Don't wonder why I am posting a cold soup when we still have chilled winter days here, as of my last post when we had that beautiful day the saga continued,  I needed something cold to eat as well, I did quite a lot shoots that week, as I went crazy when I saw the sun!

After long day's work in the garden, I didn't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.  I wanted to fix something quickly.  When I stood in my refrigerator my mind went blank!  kidding! my mind was blank because I hadn't made up my mind about what to cook ?  Let me make a one pot meal with rice dump everything in my cooker and that's it! My daughter came down and said make some soup mom as we have some French Bread.  So, Ok!  I know what to make,  next is which vegetable or any other ingredient? That's when I saw these bunch of Beetroots I had, actually loads of them!  I decided on making a Beetroot soup but didn't want to have it hot so decided on making it cold.  I had been chopping and trimming all my plants, I have a Bay leaf tree and a Kaffir Lime tree you must have noticed it in my last post, I used them to decorate my styling :), I used those fresh cut leaves in my soup.

This soup was so delicious for the weather, it had some sweetness and it is very easy to make.  It might not be everybody's cup of tea if you like beetroot you might like this.  But, it went so very well with my bread I had 2 cups of it, I had some left over which I had it in my fridge next day hubby came home and had it.  He loved it too.

If you try this and like it share it with me, I would love to hear from you...,

Cold Beetroot Soup or Chilled Beetroot Soup

Recipe Author: Jayasri
Recipe Type: Soups
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves : 4
Shelf time: 2 days

Ingredients:

3 Medium Sized Beetroots
1'' Ginger
3 Garlic cloves
4 Kaffir Lime Leaves
2 Cups thick Yogurt
2 to 3 tbsp Cre'me Fraiche (optional)
4 to 5 tbsp Chopped Chives/Coriander
1 tbsp Cumin seeds
2 to 3 Bay Leaves
4 Cloves
2 tsp Black pepper

Method:

Wash, Peel and chop Beetroots. Roast Cumin seeds and pepper until the cumins crackle.
In a pressure cooker take chopped Beetroots, peeled Garlic cloves, Kaffir lime leaves, Bay leaves, roasted cumin, roasted Black pepper and cloves.
Steam them all in 1 cup of water for 3 whistles.
Once cool discard  the Bay leaves and Kaffir lime leaves and rest put them in a blender and blend them into a smooth paste.
Add another half cup of water if needed when blending them into a smooth puree, to this add 2 cups of yogurt and salt blend well together.
If you want it thick and creamier add more yogurt or add water  to make it slightly semi liquidy.

Season it with pepper and salt if  you need, serve it with chopped chives or cilantro, I used chives and oven roasted crispy Kale and some croutons and some Cre'me Fraiche before serving.

Notes:

This soup is on a bit sweeter side because of the beetroots, even if you seasoned more with peppercorns it really doesn't help much, I would just say, have it as it is, with a tolerable seasoning and enjoy it as it is.If you don't find Kaffir lime leaves you can substitute with one tbsp of lemon juice or just omit it from the recipe

Print

Cold Beetroot Soup

Beetroot soup served chilled or cold is delicious during summer for a cooling tummy and also yummy to enjoy this one quick to make recipe.

Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch box

Cuisine International

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 3 Medium Sized Beetroots
• 1 '' Ginger
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 4 Kaffir Lime Leaves
• 2 Cups thick Yogurt
• 2 to 3 tbsp Cre'me Fraiche optional
• 4 to 5 tbsp Chopped Chives/Coriander
• 1 tbsp Cumin seeds
• 2 to 3 Bay Leaves
• 4 Cloves
• 2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

• Wash, Peel and chop Beetroots. Roast Cumin seeds and pepper until the cumins crackle.
• In a pressure cooker take chopped Beetroots, peeled Garlic cloves, Kaffir lime leaves, Bay leaves, roasted cumin, roasted Black pepper and cloves.
• Steam them all in 1 cup of water for 3 whistles.
• Once cool discard the Bay leaves and Kaffir lime leaves and rest put them in a blender and blend them into a smooth paste.
• Add another half cup of water if needed when blending them into a smooth puree, to this add 2 cups of yogurt and salt blend well together.
• If you want it thick and creamier add more yogurt or add water to make it slightly semi liquidy.
• Season it with pepper and salt if you need, serve it with chopped chives or cilantro, I used chives and oven roasted crispy Kale and some croutons and some Cre'me Fraiche before serving.

Notes

This soup is on a bit sweeter side because of the beetroots, even if you seasoned more with peppercorns it really doesn't help much, I would just say, have it as it is, with a tolerable seasoning and enjoy it as it is.
If you don't find Kaffir lime leaves you can substitute with one tbsp of lemon juice or just omit it from the recipe

The post Cold Beetroot Soup appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Delicious one pot meal!  sound's really interesting isn't it? what else do you need to know?  Oh! yeah! the recipe of course 🙂 you need to scroll down to if you don't want to read about my ramblings, as you already know I just don't stop talking!  The Pie is so easy to make it just takes under 45 minutes, what more can you ask for?  You just need to crunch your spoon into it and devour the yummy pie!  watching your favourite soap on your cozy couch.

You did hear it right? crunch your spoon!  that's because of the pie crust I have used to top it up.  I made these one pot pies when it was British Pie week! then why didn't I post it? don't ponder, I am already answering your question, Can you guess? I have been doing a bit of studying I joined college last year that's the reason I haven't been blogging much.   I was under a lot of pressure to submit my last bit of assignments and I wanted to finish it off ASAP.    So,  Now everything is done and dusted I can get back to blogging peacefully 🙂 Yay!  I am flying high.

Coming back to this recipe -  my family loves pies  and I often make them with different variations.  These pies were loaded with veggies and highly proteinaceous because of Hemp seeds, Lentils and it also contains Barley.  These are warm, rich, flaky, savoury, thick and creamy because of the coconut milk.  The filling and the short crust pastry are a match made in heaven and they are super delicious.

You can make it for a weekend meal, a weekday meal or for a meatless Monday blues or for a thanksgiving dinner or for a Christmas final course meal.  This curry is completely VEGAN by making a Vegan pastry, this would be a perfect meal deal for vegans.

When Indigo Herbs sent me some products to review in March, I was quite thrilled as they had already emailed me to check their website to choose the products.  I opted for a few products which I wanted to try out, I have yet to try out their carrot powder and I want to make a cake out of it! will update once I use it.  Their  products are Organic and super rich in goodness.  Indigo herbs have products for everybody in whatever walk of life you are in be a vegan, vegetarian, Athlete, you want to loose weight or gain weight, help fight infections or  boost your energy etc  there are various herbal powders to choose from.

