves-1 handful

14.  Curry leaves-2sprigs

15.  Salt

16.  Oil-1 tbsp

17.  Water-1 n 1/2 cups

METHOD OF PREPARATION

1.      Heat oil in a pan. Add whole black pepper and cardamom. When the aroma comes add garlic and ginger. Stir for 2 minutes. Add onions and salt. When onion turns soft add in all powders. Stir for 2 minutes. When onions turns soft add roughly cut tomato (reserve chopped tomatoes aside for adding it later ).when tomatoes are cooked add all the leaves and switch off the flame.

2.      Let the masla cools. Grind this into smooth paste. Pour it back into the pan ..Add 2 cups of water. Add salt if requires. Once it starts boil ,add the chicken pieces in. Cover and cook till gravy thickens. Lastly add chopped tomatoes. Serve hot with your favorite flat breads..

Notes: If you don’t like your curry to be much spicy remove green chilly just before grinding the masala.

BRAIDED BREAD

Ingredients

1.      Maida(all purpose flour)-3 n 1/2 cups

2.      Yeast-2tsp

3.      Sugar-2tbsp

4.      Butter-50gm

5.      Warm water-1/2 cup

6.      Warm milk-120ml(more or less)

7.      Egg-1no

8.      Sesame seeds –a few

Method of preparation

1.      Dissolve sugar in warm water .add yeast in it. Let it sit for 15 minutes or until yeast turns frothy.

2.      Mix flour, egg, butter and yeast solution. Add milk little by little and knead into smooth dough. Need continuously for at least 5 minutes. Dough shouldn’t be too stiff. Close the vessel and let it rest for 3 hours to rise.

3.      After 3 hours, take the dough. Give a gentle knead again. Take 3 equal sized balls. Gently elongate all 3 balls. Keep it in a baking tray lined with greased butter paper.

4.      Now gently bring the top of the elongated dough together and give a gentle press .now start braiding it just like you do with your hair.(see the pics below)

5.      Keep this braided dough covered with a wet cloth for 1 more hour to let it rise again.

6.      Beat one egg. Brush it over the bread. Sprinkle few sesame seeds.

7.      Bake this in a preheated oven at 190◦ for 15 to 20 minutes or till the crust turns brown.

With this measurement 2 big and 1 small bread can be made….

kneaded dough

after 3hours of resting

shaped like this

ends joined

started braiding

completely braided

covered the braided bread with wet cloth

risen after 1 hr

brushed with beaten egg and sprinkled sesame seeds

beautifully baked

see how soft it is !!

MUSHROOM ULARTHU

Mushrooms are everyone’s favorite. It is a high source of protein and fibers. Moreover it is a flexible veg than can be used for creating an array of gravy as well as dry dishes. Mushroom ularthu is an easy Kerala style stir fry.  It goes well with steamed rice and chappathi…

Ingredients

1.      Mushroom-200gm,roughly chopped

2.      Onion-1 medium,chopped

3.      Garlic-2pods,cruhed or chopped

4.      Chilly powder-1/2tsp

5.      Turmeric powder-less than 1/4tsp

6.      Pepper powder-1/2tsp

7.      Garam masala-1/4tsp

8.      Mustard seeds-less than 1/4tsp

9.      Curry leaves-a few

10.  Coconut bits(thenga kothu)-2tbsp

11.  Oil-1tbsp

12.  Salt

Method of preparation

1.      Wash mushrooms thoroughly and chop .Heat oil in a pan, splutter mustard seeds .add curry leaves and coconut bits. When coconut turns lightly brown add chopped onions and garlic. Stir for few minutes.

2.      Add in all powders and salt stir for few minutes. Now add mushrooms.mix well. Keep it closed for few minutes.

3.      Once you open the pan, there will be lot of water ooze out from the mushrooms. Let it dry by keeping the pan in high flame. Stir in between .check for salt. When it becomes completely dry ,switch off the flame.

 Serve hot with rice or chappathi..