My Dishes My Way

Moong Daal Halwa

2025-04-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

For 2 servings:

Moong daal 1/2 cup
Ghee 1/4 cup (or 4 Tbsp)
Suji 2 Tbsp
Mawa or milk powder 1/4 cup (or 3/4 cup whole milk)
Sugar 1/2 cup
Water 1 cup for soaking and 1 cup for sugar syrup
Elaichi (cardamom) powder 1/2 tsp
Kesar 3 strands
Raw or Unsalted Roasted slivers of cashew, pistachios, or almonds (1 Tbsp mix).

For 4 servings:

Moong daal 1 cup
Ghee 1/2 cup
Suji 4 Tbsp
Mawa or milk powder 1/2 cup (or 1.5 cups whole milk)
Sugar 1 cup
Water 2 cups for soaking and 2 cups for sugar syrup
Elaichi (cardamom) powder 1 tsp
Kesar 5 strands
Raw or Unsalted Roasted slivers of cashew, pistachios, or almonds (2 Tbsp mix).

Method

Either soak moong daal for 2 hrs in water, then drain water and grind to a paste;
Or, wash and dry roast moong daal and then grind to a coarse powder

Pan 1:

Roast suji in 2 Tbsp ghee, until it changes color, don't brown it.
Add the daal paste, and keep mixing until water evaporates.
Slowly add ghee and keep mixing. Ghee will get abosrbed, but then keep mixing/cooking until ghee separation happens and mixture becomes liquidy.
Add mawa and keep mixing

Pan 2:

On Medium heat add sugar, water and elaichi powder until sugar dissolves.
Add kesar and wait for 1 min

Pour content of Pan 2 to Pan 1. Continue to mix and cook for 5-7 minutes, then turn off heat and let it cool. Mixture will get drier as it cools.

References

Zucchini Ratatouille

2021-12-29T22:32:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

1 green zucchini - evenly sliced into rounds

1 yellow squash/zucchini - evenly sliced into rounds

In a bowl:

2 Tbsp Fresh basil - finely chopped

1 Tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped or 1/2 Tbsp dried
1 Tbsp fresh thyme finely chopped or 1/2 Tbsp dried

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp olive oil

For sauce:

1 Onion - diced

4 garlic cloves

1 red bell pepper - diced

1 yellow bell pepper - diced

5 crushed tomatoes

Directions

Prepare sauce:

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat, add onion and saute until translucent.

Add rest of the ingredients and saute for 5 mins.

Let it cool then puree.

Pour the puree back into the pan. Arrange zucchini/squash rounds.

Drizzle the mixture from the bowl all over in the pan.

In oven:

Preheat oven to 375 degree F

Cover with foil and bake for 40 mins

Uncover and bake for another 20 mins

Stove top (keep covered):

Medium high about 30 mins

Garlic Herb Star Bread

2021-12-25T22:32:00.001-08:00

Ingredients

For Dough:

3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter - softened to room temperature or microwave for few seconds
1 large egg

2 1/3 cup all purpose flour (or bread flour)
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp instant or active dry yeast

For filling:

1 egg - lightly beaten
6 Tbsp unsalted butter - chopped into pieces
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped
1 tsp fresh thyme - finely chopped
1/2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt (if using less salty cheese)
1 cup grated cheese (pecorino parmigiano or mix cheddar and parmesan)

Directions

For Dough:

Add ingredients to a bread machine in order listed. Set bread machine on dough setting.

Before the dough is left to rise in the machine, ensure that it is a soft dough. The water content in the dough will help rise the bread when baking.

For filling:

Mix all ingredients.

See the video tutorial (starting at 1:30) to put together the star bread:

After arranging the star bread, let it rest covered for 20 mins. Preheat oven to 350 degree F.

Bake on a large parchment paper for 20-25 mins until the top browns.
Tip - While baking, the butter in the mixture will drip. Keep an empty tray underneath to catch the drip.

References

Star bread recipe and many options for fillings

Pumpkin Pie

2021-11-24T21:04:00.127-08:00

This recipe uses less sugar and no heavy cream for a tastier and healthier pie.
Ingredients

For base:

10 sheets of Graham crackers (crumbled)

5 Tbsp melted butter

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp granulated sugar

For pumpkin puree:

1 pie pumpkin (Trader Joe's pumpkin was used for this recipe)

For filling:

2 eggs

2 cups (or 15oz can) pumpkin puree

1/4 cup regular full fat milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pumpkin spice or 1/4 tsp each of cinnamon and nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger powder

1/8 tsp clove powder (optional)

1/8 tsp cardamom powder (optional)

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

For base:

Mix ingredients until well blended.

