Vegetable Uthappam, Carrot- orange juice , Cumin – Mint Lassi and Mother’s day

One of the stories that I still remember from the school days is the one about Mother’s Day. A family decides to celebrate Mother’s Day by going on a picnic. The mother gets everything ready for the picnic and also helps in planning to make the picnic fun. The van arrives and everybody piles into the van and they find out that they are short of one seat. The mother gets down and offers her seat to the other person. The van leaves without the mother! So much for celebrating the Mother’s Day!

That story really touched me and for the next few weeks all I could think of was that mother and what she would have felt on that day.After reading this story, I made it a point to get a gift for mom on Mother’s Day every year. The pocket money that I used to get was never sufficient to buy gifts so I would team up with dad to buy something for mom. I used to select something for mom , usually things that she will use around the kitchen, dad used to pay for it and I hid it in my cupboard till Mother’s day. Then when the day finally came , I used to hand it over to mom with a wide grin.This ritual has been going on till now and the only difference is I pay for the gifts now :)

The role of a mother can never be replaced by anyone else. The sacrifices that she makes and the efforts she puts in to bring up the children can never be praised or thanked enough. Yet we do have this Mother’s day to appreciate her and to thank her for all that she has done . But, one day is not enough, right?

Anyways, when I was planning the picnic day theme a couple of days back, I came up with celebrating ‘Mother’s Day’ as an occasion.

I made a list of dishes that she will enjoy and cooked and clicked them all. Sending these dishes virtually to mom and will be making at least some of these when I visit home.

Menu for the day

Breakfast

Vegetable uthappam with sambar and chutney

Coffee

Mid morning

Carrot – Orange juice

Lunch

Sprouts and Spring Onion Pulao
with cucumber raita and crispies

Tea time

Dhokla

Cumin mint lassi

Dinner

Chapathi with fresh toor gravy

For today I will post 3 recipes and the remaining 3 recipes will be posted later this month.

Vegetable uthappam

This is a very simple dish actually but it costs quite a bit in the restaurant. When we are bored with the regular dosa / uthappam, this is the one I make to brighten the meal.

You need:

Idli / Dosa Batter

Finely chopped veggies – I used Tomato, onion , grated carrot, and coriander leaves

Idli milagai podi

Oil a few teaspoons to cook the uthappam[optional]

Pour a ladle full of batter on a hot griddle . don't spread it to a circle. The utappam should be slightly thinner than a pancake.

Lower the flame and top up the batter with mixed veggies and coriander leaves.Drizzle a little oil around the edges of needed.

Cover and cook on low flame. To check if the uthapam is done, lift the lid and gently touch the surface with the slotted ladle. If the batter sticks, cover and cook for a few more minutes.

Once the uthapam is cooked, sprinkle a little idli milagai podi and remove from the griddle.

Serve hot with sambar and chutney

Note :

Be sure to cook on low flame. If cooked under high heat, the bottom will get charred.
You can add other veggies like finely chopped capsicum and use mint instead of coriander leaves.
Instead of veggies use dry fruits and chopped nuts for a fruit and nut uthappam. Kids will love to have this drizzled with a little honey.

Carrot orange juice - A very simple summer cooler

I used

Orange – 2

Carrots- 1 , medium sized

Ginger- 1” piece

Honey to taste

Ice cubes a few

Grate the carrot.
Peel and segment the orange
Blend the carrot, orange segments along with ginger.
Strain using a metal strainer .
Add honey and check the taste.Add a little water if needed to adjust the taste / consistency.
Serve immediately with a few ice cubes.