WEB SAMAYAL

I am back.....let me say... trying to be back

2009-04-15T20:57:00.002-04:00

Its been a long time since i refreshed... me, myself and my blog.... time to get back to do something that i love again....

I am trying white rice + chicken kozhambu + pepper chicken tonight... will post how it came as soon as i am done tasting it :)

Happy Onam 2007

2007-08-25T12:10:00.001-04:00

Dear Samayalites,

Happy Onam.Enjoy your Onam Sadhya.

pic : googling

Onam is the harvest festival of Kerela,India.The festival cherishes the memory of the legendary King Mahabali.

Onam wikipedia...

Happy 60th Independence Day 2007 and 1 yr anniversary

2007-08-15T11:25:00.000-04:00

Dear Samayalites and friends,

Happy 60th Independence Day.Hats of to ARR for marking this 60th Independence day with all the famous voices of India.Listen..

pic:googling

I am Back.........

2007-06-18T16:54:00.001-04:00

Hello Samayalites and Friends,

I am happy to be back with you all.I was away for a project to Seattle,Washington.

I was visiting you'll now and then.Here are some of pleasant memories..

Read more about tulip town here.

Pictures from Tulip Festival,Seattle,Washington

Will meet you'll with some more........

Happy Valentines Day 2007

2007-02-13T21:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day friends,samayalites

pic:googling

Happy Republic Day 2007

2007-01-26T11:30:00.000-05:00

You can take a person out of INDIA,but not INDIA out of a person

Happy Republic Day JAI HINDH.

pic:googling

Pongal 2007

2007-01-15T13:21:00.000-05:00

Pongal Celebration pictures

kolam near the entrance

sweet pongal and kara pongal prasadh

Recipes later.I was lucky to get sugarcane this time as it is the most important ingredient for the offerings.

Happy Pongal samayalites.

Happy Pongal/Sankaranti

2007-01-12T11:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Samayalites,Friends,Readers,

Hope that your Newyear has started with new wishes and dreams.May The Divine be with you all in all your endeavors.

My First post in this NewYear is starting with Pongal Wishes.Pongal or the Harvest Festival of South India-as i explain to my American friends as Indian Thanksgiving.We thank the SUN god(Surya Bhagavan) for giving a good harvest by cooking the newly harvest rice from fields and offering it to the God(it is done before Sunrise) and asking his blessing to continue the next year.It is celebrated as Pongal in TamilNadu and Sankaranti in other parts of India.Pongal is also called Farmer's Festival(Ulavar Thirunaal).

Read more here.

Back home Pongal mood is set the night before starting from choosing kolam/rangoli to decorate the front entrance/patio.

kolam / rangoli

Then the following morning,wake up before sunrise.The stage for Pongal pooja is set in the front of the home.All kinds of vegetables,sugarcane are placed as offering along with 3 brick/clay stones to be posed as Stove on which the pongal pot is placed.The newly harvest rice is cooked and offered to God.

pongal pot

Wish You all a Happy Pongal and Happy Sankaranti.Meet you all after Pongal with sweet pongal(sakarai pongal) dish.

Pics - http://www.pongalfestival.org

Blogging Vacation

2006-12-11T10:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Samayalites,

I am taking a vacation from blogging.I need to update myself professionally.But will be visiting your blogs whenever time permits.

Catch you all later.

pic:courtesy google

Karthigai Deepam 2006

2006-12-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

Karthigai Deepam - Festival of Lights is celebrated in TamilNadu on the occurrence of Karthigai Nakshatram/Star in the tamil month of Kiruthigai.Hindus decorate their homes and alters with little oil lamps to celebrate this day, which marks the death of a historic Rakshasan (Demon).The Karthigai Nakshatram is of great importance to Sri Murugan, as it is considered as his birth star. When it falls on a Monday, and occurs during the month of Karthigai, it is considered especially sacred, and devotees undertake fasts and special prayers to seek the Lord’s blessings.
courtesy : http://www.sttemple.com/STT/english/karthigai.asp

More about Karthigai Deepam Festival ...

In tamilnadu,Thiruvannamai- Sri Arunachaleswarar temple is famous for Karthigai deepam.
It is believed that every year during the Tamil month of Karthigai in Kiruthigai Star, exactly at 6.00 p.m. Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees at the time of Karthigai Festival 10th day.
Courtesy : googling

Thiruvannamalai Deepam

So at 6 o' clock people lit their home with lamps to worship the lord himself in the Jyothi form.

Pic : Deepam in my home

Healthy Vegetable Soup

2006-12-01T17:41:00.000-05:00

The story of Healthy Vegetable Soup

On a cold night,under the warm blanket ,in the cozy sofa ......... wait wait it is not a scene from a movie .I was wondering what to make for dinner.Then came the idea of soup ; result of watching food network.Recollecting some episodes and with the available ingredients in my fridge and pantry,i started on my version of vegetable soup.What next?.It was a hit.Happy to share it with all of you.

Ingredients

1 cup of all the veggies per head is the ratio i used.You can have your own selection/quantity of vegetables

shredded cabbage,cubed carrot,celery sticks,chopped onions,tomatoes(missing in pic),cilantro,tiny pasta(any kind,i used little macaroni)
Salt,pepper,turmeric powder
bay leaves (optional)
green chilis for extra spiciness (optional)

Chicken broth/chicken stock/vegetable stock ( or can use water too.if soup is too watery,dissolve some corn startch in water and add to it) Ratio 1 cup veggie = 2 1/2 cup broth. You can also mix-match water with broth for that 2 1/2 cups.
Beans (any kind)

Method

Heat oil a soup pot/cooker,add onions fry till translucent.Then add in tomatoes and all veggies,peas/beans one by one sautaing each ,for a minute or so.Add SP(salt,pepper).Add in the chicken broth and simmer till the required consistency needed.It may take around 20 mins or more depending on the quantity you make.

hmm ... soup .... noodle soup ah! errrrr! no no no vegetable soup - Just remembered the episode from FRIENDS where Joey auditioned for Soup,but for every take he could only say hmm ........ Noodle Soup where he should actually say hmm ....Soup

Pic : hearty and healthy vegetable soup

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-21T22:56:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Have a happy thanksgiving with great food,family and friends.Meet you all after the great weekend .

