Feb 26, 2011

Butternut Squash and Masoor Dhal Kootu


Oh Gosh, I really wish there had been more vegetables on earth! :) Yes, I easily get bored of cooking and eating the same vegtables repeatedly for curry/sabzi. If this was the case in India, imagine in Auckland. There are not much green vegetables here, all we get is the so called english veggies, beets, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers and etc. P.S: bottle gourd, ridge gaurd, bitter gaurd, drumstick etc :(  I miss you all! 

So In my utter frustration I ended up picking this Buttercup(Butternut Squash?) from the supermarket which I 'd never even bothered to look at, back in India!

I tried making kootu using this and masoor dhal(red lentils) and it turned out yummy!

And yes, the natural colors looked really beautiful tempting me to click before cooking!

Masoor Dhal and Buttercup Kootu

Colourful Goodness of Buttercup and Masoor Dhal!

To make this you will need:  (Sorry, but the measurements are all approximate! )

Masoor dhal - 1 cup
Buttercup chopped into small cubes - 2 cups
1 Whole tomato
1/2 big onion chopped
redchilles, mustard seeds, few garlic cloves, few pepper corns, curry leaves, coriander powder, salt, oil, turmeric powder and some cumin seeds for tempering and seasoning.

 Here goes the reipe:

Pressure cook chopped butter cup along with  whole tomato(roughly chopped) and masoor dhal with salt, a tsp of oil and 1/2 a tsp turmeric powder.

In a pan, heat a tbsp of oil and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cuury leaves and let that splutter. add red chillies and onion and garlic cloves. Once it is cooked add the cooked dhal mixture and add all the seasonings, adjusting to taste.

Serve hot with roti or rice. 

Served with Roti and Beetroot Radish Sabzi


Sending this to MLLA 36 contest, hosted by Susan and Aqua

Feb 19, 2011

Butter Crunch and Avocado salad

Hello there!

Avocados have a great nutritional value, though its a little high on calories.So I always find ways to use avocado without adding much sugar(Hmm... i must say avocado milk shake is one of my favorite drinks, tastes yum!) So I  made this salad as an accompaniment to lunch, turned out really well, N liked it too! And I was happy I found a way to use the remaining butter crunch leaves that I had.



Here goes the recipe:

Ingredients:

One whole avocado, skin peeled and cut into bite sized cubes.
One whole tomato Chopped
A handful of butter crunch leaves - chopped

For dressing:

1 tbsp  EVOO
2 tbsp  lemon juice
2 tsp Black pepper powder
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Just toss all the ingredients well together(except grated cheese) and top it with cheese. Healthy and attractive salad is ready!

One more closer look at the salad:


Feb 17, 2011

Its been long...

Hello readers,

Its been quite a long time since I posted last in my blog. Its been a year and a half, I must say quite some changes. In the last year and a half, my interest towards cooking has only increased and I have been clicking snaps of few items, but never had time or even interest for that matter to post them. I started this blog when I was working in the US, then I got married, moved back to India, and recently quit my job and moved to Auckland with my husband. These are simply happy days, yet I must say I m tired of packing and moving. Hope New Zealand gives me even more happiness and shelter for long! :) Just like the food, the thoughts have been so overwhelming too and i m eagerly looking forward to share them all!

Taking a break from food, I am going to celebrate the return with a favorite poem of mine from one another blogger...
Here goes the link: http://darshibaby.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

and here goes the words, Enjoy!


You are your priority. Love, live and learn.
Don't be afraid to fall.
Don't be afraid to cry.
But most of all...don't be afraid to fly..
The noise...will cease to exist once you Surrender your all..
Time and time again...this too shall come to pass.
Nothing lasts forever, baby.
So smile..
Sunny skies await..
After all..the world didn't die on you.
Seriously...don't take life so seriously.
So come what may...feel the gift of Life pulsing through you.
And be grateful ..
Cherish every moment..cherish every person...
but most of all..cherish you for yourself, as you are. Always ...

See you soon again!