Press mixture into a 9'' pie dish.

For pumpkin puree:

Preheat oven to 400 deg F.

Cut, deseed, and destring pumpkin well.

Cut pumpkin into 2 halves and place face down in the oven on parchment paper.

Bake for 35 - 45 mins (depends on the size of the pumpkin) until soft.

Let it cool and then puree into a smooth paste.

For filling:

Preheat oven to 375 deg F.

Beat eggs only lightly. Mix in all ingredients listed for filling. Pour into the pie base.

Bake for 50 min, then keep snoozing for 10 mins until center is done (clean fork test) and jiggling has reduced. Pie will settle more once cooled.

References

For step by step directions you may refer to the following, but the ingredients in the recipe above have been adjusted for better taste and health:

Almond Flour Cake with Chocolate Frosting

2021-11-10T21:37:00.001-08:00

This cake turned out to be a very yummy, yet healthy cake made out of almond flour. It was light and fluffy with a delicate almond flavor.

Ingredients

For Cake:

4 large eggs

1/2 cup honey

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup amond flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 Tbsp butter for pan

For Frosting - Yields about 1.5 to 2 cups, enough to cover 8" cake top and sides:

6 Tbsp melted butter

2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa

2 1/2 cup powdered sugar (or confectioners sugar)

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

For Cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degree F.

Rub butter in an 8" cake pan base.

Lightly whisk eggs, then whisk in rest of the ingredients one at a time.

Transfer batter into the pan.

Tip - Use a silicon spatula to scoop out every bit of batter.

Bake for 22 mins, snooze 1-2 mins as needed, until a toothpick (or a fork) in the center comes out clean.

Cool for 10 min and then invert and further cool for 15 mins.

For Frosting:

Melt butter, whisk in rest of the ingredients until spreadable consistency.

Spread on the cake.

Optional: Add chocolate shavings on the top. Tip - Grate your favorite milk chocolate right over your frosted cake.

Enjoy!

References

Enriched Wheat Bread in Bread Machine

2016-08-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

Enriched Wheat Bread - Bread Machine

Ingredients

Set 1

1 cup warm water (110 deg F) - microwave for ~25 sec

2 TBSP white powdered or granulated sugar

2 tsp active yeast or 1 package (2 1/4 tsp)

Set 2

1/4 cup vegetable oil (do not use canola), I use:

- 1/8 cup olive oil

- 1/8 cup safflower oil

2.5 cups bread flour

0.5 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp salt

Direction

Contrary to the bread machine directions where yeast should never come in contact with liquid - activate yeast by adding sugar and yeast to warm water and mix well.

Wait 5 mins. Signs that the yeast is working:

Smell
Bubbles / foaming on the surface

Pour into bread machine container.

Add all Set 2 ingredients to the container.

Start machine selecting Bread option with Medium bake and 1.5 lb settings.

Make sure that a dough ball forms after about 5 mins. Extra 1-2 TBSP water may need to be added depending on how accurately 1 cup water was measured.

Reference

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17215/best-bread-machine-bread/

Banana Bread in Bread Machine

2016-08-29T15:07:00.002-07:00

Banana Bread in Bread Machine

Ingredients

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1/4 cup Safflower Oil

2/3 cup Milk or Butter Milk

2 large Eggs - lightly beaten

2 cup All Purpose Flour

1/2 cup Wheat Flour

1 cup white sugar (1/2 cup, only if bananas are way over ripe)

2.5 tsp baking powder

.5 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup ripe bananas (about 2) - lightly mashed

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Optional:

2 TBSP almond butter

2 TBSP chia seeds

Directions

Add all ingredients to the bread machine container in the order listed under ingredients.

Start machine in Quick setting.

After about 5 mins, stop and re-start machine on Bake.

Granola

2013-01-06T15:26:00.003-08:00

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1/3 cup cashews or walnuts
1/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1.5 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 pinch cinnamon
1/4 cup raisins or craisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

Add maple syrup, oil, and salt. Mix well, then pour onto baking sheet.

Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color and crunch.

Add raisins.

Makes 2 cups of Granola.

