Friday Cooler-Masala Taak (Spiced Buttermilk)

 

This week’s Natural summer cooler is Masala Taak. Unlike the cokes and colas these coolers are natural ,with no preservatives,no synthetic colours, no synthetic flavours..100% natural.I have no idea why some people still prefer carbonated drinks to our natural coolers and you will be surprised there are quite a few of them!Anyways, a glass of Taak flavoured with spices like ginger, coriander leaves, chillies, cumene and black salt, is all that it takes to refresh you in this scorching heat! 

So say no to colas and carbonated drinks and yes to Masala Taak.. J Cheers!

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Masala Taak recipe _______________________________________________ 

Whisk together curd, some greenchilly paste, some coriander leaves ,a pinch of black salt, a pinch of roasted crushed cumene seeds and some ice cold water to make thirst quenching and refreshing Masala Taak! ______________________________________________

Blooming Curry…..

 

Pretty white flowers on the curry leaf plant in our garden

Pudina Tofu stir fry (Minty Tofu stir fry)

I happened to ‘accidentally’ discover this recipe. I happened to dip a piece of Tofu in green chutney (made for Bhel / Sev Puri) and it tasted quite good! And thus was born ‘Pudina Tofu stir fry’ . Now it has become a common recipe in our house since it is quite easy to make. Proteinaceous tofu is marinated with herby Pudina-coriander chutney to make this nutritious, healthy, flavourful and tasty recipe. Another advantage from health point of view is that this recipe requires very little oil!

 

It is called ‘Pudina Tofu stir fry’ for the sole reason that I wanted to participate in Nupur’s A to Z of Indian vegetables and this week’s letter happens to be ‘P’. Nupur this recipe is for you and your wonderful effort with the A to Z of Indian vegetables.

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Pudina Tofu stir fry recipe

For about 2-3 servings              ____________________________________________________   

Ingredients:

Firm Tofu about 250gm or about 3 cups finely cubed

1 onion finely chopped

½ tsp cumene seeds

½ tsp Chaat Masala (optional)

2 tsp lime juice

Salt to taste 

To be ground to a fine paste:

1 small bunch Pudina (mint ) leaves washed

1 small bunch coriander leaves washed

4-5 green chillies chopped

pinch of salt

Procedure:

Grind the Pudina, coriander, green chillies along with a pinch of salt to a smooth paste. Add the tofu pieces to this Pudina paste in a bowl and mix well. Keep it aside for about ½ an hour for marination. In a wok heat oil, add the cumene seeds and then the chopped onion. Fry till the onion turns translucent and add the marinated tofu pieces and mix nicely. Adjust the salt if required and turn off the gas stove, don’t cook for more than a minute.Just before serving sprinkle some chaat Masala and lime juice. Serve with Roti or this stir fry can be eaten as it is as a light lunch!