Chatpati Idli (Spicy rice and lentil cake)

Morning breakfast and afternoon snacks tend to put one in a dicey situation.  It's so difficult to please everyone and then of course, we are always concerned about being able to provide a healthy meal to youngsters who are so finicky about food.

At times, we have some leftovers at home so here’s a quick recipe for you if you have some leftover idlis (and no sambhar) or sandwich bread at home.

So here’s a healthy snack for

Ingredients:

1 Tb. Sp.              Sunflower Oil

1 Tsp.                    Mustard seeds 

2-3                         Dried whole red chillies (optional)

5-6                         Curry leaves

½ medium sized Onion (cut lengthwise)

1 medium sized               Tomato (finely chopped)

Salt (according to taste)

1 Tsp.                    Sambhar powder

Water

4-5                         Idlis (or white sandwich bread)

1 Tb. Sp.              Ground poppy seeds and almonds mix

Procedure:

1.                   Heat oil in a pan.

2.                   Add mustard seeds.

3.                   When the seeds start sputtering add whole red chillies. 

4.                   Add curry leaves, after 2-3 minutes add onions.

5.                   Stir fry till they are well cooked.

6.                   Add tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes while stirring from time to time.

Add salt and sambhar powder and mix well.

Add ground poppy seeds and almonds mix.

Add idlis and mix well.

If required, add  ¼ cup of water and mix well.

And if you wish to make it healthier, just add a few veggies such as peas and carrots (finely chopped).  Have a nice and healthy meal!

Tomato Chutney

Here’s a quick dish that I love having as an accompaniment with several types of food-dishes and it is the perfect replacement for ketchup minus preservatives.

Ingredients:

1 Tb. Sp.              Oil

1 Tsp.                    Cumin (jeera)

1 small piece      Cinnamon (dalchini)

4-5 big                  Tomatoes (Cut in cubes)

1 Tb. Sp.              Raisins (kishmish)

Salt (according to taste)

Red chilli powder (according to taste)

1 Tb. Sp.              Sugar

Preparation:

Heat oil in a pan and add cumin and cinnamon to it.

Once the cumin starts spluttering, add salt and red chillies.

Add Tomatoes, some water and cover.

Once the tomatoes are well cooked remove the lid.  Add Raisins and let it simmer for about five minutes.

Add Sugar.  Mix well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

Serve as an accompaniment with rice or khichadi or chapattis or pakodas or puris or in any other way that you like.  I love it even with sandwiches instead of regular ketchup bought from the market.