Chukku Kaapi/ Dry Ginger Coffee

Chukku Kaapi is also called as herbal coffee, which is a herbal medicinal decoction and a great home remedy for a sore throat, cold, cough and mild fever. This magical drink is hot, spicy, sweet, strong and very aromatic. Whenever I make this coffee, the whole house will be filled with the aroma. My mom used to make this often whenever we fell sick.

This time around when I made the herbal coffee, there was something new that I got to experiment which turns out to be the first of its kind in my blog. Here I am, introducing to you, the beautiful copper mugs sent to me all the way from Canada. Thanks a bunch to Jessica (www.moscowmuled.com) for sending these over to me. You can check their page to know more about these mugs.

I was so excited to see those mugs and it almost never crossed my mind before that we could use these copper mugs in other types of beverages other than the actual "Moscow Mule". While I am on this topic, I have to mention that there are traditional claims about the health benefits of using copper utensils. There are different schools of thought supporting this claim and otherwise.

However, a general concern about copper utensils is the possibility of copper toxicity. But the makers of this particular brand of Moscow Mule mugs have done a good job of thinking through this and these beautiful mugs are made with stainless steel lining in the inside of these mugs.

The herbal coffee which I made today was my first beverage in these copper mugs.

Ingredients:

1. Dry Ginger Powder- 1tbsp
2. Ginger (grated)- 1 tbsp
3. Coffee Powder- 1 tbsp
4. Jaggery Powder- 2 tbsp
5. Whole Pepper- 2 tbsp
6. Water- 2 Cups 

Method:

1. Boil the water. Meanwhile, crush the whole peppercorns along with ginger.
2. Add the jaggery in the boiling water. When it starts melting add the ginger powder and the crushed ginger and pepper. Let it boil.
3. Add the coffee after a minute and switch of the flame. Inhale the steam coming from the coffee, it will enhance your senses.
4. Sip the hot coffee slowly by enjoying the aroma.

Makhane ki Kheer/ Lotus Seed (Fox Nuts) Pudding

Makhana/ Lotus Seeds are usually consumed during fastings because of its nutritional values and health benefits. The micronutrients found in lotus seeds are of vast importance to a human body. These lotus seeds are easily available in all the Indian grocery stores. This can be consumed raw or cooked into savory or sweet dishes. These lotus seeds are good for weight loss as these will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

These lotus seeds are also called as fox nuts. We can make this kheer/pudding which is one of the many dishes that can be made out of lotus seeds. Rich in protein and calcium, combines beautifully with milk to make a delicious and creamy pudding.
I first tasted these delicious seeds, when my friend in India made a savory and she gave the raw lotus seeds which she brought from her hometown. I started making different dishes by googling and recently I realized, I never posted a dish using these amazing seeds which have lots of health benefits.
The roasted makhana tastes exactly like popcorns. This recipe is so easy to make and can be done within no time. If any unexpected guests, this is a perfect dessert to serve them. Roast the makhanas and keep them in an airtight jar, which is ready to use at any time. Hope you all like this and try this out.

Ingredients:

1. Makhana/ Lotus Seeds- 1 Cup
2. Milk- 2 Cups
3. Sugar- 4tbsp
4. Cardamom Powder- 1 tbsp
5. Saffron Strands- a pinch
6. Clarified Butter- 1 tbsp
7. Cashew- 10-15

Method:

1. Roast the lotus seeds in clarified butter until they become crunchy. Roast the cashews in the same pan. Keep these aside.
2. From the roasted lotus seeds, take a handful and coarsely grind them in a blender. Keep this aside.
3. Heat the milk in a deep bottomed pan. Stir in between so that the milk won't scorch at the bottom.
4. When the milk comes to a boil, add required amount of sugar and the saffron, stir well. In this add the coarsely powdered lotus seeds and the whole lotus seeds, simmer till they become soft and the milk gets reduced well.
5. Switch off the flame, add the roasted cashews and the nuts of your choice. Enjoy this hot or cold.

Baked Fish Sticks

A healthy and nutritious fish sticks would be a perfect tea time snacks or after-school snacks. As kids would be hungry by evening, these fish sticks would be a great option to make as it would take very less time. A crispy outside with a moist inside fish stick is what everybody will love to dig in. These would make a perfect party appetizer.

My daughter will be very hungry after her swimming classes and every day I make sure she eats a healthy snack after an hour-long swimming.

I find it very easy to make these fish sticks as this requires fish fillet which can be thawed very quickly. Once you try making them at home, you won't buy the prepackaged frozen sticks again.
Strips of fish are covered in spiced bread crumbs and baked to perfection. You can have oven roasted veggies along with these fish sticks, which will make a perfect dinner. Hope you all will try this and let me know

Ingredients:

1. Cod Fish Fillet- 1/2 pound (cut into strips)
2. All Purpose Flour- 1/4 cup
3. Bread Crumbs- 1/2 Cup
4. Dried Herb Mix- 2 tbsp
5. Smoked Paprika Powder- 1/2 Tsp
6. Salt- as required
7. Pepper Powder- 1 Tsp
8. Garlic Powder- 1/2 tbsp
9. Egg- 1 no

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the bread crumbs with dried herbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place the flour and egg in separate shallow bowls.
2. Take the fish strips, dip it in the all-purpose flour, shake off the excess. Dip that in the egg and then in the bread crumb mixture. Place them on a lined baking tray. When all the fish strips are done coating, arrange them on a baking tray and bake for about 10-12 minutes. When done, enjoy the fish sticks with ranch or tartar sauce.