This post is in collaboration with Indigo herbs they challenged me to make a main meal, my kids were quite happy they love savoury over sweets!, When Indigo Herbs sent me some products to review in March, I was quite thrilled as they had already emailed me to check their website to choose the products.  I opted for a few products which I wanted to try out, I have yet to try out their Organic carrot powder and I want to make a cake out of it! will update once I use it.  Their  products are Organic and super rich in goodness.

I have been talking too much let's get to the recipe then

Pie with Mixed Vegetables, Hulled Hemp seeds, Lentils, and Barley - A One Pot Meal
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Recipe level: Easy to Intermediate
Spice Level: Medium
Serves: 4 to 5 people
Shelf Life: 2 days in Refrigeration and can be Frozen too

Ingredients:
3 Cups of Chopped mixed Vegetables (wash and chop Broccoli,carrots,peas,corn and cauliflower)
1/3 Cup Organic Hulled Hemp Seeds
1/3 Cup Mixed Lentils (Green & Red)  and Barley
1 and 1/2 Cup (360ml) Coconut Milk
1 tbsp Organic coconut oil
3 tbsp Organic Walnut butter
1 veggie stock cube dissolved in 2 cups warm water
1 tbsp  Organic pumpkin powder
1 tsp of Organic coconut sugar
1 Onion
3 Small cloves of Garlic
2 Green chillies (optional)
1 tsp Ginger powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tsp Red chilli powder or Crushed Black Pepper (adjust as per taste)
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
2 Bay leaves
2 cloves
2" Cinnamon sticks
Salt as required

For the topping:

I have used  Frozen puff pastry which I love to make now and then.  If you do not want to make it you can use ready made puff pastry or short crust pastry.

Method:

1. Cut the Veggies Broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and onions.
2. Take a wok, add 1 tbsp of coconut oil when it's warm add cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, finely crushed Garlic-Green chillies with chopped onions and turmeric powder into the wok and saute them for few minutes till the onions become translucent, add 1/8th tsp of salt and sugar this helps onion sweat soon. Now add 3 tbsp of walnut butter add the chopped vegetables sprinkle some water close the lid and cook for 20 minutes saute now and then to check if the veggies don't get stuck to the wok, cook in a low to medium flame and sprinkle little water if necessary. cook them until they are well done.
3. In a pressure cooker, using the vegetable stock cook hulled Hemp seeds,Lentils and Barley. for 3 whistles (pressure cooker usually takes around 15 minutes in a medium flame to cook completely - check my notes*)  until well done, allow it to cool.
4. Once the veggies are done add all the spice powders coriander, cumin and ginger. Mix well leave it for a 5 more minutes in a low flame, after 5 minutes add coconut milk.
5. Taste and check the spices and adjust, add the cooked hemp seeds, Lentils and Barley then add required amount of salt taste again and adjust the salt.
6. Close the lid and allow it cook for 10 minutes in a low flame. sprinkle herb of your choice and finish the curry.
   Spoon the veggie curry into 4 or 5 ovenproof bowls or Ramekins or a big casserole, filling to the brim so the pastry don't fall in the middle, then top it with shortcrust pastry or a puff pastry and bake it at 180 degrees 20-25 minutes or until they become reddish brown in colour.

Notes:

*I use a Pressure cooker to cook lot of my dals, rice etc when the food is completely cooked the pressure cooker whistles when it's on the third whistle leave for 2 to 3 minutes and switch off the stove.  This ensures the steam is still in cooker and cooks completely.
Cut a strip of the pastry and seal it on top the bowl or whatever container you are using and then spread the pastry on top this helps in the pastry not sinking in the middle and cooks properly.
Check the curry to your taste increase or decrease the spices used as you prefer.

Indigo Herbs kindly sent me the above products, I thoroughly enjoyed using them and love to use them in my many more culinary experiments.  Thank you once again Indigo Herbs.

Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with Indigo Herbs. All opinions expressed here are of my own.

Print

Pie with Mixed Vegetables and Hulled Hemp seeds - A Review for Indigo Herbs

This can be done in 45minutes to 1 hour, A perfect one pot meal, with the goodness of Hemp and highly protein packed. Delicious one pot meal

Course Main Meal

Cuisine International

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 3 Cups of Chopped mixed Vegetables wash and chop Broccoli,carrots,peas,corn and cauliflower
• 1/3 Cup Organic Hulled Hemp Seeds
• 1/3 Cup Mixed Lentils Green & Red and Barley
• 1 and 1/2 Cup 360ml Coconut Milk
• 1 tbsp Organic coconut oil
• 3 tbsp Organic Walnut butter
• 1 veggie stock cube dissolved in 2 cups warm water
• 1 tbsp Organic pumpkin powder
• 1 tsp of Organic coconut sugar
• 1 Onion
• 3 Small cloves of Garlic
• 2 Green chillies optional
• 1 tsp Ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Red chilli powder or Crushed Black Pepper adjust as per taste
• 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
• 1 tsp Coriander powder
• 2 Bay leaves
• 2 cloves
• 2 " Cinnamon sticks
• Salt as required

Instructions

• Cut the Veggies Broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and onions.
• Take a wok, add 1 tbsp of coconut oil when it's warm add cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, finely crushed Garlic-Green chillies with chopped onions and turmeric powder into the wok and saute them for few minutes till the onions become translucent, add 1/8th tsp of salt and sugar this helps onion sweat soon. Now add 3 tbsp of walnut butter add the chopped vegetables sprinkle some water close the lid and cook for 20 minutes saute now and then to check if the veggies don't get stuck to the wok, cook in a low to medium flame and sprinkle little water if necessary. cook them until they are well done.
• In a pressure cooker, using the vegetable stock cook hulled Hemp seeds,Lentils and Barley. for 3 whistles until well done, allow it to cool.
• Once the veggies are done add all the spice powders coriander, cumin and ginger. Mix well leave it for a 5 more minutes in a low flame, after 5 minutes add coconut milk.
• Taste and check the spices and adjust, add the cooked hemp seeds, Lentils and Barley then add required amount of salt taste again and adjust the salt.
• Close the lid and allow it cook for 10 minutes in a low flame. sprinkle herb of your choice and finish the curry.
• Spoon the veggie curry into 4 or 5 ovenproof bowls or Ramekins or a big casserole, filling to the brim so the pastry don't fall in the middle, then top it with shortcrust pastry or a puff pastry and bake it 180 degrees 20-25 minutes or until they become reddish brown in colour.

Notes

cut a strip of the pastry and seal it on top the bowl or whatever container you are using and then spread the pastry on top this helps in the pastry not sinking in the middle and cooks properly.
Check the curry to your taste increase or decrease the spices used as you prefer.

