Greens in Sesame Seed Sauce

This nutritious recipe is yet another one using sesame seeds. Normally thick stems of Amaranth leaves are used.These thick stems are known as "thotakura kaadalu" in Telugu{Indian language} which are available sometimes.The gravy can be flowing or thick and is made with rice and sesame seeds.This simple recipe is very nutritious and serves three to four people.

Ingredients	Quantity
Freshly Chopped Amaranth Leaves	3 cups
Garlic Cloves (Optional)	6 to 7
Dry Red Chillies	3
Black Gram Dhal (Urad Dhal)	1 tsp
Benga Gram (Channa Dhal)	1 tsp
Mustard Seeds	1 tsp
Cumin Seeds	½ tsp
Asafoetida (Hing)	¼ tsp
Oil	1 tsp
Rice	3 tbsp
Sesame Seeds	3 tbsp
Water	as per requirement
Salts	to taste

Method

1. Soak the rice and sesame seeds in water for twenty minutes. Grind this along with two red chillies and salt into a fine paste with water and keep it aside. This will be about half to three fourths cup.


2. Take oil in a pan and add the urad dhal,channa dhal,mustard seeds,cumin seeds,asafoetida and one red chilly and fry till the mustard seeds crackle.


3. Add the garlic cloves and fry for a minute and then add the chopped amaranth leaves and little salt. Stir fry the greens without covering so that the green colour remains intact.


4. Then add the rice, sesame paste to this and mix well.


5. Lower the heat and cook till the paste is cooked.More water can be added if necessary.Remove from heat.


6. Serve this hot with rice or chappatis.

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Sesame Rice

Rice can be made in a different way with the flavour of seasame seeds or gingelly seeds added to it.Sesame seed are rich in minerals,dietary fiber and monounsaturated fats. They help to reduce blood cholesterol,enhance the immune response and decrease the risk of cancer. The are used in Asian ,Meditterean and Middle East cooking and is one of the oldest oilseed discovered.In this recipe other than sesame seeds coconut gratings or peanut powder can be used. This recipe is gluten and casein free and serves four people.

Ingredients	Quantity
Cooked Rice	3 cups
Sesame seeds{Til Seeds}	¼ cup
Red Chilly	2
Cumin seeds	1 tsp
Mustard Seeds	1 tsp
Curry Leaves	a few
Salt	to taste
Fried Cashewnuts	a few
Pappads (Fried or Microwaved)	2
Oil or Ghee	1 tsp

Method

1. Take a pan and roast the sesame seeds and red chillies till light brown. Cool and powder them coarsely and keep it aside.


2. Take a bowl and add the hot cooked rice.


3. Add the powdered sesame powder,salt and mix.


4. Take oil or ghee in a pan and fry cumin seeds and mustard seeds and curry leaves.


5. Add this to the mixed rice.Take the rice in a serving bowl and garnish with fried cashewnuts and broken pappads.The pappad pieces have to be added for garnishing just before serving otherwise they become soft.

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Peanut Burfi

Ingredients	Quantity
Roasted Peanuts	1 cup
Jaggery	1 cup
Sesame Seeds	1 tsp
Dry Coconut Powder	1 tsp
Water	¼ cup
Ghee	2 tbsp
Khus Khus (Poppy Seeds)	1 tsp

Method

1. Take jaggery in a pan and add little water and cook till it becomes thick syrup.
2. Add the peanuts, sesame seeds, coconut powder and poppy seeds and stir.
3. Cook the mixture till it becomes one mass and leaves the sides of the pan.
4. Grease a plate with ghee and pour this mixture and spread. Cut into pieces and cool them.
5. This can be stored.

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