BEETROOT AND CARROT PACHADI

Today the topic of conversation between some dear friends was housemaids.  They have become such important parts of our lives that so many decisions revolve around them.  Is that true???

I made the decision not to return to a 9 to 5 job only because I didnt dare to leave my 1 n 1/2 year old in the hands of the Nanny.  It made me shudder to think what she could do with her behind my back.  I did not expect her to treat her well.

But there my friend was who trusted her so much, or was it her trust in God.  She said, I pray and trust.  I do that too, but I guess everybody has a different perspective.

I  had a bad experience with a maid who I trusted and gave whole heartedly, and was shocked when I realized that she has been stealing unashamedly!!!

I think everybody has such encounters with people they trust.  Dont we all??

Today's recipe hails from the Southern part of our country.  A blend of beets and carrots, vegetables which normally people dont like so much.  After I taught this recipe to someone, she said that her mom grows beets and they didnt know much but to make juice out of it.  Now she's got something great to make, and so simple too.

Ingredients:-

1 cup - grated beetroots

1 cup -  grated carrots

1/2 cup -  grated coconut

1 tsp -  cumin seeds / jeera

1 onion – chopped finely

1 tsp- f red chilli powder  or 2 green chillies (optional)

1/4 tsp - turmeric powder

1 tbsp-  coconut oil  or any other oil

1/2 tsp - black mustard seeds

1 strand of curry leaves

1 tsp of salt (adjust to taste)

1 clove of garlic

Method :-

 Heat oil and add the mustard seeds. When the mustards pop, add the grated beetroot, carrots, and some salt. Mix well to coat the beets with the oil and cook on low flame, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile put the  grated coconut, onions, chilli powder, turmeric, garlic, and cumin into a course mixture without adding any water.

 When the beets are almost soft, add the ground coconut mixture to it along with the curry leaves. Mix well and continue to cook on low flame, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are completely cooked and soft.

Serve with chappatis. 

Make into filling for toasts / sandwiches

MEETHE CHAWAL

There are some things that our elders pass on to us, and we will some day pass on to our children.  It is not necessary that it is riches and materialistic things, these can be things that hold no value monetarily but have a lot value for us. 

My today's recipe is something like that.  I had never had Meethe Chawal or Zarda ever before getting married, but it is a recipe my Mother in Law makes a lot and serves as quick snack or a great way to use left over rice, or maybe just made into a great dessert.  Kids love these yellow rice and so do adults. 

I am sharing this recipe with you now.

Ingrdients :-

1 cup of cooked rice (preferably a little undercooked)
1/4 tspn - yellow food colour (liquid)
1/2 tspn - cardamom powder
1 tbspn - chironji
1 tbspn - desicated coconut
a big pinch saffron diluted in warm milk for about 2 minutes
1 tbspn - ghee (essential)
1/4 cup - sugar
1 tbspn - raisins / kishmish
2 tbspn - finely chopped almonds 


Method :-

In a kadhai / wok put the ghee
Put in the sugar and add 1/4 cup of water and let it melt (if you are using completely cooked rice reduce the water to minimum just enough to melt the sugar)
To this add the yellow colour, cardamom powder
Quickly put in the rice and the saffron milk and mix well
Now let the rice cook completely by putting lid on the kadai
Put in the rest of the ingredients, raisins, coconut, chironji and the almonds

You can increase or decrease the quantity of sugar as per your taste

Chicken Kathi Roll

I was surprised to see that my last post was 20th June!!! My laptop has some issues and the page does not load completely which does not allow me to post a post... :)   The ipad is complicated when it comes to such things.  But honestly my hands have been itching to write and I sit down to do so

So much is pending to share...some good and some sad.

