As I type this post, I can hear the pitter-patter of the incessant rain and cool wind gush outside my window. It has been pouring cats and dogs since morning and the dull weather isn't helping me stay focused on work at hand. Instead, my mind is wandering in hundred directions, especially towards something deep fried. Usually I am reluctant to heat a pot of oil but today, I gave in. Sharing a easy and fool proof recipe for Medhu Vada as we call in South India. It is one of most adored breakfast dishes and sometimes, we get down to enjoy these as appetizers/snacks. Don't miss out on these golden brown beauties. Enjoy.
Don't we all miss those memorable moments of our past? Those tiny incidents that warm our hearts and bring a smile on our faces even today. Well, my short stint in Bangalore sure had many moments to cherish. Eating in Iyengar bakeries was just one of them especially when the weather is slightly cooler than normal. Today's recipe Iyengar Bakery Style Vegetable Masala Bread Toast was made to reminisce & celebrate the time spent in the beautiful city of Bangalore. The intention is also to break the dry spell of no-posts happening on this blog since May and be more regular with my updates. Enjoy...
I am a late bloomer when it comes to reading books. Except for text books and occasional Secret Seven pickups from our school library, my childhood was very pretty unadventurous. Then a time came when I was living all by myself in a foreign country and a stranger (who later became my roommate and a good friend) inspired me to delve deep into a regular reading habit. It started small and now, it has become an integral part of who I am. It took me beyond just pure literature. Reading (especially food fiction) helped me develop an awareness that is very hard to describe or put in words. When I read a recipe now, I can imagine myself cooking one step at a time and almost taste an imaginary version. :-) Today's recipe - Kale, Potato and Tomato Mini Frittatas is I must say an upgraded version of a potato chip topped frittata I usually make for breakfast. If you don't have muffin cups, simply make an omelette out of the egg mixture and you are good to go!
Out of all the vegetables I like, Cauliflower is my most favorite. I sneakily add it to my pastas, stuff into my bread, simply fry it and even use it as a substitute for an authentic meat dish. Today's recipe 'Oven Roasted Cauliflower with Tandoori Masala' too is an adaptation of Melissa Clark's popular recipe which I already made it for the blog. When done right, I believe there is nothing that beats a humble cauliflower dish. So, when the awesome people at Recipe Redux gave 'Spring Cleaning' as a theme for this month, I raided my pantry for a condiment I hardly used before (Tandoori Masala, which I got in the goodie bag of IFBM 2014), grabbed a cauliflower (I always have one in my fridge), tossed everything with good olive oil and let the magic happen. Except for the few stirs in between while the veggies are roasting, there is not much to do for this dish. Yet, when served hot, it will amaze you on how incredibly flavorful it is. :-)
My breakfast on most of the weekdays is an everything bagel with either cream cheese or an omelette sandwiched in between. Just like in my house, am sure by the end of week, there are a few bagels, more than a day old - just lying around on many kitchen counter tops. They are usually semi-hardened, hard to chew and I just can't bring myself to throw them into the bin. Today's recipe Bagel Chips is one easy idea to turn them into flavorful, healthy snacks. They are unbelievably easy to make and in less 20 minutes you have a jar full of chips to munch on. Whip up a batch of these for your next potluck party and they're oh-so-perfect for scooping with your favorite dip!
Today's recipe is a simple, tangy and fulfilling snack that is so versatile to add anything you fancy and forgiving enough when it comes to ingredient amounts - Peanut Chaat. Not just during monsoons, this can be enjoyed as an appetizer on a papad canape maybe? or as a healthy salad anytime and any season. And while you are at it, don't forget to leave a comment on this post to mark your participation for the TWO book giveaways (Day 2) Scroll down to the end for more details. If you haven't tried your luck already, do leave a comment in yesterday's post as well. Good Luck! Click here to access all book giveaways on a SINGLE page.
I follow and read many inspiring food writers. Through them, I learn how to find the right words and express my feelings and various food experiences. One of them is Judith Jones and she once said - "One of great virtues of cooking for oneself, you have only yourself to please. If a dish isn't quite right, you'll eat it anyway and improve on it next time". But, what if the dish turns out so good that you are tempted to write almost immediately on the blog, share with others so that they can make some too!. For my Saturday lunch last week, I made some Garlic Tostones with rice & beans, ate alone, all by myself. It was just perfect, mopping the last bit of beans with a crispy fried plantain tostone. From the moment I bookmarked it and to the point I ate the first bite, I was fascinated and eager to try the combination. These little munchies were all that it promised - simple-to-make-crispy-pleasure-bombs. Ok, I will STOP right here. :-) Read on and get the recipe.
I love featuring those Indian food recipes that are easy to whip up and remind me of home every time I make them. All my childhood, breakfast on every Sunday was either Mysore Bonda or some kind of Vada, served with a chutney or sambar. When memories are attached to food we eat, they taste even better. Isn't it? Today's version of vada has cabbage and onion that are dunked in ground urad dal. Just remember soaking the dal an hour before and there you have it - crispy and crunchy fritters ready to be chowed down in minutes!
