Chicken MeatBall Pasta (Made with Whole Grain Pasta)

 

This is my kids' favorite dish, which I make very often, especially when their friends come over. I try to use whole wheat pasta or any other whole grain pasta instead of the regular white pasta. I also use ground turkey instead of chicken sometimes.  This is a simple and easy to make dish.  The meatballs and sauce can be made ahead and stored frozen or in the fridge. I try to use it within a few days in this case.

Ingredients: 

Whole grain pasta, 1 packet.

For the meatballs:

1. Ground chicken, 1/2 kg.

2. Bread crumbs, 1 cup.

3. Ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon, (optional).

4. Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon.

5. Salt, 1/2 teaspoon.

6. Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon. (optional)

7. Egg, 1.

For the sauce:

1. Crushed tomatoes, 2 cups.

2. Garlic, 2 cloves, crushed.

3. Chopped oregano and basil, 1 tablespoon. This can be substituted with dry herbs.

4. Salt and pepper, 1/2 teaspoon.

5. Italian seasoning mix, 1 teaspoon.

6. Olive oil, 2 tablespoons.

Preparation:

For the meatballs, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until it forms a dough and we are able to form the balls easily. If needed, more bread crumbs can be added. Make small balls from the dough. Arrange them on a greased baking sheet and bake them from 25 to 30 minutes until they turn brown on the outside and are fully cooked.

In a thick bottomed pot, add all the sauce ingredients with 2 cups of water and simmer it under low-to-medium flame until the desired consistency is reached. 

Add the meatballs and let it simmer in the sauce.

Meanwhile cook the pasta according to the package instructions. The pasta should not be cooked all the way.  It still has to have a bite to it. Drain the pasta and add them directly to the sauce, mix well, garnish with fresh herbs and sprinkle Parmesan cheese if needed and serve hot.

Beetroot and moong dal poriyal (stir fry)

 This poriyal combined with rice and rasam, sambar or curd makes a balanced meal. I wanted to increase the protein content in the dish, so I have been adding dals like moong dal or channa dal to my poriyal dishes. Adding dal's enhances the taste as well. For seasoning I just add mustard seeds, fennel seeds and broken dried red chilies. If preferred chili powder or green chilies can also be added.

Ingredients:

1. Beetroot, diced 2 cups.

2. Moong dal, 1/2 cup.

3. Ginger-garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon.

4. Curry leaves, a spring. 

5. Mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

6. Fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

7. Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon.

8. Salt, 1/4 teaspoon.

9. Shredded coconut, 1 tablespoon.

10 Broken dried chilies, 2.

Ingredients:

Wash the dal and soak it for 30 minutes. In a pan, heat a teaspoon of oil. Once the oil turns hot, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add the fennel seeds and broken chilies and fry for a few seconds. Then add the beetroot, moong dal, curry leaves and mix for a few seconds. Add the turmeric powder, salt, ginger garlic paste and cook for a few more minutes. Add enough water to cover everything and cook under low-to-medium flame for 15 to 20 minutes until everything is cooked and the dish turns dry,  Turn off the stove, add the grated coconut and mix well and serve.

Red Aval (poha) uppu urundai

 

This is a very easy to make dish unlike the regular preparation of uppu urundais where we have to cook the dough first and then steam them.  Any kind of aval can be used for this dish. A very healthy and filling  snack or breakfast. It can be eaten without any side dish but we like it with coconut chutney.

Ingredients:

1.  Red poha, thicker variety, 2 cups.

2. Mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspooon. 

3. Cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

3. Dried red chilies, broken 3,

4. Curry leaves, a sprig.

5. Salt, 1/2 teaspoon.

6. Hing a pinch.

7. Shredded coconut, 1/2 cup.

Preparation:

Wash the poha once and soak it with water enough to cover it for 5 minutes. Drain all the water and mash it into a dough with all the ingredients. The dough should be thick enough to roll it into small balls. If it gets too watery, a few teaspoons of rice flour can be added until the right consistency is reached. Make small balls out of them and steam for 15 minutes. I used a idli cooker for this . A regular steamer can also be used. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

Vangibath with wheat rava (cracked wheat)

 

This is a popular Karnataka dish. I tasted it at my friend's place and has been a fan of this dish every since.  She makes it with rava and bell peppers, which is my favorite. I have seen other versions with rice and eggplants. The vangibath powder is must for this recipe, which adds a unique flavor to the dish. Here I have used bigger variety of cracked wheat since I was trying it as a rice substitute. Millets or quinoa can also be used here.

