semolina

Suji Methi crackers

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Suji methi namak pare 1Suji Methi crackers

Hi friends! here is a quick and easy to do recipe of  a healthy snack for you all enjoy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all purpose flour / maida
  • 1 cup semolina/ Suji
  • 3 tbsp Kasuri methi
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil or any other cooking oil
  • 1/2 cup cold water, to make the dough
  • Oil – for deep frying

Method:

 Step 1.

Soak the kasuri methi in half cup of water for 30 minutes.

Step 2.

In a mixing bowl take all purpose flour / maida, Suji / semolina, and salt together and rub the 1/4 cup oil in lightly so that the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 3.
Add soaked kasuri methi along with the water it was soaked in, knead into a stiff dough adding gradually required amount of water.

Step 4.

Cover the dough and set aside for at least 15 minutes.

Step 5.

Divide the dough into 28 equal portions. Make tiny smooth balls and roll out the dough gently into a 1/4 cm in thick circles each. Prick with a fork all over the surface.

Step 6.

Heat the oil in a wok /kadhai till a tiny piece of dough dropped in, rises to the top at once. Then, put in as many six discs or as will fit in comfortably.
Step 7.

Reduce the heat to medium flame, turn occasionally. Fry till light golden brown on both sides.
Step 8.
Lift out and place on absorbent paper Kitchen towel. Fry the rest similarly.

Step 9.

Cool and store in an airtight container.

Health benefits of Kasuri Methi:

Used as an accent flavor for curries and meat, kasoori methi are fenugreek leaves used in Indian cooking. Their taste is a cross between celery and fennel with a bitter bite. Although used in small amounts, kasoori methi may help you get more fiber, calcium and iron.

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.

Suji Roti

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Sooji Roti 1

Semolina flat Bread / Suji Roti

Hindi Name: Suji

Also popularly called as semolina or rava, Suji is made from dried durum wheat. The colour of the Rava depends on the quality of wheat. Semolina is usually yellow in colour when made from Durum wheat. When made from softer wheat types, the colour is white. It is available all-year round.
Name:

Name Semolina is derived from the Italian word semola, meaning ‘bran‘. This is derived from the ancient Latin simila, meaning ‘flour‘, itself a borrowing from Greek σεμίδαλις (semidalis), “groats“. The words simila, semidalis, groat, and grain may all have similar proto-Indo-European origins as two Sanskrit terms for wheat, samita and godhuma. Semolina may also be a loan word from the Semitic root smd – to grind into groats (Arabic: سميد‎ samīd).

Chapati (alternately Chapatti, Chappati or Chapathi) is an unleavened flatbread (also known as roti) from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.[1]ROTI: a round soft flat unleavened bread; also: such a bread It is a common staple in South Asia as well as amongst South Asian expatriates throughout the world. Versions of the dish are also found in Central Asia and the Horn of Africa, with the laobing flatbread serving as a local variation in China. Chapati is known as sapati or doday in the Pashto language.

Alternative names: Roti/Chapatti /Poli

Type: Flatbread

Region or state: South Asia, Central Asia, Horn of Africa, East Africa

Main ingredients: flour

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Semolina / Suji/ Rava
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 1 level tsp Salt / or salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Asafetida / Hing
  • 1 tsp Ginger, finely grated
  • 1 Green chili , finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp Chili powder
  • 1 tsp Coriander /Cilantro leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seed / jeera, roasted and powdered
  • 1 onion small , Finely chopped
  • 4 tsp Olive Oil

Method:
Step 1.

Take sooji in a bowl, add 1/4 cup of milk and mix it well. Let it stand for 15 minutes.

Step 2.

Add to the slightly damp Sooji / semolina onions, coriander leaves, cumin powder, Asafetida, salt, cumin powder, ginger, green chilies and make a soft dough adding very little extra water, to bind the suji / Semolina in to a dough so that it can be rolled into balls. (If the mixture is very dry, add gradually little water). Make four equal portions of the dough prepared.
Step 3.
Place a ball of dough on the rolling board , dust it with little flour and pat it with your palm into a thick roti.
Step 4.
Heat a griddle or non stick tawa on medium flame, grease it with a drop of oil. Drizzle few drops of oil along the edges of the roti. Cook on both sides till it turns light golden brown both sides.(it cook fast, so keep an eye on it).
Serve hot  this delicious flat bread with freshly made coriander chutney !

 

Amazing Health Benefits of Semolina:

Semolina is light on the stomach,  Browsing through some health information on this wonder grain, I realized it has some stunning health benefits, too!

