[VeganMoFo 2014 Recipe] Sprouted Moong Dal Chilla (Cheela) + Two Book Giveaways To Win: Hot Tea Across India and The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook

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Once a week, I make today's dish (Sprouted Moong Dal Chilla) as our breakfast especially for that extra protein kick from the sprouted legumes. A simple chutney on the side and we are not hungry again till lunch; it is such a filling snack too! Also, today is the last day for the book giveaways I planned for 12 lucky readers of this blog. Time flew and still can't believe it is end of the week. There are two more books up for grabs today and scroll down to participate. I will randomly choose and announce the winners on 30th September morning. Two more days to leave a comment on the respective posts. Lady Luck might favor you. Enter today!

 Click here to access all 12 book giveaways on a SINGLE page. 

Last Date for Participation: September 29th 2014 midnight (IST)

Day 6: The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook and Hot Tea Across India

[VeganMoFo 2014 Recipe] Minapa Vadiyalu Pulusu | Black Gram Wadi Curry + Four Giveaways To Win: Rude Food; Gluten-Free, Sugar-free Cookbook; BongMom's Cookbook and Quick-fix Indian Book

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Like many of you out there I am a HUGE lover (read as hoarder) of cookbooks and books based on food writing. I don't need any reason in particular to buy one. Sometimes it's the theme of the cookbook; sometimes the author; sometimes the reviews are so great that I can't stop myself from ordering a copy; sometimes it is as silly as the book cover. Whatever may be the reason, now I have a selection of books that I seldom use and book giveaways to few lucky readers was something I wanted to do since a long time. I handpicked 12 such books (4 of which are featured today) that I simply loved for each day of this week. Winners will be randomly picked and there are few more simple ways to increase your chances. Scroll down to the end of the post for more details on how to participate. Don't forget to check out (if you haven't already) on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 posts as well. All it takes is to leave a comment and we never know, you might be THE winner. Enter and try your luck! Click here to access all book giveaways on a SINGLE page.

Also, since it's VeganMoFo, a vegan friendly recipe is a must. Today, I made amma's favorite dish - a tangy curry with fried black gram (urad dal) wadis. On days when your tastebuds are craving for a different yet simple curry, try this. There is something really magical when fried wadis are dunked in onion-tomato-tamarind flavored stew. The wadis absorb all the juices and the result is truly wonderful. Rice is the best accompaniment and if are a non-vegan, don't forget to add a tsp of melted ghee on top. 

Day 4: Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi and Gluten-free, Sugar-free cooking by Susan O'Brien

Day 5: BongMom's Cookbook by Sandeepa Mukherjee Datta and Quick-fix Indian by Ruta Kahate

[VeganMoFo 2014] Under 15 minute Easy South Indian Coconut Chutney Recipe + Two Giveaways: Modern Spice by Monica Bhide and A Matter of Taste, a book on Indian writing on Food

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If there is always one accompaniment while having breakfast at my mum's place, it is definitely this Under 15 minute Easy South Indian Coconut Chutney. I have been eating it with my idilis and dosas for as long as I remember and now I thought it is a perfect time to share the recipe with you all. All you need is fresh coconut and a handful of ingredients. Every south indian breakfast deserves a simple to make chutney as a side and after trying this version, I guarantee you will instantly fall in love, never to look back again! 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 3) Scroll down for more details. If you haven't tried your luck already, do leave a comment on Day 1 and Day 2 giveaway blogposts as well. Good Luck! 

Day 3 | Two Books-A-Day Giveaways

Modern Spice by Monica Bhide and A Matter of Taste, a book on Indian writing on Food

[VeganMoFo 2014 | Quick and Easy Snacks] Peanut Chaat Recipe + Two Book Giveaways: The F-Word by Mita Kapur and The Best of Lord Krishna's Cuisine by Yamuna Devi

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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.

Day 2 | Two Books-A-Day Giveaways:

The F-Word by Mita Kapur

and

The Best of Lord Krishna's Cuisine by Yamuna Devi 

[VeganMoFo 2014] Mark Bittman's Crispy Noodle Cake Recipe + Two Book Giveaways: Best Food Writing 2011 | Vicky Goes Veg

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Like many of you out there I am a HUGE lover (read as hoarder) of cookbooks and books based on food writing. I don't need any reason in particular to buy one. Sometimes it's the theme of the cookbook; sometimes the author; sometimes the reviews are so great that I can't stop myself from ordering a copy; sometimes it is as silly as the book cover. Whatever may be the reason, now I have a selection of books that I seldom use and book giveaways to few lucky readers was something I wanted to do since a long time. I handpicked 12 such books that I simply loved for each day of this week. Winners as usual will be randomly picked and there are few more simple ways to increase your chances. Scroll down at the end of the post for more details. 

