Monday's Meal of the Day - Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Blueberry Muffin (Sugarfree)

Its been ages since I have done a 'Monday's Meal of the Day' post. I felt like baking this past weekend and so this happened. This Monday's Meal of the Day features "Whole Wheat Banana Blueberry Muffin".

If you read my previous post about 'Healthy Wholemeal Banana Bread', you will notice that today's post is on the same lines. 

Ingredients

1 1/2  cup self raising wholemeal flour, 2 eggs, 1 punnet blueberries, 2 ripe bananas (mashed), maple syrup/agave/honey (3 tbsp), 1/2 tsp salt, 2  tbsp coconut oil, 1/2 tsp baking powder, some milk, sprinkle of chia/ flax seeds and chopped almonds

How To

• In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, blueberries, chia/ flax seeds and nuts)
• In a separate bowl, mix all the wet ingredients (mashed bananas, sweetener, coconut oil and eggs)
• Mix the wet ingredients into dry ingredients.  
• Add some milk to make the batter less thick (optional)
• Spray the muffin tray with oil or line the tray with paper
• Pour the mixture into the muffin tray.
• Preheat the oven at 180 degrees C. 
• Bake for 20 mins or until the top turns brown
  
  This recipe makes 12 medium sized muffins. These are not that sweet. Sugar/ Sweetener can be added as per taste. I used the Queen flavored sugar free maple syrup.

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Quick and Easy Quinoa, Rocket and Pine nuts Salad

Today's Meal of the Day features super quick and easy "Quinoa, Rocket and Pine nuts Salad"

Ingredients :

Quinoa, Rocket, pine nuts, olive oil, salt and pepper

How To :

• Cook quinoa, just as you would cook rice
• Lay the quinoa on a salad bowl (once at room temp)
• Add rocket (as much as you like)
• Roast pine nuts on a pan (handful or a bit more if you like)
• Add the pine nuts
• For dressing, mix olive oil, salt and pepper in a  small bowl
• Add the dressing to the salad, mix well and you are done !
  
  This salad is super quick if you have cooked quinoa in  your fridge. I have been obsessed with this salad lately. Hope you liked the recipe.
  
  Click HERE for more quinoa recipes and click HERE for more Monday's Meal of the Day.

Monday's Meal of the Day - Healthy Wholemeal Banana Blueberry Bread (Sugarless, Butterless)

Its been a while since I did a MOTD post, this Monday's Meal of the Day features 'Healthy Wholemeal Banana Blueberry Bread'. 

I wanted to make a healthy version of banana bread which I could enjoy guilt free and satisfy my craving. 
So, obviously this recipe does not taste same as the traditional banana bread (with butter, sugar and plain flour), but for the ingredients it has, it tastes pretty good, well in my opinion.  
 

Some tips :

• Banana Bread will be sweeter if the bananas are riper.
• Sweetener (sugar, honey or any other) can be added as per taste, this recipe was made using only 1 1/2 tbsp honey. 
• Apple sauce or stevia or agave can also be used to sweeten the bread.
• Any dried fruit or nut can be used.

Ingredients

1 1/2  cup self raising wholemeal flour, 3 eggs, 1 punnet blueberries (chopped), 3 ripe bananas (mashed), honey (I used 1 1/2 tbsp), 1/2 tsp salt, 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil , 1 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbps walnuts (finely chopped), 1 tsp sultanas (chopped)

How To

• In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients
• In a separate bowl, mix all the wet ingredients
• Mix the wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
• Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
• Pour the mixture into the tin.
• Preheat the oven at 180 degrees C. 
• Bake for 45-50 mins
• The top should be nice and brown.

And you are done. Hope you liked the recipe. 

Monday's Meal of the Day - Crunchy Peanut Quinoa with Shredded Coconut !

This Monday's Meal of the Day features 'Crunchy Peanut Quinoa with Shredded Coconut'.

I am always trying to make quinoa in different ways and so I was looking for Quinoa khichdi recipe on the net and found a Quinoa Sabudana Khichdi and got super excited to try it or rather eat it :). 

