Low fat fudgesicle

Daylight saving kicks in tomorrow and summer is almost here ,and all my 3 year old ,ever asks me these days is ,-"mommy can I have an ice cream? ",and how can one say no to those big beady eyes?. Recipe dedicated to all ,Ice cream loving kids and their cool moms who can whip some up!

Ingredients:
2 cups 2%milk(substitute with almond milk for vegan version
Sugar(demerara brown granulated,increase to 3/4 cup if  using refined white) -1/2 cup
Coco powder-1/4 cup
Arrowroot starch -2 tbs (substitute corn starch if not available)
Bitter sweet chocolate -1/4 cup
Pinch of salt
Ghee or butter-1 tbs
Vanilla extract-2tsp

• start by adding your 2%milk and sugar to a heavy bottom sauce pan 
• now to this add coca power and the measured out starch,now here I'm using arrowroot powder to thicken up this chocolate sauce but ,if u don't want to or don't have it handy you can just substitute it with corn starch,
•  mix everything well making sure there are no lumps and transfer to a medium low heat,
• add in the chocolate chips and cook until the mixture turns into a thick sauce
• next turn off the heat ,add vanilla extract and  butter ,combine and let cool 
• transfer into molds ,freeze minimum of  6 hours and enjoy ,

     There you have your very own low fat, easy homemade treat .These fudgesicles can be as low as 70 calories per serving depending on the size of mold you choose
Here is a quick video tutorial:

thank you ! 

Skinny Dahi vada -low fat,no fry recipe (spicy lentil dumplings dunked in yogurt sauce)

Dahi vada or thayir vadai is a popular snack from India ,in which deep fried lentil dumplings are soaked in yogurt sauce .Here is something I tried to lighted it up and make it a diet-friendly recipe, so that it could be enjoyed guilt free more often.

Ingredients
urad dhal 1/2 cup
mung dhal-1/4 cup
almond-4 whole
salt and pepper to taste
thick yogurt -1 cup
oil for spraying
chaat masala for garnish

•  start by measuring the urad dhal and the mung dhal,rise and soak for minimum of four hours
• add almonds and grind everything to a smooth paste with the the help of a little water 
• now season with salt and pepper ,mix and keep aside 
• for the sauce take one cup of thick yogurt ,season with some salt and if you prefer add a bit of chaat masala at this stage
• grease a paniyaram(also called aebleskiver pan ) pan and pour in the batter about 3/4 full 
• give it a spray and let cook for a few more minutes before flipping it on the other side 
• repeat until all the batter is used up
• soak these vadai in the yogurt sauce for a minimum of an hour and finish off with some chaat masala sprinkled on top 
•  serve this cold right out of the refrigerator with some sweet and hot chutneys  

Here is a quick tutorial :

Thankyou for visiting !

2 minutes carrot cake-with low fat yogurt icing-low calorie,eggless.

This is one of my, "go-to" recipe when in hurry .The cake comes out so soft it makes you wonder how could this be low fat ?.Try for yourself and it will become one of your favorite mug cake(guiltless) too.
Ingredients:
6 Tbs flour                        

2tbs sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
dash of cinnamon
4 tbs milk(used here is 2% fat)
3 tbs grated carrot
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp applesauce
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbs walnuts crushed
For the vanilla yogurt icing:
2 tbs yogurt
1 tbs powder sugar
dash of vanilla

• start by adding milk in a bowl
•  to this add in applesauce,oil and vanilla extract,give this a good stir,
• add in grated carrot and sugar,combine .
• now bring in the flour,some ground cinnamon,baking powder and whisk well making sure there are no lumps,
• finally throw in some walnuts,mix and transfer to a microwave safe bowl or mug ,I have used ramekins here, 
• microwave this for 2 minutes or until the top is set ,it may take an extra 30 seconds or less according to your microwave setting,
• now for the icing combine 1 part powder sugar with 2 parts fat free greek yogurt ,mix well and add a splash of vanilla extract,we are done
• ice the cakes generously and enjoy!

Here is a quick tutorial :
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masala onion crackers/biscuits -low fat,egg less snack

Today's low fat snack recipe is a savory tea time favorite,my hubby always request them,and how I wish I could store them In an airtight container but they never last long enough at my place.Onion biscuits ,masala biscuit ,onion crackers also popular in southern part of India as nippattu,no matter what you choose to call them ,I bet they will be gone with in minutes they are out of your oven and the best thing is they are low fat compared to any other cookies or crackers and are made with whole wheat. 

Ingredients:

• whole wheat flour-1 1/2 cups + some for rolling out the dough 
• Onion- 1 finely chopped 
• cumin seeds- 1 tsp
• dry fenugreek leaves/kasuri methi-1 tsp 
• sesame seeds-1 tsp or add more according to preference 
• salt -1 tsp or according to taste 
• chili flakes -1/2 tsp or according to taste 
• baking powder-1/2 tsp
• oil-3 tbs(Ratio is 1 tbs oil for every 1/2 cup of flour)
• yogurt - 1 tbs
• water -1/4 cup or less as required to make a dough 

Method:

1. start by preheating oven to 350 C
2.  measure out flour in a large mixing bowl
3. add cumin seeds,dried fenugreek leaves , sesame seeds,baking powder
4. season with salt and chili flakes ,mix everything well together
5. add finely chopped onions to this,oil and yogurt  .
6. using hands incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry until a cornmeal type of coarse texture is obtained 
7. next using a very little water knead the mixture into a smooth dough 
8. divide into several portions.cover and keep aside
9. with the help of some dry flour roll out a small portion of the dough into 1/8 inch of thickness 
10. now using a cookie cutter or sharp object shape your crackers
11. lay them an inch or so apart on a cookie tray lined with parchment paper 
12. prick each cracker with a fork and bake for about 12-to 15 minutes until golden brown 
13. once done place on a wire rack to cool completely and serve with a steaming hot cup of tea or just enjoy as a snack for anytime of the day.

