Spicy Peas -Tomato Soup

How about having some freshly prepared Soup? 
It is cold and rainy season here. Having some thing hot and a bit spicy soup really makes you happy. Soups are always refreshing and a kind of energizing drink.

There are varieties of soups and each one can just prepare using their creation. Creating something healthy is really a good habit too. Definitely not much of cream/cheese is not allowed in my cooking. I am not that fond of these things either. Thats why I can say there are different ways of preparing dishes. I am not blamming any one here. It is your creation and just go ahead do what ever you thought of.
It is a rainy season here and the weather is getting cold and cold. How about having some Tomato and peas soup? It is an easy, healthy and quick dish that anyone can easily prepare and enjoy.
I have just used some peas tomato and spice like pepper and clove. Little milk is added to it.
Lets see some benefits of having peas in our diet.
Green Peas are rich nutritious legumes/vegetables rich in minerals, vitamins and anti oxidants. Tender peas is said to be low in calories. They have no cholesterol and they contain good amount of soluble and in soluble fiber. They are rich in minerals like protein, folic acid, calcium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese. They do contain Vitamin C and it is a powerful natural water sooluble anti oxidant. They do help the human body to develop resistance power. against infections and inflammations. Vitamin A which is essential nutrient required for maintaining healthy membranes, skin an deye sight. Garden peas are rich source of Vitamin K. that helps in bone mass building function.
Let us see the recipe:

Things Needed :

Tomato : 1
Fresh/Frozen peas : 1 Cup. (100 grams)
Peppar pods : 4 to 5 pods
Clove : 1
Ginger : 1/2 Teaspoon (Grated)
Salt : To taste
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Turmeric powder : a pinch
Boiled milk. : 1 Cup
Water : 2 to 3 Cups.

Method :

1. Wash and boil tomatoes for a minute and put off the fire. Let it cool.
2. Remove the outer layer of the tomato and keep it aside.
3. Boil peas with a cup of water for 5 miunutes. It is better to use fresh peas.
4. Let it cool. Put 1 Tablespoon of cooked peas and tomatoes in a mixi jar.
5. Add clove, ginger and little water. Grind it till paste.

6. Put the ground mixture and needed water, salt and turmeric powder.
7. Let it be very watery consistency. Add crushed pepper.

8. Let it boil at least for 3 to 4 minutes. Put off the fire and add boiled milk.
9. Shift this Peas - Tomato Soup to a serving bowl. Add coriander leaves.

10. Serve it when it is piping hot.

Note :

I have used frozen peas. Wash the peas before using it. Boil it nicely. You can use fresh peas if available. (Always better to use fresh peas). You can add little butter and cream. ( optional). I have added fresh milk. Adding more vegetables like carrots, beans potatoes are optional. It taste better.
I have cooked tomato and peas together. (Optional). You can add pudina/mint leaves. It adds to the aroma. You can add some chilly powder, chat masala powder or any spice of your choice.
Time : 10 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4. 

Spring Onion - Tomato Curry

Spring Onion curry is a side dish and you can prepare this curry in a few minutes. There is no dal or coconut used and it is bit spicy, bit sweet and yummy to have it.
I just bought these leaves to prepare sambar (curry with dals) as usual. But was bored with sambar and gave a twist to this curry and enjoyed eating with plain rice and chapatis.

I have used Spring Onions, tomato and capsicum and some spices.
Lets see some benefits of using Turmeric powder/Haladi/Arashina in our cooking.
Turmeric powder is made from its mature turmeric stems. Turmeric powder add colour and flavour to our food. It is also used for medicinal properties from the ancient time. It has no cholesterol and rich in dietary fiber. It is loaded with iron, potassium, magnesium and Vitamin B6. Turmeric is used in various drugs and pharmaceurtics (preparing new medicine) since it contain immununity boosting and anti oxidant properties. The anti oxidant in turmeric might help to boost immunity and maintain normal cholesterol levels and helps as an anti aging gaurd. It is also good for allergy, astama, heart diseases, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes. Turmeric contain anti inflammatory properties. Turmeric helps to cure common cold and cough. Good for sprains and swellings.
Now lets see the recipe:

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Spring Onions : 1 Medium size bunch
Capsicum : 1
Tomato : 3 to 4
To Add :
Jaggery : 1 Tablespoon
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Jeera Powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Crushed pepper : 5 to 6
Green chilly : 2
Rasam/Sambar Powder : 2 to 3 Teaspoons
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon (optional).
For Seasoning : 
Mustard seeds: 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh : a little
Oil : 1 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut spring onion leaves into small pieces

2. Wash and cut capsicum into small pieces. Crush pepper and keep it aside.
3. Wash and remove the seeds from tomatoes and cut into small pieces.

4. Now keep a big pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
5. Add jeera/cumin seeds and curry leaves. fry for a second.
6. Add cut capsicum and fry nicely and then add cut tomatoes.

7. Stir for a while and then add cut spring onions. Mix it well.
8. Add rasam powder, jeera powder, crushed pepper, turmeric powder, jaggery and salt.
9. Add methi seeds, crushed peppers and jeera powder. Mix it well.

10. Cook for 5 to 6 in a pressure cooker.

11. If you are cooking in a pan cover the lid and cook on low flame till it cooks soft.
12. Spring onion -Tomato curry is ready to serve.

Note :

Adding more spiece is optional. You can add little garam masala powder/chat masala powder etc.
Adding milk to this curry helps to adds taste to the curry. (I have not done). Adding onions and garlic is optional. Using pressure cooker to cook this curry is optional. ( I have used the small pressure cooker). I also have used some Spinach /palak stems along with spring onions.
Time : 20 minutes
Serves : 3 to 4