Lemon rice with turmeric

You call it lemon rice or yellow rice, it is Indian’s most favorite festive food. It is favorite offering to Indian gods. One of the easiest and a favorite dish made for guests, special occasions. In fact, a number of rice-based recipes are made in different regions. An all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo dish. Replacing white rice with brown rice or quinoa will add a great number of nutrients.

For westerners, lemon is rice is known as yellow rice. For them, it is probably a mere rice dish. But this dish made a special appearance in millions of family get-togethers, weddings, festivals etc. In typical south Indian family lemon rice is a staple food and also a very festive dish. If you are looking for an authentic way of making lemon rice, here it is.

Carrot sauté with turmeric, coconut

Sautéed carrots are perfect if you’re looking for a great vegetable that’s easy to make, healthy, and delicious. In western world carrot sauté is a side, but it makes a great entrée with rice, roti or tortillas. Carrots are fairly inexpensive which makes this dish most economical. This time of year farmers markets are bursting with greens, vibrant veggies and fruits. Many of the vegetables in season also come with their own greens– beets, turnips, carrots etc. Carrots healthy – sautéing is a cooking method that preserves a lot of the carrots’ nutrients, so that each bite is even better for you! With a side of brown or wild rice, this dish becomes a wildly healthy dish.

Asparagus, brussel sprouts chutney

Chutney’s are staple food in Southern India. A variety of chutneys can be made with mix n match of vegetables, oils and nuts. Aromatic vegetables, nuts and tampering combination makes tasty and healthy chutney loaded with iron, vitamins and anti oxidants. Traditionally, chutneys are eaten with rice and ghee poured on top. Chutneys make excellent homemade dips for tortilla chips, pita chips, sakinalu, janthikalu and karappusa. They make excellent all- natural condiments too. Check out home made all natural condiment recipe Brussels sprouts pistachio spread sandwich here.

Tomato rasam

Rasam is staple food in South India. It is watery and soup consistency, but eaten with rice. Rasam tastes sour, tangy and flavorful. It is made of tamarind juice base. It can be made of tamarind juice cooked in a variety of vegetables or plain cooked tamarind with tampering, adding cooked lentils and spices. You can make wide varieties of rasams by changing sour agent. Ranging from tamarind to tomato, raw mango. Rasam is called Chaaru in Telugu, Saaru in Karnataka. Many variations of Rasam is made in different regions.

Rasam is traditionally eaten with simply rice, or rice mixed with lentils and cooked rice, or as a gravy with dry fry dishes. Lately, its been consumed a soup as well. Made with all natural ingredients, including sour, tangy tampered in spices. Traditionally it is made from lentil stock (the water in which dal is been boiled in) and tamarind juice. The well-known Mulligatawny soup in the Western world is actually a rasam.

Purple cabbage with Shirataki noodles

Shirataki noodles are called as Miracle Noodles and are completely gluten-free, calorie free, vegan and paleo. They are translucent, gelatinous Japanese noodles, which are made from the konjac yam, are low in calories and carbohydrates. They can be substituted in a variety of recipes that call for noodles.

Shirataki noodles mimic the taste and texture of regular noodles. They have no taste of their own but have a slight fish-like smell. Before cooking, they should be rinsed off multiple times to reduce the smell. They can absorb the flavors, spices you cook with just like regular noodles. But, shirataki has slimier consistency and are soft compared to rice noodles. These noodles are commonly available cooked. Be ready to compromise over taste and smell.

Mustard greens, spinach, fenugreek Saag

Saag is a recipe with unique blend of greens. Traditionally made in North India in winter when greens are abundant and vegetables are scarce. Many types of greens are steamed, then tampered with oil and spices. Steaming greens preserves most of nutrients. Usually made with Mustard greens, spinach, methi, dill (fennel), cilantro mint, pea leaves etc. There is no end to how many greens you can combine to make saag. Use caution using strong flavored greens as fennel, mint. Use little quantity. They have strong flavor, your dish will be overwhelmed if large quantity is used. In winters I find all these greens together in local market. Traditional saag green may or may not be available. Other greens work as well. Do not postpone your saag making just because few varieties are not available.

Radish, Mung dal lettuce wrap

A crunchy protein rich light dinner or medium sized snack. Mild kick in radish combined with mung dal makes this dish a vivid delicacy. Those times when you don’t have big appetite for dinner or feel lazy to make roti, this dish serves your purpose. Usually I make this dish with left over mung dal. When hot, with ghee this dal dish goes excellent with roti and rice. In the evening when it is at room temperature, eat with lettuce.

Sautéed purple cabbage with mung dal

Eating cabbage raw, steamed, or lightly sautéed gives maximized health benefits. Cabbage is very economical . It’s inexpensive, stores well for long, and is available throughout the year from late summer through winter. A whole cabbage will keep in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks. You can chop and store for 1 week. Cook fresh at your convenience.

Raw mango dal with chana lentils

Dal is made with lentils, mixed with a variety of vegetables. Lentils absorb flavors from other foods and seasonings, making it easy and tasty dish. Lentils are available throughout the year and are inexpensive. They make a great meat substitute or side dish. Lentils are a powerhouse of nutrition. They are a good source of fiber, lean protein, folate and iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, niacin and vitamin K.

There are dozens of varieties of lentils being cultivated. While the most common types in the United States are either green or brown, lentils are also available in black, yellow, red and orange colors. They are sold whole or split into halves. There are several ways to use lentils. Cook till mushy and make soup, cook just right to retain shape for a thick curry with rice on side. Lentils generally have somewhat nutty flavor.

Golden beets with scallions

You may be most familiar with the red beet, but beets come in a two colors. One is orange, and is known as the golden beet. The difference between the red and the orange beet is the pigment. Red beets are rich in betalain pigment while orange beets are rich in b-xanthin pigment. You’ll gain a number of health benefits if you include the orange beet in your diet. Golden beets are a little on the sweeter side in compared to red beets.

Fruits and vegetables from golden yellow color spectrum contain high levels of vitamins and minerals as vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, lycopene, flavonoids, and zeaxanthin.

Gold beets are available year-round with a peak season during the autumn months. Steaming and roasting bring out the best flavor that the beet can offer. It is easy to peel skin is steamed. It simply slips away from its flesh.

There are many ways to enjoy beets. Grate them raw on salads. Steam and sauté, yummy, low sugar desserts.

Ujwala's Delicacies

Indian inspired all natural kitchen.