“This is my
invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes,
learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!” ―
Julia Child That's exactly
why I simply adore her and I wish I was Julia Child's child
:P..Anyways,I do see a version of her in my mother (don't worry mom) and both are
definitely my cooking idols. All her quotes gives me inspiration to
cook more FEARLESSLY yet have fun...
Well,it is the most
beautiful season around - the only reason I tolerate winter --because
it is Christmas !!
Happy people,smiling
faces,glittering houses and stores,jingles everywhere,all wishing and
praising the lord,Christmas tree standing tall ,glamed and proud
everywhere , gifts wrapped for everyone,waiting for Santa's arrival
from North Pole followed by his reindeer ,elves and the fairy tale
begins - the season of red,green and white ...and almost every
kitchen is busy cooking /baking edible goodies ....mmm..Xmas is in
the air !
So,this
Christmas,I already started baking .....Just like
how I baked a moist yellow cake on a pizza pan on stove top last
year,this year I dared to bake fearlessly on the pan itself ...I had
an old,worn out pan sitting there like gloomy and useless and since I
believe more in recycling stuffs as much as possible (in a healthy
proper way of course)-from useless to useful ...So,I baked a moist
chocolate cake without an oven right on the stove top in a pan.
Well,seeing
is believing ! So,kindly watch myvideo
which has the moist chocolate cake recipe in it and
will show how I baked a cake without oven on stove top ,decorated it
with my edible Christmas icing....
May
your home be warm,your holidays grand,and may your heart be held
gently in the lord's hands.Happy Christmas my friends!!
“If
variety is the spice of life, then my life must be one of the
spiciest you ever heard of. A curry of a life. -Paul Child” ―
Julia Child, My Life in France
Do you know the savory,snacky,salty cousin of the famous Indian sweet,Jalebi ?? Well,if you ask me,it ought to be a "Murukku" or "Chakli" in Hindi .Murukku
is a very famous South Indian snack made with rice flour and Black gram
flour as the main ingredients plus other mild spices that varies from
state to state in India.Chakli on the other hand is the North Indian version made with an additional main ingredient,the besan/Gram flour/Chickpea Flour.They ,more or less, look twins :D.Murukku is made with a special cookware called Murrukku press a.k.a"Seva Nazhi" in Malayalam.
I've loads and loads of memories attached to Murukku which my amma darling used to make for us .During those days,it used to be quite time consuming as the Murukku maker,Sev Nazhi
used to be quite complicated one compared to the ones available
nowadays.You ought to have Sumo muscles or strength to press them into
aptly shaped murukks.
I remember how momma used to ask me to help her making those murukkus .Even though I used to be a little sumo :D ,I mean,chubby since birth and I had like Sunny Deol would say,"Dhaii kilo ka haath"and I would be praying ,"Daivammey minnichikkaney !" BUT "Ividey scene ellam contra" ; I would be pressing it forever and asking my amma,"Mom,is it poo*** yet..err ..something coming out ??" and my amma would be LOL'ing...and amma would say,"Molu poikkotto-amma pinne vilikyaam...joli kootadey "/my dear daughter go-study or play ..once I am done making will call you...don't increase amma's workload ...And I was like,"That's all I want to hear"..I would run for my life as if I just had a WWF with someone ...massaging my tender wriggly arms ...OH Lord!!
Once amma would
make them,I would be there without a call as if I was in an invisible
cloak before..I would better !..because on the other side my bro would
be also keeping an eye ....my mom would sense the trouble coming ..so
like clever kids,cleverer mom she was...she would hide lots of them in a
tin in our storeroom and she would keep another one exclusively for
us...She said it was an evening snack..but for me and my brother...it
was anytime snack....eeeehaaa....
And my mom and dad would be grinning like..."Look at them no one has to remind them to eat those snacks !!" Well,it was a competition at home !! Alas...since it was a snack,Bro Won !!
And
my next agenda would be where did mommy hide rest of them?...She always
hid it beside a long stick -like a reminder of the outcome if I or my bhaiya
committed any crime of stealing'em....So,I would with a deep sigh watch my mom
serving all the guests who would visit us ,sometimes distributed it to
our neighbours ,sometimes came as a surprise surprise in my lunch
box....My dear friends it was a biiig golmaal...
