Sathu Ma Kanji Podi / Nutritious Porridge Powder- Healthy Breakfast on the go!

If you grew up in south India, you may be pretty familiar with this sathu ma kanji. It is a blend of various grains, dals and dried fruit flavored with some cardamom. It is cooked in water and milk and sweetened to be taken as a breakfast drink. It has the goodness of lot of grains and very nutritious.

I was getting tired of eating he same old cereal, oat meal etc in the morning.It takes a just a few minutes. pour it in your insulated coffee mug and you are good to start the day. Healthy breakfast to kick start your day is ready.

I used what ever was in my home to make this porridge powder. Most of these ingredients are available in whole foods or other super markets. Whole wheat grains  ( godhumai)are used, i did not have any and replaced it with atta :)

other things to add include, quinoa, flax seeds or powder, cashews, peanuts, walnuts etc!


Get ready

• 3 tbsp quick oats
• 3 tbsp sabudana/ tapioca pearls
• 3 tbsp pearl barley
• 3 tbsp millet/ ragi
• 3 tbsp whole wheat flour/ atta
• 3 tbsp parboiled rice (can replace it with brown rice)
• 3 tbsp sliced almonds
• 3 tbsp pottukadalai/ dalia dal
• 4-5 cardamom pods

Dry roast all ingredients separetly till golden, cool and powder them together till fine.
 store in an air tight container.

Add some honey/ sugar to the cooked porridge and a dollop of ghee and it's a perfect meal for your skinny toddler.

Oatmeal smoothie

I never would have thought of making smoothie with oatmeal! The beauty is no cooking..Seriously!

Honestyly the name may sound wierd, but it's very tasty, healthy and filling breakfast smoothie.

Now there is no excuse to skip breakfast as this can be done in a snap. I've made it twice this week and my son loved it too!
You can add any fruits/ peanut butter/ nutella or even add some fruit juice to replace milk and make it very interesting.

Get ready: ( serves one)

1/2 cup 1% milk
1/3 cup quick oats
1/2 banana sliced ( best thing is to slice them and freeze them, as they work as ice cubes too)
1 cup strawberries ( I used fresh, frozen works great too)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp sugar ( can use honey too)

Go:

• In a blender add the oats and whizz it till it's a fine powder.
• Add the milk, fruits, sugar, vanilla and blend them till smooth.
• If it's too thick add some more milk.

Grab and go breakfast is ready to be enjoyed!

Ginger tea orangade

I made this for a birthday party and it was finished in no time. I had bookmarked it from aipi and the original source is from Giada's. Aipi had made it as a lemonade and i was planning the same until i realized that I had no lemons! duh....
I had some oranges in hand and substituted the lemon juice for orange juice.  I did not use black tea but used our good old brooke bond tea bags.
It still tasted pretty awesome to me and my guests. Unlike me you all will all be smart and check your ingredients before you make something! ha ha....

Get Ready:

• 2 cups water
• 3 black tea bags, preferably English breakfast tea
• 1 1/3 cups Ginger Simple Syrup, recipe follows
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1 cup sparkling water or club soda, chilled
• 2 cups ice
• Orange slices, for garnish, optional

Go: 
In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tea bags. Stir and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard. Add the Ginger Simple Syrup, orange juice, and sparkling water.

Put the ice in a large pitcher. Pour the orangade mixture over the ice. Garnish with orange slices

Ginger Simple Syrup:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, combine the sugar, water and ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.

Sending to the Bookmarked event

Sin Sangria Alcohol/No Alcohol Sangria

Why should the non alcohol drinkers be deprived of this all time favorite summer drink?
So ejoy this Non alcohol sangria.

"Sangre" means blood. Of course all medics will know that! One of the many broken spanish words that we've used a million times during residency!..Phew.. It's over!

Sangria is a very famous summer time drink in spain known for its bright blood red color. Traditionally it is made with red wine, fruits and few other things. It is served chilled  and is very refreshing.

I tried to make a similar one without alcohol. So you and the kids can enjoy this summer cooler.

What you need:

Crangrape juice 3/4 cup

Orange Juice 1/4 cup

Lemon/ lime soda to fill up to 1 cup

1/4 '' circular orange and lime slices

Mix the Grape and OJ. add the fruit slices and keep in the fridge. The fruits will absorb all the flavors of the mixed juices.

When you are about serve, add the soda and mix.

People who have tasted the real sangria should try this and let me know your comments please! Does this get a thumbs up or down.

I am sending this to Priya's AWED spain.

Have a cool weekend!

Cantoloupe Mango berry smoothie

This is a super smoothie packed with lots of goodness and nutrients to start your day. very easy to put together for breakfast or any time and will satisfy your hunger until noon.

Here is what you need. ( serves 2)

A handfull of diced cantoloupe


3 strawberries

1/2 cup mango juice ( got from the Indian store)

1/2 cup 2% Milk

2 tsp Sugar.

4-5 Ice cubes.


Put them all ina blender and blend till smooth. Pour it into any fancy glass you have ( of course I did'nt have one) and enjoy.! :)))

I am submitting this for http://http://cookcurrynook.wordpress.com/2010/03/01/serve-me-some-juices-shakes-smoothies/