Salad Ideas -Kala Chana Salad

This distant dark cousin of  garbanzo, Mr Kala channa might be one of  my favorite kind of beans. When cooked right,it has the right amount softness and bite to it. Though it tastes good in pretty much any preperation, Kala channa salad is my favorite. It brings back fond memories of childhood. Its healthy yummy and very close to my heart.


Kala chana cooked 1 cup
( I soak it overnight in water and then pressure cook it with little salt)
cucumber chopped half cup
Tomatoes chopped 1 large
Carrots chopped
Chopped raw mango(optional) / Amchur
Lemon juice
green chilies-1 finely chopped
Chilli powder to taste
cilantro- 2 spoons finely chopped
Mustard oil-1 tsp( substitute with extra virgin olive oil or omit if not a big fan)
Salt to taste
Mix the veggies and kala channa. Add seasonings to taste and enjoy.  Tastes good even when it sits for a long time. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just hold out on adding salt and lemon. Remove required quantity whenever needed and mix in salt and lemon. It is an extremely satisfying and filling salad and a great hit with my daughter.

Peanut chutney ....Sandard PB and J alternative

Bored of the standard American breakfast, PB and J? Try a couple of these alternatives with toast for variety. My kids love them too ....and they are healthy. Double whammy!
 Peanut butter is very nutritious...High in calories but nutritious. Couple of ideas to include Peanut but reduce the sugar. I am not a big fan of the sweet-salty taste, plus I like to mix it up. Nothing more boring that eating the same thing everyday...And variety is fun especially when you are trying to eat healthy.

Peanut chutney ( green) 
Peanuts- 1 cup
Dried red chillies -1-2 ( Reduce or increase according to taste)
Green chillies-1-2
Cilantro( coriander leaves)- Handful
Mint leaves-Handful
Ginger-finely chopped - 1 spoon
tamarind Paste Half a spoon
Salt to taste
   Dry roast the peanuts in a pan till golden brown. Transfer peanuts and all other ingredients to the blender. Add about half a cup of water and grind to paste. Peanut chutney is ready to be eaten with Dosa, Phulka  or Bread. It should be stored in and airtight container in the refrigerator, and lasts up to a week to 10 days.

Peanut chutney ( Red)
 Chana dal- Half a cup
Peanut  - Half a cup
Dried red chillies- 2-3
Tamarind paste- half spoon
Garlic pods - 3-4 finely chopped
Dry roast chana dal in a hot pan till golden. Transfer to a blender and grind to a smooth paste.
  Great combo spread on a dosa. A quick fix lunch on bread with tomatoes and cucumber.





With the weight loss on track..I hope to continue exercising . Eating yummy healthy food is the funnest part :-)