I never ate any store bought murukku
when I was little until I Left India.Then I don't buy snacks that much
even though I gain weight without so.However,if I am a sweet person ,my
hubby, just like my bro, is a snack person ..He loves murukku!!...And
I hate buying from stores as much as I can..So,I woke my mom as always
from sleep one day as if it was an emergency and took the recipe through
phone..And I've been making since then...My mother is very happy if she
comes to know that I am making exclusively for my hubby..which my
parents say is their priority ...(Otherwise they think he is starving :|
)...
So,though murukku is made with rice flour and black lentil flour
and some spices,my amma's version is exclusive one- one of a kind..all
my friends used to be a big fan of !....However,she used to wash
rice,dry it ,roast and grind it to make murukku traditionally ,my
amma suggested that I can also use the ready made rice powder as well
..so,as you might have guessed,I chose the latter easier version....
So,pls watch my quick video which has the Murukku recipe and will show you how to make a murukku Kerala style with my mother's secret ingredients that takes this murrukku
to an awesome another level...Not only that I also have a Christmas
DIY- my edible Christmas tree !! Pls watch to see how I made a Christmas
tree that I can eat !
So,what do you think,"Naughty or Nice " ?? Will you let the Santa know,I've a long list for him ,so pls share ;D...
How do you define soya chunks/nutrela/mealmaker ? If you ask me,I define them as "Vegetarian meat chunks" !! When I was little,I thought Soya chunks were nothing but meat pieces that my clever mommy darling mixed with lots of different vegetables like peas,carrots,potatotes etc etc to make her clever picky daughter EAT!
But the moment I put those chunks into my mouth ,I would realize how really clever I was :| ..well,it tasted like...blaaah..blue...bloop !! They tasted like some rotten vegetable flesh :P.. I simply hated those soya chunks in short,still I am not a big fan of them..but my better half is !! Well,there is a reason I call him my better version..for his choices are always...now for example,"ME" :D;D:D:P....OK jokes apart....like my mother would emphasize how nutritional they are,so does my hubby ...Guess what they are right...
Did you know ? Because I didn't !
According to the Ruchi nutrition website,Soya chunks contain about 54.2 gm of protein,more than the protein found in meats,eggs,milk and wheat.It also has all the necessary amino acids needed by the human body.
Since Soy contain,phytoestrogen,they may be useful for menopausal women especially easing the symptoms like osteoporosis etc..
Soya chunks are also good source of Vitamin Bs , Omega-3 fatty acids,calcium and iron.
So,nowadays,I am coming in terms with Soya chunks dheere dheere...Here is one Soya Chunk recipe in Mughlai style procrastinating in my draft quite long..it's time to publish it before passing it to new year...Well,new year's new resolution...before I enter the New Year and break it as always..Here is how I make a Nutrela soya chunk/mealmaker recipe in a Nawabi style....
Mughlai Soya chunk/Nutrella/Mealmaker
Ingredients
Soya chunks,soaked in warm water until puffed up- 1 cup
Green Peas,boiled - 1/2 cup
Carrots,chopped - 1/2 cup
Onion,medium,chopped - 1 no.
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp
Tomato,big,chopped - 1 no.
To Grind:
Cinnamon,1 inch
Cardamom - 1 no.
Cloves - 2 nos.
Peppercorn - 1/4 tsp
Coriander seeds - 1-2 tsp
Dry red chillies - 4-6 nos
Cashew nut,soaked - 1 tablespoon
Coconut ,grated - 2 tbsp
Oil /Ghee- 1-2 tbsp
Shahjeera - 1 tsp (optional)
Bayleaf - 1-2 no.
Salt to taste
Water -1-2 cups
Cilantro leaves for garnishing(optional)
Method:
Dry roast everything under "To grind" (except cashew nut) until it releases aroma.Once it cools,grind it into fine powder .Then add little water and grind again with cashewnuts to make it into a fine paste .Keep it aside.
