I am back after an extended weekend in ‘Amchi Mumbai’ (Our Mumbai) for my little niece’s first birthday. Mumbai- the city that never sleeps. Even at 12 in the night you feel as if it is Prime time! People getting back home from work (yes that’s true), some going for a stroll, partying crowd ,the roadside vendors selling all types of typical ‘Mumbaiya’ food. From Chinese Hakka noodles to Bhakri-Pithla/Zunka you get it all. Pav Bhaji is one of the most popular fast foods typical to Mumbai and you find ‘Pav Bhaji ki Gaadi’ (Hand cart) anywhere on the streets…
red chilli
Ridge Gourd (Dodka) Peel chutney
When I was in school we used to have these competitions ‘Best out of Waste’. All the discarded material would be put to use like paper scraps , small pieces of cloth..even the shells of coconuts!I would feel really proud making beautiful articles from that scrap. I get a similar feeling making Ridge Gourd Peelchutney . Whenever I make Ridge Gourd curry I put the skins to use, instead of discarding them. I usually end up eating the chutney more than the curry! So next time don’t discard these nutritive peels, instead make this crunchy, delicious chutney. Peeled and Roasted…
Masoor Dal Curry (Red Lentil Curry)
I like to include different dals like Toovar,Moong, Masoor.. sometimes even Urad alternately in my day-today meals. One of my favourite dals is Masoor dal (Red lentils). This beautiful looking orange red dal is commonly used in North Indian cuisine. You can make out masoor dal being cooked in any household. It gives out a typical rich aroma..unique only to Masoor dal. This dal is easier to cook than the other dals. Soak it for ½ an hour and it gets cooked within 10-15 minutes.Masoor dal cooked in combination with tomatoes increases its flavour and is absolutely irresistible. My Lunch…
Fiery Usal-Misal (Spicy Moth Bean sprout curry)
Matki (Moth bean) Usal is very popular in most parts of Maharshtra. This recipe is prepared differently in different parts of Maharshtra.It also is differently prepared for different occasions. Like if this is made as a part of any festive food it will be without Onion and garlic, with gravy/without gray..the combinations are many.I love the hot, spicy version. Misal is a another very popular version of Usal. Usal topped with savoury mixture (called Sev), chopped onion and lime juice is Misal. Misal is usually served with bread buns Pav and is eaten for breakfast, lunch, teatime snack, dinner …anytime.You…
CapsiCups (Stuffed green Bell peppers)
Fresh Green Capsicums ( green Bell Peppers) or any veggies for that matter are quite difficult to resist, the way they are stacked neatly in the vegetable markets here. I also like the freedom these veggie vendors give you for selecting the veggies on your own. That’s the reason I dislike buying veggies in the malls …prepacked in polythene bags. I picked up some fresh, firm, crisp, greenest (I know there’s no word like that, but I am using the superlative to let you know how much freedom the vendor gave me to choose the best he had!) baby capsicums…