Carrot Chitranna

Carrot Chitranna is a rice dish and it is very easy to prepare.  Chitranna is Lemon rice and lemon is added at the end it gives a little tangy taste. 

Carrot Lemon is a simple rice dish and you can have them for breakfast who likes to have rice dishes in the morning. It can be eaten for brunch who gets up late and miss breakfast and can combine breakfast and lunch and it is said as brunch. It is good for lunch too. Lazy days or holidays when you want to relax and not much of time to spend in kitchen can plan for this rice. It is also ideal for dinner.
Let us see some benefits of eating Lemon in our diet.
Lemon is used for treating indigestion, constipation, dental problems, throat infections, fever, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure. It is also good for hair and skin care. Lemon helps to strengthen our immune system, cleanses our stomach. They are considered as a blood purifier. Lemon is used for treating kidney stones, reducing strokes and lowering body temperature. Lemon juice is one of the best refreshing drink. They are filled with vitamins like vitamin C, Vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate and minerals like copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. they are filled with antioxidant properties and it helps in peeventing diabetes, constipation and high blood pressure.
As  I said it is simple, quick and takes very less time to prepare once you cook your rice.
I have used plain rice (Sona Masuri ), lemon, carrots, coconut and green chilly.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Cooked rice : 1 Cup
To Add :
Carrots : 2
Lemon : 1
Coconut : 1 Cup
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
For Seasoning :
Cooking oil : 1 Tablespoon
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Green chilly : 2

Method :

1. Wash and cut green chilly, coriander leaves and curry leaves.
2. Wash and peel off the outer layer of carrots and grate it. Keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut lemon and squeeze out the juice. Keep it aside.
4. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and put oil. Put mustard seeds and urid dal.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves.
7. Fry nicely for 10 seconds. Add grated carrots and fry nicely for 1 to 2 minutes.
8. Add cooked rice and mix it well. Add salt, turmeric powder and mix it well.
9. Let it cook on low flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Add grated coconut and put off the fire.
11 Add lemon extract (juice) and mix it again. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee and mix it well.
11. Shift the ready " Carrot Chitranna " to a serving dish.
12. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with a cup of curd.

Note : 

Cook rice and cool it before adding to seasoning. Use of any brand of rice is optional. I have used sona masuri and required water ration is 1: 3 ( 1 cup rice and 3 cups of water). Use of green or red chilly is optional. Use of more /less chilly is optional. Use of ghee adds to the taste. Use of onions or garlic is optional.

Time : 20 Minutes if rice is already cooked. Or 20 more minutes to cook rice.
Serves : 2 to 3.
Type : South Indian ..

Ragi - Apple Haalubai. (Finger Millet Pudding).

Haalubai (in Kannada Langurage) is one one of the traditional sweet dish/desert.  Normally haalubai is prepared using rice and coconut. I have used Ragi/finger millet instead of rice. Here is a recipe of Ragi/Finger Millet and it is a healthy desert and yummy to have it.

Haalu means milk and this particular sweet dish is prepared using coconut milk and jaggery. Use of coconut is a healthy option and we do get benefit from coconut and coconut milk. It is not only adds taste to the dish you prepare, it adds the healthy properties in it.
Let us see some benefits of having Coconut in our diet.
coconut is referred as Kalpavruksha (means provide the needs of human).
Coconut is one of the wonder food on the earth and it provides multiple health benefits. It helps in lowering cholesterol, healing and stabilizing blood sugar in our body. It is a top immune booster, anti fungal, antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial remedy for thousands of years. Coconut helps to imporve digestion, stabilize glucose levels, ward off wrinkles, build cells, regulate hormones, fight infections and good for weight loss. Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fibre. It has vitamin C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 in it. It has minerals like iron, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous.
 Ragi - Apple Haalubai can be eaten as desert, for kids snack box, breakfast, travelling and kitty parties.
I have used ragi flour, apple, jaggery, cardamom, cinnamon (very little) and some ghee.
Let us see the recipe now.

Things needed :

Ragi flour : 2 Cups
Jaggery : 3/4 Cup or little more
Apple : 1 (big size)
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoons
Cinnamon : Very small pieces.( 1/3 of an inch)
Cardamom : 6 to 8 Pods
Salt : A pinch
Coconut : 1 Cup

Method :

1. Grate coconut and grind it nicely with cinnamon and cardamom seeds. (Remove the seeds from the pods and then use it). Let it be paste consistency.

2. Dry roast ragi flour for 2 to 3 minutes on low flame and let it cool.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put jaggery and 1 glass of water. Let jaggery melt completely and starts to boil. Remove from the pan and sieve it.

4. Wash and remove outer peel of an apple. Remove the seeds and hard portion. Cut them into very small pieces.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and add sieved jaggery and ground coconut mixture.
6. Add roasted ragi flour to jaggery mixture and slowly stir. Let it mix well.

7. Keep on stirring till it turn slightly thick. Add a tablespoon of ghee and keep stirring the pudding.

8. Add little ghee in between and stir the haalubai on low flame. It starts to leave the edges of the pan.
9. Add cut apple pieces and let it mix it with ragi coconut mixture nicely. Add little ghee.

10. Stir for another 5 to 8 minutes and pour the dough to a ghee greased tray or plate.

11 Spread it evenly on the plate. Cut it once it is cooled.

12. Serve or eat whenever you want to. Add little ghee on the top of Ragi - Apple Haalubai just before serving.

Note;

You can add grated apple instead of pieces. I have added the pieces so that you get a piece while eating haalubai. Adding more ghee is optional. (Remember it does not take much ghee). Use of oil instead of ghee is optional. Taste differ and ghee taste better. Adding any other flavour instead of cinnamon and cardamom is optional. Adding more jaggery is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.
Serves : 25 to 30 pieces. (According to size and shape).
Type : Desert/Sweet/Indian.