Creamy Mushroom Soup

Creamy mushroom soup is a simple soup and made with fresh mushrooms, herbs, milk and broth. Though mushroom has numerous health benefits, mushroom soup should not be consumed in excess who require a low-sodium diet. Cream soups, in general, have more calories and fat than other soups.

Ingredients

• Mushroom - 1 cup, chopped into small pieces
• Chopped onion - 2 tbsp
• All-purpose flour - 1 tbsp
• Milk - 1 cup
• Chicken Broth - 1 cup
• Butter - 2 tsp
• Grated cheese - 1 tsp
• Olive oil - 2 tbsp
• Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
• Oregano and basil leaves - Few
• Salt - To taste

Method

1. Heat butter in a pan and add onion. Fry till it changes its color.
2. Now add mushroom and fry for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add chicken broth and salt and simmer the stove.
4. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a separate pan and add all-purpose flour. Mix well till it changes its color.
5. Add milk little by little and mix consistently to prevent formation of lumps.
6. Add oregano and basil leaves to this mixture.
7. Once it starts to boil, put off the stove and add this to the boiling chicken broth.
8. Add pepper and cheese and bring to boil.
9. Serve hot.

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Tofu Manchurian Dry

Tofu is one of the easiest and healthiest foods to cook. Tofu Manchurian dry is like any other manchurian dishes and goes well with fried rice. Those who hates tofu also loves this dish. I would suggest to prepare tofu, before trying this dish.

Ingredients

• Tofu - 200gms
• All-purpose flour (Maida) - 1/4 cup
• Corn flour - 2 tbsp
• Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
• Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
• Soya sauce - 1 tbsp
• Chilli sauce - 1 tbsp
• Tomato ketchup - 1 tsp
• Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
• Vinegar - 1 tsp
• Chopped ginger and garlic - 1 tsp
• Onion - 1, medium sized
• Cubed Capsicum, red and green - 1/2 cup
• Green chillies - 1, slit lengthwise
• Salt - To taste
• Oil - For frying

Method

1. Combine all-purpose flour, corn flour, chilli powder, ginger garlic paste, salt and water to make a slightly thick batter.
2. Mix cubed tofu pieces gently and marinate it for 15-30 minutes.
3. Deep fry until crisp.
4. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and add chopped ginger and garlic and saute for a while.
5. Add green chillies, chopped onion, capsicum and salt. Cook till its half cooked.
6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add soya sauce, chilli sauce, tomato ketchup, pepper powder, vinegar and mix well.
7. Now add this mixture to the pan and saute well.
8. Finally add the fried tofu pieces and mix till the pieces are well coated with the sauce.
9. Tofu Manchurian dry is ready to serve.

Tips

For better taste, press the tofu and extract the water before using it. This can be done by placing the tofu between the kitchen towels and set some heavy objects on the top and leave it for 30 minutes.

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Tofu Bhurji|Scrambled Tofu

Tofu or soybean curd has a low calorie count, large amounts of protein and little fat. It is also an excellent source of iron. Many don't like tofu when they first try it. Tofu can exceed the nutritional values of meats and hence a good substitute for meat for vegetarians. Tofu is a healthier alternative to paneer. You can try all the paneer dishes with tofu. Tofu bhurji/scrambled tofu is a quick and easy one such recipe. Make sure to prepare tofu before trying any tofu recipe.

Ingredients

• Tofu - 200g
• Onion - 1, medium sized
• Tomato - 1, medium sized
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Ginger paste - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - A pinch
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala - 1/4 tsp
• Crushed peanuts - 2 tbsp
• Oil - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - Few
• Salt - To taste

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and curry leaves.
2. Add ginger paste and fry for few seconds.
3. Add chopped onion and fry till it becomes translucent.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and cook till it gets mashed.
5. Add all the powders and salt and mix well.
6. Now add scrambled tofu and saute well.
7. After 5 minutes, add crushed peanuts and cook for a while.
8. Serve hot with Chapathi.

