Healthy living

Sabudana ( tapioca pearls)  is one of the most commonly consumed item during fasting.  Sabudana  is basically tapioca pearls.  Sabudana  can be used to make kheer ( pudding), khichidi , thalipeeth ( pancakes), idlis and wadas. For all these items,  Sabudana needs to be soaked in water for 3-4 hours first and is then used. Dry  Sabudana  pearls are hard and therefore inedible. Soaking it in water makes it soft , tender and edible. Today, I am sharing with you the recipe for  Sabudana  wadas that is super-easy, quick and delicious. Servings: makes around 6-8 wadas Prep time: 3 hours ( includes soaking time) Cook time: 10 mins  Total time: 3 hours & 10 mins Ingredients: Sabudana : 1/2 cup Potato: 1 medium sized Green chillies: 2-3, finely chopped Cumin powder: 1/4 tsp Coriander leaves: 1 tbsp, finely chopped Crushed peanut halves: 2 tbsp ( optional) Salt/rock salt/ sendha namak: 1/8 tsp Sugar: 1/2 tsp Oil for frying or greasing the...

] This Navarathri, during fasting, I had this craving to eat Shevai. Shevai is stringhoppers. This is usually made out of rice or rice flour. Unfortunately, rice is not allowed during fasting. Now, I really wanted to eat Shevai.. I decided to make it from cornflour or masa de harina. I had some in my cabinet you see. It actually came out pretty good. I served it with spiced oil and spicy potato curry and my husband who does not like shevai, loved it!!  As I was telling my mother, if my husband liked it, that means it was really very good!! His usual response to " how was it??" is "okay"!! Since then, I have made it two more times with the same great result!  Do try it if you get a chance. It is quick, easy with only 3 ingredients and super-delicious!! It took me only 45 mins to an hour to make it from start to finish! Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 45 mins Servings: 4-5 people Ingredients: Corn flour ( masa de harina): 3 cups Salt: 1 tsp Hot water...

The last few days have been unusually warm for October!! It seems like we are having a hard time leaving summer behind! Everyone at  home has been looking for something cooling to drink. I had the last of the season's watermelon left, so I made Agua  Fresca. What is Agua Fresca?? In Spanish, "Agua" means water and " Fresca" means fresh. So, Agua Fresca translates to Fresh Water. This drink is popular in Mexico where it is made with fresh fruits. What I have here is basically watermelon lemonade. In case you dint feel like calling it Agua Fresca, just call it Watermelon Lemonade. I came across this refreshing, low calorie drink at a friend's place during the summer. I have been wanting to make this since then!! But every time I cut a watermelon, it is gone before I can make this drink!! When I saw the recipe on NY times, I was determined to make it. I, of course modified it slightly. You can find the original recipe here.  Finally, now, I got to make it and e...

Biscuit rotti is a traditional, South Kanara recipe. It is similar to the North Indian Kachoris. Basically it is dough that is stuffed with a sweet and spicy filling and then deep-fried. It is usually served at breakfast or enjoyed with the evening tea. It could be made with whole wheat or all-purpose flour. The filling could be made of predominantly cream of wheat ( sooji) and grated coconut to which spices have been added or it could be just freshly grated coconut that has been mixed with spices. Both taste good. I have made the filling using a combination of cream of wheat and freshly grated coconut. This is not difficult to make at all. You could make the filling and the outer dough slightly ahead of time an keep it in the refrigerator. When guests arrive, you can make the biscuit rotti and serve it right away! The only reason I don't make it often is because it is deep-fried and I stay away from deep-fried. I am making this after almost 10 years. My husband and I believe in ea...