This Mother Day - A Tribute

Wishing all my readers a very happy mothers day weekend. I know a mothers job never ends, as stressful and tiring the role is the rewards outweigh, there is noting more rewarding and satisfying then being a mother. The journey is challenging, at times scary but it's all worth it. This mothers day I would like to wish my mom, my role model and my hero a very happy mothers day and wish her nothing but the best, may god shower you with good health and peace of mind and heart. Amma no matter how old I get I always look up to you for your guidance and looking forward to seeing you soon.


This mothers day I would like to pay tribute to my another hero, my biggest proponent, well wisher and role model, my Grandma or as I call her ammuma. My grandma got her angel wings early April, I miss her quite a bit. Being the eldest granddaughter comes with perks and one such perk is undivided attention, love and affection of grandparents. My mom says that I practically grew up at my grandparents my first year and never had my feet on ground. I am a staunch believer in "Karma" and wonder I must have done something right in my previous life to have been blessed with so much love and affection from grandparents on both sides.  Growing up with grandparents is amazing, though it seemed at times annoying being told what to do and how to live, it's only later I realized how much of what I do and behave today is because of the values that they have inculcated in me. Respecting others, being honest, believe in hard work rather than luck, saying prayers and most importantly learning to be content. As I said my elders have always been a major influence in my life. Even today when I go to bed crying or with worry I see my grandparents in my dream, may be brain looks for a place of comfort and for me its always been my grandparents.

My beautiful and amazingly loving ammuma

My grandmom as I remember was the sweetest soul, universally loved by sons,daughters, daughter-in-laws,son-in-laws,extended family and dotted by grand children. She had that charisma to make you feel absolutely special, I am sure all my cousins would nod in agreement. All our summers and every other vacation was spent at my grandmom's home. She would spoil us with all sorts of goodies and best part she would give us money to go watch movies which at the time was the most coolest and greatest thing to have happened to us.

Last month when my cousin called and mentioned about my grandmom passing away, I was in shock and it was hard to control tears rolling down. My grandmom had a fulfilled life and seen all her kids and grand kids settle and she was at peace. I missed her and wanted to feel her presence, I went home and opened my box of treasure - a box filled with letters from her and various others. She was so regular about writing to me, she wrote till as long at 2006 and then when her eyesight deteriorated it was mostly a phone call. Looking back every letter had pearls of wisdom, always telling me eat right, be patient with kids and most importantly urging me to come back to India and stay close to my mom. Must mention her letters were long, sometimes as long as ten pages, it felt as though she was talking to me in person. Some void cannot be filled, though I know she is at peace it's hard to imagine not being able to see her and feel her soft skin again.

Life moves on and I guess she will stay in my memories and watch me even closer and guide me as I traverse my life. Miss you ammuma, tears roll when I say this.

Happy Mothers day, make everyday count and enjoy your blessings.

Masala Dosa- Savory Masala Crepe-Breakfast,Lunch or Dinner

Masala Dosa- Savory Masala Crepe-Breakfast,Lunch or Dinner

This sure is the longest hiatus from my blog and I sure have my reasons for the absence.April has been one of the most hectic months I have had in years, so many moving parts to deal with. Started remodeling our kitchen and anyone who has been through this process can vouch how energy draining this process can be. Finding the right contractor, finding right materials,picking right colors etc etc, boy choices are endless making this process as complicated it can get. Never the less its absolutely fun to see your choices come to shape. I am hoping the renovation to be done in next few weeks and can't wait for life to get back to normal.

This post was in drafts since weeks and no better time revisit the classic south Indian breakfast "Dosa". Dosa sure is an south indian favorite breakfast, crispy,spicy and absolutely delicious when accompanied by scrumptious chutneys.  

Dosa is very easy to make, all you need are few ingredients and oodles of patience.

Ingredients for Dosa Batter

3 cups rice

1 cup urad dal

1/4 cup channa dal  - for the golden color- optional

1/2 cup of Poha - makes dosas fluffy and spongy - optional

For potato filling

3 potatoes boiled and peeled

1 cup of cooked peas

1 onion sliced finely

1~2 green chilies chopped finely

for seasoning

2 tbsp of oil

tbsp of mustard seeds

tbsp of jeera/cumin seeds

3~4 curry leaves

1/2 tbsp of turmeric

salt according to taste

To make potato filling

1. Heat oil in a pan, when oil gets warm add jeera,mustard seeds and allow mustard seeds to splutter.

2. Add curry leaves,onion and saute till onions turn translucent

3. Now add potatoes,peas, turmeric and salt and mix well and allow to cook for 4~5 minutes

4. remove from heat and keep aside to stuff dosa's.

