Carrot Dal subji

A simple & delcious way to have a vegetable & dal combined in a nutritious way.

Ingredients

1 lb carrots, diced into small cubes

1/2 cup moong dal ( soaked in water for 10-15 mins)

1 small onion, sliced

2-3 green chillies, slit lengthwise

few curry leaves

1 tsp turmeric powder

salt to taste

Tadka

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tbsp cooking oil

Method

• Heat oil in a pan, add the mustard & cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
• Then add the onions, green chillies & curry leaves and saute until onions are golden brown.
• Add the carrots, soaked moong dal, turmeric & salt. Mix well. Add about 1 cup water. Let it cook on low heat until the dal is fully cooked.
• Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot with rotis or rice.

Gaajar ka Halva ( Carrot pudding)

Gaajar ka halva is a very popular Indian dessert. It has a rich taste and is loaded with nuts. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and has lots of nutritional value.

Here is the recipe

Ingredients
1 kg carrot, washed & grated
1 liter milk
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 cup nuts (cashews , raisins & almonds)
2-3 tsp butter/ghee

Method

• Take carrots in a heavy bottom pan. Add a tsp of ghee/butter and saute for 2-3 minutes
• Add the milk & let it cook until all the milk is absorbed. This will take 45 minutes to an hour.
• Add the sugar and cardamom powder. This will become little syrupy after the sugar melts. Stir at regular intervals until the sugar is well mixed and all the liquid has evaporated.
• Roast the nuts in the ghee and add it to the carrot mixture.
• This dessert can be served warm OR it can be combined with vanilla icecream.

Cabbage Carrot stir-fry

Nutritional Benefits of Cabbage

Cabbage belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables. The members of this family of vegetables are so named for their cross shaped (crucifer) flower petals. Rich in nutrition and fiber, cabbage is an absolutely phenomenal source of Vitamin C. Even more impressive is that cabbage is famous for a specialized, naturally occurring, nitrogenous compound known as indoles. Current research indicates that indoles can lower the risk of various forms of cancer.

It is no wonder that the lowely, plain, boring cabbage gets rave reviews from the world of nutritionists. Cabbage is relatively cheap yet one of the richest when it comes to protective vitamins. Talk about the original weight loss food! One cup of cabbage contains only around 15 calories.

Cabbage is rich in the following nutrients:

Vitamin A: responsible for the protection of your skin and eyes.

Vitamin C: an all important anti-oxidant and helps the mitochondria to burn fat.

Vitamin E: a fat soluble anti-oxidant which plays a role in skin integrity.

Vitamin B: helps maintain integrity of nerve endings and boosts energy metabolism.

It is a perfect food for anyone suffering from anemia as well as pregnant women due to its high foliate content. Cabbage also contains beta-carotene and potassium.

Here is the simple recipe of Cabbage-Carrot stir fry.

Ingredients

small size cabbage, finely shredded

1-2 medium carrots, chop to fine sticks

half onion, sliced

2-3 green chillies, slit longitudinally

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tsp cooking oil

1 stp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

few curry leaves

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

salt to taste

Quick view of the vegetables

Method

• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds & cumin seeds. Once they start to splutter, add garlic, onions, curry leaves & green chillies. Saute it for 2-3 minutes. Add the turmeric powder.
• Then add the shredded cabbage & carrots and mix well.
• Keep it covered for 2-3 minutes. Stir & then cook again for about 5 mins.
• This way the cabbage will be soft yet little crunchy.
• Serve hot with chappati or rice.

Here is a quick view after addition of cabbage & carrots.

Final dish ready to serve