Shanti's Home Cooking

 Capsicum Egg Pepper Fry Here is a  delicious capsicum and egg curry with a bite of pepper to add a zing to any meal. Easy and quick to make, using very few ingredients, try this curry with rice, pooris or rotis. The original super food, eggs are loaded with goodness. They contain protein, vitamins and minerals. The egg white contains most of the protein and the yolk contains  antioxidants, healthy fats , vitamins and minerals. Capsicum or Green Bell Peppers aid eye health and help reduce certain diseases. They contain anti oxidants and vitamins. Ingredients: 6 Eggs 1 Large Capsicum ( Diced into small pieces) 1 Onion diced into small pieces 1/2  Tsp Pepper powder ( adjust according to taste) 1 Tsp Chilli Powder 1/2 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste 1/4 Tsp Turmeric powder Salt to Taste 2 Tbsp Oil Let's get started: Boil the eggs for about 8 minutes ( Hard boil). When boiled, let them cool and remove the shell. Prick the boiled eggs all over with a fork. This allows the spices ...

 Black Eyed Peas Vada If you are looking for a delicious evening snack or a tasty addition to a lunch or dinner menu, try these Black Eyed Peas/ Beans Vada. Black eyed Peas or beans are also known as Lobia or Alasandalu. They are available fresh during the season. However, they are available through the year in a dried form. These Black eyes peas have to be soaked overnight and then cooked.  This delicious vada combines the nutrition of the Black eyed peas with green chillies, ginger, garlic and coriander. It is great to serve at any time of the day.  Black Eyed Peas/ Beans are  rich in fiber  and are packed with protein and numerous micro nutrients.  Ingredients: 1 Cup dried Black Eyed Peas/ Beans 3 Green Chillies 1/2 inch piece Ginger 5 Cloves of Garlic Salt to taste 1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder 1/2 Cup Finely chopped Coriander leaves 1 Tsp Chilli Powder 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds ( Jeera) Oil for deep frying Let's Get started: Wash and soak the Black Eyed Peas overnig...

 Black Eyed Peas Curry This is a mellow and nutritious curry made with Black Eyed Peas/ Beans , also known as Lobia, or Alasandalu. It uses very few spices and the addition of coconut milk gives it a creamy consistency. This curry goes well with both rice and roti.  Black Eyed Peas/ Beans are  fiber rich and packed with protein and numerous micro nutrients. Be sure to include it in your diet in any form. Ingredients: 1/4 Kg Dried Black Eyed Peas/ Beans/ Alasandalu/ Lobia - ( Washed and soaked overnight ) 1 1/2 Cups finely diced  Onions 1 Tomato ( finely chopped) 1/2 Cup thick Coconut Milk 1 Tsp Chilli Powder 1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder 1 Tsp Coriander Powder 2 pods Cardamom 2 Cloves 1/4 inch stick Cinnamon 1 Bay leaf 2 Tbsp Oil 3 Green Chillies - Slit lengthwise 1/4 Cup Chopped Coriander leaves Let's get started: Drain and wash the Black Eyed Peas/ Beans that have been soaked overnight. Pressure cook with three cups of water for two whistles. ( Once the pressure subsides...

 Kamsu Pitta Vadiyalu ( Quail Bird Cutlets) A recipe from my husband's village, that was considered a specialty is this Kamsu Pitta Vadiyalu. It is unique because of the fact that by nature the Kamsu Pitta or quail bird is very small and as such has very little meat. Making cutlets out of that was considered a unique dish, made for special guests. Quail is a good source of protein and minerals.    It is low in Sodium and rich in Vitamin B6, Iron and Zinc. Ingredients: 3 Quail Birds ( Cleaned and skin removed) 1 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste 1 Tsp Chilli Powder 1/2 Tsp Garam Masala Powder Salt to taste 1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder 1 Tbsp Fried Bengal Gram Dal ( Chutney Dal or Putnala Pappu) Oil for shallow frying Let's get started: Blend the fried Bengal Gram Dal to a fine powder. Sift it to ensure that there are no granular pieces remaining. Keep aside in a mixing bowl. Cut the Quail Birds into small pieces and pressure cook for three whistles with two cups water and Turmeric Powder...

