Kakdi Tamatar Koshimbir/Maharashtrian Salad

What is Koshimbir?

It is a typical Maharashtrian salad. Usually made with cucumber, tomato and crushed peanuts, with tempering of asafetida. It is a must for Maharashtrian thali meal. There are varieties of koshimbir relished by Maharashtrians. The asafetida in the tempering makes it a good digestive aid and gives a fantastic aroma to it. A Maharashtrian thali consists of a lemon wedge, koshimbir (Salad), chutney, papad, Bhajiya (Pakora), Varan(dal), Bhat (rice), Bhaji (Sabji), Poli (chapati) and taak(chaas).  There is a way of serving the thali. At my home, we still follow the rule of serving thali. Everything should be in the correct place. My mother (aai) made sure that I serve correctly and eat clean. Probably that’s a part of our culture and I absolutely love it.

For a basic koshimbir, all you need is

SERVINGS: 2

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup Cucumber, chopped

½ cup Tomato, diced

1 green chilli, chopped

2 tbsp Peanut powder (crushed peanuts)

2 Tbsp onion, chopped (optional)

½ tsp Sugar

¼ tsp Salt

1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

For Tempering-

1 Tbsp Oil

½ tsp Mustard

¼ tsp Asafetida (Hing)

1/8 tsp turmeric

3-4       Curry Leaves

Coriander for garnishing

METHOD:

1.    In a bowl add cucumber, tomato, green chilli, onions, salt, sugar and peanut powder. Toss the ingredients well.

2.    Now add lemon juice and give it a mix.

3.    For tempering

·       Heat oil.

·       Add asafetida, curry leaves, turmeric.

·       Allow it to splutter

4.    Pour the tempering over the salad.

5.    Give it a final mix, add coriander and serve it. 

Note- Serve it immediately as if you keep it for a long time, salad releases its juices.

Enjoy this simple preparation with Varan-Bhat.

 

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FRUIT SALSA

                                   (Click the above for recipe video)

ORANGE KIWI STRAWBERRY SALAD

 This fruit salsa is a delightful creation. It has a burst of juices. I call it “Vitamin C Fruit Salad”. Because it contains fruits rich in Vitamin C. I have used only three fruits for this salad. You can add more of your choice. I am adding a summer essential or summer saver ingredient “Chia Seeds”. These seeds are high in fibre. It is also an excellent antioxidant.

I have also used Mint, another summer essential. It makes a salad very refreshing. And the sweet tangy dressing makes it a fantastic dish.

Check out the ingredients and make this refreshing, delightful, juicy and delicious Fruit Salsa.

INGREDIENTS:

¼ cup diced strawberry

¼ cup diced kiwi

¼ cup diced oranges

For Salad Dressing-

1 Tbsp Chia

2 Tbsp chopped Mint

1 Tbsp Honey

2 Tbsp Orange juice

1 Tbsp Lime Juice

¼ Tsp Black Pepper Powder

METHOD-

1.    In a bowl add the fruits.

2.    Soak chia seeds with enough water for 10 minutes. It takes around 10 minutes for chia to get swelled.

3.  For dressing-

Mix honey, orange juice, lime juice, mint, black pepper and swelled chia.

Mix everything well. The dressing should get mixed properly.

4.    Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss it.

5.    Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes

6.    Serve the salad chilled and enjoy!

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Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad is a summer classic. I absolutely love it! It is a healthy, beautiful, colorful, delicious and a flavorful bowl. You can have it as a side dish or even as a party appetizer. I like to carry it while traveling.  I am using some basic salad ingredients for this. And the dressing is sweet and tangy which makes it a hit dish.

Try this recipe and beat the heat. All you need is-

INGREDIENTS                                                          SERVINGS: 2

1 cup Macaroni

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Garlic clove, chopped

¼ cup Red Cabbage, shredded

¼ cup Bell Peppers, diced

¼ cup Cucumber
¼ cup Boiled Corns

¼ cup sliced Onion

¼ cup diced Cherry Tomato

FOR DRESSING:

½ Tsp Black Pepper powder

1 Tsp Oregano

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Tsp Honey

½ Tsp Red Chili flakes

½ Tsp Salt

1 Tbsp Tomato Paste or Ketchup

1 Tsp Lemon Juice

METHOD:

1.    Heat olive oil in a pan; add garlic, red cabbage and bell peppers.

2.    Sauté it for 2 minutes on a high flame, till the veggies are soft. Remove it from the flame and keep it aside.

3.    Meanwhile in a bowl add cucumber, onions, tomatoes, corns, macaroni and sautéed veggies. Toss it.

4.     For Dressing- mix honey, olive oil, lemon juice, chili flakes, oregano, salt and black pepper. Mix it well.

5.    Pour the dressing over the salad (step-3).

6.    Toss it again. And serve it.

7.    You can keep it in refrigerator for chilling.

8.    Serve it as an appetizer for party or you can have it in your lunch box as well.

 