Here’s a short list of what semolina can do for you:

  • Semolina is made from durum wheat, so it is digested slowly. This helps you feel full longer and prevents you from overeating.
  • Semolina improves kidney function, thanks to its potassium content.
  • Add some chopped nuts and raisins to your semolina porridge, and you increase its nutritional content as well as taste.
  • Add some chopped vegetables to savory semolina Upma, and you have a power-packed, as well as delicious, meal in a bowl.
  • Semolina is a good source of two vital vitamins: E and the B group. Both, as we know, are essential for good immunity from disease.
  • For those who lead an active lifestyle, semolina is a quick and nourishing source of energy.
  • The trace minerals in semolina, such as phosphorus, zinc and magnesium, are beneficial for the health of your bones and nervous system.

Of course those with gluten intolerance would need to avoid eating semolina.

 

Rava Laddoos

~ saanjhachullha ~ 2 Comments

Rava laddus

 Semolina Laddus

Hi friends!A beginner’s recipe that doesn’t need any expertise.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

 Makes: 15 Laddus

Recipe Cuisine: South Indian

Recipe Category: Snacks, Mithai

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Rava / Sooji /fine Semolina
  • ½ cup Coconut , desiccated
  • 3/4 cup sugar, Powdered
  • 1/2 cup Warm milk
  • 1/4 cup cashew nuts, crushed in to smaller pieces
  • 1/4 cup Raisins
  • 1/4 cup pistachios
  • 6 Green cardamoms, peeled and powdered
  • 1/4 tsp saffron
  • 2 tbsp Ghee

Method:

Step 1.

Heat a kadhai / wok / or heavy bottom pan and dry roast the semolina for five -seven minutes on a low flame.

Step 2.

Add the desiccated coconut , mix well and fry for 7-8 minutes more. Take out the lightly roasted mixture in a bowl.

Step 3.

Heat one tbsp ghee in the same pan, add the cashew nuts and pistachios flakes fry till they turn light golden brown, add raisins fry for a minute .Remove and keep the fried fruit aside.

Step 4.

Heat remaining ghee in a kadhai / wok / or heavy bottom pan and fry the roasted rava/ sooji / semolina coconut mixture for 7-8 minutes on medium -low flame.

Step 5.

Boil 1/2 cup of milk in a pan add saffron, cardamom powder and sugar. Reduce the heat to low flame till the sugar gets dissolved completely switch off the stove.

Step 6.

Add milk, sugar, saffron and cardamom mix to the fried rava / sooji / semolina coconut mixture. Stir it well add the fried dry fruit. Mix it well and switch off the stove. Cool it for ten -fifteen minutes. Take equal portion of the mixture and shape it in to laddus . You will get fifteen laddus.

Note:

  • If you prefer a less sweeter version, add 2/3 cups of sugar instead of 1 cup.You can keep the laddus at room temperature for 3-4 days and in the refrigerator for a week.
  • I love semolina porridge. The comforting texture and taste, and the fact that it is light on the stomach, have made it one of my favorite foods to enjoy on a chilly night. Browsing through some health information on this wonder grain, I realized it has some stunning health benefits, too!

    Amazing Health Benefits of Semolina:

    Here’s a short list of what semolina can do for you:

  • Semolina is made from durum wheat, so it is digested slowly. This helps you feel full longer and prevents you from overeating.
  • Semolina improves kidney function, thanks to its potassium content.
  • Add some chopped nuts and raisins to your semolina porridge, and you increase its nutritional content as well as taste.
  • Add some chopped vegetables to savory semolina Upma, and you have a power-packed, as well as delicious, meal in a bowl.
  • Semolina is a good source of two vital vitamins: E and the B group. Both, as we know, are essential for good immunity from disease.
  • For those who lead an active lifestyle, semolina is a quick and nourishing source of energy.
  • The trace minerals in semolina, such as phosphorus, zinc and magnesium, are beneficial for the health of your bones and nervous system.

  • Of course those with gluten intolerance would need to avoid eating semolina.

    Ref. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-amazing-health-benefits-of-semolina.html

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.

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Nei Appam/Neyyappam-1

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Nei appams while cooking  Nei appams

Nei Appam/Neyyappam

Hi friends! Nei Appam or neyyappam as its called is made in all South Indian households on festivals as a neivedhyam / prasadaam. To make it healthier in this recipe it is made using appam moulds.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Wheat Flour
  • 1/2 cups-Jaggery, dissolved in one cup water
  • 2 Bananas, mashed well
  • 2 tsp Rava / semolina
  • 6 green cardamoms, powdered
  • 2 tsp dry ginger powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • Oil for lining the mould indents

Method:

Step 1.

In a bowl take wheat flour, mashed bananas, rava, cardamom powder, ginger powder, baking soda and mix well .

Step 2.

In a pan heat water add jaggery, heat till all the jaggery dissolves.

