Whole Wheat Naan

Butter Naans are an all time favourite bread for most people. However it is usually relished only at restaurants and seldom made at home. 

One of these days I had some kneaded chappati dough ready at hand, however that was not sufficient for dinner. I also had some dough left over from the pasta I made the previous day. The experimental me wanted to attempt making naan with the left over pasta dough which came out just perfect. Thus came my naan recipe. 

Prep Time            10-20 minutes

Cook Time           10-20 minutes 

Resting time 45 - 60 minutes. 

Ingredients 

• Whole Wheat Flour - 2 Cup  

• Salt - as per taste 

• Oil - 2 Table spoons 

• Water - as needed to make a soft dough. 
• Seasame Seeds - to sprinkle
• Kalonji - to sprinkle
• Corriander - 1/4 cup, finely chopped 

Method

Mix together the wheat flour, salt and a table spoon oil, add enough water to make a nice soft dough. (do not make it too runny, as it gets difficult to work with post the resting phase). 

Cover and let the dough rest for a good hour. After about an hour, knead the dough for about 5 minutes and divide it into equal portions. You would be able to make roughly about 8 - 10 naans.    

Roll each portion out in the shape of the naan. slightly elongated from both ends. 

Once the skillet is hot, dab some water on the upper surface of the rolled out naan. ( not sure if you can see the layer of water on the rolled out naan in the picture below) 

Now, to put the naan the on the skillet, gentle pick up the naan from the work surface and place it on the skillet (water side sticking the skillet). 

In about a minute or two you would start seeing bubbles on the top, which means it’s time to flip

With the help of tongs, flip the tava over so that the naan faces the flame directly and let it cook for about a minute - minute and half. you would be able to easily tell if its done looking at the browning on the top. 

     

 

Once off the flame, apply a generous amount of butter and sprinkle some white seasame seeds, kalonji and coriander.  

Your piping hot restaurant style naan is ready to be served with your favourite sides! 

Virtually Yours
Aparna 

Emotional wellbeing and Motherhood

Happy mothers day to all the beautiful mommies reading this. Hope you had a lovely day with your dear ones. This mothers day was a lot more special as we got home our second baby boy who turns 4 months old tomorrow.

As women we play a lot of different roles in life. Motherhood however is very different for each one us, very special in its own way and the most emotional too. Not to forget its also the most chaotic and exhausting.

Our children constantly need us. Just like even after having kids of our own, we still at times need our moms. These needs are constantly changing as they age.

As they say, you can only give love if you have love within. You can only give good health, if you are healthy, you can spread happiness only if you are internally happy.

Which is why it is important for us to first take care of ourselves before we take care of our kids and our families.

Looking after your emotional health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

In all these years, I have never fully appreciated mental health or how important it is until I was pregnant with my second son.

Until then I had always put everything else ahead of my own needs and still do most times. I have to constantly remind myself and make a conscious effort to not do so.

But now being a mother to not just one but two, I realise that my mental health and emotional wellbeing is utmost important not only because I am human but because without tending to it and making sure I am my healthiest, I would not be able to cater to my children's need at the capacity they deserve.

Focusing on your emotional health isn't hard, but it may be an adjustment for you. Some simple and really enjoyable changes are all it takes to boost happiness and well being. Here are a couple of things you could do and experience all the positiveness it brings to your life -

1. Take care of your physical health

First and foremost you need to focus on your physical health. Healthy and nutritious food and adequate sleep is essential in well being. About 2-3 litres of water is required to keep your body well hydrated. Keep a large bottle of water and keep sipping throughout.

2. Get some fresh air

Target to get outdoors at least a couple of days every week. It could be a quick walk in your society or a run in your near by garden or even some indoor workout or yoga.

3. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a mental state in which you are completely aware in the present moment. For example, if you are cooking, your focus should be only on cooking and not on the zillion other things that are waiting for your attention. Doing so helps you in acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts.

4. Pursue some hobby  / activity 

Being a mother doesn't mean you sacrifice everything. Make time for yourself and for things that you like, that give you joy. Remember only when you are contended and happy can you pass on those to your children and family. 

5. Express yourself

Poorly managed or unregulated emotions can take a toll on yourself and your mental health. Take time to inspect how you are feeling and to declutter your mind.

6. Practice Gratitude 

When you start focusing on what you have, you automatically take your focus away from whats missing. Practicing gratitude helps you appreciate even the  smallest things that comes your way.

