Happy Deepavali - Diwali wishes - a nostalgic write up attached.

This was something I wrote in 2005 - My second Diwali in the US.
Its almost 3 years now.....Didnt want this to get lost in the mails...

Hello everybody

Diwali wishes to each and everyone of you.
Aish, Ush and myself have been talking about the Diwalis we spent as kids.
The spark of conversation set fire to my thoughts and I just jumbled them to create a few meaningful sentences.

It is definitely a long writeup. Those who are interested can read and add more.
We need to have stories to tell our kids who will hardly get to enjoy the kind of fun we had.

Diwali days...

On a cloudy day, when the rain played its beat on the window panes, a friend so close to heart but miles away called to wish me Happy Diwali. Sweating out, we toil day in and day out, working towards a Graduate Degree or busy at the work place or silently fulfilling the duties of a wife away from the smoky morning, sounds of crackers, streets filled with kids, houses filled with laughter and the festivity of the occasion.….

The Diwali mood starts from the day when the whole family decides to go to Mainguardgate for shopping. Recollecting this, I went to the mall just to pick a shirt that read “Made in India”. Some crazy satisfaction…
Looking at the mirror I found myself in an old jean and a t-shirt that read “America - Love it or Leave it” carried me back to the day when we had difficulty in making choices between two new dresses. Taking long before we tried to look best with those matching bangles, hair bands, jimkis(ear rings) shopped just the night before exclusively for Diwali.
“Hey Aish! I burnt the chakkarai paagu (sugar syrup) talking to you…Let me clear it and get back to the conversation” – Here I go…Again drifted to those beautiful days when we always wanted to experiment in the kitchen, willing to help mom in the preparation of murukku, adhirasam, laddu and our inquisitiveness creating a mess making mom all the more tensed. Her
tension was my delight cos I wouldn’t be assigned any more tasks. :) Happily off to watch my brother light those bijlis and this is when I remember how much fun the little one had when I offered my share of lakshmi vedi, ganesh vedi and atom bomb for him to light.
(Well…huh…I was a little scared then….)

‘What are your plans Aishu?’ “I am going to be at work Swa and yours?” ‘Well, I have school buddy’…

On the evening before Diwali dad brings home a long incense stick so that I will be at a safe distance yet get to enjoy the f un my brother is having blasting the double sound, seven shots, 1000 walas and rocket bombs.
Not happy with 2 bags of crackers “We want more” my brother and I are now in union asking appa to buy more. As demands increase, dad fails to refuse the sweet pleadings and there we are off to the Nehru stadium. Yeah! That’s where the stalls for firecrackers used to be. ‘Hey Rahul! That’s my friend from school da. I told you about the guy who eats chalks nah…’ silently whispering in his ear.
Familiar faces curving smiles and fading byes bring me back to reality.
Switching on the TV again brings back those suntv, rajtv, vijaytv, jayatv programs, channel fights on who screens the latest movie, latest songs…Having varied preferences, we strike a deal as to who will watch which one and when.

Interest loosens and to save the moment I get a call from Usha asking if I am going to wear marudhani or mehendi. Unable to choose between richness of color and a fantasy for design…..I go for both. Mom helps in feeding while brother finds it the best time to play pranks on me as he clearly knows I can’t get my hands on him. Impatiently waiting for the colors to turn red I fall asleep counting minutes before it dawns.

At 12 someone in the neighborhood bursts a cracker and there we shout within those warm walls of the house “HAPPY DIWALI”. Mom will be busy in the kitchen getting things ready for the next day’s pooja and I m in my sleep occasionally checking if the mehendi had
got dry…if the color is getting red…

Mom wakes me and kisses me happy diwali…my brother and I march to the pooja room where granny is ready with oil…everyone fresh but for us we get ready, dressed in our best and ready to run out to burst the first cracker.
After a big discussion in choosing which one to burst first, dad’s already set the splinter on the 1000 wala saram.
Patpatpatpat..pat..pat….pat…………….pat……………………………………pat…………………………………………………………………….\
pat(cracker sound)
The last one goes and then you enter from the safe zone to begin the game.

