Mom's Recipies

Methi Theplas are one of the popular gujarati meals. We can have it in breakfast ,lunch ,dinner, traveling and for picnics! It stays good for 2-3 days  if handled properly . It can be  eaten with curds , pickels and chunda. Methi Theplas can be enjoyed hot or otherwise. Methi Thepla is one of my family favorite and made regularly in my home.

Ingredients:-

2 cups whole wheat flour (gehun ka atta)
1 cup besan ( bengal gram flour)
1 cup chopped methi (fenugreek)
1 tsp - Chili-Ginger Paste
1 tsp - Cumin Powder
1 tsp - Coriander Seeds Powder
1 tsp - Til (sesame seeds)
1/2 tsp Ajwain (carom seeds)
1 tbsp oil
3/4 cup  curds (dahi)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tsp chilli powder
salt to taste
whole wheat flour (gehun ka atta) for rolling
oil for kneading and cooking



Method :-

 
1) Rinse well and  pluck and roughly chop methi leaves .


2)  In a large bowl add  wheat flour, besan, cumin powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, chili-ginger paste, sesame seeds,carom seeds,salt, oil and methi leaves mix well to combine everything.


 
3)  Add curd and knead to smooth dough, add  very little  of water if required.


4) Knead the dough well using a little oil. Cover and keep aside for 10 minutes.


5)  Divide the dough into equal portions and roll out each portion into a 5" diameter circle using whole wheat flour for rolling.



6)  Heat a non-stick tava (griddle) and cook each circle, using a little oil, till it turns golden brown in colour from both sides.




7)  Serve hot with chunda or mango pickle or curd..

This savoury french  toast  is best option if you don't eat egg (or even if you eat egg) .It is quick , easy  , delicious and yummy option for breakfast or for evening snacks.  It can be done in less than 15 minutes . It  is also good option for kids snack or Lunch  Box  . My daughter loves it very much.

Ingredients:-

    Bread - 8 slices
    Bombay Rava(Sooji) / Semolina - 1cup
    Yogurt /curd - 1 cup
    Onion   - 1 (chopped)
    Red chilli powder - 2 tsps
    Coriander leaves  - 4 tsps (chopped)
    Turmeric powder -  1/2 tsp
    Chat masala  - 1 tsp
    Ghee  / Butter to toast
    Salt - to taste


Method : - 

1. Cut the bread slices into half and keep aside.


2.Mix all the above rest of the ingredients except ghee and make a semi thick batter.



3.Add a little water if  it is too thick. The mixture should be of spreading consistency.



4.Heat a tawa or pan on low medium flame .
5.Take a  bread slice and apply  a spoon full of the batter on both  the sides  or Dip the bread in prepared batter both the sides to coat well with batter and place it on the heated tawa or pan.



6. Add a little  ghee or butter  on both the sides and toast it .Once it gets toasted on one side, flip and toast the bread slices on other side till its golden brown on both the sides.



7.Do the same with the remaining slices of bread.
8. Easy delicious  Savory French Toast is ready.



9. Serve with tomato sauce or tomato ketchup or Green Chutney or anything else of your choice. .

This Aloo cheese sandwich makes a hearty breakfast.Its very easy to make and very yummy to taste. Kids like it very very much. You can make it for Kid's Lunch box ,for evening snacks or for picnics also.

Ingredients :-

    6 Slices of brown bread or white bread or
    3 medium size potatoes (Boiled )
    1 tsp chaat masala
    1/2 tsp red chilli powder
    1/2 tsp cumin powder/jeera powder
    1/2 tsp coriander powder /Dhania powder
    1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
    3 cheese slices or grated cheese or   cheese spread
    Butter / Ghee to brush
    Salt to taste

Method:-

1) First boil potatoes ,peel off and mash or grate them properly.
2) Add chaat masala, red chili powder, cumin powder,coriander powder,salt and chopped coriander to the mashed potatoes.


3) On slices of bread, apply butter on one side.


4) Now on other side apply cheese spread on both bread slices or top up with some grated cheese or place a cheese slice on the bread.


5) Apply the mashed potato mixture on top of the cheese.




6) Cover with another buttered bread slice.
7) Toast or grill the sandwich till browned and crisp.
8) Heat a griddle.Now grease the griddle with little butter and place sandwich on it.


9) Cook on medium low heat .Flip the sandwich and cook till both sides turn brown and crisp.
or
10) You can also make the sandwich in the sandwich toaster or in the grill.




11) Yummy Sandwich are ready to serve.Cut the sandwich diagonally.


12) Serve Aloo toast cheese sandwich with green chutney or tomato ketchup.

