Masoor Sprouts Dahi Papdi Chaat

Tangy Imli chutney, spicy green chutney, crunchy papdi and the cold dahi - this is a dish which has several nuances in every bite. I had a few masoor sprouts which have been quickly boiled for 5 minutes and added in the place of potatoes. The resulting dish was as tasty as the original with the addition of sprouts for the health factor. No one would refuse sprouts if served like this.

Green Pea(ce) rice and a greener plate

An easy recipe for a tasty and a healthy rice. The tender green peas are cooked along with some diced fresh jack fruit seeds in a simple mixture of corriander leaves, ginger and green chillies. Tastes awesome even when cool and makes an ideal picnic lunch to be packed and eaten under green trees with plates made from beetle nut leaves. Jack fruit seeds are rich in protein and add a nice nutty taste to the dish.

Serve with pickle and curd for an all rounded meal.

Malabar Spinach Dal Paratha - LeftOver Magic

Malabar Spinach or Basella is a tropical vine which grows in the tropical regions. This was one green that was used widely at home, simply because it is an annual and was always available in the kitchen garden. Hardly takes any space or effort to grow this green.

Moreover, the english spinach was not always available and was not as popular in the 70's and 80's as it is now, in small towns of South India. Even if spinach is abundantly available now, with the reports of high pesticide content, it is safer to turn to Basella. Nutritionally it is equivalent if not more than the regular spinach.

We typically use it to make a dal or an instant chutney. Yesterday I had some leftover dal and turned it around into a simple paratha and served with a simple curry made of soaked green peas and coconut. A very nutrient dense lunch box option that is finger licking tasty.

Spinach Paratha and a green lunch box

Stir fried spinach mixed with spices and besan (chick pea flour), stuffed and rolled into parathas, dipped into corriander chutney, a spoon full of curd and a bite of sauteed green chillies with some salt and all this in a lunch box, what is not to like in it. It does sound very cumbersome to cook and pack, but it actually is not. The green chutney (slightly sauteed corriander leaves and chilli grided with salt and lemon juice) can be made in advanced and left in the fridge overnight to make it easy in the morning. Even the stuffing and the atta can be prepared the night before, all making it very easy to roll them out and pack in the morning. A view of the tasty and easy green lunch box. I should shop for a green one to match for the contents :-)

Aloo Paratha Overloaded

Aloo paratha is tasty. No second opinions about that. I have not met anyone till now who does not like one. What if you can overload it with nutrition too. I added some moong sprouts and sesame seeds to up the nutrition level. Of course you act coy and do not mention all the good additions and serve without mentioning anything. Trust me that the parathas will be finished without any complaints or detecting and picking out the "too healthy " elements from the plate.

Overload is used in a positive context here. If you have done any Java Programming, you would know where I am coming from.

Spinach Jeera Rice with Sprouted Masoor Dal, Wholesome nutrition in minutes

What started out as a quick fix turned into a complete dinner. Two cups of left over rice from lunch, a cup of masoor sprouts , two mouths to feed and a lazy me resulted in this fabulous plating. On the spur of the moment, I made the quick cabbage kimchi style salad, and the result was absolutely delicious.

The sprouts were already a week old sitting forlorn in the fridge which resulted in the extra long tails. While it might not look great, the taste of the dal with only garlic for the seasoning was amazing. On to the recipe below.

Rajma with Jackfruit seeds, upping the nutrient quotient

Jackfruit seeds and Rajma, I was skeptical too until I tried it out. The seeds soaked in the tangy and spicy gravy of the rajma and turned out absolutely delicious. Here is an easy recipe which does not involve any grinding or garam masala. Onion, tomato and ginger for the base of the curry with the beands and the jackfruit seeds being the stars. Serve it with rice or roti to make a complete meal.

Jackfruit seeds have numerous health benefits. Next time you buy the ripe fruit, do not throw them but add to any dish you want. There are quite a few jackfruit seed recipes online.

Easy Spinach Paratha With Curd, Pickle and Marinated Onions

Quick saute of onions, chilli and spinach stuffed into chapathi dough, turned out into this super yummy breakfast dish. I had some left over dough from the night before and wanting to have a sumptuous healthy dish and out comes the paratha. Recipe follows. Vegans can skip curd and butter. My picture taking skills leave a lot to be desired, but do not let that deter you from the yum quotient.