Khichdi for those who do not know is a dish made from rice and lentils. Sabudana (Pearl Sago/tapioca) khichdi is a popular Indian breakfast recipe. 

Today's recipe is inspired by the super yummy dish Sabudana Khichdi, only difference  being, we are using quinoa instead of sabudana (tapioca). 

This is a very quick recipe for me as I usually have cooked quinoa in my fridge. I used this recipe from Vegetable Platter, modified it to suit the ingredients from my kicthen. 

I did not use potato and used desiccated coconut instead of a fresh one. 

Do you like quinoa ? What is your favorite way to eat quinoa ?

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Spinach Quinoa

This  Monday's  Meal of the Day (MOTD) features 'Spinach Quinoa'. My quinoa story started long time back, with me forcing myself to eat it, and now I am at a stage where I am loving it ..

This recipe is by my dear friend 'Bhavna', I just used quinoa in place of rice.

Ingredients 

Baby Spinach (150 - 200 gms), Onions (1 small), Cumin seeds, cooked quinoa (1 serving), olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and red cilli powder to season

How To  (Makes 1 serving)

1. Heat a non stick pan and add 1 tbsp oil 
2. Add cumin seeds and chopped garlic (1-2 cloves) to the oil
3. Add onion and saute it
4. Add chopped spinach and saute it till cooked
5. Add cooked quinoa  
6. Add salt, pepper and red chill powder to taste and saute for some time and you are done

Hope you liked this Monday's Meal of the Day. Click HERE for more quinoa posts.

Monday's Meal of the Day - My top 5 Healthy Snacks !

Monday's Meal of the Day has recently been overtaken by my love for nail polish. If you are a regular reader of my blog you must have noticed Manicure Monday's posts recently. 

So, we are taking a break from Manicure Monday and bring to you today, 'Monday's Meal of the Day - MOTD' - My Top 5 Healthy Snacks. Enjoy :)

Nestle Soleil Diet Yogurt 

Less sugar as compared to a lot of other yogurts. 
Tastes yumm.. my favorite is the strawberry and the passionfruit flavor. 
Easily available at most stores. 

Chic Nuts Roasted Chickpeas
I love chickpeas. I absolutely love this. Roasted, crunchy, mouth watering goodness. 
Available at selected Woolworths

Roasted mix Nuts 
Nuts make for a nutritious snack, however eat in moderation. I like to snack on the roasted unsalted ones. 

Seeds
I really like Pepita seeds, sunflower seeds not that much, so I try to mix both and have them . 
These seeds are a good source of Vitamin E, fiber and antioxidants

Blueberries/Berries 
Out of all the berries, blueberries is my favorite. Blueberries is known as the 'Brain' food. Its full of anti-oxidants, know for cholesterol lowering, cancer fighting, anti-aging, anti-diabetes properties.
 

What are your favorite healthy snacks ?

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Red Cabbage Salad

This Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) features 'Red Cabbage Salad' 

Ingredients 

For Salad
Quarter Red Cabbage (shredded), 1 cucumber diced, 1 carrot (shredded), 1 apple diced, 1/2 red onion (finely chopped)

For Dressing
Sesame oil (1 tsp), olive oil (1tsp), apple cider vinegar (1 1/2 tsp),  lime juice (1 tbsp), ginger crushed (1 tsp), lime zest (1 tsp), sweet chilli sauce (1/2 tsp), salt (as per taste) pepper (as per taste), chilli flakes (as per taste) 

How To

1. Add all the ingredients of the salad in a big bowl
2. Mix all the ingredients of the dressing and whisk well
3. Add the dressing to the salad and mix well 
4. You are done :)
   
   Hope you enjoyed this Monday's Meal of the Day !! 

Monday's Meal of the Day - Cucumber, Avacado, Tomato, Corn & Pomegranate Salad !!

This Monday's Meal of the Day is a fresh Spring/Summer Salad .. Why I say that - cos, in summers u want to eat fresh n light bites while in the colder months you want to indulge ..Anyways, todays Meal of the Day features
 
"Cucumber, Avocado, Tomato, Corn & Pomegranate Salad !!"

