Simple and Quick Macaroni with White Sauce Recipe

I know I just made the white sauce for the burgers and ended up having quite some left. I knew I will end up making this. I used to love this during my teens and wanted to see if Konda will like it to. Since this has a tendency to get thicken, I wanted to serve her for breakfast. She said she loved it. Of course with Konda one is never sure.

She ate most of it, leaving some saying she was full. I will have to try it again on her to see if she reacts as enthusiastic as today. I really loved tasting a spoon of it. Of course the diet is still there. Since I am eating mostly the regular food, I thought I will update once or twice depending on what new dishes I make.

Diet Program ~ Today

7. 00 am - Coffee with biscuits
10.00 am - 1 quarter piece of Ragi Roti
11.30 am - Buttermilk
1.30 pm -  3 Peas parathas
5.00 pm - 1 sandwich with cucumber
5.30 pm - 1 apple

Simple and Quick Macaroni with White Sauce Recipe

Ingredients Needed:

Macaroni -1 cup
Butter - 1/2 tsp
White Sauce - 2 -3 tsp
Milk - 1/2 cup
Pepper and Salt for taste

Boil macaroni in lots of water, drain it once it is cooked.

In a non stick pan, heat the butter, add the cooked macaroni and white sauce, stir well.

Then add the milk, pepper and salt. Adjust the seasoning and remove.

This takes about 10 mins max from the start to end, if you have the white sauce handy!

Diet Program ~ Day 14

I feel bad for not having recorded my schedule, though I have been strictly following it. Except for the Sunday there has not been much of a deviation.

 

7. 30 am - Coffee with biscuits
8.30 am - 1 roti
11.30 am - Buttermilk
12.30 pm -  Carrot
1.15 pm - 2 pulkas, with Brinjal Dal, Green Fry

5.30 pm - 3 biscuits

9.00 pm - 3 Brown Bread Sandwich with Spinach spread.

This was very tasty, spinach boiled, then sauteed with masala till dry and topped on bread. Will post a detailed recipe on this with better picture.

Hope things are going fine with everybody who is following the diet!

Kid's Delight Wholesome Breakfast Round up - Next theme!

From my personal experience, there is no better teacher than your child. Be it for patience, knowledge, smartness or being innovative in cooking. One maybe the greatest chefs of all time, yet the stumbling block will be preparing a meal that a kid will love without making faces. Or at the worst, ignoring your and your plate outright!

I have faced many such incident with my daughter and have always been in search of new things that will interest her. Every year one item catches her fancy. It maybe the bane or the benefit for me, that continues for the whole year. Try you may, yet you can't actually find a reason for the fancy, simply can't. I have done that, and left it at that, deciding that it at times works out to be a blessing in disguise for me. I am not up to question such blessings.

Last year Konda's favorite item was Dosas, this year it has been bread. Anytime, every time you offer a bread and say you will make a variety with it, she is happy. she has been after me for sending her Bread Jam for lunch. With a loaf always in stock, I find most of my woes are answered. But I feel guilty taking advantage of that.

Well to make the story short, this is the reason behind this event. I have now about 50 great ideas to help me ensure she gets something interesting to eat for breakfast. I have already tried some of them and she was trilled to know these were sent for her. So thank you very much for sending along these entries and making my little girl happy.

Before we check out the entries, lets see what the next one going to be!

The next one in the series will be Kid's delight ~ Wholesome Snacks.

Please use this Logo,

For a better idea, check out what wiki says about snacks

I have to pack a snack for my daughter. Most times I resort to store bought snacks or fruits or biscuits. so I am definitely looking for ideas to get this done at home.

Rules are same, Entries should be fit for a kid's snack box. Please read the Kid's Delight page for more details on this event. As previously I will be trying out the entries myself too. So I welcome your suggestions too.

The entries can be something you cooked for your own child or for a child in your family, friends etc. Or even enjoyed as a kid yourself.

The last date to send in the entries will be March 20th 2010.

The entry Form is below, an email notification will be sent to all participants on submission. Please mail me if you don't get an auto notification.


Now lets check out the breakfasts, shall we?

I have categories based either on the type of breakfast or the mode of cooking. I hope this list will help many moms!

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Of all the many beautiful things, baked dishes capture my fancy most. Maybe it's got to do with the many fiction I used to devour as a kid, but somehow those freshly baked loaves, or the soft buns or those tempting muffins, are one of a kind.

We have four entries coming under this, each vying for attention. I guess we can grab all of them anyways!

For Ambika, it is the fantasy of brown bread that held her thoughts since childhood. She used to get treat with her granny eating only this. So inspiration struck which made her bake these lovely Whole Wheat Oats Potato Bread, oats rolled in as a bonus!

Were you ever kindled to recreate your childhood fancies? I am sure there were many. And I was pleased reading about Kalai's Stuffed Croissants which she calls as FAN-tastic Croissants

Lataji shares with us a recipe that her daughter tried and was a hit. I am sure these Potato Buns will be as truly tempting as she makes it sound!

If you are keen on eggless and on muffins, I am sure you will be excited reading about Renu's Eggless Blueberry Muffin, which are a perfect breakfast treat with milk, I seriously think I make this for myself!

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We then move on the next category of dishes that are my most favorite ones, you ask which is not? Well keep asking! Dosas, Adais and Pancakes, you have your choice and choose what you may!

Asha comes with a bang every week to give us a visual treat. This time she makes this Mixed Dal Adai, which is a very healthy way to start the day, be it for kids or adults!

Indrani's Chocolate Pancake is already a hit at home with my daughter as I have made this couple of times already!. Tell me who will not love to feast on chocolate?

Madhuri has the perfect solution for those rush hour mornings with her Healthy Savoury Pancakes. They loved it and she wishes we do, yeah yeah I am sure we will do too!

Nisha loves these Oats Rava Cheela that she learnt from a friend of hers. Since she was sending to this event, she added some veggies too as bonus!

Having a packet of soya beans lying around unnoticed, Pari decided Soybean Rice Adai was the best solution. This takes care of a healthy breakfast in place!

