Ukad/ Ragi and Rice Flour Ukad

        In this webbed world we may have many virtual friends but no real human contact. I have lived in the same town, and same locality for the last 5 years but never made any real friends. Neighbors, colleagues and a few acquaintances, of course I had them. But I believe they are temporary contacts. But last year was amazing in terms of social circle. First I met a lady in the park I take my daughter to. We connected quickly. Now I believe we may have a chance at world record for chatting:-). She introduced me to a group of friends who meet every month, share recipes, play games, go on short picnics..... and now I am a part of that group. Another special friend that I made last year and who is part of that group is the mind behind this recipe. She is my daughters friend as well as her grand mother before being my friend :-) . We share the same first name. After she learnt about my resolution of 200 recipes in 365 days, she enthusiastically shared/and continues to share recipes with me. This recipe is her creation. We loved it and I have made it several times before it has found its respectful place here. Thanks Kaku! This post is for you and for your enthusiasm and encouragement:-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Rice flour: 1/2 cup
Ragi flour (ragi huri hittu): 1/2 cup
Butter milk: 2 glasses
Oil: 1 tbsp
Garlic cloves: 3-4 
Green chili: 1-2
Curry leaves: 7-8
Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
Mustard seeds: 1 tsp
Asafoetida: 1 pinch
Coriander leaves: 1/2 tbsp chopped
Salt to taste
Ghee : 1 tbsp

Method:
1.  Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan. Add mustard seeds and Cumin seeds. After the seeds begin to splutter, add Garlic cloves and cook till they turn brown. Add asafoetida, Green chili, and curry leaves. Take off heat. 
2. After the above seasoning is warm, add buttermilk and mix well. Keep on low heat. Once the buttermilk is a little warm add Rice flour and Ragi flour slowly while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add salt and coriander leaves and mix well. The mixture should not be too thick, it must be of pouring consistency. Add a little water if required. 
3. Keep stirring until it comes to a boil. Take off heat. Pour 1 tbsp of ghee over it and mix well. Serve hot.

Fixing things

        Season of festivals, season of holiday, days when everything seems to be right, similarly last couple of months has been our season of repairs. It started out when our fan stopped working and then one by one many things needed repair. Initially I would be upset when something stopped working but after a few days it has became a part of our life. Now we just look at each other and have a good laugh.Oh no its no Vodoooooo.... Almost everything in our home is about 5 years old and I think that's as long as anything lasts these days. Its sad that things don't last longer nowadays. I remember as a kid at-least 3 things(our TV, Washing machine and refrigerator) which lasted 20 years or more.

        I began writing this post a few days ago. Took a break since I dint know how to go ahead. In the mean time a few more things have broken down. Our water purifier has begun leaking, today morning my closet rod collapsed taking down all the clothes with it, 2 switch boards need fixing.... and the list has not stopped yet.
        Last 5 years have been a blessing. But I think we have reached the optimum level of satisfaction that we can attain from all our surroundings (economic theory by someone:-)). I also wish just like things we could fix relationships and in some cases people! Gee now I really need a change...huh..

-Exhausted me 
        

Simple Urad dal and atta Dosa

        I am so talkative, but sometimes when I begin writing a post.......nothing! I am blank right now. So many things happening in our lives but not a single incident that I can recall??? Probably this is what is called a writer's block:-). Speaking of my busy life, we have Ta's birthday coming up. We will be celebrating it thrice, her school (in advance since summer vacations begin this weekend), then at home on the day of her birthday and then again in her day care. I have to begin planning her party at home. 
        Coming back to the recipe, it is a simple dosa made of urad dal, atta and rava. This recipe was shared by a friend (who in turn learnt it from a friend). We ladies talk, share and hence spread happiness:-) What would the world be like if we were like most men (non talkitive, non caring about sharing frivolous details)? On second thoughts may be we would have gender equality at last!  Okay now I am just blabbering. Did I say writer's block? Writers block true, thinker's block... never in my case:-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Urad dal: 1 cup washed and soaked for about 4 hours
Atta: 1 cup
Rava/ semolina: 1 cup
Onion: 1 finely chopped
Green chili: 2 chopped
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Grind soaked urad dal to a fine paste. ( I soak dal at about 4 pm and grind it at about 9 pm). Do not add a lot of water. Grind using less water than for regular dosa.
2. Add atta and rava to the urad dal paste. Mix well. Add a little water if requires. The mixture should not be watery. let this mixture stand overnight.
3. In the morning add hot water (about 1 cup) to the batter to bring it to regular dosa consistency. Add salt and mix well.
4. Spread dosa's on hot tava and sprinkle onion and green chili over the dosa.
5. Cook from both the sides and serve hot with chutney.