Ingredients 

For Salad

• Cucumber (1 medium sized)
• 1/4 Pomegranate 
• 1/2 Avocado
• Some greens (I used handful of mixed salad leaves)
• Cherry Tomatoes ( 1 small bowl)
• Corn kernels (1/2 small bowl)

For Dressing 

• Pomegranate juice (2 tbsp)
• Lemon juice (1 tsp)
• Olive oil (1tsp)
• salt and pepper 

How To 

Lay the salad greens on a salad bowl and add chopped cucumber, avocado, cherry tomatoes. Add pomegranate and corn kernels ..Mix the ingredients of the dressing and add the dressing to the salad, mix and you are done :)

Enjoy !!

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Quick n Easy Quinoa Patties !

I was struggling with finishing my leftover Quinoa and wanted to make a savory snack.. So following my cravings, this Monday's Meal of the Day features 'Quinoa Patties'. This recipe has been adapted from Eat Yourself Skinny

Quinoa Patties

Quinoa Patties

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 2 eggs (1 whole and 1 only white)
• Handful green onion (finely chopped)
• Handful onions (finely chopped)
• Handful fresh corriander (finely chopped)
• Handful Corn kernels
• 1 whole grain bread (shredded) - you can use bread crumbs
• Salt and Red Chilli powder to taste
• Oil for pan frying

How to

• In a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients (except quinoa).    
• Add the cooked quinoa to the ready mixture. Mix well.
• Heat a nonstick pan/tawa on medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of oil.  
• Using your hands, make patties and put them on to the pan.  I must admit binding wasn't really easy, but I managed. Cook until golden brown on each side. I like mine crispy so I kept them a bit longer ..
  
  Hope you liked this Monday's Meal of the Day. Click HERE and HERE for previous Quinoa posts.

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Quick n Easy Saute Chickpeas

Eating Indian food all my life, I find it very difficult to make my diet carb-free.. Roti is a staple in our diet and I feel totally satisfied after having a hearty homemade meal of a curry and wholemeal rotis ..

But this Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) is all about how I try my best to skip carbs atleast some days from my diet .. So presenting to you nothing fancy but yummy, a quick n easy meal - Saute Chickpeas

Ingredients

Boiled Chickpeas (I soaked them overnight and then boiled them), red chilli powder, chole masala, amchur (dried mango powder), salt, oil, cumin seeds (jeera)

 

How to 

Add 1 teaspoon oil in a pan, heat it and add cumin seeds, add Chickpeas to the tempering and then add all the spices ..Saute for a while until you are done ..this adds a nice flavour to chickpeas and tastes yum ...

What is your go to quick n easy meal  ?

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Chicken Stir Fry

This Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) is Chicken Stir Fry, made by hubby dearest ..The recipe is same as Tofu Stir fry featured earlier ..

Ingredients

Chicken breast, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, onions, walnuts, oil & sauce (as below).

Making the sauce

Mix chilli sauce, soya sauce, vinegar and ginger garlic paste (1 tbsp each- you can change as per your liking) .

Making the stir fry

Saute onions in 1 tbsp oil. Once the onions are done, add chicken and once the chicken is partly done add all the veggies (red capsicum, broccoli, zucchini, and walnuts),. Saute till done. Add the sauce and saute for some time.. Add salt, pepper and chilli flakes and mix well ...I like to add some nuts for crunchiness ..N you are done..

Tip

You can coat chicken with cornflour and lightly shallow fry them in oil for a crispy feel to your chicken. 

 

Hope you are enjoying Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD), check out more HERE

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Grilled Veggies !!

 This Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD)  is Grilled Veggies !!

Ingredients

Red and Green Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Carrot, Mushroom, Potato, Onion, Olive, Chives, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder

 

How to

Chop all the vegetables (except olives). Season them with salt, pepper, cajun and garlic powder. Sprinkle some chopped chives over the veggies. Drizzle olive oil over the veggies. Shake them well. 

