Recipes With a Twist
toddler friendly
Lemony Yellow Lentils (Moong Dhuli Dal)
Dec 12th
Lentils are staple in North Indian households. There are several types of lentils and severals ways to cook them. Yellow lentils are low in calories, easy to digest and fast to cook. I served them as a soup to my son and tex-mex style with salsa for me and my husband.
You need: 3 cups water 1 cup split yellow lentils (Moong Dhuli Dal) 1 teaspoon ground turmeric salt to taste red/black pepper powder to taste (although I did not use any) 1 tbsp lemon juice (or more to taste)
For tempering:
1 tablespoon ghee/ or cooking oil (clarified butter) 1 teaspoon cumin More >
Thanksgiving leftovers Potato Cutlets
Nov 30th
Here is what I did with my Thanksgiving leftovers-Mashed Potatoes, Corn Bread and Roasted Mushrooms, Peppers, et AL.. All ingredients are very soft in texture (specially mashed potatoes) but when combined in cutlets and coated with breadcrumbs , you get nice crispy appetizers or filling for a sandwich or a wrap for lunch. Also, I added some Indian spices to give them a different flavor. You need: 3 cups Mashed Potatoes 3/4 to 1 cup Roasted Mushrooms, Peppers, et AL., mashed/cut in very small pieces Few pieces of corn bread, crumbled 5 pieces of bread, French bread/sour dough will make them crispier salt to More >
Potato and Corn Chowder
Nov 23rd
Potato and Corn Chowder
3 medium diced potatoes1 cup corn (I used creamed corn)2 cups chicken broth/water3/4 c. water1 cup milk1/2 cup cream (optional)1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese2 cloves chopped garlic1 tbsp butter1/2 cup pasta sauce (I used Prego Mushroom Sauce last time I made it)
In India we use pressure cooker a lot. It is convenient and fast and the cookers are heavy bottomed so you can continue simmering without any problem.
In a pressure cooker melt butter until heated. Add chopped garlic and saute for few seconds. Add the Pasta sauce (alternately you can saute 1/2 chopped onion until golden brown and More >
Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
Nov 21st
Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
1 cup steamed potatoes and butternut squash1 cup milk1/c cup chicken broth/water1/2 cup grated Cheddar Cheese1 cup cooked elbow macaroni1 tbsp butter 1/2 tbsp all purpose flourgarlic salt/garlic powder/garlic spread seasoning to tastesalt to taste (if not using garlic salt)
Add steamed veggies, milk to a blender and puree.Add some water if the puree is very thick.
In a sauce pan, melt the butter. Add garlic (seasoning/powder).Add flour and stir briskly. Add the puree andbroth and bring to Boil. Simmer for few minutes and add cheese. Once the sauce is smooth,cheese is melted add pasta and cook for couple More >
Black Bean Soup
Nov 21st
1 cup canned black beans with liquid (or boiled black beans)1 cup chicken broth/water (or more according to desired consistency)1 tbsp butter1 tsp taco seasoning2 cloves crushed garlic/ 2 tsp garlic powder1/4 cup tomato sauce/crushed tomatoes
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add crushed garlic and saute for few seconds(if using). Add tomato sauce and cook for few minutes. If using crushed tomatoes, let the tomatoes get tender. Add taco seasoning and garlic powder. Add beans and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add broth/water and bring the soup to boil. Cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Let More >
Hearty Veggie Soup
Nov 12th
My son is not a major fan of potatoes. This is one way I get him to eat potatoes as well as other healthy vegetables. He likes the soup with pasta as well.
1 cup steamed veggies – carrots, potatoes, broccoli,corn1/4 cup cream1/2 cup milkgarlic salt/garlic powder/garlic spread seasoning to tastesalt to taste (if not using garlic salt)pinch of oregano
1 tbsp butter (optional- I add it for my skinny LO)1 cup water/chicken broth
Add first five ingredients to a blender and puree. Add water/chicken broth to the puree. Add the puree to a sauce pan and bring to Boil. Simmer More >
Veggie Pasta-Really?
Nov 8th
Veggie Pasta-Really?
1 cup steamed veggies – carrots, potatoes, broccoli1/4 cup cream1/2 cup milkgarlic salt/garlic powder/garlic spread seasoning to tastesalt to taste (if not using garlic salt)pinch of oregano1 cup cooked pasta of your choice-my son likes thin spaghetti, small elbow macaroni works well as well. The picture shows sauce with tri-color egg noodles1 tbsp butter (optional- I add it for my skinny LO)1/c water/chicken broth
Add all ingredients to a blender and puree. For small batches I use my Magic Bullet.Add some water/chicken broth if the puree is very thick. Add the puree to a sauce pan and bring to Boil. More >
