Ragi Vermicilli Upma

Ingredients:
1 cup - ragi vermicilli
1/2 medium size - chopped onion
1 no. - split green chilli
8-9 no. - curry leaves
1 1/2 tbsp - oil to cook
1/4th tsp - mustard seeds
1/4th tsp - cumin seeds
pinch of asefotida
salt to taste
1/2 tbsp - lemon juice
few cilantro leaves to garnish
1 1/2 cups of water or as required 

Directions:

• Dry roast vermicelli in a pan with few drops of oil for 1 min and keep it aside

• For tadka - heat oil in a pan on medium flame add mustard seeds and when they pop add  cumin, curry leaves, green chili, and asafetida. 

• Now reduce the flame, now add onions and sauté it till translucent

• Pour water and let it come to roaring boil add salt to this

• Then add vermicelli, stir well. then cover and let it cook till water evaporates.

• Vermicelli should cook by now add lemon juice and garnish with cilantro leaves and serve.

Moist Banana Nut Bread

       The first and best banana bread i ever had was from Fremont  Farmers market. i use to look forward for Sundays...i enjoy shopping at Farmers market..its fun for me...bet any foodie will agree with that.  
        Alas! left Fremont and now in New Jersey...all i experienced here was snow storm so no question of farmers market in winter...So, decided to make banana bread.                  
        This recipe will make one loaf of bread. the Pan size i used was: 8in.*3in.*2 1/2in.  want more than one loaf just double the amount of all ingredients. The result is not bad at all...so here is simple and easy Moist Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup - all purpose flour

1/2 cup - sugar

3/4th stick - melted unsalted butter

1 - large egg

2 - over ripe bananas (medium size)

1/2 tsp - baking soda

1/4 tsp - baking powder

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp - vanilla extract

1 tbsp - honey (optional) 

1/4 cup - chopped pecans (or any other nuts)

some cooking spray oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F 
2. Add all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well
3. Now add melted butter, egg and mix it well for 1 min using hand mixer or spatula
4. Mash bananas and add to the above mixture along with vanilla extract and honey
5. Again mix well all these ingredients.  Batter should be moist and not too lumpy.
6. Now add chopped pecans and stir well
7. Grease loaf pan using cooking spray or butter and pour all the batter into it
8. Keep in oven for 1 hour. After 45 mins, check by inserting toothpick or knife. If the tooth pick comes out clean then bread is ready
9. Once bread is cooled, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices or just dig in. Enjoy!

Masale Bhat

The other day for lunch I made 'Masale bhat'. I remember my aunties preparing this during Ganesh chaturthi. they use to prepare this rice without onion, garlic or ginger. its aroma while cooking feels sooo good....so here's the recipe...n yes a must have thing for this recipe is Maharashtrian goda masala.

Ingredients:
1cup - Basmati Rice
2 cups - water to cook rice
3/4th cup - length wise cut Tindora
1/4th cup of Green Peas
1tbsp- Ginger and Garlic paste (optional)
2tbsp of Dry Coconut Powder
2 Bay leaves
1 Cinnamon Stick
2 Cloves
2 Cardamom Pods
3 Black pepper
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
1/4Th tsp Methi Seeds
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
1/2 tbsp Coriander Powder
10 Cashews halved lengthwise
10-12 Curry leaves
1 slit green chili
1/2tbsp Red Chili Powder
1/2tbsp Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp Goda Masala (kala masala)
2-3 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste
Fresh Cilantro and Fresh grated Coconut to garnish

Directions:-
1)Take oil in a pressure cooker and add all the dry spices accordingly- when mustard seeds pop,add cumin, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamom, black pepper,Methi seeds, sauté for few seconds

2)Now add green chilies, curry leaves, dry coconut powder, ginger garlic paste

3)Throw in washed peas and Tindora, sauté them now add all powders and salt and now finally add soaked basmati rice with 2 cups of water.

4)Make 2 whistles that should be enough to cook rice.

5)In another pan heat little oil or ghee and fry halved cashews till they change color to light brown

6)Open pressure cooker when its cooled and garnish with finely chopped cilantro, cashews & fresh coconut if you like.

7)Serve it along with any raita, papads and pickle.