Quinoa Venn Pongal

Venn Pongal is something that brings back fond memories of my childhood. Any chance my brother, Advaith & I get to eat Pongal, we would do complete justice to it. It was just amazing how we gobbled up so much.
Pongal was a standard breakfast for both of us whenever we travel. Our parents could blindly order a plate each. 
There's something about Pongal. After all its just "paruppu sadam" but something makes it very special. Probably its all the ghee, curry leaves, pepper, ginger, that is added to make it flavorful. As I have become a little more conscious of what I eat, the best substitute for the normal venn pongal is the Quinoa venn pongal (Still makes me want to hit the bed right away). Absolutely delicious without the "Carbs."
Now I make it quite often since Arun likes it and we have this innate feeling that we are eating healthy :)

Quinoa Venn Pongal

Ingredients :

1. Quinoa - 1 cup (make sure its washed and cleaned)
2. Moong Dal/ Pasi Parupu - 1/2 cup
3. Whole Black Pepper/ Milagu - 2-3 tsp
4. Ginger - 1 inch piece cut into tiny pieces ~ 2-3 tsp
5. Ghee - 2 tsp
6. Curry leaves - for tempering & seasoning
7. Cumin seeds/ Jeera - 2 tsp
8. Salt- to taste
9. Water - 3.75 cups of water

Procedure :

In a pressure cooker, pour ghee and add the black pepper, cumin seeds, ginger & the curry leaves. Once the pepper starts spluttering, add the moong dal and saute for 1 min. Do not let it brown. Now add the quinoa and pour the water and add the required amount of salt. Let it cook for about 4 whistles.
Once it is done, mash the pongal and check salt.

Yummy Quinoa Venn Pongal is ready to be served.

PS. Advaith would add another Tsp of ghee on his plate. You can add ghee & black pepper powder to suit your taste buds.
 

A New Adventure..

It has been a wonderful 1.5 years of being married and away from home, city, country. Initially it was difficult being a home maker especially for a person who loves to go out, travel and live life to the fullest. Even though I did not mind cooking, cleaning everyday, have never been able to explain to everyone how time flies through the day.
This blog is more of a personal journal.
Food- I live for
Exercise- A new found addiction
Travel- Passion

I was introduced to cooking at a very young age. My brother & I have done a whole of experiments in the kitchen during the hot summer afternoons when our parents were away or asleep. We would end up making something really tasty and with pride show it to our parents. Fortunately, they encouraged us. And thus began my interest in food. 
Coming from a huge family, I have eaten different styles of food & that is one of the main reasons for my love for food and cooking. Ranging from simple everyday south Indian cooking to north Indian dishes to Italian, Mexican, Continental,Thai,Mediterranean,Traditional Indian sweets to Cakes, Croissant to Ice creams, any type you name it, I have members in my family who are experts.We, as a family are not just interested in cooking but  are foodies too. It so happens that my husband, Arun loves cooking and is a foodie himself. So it has been even better after our wedding. We share the kitchen and bring out some yummy-licious food not just with the ingredients but a whole lot of our love for cooking in it. Off late we have been experimenting with healthy cooking & nutritious diet and I must say, we are pretty successful in that.
And so, a food-holic :)

I have never been the size zero person. I am one of those people who seriously believe in the quote- " I am in shape. Round is a shape." 
I would always start with the intention of following a regular exercise regime but my body would take over my mind and thus stop.
But now, thanks to Arun, I have begun to enjoy it. I am definitely not aiming to be a size zero but  want to be fit. I do see a whole lot of difference in me, not just physically but mentally as well.
I have become more confident, spirited and motivated. I am just into this for the past 6-7 months but loving every bit of it.
A definite new found addiction.

"Miles to go before I sleep" has a number of perspectives, but to me it is just direct. I have a whole lot of places, I would love to visit. Not just traveling but hiking, trekking as well. This is another common interest that I share with Arun. He loves outdoors, adventures and we find a lot more happiness in it, since both of us love it! We are planning to visit different places, try out different adventures. Right now we are trying to tick off some of the items off our bucket list.
Traveling is our passion.

In this blog, I am going to share some of my favorite recipes, healthy eating, workouts, exercises and also share my travels & adventures. This is my first attempt, therefore making it simple.
I am definitely not here to give advice to home makers but just share my hobbies and intersts.

Adventure Begins...