Tomato Cheese Pasta is absolutely a kids friendly recipe and perfect for lunch box. My daughter likes this very much.Its very easy to make.
              This delicious Tomato Cheese Pasta is  good and healthy  for kids lunch box. I am delighted to be sending this recipe to Indusladies Kids Lunchbox Recipes Book Event. 

                                                            
Ingredients :-


    1 cup pasta (you could use any pasta here,macaroni , long, thin, short, tube,Garden Rotini pasta )
    2 tbsp butter
    1 medium onion paste
    1 cup Tomato paste
    1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
    1/4 cup frozen peas and corn (optional)
    1 tsp oregano powder
    2 tbsp tomato ketchup /tomato sauce
    salt to taste
    1 tsp Black pepper
    1/2 cup grated cheese 
    1/4 cup water or milk



Method:-

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
Or In a boiling water add salt & oil.Boil pasta for about 5-10 mins till it becomes soft.Drain them in a sieve and pass it through running waters so that they do not stick with each other.Keep it aside.

2. Heat the butter in a broad non-stick pan, add onions paste and ginger garlic paste and saute on a medium flame for 2 minutes till onion paste become transparent.


3. Add tomatoes paste and saute on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes.


4. Add frozen peas and corn.Saute for a minute.


5. Then add salt and pepper powder.Mix well and cook .
6. Add the cooked pasta and mix well.


Add water or milk .Add oregano powder.



Then add tomato sauce. Toss gently and cook on a medium flame for another 2 to 3 minutes.



7.Sprinkle the grated cheese or any cheese  over it.


8. Put a dish over it and cook it closed stirring in between till the cheese melts and the mixture thickens slightly.Let this mix well nicely and the sauce gets infused into the pasta.
9.Switch off the flame in 2 minutes.
10.The yummy Tomato cheese pasta is now ready to serve or ready for lunch box !!!
Serve warm.


Tips :-

1.You can also use store bought pasta sauce instead of tomato sauce.
2.You can also use Italian seasoning or basil etc.

 

Vermicelli / Semiya is one such ingredient which cooks fast and can be made in no time. Vermicelli /Semiya Pulao is a quick and easy breakfast dish .. We can add many vegetables to make it rich. The flavor of vegetables cooked with semiya and whole garam masala along gives a favorable and divine taste to this dish.
                      This delicious Vermicelli Pulao / Semiya Pulao is  good and healthy  tiffin for kids lunch box. I am delighted to be sending this recipe to Indusladies Kids Lunchbox Recipes Book Event. 

                                                            
           
Ingredients :-

    Vermicelli /Semiya - 2 cups,(roast in 2 tsps ghee on low flame ) till golden brown
    Onion - 1, large, chopped
    Carrot - 1, medium , peeled and diced
    Potato - 1, medium , peeled and cubed (optional)
    Green peas - 1/4 cup (I used Frozen one)
    Green chillies -2
    Bay leaf - 1(optional)
    Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
    Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
    Cloves - 2
    Cinnamon stick - 1"
    Green cardamom - 1
    Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp
    Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
    Turmeric powder - 1/8tsp
    Ginger-garlic paste - 1tsp
    Oil - 1 tbsp
    Ghee - 1 tbsp
    Water - 3 1/2 cups
    Cashews - 8(broken)(optional)
    Salt to taste
    Coriander leaves for garnish

Method:-


 First wash and chop the onions, carrot ,potatoes and other vegetables which you are using.


Heat a pan or heavy bottomed vessel and add 2 tsps ghee and roast the semiya on low or medium flame till it turns golden brown color.Remove semiya in a plate.


Heat ghee +oil in same pan , once its hot, add cinnamon stick, caradamom, cloves and bay leaf and saute for few seconds. Add  mustard seeds . When mustard seeds start popping add cumin seeds and allow to splutter.
Then add chopped green chillies.


Add chopped onions and saute till onion becomes transparant .
Then add ginger garlic paste and saute for 10 seconds.
Add mixed vegetables and stir fry on medium flame and saute for 8-10 mins till all vegetables are cooked. Add green peas and stir well.



Add water to the cooked vegetables along with salt to taste.Add  Turmeric powder ,Garam masala powder ,coriander powder,  and mix well.


When water starts to boil add roasted semiya and give quick stir.
Reduce the flame, place lid and cook till the semiya and vegetables are completely done.
Remove lid and mix well.
Remove the semiya pulao to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves.




The Delicious Semiya /Vermecilli Pulao is now ready to serve or ready for lunch box !!!
Serve with Raitha or can be eaten itself.