The post Pie with Mixed Vegetables and Hulled Hemp seeds - A Review for Indigo Herbs appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Did you all enjoy eating Pancakes yesterday, I made a special pancake for my daughter will post it soon, photos are still in my camera, need to download and sort it out.  I thought of doing it today, but it’s been a long and tiring day.  I never thought I would be so busy, joining college has taken most of my time.  It’s been a long back I did any studying so, coming back to terms with it is a big deal for me.   Cooking has become an ordeal for me these days, just  for two has become a strenuous job.  I miss my kids so much who came home  always hungry, checking out what I have in store! Cooking and baking had a purpose and  fun then.

The Day before yesterday I was talking to my sister I was telling her it’s not been a good winter this year, I felt that the weather hasn’t been that cold.  Maybe I jinxed it, already past week it’s been horrible with stormy gale force howling winds creeping  through the chimney  walls was scary and horrible to listen to.  Couldn’t even walk on the road, it was raining and so windy I thought I might fly away.   When you are out the house you know how numb your hands and feet feel the comfort of a home onto my couch with a warm shawl around me is all that I long for. And of course, I love warm and comfort food and when you are too lethargic to cook steaming Soups are the best option with lovely crusty bread is all I wish for.

I love peppers and usually have it in my pantry, I use it every possible way! I get these in abundance in summer and I grow them in my little garden, the fresh pepper from the plant is so delicious, I just love it.  My favourite is the green pepper I think I like it because of the spiciness it gives rather than the others.  All the other coloured peppers are mildly sweet to my liking.

Soups always remind me of my home, I wouldn’t have so much soup as I have it here, and Soup was something I used to have when I visited a restaurant with my North Indian meals.  After coming here, it has become a staple food for me with a crusty loaf.

Author: Jayasri
Recipe type: Appetiser
Cuisine: Fusion
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
2 Large Red Peppers
1 small Green Pepper
1 small Yellow Pepper
1 Tomatoes
1 Onion
2 cloves garlic
1’’ Ginger
1 or 2 Bay leaf
3 to 4 cloves
½ tsp Black Pepper corns
½ tsp Cumin
2 tbsp of Crème Fraiche (optional)

Method:

On a stove top place a metallic frame and place all the veggies said above to roast turning them now and then which helps in charring them Or you can place these on a baking sheet and cut the peppers and place the cut side down in between place the garlic cloves and onion and tomatoes in a preheated oven gas mark 5 or 6 for 20 to 25 minutes until they are charred.
Remove them from the oven or from the stove top once they are cool remove the charred skin from the peppers and tomatoes, I don’t throw them away but keep it and use it in my curries.  Gives a smoky flavour to my dish.  Remove the skin from onions and garlic as well and keep aside.
In a skillet add a tsp of olive oil once it is warm enough add cloves, pepper corns, Bay leaves and cumin roast them to this add skinned bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic and sauté for a one or two minutes.
In the mean time take 500ml of vegetable stock in a pot and allow it to boil with the bay leaves removed from the sautéed veggies above.
Once they are cool take the rest of the sautéed ingredients into a blender or mixie Blend them all into a smooth paste
Add this smooth blended paste into the vegetable stock mix well add Himalayan salt, taste and adjust.
You can also taste and add finely freshly crushed black pepper corns to suit your taste, and allow it to boil further 5 minutes.  Don’t boil for too long you will lose the colour.

Print

Roasted Tri-coloured Bell Pepper Soup

Hearty Healthy a Winter warmer with lots of nutrition significant amount of vitamin C, beta carotene, B complex, vitamins, calcium, phosphorous and Iron.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Fusion

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 2 Red Peppers
• 1 Green Pepper
• 1 Yellow Pepper
• 2 Tomatoes
• 1 Onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 ’’ Ginger
• 1 or 2 Bay leaf
• 3 to 4 cloves
• ½ tsp Black Pepper corns
• ½ tsp Cumin
• 2 tbsp of Crème Fraiche optional

Instructions

• On a stove top place a metallic frame and place all the veggies said above to roast turning them now and then which helps in charring them Or you can place these on a baking sheet and cut the peppers and place the cut side down in between place the garlic cloves and onion and tomatoes in a preheated oven gas mark 5 or 6 for 20 to 25 minutes until they are charred.
• Remove them from the oven or from the stove top once they are cool remove the charred skin from the peppers and tomatoes, I don’t throw them away but keep it and use it in my curries. Gives a smoky flavour to my dish. Remove the skin from onions and garlic as well and keep aside.
• In a skillet add a tsp of olive oil once it is warm enough add cloves, pepper corns, Bay leaves and cumin roast them to this add skinned bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic and sauté for a one or two minutes.
• Meanwhile take 500ml of vegetable stock in a pot and allow it to boil with the bay leaves removed from the sautéed veggies above.
• Once they are cool take the rest of the sautéed ingredients into a blender or mixie Blend them all into a smooth paste
• Add this smooth blended paste into the vegetable stock mix well add Himalayan salt, taste and adjust.
• You can also taste and add finely freshly crushed black pepper corns to suit your taste, and allow it to boil further 5 minutes. Don’t boil for too long you will lose the colour

Notes

If you find the soup is thin to your liking mix 1 or 2 tsp cornflour or arrowroot powder in 2 or 3 tbsp of water before adding it to the soup, this makes the soup to thicken up and looks creamier. You can top with crème fraiche and serve it steaming hot with a country bread.

The post Roasted Tri-coloured Bell Pepper Soup appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Do you love cooking? how about cooking with your friends? I do, unfortunately, it's only virtual but still we enjoy this how about you? don't you want to  see what we all have been doing in our kitchen!

Cooking With Friends: This blog post is part of the monthly “Cooking With Friends” themed blog post challenge. This challenge was started by a bunch of virtual friends united by their love of food, with the aim of tackling a different food related theme each month. If you want to try this month’s theme, please feel free to do so and link your recipe in the comments section. We’d love to check it out. Meanwhile, check out what the others in the group have come up with this month.

Anjana from At the Corner of Happy and Harried, Garima from CafeGarima, Jyothi from Curry Tail, Madhuri from MADaboutkitchen, Subhasmita from The Flavors of Kitchen, and Sujatha from Spice n Treats, Dolphia from Story  of Cooks

When we decided to cook something with a vegetable which we have never used before, so, what’s next step, off to the market, I took my daughter to a nearby supermarket. We went through the aisles, my daughter said that it's going to be tough day and said we should have gone to some gourmet shops, wherein I might find something, I am not boasting I promise, I literally have cooked every vegetable from the supermarkets here, I should thank Mr.R for this, anything new he sees he brings it home, he loves to try every vegetable.  As we were walking through the aisles my eyes fell on this sea vegetable, I had been eyeing it from a long time but never bought it. I think there were two reasons for this, firstly, I didn’t know what I was going to make out of it so I left it alone for when I thought of something, and secondly for just around 100g it was too expensive, so, I never had a chance of tasting it and didn’t know if my family liked it or not I didn’t want to take a risk.