References

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe/index.html

Cheese Onion and Broccoli Pie

2012-12-25T22:34:00.003-08:00

Ingredients

For dough:
All purpose flour (Maida) - 2 cups
Flax seed powder (optional) - 1 pinch (for health)
Salt - 1 tsp
Black pepper (ground) - 1 tsp
Red pepper - 1 tsp
Olive oil - 2 Tbsp (can substitute with butter)

Water - 1/2 cup

For filling:
Olive oil - 2 Tbsp (can substitute with butter)
All purpose flour (Maida) - 2 Tbsp (heap full)
Onion - 1 big
Black pepper (ground) - 1 tsp
Red pepper - 1 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp

Milk - 1 cup

Cheese - Cheddar or Pepper Jack (grated/shredded) - 2 cups

Preparation

Bake
Mix all ingredients of dough and prepare dough 2 hrs in advance.
Split dough into 2, one slightly larger for pie base.

Prepare filling, brown Maida with oil/butter, add all other ingredients except cheese.
Heat until onion browns.

Roll out dough and place base in pie baking dish. Add filling. Add cheese.
Cover with 2nd dough. Press down edges with fork to form a fully covered pie.
Brush the top with milk.

Bake at 350 deg F for 20-25 mins until brown.

Serve hot immediately or enjoy later after it cools down to room temperature.
In both cases, tastes somewhat different, both equally enjoyable!

Rava Upma

2012-08-11T22:11:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

1 cup course suji
3 cup boiling water
3-4 curry leaves
1 Tbsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin (jeera)
1 tsp finely chopped ginger
1 green chilli finely chopped
1/2 onion coarsely chopped
2-3 tsp oill
1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 cup cashews

Directions

Add sugar and salt to the cup of suji
Heat oil, then add mustard seed, cumin, curry leaves, ginger, and green chilli.
Roast for 1-2 mins
Add cashews and roast for 10 secs only
Add onions, roast until transparent, leave it bit crunchy
Add suji cup, roast until raw suji smell goes away. Do not brown
Add boiling water, simmer heat, close lid to avoid splatter. Leave for 5 mins then remove from heat.

It will be ready to eat! Enjoy!

Vegi Dum Biryani

2012-07-04T22:15:00.001-07:00

Rice:

2 cups of basmati rice

Vegetables:

1/2 cup cauliflower

1/2 cup capsicum

1/2 onion

1 cup beans

2 carrots

1 cup zucchini

1 potato

3-4 tomatoes (optional)

2 -3 cloves of garlic

2 tbsp yogurt (optional)

Ginger / Hari Mirch

Spices:

2 clove (optional)

1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1 star anise (optional)

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp turmeric

1-2 tsp Shan Veg Biryani masala or garam masala

Rice:

2 cups of basmati rice, thoroughly washed and cook in either microwave ( ~9 mins) or gas until half cooked.

Tomato paste:

1. Grind 3-4 tomatoes

2. Heat oil in a pan, add a bit of ginger, garlic, 1/2 tsp of turmeric and the tomatoes from Step 6.

3. Simmer the mixture on slow heat for 10 mins.

1. Heat oil in pan and add jeera, 2 clove, cinnamon, and star anise.

2. Add finely chopped garlic, hari mirch, and ginger, 1/2 tsp turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder.

2. Add all the vegetables except potato and onion. Add salt according to taste.

3. Cut potatoes in shape of small fries and fry them. If you have less time, you can add potatoes directly in Step 2.

4. Stir fry finely chopped onion till it changes color to brown. If you have less time, you can first add onions and then rest of the vegetables in Step 2. Having potatoes and onions separately helps in having different layers of vegetables.

5. If you are not adding tomatoes, add 2 tbsp yogurt.

6. Add garam masala or biryani masala in the mixture.

7. Once the vegetables are tender but not completely cooked, remove the pan.

8. Add some chilli powder and turmeric to rice to add some flavor to rice.

9. Start layering with rice, potatoes, onions, and some vegetable mixture. Repeat until everything is layered. Covered with aluminium foil and bake it on 350 for 30 mins.

Reference

Cream of Broccoli Soup

2012-06-16T19:48:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

2 cup broccoli florets and diced stalks
1 small yellow onion
1 cup water
1 cup vegetable stock or 1 additional cup of water
1 cup low fat milk
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp sugar

Method

Heat 1 cup water in a pot
Add broccoli and chopped onion and heat until tender
Remove 1/2 cup of broccoli heads and keep aside
Continue to heat until broccoli and onion are soft
Remove from heat, strain and add to blender

Add celery salt, sugar, milk to blender
Blend until smooth paste

Pour into pot and add back the 1/2 cup tendered broccoli florets
Simmer on Med-low for 20 mins

References

Vegetable Stock

2012-06-16T19:26:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 onion

2 stalks of celery

2 carrots

2 spring onions

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 cup of parsley or coriander leaves

1 sprig of thyme

2 bay leaves

1 tsp salt

6-8 cups water

Optional

1 tsp marjoram

1 small Potato or peelings

Method

Add oil to a pot
Add all ingredients (chopped) without water to the pot
Heat on high for 10 mins, stirring frequently
Add water, bring to boil (may take about 30 mins), then simmer for 30 mins

References

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/basic-vegetable-stock

Imli Pani

2012-06-16T19:18:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

1 cup mint leaves (Pudina)
2-4 green chilies
1/2 cup tamarind paste (Imli)
1 tsp black salt
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger minced ginger
1/8 tsp asafetida (Hing)
1 Tbsp roasted cumin seed powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
4 cups water

Method

Add all ingredients without water to a grinder/mixer.
Grind until smooth paste is obtained. Add small quantity of water as needed to make the paste.
Add rest of the water (as per your taste) to the paste.

References

Rasgulla

2012-06-13T15:06:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Makes 8 Rasgullas

For Chenna (Paneer):
2 cup 2% milk
1-2 Tbsp lemon juice

For Rasgulla:
Chenna from above
1 1/2 cup water
3/4 cup sugar - no less
Optional: Few drops of rose water or 2 Kesar strands (not everyone likes it in Rasgulla)

Method

Bring milk to boil
Add lemon juice slowly. Add more if needed. Keep stirring.
After separation of water and chenna begins, boil further 2-3 mins on Med-Hi. Keep stirring slowly.

Use cheese or muslin cloth to drain water. If done very carefully, paper towel can be used with a sieve under it, for small quantities like here.

Wash chenna under cold water to remove tanginess from lemon. Squeeze slowly to dry.

Rub chenna on a surface for at least 2-5mins until it looks very smooth like a dough. More you rub, softer/smoother the Rasgulla will be.

Heat water, add sugar in an open pressure cooker. Bring to boil on Med-Hi. Add small smooth balls of chenna.
Close the cooker with the whistle weight on it and turn heat down to Med. Allow 2 whistles, then let the cooker cool by itself or put it under cold water until the cover can be opened.

Transfer in a bowl.

Add any essence to taste, like rose water or kesar.

Cool in fridge before serving.

Trick

For Chenna - If lemon juice is not enough, may add small amount of water (whey) from curd container. Milk should boiling and frothing for water and chenna to separate.

References

Watch the following at 4:30th mark to see how much to rub the chenna to make it smoother:

Vegetable Lasagna

2012-05-28T22:30:00.003-07:00

Baked Vegetable Lasagna

Ingredients

Lasagna Multigrain Sheets

Eggplant - 1 small

Zucchini - 1

Carrot - 1 grated

Capsicum - 1/2 cup chopped

Cheese - grated

Broccoli - 1 cup cut into small florets

Marinara - 1/2 bottle

All purpose flour (Maida) - 1 cup

Onion - 1/2 or 1 small - chopped

Oil/Butter - 1 Tbsp

Salt - to taste

Pepper - to taste

Method

Cut eggplant and zucchini into thin slices and grill or pan sear

Prepare white sauce with Maida, Onion, Oil/Butter

Bake

Consider covering baking bowl with aluminum foil to prevent lasagna from drying out

400 deg F for 30-40 mins if vegetables were pre-cooked, otherwise 40-50 mins (with additional water sprinkled)

Carrot (Gajar) Halwa

2012-05-28T22:09:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

Carrots: 4 - grated
Milk: 2 cups - 2% for lower fat/cholesterol, otherwise full fat Vitamin D milk
Sugar: 1/4 to 1/2 cup
Cardamom: 1 - grounded to 1/4 tsp
Ghee: 1tsp

Method

Heat skillet to medium with Ghee in it
Add grated carrots to hot oil and roast till carrot color changes from red to light orange
Add milk and stir every few mins so milk does not stick to the bottom until desired consistency is achieved (10-12 mins)
After milk evaporates, add sugar and stir intermittently for 5 mins

Reference

Manjula's Kitchen:

Vegetarian Pizza

2012-05-27T22:12:00.002-07:00

Ingredients

Base:

Wheat Dough (Trader's Joes)

Cheese:

Reduced fat Feta cheese (Sprouts)
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (Costco)

Toppings:

Jalapeno - 1 small
Pineapple - 1 cup
Capsicum - 1/2 cup
Garlic - 1 clove
Onion - 1/2 cup
Broccoli - 1/2 cup (4 florets)
Basil - 4 leaves finely chopped
Salt + pepper to taste

Chunky Ragu - garden combination lightly brushed on the base

Cooking

Bake at 450 deg F for 12 mins on perforated Pizza tray (no pre-heating)