Manadho sandoshathil thulla
Kaigalo nadunadunga
Kangalo gavanamai
Thiri patri kondadhaa
Endre nokka
Arugil irukum thambiyo
Pathikichu pathikichu
Endru achurutha
Poiyaay kobithu
Veeram kol endru
Manadhirkul kuriye
Mudhal vedi vaipen
Adharkum enakum sila nooru adigale…
Nerupum thiriyum muthamidum nodi
Veede adhirum sathathudan
Saravediyum sirika
Manadhirkul aayiram patampoochigal….

After offering prayers, the whole family sits down for
an early breakfast. As we savour each bite, non stop phone calls from relatives and friends. Taking turns on the phone to wish everyone with lots of joy and cheer in the voices, the initial greeting changes from a Hello to a Happy Diwali feeling privileged about being the first
one to convey the wish. ( I remember Kalpana started with me)
Mom’s voice from the kitchen…“Tv paathukite irukadheenga, friendsku poi sweets kodukanum” ‘Ok amma…’
I call Usha again, “Hey Ushi get ready! lets go to Aishu’s house”

Carrying those neatly packed sweets covering it with a crochet lace, Usha and I pedal our cycles to Aishu’s house. Exchanging sweets, three of us on that poor blue Kinetic Honda to Pallavi’s house.

Thoughts get blocked by a knock at the door - The mailman. Not diwali greeting cards but some fedex for my roomie.

Are we getting so engrossed in our work and schedule that we seldom have the time to sit back and think about all the good old times when we used to go to the shop to buy greeting cards for birthdays, diwali, Christmas, sign and post them?
Ecards have taken place but there are still complaints of no time to choose one and send it across. Hmm…

Nostalgic, again I start thinking what all did we doon this wonderful day.

My brother comes to me running, “Akka namma veetuku munnadi kuppai kammiya
iruku….Vaa…pattasu vedikalam…” As we go to the front of the house to burst crackers, we see unfortunate little kids who keep looking for a half burnt splinter here and there, willing to even probe the USEME for some goodies making us realize how blessed and fortunate we are. Thoughts strike deep and as kids, half heartedly we part with a few crackers only to see
beautiful smiles on those faces that make Diwalis all the more memorable of having tried to make a difference in someone’s life for a few seconds…say…until the flowerpot sparkles turns into ashes?

The afternoons pass with exploring and sorting out which cracker is for Diwali and which one has to be saved for karthikai deepam, which fancy cracker goes first and which one will be at the end of the show. While the elders take a nap or relax, we girls used to gather at one of our places for more chit chats and gossips.

Dusk sets in and the mood of the twilight is enhanced by the numerous little flames from the oil lit lamps that ornate each and every house. Rows of lights giving more meaning to Deepa + avali, the occasion – girls of the house feel it as an honor to light the first lamp. Dressed up in those glittering, shimmering pattu paavadais, wearing flowers and anklets and most
of all the innocent smiles, joys, happiness and excitement buried behind all this, the whole family
gets ready to visit the temple.

As I fold my hands to pray to God, I notice my friend and wonder…is it okay to wish? Is it okay to talk between prayers? Is it okay to go and stand near her?
Holding dad’s hand, silent smiles and nods of the head translate wishes and friends faces grow fainter. Not a second delayed, as soon as we reach home, change and we are ready for the show. (Remembering what the science teacher said “wear cotton clothes while bursting crackers”)
Changuchakkaram, bhusvaanam, colour mathaapu, colour matchbox, pencil, saatai, train, vishnuchakkaram, and what not.

A sole candle aids the whole process. Despite my best efforts to make the fire start from the candle, I start it from my brother’s mathappu (btw whats the English word for mathappu?) grrrr….that’s the reaction I get in return.

Someone in the neighbourhood lights a rocket and we all look at it awe. “Akka, evlo heightla poi vedikudhu paaru, nammalum vaikalam…vaa”. A request which can’t be ignored.
While granny and dad search for a bottle to keep the rocket, my brother is already busy making a mud pile to stick the rocket in. While most of the rockets whiz and whoosh, there is an occasional dawdle. Elders taking a walk on the road, little kids with their dad and mom, cyclists and people on motor bikes wait for the signal to pass and then move.

