Hara Masala Pulao

This is from Sanjeev Kapoor's Khana Khazana recipe collection - I actually watched him make this one on TV.

I usually add Chicken Sausages that I buy from Trader Joe's or Soy Chunks to make it a one-pot meal. I also use Chicken Broth for added flavor instead of water while cooking this dish.

Actually, I tried this dish with both Brown Rice and White Rice, and it works very, very well both ways!

http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Recipe.aspx?RecipeId=3365&Header=Indian%20Recipe&MenuId=93

Carrot Milk

For those days when I am not in the mood to eat heavy-duty fare, and could do away with a nice glass of warm milk, a big cup of carrot milk seems to be the way to go.

I tested this flavored milk from Sailu's blog, and quite liked it.

http://www.sailusfood.com/2007/02/20/gajjar-ka-doodh-carrot-milk/

She recommends using kova, but I didn't have it on-hand and so used evaporated milk - actually I could drink the evaporated milk by itself - it is that good!

Marinate Potatoes...

I attempted a prawn and potato dish from Tina's cooking blog today. Although the dish is not exactly in my league, there was something I learned from the dish today.

She marinates the prawns, potatoes and onions in salt, chili powder and turmeric for a good 20 mins., before she cooks it all together.

The marination actually gave the potatoes a complete flavor!

So, from now on I think I am going to marinate my potatoes first for a stir-fry! Actually, I might attempt that with any root-vegetables...

A Beginner's Guide to R

Reading:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/w26370/#section=79195&page=1

My first in a series of R books...

Anapakaya Pachadi

A good way to use up any left-over anapakaya is to make this pachadi.

A nice alternative to many "roti pachadis", something to try once in a while..

http://www.sailusfood.com/2008/09/05/sorakaya-pachadi-bottle-gourd-chutney/

Vankaya Vepudu

This Vankaya Vepudu (from Sailu's Food) works best with young, tender vankayas (of course).

I haven't been able to obtain the same texture that her pictures show. My curry ends up mushy, and this dish seems to take quite a bit of oil. Oh well, I'll have to keep trying till I get the same texture Sailaja has in her pictures.

http://www.sailusfood.com/2007/07/06/vankaya-vepudu-brinjal-stir-fry/

Champadumpa Pulusu

This is a dish that I grew up eating all the time, and this is one of those sweet and sour pulusu curries - very satisfying and hearty.

I found this version on Sailu's Food. She adds tomatoes which my mom didn't. I think I prefer the version without tomatoes as well:

http://www.sailusfood.com/2010/06/08/chamadumpala-pulusu-arbi-taro-root-curry/