For PJ, who shares the usual love for idlis and dosas, resorts to this Multi Flour Dosa as an answer to avoid those long hours of grinding and soaking. I agree on that! And this works out best when you kid suddenly ask for some.

Then we have some 4 awesome entries from Priya, as I always say her family is one lucky lot. Not only does she make many varieties, she makes them healthy too!. Check out her Barley Paruppu Adai, Oats Pesarattu, Sprouted Moongdal & Barley Masala Dosa and finally her delicious Instant Cornmeal & Oats Dosai. Thank you for the great service you do priya!

This wonderful Multi Legume Dosai with Sesame seeds comes from the famous duo of the A 2 Z Veg' Cuisine. Well Sadana says she goes to the extent of peeling of the peanut skin if the child wants it so.

Innovation starts at home and I saw it beautiful depicted with Sowjanya's All Egg Dosa. This is a wonderful dosa topped with egg on which another layer of Tomato tokku goes, how awesome. I am sure kids will loves great looking one!

And finally from me the pancake that I tried from Indrani, these tasty chocolate pancake that Konda simply loved!

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Next we move on to Idiyappam, Noodles, Pasta, how rhyming right!

Divya said she will send an entry that she loved as a kid. I am sure many of us do. Ragi Idiyappam is such a wonderful healthy way to enjoy the idiyappams!

Imagine my jaws drooping reading that Roma's little daughter loves Capsicum! She makes this Pasta with Fusilli combined with capsicums and served with Butter Toasts. Now I wish my kids eat those too!

Simplyfood makes this aromatic Baby Corn Carrot Noodles, since these are quick to get done, you have breakfast or lunch ready in minutes!

Veggie Noodle Nests are very interesting way to serve Idiyappam along with kurma from Sowjanya. she packs it with veggies, which is a sure way to get the kids eat the veggies.

Then from me, a quick vermicelli upma, for on the run!

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Then we have some cool paniyarams making their way.

We have Champa re defining paniyaram by making Ragi Banana Paniyaram, which I have already tried and loved!

Then we have Kamala Bhoopathy sending us two exciting dishes, Vegetable Kuzhi Paniyaram and the other Green Gram Sweet Kuzhi Paniyaram.

Seeing Champa's beautiful paniyaram, I tried for my daughter and she loved it, these Ragi Banana Paniyaram is just too good.

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We then move to the Roti, Parathas, Pooris entries! How yum!

Reading this entry from Jayasree, I empathize how creative we ought to become. Her Veggie puris has a long story behind it. Read it yourself!

Kalai makes this tempting Sweet Potato Wraps with homemade masalas and feels rejuvenated remembering her childhood. I am sure kids love these ready to eat wraps!

PJ makes this delicious Masala chapathi with vegetables, sure way to sneak veggies into your kid's diet!

We have another lovely entry from Priya, this time a Soya Flour & Dill Paratha, because she loves soya and wanted to make it more aromatic!

If you are in a mood for a Gujarati Methi Thepla, then I suggest you check out Simplyfood's entry!

Lie if you may or plead if you may, result is to get your kid eat the healthy food! This is how Spice gets her child eat those Ragi Rotis.

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Next on the list are some lovely sandwiches

First we have a Colourful Heart Sandwiches and Double Flavoured Toasts from Shoba Shrinivasan. She is always on the lookout to make food look very attractive for her daughter.

Then we have a Sub inspired Vegetable Sandwich coming from Silpa. They love these so much that she found a way to make it at home to enjoy!

Suma sends us a French Toast With An Orange Twist. A sure way to satisfy your sweet craving and a way to please kids and adults at the same time.

Egg Sandwich comes all the way from Tazaika. These are her kid's favorite ones, and she is happy that it is a healthy wholesome meal on its own!

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Then we move to catch up with some steamed dishes!

Saraswathi sends us this Masala Idlis, which surely perks up a dull moment!

And if you find your kid refusing to partake an idli, I am sure you will be interested to read Sowjanya who makes these Kadubu Idli or tower idli. Do read on her wonderful story about a temple visit.

Spice calls her Dhokla as Spicy Multi-Legume Cakes. Wonder why? She says she makes it with 4 different lentils, I am sure it sounds very interesting!

I like the rhyming of this entry Puttum Payarum Pinae Pappadavum  from Swathi. I simply love the healthy options kerala cuisine has to offer us!

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Then we have some exciting other entries which were unique on their own.

Champa sends in one awesome looking Whole Grain Waffles with apple butter, which makes me want to reach out.

Then we have a Mixed Vegetable Curry With Spices And Nuts from Kalva. She says her daughter loves this along with rotis.

Kelsey was all eager to make this awesome wholesome Cherry Vanilla Oatmeal, which makes a breakfast all worth it.

Madhuri ooh-la-la…tasting her first bite of this Oats Kharabhath. Now who says one shouldn't make tasty food while on diet. Well the question is from her ok!

Pearls and Gems, Pearls and Gems for breakfast!! Wondering what these are? Well that was how Nevidita piqued my curiosity by tweeting me and FBing me on the entry. Curious, well check it out yourself. I am only glad her kid loves this.

Radhika sends us this Thiruvadhirai Kali that she made for breakfast which her kids liked so much. Seeing the recipe, makes me want to try it soon.

Then we have a Tri-Color Bell Peppers Omelette coming from Tigerfish. She says she has been trying to incorporate all colours in food. She talks about rainbow diet to toddlers and infants, wow!

And finally a sweet dish to end the event, a moong Dal Halwa from Priyanka. Her son loved it so much that she is for sure going to make it often!.

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I am sure that was one wonderful round up. I would like to thank all participants for sending in their entries. If I have missed out any entry, pls let me know, it shall be amended right away.