Pics:courtesy googling

Dinner ... Chilli Chicken and Chapati

2006-11-16T20:27:00.000-05:00

Inspired by Asha .. Foodie's Hope brunch ideas,i tried chilli chicken.Did a little bit of alteration according to our palate.

A quick whip up dish for dinner.But yet a classic one.

Ingredients

Chicken .. 1/2 pound boneless skinless breasts cut into bite size pieces
Onion .. 1 medium cut lengthwise
Tomato .. 1 medium cubed
Capsicum/green bell pepper .. 1/2 cut into long stripes
Green chilli .. 3 silted
Powders .. 1/2 tsp turmeric,1/4 tbsp red chilli,1/2 tsp meat/chicken pwd,1/2 tsp black pepper,1 pinch red color(optional),salt
Cilantro/Corriander leaves .. 3 or 4 stripes finely chopped
Oil

Method

Heat oil in a kadai,add onions,green chilli's,capsicum/bell pepper saute till all are little fried say for 3 to 4 mins.Add chicken,all pwds,coat all the masala well with the chicken.Cook for 2 minutes then add tomatoes and cook covered at medium high for 8 to 10 minutes.By this time chicken will be cooked well(since it is boneless skinless,chicken cooks fast). If not cook for more time.Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Pics : Chapati with Chilli Chicken

Dishes From Fellow Samayalites -- Shredded Chicken/Chicken Chuka

2006-11-15T16:25:00.000-05:00

Last week fully has been a try out week with dishes from fellow samayalites. This dish was from Inji Pennu.I call this Chuka because it has dry,fried consistency.I made this as a side for fried rice.Awesome combo.

Try Out Procedure

Chicken .. 1 pound boneless,skinless chicken breast cut into 2 inch cubes
Acid .. 2 tspn Vinegar/lime juice to cook chicken
Onion .. 2 medium,finely chopped
Green Chillis .. 7 to 8 ,chopped (add more if you need it hot)
Black pepper pwd .. 1 1/2 tbsp
Salt
Tempering(thalika) .. oil,mustard,curry leaves

Cook the chicken in water with any acid(i used lime juice) and salt until the pieces turn white which indicates it is fully cooked.Drain the excess water and Cool it.Shred the chicken with your hands.It is very easy to do.
Heat oil in kadai,do tempering,add chillis ,onions saute for 3 mins.Add the shredded chicken,salt,pepper.Saute until the chicken turn fried,crispy.It may take upto 10 mins or so.
Goes well as a starter for wine.

Pic : shredded chicken/chicken chukka

Dishes From Fellow Samayalites -- Bittergourd Chips/Pavakai chips

2006-11-10T10:22:00.000-05:00

Bittergourd/Pavakai(tamil) : I like to have it any form.Normally we do subji(saute with lot of onions until it is cooked).I followed Indira of Mahanadi's bittergourd preparation.As it was baking rather than frying,it requires less oil.

My Try Out Procudure :

Thinly slice the bittergourd into circular sizes,toss with little EVOO(EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL) or any oil,red chilli pwd,salt,turmeric and leave to marinate for about 10 minutes.By the time,preheat oven to 375° F and bake for about 20 minutes(depends on oven).If doing for first time,you kinda need to babysit it and check now and then.

Pic : chips baking at 375° F for about 20 minutes

To make extra crispy,my broiler took about 3 minutes

Pic : chips,ready to eat after broiling

Serve as a side for rice and sambar.I had it with turnip/mulangi sambar.It was a nice combo.Didn't take the picture of the combo.Will try to take it next time and update.

what is my name?

2006-11-07T10:23:00.000-05:00

I have decided to go healthy by adding greens/keerai thrice in a week.Bought this greens/keerai from Farmers Market this week(thinking that it is AARA keerai(tamil).Obviously it is not).I dont know the name of this one.But i made subji.It tastes good.Next time if i know the name and its properties,i will enjoy the dish more.

So can anyone please give me its name?

PIC - What is my name in English/Tamil ?

Dishes From Fellow Samayalites-Vegetable Puffs

2006-11-06T12:20:00.000-05:00

This has been a long pending post.I made it about a month ago, i guess.Following the links from fellow samayalites Raji-TastyCooks , Sudha-Samayal , Archana-Spicyana i tried my version and succeeded.

My memory about puffs dates long back to my primary school days.The name of the bakery is Greatest Bakery.Vegetable puffs,butter bun are some of my favourite items.It was right behind my school compound.I even remember the aroma of the baked bread,puffs ... which made me more hungry.I tried to get some pictures of my favourite bakery.This is the newest look of it.

pic courtesy :http://www.radermail.net/gallery/india/ajs

Pics : Vegetable puffs-my version front view,side view,lateral view :)

Parings with Cocktail - Kadalai Masal(Peanut Masal)

2006-11-02T11:13:00.000-05:00

Parings with Cocktail - Kadalai Masal(Peanut Masal) :- This is a easy,simple paring with beer,wine or any cocktail.

Ingrediants

As shown in the picture(onion,tomato,cilantro,lime,peanuts)
Red chilli powder - 2 pinches
Salt - 1/2 pinches

Method

Finely chop the onion,tomatoes(make sure tomatoes are not so juicy),cilantro.In a serving bowl add all the chopped items.If the peanuts/kadalai is salted then rinse in water twice/thrice,dry in paper towel add it to the bowl.Add chili pwd,salt,three squeezes of lime juice,mix well and serve.

