Pudhin Ki Roti

Mint is one of the most flavorful and aromatic greens packed with loads of goodness. I had once stocked some fresh pudhina/Mint leaves from market and was wondering what I can do with them apart from making rice. Just then an idea stuck, why not minty flavorful rotis instead of boring plain rotis:) Here is the recipe to a delicious minty Chapati that can make your dinner healthy and interesting.

serves: 6 rotis

Ingredients

1. Whole Wheat Flour - 1 Cup
2. Fresh Mint leaves- 1 Cup
3. Green chilies-1
4. Salt to taste
5. Ghee for spreading on roti
6. Oil for kneading- 1 tbsp
7. Water as required for kneading

Method

1. Grind Pudhina/mint leaves and chilies together.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add wheat flour, needed salt and the ground paste and knead well by adding water little by little until it forms a soft dough. Coat the dough with some oil so that moisture is retained. Cover the dough with a moist cloth or store it in an air tight container.

3. Let the dough set for 20 mins.

4. Divide the dough into equal parts and roll them into flat circular shapes.

5. Heat a tawa and place the roti on it and cook both sides until brown spots appear.

6. Spread a tsp of ghee and serve hot with any curry bowls from our menu card.:)

Baby Corn & Capsicum Pulao

To all the capsicum and baby corn lovers out there. Here comes an interesting recipe.I had made this for pot luck at my office and it was widely appreciated.This is one easy crunchy and a colorful pulao that can be made specially when you are inviting guests!! The combination of roasted capsicum with mint topped with baby corn is sure to tingle your taste buds!!!

serves:2-3

Ingredients

1. Basmati Rice-1.5 cups
2. Baby Corns- 6-7 nos.(cut into thin disc shaped sizes)
3. Red/Yellow/Green Capsicum - 1/4 cup each (chopped)
4. Onion-2 medium sized (Cut length wise)
5. Mint Leaves-fistful (finely chopped)
6. Ginger garlic paste-1 tbsp
7. Green Chili-2 
8. Ghee-2 tsp
9. Salt to taste

Masala Ingredients

• Cloves-3
• Cinnamon stick-2
• Bay leaf-1
• Star anise-2
• Green Cardamom-3
• Black Cardamoms-2
• Fennel Seed-1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
• Mace/Japathri -2

Method

1. Rinse well and soak the Basmati rice for  30 minutes in water.

2. Heat ghee in a pan and add all masala ingredients into the pan. Saute for 2 mins on medium low flame.

3. Add onions , green chili and saute till the onions turn nice golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for another 1 min for the raw flavor to go off.

4. Add the sliced baby corns and chopped mint to the pan and saute for few mins.

5. Strain the soaked basmati rice and add it to the above pan.

6. Mix the rice along with the sauteed masala mixture.Ensure the rice is evenly mixed and covered with the masala mixture.

7. Now transfer the content of the pan to a vessel for pressure cooking.

10. Add salt to rice and cook the rice with 1:2 ratio of rice:water.

11. Now,heat the butter in a pan a and saute the chopped capsicum with a tsp of salt for about 1 -2 mins on a low flame.The capsicum should be crunchy.

12. Add the sauteed Capsicum to the cooked rice and mix gently.

13. The Baby corn-Capsicum pulao is now ready to be served with raitha or any other spicy accompaniments.

Cucumber Mint Cooler

You might have realised by now that how crazy mint fan I am:p. Not just a mint fan but also a crazy lover of yogurt.Well,cucumber mint cooler is a perfect beverage for a scorching summer. I had tasted this for the very first time in a hotel at kochi.They served this for breakfast.I was completely in awe with the taste.There can't be any other cooler that can taste as better as this one.The goodness of yogurt,cucumber and mint combined in one single drink.What more could you ask for this summer...Try out this recipe for this summer and cool your senses.

serves:2-3 glasses

Ingredients:

1. Fresh Pudina/Mint Leaves-1/2 cup
2. Cucumber-1 (sliced)
3. Yoghurt/Fresh Curd-3/4 Cup
4. Green chilli – 1
5. Salt to taste

Method:

1. Take fresh pudina leaves,cucumber,yoghurt and green chillies and grind it in a mixer along with the salt to taste at a high speed.

2. Serve the above combo chilled :)

Notes,Tips & Add On(s):

You can also squeeze lemon to the above beverage to bring a much more tangy taste. :)

Virgin Mint (Pudhina) Rice

I am a crazy lover of Mint.This mint has got a unique aroma that makes you go crazy about it.I would love to include mint in almost all the dishes i make:P Unfortunately my husband hates it.Whenever I make lunch for me alone, I prepare this mint rice and pack off. You can find this dish under variety rice column in most of the south Indian restaurants.This can be made very easily at home.I always love the virginity of Mint without much add-on's. So, I have kept it simple. Trust me, this will taste divine. Try out at home for one pot meal.

serves:2-3

Ingredients:

1. Bunch of fresh Pudina/Mint Leaves
2. Raw rice - 1 cup
3. oil - 2 tsp
4. Green chillies – 2
5. Urad dal - 2 tsp
6. Mustard seeds-1 tsp
7. Onions-1 medium sized finely chopped
8. Salt to taste

Method:

1. Pressure cook rice for 1: 3 ratio of rice is to water and allow it to dry. 

2. Grind pudina leaves and green chilies together and keep it aside.

3. Take a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds. After the mustard crackles, add urad dhal, onions and sauté until onions become transparent.

4. Now add the mixed pudhina+chillies combo to the above pan and saute for a minute.

5. Now add the cooked rice and salt to taste. Mix evenly without smashing the rice so that the rice is evenly covered with green pudina mixture.

6. The Mint rice is now ready to be served with pappads and salads :)