Ingredients:

1. Wheat rava (big variety), 1-1/2 cups.

2. Diced onions, 1 cup.

3. Diced tomatoes, 1 cup.

4. Green

 chilies, slit into two.

5. Eggplants, any variety, 2-3, cut into long pieces. 

6. Ginger garlic paste, 1 teaspoon.

7. Mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

8. Peanuts, 1 tablespoon.

9. Channa dal, 1 tablespoon. 

10. Fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

11. Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon. 

12. Salt, as per taste.

13. Vangibath powder, 1-1/2 teaspoon.

14. Curry leaves and chopped cilantro for garnishing. 

Preparation:

In a deep bottomed pan, add a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter.  Then add the peanuts, channa dal and fennel seeds and fry it for a few seconds. Now add the diced onions and saute until tender. Then add the tomatoes, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste and keep sauteing until everything is blended. Now add turmeric powder, vangibath powder, salt and mix everything well. Add the eggplants now and mix well. Cook under low flame for 2 minutes. Added 3 cups of water and once the water comes to a boil, add the cracked wheat and cook covered under medium flame for 10 minutes. Ghee can be added if preferred. Once the water has been absorbed, garnish with curry leaves and chopped cilantro and serve hot with raita or any preferred side dish.

Whole Wheat Banana and strawberry muffins (Eggless)

 

This is regular Eggless banana muffins or banana bread recipe but usually add different variations like just adding nuts or raisins or other cut fruits like diced apples or blueberries. I usually add avocado oil and honey since we sometimes have this for breakfast. This is a good breakfast option for picky kids. 

Ingredients:

1. Whole wheat flour, 2 cups.

2. Ripe bananas, 2.

3. Diced strawberries, 1 cup.

3. Butter or oil, 1/2 cups.

4. Milk, 1/2 cup.

5. Any sugar or sugar substitute 2/3 cup. (I have used honey here, I sometimes use maple syrup, agave nectar or jaggery)

6. Salt, a pinch.

7. Cinnamon powder 1/4 teaspoon. (!/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract can also be used instead.

8. Baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon.

9. Baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon.

Preparation:

Mash the bananas into a smooth paste in a big bowl. Now add the butter, milk and sugar and whisk until the mixture becomes frothy. Now add the flour, baking soda. baking powder, salt, cinnamon powder and mix everything. Finally add the diced strawberries and mix everything well. Pour the batter into greased muffin tins or baking sheet and bake them for 20 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees preheated oven. Insert a toothpick into one of the muffins and it should come clean if the muffins are well done. 

Ragi Vegetable Soup

 

This is my version of the ragi soup, which has been trending recently. Ragi is a healthy addition to the soup. This is my usual corn soup that I make except that I substituted the corn flour for ragi flour for thickening and I added coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk. This is a complete meal by itself and is very filling. I cooked the soup in a pressure cooker here.  It can be cooked in a pot as well. 

Ingredients:

1. Mixed vegetables cut into small bitte-size pieces, 1 cup.

2. Crushed garlic, 2 pods.

3. Ragi flour, 1-1/2 tablespoon.

4. Any seasoning mix, (optional), I used the vegetarian bouillon cube.

5. Salt and pepper as per taste.

6. Coconut milk or any other milk or choice, 1 cup.

7. Butter or oil, 1 teaspoon.

Preparation:

Heat the butter in a pot and saute the vegetables for a minute. Then add a cup of water along with the seasoning, salt and pepper and let everything cook for 5 minutes. Now add the coconut milk, along with the ragi flour mixed with half a cup of water and mix everything well. Keep cooking under medium flame and stirring, so the ragi flour does not form into lumps in the soup and the desired consistency is reached. More water can be added if required. Garnish with chopped cilantro and fried onions and serve hot. 

Methi rotis

 

These are my favorite rotis. I love the flavor of the methi leaves. I usually dont add besan flour or chili powder to the dough. It can be paired with yogurt and pickle.  The methi leaves are my from my garden. These are very easy to grow in pots.

Ingredients:

1. Methi leaves, chopped finely 1 cup.

2. Wheat flour, 2 cups.

3. Yogurt, 1/4 cup.

4. Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon.

5. Cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon.

6. Oil, 1 tablespoon.

7. Salt, 1/4 teaspoon.

Preparation: Mix all the ingredients together to form a dough. The dough should not be too tight. Rest the dough covered for 30 minutes and make chapathis the usual way. 

