Coleslaw Kachumber

Kachumber is an Indian salad made of tiny bits of chopped veggies. Usually tomato, cucumber and onion, are minced together and seasoned with salt and lime juice; this is a basic Indian Kachumber made in most Indian families.

Cabbage Kachumber is my mom's signature salad and my favorite. In her food processor, grating veggies was so quick and easy, that my mom could put this together in just few minutes. She used to make this salad everyday... that's how much I love it!! How I miss those days! But now, I have started making my favorite Kachumber which just takes five minutes to make.

Here are my favorite kachumber veggies. 

There is no fixed proportion.
You could also add beetroot.

My Cuisinart food processor that I have been using since past 8 years. Love, Love, Love it!! 

The blade storage box did not come with this. I bought it separately from another favorite store,
Sur La Table :)
Click here for more information on Cuisinart food processor.

Shredding/grating blade.

Grate all veggies except tomatoes.

Cabbage, Carrots, Cucumber

Remove in a large bowl. Add finely diced tomato and freshly chopped cilantro. Add salt to taste and juice of one fresh lime. Mix well and serve. Season the salad just before serving to prevent it from sweating, and to maintain it's crisp texture.

Eat it as is 

OR

Wrap in thin roti or flat bread.

Happy Healthy Eating!

Spicy Zucchini Noodles

My post today is dedicated to my wonderful friends who have been motivating and inspiring me to make and eat low carb meals. I just love my Masti group, and can't thank them enough for their support and motivation.

Yes, if you haven't guessed it yet, this recipe is gluten free and has low to no carb...although this looks like delicious spicy schezwan noodles that we Indians enjoy, there is not a bit of noodle added to this recipe...Yahoooo :)

I have always been skeptical in making zucchini noodles. 11 months back I bought a spiral cutter and love spiral cut carrots made in it, but was never too motivated to try zucchini. Maybe today was the day. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the flavors of schezwan noodles with these noodles made of vegetable, without even noticing that there weren't traditional noodles in it. It was indeed a guilt-free dinner tonite!

Using all veggies I would regularly use for Chinese cooking.

Zucchini to make noodles.

Click here to check out this Spiral Cutter, great for making spiral cut veggies.

Check my recipe of Carrot Noodle Salad.

You could also manually cut zucchini into thin strips or use a Mandoline slicer.

It is so easy to use. I love it!

beautiful veggie noodles ready in just 2 minutes. You could cut them to the length you would like.

Let zucchini noodles rest on a paper towel to get rid of excess moisture.

In a wok or a pan, heat 1 tsp. oil. saute 1/2 cup slices onions, 1 tbsp. chopped ginger, 1/2 cup julienne bell pepper. 1/4 cup carrots julienne and few beans cut on an angle. Saute veggies for 3-4 mins. 

Add 1/2 tsp. salt.

Add 1-2 tbsp. of homemade schezwan sauce and 1 tsp. of vinegar. 

You could also add Sriracha Sauce or chilli garlic sauce.

Mix well.

Add zucchini noodles and toss them well for 2-3 minutes on high heat for the flavors to blend. You need not cook them much. Toss in 1/2 cup shredded cabbage for crunch.

Serve and enjoy.

Guilt-free, No Carbs, Healthy Eating!!

Masala Pav

Today I brought in some Indian food for my colleagues at work. I thought Wada Pav would be apt to show them that Indian food can be beyond curries. Wada pav, also a specialty of the place I come from, was perfect for the day. It was an instant hit. With dry garlic chutney and fried green chillies, I showed them the actual way we Mumbaites enjoy this street food. With a variety of chutneys, everyone could enjoy with the spice level of their choice.

With double batch of Mumbai Laadi Pav made yesterday, I had 5 pavs remaining. The quick fix dinner tonite was Mumbai Juhu beach style delicious Masala Pav. Pav roasted with sauteed veggies and spices as it absorbs the flavor.

Ingredients to make quick Masala Pav:
1 chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup green peas
3-4 chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp. garlic chutney or garlic paste
1 tsp. cumin seeds
2-3 tbsp. pav bhaji masala
Salt to taste
Butter or oil for sauteing
5 Pav breads
Chopped cilantro for garnish

• Heat 2 tbsp. butter. Add cumin seeds and 1 cup chopped onions. Saute for 3-4 minutes. 
• Saute chopped bell pepper.
• Add 1 cup green peas. 
• Add chopped tomatoes. Cook for 4-5 minutes. 
• Add 1 tsp. salt, 1 tbsp garlic chutney, and pav bhaji masala.
• Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Move this thickened bhaji to the edge of the griddle.
• Saute pav bread in butter first and then put the cooked bhaji into pav. 
• Serve with more bhaji, a pat of butter, and sprinkled cilantro.

Here is the step-by-step pictorial recipe:

Heat 2 tbsp. of butter in a pan or a griddle.

Add cumin seeds. Saute onions for 3-4 minutes. Add bell pepper, green peas, tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes.

Add 1 tsp. salt, 1 tbsp garlic chutney, and pav bhaji masala.

Move this thickened bhaji to the edge of the griddle.

Saute pav bread in butter first and then put the cooked bhaji into pav. 

Serve with more bhaji, a pat of butter, and sprinkled cilantro.

Enjoy Mumbai Style Masala Pav!