Sprouted Green Moong and Vegetable salad

A healthy, protein rich nutritious salad that has all the flavours balanced perfectly. This can make a great evening snack or a satisfying breakfast. My mother often makes this and pack it for my lunch. Just love the way she prepares this. 

This also has goodness of all raw vegetables thereby increasing the fiber content. A delectable tasty salad that is absolutely sin free and satiates your hunger instantly keeping you full for long time. I have described in details about how to sprout green gram here. This is an ideal salad for weight loss and people who are trying to build muscles.

Serves:4 small bowls

Ingredients

1. Sprouted green gram-2 cups
2. Onions - 1 medium sized
3. Banglore Tomatoes - 1 big/medium sized
4. Carrot- 1 small/medium sized
5. Capsicum - 1/4 cup (chopped)
6. Cucumber - 1/2 cup (chopped)
7. Baby corn - 4 (sliced round round)
8. Green Chili - 1 finely chopped (optional)
9. Pomegranate pearls - 3 tbsp
10. Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
11. Chat Masala Powder - 1 tsp
12. Cumin powder - 3/4 tsp
13. Lemon Juice - 1 tsp
14. Salt as needed
15. Black salt as needed
16. Coriander for garnishing

                                 

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients mentioned under ingredient list in a mixing bowl,

2. Garnish with some fresh coriander leaves and serve fresh.

Kabuli Channa Salad (Black Channa Salad)

Black channa is definitely a healthy option when compared to white channa due to presence of high fiber in it. Presence of high fibre helps you keep satiated for long hours. Also, helps in bowel movement and indirectly in weight reduction. Low in carb, absolutely vegan,no fat and high protein and fibre makes this an ideal snack for weight loss. A complete sin-free and tasty indulgence.

Serves:2

Ingredients

1. Uncooked Black chana/chickpeas - 1 cup
2. Onions - 1 small/medium sized
3. Banglore Tomatoes - 1 big/medium sized
4. Carrot- 1/4 cup chopped
5. Capsicum - 1/4 cup (chopped)
6. Cucumber - 1/4 cup (chopped)
7. Raw mango - 1/4 cup (chopped)
8. Red chili powder-1/2 tsp
9. Chat Masala Powder - 1 tsp
10. Cumin powder - 3/4 tsp
11. Lemon Juice - 1 tsp
12. Crushed Mint leaves - few
13. Salt as needed
14. Black salt as needed

Method

1. Soak the channa overnight for about 8-9 hours.

2. Pressure cook channa with 2 tsp salt and enough water for 7 whistles.

3. Drain the cooked chickpeas/channa.

4. Mix all the ingredients mentioned along with black channa. Crushed pudhina leaves add nice aroma and flavour to this salad.

5. Enjoy snacking this healthy salad.

Mixed Vegetable Raitha

Raitha are an excellent accompaniment to not just briyanis but beyond that. I love to pair them up with poha, pulao, briyani, paratha, upma and what not. This is a very crunchy delicious raitha that has goodness of all crunch vegetables. Let's jump to the preparation.

Serves: 3 bowls

Ingredients

1. Thick Curd - 2.5 cups
2. Roasted Cumin Powder - 1.5 tsp
3. Red Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp
4. Black salt - 1/2 tsp
5. Needed Table salt
6. Coriander leaves - few for garnishing

Veggies

• Carrot - 3 tbsp (chopped)
• Cucumber - 3 tbsp (chopped)
• Onion - 3 tbsp (chopped)
• Capsicum - 3 tbsp (chopped)

Method

1. Whisk curd well and add all the chopped vegetables, coriander leaves,salt and mix well.

2. Sprinkle roasted cumin powder and red chili powder as shown in the picture.

3. Serve chilled with any Pulao or Briyani varieties.

Buttered Vegetables in Fresh Cream Dressing

Buttered Vegetables are classic salad recipes which you can find in any buffet spread. The first time when I tried this was at Taj Fishermen Cove.I simply loved it. The veggies were fresh, crunchy and delicately cooked in butter. Salads are never boring if you find your own way of tossing them in your favorite dressing. Here, I have used fresh cream dressing to toss the vegetables in addition to butter and this just tasted yummy. Fresh Cream and butter are source of good fat. Fat is never an unhealthy option. Good fat taken in the right amount helps in absorption of proteins,amino acids and also reduces risk of stroke.

