BANANA OATMEAL BALLS

My DH and I are big time foodies. I am so glad that both of us like almost all good items and don't have any preferences. He is open to new tastes and recipes. If I am able to try different recipes, its because of his support. Thank you DH! Well, even though we love to eat, we make sure we exercise regularly, eat healthy often and stay on track. This snack recipe is focused on healthy eating. This is probably the most healthiest I've ever done.

This is a flourless, sugarless, oil free recipe. And it takes only less than 30mins in total. Isn't that great?

Ingredients
makes about 10 lime sized balls

2 medium ripe bananas
1 cup uncooked quick/instant oats(plain)
1/4 cup crushed walnuts
a handful of roasted flax seeds

How to make it

- Mash the bananas well. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and combine well.

- Make into medium sized balls. I made them into lime sized.

- Place them on a parchment paper lined/non stick foil lined cookie sheet. This is to make sure ti doesn't get stuck to the cookie sheet.

- Bake them in a pre heated oven at 350F for 15 mins or until they are golden brown.

- Let cool and enjoy them

p.s. - If you want this recipe to be nut-free you could skip the walnuts or add sunflower seeds.

AVOCADO PASTA (KID FRIENDLY)

Hey folks! Hope this week has been good so far. Its been good to me too. I have been into experimenting a lot of new recipes lately. One such is the Avocado Pasta recipe. This one is especially for kids. My toddler son likes variety for his lunch and thus the idea for this recipe. I used Orzo, a form of short-cut pasta. Any pasta should do fine but if your kiddo is choosy about a bigger size pasta, I strongly recommend to use this one. My son loved it. I hope yours will like it too.

Ingredients
makes 6-8oz

A handful of Orzo
1 small size Avocado
A handful of chopped carrots(or any veggie of your choice)
1 tsp of Olive oil
Salt to taste

How to make it

- Bring the water to a boil and put the uncooked pasta into it and cook according to package instructions. If you have time, I suggest to let it cook for 15-20mins. This would make the pasta softer and easier to chew. Add a tsp of oil to boiling pasta. This helps in not sticking together.

- Scoop out the Avocado and mash it nicely.

- Boil the chopped carrots in a separate pot or along with the pasta (or you can also sauté them)

- Drain the water and mix the cooked pasta, mashed avocados and carrots. Add salt to taste.

VEGGIE MUFFINS

MUFFINS! MUFFINS!

I am not much of a sweet loving person. but I love certain ones. Pancakes with lots of maple syrup, blueberry waffles, eclairs, scones and of course muffins. I know I know! I get it. Let's say I prefer certain ones and don't like the rest?

Well, even though I love the regular muffins, I have always wondered about a savory muffin. I came across a spinach feta muffin recipe on edible garden. I couldn't resist from the moment I saw and made some right away with a little change of ingredients. I din't add much spice to it so that my toddler son can also eat it.
This is a recipe that can be done in 30 mins. Are you ready to try?

Ingredients
makes 12 mini muffins

1 cup of plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup of chopped spinach, broccoli, tomatoes.
3/4 cup milk
2 tbsp plain curd (or 1 egg if you prefer)
1tsp of Olive oil (or any other you prefer)
A handful of Cheddar cheese
A handful of chia seeds(optional)

How to make it

- Pre heat oven to 390F. Grease muffin liners.

- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients. Make sure the batter is evenly mixed.

- Pour the batter into lined muffin tray until the liners are 3/4th filled.

- Bake in a pre heated oven for 20 mins or until they turn
golden brown. Remember each oven time may vary. Use your judgement.

- Insert a skewer to make sure they are cooked inside. Enjoy them after its cooled down.

p.s. - I liked them with mint chutney and ketchup.

SPICY SESAME CRACKERS

It was a chill evening. I needed something crunchy and spicy. Something that is healthy and baked. I saw a recipe of Chilli Ajwain biscuits in spicy treats sometime back. I just couldn't resist and baked some immediately. And, it bakes in 20mins. Whaaaaat! 

Ingredients

Wheat flour - 3/4 cup (I used multigrain)

All purpose flour - 1 cup

Chilli powder - 1 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

Sesame seeds - 1/2 tsp

Flax seeds - 1/2 tsp

Olive oil - 1.5 tbsp

Yogurt - 1.5 tbsp

Water - as needed

How to make it

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and knead it into a firm dough. Just like you do for a masala chapati.

Roll it on a lightly floured surface into desired thickness.

Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter or knife.

