Moong-Dal (Yellow Split Mung Dal) Parathas

Lentils, legumes and green leafy vegetables are the best source of proteins in a vegetarian diet, and these Moong Dal Parathas are my recent favorites to relish the goodness of legumes, plus make good use of my leftover Dal! Parathas(flat breads) are an interesting part of Indian cooking because they come in a wide variety, are nutritious, tasty and can be eaten with curries, raita, pickles, chutneys or even a sweet dessert!! And in case you are wondering from where to bring the lefover dal, don't sweat, for I've included the recipe below for making dal parathas from scratch. You don't need to have any leftover dal, but if you do, these parathas are a perfect way to make good use of it!!

Ingredients
5 cups plain wheat flour
3 cups moong dal - soaked for an hour (this is a small yellow-colored split dal, not the green whole mung)
1/2 onion -finely chopped
1/2 capsicum - finely chopped
1 tomato - finely chopped
3 green chillies - finely chopped
2 tbsp ghee
1 tbsp each of cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chilly powder,garam masala
salt and lemon juice - to taste
3 tbsp - chopped coriander
water - to knead the flour
oil/butter to cook parathas

Method
Pressure cook the moong dal with 4 cups water so that it is entirely mashed. Now take a pan and add some ghee to it. Add the cumin seeds and green chillies, and when the seeds start spluttering, add the onions and capsicums and saute them till well-cooked.Next add the tomatoes and all the spices. Add the salt and lemon juice according to your taste and cook for 5-7 mins. Add the cooked dal and mash it well. Add one cup of water, mix everything together and once it boils a little, remove from flame and keep aside.

Now take the wheat flour, add 2 tbsp salt to it, then add the dal mixture and use hot water to knead into a pliable dough (just like any other parathas)
Cover the dough with a lid or damp cloth and leave like this for 8-10 mins. Then separate the dough into small portions and roll each on a flat surface using a rolling-pin into a round-shaped paratha. Use less force while rolling and keep turning the paratha in a circular way while applying even pressure on the edges.

Take a pan and cook the paratha with oil or butter on medium heat. Flip around to cook on both sides till well-done. Do not let it get burnt:)

Enjoy this healthy and filling mung-dal parathas with a curry of your choice! Suggestions?? How about Chatpate Chhole or Akbari Paneer??

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Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie

I worked in Smoothie King when I first came to US, and hence I have an old and cherished bond with Smoothies, especially with Banana and Peanut Butter smoothie! But I've been a smoothie-lover right from the beginning, irrespective of my affiliation with them. The concept is amazing, the choices are vast, and the health benefits that it brings alongwith the taste makes a glass of smoothie even more enriching! To pacify some of my readers and friends who voted for Smoothies in the last poll and were hoping for it to win (instead of Pizza), here's a Smoothie recipe with Vanilla, Bananas and Peanut Butter which is high in proteins and potassium, and this can easily become a part of your breakfast or mid-day snack for a wholesome meal!!

Ingredients
1 banana - cut into 3-4 pieces
1/2 scoop low-fat vanilla ice-cream (optional,you can use vanilla yoghurt too)
1 tsp vanilla extract or essence
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp whey protein powder(optional, I use EAS or Bulk Nutrition brand)
4-6 ice cubes
3 tbsp milk

Method
Add the ice cubes and all the above ingredients and blend until smooth and thick.

Pour in a tall glass and enjoy chilled! This smoothie is also an excellent source of calcium(milk), potassium(banana), and protein(peanut butter and whey protein). You can also substitute regular milk for skim milk or soy milk to make it more healthy!

Similar Recipes:
Raspberry Lassi
Cranberry and Green Tea Smoothie

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Whole Wheat Vegetarian Pizza with Herbs, Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions

I am pretty certain that if someone conducts a "Favourite Fast Food" poll, one of the winning contenders would be a Pizza!! And that's precisely what I voted for too:) Pizza has been a food-lover's delight since ages!! Originated in Italy, it has found its place in every country and region after undergoing several transformations to become a universal favorite, like Toronto Pizza or Ottawa Pizza and though most of us would prefer ordering in a pizza, let me tell you that there is none that can match a freshly-baked pizza in your own oven with your favourite toppings and cheese! And I have a recipe that will take out the tiny guilt feeling that all calorie-conscious people like me might have while savouring a pizza - ladies and gentlemen, bring your hands together for the Wheat Crust Vegetarian Pizza with Herbs, Caramelized onions and Goat Cheese!!

Ingredients
Whole Wheat Pizza dough - I recommend Trader Joe's
some all-purpose flour for dusting
1 large onion
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp rosemary (oil or herbs)
1 tbsp basil (optional)
2 tbsp fresh oregano
2 tbsp crushed red pepper
2 tbsp pizza sauce (optional)
1 1/2 cup mozarella cheese
1 cup goat cheese (you can substitute this for the cheese you like!)

Toppings
1 large capsicum or bell peppers
2 large tomatoes - cut in rounds (you can use pizza-sauce instead too)
1/2 cup chopped olives
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup chopped jalapenos

Method
Place oven rack in the lowest position and preheat to 450 degrees. Coat a large non-insulated baking sheet with cooking spray. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to the size of a standard large pizza that can fit your baking sheet. Transfer this onto the baking sheet and bake until puffed and lightly crisped on the bottom, about 8-10 minutes.

To caramelize the onions, combine olive oil, onion and salt in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the onion is softened about 5-7 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden.

Now remove the baked crust and arrange all your toppings on it, starting with the tomatoes. If you are using pizza sauce, like Oakville pizza, apply it before putting any toppings. Now add the cheese liberally, then sprinkle the rosemary, basil, oregano and red pepper, and bake again at 450 degrees
till the veggies are cooked and the cheese melts! Once it is cooked and the base is hard enough, turn your oven to BROIL setting, sprinkle the goat cheese, and broil for 5 mins to get the golden colour of cheese.

Cut into slices with a pizza-cutter and enjoy piping hot! With the goodness of whole wheat, veggies and cheese to back your healthy meal plan, this pizza is bound to find a place in every household.

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