Top 10 Food Memories of 2017 + Buttermilk Kootu Recipe (Vegetable Buttermilk Stew)

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Phew! there it is. an end of 2017. an end to an year I quickly want to forget and erase from my memory. Though the year started on a positive note, it quickly took a nose dive and by the end it felt like an unintentionally long and painful roller coaster ride. Amidst all this chaos, the blog took a big hit and I no longer felt like cooking or writing elaborate posts. I am super active on Instagram though and the only two positive things I will remember 2017 for are: my love for watercolor and how I found support from my bullet journal. Rest all let's say - it feels good to be forgotten. :-) 

There were a few moments though during the year, here and there where I took a few photographs of food and also tried a new recipe from Chandra Padmanabhan's book - Dakshin: Vegetarian Cuisine From South which you can find at the end of the post. As always, I have grand plans for self and for my hobbies in the coming year and only time will tell on how far I will be able to execute on them. For now, here are Top 10 food memories of 2017 I want to share with you all. 

Happy Holidays and Wishing you all a Joyous 2018 ahead! May the force be with you!

Happy Holidays! more watercolor artwork here on my other blog.

How To Make Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce Recipe

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It was a balmy Sunday morning yesterday where I woke as usual, all geared up to get a few things done on my todo list and was sipping my morning tea when a realization hit like a thunder. If I do my math right, the year 2007 was when I first started blogging; that means this year marks the 10th year anniversary of my food blogging. OMG! 10 years? I have never done anything consistent for that long, ever. I am known to my friends and family to feel super excited about something and getting easily bored after an year or two. No! I thought. I can't abandon my blog anymore. Blogging has given me a sense of purpose when I needed the most, good friends who saw me stumble & grow and gave many cherished memories that still make me smile. I promised myself to blog consistently from now onwards.

I might not be blogging since past few months but I have been active on Instagram where I am sharing my adventures with latest love - Bullet Journalling. In the kitchen, my meals these days are quick and make ahead like today's recipe - Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce, which can be used in a number of different ways like pasta sauce, pizza sauce or even as a base for a quick soup. Make a big batch, store and enjoy. Happy Cooking!

[VeganMoFo 2016] Tofu Masala Recipe

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What do you do with a slab of tofu lurking at the back of the fridge and with no more than 20 minutes on hand? You make today's recipe - an easy yet hearty Tofu Masala of course! When I saw it on Food and Wine for the first time, I wondered how ordinary the ingredients list is. But the end result in terms of flavor was nothing but ordinary. On a crazy weeknight, I served this dish with some prepared rotis and a bowl of fruit. Satisfied with happy bellies, we both called it a day and I thought how sometimes keeping the spices to minimum is a good thing. Trust me, this recipe is a perfect example of that! Do give it a try. Bon Appetit.

[VeganMoFo 2016] Sindhi Kadhi | Vegetables in Chickpea Flour Gravy Recipe

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All the kadhi (yogurt gravy) recipes I know so far are made with yogurt by default. Never had I ever tasted or encountered a dish which is named as a kadhi but without the use of any diary. Made just out of chickpea flour as a base for the gravy, today's recipe (Sindhi Kadhi) is an exception. If you are wary about how would it taste (just like I did), then you got to make it to believe how mind blowing it tastes. For several Sundays after I teetered on the recipe, I found myself eagerly making two portions of it for my upcoming weekday lunches. Did I tell you, it is a lovely make-ahead recipe too which keeps well for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. All I had to was warm it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, pour on top of some rice and enjoy my desk lunch. 

The recipe is from justagirlfrommumbai, one of my favorite Instagram accounts with beautiful (unpretentious) food photography and heart warming stories behind each one of them. If you are not following her already on IG and love food then give her a follow right way!

Tarla Dalal's Tawa Chana | Pan-Fried Chickpeas Curry Recipe

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A quick and easy recipe for chickpea curry - pan fried and lightly coated with spices. Perfect as a side dish for rice/roti or as an easy snack with crunchy chips. Indian food is not hard at all and this dish is the proof.

