Watermelon Kiwi Mocktail | Summer Special Cooler | Mocktail Recipe

Watermelon-Kiwi mocktail is another tropical drink which helps to stay cool and hydrated. My kids are big fans of this incredibly refreshing Watermelon mocktail with the added zest from Kiwifruit. Sometimes, I make a watermelon lemonade and top it with Kiwi splash. But, this mocktail is a lovely blend of both with an enhanced taste. Instead of serving bottled juice or aerated drinks at your next party, why not try one of these mocktails for a healthy twist!

Preparation time - 10mins
Makes - 4 glasses

Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri | Summer Special | Mocktail Recipe

Strawberry Daiquiri is a popular summer drink that is a blend of rum and strawberries. But, here, we are going to enjoy a non-alcoholic Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri by choosing pineapple juice instead of alcohol. Anyone who loves strawberry will definitely love this healthy and refreshing summer drink. It is a perfect party beverage that children and adults can enjoy alike. Would you not include it in your next party menu?

Preparation time - 10mins
Makes - 4 glasses

Double Chocolate Avocado Cupcake | Eggless Cupcake recipe | Healthy Snack recipe

These cupcakes are special. In my attempts to create a healthier version of cupcake with reduced fat and sugar, I chanced upon this recipe and was impressed with the science behind healthy baking discussed there and waiting to try this delicious Double Chocolate Avocado Cupcake. Surprisingly, my partner of this month's Shhh Cooking Secretly Challenge, Sundari gave Avocado as one of my secret ingredients and I knew that is the best chance to try this lovely recipe. I have talked enough about this Superfood - Avocado here and here.In this recipe, creamy, buttery Avocado replaces most of the butter and the result is soft, moist and chocolatey cupcakes. Those chocolate chunks / chips are responsible for the fudgy insides. Hop on for a healthy treat. 

Preparation time : 10mins

Baking time : 30-40mins

Cooling time : 10mins

Yields : 12 medium cupcakes

Vegan Spinach Pancake | Eggless Pancake Recipe | Kids Lunch Box Recipe

Today, its another healthy kids' lunch box recipe which is sure going to surprise you. Its a Vegan pancake with a twist - adding spinach to make it more colourful as well as wholesome and nutritious. Nothing can beat the sense of contentment than watching your kid munch on the goodness of a healthy dish without all those fusses. My kids love pancakes and I had tried a few times, but I must admit, I could'nt make perfect pancakes until a while ago. Making a light, fluffy and delicious pancake was a real challenge. In an attempt to nail those pancakes, I browsed around for eggless pancake recipe while I fell in love with this pancake pic on a vegan cookbook and noted down the recipe. I was skeptical though as it did'nt have the mention of any egg-replacers and also made use of very little fats. But, trust me, this is one of the best Vegan pancake recipe which tastes as wonderful as it looks. Kids enjoy sharing these green goodies with their friends too!

Preparation time - 10mins

Cooking time - 15-20mins

Yields - 10, medium-sized pancakes

Vegetable Rice | Variety Rice recipe | Kids Lunch Box Recipe

When choosing lunch box dishes for kids, it is important to select those which stay tasty even when not hot and are also wholesome. Adding plenty of veggies and cooking a one-pot meal does help with a nutrional boost during the busy hours of our little ones. As the kids study in a multi-racial environment, I tend to avoid packing dishes with strong Masala flavours.This mixed vegetable rice is mildly flavoured and definitely a kids-friendly healthy meal. My kids love the crunchiness of veggies blended with ginger-coriander flavour and mild tanginess from lemon juice. 

Preparation time - 10mins

Cooking time - 10mins

Serves - 4

Bread Paneer Roll | Kids Lunch box Recipe | Under 30mins recipe

Bread Paneer Roll is one of the simplest yet tastiest snack which makes for a healthy lunch box recipe for the kids. With almost no-oil at all, it is one of my favourites as well. And the paneer is a good protein and calcium fix which also keeps them satiated through the day. I bumped into this recipe when browsing around my best buddy Jeyashri's blog and was really impressed at the simplicity of the recipe. My kids as well as DH loved it so much and it became a regular lunch box item. Those following my space, by now know that Iam not for processed and refined food. So, I prepare this roll mostly with Wholemeal or Multi-grain bread only. Trust me, that tastes yummier than its white counterpart. I had some paneer left after I made this Paneer butter Masala a week ago and there came this Kids' Delight - Lunch box series at Srivalli's space. So,my first entry for this week is this yummy Bread Paneer Roll!

