Fresh Turmeric Gojju:

Turmeric is a  popular spice of Indian Cuisine and we normally use it in powder form almost in all the recipes. In this time of the year, we do use fresh root in our kitchen. The fragrance of the fresh raw turmeric is very different than the powder. If you haven’t tried fresh turmeric root yet, this recipe is a delicious and refreshing way to get a taste of its earthy, sweet flavour of fresh produce.

Our ancestors had a really nice way to taking care of their health . According to the season, and depending on the local produce, they used to make and consume all the goodness of the nature in a natural way.  This recipe is one of them and it is  one of the age-old recipes which I learnt from my atte .

How it is made-

Ingredients:

Fresh Turmeric rhizome – 2 pieces

Coconut – ½ cup

Coriander – 1 table sp

Urad dal – 1 tsp

White sesame seed – ½ tsp

Red chilli – 3

Tamarind – 1 tsp

Salt

Jaggery – 2 table sp

Coconut oil – 2 tablespoons

Method:

-Clean the turmeric rhizome, grate and keep it ready.

-To prepare masala: Fry coriander, urad dal, red chilli and sesame seed in little oil. Grind this with coconut, into smooth paste.

-Now take one tawa, pour oil, fry grated turmeric, add tamarind water, salt, jaggery and cook .

-When turmeric changes its colour, add ground masala. Check for the salt and jaggery.

-Boil this nicely, serve with Hot rice and ghee. It is indeed  pure bliss and oodles of goodness for your body.

 

 

Chayote Squash Gratin :

Chayote squash is nothing but our Seema badane/ chow chow of gourd family.

Au gratin or gratini is a classic French side dish .Which is creamy, cheese filled topped with breadcrumbs and end product will be crusty, brown topped . We just enjoy this as it is or with simple toast.  Usually gratin/ au gratin will be white sauce which is mixed with grated cheese and topped with breadcrumbs. When I saw the usage of squash in one of the recipes of Lisa, I couldn’t resist and tried her super simple recipe. I liked the idea of usage of squash to enhance the nutritional value. It is very apt for gloomy weather to cheer you up as well as to sooth.

Ingredients:

Chow Chow – 2

Onion – 1 (chopped)

Garlic – 2 Or use garlic salt.

Butter – 1 to 2 tablespoons

Whole wheat flour – 2 tablespoons

Milk – 1 to 2 cups

Salt  (if you use garlic salt, don’t use it)

Seasoning of your choice

Grated cheese

Breadcrumbs

Method:

– First, cook Chow Chow in a microwave for 3 min, cool, make a puree and keep aside.

– Take one pan, heat butter, put chopped onion (garlic) and fry.

-Add whole wheat flour fry for a while and add milk, puree ,garlic salt ,choice of seasoning. I have used Hot Jalapeno seasoning. And boil.

-When it is ready, add grated cheese and mix everything. Now sauce is ready to bake.

-Pour this sauce into casserole pot, spread grated cheese, breadcrumbs and bake in a pre-heated oven at  180 °C for 30 minutes or until cheese and crumbs becomes bubbly and light brown.

-Serve as it is or with any kind of bread toast or garlic bread.