Broccoli Clear Soup with Whole Black Peppers

While the folks in the northwest took the brunt of the severe snowstorm  we got our stash this past weekend, the first of the season. It settled down for about 3 - 4 inches, quite low for this time of the year was what I heard. Anyways here's another super healthy soup to keep you all warm through this winter weather.
 I learned this recipe from the Chef Jacob's morning cooking show in the TV. My MIL who does'nt know how to cook broccoli and was always wondering how to cook it according to our taste , now makes this soup regularly at home. The whole peppers are the star ingredients in this recipe rather than broccoli as it gives the otherwise bland vegetable a spicy makeover. I have used carrots in this recipe to make it more interesting for my son but its optional, it adds a nice color to the soup though.

Ingredients.
2 cups broccoli cut into florets.
1 cup of diced Carrots(optional) 
2 tsp whole pepper
3 tsp whole jeera
4 large cloves of garlic sliced thin
1 medium onion sliced thin


Method
In a sauce pan, add about a tsp of olive oil.
Add the whole pepper and jeera. When the jeera splutters add the garlic and onion.
Saute fora minute and add the broccoli florets and carrots, saute for 2 mins. Now add the required  amount of water and salt close with a lid. 
Allow it to boil for 15 mins in medium heat. Take care not to over cook the broccoli .
Serve hot with dash of  crushed pepper.

Don't keep aside the whole peppers in the soup, thats what brings out the flavors in this soup. Try to take it along with the broccoli and you will not regret it.

Notes.
Always cook the Broccoli to a correct consistency, a little but on the crunchy side. Otherwise the taste becomes very bland. So make note of the time, when you make the soup for the first time. I cook it for for about 15 - 20 mins on low heat.


I bet this soup makes you hungry after 20mins. Make a perfect appetizer.


You can also use the same recipe to make a cauliflower and carrot clear soup too.

Linking this to Priya's Healthy diet - Warm Soups Event. Have Fun.

Spicy Spaghetti with Broccoli

Spicy Spaghetti with Broccoli
This pasta recipe does not require any creamy sauce or tomatoes.It just absorbs all the spiciness from the seasoning and can be had on its own.It can also be served along with some interesting side dish such as chicken/eggplant  parmisiana or with some oven roasted vegetables.
This recipe is adapted from the FoodNetwork website and is by the Chef  'Giada De Laurentiis'. I love all her recipes especially the veggie ones, very simple yet delicious.

Ingredients:
200gm packet of Spaghetti Pasta.
1 broccoli cut into florets
4 cloves of galic finely chopped
1 tsp of dried oregano
4 - 5 red chillie broken

Method.
Cook the pasta as per instructions.

Save some of the liquid about  half a cup while draining the pasta.

In a wide pan add 2 tsp of olive oil.

Add chopped garlic and the redchillies to the hot oil.

To this add the broccoli florets , oregano, sprinkle some salt,  give it a stir .
Now add the reserved water from the pasta and let it come to a boil.
Add the cooked pasta and mix well till all the water is absorbed by the pasta

Serve with any of your favorite side dish.

Here is another recipe - Veggie Lasagna adapted from Giada De Laurentiis Food network recipes, which I cherish the most. This dish is loaded with vegetables rich in vitamins and antioxidants. I had posted this recipe in 2006. Reposting  the picture and the link here again just for you all to have a glance and enjoy.

Both these pasta are going to the pasta party by Jyoti at Panch Pakwan

Broccoli Kootu - From My Rasoi#4 - March, Fusion

From My Rasoi #4 - Fusion.
Broccoli Kootu:

Though I am learning new things everyday to upgrade my Blog in all possible ways, I have decided to take my blog to one step higher by participating in the From My Rasoi event conducted by Meena of Hooked on Heat.
This is one of the Blogs which inspired me greatly when I used to be hooked on to the internet surfing through the blogs.I completely read through the write up given by Meena for the last months event Cooking with Love and have also tried some of the receipes.
Hence my decision to participate in this months event.

Coming to the topic , its a great way to bring us aside from our conventional cooking and put some thought and time into something new. Hey ..thats how great receipes are created right!!
My Receipe for this event is "Broccoli Kootu".Ya... I here some of you sighing and saying "no broccoli", but beleive me its a great vegetable when cooked right.
When I first came to US , I used to hate this vegetable like anything, I dont know why may be the colour or the texture.But when I started eating out and started trying different cuisines I could not miss the fact that broccoli is used in most of the dishes. One day on my husbands compulsion I started tasting this vegetable and to my surprise it was great.Thus my affinity towards broccoli started growing. So When I saw the event's topic on Meena's blog, I could not start thinking anything else but Broccoli.This receipe has been a huge hit in my house.Nowadays we are making this atleast once a week.Here you go...Enjoy and send in ur comments.

Broccoli Kootu:

Ingredients:
2 medium sized Broccoli crowns.
1 medium size onion
1 medium size tomato
1 tsp chilli powder.
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 cup moong dhal.(yellow split dhal)

for tempering:
1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp urad dhal.

Note: Broccoli is very delicate, so it should not be over cooked.

Method:
Cut the broccoli into bite sized florets.
First cook the moong dhal, so that its not over cooked.It should be partially cooked(like sundal).
Now take a tsp of oil in kadai, add the ingredients for tempering.When the seeds pop add the chopped onions and fry well.Now add the broccoli florets(washed and drained) and stir well.
Add turmeric, chilli powder and salt to taste, stir well. Now add the chopped tomatoes over the broccoli, do not stir, close the pan with lid and allow the vegetable to cook in low flame for 5 mins.If you stir after adding the tomatoes it will become mushy. Now open the lid and add the cooked moong dhal and stir well.Allow it to cook for 3 mins and switch of the stove.

Sometimes I just eat the whole bowl of this dish by itself for dinner. Hope u all enjoy too.