Vegetarian Indian Momos

2012-05-27T21:56:00.003-07:00

Ingredients

Dough for 8 pieces

1/2 small bowl (catori) All purpose flour (Maida)
1/4 small bowl (catori) water
1 TBSP vegetable oil OR Olive oil

Filling

Vegetable oil: 2 tsp
Cumin seeds: ¼ tsp
Garlic clove: 1 finely chopped
Ginger: 1 tsp grated/finely chopped
Green chili: 1 finely chopped OR Green Chilli Sauce 1/2 tsp (to taste)
Onion: 1/2 cup finely chopped
Cabbage: ½ cup finely chopped
Carrot: 1 chopped finely or grated
Corn kernels: 1/4 cup c
Salt: to taste
Garam masala OR ground clove+cardamom: ¼ tsp

Cooking time

Boil 5 mins on one side + 2-3 mins on the other side

References

http://recipe.smarteguru.com/vegetarian/veg-momo/

Cilantro (Dhaniya) Chutney

2012-05-26T21:43:00.004-07:00

Ingredients

Tomato: 1 small diced

Coriander (dhaniya) leaves: 1 bunch chopped
Cumin (Jeera): 1/2 tsp
Green chilli: 1 small
Ginger: 1 tsp chopped

Additional:

Lemon juice: 2 Tbsp

Salt to taste

Recipe

Mix the ingredients and grind until a fine paste is obtained to desired consistency.

Add salt and lemon to taste.

Tips

Add 1/2 bunch mint (pudina) leaves to the grinder for more flavorful taste.

Vegetarian Puff Pastry

2012-05-26T18:45:00.002-07:00

Ingredients

Puff Pastry Sheets – 1 box (from the frozen section of a grocery store)

Vegetable Stuffing:

Oil – 1 tsp
Onions – 1 small, finely chopped
Potato – 1 small, shredded
Carrots – 1/4 cup, shredded
Peas - 1/4 cup (optional)
Paneer – 1/4 cup, shredded (optional)
Salt – to taste
Cumin Powder – 1/4 tsp
Coriander Powder – 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1/8 tsp
Chaat Masala – 1/4 tsp (optional)
Dry Mango Powder (Amchur) – 1/4 tsp
Red Chili Powder or Minced Green Chillis – to taste
Fresh cilantro - 1/4 cup (chopped)

Recipe

Take the sheets of Puff Pastry out and thaw them at room temperature for about 40 minutes.
Pre-heat the Oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prepare stuffing

Take a small skillet and heat oil on medium heat

Add in the Onions and saute till they turn translucent

Add in the Potatoes and a little salt. Mix well, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes till the Potatoes are cooked

Add in the carrots, peas and paneer

Add all spices and mix well

Cut the Pastry sheets strips into 3s to form a square
Put 1 tbsp of the stuffing in the center and fold square to make triangle
Use a fork to firmly press into the sides and press away (to form a design and help seal)
Put the Puffs on a cookie sheet lined with foil
Place in the pre-heated oven at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes
Once they are out of the oven, transfer them to a cooling rack and allow them to rest and cool down for 5 minutes to make them flaky
Serve with chutney or ketchup.

My Dishes My Way

Moong Daal Halwa

Ingredients

Method

References

Zucchini Ratatouille

Ingredients

Directions

Garlic Herb Star Bread

Ingredients

Directions

References

Pumpkin Pie

This recipe uses less sugar and no heavy cream for a tastier and healthier pie. Ingredients

Directions

References

Almond Flour Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients

Directions

References

Enriched Wheat Bread in Bread Machine

Enriched Wheat Bread - Bread Machine

Ingredients

Direction

Reference

Banana Bread in Bread Machine

Banana Bread in Bread Machine

Ingredients

Directions

Granola

Ingredients

Directions

References

Cheese Onion and Broccoli Pie

Ingredients

Preparation

Rava Upma

Ingredients

Directions

Vegi Dum Biryani

Rice:

Vegetables:

Spices:

Rice:

Tomato paste:

Reference

Cream of Broccoli Soup

Ingredients

Method

References

Vegetable Stock

Ingredients

Method

References

Imli Pani

Ingredients

Method

References

Rasgulla

Ingredients

Trick

References

Vegetable Lasagna

Baked Vegetable Lasagna

Ingredients

Method

Bake

Carrot (Gajar) Halwa

Ingredients

Method

Reference

Vegetarian Pizza

Ingredients

Base:

Cheese:

Toppings:

Cooking

Vegetarian Indian Momos

Ingredients

Dough for 8 pieces

This recipe uses less sugar and no heavy cream for a tastier and healthier pie.
Ingredients