This is highly low in carbohydrates and high in good fat making it ideal for Ketogenic Diet.

Serves:2

Ingredients

1. Unsalted Butter - 2 tbsp
2. Mixed Italian Herb Seasoning - 2 tsp
3. Pepper - 1.5 tsp
4. Fresh Cream - 2 tbsp
5. Water - 1/4 cup
6. Sugar - 1/2 tsp
7. Needed Salt

Veggies Used

• Red Bell Pepper - 1/3 cup(cubed)
• Yellow Bell Pepper - 1/3 cup (cubed)
• French Beans - 4 (cut in 1 inch length)
• Baby corn - 4 (cut lengthwise)
• cauliflower - 6 florets
• Onion - 1 (sliced thinly)

Vegetables sauteed in butter

Method

1. Rinse all the vegetables nicely. Soak cauliflower in hot water with a tsp of rock salt for 15 mins. If there are any worms inside the cauliflower, it will come out in this process. After 15 mins, rinse and strain the cauliflower once again.

2. Heat butter in a non stick pan, add all the veggies and saute well on a medium-low flame.Add needed salt,sugar and saute well until onions turn transparent.

3. Add water to the above pan and cover the lid. Allow the vegetables to be steamed on low flame. Ensure the vegetables are not overcooked and they are just cooked 90 percent.

4. After the veggies have cooked, add the fresh cream, mixed herb seasoning and pepper. Give a gentle mix. 

5. Serve the salad warm with sprinkled pepper/ seasoning of your choice.

Authentic Greek Salad - Horiatiki Salad

Greek Salad is a popular salad recipe across globe. Its origin is from Greece. However, the ones you find in other regions of the world are not really an authentic version but rather an enhanced or substituted versions of Greek Salad which uses leafy greens,potatoes and other dressings. An authentic Greek Salad or Horiatiki salad (means from village) uses main limited ingredients which are Fresh Organic Ripe Tomatoes, Fresh Cucumbers,Green Bell Pepper,Red Onions,Kalamata Olives, some Extra Virgin Olive Oil,Solid Greek Feta Cheese and Dried Oregano.

This salad is very similar to Bulgarian Shopska Salad . Both have Tomatoes,cucumbers and Onions in common. Major difference is the feta cheese that is used for dressing. Bulgarian feta cheese is produced using sheep's or goat's milk with a special yogurt culture or bacteria that was found in Bulgaria. However, Greek Feta Cheese is produced in the Greek regions and claims to be different from Bulgarian white cheese,Sirene. I am not really sure how both vary with respect to texture and taste. I am yet to taste a Greek feta cheese to understand the difference.However, in this recipe I have used Bulgarian feta cheese and not Greek feta cheese. Another difference is the use of Kalamata Olives in Greek salad which is not used in Bulgarian Shopska Salad .

Kalamata Olives are the ones that are dark purple or black in color.They are native to Greece and is used in whole form for this salad. However, I could not get hold of them and hence I have used pitted green olives. If you are able to get canned or fresh Kalamata whole black olives, you are proceeding very authentically:)

Let's look into the preparation of this popular authentic salad.

Serves:3

Ingredients

1. Bangalore Tomatoes - 3 Medium sized 
2. Red Onion - 1 Big
3. Green Capsicum/Bell Pepper - 1 medium
4. Cucumber - 1 big or 2 small
5. Kalamata Olives / any available Olives - 8 - 10 (whole ones)
6. Feta Cheese - A big slice / 100gms
7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 5 tbsp
8. Dried Oregano - 2 tsp or more as per taste
9. Red Wine Vinegar - 1 tbsp
10. Needed salt

Method

1. Wash and chop all the vegetables mentioned. You can cut them into desired shape, either disc shaped or cubes. Whichever way you like it to be.

