Semiya Upma

Ingredients

• 1 cup Semiya
• 1 green chilli
• 1 medium size onion, sliced thin
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1 tsp urad dhal
• 1 tsp channa dhal
• few curry leaves
• A pinch of turmeric(optional)

Method

• Add 1 tsp of oil in a pan and roast the vermicelli to light golden color.
• Add 2 tsp of oil in a pan and add the mustard, uraddhal , channadhal and curry leaves.
• When the mustard pops add the Onions and green chillies and fry till translucent.
• Add your favorite vegetable(carrots,beans,and peas).
  
• Now add 2 cups of water,salt to taste,a pinch of turmeric and cover the pan.
• When the water comes to a boil add the roasted vermicelli; cook for few minutes till the water is absorbed.

Note

• Garnish with cilantro leaves before you serve.
• Adding turmeric,onion are optional.
• Jazz it up with Coconut chutney.

Mutter Paneer Masala

Ingredients

• 1 cup Peas, frozen
  
• 1/2 lb. low-fat Paneer
  
• 2 medium size Tomatoes
  
• 1 Tbsp. Oil
  
• Pinch of Asafoetida
  
• 1 tsp. Cumin seeds
  
• 1 Tbsp. Ginger Paste
  
• ½ tsp. Turmeric powder
  
• ½ tsp. Chilli powder
  
• 1 tsp. Coriander powder
  
• 1 tsp. Garam masala
  
• 2 Bay leaves
  
• 1 medium size Cinnamon stick
  

Method

• Cut the paneer into half inch pieces.
• Heat 1tsp of oil in a pan, add the cubed paneer; fry for 2-3 minutes, until they gently turn to golden brown on all sides. Take the paneer out and place on a paper towel so the extra oil is absorbed.
  
• Blend the chopped tomatoes and ginger to make a paste.
  
• Heat the oil in a saucepan.
  
• When oil is ready, add the asafoetida, cumin seeds, bay leaves and cinnamon; fry for a few seconds.
  
• Add the tomato paste, coriander, turmeric, chili powder and paprika.;mix well.
  
• Cook until the mixture reduces to half.
  
• Add the green peas and 1/4 cup of water. cook on medium heat pan should be covered.
  
• When the peas are tender,then add fried paneer and salt.
  

Note

• Add 1 tablespoon fresh chopped methi leaves or 1/2 tablespoon dried methi leaves for garnishing or alternate with chopped cilantro leaves.
• Alternate tomatoes with store bought tomato paste.
  

Tilapia Fillets

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. Tilapia fillets
• 1/4 cup low-fat Butter
• 3 Tbsp. low-fat Mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. fresh Lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. dried Basil leaves
• 1/4 tsp. Black pepper
• 1/8 tsp Onion powder
• 1/8 tsp. Celery salt
  

Method

• Preheat the oven broiler.Grease a broiling pan or line it with aluminum foil.
• In a small bowl, mix together low-fat mayonnaise, low-fat butter,lemon juice.Season with dried basil,pepper,celery salt.Mix well and set aside.
• Arrange tilapia fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan.Broil a few inches from the heat for 2-3 min.Flip the fillets over and broil for a couple more minutes.
• Remove from the oven and spread prepared mixture over the fillets.
• Broil for 2 more minutes, or until topping is browned and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Be careful not to overcook.

Alternate Method:

• 2 tsp. Red chilli powder
• 1 tsp. Coriander powder
• ¼ tsp. Turmeric powder
• ¼ tsp. Garam masala powder
• 2 tsp. Lemon juice
• 1 tsp. Yogurt/curd
• ¼ tsp. Ginger Garlic paste
• 1 pinch Orange red food color
• 1 tsp Salt or to taste
• Cilantro leaves for garnishing (optional)

Method

• Mix everything listed above(except cilantro leaves) in a small mixing bowl.
• Marinate the tilapia cubes for 15-30 min. in prepared mixture.
• Fry it in oil.
• Garnish with cilantro leaves

How to Clean Silver?

• Boil the water.
• Place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of a pan, add hot water, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt.
• Add silver pieces, make sure the water covers the silver pieces and silver is direct contact with aluminum foil.
• Use tongs to move the silver pieces.
• Wait until you see tiny yellow flakes in the water.
  
• Remove silver, rinse, dry, and buff with a soft cloth.
  
• This method cleans the design.

Note:

• After dried with soft cloth, Lamp was greasy. I coated with toothpaste and washed it in warm water.
• Alternate with, in a pan add aluminum foil, baking soda, salt and ad water bring it to boil add silver pieces.
• I need to repeat the process several times since my silver lamp is tarnished severely.