But, all this said, it was a challenge I had to put myself in to see how it goes, not with the cooking but I mean with how I am going to make my family eat it.  My girl had more ideas when I was unsure, she said let’s buy it Amma (mum), go home and taste it, on the packet it says salty and goes well with fish, only we can’t eat fish we will use this with potatoes, shrugging her shoulders she went on saying, anything with Potatoes we can push it, (we were thinking of my twins who are a slightly difficult to please that they would enjoy it more if I am going to serve it this way), After tasting it if we find it not interesting we will bin it and not tell Dad about it, keep it  a secret between us.  We were giggling away, have I ever told you my daughter is my best mate, we share so many things not as mother and daughter but as friends, we have almost similar interests and enjoy exploring lots of things together.  So I came back home with the Samphire packet, ripped it open and tasted it, the packet said it was salty, but it wasn’t as bad as we were imagining, so we were not going to bin it! Now I had the task of having to think what I have to make with it.

I have joined these group of bloggers who are such a bunch of wonderful people, they just don't blog recipes but amazing photographs as well.   I planned to post this yesterday, when I started getting updates on my mobile, I lost track of the time, because I got so carried away with their lovely photographs, I got a bit depressed that I have such a long way to go learning this beautiful and colourful world of photography, but also inspired to try harder and make more time and use of the long summer days ahead! Check out their blogs for beautiful photography and interesting recipes.

Samphire according to Wikipedia is  Originally "sampiere", a corruption of the French "Saint Pierre" (Saint Peter),^[2] samphire was named after the patron saint of fishermen because all of the original plants with its name grow in rocky salt-sprayed regions along the sea coast of northern Europe or in its coastal marsh areas. It is sometimes called sea asparagus or sea pickle. In Norfolk, it is commonly called sampha [sam-fa]. In North Wales, especially along the River Dee's marshes, it has always been known as sampkin.

All the plants bearing the name are annuals that begin growing in late autumn and vegetate throughout the winter until the first warm weather arrives. Then the first stems and internodes form, and by mid-spring the plant measures 6 to 8 cm.
Marsh samphire ashes were used to make soap and glass (hence its other old English name, "glasswort") In the 14th century glassmakers located their workshops near regions where this plant grew, since it was so closely linked to their trade. Samphires of all kinds have long been eaten in England. The leaves were gathered early in the year and pickled or eaten in salads with oil and vinegar. It is mentioned by Shakespeare in King Lear:
Halfway down Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade! (Act IV, Scene VI). This refers to the dangers involved in collecting rock samphire on sea cliffs.

Collecting Information through Googling I have found these tidbits which might be useful if you are going to use it in your kitchen, it is said that it is gaining more popularity in England now and is available in all supermarkets
Types:  There are two types of Samphire available; Marsh (salicornia europaea) and Rock (crithmum maitimum) but Marsh is the one which is more widely used.
Taste:  it is salty and crispy
Availability:  best to buy during July and August
How to use it: It is best to buy fresh and won’t stay for long, wash thoroughly before using it, and can be eaten raw, if not cook it in a pot of boiling water for just 2 to 3 minutes and use it or steam over a pot of boiling water for a few minutes.
If you are interested and know more about this sea vegetable check out this link, you have lots information available. Coming back to the recipe, this is how I used it, do try it out and tell me if you liked it.

Ingredients:
100g - Samphire
7 to 8– potatoes *
1 cup – Peas *
2 tsp freshly crushed Black Pepper
1 tbsp of oil
2 Garlic pods
Few sprigs of parsley and mint
Salt as required
*(Check notes)

Method
Peel and cut potatoes and pressure cook them for a whistle or drop them in boiling water until it is cooked Al Dante as we don’t want them becoming mushy or you can roast them in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes until well done (if cooking them in the oven sprinkle some oil and salt and bake them)
Wash Samphire thoroughly in cold water, take it in a vessel and boiling water and close the lid for 5 minutes. Drain it and leave it aside.
Cook peas in a microwave until done and set aside. Chop onion and garlic finely.
Once potatoes are cooled down cut them into medium sized cubes, so now all your ingredients are ready let’s start…
In a large wok heat oil, once sufficiently heated, add a tsp of cumin seeds, then add onion and garlic, sauté well and add the potatoes. After few minutes sprinkle some salt and fry until golden brown.
When it’s nearly done add the cooked peas, cooked samphire and stir fry for few minutes until well combined. Add little more salt and crushed black pepper, taste it and adjust the spice. Add a tsp of butter(optional), chopped mint and parsley to garnish, give it a minute and mix again so the aroma of the herbs get infused into the veggies. That’s it done.

 SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
You can just eat it like that, otherwise you can serve it like me I served it with cooked Basmati Rice or eat it with toasted Bread and butter or grilled with cheese and some salad Tomatoes.
NOTES:
You can use normal potatoes or roasting potatoes which can retain their shape or use new potatoes which are good for roasting.
I have used frozen peas, you can use fresh peas it would be tastier
I have just used pepper for spiciness, you can try using dried chilles or green chillies or any kind of spice like any Mediterranean spices, I wanted to keep it more British so just added crushed pepper.

Print

Samphire with Roast Potatoes and Peas salad

This dish is a fantastic summer salad both in flavours and looks Salty Samphire makes its appearance with a new avatar mildly spicy and delicious, serve with yogurt

Course Dinner / Breakfast /

Cuisine British

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Author Jayasri

Ingredients

• 100 g - Samphire
• 7 to 8 – potatoes *
• 1 cup – Peas *
• 2 tsp freshly crushed Black Pepper
• 1 tbsp of oil
• 2 Garlic pods
• Few sprigs of parsley and mint
• Salt as required

Instructions

• Peel and cut potatoes and pressure cook them for a whistle or drop them in boiling water until it is cooked Al Dante as we don’t want them becoming mushy or you can roast them in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes until well done (if cooking them in the oven sprinkle some oil and salt and bake them)
• Wash Samphire thoroughly in cold water, take it in a vessel and boiling water and close the lid for 5 minutes. Drain it and leave it aside.
• Cook peas in a microwave until done and set aside. Chop onion and garlic finely.
• Once potatoes are cooled down cut them into medium sized cubes, so now all your ingredients are ready let’s start…
• In a large wok heat oil, once sufficiently heated, add a tsp of cumin seeds, then add onion and garlic, sauté well and add the potatoes. After few minutes sprinkle some salt and fry until golden brown.
• When it’s nearly done add the cooked peas, cooked samphire and stir fry for few minutes until well combined. Add little more salt and crushed black pepper, taste it and adjust the spice. Add a tsp of butter, chopped mint and parsley to garnish, give it a minute and mix again so the aroma of the herbs get infused into the veggies.
• That’s it done.