2. Mix all the vegetables and toss it gently with oregano,needed salt,vinegar and olive oil.

3. Place a big slice of feta cheese and drizzle some Olive oil on top.

4. Season with some oregano and serve fresh with breads or buns :):)

Notes,Tips & Add-on's

1. A very important thing for this salad is, the ingredients and vegetables that are used should be really fresh, preferably organic as that gives the right taste and color to this salad.
2. Ensure the cucumber and Olives do not taste bitter, else it might spoil the taste of the salad.
3. I have used crumbled sirene(Bulgarian feta cheese here), however to ensure authenticity, use a big slice of Greek feta cheese and not the crumbled ones.
4. Original recipe uses whole black Kalamata olives. I have substituted with green pitted olives as I was not able to get hold of Kalamata olives from nearby shop.

Shopska Salata (Шопска салата)

My husband had to visit bulgaria for an official purpose and that's when I tried googling about Bulgaria, its tradition, culture and cuisine. I was surprised to know that Bulgarian food culture holds strong roots to ancient cooking using fresh vegetables. Their traditional recipes are highly healthy and vegetarian. I thought I must try them right away and hence asked my husband to purchase the signature items of bulgaria to try the bulgarian cuisine right here at home.

Shopska Salata or Shopska salad is a traditional summer salad which is popular among the balkan regions like Bulgaria,Macedonia and Serbia. The main ingredients are Tomatoes,Cucumbers and Bulgarian White Feta Cheese. These colors Red,Green and white represent the bulgarian national flag. Interesting ins't it:)

The Bulgarian white feta cheese, also known as sirene is very famous and native to bulgaria made from sheep's milk and a special bacteria that is found exclusively in bulgaria. The texture is very soft and crumbles easily when touched. It is not hard as the processed cheese that we get here in India. It is slightly salty and has a fresh creamy aroma.I loved eating it plain and it tasted too good and yummy :):)!!!! It is very similar to greek feta cheese. Bulgarians use it as an accompaniment to almost all their dishes and also have it in fried form.

The salad is served in a special Bulgarian clay pot called ,Gyuveche. Yes, I asked my husband to get these from Bulgaria. This is a must buy souvenir if you are visiting Bulgaria. :):)

Bulgarians use Sunflower oil in their cooking and as for the vinegar, it is Grape Vinegar. Since, I could not get hold of grape vinegar, I have used Balsamic Vinegar which is close enough substitute in my opinion because both Balsamic and Grape Vinegar use Grape Must as their major ingredient. However, the difference between traditional balsamic vinegar and Grape Vinegar is the way the grape must is prepared.

Let's see how to prepare this easy refreshing salad.

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1. Banglore Tomato - 1 big (chopped finely)
2. Cucumber - 1 (peeled and chopped)
3.  Bulgarian white feta cheese - 1/4 cup
4. Onion(Red/White) - 1 big or 2 small 
5. Red/Green/Yellow Bell pepper - 1 small or 1/2 big ( chopped)
6. Olive Oil/Sunflower oil - 3 tbsp
7. Red Wine Vinegar/Balsamic Vinegar/White Vinegar - 1 tbsp
8. Fresh Parsley/Cilantro - for garnishing
9. Salt and pepper as needed

Method

1. Mix tomato, cucumber, onions and chopped bell peppers in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add needed salt and pepper,Oil and balsamic vinegar and gently toss the salad.

3. Top it with freshly crimbled bulgarian white feta cheese.

4. Garnish with cilantro/parsley and the summer refreshing salad is ready:):)!!!!

Notes,Tips & Add-on's

1. I have used extra virgin olive oil for this recipe as I like to use it personally for raw salad.However, if you want to maintain authenticity for the recipe, use sunflower oil.
2. You can add any vegetables to make this salad, but main ingredients are tomatoes,cucumbers and cheese.
3. Use any fresh cheese if Bulgarian white feta cheese is not available.
4. You can also substitute lemon juice instead of vinegar and it tastes great equally.
5. I have used cilantro as I didn't get fresh parsley here. Originally, Parsley is used for this recipe.

