Mixed Vegetable Rava Kichari or Kaara Baath

Here is the most wanted recipe for Mixed vegetable Rava Kichari or Kaara Baath. I first tasted this in Bangalore along with kesari baath and I loved it so much. It's very easy to make and healthy, delicious at the same time!

Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes for 3 - 4 people.

Ingredients:

1. Ghee roasted Rava - 1 cup
2. Water - 3 cups
3. Canola oil - 6-7 tbsp
   
4. Grated ginger - 1 tsp
5. Green Chilies - 1 or 2 (depending on taste)
   
6. Chana Dal - 1/2 tbsp
   
7. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
   
8. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
9. Cinnamon - 1 tsp
10. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
    
11. Asafoetida powder - pinch
12. Tomatoes - 1 medium sized, chopped
    
13. Cubed carrots, bell peppers, peas - 1/2 - 2 cups
14. Ghee (Clarified butter) - 2 -4 tbsp
    
15. Lemon juice - 2 tablespoon
16. Salt to taste
17. Cilantro for garnish
18. Ghee fried Cashews, raisins (optional)

Method:

• In a wide and deep pan, add 1 tbsp oil, Chana Dal and cumin seeds. Once it turns a little brown, add the chilies and ginger.
  
• Add water to the pan.
  
• Next add the vegetables, salt, cinnamon, turmeric, asafoetida and allow the water to come to a complete boil.
  
• Pour the roasted rava into water and add remaining oil and stir the mixture well.
• Allow it to cook for 5-6 minutes and stir often so that it doesn't stick to the pan.
• Add ghee and cashews/raisins to the kichari. Once it appears that the rava is cooked, add the spluttered mustard seeds. Pour lemon juice and garnish with cilantro.

Offer it to Lord and then enjoy!! Let me know how it turns out. I will post a pic soon!

Seven layer cookie bar

I have tried this recipe a few times and it comes out well and also liked by my family members and friends. It's easy to make and can also be made in bulk for very special occasions.

Cooking time - 25-35 mins
Prep time - 10 mins

Makes 40 cookie bars of medium size.

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2. 1 1/2 - 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (needs to be crushed in blender if you buy Graham crackers).
3. 1 can sweetened condensed milk
4. 1 cup of white and 1 cup of brown chocolate chips (can be in any proportion depending on taste) - Alternative: this can be replaced with carob chips if you prefer.
5. 1 1/3 cup flaked coconut
6. 1 cup chopped almonds, walnuts, cashews

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Melt butter in microwave by warming it for 1 min.
• In a 13 x 9 inch baking pan pour butter. Sprinkle crumbs over it to form an even and uniform layer. If the crumbs are not enough so as to cover butter completely, you can mix more graham cracker crumbs as needed. Press the crumbs onto the pan with a spoon.
• Next, pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs.
• Add remaining ingredients in that order. Press down firmly.
• Bake 25-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Check the oven after 25 mins and thereafter every 5 mins to see the color of the cookie bars.
• Cool before cutting and making into pieces.
• Offer it to the Lord and then, enjoy!

Let me know your comments after you have tried it.