Pointed gourd curry with sunflower seeds || Patoler dalna with sunflower seeds

Potol or Pointed gourd is a vegetable I love since my childhood, but no one in the family likes this. Any simple curry or fried potol also goes well with a plain Dal Rice platter. Tried this pure veg pointer gourd curry with potato and by adding sunflower seeds paste and trust me it turned out yummilicious. I hope you will enjoy cooking it too and do please share your experience with me. 

Ingredients

1. Potol or Pointed gourd - 8-9
2. Potato - 2 
3. Sunflower seeds - 2-3 tsp 
4. Salt to taste
5. Tomatoes - 2
6. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
7. Green chilli - 2-3 (finely chopped)
8. Ginger - 1" 
9. Fresh coriander leaves - handful (finely chopped)
10. Mustard oil for frying
11. Cardamom - 2-3
12. Red Dry chilli - 2
13. Bay leaf - 1
14. Nigella seeds - 1/2 tsp
15. Green chilli - 2-3 slit
16. Asafoetida - 1 pinch
17. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
18. Cumin powder - 1 tsp
19. Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
20. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
21. Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
22. Sugar - a pinch (optional)
23. Ghee - 1/2 tsp

Process

1. Wash, peel and halve the pointed gourd. For the potatoes, cut into big pieces after washing and peeling.

2. Make a fine puree of tomatoes and ginger. Keep aside for later use.

3. In a blender jar add sunflower seeds, little bit of water and make a smooth paste, this will help to thickening the gravy and give a nice flavor.

4. In a pan heat 3-4 tsp mustard oil, once hot, add the gourd with little bit of salt and turmeric powder and let it get golden brown on all the sides. Drain and keep aside. Same way fry potatoes adding salt and turmeric till golden brown. 

5. In the same pan, add bay leaves, cardamom, red dry chilli, cinnamon stick, nigella seeds, green chillies, asafoetida and mix well. Now add the powdered spices - cumin powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and saute for few seconds. Add a splash of water so that it doesn't burn. Add ginger paste, salt, sugar and tomato puree and mix well, simmer and let it cook till oil leaves the sides. 

6. Add sunflower seeds paste and saute for few minutes and then add fried gourd and potatoes. Again splash a little water, adjust the seasoning and cook covered till done. 

7.Once done, add ghee and cover it. Serve hot with steamed rice or luchi. 

MANGO SABUDANA PUDDING

Sabudana and mango dessert is a sweet dish which is served chilled and tastes awesome. I have tried many recipes with sabudana, then why not with mango! So, presenting Mango Sabudana pudding recipe which is very easy and quick to make with handful of ingredients. 

Ingredients:

1. Sabudana - 1/2 cup 
2. Mango - 1 (pureed)
3. Milk - 1 cup
4. Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
5. Nuts (any nuts of your choice) - 1 tsp (finely chopped)
6. Sugar - 2 tsp (as per your taste)

Process:   

  

1. Add sabudana to a pot and rinse it very well. Soak for 1-2 hours to reduce cooking time.

2. Pour milk in heavy bottom kadhai or pot and add soaked sabudana and let it cook on low flame, stirring occasionally. Cook until the sabudana becomes transparent, soft and light. Add cardamom powder and remove from flame. Keep aside and let it cool down on room temperature. It will become more thicken upon cooling.

3. In a blender jar add chopped mango pieces and make smooth puree. Once the pudding is cool down, add the mango puree into it and mix well.  Add chopped nuts. Pour into serving bowls and serve chilled with some fresh mango pieces on the top. 

Muhallebi | Malabi Pudding

Muhallebi is a milk pudding that has legendary origins from Persia. The basic ingredients are milk, sugar, rice/corn flour and rose syrup. This dessert is popular in the Middle Eastern countries. I have twisted this with a chocolate syrup topping, instead rose syrup. 

