Ladies Finger Jalsa (Okra or bhindi Barwa)

Cooking time : 25 minutes

Ingredients :

Bhindi or ladies finger : 500 gms
Onion : 2 ( grated)
Tomato : 1/2 grated
Coriander powder : 1.5-2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder : 1 tbsp
Jeera  or Cumin seeds : 1/2 tsp
Salt : To taste
Oil : to cook

Procedure :
1. Slit the Ladies finger length wise.Since there is not much seeds, do not bother about the harmless ones that you see in.
2.Heat a pan.Add oil.Add Jeera and saute.  Add grated onion.
3. Now add the coriander and chilli powder.Followed by grated tomato.
4. Add salt to taste. Saute till the onion and tomato part with the raw taste.
5. Adding pinch of Garam masala  is optional. I do not add as I prefer the natural taste. However, allow this mix to cool at room temperature.
6. Now fill the Slited ladies finger with this mix.
7. Press it properly to close it. Don't bother if it does not. It is not meant to ,anyway. We just want the masala to stay tight in .
8. Again heat oil in a pan. Saute with jeera. Add this filled ladies finger together into the pan and reduce the heat.
9. Do not keep mixing or moving the ladies finger as they might get offended and we might have the ladies finger and the masalas falling apart.
10. Once the Ladies finger starts losing the sticky texture and also start to tan at the bottom, gently turn them upside down.
11. Allow it to cook the other side as well.
12. Remove the ladies finger and serve hot with Paratha or Phulka ( roti)

Simple Curd Rice

When I am Alone with kids on weekends, I keep myself away from any laborious cooking procedures as I get to do the pending miscellaneous works at home.The most realistic and simple food suitable for the tropical climate is Curd Rice.

A hectic week, busy schedule yet a hearty feeling to eat food, nothing comes easier than this.Usually my cooking spirit at the moment decides the sauting for curd rice.

Sunday was hectic as usual with preparation for the next week,uniforms, dresses, vegetables, washables, homeworks for kids.. getting things in place was priority.
Rahul(My Elder Son, 12 yrs) was in to give me a break and decided for this simple and docile lunch our own humble " Curd Rice". 
However my conscience did not allow me to rest at that. So I clubbed it with a Crispy potato fry and pickles.

Ingredients for Curd Rice :

Rice - 1 Cup 
Salt - As per taste

Seasoning  for Curd Rice:

Asafoetida - pinch
Curry leaves - 5-6
Carrot - 2 Tbsp(Grated)
Cucumber - 2 Tbsp(finely chopped)
Grapes - 8-10(Optional)
Channa dal - 1 tbsp
Udal dal - 2 tsp(Broken)
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Green Chilli - 1(chopped)
Oil - for saute

Procedure :

1. Soak 1 cup of rice. I generally use 1:4 ratio of rice: water when I plan for curd rice.This makes it easier to mash the rice.
2. Allow it to cool.
3. Slowly add water and keep stirring to avoid rice lumps.Since I use the thicker version of curd, I mix water to give it the desired consistency.
4. Refrigerate the rice for 1 hr. 
5. Heat oil . Add Mustard Seeds, allow it to splutter. Follow with Channa dal, Udal Dal, Asafoetida.
6. Finally add chopped Green chillies and curry leaves. Add this to rice and mix well.
7. Garnish with grated carrot and chopped cucumber. You can also add green grapes for variation.

Serve chilled with any vegetable fry and pickle.

Menu Planner

Cooking is exciting as much .If things are in place and more than anything you are planned for the week, then we have are in line and balanced. I will share with you what I generally run at my home for the most difficult sessions of cooking at home (Mon - Fri). Weekends are generally vary depending on  the planets /kids climatic conditions.

 I make  one for my school everymonth and here is a shot of that for you. I buy vegetables and pack them day wise in fridge and also plan the type of the cooking so that the cooking of the same vegetables over  months does not fringe on the taste buds.

Guys, this has been long due..ensoy !