 Veggie Noodle Soup On a cold winter night, when you want a heart warming , yet quick and filling meal, you could try this veggie filled delicious noodle soup. This is a versatile soup that can be made with any vegetable you have on hand. The colour and texture of the soup will vary depending on the ingredients you add to it. The spices used are minimal and can be adjusted according to taste or age of the people eating it. I have used corn, beans, carrot and spring onions. This provides great nutrition and fiber. The noodles provide a number of micro nutrients including iron, manganese and Vitamin B. Ingredients:  1 Cup Noodles ( Boiled and drained) 1 Tsp Butter 1 Cup Sweet corn kernels 1/2 Cup Tender Green beans ( Cut into small pieces) 1/2 Cup Carrots ( Cut into small pieces) 1/4 inch piece Ginger ( cut into fine julienne - match stick shape) Salt and pepper to taste Sauce of choice Let's get started: Take 1/2 cup of sweet corn and blend it to a paste. In a deep pan melt the...

 Coconut Rice  A simple , yet tasty Coconut rice to serve with spicy curries - either veg or non- veg. It also is a great addition to a festive Thali. It is a great lunch box rice dish that can be relished by young and old alike. It can be made with left over rice too. Ingredients: 2 Cups Cooked Rice 1 Cup Grated Fresh Coconut 4 Green Chillies - Slit lengthwise A handful of Cashew nuts 1/4 Cup Ground nuts Salt to taste 1/2 Cup Chopped Coriander leaves 2 Tbsps Ghee For Tempering: 1/2 Tsp Mustard Seeds 1/4 Tsp Cumin Seeds 5 Red Chillies 2 Sprigs Curry Leaves 3 Tbsps Oil Let's get started: Place the cooked rice in a large mixing bowl. Fluff up with a fork. In a pan, heat oil and on low flame, fry the cashew nuts till golden brown and keep aside. In the same oil, fry the ground nuts till light brown and fried through. To this add green chillies and fry for a minute and then add the ingredients for tempering and mix well. Fry till the seeds stop spluttering.   Add the temperin...

 Bellam Sunnundalu ( Urad Dal and Jaggery Laddus) If you are looking for a healthy guilt-free sweet for the festival season, look no further. This traditional Andhra sweet is made with three ingredients- Urad Dal, Jaggery and Ghee and is simple to make. Of course, one needs to be a bit patient while roasting the Urad Dal to get the perfect texture and taste. All three ingredients have great health benefits. Urad Dal is rich in soluble and insoluble fibre, which improves digestion. It improves bones, energy, strengthens the nervous system and aids diabetic control. Jaggery acts as a great detox  and helps prevent free radicals thus acting as an anti aging agent. It is also used to aid digestion and to prevent constipation.for hair and skin. Ghee has anti inflammatory properties and is said to contain cancer fighting agents. It also is a great moisturizer  Put together, the three form a great combination . Ingredients: 1 cup Urad Dal 3/4 cup Jaggery 1/2 cup Ghee Let's get s...

  Pasta Salad with Sautéed Vegetables   This is a light salad filled with the goodness of veggies. It is versatile and can be made with many combinations of vegetables and dressings. In this recipe, I’ve used Fusilli pasta. You may use any pasta of your choice. All the goodness and health benefits of vegetables can be served through this colorful salad. Ingredients: For The Salad: 1 Cup Fusilli Pasta ½ Cup Diced Cucumber 1/4 Cup Diced Capsicum ( Green Bell Pepper) ¼ Cup Sweet Corn ( Boiled) 1 Tomato Diced 2 Boiled Eggs 3 Tbsps Thousand Island Dressing ( Or Mayonnaise) Salt to taste ¼ tsp Pepper For the Sautéed Vegetables: 1/2 Cup Carrots ( Cut into Juliennes) ½ Cup Green Beans ( Cut into 1 inch pieces) Salt to taste Oregano 1 Tsp Butter   Let’s get started: For the Sautéed Vegetables: Blanch the carrots and beans in hot boiling water for five minutes. Remove and wash in cold running water. Drain and keep aside. In a pan , he...