“ponga ponga naanga innum vedi vaikala” Voices here and there.

Close to 8pm in the night, the crackers are slowly gone and now a little sadness creeps in. “Pattasu theendhu pochu ”
The last one is generally a fancy cracker or a saram and now mom, who was making dinner, also comes to watch. Alls well that ends well.
The close of the night signals the completion of the celebration. “Wash your hands with soap and then come for dinner” voices ring and we silently dine.
Suddenly a thought comes, “amma, we are not done yet.
We still have the colour matchsticks and paampu maathirai”

hahaha…
Happiness sprouts again as we see the snakes rise…what fun!

Cherishing every bit my eyes carry me to sleep waiting to go to school the next day and talk about the Diwali day.

Aishu and Usha, thanks a lot girls, we did spend a Diwali translating back in time.

A little prayer from the bottom of the heart,

God! Can you give us one more Diwali to spend the way
we did as a child???

Long time

Its been a long time since I scribbled here.
I no longer enjoy reading blogs or writing here.
Everybody writes what they want to.
And I am not appreciative of reading everything I find as a blog...
Maybe its just me...

My inclination now has turned towards reading classics.
Just picked out the list 100 best books to read.
Just promised myself I would read one book at a time and will say goodbye to blogging.

I prefer the traditional style.
Writing recipes on a recipe book at home.
I really enjoy that....I can see my own handwriting change with every day....
I dont like to use fonts - they just dont have any individuality....

I communicate better with a pen than a keyboard. Technology fascinates me but I prefer the pen and the paper to be more powerful....Has a better therapeutic feeling....

Baingan - bartha? sabji? chutney? - cut the name

This was something new and I simply tried on my own and it worked!
I broke my fast at 12 and ate a lot!!!!
Couldnt resist my cooking for the first time..w.elllll not exactly....

Lets go

Appearance - Good. a little garnishing with coriander and parsley will make it.
Taste - You can taste the eggplant ( even if they are big, the baking gets the taste on them)
Smells - Brinjaaaalll smells mixed with ginger root
V's Rating - Appreciated me

Ingredients

2 egg plants - bigger ones
1 yellow onion - chopped
1 tomato - diced
3 green chillies - chopped
1/2 inch ginger - finely chopped
1 tbsp sombu ( forgot the english name as I am typing this)
1/2 tbsp corriander powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
salt to taste
2 tbsp cooking oil - I prefer gingely oil when I cook Indian food

Method

Preheat oven at 350 deg C.
Bake the egg plants for 25 -30 minutes on 450 deg C.
Peel the skin and keep the pulp aside.
Take a pan and add 2 tbsps of oil and add the sombu.
Add the garam masala to the oil. (i think this works better than adding the masala after everything is done)
Add onion and green chillies and fry till a little before golden brown.
Blend it to a medium paste (you must be able to see onion pieces)
Toss the tomatoes in the pan and just saute them for 2 minutes.
Blend it to a medium paste.
Add onions, chillies and tomatoes and saute them.
Add ginger to the ingredients in the pan.
Add 1/2 tbsp corriander powder and salt before adding the eggplant.
saute them for 6 - 8 minutes.
Now add the eggplant until egg plant mixes well with the rest of the ingredients.
Keep on low heat and allow all of them to get cooked.
10 -15 minutes should be good and they are ready.

This brinjal curry is absolutely easy to make and V and me thought they were really yummy.
Goes well with rotis.

Happy me!!!

V and me got engaged and now I have to cook for the rest of my life.
What more can I ask? A best friend to walk life's journey....
boo hoo - tears of joy.
Love mom and dad for putting up with all my whinings.
Its V's turn from today ;)

Lettuce Wraps - A refreshing recipe

Couresy : http://www.finedinings.com/

Oh Yeah!

After a long time made something yummy for V's tummy.