There are few recipes that you know will be loved so much that you got to make them again and again! It's just that instinct I guess or the sheer simplicity. Today's dish Crispy Hedgehog Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs fits perfectly into such a category. Very similar to hassleback potatoes, this is one other fun way to roast potatoes. It hardly takes any effort for preparation and doesn't need much attention as most of the cooking is done in the oven. If you are short on time and need a quick appetizer for your next house or potluck party, look no further. Hedgehogging spuds is the way to go!
It’s 22nd of the month again and that means, it is time for another edition of Recipe Redux and time to share a new recipe that fits the theme. Don't these bread tartlets look super cute? It doesn't take much time to make. Go on, bring out those day old bread slices and jazz them into such pretty savory bites. The variations for filling are countless and it just depends on the ingredients available plus your imagination.
Today's recipe is for the letter J, picking up from where I left off for my A to Z Andhra Recipe blogging. Cashew Nut Fritters (or Jeedipappu Pakodi as we say it in Telugu) is an highly addictive, easy vegan snack that can be made in a matter of minutes. Every evening, almost every roadside shop (especially the ones beside booze shops!!) fry up a big batch of munchies like these. Though high in calorie and cost, when eaten in moderation there is nothing as delightful as a crispy cashew pakoda with a cuppa of hot chai. :-)
Learn how to make an easy vegan appetizer recipe that is sure to please your friends and family. 'Hara Bhara' literally translates to 'All things Green'. Though traditionally it is spinach that is used for this recipe, feel free to replace with any firm greens on hand. Taste will slightly vary and I recommend blanching them lightly before using in the patty mixture. As an accompaniment, try this killer no-cook coriander chutney (from BongMom's cookbook ). :-)
I still remember, it was about 5 years ago, a perfect sorts of evening - when it was slightly drizzling outside and I was sitting by the side of our window with a pen and a pencil, to jot down those few things I want to do before I turn 30.
“I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” ~ Mark Twain, "Tom Sawyer Abroad"
It's Sunday today and we are making french toast. yes, that egg-y bread lightly fried in butter and there are plans to make it even better by topping it with some jam-y goodness. The ingredients that you need to make a french toast are quite simple. I have tried a spicy, savoury version many times before but today's recipe kicks that out of the window to become my hot favorite way to eat breakfast, any day, any time!.
How do you like your french toast? - sweet or savoury? with fruit or without? with tea or coffee? what is your favorite accompaniment? I am all ears for what you have to say! :-)
Just when I thought that food memoirs are getting one-dimensional (read as boring), I stumbled upon Sandeepa's new book which she penned based on her childhood memories of being a bong. In her introduction page she says - "This is my story, but it might well be yours and may be even yours". That's so true to its every word.
I think am one of the very few out there who conveniently despised the taste of peanut butter all of childhood. My ex-roomie always had a super big jar of peanut butter from Costco during my graduation days right on the top of our fridge and I never, ever was even tempted to have some. Such was the dislike.
Fast forward..few days ago..when I was hunting down the aisles for a particular brand of jam, I literally stopped on my heels when a bottle of peanut butter just tumbled down into my shopping cart. I dutifully was about to put it back, that's when my sister asked - Why do you hate it? I didn't have an answer for her. That's when I decided to give this a try. Not as a the very popular peanut butter and jelly sandwich, am not yet ready for that. As a soft, chewy cookie may be? That's today's recipe - Peanut Butter Cookies.
Enjoy!
I especially enjoyed these with a glass of cold milk on a hot summer day!
Today's recipe - Cornmeal Crusted Potato Wedges is a result of one such quest to experiment with this humble vegetable. This dish enjoys being different and scrumptious at the same time. These are so yum that once you taste it, you are bound to return for more with an instant craving. I promise.
I have never played Holi (the festival of colors) ever in my entire life (except for once when I HAD to stay back at my friend's place). Neither did TH. Yes, we do believe in its true essence which is victory of good over evil, a common theme that runs through almost every Indian festival. Holi also waves goodbye to winter(which we never had) and welcomes spring(when is that? Its already so hot!) in a rainbow of its colors...
All my childhood, I have seen my parents lock the front door and all four of us stay indoors, gorging on delicious food, playing games or spend the day watching TV. Putting up a lock outside was important to make believe the outside world we were out of station. The plan worked for quite a few years but later my friends figured out the secret. But still couldn't do anything about it as they used fear the wrath of my father.
Essentially, Holi in our household is synonymous to family time and super delicious meals. With extra time on hand and nothing else to do staying at home, my mother used to make her famous biryani,korma, mirchi bajji along with many other delicacies. This year though, I chose to make something different for Holi. An appetizer that easy to nibble while staying in the house (in my case) and playing with colors (like many of you reading this post!). Both - the katoris and the filling can be made way ahead of time and can be assembled at the very last minute. Doesn't that serve our purpose to stay away from the kitchen during festival time? Yay!
Enjoy!
Besan Papdi Katori Chat
...Served! Holi hai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is Recipe 21 added to my 2013 Recipe Archive. Check out the rest of the recipes too!
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