Step 3.

Mix the jaggery syrup to the flour gradually, stirring and mixing all the ingredients well.

Step 4.

Add slowly milk to  the mix  to have a thick batter.

Step 5.

Keep the batter aside for half an hour.

Step 6.

Heat the appam pan and put oil into each mould . Now add the required amount of batter into the moulds. When it gets cooked (golden brown), turn other side and make sure appams are fully cooked. Serve hot wheat appams.

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.

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Maddur Vade

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Meddur vade

Maddur Vade

Hi friends! Maddur Vade is a very popular snack of the state of karnataka, in India. Maddur Vade got its name from a little town called ‘Maddur’ which is situated in between Bangalore and Mysore. These delicious vade are a good for breakfast or evening snack and can be served with or without coconut chutney . Vade are easy and quick to make and have a crispy crust and soft from inside.

Preparation Time : 10 minutes
Resting Time : 10 minutes
Cooking Time : 1 to 2 minutes for frying each batch
Serves: 15 vade

  • 2 cups Rice flour
  • 1 cup fine Sooji/Semolina
  • 1/4 cup Maida/ all-purpose flour
  • 2 medium size Onions, finely chopped
  • 2 Green Chilies , finely chopped
  • 8-10 fresh curry leaves, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp oil, heated
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt or / salt to taste
  • Oil for deep frying

Method:

Step 1.

Take all purpose flour, sooji, rice flour, salt in a bowl mix all the ingredients well . Sprinkle three table spoon of oil and rub the mixture with your hands so that it resembles bread crumbs and oil is fully absorbed.
Step 2.

Now add onions, chilies, curry leaves to the mixture, adding water slowly make a firm dough.

Step 3.

Cover and leave the dough for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4.

Divide the dough into equal lemon size balls.Pat and flatten the dough balls between your palms and set aside.

Step 5.

Take the patted dough and slide it carefully into hot oil for deep frying. Fry these vade on low to medium flame.

Step 6.

Fry the vade until they turns golden brown.Remove vade from the oil and drain them on a paper kitchen towel , keep them aside. Fry three to four vade at a time . Serve these hot vade just like that or with coconut chutney.

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.

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Suji/Semolina Halwa

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Suji Halwa 1

Suji/Semolina Halwa

Hi friends!Suji/Semolina halwa is a simple yet delicious and yummy sweetened semolina, fried in ghee and garnished with nuts. Its also popularly known as Kesari bath in the southern region of India.

Recipe Servings: 6

Cook time: 20 minutes

Cuisine: Indian Dessert

Level: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sooji  /semolina
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 4 tbsp pure ghee
  • 9 green Cardamoms, powdered
  • 2 tbsp blanched and shredded almonds for garnishing

Method:

Step 1.

In a pan put the sugar and water and bring it to boil. Keep on simmer, till required.

Step 2.

In a wok/ Kadahi, melt the ghee add the sooji and stir fry over medium heat, stir it continually for about 8-10 minutes. When the sooji is light golden in colour and does not stick together much , it is well fried .

Step 3.

Pour the hot sugar solution into the fried sooji gently and carefully, stirring continually. Add cardamom powder and bring to a boil, stir continuously. Once the water is added, to the suji mixture, stir well so that no lumps are formed. Suji / Semolina absorbs the water added and swells.

Step 4.

Thoroughly mix let whole mixture, cook for 5-6 minutes more. keep on stirring so that the Suji halwa does not stick to the wok / Kadahi and starts leaving the sides. Suji halwa is ready now.
Serve hot, garnished with the almonds.

Health Benefits of Suji/Semolina :
  • Prevents overeating. Semolina is made up of durum wheat which means it keeps you full for a longer period of time and prevents you from overeating. …
  • Boosts energy. …
  • Keeps bones and nervous system healthy. …
  • Improves heart health. …
  • Prevents anemia.

Ref. http://www.thehealthsite.com/fitness/health-benefits-of-semolina-or-suji/

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.

Semolina Upma with Vegetables

~ saanjhachullha ~ Leave a comment

 Upma

Semolina/Suji/Rava Upma with Vegetables

Hi friends! Vegetable upma is an easy to prepare, tasty  healthy delicacy.

Serves: 6-8
Cooking time (approx.): 15-20 minutes
Course: Healthy Breakfast

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup semolina (or cream of wheat)
  • 2 medium size onions finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup French beans finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Broccoli florets cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup green peas shelled
  • 1/2 cup carrots finely cubed
  • 1 ” piece ginger grated
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 3  cups water
  • 2/3 level tsp salt or salt to taste
  • 8 cashew nuts broken into small pieces
  • 2 tbsp roasted chana dal
  • 4 tbsp Olive oil

Method:

Step 1.