Diet Program ~ Day 9 & Day 10

Diet Program ~ Day 9

 

7. 30 am - Coffee with biscuits
10.30 am - 2 bread slices with Veg Soup.
11.30 am - Buttermilk
12.30 pm -  1/2 cucumber + Carrot
1.15 pm - 2 pulkas, with Cluster Beans Curry

2.00 pm - 1 serving of Pomegranate

5.00 pm - 1 Paneer Roll + 1/2 serving of Popcorn

8.30 pm - 1 Chapati with Brinjal, potatoes curry (I didn't eat the potatoes, good that I don't like them anyway)

 

Didn't eat anything else as I felt I cheated with that 1/2 serving of popcorn. We went for a movie, and a movie is not a movie if not for a bag of popcorn.

 

Diet Program ~ Day 10

 

6. 30 am - Coffee with biscuits
10.15 am - 2 bread slices with Veg Soup.
12.00 pm - Buttermilk
12.45 pm - 1 Carrot
1.15 pm - 1 paneer roti, 2 pulkas, with Brinjal, potatoes curry, Brinjal sukhi subji

3.00 pm -  3 slices of Pineapple

5.30 pm - 1 small orange

10.00 pm - 1 serving of grapes

 

Paneer rotis are very simple, made the same way as stuffed paneer, but made without oil for self. This was the breakfast for kids.

Our Gravies are mostly done with max 1 - 2 tsp of oil, so it is within permissible quantity.

Pineapple - I love these, though I said no for this, since we got it, thought I might as well enjoy. Otherwise I make it a point not to buy fruits that I am not supposed to eat. That way it is easy not to get tempted!

 

Diet Program ~ Day 7 & Day 8!

With all the calories that went in during the day off, I might as well start all over again! What can I expect to follow when I had scheduled the Kachori making on this day? For all the will power one might profess, I am sure he/she can't ignore a tempting, pretty puffed up kachori can pose, right.

But I am really really happy that I ate just two. That I tell is you, takes lot of will power!..:)

And no yielding to temptations, I packed off most to parents home. I was elated that they loved it. Yes the pleasure knowing that I could please my parents with a Kachori, was more than what stuffing all that myself can do. With Konda saying she expects me to make this everyday, I saved whatever was left for her snacks.

The day was too hectic, and with the eating that happened, I skipped the dinner with what? Not sure.

Anyway I couldn't post on the day, so here's an account of what I followed on Monday

7. 30 am - Coffee with biscuits
9.30 am - 1 slice of bread
10.30 am - 3 slices of pineapple with 1 bowl of Pomagrante.
11.30 am - Buttermilk
12.30 pm -  1 carrot
12.45 pm - 2 pulkas, Sorrel leaves with Black Eyed peas dal, Bitter gourd in curds stir fry Buttermilk.
3.35 pm - 1/2 cucumber
5.30 pm  1 small orange
8.30 pm 1 parotta with Paneer Butter Masala.

I convinced myself that I need the protein!

No Lemon juice and soup today.

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My Tuesday Schedule was this

7. 30 am - Coffee with biscuits
10.30 am - 3 bread slices with Veg Soup.
11.30 am - Buttermilk
12.30 pm -  1 cucumber
2.15 pm - 3 pulkas, Paneer Butter Masala.
3.35 pm - 1 bowl Watermelon
5.00 pm  1 small serving of peanuts
5.45 pm 1 small orange
 8.45 pm 2 bread slices bread with subzi.



No deviation today and that feels good.
No Lemon juice and today.


Looking forward to a week of good behavior!

I am so glad that Jayasree joined this diet. Hope she can continue, would like to know how others kept at it!

Khasta Kachori / Moong Dal Kachori - Step by Step Recipe ~ Indian Cooking Challenge!

Kachori, a word that conjures lot of lovely memories spent during college days. This was one snack that I got introduced by my North Indian friends. Once when we went for a movie, my friend got us home made Kachoris that her mom made. They were so crispy and tasty, the taste that I could never forget. I again got to taste some authentic kachoris during my visit to Delhi and realized that each one vary based on what goes in.

For this month of Challenge, I wanted to make some savory snack and was wondering what will fill that bill. It was coming back to Samosas. Yet I didn't want to make these as I regularly used to make at home. Then during my chat with Medhaa, we naturally moved to discuss what could be the next one on Indian Cooking Challenge and we finally banged on Kachoris. I asked if her Mom has an authentic recipe and she said she can get one from her Aunty who makes some lovely Kachoris.

Medhaa not only got the recipe from her Aunt, she also tried recipes from Tarla Dalal. Finally she mixed both recipes and came about her own. So for this month we have a tried and tested recipe from Medhaa of Cook with Love! Thank you Medhaa for the recipe.

We choose three different fillings - Moong Dal Filling, Peas Filling and Onions. Members had the choice to make any one or all the three.

Step by Step Pictures for Making Kachoris!

 

For the dough, take the measured flour add oil/ghee, salt and mix till you get a crumble like above.

 

Knead it using very little water into a tight dough and cover it with a wet muslin cloth for 1 hour.

 

Meanwhile soak 1 cup Split Yellow Moong dal with enough water for 1 hour. The coarsely grind, you should be finding the dal half full.

 

Heat a kadai with oil and fry all the ingredients listed under the Filling for Moong Dal filling.

 

Fry till you get a dry filling like the above.

Pinch a small ball from the dough and flatten the sides as in the picture. 

 

End of it, you will have a small bowl shaped dough. 

 

Scoop a little of the stuffing and fill the cup in the middle

Gently close from the sides and ensure the filling is covered on all sides.

Make the ball fully covered on all sides by pressing or gently circling between your palms

On a flat surface, gently press it down. Make sure you don't press it very hard, else the filling will come out.

When you have enough to fry, heat a kadai and simmer to low when the oil is really hot.

Fry in batches depending on the oil in the pan.

Turn on the other side and cook evenly on both sides. This takes about 20 - 30 mins for each batch.

 

Once it is cooked on both sides, drain on a tissue paper.

How does this look??

The dough is the same for all the fillings.