Ingredients

1. Milk - 500 ml
2. Corn flour - 3 tsp
3. Sugar - 4 tsp
4. Condensed milk - 3 tsp
5. Rose water - 1/4 tsp
6. Chocolate chips for garnishing

Process

1. Boil milk in a saucepan. Add sugar and stir it until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add condensed milk and stir nicely. 
3. In a bowl dissolve Cornflour in water and add this mixture to the milk.
4. Keep stirring to avoid any lumps. Add rose water and mix it well. Let it cook until you get desired consistency. Turn off the flame. 
5. Pour the Malabi pudding into serving glasses and refrigerate it overnight or minimum 6-8 hours. 
6. Once the pudding is set, pour chocolate syrup on the top and garnish with some chocolate chips and dry fruits, whichever you like. Serve chilled. 

RECIPE REEL UPDATED ON MY INSTAGRAM PAGE. @romisrecipe

Fresh Raw Dates Juice

Raw dates are rich in antioxidants which help the body to fight the ageing process and the growth of free radicals. Date juice concentrate contains helpful minerals that nourish the skin and promote healthy hair growth. Luckily this year I got some red raw dates and made this juice without any hassle. Just a handful of ingredients and your juice is ready in no time.   

BENEFITS OF DATES:

1. Very nutritious
2. High in fiber. Getting enough fiber is important for your overall health.
3. High in disease-fighting antioxidants.
4. May promote natural labor
5. Excellent natural sweetener

Ingredients

Raw dates - 3-4

Sugar - 1 tea spoon (because these are row, little bit of bitterness is there)

Ice cubes

Process: 

1. Cut the dates and remove the seeds. In a mixer jar add the date pieces and grind for two minutes. Now add water and sugar and grind for 2-3 minutes. Sieve the juice in container.

2. In a glass add few ice cubes and pour fresh raw date juice in it and serve chilled. 

Perfect in this Monsoon season.  

ORANGE LIME MINT INFUSED WATER

There are many Health Benefits of Fruit-infused Water. Oranges are full of vitamin C, which can serve to boost the immune system.
The water-soluble vitamin found in oranges may help in obesity prevention and management. Moreover, the nutrient may reduce soreness and promote glycemic control while increasing the fat burning process in the body.

If you get bored with plain water and don't want to drink much water, try this. I am sure this is going to help you as Infused water is a great way for you to get a boost of nutrients quickly & easily.

Ingredients

1. Lemon pieces
2. Orange pieces
3. Mint leaves

Process

1 .Add 2-3 slices of freshly cut lemon, pinch of salt and some ice cubes in a glass. Lemons are a great source of Vit-C, aids digestion and helps to stay hydrated.

2. Try adding the juicy orange slices to your water. This tangy, sweet combination will make you instantly fall in love with your drinking water. 

3. You can infuse your water with mint leaves also. Enjoy this pleasant drink.

P.S. Mint leaves are loaded with Vit A, C and B, and are known to enhance taste buds.

MANGO SHEERA

Mango sheera is no different then simple sooji halwa, the addition of ripe mangoes into the sooja halwa or sheera brings in a refreshing taste to the recipe. I have tried this and turned out a very delicious one. The color totally depends on how ripe the mangoes are. If they are not very deep / ripe  in color, you can also add some kesar (saffron) to give a good color. However  I have not used kesar. 

Ingredients :

1. Mango puree - 1 cup
2. Sooji - 1 cup
3. Milk - 1 cup
4. Cashew and raisin- 1/3 cup
5. Cardamom powder - 1/3 tsp
6. Ghee - 3 tsp

Process :

1. Blend mangoes, cardamom powder and sugar to a smooth puree. 

2. In a pan, heat 1 tsp ghee and dry roast sooji until you get a good aroma. Once done, set aside.

3. In the same pan, add 2 tsp ghee, add cashew and fry until light brown, then add raisin and fry for 30 secs. Transfer them in a bowl and keep aside.