Here is a quick video tutorial:

Thank you for visiting !

2 minutes chocolate cake- microwave,low fat and eggless

This cake is soft and spongy,not like the rubbery spongy texture that sometime mug cakes turn into, but more like a real cake ,just good enough to satisfy the craving for a chocolate cake, say at 2 pm on a lazy Sunday afternoon and also not to forget the fact that this is low fat- oil or butter free you almost can't believe it until you try it yourself

Ingredients:
all purpose flour:4 tbs
sugar: 2 tbs
coco powder: 2 tbs
(ratio of two part flour,one part sugar and one part coco makes it easy to remember)
instant coffee granules- 1 tsp
baking powder-1/4 tsp
milk (I used 2%,if you don't care, then never mind, use full fat) 8 tbs or more to get the consistency required.
vanilla extract -1/4 tsp
cinnamon -a dash(optional)
Method:

• mix the flour,coco powder,sugar,coffee,baking powder together in a microwave safe mug,if making a bigger batch do this step in a large mixing bowl
• add in the milk and whisk for a couple of minutes ,until all the lumps are gone and a cake batter consistency is obtained 
• add more water if the batter is too thick to manage .make sure to reach the bottom of the mug with the wire whisk or fork to ensure no dry flour is sticking around.
•  add in the vanilla mix.
• microwave on high for one minute,check for the top, if dry and set remove and cool ,if still wet then microwave for another 10 or 15 sec,until set.do not overcook!
• cool and serve . Believe me ,it is very enjoyable just plain but still  you can dust the extra icing sugar or do a tiny weenie frosting for a "cupcake" feel, if you want .

Here is a quick video tutorial :

 

Thank you for visiting !

Oats kara paniyaram /savory oats pan pops- low fat recipe

Kara paniyaram are a south Indian snack originated from the region of chettinad .These savory pan pops if prepared in a traditional way would call for rice batter ,but here I have substituted it with oats and other dhal for a healthy take on the recipe.Enjoy with a cup of evening coffee or tea or serve as a healthy breakfast with your favorite chutney .

Ingredients:
Oats : 1 cup
channa dhal: 1 cup (here you can almost substitute with any lentil of your choice,I've tried with mung,green lentils,toor ,yellow spilt peas and a mix of all the above-it works!)
fennel seeds- 1/2 tsp
curry leaves-few
coconut flakes-about 2 T
ginger-1/2 inch grated
green chilies-2 minced fine
onion- 1/2 large
cilantro chopped-about 1/4 cup
salt - 1 tsp
oil-to spray

• measure the dhal in a bowl,rinse and soak for a minimum of 3 hrs,along with 1 tsp of fennel seeds
• using a blender make a paste of the soaked dhal and rolled oats,use as little water as possible to get a thick paste
• season with salt 
• add curry leaves , coconut flakes,finely chopped ginger, green chilies and finely chopped onions.
• mix well until everything starts to come together 
• add cilantro and mix well one last time. keep aside .
• season your pre-heated pan by spraying some oil and carefully drop spoonfuls of the batter in each dent so as that it fills up to the maximum level.
• spray some oil over the top .
• flip in a few minutes using a fork or bamboo skewer 
• golden brown crust will form once cooked, repeat the same for the other side .
• cook on a medium low heat throughout the process to ensure the inside are properly cooked .

Low fat,nutritive,healthy ,flavorful and filling choice for snack .

Here is a quick video tutorial:

Thank you for visiting!

Bread upma /savory bread pudding with chickpea-vegan recipe

This is one of our favorite ways to eat bread ,especially if it's gone dry or a little stale.Here I have added chickpea to the dish for a boost of protein. The recipe is simple, you can add more or less spices or vegetables as per your taste and preference .



Ingredients:
Makes 4 servings for breakfast

• Bread :  6  (we use brown bread so the color may vary if in case white bread is used)
• garbanzo beans/chickpea:1/2 cup
• Onion :1 large
• tomato -one large 
• carrot- 1 grated 
• green chilies - 4
• curry leaves -a few
• turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
• red chili powder-1/2 tsp
• tomato ketchup- 2 tbs
• salt as per taste
• oil-1 tsp
• mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
• cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
• walnuts -few to garnish(optional)
• coriander to garnish

Method:

1. Start by heating a pan on medium high,add mustard seeds let crackle,add cumin seeds and curry leaves
2. next add onions ,green chilies and a little salt,saute for a few minutes.
3. once the onions are cooked well add the turmeric and red chili powder,let the spices cook for a couple of minutes and then add tomato,cook until mushy
4. add the grated carrot and mix in everything well.
5. add in the beans and also add about 2-3 tbs of water to make everything come together. 
6. mix in the ketchup 
7. cut the bread into bite size pieces or shred them by hands and add to the mixture .
8. incorporate everything and check for seasoning ,keep in mind that bread already has salt.
9. garnish with walnuts and coriander leaves 

This can be enjoyed with an evening cup of tea or can be had as a healthy breakfast along side with eggs or just coffee.

Thank you for visiting!