Field beans (mochai) kootu

 

Ingredients:

Field beans, 1 cup, soaked for 6 to 8 hours

Small onions, peeled, 4-5.

Chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup.

Green chilies, slit. 2.

Ginger-garlic pasta, 1 teaspoon.

Tumermic powder, 1/2 teaspoon.

Sambar powder, 1 teaspoon.

Salt as per taste.

Hing, 1/4 teaspoon.

Mustard seeds, 1/4 teaspoon.

Cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon.

Curry leaves, a sprig

To grind: 1/4 cup of grated coconut, 1/4 teaspoon pepper (optional), 1/4 teaspoon of cumin seeds.

Preparation:

Wash the soaked beans and cook until its tender. Heat a pan with a teaspoon of oil. Add the mustard and cumin seeds and let it splutter.  Add the peeled onions and saute until its tender. Now add the chopped tomatoes, curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste and saute everything together until its well blended. Now add the turmeric powder, sambar powder, salt, hing and mix everything for a minute. Add two cups of water along with the cooked beans and cook for 7 to 10 minutes. Now add the ground mixture along with 1/2 cup of water, cook for a minute and switch off the stove. Serve with rice.

Kollu (horse gram) thuvayal

                                                                                                                                                                           

This is a simple recipe but very healthy and tasty as well. This thuvayal pairs with rice. It can be mixed with plain rice or had as a side dish with vatha kozhumbu, rasam, or curd rice. 

Ingredients and preparation: Kollu, 1 cup; dried red chilies, 3-4, garlic, 3 cloves; salt as per taste; hing a pinch; tamarind, a small gooseberry size; grated coconut, a cup.  For the preparation, dry roast all the ingredients except salt and coconut until the kollu gives a nice aroma. Once cooled, add salt, grated coconut, and required water and grind to a coarse paste. This should on the thicker side. No seasoning is required.                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Lentil soup (Restaurant style, Middle-Eastern)

 

 Lentil soup is one of our favorite soups and this is the ideal low-carb soup and we do not need any bread with this. Many variations of the soup can be made. I sometimes add brown rice while cooking the lentils. Coconut milk can also be added for a different flavor.

 

Ingredients: 

1. Massor dal or red lentils, small variety 1 cup.

2.  Pureed tomatoes, 1 cup.

3. Garlic, crushed, 2 cloves.

4. Any vegetable seasoning mix, like soup mix. I used a small cube of vegetable bouillon. This is optional.

5. Coriander and cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon.

6. Salt and pepper as per taste.

7. Chopped vegetables like carrots, potatoes, celery, green beans etc., 1 cup.

8. Chopped cilanatro and fried onions (optional), for garnish.

Preparation:

In a thick bottomed pot, add the lentils with 3 cups of water and let it come to a boil. Then simmer the stove and let the lentils cook for 10 minutes. Now add the crushed lentils, mix well and keep cooking under medium to low flame for 10 more minutes. The lentils should almost be cooked by now. Add the rest of the ingredients like the tomatoes, seasonnings, coriander and cumin powder, chopped vegetables, salt and pepper and let everything cook under medium flame for 10 more minutes until the vegetables are cooked and the soups gets thicker. If needed more water can be added for desired consistency. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with bread if preferred. 

Adai and Kara Chutney

 

Adais are a healthy and wholesome breakfast, rich in protein and whole grains like brown rice, or millets or quinoa or any other grains of choice can be added. This is my grandma's recipe and we usually have this a spicy kara chutney and jaggery on the side. She usually add raw rice instead of the other grains but there is no difference in taste. I sometimes also add masoor dal to give it a nice color. 

Recipe for adai:

Ingredients:

1. Urad dal, channa dal, toor dal, masoor dal, rice, 1/2 cup.

2. Dried red chilies, 2-3.

3. Asafetida, 1/2 teaspoon.

4. Curry leaves, a handful.

5. Diced onions, 1 cup.

6. Salt, as per taste.

7. Cumin seeds, 1/3 teaspoon.

Preparation:

Wash and soak the rice and lentils together for a few hours (4-5  hours) and grind them into a smooth batter along with the red chilies and salt. The batter consistency should be a little runny like a dosa batter. In a pan, add a teaspoon of oil. Once the oil turns hot, add the cumin seeds and let it splutter. Then add the diced onions, asafetida, curry leaves and saute everything together until the onions are translucent. Add this to the batter and mix everything well.  Heat a dosa pan and once the pan is hot, rub the surface with a cloth dipped in oil. Add a ladle full of batter to the pan and spread the mixture evenly. Add a teaspoon of oil on the corners and flip the adai to the other side once the corners turn crisp. Cook well on the other side and remove from the stove. Serve hot with chutney and jaggery. 