4. Now add milk in the same pan, and let it boil. Add roasted sooji and keep stirring to avoid lumps. Add 1 tsp ghee and the mango puree and mix gently. Continue to cook on a low flame for about 5-7 minutes stirring continuously. 

5. Scoop of 2-3 tsp in a serving bowl and garnish with some more cashew and raisins.

CHERRY LEMONADE

When life gives you cherries and lemons, make cherry lemonade and just chill.

Ingredients

1. Cherries - half cup
2. Lemon slices
3. Mint - few
4. Sugar syrup / sugar - as per taste
5. Black salt - as per taste
6. Ice cubes

Process

1. Muddle some cherries, lemon slices and mint together.

2. In a jar add this mixture with some sugar and black salt. Add ice cubes and mix well.

3. Serve it with some fresh mint.

Chicken Sausage Pulao

Chicken Sausage Pulao is such a flavourful pulao, and does not really need any side dish to finish this. And you can make this flavourful pulao with sausages in minutes  

Ingredients

1. Sausages medium – 4nos.
2. Black cardamom – 1no.
3. Peppercorn – 5-6no.
4. Onion sliced – ½cup.
5. Green chilly chopped – 1 no.
6. Oil – 2 tbsp.
7. Cinnamon – 1no.
8. Cumin – 1 tsp.

Process

1. Wash and soak the rice for 30 mins. Cut the sausages into half inch pieces. Heat a pan and add oil. Add cardamom cinnamon, peppercorn and cumin. Sauce and add onions, garlic and green chilly.
2. Stir for a minute. Add tomatoes and salt. Quick stir and add sausages. Cook for 3 mins. Drain water from the rice and add the rice to the pan. Pour 2 cups of water and give a light stir.
3. Cover and cook on medium flame till rice fluffs up and soaks all the water. Remove from heat and using a fork fluffy up the rice. Serve hot.

JAMUN JUICE / KALA KHATTA SARBAT

JAMUN or Java plum is extremely beneficial for heart, it is loaded with potassium. This fruit is beneficial in keeping diseases like high blood pressure, heart diseases and stroke at bay. It also keeps your arteries healthy and prevents its hardening. You can also let the seeds dry and make a powder that can be consumed regularly before meals to fight diabetes very effectively. Jamun is also good for skin as high quantity of Iron is found in Jamun which purifies your blood, thereby keeping your skin clean and beautiful. It also helps to prevent ache, blemishes, wrinkles and pimples.

Ingredients

1. Jamun - half cup
2. Lemon juice - 2 tsp
3. Mint - few
4. Sugar (optional)
5. Black salt - as per taste
6. Ice cubes

Process

1. In a blender jar add the jamun pieces (after removing the seeds), lemon juice, fresh mint leaves, little bit of sugar (optional) and black salt. Add ice cubes and mix well.

2. Put ice cubes in a serving glass, drop mint springs and pour this Jamun juice / sarbat on top and serve.

QUINOA PULAO

QUINOA PULAO is one of my favorite go to meals. If you are looking for a healthy, delicious and perfect meal, this recipe is a great way to work more veggies into your meals with quinoa. I have garnished with some "not so ripe mango" pieces, to give a tangy twist. QUINOA is a healthier substitute for rice. 

Ingredients

1.  Boiled quinoa - 1/2 cup
2.  Chopped onion
3. Grated garlic and ginger
4.  Green chilli chopped
5.  Green peas (boiled)
6.  Beans
7. Dry masala (salt, turmeric, coriander powder, dry mango powder)

Process

1. Add cumin seeds in a hot oil, when it starts crackle add onions and grated ginger and garlic. Saute for 1 minute.

2. Now add all the veggies and cook on low flame for 2-3 minutes till the veggies gets soft. 

3. Add dry masala and mix well. And finally add boiled quinoa to veggies and mix well. Garnish with fresh coriander. I have added some sweet mango pieces to give a spicy and sweet taste.