For Dosa's

1. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and add water till all of them are well soaked.

2. Allow them to soak overnight, over the years I have learnt that longer you soak the better the dosa.

3. Now grind all of them into a batter with spreadable consistency, use stone grinder for best results.

4. Key for better dosa's is batter consistency, too thin its hard to keep the structure and thicker the batter dosa does not cook well, hence consistency is key should be runny but not too much.

Preparing dosa's

1. I use my aged prized cast iron tawa, you can use any non-stick tawa for the same result.

2. Heat tawa, if there is one trick to perfect dosa it has to be the temperature of the tawa, too hot and dosa sticks and not enough temperature same story. It takes time and experience to get it right, dont worry if dosa sticks, clean the tawa and start over again.

3. A tip mom gave was to rub the tawa with onion cut in half and this gives a non-stick effect to cast iron tawa.

4. Take a ladle full of batter and pour in the center and spread quickly into a circle.

5. Take a tbsp of oil and pour over the sides of the dosa's, this is what makes those crispy edges and spongy center.

5. Spread a generous dose of red chutney powder

6. Now add potato filling in the middle

7. Fold dosa in half and add a dollop of butter on the top

8. Serve hot with choice of chutneys and sambar

Now no dosa is complete without a perfect piping hot filter coffee

so here's to summer ........

My yard was beaming with beautiful Jasmine till few days back now its filled with trash from the renovation, can't wait to get back to normal. Wish me luck !!

Savory Soy Crape - Heart Healthy - Soya Dosa

Savory Soy Crape - Heart Healthy - Soya Dosa

As a food blogger  I am always on the lookout for new ingredients, recipes, methods of cooking or cooking gadgets. I love flipping through food magazines, browsing food catalogs, walking through the aisles of speciality food stores or sampling food at the farmers market. I get really worked up and get inspired to cook should I find that unique recipe or an ingredient. As much as I cook regular food everyday, I make it a point to try at least one new recipe every week. Some times it's a hit and some times it goes straight to the sink.

Last few weeks back had my yearly physical checkup, as a part of the checkup doctor always makes it a point to mention regular exercise, limited carbs and diet rich in protein and dietary fiber for a healthy heart and mind. Being a vegetarian finding good sources of protein is quite challenging but thanks to stores like Traders Joe you find a variety of options, inspired by the quest to find high protein sources brought soy bean flour from Traders Joe.

 

Dosa's or crepes are always a favorite at home, so decided to make savory soy bean flour dosa's / crepes. Simple and easy to make and best of all no preparation required ahead of time.

Ingredients
Makes for about 6 crepes

1 Cup Soy bean flour
2 tbsp rice flour
1 tbsp of Besan(Chickpea flour) (optional)
1 tbsp sooji rava (optional)
1 red onion finely chopped
1 Carrot finely grated
1 green chili sliced finely
1/2 cup fresh corriander chopped finely
2 tbsp of yogurt( optional)
Salt according to taste

Process
1. Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl and add water to make it to consistency a little thinner than pancake batter.
2. Heat a tawa/griddle, when hot ladle batter into a circle and add little bit of oil around the edges.
3. Allow to cook for about 30~45 seconds and turn around and cook on the other side.
4. Remove from heat and serve hot.

 Soy crepe or dosa can be served with Peanut chutney or your choice of chutneys featured on this blog.

Healthy eating does not have to be hard and time taking, you just have to look around and there are a tons of options for easy and delicious recipes.

Have a great week ahead everyone.

Methi Cauliflower Parata - Fenugreek Cauliflower Stuffed Bread- Step by Step in Pictures

Methi Cauliflower Parata-Fenugreek Cauliflower Stuffed Bread

Lot happening yet falling short of words to write. Today's post will be sweet and short and not to mention mouthwateringly delicious.

