Category: Recipe

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Nourish Your Summer: Sattu Chokha – A Bihari Delicacy with Health Benefits

Sattu Chokha, a humble yet flavorsome dish, embodies the essence of simplicity. With no cooking involved and no intricate techniques required, it’s a true testament to the beauty of minimalism in cooking. Made primarily from roasted gram flour (sattu), this dish celebrates the natural flavors and nutritional benefits of its core ingredient. Mixed with an array of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients like onions, green chilies, and coriander leaves, Sattu Chokha is a delightful medley of textures and tastes. Whether enjoyed as a standalone snack or paired with your favorite accompaniments like rice or dal, this dish offers a taste of comfort and tradition in every bite.

Sattu chokha is a staple food in Bihari households, especially during the scorching summer months. This simple yet nutritious dish is known for its cooling properties and delightful taste. Traditionally enjoyed with dal chawal, sattu chokha is a perfect blend of flavors and health benefits.

Experience the wholesome goodness of Sattu Chokha – simple yet satisfying, and bursting with authentic flavors

Ingredients:

1 cup chana sattu
1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
2 green chillies, finely chopped
A handful of coriander leaves, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
1 tbsp mustard oil
Salt to taste

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl or plate, add chana sattu, roasted cumin powder and salt.

Now add finely chopped onion, finely chopped coriander leaves, green chillies and mustard oil.

Now pour in the lemon juice and Mix everything together thoroughly until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve the Sattu Chokha with rice or dal chawal. Enjoy the rustic flavors of this simple and nutritious dish!


Note: You can adjust the quantity of green chillis and lemon juice according to your taste preferences. Additionally, you can also add finely chopped coriander leaves for extra freshness and flavor.

Sattu chokha is not just a dish; it’s a tradition passed down through generations, offering a perfect blend of taste and health. Enjoy this Bihari delicacy and relish the goodness of sattu!

You can make your own sattu at home or you can buy from numerous brands available online as well as offline. In case you are looking for a homemade, preservative free and authentic experience, without getting into hassle of grinding your own, you can always explore Masala Monk’s Sattu Mix, which ships all over India also you don’t have to add roasted cumin powder and salt separately in this mixture.

Do try the recipe and let me know in comments how it turns out. If you end up adding your own twist and experimenting, let me know as well – maybe I will try it that way and see how it feels.

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Spice Up Your Meals: Sautéed Green Chillies Recipe for a Chatpata Delight

Adding sautéed green chillies to your meals is a fantastic way to bring a burst of flavor and a touch of heat. These fiery little chillies not only make your food chatpata (tangy and spicy) but also come with a host of health benefits. Rich in vitamins A and C, green chillies boost your immune system and improve eye health. They also contain capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help boost your metabolism. Whether as a side dish or a topping, sautéed green chillies are sure to elevate your culinary experience to a whole new level.

Let’s make a simple and flavorful sautéed green chillies recipe:

Ingredients:

10-12 big green chillies
1 teaspoon fennel powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
1 teaspoon amchoor powder (dried mango powder)
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon rai seeds
A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

Wash the green chillies thoroughly and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Slit each green chilli lengthwise one by one.

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add cumin ,rai seeds and hing. Let the cumin and rai seeds splutter and release their aroma.

Add the slitted green chillies to the pan and sauté them for about 2-3 minutes until they become slightly tender. Lower the heat to medium-low and sprinkle all the spice including Amchoor over the green chillies. Mix well to coat the chillies with the spices. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.

Turn off the flame and drizzle the lemon juice over the sautéed green chillies. Give it a final mix to incorporate the tangy flavor.

Transfer the sautéed green chillies to a serving dish. This dish is perfect as a spicy and tangy side dish. It complements well with Indian meals, especially rice and dal. Adjust the amount of red chili powder according to your taste preference. Enjoy the heat and flavors of these delicious sautéed green chillies.

Do try out this easy peasy recipe and let me know in the comment section how you liked it. Happy Cooking!

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Best Guacamole Recipe (Easy, Fresh and Authentic)

I absolutely love avocados for their rich buttery taste. Guacamole is an avocado-based dip or spread that originated in Mexico. Mexico cuisine is quite incomplete without guacamole. Making guacamole at home is super easy. It will literally take you 5 minutes with which you can make a classic side dish. You can spread guacamole on a toast, serve with tacos, chips, tortillas or burrito bowl.