Kachoris ~ Fried Dumplings with Fillings

Adapted from Medhaa's Aunty and Tarla Dalal

Resting Time for the Dough is app 1/2 hr - 1 hr
Frying time for the Kachoris - 20 mins for each batch app.
Soaking Time for the Filling is app. 1 hr
Cooking Time for the Filling is app 15 mins
Yields - 15

For the Dough

Ingredients Needed:

All purpose flour / Maida - 2 cups
Oil/ Ghee - 1/4 cup ,
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Water for kneading

Method

1. Mix the flour and salt, Add the oil/ghee and mix till you get a bread crumbs texture.
2. Slowly add water and make a soft dough. Knead well for about 8 minutes.
3. Cover and keep aside to rest for at least half hour.

Special Tips / Notes for the dough:

1. Keep the dough covered at all times, if not it will dry up and not puff up when frying. If the dough is made right wet cloth can be used if not just a towel.
2. The dough could spring back for many reasons:

              Dough is too cold (If wet cloth is used)
              Dough is not soft enough.
              Not kneaded for enough time.
              Oil is less.
              Not rested enough.

Fillings

Khasta Kachori - Moong Dal Kachori
Ingredients Needed:

Split Moong Dal (yellow) - 1/2 cup
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Hing / Asafoetida - a pinch
Curry Leaves - 2 tsp chopped fine (opt)
Green Chilli - Ginger paste - 1 tsp
Sauf / Fennel seeds powder - 1 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Mango powder / Amchur - 1 tsp
Oil - 1 tsp
Salt to taste

Method

1. Wash and Soak dal in water for at least 1 hour. You can go upto 4 hours not more.
2. Drain the water well.
3. Grind the dal to a coarsely. (Will resemble Idli Rawa)
4. Heat oil in a pan.
5. Add the hing and cumin seeds.
6. Once the seeds splutter add the curry leaves.
7. Add the dal.
8. Lower the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes till the dal stops sticking to the pan.
9. Cook for another 10 minutes on low till the dal turns slightly brown.
10. Add all the masalas.
11. Cook for few minutes till the aroma of the spices hit you.
12. Add Salt.
13. Remove from heat and keep aside to cool.

Special Tips / Notes for the filling:

• The fillings have to be really dry if not when rolling they will ooze out when rolling.
• Adjust the masalas according to your taste. What is given in this recipe is spicy to the extent one can still enjoy.
• If you try to press out using a rolling pin, the filling may come out and make holes in the kachori. So it will have to be just pressed out using your palm.
• Fry the kachori's on medium low to get a crisp outer layer, that is the key. For people using electric stove, the numbers can be going from 6 to 4.

Muttar Ki Kachori from Tarla Dalal:

For green pea filling

2 cups green peas
1 teaspoon green chillies, chopped
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1/2 teaspoon nigella seeds (kalonji)
2 teaspoons fennel seeds (saunf)
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
4 tablespoons chopped coriander
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste

For the green pea filling

1. Coarsely grind the green peas,green chillies and ginger in a blender without using any water. Keep aside.
2. Heat the oil in a pan,add the nigella seeds, fennel seeds, bay leaves and ground green pea mixture and saute over a very slow flame for 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Add the chilli powder, garam masala, coriander and salt and saute for 2 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves and discard. Divide into 12 equal portions.

Pyaz Ki Kachori

For the onion filling

2 cups onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon nigella seeds (kalonji)
2 teaspoons fennel seeds (saunf)
2 bay leaves
1½ teaspoons green chillies, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Bengal gram flour (besan)
2 teaspoons coriander (dhania) powder
2 teaspoons chilli powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
3 tablespoons chopped coriander
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste

To make the onion filling

1. Heat the oil in a pan. Add the nigella seeds, fennel seeds, bay leaves, green chillies and onions and sauté till the onions turn light brown in colour.
2. Add the gram flour, coriander powder, chilli powder, garam masala and salt and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add the chopped coriander and mix well. Remove the bay leaves and discard. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
4. Divide into 12 equal portions and keep aside.

To Make Kachori's

1. Make a small ball from the dough. Roll out into a 2 inch diameter circle. Or flatten the ball using your fingers having the center thick and sides little thin.
2. Place about 1.5 tsp of the filling in the center of the rolled dough.
3. Cover the filling with the dough by slowly stretching it over the filling. Seal the ends and remove excess dough. Repeat with all the balls and keep aside for 5 -7 mins.
4. Then using your palm, flatten the balls by lightly pressing it, as using the rolling pin will make the filling come out. (See notes below). Keep aside covered. Repeat with the remaining dough.
5. Meanwhile heat some oil for deep frying. The oil should not become smoking hot. Test to see if the temperature is right by dropping a tiny ball of dough and see if it is rising slowly to the top.
6. Drop the kachoris in batches of 3-4 gently into the oil. It should rise up slowly. If you don't want to use lot of oil, use just enough for two or three at a time and fry them.
7. After it rises up (about 2 minutes), turn it over.
8. Cook for about 6 to 10 minutes till the side down gets a golden brown color.
9. Turn and cook the other side for another 6 minutes or till its golden brown in color.
10. Remove when done, cool and store in airtight container.
11. Serve with coriander chutney and tamarind chutney

Special Tips / Notes for making the Kachoris:

• You can fry 3 kachori's at a time.
• The oil should be at a heat when you drop some dough it should come up slowly, if the dough comes up too fast the oil is too hot, if it does not come up then the oil is cold.
• It will not be crisp if the oil is too hot.
• This takes really long time to get cooked, so be prepared.
• Special notes to remember, I started with a smaller cup, but the dal after soaking was more than what was needed. So I had to make the dough then and there. Instead of oil as I previously kneaded, I added ghee. This resulted in faster dough. Since you anyway will cook this in sim, the cover will be crispy no doubt.
• So have a check on the dal you use. For the other filling I am not sure. Maybe I will check with others and update here.

I must say of all the Challenges, I loved this the best. Maybe because I love savories or maybe I simply love kachoris. I am really trilled that I finally made this at home. I almost missed making it today, having since postponed till the very end. 

On my part, this reminded me so very much of my college days and specially one outing when my friend brought us homemade kachories. Finally after so many years, I get to make them myself!

