Five Minute Wonders - Tasty Soy Nuggets Side

This is a five minute life saver during times of emergency, especially if you have some soy nuggets boiled in and left over for later use.I made this during one of those times when I was tired and got up a bit late to do preparations to cook a main dish and a side for lunchbox purposes.I had boiled these Soy Chunks the previous day with the intention of using them in a gravy for Chappathis and since I thought so much was not required, I drained them and squeezed the water out and stored them in an air tight contained for later use.
The preparation for this recipe is very easy and can be done in a jiffy.

Tangy Steaming Soy Side

Ingredients:

Soy Nuggets: 1 Cup
Onion: 1 Medium chopped finely
Carrot - 1 Medium peeled and grated
Sweet Corn Kernels - 1 Small cup or a  handful( frozen may be used)
Salt - 1 Tsp ( Adjust according to taste)
Chilli Powder - 1 Tsp
Jeera Powder - 1/4 Tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Tsp
Mustard - 1 Tsp
Jeera - 1/2 Tsp (Optional)
Green Chilli - 1 Small (Optional)
Coriander Leaves - A Small Bunch finely chopped
Oil- 1- 2 Tbsp
Lime - 1/2 (Adjust to taste)

Ingredients

Method:

1.Keep a vessel of water to boil with some salt and soak the soy nuggets in boiling water for some time.The nuggets will become soft and increase in size.Drain the water and add some cold water, so that it is easy to handle.Squeeze the nuggets well so that the absorbed water is well drained.You don't want this side to turn out soggy.

Add salt to boiling water

Adding Soy Nuggets in

Draining The Water Out

Squeezing Out Water From The Soy

Soy Nuggets Ready For Use

2.In a heated Kadai, pour oil and add the mustard seeds and Jeera.Once they splutter, add the onions, green chilli and corn.Stir for a while until the onions are well cooked.

Add Mustard And Jeera To The Oil

Adding In Onions, Corn & Green Chilli

 3.Add in the salt, Chilli Powder, Jeera powder and Turmeric powder and stir well.

Adding The Powders

4.Add in the grated carrot as well and stir well.

Adding In The  Grated Carrot

5.Add the Soya Nuggets in and give them a toss so that the spices are evenly coated over the nuggets.

Adding In The Soya Nuggets

6.Leave in low flame on the stove for 2- 3 minutes.
7.Remove from the stove and add in the Lime juice.

Adding In The Lime Juice

8.Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.

The Final Touch - Garnish With Coriander Leaves

9.This is a good side dish for Kootu, Sambar etc.
10 The light hot and tangy taste will be enticing and refreshing.
11.It can also be eaten as a light finger food for evening snacks for the kids.

Some Tips and Time Savers:

• For 5 minute preparations, you need to have the  boiled and squeezed Soy Nuggets in hand.Since the first step can be done ahead, you can do it the previous day or before to save you time
• Lime Juice in the end gives a tangy flavor to the dish.This is very important for the right taste.However, you may try using amchur powder if Lime is not available in hand.
• Coriander leaves add the final touch of beautiful specks of green  with the brown, orange and yellow colors of the dish as well as brings in its own flavor to the dish.You do not want to omit them.
• The oil may be adjusted.The suggested amount ensures that there is enough oil for the Soy Nuggets to get a thorough coating of the spices.
• Boiling the Soy nuggets with  some salt helps the nuggets to absorb some salt so they do not taste bland.