Makes excellent breakfast.

Ghosale Ambat (Ridge gourd sambar/curry, Dodka amti)

     

        I learnt this recipe from a friend. Once I cooked Ridge gourd in this manner, we never wanted to go back to the regular ridge gourd curry. For the last 4 months this has been a regular dish in our house. It is extremely tasty!  

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Ridge Gourd(Dodka): 1 large, Peeled (remove skin completely) and chopped into 1 inch pieces
Amsul: 2 or tamarind pulp: 1 tsp
Toor dal: 1/2 cup washed and cooked with 1 cup of water and a little turmeric
Chana dal: 1 tsp washed and soaked in water for 10 mins
Red chilies: 2 
Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
Mustard seeds: 1 tsp
Coriander seeds: 1.5 tsp
Methi seeds(fenugreek seeds): 1/4 tsp (about 4-5 seeds)
Curry leaves: 7-8 + 3to 4
Fresh grated coconut: 1/4 cup (about a handful)
Oil: 1/2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1. In a deep pan add Ridge gourd and 1/2 cup water. Add 2 pieces of amsul to it and let it cook till ridge gourd is done. (If using Tamrind pulp add it at the stage (step 3)when we add cooked toor dal to cooked ridge gourd)
2. In a small thick bottomed pan heat 1 tsp of oil. Add ingredients from chana dal to curry leaves in the same order one by one while continuously frying. Do not let any ingredient turn dark brown. In the end add grated coconut and fry for a min more. Take off heat and let it cool down. Once it cools add a little water and grind it to a smooth paste. Set aside.
3. Add cooked toor dal to cooked ridge gourd. (If ridge gourd contains excess water, discard it before adding toor dal.)  Mix well while continuing to cook for about 2 mins.
4. Add ground paste from step 2 to the toor dal and ridge gourd mixture. Add salt and bring it to a boil and take off heat.
5. In a pan heat remaining oil. Add mustard seeds. Once they splutter add 3 to 4 curry leaves and pour this seasoning over the ready curry. Serve hot with rice or roti.

And A New Name..

        The question should not be why I moved to a new name, rather it should be why dint I begin with this name? 
 When I decided to begin my resolution, I did not think of blogging it. After a few initial recipes, my family and friends suggested documenting it. It was then that I decided of beginning a blog. The first thought that came to me was 'my experiment with food'. No other thought even crossed my mind, I did not bother to check if any blog with a similar name exists... Big Mistake. I did not get the name I wanted but I settled with what I got. My recipes were piling up, pending post. Hence I rushed into it. New at blogging, I completely ignored the fact that the name of the blog matters. I continued blogging.... Then sometime about 6 months into the blog I came up with the name 'Bites and Thoughts'. I did not want to restrict my blog to cooking/baking. I wanted to try something different. 
With the new name I plan to document a few interesting things happening in our lives, a few thoughts and some nice recipes.  

Welcome to Bites & Thoughts!!!

Simple Chocolate cake

       

          Oh man.... how did I end up being so busy??? I don't work full time, I have some help at home and yet I hardly find any time for activities other than routine. This cake was my second baking experiment and 1st chocolate cake ( I made it in November 2013 and I am posting it now at the end of Feb 2014). Although I am a beginner at baking, this turned out very good. I am casual with my measurements. By that I mean that I usually go by unmeasured ingredients while cooking, and also while baking I tend to divert a little from exact measurements. Hence if my cake turns out well, I believe anyone can bake :-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:

All-purpose flour/ Maida: 1 3/4 cups

Cocoa powder(I used Cadbury's): 3/4 cup

Sugar (granulated): 1 1/2 cups

Baking powder: 1 1/2 tsp

Baking soda: 1 1/2 tsp

Salt: a pinch

Eggs: 2  

Black coffee:1 cup 

Milk: 1 cup 

Vegetable oil:1/2 cup 

Vanilla Extract: 1 1/2 teaspoons 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Apply butter and dust flour on the cake pan. 

