Baked Tilapia

Baked tilapia is very easy to prepare and is healthy for the people who loves fried fish.This is another way of having crispy fish  with out frying  but have all the flavor.Just take tilapia fillet and  season it with salt and pepper and drizzle it with olive oil and place it on bread crumbs  and then bake it on a cooling rack on a cookie sheet.






Ingredients
4 tilapia fillet
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt  to taste
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon chili flakes

Method
1.Pat dry fish, season it with salt and pepper and olive  oil.
2. Make a mixture with bread crumbs,flax seed with chili flakes and salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.Place the fish in the bread crumbs .
3.Place a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet and then put the fish on the cooling rack.
4.Place it on a preheated oven and bake it until cooked through about 15 minutes,
5 Serve it statue kale or fires.Enjoy

Bulgar Wheat and Bean salad

Bulgar wheat is very simple to prepare and is good for people who likes to watch their waist size because this salad really fills you up for a long time.Just soak wheat with boiling water ,cover and let it rest for about 15 minutes,then prick it with a fork and add what ever veggies you like to eat with orange juice and olive oil. This salad can be eaten at room temperature  either as a snack or for lunch .





Ingredients
1 cup Bulgar wheat  soaked in hot water
1/8 cup pistachios  finely chopped
1 tablespoon raisins
1/4 cup red kidney beans
salt to taste
1 tablespoon black pepper
4 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
4 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup chopped olives

Method
  Mix everything  in the soaked Bulgar wheat in a bowl cover and let it rest for 5 minutes  before serving.

Kale and bean salad

This salad is very good  for a week night dinner as  it takes very less time to prepare .just chop up kale ,and  canned beans with left over rice makes one pot dinner with very less clean up. I like this cooked salad because it is healthy and tasty.

Ingredients

1 bundle of kale leaves (remove leaves from the steam)

1 teaspoon chili flakes

1 cup red kidney beans

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup cooked rice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

salt to taste

Zest of a lime

juice of 1/2 of lime

                                                   1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

                                                   1 teaspoon olive oil

Method

1. Heat oil in a fry pan.Add in garlic ,cook it a minute then add in  flakes and then the beans.Cook it for couple of minutes .

2 Then add in kale .black pepper,and nutmeg stir it together and cook it until kale starts  to wilt a little and then add in rice  and mix it ,Add in salt and lime zest mix it cook it for few seconds  then add in lime juice .

3.Serve and enjoy

Apple Chutney (Dip)

Apple chutney is a good substitute for butter on your toast or waffles.This is good for people who are watching their cholesterol  in their diet .I really enjoy this as a dip with chips or crackers for afternoon snack.
Just take few apples peeled it and chopped it into pieces and then saute it with ginger and garlic,blend it into food processor and apple chutney is ready.


Ingredients
5 apples peeled ,cored and chopped into pieces
2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon minced ginger
juice of 1 lemon
salt to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon  toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon olive oil
few mint leaves

Method
1.Heat oil in a skillet.Add in chopped apples ,then garlic and ginger.Mix it together and let it cook for few minutes.
2.Add in chili flakes ,black pepper and lemon juice and stir it and cook for few few seconds.
3.Transfer  this to a food processor and then add in  mint leaves ,salt and sesame seeds.Blend it until smooth.
4.Serve it with crackers or with rice or roti.

Canned Salmon and Potatoes Curry

My mom used to cook this curry for dinner and my family used to enjoy this over rice .This curry is very tasty and is very affordable for people who live on a budget.Just peel and cut the potatoes with onions ,garlic,and spices ans add in canned salmon ,cook for a while and dinner is ready.