I will start with the sad.  A bustling high end Mall was blatantly attacked by heavily loaded terrorists, who brutally killed all who came their way. 62 people lost their lives, 175 people injured... These are just civilians.  Apart from this 3 security personnel killed and many injured.  Not to mention, that 7 out of those terrorists were killed too, but I feel that the were prepared to die.  4 days people like us who suffered thinking that  we could have been one of those who were directly affected, spent the time in front of television sets waiting for the ordeal to end.  It was sad, just to know how mercilessly the hostages were being treated inside and how even small children were killed heartlessly.  Made me think, what will the world end at???? We can just pray for peace around the world.  

Now for the good news... I have seen blog awards being passed on from one blogger to another and I have longed to have one.  And the lovely Sona of Sona's Quick Pick just made my dream come true.  She gave me not one but two blog awards.  Thank you sooooo much my friend

www.ieatonline.blogspot.com/2013/07/awards-new-3-in-1-fb-page-hugs.html   (I have copied the blog link but I dont 
know why its not working.  So please check out her wonderful blog.  She has a great sense of humor and lovely 
recipes.

About my nominations.  Since I have just returned, I dont have 15 bloggers who I would like to nominate, but 
I am going to nominate whoever I can.

http://kurryleaves.blogspot.com - Lovely pics, and awesome recipes 
http://suchi-kitchenkarma.blogspot.com - Amazing lady giving great recipes
http://manjuseatingdelights.blogspot.com - Talented lady giving great dishes
http://www.ahomemakersdiary.com - Awesome bengali recipes, and some yummy clicks
http://cookeatandclick.blogspot.com - Some great recipes by a great woman
http://kichencorner.blogspot.com - Delicious food by a sweet lady
http://easyfoodsmith.blogspot.com - Some really good recipes by a very talented lady
http://kitchenserenity.blogspot.com - praiseworthy recipes and clicks


Secondly,  my move to a new country brought into my life my greatest achievement.  It started with the desire to

do something I have always loved to do - cook.  Getting into the food business has been my dream and get 

into this I did and the following is what I achieved...

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Back-to-the-kitchen-basics/-/1248928/1918720/-/uvnm7tz/-/index.html

My joys knew no bounds and I just wanted to share it with my friends.

To celebrate these and the continuity of life I am sharing this recipe with you of Chicken Kathi Roll

Ingredients:-

For the Roll

1 cup maida / refined flour
1 cup atta / wheatflour
a pinch of baking powder
1 tspn - oil
1/4 tspn  - salt

Method 

Mix everything and knead into a smooth soft dough using enough water, and let it rest for about 1/2 hour.
Then roll into big thin chappatis and semi cook and keep aside

For the filling 

250 grms chicken (boneless chopped into small dices)
1 capsicum - thinly sliced
1 onion - thinly sliced
1 tomato - pureed
2 tspn - dhania / corriander powder
1 tspn - garam masala
1/2 tspn - haldi / turmeric powder
1 tspn - chicken masala
1 tspn - kasoori methi / dry fenugreek leaves (optional)
1 small bunch - mint leaves
1 small bunch corriander leaves
1/4 tsp - cinnamon powder
2 bay leaves
2 tbspn - ketchup 
green chillies - as per taste
4 flakes - garlic (minced)
1 small pc ginger - grated 

Method 

In a wok add some oil and let heat add the garlic and let fry.  Then add the onions and fry till golden brown
Now add the masalas (turmeric, corriander powder, garam masala, chicken masala - in that order, mixing well after each addition)
Then add the tomato puree and the ginger and fry till oil separates
Add the mint leaves and mix
Add the capsicum and chicken and cook till the chicken is cooked and the curry dries up completely
Add the ketchup, fenugreek leaves and green chillies

For the assembling

Julienned carrots
Thinly sliced onions
Thinly sliced cucumber
Mint chuntey
Lettuce leaves

Method :-

Cook the semicooked chappatis completely
Take away from pan
Layer with lettuce leaves
In the center put the chicken mixture
Spread the sliced onions, carrots, and cucumber slices
Top with chutney
Wrap tightly and cover with foil on one end

 

Am tired now. Forgive me for errors please.