  Potato Curry This is a tasty curry of slow cooked potatoes and onions. The spices blend well with the potatoes and the result is a mouth-watering curry that tastes awesome with hot rice and ghee. Ingredients:   ½ Kg Potatoes 2 Cups Diced Onions ½ Tsp Turmeric Powder 1 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste 2 Tsps Chilli Powder 2 Tsps Coriander Powder 1 Tsp Garam Masala Powder 1 Tsp Cumin Powder Salt to Taste 4 Tbsps Oil Let’s get started: Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut into small cubes. Heat oil in pan and add the potato cubes and fry on high heat till the potatoes are heated through. Lower flame to low and cook covered till partially cooked. Add salt, turmeric and diced onions and mix well. Cook covered on low heat ill the onions are translucent. Mix occasionally. Don’t add any water. The potatoes and onions will cook in the moisture released and in the oil. Add the ginger garlic paste, chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder ...

 Jantikalu ( Murukku) This crunchy snack is a family favourite. Great as an evening snack, or for any time one feels a little hungry. It is also a very nice snack to make for festivals. With simple ingredients and minimal spices, this is quite easy to make and delicious to eat. The secret of the unique taste lies in the roasted and powdered Urad Dal. Ingredients: 1 Cup Rice Flour ¼ Cup or 3 Tbsps Urad Dal ¼ Tsp Chilli Powder A pinch of Hing Salt to taste 1 ¼ Tsp White Sesame seeds ( Til Seeds) ¼ Tsp Ajwain or Vaamu ( Carom Seeds) 2 Tbsps Ghee 10 to 12 Tbsps of Water – add as required, not in one lot Oil for deep frying Let’s get started: On very low heat, dry roast the Urad Dal, stirring all the time, till it becomes light golden brown. Do not increase the flame or the Urad Dal will burn and will have to be thrown away. Remove to a flat plate to cool. When completely cool and totally dry, grind in to a fine powder.   Keep aside. Take a fine siev...

 Potato and Capsicum Quick Fry Here is a simple and no- fuss fry that one can whip up in a few minutes. The simplicity does not make it any less delicious. A very light curry with few spices, this one is great as a side dish with rice or pulkas. It is a great change from heavy and spicy dishes. Made with Potatoes, Capsicum and Tomato, one can add other vegetables as per choice or availability. Peas, Carrots or Caulifower can be added. Potatoes are gluten free and rich in nutrients and vitamins. They contain minimal fat, sodium or cholesterol. Capsicum is an excellent source of fiber and vitamins.  Ingredients: 1/2 Kg Potatoes 1/4 Kg Green Bell Peppers ( Capsicum) 2 Large Tomatoes 1 Cup Diced Onions 1 Bay Leaf 1/2 Tsp Turmeric 1 Tsp Chilli Powder 1/2 Tsp Garam Masala Powder Salt to taste 10 Kernels Cashewnuts 4 Tbsps Oil Let's get started:  Wash and peel the Potatoes. Cut into small cubes. The smaller they are, the quicker they cook. Wash and cut the Capsicum into small di...

 Methi Dal ( Menthikura Pappu) A wholesome , yet simple dish filled with nutrition and flavour is this Methi Dal. Nothing tastes better than having hot rice, Methi Dal and a good dollop of ghee with, of course, a helping of pickle. The   combination of the slightly bitter Methi leaves and the sweetness of Tur Dal ( Kandi Pappu) makes this dish very delicious. It is quick to make and is loved by people of all ages. This dish can be made with many variations - Tur Dal, Moon Dal or Masoor Dal can be used and Methi Leaves can be replaced by Spinach or other leafy greens ( Palakura or Thota Kura). All taste equally delicious. Tur Dal is a great way to include protein in your diet. It also is a power house of healthy carbs and is said to promote weight loss. This Dal is an integral part of Indian menus all over the country. Methi leaves is known for its numerous health benefits. It is a strong anti oxidant, promotes bone health and heart health and is said to prevent anaemia. I...

 Gur Papdi or Sukhdi In my quest to search for simple sugar free sweets to make at home, I chanced upon this Gujarati sweet called Gur Papdi. Also known as Gol Papdi or Sukhdi, this is a winter sweet using just 3 main ingredients. The fourth and fifth are optional.  It uses Jaggery, Wheat flour and Ghee- all three easily available at home. If one wishes, one could add Cashew pieces and Cardamom powder, but these are purely optional and the Gur Papdi tastes great even without them. This Gur Papdi has a very crumbly texture and just melts in the mouth. Rich in minerals and containing fewer calories than sugar, Jaggery is loaded with minerals and is recommended for people suffering from Anaemia. Wheat is high in nutrients and fiber and has a number of health benefits including lowering risk of obesity, and heart disease. Taken in moderation , Ghee contains cancer fighting CLA and has anti inflammatory properties and is great for healthy skin and hair.  Ingredients: 1 Cup...

