Chocolate Brownies

I have been wanting to bake a chocolate brownie since a very long time. I am aware its not a healthy option, however I am planning to adapt it to a healthy option soon, so stay tuned. For my first time, it was a great success and turned out exactly how I like it-fudgy on the top!

Wholemeal Pumpkin Cake

I have been wanting to try a wholemeal cake since a long time, having known the negatives of refined flour. Finally got down to it with terrific results! The pumkin having enriched the cake with its benefits makes the wholemeal pumpkin cake a recommended snack for kids and adults. As I prepare this post, there is none of the cake left at home... all of it completely relished!

Ingredients-

1cup wheat flour

1cup grated pumpkin

1cup salted butter

3/4cup sugar

3 eggs

1tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves

Preparation-

• Sift flour and baking powder 3 times.
• Beat the eggs and keep aside.
• Cream the sugar and butter. Add the rest of the ingredients in.
• If the consistency is too thick add some warm milk.
• Grease a baking tray and fill in the contents.
• Bake in a preheated oven or microwave at 200 for 40 minutes. Then at 170 for 15 minutes.
• Leave to stand for 20 minutes.
• Cool completely before taking off the pan and cutting into slices.
• Serve and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Crepes

Sweet Potato Crepes have been a hit in my home, eversince I first tried them. I have been wanting to blog on it since a long time. However they would all be wallopped faster than I had a chance to photograph them. The soft and fluffy nature of these crepes allows them to be used as a Baby's First Foods and also as a good breakfast option for the family. I have found that sweet potatoes and jaggery make a great combination.Superfood Sweet Potato.

Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Cream of Mushroom Soup blended in milk is a rich and nutritious option for kids and adults alike. Exclude the mushroom garnish and you can introduce it to your baby as one of the first foods. You can relish it yourself as a good prelude to a meal.

Mac and Cheese (Macaroni and Cheese)

Macaroni, macaroni, mac and cheese..... My son keeps singing this song from Barney and friends. A very common dish with many variations. I have prepared mine keeping in mind the fussy eater who needs to be placated with a variety of tastes. I have used elbow mac, do use any shape that your kid loves.

A little about the Cheddar cheese used in this preparation-

Cheddar cheese is firm and made from cow's milk. It is a good source of vitamin B12. A slice (40 g) contains about 0.5 µg of vitamin B12 (required daily intake for an adult is 2.4 µg). It is usually pale yellow(off white) in colour with a sharp, salty, pungent flavour.

Ingredients-

2 cups elbow macaroni
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 onion chopped
2 tomatoes chopped
3 flakes garlic crushed
salt to taste
freshly ground pepper

Cheddar Cheese sauce-

1 1/2 tbs butter
1 1/2 tbs flour
1 cup milk
1tsp freshly ground pepper
1 cup grated Cheddar
salt to taste
To prepare macaroni-

• Boil macaroni in water and strain. Add cold water and strain again.
• In a pan heat oil, and saute garlic and onions.
• Add tomatoes and cook till juices blend.
• Add the macaroni and mix well. Take it off the fire.

To prepare Cheddar cheese sauce-

• Melt the butterand remove from heat.
• Stir in flour and seasonings.
• Gradually add milk, stirring until well mixed.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth.
• Cook for 5 minutes longer; add cheese. Stir until its smooth.

For Baking-

• In a baking tray, spread a layer of the macaroni mixture and over it a layer of the sauce.
• Keep adding layers alternatively making sure the last layer is of the sauce.
• Layer some grated cheese and freshly ground pepper on the top.
• Bake at 200 C for 10 minutes.
• Leave to stand for 5 minutes and serve hot.

Mozarella Cheese Cutlets

As a family all of us are cheese-crazy! This has led me to research and experiment with different kinds of cheese.

Lapsi/Broken Wheat Porridge

Lapsi/ Broken Wheat porridge is another precious one in the baby's first foods collection that I have learnt from my mom's kitchen. Lapsi being a cereal can also be taken for breakfast by older kids and adults alike. It can be served sweet or otherwise according to the taste preference. The cumin/jeera powder will enhance the digestion in both versions(sweet or non-sweet).

