Roasted Eggplant and Garlicky Dip

This is such an easy and healthy dip that would go well with pretty much everything. It tastes great with dosa, cooked rice, toasted bread, pita chips and crackers. The garlic adds so much flavor, the red onions give it a nice crunch and the chunky eggplants adds a great texture. And last but not least, you will get a guaranteed 'good great job' pat from your spouse just like i did. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

2 medium Eggplants (or 1 large)

10-12 Garlic pods

4 small Green Chilli (finely chopped)

1/4 cup Red onion (finely chopped)

1/4 cup Cilantro (finely chopped)

2 tbsp Olive oil

Salt

 How to:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Wash the eggplants, cut the stem off and make 4 slits lengthwise.

• Open the slits gently and stuff the garlic and green chilli.

• Place the eggplant on a foil, sprinkle salt and drizzle olive oil over it.

• Wrap the eggplant tightly and place it in a oven safe dish and bake for an hour.

• Once baked, remove the foil immediately and carefully slide the roasted eggplants into the dish.

• Cut  the eggplants and mash'em along with the skin and check the salt for taste.

• Let it cool completely, add the onions and cilantro, mix well.

• Serve at room temperature or chilled with chips or crackers.

Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

Well, its another way to add some healthy crunch to your diet. Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber. These roasted chickpeas are pretty addictive and keeps your bag of potato chips at bay. It is a great on-the-go snack and you can munch anytime guilt-free. What more to say, snack on it and you will love it just like i did. Here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans (soaked)

1/2tbsp Olive Oil

1/2tsp or less Chilli powder

Salt

How to:

• Pressure cook the soaked chickpeas for 2-3 whistles. (Alternatively, you can use canned garbanzo beans. Make sure you rinse thoroughly and pat dry.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Lay the chickpeas over a paper towel and dry'em completely.

• Place them on a baking sheet and add the oil, chilli powder and salt.

• Mix'em with your hands and make sure they aren't crowded.

• Bake for 45 mins, until crispy.

• Let it cool on the sheet before storing it.
• Serve as a evening snack with tea or coffee.

Spiced Roasted Nuts

'A handful of nuts a day keeps your bad cholesterol away'. If you are not into raw nuts, try spicing it up and eat'em to compliment your naturally healthy diet. This is such a simple recipe and makes a great on-the-go snack with a spice kick. You can experiment with the spices and play with the recipe. Also try mixing some sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds along with the nuts. I always eat'em raw with my morning oatmeal bowl. Go healthy! Go Nuts!

Ingredients:

1 cup Whole Raw Almonds

1 cup Whole Raw Walnuts

1tsp Chilli powder

1/2tsp Coriander powder

1/2tsp Cumin powder

1/4tsp ground Cinnamon

1/4tsp Black Pepper powder

1/2tsp Salt 

1tbsp Olive oil

How to:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a bowl, mix together the chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, cinnamon, black pepper powder and salt(i used a little less than 1/2 tsp), followed by the oil.

• Now add the nuts and mix well to coat the spicy masala.

• Spread the coated nuts on a baking sheet and roast'em for 10 mins by stirring twice in the middle.

• Let completely cool and store'em in an airtight container.