Appearance - Healthy and Colourful
Smells - Garden Fresh
Taste - Crisp, Nutritious, - simply delicious
V's Rating - LOVED IT TOTALLY

Ingredients

Base wrap - Lettuce

The Filling

1 small red onion chopped
1 tomato chopped
10 olives - chopped
2 tbsps peanuts (salted/unsalted)
1 tbsp spinach dip
1 tbsp mozarella cheese
a pinch of pepper
a pinch of garlic powder
5 -6 cilantro stems - chopped
salad toppings (usually contains almonds, chowmein)


V likes Chicken
so grilled chicken breast - chopped (I tossed it in a pan with 1 tbsp olive oil and some garlic and pepper seasoning)

Method

Its simple.
Mix all the ingredients mentioned under the filling.
Take a lettuce leaf, (a larger one makes it easy to wrap) add necessary amounts of chicken and filling. Wrap them up and enjoy :)
If you need a vegeterian wrap just exclude the chicken.

This is something which is healthy, fast to make and good to eat :)
V loved it absolutely and he was all praises....

Tip

The filling can be anything you want it to be...
Inime V ku lettuce wrap dhaan - I pity his state.
Makes my work a lot easier.... :)

Boo me

Boo me
Havent made anything that V loved in the past one month
V - am terribly sorry.
Will get something cooking soon

Kovakai Fry

Appearance - good
Smell - vegetable flavor
Taste - I like it, V likes it too
Rating - doesnt sweat but happily eats...

Ingredients:

2 tbsp of oil (I prefer using gingelly oil or olive oil)
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1 Onion - chopped
2 packs of frozen kovakai /tindora
1.5 tbsp of coriander powder
1 tbsp of chilli powder
pinch of turmeric powder
salt to taste

Method:

1. Add oil in a frying pan
2. Once the oil warms up add mustard seeds
3. After the mustard seeds burst add the chopped onion
4. Fry the onions till they are slightly golden brown
5. Add the tindora and fry for 5 -6 minutes
6. Add coriander powder and chilli powder along with a pinch of turmeric powder and salt.
7. Close with lid and allow to cook for 7- 8 minutes
8. Keep stirring it every 10 minutes so that the vegetable doesnt get burnt
9. Let the flame be on medium as the vegetable gets cooked.
10. The color of the tindora changes and feel it with your finger. Once it turns soft, it is ready to serve.

Might not be the best description but this is my virtual cookbook.

Found a similar recipe to mine here
http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/03/08/stories/2004030801320300.htm

Cheers to me!!!

Successfully completed one month in blogging and havent got bored of it yet!
Looks promising.

Sandwich suggestions from Di

Courtesy : http://www.liketocook.com/50226711/my_salad_sandwich.php

After a small break..... V and me are having a tough time figuring out a lot of things. The whole of this week passes in brain storming sessions. Both of us havent been able to relax. V returned from Cleveland and we havent got to spend enough time together nor cook something different. V loves sandwiches and Di threw in her suggestions. V has been having sandwiches for the past 2 days and he says he likes them...
Suggestions from Di

As you can see I just love to cook and eat!!

Sandwiches at home are great with soup, pasta salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, seafood salad or chips and a side of fresh fruit….yummy!

Here’s some ideas and I can explain better if you need it.

Grill Cheese Sandwich

Heat a frying pan or skillet

Butter one side of 2 pieces of bread put at least 2 cheese slices (yellow, white) between bread and fry on both sides until crispy and cheese melts….it looks like toast with melted cheese when done.

I like to separate the sandwich after cooked and add sliced tomato…great warm sandwich.

Cold “Wrap” Sandwich, Pita Pocket Bread, or Croissants

You can use, different lunch meats…turkey, ham, chicken, roast beef or you can even use grilled chicken breast sliced up.

Spread either, mustard, mayonnaise, horadish spread on bread, and lay lunch meat with sliced tomato, lettuce, onion and wrap and eat.

Grilled Ham Sandwiches

Sub buns (long fat hot dog type buns)

Monterey Jack cheese or Swiss cheese

Thousand Island or Russian Salad Dressing

Tomato slices

Leaf Lettuce

Cut ham smaller slices to fit bun and slightly cook them in butter in a frying pan. Once you cooked all the ham you want you put as many slices on the sub bun and add cheese and wrap in paper towel or plastic and microwave to slightly melt cheese. Add dressing, tomatoes and lettuce…mm mm good.

