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Green Peas, Corn and Mint Parantha for Toddlers

This recipe came into being when my then 4 year old suddenly one day decided that he hates green peas. Toddlers and their tantrums! But seeing the nutritional profile of peas, I wanted to make him feed peas in some form. I know, all mothers have gone down that lane atleast once where we are finding ways to hide such nutritious vegetables into our child’s meal.

I finally found this perfect way to make him have peas. He absolutely loves this parantha. But now that he is 10, the difference is that he now knows that this is Peas Parantha and sometimes requests for it too. He still hates peas in its whole form though. 🙂

This Parantha tastes extremely good and is perfect for toddlers. Your little one will enjoy the mild soothing flavour derived from apt spices and easily chewable texture. The natural sweetness from peas and corn is very well balanced with mint and spices. 

Peas I think are quite under-rated. It is not actually a vegetable but a small, edible legume and belong to the same family. They are rich in fibre and one of the best plant sources of protein. Always remember when it comes to nutrients, quality over quantity will always win. They are also a useful vegan source of iron. Just 80 grams of green peas can give almost 6 grams of superb quality protein and 1.2 mg of iron.

The combination of sweet corn kernels with peas is quite different and delectable. Sweet corn gives its own creaminess and milky sweet taste to this parantha and mint leaves not only adds that much needed freshness but also is an absolute MUST in summers to keep the digestive system cool.

Let’s see how we can make these parantha for our little picky eaters 🙂

Recipe: makes 3 Paranthas

Ingredients: 

  1. Green Peas: 1/2 cup, boiled or steamed
  2. Sweet Corn Kernels: 1/4th cup, boiled or steamed
  3. Whole wheat flour: 1 cup
  4. Mint leaves: 1/4th cup
  5. Ginger: 1/2 inch
  6. Roasted Cumin Powder: 1/4th tsp
  7. Black pepper: as per taste
  8. Salt: as per taste
  9. Coriander Powder: 1/4th tsp
  10. Garam Masala: a pinch (optional)
  11. Caraway seeds/Ajwain: a generous pinch
  12. Ghee for cooking and dough

Instructions:

  • In a large plate or bowl take wholewheat flour. Add salt, blackpepper, roasted cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, ajwain and 1 tbsp desi ghee. 
  • In a blender, add boiled/steamed peas, corn, mint leaves and ginger. Blend to a smooth purée. Use a little water to get a smooth purée.
  • Add the purée to the flour and knead the flour using the purée. Make a soft dough. 
  • Cover the dough and let the dough rest for 10 mins. Then make small balls and roll it with a rolling pin to the shape and size you want. 
  • Heat a tawa and place rolled parantha over it. Drizzle oil or ghee after it gets half cooked and cook both sides using ghee till golden brown. 
  • Serve with dollop of homemade butter and loads of love.  ❤️

Always serve homemade butter to your child and never store-bought one. Know why you should not give store-bought butter to your child and how to make homemade butter here- Is Homemade Butter really Worth the Effort?

Notes: 

  1. If you are boiling peas and corn then do that in minimal water and use the water to make the purée. Do not let the nutrients get washed away down the drain.
  2. Do not cook parantha on low flame for a long time. It will make harder or crisp paratha which kids don’t like.
  3. You can use frozen peas for this recipe but remember fresh will always taste better. 
  4. Do not skip adding caraway seeds or ajwain in your child’s parantha. They are excellent for digestion.

Do try out this recipe for your child. I am absolutely sure your child will enjoy it. More than your child I am sure you will enjoy watching your child gobbling down such healthy stuff. 🙂 Do let me know in the comments if you do. Would love to know how your child liked it. 

Happy Feeding! 

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Jal Jeera aka The Indian Lemonade- Powerful Digestive Drink

Jal jeera is an Indian beverage in which Jal means water and Jeera means cumin. It is an interesting refreshing drink from North India. Summers can be cruel in North India. The temperature can rise upto 42 ºC. This Indian Lemonade is not just a summer coolant that can lower your body temperature in the heat but also a digestive drink.

Jal Jeera has a long history. It originated at the banks of river Ganges. The jal jeera powder was ground on stone slabs. It was a popular drink which was freshly prepared and stored in clay pots to make it more alkaline. It was typically served as a welcome drink or was consumed before meals. It activates your tastes buds and appetite. Know all the benefits of clay pot and how should you use it here- Everything you need to know about Earthen Pots

In our fast paced complicated lives we have forgotten the beauty of simplicity. But this beauty of jal jeera cannot be attained from jal jeera that comes in a bottle which you conveniently pick up from a super market. Jal jeera that comes in a bottle or in a powdered form can be prepared with tons of preservatives, sugar, synthetic citric acid and artificial flavouring. Simple lifestyle habits like making your own fresh jal jeera at home can make a huge difference. 

Jal jeera essentially includes water and cumin but it is so much more than that. Let’s see the ingredient list and their benefits 

  • Cumin (jeera) is one of the most gut-friendly spice, and promotes pancreatic enzymes, assisting in the digestion process.
  • Black salt cures acidity, acts as a laxative, promotes hair growth, and has antioxidant effects. It also has a low salt content, minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium that are necessary for good health.
  • Asafoetida (hing) act as a good digestive.
  • Fresh mint leaves help regulate your body temperature, aids metabolism and improves respiratory functions.
  • Grated ginger or ginger powder helps in treating nausea. It also helps in digestion and constipation. If you experience heart burn, ginger can be your best friend.
  • Lemon juice: Great source of Vitamin C. Citric acid naturally present in lemon will help in making your body alkaline
  • Black Pepper is great bloating, skin issues, aids digestion and helps to boost immunity.

Recipe: for 2 glasses

Ingredients 

  • Black Salt or Rock Salt to taste
  • Bhuna jeera/Roasted Cumin Powder: 1 1/2 tsp
  • Kali mirch/Black Pepper: 1/4th tsp
  • Ginger juice: 1 tsp (or use dry ginger powder)
  • Lemon juice from 2 lemons
  • Mint leaves: handful
  • Hing: a pinch 
  • Water : 2 glasses
  • Ice as required 

Method

  1. In a blender, add all the ingredients mentioned above and blend it well. 
  2. Sieve if you like. Check for saltiness or tanginess as per your liking. Garnish with some mint leaves, lemon wedges and boondi if you prefer.
  3. Note: If you like your jal jeera sweet, add jaggery powder or raw honey to sweeten it. Do not add white refined sugar.

I hope you make this drink at home to beat the summer heat. If you want to try or know more about such traditional healthy summer drinks you can check out these recipe links below: