Kyoonki Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi......(because the mother in law was once a daughter in law)

When I initially played the role of a nayi bahu (new daughter in law)..., I used to walk around the kitchen with a sense of uncertainty...unable to figure out what is expected of me..., as all pair of eyes were studying me ...from the elders in the family to the tiny tots ...., from relatives to the servant maids ...! I wondered how I will fit into this new house hold , which my mother in law and sister in law were managing so well. The usual cold wars between saas and bahu(mother in law and daughter in law) was missing here. As days passed , I understood that my mother in law would just accept everyone as he or she is ...and we daughter in laws had the freedom to live according to our taste... I knew I was lucky!

One day I saw her making rice balls and putting them in boiling water.
"What are you making, Amma?” I asked
"Udkaanthuli undi (rice balls in water) she replied
I had not heard of a dish like this.... but in my home my mother used to make rice balls in daal or lentils.
"This is what your sister in law likes... so I make this ... not the usual Konkani dish , which we make with daal." she replied...
I was amazed to see how she always adopted to the likes and dislikes of others in the family. She used to avoid certain ingredients if it was not my sister in law's choice. When she knew that I liked the rice balls in lentil soup, she invariably prepared one with daal and one without daal...
How could one be so flexible?...may be because she was once a daughter in law herself.

So here is a toyaa-thuli undi(rice balls in lentils soup) enriched with vegetables...This is my own version of the dish...

Ingredients

Toor daal 1 cup
Rice flour 1 cup
Assorted vegetables of your choice 1 cup
Baby onions 3-4
Ginger garlic paste
Green chillies 2
Cumin 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds 1 tsp
Coconut grated 2 tbsp(optional)
Salt to taste
Oil for seasoning
Coriander leaves a bunch
lemon juice 1 tsp

Pressure cook the daal with salt. In a vessel, mix rice flour 1 tbsp cumin, grated coconut , salt and boiling water to make a dough. Make small balls and keep aside. heat oil in a deep pan , temper with mustard , cumin , green chillies. add ginger garlic paste and chopped onions. Add in the cut vegetables. M ix in cooked daal and dilute with water. Add enough salt according to taste. once this mixture starts boiling add the rice balls. Simmer it and let it cook for 10 minutes. once the rice balls are cooked garnish with coriander leaves and lemon juice and serve hot.

This post is being submitted to Holler of Tinned Tomatoes, hosting No Croutons Required, a monthly soup event that is also hosted by Lisa of Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen. This month's theme is Spicy Soups.
This also goes to WBB Balanced Breakfasts hosted by Mansi and to Jugalbandhi's click event.

Do you have Those purple beauties in your fridge?

Mother in law to the newly wed daughter in law: We have guests for lunch today, See whether we have those big eggplants in the fridge?

Daughter in law dutifully opens the fridge and finds the purple baingans mocking at her. She had never had a fascination for that vegetable , which though looks firm is all slimy once cooked. She couldn't imagine this being cooked for the guests !!!
Imagine going to a house for food and being offered baingans?".. she thinks.....

A few years later....

Daughter in law , ransacks the fridge looking for the huge purple beauties , to make her ma in law's side dish..
It happens... we fall in love with things you once detested in life....
So here goes the recipe for Vaingan Bhajjille( Eggplant fry)....

Ingredients

1 large egg plant
1 tsp turmeric powder
1tsp chilly powder
a pinch of asafoetida
1tsp coriander powder
1/2 cup rice flour
oil as needed
salt to taste

Method

Wash and clean the egg plant. cut it length wise into thin slices.Marinate with turmeric powder , chilly powder, coriander powder, asafoetida and salt. Heat a pan , and spread some oil .dust the egg plant with rice flour and fry on the pan. Fry both sides until done . The rice flour makes it crispy .

Believe me , you can taste egg plants which are not slimy... but crispy ...that you would even take it for a starter...

This goes to Vegetable of the week hosted by Pooja.