Notes

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
You can just eat it like that, otherwise you can serve it like me I served it with cooked Basmati Rice or eat it with toasted Bread and butter or grilled with cheese and some salad Tomatoes.
NOTES:
You can use normal potatoes or roasting potatoes which can retain their shape or use new potatoes which are good for roasting.
I have used frozen peas, you can use fresh peas it would be tastier
I have just used pepper for spiciness, you can try using dried chilles or green chillies or any kind of spice like any Mediterranean spices, I wanted to keep it more British so just added crushed pepper.

The post Vegan Samphire with Roast Potatoes and Peas salad appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Get a day off and you would think the whole day is yours and yours only, may be somewhere I had this little teeny weeny bit in my heart saying No no.., everything won't turn out as you want, I always go straight to my conservatory with my cup of tea Mmm..., and the plants I adore trying to save them from this cold winter, a pity I don't have a heater in my conservatory which would have made my plants have a warm surrounding, but poor little darlings have no such luxury, everyday I pray please don't die on me, I talk to each one of them, that's started my day off, checking all the plants, cleaning around picking around the withered leaves do you want to see my conservatory garden you can have a look at it.. here it is ....
I have got a few more this is just a sample.., they are not doing very well now especially my Doddapatre..:(

I had planned to bake a cake and got all the ingredients ready but everything got haywire, Once I started I couldn't stop picking around the kids clothes sorting out their rooms, trying to wake up my daughter asking her to get ready for her driving lessons, the time just flew, I remembered I had to do some shopping it is so cold, days are getting colder and colder walked down to a little town nearby to go to my favourite shop its a health wise shop I get lot of organic goods from there, I couldn't walk back as did a bit more shopping than I intended to and waited for the bus to turn up but incidentally it didn't turn up it was getting late and there was this kind gentleman who dropped us off near our house. Bless him, came home and had to cook something quickly as it was arrival time and they come home hungry.
I had some puy lentils which I had soaked earlier, and some thawed short cut pastry, this was quick one I could muster up right at the time they knock the door !!.
Here is how I stirred this up...

PUY LENTILS AND VEGETABLES HOT PIE
Recipe : own

INGREDIENTS:

Short cut / Puff Pastry Block (use as required )
100 grms Puy Lentils
2 Onions
3 to 4 Garlic
1" Ginger
2 Cups of assorted vegetables
( Carrot, Green, yellow and Red peppers, Potatoes, peas, broccoli)
1 tsp Chilli powder
1/2 tsp Pepper powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1/4 single cream
Salt as required
1/4 cup of grated cheddar cheese
2 tbsp Butter

Cook the Puy Lentils with enough water with little salt in a Pressure cooker.
In a large wok heat 2 tbsp of butter, add chopped ginger, garlic and onions saute them until they sweat and become soft and translucent to this add the  masalas chilli powder, pepper powder, coriander powder, cumin powder then add the cooked puy lentils and chopped vegetables add required amount of salt and close the lid and cook for few more minutes around 10 to 15 minutes until all the veggies get properly cooked to this add single cream and grated cheese mix well and switch off the stove.
Allow it to cool completely,

pour them on to a buttered dish,

take thawed short cut pastry or puff pastry cut them for the three buttered dish press them on to the dish make three slits and brush them with milk, bake them in a pre heated oven for 30 minutes to 40 minutes until you see the pastry nice and golden in colour.

doesn't it look good, for a winter evening a one pot meal.

Sending this off to Bake-a-thon event started by champa, here is entree...

The post Puy Lentils and Vegetables Hot Pie appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Hi everybody, It's been a long time I came here, I would really like to thank all my readers who have been in constant touch with my blog even though I haven't been able to update for such a long time.  To start with,  I was not blogging for a reason,  I am in the process of changing my blog hopefully I will be able to do it by next month.  I would also like to thank few of my blogger friends whom I have been associated with in some events which I love so much,  have patiently been waiting for me to post my recipes.  Once such event is Baking partners by Swathi of Zesty south Indian Kitchen.

Who doesn't like Pizza, I think that's everybody's favourite, especially kids, I don't eat cheese for 40+ reasons, I mean as I am 40+ and... I have reasons!! , but I love cheese in my pizza, I am no way better than a kid when it comes to pizza I just love it with the gooey cheese on it Just love it..., I have tried and still trying  different kind of pizza dough to get the perfection, one more which I have to still try is the OO' grade flour to make pizza and see the difference.
Coming back from my disastrous holiday which was only for 2 weeks which later part of the 2 week  got ended up with one week of food poisoning, ended up with a migraine. That was when I remembered I had to do the Baking Partner Challenge and decided to make the dough and thought will make it the next day when I come back from work, funnily..,  God knows what happened,  even though my mind was ready to accept as always my body wasn't ready to accept that I was Jet lagged and poorly,  coming back from work, cooked something for my kids and hit the bed It's been such a long time and I have never slept like that for almost 7 hrs till 10 O' clock in the night and kids woke me up  and telling me that they were hungry!!, I cooked up something and went back to bed again!!  I had an overdose of sleep I think, through all this I had completely forgotten about my resting dough in the fridge, so decided to make it the next day, without my knowledge I had rested my dough for 72 hours and the result was really amazing, that was an awesome pizza, Three of our friends from our group asked us to bake Pizzas, I chose Pam's recipe which she had adapted from 2 blogs one for Pizza crust and one for Pizza Sauce.