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

This is my easiest and most healthy option for dinner. Weekly twice, I tend to have just this salad for my dinner. It is definitely a sin free indulgence. I have used extra virgin olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar as dressing.Both these two combinations are heavenly with rich flavor and aroma that you almost travel to Italy. Know more about Balsamic Vinegar and its uses here. This has all the veggies that is sure the satisfy your taste buds as well as your hunger without gaining pounds. This is so easy to prepare. Whenever you want to detox your body with an healthy alternate, just go for it:):)

serves:2

Ingredients

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 1/4 cup
2. Paneer/cottage cheese/tofu - 6-7 small cubes
3. Pineapple slices - 3 (Cubed)
4. Baby corn - 5 (sliced thinly)
5. Onion - 1 large (chopped roughly)
6. Tomato - 1 large (chopped finely)
7. Broccoli - 5-6 florets
8. Red Bell Pepper - 1 small or 1/2 big
9. yellow Bell Pepper - 1 small or 1/2 big
10. Green Capsicum - 1 small or 1/2 big
11. Balsamic Vinegar - 2 tbsp or more as per taste
12. Mixed Italian Herb Seasoning - 1 tbsp or more as per taste
13. Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Boil Broccoli and baby corn with a pinch of salt for about 2 mins. The broccoli should be semi cooked. Strain the contents and keep it aside.

2. Heat a pan and add olive oil. Add Onion and saute until transparent. Add bell peppers,capsicum,tomatoes and saute well for 2 mins.

3. Add strained baby corn and broccoli and saute well in Olive Oil. Add needed salt.

4. Add paneer and pineapple cubes and saute well.

5. Add Italian seasoning and fresh ground pepper. Saute on a medium flame for all the veggies to get cooked and soft.

7. Drizzle Balsamic vinegar in the last, raise the flame high and do a high speed saute for 2 mins. Don't take off your hand else the vegetables might be burnt. 

8. Keep on medium- high flame for about 2 mins for all the vinegar and water to be absorbed by the veggies.

9. Once done, switch off the flame. Transfer the salad to plate and serve hot:):)

Notes,Tips & Add-on's

1. You can add any veggies of your choice according to your taste buds. Choices like Brussels ,carrots go well with this salad.
2.  Pineapple and paneer tastes great with balsamic vinegar and hence I have used them in my salad. Off course, paneer is a great source of protein too and pineapple provides the additional sweetness and 'tanginess' that tastes great with balsamic vinegar.
3. You can use strawberries,olives or any toppings for your salad.
4. You can also add feta cheese, they taste great with balsamic vinegar.

Mexican Bean Salad (Red Kidney Bean Salad)

Red Kidney Beans also called as rajma in India, has numerous nutritional value. Click here to read the innumerable benefits of Red Kidney Beans.It is quite popular in Italian and Mexican cuisine as Mexican Beans. I chose to use this in my vegan salad. This salad makes a great starter,snack or main course and are just crunchy.This is made in Italian style seasoned with Italian Herbs.

Serves : 3-4

Ingredients

1. Red Kidney Beans- 1 Cup
2. Carrot - 1/4 cup(chopped)
3. Cucumber - 1/4 cup(chopped)
4. Tomatoes -1/4 cup chopped)
5. Onions(White or Red)-1/4 Cup(chopped)
6. Lemon Juice-1/2 lemon
7. Salt to taste
8. Pepper-2 tsp
9. Dried Parsley for Seasoning
10. Olive Oil- 1 tbsp for drizzling
11. Water for pressure cook-3 Cups

Method

1. Rinse and soak the beans in water, fully immersed for overnight-minimum of 12 hrs.

2.  Drain the soaked beans and pressure cook with a tsp of salt and water for 3-4 whistles. 

3. Drain the beans and add them to a bowl. Reserve the stock for using it in soups or for any other gravy cooking. It is very healthy and hence do not discard it.

4. Add all other veggies,lime juice,needed salt, pepper,olive oil and parsley. Toss gently.

5. Mexican salad is now ready to be munched on. :)

Navaratna Salad (Sprout Bean Salad)

This is a protein packed healthy salad which is also made during navarathri days as "Sundal". Each of these ingredients is made as separate sundal on each day of navarathri. I have combined all the ingredients into one sundal and hence called Navaratna(9 gems). This salad is very low in calories making it a healthy mid evening snacks.

