Chocolate Pudding

This recipe only takes 6 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes to cook a rich tasting yet healthy chemical free chocolate pudding. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

• Sugar - 1/2 cup
• Cornstarch - 3 tablespoons
• Unsweetened cocoa powder - 2 tablespoons
• Low fat (1%) milk- 2 cups
• 1 egg yolk
• Vanilla extract - 2 tablespoons

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine all the dry ingredients (the sugar, cornstarch and cocoa powder).

2. In another container, combine the wet ingredients (the milk and egg yolk).

3. Slowly whisk the wet mixture into the dry mixture and combine until smooth (i.e. without lumps).

4. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Note: Add dark chocolate at this point, if desired.
5. Once the mixture starts to boil, it thickens in less than a minute so keep stirring until the mixture becomes thick.

6. Remove the mixture from heat and add the vanilla extract.  Mix well.

7. Pour the mixture into the serving cups.
8. Serve warm or cold (refrigerate).

Sweet Vermicelli (Saviyaan)

This low calorie instant dessert is the perfect recipe to go with tea or hot milk. Taste is heightened when served with some milk cream.

Serving: 2
Cooking Time: 10 minutes approx.

Ingredients

• Vermicelli - 1 cup
• White Sugar - 1/4 cup
• Water - 1.5 - 2 cup
• Oil - 3 tablespoon
• Almonds (optional) - 1 tablespoon (chopped)
• Green cardamom (optional) - 2 - 3 

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan for almost a minute.
2. Add vermicelli and cook at high heat for about 2 to 4 minutes.

3. Add sugar and dry fruits and cook for a minute.

4. Add water and cook at high flame for 2 - 5 minutes.

5. Once the water becomes somewhat absorbed lower the heat to medium and cook till completely done.

6. Serve hot.

Pancakes

This is a simple and easy recipe for delicious tasting old fashioned pancakes.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
• Baking Powder -3 1/2 teaspoons
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• White Sugar - 1 tablespoon
• Milk - 1 1/4 cups
• Egg - 1
• Melted butter - 3 tablespoons

Instructions

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl.

2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour the milk, add the egg and butter.

3. Mix all the ingredients until a smooth batter is formed.

Note: Set the batter aside for 5 minutes. This makes the batter rise well.

4. Heat oil/butter on a pan.

5. Pour approximately 1/4 cup of the batter for each pancake on the pan.

6. Brown them on both sides.

Note: When tiny bubbles start to form on the top of the pancake, its time to flip it.

7. Stack the pancakes on top of one another. Add a thin slice of butter on the top.

8. Pour honey over it and serve hot.

Mac & Cheese

This is a low calorie creamy and delicious recipe which is made from only four ingredients and yet tastes as good as any rich Mac & Cheese versions!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• Low fat milk - 2 1/2 cups
• All purpose flour - 1/4 cup
• Pasta (elbow or any other)  - 12 oz. (about 4 cups)
• Low fat cheese (shredded or thinly sliced) - 8 oz.
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Pepper - to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta as per package directions, drain the water and keep aside.
2. Whisk together the milk and flour. 
3. Pour this mixture into a large sauté pan and bring it to a boil. 
4. Once the boiling starts, reduce the heat to low.
5. Cook and stir on low heat for about 10 minutes or until the mixture thickens. (Note: Keep stirring the mixture as it easily burns)
6. Remove the pan from heat. 
7. Stir in the cheese, salt and pepper. (Note: Do not cook the sauce once the cheese has been added)
8. Add the previously cooked pasta and mix thoroughly. 
9. Serve hot.

Boiled Rice

Boiled rice forms an important part of many meals. They can be served as a main dish with soupy sauces or fried food.

Serving: 3

Ingredients

• White rice - 1 cup
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Oil - 1 table spoon
• Water - 2 cups

Method

1. Soak the rice in surplus water and set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Drain all the water from the rice.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add the rice in it. Fry for a minute or two.
   
   

   

   
   
4. Add salt and water and mix well.
   

   
   
5. Cover with a lid and cook on medium high heat. 
6. Once the water starts to boil, keep checking the rice after intervals. Note: Cook with lid on.
7. Once the water seems almost consumed, craters will appear. Fold the rice and set the flame to low. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
   
   

    

   
   
8. Cook on a low flame for about 3 minutes.
9. Fold the rice carefully from the edges and see if the moisture has reduced. When the rice seems moist and there is no actual water visible, take it off flame while keeping the lid on top. The remaining moisture will get absorbed by the rice through the steam.
   
   

   
10. Serve hot.

Chicken Burger

These spicy chicken burgers are minimum calorie yet fulfilling meal of the day. They are delicious, easy to make and suitable for people of all age groups.

Serving: 2 burgers

Ingredients

• For the Filling
• Chicken boneless - 1/2 cup (diced)
• Garlic paste - 1 teaspoon
• Ginger paste - 1 teaspoon
• Vinegar - 3 tablespoon
• National tikka masala - 2 1/2 tablespoon
• Burger buns - 2
• Chilli garlic sauce - 4 tablespoon
• Low fat cheese slice - 2
• Tomato - 1 small (sliced)
• Salad leaves - 6
• Cucumber (optional) - 1 (sliced) 
• Oil - for frying the chicken so quantity may vary

Method

1. In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces in vinegar, ginger paste, garlic paste and the spices. Leave aside for 15 minutes.
   
   
   

   

   
   
2. Pour the contents of the bowl in a pan with preheated oil.
   

   
   
3. Cook till the chicken is tender. Note: When cooked the chicken should be able to break easily with a spoon.
4. Heat the buns on the pan.
5. Spread the layer of cheese slice first.
   
   

   

   
   
6. Spread the salad leaves such that they cover the entire bun area.
   
   
   

   

   
   
7. Spread the chicken pieces on top.
   
   
   

   

   
   
8. Spread the tomatoes.
   
   
   

   
9. Pour chilli garlic sauce on top.
   
   
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
   
10. Cover with the other bun.
11. Serve hot with cucumbers (optional).

Potato Cutlets

Potato cutlets are made from boiled potatoes mashed with spices and vegetables and can serve as a filling in sandwiches or burgers or served separately in breakfast or at tea time.

Serving: 10 cutlets

Ingredients

• Potatoes - 4 (medium sized)
• Salt - 1 1/2 teaspoon
• Red chilli powder - 1 1/2 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds - 1 tablespoon
• Green chillies - 5 medium sized (diced)
• Onions - 2 medium sized (diced)
• Egg - 1
• Oil - for frying so quantity may vary

Method

1. Dice all the vegetables.
   
   
   

   
2. Boil potatoes. Insert a knife or fork to check if the knife can easily go in but not too easily as that would mean they are over boiled.
   
   

   
3. Peel the potatoes in a bowl.
   
   

   

   
   
4. Now mash the boiled potatoes with a fork.
   
   
   

   
5. Add salt and red chillies and mix them using the fork. Note: In case mixing with hands, make sure to wear gloves as the red chillies may leave behind a burning sensation.
   
   
   
   
   

   
6. Add the cumin seeds, shredded chicken (optional), vegetables and mix. 
   
   
   

   
7. Form patties out of the mixture.
   
   
   

   
8. Beat the egg in a plate. Add salt and all-spice powder and beat with a fork.
   
   
9. Now dip the potato patty in the egg and place it on the pan with preheated oil. Leave the cutlet on the pan for a while till the egg is cooked. Do not move right away.
   
10. Change side and wait till done.
    
11. Serve with tomato ketchup.