Tabouli fattoush salad dressing

Tabouli or fattoush salad dressing.

Makes 400ml salad dressing.

Juice of 5-6 yellow lemons

1 1/2 cup of  olive oil

2 tsp white pepper powder

1/2 tsp dry mint leaves

3 tsp sumac powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Whisk all the ingredients with a fork. Store in a airtight container. Should last for a week at room temperature and months in refrigerator. Shake well and Pour over salad. 

Green freeze!

Green freeze!

Portion and Freeze your greens in snack size freezer bags. Toss In spinach, kale, green boiled lentils, avocado for that green smoothie explosion!

I soaked 2 cups of dry green peas lentils in warm water over night. Boiled them in 4 cups water for 8-10 minutes. Drained excess water out. Eat them as is or Add to smoothies for protein, vitamins and minerals. They taste sweet and add the thickness to any smoothie!

Spinach cranberry chia nut salad!

Spinach cranberry raisin chia nut salad!

1 bag baby spinach

2 cups total of dry cranberry, raisins and choice of nuts.

( I used almond and cashew but pistachio, walnut and pecan will go just as well)

2 tbsp raspberry vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette dressing

1/2 tbsp sweet and sour or orange panda Chinese sauce

1/2 tsp mustard sauce.

1 tsp chia seeds

2 tsp olive oil or coconut oil

I cup drained mandarin wedges.

Mix sweet and sour, raspberry vinaigrette and mustard sauce in a bowl. Add chia seeds to it and set aside

Heat a large skillet.

Add 2 tsp olive oil and sauté cranberry and nut mix for 10-15 seconds. Turn gas off and Add all the spinach and dressing to the skillet. Toss gently. Don't over wilt the spinach. Remove into a cold storage container. Add mandarin slices and Refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes and serve chilled. Optional  sprinkle sea salt, pepper or pepper flakes. 

Fresh Citrus Bath!

Fresh citrus bath! 

4 oranges or tangerine or clementine

1 lemon

4 cups of warm or hot water

Blend all 3 ingredients into a fine juice. Using a strainer pour all the juice in to your bathtub. Add few drops of Johnson baby bath or dove liquid body wash. Fill the tub with water as usual and relax as long as your schedule permits. 

orange peels and lemon peel are loaded with essential oils. You can perk it up by adding a cup of Epsom salt. You can even add few drops of coconut oil or just dump a can of coconut milk. 

There are times when we buy oranges and lemons and they are not quiet edible for lack of sweetness or may be they have been abandoned  on that shelf to decay. Just juice it and use it before you loose it!!!!! 

Don't have time for a bath right now then just cut all the citrus into wedges and freeze them until you are ready for juicing, using and rejuvenating!

Capers Kerda Achar (Pickle)

Capers ( kachra/ Kabar/ kerda) Achar

1 cup capers from whole food store. I found them from the pickle bar area by olives.

1 cup Apexa ( or any achar Methi masala)
1/2 cup mustard oil 

1 tsp Hing ( optional) 

Method: Wash capers in cold water and drain them thoroughly to get rid of all excess water and salt. The capers here are sour and salty as they are marinated in vinegar. Dry them on a paper towel or plain cloth thoroughly for 5 to 6 hours. 

Heat oil over medium heat and add Hing. Let  the oil cool down for half hour. Do not pour hot oil over achar masala as it will turn the red chili powder in achar masala brown. 

Mix capers with achar Methi masala in a large bowl and set aside.

Once the oil reaches room temperature pour over the capers and mix well. Let it marinate over night. Store in refrigerator in a glass jar with closed lid. It Should last for months and up to a year.

Quick Pizza Bite snack!

Quick pizza bite snack!

(Great for after school snack)

2-3 Greek style pita bread

I cup Pizza or pasta sauce

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella Cheese or any cheese of your choice.

Use cookie cutters or round lid to cut small rounds or hearts or any desired shape out of pita bread.

Spread pizza or pasta sauce and sprinkle shredded cheese.

Heat toaster oven on 400F on toast pizza cycle.

Line baking tray with foil and spray or grease the foil.

Place prepared pizza bites on the tray.

Toast for 3-5 minutes. Ready in minutes.

Great for after school snack. You can prepare the tray in the morning or precut pita and store it in the fridge. You can add any topping of your choice and build it your way. Toppings like fresh basil, onion, mushroom, avocado.... Have it any way you want it. 

Idli Stir fry with Mediterranean Masala!

Idli stir fry with Mediterranean biryani masala.

12 to 14 Idli ( each cut into 4 pieces)

( I usually pour batter in a plate and steam like Dhokla and cut into cubes. I also prefer less soft idli for this recipe as the moisture of sautéed vegetables make them soggy if the idli's are too soft)

1 sliced Onion

1/2 cup each of thin sliced red and white Cabbage, Carrots, Capsicum, Spring onion, baby corn,cilantro and Tomatoes

3 tbsp of crushed ginger, garlic and green chilies

Seasoning: 

1 tsp Sambar powder, Methi masala,

Mediterranean garam masala or Mediterranean biryani masala 

Salt per taste

2 tsp lemon juice.

6-8 tbsp oil 

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Method: heat oil in a large skillet, sauté onion, ginger, garlic and green chilies. Add all veggies except tomatoes and sauté for 5-6 minutes. Add idli and all the dry seasoning and sauté for a minute. Add tomato and lemon juice and sauté another minute. Turn gas off. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.