7. Ask for help - when you need it

We often shy away from asking for help. Motherhood doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself. An extra hand always help take the load off. Be vocal and ask for any help that you may need.

8. Spend time with people that you love / get along 

Your time is valuable. Who you choose to spend it with is a very important decision. A hearty conversation with your loved ones helps take away the stress. Besides good conversation, hugs and kisses and cuddles all release oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) and lowers blood pressure and cortisol (the stress hormones). So the more love you show the better you feel. 

The bottom line is pretty simple: take time for happiness, constantly be aware of your emotions and feelings and declutter them as needed. Remember - You cant pour from an empty cup. 

Yours Virtually, 

Aparna 

Spinach Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Ravioli with rich creamy white sauce

IbI have some fi

I had tasted Ravioli for the first time at an Italian restaurant in UB city in Bangalore. More than the food itself, its the memories of the restaurant ambience and company that i fondly remember. 

Since quite a while, i have wanted to attempt this at home, but had put it off considering the efforts involved and may be also because i wasn't sure how it would turn out. 

Ravioli is a traditional Italian food - a type of pasta with a filling enveloped in thin pasta dough. Usually served in broth or with a sauce.

Well well well, now heres how it is made - my version of it.. This is my first blog and i did not make it with the intention of posting it, so the lack of step by step pictures.. 

However i will try to explain to the best i can. :) 

Prep Time                20 minutes

 Cook Time           30-40 minutes 

 Resting time 1.5 - 2 hours

Ingredients 

For the Pasta Dough 

• All Purpose Flour - 1 Cup 
• Whole Wheat Flour - 1/2 Cup 
• Salt - as per taste 
• Oil - 2 Table spoons 
• Water - as needed to make a soft dough. 

For the Filling 

• Spinach - 1/2 cup finely chopped 
• Broccoli - 1/2 cup finely chopped 
• Onions - 1 finally chopped
• Cheese - 1/4 cup (I used Mozzarella Cheese, but you could use any as per your liking)  
• Butter - 1 spoon 
• Pasta Sauce - a spoon-full Optional  (I added this for some flavour that my almost 4 year old would like) 
• Salt  
• Chilli Flakes
• Oregano 

Creamy White Sauce 

• Butter - 2 Spoons 
• All Purpose Flour - 2 spoons 
• Milk - 1.5 Cup 
• Salt 
• Oregano 

Method 

To make the Pasta Dough 

Mix together the All Purpose Flour and Whole wheat Flour salt. Add the oil and mix well together. Add water little at a time to make a soft but not sticky dough. Kneed well for about 2-7 minutes. Let it rest for about 1.5-2 hours. In the meanwhile you could get the filling and sauce ready. 

To make the Filling for the Ravioli  

In a pan add butter, once its hot, add in the onions, let them cook for a bit and then add in the Finely chopped spinach and broccoli. Cover it with a lid and let it cook until its soft and tender. once cooked, add in the salt, Oregano, chilli flakes and one spoon of pasta sauce (marinara Sauce). I added this to add some flavours that my 4 year old is familiar with, you could skip this as well. However i must admit that it enhanced the taste. Once the spinach and broccoli are cooked well and the water has dried up, grate the cheese and add it in. Give it a good stir and turn off the flame. 

To Make the Creamy White sauce 

In another pan add butter, once the butter melts add the flour and mix well. The butter and flour mixtures appears like a crumble, slowly add in the milk and keep stirring. Its quite possible to get lumps, but keep stirring well until the lumps dissolve, after you have added all the milk, it slowly starts to thicken. At this stage turn off the flame. The sauce thickens once cooled so you may want to stop cooking while it is still a little runny. add in the salt, oregano and chilli flakes as per taste. 

To make the stuffed Ravioli 

Dust the surface you are working on with some extra flour so that the dough doesn't stick to it. Roll out the dough into a thin sheet. 

• With Ravioli mould  - If you have a ravioli mould you could use that. Place the rolled out sheet on the mould. Add the stuffing into the cavity and cover it with another sheet of rolled out dough. cut with the cutter, you would get small squares ready. 

• Without using a mould - Use a cookie cutter to cut small circles. place a small portion of the prepared stuffing into these circles and fold them in half forming a semi circle. Use a fork to make indents along the edge. 

In a pan boil water and drop the shaped pasta in the boiling water. Once it is cooked it floats and comes to the top of the water. Strain using a strainer once cooked. The cooked pasta is very delicate to handle. 