Heat oil in a pan.Add shahjeera and bay leaves to it,saute for a few seconds.(Ghee will make it more yum)
Add chopped onion ,saute until they become translucent.
Add ginger-garlic paste,saute until the raw smell disappears.
Add soya chunks ,saute for a minute.
Add tomato,saute,cover it until tomato turns soft and mushy.
Now add the above ground paste to it.Saute for a minute.
Add water.Bring it to boil then let it simmer for a while until they thicken.
Add salt to taste.
Serve hot with rice,roti,puri,chapathi,parotta etc...
A royal edible dedication exclusively for my king !!
Eat,love,live deliciously,
Do you ever wonder why the heck is the vegetable "Lady's finger" called a lady's finger ?? Yeah,yeah,it is long ,slender just like fingers.I agree that ! However,look at those pointed tip,now,don't you think it should be called a "Witch's finger "? I mean look at my small,beauty full(well,in my dreams...),multicolored(except green) fingers ,they don't resemble that vegetable from any angle ...I think they are an insult to any lady of this world ..what say ladies ??
But you know what ,it may not be like a lady's finger but it sure is a lady's vegetable ..Why ??
DID YOU KNOW?
It has loads of folate vitamin in it which is good for pregnant women and the baby.
According to Southdreamz.com,these vegetables boost sexual vigour and reduces excess blood during menstruation .So,it is very good for ladies at menopausal stage .
Not only internally it nourishes, but also externally too,boil it in little water and that water can be used as a last rinse for dandruff free hair and for making it very shiny and jhalke jhalke -bouncy.
Now,dear men out there,don't be sad ...Awww..it is good for you too,in fact,for all...
Lady's finger is also one of the natural anti-diabetic vegetable available right in nature as it helps in controlling the sugar spike in the body ..
It is good for constipation,ulcers,acid reflex and soothes the bowel and the entire gastrointestinal track.
It has soluble fibers, so helps in controlling cholesterol and weight loss.
It is good for Asthma as well.
It has good amount of Vitamin A,vitamin C that can help in reducing the risk of any type of cancer.
It is also good for eyes ,bones and skin.
In US,UK,Philippines,lady's finger is known as Okra .In Hindi it is called,"Bhindi",in Malayalam,it is called,"Vendakka".So,today I am going to share a very simple Okra recipe,Vendakka Mezhukkupuratti in Kerala style ,a lady's finger stir fry in Kerala style.Not only that I will also show you how to make the okra less slimy or sticky .So,please watch my videothat includes the recipe and will also show you how to make a very simple lady's finger stir fry ...
Wish my fingers really looked like those lady's finger ,would have come out useful to scare my hubby ...hehahhooooo....
Did you know that a Banana stem is actually not a stem ? According to Specialityproduce.com, A Banana stem is actually a flower stalk of the Banana plant ; The thick stalk grows up from the ground and becomes the backbone of the Banana plant .(Man,like I mentioned in one of my previous post -the Banana blossom/Vazha koombu recipe ..looks like Banana tree has a complete identity crisis going on inside-out ! :P...) .Thanks Banana tree for making me realize how weak my G.K. is :| and how valuable you are !!
My mom is a big fan of these stems especially.Every single time she comes across this stems errr flower stalks (even if it is a phone conversation) ,her dialogue will be ,"Nallada,nallada,vaiittinnu nallada." meaning "They are really good..especially for your stomach .."
Amma darling is absolutely right it seems because these stems are made up of small fiber compartments .Once you try to chop it ,you will feel like a Dushassana from Mahabharata doing a cheer/vastra-haran of Draupadi(No pun intended !) - undraping/unwrapping its outer layer and its thready fibers from the Banana stem pieces forever .....
And as amma said,they are indeed good for stomach ,like she would always emphasize,they are the best detoxifier available in the nature .Because of their fiber texture ,the health benefits of a Banana stem are quite remarkable.
DID YOU KNOW ?
According to Ayurveda,Banana stems are diuretic in nature,so it can help in passing or dissolving Kidney stones-even lots of scientific research/studies have proved it .
Banana stems also act as laxative so good for curing constipation.
They are also good antacids and good for curing ulcers.