Health Benefits of Beetroot

BEETROOT is a vegetable that provides nutrients from both roots and leaves.

Nutrients- The beetroot greens are rich in calcium, iron, Vitamins A and C. The beetroots are a very good source of fibre, manganese and potassium and an excellent source of folic acid. Both the greens and roots are a good source of phosphorous, magnesium, iron and Vitamin B6.

Blood Circulation-When you think beetroot, you think red - Blood red! Yes this vegetable can do wonders for your blood circulation. The presence of iron and magnesium helps in blood production, thus proving beneficial for aneamia. Research suggests that drinking 500ml of beetroot juice a day significantly lowers blood pressure. Researches found that the blood pressure was reduced in healthy volunteers within an hour of drinking the juice.

Bowel- The high fibre content in beetroot acts as a laxative and promotes bowel movement.

Cardiovascular- The fibre again has cholestrol lowering capacities and keeps the heart in good condition.

Cancer- The pigment in beetroot increases cell levels and aids cell growth, thus working well in any degenerative disease like Cancer or Alzheimer.

Liver- The bioactive agent betaine in beetroot supports healthy liver function. The fats are broken down efficiently thus preventing fatigue and nausea.

Stamina- The nitrates present have shown to increase stamina. Studies have shown that consumption of beetroot have helped in performing better in physically strenuous execises.

For the maximum benefits of beetroot it is best consumed raw rather than cooked.
You can also try

Beetroot Paratha

Beetroot Cutlets

Beetroot Paratha

The beetroot paratha stands out for its bright red colour as the strong colour of the vegetable. Considering all the health benefits of beetroot, this is an easy way of getting your kid to eat them. I have added the step of grinding the beetroot into a fine paste so that little kids who dont like to chew can eat it easily, this step can be ommitted if you are preparing it only for older kids and adults. A recommended dish to include in the family diet on a regular basis.

Ingredients-

For stuffing

2 beetroots

2 tbs paneer/cottage cheese

1tsp jeera/cumin powder

salt to taste

pepper

For roti

1cup wheat flour
water to mix
pinch of salt

Preparation-

• Wash clean the beetroots, peel and grate.
• Then run i the grated beetroot in the blender in batches to get a fine paste.
• Put this paste on pan, add the cumin powder and cook till the water is absorbed and the paste is relatively dry.
• Add the paneer, salt and pepper. Mix well and take off the fire. Your stuffing is ready.
• Roll out 2 rotis. Spread the stuffing evenly on one roti.
• Place the other roti over it and press the edges firmly.
• Heat the girdle and fry both sides.
• Top with ghee or butter and serve hot.

Jackfruit Payasam/Kheer

Jackfruit payasam on the occassion of Onam! The aroma of jackfruit makes the fruit simply irresistible. This kheer can be given as a baby's first foods provided you mash the pieces well. Serve it as dessert and have your guests smacking their lips. No garnishing is required- to bite into the jackfruit pieces as you savour the kheer is sheer bliss in itself.

Paneer(Cottage cheese) Jalfrezi

Jalfrezi is a spicy Indian preparation dating back to the times of the British Raj. I have cutdown on the chillies to make it comfortably edible for younger kids. A good blend of colours in this dish coupled with the goodness of cottage cheese.

Ingredients-

1 big onion

1one inch ginger pieces

1green chilli

1 big capsicum/bell pepper

200 gms cottage cheese

1tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp red chill powder

1tsp tumeric powder

1tsp garam masala powder

salt to taste

2 tbs oil

Preparation-

• Peel onion and cut into thin slices, separate the layers.
• Peel ginger and cut into juliennes.
• Wash green chilli and chop.
• Cut tomatoes and capsicum into long slices.
• Cut paneer into finger sized pieces.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, when they splutter add ginger, green chilli and sliced onions. Saute.
• Add red chilli and tumeric powder. Stir well and mix capsicum pieces and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add tomato, garam masala, salt and cook.
• Add paneer pieces and toss.
• Serve hot with rotis.