Line your baking tray with a baking sheet. Lay all the veggies on the tray and grill for 20 mins on 200 degrees. Preheat the oven on 200 degrees. Toss n turn them in between. Your veggies should be done by now.

 

I added some olives over the grilled veggies.

 

Hope you enjoyed this MOTD.  

Monday's Meal of the day (MOTD) - Healthy Baked Potato Wedges

Hi 

Hope you guys had a wonderful weekend .. n that Monday is treating you well :)...This Monday's Meal of the day (MOTD) is 'Baked Potato Wedges' a healthier option to the traditional Potato Wedges that we all  love..

Ingredients

Sweet Potato, Washed Potato, Olive Oil, Butter, Chilli Flakes, Garlic Powder, Pepper, Chicken salt (you can use normal salt), Cajun seasoning

How to 

Wash n slice the potato n sweet potato in the shape of wedges (nice n chunky) ... Don't peel the potatoes, i.e. why I am using washed potatoes. 

Drizzle olive oil over the wedges. Season the sliced wedges with chicken salt, pepper, garlic powder, chilli flakes n cajun seasoning ...I go heavy on garlic powder, chilli flakes n cajun (you can season according to your preference).Shake the wedges well. Lay the wedges on a baking tray. Add melted butter over the wedges if you wish to. Pre-heat the oven and then bake for 20 mins (on 220 degrees) .. Check the wedges, if not done you can bake for another 5-10 mins .. Serve with a dipping sauce of choice :)

Hope you enjoyed a slightly better form of the classic potato wedges ..Check out more MOTD's here..

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Chickpeas, Avocado, Grape n Peaches on Rocket leaves

This Monday's  Meal of the day is a yummy nutritious salad ..
So presenting to you 'Chickpeas, Avocado, cherry tomatoes, grapes n peaches on a bed of Rocket leaves'

Ingredients

Rocket leaves, Grapes, Avocado, Peach, boiled chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, jalapenos n cajun seasoning

How to

Lay Rocket leaves on your salad platter/bowl. Add handful sliced cherry tomatoes over it, then add a handful of grapes. Toss some boiled chickpeas over it (you can use canned if you wish) and add some sliced yellow peaches (I have used half a peach). I have put 4-5 small pieces of avocado to add some creamy texture to my salad .. I am dressing my salad with cajun seasoning n sliced jalapenos ..n you are done ..

Bon Appetit !

Hope you liked this Monday's Meal of the day ..

Monday's Meal of the day (MOTD) - Paneer tikka

This Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) is Paneer Tikka.

Ingredients
Paneer, Capsicum, Onion, Coriander powder, Red chilli powder, tandoori color, salt, ginger garlic paste, pepper, lemon, yogurt

Recipe

Preparing the marinade
Mix salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, ginger garlic paste, pepper, lemon and yogurt ( 1 tbsp each) - you can increase the quantity according to your liking 

Making the tikkas 
Cut the Paneer into cubes and coat them with the marinade.You can marinade them for some time or grill them instantly. You can grill them in the oven. I do them on a non stick frying pan ..Toss n turn them over until they are all nice n done ..

Hope you are enjoying Monday's Meal of the day .. have a good day

Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) - Tofu Stir Fry

This Monday's Meal of the Day (MOTD) is Tofu Stir Fry

Ingredients

Tofu, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, onions, walnuts, oil & sauce (as below).

Making the sauce

Mix chilli sauce, soya sauce, vinegar and ginger garlic paste (1 tbsp each- you can change as per your liking) .

Making the stir fry

Saute onions in 1 tbsp oil. Once the onions are done, add all your ingredients (I have used red capsicum, broccoli, zucchini, tofu and walnuts). Saute till done. Add the sauce and saute for some time.. Add salt, pepper and chilli flakes and mix well ...I like to add some nuts for crunchiness ..N you are done..

Tip

You can coat tofu with cornflour and lightly shallow fry them in oil for a crispy feel to your tofu.

Serve hot with rice or quinoa ..