Zunka [Pithla]

It is a very popular and traditional dish prepared in Maharashtra and Goa. We call it as a Desi dish and is relished with Jowar or Rice Bhakri and Thecha. It is usually made when there is a shortage of vegetables in the refrigerator. Or when you don’t feel like having vegetables. It is a super quick recipe made within no-time. It has two versions- one is dry Zunka and another is semi-solid Zunka typically called Pithla.

It is a simple and a protein-rich dish. So, give a break to the vegetables and try out this tasty and mouth-watering recipe.

INGREDIENTS:                                                             Serving: 2

1 cup Chickpea Flour [Besan]

1 cup Onion, chopped [you can even use green onion]

2 green chilies

3 Tbsp Oil [use groundnut oil, it adds a lovely aroma]

1 Tsp mustard seeds

1 Tsp Cumin

1/8^th tsp Asafetida

2-3 Garlic cloves, crushed

4-5 Curry Leaves

½ Tsp Turmeric

1 Tsp Red Chili Powder

¼ cup Curds

1½ cups Water

1½ Tsp Salt

¼ cup Coriander, chopped

METHOD:

1.     In a bowl mix Chickpea flour, curds, and water. Whisk it well and make a smooth batter.

2.     Heat oil in a pan, add asafetida, cumin, mustard, curry leaves, and green chilies. Allow it to splutter.

3.     Now add chopped onions and crushed garlic. Sautee’ till onions are cooked.

4.     Add turmeric, red chili powder and the Chickpea Flour batter [step1]. Mix it well. Add more water if required.

5.      Add salt and cover with a lid.

6.     Allow it to cook on a low flame for 10 minutes.

7.     Once cooked, remove the lid garnish it with coriander and serve it with Jowar Bhakri and Thecha.

[You can even have it with steam rice or khichadi]

Tips:  

·        To make it healthy add Fenugreek Leaves/ Meethi Leaves along with the onion.

·        You can add fresh green onion and green garlic to it.

Strawberry Yoghurt Smoothie

Smoothie is a thick cold beverage made with pureed fresh fruit and sometimes with dairy products (Milk, yoghurt, curds, ice-cream etc). It is a healthy shake to get your morning started. Smoothies are delicious and super refreshing. You can use any seasonal fruit for this. So let’s get started all you need is a blender and some fresh fruits. I am using strawberry, yoghurt and Chia seeds (Sabza) for this smoothie.

Ingredients:-

3 strawberry, washed and chopped

1 cup low fat yoghurt

1 tbsp chia seeds 

Method:-

1.  In a cup add chia seeds and 3 tbsp water. Stir it and allow

it to swell. Chia seeds require 10 minutes to swell.

2.  In a blender add 2 chopped strawberries and yoghurt. Blend it into a smooth mixture.

3.  Now for serving- in a glass pour swelled chia seeds at the bottom. To this add some chopped strawberries

.

4.  Now pour the blended strawberry yoghurt over the chia seeds.

5.  Add some more chopped strawberry on the top. And serve it.

[Note- You can replace yoghurt with skimmed milk or almond milk]

 

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