Avocados are well loved for its buttery rich creamy flavour. Authentic guacamole doesn’t contain fillers and unnecessary ingredients. All you need is ripe avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and salt. Easy and delicious! The key to making a good guacamole is to keep it simple. Do not get too fancy with the ingredients. Keep it plain and simple!

Pick ripe avocado for best guacamole. How to pick ripe Avocado?

Pick ripe but firm avocado. We are not looking for soft mushy ones for this recipe. 

  • Ripe avocados will yield to firm gentle pressure in the palm of your hand. 
  • If avocado is ripe, it may have a darker colour but colour can vary so it is best to go by feel as well as colour. It will feel lightly soft but it will not feel “mushy” to the touch.
  • The “stem trick” can also help you determine—by pulling off the nubby stem—how ripe an avocado is. If it comes off easily and the color is bright green, it’s ready.
  • Another indicator is the skin. Feel for bumpy skin. Avocados that are ready to eat will have a bumpy and not smooth skin.

Avocado Benefits 

Incorporating avocado into a varied, healthy diet can provide a number of benefits.

  1. They are loaded with vitamins, potassium and antioxidants. Avocados are a source of Vitamin C, E, K, and B6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid.
  2. They are excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids. These are good fats which helps a person feel fuller in between meals. Eating healthy fats supports skin health, enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals
  3. Avocados also contain high levels of phytochemicals and carotenoids, which may have anticancer properties.
  4. It can also help you loose weight. A half-cup of guacamole has about 6 grams, almost 1/4, of your daily fiber needs. Fiber helps you feel full, so you’re less likely to overeat. Although avocados are high in fat, it’s mainly healthy monounsaturated fat which will not lead to unnecessary weight gain. 
  5. Avocados can also help lower “bad” cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.

How do you make Guacamole?

Ingredients:

  • 2 large ripe Avocados
  • Juice of 1 Lemon
  • 1 clove Garlic, minced
  • 1 small Onion, chopped very fine
  • 1 small Roma tomato, chopped very fine
  • 1 small Jalapeño, chopped finely
  • Handful of finely chopped Sweet Basil leaves (optional)
  • Handful of finely chopped Cilantro
  • Salt, Black pepper and Cayenne Pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop into a mixing bowl. 
  • Mash the avocado with a fork and make it as chunky or smooth as you’d like.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir together. Give it a taste test. Add more salt or lemon juice if needed.
  • Refrigerate the guacamole for 30 minutes before serving. It tastes best when it is cold.

How to store the leftover

Guacamole is best consumed the same day because it oxidizes and turns brown quickly. There are lot of old wives tales that tell you to keep a pit in guacamole to prevent it from browning but I tell you none of this works. 

The most common guacamole preservation hack is placing plastic wrap directly on the guacamole and refrigerate it to prevent oxidation. This may work for a day or two.

Happy eating! Do try out this easy peasy recipe and let me know in the comment section how you liked it. 🙂

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Embrace the Monsoon with Jamun Delights: A Recipe for Spicy Jamun Relish

As we celebrate the monsoon season, let us not forget the bountiful gifts it brings, including the enchanting jamun. Whether enjoyed in its natural form or in the form of delightful products, this humble fruit has the power to captivate our taste buds and transport us to the heart of the monsoon magic. So, embrace the monsoon, relish the jamun, and let your culinary adventures be a celebration of nature’s abundant blessings. 🌧🌿🍇

One way to enjoy jamun during this beautiful season is by making a Spicy Jamun Relish. This recipe is a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors, making it an irresistible accompaniment to your monsoon snacks.

Ingredients:


250g Jamun (Indian Java Plum)
3 tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Black Salt
2 Green Chillies, finely chopped

Instructions:

Wash the jamun thoroughly and pat them dry.
Using a knife, carefully slit each jamun and remove the seeds. You can also mash them slightly to release their juices and enhance the flavor.

In a mortar and pestle, combine the sugar, black salt, and chopped green chillies.

Mix well to ensure that the sugar and salt dissolve completely.

Now mix chopped jamun In a mixing bowl, add the prepared jamun. Pour the ground mixture over the jamun and mix well to ensure that the flavors coat the jamun pieces evenly.

Allow the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes. This resting period helps the flavors to meld together beautifully and the sugar to draw out the natural juices of the jamun.

Once the flavors have infused, give the mixture a final stir. Serve your Spicy Jamun Relish as a side dish or a dip with your favorite snacks. It pairs exceptionally well with pakoras, samosas, or even as a tangy twist to your salads.

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The relish may become more flavorful as it sits.