Also, since it's VeganMoFo week, a vegan friendly recipe is a must. Today, I made Mark Bittman's Crispy Noodle Cake Recipe. It makes a fantastic side dish, snack, or base for a stir-fry, where it soaks up all of the savory juices. You don’t need much else to call this a meal, though a beer alongside wouldn’t hurt.

Day 1 | Two Books-A-Day Giveaway: 

Best Food Writing 2011 by Holly Hughes 

and 

Vicky Goes Veg by Chef Vicky Ratnani

[VeganMoFo 2014] Lemon Rice | Nimmakaya Pulihora Recipe

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My first memory of my grandmother's cooking is - how she made a simple, yet flavorful lemon flavored rice one night out of just a bowl of stale rice. Things were scarce, times not-so-luxurious back then and being judicious about groceries was the only way to keep the family of five well fed and nourished. Money doesn't define us as human beings only compassion will, she used to say. Whenever I make this Lemon Rice at home, I think of her immense love and exuberance. When I am 60 years old, even if I manage to imbibe half of her qualities, I would feel really accomplished in life!

[VeganMoFo 2014] Zero Oil Zucchini Curry Recipe

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I wriggle my nose whenever I hear the word 'Zero Oil' for a recipe, probably because of my many previously failed kitchen experiments. An Indian curry dish without oil (or any kind of fat) seemed incomprehensible until I tried today's version by my fellow blogging pal, published in GoodFood India (August 2013). I was meaning to try it since last year and the opportunity finally arrived last week. The freshly ground spice powder forms a lovely curry base and compliment very well with a subtle vegetable like Zucchini. I am sure when substituted with any other firm veggie like potato or squash it will give out equally good results. If you'd like to a taste of good curry without any guilt of excess oil floating on the top, then there is no better recipe than this!. 

[VeganMoFo 2014] Garlic Tostones | Puerto Rican Twice Fried Plantains With Rice and Beans Recipe

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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. 

[VeganMoFo 2014] K for Korivi Karam | Ripe Red Chilli Pickle | Andhra Recipes

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It has been exactly 2 months that I posted a recipe for my ambitious A to Z Andhra Recipe blogging. It is not that I forgot about the challenge, but it is just that life has got in the way and have been making, posting recipes made with ingredients bought on a whim or with those that are readily available in my pantry. I have not set myself any particular deadline for A to Z blogging, but am determined to finish it at some point of time. Today's recipe is for the letter K. Red Chilli pickle made with fresh, ripe chillies or Korivi Karam as we call it in Telugu is a quintessential condiment that you would always always find in our fridge or on our dinner table. It very easy to make and serves as a perfect side when we are in need of a dash of spice in everyday dal rice or curd rice. A household favorite that we tend to go overboard sometimes and end up drinking buckets of buttermilk to cool the heat off. :-)  

[VeganMoFo 2014 | Easy Snack Recipes] Cabbage and Onion Vada/Vadai Fritters

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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! 

[VeganMoFo 2014 Recipe] Crispy Hedgehog Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs

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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!

[VeganMoFo 2014 Recipe] Moongachi Bhaaji | Whole Green Gram and Potato Curry with Koli Masala

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Sometimes it makes me sad, how our Indian cuisine is stereotyped for a handful of popular curries. There is a world of truly unique and diverse food culture spanning across the country that each one of us should make an attempt to atleast know and if possible, learn. Today's post is about a quick and scrumptious curry made with whole green gram, potato and spiced with a unique spice blend of 18 spices called Koli Masala. It was initially a gift to Lataji from Anjali, the maker of the spice mix. I was quite chuffed when Lataji generously shared some with me during our stay together at IFBM. Since then I have been meaning to make a recipe, to try the spice mix.  Isn't VeganMoFo a perfect platform to talk and feature some lesser known cuisines & traditions? - To let the world know how distinct and extraordinary our Indian cuisine is! 

My blog turns 7 years old! | No Grind Gongura Pachadi | Chutney with Sorrel Leaves Recipe for [VeganMoFo 2014]

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It's that time of the year again when we celebrate a blog anniversary and some serious Vegan food. Oh yes, this blog turned SEVEN years and also it's time for VeganMoFo 2014. Woohoo! Last year, a few days into the game, things on the personal front got awry and I had to abandon the challenge mid way. This year, am determined to see it through the end. The goal is simple: to cook and publish a vegan recipe every single weekday of September 2014. I did the math and that will come up to 21 new recipes. :-) Wish me luck folks and here I am with the first recipe for the vegan challenge - an easy-peasy No Grind Gongura Pachadi i.e Chutney with Sorrel Leaves, a favorite in my household and devoured every single time my mother makes it.