Tomato Celery Soup with Coconut milk....

Hoping that winter would end any sooner is just a dream and so is my sons cold going to last till the sun shines strong and warm. Every time the suns rays enter the house through the large patio window my heart feels to go outside and hold it as much as possible..A step outside,  chill wind hits your face and  you get to know that sun is there just as an object without a meaning..This is what is happening for the past few days/weeks..Hope things get better soon..
For time being here is a trail that worked pretty well...Being from land of coconuts(ok we have many other things too..:)) I have a big affection/love to these fruits/seeds and love to have them in any form..Adding coconut milk here was a nice try and we enjoyed the new taste...

Tomatoes-4 nos
All purpose Flour/ Maida-1 tbsp
Onion-2 tbsp(chopped)
Celery-2 stalks
Coconut milk-1/4 cup
Garlic-1 clove(chopped)
Butter-1 tbsp
Salt and pepper to taste
Chili flakes for added heat.

Method of Preparation:
1. Microwave tomatoes for 5 minutes.
2. Grind to smooth liquid.
3. Heat butter, add garlic and onions and fry till raw smell goes.
4. Add APF and heat for a minute. Then add celery, tomatoes, water about 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups and cook along with pepper and salt. Continue it for some time till celery becomes soft and till the raw taste of tomato goes.
Notes: Use water according to the thickness of soup you need.Not less than 1 cup.
5. Add coconut milk to this and simmer on low flame for 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and serve with bread or crackers.

Quinoa Tabbouli/Tabbouleh

Feb has been a rough month for me until now(later part is yet to come)...There has been no time to do anything..was buried in work and health related issues..The first thing I abandon at these time is this little space..and it is evident when you see only 2 recipes for this whole month. Now I cant redo it but to remove the guilt feel I have finally drafted a recipe and here it is...

Lightly tangy with loads of herbs and crisp and juicy veggies makes this a perfect,  filling and healthy salad that you want to make  for your snack, lunch or dinner...Do try this simple quick preparation...

Quinoa-1 cup
Cucumber-1/2 cup
Carrots-2 medium
Onion-1 small
Pomgranate arils-1/2 cup
Flat leaf parsley-1/4 cup
Coriander leaves-1/8 cup
Mint leaves-1/8 cup
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Olive oil-1/8 cup
Lemon Juice-1/8 cup

Method of Preparation:
1. Cook quinoa with required water for 15 mins or until you see a thread like stuff from them. Then drain the remaining water and keep aside to cool. Or you can cook quinoa(the above given amount) with just 2 cups of water,  till the water is completely evaporated and quinoa is cooked..
2. Finely dice cucumber,onion and carrots. Extract arils from pomegranates. Mince herbs.
3. Mix all ingredients together except oil and lemon juice.
4. In a bowl whisk lemon juice,salt,pepper and olive oil together and pour over the quinoa mixture.
5. Mix well and serve immediately

Notes:

1. You can add green peppers, tomatoes,nuts to this.

2. Quinoa can be replaced with bulgur/bulgar or couscous.

Carrot Orange Soup

Soup is perfect choice for these cold windy days...Here is a lovely combination of carrots and orange to warm up..

Baby carrots-3 cups
Orange-1 medium sized
Yogurt-2 tsp(beaten)
Bay leaves-2 nos
Cloves-4 nos
Garlic-1 no
Ginger-11/2 tsp(minced)
Onion-3 tbsp(small pieces)
Butter-1 tsp
Red Chili flakes-1/4 tsp
Salt & pepper to taste

Method of preparation:
1. Pressure cook carrots with  water, bay leaves and cloves for one whistle.Let cool
2. Grind to soft texture and then add the water used to cook carrots about 1 cup and set aside.
3. Heat the butter and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Fry till the raw smell goes. See that you don't brown the garlic.
4. Add the carrot puree along with salt and chili flakes and cook till it starts to boil.
5. Reduce heat and add the freshly squeezed orange juice and mix well. Just heat it for a minute or two.
6. Add pepper powder and turn off the heat. stir the yogurt into it and mix well.
7. Garnish with coriander leaves and a dollop of yogurt.Serve with bread.

Notes:
1. Do not boil after adding orange juice.I used oranges that were sweet and tart.
2. Use yogurt that is not much tart else add less or you will have a very tangy soup.
3. You can cook carrots in any way till it is tender.
4. Use vegetable stock if you have instead of water.
5. While grinding the carrots grind it coarsely so that you have few pieces to bite.