Today being sunday it was really so very hectic. But I was determined that I make it. With great difficulty I got the kids take their nap, as I planned it during that gap. After spending nearly 2 hrs making this, I was happy that it was a great hit. Everybody simply loved it. Infact Konda said I should make this everyday for it.

I was glad that I made the other batch as parents really liked it very much too. This is surely something that I am going to make very often. I am sure everybody enjoyed making the kachories at home.

To all my ICC members, please link your Kachori post to Mr. Linky.

Diet Program Day 6

Today went off in a breeze. We had to do the household chores and that kept me so occupied that I didn't realize the diet or what I was eating. I managed to follow the diet till evening. I skipped on the dinner by eating the Uggani that I made for dinner. well I consoled myself that since it is very rare this is made, it is fine..anyway more determination is needed.

Here's my schedule today.

7.00 - 7.10 -am - Warm up
8 am - Coffee with biscuits
10.00 am - 1 slice of bread
11.00 am - 1 bowl of Veg Soup with 2 Breads slices
12.00 pm Buttermilk
12.00 pm Lunch - 2 pulkas, Dal and 1 cup Pomegranate
3.30 pm - 4 Slices of Pineapple

8. 30 pm Uggani with bajji.:(

 

Hope things get better from next week. And since tomorrow being sunday you can cheat. But the way I ended up eating for dinner, I don't think I should feast!

 

 

 

Quick Macaroni in Tomato Sauce, Diet Program Day 5

Even  with all the planning that I do, it is quite funny that I face a day where everything goes wrong. Well I realize there is a limit to what one can plan. Anyway that is part of life and I should gracefully accept and move on. Today being Shivaratri, I was busy making the Gugulu or the mixed lentil Salad that is offered as prasadam. This kept me so busy that I failed to get the boy's lunch box ready on time. Rasam takes about 5 mins, but even that cost me so much in terms of tension.

Anyway that again goes to show do things first that are required first. Konda wanted those Chocolate Pancake for breakfast and I made this quick Tomato Macaroni that she likes for lunch.

There is no recipe at all. You just add as you make it. Boil Macaroni in lots of water along with 2 drops of oil. When the Macaronis are done, drain them in a colander. Heat a pan with 1/2 tsp oil. Toss the boiled Macaroni to it and swirl so that oil is well coated. Add Tomato Sauce as required, which is normally about 2 tsp, Salt and pepper for taste.

Cook on high so that this gets coated well and done. You can add grated cheese, onions and so many based on what your kid eats.

Coming to my diet, I am almost settled with the food that I eat, don't feel hungry at all anytime except of course early mornings.

Work at office was too hectic and that prevented me from eating on time. Everything got postponed to the next slot. still it didn't matter much.

Here's my schedule today.

7.00 - 7.10 -am - Warm up
8 am - Coffee with biscuits
10.00 am - 1 slice of bread
11.15 am - 1 bowl of Veg Soup with 2 Breads slices
12.30 pm Buttermilk
2.00 pm Lunch - 2 pulkas, Dal with Greens, Radish with split yellow moong dal
4.30 pm - Mixed lentil salad

8 pm 1 toasted bread, 1 dosa..:(

10 pm Water melon

Today being Shivaratri, it is traditional at home to make Ulavala Charu with Dosa. Though I didn't make Amma made and sent it to me. I just couldn't say no..

I haven't started walking still, hopefully I should be starting it soon.

I have started feeling very normal, which is very good. Now if only I start on that walking..

Diet Program ~ Day 4

Day went off so fast, though I did lot of work in terms of being productive. Missed having my lemon juice today and included par boiled Cabbage for lunch.

Cabbage is supposed to be very good while on diet, though this is not advised for people with hypothyroid. It suited me very well and I used to have this par boiled every day and it was also part of the soup.

The way I do it is very simple, add little water, steam cook it in sim for 5 - 7 mins. The cabbage has to be crunchy.

Here's my 4thd day schedule.

6.30 am - 1 tsp Ajwain and Warm up
7 am - Coffee with no biscuits ..:)
9.30 am - 1 slice of bread
10.30 am - 1 bowl of Veg Soup with 2 Breads slices
11.30 am Buttermilk
12.30 pm 1 carrot
1.15 pm - 2 pulkas, Radish Sambar, Lady's Finger Stir Fry, Cabbage Salad, Buttermilk.
8.15 pm - Brown Chickpea salad

See that long gap, I was sipping lot of water in between, was not feeling hungry at all!
Hope your day went well!

Diet Program ~ Day 3

Insomnia or whatever I haven't been able to sleep properly the last few days. This coupled with a back catch, did worse to myself and the morning. This results in the mornings being very fizzy. Managed to send something for Konda as she was fine with Dosas. Boys were good enough to get bathed on time. This actually gave me some time to get their lunch boxes ready on time. Since I decided to be on bread today, didn't make those pulkas.

I think that climbing up and down was the root cause, I was determined to climb again today. Surprisingly I forgot about the catch some way through the mid morning, when I again did some stretching. Yes, it was purely the case of not using all the body parts.

As it happened yesterday, I forgot to click my box! But I am sure you can visualize what's listed!. I must say day 3 was a breeze. Body has adjusted to no Rice inclusion. I think mind has a greater part to play. Though there has been many a times in the past, when I have gone without rice, when you say "NO", your mind starts craving for it. Plus the fact there are so many other no's. Well I have successfully turned away my nose to a Sabudhana Batata Vada! How is that!

Here's my 3rd day schedule.

6.30 am - 1 tsp Ajwain and Warm up
7 am - Coffee with no biscuits ..:((
9.30 am - 1 slice of bread
10.15 am - 1 bowl of Veg Soup with 2 Breads slices
11.30 am Buttermilk
12.30 pm 1 cucumber, 1 carrot with pepper and salt - Yum!
1.15 pm - 3 slices of bread with Amarnath Stir Fry, Pithikina pappu kura., buttermilk
4.30 pm - 5-30 Slipping 2 glasses of Lemon juice
5.45 pm - small Orange
8.15 pm - Boiled Moong Dal salad

On the whole I have felt better today. Planning on starting walking from tomorrow.