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Corn Salsa

This is a super fresh corn salad tossed with some peppers, herbs and lime juice. This salad is quite simple yet full of flavors. I think it is the best salad for summer time parties. It is delectable, colorful and looks cute as an appetizer. Serve it with Nachos or with Graham Crackers. All you need is

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups Corns [fresh or frozen]

1 Tbsp Olive oil

¼ cup Spring onions, chopped

½ cup Bell Peppers [green, red and yellow], chopped

½ cup Cherry Tomato

¼ cup Cilantro or coriander

2 Tbsp Lime juice

1 Tsp Mixed Herbs

½ Tsp Red Chili Flakes

¼ Tsp Black Pepper Crushed

¼ Salt or to taste

¼ Cup Cheese [I am using Cheddar cheese]

METHOD:

1.    Heat oil in a pan. Add spring onions and bell peppers. Sauté it on a low flame.

2.    Once the bell peppers gets soft add in corns. Mix it well. Sauté for another one minute.

3.    Add in salt, red chili flakes, herbs, cilantro and crushed black pepper. Mix everything well.

4.    Squeeze in the lemon juice.

5.    Add cheese. Mix it quickly and remove it from the flame. You will see that the cheese gets melt.

6.    Lastly, add the tomatoes toss it and serve it.

7.    Sprinkle some more cheese and cilantro while serving.

8.    It goes well with Nachos or even with Crackers.

Best, light and quick appetizer for cocktail party!

Do try the recipe!

 

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Matar Paneer

If you are a die-hard Indian foodie and if you’re indecisive or super hungry opt for a Thali then.  Thali is a platter with a selection of various dishes. You get to taste varieties of Condiments, salads, Savory, Sabji’s also they serve different classic Indian Breads and Desserts. It is colorful, flavorful and at the same time packed with a balanced diet. The intention behind serving a thali meal is to offer 6 different flavors of sweet, salt, bitter, sour, spicy and acidic (astringent) on a single platter. In India you get two categories of Thali meal- Veg or Meat based. And the dishes varies from region to region. You get a wide variety from every region.  Mainly it has Dal, rice, Salad, papad, vegetable (sabji), Roti (Indian bread), pickles, Yoghurt (Kadhi/buttermilk etc.) and sweets. And there is a typical way of serving the meal.  Thali is quintessentially Indian.

I am sharing a Thali Meal recipe which has Dal Fry, Rice, Mint-Onion Chutney, Matar –Paneer (Cottage cheese-Peas Curry) and Paratha.

You can make thali meal using any combinations. Just make sure flavors are well balanced.

Try these everyday recipes. And make a habit of healthy cooking and healthy eating. 

Matar Paneer

Peas is something which we always have in our refrigerator. If guests pop in suddenly you should have few ingredients handy from which we can make any dish within no time. Pea’s is one of those magical ingredients. [Note- For matar paneer we fry the paneer cubes but here to keep it simple and healthy I’ll dkip this step.]

Ingredients:-

1 cup Pea’s (Matar)

1 cup Paneer (Cottage cheese), diced

2 onions, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

7-8 cashew or almonds

1 tsp cumin

1 tbsp coriander powder

1 tsp garam masala

1/2 inch piece of cinnamon

1 green cardamom

2-3 black pepper corns

1 tbsp Kasuri Meethi

2-3 tbsp oil/ghee

½ tsp turmeric

2 tsp Kashmiri Red chilli powder

¼ cup Curds

1 cup milk

2 tsp salt

Coriander, chopped for garnishing. 

Method:-

1.     In a saucepan add milk, onions, cashew/almonds, cardamom, black pepper corns and cinnamon. Boil it till everything is cooked properly it hardly takes 10 minutes. Allow it to cool, and then blend it into a smooth paste.

2.     Heat Oil/Ghee in a Kadhayi(pan), add cumin, ginger garlic paste and blended paste prepared in Step1 above.

3.     Sautee it till the paste changes its color. Then add chopped tomatoes, salt and cook till tomatoes gets mushy.

4.     Then add chili powder, coriander powder and curds. Mix it well and make sure that curd doesn’t get curdled. Cook it till oil separates from the masala.

5.     Add Pea’s and 1 cup water to form gravy. Boil it on high flame for 7-8 minutes. Then add diced Paneer. Stir in the gravy.

6.     Lastly to enhance the flavor and aroma add Kasuri meethi and Coriander.

7.     Matar Panner is ready to serve.

8.     It is relished with Paratha or Puri. 

For Dal fry and Mint Chutney click the following links-

Dal Fry-https://grannysreflection.blogspot.com/2019/02/dal-fry.html
Pudina(Mint) Chutney-https://grannysreflection.blogspot.com/2019/02/pudinamint-and-spring-onion-chutney.html

Hey Friends! If you like my blogs kindly post your comment below the post and do share your response. Looking forward for some new innovative recipes. Thanks for reading. HAPPY COOKING ! :)