Pic : kadalai / peanut masal

Pic : paring with chilled beer / red wine

Restaurant style Chicken Chettinad

2006-11-01T19:52:00.000-05:00

Whenever we go to restaurant,we order this Chicken Chettinad dish.M likes it.I have made a list of Chicken dishes to try at home.Here goes the list - chicken chettinad,madras chicken,butter chicken,pepper chicken,chilli chicken and goes on ... .I have got recipes for few of them.But the right time hasn't yet arrived.
After lot of self-encouragement,self-enthusiasm,i decided to try Chicken Chettinad.It was a hit.M gave two thumbs up for this home made dish.I am glad to share it with you all.

Ingrediants

Chicken - with bones 1/2 or 1 pound cut into medium sized pieces
Onion - 2 medium sized chopped
Tomato - 2 large chopped
Powders - 1 tsp each of red chilli and turmeric
Lime juice - 2 tsp or about 1/2 lime
Oil - 2 tbsp
Water - 2 cups
Salt - to taste
Curry leaves - 8 to 10 Stripes
Coriander/Cilantro leaves - finely chopped for garnishing

For the Paste

Poppy seeds (khus khus) - 2 tsp
Whole red chillies - 6
Coconut - grated 6 tblspn
Seeds - 1 tspn each of coriander, cumin, fennel and black pepper
Cinnamon -1" piece broken
Cloves,Green cardamoms - 2 each
Ginger,Garlic - 2 tsp each,chopped

Method

In a kadai,heat little oil, roast all the ingredients for the paste except for ginger and garlic. Allow to cool and grind to a paste along with ginger and garlic.

Pic : roasted ingredinats for the paste

Heat the rest oil in a kadai and fry the onions till they are golden brown. Add the curry leaves, the ground paste , turmeric and red chilli powders. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and fry for about another 2 minutes.At this stage,the oil starts leaving the sides of the pan.If not fry for more time.Then add the chicken and mix well. Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes.Add the lemon juice and water.Add salt and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for about 20 minutes or till the chicken is fully cooked.Garnish with coriander leaves.

Pic : Chicken Chettinad

Serve hot with white rice/Chapati/Naan.

Variations

Adding more curry leaves give a distinct flavor
Can make it little dry or gravy depending on your taste (for dry,allow the chicken to cook for more than 20 minutes during the last stage).

Recipe Source www.syvum.com

Great Smoky Mountains - Tennessee

2006-10-25T14:10:00.000-04:00

Great Smoky Mountains , Tennessee - It is a mountain range spreading along the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina.It is a perfect vacation spot all year round on the montains.

The Smoky Mountains have arts & crafts, hiking, biking, tubing, horseback riding, live music, and two annual festivals. Whichever season you choose, there's always a good adventure to be found. After a day of fun, find a great place to eat followed by a stay in a cabin, hotel, bed & breakfast, or at a campsite.

Stay at Gatlinburg- Gateway to the Smokies.

Pictures from a short visit to smoky mountains with friends

SKY LIFT

SKY RIDE

Fall Colors seen from Sky Ride

HAPPY DIWALI

2006-10-24T16:56:00.000-04:00

DIWALI - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

HAPPY DIWALI FELLOW BLOGGERS,READERS and FRIENDS.HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WOULD HAVE HAD A BLAST.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH YOUR WISHES,GOOD HEALTH AND WEALTH

Hotel Rasam

2006-10-11T11:39:00.000-04:00

Hotel Rasam :- I learnt this recipe from my friend Anu.This rasam is made without Garlic.It tastes similar to the rasam we get from hotel.So i named it Hotel Rasam.

Ingrediants(measures for 4)

Rasam Powder

Chana Dhal(kadalai parupu) - 1 tb spoon
Kothamali seeds/Corriander seeds - 1/2 tb spoon
Black pepper corns - 1 t spoon
Cumin Seeds/Jeera Seeds - 1 1/2 t spoon
Dry Red Chilli - 2 big
Methi/Vendhayam - 1 pinch

Ingrediants to make rasam powder.Only for display,not exact measures

Heat a kadai and dry roast(until channa dhal,corr.seeds turn into brown color) all the above ingrediants.

Dry roasted ingrediants ready to be powdered

Cool it for a while.Grind to a fine powder in a blender or coffee grinder.

Tamarind- lemon size,soak in 4 cups of water
Tomato- 1/2 medium chopped
Corriander/kothamali leaves - chopped ,as required
Powders- turmeric 1/4 t spoon,hing/Kayam 4 shakes
Salt-as required
Seasoning-mustard,curry leaves

Method

Heat oil in a kadai,add the seasonings,when it splutters,add tomatoes fry until they are mushy.Add the rasam powder and fry for 3 mins.Nice aroma arises at this stage.Now add the tamarind water.Add the powders,salt.Allow to boil for 6 to 7 mins.Add corriander leaves.When you see bubbles starting to arise.Switch off the stove.Rasam is ready.Serve with rice or as a soup particulary when it is raining outside.

Hotel Rasam

Tips

You can make the rasam powder in a bluk,store it in a air tight container or in freezer as use it as needed.
It goes well with veggie side dishes.

Columbus Day Weekend Trip

2006-10-10T10:56:00.000-04:00

Columbus Day Weekend Trip :-We made a trip to Asheville,North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Parkway :- Experience America's Favorite Drive!.The Falls colors were at their peak.It was so good.Good Memories.We rode along the Blue Ridge Parkway.It is an uphill drive to the mountains.Perfect to see fall colors.

Blue Ridge Parkway-Fall Colors on near by Mountains

There are many mountains along the BlueRidge Parkway.We decided to go to GrandFather Mountain.It is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range and a globally recognized nature preserve.

Swinging Bridge in GrandFather Mountain

Biltmore Estate :- It is the America's largest privately owned house.This house was in many movies.Read more .

Biltmore house,Asheville,North Carolina

If you happen to visit/pass thru North Carolina,these places must be in TO-SEE list.It is worth the time and money.

Bachelor's Dish- Shrimp/Prawn Thokku

2006-10-03T12:26:00.000-04:00

Bachelor's Dish- Shrimp/Prawn Thokku :- This shrimp dish is very easy to prepare.So i have listed it under Bachelor Dish.I make this dish whenever there is time contraint.

Ingrediants

Shrimp/Prawn-1/2 pound (i normally buy the de-veined,fully cleaned, cooked shrimp from American stores.How to clean shrimp?)
Onion-1 large finely chopped
Tomato-1 large finely chopped
Ginger+Garlic paste- 1/2 tsp
Powders-turmeric 1/4 tsp,red chilli powder 1/2 tbsp,corriander powder 1 tbsp,garam masala 1/2 tsp
Seasoning-fennel(sombu/sauf) 1/2 tsp,curry leaves 1 stripe,Green Chilis-4 chopped
Salt-as required
Oil-5 tbsp
Corriander leaves-6 stripes finely chopped
Lime Juice-2 tbsp

Method

Marinate the (cleaned and washed) shrimp with little turmeric powder,salt,black pepper,lime juice.Do not allow to marinate for more than 15 minutes becoz the acidity of lime with literally start cooking the shrimp.So after that if you cook it,it tends to become rubbery.

Heat 4tbsp of oil in a kadai,add the seasonings,when they splutter add the onions,saute well for 4 mins or till they turn color.Add the tomatoes and saute well till they are mashed well.Add the ginger+garlic paste followed by the powders.Saute untill all are cooked well.It takes around 5 mins.Salt it.Add the shrimp and mix it well with the gravy.Once the shrimp are curled,it indicates they are cooked.Reduce heat and after 4 mins turn off heat.If you cook for long time,they become rubbery.Garnish with corriander leaves,finally add lime juice and serve.

Enjoy it with plain rice/chapati/paratha

Pics:Shrimp Thokku

Puri - Chicken Therakal

2006-09-29T12:50:00.000-04:00

Dishes From Fellow Samayalites

Puri - Chicken Therakal:-I tried KK-Kitchenmate's Puri-Chicken Therakal.Came out Good.This one is a keep.Some Samples

Awesome Blossom

2006-09-25T11:23:00.000-04:00

Awesome Blossom :- It is the name of an appetizer served in Chili's Restaurant, a fresh whole onion sliced to look like flower "blossom" and served crispy-crunchy and steaming hot.

Chili's Awesome Blossom Pics

Here is my version of it.

Ingrediants

Onion-1 medium
Besan/Gram Flour(kadalai maavu in tamil)-little more than 1/2 cup
Rice flour-2 tbsps (makes it crispy on the outside)
Baking soda-2 pinches
Red Chilli Powder-1/2 tsp
Pepper Powder-1/4 tsp
Salt-as required
Water-to mix the flours
Oil-to deep fry

Method

Cut the onions with the roots on so the layers are not seperated like in the pics.(Chili's version looked like a whole fried onion.I tried to cut the onions that way but ended up with the below version)

In a bowl add all the dry ingrediants and add water little by little to make into a dipping consistency.It shouldn't be too watery or too thick.The battery should coat the onions well.Use your fingers to seperate the individual petals as you dip into the batter so that each layer is coated well with the batter and drop them into the oil.Deep fry till golden brown and crispy.

Awesome blossom - my version

Serve it with hot tea/coffee with chutney or tomato sauce or any spicy sauce.

M's Comments

Taste-super
Appreance-not bad for a copykat

After posting my version,i came across the almost original recipe at Awesome Blossom

Madurai Style Chicken Kuzhambu

2006-09-24T10:11:00.000-04:00

Madurai Style Chicken Kuzhambu :-I call this kuzhambu Madurai style because it tastes similar to the kuzhambu we get along with paratha in Madurai.I got this recipe from my friend Kamala who is from Madurai.

Ingrediants

Chicken with bones-1 pound (chicken with bones tastes better than boneless chicken)
For dry powder-kus kus 3/4 tsp,black peppercorns 1/2 tsp,fennel(sombu) 1/2 tsp,dry red chillis 3
Masala-Medium Onion,Tomato-1 roughly chopped,Green chillis -3,Garlic-3 pods,Ginger-1/2 inch
Coconut grated-4 tbsps
Seasoning-Cinnanom 1 stick,cardamon 3 pods
Salt-1 1/2 tbsps
Oil-4 tbsps
corriander leaves-4 stripes chopped

Method

Clean chicken and marinate it with little salt,turmeric powder,chilli powder,Meat/chicken masala,lime juice
In a kadai without oil dry roast the powder ingrediants,transfer to blender and powder it
In the same kadai heat 1 tbsp oil ,add the masala items one by one and saute for 3 to 4 mins and then transfer it to the blender and grind it along with the already powdered dry ingrediants.Run the blender until all are well grinded.Afterwards add the coconut and once again run the blender.
Heat the cooker,add the rest oil followed by the seasonings,Now add the mixture from the blender and saute for 4 mins.Always the onion,tomato mixture tends to boil and spread around.Dont worry slightly close the cooker with lid so that you dont get a springler of masala around the cooker.
Add the chicken and mix it well with the masalas.Add salt.Put on the weight and cook for 4 whisltes.
After the pressure is released,add corriander leaves.
Serve with paratha,plain rice,briyani .