For grilled ham sandwiches you can make these ahead of time and leave in frig for a few days. Put ham and cheese on buns and wrap in plastic wrap or Ziploc bag and when you’re ready to eat you microwave and then add the dressing, tomatoes and lettuce…these are good for lunches too.

Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches are fun. Spread peanut butter (crunchy or smooth) on one slice of bread and add favorite jelly (grape, strawberry, etc) on another slice and put together.

I believe you know how to make the tuna salad, chicken salad and egg salad these are good on wraps, croissants, and even stuffed in pita pocket bread.

FAJITAS are easy good for dinner

Chicken or beef slices

Sour Cream

Taco Sauce (hot or mild)

Onion

Peppers

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Chicken or Beef slices (you can buy fajita meat already cooked in a bag in the frozen food section of the grocery store).

Heat meat in a skillet and then add lots of slices of onion and peppers (green, yellow, red) and fry until slightly soft not mushy.

Spread sour cream on fajita wrap (tortilla) then add meat mixture and lettuce and tomatoes and enjoy!

You can get small tortilla wraps and make these like soft tacos or use the large wrap for a burrito. Lipton’s has a pretty good Spanish Rice for a side dish and it’s easy to prepare and only takes about 7 minutes to cook.

Amma's recipe - Tomato chutney

Amma calls this arincha thakkali chutney.
Mom used to make this frequenty. She still does.
Its only me who is missing Ma's cooking.
Ra loves this chutney.

Appearance - Red, Looks delicious and mouth watering
Smell - Aroma rendered by tomato. Too good to be called chutney. :D
Taste - You will tick your tongue and lips together. Simply said SMACKING!
Rating - V said the proportions was right. He ate without complaining.
Cures - Homesickness atleast for me :)

Ingredients

1 Red Onion - chopped
2 Tomatoes - diced
5-6 Garlic cloves
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp urad dal
1 tbsp channa dal
1 tbsp chilli powder
a pinch of turmeric
Salt to taste
1 cup of water
2 tbsp oil

Tip - gingely oil will render more flavor than sunflower or vegetable oil

Method

1. Heat the pan and add 2 tbsp of oil.
2. As the oil warms up add mustard seeds, urad da and channa dal.
3. When you see the channa dal turn slight brown, add the onions and garlic.Saute them on low flame.
4. Once the onions start changing color add tomatoes. Saute for 2-3 minutes and add half cup of water and close the pan with a lid.This will help the tomatoes to become soft and settle.
5. After 5-6 minutes add the remaining water, turmeric, chilli powder and salt.
6. Mix well and add another cup of water if you want more gravy.
7. Close the lid and allow them to cook for ten minutes. Since all this is done on low flame, the cooking time will take longer but flavour remains intact.

The chutney is ready in a total of 15 - 20 minutes (includes post cooking time)

It can be served with idlis, dosais and chappathis
Love you mummy kutti. I never learnt it while I was in India with you.
But you have shared your cooking chromosomes with me :D

Pakistani Egg Briyani

Before I start my yada yada yada...

Appearance - Colorful
Smell - Aromatic because of the coriander
Taste - Good. Didn't make it too spicy so feels right with your taste buds
Rating - V didn't sweat but he said he liked it. What more would I want???

Back in India, whenever mom couldn't cook at home, we had the liberty of buying food from outside. This used to happen once in a blue moon. Mom never felt it was healthy to eat outside food.
The interesting thing about this ritual was when dad got me Chicken Briyani.
Apart from the chicken there was always this egg hidden and it was always a delight as a little girl who loved eggs, to find it.

I have always wanted to know how to make egg briyani.
Yesterday was the day when I experimented.
I browsed at least 50 websites before I got convinced with a website to prepare egg briyani.
I found this recipe and to my excitement a fellow blogger had recommended the same link.
WOW!!!
I was easily convinced :P

The recipe turned out real good. MRM was out of town. V,GP and me got together. GP totally liked it. GP wants me to do this one more time. Maybe this month end we might do a cooking night.