 Fish Cutlets For sea food lovers who crave variety, this is a dish that will not disappoint. Tasty and easy to make, this is a great way to include fish in your kid's diet- even the most fussy eaters will relish this. This dish can be made with any type of fish - sea or river. The health benefits of eating fish is well known to all. Filled with Omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, minerals  and Vitamins D and B2, eating fish at least twice a week is recommended as part of a healthy diet. Ingredients: 1/4 Kg cleaned Fish (cut into pieces) 2 Tbsps roasted Bengal Gram Dal ( The one we use for chutney) Salt to taste 1 Tsp Turmeric 1 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste 1 Tsp Coriander Powder 3/4 Tsp Garam Masala Powder 1/2 Cup finely diced Onions Oil for shallow frying Cashew nut halves equal to the number of cutlets Let's get started: Powder the roasted Bengal Gram Dal into fine powder. Sift it so there are no granules left.  Wash the fish pieces well.  In a pan, pour 1 cup water and add ...

 Egg Curry One of the easiest and most tasty dishes to make is Egg curry. This can be made quickly and adds a completeness to even the simplest of meals. Easy to digest, eggs are loved by all. One of the most nutrient rich food products is the humble egg. It is extremely rich in Vitamins, Iron, Iodine and Phosphorous. It is very versatile and can be cooked in a number of ways and to suit every palate and cuisine. Be sure to include eggs in your daily diet. Here is an easy egg curry.  4 Eggs - ( Hard boiled for 8 minutes and peeled) 2  Onions ( Diced) 1 Large Tomato ( Diced) 1/2 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste 1 Tsp Chilli Powder 1 Tsp Coriander Powder 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder or Sabzi Masala Powder Salt to Taste 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder 3 Tbsps Oil + 1 Tsp Oil For Tempering: 1 Sprig Curry Leaves 4 Cloves Garlic Let's get started: Blend the onion pieces and Tomato pieces in a Mixer to a fine paste.  Boil the eggs and peel the shell. With a fork, prick the boiled eggs all ov...

  Veg Bullets When hunger pangs strike, what better snack than crisp Veg Bullets? Filled with loads of veggies, this versatile dish potato based dish can be made with any combination of accompanying veggies – Peas, Carrots, Sweet Corn, Capsicum, Cabbage –in fact,   whatever you have on hand. If you don’t want to deep fry the bullets, you may shape them into cutlets and shallow fry them, or use an air fryer. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. Most vegetables are low in fat and calories. Fiber in veggies helps lower cholesterol, risk of heart disease and aids digestion. This is a great way to include vegetables in your kid’s diet. It is also a yummy snack that few can resist.   Ingredients: For the Veg Bullets: 2 Large potatoes Boiled, peeled and mashed 1 Capsicum – Finely diced 1 Small Carrot – Finely diced 2 Green Chillies - Finely diced ½ Cup Coriander leaves - Finely diced Salt to taste A pinch Turmeric ...

Ridge Gourd and Channa Dal Curry ( Senaga Pappu Beerakai Kura) A simple curry that's really delicious yet very nutritious is this combination of Ridge Gourd and Channa Dal ( yellow split chick peas). This side dish gives variety to a meal in taste and colour. It needs time to cook and one should plan this when one has time.  Channa Dal is an excellent source of fiber and plant based protein, and contains many nutrients. Ridge gourd  is an extremely fibrous vegetable packed with Vitamin C and many minerals. Since it contains a lot of water, it is said to aid weight loss. Ingredients: 1 Kg Tender Ridge Gourd 1/2 Cup Channa Dal ( Washed and soaked for 20 minutes) 1/2 Cup Onions ( diced fine) 1 Tbsps Oil 1 Tsp Chilli Powder 1 1/2 Tsp Dhania Powder ( Coriander powder) Salt to taste A pinch of turmeric For the tempering: 1 Tbsp Oil 1/2 Tsp Mustard seeds 2 Dry Red Chillies 1 sprig Curry Leaves Let's get started: Pressure cook the washed and soaked Channa Dal with 3 cups of water for ...