I personally like it because,it is very easy to prepare and tastes good.It takes around 45 mins for the whole process.

Madurai style Chicken Kuzhambu

paratha with chicken kuzhambu-Saturday Night Dinner

M has asked me to include his comments too-He said 'Supera Iruku'

Food Experience : Bad Pizza ever had

2006-09-22T12:47:00.000-04:00

Food Experience :- I decided to put this tag because i believe each one of us will surely have an unforgetable experience(good/bad) with food.Ofcourse life isnt always perfect.We have both good and bad.We learn from the bad and enjoy the good.

I would like to share an experience about the (bad) pizza i had(wait it is not home made.It was a delivery from pizza hut).

Here goes the story,Couple of weeks ago,i remember it was a thursday evening,I was loaded with work the whole day,no handy dosai maavu too in fridge.So i had planned for a take-out for dinner.When Murugesh came home from office,i asked him if he is ok with pizza for dinner.He said yes and left for his Golf practice.It was about 7 p.m.I did a little bit cleaning and as it was 7:30 ,i thought i would place the order for pizza.So as i dialed,some lady answered the phone,a kid shouting behind her,she asked me to hold for a sec(my thoughts were running, it dosen't look like an restuarant environment). Anyway i placed the order,i told my home address,told my home phone number,my apt no A as in Apple,she said it would take 45 mins.I said ok and hung up.

I recently read the book The World is Flat.A chapter in that book explains about out-sourcing jobs,say for example when you go to a drive thru and order,the phone call actual goes to another place where a housewife working from home would take the order and then transfer it to the restaurant and by the time your are near the pick-up window,your order is ready.I was amazed to read it.Back to my story,so i thought this too sounds similar to it.

It was already 8 p.m so i was ready with the money and waiting.M too came home from golfing and we were ready for dinner waiting for the delivery. It was 8:30 no pizza.So we called back, the same lady answered and said delivery is on its way.It was 9 p.m no sign of pizza.Both of us were hungry.Called back,they said the home was locked so the guy returned.Guess what they delivered to APT E instead of APT A they tried to reach us through phone but no answer blah blah....At last they said pizza will be delivered in 10 mins.

10 p.m we got the pizza 2 1/2 hrs after placing order.The delivery boy said the same story about APT E etc.I was so hungry that i gobbled 3 slices,didnt care even to re-heat it.I told Murugesh if somebody asked about bad pizza i would tell this story.

Share your food experinces.I tag Sudha-Samayal,Ironchef-Tastycooks,KK-Kitchenmate,Prema Sundar-My Cook Book,RP-My Workshop,Annita-My Treasure... My Pleasure,Archana-Spicyana ,Pavani-Cook's Hideout and others who would like to share.

Kola Urundai / Mutton Balls

2006-09-20T12:11:00.000-04:00

Kola Urundai / Mutton Balls :- It can be made with ground chicken/mutton for non-veg version and plantain flower (vazhaipoo in tamil) for veg version.

Ingrediants

Ground chicken/mutton - 1 box/1 pound
Small Onions/Shallots - 8 to 10 finely chopped
Green Chillis - 6 finely chopped (add more if you want it more hot)
Turmeric pwd - 1/4 tsp
Garlic - 5 cloves finely chopped
Mint Leaves - 7 stripes finely chopped
Corn flour - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tbsp
Egg - 1 beaten
Bread Crums - plain (any brand)
Oil - to fry

Method

Heat little oil in a kadai,add the garlic,green chillis,onions one by one and saute for 3 mins.Add the mutton/chicken fry for a while say 4 mins.Add the turmeric,salt and continue frying until all the water/moisture evaporates and the mixture becomes nicely fryed/cooked.It may take another 5 mins or so .Add mint leaves and allow to cool for a while.

Fryed Mixture ready to be transfered to a blender

Transfer the contents to a blender/food processor and grind it.In another bowl,add the beaten egg to the ground mixture, mix it,add the corn flour and mix well(this egg and corn flour is the binder to keep the contents tight).Make small balls,coat each one in bread crums and deep fry in oil until golden brown.

Kola Urundai / Mutton Balls

Serve as a appetizer or as a side for briyani,fried rice.

Szechuan Egg Fried Rice

2006-09-13T22:33:00.000-04:00

Szechuan :-This style of cooking originates from the Szechuan region of China . It is hot, spicy and full of flavour. It is almost the same as our version Indo-Chinese Fried rices,except szechuan fried rice is made with szechaun sauce(my version).

You can say it is 50% store bought,50% home-made.

szechaun sauce,vegetables (store bought)

Ingrediants

Basmati Rice-2 cups(cook it in 3 and 3/4 cups of water with little oil,salt.Oil is added so that the rice doesn't stick to each other)
Stir fry Vegetable pack-1 (follow directions on the pack to defrost)
Scallions(green onions)-2 finely chopped
Garlic-4 cloves most finely chopped
Ginger-3/4 inch finely chopped
Dried Red Chilli Flakes-1/4 tsp
Szechuan Sauce-4 to 6 tsp (depends on how much dense/spicy you want)
Tobasco RedHot Sauce (optional)-as required to add more spicyness
Egg-3
Pepper pwd-1/2 tsp
Salt-as required
Oil-preferably EVOO(Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Method

Heat a wok/heavy bottomed kadai,add oil,when oil is heated add the chrushed chilli flakes so that the oil is infused with the flavours of the chilli and becomes chilli oil.It is the base for szechuan fried rice.Now add the chopped garlic,followed by chopped ginger.Saute it for a 2 mins.
Add the defrosted vegetables and cook until they are fully cooked.It takes about 8 mins or so.Add the szechuan sauce and coat the vegetables nicely with the sauce.Cook for 3 mins.Add salt,pepper pwd and give a taste.If more spicyness is required,add little bit tobasco sauce at this stage..Now add the cooked rice to it and mix well.Heat another pan for egg scrambles.Add it to the mixture.Sprinkle the scallions and give a final mix.