The link
http://www.angelfire.com/country/fauziaspakistan/eggbiryani.html

Corrections I made.

• Did not use coconut.
• Slit the eggs and fried them in little oil, 1/2 tbsp of chilli powder, 1/2 tbsp of black pepper and a pinch of turmeric before I tossed them into the paste.
• Mom's tip which I like to remember - Fry all ingredients for 2 -3 minutes before blending them to a paste. She thinks the raw smell will go away.

I have got my camera back from my friend's place. Hence recipes from now on will have pics accompanying them :)

Masala Capsicum Curry

Appearance - Good
Smell - Cook capsicum on low heat to retain flavor and aroma
Taste - Good. If groundnut is used in excess, groundnut smell dominates
Rating - V liked it. Didn't sweat though :(

Never liked to cook capsicum :|
Never knew the reason why :(
But I knew V liked capsicum ;)
Decided to give it a try :)

When I was looking for recipes, I came across Veena's recipe under http://www.bawarchi.com/contribution/contrib1009.html

The side dish turned out really well. I subtracted the coriander as I didn't have any. Added 1 more tbsp of chilli powder Turned out awesome!!!

Image Courtesy :http://www.pbase.com/maruetea/image/40273066

Masala Capsicum Curry

Ingredients

2 capsicums cut into big square pieces
1 onion cut into big pieces
1/2 cup of fresh coriander (cilantro) - I didn't use it this time
1/2 cup of fresh grated coconut
1/2 cup of ground nuts
1 table spoon ginger garlic paste
1 1/2 tsp of coriander powder
2-3 green chillies
1 tsp of red chilli powder - added 2 to make it spicy.
3-4 tbsp of tamarind extract
1/4 th cup of oil - used less than this
1/2 cup of water
Turmeric and salt as much u require

Method :

1. Fry the onions with just one teaspoon of oil until the raw smell goes away. Roast the peanuts separately until they turn light brown and remove the skin later.
2. Grind everything together with little water (roasted groundnuts, onions, ginger garlic, coriander, coriander powder, green chillies, coconut, red chilli powder) and keep it aside.
3. Pour the oil in a vessel and fry the capsicum pieces until they turn color. Add the ground paste to it and cook it for some 5-6 minutes and then add tamarind extract as well as water and salt.
4. Cook it for 10-15 mins

Pudina Rice - Courtesy - STLK

For another version of Pudina Pulao
http://www.nandyala.org/mahanandi/archives/2005/06/21/pudina-pulao-mint-fried-rice/
I liked the image I saw there.
A green feast for the eyes

As said by STLK
Recipe for pudina rice: Grind pudina,coconut, jeera, green chilli. In a pan, add ghee, fry this paste, add ginger- garlic paste, add chopped onions, tomato puree, then add dhaniya pwdr, jeera pwdr, garam masala, salt n fry well ( can add pulav or biriyani masala for addtional taste). Add yogurt and fry a lil more (not too long). Frycashewnuts. Wash basmati rice. Add the above ingredients and cook in rice cooker.

Series of unexpected events

V didnt like Dhokla - atleast I know what he doesnt like now
Lost my mobile
H1 didnt get approved
Everyone at home are upset about my H1.

No mood to cook or to blog.
But guess what, I bought some essentials from Meijer to try out some new dishes this weekend.
Will post once I get into the groove.

Squash chutney

This was one of the recipes I learnt from my Bangladeshi friends.

Appearance - Good ( I think I will say Healthy)
Smell - smells of the veggie
Taste - bland but your tummy will thank you

Ingredients

Squash / Pumpkin
4 -6 Green chillies - finely chopped
Salt to taste

The Process

Get any squash/pumpkin from the vegetable market.
Remove the skin. Use only the fleshy part.
Boil it, mash it, add the green chillies and salt.

This can be mixed with rice or can be eaten as a side dish.

How to name it?

This is the easiest but yet a very good one for all the potlucks.