My first experiment in kitchen

I was around twelve years old , when my Amma was hospitalized for two weeks for an Ayurvedic treatment .
"You are my responsible daughter, ! always help Appa and take care of your younger brother.", Amma spoke these words to me as she waved us goodbye.

I was suddenly feeling grown up , and felt the whole responsibility of the house hold on my shoulders..

I bossed around the house, as if I had a tough time juggling between, school and housekeeping... while it was my father who managed the whole situation.

One day I decided to launch into the kitchen , with a women's magazine "Vanitha" ...This magazine featured many appetizing recipes. I wanted to show Amma how grown up I was , and how I have lived up to her expectations...
I followed the recipe as per instruction...but things were getting harder with time...I was not able to stir the wok with one hand and pour the broken wheat with another...the vegetable broken wheat upma, formed lumps ...shattering my hopes.. I did not loose heart.. I poured in more water ..then more broken wheat.. then more water....the amount was increasing ...I had to stop when the whole wok was to the brim.
In order to cover up my folly , I garnished the contents of the wok with , grated coconut ..

Appa , came into the kitchen and congratulated me on my venture.
I gave him an artificial smile , and warned him not to taste it as it was a gift for Amma.

I packed the contents of the wok in a vessel and took it to the hospital..when I entered her room, there were two more people from the adjacent room chit chatting with her..Appa proudly told Amma , that I had made something special for her.. and I had to give her what I made.. Amma's two friends also wanted to taste it..I knew it would taste horrible ..and felt like hiding under the bed.I held my breath prepared for the worst reaction....
As Amma took her spoonful I waited for her to spit it out.. but to my surprise she ate it.. and tried more...
" I am so happy that you made this for me.. I was getting bored of the hospital food..." Amma said with tears in her eyes..
Then I knew for sure that it was not the upma I made which made her eat more , but her love for me..

Here is a broken wheat upma for you.. but this is not the one I made for my Amma.I have forgotten that recipe:)

Broken wheat Vegatable Upma

what you need:

broken wheat 1 cup
onion 1/2 cup chopped
vegetables of your choice(beans, carrots, green peas , cauliflower) 1/2 cup
mustard seeds 1tsp
cumin 1tsp
urud dal 1tsp
shredded ginger 1tbsp
green chillies 2-3
curry leaves 1 sprig
grated coconut 1/4 cup
coriander leaves for garnish
lemon juice 1 tsp
water 2 cups
oil for seasoning
asafoetida 1tsp
salt to taste

Method.

heat oil in a wok , add mustard seeds, cumin , urad dal , curry leaves, ginger and green chillies and asafoetida.Add onion and fry till translucent. Add in the vegetables and stir well. Mix in the broken wheat and stir till it starts browning.. meanwhile boil water in a separate vessel. Add in the boiled water , while stirring the contents of the wok,... Add salt to taste and stir well.. keep closed for a few minutes . garnish with lemon juice, grated coconut and coriander leaves...

Have it as it is hot or with any Daal or sambar !
This goes to WBB Healthy eats hosted by Suganya.

Temptations!

Scene
He is catching up with the news , browsing through the news paper after dinner. Hand involuntarily moving from the bowl full of grapes to mouth.
She sits down with the good housekeeping magazine.

She : So when will you ever learn?

He: what?

She: What is your weight?

He: (pursing his lips) I did not check.

She : So when will you check?

He : don't know

She: Did you exercise today?

He: No

She: yesterday?

He: No

She : what all food did you have today?

He: Whatever you packed for me!( face full of innocence)

She: You sure you did not have any thing else?

He: nothing that I can remember.

She: So when did you have this( she is showing golden wrapper....the ones which comes with chocolates)?

He: what? Oh! that I don't exactly remember!

She: (This act of innocence , is what makes her loose her control) Why don't you keep a food dairy.....if you have a passion to do something you can do it...( her voice slowly breaking)
Do you remember when you started promising me to take care of your health? how much can I do? I am really worried! When will you ever start to take care?

He: ( seeing her eyes filled with tears he slowly grasps the seriousness of the situation. he is soft and mellow) You are there to take care na?

She: (she has decided not to give up)Don't try to play with me?

He: I promise you.....I will be more careful .......no more chocolates............I am going to keep a record of what I eat.............happy?

She:I don't believe you....(she off to sleep)

Next day ....He is busy doing exercise when she wakes up.Her heart melts(she still tries to keep a stern countenance).The whole day he is making loud plans to start walking regularly....
In a week he brings home an exercise bike....and is burning calories regularly.

She wants to make up for all that she blurted out that night....she is only happy to have motivated him....

She is reminded of an easy chocolate recipe....
she blends together 1/2 cup Marie biscuit powder,
1/2 cup coconut milk powder
1/2 cup drinking chocolate powder
1/2 cup condensed milk
makes a dough....a mold different shapes with it.....



She : this is for you...

He:(is cautious and watching her reaction) I'll just take one....(while scooping two)



I Submit these temptations to valentine's day theme hosted by pooja.
and to heart for your valentine event.

Legume loveaffair!

Just 10 more days to go.....she thought. Her house was buzzing with activity....uncles aunts , cousins.....zooming in and out of the house...there was laughter , gossip, unending chatter resonating from all corners of the house.It was a celebration!

She too immersed herself in the aura of joy and love that filled her house....The thought of leaving her house in the next 10 days made her throat ache. And she knew everything would be different....a new house , a new family , a new way of life .....and a new friend for life. She was mentally preparing to embrace this newness, still yearning to hold on to each moment.

" The pandit is here! are you ready ? " some one shouted from the veranda.
She went in the pooja room , a place she felt calm and composed . She closed her eyes in front of the lighted lamps, and unable to find words of prayer...she just remained as she was feeling not excessive joy nor sorrow .. but hope and love!

Pandit came into the pooja room and asked her to bring the nava dhanya or nine pulses. He filled the nine small clay pots with soil , watered it and asked her the scatter the pulses in each of the pots.
Then he recited a few Sanskrit slokas .
" panditji, what is the significance of all these rituals? could you please explain to me? " she en quired.

" I am glad that you asked. You will have to take care of these nine pots for the next nine days. water it when needed ...and see it germinate and grow. This same ritual is also performed in the bride groom's house. The healthy growth of these legumes will predict the depth and beauty of your marriage. Do not let it get soggy nor let it wither... its up to you! " Panditji answered with a teasing smile.

And for the next nine days she visited the pooja room every hour monitoring the minute changes....even though it was just a ritual , she believed it had a lot to teach her....the same care , love and hope that let her legumes to germinate would sprout a healthy and beautiful relationship.And each day as she sat looking at those tiny pods spring to life, activating dormant enzymes it was teaching her life lessons. Thus began her legume love affair....my love affair!

Whenever I soak green gram over night to make sprouts ... it does take me back to my daily vigil in my pooja room.
Moong sprouts are my favorite , it is a no hassle food.. no cutting , peeling shredding.. just soak it overnight. drain the water and let it sprout!
So here goes my entry for the legume love affair hosted by Susan of the well seasoned cook...

What you need:

1 cup of moong(green gram)
1/4 cup of fenugreek seeds
1/4 cup of grated coconut
1tsp chilli powder
1tsp turmeric powder
1tsp cumin seeds
1tsp musturd seeds
sprigs of curry leaves
2-3 shallots(optional)
asafoetida
1tsp oil
1tsp lemon juice
salt to taste


Method:

Wash and soak moong and fenugreek seeds overnight. Let it drain and tie it in a wet muslin cloth or drain it in a colander. If in a colander just sprinkle water once in a while. Let it sprout.
Heat oil in a pan. splutter mustard seeds , add in curry leaves. sprinkle some asafoetida, add in the sprouts. Add some water. only enough to cook the sprouts. meanwhile blend the grated coconut, chilly powder, turmeric powder , some curry leaves,jeera or cumin seeds and chopped shallots.mix well either with hand or coarsely grind it.Once the sprouts are cooked , which would take 5-6 minutes, add in the coconut mix.add salt and mix well. squeeze in the lemon juice just before serving!