Made Fenugreek Cauliflower Stuffed paratha's couple of weeks ago, here goes the recipe in pictures

Ingredients

Fresh ingredients

1 bunch of fresh fenugreek leaves/Methi- washed and roughly chopped

1 medium size cauliflower chopped into florets

1 cup cilantro cleaned and chopped roughly

2-3 green chilies adjust according to taste

Dry ingredients

1 tbsp of tumeric/haldi

2 tbsp of garam masala

1 tbsp dry fenugreek/kasoori methi

1 tbsp of jeera/cumin

1/2 tbsp of saunf

1/2 tbsp of amchoor/dry mango powder

Salt according to taste

For Paratha/bread

2 cups of whole wheat atta/flour

pinch of salt

2 tbsp of olive oil

and about a cup of water

Process

1. In a food processor add all fresh ingredients and process finely

2. Now add dry ingredients and run through the processor once again till both fresh and dry ingredients mix well.

3.Cauliflower sheds water; at this point you have two options one to work quickly and roll out paratha's  before it starts shedding water or to leave for about an hour or so and drain water out and adjust for salt and other flavoring accordingly.

4. Now prepare dough for roti/bread by mixing all the ingredients mentioned. This truly is an art that takes time to master. getting the consistency correct is always a challenge, to little water makes for hard roti and too much water makes it very hard to roll. So adjust accordingly and don't worry if it seems hard, trust me it gets easy with experience :)

5. As shown in pictures above take a table tennis sized portion of the dough, roll into a circle and add the filling and close into a pouch and roll out into a roti.

6. Heat a tawa/flat pan and when it gets hot add the roti and let it cook on both sides for about 1~2 minutes on each side.Add a tspn of oil around the edges

Remove from heat and relish hot with Raita, makes for a delicious lunch/dinner. Hard to stop at one trust me.

Spring is in the air and last weekend went on a short hike and put my new Canon 6D to test, very impressive camera I say.

Change is beautiful especially from winter dormancy to the vibrant spring full of color and bloom.

Have few personal deadlines to finish, here's hoping to finish all of them before the end of the week.wish me best.

Previously blogged Paratha's recipes here 

Spicy & Healthy White Beans Chaat- Curb Those Evening Cravings/Hunger Prangs

Spicy & Healthy Beans Chaat- Curb Those Evening Cravings/Hunger Prangs

Healthy snacking is a challenge, at the end of the day when I get home from work, I am a hungry puppy looking for food. The temptation to eat fried snacks or piece of cake with a cup of tea is very enticing. It's really hard to walk away from these temptations. Over the years I have learnt to curb or at least contain these temptations is to not buy or have these treats accessible easily, I figured if I see/have them where eye can see I end up eating them and then the guilt wave takes over. As they say necessity is the mother of invention, with no fried treats I was forced to look for alternatives. Last few years I have learnt to be cautious of what I eat and keep healthy snack choices like fruit, healthy bars, baked goods with whole grain, fresh carrots always available. This did help me to an extent and healthy snacking has become a part of my DNA. That said I do fall of the wagon once in a while and like everyone else inch back or try inching back :)

Of all the treats, Chaats are the hardest to let go, tempting Pani Poori or Bhel Poori makes me drool. I think what makes these so tempting are the complex and delicious flavors sweet, spicy, tangy, salty and the crunch adds to deliciousness.

Making chaats without fried Poori's is not that hard, it the flavors that makes these so tempting, now by replacing the fried stuff with healthy alternative you get best of both worlds delicious chaat and low fat and guilt free.

Made this healthy white bean chaat few weeks ago, simple, flavorful and totally customizable to your taste and did I say low fat

Ingredients
1 cup of white beans soaked overnight and pressure cooked for two whistles
1 red onion cubed finely
1/2 cup raw mango(optional)
1 tomato chopped finely
1 Jalepeno /green chili diced finely
1 cup fresh corriander chopped finely
tbsp of fresh mint
juice of one lemon/lime
For Chaat Masala's
2 tbsp of Chaat masala, I use MDH
tbsp of rock salt
1/2 tspn of jeera/dhania powder cumin/corriander(optional)
1/2 tspn of Amchoor or dry mango powder
1/2 tspn of red chili powder
and salt according to taste
Process
1. Remove beans from the pressure cooker and drain and pat them dry
2. Fry these beans in a tawa/fry pan without any oil for about 2 minutes tossing once in a while.
3.Now remove from heat and add to a bowl big enough to hold all fresh ingredients and convenient to toss.
4. Now add all fresh ingredients and then all dry masala's and give it a good toss.
5.Check for salt and adjust accordingly

Serve at room temperature and with a bowl of fresh juicy strawberries and enjoy a snack guilt free.

