CREAM OF CARROT SOUP

Ingredients:
Carrots – 3, medium size
Shallot – 1
Tomato – 1 small
Rice – 1 tbsp
Butter – 1 tbsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Sugar – 1 tbsp
Black pepper – ¼ tsp
Cream – 2-3 tbsp

Cooking procedure:
Peel the carrots and cut them into slices. Also slice the shallot. Cut the tomato into half. The reason to keep the tomato in big pieces is that, after the tomato gets cooked in the soup the skin will automatically separate and will be easy to remove. Wash the rice and keep aside.
Heat the butter in a pot and add the shallots. Sauté the shallots till they become translucent. Then add the carrot and stir fry on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously. Then add the tomato, rice and mix well. Then add salt and pepper. Add 1-2 cups of boiling water. Cover the pot and let cook till the carrots become tender. Then blend everything to form a smooth soup. Add sugar and mix well. Then add cream and let boil for a minute or two. Serve hot. I use to make this soup for my son since he was 7-8 months old. I use to make a thicker version, by adding less water.

VEGETABLE MANCHURIAN WITH GRAVY

Ingredients for Manchurian balls:
Cabbage – 1 cup, finely chopped
Spinach – 1 cup, finely chopped
Carrot – 1 cup, shredded
Spring onion – 7-8, chopped
Ginger paste – 1 tsp
Soy sauce – 1 tsp
Chili sauce – 1 tsp
All purpose flour – 1 cup
Baking soda – ¼ tsp
Cooked noodles – 1 cup
Salt
White pepper powder – ¼ tsp

For sauce:
Onion – 1 big, roughly chopped
Green bell pepper – 1 medium, roughly chopped
Green chilies – 3-4
Garlic – 1 tbsp, chopped
Ginger – 1 tbsp, chopped
Soy sauce – 1 tbsp
Vinegar – 1 tsp
Chili sauce – 1 tsp

Tomato ketchup - 2-3 tbsp
Salt
Corn flour – 2-3 tbsp
Water – ½ cup
Green onions – 3-4 chopped for garnish

Cooking procedure:
Mix all the ingredients for the ball in a big bowl. Make ping pong size balls and deep fry on medium heat till they become golden brown. I make these balls in bulk and freeze them for a month or two. I just make the sauce and add the balls to it.
For the sauce, heat 1 tsp oil in a pan and add the onion. Sauté the onions for a minute then add the green bell pepper and sauté for a minute. Then add the garlic, ginger and sauté for a minute. Dissolve the corn flour in water and add it to the pan. Keep on stirring after you add the corn flour mixture. Adjust the consistency of sauce by adding as much or as little water as required. Then add the soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper. Let the sauce boil for 2-3 minutes. Then add the Manchurian balls to the sauce and simmer for 2 more minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions. Serve hot over boiled rice or boiled noodles.

VEGETABLE CUTLET

Ingredients:
Potato – 2 big, boiled
Onion – 1 big, chopped
Carrot – 1 big, chopped
Green peas – ¼ cup
Corn kernels – ¼ cup
Green chilies – 2-3, finely chopped
Ginger – 1”, chopped
Chopped coriander leaves – 1 tsp
Cumin powder – ¼ tsp
Turmeric powder – a pinch
Bread crumbs – 3-4 tbsp or as required ( I grinded fresh bread in blender and used the crumbs)
Salt

Cooking procedure:
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and add the onions. Sauté the onions till they become translucent. Then add the carrot and sauté for a minute or till the carrots become little tender. Remove the pan from heat and keep aside to cool. Take microwave safe bowl and add the green peas and corn kernel to it and microwave covered on high for 2 minutes. Then remove and keep aside to cool. Cut the potato into very small pieces and add them in a big bowl. Mix in the sautéed onions, carrots, green peas, corn kernel, green chilies, ginger, cumin powder, turmeric powder, chopped coriander leaves and salt. Mix everything well using hands. Then add the bread crumbs and combine everything. Make small patties of the mixture and shallow fry them on medium heat till they become golden brown. Serve with green chutney or cabbage salad.

CABBAGE SALAD
Ingredients:
Shredded cabbage – 1 cup
Tomato – 1 big, thinly sliced
Mayonnaise – 2-3 tbsp
Red chili sauce – ¼ tsp
Salt
Pepper

Add all the above ingredients in a bowl and mix everything well. Keep aside for flavors to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.