Vathal Kolambu

1 cup small eggplant chopped
4 tablespoon oil for best results use Indian sesame oil
2 teaspoon channa dal
1 teaspoon urad dal
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek
2 dry red chili or to taste
4 teaspoon sambar powder or substitute with store bought adjust to taste
                       (easy home made recipe for sambar powder --- click here)
1/2 turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoon tamarind concentrate
1 teaspoon of salt or to taste
1 teaspoon corn starch dissolved in water

In a pan on medium heat add channa dal and urad dal when the dal is brown add mustard seeds fenugreek seeds and dry red chili when the mustard seeds crackle add the eggplant saute for a few seconds, cover and let it cook for 6 to 8 minutes.  Add sambar powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida add water tamarind concentrate and salt let it boil for 6 minutes and turn the heat off.  Add corn starch dissolved in water.

A berry called "Sundakkai" is dried and used in this dish along with the other frying ingredients.  Vathal means dried in Tamil.  Since "Sundakkai" is not available locally I have substituted eggplant for it.

Pani Puri

1 pkt of packaged pani puri ( contains 50 puris)
1 cup of chickpeas or garbanzo beans cooked
2 whole potatoes boiled and peeled and chopped
1 green chili or to taste
½ bunch of cilantro leaves
a few mint leaves
½ cup of coriander seeds
¼ cup of cumin seeds
1 ½ teaspoon of black salt
1 ½ teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of chat masala
1 ½ tamarind concentrate
6 cups of water

Dry roast the coriander seed and cumin seeds, when cool grind it and keep it aside.  To the same jar add mint leaves with stalks removed, green chili, cilantro leaves and water and grind them.  To the mint and cilantro water add 1 ½ tablespoon of tamarind concentrate, ½ teaspoon black salt, ½ teaspoon of regular salt and 1/2 teaspoon of chat masala. 
 
To the mashed potato add 1 ½ teaspoon of the coriander, cumin ground powder, ½ teaspoon salt, mix and mash the potato.

To the cooked chick peas 1 ½ teaspoon of the coriander, cumin ground powder, ½ teaspoon salt mash and mix it.

Assemble the pani puri as shown on the video and serve.

Optional you can serve sweet chutney with this dish. Recipe for sweet chutney <=.
There is lot of salt in this dish. Adjust it according to your taste and medical needs.

Samosa - Baked with Cauliflower and Potato filling

click on arrow to watch video:
For outer covering:
1 ½ cup of all purpose flour
⅓ cup of oil ¼ teaspoon of salt
¾ cup of water or enough to make  a stiff dough

For filling:
3 cups of chopped potato
2 cups of cauliflower florets
¼ cups of peanuts
1 tablespoon of chopped ginger
1 tablespoon of chopped green chili
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1 teaspoon of fennel seeds
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 teaspoon of cumin powder
1 teaspoon of coriander powder
4 tablespoon of oil
1 teaspoon of salt
¾ cups of water.

Combine the all purpose flour, oil, salt and water to make a stiff dough.  Cover and let it rest for 30 to 40 minutes covered.

To a pan on medium heat add 4 tablespoon of oil.  When the oil is hot add the cumin seeds, fennel seed, wait for a few seconds add the chopped ginger and green chili, saute for a few seconds add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder saute for a few seconds add the cauliflower and potato add a little water cover and cook until the vegetables are cooked.  Add water as need to prevent the pan from burning at the bottom.  After the vegetables are cooked keep it aside and let it cool.  When it is cool assemble the samosa as shown in the video.

Normally samosas are fried these are baked.  No need to stand in front of a burner with a pan full of oil to fry.  These are a lot less greasy and taste fabulous.  Serve with ketchup, sweet chutney, coconut chutney.

Quinoa with yogurt and Fresh Fruits

3 cups cooked Quinoa
1 cup chopped melon
1 cup watermelon
1 cup melon
2 cups yogurt
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all of the above and serve.  
Any fruits in any proportion can used to make this dish. Enjoy with cucumber, pomegranates, apple any choice any combination. Add some nuts if you like.

This is a wonderfully colorful and healthy dish. Kids will love it. Enjoy!