Ingredients
1 canned salmon
1 small potatoes peeled and cut into pieces
1 onion sliced
3 Serrano peepers copped
1/2 tablespoon tumeric
1 tablespoon masala
3 cloves minced garlic
juice of 1/2 a lemon
salt to taste
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
water for cooking potatoes and for little gravy



Method
1.  Heat oil in a pot,add in cumin seeds let it crack then add in onions let it cook for few seconds then add in peppers and garlic cook for  a minute .
2.Add in tumeric ,masala,potatoes , and salt, mix it together and in a little bit of water ,cover the pot so that potatoes can cook evenly for about 10 minutes on low heat.
3 Know add in canned salmon and lemon juice and cook for another 5 minutes on medium  heat stirring from time to time.
4 Add in cilantro mix it and then serve it with rice or roti.

Drumstick with carrots

These days cooking on a budget is very essential to survive high cost of living.Cook food with flavor and with ingredients in your pantry and you fridge.Drumstick is cheap and is affordable and is healthy .My drumstick with carrots is very tasty and is very simple to prepare.Just chop some carrots with celery and dump it in a pot with drumstick ,cover and cook .There you go dinner is ready.

Ingredients

4 to 6 skinless drumstick 

2 carrots cleaned and chopped

1 celery stick chopped

2 Serrano pepper finely chopped

1/2 green bell pepper chopped

1/2 of an onion chopped

3 gloves on minced garlic

salt to taste

Black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (optional)

                                                      2 tablespoon soy sauce

                                                      chicken stock

                                                     1 tablespoon oil

Method

1 Heat oil in a dutch oven or in a pot ,season the drumsticks with salt and pepper and then place it in the dutch oven.Let it brown on all sides.Remove the drumstick from the dutch oven and leave it aside.

2.In the same pan add in onions let it cook for a minute,then add in garlic,Serrano ,carrots ,celery mix it together and then add in salt and pepper.Cook for couple of minutes then add in chili sauce and soy sauce and mix everything together then add in stock and then the drum stick ,cover  and cook for about 45 minutes or until the drumstick is cooked through.

3 Serve it over with rice or with bread .Enjoy

 

Watermelon Popsicle

Summer lots of watermelon around and one way to use it is to blend and make Popsicle.Yummy and healthy with no hours in in the kitchen.Just blend seedless watermelon.with some lime juice and bananas, place it in molds and freeze it for 4 hours.





Ingredients
4 cups watermelon cut in chunks
1 big banana
juice of 1 lime

Method
1 Place everything in a blender and blend it until smooth,
2.Place it in Popsicle stand and freeze it for 4 hours.
3.Enjoy

Carrot Pancake (Eggless)

Carrot pancake  is delicious and is very good for breakfast or for children who does not like too much of veggies.Just have some grated carrot and mix it with chick pea flour and with some spices makes you a flavorful pancake .People with  diabetes can also have this pancake since there is no sugar or syrup.

Ingredients

1 large carrot grated

1 teaspoon chili flakes

1 cup besan (chick pea flour)

salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon of minced garlic

1 tablespoon of grated onion

1 tablespoon oil

                                          little bit of water

Method

1 .Place everything in a bowl except oil,then make a thick batter with water.

2 Heat oil in a non stick skillet,wet your palm with water and then take a little bit of the batter and make cake and then place it in the skillet.

3.Cook on both sides until brown on medium low heat.

4.Enjoy with chutneys or with ketchup

Lentil Pancake

Lentil Pancake is a good substitute for regular pancake since it is healthy so that means it is good for people with diabetes.This pancakes base is lentils which needs  to be soaked overnight and then add any spices of your choice ,cook it on non stick skillet.I normally serve this with  coffee or tea and with coconut or sesame seed chutney.






Ingredients
1 cup lentils soaked overnight
1 teaspoon ground rosemary
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
salt to taste
oil for cooking

Method
1.Blend lentils in a food processor with garlic ,rosemary  .
2. Place the lentils in a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.Mix it all together.
3. Heat oil on a non stick skillet  and take a tablespoon of a mixture and place it on a skillet and then press it with the back of the spoon.
4. Cook it until it is brown on both sides on medium low flame so it gets cooked through.
5. Serve it coconut chutney over tea or coffee and enjoy

Note You can also add ENO (fruit salt) to the mixture and then cook it
 

Canned Tuna with Zucchini

Canned tuna is very much affordable and is good for  us since it is rich in protein .I came up with dish when I was trying to clean my pantry.This is very tasty and is easy to prepare.Just chop and drop with spices and there dinner is ready in 15 minutes.





