Paneer Stuffed Chili Pepper

This week I got some fresh Anaheim Peppers (i think) at my grocery store. So I decided to make something with them. Options were to stuff these pepper or to bread and fry them. I choose to stuff them. These peppers are tricky, you never know if they are spicy or mild. So the best solution is to stuff them with cheese or something that is mild. I choose Paneer. (Indian cottage cheese).

Stuffing
Grated Paneer
Chopped onion
Oil (for stuffing as well as sauteing the peppers
Coriander seeds, Turmeric, Curry leaves
Garam masala
Salt to taste

Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan and add coriander seeds, turmeric and curry leaves.
Add the onion and saute it till it becomes translucent
Add the grated paneer, garam masala and salt according to taste
Mix and voila, the stuffing is done.

Now REMOVE ALL MEMBRANE AND SEEDS from the peppers. This will reduce the heat from the peppers and make it edible.
Stuff the peppers with the paneer stuffing. Heat oil in a pan, place the peppers in it and saute it till the peppers are cooked and soft.
You can even bake it in a oven. Done! You can eat it as it is or with some bread or roti.
Enjoy!

Polish Latkas with Indian Zatka (kick)

I always have potatoes in my pantry, so whenever I am in mood for some experiment I turn to my trusty old potatoes. Yesterday I wanted to make a side dish with potatoes but instead of the regular potato salad, I made Latka's with Zatka (Indian version of the polish latkas with Indian spices).

Normally Latka's require eggs and other ingredients, but I updated the ingredients and the result was amazing.

Ingredients
1 potato (I had a russet, but I am sure any other kind will also work)
1/2 onion
Chilli powder
Cumin powder
Coriander powder
Salt & Pepper 
Finely chopped green chillies
1-2 tbsp of rice flour 
Olive oil - to shallow fry

Grate the potato and onion and keep them aside for 10 min. Now squeeze the mixture to remove all water. Make sure that you DO NOT throw this water away. Collect it in a little bowl.
Now add all the spices to the potato, onion mixture according to your taste. Add the rice flour till the mixture becomes dry. (do not add more than 2 tbsp, otherwise it will be flour patties)
Now check the bowl of squeezed water. Gently throw away the water and add the white starch at the bottom of the bowl back to the mixture. I think this makes the latkas extra crispy and help them bind.
Now drizzle some olive oil in a pan and place scoops of mixture on it. Press it down so that you have thin latkas. Cook on low heat and turn them around till you get a nice golden brown color.

Once cooked remove them from the pan and serve them with a dollop of sour cream or greek yogurt. They taste amazing!! You can eat them as a side dish or as breakfast or just about any time!

Healthy Breakfast - Smoothies

Smoothies are the perfect 'quick and healthy' breakfast options. I have tried different combinations, but this one has been the best.

Carrot, Banana, Ginger Smoothie
1 carrot
1 banana
Few slices of ginger (some extra slices and you will have a nice spicy kick!)
Few blueberries (optional)
1 tbsp low fat yogurt
Crushed ice

Blend everything in the a blender and voila, you have the best tasting breakfast smoothie.

Along with the smoothie, I made some strawberry basil scones using the recipe here.
I added 2 tbsp of honey in the batter and also made a lemon glaze to add some sweetness to the scone.

Lemon Glaze
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp milk