Ragi Paniyaram/Pud

Ragi (Finger Millet) is one of those super foods that taste so good when used in the right dishes. Loaded with calcium, fiber and protein, the amino acids in this amazing ingredient also helps soothe anxiety and sleep issues. 

While there are so many yummy dishes that can be made using Ragi flour, I tried to create an instant Pud/Paniyaram batter which worked wonderfully! 

Here it is, my version of RAGI PANIYARAM/PUD:

Ingredients for about 15: 1/2 cup Ragi flour, 1/2 cup fine semolina, 1/2 cup plain yogurt/curds, 1/2 tsp baking soda, salt to taste, 1 onion chopped finely, 1 tbsp chopped ginger, 2 tbsp chopped curry leaves, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp channa daal, 1 tsp urud daal, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tbsp oil/ghee.

Make:

1. In a dish, add ragi flour, semolina, salt and yougurt. Mix together and add a little water to make a smooth batter. It's ok if it's thick at this stage.

2. In a pan, put in the oil/ghee and heat up. Add in channa daal, urid daal, cumin seeds and mustard seeds. When it is roasting add in chopped onion, ginger and curry leaves. Roast it all until onion is translucent. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

3. Add the onion masala mixture to the batter, add a little more water to mix well into a smooth batter not too thin or thick (like idly or pancake batter). Add this stage, add the pinch of baking soda and mix in.

4. Heat up the Paniyaram pan and smear each cavity with ghee. Spoon in the batter one by one, cover and cook with medium flame for about 5 minutes then flip each one and cook again for 5 minutes. It is well cooked when it rises to make a round shape and is golden brown.

Enjoy hot with your favourite chutney!

Tomato Rava Dosa - Tomato Semolina Crepe

Weekend breakfasts mean a lovely start to the day with family enjoying yummy food. This is even better when the morning's breakfast treat doesn't need to be pre-planned like a fermented Dosa batter. 

This instant batter for this delicious Dosa can be whipped up in minutes so ofcourse it's family favourite! 

Here it is, my version of TOMATO RAVA DOSA: 

Ingredients: 1 cup rice flour, 1/2 cup fine semolina, 3 or 4 tomatoes pureed(with skin), handful curry leaves chopped, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp chopped ginger, chillies, salt. 

Make:

1. Puree 3 or 4 tomatoes including skin, using a little water so it's smooth. 

2. In a dish, mix in rice flour, semolina, chopped curry leaves, ginger, chillies, cumin seeds and salt. 

3. Add in pureed tomato, mix well, add water as needed to make a smooth liquid batter (like a smoothie consistency). 

4. Heat a flat frypan and pour batter, one ladle full for one Dosa. Sprinkle oil, cover and cook for a few minutes then flip and cook without cover until crisp. Repeat for more Dosas. 

Enjoy hot crispy Tomato Rava Dosas with your favourite chutney/sides.

Vegan French Toast

Good Morning! A good morning is always made better with a sweet start. It is said that your daily intake of calories should be roughly evenly split between breakfast, lunch and dinner, so all the better reason to indulge and enjoy breakfast time rather than skip it! 

French Toast is a popular breakfast choice for the sweet tooth as well being easy and quick to whip up. Being vegetarian shouldn't stop you from enjoying this yummy treat either! 

Here it is, my eggless version, VEGAN FRENCH TOAST:

Ingredients for one serve: Two slices of brown bread, 1/2 cup light coconut milk, 1 tablespoon corn flour, 1/2 cup sugar syrup, maple syrup, fruits of your choice.

Make: In a plate, mix the light coconut milk with corn flour to make a smooth liquid with no lumps. In another plate make a quick sugar syrup with sugar and water with all sugar completely dissolved. Heat your frypan and spray with olive oil. Dip each slice of bread first into the sugar syrup then into the coconut milk mixture. The corn flour with the coconut milk mixture will bind similar to using egg. Place the soaked slice of bread on the pan and toast until crisp and golden brown on each side.

Top with maple syrup and your favourite fruits. Enjoy!