Szechuan Egg Fried Rice

Side Dish

I tried Annita-My Treasure My Pleasure 's Gobi recipe.

Turned out pretty good.I made it little bit saucy.

Variations

Chicken instead of egg or simply vegetable fried rice

I am thinking of repeating this recipe with chinese with rice for more authenticity.

MEME- About ME, ME and Only ME

2006-09-12T12:23:00.000-04:00

Memories of Boston

Christmas Decorations in Downtown Boston

snow on tree near my apartment during 12'' snow

I am surprised : Aah!Even I got tagged.

I thank : TastyCooks and Annita of My Treasure...My Pleasure for tagging me

I wonder : how these blogs help us share our memories,wishes ...

I feel : i have many friends now

I dream : of driving in a long never ending road with green fields on either side,listening to melody songs,windows down,cool breeze coming in

I regret : the days i wake up late

I wish : i had my college days back(Oh! those days)

I want : everything to be in the right place(in the house)

I like : boston (my first city in US)

I am thinking : of working out daily

I expect : my first time recipes to turn out to be good

I moved : to Charlotte,NC

I tag Rp of My Workshop,Santi of www.santhiskitchen.com(Me and My Kitchen)

Bachelor's Dish-Bread Masal

2006-09-01T13:04:00.000-04:00

Bachelor's Dish-Bread Masal-This can be a evening snack with tea/coffee if you are so hungry.It is one of the speciality items in ARASAN bakery in Tirunelveli Junction.Here is my version of it.

Ingrediants

Bread-any kind
For Masal-Onions,tomatoes finely chopped 1/2 cup,green peas 1/2 cup
Powders-turmeric,redchilli
Seasoning-mustard seeds,curry leaves
Oil
Salt-to taste

Method
Heat a pan,add oil,when oil is heated,add all the seasonings,then add onions saute for 2 mins,add the tomatoes and saute for 2 mins.Now add the peas and the powders.Cook till the peas are cooked and the raw smell of the powder goes away.It may take 3 to 4 mins.

Heat another pan,toast the bread slices in butter/ghee and keep it aside.Place the stuffing in between two slices of bread.Bread masal is ready.You can have 2-tier or 3-tier depending on how much hungry you are.

Bread Masal-evening snack with tea/coffee

Instant tomato chutney/Thakali chutney

2006-09-01T12:36:00.000-04:00

This week i am posting all easy dishes because last week was so hectic that all my instant dishes came in hand to put food on table.There is an old say in tamil like "naan peta inbam peruka iv vaiyakam" which means share your own joy with the world.Hoping that this might help someone ,someday,somewhere.A good varation for tomato/thakali lovers.

Here it goes,Instant tomato chutney/Thakali chutney

Ingrediants

Tomatoes-2 big nice ripe only,finely chopped.(the finer the tomatoes are chopped,the quicker it is cooked.Tip to save time)
Powders-turmeric pwd 1/4 tsp,redchilli pwd 1/2 tsp,hing/Asafetida/kaayam(in tamil) 2 to 3 shakes/pinches
Seasoning-mustard/kaduku,curry leaves
Salt-to taste

Method
Heat a pan,add oil,when it is heated add mustard,when it splutters add curry leaves.Now add the chopped tomatoes.Allow it to cook for 2 mins.Add all the powders and then cook for another 4 mins.Add salt.It normally takes within 10 minutes to make this chutney.Serve it with idli/dosai.

Instant tomato chutney/Thakali chutney-side for idli/dosai

Pepper Mushroom

2006-09-01T12:06:00.000-04:00

Pepper Mushroom-Again,this is one of my easy dish(easy means made in less time).

Ingrediants

White button mushroom-1 box/1 pound chopped

(To clean mushrooms, wet any towel in water(damp towel) and using it rub the dirt on the mushrooms.Mushroom tends to let out water when they cook.So if you wash mushrooms directly in water,it becomes rubbery when cooked and loses taste)

Onion-1 medium finely chopped
Tomato-1 small finelly chopped
Cilantro/kothamalli illai(in tamil)-6 or 7 stripes finely chopped
Powders-turmeric 1/4 tsp,redchilli pwd 1/4 tsp,cumin pwd 1/4 tsp,pepper pwd 3/4 tsp
Seasoning-cumin/jeera seeds
Oil-3 tsp
Salt-to taste
Lime juice-2 to 3 squeezes

Method

Heat a kadai on stove,add oil,when it is heated,add the cumin/jeera seeds for seasoning.When it splutters,add onions saute for 2 mins,add tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.Add the chopped mushrooms and coat it nicely with onion and tomato mixture.Now add the powders.Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes.Mushroom loses its water contents in this stage.Let the water to evaporate making the contents thick.Add salt and cook for 1 min.Remove from heat, garnish with chopped corriander leaves.Add lime juice.

Serve as a side dish for chapatis.

pepper mushroom-side dish for chapatis

Variations:

Adjust the pepper powder depending on how much hot you want the dish to be.
It tastes good if cooked with EVOO-Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Preparation time:

Side dish-15 to 20 minutes (from scratch to finish)
Chapatis-30 minutes (again with multitasking effort)

Quick Fix Meal :- Peas-Carrot Pulav with Channa sidedish

2006-08-19T16:10:00.000-04:00

Peas-Carrot Pulav : Within an hour i had to prepare lunch.I had some frozen peas and shredded carrots left in the fridge (didn't go to farmer's market that week).We had this peas and carrot pulav in an Indian Restuarant in Boston.Both of us liked it.So i tried it and Murugesh liked it a lot.It will taste great with any chicken or mutton as side dish.Lack of time,ingrediants i made mashed channa/kondakadalai masiyal(in tamil) as side dish.Here is my version of the pulav.

