Easy Lemon Shavige (Vermicelli Upma)

Shavige/Vermicelli Upma is very easy to prepare and it is an energetic breakfast/snack/dinner.
Shavige is prepaed using wheat, rice or even Maida.
I have used Anil Wheat Shavige and some spices like mustard seeds, jeera, cloves and dalchinni/Cinnemon stick.

It is always better to use Shavige (Vermicelli), which is prepared using wheat.

Lets see some benefits of having lemon in our diet.

Lemon is well known for its healthy properties since generations. Lemon helps to strengthen our immune system. It helps to cleanse our stomach and known as a blood purifier. Lemon is used for treating throat infections, indigestion, constipation and fever. It also helps to reduce obesity and clear our respiratory disorders and high blood pressure. It is full of antibactirial properties and good to use during dehydration of the body like, vomiting and diarrhea. It is also good for indigestion and people who suffer from constipation. Lemon is good for removing or dissolving kidney stones. Helps to reduce weight. Lemon is used in skin care, hair care and foot care. Lemon is loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. They are rich source of antioxidant properties.
This is an easy dish, No Onion OR No Garlic is added in this Lemon Shavige. You can have them for breakfast, as snack or dinner.
The Mesurement of water is 1 = 2. (One cup shavige = 2 cups of water).

Things Needed :

Shavige/Vermicelli : 250 Grams.
Green Chilly : 2
Lemon : 1/2 Lemon extract.
Coconut : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8
Coriander Leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Cloves : 2 Pods
Cinnemon : 1/2 Inch
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon (Grated)
Salt : Required
Water : Required
Turmeric Powder : A Little

Method :

1. Wash and cut green chilly, curry leaves, coriander leaves.
2. Wash and remove outer layer of ginger and wash again. Grate it and keep it aside.
3. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Keep water for boiling. Squeeze out the juice and keep it aside.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds and urid dal. Let it splutter.
5. Add cloves (2 numbers) and a small piece of cinnemon.
6. Add curry leaves, grated ginger and cut green chilly.
7. Add shavige/vermicelli and fry nicely on low flame till they turn golden brown.

8. Add turmeric powder and boiling water to it. Add salt and mix it well.
9. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Mix it nicely and put off the fire.
10. Add coconut gratings, lemon extract and ghee on the top. Mix it well.

11. Shift the ready Shavige to a serving dish.
12. Add cut coriander leaves on the top and serve with chutney or chutney powder.

Note :

Use of any brand of Shavige is optional. (MTR, Maiyyas, Anils etc). There are different sizes of vermicelli in the market. Use of any size of vermicelli is optional.  (Thick or thin). Adding cloves and cinnemon adds to the flavour to Shavige Uppittu/Upma. Adding any other spices like garam masala is also optional. The taste differ. Use of more chilly is optional. It should be roasted well. Or it might turn sticky.
Time : 20 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3. 

Oats - Jaggery & Dry Coconut Laddu.

Coconut - Nuts and Dates Ball is a sweet dish and you can munch them any time of the day. It is an healthy laddu since it contain no sugar.

Lets see some benefits of having Dates in our diet. 
Eating dates everyday is a healthy habit especially for women. It is full of minerals, vitamin and fiber.
Lets see some benefits of having dates every day.
Dates helps in anemia, intestinal disorder, diarrhea and constipation. They are good for gaining weight. They contain calcium, sulfur, iron and potassium, manganese, copper, phosphorous and magnesium. These minerals are necessary for balanced and healthy diet.

I have used some dates, figs, cashews, almonds, poppy seeds and a little copra. (Dry coconut). 

Lets see the recipe now:

Things Needed 

Dates : 500 Grams (Fresh and soft )

Figs : 4 to 5 

Poppy Seeds : 2 Tablespoons

Cashews :  1/2 Cup or 4 to 5 Tablespoons. (Cut it into small pieces).

Almonds : 10 to 15

Dry coconut : 1 Cup (Grated)

 Method :

1. Cut cashews, figs in to small pieces. 

2. Dry grind almonds into powder form.

3. Dry grind coconut and keep it aside. 

4. Remove seeds from dates and smash it nicely. (Use fresh dates).

5. Now take a big bowl. Put dates, cashews figs and kneed it. Add coconut powder and powdered almonds.

6. Kneed it slowly and let it form a dough. Now divide the dough in to small portions.

7. Take a small portion of the dates mixture and form a round shape like a small ball.

8. Keep poppy seeds in a tray. Roll the dates ball on poppy seeds and arrange in a tray or plate.

9. Repeat the same and do the rest of date and Nuts ball.

10. Arrange them on a tray and serve/eat any time of the day

Note : 

Use fresh dates to prepare laddu. It helps to hold the ingredients tightly. You can also use some jaggery if you like more sweets in the laddu. (Grate or powder jaggery and then add it). Adding any nuts is optional. It is a healthy laddu which can be sent school kids with their lunch/snack box. Diabetic people also can have them since no sugar is added in this laddu. Adding some glucose biscuits is optional. ( I have not added). You need to kneed the ingredients well. You can fry cashews in ghee if you want to. (optional).

Time : 30 Minutes

20 Laddus can be prepared. (Depending on the size).