Recipe for kara chutney:

Ingredients:

1. Small onions, peeled, 1 cup.

2. Dried red chilies, 3-4.

4. Garlic, 1/2 cup.

5. Salt, as per taste.

6. Curry leaves, a handful.

7. Mustard seeds and urad dal, 1/2 teaspoon.

8. Tamarind, a small gooseberry size.

Preparation:

Saute the onions, garlic and dried red chilies in a pan until its is well cooked.  Once it is cooled, grind it together with some salt and the tamarind and water. In a pan, add a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil turns hot, add the mustard seeds, urad dal and let it splutter.  Then add the curry leaves and turn off the stove. Pour this over the chutney and mix well.

Kollu (Horsegram) idlis

 

This is a no rice recipe and rich in protein. Kollu (horsegram is known for its health benefits). I use it rasam during colds and sometimes I make curry with it.  This idli came outt very good, this tasted like the regular dal and no rice idlis. I have used a regular mixie to grind this batterr since I used less quantity. We can use a grinder if making large portions. I have paired it with fish kozhumbu and onion tomato karam here. 

Ingredients:

Kollu (horsegram) 1 cup.

Urad dal, 1 cup.

Salt, 1 teaspoon.

Fenugreek seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

Preparation:

Wash and soak the dals along with the fenugreek seeds for 4 to 5 hours. Grind them together into a smooth and fluffy batter along with the salt.  Let it ferment for 7 to 8 hours until it becomes frothy and risen like regular idli battter. Mix it once and pour it into idli mould and steam. Serve with side dishes like chutney or sambar of any choice. 

Black rice (kavuni arisi aval) poha

 

Black rice(kavuni arisi aval) poha mixed with grated coconut, jaggery, crushed cardamom seeds for breakfast. I usually add stevia for me and for the rest of my family, I add jaggery and serve it with sliced bananas on top. So many healthy poha varieties are available these days like brown rice, millets etc....these make a tasty and healthy breakfast option for kids as well.

Horse Gram (Kollu) chutney

 I have been trying to include horse Gram (kollu) in our meals at least once a week for health reasons since this pulse is known for its weight loss and cholesterol lowering properties. I sometimes make rasam when we are coming down with cold and sometimes I make a simple kadayal. This recipe is similar to the usual Kara chutney that I make as a side dish for idils and dosas. I just substituted the urad dal for kollu this time. This chutney goes well as a side dish for rice as well.

Preparation:

Saute 2 tablespoons of horse Gram with a tablespoon of oil in low to medium flame until the pulses start popping. Remove them to a plate and saute two dried red chilies and small piece of ginger for a minute and let everything cool. Once cooled grind everything with some salt and a cup of grated coconut or half of a small coconut. Season with spluttered mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves.

Quinoa and moong dal dosai

 Quinoa and moong dal dosai served with egg gravy and coriander chutney. No fermentation required for the dosa batter. Soak equal portions of quinoa and dal for an hour and grind it to dosa batter consistency. If needed, cumin seeds, chopped onions, cilantro and curry leaves can be added to the batter.

Barnyard millet idlis ( no rice idlis))

 Barnyard millet idlis served with vada curry. No rice added idlis. I used 3 cups of millers and one cup of urad dal and one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds, everything washed and soaked for 2 hours, ground and mixed together with salt to regular idlis batter consistency. 

For the vada curry recipe:

http://gitaskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/09/vadai-curry.html?m=1

Wheat Rava upma

Recipe can be found at 

http://gitaskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/cracked-wheat-vegetable-upma.html?m=1

Ragi thattai

 

Thattais are one of the favorite snacks in my house. I keep changing them with regular versions and ragi or other millet options for the kids. Here I have added some rice flour as well here. There is mot much taste difference in these versions. I usually add garlic to the thattais for additional taste.