Ingredients

1 can tuna
1 zucchini chopped
1 tablespoon black olives
1/2 chopped onion
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 Serrano peppers
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
juice of 1/2 of a lime
salt to taste
1 tablespoon oil

Method
1.Heat oil in a skillet.Add in onion statue it for 3 minutes then add in garlic ,peppers and let it cook for couple of minutes.
2.Add in zucchini ,mix it add in salt and let it cook for 5 minutes until it  starts to turn a little brown in color then add in olives,let it cook for a minute.
3.Add in tuna and black pepper ,mix it and then add in lime juice stir it together and cook it for couple of minutes.
4 Enjoy it with tortilla or roti or naan or just with rice pilaf  .

Canned tuna and Lima bean pattie

Canned tuna mixed with beans makes a healthy meal which is cheap and affordable.Just defrost lima beans
mix in spices ,cook for couple of minutes on each side and serve it with fruit salad makes it a complete meal.





Ingredients
1 cup defrosted lima beans
1 can tuna
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon ground rosemary
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoon panko bread crumbs
salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
oil to cook the patties

Method
1.Blend lima beans in a food processor with garlic .Place it in a bowl and add in the rest of the ingredients and mix it .
2.Heat oil in a skillet and take a tablespoon of the mixture ,make it into patties.Cook it on medium low heat, turning once  until it is cook through.
3 Serve it with a salad or place it on bread .Enjoy

Carrot Pickle

Carrot pickle can be served with any meal of the day as for breakfast it can be used as a condiment on a sandwich,or for lunch and dinner it can be served with rice and roti and dhal. Carrot is good for us and this spicy carrots make is more tasty to eat .





Ingredients

4 carrots scraped and washed and cut thin stripes
1/2 of red bell pepper cut into stripes
3 tablespoon red chili powder
2 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoon  ground coriander
salt to taste
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon black mustard seeds
4 tablespoon olive oil

Method
1. Dry carrot and pepper with a pepper towel,then place it in a bowl .
2.Add in all the ingredients and mix it together and place it in a glass container .Enjoy

Rice cakes (savory)

Rice cakes is served as a breakfast in most Indian families and is very delicious .I like this  because it is crunchy and healthy since I used brown rice flour.Just add any spices to your taste and fry i t until it is brown and cooked through.





Ingredients
1 cup brown rice flour
1 tablespoon black pepper
3 cloves of garlic minced
salt to taste
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
Boiling water
oil fry frying


Method

1,In a bowl mix rice flour,cumin,garlic,salt and pepper.Mix it then add boiling water ,mix it .Let it cool then make a dough.
 2.Take a small amount of dough make it into a ball and then flatten it with your palm.
3Heat oil and fry it until brown and cooked through.
4,Enjoy
Note Add enough water to make a soft dough,I just eyeball the water.

Oatmeal Upma (savory oatmeal)

Savory oatmeal is really good for our health and it can be served as a breakfast,lunch and dinner.Just change the ingredients such as by adding different veggies and add some protein if it is for dinner.This is also helps reduce cholesterol which means it is heart healthy.




Ingredients

1/8 cup old fashion oatmeal
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
1 small zucchini chopped
1 small apple peeled and chopped
1/4 of a carrot chopped
1/4 of cucumber chopped
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon minced garlic 
Black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon sriracha
3 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon olive oil


Method
1 Heat olive  oil in skillet ,add in zucchini let it cook for a little bit, then add in carrots garlic salt and pepper with oatmeal.Mix it together and cover it and cook it on low heat.
2.When the oatmeal is cooked through then add in cucumber,apples ,sriracha and cook for a minute.Check for seasoning.
3.Serve and enjoy

Chicken and veggie stir fry

This simple and elegant dish is really enjoyed by my daughter and her friends.Just prepare the vegetables before and everything is on the dinner table in a second.
I cooked this stir- fry for dinner which I served it over rice and since the next day was Sunday I used the left  over stir-fry ,heated it up on low boiled some spaghetti and mix it with the sauce ,there lunch  is on the table.