Bake it for 20-25 mins in a pre heated oven at 350 F

Allow it to cool for sometime and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or tea

BLACK OLIVES AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH CROSTINI

Ooo! Doesn't that sound intriguing? it might also sound demanding but trust me it's not. Crostini is just a fancy Italian name for sliced baguettes served as an appetizer. One can take a variety of ingredients as toppings. Inf act, a fruit and a vegetable that you think will work together will do wonders. How about roasted tomatoes and pineapples? I am so doing this soon.

This time, I took Black olives(Kalamata, greek ones), butter nut squash and monterey jack and mild cheddar nuggets. Oh! Ant the multi grain baguette from Trader joe's. Any of your favorite baguette will do. The sour and sweetness of these out together gave a pleasant flavor. If you prefer a strong flavor, I suggest you change the ingredients to your choice.

This took about 15 mins in total to get things ready and pre heat the oven. Took less than 5 minutes for the baking part. This one is sure to get done by 25 mins max.

Ingredients

1 Multigrain demi baguette
A cup of cut black olives (to taste)
A cup of Butter nut squash (to taste)
Small amount of Monterey Jack and Mild Cheddar nuggets (You can also cut block cheese into fine nuggets)
1/2 tsp Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste

How to make it

- Saute the cut butter nut squash in little oil. Make sure the raw smell goes away.

-In a big bowl, combine sauteed squash, cut black olives, oil, cheese, salt and pepper and mix evenly.

- Cut the baguette into 3/4 inch slices. On a baking sheet, arrange them into a single layer. Broil for 1 to     2 minutes until slightly brown.

- Divide the toppings mixture evenly over the slices and broil again for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

SUN DRIED TOMATOES AND CHEESE ROLLS

Yes! You heard it right. Doesn't it sound good?

I recently bought some bagels and an awesome Hatchet pepper cream cheese from Wholy Bagels.
Oh! They were scrumptious. The bagel got over but the cream cheese din't. taddaaaaa! I couldn't wait to use them on my rolls. I also used everyday seasoning grinder from Trader joe's. They have an amazing combination of Coriander, black pepper, mustard and chilli.

I usually add some garlic and basil leaves in variation. I strongly suggest to add basil leaves with sun dried tomatoes. They smell absolutely divine.

This recipe involves a lot of preparation but its definitely worth the effort. This is a wonderful recipe for    an appetizer or a snack or even for breakfast with coffee. You can go wild on the filling and experiment with a lot of sweet and spicy ingredients. So, here is the recipe.

Ingredients
makes 16 mini rolls

2 cup all purpose flour
1.5 tbsp yeast
1 cup of sun dried tomatoes, julienned (I used Trader joe's)
1 cup of warm water
Salt to taste
Cream cheese to taste
Everyday seasoning to taste
A handful of Pine nuts for topping

How to make it

- Mix flour, water, yeast and salt into a fine dough. Keep in a bowl covered with cling in a warm place for about 45mins. This is for the dough to double.

- Punch the dough to knock down the air.

- Split the dough into two halves. Roll one half into a rough rectangle.

- Add sun dried tomatoes, cheese and the seasoning. Spread evenly.

- Roll from one end gently but firmly. Cut it into 8 equal portions.

- Do the same to another half of the dough.

- Arrange them into the pan leaving some space for the dough to raise. I used Pyrex glass 8x8.

- Place them in a pre heated oven of 375F for about 30-35 mins. Enjoy them while they are warm.

p.s. - Use your judgment in adding water to the dough. The amount of water depends upon the type of flour you use. Also, oven temperatures vary. Keep checking to get the perfect rolls.

VEGETABLE AND PASTA - KID MEAL

Hello People!

Hope you are doing great. My kiddo A is keeping me super busy.Now my day starts with son up and ends with son down. Life is now so much fun and awesome. My son is no longer an infant and recently graduated to Toddler, the next stage. I am looking forward to more noise, dirt and mischief.

Now that he is big, I have introduced table foods and experimenting with different tastes and his likes. This post is a kid friendly..um..more of a toddler friendly recipe. I want to my kiddo to taste different lunch or dinner everyday just like us apart from the usual paruppu/rasam sadham. If you are looking for a change from the routine this is the one. And its super quick and easy to make too.

Ingredients

1 small juicy tomato, finely chopped
a small bunch of spinach finely cut
3-4 strands of spaghetti pasta chopped into small ones
3-4 drops of olive oil
salt to taste

How to make it

- In a pan, heat the oil and add the finely chopped tomatoes. Make sure it turns pulpy.

- Boil water. When the water is bubbling, add the pasta along with spinach. Boil until its dine.

- Strain the water and add the spinach and pasta to the tomatoes.

- Add salt and mix well. Voila! It is ready.

Let me know if you try this. Any inputs or improvisations are most welcome.

p.s. - This can easily be converted to adult meal with a few tweaks. I am going to try. Are you?