Ingredients:

1. Ragi flour, 1 cup.

2. Rice flour, 1/2 cup.

3. Urad dal flour, 1/2 cup.

4. Crushed garlic, 2.

5. Salt, 1/2 teaspoon.

6. Hing, 1/2 teaspoon.

7. Roasted channa dal (pottukadalai), 1/4 cup.

8. Chopped curry leaves, 1 tablespoon.

9. Oil for deep frying.

Preparation:

In a big bow, add all the ingredients with a tablespoon of oil and mix well. Add water little by little and mix it into a smooth dough. The dough should be pliable enough to make round balls but a little thick. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Pinch small balls from the dough and roll them into small round circles and deep fry in low-medium flame until the thattais turn crispy but not burnt. Remove and drain the excess oil from thattais and let it cool and serve. Store in air tight boxes. 

Barnyard millet and moong dhal Kanji

 

This is the same recipe as the traditional rice kanji that we used to make. These days I have been making it with millets for a lighter evening dinner.  This pairs well with any spicy side dishes or even pickle. Preparation is very easy. We have to add all the ingredients and pressure cook. I usually make this as an one pot dish in the pressure cooker. Here it is served with a spicy coconut thogayal.  This is a perfect convalescent food as well. Alternatively, the whole dish can be prepared in a pot on stove top. Keep adding water as necessary as it cooks.

Ingredients: 

1. Millets, 1 cup.

2. Whole moong dhal, 1/4 cup.

3. Grated coconut, 1 tablespoon.

4. Salt as per taste.

5. Garlic, 2 cloves.

6. Cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

Preparation:

Wash the millets and the dhal together. In a pressure cooker or Instant Pot, add 4 cups of water and add everything. Mix well and pressure cook for 15 minutes up to three whistles (for the Instant Pot Pressure cooker mode for 15 minutes). Once the pressure is down, open and mash everything well. Add more water to get the desired consistency and serve.

Millet idlis (no rice added)

 

Millet idlis (no rice added) and egg kurma....a familiar breakfast scene on Sundays for us.  This time tried the batter only with millets and urad dhal. It came out very soft and not much different in taste compared to regular idlis. For the recipe, I soaked 2 cups of millets ( I used barnyard millets) and one cup of urad dhal for 3 to 4 hours along with a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Grind them together, add salt and ferment the batter for 6 to 8 hours. Make idlis the usual way.

Millet dosa

 

This dosa is only made with millets and urad dhal and no rice. This proportions are for dosa only. I didnt try making idlis now. Will post the proportions for idli recipe in a separate post. The batter fermented well and the dosas came very crispy and good. Here I have served them with lamb kheema curry and tilapia fish curry.

Ingredients:

1. Millets (I have used barnyard millet or kuthiravali here), 2 cups.

2. Urad dhal, 2 tablespoons.

3. Fenugreek seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.

4. Salt, 1/2 teaspoon.

Preparation:

Wash the millets and urad dhal and soak them along with the fenugreek seeds for 2-3 hours. Grind them smoothly with salt. The batter should be of pourable dosa consistency. Let it ferment for 6-8 hours and prepare dosas after that.

Mushroom pulav -with parboiled Basmati rice

This is a spicy pulav cooked with diabetic rice. Diabetic rice is basically parboiled basmatic rice, which is sold in the markets as low-glycemic rice or diabetic rice. I usually cook this rice with plenty of water in a open pot and drain the water to reduce the starch. This rice is actually very starchy, so this method of cooking will be better for this variety of rice rather than in a rice cooker or pressure cooker.

 

Ingredients:

1. Parboiled diabetic rice, cooked, 2 cups. I cooked the rice in plenty of water in an open pot and drained the water and let the rice cool. This process removes the excess starch in the rice.

2. Thinly sliced onion, 1 cup.

3. Finely chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup.

4. Green chilies, 2. cut into halves.

5. Ginger-garlic paste, 1 tablespoon.

6. Chopped mushrooms, 1 cup.

7. Green peas, 1/2 cup.

8. Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon.

9. Chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon.

10. Garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon.

11. Curry leaves, chopped coriander and mint leaves for garnish.

12. Salt as per taste.

Preparation:

Heat a pan with two tablespoons of oil. Add the sliced onions and saute them until they turn brown. Now add the tomatoes, mushrooms, green chilies , ginger-garlic paste and keep sauteing until everything is blended well. Now add turmeric powder, chili powder, garam masala, green peas and salt and mix everything well. Cook under low flame until the spices lose their raw smell and everything is well cooked. Add the rice now and mix gently without breaking the rice. Garnish with chopped herbs and serve.