PIZZA TOPPING:
1 Small Green Pepper (Capsicum)
10 Olives
1 Small Yellow Pepper
1 Small Pink Onion
7 to 8 Vine Tomatoes
3 to 4 sprigs of Basil leaves
1 tsp Chilli flakes
1 tsp Italian Herbs
Salt to taste
Grated Mozzarella cheese
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading through many blogs and books,  when I first started baking pizza at home I used to bake with plain flour , then I started using Bread flour and mixture of flours for healthy baking, I have yet to use OO' grade flour, will surely do once I get hold on it and want to see the difference.  I have come to know that the Italians use this grade flour to make their pizza's!.
Coming back to this recipe, I too make the same kind of sauce changed it our family taste a bit, I made it a bit spicy so increased the chilli flakes,

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA SAUCE
Recipe Source: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/10/new-york-style-pizza-sauce.html

INGREDIENTS:
28oz / 3 Cups Peeled Tomatoes
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tbsp Butter
2 Cloves Garlic
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1 tsp Red Pepper flakes
1 tsp Red chili flakes
Salt as required ( If using tinned, there will be salt already so check before you use)
2 sprigs of Basil leaves
1 medium yellow Onion peeled
1 tsp Sugar

METHOD:

In a large bowl of water cook Tomatoes with their skin, after few minutes drain the water and keep aside, peel the skin of the tomatoes, chop and blend them in a food processor in a coarse consistency, It should not be very smooth,

Chop Onion and Garlic blend them to a coarse consistency, heat oil and butter in a deep pan add Red Pepper flakes, chilli flakes and dried oregano to this add coarsely blended Onion and garlic fry for few minutes stirring frequently keep an eye not to brown it but the raw smell disappears then add the coarsely blended Tomatoes stir well, to this blend add chopped Basil leaves and sugar, bring the flame to low and cook until it reduces to half for about an hour, season it with salt.

Once done store it in an airtight container stays well for 2 weeks.

THE BEST NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA
Recipe source: http://feelingfoodish.com/the-best-new-york-style-pizza-dough/

INGREDIENTS:
6 Cups ( 28 oz or 780 grms bread flour) All purpose Flour / Bread flour / OO' Grade Flour
2 and 1/4 cup (17.4 oz) water
1 tsp Instant dry yeast
2.5 tsp salt
3 tsp olive Oil

METHOD:
1.    I used only half of the Ingredients and made half the dough, I halved the recipe on everything even yeast.
I used 390 grms of flour, In a large bowl take yeast add couple of tbsp of warm water to activate it, within a few minutes you can see the bubbles, this is to make sure your yeast is active.
2.    Now to this add all the dry Ingredients mix well, Now add water enough to make it a dough consistency**  (see notes), then add oil and bring it to pliable dough, The dough actually will be a bit on the stickier side,  knead the dough for 4 to 5 minutes hand kneading if the dough is kept for 72 hours But, if you are using it the next day that is for 48 hours knead the dough 8 to 10 minutes.
3.    Add oil at the end and bring the dough together, I halved the dough into two then place it in a large bowl and cover it with cling film and leave it in the refrigerator for 48 hrs or 72 hours, I left mine for 72 hours.
4.    The day you are baking take it out of the fridge and leave it for 1 or 2 hours for it to come back to room temperature.
5.    Meanwhile preheat your oven with your pizza stone for an hour, at the highest temperature, she asks to preheat at 550 degree. I just kept my oven at Gas Mark 4 for almost 1 hour (I was a bit worried about my pizza stone as I did not how good it was).
6.     Once the dough comes to room temperature, take one part of the dough with help of flour flatten it on to a parchment paper by pressing it around flatten it out thinly using more flour.
7.     Take another piece of parchment paper sprinkle semolina*(see notes) on to it, then place the flattened dough on to the surface
8.    Apply pizza sauce on to the surface, get all your chopped veggies top them on the sauce then grate Mozzarella cheese on to it, spread evenly  on the topped vegetables.
9.    Slide prepared pizza spread on to the preheated pizza stone and bake pizza for 6 to 7 minutes, cheese starts melting, just keep an eye that it doesn't get burnt.
10.   what else to say, take it out, slice them out take a bite and Enjoyyyy...., !!!

NOTES:
Important thing always weigh your flour, as each brand is different from each other.
As I said earlier I had halved the recipe the water was a bit extra for my dough so had to discard a bit, but the dough was a bit stickier in consistency.
The author of this recipe says we had to heat the oven to 550 degree but my oven only Gas Mark 9.
I was watching a TV show in which Chef was saying sprinkling semolina on to the surface of the pizza base ensures nice crispy bottom

VERDICT: Pizza was totally awesome, the first one I made was only with Tomato sauce, I mean the pizza sauce with cheese, my kids really relished it, next day I made with veggies topped with cheese, kids were totally bowled out, they loved it very much..,
I have planed to try out the base with OO' grade flour and will update here soon enough.
Thanks to swathi and Pam for this wonderful recipe.

The post Thin Crust Best New York Style Pizza with Veg and Best Pizza Sauce appeared first on My Veg Fare.

PASTA, has become a part of our life these days, I prefer them than the ready made noodles, As I can cook it with loads of Ingredients and lots of vegetables.  You also get whole wheat Pasta which is really good, My kids have started liking them, Pasta is a staple food in Italy, which has become so popular all over the world, kids just love them.  When you are living abroad and if you are a vegetarian eating food in restaurants in limited and we always have pasta in our menu!,  My friends and family living here say that their children eat pasta more in nurseries / child minders, My sister's  daughter loves Indian food , but when you ask her what you want to eat she says can you make pasta ?,  My kids were not born here but they still like pasta, especially  twin daughter, I always have stock of them at home, they are made with whole wheat but you can also get whole meal brown pasta as well, which still is not her cup of tea.., I am still trying on that side... but I have not yet succeeded !!.
Pasta is basically eaten using sauces and pestos, It is so versatile you can change with whatever you prefer to eat.  This is one such pesto which is quite tasty .
I make different kind of pasta sauces and different types of pesto as well , I had to make this pesto again especially for this bread I baked.
Bread was so delicious and kids loved it.

SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 Cup Sun dried  chopped Tomatoes in oil ( minus the oil )
1/4 cup fresh Basil leaves
1 Fresh Red chilli
3 to 4 cloves of Garlic
7 to 8 Cashew nuts lightly toasted
1 tbsp Parmigiano Reggiano ( optional )*
1/2 tsp Salt
4 tbsp of Olive oil

METHOD:
Take out Sun dried Tomatoes from oil, chop them into pieces for easy grinding and drain them on a paper for few minutes, until the time you get your other ingredients ready.
I have said 1/4 cup that is around 20 to 25 leaves Basil leaves
Remove the skin from the Garlic
Toast cashew lightly on a dry skillet for a few minutes this helps in releasing its oil and also helps for staying longer when stored.
Toast Chopped fresh Red chilli in a tsp of oil for a few seconds, this helps in removing the moisture in it.
Take all the above said Ingredients in a food processor / Mixer and blend them with Olive oil adjust salt and puree them together.
Now our Sun dried Tomato Pesto is ready to rock...

VARIATION:
* I have used just one tbsp of Parmigiano Reggiano as my kids are not very fond of this cheese you can add an other 2 tbsp of this cheese.
You can use Pine nuts which is authentic, Almonds, Brazil nuts, Macadamia nuts too..
You can use Green chilli than the Red chilli
You can omit Fresh chillies and use 1 tsp of Pepper corns.

