Hermit in the City

Dear ones, Above is the video of how to use Chia Seeds as an Egg Replacer for baking, smoothies and shakes. Enjoy! Love Shilpa

Dear ones, Ganesha is still around and so many of you who are cooking the first time have asked for 2 major things -tips to simplify Indian desserts preparations 😇 -a vegan version of the dessert.  After experimenting here goes,  lets kill 2 birds with one stone ! Both the dishes are very healthy and is something you can give children & can have as a part of your diet plan. I.SIMPLIFIED VEGAN MODAKS (serves 4) Ingredients: 1/2 cup roasted and ground brown / red rice 1 cup jaggery powder 1 table spoon coconut cream 1/2 table spoon almond cream pinch of cardamom powder Preparation: Step 1: in a pan Boil 1.5 cup of water, boil & bring it to 1.25quantity Step 2: to the boiling water slowly add in the roasted & powdered brown/ red rice. Keep stirring to avoid forming lumps,  (you can use a whisker to stir, it helps dissolve lumps). Step 3: when the mixture starts firming up add the coconut cream + almond cream + pinch of cardamon. St

You don't eat egg? not even fish?  😛 where do you get your protein and OMEGA 3? I'm very used to these questions and being a vegetarian teaches you so much. There are excellent sources for protein and Omega 3 that can be used in baking and cooking for those concerned. So after learning experimenting & cooking, sharing a few replacers, that I use extensively. CHIA SEEDS:   They contain a decentamount  of zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2. Source :  https://www.healthline.com/ So how do we use Chia seeds? 1. Toppings :  you can just sprinkle a spoonful on your salad/ cereal/ fruit yogurt. 2. In Health Bars :  you can roast a tea spoon full and use it in health bars with dry fruits dates & honey 3. As an  Egg Replacer  : you can soak 2 teaspoons in water for 2-4 hours, blend it and use the gooey stuff for a smoothie/ shake  4. you can use the blended stuff as an egg replacer in baking , even glazing 5

Happy smiles, blissful chanting, devoted decoration, & Yummy Food...Happy Ganesha to all... If you believe in peace & prosperity, with the cuteness to dissolve obstacles, an appetite to chew the ego & love to keep all together...IT's Ganesha. My Son lovesss Ganesha and so do I, decorating, cooking and learning more about this ENERGY was absolute fun this year. Sharing a few desserts : 1. Modak / steamed sweet dumplings (makes 11)   Ingredients : Rice base :1 cup rice roasted and grinded 2.25 cups water 1 spoon ghee Filling : one cup freshly desiccated coconut 4 table spoons powdered jaggery one pinch cardamom powder Preparation Boil water in a pan, once it starts boiling, add the ghee and the rice flour gradually, to avoid forming lumps keep staring this for 10mins till it firms up.Make small round balls & flatten into a round shape For filling : in a heated pan add powdered jaggery + desiccated coconut + pinch of card

Pancakes are like a meditated mind: smooth in existence, yummier with every bite and loaded with goodness. There is something very universal about their appeal and its a no brainer for breakfast and tea for my friends. Since we are vegetarians and my son appreciates food 'only when its well made (like his father :), I'm constantly on the pursuit of finding healthier and tastier options for him. Thankfully having an Ayurvedic Doc as a mum helps me understand the innate benefits of what I cook. So here goes the YUMMY VEGETARIAN PANCAKES for the soul... (also shared the vegan version below). INGREDIENTS 1 cup Whole meal Flour “ Wholemeal ” is a term used in the UK, while “ wholegrain ” and “ wholewheat ” are terms used in the US, says Vidya Bhat, a dietitian at Nutrition Network Services. 1/2 table spoon chia seeds (soaked for min 2hours & blended) 1 table spoon of dry fruit powder (roasted Cashews+pumpkin seeds+walnuts (is what I've used, you an a

MIX & MASH SPICY WRAP/ SANDWICH -  Healthy Breakfast A quick Fix and complete breakfast package is what Roti wraps/ sandwiches are. There are 3 components to it, veggies in raw form & boiled form Chutney or sauce : for health benefits, to add taste & bring the flavours together Wrap / Sandwich : multigrain or whole meal (will share recipe in upcoming posts) STEP 1: Get your MASH I used sweet potato Add a pinch of rock salt + a herb of your choice + pepper / chaat masala (an indian concoction of spices extremely beneficial to aide digestion & remove excess gas) STEP 2: Get your RAW VEGGIES  I used cucumber, feel free to choose a veggie that tastes great in raw form. STEP 3: make a SAUCE/CHUTNEY Ive made green coriander chutney:  Coriander 2 t-spoons cleaned and chopped tea spoon Tomato - half finely chopped 1 garlic pod pinch of roasted Cumin powder salt to taste 1 small green chilli (if your making for kids pls avoid, you can replace it with

Weekends are the best time to cook with family and bond over good food. Be it brunch, lunch, tea time or dinner, a special meal in all cusines needs a dessert. So sharing an interesting recipe & its ORIGINS... I accidentally made this tea time, limited ingredients cake, after midway through a panic attack realising that i had to make peace with the ingredients (or lack of them) and my situation of 'lack of ingredients', so that I can find a solution...so here goes my "Accept people and Situations as they are" cake or HP 2nd Sutra Cake :) Vegan cake Note 1.If u want to make it Gluten free u can replace whole meal with Buckwheat but  2.buckwheat needs more preheating & baking for a bit longer than u normally would Banana Walnut Vegan cake: 1cup whole meal flour / buckwheat  3/4 cup powdered jaggery 1.5 table spoon baking powder 1 table spoon chia seeds soaked for min 4 hrs Vanilla Essence 6drops 2/3 cup virgin coconut oil Roasted & powder