AWED: Banh-Mi Style Vietnamese Sandwich

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I love participating in food events for the very fact - they challenge and push you to experiment! that's what happened yesterday. To be very honest, I have no clue about 'Vietnamese' cuisine, except for the fact that they use a lot of fresh herbs and vegetables in their cooking. (thanks to my office colleague, who is from Vietnam).

After much googling, I narrowed in to make this 'Banh-Mi Style Vietnamese Sandwich' and to describe in one word how it tasted - "Out of this world". My roommate, who is a calorie-conscious person, couldn't stop for one and served herself the second one..:)

Thanks Dhivs, for making me famous among my roomies - that I am 'awesome' cook ..:D and off this goes to your AWED: Vietnamese event..:)


Banh-Mi Style Vietnamese Sandwich (Adapted from here)

Ingredients:

- 2 mini Ciabatta bread rolls (or any other bread)
- Assortment of vegetables:
Zucchini
Carrots
fire roasted bell peppers (store bought)
Tomato, sliced
Onion, cut into rings
Broccoli slaw
Cucumber, cut into discs
Coriander
- Mixed shredded cheese, handful
- 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil

For sandwich sauce:

- 2 tbsp Lime juice
- 2 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tsp toasted Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsp Canola Oil
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1/3 cup Water

Method:

Step 1: Preheat oven for 350 deg F. Place thinly slit Zucchini pieces on a baking dish and drizzle some olive oil on them. Bake for 15-20 mins.

Step 2: In a bowl, stir in the rice vinegar, some lime juice and cold water. Soak carrots and onions for 10-15 mins.

Step 3: Meanwhile, mix in all the ingredients listed for 'Sandwich Sauce' above in a small bowl. This is an unbelievably simple yet yummy sauce I have ever made.

Step 4: To assemble the sandwiches: Sprinkle some sandwich sauce on each side of bread and place baked Zucchini first, then some tomatoes, cucumber, marinaded carrots & onions. Drizzle some more sandwich sauce and place rest of the vegetables over it. Finally top with some mixed cheese and microwave (or bake) it until the cheese melts. (approx 30 seconds). Close with the top and Serve warm..:)

Enjoi..

RCI: Batate Song (Spicy Potato Curry - Konkani Style)

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Her blog is an awesome repertoire of every Konkani dish one can think of and the best part is - they are simple to make and yummy to taste! No wonder.. I landed on her blog and finally decided on making 'Batate Song' a simple Konkani recipe.

With the little time I had on hand today, this tasty potato dish was an apt choice ..and Off this goes to Deepa's RCI: Konkani Cuisine. The authentic version is supposed to be very spicy, but I reduced the amount to suit my taste buds..:)



Ingredients:

3 medium Potatoes, boiled, peeled
1/2 medium sized Onion, slit into thin slices
1-2 tsp Oil (Recommended: Coconut Oil)
2 tsp Red Chilli powder
1 tsp Tamarind paste
Salt
Coriander - for garnishing

Preparation:

1. Cut the peeled potatoes into chunks. Mix chilli powder with the tamarind paste, add couple of teaspoons of water to it if needed.

2. Heat oil in a pan and saute onions for 2-3 mins, until golden brown.

3. Add potato chunks and tamarind-chilli powder paste. Mix the contents well. Cook for 5-6 minutes on low heat to blend in all the flavors!

4. Serve with hot rice. Y.U.M.M.O.

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Reminder: Two events are currently on here at Siri's Corner...

MBP: Say Cheese: Last Date - September 25th 2008

Herb Mania: Coriander: Last Date - October 15th 2008.

Looking forward for your participation!!...

signing off for now,
Siri

Announcing Herb Mania: Coriander/Cilantro

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'Herb Mania' is an event started by lovely Dee of Ammalu's kitchen, to celebrate the freshness of our dear herbs; to let the world know that 'herbs' can be used beyond mere garnishing.

....and I have the opportunity to host this month's edition. Thanks Dee.


Coriandrum Sativum, widely known as 'Coriander' is a herb mostly used in Asian, Middle-eastern and Latin American cooking. Its commonly referred as 'Cilantro' in United States and Canada, deriving its name from a Spanish root word. This herb is so versatile and has been used for centuries in cuisines in many parts of the world.

Lets celebrate the goodness of this bright green herb all this month...:)

Rules:
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1. Prepare any vegetarian dish using Coriander as one of the ingredients (in any form) - fresh, frozen, dried or seeds.

2. Post the dish on your blog and then provide a link back to this announcement and Dee's blog. You can send any of your archived posts . Just re-post it and provide a link back to this post.