In a kadahi/wok, dry roast semolina, stirring continuously (to a slight or no color change), on medium flame. Keep aside.

Step 2.

In a pressure cooker, add all the chopped vegetables, 1/4 cup water and 1/4 tsp of salt. On high flame when the pressure is formed switch off the stove. Let the cooker cool open the lid and take out the steamed vegetables and keep them  aside.

Step 3.

Heat the remaining oil in the kadhai/wok. Toss in the mustard seeds, wait for them to splutter and then add the curry leaves, red chillies, onions, cashew nuts, roasted chana dal and ginger. Stir-fry on medium heat till the onions are transparent or golden and soft.

Step 4.

Add water and salt to the seasoning. Bring the water to boil.

Step 5.

Slowly add the roasted semolina/suji/rawa to the boiling water and stir continuously. Mix in the steamed vegetables.

Step 6.

Cook on low heat stirring continuously for about four-five minutes, till the mixture is set and solidifying. Serve hot with coriander or coconut chutney.

Amazing Health Benefits of Semolina:

  • Here’s a short list of what semolina can do for you:

  • Semolina is made from durum wheat, so it is digested slowly. This helps you feel full longer and prevents you from overeating.
  • Semolina improves kidney function, thanks to its potassium content.
  • Add some chopped nuts and raisins to your semolina porridge, and you increase its nutritional content as well as taste.
  • Add some chopped vegetables to savory semolina Upma, and you have a power-packed, as well as delicious, meal in a bowl.
  • Semolina is a good source of two vital vitamins: E and the B group. Both, as we know, are essential for good immunity from disease.
  • For those who lead an active lifestyle, semolina is a quick and nourishing source of energy.
  • The trace minerals in semolina, such as phosphorus, zinc and magnesium, are beneficial for the health of your bones and nervous system.

  • Of course those with gluten intolerance would need to avoid eating semolina.

    Ref. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-amazing-health-benefits-of-semolina.html

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.

Rava Kesari

~ saanjhachullha ~ Leave a comment

 

Rava Kesri 1

ORIGIN: South India

Hi friends!“Rava Kesari” is a popular sweet in the south Indian states especially Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is easy to prepare and the ingredients are easily available. Rava kesari is made with semolina, it’s North Indian counterpart is sooji ka halwa.

Preparation Time : 5 minutes

Cuisine: South Indian

Cooking Time : 20 minutes.

Serves : 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fine rava/sooji/semolina
  • 3/4th cup sugar
  • 2 cup milk + 1 cup water
  • 6-8 green cardamom, powdered
  • 8 cashew nuts
  • 8-10 raisins
  • 3 pinches of saffron strands, powdered lightly
  •  4-6 tbsp pure ghee  for frying

Method:

Step 1.

Heat one tbsp ghee in a frying pan/ kadai/ wok and fry lightly cashew, Kishmish, cinnamon, cardamom and keep aside. In a mortar-pestle crush the cardamom seeds to a fine powder and keep aside.

Step 2.

In a deep pan heat water-milk mixture, bring it to boil add saffron, mix. Switch off the stove. Keep aside

Step 3.

In a frying pan/ kadai/ wok take four tbsp ghee, on medium flame add suji/ rava/semolina and fry till the lovely aroma of fried rava comes . Reduce the heat to low flame.

Step 4.

Slowly add the boiled milk -water mix to the fried suji/ rava/semolina, stirring continuously. Add dry fruit mix, alongside, add sugar, cardamom powder to it, stir well till it thickens and sets.The suji/ rava/semolina will absorb the water and the mixture will start thickening.

Step 5.

Keep adding a few teaspoons of ghee in the suji/ rava/semolina mix and keep on stirring till the whole mixture starts thickening and starts to leave the sides of the kadai or pan. Switch off the heat.

Step 6.

Serve Rava kesari hot .

NOTE:

*Take all the ingredients in the above mentioned quantity only.

*Do not refrigerate the rava kesari while it is hot, allow it to cool down to room temperature.

*While adding ghee, keep on stirring well otherwise rava kesari prepared will not be uniformly solid.

* You can add sugar equal to the amount of rava for more sweet or 3/4 cup or half of the sugar if less sweet rava kesri is required.

*Adding more or less ghee is individual choice, at the same time don’t forget to roast Rava using ghee.

Health Benefits of Suji/Semolina :
  • Prevents overeating. Semolina is made up of durum wheat which means it keeps you full for a longer period of time and prevents you from overeating. …
  • Boosts energy. …
  • Keeps bones and nervous system healthy. …
  • Improves heart health. …
  • Prevents anemia.

Ref. http://www.thehealthsite.com/fitness/health-benefits-of-semolina-or-suji/

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.