Ingredients
1 boneless and skinless chicken breast finely sliced
1 red bell pepper finely sliced
2 carrots peeled and finely sliced
1/2 on an onion finely sliced
2 Serrano pepper cut into diagonally
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon shirracha
3/4 cup chicken stock
1tablespoon corn starch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoon hoisin sauce
salt  to taste
pepper to taste
1 tablespoon oil

Method

1. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a skillet ,add in chicken ,add in salt ,shirracha and pepper.Cook for a couple of minutes on high heat and then remove the chicken and keep it aside.
2.Add in the other half of the oil ,add in carrots,red bell pepper,onions,garlic and ginger Serrano pepper,salt and pepper and stir fry on high heat for couple of minutes.Know add the chicken back to the skillet and add in hoisin sauce ,mix it together.
3.In a bowl mix in chicken stock,soy sauce and corn starch and add it the chicken and veggie  and cook it for until the sauce thickens.
4.Serve it over rice or add in spaghetti as I have shown it over here.

Note cook spaghetti according to the package direction and mix it to  the chicken and vegetables stir fry.

Tomato and orange salad

For a light  lunch and dinner  prepare this quick and easy salad.Just chop some tomatoes,oranges and onions,toss it together with salt and pepper .This salad can also be used as a side to baked chicken or roasted fish or any roasted meat.Simple ,healthy and tasty  salad on the table which could be enjoyed be everybody.




Ingredients
1 orange peeled and cut into halves
1 large tomato finely chopped
1 Serrano pepper finely chopped
1/2 finely chopped red onion
salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
Few mint leaves roughly chopped

Method
Place all the chopped  ingredients into the bowl,add in salt and mix it together and then add with olive oil and then mix it . Leave it for about 10 minutes and then enjoy.

Baked Pakora Kadhi

Kadhi is very tasty with fried pakora's and gravy but I decided to make it more healthy so I can cook it more often.Just soak some yellow split peas add some spices and place it in the oven.I like this kadhi because it is easy to cook and is heart healthy.Try this out and  let me  know what you feel about this recipe.






Ingredients
For Pakora

1/2  cup yellow split peas soaked  for about 3 hours
1 Serrano pepper finely chopped
1 clove garlic finely minced
salt to taste
6 mint leaves


For Gravy
1/2 cup chick pea flour
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
1/2 of an onion chopped
1 Serrano   pepper chopped
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon masala
1 tablespoon oil
2 cloves of garlic minced

Method
For pakora  grind everything in a food processor with a little bit of water. Then make in to balls and place it on a sprayed baking sheet.Bake it for about 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.remove and let it cool.
For Gravy In a bowl mix flour and water  with i clove of

1.Heat oil in a pot add in cumin seeds,let it crackle.Then add in onions,peppers saute it for couple of minutes .
2 Add in garlic mix ,add in turmeric,masala, mix everything together and then add in the flour mixture.
3 Add in chilli powder and salt.Stir it and let it cook for about 10 minutes on low heat or until the gravy thickens up.
4.Add in the baked balls and let it cook for 5 minutes.
5.Check for seasoning and serve it with steam rice.

Gujarati Kadhi

Kadhi is just like soup ,very comforting when eaten over rice during cold ,winter months. This dish has a sweet and tangy flavor and is very easy to prepare. Kadhi is made with yogurt ,chickpea flour and some spices which makes us feel warm and comfortable.