Ingrediants

Basmati Rice-2 cups
Green Peas-1/2 cup
Carrot-shredded 1/2 cup
Seasonings-Cinnamon 1 stick,clove 3,cardamon 3 ,bayleaves 3 ,cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
Onion-1 small finelly chopped
Cashews-1 tsp
Oil-2 tsp
Ghee-3 tsp
To grind-cumin seeds 1 tsp,green chilli 5,ginger 1 inch,garlic 2 pods
Salt-as required

Method

This pulav and side dish took me less than an hour to make.Ofcourse most of the work was multitasking.First wash the rice,soak in water.Put the grinding ingrediants in the blender and run it until all are well blended.While it is blending,chop the onions. Switch on the stove and heat the cooker.Add oil,ghee,seasoning ingrediants,saute it for 30 secs.Add cashews and fry for about 40 secs.Add the chopped the onions and saute for 2 mins.Add the grinded mixture and saute for 3 to 4 mins until the raw smell goes.Add the peas and carrot and mix it well with the masala.Add rice with 4 cups of water(use the same cup you used to measure rice).Add salt and close the cooker.Crank up the heat between high-medium high.Dont put the weight.Wait for the pressure to escape thru the nozzle.It takes about 5 minutes depends on the cooker.(This is the time i switch to make the side dish leaving the cooker to do its thing).Now simmer heat to medium and open the cooker and stir the rice and mix it well again and close the lid.At this stage,the rice is cooked half way.Wait for another 3 minutes or so.If pressure escapes thru the nozzle forcely,open the lid,take some rice and press it between your fingers to see if it cooked 3/4.If so,close the lid and move the cooker away from heat,but keep is closed so that in the remaining pressure it is cooked fully. (I normally open the cooker only before serving lunch).

After writing the method,i viewed back to see if everything is correct.Oh my god! it looks like a small essay.But believe me this is a simple dish eventhough the procedure looks like an essay.Thats beacause i have tried to explain the multitasking :).

peas-carrot pulav with mashed channa sidedish,our lunch today

Mashed Channa/Kondakadalai masiyal

Ingrediants

White channa-1 can or you can soak it the previous night and pressure cook it the next day.
Tomato-1 medium finely chopped
Onion-1 medium finely chopped
Cilantro-6 stripes finely chopped
Powders-red chilli 1/2 tsp,corriander 1/4 tsp,MTR channa masala 1/4 tsp
Seasoning-fennel seeds 1/2 tsp,Whole red chilli chrused 2,curry leaves 1 stripe,cinnamon 1/2 inch stick
Oil-2 tsp
Salt-as required

Method

Mash most of the channa with a fork.It is ok to leave some of it unmashed.Heat a pan,add oil and season it.Saute for 30 secs.After that add the chopped onions and saute until it turns color.Now add the chopped tomatoes and fry until the tomatoes are cooked.Add the mashed channa and mix it with the onions and tomatoes.Add all the powders and cook in medium-high heat closed with a lid.Mash it now and then with the spatula.Add salt.If it is thickned,then remove from fire and add chopped cilantro.

mashed channa/kondakadalai masiyal

Variations

For pulav,add more green chillis if you want it more hot.

Cooking time

Pulav-30 minutes
Channa dish-15 to 20 minutes
Cleaning,putting food on table-10 minutes

Channa Dal Rasa Vadai

2006-08-12T00:10:00.000-04:00

Channa Dal Rasa Vadai-.Here in US,in hotels rasa vadai means we get medhu vada soaked in rasam.In my hometown,rasa vadai means channa dal vada or parupu vadu or aama vada soaked in rasam.This is an entry for breakfast in most of the houses on Diwali day along with idly,sambar,chutney combo.This is my favourite.In some houses,the vadais are made the day before diwali and soaked in rasam.The more it is soaked,the more tasty it is.

Ingrediants

Channa dal(kadala parupu)-1 cup
Onion-1 medium finely chopped
Cilantro- 5 0r 6 stripes finely chopped
Red chilli powder-3/4 tsp
Fennel -1/2 tsp(optinal)
Salt-to taste

Method

Soak the channa dal for 2 hrs.Grind in a blender without adding water.
Add the rest of the ingrediants and make into small balls
Deep fry in oil until golden brown

On the day i made vada,i had left over sambar too.So i made sambar and rasa vadai

parupu vadai,sambar,rasam

rasa vadai(parupu vadai soaked in rasam)

Ultimate Aappam

2006-08-12T00:07:00.000-04:00

Ultimate Aappam-I am posting this Aappam recipe because some of my friends have difficulty in making soft aappams like we get from hotels.I have been making aappam for almost 3 years and everytime the output is guranteed.This is one of my signature dish.

Ingrediants

Raw Rice(i use sona masoori)-1 cup
Idly Rice(big rice)-1 cup
Urad dhal-1/2 cup
Vendhayam/Methi-1/2 tsp
Salt-1 tsp

Method

This is how it works for me,say i want to make aappams on Saturday,I soak the ingrediants on thursday night.Friday morning,i grind them along with 1 handful of left over cooked rice(it adds softness to the appam batter) .Dont make the batter too watery.Add water now and then.It takes 20 to 25 minutes in a wet grinder for the above mentioned quantity.Transfer the ground batter to a vessel.Collect the water you used to clean the wet grinder in a vessel and heat it by stirring it now and then.The water reduces to become a koolu/semi-liquid consistency.

water reduced to become koolu consistency

Allow it to cool and mix it along with the batter.Add salt and keep it near the oven.Saturday morning you can find the batter raised up.Heat the aappam kadai,grease it with little oil,pour one laddle full of batter into it and holding the two ends of the kadai swing it in a circular motion.The batter spreads around the kadai.Close it and leave it for a minute.The ends will be browned.It is time to take the aappams out.Serve it with thenkai pal.

my ultimate aappam

For Thenkai pal,grind grated coconut in a blender with little water,drain it in a strainer,add sugar to it.Sweetned coconut milk is ready.

