The Steaming Pot - Easy vegetarian recipes from India

What can one do with wheat flour, onion and tomatoes? Make stuffed parathas of course. This filling came to be simply because I was out of other vegetables and it was raining too heavily for me to venture out and restock. Sometimes, necessity and laziness can produce wondrous results. Onion tomato parathas are proof!

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I try to include a variety of grains/flours and cooking oils in my diet. Whole wheat flour, gram flour, brown rice have been regulars in the pantry. One grain I haven’t taken to easily is finger millet (ragi in Karnataka / marua in Bihar). One reason is that I am not a big fan of this millet – too much of it in a dish turns its taste to what I can only describe as ‘dusty’.

Ragi’s health benefits are multifold – nutrition sites tell me it is a rich source of amino acids methionine and tryptophan, and minerals such as calcium and iron. One HAS to eat it, ‘dusty’ taste notwithstanding! The most palatable way I’ve found is to add a portion of ragi flour to chapati flour and make it into ragi roti.

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When mangoes are in season, I like to incorporate the fruit in my meals in miscellaneous ways. Here’s my way to spruce up the staid and simple quick oats with fresh mango pulp. This is a breakfast-on-the-run recipe made special with the addition of this glorious fruit. Here’s how you could make mango oats.

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Tempering with cumin seeds – a quick way to embellish your plain boiled rice. Jeera rice is a popular addition to a party menu, and why not – this technique of tempering makes a little effort go a long way.

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What do you like to stuff inside your parathas? This soya bean stuffing is a constant favorite of mine. The main ingredient in the stuffing is soya bean granules, quick and easy to prepare, with all the goodness of soya.

You Need:

For the paratha:

• Whole wheat flour (atta) – 2 cups
• Water – to knead

For the stuffing:

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I’ve got myself a pack of organic red poha (flattened brown rice) this time and made this nice breakfast-time dish of kanda poha (flattened rice cooked with onions, potatoes and peanuts) with it. This style of cooking poha is popular in Maharashtra and Karnataka, where it goes by the name avalakki bath.

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