Ingredients

2 tbsps - ghee / canola oil
3/4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
3/4 elaichis
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp pistachio powder

1 onion - chopped
2 cups mixed vegetable

10 - 15 whole cashews
10 - 15 dried grapes
10 - 12 nutrela soy balls

mint - to garnish

2 cups of basmati rice
2 cups of water
2 cups of milk

Methodology

In a deep frying pan, fry the ingredients on low flame, and then add the onion.
Once the onion turns golden brown add mixed vegetables.
Add the fried ingredients to 2 cups of rice.
Add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of milk.
Stir and add salt to taste.

Slightly fry the cashews, dried grapes and soy balls and add them to the rice in the cooker.

Close and allow the rice to cook.

Voila! ITS ready.

Side dish

Lots of options available.
Easiest is raitha or thayir pachadi.

American Dinner

I dont remember when we did this.
But it was one of those days when my dearest MRM and myself came up with this brilliant idea of thematic dinners. The easiest one with a short time of planning was American Dinner.
Needless to say V loved it. He thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this meal.

I dont have the recipes for all that we made. I will try and post them all here.

Sides

Vegetable stuffed Omlete
Mashed potatoes
Macaroni and Cheese

Main Entrees

Lemon pepper Chicken
Green bean Casserole

Dessert

Chocolate brownie with fudge icecream topped with strawberry.

Of course whats an American dinner without wine!!!
We have nt had time to do themes but will do them more soon.

Taste Analysis of Grilled Salsa Chicken

Appearance - Looks spicy
Taste - tastes like masala chicken
Smell - cinnamon and masala

To note - cut down on the number of spice items added.
Salsa will be added after grilling
Absence of salt was not noticeable

I will be reworking on this recipe tonight.
Will get back tomorrow with something much better.

Grilled Salsa Chicken

The sound of this recipe might be a little weird.
This is what I tried today.

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts

Marinate

1 tablespoon of garlic paste
1/2 tablespoon of ginger paste
1/2 tablespoon of cumin powder
1/2 tablespoon of chilli powder ( u might also use the term paprika)
2 spring onions diced
a pinch of cinnamon powder
1/2 tablespoon of chicken curry masala powder
2 limes - squeeze the juice
2 tablespoons of salsa

I forgot the salt

I marinated the chicken in the mix, refrigerated them for a whole night.
Ideally I was hoping to marinate it for 2 hours.
But the chicken slept for the night.

Preheat the oven for 350 deg and grill the chicken for 30 minutes.

I will be trying for lunch. Will let you know on how it finally turned out.
Tomorrow, I will be retrying this recipe.
Will post a picture soon.

Turkey Salad

Results of the Experiment

Appearance - Good
Smell - Good - Turkey smells right
Taste - Yummy - V loved it
Rating - V sweats while eating this http://www.ehow.com/how_6995_make-turkey-salad.html - I found this while I was looking for a picture to post

DD's Recipe
Remember that ingredients in this salad is done by how much you want in it there’s no set way to do it. I make it this way because I love it!

Turkey Salad

1 or 2 large cans Turkey packed in water – drain the water and shred into a bowl
1 to 2 celery stalks – sliced thin
1 to 2 slices of onion – diced or chopped
Sweet Relish – 1 tablespoon and add more to taste once you put the mayonnaise in.

Hellman’s Mayonaise – enough to make the salad moist not too wet. (The best way is to add a tablespoon at a time so you don’t put too much in. Also I add a little pepper for taste.
You can eat this on crackers, toast, stuffed in pita bread, wrapped in a tortilla, or simply all by itself….mm mm good!
I do my EGG Salad the same way but instead of turkey I use 3-6 eggs and more or less celery and onion.

My Addition

I added 1 tablespoon of honey mustard. I felt that added a sweet tinge that made the salad all the more tasty.

Reason why Turkey Salad

V likes American food.
In our conversation he mentioned that he detests anything east of Indian food like Thai, Chinese, Malaysian where he could smell the chili powder.
According to him the food looks like as if the meat is mixed with oil,chili powder and water.
(No offense meant to anybody who likes eating such food)
In fact I am an ardent lover of Thai food.
But I like to make what V likes to eat.
Our tastes are quite contrary.

Both of us are growing tired of eating out and eating Indian food. We wanted to eat something very healthy and light. Thats when DD's recipe came to use.