Stuck at home with it raining buckets outside?
It’s a perfect opportunity to get kids involved in cooking and making it a fun teaching moment. It’s also a pleasant activity for keeping children engaged and interested.
So what do you prepare when the raindrops tap at the window?
Sweet corn hot chaat
Remember the roasted corn “Bhutta” that was a joyful treat in the rains?
That smoke scented treat that was available at every corner, freshly roasted and then smeared with that tangy lemon juice and chilli powder.
But if you need a variation on that traditional treat, here is a new age recipe that may be easier to eat.
Ingredients:
- Sweet Corn Kernels – 2 cups, boiled
- Potatoes – 2, boiled, peeled, diced
- Onions – 1 cup, finely chopped
- Tomatoes – 2, finely chopped
- Capsicum, (optional) – 1, finely chopped
- Cucumber(optional) – 1, peeled, chopped
- Lime Juice – 2 tsp
- Chaat Masala Powder – 2 tsp
- Cumin Powder – 2 tsp
- Red Chilli Powder (optional)– 1 tsp
- Plain Sev – 1 cup or as per taste
- Coriander Leaves – a handful, finely chopped
- Salt as per taste.
- Butter – 2 tbsp
Method:
- Heat butter in a pan.
- Add the capsicums, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and sweet corn.
- Saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add chilli powder, cumin powder, chaat masala powder, and salt.
- Mix well.
- Transfer to a plate.
- Add lime juice and stir once or twice.
- Garnish with plain sev and coriander leaves.
- Serve
Potato Wedges
That universal favorite! Fries are great to munch on any time of day, but there is a healthier version of fries that can be made as easily and is as much fun.
Ingredients:
- 4 medium-sized potatoes
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon red chilli flakes
- 3 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon rosemary (optional)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste (Optional)
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste or as needed
Method:
- Wash and peel potatoes. Cut into ¼ inch wedges.
- Pre-heat the oven at 200 C for 10 Minutes.
- Add them to a mixing bowl. Add olive oil, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli flakes, rosemary, Italian seasoning, salt and mix well with clean hands. Let all the potato wedges get smeared by oil and seasonings.
- Line a baking tray with aluminium foil. Arrange the potato wedges in a line.
- Sprinkle water in the baking tray.
- Bake this at 200C for 30 Minutes.
- After 30 Minutes, take out the baking tray and turn all the potato wedges onto the other side.
- Bake for another 20 Minutes at the same temperature.
- Serve with ketchup.
Gold in a cup
A sip of hot tea may be what the doctor ordered for you but for a change have this cup of gold along with your little one. It's just perfect for a cold rainy day. Cheers to good health!
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon turmeric powder or paste
- 2 cups milk of choice
- 2 tablespoon raw honey
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper powder (optional)
- 1 pinch saffron
- Few slivers of almonds
Method
- Add all ingredients to a small saucepan.
- Gently heat and stir to combine.
- Blend until frothy in a blender.
- Serve warm.
If you have any favorites that make this lovely weather even better, please share with us, and we can all enjoy it.
Children enjoy being part of activities that they usually see as an adult domain. It is also an excellent opportunity to stimulate interest in a lifelong skill. Enjoy!
Stay healthy, happy and warm this monsoon. Happy rain playtime!