Just like the Banana,they are loaded with Potassium and Vitamin B6 ,which keeps Blood Pressure in check and also helps in producing Hemoglobin and insulin.
They are best for weight loss especially as a natural drink.
When it comes to making a recipe ,it can come out as little tricky especially,if it's your first time as they are made up thready fibers,and one has to remove them to get to the actual edible parts of the Banana stem. Banana stem recipes are mainly popular in South Indian cuisine ,like vazhaithandu kootu ,vazhaithandu usli,vazahaithandu porial in Tamil Nadu and Thor chapper,in West Bengal.Similarly,in Kerala,we make Vazhapindi thoran or Vazhapindi curry .or Vazha thandu thoran...
So,I've two ways of making a Banana stem recipe with lentils ,coconut and mild spices ...So,pls watch my videos that'll show you how to peel a Banana stem properly and how to make a Banana Stem recipe Kerala style aka VazhaPindi Thoran ...(The Vazha Pindi thoran recipe and method is in the video itself ..)
1.Vazha Pindi Cherupayar Thoran
2.Vazha Pindi Navdhan thoran
It is amazing how simple yet tasty they are when cooked ; Just as amazing as its identity - Simple,earthy,Wonder FULL !!
"Parwal or Parval" is the Hindi word for a Pointed Gourd .Whenever I come across this vegetable especially in Indian stores ,which is very rare,I am by default in a trance ,whirling back into my childhood days and I can smell the potol sabji made by my neighbour next door to the left, my dearest ,sweetest ,Late Bengali aunty (RIP!) ,an exceptional cook and another parwal sabji/bhujia by my neighbour next door to the right ,UP wali aunty (who would address my mother as Manoj (my Big bro) ki maa/Mother of Manoj,and it would piss me off a lot :P).However,UP aunty's recipes were just fingerlicking and made me the hardcore fan of Bihari cuisine and that definitely gave me the suffice reason to forgive her for not calling my momma ,Manju ki maa ...huhh...;P
Did you know ?
(Credit:Healthbenefitstimes.com)
Pointed Gourd is also known as green potato in India . :O
Pointed Gourd is filled with essential nutrients and are really good for gastrointestinal problems and liver detoxification.
They are good for weight loss,blood purifier,good for skin-hair and fights with aging factor . (I LOVE YOU ..Parval!)
They are awesome for diabetes and cholesterol control as well .(Aweeeesome!)
Pointed Gourd ,I believe is the smallest gourd from the Gourd family but its botanical name is definitely long ,"Trichosanthes dioica" ..(I had no idea ,the pet name I gave for this vegetable was actually its scientific name :P)...I've never seen this vegetable in Kerala as far as I remember but I think in Malayalam it is called "Patolam" and in Tamil ,"Kambupudalai",in Telugu,"Kommu Potla / Chedu Potla",in Marathi ,Gujarati,Paraval,"parora" in Bhojpuri, Urdu, and Awadhi,thonde kayi in Kannada,Potol in Bengali or Odia....
In fact ,I can't imagine a recipe with pointed Gourd Kerala style ,it better ought to be in North Indian - Bihari or Bengali style ,especially for me.I think my mom used to make a Parval bhujia which was like a fusion of Bihari+Bengali style under the influence of our neighbour aunties,her besties and MAN,it would become from finger licking to plate licking...
SO,here is a very simple yet tasty Bihari style Parval aloo bhujia (stir fry) or say Bengali style Parval ki sabji with aloo aka potato...Very easy to make and it goes awesome with puri/poodi or just roti/chapathi ..I can eat it just like that...
So,pls watch my quickie video that will show how to make a parwal sookhi sabji or Parwal aloo bhujia and the recipe is included in it.
So,proud to have a childhood influenced by multi culture and regions of India .I believe I've a little bit of every state in me...I am a proud Bihariya just as I am a proud Mallu ....Again and again,Thanks to my lovely parents for giving me such a simple,humble yet colorful childhood memories......If I would get a time machine I would like to relive it again..and again and agaiiiiiiin...............Atleast food will always be there to rekindle and reminisce those bygone days....
