Red Swiss Chard and Lentils

The word Swiss was used to distinguish chard from French spinach varieties by 19^th century. 

The chard is very popular among Mediterranean cooks.

Swiss Chard is high in vitamins A, K and C with one cup containing 214%, 716%, and 53% of the recommended daily value. It is also rich in minerals, dietary fiber and protein.

Shoj likes these green because they look similar to the kerala red cheera (greens). I didn’t want to make the usual cheera recipe but wanted to try something new out of these greens. So I ended up in this recipe.

Ingredients:

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1 bunch Red Swiss Chard washed and chopped finely

½ cup Whole green moong dal/moong bean

1 medium Onion chopped

½ cup Red lentils

3 dry Red Chilies

2 pods of Garlic chopped

Salt to taste

½ tsp Mustard seeds

¼ Cumin seeds

¼ tsp Turmeric powder

¼ tsp Asafetida

1tsp Oil

Method:

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1. Wash the lentils and cook them in pressure cooker for 1 whistle.

2. Wash and chop the red swiss chard finely.

3. In a pan add oil and when it is hot add the mustard seeds and when they sputter add asafetida, dry red chilies and chopped garlic.

4. Add the onion and sauté it until the onions turn transparent.

5. Add the swiss chard and cook them on medium low flame/ until cooked.

6. Add the cooked lentils and salt and turmeric powder and cook for another 5 mins or until all the ingredients are well blended and soft.

7. Serve this hot with rice or as a side for any rice recipe.

Microwave Ragi Laddoos

Had Some Ragi Flour, awaiting my attention in my freezer, tried making these Laddoos!!! The Laddoos tasted amazing!!!! The Taste of Ragi blended well with the Dessicated Coconut  and Cardamom added that extra flavor and made the laddoos taste Divine!!!

To My Surprise, Even my Son, had a full Laddoo!!! So, it is Definitely a hit among Toddlers too!!!! Come on Give it a try and let me know!!!

Ingredients (Makes 5-6 Laddoos)
3 tbsp Ragi Flour
1 tbsp Dessicated Coconut + 2 -3 tsp for coating the laddoos
2-3 tsp Ghee
3 tbsp Powdered Sugar
2 pods Cardamom
2-3 tbsp Milk

Method

In a Microwave Safe Bowl, Add ghee and Ragi flour and Microwave high for 4 minutes, Stir, after every 1 minute. Powder Sugar and Cardamom together. Once the Ragi is done in the MW, take it out, add Sugar and Dessicated Coconut, Mix well, Spread on a Flal plate, let it cool for a minute or two. Add Milk little by little and make balls out of the flour mix. Roll them, with some Dessicated Coconut. Do this immediately, else the laddoos might become a bit dry on the outer and coconut will not coat well on to the laddoos.

Sending this to Srivalli's Kids Delight - Finger Food  and 365 days of Microwave Cooking @ 
Cooking 4 All Seasons 
And also to Celebrate Sweets - Laddoos, happening @ Nithu's Kitchen, Event by Nivedita

Year Round HVAC Repair and Maintenance

Let the Season Be Your Guide to Fixing and Maintaining Your Home Heating and Air Conditioning Systems!

At some point in your homeownership, you’re going to have to call an HVAC technician to service your home’s heating and cooling system. Whether you need furnace repair, someone to take a look at your air conditioner, or a professional opinion on the state of your ventilation and ductwork, a reliable HVAC technician is your best bet.

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Spring HVAC Repair and Maintenance:
Early spring is a great time to have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected. If there are any problems or necessary repairs, you can have them completed well before the warm summer weather sets in. That way you can rest assured that your air conditioner will kick in without issue when you need it most.


Summer HVAC Repair and Maintenance:
It goes without saying that summer is one of the busiest times of year for HVAC technicians. But if you’re having trouble with your system there are a few simple do-it-yourself tricks to try before you call a pro. Make sure your air conditioner is clean from dust, dirt, and debris. Change the filter monthly. Check your thermostat to ensure it’s working properly. If you still can’t figure out the problem, call a professional HVAC technician but expect a bit of a wait, as summer schedules can fill up quickly.


Fall HVAC Repair and Maintenance:
Toward the end of summer and into the fall, think about calling an HVAC technician to schedule a furnace tune-up and ductwork cleaning. Postponing this crucial step can put you at the end of a long line of other customers or worse—stuck in the cold without a working furnace on that first chilly autumn morning.


Winter HVAC Repair and Maintenance:
If you need service in the winter it’s likely that your furnace has stopped working. But before you call a professional, do a few quick checks on your own. Start with the furnace pilot light and make sure it hasn’t gone out. Then check the thermostat to see that it’s working properly. Be certain that all floor and ceiling registers are open.

Sometimes, simply replacing the filter furnace can improve your system’s function. You’ll certainly have to hire a pro if none of these produce results. If you do need to call a technician, don’t delay. Putting off furnace repairs can lead to even more serious (and costly) problems like frozen or burst pipes, carbon monoxide poisoning, and system-wide damage. You can generally expect a quick response to a call for help during the winter, as HVAC professionals understand the urgency of furnace problems at this time of year.



Related HVAC Repair/Maintenance Information from Horizon Services...

• Horizon's $89 Pre-Season Furnace Tune-Up Offer
• Horizon Service Partner Plan
• Horizon Heating Services
• Horizon Air Conditioning Services
• A Precision Tune-Up is Your Air Conditioner's Best Friend!
• 101 Ways to Save Energy and Money in Your Home
• How to Choose the Right Contractor