Thursday, March 28, 2013

Spinach Corn Bhaji- Version II


Weather in London is so bad these days. It is always cloudy and gloomy. It is end of March and I feel like I have stuck in December. I was feeling so lazy the other day that I was in no mood to cook something special or fancy. I opened the fridge and there was spinach and some frozen corn. Thus with the same thought I chose to make Spinach Corn Bhaji.

I have made corn spinach sabji before also (check here) but that was more like gravy and curry. This time I did not blend anything in the blender. I simply chopped everything and let all of it cook together- so it was more like bhaji or bharta.

Mr. Husband is not very fond of spinach also known as palak, but he is okay if I add corn with palak. Spinach is so healthy –remember Popeye. Bright, vibrant-looking spinach leaves are not only more appealing to the eyes but more nourishing as well. And when you throw some yellow colored corn with green leaves it looks more pleasant and yup tastes yummy. Coming back to the recipe.


Ingredients:
1 bunch spinach
1 cup frozen corn
1 tomato sliced in circles
3 green chillies chopped finely
1 tsp haldi/turmeric
1 pinch asafoetida/ hing
2 tbsp oil
1 clove garlic finely chopped/lehsun
1 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger/adrak
1 tsp cumin seeds/jeera
1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Method:-
Boil frozen corn in microwave for 10 minutes.
In the mean time wash spinach and chop it. Boil the spinach in microwave for 5 minutes.
Heat oil is pan/ kadai and heat oil.
When oil gets hot, add hing, jeera. Wait till it splutters.
To it add, garlic and  ginger and sauté till the raw smell fades away.
Finally add salt, corn, spinach, green chillies and tomatoes. Mix and cook till tomatoes soften.
Cook covered for 5 minutes. 


Notes:-
I used frozen corn, but this dish can be made with raw corn as well.
If you cannot find spinach bunch then you can opt for baby spinach leaves.

Serving ideas:
This is perfect as dry sabji or side dish.
Serve with rice, puri or paratha of your choice.
Can also be served as a dip for chips and nachos.
Put the sabzi between two slices of  bread and have as a sandwich.

Taste:-
 Mild Spicy with nutrients of spinach.





Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Cake Churma With Leftover Cake- Holi Easter Fusion



Wish you all a very Happy Holi. I hope and wish that this festival of colours bring lots of joy and happiness in your lives. Other than playing with colours on Holi it is also about cooking and eating. I remember how my mom used to cook (ah! I miss that) such lovely dishes and me and my brother would relish and enjoy them A true treat after that tiresome holi and colours.

Today I chose to make churma with cake. This recipe is very simple and quick and the best way to make use of leftover cake. This recipe is a superb and tasty fusion for Holi and Easter. Using jaggery was the interesting and unique choice. Jaggery also called as gud in English is nothing but a kind of sugar but healthier. Jaggery is more complex than refined sugar and hence does not increase the sugar level of blood abruptly. It provides energy slowly, for a longer period. Although diabetics should avoid jaggery, still it is better in this respect for diabetics than sugar. Let us see the recipe now.
 


Ingredients:
1 vanilla sponge sheet
¼ cup jaggery/gud
¼ chopped almond/badam
  
Method:
Cut the cake into small pieces.
Put jaggery and cake into blender and blend coarsely. Like the consistency of churma.
Mix some of the almonds in the churma and use remaining for garnishing.













Notes:
  • I have used vanilla sponge but any kind of cake can be opted instead.
  • If you are using chocolate cake you might need to increase the amount of jaggery.
  • Any nuts like cashews, pistachios or raisins can be used.
  • The churma can also be formed into ladoos.





Monday, March 25, 2013

One Year Recap Event And 3 Giveways


Hello All, I am glad to bring before you another event and this time to celebrate 1 year anniversary of Merry Tummy. I am so proud that my blog turned 1 on 19th March. I am so happy and glad to see the response, comments and love that you all have bestowed on me and Merry Tummy in this span of one year.

I planned to do a Recap Event. I will like to know your views and opinions about my recipes. This way I will also get the chance to revise the recipes and re-live those moments. The event is very easy pezy and simple; you do not have to cook, link or mail the recipes. Let me come to the rules of the event.

Since this a recap event; browse through my recipes and posts and comment below which of my recipe/dish you like the most and why. Also Like Merry Tummy on Facebook and do the same-comment which recipe/dish you like the most and why. Please be kind to Join and follow Merry Tummy. Oh yes!! Even non bloggers can participate and finally share this event to as many as you can. This event is live till May 2013.

For the giveaway I have chosen 3 books of Sanjeev Kapoor to as a token of appreciation to all my lovely readers.All of us in India know who Sanjeev Kapoor is, Sanjeev Kapoor is one among the renowned chefs in India and his show Khana Khazana was longest running cookery show in Asia. Now I am sure you all will love to possess his cookery books.  

All the 3 books are different and contain his best recipes. The recipes in the book are divided into two parts-ingredients and method of preparation for easy understanding. Here are the books-
  • Sanjeev Kapoor Snacks and Starters- The book includes recipes of traditional Indian delicacies such as pav bhajis, kababs, rolls, vadas, idlis, and dhoklas, in addition to sauces and chutneys. Apart from Indian dishes, the book also gives recipes to cook many international delicacies like spring rolls, chilli tacos, and even apple and cheese toast. There are two subsections for each recipe.
  • Sanjeev Kapoor Vegetarian Cooking Around The World-Chef Kapoor brings favourite dishes from Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and America to your table. Dine on Mexican Quesadillas; Middle Eastern Fattoush; Italian Roasted Tomato Farfel, Swiss Cheese Fondue and Thai Green Curry. Wash it all down with a steaming Moroccan Mint Tea or an icy Strawberry Granita.
  • Sanjeev Kapoor Simple Home Baking- This book will demystify all those baking mysteries and help you to bake a perfect batch of pastries, a beautifully risen cake or crispy and crunchy cookies. Just follow the recipes diligently and enjoy the heavenly aroma of a perfectly baked cakes, cookies or pies.
Now, on 1st of June 2013 I will choose 3 best answers/ comments as the winners. I can ship these books only in India so those who can provide an address in India are eligible for giveaway. 

Looking forward for your love and contribution.