This Spicy Jamun Relish not only brings out the vibrant flavors of the monsoon but also makes for a nutritious and delicious addition to your meal. The natural sweetness of the jamun, combined with the tanginess of black salt and the heat from green chillies, creates a delightful symphony of flavors that celebrate the essence of the season.

We genuinely encourage you to try this recipe at home and enjoy the magic of jamun. If you’re short on time or want to have a ready-made option at hand, you can order our carefully crafted Jamun Relish from our website. It’s made with love and can be stored in your fridge for up to 2 months, ensuring you have a taste of monsoon magic anytime you crave it.

So, this monsoon, let the humble jamun enchant your taste buds. Enjoy the rains, savor the jamun, and relish the magic of monsoon in every bite!

Feel free to share your experiences and variations of this recipe. Let’s celebrate the monsoon and the incredible flavors it brings together. Happy cooking! 🌧🍇✨

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How to make the Best Peanut Butter at Home

I can’t stop making this peanut butter at home. If you have a high power blender, then this peanut butter can get ready in just a few minutes. 

I’ll show you how to make creamy or crunchy peanut butter, plus a variation which I love. The most time-consuming part of this easy recipe is roasting the peanuts, which takes about 10 minutes. Roasting helps peanuts to release oil and it brings out excellent flavor of peanuts.

Peanut butter is one of the healthiest sources of proteins. It has the right amount of amino acids for protein digestion. Just one tablespoon will give you 4 grams of good quality protein. One tbsp of it also contains about 8 grams of healthy fat. It is great for natural weight gain in adults and kids. In addition to protein, peanut butter is also packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, vitamin E, zinc and magnesium. If you are a fitness enthusiast then eating peanut butter daily can keep your body functioning at its best and provide you that necessary boost of vitamins and minerals.

But how healthy the peanut butter you have been buying from the market is? 

Pick up the label and check the ingredients. Most peanut butter ingredients would be roasted peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil which includes cheap quality processed cotton oil, palm oil and soybean oil and salt. So along with all that healthy peanuts, you are also having processed sugar and inflammatory bad oils. This is definitely not what you want to put in your system.

For making peanut butter at home the only equipment you will need is a blender. I have used a high power blender but a food processor is fine too.

Ways to use Peanut Butter

  • The easiest and the most delicious way to use it is, peanut butter toast with maybe bananas or strawberries on top.
  • You can make peanut butter cookies, muffins, add it to granola, smoothies, overnight oats or have it with fruits like apples.
  • You can make energy balls with peanut butter for healthy snacking.
  • You can also make Peanut Butter Dressing for salads. Check out this amazing Thai Peanut Butter Dressing recipe.

Recipe: makes 10 ounces

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups Raw Peanuts (with or without skin)

For Variation

  1. 1/4th tsp Pink Salt/Rock salt/Sea salt 
  2. 1 tbsp Raw Honey or Maple Syrup
  3. 1 tbsp unprocessed Coconut/Olive oil/Groundnut Oil

Instructions 

  • Spread raw peanuts on a baking tray and dry roast in a preheated oven at 180 C for ten minutes or till peanuts release slight oil. After 4 to 5 minutes, give a shake then roast again for another 4 to 5 minutes. 
  • You can also dry roast the peanuts on stove top as well till they are fragrant. Just make sure not to burn them. Keep stirring. 
  • Remove the skin. I retained skin of some. The skin of peanuts contains antioxidants.
  • Put the peanuts in a blender and blitz till peanuts crumble. Now if you like Chunky Peanut Butter, save few tbsps of crumbled peanuts and mix towards the end when the peanut butter is ready.
  • Blitz for another minute. It’ll start coming together.  Open and scrape from the sides now. Keep repeating this process till you see butter forming. Keep blitzing at this point if you want Creamy Peanut Butter till butter gets a flowing consistency. 
  • But if you want a variation then, once the butter starts forming, add salt, honey or maple syrup and oil. Now blend again till you get a smooth creamy peanut butter which will be slightly sweet and salty.
  • The whole process will roughly take you 5 minutes if using a high processor blender. If not then this should take you around 10 minutes.

Storing 

Transfer the peanut butter to a food-safe container or jar, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 or may be even 2 months if stored well. In winters, you can keep the peanut butter at a room temperature. If the peanut butter separates, use a spoon to stir it until it is well blended.

Caution: Peanut Butter is not recommended for kids below 1 year.

Stay Healthy! :)) Do let me know in the comments if you tried this recipe and if you want healthy recipes using peanut butter.