A Favor to Mankind.

Helloooo lovelies! (why does it feel like I am talking to myself? Please tell me at least one of you out there is reading my blog, yes? Ok!)

I am writing this post today with just one selfish motive in mind – to get some good karma points for the service I am about to do to mankind. And hey, no, I am not going to stop blogging; that would be asking for too much. So what am I about to do?

Well, let me start by telling you a story. Until I got married, my entry to the kitchen was quite restricted. Once every morning to get cereals & milk and probably twice more to put the plates, spoons, etc. to wash and occasionally to bake a cake or make cupcakes which more often than not looked like disfigured blobs of clay.

I distinctly remember this one time, a few weeks before my wedding, when I decided to make pizza from scratch but ended up making some of my *true* friends (Hamsi, Dwarak & Ram) eat half baked, soggy, “pizza” (it was actually a soggy mess of flour, veggies and some cheese) which they ate without complaining (or at least I’d like to pretend that I don’t remember them complaining).

However, all this changed once I started cooking (was forced to start cooking, I mean) after moving to UAE. I have now reached a stage where I love cooking so much that I can be caught going through food blogs, checking recipes all through the day.

Anyhooo, coming back to why I am writing this post today, well, I am writing it to help the million other souls like me who are struggling to cook, still learning to cook, can barely cook, experimental cooks, occasional cooks, etc.

Although I am no Masterchef, I am still very  happy with what I am capable of making now although epic fail, disastrous experiments are still very much a part of my life every now and then (read at least once a week).

Thank god for internet, for without it I would barely be able to make a decent meal. Oh, and Amma, I know you are reading this, I would like to assure you that you did bring me up well, you taught me so much, it was just me, who did not pay attention. Not your fault. ;)

So, here is some unsolicited cooking gyan, from me, to you.

Vegrecipesofindia – This site has been my Holy Book of cooking. From South Indian to North Indian, Gujrathi to Bengali, Dassana has recipes for EVERYTHING!

Her recipes are easy, and her pictures are more than enough to make you want to cook.

Padhuskitchen – This is another one of my favorite sites. From bakshanam to easy breakfast recipes, she has ‘em all listed.

Reluctant Chefs – These two (Ajit & Nandini) are my heroes. Ajit is a world-famous Twitter & Instagram personality (also the object of hatred of almost every husband in the world, I'm sure. :P). Together, they cook up a storm in their kitchen every. single. day! If you are not dieting (don't plan to, ever), not guilty of thinking about food all the time and have a decent amount of will power, feel free to follow Ajit on Instagram @macroajit. 

Saffrontrail – Nandita’s blog is my go-to when I want healthy, filling and delicious recipes. Oh, and the pictures of her home garden turn me green with envy every time.

What’s more awesome is that she conducts Baking Bread, Salad Workshops every once in a while. I can’t wait to attend one when I am back in India next.

 EdibleGarden – Another fabulous website with so many interesting recipes and drool-worthy pictures. Nags is another favorite of mine.

TarlaDalal – Who can ever forget this lovely lady? Her website is a treasure that is sure to be helpful for many, many years to come and the best thing about it is how you can get the ingredient measurements based on your serving size.

Other go-to sources – A Beautiful Mess, (they have it ALL – Recipes, DIYs, Crafts, Home Décor to name a few), Nigella Lawson (duh!), Kiran Tarun, Subbu’sKitchen (for authentic Tambrahm cooking) to name a few.If you are Vegan, 101 cookbooks, Fat Free Vegan & Vegan Yum Yum are great choices. Of course, there is always Amma, just a Whatsapp message away. :)

I am currently going through the make-something-fabulous-everyday phase and it has been good so far. I hope this unsolicited advice helps you, some day if not right away and that day, feel free to send me nice gifts. I’d appreciate it and am shameless enough to admit it.

Also, remember, the internet is your best friend, one Google Search and you have more than enough options to choose from. 

Till the nextpost,
M

Note: All the items in pictures above are my experiments. *smug look*

Id(e)licious.

Dealing with leftover food is an art in itself. Today, I'm going to tell you how to make use of one of the most common leftover foods at South Indian homes - Idlis.

Idli, when served hot with Sambar & Chutney is one of my favorite things for breakfast. But more often than not, amma ends up making way more than how much we require for breakfast. As good as it is, having idli all through the day is certainly not my favorite thing to do. 

There are quite a few ways of using leftover idlis and I will post one easy-peasy recipe every now and then, PROMISE. :D

Today's recipe is going to be 'Podi Idli'. I used mini idlis that paati sent over. These were one of my favorites when i used to go to school since everyone else used to get bigger idlis while I got to be the cool one who got mini idlis. ;)

Serves: 2 people

Ingredients:

1. Leftover Idlis. Duh! 4-5 idlis or 20-30 mini idlis
2. 1/4 tsp Mustard Seeds
3. A pinch of Turmeric power & a pinch of asafoetida
4. 2-3 tbs Milagai Podi* (as spicy as you want the idlis to be)
5. 1 1/2-2 tbs edible Coconut Oil

Method: 

1. In a kadai, add the oil and once it is heated, add the turmeric powder, asafoetida and the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Ensure it doesn't get burnt. 
2. Now add the idlis and sprinkle the milagai podi on top. 
3. Gently toss the idlis without breaking them so that each piece is nicely covered by the milagai podi.
4. Wait for 4-5 minutes till the idlis get crispy at the edges.
5. Serve hot with coconut chutney or raita. 

The Final Product. Yum!

Do let me know how it turns out in case you try. :)

Till the next most,

M.

*Milagai podi is a powder made with red chillies and lentils. Recipe here.