Almond Powder

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Almonds are used in various dishes and also can be eaten raw, toasted and also can be garnished the crushed nuts over desserts. They are rich in Vitamin E and help improve complexion. In Ayurveda, almonds are considered nutritive for the brain and nervous system. It's also said to have high intellectual level. By soaking 2-4 almonds overnight and eating them the next morning, said to improve intelligence. Application of almond oil lubricates and rejuvenates skin. These are few benefits, still to come more. Let's see how to make almond powder.

Ingredient
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Almonds        1 cup

Method
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• In a skillet, dry roast the almonds on low fire till the moisture is removed. Once all the moisture disappears from the almonds, turn off the heat and leave for 2-4 mins.
• Place all the roasted almonds in a cloth. Tie a knot and start rubbing the roasted almonds between cloth to remove the outer skin.
• Once done transfer the skinned off almonds to a mixie jar and run the mixer for 20 secs. In between stir, to powder it evenly.
• Almonds will be broken to pieces and will obtain a coarse powder.
• Once the coarse powder is attained transer to an air tight container and store it. This almond powder can be used in various dishes from curries to desserts.

Note:

• Donot run the mixer for a longer time as the almonds will become paste. 
• We need a coarse powder to sprinkle in different dishes, so just run for few secs. stirring in between to even the powder out.

Cabbage Salad

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Simple garlic toasted croutons garnished over crispy cabbage strips is a lovely at home intro salad. Cabbage by itself is an excellent source of Vitamin C and constitutes as a low calorie food. It's easy to prepare and very healthy. Toss and content the salads by making healthy choices.

Ingredients
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Olive Oil                 4 tbsps.
Pepper                    to sprinkle
Garlic Cloves             3
Salt                      to taste
Wheat Bread               8
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks  2
Cabbage                   1/2 
Lime                      1

Method
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• Crush the garlic cloves. Remove the crusts of the bread and cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Grate the mozzarella cheese into thin long strips. Slice the cabbage thinly and rinse properly. Squeeze lime juice in a small bowl. Keep all of these aside.
• Heat 3 tbsps. olive oil in a skillet and add crushed garlic. Add bread cubes and cook, stirring frequently for 5 mins. Toss until the bread cubes are crispy and golden all over. Remove garlic toasted croutons from the skillet and drain on paper towel.
• In a mixing bowl, take the remaining olive oil, lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Combine well. Keep this dressing aside.
• In a salad bowl, arrange rinsed crispy cabbage strips and pour the dressing over it and toss well. Add croutons  and toss the salad again. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese shavings.
• Leave the salad covered for an hour before serving as the cabbage strips tend to become little moist.
• After an hour serve Cabbage Salad for supper.

Note:

• If the salad is served immediately when it's prepared, cabbage tends to be very crunchy. To get a better taste and to have a little soft, little crunchy content let the salad sit covered for an hour. Healthy Cabbage Salad makes a filling meal.

Idli

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Steaming idli is a staple of South Indian breakfast item. The best accompaniment for this dish is chutneys and sambhar. These are usually termed as savory cakes that are made by steaming fermented batter. Combination of ingredients and fermentation process plays an important part for idli's to come out soft and spongy. There are variations in making idli and are varied. The most common and famous South Indian mark, steamed patties ~ Idli.



Ingredients
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Idli Rice        3 cups
Urad Dal         1 1/2 cups
Salt              

Method
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• Wash idli rice and urad dal seperately and soak in water overnight. Next morning, clean and rinse both urad dal and idli rice thoroughly and drain. Grind urad dal with enough water to a very fine smooth paste. Keep adding water as needed to a smooth consistency. Take the urad dal batter in a mixing bowl. Now grind soaked idli rice adding water as needed to a thick paste. The idli rice batter should be little coarse. Once smooth batter is attained, transfer to the urad dal batter and mix thoroughly. Add salt and mix the batter thoroughly in a large mixing bowl. Cover and keep for 6-8 hours for the batter to ferment.
• Later the batter will be double the volume. Batter should not be too tight or too watery, should be of right consistency. Stir the batter well and prepare the idli batter for steam cooking.
• In the cooker add 2 1/2 cups water. Grease the idli plates with ghee and take deep spoonful of batter and pour in the round space. Fill all the round spaces with idli batter and place the idli stand in the cooker. Cover with cooker lid and switch on the flame to high.
• Steam the batter on high for 15-20 mins. and turn off the heat. After 5 mins. open the lid and and take out the idli stand carefully.
• Run a thin spoon under the idli rounds to separate out the idli's from the plate.
• Top the idli's with ghee and serve hot hot idli's with peanut chutney.

Whole Wheat Bread with Chocolate Cheerios

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There are variety of wheat breads that are coated with whole wheat grains or cracked wheat grains. Adding whole grains to everyday diet makes it easier to be healthy and nutritious. A high fiber diet is recommended especially to those who are constipated and having fiber related veggies helps a lot and also 100% whole wheat bread as it contains more fiber than other breads in general.



Ingredients
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Whole Wheat Bread          4 slices
Kiwi                       1
Unsalted Butter            2 tsps.
Chocolate Cheerios         to sprinkle or can use any other cereal
Low Fat Cream Cheese       4 tbsps.

Method
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• Tip of the edges of all the bread slices and cut them into triangles.
• Peel the Kiwi fruit, wash and cut into thin round slices and keep aside.
• Spread cream cheese onto all the bread triangles and tip the butter in center on top of the cream cheese.
• Sprinkle chocolate cheerios on one set of the triangles and let stick to the butter and cream cheese.
• Place the thinly sliced kiwi fruit on top of the cheerios and cover with other set of triangles.
• Press firmly and wrap them.
• Ready to take out for picnics or let the kids enjoy as a mid-morning snack or an evening snack.