Barnyard Millet Curd Rice|Kuthiravali Thayir Sadam|குதிரைவாலி தயிர் சாதம்

Barnyard millet curd rice tastes delicious just like normal curd rice and even more healthy. 

India is the world's largest producer of millet. Millet is good for your heart health, guard yourself from diabetes, enhance your digestive system, decrease your chance of cancer, detox the body, increase respiratory health, enhance your defense mechanisms, improve your levels of energy, and enhance your muscle as well as nerve health.

Barnyard Millet Curd Rice

Ingredients

• Barnyard Millet - 1 cup
• Water - 3 cups
• Curd - 1 cup
• Milk - 2 cups
• Coriander leaves - to garnish
• Salt - as required

     For the seasoning

• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
• Urad dal - 1 tsp
• Asafoetida/Hing - A pinch
• Grated ginger - 1 tsp
• Green chilli - 1, finely chopped
• Curry leaves - Few

Method

1. Boil 3 cups of water in a sauce pan. 
2. Wash the millet and add to the boiling water. Water stops to boil after the millet is added. When the water boils again reduce to low flame. Add salt and cook until mushy.
3. Cool down and add milk to it. Mix and mash well without any lumps.
4. Then add curd and mix well. Adjust salt to taste.
5. Now heat oil in a small pan and add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start to splutter add urad dal and fry until light brown.
6. Add a pinch of hing, grated ginger, green chilli and curry leaves. Fry for few seconds.
7. Add the seasoning to the rice.
8. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with pickle.

Notes

- You can also garnish the dish with freshly grated carrot, roasted cashews and fresh fruits like grapes and pomegranate.

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Split moong dal Vada|Pasiparuppu Vadai|பாசிப்பருப்பு வடை

Moong dal vada is a deep fried snack which is made with  moong dal grinded and made into a batter and then deep fried into vadas. 

Split moong dal is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. It is easy to digest, protects and heals liver and is good immune system stimulant. They do not contain any fats, thus making them an ideal food for children and elderly.

Moong Dal Vada

Ingredients

• Split Moong dal/Pasiparuppu - 1 cup
• Onion - 1/4 cup
• Ginger - 1 tbsp, grated/chopped
• Green chillies - 1, finely chopped
• Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Gram flour - 1 tbsp
• Asafoetida - a pinch
• Cilantro - 1 tbsp, finely chopped
• Salt - To taste
• Oil - To deep fry

Method

1. Wash and soak moong dal in water for at least 3 hours.
2. Drain the water and grind into a coarse paste. Sprinkle some water while grinding if required.
3. Add finely chopped onion, ginger, green chillies, red chilli powder, gram flour, asafoetida, cilantro and salt to the batter. Mix well.
4. Heat oil in a pan. Deep fry the balls in medium heat until golden brown.
5. Serve hot with chutney/ketchup.

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Carrot Fry|Carrot Poriyal

Carrot Poriyal is a great healthy side dish for any rice varieties. I have not used coconut in this recipe but you can also garnish this poriyal with fresh grated coconut.

Increased intake of antioxidant-rich foods like carrots reduce cancer and cardiovascular disease risks. Carrots may also help with blood sugar regulation, delay the effects of aging and improve immune function.

Carrot Poriyal

Ingredients

• Grated carrot - 2 cups
• Onion - 1/2 cup, finely chopped
• Coriander leaves - To garnish
• Salt - To taste

     For the seasoning

• Oil - 1 tbsp
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
• Channa dal - 1/2 tsp
• Red chillies - 1, broken into half
• Curry leaves - Few

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
2. Once the mustard seeds start to splutter, add urad dal and channa dal. Fry until they turn light brown.
3. Add red chillies and curry leaves and saute for few seconds.
4. Add chopped onion and little salt. Cook until it turns soft.
5. Then add grated carrot and salt. Sprinkle some water and cook covered until it gets cooked.
6. Adjust salt to taste and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot.

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Broccoli Fry|Broccoli Poriyal

This tasty and healthy indian style broccoli fry is the perfect side dish to any main meal. 

Broccoli is one of the best health-boosting foods and it has numerous health benefits. Broccoli is one of the cruciferous vegetables and to receive the health benefits include broccoli as part of your diet at least 2-3 times per week.

Broccoli Fry

Ingredients

• Broccoli florets - 2 cups
• Onion - 1, medium sized
• Sambar powder - 1 tsp
• Garlic - 2 cloves, finely chopped
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 1 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 1 tsp

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
2. Once the mustard seeds start to splutter, add urad dal and garlic. Saute for a few seconds.
3. Add chopped onions and cook until soft.
4. Add sambar powder and salt and mix it well.
5. Now add the broccoli florets and sprinkle some water.
6. Cook for 5 minutes in medium heat and serve hot.

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Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

This flavorful and delicious strawberry-banana smoothie is very simple and easy to make, and perfect for a hot summer day. Fruit smoothies are the next best thing in case you skip your breakfast and will help you feel fuller, longer.

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries - 1 cup
• Banana - 1 medium sized
• Greek Yogurt - 3/4 cup (Strawberry flavored)
• Cold milk - 1 1/2 cups

Method

1. In a blender, place all the ingredients and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into 2 glasses and serve immediately.

Tips

- If you don't have greek yogurt you can also use plain yogurt. But the yogurt should be thick.

- You can also add frozen strawberries and banana to make the smoothies thick and cold.

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