Oats Sweet Kozukattais

A different kozhukattai recipe made with oats. We had it as an evening snack with tea. I also added oat bran powder to increase the fiber content in the recipe. I just ran the oats in a mixie and ground it.   

Ingredients:

1. Powdered oats, 2 cups.

2. Shredded coconut, 1/2 cup.

3. Cardamom powder, 1/2 teaspoon.

4. Coconut palm sugar or any other preferred sweetener, 1/2 cup to a cup depending on preferred sweetness level. I just used half a cup.

5. Ghee, a tablespoon. (optional).

6. Roasted and broken cashews, 2 tablespoons.

Preparation:

Heat three cups of water in a thick-bottomed pan and add the cardamom power and sugar and let it come to a boil. Once the water starts to boil, add the oats mixed with the cashews and  coconut slowly and mix it slowly without lumps. Keep mixing under low flame until the mixture is thick enough and we are able to scrape it from the bottom off the pan. Switch off the stove and let it cool. Once cool, mold it into round or preferred shapes and steam them for 10 to 12 minutes and serve.

Roasted lotus seeds snacks- sweet and savory

These are my son's favorite snacks, especially the savory version. For the sweet version, I usually sweeten them with jaggery or coconut palm sugar. Both the versions taste good. These are very simple to prepare and can be stored for up to a week.

Savory Roasted lotus seeds recipe:
Ingredients:
1. Lotus seeds, 2 cups.
2. Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon.
3. Chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon.
4. Salt, as per taste.
5. Curry leaves, a few.
6. Asafetida, a pinch.

Preparation:
Add a tablespoon of oil in a thick-bottomed pan.  Add all the ingredients except the lotus seeds in the pan and saute them for a few seconds under medium flame. Reduce to low flame and add the lotus seeds and mix well. Keep stirring and mixing up everything continuously for 10 to 12 minutes until the lotus seeds are evenly roasted and turns crispy.  Transfer to an air-tight container once cooled.

Sweet roasted lotus seeds recipe:
Ingredients:
1. Lotus seeds, 2 cups.
2. Coconut palm sugar, 1 cup.
3. Cardamom powder 1 teaspoon.

Preparation:
Heat a thick bottomed pan with 1/4 cup of water. Add the coconut palm sugar and cardamom powder and mix everything well. Once the liquid comes to a boil and starts to thicken, add the lotus seeds and keep mixing continuously under low flame for 10 minutes until the sugar sticks to seeds and starts to dry. Break them gently once cooled and transfer to an air-tight container.

Bisibelebath with millets

Ingredients:
1. Any types of grains like millets, oats or quinoa, 1-1/2 cup.
2. Toor dal, 1/2 cup.
3. Small onions, peeled, 1 cup.
4. Chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup or 2 small tomatoes, chopped.
6. Curry leaves, a sprig.
4. Chopped coriander leaves, 1/4 cup.'
5. Finely diced vegetables like carrots, green beans, etc. a cup.
6. Mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.
7. Cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.
8. Turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspooon.
9. Asafetida, 1/4 teaspoon.
10. Salt, as per taste.
11. Tamarind juice extracted from a small gooseberry--sized tamarind or a tablespoon of readymade tamarind paste.

To roast and grind:
1. Cardamom pods, 2.
2. Cloves, 2.
3. Cinnamon, a small piece.
4. Channa dal, 2 tablespoon.
5. Urad dal, 1 tablespoon.
6. Red chilies, 2-3 depending upon preferred spice level.
7. Coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon.
8. Fenugreek seeds, 1/4 teaspoon.
9. Coconut powder, 1/4 cup

Preparation:
Wash the millets and dal and cook them separately in a pressure cooker with enough water to cover the millets and dal. Once cooked, mix it gently and keep aside. Heat a thick bottomed pot with a tablespoon of oil. Add the mustard seeds and let it splutter once the oil is hot. Then add the cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds. Now add the onions and saute until the onions start getting brown. Now add the chopped tomatoes and keep sauteeing. Then add the turmeric powder, salt, tamarind juice, along with the vegetables and a cup of water and let everything cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the vegetables are cooked. Now add the mashed millet and dal along with 3 cups of water, mix everything well and add the roasted and ground masala and asafetida. Cook under low flame for 10 more minutes, switch off the stove and garnish with curry leaves and coriander leaves. Serve with any side dishes like potatoes fry or raita.

A spoon of ghee and roasted cashews can also be added in the end for additional taste.