3. Email your entry to info(dot)siri(at)gmail(dot)com, with 'Herb Mania' as its subject line and with the following details by Oct 15th 2008:

- Your Name
- Blog Name
- Recipe Name
- Recipe URL
- Picture of the dish

4. Multiple entries are more than welcome - more the better!

5. If you do not have a blog, but wish to participate please send me your name, the recipe and a picture and I will post it in the round up.

Don't miss: RC's roundup on Fenugreek.

Lets get cooking then!!!

Cheers,
Siri

Eggoti

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This dish is made similar to 'Kothu Parotta'. I, instead used left over rotis for my 'Eggoti' dish.

I served this as a lazy Sunday brunch with a cup of tea!

Ingredients:

4 left over Rotis (or) Chapathis
2 Eggs, beaten
1 medium Onion, finely chopped
few sprigs of fresh Cilantro
2-3 Garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Butter (or) Oil
2 Green Chillies, slit lengthwise
1/2 tsp Chilli powder
Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Shred the left over rotis into small pieces and keep aside.

2. Melt butter in a pan and add minced garlic, onions and green chillies. Fry until golden brown.

3. Pour the beaten eggs and season with salt and chilli powder. Mix.

4. Finally stir in the roti pieces and cook for couple of minutes.

5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and Serve hot!


Reminder: MBP: Say Cheese is still on and Last Date to send in your entries is September 25th 2008.. !!! See the left sidebar for more details.


Have a great week ahead!

signing off,
Siri

WBB: Sun-dried tomato Couscous

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Scene 1: There are times when I reach home so tired, that I have no patience to cook an elaborate meal,yet wanna have something healthy and yummy to taste. One thing that comes to my mind is - 'Couscous'(\ˈküs-ˌküs\).

Scene 2: Its Monday morning, the lousiest ever. I am running late, for my meeting at 9:30am at office. No time to cook. I am terribly sick of classy restaurant lunches of DC. Wanna have something nice, which tastes yummy till afternoon (with a quick re-heat in MW). Oh ya, that reminds me of none other than - 'Couscous'(\ˈküs-ˌküs\).



Couscous (love the way its pronounced!) consists spherical granules made by rolling and shaping moistened semolina wheat and then coating them with finely ground wheat flour.

(Source: Wikipedia)

The traditional variety is a bit elaborate to cook, but the 'instant' variety which we get in any of the grocery stores is pre-steamed and dried. It just needs to be added with some hot water and covered up for about 5 mins and its ready to serve. The 'bland' taste of couscous gives us room to mix in our choicest flavors and it tastes equally good with whatever you serve with!

My current flavor of the month is - tangy 'Sun-dried Tomatoes' and here I am, serving some yummy - Sun-dried Tomato Couscous!!! Enjoi..:)



Ingredients:

2 cups vegetable stock
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 package instant plain couscous (10 oz)
1/2 cup (oil packed) Sun-dried Tomatoes, drained, finely diced
1/2 cup veggies - I used broccoli, baby corn and whole sweet peas.
2 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tsp butter (or olive oil)
Salt & Pepper

Preparation:

1. Heat butter in a sauce pan and saute the veggies and the diced sun-dried tomatoes for about 3-5 mins.

2. Add vegetable stock and stir in garlic powder and vinegar. Season with salt & pepper. Bring the contents to a boil.

3. Place the couscous in a large heat-proof bowl and pour the stock (from step 2) over it. Cover and Let it steam for 5-7 minutes.

4. Fluff the contents with a fork and mix in the chopped fresh basil. It tastes yummy when served hot or at room temparature.

When cold, its serves as a great salad too!

Off this goes to Aparna's WBB: Grains in my breakfast event, initiated by Nandita, this being an amazing quick yet healthy breakfast/brunch/dinner!

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Now, time to have some fun with cute e-cards. what say?

For instance...


Send this eCard !


One can find many such 'Food and Drink Invitations' here. We can also add these to sites like - blogger, facebook, myspace and hoards of other websites. Aren't they cute and funny!

I am having a lousy Saturday today, with weather so gloomy (its been raining since morning!)..am trying to spice it up with 'Harry Potter - the Secret of Chambers' book. Did you know we are having a Harry Potter special this month for 'this book makes me cook' event. If you are one of ardent aficionado of HP, just like me..do participate and share your HP crazzinesss with all of us!

Reminder: This month's theme for 'Monthly Blog Patrol' (a.k.a MBP) is 'Say Cheese'...do send in your favorite cheese recipes to me.. I am waiting!!!

Have a great Sunday ahead!

Cheers,
Siri

Happy Vinayaka Chaturthi

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"Vinayaka Chaturthi Subhakanshalu to one and all!"

Related Post: Preparation for Ganesh Puja

- Siri