Hump day is almost over and so looking forward to the long weekend.

Saag Paneer/Mustard Greens & Paneer - Soul Food

Saag Paneer - Soul Food

Food evokes memories the smell, the taste, the flavor. Few weeks back got some goodies from India, the moment I pop those treats I was transported instantly. Memories of grandparents, cousins, summer and vacations were involuntarily invoked. Though its been fifteen years since calling US my home still memories are as vivid as yesterday, the power of affection, love and care I guess. As my kids and I create and weave our memories I wonder what would they remember the most.

Few years back my husband and I took a mini vacation within our vacation in India, we toured  THE vibrant Rajasthan, we went to Jaipur, Udaipur and Ranthambore National forest. One of our most indulgent trip ever. We stayed at Vanyavilas in Ranthambore and after a day on an open jeep safari trying to catch  glimpses of the Tigers, we were exhausted. Vanyavilas is hands down the very best resort I have ever stayed, I was treated like royalty to a point that it got tad uncomfortable :). That night I remember we were treated to one of the most royal meals ever, ate scrumptious Rajasthani food. The food, the ambiance, the service stuck like a snapshot. After two days in the forest we returned to Jaipur to catch a flight back home, this was an over night journey by car. We were warned of robberies on the highway and were made cautious, now that was enough to keep both of us awake and both of us hardly blinked through out the drive. We both we hungry and yet were scared to stop on the highway, finally driver persuaded us and we decided to take a break at a well lit Punjabi dhaba. I guess it was fear combined with hunger we ate as thought it was a first meal after years, and what we were treated to was Saag Paneer and Makki da roti, dhaba food came as close to royal treat at Vanyavilas san the price.

Made Saag Paneer this weekend and all I could think about was our trip and the unreasonable fear we experienced. 

Mustard greens/Saag is in season, love the beautiful color of the flowers. Today's recipe takes less than 15 minutes from finish to start. Mustard Greens/Saag is healthy and is rich in vitamin A and Vitamin K.

Ingredients

about 4 cups of chopped and cleaned mustard green

1 red onion

4-5 garlic pods chopped finely

about an inch of fresh ginger chopped finely

2-3 green chillies

1lb of Paneer cubed 

1 cup of coriander 

2 tbsp of Garam masala

2 tbsp of corn flour for thickening 

tbsp of Tumeric

tbsp kasoori methi (dry fenugreek)

tbsp red chili powder

salt according to taste

Procedure

1. Clean mustard green and dice onion finely.

2. Heat a pressure pan add 2 tbsp of oil, when oil gets warm add turmeric, garam masala, ginger,garlic,green chilles.

3. Saute for 30 secs or so and then add red chillies and chopped onion.

4. Saute till onions turn golden brown

5. Now add mustard green and salt and about two cups of water and pressure cook for about three whistles.

6. While greens are cooking, add a tbsp of oil in shallow pan and add cubed Paneer and saute for about a minute or two and keep aside.

7. Once pressure cooker cools down, open the lid and using your hand blender, grind the greens into a fine paste. Adjust for salt.

8. Add corn flour and mix well and allow to cook on slow

9.Now add Paneer and mix well.

10. Let Saag cook for about 5-6 minutes on slow flame.

Saag Paneer goes very well with roti or Jeera rice which I served last week.

As I said earlier food evokes memories and this brought some really special ones. Weekend is almost here, have a good one, it's going to be one busy one for us.

Some Fun, Corky,Creative and Absolutely Funny Discoveries

Weekend is almost here, wanted to share with all of you some funny,corky, and absolutely creative artists/website that I follow. Hope you guys like them as well, click on the link to be directed to FB page. 

Truly Indianized products via Chumbak

One of the very creative artist Anand Prakash check out his out bookmarks here

Doors to expressions

Opening doors to intriguing views, images, nostalgia and lifestyles

Via K.R.Santhanakrishnan

                            The definitive guide to South Asian lingo Via Samosapedia

Seriously Corky Aunty acid on FB

Old Vintage Indian Photographs FB link here

Have a good weekend everyone !!