USES:
You can use it in making pasta, breads, Noodles, Bruschetta, Bread Toast, Frittata, Tarts etc..,

The post Sun Dried Tomato Pesto - Home made appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Hi everybody we are nearly in the end of our Bake-a-thon event, I can't believe that this is nearly going to end now, It was fun baking, I had planned so many things to bake but just with lots of things going on and also Christmas time & the dear flu which attacked me twice had changed things in my planned schedule, but anyway I did really enjoy the whole of the month, and me never in all the years of blogging so promptly posted all through the month, I should really thank Champa, Srivalli, Priya, Preethi, Sumana and Veena who all believed in me going to post every alternate for this whole month. Hope fully this will stay on and I will be able to participate in all the events which I have enrolled myself, which makes me blog, but still I am unhappy person, I have not been able to visit my friends from past week, hopefully I will have my own 'me' time so I can sit and enjoy all the blog posts from our dear bloggers. coming to this post....
I had bought this flour when I went to London last time, This is from the Wessex mill, the minute I saw the name I just loved it. I had baked a loaf of bread with a secret Ingredient using this flour, which I was planning to post actually couldn't find the photos, so I made these again as rolls but left out the secret Ingredient but used something else to make these soft rolls which my kids really enjoyed.. don't you want to know how I made it....
This flour has already got sun dried Tomatoes and Garlic in it, I did not have to add anything, but If you want to make it in an ordinary flour, you can chop some sundried tomatoes say around 1/4 cup drain out the oil if it is in oil and chop it finely or run it in a blender to a coarse consistency with  fresh garlic in the bread, or you can crush some garlic using pestle and mortar or garlic chopper, so go on read how I made this lovely bread...
Two things I added in this recipe was using fresh Yeast and Yogurt to make these rolls...

TOMATO AND GARLIC BREAD

INGREDIENTS:
425 gms Tomato and Garlic Bread flour (and some flour for dusting and for kneading - 25 grms)
15 gms Fresh yeast or 7 grms fast action yeast
300 ml water ( + another 2tbsp )**
2 tbsp of Yogurt
1 tbsp sugar
2 to 3 tbsp of Olive oil
1 tsp salt

METHOD:
In a large bowl with a quarter cup of tepid ( warm ) water dissolve the fresh yeast with a tsp of sugar, leave it for few minutes you can see the yeast bubbling up.  This helps us to know our yeast is still active.
Now to this yeast mixture add the other Ingredients except water, and mix well together until every is very well incorporated.
Now start adding water until you form a lovely soft dough.  Flour the surface of the cooking top and start kneading the dough for 10 minutes you can even checkout with a window pane test, that the kneading is enough.  After this knead oil the bowl and the dough, keep this back in the bowl cover it with a cling film and leave it to prove ( rise ).
After an hour or so, preheat the oven to 220 degree Fahrenheit /  Gas mark 7 before 1/2 an hour, keep a bowl with some hot water under the last rack.
Knock back the risen dough, and shape into either Loaf or Rolls and now leave it to prove again in that position. I made 9 Rolls.
Once they are back in shape brush the top with milk / give a egg wash , Bake in the middle rack of the oven for 20 minutes depending upon your oven temperature until the rolls are golden in colour.
Remove and allow it to cool on a cooling rack, after 5 minutes turn the rolls and leave the rolls directly on the cooling rack removing them from the tin / baking sheet, this helps in the rolls / loaves not becoming soggy at the bottom.
Enjoy these rolls with cheese and chutney or make a sandwich with a burger and enjoy with some herbs / cucumber / Tomatoes etc..,  tastes divine ..

NOTES: I always bake my breads / rolls on Gas mark 5 or 6  as my oven gets too hot and I baked it for 20  to 25 minutes.
My water level might be high comparably I do have more hydration in my dough, but knead it so well until it is soft and smooth, I dip my hands so whatever is stuck to my palm is all the flour I use for kneading.
Sorry for not posting a step-wise photo..
VARIATION: you can even add some herbs / spices etc..,
Hope you enjoy this...
Check out all my baking buddies for the lovely bakes you would enjoy....

The post Tomato & Garlic Bread appeared first on My Veg Fare.

This will be a very long post bear with me....EGGLESS WHOLE MEAL SPINACH, MUSHROOM CHEDDAR QUICHE

BASIC PIE DOUGH
Adapted minimally from Martha stewart
Makes 9 inch crust

INGREDIENTS:
1  and 1/4 Cup Whole meal flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
100 grms ( nearly 1/2 cup ) butter
6 tbsp ( nearly 1/2 cup around 100ml ) Cup cold water

METHOD:
Mix the flours, sugar and salt well together.
Chop the cold butter into pieces, mix them in a food processor, as I do not have one I used my spatula ( a hard one ) and mixed them as much as possible, you can even use your hands and flour resembles like crumbles to this dough start adding cold water I started of with 1/4 cup and then started adding tbsp of cold water until the flour became a dough!.  Do not handle the dough too much.
Place this dough in a plastic wrap and chill it again in your fridge for at least an hour, so the butter firms  up again. ( you can even keep it overnight )
After an hour or so, take it out, I used a cling film, I  first spread it on my table top then placed this firmed up dough  on top of it placed an other cling film covering it, so I won't be touching the dough, and rolled it thin as I needed an 9 inch crust, I had to take them out of the cling film as it was not big enough and rolled them again a bit more from the middle rolling it around for an even base.  Or you can lightly flour the surface and roll out the crust, as I did not want to add more flour I made it this way.

Butter the tart case thoroughly, Sprinkle some corn meal on the base. Lift the dough carefully and place it on the tart case and press them completely and trim of the edges if any.
Prick the base with a fork this makes the dough not puffing up then place a baking sheet and put some baking beans ( or Rice ) on top of them, then put it back into the fridge for an other half an hour to firm the butter again or until you make the filling.
Blind Bake this case in a oven at 190 degrees/ Gas Mark 6 for 20 minutes you can see the crust turning gold at the edges.
Remove it from the oven and place it on a wire rack,
I learnt a trick from a book that if you add hot oil ( olive or any oil ) on the base of the pie crust immediately after taking it out of the oven the  crust will not become soggy and firms up.., I can't remember which book, anyway I added 2 tbsp of hot oil on to the crust immediately after taking it out of the oven after removing the baking beans, then put it back again in the oven reducing the temperature to 180 degrees/ Gas mark 4 for a further 5 minutes ( you can even skip this and just add the filling and bake your quiche )
Check out this website for some cool ideas on how to bake a perfect pie crust with lot of variations

SPINACH AND MUSHROOM WITH CHEDDAR FILLING

INGREDIENTS:
250 grams Spinach
150 grms Mushrooms
2 Onions
2 garlic pods
1 tsp of Pepper powder
1/2 tbsp Italian dried herbs
1 and 1/2 tsp of Salt
1 Cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Creme fraiche
1 tbsp Chia seeds ( + 3 tbsp of Hot water )
1/2 Cup Milk
1 tbsp Arrow root powder

METHOD:
First step Soak Chia seeds in hot water for few minutes.

