Chaat can be best described as salty, sweet and tangy savory snack. Chaat can be delicious and healthy if deep-fried items are avoided. Adding small amounts of fried stuff is ok, but consuming all fried items mean bloating yourself with calories. Though there are tons of varieties of chaats, every dish has a unique, most cherishing taste. Chaats are a great way to socialize and entertain. The road side carts in India and other countries serving chaats are favorite time pass spots to many families, friends, lovers, flirts. Chaats are excellent to entertain your guests with a side of cocktail or lemonade.
Archives for August 2017
Steamed rice balls in pumpkin, poppy seed gravy
Pumpkin season is right around the corner here in United States. Perfect time for Ganesh Chaturthi prasad. Why not take advantage this season? Pumpkins are actually very healthy! They are low in calories, fat and sodium, and rich in vitamin A, potassium and fiber! Pumpkins may not be available in every region. You can certainly substitute pumpkin with sweet potato. Follow same cooking instruction. But cooking time may vary. This dish can certainly made vegan. It takes very less milk. Replace milk with coconut milk.
Ganesh chaturthi is also festival of food. Lord Ganesh is said to be foodie. His favorites varieties of prasad are modak, kheer, puran poli, undrallu, kudumulu and list goes on. Foodies wait for mouth-watering food made of grated jaggery, coconuts and dry fruits.
Happy Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is Lord Krishna’s birthday, one of Hindu’s auspicious festivals. As of 2018, we are celebrating 5244th Birthday of Lord Krishna. He was born 3228 BCE which is 5,200 years ago in the city of Mathura. He was born on the 8,63,874th year of Dwaparyug. Janmashtami is observed on the Ashtami (8th day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). Krishna Paksha falls in those 14 days of the full moon to the new moon in the month of Bhadrapada according to Hindu Lunar calendar.
Sprouted Black channa with roti
Sprouts are nutritional powerhouses. They contain high amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals. Sprouting seeds produce enzymes doubling nutrition. Sprouting also makes seeds easy to digest, which are otherwise not digestible. Make a variety of healthy recipes to boost your mornings. Sprouted black chickpeas are highly nutritious and rich in enzymes which promote good health. Black chickpeas can be eaten raw while sprouted, roasted, pressure cooked or ground into flour.
Legumes are a staple food in India. They hold an important place in every Indian’s daily diet. Legumes are meat to Indians as most of the Indian population is vegetarian. Indians derive most of their protein needs from legumes. Legumes have a prominent place in Indian culinary. There are a number of tongue-tickling recipes make of legumes. Here is a steamed and sautéed version of kala chana (black garbanzo beans), cooked with onion, spices, ginger chilies.
Wish all readers a very happy raksha bandan
Raksha Bandhan which is also called as Rakhi is celebrated by Hindu’s in India and Nepal. Rakhi is multi-coloured silk thread, sometimes decorated with stones, pearls, glitter, and beads. Raksha Bandhan is observed in the month of August which is the month of Shravana according to Hindu lunar calendar.
The festival celebrates the sacred relationship, love, affection, fraternity, and sentiments of brother and sister. On Raksha Bandhan, sister puts kumkum and ties a rakhi on her brother’s wrist along with chanting prayers. Sister then feeds a sweet to her brother. Brother offers her a gift. It is concluded with Sister touching brothers feet for the blessing. This festival has evolved to honor the relationship between a sister and brother. On this auspicious day, brothers promise to their sisters to protect them from all harms and troubles and the sisters pray to God to protect their brother from all evil.
In India, there is no festival with out gathering and mouth-watering food. Food and gatherings are the celebrations of togetherness, happiness, bursting emotions. With this auspicious occasion, coming up, it’s time to spread some cheer! Spend time with family and friends, catch up, while making yummy food. It’s all for the family.