This goes well with rice or any bread or even just as a snack!
remember , this is packed with lot of health!To read on the health benefits of sprouts click here.

Thank you Susan for triggering the memories of my legume love affair! I think this post will also be right for the valentine's day theme hosted by Pooja of creative idea... though it is not a pink dish... lets go green !

soy samosas......through a journey of transformation!

The painter creates art on his easel with colors , a sculptor breathes life into his carved wonder, a singer experiences bliss at the rendering of melody, a dancer elevates one and all to the horizons of rasa., a writer vents his thoughts through words.......each and everyone gaining happiness from the presence of his own art. But in the case of a passionate cook.... this formula does not work. The one who creates sumptuous dishes would be rather happy with the disappearance of the piece of art...which would credit to the culinary skills of the artiste cook!

I gain the most satisfaction when my experiments in kitchen disappear , when every one happily munches on without complaint , when kids are engrossed in eating , their faces grinning while they eat!
The most challenging hour is the evening , when my kindergartner rushes from school , yelling, "Amma , what is today's special?"
His palate demands variety every evening....(can't complain! Today I realize what my mother might have gone through , trying to satisfy the picky eater in me)

It was almost time for my son to return from school... and I had still not figured out what to make for a snack!
I glanced at the leftovers on the counter and "eureka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"This would be the best way to feed him the papaya curry I made for lunch!"
I boiled two potatoes, peeled and smashed them ..added salt . Blended this with the leftover papaya side dish.
now what?.....................opened the counter tops for ideas...there popped out the soy flour which I had bought two days back after reading about the soy event.
soya flour?..............hmmmm.. why not ?
So in went 1/2 cup of soy flour in a mixing bowl. next I added1tbsp of heated butter and made into a dough with enough water and a pinch of salt.I made small balls and rolled it like a poori.



placed the pappaya potato mixture in the middle. close from all the three sides to made a triangle.


deep fry and Papaya soy samosas are ready!!!

Kids are happy.. and I too secretly enjoy the accomplishment of making my kids eat the papaya dish...Q
Even the papaya dish is ready in a jiffy... here you go...peel off the skin from the raw papaya and grate it. Heat a pan, add 1tbspof coconut oil. splutter mustard seeds , cumin seeds curry leaves and 2 split open green chillies. add in the grated papaya.reduce the heat and stir .add asafoetida, once done remove from fire and serve hot!


I submit these soy samosas to the WBB SOY EVENT hosted by rajitha.
Both the soy samosas and papaya dish also goes to AFAM event hosted by nags.

Where the mind is without fear....

WHERE the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

On this occasion of Indian Republic day....when thoughts on freedom and patriotism are in the air .... it is this invocation , that passes my mind....these powerful words written by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. These words of wisdom are beyond time and are relevant today as it was at its birth. It speaks of that heaven of freedom, which each of us can aspire to achieve... freedom from our own fears and low self esteem...


...............................................................................................................
Why not celebrate our republic day with a quick tricolored sandwich.....


What you need:

bread slices 4
grated carrot 1/2 cup
cream cheese spread
boiled potato 1 thinly sliced
coriander leaves a bunch
garlic 2 cloves
baby onions 2-3
green chilly 1-2
grated coconut 2tbsp
ginger shredded 1tsp
pepper 1 pinch
salt to taste
lime juice 1tsp

Method:

To make coriander chutney, grind together , coriander leaves, garlic ginger , green chillies , baby onions, grated coconut and enough salt.squeeze in the lime juice.

Discard the brown sides of the bread . spread coriander chutney on one slice. cover with the second slice of bread. On the top of the 2nd slice , spread cream cheese and arrange the sliced potatoes. sprinkle pepper. cover with yet another slice. now spread the grated carrots on the top of the third slice.sprinkle salt n pepper(optional). cover with the final slice and your tricolored sandwich in ready!



I submit this post to theme of the week-orange white green.