Sattu's Cold Soup

New Year begins with new promises, resolutions and loads of happy wishes for everyone. I am back to blogging after a loooong vacation.  Are you still stuck in vacation mode, why not to try something easy and healthy? Here I am with a “No Cook Cold Soup" made from "Sattu". I am sure most of you will recognize this age old recipe.
A staple from North India, Sattu was originally made of roasted gram flour but has now evolved to include other nutritious flours like barley, wheat etc. You can buy it from any Indian grocery store. Sattu is a perfect blend of balanced nutrients and is prepared in one of the healthiest cooking methods – roasting. Its high fibre content makes it healthy for the intestines. And a low glycemic index is good for diabetics as well. It has cooling properties. Cold soups are a particular variation on the traditional soup, wherein the temperature when served is kept at or below room temperature. They may be sweet or savoury. In summer, sweet cold soups can form part of a dessert tray. An example of a savoury chilled soup is gazpacho, a chilled vegetable-based soup originating from Spain.

Serve:   2

Preparation time: 10 minutes.


Ingredients:

Sattu:                                 6 tablespoon
Cold water:                        2 cups
Onion:                               1 small (finely chopped)
Green Chili:                       1/4 small (finely chopped)
Coriander leaf:                  2 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Black Salt:                        1 teaspoon
Red chili powder:              1/4 teaspoon
Lemon juice:                     2 tablespoon
Chat masala:                     1 teaspoon
Roasted Cumin powder:   1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

Method:

1) Mix all the ingredient in a big bowl.
2) Serve it cold or just below the room temperature as a soup or drink.


BON APPETIT...

Pistachio Pear Smoothie

Since I’m not really one who eats whole fresh fruits all that often, I sort of had to find a way to use them. Although my hubby and son both are ardent fruit lover. This smoothie will suffice all of our taste buds and food interest. I love its light green color. This smoothie didn't need much of anything else to make it into something really great. For real, this has got to be the most refreshing smoothie I have ever had, yet, it contains so much protein that it’ll keep you satisfied for a very long time!

 Serves 2

Preparation time:                      2 minutes
Cooking time:                          2 minutes

Ingredients

Pear:                                      2 medium sizes (chopped)
Low fat cottage cheese:          2 tablespoon
Low fat plain Greek yogurt:    2 tablespoon
Soy milk:                                1 cups
Cardamom:                            1 pinch    
Honey:                                   2 tablespoon
Pistachio:                               2 tablespoon (few to garnish)

Method:

1) Put all the ingredients in a blender together and process it until smooth.
2) Serve cold and garnish it with pistachio.

BON APPETIT...

Choco Orange Smoothie

Chocolate and orange combination is a match made in heaven. It is not as popular as chocolate and cherry or chocolate and raspberry, but it’s definitely not behind in taste. This smoothie can be used as a dessert if made a bit thick like mousse. Cacao (raw chocolate) is an excellent source of magnesium and vitamin C, high in antioxidants, and good for your heart, brain, and teeth. It also contains nature’s feel good chemical, the amino acid tryptophan. Oranges are also high in vitamin C, and a good source of potassium, folate, and vitamins A and B1.

Serve     2
Preparation time :                      3 minute
Cooking time:                            3 minute


Ingredients:

Orange:                              2 small
Chocolate:                         20 grams (chopped) Substitute-Drinking chocolate
Soy Milk:                           1 cup
Honey:                               2 tablespoon

Method:
1) Peel oranges and chop chocolate.
2) Put all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
3) Pour in to glasses and serve cold.

BON APPETIT..

Apple Cinnamon Cheese Smoothie

When you have so many apples you keep using it for everything from cakes, to tarts, to shakes and yes a smoothie today. I guarantee you will fall for this smoothie. I personally like granny smith apple's sour flavor,  but for this recipe you can also use other variety according to your taste. Enjoy this delicious yet healthy drink any time of your day and feel energized.

Serve:            2
Preparation time:       15 minutes
Cooking time:            2 minutes

Ingredients:


Granny Smith Apple:                  1 medium (finely chopped)
Butter:                                       1/4 tablespoon
Brown Sugar:                            1 tablespoon                    
Low fat cottage cheese:             2 tablespoon
Low fat Greek yogurt:               2 tablespoon
Unsweetened soy milk:              1 cup
Walnut:                                     2-3 (finely chopped)
Cinnamon:                                 1/2 teaspoon
Honey:                                      1 tablespoon

Method:
1) Cook apple, butter and sugar at low to medium heat. Cook apple until soft.
2) Blend all cooked apple, cottage cheese, walnut, yogurt, soy milk and cinnamon in food processor until smooth
3) Pour it in the glass and garnish with some walnut and cinnamon powder.

BON APPETIT...

Mint Orange Smoothie

This is a great refreshing drink for all the orange lovers and fun way to cool off. A low-calorie, healthy smoothie. It is perfect post-workout thirst quencher or mid-afternoon snack. Oranges, like most citrus fruits, are a good source of vitamin C.

Serve       2

Preparation time:        2 minutes
Cooking time:            2 minutes

Ingredients:

Orange:                    1 small (peeled and frozen)
Vanilla ice cream:     1/2 cup
Orange Juice:           1 cup
Mint:                        5-7 leaves (few for decoration)

Method:

1) Peel the orange and keep it in fridge for 30 minutes.
2) Add all the ingredients and blend it in a blender till smooth.
3) Pour this in two glasses and serve it with mint garnish on the top.

BON APPETIT...

Banana Almond Smoothie

Bananas, Almonds and Flex seeds all are an excellent source of vitamin B, manganese, potassium, dietary fiber, and monounsaturated fat, one of the two fats which potentially may lower LDL cholesterol. Today I am using all these basic ingredients to make two types of breakfast smoothie. One is for people who love coffee and the other is for people who don't love coffee :)
Packed with vitamins, minerals and omega-3′s, this is a breakfast smoothie that sticks with you until lunch. Both these recipes are made with frozen banana, almond and milk:
1) It is made all the more substantial with the addition of flax seeds for the first smoothie. The almond powder lightens up the flavor and makes it taste like a treat.
2) Adding a spoonful of espresso powder for a kick in the morning or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Try it!!!

Banana Almond Flax Smoothie


Serve:   2
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

Banana:                                       1 medium (preferably frozen, sliced)
Yogurt:                                        4 tablespoon
Low fat milk:                                1 cup
Almond:                                       10 pieces
Flax seeds:                                   1 tablespoon
Honey:                                         1 tablespoon
Vanilla essence (Optional):            2 drops

Method:

1) Dry roast the almond and flex seed in a pan. Ground to make a rough powder.
2)  Place all of the ingredients in a blender, along with a almond and flex powder. Blend until smooth.
3) This substantial smoothie is perfect after a high-energy workout. This smoothie is best if served right away.

Banana Almond Espresso Smoothie

Serve:   2

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

 

Minimally adapted from www.marthastewart.com

Ingredients:

Banana:                                       1 medium (preferably frozen, sliced)

Low fat milk:                                2 cup

Almond:                                       10 pieces

Instant espresso coffee:                 1 tablespoon

Honey:                                         1 tablespoon

Method:

1) Blend banana, milk, almond powder, instant coffee and honey together in a food processes unit smooth.

2) Pour it into two glasses and enjoy this creamy espresso smoothie.

BON APPETIT..