Tips

- I would recommend to use soft or silken tofu in this recipe as they tend to break easily.

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Mushroom Curry|காளான் குழம்பு

Mushrooms are known as the meat of the vegetable world. They contain more protein than most vegetables and are one of the few natural sources of Vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. They are low in calories and have no cholesterol. The vitamin content of mushrooms is actually similar to the vitamin content found in meat.

Mushroom Curry/Kalan kuzhambu is a popular south Indian recipe and tastes good with Idli, Dosa, Chapathi and Rice.

Ingredients

• Mushroom - 450g
• Onion - 1, medium sized
• Tomato - 2, large sized
• Cinnamon - 1 inch
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Ginger garlic  paste - 2 tbsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala - 1 tbsp
• Coriander powder - 2 tbsp
• Chicken masala - 1 tbsp
• Grated coconut - 3 tbsp
• Coriander leaves - To garnish
• Salt - To taste
• Oil

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions. Fry till it turns soft.
2. Add chopped tomatoes and cook till it gets mashed.
3. Add all the powders and saute well.
4. Add grated coconut and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Cool the mixture and grind it into a smooth paste.
6. Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add cinnamon and cumin seeds.
7. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for few seconds.
8. Now add the ground paste and add salt and water.
9. Once it starts to boil, add mushroom and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
10. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with dosa/rice.

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Pasta in White Sauce

Pasta is a staple food of traditional Italian Cuisine. Pasta is generally served with some type of sauce. In this recipe, white sauce is used. White sauce is made with butter and flour cooked in milk. Pasta is a low fat food and a good source of carbohydrates, protein, folic acid, iron and numerous other nutrients, making it a healthy diet for kids.

Ingredients

• Penne Pasta - 1 cup
• Milk - 1 cup
• Butter - 2 tbsp
• All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
• Carrot - 1
• Broccoli florets - 1/4 cup
• Sweet corn - 1/4 cup
• Capsicum - 1/2
• Garlic - 1 tbsp, finely chopped
• Oregano and dried basil - Few
• Grated Cheese - 3 tbsp
• Salt - To taste
• Pepper powder - 1 tsp
• Oil - 1 tsp

Method

1. Boil water in a vessel with salt and oil. Add pasta and cook as per the instructions in the packet. Drain the water and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a kadai and add garlic.
3. Saute garlic till it gives nice flavour and add the vegetables. Cook in medium heat and stir fry till the vegetables are cooked. Don't overcook them.
4. In a pan, melt the butter and add flour. Stir continuously till the flour changes color. Add milk and stir continuously to prevent formation of lumps.
5. When it starts to boil, add cheese, salt, pepper powder, oregano and basil leaves.
6. Cook till it thickens slightly. White sauce is ready.
7. To this sauce add vegetables and pasta. Add some water if required.
8. Simmer for few minutes till the pasta and vegetables are coated well with the sauce and garnish with grated cheese.

Tips

You can add vegetables of your choice. You can also add mushrooms, shredded chicken pieces or shrimp.
You can use Macaroni or any pasta varieties.

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Rava Ladoo|Semolina Ladoo

Rava laddu/Semolina ladoo is a delicious sweet recipe which is very popular and suitable for all occasions. It can also be used as a dessert for a party. It is made using rava/semolina/suji, cashewnuts and ghee.

Ingredients

• Rava/Semolina/Suji - 1 cup
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Ghee - 1/3 cup
• Cardamom - 2
• Cashewnuts - 1/4 cup

Method

1. Roast the rava in a pan in low flame for a while and grind into a powder using a blender.
2. Grind the sugar with the cardamom into a very fine powder.
3. Mix the powdered rava and sugar in a large bowl.
4. To this mixture, add roasted cashewnuts and mix well.
5. Heat the ghee and add to this mixture.
6. Stir well using a ladle.
7. When the mixture turns warm enough to handle, make small balls out of it.

Tips

- If the mixture is dry and couldn't able to make the balls, add some warm milk or ghee.

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