Zucchini/Carrot rice

This is the dish I saw the other day on You tube . Tried and loved it. It’s very nutritious since we are using zucchini/carrot. It’s really easy to make and tastes yummy. Eat it with any gravy or just like that. Here goes the recipe, I hope you everyone enjoy it.

Ingredients-
Serves 4

Rice- 1 cup
Grated Zucchini with the skin/Carrot – 1cup
Water- 2 cups (double the quantity of Rice)
chopped green chilies – 1 tbsp
Finely chopped ginger – 1tsp
cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick- ½ inch
Green cardamom – 1(slightly crushed)
Black pepper – 6-8
cloves- 2-3
Bay Leaves – 1-2
salt to taste

Note- when cooking rice in pressure cooker I use equal proportion of rice and water and cook it for 2 whistles and open the cooker after 5 mins (if pressure is still there in the cooker and I am unable to open it. I keep it under running cold water which helps to cool down the cooker. while doing this please don't remove the whistle else water will go inside). Vegans avoid ghee/butter as it is made of milk.

Method-
In a cooker take 1tbsp of ghee or olive oil. When it’s hot add cumin seeds. Once it starts spluttering add all the whole spices, cook it about 1 min and add chopped green chilies and ginger. Cook it for another 1 min and now add grated carrot/zucchini. Cook for 30 seconds and add the soaked rice. Cook till rice is done (Here I have not given the cooking time or method for rice since it differs the way one makes it). Garnish with coriander and serve hot :)

Namkeen

This is again a very simple dish to cook and people from different region cook it in different way. If I am not wrong its called 'Vagharlela bhaat' in marathi and in my house it's called as 'Namkeen'. This is one of the dishes which I can eat almost every day. In my school days I have taken this daily in my lunch box for almost 2 years:) It was a major hit amongst my friends. So here is the recipe...

Ingredients-
Serves 2

Cooked Rice - 3 cups
Peanuts - 1/4 cup
Green peas - 1/4 cups
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1tbsp
sliced Onions- 1 cup
Turmeric- 1/2 tsp
oil- 3tbsp
Kadi patta-3-4
Green chillies (as per taste)
Salt (as per taste)
For Garnishing-
Tomatoes(optional) - 1/2 cup
Grapes(optional)-1/2cup
Cucumber(optional)-1/4cup

Note- Rice should be preferably left over from the previous night or cooked 1-2 hrs in advance. This will prevent it sticking to the pan else it will become too soggy. I have used Basmati Rice but it tastes equally yummy with other rices too.

Method-
In a pan take oil. When its hot add peanuts. Roast it on medium heat for few minutes. When it will become slight brown in color add cumin and mustard seeds. when seeds will start spluttering add kadi patta and chopped green chillies. After 10-15 seconds add onions. Cook it for around 2 min till it becomes golden brown. Now add green peas. Cook it for 2 min. Add salt and termeric powder. stir it well and add cooked rice. Reduce the heat to low and mix it well. cover it and cook it for 2-3 min.if you want to add tomatoes this is the time to add chopped tomatoes. Add and cover the pan. The steam from the rice will cook the tomatoes. They will not become soggy but cooked and crunchy. Sprinkle some green coriander. Sever it hot. I garnish it with chopped cucumber and grapes. And if you don't have cucumber or grapes, squeeze some fresh lemon juice and it will increase the taste. Enjoy!!!