Lil Powerhouses

~ Little Fibre Powerhouses ~

( Bottlegourd Rissole )

This week is one of the most wonderful weeks for me, a few of my 
works will be on air. Couple of weeks back I  got a mail from the 
production department of the famous US Television talk show-
Dr. Oz Show  that they  want to use a few of my fun food 
images for an upcoming segment. I have always admired 
Oprah Winfrey and Dr Oz, n my works on their show is definitely 
nothing like a dream come true. Finally its scheduled to air
 this  Friday. So all US viewers tune in to Dr. Oz Show 
on 9th Nov, 2012 to see my fun food creations. 

Kids, Fun foods and healthy cooking go hand in hand and hardly
 do we realize how a recipe that had come up as a solution to feed
 a fussy eater slowly becomes a family favorite. A few changes
here and there and off its ready to fit into so many avatars...
Strange, isn't it??? but then thats what life is all about. 

Loved by adults and hated by lil ones , the humble bottlegourd is no less 
than a miracle vegetable. This easy on stomach vegetable with a slightly 
mild (read bland) flavour , loads of fibre n excellent nutritional benefits 
mostly receives a very unwelcoming gesture from the kids - right from 
cribbing over its sqishy sqashy taste to nicknaming it -food for the sick, 
kids try all their might to keep at bay from it. But concealed or rather 
revamped as rissoles, cutlets or patties this calcium rich vegetable
 can give a run to numerous tiffin snacks . 

As per wiki- Rissoles are small croquettes or patties enclosed in 
pastry or rolled in bread crumbs . While the traditional version 
uses minced meat along  spices, breadcrumbs and seasonings this 
baked meat free version is a combination of shredded bottle gourd,
 wheat bran ,oats,spices n seasonings. Pack these in a kiddo lunch 
box or pair these with some garden fresh salad and some Greek
 Tzatziki  for  a wholesome lunch. Substitute these little fibre 
powerhouses with potato patties in a burger or with the tikkis
 or ragda patties for an Indian chaat. A good squeeze of lemon n
some fiery red chilies will leave even  the adults craving for 
a guilt free  second helping .


 Bottlegourd Rissoles 

Ingredients- 
1 large bottlegourd peeled and grated ( approx. 2 1/2  cups grated), 
1/4 cup wheat bran , 1/4 cup Quaker Oats , 1/4 cup bread crumbs
(  grind 2 whole wheat bread slices ), 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp
freshly grated ginger , 1 tbsp finely chopped  coriander (cilantro),
1 tbsp finely chopped mint, 1 tsp cajun spice ( or substitute with 
 garam masala) , salt n chili to taste, oil for greasing
Method-
Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt on grated bottlegourd n keep aside for 7-8 
mins. Squeeze  and keep in a large bowl. Mix in the rest of the
 ingredients. Shape into 7-8 patties . Preheat oven to 200C and 
grease a tray with some oil - bake the rissoles for 15 mins , flip 
and bake for another 10 mins. Serve hot with Tzatziki or your
 favorite dip n some fresh salad.

For Tzatziki dip -Mix together 1/2 cup thick yogurt,  1/4 cup 
cucumber seeded n finely diced, 1 clove garlic grated, 1 tsp chopped
 fresh dill n some salt n pepper .