Preparation time - 15mins

Cooking time - 5-10mins

Serves - 4

Thengai Paal Kootu | Coconut milk Vegetable Gravy | Easy Side dish recipe | Under 30min recipe

'Thengai paal kootu' is another unique,traditional preparation of our family. Our native home had a lovely garden filled with coconut trees and many seasonal veggie plants.Our grandpa is an expert in gardening and took care of those trees like his own kids. He spent most of his time in the garden, watering and de-weeding. Those are golden days wherein we relished home-grown fresh veggies without the invasion of harmful pesticides and chemicals.The trees bore the best coconuts round the year and there was a separate room allocated for storing them in rows. No wonder coconut was a staple in the family, without which not even a single day's cooking went by. I came from a family where coconut is sparingly used in cooking. Other than the jaggery-flavoured coconut milk which is used on Appam, I have'nt tasted any other dishes prepared with coconut milk. So, my MIL's Thengai Paal Kuzhambu was a surprise to me and it just blew me off. Next is this simple, easy and no-fail Coconut milk vegetable gravy,which is an excellent side for anything from Idli, Dosa to Roti to Rice delicacies. It involves minimum effort to whip this up on busy mornings or a tired weeknight. I have used our traditional combination of veggies here, but any veggie of your choice can be swapped in the recipe for a variation.

Preparation time - 10mins

Cooking time - 15-20mins

Serves - 4

Paneer Butter Masala | How to make Restaurant Style Paneer Butter Masala | North-Indian gravy recipe

'Paneer Butter Masala', also known as 'Paneer Makhani' is a popular North-Indian gravy which is sure to please any crowd with its lusciousness. Delicious Paneer is cooked in a creamy gravy and is a perfect blend of spiciness and creaminess, which makes it great for parties or any celebrations. My kids love this so much even with reduced butter and cream. But, here, I have shared the recipe for Restaurant-style Paneer Butter Masala, which is loaded with richness from butter, cashews and fresh cream. 

Preparation time - 15mins

Cooking time - 30-35mins

Serves - 4

Restaurant Style Dal makhani | How to make Punjabi Dal Makhani | Gourmet Gravy recipe | North-Indian recipes

Dal Makhani, also known as 'Maa ki Dal' is an exotic Punjabi delicacy,which is prepared by cooking whole Urad dal and Rajma bean on a low flame for a long time,is a perfect accompaniment for Roti / Naan. The process of slow cooking lends it a unique flavour together with the Makhani (butter/cream) added at the end. However, by using a Pressure cooker, cooking time is significantly reduced to less than an hour, yet this recipe yields just as rich and yummy Dal Mahkani as the traditional one. This recipe is loaded with calories and it is definitely an occasional indulgence. However, I shall share the best Low-fat version of this Gourmet gravy soon. Come, lets bring the Restaurant richness to our kitchen too!

Preparation time - 10-12hrs
Cooking time - 1hr, approx.
Serves - 6

Sabudana Khichdi | Perfect Maharashtrian Sabudana Khichadi recipe | Vrat recipes | No-onion, No-garlic recipe

Sabudana Khichdi is a Maharashtrian dish, usually prepared during fasts like Navrathri or Mahashivrathri. As I have a couple of Maharashtrian friends, I had tasted this a few times and loved its wonderful taste despite the simplicity of the ingredients. Chewy Sabudana pearls mixed with crunchy peanut bits, perfectly spiced with chillies with added zest of lemon makes it a heavenly combo. Potato helps with the carbohydrate needed to get us through the day during fasts. This authentic recipe is from my best buddy Apexa who is a Maharashtrian. Though it is a very simple recipe, it requires few tips and tricks for cooking Sabudana pearls to perfection, which I have shared below.

Preparation time  - 4-5hrs
Cooking time - 20mins
Serves - 4