Mutton Pulao This is a typical East Godavari (Andhra Pradesh) Mutton pulao. It is a simple one pot meal that warms the soul. We eat it with raita as it doesn’t really need any accompaniments. The small onions in it are slightly mushy and give great flavor to the pulao. It serves two or three people. Mutton contains high quality protein, Vitamins and Minerals. It promotes muscle growth and prevents anemia. Ingredients: 6 small sized Onions (Lime sized) ( Not Sambar onions) ½ Kg Mutton (with bones) cut in to 2 inch pieces ½ Tsp Turmeric Powder ½ Tsp Salt 1 Glass Basmati Rice 3 Cloves 3 Cardamoms 1 inch piece of Cinnamon 5 slit Green Chilies Two dry Bay leaves 1 bunch fresh Mint leaves 4 Tbsps Ginger Garlic paste 1 cup diced Onion Salt to taste 1 Tbsp Coriander powder 1 Tbsp Garam Masala Powder 4 Tbsps sunflower refined Oil 3 Tbsps Coconut Milk Powder ( or milk extracted from 1/2 coconut) 2 Tbsps chopped Coriander leaves 2 Tbsps Ghee Let's get...

Carrot and Beans Curry When you want to have a simple and light meal, this Carrot and Beans curry ( also called Poriyal) , is a great option. It is simple and quick to cook and very light on the stomach. A very healthy option , this curry uses just a tsp of oil and very minimal spices. Carrot is great for eye and skin health. It aids weight loss and regulates digestion. Carrots are known to lower blood pressure and boost immunity. Green beans are a good fibrous low-calorie food that are rich in nutrients like Vitamin C, Folate and Vitamin K , that help build healthy bones, hair and skin. Ingredients: 1/4 Kg Carrots 1/4 Kg Green Beans ( Choose tender beans ) 3/4   Cup Grated Fresh Coconut Salt to Taste 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder For tempering: 1 Tsp Oil 1 Tsp Mustard seeds 4 Dry Red Chillies 2 Sprigs Curry Leaves A pinch Asafoetida ( Hing) Let's get started: Cut the Carrots and Beans into even sized small pieces. Boil them with 1/2 cup of water , salt to taste and Turmeric powder...

Kamsu Pitta Fry ( Quail Bird Fry) One of the most unique dishes of Andhra is the Kamsu Pitta Fry. Kamsu Pitta is known in English as Quail Bird. These birds can be cooked whole or cut into bite sized pieces ( as I have done in this recipe). Since the birds are very small and tender, there is very little meat and one has to chew them with the bones. Quail is a good source of protein and minerals.   It is low in Sodium and rich in Vitamin B6, Iron and Zinc. Above all, it is very tasty. Ingredients: 2 Quail Birds ( Kamsu Pittalu) – ( Without skin and cut into bite sized   pieces) 1 Cup diced onions ( made into a paste in the blender) 1 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste 1 Tsp Chilli Powder ½ Tsp Turmeric 1 Tsp Dhania Powder ( Coriander Powder) ½ Tsp Garam Masala Powder 3 + 1 Tbsps Oil ( I used Sunflower refined oil) 3 Cloves Garlic 1 Sprig Curry Leaves Let’s get started: Heat a pan and pour in 3 Tbsps Oil. Add the Onion paste, Turmeric powder and salt and fry...

Methi rice (Fenugreek Leaves Rice)   This nutritious recipe from my sister’s kitchen is delicious and can be whipped up in a jiffy.   Methi leaves are strong antioxidants, promote heart and bone health, aid digestion and are said to prevent anaemia.    Since Methi leaves have many health benefits they should be included in your weekly diet plan. They have a slightly bitter taste that lends a unique flavor to any dish they are added in.   This recipe makes good use of this power packed nutritious leaf.   Ingredients:   2 cloves ( Lavang) ½ inch piece Cinnamon 3 pods Garlic – chopped 2 Green Chillies – slit length wise 1 cup Methi leaves ( Fenugreek leaves) – Washed well and chopped finely 2 Onions – Sliced fine ½ Tsp Ginger Garlic paste ½ Tsp Jeera powder ( Cumin Powder) 1 Tsp Biryani Masala  ( Any store bought brand) Salt to taste 3 Cups Cooked Rice Juice of 1 Lime 2 Tbsps Oil or Ghee 10 Cashew Ker...