2. In a bowl whisk together  all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar,cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt).

3. In another bowl, whisk together wet ingredients(eggs, black coffee, milk, oil, and vanilla extract). 
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk, until combined. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. 

5.Remove from oven and let cool before serving.

Veg Hakka Noodles

   
     I believe that "Hakka noodles" is a popular and a common recipe in most homes. However I had not made it...ever. It was loved and devoured as expected. We use very less oil while cooking.But for this recipe I think using more oil adds to taste.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Noodles: 1 pack/200gmas cooked as per instructions on the pack
Onion: 1 large, sliced
Cabbage: 1 cup, shredded
Green capsicum: 1 sliced
Carrot: 1 thinly sliced
Beans: 6-8 sliced
Spring onion: 1 bunch chopped
Green chili: 1 sliced
Crushed Black pepper: as per taste
Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
Vinegar(White): 1 tbsp
Oil: 1 tbsp(2-3 tbsp GREAT!)
Salt: as per taste

Method:
1. In a large pan heat oil. Add onion, beans, carrot and capsicum. On high heat cook while stirring for a few mins. Add cabbage and green chili and continue cooking on high heat. Stir continuously to avoid burning and aid cooking.
2. After the vegetables are soft add Soy sauce. Add noodles and toss. Add salt, crushed pepper, vinegar and spring onion and toss. Serve hot.

Dill & Soy Granules Curry

      

        When I tell people that we are not picky eaters, I emphasize that we love dill :-).  This curry was in our lunch boxes and it was loved at our respective offices.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Dill: 2 bunches, washed and chopped
Garlic cloves: 3-4 crushed
Soy granules: Soaked in hot water with salt for 15 mins: 1/2 cup
Corn Kernels: 1/2 cup boiled
Red chili powder: 1 tsp
Turmeric: a pinch
Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp
Oil: 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil in a deep pan. Add mustard seeds. Once they begin to splutter add garlic. Saute till it is well cooked.
2. Add turmeric, chopped dill, a splash of water and mix well. Let it cook for 3-5 mins.
3. Add corn kernels, salt and red chili powder. Mix well and cook while stirring.
4. Squeeze out water from soy granules and add them to the curry. Mix and cook until dill is cooked.
Serve hot

Chili Idly

  

   
       I did not know any such dish existed until I had it at a South Indian restaurant. It tasted so good that we ignored the fact that it was made out of leftover idly (leftover food not from home but in a restaurant!!!).Over the years we tried making it a couple of times. Since we do not eat very spicy or oily food, I can call this as a healthy version of chili idly:-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Leftover idlies: 5-7 Cut into large squares.
Capsicum: 1 chopped into cubes
Onion: 1 chopped into cubes
Ginger garlic paste: 1 tsp
Chili sauce: 1 tsp (use more if you want it spicy)
Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
Tomato sauce: 1 tbsp
Fresh coriander: 1/2 tbsp chopped
Oil: 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan. Add Ginger garlic paste and chopped onion. Fry till it onion is half cooked (for about a min).
2. Add Capsicum and fry for a couple of mins on high flame.
3. Add Soy sauce, Tomato sauce, chili sauce and salt and mix well.
4 Add Idly pieces and mix well. Add Coriander and let it cook for a couple of mins on high flame. Serve hot with Tomato ketchup.