Platting the Ravioli

Place the cooked pasta on a plate and generously pour the white sauce over it and garnish with some halved olives. 

Family Goals for the New Year!

You are never too old to set another goal or dream another dream! – C.S Lewis

Welcome 2017!!

With this fresh start, we all breath in the excitement of a new beginning and look forward to 12 new chapters & 365 new chances.

Perhaps some of the most important resolutions you can make this year, will improve the quality of the time you spend with your family.

Here are 8 New Year’s goals for you and your family adapted from the findings after several years of research at universities and studying hundreds of families over a few decades. These practises have proved to improve the relations between couples, children, parents, siblings. Pick 1, 2, or all of these New Year’s resolutions and make 2017 the best year yet!

INVEST IN THE 'FIVE MAGIC' HOURS

Research displays that in most happy and long-lasting marriages, couples spend at least 5 hours a week of quality time together. It is important to make time for both emotional as well as physical intimacy. You could plan a date night each week. Have meaningful conversation. Take a stroll together. It’s important to disconnect yourself from the rest of the world and connect with each other at least for a couple of hours each week. Some of the most important moments you can take time for are right before leaving for the day and when you come together again at the end of the day. However, you and your spouse plan to do it, be sure to invest in the 5 magic hours

CREATE A FAMILY RITUAL

Family rituals or traditions have the power to give you a sense of identity, one-ness, and strength. For some families, it could be the way they plan their birthdays or anniversaries or holidays and annual celebration. For some it can be what you do Saturday evenings or could be a board game night every other week or may be a special Sunday lunch that they family makes together. Use the new year as an excuse to decide and practise a tradition that your family looks forward to.

DATES WITH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY

While it is important that the whole family spends time together, it is equally important that each member of the family spends some time with the other individually. This further strengthens the bond between them and gives you something to anticipate. It need not be fancy. It can very well be as simply as a trip to the grocery store with your daughter / son or a chat over coffee with your mom. A movie with your brother or a long drive with your husband. Give yourself the chance to spend some quality time and open up to the other.

START YOUR DAYS RIGHT 

In most families, the start of the day is the most chaotic where everyone is aiming at dressing up and getting out of the door. It is important to make your mornings more meaningful as that defines the rest of your day. Setting a good tone to the start of every day is one of the best resolutions a family can make. It just takes a little mindfulness, planning your day the night before and waking up just 30 minutes before your usual time. Even if time is short, pause, hug, smile, try to be helpful and kind. Starting well means children and parents alike can carry that feeling through the rest of the day.

PRACTISE GRATITUDE

Adopting a “gratitude practice” has proven to correlate positively with mental health as well as other aspects of health as well. Writing down or simply sharing and being vocal about things you are grateful for makes you feel more optimistic and better about your lives. This lets you appreciate the smaller things in life and be contended. This 2017, consider making a gratitude practise a family New Year’s resolutions, either by keeping gratitude journals or sharing things everyone is grateful for at bedtime each night.

DISCONNECT TECHNOLOGY 

One of the biggest barriers that eats up more than 75% of your personal time around family is our constant state of connection to technology. There can be no better time to make a change on this front. Choose to remove tech from the bedrooms at night. Create a family docking station within your home where everyone can plug in overnight. It keeps everything organised, charged and out of the bedrooms. The new year is also a good period to establish other new boundaries around tech use, where kids and grown-ups alike leave their devices in another room during dinner or during family time.

GET OUTDOOR 

As the grown-ups in the household, we can get so bogged down in the never-ending list of tasks on our plates that we lose touch with our playful sides. This year, give yourself permission to leave the dishes in the sink a little so there’s time to play silly board games with the kids or dust off your old tap-dancing shoes. Mom of two and parenting blogger Alison Tedford says her family’s resolution this year is simple: “Find more joy.” To them that means “more outdoor activities, buying a rec center pass, taking cooking lessons together, monthly family movie dates, weekly adult dates and weekly arts and crafts time,” she says.

KICK A HABIT 

Everyone has a habit we have been trying to kick off. Whatever habit you need to break, no matter how difficult it seems, know that it can be achieved. You can achieve almost anything with the right amount of willpower, support from the people in your life, and a realistic plan of action. Use this opportunity and think of that 1 thing you want to let go. Doing this together with the family, keeps you mindful of it and support from the family members goes a long way.