A simple lunch menu of

Phulkas

Capsicum masala using my all purpose base gravy paste .

Cabbage kootu

Ingredients

3-4 bell peppers , chopped to pieces .

4 tbsp of the all purpose base gravy from my recipe . check the youtube video here

Check the recipe from this blog here

salt to taste

chopped coriander leaves for garnish

1 tbsp oil

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1 bayleaf

1 tbsp sabzi masala or 1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp kashmiri chili powder .

pinch of turmeric powder .

1/4 cup tomato puree ( optional ) as the base gravy has the tomato mixed, you may not need extra puree, but i add to make up more gravy ,

1/4 cup cashew onion paste .( optional )

cashew onion paste

Cashew onion is prepared by soaking 10 cashew pieces or as needed in hot water for 15 minutes , next sautee 1 -2 onions chopped to rough pieces , in oil , and remove when they become transclucent without changing colour , add the cashew pieces and sauteed onions , to a mixie jar, when cooled , grind to a smooth paste and keep aside . this paste adds a good fragrance to the masala.

Method

Take a pan, add oil , add cumin seeds , bayleaf, sautee ,

Add capsicum pieces, cook till tender , without adding water, so that remian crunchy , and shiny , remove the capsicum pieces and set aside , we will add them back to gravy later .

In the same pan add little more oil or ghee, ,add the base gravy mix, add tomato puree, cook till oil seperates, if need be add little water , add the turmeric powder, kashmiri chili powder, sabzi masala or garam masala, add the onion cashew paste , check salt and add according to taste , add the sauteed capsicum pieces back into the garvy , allow to cook for a minute without making capsicum soggy .

Remove and garnish with coriander leaves .

Cabbage kootu

This is a simple yummy recipe, good for weight watchers as it has cabbage , cucumber with moong dal all essential to help weight loss and a low calorie dish .

• Ingredients:

• 1-2 cups of mixed chopped veggies like finely choppped cabbage, cucumbers, chow chow, carrots, potatoes, 

• I used cabbage and cucumbers, few chopped carrots , as it is good for weight loss with moong dal 1/4 cup soaked moong dal /pasi parup to be cooked soft

• Pinch of turmeric powder

• salt

• To roast and grind

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp pepper

• 2-3 tbsp fresh grated coconut

• 2 red chillies

• Tempering 

• 1-2 tsp coconut oil/sesame oil

• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds

• 1/2 tsp split udad dal

• some curry leaves

Method

• Roast ingredients mentioned above and keep aside to cool, then grind to paste with little water and keep aside till needed.

• Keep the dal cooked to soft and lightly mash it . Keep aside.

• Chop and cook veggies with turmeric powder and little salt, throw in some curry leaves too.

• When cooked well, add the mashed dal and the ground paste , cook for few minutes till blended well .

• Temper with a tsp of coconut oil , crackle mustard seeds, brown the udad dal, add some curry leaves and pour over the prepared poricha kootu.