How to make Oats Pongal (Oats With Split Mung Dal) and Tomato Gotsu Recipe

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Ask any South Indian, what is his/her favorite breakfast? I am pretty sure Idli or Dosa will top the list along with Ven Pongal accompanied by a version of Coconut chutney. These are the dishes that defined our care-free childhood days. These are also the dishes we tend to go back to for comfort, time and again in some form or fashion. Today's post is about Oats Pongal, an incarnation of a traditional white rice cooked with mung dal and black peppercorns recipe. It is super simple to make, perfect for busy weekdays. A touch of ghee, grated ginger and curry leaves makes it flavorful just like its original version. The consistency of the pongal is purely of personal choice. I like mine a bit soupy while there are others who would want a little thicker. Adjust water quantity and play with various mix-ins (mentioned in the recipe below) and you have a healthy, one pot meal (for breakfast, lunch or dinner) ready in minutes. Now, a spicy side like a simple Tomato Gotsu makes the pongal even more enjoyable. If you are short on time, a blob of Indian pickle or a handful of potato chips work too. Enjoy!

How to make an Easy Indian Omelette Curry Recipe

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Eggs and I share a very intimate relationship. Most of my friends very well know that and I often get teased about the same. I tend to make them to celebrate the happy moments and also to soothe myself during times of distress. I love to eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Today's recipe is the most fun dish I made in recent times. It felt like am playing with two different recipes and combining the recipes into one which is better in taste and in looks as well. My good friend Sandeepa has a similar Bengali version and mine - Easy Indian Omelette Curry is an lazy, adapted version. In less than half an hour, you will have a delicious egg dish which can be served with any kind of rice or roti. :-) Enjoy!

[Pressure Cooker Recipes] Quick Lobia Masala Recipe | How to make Black-Eyed Peas Curry | Step-by-Step

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Can someone pinch me please? Is it February already? Where did January go? 2016 has started on such a busy note for me. As usual things were super crazy on most of the days and in the little free time I got, all I wanted to do was slouch in my couch and read books of all kinds - a simple and uncomplicated way to relax. But, honestly a corner of my heart was also longing to sit up, write a few words and publish a blogpost. So, before that feeling of enthusiasm goes away; before am swayed into the monotony of everyday activities that constantly need my attention, here I am sitting in a coffee shop, enjoying a cup of coffee with warm blueberry scone on the side and typing this super quick and easy black eyed pea curry recipe for you all. I make this dish often, on a weekly basis and sometimes substitute with other kinds of beans such as pinto, black bean, red beans and even chickpeas. Either way, it serves as a healthy side dish to a bowl of rice or for a bread/roti. Enjoy!

* This "Pressure Cooker Recipe Series" is dedicated to my awesome project manager at work Robin  and to the glee on his face when he cooks something delicious in his new pressure cooker. He especially loves to make Dhal with geee (that's how he says it for ghee!), ginger, tomatoes and spices * :-)

More Black Eyed Pea recipes:

Easy Scrambled Eggs with Black Eyed Peas and Potatoes
Creamy Goan Curry with Black Eyed Peas
Black Eyed Pea and Stewed Tomato Salad
Accara | Black eyed pea Fritters

[Healthy Breakfast Recipes] Kale, Potato and Tomato Mini Frittatas

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I am a late bloomer when it comes to reading books. Except for text books and occasional Secret Seven pickups from our school library, my childhood was very pretty unadventurous. Then a time came when I was living all by myself in a foreign country and a stranger (who later became my roommate and a good friend) inspired me to delve deep into a regular reading habit. It started small and now, it has become an integral part of who I am. It took me beyond just pure literature. Reading (especially food fiction) helped me develop an awareness that is very hard to describe or put in words. When I read a recipe now, I can imagine myself cooking one step at a time and almost taste an imaginary version. :-) Today's recipe - Kale, Potato and Tomato Mini Frittatas is I must say an upgraded version of a potato chip topped frittata I usually make for breakfast. If you don't have muffin cups, simply make an omelette out of the egg mixture and you are good to go!