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1. Sprouted green moong - 1 tbsp
2. Green peas - 1 tbsp
3. Black eyed beans /brown karamani - 1 tbsp
4. White eyed beans/white karamani - 1 tbsp
5. Small Black channa/chickpea - 1 tbsp
6. Small White channa/chickpea - 1 tbsp
7. Red Kidney beans/Rajma- 1 tbsp
8. Lima Beans/mochakottai  - 1 tbsp
9. Peanuts Raw - 1 tbsp

Tempering

1. Mustard- 1 tsp
2. Urad dhal - 1 tsp
3. Oil - 1 tbsp
4. Coconut grated - 2 tbsp 
5. Green chili - 1 big
6. Hing- a pinch
7. Curry leaves - 3-4

Method 

1. Soak all the legumes (except sprouts and green peas) in water overnight.

2. Pressure cook all legumes together for 3 whistles with needed salt. Drain the legumes after pressure cook. Reserve the stock for cooking soups etc.

3. In a pan, heat oil and add mustard and hing. Once the mustard starts crackling, add other  tempering ingredients and saute for a minute on a medium low flame. 

4. Now add the tempering to the bowl of cooked sundal and mix well.

5. Healthy Protein Bowl is ready to be eaten:):)

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

• You can use your choice of pulse/legumes. Anything you use is definitely a healthy option.
• You also get readily available navaratna sundal packet at any supermarket with combination of 9 legumes. I used the readily available packet here.

Vegan Broccoli Walnut Salad

There was a period where in I had to reduce my weight quickly so that I could get back to my dancing and shows. I was desperately looking out for a diet plan to shed, of course in a healthy way. I was introduced to this Diet plan through one of my dance friends and is called as Vegan Detox Diet. Unlike other diet plan where you quickly start gaining after you stop the diet, this was a healthy way of detoxifying your body,washing away all your toxins and letting your body flush all the unhealthy fat through proper intake. I will be writing a detailed separate post about this diet plan in my blog very soon and post the link here. Now, check out this highly nutria-Delicious which is highly protein packed and contains the goodness of all colored vegetables. You can have this as your snack or as a substitute for your mid-day meal.

Serves:2
Ingredients

1. Vegetables

• Broccoli - 4 florets
• Onion - 1 (sliced thinly) 
• Aubergine -1/4 cup (sliced thinly)
• Beans-1/4 cup (chopped)
• Bell peppers -1/4 cup (sliced thinly)

2. Walnuts-1/4 cup (chopped)
3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil-1/2 cup 
4. Garlic - 4 pods (minced finely)
5. Freshly ground pepper as required
6. Dried Parsley and Oregano - 2 tsp each
7. salt as required
8. Turmeric a pinch


Method

1. Boil the broccoli florets and beans together with a pinch of salt and turmeric separately till they are semi cooked. They should not be overcooked or become too soft.

2. In a pan, add virgin olive oil and saute garlic for a minute. Add onions and saute till they become translucent. Add aubergine and bell peppers and saute for a min till aubergine turns color and becomes semi cooked.

3. Now add the cooked florets and beans to above contents and saute for a min.

4. Add the chopped walnuts. 

5. Add the needed amount of salt, pepper,parsley and oregano for seasoning and toss it well.

6. Salad is ready to be munched :)

Onion & Carrot Raitha

This is a very simple raitha that can be prepared very easily.This almost goes well with all rice varieties,pulao and even parathas. Sometimes,If I am too bored to prepare a side dish, I make a quick raitha. Onion and carrot make a great combination.Both are very crispy in nature and hence they are great to munch on.Here is the recipe for Onion n Carrot raitha.

serves:2

Ingredients

1. Fresh thick yogurt-1.5 cups
2. Onions-1 medium sized (Chopped)
3. Carrot-1 Chopped (Chopped)
4. Coriander-Few for seasoning
5. Salt to taste
6. Roasted Cumin/Jeera Powder-1 tsp
7. Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp (optional)

Method

1. Whisk curd with salt and cumin powder nicely to a creamy consistency.

2. Add chopped onions and carrot and mix well.

3. Season raitha with chopped coriander leaves and some chili powder sprinkled on top.

Notes,Tips & Add-On's

1. In the above recipe,instead of onion, you can use chopped cucumber and it becomes cucumber raitha :)
2. Instead of carrot, you can also use capsicum(If you like capsicum :P).