How was your day? Would be fun to exchange notes.

Diet Program ~ Day 2

What seem to have been a tiring day, I finally hit the bed at 12 am, coming back to edit few details again. Which resulted me in getting up only by 6.30 am. After that it was a mad rush to get the cooking done. This week has been kind of low on Konda's menu plan. Monday went off and today also seem to have gone in a spade. I know I need to plan from tomorrow. When I woke her up asking what she wants. She so sweetly said you plan, I don't know. The day had the promises of a beautiful one in making.

We hurriedly went through the process. I was actually happy with the way I finished the dishes. Comparing to yesterday I have been more cheerful from internal. Didn't feel tired. Maybe the feeling yesterday was more to the fact that I actually started on a strict one.

Some thoughts to share before going into what my schedule was.

I have been asked how I managed this kind of a diet for so long. Actually there were days when I never touched Rotis too. Maybe when you do it for a while you get so used to it that you forget that. Remember I was on this diet since Oct 2008 for over 4 months and then have managed to be on some sorts since then. And I have cooked and posted many dishes since then, which I never tasted on most occasions.

Sounds incredible? But very true, the thoughts that helped me pass through these, were those grueling pain that attacks me when I have to sit down to feed my kids. This was when they were still infants. Then as they grew up, their demands to sit next to them on ground. That was a hercules task. Until then I never knew it was such a task even.

Later after just few weeks into this regime,  that amazing feeling that encompassed me when I could finally sat  down and not feel anything.

Yes those were enough to me, not to touch any of those that were to be avoided.

Another thing I used to do was to, mingle with my colleagues, enjoy seeing what they ate and compliment on their fine taste. When they offer a bite, politely tell them that I am on a diet. That sure gets a wow wow, well that motivation was well enough to put you back on path. And, it also achieves the purpose of them not offering it again to you. So, you being you, won't feel like reaching out to those tempting Onion Pakoras, which are common accompaniment in our luncheon!

Do try these and let me know if they work for you..:)

My schedule today was:

6.30 am - Ajwain 1 tsp & warm up exercise
6.45 am - Coffee with biscuits
9.30 am - 1 Chikoo/ Sapota
10. 15 am - 1 bowl Veg Soup with 3 brown bread slices
11. 30 am - 1 glass butter milk
12. 45 pm - 1 Carrot
1. 10 pm - Lunch - 3 Pulkas, 1 cup Amarnath stir fry, 1 cup Gerkins stir fry, 1 cup Drumstick Sambar, 1 small cup Rasam.
2 pm Climbed the stairs two times (As per Lataji's note..:))
3 -4 pm Lemon Juice
5.30 pm - 1 small Orange
7. 30 pm -  Chickpea salad
10 pm - 2 slice of bread.

I know lunch was heavy. I should reduce the pulkas to 2. I normally share with colleagues.But I ended up eating alone. I wanted to start on swimming but will be going from tomorrow.

I drank almost more than  2 liters of water, hoping to increase it. Feel stupid visiting the restroom so often!

Tomorrow I will be reducing the pulkas further down and increase salads. I didn't eat any fresh salad these past two days. You may be wondering why I am eating Chikkos and Orange. Well father in law has come down and with him brought along a huge pile of these. Those chikkos which are called the Pala sapota are my favorite ones. And even for a diet I won't miss them!..:) After all it is a fruit so will plan to walk it off soon.

How about those of you who showed interest to join me. Where is the update, are you going to update your blog or do it different. Would really love to check on the status and see how each of us are progressing!

The Diet Plan!

I am really glad that my Diet program was welcomed so wholehearted. That really encourages me so much. As I said before, this is purely a diet based on Indian food, especially South Indian. Not to say it won't work for the rest who follow other Indian Cuisine. I say this assuming Rice is the staple food of your diet.

As much as I don't prefer to eat rice, that's the most convenient thing to make in the mornings. So planning to make phulkas in the rush hour really takes lot of planning.

So first I will list out what I did in my first stint. Then will update how my day was. What has to be understood is, you got to first five a shock or break the practice your body has got used too. So stop or change what you have been regularly eating.

First and foremost important thing to remember is to drink lot of liquid. You can include 3 glasses of Buttermilk, 2 glasses of Lemon juice, 1 glass of Tender coconut milk plus about 4 glasses of water. Yes you will be paying lot of visits to restroom, but believe me that helps. Else you will end up having headaches.

List below are the different options one can have. It doesn't mean you have to eat everything on the specified time.

Early morning, (6 - 6.30 am) 1 Tsp of Ajwain/ Omam & Methi Seeds. This is to aid constipation and help slow absorption.

7 am - Warm water / Coffee with Sugar Free

9 am Breakfast - Multi grain / whole wheat 2-3 slices with mint or tomato chutney with cucumber. 

Or Papaya 1 bowl/ Oats with buttermilk with sprouts small cup 

Or 1 Moong Dal dosa or Pesarattu.(this is made without rice, it comes out soft but tastes great) with some chutney not coconut of course. Plus fresh Tomato Juice

After a period I started having Bread with Veg soups in the morning also. It worked perfectly fine.

11 am Tender coconut/ Butter milk or Pomegranate (if eating that)

1 pm Lunch :

Vegetable Salad

Cooked vegetable

Green Leafy Vegetable

Dal

Rasam

Toasted Papad

Chapati/ Phulka -2

4 pm - Lemon juice (You can have tea if you drink it)

5. 30 - 6 pm: Any of the below can be taken

1 cup of boiled sundals or Apple or Guava or Paneer tikkas (not the usual ones..:))

7 pm  - 1 bowl of Soup

8 pm - Two slices of brown bread / Veg salads/ 1 Pessarattu / Chapati with Salad and Fruit

Fruits : Guava is the only fruit that can be had every day. Apple or Pomegranate can be had twice in a week.

