Vangibhath (Brinjal rice)

It's a nice treat when you have invited family/friends over for lunch. Varieties of bhaths can be prepared using the same masala - Vangibhath powder. Add capsicums to this and you have the variety as Capsicum & Brinjal bhath. For these bhaths we first prepare the base & then mix with rice.

Ingredients:
2 cups rice - cooked/steamed
2-3 brinjals - washed & cut to long pieces
1/4 cup peanuts or cashew nuts
1 tbsp chana dal
1 tbsp urad dal
1/2 tsp mustard
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
3-4 tbsp Vangibhath powder
1/4 cup curry leaves - chopped
Salt
3 tbsp oil
1/2 cup dry coconut (optional)
1 tsp lemon juice/tamarind juice (optional)

Preparation:

• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds & let it splutter.
• Add chana dal, urad dal, peanuts/cashew nuts & fry them till golden brown.
• Add turmeric powder, curry leaves & sauté.
• Add brinjal, salt; mix well & allow it cook for a few minutes.
• When brinjal starts to soften, add Vangibhath powder, coconut and lemon/tamarind juice & allow it to cook for 4-5 minutes.
• Mix the base with hot rice.

Serve with a Raitha.

A quick & usual Raitha to prepare:

Ingredients:
2 cups curd
1 onion - chopped
1 tomato - chopped
1-2 green chillies - julienned
1 tsp oil
1/2 tsp mustard
salt

Preparation:

• Add salt to curd & beat.
• Heat oil, add mustard seeds & let it splutter.
• Add green chillies & saute.
• Add chopped onions, tomatoes, the seasoning of mustard seeds & chillies to curd. Mix well.

Fruits and Nuts

Simple yet rich. A quick n easy way to enjoy dessert everyday or even makes a nice replacement for a staple diet. You can prepare it instantly with any fruits you have at home.

Ingredients:
2 bananas
2 apples
1 small honey dew
3 tbsp raisins
3 tbsp cashew nuts & almonds
3-4 tbsp honey

Preparation:

• Cut all fruits & mix them.
• Add nuts & raisins.
  
• Pour honey over a bowl of the fruit & nut mix while serving.
  
  
  

Bread Upma

For days when it can be boring to eat just bread with a spread or toast, bread upma makes a nice breakfast. With less efforts & no pre-preparation, bread upma can be made very quickly.

Ingredients:
4-5 slices bread - cut to small pieces
2-3 green chillies - julienned
1 onion - finely chopped
1/2 cup green peas
1-2 tsp oil
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp jeera (optional)
1/2 tsp lemon juice (optional)
salt

Preparation:

• Heat oil in a pan, add jeera & let it splutter
• Add green chillies, onions, turmeric powder & sauté.
• Add fresh green peas with little bit salt and let it cook for couple of minutes.
• Now add bread pieces, lemon juice & mix well. Cook till bread catches up the spices. (optionally you could sprinkle water to soften it)
  
  

While serving you could also spread some tomato ketchup.

You can also add other vegetables like capsicum, boiled potatoes, grated carrots, etc to Bread Upma.

Set Dosa

It reminds me of the early morning shift I used to work in. Our office was right next to Ballal Residency hotel and breakfast was ordered for us from there. Whenever I used to feel more than usual hungry, I used to order for Set Dosa. They make very nice Set Dosa with ghee; have enjoyed them with Aloo Palya many times. Set Dosa is usually a set of 3 Dosas served with Sagoo & Chutney, and can get quite heavy to finish the set.

Ingredients
1 cup Urad dal
1 cup Rice
1 cup Poha
1/2 cup saboo dana
Salt

Preparation

• Soak Urad dal, Rice, Poha & Saboo dana overnight (5-6 hours).
• Grind it to a thick paste adding water & salt. (The batter need not be kept for hours to ferment).
• Heat tava, pour batter & cook it adding bit of oil.
  
  

Serve with Sagoo & Chutney.