Bachelor's Dish-Egg Thokku

2006-08-12T00:06:00.000-04:00

When some of my bachelor friends came to know about my foodblog,they have asked me to post some bachelor dishes.One of them lives in Japan.So he dosen't get all Indian ingrediants there.He has given me the list of what he can get there.Here it goes,

tomato, potato, onion (only big), carrot, mullangi, cabbage, califlower( looks like califlower... ) and all sorts of NV (this is default),some masal powders, konda kadalai, dhaal, passi payaru, mustard, chilli powder, turmeric powerd, pepper powder thru net.

So to help them ,I am posting simple recipes under Bachelor Dish which takes less than an hour.

Ingrediants (for 1 person)

small onion-1 finely chopped
medium tomato-1 finely chopped
Green chillies-2 chopped
Cilantro/Corriander leaves-2 or 3 stripes finely chopped.
Egg-1 or 2
chicken-2 pieces cooked and shredded(optional)
Powders-turmeric,red chilli,pepper
For Seasoning-oil,mustard seeds,curry leaves,split urad dhal.

Method

My Bachelor friends,try this dish with the ingrediants you have on hand

Heat a pan,add oil and do the seasoning.
After mustard splutters,add green chillis then the onions and fry for 2 mins.
Add tomatoes.Fry for 3 mins.
Add the egg and scramble it.Add the powdered items too.It takes 4 mins or so.
Add the chicken (optional) and mix it well with the rest of the mixture.
Salt it.Remove from heat and add chopped cilantro .
Serve hot with rice(sambar/rasam),chappatis,parathas.

Fish Names in Tamil

2006-08-11T19:55:00.000-04:00

Fish Names in Tamil

Kilanga Meen - Whit fish
Kola Meen - Saw,Gar fish
Kerai-Yellowfin Tuna
Kendai-Indian goat fish ,carp
Kanawai-Cuttle fish
Kelluthi-Marine cat fish
Kondal-Snapper
Koduvai-Seabass
Kanagnkelluthi-Indian Mackerell

Viral Meen - Butter fish,murrel
Vaalai-ribbon fish
Vilongu-eel
Vavwall -Pomfret
Vanjaram Meen -King fish,Seer fish

Sankara Meen - Red Snapper
Seepu Thiratai-Spade fish
Seela/Sheela Meen -Barracuda.
Soorai-Little Tunny
Sura-Shark

Iraal-shrimp
Nethili Meen-Anchovies,maththi or chaala
Malabar trevally - Parai

Ooli meen-Barracuda
Oosi kanawai-Squid

Thera (variety of parai)-Leather skin
Thirukkai-Whip tail sting ray
Tuna-soorai

Potha-lndian Halibut
Panna-Cod

courtesy :http://blogs.tastycooks.com

Taco Bell Wrap at Home

2006-08-10T22:41:00.000-04:00

This wrap is one of the items in the menu for a Sunday Game Night.
Taco Bell-http://www.tacobell.com/

Ingrediants

Any wrap-from American stores.(i buy tomato-basil wrap which is more tastier than the plain ones)

Onion-finely chopped
Tomatoes-finely chopped(take out seeds if tomatoes are too juicy)
Cilantro/Coriander leaves-finely chopped as needed
Lime-just to squeeze
Shredded chicken or substitute it with any beans(chick peas(konda kadalai)/kidney beans) to make it veggie wrap
Mayonese,Honey Mustard dressings-just to spread on the wrap
Cheese-any kind(i buy shredded Kraft cheddar)

Method

Have all the items previously chopped near by.

Heat a tava or pan,heat the wrap by turning both sides.
Spread Mayonese all over the wrap followed by Honey Mustard.
Approximately one inch away from the end,place the onions,tomatoes,chicken,cheese,cilantro,squeeze lime juice.

Now fold two sides of the wrap,then the end so that it covers all the filling.
Finally roll it over.

Voila ! yummy taco bell wrap is ready.

Variations

You can add any vegatable of your likeness.
Any kind of spreads or dressings
2 wraps per adult is sufficient

Tasty Tomato-Onion-Coriander Chutney Recipe

2006-08-08T22:51:00.000-04:00

A small variation from our usual coconut chutney.

Ingredients

Coriander leaves - A bunch
(cleanly washed and roughly chopped)
Tomato(medium) - 2 nos
(cut into cubes)
Onion(medium) - 1 no
(cut into cubes)
Grated coconut - 4 tbsp
Red chilly powder - 3/4 tbsp
Oil - 3 tbsp
Salt - As reqd

Preparation Method

1)Heat oil in a pan or a kadai.
2)Add onions and saute for 2 mins.
3)Add tomato and saute, till they get cooked.
4)Add the coriander leaves and fry.
5)Add grated coconut and mix well.
6)Allow it to cool a bit.
7)Blend it along with red chilly powder and salt till it gets a consistency of chutney.

:- Serve with idli, dosa.

Myself

2006-08-08T11:05:00.000-04:00

I am Rashmi Murugesh.My inspiration to create my own blog is my interest in cooking and also the other foodblogs i went through.I think i am not so good as the other blog posters.Most of my cooking recipes are fusion i.e from the web and my twist added according to myself and Murugesh's taste (so is the blog name-websamayal).I try to come up with recipes with less labour but full of flavour.Hope it will be helpful for Rookies.

Yet ,some of my dishes has earned reputation as signature dishes during dinner parties and potlucks.