Homestyle Rajma Masala Curry | Step by Step Recipe

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We are a family of dal-lovers. We were a family who took many short road-trips, to be out of the city and to get some fresh air into our lungs. It was during one of those trips at a roadside dhaba, I ate the most flavorful and simply-made bowl of rajma with fresh roti from a tandoor. It was all that it promised - creamy, not-too-spicy and with a big dollop of cream & fried chilli on top. I was an enthusiastic 11-year old, discovering new food (with the help of my mother) and that combination simply bowled me over. I still remember my school friends from Northern part of India just couldn't understand the zealousness and what was such a big deal about it!. Till today, the memories of that first bite are fresh and this recipe for red beans curry with rice or bread is (and will be) my absolute definition for comfort food. Enjoy!

This recipe is an entry to My Legume Love Affair # 81, hosted this month by me. Have you sent yours yet?

Update: Here is a lovely roundup of all recipes submitted to MLLA 81.

[New Year's Special Recipe] Creamy Goan Black-Eyed Pea Curry

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It has been a tradition since past few years to welcome a New Year with a black eyed pea post. Last year it was scrambled eggs, the year before with some fried fritters (still a popular one for New Year's) and a curry with coconut, the year before that. The reason is simple - in some cultures, black eyed peas symbolize good luck due to their penny-like appearance. They also signify abundance and if there are any left overs for the day after, it is meant to demonstrate frugality and prosperity in the coming year! Don't get me wrong. I am not a stickler when it comes to any kind of customs or superstitions but it is always a good feeling to start something on a good note. Isn't it? Today's recipe is a vegan curry made with coconut milk and some aromatic spices. New Year's or not, this recipe comes together in a giffy, any kind of beans like red, garbanzo etc can be substituted instead of black eyed peas and it will still taste heavenly. Enjoy.

[Recipe Redux] Spicy Egg Curry with Harissa Recipe

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It has been more than a month since I posted a recipe on this blog. During this time, much has happened and changed. There is so much to say but I am finding it hard to articulate well. I just don't know where to start. Until I find a way to put the events in sequence and give them some meaning, let us talk about fond food memories. Shall we? Along with them is a recipe for Spicy Egg Curry made with Harissa. It is quick yet flavorful and not too overtly spicy. Serve with some rice and you are set with a hearty meal. No rice? Just have with some bread of any kind. Soak the chunks of bread with the onion-tomato sauce while scooping bits and pieces of browned, boiled egg in the middle. Best part, it takes less than half an hour to put it all together. Enjoy!

[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 

Penne with Harissa Roasted Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Carrot Strips and Capers

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Pasta Lovers, Rejoice. I think today's recipe will make your mouths water (just like mine) and urge you to go for a second serving. I was so mighty happy with the results that I just couldn't wait to share it with you all.

This spicy pasta was made for a long lost childhood friend, whom I was meeting after many years. It was pure fun to catch up what we had missed all this while and a foodie herself, the conversation inadvertently moved on to cuisines we tried, recipes (her latest find - Spaghetti carbonara with Quorn) and favorite restaurants in town etc etc. Out of the blue, she exclaims"Are you still a vegetarian?" quite surprised. Her expression was quite remarkable as if I have had survived through a huge tornedo. "Yes!" I replied firmly, quite annoyed at the stern objectivity of the question.

The tiff between the likes of vegetarians and non vegetarians is age old. The meat lovers wonder what do vegetarians eat and we wonder how can they simply relish food which involves butchering an innocent animal. So many times I have been asked politely and directly if I was a vegetarian by choice or did someone force me into it. I find that question very amusing as I never asked them the same question. It is just the way I am I say to avoid any further inquiries. If they really persist, irritated ofcourse I casually give the blog links of mine and a bunch of others to prove my point that we, vegetarians indeed eat delicious, healthy food with pleasure and relish them without any guilt. :-)

In the beginning of my post, I promised to share my pasta experiment of mine. Haven't I? Without further ranting about veg vs non-veg ( which can just go-on), let just dive into its details, so that you can make some too. Shall we?