Simple Vanilla Cake with Choco Chips

 
     I bought a convection microwave oven in November during Diwali celebrations. I had been toying with the idea of switching over to a convection microwave for about two years. I researched online, asked people for feedback, and visited electronic stores several times but was hesitant to purchase it. Most people who owned it suggested not to buy it since they had not used the oven mode even once and it simply served as a microwave. My sis in law who bakes amazing cakes gave me a good review about convection microwave. So finally I bought it and I must say it was a good decision. 
        This was my first cake. It is a simple recipe shared by a friend and improvised by my sis in law. It turned out well. I did not have a egg beater and had to buy one before starting this cake. So one can imagine how much baking I have done in my entire life:-)

Recipe:
Ingredients:

Eggs: 3

Sugar: 1 cup

Fresh Cream(Amul): 1/2 cup

Maida/ Flour: 2 cups

Baking powder: 1 tsp

Choco chips: Bournville Dark chocolate chopped up

Vanilla Essence: 1 tsp

Almonds: 6-7 chopped

Method:

1. Sift together Flour/Maida and baking soda and set aside

2. Beat together eggs for about 2 mins.Add sugar and mix till it dissolves. Add Fresh cream and beat till the mixture is fluffy.Add vanilla essence.

3. Slowly add Flour from step 1 to egg mixture. Mix it lightly.

4. Dust choco chips and almond pieces with flour so that they don't sink while baking.

5. Apply butter to the baking try and dust with flour.

6. Pre heat oven at 180 Celsius.

7. Bake for about 30 mins. (My pan is tall and black hence it takes almost 45 mins). Insert a knife into the cake. If it comes out clean then the cake is baked.

Tomato Rice with Soya nuggets

     

        
        Yay! New Year, New post. Since my resolution has ended with 2013 I am discontinuing numbering of my recipes. Also I will be discontinuing 'Final Outcome' since from now on I will be posting only the recipes which turned out good. About 10 recipes which will follow were prepared in 2013 but never made it to this space due to lack of time. This year I want to dedicate more time towards this blog. It will contain a lot more chatter, a lot more thoughts and may be a peek into my everyday life.
        This recipe is from a TV show which was shared by a friend. I made this for the 1st time sometime in November. It was so loved that I have made it several times since then.
Source: tomato rice

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Cooked Rice: 3 cups (I used brown rice)
Tomatoes: 2 chopped

Soya nuggets: Soaked in Boiling water with salt for 10-15 mins

Garlic cloves: 4-5 finely chopped

Onion: 1 chopped

Matar/Peas: 1 cup

Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp

Pavbhaji masala: 3-4 tsp

Amchur powder: 1 tsp

Red chili powder: 1 tsp

Coriander leaves for garnish.

Salt to taste

Oil: 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin and garlic and saute till fragrant. Add onion and cook till onion is soft.

2. Add Tomato and Matar/peas. Add a little water. Cook till they are done.

3. Add Pavbhaji masala, amchur powder, red chili powder, soya nuggets and salt. Mix well.

4. Add cooked rice and about 2 tbsp of water and mix well.Cover and cook till water evaporates. Serve garnished with fresh coriander leaves.

Goodbye 2013...

        About 10 years ago during a management training program we were asked :"what would be the one thing you would like to do during your lifetime".
"Gain as much knowledge as possible" I answered.
Since then I got married, changed cities, changed jobs, started a family but my answer to that question will still be the same. I like to learn new things and love new experiences.

        I began cooking in 2006. Initial years were about basic everyday cooking and getting the ingredients right. The next couple of years I was busy with my new job and later a baby.  In December 2012 I was a little confident that I could dedicate some time at trying something new. That is when I came up with this resolution of 200 recipes in 365 days.  This resolution was in part a chance to learn new recipes and in part a fun experience. Although I could try just 100 recipes during the year, it has been the most fun resolution. During the year not only did I learn recipes from different cuisines but also learnt  a few tricks:-). Most loved recipes in my family are: Carrot dosa, Avial, Mango Ice cream, Majjige huli and buttermilk spinach pasta.
Although the year has ended I will continue to cook new recipes and also continue blogging.

Looking back....
Moving ahead: Ta started school mid year. 
Purchases: I bought a new convection microwave in November and already baked 5 cakes:-)
                  Both 'N' and me switched over to smart phones.
Gain: Weight (after all it was a cooking resolution:-))
 Setbacks: Had a few minor accidents and a few set backs.
Goodbye 2013 you have been nice to me.