Next chop onions and  garlic.  Heat  2 tsp of oil add all the chopped ingredients and saute them.  Meanwhile wash and dry out the spinach with the help of a kitchen towel spreading the washed spinach on a towel, then chop them and chop Mushrooms too.., Once the onions become translucent add spinach and mushroom and saute them on a medium to high heat until they wilt away then sprinkle pepper powder, salt and Italian dried herbs mix well, and saute them. As veggies sometimes release water try to Sauté until it evaporates, actually it doesn't completely evaporate so not to bother.  Once done you can add 1/4 Cup bread crumbs, so it will absorb all the water. Take it out and allow it cool.

Meanwhile mix milk and arrow root powder and put it in a pan and cook it until it starts thickening, remove immediately when it is almost semi thick like a  sauce.
In a blender take  chia seeds, creme fraiche , and the above said sauce, blend them all well together, until it becomes like a thick creamy sauce.
Add this creamy sauce to the cooked spinach mix well, pour this onto the pre baked crust, add grated cheese on top of it and put it back in the oven and bake the quiche for a further 30 to 40 minutes until the quiche has a golden top.
Take out the quiche when done, leave it on a wire rack to cool down a bit then cut them out and serve them warm to enjoy with some salad leaves, Roast potatoes with ketchup or what ever you like.

Little Tips:
Take out the quiche when the middle is still soft this makes the quiche looks creamy custardy texture.
Check out Gayatri's Baking Eggless group round - up in her blog for a variety of baking eggless Quiches!

The post Eggless Whole meal Spinach & Mushroom Cheddar Quiche appeared first on My Veg Fare.

Rasam is such a comfortable food, that nobody would say No, I think.  I used to love Rasam from childhood, but still shouldn't tell lies right ?, Sometime I would love to eat it just like that but most of the time I would always demand that I need something to go with it, like vadam ( papads in different ways ), later stages I would go with some dry curry then on I still love eating it with Onions, Cucumbers or Tomatoes, and do you know one another thing I would love to eat Rasam with is Pulkas / Chapatis :)).  Oh! that's my favourite too.., writing this is making me nostalgic reminding me of how my Dad used to chop all the veggies in a plate and keep it in a designed pattern, he still does this to his grandchildren, My kids love to have food in my mom's house not just because it is paati's cooking ( Nan's cooking).  It is because how my Dad does these little things which is very interesting for them!!.
Coming back to this recipe.., A little twist to our authentic Rasam.
Check out my little tips for variations for this recipe.., hope you enjoy and try out and tell me how you like it...
Look at the Lovely colour of my Rasam..

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER ( RED CAPSICUM )  RASAM



INGREDIENTS:
1/4 Cup Tuvar Dal
1 Tomato
2 Red Bell Pepper
1 Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
2 tbsp thick Tamarind juice *
2 twigs of Curry leaves
2 to 3 tbsp of Coriander Leaves
2 tsp of Salt
1/4 tsp Sugar
2 to 3 tsp of Rasam Powder **
A pinch of Hing (Asafoetida )
1 lt of Water

SEASONING:
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tbsp of oil / Ghee
1/2 tsp Jeera /Cumin seeds

METHOD:
First of all wash the lentils - Tuvar Dal, and Tomato with a cup of water and a tsp of turmeric cook it in a pressure cooker up to 2 or 3 whistles.
Meanwhile apply a bit of oil on Red Pepper, Onions , Tomato and Garlic cloves ( do not remove the peel ). Keep all this on a meshed plate on the stove top.***, keep the flame in a medium flame and roast them turning them now and then until you feel that they are kind of roasted and cooked.
This can be noticed in different ways, do not roast it too much where the skin becomes too black, if it is a bit blackened here and there, it is fine.  Tomatoes starts oozing out the juice.
As I don't throw away the blackened bit, which is the one gives the roasted flavour to the Rasam.
Once you have done the roasted bit, take them out and allow them to cool down. Grind the cooled Roasted bit into a smooth paste.

Take the cooked Tuvar dal in a big vessel ( A vessel which fits around 1 and 1/2 lt of Water).
Add Tamarind Juice with 2 Cups of water and allow it to boil, for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the Ground paste and required quantitiy of  Rasam Powder, Asafoetida, salt and sugar.
Allow them to boil for further 3 to 4 minutes, then add the remaining water. Increase or Decrease the quantity of water according to your liking then add finely chopped Curry leaves and Coriander leaves. Bring to a low flame from medium flame.
In a small pan heat oil / Ghee, once hot add mustard seeds and cumin seeds , saute them when they splutter ****, switch of the stove add this seasoning to the Rasam.
Enjoy it with hot Rice and a dollop of ghee and with your favourite Dry curries . Papads  or Salads of Veggies....

Tips :
You can even omit Tuvar Dal if you do not want to use it.
* Tamarind Juice - If you are using fresh Tamarind use around 15 grms of tamarind flakes soaked in hot water  or In a microwave safe bowl, take Tamarind flakes and 1/2 cup of water and heat it for just 1 minute. It will be very hot, leave it for few minutes or if you want to use it immediately add 1/2 cup of cold water which brings down the temperature and allows you to squeeze the Tamarind juice or use the ready made one.
** If you do not have Rasam Powder try this powder which gives you a flavourful rasam.
 Quick Rasam Powder:
1 tbsp Coriander seeds,
1 tsp Cumin seeds, `
1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds,
1/2 tsp Black Pepper,
1/4 tsp Mustard seeds,
3 to 4 Curry leaves
5 to 6  Badgi chillies ( If you don't get Badgi chillies then get some Kashmiri chillies, which gives colour and some birds eye chillies according to your taste of spiciness/ hot you like )

METHOD: Heat a tsp of oil , first add fenugreek seeds when they turn golden in colour add the other Ingredients and fry all of them in a low flame, so they don't get burnt away and every thing fries as needed, Other wise you can fry each of them separately but use oil only once.  When cooled grind them into a smooth powder. use this instead of Rasam powder.
*** Meshed plate  is something like this I use.. (will post the photo soon )
**** Splutter - If you are new to seasoning be careful, you can close it with a lid otherwise, as they splutter haywire and it might hurt you .

I served this rasam with a simple Beetroot stir fry...

The post Roasted Red Bell Pepper / Capsicum Rasam ( Kind of thin soup ) appeared first on My Veg Fare.