Most Popular Blog Topics 2018

Most Popular Blog Topics 2018 : Delicious recipes, Gardening tips, Restaurant reviews, Food health trends & so much more...

A major shoutout to all the lovely people out there! I want to express deep gratitude to everyone who liked my work and joined me in my journey all these years. I am forever grateful for the love, joy and friendship you have bring to my life. Thank you for your love and kindness. I appreciate it hugely, it spurs me on to create more better content for you!

As the new year begins, I thought I'd share 10 Most Popular Blog Topics 2018 based on number of views, social media shares, etc.

Here's a look on the Top 10 Blog Posts of 2018 

1. Stuffed Japanese Aubergine : These beautiful Japanese aubergines are stuffed with the delicious mixture of ginger, garlic, tomatoes, aubergine and a host of spices! This dish not only look beautiful but taste amazingly good! You can serve them as an appetizer or as a side dish.
Full story, recipe and more images

2. 10 Superfoods You Should Be Eating Right Now : Superfoods are the special category of foods that contain wide variety of antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins. These are great for your nervous system, offer protection against heart diseases, help in reduce inflammation, and support the immune system. Find out more about the best superfoods in this post.
Check out our top 10 superfoods here.

3. How to Plant, Grow and Care for Dahlia flowers : Dahlia are incredibly beautiful and vibrant flowers, comes in exciting array of colors, adding spectacular beauty throughout summer. It's surprising, how many people think that Dahlia is hard to grow, but it's absolutely not, you just need to know the basics.
Full story, tips and more images..

4. Vibrant Vegan Buddha Bowl : This vibrant vegan buddha bowl is packed with grains, nutrients and tons of veggies to fuel your body and mind. This fast and easy salad come together in just 10 minutes. It's exciting blend of flavors, textures and colors will keep you wanting more! This recipe is completely vegan and gluten-free. This colorful buddha bowl makes a perfect lunch or light dinner!! Also, my most liked photo on instagram.
Full story, recipe and more images..

5. 5 Best Food Places In Shimla You Must Visit : Breathtaking landscapes, colossal mountains, luxurious valleys, quirky, fun, eccentric, cafes and restaurants, Shimla has everything to charm you with it's timeless beauty and delightful culinary experience. Here's our take on the Shimla's 5 best food places!
Full story, review and more images..

6. Paneer Nugget Casserole : A healthy, quick and easy side dish that combines the meaty texture of soya nuggets and paneer, studded with capsicum, tomatoes and peas, and, flavored with a medley of aromatic herbs and spices.
Full story, recipe and more images..

7. Paneer Tikka : Paneer Tikka is an authentic Indian dish made from chunks of paneer and vegetables marinated in yogurt and spices, skewered and grilled to perfection! It's a perfect starter for any barbecue or theme parties.
Full story, recipe and more images..

8. 8 Mindful Eating Tips To Help You Eat Better : Eating mindfully is the practice of being aware of all your senses in the present moment. It helps us to develop a positive and a truly healthy relationship with the food. Make peace with your mind and try these 8 simple mindful eating tips and get results.
Full story and more images..

9. Mint Coriander Chutney : Mint Coriander Chutney is a delicious appetizer with lots of of tangy and exciting flavors to it. They are perfect accompaniment to any meals. It pairs well with salads, chips, and taste great when spread on sandwich and wraps.
Full story, recipe and more images..

10. Shahi Tukda Recipe : A rich and creamy Indian dessert, where fried bread pieces are dipped in cardamom flavored milk syrup, layered and finished off with some crushed almonds, cashews and pistachios. Be it adult or kid no one can resist this irresistibly dish rich yet light simple dessert.. Also, my most liked tweet and most liked post on facebook.
Full story, recipe and more images..

Which is your favorite blog topic? Which is your favorite category?
I hope you enjoy this post.. Happy 2019!

Sending an abundance of love to you all!
X
Anshika

Masala Khichdi | Vegetable Khichdi Recipe | Makar Sankranti Khichdi

What could be more wholesome and comforting than a big bowl of masala khichdi. A full meal on it's own and super easy to make! If you are looking for something hearty and warm, make this dish immediately.

Khichdi is a common delicacy to eat during Makar Sankranti. It’s a comfort food as it is quick to prepare and light on stomach. 

Sankranti also known as Pongal, is the ‘harvest festival’, falls on the 14th of January each year. This festival marks the beginning of spring season and is celebrated with lots of pomp and fervour. Making Khichdi is just a part of the celebration.