Milk: I normally use a low fat milk. It is 3 or 4% fat and moreover I double boil the milk. Remove the whey both from milk and curds/ Yogurt.

My work scheduled never allowed me to have this. So I used to drink my soup along with Bread and some fresh salad between 8 - 8.30 pm

The above list was what I wrote down for myself. It varied on day to day basis. Most important aspect being I understood what my daily calorie requirement was. I ensured I wasn't getting fatigued. If you are not sure how to calculate it, just follow a low fat, no sugar avoiding rice. That should mostly work out.

Most important. 40 - 1 hr of physical exercise everyday. Atleast 30 mins is a must.

Now we come to the most exciting part. Since you diet on 6 days, on Sunday you can cheat. Meaning you can eat rice. But you may again avoid heavy breakfast.

Over the months I have made modification to this diet. But since the first few months I was following this to the T, I have listed it exactly.

My next task will be to link the recipes that I follow.

My schedule today was this

6.15 am - 6.30 Warm ups (Was trying hard to bend..:))

6.30 am Coffee with milk bikes

10 am 3 slices of brown bread

11 am Buttermilk with a pinch of salt

2.30 pm 3 phulkas with Gongura pappu, Cluster beans with Channa dal. Butter milk

4.30 pm 1/2 cup papaya and banana

5.45 pm 1 small orange

8 pm Moong dal salad

I know my diet today wasn't what I have listed above. But I am not yet fully ready for the diet. Meaning to make it more strict.

I have written whatever I have been following. I might be changing what I think needs based on the requirement.

For starters, I am going to follow this very strictly for 2 weeks. I have about 10 people who have said they wanted to join me. If you like you can update your daily journal on your blog. Or change the pattern. There is no strict rule for this.

Will try to put the pal in a table tomorrow, it is really very late today.
All the best to everybody!

Diet Plans and Weight Loss Program for healthy Life!

What started a year and few months before, starts again for me. Interim I have been little relaxed and more flexible to my self and well being. Now it's time for another beginning.

I know I wrote lot of my resolutions yet this was not mentioned. Those were work related yet personal too.
I have made lot of progress towards what I wanted to do. Like recording what comes to mind or some events that seem important end of the day. Beginning this year, I made my mind to experience every day in the most possible way I can. These 37 days have been good in ways I may not have even done my last year. I have made lot of progress in many areas.

Though one main aspect that I wanted to talk about was the goal of getting healthier and loosing more weight. If you must know, obese and I are twin sisters. There I said it. For many years I have been touchy on the word. Most common I know. I am the most affable and approachable person you can meet, if I may say so myself. Yet though I won't show it, I do get affected when somebody teases me on that. During teens there were many reasons for wishing to be obese, those reasons best not said. Yet it became the bane of my life.

Later I wasn't even bothered about them.

Fact is, in the end, I suffered. Though I was obese, I was the healthiest and very flexible person because of my physical activities. Being a Badminton player helped me being fit as a fiddle. 

After marriage, child, everything stopped and after my twins the problem had become worse. Until one fine day I was told I shouldn't sit down due to my severe knee pain. I managed, just about somehow. Finally after a year, I decided I had enough and got on a diet and a program that was meant to take care of the excess weight. And become more healthy. The first week felt I was in heaven! The feeling continued for many months.

I lost about 33 lb/ 15 kgs in the first 4 months. then slowly got down further 2 -3 kgs in the next 2 months. I reached a plateau at two different stages, which I managed well. At this stage Athamma had an accident which prevent me from following my diet and everything went for a toss. This was in April 2009, after which I have maintained my weight and health to great extent.

Because I have never express well, how really elated I was when I finally fit into my first jeans during last Diwali. That motivated me like nothing else. But in recent days, I have been laxer and the weight seem to have gone up. Plus no exercise of any sort. Since the new year beginning I have been thinking I should start on my diet regime, I have been postponing. yesterday when hubby dear mentioned that it looks like I have gained weight when I wore my jeans, I knew I had to start this right away. 

You may wonder what will happen to my ICC or Cooking 4 all Seasons! No worries, I will be posting regular recipes there as I cook for the rest of the family. This blog and plan is only for me and me alone.

The diet I followed was a Diabetic Diet, charted with consultation with my father, who is a doctor and a dietician. Finally the diet I arrived and followed was mostly what I have formed of my own with their advise.

This past one year I have shared my diet with friends and helped them some gain back their spice in life. When few blogger friends have been asking about motivation to start a diet plan, I decided publishing this. My plan was to declare what I eat and update with progress, along with recipes .

The diet works mostly for people following Indian food. Since I only cook Indian food, I know only about them them.

The diet that I am going to follow is more or less a Diabetic Diet, since that diet is the most healthiest diet one can follow to become fit. But again as I said few items may change. So please don't conclude this covers everything.

Somewhere during mid of last year I came across Kay's blog, where she tracked her plan. I felt I should have tracked mine too. Now I get another chance to do exactly that!.

I am going to list out the general things that have to be kept in mind, plus the foods that need to be avoided

1. First and foremost, never to fast or feast. Or stay hungry without food.
2. Spend atleast 15 to 20 minutes eating your food. This applies for drinking liquids also.
3. Drink atleast 2-3 liters of water. This helps flush out toxic and prevent headaches.
4. Exercise or walk for 30 - 40 mins everyday.
5. Never get emotionally tensed. Be occupied in some activity mentally and physically. This helps a lot in your weight loss and path to healthy life.
6. Forget about Sugar!
7. Use only about 2 tsp of oil for cooking per day.

Foods to avoid

1. Cereals like Rice, Corn, Maida/APF, Noodles etc.
2. No sweets or desserts
3. Chocolates and ice creams, yes I know its depressing but really no!
4. Bakery and pastries.
5. Aerated beverages and soft drinks, and Hard drinks too..:))
6. Fruits like Mango, Grapes, Jackfruit, chikko, Banana, etc. Though I have reserve against this list.
7. Root vegetables like potatoes, yam. colacassia. Rest of them can be had in limited amount.
8. Deep fried foods, yeah I shouldn't even say the name out!
9. No Dry fruits, this again will be revisited.
10. Fruit Juices.