Thanksgiving is around the corner. Probably you can make some harissa pasta for your vegetarian friends. The vegetables can be roasted well in advance and stored in refrigerator. On the day, all you have to do is cook pasta, toss these vegetables and capers in olive oil and Serve! Enjoy.

Penne with Harissa Roasted Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Carrot Strips and Capers

Make Time: 45 mins
Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients:

1/2 pound dried penne pasta (or any other pasta)
2 tbsp harissa paste
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp black pepper powder
salt - to taste
1-2 tbsp of pickled capers, drained
1 cup cut cauliflower
2 red bell peppers, deseeded and cut into strips
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 carrot, peeled, cut into thin strips
chopped coriander leaves

Preparation:

In a small bowl, whisk together harissa paste, 1/4 cup of olive oil, salt and black pepper powder. Keep aside.

Preheat oven to 180 C or 400 F. On a baking sheet, spread cauliflower florets, bell peppers, carrot strips, chopped tomatoes and corainder leaves. Top with the harissa dressing and toss so that the veggies are evenly coated. Bake for about 25 to 30 mins until they lightly crispy.

Cook pasta in lots of salted boiling water as per package instructions or until al dente.

Heat few tbsp of olive oil in pan and toss together roasted veggies, capers with penne. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If you want to increase the heat, optionally add little harissa to pasta. Cook for 4 to 5 mins. Serve and garnish with fresh herbs and cheese (if you wish to).

[Updated - 24th November 2103] - On a special request from my little sister, I made a few boxes of this pasta for her family. :-) Tried the same recipe with Farfalle (bow-tie pasta) as well (pic of the left) and it turned out great.

This is Recipe 64 added to 2013 Recipe Archive. Check out the rest of the recipes too.

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until next recipe,

[VeganMoFo 2013] Sprouted Moong Dal and Babycorn Salad Recipe

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I am well known in my household as the one who gets excited for tiniest things in life and let me tell you, sprouting beans is one of them. Yes, it needs time and little patience. But the joy to see tiny shoots at the end of the third day is just beyond words!

[VeganMoFo 2013] Brown Rice Ratatouille Salad Recipe

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Bonjour Septembre! 

VeganMoFo (Vegan Month of Food) is here finally. It's a challenge where hundreds of bloggers have pledged to write about and cook only Vegan recipes all month long, and I am one of them.

Indian Style Scrambled Egg (Masala Ande Ki Bhurji) Flatbread Pizza Recipe

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“Those pizzas I ate were for medicinal purposes.”  ~ Amy Neftzger

Dhaba Tadka Mix + Dhaba Style Urad Dal - a Step by Step Recipe

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Looks like those hot, summer days which I have been complaining in almost every post since past few months are on the move. Humid, sultry nights are being slowly replaced with breezy, chilly ones and trust me, am not complaining at all. I dread hot days and simply love winters as am a through & through wrap-a-shawl-and-have-a-cup-of-hot-tea kinda girl. :-)

Spicy Dhaba Style Urad Dal

Homemade Orecchiette with Roasted Tomato Sauce (Caribbean style Tomato Choka)

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Before you go ahead to read today's post, I would recommend have a look at yesterday's post - a step-by-step recipe on how to make fresh egg pasta. 

Quick Pizza Dough Recipe + Thin Crust Breakfast Pizza with Eggs, Tomatoes, Onions and Potatoes

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“There's very little in my world that a foot massage and a thin-crust, everything-on-it pizza won't set right.” ~ G.A. McKevett

Ever imagined serving pizza for breakfast? I do, all the time. I sometimes even dream about waking up to a hot slice of pizza and cup of piping hot coffee. Who wants a bowl of boring cereal if I can whip up a better tasting breakfast in the same amount of time. Isn't it. All you need to do is prepare the dough, let it rise the previous night and stash it in the fridge. Top with whatever veggies you have on hand and don't forget eggs. Only then you can feel good about calling the pizza a breakfast and a sumptuous meal in itself.

Enjoy..