Ingredients
 1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoon chickpea flour
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon masala
1 finely chopped Serrano pepper
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1/ 2  of an onion chopped
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 mustard seeds
1 tablespoon oil
1 1/2 cup water
salt to taste
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Method
1. In a bowel mix flour and yogurt together,then add in water
2.Heat oil in a pan,add in cumin and mustad seeds let it pop,add in onion let it cook for couple of minutes then add in garlic and ginger with peeper ,mix it let it cook for couple of minutes.
3.Add in turmeric, masala,and chilli powder.
4.Add in yogurt mixture,stir it add in salt and sugar if you are using it.Stir ,bring it to boil and lower the flame and let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens a little.
5.Serve it over rice or quinoa.

Chicken wings

Chicken wings can be baked ,fried and even grilled ,taste good and is preferred by old and young .
My daughter likes wings so today I decided to bake using Asian spices. This wings does taste good and is healthy and can be served with salad ,or with pilaf or with just taro roots.




Ingredients
3 lbs chicken wings
1/4 soy sauce
2 tablespoon sriracha  hot chilli sauce
3 cloves of garlic minced
1  teaspoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon sesame  oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt to taste
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

Method
1.In a zip lock bag mix sauce,garlic,ginger,sesame oil,lemon juice, black pepper,olive oil,salt and hot sauce mix it well,
2.Add  wings to the  bag mixture  ,massage it into the wings and then let it marinate for an hour.
3.Preheat oven 350 degrees ,place cooling rack on  top of the baking sheet and the put the wings on top of the rack.
4.Place the rack   in the oven and bake it for 20 to 25 minute or until wings are cooked through,
5 Serve it with salad  and enjoy.

Cumin Barley

Barley is the healthiest grain which is very high in fiber and it does help to lower cholesterol. I cook barley in different ways but this cumin barley I serve it with chicken curry or baked fish or just any veggies.Trying to use lot of barley in my diet because  I do have heart problems.Barley helps reduce sugar content in our body since it had the maximum amount of fiber.





Ingredients
 1/2 cup washed and drained barley
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon olive oil
Pinch of salt
1 cup water

Method
1 Heat oil in a pot,add in cumin and let it pop.
2. Add in barley and salt mix it together and let it cook for couple of minutes and then add in water,bring it to a boil, cover the pot and lower the heat,
3.Cook for about 20  to 25 minutes and then turn the heat off,Let it rest for couple of minutes then prick it with a fork and serve it as a side dish  or with a any curry of your choice.

Besan Dosa (chickpea flour crepes)

Dosa (crepes) is very much a breakfast dish which is healthy and is also easy to prepare.This can be prepared ahead of time and can be eaten with any chutney or veggies of your choice. Just cook and leave it in your refrigerator and eat it when ever there is not enough time or you just feel tired.






Ingredients
1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
3/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
1 table
spoon oil

Method
1.In a bowl whisk all the ingredients to form a batter.
2.Heat up a non stick frying pan,spray with oil,and with 1/4 cup spread it around the pan.Let it cook for couple of minutes,brush it with olive oil and then flip it over and then cook for another couple.
3 take it off the pan and serve it with coconut chutney or any other veggies of your choice.

Oven potato wedges fries

Children loves fries,which is very high in calories but if those wedges are baked then it provides a healthy side dish to grilled meat or fish.This wedges is very easy to prepare and it only requires 4 ingredients- that is potatoes,oil,salt and pepper  .Just peel and cut the potatoes into wedges  season it and put it in the oven.These wedges are crunchy and very yummy when served as soon as it comes out of the oven.And I served it with avocado and cilantro chutney.

Ingredients
2 potatoes cut into wedges
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon pepper
salt to taste

Method
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray the cookie sheet with oil or for easy clean up use foil.
2.Place the potato wedges drizzle with oil ,salt and pepper.Bake for 10 minutes then flip it he wedges over and then bake for another 7 minutes or until the wedges are cooked through and is browned.
3.Serve it with any sauce of your choice.