Khichdi is traditionally made with rice and lentils, tempered with Indian spices. It’s a nutritious meal for both kids and adults, and mostly considered as a sick food. 

Masala khichdi is a delicious take on the famous traditional Indian khichdi. It's a fulfilling meal where rice and lentils are cooked with vegetables and fragrant spices. Not only it’s healthy, it’s a soul satisfying meal with versions that are so different depending on the regional influences. 

Unlike other traditional simple khichdi recipe you’ve seen, this recipe is made with lots of veggies and flavourful spices. It’s a satisfying dish, perfect for lunch or dinner. 

Vegetable masala khichdi can be cooked in one pan but I like to cook the dish in two. I pressure cooked rice and lentils for 2-3 whistles, and cooked vegetables in a separate pan. This also retained the texture of rice and lentils and saved lot of my time. 

It’s an open end recipe and it’s variations are endless. I added moong lentils you can use any lentil of your choice. You can add veggies of your choice and add brightness to your dish. I added loads of seasonal vegetables like; potatoes, onions, fresh green peas, capsicum, cauliflower and carrots, and, tempered with fragrant whole spices - cardamom, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin seeds and pinch of asafoetida, along with some ginger, garlic, green chilis.

Top it with ghee and accompany these delicious dish with yoghurt, pickle or papad. You can also make this dish without onion and garlic on the eve on Sankranti. And, if you want to make this dish vegan, than substitute clarified butter with your choice of vegan oil. 

Do try this recipe, I'd love to hear how it turns out for you?

Masala Khichdi

Yield: 4-6 servings

Preparation time: 15 minutes 

Cooking time: 30 minutes 

Author: The Food Root

Ingredients 

1/2 cup rice,

1/2 cup moong lentils

2 tbsp clarified butter (ghee)

1/2 tsp cumin seeds 

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 cloves

1 bay leaf

1/2 inch ginger, grated

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

2 green chillies, finely chopped 

1 onion, chopped 

1 tomato, chopped

1 tsp salt or as per required

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp red chilli powder 

3/4 tsp coriander powder

1/2 garam masala

1 carrot, chopped

1 potato, chopped

1 capsicum or bell pepper, desseeded, chopped

1/2 cauliflower florets, chopped

1/2 cup fresh or frozen green peas

5 cups water

handful of coriander leaves

Directions 

1. Wash rice and moong lentils together. Allow them to soak for atleast 15 minutes.

2. Drain the excess water and transfer them into the pressure cooker. Add some salt, turmeric powder, bay leaf and 5 cups of water and pressure cook it for 2 whistles on medium flame. When done, keep it aside.

3. Meanwhile, chop all the veggies; potatoes, onions, tomatoes, capsicum, cauliflower, carrots and keep it aside.

4. Heat a pan over a medium flame, add cumin seeds, cinnamon and cloves. When the seeds starts spluttering, add pinch of asafoetida.

5. Add ginger, garlic, green chillies, onion and some salt. Sauté everything together and let them turn golden in colour on medium heat for at least 3 minutes.

6. Next add chopped tomatoes. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, till the tomatoes starts to soften. Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and coriander powder and mix it well. Let the mixture cook till the oil separates.

7. Add all the chopped veggies; potato, fresh peas, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower in the pan and give it nice mix. Cover with a lid and lower the heat from medium to low and cook for 4 minutes.

8. Remove the lid and cook the mixture for next 5 minutes, on a medium flame. Stir it occasionally.

9. Add add cooked rice and lentils in the pan and toss it with the vegetables mixture and continue to mix together for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame. 

10. Now, add some garam masala at the end and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

and turn off the flame.

11. Now, transfer the Masala Khichdi to a serving bowl and and garnish it with fresh coriander leaves.

12. Serve it with yogurt, pickle or papad and enjoy!

Notes

1. Soak rice and lentils for atleast 15 minutes .

2. You can use any type of lentils, but I prefer using moong lentils as it taste the best and it’s light on stomach.

3. To make this dish vegan, substitute clarified butter with your choice of vegan oil.

4. You can add your favorite veggies of your choice.

5. You can add more water later to adjust the consistency of the khichdi.

6. You can cook this dish in a instapot or a pressure cooker. 

7. Spices like cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf can be avoided. You can make it according to your taste and requirements.