Starting from tomorrow, I will hop on this. Will try update what my diet was during the day, along with the recipes that are already on my blogs. New recipes will have to wait. Will post them as and when I get the chance.

If you are interested to follow, you are most welcome. I can do with group support and cheering! Do drop in a word in the comment section.

Disclaimer - This diet has worked for me, but I am not a dietician, nutritionist or a medical professional nor am I trying to play one here. If you want to follow these, please consult with your doctor or a dietician. Follow this diet at your own risk.

Chocolate Pancake ~ Kid's favorite for Wholesome Breakfast!

After yesterday's delicious Banana Ragi Paniyaram, it was the pancake today. I was inspired by Indrani's Chocolate pancake that she has sent for Wholesome Breakfast Event. I had already shown the picture to Konda and she was all pleased that she is again going to get a chocolate based dish for breakfast.

Since the recipe called for egg, I had to change it. I didn't have eggs on hand and moreover, I normally make my pancakes eggless. So I added milk and proceeded the same way. Surprising the boys got up early today and were cranky a bit. So couldn't spend much time checking out with the pictures. A hurry click was what I could manage.

On top I thought I would send Aloo paratha for Konda's lunch and as breakfast for the boys. That had me spinning to get them made on time.

I made this pancake just for Konda and I had tasted it myself. I must say that given such tasty breakfast, I won't mind eating it myself. I was happy hearing how elated Konda sound eating this. She was so very excited and said it tasted simply great. Thanks Indrani for the inspiration. We love chocolate in any form.

To make this a bit more healthy, I added wheat flour along with All purpose flour. The basic pancake recipe is really something you can make as you go.

Chocolate Pancake

Preparation Time : 5 mins
Cooking Time : 5 mins
Makes: 2 pancakes

Ingredients Needed:

All purpose flour / Maida - 2 tbsp
Wheat Flour - 1 tbsp
Milk - 2 tbsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Chocolate Syrup/ Sauce - 2 tbsp
Oil for cooking.

Method to prepare;

Mix the flours and slowly add the hot milk to form a lump less batter.

Mix in the chocolate sauce and sugar. Beat it well for the sugar to melt.

Meanwhile heat a pan or tawa and grease it. Pour the pancake batter and spread as a disc evenly. Simmer for few mins and sprinkle oil.

When it is cooked, flip to the other side and cook till done. This mostly takes abt 1 -2 mins.

Serve hot. This can be eaten as such as it is sweet. Else you can serve with Fruit jams.

Notes: I gave in small measurements as I don't think the adults at home would want a sweet dish for breakfast, especially with chocolate sauce. So measure it as you make it. The ratio of the ingredients are pretty much the same.
I used Hershey chocolate syrup, so it was not so bitter. But some sauces are bitter so adjust based on it.

I normally add hot milk in place of eggs, if required a pinch of cooking soda. But most times, just plain flour with milk works out best.

 

Banana Ragi Paniyaram ~ Wholesome Breakfast dish for Kids!

After two days of managing the breakfast and lunch for Konda, I knew I had to get some plan done. Else it's a question of going back to the old ways of being so pressed for everything. As things would have it, though last night everybody at home slept pretty early, I was lost with thoughts to update. Finally I decided to update the menu and internet gave up on me!

So I decided I might as well take the gift that was offered on plate. Result was I got up early this morning. First thing I did was to write down what I can do for the next three days. As promised, I searched the entries that are sent for the Kids Delight - Wholesome Breakfast and selected couple of them that I can do right away. Infact showed the entries to Konda, who was mightily pleased that her needs were the first thing to be done.

Before that I have some exciting news to share, my Gulab Jamun Recipe for Indian Cooking Challenge has been nominated for Best ‘Culinary’ Post in Avant Garde Bloggies Awards - 2009. The polling will begin in a week's time. Please do vote for me!

Champa's Banana Ragi Paniyaram was the most simplest and easiest dish I could make right away. So proceeded to do right then. I was impressed with the easy list that was on the recipe and how quickly I could get this done. I halved the recipe and had this ready in flat 10 - 15 mins. That is really very quick!

They had the perfect honeycombs and a grate taste. I simply loved it. Konda liked it a lot at the beginning seeing how it looked and even the initial taste. but when it got little cold, she was able to taste the ragi, which she said was tasting different. Maybe this requires acquired taste. But still I know kids will love this. Thank you Champa.

Banana Wheat Ragi Paniyaram

Preparation Time : 5 mins
Cooking Time : 10 mins
Makes : 6 paniyarams

Ragi Flour / Finger Millet flour - 1/4 cup
Wheat flour - 1/4 cup
Sugar - 1/4 cup or less
Banana - half of a big one
Milk - 1/4 cup
Cardamom a pinch
Cooking Soda a pinch
Oil for cooking

Special Utensils - Paniyaram pan / Aebleskiver Pan

 

Method to prepare:

Mix the dry flours separately along with the cardamom powder and Cooking soda.

In a bowl, mash the banana well. Add hot milk. Ensure there are no lumps. Then add the sugar and mix again.

Then add the flour and mix well. Meanwhile have the pan on stove, so that it is hot when the batter is ready.

When you are done mixing all the flour into the banana mix, try beating it with spoon or fork as this process will let air into the batter.

When the pan is hot, sprinkle drops of oil over it. With a spoon, pour the batter into the moulds. Sprinkle oil drops over the top and cover with the lid.

Cook till it is done, using a spoon or a knife turn it to be cooked on the other side too.

I served this hot with Chocolate Sauce and Banana slices. It was really a great combo. The honeycombed paniyaram soaked the sauce and made you lick your fingers for sure!

 

Notes: 

Mash the banana well and use hot milk as that will aid in getting the sugar mixed well.

Beating will enable the air going into get the paniyaram bowl out.
Adjust the sugar based on how sweet the banana is. This can also be served with milk.

Will be back with the next breakfast dish! Till then enjoy.